Baby's and Beyond - Issue 5 (April-June 2015)

babys beyond TM

and

April - June 2015

Understanding animal behaviour Going potty about toilet training?

Experience the Big 5 Dealing with diabetes Foods that fight back www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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babys beyond and

CONTENTS Features 8 12 20 26 36 43 54 57 60 67 72 83 86

Keeping an eye out Tax-free savings – how does this benefit parents?

Placenta encapsulation in South Africa All about trusts Understanding animal behaviour Understanding autism Baby-led weaning A toy story…

Bullying disabled children Going potty about toilet training?

Nanny vs crèche – what’s best for you?

Nursery safety Experience the Big 5

Regulars

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36 2

10 Education: The impact of optimum nutrition 14 Education: Love languages for children 16 Health: Dealing with diabetes 23 Health: Why do we need baby teeth?

29 Health: Exercising when pregnant 30 Health: Does your baby have colic?

33 Health: An alternative to conventional casting 40 Health: The science of second chances 47 Health: Turning the heat up on burns…

51 Ed’s Choice: Ingenious baby products 58 Health: Preserving the gift of hearing 63 Education: School readiness 70 Health: No more fear of the dentist 75 Education: Let’s talk about sex, baby . . .

78 Health: ABCs with omega 3 81 Health: Foods that fight back 90 Kicks for Kids: Fun puzzles and activities 94 Grab some grub: Oxtail Potjie with Stout Frikkadels with Tomato Sauce 108 Book Review: Recommended reading 110 Education: The value of art www.babysandbeyond.co.za

Baby’s and Beyond January - March 2015

CREDITS babys beyond Editor: Emma Dawson editor@babysandbeyond.co.za

and

April - June 2015

Understanding animal behaviour Going potty about toilet training?

Experience the Big 5 Dealing with diabetes Foods that fight back

Editorial Contributors Andrea Brann Andrea du Plessis Barbara Eaton David Kop Dr Adel Rossouw Dr Etti Barsky Gavin Sutton Keith Johnson Lesley McClure Lorraine Ruddy Lynn van Jaarsveld Melissa Jacobs Nolene Rust Ricky Carvalho Ruth Kloppers

Production Manager: Melanie Taylor artwork@mediaxpose.co.za

www.babysandbeyond.co.za www.babysandbeyond.co.za

Design and Layout: CDC Design carla@cdcdesign.co.za

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Cover picture: Twinkle Star Photography Model: ChloĂŠ Carstens Pictures: www.shutterstock.com babysandbeyond @babysandbeyond

Project Manager: Elroy van Heerden elroy@babysandbeyond.co.za Sales Manager: Sarina Afonso sarina@mediaxpose.co.za Advertising Sales: Ehrin Manuel ehrin@babysandbeyond.co.za Lorraine Beneke lorraine@babaysandbeyond.co.za Allison Davids allison@babysadnbeyond.co.za Tamzin Whatney tamzin@babysandbeyond.co.za Chief Financial Officer: Shaun Mays shaun@mediaxpose.co.za Accounts Assistant: Melany Smith accounts1@mediaxpose.co.za Reception/PA: A-eeshah Davids receptionist@mediaxpose.co.za Distribution and Subscriptions: Melany Smith distribution@mediaxpose.co.za Printing Paarl Media Paarl www.paarlmedia.co.za

Scan here to access our website: www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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Published By:

404 Commerce House, 55 Short Market Street, Cape Town, 8001 PO. Box 15165, Vlaeberg, 8018 Tel: 021 424 3625 Fax: 086 544 5217 E-mail: info@babysandbeyond.co.za Disclaimer: The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or its agents. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, the publisher does not accept responsibility for any error or omission contained herein. Consequently, no person connected with the publication of this journal will be liable for any loss or damage sustained by any reader as a result of action following statements or opinions expressed herein. The publisher will give consideration to all material submitted, but does not take responsibility for damage or its safe return.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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ED’S NOTE Our baby turns two!

I

love putting together each edition of Baby’s and Beyond – firstly because of the wonderful people I interact with, and secondly because of the fascinating content we’re able to bring to you thanks to some highly knowledgeable and generous contributors and industry specialists who willingly share their time and experience. I’m no longer amazed, but rather have come to expect that each issue will provide me with a magical opportunity to learn from these industry experts. I hope our educational and advice-based content does the same for you.

This edition marks the first of our second year in print, and also celebrates our ABC certification. Our printed magazine has gained great traction and a loyal and rapidly increasing readership. Our digital circulation is growing by the day, our social media pages are filled with lots of extra information, competitions and giveaways, and the content in our printed and digital magazines continues to inspire us. I’m gratified to hear from more readers, contributors and advertisers about how much they enjoy Baby’s and Beyond.

In March, I, like most in South Africa, watched in abject despair as the Western Cape’s South Peninsula was ravaged by devastating fires. However, my despair was equally measured with appreciation and gratitude for the hundreds of fire fighters who bravely fought these blazes. Thanks to their heroic efforts, the devastation to homes, properties and people’s lives was significantly reduced but our thoughts are with those suffering from the loss the fires brought.

There’s no doubt that as essential as fire is (for warmth, fuel, energy, and the procreation of our fynbos) it’s also dangerous. In this edition our regular contributor, Gavin Sutton, focuses on burns, providing an essential read (p47) for parents in the event of a burns accident at home.

On a lighter note, the Baby’s and Beyond team had a fantastic opportunity to visit the child-friendly Aquila Private Game Reserve to see what’s on offer for kiddies. Read all about it (p86) and keep your eyes peeled for their winter specials.

Other fabulous features include talking to your children about sex (p75), teaching children about animal behaviour (p36), the importance of milk teeth (p23), and diabetes – read Joshua’s story (p16).

I wish all the mothers a very happy Mother’s Day, and possibly even breakfast in bed, in May! Happy reading.

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www.babysandbeyond.co.za

FEATURE

Keeping an

eye out

Photo credit: HiTek Security

With distressing video footage in the media about nannies and care givers harming children in their care, nanny cams have become increasingly more popular.

I

n recent years, nanny cameras have become a necessary household item for families with young children – largely as a result of media hype showing distressing videos of nannies and babysitters harming the children entrusted in their care.

Choosing the right nanny camera for your home can be rather daunting, as there is little to no reliable information available. Your children’s safety is of primary importance, and something you wouldn’t compromise, which means choosing the best quality nanny camera from a reputable brand.

In addition to the various styles, shapes and colours, there are also many different functions available from each brand or product. With the accelerated rate at which technology is evolving, the wireless nanny cam has become the most popular option as it allows for remote viewing, (a video signal is streamed from one location and can be viewed live at another) using a smart device.

Do you need to inform your nanny if you decide to use a nanny camera?

‘While your child’s safety must come first, it would be morally wrong not to inform your nanny that they are being filmed,’ comments Clyde Elhadad, CEO of HiTek Security Distributors. ‘Additionally, employers need to make employees aware that they are being monitored by means of security cameras and that certain proceedings in the workplace may be recorded,’ he adds.

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Who would need to use a nanny camera?

• P arents who want to ensure that their nanny or babysitter is not mistreating their children.

• Homeowners looking to protect their homes from theft.

• Parents who want to monitor what their children are doing or who they are inviting over when they aren’t at home.

• Small business owners that want to increase security levels and protect against theft and/or vandalism.

• Anyone who wants to protect their home or business with easy-to-use covert video surveillance.

Nanny cameras are perfect for the home or office and offer versatility and security. They are mobile, inexpensive and an effective security measure as they can be easily hidden. These little nanny cameras may be the best decision you can make concerning the security of your home or office.

For more information, contact HiTek Security on 021 9463344 or visit, www.hiteksecuirty.net www.babysandbeyond.co.za

EDUCATION

The impact of

optimum nutrition Improving your child’s optimum nutrition has a major impact on the development of your child’s IQ, behaviour, concentration, problem solving, emotions and physical coordination.

By Barbara Eaton (Academic Development Coordinator for Pre-Primary Schools, at ADvTECH Schools Division.

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roper nutrition can raise a child’s IQ by between 4% and 20% so it is critical that in a stage of rapid brain development your young child receives the best food. Diet also has a strong correlation with behaviour, concentration, problem solving, emotions and physical coordination. All these can be developed when the child’s optimum nutrition is improved.

Half of the nutrition a baby receives in utero goes directly to brain development. With 60% of the brain made up of fat, the foetus literally robs the mother of nutrients to gain the necessary nutrition. Ever heard an expectant Mom complaining of a dead brain? After birth the baby has to rely on what it is fed to continue essential brain development. Breast milk and then foods high in essential fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals ensure the growth of the

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hundred million neurons that should be present in the child’s brain by age two. Just as important are the ‘foods’ to avoid. Refined sugar, fried foods and hydrogenated fats, colourings, flavourings and additives.

This sounds complicated but try thinking ‘stone age diet’ when planning your child’s meals. Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, unprocessed meat, fish or chicken, full fat milk, wholegrain rice and pasta, and water.

Nuts, unless crushed, are not advisable under the age of six because of the choking risk. Organic foods are best but can be expensive. However, cutting out all the non-foods from the diet can save you the money to buy higher quality whole foods. Foods we buy in tins, packets and jars contain high levels of sodium, sugar, additives and colourings, all detrimental to a growing brain. Avoid ‘pure’ fruit juices unless they www.babysandbeyond.co.za

EDUCATION are diluted with at least 70% water and do not give children colas, sweets, biscuits and chips.

There is an alarming increase in the number of obese children we see in schools. While there may be other reasons for this, most of these children eat a diet based on white flour and sugar and have little exercise. White breads, rice, pasta and sugar add calories without nutrition. Flopping in front of TVs, computers and tablets is the preferred recreation so the high calorie load is not burned off.

Good dietary habits start at a very young age and will help your child avoid obesity and disease later on, as well as feeding the hungry young brain optimally for academic progress.

So, where does the already harassed parent start?

A nutritious breakfast can make all the difference to your child’s school day and improve his capacity to concentrate and learn.

Examples of a good breakfast • Whole grain cereals, oat porridge or mealie meal with milk, soya or yoghurt. Add fruit to high-fat plain yoghurt and avoid the ones aimed at children. Try a little pure honey instead of sugar for a sweetener but fresh fruit is better. (Cereals marketed at children are low in fibre and high in sugar and salt. As nutritionist, Patrick Holford, says, ‘it is like putting rocket fuel in a mini’.

• Scrambled, boiled or poached eggs with whole grain bread or crackers. Any other protein, not sausages and bacon, with some starch such as brown rice or potatoes.

• Children who cannot face eating early could drink a smoothie made with fresh fruit, skinned raw almonds, yoghurt or milk. They could even drink this in the car!

• A sliced banana with little cubes of white cheese on each slice is easy to eat.

• Toast should be made with whole grain bread with butter and sugar-free spreads such as Bovril, peanut butter or Marmite.

To drink: • Whole milk or fresh, diluted fruit juice, or a smoothie made with fresh fruit and yoghurt.

• Rooibos/herb tea with honey or lemon. Young children should not be drinking Ceylon tea or coffee because of its caffeine.

School lunches Most schools ask that young pupils take a midmorning snack to school. This allows parents to follow their child’s specific dietary needs, likes and dislikes.

However, as a parent concerned with the physical health and optimal development of your child, you need to follow some guidelines.

• No sweets, cakes or chocolates should be included. Sugar addiction leads to depression, anxiety, fatigue and learning problems.

• No chips, they are too high in saturated fats, salt and monosodium glutamate.

• Give your child water or milk to drink. Fruit juices contain high sugar levels as the fibre has been removed. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

• Commercial biscuits, sweet and savoury, contain high levels of hydrogenated fats.

What are the healthy options?

• Whole-wheat sandwiches/rolls with a protein such as cheese, chicken, meat, fish or peanut butter.

Avoid jams and chocolate spreads. Use butter not margarine.

• Slices of chicken or meat.

• Wholegrain crackers.

• Brown rice cakes.

• Homemade popcorn (the commercial types have a high salt and additive content).

• Biltong.

• Raw vegetable sticks such as cucumber, celery and carrot.

• Fresh or dried fruit, not the sugar coated type. Fruit salad gives a choice.

• Cheese cubes or triangles.

• Full fat, low sugar fruit yoghurts.

• Wholegrain muffins.

If you prefer to give your child money for the school tuck shop, be firm about what can be purchased and campaign for the eradication of junk food.

Hot dogs with chips and coke do not constitute a balanced meal, nor will they enable your child to focus on the learning that takes place after break.

My child is hungry when he comes home from school… Instead of reaching for the bread bin or cookie jar, this is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the vegetables they usually turn up their noses at.

Create a dip with mashed avocado, a little lemon juice and smooth cream cheese. Arrange a plate with slices of raw carrot, cucumber, cauliflower florets, cherry tomatoes, celery sticks, strips of red and yellow peppers, and even mange tout. Hungry children will eat all their veg in this manner and you need not have the fuss at dinner time. Sadly, tomato sauce is not a vegetable!

Dinner should follow the same nutritional guidelines as above. Cook unprocessed food and serve it attractively. Avoid sausages, fish fingers and processed burgers that all have multiple additives and too much salt. Serve fruit or yoghurt for desert.

So what about ‘treats’? If you want optimally healthy children you should not use sweets, chips, biscuits and cake as a reward. One or two sweets after a good meal will not do much harm but good quality, preferably dark, chocolate is a better option.

Supplements As few families eat three servings of oily fish per week, children and adults need an omega 3 supplement and a good quality multi-vitamin. The latter is needed because the vitamin content of fruit and veg has declined with industrial farming methods.

Finally, the best way to encourage healthy eating in children is to set an example and to eat as a family. A calm atmosphere and pleasant conversation will do wonders. If your child refuses to eat, make no fuss at all, simply remove his plate when everyone has finished eating and offer nothing but water until the next meal. This prevents him using food as a weapon and reduces your stress. No child will starve themselves!

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za.

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FEATURE

Tax-free savings –

how does this benefit parents?

Investing in your child’s future just got a little easier.

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ne piece of promising news from the recent 2015 budget announcement was the National Treasury’s launch of the tax-free savings initiative, effective from the beginning of March 2015. It means that for the first time, South Africans can open a savings account that will be 100% tax-free.

Contributions are limited to R30 000 per individual per year, which works out to a monthly contribution of R2 500. A lifetime contribution limit of R500 000 is applied, which in today’s value equates to just under 17 years. All returns including interest, dividends and capital gains are entirely tax-free.

Why tax-free savings?

Picture credit: Inv estec Cash Invest me

South Africa’s declining household savings rate has been of national concern for some time now. In fact, our poor level of saving still ranks in the region of just 13.5%, down from 23% in the 90s. National Treasury’s launch of tax-free savings is aimed at fostering an improved savings culture in this country.

Treasury has confirmed that parents can open a tax-free savings account for each of their children, so saving could literally begin as soon as your child has an ID number. This provides an excellent opportunity to invest in your child’s future by starting to save for their education now.

As an example, if you started contributing R30 000 per year into a tax-free savings account with a 7% fixed interest rate, before your child turns 17, you will meet the current lifetime contribution limit of R500 000. If you left this in the tax-free savings account until your child turns 18, with compound interest (at a constant rate of 7% per annum) your accumulated savings will grow to R1.04-million.

René Grobler, head of Investec Cash Investments, says the beauty of the tax-free savings account is its simplicity. Not just recommending it, she’s also opening a tax-free savings account for her two-yearold son. Treasury has stipulated that it must offer full liquidity within 32 days in the case of an emergency

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nts

Make education your savings goal (with a minor product-specific penalty fee possibly applying) without any prescriptive terms and conditions on its usage.

Importantly, the account cannot be reimbursed with the withdrawn amount at a later stage, thus withdrawals will negatively affect the tax-free growth of the investment over time. Also, it’s important not to exceed the annual or lifetime maximum contributions, since any amount over these thresholds will be taxed at 40%.

For more information, contact Investec Cash Investments on 080 000 TAX (080 000 829) or email taxfree@investec.co.za. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

EDUCATION

Love

languages

for children

How do we communicate our love to our children? Andrea Brann, principal of Trinityhouse Pre-Primary in Randpark Ridge, reveals the love language she’s discovered.

A

s a pre-school teacher for twenty-five years and a mother for eleven, I am convinced that in the end, communication and God’s love are the keys to a successful relationship with your children. But how do we successfully communicate this love to our children?

Early in my married life, I discovered a book called The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman. The vital knowledge in this book enriched my marriage in so many ways, as it taught me to communicate my love for my husband in ways that he would best receive it.

Becoming a first-time mother was the most terrifying and rewarding experience of my life. Rebecca, my first born, has always craved hugs and kisses, and cherishes time alone with me, which became less frequent when I had two sons, Jamie and John.

Jamie, at eight, is a typical little boy, always the first to pick up a cricket bat and rugby ball and get on with it. His questions are so interesting, though... ‘Dad, who’s going to watch my rugby match on Saturday?’

‘Mom, are you coming to see me play cricket on Thursday? The coach says I’m really good, you know.

He says if I carry on doing so well I will play in the hard ball team! What do you think, Mom?’ And then there’s my youngest, John. At four, life is a whole lot of fun, but he honestly believes every day is Christmas and cannot understand that he can’t have a new fire-engine or car every day.

Much to my delight, I discovered there was a love languages book for children, also written by Gary Chapman. I began to apply the five principles, with exciting results.

