Parenting Today May 2015

CREDITS Publisher VIVIAN-ANNE GITTENS Editor TYSON HENRY Advertising Manager PAULETTE JONES Editorial Team LYLE JONES, TYSON HENRY, NICK NUNES Photography JARYD NILES-MORRIS, JABARI CLARKE, DAVID HINKSON

Contributing Writers HONOR WILTSHIRE, DR. ANDREW FORDE, LATOYA BRATHWAITE, CORETTA JOE, ANDREA JORDAN, ROSEMARIE LAYNE

Advertising Sales Executives KELLY JOHNALLY TEL: (246) 430-5515 Email: kellyjohnally@nationnews.com DANIELLE BECKFORD TEL: (246) 430-5495 Email: daniellebeckford@nationnews.com

Advertising Coordinator WENDEY DELANEY – TEL: 430-5517 Circulation Manager EDMUND HOLDER – TEL: 430-5500 Circulation ADRIAN BOWEN – TEL: 430-5501 Design and Layout IMAGEWORX – TEL: 430-5419/5557 Printers PRINTWEB CARIBBEAN LTD. (246) 434-6719

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EDITOR’S NOTE With summer fast approaching, we have a wonderful issue for you. It’s soon time for you to find creative and safe ways for your children to unplug from technology, teach them to become more independent, and enjoy the outdoors without the pressures of everyday school.

In this issue of Parenting Today, we have a nice mix of stories that are replete with ideas for keeping your children active, both physically and mentally. On our cover is the affable Janelle Mitchell, known to many as Auntie J, from the Smart Arts Room – an edutainment hub that captivates young children in a web of locally authored stories (see page 10).

Children easily contract and spread infections, and this is

especially the case with what is commonly known as ringworm.

See what a leading dermatologist has to say about this extremely contagious skin infection and learn how to recognise and treat it.

The health of our community depends on each and every one of us.

The first instalment in the Parenting Pitfalls column series on page 6 is a bit of a checklist to test your readiness to become a parent. Filled with challenges at every turn, parenthood is not for the faint-hearted. Like our columnist Rosemarie Layne wrote, “Once you enter this realm, there’s no going back, so it’s best to be prepared before you venture into these turbulent waters.”

I hope you enjoy this issue from cover to cover. Until next time.

EDITOR

Parenting Today is produced by The Nation Publishing Co. Limited; a subsidiary of The Nation Corporation, which is a member of the One Caribbean Media Limited (OCM) group of companies. For general info email: parentingtoday@nationnews.com Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this magazine is accurate, however, The Nation Publishing Co. Limited cannot be held responsible for any consequences that may arise from any errors or omissions. This publication cannot be copied in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the Publisher. ©2015 NATION PUBLISHING CO. LIMITED

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

ON THE COVER: COVER PHOTO BY JARYD NILES - MORRIS

Contents

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3 4 6 8 10 14 16 19

Raising Free Thinkers Simple Steps To Help Your Son Respect Women Are You Ready To Become A Parent?

Demystifying Children’s Rights Janelle Mitchell: Inspiring Children In Small Spaces Recognising Ringworm How To Improve Your Chances Of Conceiving Your Child And Music

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

Raising

Freethinkers

by Latoya Brathwaite

An Alternative to Traditional Religious Parenting e come into the world only certain of a few things – we are hungry, we are tired, and the plastic thing secured around our waists was dry a couple seconds ago. We are not born with any kind of religion – there is no innate sense of Jesus or Satan and our delicate sensibilities do not allow us to derive some grand meaning from the crucifix affixed to our necks or the open Bible forming a lump under our pillows.

When I was younger, I was sure that being a Barbadian meant being a Christian. They were completely synonymous in my mind. Though I spent so little time in church that my recollections mostly involve sitting in the pews colouring and learning about a seven-headed monster in Revelation, I still thought of myself as Pentecostal. I knew there were many denominations within Christianity and I also knew there were other religions, though I was never completely sure what rules or activities they consisted of. Muslim women were always covered and “coolie men” were Indians or Syrians which meant they were most likely Muslim.

The sad reality is that most of us share the same story. The majority of us are simply religious because we were taught that it is the only way to live. We know nothing else. Once I realised that I was not particularly interested in being a Christian or following the various teachings, I never attempted to attend church after I stopped going around the age of ten or 11. I learned to say that I am not religious though I believe in God. This sentiment has

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since evolved as I have done some research into types of nonreligions life stances. I am a proud humanist.

