Yarra Ranges Kids Autumn 2018

OUT OF THE BOX:

fresh school lunches MAKING

dollars

make sense JOIN THE

circus AUTUMN 2018

A Star N News G Group Publication bl

THE

BULLIES

your life It’s

Speech therapy

at Noah’s Ark

SPEECH Therapy at Noah’s Ark is more than just helping children to say words.

We look at speech sounds, the way children use their words, the many ways they communicate using more than words, and we look at swallowing, stuttering and the social use of language among many other things.

Noah's Ark Key Workers can help your child achieve their goals.

We find out what is going well, and what’s not going so well, and we then teach you, your child, and the important people in your child’s life, ways to surround your child with everyday learning and therapy opportunities to allow your child to reach their potential.

We know that children need to be interested and motivated to learn, so we learn from you about your child, and design your child’s therapy to happen in fun and interactive ways.

Noah’s Ark provides the best therapy and education for your child with a disability or additional needs (aged 0-8) and we recognise that families play an important role in their children’s health and development.

We support more than 3000 children with disabilities and additional needs and their families throughout Victoria and the ACT. Our specialists, with professional backgrounds in speech pathology, occupational therapy, education, physiotherapy, psychology and social work, are known as Key Workers. They visit you in your home and can help build the skills and participation of your child and make sure that the important people in their lives have the information, resources and support they need to help their child learn, develop and reach their goals.

F ili and d carers can receive i Families our services and programs via: ■ Your home or chosen environment: ■ Primary school, Child Care,

h l b f / after ft school h l care; preschool, before ■ Your local Noah’s Ark branch; ■ Bursts of learning and therapy;

■ L k h Locall workshops; ■ Virtual visits.

For more information please call 1800 819 140.

A fatal distraction A new State Government campaign aims to warn parents about the risk of accidentally leaving their child in a car due to short term memory failure.

The Australian-first ‘Look before you Lock’ campaign is raising awareness about a phenomenon known as fatal distraction, which can affect any parent or carer experiencing extreme tiredness, stress or a change in routine.

Research shows short term memories can only hold six to eight items at a time, and added to stress and exhaustion, may cause parents to leave their child behind in a car, which can result in serious injury or death.

The Look Before You Lock campaign encourages mums, dads and carers to establish habits that minimise this risk and was developed in response to recommendations of the Victorian Coroner.

Minister for Early Childhood Education Jenny Mikakos launched the campaign alongside academic Associate Professor Matthew Mundy, who helped develop resources for the campaign.

2 AUTUMN 2018

“Memory lapse can lead to devastating consequences for parents and carers, where they genuinely believe they have taken their child out of the car or dropped them off when they haven’t,” Minister Mikakos said.

“The Look Before You Lock campaign is about preventing the tragic deaths of babies or children who are inadvertently left in cars.”

Associate Professor Matthew Mundy said fatal distraction could happen to anyone.

“Parents and carers can train themselves to always check the backseat before locking their cars - it needs to become second nature like putting on a seat belt.”

Fact sheets on short-term memory failure and advice on how parents and carers can minimise the risk of fatal distraction have been sent to Maternal and Child Health Services and kindergartens across Victoria.

For more information, visit education.vic.gov.au/looklock www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

about us . . .

Falling back into routine

CAN you believe we are already in autumn?

I can’t, and I also can’t believe that I am now one of those people that marvels at how fast the year is going, but I think when you have kids it really hits home how quickly the year races by.

Everyone is well and truly back at school, kinder and work now – I hope your kids settled in well, especially if they are starting prep or Year 7. My daughter started kinder for the first time, which was daunting enough for us and it is only one afternoon a week! But it has introduced me to a whole new world of packing lunchboxes, remembering drink bottles and hats, labelling everything, and receiving seemingly endless fliers about working bees and fundraisers and parent volunteers.

If you are already sick of the

lunchbox game and the kids are bored of ham and cheese sangas, let us introduce you George Georgievski dad-of-two and quite possibly Australia’s King of the Lunchbox. George has a huge instagram following where he posts his daughters’ (and sometimes his own) lunches daily. He shares his story and top lunchbox ideas on pages 4-5.

We’ve also got expert advice on teaching your children about money on page 7, with strategies covering every stage from toddlers to teenagers embarking on their first job.

If you have kids in long day care, family day care or out of school hours care, turn to page 13 to check out our breakdown of the new child care subsidy being introduced this year, and find out if you will have more money in your pocket.

parents across the country, we spoke to Kids Help Line about what parents can do to help protect their children online.

Kids Help Line is an amazing resource for kids - make sure every young person you know is aware they can contact Kids Help Line via phone or online at any time. Their qualified counsellors are available 24/7, 365 days a year - and it’s completely free. Their top tips for beating the bullies are on page 12.

We also have a stack of real-life reads and local events – autumn really is festival season in the Yarra Ranges, with something on every weekend! Check out our calendar on page 31 to see what’s on.

Make sure you like us on facebook. com/YarraRangesKids for the latest news and events as they happen. See you there!

After the untimely death of 14-yearold Amy ’Dolly’ Everett shocked

It’s Your Life

Health

Reality Bites

Speech therapy at Noah's Ark Page 2

Psycololgy not just childs' play Page 18

Born under the twinkling stars

Come play at The Speech Tree Page 18

Twins at the double

Oliver and Charlotte top the charts Page 6 Making dollars make sense Page 7 Circus fun at Ruccis Pages 8-9 Inspiring young minds Page 10 Top anti-bullying tips Page 12 They're here to help Page 12 Childcare shake-up Page 13

Tactics to tame toilet avoidance Page 19 Calls for more pre-natal tests Page 19

Education The screens that divide us Page 20 Nourishing the early years Page 21

Party Time Plan to make the party pop Page 22

Pages 24 -25

Yarra Ranges Kids 244 Maroondah Highway, Healesville, Vic 3777 Phone: 5957 3700 Fax: 5957 3777

Editorial Jade Glen jade.glen@starnewsgroup.com.au Phone: 5945 0666

Advertising Noami Gibson naomi.gibson@mailnewsgroup.com.au Phone: 5957 3708

Cover

Get cosy with new autumn fashion now instore at Billy Lidz Children's Boutique, Berwick.

Page 26 Third time's a charm Page 27 OUT OF THE BOX:

Games and Gadgets It's time to get a scootin' Pages 28-29

Books Garden inspires mum's second book Page 30

fresh school lunches MAKING

dollars

make sense JOIN THE

circus

Jay's way to body safety Page 30

Kids' needs covered Page 14

Craft

Calendar

Incredible wall art Page 15

Slime is just sublime Page 23

Festival season

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Yarra Ranges Kids will be published quarterly prior to each of the school holidays.

Published by Mail News Group Pty Ltd ACN 99 006 310 498. Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas. All material is copyright to Mail News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.

contents On top of the lunch-box challenge Page 4-5

Yarra Ranges Kids magazine is a Mail News Group publication.

AUTUMN 2018

A Star News N Group G Publication bl

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

THE

BULLIES AUTUMN 2018 1

Page 31

AUTUMN 2018 3

your life It’s

ON TOP OF THE

By Angie Hilton

lunch- box CHALLENGE

Bobby died in Home and Away! Kiara’s birth was less dramatic; we had to plan for a caesar so it was smooth sailing. I remember making a music mix for both births and Kiara was born to the song Better Man by Pearl Jam. I certainly became a better man once my girls were born.

AAAARRRGGHH school lunches!

Sometimes I tear my hair out over them.

I really do aim for the perfect blend of healthy food versus food they’ll actually eat. The thing that infuriates me is that quite regularly I’ll unpack the lunch boxes after school to find them still 80 per cent full. Sound familiar? In my search for a solution I hit social media.

Love it or hate it, if you’re prepared to sift through the junk you can stumble upon some absolute gold ... as I did when I found School Lunch Box.

Watching you with your girls is really something special. They absolutely adore you. Did you always have a plan for how you wanted to be as a father?

Dad-of-two George Georgievski is the face behind the School Lunch Box Instagram and Facebook page with a reach of 45k followers. He has made an art form of the humble lunch box. His mission is simple: to inspire people worldwide to feed their children lunches packed with nutrients, love and a good dollop of fun.

I was excited to meet George and uncover his secrets to having a lunch box that returned empty.

What I discovered upon our meeting was a passionate family man with an exuberant love of life and a desire for change on a big scale. I thought I was there to learn about lunches, but I found 4 AUTUMN 2018

myself wanting to know more about what makes this man tick.

Let’s start at the beginning of your journey as a daddy. Were you front and centre at both births?

Anela was born the day after our

wedding anniversary. It was the best moment of my life. My wife was taken into theatre, which totally freaked me out - so much so, I fainted! The nurses had to stop looking after her and attend to me. The moment I saw my wife look at Anela, I started bawling my eyes out.

I’m such a sook - I even cried when

I always said that if I could be half the dad my dad was, I’d be happy. He was a true gentleman. He passed away over 20 years ago, which turned my world upside down. He taught me to play chess. As a kid I remember hating it, but I later found out he had a hidden agenda. In chess the queen is the most valuable piece, she can go in any direction whereas the king can only move one square at a time. The pawns are not really that important as they pretty much just make up the numbers.

Thinking three to five moves ahead is important when playing chess too, trying to outsmart the opposition. Fast forward to the day before my dad died in hospital - I will never forget his words to me. He said, “When I taught you to www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

play chess I was teaching you life, always think ahead before you say something, think about the consequences of your actions. The pawns are like friends they come and go, but the queen is the woman in your life. She can do anything. She is your mum, sister, one day your wife and maybe even your daughter. Without a strong woman in your life, it won’t be easy playing the game of life.” I only wish he got to meet my little family.

I can only imagine your dad would be incredibly proud of you, not only as the father you’ve become but also the husband you are. You and Marina look very much in love. What’s your secret?

She is my rock. She inspires me daily. We’ve been married 16 years now and I feel like we’re closer than ever. Before kids, Marina was a real career woman with two degrees. The challenge for her was running a business from home while also caring for the girls. After five years of this, she knew she had to shake things up and get a sense of herself back. She decided to transform her body through Maxine’s Challenge. She completely changed her body shape and subsequently, her state of mind. She now has so much energy for the kids ... and myself! I feel like we’re a great team. There is a real mutual respect and appreciation. We both agree that there are no ‘mum duties’ or dad duties’, there are only ‘parent’s duties’.

So in dividing up household chores, you put up your hand for lunch duties. Is that how School Lunch Box came about?

Not quite. I used to start work early, but was home from work sick one day.

