SA Creche February 2015

South African

2015 February Issue www. sacreche.co.za

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LEARNING

MONTESSORI CONCEPT

STARTING WITH FINGER WRITING

7 easy ways to find a

good crèche

S A’s LEADING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT MAGAZINE

FREE EYE & HEARING TEST DONE

OPEN DAY: SATURDAY 1 FEBRUARY 09 - 16:00 PM

CHRISTIAN

BASED EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING

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Editor’s note South African

welcome

SOUTH AFRICA’S NUMBER ONE EARLY YEARS LEARNING STAGE MAGAZINE

Just yesterday we were celebrating the beginning of a new year.

The year is already in second gear. We have packed the braai stands and the firecrackers are put away. In comes the red roses and colourful mugs accompanied by poems because February is the month of love. Whether it is your mother or child or lover. This is the month to show those in your life how much you love them.

Schools are under way and there are those of you who are still to choose a creche for your child. We understand that the beginning of the year has been hectic already so we have compiled a list of items to look out for while choosing a creche. On our financial page we have included a break down of likely costs so that you can budget for your child’s creche costs. The importance of education at this early stage cannot be understated and our lead story covers one of the most important women in ECD and her lessons in early development Our magazine keeps growing with each letter and each comment we receive from you. This year we are destined for better things.

Allow essay creche to help in raising the future of the country.

March issue South African

2015 March Issue www. sacrèche.co.za

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teaching children to be water smart

8 COMMON DISEASES FOUND IN CRÈCHE

BENEFITS OF

MATHS AT EARLY STAGE

S A’s LEADING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT MAGAZINE

Managing Editor: Khutso Ntsoane

Editor: Thando Ncube

Contributors: Grace Seema lLlaai Ntsoane

A C Abraham Lebo Chauke Charlize Grinnell Lerato Molewa Patricia Armstrong Pastor Themba Sibiya Mahlako Phahlele

Layout & design: Llaai Ntsoane Advertising enquiries: sales@sacreche.co.za 084 343 8197

SACrèche Magazine PO Box 4670, Pretoria 0001 www.sacreche.co.za (+27) 73 040 8061

Editorial enquiries: editor@sacreche.co.za

Published by:

Llaai Ntsoane

onesevenone communications (Pty) Ltd

Disclaimer:

The SA Crèche is published monthly by onesevenone communications. All reasonable care is taken in the preparation of the magazine contents, but the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors in the contents of this magazine or to any loss or damages however arising from such errors, including loss arising from negligence of our staff.

Reliance based upon the contents of this magazine is at reader’s own risk.

@sacreche @sacreche www.sacreche.co.za

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News & Feedback Briefly Travelling with children rules amended by the department of Home Affairs.

From 1 October 2014, children travelling in and out of South Africa will be required to carry an unabridged birth certificate as well as a valid passport, under new regulations aimed at improving the safety of children.

Your magazine is a breath of fresh air for us working as care givers. I have been looking for a publication that deals with early child development in a way a lay person can understand. I have recommended to the parents at our creche. Dina Pila - Hammanskraal I am a parent to a 4 year old, I must say i enjoy reading your magazine. I find it relevant to the issues I face as a parent and also my son enjoys the pictures to colour. Thabile Ngwenya - Pretoria My daughter is a qualified early child development teacher and just got a job in Qatar after seeing a vacancy advert for a teacher on your magazine, thank you a million. Mma Nkosi - Kempton Park

KZN- Edenvale. About 7 children were killed and more than 18 sustained injuries after a bakkie they were travelling on overturned. According to report the bakkie was carrying more than 34 children. Community safety MEC Willie Mchunu condemned the use of bakkies ferrying children to school saying “This is not an overload but a recipe for disaster.�

I own a daycare center in Ga-rankuwa, it is about time that the education of our children is made a priority especially in the township. The early child development in our community is not taken as important as it is in latter stages of learning, I believe that your magazine plays an important role in highlighting this. Keep up the good work. Nthuteng daycare - Ga rankuwa As an assistant at a creche, I would like to thank you for the Lesson plans and idea on how to manage the kids, I was doubtful at first but after following one of them I cant wait to get your magazine for them.

Thembisile

CHILD GAUGE 2014 - There are 18.5 million children younger than 18 years and 3.5 million are orphaned with 0.5% leaving in child headed household. The Child gauge was launched in 2014 by the Minister of Social Service and is based in University of Cape Town. www.sacreche.co.za

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Shopping

Crèche Essentials Buy a back pack that is both practical and fun. You want your child to enjoy carrying it and nothing does that like their favourite cartoon carectors.

