free
Cape Town’s
june/july 2010 Issue 71 Circulation 45 158
C a p e
To w n ’ s
b e s t
g u i d e
f o r
pa r e n t s
www.childmag.co.za
imagine nation
give your children the magic they need
Game on
activity boxes that’ll give boredom the boot
straight UP
from slouch to posture perfect
curtain raiser why a bit of drama is good for your children
y a d i l ho kick off
to have fun 103 ways as a family in your city
health
education
entertainment
the waiting is over, the day has dawned and, with tickets firmly in hand, I am ready!
My children are dressed in yellow and green from head to toe and are enthusiastically honing the “art” of trumpeting their vuvuzelas – with apologies to our longsuffering neighbours. If, like us, you are staying at home for the June/July school break, this month’s magazine will make all the difference. Firstly, we have banished boredom from your children’s vocabulary. See “mom, dad, I’m bored!” on page 44 for clever ideas for repackaging what you’ve got tucked away in your cupboards into exciting activity boxes. We’re certain these tips will make your life more pleasant! We’ve also staked out just about every place within five kilometres of Cape Town Stadium to bring you our pick of fabulous family fun. So, take some time out and enjoy your city as if you’re visiting it for the very first time. See “out & about” on page 52. And if you are welcoming visitors to your home and our country, we urge you to show your gees and try our managing editor Marina Zietsman’s regte, egte boerekos. Let’s light those fires, welcome the masses, get messy with our children and live a little! Laduuuummmmaaaaaa!
Hunter House PUB L IS H ING
Publisher Lisa Mc Namara • lisa@childmag.co.za
Editorial Managing Editor Marina Zietsman • marina@childmag.co.za Features Editor Elaine Eksteen • elaine@childmag.co.za Calendar Editor Lucille Kemp • lucille@childmag.co.za
monthly circulation Cape Town’s ChildTM 45 158 Joburg’s ChildTM 45 160 Durban’s ChildTM 40 052
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Cape Town’s
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Cape Town’s ChildTM is published monthly by Hunter House Publishing, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. Office address: Unit 7, Canterbury Studios, cnr Wesley and Canterbury Streets, Gardens, Cape Town. Tel: 021 465 6093, fax: 021 462 2680, email: capetown@childmag.co.za. Annual subscriptions (for 11 issues) cost R165, including VAT and postage inside SA. Printed by Paarl Web. Copyright subsists in all work published in Cape Town’s ChildTM. We welcome submissions but retain the unrestricted right to change any received copy. We are under no obligation to return unsolicited copy. The magazine, or part thereof, may not be reproduced or adapted without the prior written permission of the publisher. We take care to ensure our articles are accurate and balanced but cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage that may arise from reading them.
June 2010/July 2010
contents
june / july 2010
upfront 3 a note from lisa 6 over to you readers respond
52
14 reader’s blog far from family, an ill mom rediscovers the value of friends. By Patrice Gopo
health 15 ear ouch Lucille Kemp looks into ear infections
47 inbetweenager in the house Leonora Found faces the challenges of raising an almost teen
16 reading the signals caution: cellphone in use. By Donna Cobban
48 don’t be a slouch Donna Cobban wants to preserve her son’s perfect posture
regulars
44
10 wins 12 upfront with paul children’s breakfast requests baffle Paul Kerton 18 dealing with difference understanding and helping the stuttering child. By Lucille Kemp
features 20 round of applause taking your children to the theatre is about more than just their entertainment, says Simone Gray 24 animal planet Sue Segar and her seven-year-old son explore Vic Falls 26 staying safe Tracy Ellis shares tips on making your child less vulnerable to harm 28 light the fires! side dishes for SA’s favourite pasttime, the braai. By Marina Zietsman 32 lost & found mother of two Megan Hjelm comes to terms with her dad’s death 34 give them some magic Roni Jay offers tips on encouraging creative play
52 resource: out & about family fun within five kilometres of the Cape Town Stadium. By Lucille Kemp 60 a good read great new reads and soccer books for the whole family 68 what’s on in june and july 86 last laugh Sam Wilson has a new list of hobbies
classified ads 78 family marketplace 82 it’s party time
this month’s cover image is supplied by:
38 twisting the truth a little white lie won’t hurt. Or will it? Tracy Ellis finds out 40 far from the madding crowds Donna Cobban travels to Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape 44 mom, dad, i’m bored! ideas for budget-friendly, keep-’em-occupied activity boxes. By Elaine Eksteen
June 2010/July 2010
SAHETI School Photographer: Lisa Dell
Cape Town’s
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
letters
over to you than ever, and I had to stop and think. I realised my children have taught me special things too. They have taught me a new vocabulary, like “pitta-pitta” for train, “duddi” for cockroach and “stiggidastaggid” for those times when you need to say “stiggidastaggid”. They also taught me about eating carrots with peanut butter. At the end of the day they’ve taught me to love and let go of the rest – and how to really enjoy a bedtime hug. Anonymous
a happy SAH mom
children and diet I was interested to read the article on “eating for sleeping” in the May issue of Child Magazine. However, I would like to point out that scientific research into the relationship between diet, or specific foods, and sleep patterns is limited. Factors that could have an impact are wide ranging, from exposure to sunlight in the morning to early iron deficiency. In light of the fact that no definitive information is available, parents with children who are not sleeping well should consider evaluating the child’s eating patterns overall, rather than individual foods. Children should eat regular, good, mixed meals, planned according to the four key guidelines for healthy eating for children: • starchy foods (such as pasta, rice, potatoes, bread) should form the basis of a child’s meal • plenty of vegetables and fruit need to be included every day (aim for five portions) • milk needs to be consumed every day • chicken, fish, meat, eggs, beans, soya or
thanks, Sam Wilson I just love Sam Wilson’s column. It’s painful to read too, though, because my own life has turned out so differently to hers. Firstly, my marriage ended. On the plus side, my sons’ dad is devoted to them and we have remained friends. But my oldest son is really angry. His drawings are full of skulls, blood and dismembered people and he’s extremely rude and confrontational. Having friends over can be torture. I would really like to know how to handle an extremely angry child.
June 2010/July 2010
peanut butter should form part of their food intake. It is thought that certain additives, namely tartrazine (E102), sodium benzoate (E211), quinoline yellow (E104), sunset yellow (E110), carmoisine (E122), ponceau (E124) and allura red (E129) can increase activity levels in children, and these can be avoided, especially in the afternoons and at night. However it is not necessary to eliminate all additives, as many have useful functions in foods. Parents should not undertake an elimination diet for children unless advised to do so by a medical practitioner, and supervised by a registered dietitian. It is risky to do this as it introduces unbalanced eating plans, shortages of essential nutrients, and large amounts of stress. Should a parent have concerns about their child’s eating habits, they can seek advice from a registered dietitian. Deborah Hoepfl, PR Coordinator, Association for Dietitians in South Africa (Western Cape)
Divorce isn’t the only source of my son’s frustration. The relationships I’ve had with my children since their birth have been worlds apart. With the youngest I experienced instant understanding, yet with the oldest, despite my best intentions, it has always been a battle. We seem to rub each other up the wrong way. He doesn’t trust me and I feel utterly inadequate. The only time of peace between us is at the end of the day when we cuddle up for a story. When I read Sam’s column about what her children have taught her, it was at a time when I felt more clueless
I had to giggle when I read Leonora Found’s blog “disengaging the mother ship” in your April issue. It is great to be reminded every so often that I’m not the only SAH (stay-at-home) mom trying to juggle everything. I am a 38-and-a-half (yes, lets not forget the half) year-old stay-at-home mom to three children aged six to 12 years, and everything Leonora wrote had me in stitches – she was talking about my family! I joke with my husband that he goes to work purely to escape the constant madness in our home. And let’s not mention the “business trips” – how many times do those same roads and projects need to be checked up on? My husband has often offered to book me into a spa for a day, but unfortunately this is beyond our budget and, even if we could, I don’t know if I’d be able to relax. I’m one of those moms who actually doesn’t know what to do with herself when “the bratlings” aren’t around. What does one do for an entire day with no-one to run around after? Even with all my complaints about the children, at the end of the day, I wouldn’t swap any of those big hugs, kisses, “love you moms”, and my husband’s “hey babe, how was your day?” when he gets home, for anything in the world. I am so fortunate to be able to spend this time with my children during their young years, and have to thank my husband for working so hard to provide me with this gift. Lianne Vinello-Lippert
the strength of words I remember when I was a child, my mom taught me the phrase “sticks and stones will break my bones, but names and words can’t harm me”. No matter how many times we chanted that phrase, it remained untrue. The bully at school could physically hurt me, and an unkind word or a smear campaign could affect me emotionally, almost to the point of physical pain. As a little girl, when I did something wrong, my Grandad used to say “My girl, I’m so disappointed in you”. For me, those words were far worse than a spanking or sending me to my room – words are truly mightier than the sword. I feel strongly that as much as we try and teach our children about physical safety and “stranger danger”, we as parents really need to equip our children with self-defence tools for dealing with emotional pain. Karen Meyer (mother of three and preschool teacher for 18 years)
Cape Town’s
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
over to you continued... support on Facebook
party smart
I read Elaine Eksteen’s feature on party planning (“hip, hip hooray!) in your May issue this morning and loved it. What a great article and resource, I’ll definitely use it in the future. Over the years I’ve lost the edge on party planning – my oldest is 11 now – and my ideas have become quite boring. I had a good chuckle reading your “backwards bonanza” suggestion. I could just picture the children singing happy birthday backwards and becoming completely hysterical. And “bike and balloon rally” and “photo trail” are also super ideas. Thank you! Tarryn
June 2010/July 2010
Both my eight-year-old daughter and my friend’s 10year-old daughter have dyspraxia. I would appreciate it if Child Magazine could run an article on this issue as not many people know about this motor learning disability. My friend and I wish to build a small community of parents who can support each other in the daily issues we face raising dyspraxic children. We’ve created a Facebook address for this purpose. It’s new and still in development, but if parents or caregivers are interested, the Facebook address is Dyspraxic Kids SA. Catherine
pat on the back I want to thank Paul Kerton for his most amazing column. Every month I look forward to his piece. It makes one realise that we are all in the same boat when it comes to parenting. When I read this month’s story it brought tears to my eyes. I am a single mom of a seven-year-old beautiful girl, and no matter how hard I try to do it all right I never seem satisfied with my own attempts at parenting and running a home. I cannot agree more with Paul when he says our lives are hectic in comparison to those of our grandparents or even parents, and everything must be planned to the “finest nano-detail”. I don’t think there is one parent
who hasn’t experienced the morning rush-hour panic attack, where you suddenly break out in a cold sweat because, while you were running around last night cooking a healthy dinner, washing and ironing uniforms and doing homework and so on, you completely forgot to prepare the presentation your boss wants first thing this morning, or you’ve forgotten it at home. Sometimes I wish there was a switch I could flip to turn time off for a few minutes so that we could catch up. So, thank you Paul Kerton for making us realise it’s not “just me”, and also for congratulating the single parents out there who continue to strive for excellence, and for reminding us that we should give ourselves the occasional pat on the back. Brenda Zimmerman, avid fan
write to us We would like to know what’s on your mind. Send your letters to: marina@childmag.co.za or PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. We reserve the right to edit and shorten submitted letters. The opinions reflected here are those of our readers and are not necessarily held by Hunter House Publishing.
Cape Town’s
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
wins
giveaways
in june & july soccer fever
fancy pants Kiids Boutique keeps your child entertained and comfy with great toys, clothes and furniture. They stock the latest and most popular brands from around the world including Petit Bateau, Bebe Jou, Snoozebaby, Happy Horse and Kartell for Kids. The beautiful décor of the shop, which is situated in Wynberg’s Little Chelsea, makes the shopping experience feel as much a treat as the quality products you’ll purchase. For more information on Kiids Boutique contact 021 762 8935, info@kiids.co.za or visit kiids.co.za Kiids Boutique is giving away five gift vouchers to the value of R500 each. To enter, simply answer the following question: Where in Cape Town is Kiids Boutique situated? Email your answer and details to info@kiids.co.za with “Kiids Boutique CT Child Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Kiids Boutique CT Child Win, 51 Waterloo Road, Wynberg, 7800 before 31 July 2010. Only one entry per reader.
Right on time for soccer fever, Build-A-Bear Workshop® has stocked up on the cutest and softest Zakumi mascots, soccer bears and cool soccer kits. Turn your bear into a soccer fan by kitting it out from head to paw in your favourite soccer team’s gear. Moms and dads can get into the soccer spirit too! Take your children to your nearest Build-A-Bear Workshop® store during the holidays to learn the special Diski Dance. Your child will have loads of fun learning the Build-A-Bear Workshop® war cries and can even have a soccer party. All children who learn the Diski Dance will receive their very own commemorative Diski Dance certificate. Build-A-Bear Workshop ® stores are situated in V&A Waterfront, Canal Walk and Somerset Mall. For more information email bearemy@buildabear.co.za or visit buildabear.co.za Cape Town’s Child readers stand a chance to win one of three fully-kitted out Zakumis, valued at R279 each. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with “Build-ABear CT Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Build-A-Bear CT Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 15 July. Only one entry per reader.
lush attire Hush designer clothing is a classic children’s range that is designed and made in South Africa, using 100 percent cotton fabrics and beautiful voile prints. Hush has recently extended its range to include a boys’ collection, which consists of easyto-wear basics in natural fabrics plus beautiful occasion pieces. Hush clothing is for children aged two to 10 and includes gorgeous melton coats, cardigans, baby doll tops, classic winter dresses and tunics, and leggings. You can find Hush clothing in Kildare Centre, Newlands. For further information on Hush contact 021 671 6485 or info@hushclothing.co.za One Cape Town’s Child reader stands a chance to win outfits for your child from the Hush clothing store to the value of R1 500. To enter send your details to info@hushclothing.co.za with “Hush Win” in the subject line or post your entry to Hush Clothing, 4 Kildare Centre, 62 Main Road, Newlands, 7700 before 31 July 2010. Only one entry per reader.
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June 2010/July 2010
Ster Kinekor Entertainment presents the NewU Fitness First Mind Body workout, an interactive game dedicated to the core exercises of yoga and Pilates. Through a customisable programme of exercises, demonstrated by real personal trainers using video and audio voiceover, you can learn a range of yoga and Pilates breathing, exercise and relaxation techniques. The game can be played on a Nintendo Wii console. For more information contact Howard on 011 445 7992 or howardl@ strekinekor.com Readers of Cape Town’s Child stand a chance to win one of three NewU Fitness First Mind Body games valued at R399 each. To enter, email your details to win@childmag. co.za with “Ster Kinekor CT win” in the subject line or post your entry to Ster Kinekor CT Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 31 July. Only one entry per reader.
congratulations to our April winners Lizet Koen, Jean Luyt, Hilary Lumb, Shehaam Abass, Estelle Hazel Ramsden, Lichelle Cook, DA Powell, Tracy Vianello, Aritha Du Plessis, Dilshaad Esau, Anne Schaub and Carmelita Wegewarth who each win a Baby Sense hamper; Ibteshaam Bruintjies, Michaela Berko and Aletta Eckhardt who each win a High School Musical hamper from Ackermans; and Jemima Madsen who wins a one-night getaway to Aquila Private Game Reserve.
Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPHS: KIIDS BOUTIQUE – Jacques van Zyl, Warren Heath
fun and fitness
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
11
upfront with paul
what can I get you
for breakfast?
Paul, Sabina and Saskia
w
hat do you want for breakfast? Simple enough question, one would have thought. The options are quite limited: cereal, toast, yoghurt and fruit, pancakes, flapjacks, those “health” bars of dubious origin, eggs – any which way you like... We’re just trying to do what the experts say we ought to, namely get something substantial in junior’s tummy before school. In our house chocolate is a favourite request but, as we repeat on an almost daily basis, they need “real nutrients: protein, energy, vitamins and minerals” to help them through a day of hectic energy
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June 2010/July 2010
expenditure that includes gymnastics, swimming, playtime and travel. So what is it to be, dear offspring? Blank faces. I was brought up on milk. At school I was always given a bottle of milk at playtime; and I loved cereal, still do. My brood hate milk, despite the promise of calcium, strong bones and healthy growth. Yes, I’ve got strong bones, but growth? I stopped growing at five-foot-eight. So milk maybe isn’t so great. I lump that false promise along with the many food myths that abounded in the ‘50s and ‘60s: spinach makes you strong (Popeye possibly); fish is good for the brain (not if it swam near Koeberg); and carrots help you see in the dark (so why do bunny rabbits keep getting caught by foxes?). Currently they love pancakes, but this is just another phase. Last month it was eggs,
and last year Saskia even loved Weet-Bix! Pancakes mean that Gran or myself have to remember to make a batch of mixture and put it in the fridge to “settle” overnight. When they are at friends’ houses they devour anything that they are given, more out of politeness than genuine enthusiasm. At home politeness goes straight out of the window. Then there is the great yoghurt debate. To me yoghurt is yoghurt, whether it has Barney, Rambo, Pooh Bear or Barbie on the packaging. Yoghurt is basically curdled cow’s milk with lashings of flavouring and sweetener, and the odd offcut of real fruit. Give the children a blind-tasting of six strawberry yoghurts and they would not be able to tell the difference; such is the power of branding – even at age two. You see children at the supermarket fridge driving their parents
insane: “Not that one, this one. Not this one, that one.” What children need is a lesson in appreciation. I once went on a serious mountain leadership course on the rugged and bleak Pyrenees where we had to catch, kill and cook our own food, as well as clamber up rock faces and sleep under a bivouac. When you are half way up a mountain after a 10-hour ordeal: cold, wet, exhausted and starving, believe me, you really don’t care whether it’s a Barbie yoghurt or a Pooh Bear yoghurt, rabbit, snail or pigeon. You don’t even care if the food has been cooked properly, whether it has bones in it, scales on it, or is speckled with dirt. You just want to get it down your throat. Now children, I repeat, what can I get you for breakfast? Paul Kerton is the author of Fab Dad: A Man’s Guide to Fathering.
Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPH: JILL BADER
Chocolate! I don’t think so, says PAUL KERTON.
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
13
blog
sick days Sick, with a tiny baby in her care, PATRICE GOPO learns the value of allowing friends to be family.
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June 2010/July 2010
Days like this serve to highlight just how far away our little family lives from our extended family, particularly, my mother and my husband’s mother. This means that when I’m sick there’s no-one who can come and watch my baby so I can sleep for a few hours. I know we have good reasons for currently living so far from our family. However, being sick makes me think that the most blessed people in life are those who live across the street from their mothers. I know friends can be a huge help. However, I find it difficult to ask a friend to enter the sick zone to care for my daughter. Whereas, you don’t even have to ask your mother: she’d show up with nourishing food and then clean your kitchen while watching the baby. Or perhaps that’s just wishful thinking? Perhaps, even if we lived closer to my family or my husband’s family, we would still be facing the question of what to do when I get sick. Both of our mothers work, so there is no guarantee either of them would be able to help, even if we did live next door.
calling out an SMS Last night my husband sent a text message to some close friends asking for prayers of encouragement for our little family, with me still sick and him having to travel for work today. Immediately a friend called to encourage him, and another called me to see if she could come and watch our little girl for a few hours so I can rest. The calls and offers of help have kept pouring in. I’ve learned a valuable lesson. Help doesn’t have to come in the form of your relatives. The friends around you can be just as much family to you, too. I simply need to learn to ask for help. My need for a couple of sick days has shown me the strength of our friendship circle in this place my husband and I now call home.
Readers, this is your column – it’s a space to air your views, share a valuable parenting lesson, vent your frustrations or celebrate your joys. Send your writing to elaine@childmag.co.za
Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
i
have been sick for over a week with a nasty bug that I caught from my adorable seven-month-old daughter. Her little body has thankfully healed, and her darling, inquisitive personality is back. Just in time for me to have the wind knocked out of my sails by some extreme version of whatever she had. The thing about pursuing motherhood as a full-time job is that along with no salary you also have no annual leave – and not a single sick day in sight. So, while my daughter’s health has been steadily improving, mine has been gradually declining – probably exacerbated by the responsibilities of caring for an energetic just-got-mycrawling-legs baby. My husband can only be described as a saint in the ways he has cared for my daughter, our home, and me during my out-of-commission phase. Steaming pots of chicken soup await me in the morning, as do cups of freshly brewed tea with lemon, ginger and honey – and that’s all before he departs for a busy day at the office. He is absolutely wonderful! But, he still has to work, which means I still do too.
health
ear ouch In winter colds are rife, making your baby more susceptible to ear infections. LUCILLE KEMP looks into how to fight them. n ear infection occurs when mucous collects in the nasal passage, blocking the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat. This blockage is a breeding ground for bacteria that normally live in the nose and throat. Ear infections can advance quickly, and can lead to glue ear, which is difficult to detect and treat and can cause impaired hearing. Another very painful end point of an ear infection is a ruptured eardrum. Ear infections are common among infants as their developing Eustachian tube is short and horizontal, making it easier for bacteria to migrate from the nose and throat up into the middle ear. Babies are more likely to get ear infections after a cold or sinus infection. Other factors that increase their risk are allergies, tobacco smoke in the home, infected or overgrown adenoids, and excess mucous and saliva that’s produced during teething or from using a dummy. To know that you are definitely dealing with an ear infection, look out for at least two of the following symptoms… Your child may be irritable and cry inconsolably from the pain, he may pull at his ears, wake up throughout the night or have diarrhoea (the bacteria responsible for ear infections can also attack the intestines). Look out for a fever three to five days after a cough or runny nose has developed. Sucking and swallowing can hurt, so your baby may
pull away from the breast or a bottle. Remember not to jump to conclusions based on just one symptom – an infant pulling at her ears, for instance, could just be teething. It’s important that you don’t try to medicate an ear infection yourself. However, if you need to manage things while you wait for an appointment with your GP, Allison Jordaan, resident pharmacist at Paulshof Pharmacy in Petervale, Johannesburg, suggests the following: “For babies, it is probably safest to go via the nose to decongest, ideally with baby saline nasal drops to dislodge the mucous backup and a pain suppository for immediate relief.” Be wary of giving your child cold and allergy medication if you suspect an ear infection. Doctors and pharmacists have found that certain popular decongestants may dry up a runny nose but can contribute to an ear infection. “Before medicating with antibiotics, your doctor may advise you to observe your child’s symptoms for a 24- to 48-hour period, while allowing their bodies time to fight the infection naturally,” says Dr Japie Roos, a paediatrician at Parklands Hospital in Durban. While observation is risky, our bodies are sometimes able to heal themselves. Your doctor will tell you whether it is a viable option for your child – comforting to know if antibiotics are not your preference.
PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
prevention is better than cure Lifestyle changes that can help reduce your child’s risk of an ear infection: Breastfeeding. This lowers your child’s chances of getting ear infections by boosting his natural defences. Try to reduce your child’s chances of getting a cold. If your baby is on solids, make sure she is getting a balanced, nutritious diet. Possibly seek a smaller day-care setting. Investigate possible allergic reaction. Take action to lower the risk. Feed baby upright. Feeding your baby while he is lying down can cause the milk to irritate the Eustachian tube. Keep the nose clear. Use steam, saline nose drops and suctioning.