The goal of the five love languages in children is to recognise and comprehend how your child receives love. This is often very different from the way you, as an adult, receive love or enjoy giving love to others. For all Moms reading this article, consider how best (from these five principles) your child receives love. Children (and adults) may have more than one love language but they will always

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have a primary and a secondary one (one where they operate best, followed by a close second). Of course love languages can change over the years as I discovered in my marriage. When we were first married, all I wanted to do was kiss and cuddle my husband (physical touch), but after three children all I long for is time alone with him (quality time).

Carefully consider the list below to determine your child’s primary love language. After examining these and thinking about my children’s different personalities, I understood them better, and I didn’t feel that motherly guilt and frustration all the time where you know you’re trying your absolute best but you’re just not ‘getting through’.

Love languages 1. Physical Touch: Does your child love to be kissed and cuddled regularly?

2. Words of affirmation: My son, Jamie, fits into this category (as do 90% of men!). He really needs to hear from me that he is a fantastic cricket player and that I’m going to be there to cheer him on in his cricket match, and tell him how awesome he is!

3. Quality Time: My daughter’s primary love language is quality time.

4. Gifts: Does your child feel loved when he/she receives gifts? John’s love language is gifts – very typical for a four-year-old!

5. Acts of service: Does your child feel loved when you serve them – for example making them a cup of tea or a sandwich?

As precious as children are, in truth, parenting will be the most difficult task you will undertake in your life-time. It is hard, but discovering my children’s love languages was like finding a key to a room packed with treasure. I trust you will have the same experience.

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za www.babysandbeyond.co.za

HEALTH

Dealing with

diabetes Photo credit: Lesley McClure

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease that can’t be prevented, and there is nothing that either the parent or child did to cause the disease. Lesley Mcclure, from Diabetes SA, explains what diabetes is all about, and shares her story about living with a child with diabetes.

Joshua was living the life of a normal little boy, enjoying being active and loving his gymnastics.

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www.babysandbeyond.co.za

HEALTH What is diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes (formerly called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes) results when the pancreas loses its ability to make the hormone insulin.

In type 1 diabetes, the person’s own immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Once those cells are destroyed, they won’t ever make insulin again. Although no one knows for certain why this happens, scientists think it has something to do with genes. Many people are diagnosed after an emotional or physiological shock, which may be a trigger.

Once a person has type 1 diabetes it does not go away and requires lifelong treatment. Children and teens with type 1 diabetes depend on daily insulin injections or an insulin pump to control their blood glucose levels. It’s not contagious and isn’t caused from eating too much sugar.

Symptoms You can have diabetes without knowing it because the symptoms aren’t always obvious and they can take a long time to develop. Type 1 diabetes may come on gradually or suddenly.

However, parents of a child with typical symptoms may notice that their child: • Urinates frequently. The kidneys respond to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream by flushing out the extra glucose in urine.

• Is abnormally thirsty. Because the child is losing fluid from urinating so much, the he gets very thirsty to help avoid becoming dehydrated.

• Loses weight (or fails to gain weight as he grows) in spite of a good appetite. Children and teens who develop type 1 diabetes may have an increased appetite, but often lose weight because the body breaks down muscle and stored fat in an attempt to provide fuel to the hungry cells.

• Often feels tired because the body can’t use glucose properly for energy.

In some cases the first sign of diabetes is bedwetting in a child who has been dry at night. The possibility of diabetes should also be suspected if a vaginal yeast infection occurs in a girl who hasn’t yet begun puberty.

If these early symptoms of diabetes aren’t recognised, and treatment isn’t started, chemicals called ketones can build up in the child’s blood, which cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fruitysmelling breath, breathing problems, and even loss of consciousness. Sometimes these symptoms are mistaken for the flu, gastroenteritis or appendicitis.

Doctors call this serious condition, diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA. The good news is that proper treatment can stop or control these diabetes symptoms and reduce the risk of long-term problems. Doctors diagnose diabetes by testing blood samples for glucose. If you think your child has symptoms, talk to your doctor.

If diabetes is suspected or confirmed, the doctor may refer your child to a paediatric endocrinologist, a specialist who treats children with diseases of the endocrine system, such as diabetes and growth disorders.

Diagnosis and treatment If your health care provider suspects type 1 diabetes, he will first check for abnormalities in your blood (high blood sugar level). In addition, he may look for glucose or ketone bodies in the urine. There is currently no way to screen for or prevent the development of type 1 diabetes.

Many people with type 1 diabetes live long, healthy lives. The key to good health is keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range, which can be done with meal planning, exercise, and intensive insulin therapy. All people with type 1 diabetes must use insulin injections to control their blood sugar.

You will also need to check your blood sugar levels regularly and make an adjustment of insulin, food, and activities to maintain a normal sugar.

Joshua’s story J

oshua lived life as a normal little boy, enjoying being active and loving his gymnastics. He was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic a few weeks before his seventh birthday. He’d been suffering from a cold that he couldn’t get rid of and, as a result, had stopped sport. He was staying with my Dad and was off school, when I got a call saying he was really sick and vomiting, non-stop.

I rushed him to the GP, who did a blood glucose and a urine test. The doctor was calm and told me that he was incredibly sick and needed to go into hospital within the hour, otherwise he would be in a diabetic coma. At hospital he was immediately put on a drip and his blood was taken. The doctor explained that Joshua was a diabetic and that

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

By Lesley McClure

his sugar was 49.8 (a normal reading would be between four and eight), and that he had ketoacidosis (diabetic ketoacidosis is lifethreatening). Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when the body cannot use sugar (glucose) as a fuel source because there is no, or not enough, insulin.

Instead, fat is used for fuel. When fat breaks down, waste products called ketones build up in the body.

Joshua was in critical condition and not allowed to eat or drink anything for two days until his sugar levels were lowered and stabilised. The next eight days in hospital were difficult. After two days, the doctors stabilised his sugar and he was allowed to eat and drink with a two-hourly blood sugar testing.

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HEALTH It was explained to us that he would need to test his sugar before a meal and then again two hours after eating. After eating he had to be given a shortacting insulin injection – in other words, every time he ate he needed insulin. Upon waking in the morning, and before going to bed, he would need long-acting insulin injections. This worked out to five injections a day, excluding the blood glucose testing.

Although he didn’t like the injections, he was an incredibly brave boy. And, after a meeting with the Diabetic Clinic, where everything was explained in simple terms, he better understood what was happening.

Six weeks after leaving the hospital he was doing all his own blood sugar testing and insulin injections.

Joshua has accepted that he will have this for the rest of his life. He is a normal little boy, eating healthier food, with the occasional treat. His teachers are amazingly helpful, as is his 12-year old sister, Caitlin, who now knows more about diabetes than most adults!

Despite what many may see as a ‘handicap’, Joshua continues with his gymnastics and has made the WP team two years in a row. He has also been chosen for the hurdles team at school.

Six weeks after leaving the hospital he was doing all his own blood sugar testing and insulin injections.

About Diabetes SA

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Picture credit: Lesley McClure

Diabetes SA promotes healthy lifestyle choices and diabetes self-care, which is a vitally important and cost-effective investment. People living with diabetes must be given the support and encouragement that gives them the means to do this. Treating diabetes complications is far more expensive than trying to ensure that preventative measures are in place.

Diabetes SA represents the interests of people with diabetes at both a local and national level, and lobbies for government and medical intervention. As part of its outreach programme, the organisation motivates, manages and finances community support groups (some 120 groups, many in underprivileged areas). It also organises ‘living with diabetes education camps’ for underprivileged children with diabetes.

‘We have taken Diabetes awareness and education to the schools with our on-going “Denim for Diabetes awareness project” encouraging understanding and acceptance, as well as healthy lifestyle choices,’ explains Margot McCumisky, branch manager, Diabetes SA Western Cape Branch. ‘We also provide tips for living with diabetes and distribute literature to the public and health care professionals.

For more information, visit www.diabetessa.co.za www.babysandbeyond.co.za

FEATURE

Placenta encapsulation in South Africa

Placentophagy is the act of consuming one’s own placenta for cultural, religious or medicinal reasons. For decades it’s reported to have helped stop the baby blues and diminish postpartum fatigue.

But what is placenta encapsulation all about?

By Melissa Jacobs, Organic Birth

W

hether for cultural, religious or medicinal reasons, consuming one’s own placenta is claimed to help stop the baby blues and diminish postpartum fatigue. Some women have cooked the placenta in a stew, mixed it into a smoothie, or even taken it raw to tap into its powerful effects. For many who feel squeamish about this or want to reap the benefits of placenta for more than just a day or two, there is another option: encapsulation.

Powdered placenta has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. In the study, Post-Birth

Rituals: Ethics And Law, it states that at least 10% of South African mothers wish to take their placentas home – either for consumption or for post birth rituals. With the availability of placenta encapsulation, we estimate this percentage to rise.

Cultural beliefs In many cultures the placenta is considered a sacred part of the birthing process: • Some African nations swaddle the placenta in

Photo Credit: Origin Birth

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www.babysandbeyond.co.za

FEATURE blankets and bury it beneath a tree as a tree symbolises ongoing life.

• A belief held by many Arab nations is the future fertility of a woman is connected to the disposition of the placenta. Should something unpleasant happen to it, the woman might be rendered sterile.

• In some cultures, such as in Vietnam and China, the placenta is viewed as a life-giving force. It’s dried and added to placenta recipes to increase people’s energy and vitality.

• In Indonesia, the placenta is seen as the baby’s twin or elder sibling and is perceived as the baby’s guardian throughout life. It is the father’s responsibility to clean, wrap, and bury the placenta on the day of the birth.

• Filipino mothers are known to bury the placenta with books, in hopes of a smart child.

• In Korea the placenta is often burned and the ashes kept. During periods of illness the ashen powder is given in liquid form to help the child heal.

• In France, the commercial use of ‘placenta extract’ can be found in some cosmetics, such as facial cream. In 1994, Britain banned the practice of collecting placentas from unsuspecting mothers in hospitals after it was learned that 360 tons of placentae were annually being bought and shipped by French pharmaceutical firms. They used it to make a protein, albumin, for burns and to make enzymes to treat rare genetic disorders.

Placentas are still used in beauty products today.

Placenta consumption and encapsulation is becoming popular in South Africa after the reemergence of this service in the US, Canada and the UK. Locally, it is becoming a regulated industry where, following specialised training, midwives and doulas offer it as an add-on service. The benefits are numerous in that the placenta’s hormonal make-up is completely unique to the mother.

Benefits include: • P reventing and lessening the risk of postpartum depression or baby blues.

• Replenishing iron from blood loss during birth and preventing post birth anaemia in mothers.

• Lending a consistent flow of Oxytocin (the love hormone) long after the birth euphoria ends.

• Provides the HPL hormone to help establish early and healthy milk supply for breastfeeding • Stabilises constantly fluctuating post birth hormones.

• Replenishes B vitamins and energy that were used during the birth process.

• Protection from infection and bleeding due to retained placenta tissue or membranes.

Preliminary results of a study being conducted by a placentophagy research team at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in participation with placenta specialists in the area, reveals that 96% of the participants (190 women at the time the data was compiled) found placentophagy to be a ‘positive’ or ‘very positive’ experience. Additionally, nearly everyone who tried placenta for postpartum said they’d use it again for a subsequent child (98%). www.babysandbeyond.co.za

In South Africa, Organic Birth – a company run by experienced doulas and midwives passionate about birth, women, babies and families – offers a placenta encapsulation services in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern and Western Cape. This group of placenta specialists received international training, aligning with peer-reviewed standards that include: in-depth tutoring and case studies, legal training, evidence-based research, and up-to-date studies. Within its services, Organic Birth offers placenta encapsulation in two methods, as well as placenta tincture and salves that can be used for the mother and baby.

How it works When a mother goes into labour, she or a family member advises the placenta specialist. The placenta is collected within several hours after the birth, and should be bagged and stored in a special but fairly simple way. Ideally, the placenta encapsulation process is started within 48 hours after the birth. The family should arrange collection and release of the placenta with the hospital/caregiver prior to the birth. The placenta specialist prepares the placenta in a disinfected environment where there is no risk of contamination from other blood sources.

The encapsulated placenta will be ready to be collected within an average of three days.

Preparing the placenta There are two ways to prepare the placenta. Most often in South Africa, the Raw Method is used, which delivers the highest potency of benefits. The other preparation method is the Traditional Chinese Method, where the placenta is steamed with herbs before the dehydration process. These can last for an unlimited time in freezer storage and some women even use their own placenta capsules to lessen their menopausal symptoms. A placenta makes between 140 to 180 size ‘0’ capsules, depending on the size of the baby and gestation. The mother can begin taking them straight away for maximum postpartum benefits.

Capsules can be taken two to four times a day during the first six weeks. Some can be saved for hormonal imbalances, such as when weaning your baby off the breast or the mother’s first post-partum period.

Placentas that have been properly frozen can also be encapsulated up to a year after the birth.

Organic Birth staff are available at anytime to answer questions about dosage and storage, among other things.

To contact Melissa Jacobs, professional doula – advanced skills, placenta specialist, holistic women’s health emissary, visit Organic Birth’s website at www.organicbirth.co.za or call 082 601 4108.

Sources: Cultural traditions source: http://www.birthtoearth.com/FAQs/ Placenta+Traditions.html The South African Tissue Act of 1983 Study “Post-birth Rituals: Ethics and Law” Further reading research http://blog.placentabenefits.info/index. php/2010/11/aaa-conference-in-new-orleans/

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HEALTH

Why do we need

baby teeth?

What is all the fuss about baby teeth? Dr Adel Rossouw explains why they’re so important.

By Dr Adel Rossouw, BChD (Pret)Dip(KGM)Dip(For Odont)

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any parents weren’t taught the importance of baby or, as dentists call them, deciduous teeth. When their children get teeth, parents have an attitude of: ‘What is all the fuss about baby teeth?

They are going to fall out anyway, so if they have a hole, what does it matter? The big teeth will soon emerge.’

Thankfully that kind of thinking is not so common these days.

Why are healthy baby teeth so important?

1. Proper chewing and eating. Your teeth are the beginning of your digestive system. If you can’t chew your food properly, the rest of your GUT struggles to process the food and doesn’t absorb the necessary nutrients your body needs.

2. Speech Development. Your front teeth are very important for the pronunciation of a lot of sounds.

3. Providing space for permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position.

4. Permitting normal development of jawbones and muscles. The development of teeth and bones go hand in hand. If the one is absent or faulty, it will have an effect on the other.

5. Attractive appearance. If your child has lost her front teeth early, their psychosocial development might be affected. Other children might tease her and she will feel inferior to them.

The four front teeth remain until the age of six to seven years’ old, and the back teeth only fall out between 10 to 13 years of age.

What is baby bottle mouth syndrome or decay?

The most common pattern of tooth decay in toddlers today is ‘Baby Bottle Decay’, caused by inappropriate bottle feeding with juice or sweetened drinks, by desperate parents in attempting to pacify their children.

The tongue covers the lower front teeth and protects them but liquid from bottles pools around the upper teeth. The acids from these liquids attack www.babysandbeyond.co.za

the enamel of the teeth, which is lost over time. The upper front teeth decay quickly in this scenario, sometimes to the point of becoming blackened, unsightly stumps. The child is then burdened with this until the age of six to eight years, when the permanent upper front teeth erupt.

If the child loses a back baby tooth too early (due to decay), the next tooth behind it drifts forward into the space. The permanent teeth then become crooked because there is no space for them to erupt into.

To prevent Baby Bottle Decay, children should be weaned from bottles by the age of one. Only put milk or water in the bottle, and don’t create a habit of dependency on the bottle to fall asleep – rather use a dummy as a pacifier.

If a child doesn’t have pain or discomfort it doesn’t necessarily mean that there are no problems.

Why have regular dentist visits if my child doesn’t complain?

If a child doesn’t have pain or discomfort it doesn’t necessarily mean that there are no problems. The child’s mouth may have several small to medium sized holes that are not large enough yet to cause pain.

Regular dental check-ups enable the dentist to locate decay early and treat it before it causes pain.

The dentist will also assess changes in the child’s oral health and identify orthodontic problems.

Cleaning and polishing teeth removes debris that is full of bacteria that build up on teeth, irritate the gums and cause decay. Fluoride treatments strengthen teeth and prevent cavities.

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HEALTH

At what age should a child have her first dental check-up?

Ideally, around her first birthday. The dentist examines the mouth and confirms normal oral development, checks on the cleanliness of the mouth and teeth, and looks for signs of tooth decay. Parents can have their questions answered about optimal oral care, and children become familiar with the dental environment, without fear of the dentist.

What can I do to ensure my child has good dental health?

• Eat healthily and avoid frequent snacking.

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• Brush teeth properly twice a day.

• Floss between teeth once a day.

• Visit the dentist regularly – every six months.

• Place fissure sealants on all permanent molars (back teeth).

• Ensure your child is getting the correct amount of fluoride.

For more information, visit www.adelrossouw.co.za

References Dr Angela Gilhespie: The ABC’s of children’s teeth (www.teethforlife.co.za); The Paedodontic Society of South Africa.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

FEATURE

All about trusts In our regular financial feature we look at the importance of trusts and how to save long-term to ensure the financial stability of your family.

By: David Kop, CFP®, Head: Advocacy and Consumer Affairs at the Financial Planning Institute (FPI)

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hen considering setting up a trust, it is important to understand what a trust is. In the simplest form, a trust is a contract created by a person (known as the founder), by placing assets under control of another person (known as the trustee), for the benefit of third parties (the beneficiaries).

