Geelong Coast Kids Spring 2016

THINGS TO DO & PLACES TO GO FOR FAMILIES

welcome to the

Star mum Chelsea Gibbs’s on song

jungle Take a look at Geelong’s newest play space

OUT AND emy

meets lulu

Turning business into child’s play

tuning

about Plenty of ideas for fun with kids

Dr Cody Sweet dreams at bedtime

IN

How music nurtures development SPRING 2016

IN THE

swim Time for safety before summer

A Star News Group Publication

Incorporating

contents

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16 18-19 26

Merry making ‘medicos’ Music’s language are just the treat of emotion

Awesome ideas for outdoor playtime

24 25

Welcome to the jungle

Out of the box

Getting creative with blaknets and bibs

Crafty fun for kids

Wrapped in care

31

Time to take infant first aid seriously

34 35

Ask Dr Cody

Melissa McCullough shares her creative craft ideas.

8-11

Mother knows breast

Angie’s catch-up Angie Hilton chats with Chelsea Gibb, music theatre star and mother of Arielle, Elliott and Luka.

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Jay gives jungle a rumble

27 36-37 28-29 Swimming gift for life

Keeping kids entertained

Answers direct from the maker himself

13

Kids aspire to be…

21

Kids’ parties

39

Kids kalendar

Go to Kids Paries page for our Dino Party ofer!

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BEASTS OF THE GREAT SOUTHERN SUPERCONTINENT

26 July 2015 – 23 July 2017 National Wool Museum, 26 Moorabool St, Geelong T 03 5272 4701 www.nwm.vic.gov.au

2 SPRING 2016

www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

about us . . .

spring I NTO OUR NEW I CAN’T tell you how relieved I am that spring is here.

If I could still do cartwheels without looking like a crab I’d be doing one to celebrate.

Isn’t it fascinating how much a season can affect your mood? I swear, if I can manifest a heap of money, I’m moving north each winter.

This issue is a ripper!

I had a great catch-up with an inspiring Geelong lady who seems to have packed an incredible amount into her 40 years. Her name is Chelsea Gibb.

EDI TION

As the weather warms up, no doubt we’ll all be hitting the beaches. Debbie Gill has written a great piece on the importance of learning to swim – I can’t even fathom the pain and grief of losing a child to drowning when it’s so easily preventable.

Hands up if you’re used to the pitter-patter sounds of children sneaking into your bed at night.

Well, child psychologist Dr Cody Potter comes to the rescue with some handy hints on keeping your bed a child-free zone.

If you’re a thespian (we all secretly love that word), you’ll know her name from playing Roxie Hart in Chicago for four years around the world.

Have you ever watched your children get lost in the emotion of a song? (I’m picturing my niece belting out Let It Go from Frozen). Lainie Connor writes about how beneficial learning music can be to your child’s emotional development.

Elissa Friday meets a couple of entrepreneurial mums, Emy Kennedy and Lucy Rees, who created their business – Emy meets Lulu – after watching their children play with simple cardboard boxes.

We’ve also got lots of great ideas to keep the kids entertained over the school holidays, including Supertramp, the National Wool Museum and Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre where plush pump-action horses sound like lots of fun to ride.

And don’t forget to touch base with us on Facebook to share any precious moments with the family.

Geelong Coast Kids magazine is a Star News Group publication.

Geelong Coast Kids will be published quarterly prior to each of the school holidays.

Geelong Coast Kids 1st Floor, 78 Moorabool St, Geelong, Vic 3220 Phone: 5249 6700 Fax: 5249 6799 Managing Editor Tony Galpin editorial@geelongcoastkids.com.au Phone: 5249 6700 Photography Louisa Jones Advertising Rebecca Hanneysee advertising@geelongcoastkids.com.au Phone: 5249 6708 / 0407 227 234 Creative Creative Services Manager: Chris Beale Design Mark Dinnie Virginia Hester Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.

Now, grab a cuppa, put your feet up (you know you want to) and enjoy our latest issue.

Thanks again for your support.

THINGS TO DO & PLACES TO GO FOR FAMILIES

welcome to the

Both teachers, these ladies know the importance of imaginative play and have developed their cardboard cubbyhouses to bring out the creative spark in little ones.

Star mum Chelsea Gibbs’s on song

Take a look at Geelong’s newest play space

OUT AND

Angie Hilton Contributing editor

jungle

emy

meets lulu

Turning business into child’s play

tuning

about Plenty of ideas for fun with kids

Dr Cody Sweet dreams at bedtime

IN

How music nurtures development SPRING 2016

IN THE

swim Time for safety before summer

A Star News N Group G Publication P bl

Incorporating

Cover: Highton’s Ginny Brough, 6, admires a colourful canola crop at Ceres.

Picture: LOUISA JONES

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SPRING 2016 3

g n i k a m Merry

s o c ’ i d e ’m e h t t s u j e r a

t a e r t

By LIA SPENCER IF LAUGHTER is really the best medicine, then The Humour Foundation have healed over a million hearts.

Inspired by Dr Patch Adams, as well as research findings on the benefits of humour, six people started the foundation in 1996. They now employ about 60 Clown Doctors who visit 23 Australian hospitals putting smiles across the faces of children and their parents who are facing some of the worst times in their lives.

For 16 years, professional performing artist Clare Bartholomew has been a light in the lives of those facing dark times.

Known as Dr Fairy Floss to her hospital friends, she visits four hospitals in Victoria – the Royal Children’s Hospital in Parkville, the Northern Hospital in Epping, Monash Medical Centre in Clayton and Geelong Hospital.

There, the tomboy flying doctor who struggles to fly entertains sick children with her enthusiasm, competitive attitude and clumsy nature. If the kids aren’t up for a fun show, Dr Fairy Floss is happy to have a chat or lend an ear.

“Clown Doctors take their role very seriously,” Clare said. “They can’t just go into a room with a set routine. They need to understand how the kids are feeling that day. Some children on certain days may just need a gentle song, while others may be into something boisterous.”

Dr Fairy Floss, as well as other Clown Doctors, not only provide doses of fun, they also help children adapt to hospital life, work in partnership with health

Children are so resilient.

They don ' t hold onto things like adults do.

They are really strong, don ' t give up, and just want to be happy . . .

professionals, and help to divert children during painful procedures, calm children in emergency and encourage children in physiotherapy.

They are there to make the bad times a little better for the sick children, and, inadvertently, help to ease the parent’s pain as well.

“It’s tough on parents. Hearing the news that their child is sick is terrible, then they have to manage their home life and work life,” Clare said.

“Sometimes children haven’t laughed or smiled in a few days, so when we can make their child happy, it lightens the mood and lifts everyone’s spirits.”

There is no denying Clare has seen her share of tough times at the hospital, but she said the role had been extremely rewarding.

“It is one of the best things when you have quite a connection with a child, and they get to go home. It’s quite intimate to be part of someone’s journey for two or three years. To be by their bedside and get close to their family.

Then to watch them go home is incredible.”

While Clown Doctors have helped a lot of families, Clare said she had gained a lot from the children she has met.

“Children are so resilient. They don’t hold onto things like adults do. They are really strong, don’t give up, and just want to be happy,” she said.

“It’s hard not to be enthusiastic about that energy.”

To learn more about The Humour Foundation, visit humourfoundation. com.au

The Humour Foundations employs about 60 Clown Doctors who visit 23 Australian Hospitals.