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
15
health
reading the signals Because we can’t be sure our cellphones aren’t damaging our health, it’s better to play it safe, says DONNA COBBAN.
e
very day my two-year-old reaches for my cellphone and just before he touches it he takes his hand away, looks at me sternly, wags his index finger in the direction of the phone and says “no, no, no”. It is something with which I have never let him play. When I first refused to give it to him I was not sure of my reasons. It had something to do with why I would not let him play next to an electricity substation and why I’d think twice before buying a house next to a cellphone mast. When others offer him their phones to play with, I gently pry the phone from his hands and return it graciously to the owner. Push me for my reasons and my answers would have been vague and uncertain. Maybe I am obsessing over nothing? Up until I had a child I never gave much thought as to how cellphones work. I worried a bit when masts started shooting up all over the show. Though, when they disguised the masts and made them look like live palm trees, I was impressed. As a parent, I feel differently and so I went in search of the facts. “Cellphones emit radio-frequency energy; this energy is a form of electromagnetic radiation,” is what I first read. The very word radiation sends out an air of alarm, but my fear is apparently unfounded as electromagnetic energy can be divided into two types: ionising and non-ionising. Ionising energy is what sends radiologists scurrying from the room
recent talk at CANSA: “The absence of evidence of any kind does not translate into proof of safety.” It would thus be prudent to apply what is known as the “precautionary principle” to the use of cellphones, particularly in children and teens. The European Commission
seconds before your x-ray fires (it has been proven that frequent exposure to this kind of radiation poses a cancer risk). But what about non-ionising energy – the kind emitted by a cellphone? These are the same waves used to cook a chicken in a microwave oven – albeit a cellphone uses a much lower frequency than a microwave. So while we wouldn’t stick our heads into a microwave oven, is it safe to have cellphones glued to our ears? No empirical evidence exists to say we shouldn’t. But as Devra Davies, a North American-based epidemiologist and writer stressed in a
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June 2010/July 2010
Communication states that: “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.” Given the length of time it took to admit to a direct correlation between smoking and lung cancer, it seems somewhat absurd yet unsurprising that there are not yet any agreed-upon-by-all research results. Various groups point fingers at others – the sample groups used made only one call a week, different phones emitting different Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
These are the same waves used to cook a chicken in a microwave oven – albeit a cellphone uses a much lower frequency.
radio-frequency (RF) levels were used, children were excluded, some subjects lived too near or too far from cellphone masts, and so on. It’s a measurable that resists measurement, but it is vital that research continues as cellphone usage is now a way of life. Thankfully some large-scale worldwide research is currently underway and this time children are being included, with one research undertaking, the Mobi-Kids project, dedicating itself exclusively to children. Davies believes that current research results, which claim that there is no risk are largely flawed as brain cancer can take several decades to develop, and so we need to wait for the results to arrive. Furthermore, she believes we should have learned from the tobacco saga and not use the existence of uncertainty as a reason to delay action. While the jury is out, we should perhaps be practising prudence.
playing it safe Several countries, including Russia, Germany, France, Israel, Finland and those in the United Kingdom, have issued warnings against children using cellphones, and in early March the state of Maine in
America put forward a proposal that would enforce cellphone manufacturers to apply a permanent, non-removable warning label to every unit sold there. The label would cover at least 30 percent of the plain area of the phone and caution users to hold the unit several inches away from their heads or to use earphone-and-speaker technology. While in France a proposed bill may result in a ban on advertising cellphones to children under 12, and a further ban on the sale of phones to be used by those under six, it could also become compulsory for all handsets to be sold with accompanying earphones. France has also stipulated that manufacturers bring onto the market a phone that only allows texting, thereby eradicating the need to place the unit near the head. And, finally, what of South Africa? I am heartened to see that Vodacom, in their brochure entitled A Parent’s Guide to Cell Phones states that: “Science can never provide a guarantee that a situation or a technology is completely safe. Because of this, and the fact that cellphones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time, research continues to provide further understanding”.
how to reduce your risk According to CANSA, there is no conclusive evidence that cellphone use causes cancer but they are continuously monitoring the situation and recommend the following as precautionary measures: • Limit the number and duration of calls. • Use text messages when practical. • Switch sides of the head when the call is long. • Use a hands-free kit or the speakerphone mode to keep the phone at a distance from the head. • Instruct children and teenagers to limit calls to emergencies, as they are more vulnerable to long-term health effects. Other precautionary measures you might consider adopting include: • Do not sleep with a switched-on cellphone beside you. • Ensure children, especially teens, are not keeping and sleeping with the phone under their pillow to text friends after dark. • Do not use the cellphone if the signal bar is low as the signal will “try harder” to make contact. • Keep your phone out of trouser and breast pockets – spermcount problems, as well as cardiovascular problems, have been noted. • Some evidence suggests that the radiation levels are at their highest just as the connection is made, so waiting for the person to answer before putting your phone to your ear may significantly cut radiation levels. • Radiation-protection covers are likely to increase the RF signals, as the signal increases as it attempts to make contact.
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June 2010/July 2010
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dealing with difference
talking point LUCILLE KEMP looks into how parents can help children who stutter.
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your child’s stuttering is something that needs addressing – if you are unsure, chat to your child’s paediatrician or teacher.
facts and findings Developmental stuttering is the most common form of stuttering in young children. This happens when a child’s developing speech and language abilities aren’t able to meet their verbal demands. According to The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), developmental stuttering runs in families, and earlier this year it confirmed this link by isolating three genes said to be responsible for stuttering. In addition, stuttering has been thought to be associated with higher levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Late last year, Dr Gerald Maguire, the director of the Kirkup Centre for the Medical Treatment of Stuttering at the University of California, completed a nine-year study that conclusively made the connection. Whether due to genetics, dopamine or other factors, 10 percent of South African preschoolers will stutter. Of these, 60 percent will be boys and 40 percent girls, and one percent will be chronic, with the pathology persisting into the teenage years or even adulthood. However, early Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
t
he time in your child’s life when she is most likely to stutter is precisely when she is developing language skills and growing her vocabulary. So, how then, do you know if you’re dealing with a routine stumbling over words, which will pass, or genuine, lasting stuttering? A preschooler, aged three to six years, who’s occasionally repeating words and sounds is most certainly not a cause for concern. “It can simply mean they’re stalling for time as they search for the right words,” says Arina Coetzee, a Cape Town-based speech therapist. This is a regular part of language development and one that’s generally outgrown by the age of seven. Also, stressful changes, such as the arrival of a new sibling, a change in school or a parent returning to work, could temporarily affect speech. However, if your child’s stuttering has been severe and constant for at least a month, it might be time to visit a speech therapist. In addition to your child repeating, blocking and omitting words and sounds, signs to look out for include tension in his shoulders, jaw or cheeks. Does she look away or clench her fists, blink repeatedly, or stamp her feet with frustration related to trying to get out the words? These signs of stress can be additional indicators that
intervention (before stuttering becomes established) is effective in helping many children achieve normal fluency. Research shows that the prognosis for recovery from chronic stuttering is good with 65 percent of preschoolers who stutter recovering in the first two years of stuttering and about 74 percent recovering by their early teens. In particular, girls seem to recover well.
based speech therapist affiliated with the organisation, Speak Easy, a stuttering support group. She says Cole’s recovery is a case of a job well done by both parent and therapist, and sees treatment as a 50:50 partnership between the two. The strength in Cole’s treatment lay in the ability of the therapist to equip and empower his parents to help him improve.
case in point
an overwhelming world
Shortly after three-year-old Cole Ryan started stuttering, his parents Clare and Linsley started taking him to a weekly onehour speech therapy session. “At these sessions, which lasted six months, the therapist did not interact with Cole. She observed the interaction between Cole and me, and at the end of each session she would give us an evaluation. We were given tasks to do with him at home. I also came up with my own tasks to help him,” says Clare. Within a year he had fully recovered from his stuttering. This style of therapy might seem strange and a little too hands-off on the part of the therapist, for some, but it’s commonly used in assisting stutterers. This indirect approach teaches parents about normal language and fluency development, stuttering, and the conditions that may worsen a child’s speech disfluencies. The parent is also taught how to make communication changes at home. The direct approach, on the other hand, teaches the child to produce more fluent speech, either through modelling easier speaking styles, or through feedback from the parent or speech therapist to your child about her fluency. Most therapists use a combination of the two techniques. “Family knowledge, involvement and input are critical factors for successful therapy,” says Dina Lillian, a Johannesburg-
But it’s not just the obvious speech-related issues that need addressing. “Children who stutter become embarrassed, frustrated and angry at themselves and others,” says Johannesburg-based child psychologist Cristine Scolari. This often comes with despondency, sadness, a sense of unfairness and an overwhelming feeling that something is wrong with them and won’t get better. Stuttering worsens when others tease stutterers about their speech impediment. As a result, says Cristine, children will often withdraw and become self-conscious so that social interactions – such as meeting new people, asking or answering questions or talking on the telephone – exacerbate their stuttering. Building self-confidence is thus an essential tool in the stuttering child’s recovery, which is why play therapy or psychotherapy can be beneficial. During psychotherapy, children are taught ways to express their feelings other than through verbalising. This also helps with peripheral issues such as developing social skills, learning how to deal with teasing, and working through their anger and frustration. Some also recommend adjusting a child’s diet. Try “cutting foods containing sugar, caffeine, colourants and preservatives,” says pharmacist Felicia Rubin, as stimulants can exacerbate stuttering.
recovery begins at home To some it’ll come as a relief to know that the experts put you, the parent, in charge of your child’s recovery. However, if you find this more daunting than comforting, take heart, there are a number of easy-to-implement things you can do to help your child improve. Don’t make a big issue out of the stuttering, unless your child broaches the 1 subject. If she does bring it up, speak in a casual and matter-of-fact way to avoid making her feel self-conscious. If your child brings up his stuttering in conversation, avoid using big words. 2 These include “stuttering”, “stammering” or “speech therapist”, which may frighten him and make him feel there’s something wrong with him. Instead, use words that are part of his vocabulary such as “stuck words”. Don’t instruct; lead by example. Children tend to mimic their parents, 3 so speak slowly, use short sentences and pause before answering their questions. Keep your voice soft and relaxed. All eyes on them. When your child speaks to you, make sure you look at her 4 and give her your full attention. If you are impatient, your preschooler will feel pressure to “get it out”, making her stuttering worse. Do not interrupt your child when he’s speaking. A child is more relaxed and 5 less likely to stutter if he knows he won’t be interrupted. Don’t pressure with questions. Let your child speak about what she wants to 6 talk about. Praise your child each time something is done well. This will increase 7 his confidence. Allow your child to express her frustration or embarrassment. Acknowledge 8 her feelings by saying “I understand how frustrating that must be for you”. Provide an atmosphere of acceptance of all types of speech, this includes 9 stuttered speech so your child will learn that she is okay.
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June 2010/July 2010
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feature
round of
applause
Taking your child to the theatre is good for a lot more
t
here’s nothing quite like live theatre. The shuffle as the audience takes their seats. The hushed tones as people chat, flip through programmes and munch on chocolate Whispers. Then there’s the thrill as the curtain is raised to unveil a new world and the fantastical characters that inhabit it. And, if you’ve managed to catch a show with your children, you’ll have enjoyed the added pleasure of hearing the performance punctuated by their gasps and giggles. Although most of us are used to observing the world on TV, the intimate joys of experiencing entertainment outside the box can be a real treat. In addition, there are a host of other benefits and
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lessons that children take away from getting involved with the performance arts from a young age. Most obviously, if we expose our children to drama and theatre, they are likely to develop an appreciation for the arts. But there are emotional and psychological benefits too. Growing up has its challenges and a love of the arts (in any of its forms) can be a comforting release or offer a momentary escape. Heather Schiff, clinical psychologist, drama therapist and co-director of the Bonfire Theatre Company, explains why theatre and or participation in drama is so important, “Children instinctively use drama auto-therapeutically, with
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PHOTOGRAPHS: Mini A Ture from andreab.co.za, THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
than just their entertainment, says SIMONE GRAY.
“
theatre, or participating in drama, “isWatching an excellent means of creating empathy and
facilitating an understanding of others’ feelings. no outside direction or superimposed structure. Dramatic play is a child’s way of symbolically expressing and resolving internal conflict, releasing pentup feelings, exploring hopes, fears and wishes, and discovering new life roles and stances, which is central to any child’s development.” Theatre and drama enable children to recognise how to express themselves physically and emotionally in a healthy manner, help them understand underdeveloped parts of themselves, and assist them in putting things into perspective – all of which can go a long way to empowering them. Perhaps, though, it is the stretching within (and outside of) our comfort zones that reveals the most obvious social benefits of theatre. Through puppetry, acting or physical theatre we can expose
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our children to tales of other cultures, historical events and traditions. We can teach our children to appreciate and respect another’s personality, experiences and talents, and create spaces for community dialogue to introduce our young citizens to many points of view. Heather believes this is particularly relevant for South Africa. “In terms of the South African situation and fostering connections between people,” she says, “watching theatre or participating in drama is an excellent means of creating empathy and facilitating an understanding of others’ feelings. While watching theatre we can be transported into the hearts, minds, bodies and stories of others in a way that can transcend race, class, gender and age. In this way, deeper levels of communication and understanding can be reached.”
In addition, performance arts, through the development of the imagination, promote creative thinking, a life skill that is beneficial in all spheres of our lives. Children who are able to think creatively will often become the entrepreneurs of the future and leaders in industry – as they have the ability to invent solutions and create something where yesterday there was nothing. Neuroscientists have established that for the brain to work efficiently, both hemispheres must be activated. Therefore, it is important to stimulate, develop and exercise the right brain (the creative and visual centre) as well as the left brain (where verbal, analytical
and logical functions are located) in all children (whether any creative aptitude is shown or not). By ensuring we provide a comprehensive education, we are in fact working more effectively to achieve optimum performance of the brain. And what an excellent way to increase vocabulary, improve communication and listening skills, assist in memory, self-discipline and concentration, and develop interpretation skills – outside of a classroom. One of the best things is that with live performance these educational benefits are all developed in an interesting, entertaining and fun environment, which doesn’t seem like learning at all.
June 2010/July 2010
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“
Theatre and drama enable children to recognise how to express themselves physically and emotionally in a healthy manner.
“
showtime! If the prospect of trying to get your children to abide by theatre etiquette is putting you off, here are some tips that might help to keep the drama on stage rather than in the audience… • Choose the right show. The best place to start is by taking your child to an age-appropriate theatre production. While your little ones will still need a certain amount of self-discipline in order to get through the entire show, the theatre environment will joyfully embrace the unrestrained reactions of your children rather than frown upon it. You can be certain that child-friendly productions will have bright costumes and jolly jokes to engage and entertain young minds. You can “promote” young theatregoers as they grow and are able to appreciate and enjoy more challenging works. • Do your homework. Prepare your child in the days leading up to the show. Introduce them to the story and the characters they will meet; if there is a book about the play, read it together. Part of what makes these outings so special is the excitement and build up – so, work it. • Be clear about expected behaviour. Let your children know how they are expected to behave. It might help to explain that in order for the actors on stage to do their job, each audience member needs to remain still and quiet when it is time to do so, and join in when it is called for. • Plan for a quick getaway. If this is your child’s first time at the theatre, it might be a good idea to get an aisle seat so you can, if necessary, duck out without disrupting the audience.
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• Cover all bases. On the day, make sure your child is well rested. The tired “niggles” can be tough at any time, never mind in a theatre. Make sure your child has eaten before the show. If you need to bring a snack, ensure it is a quiet one such as fruit roll, a biltong stick or home-made popcorn in a sandwich bag. Make sure all have had a toilet break before the start. • Get your timing right. A long wait before curtain call can derail a smooth operation. If unassigned seating means you need to arrive earlier to get a spot that suits your family, make sure you bring something quiet to amuse your little ones. If this fails, get somebody nearby to keep your seats and wander around the theatre complex or garden and burn off a little energy. Theatres are fascinating places so, if you have extra time, explore the environment. Chat about the sets if possible. Point out the lighting grid. As your child gets older, it might just be these inner workings that hook their interest. • Be prepared to leave. If something in the show – such as a monstrously mean witch or a particularly treacherous troll upsets your child, take him out into the lobby to console him. Explain that the characters are only actors doing their jobs well. Don’t force him to return to the show. • Talk about it. Intermission is a perfect opportunity to share thoughts about the show and ensure your children are following. Remember, they don’t have to like every show but make each trip worthwhile by getting them to discuss what it is they don’t like and articulate why.
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taking to the stage Once an interest in theatre is established, drama classes might very well be the next step for your little ones. Here’s how they’ll benefit: “Drama classes are a fantastic means of developing confidence, self-esteem and essential communication skills,” says Duncan Rice of The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, which has centres in all the major cities around the country. “Releasing a child’s creative and expressive potential through drama is one of the keys to healthy educational development.” “All sorts of children benefit,” adds Andrea Nel, director of the Rising Star Academy in Durban. “The extrovert gets a chance to act out and enjoy herself. The introvert learns to come out of his shell by participating in games and taking part as a group with less pressure. A child with ADHD, for instance, may also benefit as the environment allows children to be active and creative but at the same time teaches self-control.” So, while you may not want to encourage your children to emulate Hollywood’s many poor role models, taking part in a little dramatic expression might be just what they need to become more confidently themselves.
encore! Looking for a live performance for the family? Turn to page 78 of our “what’s on” pages for our pick of child-friendly shows this holiday season (see “on stage and on screen” in the “just for children” section). Here’s a handy cut-out-and-keep list of theatres that regularly put on live performances especially for children. Artscape (Foreshore), 021 410 9800 or visit artscape.co.za Baxter Theatre (Rondebosch), 021 685 7880 or visit baxter.co.za Die Boer (Durbanville – Afrikaans theatre), 021 979 1911 or visit dieboer.com Dorpstraat Theatre (Stellenbosch), 021 889 9158 or visit website.dorpstraat.co.za HB Thom Theatre (Stellenbosch), 021 808 3216 or visit sun025.sun.ac.za Lilliput Players Children’s Theatre Company (a resident theatre company at the Baxter), 021 558 2650, 083 364 8284 or visit lilliputplayers.co.za Kalk Bay Theatre (Kalk Bay), 073 220 5430 or visit kbt.co.za Masque Theatre (Muizenberg), 021 788 1898 Maynardville Open-Air Theatre (Wynberg), 021 421 7695 (Artscape Dial-A-Seat) Oude Libertas Children’s Theatre (Stellenbosch – Afrikaans theatre; open only November to March), 021 809 7473, 021 809 7380 or visit oudelibertas.co.za Roxy Theatre (Grandwest Casino, Goodwood), 021 505 7777 or visit suninternational.com Theatre @ Elkanah (Sunningdale), 021 554 8640 or visit elkanah.co.za Theatre on the Bay (Camps Bay), 021 438 3301 or visit theatreonthebay.co.za The Barnyard Theatre (Durbanville), 021 914 8898 or visit barnyardtheatre.co.za The Fugard Theatre (Zonnebloem), 021 461 4554 or visit thefugard.com The Intimate Theatre (Gardens), 072 939 3351 or visit intimatetheatre.net The Rainbow Puppet Theatre (Constantia) 021 783 2063 or visit waldorfconstantia.org.za Villa Pascal (Durbanville), 021 975 2566 or visit villapascal.co.za Note: school holidays are particularly good times to find children’s theatre productions, with many theatres running special programmes.
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getaway
animal planet SUE SEGAR treats her seven-year-old
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homas and I are incredulous. And it’s not because we are soaked through from the spray of Victoria Falls. We are gobsmacked because we have just seen our first 50-trillion-dollar note. We are standing outside the Zambezi Blues River Café, a shady haven of a restaurant in the small town of Victoria Falls, having strolled up from the thundering waters. A very charming man is asking for R100 in exchange for a large wad of Zimbabwean dollar notes, which includes a couple of 50-trillion-dollar notes, a few 500-million-dollar notes and some 200-thousand-dollar bills. My favourite is the pretty purple 50-million-dollar note. “Will this money buy us a coke and a hamburger at the Wimpy?” I ask the man, thinking it’d be worth R100 just to be able to touch such large denominations. “Of course,” says Mr Charming and the deal is done.
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enquiring minds I have come to Zimbabwe with Thomas, who is seven, because I wanted to be the one to show him the Victoria Falls, to instill in him a spirit of adventure, a passion for the African bush and an enquiring mind. “Will there be DStv in the room?” is the main concern of this soccer-mad boy. We will be spending three days seeing the Falls, taking in the majestic 2 700-kilometre-long Zambezi River, enjoying the wildlife and getting time to bond. Apart from a rather vociferous spat over the use of my camera next to the imposing statue of David Livingstone and an altercation over manners during dinner at our hotel, we have, so far, survived quite well together on our African adventure. I have fielded his questions about our trip to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World: “Why is it called Victoria Falls?”
“They are named after a queen of England.” “Oh, was her name Victoria Falls?” “I don’t think so.” “How do you know?” We are based at the gracious Stanley and Livingstone Hotel, where we spent our first day unwinding on our verandah and keeping a running list of all the game that come to drink at the water hole outside our room. So far we have seen baboons, warthogs, zebras, kudu and impala and an endless array of birds, from storks to hornbills to nightjars. We take our trillions of dollars and walk to the Vic Falls Wimpy. When I offer my 50-trillion-dollar note, the woman shakes her head. “We don’t use that money any more,” she says. “Only US dollars and South African rands.” The newspaper vendor won’t give me a copy of The
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PHOTOGRAPHS: SXC.HU, THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
son to a bush adventure at Victoria Falls.
Herald. No, not even for 50-trillion dollars. The men selling nyamanyamas and tigers’ teeth don’t want it either. They are far more interested in our rands, or Thomas’s Arsenal cap. I realise we have been duped by Mr Charming. But aside from the cunning money swapper, we have experienced nothing but friendliness, humour and optimism from the local people we have met so far – the hotel staff, the guides from the adventure company, the traders at the markets. We have discovered, to Thomas’s delight, that Zimbabwean men are as crazy about soccer as he is. Tendai, the waiter at the Stanley and Livingstone might not be an Arsenal man like Thomas but, in between dishing out delicious bread rolls with silver tongs, he has Thomas riveted with his view on English soccer teams and a promise to kick a soccer ball in the hotel gardens.
bush banter We meet our guide Ben at Shearwater Adventures for our next activity – a night game drive in the 6 000-hectare Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve. We are part of an interesting group: a Japanese vet; a young couple, who work in banking in Harare; and a glamorous Zimbabwean
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woman who works as a diplomat in an east-Asian country. Our driver Mike is a laugh a minute and full of bush anecdotes. Thomas joins Mike in the front seat of the vehicle and, before long, is acting like the main man, giggling helplessly at Mike’s banter.
Zebra, Mike tells us, are just donkeys in pyjamas. Zebras, Mike tells us, are just donkeys in pyjamas. When we see a warthog scuffling not far from a group of four buffalo, he says, “There you go, you’ve seen the Big Five”. He stops the vehicle in the dark and whispers, “There’s a lion on the road.” It turns out to be a telephone line. Thomas loves that. He tells us that elephants, which eat an enormous amount every day, can grow to a weight of 7 000 kilograms. Our jolly group erupts with joy when we drive past a group of elephants, which includes two babies. Mike tells us that elephant dung, mixed with water or burnt and inhaled, is a great pain reliever, especially for women in the throes of labour. “I used it when I gave
birth,” says the diplomat, from the back. “It was wonderful. I hardly felt any pain.” As it gets darker, Ben hands out some thick blanket jackets and we settle in to an evening in the bush. More warthogs, elephants, buffalo, baboons and zebras. In the middle of the reserve, we almost drive into two men with guns slung over their shoulders. “Poachers?” we gasp. “No, they are members of the anti-poaching unit,” says Mike. “When it comes to poachers, we shoot first and ask questions later,” he adds, and Thomas, enthralled, gives a macho shudder. The Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve is extremely proud and protective of its black rhino, particularly as they recently produced some babies. We are on high alert for the babies, but tonight we are out of luck. We stop at a simple camp, where a bush supper of kudu stew has been prepared for us. We sit down to dinner under the African moon, recounting our action-packed couple of days. Highlights include a morning spent spotting game from the backs of elephants, and an evening watching crocodiles cruise past our boat as the sun sets on the wild and beautiful Zambezi.
