Sunshine Coast Kids Today Autumn 2019

FREE AUTUMN 2019

Amazon success AFFORDS TEACHERS EARLY RETIREMENT

mum shines

AS CHILDREN'S AUTHOR

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WELCOME TO HELLO everyone!

Isn't the year flying by? I can't believe it's already autumn. The days are long and the years are short when you have kids, that's for sure!

Our autumn edition is packed full of great reads - there are plenty of inspiring stories and good parenting advice.

If you've ever dreamt of quitting your day job and following your dreams then you'll love our story about three Sunshine Coast locals who retired early from teaching after becoming bestselling authors on Amazon.

Katrina Kahler, Karen and Bill Campbell said goodbye to the classroom after more than replacing their salaries by self-publishing books on the online platform.

autumn

Children from all over the world are benefiting from reading the trio's books, which are based on problems they encountered in the schoolyard and include strategies on how to cope with bullying and friendship issues. Check out page 3 for the full story.

Another Sunny Coast local following their dreams is mother of five Samantha Willcocks.

Samantha (featured on page 9) has dreamt of being an author since she was a little girl and has just had her first book published.

In this edition, we're also lucky enough to feature a piece written by world renowned author Steve Biddulph.

The psychologist of 30 years who has sold millions of books offers some great advice on raising boys (check out page 7).

Whether you are raising boys or girls, it's likely you are constantly looking at ways to save money (because kids can be pretty expensive).

One way to save some cash is to visit your local toy library. There are toy libraries located at nine libraries around Noosa and the Sunshine Coast that stock a huge range of toys which you can borrow for free! To discover your closest toy library, turn to page 6.

To keep up to date with the latest parenting news, be sure to visit www. sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au and our Facebook page. We are also on Instagram - just search for Sunshine Coast Kids Today.

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

Sunshine Coast Kids Today c/o Noosa Today 36 Mary Street, Noosaville, Qld, 4566 Online: sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au Facebook.com/SunshineCostKidsToday Editorial Abbey Cannan editorial@sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

contents IT'S YOUR LIFE Teachers retire after Amazon success PAGE 3 Midwife Cath's views on motherhood

Phone: 07 5455 6946 Advertising Tracey Combes

HEALTH AND FITNESS

ENTERTAINMENT

tracey.combes@ sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

Zane's School of Rock

Phone: 07 5449 9837

A gym tailored for kids

PAGE 16

PAGE 11

School holiday haven returns to Noosa

PAGE 4 Our most popular baby names PAGE 5

PAGE 16

EDUCATION

Organising your teen's bedroom PAGE 5

PAGE 12

Save at your toy library

Flinders Edible Garden Club

Steve Biddulph on raising teenage boys PAGE 7 Helping parents get back on track PAGE 8

From little things big things grow

FREE AUTUMN 2019

St Andrew's committed to Walker Learning Approach

PAGE 6

COVER: Lilly Jones with dad Brent on Noosa Main Beach.

PAGE 13 Early reading and spelling skills for life PAGE 13 Advice on School Readiness PAGE 14

Mum's passion shines through children's books

PAGE 17

Amazon success

BOOKS

AFFORDS TEACHERS EARLY RETIREMENT

Book to ruffle feathers in education sector

mum shines

PAGE 18 Children's book reviews

AS CHILDREN'S AUTHOR

PAGE 18

PAGE 9

HEALTH

KIDS CALENDAR

Talk money with your children early

Don't leave it to the tooth fairy

What's on this autumn

PAGE 10

PAGE 15

PAGE 19

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your life It’s

Karen Campbell and Katrina Kahler used to teach at Bli Bli State School.

TEACHERS RETIRE AFTER

Amazon Bill and Karen Campbell are enjoying an early retirement from teaching.

By Melissa Grant

success

It was a slow start - they made just $50 in their first month.

THREE Sunshine Coast teachers have retired early from the classroom after becoming best-selling authors on Amazon.

Katrina Kahler, Karen and Bill Campbell have more than replaced their teaching salaries by self-publishing books about bullying and problems they witnessed in the schoolyard, from crushes to friendship dramas.

The trio has amassed a huge following of young readers across the globe, particularly in the US and the UK where their titles have ranked in the top 100 eBooks.

However, things really took off when Karen's husband Bill, a teacher at Buddina State School, got involved.

"Bill and I sat down and talked about all the funny things we had seen in teaching over the years because we wanted to make The Diary of Almost a Cool Girl a funny book," Karen explained.

They both wrote versions of the story and asked their son, then aged 10, to listen to them.

"We didn't tell him who wrote which one. I thought mine would be the best," Karen said.

Mainly targeted at girls aged 8 to 12, the books are humorous and intertwined with strategies for how to cope with bullying and friendship issues.

"He listened to mine first and he loved it. Then we read Bill's and he was like 'that's so much better'. So that's how Bill became an author."

The trio's self-publishing venture began when Karen walked into the staff room at Bli Bli State School and revealed her plan to ditch report writing for penning eBooks.

The Diary of Almost a Cool Girl went to number one in its category on Amazon and has been a UK bestseller for children's humour books over the past five years, ranking beside books by John Grisham and Tom Clancy.

"I just went to a seminar on the Gold Coast that was about writing eBooks," Karen recalled.

"I came back and announced I was going to retire from teaching by writing eBooks which was met by a lot laughter in the staff room.

"Katrina didn't laugh of course, she knew I was serious."

They initially started a website to help children with homework before trying their luck at publishing eBooks on Amazon.

"It was a huge sensation," Katrina said.

"It's funny and it includes all the issues - the bullying, the innocent boy-girl crushes."

The trio publishes under the name Katrina Kahler as there are too many Karen and Bill Campbells already self-publishing on Amazon.

Each write their own stories using their experiences as teachers of kids in grades 3 to 7 and their own children as

sources of inspiration.

"We taught for a long time and over the years we just learnt how to relate to kids very well and having children of our own makes it easy," Katrina explained.

They recently received a detailed letter of thanks from a dad in Massachusetts, US, who said the books in the Julia Jones Diary Series had helped him bond with his nine-year-old daughter.

"Our children are now in their late teens and early 20s, but at one stage we could just relate to all the trials and tribulations they went through - the daily dramas, girlfriend/boyfriend crushes, the bullying.

