Child of the Universe Montessori Mag-Nificence May 2016 Issue 23

PUBLISHER 2Luni Media EDITOR Linda Navon 071 346 8138 OUR “Little Boss” Carmen Ché Jardim SALES & MARKETING Cj Stott Matticks 082 900 1010 FREELANCE WRITER Arizona Quinn DISTRIBUTION & RESEARCH Lee Coulter OFFICES Sonata Square Olivedale TEL: (011) 462-2900 0110 262 643 FOR ADVERTISING PLEASE CALL Cj ON 082 900 1010 Email: candida@childoftheuniverse.co.za DISCLAIMER The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the editor, advertisers or endorsers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this publication are both accurate and truthful, the publisher and editor accept no responsibility for inaccurate or misleading information that may be contained herein. www.childoftheuniverse.co.za

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ed’s letter Hello Positive People While the weather is cooling down at a rapid rate, life on the magazines is hotting up fast. We are attracting some exciting attention from across the ocean which we will be sharing with you in the upcoming editions.

On the home front, events and activities in South Africa are in abundance – from weekend outings with the kids, to short getaways and opportunities to revive your energy levels – we are exploring and will share with you in the June Edition.

In the meantime, we encourage you to stock up on your health products to keep the family well during winter, and to remember those less fortunate than us at this time of the year.

My heart cries when I see how many street people we have in our country, and no matter what their circumstances are that have brought them to being homeless, begging, cold and hungry, even addicted, please take time to acknowledge them. Just a smile and a greeting goes a long way – I myself do not advocate giving money out of the car window due to a sense of either guilt or sympathy, rather carry a bag of apples and bottles of water in your car, or make an extra sandwich in the morning to hand out. This is also a great time of the year to clear out your cupboards and offload clothing that you don’t need. That’s my mission this winter – to lighten life for a few people. EVERY ONE MAKES A DIFFERENCE – YOU CAN TOO. Be well and count your blessings Love

Linda xxx

montessori contributors & expert team DR MICHAEL DORER

TIM SELDIN

SHARON CALDWELL

HEIDI VAN STADEN

JACQUELYN PRICE

KYM VAN STRAATEN

DR PAUL EPSTEIN

ADAM DARBY

OLIVIA DARBY

SETH D. WEBB

AMY McCREADY

MARNIE CRAYCROFT

contents FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF MONTESSORI SCHOOLS THE IMPORTANCE OF MONTESSORI EDUCATION A message from Riana Eisler THE WONDERS OF MONTESSORI Ann Plizner RAISING GIFTED CHILDREN Candice from The Soul Spirit of Serenity

75 WAYS TO MONTESSORI PARENTING Marnie – Carrots are Orange

MONTESSORI EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS Childrens House Kid-Ease Montessori Supplier WonderEquip

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Our products are based on Montessori education principles and stimulate children's desire to learn.

They promote imagination, increase insight and create a desire for quality. Children can develop without predetermined rules, but they do need individual guidance and supportive educational materials. We believe in personal growth and offer the necessary tools to support this.

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DRESSING FRAMES

GEOGRAPHY

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Fundamental Principles of Montessori Schools Principle 1 Classes in Montessori Schools are mixed age and non-graded.

Mixed age classes comprise at least three-year groupings corresponding to the Planes of Development: 3–6; 6–9 and 9–12 or 6–12; 12–15 and 15–18 or 12–18.

Mixed-age groups are not correlated to grades, nor are they divided in other ways according to achievement levels or normative standards.

Principle 2 Montessori schools accommodate an extended period of uninterrupted self=chosen activity – a period during which children can choose their own activity and work undisturbed for a minimum of three hours.

Principle 3 Rewards and Punishments are not used in a Montessori environment.

Principle 4 A prepared environment is a critical component of Montessori

Pedagogy.



The prepared environment Serves the developmental and pedagogical needs of the children using it;



Supports freedom of movement, speech and association;



Supports free choice of activity;



Facilitates normalization and valorisation;



Includes a full range of Montessori materials appropriate to the age for which it is prepared.

Principle 5 The adults in the Montessori environment exhibit and apply the principles of Montessori pedagogy through: 

A disposition of respect and patience towards the child;



An ability to balance the principle of non-intervention while at the same time not abandoning the child;



Trust in Montessori principles, methodology and pedagogical aims;



Seeing the role of the adult as primarily observer, scientist and interpreter of the environment rather than as a teacher in the conventional sense;



Guiding the child to normalization and development appropriate to each Plane of Development.

Principle 6 Montessori schools develop curriculum guidelines which

conform to the vision of child development and the educative goals outlined by Maria Montessori.

What Are Suitable Montessori Toys / Materials For 0-3 Years?

In line with Montessori philosophy here are some suggested toys & gifts for the different age groups and also some developmental considerations.

Many quality toys have age guides to help choose what the appropriate age is, but remember these serve as a guide and always check for small pieces when young children are around.

The quality of the toy’s materials is a valid consideration; natural wooden toys will last far longer than plastics, but can prove a challenge to wash.

Toys & Gift Suggestions: Birth to 18 months •soft toys •things with bright contrasting colors •rattles (wooden or silver) •mobiles (that catch children’s attention/ reflective) •squeaky toys •music boxes •balls (of various sizes and textures) •knock down toys •blocks •bath and pouring toys •simple wooden musical instruments •push or pull toys •spinning top •drop boxes •stacking toys •rings and bases •board books

Montessori Toys for Toddlers 18 to 24 months Children are learning to control events and organize the world, they have little sense of danger.

