Issue 58 | Family Times Dunedin | Summer 2013

ISSN 2324 4526 ISSN 2324 4534

DUNEDIN / ISSUE 58 / Summer 2013

Experience It; Challenge Yourself; Go For It.

5

Blended families and Christmas Keeping the peace and building bridges

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Stay-at-home dads Growing trend or media hype?

A news magazine and online resource for families

8

Words of wisdom Your questions answered!

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P S play space PLAYSPACE is a brand new children’s play and activity area at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery. It features a GIANT coloured blackboard; a magnetic WALL OF DOTS to display children’s artwork; two activity tables and a quiet and comfortable reading nook.

FREE 10am – 5pm every day!

30 The Octagon. www.dunedinartmuseum ph 474 3240. A Department of the Dunedin City Council

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS “Year of the Horse” 31 January 2014 at the Dunedin Chinese Garden – FREE ENTRY! – Otago Settlers Museum) Cnr Cumberland & Rattray Streets (beside Toitu www.dunedinchinesegarden.com 2

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Contents

From the editor

Features

8

Words of wisdom

5

8

Flying with children

Blended families and Christmas

Question and answers with Diane Levy Sanity saving ideas

How to make the most of the season’s festivities

8

5

9 Stay-at-home dads

Tips to help children enjoy reading

14 Camping

A growing trend?

Family-friendly recommended destinations

15 Fit families

6

Sustainable physical activity

16 Kiwi coastlines

Get involved - how kids are helping clean our shores

17 Baby and toddler

here’s a lot of trending about stay-athome dads these days. From reading media reports, you’d almost imagine that every second home has one.

That’s not quite the case, although Statistics New Zealand doesn’t have information available about exactly how many dads are fulltime caregivers in their families.

What we can gather though, from statistics overseas, is that there are more households in Western countries who have the father as a fulltime caregiver than there were 20 or 30 years ago. So we at Family Times thought we’d better investigate and find out about stay-at-home dads in New Zealand.

Regardless of the reasons why men become full-time care-givers to their children, which you can read more about in our main feature on page 8, the overwhelming comment from stay-at-home dads that Family Times talked with was something that women have been saying for generations – being a stay-at-home parent is by far the hardest job you can take on.

The biggest challenge, said the dads, was the isolation and lack of adult interaction – again, something that stay-at-home mums know all about. But for dads that’s often compounded by lack of support groups or parenting networks for dads. And they feel a bit weird about joining women’s groups.

Experts that Family Times spoke with also said that there are a lot more expectations on all dads these days, not just those who are full-time care-givers of their children. More and more dads are becoming involved in day-to-day engagement with their children; simple things like making school lunches, transporting their kids to and from school, and being a more active participator in their

children’s hobbies and sports. At one school I know of, there is a “dad’s club” that hangs around for the 3pm bell to collect their children, indicating that either their jobs are super flexible or parents today are sharing both work and home responsibilities to a greater degree.

Whatever the situation, with the holiday season just around the corner it’s a great time of year for parents to consider how they share the parenting load and ensure that they are both making the most of the precious growing up years with their kids.

And while you are thinking about all the fun of the silly season ahead, check out all the fantastic events that are coming up in your area in this edition of Family Times, and be in to win our exciting competitions.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of the Family Times team.

Reaching milestones

Comment 10 Kids’ view

Special features 4

Spirit of Christmas

Resource information 12 13 17 18

At Arthur Barnett we stock only the finest fashion for newborn to 14 years

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Toys and gifts

Publisher Robyn Willis Design & Production Moody Shokry Advert Production Target Press Production Office Editor Vanessa O’Brien Assistant editor Rachel Taniwha Digital editor Rochelle Savage

Media Executives Shona Robb, Nicky Barnett, Jane Hunter, Naomh Cusin, Penny Leary , Linda Radovancich Office Manager Raelyn hay Office Assistant Jackie Pithie

Contributing Writers Rosanna Hill, Diane Levy, Cathy Robson Fiona Oliphant, Jackie Cowan, Nick Draper Reach us at: Family Publishers (NZ), P.O. Box 36-004, Christchurch 8146, NZ Ph. 03-355-9186 0800285 510 Fax: 03 3559 183 Mobile. 0274-359-414 admin@familytimes.co.nz www.familytimes.co.nz Distribution Printed and distributed quarterly approximately two weeks before each major school holiday.

13,500 are circulated through early childhood centres, primary and intermediate schools, The Dunedin City Event Shop, selected medical and midwifery premises and McDonalds Restaurants. The opinions expressed in this publication are not those of the publisher unless indicated otherwise. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the expressed written permission of the publisher.

Family Times is not responsible for unsolicited material. Family Times is funded and published solely through the support of its advertisers. They support us, so please support them.

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Spirit of Christmas It’s the most wonderful time Details at www.wishingtree.kmart.co.nz. of the year! Treat the family 1 December Dunedin Santa Parade. Christmas kicks to festive activities sure to off with this ever popular family favourite. get everybody in the spirit of George Street through to Octagon, 3pm. the season.

4 December December

Christmas Crafts. Be inspired and create glorious and fanciful Christmas decorations.

Decorate the pine tree or take them home.

Dunedin Public Art Gallery, 10am-4.30pm.

December

The Great KidsCan Santa Run. A multitude of Santas hit the streets in a fun run fundraiser for KidsCan. St Clair Surf Life Saving Club, 6.30pm.

9 December-2 January 2014

Food bank appeal. Donate cans or nonperishable food items under the Christmas tree at the Dunedin Public Art Gallery.

Pixie Town. Watch the pixies frolic, dress up like a pixie and enjoy Christmas crafts and books.

Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 10am-12noon, 1pm-4pm, late night Thursday 5pm-7pm.

Now – 24 December

10 December

Kmart Wishing Tree Give the gift of generosity this Christmas.

Place a present under a Kmart Wishing Tree.

Gifts do not have to be purchased at Kmart.

Handel’s Messiah. City Choir Dunedin with the Southern Sinfonia presents this much loved piece, performed around the world during the Christmas season. Dunedin Town Hall,

Naughty pixies get up to all kinds of mischief at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

7.30pm. For tickets phone 0800-224-224.

15 December Dunedin Harmony Chorus. Enjoy Christmas carols, performed in the Josephine Foyer. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 12.30pm-1.30pm.

Christmas Cracker Kids Triathlon. Be quick to register; event open to kids ages 6 to 11-years. For more information visit www. go2fitness.co.nz.

the traditional Victorian-inspired grotto in Animal Attic. Make a Christmas activity and have your face painted with a festive theme.

Otago Museum, 11am-4pm.

21-24 December The Kitchen - Christmas Cooking Classes. Make gingerbread houses, decorated cookies, cupcake trees and more!

Gift vouchers available also, visit www. thekitchencookingclasses.co.nz.

14-15 and 19-24 December

26 December

Santa at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

Make sure Santa’s checked his list! From 10am-12 noon, 1pm-4pm, and late night Thursday 5pm-7pm.

The Boxing Day Races. Pack a picnic of Christmas leftovers and unwind at the races with heaps of free, fun activities for the kids.

Wingatui Racecourse, Mosgiel from 12pm.

19-24 December

Compiled by Rosanna Hill

Santa’s Grotto. Join Santa and his elves in

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Come and explore, a fun & healthy way to spend the holidays!

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Blended families and Christmas

Blended families are a challenge at the best of times, but Christmas and the summer holidays can accentuate small issues and blow them up into big ones.

– it’s pretty cool. You’ve two bikes, because you’ve bikes at both houses. You’ve got two beds, so you’ve got more than some kids. And yeah, it is a hassle having to move between your mum’s and your dad’s, but you get two Christmases, which is good.”

Gift giving

It’s common for ex partners to try to “out give” their ex, or to have different standards Making an agreement about what kind of gifts are appropriate.