Once a trust has been set up, and assets transferred to the trust, the founder no longer has control of these assets, and the management and control of these assets rest with the trustees. Many people make the error of continuing to manage the assets as if they were their own. This could lead to the loss of protection that a trust offers, which is discussed below.

Roles in a trust Founder – The founder of a trust is the person who establishes the trust. Generally it is the founder who donates his/her assets to a trust.

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Trustees – the Trustees take control of the assets of the trust and administer the assets on behalf of the beneficiaries. The powers that the trustees have to administer the trusts are granted to them by the trusts deed. One of the mistakes that people have made in the past is selecting only family members as trustees. The duties of a trustee are complex and in selecting trustees, a trusted professional such as an attorney, accountant or CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional/CFP® professional should be selected as an independent trustee.

Beneficiaries – These are the people appointed by the founder to be the recipients of either the assets and/or the income of the trust.

The same person can be the founder of a trust, one of the trustees (discussed below) and one of the beneficiaries. However, the founder cannot be the sole trustee and/or beneficiary.

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FEATURE Types of trusts There are generally two types of trusts: • Inter Vivos – this refers to a trust that is established while the founder is still alive. The trust is set up with a contract known as a trust deed. The trust deed, together with other documentation, is submitted to the master of the high court for registration. It is recommended that you consult with an attorney, accountant or CFP® professional who specialises in estate planning to assist with the drafting and registration of the trust.

• Testamentary trust – this refers to a trust that is set up in terms of a will. There is generally not a separate trust deed as the will fulfils this purpose.

When the person who drafted the will passes away, the will and other documentation is submitted to the master of the high court. Where you have minor beneficiaries, it is essential to set up a testamentary trust in your will.

Advantages of a trust Saving estate duty is often the primary reason people consider setting up a trust. However, there are several other reasons to consider: • A trust is a separate entity and survives the life of an individual. This can provide a degree of continuity to ensure that beneficiaries can continue to receive income and capital payments from the trust after the death of the founder and while the estate is being wound up.

• A trust can protect an individual’s assets from creditors, which is important where the individual is involved in a business that may put their personal assets at risk in the event of the business failing.

• Assets held in a trust may be protected from claims arising from divorce.

• As a trust can continue to exist for more than one generation, it is an exceptional tool to preserve the assets for the benefit of the founder’s family, or charities, if there is no family.

• For some, a trust can provide tax savings because of the different ways income and capital gains can be distributed.

• Estate duty can be minimised as assets are transferred at the current value, at the time that the trust is created, and the growth of the assets then fall into the trust as opposed to the founder.

Disadvantages of a trust There are also some disadvantages to using a trust, such as: • The founder loses ownership and control of his/her assets and must be prepared to do so. There have been several court cases where, after transferring assets to the trust, the founder continued to act as if the trusts did not exist. The courts found that in these circumstances no trust in fact existed and the protection against creditors or a spouse in a divorce was lost.

• The costs of setting up and running a trust may be prohibitive. In addition to the setup fee, which could be from R1 500 to R10 000, you may also need to pay the independent trustee. A set of accounts must be kept for the trust and tax returns submitted. There will therefore also be ongoing accounting fees. The fees for running the trust should be considered in light of the benefit hoped to be gained.

• The tax rates for trusts are higher, at a flat of 40%.

However, if correctly structured and managed, the trust may not pay tax. For instance, if income is paid or vested in a beneficiary in the year it was earned, the beneficiary will pay the tax on that income and not the trust. The tax management of a trust is very complicated and advice of a professional nature must be sought to avoid running afoul of the tax authorities.

Conclusion One should not rush out to set up a trust without considering all the advantages and disadvantages.

It is recommended that you consult with a CFP® professional who specialises in estate planning, to consider your options and be guided on what would work best based on your family’s unique needs. It may be that there are cheaper and better alternatives to meet your estate planning goals, such as a correctly structured will and ensuring that you have sufficient life and disability cover.

To find a CFP® professional near you, visit www.fpi.co.za or call 086 1000 374/011 470 6000.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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HEALTH

Exercising

when pregnant

There are many safe exercise options suitable during pregnancy.

Preggi Bellies’ training director and partner, Dr Etti Barsky, MBBCh, MSc Sports Medicine, considers the most common options.

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regnancy is a great time to re-evaluate your lifestyle when it comes to health and fitness.

South African and international obstetric guidelines encourage women to participate in aerobic and strength-conditioning exercises as part of a healthy lifestyle during their pregnancies, provided that there are no contra-indications (medical reasons) why you should not be exercising.

There are many options available and I’d like to take you through a few of the most common options.

Walking is easy, can be done in your own time, at your own pace and, it’s free. While walking is most certainly better than nothing, I don’t like to recommend walking in pregnancy especially if you have back pain or pubic bone pain. The reason for this is that when you are pregnant, two important changes happen that are relevant to walking. Firstly, your centre of gravity shifts and your body weight starts getting carried through your knees. Secondly, the complex network of ligaments that connects your lower spine to your hips loosens. Walking, especially at a brisk pace, puts a lot of imbalance and pressure on these two areas and can result in some knee pain but most definitely causes back pain. So, please be aware of this if this is the option you choose.

Water Aerobics. Despite this seeming like something targeted for when the kids have already left home, this pool workout integrates elements of aerobics, swimming, and resistance training. Training in water removes the effect of gravity and may offer a more comfortable form of exercise, especially if you have bad lower back or pubic bone pain. Just remember to include land based exercises in your routine. This is important because it helps improve bone density.

During pregnancy there is high bone turnover as

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your body is trying to help build that of your baby’s.

Weight-bearing exercises, such as squats, help by increasing the amount of bone being laid down as compared to bone breakdown.

Next is Pilates, which focuses on strengthening core muscles, improving muscle control and flexibility, as well as alignment and breathing. The exercise principles focus on centring the core muscle group – also known as the ‘powerhouse’ – prior to any movement of the limbs. This requires concentration, control and precision. Make sure you train with someone who understands the exercises well enough to be able to adapt the exercises for pregnancy.

The same applies to yoga, which uses stretching postures, breathing and meditation techniques to calm the mind and emotions and tone the body.

The focus of yoga is to work through various positions believed to nurture both body and soul.

Finally, in South Africa, we have Preggi Bellies – a low-impact cardiovascular training programme specifically designed for pregnant women. The format is similar to that of a hi-lo aerobics class with a 30-minute cardiovascular component and then a 30-minute strength training component using free-weights, body weight and therabands. All training is done on an exercise ball. This provides stability for the pelvis by keeping it level (so taking those two important changes into account). However, it adds an element of instability to the core muscle group by virtue of it being round.

The programme is designed in such a way that it can be adapted for most of the common complaints during pregnancy, as well as getting back into exercise after you’ve had your baby.

For more information about Preggi Bellies, visit www.preggibellies.co.za.

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HEALTH

Does your baby have

colic?

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An inconsolably crying baby is hugely stressful for parents, and long stretches of crying could well be the result of colic. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

HEALTH

B

aby colic has been around for a long time, and is commonly defined as distress or crying in an infant, which lasts for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week for at least three weeks in an otherwise healthy infant. It is a common, benign, self-limiting condition and, despite much research on the subject, the underlying cause is still not clear.

However, it’s important to remember that not all fussy babies suffer from colic. Most infants normally cry for two to three hours per day, but this is usually spread out over a 24-hour period.

What are the signs and symptoms of a colicky baby?

The crying or fussing most frequently begins suddenly, and often after a feeding. The cry is loud and continuous, and can last from one to four hours. The baby’s face may become flushed or red and the tummy can be distended or prominent. Additionally, the legs alternate between being extended straight out and drawing up at the knees, and the feet are often cold and the hands clenched. Episodes can occur at any time, but typically in the late afternoon or early evening.

The crying or fussing most frequently begins suddenly, and often after a feeding.

Infantile colic typically begins at about two to three weeks’ old, reaches its peak at two months, begins to subside by three months, and in almost all cases is gone by three-and-a-half to four months’ old.

While much research has been done, and as many as one in four babies suffer from colic, there is no proven cause.

What doctors can reveal, is that some factors may worsen symptoms of colic. These include overfeeding (in an attempt to lessen the crying); feeding certain foods (especially those with sugar such as undiluted juices); and anger, anxiety, fear or excitement in the home (also known as afternoon colic as it occurs after the 18:00 feed).

What can you try at home to ease symptoms?

First, and foremost, consult the baby’s doctor at the very beginning of the suspected colic symptoms so that any physical reason for the colic can be excluded.

Also consider the following suggestions: • Do not overfeed – especially with formula feeding – stick to the baby’s feeding schedule. Demand breast feeding is common, so if breast feeding www.babysandbeyond.co.za

As many as one in four babies suffer from colic.

mother suspect colic, they should check if they are overfeeding by weighing the baby before and after a feed.

• Breastfeeding mothers should avoid too many milk products, caffeine, and other gas-producing foods such as onions, cabbage, etc.

• Avoid juices, rather give your baby water.

• If formula feeding, try changing to a formula containing whey hydrolysate – discuss this with a medical professional, clinic sister or pharmacist.

There is an anti-colic formula product available, which has a lower level of lactose, is whey dominant, and should reduce the amount of gas produced in the baby’s tummy.

• Try to take a break and get someone else to watch your baby as your frustration and anxiety will be picked up by your baby, leading to your child being anxious.

• Try walking your baby in a front-pouch-style carrier with his legs drawn up and pressure off his tummy.

• Some babies may be soothed by music, massage or gentle rocking.

• Try firmly swaddling your baby with light-weight cotton materials, as too much may lead to your baby becoming too hot.

• Be cautious with herbal remedies and consult a paediatrician before using anything.

Treatments • T here are several herbal and homeopathic products available that can be safely used after consulting with your medical professional, clinic sister or pharmacist. Many people use Rescue Drops with success.

• Anti-spasmodics are used in severe cases but should not be used with babies under three months’ old, unless under advice from the appropriate professional.

• Antacids containing alginates can be considered.

Be careful if they contain anti-spasmodics – see above.

• Sometimes in especially severe cases, a doctor might prescribe a medicine that reduces the production of acids in the tummy (known as proton pump inhibitors).

This is by no means an exhaustive list of suggestions – your best advice for treatment will be from your paediatrician, and your friends and family can help you to take a break and keep your stress levels in check.

(Source: www.medicinenet.com/colic)

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HEALTH

An alternative to conventional casting Exos is a removable, adjustable, re-formable and waterproof bracing system for the treatment of fractures and other injuries that need stabilising.

D

uring childhood, when children participate in sports and enjoy the general rough and tumble of youth, broken bones and fractures are common.

Many children will have a broken bone at some point, and most will need a cast to keep the bone from moving so that it can heal. Now with DJO Global’s Exos, the days of having to keep a cast clean and dry are gone!

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According to experts, there is a significantly higher requirement for medical treatments of upper extremity fractures than for those of the lower extremities. Additionally, evidence reveals that the vast majority of forearm, hand and wrist fractures occur in paediatrics and young adults as it’s at this age that activity levels and participation in sports is most prevalent. Of course, this bracing system works

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HEALTH

Exos braces are removable, adjustable, re-formable and waterproof.

The Exos colours and patterns are a hit with children.

just as effectively for pro athletes and the elderly – in fact, anyone with an upper extremity fracture.

Depending on the severity or displacement of the injury, fractures are typically stabilised through surgical procedures and/or with a traditional fiberglass or plaster cast. Stabilisation allows bones to heal in proper alignment and reduces the risk of functional or range of motion loss. While traditional stabilisation in the form of fibre or plaster casts are highly effective, DJO Global now has an exciting alternative with Exos.

Exos protects children from exacerbating their injuries.

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Anyone who has had to wear a traditional cast is all too aware of their drawbacks. They’re cumbersome, hard to keep clean, cause skin irritation and cannot be removed for washing – either the skin or the cast – to check the wound or incision, or to allow for swelling or assess muscle atrophy. Should a traditional cast need to be removed for any of these reasons, a cast saw is used, which is can be a pretty unnerving experience for adults, let alone children.

For the more severe or displaced fractures, traditional casts will always be necessary to ensure that fractured bones have the stabilisation and protection to knit back together properly. Exos, on the other hand, is ideal for use alongside a traditional casting. It can either be used for stabilisation after a traditional cast has been removed and some healing has already taken place, or for less critical or nondisplaced fractures, that require primary treatment.

It also enables the initiation of rehabilitation therapy earlier in the healing process.

Exos braces are removable, adjustable, reformable and waterproof. Made from comfortable, lightweight material, they’re antimicrobial treated and are warmed and custom formed directly on the patient for the best possible fit and comfort. This means that only one brace is used for the duration of recovery as the brace is simply reheated and reformed to suit the patient’s needs. A reel and lace system is used to adjust the brace to allow for swelling and, because it’s waterproof, children can remain active and continue to wear it during water activities.

Many braces utilise the Boa® Closure System, which allows the Exos to be adjustable and removable.

When stuck with a cast or brace for weeks on end, being able to maintain hygiene is one of the biggest benefits for patients.

For children with stable fractures, rather than a traditional cast, the Exos protects the child from exacerbating the injury. The Boa® Closure System on the paediatric fracture brace has a locking ring and key which enables parents to remove the brace to wash the skin before replacing and relocking it to protect the injury.

Exos braces are available in an array of colours and patterns, which is a huge hit, particularly with children.

Ask your physician about Exos as an alternative to traditional casts, or contact DJO Global on 087 3102480 or at www.DJOglobal.com www.babysandbeyond.co.za

FEATURE

Understanding

animal behaviour It’s imperative to teach children how to behave around animals, how to be safe around animals, and how to be kind to them. Emma Dawson gets advice from animal behaviourist, Nicole De Klerk, about do’s and don’ts, training, general care and comfort, and what to consider when choosing a pet.

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t’s not just a new dog or puppy that needs to be taught good behaviour, this extends to your children, or visiting children, too.

Do’s and don’t’s • When greeting a dog (or puppy) the children (and people in general) should stand still and call the dog.

If the dog comes forward then gently offer a hand for the dog to smell. Don’t rush up to a dog as this will scare it, especially if the person is a stranger. Children should ask the owner if they may approach or touch an unfamiliar dog, especially if the dog is on a lead or seems to be hiding behind the owner.

• When a dog is sleeping, leave it alone. Sleep is very important in a puppy’s development and older dogs also tend to sleep more. There should be an area where the dog can go to be alone and not bothered.

• If a dog moves away, don’t continue to pursue it.

The dog may want its own space or it may have had enough or is tired. It may also be nervous of the person/situation and moving away is its way of telling you this. If you ignore the dog and it finds that continuing to move away is not getting it what it needs, it may try barking, growling, snapping and

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biting as a next step.

• C hildren should also be prevented from bothering a dog that clearly doesn’t like the interaction.

It could be the child is shouting at the dog, the child could have his face right in front of the dog’s face and generally making a nuisance of himself/ herself.

• When your dog is eating don’t take its food away, or bother the dog. If you put their food down and then take it away to ‘teach your dog who is boss’, it could result in food aggression or resource guarding as your dog then feels like he has to guard what he values. A better way to do this is to ask the dog to ‘sit’ and ‘leave’ (after they’ve learned what these commands mean) until they get the go ahead to eat. If they are not showing any signs of aggression a gentle stroke or two while they’re eating is a better option. Another way to do this is to put half the dog’s meal in the bowl and then slowly and gently add food to the bowl. If in doubt ask a qualified behaviourist or trainer to help.

Unsupervised children should never be allowed to be around a dog that is eating.

• T each your children how to gently handle their new dog. Generally dogs don’t enjoy being hugged and kissed (although some appear to be happy with www.babysandbeyond.co.za

FEATURE

•

•

•

• •

it). Children should avoid hugging and kissing dogs.

Don’t hit, poke, prod, pull ears, tails or fur. Always be gentle. Children should avoid putting their faces near unfamiliar dogs or familiar dogs who are not comfortable in their presence. Don’t walk on your dog. Teach your child to walk around a dog that is sitting or lying down, and not to sit or lie on the dog.

Children should also be taught not to take toys away from a dog. Dogs can be taught to give up a toy for a reward, which would make them less possessive of the toy. Teaching a dog to do this builds in a tolerance level should your attention lapse and your child makes a mistake. Interactive games can also be a good way for children and dogs to play. Both parties need to be taught how to do this correctly to prevent accidents.

Shouting, screaming and running around can be quite scary for dogs. This behaviour from children can also arouse a dog’s excitement levels. The best thing to do would be to stop all this behaviour (shouting/screaming/running) and you will notice your dog calms down.

It is important that the new dog has plenty of positive experiences with children. The easiest way of doing this is for the child to give the dog treats. I would recommend a child gives a dog a treat with a flat open hand.

Never tease your dog.

Never surprise a dog! You might think it’s a fun game, but you may scare your dog so much that either they are afraid of you in future or they try to defend themselves by biting/growling.

depending on the severity, the puppy will have good reason to be afraid in the future of that particular thing/person/animal. Proper socialisation results in a well-adjusted and adaptable dog.

Research, tips and questions to ask It is important to do your research when deciding about getting a new dog or puppy. Some breeds are more child and family friendly than others, but it is just as important to understand the genetics. Meet at least the mother of the puppies. If she is fearful or aggressive then there is a good chance her puppies will be similar. If you decide to get a puppy from a breeder then asking some of these questions can help in your decision.

