Prams to Prep March 2018

edition five

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☻ Day care and prep advice ☻ Stress and kids ☻ Bedtime routine ☻ Autumn products ...and much more!

DISCOVER the difference 

Loving and respectful Christ-centred approach

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High ratio of degree qualified teachers

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Pioneers of Bush Kindy

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No Kindergarten fees on school holidays

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Access to College library, computer lab, community garden and sporting facilities

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It’s OK to get Dirty!

DISCOVER for yourself 

Stay & Play Thursdays - curious kids and parents are welcome to spend a morning with us

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Personal Tours - book a tour and meet the staff and children at Suncoast Little Learners

suncoastlittlearners.com.au

In the heart of Suncoast Christian College, Cnr Shubert & Kiel Mtn Roads, Woombye

Enquiries: Krystle Cullen on 5451 3648

2018

Did your child start Prep this year? We talk to some Sunshine Coast Prep teachers who share their handy tips on how to deal with any teething problems your child may be facing while adjusting to starting school.

We also catch up with some local early childhood teachers who share their top tips on preparing your child for day care.

Plus, make mornings tasty, healthy and easy with our kid-friendly breakfast recipes to give little bodies and brains the best start to the day.

Also inside, local counsellor Joanne Wilson shares her advice for split families and single parents. Plus, make sure you read what Joanne has to

What happens in prep? ...................................................

Preparing your child for day care .............................

Ask a professional .........................................................

Best blogs for new mums ....................................................

Kids and animals .....................................................................

Kids and devices .....................................................................

More than just playgrounds ...............................................

Fun healthy recipes ...............................................................

say about the importance of communicating around the dinner table.

Communicating around the dinner table ..................

For the new mums, mums-to-be or everyday mums looking for some

Bedtime routine .......................................................................

handy parenting tips, check out our list of helpful mummy bloggers.

From blogging to video games, iPhone apps and everything with a screen, nd out how much screen time is healthy for kids and know when to turn them off in our special kids and devices story.

Stress and kids ..........................................................................

Advice for split families ..............................................

A guide to kids chores ..........................................................

Plus, if your child can work a smartphone, chances are they can work a dishwasher. Don’t forget to check out our guide to household chores.

Autumn products....................................................................

Enjoy!

The Sunshine Club colouring in activity ..............

fe t e e n e Jess Watson 5430 1029 ite Layne Whitburn, Karina Eastway de i n rams to rep is a ree pu ication produced y the Sunshine

DVD, book and app reviews...................................

jessica.watson@scnews.com.au o t Pete Coram oast Dai y.

Prams to Prep is published in Warwick, 56 Kenilworth Street. Those who make advertising placement and/or supply copy material or editorial submissions to the magazine undertake to ensure that all such material does not infringe the Trade Practices Act or other laws, regulations or statutes. Further to the above-mentioned, these persons agree to indemnify the publisher and/or its agents against any investigations, claims or judgements.

come and see our Expe Walke rience r Lear n at St Andre ing w’s Limite d pla availa ces ble

everyday

Call (07) 5471 5555 or visit www.saac.qld.edu.au to arrange a personalised tour

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What happens in Prep?

s your little one struggling to settle into Prep?

First year teething problems are completely normal.

e asked rep teachers around the oast or some advice and tips on ho to he p your preppie overcome any issues they may e e periencin .

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develop a routine.

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Beginning Prep is a milestone that’s often anticipated with lots of e citement and joy, but it is also common to e perience tears and separation an iety from children and parents! At the beginning of the year, children and parents may be feeling nervous about starting big school’ and that’s perfectly ok. We have found some of the following tips to be helpful for parents dealing with this for their child Speak to the classroom teacher. We’re here to help! f we are given insight into children’s eating, sleeping, toileting patterns, favourite colour, favourite songs, stories or games, then we can replicate these things in the classroom and make children feel more familiar and settled.

Be consistent. Try to arrive around the same time each morning. This will help

Be positive. t helps for parents to give themselves and their child a pep talk each morning reminding the child that they will be safe throughout the day and parents will be returning at the end of the day for children to tell them all the fun things they might have done.

Follow through with when you’re going to leave. When parents are ready to say goodbye, nding the classroom teacher or teacher aid to let them know is helpful. iving a kiss and cuddle and saying something positive like, have a great day see you this afternoon then walk out con dently as tempting as it is to go back for another cuddle and we promise we will look after your child. Most children are ok once they are distracted and immersed in the routine of the school day.

Lastly, whole days of school for prep children are e hausting! There are so many major changes they are adapting to, so having a regular routine and bed time at home will be e tremely helpful to their transition.

2019 Prep Enrolments

Opens Tuesday 17th April 2018 - Closing Friday 21st September 2018 Parents of children born 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 are invited to contact the office to collect an Enrolment Pack Please book for the following: Prep Tour Each Monday: 9.30am - 10.30am Commencing 23rd April until 29th October Principal’s School Tour Monday 23rd July: 9.30am - 11.00am

Prep Parent Information & Induction Session: Monday 12th November: 9.30am - 11.00am Tuesday 13th November: 6.00pm - 7.30pm

Please contact the school office for Tour and Enrolment Information 8-42 Main Street, Buderim Qld 4556 Principal: Neil Jenkins | Ph: (07) 5477 2777 | F: (07) 5477 2700 E: info@budemounss.eq.edu.au | www.budemounss.eq.edu.au March/2 018

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Uniform Shop Tuesday: 2.00pm - 3.15pm Friday: 8.15am - 10.00am

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Preparing to start school is much more about a child’s dispositions and emotions rather than their achievements and abilities. Sending a con dent, independent and happy child to school is the true aim and most important emphasis. eading to children is a great way to prepare them for school. ead a wide variety of books stories, non- ction, comics and even recipe books, anything that takes their interest! t’s also a good time to introduce them to reading longer chapter books aloud, as well as the usual picture books.

Parents can also help with the transition to school by teaching their child to recognise their own name. f you only have time for one thing, do this! Write or type their

ncoura e them to take a concerns and needs to a ro n up and not e orried to speak up a out anythin .

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asking what their names are and introducing themselves.

Encourage them to take all concerns and needs to a grown up and not be worried to speak up about anything.

name out and stick it up for your child to see and play with. Ask them to nd their name amongst lots of other words. Make it fun and playful. Parents can take this one step further and teach their child to write their name independently, using a capital letter at the beginning and lower case for the rest of the name. ther things parents can do to assist include Teach your child how to use the toilet and to clean themselves afterwards independently.

E plain the importance of hand washing and teach your child how to do it properly, using soap, washing both sides of their hands and in-between their ngers, before drying.

