Child of the Universe 2nd Edition

CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE TEAM Linda Navon The Happy Editor ‘If you enjoy what you do its a Joy, not a job!’

linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za Clint Stebbing Our Johnny Bravo of Advertising Sales (Camera-shy-good-looking-guy)

clint@childoftheuniverse.co.za Andrew Sanders I.T. Ninja (black belt on computer)

andrew@my99.co.za

Kevin Ross Owner of Active Results Website creator & online marketing (And just a ‘tad’ shy)

kevin@activeresults.co.za

Angela Quinn Freelance Writer (Freedom fighter & activist)

angela.quinn@gmail.com

Candida Matticks Wellness Consultant & NLP Practitioner

candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za

Carmen Ché Jardim Nanna’s little ray of sunshine & Motivation for this magazine

Sharon Caldwell CEO of SAMA Expert on the Montessori Method

shardoncaldwell@montessori.org

EDITORS LETTER Greetings Montessori Parents and Teachers Since the launch of Child of the Universe we have been completely overwhelmed with the positive response received from parents in and around South Africa, Africa as well as the International Montessori world. We are DELIGHTED to say the least and are proud to be sending you our 2nd edition.

Our little Carmen Ché’ is 9 months old, has cut 4 teeth and is about to walk... She continues to be a source of endless joy, love and inspiration.

Some offices have a cat – ours has a baby!

We trust you have all had an awesome year and are about to relax with family and friends during this holiday season.

Enjoy our selection of books, stories and competitions.

Be safe and be happy & Compliments of the Season to you all.

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE DECEMBER ISSUE

Lisa Birch Life Coach Practitioner Speciality – Teenagers

lisabirch@me.com

Helen Hansen Story Teller, teaches kids to act

CONTENTS Montessori Method

Parenting

(drama queen)

Helen@kto.co.za www.kto.co.za

Bizzy Kidz

Tamar Drakes Botha Writer of the Beaming Kids range of children’s books

Total Health

tamar@beamingkids.co.za www.beamingkids.co.za

Animal World Ally Cohen Mother, writer and activist Putting Child Safety First

www.4akid.co.za

Going Green

Stacie ‘Motherhood on a Dime’ Blogger Mother of three, teacher turned homeschooler... full of enticing ideas

Out & About

Stacie@motherhoodonadime.com 2Luni Media – Publisher Future titles:

Reading

‘Youth of the Nation’ 2013 ‘Mists of Avalon’ 2013

ENDORSERS OF CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE

Causes & Charities Competitions www.childoftheuniverse.co.za

Click to LIKE and WIN

MONTESSORI MATERIALS Dr. Montessori, in her initial work in 1907 in San Lorenzo, observed that the younger children were intensely attracted to sensory development apparatus. The children used these materials spontaneously, independently, repeatedly and with deep concentration. They emerged from this spontaneous activity renewed and with a profound sense of inner satisfaction.

"Montessori method is based on the spontaneous activity of the child which is aroused precisely by the interest the child takes in the material."

From this initial discovery, over many years of observation and trial and error, Dr. Montessori and her son Mario, went on to design an entire range of Montessori materials.

In order for the materials to be of optimum benefit they must be presented to the child at the appropriate stage in his or her development by a trained Montessori teacher. The materials then allow the child to engage in self-directed, purposeful activity. The materials are beautiful and enticing and are displayed in an orderly and accessible way.

"All the apparatus must be meticulously in order, beautiful and shiny, in perfect condition. Nothing must be missing, so that to the child it always seems new, complete and ready for use."

Montessori At Home! will show you how to put together excellent home learning materials that will hold your children’s attention, and teach them better than any expensively packaged, overpriced plastic toys. Through play, young children need experiences that will help them develop: • • • •

Muscle control and co-ordination Strong brain architecture A confident, positive self image Real-world critical thinking, logic, maths, reading and science skills. www.montessoriathomebook.com

The Montessori Classroom - A Very Montessori Poem A Montessori class is like no other,

Intrinsically motivated,

Calm and peaceful, neutral in color

Independent too,

Amazing materials to challenge the

The power of the absorbent mind

mind,

Soaking up knowledge through and

And countless opportunities to grow

through

and to shine, Maria Montessori is one of a kind, A harmonious tone, where grace and

An acute observer, an intelligent

courtesy are seen,

mind

Children helping, children learning,

She believed in following the child’s

exploring why leaves are green,

lead,

A joyous community where

And giving children the tools to help

independence abounds,

those in need

Learning through the senses, sandpaper letters to learn the

A Montessori class is like no other

sounds,

And a teacher I’m proud to be A role model, a facilitator, a

Learning about the continents,

nurturer, a friend,

working with landforms too,

Guiding them on a journey that I

Learning the parts of an insect,

hope will never end

persevering to tie your shoe, Pushing in your chair, rolling up your

I feel so proud, so honoured and

mat,

blessed

Using the Moveable Alphabet to spell

To help each child achieve their best

the word, ‘c-a-t’

To instil in them a love for life,

An environment where children work at their own pace, Discovering, exploring, no pressure to win the race, A philosophy that helps children be all they can be, Guiding their learning by following their lead,

A passion for learning and a zest for life

THE ‘TAIL’ OF THE TWINS &

This is the story of Apollo and Zeus, the twins that were destined for the bin.

There is a wicked woman living in the East who breeds Persian kittens to sell for a price. Just over a year ago one of her breeding cats decided she wanted to take a walk on the wild side and spent a night on the town.... with dire consequences. You see, two of her litter did not pass the test -they were not as ‘purrr-sian’ as all the rest.

At three weeks old their little lives were about to come to a sad end, without their mother they were too young to fend for themselves. I happened upon these two furry kittens just as they were about to be ‘dropped off’ in the parking lot of a shopping mall. Being a cat lover of note, and having worked with the Feral Cat Society in Durban hand-rearing rescue kittens for a number of years, I was immediately on their case. I left with their names and numbers and that of their cat-breeder friend – and of course two little kittens snuggled up on my lap.

