Kids on the Coast Magazine - Sunshine Coast - Issue 53

kidsonthecoast Sunshine Coast Issue 53 Nov/Dec 2012 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

The weight of the matter Keeping kids safe Life lessons through sport Separation anxiety Are you swim savy? plus Holidays, Parties What’s on calendar & much more!

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contents - NOVEMBERDecember2012 -

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From the Editor Meet some of our team WHAT’S NEWS CHECK THIS OUT: New, fun and funky things FEATURE: Challenging weight issues NEW TO THE COAST THE ‘P’ FILES: Keeping Kids Safe EDUCATION: Life lessons through sport CALENDAR OF EVENTS

BABIES ON THE COAST: Separation Anxiety IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU! ONLY NATURAL: Turf them outside HEALTH: Kids Dental Health LET’S CELEBRATE: Old School Party Games HAPPY HOLIDAYS: Escape to Brisbane Special Feature: Are you Swim Season Savvy?

PROFILE: Meet Tiffany Hall REVIEWS

Find out what’s happening on the Coast during November & December

Editorial contributions for Issue 53: Justine Urbahn APD, Sandra Smith, Luke Goldston, Dr. Patrick O’Rourke, Jasmin Forsyth, Kim Lahey, Chaley-Ann Scott COVER: Allison Wills - Minty Photography.

A special thank you to Annabelle.

Kids on the Coast magazine is printed with vegetable/soy based inks on paper supplied using pulp sourced from sustainable forests and manufactured to environmentally accredited systems. Kids on the Coast encourages recycling. Please keep this issue for future reference, pass onto your friends and family, use for craft projects or place into the recycling bin. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

PUBLISHED BY: THINGS 4 KIDS PTY LTD. PO Box 491, Eumundi QLD 4562 PHONE: 1300 430 320 FAX: 07 5471 2372 WEB: www.kidsonthecoast.com.au ABN: 86 473 357 391.

All editorial and advertising in Kids on the Coast is published in good faith based on material, verbal or written, provided by contributors and advertisers. No responsibility is taken for errors or omissions and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All material in Kids on the Coast is subject to copyright provisions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

Feedback/comments/suggestions? Send to: editorial@kidsonthecoast.com.au. We aim to reply to all correspondence but don’t guarantee to do so. Letters to the editor may be edited for length or clarity. PUBLISHER: Toni Eggleston ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER: Simone Bell EDITOR: Jackie Goldston EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Sandra Smith, Chaley-Ann Scott, Jackie Goldston, Gary Hands, Dr Sarah Lantz, Aleney de Winter ADVERTISING: For advertising enquiries please phone 1300 430 320 or email: advertising@ kidsonthecoast.com.au LOCAL BUSINESS DIRECTORY: Speak with your advertising coordinator or email: advertising@kidsonthecoast.com.au Production Department: Email: production@kidsonthecoast.com.au ADMINISTRATION: Kellie Kruger DISTRIBUTION: Kids on the Coast (Sunshine Coast edition) is a free publication circulating over 20,000 copies from Caloundra to Noosa and through the hinterland. Separate edition covers the Gold Coast. For distribution enquiries please phone: 1300 430 320 or email: admin@kidsonthecoast.com.au GRAPHIC DESIGN: Kimberley Pederson & Alana Falk november / december 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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- meettheteam Louisa Kneller

Welcome to

Advertising Sales Coordinator, Gold Coast

kidsonthecoast Christmas is coming! I can’t help but get caught up with the spirit of the season when my kids start to get excited about Christmas. This time of the year is fabulous on the Sunshine Coast: longer, warmer days and the holidays just around the corner. We are lucky to have so much to do here on the Coast over the holiday season. Make sure you check out our Christmas calendar for your holiday planning and our gift guide to fill those stockings!

In this issue we are pushing boundaries: or at least encouraging you to get outside and explore. From Turf them Outside to Life Lessons Through Sport, we look at how the activities our children participate in, be it through the natural environment or sport impact on their learning and development.

We also tackle the f word – no not that one, the fat one. It is a word that no parent wants to have to use in relation to their children (or themselves for that matter), but one that we need to be conscious of when appropriate and not hide our heads in the ground when it comes to looking for a solution.

This month we are lucky enough to have accredited practicing dietitian Justine Urbahn delve into how to start to confront the issue of weight and healthy eating in our homes.

As always, please feel free to contact me via Facebook.com/ kidsonthecoast, our website or email. And of course, keep an eye out for the stories, reviews, news and competitions that are added almost daily to our website!

30 seconds with Louisa My Favourite childhood book: May Gibbs Snugglepot n Cuddlepie.

When I grew up I was going to be: an Air Hostess and travel the world (weren’t we all LOL!).

My absolute favourite food: T-bone with chips and salad.

My Achilles Heel: Salt. I love salt and anything with salt, such as peanuts, chips, crackers, you name it.

If I could live anywhere in the world: that’s easy! Right here where I am on the Sunshine Coast as we do really live in paradise!

Favourite Sunday Activity: Well it’s not very active, but I love to kick back with family and friends whether it’s down the beach, a picnic in our beautiful Hinterland or a BBQ at home.

Favourite saying: Do unto others as you should have them do unto you.

I am inspired by: The likes of Nelson Mandela & Mahatma Gandhi. People who fight for what is right in life.

Kim Lahey writer

30 seconds with Kim My favourite book: Last chance to see. Douglas Adams goes every place he fancies going in the world, on the lookout for endangered animals, with hilarious results. My retirement plan!

The best advice I’ve been given: You get back what you give Toys I loved as a kid: My pet sheep. And a golden-haired doll. Trouble was, my older brother told me “The sun makes hair grow - I’ll shave her head and you can watch her hair grow back….”

My favourite Sunday activity: Family bushwalk and backyard chat.

My secret talent: Tragically I can sing every word from just about every one-hit wonder of the 80’s My absolute favourite food: Anything my eldest daughter Codi makes, a toss-up between her chocolate banana cake or her pizza.

I am inspired by: My Dad – he digs out something intriguing about the world every day.

The cutest thing my child has said: Class presentation by daughter Ali, then-six. “I love my mum because she makes the best slime.” (Backyard science, not my cooking…. I think!)

Jackie Goldston Editor

My favourite saying is: Be kind, for everyone you meet might be fighting a hard battle (thanks Plato).

*See the website for competition terms and conditions

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THE FINAL SHOW TOGETHER OF AN S MURRAY, JEFF & THONY, GREG!

TICKET SE LLING FAST! DON’T MISS OUT!

BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE SATURDAY 15 DECEMBER 10am & 1:30pm SUNDAY 16 DECEMBER 10am & 1:30pm For tickets phone 132 849 or visit www.ticketek.com.au Presented by Official Partners

© 2012 The Wiggles Pty Ltd. Individual artists may be substituted.

- what’snews Stay up to date with your local community news.

If you have any unique news that you’d like to share, please contact our editor on editorial@kidsonthecoast.com.au

make a difference

29th november

If you are aged between 12 and 25 and want to make a difference in your community, Sunshine Coast Council’s Speak Up and Engage program wants to hear from you. Community Programs Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said the Speak Up and Engage program is an initiative that has been developed by young people for young people. “It’s about making sure young people have input and are involved in planning, developing and building the Sunshine Coast region,” she said.

Youth expo in caloundra

The Connect 4 Expo is an event for the Sunshine Coast’s parents and youth on Tuesday 29 November, 3pm - 8pm.

As part of Social Inclusion Week a range of local organisations (including Kids on the Coast) are pleased to have teamed up to bring a fun multifaceted event aimed at parents, students and those who target or deal with young people on the Sunshine Coast. The Expo will feature a wide range of youth services; from support services to sports groups, education and training providers, business, industry and community groups. Visit www.facebook.com/Connect4Expo for more information. Bookings essential!

2nd December New market experience

The Mummy Tree Markets are expanding to Noosaville in December.

Already successful in Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast, The Mummy Tree Markets offers a unique shopping experience showcasing hard to find, boutique and often handmade products as well as having fun children’s entertainment, yummy food, free entry and parking; they are not just a market but an event. Sunday the 2nd of December (9am – 1pm) will see the launch of the Noosaville Market just in time for some gorgeous Christmas shopping.

Noosaville State School Hall, 79 Beckmans Rd, Noosaville. Sponsored

by Kids on the Coast Magazine. See the website for more information www.themummytreemarkets.com. au/sunshinecoast

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local youth invited to

More Sleep equals better behaviour It may not seem that surprising to most… Research has suggested that parents should let their children sleep in a little more: it may help improve their behaviour and make them less restless in school. According to researchers of the Canadian study, cutting back on children’s sleep time seems to make them more likely to cry, lose their temper and become frustrated.

“You can think about it from a lot of different angles,” said Reut Gruber, of Montreal’s McGill University and Douglas Research Center. “What we are showing here is that it can go both ways in terms of behaviour and academic performance.” While there are many studies that link sleep and behaviour, not many have examined whether more sleep actually leads to better behaviour in school children.

KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

“Some of the benefits of being involved in Speak Up and Engage include being a voice for young people within council, developing new skills and an opportunity to meet like-minded young people. We are looking for registrations from interested young advocates who want to have a voice on issues that matter.” It is really easy to get involved, simply complete the online registration form at council’s website or phone the customer contact centre on 5475 7272 for further information.

A much loved resident ray has arrived back home to UnderWater World after a 10 month holiday at SeaWorld on the Gold Coast. The brown ray was carefully transported by marine experts in October then released into its new home, Bay of Rays, a new area in the ocean tank, which has recently undergone a $3.5m refurbishment. The brown ray was relocated to SeaWorld while work was completed on the new ocean tank’s four new zones; Bay of Rays, Shark Shipwreck, Coral Cove and Turtle Temple. Now reopened, the ray and many more animals are continuing to return to the attraction after enjoying ‘holidays’ at various aquariums around Australia. UnderWater World curator Mark Smith, said the ray had taken to its new home swimmingly. “It’s great to see all our animals returning home and thriving in their new environment in the ocean tank. The whole team here at UnderWater World are so passionate about our animals so it’s exciting to see animals we’ve cared for, for many years, healthy and flourishing” he said.

welcome

home

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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1. Princess and the pea: Beautifully handcrafted fairy-tale doll in her bed of ten mattresses with a hidden pea and sewn book.

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RRP $19.95 From www.facebook.com/Mumzieforbaby or www.limetreekids.com.au 6. 2013 CalendAr with a difference: A Smart Calendar allows up to 6 people to easily keep track of what’s going on in their life at a glance RRP $15 from www.smartcalendars4u.com www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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FEATURE

Challenging

Weight Issues

By Justine Urbahn APD

Obesity rates amongst both children and adults are overwhelming.

Currently 1 in 4 children are obese or overweight in Australia. These rates are showing no sign of slowing down with predictions that in 2020 rates will be as high as 80%. This trend is consistent in other developed nations. America followed by Mexico are the two heaviest nations. Australia is ranked 6th.

T

he reasons for these alarming statistics are mostly environmental. Our lifestyle is physically easier than in our grandparent’s day. Computers, remote controls, smart phones and transport allow us to do so many daily activities at the press of a button. Although our lifestyles are mentally more demanding than in our grandparents day, we compensate by taking part in sedentary leisure activities such as computer games, X Boxes, iPods and DVD’s. We are often busy and tired and participate in far less physical activity.

This lifestyle that was unheard of 50 years ago is taking its toll on our health and public health resources. Health problems associated with obesity such as diabetes and heart disease are costing taxpayers into the billions of dollars.

For many years chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes have been considered problems that only affect older people. Today with the rising

rates of obesity we now see obese children suffering from the following: • Type 2 Diabetes • Heart Disease • High Blood Pressure • High levels of harmful cholesterol • Low levels of good cholesterol • Fatty liver disease • Disturbed sleep • Insulin resistance In addition to these physical problems, psychological issues manifest themselves usually during primary school and can have devastating consequences lasting throughout life. Overweight children often have self-esteem issues and can be the target of bullying.

Causes of obesity?

An imbalance of energy intake versus energy output is what causes unnecessary weight gain. continued on next page...

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FEATURE If you eat more calories than your body burns off you will gain weight. The environment we live in makes it all too easy to buy cheap, energy dense foods. Advertising leads us to believe many mistruths about our food. Our children know less about fresh food, many thinking food comes from a box. Food is used too often as a treat by many parents rather than treating children to a trip to the park or the beach.

What about Genes?

Our genes determine the colour of our eyes, our hair and our skin. It is thought that 40% of our body shape is determined by our genes. So genes determine if we have an apple shape, a pear shape or if we have a tall lean build or a short stocky build. But only about 1% of the population is thought to have a genetic defect that predisposes us to gaining weight. This is a very small percentage that highlights the influence our environment has on our weight.

Recognizing the problem For some parents it is obvious their child is overweight when they look at them. With so many overweight people around us though, it is difficult for some families to tell if their child really has a weight problem. Many times excess weight is put down to ‘Puppy Fat’ that he or she will ‘grow out of’. Unfortunately, ‘Puppy fat’ can be the start of a life long battle with weight problems. The sooner you address issues with weight the more hope you and your child have of controlling the problem. Excess weight in childhood is likely to continue into adulthood. Some children will ‘thin out’; however waiting for this can be problematic.

It becomes much harder for an overweight teenager to lose weight because they are no longer growing than for an overweight child who can maintain their weight as they grow taller.

If you are concerned that your child is gaining excessive weight then it may be a good idea to have him/her assessed by your GP or Pediatrician. They will measure your child’s Body Mass Index and plot this on a chart designed specifically for children. They will assess whether your child’s weight may be the result of a medical problem or whether it is environmental.

How do you talk to your child about weight?

If you know your child has a weight problem you need to start making changes now. If your doctor tells you your child has asthma and requires medication, then of course you would immediately take action and begin the medication. It is no different to when your child has a weight problem… you need to act on it now!

“It becomes much harder for an overweight teenager to lose weight because they are no longer growing than for an overweight child who can maintain their weight as they grow taller.” continued on next page...

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www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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FEATURE

Many adults who have battled with their weight their whole life, often talk of their sadness as a child when a family friend or relative called them fat. Many speak of feeling inadequate and unloved because of their weight. Your child may already be aware of their weight, particularly if they have slim siblings and friends. So how you approach the issue of weight needs to be handled sensitively.