I was pretty shocked by the morning chaos that my wife had to go through.

I knew I had to step in and help out, so I asked how I could help out and she suggested making the lunches. I started searching online for inspiration but what I found was either too hard, too complicated or way too expensive to create. So I stopped searching and I started creating, I simplified complicated recipes to create my own “simple dad version”.

And that’s the beauty of your lunch ideas. I love your philosophy that lunch should take no longer than five to ten minutes.

Yes, it should be easy and visually appealing. Kids eat with their eyes, so if you cut things into bite size pieces so it looks bright and colourful, they’re

excited to gobble it up. I also suggest shopping with the kids and getting them to pick out the fruit and vegies they love. It gets them more engaged and they also learn the value of things. They will respect the food more, especially at the checkout when they see you have to pay for it.

I notice you have a few unique creations in your lunch boxes that I’ve never heard of before.

Yes, I encourage the girls to get creative with me, so we often experiment with the food and create new names for our inventions. We’ve created names like: the Spring-wich (an imitation of a spring roll). I cut off crusts, press the bread flat with a rolling pin, fill it which cheese, roast chicken and carrot and roll it up. I also have Rav-wich (ravioli), Cup-wich (cup cakes), Sand-ling (chinese dumpling), the Lolly-wich - (looks like a lolly but healthy). I also made a special one called a Rose-wich. The Rose-wich was inspired by a girl called Zara and I wanted to create a rose sandwich so we can all stop and smell the roses. Respect life and love it.

You can check them all out and how to make them on Instagram.

And the beauty of social media has meant you can reach places you’d never expect to. Have you been surprised by the following you’ve received?

School Lunch Box guru George Georgievski with daughters Anela and Kiara. 175661 Pictures: LOUISA JONES

It blows my mind - it has literally gone global! For a whole year on Fridays I’d focus on a random country and I’d use food from that country - we called it ‘Heritage Friday’. It was my way of teaching my daughters about countries through food and culture.

For example, did you know in Switzerland you can lease a cow to have your own fresh milk? Or, Macedonia was the first country in the world to be completely WIFI? Fun facts, focusing on the positives of countries was my way of making the world smaller for my girls to appreciate, respect and understand other cultures. When I’d post the lunch on social media I’d hashtag that country and then bang! The response was huge, people in Ethiopia were like, “Who’s this dad from Geelong showcasing our food and culture?” They immediately got curious and wanted to know more about me, so I did a heap of media all around the world. I’ve done interviews in China, Indonesia, UK, US, South Africa, Chile and Europe. Actually, that’s every continent. I’m totally blown away by it.

My Cross-Wich creation, wholemeal bread with turkey and cheese, pretzels (low salt), grapes, feta cheese, nectarines, melody tomatoes and carrots.

My girls favourite, the croissant filled with roast chicken and cheese, feta, brown rice crackers and nectarines, strawberries and blueberries and finally a lettuce cup of melody tomatoes and mini cucumbers.

ADVERTISEMENT

My Pizza Pocket creation with a lettuce cup of melody tomatoes, carrots, passion fruit, cherries and strawberries.

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The Yarra Valley is a great place to live and raise a family. I want to know how we can make it a better place.

Get in touch with me and let me know what matters most to you.

Like and follow me on Facebook to stay up to date with my work in our community!

Shop 10, 38-40 Bell Street, Yarra Glen 3775 03 9730 1066 | cindy.mcleish@parliament.vic.gov.au

www.cindymcleish.com.au

Authorised by Cindy McLeish MP, Shop 10, 38-40 Bell Street, Yarra Glen. This adver sement paid from Parliament Electorate Office & Communica ons Budget

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2018 5

your life It’s

Oliver, Charlotte

TOP THE CHARTS

More than 500 Oliver’s and 426 Charlotte’s were born in Victoria in 2017, well outranking the next most popular names of William (466) and Olivia (360).

Figures released by the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages show that Oliver has been the most popular name for newborn boys in Victoria every year since 2014, while Charlotte and Olivia have been consistently vying for the top two spots in the same period.

Jack, Thomas and James have also been stayers, having been in the top ten boys names since 1994. Lucas, Henry and Charlie are new entries in the top ten.

The top ten girl’s names have not changed from 2016, but are completely different to the names favoured by parents 20 years ago. Jessica, Victoria’s top name for newborns born in 1997, has fallen to 100th place.

New Year’s Day 2017 saw 145 babies born, while 148 babies arrived on Grand Final Day, 30 September.

Boys made up 52 per cent of all births registered in 2017, with the number of births

peaking in March, with the arrival of 6,600 new babies - nine months after Victoria’s chilly winter.

You can view Victoria’s most popular baby names since 1929 at the Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages at www. bdm.vic.gov.au Charlotte was pick of the girls names last year, while Oliver topped the boys list.

THE

most popular names of 2017 BOYS James Lucas Henry Charlie Ethan

Oliver William Jack Noah Thomas

GIRLS Zoe Evie Grace Isla Ella

Charlotte Olivia Amelia Ava Mia

R

the little things

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There were more than 68,000 births in Victoria in 2017, with the most popular day for newborns being 13 April, when 279 new Victorians

came in to the world.

ES

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IF you know a little Oliver or Charlotte born in 2017, they are in good company - they were the most popular names given to babies born in Victoria last year.

your life It’s

MAKING

By Jade Glen

dollars MAKE sense It's never too early to start talking about money.

A WHILE ago my three-year-old daughter, Lucy, decided that the day’s activities should include a plane ride to another country.

I explained that we didn’t really have the time or money to do that, on our average Thursday. While the lack of time was of no real concern to her, she had an easy solution to the lack of funds.

Just go to the ATM and get some money out, mum - duh! (Well, the duh may have been ad-libbed by me, but she definitely gave me an incredulous look as if she couldn’t believe I hadn’t already thought of this) It got me thinking about how I could teach my kids about money, and how I could explain that the cash spat from teller machines and the plastic swiped at the supermarket checkout was not an infinite resource.

I don’t expect to start by explaining Superannuation or Investment Bonds. To be honest, I’m still waiting for someone to explain them to me. But discussions about money should start at an early age, says Laura Higgins, Senior Executive Leader at ASIC’s MoneySmart.

“It’s never too early to talk to your children about money and about making choices around spending, saving, budgeting and goal setting,” she said.

“Parents should take advantage of opportunities to have these conversations in everyday real life situations. For example, at the ATM you can talk about where money comes from. A visit to the supermarket presents a number of learning opportunities, for example, talking about how items are priced and how buying in bulk and selecting generic versus brand products may save money. Parents can also use this experience to discuss the influence of marketing and product placement on spending choices.

“At home, parents can involve their kids in discussions on the family budget

Start them on the STARTING a regular savings account can be one of the greatest gifts you ever give your child.

If you start putting away as little as $5 to $10 a week in a high interest savings account when your child is born, you could grow a significant chunk of cash to help them buy a car, pay for higher education or to boost their savings for a house deposit – all for the price of a take-away latte a week.

Make sure you choose an account with no set-up or monthly fees, and choose one that rewards you with a better rate for making regular

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

to help them understand the costs of family life and how much money is spent on needs versus wants and how money might be allocated for holidays or special occasions such as birthdays.”

Ms Higgins said young people were exposed to money and finances from a young age, from receiving pocket money to engaging with financial products like bank accounts and mobile phone contracts.

“It’s important for them to develop the financial skills and knowledge to make informed choices about money throughout their life.

“As adults they’ll be faced with decisions about complex financial products and services, including superannuation, home loans and insurance. Making a poor financial decision, for example, running up too much debt on a credit card or not insuring a car properly, can have a huge impact on a young person.

Ensuring they understand financial concepts, such as budgeting, saving and managing debt will help them make informed decisions.”

Ms Higgins said pocket money was one way for kids to begin to understand money’s value and the concept of earning money.

“Earning pocket money for jobs around the home, or outside the home, can help kids with making money decisions, including choosing to spend their money now or saving it for something more significant later,” she said.

For teenagers, starting a part-time job is an important money milestone. Ms Higgins recommended parents sit down and help their children understand their payslip, to make sure they were being paid the correct amount and to discuss superannuation and tax.

“Having a part-time job can be a great way for teenagers to develop new skills around money, including working out how to save, when to spend and how to budget. It’s possible with their first job they’ll turn to their parents for guidance around managing their money. This presents parents with an opportunity to explain the value of saving versus spending and may help

them set and achieve financial goals’, said Ms Higgins.

“Establishing a savings plan is a great place to start. You can use ASIC’s MoneySmart savings goals calculator to work out the steps needed to put a plan into action and figure out the amount of money they might need to save for something specific.

“It’s important they have an understanding of these concepts to help them make informed decisions. For example, being aware that having one super fund means you’ll avoid paying multiple fees and if you have more than one fund you should consider consolidating the funds.”

Next time my daughter casually asks for an international jaunt, I will try and explain the cost in terms she can understand. Flights for our family of four will cost her roughly 2,181 kinder surprise eggs.

For more money smart tips, and to access the savings goals calculator, budget planner and other free resources, visit moneysmart.gov.au

right track deposits and no withdrawals.

To help your cash keep place with inflation, you can look at Term Deposits – with a minimum deposit of $1000, and flexible terms of one to sixty months, it can be a good place to park your child’s savings.

Some banks also offer share trading accounts which will let you invest your money in shares.

Whatever option you choose, time is the most important ingredient – so start today.

- Jade Glen

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You start teaching your child from the day they are born - how to use a spoon, a toilet, ride a bike, drive a car. But how do you teach them about money?

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2/329 Main Street Lilydale, 3140 www.solestudios.com.au | E: mail@solestudios.com.au AUTUMN 2018 7

your life It’s

Circus fun IF you have ever felt like running away to join the circus, you are in luck - you only have to run to Ruccis in Bayswater North.

Ruccis offers fun and social circus classes for children from ages two, teenagers and adults.

Owner Emily Huybers said above all else, Ruccis prided itself on being a welcoming community for people of all abilities.

“Ruccis provides a place for students to get active and be creative in a supportive environment that encourages individuality. We offer students training in tumbling, trapeze, aerial silks, tight rope walking, juggling, hula hooping and much more - there are opportunities for a diverse range of people to find success in physical activities,” Emily said.

“Our experienced coaches work with small student ratios to ensure students are able to reach their goals. We like to encourage family involvement in our circus community. If parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles of students also enrol, they get a 15 per cent generational discount.”

EASTER Adventure Activities Friday 30 March - Monday 2 April 9am - 4pm Daily

at Ruccis

All ages and abillities are welcome at Ruccis.