Safety is important when it comes to pre-schoolers. Buy scissors that are covered, you will be surprised what they do with the scissors other than cutting.

Get a lunch box that is specifically for children. There is nothing fustrating for a child like not being able to open the juice bottle or lunch box during break time.

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Health focus

Coughing, sneezing, high temperatures and sore tummies go hand in hand with young children and in creche children share viruses everyday.

By Hellen Moselane

any parents are faced with the anxiety of leaving their children at a care of someone else, especially at creche.

One of the reasons that causes this anxiety is fear of their children getting sick. Children are likely to get sick from attending creche than any where else, this is mainly because they are in contact with other children from different places who might have a disease or infection.

Parents should keep in mind that it is normal for a young child to have six to eight upper respiratory tract infections (coughing and runny nose) and two or three gastrointestinal infections (vomiting and diarrhea) each year, if they are at creche expect more trips to the doctor.

As your children get older their immune system will improve and will be able to take better care of themselves.

There are things as a parent you can do to make your child avoid the dreaded trip to the clinic.

Here are a few tips to help you keep your child healthy at creche.

KEEPING CLEAN Teach your kids to wash their hands often, especially before they eat, after they use the bathroom, after touching pets.

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DO NOT SHARE Tell them not to share glasses, water bottles, hats, towels, soaps or other items with friends at creche. Explain to them that many infections are contagious and by sharing he could be sharing their germs too.

DO NOT TOUCH BLOOD This could be one of the important things to teach your child. If someone is cut he/she must call the teacher. Children, by nature, are caring and like to help. By trying to help your child can contract blood related diseases.

WASH IT FIRST Teach your child to wash fruits and vegetables before they eat them.

DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT Take your child to her doctor quarterly for routine checkup.

Nothing beats a professional opinion.

Following these basic steps can help your child to be healthy but remember it does not mean he will never be sick. It is impossible that your child wont get sick but as a parent you must try and avoid it as much as you can.

News & Feedback

Q & A with dr...

Q- I heard immunization can cause autism in children, is this true? A - To date there is no evidence or credible research to support this, so take your child for the immunization shots.

Q - My child is 5 years and over weight, my mother tells me it shows he is healthy, should I be concern at his age? A - You are right to be concerned, according to recent studies Obesity in many people is traced to when they are still this age. Try to encourage activities and less sitting around watching TV or games.

Also change the diet, cook more healthier food and this should be for the whole family.

TREE OF KNOWLEDGE

EARLY YEARS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

2015 INTAKE OPEN - Mabopane

012 254 6639

Q - I am fearful that my child will get sick at creche.

A - You are probably right, but you can take precautions to reduce this. Make sure that the creche you choose is clean, especially in the bathroom also look at their kitchen cleanliness. As a parent encourage your child to wash hands with soap as much as they can.

Q - I suspect that my child has an ear problem, how can I be sure? A - It is difficult to tell without conducting tests. If your child is complaining about their ears, take him to your general practitioner. He will check if anything is lodged in the ear also he can refer you to an audiologist for a hearing levels if he suspect a more sever problem he will refer you to an ENT (Ear Nose & Throat specialist) Q- What is the difference between cold and flu?

A - The flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, fatigue, and dry cough are more common and intense. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.

Blue Elephant Crèche OPEN DAY 17 FEB

No. 90 Block K Soshanguve

ADVERTISE HERE this could be you

Contact us for me information 073 040 8061 www.sacreche.co.za

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Family matters

How to find a good crèche for your child

It is every parent’s wish to get only the best for their children. What is it that you must look out for in choosing a creche for your child? Here are a few tips on what it is to look out for. nrolling your child in a good crèche is the first step in providing a great future for your child. A good early learning foundation is vital for your child’s success in the later stages of his/her education, so choosing a creche should not be taken lightly.

As a parent research various crèches in your area, asking plenty of questions, and being aware and observant. Start your search as soon as you can. Many good crèches are booked up months in advance, especially for young babies.

To choose the right crèche for your child, one must take some time to think about it and balance their child’s and your family’s needs. It may be important to choose a centre close to where you live or work. Make sure you visit the centre first and check that its policies and values are right for you.

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It is a good idea for you to write down a check list with criteria about what is important for you and your child, you might want to use the following additional factors as a guide to begin with the search.

Where is it located?

It is ideal to use a creche that is near to your home or workplace. Some companies have a creche at work.

Is it registered?