Encourage them to talk to other children by looking at their eyes and smiling,

ennife ti n o i o e

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Starting school is not just about getting ready for the rst day. t is a process that starts when families and children start preparing in the years before and continues as children e perience their rst days, weeks and months of school. Families

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play an important role in supporting children to manage the transition to big school’. Families can help children cope with new challenges by developing their social, emotional and listening skills. t has been shown that personal-social skills are very important. Much focus is placed on knowing colours and writing your name but sadly, personal-social skills may get overlooked. Parents can support their children by giving them tools to cope when things go wrong, control their behaviour and emotions, make friends, respect others’ belongings, share, talk con dently with adults, and ask for help, solve problems on their own, organise themselves and their belongings, persevere with new tasks and entertain themselves.

Being able to follow instructions is an important part of everyday life. f a child struggles with following instructions this impacts on their learning. For some children it is necessary to teach and practise following instructions. Some helpful ideas are e pecting eye contact before giving the instruction, give single instructions rst, keep the language simple, repeat the instruction, clarify the instruction has been understood, use visual aids and visual cues. Play games

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ami ies p ay an important ro e in supportin chi dren to mana e the transition to i schoo . ami ies can he p chi dren cope ith ne cha en es y deve opin their socia emotiona and istenin ski s. such as Simon Says, The obot game where you give instructions and the robot child carries them out or The Drawing game where you give instructions on what to draw or paint.

Starting school is such an e citing time for both the child and the parent. aving a positive approach will help the child to embrace the ama ing opportunities ahead and will help ease them into feeling settled in the classroom.

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Prep has taken a big leap in recent years so making sure your child is ready socially and emotionally is the rst vital step. Preps need to be resilient towards a new routine, new environment, new friends and teachers, a new work load and for ve, whole days a week! All of this can be very daunting and of course tiring. Even most adults would nd this overwhelming, let alone 4 and 5 year olds. t helps if parents give their child a multitude of opportunities to try new e periences, foods and environments to build up their resilience. There is also a lot more writing and drawing e pected of students in Prep.

Cont. page 8

Anything is Possible Children learn at their best when their education is enriched by memorable experiences.

At Immanuel Lutheran College, we give students the ability to explore and discover not only in the classroom, but also with nature.

OPEN MORNING immanuel.qld.edu.au March/2 018

THURSDAY 10 MAY

We know that starting school is a very e citing time we are committed to ensuring that it is an e tremely positive e perience for all children their families.

Personalised tours provided specifically to meet the needs of each family Learning Pathways Program catering for the full range of student needs.

B

iPad Program

Purpose designed STEAM Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts Mathematics space Fully e uipped computer labs

College Pool

Sporting facilities

Farm

Performing Arts facilities

Ph 5459 0333 0 Coronation Avenue, ambour E info@namboursc.e .edu.au

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Saturday 19th May 2018, 1.30pm-3pm Prep Classroom

t he ps i parents ive their chi d a mu titude o opportunities to try ne e periences oods and environments to ui d up their resi ience.

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Strengthening their ne motor skills before coming to school is essential for setting them up for success. There are plenty of fun e ercises that you can do with your child that don’t involve holding a pencil, yet will give them the control and strength they need when they do hold one. Building your child’s oral language is the gateway to them becoming successful readers and writers. Children are naturally curious. Tap into that curiosity. Engage in conversation around their interests and e pose them to rich vocabulary. Last of all read to them every night. eading should be fun and is a delightful opportunity to bond with your child at the end of each day.

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The starting of school is an enormous milestone in any child’s life. Prep brings with it huge change, both in the physical environment and the social/emotional space. Two of the most prominent teething problems we see as teachers are self-regulation and the need for instant grati cation.

f you are unsure whether your child is ready or not, don’t be afraid to ask their Kindy teachers, or keep them at home an e tra year. The more ready they are, the more fun they will have!

Self-regulation is the ability to manage ones emotions and behaviour in accordance with the demands of the situation. Selfregulation is a skill that can be taught and parents can play a positive role in helping children to develop their self-regulation.

The key to learning self regulation skills is not to avoid situations that are dif cult.

Allowing children to feel frustration and then observing the ways they choose to

deal with it taking time out, using a timer for breaks, talking through the problem and looking for solutions. Praising them for their efforts and reinforcing their strategies and choices can all be bene cial. nstant grati cation is the need for an outcome W! We’ve come to e pect things so uickly that researchers found people can’t wait more than a few seconds for a video to download. Many of our biggest achievements come through taking time, learning from our mistakes and trying again. Many things that are valuable take time. nstant grati cation effects a child’s ability to learn as they start to take things for granted, have little patience across any situation, they have low resilience in the face of challenge and this leads to increased disappointment and sadness.

Parents can support the shift in our children’s mindset that everything is on tap’ by taking away the temptations, focusing on rewarding L good behaviour and being clear and rm on what the options are. one of these suggestions is a uick

Growing people

to make a difference

Pacific Lutheran College’s early childhood program provides a strong foundation for your child. The Foundation College, from Kindergarten to Year 2, provides a stimulating and vibrant learning environment where your child’s creativity is nurtured and acknowledged, to foster their confidence and independence.

Strong parent partnerships

Specialist early childhood teachers and assistants

Flexible learning spaces

VISIT US ON ANY WEEK DAY! CONTACT Chris Henschke, College Registrar on 5436 7321 Woodlands Boulevard, Meridan Plains 4551

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Focus on literacy, numeracy and problem solving

that will happen overnight but both selfregulation and patience and perseverance are learned skills that can be modelled and praised by parents. Learning becomes so much more rewarding when we’ve taken our time, persevered and had our efforts acknowledged and praised.

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Supportin chi dren in the ear y years e ore schoo reat y increases their chances o a success u transition to schoo .

independent regarding their own needs e.g. carrying and unpacking their own bag, ability to tie shoelaces/do up velcro, manage their own lunch bo and food , able to dress themselves appropriately, good gross and ne motor skills and the ability to identify their own name.

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t is well known that what happens to children in their early years has conse uences right throughout the course of their lives. Supporting children in the early years before school, greatly increases their chances of a successful transition to school and better learning outcomes whilst at school. For optimal school transition and to prepare children we encourage children who are

Preparin r hi r a are

ood ability to get along with and play with other children, communicate easily and effectively, cooperative and selfcon dent, show respect for others and for property, follow rules, take care of materials, demonstrate self-control, are curious about the surrounding world and eager to e plore, use their imagination and play, solve problems and follow instructions from adults and routines and easily adjust to changes.

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Personal independence is a key issue in the lead up to Prep and for the rst term of Prep.