• Research genetic conditions (they vary between breeds) and ask if the parents have been tested and what the results were. Since you’ll be paying a decent amount of money for a pedigree pup you have every right to see the results and not just believe what you are told. If they are reluctant to show you then I would question why.

• Make sure the puppies are not taken away from their mother and siblings too early. Puppies learn a lot from their mother and siblings when they are young. They learn canine communication, some

Training It is important to put time into training your new dog, right from the start, as this can help prevent what we view as problems later on. Training using positive reinforcement (reward-based training) is recommended and effective but remember that practice makes perfect. Training provides owner and dog with a communal ‘language’ that allows the human family members to establish rules and boundaries for their dog. Training should teach the owner techniques in guiding their dog towards certain behaviours rather than other undesirable behaviours.

Often we bring in a new dog and expect the new addition to fit into our lives without putting in the time and effort to teach it what is expected and acceptable behaviour. It is also important to ‘listen’ to what your dog is trying to tell you through its body language. All human members of the household should be involved in training the new dog. The more consistent everyone is with the training, the less confusing it is for the dog and the quicker it will learn.

When everyone is involved in training the dog also learns to obey commands from everyone, including the children. It also helps the children to interact constructively with the dog when the occasion arises.

Training that is fun for everyone is also a great way to bond with your dog.

Socialisation is very important for puppies. This introduces them to a variety of people, animals, different situations and environments. All interactions should be positive. If there is a negative interaction, www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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FEATURE

•

•

•

•

bite inhibition, and play that serves as a way of learning about their environment. I would advise that a puppy should be a minimum or eight weeks’ old before being taken from its mother and siblings.

Ask how the puppy has been reared. Has it been part of the home or kept outside, in a garage or another room isolated from the home environment?

Has it played with children, met other animals, and interacted with people? A puppy that has been isolated and not had many positive experiences when young will more than likely be nervous, anxious and fearful, which may result in a fearful aggressive dog later on if not properly socialised.

Has the puppy had any health problems and been checked by a vet? Has the puppy started its vaccinations? You should get a health card that shows all the vaccinations and treatments the puppy has had.

Be very wary of anyone who cannot show you the mother and pups together, we don’t want to support puppy farming, which is done solely for the money with no concern for the adult dogs and puppies who are often sick, neglected and not socialised.

Don’t disregard rescue dogs or puppies. There are many breed-specific rescues (if you’re looking for a specific breed) and cross or pure breeds in rescue centres. Some dogs do have some issues that need to be worked through but quite often some basic training is all that is needed. If a puppy is well socialised with people and children they will likely be fine in a family home. A dog that does not appear to be afraid of children has probably encountered them in the past and would also be fine in a new family. There are many stories of rescue dogs, both adult and young, making wonderful family additions.

General care and comfort Your dog should have its own bed, toys and bowls.

There should always be fresh water available and more than one bowl if it’s a really hot day or if you have more than one dog. If your dogs are outside for part of the day, then they should also be provided with shelter from the heat or rain. If there are thunderstorms it is advisable to bring your dog(s) inside as some can be fearful of loud noises. This also applies to fireworks.

Inside your house your dog should have a safe area where it can go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the household for some peace and quiet.

This safe place can also apply to time away from children. Children should be taught that they are not allowed in this area and especially if your dog has gone there to rest.

I would recommend that dogs are not fed from the table or human food. If a dog is given treats from the table or while ‘their humans’ are eating, they learn that it’s okay to beg. If you’d like to give your dog some chicken, for example, take your plate to the kitchen and give it to him there after your meal.

There are some human foods that are toxic to dogs.

If you suspect your dog may be ill then it’s important you take it to the vet to be checked. If a

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Nicole de Klerk from Pawsitive is an animal behaviourist who donates 100% of her income from training and consulting to charity. Nicole teaches pet owners how to deal with behavioural problems that their animals may be exhibiting.

Her techniques are based on a gentle approach, using positive reinforcement, and includes educating pet owners by providing essential support in resolving these issues.

Nicole does much work for the Animal Welfare Society (AWS) of Southern Africa in Cape Town. Animal Welfare offers a full range of veterinary services to underprivileged and disadvantaged communities around the country. In Cape Town, from its base in Philippi, AWS handles about 4 000 animals per month from its clinic that is open seven days a week.

AWS has fully-equipped theatres for sterilisations, orthopaedics and other operations. At any one time AWS houses over a hundred sick or injured animals, and is committed to sterilising every animal that comes through its hospital as its contribution to reducing the number of strays and unwanted animals in Cape Town.

The Society also has adoption kennels.

Stray and unwanted pets are taken in to see if suitable homes can be found.

Animals are sterilised and micro-chipped before leaving AWS and home checks are strict. AWS is funded entirely by the generosity of the public.

Contact Nicole de Klerk at Pawsitive on 021 7941087 or at www.pawsitive. co.za. To contact Animal Welfare in Cape Town, call 021 692 2626 or email adoptions@awscape.org.za.

dog is in pain or ill, its tolerance levels are lowered and it may react badly if accidentally knocked or pestered. If the dog is in pain and a child accidentally bumps into it, the dog may have a more severe response than usual. When your dog is ill or injured it’s even more important to explain to your child to leave the dog alone and why.

Children should also be careful around older dogs. They may suffer from arthritis or something that causes pain. Older dogs tend to prefer not being bothered – if your child would like to play he should call the dog and if it’s interested in a game then it will get up and go to the child.

Whether a dog is eating, playing, sleeping or simply sitting quietly, it’s of paramount importance that interactions between dogs and children are always supervised. If this were always the case, many avoidable accidents could be avoided. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

HEALTH

The

science of

second chances Stem cells are known as the building blocks of the body because they have the ability to become almost any other type of cell, such as blood, muscle or bone. For many years now, families have been able to cryo-preserve these stem cells for future possible medical use.

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hen a baby is born, stem cells found in the umbilical cord are at their purest form as they have not been exposed to any illnesses or diseases, making them the preferred source of stem cells for transplant.

Currently, there are over 70 blood-related diseases and immune disorders being treated through stem cell therapy, including leukaemia, multiple myeloma, and thalassemia; and there are over 4 000 clinical trials underway looking at future potential treatments for diseases such as metabolic diseases, bone reconstruction and neuro-degenerative diseases.

Photo Credit: Salveo Biotechnology

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HEALTH

How are the stem cells collected?

Cord blood collection is a simple process and poses no risk to mother or baby. Immediately after the baby’s delivery, the umbilical cord is clamped and the baby is separated from the cord. A needle is inserted into the umbilical cord vein and blood is drawn, by gravity, into a collection bag. The process of collecting cord blood is non-invasive, painless and generally takes just three to five minutes to complete.

Once a sample is collected, it is transported to the laboratory for processing and cryo-preservation.

Why store at birth?

Storing your baby’s cord blood ensures that these valuable stem cells are immediately accessible for your baby, and family, should you need them.

A baby’s umbilical cord stem cells remain a 100% match for the child, and there is also a chance (1:4) that these stem cells could be a match for a sibling.

Should these cells be needed for transplant, having a 100% match reduces the risk of tissue rejection (graft versus host disease). When compared to other sources (bone marrow), umbilical cord stem cells are the superior source.

Salveo South Africa’s aim is to make cryopreservation more attainable to future parents while maintaining industry leading standards.

Salveo doesn’t compromise its Swiss quality protocols and technology, and operates the ‘SMART’ way: S: Sustainable Swiss quality M: Medically-approved Swiss protocol A: Affordable, accessible and credible R: Repository of high international standards T: Technologically-advanced innovation

When compared to other sources, umbilical cord stem cells are the superior source.

Why store with Salveo?

Financial assistance

Salveo South Africa is part of Salveo Biotechnology, a private Swiss state-of-the-art laboratory based in Geneva, Switzerland, that specialises in the cryo-preservation of stem cells, cell culture and regenerative medicine. Globally, Salveo has a hightech platform made up of experts in regenerative medicine. Salveo Biotechnology also operates in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Russia, Romania, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Ukraine.

Becoming a new parent is a costly experience, which is why Salveo offers interest-free payment plans to make stem cell storage more attainable for future parents and families in South Africa. All expectant parents are urged to be fully informed on the future possibilities that stem cells hold.

Stem cell banking is a gift so precious you can only give it once. For more information or to sign up, visit www.salveobiotech.co.za or call 087 150 8390.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

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Perfect for little people

For you & your children

 

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Once dry, the Byotrol™ technology creates an invisible germ barrier that keeps working for up to 24 hours.

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Available from leading Retailers, Pharmacies and Baby Shops

Please feel free to visit our website or facebook page for more information on Byotrol™ Hygiene Technology. www.littleanimals.co.za / www.facebook.com/littleanimalssa

FEATURE

Understanding

autism

Autism South Africa does amazing work assisting families to access assessment and diagnostic services, to support families, help those in need and, very importantly, to bring autism acceptance to all South Africans.

A

utism is a lifelong, complex condition that occurs as a result of disordered brain growth, structure and development. Autism is believed to stem from a genetic predisposition triggered by environmental factors, and affects four to five times more boys than girls. There are a vast number of ways that people can manifest their autism and, as a result, this condition is now more often referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

ASD is a new DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) name that reflects a scientific consensus that four previously separate disorders are actually a single condition with different levels of symptom severity in two core domains.

ASD now encompasses the previous DSM-IV autistic disorder (autism), Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. ASD is characterised by: 1) Deficits in social communication and social interaction, and 2) Restricted repetitive behaviours, interests, and activities (RRBs). Because both components are required for diagnosis of ASD, social communication disorder is diagnosed if no RRBs are present.

Quadrant of impairments Regardless of the manifestation of ASD, all people on this spectrum are affected to different degrees by the ‘Quadrant of Impairments’ that causes a disturbance in quality of development in the following areas: www.babysandbeyond.co.za

1. Language and communication. 40% of people with ‘Kanner/Classic Autism’ never speak nor understand verbal communication. Even those across the full spectrum who do have speech, still often have severe problems understanding the normal process of reciprocal communication.

2. Social interaction. Because of altered chemistry and functioning within the brain, people with autism literally cannot fully understand other people’s emotions, reactions and the complexity of social relationships (Mindblind). This can result in people with autism reacting inappropriately by our ‘normal’ standards, thus being shunned by society, which sadly can then result in these people becoming confused and isolated from those around them.

3. Imagination and creative play. A person with autism usually becomes trapped by rigid thought patterns and behaviours, a limited range of imaginative activities, and a poor understanding of day-to-day concepts, jargon and the abstract.

4. Sensory disturbances. All people with ASD will have either a heightened or lowered sensory perception, which may affect one or more senses.

Warning signs of autism in early childhood Parents should ask their family doctor for referral to a developmental paediatrician for assessment if there are concerns or warning signs of the following: Communication red flags • No babbling by 11 months • No simple gestures (eg waving bye-bye) by 12 months

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FEATURE • No single words by 16 months • No two-word phrases by 24 months (eg ‘baby sleeping’) • No response when the child’s name is called, causing concern about hearing • Loss of any language or social skills at any age Behaviour red flags • Odd or repetitive ways of moving fingers or hands • Oversensitive to certain textures, sounds or lights • Lack of interest in toys, or plays with them in an unusual way (eg lining up, spinning, opening/ closing parts rather than using the toy as a whole) • Compulsions or rituals (has to perform activities in a special way or certain sequence, and is prone to tantrums if rituals are interrupted) • Preoccupations with unusual interests, such as light switches, doors, fans, wheels • Unusual fears Social red flags • Rarely makes eye contact when interacting with people • Does not play peek-a-boo • Doesn’t point to show things he/she is interested in • Rarely smiles

Social Asperger’s Disorder Social Asperger’s Disorder is characterised by severe and sustained impairment in social interaction, combined with restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests and activities (DSM-IV, 1994). This disorder differs from autism in that ‘few clinically significant delays in language or cognitive development are apparent, and self-help and adaptive behaviours often appear normal.’

(Rapoport & Ismond, 1996).

Rett’s Disorder Rett’s Disorder is the only subtype of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD) that occurs exclusively in females. Here, development seems normal through the first five months of life, followed by deceleration of head growth, loss of previously acquired purposeful hand skills with subsequent development of stereotyped hand movements, loss of social engagement, appearance of poorly coordinated gait or trunk movements, and severely impaired expressive and receptive language, (DSM-IV, 1994).

Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Childhood Disintegrative Disorder is characterised by development that appears normal through the first two years of life. Following this, abnormalities develop in at least two of the following areas: social interaction, communication, and restricted, repetitive, stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests, and activities. In addition, there is clinically significant loss of previously acquired skills (before age 10), in at least two of the following areas: expressive or receptive language, social skills or adaptive behaviour, bowel or bladder control, play, and motor skills. (DSM-IV, 1994).

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The category of PDD-NOS is used when there is severe and pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction and verbal and nonverbal communication skills, or when stereotyped behaviour, interests and activities are present, but symptoms do not meet the criteria for other disorders. (DSM-IV, 1994).

Typically, PDDs are extremely incapacitating, and their symptoms are chronic and lifelong (although this is less the case for Asperger’s Disorder). ‘Factors considered most important for determining prognosis are IQ levels and development of social and language skills.’ (Rapoport & Ismond, 1996). Identification of variables that predict outcomes reliably continue to undergo intense study within the scientific community.

However, given the chronic nature of PDD, long-term treatment is typically required.

Intellectual disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder) Diagnostic criteria for intellectual disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder) emphasise the need for an assessment of both cognitive capacity (IQ) and adaptive functioning. Severity is determined by adaptive functioning rather than the IQ score.

The term mental retardation was used in DSM-IV. However, intellectual disability is the term that is commonly used over the last two decades among medical, educational, and other professionals, and by the public and advocacy groups.

Communication disorders The DSM-5 communication disorders include language disorder (which combines DSM-IV expressive and mixed receptive-expressive language disorders), speech sound disorder (a new name for phonological disorder), and childhood-onset fluency disorder (a new name for stuttering).

Also included is social (pragmatic) communication disorder, a new condition for persistent difficulties in the social uses of verbal and nonverbal communication. Because social communication deficits are one component of ASD, it is important to note that social (pragmatic) communication disorder cannot be diagnosed in the presence of restricted repetitive behaviours, interests, and activities (the other component of ASD). The symptoms of some patients diagnosed with DSM-IV pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified may meet the DSM-5 criteria for social communication disorder.

References/Definition of Autism American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

Autism Society of Maine. (No date). Autism. [Brochure]. Gardiner, ME: Author.

Klinger, L. & Dawson, G. (1996). Autistic disorder. In Marsh, E. & Barkley, R. (eds.), Child Psychopathy (pp 311 - 339). New York: Gilford Press.

For more information or to get in touch with the incredible team at Autism South Africa, visit www.aut2know.co.za www.babysandbeyond.co.za

HEALTH

Turning the heat up on burns…

Gavin Sutton, paramedic and COO at Be Safe Paramedical South Africa, discusses types and classifications of burns, special considerations and the treatment of burns at home.

H

ave you ever received the dreaded ‘burns call’?

You’re at work and your child-minder or family member calls and informs you that your three-yearold toddler has been burned. Just the word ‘burn’ is enough to send any parent into a complete panic.

Which is, of course, what we parents do, even if you are a paramedic! While I’ve never received the dreaded call, I do (almost on a weekly basis) receive messages with pictures from friends and aquaintances, saying something along the lines of: ‘Joe just pulled the kettle down and burned himself, what should we do?’

In more than two decades of working as a paramedic, I have seen my fair share of the truly nasty side of burns. The sad reality is that the majority of the calls I attended to could have been prevented or minimised in some way. While I was treating a child, I would often hear the parent in the background sobbing and saying ‘but I only turned my back on him for a few seconds’. So if I take the sum total of all those kiddie burn calls and come up with one combined fundamental lesson, it would have to be ‘prevention is better than cure’. Words that ring true for many things in life.

carry it out. Once we carry out an action, it is done and there is no going back to correct it… Right, now that’s out of the way, let’s delve a little deeper into burns and their treatment.

Types of burns There are a number of sources that can cause burns, which include thermal (fire, hot substances, hot gases), chemical (either a strong base or strong acid substance – where the majority of deaths arise from the ingestion of the substance rather than the actual burn), electrical (causes burns at the contact point but also has the secondary complication of damaging heart muscle and other muscle tissue as it passes through the body) and, lastly, radiation (the sun being the most common source of radiation burns).

Classification of burns There are several, and somewhat complicated, classifications for burns. However, for the purpose of this article we will consider classification according to the depth of the burn injury only.

The time it takes…

Prevention may be as simple as moving that hot pot out of reach (two seconds), picking your toddler up and taking him with you when you have to leave the kitchen while cooking (five seconds), not leaving the braai unattended while you quickly nip inside to grab a few more spices (15 seconds), and making the decision not to pour a highly-flammable liquid onto an open fire while your little one is standing next to you (two seconds). Or, the unpleasant alternatives – paramedics rushing around your home (20 minutes), emergency room (four hours), ICU (five weeks), surgery (five procedures, eight hours each), hospital stay (up to eight months) rehabilitation (12 months), and physical and emotional scaring (potentially a life time).

Parenting is about learning from each other’s experiences, so my apologies if the above sounds a tad crude. I know that life in general is becoming progressively more demanding on our time and sometimes we are trying to juggle three things at any given time. When this happens, we really need to stop for just a few seconds to evaluate the potentially devastating consequences of an action, before we www.babysandbeyond.co.za

This graphic shows the extent of burns – first degree (superficial burns), second degree (partial thickness burns) and third degree (full thickness burns).