Before you talk to your child, have a look at your own lifestyle and assess what changes you can implement to make it healthier. If you can make your lifestyle healthier, you will automatically help your child. If you are motivated to improve your own health and wellbeing, you may be able to make all the necessary changes that will help your child without even needing to discuss their weight with them. If you feel you need help with this speak to a Dietitian or a GP. Often when I am seeing an overweight child I like to speak with the parents first. I look at what the family eats, what they buy at the supermarket, how many times they have takeaways and how much time is spent doing physical activity. From this information I can suggest healthy changes that can be implemented for the whole family. It is important that the overweight child is never made to feel different. Dietary advice is based on healthy eating principals that benefit the entire family.

‘Healthy Eating’ is definitely the message to give to your child, avoid the word ‘diet’. The term Healthy Eating is a positive phrase. Teaching your

Children need to know that part of loving and respecting themselves is about making healthy choices to keep their bodies healthy. child about healthy choices helps them now and well into their future. You can provide them with positive messages about food when you serve dinner, do the shopping or unpack the groceries.

Talk to them about the food you are buying and explain why it is good for them. When your child makes a healthy choice you may take the time to compliment them.

As your child gets older be mindful of the words you use to describe weight. Avoid terms like ‘fat’ and ‘chubby’ and use terms like ‘above average weight’. Avoid stereotypical comments like ‘she is fat she must eat lots of bad foods’ or ‘she is fat and lazy’.

Tell your children you will love them unconditionally regardless of their body shape.

Remind them of their positive attributes and

how much you admire them. Children also need to know that part of loving and respecting themselves is about making healthy choices to keep their bodies healthy.

In all aspects of parenting our children learn from their parents. Again be mindful of the language you use to describe yourself and your partner.

Avoid phrases like ‘do I look fat in this?’ or ‘I am going to start my new diet Monday’.

The engine inside our body We’ve all heard of people say ‘I only need to look at a piece of cake and I’ll gain 2 kg.’ We know that some people gain weight more easily than others. This may be related to our metabolism.

When you have an older child you can talk about the engine inside their body. Explain to them that some people have a really fast engine that uses food up really quickly. These people usually have a very slim build. Some people have a slow engine that uses less food more slowly. Ideally we want to speed up our engines. We can do this by fuelling our bodies with regular, healthy meals, lots of water and plenty of activity.

This is a concept children can grasp. It explains why their super slim sister can eat and eat whilst they have to be more careful about their choices.

No food is bad food.

There are Healthy Foods and Sometimes Foods.

When children are young their food intake is easy continued on next page...

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SATURDAY 17 NOVEMBER

SANTA’S COMING TO TOWN JOIN SANTA AT THE RIVERWALK STAGE AT 9AM See Santa arrive at Sunshine Plaza and join in the fun with Damien the Magician and his famous rabbit Sparkles. Every child will have the chance to meet and pat Sparkles the cheeky magic rabbit after the show. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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FEATURE to control. But as they get older and start going to school and on play dates, suddenly you are not around to decide what food they eat. Children who have a very restrictive diet tend to go crazy when Mum’s not looking. Being too restrictive inflames a child’s desire to eat forbidden goodies.

Avoid phrases like ‘junk food is bad for us’, or ‘potato chips make us fat’. I like to refer to foods as healthy foods and sometimes foods. As a family you need to decide when it is appropriate to eat ‘sometimes foods’. This way your child will learn that all foods are to be enjoyed but some are healthier for us than others and need to be eaten in moderation.

Understand your child’s relationship with food Time and time again I see overweight children who are obsessed with food. They think about food all the time, they have a tendency to eat when they are emotional or anxious and they eat very quickly. These children can be harder to manage because they are always nagging you for food. If you have a child like this you may find it helpful to include a small serve of protein such as egg, lean ham, peanut butter, nuts, chicken, baked beans or yoghurt at each of their meals.

Ensure that each meal and snack has some low GI carbohydrate such as grainy bread, yoghurt, grainy crackers, fruit bread or sweet potato.

You are not doing your child any favours by giving in to them and allowing them to eat food freely.

Children need boundaries for their behaviour and for the foods they eat. It is important to let them know that you have set meal times; 3 meals and 2 snacks. If their intake is appropriate at these meals they shouldn’t be hungry.

Some children ask for food when they are bored, happy or sad. It is important to identify these triggers. If you see this pattern occurring, talk to your child and understand what is going on so that you can help them cope with these feelings in healthier ways. Sometimes it helps if you direct them to an activity. You will know that they are not hungry if they are absorbed in the activity and no longer asking for food.

Children and adults who eat very quickly are likely to eat large portions. Talk to your child about this and come up with a strategy that will help to slow them down. I often suggest timing meals so that meals take 20-30 minutes instead of 10-15.

Should you weigh?

When a child comes to my practice I will weigh them to obtain a clearer picture on where their weight is in relation to their height. Weighing

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

“No food is bad food. There are Healthy Foods and Sometimes Foods.” regularly at home is counterproductive. Weight varies from day to day and even week to week.

As a child begins to exercise, muscle mass can change and this can show as increased weight on the scales. I think the effects of regular weighing can be damaging. Remember for a growing child you are not expecting to see weight loss. Weight maintenance is your goal – you want your child to grow into their weight.

Reduce screen time and increase activity One of the big hurdles families have today is finding the time to be active. High-density living means we don’t often have vast amounts of space for our children to use outside, we are more wary about letting our children walk to school and ride their bikes on the streets. Money is another consideration. Some families just don’t have the money to enrol their children in organised activities.

Sometimes you need to be a little creative when it comes to family activities. The best change you can make is reducing screen time. When children are not in front of their screens they are likely to be moving their bodies.

Think about how you can participate in activities as a family. For the health of your child encouraging physical activity is as important as giving that asthma medication.

A healthy relationship with food and exercise should be a goal for all families – weight problems or no weight problems. I think that just as it is the parents responsibility to teach a child how to dress themselves, cross the road safely, be kind to others and so on, it is also their responsibility to teach their children how to eat well. For families where children are gaining excess weight it is important to act quickly. The younger the child the easier the weight problem is to control. The longer you leave it or deny that there is a problem the more likely your child will battle with their weight well into adulthood.

Justine works at the Sunshine Coast Children’s Development Centre in Minyama. This is a multidisciplinary centre focused on the health and wellbeing of children.

Justine is an accredited practicing dietitian. www.sccdc.com.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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NEW TO THE C OAST New to the Coast shares exciting new changes and products by local businesses that cater to Sunshine Coast parents and families. We think local kids and parents deserve just as much choice, style, fun, innovation and value for money as those living anywhere else. So if you agree, please join us in helping these new ventures to get off the ground by taking a look at what they’ve got to offer.

And if you’ve got a new business you want to spread the word on, let us know!

New exciting online store!

Inspirational birth memento

Jellyfish kidz Australia is excited to announce its new online store is now open and to celebrate we are giving away 3 x $100 vouchers for you to win by simply liking us on Facebook/jellyfish kidz Australia.

Jellyfish Kidz Australia is a designer kids clothing range that is fun, fresh and bright.

At Jellyfish kidz Australia it’s all about fun, love, and play.

Are you looking for a stunning memento of the morning your child was born or timeless piece that captures a beautiful moment in time?

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Best start in oral health It is hard to believe that by 6 years of age half of Australian children will have at least one cavity. That statistic is even harder to believe when tooth decay is a preventable disease. Most people think tooth decay can’t happen in baby teeth, or it happens after a certain age. This is not the case.

Tooth decay can occur on any tooth that is in the correct environment to cause the decay. There are many factors that can lead to your child developing tooth decay. These range from the way the tooth formed, through diet, cleaning habits, lifestyle factors and parental stress. Tooth decay is a complex disease that is caused by bacteria in the mouth. It is not related to just what you eat or whether you brush your teeth.

The only way proven to prevent tooth decay is to get the right information for your child from birth. By doing this you avoid things that could put your child at risk of getting tooth decay. Our new baby visits are specifically designed for children between birth and two years of age, and aim to provide you with all the information you need to prevent decay for your child. Your child deserves the best start to their oral health. Good oral health lasts a lifetime.

For the first new baby visit we will give you a pack worth $40 that will provide you with the products you need to start your child on a lifetime of good oral health.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2012

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

We all deserve to Dance

Far from the traditional dance school, Ausfunk base their classes on a no pressure, low cost, all inclusive, fun environment. Build self esteem, motivation and fitness around the latest moves and grooves. Performing at local events, Ausfunk educates students in the importance of community. Ausfunk is determined that all children feel like a star, regardless of background, financial situation or disability. www.ausfunk.com.au

Picnic in the park After the success of the first Family Connect Picnic in the Park in October, Kids on the Coast and the Women’s Lifestyle Expo will be hosting regular family picnics at Brightwater. These picnics are a casual get-together for Sunshine Coast families to connect with other families – to have fun, make new friends and support each other. Come along and have fun with kids entertainment and games, treat yourself to some yummy sweets and cakes, and enjoy getting to know other families. The next event is on Sunday 25th November, 2012 at the Lakefront Parklands (Freshwater & Amberjack Sts, Brightwater). This one will be held at 2.00 – 5.00pm to avoid the hottest part of the day. Keep an eye out in future for details of Picnics in the Park in 2013. www.facebook.com/kidsonthecoast/events

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mucus, making it easier to dislodge from the lungs, at the same time reducing inflammation and killing bacteria. For skin conditions Himalayan salt assists in neutralising the pH of the skin and helps retain moisture.

Your little ones will reap the benefits of salt therapy in the children’s sessions whilst you sit back and relax in the Caves café area or browse the range of Himalayan salt products, including salt lamps and a natural skincare range.

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november / december 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

17

Keeping Kids Safe

by Sandra Smith Helicopter parenting won’t keep our kids safe. Instead, we need to teach children about personal safety and who to talk to if they need help. We can’t bubble-wrap our kids, but we can help them learn safety skills that will protect them from harm.

Social worker and author Caryn Anderson advises parents to teach their children safety tips in small, repeated, positive doses.

“Children’s personal safety skills, when supported, can help them stay safe with most people most of the time,” Caryn explains. “You can teach children to be safe without scaring them. You just need to know how.”

Body rules Learning rules about private body parts helps children develop a clear understanding of inappropriate touching and personal boundaries.

Body rules help to keep kids safe by teaching them that some behaviours are not appropriate, as well as helping them know when and how to tell someone.

Use the correct terms for genitals when talking with children about their bodies. This normalises these words and helps kids develop a healthy attitude to their own bodies. Teaching young children the correct names for their private

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

body parts may feel awkward or embarrassing for parents, but Caryn says it gives children the language to be able to speak about their bodies if they need to disclose abuse.

“As parents we can often tell our children ‘that is silly’ or ‘that is rude’,” Caryn says. “This can suppress children’s disclosures as they believe talking about these parts of the bodies are ‘rude and naughty’. Keeping things really clear for children gets rid of any confusion.”

Remember that children are often exposed to sexual messages from all forms of media at a young age, therefore it’s important that they receive positive messages from their parents and carers so they understand the boundaries of appropriate behaviour. This includes an understanding of the various types of touch.

“By teaching what is ‘ok’ touching, you will not scare a child or make them afraid of good, healthy touching,” Caryn says. “You will be giving the child skills to stop bad or confusing touching.

Children feel good knowing they can help themselves.”

Important

body rules

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• No-one should touch your private parts • No-one should look at your private parts • No-one should take photos or movies of your private parts (Source: My Body Rules, Anderson, C & Howe, A.) continued on next page... www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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and very importantly, they need to report,” Denise says. “They have to recognise the body clues, the early warning signs, the butterflies in the stomach, the sweaty palms and the shiver down the spine.”

A new personal safety programme, the Daniel Morcombe Child Safety Curriculum, has been developed for school students by the Department of Education, Training and Employment, in partnership with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. The programme will be delivered by teachers across three phases: Prep to Year 2, Year 3 to Year 6 and Year 7 to Year 9. The early years phase was launched in Queensland schools in September 2012, and the other two phases will follow later in 2012 and 2013.

Internet safety

“They have to recognise the body clues, the early warning signs, the butterflies in the stomach, the sweaty palms and the shiver down the spine.”

The statistics The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) reports that in 2010-11, there were 40,466 cases of child abuse substantiated by child protection authorities across Australia. The AIFS defines four types of child maltreatment: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

In 2010-11, the most common types of child maltreatment substantiated by child protection authorities were emotional abuse and child neglect; however, there were 5,437 cases of sexual abuse. Note that this data only includes cases reported to child protection authorities, so it does not tell us exactly how many children in the community have been abused or neglected.

The safety message Queensland child safety ambassadors Bruce and Denise Morcombe have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of child safety since the death of their son Daniel in 2003. They have personally taken the child safety message to more than 150 schools in Queensland this year, giving talks to groups of children from Prep right through to Year 12.

In January 2012, Education Queensland asked for expressions of interest from Queensland schools and Denise says that she and Bruce

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

Social media can pose a threat to children’s safety, when they enter chat rooms, add Facebook friends they don’t know or innocently post images or personal details that can be accessed by others. When Denise talks with school children, she advises them to take down any Facebook friends they don’t know personally.

“They could be talking to a 60-year-old man from Innisfail or Townsville or anywhere, pretending to be a 12 or 13-year-old with the same interests as them,” Denise warns. “Some kids do get lured away and go and meet these people. They just have to be very careful.”

Stranger danger decided to go to every single school that sent in a request, whether it was a group of 25 kids, or whether it was in Cooktown, Miles or Mt. Isa. Children in regional areas need an awareness of personal safety, especially in the mining towns where there is a transient population, says Denise.

The three key words that Denise and Bruce take to school children in their role as child safety ambassadors, are recognise, react and report.

• Recognise: this message encourages students to be aware of their surroundings and to recognise warning clues. This depends on an awareness of safe and unsafe situations, of body clues and the rules of body ownership.

• React: this helps students to consider safety options and make choices that can keep them safe or help make them safe again as quickly as possible.

• Report: this depends on the child having a safety network of trusted adults who they can tell. This also applies to phone and online safety.

“They need to recognise a dangerous situation, they need to be able to react to get out of there

Avoid talking about ‘stranger danger’ with children. It is far better to teach children to judge the situation and make smart choices to protect their personal safety.

The ‘stranger danger’ message can have a reverse effect as children may become fearful and anxious about the monster-like stranger who could be hiding in the bushes ready to pounce, but they will trust anyone who appears kind and friendly.