To cut a long story short my daughter fell in love and adopted these two little fur balls and treats the boys like her kids. Along with a healthy dose of loving and care these two guys pulled through after their unfortunate start in life, got over their sniffles and ‘gummy’ eyes, were fed Royal Canin baby cat food right away and are now two big healthy dudes who rule the home.

When these ‘give-away’ hampers arrived this morning they went bizerk for the crackling wrapping plus I am sure they actually recognised the Royal Canin branding. Apollo, being the vain male saw the opportunity to become a celeb in his own right and was more than happy to get in on the photo shoot.

These awesome Royal Canin hampers will accompany the first 10 kittens that are adopted from a very special lady whose life purpose is to rescue and re-home cats and kittens.

Thank you Royal Canin for your generous contribution.

Each hamper contains the following: • • • • • • •

2kg’s of Kitten Nutrition A beautiful tin for food storage Food bowl Sleep basket and soft fluffy blanket Cat’s toy Desk calendar 2013 Appointment glossy diary full of pet picture and advice

To adopt your new furry friend please give Sarie a call on 083 658 1910. If she does not answer it’s probably because she is on a rescue mission, so please send her a text message and she will get back to you.

natural ~ safe ~ effective

going on a trip?

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have you packed

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why is the bluebox a must-have? n compact for travel, overseas or weekends away n easy-to-use, simple to dose kids, no nasty syrups n safe for babies, pregnant mums & breast feeding n once-off purchase, refills are available n comprehensive information booklet included n excellent value. . . R499, under R21 per remedy n 23 remedies treat over 100 symptoms eg travel

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pegasus homeopathics

Summer Safety Tips for Parents

By Ally Cohen

Summer is a fun time for all, but it’s also a time when a lot of accidents happen. Here are some ways to keep your children safe this summer.

Fun in the Sun According to the USA Skin Cancer Foundation, getting one blistering sunburn when you are a child doubles your chances of developing melanoma. Regardless of age and skin, it is recommended that everyone (adults and kids) apply a water-resistant sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays every day of the year. Choose a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. When using sunscreen, apply as much as would fill a shot glass -and if you're using both sunscreen and insect repellent, apply sunscreen first and then repellent.

Babies under 6 months: • The best is to keep babies out of the sun completely if possible.

• Prevent sunburn by avoiding sun exposure, and dress infants in lightweight clothing that covers the body, and wide-brim sunhats that shade the neck. Also apply a small amount of sunscreenwith at least 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to small areas, such as the infant's face and the back of the hands. If an infant gets sunburn, apply cool compresses to the affected area.

For older children: • The first, and best, line of defense against harmful UVR exposure is covering up. Wear a sunhat with a wide brim or a bill-facing forward and light cotton clothing.

• Stay in the shade whenever possible, and limit sun exposure during the peak intensity hours - between 10 am. and 3 pm.

• On both sunny and cloudy days use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater that protects against UVA and UVB rays.

• Be sure to apply enough sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating • Use extra caution near water and sand (and even snow) as they reflect UV rays and may result in sunburn more quickly.

Heat Stress and dehydration Always staying hydrated, constantly drinking fluids will help reduce heat stress. Mild symptoms of heat exhaustion can include feeling thirsty, fatigue and cramps (legs or abdominal). If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke.

Heatstroke is serious and symptoms can include dizziness, trouble breathing, headaches, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, confusion or changes in blood pressure. Skin may be flushed and feel hot and dry (not sweaty). Body temperature may rise substantially and could cause organ damage if not treated.

Kids are a lot more susceptible to heat stroke than adult and are also at risk for heat stroke if left in a hot car, even if the windows are slightly open and only for a few minutes. Never leave a child unattended in a car.

Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, dry mouth, cessation of sweating, irritability, lethargy and fatigue, dark yellow urine or sunken eyes.

Remind your kids to drink fluids every 20 minutes throughout the day and limit excessive activity or sports on very hot days.

Pool and Water Safety • Never leave children alone in or near the pool or spa, even for one minute!

• Never swim alone. Even good swimmers need buddies!

• Install a fence around the pool and if possible, a pool net for added layers of safety.

• Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.

• Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children and parents a false sense of security.

• The decision to take a 1-4 year-old child to swimming lessons should be made by the parent and based on the child’s developmental readiness, but swim programs should never be seen as “drown proofing” a child of any age.

• Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult – preferably one who knows how to swim and perform CPR – should be within arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”

• Always supervise your children around the pool area and never leave them unattended with open water in their vicinity.

• Ocean swimming should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.

Bites and Stings Spending time outside in the summer months is lots of fun but also means that you are susceptible to bites from mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other bugs. Always spray yourself and children with insect repellent (after applying sunscreen) but make sure that it does not contain DEET. Never use DEET repellent on infants as DEET can be toxic. Use repellents that contain picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, both are non-toxic and able to reduce mosquito bites.

Playground Safety Many playground injuries could be avoided with extra precaution and adult supervision so always check the playground equipment before letting your children play on it. Surfaces that are too hot can cause burns, and loose ropes can be hazardous. The ground should be covered in a protective surface such as wood chips, rubber mulch or mats, wood or wood chips but never asphalt or concrete to reduce the risk injury if a child falls. Also make sure that your child's clothing is playground-friendly and remove any strings, such as those on hoodies, only let them wear closedtoed shoes at play and avoid clothing that is loose enough to catch on equipment.

BE SAFE THIS SUMMER AND HAVE FUN!!

With Courtesy of Ally Cohen - "Putting Child Safety First"

* Finalist in MomEntrepeneur South Africa 2008 * 1st Runner-up in 702 Small Business Awards 2011 * Child Safety Advisor for Arrive Alive South Africa AND Parent24.com Managing Member of 4 A Kid and Sole distributor & importer of Mommy I'm Here, Smitten, Elodie Details, Huggalugs, Noo Wear, Infoband, BuggyPod, Kelgar, TummyTie and more...