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HEALTH Superficial burns involve the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. Superficial burns normally present with a dry textured reddening skin and generally do not develop blisters. A common example of a superficial burn is sunburn.

It causes significant pain and discomfort and usually heals within a period of approximately five to 10 days. This healing period can be sped up by using a purpose-developed burn gel or spray, such as those from the Burn-Eaz® range, which has been shown to cool and promote healing.

While superficial burns rarely require hospital care, if there are associated symptoms such as severe vomiting, headaches or changes in mental status, it is always a responsible option to seek professional medical advice.

Partial thickness burns involve the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, as well as the inner layer, the dermis. Partial thickness burns present with a moist red skin with blisters containing clear fluid.

These burns are extremely painful and, because of the development of blisters, there is a greater risk of the burn site becoming infected. The development of blisters may also lead to a loss of body fluids, requiring hospitalisation and fluid replacement.

This is particularly true if the blisters are purposefully ‘popped’.

In a nutshell, my advice is that any larger burn that appears red, moist and is blistering should be assessed by a doctor. The younger the child the smaller his circulating blood volume and therefore even small amounts of fluid loss over a period of time can be very detrimental to your little one.

Full thickness burns, as the name suggests extend all the way through the dermis and often into the deeper structures, too. As a result, the skin becomes rigid and may range in colour from dense white to brown, or even a charred look with a leathery texture. The sensory nerves in the dermis are destroyed and results in the burn site losing sensation.

Full thickness burns are generally caused by an excessive amount of heat coming into contact with a body part for an extended period of time.

As a paramedic, I often treated full thickness burns in patients who came into contact with a direct heat source, such as a fire in a dwelling or, on a few occasions, due to an electrical injury.

Irrespective of the cause, full thickness burns should be considered serious and therefore require urgent professional emergency care, hospitalisation and expert consultation. Skin grafts are often performed, as well as various other procedures to ensure that vital organs are supported during the initial compensatory and healing phase.

Special considerations One of the biggest and most life-threatening concerns when dealing with any child with burns is when there are burns to the child’s airway and chest. The reason for this is that burns to the airway can cause the tissue in this area to swell very rapidly. The swelling makes it progressively more difficult for the child to breathe and therefore take in oxygen. Burns to the chest may cause the tissue around the chest to become very rigid and therefore make it increasingly more difficult for the child to expand his lungs during breathing.

These can both develop quite rapidly, so it is important not to delay expert treatment.

How would we know this? We look for sooty deposits around the nostrils, and/or reddening inside the nostrils/mouth and assess the type and extent of any burns to the chest. One of the tell tale signs of airway burns is a high-pitched whistling sound that can often be heard when the child breathes through the narrowing airway. We refer to this as stridor.

The above information is crucial to relay to the emergency communications centre should you activate the Emergency Medical Services and also to the paramedic when he arrives on the scene, or to the emergency room doctor, should you opt to privately transport your little one to the hospital.

Home treatment for burns The initial treatment for all burns, irrespective of the classification, remains the same in the home environment. You’re not a burn specialist so it is better to do the basics right and to avoid some of the old ‘traditional’ methods of burns care. I am sure you can remember a few from when you were a kid.

More often than not, these tend to make the injury far worse and dramatically increase healing time. So please stay away from them.

Above: Superficial burns involve the outer layer of the skin.

Above right: Partial thickness burns present with a moist red skin with blisters containing clear fluid.

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HEALTH

Above: Full thickness burns extend all the way through the dermis and often into the deeper structures, too.

Right: It takes just two seconds to move a hot pot out of reach – prevention is better than cure.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

My advice is simply this – if the burn looks red, moist and nasty, or has potentially affected the airway or significant areas on the chest, take your child to hospital urgently. It is better to err on the side of caution, than to have any regrets later.

I believe that if you follow these very basic guidelines, the care of burns in your home will be a lot less traumatic for both you and your little one.

Unfortunately, burns are a part of growing up and I am sure that you will be faced with many more challenges. It is my greatest hope that they will always remain minor. Thanks for reading and please remember, ‘prevention is always better than cure’.

Gavin is a paramedic and previous head of training for the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services. He is currently the chief operating officer at Be Safe Paramedical South Africa. www.be-safe.co.za

Picture: Gavin Sutton

1. S top the burning process.

The heat source should be removed. Flames should be doused with water or smothered with a blanket, or by gently rolling the victim on the floor.

Clothing can retain heat, even in a burn generated from hot water, and should therefore be removed as soon as possible. This also prevents clothing from sticking to the burn wound and complicating removal at the hospital. However, do not forcibly remove any clothing that is already sticking to the wound. This will ‘raw’ up the burn site and increase the risk of infection and pain.

2. Cool the burn down.

Run cool (not cold) water over the burned area for up to 20 minutes, or until the initial pain eases.

Do not use ice or ice-cold water. This will cause the blood vessels in the area to constrict and worsen the injury.

Do not apply butter, condensed milk or any petroleum products to the burn. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that these do anything but harm.

3. Protect the burn from further damage and infection.

Cover the burned area with a purpose-designed burn dressing, such as Burn-Eaz®. The gel or spray version can also be applied liberally to the wound.

This will not only continue the cooling process, but will also soothe and protect the burn.

If you do not have access to a purpose-designed burn dressing, cover the burn site lightly with a dry lint-free dressing. The dressing should not be tightly wrapped around the burned area. The idea is to protect the burn from external contaminants only.

Again, it is important not to ‘pop’ any forming blisters as this will result in unnecessary fluid loss and increase the potential for infection.

4. If unsure of the severity of the burn, seek urgent professional medical care.

It is sometimes very difficult to ascertain the actual severity of a burn. This is particularly true if you are trying to deal with the emotions any parent goes through when their child is injured or is in pain.

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ED’S CHOICE

Ingenious

baby products

Convenience and ingenuity are two words that aptly sum up the innovative products from TDi Brandz. Emma Dawson reviews just a handful of the niche products in its range.

Right: The Brother Max 2-in-1 drinks bottle provides ‘one for now’ and ‘one for later’.

Below: Brother Max’s first and second stage weaning pots are great to use at home or when travelling with their lock tight leak-proof lids.

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hether you’re looking for state-of-the-art strollers and prams, easy-to-hold weaning sets, or digital thermometers that have a guaranteed accuracy of 0.2°C, then TDi Brandz has an array of products that will certainly appeal to you.

Brother Max

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

Above: The One-Touch 3-in-1 Digital Thermometer digitally measures room, ear and forehead temperatures to an accuracy of up to 0.2°C.

Right: The easyhold weaning bowl set with a wrap-around handle offers complete stability and support.

Photo credit: TDi Brandz

It’s no great secret that there’s some controversy around the accuracy of thermometers. A misread of just a few °C can be life threatening for your baby. However, Brother Max claims to have one of the most accurate thermometers available on the market, which is also certified as a baby product and medical device.

The One-Touch 3-in-1 Digital Thermometer digitally measures ear, forehead and room temperatures to an accuracy of up to 0.2°C. It takes temperatures in just one second (for babies and adults) and is quick and easy to wipe clean after use. It has a back light for easy viewing and, unlike most thermometers, is 100% mercury free. In 2014 it won Gold for most Innovative Product in the Mother & Baby Awards (the Oscar’s of baby product’s industry). A 2-in-1 version is also available – it has the same specs but measures ear and forehead temperature.

Brother Max’s first and second stage weaning pots are also worth a mention. They’re great to use at home or when travelling with their lock tight leakproof lids. The system is made up of individual pots that click together. When you’re ready to use one, simply unclick one pot from the batch in the freezer, defrost in the microwave, serve the food straight from the pot and then pop it into the dishwasher. The pots fit snugly together so there are no gaps for food to drop into, and their lids stay open so they don’t get in the way. For ultra-convenience, the set comes with a freezer-proof, wipe-off marker for recording the contents or date on each pot.

Another ingenious product is the easy-hold weaning bowl set with a wrap-around handle and two heat-sensitive spoons. Besides this bowl offering

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ED’S CHOICE complete stability and support, it has some other clever features. It can be used for one large portion, or converted with a removable two course divider. It has vents for safe microwaving with the lid on, and the spoons (that change colour when the food is too hot) store inside the bowl. Because little ones like to grab the bowl when you’re holding it, this bowl has an easyto-hold handle that allows your hand to pass through, and wrap around, the bowl for stability and support.

The 2-in-1 drinks bottle from Brother Max is also remarkable – offering ‘one for now’ and ‘one for later’. Just freeze the contents in the inner core, which chills the outer drink. Once the drink in the inner core thaws, a second chilled drink is ready for consumption. It is great for hot days and perfect for water, juice, squash or milk. The outer bottle holds 340ml, while the inner core holds 220ml.

The bottle components re BPA-free, freezer and dishwasher safe and suitable for children from 12 months’ old.

BabyStyle

The Oyster2 Seat unit with black chassis and Humbug Vogue Colour Pack added.

The Oyster2 Carrycot with black chassis and Humbug Vogue Colour Packs added.

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The European-manufactured Oyster range of prams and push chairs offer forward and rear facing positions, in accordance with European legislation, and made from fire-retardant fabric.

What’s appealing about the Oyster range of prams from BabyStyle is that they’re completely interchangeable and easy to customise with a broad array of accessories.

The Oyster2, for example, has a chassis in a mirror or black finish, which comes with a black seat unit (with integral insect net), leatherette handle and bumper bar, large shopping basket, rain cover and high-shine wheels.

Its lie-flat multi-position seat can be either rear or forward facing, while the small, narrow chassis doesn’t compromise the size of the seat or the shopping basket. It is lightweight and highly manoeuvrable, with the option of swivel or lockable front wheels.

The Oyster2 easily transforms into a travel system by exchanging the pram seat with a car seat, or a carry cot. The wheels are removable by a quick-release system. An optional carry cot comes as standard in an elegant smooth black finish, complete with hood, apron, safety mattress and rain cover. A variety of Oyster2 colour packs are also available to change the pram’s look and style – this also means that for your second baby, you can simply change the colour pack without having to replace the entire pram.

These are just some of the clever, solutions based and highly convenient products in TDi Brandz range. For more information about available products, or to view the full range of BabyStyle accessories, prams, carry cots and car seats, as well as the all of Brother Max’s ingenious baby products, visit www.tdibrandz.com or call 021 551 2761/2.

www.babysandbeyond.co.za

FEATURE

Baby-led

weaning

Many parents follow baby-led weaning without even thinking about it.

But for those wanting a little more information, here’s what it’s all about.

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FEATURE

B

aby-led weaning (BLW) means forgetting about purees and weaning spoons and simply letting your baby feed himself. It’s a method of adding complementary foods to a baby’s diet of breast milk or formula – a progression if you like. As your baby begins to eat more solids, the number of milk feeds will reduce accordingly.

The best time to try BLW is when the whole family is eating as babies love to copy older siblings – often grabbing food from other children’s plates – and are happy to feed themselves just like their big brother or sister.

BLW facilitates the development of age appropriate oral motor control while enjoying a positive, interactive experience. It also give babies a chance to explore foods with different tastes and textures for themselves.

Babies are typically able to begin self-feeding at around six months’ old, although some are ready and will reach for food as early as five months, while others will wait until around seven or eight months’ old.

The process is intended to be tailored to suit the individual baby and its personal development.

Initial self-feeding attempts often result in very little food actually being ingested. Your baby will be more interested in exploring textures and tastes through play, but will begin to swallow and digest what’s offered. As already mentioned, formula or breastfeeding is continued in conjunction with weaning, and milk is always offered before solids for the first 12 months.

Babies are typically able to begin selffeeding at around six months’ old.

How will I know if my baby’s ready?

It’s important not to attempt BLW before your child shows developmental signs that indicate they’re ready to cope with solid foods.

Your baby should be able to sit upright, on a lap, in a highchair, or unsupported. She should be eager to participate in mealtime and may even be trying to grab food and put it in her mouth.

Safety and choking Many parents are used to the idea of giving babies pureed food and, to some, the thought of giving such a young baby finger food might sound dangerous. However, advocates of BLW claim babies weaned using this method are actually less likely to choke on their food. This is because they are not capable of moving food from the front of their mouths to the back until they’ve learned to chew.

Sometimes babies will gag and spit food out while feeding themselves. However, unlike spoon feeding them with puree, when babies are feeding themselves they are the ones to guiding the sensory experience, starting and stopping when they are comfortable and ready.

A distinction must be made between coughing and expelling food and true choking. By definition, choking is a complete obstruction of the airway.

When a child is choking, there will be no sounds, as no air can pass through the airway.

It is also strongly advised that babies are sitting upright when feeding themselves (or at any time when being fed).

Basic principles of BLW

Although breastfeeding is the nutritional ideal precursor to BLW (as the baby has been exposed to different tastes via its mother’s breast milk, and the jaw action used during breastfeeding helps the baby learn to chew), it is also completely possible to introduce a formula-fed baby to solids using the BLW method. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

The basic principles of BLW are: • At the start of the process, babies should be allowed to reject food. It can be offered again at a later date.

• The child is allowed to decide how much she wants to eat. No ‘fill-ups’ are to be offered at the end of the meal with a spoon.

• The meals should not be hurried.

• Sips of water are offered with the meal.

• Initially, soft fruits and vegetables are given.

Harder foods are lightly cooked to make them soft enough to chew on even with bare gums.

• Foods with clear danger, such as peanuts, are not offered.

• Non-finger food, such as oatmeal and yoghurt, may be offered with a spoon so the baby can learn to self-feed with a spoon.

(Source: Wikipedia)

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FEATURE

A toy story…

S

o you’ve settled down into the swing of things, your baby is around six months old and needing more stimulation. We all know that babies learn best through play and that they love new things. Toys can help your baby reach her developmental milestones, and can keep her entertained, stimulated and excited. But, do you really want to start cluttering up your home with toys that your baby will soon outgrow?

Did you know there’s an alternative to this? The Smart Toy Club is a revolutionary, innovative and smart way of getting educational and fun toys and books to your child, without the clutter and cost of purchasing new toys. Each month, as a member of the Smart Toy Club, you receive a bag of toys, suited to your baby’s age and interests. At the end of the month, this is then exchanged for another bag of toys.

By renting toys instead of buying you are also doing the environment a favour as you join the many young, savvy South Africans who are reducing their carbon footprint by reusing.

The Smart Toy Club is founded and managed by moms who are passionate about toy rentals – it just makes sense!

The Smart Toy Club moms are fully aware of the concerns parents face and ensure these are

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all adequately addressed. For example, toys are sterilised before being sent to you, and the toys are durable as only the best quality brands are stocked, such as Leap Frog, Fisher-Price, Vtech, Melissa & Doug and Playskool.

The Smart Toy Club prides itself on the variety it offers children, so you won’t get the same toy more than once (unless you specifically ask for it).

With each monthly delivery you are ensuring stimulation without over-saturation for both yourselves and your children.

The Smart Toy Club is a great idea for grandparents wanting to give a gift that keeps on giving, as well as new moms looking for an alternative to buying new toys. Second time moms understand and love this concept. The Smart Toy Club also offers toys for holiday makers and small day schools.

Joining the club is easy – just complete the registration form (available at www.smarttoyclub. co.za/sign_up.php). This includes information about your baby and her interests. Within a week you’ll receive your first bag of toys.

For more information, call the Smart Toy Club moms on 071 291 3573 (Lyneve), email moms@smarttoyclub.co.za, or visit www.smarttoyclub.co.za.

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HEALTH

Preserving the gift of

hearing

In this article from Oticon, an innovative hearing aid manufacturer, we reveal how to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.

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oise-induced hearing loss is the only kind of hearing loss we have the power to prevent and yet research shows that one in four teenagers are at risk of developing hearing loss at an earlier age because of it. We live in a world that embraces the enjoyment of sound, ranging from personal entertainment devices such as smartphones through to high-powered surround-sound entertainment units and live entertainment events such as concerts and clubs.

Most people are not aware that hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure to recreational or occupational sources of sound is irreversible.

‘Noise-induced hearing loss happens because excessive noise damages some of the hearing

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mechanisms in the inner ear,’ explains Tally Sherban, a client relations executive at Oticon South Africa.

‘It’s not just the mega sounds, such as gunshots that does the damage – repeated exposure to loud sounds will do the same,’ she warns.

What damages our hearing is the intensity and duration of the sound, measured in decibels (dB) – 0dB is the faintest sound the human ear can detect and 180dB is the noise a rocket makes as it launches.

In our daily lives, normal conversation is at the 60dB level, a lawn mower is at 90dB, a chainsaw at 100dB, a rock concert is at 115dB and a jet engine is at 140dB. Research proves that prolonged exposure to more than 85dB will result in permanent damage to hearing.

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Noise-induced hearing loss is the only kind of hearing loss we have the power to prevent.

Personal Listening Devices (PLDs) have never been a more integral part of life, with earphones plugged into many people’s ears while they jog, commute or drive. ‘MP3 players often shoot sound levels from 91dB to 139dB straight into both ears,’ says Tally. ‘They do even more damage because the small inserted earpieces sit directly in the ears,’ she adds.

According to a recent study completed by the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and the Sheba Medical Centre, 80% of teens use their PLDs regularly, with 21% listening for anything from one to four hours daily, and 8% listening for more than four hours consecutively.