Parents can support their child by promoting independence in their child. Some practical ways to do this is for your child to be able to put their own shoes on and to be able to tie their own shoelaces, although we have found that Velcro school shoes in Prep are far more practical. Another simple e ercise is for children to practise opening bags, lunch bo es and containers as this will avoid any distress at school during eating times. iving your child the opportunity to take care of their personal belongings, such as putting their own hat away and changing their own clothes if needed, can make a child feel more autonomous.

ncoura e your chi d ith every opportunity to independent y mana e their o n persona tasks..

e in nd ni o As teachers with an e tensive background in both early childhood and school settings, we believe the following tips will go along way in supporting your child on their journey to Prep. et social During these moments, children increase their communication skills, develop the understanding of how to build and maintain relationships and grow their con dence when interacting with others. Attendance at an approved Kindergarten, local playgroup, regular visits to your local library or even a play at the park provide great opportunities for social interactions with others.

Support independence encourage your child with every opportunity to independently manage their own personal tasks and self-help skills.

For e ample can they open and close a

lunch bo ? nscrew the lid of a water bottle to re ll? Put their own clothes on including shoes and socks? Can they look after and put away their own belongings? Providing opportunities to e plore and practice these tasks will certainly eliminate a potential hurdle in the early days of Prep.

Talk, talk, talk Provide your children with time to build and develop their receptive and e pressive language skills. Listening to and following instructions is a re uired skill in Prep and the ability to pick up on verbal and non-verbal cues is a skill to e uip your child for life. eading books together, playing eye spy games in the car are great e amples. Even a trip to the grocery store can provide moments for your child to build on their receptive listening skills as you invite them to listen to your cues and locate the object/s needed.

Every interaction you have with your child in these years prior to school and beyond are opportunities to learn. ave fun with your child as you create a positive disposition towards lifelong future learning.

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start can ensure they feel comfortable and rela ed on their rst day.

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When thinking of starting your child in day care, there are a few things that you can do to help prepare yourself and your child to ensure that the transition is a smooth one.

There is never going to be a one si e ts all approach as each child and family situation is different, but if you follow these three tips it should help immensely.

Familiarise yourself and child with the centre. nce you have chosen the centre best suited to your child and family s needs, spend some time in the centre with your child. Pop in to have morning tea or lunch allowing your child to become familiar with the environment, educators and children. aving a few regular visits with you child before they

Share as much information about your child as you can. The more we know about your child the better we can care for them. Sharing information about likes/dislikes can enable educators to set up environments that capture their individual interest within a group setting which encourages children to learn as they e plore. Through sharing information with the educators, strategies can be implemented to ensure that the children feel safe, supported and secure. ave consistent goodbyes at drop off and delight in your child at pick up time.

This is one of the hardest tips to follow and for good reason saying goodbye may be dif cult for you and your child but staying around after saying goodbye if they are upset is only going to be more upsetting for the child. aving a consistent routine in the morning that involves a comforting goodbye and includes the child, parent and educator helps to build solid trusting relationships. Delighting in your child on pick up, asking uestions about their day and showing affection helps children to feel valued and proud.

foor your child

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At Kuluin Early Learning Centre we pride ourselves on providing an atmosphere that is inviting, welcoming, safe and nurturing.

• Caters from 6 weeks to Kindergarten • Open 6.30am – 6.30pm • River Kindy facilitated @ Chambers Island weekly • Dedicated passionate qualified educators • Rich, educational programs throughout the service • Private Family Owned

Arrange for a some visits a few weeks or months before your child start. These visits help children to get comfortable with the environment, the educators and the children. They will begin to form relationships and feel a sense of belonging. t will help to ensure your child has a smooth and positive transition when the time comes to start at the service. t is a playful e perience that gives you a point of reference when talking at home about the centre your child will attend.

Mountain Creek Early Childhood steps away from the rigid, ‘concrete jungle’ structure of other centres by allowing children the freedom to just be. To be in nature, to be themselves, to be happy and be active in their learning. Come in and experience the difference.

• Enrolling children from 15 months to 5 years • Open 6.45am – 6.15pm Monday to Friday • Government approved Kindergarten program

5445 1192 | 23 Indiana Pl, Kuluin | www.kuluinelc.com.au

• Innovative ‘Creek Kindy’ program exploring our local environment.

• Natural outdoor spaces and a Free Flow curriculum to cater to each child’s independence and sense of agency.

Planting the seeds of tomorrow in the minds of today.

Call us today to enquire about our Early Learning Centre or Kindergarten Program

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We enrol families, not just children.

Kuluin Early Learning Centre

caring Committed to

ei

P: 5444 0488 42 Molakai Drive, Mountain Creek info@mountaincreek.net.au www.mountaincreek.net.au

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Share va ua e in ormation ith the educators a out your chi d s ikes dis ikes and persona ity traits.

Share valuable information with the educators about your child’s likes, dislikes and personality traits. The educators are there to get to know each and every child and the information they gather assist them greatly. With this information, educators can create a personalised environment that allows the child to feel comfortable, which helps the transition and separation process. Ask the educators about their settling techni ues as you may pick up some great tips and tricks to help with separation.

Allow your child to take something from home, whether it be a teddy, a photo or a special story. This is a great way for children to feel a sense of security in their new environment. Children are often so e cited to show their special items to the educators and the children and helps them to focus on something positive.

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This refers to skills such as toileting independently, hand washing and managing their lunch containers. These skills not only provide children with a sense of independence but they are functional skills that allow children to feel con dent amongst their peers, promote resilience and self-agency.

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At Adeona we have uite an e tensive orientation process where families attend several pre-enrolment visits at the centre.

These visits take place over the course of a couple of weeks prior to the child starting at the centre and at different times of the day so the children can become familiar with the routine and ow of the centre. rientation visits also allow the child to develop a sense of comfort and security within the environment and supports the initial development of genuine, trusting relationships with their new educators and peers prior to separating from their family member.

At Kindy, children are provided with continual opportunities to communicate with peers and educators during play e periences, group times and routine moments. aving the con dence to engage in conversations and convey their needs, wants and ideas will assist children to become more in uisitive, involved and become a contributing, con dent learner and participant.

The development of these skills can be supported at home by encouraging your child to ask for what they need before you respond.

Growing confident and inquisitive learners through...

A focus on RELATIONSHIPS

Expansive outdoor SPECIALIST PLAY AREAS PROGRAM offerings

www.newleaf.qld.edu.au

EXPERIENCED early childhood EDUCATORS

ALEXANDRA HEADLAND 07 5479 2222 43-45 Okinja Road, Alexandra Headland

Book your to u today! r March/2 018

2018

P

When it comes to your child’s health and safety, there are some things Dr. oogle simply cannot answer. So we have asked some local professionals ranging from dentists to swim teachers to share their e pertise on fre uently asked parenthood uestions.

of your child. Various strategies are used to assess vision such as shape matching, shape naming or letter naming. We will also perform checks that the eyes are

Eyecare Plus, Mooloolaba

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n i hi e s ith their isi n?

is ha in

Common symptoms of eye problems include s uinting, headaches, eye turns and poor concentration. Sometimes it can be dif cult to tell how well your child sees, especially when they are very young.