"They are just really connecting and he's so appreciative of the books," Katrina said.

"Girls being girls struggle to get on.

The hormones kick in that age and they are just so emotional."

Together they've written around 120 books translated into 10 languages and available in paperback.

Katrina said the aim in the beginning was simply to help schoolgirls deal with daily dramas.

Other popular titles include Mind Reader, Witch School, Mean Girls, Twins and The Lost Girl.

"Things that seem minor to parents and teachers can really blow up in a child's life and get so bad that they don't want to go to school."

In December alone, the trio sold almost 36,000 eBooks and paperbacks plus had another three million pages read.

Karen said bullying had progressively gotten worse during her 30-year teaching career.

While the Campbells retired from teaching a few years ago to focus on writing, Katrina only left the classroom at the beginning of last year.

"Bullying is such a bad thing. It doesn't matter what school you go to or what socioeconomic group, kids are getting bullied," she said.

"I think it is getting worse and I think the internet is part of the reason because the kids are so connected they go home and they just can't get away from it."

The messages intertwined in the books seems to be getting through, with the trio constantly receiving messages of appreciation from all over world.

Julia Jones' Diary was actually the trio's first book and was published in 2014.

Recently they've branched out into boys books, with a series called Body Swap and an Almost Cool Boy series.

And now there is an Australian Amazon Marketplace, Katrina, Karen and Bill hope more Aussie kids will start reading their books.

"We are keen for Aussie kids to benefit as well," Katrina said.

"We want parents to realise our books can really help young kids as they're threaded with really useful messages."

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AUTUMN 2019 3

Midwife Cath is running a series of master classes across the country this year.

Midwife Cath's views on motherhood in the modern era

By Danielle Galvin CATHRYN Curtin, or Midwife Cath as she's more fondly referred to, believes being a parent these days isn't easy.

She says parents aren't always given the necessary tools to raise children, and that's why she continues to teach, to share her wisdom and guide parents through the beautiful, intimidating,

terrifyingly magical journey of parenthood.

A midwife, renowned author, public speaker and former maternal child health nurse, Cath is outspoken in her views.

"Google is a shocker," she points out.

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"Why I tell women not to Google is that when you get the answer you don't know what to do with those words, you don't understand the answer and it makes you more confused."

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The other problem she sees parents face these days is knowing where to get advice, when and how to seek out an expert, and who to listen to.

Upcoming Workshops: UÊ >À ÞÊ,i>` }ÊÃiÃà ÃÊv ÀÊ«Ài ÃV iÀÃÊLi} }Êi>V Ê Ì UÊ--*Ê ÌiÀÛi Ì Ê-ÌÀ>Ìi} iÃÊv ÀÊ«>Ài ÌÃÊ> `ÊÌi>V iÀÃÊqÊÓÊ ÕÀÊÃiÃà à Ìi`Ê Õ LiÀÃÊqÊ« iÊv ÀÊL }Ã

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Closed Facebook groups for parents can be as good as a village, she says, but they can also be a hotbed of misinformation and judgement for a parent vulnerable and desperate for answers.

It's certainly not just adjusting to life as a new parent that she has her sights set on - she believes parents in early childhood, particularly toddlers with their wild ways, tantrums, negotiation skills and hilarious comebacks, can sometimes hit you for six.

"It's not a put down of parents at all, you learn a lot in the first six weeks and then you start to make it up," she says.

they can't understand a sentence (but) they can comprehend you saying do this, do that."

In light of that, she disagrees with the 'terrible twos' tag often thrown around.

"The best thing with toddlers is distraction. Their brain is egocentric, it's parallel play, it's all about them," she says.

"You've got to distract in order to help them learn and help them play, rather than sitting down and having a long discussion.

"Toddlers are absolutely amazing, they are scientists, little sponges and you can teach them absolutely anything, but it's the way you teach them and the way you talk to them."

Cath's advice is simple when it comes to tantrums.

"Make sure they are safe and let them have it," she advises.

"Tantrums are usually around tiredness, hunger, and taking them to places they are not up to.

"If you're out, get up and go. If you're at home, let them scream until they stop screaming, and you say are you finished now?

"Don't keep taking about the tantrum.

Wipe their face and get on with it.

"And I say to them, I couldn't do your job, so let me help you."

"All they are doing is screaming from frustration."

When it comes to toddlers, she agrees parents are often left to their own devices and there's minimal training, advice and help.

She takes particular aim at the way check-ups are run these days through the maternal health service.

Cath draws on an example from The Simpsons, when Homer talks to the dog, and all the dog hears is 'blah bah blah'.

"You just shouldn't try and negotiate with a three-year-old, you basically tell them what to do and that's it," she said.

"Their brain is not developed enough to understand negotiation. You sort of think as a parent you should talk and negotiate, and have a big long discussion with them, and it's just like 'blah blah blah'.

"You have to understand the brain development. I say to parents your 18-month-old can't write a sentence - so

She says too often it's about "ticking boxes and weighing babies" but there's not enough teaching going on.

"Our role is to teach," she says.

"It's part of engaging people and having the skill to talk to them and encourage them about wonderful parenting is and how good it can be, when you do it as a positive loving approach."

Cath's Masterclass series is running across the country in 2019. For dates, information and to book a consultation with Cath, visit midwifecathsvillage. com.au or follow her on Instagram @ midwifecath www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

your life It’s

popular

OUR MOST BABY NAMES

By Melissa Grant QUEENSLAND parents can't get enough of the names Oliver and Charlotte.

Oliver was the most popular name for baby boys for the seventh year running in 2018, while Charlotte reigned supreme for girls for the fourth year in a row.

Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath said the top 10 names had also been consistent with only one new girl's name making the list, while there were two new boy's names.

"Willow was the new entry for girls, knocking Ivy out of the top 10," she said.

"And Leo, Archer and Theodore joined the most popular ranks for boys, replacing Hudson, James and Hunter."

Ava was the second most popular

girl's name, up from third last year, and William was again the second most popular boy's name - a place it has held since 2013.

The names favoured by mums and dads across the state haven't really changed much in recent years. Ms D'Ath said the most popular baby names lodged through the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages had been pretty much the same since 2015.