June 2010/July 2010
25
feature
staying safe If child-snatching stories have left you wishing you could keep your little ones behind locked
t
he excitement about the soccer World Cup has been tempered, for many, by fears about the possible increase in child abduction and human trafficking. And, as scary tales of near abductions make the rounds, you may be feeling tempted to keep your children away from malls, stadiums and other busy places these holidays… While it’s unrealistic to think we can keep our children housebound, there are things we can do to keep them safe from potential dangers, both during the World Cup and long afterwards. As Carol Bews, assistant director at Johannesburg Child Welfare, says: “I think it’s important
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for parents to be aware of their children’s safety at all times – not just specifically during the World Cup.” We chatted to a number of experts and have rounded up some basic reminders of ways we can be proactive and play a role in keeping our children safe: • Talk to your children about child safety and use teachable moments and real life opportunities to practise what-if scenarios. Speak in a calm reassuring way. The key is to equip your child and not to scare him. Have him practise saying “no” in a loud voice. • Never leave your children alone in a public place or
motor vehicle, even if its locked and switched off. If you need to run back up the aisle for that extra tin, take your child-in-trolley with you. Never allow children to use a public toilet alone. • Teach your child not to talk to anyone he doesn’t know, even if he is with you. He should not feel the need to be polite. Being safe is more important. • Teach young children how to identify somebody they can trust (perhaps a security guard or a mother with her own children) if they are separated from you in a public place.
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PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
doors these holidays, read on. By TRACY ELLIS
Teach young children
helpful numbers
this memory device
The following organisations are assisting in the fight against abduction and human trafficking: • Anti Human Trafficking Hotline 08000-RESCU (08000 73728), salvationarmy.org.za • Childline 0800 055 555, childlinesa.org.za • Johannesburg Child Welfare 011 298 8500, jhbchildwelfare.org.za • Molo Songololo 021 448 5421, molosongololo.com • Red Light 2010 Campaign redlight2010campaign.org • SACMEC 012 393 2002, missingkids.co.za • The Guardian 031 582 7411, the-guardian.co.za • The Open Door Crisis Care Centre, 031 709 2679, 082 11 305 (24-hour hotline), opendoor.org.za
for the emergency number 10111.
• Be aware of clothing, bags, personalised items or anything that carries your child’s name on it. A child is more likely to trust someone who knows her name. • Set boundaries when out in public and decide on a meeting place in case of separation in a crowd. Encourage your child to stay in groups and not to wander off alone. A younger child who loses sight of you should stay where he is and not walk around looking for you. • If your child is alone at home make sure he knows how to use the alarm system. Cancel home services (pool, plumbing, garden) if you can’t be there. Teach her never to open the door for anyone. • Some are recommending that it’s wise to keep a recent photograph of your child together with his fingerprints and a hair sample. (Do it yourself ID kits are available online.) • Teach your children how to dial 10111. A handy memory device for young children is by pointing your forefinger at the base of your thumb. Your thumb is the first 1, your forefinger makes a 0, and your last three fingers are the three 1s at the end.
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• Make sure your child can recite his name, address and your cellphone number but teach him never to give this information to a stranger. If you are going to a busy place consider writing your cellphone number in permanent marker on his forearm in case you are separated. • Teach children that if a situation feels wrong, it probably is. Let them know they should trust their instincts, and that they can tell you anything. • A number of harnesses, child tracking devices and emergency bangles are available but there is no substitute for the watchful eye of a parent. • Have your teenager check in with you at regular intervals, upon reaching his destination or when his plans change. Make sure cellphones are always fully charged and have sufficient airtime. • Explain the dangers of hitchhiking to teenagers and advise them to stay alert in public, especially if they have a tendency to zone out with phones or MP3 players. Establish strict curfews for movies and parties.
Mr Price Safe Place 2010 Campaign From 1 June–12 July Mr Price Apparel, Home and Sport stores countrywide will become places of safety for children who have been separated from their parents or feel unsafe. Children who need help can go to the nearest Mr Price store where they will be kept safe until they are reconnected with their parents or admitted to an Open Door Crisis Centre.
June 2010/July 2010
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food
fires!
Having grown up in the Bushveld, where braaing five times a week is not unusual, MARINA ZIETSMAN knows a thing or two about this local obsession. Here she shares some trusted side dishes for a truly South African occasion.
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PHOTOGRAPHS: SXC.HU, MARIETTE BARKHUIZEN, DEON DE JONGH
light the
serves 8
savoury roly-poly bread I’ve tasted many takes on this delicious bread over the years – I guess it’s because you can literally use any of your favourite ingredients. Here’s a cheese, mushroom and green pepper version to get you started, but don’t be afraid to experiment… • 500g bread dough (I collect mine from the supermarket; just ask at the bakery. It’s not cheating, it’s just much less hassle.) • dash of olive oil • 1 pack diced bacon • 125g button mushrooms, sliced • ½ green pepper, diced • 2T mayonnaise • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (or more to taste)
on the grill 1. Place your dough in a bowl and cover with clingwrap or a tea towel, and leave in a warm place to rise to about double the size. (In winter, you can cover it with a blanket or put it near a heater). 2. In a saucepan, add the oil and fry the bacon, mushrooms and green pepper until cooked. Allow to cool. 2. Once the dough has risen, sprinkle some flour onto a working surface and roll the dough into a rectangle, about 30cm by 20cm. 3. Spread the surface of the dough with mayonnaise and sprinkle with the cheese. 4. Arrange the bacon mixture across the centre of the dough lengthwise, to cover about a third of the surface. 5. Roll up the dough across the width (as if making a Swiss roll) and cut into slices (about 3cm wide). On a greased baking tray or foil container, place the rolled-up slices face up next to each other. 6. Prepare an indirect fire (coals on the side), place the baking tray in the centre of the grid, and close the lid of the kettle braai. Leave for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until the bread is golden brown and the cheese starts to bubble out the top. Children love breaking off their own chunk of the roly-poly bread.
ready to serve
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pearled whole-wheat and peach salad
Serves 8
My mom dishes up this salad at braais and it’s always enthusiastically received, and never flops. The ingredients are truly South African and with the changes she’s added (she doesn’t like spicy food), it’s mild enough for children. • 25ml olive oil • 1 cup finely chopped onion • 1 cup chopped green pepper • 75ml fruit chutney • 5ml mild curry powder • 5ml turmeric • 5ml salt • 25ml sugar
• 25ml vinegar • 1 tin peaches (chopped and drained; keep the syrup aside) • 75ml mayonnaise • 2 cups cooked pearled wholewheat (follow the instructions on the pack) • 1 small can peas (drained)
1. Heat the oil in a pan and sauté half the onion and half the green pepper until soft. 2. Turn the heat down to its lowest setting and add the chutney, curry powder, turmeric, salt, sugar, vinegar and 75ml of the syrup from the tinned peaches. Cook for about 2 minutes. Allow to cool completely. 3. In a salad bowl, mix the remaining raw onion, raw green pepper and mayonnaise with the cooked wheat grain. 4. Add the curried onion and green pepper mixture plus the peaches. Add peas for colour, and stir to mix. (You can also replace the peas with chunks of pineapple, if you prefer.) If covered, you can keep this salad in the fridge for up to two weeks. ready to serve
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Serves 6
mielie soufflé Generously passed on by a granny at a platteland church bazaar, this recipe makes a great main course for those who don’t eat meat. • • • •
3 eggs, separated 15ml margarine, melted 5ml baking powder 1 tin sweet corn
• • • •
125ml sugar 30ml corn flour pinch salt 250ml milk
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. 2. Beat the egg whites until stiff. 3. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients and then fold in the egg whites. 4. Grease six small oven-proof dishes, then spoon in the mixture. 5. Bake at 180˚C for 25 minutes (if you’re making one large soufflé then bake for about 45 minutes).
ready to serve
Cape Town’s
Serves 6
fried pineapple
Originally a Spanish dish, it’s been given a South African twist by replacing the rum with a lashing of brandy. Spoon the children’s dessert out of the pan before pouring over the alcohol. • 150g butter • 10–12 pineapple rings (fresh or tinned) • 5ml cinnamon • 100g brown sugar • 3ml vanilla essence • 30ml brandy • 1T macadamia nuts per pineapple ring • vanilla ice cream, for serving
on the grill
1. Prepare the fire. 2. Place a frying pan above the coals and add the butter. 3. When the butter has melted, add the pineapple rings in a single layer and fry until brown on both sides. 4. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon, sugar and vanilla essence, and remove sufficient rings for the children’s portions. 5. Add the brandy to the pan and allow to cook for a further two minutes. 6. Spoon pineapple rings onto plates, sprinkle with toasted macadamia nuts and serve with a scoop of ice cream. Looking for more great ideas for desserts cooked on the braai? Try fried bananas sprinkled with ground cinnamon, ground ginger and a few cloves. Serve with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce or whipped cream. You can also make fruit kebabs with chunks of banana, pear, kiwi fruit, strawberries and pineapple – toast lightly on the grid. For something more exotic, you can cook pears in foil pockets with chocolate and nutmeg – they’re delicious.
ready to serve
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
31
feature
lost & found Megan Hjelm shares the pain of losing a parent (while mothering her two young girls) and the gifts she’s discovered in dealing with her grief.
w
hat do I tell my friend, a mother of two small children, who has just lost her dad in the same week that I mark the one-year anniversary of my dad’s death? What do I say to someone embarking on this indescribable journey of losing a parent while being a parent to young children, when their needs often
Emma is my incredible, intelligent, enthusiastic eldest child who is sensitive and intuitive beyond her years. She has questions her peers don’t, she has fears her peers don’t, she has night terrors, and she sees possibilities that others don’t. How would I tell her about this? The first “bad” thing that would happen to her;
recommend your children see you grieve. Emma needed to see me cope. I am her stability and she needed to know her world would not move from under her; that we would be okay. Reassurances wouldn’t work. She needed to see me strong and calm. I couldn’t even fake it – she would know.
I sat alone and quiet with my grief each time I wrote, and truly got in touch with it. I still do, and now I write every morning when both girls are at school. In this process of losing my dad, I have found peace and faith. I have also found my passion for writing. I feel privileged and blessed to have attained a new balance in my life. I am so grateful to
outweigh your own pain? Do I tell her about all the times when you simply want to get back into bed and cry, but you can’t? Do I tell her about the fears her children may develop? Do I tell her about the tortured regrets she may have when grieving her father? Or should I tell her that she might find strange beauty in this unlikely place? That she may even find peace? A year ago I lost my dad. He was precious to me; he was my wise protector and he’d always given me the gift of truly listening to me. He ensured that I survived our dysfunctional family life. He ensured that I grew strong and always felt loved. In July last year he was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour and needed immediate surgery. In shock, I left my two daughters (aged two and five) and my husband to be with him in Johannesburg. There was utter fear in my heart. The risks of this major surgery included the possibility that he might die. My dad survived the surgery, although he lost some movement and sensation in his right limbs. I left Johannesburg believing that rehabilitation and physiotherapy would bring him back to normal. Three days after I returned to my family, he died from a pulmonary embolism. It was a Tuesday. My husband Ant phoned and asked me to meet him for coffee, something he never does as he works far away. I was excited. But Ant came to me so that he could hold me when he told me that my dad had died. I remember exactly how I felt, what ran through my mind. At first I was completely shocked and didn’t believe him. But then I looked at Ant, who was crying, and I knew. I crumpled in his arms begging for this not to be true. I was like this for a few moments and then something switched in my brain. What was the time? I needed to pick up Emma from school. I would need to tell her.
her first fear come true. How best to handle this? I wasn’t too worried about my younger daughter Jodie, as she was young enough to take this in her stride and her carefree nature would see her through. Looking back on this moment, I realise that this was how my grief was destined to unfold: extreme despair, tempered by my responsibilities to Emma.
So I embarked on a journey of great beauty. It was to be the ultimate lesson my dad taught me. I would need to live fully, to change my controlling tendencies bit by bit, and develop a taste for adventure, however modest. I learned to let go of my own fear and watched Emma let go of hers, gracefully and miraculously. I learned that we are connected in a way I cannot explain. She senses what goes on inside me and I needed to be constantly selfaware and honest. On the flip side, I knew that to avoid my grief would be self-destructive. I needed to feel my pain, and acknowledge my regrets, and my love for my dad. So, I learned to compartmentalise them. Thankfully, Emma was at school every morning and Jodie three mornings a week. So, three times a week for three hours I sat down to write. I wrote about my regrets, my last moments with my dad, my love for him, the complexity of that love, times when I didn’t treat him well and times when I did. I cried and I wrote. At the same time I saw a counsellor who helped me with his wisdom and insight.
my dad for his last gift to me.
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Over the next few months I was to experience horror and pain – and witness horror and pain in my daughter. I saw fear in her that shook my world. I realised her world had been shaken. In time I learned that the way I handled mothering and grief needed to be unique. It’s all very well reading that psychologists
tips for coping with your grief while mothering your own children • Writing or journalling can be incredibly therapeutic. It forces you to slow down and sit with your pain. You don’t need a lot of time for this, 15 minutes or half an hour when the children are in bed is sufficient. • Talk to a professional counsellor or psychologist. • Talk to a friend who has lost a parent. • Try to find the beauty in your life, whether appreciating your children, watching a sunrise, going
• Conversations with My Mother: Reflections on the Death of a Parent by Melville Gary Finkelstein (Authorhouse, 2000) • The Death of a Parent: Reflections for Adults Mourning the Loss of a Father or Mother by Delle Chatman and William Kenneally (ACTA Publications, 2003) • Losing a Parent: Practical Help for You and Other Family Members by Fiona Marshall (Da Capo Press, 2004) • Death of a Parent: Transition to a New Adult Identity by Debra Umberson and Allan Kellehear (Cambridge University Press, 2006) • Death Benefits: How Losing a Parent can Change an Adult’s Life – for the Better by Jeanne Safer (Basic Books, 2008)
camping with the family, smelling freshly cut flowers or watching your garden grow. • Plant a tree or plant in memory of your parent and tend to it as it grows. Involve your children. • Be kind to yourself. If you are able to, have a massage or go for a walk or have coffee with a friend. Nurture yourself during this vulnerable time. • Try to be mindful and live in the moment as much as possible. When you are with your children, focus on them and when you’re alone allow yourself to focus on your sorrow.
PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
I learned to let go of my own fear and watched Emma let go of hers, gracefully and miraculously.
recommended reading
Cape Town’s
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
33
book extract
give them some
magic
One of the most important things you can do for your children is to clear enough time and space to allow their imaginations to lead their play. By RONI JAY
flying cat. I said I’d be delighted, and they introduced me to a rather charming black and white cat that was dozing under a bush. I remarked that it didn’t seem to be flying at the moment. No, they explained, it never flew when anyone was looking. I asked how they had ever found out, in that case, that it could fly, and they said that they had never seen it themselves but they just knew. I’ve always remembered this because I had a disappointing number of friends who were in the habit of telling their children things like, “Cats can’t fly” or “Dragons aren’t real, you know”. When you’re very small, anything is possible. The moon is actually looking at you, you could grow up to be a superhero, your cat might really fly. As you get older, slowly the world starts to anchor into place around you. Your perceptions become fixed, and fixed into the same boring rut as everyone else’s. The moon can’t actually see, you can’t develop superpowers, and obviously your cat can’t fly. It’s a bit sad really. As the world gets weighed down, so does your imagination. It all gets boxed in. Along with your creativity and your ability to think laterally. So why inflict it on our children sooner than we have to? I was impressed with my friends for resisting the temptation to cast doubt on their amazing flying cat’s abilities, because that’s what children need: they need the magic to last as long as possible.
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I’ve never understood how so many parents join in the Father Christmas conspiracy (well, you have to, or you’d be ostracised by all the other parents at school), but don’t provide their children with any other magic. And yet magic is what childhood is all about – freedom from tedious reality, freedom from the constraints of adult life. Over those 18 years we have our children for, we have to slowly feed in reality, responsibility and obligations, but we should be fighting to keep the magic alive as long as we can.
give them space The first and most basic requirement children have in order to enjoy the magic is a blank canvas. They can do magic all by themselves, they just need us to get out of the way. Small children can believe in all sorts of things we can’t. Their bedroom floor really is a battlefield in miniature, the back lawn becomes a gymkhana ring, those Lego bricks are truly a spaceship.
When you’re very small, anything is possible. The moon is actually looking at you, your cat might really fly. What’s more, children are free of the thoughts that can tarnish things for us. A small child can get blissfully covered in mud or paint without a thought for the scrubbing they’ll have to go through to get it off… so Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
any years ago, before I had children of my own, I visited a friend who had two boys aged about six and eight. They asked me if I would like to meet their
long as we keep our mouths shut and don’t spoil it for them by pointing it out. The biggest inhibitor for many children is that they just don’t have enough time to do magic. They are ferried from ballet to soccer practice to clarinet lessons to drama. And traipsed around to half their brother’s or sister’s classes too. Now, lovely as it is to do ballet or drama, it’s no more important than doing nothing at all, which is pretty important itself. I should also add that there is a very rare type of child who needs to be constantly stimulated and finds it hard to play imaginatively.
landscape for creating games. Even the back garden – maybe with a few empty cardboard boxes supplied to kick-start their imagination – will give them long hours of fun.
That’s what children need: they need the magic to last as long as possible. And if you’re worried about them getting soaked or muddy, then get them kitted out in head-to-toe waterproofs. Be warned that if your children aren’t used to entertaining themselves, they might need a little time to get into the idea or require a bit of prompting or ideas from you to get them started.
computers kill magic
The less you do for them, the more your children’s minds will do for themselves. So rather than take them to a bowling alley or a ceramic-painting workshop, take them somewhere almost empty. That’s not to say you should never take them to the funfair or the movies, these things can feed their imaginations later, but never forget that the real magic is in wide beaches and open hills, country fields and grasslands. What your children will find there is real magic, and they’ll be free to create as much more of their own as they like. Best of all are the kind of open spaces where you can hide, or where the terrain is unusual. Sand dunes are another perfect
Cape Town’s
Not only do screens of any kind, including PlayStations and Xboxes and all the rest, eat time; they also destroy magic. It’s a scary thing, but if your child spends too long in front of a screen, they will forget how to play. So ration the time they spend in front of a screen. My experience is that children who spend all their time in front of a screen grow into adults who do the same thing. But children who have limited screen time until early teens may pig out on TV and computers for a few years, but in time they revert and become adults for whom TV is an occasional pleasure rather than an essential way of life.
magical times Your children will put a lot of magic into their lives by themselves if you just give them the space and the freedom to do it. But you can still contribute in all sorts of ways. Do you remember Christmas as a child? If you were lucky enough to have parents who made an effort, Christmas will have been that clichéd magical occasion that you see in books and films. That’s what your child needs. It’s not silly, it’s
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crucial to your child’s development. And it’s those safe, secure, loving times that will create a child with confidence and the selfassurance to cope in the big scary world when the time comes. So come on, what could you do to make Christmas even more magical? And once you’ve got Christmas sorted, what about Easter egg hunts? What about birthday parties with home-made cakes? Summer camping trips, and winter walks with flasks of hot chocolate? Or all snuggling up on the sofa under one blanket when the wind is howling and watching a favourite DVD as a treat? The traditions aren’t just an extra effort that no one appreciates. Even if the children don’t tell you now that it matters to them, it really does.
Lovely as it is to do ballet or drama, it’s no more important than doing nothing at all, which is pretty important itself. The best things of all for a child are the routine activities that they repeat every year, or even more often. It’s like asking for the same bedtime story night after night when they already know it by heart. Sometimes it seems pointless, but actually the fact they know it so well is the whole point. It makes it safe and predictable and secure, like a favourite teddy, or like eating your favourite comfort food when you feel down (probably the thing your mother or father used to give you as a child – interesting, that). The whole point is that you always get Mom’s chocolate cake on your birthday, or Granny and Grandad always turn up on Christmas Eve. Whatever cultural, religious or secular events you celebrate in your family, you can find ways to make them magical.
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I do realise that you have a life. You can’t spend your entire time carefully hiding chocolate eggs, or hanging out bunting. The best way to make these things magical and memorable for your children is to put a huge effort into two or three big events every year, rather than do all of them halfheartedly. Just pick the ones you know matter most to your children and think about how you can make them even more special. If you have two or more children, it can be more fun to have one huge magical party a year rather than two or three little ones. They can have a few friends for a cinema trip and a sleepover on their birthday, and then go all out with a huge joint bash once a year. It’s worth singling out bedtime as being probably the best of all opportunities for everyday magic, at least up to the age when your children insist on taking themselves off to bed on their own. A really good bedtime routine will give your child a feeling of magic, comfort and security they’ll spend the rest of their lives trying to recapture. You can’t beat the feeling of being snuggled up in your mother or father’s arms, listening to a story.
magical settings It’s not only events that can bring magic in your children’s lives. It’s also their surroundings. When your child is old enough, get together and redecorate their bedroom. Even on a limited budget you can still create a jungle, or an underwater scene, or a princess boudoir. This is exactly the kind of thing that helps your child feel special and safe. For some reason, there are few things that children enjoy more than making dens. I remember doing it as a child, outdoors with branches and rugs, and indoors with blankets and furniture. Children can construct their dens with huge creativity, and they often become a bear’s cave or a soldier’s dugout, as well as a safe space your child can call their own.
Cape Town’s
You can create a treehouse (if you’re lucky enough to have a suitable tree) or a playhouse for your children, which will get endless use, and you can give them the wherewithal to build their own, perhaps more temporary, structures. Don’t moan about the blankets getting covered in twigs – just find them a blanket you don’t care about so much and let them get on with it. Indoors, allow your children to fill up the corners of their bedrooms or playroom with bizarre arrangements of cushions and tablecloths and upside-down chairs. Okay, you may need them to tidy them away eventually, but let them have a good play first, and maybe even leave them up for a few days as a treat in the holidays.
get out of the way Once you’ve done the vital job of giving your children some magic, and some freedom to enjoy it, all you have to do now is let them get on with it. There’s no point doing all this great work if you’re not going to let them enjoy it. Don’t try to make them think like adults about boring grown-up things like tidying and mending. Give them playthings that you’re prepared to see muddied or damaged and then watch your children cover them in mud and accidentally tear them. That’s where cardboard boxes are so good. If you don’t want your child to get grass stains on their trousers, don’t stop them rolling in the grass. Just give them
a different pair of trousers. Don’t make them conscious of mess by telling them to change their clothes three times a day. Otherwise as they get older they’ll find it harder to enjoy themselves because they are worrying about whether they’re getting muddy or wet. Obviously if your child is really filthy you don’t want them bringing it into the house. A grass stain won’t come off on the furniture, but mud may, so it’s reasonable to get them to change out of clothes that are filthy. But don’t make a big deal of it – just make light of it and say, “Goodness, you’ve been having fun. Let’s just change those trousers before you get mud all over the house.”
more magic The things that add magic to your children’s lives are the ones that give them space and freedom to exercise their own imaginations. They already have quite enough that restricts and hems in their minds. When people say, “Childhood doesn’t last as long as it used to”, what they mean is, “The magic doesn’t last as long as it used to”. So here are some of the best things for helping your children keep the magic for as long as possible: • dressing up boxes, costumes, make-believe games • empty cardboard boxes, sticks, bits of string, and other assorted objects that can be endlessly adapted • picnics (jam sandwiches will do fine – the food doesn’t have to be important) • open spaces – woods, beaches, parks, hills • water – lakes, rivers, streams, the sea, or even just a hosepipe • myths and legends • surprises • trips to the theatre • fantasy movies (but only good ones) • holidays and day trips • exploring and little adventures • bedtime stories • stories you make up yourself.
about the book In The 10 most important things you can do for your children (Pearson), Roni Jay offers parents invaluable skills for navigating the years from toddler to teen. Easy to implement, the advice is given in an accessible, practical way that will motivate and help you as you seek to grow children and teens that are happy, independent and well adjusted. It’s available at leading book stores.