Tel: +27 (0)11 656 8290 Mobile: +27 (0)83 200 6081 or +27 (0)82 447 1182 www.4akid.co.za

SODA POP KIDS PARTY VENUE Our brand new kid’s party venue in the countryside Open Saturdays and Sundays 9am to 12 noon and 2pm to 5pm

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Optional extra’s by arrangement:    

Jumping Castle Waterslide Pony rides Face painting

To arrange your special day contact Sandy Jeronimo Cell: 072 845 0206 sandyjeronimo@hotmail.com

319 Tamarisk Street Petit Benoni

“MOMMY I’M BORED!”

By Arizona Quinn

As kids this was not a statement that was ever made lightly around our mother… there was no such thing as being ‘bored’…. Completely unheard of!! We learnt at a very early age how to occupy ourselves with the simplest yet most exciting games. A piece of paper and a couple of sticks presented us with endless possibilities. Rainy days were for colouring in books and big boxes of crayons. Our imaginations were running on overdrive and we loved every minute of it…. Unless of course we insisted we were bored and ended up being given the task of washing the kitchen floor! This did not happen often.

Keeping preschoolers and toddlers busy and entertained can be very challenging especially during those times when they cannot go out and play. For instance, rainy days will always give you no choice but to stay home and provide your children with activities that they can enjoy even inside the house.

Baking and cooking - These are always fun. Let the children work in the kitchen and create a mess while preparing their dishes. These activities can encourage the children to do chores while having fun. (Yeah right, I still have visions of my Mom chasing us with the very recently licked chocolate covered wooden spoon…our mission was to mess, grab the goodies and climb the highest tree!).

Books - It is important to encourage children to read even at a very young age. Reading should not be a boring activity. To make reading more interesting and fun, join the children – read the books, illustrate them and write them. While you can just let the children spend the entire day in front of the television, this is not really a healthy way to keep them entertained. (As kids we never had TV until we were in high school – what a blessing – I still don’t know, or want to know, how to operate a ‘Play Station’). As you read to them, encourage them to create fantasy or imaginary movies in their minds – picture the stories.

Furthermore, persuade them to write their own adventures and great stories (I learnt to read and write before I went to school, at around age 5, out of necessity… it was that or wash the kitchen floor – again. To this day I never go to bed without reading a few chapters and usually have a couple of books on the go at the same time).

Play musical instruments - It doesn’t matter if the children don’t have their instruments. You can help them make their own tambourine, drum, cymbals, or xylophone. Even the pots and pans in the kitchen can be used as musical instruments. The children will definitely enjoy the noise. (What was that song about ‘Mother’s little helpers’?...I am sure my Mom must have been on ‘happy pills’ to cope with us – man we were monsters, and now we give our nieces and nephews those dreaded ‘noise toys’ as pressies and scoff all the way back to our peaceful homes… until the next birthday!)

Hide and seek - This is probably one of the most popular fun indoor activities for toddlers and preschoolers. The children can hide anywhere – cupboards and closets to under the table or bed, behind the curtains or the couch. Join them on their hide and seek game and be a child once again! (Mom’s version of the game:” Ok kids, you go hide while I count to 10!”… da-dum.. da-dum.. da-dum… after half an hour…where is Mom?... and where is the car?... and Dad’s credit card?)

Plate of Bubbles - All you need for this fun activity is a small plate, a plastic drinking straw, dish washing liquid and tap water. Place two drops (that's all you need!) of dish washing liquid in the center of a plate. Carefully run tap water onto plate, pointing water over the dish soap to create some foam or bubbles. Carefully place the plate on a flat, sturdy surface, such as the kitchen table, and have your child point his straw into the water. To create bubbles, blow gently and slowly into the sudsy water. Not too fast, it won't work! Slow and steady will create huge bubbles (Ja right.... imagine the possibilities, taps, water, soap suds.... Hmmmmm!)

Cookie Cutter Glitters - Pull out the construction paper, glue, glitter, stickers and cookie cutters. Kids can trace around the cookie cutter shapes, spread glue over the shape and decorate with glitter and stickers. (We still hire my younger brother out as a decoration at festival times). This can be a messy craft, so be prepared with a disposable table cloth and garbage can for scraps. Using a vacuum with a hose attachment is a much easier method of cleaning up glitter than a broom.

Feely Box - Use any box that closes or has a lid, a shoebox is ideal. Cut a hole in the side of the box large enough for a child's hand to fit inside. Place an object inside the box and see if they can guess what it is. If they can't guess right away, let them ask questions or provide them with clues until they figure it out. (To this day I recall having the Bata school shoe box surgically removed from my hand after my brother ‘lost’ the super glue IN the box).

Picnic Indoors - Pack a basket with paper plates, utensils and cups. Make sandwiches, pack fresh fruit, pretzels, a thermos of juice, and yogurt for dessert. Spread a blanket on the living room floor and serve a picnic lunch indoors! Add to the fun by dressing in summer clothes or beach attire. Be sure to wear your sunglasses and your sunscreen! (OMW... there comes Mom with the wooden spoon again).

Paper Bag Puppets - The easiest form of this requires only a paper lunch bag and crayons or markers. Simply draw on a face and you have a puppet! To make the characters more elaborate, decorate with yarn for hair, buttons for eyes, and glitter for cheeks. Ribbon can be added to the hair or made into a bow tie for the "neck". Draw on eyelashes and lips with colourful markers.

Colouring Pasta - Place a handful of dry, uncooked pasta shapes into a plastic zipper baggie.

Add a tablespoon of white vinegar and 2-3 drops of food colouring. Close the baggie and have the kids shake the bag until the pasta is completely coloured. Spread out onto a paper plate or paper towel and allow to dry. Use several baggies to create different colors. Once the pasta is dry, kids can use yarn to string together pieces to make necklaces and bracelets, or glue them to paper plates or construction paper to create a work of art. (Not the super glue AGAIN!)