"While Charlotte has been the most popular girl's name for the past four years, you would have to go back to 2011 for Oliver not to be top," Mrs D'Ath said.

"Back then Jack was the most popular name for boys, before being replaced by Oliver.".

QUEENSLAND'S TOP BABY NAMES IN 2018 BOYS

GIRLS

1. Oliver 2. William 3. Jack 4. Noah 5. Henry 6. Harrison 7. Thomas 8. Leo 9. Archer 10. Theodore

1. Charlotte 2. Ava 3. Isla 4. Olivia 5. Amelia 6. Mia 7. Harper 8. Willow 9. Grace 10. Evelyn

organising YOUR TEEN'S BEDROOM

Professional organiser Julie Cliff

Julie Cliff, Professional Organiser TEENAGERS' bedrooms are the topic of many household arguments.

Shoes, clothes, rubbish and much more can often be found thrown on the floor. It tends to be the adults that are begrudgingly left to constantly pick up the mess.

Empower the teens with the right tools and skills to organise their own bedroom with these four easy steps.

You will be delighted with the results, the reduction of stress and the pride the teenagers start to take in their own space.

1. Teach the teens to decide if their clothes need washing Depending on the smelliness of the teen, clothes may not need to be washed every day.

Show them how to look out for marks on their clothes as they take it off.

Encourage smelly teens to make sure they put their clothes out to be washed on a regular basis.

■ Needs washing - Put the clothes in the laundry basket: Choose a fun design that is roughly the same size as the washing machine.

Show the teens how to put their clothes in the machine when the basket is full of dirty clothes.

I found some cool washing baskets on Pinterest. I also found some great ones at K-Mart too.

■ Does not need washing - Hang clothes for airing Delegate somewhere for clothes to be hung overnight instead of being thrown on the floor if they are OK to wear the next day, The end of the bed, allocated "airing www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

hangers" in the wardrobe or on a night stand will do just the trick.

2. Set up an art gallery or display area for their stuff: Teach your teens the skill of letting go of stuff by making conscious choices about what they want to keep and put on display and what they no longer need.

Set up a pinboard or display shelf for the teens to display the artwork they choose to keep.

Make time for the teens to rotate the artwork regularly, allowing time to dust and declutter as they change over the collection.

3. Provide a rubbish bin in their bedroom: Make sure there is a rubbish bin in each bedroom room.

The bin should be emptied each week when the other household bins go out.

4. Create a permanent home for things: Set up a permanent home in the bedroom for the teens' stuff and encourage them to return them to their home before they get into bed each night.

■ Shoes - dedicate a tub or rack for shoes to be stored.

My boys have a shallow wheely tub under their bed for shoes.

Another family I know keeps their

shoes in the garage so they can take their shoes off on the way into the house from the car.

■ Clothes - label drawers so the teens can find clothes and put them away themselves.

With the right tools and a little encouragement teens will begin to take pride in their bedroom by getting involved in these 4 easy steps.

Julie Cliff, is Professional Organiser at Space and Time and specialises in home management systems for professional, working Mums.

Sound familiar? Julie would love to hear from you - info@spaceandtime.com.au AUTUMN 2019 5

your life It’s

TOY LIBRARY DETAILS

Save AT YOUR TOY LIBRARY

SUNSHINE COAST: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

By Melissa Grant

■ Nambour

HOW often do you spend a small fortune on a toy only for your child to grow out of it in a few months?

Session times: There are sessions in the mornings and afternoons each weekday and 9am-11.30am sessions on Saturdays. For session times at your closest toy library, visit www.library.sunshinecoast. qld.gov.au/Children/Toy-Library

Do you frequently feel like your house is cluttered with toys?

If you answered yes, then you might want to check out your local toy library.

There are toy libraries located at nine libraries around Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.

There are also a selection of toys available for loan at Kenilworth Library, Sunshine Coast mobile library 'Mobi 2', and the Noosa mobile library.

Visiting your local toy library won't cost you a cent - all toys are free to borrow on a library membership card.

Sunshine Coast Young Peoples Services Supervisor Karen Gawen says toy libraries are an incredible resource for parents.

"Children grow out of toys quite quickly, so borrowing them enables parents to save money," she said.

"As we stock a large range of toys, it gives children and parents the opportunity to play with resources as a 'try before you buy' scenario.

Beerwah Caloundra Coolum Kawana Maleny Maroochydore

NOOSA: ■ Cooroy Library Children outgrow toys quickly, so borrowing them is a great way to save money.

"Musical instruments can be taken home and once parents have been driven mad by the noise, they can be returned!

"It's also a really good sustainable practice to combat the age of consumerism."

There are approximately 2000 toys available for loan at toy libraries on the Sunshine Coast, including toddler push toys and educational toys with a STEM focus.

There are also games collections, including one for kids aged 14+.

Action dolls, including DC, Marvel and Star Wars Characters, are among the most popular toys. Think Fun and

Smart Games are also in demand.

Children learn through play, so toys are stocked for ages ranging 6 months to 12+ years to help foster motor and early literacy skills.

■ Noosaville Library users can borrow two toys on their library cards for free.

Simply visit the libraries during opening hours to choose from the range of toys and puzzles available

Toy libraries on the Sunshine Coast were established more than 30 years ago to help parents combat the expense of toys. But their popularity has soared in the last four years, with loans increasing by 78 per cent.

being added to the collection.

New toy libraries have also been added as library branches are refurbished and enlarged.

"Our toy collection cannot be reserved and items can't be sent to other branches ... so we try and buy multiple copies of the same toy to satisfy demand."

And there are always new toys

"We buy frequently and this enables us to stay on trend and have popular toys within a few months of their release date," Ms Gawen said.

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your life It’s

World renowned author Steve Biddulph.

Raising Teenage Boys TO BECOME THE MEN WE WANT THEM TO BE being. Backbone, and heart.

IN raising a boy, you have to know what kind of man you are aiming for writes Steve Biddulph.

When you first learned you were having a boy, how did you feel? What thoughts and images sprang to mind, and were they good ones? Boys - and men - seem to be in a lot of trouble lately, and so we need to have clear goals for how to raise them for now, and not the past. We don't need men who can wrestle buffaloes any more!