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www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

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climbing the ladder of learning •฀Free฀irst฀trial฀class฀for฀new฀families •฀From฀8฀week฀old฀babies฀to ฀ pre-schoolers •฀45฀min฀weekly฀classes฀promoting฀and ฀ enhancing฀natural฀development •฀Internationally฀accredited,฀unique ฀ Australian฀program •฀Professional฀and฀experienced฀staff •฀Wide฀range฀of฀age฀appropriate฀activities •฀Different฀theme฀every฀term •฀Spacious฀venue฀with฀heating/cooling ฀ and฀off฀street฀parking Contact us: 0416 224 530 Email: geelong@gymbaroo.com.au Web: gymbaroogeelong.com.au Facebook: Gymbaroo Geelong SPRING 2016 5

Aw e s o m e id e as fo r o u td o o r

playtime DEALING with families and kids comes naturally to business owners Melody and Steve at Playgrounds Geelong Just Awesome.

The pair previously managed family caravan parks for over three years and now have children at Mathew Flinders Girls Secondary College in Geelong.

Melody and Steve travelled around Australia for the last 10 years, returning to Geelong earlier this year.

The Highton-based duo say their main sellers at Just Awesome are kids’ cubby houses.

“I have grandchildren, nieces and nephews who absolutely love coming here to our business. My nieces and nephews came all the way from New South Wales and spent the day here,” Melody laughs.

Playgrounds Geelong Just Awesome sells cubbies for special-needs children as well as quality wooden sheds, swings, swing frames, trampolines, play equipment accessories, early-learning equipment, timber kennels and more.

“A lady said to us her kids were having so much fun that she couldn’t get them to come inside the house for dinner.”

The garden games include chess, connect-four, Jenga, snakes and ladders, pick-up sticks and more.

Made from H4 Eco Wood, the cubbies are safe for kids and rot and termite-resistant, Melody explains.

Playgrounds Geelong Just Awesome is at 238 Pakington Street, Geelong West, phone 5222 4484.

Steve and Melody at Geelong Playgrounds Just Awesome.

WIN AN

awesome CUBBY

GEELONG Coast Kids and Playgrounds Geelong Just Awesome are giving away an original hand-painted cubby house to the value of $2025.

It will be an ideal addition to any family backyard, providing kids and friends with hours of outdoor fun.

To go into the draw to win this awesome prize, visit facebook.com/geelongcoastkids Entries close at noon on Friday 30 September.

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“People tell us they love their new kids’ cubbies,” Melody says.

“As well as giant garden games to hire for all ages and stages, our products are fun, good for the imagination and incentives to play outdoors”, Steve says.

6 SPRING 2016

www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

mums m eet at

Supatramp LOCAL super-mums who want to connect with other mums can now do so easily every Friday at Supatramp.

The indoor activity centre is delighted to announce its casual new Supa-Mums Mother’s Group, an idea that was overwhelmingly supported by local mums via Facebook.

Toys a n d s t u f f

for kids

KIDSTUFF has proudly opened in Geelong its first Victorian store outside metropolitan Melbourne.

Located on level one at Geelong Westfield, the large store boasts two toy soldiers, a large network of cogs across its broad ceiling and easy-to-navigate wide aisles bursting with toys to excite any child.

Kidstuff’s toys look a little different because they’re designed to inspire individuality and reward curiosity through the joy of play.

Customers will find in-store a wide range of classic favourite toys and board games, from beautiful doll houses and old-style racers to brand new ranges of Jimmy Jack Puzzles and the latest in scooters and accessories.

Kidstuff has been bringing a touch

“We had a lovely mum, Kate, who was new to the area come in and ask if we knew of any mother’s groups that

she could join, as she was wanting to meet some new mums after having moved to Torquay not too long ago,” says Supatramp general manager Mark Fountain.

“We asked our Facebook audience whether this was something that was needed and received a very clear yes as their response.

“Our business is about creating a fun environment for families, so if we can also create an environment where mums can network, connect and their kids have fun at the same time, why not?”

The Supa-Mums group is open to mothers with children of all ages.

Attendees will be rewarded with special deals and offers on the day.

Supatramp’s Mother’s Group meets from 11am on Fridays at Supatramp, 174 Torquay Road, Grovedale.

of wonder to Australian children for over 40 years. The original store has flourished to more than 50 locations but a strong commitment to selling the best toys and gifts for a brighter child remains the foundation of Kidstuff’s ethos.

With its educational roots, Kidstuff ensures all its toys, games and puzzles encourage the development of children’s minds, imagination and wellbeing.

Customers can be assured that shopping at Kidstuff is a great choice for their children.

Kidstuff prides itself on exceptional customer service. The Geelong team, headed up by store manager Kay, strives to find the best item for each individual, and offer complementary gift-wrapping for all purchases.

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SPRING 2016 7

angie's catch-up

Chelsea and Warwick with kids Luka, Elliott and Arielle. Picture: KURT SNEDDON

Blowing away the windy city.

Chelsea exudes sensuality in character for the stage.

Finding her

voice DO YOU ever feel the universe just plants people in your life for a reason?

I popped into the hairdressers one day for a social visit and was introduced to Chelsea Gibb who was having her hair done.

I’d heard of Chelsea as a big name from the music theatre world, but had never heard her sing. Anyway, we got chatting and pretty quickly realised we had loads in common: music, kids, a love of kooky-spooky stuff and an instant trust that makes you over-share within the first 10 minutes.

Chelsea was relatively new to town, so we started going for walks and catching up for cuppas. Fast-forward a couple of months and she’s putting on an intimate show called Blues to Broadway at the Piano Bar in Geelong – my first chance to see her sing.

Well let me tell you – I was blown away. This girl can sing!

I was a blubbering mess numerous times throughout her show. I had to check whether it was just hormones talking, so I went back to her second show the following week – same thing happened.

Chelsea doesn’t just sing, she becomes the song, heart and soul.

Massive talent aside, she’s also an adoring wife and mother who devotes that same level of passion to her family as she does to her music. www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

This might sound a bit creepy but I was watching your husband (Warwick Renton Gibb) watch you sing and there was just so much adoration in his eyes.

Was that how you made him fall for you in the first place? By serenading him?

Ha-ha. We met when l was auditioning for a new musical called Get Happy, which he was helping a friend produce. I walked into the audition room, and here was this stunning man in a three-piece suit that looked super professional.

I launched into singing my heartfelt ballad and he took a phone call half way through – had no idea it wasn’t the done thing. I went home that night and told my flat mate that l just met the man l was going to marry.

Two months later he proposed.

Warwick could be described as a strapping, distinguished looking gentleman. In fact, a good head for TV.

Aything you’d like to share?

I can see what you’re doing there, Angie, ha-ha-ha. He’s going to kill me … oh, what the heck!

Remember the 1980’s commercial D-D-D-Decore shampoo? Warwick was the spunky brunette guy. I had a massive crush on him when l was younger.

Chelsea with a co-star in the Kind and I. SPRING 2016 9

Chelsea Gibb out of character and as herself.

Can you introduce us to your babies and how would you describe them in three words?

my daughter do that – the world’s a very different place now.

Luka Alexander, 2, cheeky, joyous, daddy’s boy.

From there I came back and finished WAAPA. As we were leaving the course, I got an audition paper for the musical Chicago. After three months of gruelling auditions I was shocked more than anyone to be offered the role of Roxy Hart, which I played around the world for four years.

Were you one of the lucky ones in the birth lotto, where everything went to plan?

I was literally thrown in the deep end and had to grow up fast. I was performing eight shows a week.

My whole life revolved around the show.

Arielle Isabella, 11, generous, nurturing, aspirational.

Elliott Sebastian, 9, curious, loving, quiet achiever.

Ha-ha. Yes and no. Arielle was tough.

It was 34 hours and a few things went wrong.