Not being from a family that enforced religion offered me the opportunity to be . . . nothing. I never spent a sleepless night wondering if I was going to hell, but there was a reason I believed in heaven and hell and that some actions would provide me with a one-way ticket to either destination. Though lacklustre, Christian parenting doesn’t induce guilt, it also doesn’t explain why one may feel guilt in the first place for having a thought that deviates from the Good Book.

In Barbados, there is no separation between church and state. Even if a child does not attend an explicitly faith-based primary school, he or she will say the Lord’s Prayer, sing “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so”, and attend church services on special occasions. Still, in the midst of violent crimes carried out by young men and women, there are often pleas to get back to church and get back to a time where the village raised the child. Perhaps, more young people need the constant presence of their earthly father rather than a heavenly substitute or a village of misguided souls without their best interests at heart.

Instead of going back to an antiquated system based on regurgitated and sometimes harmful ideas and ideals, what we need is a generation of individuals who are given the capacity to think and speak for themselves, and question everything in the world around them. Today, there are a lot more young parents or those who will become parents at some point who are quite fulfilled living a life without religion (agnostic, atheist, humanist) or feel no shame in scrutinising the religion they had no choice but be born into.

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The Ladies’

Man:

5 SIMPLE STEPS TO HELP YOUR SON RESPECT WOMEN

by Latoya Brathwaite

ftentimes when a little boy is cute or he looks particularly handsome in his new outfit, a mother will proudly pull the boy’s cheeks and declare that he is going to be a heartbreaker. A father may lament the fact that he is not older so he can show him the ropes, become a ladies’ man just like his dad. For the sake of this article, though, what if loving the ladies was understood in a literal sense? As it stands, a man who loves the ladies is simply a man after sex, a flirt, a womaniser. This article is a reimagination of the term. A man who loves the ladies, therefore, is a man who cares about the woman in his life and women in general. He respects their boundaries, their bodies, and treats them as equal human beings. He acknowledges and appreciates their struggles. He is a feminist. These five simple steps will help you shape your son into a man who truly loves women.

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Early Years Let him cry

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Crying is literally the first thing we all do when we emerge from the womb. If the doctor slapped your baby boy’s bottom and he erupted in a fit of hysterical laughter, I’m sure you would remember a scene from The Exorcist and run for the hills. Why then try to shut boys up when they cry later in life? Crying is a natural response to pain or frustration, just as laughing is a natural response when we see something funny. There should be no gender or shame assigned to tears. Crying is not girlie, it’s simply human.

A boy whose emotions are stifled becomes a man who cannot express himself, and a man who cannot express himself will inevitably damage himself, his partner, and his relationships. Studies show that boys who repress negative emotions tend to express them in ways such as anger and often experience depression.

Teach him to play fair and apologise While telling a young boy that “boys don’t hit girls” may seem like the right way to go, the reason that follows could make or break the message. Why don’t boys hit girls? Because they are weaker?

Because men should know better? To have a sixor seven-year-old walking around thinking boys don’t hit girls for either of these two reasons is counterproductive.

The latter is particularly careless as boys need to be Parenting today · APRIL 2015

allowed to be children before they are simply handed instructions made for men. Instead, try something that is not gender specific, which focuses on the similarities between your son and his female play pal. For example, “Children shouldn’t hit each other because it is not kind” or ask him how he feels when he gets hit and let him know that his friend feels the same when she gets hit.

Pre-teen Years Go beyond the birds and the bees It is not enough to know what testosterone and oestrogen are and how babies are made. By the age of 11 or 12, most boys have been exposed to some form of pornographic material or watch it on a regular basis. However, at even younger ages, they have already seen Kim Kardashian breaking the Internet and the objectified bodies of females in anything from music videos to commercials.

These days, even a cereal commercial may feature a half-naked woman suggestively licking a spoon that was just dipped in the milk bowl.

Explain to him that porn does not reflect most real bodies or accurate sexual experiences, that participants are merely being paid to do or say those things. Engage in dialogue that is as open and honest as possible so that every conversation becomes less and less uncomfortable for all parties involved.

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Make him clean up after himself and do housework By making your ten- or 12-year-old change his sheets and pick up his socks or scrub a dirty spot on the floor, you are teaching him that cleaning is not the job of a woman.