Backbone is the capacity to be true to your word. Hang in and finish something hard. Be reliable with commitments or promises. You have to teach boys that this is what manliness means. Strength is a mental thing, its got nothing to do with muscles. Sticking up for a friend. Disagreeing when others say something stupid or hurtful. Your son will understand easily that this takes courage, and courage is something boys admire.

Sooner or later, these qualities will be a matter of life and death. So you can't start too soon. When your son shows these qualities, TELL HIM. It will become

a part of who he thinks he is, and just grow stronger.

Some boys I know were at a party where the adults seemed to have vacated the scene, wanting to be friends rather than be seen as uncool grown ups. Alcohol was abundant. So in other words, a disaster looking to happen. One of the girls had way too much to drink, and already not overdressed, was now in disarray on a couch among her laughing peers, close to passing out.

In the half dark, some boys began to touch her, then paw her more obviously, daring each other to go further, laughing and scoffing in their own alcohol fuelled haze. One of the other boys, seeing this, said "hey guys, leave her alone, she's had way too much to drink, she needs help". And moved in closer, inserting himself into the picture. He asked the girl for her phone, and not getting much answer, he took it and started to call her parents.

Then sat with a glare until the other boys got the message, or felt shamed enough, and with some scornful remarks, moved off for greener pastures.

You can talk to your sons about specific situations like this - what would you do if ... ? This makes it more likely that they will be able to think on the spot - something we all find hard to do.

Celia Lashley said that most of the men in her prison were there because of a decision made in five seconds.

Raising your son to be the kind of man you want needs to be a deliberate project, which he knows you are set on carrying out. Talk lots about what a good person, and a good man, is, and he will be well on the way.

Steve Biddulph's book Raising Boys in the 21st Century is out now - published

by Simon and Schuster.

Steve will be doing his world famous shows across Melbourne starting in May. www.stevebiddulph.com for details.

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Sometimes in a workshop I ask people to call out what qualities they like most in a man. There are some ribald comments of course, but for the most part they are very heartfelt, and often reflect what the women have NOT received, always, from the men in their lives. So kindness comes high on the list, trustworthiness, being good humoured. Self-sacrificing, not selfish. Patient. Fun to be around, cheerful. There are two main qualities when you boil it down, in what makes a good man, and in fact a good human

Heart is the capacity to be kind and look out for other people. Boys who are warm-hearted make the best friends, girls really like them, and they actually have more fun in life. When you encourage your four year old to care for his baby sister, or even his pet or toy, you teach him gentleness and pride in caring.

K id s on ly at

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APRIL-M

2018 Brought to

AY

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Sunshine Coast Kids Today magazine, online and social channels bring families together……

Get your FREE emagazine NOW! See sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au Inquiries contact: sales@noosatoday.com.au Phone 07 5455 6946 AUTUMN 2019 7

your life It’s

HELPING PARENTS TO GET

By Margaret Maccoll

Brad and Monique Everton with sons Corey and Zac. Picture: Rob Maccoll.

power of the mind and how to harness that power to develop a successful mindset - something he struggled to achieve when he was young.

"In my early teens I competed in athletics at state and national levels. I was naturally gifted but didn't know how to reach my potential," he said.

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IF only a child arrived with a manual.

What parent hasn't thought that at some time?

Psychologist Brad Everton believes parenting may be the hardest, most challenging and yet rewarding job you will ever be faced with, but one that can be made easier if you know how.

With almost 20 years experience in psychology he has discovered that parents can navigate with confidence and ease with "a solid framework" and "proven tools, tips and strategies".

"Once you become a parent, you soon realise the enormous burden you place on yourself because you are completely responsible for making every decision and trying to raise your children so they can fulfil their potential," he said.

"It is also said that as a parent, you are not just responsible for one generation, but at least two - because your children are most likely to raise their children similar to you."

But it's no wonder parents struggle.

Parenting skills are not something taught in school so Brad isn't surprised to find parents often lack confidence, find it difficult to be consistent with their parenting and struggle to connect with their kids during times of difficulty.

Brad's interest in helping families began with a fascination with the

back on track

8 AUTUMN 2019

"I then started searching for answers through the personal development industry and studying everything I could find about it.

"My first two books in that industry were the classics, 'How to win friends and influence people' by Dale Carnegie, and 'Maximize your mental power' by David Schwartz, PhD who was also the author of 'The Magic of Thinking Big'."

Brad realised then he wanted to help people get better results in their lives.

He completed honours and masters degrees in psychology and has been a registered psychologist for about two decades.

Before moving to the Sunshine Coast in 2010 with his wife Monique and son, Corey (now aged 11), he was a practicing psychologist in Student Services at the University of Southern Queensland and also supported students on-campus through his role as Associate Director of the Residential Colleges.

Through Brad's work it has become clear to him that the problems parents struggle with can be condensed to three main issues: 1. Lack of consistency - which is not knowing what to do and more importantly not sticking to routines, rituals, and the certain behaviours that can make parenting easier and more effective.

2. Lack of connection - this is vitally important to be able to maintain open communication with your kids so they can continue to seek your guidance during difficult times.

3. Lack of confidence - parents often doubt themselves, feel guilty and disappointed because they are unable to support their kids in a way that empowers them.

If parents don't resolve these issues in the early years and set up a solid foundation and framework from which to operate, when kids become teenagers and start to explore their independence and seek the guidance of others problems can become more apparent.

"When you experience problems, what's being tested is your foundation," he said.

"So, if your foundation is solid and strong, then you will withstand the problems and find solutions to them. If your foundation is not solid, then cracks will appear, and the problems will become bigger. So, the sooner parents

can build a solid framework, with principles which are timeless, generational and universal, it will allow them to create the family they have always wanted."

Brad believes it is these fundamental principles that enable parents to maintain open communication to resolve conflicts, keep their self-control, teach their kids to boost their own self-confidence, share family values, beliefs and morals, have a system to solve problems quickly and easily and introduce outside concepts to help kids reach their full potential.

After helping numerous families with their problems, Brad set about creating a guide book.

He compiled his most effective tools, tips and strategies into the straight forward, easy to read book for parents, titled 'On Track Parenting - the Missing Manual that should have come with your child'. It's a book that combines all his years of study, practice and personal experience.