She was born naturally, with the help of forceps, posterior with one hand on her head. It was a little traumatic.

Elliott was a dream birth. Sixteen hours, all natural and l found the whole experience the most empowering thing l’d ever done but, funnily enough, he also came out with one hand on his head.

Luka was probably the toughest.

I was in and out of false labour for two weeks before he came and the whole birth process lasted 48 hours. I ended up getting an epidural in the last hour.

It was quite scary as his chord was wrapped twice around his neck, so it was kind of a dramatic arrival. He’s a beautiful boy and such a joy and, you’ll never guess what, he too had one hand on his head coming out.

Tell us about your life before children in a nutshell - all the juicy bits!

I grew up in Ballarat with two older brothers. At 13, I went to boarding school because my parents bought a pub in Maldon, Victoria.

I didn’t enjoy boarding school at all, but I used my passion for singing to escape. My grandpa had a garage full of gramophones, which is where I learnt to lose myself in music.

After school I auditioned for WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) at 17. In my second year, I realised I needed to take time out to just live a bit, so I went to London, hitching rides with truck drivers through Spain, Italy and Edinborough. Such an amazing experience, but I’d never let 10 SPRING 2016

I think Nancy Hayes (Australian leading-lady royalty) explained it best: “When you play a character for a long time and then don’t get to become them anymore, it’s like losing your best friend”, so it took a good year after Chicago finished to get Roxy Hart out of my system.

Which was perfect timing as that’s when I met Warwick.

What inspired you to move to Geelong?

It was actually through awful circumstances to be honest. Warwick was involved in a horrific paragliding accident where he was thrust into the cliff face. His right foot came off and was hanging on by the skin and the other foot was completely shattered.

He clung to the cliff for dear life until they could save him. He was rushed to Geelong hospital for feet-saving surgery.

We were living in Melbourne at the time but my saving grace was that my best friend Natalie O’Donell and husband Simon Gleeson (both local actors) had just moved back to Geelong and basically supported me through it all by helping out with the kids.

Though horrific as it was, it introduced us to this beautiful town we now call home.

How did you feel giving up your career for motherhood?

Was the transition difficult?

I never felt I was giving it up, I really knew I wanted to experience another version of myself and have a complete rest from what I’d been doing for so long.

Kids are great levelers. When you’re younger your career means everything.

There’s not a lot of balance and you don’t realise that until you have kids.

Now if I don’t get chosen from an audition I just walk in my front door, see my three gorgeous children and the sting of rejection is just not there like it used to be.

What’s the best thing about motherhood?

Being a mum has really inspired me to want to be the best version of myself, most days. To be more creative, cook nutritious food and generally be a better provider to be able to afford them the opportunities to explore their passions.

I think my mother really inspired me in this department because if I ever wanted to try something new she would just take on extra work to afford it.

I feel like there are more colours and shades to my life that I’d never imagined. I love all their little questions that make you think about big things.

I think it surprised me just how big the love can be. You wouldn’t know that exists before you have a child.

What do you think the hardest thing is about motherhood?

The juggle! I remember as a kid my mum would say go out and play and we’d just occupy ourselves. I think there’s so much more pressure now to get it all right: food, after-school activities, discipline. You end up overthinking everything.

Also, finding time for yourself and your marriage can become such a battle. Warwick and I try to make a ritual of watching a series together snuggled up on the couch.

I think it’s just life these days – all my girlfriends seem to be going through the same struggle for balance.

What’s the most important thing you want to teach your children to prepare them for life?

a strong voice in the world, to know right from wrong, to stand up for others, to be generous, kind and appreciative.

But most of all, to be proud of who they are.

Will you encourage your kids to get in to showbiz?

They’re both really keen on performing but education is really important to us (Warwick is a lawyer, pilot and writer). Elliot recently played Michael in Mary Poppins with Footlight and Arielle was in it too.

If they do head down the showbiz road, I’ll definitely be encouraging them to have a second source of income that they love just as much for the times when they’re out of work, as there are plenty of those.

What are your favourite things to do with the kids| in Geelong?

We love walking the dog along the waterfront in Geelong, and I love that we are so close to great beaches.

My favourite cafes are Winifrids corner store down at Eastern beach, Spot For Joe, King of the Castle and Moorabool Valley Chocolate café.

I also just discovered this gorgeous place in Fyansford called The Art Gallery café where people can get up and have a sing.

What’s next for Chelsea Gibb?

I have two shows in the pipeline, but the next big thing is Nine the Musical where I’ll be playing Serhigina (an Italian prostitute). It’s a one off big gala musical event where all proceeds are going to Think Pink breast cancer charity.

It’s particularly exciting for me because Elliott makes his professional debut on stage with Mum playing little Guido. It’s at the Melbourne Recital Centre on 31 October. Bookings can be made through melbournerecital. com.au.

Oh, so many things. I want to teach them to be comfortable in their own skin, to never seek approval, to have www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

The Renton Gibb kids have inherited their parents’ good looks.

Picture: KURT SNEDDON

Kids

aspire to be...

EVERY day has a different theme at Geelong’s National Wool Museum during its ‘Let’s Pretend…’ spring school holidays program.

Children can find out what it takes to become a pirate, a farm animal or an engineer.

They can participate in maskmaking, bridge-building, crafting like victorious Vikings, up-cycling, recycling and more.

The program is on 19 September, Let’s Be Pirates; 20 September, Let’s Be Engineers; 21 September, Let’s Be Hands; 22 September, Let’s Rock; 23 September, Let’s Be Farm Animals; 26 September, Let’s Be Vikings; 27 September, Let’s Be Engineers; 28 September, Let’s Be Monsters; 29 September, Let’s Be Divers.

The wool museum will also host grand final eve activities on 30 September.

Admission fees and conditions apply. Special programs have additional fees.

The National Wool Museum is at 26 Moorabool Street, Geelong. More information is available at nwm.vic.gov. au or by phoning 5272 4701 or emailing nwminfo@geelongcity. vic.gov.au.

Kids can get into all sorts of characters at the National Wool Museum during school holidays.

kids on the run for hospital RUN Geelong is back bigger and better, with lots more activities for 2016 on Sunday 20 November.

“It is a great community event for all ages to be involved in” Run Champion coordinator Stacey Ciah explains.

A fundraiser for Geelong kids in need, the event will include a free family festival with lots of free entertainment, a circus tent full of free rides and activities, jumping castles, face painting and rides. Food trucks will offer a variety of delicious treats.

Run Australia is a Cotton On Group initiative to improve children’s health care in regional Australia.

“Everything about the event is for the benefit of kids in Geelong and their families” Stacey explains.

comprises a 12km, 6km and 3km runs, a 6km family walk, and a 1km kids’ run offering each child a medal to reward their efforts.

“Plus the more kids that register under an official school team, the more sporting vouchers their school can get too.”

“For us it’s about children enjoying their selves, participating, and understanding that their involvemen is really meaningful and for a good cause,” Stacey says.

This year’s event will include a new 3km run as “a great way for older kids to get involved and run with their friends,” Stacey says.

“Even after the run people can stay and enjoy all what is going on at the event. It’s about giving back to the community.”

Everyone who enters receives a free Run Geelong T-shirt.

The day’s entertainment will also include a performance from an Australian superstar singer, Stacey says.

Starting at Oval 1, Eastern Circuit Drive, Eastern Gardens, the event

Mia, 6, and Ava, 7, gear up for Run Geelong.

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One-hundred per cent of registration

fees go to the refurbishment of University Hospital Geelong’s Maternity Ward.

www.sunbearfestival.com facebook.com/sunbearfestival sunbearchildrensfestival.eventbrite.com.au www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

SPRING 2016 13

Music’s

' language of emotion '

By LAINIE CONNORS, One World For Children MUSIC is a language that crosses all borders of nationality, race and culture.