I must admit that as kids we were totally free to explore our imaginations, entertain our minds with make-believe ‘other’ worlds and we would produce a whole air force of paper planes to fly over the roof of the house.. We built secluded garden forts with boxes and blankets and no tree was too daunting to climb. Though I have to admit that the absolute best pressie I ever got was my first portable radio... I grew up on Springbok Radio and knew and anticipated each day’s programmes. Squad Cars, 10 o’clock Tales, Springbok Hits... aaah.. and nostalgia sets in! Saddest day of my life was the final broadcast of Springbok Radio in 1985!

WIN A BOOK HAMPER FOR PARENTS AND KIDS: What are your best memories of being a child... we would love to hear your stories. Email your stories to linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za or post them to our facebook page.

We have lovely book hampers to give away for the funniest and most creative stories. - Ed

EAT RAW EAT MORE http://www.kto.co.za

My five year old and I were having a discussion about the importance of good food. I explained that the best food to eat is food that you can pick yourself (hoping this would make him think of our own veggie patch just a few metres away). His immediate reply was: “Like we do at Woolies!”

Why do we make the act of eating food so complicated? The earth gives us everything we need yet we want more. We complain about electricity bills yet we continue to switch on the oven, at least once every day. We complain about food prices yet we continue to pile our trolleys with frozen and processed goods, not to mention sugar. We complain about illness yet we continue to destroy ourselves with silent killers like aspartame. Can we truly say our species has progressed when we have strayed so far from nature?

Eating raw may sound complex but it is a lot easier than expected. The trick is gradual change and not cold turkey (no pun intended). Five years ago I discovered Mary-Ann Shearer and her 100 days to health programme. My 100 days ended up totalling nearly 300 days but the point is, I did it! It was during this exercise that I realised it’s ok to fail, but it’s NOT ok to give up. Taking one day at a time I slowly changed more than my diet, I changed my lifestyle.

HELEN’S 3 MONTH GUIDE TO EATING MORE RAW During each month give yourself one week to take out a negative and replace it with a positive. Seven days will give you time to adjust to the change and climb back on board when or if you fall off. If you take longer, that’s ok, but ensure that you have completed a change properly and are comfortable with it before continuing to the next step.

MONTH 1 Snacks are a big part of our lives. Not only do they tie us over between meals, they are often used for emotional reasons or to overcome boredom.

TAKE OUT:

ADD IN:

1. Sugar snacks

1. Gogi berries (energy booster) and cacao beans (great mood lifter)

2. Snacking on junk before meals

2. Nuts (this source of fats will fill that gap) or fruit before meals

3. Snacking before bed

3. If you are hungry before bed munch on some nuts or alkaline fruit

4. Snacking while watching TV or driving the car

4. If your hands must do something, rather drink water

MONTH 2 Cooking with high temperatures of 120째C or beyond results in a loss of 80% or more natural goodness. You have to then ask yourself, what is the point?

TAKE OUT:

ADD IN:

1. Fried hot chips

1. Salad with olive oil

2. Cooked or boiled vegetables

2. Raw grated vegetables with olive oil

3. Fried or cooked breakfasts

3. Fruit smoothies and nuts

4. Baked desserts

4. Raw desserts: fresh strawberries drizzled with honey or peaches sprinkled with coconut

MONTH 3 Variety is the spice of life! With so much to add to the flavour of food and beverages we sometimes forget what ‘natural’ tastes like. This month you will focus on getting back to your roots.

TAKE OUT:

ADD IN:

1. Sauces and salad dressings that are not completely natural

1. Olive oil, Himalayan / Kalahari salt, freshly crushed garlic, basil and other fresh herbs

2. Sugar in foods

2. Coconut Syrup or honey (remember that even with natural sweet enhancers, moderation is the key)

3. Sugar drinks

3. Water or freshly squeezed juices

4. Coffee and caffeine drinks

4. Herbal teas

The Advantages of Eating Raw: •

Emotional stability

•

Increased mental focus

•

Increased energy

•

Decreased anxiety

•

Improved skin, nail and hair quality

•

Rebuilds healthy tissue

•

Body heals easier and quicker

•

Improved sleep patterns

•

Body attains its natural and intended weight

•

You can eat as much as you like!

SUPPLEMENTS These supplements are rich in nutrition and will give your body a boost into healthiness.

1. Spirulina: high in protein and chlorophyll 2. Hemp: easily digestible protein 3. Barley and wheatgrass: great for alkalising 4. Maca: power powder for energy and building body strength 5. Lucuma powder: originating from the Lucuma tropical fruit, this is a tasty source of fibre, vitamin C, calcium and iron

We owe it to ourselves to fuel our bodies correctly in order to reach our full potential.

We owe it to ourselves to practice and experience information so that we can become knowledgeable.

And now I owe my son a visit to the veggie patch. He is eyeing the nasturtiums and spring onions while I can’t wait to get my hands on some beetroot and spinach.

Today’s lunch will definitely consist of a mixed garden salad.

Happy Munching!

About Helen

I am a freelance journalist and writer with a passion for self-sustainable living. Many of my articles are focused on holistic health and organic education. My studies in Early Childhood Development and Developmental Psychology, along with my creative dramatic background, has led me to formulate a unique curriculum of Creative Drama, visit www.kto.co.za/resources for more information.

Save the Wild Dog from extinction with

VAUGHAN de la HARPE

My name is Vaughan de la Harpe. I am up for challenges as I am sure you are.

The status of the African Wild Dog in South Africa is dire.

Numbers have fallen drastically and this magnificent creature needs our help. As John Dingel once said: "Living wild species are like library books still unread. Our heedless destruction of them is akin to burning the library without ever reading its books.

WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE AND WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN TO DO SOMETHING! I have reached the summit of Mount Everest on 2 occasions and using this as leverage have managed to raise in excess of R1,0m for this worthy cause, in conjunction with the Endangered Wildlife Trust. This year I am willing to donate an amount of R100,000.00 and I challenge you to follow my lead and donate an amount, however small.