Children often assume that how they see is

properly focused and working together as a team by using various light targets or toys to attract their attention. Drops may be used to dilate your child s eyes to achieve more accurate measurements, as well as allowing us to check that their eyes are healthy. As your child gets older, the testing becomes more involved as they start to be able to respond to our uestions and directions.

ten sh ar e e he p?

hi

es the e e p ent?

t

rs he p ph si a

E posing their senses to nature comes with many health bene ts not accessible in indoor environments. Breathing in fresh air, looking at all the different colours and

develop and strengthen structurally. By

The rst eye e am with an optometrist should be performed before the age of 2.

The goal of this e amination is to detect any eye health or visual problem that would affect the normal development of the visual system. t is then recommended

Co-owner/ Primal n uence -

ature-based

ealth and Fitness

What are the ene its spen in re in nat re

r hi ren in in are t ?

Most people know play is essential for

that a child has a full eye e amination before they start school. ow easily a child can see their long distance and close vision school work can in uence

children, but when it comes to kids getting ma imum bene t, playing outdoors is best.

The indoor world is created by humans, is unnatural and is more aimed at comfort

how well they learn through their visual system. eviews are scheduled depending upon the individual results of each child s e amination.

e

This varies greatly depending on the age

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Walking and moving indoors is easy peasy compared to dealing with the everchanging surfaces and conditions available outdoors. o two days are ever the same in nature either which provides variety, contrast, more mindfulness and more opportunity for growth.

dirty the short and long-term bene ts of outdoor sensory e posure is far greater than that of indoor play. n particular, being barefoot while outside helps little bodies

e ettin a

What es an e e e a inati n in r i s?

A simple e ample is that outside, kids can better learn the skill of balancing.

distances of objects and scenery, listening to the different sounds, getting a little

normal. A visit to the optometrist will check that their eyes are healthy and vision is developing as e pected.

re

an indoor setting.

than it is play and growth. With comfort

building a strong foundation at a young age such as strong arches, good toe grip, and ankle stabilisation a child’s whole body bene ts because it’s more balanced, more stable and more capable in general day-to-day movement and activity, reducing the chance of bad injuries, and increasing con dence.

an en ra e hi t et t rs i the re st antin t sit in r nt a s reen?

comes a lack of opportunities for essential mental and physical development.

When a child is outdoors, they’re not only learning about themselves but they’re

Technology is never going to go away, so we need to pick the battles we can win, not try and remove technology totally.

learning about and interacting with their

amount of device charge opportunities per week and once they’ve used up their

environment which is far more varied than

ou could set the rule that they only get

allotted charge numbers and the device battery is at, they have to nd alternative

see often is when ask kids to jump over something, they’ll choose to crawl instead

joyful activities to participate in.

because they nd jumping too awkward.

r you could even use outdoors and

along with water awareness and survival

technology together. My favourite way of combining the two is eocaching.

skills.

Swimming lessons are a skill for life which means consistency is e tremely important, therefore recommend that you are ready

eocaching is like a modern day treasure hunt where you use your phone, tablet or PS device to locate treasures near where you live or play. t’s a well-organised online platform available just about anywhere in the world. There are literally thousands of treasures hidden around the Sunshine Coast!

What are s e si ns that hi isn t e e pin e ph si a ? r inati n a areness et

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to commit to your weekly lessons prior to getting started.

Manager/John Wallace Swim School Caloundra A uatic Lifestyle Centre

When s the est a e t tea h t s i ?

s i hi

often get asked this uestion and my answer is simple.. the earlier the better!

n my e perience there are some obvious signs such as a child constantly tripping over things, falling over, and lacking hand/ eye coordination. But there are also less

ere at the John Wallace Swim School we start our infants from eight weeks of age and recommend that they have their eight

obvious signs such as a child getting angry or upset when they can’t do a skill or activity well anger or tears are a great way to divert attention away from de ciencies , or they often look for cheats to get around physical challenges. An e ample of this

starting their swimming lesson. Babies are so familiar with being around water, let’s face it that was their home for ten months! ur infant classes are based on water rela ation and the introduction of safety cues to become ready for submersions

week check-up and vaccination prior to

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an prepare ess ns?

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f the swimming lesson e perience is new, try to come rela ed and positive as your child will feel calmer and will help make their rst lesson more successful. Arriving early so you and your child can become ac uainted with the surroundings will help to avoid being ustered or rushed which impacts upon the success of your rst e perience.

What sh the ater?

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is a rai

t’s hard to know what to do when your child cries or is afraid during their class. A

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part of you wants to rescue your child, but the other part of you wants your child to

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tough it out’ and gain victory over their fear. Some parents may feel embarrassed to have a child who is so unhappy and may feel that he/she is disrupting the class. Please be assured that an afraid or crying child in lessons is common. Crying is a natural e pression of his/her emotional discomfort due to immersion in the water, fear of the unknown or separation from their parent/guardian. our instructor should actively work through your child’s discomfort because his/her emotional comfort will greatly affect the development of new swimming skills. n average most crying/afraid students have improved after the third lesson. At the very least you notice that the crying is diminishing. f this is not the case then suggest that you talk with your swim school about employing different tools to help further your child’s development.

shapes and colours, e ploring te tures and other sensory play.

shame.

For early childhood

the avenues of

LEA through art activities are endless! bviously when children are pre-verbal, images, drawing, and basic mark making is the way they are able to communicate.

Learning how to hold pencils, brushes, scissors, and all sorts of different tools will assist them in being able to write later on but more than anything E PL AT T A T teaches children selfcon dence, independence, problem solving, thinking strategies, imagination, etc. something that want to encourage and facilitate for all ages.

A Little Creative Art Studio, Warana

t hat a e an i s start ettin in e in reati e a ti ities ith t the eatin the ateria s ?

Wh is art reati it s h an i p rtant a ti it r hi ren?

We recommend children are 2 or more before they join our kindy-classes at A Little Creative, as generally before this age they

Art and creativity is an important activity for everyone as it’s a means of self-e pression,

are more into mouthing the tools and items, and lack the focus and concentration to

rela ation and meditation. ften we allow the fun, messy, e plorative play of artmaking for young children but leave it

bene t from group and individual activities.

But before that, art can just form a natural part of life and e periences in your

behind when we grow up’ which is uite a

household observing and naming objects,

What s the est a ti it t i ith? e r s rtin ra in paintin ?