Child psychologist Rose Blackett recommends Wilson says that she is likely to spend more that ex-partners sit down and come to an on the children than her husband’s ex wife, agreement about Christmas arrangements, but buy more practical, boring gifts. Her but says that it’s a best case scenario, and husband’s ex tended to spend less but on many parents simply can’t do that without the more fun and frivolous things. Also, the kids help of mediation or the court system. often told both parents what they wanted and Sue Wilson* from Christchurch says that her it ended up with double-ups. husband’s ex-wife has had her husband’s two “We have challenges about buying gifts and boys, aged 10 and 12, for Christmas night we’ve got to the stage where I’ve said to my every year since the separation seven years husband, “you must check what she is buying ago, and it breaks her heart. because we don’t want double ups”,” said “It’s based on precedent – the days that we Wilson. Blackett said it was also common have the boys every week - and it never for one partner to feel anxious about how changes. "She tends to get her own way much they could spend on their children, because she is the mother. But we always particularly if they were not in the same tried to keep difficult parenting conversations financial position as their ex partner. away from the kids, no matter how young “If you can’t influence how much your partner they were.” is spending on the children, you just have to Wilson's husband and ex-wife had a let that go, otherwise you just spend years reasonably amicable split, says Wilson, and and it’s very bitter and people carry around a made their own childcare agreement rather lot of anger. Only look at things that you can than go through mediation and the court have an influence on.” system. They have the boys one night a week, Getting the kids involved every second weekend, and for extra time It’s important for blended families not to during the Christmas holidays. “What we’ve focus not on gift-giving or big Christmas said to the boys is “you get two Christmas’s dinners, but to relax and get used to each

HORSE RIDING LESSONS

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Fun and learning on a riding school horse or with your own horse.

other’s company and their new situation; particularly for kids spending their first Christmas together in new blended family situation, says Blackett.

“For children, if it’s a new relationship, or you have just moved in together, things like team building are quite fun; things like a treasure hunt so you get into teams and you have to work together to find the treasure. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It beats the boredom and helps build bridges in the relationships.

“A child that is not getting on with a new partner, who is like, “you took away my mum’s place or my dad’s place,” they have to work together to find the treasure. The focus becomes the treasure, and it takes the emotion out of it.”

food. Having Tim Tams on the table for breakfast one day a year is not going to kill you.

“If children have ownership of it, they enjoy it. Otherwise, kids can feel quite powerless in the situation. Letting them be a part of the Empower your children planning is going to be huge.”

It’s also vital for kids to be a part of the Wilson agrees. She and her husband give decision making about Christmas and summer the two boys plenty of notice about what is holiday events says Blackett, especially if it is planned, and for when, so that they feel secure the first holiday season as a blended family. and in control and know what to expect over “They need to be involved with what happens Christmas and the summer holidays. on a day-to-day basis; like a breakfast table at * Real name withheld to protect children's privacy Christmas time – let them choose a favourite

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feature story

Stay-at-home dads Are more guys giving up the daily grind to stay at home and nurture their little ones?

Vanessa O’Brien investigates.

changed. That was a bit awkward and disorientating, but I got used to that very quickly. As a parent you find routines. I love it now.”

That’s something that stay-at-home dad Andrew Snell, former manager of Burger King rian Sorell was a computer programmer in Hamilton, can relate to. in California, in a former life.

“The most difficult thing I think would be Nowadays, you are more likely to see him adjusting to different routines, because I had pushing a pram through the Auckland suburb been doing shift work. So some mornings I of Devonport with his three-year-old son would be up at five o’clock to start at seven, Charlie. and other times I would be working until It’s a choice that he and his wife Tanya made two in the mornings on the weekends. Then for practical reasons, Sorell said. everything changed.”

“We did talk a lot about it and we decided Snell’s wife, Marie, was diagnosed with single that financially it was better off that she work. level degenerative disc disease in the spine CUSTOMER CANCER SOCIETY OF NZ INC PUBLISHING 14/11/13 I was pretty burned out in the computer when she was pregnant with the couple’s REP really RAHARRISON CLUTHA LEADER programming worldSALES and I didn’t want second child, Amber, eight years PUBLICATION ago. Since ADVERTISING to do that anymore, DESIGNER and I wantedA.dixon to make then, Snell has been the full-time careSECTION giver of FEATURES this transition to New Zealand, so we felt it PROOF their three children; Bethany, 10, Amber, 7,SIZE 11X15 PROOFED 11/11/2013 a.m. was the ideal time - while everything was up 9:59:26 and Thane, 4. in the air.”

AD ID 5740644AA Snell says that he still misses work at times.FAX Sorell took over the full-time care of Charlie “Working for Burger King is quite interesting when Charlie was four-months-old. He and you get to meet a lot ofTHAT people. ANY That’s ALTERATIONS E APPROVE THIS AD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NOTE finished his philosophy degree and taught part something that I’m looking forward to getting time atMUST universityBE for aFINALISED while, but he’s been

BY OUR DEADLINE. into itMATERIAL again in a few months once Thane’s off strictly a full-time dad since immigrating to to school.”

New Zealand 18 months ago - with a little Brian and Tanya Sorell with their son Charlie.

Sorell agreed that isolation was the toughest parenting blogging and marketing writing on battle he faced. mums. It’s much harder to stay home than to conventional it was hard to meet other staythe side.

“It can be very, very isolating and super work. It’s really hard.” at-home parents. lonely. And I really felt that when we New routines “You go to the local playground and all of the Stay-at-home dads – trend emigrated I didn’t know anybody and my mums are sitting around chit chatting, and The hardest thing was adjusting to a new or hype? whole network was gone. you try to get involved but it’s always kind of routine – one that revolved solely around “It was hard; I’ll freely admit the first few Being a stay-at-home dad is still nonawkward and it’s hard to even put your finger Charlie, said Sorell. months were very hard. Day to day, it was traditional, said Sorell.

He and his wife on why.”

“It was strange to not get up and go to work just tough because there wasn’t anyone to Tanya didn’t know any other stay-at-home To his surprise though, once he became more every day when you’ve been in a routine chat with. I think absolutely it gave me a dads when they decided to structure their integrated in the community something he says for a long time and suddenly it’s completely tremendous appreciation for stay-at-home child care that way, and because it was nonhe had to make a concerted effort at – he

B

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5740644AA

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feature story

discovered that there were quite a few other stay-at-home dads in the Devonport area.

“We see each other at the parks all the time and we’ve all kind of struck up a good relationship I think.”

Statistics New Zealand does not have readily available data on whether more fathers are taking the role as primary care giver of their children or not. However, data from the United States’ 2011 census suggests that the number of stay-at-home dads there has more than doubled over the last decade and a half from about 76,000 in 1994 to 189,000 in 2011.

Yet among all U.S. married couples with children under 15, only 0.8 percent include a stay-at-home dad— up from about 0.3% in 1994—compared to 23% that include a stayat-home mum. Analysts conclude that for the most part, this is a result of single-parent families, and shared-care arrangements of children.

Senior lecturer in sociology at University of Auckland Vivienne Elizabeth says that in heterosexual families, the definition of fathering is broadening to include emotional ties with children in addition to bread-winning, and stay-at-home fathering is becoming more socially acceptable.

However, it is not a typical practice, and she says that in most cases it’s because fathers wish to reconsider their careers, retrain for a different careers, or have lost their jobs, and most view it as temporary.

“The role of fathers is changing and they are expected and expecting to becoming more involved in their children’s everyday lives, and undertaking more of the care work. But the extent of that change shouldn’t be exaggerated. Very few men withdraw from the labour market either partially or in totality following the birth of a child, even though this remains a common practice amongst mothers.”

Mothers, she said, continue to spend twice as much time looking after their children than fathers. Most of the time fathers are involved in caring work when mothers are also present, a pattern that suggests that fathers remain secondary carers in many heterosexual households.

Dads building closer relationships with their kids Sorell says he believes that dads should be

Tips for stay-at-home dads Whatever your reasons for deciding to be a stay-at-home dad, there are some things you can do to ease into it and make your new a role a success from the beginning.

1 Discuss your duties together with your partner

Before you officially become “stay-athome dad,” you and your partner should sit down to discuss exactly what that title entails. Obviously, you will be taking care of the kids. But does it include cooking dinner every night, doing the laundry and running all the errands? Create a list beforehand so they’ll be no arguments later on.

2 Figure out what works for you

Working out a new routine will be a challenge. Establish a daily routine that works for you and the kids - and don’t worry if mum lets you know that isn’t the way she would do it. Include her in the process, but don’t be afraid to do things at home your way.