Household tasks are merely for any individual who wishes to keep the space that they inhabit clean and tidy. It is also an excellent idea for parents to have fun switching roles (mother fixes the leaky faucet, father buys fresh curtains and hangs them) – allow your son to see that.

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Teen Years Encourage him to actively participate in causes that support women’s rights and gender equality More and more organisations are emerging that champion the rights of women and acknowledge that they are just as valuable to society as men.

While it is enough for a young man to be a feminist via his thoughts and words and in his personal relationships, it is also important for minorities to make themselves visible so as to inspire others who may want to follow a similar path – the road less travelled.

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Pitfalls of

Parenting ARE YOU READY TO BE A PARENT?

by Rosemarie Layne

“The family is the most important unit of society. Because it plays a providential role, it should be guarded scrupulously. With single-minded devotion, the leaders of the world should [endeavour to preserve] this small private world . . . held together by a joint destiny based on something so seemingly fugitive yet so lastingly influential as blood ties.”

–Walter Raymond Beach, We and Our Children

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o you’re on the road to becoming a parent. Whoa, you’re in for the ride of your life!

Parenthood is not for the faint-hearted. It transforms your life like no other experience. Once you enter this realm, there’s no going back, so it’s best to be prepared before you venture into these turbulent waters. Many of you reading this may already be parents, so the tips and advice here will be equally helpful to you.

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Original sin, dating back to the Middle Ages when it was accepted that children were born with an “evil” stamp to be eradicated at any cost.

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Tabula rasa or the “blank slate” concept at the end of 17th century advanced by John Locke, who suggested that children could be trained and influenced by their experiences thus parental guidance was critical.

Pivotal role of parents

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Eighteenth century innate goodness philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This approach viewed children as intrinsically good and advocated that they be given free rein with little parental monitoring.

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It’s hardly disputable that the first years of a child’s life should be spent in a happy atmosphere.

Although most children are naturally happy, a favourable environment enhances this. Bear in mind, children do not thrive on material comforts alone, but their domestic environment, particularly the relationship with their parents, should stimulate and validate their efforts.

Some may discount the importance of this, but harmony in the home does influence a child, even before birth.

Tenderness, happiness, cooperation, understanding, and confidence create for this fragile being an atmosphere where he or she develops the necessary trust and moves smoothly through the other stages of development into adulthood as a productive citizen.

Parental approaches Philosophers through the ages have expounded on the nature of children and how they should be raised. The main views are as follows:

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

During the last 150 years, greater interest has been paid to children’s development and to this end, John W. Santrock, author of the book Life-span Development, said: “Childhood is a highly eventful and unique period that lays an important foundation for the adult years [and is] highly differentiated from them.”

In most approaches, distinct stages are identified where certain skills are mastered and new tasks confronted. Fortunately for our offspring, childhood today is no longer dismissed as an inconvenient waiting period during which adults suffer the incompetence of their juniors, but is instead seen as “a special time of growth and change”. As a result, extensive resources are now invested in their care, protection, education, and edification.

Furthermore, children are not treated as homogeneous beings, but are appreciated for their varying combinations of personality traits and natural abilities.

Challenges of adolescence Unquestionably, adolescents encounter special problems not present in childhood or adult life. At this stage, for an adolescent, there are “certain pressing needs that must be met, and a series of developmental tasks and problems which he must master if he is to become a self-sufficient member of society”.

This period of life has been widely researched since the era of G. Stanley Hall. He propounded the storm and stress concept, defining it as “a turbulent time charged with conflict and mood swings . . . . Thoughts, feelings and actions oscillate between conceit and humility, good and temptation, and happiness and sadness”.

Even though a biological basis still bears significance, cultural anthropologists, who have studied adolescents in primitive societies and at all social levels, place more emphasis on social and cultural factors as determinants of behaviour.

Thankfully, the 20th century and today’s modern view have moved away from the ideas of abnormality and deviance in adolescence, and removed the stereotype (based on a few highly visible cases). The majority of adolescents are actually competent beings, not subject to an emotional roller coaster, and are integrating their identity in a healthy fashion, are happy for the most part, enjoying life, and making a valuable contribution to their environment.

It can’t be stressed enough that parents need to be well prepared to assist their adolescent charges with the rapid physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development occurring at this critical stage. Some needs may be socially acceptable, while others may lead to difficulties. Achieving personal goals will be paramount. Naturally, there will often be conflict between the two groups as the adolescent moves towards autonomy and the parent tries to maintain attachment.