Is the creche registered with the Department of Social Service to provide the service. Also check if the staff is qualified and what is the ratio of teacher to child, ideally the smaller the group, the better the care What activities do they provide?

A balance of indoor and outdoor learning activities, lots of variety and enough toys and equipment to make each day interesting.

What are their policies?

All services should have written policies and information available which covers what their educational objectives are and how they will be achieved, how parents can have day-to-day input into the programs and how each child’s individual interests will be catered for. They should also cover children’s behaviors, health and safety, trips, authority for access or picking up your child, how staff will treat your child and how the program is relevant to children of different cultures and abilities.

What about illnesses and accidents?

If your child has an accident or becomes ill when they are in childcare, they must be cared for until a parent arrives or medical treatment is obtained. Services must always keep a record of accidents and a staff member must have First Aid qualifications. Ask your service how it handles infectious diseases like chicken pox and make sure it has good hygiene practices to minimise the spread of infections What about safety?

All crèches are required to provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, children and visiting parents. Prevention of dangerous situations is a must and you should satisfy yourself that steps have been taken to minimise every risk. Consider the following: Security, medical room, play ground, electrical points and cleanliness.

What about the food?

Look at the cleanliness of the kitchen and how they cook, if it is possible taste the food. Check iif there is a menu which has variety and is nutritional. Check the fridge if they are not storing and serving left overs.

There are a lot of things that you should ask about; a good creche wont have any problem answering any of the questions you have. You should start worrying if the manager is uncomfortable with your queries.

Always be thorough and uncompromising in your search, remember your entrusting the creche with your child. A good creche must at all time have an open door policy for parents to come anytime of the day.

TYPES OF DAYCARE OR CRÈCHES

Long day care Long day care is usually open for 10 or more hours per day, five days per week and takes children from 6 weeks to under 6 years. Children can attend part-time or full-time childcare.

Family day care Family day care schemes coordinate care provided by family day carers in their own homes and carers operate alone with the support of the scheme. Hours of care vary and are negotiated with the scheme’s coordinator, or between the carer and the parent. Carers can take up to 5 children from babies up to under 6 years of age and two school-aged children who need before and after school or vacation care.

Home-based care Care is provided at the home of the carer who operates independently. Hours of care vary and may be negotiated between the carer and the parent. Carers can nominate the ages of children they care for, but may take children and babies up to 12 years of age who need before and after school or vacation care.

Preschool Preschools generally take children aged 3 to under 6 years, although some may be licensed to take children from 2 years of age.

Occasional care Occasional care allows parents to leave their child for short periods of time, either on a casual basis or as a temporary booking.

Mobile children’s service A mobile service generally operates from a van or other vehicle which travels through a particular geographic area and sets up a childcare service in a local hall or other premises. These services may offer occasional care, preschool care or long day care. Service is offered once a week, or more often, depending on regional needs and hours vary.

www.creche.co.za

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Development

using cellphone apps for kids

Technology is now part of our daily lives, we look at how we can use it in educating them. smart phone does more than just chat on social media. People hardly go on the internet to search for information or just for fun. All they do is chat the whole day. The biggest mistake that most fathers and mothers do is denying children access to their phones, although sometimes it is with good reason (the fear that our children will break our phones). Most children are not allowed to touch or answer their parent’s phones.

Cellphones and making kids tech savvy There are those lucky few who get to touch it when mom is in a good mood or only when it is ringing. This usually only happens you send them to bring it for you. It is convenient for you, but it doesn’t do much for them because it is in their hands temporarily.

By denying children access to your phone you are denying them access to technology. Doing that is the same as crippling your child in today’s world. If your child is 2 years or older and does not know how to answer your phone when it rings then you have a big problem. Your phone is access to a whole world of learning for your child.

There are millions of interesting books and educational apps that help children with colour, numbers, writing, fine motor and many other things including bed time stories. If you have a smart phone right now then go to your app store and search for educational apps. Some you will have to pay for, but there are many great apps your child can enjoy for free.

There are different and specific ways to downloading apps on your smart phone, of course depending on the type of phone e.g. Iphone, Android, BrackBerry etc. Your best bet is to go to the internet if you do not know how to download an app. All smart phones have app stores. Go to the app store and search for anything you want.

You will then be provided with a long list of apps that you can download on to your phone and enjoy anytime with your child.

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These apps are just a few of many great educational apps for your child, so don’t limit yourself. When you are searching for an educational app, before you download check the fee and how well the app is rated by other users. This will give you an indication of whether or not the app is worth it or not. You can check the rates in the following ways: How many golden stars the app has, 3, 4 and 5 means it is good and anything less than that means it is not up to standard. You can also read the other users comments on how well the app works. Or you can of course, take a shot in the dark and choose to use an app that is not rated and explore. You can even rate an app yourself after using it.