In reality, the child sex offender is likely to be a familiar person who has gained the family’s trust and has unsupervised access to the child.

Children need the skills to be able to discriminate between a safe and a threatening situation involving a stranger and to have strategies in place for staying safe and getting help if they need it. Teach children to act quickly in a personal emergency, to make things safe. This could mean shouting a loud, clear ‘No’ and running to a safe place.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation now has a Help Me phone app, designed for use in personal emergencies. The phone app’s ‘Help Me’ button sounds a warning and allows the user to send a text message, including GPS co-ordinates, to two nominated ‘safety’ numbers. continued on next page... www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

“Confident children are less likely to go along with something, and will speak out, posing a greater risk to perpetrators of being discovered”

A trusted adult network Children need a safety network of at least five trusted adults they can talk to if they are feeling scared, confused, sad or upset. It’s important to include adults outside the family home in the child’s trusted adult network, for example, the child’s teacher, the family doctor or a police officer.

“A lot of the time the problem is at home, or somebody that they know, so if they tell someone and they don’t listen, they just keep telling someone else, whether it’s their school principal or someone at the school office or a friend’s Mum and Dad,” Denise says. “I think it’s just a matter of being educated that nothing is so bad that they can’t tell anybody.”

Confident kids A safe and secure home environment helps children feel confident, which in turn helps protect them from child abuse. Parents can reduce the risk of abuse by helping their kids develop a healthy self-esteem, assertiveness and self-confidence.

Social worker Caryn Anderson, who spent many years working in the child protection field and now works with children in private practice, says research has shown that confident children who are less emotionally needy are less of a target for abuse.

“Confident children are less likely to go along with something, and will speak out, posing a greater risk to perpetrators of being discovered, hence they are targeted less,” Caryn advises. “Predators seek children that they can groom to engage in the abuse and to keep the secret.”

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

Caryn says confident children can: • Judge the entire situation and make smart choices • Stand up and say no • View challenging problems as tasks to be mastered • Develop deeper interest in the activities in which they participate • Form a stronger sense of commitment to their interests and activities • Recover quickly from setbacks and disappointments • Protect themselves from hurtful words • Get the attention of busy adults and tell them about situations that make them confused or uncomfortable

Open communication Communication with children is important for safety, as it creates the avenue in which they can disclose. Sex offenders rely on secrecy and trickery to continue offending, so children need to learn the difference between good secrets and bad secrets which must be told.

Children may feel too scared, guilty or embarrassed to tell anyone when someone breaks their body rules. Perhaps they’re confused about the behaviours and are desperate for approval and affection. Telling their secret may result in change and loss. It could mean moving house, suffering financial hardship or even going through a court case.

Caryn says children who have not been listened to in the past are going to find it very difficult to tell someone when something bad is happening to them. The child needs support and reassurance

that it’s ok to tell, so parents and carers need to stay calm and avoid reactions of shock, blame or disbelief.

“For the older children, know their daily activities and habits,” she advises. “Listen to what your children like and don’t like, encourage open communication, let them know they can talk about anything without fearing they may get into trouble. Teach your children it’s ok to say ‘no’, set appropriate boundaries.”

Every child has the right to feel safe, and these important life skills will help our children stay safe.

Resources These services can assist with more information or support.

• Children’s Safety Australia Inc: www. childsafety.org.au • Bravehearts: 1800 BRAVE 1 (272 831) www.bravehearts.org.au • Daniel Morcombe Foundation Inc: www.DanielMorcombe.com.au • Family Planning Queensland: www. fpq.com.au • Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800 (free call from a land line)www.kidshelp. com.au • National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN): www.napcan.org.au • Parentline: 1300 301 300

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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EDUCATION

L if e L e s so ns T h ro u gh Sp o r t

by Luke Goldston

Sport is good for kids. Children who are involved in sport generally have lower rates of depression, get better school results, become more employable, have higher self esteem and a more positive body image. In addition they have all the health benefits that higher activity levels provide, particularly if they can continue into adulthood.

For younger kids it’s an essential part of learning motor skills and social and emotional development.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

But it’s not as simple as just buying a pair of boots and driving them down to the nearest sports club. Although sport does have a lot of benefit, it has far more benefit when it’s put into the context of a broad and fulfilling life. Kids who are also in a happy home, are encouraged academically and get involved in the wider community in various ways such as clubs and charity work tend to get much more out of sport than those who focus more narrowly.

Role models It seems a given in modern culture that sports stars are role models for children. While it’s true that sport can provide role models, the more likely and useful source of inspiration is not the millionaire megastar who is as real to a child as a comic book superhero, but the humble junior coach and their fellow athletes.

Renowned parenting writer Steve Biddulph notes that from the ages of about 7 to 14, boys in particular look to their fathers to learn how to be men. As they progress through their teens they

start to look for role models from outside the family. This is where a consistent commitment to a sporting team can provide kids with a template for how to deal with success and failure, the importance of effort and teamwork and the rewards for determination.

However, not all role models are positive ones.

For instance, research has shown higher levels of violence, drink driving and antisocial attitudes amongst some male high school athletes which carries over into adulthood; and that’s why it’s important to choose a sport as much for the individuals that are involved with it as for the sport itself.

No girls allowed ABS data show that girls trail boys in sporting participation, even when female dominated activities like organised dancing are taken into consideration. In fact, it is not until middle age that this trend starts to reverse and women begin to take part in sport and exercise as much as men.

continued on next page...

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EDUCATION

Yet the benefits for girls from sports participation are, if anything, even more pronounced than those for boys. Girls who participate in sports have, on average, a more positive body image, suffer less from depression, have higher self esteem and are less likely to have unintended pregnancies. In fact even in sports like diving and gymnastics where teenage competitors have their bodies on display in revealing attire, a situation which might be thought to promote anxieties, research showed a positive effect on physical self image.

but it is certainly true that parents, peers, the media and society in general seem to take a different view of girls’ sport to boys.

and gender identity become such a factor, sport may be seen as unfeminine and therefore unappealing.

Many of the characteristics that we tend to applaud in athletes are often seen as inherently ‘male’ traits such as mental and physical toughness, determination and courage. ‘Boys will be boys’ is the attitude we take to the prospect of our sons hurting themselves, yet we often treat girls as a somehow more vulnerable species and even more fragile the older they get.

There also seems to be a lack of role models for young women in sport. Some of this may be due to the fact that there is only a tenth as much women’s sport coverage in the media as men’s.

When women athletes are given airtime, it often seems to be more for their beauty than their ability.

So the question remains: why don’t girls play sport as much as boys? There is no clear answer

For girls, particularly those in and approaching those difficult teenage years where sexuality

Once again though, the solution may lie closer to home. Studies have shown that a mother’s participation in sports, while it has little influence

continued on next page...

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

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EDUCATION

“The simplest and most effective way to motivate a child to participate in sport and exercise is for the parent to participate themselves.”

on their sons, has quite a significant effect on whether their daughters play. Perhaps we need to rethink the meaning we attach to the phrase ‘soccer mum’ to include a mum who inspires their daughter to play rather than just drive them to the games.

The Down Side As any parent will tell you, kids have a certain genius for hurting themselves. They have an undeveloped awareness of the boundaries of the physical world and the limits of their bodies, and remarkable resilience and recuperative powers that make the consequences seem not as great.

Although it may sometimes fill us with worry, in general this is a good thing; without this adventurous, creative urge they wouldn’t develop at all. However it does mean they are prone to sporting injuries. For the most part these injuries aren’t serious. Immature bodies are usually flexible enough to cope with the kinds of impacts and strains that they are put through and the greatest risks to health, like rugby scrums, have been made significantly safer with rule changes over the years.

However, with the increasing professionalisation of most sports, more intensive training practices have filtered down to junior levels making younger and younger bodies vulnerable to overuse injuries. More gifted athletes who get involved in elite programs are often subjected to a ‘survival of the fittest’ process where those who can hack the pace are rewarded with a shot at adult

professional glory and the 95% who can’t are discarded with only scars to show for it.

If a parent has concerns about the training load of a young athlete the most important questions to ask are: • Who is driving this? Is it the athlete themselves or is this coming from an overly zealous coach, or even from yourself as a parent.

• Do you trust the coaches, trainers and health care professionals involved? Do they have the appropriate experience and qualifications to help you make decisions?

Motivation

“No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training... what a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.

Socrates (469-399 BC)” Sport has been used by civilizations to train future soldiers and empire builders, by governments to boost national pride and by corporations for marketing and branding. Youth sports is now a focus of government policy and a key initiative in the ‘war’ against obesity. However, while we can cite the benefits to our children in boosting

self-esteem, teamwork and psychological health it’s easy to get so caught up in the push to get something out of sport that we forget the chief goal of most kids playing sport – to have fun.

Unfortunately, many coaches and parents have methods and attitudes towards training and playing that end up being nothing more than elaborate ways of sucking the fun out of sport.

It’s worth remembering that while we may see the benefits that will last them a lifetime, for many kids the only factor that will actually keep them in the game is whether they’re enjoying themselves.

It’s worth restating that the simplest and most effective way to motivate a child to participate in sport and exercise is for the parent to participate themselves.

Losing and other catastrophes Kids are natural competitors. They want to get out there and run faster and throw further. They want to be the best dancer, the best singer, the best footie player. In short, they love to win.

Some have a naturally better handle on winning and losing than others. For those kids, losing is bad because it’s less fun than winning and it goes no further than that.

For others, unfortunately, the experience of losing a game seems to cause an emotional and spiritual breakdown of Chernobyl proportions.

Those same kids are often even worse winners, teasing and taunting their opponents to rub their noses in it. continued on next page...

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

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Faith Diligence Love

Opening doors to fun-filled learning To celebrate the successful growth of our Little Learners program, we will be opening our new purpose designed Kindy facilities in 2013.

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www.suncoastcc.qld.edu.au november / december 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

31

EDUCATION The solution isn’t to insulate them from losing and competing. Sport can be an emotional experience. Winning, losing, getting hurt, being exhausted, all of these can trigger strong responses in us. Controlling the wild excesses of childhood emotion doesn’t come naturally but sport can be a valuable teacher in this regard, especially when good mentors are around to show kids how they should behave.

“…we forget the chief goal of most kids playing sport – to have fun!”

You should, therefore, focus on praising them for effort and behaviour rather than results, show an interest in and talk to them about the specifics of a game or event rather than just asking them ‘did you win?’ and most importantly, model appropriate behaviour yourself and ensure they are around others who do the same. One of the most difficult but important tricks that sport can teach is how to compete to the utmost of your ability but not go to pieces when that doesn’t bring success.

Finally, give your kids some perspective. As stated earlier, sport has been shown to be a more valuable learning experience when it’s tempered with some real life experience of the wider world; because at the end of the day, it is only a game.

Which sport?

Every sport has some benefit; it’s hard to argue that one is better than others, still harder to argue that there is a best sport for kids to participate in. What is important though is to find a sport that is a best fit for the child, physically and psychologically.

For instance, endurance sports are often linked to personalities that excel at persistence and dedication. But to push a child into long distance running in the hope that they’ll develop these characteristics may be misguided. It’s more likely that certain personality types are more attracted to certain sports.

Some kids might be turned off by traditional team sports to the extent that they are labelled unathletic, yet turn out to be a champion at fencing or badminton. Some may value being in nature far more than competing with their peers and love nothing more than bushwalking. The trick is not to make the process of finding the right sports excessively time and money consuming, and to remember that at some point they need to learn to commit to something.

Many sports that are learnt young can be enjoyed until well into the senior years; swimming, cycling, martial arts and sailing for example. Others have a relatively short lifespan, with participation in

popular sports such as the rugby codes and AFL dropping off sharply after the 20s.

This is not a reason to ignore those kinds of sports but a child who commits all their energy to a game that they’ll give up when they’re 21 is in danger of spending the rest of their life inactive. It’s also been shown that kids who play multiple sports are more likely to continue playing into adulthood than single sports athletes. A more balanced approach is to make sure every child participates in at least one sport or activity that they can continue to do long after their indestructible youth is gone.

Holiday Club (from Prep - Year 7) • • • •

Loads of fun excursions - APEX Mudjimba mini boot camp, Caloundra Cinema, picnics, bush walking Challenge days - cubby house building, acting classes Volleyball & rock climbing at NCC Health & Fitness Centre 7.30am to 5.30pm - Cost $55 per day

(CCR & sibling discounts available)

P: 0418 983 892 32

E: preprepdirector@ncc.qld.edu.au

KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

www.ncc.qld.edu.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Pacific Lutheran Early Learning Centre

WHERE

CURIOSITY

LEADS TO DISCOVERY

Specialist early childhood teachers and assistants inspire a love of learning in children. Creativity and confidence are nurtured as children explore the Queensland Kindergarten Guidelines. Pacific offers the choice of: • Kindergarten in a long day model 5 days a week.

• Sessional kindergarten 5 day fortnight.

Promoting Positive Partnerships

Enrolment forms or enquiries by calling Mrs Chris Henschke on 5436 7321 or emailing admin@pacluth.qld.edu.au Woodlands Boulevard Meridan Plains 4551

www.pacificlutheran.qld.edu.au

Prep at Immanuel Prep at Immanuel... make the right choice Finding the right school with supportive and nurturing teachers will set your child on a path of lifelong learning. That’s where we come in...

Enrolling now for Prep 2014, call us today, and find out what makes an Immanuel education so special.

Immanuel… where everyone is someone.

Immanuel Lutheran College 126-142 Wises Road, Buderim, QLD 4556 Irene Dabinet, Enrolment Registrar T: 07 5477 3441 E: dabineti@immanuel.qld.edu.au

www.immanuel.qld.edu.au www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

november / december 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

33

ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

How you do you know if your child is ready for school?

The transition from home, day care, kindergarten or pre-prep to school is a major milestone for any family. How can you be assured that your child is ready?

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Health and Physical Wellbeing: Can your child use a paintbrush, pencil, or scissors? Is your child able to walk and run without tripping, or sit quietly for longer periods without becoming distracted?

The Prep curriculum is based on active learning, which includes real-life situations, investigation and play. It recognises the importance of children’s brain development through learning using all 5 senses, and the role of adults in children’s learning.

The prep year aims to develop: • social and emotional competence • health and physical wellbeing • language development and communication • early mathematical understandings • active learning processes, with a focus on thinking, investigating, and imagining and responding • positive dispositions to learning.