Mostly, cannot share. They want to imitate you, yet are still becoming independent 2-3 years More imitation of adult behavior and exploration of the adult world.

Enjoy manipulating objects, express their own personality and test everything.

Toys & Gift Suggestions: 18 months to 3 years •posting toys •wooden jigsaws •blocks •sandpit toys •hammer and pegs •wooden animals •rocking horse •crayons, colored pens •paints, easel board •simple musical instruments •household objects (real child sized) •moving toys (such as trucks) •large threading beads •bean bags •wheelbarrow or a wagon •interlocking blocks •doll equipment and clothing •large cartons and boxes •play dough •realistic animals (farm or zoo) •child sized cleaning apparatus (mops, brooms, gardening tools) •simple story books

QUALITY MONTESSORI EDUCATION MATERIAL AT AFFORDABLE PRICES Science teachers and ecologically minded parents—this book is a delightful introduction to the habitat in and around old trees. As AAAS Science Books and Films says, “the science is accurate and the book painlessly teaches important ecological lessons.” From lowly fungi to majestic owls, the book connects the web of nature. Repetitive, cumulative verse—a poetic technique that children universally enjoy—aptly portrays the amazing ways in which the inhabitants of the forest depend upon one another for survival. Stunning illustrations by the renowned illustrator, Christopher Canyon, manage to be both magical and true to life. It includes a guide to the forest creatures and their interrelationships, and a concise explanation of an “ancient forest.”

CALL US (011) 574-5739 or 084 777 6655 anthea@kid-ease.co.za www.kid-ease.co.za

Why I love Montessori As the leader of a Montessori school, I feel that Montessori is the best form of education we can offer a child. Now this may seem biased, but hear me out. I wasn’t always a Montessorian.

In fact, my career in education began as a teacher at a Detroit public school. In this traditional system, we would frequently bribe our students into doing whatever we needed them to do.

We praised them for doing what should have been natural human behavior. We taught them that school was boring and a chore, but if you go through the motions, you get a prize.

It all just felt wrong and it didn’t take me long to become “fed up” with the functions of the public schools. I wanted more for the kids in my classroom. I wanted more for my child. I wanted more from myself as a teacher and as a mother.

There had to be a better way.

With this in mind, I began paying careful attention to the teaching methods that I encountered. Closest to home, I noticed the habits forming at my son’s daycare center. Every toddler seemingly did the same art project in the exact same way. As I examined his class’ work one afternoon, I noticed each child’s name was perfectly printed in the lower left hand corner. Without thinking, I exclaimed to my three year old, “Tony! You know how to write your own name! Why is your teacher writing it?” The teacher stood in the background and replied for Tony, “Oh, I like them to look nice so I insist on writing all the names.”

At that moment, I realized that the teacher had not only sucked every ounce of creativity out of an “art” project but had also made it clear to my son that his messy three year old lettering was substandard. At the time, I didn’t know for sure if there was something better out there. All I knew was that I had to give it my best shot to find it.

The school was less than appealing, an old Catholic school building in need of updates, but what I saw in the classrooms was truly extraordinary. The teacher showed Tony and me around. I saw two teachers working quietly with children. I counted four classroom pets as well as numerous plants. There was a wall of cultural souvenirs for the children to look at. There were shelves of scientific artifacts. Instead of a play kitchen or dress-up area, there was a small sink to wash dishes and a child folding small towels. As a math teacher, what really sealed the deal was when I saw a four year old doing four digit addition. When I asked the teacher if this was common, she replied, “If a child can do one digit addition, he can certainly do four digit”. A tuition check was written that day.

Tony started Four Corners Montessori Academy in Madison Heights, MI the next fall as I continued to teach at my inner-city traditional school. He came home saying peculiar things like, “The shelves in the classroom are all empty,” or “We learned how to ask to use the restroom today.” At this point, I was a single mother who was writing a check that equaled my rent to this school. I couldn’t believe that my child was doing what seemed like absolutely nothing at school for the extraordinary amount of money I was spending. I decided to take a day off and observe.

I went in early in the morning and first observed ‘circle time’. It was pretty standard to what you would see in any preschool room. It was then time for the morning lesson. The assistant teacher whispered in my ear, “Today’s lesson is chair washing.

You’re in for a treat!” I did everything in my power not to respond. CHAIR WASHING! CHAIR WASHING??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? But then I saw it. The class was silent and the teacher demonstrated each and every step to washing a chair.

She did this in silence without a word of explanation. When the lesson was done, she dismissed the students and one by one they silently went to their own work.

One child chose the chair washing work and began the steps the teacher had just showed.

The teacher later explained this activity to me as “Practical Life” work. I absorbed her every word as she described in detail how in the practical life area students are able to gain more physical coordination and concentration skills through this type of real-life work. You see, physical coordination is good for the child’s development and provides the strength needed for good writing skills. The intense concentration needed to watch and repeat work, such as the chair-washing lesson, is exactly the level of concentration needed to succeed in advanced academic work.

I was in love. The self-discipline. The passion. The sheer love for learning. At that moment, I knew Montessori was it and worth every dime. Tony was lucky enough to attend a Montessori with a public K-8 program, and has continued his Montessori education, now at Battle Creek Montessori Academy, in Battle Creek, MI.