Types of apps

Sesame Street: Ready, Set, Grover! A very lovely educational app that focuses on teaching your child about Health and fitness. It is interesting and full of colour so your child is not bored and does not feel forced to learn.

Tally Tots! A very cute app with a cute name; it is best for toddlers who are in the process of learning to count.

Making counting fun and exciting for your little one. Kills two birds with one stone.

Dora’s cooking club! If you know Dora the explorer like I do, then you know that if anyone can teach your child it’s Dora. This app is aimed at teaching your child about the different foods you get and how to prepare them.

Elmo loves 123’s (for iPad)! Also an app for numbers and counting. The difference here is the character is different it’s Elmo! Every child who watches enough TV is familiar with Elmo and adores him.

Ancel and Clair’s Adventures in Africa! The best way to teach your child about the continent they live on. It is a fun-filled, interactive geography and science game. Can anyone say Nature!

These apps are a great guide for parents especially; they let you see what learning outcomes are necessary for your child and at which age. This way you can help enforce some of what your child is learning at crèche while introducing your little one to technology You can now let your little one borrow your phone, with supervision and moderation of course. Play the games yourself first, to get a good view of what they are about so that you can help your little ones when they start playing.

The amazing thing about most of the apps that teach children, is that most of them are based on cartoon characters the children are already used to. For instance my nephew is very fond of Elmo, and you can imagine the look on his face when he sees Elmo on my phone for the first time, can anyone say favourite aunty!

As a parent, you can maybe try and download apps based on the cartoon characters that your little one knows (cartoon characters from television programmes). Give it a try there are more apps where these ones came from. www.sacreche.co.za

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Nature

Let’s go play outside

Social skills, motor skills, imaginative play, hand-eye movement, exercise and many other skills come with getting down and dirty playing outside with your child. Asanda Abraham

hildren today are nature deprived. They spend most of their lives watching cartoons or playing on tvgames. Parents too are no longer feeling safe about letting their children play outside. Who can blame them when every other day a small child is abused or killed in this country? Apart from safety, South Africa has the highest obesity rate in children and this will increase as more children have access to toys or technology that bound them to the sofa.

Children at crèche should spend an hour a day playing outside. It is important for this to happen in a child’s first 5 years. Lack of outside play affects development.

The brain is developing at a very fast pace in the first 3 years of a person’s life and this period is most important for playing outside as much as possible. Parents must encourage children to explore their surroundings, especially those between 1 and 5 years.

Outside play is important in developing a child’s social skills. It encourages them to use their imagination and this is when they learn to share with other children. It improves their physical wellbeing and they also get to be independent and make their own decisions. These skills are learnt through unstructured play at the park or in the yard with other children.

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Also the sun is an important source of Vitamin D that children can get from spending time outside.

The winter cold should not be an excuse for refusing your child to play outside.

Plan a field trip with your whole family to the Zoo. Pretoria Zoo is one place you can take your child to explore nature. The good thing about the Pretoria Zoo is that food and drinks are accepted so you can bring your own, adults pay R75, children over 2 years pay R50 and children younger than 2 years do not pay anything.

They can learn about animals while you enjoy the outdoors with your young one.

There are other alternatives, like local parks where you can take a ball or just let them play on the swings. Go watch a local soccer match on the weekend with them, just as long as they get to spend as much time as they can outside.

Children should be allowed the freedom to play and venture outdoors. You can now take control of the remote and have piece of mind as your children play outside. the only downside is more laundry for you.

Community focus

a day in the life of......

Maria Nkuna a cook at Aganang Preschool in Alexandra

4:30 am

6:30 am

My day start at 04:30 when I wake up prepare to go to the creche. It takes me about 20 minutes by taxi, when I arrive I prepare breakfast and beds for the first children who are dropped of around 05:50 when the creche opens.

Around this time I receive the children usually toddlers and take them to sleep. The other children are usually dropped off around 7:00 to 07:45. We send them to their respective classes to greet their teachers and pray before we give them breakfast.

8:30 am

After breakfast I would clean the dishes and start preparing for lunch around 09:45. The time for preparing and cooking the food will vary depending on whats on the menu for that day. By 12:00 I am finished and preparing to dish out to the kids.

End of the day

10:30 am

Again I clean the dishes and the kitchen. It ussually takes me another 2 hours and by 14:30 I am finished.