Brad believes parents are calling out for these resources to assist them. He also provides free information through his website and Facebook site and tells people his book is on loan from the library. He also runs On Track Parenting education sessions through local libraries across Queensland and has held The Five Family Rules workshop to assist local families.

"I believe the breakdown of society starts with families, because family is everything," he said.

"If families and parents don't have a solid framework from which to draw from it makes life so much tougher.

There are many families out there who do not have access to support, or even the latest tools, tips and strategies, to help them to move forward.

"So, if they can have access to simple, easy and effective tools, then that can give them the basis to get back on track with their lives.

"It also means these families can now focus on accomplishing their bigger goals rather than dealing with ongoing problems which are holding them back."

For more information or to take part in the On Track Parenting program phone 0458 360 666, email info@ ontrackparenting.com or visit https:// www.facebook.com/ontrackparenting/ www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

your life It’s

Author Samantha Starshine with children Raila, 5 and Zakiya, 8 and their friend Frankie, 6.

Picture: Kate O'Sullivan

MUM'S

passion SHINES THROUGH CHILDREN'S BOOKS

By Melissa Grant MOTHER of five and author Samantha Willcocks is passionate about encouraging children to connect with each other and the environment.

The Sunshine Coast writer - better known as Samantha Starshine - has just published her first book in a series she hopes will help families create a better world for themselves.

The book, Annie Ant's Awareness, is a story about a little ant with a log of big feelings, such as anger, worry and sadness.

"It's all about how her thoughts influence her feelings and her actions," Samantha explained.

"It's a powerful story about how we are the creators of our reality."

Samantha has dreamt of being an author since she was a child herself, but it was only last year that she finally felt

confident to start putting her books and ideas out there.

"It's been a labour of love - more than a decade ago I got the idea (for the series)," she said.

"I've wanted to be an author ever since I was a little girl. I just remember how proud I felt when other little kids enjoyed my books."

Released in December, Annie Ant's Awareness is the first in an alphabet series called The Awareness Boosting Collection.

Each title will have an accompanying workbook full of hands-on activities and questions to get children thinking about their futures.

audience to test out her books.

"The kids were my inspiration and I tested the books out on them and my friends' kids," Samantha said.

"The younger kids really liked the pictures, and the older kids really liked the language and the concepts - they could understand it from a deeper level."

She also drew inspiration from the subjects in she studied in her Arts/ Science degree at the University of the Sunshine Coast, including sustainability, sociology and creative writing.

So with five kids and studying for a university degree, how did Samantha find the time to sit down and write?

"I designed the illustrations, sketched them up and then worked with a Spanish illustrator," she said.

"I'm not a great artist but I do enjoy drawing cartoon images."

Samantha has been busy working on completing the Awareness Boosting Collection - she has already written another eight books for the series.

So far the feedback has been very encouraging.

"I've had some humbling feedback.

Some people ordered (Annie Ant's Awareness) in the UK - a mum there said her special needs kids really get a lot from it. That was just so lovely to hear that."

The stories are a lot of fun - they all rhyme and have a very distinct style.

"If I felt like writing I just would," she explained.

"It's kind of Dr Seuss meets Deprax Chopra - it's a real blend," Samantha said.

"If the kids needed me I just would do what I needed to do in that moment."

After being funded to nearly 200 per cent on crowd-funding site Kickstarter, Annie Ant's Awareness is now stocked by major online bookstores including Amazon and Booktopia.

With three children and two stepchildren, Samantha has the perfect

Samantha also had a hand in the illustrations.

For more information, visit www.samanthastarshine.com

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AUTUMN 2019 9

your life It’s

Talk money WITH YOUR CHILDREN EARLY

By Melissa Meehan CHILDREN whose parents have good money behaviours are often better equipped to manage their money, no matter how old they are.

Saver Plus program manager Dan Crotty says because of this, parents should talk to their kids about money as early as preschool.

"This will help establish good money habits for life. It's easy to find ways to talk to children about money, no matter how old they are," he said.

Mr Crotty said these lessons are even more crucial as we become an increasingly cashless society.

"Children no longer have a tangible connection to money as we move to digital banking and tapping cards at the checkout. They also have little understanding of how credit works and the potential impact of debt on their finances."

SAVINGS TIPS FOR KIDS FROM PRESCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL

PRE-SCHOOL â– You need money to buy things â– Money includes notes and coins â– You earn money by working

PRIMARY SCHOOL â– Comparing prices and shopping around before you buy something is a good habit â– You need to be patient when saving up â– You can choose how to spend your money â– Let your kids pay for small expenses with their pocket or birthday money. This helps them work out how far money goes

HIGH SCHOOL â– Doing a budget helps you work out how you should spend your money â– Credit is money that you borrow and have to pay back with interest â– It is good to have savings in case of a money emergency â– Keep track of mobile phone data and expenses to make sure you don't run out of credit or get a larger bill than you expected Source: ASIC MoneySmart website: www.moneysmart.gov.au/life-eventsand-you/families/teaching-kids-aboutmoney

SAVER PLUS FACTS The Brotherhood of St Laurence and ANZ developed Saver Plus in 2003.

The program is funded by ANZ and the Australian Department of Social Services. Saver Plus assists people on lower incomes to develop a savings habit and achieve a savings goal.

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Health + Fitness

A GYM TAILORED for kids EXCESSIVE screen time and childhood obesity levels are at a critical high in Australia.

The shocking statistic that 9 out of 10 children are not getting the recommended amount of movement each day sparked an idea that is now taking off like wildfire.

MyFirstGym (MFG) - a gym tailored to kids ages 7 months to 13 years - has arrived in Maroochydore and is on a mission to inspire movement in the local community.

MyFirstGym is a one-stop fitness shop for children and is focused on inspiring movement and encouraging progression in a fun place where children love to play and parents love to stay.

Development classes for specific age groups are designed to improve Physical Literacy.

What is Physical Literacy? It's the motivation, confidence, competence and understanding of physical activity and it lays the foundation for a healthy and active life.

With a focus on progression week to week, term to term and year to year, MyFirstGym constantly challenges and motivates children.

MyFirstGym's Specialty Programs are designed to complement the

Development Programs and give children a chance to develop specialised sporting skills while having fun with a variety of sports and disciplines.