3 Build a support system

Isolation is the number one complaint for many stay-at-home mums, and it’s no more closely involved in the day-to-day care of their children – not necessarily fulltime, but certainly more engaged.

“The good point about being a stay-at-home dad is absolutely my relationship with my little boy.

“The mum always has this super-tight relationship I think traditionally, and biologically, and I think it’s a lot of work for

different for stay-at-home dads. There’s only so much kids’ television a person can stand. So seek out other stay-at-homedads through support networks, or create your own group.

4 Make time for yourself

It’s easy to think your whole world needs to revolve around the kids, but that can lead to some serious burnout. Make time for “guy stuff” and make sure your prioritise it. Work out at the gym, play golf, go fishing – do childcare swaps if you need to, and return the favour later.

5 Don’t be Superman

Stay-at-home-dads need help sometimes, just like stay-at-home-mums. Don’t be afraid to ask for it, otherwise the stress of doing it all on your own will get to you.

Your sanity should be a top priority!

6 Take advantage of your status

Being a dad with a baby in a stroller is a ticket to VIP status. Accept offers to cut into lines, get faster to the cashier at a grocery store, and if you are flying alone with the baby, you will be treated like royalty. Take advantage of it. the dad to establish that same thing. But it’s given me the opportunity to do so and it’s really, really awesome.”

“Sometimes it is really rewarding,” added Snell.

“The good thing is definitely being able to go on field trips with the kindergarten, or going to awards ceremonies for end-of-year, and school things that otherwise I wouldn’t be able to. But I am looking forward to working again.”

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7

Words of wisdom Flying with children with Diane Levy With the long school holidays ahead, many families will be travelling overseas and domestically.

Single mother, angry daughter I am a single mother and have been noticing for years that my daughter has inherited her father’s anger and temper issues. Any tips on handling a stroppy preteen?

First tip

Think of her chronological age, which doesn’t vary, and her emotional age, which is variable depending on her stress level and tiredness.

Although this is true of all our children, when they are preteen it becomes accentuated.

So, even though you might have a 12-yearold body in front of you, her emotional age may be four or even younger. A simple task is suddenly insurmountable and she descends into a toddler rage. Make sure that you don’t descend with her.

Second tip

When it comes to anger and temper, a “wobbly” of despair and a “wobbly” of control look identical if we were to video them. We can only tell which one they are if we take notice of the context. The wobbly of control indicates “I am going to scream till you do it my way.” The wobbly of despair indicates “My life is over and I have no idea how I can cope.” (This may be over a mislaid hair-tie, but it is still a wobbly of despair).

A wobbly of despair needs you to support her feelings and understand how awful it is for her. A wobbly of control needs you to disengage, get out of the way, avoid reasoning with her or arguing with her and to keep your distance until she is prepared to treat you well. I call it “The GST approach.” You do not need to offer goods and services to someone who is being abusive to you.

Pocket money problems My 10 year old son often talks about and complains that his friends get more pocket money than him and get to stay up later etc. How can I handle this?

I suggest that you both do your research and then compare notes. He should ask his friends what amount of pocket money they get and then present you with a written list.

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for all.

Here are some tips to help with the adventure.

• When flying with small children, the best seats to reserve are the first row of seats in the plane (in economy). You will be facing a wall, however, there is more legroom here and most airlines will provide a basinet that hooks on to the wall. If you have flight time options, choose night flights.

The children are more likely to fall asleep.

• Consider two backpacks if two adults are travelling – one with practical items such as nappies, wipes, clothing and food, the other with entertainment such as puzzles, toys, books, colouring books and crayons.

• Pack plastic bags for wet or dirty clothes.

• Take plenty of nappies. Perfumed plastic bags are brilliant for smelly dirty nappies.

Out of consideration to other travellers, In the meantime, you check in with parents of don’t put dirty nappies in the rubbish bins similar-age children and make your own list. in the toilet. Cabin crew will dispose of While you both are doing your research, them if they are wrapped up in a sealed don’t forget to ask what the child has to bag. do to get the pocket money and what they • Pre-flight – any vaccinations needed for are allowed/expected to do with it. Some the countries you intend to visit? parents tie pocket money to chores and some • At the airport, walk around as much as parents give children pocket money as of right you can. because they are family members and expect • Think about buying a small stroller that chores also just because they are family folds down – this allows you to wheel members. your child around in it at the airport and As well as researching what happens in other right onto the plane if you get one small families, consider your own situation. As far as enough to fit down the aisle. bedtimes are concerned, the most important • Children’s ears sometimes hurt on takeconsideration is whether or not your son can off and landing. Get them to practice wake up easily at an appropriate time to get holding their noses and blowing gently to ready for school without a rush. In other relieve air pressure. words, is he getting the right amount of sleep • If your child uses a dummy, give it to to enable him to function well during the day? them during take-off and landing.

The amount of pocket money he gets and • Keep sugar drinks and sweet food to a what he may do with it also depends on minimum – they keep children awake and your family finances, your family values, his active. readiness to cope with the responsibility of handling money and his willingness to learn.

Flight entertainment – magnetic games, reading and activity books, wrap small parcels of toys, games, or snacks separately – children love unwrapping things.

• Take a map and ask older children to plot the trip on the map.

• Night flights – change your toddler into sleep wear to help them with their normal routine and signify to them that it’s time for sleeping.

• Pack your child’s favourite blanket and/or pillow – familiarity helps them sleep.

• At your destination – if your child is old enough, give them their own backpack to carry a drink, some food and anything else they might need. Attach a whistle to the backpack, only to be used if they get lost. Get your children to wear distinctive or colourful hats as it makes it easier to keep an eye on them.

• Depending on the time zone, you may need to allow for power naps for your child so they can keep going and adjust to the new time zone quickly.

Safe and happy travels!

For more information on travelling with children, visit www.houseoftravel.co.nz.

2011

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issue 2011

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parenting coach and speaker and writer Diane Levy. This is a regular column, so get those questions flowing! Email us at admin@ familytimes.co.nz. Check out www.familytimes. co.nz for information on how to order her popular books.

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hen flying with children, preparing in advance is the key for a happy flight

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Aiming High Ask your friendly Flight Centre team about theme park holidays for you and the kids.

PLUS mention this advert in store and get $100 OFF your next family holiday over $4000! *

Call 0800 99 55 55 to book now or visit your local store:

Dunedin | South Dunedin Meridian Mall | Mosgiel *Terms & Conditions: This offer is for $100 & is only valid at Flight Centre Dunedin, South Dunedin, Meridian and Mosgiel stores. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. To redeem this offer you must book a minimum of $4000 worth of international travel or more per family. $100 will be deducted from the total cost of the booking on full payment. This advert must be presented at time of quotation & offer must be redeemed by 31 Jan 14. Offer is non-transferable & not redeemable for cash or foreign exchange.

Only one offer to be used per booking. Flight Centre, standard terms & conditions apply, see www.flightcentre.co.nz/about-us/legal/booking-terms-condition 09811257581

Discover the Little Blue Penguin in its natural habitat. Guided tours depart every evening prior to dusk. Bookins can be made at the Royal Albatross Centre or online. The Royal Albatross Centre is open before each tour for ticket sales and assembly.

Bookings for Blue Penguin evening tours are recommended.

Book now online at www.bluepenguins.co.nz For more information call 027 BPenguin (027-273 6484)

St Brigid’s School 57 Bayfield Road, Andersons Bay, Dunedin For more information contact Chris Hogue Phone/Fax: 03-454 3477 Email: office@stbrigidsdn.school.nz www.stbrigidsdn.school.nz www.familytimes.co.nz

8

Catching the reading bug In the words of Dr Seuss: “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

B

ooks have the power to inform, educate and entertain, and reading should be an enjoyable experience shared with family and friends. For kids, a fun, supportive environment for learning to read is essential, and can be accomplished by providing ample opportunities to read, practice and experience the written word in a relaxed setting.

Teaching children early reading skills through sharing books, storytelling, singing songs and playing games helps to develop basic knowledge and preparation for formal school instruction.