It is during this time that parents start collecting their young ones, this happens until 16:00. I would clean the classes for the next day.

My day ends around 17:00 when I return home. On Fridays I take their blankets with me to wash during the weekend. I have been doing so for the past three years and I am used to it. I enjoy cooking for the children because I love them and they love my cooking. it is rare that we have left overs, sometimes we give the left-overs to parents to take home rather than throwing food away.

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cover story

maria

Montessori

By the age of THREE the child HAS ALREADY laid down the FOUNDATIONS of his personality as a HUMAN BEING. Reabetswe Maforah

hildren have the ability to look at things analytically. The information they get can be processed in images and they can grasp quantities of it. Although their minds are not as developed as an average adult’s, they are phenomenal beings. The famous quote, “train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is older he will not depart from it” Proverbs chapter 22 verse 6. This is where education comes in.

I have been questioned a couple of times about education itself. Mainly if whether or not the system makes children think in a specific way, where individuality is compromised, making children have one dimensional thinking. Example; a child is taught that a trunk of a tree is brown and the leaves are green, or the only way to be organised is if he/she stands in a straight line (queue). A child’s mind is innocent, and it is the educator’s responsibility to organize the thoughts of a child without limiting their way of thinking at the same time. This means allowing them to use their imaginations, however in a structured manner.

An Italian lady who was an educator and a physician, Maria Montessori, developed this new way of educating children without compromising their own abilities. I believe she had the same thoughts as most parents about education, whether or not it limits independence and freedom within those limits. I too am concerned about what is taught at an early age of a child’s life of learning.

Most educators may believe that in limiting a child they

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are actually organizing a child’s messy view on things.

When a child is born, they see the word as a new place, where they have a fresh mind and a fresh look on things. Not only are children learning about things for the first time, but they are learning about how all of those things apply to them. Their minds are like a blank page, with no blue lines on it. Whoever gets the responsibility to ink it has to think long and hard about what they will be writing in that blank book and the child will grow up within the author’s writings. Early learning is most essential because it promotes school readiness.

Maria Montessori believed in independence and the ability of a child growing naturally in the following aspects: • Psychological • Physical • Social

the story literally. They have an organised timetable for the day. These children are taught art, music, literacy and numeracy and more. Any learning centre that uses the Montessori Method is more organised and practical and is fun for the children to be in.

Should local early learning centres implement this form of education; children will be equipped enough by the time they reach a stage where they are ready to go to school.

A quick reminder that children are like blank pages, more like blank books, the teacher plays a major role in that child’s life, especially at an early age, therefore when a child receives the best education at an early age, they are more likely to be the best when they grow up.

When a child is in a comfortable environment, it is easier for them to learn freely without having any difficulties whatsoever. Montessori Method encourages a safe environment where children can learn and play. This method is more on the practical side than on the theory side. Meaning that the children learn through objects and movements.

According to Montessori, children have the right to act freely and choose what they require within the range given within their environment, depending on what the teacher has prepared for them. In other words, this method is: “free education within the prepared environment”.

Montessori classrooms comprise of mixed age groups.

Example, 0-2 grouped 3-4 grouped etc. Each classroom has 20-30 children that are looked after by a professional teacher. There is freedom of movement in the class. The classroom has tables and chairs that are the children’s size, the children’s lockers are their height.

The bathrooms accommodate the children as well. It is like they are in their mini world, where everything is not above them so they can access that which they need freely.

The activities are more practical and visual, example, if the theme of the week is wild animals, when the teacher tells the story; she uses puppets, pictures or act out

The physical being of a child that still grows is important, this method encourages more play, because children learn through playing. The more physical activities are promoted, for example, having a child build a puzzle.

The freedom of movement within the class helps the social skill of the child. It is important for children to learn to share, naturally without having to teach them about it. Let them learn it practically.

Early learning centres should adopt this and implement it. Rachel Carson once said, “ If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” children need good teachers for that, and parents who participate and are willing to enforce what is learnt at crèche at home.

As an aspiring practitioner myself, I would recommend that the local ECD centres adopt the Montessori Method of teaching because it helps shape and create a better learned generation, children who would, not only be school ready also leaders of tomorrow. It starts today.

That child’s future is in your hands. Choose today to create a great learning experience for the child while he is still young, and the child will see the true value of education.

Remember, limiting a child only makes him one-dimensional (narrow minded). For a child to understand let him/ her explore things naturally: physically, socially, and psychologically.

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Finance

cost of early care development

Paying for your child’s education begins with paying for their creche. The money that you will be paying every month on school fees is just some of the money you will have to pay. There are many hidden costs in educating your little one.