With qualified, professional coaches to teach technical skills and monitor progression, the Specialty Programs all lead to an exciting end of term showcase performance for mum, dad and the family. Specialty classes include Yoga, Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Dance, Ninja Warrior and Parkour.

MyFirstGym offers parents the revolutionary MyMovementBuddy system to track their child's movement progress. All programs and classes are designed to be used in conjunction with the innovative MyMovementBuddy technology, which members can wear in and outside of class. The system allows parents and kids to track their movement and reach goals in a way that is rewarding and fun.

Kids are encouraged to clock up their movement score each day, and watch their real-time score updating on in-class screens and the MyFirstGym app to bring about friendly rivalry among their classmates.

What can you expect when you walk in the doors? MyFirstGym offers a wide variety of classes - both developmental and specialty -

MyFirstGym is a one-stop fitness shop for children.

seven days week.

From the moment children arrive, the goal is to inspire movement and

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motivation by building confidence and developing competence in a physical activity.

For more information, visit www.myfirstgym.com.au/ maroochydore/ or phone 0498 036 608

@myfirstgym_maroochydore

Ph: 0498 036 608 Shop 25B, 100 Maroochydore Rd, Maroochydore 12413344-DJ13-19

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AUTUMN 2019 11

Education

ST ANDREW’S EDUCATORS MAKING SPACE FOR

play, passion and purpose cognition, social, psychological and emotional development.

THE Primary School at St Andrew's Anglican College is committed and passionate about the implementation of the Walker Learning Approach, an Australian designed teaching and learning pedagogy that authentically personalises learning and is developmentally and culturally appropriate.

The Walker Learning Approach is based on years of research about child development theory and brain research.

It has been developed in Australia for over 20 years and places the child at the centre of their learning, considering each child's development and each individual child's personal interests.

It is an approach that supports the need for children to be active participants in their learning, which sits alongside formal instruction.

There is still explicit teaching of not only literacy and numeracy skills and knowledge, but also the range of vital social, emotional and life skills.

■ Child development is used as a basis for guiding practices as well as the principles of culture, community and family.

■ Learning is personalised and uses the children's interests alongside additional exposure and concepts and experiences for children to explore their world, concepts, skills and environment.

■ The process of learning and skill acquisition is valued - not just, or always the focus of the end product.

St Andrew's boasts inviting learning spaces.

■ Intrinsic (not extrinsic) motivation is valued and embedded in practice.

ability to think and solve problems. Seeing investigations and reflection time used to springboard to explicit teaching lessons later in the day has enabled learning to be meaningful and well-scaffolded.

The classrooms at St Andrew's are beautiful, inviting learning spaces that are exciting and engaging for children.

As a study tour school, St Andrew's is proud to share its excellent practice with colleagues from schools across the state.

Staff are continually upskilling through professional learning at workshops and visits by Kathy Walker and her team as well as from mentors on staff.

Students have made amazing gains in their creativity, oral language and in their

The key principles that guides WLA practice are that:

At St Andrew's this pedagogy is embedded from Prep to Year 6.

■ All teaching is intentional.

■ Not all children are ready to learn the same thing at the same time in the same way.

■ Children's interests are used not for the interest alone, but as a catalyst for engagement.

■ Children's interest, culture and context are respected and used as a springboard to facilitate further understandings and skill development in all areas of learning including literacy, numeracy, the sciences, the arts, language,

■ The adult/child relationship is highly valued and the relationship itself is a scaffold in the learning alongside the child.

■ The WLA does not require topics or themes but does include opportunities for teachers to include specific concepts.

■ Relationship with child, family and community are integral components of the approach.

■ Relationships are developed and deepened through a range of key practices including Focus Children ■ Learning is real, relevant and meaningful and is contextual to the child, family and community

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12 AUTUMN 2019

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Education

enjoy the bounty

STUDENTS AT FLINDERS EDIBLE GARDEN CLUB IT'S Friday lunchtime at Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast and students in the Primary School are getting their hands dirty.

As part of the Flinders Edible Garden Club, 25 girls and boys spend their lunch break tending to the six raised garden beds they have helped plant with a mix of veggies, herbs, fruit and flowers.

There are banana plants and lemonade fruit trees to water, new seedlings to plant, and compost to make.

It's fun to look for worms in the rich soil, and some students like to test their own memory by identifying the perennials growing in the garden beds, including tulsi (perennial basil), Brazilian spinach, Okinawa spinach, Malabar spinach, kale, ginger, tumeric and herbs such as rosemary, thyme and basil.

"The minute students arrive we notice their energy lift as they set about investigating how the gardens have grown since their last visit," said Year 4 teacher Paul Anderson who, along with English Specialist teacher Jill Kydd, facilitates this weekly gardening club, open to every Flinders student from Prep to Year 6.

"It's wonderful to witness the sense of pride they have for this garden because

they are helping to design and nurture it from week to week."

The edible garden is a student-led space because it's clear that when students have input about what is grown in the gardens, they become more excited and engaged. This year, club members voted on eating pizza later in the term so they have planted annuals such as sweet potato, pumpkin, lettuce, capsicum, eggplant and cucumber to enjoy.

Word is spreading about the club, which was started six years ago by a group of Primary School parents with

green thumbs and an appreciation for the positive role gardens play in boosting children's health and happiness.

"Students are most excited when they can pick their own produce and share it with their families," Paul said.

Research shows when children are involved in gardening they become healthier and less fussy eaters, their motor skills and strength improve, their confidence builds, their stress and anxiety reduces, and they gain respect for the environment through their knowledge of composting and recycling.

"They tell us of making a salad or cooking a meal with mum or dad, and of veggie gardens they are starting at home because of the influence at school.

Being an edible garden, the focus is on how a garden's bounty can teach and delight.

"Our Flinders Edible Garden Club is such a positive space for these young children to be in. We would love to see every child in our Primary School take part in some way. We know that everyone feels happier and healthier when they garden."

Early reading and spelling skills FOR LIFE THE Speech Sound Pics Learning Centre (SSP) method is a fun, playful approach to teach all learners how to read, write and spell.

The program aims to wire brains for literacy using innovative techniques.