The adolescent has a particularly urgent need for status, independence, achievement, and a satisfying life philosophy. It is particularly important to have standing among his or her peers, and to be recognised as a person of worth. He or she yearns to leave the insignia of childhood and assume the trappings of adulthood.

Here, teachers can assist since one of their main responsibilities is to help satisfy the biological and acquired needs in ways that are socially and personally rewarding for the adolescent. Although, admittedly, peer status is more important, recognition from teachers and parents is also sought, so these adult players need to be judicious in their interaction with this age group.

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts . . . ”. – William Shakespeare All in all, throughout the various stages of a child’s development, parents should foster a keen sense of aesthetics, and inculcate moral and spiritual values. In these extremely challenging times – fast-paced life, high technology with the high accessibility of the Internet, pornography, child prostitution, rampant drug use, and other dubious diversions – the home really needs to be appealing as well as secure. It is an ongoing challenge – one that deserves parents’ best and tireless efforts.

• Rosemarie Layne is the holder of an Associate degree in mass communications and is a certified early childhood educator.

She is also a private language tutor, teaching children and adults.

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Parenting today · APRIL 2015

Demystifying Children’s Rights

by Coretta Joe

lot of people have misconceptions about what exactly children’s rights mean. Faith Marshall-Harris, UNICEF Children’s Champion and chairman of the National Committee for Monitoring the Rights of the Child, maintains that the term does not mean allowing children to “do as they please”.

“The rights of the child actually start out by endorsing parental rights. Parents have certain duties and responsibilities where children are concerned,” the attorney at law and legal consultant said.

The mandate of the National Committee for Monitoring the Rights of the Child includes the following: to advise the minister with responsibility for children on the implementation of the articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC); to advocate, advise, and make recommendations on issues and policies aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of children; to facilitate public education exercises aimed at sensitising communities and building partnerships with respect to the implementation of the convention; and to ensure timely reporting on the convention to the relevant international monitoring authorities.

It is also tasked with sensitising the public, particularly parents, on their roles and responsibilities.

“One of the things I like to remind people is that Barbados long ago recognised the important significant human rights, and we recognised it in our Constitution in 1966 in our Bill of Rights. A lot of what you see in the CRC is like that Bill of Rights except that it’s children. Children are little humans so

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Parenting today · APRIL 2015

they’ve got the same rights and the CRC seeks to capture that,” the children’s advocate said.

Marshall-Harris told Parenting Today that according to the CRC, a child had the right to the guidance of both parents, the right to bond with both parents, and the right to be brought up in an environment of peace, stability, and calm. She also said that a child had the right not to be discriminated against and that the CRC looked at a child’s needs over and above the needs of an adult because of the vulnerability of the child.

Another point made by the former magistrate about the CRC was that in whatever we do, when a child was involved in a matter, the best interest of the child should always be taken into consideration.

“Very often adults think they are the centre of the universe and the child is just the appendage, but what the CRC says is no.

“Wherever a child is involved, the child should be at the centre because the child is vulnerable and needs the extra protection because they cannot protect themselves in the situation. Whatever the state does, it must take into account the rights and duties of the parents, so it is not against the parents,” Marshall-Harris said.

Other CRC factors that the National Committee for Monitoring the Rights of the Child looks at upholding include the following:

“Very often adults think they are the centre of the universe and the child is just the appendage, but what the CRC says is no.”

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Institutions (public or private) set up for the care and protection of children must have certain high standards established.

They must be registered and inspected by the Child Care Board.

The state is required to respect the responsibilities, rights, and duties of parents and anyone legally responsible for a child.

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The state is required to ensure the survival and development of the child, providing the best prenatal and postnatal care, and early education initiatives.

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The state ensures that a child is not to be separated from his or her parents against their will except after competent judicial review. Even when there is that review and a decision is taken that a child must be separated from one or both parents, the state must respect the right of the child to maintain personal relations and contact with both parents unless that conflicts with the best interest of the child.

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When the child is capable of forming their own views, they should be able to freely express them in all matters affecting them. For example, in certain custody cases, judicially, they might ask the child to express a view as to where they would like to live.

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A child should also be free to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, either orally, in writing or in print.

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A child has the right to practise a religion and they have a right to be guided about such religions by adults.

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The state must recognise the important function performed by the mass media and ensure that the child has access to that material from a diversity of international and national sources.