It is never too early to read to children. There is a huge range of books available for babies in varying sizes and materials (fabric, cardboard, plastics) with bright colourful pictures, and babies love to hear the voice of their mother and father. It’s easy to develop a habit of regularly reading stories to your child; any time is a good time for books. Remember too, reading yourself provides a positive role model for children to encourage them to read, so even if it is just the daily newspaper or a magazine, make an effort to read around your child.

Going to the local library is like a wonderland for children, with its rows and boxes of books. Make an effort to go to the library on a regular basis, as borrowing new books

keeps the excitement of reading alive at home. Let toddlers select books themselves, and spend time at the local library reading books together. Many libraries run story time sessions that are free to attend; these involve group stories, songs, rhymes and plays suitable for a range of ages. This also provides a great chance to meet up with other parents who live in the local area.

Many toddlers develop an interest in certain subject areas such as trains, dinosaurs, fairies, policemen or dogs. Encourage and motivate your child to read by selecting books related to their interests.

When children reach school age, make sure positive experiences continue and homework reading does not become a chore. Choose a time when your child is not too tired, hungry or distracted by their favourite television programme. Give your child lots of positive behaviour-specific praise – this helps them to recognise what they are doing well, which in turn boosts their self-confidence and fosters enjoyment in reading.

Encourage your child to talk about what they have read. Asking them questions about how the characters might be feeling or what they would they do in that situation helps the child to relate the story to themselves and gain a deeper understanding. At school, children are required to be able to comprehend what they read, so practising these skills will support their learning and achievement. Reading does not have to be just for homework; there are lots of ways in which literacy practice can be fun and squeezed into everyday life.

By Cathy Robson, Massey University educational psychology student.

Greenstreet Early Childhood Centre Greenstreet is open from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, including school holidays.

We have a strong commitment to quality early childhood education; all our registered teachers are trained and qualified and we have a low child-to-teacher ratio.

We are licensed for 25 children in house 11, which is a mixed-aged house of children age 0 to 4-years, and we are licensed for 30 children in house 13, which caters for children age 3 to 5-years. Greenstreet is accepting enrolments now. Check out of fantastic ERO review online:

“Teacher’s place the child at the centre of learning, recognising and supporting children’s individual interests, strengths and capabilities. A feature of this centre is the very respectful relationship between children, and with their teachers.”

From our parents in our recent parent survey: “Green Street is a friendly, fantastic environment for children to learn and grow. The teachers are very dedicated to providing great care and learning opportunities for children.”

Check out our new website www. greenstreetece.co.nz.

Worried about your child’s reading and spelling?

If homework time is met with tantrums or tears of frustration and you are desperate to see the joy of learning back in your child’s eyes, help is at hand.

Try Easyread’s simple, 15 minute daily computer lessons and see massive improvement in their abilities and confidence.

Easyread provides you with full support so you know how to reinforce their learning.

Results are guaranteed or your money back.

Get started now to ensure your child begins the New Year with confidence.

Call 0800-777-225 or email hello@ easyread.co.nz for more information. www.easyread.co.nz.

Nuztri helps schools buy iPads Best Health Products, the maker of Nuztri branded formula milk and fortified milk powder, has announced a new initiative to support schools, kindergartens and early childhood centres.

For every can of Nuztri formula milk or vitamin A+D/iron-enriched full cream or skim milk powder, Nuztri will donate $2 or $1 to buy iPads or laptops, respectively.

Participating schools, centres or PTAs simply collect supermarket dockets and redeem iPads or laptops.

For years, imported formula or formula

made from imported milk have dominated the New Zealand market, even though we are the number one dairy exporting country in the world. Nuztri formula and milk products are guaranteed made from New Zealand pasture-fed, GE-free, free-range cows’ milk.

Nuztri products are available in more than 40 supermarkets around the country. All Pak’nSave and New World stores are able to order directly from their system. Parents are encouraged to ask local supermarkets if Nuztri is not available there yet.

Worried about your child’s reading and spelling?

Accelerate their reading age by up to 12 months within 7 weeks “We Belong Here” – Original stained glass window designed and made by Deirdre O'Malley. www.artbasenz.com

Green Island Kindergarten

We provide a quality stimulating programme for preschool children aged 2 – 5 years.

Come and meet our friendly team of teachers and view our new environment or phone 03-488 3094. There are vacancies coming up next year.

We’re open over the holidays so you can get started now!

Guaranteed results or your money back.

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Green Street Early Childhood Centre “Children, community, whãnau and fun...learning for life” We proudly offer: • 100% registered teachers • Safe & educational environments • Excellent child/teacher ratios • 20 ECE hours

We are a parent-governed not-for-profit community centre.

NOW TAKING ENROLMENTS FOR 2014!

PHONE: 489 5960 11-13 Green Street, Mosgiel www.greenstreetece.co.nz Providing quality early childhood education for children 0-5 years www.familytimes.co.nz

9

This issue, students from St Clair Primary talk with Rosie Hill about their dad’s role at home and what they think about dads taking on more household responsibilities.

Nick Idour, age 10

My dad works from home so he’s around a lot and we get to spend lots of time together. Sometimes he does the dishwasher but when he fills it he puts things in the wrong way. He gets the dirty clothes to the laundry too, and he cooks tea sometimes. Mum mainly takes care of me because dad usually goes for surfs or plays golf. Dad’s never done all the house stuff so I don’t think they should swap.

Kurow Races - Mon 30 Dec Waikouaiti Races - New Year’s day Omakau Races - Fri 3 Jan Tickets and hospitality packages now available, under 18’s free entry.

Archie O’Sullivan, age 11

My dad works from home: mum works as well and they both help take care of me. Dad takes me for surfs and to rugby.

Dad has chores; I help but he makes me do all the annoying ones - sometimes he does my chores for me. Dad’s probably painting the house right now; he does those kinds of jobs at home. To be honest I wouldn’t swap because I don’t know how Mum would do painting the house.

Emily DollmanLow, age 10

Mum mainly looks after me at home. Dad cooks tea on Mondays and he picks up the dog poo. If he was to do mum’s jobs he might not be good at tea because he likes cooking with eggs and bacon. Dad normally gets to do the fun stuff and mum does the house work. I think parents should share the house chores because it’s unfair if it’s just one person doing all the house work.

Rylee Wagteveld, age 9

Visit theraces.co.nz for more details

Both my parents work, but mum mainly looks after me. Dad does some cooking on the barbecue and sometimes makes my lunches. He’s good at fixing things up and painting houses.

He takes me lots of places like to sports and he takes me swimming. I don’t mind who takes care of me; I think that one parent should do the house stuff; we are used to how things work for us.

It’s easy to win fantastic prizes with Family Times. Just fill in the entry form and post it to us by the due date, or enter online at www. familytimes.co.nz.

WIN, WIN,

WIN!

The Father Of Invention As a dad, Dr Keith Alexander invented a safer trampoline so his kids would be safe while having fun. That was 20 years ago. He didn’t foresee that his design would become the world’s safest trampoline.

With one in every fifteen spring-based trampolines putting a child in hospital, Dr Alexander’s design has now kept thousands of children out of emergency wards all over the world.

To find out how this kiwi inventor made bouncing safer for his kids, and yours, visit www.springfree.co.nz or call 0800 586 772.

The World’s Safest Trampoline 10

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Win Frozen – in cinemas 26 December - prize packs When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna (voice of Kristen Bell), a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell.

5 prize packs, each consisting of: A kids’ watch A girls’ T-shirt A boys’ T-shirt A double pass to the movie DISNEY’S FROZEN IN CINEMAS DECEMBER 26 WWW.DISNEYMOVIES.CO.NZ Competition closes 9 December, 2013.

Win: Rosie to the Rescue Rosie to the Rescue is a feel-good, rhyming book that follows the journey of Rosie the cow as she finds a way to transport all the fresh milk to town after the bridge is destroyed. Rosie is the New Zealand dairy industry’s Cowbassador, whose job is to educate kids all about dairy farming and the story of milk. As a Cowbassador, Rosie gets to do heaps of really cool stuff, like going on television, meeting the Prime Minister, performing in stage shows all over the country, and making her own moovellous moovies.

We have 10 to give away.

What is your favourite activity to do with your family in summer? Send us your picture and a brief description about the activity and be in to win an amazing $50 prize pack from Crayola!

Three entry age groups: preschool (age 1-4), 5-8, 9-12.