In Queensland, children must turn five by the thirtieth of June to be able to start the Prep year.

To help you decide whether your child is ready for Prep, you may want to consider Social Skills: your child will need to be able to socialise and play with their classmates. They may also need to be able to deal with a more structured or more formal learning environment, such as being

Language skills: Your child will need to be able to understand what teachers are saying and follow simple instructions, as well as be able to communicate with teachers and the other students. Is your child beginning to show a greater interest in books, and in drawing and writing?

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All children are different and develop at different rates. Many children take longer to mature than their peers. Is your child smaller or younger than the other children? Is your child not yet really comfortable playing in groups of children or confident without adult support? If this is the case, then another year in the current setting may benefit your child greatly. Speak to your child’s current teachers and other health professionals to help you make your decision.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

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Your Complete Family Health Service • Women’s Health • Antenatal Care • Pap smear • 3-5 yr children’s early development health assessment • Children’s immunisations • Men’s health • Senior’s health

In-house Pathology service & Allied health providers 68 Bulcock St www.calbbs.com.au PH 5438 1488

Open 6 Days Mon - Fri: 8am to 6pm Sat: 9am to 5pm

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• Quality Products • Affordable Prices • Reliable Service since 2005

www.LabelKingdom.com.au FREECALL 1800 264 549 Email info@LabelKingdom.com.au Don’t forget, FREE POSTAGE on all orders! november / december 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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Are you kids driving you bonkers? Sick of scouring books and websites for answers? Well Hot 91.1 is here to help. Send us your kiddie conundrums and our very own Todd and Sami along with Jan from Settle Petal could be be coming to your rescue.

Find out more about Settle Petal at www.settlepetal. com. If you’ve got a parenting question you’d like answered email it now to breakfast@hot91.com.au My child is already in love with sweet stuff and she’s not yet two!

I swear I didn’t mean for this to happen. It started with a freddo for Easter and now she just seems to instantly recognise naughty stuff at the shop and has a tanty when I say no. Can I ever break this habit?

SAMI

Oh good luck dealing with your terrorist, oh sorry, I meant toddler. Lets face it, a terrorist would be easier to negotiate with than a two year old. So your kid is turning into a sugar junkie, hey? Well, the good news is you are not alone. Stupid, stupid, stupid me introduced my toddler to hot cinnamon donuts in an attempt to try to keep her occupied while I frantically grabbed the weekly groceries. Now when we go within a two block vicinity of the shopping centre my little Donut Addict starts screaming at the top of her voice “More! Dope! Dope!”. Yes, this is embarrassing if we have company as my friends and family must secretly think I am a marijuana dealer and that my daughter needs a quick hit to be screaming out with such ferocity. Of course the real explanation is much more simple. Avalon, my daughter, thinks donuts are called ‘dope’. My friend Bec allows her three year old to eat an ice cream every day at one PM so Mummy can watch The View in peace. The stories go on. So, what do we do when dealing with these sugar-wanting-tantrums from these pint sized terrorists? Well, I have gone through every healthy snack under the sun in an effort to keep Avalon interested in eating food that is good for her. We went through the watermelon stage where I paid a small king’s ransom for the stuff. Then of course when bananas were more expensive than gold that was the only healthy food my daughter was interested in. Being a good mother (sometimes) I melted my credit card keeping the kid in stock with monkey food. Of course they had to be Lady Fingers because my child seems to have an inner sinister side that knows these bananas are twice the price of the other varieties. Then bananas became oh so yesterday and the kid switched to grapes for her food of choice. The timing was perfect: grapes suddenly became more expensive than caviar. We all want our babies to be healthy but some days are harder than others walking the strict line and just getting them to eat anything while maintaining your own sanity. So keep persevering with healthy food, but if all else fails, offer the kid some ‘dope’.

36

KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

It keeps Feral Cheryl at bay every time. You may just need to explain to the lovely police officer that you are actually feeding your child a donut!

TODD

This sitcho is tougher than the skin on Chuck Norris’ Fists! The usual way to stop someone over indulging in sweets is to get them to take up smoking. Now you don’t need me to tell ya getting a toddler onto the old gaspers is probs not master parent 101. Besides ciggies are just like Canterbury Bulldogs supporters... One, on their own not so bad but when they hang out in packs of 25, they’re very bad for your health! Seriously, to me, smoking is like mistreating women and killing midgets, not something I’d ever do but it’s cool when James Bond does it! I digress - this scenario calls for immediate action, you’l need to treat it like a real drug addiction and ween the bin lid off the sugar gradually. Start with a Cherry Ripe, little bit of chocolate, lotta cherries... that’s fruit right? That’s gotta be good. Then whirl a lolly banana into the mix (still on the fruit theme) and failing that, give your littley a WARHEAD! It’s the ultimate weapon of Mouth destruction! Guaranteed when the rug rats tastebuds finally return, he’ll never want to eat lollies again

JAN If your child is in love with sweet stuff and not even two years old I have to ask whose fault is that. As a parent, it is our job to provide our children with healthy food choices and it is also our job to deal with the tantrums to back up our decisions. I am not saying for one minute that either of those tasks is easy but you can be in control and break bad habits. Once your child has been given sugary foods the craving for more sugar can have two causes a) psychological and b) physical. A psychological cause is when a child knows they are rewarded with sugar treats even with tantrum behaviour. A toddler likes to have things go their way even if it’s not the best way. Sugary food is also often given as a comfort or cure for boredom, sadness and frustration. This association carries on into adulthood and I’m sure I’m not the only one with a psychological connection to sweets as a feel good comfort food! It is not just the emotional need that draws children to sugar but also the physical craving for instant energy. Often our children have the wrong mix of whole foods during the day, creating energy highs and lows. Processed foods and simple carbohydrates gives the body a quick fix of energy but then plummets just as quick causing the craving for more instant energy - sugar.

With the occurrence of obesity and diabetes in children rapidly rising, it is important to help our children establish good eating practices for their future health.

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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PARKYN PARADE, MOOLOOLABA, QUEENSLAND, PH: +61 7 5458 6280, OPEN DAILY 9AM - 5PM

- ChristmasGIFTguide Christmas is just around the corner & finding the perfect gift can be hard work.

Have a look at these fabulous finds, perfect for the whole family this Christmas.

Sm allp ri nt

The perfect gift comes from the heart so capture a moment in time this christmas.

Smallprint handcrafts your loved ones fingerprints, handprints, footprints and more into pure silver keepsakes to treasure forevermore!

Smallprint Sunshine Coast 0412 865 032 www.smallp.com.au

Ginger Sport Christmas Pack

Christmas special for Kids on the Coast readers. 10% off when you call and quote ‘Kids on the Coast’. Don’t miss out on this great deal. Goal, ball and drink bottle. Shipping cost to be added to total amount www.gingersport.com.au P: 07 389 033 38

s o f t & s nu g ly

Label KingdoM

Made in Japan from five layers of handwoven, chemical-free, 100% cotton gauze, this super soft, lightweight blanket (145cm X 210cm) will make the perfect gift!

Free shipping with code KOTC. www.babyconnect.com.au

Beautifully designed name Labels & School Book Covers all wrapped up in one fantastic pack! 110 Name labels + 16 matching book covers (Exercise, A4 & Scrapbook). Have them ready in under an hour! www.LabelKingdom.com.au.

1800 264 549 FREE POST Aust/NZ

C u bby h o u se fu n

Clear Mountain Lodge

Aaron’s Outdoor Living have a fantastic range of cubby houses available for Christmas Layby!

We offer the highest quality and great service. www.aaronsoutdoor.com.au 1300 305 375

Perfect for busy parents, a gift voucher for a Quick Romantic Stop Over provides an idyllic adult escape featuring overnight accommodation, bubbly and chocolates on arrival, dinner, breakfast and a late checkout. Priced from $345 for two.

Package must be booked by Ph 07 3298 5100 www.clearmountainlodge.com.au

G o rgeo u s N avy & W h i t e C h evr on Sk i rt

Kookaburra organics

with attached bright red sash by tillytom The home of handmade gorgeousness.

Sizes 1 to 8.

RRP $35.00 - $38.00 www.tillytom.com.au

Treat yourself or a friend to an Organic Hamper of groceries and fresh produce $100 Value Kids on the Coast readers special 15% off pay just $85 Home Delivered Hand Picked Organic Food 100% Money back guarantee http://www.kookaburraorganics.com 07 5435 0057

f a b u lo u s C A K E S

S ANTA ’S LITTL E ELVES

Fabulous Christmas cakes from The Cupcake Teahouse. 2 sizes available.

Fruit cake or choc mud.

Gluten free is our specialty.

Orders must be placed by Fri 14th Dec www.cupcaketeahouse.com.au 07 5476 8467

Give your children a magical experience this Christmas with their very own personalised letter from Santa Claus!

EV EL Y N LIL Y

Abs olu t Toys

Searching for something unique for Christmas this year? Give the gift of quality and buy handmade this holiday season!

Willow & Hoot Owls $20 each Evelyn Lily Shop2 3-5 Ballinger Rd, Buderim info@evelynlily.com.au

38

Wh at a Combo!

KiDs on tHe CoAst – november / december 2012

Order online via www.santaslittleelves.com.au (final orders taken November 30th)

X-mas Bestseller – ‘I’m Toy’ Flip Kick Soccer Deluxe Enjoy all the fun of a traditional Flip Kick Soccer machine delightfully handcrafted in rubber wood. Share quality moments, share quality toys. Size: 58cm x 40cm x 8cm.

Our Absolut Price $69.90.

Aerodrome Rd Maroochydore www.absolut-toys.com - Ph: 5326 1051 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

M i ni M arm i la de mini marmilade...available at Eumundi Markets every Saturday. Gorgeous handmade one of a kind creations. Beautiful embroidered panels and stretch laces, funky trims, all very bright and colourful. Sizes 2-10, dresses, skirts, tops . www.marmiladeclothing.com.au facebook/marmilade 0416 197 456

M ER FIN S The Mer Fin is a perfect Christmas gift for any girl. A brilliant addition to the pool transforming her into an authentic mermaid.

To complete the Mer Fin there are matching legs and a bikini set. evolve-mum.baby.home. 5/10 grebe street, peregian beach. 07 5448 2077

D i n n e r t i me f un Me Time Meal Sets create that excitement at the dinner table. The durable melamine plates make eating a meal more fun for kids! Includes a matching fork and spoon. BPA Free.

RRP $26.95 www.BabyVegas.com.au

M U M M Y I LO V E YOU Looking for cute & unique gifts for kids 0-7? Discover adorable toys, books, fashion & decor at Mummy I Love You. With speedy $5 postage, its Christmas shopping made easy. Just enter promo code KOTC12 to Take 10% OFF. www.mummyiloveyou.com.au

Layby Now for Christmas

Unique Gifts for Everyone at Salt Caves Gift Packs, Salt Lamps, Natural Skin Care, Eating and Bathing Salts, Inhaler Pipes Gift Vouchers and more. See the full range at: Shop 5/ 21 Smith Street, Mooloolaba, QLD, 4557 or shop online at: www.saltcaves.com.au.

Is y o u r c h i ld the n e x t V OIC E? Recording Contracts offered now at Gavin Hamburger Productions. Music Lessons in Voice, Piano, Guitar, Brass, Woodwind, Drums and Percussion. www.gavinhamburgerproductions.com Phone: 5471 1182

Koosh I am specifically designed for Kids. I can be dropped & knocked but I still protect.

I am strong, lightweight & easy to clean!

I come in 5 great vibrant colors of orange, green, black, blue & red.

(03) 9532 5052 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

november / december 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

39

Ca l e n d a r Sunshine Coast 2012

Nov/Dec 11 November

Family Day

Where: Noosa Regional Gallery Time: 11am to 2pm People, Portraits and poems.

Inspired by the works of David Paulson, activities will explore self portraits in drawing, reflections of water and the environment, poetry and lots more.

Free children’s art activities, based on current exhibition, second Sunday of each month. Cost: Free event with no bookings required Contact: Noosa Regional Gallery 5449 5340

2nd December

The Mummy Tree Markets

Where: Noosaville State School Hall, 79 Beckmans Rd, Noosaville Time: 9am – 1pm A new boutique family market, just in time for Christmas shopping, you will find a large selection of unique, boutique products and services for hip and stylish families. 60+ stalls, free entry and parking, children’s entertainment, yummy food and more www.themummytreemarkets.com.au/ sunshinecoast or www.facebook.com/ themummytreemarkets

15 – 21 December 2012

An Aussie Recycled Christmas

Where: Art and Ecology Centre, Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, Palm Creek Road, Tanawha , Noosa Botanic Gardens and Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Bookings are essential and open 12 November 2012 Time: various times as per program Cost: $5 per child at the time of booking online Contact: Art and Ecology Centre at www.community. sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

A calendar of regular weekly events is available online. For details of playgroups, library activities, weekly sporting events, craft classes, Australian Breastfeeding Association meeting times and much more, visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

25 November

Picnic in the park

Where: Lakefront Parklands, Amberjack St, Brightwater Time: 2 – 5pm Kids on the Coast and the Women’s Lifestyle Expo will be hosting regular family picnics at Brightwater for Sunshine Coast families to connect with other families. BYO picnic lunch or indulge in the delicious cake stall, sweets and lolly stall, coffee, drinks and sausage sizzle. Enjoy old-fashioned games and lots of fun for the kids.

Contact: Facebook.com/kidsonthecoast

25 November

White Ribbon Day

The White Ribbon Campaign aims to raise awareness among Australian men and boys about the roles they can play to prevent violence against women. The campaign calls for men across Australia to speak out and take an oath swearing never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.

Website: www.whiteribbonday. org.au

29 November

Connect4 Expo

Part of Social Inclusion Week 2012 celebrations Where: Felicity Park, Caloundra Time: 3pm-7pm A showground pavilion of expo stalls, workshops and activities for young people and their families including support services, sports groups, education and training providers, business and industry and community groups. Cost: free. This event is for young people and their families.

29 November

Children’s Gallery Exhibition Tour

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery Time: 3.30–4.30pm Special guided tour of the current exhibition for children aged 6–14.

Cost: Free event with no bookings required

9 December

Family Day

12 December

Time for Tots

Where: Noosa Regional Gallery Time: 11am to 2pm Women, Culture & Indigenous Art Inspired by the works of Lorna Fencer, children will explore traditional indigenous art through line, colour, landscape and story. A variety of activities will inspire their creativity for hours.