To donate visit http://www.givengain.com/cause/2347/projects/11812/

I am a Wild Dog – Southern Africa’s most endangered carnivore. I used to range all over Africa, but today there are less than roughly 5000 of us remaining on the continent.

I’m a real family animal and fiercely loyal to my pack. The Alpha Female in our pack can have up to ten puppies – we then all bring meat back from our hunts for the pups, play with them until they get older and defend them from our predators like the lion.

It’s very hard to spot me in the wild, as there are so few of us – less than 130 in the whole of the Kruger National Park. You can consider yourself very lucky if you have managed to see me face to face in my natural habitat. You can also consider yourself very lucky if your children have the opportunity to see me one day – as I am under very real threat of becoming extinct.

Sponsor a Wild Dog family today and become part of the effort to save our wildlife for the future.

Wild for Wildlife and Nature Sea turtle hatchlings ♼

Sea turtles start their lives in eggs buried in the sand. After a two-month incubation, the young turtles hatch and run to the sea, facing attack by a variety of predators (e.g., birds, crabs, fish) along the way. They drift at sea until they are about a foot long and then, depending on the species, may move closer to shore to feed. Sea turtles mature at around age 30. The males then spend their whole lives at sea, while females mate with the

males at sea and then go to the beach to dig a hole and lay their eggs.

Female sea turtles may lay eggs several times during a single season.

All seven species of sea turtles are listed under the Endangered Species Act. Threats to sea turtles today include the harvesting of their eggs for human consumption, entanglement and entrapment in fishing gear, ingestion of litter and coastal development.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wild-for-Wildlife-and-Nature/279792438707552

Plastic Do I need to wash and squash the plastic and metal containers?

Washing the containers will help reduce odour, flies and rodents. Squashing the containers will free up more space in the recycling bin.

Can caps and lids be recycled?

Generally, removing bottle caps and lids is a good recycling habit, because their recyclability depends on the equipment your local recycler uses and what the lid is made of.

Often it's as much a safety issue as a recycling issue; the pressure that builds up in a sealed plastic bottle can blow a whole bale of plastic and potentially injure workers.

Paper Do I need to remove the windows from my envelopes in order to recycle them?

No. Most window envelopes are made out of water soluble paper fibre instead of the plastic that was once used. Recycle these as mixed paper.

Can I include Post-it Notes with my recycling?

Yes, Post-it Notes can be recycled as mixed paper.

Glass WHAT CANNOT BE TAKEN TO THE BOTTLE BANKS: windscreens laboratory glass window glass crystal and opaque drinking glasses mirrors heat-resistant ovenware light bulbs ceramic cups, plates and pottery clay garden pots

Find your nearest recycling centre or drop off using the link below: http://www.mywaste.co.za/locations

Calling all parents!

Let your children, aged from 7 – 15years, come experience fun in the sun in the heart of the Magaliesburg. Bushtrail Holiday Camp has a wide variety of sporting facilities. There are two fenced swimming pools, baseball, volley ball, table tennis, an obstacle course and lots of lawn for soccer and cricket. Other activities include walks in nature, cookouts and night walks, camp fires, story telling and lots more.

Friends made at camp are friends for life!

December dates: Camp 1 from 9 – 16 December & Camp 2 from 16 – 23 December 2012 Contact Liz or Billy on (014)577-1566 or 082 923 2739 E-mail: bushtrail@tiscali.co.za www.bushtrails.co.za

Staying Sane on a Road Trip with Little Ones

Sanity-Saver #1: Don’t jam-pack your schedule.

I know exactly how you feel: you’re on vacation and you want to take in all the sites, so you plan to hit as many as you can.

However, unless whining, crying, and melt-downs do not bother you, I suggest allowing plenty of time for downtime and naps. It’s no fun to take a tired child somewhere they do not want to be — just because you want to say you did *suchand-such* on your vacation.

I remember going to Disney World with my husband when we were in our mid-20′s (no kids yet) and wondering why in the world parents were dragging these fitthrowing, crying kids around. The kids weren’t having any fun. The parents weren’t having any fun.

I understand that sometimes you just have to go somewhere even with tired little ones, but try to plan your trip with the kids in mind, too!

Sanity-Saver #2: Sound machines are a blessing.

I am a huge fan of sound machines for sleeping — especially when you’re in a hotel!

These little machines don’t take up too much space, and they can drown out the noisy neighbors above and below you!

Sanity-Saver #3: A well-packed snack bag for the car is essential!

One thing I dislike about traveling is that we often don’t eat well, and I end up feeling terrible. Packing a bag (and cooler) with healthy treats can alleviate that!

Included in our bag and cooler: • • • • • • • •

Organic fruit Health Bars Peanuts Cashews Peanut Butter Animal crackers Bread Water

Sanity-Saver #4: Pull-Ups aren’t just for 2year-olds!

I might get some flack for this, but I don’t care! This saved my sanity as we were logging tons of miles. I put the two youngest (ages 3 and 4) in Pull-Ups while we were driving. No…I didn’t tell them just to pee in them (I’m not quite that bad of a mom!!)! It was a cautionary measure, because they usually tell us they need to go to the bathroom when there are no rest stops around (and my 4 year old will “never” go outside or along the road)!

Sanity-Saver #5: Activity bags keep little ones occupied in the car.

I took along a small laundry basket filled with activities in plastic baggies. You can find our ideas here. I just rotated through the activities and picked new ones out whenever we stopped.

Sanity-Saver #6: Keep a well-stocked car Having an emergency kit in your car is essential. You also want to have a “puke bag” of some sort (yes, I learned that on our trip).

It’s a good idea to keep a change of clothes and socks in the car for easy access.

You never know when you’ll need them!