After I saw the beautiful chair washing demonstration, I soon after asked for a job at the school. I was then able to see and learn these extraordinary lessons on a daily basis with children of all ages. I often think of my kids in Detroit and wish that they too would be able to experience the wonders of a Montessori education.

Today when I walk into my Montessori school, I see a symphony. I see teachers seamlessly moving from task to task, I see children working in harmony, solving their own problems and thirsting for work and knowledge. I see beautiful classrooms, with brilliantly crafted materials. What a lucky person I am to witness this each day.

So when parents ask me why their child should go to a Montessori school, the answer is simple: how do you want them to perceive school? If you want your child to behave well only if they receive a reward, to be given cute dittos to learn, and to have teacher-centered classrooms – keep them where they are. But if you want your child to explore at school, if you want your child to be in a beautiful, harmonious environment where the child’s interests and needs are at the center, come to Montessori.

Ann Pilzner‘s career in education first began at a traditional school in Detroit. In an effort to find a fantastic preschool program for her son, she stumbled upon Montessori. Ann fell in love with the philosophy and soon began teaching at his Montessori school. She later was offered the opportunity to open her own public Montessori school in Battle Creek, where she is currently the Head of School. Ann resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her husband and son.

Bells - 1MM.240 Set of 13 pairs of movable brass bells that make up the chromatic scale starting with the middle C (do) as follows : a) 13 bells with natural wood bases b) 13 bells with decreasing diameters and black or white wooden bases to correspond to the piano keyboard; c) two wooden mallets for striking the bells; d) one wooden damper Mallet - 1MM.240.1 Individual wooden mallet for bells Damper - 1MM.240.2 Individual wooden damper for bells

CONTACT US Phone: (011) 805-3449 Mobile: 082 644 6965 sales@montessorisupplier.co.za www.montessorisupplier.co.za

Bell Baseboard - 1MM.241 Set of two wooden boards with grey and white rectangular spaces corresponding to the bases of the bells

The moment I read the quote “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed,” I felt an immediate kindred spirit with Dr. Montessori. Everything I continued to read about the Montessori philosophy resonated with me as an individual, a teacher, and as a parent. For more detail on Why I Chose Montessori for my family, check out my blog.

In the spirit of Montessori as a lifestyle, I brainstormed a quick list of 75 ways you can embrace your inner Montessori in your home starting TODAY!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Read Montessori: a Modern approach Embrace the idea that Montessori is a lifestyle and not simply an approach that begins and ends at classroom doors Invest in stools so the child can reach the sink, cabinets, and shelves Use real dish ware; Avoid plastic toys, cups, dishes Embrace the Montessori Coat Flip Practice simplicity Be a model in behavior no matter what you’re doing in life Help a child with scientific thinking Think about history not in dates to remember but instead as a sense of duration and passage of time (which typically isn’t cognitively possibly to comprehend until 7 or 8 years old). Teaching kids about time can be fun!

Use REAL images (aka: AVOID cartoons) Hang a coat rack at your child’s level Allow kids to be creative Consider a faucet extender Create a culture basket Wait for your child to put his coat on Give your child the space and time to put on his shoes Practice Letter Writing

• •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Explore the outdoors with these books about rocks, ants, bears, and seeds.

Teach kids to code (Maria Montessori would approve of moving along with the times) Focus on sounds, not memorization, of letters Use concrete objects that kids can get their hands on while learning Teach kids about what it means to be courageous Read up on positive discipline and respectful parenting Learn about ways to encourages kids with writing Create the environment for discovery of reading and writing Practice observing your child for at least five minutes a day Don’t intervene during conflict or struggle Remember practical life activities are about focus, completion of a work cycle, preparation for writing, and independence.

Cook with your kids Put together an east Letter Sound Work for your kids Always move left to right Allow your child to zip up on his own Make smelling bottles Don’t talk down to your child.

Speak in a kind, firm tone.

Have a Family Reading Time Travel with your Kids Learn photography with your kids Subscribe to one of these amazing monthly kits Read (a lot) with your child Establish a routine with kids Commit to these 5 Rock Star Responses to Kids during Challenging Moments Create a music basket Learn about Electricity with Kids Learn the 3 Part Lesson Create object boxes Expect a lot from your child because she is capable Take Sensorial Activities outside Leave her room to develop at her own pace Allow him to make his own discoveries because then he will be a lover of learning for life Go and be outside Practice Mindfulness Implement yoga into your daily routine with your kids Listen to your kids Kneel down at the child’s eye level when speaking with him Use phrases other than “What’s Wrong?”

Learn math outside Better communicate with your child with these ten rock star tips Don’t be afraid of insects

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Take Language activities outside Help create a sense of awe and wonder in a child by using questions to lead learning Garden with Kids Make time for dinner & family time Practice grace & courtesy Create a peace table in your home Accept that all children exist on the learning spectrum.

No two children are alike Children crave a gentle, calm leader Focus on developing a child’s emotional intelligence Be a role model in your relationship with your partner Do listening activities with kids Take Practical Life Outside Purchase garden tools for kids Practice inquiry base learning Read Madeline Levine’s book “Teach Children Well” about redefining success

Marnie’s e-books – click covers to order and download

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Choose chickpeas Chickpeas seem to be everywhere lately and for good reason. This protein-packed legume (pulse) is high in fibre, folate and zinc and has been said to help with weight loss.

Chickpeas are also really versatile in the kitchen. You can eat them hot or cold and they can act as the star of the meal, or a support. You can roast chickpeas, add them to salads, use them as a substitute for croutons in soups or turn them into a simple snack with big flakes of sea salt.