‘Being able to tune in to your favourite music anytime, anywhere is convenient and fun, but the price of listening to high-octane music day after day can be very high. Think holistically about your total sound exposure during the day. The simplest way to start protecting your hearing is by limiting the amount of time you expose your ears to loud noise.’

• Stay as far away from the source of noise as possible.

• Walk away when sounds get too loud.

• At home, turn down the volume on the television, radio, stereo and MP3 player.

• I n noisy environments, try to rest your ears as frequently as possible.

• Never use a PLD at more than 60% of its maximum volume and not for more than 60 minutes a day.

• If you have a choice, rather use cushioned earphones than small insert earphones.

• If you are exposed to sudden loud noise, use earplugs – either those bought over the counter at most chemists, or custom-made earplugs if you’re regularly exposed to loud noises.

Noise-induced hearing loss typically results in difficulty understanding speech, particularly in a noisy environment. Sometimes the damage results in a condition called tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, and this may be the first sign of cochlear damage.

‘Damage to the auditory system is a cumulative process. Once injury from loud noise is sufficiently severe enough to be measured on a standard hearing test, the damage is substantial and irreversible. However, noise-induced hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids, but as the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure,’ explains Tally.

Hearing is a precious gift and it should be protected at all costs. ‘It is crucial to be aware of the type of sounds that could possibly damage your hearing over a prolonged period of time and to manage your exposure to these sounds. The power is in your hands to be proactive about protecting your hearing.’ Tally concludes.

For more information, visit www.oticon.co.za www.babysandbeyond.co.za

FEATURE

Bullying

disabled children Bullying at school is an increasing nightmare for scholars and parents across the country, threatening children’s physical and emotional safety, as well as having a negative impact on their ability to learn.

This is further exacerbated when a child has a disability, affecting his self-esteem and further ostracising him socially.

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A

ccording to a South African study completed in 2013 by Pondering Panda, which comprised 2 064 learners aged 13 to 24, a staggering 57% of children in South African schools are bullied, with 52% of respondents saying that they were teased and insulted. A further 26% were physically abused by being pushed, hit or beaten, and 16% were cyber bullied via e-mail or on social network platforms.

When asked whether learners at their school brought guns, knives and other dangerous weapons to school, 45% of respondents said yes. ‘It is one of the hardest things to bear, seeing your child being bullied and in pain. You want to lash out at the school, the teachers, the bullies and their parents. You feel like you are in a wilderness, walking blindly,’ says Laura*, a mother whose child was being teased and assaulted at school.

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FEATURE At age five, Laura’s son, David*, was diagnosed with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), which is a processing disorder that affects a child’s ability to listen. ‘The ears hear, but the brain does not translate or interpret that information correctly,’ explains Tally Sherban, an audiologist at Oticon, a leading manufacturer of hearing solutions. ‘It is the equivalent of listening to a conversation through a glass pane or a radio filled with static. Only parts of the words get through, clouding a child’s understanding of a conversation.’

For nine years, David worked with an audiologist who assisted him with his APD. In 2011, when he was moved from a private remedial school to a government remedial school, the bullying nightmare began. He was 14.

David’s nose deviated to the right, which afforded him the nickname ‘skewe neus’ or ‘skew nose’, in English. Laura contacted the head of the department who talked to the children about how hurtful it is to call people names. It stopped some of the kids, but not all of them.

‘David begged us to correct his nose,’ says Laura.

‘His self-esteem was very low and he hated his nose. We crumbled and, at the end of 2011, David underwent a procedure to straighten his septum.’

Although the operation was a success, it did very little to alleviate the situation at school, as the namecalling continued.

It is one of the hardest things to bear, seeing your child being bullied and in pain.

In March 2012, Laura received a phone call every parent dreads. ‘David was hurt, and when I arrived at school I found my child covered in blood, with a swollen nose and a black eye.’ David and another boy apparently had an altercation over a ball during their physical education class. The boy, who was trained in karate, attacked David and hit him on his left ear, his cheek and his nose.

Laura took David to an ENT who confirmed that his nose had been damaged, causing his nose to deviate to the left and leaving a bump on his nose.

‘It is cumbersome at night when he tries to sleep as it inhibits proper breathing and complicates matters during an asthma attack.’ The name ‘skewe neus’ remained. ‘David will only be able to undergo reconstructive surgery again on his nose when he turns 21,’ says Laura.

The most devastating result, confirmed by his audiologist, was a temporary hearing loss in his left ear as a result of the attack. ‘We had to adapt to David’s hearing loss, which further complicated his www.babysandbeyond.co.za

APD,’ Laura explains. ‘If he wanted to talk to us, we switched off all TVs and radios. Thankfully he regained his hearing after six months but the internal scars remained.’

At the time of the attack, Laura sought the advice of a lawyer who advised her to put the incident in writing and to request a formal investigation into what happened and how the school was handling it. A board meeting was convened in the presence of the child who harmed David and it was decided to send the child for anger management therapy in addition to community service.

‘The most surprising development to come from this is that the boy who harmed David has become one of his best friends,’ says Laura. ‘He wrote a note, apologising profusely, and also promised to look after David, which he has done.’

A lot of tears and frustration later, David decided to fight back. ‘I had told David that life is sometimes cruel and that it was up to him to decide if he wanted to be a victim or was going to overcome the situation. He chose the latter and began standing up for himself – the bullies now leave him alone,’ Laura explains.

Signs to look out for that may indicate your child is being bullied: • They act out by losing their temper over something insignificant • They don’t want to go to school and actively look for reasons not to go • They don’t want to talk about school • They say things like: ‘I hate my life’, ‘I wish I had never been born’ • They retreat into their own angry world • Their ability to concentrate and learn is reduced • They have unexplained cuts or bruises • Incidences of stolen or damaged possessions and clothing What to do if your child is being bullied: • Listen to what your child has to say • If you were bullied as a child, try not to personalise what is happening • Don’t retaliate against the bully or his family • Coach your child on how to react • Find a teacher or administrator at your child’s school who will help • Take your child’s side • Get support • Teach your child to name what is happening • Find something your child is really good at doing (Source: www.empoweringparents.com)

‘I know that I am probably the world’s most irritating mom. I hover around, chatting and cross questioning, and making up scenarios until I manage to get David to open up and talk about how he’s feeling. It is so important to break the silence and to let your child know that they have the right to feel safe and that you are there to support them,’ Laura concludes. *The story is based on actual events and the names of the people in this article have been changed to protect their identity.

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Education

Increasing pressure is placed on parents to enrol their children in schools at a very young age. However, school readiness is a process that starts at birth and cannot be forced.

By Lorraine Ruddy, principal, Trinityhouse Pre-Primary

School W

readiness

ORKING parents may have no choice but to place their children in a learning environment early on in life. No matter what the child’s age is when entering a school or crèche, this process needs to take place at an age appropriate level and is a team effort between the child, parent and school.

There are two concepts that are important to determine whether a child is ready for school – school maturity and school readiness.

School maturity School maturity is when a child reaches a specific level of development in physical and mental growth – a biological and neurological process.

Certain abilities are reached that will help, but not

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guarantee, school success. It cannot be linked to a specific age as children differ in their rate of growth and development.

School readiness School readiness is a level of readiness that’s needed to master particular skills. It refers to a child’s total readiness to benefit from formal education in a group context. It is a more comprehensive term than school maturity as many factors influence a child’s school readiness. It involves the whole child. It is a process that starts at birth and goes together with developmental milestones. Unlike school maturity, school readiness can be assisted and grown.

During children’s formative years they’re exposed

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Education to different learning situations. Factors that can play a role in a child’s learning readiness include language development, hearing, vision, physical development, emotional disturbances, birth complications, concentration, nutrition and home circumstance. Behaviours that indicate a child is not ready for formal learning in primary school include: • Physiological behaviours – the child still has a great need to play and cannot complete simple tasks, tires easily and acts out in an emotional way, such as crying to have needs met or for a sore tummy.

• Physical behaviours – the child finds it difficult to maintain a posture, has poor body image, finds fine motor tasks difficult, isn’t able to work independently, has trouble concentrating, and difficulty in dressing himself or using the toilet independently.

• Emotional and social behaviours (poor selfesteem/lacking confidence; insecurities or fear of taking risks; difficulty making friends; lack of resilience, perseverance, boundaries, self-control; dependence, poor interpersonal and intrapersonal skills) also indicate that a child is not ready for a formal learning environment.

The role of the parent There is a distinct temptation to overindulge a child we don’t see for many hours in the day. Keeping firm boundaries, where ‘yes’ means yes and ‘no’ means no, helps a child to feel loved and safe. Gifts should be limited to birthdays and special holidays, and treats should be reserved for once a week. Children need to know that they are loved enough to be disciplined and that joy is not dependent on the acquisition of things. It is the emotional wellbeing of the child that is stimulated and developed by setting boundaries, which leads to a child who is able to cope with the intellectual and social demands that form an integral part of the success of pre-school child. A happy and secure child with good selfesteem wants to learn and settles well in a school environment.

One of the most important aspects that the school and parent are responsible for is the manner/tone in which the child is either encouraged to explore further or discouraged. By equipping yourself with an in-depth knowledge of child development, you will discover that, for example, a baby putting things into its mouth is not naughty but rather progressing through a vital part of its development. If the baby is constantly told that the behaviour is naughty it will forfeit the acquisition of important core skills.

If a child is asked leading questions while playing, he will be encouraged to develop lateral thinking skills by being asked what he thinks will happen if he tries this or adds that.

The role of the school When choosing a school for your child it is important to choose an environment that offers an age appropriate programme to assist the young child to develop to its full potential.

A good pre-school programme provides young children with the opportunity to play and to choose freely.

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Assisting children to cope in a school or a day-care environment, or preparing them for school readiness, takes place holistically. The spiritual, physical, perceptual, language, intellectual, emotional and social aspects are equally important.

The level of readiness at which children are capable of learning differs from child to child. The child’s own strengths and weaknesses determine the pace and level at which he can learn. It is important to set up an environment that is age appropriate and that encourages children to explore and experiment. The choice of equipment needs to be differentiated according to the child’s age and level of development. Stimulation of all the senses is important for the development of the central nervous system, while age appropriate language development enables the child to understand instructions and express himself in an appropriate manner.

Exposing children to formal work before they’re ready hampers their growth and development – they’ll develop splinter skills and have gaps in their perceptual foundation. What the child experiences in the body will be set in the mind. Repetition at a gross motor and concrete level consolidates concepts and creates an excellent foundation for formal learning to follow. It is the whole child who goes to school, not just the intellectual side of the child. Emotional maturity is crucial for the child to be able to work independently.

Additionally, a child needs to feel confident before learning and memory can take place. Intrinsic motivation is encouraged when children are exposed to a developmentally appropriate programme.

They need to be given the opportunity to play and to make their own choices. The success of the exploration is not determined by the end product, but by the process. Playing reinforces patterns of success and success is determined by the child, not the adult. Children who are intrinsically motivated remember better, are involved in their own learning and feel independent.

A good pre-school will stimulate your children intellectually and allow them to repeat and consolidate the concept through play and practical experience.

Maths concepts should be experienced in the body with concrete objects, and consolidated by playing semi abstract games. Physical development should be encouraged by well selected equipment and introduced in exciting movement lessons.

Varied creative activities encourage creative thinking and planning, as well as the necessary skills and fine motor development needed for formal education. Language development is ongoing and, through stories, children learn alliteration, rhyming, beginning sounds, end sounds, prediction and word syllables. They learn to distinguish between text and pictures and begin making up their own stories.

Good life skills are encouraged by following toilet and refreshment routines. Sharing and taking turns develops social skills, independence and good selfesteem, which results in the emotional maturity that is necessary for formal schooling.

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za

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FEATURE

Going potty

about toilet training?

You’ve decided it’s time to give up nappies, but your toddler doesn’t quite agree. Pampers tells us how to use rewards correctly so they don’t backfire, and provides other potty training motivators that will help your child succeed.

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hings were going so well on the potty training front. You though the transition from nappies to pants would be smooth and quick. But suddenly your child has stalled, or worse, regressed. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal for children to take their time or to experience setbacks. Your support and encouragement is all they need during this process.

Here are some tips on how to encourage your child to move forward by offering some fun incentives. The key is to start slowly and let your child conquer each step so he feels like he’s doing it on his own. His pride in ‘growing up to be like everyone around him’ is well worth the wait.

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FEATURE The art of rewards Rewards can be powerful tools when used correctly.

On the other hand, when used incorrectly they can backfire, shifting the emphasis entirely off potty training and onto claiming the prize. Follow these guidelines to keep things on track: • Start with non-material rewards. Your affection and congratulations are the most coveted rewards of all. You should always offer praise or a hug each time your child attempts a step, like telling you when he’s urinating, even if it’s into his nappy. You can also celebrate small successes (like sitting on the potty, even if nothing materialises) with a phone call to a loved one. However, avoid overdoing it – you don’t want to make the process overly important or place too much pressure on your child.

• Keep material rewards small. Try rewarding your little one with a small treat each time he meets a goal. Go to the supermarket together and purchase little prizes: stickers, matchbox cars or crayons. Place them out of reach but in sight so your child can keep his eye on the prize during visits to the potty. Hand out a reward only when he actually meets a goal.

• Avoid purchasing large, expensive items. Luring your child with overwhelming gifts takes his focus off mastering a new skill and places it on getting the goods. It can also set him up to expect something huge each time he does what should come naturally.

You want your child to use the potty because he has control of, and confidence in, his body, not because it’s his ticket to a new toy.

Rewards can be powerful tools when used correctly.

Make the potty the best seat in the house. star (or sticker) on the board. When she collects five stars, he gets a small prize – an extra book at bedtime, the chance to see his favourite video or a small gift.

Potty helpers There are other effective ways to motivate your child besides rewards. Try these parent-tested tactics on the rocky road from nappies to pants: • Make the potty the best seat in the house. Many children feel more secure on a potty than on a toilet because when they sit, their feet are securely on the floor and they aren’t afraid of falling off it or into it. If you want your child to spend more time on the toilet it should be a fun, comfortable place to hang out.

Go shopping together for a new potty designed in his favourite colour or in a fun shape – an animal or a car, for example. Or decorate the potty you already own with bright stickers. You can even write your child’s name on the toilet in permanent marker. You might also stash some special books next to the potty to encourage him to stay a little longer.

• Use a potty partner. Going to the bathroom is much more fun when you’ve got company – such as a beloved stuffed animal. Encourage your child to show his potty partner how to use the toilet – once he helps his companion master the task, he might be more likely to follow suit.

Underwear and overwear • While offering edible treats (sweets, ice cream, crisps) can be effective in the short term, many experts warn against using food as a reward. You don’t want your child to begin to look at certain foods (ie sweets) as something he receives when he pleases you or does something ‘good’. Children at this age are already asserting control over what goes into their bodies, what leaves them. It’s best to tackle food issues separately, rather than bringing them into the potty training arena. If you really want to offer food treats try to make them healthy like fruit snacks.

• Make the reward immediate. You’re more likely to reinforce desired behaviour by rewarding your child right away. Most young children don’t have enough perspective to make the connection between the reward and the behaviour if the reward comes hours after they’ve met their goal. The younger the child, the more immediate the reward should be.

• Create a reward board. Older children (generally those aged four years and upward) will understand the concept of a payoff after a series of successes.

To track your child’s progress, set up a reward board, a visual reminder of what he needs to accomplish to receive a prize. For each day of the week that your child stays dry, for example, you could place a gold

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• Purchase some special underpants to make your child feel grown up. Going from nappies to underwear is an exciting way for your child to feel grown-up. Even if he isn’t quite ready for the leap to underwear just yet, the experience of shopping for some is a step in the right direction. Once he’s wearing a favourite pair he may be more motivated to keep them nice and dry. (Buy several pairs, as there are sure to be accidents.)

• Dress your child in easy-to-remove clothing.

Help your child master the dressing and undressing needed to sit on the potty. Once he is comfortable sitting on the potty with his clothes on, try it without them.

• If nothing you try makes a difference, your child is signalling to you he’s not ready. In this case, the best thing to do is to back off and wait until he’s physically and emotionally prepared to move forward again. Your patience and his readiness are the perfect combination. It’s very common for children to refuse to use the potty, and it is best if you don’t pressure him or make him feel guilty about it.

Article courtesy of Pampers. For more tips and guidance, visit www.pampers.co.za. www.babysandbeyond.co.za

HEALTH

No more fear of the

dentist

A new dentistry tool might just change how you and your children feel about going to the dentist. This is an independent account by Hope, a blogger in the US, who enjoys trying out new products and sharing what she discovers with others.

H

ow many of you enjoy going to the dentist?

Yeah, most people don’t – it’s not normally an enjoyable trip! However, there’s a new dentistry tool that might change your opinion.

I first learned about The Wand STA through a press announcement. The Wand STA is a computer-assisted anaesthesia system that makes injections pretty much pain free.

While researching The Wand STA, I learned that it’s not really the needle that causes pain during injections; it’s the pressure from the flow of anaesthetic as it’s injected. The Wand STA solves that problem by making the pressure a steady, consistent flow that is perfect for the tissue into which it’s being injected. Not too fast or strong, but just right so you don’t even feel it.

To try it out, I made an appointment for a filling with Dr Paul Obrock at Cornerstone Dental Health in Quincy, IL. Dr Obrock was very helpful in explaining how The Wand STA works, what the difference is between normal injections and The Wand STA, and answering my questions about the process. The Wand STA looks almost like a pen, with a small, thin

‘cable’ attached to it that the anaesthetic flows through – definitely much less ‘threatening’ than the typical syringe.