What are your tricks for maintaining your sanity on a road trip?!! Email us on linda@childoftheuniverse.co.za Courtesy of Stacie from Motherhood on a Dime http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/kids/staying-sane-on-a-road-trip-with-little-ones/

COUNTRY HOUSE

N4 Schoemanskloof Rd Mpumalanga, South Africa Tel +27(0)13 7333045/6 Cell +27(0)83 2293751 www.oldjoes.co.za info@oldjoes.co.za

The perfect stopover en route to The Kruger National Park, Swaziland and Mozambique The perfect destination for reviving your soul Old Joe’s Kaia is a small, quaint and intimate family owned and managed guesthouse in the beautiful malaria-free Schoemanskloof valley, Mpumalanga. The original ‘rest camp’ was started by grandparents of the current co-owner, Marian in 1954 as a simple cluster of beautiful rondavels. Through the years the rest camp developed character as many personalities contributed to its growth and development as a full-blown guesthouse.

Old Joe’s Kaia was finally returned to the family late in 2006. Since then it has had many refurbishments and face-lifts as the family members contribute eagerly with their various talents and styles, giving the guesthouse a feeling of depth and dimension. It oozes nostalgia, eclectic interiors and loads of history. The ambiance is romantic, laid-back, relaxed and beautifully enhanced by Paul’s fine ear for music. He tunes into the mood of the moment with unobtrusive but appropriate genre of background entertainment.

We provide an intimate lifestyle experience of harmony, care and excellence

Dining is further enhanced my Marian’s wholesome dishes from her beautiful kitchen, which aligns itself with the principles of slow-food as far as possible. Greens are always fresh and organically grown in the veggie house. The rest of the produce is sourced as close to home and from free-range producers wherever possible. The emphasis is on balance, variety and nutrition, always with a modern twist to tradition. Vegetarians and vegans are fully catered for.

The gardens are lush and tropical with many pathways, nooks and crannies. Over sixty indigenous trees are marked, while the bird list for the area boasts close to 250 birds. The property is furthermore blessed with a beautiful labyrinth in the lower end of the forest. Here guests find the quiet time and tranquility they need for meditation, reflection and soul searching. Dale’s keen eye for detail ensures a sense of nurturing, while his youth and creative free spirit bring about a quirky and modern touch to many areas of the property. His keen interest in renewable energy keeps the rest of the guesthouse on track with its greening and RRR policy.

Old Joe’s Kaia is a haven, a place of retreat, an escape from a world of pressure and stress, isolated from external influences. Here harmony, peace and tranquility reign in an environment of true hospitality. Paul, Marian and Dale can’t wait to meet you!

GPS co-ordinates: S

25˚ 23.096’ E 30˚ 32.395’

Compiled by Linda Navon

Storm before the Calm - by Neale Donald Walsch • •

•

•

Something happened in early 2011 that hasn't happened in decades, perhaps centuries-and we didn't even notice it. That is, we didn't see it for what it was.

Massive unrest from Tunisia to Egypt to Libya rocked the Arab world and threw the globe into political crisis. Within days, an earthquake-tsunami-nuclear calamity of terrifying proportions shocked Japan and sent the world reeling once again, even as the globe's financial markets shuddered to sustain themselves while states and nations tottered on the brink of bankruptcy-where many still linger.

All of this, of course, we did notice. What we may have missed was that ancient predictions for this period of time called for exactly this: simultaneous environmental, political, and financial disasters. Were we seeing the beginning of "the end of history"-and not picking up the signal?

In his prescient new book The Storm Before The Calm, seven-time New York Times bestselling author Neale Donald Walsch offers a startling answer: yes. But Walsch also says there is nothing to fear, advancing an extraordinary explanation for what is happening even now all over the planet. Then-and more important-he provides a stunning prescription for healing our lives and our world through the answering of seven simple questions, inviting people everywhere to join in an earth-saving exchange at TheGlobalConversation.com. Compelling and perfectly timed, The Storm Before The Calm answers every question that is worth asking about December, 2012 and beyond.

Miracles Happen - by Weiss The New York Times bestselling author of Many Lives, Many Masters, Brian Weiss MD delivers a powerful revolutionary teaching on the physical, emotional and spiritual healing available to all through embracing the reality of reincarnation. Filled with incredible true stories, Sometimes Miracles Happen is a remarkable teaching tool that can be used by all to improve their lives, to evolve along their spiritual paths, to experience more joy, love and happiness in the present moment, and to ultimately understand that there is no need to fear death as we are all immortal and innately spiritual beings.

Dr Brian Weiss' conversion from scepticism towards reincarnation to confirmed belief has had a profound effect worldwide. Now Brian's readers complete the cycle as they explain how his works allowed them to understand the 'space between lives'. Each story is used to illustrate practical lessons for how you too can comprehend this revelation and draws upon Brian's and his daughter

Amy's practices as past-life regression experts. Our past lives are the key to a blissful, secure future and this book is the ultimate guide from two of its top practitioners.

The F**K IT Therapy - by John Parkin If every therapist and psychotherapist on the planet could repeat this to their clients, like a mantra, again and again, there would be fewer therapists and psychotherapists. Because it works. Very quickly. Realising that what you're worrying about and stressing over doesn't really matter so much in the grand scheme of things is the door to freedom and healing. And the little profanity 'F**k It' is the key to that door. Ask anyone who's come close to death, or lost someone close to them, or discovered they have a serious disease and they'll say the same thing: that the little things don't matter, F**k It... enjoy life in every moment for what it is, not what you want it to be... worry less, live more... remember what's important and forget the rest.

John and Gaia have taught F**k It Retreats in Italy and around the world since 2005. They have taught thousands of people how to say F**k It: how to ease up, let go, and feel the natural flow in their lives. F**k It Therapy makes available for the first time the process they teach during their week-long retreats. With their six-part process, you are guided through how to deeply relax and let go, then how to carry this out into your life. You find out about the F**k It State and how to access it, you learn the principles of F**k It Training and then discover what F**k It Living really is, and how you can live every moment in a free, relaxed and F**k It way.