And of course you can always purĂŠe them to create a silky-smooth hummus.

Chickpeas fall under the category of pulses and the United Nations declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (IYP). The hope is to position pulses as a primary source of protein and other essential nutrients. Everyone can get involved, visit http://iyp2016.org/ for more information. Pouyoukas Foods is a partner of IYP in South Africa.

Crispy sumac salmon and crushed minty chickpeas Serves 4 Ingredients 3 cups cooked Pouyoukas dried chickpeas 1 small handful fresh mint, chopped ½ red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped Juice of 1 large lemon Small punnet cherry tomatoes, finely chopped 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil 1 small red onion, finely chopped Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sumac 4 portions fresh salmon Fresh lime or lemon wedges, to serve

Method For the minty chickpeas, in a large bowl combine the chickpeas, mint, chilli, lemon juice, tomatoes, olive oil and red onion.

Season well with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and set aside.

For the salmon, combine 1 tablespoon olive oil and sumac to form a paste.

Spread onto the fish, fry in a non-stick frying pan skin side down for 3-4 minutes on either side.

The skin should be crisp, while the fish is still pink and moist.

Serve the sumac salmon with minty chickpea salad and plenty of fresh lemon or lime.

About Pouyoukas Foods: Pouyoukas Foods are of the highest quality, carefully selected from around the world. From seeds and legumes to essential flours and snack products, Pouyoukas products are the perfect addition to any pantry. Visit the Pouyoukas website at www.pouyoukas.co.za

Environmental Benefits of Toweling Nappies Did you know that using toweling nappies is an active form of recycling?

Various environmental arguments centered on methods of diapering seem to break down into three different categories The aggressive consumption of both renewable and non-renewable...

read more Âť

The stress of a newborn Having a baby and becoming a mom is one of the most exciting yet stressful times in a woman's life.

Unfortunately more mothers today are feeling alone and overwhelmed in their role. Here are some practical steps... read more Âť

Boost your kids’ immunity this winter

By Nutritional Therapist Karen Ward for CNH (The College of Natural Health, South Africa)

As a busy mum of two, I know that as we approach winter, prevention is key to staying well. So whether you have a baby, young children or teenagers, it is never too late to give your kids’ immune system a boost.

For me healthy food has to be quick and easy to prepare as well as packing a punch in the nutrient- density stakes. Here are my favourites: Smoothie freezer bags – over the weekend, fill and freeze individual zip-lock bags with a mix of berries, ripe bananas and some leafy greens, ready for blending as needed in the week ahead.

Slow Cooked Foods– A very reasonably priced slow cooker will be your best friend this winter.

Pop in an organic chicken, carrot, stick of celery, onion and a few cloves of garlic. Top up with water, turn to slow setting and run out to school. You will arrive home to the best chicken you have ever tasted and copious amounts of immune-supporting chicken stock for soups, stews and sauces for the week ahead. Chicken stock can inhibit infection caused by cold and flu viruses! Great news, as a little goes a long way.

Cauliflower power – often ignored in favour of its famous cousin, broccoli, if you cunningly disguise it as ‘Cauliflower Rice’ or mash with potatoes they will never know! Cauliflower contains glucosinolates, B vitamins & fibre, for a healthy gut and super immune function.

Feed their healthy gut bacteria – Increase your little ones’ intake of Prebiotic rich foods such as oats (use in pancakes instead of flour) and leafy veg (such as spinach in smoothies). Leeks, garlic & onions all contain the antioxidant quercetin which is both antibiotic and anti-viral. It’s not destroyed by cooking, thankfully, as my kids won’t crunch on raw onion in a salad, but making a leek and potato soup, or throwing a red onion and garlic into their pasta sauce and blending, works a treat and this ensures their healthy gut bacteria can survive.

Healthy Fats – The health benefits of avocado and coconut oil are immense. Blend half an avocado with 3 eggs for a delicious green omelette/scrambled egg in the morning/after school, or add half a ripe banana to the mix for delicious pancakes. Use organic, cold-pressed coconut oil for cooking, baking and frying purposes. Numerous studies show coconut oil possesses potent anti-microbial properties due to its levels of medium chain fats, especially Lauric Acid.

Go Blueberries – Recent studies show how freezing blueberries increases the anthocyanin concentration, a group of antioxidants that provide the immune system with mega protection by positively influencing gut bacteria. Stock up at your local farmers market now, before they run out, and freeze for a supply that lasts all winter. Alternatively, buy frozen blueberries at grocery stores or health shops.

Raw Local honey – Nature’s immune-boosting nectar possesses super anti-microbial properties.

Add a teaspoon to homemade pancakes or porridge. For an extra boost if your little ones are brewing a sore throat, give them a teaspoon of Manuka Honey. Mine love it spread on pancakes or direct from from the spoon – be sure not to give honey to children under 12 months of age due to the potential for allergy.

Camu Camu powder - 100% natural fruit powder boasting impressive vitamin C levels 50 times that of the humble orange. Just half a teaspoon in kids’ daily smoothie/fresh juices works a treat, and it tastes great too. Camu Camu is available at health shops or local companies who distribute ‘superfoods’.

Avoid sugar – Sugar competes with vitamin C, therefore it is bad news for a healthy immune system and bad news for kids. Natural sugars such as lucuma superfood powder confers lovely sweet flavour to all baked foods, nut and seed bars, and is also a great source of vitamin B3 for kids’ energy.