I have to say I’ve never really been afraid of the dentist or even the injections. Not that it doesn’t hurt and, yes, I’m always a little nervous, but the injections just don’t bother me – I have a pretty high pain tolerance level. However, after experiencing The Wand STA, I am definitely a fan. The Wand STA chimes during the injection, allowing the dentist to know the speed at which to administer the anaesthetic (by manipulating a foot pedal), and also when the cartridge is emptied by a quarter, half, etc.

Of course from there it’s a standard procedure, but what a difference The Wand STA makes.

I guarantee after one experience with The Wand STA, you will not want to go back to a standard injection ever again!

The Wand STA is available in South Africa from Istrodent. For more information, visit www.istrodent.com or www.stais4u.com.

(Source: www.hopescafe.com)

Photo credit: Istrodent

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FEATURE

Nannies understand the importance of play and mental stimulation, as well as taking care of the child’s physical needs.

Nanny vs crèche

– what’s best for you?

Few things are more daunting than handing your child over to a nanny or crèche. Finding the right child care requires a lot of thought and planning, as well as your instinct.

By: Ruth Kloppers, Help at Home

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n an ideal world we could all blissfully stay at home with our children. However, in reality most Moms need to work. Most stay-at-home Moms are also finding that they need some assistance with the kiddies to get other tasks done or simply for sanity’s sake.

Moms feel tremendous guilt about ‘outsourcing’ their childcare. But we need to acknowledge and understand that there is nothing to feel guilty about. In past times, wealthy families would have had ‘governesses’ or nannies, and even in poorer families, older children and family members would help to care for smaller siblings and children. The only difference now is that we have considerably more choice about who can look after our children, and where they can be cared for. But there are always factors to consider in selecting the right childcare option.

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A few questions parents can ask when selecting the best child care are: • Do we have a family member that can assist caring for our child?

• What budget do we have for child care?

• Would we prefer our child to be in a group of children, or receive one-on-one care from a caregiver?

• What are the most important characteristics we need in the caregiver/school/nanny?

• Is my child in good health, or prone to getting ill (children with lower immune systems should be kept home)?

• If my child attends crèche, who will be able to tend to the child on sick days/during school holidays – do I have a granny, friend, domestic worker I can leave my child with?

These questions will help to guide you about having www.babysandbeyond.co.za

FEATURE

Children attending crèche are exposed to other children and, therefore, social interaction.

someone care for your baby at home, or whether taking your child to crèche is more suitable.

Home-based childcare With home-based childcare, you normally have the option of an au pair or a nanny. The main difference between the two is that au pairs tend to be young ladies who are studying, or have just completed their studies and are working to either gain experience or tide themselves over. An au pair will have a car and driver’s license, and is able to take children to and from activities and help with homework.

Some au pairs are suited to caring for infants and small children, but the most value in au pairs comes from assisting older, more active toddlers and schoolgoing children. Au pairs are costly, though, at a current range of R7 000 to R12 000 per month for a full day.

Nannies are generally ladies that have a more basic education, and are very well suited to infant and child care. Because the majority of nannies range in age from 28 to 58 years’ old, these ladies are maternal and often have had children of their own.

A well trained nanny is be able to manage all day-today care of the baby, such as nappies, bottles, sleep routines, bathing and feeding, as well as having a good knowledge of what to do in the event of an emergency.

A nanny should understand the importance of play and mental stimulation, as well as taking care of the child’s physical needs. Most nannies are also prepared to have an element of domestic work as part of their day-to-day duties. However, it is crucial that the nanny and parent both acknowledge that the care and well-being of the baby or child comes first. Many parent’s also employ a nanny-domestic to perform domestic chores in the morning (when children are at school/crèche) and to look after the children in the afternoons or if a child is sick or home on holiday. Nannies can either reside at the employer’s premises (generally Monday to Friday), www.babysandbeyond.co.za

or can travel to work daily. A good nanny or nannydomestic costs from R2 500 to R4 500 per month, depending on hours, duties and experience.

Considering crèche?

Crèches are available everywhere, and we’re also seeing more corporates opening day care facilities for their staff’s children – making it easier for working parents to drop and collect children from crèche.

All crèches must be registered with provincial government and need to adhere to certain regulations regarding safety and caregiver-to-child ratios, among other things.

Children attending crèche are also exposed to other children and therefore much social interaction.

The down side of this, unfortunately, is that crèchegoing children are often prone to picking up bugs from each other and, for this reason, most paediatricians recommend keeping kiddies home until they’re three years old, wherever possible. Most crèches open early in the morning, and cater to parents who can’t collect their children until a little later (around 6pm). Some crèches cater for half-day attendance, or for just a few days a week. Crèches range from around R2 000 to R5 000 per month.

At the end of the day, there is not right or wrong option. The choice of child care is very personal.

Parent’s need to investigate all options and select the one that best suits them, and their requirements.

Help At Home is a domestic and placement training agency that specialises in placing nannies that are trained in all aspects of child care. Its staff are pre-interviewed, reference checked and screened (biometric fingerprint criminal checks). The company provides a three-month guarantee period for clients. If you’re not happy with the nanny, Help at Home will immediately undertake to replace her.

Help At Home has branches in Johannesburg and Durban, and is in the process of expanding to other provinces. For more information, visit www.helpathome.co.za.

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www.essentiallynatural.co.za info@essentiallynatural.co.za 060 957 7980 essentiallynaturalza EssentiallySA

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If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we will provide a full refund and take back the product at our cost.

www.essentiallynatural.co.za is your online ‘go-to’ shop for 100% natural, harmless and environmentally friendly products for you, your baby and your home.

We only sell the best of people, animal and earth-friendly products, sourcing all our products locally and supporting local community initiatives and ethical, fair trade practices.

• Our products are free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, petroleum, parabens, or artificial colours – making them safe for baby and you.

• We only sell natural or, where possible, organic products that we use and believe in ourselves.

• Our product range includes our own brand remedies and solutions to promote every day health and well-being for the whole family, as well as wonderful products from other South African producers.

• Whether it’s cradle-cap, bum and body care or getting baby to sleep – we have a solution naturally.

We look forward to seeing you online!

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EDUCATION

Let’s talk about

sex, baby…

Finding an effective way to talk to your children about sex is essential. Nolene Rust, a qualified forensic social worker, discusses sex education and why it’s so important.

What is sex education?

Sex education is about conveying information to your child about sex and sexuality. Only giving your child an illustrated booklet about ‘what boys and girls need to know’ is proving not to be the most effective way of equipping your child. Using a book could be a part of sex education but doesn’t relate the entirety of information about this very important life aspect. Sex education should have certain components, including a trusting adult that communicates openly and truthfully about sex, and providing information at the right time and in the right way. Answering a child’s questions truthfully seems to do wonders for healthy sexual development, and for strengthening child-parent relationships.

Sex education should be a continuous process, rather than a one-off event. We do not take our children for one driving lesson and expect them to get a license, and the same applies to sex education. Over time, we want to help shape our child’s thoughts and values, not only about sex and sexuality, but also about gender, societal values www.babysandbeyond.co.za

about sex and where your child fits into all of this.

This starts with the information that we give our child about his/her conception – being thoughtfully and wonderfully created. Above all, children need to know that they were created in a very unique and delicate way; emphasising that they were made out of love and that they are precious, unique and welcome! And, that should also be our explanation about sex, it’s delicate, unique and should include love. These foundations can be laid down form a very early age.

Building on this, it is also important to help your children create positive associations with their gender. All of our genders were determined the moment of conception. For a little girl, this means hearing positive things about girls and being shown what it means to be a girl and a woman. Positive messages about what it means to be a boy or a girl goes a long way towards healthy sexual development and further sex education.

Even before we can get such a positive message across, it helps if we are comfortable with our own

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EDUCATION sexuality, then we can help our children to be comfortable with theirs – and this is ultimately what sex education is about. It is so much more than only sharing information with our children about the human anatomy.

Why sex education?

Research proves that children whose parents talk to them openly about sex make healthier sexual choices by the time they are in university. These studies have found lower pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates. Also, talking to your children openly and continuously about sex decreases their chances of being a victim of abuse.

Here are some more advantages: • It buffers against violence and exposure to abuse • It empowers with accurate and comprehensive knowledge • It strengthens relationships by encouraging and building on open communication and trust • It teaches and encourages safety

• I t helps your child to build values based on information from the society and your family • It fosters a sense of worth leading to heightened self-esteem • It helps gender role identification • It improves sexual health in the long run • As it empowers with information, it also teaches children right and wrong, encouraging them to ask for help when they are in trouble • It increases children’s comfort levels when going to, and talking to, grownups about difficult issues • It clears up confusion and misperceptions The sources children get their information from include the media, school, peer groups and your family – mainly focusing on the last source, the positive role of the family in giving sex information is paramount. You, as a parent, have the most control over your child’s formative years and development, but that means you have to spend time in your child’s world. This is probably the most important predictor of your child’s sexual health and safety.

Nolene Rust is a qualified forensic social worker and a registered counsellor specialising in play therapy.

For nine years, she has worked with families and children in welfare organisations, hospitals, in schools, and in the private sector. Her work includes advocating for children’s rights and working with abused and neglected children in a child protection and counselling capacity. Nolene is a regular speaker on radio, presents seminars, is involved with Jelly Beanz (NGO), and is vice president of OPSSA. To contact Nolene, call 012 7526503 or email Nolene.rust@gmail.com

Sophie the giraffe

The world’s favourite teether!

Fun, stimulating & safe. Adopted by mothers & celebrities since 1961. www.sophiegiraffe.co.za - www.pyrelle.co.za

HEALTH

ABCs with

omega 3

Nutrition expert at Vital Health Foods, Andrea Du Plessis, explains the role of omega 3 in cognitive development in children.

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T

he investment into young children’s education is not restricted to providing the best educational toys and placing them in the best schools. Nutrition is an important factor in providing children with the building blocks they need for optimal cognitive development. Recent research puts the spotlight on the role omega 3 fatty acids may play in reading, cognition and behaviour in children.

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HEALTH A matter of fat ‘You are what you eat,’ is an adage that takes on new meaning if one considers the nutritional needs of the growing and developing brain of young children.

The brain, part of the nervous system, consists mostly of fat. The building blocks of the brain and nervous system naturally originate from the diet, which may explain the focus on research into the role of the diet in cognitive development. Healthy fats and oils derived from oily fish, nuts, seeds and other plant oils are recommended to support the optimal development of healthy brain and nerve cells.

Gone are the days when a healthy diet was associated with eating foods low in fat – or are they?

Many people still try to stay away from eating fatty foods – a habit that is carried over into the family’s supper, which may consist of chicken or fish with vegetables, rather than fatty meats and deep fried foods. However, regardless of the best attempts to follow a healthy diet, many people still indulge in unhealthy snack foods, not realising that their energy intake from snack foods can make up more than 30% of their daily energy intake.

The single snack food item that makes the largest contribution to energy intake in the diets of young children, is crisps – ranging from deep fried potato chips, to corn chips, cheese puffs, nachos style snacks and even the cheese flavoured biscuits can fall into this category. These highly processed highfat snack foods may sometimes be the main dietary source of fats and oils, leaving the question: do children get enough of the right type of fats and oils to support their developmental needs?

The ABC of omega 3 The dietary requirements for essential fatty acids and the possibility of a specific role for the polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is one of the most controversial areas in infant nutrition. DHA is found in unusually high concentrations in the brain and is selectively accumulated during foetal and infant brain growth.

DHA can be synthesised through a complex series of chain elongation-desaturation reactions from alpha-linolenic acid, but the efficiency of this process in young infants is not clear. Clinical studies on dietary intake of DHA in babies and young children have yielded varied results but predominantly show that omega 3 fatty acids are essential for optimal cognitive development.

Omega 3 facts What are they? Omega 3 fatty acids are classified as poly-unsaturated fatty acids and are also referred to as long-chain fatty acids, because of the carbon atoms that appear in a chain-like structure. They contain more than one double bond in their carbonchain structure, which provides them with the classification as poly-unsaturated fatty acids.

What do they do? Omega-3 fatty acids are well known for their role in the growth and development of brain and nervous system tissues, as well as for their supportive role in cognitive development in children

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and memory and concentration in children and adults. They are also known for their beneficial effects in supporting cardiovascular and joint health.

Which are the most important? Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are two important omega-3 fatty acids, well known for their protective effects against heart disease, anti-inflammatory effects in arthritis and support of immune function.

Which foods provide DHA and EPA? Oily fish including salmon, sardines, mackerel and pilchards are particularly rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Nutritional supplements with the DHA and EPA include those that contain fish oil, or omega 3 oils from fish origin, or cod liver oil, as examples.

DHA can be synthesised through a complex series of chain elongation-desaturation reactions from plant sources of the omega 3 fatty acid, alphalinolenic acid, but the process is not very efficient.

Oily fish including salmon, sardines, mackerel and pilchards are particularly rich in omega 3 fatty acids.

Omega 3 and brain development The omega 3 fatty acid DHA is found in unusually high concentrations in the brain. It is specifically accumulated during the development of a child’s brain from before birth by which time almost 25% of the brain tissue is already formed. DHA is also found in high concentrations in breast milk, indicating the specific need for this nutrient in an infant’s diet.

Low dietary intakes of DHA are believed to contribute to learning and behaviour problems.

Clinical studies on the potential benefits of omega 3 supplementation to cognitive development have shown some variable and even conflicting results, so further research is needed to clarify the exact roles, requirements and dietary recommendations of omega 3 fatty acids in children.

Eat Smart Even though more research is required to help us better understand the role of omega 3 in the development of the human brain, it is hard to ignore the potential benefits. Research clearly suggests that including omega 3 rich foods, infant formulas and supplements provides beneficial effects on cognitive development. Furthermore, it is interesting to note that infants who display superior performance in problem solving tasks tend to have superior cognitive skills later in childhood. It is therefore not impossible that the beneficial effects of a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may extend well beyond infancy.

For more information, visit www.vital.co.za

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HEALTH

Foods that fight back Reactions to food can range from mild to severe, including the potentially life-threatening condition of anaphylaxis. We consider what to look out for, what to avoid, and how to test for and treat food allergies.

F

ood allergy can cause digestive problems such as stomach pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, and is a growing, serious public health problem in both adults and in children.

The job of the body’s immune system is to identify and destroy germs that make you sick. A food allergy results when the immune system mistakenly targets a harmless food protein – an allergen – as a threat and attacks it.

Unlike other types of food disorders, such as intolerances, food allergies are ‘IgE mediated’.

This means that your immune system produces abnormally large amounts of an antibody called immunoglobulin E, or IgE for short. IgE antibodies fight the ‘enemy’ food allergens by releasing histamine and other chemicals, which trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

An allergic reaction to food can affect the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract and, in the most serious cases, the cardiovascular system. Reactions can be mild to severe, including the potentially life-threatening condition, anaphylaxis.

Food allergy can cause digestive problems, such as stomach pain, diarrhoea and vomiting, and is a growing, serious public health problem that affects both adults and children. A wide range of foods are reported to cause food allergies, and there has been a true rise in the prevalence of food allergies.

With food allergies, knowing what to avoid will help you or your child feel better today, also help avoid more serious food allergy symptoms in the future.

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Testing for food allergies There are dangers to leaving allergies untreated.

Allergies may have serious implications on your quality of life. That does not mean that they should rule your life.

Many people misdiagnose themselves when it comes to allergies. This is because the symptoms often overlap with other diseases. The concern is that when these conditions are misdiagnosed, they are not treated appropriately, which is hardly ideal and could lead to unnecessary medication and incorrect treatment.

This is why it’s so important to consult your doctor if you think you might have an allergy. Based on a physical examination, your case history, and a blood test, your doctor will be able to make a proper diagnosis. A blood test measures the presence of IgE antibodies in the blood to specific foods. Adults and children of any age can take a blood test and it can be performed irrespective of skin condition, medication, symptom, disease activity and pregnancy.

The test results will help you and your doctor to customise a treatment approach that’s right for you.

Reducing exposure to one or more of your allergic triggers can help reduce your symptoms and your need for medication.

Speak to your doctor about an allergy blood test.

Treat the cause, not the symptoms.

For more information, visit http://info. thermoscientific.com/SouthAfricaAllergyReport and download your free Allergy e-book.

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FEATURE

Nursery safety While it’s not possible to reach a complete ‘no VOC’ environment, the goal is to achieve a safe level for these chemicals not to do any harm.

By Ricky Carvalho, product developer, MOD Child

V

olatile organic chemicals (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that, in most cases, easily evaporate and have a sweet odour commonly associated with paints and glues. They are found in many everyday items and products, most furniture, carpeting, paints, and even some toys.

VOCs are commonly found at low levels in homes and in the environment, including the air, water, soil, dust, and food, but do not last in the environment for very long because they are readily broken down by microorganisms and sunlight. However, there are some products that, for a given amount of time, release dangerous levels of VOCs and have now been proven to be harmful to infants.

Some of the most common complaints of VOCs are eye irritation, respiratory tract infections, poor sleeping patterns, and even asthma.

It is not possible to reach a complete ‘no VOC’ environment, as they’re all around us. However, the goal is to achieve a safe level for these chemicals not to do any harm.

This is done by opting for products that already offer zero or low VOC levels, or alternatively by using a process called ‘off-gas’ for items that are potentially dangerous.