Khutso Ntsoane

e all have a financial plan for the year ahead, in other words we plan for the money we are going to receive that month or that year in total. Of these expenses for the year, your little one’s crèche is included.

You may be sending your child to crèche for that first time, or you may be moving them to a new crèche.

All this means you want to know how much you are going to be expected to pay for the whole year.

Before you can calculate or estimate how much you will be spending on crèche, we have to look at the details of your child’s crèche expenses. In a year most crèches ask for money from parents for the following things: School fees per month, Zoo trips once or twice a year, aftercare fee (if you fetch your little one after-hours or if you are late for pick up time), Picture day money, stationery money, toilet paper money, extra classes money, and extra mural activities money (dancing, and music lessons).

These are some but not all the things that your crèche may ask money for, and most don’t include these activi-

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ties in the monthly crèche fee. Then one has to bear in mind that not all crèches have these activities, so you can take a breather. The amount of money you spend for crèche and crèche related activities will all depend upon where the crèche is located.

EXPENSES In urban areas, crèche is more expensive. The amount for school fees can start from the following prices in Soshanguve; R350 to R950. These prices are reasonable, but we recommend that you visit the crèche first before making the decision. You need to see why you are paying this price and if it will be worth it. Is the creche environment suitable for your child’s development?

LATE FEES Along with the crèche fee, there is what is known as late fees. This is the amount payable for fetching your child late. Late fees can range from, R 40 per week to an extra R 200 per month. This is how it works: if the crèche hours are from 6am to 6pm then anyone who

book review picks their child up after 6pm pays the late fee.

AFTER CARE Then there is the after-hours fee/ aftercare, this is similar late fee It means that you are paying for your child to stay at crèche to be taken care of for a few hours extra until you can come and pick them up. In this instance, you are not late and the money is added onto the crèche fee and it is paid monthly. This price is determined by where your crèche is too. It can even go well above R 500.

TRANSPORTATION Some of our children attend crèche far from home.

This means you have additional transport charges.

This can easily be the most expensive item on your creche budget. Prices can go well above R1000, especially for those parents who send their children to a creche out of town.

EXCURSIONS The trips that are taken during the year to the zoo and other places are called excursions. The money you pay will depend on where children are going and how many trips they take that year.

Picture day The crèche hires people to come and take photos of children and you have to buy the photos from the crèche. An estimate of picture day can be R160 depending on how many pictures you are buying and if it’s a set etc.

STATIONERY Lastly; not all the crèches ask for stationery and toilet paper but some do and the money you spend will depend on how many they want and how many times a year they ask for them. If its stationery they want then, the amount of money will depend on what type of stationery they want.

PLANNING The budget for crèche expenses is not dificult, when you are registering your child just ask them about what they expect from you during the year. This will help you avoid surprises and inconveniences. You will know what to budget for and how much to budget for.

Letsatsi la Vuyo by Carol Bloch Vuyo ke mosimane o monnyane wa Afrika Borwa Yo a ratago go raloka! Bana ba lefase le ka bophara ba tla rata sengwalwa se ka gore se ngwadilwe ka mokgwa o bonolo, e bile go na le diswantsho tsa go kgahlisa tseo di hlalosago dilo tseo di hlalosago dilo tseo banan ba ratago go raloka ka tsona le k mokgwa o ba ratago go raloka le bana ba bangwe ka gona!

U nga kota? by Carol Bloch U nga kota? I buku leyintsongo leyi yi nga mpfampfarhutiwa yo nyyanyula na mitlango leyi yi nga ta endla vahlayi lavantsongo leswaku va n’wayitela. “ Dikida khirir ra wena” na “N’waya nhompfu ya wena” I swin’wana swa swilo swo tsakisa leswi vana eka buku leyi va nga ta swi endla. Xitori xi tirhisa kuvuyelela na ku nyanyula hindela yo tirhisa swivulavulelo ku ta kota ku endla leswaku vana lavantsongo va ta lota ju tiola va hlaya!

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Safety

Button battery ingestion A growing risk

An estimated three children per week end up in hospital due to swallowing a battery or similar harmful objects.

Llaai Ntsoane

lectronic devices are a part of our daily lives. And they’re getting smaller, slimmer and sleeker. Button batteries are found in remote controls and other household electronics, especially toys. The batteries, when ingested, are harmful and pose a serious threat to a child’s life.

Electronic devices have become part of our daily lives, with every device from a watch, television remote control to toys needing to be powered. With each design, batteries are getting smaller, slimmer and more looking like a button; thus the name button batteries.