Tickets available on mountain

T: 03 5957 7201 E: admin@lakemountainresort.com.au

$40 Combo Ticket - Tube Run, Flying Fox & Laser Skirmish

8 AUTUMN 2018

Tube Run - 3 rides $10 Flying Fox - 2 rides $20 Laser Skirmish - 45 minutes $15 Mountain Biking - half day $25 full day

$50 12375350-CG12-18

Join in Lenny’s HUGE Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, 1 April at 11am.

Find one of 3 Golden Eggs to WIN Resort Entry & Family Snow Play Package for Winter 2018

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Children's classes start from ages two and Ruccis moved to its new location on Bayfield Road East, Bayswater north, in April 2017. Prior to that, the business operated from the Kilsyth Sports Centre.

Now close to Eastlink, patronage has grown to include people travelling from far and wide to learn the (tight) ropes.

“Our staff are a close-knit group of circus teachers and performers,” Emily said.

“The majority of our coaches have over ten years’ experience teaching circus skills to kids and adults. We also have many aspiring young students volunteering to assist in our classes enabling them to learn about teaching

up.

as well as consolidate their circus skills.”

To learn more about Ruccis, make sure you go along to its Open Day and one-year anniversary at its new home celebration on Sunday 8 April, from 10am to 4pm.

Everyone is welcome to visit and enjoy performances by students at 11am and 3pm.

For those interested in a taste of what circus classes offer, one-off holiday classes are run every school holidays for kids, teens and adults.

Ruccis is at Factory 5/130-132 Bayfield Rd East, Bayswater North. For more information visit ruccis.com.au.

The whole family can join the circus at Ruccis - parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles could be eligible for a multi-generational discount.

WE OFFER: Aerials such as trapeze, tissu and aerial ring Acrobatics, pyramids and tumbling.

Manipulation skills such as hula hoops, juggling, and plate spinning Balance skills such as tightwire and rolla bolla

face p ainting balloo n twis ting jumpin g cast le stilt wa lking

and mo

a N ex r t

AD someth D O in g

re!

It’s not just for kids! We do adult birthdays and hens parties too!

Parties are available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons

Let's chat to see how we can make your party a memorable one!

Contact Steve:

parties@ruccis.com.au | 0439 449 505 -HJ[VY` )H`ÄLSK 9K ,HZ[ )H`Z^H[LY 5VY[O ruccis.com.au 12378952-HM12-18

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2018 9

Natural materials like rocks and pine cones have multiple uses, encourage imaginative play, have no environmental impact and are completely free. 178182

Loose parts

inspire

CHILDREN at Cire Children’s Services are encouraged to exercise their imagination through Loose Parts play.

Cire has developed its Loose Parts play with expert early childhood theory in mind, but you too can easily introduce Loose Parts play at home as while the benefits are numerous – fostering everything creativity and problem solving, promoting negotiating and sharing, and developing fine and gross motor skills – the outlay is nil.

Angela Flynn, Kindergarten Teacher at Cire Children’s Services in Mt Evelyn, said loose parts were natural, synthetic or recycled materials that children could use in their play in multiple different ways.

minds

“They may be as simple as milk crates, wooden planks and tyres, or cardboard boxes, fabric, shells and banksia cones. The idea of loose parts play is that the materials are easy to find, everyday objects that children can use in an imaginative and open ended manner, and they don’t cost the earth,” she said.

child must follow. For example, in one game a banksia cone might be the trees in bushland setting, the next day that same banksia cone might be a ‘troll’ living under a bridge in a fairytale imagined up by the child. The children build on their gross and fine motor skills as they work and design with these materials as well.

“The benefits of these types of materials include that they’re open ended. One day a child might use some fabric and planks of wood to design a cubby, another day those same materials may become the sail on an imaginary boat.

“Another great benefit is that the materials are often recycled or recyclable, meaning they are better for the environment than manufactured plastic toys. From my experience, children will often choose loose parts play over mass produced fixed-use toys.”

“Loose parts encourage imagination, creativity and problem solving skills, as there is no set of defined rules which the

Natural materials like rocks and pine cones have multiple uses, encourage imaginative play, have no environmental impact and are completely free. 178182

10 AUTUMN 2018

young

Angela said the children were encouraged in their play by the wide

variety of play props such as wooden spools, planks of wood, tyres, fabric and milk crates outdoors.

“With these the children might design bike ramps, cubbies or where ever their imaginations lead them. We also add lots of natural materials to play experiences and mini worlds such as sea shells, natural wooden pieces, rocks which the children use imaginatively and creatively,” she said.

Cire Children’s Services in Mt Evelyn includes a Childcare Centre and an attached fully-funded Kindergarten, giving families all the benefits of sessional kindergarten, with the convenience and advantages of Long Day Care. For more information contact 9736 1918 or visit www.cire.org.au

Used cardboard rolls make a great prop for play. 178182

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Scan here =ou lou; bm=o

HOLIDAY PROGRAMS Fun for kids during the school holidays

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Badger Creek

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Mt Evelyn

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WEEK 1 2nd - 6th Apr

> Easter Monday - No program > oˆb;v Ĺ ;-Ń´;vˆbŃ´Ń´; bm;l-v ‰b|_ o†u =ub;m7v =uol )ooub +-Ń´Ń´o1h (-1-াom -u; > ;1omv|u†1াom 7-‹ > bÂŒÂŒÂ‹Ä˝v bÂŒ-u7v m1†uvbom > Maroondah Dam with our =ub;m7v =uol )ooub +-Ń´Ń´o1h

> Easter Monday - No program > oˆb;v Ĺ ;-Ń´;vˆbŃ´Ń´; bm;l-v ‰b|_ o†u =ub;m7v =uol -7];u u;;h (-1-াom -u; > u-[ -‹ ĹŠ 0; ]†b7;7 0‹ ‹o†u bl-]bm-াom > bÂŒÂŒÂ‹Ä˝v bÂŒ-u7v m1†uvbom > Maroondah Dam with our =ub;m7v =uol -7];u u;;h

> Easter Monday - No program > Games & picnic lunch at the Äź -‚Ѵ; +-u7Ä˝ !;v;uˆ; > u|v -m7 1u-[v > "bŃ´_o†;‚;v o= m|-u1া1- > bÂŒÂŒÂ‹Ä˝v bÂŒ-u7v m1†uvbom > Make your own wind chime

WEEK 2 9th - 13th Apr

WEEK 2 9th - 13th Apr

WEEK 2 9th - 13th Apr

> ubm] ‹o†u ‰_;;Ń´v 7-‹ ĹŠ 0ubm] ‹o†u 0bh;vġ v1oo|;uvġ _;Ń´l;|vġ r-7vÄş > ;mÄ˝v "_;7 -| -7];u u;;h ĹŠ |ooŃ´ v-=;|‹ Ń´;vvomv -m7 ];মm] 1u;-ŕŚžÂˆ; ‰b|_ ‰oo7 > 7ˆ;m|†u; bmb oŃ´= ĹŠ Chirnside Park > Scarecrow making day > -h;7 ro|-|o 7-‹

> Lilydale Lake and sausage sizzle in the park > ";mvou‹ rŃ´-‹ 7-‹ ĹŠ vŃ´bl;ġ rŃ´-‹7o†]_ġ 1Ń´-‹ġ h;m;া1 v-m7ġ ]oorġ Ѵ†Š Y-h;v Ĺ&#x; ‰-|;u rŃ´-‹ > ;-Ń´;vˆbŃ´Ń´; "-m1|†-u‹ > om|uov; 7ˆ;m|†u; -uh > "" ĹŠ ;-um -0o†| 0;;Ä˝v -m7 _om;‹ġ |-Ń´Ń´ |u;;vġ 1olrovাm] -m7 l†1_ lou;ĺĺĺ

> oˆb;v Ĺ ouomb- bm;l> Games & picnic lunch at the Äź -‚Ѵ; +-u7Ä˝ !;v;uˆ; > -h; - lo|ou 1-u |_-| loˆ;vÄş > om|uov; oll†mb|‹ 7ˆ;m|†u; Playground > +-uu- (-Ń´Ń´;‹ "" -m7 rb1mb1 lunch

Badger Creek Primary School now taking bookings 0499 400 250

Woori Yallock Primary School now taking bookings 0458 278 228

Mt Evelyn Campus now taking bookings 0407 695 528

ck

‰‰‰ĺ1bu;ĺou]ĺ-† www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2018 11

your life It’s

TOP

anti-bullying TIPS If your child is being bullied:

THE suicide of Amy Everett, known as Dolly, sent shockwaves throughout Australia.

Dolly Everett

The Northern Territory teen was just 14 when she took her own life on 3 January after being tormented by social media bullies.

■ Remind children it is NEVER their fault and provide the space for them to talk about what’s going on.

Sometimes it’s good just to listen before acting.

Dolly’s past modelling for Akubra she was the face of the Australian company’s Christmas campaign when she was six-years-old - and her family’s public condemnation of her bullies meant her image was shared across news outlets and social media platforms with the #doitfordolly and #stopbullyingnow hashtags.

■ Help the child or young person understand the power dynamic involved in bullying. Discuss ways to stop giving the bully power, for example, walking or turning away from the bully.

In light of the coverage, Kids Helpline has offered its anti-bullying tips for parents and carers.

■ Reassure them that you will help to stop the bullying from continuing.

Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. www.kidshelpline.com.au or free call 1800 55 1800.

KIDS HELPLINE’S TOP ANTI-BULLYING TIPS

■ Ripped, stained or soiled school clothes.

such as malls or parks (they may be trying to avoid the bully).

■ Not wanting to go to school.

What to look out for:

■ ‘Losing’ lunch money or other things at school.

✔ Unexplained cuts or bruises or pencil marks on the skin.

■ Falling out with previously close friends.

■ Being quiet or withdrawn.

■ Being moody or easily distressed.

■ Becoming worried about a lot of things.

■ Reporting vague headaches or stomach aches.

■ Not wanting to leave the house or reluctance to go to popular places

■ Showing sudden changes in eating behaviour.

■ Experiencing difficulty in sleeping at night.

THEY’RE Kids Helpline has qualified counsellors ready to talk to young people 24/7, 365 days a year.

■ Find out what, when and where it happened and if anyone was present. Contact the school or organisation where relevant and make sure they are aware of the problem and work out with them how to stop the bullying.

■ Talk to the experts - If you don’t know what to do or where to go consider calling trained counsellors at Kids Helpline or contact www.esafety.gov.au.

here to help

KIDS Helpline has a new logo and a new look - but it is still providing the same crucial service to Australia’s young people.

about staying safe online and bullying.