Identifying harmful VOCs is not as complicated as it seems – you can smell them. The smell you get from

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a newly-painted wall or new piece of furniture is a strong indicator that harmful levels of VOCs may be present and are being released.

Have you ever noticed that the ‘new car smell’ doesn’t last forever? This is because once the odour has subsided it is considered to be ‘chemically off’, meaning lingering chemicals, both harmful and not, have now been absorbed into the air and have now reached a safe level. This time frame is what’s referred to as ‘off-gas’.

Paint Among the most popular ‘to do’ items when preparing a baby’s nursery, is painting. However, there are many chemical threats you need to avoid to ensure your new born is not at risk.

When selecting that perfect shade, also ensure that you use a lead-free, non-solvent paint, and a product that contains zero VOCs or, at the very least, low VOCs. Most reputable paint suppliers stock these.

A zero VOC paint product will pose no threat to your baby. However, if opting for a low VOC product, be sure to allow the room enough time to reach a safe level. Open the windows on a daily basis and allow as much sunlight into the room as possible, which helps speed up the process.

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FEATURE Furniture Furniture is generally next on the list for the nursery and, for the most part, is the biggest contributor for introducing unsafe levels of VOCs. The reason for this is that although you have control over the paint products you put on your walls, you don’t always have control over the finishes of your newly-ordered baby furniture, or do you?

Opting to buy from a supplier that offers a zero or low VOC, no lead and non-solvent finish is a guaranteed way of avoiding these harmful chemicals.

Alternatively, should you buy products that are not completely VOC free, ensure they ‘off-gas’ completely. Remember that as time goes by, VOC levels of freshly painted and finished surfaces do decrease and, in most cases, will eventually reach a safe level.

Be sure to store furniture items in a dry, well ventilated space, preferably in less traffic areas like the garage.

On average, furniture that has a high level of VOCs can take between three to six months to off-gas completely, so be sure to give yourself enough time for this process.

Flooring Redoing the floors in the nursery, for some, is also necessary. However, high levels of VOC’s are also found in some flooring products.

By opting for a tiled or wood floor finish and using an organic rug to bring warmth to the area is a sure way to achieve a safe area, keep in mind that once your little one begins to crawl they are very close to the ground and will be first in line to inhale any harmful chemicals present.

Alternatively should you choose to carpet with a conventional product that is not organic, make sure that it is in line with VOC emission standards and, as before, the rule of thumb is always allow enough time for the product to ‘off-gas’ by allowing sunlight and fresh air into the room.

Providing a safe environment for your baby is paramount. While some things are harder to prevent than others, when it comes to protecting your children from harmful chemicals, you now have a choice.

About MOD Child MOD Child designs and manufactures safe baby and toddler furniture. While the company’s vision is to provide trendy items, MOD Child prides itself on ensuring its furniture is always designed with safety first. Raw materials are sourced from the northern regions of Europe and acquired by suppliers that are members of the Forest Stewardship Council. MOD Child also pays close attention to ensuring that its materials contain a low VOC status and is committed to only using zero VOC, child-friendly paint finishes and safe fastening methods.

For more information, visit www.modchild.co.za.

Photo credit: MOD Child

MOD Child is committed to only using zero VOC, child-friendly paint finishes and safe fastening methods.

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FEATURE

Aquila is home to five white rhino.

The majestic African elephant.

A herd of zebra were intermingled with springbok, rhino and ostrich.

These two giraffe calmly munched on their lunch while we enjoyed a glass of A male and female lion share a light morning snack. bubbly and took in the majestic views.

Experience the

Big 5

By Emma Dawson

It was an early start for the Baby’s and Beyond team, but a trip out to enjoy the splendour of the Big 5 at Aquila Private Game Reserve, just two hours from Cape Town, was well worth the early alarm.

Enjoy breakfast and lunch overlooking one of Aquila’s two swimming pools and beyond to exquisite views of Karoo landscape.

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FEATURE An exciting outdoor area for children includes a mini golf course, swings, jungle gyms and safe elevated walkways.

The children’s indoor play area will keep your little ones occupied for hours.

Photo credit: Emma Dawson

A

quila Private Game Reserve, named after the rare and endangered resident Black Eagles, is a breathtakingly beautiful 7 500 hectare (18 500 acres) Karoo conservancy. The reserve is situated just two hours from Cape Town, near Touws River in the southern Karoo.

It’s a rare treat, being able to experience Africa’s Big 5 – lion, buffalo, rhino (white), leopard and elephant – just two hours from Cape Town. And the best part, Aquila Private Game Reserve caters for children.

After a sumptuous breakfast overlooking one of two of Aquila’s swimming pools and beyond to exquisite views of Karoo landscape, we visited the kiddies entertainment area to see what’s on offer for the little ones.

An imaginative space – indoors and out – filled with everything little hearts desire. Outside is a mini golf course, swings, jungle gyms and safe elevated walkways. There are also kiddies’ quads and bikes.

Inside is a room designed especially for babies, as well as an indoor play area for toddlers. Adding to Aquila’s child-friendly hospitality are kiddies’ menus and babysitting services. Speaking to a couple on holiday from the UK with their two-year-old, they said they’d specifically booked Aquila because it’s so child friendly and the facilities available for their son made it their first choice.

Aquila Private Game Reserve allows children on game drives, and also offers horse rides and quad biking for older children (16+) and adults. For the little ones, there are donkey rides.

And this is all besides the huge excitement of climbing up into a 4x4 safari vehicle, driven by an experienced and highly-knowledgeable ranger, for a game drive that guarantees seeing most, if not all, of Africa’s Big 5.

On our two-and-a-half hour game drive we saw white rhino, elephant, eland, giraffe, lion, wildebeest, zebra, springbok, ostrich and hippo. To top it all off, on our return for lunch we stopped at ARC – the www.babysandbeyond.co.za

Animal Rescue & Conservation Centre. This non-profit organisation is situated on land directly opposite the main entrance of Aquila Private Game Reserve. Aquila donated the stretch of land to ARC and invested over R1 million, building a large outdoor sanctuary comprising several one hectare fenced camps where a number of once doomed ‘canned lions’ can live out the remainder of their lives. ARC is also home to a rescued leopard and cheetahs, as well as two crocodiles. It’s a fascinating up-close experience for children to learn more about Africa’s animals.

Besides staying overnight, there are numerous packages on offer for visitors. Day Trip Safaris include pick-up and transfers, a welcome drink, buffet breakfast, a two to three hour game drive in 4x4 safari vehicles with an experienced ranger guide, a visit to ARC, and lunch at the boma restaurant. Other facilities for guests include an African Curio Shop, two spectacular swimming pools and, in winter, a roaring fire in Aquila’s thatched colonial lounge.

Other packages include horseback or quad bike safaris, a day trip combo (morning game drive with a 1.5 hour horseback or quad bike safari after lunch), and a Fly in Safari – a 30 minute helicopter or airplane flight over the winelands and magnificent Hex River Valley mountains and return flight over Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront.

Accommodation ranges from Premier Cottages and Luxury Family Cottages to Luxury Bush Cottages, all built from rock, thatch and wood in keeping with Aquila’s policy to respect and blend in with its environment.

Aquila Private Game Reserve is situated in the Cape’s malaria-free famous fynbos, succulent Karoo and rare renosterveld vegetation that was once a favourite hunting ground for the ancient Khoi/San hunter-gatherers. Aquila is proudly home to an array of Khoi/San rock art.

For more information about Aquila Private Game Reserve and its luxurious, kiddie-friendly hospitality, visit www.aquilasafari.com.

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Kicks for kids

babys beyond and

Easter eggs The legend of the Easter Bunny dates back many, many years. The Easter Bunny brings baskets filled with coloured and chocolate eggs and sweets, and sometimes toys, to the homes of children on the night before Easter. The Easter Bunny either leaves the baskets of eggs, or hides them somewhere in the house or garden for children to find when they wake up in the morning.

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KICKS FOR KIDS

Find the

route

Help the Easter bunny at the bottom find his way to the bunny at the top.

a

Find your way

Answer

Help the little ghost to get out the maze

b

Answer

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KICKS FOR KIDS

Join the

dots then colour

c

Draw a line from dot number 1 to dot number 2, then from dot number 2 to dot number 3, 3 to 4, and so on. Continue to join the dots until you have connected all the numbered dots. Then colour the picture!

d

Match

Answer

the pairs: find the exact mirror copy for every image

Answer 1-4, 2-7, 3-6, 5-8

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Grab some grub

Oxtail Potjie with Stout Serves 6 Eating meltingly soft oxtail on the bone around a camp fire must be one of life’s great pleasures.

The stout teams perfectly with the meat and, most importantly, our secret tip to cancel out the bitterness of the beer – add some dark chocolate! Pears give that lovely sweet/savoury balance that we South Africans enjoy so much.

Ingredients

1.25kg oxtail, trimmed of excess fat 500g beef shin Ina Paarman’s Garlic Pepper Seasoning Olive or canola oil 3 large onions, chopped 2t (10ml) Ina Paarman’s Green Onion Seasoning 8 cloves of garlic, halved lengthways 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into very small blocks 2 x 25g sachets Ina Paarman’s Liquid Beef Stock 1 x 660ml bottle of Guinness stout beer 1 cup (250ml) water 1T (15ml) Ina Paarman’s Tomato Pesto 250g dried pears, cut in half lengthways 45g dark chocolate 1T (15ml) balsamic vinegar 250g medium size brown mushrooms Garlic butter

Method Season the meat with Garlic Pepper Seasoning and leave at room temperature while measuring the ingredients for the rest of the recipe. Prepare a medium fire.

Heat the potjie over the fire, add some oil and brown the meat in two or three batches. Keep browned meat on one side on a plate.

Add onions (flavoured with Green Onion Seasoning) to the remaining oil in the pot and stir-fry until nicely browned. Add garlic and potatoes and stir-fry for another 5 minutes.

Add the sachets of undiluted Liquid Beef Stock, the beer, water and Tomato Pesto. Bring to a brisk boil.

Return the meat and any left-over juices to the pot. Cover with a lid – pile some coals on the lid and

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leave the pot to simmer very slowly for four to five hours until the meat is fork tender.

Check the liquid level from time to time.

Add water if needed.

Spoon off any surplus fat, or blot it off with kitchen paper.

Add the pears, chocolate and balsamic vinegar.

Taste for seasoning.

Top with mushrooms, seasoned with Garlic Pepper and dotted with garlic butter. Cover with lid, pile some coals on the lid, and cook for a final 30 minutes.

Serve with samp and salad.

Chef’s Tip: Speed up the cooking! Pre-cook the meat just in beef stock (2 cups of water and 2 sachets of Liquid Beef Stock) in a pressure cooker for 1 hour, on two rings, but don’t blow off the steam. Simply remove the pressure cooker from the heat and leave it to cool down. If you release the steam, you also blow away half the flavour. By cooling the pressure cooker slowly the flavour is forced back into the meat.

For Travel: Vacuum seal the pre-cooked meat and any gravy, freeze it and travel with this absolutely sterile meat parcel.

Then, to make a potjie follow all the steps, brown onions etc, etc. You simply just cook the meat for a much shorter period of time before adding the mushrooms. Leave out the water and stock.

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Grab some grub

Frikkadels with Tomato Sauce Serves 4 Prepare supper for the family using ingredients that are readily available. Baking the frikkadels in the Tomato Pasta Sauce gives excellent results. Serve with rice or mashed potatoes and green vegetables or a salad.

You will need: Measuring spoons Small knife Wooden spoon Medium frying pan Mixing bowl Ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measure (if available) Ovenproof serving dish Oven gloves

Ingredients:

1T (15ml) butter 2T (30ml) olive or canola oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 x 25g sachet Ina Paarman’s Liquid Beef Stock 500g best quality lean beef mince ¼ cup (60ml) water 1T (15ml) Ina Paarman’s Roast Onion Soup & Gravy Powder 1 x 400ml Ina Paarman Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce

Adjust oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 180°C. Warm a frying pan. Add the butter – when it foams and starts to brown, add the oil and onion. Stir-fry over medium heat until the onion starts to brown.

Add the sachet of undiluted Liquid Beef Stock and cook for another few seconds. Leave the onion mixture to cool to room temperature.

Place the meat in a mixing bowl, add the water.

Add the Roast Onion Gravy Powder and the cooked onion mixture and mix in lightly with a knife, until evenly blended.

Shape into ± 8 frikkadels (see Chef’s tip).

Place in an ovenproof dish, in a single layer.

Pour over the Pasta Sauce.

Bake for 35 minutes.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

Chef’s Tip: To make even sized frikkadels, shape them with an ice cream scoop or ¼ cup measure.

Recipes and pictures courtesy of

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CLASSIFIEDS Maternity • Birth • Newborn • Kids Samantha Squire-Howe • 084 388 6567 sam@twinklestar.co.za www.twinklestar.co.za

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CLASSIFIEDS Clever, luxurious, double-sided, hooded, apron baby towels. Makes bath time fun and easy for moms and dads

C 060 525 1683 E info@noeimibaby.co.za W www.noeimibaby.co.za

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CLASSIFIEDS

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CLASSIFIEDS

Nannies | Domestics Workers | Training

SPECIALISING IN THE TRAINING AND PLACEMENT OF COMPETENT, CARING, DEPENDABLE NANNIES AND DOMESTICS

SERVICES INCLUDE Child Care Training Mental Stimulation Course for Nannies Placement of Trained Nannies Placement of Domestics Biometric based Criminal Clearances 30 or 90 day Guarantee/Replacement period GAUTENG BRANCH: T 087 808 9433 C 084 870 8544 E ruth@helpathome.co.za DURBAN BRANCH: C 081 333 6636 E natalie@helpathomeco.za WEBSITE www.helpathome.co.za FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/HelpAtHome

Special Design Clothes for Boys & Girls

Day And Night Fashion for any Occasions.

Tel: 082 8505 808 E-mail: info@cherrykids.co.za 13 Boekenhout Crescent, Extension 4, Delmas, 2210 PO Box 815, Delmas, 2210

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Educational toys and Puzzles, toy and storage boxes, party buckets and fillers and much more ...

We stock Tolo, Alex and Snookums toys, Sistema Food storage containers Montague gardens 021 551 5790

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Somerset West 021 852 4007

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BOOK REVIEW Spot’s Tummy Time Pop-Up Playmat

By Eric Hill (RRP R190) Babies will love this bright, fun and interactive book, which opens out into a circular play mat. Each ‘segment’ of the play mat has bright, colourful pictures, all of which incorporate touch-and-feel textures for your baby to explore.

101 Great Science Experiments – A step-by-step guide

By Neil Ardley (RRP R170) This updated edition offers exciting step-by-step experiments that are safe and easy to do at home.

Whether your child is naturally inquisitive and interested in science, or not, there’s something to entertain everyone. Just some of the experiments include creating a volcano with supplies from your kitchen, or watching a plant wind its way through a maze. Children will also learn how to see around corners using a milk carton! And, my personal favourite that took me straight back to my childhood – how to grow a stalactite. The step-by-step instructions for all the projects are simple and easy to follow.

Maths Made Easy

By Carol Vorderman and Sean McArdle (RRP R125 each) This is maths made fun! Supporting the new curriculum for children aged seven to 11, this series of books (called 10 Minutes a Day) helps children develop strong maths skills.

10 Minutes a Day: Decimals reinforces the ability to solve mathematical problems using decimals that children learn at home and school. The book looks at the relationship between fractions, decimals, and percentages; compares ordering and simplifying fractions; and teaches mixed numbers, improper fractions and common denominators.

Each exercise has a time limit of 10 minutes, and each book comes with its own easy-to-use timer that’s designed to keep learning fun, fresh and focused.

If your children like this book, they’ll also love 10 Minutes a Day: Fractions.

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EDUCATION

The value of

art

Research shows that creative activities are some of the fundamental building blocks during childhood development.

By Lynn van Jaarsveld, principal of Trinityhouse Pre-Primary Little Falls

C

are providers, parents, grandparents and teachers should plan regular creative activities with their toddlers to stimulate and develop their minds.

Once these children get involved in making art, it leaves them with a feeling of emotional satisfaction.

It lends itself to physical development and the enhancement of fine and gross motor skills, as well as fostering mental development, social skills and emotional wellbeing.

It’s important to make the art activities open-ended so as not to supress children’s individual creativity.

Deciding what they will make and what materials they will use may be the first opportunity they have to make independent choices and decisions.

Art builds children’s self-esteem, allowing them to express what they are thinking and feeling.

One of the goals for art education, whether at school or at home, is to make children more creative regardless of where their creativity will be used.

Learning to create and appreciate the arts may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children as they grow up.

Why is art so important?

ADvTECH Schools Division, www.advtech.co.za

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Photo credit: ADvTech Schools Division

1. It develops creative thinking 2. It provides a means of communication and selfexpression 3. It serves as an emotional release 4. It strengthens self-concept and confidence 5. It increases self-understanding 6. It heightens aesthetic awareness and sensitivity 7. It enhances the ability to visualise 8. It provides problem-solving and decision making opportunities 9. It develops the appreciation for the individuality of others 10. It leads to integration of the individual 11. It serves as a balance to classroom activities 12. It aids physical co-ordination 13. It develops work habits and a sense of responsibility 14. It aids the adult in understanding and helping the child 15. It generates joy 16. It covers the various fine motor skills taught Fallyn Laing, a pupil at Trinityhouse Pre-Primary Little Falls shows off her artistic talents.

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