WHERE ARE THEY FOUND. Button batteries or Lithium batteries are used to power small electronic appliances such as remote controls, small calculators, watches, key fobs, clocks, garage door remote, singing greeting cards and many moving toys.

DANGER Many children have access to these batteries and parents do no realize the risks. The battery, when swallowed, can get stuck in the throat and cause severe burns. These batteries are often the shape of a “button” or coin. However, if a button battery is swallowed, unlike a coin or button that can be allowed to pass though the intestinal system, a battery needs to be removed in 2-3 hours or serious and life threatening

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consequences can happen. The round metal as it corrodes, it start eating a hole through your child’s esophagus, poisoning the body in the process.

PREVENTION If a product is considered a “child product” and contains these batteries, they are required to have a “screw on cover” over the top of the battery compartment. As this product fall their covers come loose, it is advisable to also use a fastening tape over the cover. Avoid giving your child these devices as, like anything they get their hands on, it will most likely end up in their mouth. If a child swallows a button battery, go to the emergency room right away. Do not let the child eat or drink and do not induce vomiting.

SYMPTOMS It is very difficult for doctors to notice if your child has swallowed the battery as the child can show symptoms similar to other illnesses, such as coughing, ear infection, drooling, and discomfort. Children can usually breathe with the battery in their throat, making the problem difficult to spot.

Missing children

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Policy & Practice

Prioritizing teacher training After parents, teachers are the most important people in your child’s life because most of their early lives are spent in the company of a teacher at creche or school.

Khutso Ntsoane

ost crèches are run out of private homes, mostly shacks, by mothers and grandmothers who have no formal training. They have been looking after children before most of us were even born. These mothers have not even finished school, let alone have any ECD training; they run their businesses on experience alone.

The first 6 years of your child’s life are the most important.

It is a time when they must receive the best tools to help them develop mentally, emotionally, physically and psychologically. The most important tool in crèche is not toys or books but it is the teachers. The importance of a skilled, caring and imaginative crèche practitioner is critical in your child’s life. The investment into a child’s development must be a holistic approach also coming from you the parent, NGOs, the government, private businesses and the community at large.

Lack of basic education and matric, courses being offered only in English or Afrikaans and high registration costs for an ECD certificate are some of the headaches care givers and practitioners come across when they try and get some sort of qualification. In 2004 the President declared ECD a priority and 10 years later little has changed for these practitioners.

The South African Congress of Early Childhood Development (SACECD) and its members of about 2000 ECD practitioners raised the same issues by marching to the Union Buildings in 2011. A majority of these women live

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below the poverty line and only survive on the little school fees that they charge. Government grants are available but only to registered ECD’s but registering requires one to have some sort of qualification.

The ECD sector is currently being audited by the Department of Social Development. People in the sector are impatiently waiting for results. The picture so far does not look good and there seems to be a lot to do still. It is important for the audit to go deeper in the training of ECD practitioners because they are the lifeblood of the ECD sector.

The importance the country places on Maths and Science teachers must also be placed on ECD practitioners .

Untrained teachers are convenient yes, but will they be able to provide enough for your developing child to make it in this fast paced world? The answer to that may be no.

It was okay in the olden days to take our children to such crèches but today, they need more than that, they need knowledge and care givers with experience as well as a qualification.

Understand your role as a parent and the role the crèche you take your child to plays in their development, make an informed decision. Circumstances may have limited your development, however the situation does not have to be the same for your little one.

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Nutrition A fruit salad as a mid-afternoon snack is one of the best meals your child can have for the day. It is a much healthier option that making them a full meal since they are going to have a full meal in a couple of hours’ time.

You can use any fruits that you like and a little creativity.

Asanda Abraham

Watermelon

92% of a watermelon is water and this is the reason why it is good at hydrating and cooling one down. Watermelons are a good source of vitamin A which helps with strong eyesight and they are also full of nutrients that have cancer preventing qualities. Eating watermelons is also good for helping the body to fight off infections. Did you know that watermelons are lot more nutritious when stored out in the open at room temperature than when stored in the fridge?

Apple They are a good source of fibre and your child stomach needs that.

Another great benefit with them is that apples are good for the teeth but they are not a replacement for brushing teeth. Leave the skin on because a lot of the nutrients in an apple come from the skin

es o g ManAre

ge n a Or

Besides being rich in the famous Vitamin C which is important for healthy gums and helping wounds and cuts heal. Oranges contain pectin which reduces blood cholesterol levels as well as helps burn excess body fat.