ZZZZZZZ - Finally don’t forget the importance of making sure the kids get enough sleep. Being run down and tired will weaken the healthiest immune system. I give mine a bedtime snack rich in tryptophan such as ½ a ripe banana, 2 gluten free oatcakes, small glass of coconut milk or a slice of turkey, or a handful of toasted tamari almonds, before bed.

Tryptophan is crucial for the production of melatonin, the sleep neurotransmitter which helps repair and regenerate the immune system while we sleep. It gets secreted in the dark so be sure to turn off the TV nice and early and only use low level lighting in the run up to bedtime.

By Nutritional Therapist Karen Ward for CNH (The College of Natural Health), which trains students across South Africa for successful careers in natural health and offers Short Courses in a range of natural therapies.

Email nfo@collegeofnaturalhealth.co.za or phone 086 100 7824. www.collegeofnaturalhealth.co.za

Strengthening a child's tiny hand muscles is really important for an array of early learning tasks including cutting, drawing, & writing.

There are tons of fun activities that can easily be set up to help strengthen fine motor skills; here is a great collection of simple ideas the kids will love.

Our food should supply all the nutrients needed for providing energy, growth, building and repairing tissues and maintaining health.

By Heather Picton A marginal nutrient deficiency would not necessarily cause a severe illness, but could result in a vague feeling of not being well accompanied by a cluster of minor symptoms. Nutritional deficiencies in ADD/ADHD children could severely exacerbate the range of problems they already face. In some cases, identifying and correcting existing deficiencies have not only cleared up some of the problems but has also helped the child to cope more effectively with those that remain.

Ideally the necessary vitamins and minerals should be obtained from food in the normal diet rather than from supplementation. People with poor eating habits will usually be lacking in a range of vitamins and minerals, which explains their vast improvement when taking supplementation.

When buying supplements it is advisable to purchase a well-balanced multivitamin and mineral preparation which has a range of the required vitamins and minerals combined in the correct proportions. When purchasing a particular vitamin or mineral to correct a specific problem, time and money can be saved by first consulting a homeopath or a dietitian for specialist advice. They know the quantities that should be taken and what other vitamins and minerals ought to be taken to ensure that the body will be able to use and benefit from supplementation.

Do not throw pumpkin pips away – they are a valuable source of zinc and can be eaten fresh, dried, or roasted as a snack.

THE POWER OF PLAY

There has been an abundance of research around play and its positive effects on early childhood learning and development. In general, research shows strong links between creative play and language, physical, cognitive, and social development.

Play is a healthy, essential part of childhood. Infants explore their world through their senses while adults in their world foster their development and learning through playing games with them.

Toddlers engage in pretend play when they imitate actions and events they have experienced in their family life. As they grow into four and five year olds, young children engage more and more in play activities that expand their knowledge of the world around them, develop their motor skills, and focus on their peers.

“JUST BREATHE” "Just Breathe"

by Julie Bayer Salzman & Josh Salzman (Wavecrest Films)

The inspiration for “Just Breathe” first came about a little over a year ago when I overheard my then 5-year-old son talking with his friend about how emotions affect different regions of the brain, and how to calm down by taking deep breaths — all things they were beginning to learn in Kindergarten at their new school, Citizens of the World Charter School, in Mar Vista, CA. I was surprised and overjoyed to witness first-hand just how significant social-emotional learning in an elementary school curriculum was on these young minds. The following year, I decided to take a 6-week online course on Mindfulness through Mindful Schools (http://www.mindfulschools.org/), figuring that if my son was learning about this, it only made sense that I should learn too. Within the first week, I felt the positive effects of this practice take root not only on my own being but in my relationships with others.

As a filmmaker, I am always interested in finding a subject worthy of filming, and I felt strongly that Mindfulness was a necessary concept to communicate visually. Thankfully my husband, who happens to be my filmmaking partner, agreed. We made “Just Breathe” with our son, his classmates and their family members one Saturday afternoon. The film is entirely unscripted – what the kids say is based purely on their own neuroscientific understanding of difficult emotions, and how they cope through breathing and meditation. They, in turn, are teaching us all ...

by Tamar Chansky

"You never stick up for yourself with other people. Don't be a wimp. Why didn't you talk to that teacher like I told you to? No wonder the children don't respect you!"

Yikes.

Ouch.

Wow. I overheard this unfortunate comment — made by a wife to her husband with their two kids present — at a restaurant where my family was enjoying a quick meal. Crunching on my salad, part of me was trying to mind my own business, and another part was tempted to go over and intervene.

Should I dive in to protect the husband from the unnecessary wrath of his wife? Do a side bar with the wife to help her think again a little bit differently about what she was really trying to say? Or shield the kids from the sniping?

Except, I was in a restaurant and not in my office. So here I am writing a blog about it all.

We all try not to fight in front of the kids. But what was it that really set off my relationshiptrouble-alarm across a crowded restaurant? Disdain. Disrespect. Eye-rolling.

Relationship guru and psychologist Dr. John Gottman says if he watches just 15 minutes of interaction between a couple he can predict with 90 percent accuracy if the relationship is going to make it 15 years down the road. The clincher? Contempt.

So the more fine-print version of "don't fight in front of the kids" is don't have contempt for your partner.