Playdough is always a fabulous material to work with young children and similarly any items and tools that come from the kitchen as they are easily available and safe for eating! Food-dyes into yoghurt or water or ice! can become your rst paints. r to avoid mess,’ placing paint into ip-lock bags and taping down to a table to press and mi and nger paint safely. Drawing and painting in the bath or shower is a good trick or of course outdoors before moving onto some water-play.

Modelling’ behaviours is the best way for children to learn, so doing your art, building with recyclables, collecting stones, shells and feathers to arrange or draw together are fabulous ways to inspire your child and have fun. t is easy to damage a child’s ego and creative urges by telling them there is a right’ and wrong’ way to paint or draw, so focus on the art processes rather than an e pected outcome.

Dr Nerida Flannery specialises in women’s health including obstetrics, gynaecology and fertility.

Dr Flannery combines

P: 07 5452 5415

F: 07 5444 2917

excellence in clinical care

www.drneridaflannery.com.au

with a compassionate and supportive approach to

Lyrebird Street Specialist Centre, Suite 4, 3 Lyrebird Street, Buderim Q 4556

provide a high quality service to women of all ages.

March/2 018

Connect with us:

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Dr Nerida Flannery

Mummy Blogs

2018

Words Layne Whitburn

Whether you’ve read every new-mum book in the library or joined every parent club in

Sharing her tips and tricks on keeping a calm, organised and happy home, add The

the neighbourhood, there is no one-si e- tsall guide on how to perfect parenthood.

rganised ousewife on the checklist of must-visit blogs.

Fortunately for the modern-day mum, you’re never alone. There are oodles of online mummy blogs at your ngertips 24/ with everyday mums sharing their stories from behind the pram, handy advice, helpful tips and everything in between.

Stay at Home Mum f you’re a stay at home mum living off one income, check out what Jody Allen has to say. She’s the brains behind the blog who just so happens to be a stay at home mum.

Based in ympie, Jody shares her tried and tested tricks on how to shop, cook and play for a family on a budget.

The Organised Housewife Motherhood’ and organised’ don’t normally t in the same sentence, but old Coast mother of three Kat is here to help make it happen.

First came twins and then another, lling Kat’s household with three kids under two.

Basically, she had to get a handle on home organisation very uickly and then, The

When South Australian mum and selfproclaimed foodie Le i isn’t in the kitchen armed with a whisk or wooden spoon, you’ll nd her sharing her tried, tested and devoured recipes online. From healthy raw treats to easy mid-week dinners and

Bigwords Bigwords is a blog about life

Mum’s Pantry

the life of

an everyday Australian mum, Bianca Wordley. Bianca blogs about everything from documenting her weight loss journey, discussing social affairs, reviewing family travels and of course there’s lots of kid-

all kinds of family and budget-friendly bites in between, add Mum’s Pantry to your ingredients list and make mealtime fun.

Warning you may e perience drooling, cravings or hunger pains after visiting this blog.

friendly content including recipes, D craft ideas and funny stories most mothers can relate too.

Maxabella Loves She goes by the name of Bron, but everyone online knows her as Ma abella.

As a mother of three, Bron isn’t one of those parents who dislikes uploading pictures of their kids online. n fact, her kids have grown up with her blog, and that’s basically what Ma abella Loves is all about

raising good

kids to be good people. Keeping things real, Bron is all about heartfelt family living and isn’t afraid to discuss the tricky bits in between.

rganised ousewife was born.

You Your child’s early learning journey starts here!

We offer our families a spacious and co contemporary environment; we provide child endless opportunities to learn as they discover, create, explore and imagine through play.  We provide long day care, holiday day care, vacation care, before & after school care servicing Tewantin ntin State School, Noosaville State School, St Thomas More School & Sunshine Beach State School.  Queensland Approved Kindergar dergarten Program including a weekly session of the Ready Steady Go Sporting Sporti Program and Kids Yoga.  Our flexible hou hours of operation are 6:30am-6:30pm & catering for children 6 weeks wee – 12 years.  Nappies, wipes & sunscre sunscreen provided centre wide including nutritional meals prepared da aily by Goodchaps Café.  A daily disc discount applies for permanent bookings that are 4 or more days per week.

Book your centre tour & trial day y now! Phone us on 5455 6033 | 0438 214 782 | 0498 722 590 (Outside (O school hours care)

March/2 018

2018

Words Karina Eastway

t’s a known fact that interacting and caring for animals provide lasting bene ts for children. Animals not only help children to develop empathy and responsibility, but build better social skills and create higher self-esteem.

Some studies go so far as to say that having children spend time with animals is not just important, but it’s essential to their development.

t s a a out ami ies takin time out o their usy ives to spend some time to ether.

Farm animals, in particular, can also help with increasing physical activity, motor skills and knowledge of the natural world around us something which can be hard to come by in the built-up areas where many of us now live.

The good news however is there are options nearby, such as White idge Farm in Caboolture.

This purpose-built educational farm is based on a lush 20 acre-farm with plenty of happy free-ranging animals which have been hand raised by owners Katrina and David White. Many of the animals are born on the farm, while others are taken in as rescue animals.

on visiting children, and she uite often sees the soothing effect they have.

With petting and interacting with the animals you have to go slow, she said. t’s a feeling you get from being around the animals you can’t rush around them and that has a ow on effect with people too you become calm yourself.

The duo’s aim is to provide everyone with a taste of farm life from wandering ducks

She said they’ve often seen kids go from nervous nellies to being totally ne with the animals, knowing they’re not only safe but realising they’re actually enjoying

and chickens to adorable sheep, llama,

themselves.

alpaca, miniature horses, donkey, camel, piglets and a baby cow. es, there’s no shortage of the cuteness factor and something for everyone.

Katrina said the animals are also really good for children with disabilities and it’s not unusual to hear a parent say they’ve never seen their child, who are usually

Katrina said the animals have a big effect

Another big factor in what Katrina and David have created on the farm is the ability for families to e perience a whole day out together, with playground, picnic areas and tractor rides. t’s all about families taking time out of their busy lives to spend some time together, she said. t’s such a rela ing setting kids can just play and we often hear families saying they just don’t want to go home.

The farm is open three days a week Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3pm. Bring a picnic rug and picnic and settle in for the day no bookings re uired.

overly active, sit still for so long.

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We offer families: • All meals prepared daily by our in-house chef • Engaging indoor and outdoor play areas and activities • Quality learning experiences to develop creative thinking and exploration • Nappies and sheets for infants • Professional standards March/2 018

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A Beautiful Place to Visit Open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday • Feed and pat the animals

• Farm birthday parties

• Playground & trampoline

• Hay ride for adults and children

• Undercover picnic facilities

• Petting zoo available for shopping

• School excursions

centre and corporate events

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130 Hamilton Rd, Elimbah QLD | 0417 774 559 | whiteridgefarm.com.au Open to public: Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 9am-3pm

2018

Words Karina Eastway

prepared to provide other entertainment

n an inescapable digital world, how much is too much when it comes to kids and

pressured to introduce technology too early, it’s something they’ll pick up easily

devices?

at a later stage, especially with modern technology designed with the user in mind.