It is better to eat oranges as a fruit than drink orange juice because most of the nutrients are lost when juiced. Oranges can also help with strong bones, brain development and it helps fight off infection.

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Banana

good for the skin because they contain Vitamin A. Mangoes are also good at protecting one from cancers, among them are lung and cavity cancers. The skin of a mango is rich in essential oils and helps with digestion and preventing constipation. Did you know that mangoes contain copper? Our body needs copper for producing red blood cells.

They are good for the digestive system, they are linked with probiotics which is the healthy bacteria needed in our systems. Most people believe the opposite but bananas actually help prevent constipation. It contains B6 vitamins which help against sleeplessness, irritability and mood swings. Bananas are potassium packed; potassium is good for maintaining a healthy blood pressure, muscle function and a healthy heart beat. A research in 2010 revealed that HIV+ people can benefit because bananas slows down HIV+ blood cells from multiplying.

In the classrooom

Starting with finger writing Finger writing is a good way to help children develop fine motor skills and begin to understand the formation of alphabet letters. Llaai Ntsoane

R

ecent developments in early childhood learning has highlighted the importance of first using finger to write before pencils and pens. Just like with everything else a good solid foundation is important, these are building blocks necessary before you can teach your child to write.

GETTING STARTED First start by acknowledging that all children are interested in nothing but playing and having fun. Take note; it is easier for a child to learn something while they are having fun, so everything new that you want to teach them should have some fun incorporated into it.

your child wouldn’t be able to press a remote to change the channel or even scratch themselves where they feel an itch.

MUSCLE By strengthening the muscles in their hands and fingers they will have better control and be able to command their fingers to hold a pen tight and form discernible shapes. Using a pen to write is a skill that is developed overtime

Goal: To progress from using scribbles to using letter-like symbols FINE MOTOR SKILLS

Playing is how the body learns to control itself, to fa- What to do: miliarise itself with the world and it is a time when your Place a piece of colored tape on the left side of a cookie child gets to understand the true extent of their capa- sheet. bilities.

Spread a thin layer of sand or salt on a cookie sheet.

Playing develops a child’s fine motor skills (Fine Have them practice writing their name using a finger in motor, refers to the movements we make with the small the sand beginning at the side and moving left to right. muscles of the hands) and that is what a child needs Show the child how to quickly “erase” errors or to begin when learning how to write. Fine motor control is what again by smoothing the sand with his or her hand or by helps your child do the little coordinated movements like gently shaking the tray to reposition the sand. buttoning a shirt, tying shoes and even answering your phone.

Variation:

This involves the small movements that involve the fin- You can use flour or sugar instead of the sand. gers and eye coordination. Without fine motor control www.sacreche.co.za

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Religion

BIBLE SONGS

REJOICE IN THE LORD

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Rejoice in the Lord always And again I say rejoice Rejoice in the Lord always And again I say rejoice Rejoice, rejoice And again I say rejoice Rejoice, rejoice And again I say rejoice Rejoice in the Lord always And again I say rejoice Rejoice in the Lord always And again I say rejoice Rejoice, rejoice And again I say rejoice Rejoice, rejoice And again I say rejoice

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I’M IN THE LORD’S ARMY I may never march in the infantry Ride in the cavalry Shoot the artillery I may never fly o’er the enemy But I’m in the Lord’s army!

Yes Sir! I’m in the Lord’s army!

Yes sir!

I’m in the Lord’s army!

Yes sir!

I may never march in the infantry Ride in the cavalry Shoot the artillery I may never fly o’er the enemy But I’m in the Lord’s army!

Yes sir!

events

Space Travel

Meet Thomas the astronomer, who will take you along in his rocket to visit the game reserve, the moon and beyond!

This show, hosted at the Johannesburg Planetarium is suitable for kids between 5 - 8 years old. Shows are playing on 2, 9, 16 & 17 August at 10h30. Tickets cost R25 per person and are available at the doors 30 minutes before the show starts.

Visit: www.planetarium.co.za

Xtreme Indoor Karting

Xtreme Indoor Karting at Sunninghill Village Shopping Centre. Costs are from R148, depending on the amount of laps you choose to drive.

Visit: www.xtremeindoorkarting.co.za

Under the Baobab Tree Coming to the National Children’s Theatre from 18 August - 12 September, This creative and energetic production offers children a fun filled educational experience.

Tickets range from R90 to R110. Bookings can be done via their website. Visit: www. nationalchildrenstheatre.org.za www.sacreche.co.za

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Artwork

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