Founded as a telephone hotline in 1991, Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, private and confidential 24/7 counselling service for young people, responding to more than 180,000 young people a year.

“We answer about 60 per cent (of first-time calls). We would hate to think we are missing young people that want to talk to us. The demand is certainly there.”

Young people aged 5-25 can contact Kids Helpline at any time, any day of the year, and speak to a qualified, experienced counsellor or psychologist.

Head of Client Services Brendan Bourke said the average age of callers were 16, but that the service had answered calls from children as young as 5.

“Family relationships are a huge one,” he said.

“We get callers concerned about relationships with parents, siblings, boyfriends and girlfriends - concerns about mental health are growing, and then there are still a concerning number of contacts about suicidal thoughts. Then you get things like self-harm, and bullying, and general emotional wellbeing.”

Young people contact the service for free, and in some cases have continued contact with the same counsellor, on-and-off, for years.

Kids Helpline also has a schools program, utilising a suite of different technologies to provide free sessions 12 AUTUMN 2018

■ Let the child know it is ok to talk about how the bullying is making them feel.

Brendan said the service was always seeking more support.

Kids Helpline has been an innovator in the online space, introducing webchat in 2000. Recent enhancements have improved the web service and Kids Helpline is now investigating the use of other technologies relevant to young people.

The method used to get in touch may change, but the constant is Kids Helpine’s qualified and experienced advice.

“Our counsellors are trained to (respond to) any issue at any time. We are a friendly service, and also a professional service, and we want to work to young people’s strengths,” Brendan said.

Kids Helpline is largely self-funded, receiving some support from the Federal Government, QLD Government and corporate sponsor, Optus.

Young people, schools and parents can access support and advice through kidshelpline.com.au or by calling 1800 55 1800.

- JADE GLEN www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

your life It’s

CHILD CARE

THE Federal Government’s new Child Care Subsidy will be rolled out in a few weeks - and if you are a working parent, it is probably going to mean more dollars in your pocket.

The single, means-tested Child Care Subsidy will replace both the Child Care Benefit (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR) and is accompanied by a $3 billion funding injection from Canberra.

Starting on 2 July 2018, the new subsidy will be paid directly to providers and aims to provide more assistance to low and middle income families.

Families will make a ‘co-contribution’ and get billed the difference between the fees charged and the subsidy amount.

To be eligible, children must be aged 13 or under, attend a Long Day Care Centre, Family Day Care or Out of School Hours Care, meet immunisation requirements and have a parent that is an Australian resident.

The new subsidy will cover 85 per cent of Child Care fees for low income families earning under $65,710 and 50 per cent of fees for families earning between $170,710 and $250,000.

In good news for parents that have their children in care multiple days a week or full time, the old CCB cap of $7,500 will be abolished. Families earning less than $185,710 a year will not be subject to any subsidy limit, while those earning between $185,710 and $350,000 will have an annual cap of $10,000 per year, per child, which will increase with CPI. However as with everything, the devil is in the detail - and the activity test could prove a kicker for some families.

Under the old CCB and CCR system, families can access 24 hours of subsidised child care regardless whether they work outside of the home.

Under the new subsidy, this will be scrapped, and both parents must meet the basic activity test - you must be in paid work, working unpaid in the family business, volunteering, studying, actively looking for work, or on paid parental leave. Exemptions are granted if you have a disability, or are in prison.

Your hours of activity will determine how many hours of subsidised child care you are eligible for.

fortnight without having to meet the activity test.

Government modelling shows that around 816,000 families will be betteroff under the new funding scheme, by an average of $1500.

About 128,000 families will be worse-off under the overhaul, mainly because they will not meet the activity test.

To check your eligibility, go to www.education. gov.au Right: Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has a big new plan for child care - but not everyone will be better off.

Families on a combined income of $65,710 or less will have access to 24 hours of subsidised child care per

CRYSTAL BROOK

12336224-ACM13-17

By Jade Glen

TOURIST PARK Crystal Brook Tourist Park is a perfect combination of a city park with the atmosphere and natural attractions of a bush park and its wildlife. It’s the perfect base from which to explore some of Melbourne’s and Victoria’s great attractions and events. It is located within an easy drive of the CBD of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and has public transport at the front gate.

FEATURES AND FACILITIES INCLUDE: BQ^WU _V SQRY^c Q^T fY\\Qc @_gUbUT U^ceYdU Q^T dU^d cYdUc 8UQdUT Q\VbUcS_ 22A QbUQ 3Q]` ;YdSXU^ 6e\\i UaeY``UT \Qe^Tbi

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Crystal Brook Tourist Park 182 Heidelberg - Warrandyte Rd, Doncaster East 3109 (Melway Map 34 F3) www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Phone: 03 9844 3637 Email: info@cbtp.com.au Web: www.cbtp.com.au AUTUMN 2018 13

your life It’s

Kids' needs covered

KIDS grow out of clothes – and toys – quickly.

It’s an age-old problem and constantly buying new clothes, equipment and toys that are only used for a few months can really hurt the hip-pocket (and the environment.)

Pipsqueakz, on York Road in Mount Evelyn, solves the problem by selling a huge range of second-hand toys, shoes, clothing, books, modern cloth nappies, car seats and prams – anything and everything to do with children from birth to age 14.

door is checked for any damage or defects and must comply with the relevant safety standards before it can be put on the floor.

children and saw a need for recycling in the Yarra Valley. The concept was very well received and 18 years later we are still going.”

Local mum Rachel Shepherd, a mum of two boys aged 11 and 13, was a regular customer before buying the business.

Rachel said toys and good quality children’s clothing sold really well – so if you have some outgrown clothes or toys in the cupboard, take them to Pipsqueakz and earn some cash. Sellers are paid a percentage of the sale price after the item is sold.

“I shopped and also sold through Pipsqueakz for eight years and loved it so much that I bought the business in 2013,” she said.

The items, sold on consignment, are all clean and in excellent condition.

Everything that comes through the

“The original owner had three young

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www.pipsqueakz.com Closed 22nd December - 18th January for Christmas break www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

your life It’s

Incredible

wall art

Daniel of Dan’s Murals and Portraits paints incredible murals of superheroes, Disney characters, sports logos and more on walls around Victoria.

“I started drawing when I could first pick up a pencil or my mum’s lipstick to draw all over her walls. I loved drawing as a kid so I know what kids like,” he said.

Dan’s favourite mural so far is a Jurassic Park scene he created for a

young family of four.

A plasterer by trade, he has downed the trowel and now wields the paintbrush full time.

He has worked his magic on kid’s bedrooms, theatre rooms, man caves and even restaurants, football clubs and gyms.

Dan travels across Victoria and is planning some interstate trips as inquiries come in from other states.

To see more of his work or to get in touch, head to facebook.com/ dansmurals

Do you have any plain boring walls?

Look no further will happily hand paint murals, portraits or signage on any surface.

12378493-HM12-18

A MURAL can transform a plain old wall in to your very own custom masterpiece.

Any Size Any Time All enquiries welcome!

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0431 099 636 AUTUMN 2018 15

Come play at

The Speech Tree

programs are in demand and we are getting a lot more calls about them.

“Some parents joke about wanting to do the social skills group themselves! We all have social interactions every day, and as we get older those goal posts are constantly moving.”

Frances and Emily are your friendly local Speech Therapists at The Speech Tree.

178186_01 Pictures: GREG CARRICK

By Jade Glen THE Speech Tree is a Paediatric and Adolescent Speech Pathology clinic in Mooroolbark offering a range of therapies to suit everyone, from oneyear-old toddlers to young adults in their early 20s.

A local resident, Speech Pathologist Frances Brennan brought The Speech Tree to Mooroolbark in March 2017 after previously operating from a clinic in Bulleen.

“I really understood the value of a community based speech pathologist who knew the local playgroups, schools and kinders,” she said.

Starting primarily as a paediatric practice catering for pre-school and young school age children, The Speech Tree has grown to reflect Frances’ professional interests in mental health

“I really want parents to know they are able to call. Probably about 20 per cent of the calls I get I say actually that sounds really normal, or that sounds about normal until this age, I’ll call you in a few months to see how you are going.

“It’s always best to ask if you’ve got concerns of any kind - most of us happy to give a bit of advice over the phone.”

and literacy. One of the most popular programs is the regular social skills groups, which helps children and adolescents navigate common social scenarios in a safe and supportive environment under the guidance of Frances or her fellow pathologist, Emily.

“A lot of people don’t know what to expect when they come to speech pathology. Quite often they get a referral for their child from their Maternal and Child Health Nurse or kindergarten teacher and say why, they are talking fine.

communicate, or it may be for playbased therapy - delays in play can be part of a broader delay and can be a real barrier to kids developing friendships and childcare or kinder.”

The Speech Tree also caters for older clients with intellectual disabilities, Down Syndrome or autism.

The social skills groups have proven so popular that there are now 8 running for different age groups.

“We work on how to be a good friend, reciprocal conversation, and being flexible in our thinking. We start at the pre-school level, learning about taking turns and playing together. These

“They may have a language delay and not be using enough words to

Psychology not just child’s play IF you have ever thought your child could benefit from seeing a psychologist, give Yarra Valley Psychology a call.

Children sometimes have big things to grapple with - whether it is a family break-down, bullying at school, a new sibling or general anxiety - and seeing a psychologist can help them deal with those big feelings.

Frances said about half of her clients came from referrals, and about half was from parents self-referring. She stressed that she was always happy to speak to parents over the phone about their concerns.

Children express themselves through Play.

Therapist Meagan Groenewald said YV Psychology offered a range of options for children, including a Schools Program and Play Therapy.

Meagan, who has previously worked as an educational and developmental psychologist in Johannesburg, said Play Therapy was generally suited to children aged between three and 12 years-old, depending on their cognitive abilities.

“Play is their language,” she said.

“Play Therapy provides a safe space where children can play. Children come and use the toys to express their feelings. It’s very gentle, and nonconfrontational.”

The toys are carefully chosen; art supplies and play-dough, as well as a family-orientated dolls house, cooking sets, soft animals, and army men all allow the children to express themselves .

Meagan said children were resilient, but not to be underestimated.

“You often may think they are fine, but their (distress) can come out in a behaviour. For younger kids, it might be regressive behaviour, like going back to night waking or wanting a dummy. It could be school refusal, or being really anxious when mum leaves ... there are lots of different behaviours, but most parents pick up when something is different.”