Revive! - By Frank Lipman Do you feel unusually tired most of the time, even after a full night's sleep? Are you having trouble finishing anything or losing weight? Does your mind race even when you're physically exhausted?

If so, this book could be the way to turn your life around!

Revive! is the answer to the problem that millions of people face: how to step back and cope with the pressure of non-stop life. Using Western and alternative therapies, Revive! contains the 42 simple steps to gradually remove the problems that lead to exhaustion and replace them with ways to help your body heal and feel better - fast. You'll be shown how to: 路 make fast, nutritious and healthy meals 路 get back your natural sleep rhythm 路 replace punishing workouts with moderate exercise, including yoga, spine adjustments and the ultimate foot and shoulder massages 路 promote your body's own healing - from meditation and breathing exercises to music and spending time in nature.

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THE HONEST TODDLER Juice. Crackers. Tv

How To Get Kicked Out Of Preschool I’ve heard the same story over and over. Kid is having the best day ever wearing new clothes and new shoes visiting what they think is some kind of fancy orphanage when BAM they look up and daddy is waving goodbye while mama cries in the hallway.

It’s real.

Preschool is what happens when you’ve taken it too far on a regular basis. It’s a holding cell for toddlers. Expect hours of forced sleeping, lunch meat, and craft labour. Most preschools also do circle time which is where you recite spells for days on end.

There is hope if you find yourself incarcerated. Four words: get yourself kicked out. I know what you’re thinking but it’s not enough to call the teacher “mommy”. You have to go big. Use the handy guide below.

Good luck. Don’t drink the juice unless you like poison.

HOW TO GET KICKED OUT OF PRESCHOOL IN 7 EASY STEPS 1. Whether in jail or the workplace, all adults know that on day one it’s important to cause bodily harm to a friend. Same is true for preschool if you want to be asked to leave. Look for a small, weak child who appears to have skipped breakfast. Don’t overdo it or the real police may get involved. When asked “why” just say, “they told me to” and point to the air 2. Find a teacher with a gentle spirit. Go up to her with a sweet look on your face and tell her you have a secret. When she bends down, make your eyes go dead and say, “They’re coming for you”.

She’ll look sick and say “Who?” Just smile and repeat. This teacher will avoid you for the rest of the day.

3. Find the teacher you spoke with earlier. Make eye contact again and whisper, “Are you scared? You should be.” She will look visibly upset. You’re doing great.

4. At some point, they will give you crayons and paper. Do your best to draw a stick figure in a lake of fire. Take the picture to your special teacher. Narrate the scene emphasizing that she is the one eternally floating in lava. Your parents will be called soon.

5. Pee in your pants. While someone is helping you change, sing The Rose in a haunting, soulful voice. You can find the lyrics 6. During naptime, wait until the room is silent. Jump up suddenly and yell, “WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!” in a celebration voice. Mom and dad will be there shortly.

7. You’re almost done but it’s important that you are not asked to just go home for today. You need to be deleted from their file system and have your social security number permanently blocked from enrolment. While your teacher is rushing to gather your belongings and put your shoes on, touch her hair and say, “This will soon all be mine.”

Your mother and father are in the parking lot and will be taking you home. Don’t worry about your teachers sharing your actions. They will most likely just say that you aren’t quite ready for preschool and that perhaps next year is a better time to start at a different location. You did well. Enjoy playing with your own toys.

PS. If for some reason you are subject to a surprise exorcism – sorry. http://thehonesttoddler.com/ If there is an immediate cracker emergency and you have snacks that need sharing, email thehonesttoddler@gmail.com

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The price is R299 per calendar and R38 per calendar for postage within SA. Place your order via email to debbiet@ewt.org.za or logon to our e-shop showing our various items that we have for people to purchase www.ewt.org.za CLICK ON RHINOSE DAY PICK AND GIVE YOUR CAR HORNS.... HELP SAVE A RHINO TODAY!!

SUPPORT SAVING THE RHINO

I’m passionate about reading! As a former teacher, teaching kids to read was one of my favorite parts of the job.

Now that I’m at home, it’s been so fun to see my own children move from non-readers to readers!!

Here are seven tips to set your preschooler on the road to reading:

1) Read aloud to your child. Often.

Probably not what you expected for my top tip, huh? However, this is absolutely the most crucial part of teaching your child to read. They must be immersed in books! And it needs to be often throughout the day. A token book before bed is not what I’m talking about here (although I’m guilty of this sometimes)! Chunks of time devoted to reading aloud throughout the day are going to make reading come alive for your child (you should even read to your babies and toddlers – I used to read to the girls while they were in their high chairs)!

One of my favorite books about how and why you should read aloud to your child is The Read-Aloud Handbook from Jim Trelease. Equally inspiring is Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever by Mem Fox. 2) Read beside your child.

Do your children see you reading? You can’t expect them to embrace something you don’t model!! Even if it is just 10 or 15 minutes reading a chapter from a book, your children can see that reading is important to you.

They are watching you.

Here’s how we do it: Our Bible time in the morning consists of me reading my Bible and the girls “reading” their Bibles right alongside me. We also have a quiet time in the afternoon where we all read our own books.

I also really want to encourage dads here! Please, read in front of your children. Little boys especially NEED to see you reading and to hear you read aloud to them.

3) Fill your home with print.

A “print-rich” environment is correlated with academic success, so fill your home with books, magazines, and newspapers! Even when my girls were babies, I had a basket of board books in the living room and baskets of books in their bedrooms. Now, each girl has her own bookshelf filled with books.

you should read to your child.

Broken down into several categories, this book will guide you to noble, moral, and wonderfully-written books based on age level. Truly, you should definitely consider this book if you are overwhelmed by the choices out there or just want to make sure your child’s reading material is more than “twaddle”! It will inspire you!

You may not have a lot of room, but even just a box of books under the bed is an excellent start!

4) Get a library card!

Not only can you find an amazing variety of books at the library, you can also take advantage of story times, activities, and whatever else your library offers! Visits to the library give your child a chance to see that reading is important — not just to you — but to many others, as well.