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The state must take the appropriate legal initiatives to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence while in the care of their parents. Where that is manifest, the state must intervene.

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The CRC looks at the need to oversee the system of adoption.

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The disabled child should have, like any other child, a full and decent life in conditions that ensure dignity, promote self-reliance, and facilitate their active participation in the community. It requires where the disabled child needs special care they should get it.

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The CRC addresses that we should try to afford our children the highest attainable standard of health and ensure a facility to treat illnesses.

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A child has a right to maintenance by the parent, where the parents are unable to maintain properly, the state should assist in the maintenance of children and make provision for educational standards. To summarise the CRC, MarshallHarris said that it was about creating “the best possible world” for the child.

Answers: 1. Hair 2. Tail 3. Goggles 4. Spots 5. Tongue.

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Parenting today · APRIL 2015

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SmartArts

Room

by Coretta Joe

JANELLE MITCHELL: Inspiring Children in Small Spaces

Parenting today 路 APRIL 2015

rom the time she was a little girl, Janelle Mitchell was immersed in the arts. During school vacations, she would create her own pretend radio shows with her father who portrayed both interviewee and interviewer. This allowed her to see first-hand how people get into various roles and it helped her develop a love for words from an early age.

Now at 31, Janelle is the founder of Smart Arts Room, an edutainment hub that welcomes young children into the imaginative web of stories woven by Barbadian storytellers.

The “smart” in Smart Arts Room is an acronym for small minds artistically redefining thought.

In 2013, while doing her thesis to complete her Master’s degree in creative arts at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill, Janelle wrote a piece called Bajana, which was a child-friendly play.

While she always knew that she wanted to be an entrepreneur, this provided the catalyst for her foray into the world of being a creative entrepreneur.

“While I was doing research for the play, I realised some children don’t necessarily like to read and see it as a chore. [My aim was] to make it more creative and get children to express themselves more and kind of loving words more. Trying to let them know that being an author or illustrator is a viable avenue if that is something that they want to get into,” she said on the inspiration behind creating Smart Arts Room.

A typical day at Smart Arts Room generally depends on how many Smartys (Janelle’s special name for her charges) are in attendance. Currently, the sessions feature Tiny Tot Storytelling for three- to five-year-olds, Smarty FUNimars for six- to ten-yearolds and Youth Chat for 11- to 16-year-olds.

Janelle, affectionately known as Auntie J to her students, explained that when Smart Arts Room was created in May 2014, it only catered to six- to ten-year-olds, but it has since expanded to suit other ages in order to widen its scope and live up to its mandate.

At the Waterhall Land, Eagle Hall, St Michael location, Janelle focuses on three sections: read, think, create.

“What I try to do sometimes is break up the activities so that they get to interact with words in a different way. Some sessions we will have a period where we will read. Everybody is going to read a part of the story regardless of however long it takes you. If you’re having difficulty I would say sound it out; break down the word.

From the time you get to a word and some children don’t know how to call it, you would find the other children are quick to jump in to help,” she explained.

“The think section is where we discuss the ideas; what you liked about the story, what you found interesting, what wasn’t so interesting, who were the characters, what were they doing, what were they feeling . . . , different things to just get a little discussion going because it makes no sense reading a story and then we don’t discuss it. You have to continuously engage children in

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conversation – that’s how they learn.

“The create section is where they recreate their own ideas based on the original story. However they choose to be creative in that aspect is what I allow them to do. We always must come in contact with words even if we do a session on sight words,” she continued.

People who hear of Smart Arts Room for the first time often think that it is a school setting that teaches children to read.

However, as Janelle pointed out, the children who come to her should already have a basic understanding of how to read and from there, she would make it more fun and engaging.

Inside the space, there are no child-sized desks and chairs in front of a chalkboard. Instead, it is a rather cosy setting with floor mats and cushions, complemented by intricate paintings, creating an atmosphere for interactive learning.

Janelle is also cognisant of the fact that there are children with different learning disabilities and one of her goals is to have someone come on board to educate parents.

“We know in Barbados and in our society when a child is diagnosed with a certain learning disability that some parents say ‘oh he’s slow’, but really and truly those children are more creative in a sense. Parents need an outlet where they can go to get more information on how to cope with children with learning disabilities and also with stress because they don’t think that children are stressed out,” she said.