Led By Ann Henderson, SSP aims 'to not only ensure that every student is given the skills to be able to learn to read and spell, as quickly and easily as possible, but that they choose to do so'.

The program is divided into phases and teaches reading and spelling using a "skills acquisition approach".

"Where do you start, if teaching the 'butterfly' stroke?" Ms Henderson asked.

"You teach, reinforce, refine...you focus on developing skills systematically and explicitly until it becomes natural.

This is how we approach the teaching of reading and spelling."

Parents have also praised the program for its success.

"Two of my children have been introduced to reading and literacy courtesy of Ann Henderson and the SSP system," one parent said.

"I cannot recommend SSP and Ann highly enough. This is an amazing initiative, eliciting incredible results, and most importantly, instils self-confidence in children and their own ability to read.

"In addition, it is delivered by a highly experienced teacher who genuinely cares for and works intuitively with children."

The SSP Learning Centre is located at 1a/95 Eumundi Road in Noosaville.

For more information, visit SSPLearningCentre.com.au www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

The Speech Sound Pics Learning Centre program aims to wire brains for literacy using innovative techniques.

AUTUMN 2019 13

Education

ADVICE ON

By Melissa Grant

school readiness

IS my child ready to start school?

It's a question many parents agonise over before enrolling their son or daughter in prep.

Moving from pre-school to primary school is a big transition - the teaching hours are longer, the playground is bigger and there are lots of older kids.

In Queensland, a child needs to turn five by 30 June in the year that they begin prep (which is now compulsory prior to Year 1), but mums and dads often debate whether to hold their son or daughter back a year.

Education transitions expert Emeritus Professor Bob Perry says parents need to ask themselves if there is a compelling reason why their child shouldn't be starting school if they are old enough.

"I basically come from the position that if a child is age eligible to go I would need to know some reason why they shouldn't go," he said.

"I think children thrive on the challenge at school as long as they are supported by the teachers. We shouldn't deprive them of that challenge."

Here, Prof Perry explains what parents need to consider before sending their child to primary school.

■ CHILD'S AGE: The first thing a parent has to look at is their child's age - will their child be old enough to start school? There are different age cut-offs in different states, and

sometimes different areas, such as the Catholic system, have different age cut-offs.

■ THE CHILD'S THOUGHTS: Does the child think they are ready to go to school? Parents should be talking to their child about going to school and seeing what that means for the child.

What does the child think school is about, how do they think they will go at school, do they know anyone else going to school?

■ THE OTHER OPTION: If a child doesn't go to school with their cohort of friends, what are they going to do? Are they going to have another year of preschool? How is that extra year of preschool going to challenge them differently to the year they've just done?

■ DANGERS OF REPEATING: I'm not at all enamoured with the notion of repeating any year of a child's education. Some parents make the decision their child can go to school as soon as they are age eligible as there is a fallback position that they can repeat and it won't be a big deal. But it is a big deal. It is a big deal in the way the child will lose a group of friends and it is a blow to a child's prestige.

■ THE RESEARCH: Children who start school when they are a bit older will of course function better in the first year of school because they are a bit older, they are wiser, they know a bit more. But the research is clear that washes out after a while. There

is no great advantage in being older later in school.

■ ASK FOR ADVICE: Parents should be taking advice from people who know their child - that means other parents and preschool teachers. The school teachers don't know your child and they don't get to know them during orientation weeks. If a child is age eligible they can go to school providing the child is comfortable about going to school and the parent can work on that, unless there are special circumstances. Of course there are some children who are developmentally delayed and they may need special provision.

Everything else being equal, prep teachers are trained and prepared to take children as they come.

■ BOYS V GIRLS ARGUMENT: There are suggestions that boys should start school later than girls. But what about the individuality of this whole thing?

There are very young boys who will flourish in school. There are older boys who will go to school and not flourish.

Same with girls. It's an individual thing.

■ EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL SECURITY: The key for starting school is that the child feels they belong there, that school is actually a place suitable for them. Parents also need to look at their child's makeup and how certain issues can be addressed. If your child is shy, if they don't have many friends, if they don't like to be around other people - I think they are actually signals for the parents and

teachers to do something about it, rather than signs of school readiness.

The parent might arrange some playdates with other children who are going to the school. There will be things that the children are a little bit worried about - but we don't know until we ask them. Some children can be apprehensive about school toilets.

That can be addressed by visiting a public toilet. There are things that the parents can do. The signals are emotional and social.

■ ACADEMICS AREN'T IMPORTANT: I don't think it matters if your child can write their name, count to 10 and say the alphabet. They are not necessary.

It's useful for the child to be able to recognise their name as it helps them find their hat, jumper and bag. The challenges for children as they settle into school are social and emotional challenges. Look at how your child functions with other children, look at how they talk with adults, look at how they are happy to occupy themselves.

■ BEWARE OF CHECKLISTS: There are lots of schools that have checklists for school readiness. I actually get frightened when I look at those lists as there are some things that I can't even do. I've seen lists with things like 'can deal with difficult situations successfully, can deal with criticism successfully'. What does that mean for a four and a half, five year old child? The important things are that you want the child to wake up in the morning and be pestering you to be getting into the car and going to school.

Flinders

Explore, experience, excel

As one of Queensland’s leading schools, Flinders is dedicated to educating for excellence in learning and life.

Find out how we inspire our Prep to Year 12 students to learn, to lead and to serve at one of our upcoming events:

For more information, please visit www.mfac.edu.au.

Stringybark Road, Buderim | 07 5477 3260 14 AUTUMN 2019

find us on

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• Principal’s Tour of the Primary School | Tuesday, 21 May • Prep 2021 Parent Information Evening | Tuesday, 28 May

www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

DON'T LEAVE IT TO THE tooth

fairy

DID you know almost half of Queensland children experience decay in one or more of their baby teeth?

Decay is a preventable disease. Here are some of Kawana Dentals key tips to ensure your child's teeth stay healthy.

BRUSHING TIPS There are a few simple changes that you can make to your child's (and your own) tooth cleaning routine which will go a long way to preventing tooth decay: ■ Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste ■ Use a brush with a small head and soft bristles ■ Angle the toothbrush so that the bristles touch the tooth AND the gum ■ Start in one corner of the mouth and work your way around to the other side, ensuring you brush the outside, inside and flat surfaces of all the teeth ■ When you have finished brushing, spit out the excess toothpaste but do not rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash straight afterwards (this gives the fluoride in the toothpaste time to work - it takes about 30 minutes to do so!)