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
37
feature
twisting the truth Could our little white lies be turning our children into expert fibbers? Tracy Ellis takes a look.
being clever or covering their tails As it turns out, my son’s skilful lying is a normal part of his development and not at all inappropriate for his age. And, according to new research, his well-crafted story could point to signs of advanced intelligence. Authors Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman believe lying is a more advanced skill than telling the truth. In their latest book, Nutureshock: Why Everything
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We Think About Raising Our Children Is Wrong, they claim: “A child who is going to lie must recognise the truth, intellectually conceive of an alternate reality, and be able to convincingly sell that new reality to someone else. Therefore, lying demands both advanced cognitive development and social skills that honesty simply doesn’t require.” Ken Resnick, a Johannesburg-based educational and child psychologist, offers another point of view. “Children are born subjective and very impulsive. Their instinct is that of self-protection and they are constantly seeking approval from those around them. They are scared of consequences and letting their parents down.” Resnick believes that children lie because they are unable to control their impulsivity and that as they mature and learn that lying is their choice, they will accept the consequences more easily.
leading by example I recently decided to keep a white-lie journal. My lies were not elaborate. I fibbed about the ice cream being finished when the children asked for some. I fibbed about loving a birthday gift I did not like. I lied about my day being fine to avoid talking about it. I told my son it wouldn’t hurt if I pulled out his wobbly tooth. (Boy, did that Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
p
arents lie. We do it every day. We lie to our spouses, our friends, our colleagues and our children. Our lies may not hurt anyone; in some cases they may even serve to protect, but what effect are these (mostly) little white lies having on our offspring? Just what impression are we natural-born liars making on our children? Could we be teaching them to lie? My neighbour once gingerly enquired whether we had ever given any children up for adoption. It turned out my four-year-old son had told her he had a little brother who I didn’t want and had given away. She’d had her doubts about the story, but the amount of detail he offered, coupled with his matter-of-fact delivery, caused this 35-year-old schoolteacher and motherof-three to question her own ability to tell truth from fiction.
one backfire!) And, I learned that I told at least one white lie a day (including fibs by omission). I was not as honest as I thought I was. And I started to question what kind of role model I was. The phone rang. “I’m not here,” I instructed my husband. Did my children hear that? Yes. Did they understand that I was asking my husband to lie? Perhaps, says Resnick. “Children are very involved with what’s going on in their own world and are most likely not clued up about the white lies we are telling.” He does, however, believe we can teach them the value of honesty. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry: “Parents are the most important role models for their children. When a child or adolescent lies, parents should take some time to have a serious talk with them and discuss the difference between make-believe and reality, lying and telling the truth, the importance of honesty at home and in the community, and alternatives to lying.” Experts agree that if your child catches you in a lie, you should admit to it. Explain why you lied and that what you did was wrong. Children can learn the difference between a hurtful lie and a pro-social lie, or one that protects another’s feelings.
Develop trust with your children by always keeping your word and offer an apology and explanation if for any reason you can’t. Use classic stories such as Pinocchio, The Emperor’s New Clothes and The Boy Who Cried Wolf as conversation openers with younger children. If children behave badly don’t force them to lie under interrogation. Children will sense they are in trouble and will be more likely to lie about what they have done to avoid disappointing you. Children will lie more often and become better at it when they fear the threat of punishment. Make it easy for them to tell the truth by using a calm tone and gentle approach. Verbally express appreciation when they tell you the truth, but don’t let them off the appropriate discipline when they come clean. And never use lying as a tool for parenting. Telling a thumb-sucker that she will get purple spots on her face may scare her into stopping but eventually she will wise up and you are ultimately undermining her sense of trust in you. So while The Tooth Fairy gets a free pass, the next time your child picks his nose, before you tell him that his face is going to cave in, sit him down and use the opportunity to be honest – with him and with yourself.
lying through the ages Ages 2–4: Young children are still learning to differentiate between reality and fantasy and will make up stories and tell tales, often believing their own lies and stories. Their lies are often obvious, for example, they may say they did not eat the chocolate cake when there’s evidence all over their face. Ages 5–8: By the time children are at school they understand that lying is wrong but may still label any false statement a lie. For instance, if (due to unforeseen circumstances) you have to go back on a deal you made with them, they might accuse you of lying. Children this age lie mostly out of fear of disappointing their parents, teachers and friends, or to avoid punishment. When given the opportunity they will almost always come clean. Ages 9–13: Preteens lie mostly to avoid responsibilities such as doing homework and to protect their friendships and their social status. At this age they may start keeping secrets from their parents. The isolated, age-appropriate lie is not cause for concern. So when should we seek help? “When little lies become big lies and the lying increases in frequency,” says Ken Resnick. “When lying is linked to socially inappropriate behaviour, such as stealing and truancy, and the consequences of the lies negatively affect people other than the liar.”
Cape Town’s
June 2010/July 2010
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getaway
far from the
madding crowds DONNA COBBAN heads to the Northern Cape
a Papkuilsfontein in the searing summer’s heat
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s we cross into the Northern Cape, my stepfather casts his eyes about the landscape. “It’s not for everyone,” he says. I couldn’t agree more. I have always favoured a Garden Route getaway over a trek into the interior. So why did I agree to head for these harsh climes where the temperature soars to 40°C? Most sane folk come this way for the August flowers, where after a day of marvelling over fields carpeted in colour, they light winter fires and catch up on some good reading. Why come this way in summer with the searing heat? With each passing kilometre, the pockets of well-irrigated vines and citrus
orchards gradually disappear as we leave the Clanwilliam area and climb through Van Rhyns Pass. We are headed towards Nieuwoudtville, where we will pass through the town and drive a further 23 kilometres down a dirt road to a farm called Papkuilsfontein. Windmills litter the skyline and scrappylooking sheep jostle one another for scrubland shade in windswept fields of monotone colour. I am yet to be convinced of the merits of this expedition. It’s early afternoon when we arrive. The farm’s landscape changes slightly, offering up interesting kopjes. Lone gum trees offer patches of shade and our stone
Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPHS: DONNA COBBAN, DANIE & ELAINE EKSTEEN
for a few days and resists having to return.
The sky produces a stargazer’s wonderland ...We sit for hours, transfixed, necks bent backwards in childlike wonder.
Papkuilsfontein’s Rondekraal cottage
Spring sees the landscape awash in colour
cottage provides sweet relief from the scorching sun. My son thinks nothing of the heat and heads off, scrambling over rocks in delight. We unload the car and he returns, pockets filled with dry dassie droppings and a look of delight that only intrepid explorers are privy to. That night – and every other after that – the sky produces a stargazer’s wonderland – no nearby city-light pollution interferes with this night sky. We sit for hours, transfixed, necks bent backwards in childlike wonder. Our days are spent languishing in rock pools, searching for dung beetles, dassies and other critters, or sitting still indoors waiting for Bibron’s Tubercled Gecko
Cape Town’s
to show itself. The days pass and the seclusion seeps into our beings. Doors are never locked, there is no TV, no radio, no cellphone reception, the lights are run off a solar panel, while the stove, fridge and hot water are gas driven. The beds are the kind that make you write down the name of the mattress and linen used and swear to buy some when you get home. Each morning the rubbish is collected, clean tea towels and fresh farm milk are delivered – you would be hard pushed to find another comfortable getaway as farflung as this. I leave reluctantly, vowing to head north again whenever city life threatens to engulf me.
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A farmstall near Citrusdal
Fields of spring flowers en route
family fun at Papkuilsfontein • Bring bikes – there are long jeep tracks to explore. • Ask the owners to show you where and how they get the farm-fresh bottle of milk they bring you daily. • Go rock climbing. • Dassies are a dime a dozen – you just need to keep still for 30 seconds to spot them. • Swim in the rock pools. For those with a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle, drive there. For bigger children, it’s a rough 10km walk. Take a picnic, as road conditions may change in winter months. • Find out about the reptiles, rocks and history of the area in the easy-to-read files available in the cottage.
nieuwoudtville attractions Hantam National Botanical Garden is 4km outside of town on the Oorlogskloof Road. Open weekdays from 7:30am to 4:30pm (during flower season, it’s open over weekends). Entrance is R12 for adults and R6 for children from August to October, and free during the rest of the year. Waterfall Reserve is a breathtaking sight. The path to the falls is flat and easily manageable for prams and toddlers. In the flower season visitors can enjoy a freshly braaied roosterkoek with Hantam sausage or apricot jam. Quiver Tree Forest Head in the direction of Loeriesfontein. After about 23km of tarred road, turn right in the direction of Gannabos. Pass over two cattle-crossing grids and you’ll see the impressive aloes on the right. Oorlogskloof Reserve About 10km outside of town, set on the edge of the escarpment, the reserve offers circular hikes ranging from one to seven days.
Nieuwoudtville’s Quiver Tree Forest
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stops along the way It’s 349km from Cape Town to Nieuwoudtville, so you will need to stop for breaks. (These are approximate distances from Cape Town.)
0 km
Cape Town
54 km 147km
Engen 1-stop
129 km
Total Garage with a Spur next door
160 km After the top of Piekenierskloof Pass on the left is De Toll Farm Stall and Coffee Shop
Desert Rose Farm Stall
155km Kardoesie Coffee Shop on the right
161km One kilometre further is Hebron Coffee Shop and Farm Stall on the left
231km The last large supermarket in Clanwilliam
349km Nieuwoudtville
basic services Shopping There’s a bottle store and a small shop called Klas Neus that has basic supplies, and an Absa ATM next door. Further down the road is a butcher, where you’ll find good kudu biltong, karoo lamb and much-needed ice. They close for an hour and a half over lunch. Protea Motors is the only petrol station in town. On Sundays, opening hours are from 9am to 11am and from 4pm to 6pm. Step into the workshop to see a wonderful collection of vintage cars, motorbikes and a display cabinet filled with dinky cars. It’s an automobile-history tour that children (and adults) will relish.
contacts The Nieuwoudtville Information Centre 027 218 1336, info@nieuwoudtville.com or visit nieuwoudtville.com Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm 027 218 1246, info@papkuilsfontein.com or visit papkuilsfontein.com
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feature
mom, dad, i’m bored! Here’s how to banish this phrase from your
curate the bits and pieces you unearth into similarly categorised boxes. Your children are certain to find something they feel inspired about somewhere in these. Happy holidays! efore the school break kicks in, we suggest you prepare a couple of activity boxes to whip out whenever one of your offspring says they’re bored. The good news is that you won’t necessarily need to go out and buy anything. This keep-’em-occupied plan is about repackaging and recycling what you’ve got. It should take you less than an hour to round up most of what you need to keep your children entertained for hours – and that’s without leaving your house. Follow this up with a quick visit to your mother-in-law’s and a sniff through her handwork cupboard, and you’re very likely to have a craftactivity box near sorted. We’ve collated our fun-to-go into three groups – craft, sports, and card and board games – and suggest you
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crafty character Round up old cereal boxes and other cardboard packaging, some scrap paper, old magazines, wool, buttons, pipe cleaners, strong paper glue, beads, a pair of scissors, socks that have lost their partners, felt, needle with an eye big enough for threading wool, chunky knitting needles, glitter, paint, paint brushes, pencil crayons, khokis, newspaper, old wrapping paper, tissue paper, string, raffia, empty matchboxes, recycled foil and foil pie cases, masking tape, play dough, clay and bits of ribbon. With just a few items your children can get stuck into any one of these 20 boredom-busting activities (plus numerous others they might come up with themselves):
1. Cut paper dolls out of recycled paper. 2. Make pipe-cleaner people (dye the pipe cleaners in food colouring to make them interesting colours). 3. Try string weaving. For this activity you’ll need to make a loop of string (about 40 cm in length) and then reach back into your memory – if you’ve forgotten how to weave the Cat’s Cradle or Teacup and Saucer between your fingers, then take a look at ifyoulovetoread.com/ book/chten_cats1105.htm so you can pass on this skill to your children. 4. Knit a scarf, or make squares and sew these together to make a baby or doll’s blanket. 5. Make hand puppets from old socks. Sew or glue on some wool for hair, stick on googly eyes and add a tongue of felt or fabric. 6. Create a cardboard and wool bangle. Cut strips of cardboard, long enough to create a circle that fits over the child’s fist onto her wrist. Glue these into a ring and
Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
home these holidays. By ELAINE EKSTEEN
then wind different colour strands of wool around the width to create a bangle. 7. Finger-knit necklaces for granny and aunty. (If you need help with the finger-knitting technique, visit wikihow.com/Finger-Knit) 8. Create beads out of strips of magazine paper. Tightly wrap long, narrow triangles of paper dipped in glue around a kebab stick. Apply a layer of clear nail polish when complete, carefully remove from the kebab stick and leave to dry. Thread onto wool or string to make a necklace. 9. Create a pair of sunglasses using pipe cleaners and cardboard. Decorate with glitter and paint. 10. Create pom-poms. You’ll need two “doughnut” shaped cardboard circles and wool. Forgotten how? Visit kidcraft-central.com/pom-poms.html. 11. Make a two-humped camel using egg boxes (for body) and pipe cleaners (for legs).
Cape Town’s
12. Use buttons and pipe cleaners (bend and twist to make legs, wings, feelers) to create fun creepy crawly creatures. 13. Convert cardboard toilet-paper inners into colourful racing cars by decorating the body with paint and then adding wheels (Liquorice Allsorts and toothpicks will work nicely). 14. Create clothing out of newspaper and hold a fashion show to show off the creations. 15. Make a coat-hanger mobile. Hang painted paper shapes on strings of different lengths from the hanger, then cover the hanger in a cardboard “hood” decorated to match the theme. 16. Try your hand at origami – swans, frogs, boxes… the sky’s the limit. Check out origami-fun.com/origami-forkids.html for ideas and instructions. 17. Make your own Little Town. Cover matchboxes in paper, add a cardboard roof and paint and decorate
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to look like little houses, shops, and schools. Arrange on a large piece of cardboard; draw in roads. Position the odd tree (green pom-pom on toothpick weighed down by a blob of clay or play dough). Just add toy cars and away you go. 18. Have a funny hat competition. Children can use cardboard, foil, newspaper, pom-poms, and more to come up with their own weird and wonderful creations. 19. Build an air soccer pitch. Tape a sheet of newspaper or cardboard to the floor using masking tape. Mark the halfway line and create goals using two old shoe boxes. Glue these in place. Children can decorate a cardboard tube, which is their blower. A pingpong ball can be painted a bright colour to make things more fun. Let the game begin! 20. Create a 3D collage – think skyline, farm or street scene – using corrugated and other cardboard, paper clips, pie tins, and other bits and pieces. Add a touch of paint, some glitter and you’ve got a great birthday present for Dad or Grandpa.
be a sport For fun that’s exercise too, gather together things such as: a skipping rope, old pairs of stockings tied into a three-metre loop for that ’80s playground game “stocking” or “elastic”, a dingbat, home four-square kit (tennis ball and masking tape to mark court on tiled or wooden floor, visit squarefour.org/rules for rules), badminton rackets and shuttlecock, ping-pong balls and bats (children can play on your dining-room table – just mark the halfway line with masking tape or string and Prestik), home jukskei (tent peg and hardboard hoop), duster hockey set (newspaper rolled into a baton and secured with masking tape becomes the duster hockey stick, a pair of rolled up rugby socks the ball) and skittles (you can make these from plastic bottles filled with water or sand).
roll the dice You’ll need to dig out all the board and card games that have been gathering dust in various cupboards in the house… Think Uno, Scrabble, Risk, Monopoly, Pictionary, dominoes, cards, Cluedo, 30 Seconds, puzzles the children haven’t done for a while, Pick Up Sticks, and so on. If you’ve forgotten the rules or lost the instructions, a book like Reader’s Digest The Treasury of Family Games by Jim Glenn and Carey Denton will help. It has easy-to-follow instructions for dice games, board games, domino and card games, old-fashioned parlour games, word games and lots more. The section on children’s card games is particularly helpful.
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feature
inbetweenager
in the house
Parenting the almost teen can be a roller-coaster ride – only problem is the theme park’s never closed, says LEONORA FOUND.
made the error of questioning her once she had assured me that it had not been her. She then burst into tears, dashed to her room and slammed the door – thus far, a no-no in our home… Ladies and gentleman, the ride has begun… and it’s not for the faint hearted! Please keep your seat belts fastened…
She has started to ask questions of the sort I’d prefer to answer when she is 20. note to self
PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
j
ust when I thought life would be getting easier, I have discovered my 10-yearold has become an “inbetweenager” – no longer my baby-faced little girl in pink, but not yet a fully fledged teen. The ever so slight mood changes, the beginnings of some “attitude”, and the fact that she is on her way to becoming a woman have made me want to push an invisible emergency panic button and halt the roller-coaster ride, which is no doubt about to pick up speed. She has also started to ask questions of the sort I’d prefer to answer when she is 20. But, much as it’s tempting to fudge some sort of a cop-out reply and move quickly along, I can’t. The world is a hugely different place to what it was when I was 10 and the external pressure and influences are enormous. All of this was particularly brought home to me recently when, over a cup of tea the other afternoon, she asked to see if there were any games on my new cellphone, which is much like a mini computer. And so, together we searched the various applications only to discover, to my horror, that the entertainment application, where we did find some games, also had direct links to some rather unsavoury pictures – free and available for any young inquiring mind. Then, this morning, my insinuation that she had spilled the sugar, led to a verbal explosion. Not appreciating this kind of behaviour at 7am, pre my caffeine fix, I Cape Town’s
Above my computer, I have stuck up the following message to myself about parenting my “inbetweenager”: • Knowledge. We need as much of it as we can get. We need to support each other and keep up with the times. • Show love and extreme patience. This journey may be difficult for me as parent but I am sure it is harder for her. • Show understanding and a willingness to learn. Neither one of us is perfect. • Honesty. Avoid even a hint of distortion, and be committed to keeping communication channels open. • Establish boundaries. These are a means of offering her security as she makes the transition into adulthood. • I am sorry – the next best three words after “I love you”. (After realising that my “I don’t believe you” (in the sugar episode) had hurt her, the need for an “I am sorry” became obvious. A genuine apology when we get it wrong – which we will – reinforces all the previous points, and is so important, even when we are spitting mad.)
fall-back plan But, if all else fails, then perhaps my husband could resign his job, we could buy a farm in the country, grow organic veggies and I could homeschool our three children. Our house would be free of internal doors that can be slammed and too far from a cellphone tower to pick up a signal… Problem solved, or not. June 2010/July 2010
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feature
don’t be a
slouch
DONNA COBBAN looks at the age-old sit-up-straight rule and offers some tips on how to achieve a good posture.
movement model Although ergonomic children’s furniture is a growing (and essential) industry, we need to look at posture as an essential element of our overall wellbeing. The Chiropractic Association of South Africa (CASA) has partnered with a global initiative called Straighten
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PHOTOGRAPH: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM, ILLUSTRATIONS: NIKKI-LEIGH PIPER
i
sit here today hunched over the keyboard. “Don’t slouch”; “Sit up straight”; “No elbows on the table”; “Shoulders back” – the wise words of my mother seem to have fallen on deaf ears. My shoulders are rounded in an unattractive position that can only be described as slouching. I hate the way I instinctively sit and am hoping my son maintains his ruler-straight back and out-turned shoulders well into adulthood. To help him achieve this, I buy him an expensive chair. It’s adjustable and can be used for many years, thus the expense spread over the years of usage render it a reasonable buy – but I still look at it as one notch short of a throne, given how much I paid! I am hoping that the “throne” is going to make all the difference, as new research shows that sitting up straight is physically impossible if your feet are not resting firmly on something. No small child whose legs are dangling above the ground is going to be able to sit straight, as feet need support. The throne comes replete with a foot-resting ledge and, for the most part, my son uses it as such. But when I am around the corner, it becomes a platform from which to launch himself onto the dining-room table. A few friends have raised one eyebrow at the sight of the throne and the other one at me. And, yes, they are probably right – a beer crate or a cooler box under the child’s chair would have done just as well.
Up and Move; they envision “a time when everyone performs a short enjoyable spinal exercise module daily, just as we brush our teeth”. I become determined to lead by example, particularly when I stumble across new research that says children of slouchers will become slouchers themselves – no matter the throne upon which they sit. I go to the Straighten Up UK website that has an easy-to-follow YouTube clip, and 10 minutes later I have completed my spine-strengthening exercises. I try it out again after supper. We look like butterflies, swans, eagles and owls as we twist and bend our arms shoulders, necks and heads. The exercises have names such as “Twisting and Twirling Stars”, “Humming Birds” and my personal favourite, “The Shakes”. My two-year-old makes every effort to copy me; I am delighted and vow to keep at it every day. Not so much for him, with his ruler-straight posture, but in order to improve my own posture, so that he may have, at the very least, a half-decent role model to emulate.
I become determined to lead by example, particularly when I stumble across new research that says children of slouchers will become slouchers themselves – no matter the throne upon which they sit. be seated Yet even with the best chair and daily exercises, you are apparently fighting a losing battle when your child starts school. According to research conducted on 10 000 Israeli school children in 2004, “…almost 15 percent of the first-graders and 20 percent of six-graders sat in chairs of ‘inappropriate height’”. Sue Merry, a UK-based Alexander-technique practitioner, firmly believes that school furniture can do great damage, as desks are made to be functional, chairs to be stackable, with little thought given to the varying sizes of growing children. Compare this to the corporate working environment where there are often mandatory chair and lighting level inspections, and where very few of us would not hesitate to pick up the phone to HR or facilities management to report any ergonomic discomfort we may be experiencing. Perhaps it is the threat of lower backache or sciaticnerve lawsuits, but generally somebody comes running to fix the situation. However, Sue points out that by adulthood the damage has already been done. “Badly designed and ill-fitting chairs and tables make it very difficult for a small child to maintain their natural poise and freedom from unnecessary tension. Eventually, most children stop trying and collapse into the chair, until sitting in this way quickly becomes habitual and feels right,” she says. So, the throne is only going to help up to a point, and refurnishing a school or even just a classroom is unlikely… But before I give up, I learn that strengthening core muscles is essential to a child’s long-term posture. Early sports such as gymnastics, karate and even horse riding are said to be beneficial and it goes without saying that after a morning spent slouched over ill-fitting furniture, an afternoon spent slouching on the sofa isn’t going to help. So, with the throne, daily spine exercises, and some sport thrown into the pot, my son may very well be the one telling me to sit up straight.
sit back and relax Research conducted by Woodend Hospital in Scotland in 2006 revealed that sitting up straight might not be so good for us, after all. The researchers measured spinal angles and spinal-disc movement in a variety of positions from sitting up straight, to slouching, to sitting back in your chair at a 135-degree angle. The 135-degree position won, but they did concede that this might cause a person to slide off their seat, so the acceptable position was adjusted to 120 degrees.
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get moving Try these spinal exercises from the Straighten Up UK campaign. Visit chiropractic-uk.co.uk to download pamphlets of straightening up exercises for both adults and children.
1
stand tall
Straighten up in the Stand Tall posture. Ears, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles should be in a straight line. Pull your belly button in towards your spine.
2
the eagle
In the Stand Tall posture, bring your arms out to your sides and gently draw your shoulder blades together. Breathe in as you slowly raise your arms, touching your hands together above your head. Slowly lower your arms to your sides as you breathe out. Perform three times.
the hummingbird
3
Next, make small backward circles with your hands and arms, drawing your shoulder blades together. Sway gently from side to side. Enjoy for 10 seconds.