While Janelle said that her aim was not to compete with the traditional primary school setting, she recognised that what she does at the Smart Arts Room and what parents do at home must go hand in hand and that reading should start at home. As such, she will be offering FUNimars (seminars) for parents in the very near future.

“I tell my parents, reading doesn’t only exist in books. We have words all around. Take it one step at a time. The most important thing is to reconnect with your child. If you can’t read an entire story, ask them about their day. ‘Did you learn a new word? Tell me a new word.’ And you could tell them about your day . . . maybe you had a long day. ‘My day was very frustrating.

Do you know how to spell frustrating?’

“I think we need to boost up our literacy in Barbados some more. Children need to get more creative with words and that’s how they’re going to enjoy it more. If you watch children in terms of things that they like to do . . . football, cricket, drawing, singing, dancing, they open up more. In the arts is where children flourish more

“I want to be able to contribute to our youth in Barbados through them becoming more creative, by focusing on words . . . boosting our literacy rate especially for the children under 15.”

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

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Punishing your child using threaten ing, intimidating and humiliating methods is believed to do more developmental harm than good.

because they understand that it allows expression,” she said.

Having active library memberships is another aspect that Janelle seeks to address, as she realised that a lot of children aren’t exposed to it anymore.

She sees going to the library as an adventurous activity from the journey there, to signing in, to browsing the shelves for books.

Presently, there is a second location of Smart Arts Room at the Spirit Bond Mall in Bridgetown where the Tiny Tots Storytelling is taught. But Janelle’s vision for the space encompasses much more than multiple locations. In fact, Janelle wants to have at least “one Smarty per household” and for the space to encompass exactly what the name of the business speaks to.

This includes adding a musicality aspect, having a lot more [local] stories told in audio format, song writing and infusing technology into the space via smart boards and developing an app where children will be encouraged to build their own stories. She also wants to have more of a presence with Smarty, which is Smart Arts Room’s reading bird.

“I want to be able to contribute to our youth in Barbados through them becoming more creative, by focusing on words . . . boosting our literacy rate especially for the children under 15. I call us an edutainment hub for the youth to inspire them to be creative with words.

I would like us to live up to that mission but not just in Barbados.

“Eventually I would like us to export our arts and education to other Caribbean spaces and then internationally because we can do it as a way to promote our culture in Barbados through literature and our Read. Think. Create mandate,” she said.

Janelle, who also teaches drama at Mustard Seeds Productions and writes local plays, believes that she has now cemented her place in the world by founding Smart Arts Room.

“I have the solution for a creative approach to reading. I live it daily; I believe in it. I practise it, and it is what I preach. I read, think, and I create. For me, I continuously build on myself so that I can build a better foundation for the children here.”

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

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Recognising RINGWORM

by Andrea Bonita Jordan

inea refers to a type of infection caused by fungi.

Dermatophyte fungi of the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton cause these infections. These fungi invade the upper layer of the skin composed of keratin and also affect the hair and nails.

Infections can spread from person to person (anthropophilic), animals to man (zoophilic), and less commonly from the soil to man (geophilic). The names of the various types of infections may seem complicated but are based on the part of the body which is affected.

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Clinical presentations Tinea corporis occurs on the trunk and limbs and consists of oval plaques with raised scaling edges and central healing.

The edges of these ring-like lesions may also contain papules or pustules. In the acute phase, pustules and vesicles are common while scaling occurs in older lesions. These patches may be single or multiple but tend to be asymmetrically distributed.

Tinea capitis is a chronic scalp infection usually affecting children under 12 years of age. It starts as scattered areas of scalp dryness and can progress to generalised dandruff.

Single or multiple oval patches of hair loss may contain black dots (broken hairs), dryness, pustules or a swollen abscesslike mass (kerion). Yellow crusting and exudates (wetness) can also be associated with severe infection. Swollen glands (lymph nodes) appear in the neck.

Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) affects the feet and is usually asymmetrical. This is the most common of the infections and occurs predominantly in men.

Parenting today · APRIl 2015

THERE ARE 3 MAIN PATTERNS: •

Moist peeling and cracking of the skin between the toes.

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A moccasin-type pattern consisting of powdery dryness, peeling and scaling of one sole.

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Acute infections present as small fluid filled structures called vesicles before forming blisters. These can affect the soles and between the toes.

Fungal spores persist for months in bathrooms, changing rooms, and swimming pools. Walking barefooted and sharing towels can cause infection.