Does this mean that good couples never ever feel even a drop of disdain? Of course not, but remembering that no matter how much we may not like what our partners are saying or doing, unless they are doing harm, they are entitled to it. Entitled to what? To their existence and all of the opinions, feelings and ideas that flow from it. It's exactly what you would want in return.

When you bring something to your spouse's attention, you have to decide what your purpose is — to improve your relationship or to make your partner feel bad. Of course we all may get a knee jerk temptation to go with option two from time to time, but if we gave ourselves just two more seconds to think about it — why would we want to hurt the ones we love? We don't but we may not know what else to do.

While we know that we can't always put things on hold for later, we can try to control our anger so that kids are seeing constructive conflict. What does this mean? Fighting fair. Kids know when things cross a line and it shakes their foundation. If parents are crossing the line, who is going to make sure they stay safe? Kids feel safe and secure when they see conflict resolve — conflict isn't the problem, it's how you do it.

An interesting and somewhat astonishing thing happens in a good disagreement: people feel even closer after it's over than they did before it started. Why? Because when it's done best, an argument born from misunderstanding leads to greater or deeper understanding. What a good thing for kids to learn now!

But meanwhile, back at the restaurant. I couldn't inject myself in the situation, but I could lean in and continue my eavesdropping. In response to the wife's comment, the husband made a face as if to say, "What are you doing?!" "Why are you saying this in front of the kids?"

Nobody wants to be that couple. Most likely, not even that couple wants to be that couple. So what to do? Learn to disagree differently. Not only will this be good for your relationship, it will be good for your kids, too. Protecting your spouse from negative jabs is how you protect your kids, too.

Here are five ways to get you started.

1.Think complaint not criticism. Complaints are specific concerns about what a person is doing, whereas criticisms are global attacks. Avoid character assassination. In other words, talk about the behavior, not about the person.

2.Explain yourself. Rather than focus on what the person is doing "wrong," talk about why it bothers you or matters to you. 'I' statements work best. "I get overwhelmed when you don't stick up for the kids, I feel like everything is going to fall on me. That stresses me out.“ 3.Avoid absolutes. Keep it small and specific. Rather than saying you "never" or you "always," which only leads to defensiveness, stick with the situation at hand and describe what you'd like to see happening right now, or what's bothering you about the situation in front of you.

4.Flip it around to the positive. Rather than using a name to denigrate your spouse, flip it around to the opposite of the name. Rather than calling your partner weak, talk about what you'd like to see: "I'd really like it if you would speak up more for yourself. I think it would help you and it would help me too.“ 5.Clean up what you mess up. Littering is not good. We know this. If you do say something not nice, clean it up. Say you're sorry. This will be good for your marriage and good for your kids to see.

Make it a policy to keep contempt out of the picture — whether the kids are there or not.

TAMAR CHANSKY Tamar Chansky, Ph.D. is a psychologist who goes into the trenches to write about the good, the not so good, and above all, the practical of parenting each day. Those moments where parents have no idea what to say to a demanding toddler or to a strikingly similar demanding teenager are the moments she lives for. Because she's a die-hard parent script maker and has lived through many of these moments as a parent of two and a therapist for thousands of patients over the years.

NATURE FRESH & CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE PROUDLY SUPPORT

Dealing with dyslexia can be a frustrating experience. It's hard to know what actions to take and what is best for your child. Because so many parents find themselves not knowing what to do I created this easy guide which outlines the 10 strategies that are critical for conquering dyslexia.

Download it and print it. Follow the advice in this guide to get your child back on track so they can live up to their potential. Don't let dyslexia dominate your child's life

10 Strategies for Overcoming Dyslexia Would you like to have an easy to follow method for helping a child or adult overcome dyslexia?

Navigating the challenges of dyslexia can be difficult for both the child and the parent. It's frustrating for both.

I've seen too many lives affected by it. People who weren't able to live up to their potential. I've also seen many overcome it. Because it is such a life changing thing I'd like to share with you a simple outline for overcoming it.

Following these simple rules will get you and your child back on track and on the path to overcoming dyslexia: 1. Build Self Esteem - I mention this one first for a reason. Most people want to skip over this. I urge you not to.

Depending on how long the problem has gone on the child's self esteem will have been damaged in some way.

It's hard to gauge how much. Building self esteem during this process is critical. Here's why.

A child who's self esteem has been damaged will start to undergo stress. If left unchecked this stress will cause all tactics to fail. The stress simply will not allow them to learn. Trying to push them harder will make it worse.

More school work will make it worse. Dealing with this stress must be a part of your overall strategy.

Here's how to do it: Set them up for success. Do this by working at tasks that challenge slightly but not so much they get frustrated.

Learning should be fun. •Frame mistakes as a part of the learning process. They are not their mistakes. Mistakes are simply how we learn. Nothing to be ashamed of. •Break exercises down into small manageable chunks. Small successes build on each other and build self esteem. •Be careful of how you praise. Improper praise can backfire. In general you want to praise the effort. Praising a good test score can be beneficial for some but for those that are already stressed it can cause more stress. This is because they now worry about being able to do it again.

It's important to look at self esteem building as a part of the process. Learn how to properly praise, frame mistakes, setup for success, and segment work into manageable chunks.

2. Remember that you are the parent and you know your child best. Remember you have the final say when it comes to your child. Here are a few pitfalls to consider:  Not all experts have your child's best interest in mind. Schools often have financial incentives to put a child on an IEP. Other experts may also have financial incentives.  Many experts want to argue the curability of dyslexia. They go on endless debates about neuroscience.