Create your design on an A5 sheet or download the template and entry form from www.familytimes.co.nz. Post in to PO Box 36 004, Christchurch 8146. Entries close 5 February 2014.

Learn English ƒast!

Two FREE*courses Up to 20 hours per week Enrol now for 2014!

Congratulations to our drink bottle competition winners from our last issue. They are:

1-4 -James Yang – 4-years-old

Course 1 : New Zealand Certificate in English language Study for a NZQA qualification 5-8 - John Yang – 8-years-old

Course 2 : ESol Intensive English for work and everyday life * Free for permanent residents

9-12 - Tilly Sheers, Age 9 - “I was sitting on the edge of my

seat, cheering and booing the tele, watching the Americas Cup and I thought, MAN! Those guys must get so thirsty!

I also thought how desperate they want the trophy, so I combined the two together.”

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Win a delicious healthy treat the whole family will enjoy The yonanas machine quickly turns frozen bananas and other frozen fruits into a variety of guilt-free treats that look and taste like soft-serve ice cream.

You choose the flavour by adding your favourite ingredients – why not try strawberry, pineapple or mango? yonanas offers great value for money, especially because you can use fruit that you might otherwise throw away. Kids will love the bright colours and parents will love the healthy desserts that are dairy-free, fat-free and with no added sugar. Visit www.yonanas.co.nz for colour availability and stockists. RRP: $129.99.

We have 4 to give away.

Bag yourself a Madpax!

Life is too short to wear a bland backpack so MadPax New Zealand has six Full Packs valued at $89.95 to give away.

MadPax are 3D-inspired backpacks and power pack-cessories that are the perfect fusion of fashion and funk-tionality.

These unique packs allow kids of all ages to express themselves and their inner creature. You will definitely stand out with a MadPax back pack. What is your style?

Choose from the original Spiketus Rex, primal skinned Later Gator, Bubble or the most recent addition to the range, Blok.

See the range at www.madpax.co.nz.

dUNEdIN Phone 03 477 7261 Email dunedin@englishlanguage.org.nz Web www.englishlanguage.org.nz

A new Hellers CoCktAil sAusAge rAnge for tHe wHole fAmily.

Hellers new Gluten free Cocktail Sausages are perfect for any fun occasion, as a treat or even as a handy and simple meal idea for kids that they’ll be sure to love. They come in 3 great varieties - Skinless, Cheese and Original. These tasty original kiwi classics recapture the fun of yesteryear, and with the great new flavours there’s a Cocktail Sausage to suit everyone. They’re also gluten free and with Hellers renowned quality, they will as sure as Hellers be a huge hit with the whole family. Available in all good stores now!

Just tick the things you want to win Spring 2013

   

Yonanas Rosie to the Rescue Frozen Madpax

Name Address City Phone

To be in the draw to win, enter online at www.familytimes.co.nz or write your name and address on the back of an envelope or postcard and send to: Dunedin Competition, PO Box 36 004, Christchurch to reach us by February 5th 2014, unless stated otherwise. Only one entry per household. www.familytimes.co.nz

11

cool activities

Calendar of Events The longest and hottest school holidays are here.

Dunedin has a great variety of events on offer this summer.

13 December ChatBus Trust Street Day Appeal.

ChatBus provides kids the opportunity to talk in a safe environment. Look out for collectors in Dunedin CBD.

15 December Stride, Ride & Slide. A multisport event for big little kids. Lots of fun for kids aged 2 to 5-years.

Memorial Park, Mosgiel, 9.30am-11.30am.

Register online at www.sportotago.co.nz.

15 December RASA dance’s end-of-year show. Discover what style of dance interests you. Regent Theatre, 6pm. For details visit www.danz.org. nz/rasa.php or phone 03-477-8288

19 December Choir Performance. Knox Church Children’s Choir entertain with their sweet voices. Dunedin Public Art Gallery, 12pm.

31 December-3 January Whare Flat Folk Festival. Welcome in the New Year with four days of concerts, workshops, entertainment and relaxation.

This folk music festival is family-friendly and inspiring for kids and adults alike. For full details visit www.whareflat.org.nz.

Brighton Rally. Brighton Domain, 10am-4pm.

1 January

Interislander Summer Festival Waikouaiti 31 January Races. Relax into the New Year at the races Chinese New Year-Year of the Horse. with plenty of activities to entertain all ages.

Enjoy performances, wishing tree, fortune Waikouaiti Racecourse, gates open 10am. cookies and kids’ activities. Garden open to the public for a gold coin donation. Dunedin January 6-10 and 13-17 Chinese Garden.

Splashfest. Fun days at the pool. Activities 8 February include inflatables and diving boards. For more information contact Moana Pool on 03- Thieves’ Alley Market Day. The Central 471-9780. city becomes a bustling market place where all sorts of treasures can be found. Octagon 9 January and surrounding streets, 10am-4pm.

Ukulele lesson. Do you ukulele? Tune 23 February up your skills with a one-off lesson. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, 10.30am-12pm, $5 Party in the Park. Family fun day with per person. For more information phone 03performances, yummy food, stalls, as well 477-5052. as rides and activities for kids. Mosgiel

21-23 January Minecraft Inventions & Challenges Holiday Course. Students learn problem solving and 3D modelling skills using Minecraft. Three-day course suitable for kids aged 7 to 13. For full details and to book visit www.bubbledome.com.

25 January Otago Taieri A&P Show. Enjoy a great family day out with market stalls, demonstrations, and of course lots of animals!

Otago Taieri A&P Showgrounds, Five Roads, Mosgiel, 10am-4pm. Admission charge applies.

Brighton Gala Day. Take the family for a day at the beach; browse food and market stalls plus rides for the kids. Incorporates the 60th anniversary of the annual Dunedin to

Memorial Gardens, 11am start. Visit www. festivaloftheplain.co.nz for details.

2 March Sanitarium Weet-bix Kids TRYathalon.

Kids build confidence in a fun race where everyone’s a winner. Memorial Park, Mosgiel.

Visit www.tryathlon.weetbix.co.nz/mylocation/dunedin to register.

Interislander Summer Festival Free entry and family on course activities at the Summer Festival Races, venues around Dunedin.

Visit www.theraces.co.nz/ summerfestival for details.

A proud moment at last year’s Weet-Bix Kids TRYatholon in Dunedin.

14 March XRACE. An inclusive family physical challenge where kids race with Mum, Dad or another family member to complete a series of fun challenges. To register and for full details visit www.xrace.co.nz.

Compiled by Rosanna Hill 26 December 27 December 28 December 1 January 2 January 3 January 5 January 7 January 18 January

Wingatui Races Gore Trots Westport Trots Waikouaiti Races Omakau Trots Oamkau Races Roxburgh Trots Cromwell Trots Gore Races

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Girls Brigade groups right across New Zealand provide friendship and fun that builds healthy girls with strong life skills Contact Us today to find out where your nearest group is. Join for fun, friends and leadership.

Phone (09) 442 5055 Email info@girlsbrigade.org.nz

www.girlsbrigade.org.nz

the imperial russian ballet company presents...

Piano, voice, guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, ukulele, music theory, songwriting and recording.

Visit our website, or call us for more info.

Phone: 03-425 0706.

DON QUIXOTE

info@bluelinemusicstudio.co.nz

Playball stands apart from other sports and movement programmes.

“A flamboyant and festive ballet”

Age-specific classes for 2-9 year-olds • 8 different sports • Unique sports-based games developed by Playball Birthday parties • School holiday programmes for 5-12 year-olds • OSCAR subsidies available

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cool activities

Entertainment Beat the heat with these fun family entertainment options available in Dunedin.

Chipmunks

Unlimited play for unlimited fun; Chipmunks Dunedin is the perfect place to party and play all day. Open daily from 9.30am, and the cafe offers a delicious menu. Visit www. chipmunks.co.nz or phone 03-477-6762.

Otago Museum REVolution: 100 Years of Motorcycles.

Get up close to more than 100 motorcycles: discover innovations in their design and technology and kick-start summer with a ride on the wild side. On 16 November 2013 -16 February 2014.

St Clair Hot Salt Water Pool St Clair Pool is now open for the summer season and closes on 31 March 2014. Open daily from 9am-5pm.