While some use of devices can be educational and entertaining, there are downsides to overuse including reduced physical play, not enough sleep, and a reduction in children being able to think for themselves. n addition, there’s the possibility of health problems such as eye strain, headaches and cognitive development. t’s a balancing act for parents, especially when screens provide a legitimate pathway to learning and assist in keeping kids occupied, but e perts suggest it comes down to ages and stages avoid use altogether, especially unsupervised use as a way of keeping baby entertained’. Don’t feel

March/2 018

watch screens together with your child and make sure the content is high in uality age appropriate in content and delivery . limit to one hour of age appropriate content and watch with your child if possible. allocate time according to what else is going on during the day, ensuring that physical e ercise, sleep and family time comes rst. Screen time should be low on the priority list, especially on school days for e ample.

Kids are e pert negotiators so make sure you have rm guidelines in place such as set time limits and suitable content. Be

options before their ’m bored’ cries wear you down into giving in to more device time.

Most importantly, be aware of the content being watched as studies have found a small increase in aggression and depression among children who had si or more hours of screen time a day, and those watching violent video games.

PLAYGROUNDS

Words Karina Eastway

(THAT ARE MORE THAN JUST A PLAYGROUND)

2018

What makes a good kids’ playground? Enough equipment to keep them entertained for more than five minutes plus proximity to the best of all the Sunshine Coast has to offer. We’ve put together a list of playgrounds where you can turn play into a whole day.

Power MeMorial Park, MudjiMba This playground sits right between patrolled Mudjimba Beach on one side with coffee shops and fish and chips on the other. There’s also large open spaces for ball games and birthday parties.

plus rockpools and beautiful ocean-fed swimming pool. There’s also a child-friendly water fountain which spurts water at ground level to keep the kids entertained.

Facilities: Toilets, BBQ, seating and picnic tables.

Facilities: Toilets, BBQs, shaded picnic areas, parking.

PiraTe Park, gyMPie Terrace, noosaville

Tickle Park, david low way, cooluM Tickle Park playground is right in the heart of Coolum’s busy shopping strip, but the beach and ample grassy area make it seem a world away. There’s also a recently-renovated shaded skate park and learn to surf year round.

This playground is surrounded by cycling/scooter paths, sheltered swimming in Noosa River, kayak and fishing. Gympie Terrace boutiques and cafes line the other side of the road from the river plus there’s a walkway bridge to the open grassy areas of Chaplin Park, great for kicking a ball around.

Facilities: Toilets, shaded picnic areas, skate park.

Facilities: Toilets, BBQ, sheltered picnic areas.

Alexandra Headland park. This playground is close to Ten pin bowling and Alex Surf Club and a short drive into either Maroochydore or Mooloolaba. The purpose-built story seat is one of 10 being rolled out across the Sunshine Coast.

Facilities: Secure fenced sheltered children's playground with BBQ and picnic shelters inside the fence. Large lake with walking tracks and ducks to feed.

coTTon Tree Park, Maroochydore

kings beach Park, burgess sT, caloundra

nelson Park, kaToa sTreeT, alexandra headland

One of the most popular playgrounds on the Coast, it’s adjacent the sheltered waters of Cotton Tree and short walk to the open beach.

Enjoy fishing from purpose-built wharves, nearby Cotton Tree swimming pool, permanent table tennis installations and basketball courts.

Kings Beach playground offers proximity to a sheltered beach break

Enjoy walking paths around a large lake and enjoy a picnic in this

Facilities: Toilets, BBQs and picnic shelters, large open grass spaces.

As part of our Kindergarten program we offer specialist lessons in:

usic

ort

ance

anguages

iteracy

Offering quality care to babies and children from 6 weeks to school age.

Grammar Early Learning Centre 372 Mons Road, Forest Glen QLD 4556 Phone 5453 7077 Email elc@scgs.qld.edu.au Web www.scgs.qld.edu.au March/2 018

Healthy breakfast recipes for kids

2018

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for growing bodies and brains.

Fuel your child with the best breakfast possible to give them the best chance possible in the classroom or on the sporting eld.

While mornings can be mayhem, here’s a few uick and easy recipes to s uee e into your morning routine.

ni

to

Serves 2

t

e

Serves 2

o

id e

n redients

n redients

☻ 1 cup uick oatss ☻ 4 slices wholemeal bread, toassted ☻ 4 tablespoons peanut butter or other nut spread of choice ☻ 1 cup fruit blueberries, sliced a strawberries and sliced banana ethod

☻ 2 cups milk ☻1

tablespoons honey

☻ 1 kiwifruit, sliced into ☻

blueberries

☻ 1 banana ethod

Prepare the fruit by slicing the strawberries into uarters and the banana into 1cm thick pieces. The blueberries remain whole.

Set aside and put the bread in the toaster. nce toasted, spread 1 tablespoon of peanut butter on each slice.

Decorate with the fruit to make a sh, bear, cat, monkey or other animal face of choice.

e

f

Serves 12

t

Put the uick oats, milk and banana into a pot and cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until mi ture forms a thick paste like consistency. Stir every 30 seconds.

Dri le honey and mi through. Transfer the mi ture into two separate bowls and let sit.

Slice the remaining the kiwifruit into slices.

of banana into four slices and cut

Decorate the porridge using the fruit to make a bear face.

oo ie

n redients ☻ 2 cups rolled oats ☻ 3 Weet-Bi , crushed ☻ 1 banana, mashed ☻ 1 egg ☻

cup milk

☻ 2 tablespoons honey ☻

cup nuts, chopped optional

☻ 2 teaspoons cinnamon ☻ Cooking oil or non-stick backing paper ethod Preheat fan-forced oven to 180 C. Mi the oats, crushed Weet-Bi , cinnamon and nuts optional . Add the egg, milk, honey and banana and stir till combined.

Place 12 even spoonfuls of the mi ture on an oven tray lined with non-stick baking paper or spray with cooking oil.

Cook in oven for 10-15 minutes or until brown.

Serve warm or cold. Add a glass of milk to support strong bones in the playground. ote Make a batch of these cookies in preparation for the week and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. se within 3-4 days.