A soulful melody can arouse feelings of happiness, love and sadness, expressing emotions more eloquently than words ever can, so it’s easy to understand why it is often described as the language of emotion.

As parents we instinctively use music from birth, singing soothing songs to help calm our children, to express love and joy, and to engage and interact.

By learning how music can impact child development, improve social skills and benefit children of all ages, we can build on these natural instincts.

Singing, movement activities, playing percussion instruments, dances and dramatic play activities mean that children learn and develop a range of skills for their whole development.

Exposure to carefully planned music may also assist children to cope with sound sensitivities.

Music activities can incorporate opportunities for safe movement experiences and support cognitive skills, such as memory, sequencing, body awareness and understanding concepts.

Music and its relationship to mental and social development has long captured the attention of parents, researchers, even philosophers. Science has shown that music’s effect on the brain is particularly strong, with studies demonstrating an improvement in IQ among students who receive music lessons.

While book reading is absolutely important and is associated with positive outcomes for children, music contributes additional value. Regular informal music-making with very young children may even have benefits above and beyond those of reading, since music contributes to children’s prosocial skills.

The true power of musical play lies in the unique blend of creativity, sound and face-to-face interaction; the learning is strengthened by its basis in

Intrigued kids learn about the language of music at One World for Children. a positive, empathic emotional relationship. Simple and fun musical activities can have enormous power in developing numeracy and literacy: try improvising a counting song, or making up new rhymes to familiar tunes.

Being playful with sound is something we’re all born with – indeed, toddlers are humanity’s greatest virtuosos in that regard – yet too many are silenced over the years by the “better seen than heard” brigade.

Music is fun and engaging. The very young and old, the skilled and

unskilled, can participate together in ways that not many other activities allow - from active listening through to performing. Music addresses power and skill imbalances by allowing children to lead, and adults to follow.

Even the toddler who is not yet ready to sit still for more than two pages of a book, can engage in active musical play.

Dancing or doing action songs together often means face-to-face interaction that we don’t tend to get in shared book reading where joint attention is on the print.

With more and more of our eye contact time going to screens of some kind, perhaps this opportunity for human face-to-face time that comes with joint action songs, singing, and dancing, is crucial to the processes linking music with prosocial development in particular.

One World for Children supports children’s development and encourages the natural affinity children have with music through a daily music program facilitated by The Musical Garden’s Liz Kearney.

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www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

SPRING 2016 15

Out of the

OBSERVING their babies’ joy from playing with a simple cardboard box conjured a successful business idea for Geelong mums Emy Kennedy and Lucy Rees.

“We knew we could make not just little ones happy but an entire family happy,” Emy explains.

Knowing that kids love to play, enjoy their own space at times, like to hide and close doors fuelled the mums’ naturally creative vision in designing children’s play houses.

Their cubbies are made entirely from cardboard, making them recyclable and bio-degradable. Designed and manufactured in Australia with local paper, they offer a hands-on, creative learning experience for children.

The business, Emy Meets Lulu, was born in June 2016, when Grovedale’s Emy and Belmont’s Lucy were on maternity leave together awaiting sons Slater and Lewis.

Two best friends have made a novel business out of cardboard boxes. ELISSA FRIDAY finds out what’s inside.

Emy and Slater Kennedy with Lucy and Lewis Reece with the mums’ cardboard cubbies.

Picture: SAMIN TODD

The mums’ flat-pack designs include a playhouse with a built-in mail box and peekaboo holes, a mysterious medieval-style castle and an enchanting modern tepee.

While fabric tepees are common in nurseries and playrooms, Emy says the cardboard version has more uses, like drawing on or adding stickers.

The flat-pack aspect was key to the development of the product range, she explains.

“As mums, we know the importance of being able to put toys and things away.

“The beauty of working with Lucy is that we are both very visual, we can make an idea come to life, so we sat down, talked about it and soon came up with three ideas to work on.”

Soon after they approached cardboard companies so they could begin the production process.

Knowing that clients would want to add their own creative touch to the cubbies, Emy and Lucy also sell complementary stickers to adorn their products.

With growing interest and demand, the pair are considering expansion opportunities, Emy says.

After first meeting at university, Emy and Lucy now also teach product design together at Torquay’s Surf Coast Secondary College.

The job is an opportunity to share their skills in creating and making things, using materials such as wood, textiles, food and plastics, Emy says.

But business and babies come first, with the pair hoping their sons grow up to be great friends, just like their mums.

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Melissa McCullough shares her creative craft ideas with Geelong Coast Kids

pantry fun

• A variety o f dried pantry items (we us peas, cof fee ed le beans and ric e but you cou ntils, split beans or pas ld add any ta • PVC glue • Thick pape r of a a piece of car piece of paper glued o nto dboard • Pencil to d raw the outli ne of your p (or print out a icture … colouring in page)

• Draw an ou tline of a pic ture onto yo • Paint glue ur page. onto a smal l s ection at a ti with pantry me and fill i items. n • Some area s required pl acing one dr time while o ied piece at a thers we wer

e able to sco amount, spr op on a larg ead around e and shake o ff the excess .

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18 SPRING 2016

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Make r e t t bu

■ Fill your jar half wa y with cream ■ Tighten the lid we ll

@ ome

Shake

■ Stage 1 - The cream

will start to thicken up

Keep shaking

■ Stage 2 – About fiv e minutes in we have whipped cream

Shake more

h

■ Stage 3 - After ab out two more minutes the buttermilk starts to sep arate from the butte r

Shake more

•glass jar with lid •thickened cream

■ Stage 4 – In anoth er one or two minutes or so, the butter becomes a solid mass.

■ Pour off the butte rmilk and reserve ■ Get the butter ou t of the jar and give it a good rinse under cold wa ter while mushing it around to expel the last of the buttermilk ■ Now make batch of pancakes using the buttermilk you saved .

■ Slather those panc akes with your home made butter and maple syr up.

YUM!

■ Add a dash of sal t to butter if desired ■ Store in an airtight container in fridge for up to three days

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SPRING 2016 19

Jay g iv e s

jungle

a rumble

HE’S BEEN on television favourite’s Playschool and Jay’s Jungle and in musicals such as Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked and Star Wars and, was recently on stage in Geelong! Jay Laga’aia starred in Jay’s Jungle Live in Concert on 7 September thanks to Playgroup Victoria and PV Events. The actor, children’s entertainer and Playgroup Ambassador took some time out of his busy schedule to answer some questions ahead of the show.

Q: What role does music play in your life?

A: Music is my identity. I communicate through sonic statements and I am never far from a musical instrument.

Q: What are some of your career highlights?

A: Some of my career highlights include, being a lead in Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), lead in Disney’s The Lion King, The Wizard in the musical Wicked, Star Wars. Most recently co-creating my new children’s show called Jays Jungle and most recently guesting on a show aimed at the hearing impaired called Sally and Possum. By far one of my most satisfying career highlights has to be working on Playschool for the past 16 years.

Q: What is the most rewarding part about performing live to children?

A: Some of the most rewarding aspects to being a children’s entertainer is never being a stranger to an Australian child.

They all know you. Also having people approach you with stories of how their sick child loves my music etc. That’s what you don’t get in the mainstream performances.

Q: You are a father of eight children – what is your favourite part about being a dad?

A. The best part of being a dad is seeing how your encouragement can benefit your children and also realising that it’s not about you. My job is to give my kids the life skills to enable them to survive in this world once I’m gone.

Q: What has been your favourite adventure in your life?