Play Therapy sessions run for 50 minutes, and while parents sit-out on the playing itself, they are involved in the process, come in for a separate feedback session and are given tips on

While The Speech Tree caters for a wide range of clients, they all have something in common - for the most part, they really enjoy coming.

“I have a lot of kids that call it Frances’ house, and look forward to coming to ‘play with Frances.’ I had one little girl who started a wall calendar counting down to her speech sessions - it’s pretty special to me that the kids feel so supported and valued here.”

Some people may be eligible for Speech Pathology under the NDIS, while some could be eligible for a Medicare rebate on five sessions.

For more information call The Speech Tree on 9726 9283 or visit www. speechtree.com.au

what to do at home.

Yarra Valley Psychology was first opened in 2001 and now has sites in Croydon, Boronia, Lilydale and Nunawading, with smaller sites in Yarra Junction, Preston and Hawthorn.

Its Schools Program offers psychological services to schools, students and their families at no cost to the schools or families.

Providing therapy at school means the student can have consistent weekly sessions in an environment they feel comfortable in - and means parents don’t have to worry about rushing to after-school appointments.

All the psychologists involved in the Schools Program are fully registered and have a special interest, qualification or experience in working with school aged children, and work collaboratively with children’s teachers and the school’s welfare staff to achieve the best results for the child.

To find out more, head to www.yvp. com.au or call 1300 947 477.

12378417-EPJ12-18

Paediatric and Adolescent Speech Pathology Services including:

Raising the health and well-being of our communities through collaborative care and clinical experience

Yarra Valley Psychology 109 Boronia Road, Boronia

1300 947 477 18 AUTUMN 2018

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All Enquiries Welcome - (03) 9726 9283 E: admin@speechtree.com.au www.speechtree.com.au | NDIS services available www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Tactics to WHEN your child arrives home from school, do they bolt straight to the toilet like a child possessed, hand clasped firmly to groin?

Do you know why they hold on during the day? Is it because the school toilets are smelly, wet or dirty? Perhaps it’s to avoid the bullies favourite hang out, or because they are so engrossed in play during recess times that they forget to go, and then aren’t allowed to go during class time.

These are just some of the reasons children ‘hold on’ at school. But holding on is not a good idea - it’s one of the reasons children (and adults) can develop bladder and bowel control problems.

It’s a significant issue, with research showing that one in five primary school-age children wet themselves during the day and one in 25-40 experience faecal incontinence.

The Continence Foundation of Australia says that a full bladder puts weight and pressure on the urinary sphincter (the ring of muscle we relax to urinate), making accidents more likely.

If the bladder overfills often enough, the

tame toilet avoidance bladder - essentially a balloon-shaped muscle - can lose its elasticity and ability to contract effectively and expel the urine.

incontinence isn’t handled sensitively in these formative years, there may be ongoing incontinence issues and psychological consequences.

signs a child may be experiencing bladder or bowel control issues, and gives them strategies to handle these situations sensitively and effectively.

If your child is ‘holding on’ to their poo, a full, compacted bowel presses against the bladder, which in turn puts pressure on the urinary sphincter, risking leakage.

Unpleasant school toilets are a recognised problem in many countries, and Australia is no exception. Reports of bullying in school toilets are not uncommon, and there are still some teachers who won’t let children go to the toilet during class time.

School staff also learn the importance of school toilets offering a clean and secure environment for children, and how school policies around children being permitted to go to the toilet can impact a child’s progress.

On top of this, straining on the toilet when constipated can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and bladder supports, making urine leakage more likely.

What many people don’t know is that chronic constipation can also lead to faecal leakage. Often mistaken for diarrhoea, it is, in fact, the opposite - constipation with overflow. This happens when the semi-liquid faeces higher up in the bowel forces its way past the solid blockage without the child being aware. Constipation is a significant issue in children, with up to 30 per cent constipated at any given time.

A Swedish study revealed that many children with negative associations with school toilets adopt unhealthy toilet habits that can persist into adult life. If

Good habits start early, and to help children get on the right track, the Continence Foundation of Australia has developed a child-friendly Toilet Tactics kit for schools. Toilet Tactics teaches children how to adopt lifelong healthy bowel and bladder habits, and illuminates teachers and parents about the importance of encouraging and reinforcing good practices early.

Children learn about diet, exercise, and how their bladder and bowel work.

They learn about hygiene, how to sit on a toilet correctly, the importance of responding to the body’s signals, and how holding on can lead to problems.

Just as importantly, Toilet Tactics teaches teachers how to recognise the

So far more than 1700 Australian schools have registered for Toilet Tactics.

Find out if your child’s school is registered by asking their teacher or school nurse.

Learn more about Toilet Tactics by going to continence.org.au, or by phoning the free National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66), where continence nurse advisors can provide parents and health professionals with confidential advice and information.

The Continence Foundation of Australia is the peak national organisation working to improve the quality of life of all Australians affected by incontinence.

Go to continence.org.au for more information.

Calls for more prenatal tests GENETIC experts are calling for pregnant women to be routinely scanned for three diseases with serious health consequences.

New research by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) has sown that the combined affected pregnancy rate of cystic fibrosis (CF), fragile X syndrome (FXS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is comparable to the population risk for Down syndrome. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Testing for Down syndrome has been routinely offered for more than twenty years, yet tests for other serious inherited conditions are rarely offered by healthcare providers.

Senior author Professor David Amor said that professional bodies recommend that all couples considering or in early pregnancy be informed that testing for these conditions is available.

“In fact, offering screening for these

conditions is recommended even when there is no family history.“ The MCRI research found that 1 in 20 people that had been screened were carriers of at least one of the three conditions, and that 88 per cent of those carriers had no known family history of the condition.

The test is simple and can be performed with a blood or saliva sample.

It can be performed before pregnancy or

in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Having the test before a woman is pregnant means there is time to consider the options if they are found to be a carrier of CF, FXS or SMA. Cystic Fibrosis Community Care, the Fragile X Association of Australia and Spinal Muscular Atrophy Australia Inc. support offering carrier screening for CF, FXS and SMA and have endorsed this carrier screening program.

AUTUMN 2018 19

Education

THE

SCREENS THAT DIVIDE

US

Education

matters ROB KELLY

multimedia teacher

IT’S A debate that divides opinion.

How much is too much? From looking at

our mobile devices and computer monitors in the workplace to watching television or using an iPad at home, it’s now almost impossible to avoid screen time.

It is the way we live our 21st century lives - as we are surrounded by artificial screens and digital displays of all shapes and sizes - all of which are emitting potentially dangerous levels of light energy.

The question on many people’s minds

Screen time - how much is too much?

now is, are we doing enough to enforce limitations on our children’s screen time?

As school is about to resume for thousands of children around the country, now is a good time to set boundaries and to shine a [natural] light on the situation at home and in the classroom.

Restricting a child’s screen time at home and school can be challenging for parents and educators alike.

I have seen children have meltdowns and screaming fits because they are told they cannot use an iPad or computer in the classroom. Forget 1927’s pop song “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream“ - as “I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for iScreens“ is more appropriately in sync with today’s youth.

However, setting boundaries and rules pertaining to screen time for children at home will help them develop other important life skills - as will completing chores, outdoor activities and advanced social interactions. At school, educators are encouraged to promote student engagement in differentiated ways balancing a student’s learning across a technological and non-technological tightrope of subjects.

Balance is key.

So, what is an acceptable amount of screen time for children?

Experienced primary school teacher and parent blogger, Fiona Froelich suggests that children between the age of five and ten should not be exposed to screens for more than an hour a day

while children between the age of ten and twelve should not be exposed to any form of digital technology for more than two hours a day.

For parents with infants, it is recommended by the World Health Organsiation that they avoid using technology altogether, as this is an important time for their social and emotional development.

The World Health Organisation is also considering endorsing new guidelines, developed by Australian and Canadian researchers, as its official endorsements to parents.

As we become increasingly dependent on technology, more time is spent looking at screens. Thanks to contemporary research, we know that long-term exposure to artificial light can not only negatively impact sight, but also disrupt the human body clock and overall wellbeing of an individual. This can therefore lead to health problems for young people later in life.

Like a good diet, balance is the key to a healthy life. Over consumption could have potentially damaging effects to one’s health. There’s no escaping it. There will always be artificial light at the end of the tunnel, but let’s encourage our children to enjoy the natural kind rather than the non-natural sort.

12361161-CG37-17

GymbaROO Mooroolbark

WHY? LEAR I t ’s F U N a n d 205 Little Yarra Road Yarra Junction, VIC 3797 t: (03) 5967 1953 e: office@lyss.vic.edu.au www.lyss.vic.edu.au 12381029-ACM12-18

20 AUTUMN 2018

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!

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AGE APPROPRIATE SESSIONS BabyROO: 6wks - 6mths - 12mths | Toddlers: 1 - 2 & 2 - 3 yrs Pre School: 3 - 4 yrs | School Readiness: 4 - 5 yrs TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY

Mooroolbark Community Centre All Enquiries Welcome – Marion 9726 8740 \Ê À L>À J}Þ L>À °V °>ÕÊUÊÜÜÜ°}Þ L>À °V °>Õ www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

Education

NOURISHING THE EARLY YEARS

By Ruth Wittig, Ghilgai School The early years are formative years that may shape a child’s development.

Ghilgai is a sanctuary for childhood and nourishes children in their early years.

Parents enjoy our Community Playgroup with their very young children and children 3 years and over can attend a Rostered Playgroup with Cindy and Kelly as facilitators.

The rhythm of the session gives the children a sense of security. Parents and children prepare nourishing food to share at morning tea - lovely warm bread fresh from the oven, delicious veggie dishes - often made from homegrown produce.

During the children’s playtime the adults settle and knit, sew, mend, sand wood - meaningful tasks that provide the children with role models and foster a sense of peace in the environment.

Storytime at each Playgroup session is special, each story is a gift and a blessing to the children who cluster around the storyteller, the tiny ones seated on the parent’s lap. Even at this age there’s an overall mood of listening.

Foundation year prepares the child for formal learning in Class 1. It promotes the growth of independence, self-confidence, creativity, social wellbeing, deep listening and concentration via creative play with others, craft, cooking, artistic work, practical activities and music.

Storytelling is a daily happening, stories that nourish the inner being and provide a firm foundation for Literacy.

Creative play, indoor and outdoor, serves as a catalyst for much inner growth.

The child explores his environment in play, and assumes responsibility for it, he practises responsibility. Through serious participation in the activity of play he strengthens his concentration.

In many a situation he needs initiative, creativity is expressed, practicalness is tested. Independence and confidence are called forth.