4
the butterfly
Place your hands behind your head and gently draw your elbows backward. Slowly and gently press your head backwards and resist with your hands for a count of two, and release. Breathe freely. Perform three times. Then gently massage the back of your neck and head as you relax your stomach region with slow, easy breathing.
other ways to help encourage good posture • Wear a good pair of shoes with soft, flexible soles. • Avoid carrying heavy bags. • Perform regular exercise to strengthen core muscles. • Don’t sit for too long. • Practise regular shoulder shrugs and stretching. • Use both straps on a rucksack. • Limit extended game times. • Sleep on a good mattress. • Don’t sleep on your stomach. Adapted from the British Chiropractic Association
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resource
out & about When last did you and your family explore the city like tourists might? In the name of World Cup fever, LUCILLE KEMP rounds up some of the best family fun within 5km of Cape Town Stadium.
City Rock Indoor Climbing This Observatory-based centre provides all things related to the sport of rock climbing. A truly exciting activity for the whole family, it features a large top rope and lead climbing area plus a bouldering cave. Introductory lessons are available throughout the week. Children (and beginner adults) can find their feet in a section called “test drive”. Children aged five years and older are welcome. Open Monday–Thursday 11am– 9pm, Friday 11am–6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am–6pm. Corner Collingwood and Anson Roads, Observatory, Cape Town. 021 447 1326, diane@cityrock.co.za or visit cityrock.co.za Cyclecabs Kick back and tour central Cape Town and surrounds on a Pedicab or cycle rickshaw. You may choose a destination or do a round trip; simply arrange this with your rider. Allow 30 minutes for collection at your chosen destination. You can also find them on the corner of Adderley and Wale Streets at the entrance to The Company’s Garden. To dial a ride, call Rikkis 0861 745 547, David 072 907 7333 or visit cyclecabs. co.za Deerpark Café The beauty of this place is its location. It is situated within the enclosed area of Rocklands Park so you sit in the café area (indoors and outdoors) with your children in view or you can relax on the grassy bank while your brood run
The New Cape Quarter Extension
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amok in the park, playing on the jungle gym, merry-go-round or climbing trees. Remember to buy your newspaper from the 7-Eleven next door and bring sun block, and pocket money for the coffee, breakfast, lunch and ice cream. Open Monday–Sunday 8am–8pm. 2 Deer Park Avenue, Vredehoek. 021 462 6311 Eastern Food Bazaar This busy food emporium is about culture and food, with authentic Eastern music, tempting smells and bustling crowds lining up to collect their orders of mostly Indian cuisine with Moroccan and Chinese dishes thrown in to the mix. Once you have collected your huge and reasonably priced portion of food, scramble to find a seat or take it away. Open Monday–Sunday 11am– 10:30pm. 96 Longmarket Street or in Darling Street, opposite the old Post Office building. 021 461 2458 The Neighbourgoods Market Visit this trendy gourmet market for olives, fresh vegetables and fish, artisan cheese and bread or a fresh coconut juice. Families and friends can be seen chatting in pockets of open space or sitting on the hay bales sipping the smoothest of cappuccinos or a Jack Black beer and eating giant pizzas followed by Nutella crêpes. Don’t leave without popping in at the marquees and shops selling clothes, trinkets, antiques and furniture. You’ll find one-of-a-kind fabric boots or jewellery by some of this country’s
most exciting young designers. The market is open every Saturday 9am–2pm. The Old Biscuit Mill, 373–375 Albert Road, Woodstock. 021 448 1438, 084 414 4554 or visit neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za
signature CT 210 on Long Visit one of the many shops at this ecofriendly mall in Cape Town’s buzzing Long Street. The mall hosts a weekly Young Designers Market, with everything from clothing, ceramics and accessories to jewellery, sushi and wine tasting. The mall is open Monday– Saturday 9am–7pm; the market is open every Saturday 11am–3pm and on the occasional Wednesday from 3pm–9pm. 210 Long Street, Cape Town. 021 481 1820 or visit 210onlong.co.za 3rd I Gallery Exhibits and sells affordable artworks. Open Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday 9:30am–1pm. 95 Waterkant Street, Cape Town. 021 425 2266 Artscape Theatre The décor and itinerary provide an old-world, classic experience at this popular spot for opera and ballet performances or big musicals. For the children, Noddy is on in June. Open Monday to Sunday. Times vary depending on the show. DF Malan Street, Foreshore. To book, contact Jenny at Box Office 021 410 9838 or Dial-A-Seat 021 421 7695 or visit artscape.co.za Church Street Stroll along Church Street to find everything from lunch and coffee to antiques and art galleries – such as Cape Gallery and The Association for Visual Arts (AVA). There is also the famous Church Street Antiques Market. Don’t forget to have cash on you for purchases. Opening times of shops vary but the market operates Monday–Saturday 8:30am–2pm. Church Street runs between Bree and Long Streets. Church Street Antiques Market 021 438 8566
210 on Long
City Sightseeing Cape Town Take your family on an open-top bus tour of Cape Town at your own pace. This hop-on hopoff service will allow you to explore the sights around town (The Red City Tour) or the Cape peninsula (Blue Mini Peninsula Tour). Operating hours vary; ticket office is at shop 1, V&A Waterfront. 021 511 6000, info@citysightseeing. co.za or visit citysightseeing.co.za De Waterkant Village plays host to the new and old Cape Quarter squares that you can access via Hudson Road, which is situated off Somerset Road in Green Point. Park your car in an underground parking area and explore on foot all the shops, pavement cafés and galleries that line the village’s intersecting streets. Highlights at the new Cape Quarter include delectable cupcakes at Lazari and eco-shopping at The Green Shop, while the old Cape Quarter’s piazza calls for an alfresco lunch at Andiamo. Why not venture up Hudson Street to grab a flat white and a babyccino at the popular Origin Roasting Coffee Shop. Andiamo 021 421 3687, The Green Shop 021 419 9605, Lazari 021 419 9555, Origin 021 421 1000 Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPHS: RUI XAVIER, BEN PIENAAR, Nike Romano. additional text: sue segar
don’t miss
Cape Town Stadium
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Labia Drop into this movie house in the City Bowl, which has a warm and intimate feel. The Labia screens art-house films and documentaries. You can even buy a glass of wine to take into the cinema with you. There are various meal and movie specials during the week with nearby restaurants such as Diva’s, Kauai and Societi Bistro. Take the family to see Toy Story 3 from 25 June. Open Monday–Sunday. Show times vary. 68 Orange Street, Gardens or Lifestyle Centre, Kloof Street. 021 424 5927 or visit labia.co.za
historical landmarks Bo-Kaap Museum Open Monday– Saturday 10am–5pm. 71 Wale Street, Bo-Kaap. 021 481 3939 Castle of Good Hope Open Monday–Sunday 9am–4pm. Corner of Darling and Buitenkant Streets, Cape Town. 021 787 1260, casteel@ mweb.co.za or visit castleofgoodhope. co.za Groote Kerk Free guided tours on request. 43 Adderley Street, Cape Town. Visit grootekerk.org.za Robben Island Open Monday– Sunday 7:30am–9pm. 021 413 4233, rimbookings@robben-island.org.za or visit robben-island.org.za Slave Lodge Open Monday– Saturday 10am–5pm. 49 Adderley Street, Cape Town. 021 460 8200 or visit iziko.org.za/slavelodge The National Library of SA Aside from being a top-notch book resource centre the library holds poetry readings, conferences, book launches, writing groups and writing workshops for teachers, students and children. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am–5pm and Wednesday 10am–5pm. 5 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens. 021 424 6320 or visit nlsa.ac.za St George’s Cathedral Open Monday–Friday 8:30am–6:30pm. 5 Wale Street, Cape Town. 021 424 7360, info@sgcathedral. co.za or visit stgeorgescathedral.com
Long Street Antique Arcade Many families can be spotted taking in the spoils of the 17 antique shops in the arcade. The people are pleasant and the antique shops are the real deal. From old school toys, stamps and watches to home décor and secondhand clothes. Open Monday–Friday 9am– 5pm and Saturday 9am–2pm. 127 Long Sreet, corner of Long and Wale Streets. Miniature Blue Train Play Park and Picnic Area This has been revived and is surrounded by the Rotary Park with its jumping castles as well as the maze. Open Monday–Sunday, 9am–sunset, weather permitting. Beach Road, Sea Point. 021 434 4297 or 072 383 8195 Mouille Point Lighthouse Visit the oldest operational lighthouse of its kind in South Africa. On misty days you will hear its foghorn with deafening clarity. Open 9am– 12:30pm and 1pm–3:30pm. 100 Beach Road, Mouille Point. 021 449 5172 Mouille Point Putt-Putt This open-air putt-putt course situated on the Mouille Point side of the promenade is great family fun with front-row sea views. Open Monday–Sunday 9am–9pm. Beach Road, Mouille Point. 021 434 6805 Plinka Plonka Play If the weather sees a day out ruined, this indoor play area is a good option. There are roller-coaster cars, a ball pond, two big slides and a climbing wall. Monday–Friday 9am– 5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am–1pm. 171 Buitenkant Street, Gardens. 021 465 0503 or visit plinkaplonkaplay.co.za Scratch Patch Children can hunt for treasure among a wide variety of tumblepolished gemstones. Open Monday– Sunday 9am–6pm. Dock Road, Waterfront. 021 419 9429 St George’s Mall This buzzing pedestrian strip is lined with restaurants and cafés, curio shops and art galleries plus there’s
The Iziko South African Museum and Planetarium Open Monday–Sunday 10am–5pm. 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens. 021 481 3800 or visit iziko.org.za The SA Jewish Museum Open Sunday–Thursday 10am–5pm and Friday 10am–2pm. Closed on Saturday. 021 465 1546, info@ sajewishmuseum.co.za or visit sajewishmuseum.co.za The Iziko SA National Gallery Open Tuesday–Sunday 10am– 5pm. Government Avenue, The Company’s Garden. 021 467 4660 or visit iziko.org.za
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The Book Lounge
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the pieces, and her clever questioning will help build art appreciation in the whole family. Trafalgar Place, Regent Road, Sea Point. 021 434 5022 Trafalgar Place Head to this outdoor flower market for a spectacle of fresh cut flowers and vendors ready for a good haggle. Open Monday–Saturday 8am–5pm and Sunday 8am–2pm. Between Strand and Darling Streets.
Trafalgar Place
a curio market that runs much of the length of the street. Start with a tour of St George’s Cathedral, then enter St George’s Mall from Wale Street and exit it via Strand Street. Markets, shops and restaurants open Monday–Sunday. Parallel to Adderley Street. Visit stgeorgescathedral.com. The Book Lounge A bookstore with a personal touch that reminds you of a bygone era. There are two levels to the store with the floor below offering a lounge, coffee shop and a beautifully muralled children’s section. Every Saturday at 11am the Book Lounge hosts story time for children. Open Monday–Friday 8:30am–7:30pm, Saturday 9:30am–6pm. Sunday and public holidays 10am–4pm. 71 Roeland Street, Cape Town. 021 462 2425, booklounge@gmail.com or visit booklounge.co.za The Company’s Garden The garden is a green piece of calm and tranquility situated at the top of busy Adderley Street. The aviary is a favourite with children, and the rose garden is worth a visit. End with coke floats at the Garden Tea Room, though you will have to shoo the pigeons from your table. Go onto capetown.gov.za and download a brochure so you can go on a self-guided tour. Open 7am–6pm. Plein Street, Cape Town. 021 487 6800 or capetown@capetown.travel The Framery Owner Debbie takes great delight in welcoming children to her gallery. Although not specifically geared for children, she only hangs artworks that are also appropriate for young viewers. Debbie is happy to talk children through
Two Oceans Aquarium If you’re a local then getting your family the year pass is a must – you’ll have access all year round at a price that justifies itself in just three visits. Most toddlers can’t visit penguins Diesel and Tamsyn and their friends often enough. Shark-feeding time makes a fun outing on a rainy winter’s afternoon (Sunday 3pm). Open Monday–Sunday 9:30am–6pm. Dock Road, Cape Town. 021 418 3823, aquarium@aquarium.co.za or visit aquarium.co.za Virgin Active If you are a member and haven’t done so already, why not look at making use of Virgin’s services such as Club V (Green Point and Gardens clubs only), a supervised play area for your child, which you pay for separately per month. The heated pool is also popular with families – moms and dads can often be seen splashing about with their young children. Virgin Active also offers the services of Otters (Gardens and Cape Town clubs only), a children’s swimming school. Opening times vary. Cape Town: 21 Lower Long Street, Foreshore; Gardens: Wembley Square North, corner Wembley and McKenzie Streets; Green Point: Bill Peters Drive. 0860 200 911 or visit virginactive.co.za Wembley Square A safe and enclosed piazza that attracts many a family for its supervised play pen (which operates every Saturday morning from 9am–1pm), an array of cafés, restaurants and a deli to choose from with Artjamming and Knead being popular with parents. While Wembley Square is enclosed and completely shielded from the elements, it has a transparent ceiling that keeps you from feeling boxed in. Open Monday–Sunday 9am–9pm. Wembley Square North, Solan Street, Gardens. 021 404 1330, info@wembleysquare.co.za or visit wembleysquare.co.za. Artjamming 021 462 1168, Knead 021 462 4183
Miniature Blue Train Play Park and Picnic Area
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action packed Cape Sidecar Adventures Tour Cape Town for the day (eight hours) in a vintage World War II sidecar. 2 Glengariff Road, Three Anchor Bay. 021 434 9855 or visit sidecars.co.za Cape Town Cycle Hire For an energetic tour of Cape Town, why not explore on a rented bicycle. To cater for your little ones, Les has asked that you book one or two days in advance and he will fit a child’s seat for you. Cape Town Cycle Hire delivers and collects free of charge. Sea Point. 021 434 1270, 084 400 1604 or leskuys@gmail.com Firing of the Noon Day Gun Take a walk up to Signal Hill in time to witness the
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firing of the Noon Day Gun. Accurate to the millisecond, the gun is fired every day at noon. It is also Cape Town’s oldest living tradition and the guns (two of them), are some of the oldest in the world to still be in use. If you arrive before 11:45am, you’ll get the opportunity to hear more about its history. Lion Battery, Military Road, Bo-Kaap. Turn from Buitengracht Street into Bloem Street, and follow the signs.
River Club Take the troupe to the club’s driving range, and let everyone practise their swing. You can rent clubs there. Open Monday 11am–7pm, Tuesday–Saturday 8am–7pm and Sunday 8am–6pm. Liesbeek Parkway, Observatory. 021 448 6117, info@riverclub.co.za or visit riverclub.co.za
Jolly Roger Pirate Boat This pirate ship offers daily scheduled tours or you can hire the entire boat for a private party. Morning and afternoon tours are approximately 45 minutes long. Tours from 11am–5pm, office hours 9am–5pm. Quay 5, V&A Waterfront. 021 421 0909 or info@pirateboat.co.za
Camps Bay Beach The perfect family spot. A local secret is that Col’cacchio Pizzeria (021 438 2171) delivers your pizza to you on the beach at no extra cost.
lazy days
Maiden’s Cove
De Waal Park Situated alongside Upper Orange Street, this large park in Oranjezicht is free to enter and a good place to let the children stretch their legs. From there take your family to Carlucci’s Deli and Café on the corner of Upper Orange and Montrose Avenue. Carlucci’s is open Monday–Sunday 8am–8pm. 021 465 0795
Saunders Rock beach The drive itself is breathtaking – turn off Victoria Road into Seacliffe Road and suddenly it’s just you, rocks and the ocean. Access Saunders Rock pool via the stairs and spend hours jumping from rock to rock and exploring the little pools in search of crabs. Just off Victoria Road, onto Seacliffe Road, Bantry Bay.
Maiden’s Cove On a clear and calm day explore the rocks at Maiden’s Cove and spot the paragliders as they land on the grounds of the neighbouring Glen Country Club. There are also braai spots and the children will enjoy racing their toy boats on the tidal pools. Turn off from Victoria Road, just before Glen Country Club.
Sea Point Pavilion Pack the arm bands, sun block and take some time out on a warm day to dip into the Olympic-size pool that has the best view – the ocean. Open 8:30am–5pm. Beach Road, Sea Point. 021 434 3341 Sea Point Promenade As a wind down to the weekend or perhaps as a refreshing
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start to the day, pack the children’s push bikes, put a leash on your dogs and take to the promenade. There’s a lovely little park with push-bike or tricycle track at the swimming bath’s end and a fantastic wooden climbing frame with fort, monkey bars and gangplank on the Mouille Point lighthouse end. Caffe Neo, just opposite the climbing frame, is a good place for a warm cup of hot chocolate if it’s a chilly day. Beach Road, Sea Point. Caffe Neo is open Monday–Sunday 7am–7pm. 021 433 0849
for a meal more extravagant than a pizza. The manager and waitresses welcome families. Open Monday–Sunday breakfast 6:30am–10:30am, lunch noon–3pm, dinner 6:30pm–11pm. Cape Royale, 47 Main Road, Green Point. 021 430 0506 or visit 18hundreddegrees. com Birds Boutique Café This restaurant is small and cute and well-trafficked by families. Expect to see moms and dads with babies in prams, seated on the crates (aka
Table Mountain Aerial Cable Way Take a quick cable car ride and enjoy spectacular 360-degree views of Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain. During the holiday The Cableway runs a children’s programme at the Dassie Den. Don’t forget to take your ID book on your birthday to be able to ride for free. There are also free daily guided walks from 10am–noon. First car up 8:30am, last car up 5pm and last car down 6pm. Turn left into Tafelberg Road from Kloof Nek Road, Higgovale. 021 424 8181 or visit tablemountain.net
taste of CT 1800° Grill Room Cape Royale’s restaurant is just right for those times when you want to go out with the family
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New York Bagels
chairs) chatting. Birds is great for coffee with a kick and large slices of decadent cake, as well as divine breakfasts and hearty chicken pie. Open Monday–Friday 8am–4pm. 127 Bree Street, Cape Town. 021 426 2534 Charly’s Bakery Having relocated to the tucked away parts of Zonnebloem from the busy Roeland Street, this familyrun business now has extra coffee shop space. Order a slice of cake, quiche, a cheerful cupcake, a gingerbread man or a chocolate brownie to go with your hot beverage. Charly’s is a good spot for a bit of winter decadence. Open Monday–Friday 7:30am–4pm. 38 Canterbury Street, Zonnebloem. 021 461 5181 or visit charlysbakery@ gmail.com Doppio Zero A continental style café, restaurant and bakery where you can get a light early breakfast of oven-fresh croissants or a hearty lunch of traditional wood-fired oven-cooked pizzas or vegetarian meals as well as steaks and fish prepared to the strictest Greek and Italian traditions. Their extensive children’s menu offers everything from Cocopops for breakfast to mini pizzas for lunch, and to keep the children industriously entertained there is pizza dough with mini, childfriendly cutters. Open Monday–Sunday 7am–11pm. 81 Main Road, Green Point. 021 434 9581
Harvey’s at Winchester Mansions This restaurant, situated within the fourstar Winchester Mansions Hotel, offers wonderful service to parents by warmly welcoming and accommodating their children. The little sparrows that peck out lost lunch will help entertain your toddler. Harvey’s is a bistro at lunchtime and a full restaurant at dinnertime. A popular attraction is their Winchester Mansions’ Sunday Jazz Brunch. Open Monday– Sunday 7am–10:30pm. 221 Beach Road. 021 434 2351, harveys@winchester.co.za or visit winchester.co.za New York Bagels A great range of deli and bakery food plus a small sit-down restaurant. The sourdough bread, cinnamon croissants and mini bagels sell out fast so come early or order ahead. Also try ready-made bagel sandwiches for when you need to grab a quick bite. Open Monday to Sunday 6:30am–8pm. 51 Regent Road, Sea Point. 021 439 7523 or visit nyb@mweb.co.za Raw Café Yet another corner café to pop up in Derry Road, which is fast turning into Vredehoek’s answer to Kloof Street. Many families can be spotted having breakfast or lunch here. Raw opens just after seven for that early morning coffee and serves everything from burger platters to chicken wraps to coffee and champagne
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(a good few tables can be spotted having a champagne breakfast on a Sunday). Open Monday–Sunday 8am–5pm. 21 Derry Road, Vredehoek. 021 461 7648
Raw Café
off to market Food Lover’s Market An atmospheric, bustlingly stylish market that provides a continental culinary experience. The market focuses on fresh, quality fruit and vegetables. It is equipped with a coffee shop, deli, pasta bar, pizzeria, bakery, hot food emporium and a rotating sushi bar. Open Monday–Friday 7am–6:30pm and Saturday 9am–3pm. Icon Building, corner of Loop Street and Hans Strijdom Avenue, CBD. 021 425 2814 or visit freshstop.co.za Greenmarket Square Situated in the heart of the CBD in a cobblestone area surrounded by cafés and restaurants, this market is the place to head to for art and crafts such as hand-painted fabrics, wood carvings and glassware, plus clothing, jewellery, footwear, music CDs, sunglasses, paintings and curios from African countries such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mali and Kenya. Open Monday–Friday 9am–4pm and Saturday 9am–3pm. Greenmarket Square, CBD. 021 426 0152 or visit greenmarketsquare.com The Blue Shed Also known as the V&A Craft Market and Wellness Centre, there are a number of craft stalls here selling
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objects such as handmade clothing and guitars created from recycled materials. The Wellness Centre offers products and treatments such as health and beauty products, Indian head massages, herbal treatments, tarot card readings, candles and charms. Open Monday–Sunday 9:30am–6pm. Situated in the building next to CD Warehouse, V&A Waterfront. 021 408 7842, info@waterfront.co.za or visit waterfront.co.za Wellness Fresh Produce Market This ecofriendly market takes place every second Saturday 9am–2pm, selling healthy foodstuff and fresh produce. They encourage recycling and show you how to minimise your carbon footprint. All products made and sold at here are grown,
soccer cycle tour Andrew Boraine, the CEO of the Cape Town Partnership, recently took his two boys on a Saturday morning cycle around the Green Point Common to take in all the exciting 2010 developments: the Fan Walk, the Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) station, the pedestrian underpass, stadium and the urban park. They covered nearly 10km on safe, cycle-friendly terrain. “I have two young boys and we are always looking for places in the city where we can enjoy recreational riding – we are not training for the Argus, we just want to have fun and enjoy ourselves. It has been very exciting to discover the new potential of the Green Point Common for cycling. Previously it was a bit run down and didn’t always feel safe for cycling with children, but with the changes for 2010, it’s a great experience. “Here’s how to enjoy a fun ride: park your car outside Newport Deli in Mouille Point (so you can enjoy a smoothie afterwards). Away from the busy Mouille Point main road, and behind the blocks of flats, is a new cycle path, which goes all around the new golf course. “We first explored the stadium precinct. We cycled up Bill Sonnenberg Road to get to the stadium. There is
raised, caught, preserved or transformed by the producers themselves. Jan van Riebeeck Primary School, next to Lifestyle Centre, Kloof Street. 076 782 5123
soccer season Fan Fest The Grand Parade is 2,6km from Cape Town Stadium and is Cape Town’s official Fifa Fan Fest site. The official viewing area in the city centre has a capacity of 20 000 and is open on all World Cup match days to offer a fun stadium atmosphere. The Fan Walk stretches from Cape Town Stadium through the centre of Cape Town to the Grand Parade. Parking areas and a pick-up/drop-off bus service are available to ensure a safe experience. Open 10am–late.
tons of space off the road to investigate around there. You can also go left along the new Granger Bay Boulevard until you get to Fort Wynyard. Look out for the new IRT station that has been built in the middle of Granger Bay Boulevard. “Turn around and cycle back under the raised Green Point Traffic Circle, then head back towards town along the Fan Walk. It’s all off road and it’s a beautiful cycle track. “Stop at the Gallows Hill traffic department. Eventually you will be able to go right through town on a cycle track, but it wasn’t completed when we cycled the route. So it’s best to turn around and go straight back all the way to the Sea Point library in Three Anchor Bay. “You will have to get across the busy Beach Road in Sea Point, so be careful. I suggest you walk your children across that road, then stay on the pavement, until you reach Mouille Point. Don’t cycle on the Promenade as you may get a fine. It is quite acceptable if you stay on the pavement side all the way back past the putt-putt course and the Mouille Point lighthouse, and then back to Newport Deli.