Rialto Cinemas Bring your kids along to Rialto Cinemas Dunedin for new release kids’ films this summer and take advantage of extra value family passes. For movie and session information visit www.rialto.co.nz.

available with riding-school horses or with your own horse – either at the centre or your own location. Contact 03-489-8600 or dunedinriding@yahoo.co.nz.

Laserforce Entertainment Centre Laserforce Entertainment Centre has just undergone a huge upgrade replacing all the gear with state-of-the-art, seven-colour suits.

Come now and check out all the cool new games!

Holiday specials Special programmes, facilities and events for the summer holidays.

The Kitchen Christmas Cooking Classes

The Kitchen Christmas cooking classes are available; gingerbread houses, decorated cookies, cupcake trees and more! There are vouchers available too: great for a Christmas gift.

Dunedin Chinese Garden

Chinese New Year -Year of the Horse 25 January-9 February 2014. Experience Chinese culture with workshops, demonstrations and tours around the garden. For more information visit www. dunedinchinesegarden.com.

Taieri Gorge Railway

Dunedin Libraries

One of the world’s great train trips and one of Dunedin’s top attractions. The train travels through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery. An all-weather experience not-to-be missed.

Moana Pool

Dunedin Riding Centre Fun and tuition for all ages with excellent facilities and fabulous horses. Lessons

Summer Reading Programme starts on 21 December. Kids set their own reading goals and have fun reaching them. Suitable for children of all ages. Visit your local library for details.

Swimsation will hold learn-to-swim lessons in the week of 13-17 January. For bookings and information contact 03-471-9780.

Compiled by Rosanna Hill

Performers entertain for Chinese New Year at the Dunedin Chinese Gardens.

Race along for family fun A day at the races is a quintessential Kiwi summertime tradition and Interislander Summer Festival events provide the perfect day out for the whole family.

From Boxing Day through to mid-February, 40 Interislander Summer Festival events will take place at some of New Zealand’s most picturesque racecourses and hottest holiday spots.

All kids’ entertainment is free and includes the popular horse-themed More FM Kids Go Racing events and a range of under-12 activities such as pin-the-tail-on-the-horse

and the horseshoe toss. Kids also get to meet much-loved horse mascots, Hopples or Stirrup.

From Ruakaka to Gore - and everywhere in between - Interislander Summer Festival brings a celebration of summer to town, providing the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and family in a fun and relaxed environment. Family picnics, deck chairs, shorts and jandals – it’s a classic Kiwi summer’s day out!

For more information about an event near you, visit www.theraces.co.nz.

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13

Camping holidays that don’t cost the earth Camping is a Kiwi tradition and an affordable family holiday option.

There are many Department of Conservation campsites by the sea, a high-country lake or native forest where you can pitch your tent for the cost of a cup of cafe coffee (and perhaps a fluffy).

This is not “glamping.” The facilities are basic—toilets, water and perhaps a picnic table or cold shower. But the beautiful settings and access to activities such as bush walking, biking, swimming, boating and fishing more than make up for the limited services.

You can’t book these campsites—it’s first come, first served—but they are not often full. Visit www.doc.govt.nz for more information.

Purakaunui Bay, Catlins

There’s water play for kids and adults alike close to this coastal campsite in the heart of the Catlins. The shallow Purakaunui River that runs between the campsite and the beach is ideal for paddling, and there’s a good surf beach nearby.

There are 40 tent sites, close to a lovely sandy beach, with views of the striking coastal cliffs. Nearby are the Purakaunui Falls and

Jacks Blowhole, while Cosgrove Island wildlife refuge lies just offshore.

Even in the middle of summer there are usually plenty of campsites to choose from, all with stunning views, says DOC Owaka ranger Cheryle Pullar.

“Surrounded by coastal podocarp forest, filled with kereru, tui, bellbirds and fantails, it is a magical campsite that gets you close to nature.”

Other wildlife you may encounter are the New Zealand sea lion/rapoka/whakahao, which often rest along the coast, and yelloweyed penuin/hoiho, which breed in the area.

Both these native species are rare and found only in New Zealand.

Facilities include: water, toilets, picnic tables and a rubbish bin. You can take your dog but it must be on a leash at all times. Fee: $6 per night adult, $3 per night child, under four free.

Twelve Mile Delta Campsite For Lord of the Rings fans this campsite doubled as Ithilien camp where Frodo, Sam and Gollum watched the battle between the Rangers of Gondor and the men and Oliphaunts of Harad.

Blockbuster locations aside, this is a large popular camping area on the gravel river delta at the outlet of Twelve-Mile Creek on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, 11km west of

A Creative Refresher “The Learning Connexion is like a breath of fresh air - an oasis in the desert. I feel like I spent so many years missing out on what I am learning now.”

Krzysztof Zajaczkowski was looking for some positive creative fuel and discovered Wellington-based art school The Learning Connexion. He chose to do the programme part-time, whilst studying from home.

The Learning Connexion provided Krzysztof with the pathway to follow his creativity in a free yet focused environment, perfect for any artist looking to push their style further.

Krzysztof has been investigating the uses of a set of old wood block letters he found

over 30 years ago. He tried rolling them unconventionally on a printing press, which created all sorts of original imprints and abstract shapes. The results are a delicate introspection of positive and negative forms.

Constant contact with mentors is integral to the success of any student at The Learning Connexion, particularly one who is studying from home like Krzysztof. “My mentor helps me stay focused, because creativity is such a huge labyrinth to get lost in.”

To find out more about The Learning Connexion and how to enrol please phone 0800-278-769 or check out www.tlc.ac.nz.

Queenstown. Regenerating forest surrounds the campsite, which is also an appealing picnicking and fishing spot. There are plenty of walks in the area. A walking and biking track follows the shores of the lake through native bush from the campsite to Bob’s Cove.

Other walks are Mt Crichton Loop Track and Lake Dispute Track. Facilities include: 100 tent sites, tap water, toilets and picnic tables.

Dogs must be on a leash. Fee: $6 per night adult, $3 per night child, under four free.

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Fit Families

The FUNdamentals of sustainable family physical activity I

n a special series of articles for Family Times, Jackie Cowan and Nick Draper primary school and physical activity specialists from the University of Canterbury - will highlight some activities, games and resources that can help families add more fun physical activity into their lives.

First come the FUNdamentals –activities that can easily be added into your lifestyle to increase both yourselves and your children’s physical activity levels in a way that’s sustainable.

Recent physical activity research tells us two important things that identify that change is not as difficult as you first might think. Firstly, little bursts of physical activity throughout the day are better than one big bout of exercise at the start or end of the day. Secondly, short, sharp physical activity bursts can be just as good for you as jogging on a treadmill for an hour.

To this research evidence we can add two more anecdotal facts; firstly it is much easier to exercise when you don’t realise you are doing it. For example, going for a 40 minute run is often more daunting than going out to play a game of touch, yet both increase our physical activity levels. Then secondly, recently published data from surveys suggests that we spend as little as seven minutes a day of quality time with our children. Combining the two – fun physical activities and family time – genius! Here are a few ways to get you going: Joining in children’s games –Children have loads of energy and always seem to be on the go. When we watch them play, their

games are full of short bursts of activity – a burst to catch someone in a game of tag or a run down the wing to score a try or goal.

This is really close to the type of short burst activity that the research suggests – short bursts that leave you slightly breathless as you chase your son or daughter in a game of tag, a short recovery and then go again, or chasing them as they dribble to score a goal.

When playing a game, if you are fully engaged with your son or daughter, you forget about the exercise and just play. We can learn loads from children about that – exercising without thinking about it.

Walking/scootering to and from school – Walking is an oldie but a goodie and similarly combines family time with exercise.

Research tells us that fewer children walk to and from school for a number of reasons. It is, however, a great activity where you have time to talk to your children about their day with no television or computers as a distraction.

It’s a time where you can model being physically active and can be active together.

Alternatively, nowadays it is not uncommon to see parent’s scootering home on their children’s scooters after dropping them at school. Why not purchase a family collection of scooters and travel together? It’s a fast mode of transport and a little novel.

If we do walk or scooter to drop off and pick up children from school, not only are we increasing quality time spent together, but we are also spreading our physical activity throughout the day, which is valuable for

general health and overall wellbeing.