The child is tuned and fulfilled in play. He knows the satisfaction of a “good day’s activity”. He can apply himself to life and living, to his environment - within the play situation.

There is purpose and direction in his play. Play prepares the child for the future.

Rudolf Steiner said “Play works from within outwards, work from outside inwards.”

The child has access to simple natural materials and open-ended equipment so that he can manipulate and improvise and innovate. His rich imagination can transform anything!

Imagination is a wellspring of creative thinking, it is also an important ingredient in empathy - I’m able to sense imaginatively into the other persons difficulties.

Overheard at lunch ... .

As he poured the drink into his cup he said “Look out I’ll flood the table. Then he stood up to fill the cup as full as possible and he put the lid on his drink bottle.

He paused and said, “You know this place is the cup of the world”, A pearl of wisdom from a Founders child.

Steiner School 295 Liverpool Rd Kilsyth

Tours Monthly Enquiries: 9761 8369 www.ghilgai.com.au Ghilgai Steiner School 12380031-CG12-18

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2018 21

party time

Plan to

make the party Pop

By Lia Spencer

a park - make sure it has a gazebo area or have a back-up plan.

PLANNING a party doesn’t have to be stressful.

There are so many things that could be done without forking out the cash and spending copious amounts of time on preparation.

Here are some helpful hints to make the day special and go off without a hitch.

If you hire a venue, try to hire one which provides toys for children so you don’t have to lug many around, and a kitchen area to do food preparation and cleaning.

DECIDING ON A THEME This can be as easy as you want it to be – from a simple colour pink for girls, blue for boys, yellow for either, or a little more complex featuring favourite characters like Winnie the Pooh, Disney princesses, or Ninja Turtles.

Go wild with animals, impress with a circus theme or have a blast turning a famous event into a kids-friendly affair - think Kim Kardashian’s daughter North’s birthday, ‘Kidchella’ – a childversion of the popular American music festival Coachella (however, you may have to forgo the ferris wheel and celebrity guests).

Make your theme come to life with colourful streamers, balloons, homemade pom-poms and lanterns, or posters. Top it off by dressing up, and asking guests to dress up, to match the theme.

PICK YOUR FOOD, DRINKS AND VENUE Making an invite list doesn’t have to be difficult. The best way to be cash savvy is to make the list small and intimate - inviting only close family members or close friends.

Pick simple foods, preferably nut-free to avoid any run-ins with allergies.

Think fairy bread, mini-pizzas, sausage rolls, meat pies, and nutritious options like fruit, vegie trays and juice boxes.

Then after you clean up and say goodbye, put your feet up and relax – you deserve it.

Make your party pop with a showstopping cake - like this one made at Choice Cake Decorating.

Make the cake on your own – matching your theme. Or if you have spare change, hire someone to do it for you. There are several cake makers who specialise in kids’ birthday cakes and can make anything and everything, in an array of different and delicious flavours.

Cupcakes, cake pops and cookies are also perfect options instead of a cake.

Just don’t forget the candles!

PLAN SOME ACTIVITIES Kids don’t need a lot of planned activities to keep them entertained.

They have great imaginations and can come up with games with limited props.

However, having a few activities keeps things organised.

Try a pinata (just make sure it’s supervised so kids don’t get hurt). Pin the tail on the donkey (or similar), a treasure hunt around a closed in yard or pass the parcel (try to let everyone get a small prize so no tears are shed).

If you have the cash to splash hiring a face painter, balloonist, magician, clown or character artist adds a little bit of excitement to any party.

If you want to invite more than close family and friends, make sure you know when to stop. If your child is infant or toddler age – keep the guest list low to not overwhelm them. Invite the people they know and see regularly so they aren’t scared with many new faces.

PACK THE PARTY FAVOURS

If they are older, invite only close friends who they regularly associate with and their parents. Make sure to only invite as many people that you can cater for.

You can fill gift bags with with sweet goodies such as lollies and chocolate (but again, keep in mind any food allergies).

Pick a venue which is big enough to host everyone - preferably your own house so you don’t have to transfer food, drinks, and presents around. If you plan

Don’t forget to get in on the action.

You have worked hard to plan a great event, you deserve to have a little fun too. Dress up, eat, drink, have a turn on the pinata.

There is a wide range of options if you plan to hand guests party favours.

If your party guests are mainly babies and toddlers, you may want to avoid handing out any food. Instead, buy inexpensive mini-books, party poppers, bubbles or puzzles. Enjoy!

89a Switchback Rd, Chirnside Park

Phone: 9735 5375 12381013-CG12-18

www.choicecakes.com

Large range of cake decorating supplies and special occasion cakes 22 AUTUMN 2018

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUSTRALIANS can’t get enough slime.

e m i l sub

t s u j is

How to make slime was one of our top searched phrases on google last year.

It appears we love slime so much, that four versions of the same question hit our top 10 searched questions - how to make slime, how to make fluffy slime, how to make slime without borax and how to make slime without glue.

Last year most of us were more interested in making slime than buying bitcoin.

■ Step On e: Dissolve on e teaspoon o f Borax in o ne cup of wa rm water.

This recipe is a traditional slime that uses both borax and glue, which can be found in your local supermarket although I’ve never bought borax before so had to hunt the laundry aisle.

It makes a nice thick slime perfect for poking, squishing, squelching and rolling; the same consistency as I remember buying from the toy shop many years ago.

After we had finished playing with it, the slime went in to a Tupperware container in the pantry, where it is still going strong.

Mess factor: 3/5 Once it’s been formed in to one mass of slime it’s fairly mess-free, but if your child likes to pick bits off and flick them, as mine did, you could be finding strange little slime balls for a few days afterwards.

- Jade Glen

■ Step Four: Not pictured because it was hard to do and photograph at the same time! Pour your Borax and warm water bowl in to your Glue bowl - slowly. The mixture will thicken immediately. Stir it around until all combined. We didn't use all of the borax mixture in the end, as the solution got slimy very quickly.

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

■ Step Three: We added colour by emptying a pink glitter glue pen in to the glue/ warm water mix. Mix well.

■ Ste p Tw bottle o: Empty the en in to a tir bowl.

Refill separate, la e glue th water from e bottle w rger ith wa th water rm to the e tap and add t bowl. he

■ After a bit of kneading to make sure everything is combined - voila! perfectly squishy squelchy slime.

AUTUMN 2018 23

reality bites

Joanna, Mark and baby Alba in front of their tiny home.

178184

Pictures: GREG CARRICK

Born under the

twinkling stars

By Jade Glen IMAGINE giving birth at home, in water, under the twinkling stars and strings of fairy lights on a clear November night.

Birth stories don’t come much dreamier - and for Toolangi couple Joanna and Mark Pinnock, it was reality.

The couple returned to Mark’s childhood home of Toolangi just under a year ago, after stints in Singapore and the UK. Living in a tiny home while they search for the perfect block, they decided the time was right to have a baby – and soon they were pregnant.

Enjoying a healthy pregnancy, Joanna was seeing midwives in Lilydale and was booked in to give birth in hospital, but always felt like she would prefer to give birth at home.

“I always wanted to have a home birth, but I thought it wouldn’t be possible because our house is obviously quite small,” Joanna said.

Joanne had read about local private midwives, Lisa and Robyn of Yarra Valley Midwives, in Yarra Ranges Kids Magazine. As her pregnancy progressed, she had a tour of the hospital she was booked to give birth at.

24 AUTUMN 2018

With no room to give birth inside, Joanna set up the birth pool on the home's deck. 178184 www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

reality bites

Alba's nursery has all the essentials in a compact space. 178184 “That really reinforced my desire to have a home birth,” Joanna said. “So that’s when I went and met with Robyn.

From the first chat with her, I knew that I wanted to go ahead with a home birth. I was about 30 weeks when I definitely decided, so probably quite late.”

While their house is tiny, it has a big deck out the front, so Joanna borrowed the Yarra Valley Midwives birthing pool and planned to give birth on the deck, in water, at home.

On her due date, 27 November, Joanna started feeling some contraction-like niggles.

“I was in Healesville having lunch with Mark and having some contractions but didn’t really realise what they were, because I had been having Braxton Hicks for the last week or to so didn’t think much of it. I got home at 3pm and called Robyn and she said to time them to see if they got worse.

“About 4pm decided I was in labour – Mark came home from work and got the house ready and by 5pm I was definitely in labour.

“By 8pm I felt like I needed to push so I called them and they said to breath through it. Robyn and Lisa got there about 9pm and filled the pool. I thought it was too soon, I was prepared for it to go all night as everyone says for your first child your labour can be a day long. But obviously they just knew.

“She was born at 10pm and I didn’t push at all really – I kind of just breathed her out, if that makes sense.“

“I stayed in the pool and delivered the placenta and then moved inside where it was a bit warmer. I had a bit of a tear, so Robyn fixed that and we got on with breastfeeding.“ After making sure everyone was settled, Robyn and Lisa left just before 2am so the brand-new family of three could get some rest.

“Robyn came back every day for the next four days and then I also had appointments with them up to six weeks (post-birth). It was really good before and after care,” Joanna said.

“I understand (homebirth) is not for everyone, and we had friends and family that weren’t really taken by the idea and maybe worried about something going wrong. I think there is a lot of fear surrounding child birth and sometimes there doesn’t always need to be.

“It was a really positive experience for me. Lisa and Robyn were so kind and caring and funny and make you feel at ease. I felt so much more comfortable with them than I did with eastern health.

“I’m so grateful to Robyn and Lisa that they are there providing the service they do and allowing us to have that experience, and for giving other people that option as well.”

Joanna has one other tip for women who may be hoping for a relatively quick birth on their due date.

Book now for May Breathe Birth Classes

Private Midwives providing personalised pregnancy, birth and postnatal services for the women of the Yarra Valley and beyond. Our beautiful rooms are located in the main street of Healesville with easy access and parking available.

Book your Breathe Birth preparation for labour & birth classes online today www.breathebirth.com.au

“Definitely the dates – eat the dates!” she said.

12377250-DC08-18

Baby Alba was born in the water, under the fairy lights and night sky, weighing 3.67kg.

“After she was born and we were all kind still, just sitting under the fairy lights and it was amazing,“ Joanna said.

www.yarravalleymidwives.com.au 0410 692 929 - 0448 866 655 www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2018 25

reality bites

Four children in just two pregnancies - Morgan doesn't do anything by halves. Morgan and Timothy with Bentley and Mackenzie (back) and Riley and Cody. 176388 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

It was a case of what happens in Vegas, doesn't always stay in Vegas

Twins at the th e double

By Jade Glen

help get our head around having babies again,” Morgan said.