Cost: Free event with no bookings required Contact: Noosa Regional Gallery at 5449 5340

December 18

17 December 2012

‘Holiday Themed’ Ani-Movie Workshop

Where: Cooroy Library on 1300 LIBRARY (1300 542727) Time: 10am – 1pm Come and create your own stop motion movies using colour ins’, lego, plasticine, figurines and your imagination. Edit your final product and burn to a DVD to share with your friends and family. Free, Ages 10+.

Booking Essential.

Further information: 54549000

Learn to play the Didjeridu!

Where: The J Noosa When: 9am / 10:30am / 6:30pm BushLab Didjeridu Workshops are hands-on classes with maximum participation and fun learning to play the didjeridu (didgeridoo or vidaki).

Ages six plus.

Cost: $10 per person. Bookings essential.

Ph 5455 4455 www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

19 December

December 19

ArtScool

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery & Noosa Regional Gallery Time: 10.30am to 12pm at both locations Caloundra: Creative art class for ages 5 to 8, Noosa: for ages 4 – 7 (Classes for 8 – 12 yrs available in the afternoon at both locations) Cost: $15 per child with bookings and pre-payment required Contact: Caloundra Regional Gallery at 5420 8299; Noosa Regional Gallery at 5449 5340

15 December 2012

Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre Time: 9:30am Storytelling tour and an exhibition related art activity at the Butter Factory.

Cost: Free event with no bookings required Contact: Buttery Factory Arts Centre at 5454 9050

Summer ArtScool

Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre Time: 11am-12pm (5 – 8yrs) 12:30-2pm (9 – 12yrs) Children’s school holiday art class specially developed to complement the current exhibition: Morocco – A Creative Journey. Learn to draw still life using a variety of art media and creative techniques.

Cost: $15 each with bookings and pre-payment essential Contact: Butter Factory Arts Centre at 5454 9050

Get Creative

Where: Butter Factory Arts Centre Time: 10am – noon Free children’s art activities based on the current exhibition. Third Saturday of each month.

Cost: Free event with no bookings required Contact: Butter Factory Arts Centre at 5454 9050

19 December

“An Elfish Christmas” Kids Show

Where: The Majestic Theatre, 3 Factory Street, Pomona When: 2 shows: 11am and 1pm Come and meet Santa Claus and his Christmas Elves, Lights refreshments, snacks and drinks available.

Details: $10 per person (children under 2 years free) Tickets available on the door.

Phone: 54852330

20 December

Santa via Satellite

Where: Caloundra Library and Maroochydore Library Santa is coming to the library on his way to deliver presents around the world. Come and see him, enjoy some magic and stories along the way.

For children and adults who enjoy Christmas fun.

Contact: Check sunshine coast library website for details

Tickets on Sale Justine Clarke

28 November 2012 QPAC, South Bank, Brisbane www.qpac.com.au

December Greenzone Disco Fri 07 December 2012 The J Noosa www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

40

Fairy Tales - Stories of Hans Christian Andersen 1 to 19 December QPAC, Brisbane www.qpac.com.au

The Wiggles Celebration 15 & 16 December Brisbane Entertainment Centre http://premier.ticketek.com.au

KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

The Arty Pants Kid’s Festival 16 December The Events Centre www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

Hairy Maclary and Friends 9 to 19 January 2013 QPAC, South Bank, Brisbane www.qpac.com.au

Miracle on 34th Street 21 & 22 December The J Noosa www.scvenuesandevents.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

CHRI S T M A S Calendar 2012 - Proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council This Christmas get out in your local community and enjoy the festivities.

When: 5pm – 8pm. Come along to the regional sports field at Brightwater as we celebrate the magic of Christmas.

Bring a rug, your little ones and your best singing voice for a truly festive evening. There will be a special visit from Santa, Christmas entertainment by the Brightwater State School, a christmas movie on the big screen, food vendors and an amazing fireworks finale! www.stockland.com.au/brightwater

15 -24 December

Sunshine Coast Christmas lights - Light The World

Where: Lifepointe Baptist Church, Wises Rd Buderim When: 6 – 9.30pm Free event. Stage show, animal farm, old Bethlehem village, food court, jumping castle, face painting, popcorn, fairy floss, coffee lounge. And much, much, more.

1 December

Carols at Cotton Tree

Where: Cotton Tree Park, The Esplanade, Cotton Tree When: 6 – 8.30pm Come one, come all and celebrate the spirit of Christmas at council’s free, family-friendly carols event. It’s jam-packed with carols performances, spectacular fireworks display, roving & children’s entertainment and of course an appearance by our favourite man in red! www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

Where: Kings Beach Amphitheatre, Caloundra When: 6 – 9pm This free community event has a familyfriendly line up of performances that are sure to be enjoyed by all and to top it all off, a special visit from Santa and fireworks extravaganza. To find out what’s happening in your area visit council’s website. www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

Say Cheeessse! Have your photo taken with Santa at Sunshine Plaza

All aboard the Santa Train, Thursdays to Sundays at 10am & 12 noon. Have your photo taken with Santa between 10.30am – 12 noon and 1.00pm - 3.00pm with special appearances by the “Ginger Kids” Cost: FREE admission to the park and gardens.

50 Pioneer Rd, Yandina, QLD www.thegingerfactory.com.au

24th November

23 December

Carols on Kings

17-24 December

6th – 24th December

THE GINGER FACTORY Santa’s Coming

Celebrate Santa’s Arrival with Looney Tunes @ Noosa Civic Where: The Food Court, Noosa Civic Join in the special Christmas Parade with all your favourite characters including Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Bugs Bunny and more. Then enjoy a live show featuring the characters plus Santa.

Christmas Parade: 10.30am, from the Food Court Looney Tunes Show: 11am, with special guest Santa

Have your photo taken with Santa on Level 1, outside Target, every day from 17 November until 24 December. Plus receive a free gift with every photo purchased*. *Visit www.sunshineplaza.com for Santa photo hours, T&C’s and more information

31 December

TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s12)

1 December

Brightwater Christmas Celebration

NYE Mooloolaba

Where: Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba When: 4pm – 12am Mooloolaba is the place to be this New Year’s Eve with a feast of entertainment options to suit all ages.

This alcohol-free family-friendly event features Happy Feet 2, The Lorax plus Alvin and the Chipmunks on stage plus two spectacular fireworks displays, roving entertainment, rides and amusements. www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/events

Photo: Raoul Slater

Celebrate Festive Season Celebrate this summer with over 50 family-friendly activities happening throughout December and January!

To find out about the Christmas Tree Trail, local festive community events and workshops, and exciting New Year’s Eve and Australia Day celebrations, head to council’s website or look out for a copy of the Sunshine Coast Festive Season Guide 2012/13 available from your local library, visitor information centres and council’s customer contact centres, venues and facilities.

Celebrate Festive Season www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au 07 5475 7272 Proudly supported by

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

41

FREE SUNGLASSES for your children when they get their eyes examined by a Looking Smart Optometrist.

Did you know‌ 30% of children have some type of eye condition that affects vision?

Free pair of sunglasses

In most cases if the eye condition is detected early enough, exercises can be given to avoid it developing into a vision problem at school. In some cases vision problems exhibit themselves in children who have short attention spans but often are undetected by the parents or carers.

(Up to RRP $19.95) for each of your children when they have an eye examination with a Looking Smart Optometrist.

(Age Limit from 6 months - 12 years)

At Looking Smart Optometrists we recommend a vision test for every child who is 6 months of age or older.

Easy parking

We bulk bill all eye tests so it costs you nothing to have it done, and you can feel secure that you are looking after your child’s eyesight.

Tests are fun for children

The test takes approx 15 minutes

All staff hold a current blue card Looking Smart Optometrists bulk bill

All eye examinations provided the patient has a Medicare or DVA card

Phone: 5439 7844

Near Coles at Pelican Waters Shopping Centre, Pelican Waters Blvd, Pelican Waters Email: info@LSOPTOM.COM

- A FAMILY CONNECT EVENT -

25th NOV

afternoon

Sunday 25th November 2012 2.00pm - 5.00pm

Lakefront Parklands Amberjack St, Brightwater free entry

BYO picnic lunch for the family to enjoy at the parklands. Indulge in the delicious cake stall, sweets & lolly stall, coffee, drinks and sausage sizzle.

Join us for old-fashioned games and lots of fun for the kids.

Be entertained by Captain Rob the Happy Pirate and games.

It promIses to be a great day for the whole famIly to enjoy Presented by Women’s Lifestyle Expo & Kids on the Coast

For more information please visit our event on www.facebook.com.au/kidsonthecoast/events

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Arrival ’s ta an S with Looney Tunes

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Celebrations start from 10.30am

Join in the special Christmas parade with all your favorite characters including Daffy Duck, Sylvester, Tweedy, Bugs Bunny and more. Then enjoy a live show in the Food Court featuring all the Looney Tunes Characters and special guest Santa Claus.

When: Christmas Parade: Looney Tunes Show: Meet Santa:

Saturday 24th November 10.30am, leaving from the Food Court 11am, with special guest Santa Midday, after the show, and have your photo taken in our magical Santa land.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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BABIES on the coast

S e pa r at i o n A n x i e t y

By Jackie Goldston It can be very hard to leave your child when they are upset. Child and Youth Health Network (CYH, SA Government) explain, “Separation anxiety is when a child gets upset when separated from a parent or loved carer. For example, a young child may become distressed when left with a baby sitter, or when put to bed by herself.”

It is generally accepted that separation anxiety is normal during early childhood. It can start as young as six to eight months of age and continue on and off until about two and a half to four years of age. Some kids may never show any sign of anxiety and separation and with others, it can last longer. CYH suggest that “separation anxiety reflects the child’s attempts to hold on to what is safe in a very scary world, and it will settle down as the child grows older and more confident.”

The childcare dilemma Experts believe that separation anxiety peaks around 12 – 18 months. CYH explain that even though there can be a peak, it “often takes until children are three or four years old for them to feel safe even for a short time when they are away from people they know and trust.

“This means that toddlers may often become distressed on separation from parents and carers when being dropped off at child care centres.

However, this distress is often short-lived, and many children do thrive in the safe environment of a child care centre.” Choosing a centre that has a low turnover of staff can assist with your child bonding with a carer or a few carers making you child feel safer and more comfortable.

There are steps that you can take to help reduce separation anxiety, particularly in a childcare setting: • Share as much information as you can with your child’s caregiver. Share things such as likes, dislikes, fears, eating/sleeping habits which will help them better understand your child.

• Take time to visit the new setting with your child if possible before the first day of care.

Look at when your child will eat, sleep and play.

• Help your child adjust with a few short days to begin with. This will give them more

opportunity to build a bond with their carer and start to learn that you will always return.

Take time to talk with the carer in front of your child. A child will watch you for cues of trust and confidence.

• Ensure that you are well prepared before the first day. Having a calm start on the first day will assist in a more successful separation.

If your child is old enough it can help to have them involved in planning their clothes and food (if needed) for the first day. Sometimes even with younger children a choice between two shirts or pieces of fruit can give them a feeling of control.

• Bringing something from home for the first few weeks to use as an item of comfort or familiarity can help (sometimes it may be a toy or blanket, for others it may be a photo). This is especially important if you use a specific item as a sleep cue (such as a sleeping bag).

• Talk to your child on the way, keeping calm and positive. Talk about the day ahead for your child and explain in a simple way when you will be picking them up (for example, after your sleep and afternoon tea I will come and collect you). continued on next page...

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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BABIES on the coast

“It often takes until children are three or four years old for them to feel safe even for a short time when they are away from people they know and trust.”

• It can be helpful to develop a “goodbye” ritual of something simple such as a kiss or hug.

Older children may like to be a part of the decision of what this will be.

• Don’t sneak out, as tempting as it may be.

Always take the time to say goodbye, but avoid repeated goodbyes. Once you say you are leaving, go through your ritual and go.

The Canadian Childcare Federation shares that you need to accept and listen to negative feelings.

“If you or your child are feeling upset about the separation, reassure yourself that you have taken all the required steps to place your child in a safe, nurturing and stimulating setting. Telling children that they are too big to cry or that they are making a fuss over ‘nothing’ only aggravates their fears and fails to help them understand their true feelings. Saying, ‘I know you are feeling sad. I will miss you too,’ is more helpful.”

The bed time dance Kindy, childcare or leaving your child with a friend is not the only time that your child may show signs of separation anxiety. Bedtime can be a mind field for some parents (me included!). From around 6 months of age, babies may get upset at bedtime, especially when a parent leaves the room. At

this age they don’t understand that their parents may be just outside as they cannot see them. If your baby is distressed, it is best to comfort and resettle them.

There are as many recommendations as there are experts for baby settling and sleep. It is best to work with what you are comfortable with. Once the child is in their own bed they may try and follow you out of the room or become very clingy.

If this happens you have a few choices to help

your child to sleep and it is important to work within your comfort level.

Experts recommend having some kind of sleep routine, regardless of the age of the baby or child.

This may be reading a book, having a glass of milk/water or singing a quiet song, followed by a goodnight kiss. Babies and kids generally find comfort and security in routines and this can help parents in organising bedtimes and reducing tension and stress.

“Parents are the safe base from which children can move out to explore the world, to learn & grow and become socially confident, responsible young people.” continued on next page...

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

47

BABIES on the coast Over time, experts believe your baby’s anxiety at being left on their own at bedtime should reduce through following a regular routine. As a parent, we all need to do what is best for our families and our own mental wellbeing. If you want something to change, sometimes doing it in small steps is the best you can offer at the time.

Starting School The transition to school from either childcare or home can be a time of nervousness and anxiety for some children. As the national early childhood initiative KidsMatter explains: ‘Starting primary school is an important time for children and their families. Children who make a positive start to school are more likely to feel: comfortable, relaxed, valued and good about themselves as learners, and a sense of belonging to the school community.’

Early Childhood Australia recommends the following to help to prepare for a smooth transition into school: • Select the right school for your child by talking with other parents, visiting schools and checking each school’s website to see how their values, programs and expectations connect with your wishes and dreams for your child.

• Find out about the school’s enrolment and orientation programs and procedures and ‘book in early’; how much time and attention the school gives to ‘orientation’ may influence your decision about which school to choose • Take your child to orientation programs— watch how comfortable they are in that setting and discuss how you and the child feel after the event.