A: Creating and producing my first TV show. Jays Jungle is a labour of love.

Created from a simple comment from another producer friend of mine.

Monica O’Brien and I worked on another children’s show called Larry the Lawnmower and she brought her daughter, Grace, along to one of my concerts. After the show we were talking and she said ‘you should turn this into a show’. With Monica’s help, that idea became a reality and we are now looking at preproduction for the third series of Jays Jungle.

Q: Who is your role model?

A: My role model is my wife, Sandie.

She is a full time teacher (maths and English), She coaches netball and attends every production that my children are in. She drives kids to soccer (four kids), swimming (two kids), netball (four kids including gala days in different cities), rugby league (one kid) and then there are the musical 20 SPRING 2016

Jay’s Jungle Live in Concert was in Geelong on 7 September. performances that at least four of my kids are involved in. She is also my devil’s advocate and with all of this, she still has time in her day to tell me what I haven’t cleaned in the house!

Q: How much preparation goes into making a TV series?

A: The preparation for a Jays Jungle TV shoot is huge and starts months before the first camera is switched on. There are 65 x 30 minute scripts to be written and my music producer Mark Walmsley and I also sit down to write any addition new music for the third series. Our art department will start making props as soon as the scripts are finished with enough lead time before we even begin

to shoot and then we cast our Jungle Crew kids for some of the newer segments and so as you see there is a lot of work to do.

Q: What makes the Jungle Crew so wonderful?

A: The Jungle Crew are so important because kids love seeing kids. Having the Jungle Crew being able to help build props and dance and play really makes the island come alive and enables us to get our message across in play and dance.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/ 907180316078435/. www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

' ki d s

parties IF YOUR child loves chocolate, dreams of chocolate and would do anything to get it, then we have the answer to those cravings!

Freckleberry chocolate parties are fast becoming a hit amongst Geelong kids and are the most fun and exciting new concept in birthday parties since parties at McDonalds in the 80’s!

Kids get to play fun, old-fashioned games, design their own chocolate artwork and the birthday child can even smash their own chocolate lolly piñata!

Freckleberry chocolate parties are great value and easy to organise.

They run for one hour, cost $15 per child (maximum of 10) and a much better alternative to having a party at home.

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SPRING 2016 21

W el co m e to th e WAURN Ponds Shopping Centre has unveiled its long-awaited indoor Kids Play Jungle Gym, opposite Muffin Break.

jungle

panels, Ottoman seating for parents, room for prams and even a life-size gorilla.

Ideal for children up to 10 years, the jungle-themed play area provides the perfect space to monkey around.

To help celebrate the Kids Play Jungle Gym opening, Muffin Break Waurn Ponds is providing a free mini muffin with any small coffee purchased.

The gym has a large, modular play pod featuring foam rollers and slide, interactive wall-mounted gadget

The offer is exclusive to Muffin Break Waurn Ponds and valid until 30 September 2016.

Creative with

blankets and bibs

By ELISSA FRIDAY AFTER making her first baby blanket and bib set nearly two years ago, Torquay’s Michele Ann has now produced around 90 of her all-cotton creations at a rate of an hour and a half each.

What takes the longest and what ' s the hardest, is deciding on the colours and patterns, to make sure only one to two are ever the same ...

“What takes the longest and what’s the hardest, is deciding on the colours and patterns, to make sure only one to two are ever the same,” Michele explains.

Michele began making blankets for her five grown-up children, who would sometimes give them to friends as gifts.

But earlier this year she decided to make her hobby into a business, Michy Ann. Now Michele is a member of Geelong Creatives, which showcases local creative talent in a studio at 47 Gheringhap St, Geelong.

Volunteering one day a week, Michele says the studio and its website help members exhibit their work.

Michele developed Michy Ann as something to do following her retirement at the end of last year.

She had little knowledge of online marketing but through Geelong Creatives she has “learnt a lot and it’s opened up a whole new world”.

“There are so many clever people in the community doing amazing things and now the public are aware we’re here”, she says.

“I’d like to see everyone on the beach with my blankets on their pushers.”

Play day is a

getaway My toddler and I attend a local playgroup once a week and I don’t know what I would do wIthout It.

Bibs and blankets by Michy Ann.

By JADE GLEN

attended about 1500 registered playgroups across the state.

IT’S a chance for my little one to play with some new toys and for us to get out of the house and interact with other local parents and children.

“Parents benefit significantly through their participation and involvement in playgroup, particularly in building social and community connections,” he said.

It’s a social outlet for both of us – I can have a coffee and exchange stories from the trenches with other mums, while my daughter can socialise with kids her age.

Through the playgroup we have learnt new songs, tried out new activities and my daughter has been able to try her tiny hand at some more messy craft activities that I probably would never have thought to set up at home.

With each weekly session costing just a few gold coins and a piece of fruit, I think it is worth its weight in gold.

And, according to Playgroups Victoria, attending a regular playgroup has long-term benefits for children and parents.

A 2016 Telethon Kids Institute study found that children who attend playgroups prior to school are half as likely to have developmental vulnerabilities when they start primary school.

Playgroup Victoria CEO Danny Schwarz said more than 30,000 families

www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

“This strengthens the integration of communities’ early years services, enabling a smooth transition along the continuum from first-time parent groups to playgroup, kinder and school.”

Mr Schwarz said every playgroup was unique with activities ranging from storytime, singing, craft, drawing, active play, sensory play, music and dancing.

To find a nearby playgroup visit www.playgroup.org.au/ findaplaygroup and enter a suburb or postcode.

Playgroup Victoria recommends that parents and their children try out two or three groups before deciding which playgroup is best.

If there are no relevant playgroups in the area parents can start their own.

All they need are a few interested families, a place to meet, and some toys and equipment.

For more information and assistance starting and letting other people know about a new playgroup, call Playgroup Victoria on 1800 171 882.

SPRING 2016 25

wrapped

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in

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An Australian company, ergoPouch is renowned for its range of fashion forward, high quality baby swaddles, sleeping bags and sleep suits.

They also recently developed a new cosy sleep suit for feeding mums and were given the thumbs up from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) which praised ergoPouch’s commitment to developing products that consider the importance of healthy hip development during infancy.

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Swimming gift for life

By DEBBIE GILL, Geelong Aquatic Centre CHILDREN are our most precious resource, but every year in Australia we have a number of young children unnecessarily drowning or left with permanent brain damage through near drowning incidents.

part in learn-to-swim lessons are developmentally at least 10 months ahead of their peers. They have a decided advantage over one who is either afraid of, or has no experience in water, other than the bath tub.

No-one should die from drowning.

It is hard to imagine the impact and grief of losing a loved one, knowing that good layers of protection are readily available.

The initial reaction to an unfamiliar situation or unexpected entry into the water is panic. A baby or young child who has taken part in an early aquatic program will be more likely to rise to the surface and turn automatically on their back, floating happily, or turn to grasp the edge.

Swimming lessons from an early age provide parents and young children with the avenue to learn to respect the water and be constantly reminded about setting up layers of protection to avoid these incidents.

Young children who are happy and confident in the water will always be able to think themselves out of difficult situations and will be in a position to most quickly, safely and enjoyably, learn to swim.

Ensuring barriers such as proper fencing and gates are in place and well serviced, learning resuscitation and having infants and children taught to swim to safety in a quality, on-going program with qualified and experienced teachers, setting nonnegotiable safety rules around the house and aquatic environment and enforcing them consistently.

Early aquatics for babies and toddlers is valuable, not just for water safety, but also as a part of a child’s total development, particularly their perceptual and motor development and spatial awareness.