MORGAN Rackham and Timothy Morgan have rolled the dice twice and got two sets of fraternal twins - a statistical quirk that has roughly the same odds as winning third division with a single entry of Tattslotto.

Timothy’s mum came to look after the eldest twins the first night, and Morgan’s mum came down from Bendigo to stay and take the kids to and from school.

After five days, Morgan and Timothy and the twins left hospital. Life was back to normal, although they both sorely missed the hospital’s famous afternoon Happy Hour, when a trolley laden with cakes, pastries and soft cheeses made the rounds of the ward.

Their eldest twins, Bentley and Mackenzie, were born at Monash Hospital seven years ago, delivered naturally at 36 weeks gestation.

Last year the couple enjoyed a week in Las Vegas and on their return discovered that Morgan was pregnant again.

“It was a case of what happens in Vegas, doesn’t always stay in Vegas,” Morgan said.

The couple did not think they would be having twins again, but an early dating scan proved otherwise.

“The sonographer had a look and said there’s one - and there’s two. I was a lot more scared this time. To have one healthy twin pregnancy is one thing; but to pull it off again is another,” she said.

Both of Morgan’s pregnancies were similar, with minor complications towards the end. But the births of both sets of twins were very different.

Timothy went back to work at his personal training business, 4 U Body Fitness, shortly after returning home.

Baby Riley and Cody. 176388 after some manipulation by the obstetrician.

Morgan was discharged from hospital after 48 hours, while the twins were kept in special care at Monash and then Dandenong Hospital for 9 days.

“I was setting my alarm every three hours to express and travelling to see them every day,” Morgan said.

When Bentley and Mackenzie came home, Morgan found getting out and about relatively simple.

Morgan was induced at 36 weeks with her first pregnancy as Bentley had stopped growing in utero.

“They loved the pram and slept everywhere I went - I was out every day doing stuff.”

Bentley was delivered first, weighing 4lb 1oz, and Morgan saw him briefly before he was whisked away to the Special Care Nursery.

Because of their small size at birth, the twins had a few extra checks with the Child Health Nurse, but showed no ill effects. Mackenzie would hit all her milestones like first tooth and toilet training first, with Bentley always

It was another 42 minutes before Mackenzie arrived, weighing 4lb 9oz, 26 AUTUMN 2018

picking it up spot on one month later.

They shared a cot for a time and still enjoy ‘sleeping over’ in each other’s rooms.

The second-time around, Morgan and Timothy chose Dr Jorg Kemper as their obstetrician, and delivered at St John of God Hospital in Berwick - an experience they described as fantastic.

“Everything kind of went back to normal - we were doing the usual after school activities, swimming and dancing. It was an organised chaos,” Morgan said.

The eldest twins adjusted to their new brothers after a brief period of rebellion and are very attentive.

“They have been absolutely amazing. They have coped really well with the attention shift and instantly get up to help. Mackenzie especially is such a little mother,” Timothy said.

Plans for a natural delivery were scrapped when at 37 weeks, Riley was still breach and Cody was not engaged, and the growth of both babies had slowed significantly.

Morgan, a beauty therapist, has started to see a few clients again at her home business, Beauty Couture by Morgan.

“We went in on the Monday and he said get organised, the caesarean is happening tomorrow.”

The family knows plenty of others with one set of twins but no others nearby with two sets.

Riley was born weighing 5lb 5oz and Cody 4lb 13oz.

While there’s one spare seat in the family car, they don’t plan to try for one more; they’ve decided the odds of having another pair are a tad too high.

“They were pretty much in our room the whole time, which was really nice to

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

reality bites

Barcenas as and Jess Alex Barcen Declan. d an ia M , with Alannah

Declan Barcenas surpised his family by arriving before schedule.

Baby Declan

a surprise package THEY say third time’s a charm - and for the Barcenas family, the third addition certainly proved to be a surprise package.

Baby Declan surprised his parents, Jess and Alex Barcenas of Cranbourne East, by arriving on his own terms at 36 weeks, well before his scheduled caesarean birth.

He joins his sisters Mia and Alannah, both delivered by Caesarean Section.

“With Mia I had a normal pregnancy, all was going well and I was booked in to have a normal delivery. I went in to labour naturally and laboured for over 24 hours, then pushed for two hours, and they said she’s stuck; we need to get this baby out. So it was an emergency caesarean,” Jess said.

“It was definitely a shock, being our first baby and first pregnancy; you just kind of assume things will go to plan.

We were hoping for a water birth and obviously that didn’t happen. I was in shock, and also really tired after a typically long first labour.”

When Mia was three-years-old, the couple fell pregnant again. Doctors gave Jess the option of scheduling an elective caesarean or attempting to deliver vaginally.

“I called the hospital and they said have a panadol and a hot shower and call back if your waters break or anything and I said no, I think I’m in real labour!”

“I think the idea of potentially going through labour then having another C-section was a fear in my mind. My husband and I spoke and said lets go with what we know.

The midwife checked Jess’s history and said she’d better come in for a check-up. Jess called Alex, who luckily was already on his way home from work, and her parents, who came to look after Mia and Alannah.

“We had a date booked for 39 weeks and my waters broke at 38 weeks - I was at woollies, I had a list of things to do before the date so was going about my business - so I went home and definitely knew what was happening.

That was quite a shock, but we still did a caesarean, just a week to the day before her booked date.”

When Alannah was 10-months-old, the couple discovered they were expecting again.

“It was much sooner than we had thought and planned on having a third, but that’s OK,” Jess said.

“At my first hospital appointment, they went through my medical history and basically said you’ll need to have a third caesarean, once you’ve had two the risks are much higher. So again I had my date and was working everything around this date.”

On 20 June, at 36 weeks, Jess went in for a routine growth scan.

“Everything was going to normally, the baby was looking good, a good size.

I went home that day and then about an hour later I started having what I thought may be Braxton Hicks, sort of tightenings, but I wasn’t quite sure.

Declan Barcenas.

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

“I thought it was way too early for anything to be happening at 36 weeks and 3 days, but within an hour it got way too intense too quickly.

“The car rise was horrific - I was in lots of pain,” Jess said.

“They checked me out and said you’re actually 10 centimetres dilated and the baby wants to come out now, he’s in a really good position, and how do you feel about having a vaginal birth.

“I wasn’t mentally prepared but just had to go with what was happening.”

Jess was allowed to push whenever she felt ready, and about an hour and a half later Declan was born, weighing 2.93kg. He was breathing on his own and feeding straight away, seemingly unaware of how unexpected his arrival was.

“I was in shock - I just thought hang on, he’s not meant to be here yet! That was part of it, and obviously I was relieved that he was fine, and there were not any issues. I was also shocked that I ended up having a vaginal birth, but happy that I was able to birth a baby the way I always thought I was going to.”

“I didn’t have a hospital bag or anything ready - typical third baby - so once he was born I sent Alex home with a list of the bare essentials,” she said.

The unexpected delivery proved to be a blessing for the family, with Jess able to get straight back in to the swing of things.

Declan with his doting sisters, Mia and Alannah.

“I felt quite good within about 24 hours; I was happily walking around and getting up and down to change him. It was quite different to how I felt 12-24 hours after my caesareans. I was able to do so much more with my toddler, being and picking her up.”

Jess said the girls loved having a baby brother, and that while her days were incredibly full, things had fallen in to a rhythm.

“It’s busy from the time everyone wakes to the moment they are in bed at night. A lot of my day is just feeding people and changing nappies, and getting everyone in and out of the car is a mission - but we are getting in to a groove now.”

AUTUMN 2018 27

Games and gadgets

IT’S TIME TO

get a scootin’ SCOOTERS have fast become a popular and fun way for both children and adults to get around. They are durable, compact and lightweight.

Affordable and easy to ride, scooters are a great buy for people of all ages.

RIDE LIKE A PRO WITH GRIT ELITE

GROW WITH THE GLOBBER FLOW 125

DO you or your child live to scoot? Ride like a pro with Grit, the most advanced professional scooters on the market. Grit has the perfect scooter to suit your style, skill or discipline.

RIDERS of all ages can scoot with ease and in style on a Globber. Founded in 2014 by experts with more than 20 years in the riding and scooter industry, Globber has used a reliable and innovative design to transform the conventional scooter.

Grit combines precision design with high quality materials and is ridden by the world’s best freestyle scooter riders.

The all-new Grit Elite is the ultimate trick scooter and is a good looking, lightweight ride featuring battle bars, alloy-core wheels, flex brake and soft feel handlebar grips.

The Grit Elite retails for $220 and is available in four awesome graphic design and colour combos.

Grit complete scooters, parts and accessories are available at leading scooter stores, and specialty independent bike, skate and toy stores.

For more information about Grit and its professional team riders visit www. gritscooters.com.au 28 AUTUMN 2018

The new Globber Flow 125 scooter is the perfect ride for beginners aged six and up. It grows as children do thanks to an adjustable T-bar ideal for intensive use. The T-bar can be altered to three height levels for precise steering based on the user. The Flow 125 also features a non-slip deck, soft brakes and high rebound wheels for a smooth ride. The scooter comes in bright green and plum and boasts eye-catching light up wheels.

The Flow 125 retails for $140 and is available at www.globber.com.au www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

LIVE LIFE ON GLOBBER

www.globber.com.au 12379395-HM12-18

www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

AUTUMN 2018 29

Jay's way to body safety

By Kyra Gillespie MACCLESFIELD mother-of-three Jayneen Sanders has had a busy year; among her many achievements she has released two new children’s books and the gifted publishing rights to World Vision India, where over 100,000 copies of My Body! What I Say Goes! will be distributed to schools across the country and translated into five Indian languages.

Co-owning her own publishing company Educate 2 Empower with her husband Mark, Jayneen is the lead author of Engage Literacy published by Capstone Classroom, and has had over 100 stories for children published.

Jay is also most importantly a mother of three girls, and has been on the school council at her local primary school for over seven years.

As a parent and a primary school teacher, Jay was inspired to ask the question of her community: ‘What are we doing in schools to empower children and protect them from inappropriate touch?’

When she realised very little was actually being done, she decided to use her authoring and publishing skills to write resources to help parents, caregivers and teachers to broach the subject of self-protection and to encourage children to speak up.

“It all started when I was on the council at the school where the children attended, and I saw a book called Keeping Children Safe, which taught kids about body autonomy and safety.

“I thought it was great, and asked the school to implement their own body safety project, but they kept ignoring me.

department store to see it.

Macclesfield author and advocate Jayneen Sanders.