March/2 018

The imporTance of communicaTing around The dinner Table Words Layne Whitburn When was the last time your family sat around the dinner table over a home cooked meal and shared stories about each other’s day? With modern-day distractions such as video games, iPads or et i , it’s important to go back to basics and set aside a good-old-fashioned family dinner to bene t every member of the family. We asked local counsellor Joanne Wilson what she had to say about the importance of having a family dinner around the dinner table, here’s what she had to say.

connection, intellectual stimulation, rela ation and romance.

The bene ts are substantial! Children concentrate more at school, ac uire better social skills and get into much less trouble as teens if they regularly take part in family meals. Aside from improved relationships between family members, there are more bene ts than we usually consider such as

love conversation starters! ur children absolutely cherish the evenings we pass around our bo of uestions ’ve cut into strips. We alternate asking each other or answering them ourselves. ou could get creative and turn them into a game. ou can access a hundred of them under esources on my website www.sunshinecoastcounselling.com

ncreased intake of nutritional foods and healthier eating habits.

TF is my favourite acronym! nite Through Food’. Food is one of the wonderful necessities of life. The family dinner table is where children learn manners talk and interact with adults share what’s happening in their lives and try new cuisines. Preparing food and setting the table are all part of the roles in a family that shape thoughts and feelings around nutrition and family.

2018

There’s more than enough research to show that families who eat together more than three times a week have shown to have more positive outcomes when it comes to health, family relationships and social development.

Put simply, it needs to become your habit. t’s all wonderful to now decide to eat together more often.’ Why not hand write a speci c goal, i.e. Eat together as a family at the table three times per week on a Tuesday, Thursday and . Paste this up on the fridge for all to see, sync it on your calendars and practice, practice, practice.

Keep each other accountable and after 30 days and it will be the start of the norm of TF for you! f dinnertime is too hard to get everyone together, you could try do family breakfasts, especially on weekends. Whilst we’ve been talking about manners at the dinner table, it doesn’t mean you always need to be super formal. Sit back, rela and chill sometimes. Little munchkins will love a healthy snackable spread on a blanket. t’s more about the relationships. Plenty of other cultures do it!

ere’s a few

Better mental health outcomes.

What is the most challenging thing you did today?

ow great is that?

If you could create a new family tradition what would it be?

What is your favourite movie and why?

Some of the best conversations you’ll have will be over a meal. t’s universally acknowledged as a great time to discuss a variety of topics, even dif cult ones.

Don’t underestimate the psychological and emotional bene ts, namely social

What would you like to do this weekend?

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

0 54 9 1212 0409 909 933 jo@thecon dantecounselling.com www.sunshinecoastcounselling.com 1/81 Si th Ave, Cotton Tree and mmanuel Lutheran Church f ce, Forest Drive, Buderim. ave you liked?

Another fantastic resource is here at www.backtothetable.org.au

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BEDTIME ROUTINE

2018

Words Karina Eastway

on your own wellbeing. ot only can it add to your general stress levels, but it can mean less sleep for you as well as the bedroom routine gets later and later.

Conversely, a positive bedtime routine can calm your child and also provide a greater sense of overall security when they know what to e pect and when.

Best of all, it will set them up for a lifetime of good bedtime habits.

Kids thrive on consistency. t gives them a sense of security and also ownership when they feel they can contribute to the bedtime routine.

Depending on their age, there will be responsibilities they’re able to take care of such as brushing teeth, putting on pyjamas etc. f your child is too young to remember what needs to be done, write a list they

can check off themselves. A sense of completion is ful lling at any age!

of your voice and singing the same few favourites will mean they know when lights out’ time has arrived.

to go to sleep and work towards it slowly rather than all at one. For e ample, if

Also utilise other natural rela ation techni ues such a few drops of lavender on the pillow or on a hanky. A heat pack

bedtime is pm but they’re going to sleep at 8, make bedtime .50 for a few nights.

Then .40pm etc until you’re down to pm.

provide security.

Decide on what time you’d like your child

t’s no wonder a bedtime story is an ageold techni ue for bedtime. eading is rela ing for both and your child, plus it provides a sense of closeness which will

may provide a feeling of being snuggled up to you. A special toy or item will also

Make sure your child’s bed is comfortable and conducive for sleep. Even for adults it’s hard to fall asleep if you’re too hot, too cold, thirsty etc.

help with feeling secure. t’s common to think you don’t have the time to sit with

Low lighting with a night light or lamp means they won’t have to worry about

them and read a story at bedtime, but that 10 minutes can make up for hours of trouble getting to and staying asleep.

being in the dark.

f reading’s really not your thing, try singing a few favourite songs. They’ll love the sound

f course, if things are getting out of hand and not looking like improving any time soon, seek professional assistance earlier rather than later.

Enriching thE journEy from prEgnancy to parEnthood

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• ‘Massage for Labour’ – prepare you and your partner for labour • ‘Spinning Babies’ – invite your partner to support you and your baby in pregnancy and labour

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Struggling to get your child to sleep at the end of the day can have a huge impact

2018

Stress and kids Words Layne Whitburn

Childhood may seem like a carefree time from an adults’ perspective, but kids can

and brains, sleep hygiene effects mood, energy, the immune system, academic

still e perience stress. Adjusting to day care or school, separating from siblings

and sporting performance as well as ne motor skills. According to the Sleep ealth Foundation, pre-schoolers aged 3-5 are

and parents or making friends can cause genuine stress in a little one’s life. ere’s some helpful ways to help your child deal with everyday stress in a healthy way.

Set an example Ever felt stressed by simply sitting in a room with a stressed-out friend, partner or colleague? Stress is contagious. So, when you’re stressed, your kids will pick up on it too.

Set an e ample and show your kids how to deal with a stressful situation. Stop, breathe and remain calm because a constantly stressed environment will not bene t anyone in the household.

Stick to a bedtime

recommended 10-13 hours of sleep per night while school kids aged -13 are recommended 9-11 hours per night. Setting a regular bedtime and sticking to it is vital towards achieving the recommended hours. For more sleepy tips on how to add a healthy bedtime routine, grab some tips from page 22.

Simple play Let kids be kids and let them play simply for the fun of it. Many games and activities include lessons or competition, however simply playing without any pressure is a crucial part of a child’s wellbeing. So, schedule in that 100 per cent fun and pressure-free playtime and let little ones laugh their stresses away.

Get active We all know endorphins make us feel good, well, that doesn’t change whether you’re aged 44 or 4. et little legs going by throwing a ball in the park, climb Mt Coolum or learn to ride a bike.

It’s ok to say no magine sitting in a classroom for si hours learning, listening and participating, then going to after school curriculum, followed by homework, dinner at grandmas and nally bed. verscheduling is one of the biggest stressors for kids. Schedule in some downtime three to four times each week for little brains and bodies to rejuvenate.