Access the site from Darling or Strand Streets. For more info fifa-fanfest @fifa.org or visit fifa.com or sa2010. gov.za Around Town The city has set up four other public viewing areas (PVAs) in greater Cape Town: Athlone, Bellville Velodrome, the Swartklip Sport Complex (Mitchells Plain) and the Oliver Tambo Centre (Khayelitsha). Your family can watch the games live on giant screens and be entertained by all the festivities. Each venue has a VIP area, disabled access, security, a grandstand and information kiosks. Arrive at least three hours before the match kicks off if you want to find yourself a seat or standing area. Viewing sites are closed once they are full. Open 11am–11pm. Visit fifa.com or sa2010.gov.za
“We weren’t able to cycle around the new Green Point Urban Park, because it was still under construction, but once it is open it will make this experience even more enjoyable. “One of the highlights for the boys was stopping at the entrance to the stadium and looking down the tunnel that the players will run through onto the pitch for games. They also loved that we had regular stops, which to me, is what recreational cycling is all about. They like some distractions – watching a club cricket match on one of the fields is good fun, for example. And they loved the smoothie at the end.”
Andrew Boraine takes his sons on a soccer-inspired bike ride.
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books
a good read for toddlers No Babysitters Allowed By Amber Stewart and Laura Rankin
best bedtime story
(Bloomsbury Publishing, R97) Hopscotch is a very brave bunny – except when his parents go out and Mrs Honeybunch comes to babysit. She wants to play, but Hopscotch would much rather be alone in his special “no babysitters allowed” corner. That is until he hears Mrs Honeybunch reading his books all wrong. But is Hopscotch brave enough to help her read them correctly? This sweet funny story will provide ample reassurance to young children (and their worried parents) as they face babysitter night. Even though there’s quite a bit of text, Laura Rankin’s brightly coloured illustrations make it possible for toddlers to follow the story.
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Tip Tap Went The Crab By Tim Hopgood
Jingle Jangle Jungle Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
(Macmillan Children’s Books, R165) When a curious little crab tip-taps sideways out of her rock pool to explore the big blue sea, she discovers a world full of wonderful creatures. But after she’s counted everything from one noisy seagull and two sleepy sea lions to nine silent sharks at the bottom of the sea, the little crab realises that her very own rock pool is the most amazing place of all. And so she tip-taps happily home… closely followed by her 10 baby crabs. While children between four and nine will enjoy counting the sea creatures in the book, the illustrations make it perfect for younger children too.
(Campbell Books, R130) Children can join in the Jingle Jangle Jungle song and count along with the animals in this delightful board book. There are also 28 colourful, doublesided dominoes – children can choose to match the animals or the numbers, ensuring they have twice the fun. This book helps develop manual dexterity and teaches first concepts, while providing fun and entertainment. Award-winning illustrator Axel Scheffler’s (best-known for his collaboration with Julia Donaldson on The Gruffalo series) sketches are vibrant and colourful, with loads of humour and detail. Cape Town’s
Blue Chameleon By Emily Gravett (Macmillan Children’s Books, R165) Most of Emily Gravett’s children’s books are great entertainment for adults too, and Blue Chameleon is no exception. The gorgeous images illustrate a lovely tale of a lonely blue chameleon – it’s a story your children will want to hear over and over again. The chameleon is feeling blue, so he heads off in search of his soul mate. On the way he meets a yellow banana, pink cockatoo, a swirly snail, striped sock, and each time he changes his colour to match his new friend. This is a very funny read with a beautiful ending.
A Busy, Busy Day in Tinga Tinga Created by Claudia Lloyd (Penguin Books, R122) The Tinga Tinga tales are inspired by the traditional animal stories of our continent and the Tinga Tinga artwork of Tanzania. Adapted from the original BBC Television programme, this book has loads of lift-theflap and pop-up fun. In this tale, it’s a very busy day in Tinga Tinga, so busy that none of the animals has time to help Elephant remember why everyone is so busy. With very bright and lively illustrations, a lovely surprise behind every flap and rhyming text, this is a great story for children.
Farmyard Friends By Emily Bolam (Campbell Books, R109) With plenty of pop-up scenes, pull tabs and a couple of sets of wheels, your toddler can join in the fun as their farmyard friends come alive. This carousel book encourages children to interact with the characters. They can open barn doors and see Mother hen and her chicks cosy up together. By pulling tabs pigs eat from the trough, dogs jump up, ducklings waddle towards the dam and kittens climb up ladders. This lovely book develops manual dexterity and stimulates the imagination.
Toddle Waddle By Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt (Macmillan Children’s Books, R90) There’s a hullabaloo at the seaside when a toddler takes his friends on a stroll to the end of the pier. Follow-my-leader has never been so much fun! With catchy rhymes and bright, bold pictures even the youngest child will love this simple, playful story. They will also have fun copying the noises: mom’s flops go “flip, flop”, the running dog “hurry and scurry”, the horse’s hooves “clip, clop” and the bicycle bell “ting-a-ling”. Award-winner Julia Donaldson is one of today’s most popular picture-book authors. Cape Town’s
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for preschoolers The Circus Ship By Chris van Dusen
pick of the month
(Candlewick Press, R195) When a circus ship runs aground, the circus animals stagger to the shore of a small island. At first the townspeople view them with suspicion, but it’s not long before locals and animals are sharing the island in harmony. When the greedy circus owner returns, the towns folk and the circus refugees come up with a delightful way to outsmart him, exacting hilarious revenge in the process. With rhymed text and brilliant caricature illustrations, Chris van Dusen has crafted a stunning picture book for children four to eight years old.
The Nursery Alice By Lewis Carroll (Macmillan Children’s Books, R195) The Nursery Alice was the first colour edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland ever made and was especially adapted for younger readers by Lewis Carroll himself. Out of print for much of the twentieth century, this recently rediscovered treasure will bring a new generation to the magic and mayhem of Wonderland. With 20 rarely seen colour versions of Sir John Tenniel’s much-loved illustrations, this classic children’s book is perfect for the whole family.
Miko’s Magic Number – Count With The Magic Wheel By Ruth Brown (Walker Books, R194) Roll up! Roll up! Come to the circus and follow the trail of numbers to help Miko the mouse find the magic number! By choosing a number and turning the wheel, children learn to do simple addition and subtraction while being entertained by Miko and his friends at the circus. Peepholes and flaps maintain the suspense until the very end, when Miko’s special trick reveals the magic number. This book allows children to play and become familiar with numbers – and amaze the whole family.
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for early graders
for preteens and teens
A Child’s Garden – a Story of Hope By Michael Foreman (Macmillan Children’s Books, R210) In a ruined village, torn apart by war, a barbed wire fence cuts off a little boy from the hills in which he loved to walk. But does a tiny green shoot spell hope? This is a beautifully illustrated tale of healing and renewal from a world-acclaimed children’s book creator Michael Foreman. A Child’s Garden pays tribute to the human spirit in a thoughtful story that you are almost certainly to be touched by as you share it with your children.
Princesses Are Not Perfect By Kate Lum and Sue Hellard (Bloomsbury Publishing, R97) Once there were three princesses, each with a flair for her own special hobby. Princess Allie loved to bake. Princess Mellie loved to garden and Princess Libby loved to build things. But one day Princess Mellie decides that she wants a change, so they swap jobs with each other. Can the princesses impress the housekeeper, Mrs Blue, when they try out new things and prepare the palace in time for the big Summer Party? This entertaining tale for children between five and eight is about using your talents wisely.
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Sibo Thinks Positively and Sibo Tackles Trash By Ginny Stone (Lets Look Publishers, R49,50 each) Sibo is a bright and open-minded little girl, who shares her experiences with other young children. In Sibo Thinks Positively, she befriends a girl who has just moved into her neighbourhood whose brother is HIV positive. Find out how Sibo helps change her mother’s misguided beliefs. In Sibo Tackles Trash, children learn about recycling and how to keep our cities clean – all sparked by Sibo dropping her sweet wrapper on the floor.
Daniel Fox and the Jester’s Legacy (By Andy Petersen, R85) American born and Johannesburg-raised, Andy Petersen was only 16-years-old when this book was launched in South Africa. Daniel Fox is a normal teenage boy, growing up in New York City. He woke up one Monday morning, thinking it would be a day like any other. Little did he know that it was the day he would die. After being kidnapped from the museum of Ancient History, Daniel ends up in a “waiting room” that leads to the capital of the underworld. Join Daniel Fox on this non-stop adventure through a world where things are not always quite as simple as they seem.
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for preteens and teens Rise Of The Rattler By Tim Walker (Faber and Faber, R106) It’s been months since Tom and Polly’s explosive quest to Dollar Island, but their fizzling adventures are far from over... With Shipley Manor harboured safe at home, Polly and Tom have been looking forward to helping Hopper Hawkins spread the Fizzle – a magic potion that brings happiness to all who experience it. Then they uncover a conspiracy that could plunge the world into chaos. Who’s behind it? And is the plot linked to the disappearance of their friend Scarlett? To discover the truth the crew of Shipley Manor sail to the Arctic, where they must do battle with ravenous polar bears, deadly avalanches and even the Fizzle, before facing their greatest foe – the evil Rattler.
The Silver Spoon for Children – Favourite Italian Recipes By Amanda Grant (Phaidon Press, R187) All the recipes in this book have been adapted from Italy’s best-selling cookbook, The Silver Spoon. Each fabulous dish has been tested by an expert in children’s nutrition. There are tips on cooking safely, which kitchen equipment to use, and how to make things as tasty as possible. Every step is explained and illustrated, making the recipes easy to follow. Your little chefs will soon be making their own pizza, ravioli napoletana, lasagne, risotto, focaccia and much more. With this book your children will turn your kitchen into a top-notch Italian eatery in no time!
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the perfect gift
How To Surf By Miles Masterson (Penguin Books, R119) This is the comprehensive guide to learning to surf in South Africa. Packed with all you need to know about the local surfing lifestyle, this book gives you the knowledge and skills needed to achieve the ultimate freedom of riding the ocean’s waves. From understanding the weather and how waves are created and what conditions are best for beginners to how to execute a cutback and bottom turn – it’s all covered. There are detailed step-by-step illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions to the most basic manoeuvres, chapters on surfing history, types of surfboards, surf travel and the environment.
Outlaw – The Legend of Robin Hood By Tony Lee, Sam Hart and Artur Fujita (Walker Books, R128) This is the first book in a brand new Heroes and Heroines graphic novel series. Tony Lee, Sam Hart, and colourist Arthur Fujita combine their talents for fast-paced graphic storytelling in a stunning full-colour action-packed tale of the legendary hero, Robin Hood. When Robin of Loxley gets news of his father’s death, he abandons the bloody Crusade in Jerusalem and rides back to Sherwood Forest to discover that things are not as they should be. Robin soon raises an army to challenge the evil sheriff, who now rules the land, and fight for the good of the poor.
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for us From Jo’burg to Jozi – Stories about Africa’s infamous city Edited by Heidi Holland and Adam Roberts
for parents great read
(Penguin Books, R104) The editors asked fellow journalists and writers – South Africans and foreigners who have lived in Johannesburg – to write about the city. Out of this emerged idiosyncratic reactions to Egoli, Jo’burg, Jozi and the City of Gold. This collection of writings has a vibrancy to entertain locals, as well as authenticity for those who want to know more about the metropolis that has become known as Africa’s infamous city.
In A Strange Room By Damon Galgut (Penguin Books, R152) A young man takes three journeys, through Greece, India and Africa. He travels lightly. To those who travel with him and those he meets on the way – including a handsome, enigmatic stranger, a group of careless backpackers and a woman on the edge – he is the Follower, the Lover and the Guardian. Yet, despite the man’s best intentions, each journey ends in disaster. Together, these three journeys will change his life. This is South African Damon Galgut’s seventh novel and has been pegged by literary reviewers to be one of the best books of 2010.
Cape Town’s
for grandparents
The Contented Baby with Toddler Book By Gina Ford
The Grandparents’ Book By Miriam Stoppard
(Random House Struik, R185) Introducing a toddler to their new baby brother or sister is an exciting moment. But alongside the joy of having two young children comes the challenge of balancing their different needs. Written in the same reassuring, accessible style as Ford’s best-selling The Contented Little Baby Book, it is full of practical tips and solutions to support busy parents. The easy to follow and adaptable routines are designed to help you structure your day to meet the demands of both your new baby and your toddler.
(Dorling Kindersley Limited, R127) The relationship between grandparent and grandchild is a very special one and can bring some of the happiest times of your life. In The Grandparents’ Book, you’ll discover how to build that unique closeness with wise and friendly advice from childcare expert Miriam Stoppard, a grandmother herself. With sensible guidelines on how to build a wonderful bond with your grandchildren, while respecting parents’ boundaries, this is the personal, practical, real-life guide to how to be the kind of grandparent every child could want.
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for soccer-lovers
Africa United – How Football Explains Africa By Steve Bloomfield
The African Animal Football Cup By Immanuel Suttner, Guy Suttner and David Anderson (Quartz Press, R125,95) When the animals hear that the humans are having a soccer competition, they decide to have one too. They find out about it because a family of crested barbets, who had been happily nesting in a hole in a marula tree, suddenly find their home surrounded by bulldozers. Next thing, their tree is knocked over to make way for a stadium. So the barbets fly off to look for another home, and on the way they tell the hadedahs, who tell everyone else. The African Animal Football Cup is a charming safari into the heart of Africa. Parents and children can enjoy the story, while learning about some of South Africa’s fascinating animals.
(Canon Gate Books Ltd, R195) Steve Bloomfield was UK-based newspaper, The Independent’s Africa correspondent for more than two years, reporting from more than 20 countries in Africa. This book is a fascinating modern portrait of the divided continent, told through one of the few things that unite it. Bloomfield investigates Africa’s love of soccer, its increasing global influence, the build-up to the 2010 World Cup and the social and political backdrop to the greatest show on earth. Africa United is a fascinating read on the most beautiful game in Africa.
it’s game time
Our heroes, Soccer Africa!, Three of the best!, Super Soccer Skills and It’s a funny game By Sean Fraser and Hilton Sarukunda (Pearson Education South Africa, R49,95–R59,95) Well-respected author Sean Fraser and seasoned soccer journalist Hilton Sarukunda have put together this collection of books aimed at younger readers. Our Heroes is packed with facts about famous club teams, national teams and players from all over the world. Soccer Africa! is a tribute to all the great soccer legends and teams of the African continent. In Three of the Best! children can read about the childhood and rise to fame of soccer stars such as Lucas Radebe and Ronaldo. Super Soccer Skills includes practical tips for improving your game. It’s a funny game is an engaging read with stories that cover details of the soccer sports kit of 100 years ago and reveals where the television cameras are hidden at matches.
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Football – The Ultimate Guide By Martin Cloake, Glenn Dakin, Mark Hillsdon, Adam Powley, Aidan Radnedge and Catherine Saunders (Doring Kindersley Limited, R180) This coffee table-style book, for young and old has a funky cover and features everything you ever wanted to know about the game and more. On pages filled with excellent photography and fact boxes, you can explore the world of soccer, both on and off the pitch. There are plenty of statistics and trivia to impress your friends. This book profiles the best players through the years, as well as the greatest teams and most memorable games. There is also information on every Fifa-affiliated country (there are 208 of them). This is a must-have book for every soccer-lover.
Match! – World Cup 2010! (Pan Macmillan, R125) This is a great guide for the World Cup from the UK’s best-selling soccer magazine. It profiles all 32 teams playing in the tournament, all the big stars, and the super strikers to watch. As an added bonus there are crazy World Cup-related stories, quizzes to test your knowledge and fun games to play. Colourful fullpage photos of players such as France’s Thierry Henry, Argentina’s Sergio Aguero, England’s John Terry and Ghana’s Michael Essien are included. This is not only a great guide to use during the tournament, but also a collector’s item.
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calendar
what’s on in june and july Things to do, places to go, ways to give back, talks and exhibitions plus loads of fun for the whole family. compiled by LUCILLE KEMP
special events
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FUN for children
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only for parents
80
bump, baby & tot in tow
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how to help
82
SPECIAL EVENTS
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FUN FOR CHILDREN
ONLY FOR PARENTS
bump, baby & tot in tow
how to help
Peruse a market, spot a whale, enjoy story-time or choose from the variety of holiday clubs on offer.
Brush up on your skills with one of our many courses and workshops, then scrub up for a night at the opera.
Attend a workshop on early literacy or go to a class that will prepare you for child birth.
By volunteering your time, purchasing designer clothing or donating blood you’ll be doing your bit for those who need it most.
June 2010/July 2010
Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPHS: THINKSTOCKPHOTOS.COM
We have filled your winter days with fabulous shows, world-famous, proudly South African festivals as well as a helpful parenting expo.
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SPECIAL EVENTS 3 june Wacky Wine Weekend While moms and dads are tasting wine, children are welcome to entertain themselves with donkey carts, jumping castles, face-painting, wall climbing, quad bikes and more. Ends 6 June. Time: 10am–5pm (tasting hours) with evening events scheduled as well. Venue: Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson wineries. Cost: R70 for the weekend. Contact Elizma: 023 626 3167, manager@robertsonwinevalley.com or visit wackywineweekend.com 3 june – Wacky Wine Weekend
4 june Aesop’s Fables at The Fugard Theatre This musical theatre showcase is about Aesop, a Greek slave, and stories include The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Goat, The Stork and the Wolf and more. Ends 10 July. Tuesday 7pm R70, Wednesday 3pm R70 and 7pm R90, Thursday 7pm R90, Friday 7pm R120, Saturday 11am R70, 3pm R90 and 7pm R120. Children under 12 half price on all tickets. Students and pensioners Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday matinee R70. Student and pensioner bookings an hour before all other shows: R70. Venue: The Fugard Theatre, District Six. For bookings: 021 461 4554 or visit thefugard.com
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5 june Parklands College open day Visit the College and view its facilities. Time: 10am–2pm. Venue: 91 Raats Dr and 50 Wood Dr, Parklands. Cost: free. Contact: 021 521 2700, director@parklands.co.za or visit parklands.co.za
10 june Noddy’s Adventures in Toyland Noddy has settled into Toyland in his house but he still has a lot to learn. Join Noddy and his friends Big Ears, Mr Plod and Tessie Bear and you might be invited to Toyland’s Sports Day. Ends 26 June, excluding 13, 16, 17 and 20 June.
10 june – Noddy’s Adventures in Toyland
Time: 10:30am. Venue: Artscape Foyer. Cost: R40. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or Artscape Dial-a-Seat: 021 421 7695 Pinocchio at the Baxter The Lilliput Children’s Theatre Company perform a brand new show about this very popular character who’s nose grows when he lies. Ends 26 June. Time: Monday–Saturday, 10:30am and noon. Venue: Concert Hall, Baxter Theatre. The 45-minute show is ideal fairy tale fun for the whole family. Cost: R35. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000, visit computicket.com or call the Baxter Theatre: 021 685 7880. For block bookings or queries, call Elton: 021 558 2650 or 083 364 8284. For more information on the Lilliput Players, visit lilliputplayers.co.za
15 june Just So Stories at Roxy Revue Bar There’s a little bit of everything from an arrogant diva to a pretentious horse, a ferocious leopard, an arrogant French rhino and a dear little nightingale, who are waiting to laugh, cry and sing along with you. Ideal for ages 4–12 years. Ends 10 July. Time: 11am. Venue: Roxy theatre at GrandWest Casino. Cost: R40. For more info: visit showworks.co.za, book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.co.za
Cape Town’s
18 june Toy Story 3 premieres in 3D Open the toy box and re-enter the delightful world of your favourite gang of toy characters. As Andy prepares to depart for college, Buzz, Woody and the rest of his loyal toys land in a room full of untamed tots who can’t wait to get their sticky little fingers on these new toys. It’s pandemonium as they try to stay together. Meanwhile, Barbie comes face to plastic face with Ken. The film opens in all major cinemas and independent theatres countrywide.