“When Mark and I brought up the girls, we let them where whatever they wanted to; even today they still get around in overalls riding boots.

“We let them have choices and a voice so they could have a say in what they wore and what activity they wanted to do, and I think they’re fairly empowered because of that.”

Combining her passion and expertise in teaching and writing, Jay’s vision for the future is to have a teacher counsellor in every secondary school to teach students about topics like consent and respect in the same way they are taught literacy, maths or physical education.

“There is a very big void for kids who are about 11-17 years old, and I think those children are in danger.

“So I decided to write my first book of the series called Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept, so I could show the school that it can be done.”

Since then, Jay has gone on to release eight more children’s picture books, including two this year titled Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect and How Big Are Your Worries Little Bear?

“There are a lot of grown-ups who find it difficult to talk about these subjects with children, and who are terrified that they are going to lose their innocence.

“I try to use scenarios that are very typical to children so that they can relate, such as a little boy who pushes the little girl so he can go first on the

slide, or the child who tries to take the bucket.

“The books provide a vehicle and scaffolding to approach the conversation with the right words and illustrations.”

“Children need to be listened to and validated and understood.”

Raising her three daughters – Jessica, Isabelle and Rebekah – has been far from an easy experience.

“Being a mother, particularly of three girls, has been an extraordinary learning experience.

“I see such gender stereotyping and sexualisation of girls going on in our society now; all you need to do is log into Instagram or walk through a

“They are suddenly thrown into this world that has porn, sexualisation, peer pressure, alcohol and drugs, and no platform to make sense of it.

“My vision is to have a teacher who unpacks things like gender inequality in the classroom, so if these kids feel concerned they have that teacher to go to.

“Gender inequality is what drives domestic violence, and we have to teach our boys from a young age that no, all people are equal.

“We have to teach girls to say: Hey, we are here. We matter. We are half the population. All we are asking is to be treated equally.”

To find out more about Jayneen’s work, visit the Educate 2 Empower website

Garden inspires mums second book

By Melissa Grant NORTH Warrandyte mum Penny Harrison always loved picture books, but it wasn’t until her second child was born that she thought she should actually write one.

Although Penny never had any real inclination to write creatively, she found herself enrolling in an online course with the Australian Writers’ Centre when her daughter, Olive, was about six weeks old.

“I was crazy – I think I might have been hormonal,” she said. “She wasn’t a great sleeper, so I’d sit up thinking up ideas.

The Art Garden, Penny's second book.

“I’ve always loved picture books Her latest title to hit book shelves, and I started buying them all again for her and kind of rekindled that love and The Art Garden, is inspired by the I thought ‘oh, I’d really love to have a stunning gardens at the Heide Museum go at this’.” of Modern Art in Bulleen.

Penny, who started her writing The gardens were planted by the career as a local newspaper journalist, has had two children’s books published late Sunday and John Reed, who supported many renowned Australian and another due for release later this artists. year.

30 AUTUMN 2018

North Warrandyte author Penny Harrison.

spot, so it “It’s kind of my favourite spot just ju got me thinking about gardening as a form of art,” Penny said.

The Art Garden, illustrated by Penelope Pratley, is about a girl who P wants to be a painter but makes a big mess whenever she picks up a paintbrush. But one day she makes a big discovery about herself and her creativity while looking at things from another perspective.

“I guess Art Garden is a little autobiographical in that I always wanted to paint but I never really had

the patience or inclination to learn and stick with it,” Penny explains.

You’ll also often find Penny in the garden, between writing and caring for Olive, now five, and son Finlay, 13.

Gardening is also the theme of her next book, Emily Green’s Garden.

Penny is plotting some more titles but is no longer sitting up half the night thinking up ideas.

“My little girl has just started Prep, so I’ll have a bit more time to write,” she said. www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

FESTIVAL

season March Sunday, 11 March – Belgrave Big Dreams Market.

9am to 2pm. Featuring craft, design, produce, fresh coffee, sourdough bread, bouncy castle, playground.

Dog friendly market. Reynolds Lane, Belgrave, Belgrave Tuesday, 13 March – Baby Settling Talk. 1.30pm-3pm.

Learn about your baby’s behaviour and how to establish and develop a daily routine based on feed/ play/sleep. Suitable for infants aged 0 – 3 months.

Bookings essential. Norwood Family & Children’s Centre, Ringwood. http://www.maroondah.vic.gov. au/Community-support-services/Children-andfamilies/Maternal-and-child-health/Regularmaternal-and-child-health-programs Friday, 16 March – 18 March– The River Folk Festival.

The River Folk Festival is a three day music festival, hosted across multiple venues in Warburton, showcasing local, regional and national performers.

Tickets on sale soon – follow www.facebook.com/ theriverfolkfestival/ Friday, 16 March – Croydon Multicultural Festival, 6.30pm – 10pm.

Celebrate and enjoy a rich multicultural day in Croydon where more than a dozen countries will showcase their respective cultural traditions and heritage from all over the world, enjoy a multicultural dinner experience with live entertainment, street food provided by local shops, kids activities and much more. Croydon Main Street.

Saturday, 17 March – Selby fest. 11am to 6.30pm.

Market Stalls, Healing, Community Art projects, Fabulous Food, Fashion Parade, Environmental stalls, Kids Space and more.

Walk the Minak Trail- native wildlife & live animal show. Live to air broadcast on local 3MDR 97.1FM. Selby Community House and Minak Reserve 1 Minak Rd, via Charles Street, Selby Saturday, 17 March – Autumn Fair at St Matthew’s.

11am to 3pm. A fun day for the whole family at St. Matthew’s Autumn Fair. Silent Auction, Cakes, Books, Bric-a Brac, Toys, Food, Kid’s Fun, Soak the Vicar and Prayer available in a lovely little church. Come and grab a bargain, and spend time enjoying the peaceful and friendly atmosphere of this hills community event. St Matthew’s Church 17 Monash Avenue, Olinda.

Saturday, 17 March – Animal Aid’s Inaugural Charity Poker Run. 11am to 4pm. Raising much needed funds www.yarrarangeskids.com.au

to support the homeless animals in care. Tickets $25. https://www.animalaid.org.au Sunday, 18 March – Free family fun day at Yering Station Winery. 9am to 2pm. Farmers Market, coffee, music and mouth-watering cooking demonstrations, have your face painted, stroke a snake or hold a baby crocodile at the mobile reptile zoo, have fun on the jumping castle, and make sure you find the balloon magician! Yering Station Winery 38 Melba Highway, Yering.

Sunday, 18 March – Healesville Dog Day Out. 11am to 3pm. A fun day out for you and your best friend!

Register your dog in events such as, Best Junior Handler, Most Alike Dog & Owner, Shiniest Coat and many more. Coronation Park, River Street, Healesville.

Thursday, 22 March - Yarra Valley StartUp Mum Mumthly Catch Up – Warburton. 10am to 12pm.

Juggling being a mum and a business can be tough and very isolating at times. The ‘mumthly’ catching up mornings are all about supporting business mums as they start/grow their businesses with inspiration, networking and skill building. Oscars on the Yarra , 3185 Warburton Highway, Warburton Thursday, 22 March – Chocolate treats for Easter. 1pm to 3pm. Time to fill your Easter baskets. Experience the satisfaction of making a selection of Easter eggs or delightful Australian animals to please your family and friends. All materials included. Costs $30.

Healesville Living and Learning Centre 1 Badger Creek Road, Healesville

Djirri Dance group, Kofi Kunkpe - Master Ghanian drummer and more. 2451 Warburton Hwy, Yarra Junction

April Tuesday, 5 April – Baby Settling Talk. 1.30pm-3pm.

Learn about your baby’s behaviour and how to establish and develop a daily routine based on feed/ play/sleep. Suitable for infants aged 0 – 3 months.

Bookings essential. Norwood Family & Children’s Centre, Croydon. http://www.maroondah.vic.gov. au/Community-support-services/Children-andfamilies/Maternal-and-child-health/Regularmaternal-and-child-health-programs Sunday, 8 April – Belgrave Big Dreams Market. 9am to 2pm. Featuring craft, design, produce, fresh coffee, sourdough bread, bouncy castle, playground. Dog friendly market. Reynolds Lane, Belgrave, Belgrave Thursday, 12 April – Terrific Toddler Workshop.

1.30pm to 3pm. Learn about managing difficult behaviour, fussy eating, sleep disturbances and toileting. Bookings essential. Norwood Family & Children’s Centre, Ringwood Friday, 20 April – Maroondah Night Run. 6pm to 8pm.

Complete the 5km course, sweeping through the 18 holes of Ringwood Golf Club. Finish the evening off with the after party at Mr Fox Cafe. Ringwood Golf, 352 Canterbury Road, Ringwood.

May

Friday 23 March – Saturday 24 March – Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival. 7.30pm to 10pm. Two stages of live entertainment, rides, loads of activities for children and over 100 stalls in the marketplace. You will find roving performers, storytelling, drumming and magic as you explore the site and inside, the Community Centre showcase their programs and art gallery.

Running 7.30 to 10pm Friday night and 10am to 4pm Saturday. Red Earth Park Brice Avenue, Mooroolbark

Saturday, 5 May – Woori Open Day. Woori Community House Open Day – includes activities for kids. 1385 Healesville/Koo-wee-rup Road, Woori Yallock

Sunday, 25 March – Ecotopia Earth Festival Celebrating Cultural Diversity. 10am to 4pm. Yarra Junction will come alive with flair and diversity at this inclusive and free festival. Multicultural Morning tea, large Eco Market, Recycled Fashion parade, Pride Parade, Live music on stage, Flying Fox and rope swings, celebrating the work of all the NFP local groups, showcasing local artists, local produce, healthy eating and healthy living.Roving performers including MOOP Patrol, and live Aztec dance, Djirri

Sunday, 13 May – Belgrave Big Dreams Market. 9am to 2pm. Featuring craft, design, produce, fresh coffee, sourdough bread, bouncy castle, playground. Dog friendly market. Reynolds Lane, Belgrave, Belgrave

Sunday, 6 May - Kalorama Chestnut Festival. 10am to 4pm. Delicious freshly roasted chestnuts, gourmet food, local handcrafts and loads of fun for the kids.

Kalorama Reserve

Sunday, 27 May – Adventure Dog – a cross country challenge. We’re welcoming all dog lovers and their canine pals to take part in Adventure Dog - A Cross Country Challenge, help us raise money to care for the animals at Animal Aid. Wandin Park Equestrian Centre, Gruyere animalaid.org.au AUTUMN 2018 31

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www.yarrarangeskids.com.au