Tinea ungium can affect one or more nails and presents in various ways. Crumbling of the end of the nail associated with unsticking and scaling under the nail. The surface or lateral border can have white or yellow flaking as well and in severe cases the entire nail can be destroyed.

Tinea facei is the name given to infections involving the face.

The appearance can be classical but zoophilic infections are often misdiagnosed due to the pustular appearance. When the beard area is involved the infection is called tinea barbae.

Tinea manum is less common and presents as powdery scaling of the creases of one palm.

A cause of jock itch is tinea cruris, which affects the groin unilaterally or bilaterally.

Even though tinea is a common infection, individuals and doctors can sometimes use steroid containing creams creating a condition called tinea incognito. This results in spreading of the infection and a loss of the characteristic skin changes. Patients with this form of tinea experience cyclical apparent improvement when on the steroid treatment and apparent spreading and exacerbation with cessation. This observation reinforces the inappropriate use of the steroid cream.

Treatment Simple tinea infections affecting the skin can be treated with antifungal lotions, creams, and shampoos.

Infections of the scalp, nails and chronic widespread skin infections require oral antifungal treatments. Fingernails require six to eight weeks while toenails require three months.

Scalp ringworm requires two months of oral medication but children can attend school during treatment, providing the lesions are not weeping or pustular.

Simple hygienic practices as well as avoiding the sharing of combs, hats, pillowcases, and frequent use of an antifungal shampoo help to prevent spread.

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Parenting today 路 APRIL 2015

And Baby Makes How to Improve Your Chances

by Andrea Bonita Jordan nce you’ve decided that you want a baby, it is the perfect time for you and your partner to start taking a good look at your overall health and well-being. Getting fit and avoiding things that undermine your fertility will not only ensure that your body is ready to nurture and grow an unborn child, but it also gives you the best chance of conceiving successfully.

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Here are some things to consider before getting pregnant Laying a good foundation 16

When we are attempting to get pregnant and be successful, it’s critical to understand that from what we consume, we lay a foundation for ourselves and our offspring. Studies (Cohain, Midwifery Today 2013) have shown that what we eat even before we conceive will actually define the health of our future children as well as influence their taste and food preferences.

This could seem a heavy burden to carry, but accepting it can mean optimum health and wellbeing transferred through generations to come.

Don’t underestimate the power you can have over your health and subsequent fertility.

Medical check-up It is worth making an appointment with your doctor for a general check-up before you attempt conceiving. The opportunity to deal with any underlying medical conditions is a vital asset to a healthy pregnancy.

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

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Diet & nutrition

Age

I wonder how many of us truly appreciate the fact that every single piece of food we eat goes to creating our body. Every cell, every organ, every muscle is being created from what we consume. It is most certainly true that “you are what you eat”. Eat fresh whole foods whenever possible and avoid refined, highly processed foods.

A well balanced diet does not usually require supplements, but these can be useful to balance or boost your system and fertility when trying to conceive. A period of cleansing or detoxification is also vital for clearing and preparing your body for peak performance in conception and pregnancy.

The older you get, the less fertile you become. If you are over 35, give yourself only six months of trying before having fertility tests.

Weight Being underweight can negatively affect your fertility, and being overweight can increase your risk of pregnancy complications. If possible, opt for a sensible eating plan and wait until your weight is within normal limits before trying to conceive.

General physical condition You should have regular Pap smears and if it’s been a while, get one done right away. If you smoke, drink alcohol, take recreational drugs, exercise strenuously more than three times a week, or don’t get regular exercise or adequate sleep, your fertility could be compromised.

Drugs Take only essential medication, but before consuming confirm with your doctor that it’s safe to use during pregnancy.

And if you’re planning to conceive and taking any prescription medication, let your doctor know in case the prescription needs to be changed.

Contraception Natural food sources for folic acid include fortified breads and cereals, green leafy vegetables, and lentils. There are also excellent herbs and food supplements which are effective for improving fertility. Consult with a certified herbalist or naturopath for the necessary guidance.

If you’ve been using hormonal methods, most sources advise switching to natural family planning for at least three months before trying to conceive.

Contraceptive methods used in the past may also affect fertility, for example intrauterine devices have been linked to pelvic inflammatory disease. Get checked if you suspect a problem.

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

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Oh ba by !