20 june 18 june – Toy Story 3
16 june Gail Petersen’s children’s theatre presents Sleeping Beauty Ends 18 June. Time: 16 and 17 June 10:30am and 2pm; 18 June 10:30am. Venue: Voortrekker Hall, Kenridge Primary School. Cost: R20. Contact Gail: 021 913 6878 Youth Market Day for budding entrepreneurs 13–20 years. Time: 9am– 3pm. Venue: Ottery Islamic Centre, Old Strandfontein Rd, Ottery. Cost: youth stalls R30, adult and business exhibitors R100; only youth-related products or services. For more info: 021 703 9294
Cape Town’s
National Arts Festival A massive showcase of the best in South African and international theatre, dance, music,
8 july
jazz, visual art, comedy, film and more. Ends 4 July. Time: varies; see online programme for details. Venue: in and around Grahamstown. Cost: varies. For more info: visit nafest.co.za
1 july The Stellenbosch Wine Festival Purchase your festival pass and catch a shuttle to the wine farms for tastings, entertainment and exclusive winemaker encounters. Transport to and from Cape Town available. Ends 5 July. Time: tbc. Venue: participating wine farms on the Stellenbosch wine route. Cost: R150 per person per day or R500 for a Golden Pass for the entire festival. Children under 18 enter free. For more info: 021 886 4310 or visit wineroute.co.za
2 july Knysna Oyster Festival Parents can have all the usual fun and eat their oysters in peace thanks to the Young Oyster Festival, specifically for children. The programme includes cooking and creative art classes, puppet shows, balloon-modelling workshops, storytelling, live shows, dress-up parades, picnics, face-painting, and interactive theatre and music workshops. Ends 11 July. Time: varies. Venue: Knysna. Cost. varies. Contact Nicci: nicci@knysnapr.co.za or Glendyrr: development@knysna-info.co.za or for more info: visit oysterfestival.co.za
7 july Vodacom Funny Festival presents the best in local and international comedy. Ends 11 July. No under 18s. Time: opening
Duesouth Xterra This event occurs during the Knysna Oyster Festival. Participate in the event or cheer on the sidelines. Athletes in the main event, Duesouth Xterra, face a 3km trail run, a 25km mountain bike ride plus another 10km trail run. Duesouth Xterra Lite comprises a 3km trail run, 12km mountain bike ride as well as a 5km trail run. Time: Duesouth Lite 10am, Duesouth Xterra 12:30pm. Venue: Pezula Private Estate, Field of Dreams. Cost: Duesouth Xterra R260 per person, R360 per team of two. Duesouth Lite R130 per person, R180 per team of two. For more info: 021 883 2413, info@stillwatersports.com or visit stillwatersports.com
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and closing night: 8pm, thereafter Monday– Friday 8pm; Saturday 5pm and 8pm. Cost: R130. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000, visit computicket.co.za or for discounted bookings contact Sharon: 021 680 3962 Ubuntu Festival As soccer fever dies down, it’s time to gear up for the second Ubuntu Festival and celebrate with the best in South African entertainment on the Grand Stage in St George’s Mall. Featuring a Cultural Cuisine Quarter to tempt the palate, the festival incorporates an Ubuntu seminar on Friday 16 July with top speakers, a two-day music festival, a gala fundraising dinner on Saturday 17 July and special events to celebrate Mandela Day on Sunday 18 July. Ends 18 July. Time: tbc. Venue: Mandela Rhodes Place on Church Str and St George’s Mall. Cost: free. Contact: 021 556 8200
17 july Franschhoek Bastille Festival Celebrate the Franschhoek Valley’s centuries-old French Huguenot heritage at its annual Bastille Festival. Sample fine wines and indulge in mouth-watering dishes created by the Valley’s highly acclaimed chefs. Indulge in French traditions and activities such as boules, the Franschhoek minstrel parade, children’s soccer, a barrel-rolling contest and a fun run. A farmers’ market, craft market stalls, musicians and children’s activities are included in the festival celebrations. French movie-screenings take place throughout the weekend. Ends 18 July. Time: varies. Venue: behind Franschhoek town hall. Cost: R100 per person allows you access to the food and wine marquee, which includes a tasting glass and a complimentary booklet of 10 tasting coupons. Book through webtickets. co.za or for more info: 021 876 2861 or events@franschhoek.org.za
22 july Danscape dance showcase Young upand-coming dancers and choreographers perform in a professional environment. This much-anticipated contemporary dance showcase is chock-full of talent and enjoyed by young and old. Ends 25 July. Time: 8:15pm daily except Sunday
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Little Cooks Club
at 6pm plus a Saturday matinee at 3pm. Venue: Artscape Theatre. Cost: R50 or R20 for block bookings of 20 or more. Book at Computicket or Artscape Diala-Seat 021 421 7695. For more info: 021 410 9800
23 july Baba Indaba and Kids Indaba Cape Town Moms, dads, parents-to-be and grandparents can visit this baby expo for inspirational ideas, information from expert exhibitors, great bargains and fun for the family. Prizes up for grabs. Kids Indaba is a new concept aimed at 6–12-year-olds. Ends 25 July. Time: 9:30am–5pm. Venue: CTICC. Cost: adults R45, children R20, under 5 years enter free. Contact: Dominique, 011 704 7770, dominique@thelime.co.za or visit babaindaba.co.za
30 july Cape Town Book Fair This year sees the addition of the trade day and the new book titles available online well before the fair opens. Children account for a quarter of those who visited last year’s fair, which proves that this is a great family day out. More than 250 exhibitors will take part. Ends 2 August. Visit the Cape Town Book Fair website for more information and to download the children’s programme. Time: varies. Venue: CTICC. Cost: adults R60, students and pensioners R25, children 13 years and younger enter free. Visit capetownbookfair.co.za
FUN FOR CHILDREN art, culture and science KTV Market Day free craft workshops in preparation for the main event. Children take home what they make. For children 6–15 years. 17 and 31 July. Time: 9:30am– 11am and 11:30am–1pm. Venue: Canal Walk shopping centre. Bookings essential: patti@finewomen.co.za The Castle Forge Discover the ancient craft of blacksmithing at daily shows for 5-year-olds upwards. Time: Monday– Saturday, 9am–2pm. Venue: Castle of Good Hope, Darling Street. Cost: call to enquire. Contact: visit forge.co.za
Call to enquire about the Equal Zeal Parentz Chatz for moms, the Equal Zeal holiday programme and the Equal Zeal exam tips for frazzled nerves workshop for children in Grades 8–12. Hip-hop dance workshops Three hours of fun focused on modern and hiphop dancing including warm-up, dance routine, movement, music, games and choreography. Ideal for children 6–12 years. 14 June–8 July. Time: Monday– Thursday 9am–noon. Venue: Dance Accent Studio, off Ladies Mile Rd, Bergvliet. Cost: R100 per day. Contact Nici: 082 563 1733, danceaccent@iburst.co.za or visit danceaccent.co.za Little Cooks Club A great place for children to explore food and nutrition. For times, venue and cost, contact Lisa (northern suburbs): 073 227 3404 or lisab@littlecooksclub.co.za or Katherine (Tableview): 083 659 5446 or katherinem@ littlecooksclub.co.za Little Green fingers kitchen garden and cooking for children 6–12 years. 16, 23, 30 June and 7 July. Time: every Wednesday 9am–1pm. Venue: Organic Living Art Farm on Main Rd, Noordhoek. Cost: R120 including healthy lunch and refreshments. Contact Liesel: 071 198 7875 or visit littlegreenfingers.ning.com World Cup Craft Workshops
classes, talks and workshops Clay Café workshop Various themed ceramic painting days including painting a teddy bear, teapot or fairy. Chasms will fire it and glaze it afterwards for the child to take home. 14, 17, 21, 24, 28 June and 1, 5, 8 July. Time: 9:30am. Venue: Clay Café, Old Dairy Oakhurst Farm, Main Road, Hout Bay. Cost: R80–R120. Contact: 021 790 3318 Equal Zeal Study Skills for Stressed Out Students Help your children in Grades 4–7 with their exams by giving them the tools to study effectively. 2 July. Time: 9am–noon. Venue: Blouberg. Cost: R350 per participant – includes workshop materials and parent feedback. Contact: 082 453 4313 or angelique@equalzeal.com.
Cape Town’s
the local whale sightings log maintained by A Whale of a Heritage Route. The first Southern Right Whale reported earns the spotter a prize at the annual Whale Spotter’s Breakfast in December. To report a whale sighting, sms details of where and when to 079 391 2105. To view the whale sightings log, visit awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za/ whalelog2010.htm. Cost: membership is free. Contact: info@awhaleofaheritageroute.co.za
family outings
Actifizz Science Fair
Two-day motivational study-tip programme for matrics Gaironisaa Essa, a teacher who has 15 year’s experience teaching children in Grades 7 to 12, is going to help get your matriculant ready for final exams. Topics covered are procrastination; concentration and your body; study according to your learning style; improving memory; dealing with anxiety and more. 14 June–1 July. Time: Monday–Thursday, 9am–3pm. Venue: Icon Building, Foreshore. Cost: R450 includes lunch and refreshments. Contact Gaironisaa: 083 399 6249 World Cup craft workshops for children For two hours per day during the World Cup, children are entertained and taught how to have creative fun while using their motor skills. Bookings essential. Ideal for 4- to 10-year-olds. 14 June–16 July. The Saturday line-up for June and July follows: 5 June: Puppets play soccer; 12 June: Flag craft day; 19 June: Mini soccer tournament; 26 June: Hot chocolate and cookies; 3 July: Activity tables; 10 July: Soccer finale; 17 July: Pizza day; 24 July: Puppet magic; 31 July: Snow. Time: varies. Venue: Noordhoek Farm Village, cnr Main Rd and Village Lane, Noordhoek. Cost: varies. Contact Penny: pal@enchantedparties.co.za or visit noordhoekvillage.co.za
finding nature and outdoor play Adventure4U school holiday special Sand boarding on Monday and Wednesday.
Cape Town’s
rock climbing on Tuesday and Thursday. Mountain biking on Saturday for 10 years and older. Time: 10am–12pm and 1pm– 3pm. Venue and cost: Atlantis Sand Dunes R59 (children only). Table Mountain Quarry for rock climbing R50. Tokai Forest for mountain biking R75. Contact Haadin: 021 696 3631, 083 356 5591, info@ adventure4u.co.za or visit adventure4u.co.za Kirstenhof Primary School fun run A day with jumping castles, fun rides, game stalls and water balls plus food stalls, a tea garden and creative crafter stalls. 29 May. Time: opens at 10am; 2,5km race starts at 11am and 5km race starts at noon. Venue: Kirstenhof Primary School, Lente St. Contact Nic: 021 702 0378 or 072 782 8988 Run, jump and smell the fynbos All children under 18 enjoy free entry into Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens this winter holiday. Contact: 021 799 8783 Take four to the Two Oceans Aquarium Entertain children at a bargain price during the extended winter school holiday. Ends 31 October. Only valid over weekends and during school and public holidays. Visit the AfriSam Children’s Play Centre, which has a beach theme. Time: 9:30am–6pm. Venue: Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront. Cost: R200 for two adults and two children 4–13 years (save R78 off normal entrance fees). Contact: 021 418 3823, aquarium@ aquarium.co.za or visit aquarium.co.za Whale Spotter’s Club is being launched for children. Everyone is asked to spot whales and report them for recording on
Farmhouse Rocks winter line-up 5 June: Guy Buttery; 19 June: Nick and Dave; 3 July: Lancaster Band. Time: 3:30pm. Venue: Cape Farmhouse Restaurant, Junction M66 & M65, Red Hill. Cost: R50 adults, R40 students. Contact: 021 780 1246 or visit capefarmhouse.co.za Indoor Golf Some of the most affordable fun you can have indoors. The course offers 18 holes that get more difficult as you progress. The course has vertical ramps, sharp corners, obstacles and slanted surfaces. Time: Monday–Sunday, 9am–5:30pm. Venue: 1 Dock Road, V&A Waterfront. Cost: R10 for all players. Contact: 021 419 9429 Kronendal Primary School women’s day Includes a guest speaker, fashion show, lunch and a market. Children’s entertainment provided throughout the day. Ends 31 July. Time: doors open 9am. Venue: Kronendal Primary School, Hout Bay. Cost: adults R100, pensioners R60 and children R20. For more info or to exhibit contact Claire: 082 385 0915 or goodes@mweb.co.za Scratch Patch Take the family to “dig” for a wide variety of tumble-polished gemstones such as tiger’s eye, rose quartz and amethyst. Time: V&A Waterfront Monday–Sunday 9am–6pm; Simon’s Town Monday–Friday 8:30am to 4:45pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 9am–5:30pm. Venue: V&A Waterfront: Dock Rd; Simon’s Town: Dido Valley Road. Cost: from R14 for a small bag to R85 for a large container. Contact: V&A Waterfront: 021 419 9429 or Simon’s Town: 021 786 2020
holiday activities Actifizz Science Fair Fizzing fun and mindblowing educational science experiments that will entertain the whole family. Perfect for children 6–12 years old. Brought to you
by Handy Andy. Time: 10am–5pm. Venue: 10–13 June and 1–4 July Cavendish Square; 16–19 June Somerset Mall; 23–26 June and 7–10 July Canal Walk. Cost: free entry, registration required. Contact your nearest mall for more details. Africa Women’s Network children’s school holiday programme Educational fun and games for children 6–16 years. 14– 17 and 21–24 June, 28 June–1 July and 5–8 July. Registration closes 4 June. Time: Monday–Thursday, 9am–1pm. Venue: Ottery Islamic Centre, Old Strandfontein
Kirstenbosch Eco-Art holiday workshop Enjoyable and informative activities on the theme A joyful look at biodiversity and climate include a guided walk, video-microscope investigation and each child creates a collage on board using art media as well as coloured beeswax and dried plant material. 22–24 June. Time: Grades 1–3: 22 and 23 June, 9:30am–1pm. Grades 4–7: 24 June, 9am–1pm. Venue: Gold Fields Environmental Education Centre. Cost: 22 and 23 June R100, 24 June R110. Contact Michaela or Sue: 021 794 6609 or snepgen@xsinet.co.za
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Rd, Ottery. Cost: R30 per child per day including snack and craft materials. Book for a full week and pay only R100 per child per week (save R20). Contact: 021 703 9294, 074 106 0713 or stages@polka.co.za Amelia’s Artworks winter holiday programme Creative workshops for children 6- to 10-years-old, offering activities such as fabric painting, printmaking, collage work, making beads, painting and mixed media. 14–18 and 21–25 June. Time: Monday–Friday, 10:30am–noon. Venue: 7 Capel Rd, Highlands Estate, Oranjezicht. Cost: call to enquire. Contact: 082 864 6769 or ameliaaudinwood@gmail.com Appleby’s Art holiday art classes Creative workshops comprising a range of art techniques and crafty fun. Ideal for children 3–5 years and 6–10 years. Time: Tuesday for 3- to 5-year-olds, 2:30pm– 3:45pm; Thursday for 6- to 10-year-olds, 2pm–3:45pm. Venue: Baby Grow Clinic, 2 Deer Park Dr, Vredehoek. Cost: R90 per session. Contact Susie: 082 681 9624 Artjamming holiday programme is the perfect creative outlet for your child and included in the package is a canvas, snack pack, and art and crafts tools. 10 June–10 July. Time: Monday–Friday, 10am– noon. Venue: Wembley Square, Solan Road, Gardens and Cape Quarter, Somerset Road, Green Point. Cost: call to enquire. Contact Wembley Square: 021 462 1168, info@artjamming.co.za and Cape Quarter:
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Art holiday activities
021 421 6129, capequarter@artjamming. co.za or visit artjamming.co.za Art workshops at Millstone Farmstall & Café Fun, games, stories and art for children on 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 June, and 1 and 7 July. Workshops include a light snack and lemonade. Time: varies. Venue: Millstone Farmstall & Café, Pinelands. Cost: varies. Contact: 021 447 8226 or 082 407 8910 Back 2 Basics Adventure Holiday Camp Grade 4–7: 14–18 June, 28 June–2 July; Grade 8–12: 21–25 June, 5–9 July. Time: Monday–Friday, 7am–4pm. Venue: Back 2 Basics Adventure Campsite, Grabouw. Cost: R1 150 for a five-day week. Contact Lanie: 021 844 0000, 082 373 5162 or visit b2bcamps.co.za
Buffalo Drift kids camp Action-packed camp for children ages 8–13 years. 13–18, 20–25 and 27–30 June. Venue: Buffalo Drift on Ruigtevlei Farm, R700, Porterville. Cost: 5 days: R2 000 per child, 3 days: R1 000 per child. Contact Joy: 082 258 3764, joy@ buffalodrift.co.za or visit buffalodrift.co.za Bushmans Kloof family fun getaways A three-night wilderness special with a children’s programme, while parents relax. Many family activities on offer, including “live” screenings of your favourite soccer matches. 11–14, 14–17 and 17–20 June. Venue: Bushmans Kloof in the Cederberg. Cost: from R2 300 per person sharing per night, includes luxury accommodation, all meals,
lodging and children’s activities. Contact: 021 481 1860, info@bushmanskloof.co.za or visit bushmanskloof.co.za Canal Walk presents Disney’s Jungle Book Kids Join Mowgli, Shere Khan, Baloo and King Louie as they embark on an adventure through the lush jungles of India. 10 June–10 July. Time: 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm. Except on Sundays. Venue: Canal Walk. Cost: R50 per person. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 Enrol your child in the Junior Biologist winter programme where 11- to 13year-olds learn all about the ocean and its inhabitants. This interactive, handson course opens your child’s mind to a wonderful underwater world. 21–23 and 28–30 June. Venue: Two Oceans Aquarium. Cost: R300 for three days (special offer: R420 includes Shoreline Café meals). For bookings and enquiries contact: 021 418 3823 or education@aquarium.co.za Holiday Art Workshops at the Frank Joubert Art Centre A variety of workshops for Grades R–7. Each morning covers a different topic. Time: 9:30am–noon. Venue: Frank Joubert Art Centre, Vredenhof Rd, Newlands. Cost: R70 per morning. Contact Gabby: gabby@circlestories.co.za Iziko holiday activities These include puppet workshops 22–24 June, Cape Malay cooking workshops 15 and 17 June, mosaic workshops 6–8 July, make your own soccer board game 29 June–1 July,
Cape Town’s
treasure hunt 29 June–1 July and Silly Solly and the Shooting Stars at the Planetarium 10 June–12 July. Appropriate for children ages 4–12 years – but enquire per specific activity. Time: varies. Venue: Iziko South African Museums. Cost: varies. For more info contact Najwa: 021 481 3817 Jabulani World Cup drumming show This holiday, Drumkidz will come to a venue of your choice to teach you to drum to World Cup songs and play the vuvuzela drum anthem. Ends 12 July. Call to enquire about times and costs. Contact Andy or Rose: 021 434 7610, info@drumkidz.co.za or visit drumkidz.co.za Kiddiecraft school holiday fun Craft activities for children from 4 years and older. 14 June–6 July. Time: every Monday and Tuesday, 9am–noon. Venue: Kenilworth. Helen O’Grady Drama Academy workshops
Cape Town’s
Cost: call to enquire. Contact Erna: 021 797 6985 or 072 742 2115 Kidi-venture winter holiday club 21 June–9 July. For children ages 5–9 years and 10–14 years. Time: Monday–Friday, 7:30am–5:30pm. Venue: Rustenburg Girls High School, Rondebosch. Cost: R125–R145 for a full day. Contact: 0861 343 738 Kidz Discovery holiday club Offers 3- to 7-year-olds art and crafts, baking, facepainting, dress up, role play, clambering on climbing walls and jungle gym, dancing, story-time and more. Time: 9:30am– 12:30pm. Monday–Friday, excluding public holidays and 21 June. Early drop-offs from 8:30am at an extra fee. Cost: R110, including a full snack and baking and craft materials per day. Numbers are limited. Contact Kathy: 083 654 2494 or visit kidzdiscovery.co.za
Kidz Get Wild American-style children’s holiday camps for 7- to 14-year-olds. Venue: Waterval, Tulbagh. Cost: from R395 per day includes accommodation, activities, meals and entertainment. Contact: 021 712 6715, ctchild@kgw.co.za or visit kgw.co.za Kindermusik holiday programme Music, stories and activities designed for a lifetime of learning. Enquire about the Family Time programme. Bergvliet: 28 June–2 July; and Milnerton, Gardens and Hout Bay: 21 June–2 July. Time: varies. Venue: Bergvliet, Milnerton, Gardens and Hout Bay. Cost: R50 per 45-minute session (3 months–14 months), R60 per hour-session (14 months– 7 years), R50 per hour-session per child for Family Time. Contact: 076 814 7981 or visit kindermusikwithnats.co.za King’s Camps programme They have age-appropriate programmes for 5–10 years, 11–14 years and 14– 17 years olds. 14–18 June. Venue: St George’s Grammar School, Mowbray. Cost: from R600 per week. Contact: 021 300 1011, info@sa.kingscamps. org or visit kingscamps.org Manners4Minors Holiday Club Learn social skills and manners from their puppets
and do a related craft activity for children aged 3–7 years. 14, 15, 17 and 18 June. Venue: Tableview. Cost: R50 for 2 hour session. Contact Bianca: 083 407 6142, bianca@manners4minors.co.za or visit manners4minors.co.za MTN Sciencentre winter holiday programme Dance the Diski, decorate a vuvuzela or make a makarapa. Handson activities, science shows, experiments, demonstrations and more. 10 June– 12 July. Cost: R28 per child, R22 per adult (additional charges might apply to certain workshops). Contact: mtnsciencentre. org.za. Enquire about the MTN Sciencentre winter holiday day camps. Three fun-filled educational holiday camps for children aged 7–12 years. 21–25 June, 28 June–2 July and 5–9 July. Time: 9am–5pm. Costs: R650 (including daily lunch), R480 (excluding lunch). Contact: 021 529 8100 or visit mtnsciencentre.org.za Mural art classes by Mural Maniac 22, 29 June and 6 July. Booking is essential. Time: first class 9:45–11:30am; second class 12:45–2:30pm. Venue: Plattekloof Village Shopping Centre. Cost: first class free, second class R60. Contact: Renita 021 558 3506 or Theo: 021 559 6090 or theo@mailzone.co.za
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Pony Camp
Musical Stage School run by the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy 21–25 June. Three hours of tuition in singing, dance and drama by experts in the field of musical theatre. Work towards a workshop production at the end of the week. Cost: R900 for one week, includes a musical workshop performance on Friday 25 June. Contact: 021 674 7478, info@dramaafrica. com or visit dramaafrica.com Oxygen Adventures Camp Three days of great activities for young children in a safe, positive environment. 17–19 June. Time: Thursday 9am–Saturday 3pm. Venue: Riversdale. Cost: R650, including food and accommodation. Contact Eugene: 072 990 0359, riversdalryskool@vodamail.co.za or
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enquire about the Family Horse adventure 23–25 June. Playshed Open during holiday from Tuesday–Sunday 9am–5pm. Drop ‘n go children’s programme from 8am–noon. Cost: tbc. 14– 18 June and 21–25 June. Contact Madre: 074 196 2778 or Jeanne: 021 801 0142 Pony Camp The programme includes basic riding skills, outrides, discussion on horse-related topics, and fun and games on horseback. For ages 8–15 years. 14–16 June. Time: Monday 9am–Wednesday 3pm. Venue: Riversdale. Cost: R650, including food and accommodation. Contact Eugene: 072 990 0359, riversdalryskool@vodamail. co.za or visit riversdaleridingschool.co.za Ratanga Junction is open from 8 June–10 July. Time: 10am–5pm. Venue: Century City. Cost: adventurer (over 1,3m): R132, mini adventurer (under 1,3m): R65, fun pass (non rider): R40. Contact: 0861 200 300 Reggie’s Rush South Africa’s favourite children’s gaming show turns 18 this year. Sporting fresh and funky presenters, Reggie’s Rush has fantastic prizes like Nintendo Wiis, Nintendo DS Lites and thousands of rands worth of toys for 12 lucky contestants. Entry forms are available at Reggie’s stores countrywide. Entries close 14 June. To find out where
your nearest Reggie’s store is contact: 011 606 3700 or visit reggies.co.za Rondebosch Library Holiday Programme Register your child to join the reading programme. There are various themes. 15, 18, 23, 25, 30 June, and 2 and 7 July. Time: 10am. Venue: Rondebosch Library. Cost: free. Contact: 021 689 1100
Reggie’s Rush
Scallywags Play Café holiday club Fun for children 2–5 years old and 6–9 years old. Time: Monday–Saturday 9am– 5:30pm. Venue: 44 Belvedere Road, Claremont. Cost: call to enquire. Contact: 021 671 5988 or visit scallywagsplay cafe.co.za Scarecrows hosts special holiday activities for the children on select days over the June/July holiday. Time: varies.