Sleep is vital for everyone, especially growing children. ot only does a solid night’s kip ensure proper mental and physical development for growing bodies

March/2 018

Advice for split families and single parents Same se marriages, single parents or stay at home dads are all considered modern families. While blended families are accepted as today s norm, there are still a few hurdles for single parents and their kids. elationship counsellor Joanne Wilson shares her advice for modern families.

Dependent upon their age, children cannot always communicate with words.

Their responses to parent’s separation may be e pressed in behaviour. Some children become very withdrawn. They lack knowledge of the importance of talking about separation change or missing the absent parent. ounger children may become very clingy for fear of losing their remaining parent. thers may regress in behaviour and toilet training. Some

act younger than they did before the separation. ightmares are not uncommon, as well as rebellious or aggressive reactions to other children or their parents.

Whilst the separating parents are grappling with their own dif cult emotions, it’s imperative to remember the children might be reacting with distress and need your special attention. With time and attentiveness, these behavioural problems disappear. f there has been abuse or their reactions persist over a long period, it is best to seek some professional help.

Children are not immune to the effects of the parent’s anguish. The resulting to ic atmosphere of arguments can be fuelled by hurt, sadness, possible guilt and feeling a failure. As the adults gradually accept the

2018

separation, the children are more likely to do the same.

Despite the enormous dif culty, there are immense bene ts for the family to forgive. umerous studies have shown that we when don’t forgive and revisit our memories of the supposed wrongdoing, a fear response is produced in our amygdala the part of our brain responsible for our emotions . This response causes a release of stress hormones which increases our heart rate and blood pressure. f we keep holding onto our betrayals and anger, this response remains active, putting us at risk of developing stress-related illness, both mentally and physically. Forgiving is not easy. Just like any other dif cult or new task, you need to learn how to do it with repetition and consistency. For the sake of your own emotional well-being, as well as

OUR VISION

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that of your children - it’s worth it.

The most important gift you can give your children is to remind yourself, you’re both their heroes. The biggest reason not to criticise the other parent in front of them is not to steal an important aspect of themselves the person who created them.

We underestimate the terrible effect of openly discussing how bad the other parent is. This can create serious disharmony as they navigate relationships as an adult. ive the children an age appropriate honest account of the impending changes without blame. E plain who is moving away, and when and where they will see the other parent.

Ensure your children know you both still love them and that this will always be the case. Whilst you might be fre uently falling apart on the inside, attempting to create a safe and stable environment is paramount.

Keeping to routine as much as possible is helpful.

Don’t be tempted to rely on your older children for emotional support but turn to trusted friends, family or counsellor. t is not

uncommon for me to support an individual or couples through this process to ensure they remain responsible and loving coparents.

2018

ive the children the space to e press their own feelings about the other parent, even if those feelings are not the same as yours.

Where possible, talk to the other parent about important communication options, such as a diary or online synced calendar for important school events, fees, activities and play dates. Talk to your children s teachers or day care staff so they can help nurture them and manage any unusual behaviours.

marriage your 100 per cent to rejuvenate and repair it even without success, you will look back with less regret as you recreate a connected and loving environment for them.

eassure children that they are not to blame and you both love them. Children can mistake anger from their parent’s arguments as directed toward them. Sadly, they often interpret any of their own troublesome behaviour to be the cause of their parent s divorce. ou can make peace for your child by knowing that your decision to divorce was considered carefully and over a long period of time. nly when you know you gave the

0 54 9 1212 0409 909 933 jo@thecon dantecounselling.com www.sunshinecoastcounselling.com 1/81 Si th Ave, Cotton Tree and mmanuel Lutheran Church f ce, Forest Drive, Buderim. ave you liked?

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A guide to household chores

2018

them as everyday things we all must do for no other reason than helping the family and keeping the house clean and respectable.

Words Layne Whitburn

With modern-day pressures for children to captain the sporting team, top the class or master a range of instruments, household chores seem to be swept under the carpet.

While unpacking the dishwasher, watering the plants or simply making the bed may seem unimportant compared to scoring top grades, chores teach children many bene cial life lessons including responsibility, self-reliance, empathy and caring for others as well as nurturing an academic path and early career success. ere’s a handy guide on how to include chores in your household.

Don’t make them sound like a chore f you have not-so-fond memories of your mother nagging, do your chores, chances are your kids are going to respond the same. Try saying let’s do our chores to encourage team work and consideration for the whole family. Take it further by making the word chore’ a naughty word and start using more inviting words such as tasks, assignments or responsibilities.

Also, don’t tie chores to punishments. This immediately triggers a negative response and will make it more dif cult to get kids to nish their tasks.’

Make a chores chart Create a family roster for daily chores and share the love. otate jobs daily to keep things different and as e citing as they possibly can be, and don’t forget to add

the big kids. When your children see mum and dad are included in the chore chart, they will feel e ual and all grown up.

Tick the jobs off as you complete them throughout the day. Maybe the rst person to nish their list gets to choose what’s for dessert?

Don’t expect a spring clean This may be dif cult if you’re a perfectionist, but try and encourage rather than put down. f the bed isn’t made as neat as you’d like or the towels haven’t been folded the way you prefer, thank them for their efforts and show them how they can improve ne t time. t’s important not to jump in and do it for them. This undermines the whole point and kids will always have mum or dad to their mistakes.

Doing e tra chores beyond the usual however, can come with some money motivation for older kids.

Chores for the ages ou might think your child is too young, but if they can work your smartphone, chances are they can work a washing machine. Kids can be more capable than you think, plus setting challenges is a healthy learning tool. ere’s a generic guide on chores suitable for certain ages

Chores for children ages 2 to 3 Put toys away Fill pet s food dish Wipe up spills Tidy books and maga ines

Keep it consistent

Chores for children ages 4 to 5

Consistency is key when it comes to making chores a part of the daily routine. f kids aren’t e pected to help out regularly, they may start to put random tasks off thinking someone else will do it.

The previous chores, plus Make their bed Bring in mail or newspaper Clear table after a meal Wash plastic dishes at sink

Rewards

Chores for children ages 6 to 7

We don’t get paid for cooking the family dinner or taking the bins out, so why should our kids? t’s important for kids to understand chores are simply everyday household duties and if they are not done, the family goes hungry or the bins get smelly.

The previous chores, plus Sort laundry Sweep oors Set and clear table elp make and pack lunch

t’s important not to tie allowances to chores for younger kids and simply regard

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Please note, use this as a rough guideline.

Just as every child is uni ue, capabilities and responsibilities will alter.

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Chore Bank is the best way to keep track of your child s allowance, completion of chores, and spending money. t is your own personal bank of mum and includes features to encourage getting chores done. Set up a chore list including monetary value and the value of the chore is added to the child s account on completion. ou can also make gift’ deposits and withdraw their money as re uired rather than yours!

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