Debates don't help. Doing something about it does. There are lots of tactics that have been shown to help.

Do them and let the experts sort out why they work later. Don't get caught up in the debate. The truth is that despite scientific advances neuroscience is still in it's infancy. It is making great strides and we've discovered many wonderful things. But there is still much to learn. What's important is that you do what works. Get advice from experts for sure. Just remember you have the final say.  Remediation is not always best. Remediation can be good or bad. In general you want to look at remediation as an intermediate step not a permanent crutch. Use your judgment.  Some Programs are based on outdated science. Brain science has come a long ways in the last few years.

Many popular programs are based on outdated science.

3. Remember that a diagnosis of dyslexia is a blanket diagnosis. It does not tell you specifics.

Every dyslexic is different. Dyslexia is a breakdown in one ore more of the building blocks of learning. You'll need to narrow it down to which.

You can get a complete list of these fundamental learning skills here: http://www.learningsuccessblog.com/basic-skills-needed-learning To overcome dyslexia you strengthen these fundamentals of learning. Until you start working on them you won't know which ones are the problem.

To get started on understanding where the problems are you can use our dyslexia test. That will get you started.

Once you do that you'll want to dive deeper into the problem by doing exercises that develop each of these foundational learning skills. You'll know when you have hit a problem area. You can download the test here: http://www.learningsuccessblog.com/dyslexia-test-0 Or for a quick analysis of the problem use our quick analysis https://www.learningsuccessblog.com/analysis/reading

4. Start with the eye muscles. One of the most common and easiest things to fix is visual tracking. This problem is often caused by weak eye muscles. There are plenty of easy eye exercises that help fix this.

5. Build up learning capacity. As you do exercises to build the fundamental learning skills you'll also want to build the students learning capacity. You do this through what is called neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is the brains ability to grow new neurons. This only happens under certain conditions.

Neuroplasticity occurs when a child learns to coordinate their body in new ways while doing physical exercise.

The combination of exercise, and the processing needed to learn new ways of moving, cause new neurons to grow. This increases the capacity to learn. The best exercise we know of for causing this is a martial art called Shou' Shu'. You can find online Shou' Shu' classes here: www.shoushu.com

6. Balance the brain hemispheres. Most children with dyslexia are cross dominant. They are also very typically right brain dominant. Both of these situations can be remedied by exercises that cross the midline.

There are many many exercises which do this in different ways. All are helpful in balancing the hemispheres.

Shou' Shu' is also very effective for balancing and connecting the hemispheres.

7. Don't forget physical fitness. There is a strong correlation between core body strength, cardiovascular fitness, and learning. Science doesn't know all of the reasons why, but the correlation is too strong to ignore. So don't forget physical fitness.

8. Make sure to vary the exercises. Science has recently found that doing brain exercises only helps if you mix them up. If you don't mix them up the skills get compartmentalized. If you mix them up the skills get generalized and are applied to other types of learning. So make sure to do lots of different exercises. Mix it up.

9. Don't forget handwriting. Cursive writing is becoming a lost skill. Schools are dropping it from their curriculum. This is a mistake. The flowing motion of cursive handwriting is very effective for connecting the eyes, brain, and hand. These are critical skills. Tactile learning is essential. Many successful people will tell you that when they brainstorm or plan they have to "go analog". Handwriting is important for learning and thinking.

10. Don't forget Auditory skills. Just a few years ago science discovered that there is a huge auditory component to dyslexia. Most dyslexics will be weak in fundamental skills such as auditory discrimination or auditory memory. This will affect reading and reading comprehension. Work the auditory skills.

Keep these 10 things in mind as you work your way through overcoming dyslexia. If you would like a complete system that includes all of these tactics in a step by step easy to do at home program you can get it here: http://www.learningsuccessblog.com/dyslexia-learning-success-course

I hope this helps you and your child get on the path to overcoming dyslexia and living up to their full potential.

Liz Weaver Learning Success

How to choose the right insurer

Everyone wants to protect the people and things that they love, which is why it’s important to be properly insured. However, with so many insurance companies to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to make a decision. Here are the basics to help you make the right choice.

START WITH HOMEWORK The Internet is a wonderful tool for research, as it allows you to quickly find out both the good and bad about specific insurers. Whilst personal referrals from existing customers are preferred, you can use social media sites to look for customer feedback, and see how the insurer handles complaints and compliments. In particular look at customer complaint rations to get an overall idea of customer satisfaction.

REPUTATION MATTERS It’s crucial that your insurer is reliable and trusted by customers, especially when it’s time to make a claim. Look for them on the Financial Services Board website to check that they are registered and operating legally.

CHECK FINANCES Your insurer needs to be in good financial health. Do your research on their claims payment history to see if they can be trusted to meet their financial obligations to you and your beneficiaries, when the time comes for payment.

PRICING South Africa has a wide variety of insurance companies, from the large and well-established organizations to the small family-run businesses, and this means that prices will vary considerably. It’s your responsibility to shop around and compare quotes to find the insurer that works within your budget, whilst accommodating your specific needs.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Compare what is offered by each of your chosen insurers and be sure to read the fine print before signing anything. You need to be aware of exclusions and what your excess will be when you make a claim. To get the best cover for your specific needs, look for an insurer that is a specialist in that area.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Your chosen insurer needs to provide help quickly, efficiently and fairly – in your time of need.