It is essential to keep your eyes – not just your ears -on young children and toddlers at all times around water, as they can drown in the smallest amount, without a sound.

Studies at the Griffith University in Queensland have shown that infants and young children who have taken

Infant aquatic lessons provide an opportunity to develop your child socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically in a safe, structured, multisensory environment. Your child will be able to creatively explore and practise skills safely while developing self-confidence and self-esteem.

Geelong Aquatic Centre offers the ideal environment for babies from four months through to adult swimmers to learn to swim.

Family fun at Drysdale

Learning to swim at Geelong Aquatic Centre.

The centre is warm and all pools are heated and salt chlorinated. Children are comfortable both in and out of the water, particularly important for babies and young children who lose body heat rapidly.

Staff at the centre are passionate about what they teach and dedicated to the children in their care. They teach them with love, care and enthusiasm and are kept up to date with professional development through conferences, in-services and speakers.

Geelong Aquatic Centre firmly believes in its motto: Swimming Lessons, A Gift for Life.

Ring the centre on 5222 5530, visit geelongaquaticcentre.com.au or attend the centre to watch a class.

THE Bellarine Peninsula’s biggest family fun day returns to Drysdale’s Potato Shed on Sunday 23 October.

The free event will have activities appealing to families with children of all ages, including an animal farm, jumping castles, bungee run, face-painting, live performances and interactive music sessions.

Outdoor and indoor stages, a dedicated sports zone, a skate park and plenty of food vans will operate throughout the day.

Children will be entertained for hours when The Mik Maks, The Gems, the Mini Maestros with Bumblebee and Just Brass Youth Band perform on-stage.

New items on the program this year include pony rides, Urban Upcyle and an art and craft room for children to contribute to a fun day mural, while even a local ukulele group will join in the fun.

In 2015 the day attracted 8000 participants and this year organisers anticipate more people attending and enjoying the experience as a wonderful way to kick off Children’s Week on the Bellarine Peninsula.

Gates open 11am, with entry via 41 Peninsula Drive, Drysdale.

On-site parking will be available.

More information is available by phoning 5251 1998 or visiting geelongaustralia.com.au/ potatoshed.

Geelong Aquatic Centre Family Owned & Operated

FREE Swimming Lessons for Kids Under Five during Learn to Swim Week 26 chilFact: d five droren under wned in A backy ustralian ards la s Source t y ear.

Natio : Royal Life nal dro

S wning aving report

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Learn to Swim Week 26 Sept to 29 Sept 2016 For further information please ring the centre

3 Bridge Street, Newtown Ph: (03) 5222 5530 admin@geelongaquaticcentre.com.au www.geelongaquaticcentre.com.au 12320284-CG35-16

www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

1237034-CB34-16

SPRING 2016 27

s r e w s an d ir e c t f r o m

, r e k a M the hi mself

He’s crafty, energetic and a huge hit with kids and parents alike.

Mister Maker toured Australia in July with a show packed full of arty adventures, fun new super songs, a fabulous supporting cast and, of course, The Shapes! Phil Gallagher, better known as the one and only Mister Maker, took time out from his busy schedule to answer some questions from Geelong Coast Kids reporter LIA SPENCER.

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Q: You started your career as a presenter and sports reporter on BBC Radio Kent. What attracted you to the role of Mister Maker?

A: It sounds a cliche, but being Mister Maker is my dream job. I always wanted to be a children’s television presenter – from an early age – and to be one now on a show that encourages fun and creativity, is a dream come true.

Q: Are there any similarities between your sports reporting role and Mister Maker?

A: Certainly now with the live Mister Maker theatre

show. It is a fast moving, live show where anything can happen and I have to be on my toes to react to that.

Plus it is lovely to interview our guests live on stage.

Q: Have you always been an artistic or creative person?

A: I have always loved making things and being creative. I think making arts and crafts is a great way to generate confidence in people of all ages ... and that confidence and fulfillment can enrich other aspects of our lives too.

Q: What is it you enjoy most about your work?

A: Being able to travel the world and bring our live show to children and grown-ups everywhere is an honour and a privilege. I hope everyone in Melbourne enjoys the show and that they are inspired to go home to sing, dance and make things.

Q: How do you prepare for your role before each episode?

A: I am always preparing for my next program or live show. My house is covered in glitter, sticky tape and googly eyes ... but I don’t mind, because arts and craft has become my life. Being Mister Maker is a fantastic job because when I’m not touring, I put my producer hat on and work on our next show, song or arty creation.

Q: You have had many roles in various productions – Playhouse Disney, Bear Behaving Badly, Grandpa in my Pocket, to name a few. Other than your role as Mister Maker, which has been your favourite production to be involved in and why?

A: Back in the late ’90s, I got my first job as a runner on a daily live Disney TV show and it was this production ... and job ... that I credit with starting my career

in children’s television. I will be forever grateful for that opportunity and all the opportunities since.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t working?

A: I am away from home a lot, so seeing my family is important to me.

I go walking with my Dad ... or have a cup of tea with Mum. I love watching football and cricket but don’t get much time to do it these days. My local soccer team from the UK is Gillingham (in English League One) and I try to watch as many games as I can, home and away.

Fast Facts: Full name: Philip Gallagher.

Age: 39.

Height: 6ft.

Pets: None.

Favourite Food: Mum’s roast dinner.

Least Favourite Food: Anything with too much garlic.

Favourite Band: I have two! A-ha and Pet Shop Boys.

Favourite holiday destination: New York.

Favourite television show: Friends.

Favourite movie: Back to the Future.

Five people you would invite to a dinner party? David Schwimmer, John Boyega, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Steve Martin ... and R2D2.

Life Motto: Never give up.

SURF COAST

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|

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www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

SPRING 2016 29

t n a f n i e k T i m e t o ta

d i a t s fir ly serious

By JADE GLEN A CHILD’S first injury is a milestone that most parents would rather avoid – but a few scrapes, bruises, stitches or broken bones are an almost inevitable part of growing up.

Recently my almost two-year-old daughter took her first tumble off the side of the couch, landing headfirst on tiles and coming up with a gigantic egg on her forehead.

It was her first real injury and I didn’t know what to do. I panicked. Was I meant to ice it, leave it alone, keep her awake, or take her to hospital? I had no idea. I had completed a first aid course a few years ago but it was a general course and not related to childhood injuries.

The hardest thing to do in an emergency is to stay calm - but if you have the knowledge stored in your brain it is unbelievable how quickly you spring to action and know what to do in that emergency . . .

Elise Phillips from React First Aid says that staying calm when their child is injured can be the hardest part for parents.

“The hardest thing to do in an emergency is to stay calm – but if you have the knowledge stored in your brain it is unbelievable how quickly you spring to action and know what to do in that emergency,” she said.

A critical care trained nurse and mother-of-two, Elise said she has seen it all.

“Head injuries can be a bit frightening – as an emergency nurse and a mother I see these all the time.

“I always say if your child cries straight away it is a good sign; it’s when they don’t cry and go all pale and floppy that you should start to worry.

“One thing that has changed is that you no longer have to keep your child www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

that has bumped their head awake like you use to – the rule of thumb is if they were due for a nap at that time let them sleep and just keep an eye on them.”

Part of Elise’s role as a senior nurse was to train and assess other staff members in their basic and advanced life support skills.

“In doing this I found I had a real passion for teaching people CPR. I would always be telling my family and friends outside of work how important CPR and first aid training was.”

This year, while on maternity leave, Elise turned her passion in to her work by launching her business React First Aid which delivers nationally recognised first aid training catered to parents, teachers, carers and grandparents.

“It’s amazing how first aid changes over the years.