Cycling to and from work – If we chose to cycle to and from work, while this might not seem like a whole family activity, it can have a whole family pay-off by giving us more energy and helping us to be fitter for family cycling activities during the weekends.

If you live too far from work to cycle the whole way, or don’t feel fit enough yet to cycle the whole way, you could put the bike in the back of the car, drive part of the way, park up and cycle to and from work from there.

If you set a goal of increasing this a bit each

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month, you could add greatly to your level of physical activity. Being active throughout the day is particularly important for those of us who work in a sedentary job sitting at a desk or in meetings most of the time. This form of activity also fulfils the physical activity guidelines for adults, outlined by Sport New Zealand (in consultation with the Ministry of Health Manatu Hauroa), of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day.

By Jackie Cowan and Nick Draper Primary school and physical activity specialists from the University of Canterbury.

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15

Kids keeping Kiwi

coastlines clean A volunteer trip to the Galapagos Islands national park in 2009 inspired Sam Judd to help clean up New Zealand’s coastlines.

“We saw all these dead animals wrapped up in rubbish in the Galapagos, and we ran a big cleanup out there. It was really satisfying so we brought the concept back here.”

The result was the establishment of the Sustainable Coastlines Charitable Trust in 2009. Four years later, the Sustainable Coastlines team has motivated more than 26,000 people across New Zealand to keep New Zealand beautiful by cleaning up the beach, resulting in the removal of a whopping 123 tonnes of rubbish – mostly plastics.

Sustainable Coastlines ran extensive data analysis on the rubbish that they collected, and what they discovered surprised them; about 85% of the rubbish removed came from the stormwater system. In other words, people littering on the beach wasn’t a huge problem.

People littering on their own streets was.

“There is a real disconnect in our community between litter on our streets, the stormwater drains and their route to the waterways and ocean,” says Judd.

Plastics are perhaps the biggest problem, as they entangle and are consumed by wildlife – around the world, and locally - often causing death.

One of Judd’s colleagues, Camden Howitt,

ran a presentation at Colville School in the Coromandel where he showed them pictures of dead birds with guts full of plastic in the North Pacific, then when the kids went out cleaning up they found a Pied Oyster Catcher – native to New Zealand – dead with plastic in its stomach.

Judd also says that there is a growing amount of evidence to show that plastic rubbish – which can contain poisonous chemicals and essentially act like a sponge for pollutants in the ocean – is being eaten by fish.

What can we do?

Visit loveyourcoast.org and check out different community events in your area to support cleaning up New Zealand’s coastline.

No events in your area? Why not plan your own community event?

“Kids can do it themselves using the eventplanning tool on loveyourcoast.org; we’ve had several groups of kids that have done it themselves like that. You can then upload the data online,” says Judd.

For a small donation (to cover administration and cleaning costs) Sustainable Coastlines can also provide reusable rubbish sacks and gloves.

Alternatively, schools can plan mufti days and sausage sizzles to help raise money to clean up New Zealand’s coastline, book a school or community visit with the Sustainable Coastlines team, or anyone can make a donation online by visiting www. sustainablecoastlines.org.

Love New Zealand

Citizen scientists wanted!

S ummer is the perfect time to head down to your local beach and start discovering the plethora of plant and animal species that dwell there.

Sound intriguing but a bit overwhelming?

Well… how about mapping out just 1 metre at a time?

The Marine Metre Squared (MM2) project is an easy way for anyone to survey the plants and animals living on their local seashore.

The NZ Marine Studies Centre, University of Otago, is encouraging everyone to participate in long term monitoring of their marine environment – the Marine Metre Squared.

Anyone can take part – individuals, families, schools and community groups.

The Marine Metre Squared website (www. mm2.net.nz) is where you can find everything you need to get involved in this new

and exciting nationwide, citizen science project, get the tools to start surveying your local seashore, and find out where plants and animals that live between the tides are found around New Zealand.

When you join the Marine Meter Squared project (it’s free), you can share your stories about your local seashore, suggest an idea for a mini project, describe the beauties and the beasts that dwell in your m2, and get and give help identifying animal and plant species. As a registered member, you can get full access to the online MM2 database where you can add your own survey data to show others what’s living between the tides on your local shore, and compare your shore with rest of New Zealand to find out which species live where using simple mapping and analysis tools.

12 days to a greener summer Day 1 Day 2

Use the right bin 16

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Recycling collection times may be different so make a note of the new time.

You can recycle: • Paper, glass, metals (food tins, drink cans, jar lids, wine bottle screw tops) • Plastics 1 and 2 (and in some places 1-7)

Day 3

Look for the Love NZ recycling bins in your area

Day 4

Recycle more packaging more often.

Day 5

Reuse. Use a reusable shopping bag when you go out shopping.

Day 6

Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Day 7

Be clean and conserve space. Rinse out bottles and cans.

Day 8

Reuse or recycle your Christmas cards. Around 60 million Christmas cards will be sent to New Zealanders this year.

Day 9

Be a recycling champion at events Many sports stadia, concert venues and festivals now have Love NZ recycling bins.

Day 10

It’s not just packaging that can be recycled – there are collection points for TVs, print cartridges and old mobiles.

Day 11

Separate your glass by colour in a glass bottle bank.

Day 12

Make it your New Year’s Resolution to reduce, reuse and recycle even more in 2014. If we all do our bit New Zealand WILL remain clean and green.

baby & toddler

Milestone manic or go with the flow?

From the moment a baby is born, parents consult books and are given advice about which milestones are important for their child.

more flexible for parents – things such as sleep training and toilet training.

Metcalf says that there is a lot of “real or perceived” pressure on parents to have their children sleep through the night and toilet train from an early age – pressure from friends, their own parents, and even grandparents, who create expectations by talking about their own experiences of parenting. “It’s not fair to the mother or the child. What we have to remember is that every child is different and they work to their own rhythm. When you work into “what is my child ready for,” the better the relationship will be between you and your child. Jamieson agreed. “We don’t expect babies to sleep through the night at a

T

hey’re things like when their baby should first smile, clap their hands, roll over, sleep through the night, crawl and start speaking, right through to toilet training, writing their name, counting and learning their ABCs. For many parents, these milestones are a joy – from the first smile, every little development is a treasure. But as Dr Victoria Metcalf, a biologist and lecturer in genetics at Lincoln University says, it can also become a competition.

“I think that milestones in themselves feed back into this pressure that mothers feel to do certain things by a certain stage. It adds to stress levels that we feel in a busy world. If your child is not walking by two years, maybe worry then… it’s not a “mumpetition”.”

Plunket clinical advisor Allison Jamieson says there needs to be a safe middle ground.

“Milestones are really important. Evidence for them is given by paediatricians and international as well as national organisations – The World Health Organisation and the Paediatrics Society - so that while they’re

not set in concrete in as much as they don’t have to happen at the same time for every child, you do want them to happen, because if there’s a delay in them happening, maybe there’s something else that the child is not developing to their potential that we need to look at and assess.”

There are, however, some milestones that both Jamieson and Metcalf agree need to be

Ready to listen – The Alcohol Drug Helpline For parents with concerns about their own, their partner’s or their children’s alcohol or other drug use, the Alcohol Drug Helpline is the ideal place to start.

It is a free, confidential phone service available 10am - 10pm every day and the online counsellors are happy to listen to any concerns. The aim is to help callers to clarify their concerns and then to help them decide the best next steps to take: free information (dvd/booklets), contacting a local community service or continuing contact with the Helpline by phone or text.

Many parents ring with concerns about their children’s exploration or use of alcohol or cannabis – particularly the newer synthetic cannabis products. The counsellors are happy discuss ways to talk to young children, or to teens about any of these issues – from how to confront a son or daughter about suspected drug use to organising a teenage party. And of course young people themselves are welcome

• Speech problems • Language and understanding difficulties • Feeding & swallowing difficulties CARA can help.

CARA Ltd P: 03 455 7018 E: admin@carateam.co.nz www.carateam.co.nz

Phone: 03-471 6158 Free confidential advice on personal budgets. How to manage your money, options and plans for debt repayment

Alcohol and Drug Helpline Concerned about your own or someone else’s problems with alcohol or other drugs? Call the Alcohol Drug Helpline

Supplying daily living aids and incontinence products.