Editor’s note: • Get to know the Principal and/or senior staff and class teacher at your chosen school; explain your child’s home life and culture and previous learning experiences, including their strengths and needs.

• Talk positively about the chosen school, without building up unrealistic expectations.

If you have unhappy school memories, try to put them behind you and set up your child to enjoy and make the most of their school experience. Listen to any concerns your child may have and answer any questions.

• Take them for a walk around the school, pointing out their classroom and ‘mapping’ the journey from the room to the toilets, canteen, library and other key facilities.

• Try to make contact with another family with a child going into the same class, so that your child knows someone when they actually start school.

Jenni Connor and Pam Linke from Early Childhood Australia explain, “In the first year of school, it is particularly important that your child knows you are there for them and that you will listen, understand, comfort and support them and follow up any concerns about school on their behalf. Parents are the safe base from which children can move out to explore the world, to learn and grow and become socially confident, responsible young people.”

Importantly, if you are concerned that your child simply will not settle or may have something more serious wrong, make sure you trust your parenting instincts and seek help from a health professional, school counsellor or an appropriate person or organisation.

Further reading • http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/feelings_and_behaviours/everyday_ feelings/separation_anxiety.html • http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/ecaimages/ycfys/YCFYAS_chapter1.pdf • http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/ • Book: Your child’s first year at school: Getting off to a good start by Jenni Connor and Pam Linke; Early Childhood Australia • Women and Children’s Health Network: http://www.cyh.com • Attachment and progressive parenting advice: www.asktheshepherdess.com • Attachment Parenting Australia: http://www.attachmentparentingaustralia.com/

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

Below is the first paragraph of an article on our website discussing separation anxiety from an attachment parenting perspective. Chaley is an attachment parenting expert and passionately believes in what she writes about. I enjoyed reading this article as it challenged my thinking and I am looking forward to some passionate debate on this topic online. Please visit www. kidsonthecoast.com.au/articles for the full article. My children both attended (and one is still attending) childcare. My family made choices that best worked for us. As parents, we need to make the best decisions that we can for our children and try not to second guess ourselves too much.

I am looking forward to talking about this more online. Visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/articles to join the conversation.

Separation Anxiety Disorder Debunked: An attachment parenting perspective

By Chaley-Ann Scott In our fast-paced, materialistic world dominated by the dual-income family, it is common for children as young as 8 months to be labelled with ‘Separation Anxiety Disorder’ if they protest strongly about being separated from their parents. Everywhere you look, parents are being encouraged to nip this behaviour in the bud. Leaflets and articles about the subject can be found in magazines, childcare centres, and doctors’ offices all advocating a similar approach to this so-called ‘problem’ in our young. Apparently, we are doing our children and ourselves a great disservice if we don’t separate from them from a very early age. Woe betides us if we don’t – otherwise they will be too dependent on us, and we won’t have time for ourselves to do other things. Apparently, when we do leave our child, we should not hesitate if they cry or protest, but walk away swiftly without turning back. The majority of childcare centres, medics, and educators all reassure us that, despite every fibre in our being screaming at us to scoop up our child, we should ignore our instincts. We are told our child will likely calm down quickly with no lasting damage done, and we can be on our way. But should we really listen to these ‘experts’ or should we listen to our instincts and our child? www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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49

ONLY NATURAL

TUne up the Brain turf them outside

By Kim Lahey

A place to squelch a little mud under the nails. A place to escape routine, explore, muck around. The outdoors: we sense how it enlivens us. But can it weave more magic than we know?

Environmental Psychologist Kathleen Bagot says there are a plethora of proven benefits from outdoor play, compared to a ‘built-play’ setting.

Just for starters, the physical activity in the natural environment yields stronger physiological benefits than built-play settings, like lowering blood pressure and reducing the body’s stress levels.

A dramatic one-generational shift from outdoor to indoor-play is unearthed in a recent study.* Over seven-in-ten adults played outside daily as kids, but today that’s dwindled to one-in-ten kids playing outside - once a week or less. Over 60% of the adults climbed trees as kids (the survey did not ask them if they still do!) but less than 20% of their kids do.

developing their own sense of resilience,” Dr Bagot says

I’m sold already, but we’ve only scratched the surface. Play in the natural place offers physical benefits like better motor skills, balance and fewer sick days, cognitive benefits like better attention, concentration and self-discipline, plus the stronger social benefit of access to adults.

“Even the type of children’s play in green space is much more creative,” Dr Bagot says.

“Yet, adults and kids are starved of outdoor time,” Dr Bagot says. “They are missing out on a rich and complex experience which appeals to all of our senses.”

“Nothing gives me more joy than knowing kids can go out into a place and pick up a rock or climb a tree without getting into trouble,” Dr Bagot says.

ART - nature-driven brain power

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

Parents agree. Most parents surveyed saw outdoor-play as a physical and motor skill builder, imagination booster and outlet for reducing stress. Trouble is, they are too fearful (60%) and too busy (80%) to play outside with their kids.* “If we lose green-time we risk raising kids who are not capable of looking after themselves and

Her study of children in 14 Melbourne schools found the higher the level of vegetation in the school yard, the better children’s classroom attention scores after playing in that environment, which in turn predicted higher academic scores.

Our capacity to ‘direct attention’ comes down to shutting out distracting or irrelevant stimuli, letting the ‘right’ information be pulled-in from around us.

But this directing of attention - ‘grabbing only the good stuff’ - needs effort. So restoring our attention-capacity is crucial, Dr Bagot explains.

It gives us the ability to concentrate - crucial in everyday tasks and life effectiveness.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

51

ONLY NATURAL

Photo: Narelle Debenham

“The average child in the US can name 100 corporate logos, but can name less than 10 plants”

us. “We often want to do things that are not good for us, especially the hard fascination,” Dr Bagot says.

The final restorative feature is compatibility – the environment must support the activity as well as the inclinations of the person, and allow the things they want to do to be done, like finding the right book and the right spot to curl up and read.

Once the brain has a dose of these four features, it will be back to its vital ‘resting level’, Dr Bagot says, with the ability to concentrate fully on the next task.

Photo: Narelle Debenham

“Green-space is more effective - and efficient - in restoring our ability to pay attention than any other environment or activity,” Dr Bagot says.

Other leisure activities do bring the brain back to relaxation but not to the vital ‘resting level’, she says.

Here’s where green-power for our brain, Attention Restoration Theory (ART), comes in. ART asserts people can concentrate better after spending time in nature, or even looking at scenes of nature.

Restoring our attention capacity is crucial and restorative experiences can be ‘anything and everything,’ Dr Bagot says. But an environment or activity needs four features to enable it to fully restore our attention, Dr Bagot explains, even though partial-restoration can start with just one feature, like just being away from chores or work.

Being away – physically or psychologically – from the must-do parts of your daily life, like chores or

52

KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

work, is the first restoring feature. Extent is the second – the environment must offer a sense of a whole-other-world – a totally absorbing activity, like a visit to the zoo.

The third feature is fascination. “This is stimuli that attract people, keep them from getting bored and don’t need effortful directed attention,” Dr Bagot explains. Fascination alone does not offer a complete restorative experience. Attention-holding stimuli like an accident, a fire burning out of control, or a video game, offer ‘hard fascination’, but do not refresh us, Dr Bagot explains. While nature is ‘soft fascination’ because it’s easy, the hard fascination providers, because of their intensity (especially the violent) do not refresh

Yet people are more inclined to suggest others to go out in nature, than to do it themselves, because it is effortful, Dr Bagot says. Adults surveyed commonly advised a walk in the local park as a pick-up for a tired friend, yet for their own ‘restoration’, said they would go to dinner or watch a movie.

“I ask people to just give it a go - two or three times a week go for a walk in the bush or just anywhere outside each day, for two weeks,” she says. “They’ll tell me they feel fantastic, so I tell them to ‘remember the feeling, so the next time you are sitting on the couch ready to watch TV, remember you can actually walk around the neighbourhood, or pack an afternoon tea and stop somewhere on the way home!’” www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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ONLY NATURAL There seems to be a widening gap in our lives between what we have to do, and what we want to do, Dr Bagot says. “Sometimes it is a case of putting on another pair of socks or a raincoat and just getting out there.”

But virtual-nature can weave a spell too, even if it’s minus the physical and social benefits. “Only looking can be enough, there is work that has been done in dentist surgeries where paintings of nature and fish tanks reduced anxiety levels significantly,” Dr Bagot says.

“It’s not that the built environment is bad, it’s the absence of nature that is,” Dr Bagot says.

Nature-play in action Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, said for eons, humans spent most of their formative years in nature, but within few decades this has changed radically. “Healing the broken bond between our young and nature is in everyone’s self-interest, not only because aesthetics or justice demand it, but also because our mental, physical and spiritual health depend on it,” he said.

Enter Melbourne teacher, bush-playgroup facilitator and mother-of three, Narelle Debenham. She inspires families to embrace nature play and bring ‘green-power’ into their lives. Nature-play enhances a child’s creativity, imagination, teamwork, co-operation, problem solving and leadership skills, Narelle says. “They

also experience a sense of wonder”, an important motivator for life-long learning, she says.

Narelle facilitates educational, weekly ‘free play’ nature-experiences for two to five year-olds and their families. I’ve read comments from some of the parents who say they love the chance to explore nature in the safety and in the company of others and slow down their busy lives.

But the kids comments are a treat: “I love this fun in the sun”, “We get lots of time to play and get dirty and finding things to keep is fun (leaves, sticks, feathers),” “I saw koala poo and smelt it”, “I tried to catch a fish and the stuff on the hook was stinky”, “We laugh a lot, I am allowed to do lots of stuff.”

I can see why Narelle is so keen to help kids find these experiences! And why she insists that when outdoor-play and nature are an integral part of kids’ lives, they’re well on the way to a healthy and happy future.

Richard Louv said recently that photography was a carrot for kids to head outdoors, in much the same way fishing gear has been an inducement for many.

“Ultimately, we are well-served by whatever gizmo helps get us into the outdoors if we know when to put that device down —cameras included — and when to simply use our inborn senses to soak up the nuances of our surroundings.”

Toddlers outdoor project: One of Narelle’s three boys’ favourite activities was creating new homes for creatures, then waiting to see what ‘moves in’.

Weigh down a flat piece of cardboard in a backyardcorner, wait a couple of weeks, then carefully lift the cardboard to see what’s moved in. Worms, slaters and earwigs are the most commonly found bugs, but you never know what might appear.

A magnifying glass makes the project even more fun.

For some extra education, use the creatures that have moved in as a literacy ‘hook’ and borrow books from the local library that “star” the creatures.

Find out more: • www.naturedkids.com - Narelle Debenham is an environmental early-childhood facilitator of educational‘free-play’ nature experiences which can be adapted for use in any community.

• www.planetark.org - Planet Ark is a not-for-profit environmental organisation which commissioned the childhood-nature interaction study*, released in 2011.

• www.childrenandnature.org – a network designed to encourage and support the people and organisations working internationally to reconnect children with nature.

Outdoor Activity groups include: • Community gardens: www.communitygarden.org.au, • Girl Guides: www.GirlGuides.org.au, • Landcare: www.JuniorLandCare.com.au, • Surf Lifesaving: www.sls.com.au • Scouts: www.scouts.com.au 54

KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

What is your child’s favourite outdoor project? Share your pictures and stories with us on Facebook or www. kidsonthecoast.com.au/ articles www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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BOOK YOUR CLASS AT ONE OF THESE LOCATIONS: Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Nambour, Mudjimba, Coolum, Buderim www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Gluten Free and

full of flavour

if you are on the lookout for flavoursome, yet wholesome cakes, breads and biscuits that you can simply bake at home – look no further.

The range from Gluten Free Grain Free tastes fantastic and is very simple to bake (I personally baked the vanilla and cinnamon cake – yum: Editor). Check out the full range at www. glutenfreegrainfree.com. au.

30% of men aged 25-29 years have completed a bachelor degree or higher compared to 41% of women of the same age (Source: ABS 2012)

water your body

When it gets hot it is even more important to remember to drink adequate amounts of water each day.

There are quite a few Apps on the market to remind you. We have been enjoying playing with Water your body (For Android, Free). It reminds you to drink water every day and tracks your water drinking habits.

Laugh out loud!

Studies by an American researcher found that laughter increases the levels of beta-endorphins that make you feel good and human growth hormone, which improves immune function as well as reducing the amount of the stress hormone, cortisol, in your body.

Shh...

did you know that up to 30% of the population suffers from constipation at any given time?

Dehydration is a major cause of constipation – so another good reason to make sure you reach for that glass of water!

the hands across the kitchen cookbook is a collection

of 51 top celebrity chef’s favourite childhood recipes shared through their memories. It is a reminder of the importance of childhood experiences and the shared and basic needs surrounding food and the comfort it brings to all children. Inspiring, touching and tasty, the recipes are designed for the whole family. Enjoy great recipes and learn all about the charity – Hands Across The Water and its involvement and ongoing support of disadvantaged children from Thailand through long term sustainable projects. All proceeds from the purchase of this book go towards supporting the beautiful children of Thailand and making sure they never stop smiling. RRP $34.95

EXQUISITE KIDS PARTIES FOR 3-6 & 7-12 YEAR OLDS Fairy Wonderland / Pirates Treasureland / French-Themed High Tea & Art / Christmas Fun! Book a party or join us on our scheduled school-holiday party days.

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Quote ‘KOTC’ when you book a party to get your FREE $50 ‘party extras’ voucher.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

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Santa Arrives In h! ig le S l a ic g a M His

On Saturday 17 November!

· 6 weeks to 5 years · Genuinely committed qualified educators embracing sensitive and responsive approaches · Nappies provided · Unique natural sustainable environment that builds on the wonders of childhood · Honouring a holistic perspective of learning · Water park playground

Make sure you are in the Food Court by 10.30am to see Santa arrive in his magical sleigh!

Celebrate Santa’s Arrival at Kawana Shoppingworld with Santa’s friends, giveaways, balloons and more!

Don’t forget our gift to you this Christmas – FREE Santa Photos!

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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goodhealth

k i d s d e n ta l h e a lt h

By Dr. Patrick O’Rourke BChD MFGDP RCS

Teaching our children proper oral care at an early age and passing on to them the know-how to prevent dental decay is a gift that can pay lifelong dividends. Baby teeth though temporary are still very important to care for and keep healthy. Below I give the answers to the most frequently asked questions.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

When do the baby teeth start coming in and when should I start brushing their teeth?