“All information is based upon the Australian Resuscitation Council Guidelines and they do update their guidelines often.”

While her courses cover a range of topics, Elise believes the most important this is learning how to correctly perform CPR. “A lot of parents wouldn’t even think that they would have to use it on a child but in children you may need to use CPR because of an irregular heart rhythm, a respiratory arrest from chocking or asthma, drowning, poisoning, SIDS or trauma,” she said.

After my daughter’s couch-diving incident I was horrified by the egg rapidly growing on her forehead, and called triple zero.

I spoke to a lovely paramedic who reassured me that an ambulance was not required and I just needed to keep a close eye on her over the next few hours and head to hospital if anything changed.

Her head grew some interesting shades of purple over the next few weeks and she even got a black eye to boot but, thankfully, there were no lasting effects.

Needless to say I have checked and double checked that our ambulance cover is up to date and will be brushing up on my first aid skills as soon as possible.

For more information on React First Aid visit www.reactfirstaid.com.au.

What to do i f a baby or chi ld is ch oking ELISE said that choking is a common concern for parents.

She offered the following advice based on the latest Australia Resuscitation Council guidelines.

■ If they are coughing, encourage them to cough up the obstruction.

■ Deliver five back blows, a hard, sharp, upward blow in-between the shoulder blades, one blow at a time.

■ If the back blows don’t work, deliver five chest thrusts, similar to a compression but with one hand and a bit sharper. One thrust at a time.

■ Alternate between the back blows and chest thrusts until the object is coughed up or until the child becomes unconscious and then CPR will need to be applied.

SPRING 2016 31

Make-believe with

Central Geelong CHILDREN’S imaginations will run wild with a make-believe theme for Central Geelong’s Kids Fun Program during the spring school holidays.

The program runs from 17 September to 2 October, with over 100 imaginative play and creative activities for children and teens aged three to 16.

Free activities include: ■ Polygot Theatre’s Boats, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, Friday 23 September, at Customs Park, Eastern Beach Road, next to Sailors Rest. Bookings are not required for this adventurous play-space for children aged 3-12 to navigate urban seascapes in colourful vessels. More details at centralgeelong.com.au/events/ central-geelong-kids-fun-programpresents-polygot-theatres-boats ■ The Princess Bride (PG), 10am, Wednesday 21 September, at Courthouse Youth Arts Theatre, level one, corner Gheringhap and Little Malop streets. Bookings are required at centralgeelong.com.au/ events/4834. Tickets limited to six per group, with adults required to book.

The movie, suitable for ages eightplus, features princesses, pirates, fencing, fighting, revenge, giants,

monsters, chases, escapes and true love.

■ Play Pretend - A Fairytale Adventure, 10am, Monday 26 September, at Geelong Performing Arts Centre foyer, 50 Little Malop Street. Bookings via centralgeelong.com.au/ events/4845. Kids aged three to eight can dress up as favourite cartoon or fairytale characters for a magical adventure in a faraway land.

■ Minecraft - Come and Try, 11am1pm, Thursday 22 September, for ages 5 to 8; and 11am-1pm, Thursday 29 September, for ages 9 to 12 at Guf Internet and Games, 28 Malop Street, Geelong. Bookings via centralgeelong.com.au/events/ minecraft-come-and-try. Gamers can build a house, tame a pet, explore undiscovered regions and more.

All these activities and many more are listed in the spring Central Geelong Kids Fun Guide, available to download at centralgeelong.com.au/schoolholiday. Copies are available at participating businesses, council customer service centres, visitor information centres or by phoning 5272 4297 or emailing centralgeelong@ geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Explore the world through our eyes at an

Our new ideas and perspectives are an exciting way to shape the future.

Find out more at www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au or phone 5226 3156

Open Day Wednesday 19 October 2016 (Geelong Cup Day)

SHAPING THE FUTURE 12321301-KC36-16

www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

SPRING 2016 33

Night moves in check

Ask Dr Cody Dear Dr Cody, We have a battle getting our sevenyear-old son to bed each night.

He rarely stays in his own bed. He gravitates to our bedroom at some point most nights, and this is impacting upon our sleep and our ’parent-time’.

Emily, Hamlyn Heights Dear Emily, Start by ensuring your son’s room has the right conditions for a sleep friendly environment and is a relaxing, distraction-free place.

Make sure your son doesn’t do any stimulating activities in the hour before bed. Definitely no screens or energetic games.

A consistent and calming bedtime routine each night is important. It helps children to unwind and start to prepare their bodies for sleep.

Have the same bedtime routine each night - for example, bath, brush teeth, story time, kiss goodnight, lights out. Ensure a regular, set bedtime, such as 8pm every night.

Try using a ’worry box’. This technique encourages children to express and let go of their worries by discussing them with you and writing them down.

After writing them down, have your son place his worries in the box, close the lid, and then lock it away.

Use a relaxation technique, such as playing calming music, a quick massage, or by having your son listen to a meditation.

If he’s afraid of the dark a nightlight may help.

When he gets up, rather than agreeing to let him sleep in your bed give him an item of yours or a special teddy to take back to his bed with him. Return him back to his bedroom immediately, while remaining quiet and calm and giving him the least amount of attention possible - no eye contact, no talking, and no reprimands.

For some children you will need to do this repeatedly. This will test your patience! If your child calls out, try to ignore his calls no matter how loud they get.

If you respond to his protests, he will be more likely to display the same behaviour the next night.

Ensure you make a point of praising your child for any positive efforts the next morning. Reward charts can be helpful for this.

Good luck Emily - I’m sure you’ll appreciate getting a few extra Zs each night. * Dr Cody Potter is a clinical psychologist with Chris Mackey and Associates Psychology Services

FREE E-PAPER Get the Geelong Indy in your email inbox each week – see every page Go o to geelongindy.com.au and click on Subscribe

34 SPRING 2016

12321059-HM35-16

SUBSCRIPTIONS www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

M ot h e r k n ows

t s a e r b GEELONG mums and their babies have gathered in the city to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. Western Heights Uniting Church hosted the gathering before the mums and kids reunited again days later for a family picnic at central Geelong’s Johnstone Park. Australian Breastfeeding Association’s Geelong group leader, Kate Heffer, used the week in August to invite other mums to join in for the group’s various events and activities.

Serena and

Sola McCartn

ey.

Belinda and Murphy Chambers with Kate and Asher Heffer.

Pati Seiler and Vivien

Bainbridge.

Hunter Bour ke Maya Siana and Micheli.

Ruby an

d Liz Atc

hison.

.

Emily and Sophie Greenwood

Naomi and Hunter Bour ke.

Marsha Janetzki and Micah.

Pictures: LOUISA JONES www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

SPRING 2016 35

s d i k g Ke e p i n

d e n i a t r e t n e Nick’s Fabulous Footy Cards Jason Silverstein (Aka Greg Fish) (Hip And Shoulder Books)

The Legend Series Against the Spin – Michael Pankridge (Ford St Publishing) It’s official, Mitchell Grady is a legend.

A Legend of the Surf. It’s time to let the ball games begin. Cricket is the next sport and there are plenty of good cricketers. To win you need to be strong in all areas. Or a bully. How do you compete against that? Who will be this year’s Cricket Legend?

36 SPRING 2016

Nick, like many a young boy loves his footy.

But tragedy strikes. In a game against the Angry Ants, Nick breaks his ankle. After recovering from his injured ankle, Nick finds that he has lost his self-confidence and is not playing as well as he did. From Uncle Matthew, he obtains a new pack of footy cards, which he leaves beside his bed.