Phone: 03-471 6152 or 0800-693 342 Email:dis.dn@xtra.co.nz | www.disabilityinfo.co.nz

SUPERGRANS is a free, confidential and non-judgemental service.

SUPERGRANS share their life skills with families in need.

SUPERGRANS are mature people who work on a volunteer basis because they care.

Contact Marie Sutherland Phone: 03-474 0582

E-mail: supergrans.dunedin@xtra.co.nz

Help is @ hand

Dunedin Budget Advisory Service

Free disability & health related information

If you need help...

Tell our advertiser you saw it in...

Sometimes you need some information or an answer to a curly question. Why not pick up the phone and call the relative support agency?

Disability Information Service

to call. As well as being able to call any day, callers can arrange to receive regular support calls from the Helpline.

Students can ring for information for their school project, or concerns about their friend who is getting into party pills.

Helpline staff promise to listen, and to help in any way they can.

Phone 0800-787-797 or text “adh” to 234.

young age, because if they are it means that they’re not getting enough food,” she said.

If you have any concerns about your child’s development, contact your primary health care giver.

today for free, confidential, friendly professional advice. 0800 787 797 www. alcoholdrughelp.org.nz.

Citizens Advice Bureau Dunedin Phone: 0800-367 222 or 03-471 6166 For free information and advice.

Not sure? Ask us

Breastfeeding help by mothers for mothers LA LECHE LEAGUE OFFERS: • • • • • •

Mother-to-mother support Telephone help Trained breastfeeding counsellors Regular meetings Books and leaflets for sale Lending libraries

Literacy Aotearoa (Dunedin) Inc Carnegie Centre, 110 Moray Place

Phone: 03-477 2055

FREE COURSES • Free correspondence course (with support) • Learner licence theory • One-on-one targeted work place literacy

NEED A CAR SEAT? Our registered child restraint technicians will assist you with choosing the most appropriate car seat for your child and with installing the car seat in your vehicle.

CONTACT US: (03) 467 5599 or (03) 476 1339 EMAIL: help@lalecheleague.org.nz www.facebook.com/LLLNZ www.lalecheleague.org.nz

FREE Services

to Families • Parent Education • Well Child Assessments • Family Support Services • Car Seat Services • Playgroups & Coffee Groups

We have a range of infant capsules, child and booster seats for sale or hire.

111 Hillside Road, South Dunedin Phone: 03-455-9934 OPEN: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 9am-3pm, Thurs: 9am-5.30pm, Sat: 10am-12pm

Phone Plunket Area Office: 03-474-0490 Plunket Line: 0800-933-922 24 HOURS www.plunket.org.nz www.familytimes.co.nz

17

market place Tuition

School Term Dates

Online Toys

20%

2014 primary and intermediate school term dates

SUMMER SPECIAL

Term 1, 2014

Mention “Family Times” and receive 20% OFF!

Monday 5 May to Friday 4 July

Term 3, 2014

Term 2, 2014

Monday 13 October to Tuesday 16 December

Term 3, 2014

Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September

Term 4, 2014

Monday 13 October to no later than Friday 19 December

2014 secondary and composite school term dates Term 1, 2014

Between Monday 27 January (at the

sales@livelyminds.co.nz

Term 2, 2014

Between Monday 27 January (at the earliest); and Friday 7 February (at the latest) to Thursday 20 April Monday 5 May to Friday 4 July

Wooden toys and educational resources www.livelyminds.co.nz

earliest); and Friday 7 February (at the latest) to Thursday 20 April

Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September

Term 4, 2014

Public holidays 2014 1 January 2 January 6 February 18 April 21 April 25 April 2 June 27 October 25 December 26 December

New Year’s Day Day after New Year’s Day Waitangi Day Good Friday Easter Monday Anzac Day Queen’s Birthday Labour Day Christmas Day Boxing Day

03-322 6323 Tickets available from Regent Theatre or ticketdirect.co.nz

Entertainment Dun Eden Farm Park

Interactive guided tours Experience farm animals up close!

In the small animal area meet Miss Piggy (Kune Kune), Jasper the Miniature Donkey and cuddly Peter Rabbit and friends.

Awesome birthday parties!

Bookings essential Ph 03-476 7100 or 021-0297 2411 17 Ettrick Street, Glenross, Dunedin Like us www.dunedenfarmpark.co.nz

e h t r o F e t a m ulti ut! o y a d

11 Christie St, GREEN ISLAND

PH: 03-488 4448

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Cleaning

Day Trip

Professional Cleaning Services

New Zealand’s first frozen meat shipment was prepared at this site in 1882. Visit the restored farm buildings which offer a fascinating insight into the courage and determination of settlers who helped shape this country’s agriculture industry.

• Carpet • Windows • Water Blasting Ask about our Spring carpet special!

Cleaning Services International

Totara Estate 8kms south of Oamaru on State Highway 1

Open daily Sep~May 10am-4pm Admission charges apply. Children free.

Group bookings welcome: Email: totaraestate@historic.org.nz

www.historicplaces.org.nz Phone: 03 433 1269

Phone 03-455 4470 for a free quote.

Victorian Farm Comes Alive 30 March 2014, 10.30-4pm

Christmas @ your finger tips www.funparties.co.nz

Great stocking fillers!

Minecraft, LEGO and Star Wars chocolate & cake moulds, plus much more!

www.chartnoticeboards.co.nz

Get organised for 2014

www.funparties.co.nz

Children’s linen, gifts & room accessories

Christmas made easy!

Patersonrose Christchurch now online at:

www.patersonrosechch.co.nz 18

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Give a taste of Central Otago delivered for Christmas Export quality cherries Handmade preserves Gift hampers www.saritaorchard.co.nz

Delivered to your door

For all your gift ideas

www.lindenleaves.com

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Tired drivers leave one tell-tale sign. No skid marks. Drive Fresh.

1246 NTA Fatigue Hidden Crash_Family Times (250x360)_FAlb.indd 1

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19

12/11/13 10:43 AM

WANT TO HAVE SOME

N FU ?

Coastal Otago

Scouts Funday Sunday, 2nd February 2014, 10.00am to 3.00pm Market Reserve, Dunedin A variety of scout activities and stalls.

Coastal Otago Scouts are presenting scout activities such as the slippery pole, damper cooking, Burma trails, rope bridge traversing, as well as some fundraising stalls such as sausage sizzle and a rest area for weary parents.

There will be a range of activities suitable for your young people to experience.

Scouts now offer more opportunities than before to experience life through a wide range of activities. Enquiries about joining a group near you can be made by calling our local number 0800 SCOUTS.

KEAS

CUBS

SCOUTS

KEAS is for boys and girls starting Term 4 of Year 1-Year 3.

CUBS is for boys and girls, school years 3-6.

SCOUTS is for boys and girls, school years 6-10.

KEAS interact with nature and learn to share through co-operating and teamwork. They engage in active and quiet games, stories, creative crafts, play-acting and singing.

CUBS learn traditional skills such as tying knots and using a compass to find their way around.

SCOUTS commit to doing their best, to helping others, and at the same time learn valuable lifeskills, problem-solving abilities and about teamwork.

KEAS also participate in a fun award scheme which allows KEAS to progress through the various levels and complete personal interest badges.

But CUBS also visit cool places, play action-packed games and learn about emergencies.

CUBS also have their own award scheme to work through and personal interest badges to obtain.

As well as their own award scheme, SCOUTS also attend National Schools in topics such as aviation, caving, canoeing and photography.

0800 SCOUTS scouts.org.nz

20

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VENTURERS VENTURERS is for young people, school yrs 10-13.

VENTURERS develop their own programme, from vocational activities developing self-confidence, through to Leadership Courses and modules about Community Awareness.

A progressive award scheme culminates with the achievement of the prestigious Queen’s Scout Award.

Presented by the Governor-General, this is our highest youth award.

VENTURERS learn to fly solo at Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School, climb mountains, and even how to ski and snowboard.

ROVERS ROVERS is for men and women aged18-26.

ROVERS enjoy an unsurpassed variety of activities, both as individuals and as part of a local Crew.

Throughout the country ROVERS complete special projects and are the service wing of the movement.