Check the type of support they provide, such as telephonic or online, and if they are easy to reach when you have a question to ask or you want to make a claim. Good customer service should be a priority.

GET HELP Getting insurance is an important but often complicated decision, and sometimes the answer is to get expert advice. A qualified insurance professional will use their knowledge of each insurer, and after analyzing your specific needs, they can help you make the right choice.

Take your time before picking an insurance company, as they need to give you peace of mind that the things you care about the most are properly protected. Look for cover based on your specific requirements and then compare prices to get value for your money. Resist the temptation to go on price alone, as you want to get the best insurance that you can afford.

For insurance advice you can trust, call Indwe Risk Services today on 0860 13 13 14 and speak to an advisor about your insurance options.

The planet is in danger of being destroyed by our greatest threat, ourselves!!!! It’s up to all of us to ensure we do not destroy the environment in which we live and the future environment in which our children will live.

Recycling is as simple as separating home waste and educating our children to do the same.

If we all take this step, it will make a huge difference to our environment and ensure that the various recyclables are recycled and disposed of in the correct manner or sent to the correct facilities for re-use.

Recycling is a great way to save our natural resources and even generate energy.

At ECOmonkey they are taking the first important step to try and minimise harmful waste left in our environment, by working with communities to clean up our surroundings, namely local parks and streams to create a clean environment and further creating employment opportunities through this initiative.

Earth Probiotic help you to recycle your food waste into food for the soil with their Bokashi Recycling Kits.

Working together, these two companies do a great job in helping to ensure the health of the planet. Let them help you do the same…

We make a difference…

Do you???

Let's take the 1st step in creating a cleaner environment & ensuring our children have a brighter, cleaner future... http://www.ecomonkey.co.za

We collect your recycling & create employment: We collect & deliver the materials to various, community recycling projects we support, the materials are sorted & the income goes directly to the community members involved.

Who do we service?

Households, flats, townhouse complexes, estates, office complexes, industrial companies & shopping centres.

Ensuring recyclables are processed correctly & don’t end up on unsightly, dirty & negatively impacting land fill sites.

www.ecomonkey.co.za

IS YOUR HOME BUGGED? Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” because they may be secretly hiding and thriving in your home or yard without any immediate signs of damage.

Out of all the countless insects, rodents, critters and other pests that disturb and discomfort homeowners everywhere, none is more dangerous than the termite. Only termites can singlehandedly ruin and destroy a house's very foundation and character in just a few short years.

The first destructive handiwork of termites may not even be noticeable for the first five years after their infestation. By then, it may be too late. Your home is likely the largest investment you have ever made and the most important. Therefore, it is necessary to take the proper steps to protect your home from termites, and to rid your house of them immediately if they have already invaded your property.

Some indications you may have a termite infestation, although by the time detection is obvious, serious damage may already have occurred: •A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home.

•Any cracked or bubbling paint or frass (termite droppings).

•Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.

•Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or in crawl spaces.

•Discarded wings from swarmers.

Termites are serious pests, whose control is best left to professionals.

Their extermination method must ensure the safety of your family and pets, and also guarantee their work.

SOS PEST CONTROL is a successful family business that is well known for its reliability, friendly service and professional results.

Established in 1993 in Johannesburg, SOS PEST CONTROL has vast experience in all pest eradication.

SOS PEST CONTROL has recognized the need and opened a specialized dedicated division for Termite Control.

SOS PEST CONTROL understands that each client has their own needs, from abnormal working hours, to the specific extermination methods of each and every pest.

SOS PEST CONTROL specializes in homes, offices, industrial areas and hospitality industries.

SOS PEST CONTROL and their highly trained, professional staff will assist you with all your requirements, and solve your problems.

SOS PEST CONTROL guarantees all their work.

Licensed with the Agricultural Department Fast & Efficient Treatment Free quotes in the Gauteng Areas We will try & beat all quotes

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HOPE BEGINS WITH YOU

A new era has dawned for The Sunflower Fund, bringing with it fresh and exciting new transformations. Along with the new tagline “Hope begins with you”, the organisation has given National Bandana Day a complete facelift.

The campaign will run from August to the end of September, with the highlight being “Sunflower Day”, which will take place on 16 September in 2016.

The organisation’s iconic bandana has also undergone a significant change. Earlier this month, we unveiled our new commemorative product, known as the Tube of Hope - Tope, a revitalised version of the bandana, reflecting the renewed enthusiasm and excitement for our mission of increasing the number of stem cell donors in South Africa!

With its unique design, the Tube of Hope - Tope is an affordable, multipurpose article of clothing that can be worn as a headband, mask, scarf, cap or arm-band. Being broadly versatile, it may be used in a wide variety of sports or outdoor activities and will be available in 6 eye catching colours. The Tope offers practical functionality for the entire family. It also gives wearers the opportunity to show their support for this important cause.

It will be available in a children’s size (R20.00 incl VAT) and an adults’ size (R25.00 incl VAT) and will go on sale at Pick n Pay stores nationwide in August 2016. Additional retailers and distributors will be announced in the near future.

Please join in and celebrate Sunflower Day, launching on 1st August 2016, as Hope really does begin with you!

For more information on The Sunflower Fund call toll free 0800 12 10 82 or visit www.sunflowerfund.org.za

By Lauren Corlett Head of Marketing & Communications The Sunflower Fund (021) 701 0661

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keeping more than hope alive for nearly four decades

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

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

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

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

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

treatment – to necessary equipment.

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

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