Sometimes it can be overwhelming to figure out what books to check-out.

Your librarian is very knowledgeable in this area, so be sure to utilize his/her help. I have also found these books helpful in selecting classics and picture books to encourage a love of literature:

Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt: This book is also one of my goto books when I’m wondering what we should check-out from the library next.

This book is broken down into a few more categories, and I especially appreciate the section for beginning readers.

5) Teach lower-case letters first.

When you begin to do alphabet activities or read picture books about the alphabet, consider teaching lowercase letters first. You will encounter a much higher percentage of lower-case letters than capitals in your reading!

Read for the Heart: Whole Books for Whole Hearted Families: This is one of the most-used books on my shelf, and I cannot say enough about it! Not only does it share lists of books to read with your child — it shares why and how

A nice set of lower-case magnets for the refrigerator or set of tactile letters is a good place to start. You can also make your own.

6) Worry more about letter sounds than names.

While it’s great your child can sing the alphabet song, it’s not really that helpful!! Let me clarify that a little bit more: Eventually your child will need to know the names of the letters, but it is much more advantageous to teach letter SOUNDS first. When your child sees a b, you want him to say “Hey, look, a /b/” (letter sound) instead of “That’s a b” (letter name).

Some children are able to memorize the name and sound at the same time, but it is too much information for others. It may feel a little strange at first to read through your favorite alphabet book identifying each letter by sound, but I believe it makes so much more sense!

Once your child knows her letter sounds, I recommend the book Mommy, Teach Me to Read: A Complete and Easy-to-Use Home Reading Program. If you’d like a complete curriculum and sequential (but still quite hands-on) approach, check out All About Reading Level 1.

7) Don’t push too hard.

Especially with your first child, you probably have a tendency to push a little more (I’m guilty sometimes), but your child doesn’t have to read by the time he is three….or four…or five..or even six. My oldest knew her letter sounds when she was four, but I didn’t push her to read. We started some phonics and easy readers when she was five, and she was reading about grade level. She turned six and in a span of about two months, she went from reading on a first grade level to a fifth grade level. I’m currently working

with my middle daughter (she’s five), and she is just now beginning to blend three-letter-words. My almost fouryear-old can remember her numbers, but her letter/sound recall is still spotty.

Am I worried?!! NO!!

EVERY CHILD HAS HIS/HER OWN UNIQUE TIME TABLE!!

I share about my own children only because I want you to see that your child doesn’t have to read when he is three. Don’t get hung up on what the other kids your child’s age are doing.

Trust yourself a little bit more — you know your child! Sure, if they show readiness signs, I’m all for it. But if not, just let them play — and build — and sing — and play some more!!

Though these tips may seem basic, I hope they have inspired you and will help you in your journey to raise a reader. I truly believe you can teach your child to read!

By Stacie

Storytime - 3 to 6 year olds ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

By Helen Hansen Little Petronella loves bright, shiny goodies. Anything that sparkles catches her eye. She loves to watch her mother's earrings twinkle in the sunlight. Colourful beads of any size or shape are a favourite.

She also enjoys the jewels in nature. Dew drops rolling playfully on big green leaves always make her giggle and the reflection of the moonlight on evening waters make her feel like a princess in a fairytale.

One evening, Petronella was standing at the front door looking out into the dark night, wondering when the moon would appear. As she was staring and staring she saw a small bright light appear.

Wondering if she was falling asleep already she rubbed her eyes and looked again. This time there were four bright lights. She took a step onto the path to get a closer look.

"Don't go far, dear," called her mother from inside.

By now there were so many little bright lights they could not even be counted. Petronella walked further down the garden path and was amazed to find that the further into the darkness she walked, the brighter the lights shone. Suddenly the lights flew around her lighting up the path for her.

"Fireflies," whispered Petronella.

Down in the garden, surrounded by the tall trees and big bushes, Petronella felt excited. Usually she was scared to be alone in the dark but with these magical fairies all around she felt perfectly safe.

As more and more fireflies joined the gathering, the garden glowed in a warm light. Looking around Petronella noticed things she had not seen before. The flowers all seemed to be bigger and little creatures were sitting on them, using them as chairs. The stone she liked to sit on while drinking cool drink was now being used as a stage. Grasshoppers played cellos while a large toad played the saxophone. And her splash pool had become a sailing pond for ladybirds on lily pad boats.

Looking up Petronella saw the big tree smiling down at her.

"Hello," he said, in a deep and slow voice. Then he held out his stick-like hand.

Petronella shook the trees hand. She couldn't believe this was happening. She was talking to a tree.

"Excuse me, mister tree," she said bravely, "what is going on here?"

"Let me show you," the tree said.

Slowly his roots pushed through the earth and pushed Petronella up, up into the air. She felt as if she was riding on a dentist's chair.

Perched high above the ground Petronella could see far across the garden into the field next door. Everywhere she looked she saw bright lights twinkling. Blue lights, pink lights, yellow and green lights. These colourful firefly lights were all dancing together, moving in perfect time to the music played by the toad and grasshoppers. Petronella clapped her hands along with the beat.

As the song came to an end each firefly performed a perfect somersault.

"Bravo!" called out Petronella, clapping her hands with delight.

Suddenly the party was interrupted by a voice in the distance.

"Petronella, who are you talking to?" called the little girls mother.

"Come inside please, it's nearly dinner time."

Petronella moaned, she didn't want to leave.

"Don't worry," the tree said, "we are always here. The fireflies dance for us on every still, warm night."

Slowly the roots of the big tree shrunk back into the soil and Petronella was once again on the ground.

"Thank you," she said hugging the tree, "I had the most wonderful time ever!"

With that she skipped down the path back to the house.

© Nicola Vigilanti

Every day approximately 1 000 women die in childbirth or from a pregnancy-related complication.

These deaths can be prevented if we work together.

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R300 purchases 20 obstetrical stethoscopes for monitoring foetal heartbeats.

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