Baby teeth generally start emerging from the gum from about 3-6months, though a small number of babies are born with teeth. When you start seeing teeth come through, an appropriate age 0-6mths soft tooth brush should be used to gently massage teeth and gums twice a day with water for about 30 seconds. At the age of 2 introduce fluoridated toothpaste. (In fluoridated areas use a children’s toothpaste with reduced fluoride) Brush twice a day, morning and night time for preferably two minutes.

When should I bring my child to the Dentist?

It is always good to get your child introduced to the dentist at an early age. From the age of 2 we would recommend a visit to the dentist for a ride in the chair and “counting teeth”.

This can be combined with your own visit and set a great example. If you have a fear or phobia or had a bad experience yourself, it is very important not to impart this behaviour onto your child. Use positive language about the visit i.e. meeting new people, a new interesting place, how many teeth do we have to count etc. From the age of 6 most www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Experienced Orthodontic Specialists Junction Orthodontics deliver timely and exceptional quality specialist orthodontic care in a professional but yet relaxed environment. Glenn Staples and Roland Hammond are the principal orthodontists in the practice, both training as dentists before completing 3 years further study to be registered as specialists by the Australian Dental Board.

Junction Orthodontics recommend that initial assessment of kids be made by the age of 9 as there are some conditions that benefit from early intervention. The majority of kids don’t require treatment until most of their permanent teeth are through, in order that efficiency is maximised and costs are contained, and despite emotional claims to the contrary, deferring treatment to this stage of dental development does not result in an increased need to extract teeth. Referrals to Glenn and Roland can be made through your dentist, directly by phone, email or via our website. Parents are encouraged to attend all appointments and enjoy the experience.

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

59

GOOD HEALTH

Set a good example by taking great care of your own teeth it sends a message that oral health is something to be valued.

children have been introduced to having their teeth cleaned and polished.

When should a child begin to brush their own teeth?

With three boys under the age of seven, I know the trials of “I want to do it myself “all too well.

Encourage your child to allow you to do the brushing as much as possible and for as long as you can especially under four years of age. Use a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Make it fun with battery or electric toothbrushes that beep and make sounds. The character toothbrushes are always a favourite at our house. Each child is different but parents should continue to assist with brushing up until the age of 7 Set a good example by taking great care of your own teeth it sends a message that oral health is something to be valued.

What should I give my baby at night to drink?

PLEASE DO NOT give your child any sugary drinks or juice to take to bed in the night ONLY milk or

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water at night time. Sugary drinks at night like juice or flavoured milk can create a condition called nursing bottle caries and is disastrous for the baby dentition. It affects mainly the front teeth on the top causing huge amounts of decay and can result in removal of the teeth at a young age

When is a good age to stop thumb-sucking and the dummy/ pacifier Discouragement of the use of the dummy and thumb-sucking should begin at the age of 2 and the habits should be stopped around 4 years of age. If the habit continues it can lead to deforming the dental arches and creation of protruding teeth, open-bites, cross-bites and crooked teeth. All of these would then usually require Orthodontic intervention.

How do I prevent my child from having tooth decay?

Prevention is always better than cure and with ever increasing costs of dental care, preventative measures are worth their weight in gold.

Dental caries or tooth decay is a bacterial infection in the tooth causing demineralisation

of the enamel and dentine. Specific bacteria produce acid from fermentable carbohydrates such as sucrose, fructose and glucose which over time destroys the tooth.

Teach your child prevention tips below and greatly reduce their risk of dental decay.

Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes with peasized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Eat a well balanced diet that limits sugary, starchy and acidic foods and encourage healthy eating habits Sweets, chocolates, soft drink, lollies, fruit juice poppers are treats and contain high levels of sugar and will cause tooth decay. Discourage snacking on these treats throughout the day. If treats are given combine them with the main meals of the day.

Visit the Dentist every 6-12 months Dr. Patrick O’Rourke BChD MFGDP RCS Riverside Dental 17 Thomas Street, Noosaville 5455 5066 www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.sunshinecoastorthodontics.com.au

Specialist Orthodontist Suite 11, 1st Floor 2 Quamby Place, Noosa Heads QLD 4567 For an appointment please call 07 5447 5040

Dr Lesley Short www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Specialist Orthodontist for over 20 years NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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Let’s celebrate

Old School Party Games With kids parties getting fancier and requiring more organising than ever before we thought it would be fun to take a step back in time and remember some good, old fashioned party games (with some help from our Facebook readers!). Make sure you join us online and share your favourites at www.kidsonthecoast.com.au/articles dads to help. Freddo frogs or anything in wrappers that are age appropriate are always good too.

Sarah K For pass the parcel this year (6th birthday) I only had one prize and then on every other layer was a piece of paper with a dare to be done. The dare was like make an animal noise, hop on one leg 20 times, tell a joke, pop a balloon with your bottom etc. I told the children what was happening before we started and that the final prize would be random and it was a huge success, all the children loved completing/ watching the dares and waiting to see what they got. Previous years I have had a balloon or lolly in the in between layers. But will be doing it with dares from now on.

Bren 3 legged races, sack races, bobbing for apples, egg & spoon race, Simon says, musical chairs, “freeze” dance/music game. Ahh the old days!

Nikki When I was in year 3, there was a game that I played with 2 dice, a big block of chocolate, knife and fork, and an apron. All the children would sit in a circle and take turns rolling the dice.

If you rolled a double number with the dice, you would go into the centre of the circle, put on the apron and start eating the chocolate; however you had to cut each piece with the knife and fork.

Meanwhile, the other children would keep taking turns rolling the dice trying to get double numbers and then they would go into the centre. The child that ate all the chocolate would win a prize.

Min My old school favourites were: Stuck in the mud; What’s the time Mr Wolf; Red Rover; Brandy; I wrote a letter to my love & on the way I dropped

it, someone must of picked it up & put it in their pocket, achoo...achoo... It’s y o u!!! Kids sit in circle with hands behind back. One child circles on the outside & drops letter into child’s hand on u & runs like crazy around circle while other child chases! Plus all the clapping games! They were heaps of fun. It is a pity that so many of them seemed to have been banned in case someone gets hurt!

Alana We always did (and still do) “minty man”.

Sticky tape some minties to one of dads old shirts, get the kids to line up and when mintie man comes out they have to chase him and pull the minties off. If there are lots of kids and plenty of space, do a couple of shirts and get a couple of

Melanie We love old faves like pass the parcel, Simon says, statues, Red Rover and the peg game: where the kids have to collect with one hand, as many pegs as they can off a clothesline or rope without dropping any. And we also love eating a donut no hands when it is suspended on a piece of string... We are party game gurus!

Kim String hunt - cut loads of string into differing lengths and hide them around the garden.

Partygoers have to collect as many as they can.

When the time is up, each person ties all of their pieces together in one length. The person who has the longest total piece of string wins!

Sarah We still love pass the parcel and any version of pin the tail on the donkey. We just did a put the crown on king piggie for an angry bird party.

Suzanne Musical chairs

We would love to hear any ideas you have for cooking games, parties or nights in – find us on Facebook or join the conversation on our website www.kidsonthecoast.com.au 62

KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Do try this at home - with Blue Sky Science Can you imagine how things might have turned out if Albert Einstein was a kid today? With all the mind numbing distractions of TV, video games and social media, do you think young Albert would have been inspired to go on to develop the theory of relativity?

Blue Sky Science activities are designed to provide kids with that spark of inspiration that will get them interested in the world around them. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of scientists to want to be scientists.

So if you want your little genius to discover how exciting science can be, why not throw a Blue Sky Science party for their birthday? Or come along to one of the fun science workshops being held all around the Sunshine Coast.

Check out the range of fun activities on offer at www.blueskyscience.com.au and keep up with what’s happening at www.facebook.com/BlueSkyScience to a kids’ science workshop Come ese SCHOOL HOLI DAYS th

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BOOK YOUR SCIENCE BIRTHDAY PARTY NOW! Kids can explore the FUN side of science at a weekend science workshop any time of the year!

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To order a personally designed cake Call Suzie (formally of Kiddies Cakes

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HOLIDAYS

Escape To Brisbane - By Jackie Goldston Sometimes the most exciting holidays can be the least obvious. And what could be easier than a holiday in Brisbane. Just over an hour’s drive away from the Coast, Brisbane has an amazing array of family activities, as well as cultural and educational centres that give additional depth to your stay. Whether it is for a day trip or a week away, we look at some of the best things to do with kids in Brisbane.

Sciencentre Museum (Southbank) The Sciencentre could almost be called a play centre, with so many fun and interactive exhibits that your kids don’t realise they are learning.

Located within the Queensland Museum Southbank, the Science Centre is on level 1. My kids’ favourite first activity is in the Body Zone.

They love to test themselves on the 10 metre running track with a beep start and a timer (just pretend to remember what time they did last visit!).

There are more activities than I can list, however highlights include a steadiness test, reaction times, biking with Boney (riding a bike and watching a skeleton do the same), puzzles, optical illusions (rooms, chairs and a spinning hallway) – and that is just in the Body Zone. Within Action Stations you can use some of your energy to

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

crank up mini- generator or test how electricity and magnets will help you make a dish levitate.

Why not climb aboard a flight simulator, try your luck at sailing a land yacht or test your skills controlling the traffic flow of a city. The new exhibition, Going Places, invites you to take on a series of challenges to discover the science behind transport and travel. There is plenty of parking around the Museum or you could enjoy a Citycat ride and explore Southbank before the short walk to the Museum. For more information and ticket prices, visit www.sciencentre.qm.qld. gov.au.

The Workshops Rail Museum (Ipswich) ‘The Workshops’, as it is affectionately known, is a site that is steeped in history. The very first train to run in Queensland steamed from the site

to Bigges Camp, now Grandchester, over 145 years ago. A trip to the Workshops will give your kids a chance to see a genuine restoration of the Heritage Steam Train Fleet up close and hear living history from railway workers – you may even be lucky enough to hear a few tall stories! For your little ones, the Nippers Railway offers an exciting, interactive railway filled with adventurous and fun things to do and kid-sized places to visit.

With over 15 larger-than-life exhibits to discover, there is something for everyone to explore and enjoy; from the beautifully restored carriages to the largest model railway in Queensland. The Workshops Rail Museum, celebrating 10 years this year is winner of Australian and Queensland Tourism Awards for Heritage and Cultural Tourism.

For further information and ticket prices, phone (07) 3432 5100 or visit www.theworkshops. qm.qld.gov.au. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Yearning for some quality family time?

In our overly hectic lives, we often yearn to slow down, reconnect with the kids and live a life less complicated. Especially in summer when the beaches are packed with tourists and the crowds are unrelenting. It might not be possible to run for the hills permanently, but at Cedar Glen Farmstay it’s possible to escape for a little while.

Cedar Glen has been in the Stephen’s family since 1882. Located at the foot of World Heritage Lamington National Park, this spectacular 1050 acre property is home to beef cattle, Arabian horses, milking cows, sheep, pigs and poultry. With private swimming holes, shady 100-year-old trees and cool summer breezes, Spring and Summer are great times to visit. Imagine the kids’ excitement as they get to feed the animals twice daily, or try their hand at milking the house cow each morning.

Escape to

A real highlight of Cedar Glen is the activities they have to offer. Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on a horse ride through some of South East Qld’s most spectacular country – riders of all ages and experience are catered for.

You can also learn how to throw a returning boomerang and crack the Australian stock whip while enjoying a cup of billy tea and freshly made damper.

Guests can stay in the stately 1901 homestead, or choose one of three historic cottages which have been renovated to maintain the charm and authenticity of a bygone era. All buildings are surrounded by wide breezy verandas perfect for a summer siesta. Mums in particular will love the optional fully catered holiday.

Imagine leaving even the cooking behind!

Contact us now for great rates on your Spring or Summer getaway

stay@cedarglen.com.au | (07) 5544 8170 | www.cedarglen.com.au Lost World Valley, Qld

If watching Discovery channel is the closest you’ve been to nature in a while, do something for yourself and the kids, and visit Cedar Glen Farmstay. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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HOLIDAYS

South Bank Catch the Citycat, drive, walk or do a combination (with the train too) and don’t miss a visit to the beautiful Southbank. Originally redeveloped as part of World Expo 88, Southbank has become a destination for families, with a variety of dining choices (and some excellent coffee bars), weekend markets, play areas (including our favourites, Aquativity and the Beach), parklands and the Wheel of Brisbane.

Aquativity is a fun, free water-play park for children and families to play, learn and enjoy the outdoors. Aquativity immerses children in an interactive experience through play and helps to create an early understanding of the water cycle and its preservation. It is open daily from 7am - 7pm. South Bank Beach is a great place to cool off and is Australia’s only inner-city beach. Pack a picnic basket, have a BBQ or grab a spot under a shady tree with a takeaway pizza. Make sure you bring your towels, togs and sunscreen and enjoy the amazing view of the Brisbane River.

If you are wanting to see the Brisbane River and City from a different angle, The Wheel of Brisbane offers breathtaking views on a 10 -12 minute ride in a fully enclosed, climate-controlled gondola. For more information on the many daily activities at South Bank or for pricing for the Wheel of Brisbane visit www. visitsouthbank.com.au.

Planetarium and Botanic Gardens If you grew up on the Coast (or in Brisbane), it is likely that you would have had an excursion to the Brisbane Planetarium, located in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha. I visited many times as a kid and have enjoyed being able to go back as a parent and watch the delight on my sons face as he watched the Cosmic Skydome for the first time. The Planetarium is not just for kids kids, it features entertaining and informative programs for adults as well. You will learn about our universe through the different Planetarium facilities available, including the Cosmic Skydome, Display Zone, Mini Theatre and Observatory. It is recommended to book in advance for any of the shows (especially on school holidays).

It is definitely worth leaving time to explore the beautiful Brisbane Botanic Gardens. They are Queensland’s premier subtropical botanic gardens set on 52 hectares and feature Japanese Gardens and a Freedom Wall monument. The gardens have plenty of space for the kids to run around and entry is free. There is a free walking tour Monday to Saturday at 11am and 1pm and many free activities such as story time. Search the net for Brisbane Botanic Gardens for more information (or visit KOTC website for the link). Finally, make sure you go to the top of Mt Coot-tha and enjoy the view (and maybe an ice-cream too!).