Menstrual history Irregular or absent menstrual periods, or a cycle shorter than 25 days or longer than 31 days, warrant a visit to your gynaecologist to check your hormone levels. Severe menstrual cramps may be caused by endometriosis which will affect your fertility. Excessive bleeding may indicate fibroids, and bleeding or spotting between cycles should be investigated to rule out medical problems.

Environmental hazards and infections Minimise your exposure to chemicals and pollutants. This is important for fathers too. Pollutants have been linked with many problems, including miscarriage and congenital abnormalities.

Sexually transmitted infections can also pose a significant fertility problem. If concerned, diagnosis and treatment should be sought immediately for both partners before attempting conception.

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

Folic acid & supplements This nutrient helps to reduce the risk of neural tube defects by up to 70 per cent. These tend to occur within the first 28 days of pregnancy when many mothers don’t know they are pregnant; therefore, a preconception supplement of 400 mcg is highly recommended.

Natural food sources for folic acid include fortified breads and cereals, green leafy vegetables, and lentils. There are also excellent herbs and food supplements which are effective for improving fertility. Consult with a certified herbalist or naturopath for the necessary guidance.

Remember that conscious attention paid by both prospective parents to a healthy diet and lifestyle for at least six months before trying to conceive can make a significant difference in the quality of your pregnancy and the long-term health of your child.

For many couples, even after paying special attention to some or all of these points, there may still be a perceived delay in conceiving. The truth is, conception has its own timing and whether further fertility treatment is needed or not, we must surrender to and honour this divine process. Everything happens in its right time.

Andrea Bonita Jordan is an independent community midwife and breastfeeding specialist, advising on all aspects related to natural childbearing.

Your Child And

MUSIC

by Michael Gibbons

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or centuries, mankind has been aware of the power of music and its ability to influence our lives. In more recent years, various studies have been conducted that have shown the impact music has on our brains. The results are astounding.

We will remember the biblical story of the evil spirit departing from Saul when David played for him on his harp. Music has the power to intrigue, incite, arouse emotions, relieve, soothe, and heal, and it is very important for parents to be cognisant of the impact that the music they play will have on their children.

How does music do this? The extent of activity in the brain when listening to music was hardly imagined until the early 1990s when functional brain imaging became possible. It was found that many different parts of the brain were activated when we listened to music and that emotional responses were evoked. Researchers found that from as early as five months old, babies were able to discern a happy song and added sad songs to their repertoire by nine months.

Listening to music can trigger a variety of responses, often

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involuntary.

Notice If you believe that the propensity to listening to music can involuntarily tap your feet when music is have a powerful influence, playing, such is the take a look at playing a effect of music on musical instrument. the brain and the activity produced that sends messages to your limbs. A part in the back of your brain also subconsciously conjures up appropriate images that are in keeping with the mood and chord progressions of the music you are listening to, more so if lyrics are involved.

Not all types of music have favourable effects. Music can be distracting if it is too loud or if it competes for attention with what we are doing. Hence the need for parents to be selective in the music they provide for their children.

If you believe that listening to music can have a powerful influence, take a look at playing a musical instrument. If listening

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

In an attempt to focus on good exam results, some parents allow their children to stop practising or taking music lessons as the child approaches the 11-Plus or Caribbean Examinations Council exams. to music creates some interesting activity in the brain, then playing an instrument is the equivalent of a full body workout. It engages every area of the brain at once – visual, auditory, and motor.

It is known that the right side of the brain is the creative side, employed in the processing of notes and musical passages, while the left side gives birth to what is linguistic and mathematical.

Playing a musical instrument engages these two hemispheres and creates bridges, allowing messages to pass through complex and diverse routes. It increases the activity and capacity in the brain.

It has been proven by tests that children who have three years or more of musical instrument training gained higher scores in all other areas compared to those who did not play an instrument.

They were better in their auditory discrimination abilities and in fine motor skills.

Many young lives have been transformed after they began to take lessons on a musical instrument. Case studies and research may sound theoretical, but many Barbadian children have become more positive, self-confident, focused, and outgoing by the amazing benefits of playing a musical instrument or singing in a choir.

Parenting today · APRIL 2015

In an attempt to focus on good exam results, some parents allow their children to stop practising or taking music lessons as the child approaches the 11-Plus or Caribbean Examinations Council exams. This is a mistake. If, for example, your child is studying for one hour, let them take a break after 30 minutes of studying, practise for fifteen minutes and then resume their studies. This refreshes, revitalises, and improves their ability to reason and retain information.