Venue: Scarecrows, Hout Bay. Contact Natalie/Jayson: 021 790 0841, 087 802 5943, scarecrows.coffeeshop@gmail.com or visit scare-crows.co.za Soccer tournament in Fish Hoek Valley Children learn soccer skills, play a game and have a snack while watching a World Cup game on the big screen. Venue: King of Kings Baptist Church. 11–26 June for children 7- to 12-years-old. Time: 1pm– 6pm. Contact: 021 785 4200 Somerset Mall Kids’ Soccer Karnival Jumping castle, children’s rides, a ball pond, soccer-themed entertainment plus children can support their favourite soccer team by having flags painted on their faces. Minders will watch your children, but parents must remain in the mini stadium. 18 June–4 July. Time: 11am–4pm daily. Venue: Somerset Mall centre court. Cost: R20 entry. For more info: visit somersetmall.co.za Sunscene Outdoor Adventures midyear holiday camp Two-day or five-day programmes. Sandboarding, adventure course, nature walks, junk art and surfing. For more info: 021 783 0203, 084 352 4925, info@sunscene.co.za or visit sunscene.co.za Table Mountain Cableway’s family winter special Two children under 18 years ride for free with one full-paying adult. Ends 31 October. Time: valid over weekends, public holidays and throughout the school holiday. Venue: Table Mountain
Cape Town’s
Cableway. Cost: adults R160, which includes two children under 18 years. Contact: 021 424 8181 or visit tablemountain.net The Range Holiday Club 14–18 and 21–25 June, 28 June–2 July. Time: 7:30am– 1pm. Venue: The Range, Orpen Rd, Tokai. Cost: R100 per day. Contact: 021 713 2340 or info@therange.co.za Tyger Valley’s Kidzville child-minding service, which includes face-painting and dress up. 10 June–12 July. Time: 10am– 5pm. Venue: Promotions Court, Tyger Valley. Cost: free. For more info: visit tygervalley.co.za Table Mountain Cableway
Soccer fever has kicked off at Build-A-Bear Workshop with the cutest soccer bears and soccer kits plus the chance for children to make their very own Zakumis. While in store, children can also personalise their other furry friends. Also during the holiday, children can learn the Diski Dance and receive a commemorative Diski Dance certificate that gives your child 10% off any merchandise. Build-A-Bear Workshop stores situated in Cape Town are in V&A Waterfront, Canal Walk and Somerset Mall. For more info: bearemy@buildabear.co.za or visit buildabear.co.za
Cape Town’s
Winter Wonders Holiday Kiddies’ Programme Enjoy magicians, puppet shows, and art and crafts. Perfect for children under 10. 9 June–7 July. Time: 11am–noon. Venue: Silver Tree Restaurant, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Rhodes Dr, Newlands. Cost: free. Contact: 021 762 9585 or visit kirstenboschrestaurant.com
markets Constantia Waldorf monthly night market Every last Friday, 5pm–9pm. Venue: Constantia Waldorf School. Cost: free entry. Contact John: 082 631 0421
Earth Fair Market Stock up on your weekly food supplies and artisan products. Time: every Saturday 9am–2:30pm and every Wednesday 3pm–8pm. Venue: South Palms, Tokai Main Rd. Cost: free entry. Contact Jacqui: 084 220 3856 or info@ earthfairmarket.co.za Elkanah House Schoolyard Market Cakes, freshly baked bread, confectionery and more. There is plenty to do for children so enjoy a great family outing. 31 July. Time: 9am–1pm. Venue: Elkanah House, 85 Sunningdale Dr, Sunningdale. Cost: free entry. Contact Gail: 021 554 8644 Fresh produce market This small, new market takes place on the second Saturday of every month. Time: 9am–2pm. Venue: Jan van Riebeeck Primary School, next to Lifestyle Centre in Kloof St. To reserve a table, contact: 084 880 8757. For more info: visit wellnesswarehouse.com Greenmarket Square is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, situated in a large cobblestone square in the CBD. Time: Monday–Friday 9am– 4pm and Saturday 9am–3pm. Venue: 54 Shortmarket St. Contact: 021 426 1052 or visit greenmarkersquare.com Nitida’s Farmers’ Market Entertainment for children and food from around the world. 31 July. Time: 8:30am–1pm. Venue: Nitida Cellars on the M13, Durbanville Hills. Cost: free entry. Contact Getha: 083 651 0699 or getha@nitida.co.za
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Porter Estate Produce Market Every Saturday, weather permitting. Proceeds go to charity. Time: 9am–1pm. Venue: Tokai. Cost: R5 per car. Contact: 082 334 5434, 082 823 4121, office@pepmarket.co.za or visit pepmarket.co.za Timour Hall Road Organic Market A small, quiet organic food market held every Saturday. Time: 9:30am–noon. Venue: Christian Community Centre, Timour Hall Rd, Plumstead. Cost: free entry. Contact: rdo@telkomsa.net Waldorf Organic Food Market For organic and natural produce every Saturday. Time: 8am–1pm. Venue: Tweefontein Farm, Stellenbosch. Cost: free entry. Contact: 021 880 1039, stellenbosch@waldorfschool. org.za or visit waldorfschool.org.za
Markets
Fugard Theatre, District Six. Book through Fugard Theatre box office: 021 461 4554 or visit thefugard.com Just So Stories Ideal for ages 4–12 years. Ends 10 July. Time: 11am. Venue: Roxy theatre at GrandWest Casino. Cost: R40. For more info: visit showworks.co.za or book through Computicket: 083 915 8000
on stage and screen Aesop’s Fables Classic stories in the show include The Tortoise and the Hare, The Lion and the Goat, The Stork and the Wolf. Time and cost: Tuesday 7pm–R70, Wednesday 3pm R70 and 7pm R90, Thursday 7pm R90, Friday 7pm R120, Saturday 11am R70, 3pm R90 and 7pm R120. Children under 12 half price on all tickets. Students and pensioners Tuesday–Thursday and Saturday matinee: R70. Student and pensioner bookings an hour before all other shows: R70. Venue: The
Just So Stories
Noddy’s Adventures in Toyland Join Noddy and his friends. 10–26 June, excluding 13, 16, 17 and 20 June. Time: 10:30am. Venue: Artscape Foyer. Cost: R40. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or Artscape Dial-a-Seat: 021 421 7695
Pinocchio The Lilliput Children’s Theatre Company performs the children’s classic. 10–26 June. Time: Monday–Saturday, 10:30am and noon. Venue: Concert Hall, Baxter Theatre. The 45-minute show is ideal fairytale fun for the whole family. Cost: R35. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000, visit computicket.com or call the Baxter Theatre: 021 685 7880. For block bookings or queries contact Elton: 021 558 2650 or 083 364 8284. For more information on the Lilliput Players, visit lilliputplayers.co.za Sleeping Beauty An all-time fairytale classic is on this holiday. Time: 16 and 17 June 10:30am and 2pm; 18 June 10:30am. Venue: Gail Petersen’s children’s theatre, Voortrekker Hall, Kenridge Primary School. Cost: R20. Contact Gail: 021 913 6878 Sneeuwitjie The Afrikaans version of this will show on 19 June. Time: doors open at 12pm for lunch, show starts at 1:30pm. Venue: Die Boer Restaurant. Cost: R50 for the show, meal is extra as per menu. Contact: 021 979 1911 or visit dieboer.com Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (June) and Rumpelstilskin (July) is on at the Rainbow Puppet Theatre. Perfect for children 4 years and older. Time: every Saturday morning 10am and 11:15am. Venue: The Rainbow Puppet Theatre, Constantia Waldorf
family marketplace
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School. Cost: R20 per person. Contact: 021 783 2063, 021 794 2103, or the rainbow.puppettheatre@gmail.com
of Africa in marzipan. Venue: Asara Wine Estate, Polkadraai Rd, Stellenbosch. Cost: R150. Contact: 021 888 8000 Story hour at Kloof Street’s Exclusive Books Catch story hour every second Saturday. Children receive a snack pack before completing a quiz and standing a chance to win books. Time: 10am–11:30am. Venue: Exclusive Books, Lifestyle Centre, Kloof St. Cost: free. Contact: 021 426 2977
playtime and story-time Bugz Playpark holiday programme Each day promises fun activities and indoor or outdoor play in a safe, supervised environment. For 4- to 10-year-olds. Lunch included. 14 June–9 July. Time: 8:30am– 5:30pm. Venue: Bugz Family Playpark, 56 Tarentaal Str, Joostenbergvlakte, Kraaifontein. Cost: R100 per child per day; five-day package: R450 per child. Booking essential. Contact Marna or Anneli: 021 988 8836 or bugzparty@mwebbiz. co.za to obtain a booking form. Children’s story-time at The Book Lounge Time: every Saturday at 11am. Venue: 71 Roeland St, Cape Town. Cost: free. Contact: 021 462 2425, booklounge@ gmail.com or visit booklounge.co.za. Claremont Civic Centre holiday activities All librarians on hand with crafts and games. The line-up is as follows: Magic Show 17 June; Puppet Show 24 June; Soccer Talk for children by students of the Cape United Soccer School of Excellence 1 July. Time: 10:30am–12:30pm. Venue: Claremont Civic Centre. Cost: free. Contact Claremont Library: 021 674 4195
Cape Town’s
sport and physical activities Escape 2010 madness with Felix Unite standard two- and three-day Breede River trips A river-rafting experience that includes food, accommodation and outdoor activities. Enquire about their four- and sixday adventure on the Orange River. Age: suitable for families with children 6 years and older. Two day 11–13, 14–16, 18–20, 21–23, 25–27 June, three day:
Story hour at Exclusive Books
Jimmy Jungles is an indoor adventure playground that offers supervised, secure facilities for children from 6 months to 9 years old. Time: 9am–5pm. Venue: Tyger Valley and Claremont. Cost: R75 per child (single fare). Contact: 021 914 1705 Marzipan Safari Pastry chef Bernd Strauss shows little ones how to make the animals
Headstart swimming booster clinics The established swim school, Headstart, runs holiday booster clinics for children at its heated, indoor pool. One-on-one lessons with an experienced swimming teacher cater for beginners and those learning the four strokes. Ages 2 to 8 years welcome. Time: 8am–5pm. Venue: 104 Queen Victoria Rd, Claremont. (Cnr Queen Victoria and Belvedere Roads.) Cost: R65 per lesson. Contact Rochelle: 021 674 7681, headstartswim@gmail.com or visit headstartswim.co.za
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1–4 July. Venue: Felix Unite Breede River Round the Bend Lodge, Swellendam. Cost for the two-day event for adults: R1 395, under 18s: R1 295, under 12s: R895. Three days for adults: R2 125, under 18s: R2 030, under 12s: R1 650 or family special for four only: R6 750. Contact Tarryn: 021 702 9400 or tarryn@felix.co.za The Sporting Academy offers one- to four-day holiday clinics. Soccer, swimming and horse riding plus hip-hop dancing for girls. For children 5–13 years at 14 venues in the southern suburbs and False Bay regions. 10 June–12 July. From 2–8 hours per day. Cost: between R100 per day and R340 for four days. Contact: 084 777 1212 Waterfront Football Focus Join a Football Fundi on the stage every day as he interviews key people in the football arena. You will have an opportunity to give your opinion and feedback about players and matches. The days will be jam packed with fun such as a juggling
Waterfront football focus
competition and children’s entertainment offering – the craft market and Pearl Valley. Call to enquire about the amphitheatre’s movie screenings, held every evening. 12 June–11 July. Time: daily noon– 1:30pm and 3:30pm–4pm. Venue: V&A Waterfront amphitheatre. Cost: free. Contact: 021 405 4500 or visit waterfront.co.za
Continuing education programme A detailed prospectus can be found on the school’s website, in the foyer of the school or at your local library. Time: the various courses are on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7pm–9pm, and Saturday 9am–1pm. Venue: Bergvliet High School. Cost: varies. Contact: 021 712 0979, kathy.miles@ananzi.co.za or visit bhs.org.za Fine Women Business Network Breakfast Women’s Intuition – the unfair advantage. Learn how changes in personal core belief systems lead to mental clarity and emotional stability, which influence your ability to make innovative decisions. 23 June. Booking essential. Also, on 28 July learn about The three Ps of becoming powerful in business. Time: arrive 8am, starts 8:30am–10am. Venue: Belmont Conference Centre, Rondebosch. Cost R741, includes teas and lunch. Contact: patti@finewomen.co.za First Aid for babies and toddlers For parents, au pairs and other family members. Three-hour course covers CPR, paediatric first aid and child safety. 5 and 17 June. Time: tbc. Venue: Baby Clinic, above Deer Park Café. Cost: R300. Contact: karin@supernannies.co.za Holistic Kids Reflexology Course for Parents 5–6 June. Time: 5 June: 9am–1pm and 6 June: 9am–11am. Venue: IDUN Wellness Centre, Edgemead. Cost: R500, includes a manual, foot chart and practical session. For more info or to book a place call Charné: 082 466 7925 or charnedk@ mweb.co.za Kundalini yoga 5-week course Kundalini yoga is one of the fastest ways to shape up physically, mentally and spiritually using poses, mantras, meditation and relaxation. The yoga class is for adults but they have a free childcare facility where your children can have fun while you exercise. Time:
only for parents classes, talks and workshops Childcare classes with Cape Town Medi-Clinic Also ideal for caregivers and au pairs. The course covers accredited CPR and first aid tuition, childcare, safety and hygiene, nutrition, stimulation, development and creating positive boundaries. Time: 21 June: 1pm–4pm, 23 and 25 June: 9:30am–1pm and 26 June: 9:30am–3pm. Venue: Intercare Medical Centre, Parklands. 21, 23, 25 and 26 June. Each delegate receives a childcare certificate and manual and a CPR and first aid certification card and manual. Cost: R1 350 per person. Contact Daniele: 084 593 2314 or danola@mweb.co.za Comprehensive nanny training course For certified baby and childcare training in first aid/CPR, safety, cooking, infant care and education play. 14 July–4 August. Time: every Wednesday, call to enquire about time. Venue: Rondebosch Baby Clinic, Victoria House. Cost: email to enquire. Contact: info@supernannies.co.za
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noon–2pm. Venue: St. Joseph’s Marist College, 21 Belmont Rd, Rondebosch. Cost: R250 for the class, R65 for drop-ins. Contact Jai: 082 853 1724 Mixed Media Art Classes Basic techniques and mixed media, focusing on developing art-making skills at your own pace. Time: tbc. Venue: Kirstenhof. Cost: call to enquire. Contact Natasja: 083 472 8368 or visit art.co.za Network at Nine Network group for small home-based businesses and entrepreneurs. 3 June and 1 July. Time: 9am–11am. Venue: to be advised depending on group size. Contact Carol: 021 671 0364 or 084 990 0244
Le Grande Cirque, Fantazie
Numeracy, literacy and handwriting workshop for parents and teachers of 3to 7-year-olds. Learn to use what you have at home. 24 July. Time: 10am–11:15am. Venue: 11 Middleton Rd, Claremont. Cost: R70 at the door. Contact: rlighton@mweb. co.za or visit reneelighton.co.za Sugar and Spice Nanny Training courses in Claremont: 14 July–4 August and in Green Point: 23 July–13 August. Time: Claremont: every Wednesday 1:30pm–4:30pm and Green Point: every Friday 9am–noon. Venue and cost: call to enquire. Contact Kirsten: 083 406 0028, kmcintosh@telkomsa.net or visit nannytraining.co.za
on stage and screen African Songbook A musical tribute to the life of Nelson Mandela, from the choral music of the Transkei to the jive dancing in the dance halls of the ’50s and to the contemporary sounds of the ’80s. This is a musical and visual journey through the cultural landscape of South Africa. 17 and 19 June. Time: 2pm and 7:30pm. Venue: Opera House, Artscape. DF Malan Dr, Foreshore. Cost: from R100. Contact Lesley: 021 410 9820, lesleyl@capetownopera. co.za or visit capetownopera.co.za Der Rosenkavalier A lavish period opera, with glamorous characters and the seductive sounds of Richard Strauss’s grand opera. Suitable for children aged 13 and older. 29 May–9 June. Time: 7:30pm. Venue: Opera House, Artscape Theatre, DF Malan Drive Foreshore. Cost: from R100. Contact Lesley: 021 410 9820, lesleyl@capetownopera. co.za or visit capetownopera.co.za Le Grand Cirque, Fantazie Described as the next generation of Cirque du Soleil, this is an amazing show of acrobatics for the whole family. Special family packages available. 26 June–10 July. Show times: 2pm, 3pm and 7:30pm. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or Artscape Dial-a-Seat: 021 421 7695. Rainbow Room Jazz Club This upmarket basement venue sees performances by South Africa’s finest musicians and is set to uphold the standards of top international
jazz venues. Contact: 021 422 1428, events@therainbowexperience.co.za or for the line-up visit therainbowexperience. co.za
support groups Cape Support for Mental Health A support group for the families and friends of people who suffer from schizophrenia. Contact Heather: 021 671 1573, Ruby: 021 674 1419, Joyce: 021 788 8071(h), 021 788 8951(w) or capesupport@eject.co.za Compassionate Friends Support for bereaved parents and siblings. If you need someone to talk to: 011 440 6322 from Monday to Friday, 9am–1pm. An after hours number is available. For more info: visit compassionatefriends.org.za Fountain House South Africa Specialised rehabilitation and education for bipolar affective disorder and schizophrenia. Venue: 227 Lower Main Rd, Observatory. Contact: 021 447 7409, 021 447 4415 or coordinator@fountainhouse.org.za Friends First Support group for mood and anxiety disorders, after hours and weekends. Venue: 6 Kudu Rd, Ruwari, Brackenfell. Contact Rose: 021 981 4040 (after hours), 021 406 2111 (office hours) Western Cape Bipolar Association For support and information on bipolar disorder. Northern Suburbs. Time: 7pm on the first Tuesday of each month. Venue: Claro Clinic, N1 City (Douglas St). Cost: free. Contact: 072 424 1812, info@bipolar. co.za. Southern Suburbs. Time: 7:45pm on the third Tuesday of each month. Venue: Crescent Clinic, 269 Main Rd, Kenilworth. Cost: free. Contact Jay: 072 424 1812, info@bipolar.co.za or visit bipolar.co.za
bump, baby & Tot in tow
classes, talks and workshops Babies read books, toddlers too Sharon Geffen, an expert children’s librarian, presents a talk and workshop Cape Town’s
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on the importance of early literacy. 9 June. Time: 6:30pm. Venue: Kloof Street Library, 22A Kloof St, Gardens. Cost: R40. Book your place by 7 June by contacting Sharon: 082 222 4082 Moms and Babes Fish Hoek and Moms and Tots Rondebosch Holiday classes. Moms and Tots contact Ridza: 021 685 2393 or 082 677 3959. Moms and Babes contact Tabera: 021 785 5962 or 082 840 1379 Moms and Babes Workshop, Claremont Book fun-filled classes with your babies aged 2–12 months. Contact Di: 021 6718 690 or reesdi@mweb.co.za Paediatric First Aid Training Course Infant and child CPR training included. Read more about first aid training at trainingfirstaid.co.za. 9 July. Time: 8:30am– 4pm. Venue: Nutwood Forest Montessori Preschool, Green Point. Cost: R210, which includes book, gloves and CPR mask. Contact: 021 439 4874 or 082 375 8296 Parents-to-be, moms-to-be and moms and babies group Time: Every Thursday 10am–noon. Venue: Kingsbury Maternity Hospital, maternity section, second floor, Wilderness Rd, Claremont. Cost: R35, including refreshments. Contact: 021 762 0116, zaiboe@theparentcentre. org.za or visit theparentcentre.org.za The Mama Bamba Way Weekend Workshop Birth preparation classes to create an empowering, transformative birth experience for women. 19–20 June; 3–4 July. Cost: R1 500 per couple. The course comprises 15 hours of group instruction and includes the book, The Mama Bamba Way: Inner Pathways Back to the Power and Pleasure of Birth and the CD, The Mama Bamba Way: Guided Relaxation For Birth. Maximum six couples per class. Time: 10am–5pm each day. Venue: The Long House, Dreyersdal Farm Rd, Bergvliet. To book contact Robyn: 021 715 0525, robynsheldon@mweb.co.za or visit mamabamba.co.za
playtime and story-time Kidz Discovery Holiday Club Thursday 17 and 24 June; 1 and 8 July. Special clubs for children 18 months to under 3 years, to be accompanied by an adult. Time: 9:30am–noon. Venue: Camps Bay. Cost: R100 per morning including snacks and craft materials. Contact Kathy: 083 654 2494 or visit kidzdiscovery.co.za Clamber Club toddler programme Divided into three age groups for children
it’s
party time Babies read books, toddlers too
within the ages of 9 months and 3 years. These movement classes have props and action music to keep young minds interested. A different theme each week is geared towards your child’s motor skill development. Time, venue and cost: call to enquire. Contact: Lauren (Atlantic Seaboard): 082 789 0374, Leilani (Durbanville): 083 290 2526, Taryn (Somerset West): 083 427 0502, Adrianna (Constantia): 083 339 1800 or visit clamberclub.com
support groups La Leche League’s breastfeeding support groups for pregnant and nursing mothers. Panorama: Monday 7 June. Contact Rosemary: 021 910 0606 or Irma: 073 513 1056. Durbanville: Tuesday 8 June. Contact Trudy: 021 913 2816 or Tiffany: 021 913 3586. Parow: Wednesday 16 June. Contact Dilshaad: 021 930 2475. Support groups for July: Panorama: Monday 5 July. Contact Rosemary: 021 910 0606 or Irma: 073 513 1056. Durbanville: Tuesday 13 July. Contact Trudy: 021 913 2816 or Tiffany: 021 913 3586. Parow: Wednesday 21 July. Contact Dilshaad: 021 930 2475. Time: 10am. Cost: free. Post-Natal Depression and Anxiety (PNDSA) Supports women who suffer from postnatal depression. Contact Colleen: 021 671 6195 SA Multiple Birth Association Support for parents expecting twins, triplets or more. Contact: 0861 432 432, secretary@ samultiplebirth.co.za or visit samultiple birth.co.za
how to help Chic Mamas Do Care is a non-profit organisation that raises funds for various upliftment programmes in the Cape Town
community. They are currently raising funds for an Edutainer by Bright Kid Foundation. They hold fashion exchange parties once a month where they sell donated garments that are still in good condition. Time: 13 June and 24 July, 10am–2pm. Venue: Tokai Library. Cost: free. For quality clothing donations contact: 083 715 9308 and for more info on Bright Kid Foundation visit brightkid.co.za iThemba House This non-profit organisation needs financial contributions to pay salaries as well as cover rent, food, clothing and everything else that is required to make a home for 6–8 children in need. They also need volunteers. The children at iThemba range from new-born babies to six-year-olds, who are placed with them by Child Welfare in Hout Bay. At the safe house, they provide trauma counselling, play therapy and drama workshops as well as looking after all their medical, nutritional and emotional needs. Contact Yvonne: 021 712 7118, 082 411 6777, yvonneg@ ithembahouse.co.za or for more info: visit ithembahouse.co.za South African National Blood Service All South African citizens are asked to donate blood to increase supplies during the 2010 Fifa World Cup. Donor centres are located throughout the province as are mobile clinics, hosted by major shopping centres during the school holiday. Only South African residents are eligible to donate. For more info: visit sanbs.org.za The Smile Foundation Celebrates its 10th birthday this year and is committed to helping impoverished and facially disfigured children. During National Smile Week (7–11 June), operations are scheduled for over 50 facially disfigured children nationally. Support them by volunteering or making a donation. Visit smilefoundationsa.org
don’t miss out! For a free listing, email your event to lucille@childmag.co.za or fax it to 021 462 2680. Information must be received by 9 July for the August issue. Information submitted for the calendar must include all relevant details and no guarantee can be given that it will be published. Clamber Club
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it’s party time continued...
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last laugh
mommy’s hobbies What should moms do with their time off? SAM WILSON has a maternal crisis of activity.
i
t recently occurred to me that my major hobby has been, well, going out for a few drinks with the girls. Or the boys. Or a combination of both. I don’t think I’m that unusual. And if it’s not that often, I’m not driving, and it sends me back to my family recharged, that’s not such a bad thing, is it? I didn’t used to think so. But now, as my sons grow older, I’ve become concerned that they are going to think that the odd night on the town equates to Mommy’s only hobby. “Don’t be such a drama queen,” said Andreas, when I explained my theory to him. “Okay, then riddle me this, Mr Enabler,” I replied. (I overreact when people tell me I am overreacting.) “What are my hobbies?” ’Dreas did that quizzical side-to-side eye
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thing that scientists do when an answer isn’t immediately apparent. This resulted in a rather laden pause, which was all I needed to fuel my mini-freak out. “See? See?” This was about a month ago. And I am happy to report that, just over four weeks later, I am positively awash with hobbies. The onset of winter has helped. I dug out my knitting needles and dragged the boys down to the wool shop to choose colours for striped V-neck sweaters. They were terribly, terribly sweet about it, even though every primary schooler much prefers a fleecy top to a mommy-made double knit. The only children who actually need knitwear are little girls who need ballet jerseys, and even my sweet boys won’t go that far to appease their mom’s new obsession.
Knitting is much more fun than I remember. Admittedly, I did learn to knit when I was a wee person at a strict convent school, so it took me a while to rid myself of the need to powder my palms before putting wool ’round needle and to exorcise the urge to raise my hand proudly every time I completed an error-free row. The secret of knitting, I have discovered, is that it makes sitting on the sofa watching TV feel positively industrious. Knitting is the new-millennium equivalent of spinning your own yarn – quaint, but cool, if you can do it. Next, I unearthed my yoga mat. This was also very rewarding, mostly because I can still do a pretty solid headstand, which impressed the children quite comprehensively. I may be slightly less
supple than when last the yoga mat and I met, but at least I am now more relaxed about calling 10 minutes of the Corpse Pose “exercise”. However, the pièce de résistance was reframing some of my household duties. Walking the dogs counts as a hobby. As does cooking dinner. And weirdly enough, both have become much more fun… thanks to this simple renaming. I am always surprised by how much a mere perspective change can make everything all right again. I might even drink to that thought. Sam Wilson is the Editor-in-chief of Women24.com, Parent24.com and Food24.com. She has knitted her boss Deirdre a purple, brown and pink winter scarf. Deirdre is less than delighted.
Cape Town’s
PHOTOGRAPH: Andreas SpÄth
Joe, Sam and Benj