For more to do in Brisbane visit www.kidsonthecoast. com.au/article/escape-to-brisbane or www.visitbrisbane.com.au. We would also love to hear about your favourite things to do in Brisbane with your family.

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www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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swim feature

Are you swim season savvy?

Tips for staying safer in, on and around water

by Jasmin Forsyth The days are getting longer, the weather is warming up and the temptation to bomb dive Dad in the backyard pool, is building. But despite the excitement of spring, are you swim season savvy?

It’s a simple question and one that can be so easily overlooked, but the reality is, drowning is the number one cause for injury related death in Australian children under the age of five.

Are you ready?

It is important for all parents to ensure their family and pool premises, are season ready.

“No matter whether it’s fresh or salt water, a backyard pool, an ocean, creek or a splash in the bath tub, being able to swim, and enjoy the water, is not only a rite of passage for every Australian child – it’s a way of life,” Swim Australia CEO, Ross Gage, said. “But accidents can, and sadly do happen.”

The National Drowning Report for 2011/2012, revealed 21 children between zero to four years of age, drowned from water immersions - 67% of those deaths were by boys, and alarmingly 38% of these incidents occurred within swimming pools.

While it’s a tragedy to see any child or person perish, especially from a preventable cause such

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as drowning, the report does reveal improved figures in this age group - seven less than last year, and 11 less, over the five-year average.

“This figure is encouraging, and certainly shows the likes of Swim Australia’s swim safety messaging and our EnergyAustralia SwimSAFER program, are helping to save lives,” Mr Gage said.

“If we take a look at the National Drowning Report from 2002, drowning deaths have more than halved. Ten years ago, 44 children aged five years and under, died from water accidents. Fast forward to the most recent report, and we’re now down to 21. 21 is still too many young lives lost, but it’s a great improvement,” Mr Gage reiterated.

The report also showed 13 children aged between five years and 14, drowned from water accidents.

A reminder Swim Australia is the national authority on Swim Schools for learn-to-swim and water safety.

Through their four-step, ‘Layers of Protection’ plan, and the EnergyAustralia SwimSAFER program, they aim to permanently reduce drowning deaths.

But with the temperature rising, Swim Australia is reminding parents about the importance of being swim season savvy in, on and around water.

They say while learn-to-swim and swim classes are recommended all year round, now is not only a good time to enrol the family with swimming lessons, but to check the home pool and its premises are free from potential harm.

“It may take a few minutes, but proper preparation is the key to a successful and safer swimming season,” Mr Gage confirmed.

A few tips to consider: • Regularly check the pool fence and gate are in working order, with proper fencing and selfclosing or self-latching gates; • Remove items that can be used to climb the fence - eg, chairs, tables, pot plants; • Never prop the gate open; • Remove temptation from in and around the pool when not in use - eg, toys, floaties and other swim aids; • And constantly reinforce the home’s water safety rule – “I only go swimming with a grown up.” www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

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Enrol with a Swim Australia registered swim school Find your closest learn-to-swim centre at www.swimaustralia.org.au

LEARN TO SWIM - ITʼS GREAT www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

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swim feature But according to Mr Gage, ensuring a backyard pool area is child-friendly, is only the beginning.

“A family home is filled - in and around the premises - with potential water hazards, and could be fatal to a child, especially four and under,” he said. Visit the Kids on the Coast website for a list of things to check around your home at www. kidsonthecoast.com.au/article/swim-seasonsavvy.

“Learning, and knowing how to swim, is the most wonderful gift any parent could offer their child. Not only can it help save lives, it will assist children, in their social and physical development,” Mr Gage confirmed.

“As they move through the classes, it can strengthen the bond between parent and child, and can enhance a child’s concentration, behaviour and physical coordination as they develop new skills, and learn new abilities. In turn, their confidence should improve, which is wonderful for their wellbeing as they grow up, interact with others, and face new challenges,” Mr Gage concluded.

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To avoid negative associations, Swim Australia encourages parents to refrain from forcing children into lessons, especially if they are genuinely afraid of the water. However, they say as it is a necessary and potentially lifesaving skill, it should be an ability they learn

Choosing a Swim School Some points to consider when choosing a swim school: • Is the centre and its staff appropriately qualified and accredited by a reputable authority?

• Does the centre have a good reputation – whether through friends or online?

• Is the swim school welcoming, friendly, and are the staff approachable?

• Is the centre well maintained, are the facilities, pool and equipment clean?

• Is the air and water temperature comfortable for your child?

• Is there adequate spectator room?

• Will the classes cater for your child and their needs?

• Is the curriculum developmentally appropriate, allowing for children to progress at their own rate - eg, smaller class numbers, and

short lessons no longer than 30 minutes for youngsters?

• Does the centre have flexibility in rescheduling classes, and are the class times appropriate for your child?

• Does the class encourage parental involvement? Babies need a parent/carer in the water providing physical and emotional support, until around two or three years of age.

• Does the swim school offer water safety education material for parents?

Swim Australia says, children who know how to swim, should never be left unaccompanied without an adult, while in, on or around the water.

While swimming lessons are not to be substituted for supervision and proper barriers of protection from water, learning to swim could make a huge difference should a child ever accidently come in contact with water.

Kids drown without a sound!

Learn to swim, and SwimSAFER ... it’s great!

To view the full article visit www.kidsonthecoast. com.au/article/swim-season-savvy

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Specialising in babies from 6 weeks and children up to age 5 years > Essential survival & swimming skills > Heated pool > Heated change room > Caring and nuturing enviroment

“When children are happy and having fun – they learn” – Gina 21 Banksia Avenue, Coolum Beach

Call Gina on 5446 1087 www.ginasbluewaterbabies.com.au

ADVERTISEMENT/LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILE

Calisthenics is one of the fastest growing artistic sports – unique to Australia.

Calisthenics can be categorised as sport and art. As a sport it encourages physical development, coordination, self-discipline and team spirit. As an Art it develops an appreciation of music and rhythm, the beauty of line and the excitement of presenting on stage. The word calisthenics comes from the Greek words ‘kallos’ for beauty and ‘thenos’ for strength. Indeed, the components of the sport aim at achieving those physical attributes, but the sport also influences the emotional and social development of girls and boys through friendship and teamwork.

Calisthenics, as we know it today, involves a team of pupils learning routines choreographed to music, each of about three to four minutes duration, and presenting those routines at competitions. Pupils learn approximately six routines concurrently throughout a year and this is where the diversity of the sport is seen. Calisthenics participants perform a number of different items at each competition. Depending on the age group, participants may rehearse and perform figure march, free exercises, folk dance, rhythmic, action song, calisthenic revue or use clubs or rods.

There are different levels of Calisthenics; some clubs have non-competitive classes, performing only at their annual concert. Other teams compete during the year at a number of competitions, performing on stage in costumes. Queensland also has a State Representative Team that competes at the Australian National Championships. Calisthenics classes and teams are broken up into the age groups and start from the age of 3 years through to Masters age groups. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Calisthenics

A wonderful Dance sport for all ages.

Come along and discover a sport that is uinque to Australia.

LEARN elements of Dance, Gymnastics, Ballet, Singing and Acting.

PRACTICE routines choreographed to music and perform on a theatre stage.

DEVELOP confidence, co-ordination, strength, grace, team spirit and musical appreciation.

HAVE FUN & gain lots of new friends.

A sport that welcomes all abilities.

Visit our website for a list of clubs and contacts near you.

www.calisthenicsqld.com.au

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012 – KiDs on tHe CoAst

71

PROFILE

Meet Tiffany Hall:

the white ninja - Interview by Jackie Goldston -

What many don’t realise is that Tiffiny was a writer and journalist long before she hit our screens on The Biggest Loser, Gladiators and The Circle.

Tiffiny shares, “My passion and goal has always been to write fiction. I worked as a Taekwondo instructor to support my writing and later moved into television. I was lucky enough to have author John Marsden as a teacher at school. He inspired me to write at the age of 12 and I’ve been pursuing that dream ever since. I finished my first novel at the age of 14. I studied writing at Melbourne University and was lucky to find work early on in TV to help support myself as a writer. I have worked as a health expert on morning TV, a Gladiator and a trainer on The Biggest Loser but my greatest love has always been exercising my imagination. I have published four health books and I’m thrilled to release my debut children’s novel White Ninja as the first instalment of my Roxy Ran series.”

Have you done much work with kids and developing self-esteem? I’ve been running anti-bullying and self-defence programs in schools for ten years. My family have the martial arts academy Halls Taekwondo. We send Health Ninjas into schools to talk to kids about the importance of resilience, focus and confidence. Teaching taekwondo for the past 12 years I’ve worked to develop the confidence in kids who have been bullied as well as to reform the bullies who come to me to learn anger management and self-control.

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KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

Martial art is a gift of confidence. So whatever I do, I inject something ninja. All my characters in White Ninja go on a journey to discover confidence and self-acceptance.

How much influence do you think having a healthy lifestyle as a child has on weight and confidence in adults? I think health has to be approached as a family culture. Role modelling healthy choices and healthy thinking is integral. Working on The Biggest Loser families I realised the power of choice to create the quality of your family life. There’s nothing better than having the support and love of your family when you are making healthier choices for yourself. A health journey requires support.

What influenced your decision to write for children? You never forget the stories you read as a child. I’ve always wanted to write adventure and fantasy for kids because it is a time in your life when anything seems possible, dreams are big and attainable. But I guess after meeting the contestants on the Biggest Loser who were so tormented by spleenful bullying and bereft of confidence I was more determined to write stories that would empower kids to embrace difference, feeling confident and being resilient.

What has been your most life defining moment? My life defining moment has been visiting schools to share the messages of White Ninja with my young readers and to meet so many kids who love reading. After so many years, it’s beyond exciting to finally share my stories. Also, when John Marsden sent through an endorsement of White Ninja to put on the cover of my book. He was the first person to read the manuscript and to have my idol, teacher, mentor approve of my writing is awesome.

Peter Collie

It didn’t seem possible that Tiffiny Hall could be as nice as she is on The Biggest Loser; however she really does appear to leave everyone she meets feeling motivated and positive (and could not have been friendlier!). She is not just changing the lives of adults, Tiffiny recently launched White Ninja, a mystery and adventure story about thirteenyear-old Roxy Ran, who thinks she’s just another ordinary girl until a confrontation with the school bully unleashes her secret ninja powers.

for writing. I then write, edit, research all day until 6pm. I then take Taekwondo classes in the evening.

If I’m not writing I’m in 9-10 junior schools a week running anti-bullying workshops, talking about writing and reading and health. Whenever I visit a school I dress as a ninja because the uniform represents confidence and resilience.

What would be an ideal day for you? Meeting and playing with heaps of kids, writing and getting my ninja on in class.

How do you balance work and training demands? Exercise for me is all about the mind gym. I want a strong, clear and focused mind for writing. I exercise early in the morning to set myself up for the day chemically and emotionally. I make better choices all day because I have exercise satisfaction. Everyone is busy. There are fit busy people and unfit busy people. Health is a priority for me because when I’m healthy, everything around me becomes healthier - my relationships, creativity, career and confidence. I’ll always prioritise taekwondo and training no matter how early I have to get up because I know my writing will be better when I feel good.

What life message do you most want children to learn? Resilience and the magic of confidence.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Play the piano. I’ve been playing the piano since I was a little girl and I find playing classical music soothing and relaxing.

What does a typical day look like for you?

On writing days I wake up before 7am and do some exercise to chemically balance my brain

What’s the motto you live by? Follow your passions like a compass and you will never be lost in life. www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Books APPS & Movies

REVIEWS BOOK Alphabet Town,

by Bryan Evans & Kimberly Moon, New Frontier Publishing RRP $14.95 Poor Zero didn’t feel very important as she didn’t amount to anything.

However when she meets Spot the Dot, they embark on an adventure and discover Alphabet Town.

Together they learn that curiosity and imagination can change everything for the better. A clever tale that will delight children through the creation of words and numbers to form books of knowledge. For ages 2 – 6 yrs.

BOOK Not for Parents: How to be a World Explorer,

by Lonely Planet Publications RRP $17.99 How to be a World Explorer will teach you all you need to know about venturing through all the landscapes on Earth. How do you cope with extreme cold? How do you find water in the wild? How do you escape from quicksand? How do you navigate by the stars? How do you build an igloo? How do you fight a bear? It’s all here! For 7yrs +

Discover your body

Kid’s App

$2.99 iPad Discover Your Body HD is a funny and educational application for kids and adults. It allows you to explore the human body, learn about its organs and parts. Stunning graphics, crystal-clear sound with a professional native speaker, funny sound effects. For ages 4+.

A similar android app is called Baby Learns Body Parts (free from Google play).

Guess with Jess $4 for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch

KIDS’S APP

Packed with activities, GUESS WITH JESS® mixes learning and fun to entertain and educate.

Offering a fun and varied range of easy-to-play activities, young fans of the popular TV show, can now join Jess, Postman Pat’s black and white cat, and his farmyard friends as they explore the world around them and discover that finding the answers to questions can be fun! Ages 3 – 6 yrs

MOVIES: FOR THE KIDS Rise Of The Guardians (Rating TBC) In Cinemas December 13 Get set for this animated adventure about a group of Holiday legends - Santa Claus (voiced by Alec Baldwin), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), the Toothy Fairy (Isla Fisher) and Jack Frost (Chris Pine) - who set out to stop Pitch the Boogeyman (Jude Law), who is hell-bent on sending the world into “eternal darkness”.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Rating TBC) In Cinemas December 26 The prequel to Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is the story of the curious, Bilbo Baggins, who journeys to the Lonely Mountain with a vigorous group of Dwarves to reclaim a treasure stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. Stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage.

To see more visit www.kidsonthecoast.com.au 74

KiDs on tHe CoAst – NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

www.kidsonthecoast.com.au

Family fun time!

Unlimited

rides ALL day.

Present this voucher upon entry to receive a FREE Side Show Alley Game with every full price pass purchased!

Offer expires 31 December 2012. No photocopies.

Passes must be used on day of purchase. KOTC1112.

! t e w s t n a p r u o y t Ge

So many thrilling rides & games!

73 Frizzo Road, Bruce Highway, Palmview, Queensland, 4553 | Phone: 07 5494 5444 Open 7 days from 9am to 5pm. Rides start at 10am.

DSA AW8889

www.aussieworld.com.au