During the night he awakens to the sound and movement of tiny footballers training on his doona. The team he follows, the Hammers, are all there, and week by week, they instruct him in new and intelligent ways to play the game. Nick’s Fabulous Footy Cards is an engaging and entertaining read for any young footy fan. It is sure to get even the most reluctant of reader – reading. www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

The Girl On The Train Paula Hawkins <http://www. randomhouse.com.au/authors/paulahawkins.aspx> (Penguin Random House Australia)

Valdur the Viking and the Ghostly Goths

Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed.

Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar. Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train …

Craig Cormick (Ford St Publishing) This is a story about a young ghost Viking who is on a quest to find his ghost dad who was kidnapped by the ghost Goths. The journey takes him up the Arctic, along the way fighting off sea monsters a ghost Roman Galley and ghost merchants.

At its heart it is about a young boy trying to reunite with his dad and having to step up into his dad’s shoes to do it.

Blue Dog Football High

Louis de Bernieres (Randomhouse)

Patrick Loughlin (Randomhouse)

In this charming prequel to the muchloved Red Dog, Louis de Bernières tells the moving story of a young boy and his Granpa, and the charismatic and entertaining dog who so many readers hold close to their hearts. When a family tragedy means Mick is sent to the outback to live with his Granpa, it looks as if he has a lonely life ahead of him.

The cattle station is a tough place for a child, where nature is brutal and the men must work hard in the heat and dust. However, after a cyclone hits, things change for Mick. Exploring the flood waters, he finds a lost puppy covered in mud and half-drowned. Mick and his dog immediately become inseparable as they take on the adventures offered by their unusual home, and the business of growing up, together.

Twelve-year-old Nick dreams about football – and his dreams are big: state squad, Joeys, A-League, Socceroos ... and that’s just for starters. So when Nick wins a scholarship to the prestigious National School of Football, his dreams look set to come true. What Nick doesn’t realise is that he’s just another young gun in a place brimming with skilled footballers. Enter Bazzo, Lexi, Grace, Kristy and Kane. With schoolmates like these, Nick figures his time at the NSF will be unforgettable.

And when word gets out that Nick’s dad is none other than former Socceroo and Arsenal star Shane Young, Nick’s prediction comes true in the worst possible way. All eyes are on him.

One Handed Cooks Jessica Beaton; Allie Gaunt (Penguin Books) Giving your child the best possible start in life includes offering nutritious, varied food every day. This comprehensive book provides a wide range of simple, enticing recipes that deliver the nutrients growing children need, as well as plenty of practical advice to help you successfully navigate their journey with solid foods. Setting your child up with appositive relationship with food and healthy eating habits is a gift that will last them a lifetime.

Spark Adam Wallace (Ford St Publishing) I began as a tiny spark in the dry grass. All I wanted was a friend.

I found one in the wind, who helped me grow, who helped me fly! In the end, though, was the wind really my friend at all?

Split Second (Crown and Andrews)

Tri-Ominos (Crown and Andrews) The classic triangular domino game, that combines strategy, luck and exciting new challenges that the whole family will enjoy. Score points by matching numbers on the three sided playing tiles.

56 Plastic Tri-ominos tiles and rules. Ages 8 years and up.

www.geelongcoastkids.com.au

Split Second is the perfect game for all the family. With simple questions that young and old alike will know the answer to, the trick is not about how much you know, it’s about how quickly you can write the correct answer onto your paddle and flip it to the centre of the unit before any of your opponents. The quickest player with the correct answer wins each round.

All you have to do is win 10 rounds to be the ultimate Split Second champion.

Sounds easy? With all players trying to answer as quickly as possible, the difference between winning and losing really is a Split Second! Ages 8 years and up.

SPRING 2016 37

' kids

kalendar

17 SEPTEMBER - 2 OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER 22 - OCTOBER 2

29 SEPTEMBER

Central Geelong school holi day program

Waurn Ponds Shoppi ng Centre race course and more

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie at GPAC

Central Geelongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s make-believe-themed school holiday program features over 100 imaginative play and creative activities for children and teens aged 3 to 16.

Kids aged three plus can ride plush pump-action horses around the shopping centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s track from 10am to 2pm daily.

May Gibbsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; colourful Australian fairytale characters come to life on stage for two shows at midday and 2.30pm, with free activities afterward.

19-29 SEPTEMBER National Wool Museum school holiday program

Other activities at the centre include Kids Foodies Workshops daily from 11am to 2pm, 19-23 September, and a My Little Pony Activity Centre from 10am to 2pm every day from 26-30 September. Both activities will be available outside Kmart.

Free swimmi ng lessons for kids under

5

27-30 SEPTEMBER

Sun Bear Children ' s Festival Torquay

Potato Shed school holi day program

This event on World Animal Day will teach children about endangered local wildlife through nature-based activities, workshops and discussions.

Tickets cost $9 or $32 for a family at the door or by calling the Potato Shed, at 41 Peninsula Drive, Drysdale, on 5251 1998. More information is available at geelongaustralia.com.au/potatoshed

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is my toddler developing okay?â&#x20AC;?

Probably yes! But if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for some extra: language stimulation, dance break opportunities, time to focus just on your child, a way to meet other families and make new friends in Geelong, or ways to make learning easier for your child, you should come to Kindermusik!

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Bookings and inquiries are available by phoning 5258 2069 or emailing info@ bellarinerailway.com.au

23 OCTOBER

This big family day out features the Mik Maks as well as an animal farm, face-painting, pony rides, a sports zone, jumping castles, a skate park, and art and craft from 11am to 3pm.

Geelong Aquatic Centre will offer four days of free swimming lessons for children under five as part of Swim Safe Week.

Bookings are available by phoning 5222 5530.

Kids will love meeting their favourite characters from Thomas the Tank Engine in this great family day out on the Bellarine Railway.

Free Family Fun Day at the Potato Shed

2 OCTOBER

Drysdaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Potato Shed hosts Theatre 3triple2 performing its new original childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pantomime, Mollyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Magic!

homegrownmusic.com.au

Pi ck Your Own Vegetables at The Paddock, Leopold

Proudly presented by Encompass Community Services.

19-30 SEPTEMBER

The one-hour daily tours cost $12 adults and $10 children, with bookings available by phoning 5241 5700 or emailing nikayla@narana.com.au

Bellarine Railway ' s Day Out With Thomas

No entry charge applies although donations are accepted for the first-inbest-dressed, BYO-bag event at 21-29 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Halloran Road, Leopold (off Melaluka Road).

National Wool Museum is at 26 Moorabool Street, Geelong, phone 5272 4701.

Naranaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new guided cultural tours are opportunities to learn about the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest living culture with expert interpreters.

FRIDAYS IN OCTOBER

Families are invited to The Paddock from 10am to 2pm Fridays to pick their own fresh produce.

26-29 SEPTEMBER

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pretend features mask-making, bridge-building, crafting, upcycling, recycling and more.

Narana' s school holiday program

Tickets cost $20 each.

Participants are encouraged to dress in endangered-animal costumes or to make one on the day for an Endangered Wildlife Parade.

Entry is free for the festival, 11am to 3pm at Spring Creek Reserve.

More informationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available at sunbearfestival.com

More information is available by phoning the Potato Shed on 5251 1998 or visiting geelongaustralia.com.au/ potatoshed

24 NOVEMBER A Very Mik Mak Christmas Victorian Tour Geelongâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entertainers, the Mik Maks, will take their highly praised Christmas show on the road with new songs and classic carols as well as some of their own favourites.

More information is available at themikmaks.com.au/christmas-tour/

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More information and guides are available at centralgeelong.com.au/ school-holiday or by phoning 5272 4297.

8-9 OCTOBER

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