■ Floss once a day to clean in between the teeth ■ When brushing your child's teeth, have them sit or lie down with their head against your lap, and brush from behind - this means you can see much better

FOOD AND DRINK The influence that our food and drink has on our teeth is a very complex issue, and we recommend that you speak with your dental professional for advice tailored to you, but here are a few general tips to lower your child's risk of tooth decay: ■ Stick to a maximum of five episodes of eating in one day ■ Try to discourage "grazing", snacking or sipping habits - the frequency of food/drink intake is critical when it comes to dental decay. Our teeth need to "rest" in between meals so our saliva can neutralise the sugars and acids present in our foods, otherwise our teeth are spending a lot of time under attack and can develop cavities much faster

■ When it comes to fruit, fresh is best.

Fruit has many very important nutrients for our body, but also can contain a lot of sugar. The best way to minimise the impact that these natural sugars have on our teeth is to eat whole, fresh fruit rather than fruit which has been mashed/juiced/ pureed/dried or incorporated into a yogurt or drink.

■ Encourage children to drink lots of plain water, especially after meals.

This will help our saliva to wash the sugar and acids from our teeth.

■ Keep sweet treats to mealtimes and restrict their frequency: we all love to indulge in lollies and chocolate from time-to-time (even dentists!), but if they become a regular habit as a

daytime snack then tooth damage can happen very rapidly

TRIPS TO THE DENTIST Regular, positive visits to the dentist from an early age are an essential part of keeping your children's teeth healthy, setting them up for a healthier, happier dental life. At Kawana Dental we do everything in our power to make trips to the dentist fun. Here are some things you should know before bringing your child to see Kawana Dental: ■ Talk to your children before the appointment with lots of excitement ■ Try not to use the dentist as a threat if

you are struggling to get your child to co-operate with toothbrushing at home ■ We are here to support you as parents - so bring your list of questions to us!

■ Take your child as soon as they start getting their baby teeth. Some kids are eligible for $1000 of free dentistry so call us to check At Kawana Dental, the entire team is totally dedicated to children's dental health; and they would consider it a great privilege to look after your family too.

For more information about our Kawana Dental family; what they do and lots of useful resources for dental health, head to kawanadental.com; or call 07 5444 7111.

12383000-CB12-18

www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

AUTUMN 2019 15

Entertainment

ZANE'S

school of rock

By Melissa Meehan

School of Rock: The Musical was coming to Australia and that he should audition.

IF you had of told Zane Blumeris a year ago he'd be travelling across Australia and overseas as one of the stars of the School of Rock musical he would have never believed you.

"I didn't even know it was a musical - we'd known the movie for our whole lives because it was a family movie for us," he said.

But that's exactly he is doing.

Zane, 12, is revelling in his very first commercial stage role - and a Andrew Lloyd Webber production at that.

School of Rock: The Musical is based on the hit move of the same name and follows the story of wannabe rock star Dewey who falls into the role of substitute teacher at a prestige private school.

The show is coming to Brisbane in July.

Zane plays Zack, the lead guitarist on the show, whose father has no time for him and thinks music is a waste of time.

"When Dewey teaches him to be a rock god he finally stands up to his parents - in a nice way." he said.

But is character couldn't be any further from his own life.

Zane's mum Danielle and dad Craig, an actor himself, have been supportive in his quest to become a star.

Craig broke the news to Zane that

His sister and brother, Alaska and Jett, have been very supportive.

"They've seen almost all of my shows and are coming to China for a week," Zane said.

"They're so excited for me."

His rising star is no surprise to his family.

Zane has been filming his own videos since he was five years old and would love to continue his career in stage shows.

"I'd love to do more shows, but I'm not sure right now what they would be," he says.

"Harry Potter would have been pretty cool to be in, or if they made one for The Greatest Showman that would be awesome."

But for now he's spending 38 hours a week on School of Rock: The Musical and any down time is at home with his family.

School of Rock: The Musical is on at QPAC in July. For more info visit www.qpac.com.au

School holiday haven RETURNS TO NOOSA

SCHOOL holiday bedlam is set to be a thing of the past, with a range of local creative and wellbeing experts coming together this April to host in a mindful and creative space for parents and children at Noosa Civic shopping centre.

HAVEN Mindful and Creative Space will operate between Monday 1 and Sunday 28 April, offering a creative outlet where participants can relax and rejuvenate whilst raising funds for mental health charity Waves of Wellness.

Noosa Civic Marketing Manager Aimee Agnew said following the success of the program in 2017 and 2018, she was thrilled to welcome back a talented range of presenters this year, while also introducing a few new faces to the line-up.

"We're excited to have local artist Cass Dellar on the line up again, this time delivering a botanical watercolour workshop where participants can learn floral watercolour techniques for simple roses and peonies," Aimee said.

There is a vast range of workshops to enjoy this year, including sewing, meditation, photography, botanical watercolour and pottery.

Aimee said nutritionists Emily Holmes and Georgia Nike would be joining the ranks for the second time this year, in addition yoga guru Kat Harding hosting a motherhood and yoga session 16 AUTUMN 2019

Visit the mindful and creative space for parents and children at Noosa Civic shopping centre this April and travel blogger Jaharn Quinn talking all things Instagram.

"We're looking forward to rolling out a well-rounded program for the third year that appeals to a range of parents and takes the stress out of school holidays," she said.

There are also a number of workshops created solely for children, including free kids' yoga sessions which will be held daily the first week of the school holidays 8-12 April.

Aside from the free yoga classes,

each workshop costs just $10, with 100% of these funds donated to the Waves of Wellness (WOW) Foundation.

The HAVEN Mindful and Creative Space will be based at Noosa Civic shopping centre between 1 and 28 April.

WOW is a mental health and surf therapy charity, promoting positive mental health and wellbeing through a range of innovative programs.

To find out more or view the full calendar of activity, visit www. noosacivic.com.au, search for the centre on Facebook/Instagram or contact centre management on 5440 7900.

"At Noosa Civic we firmly support WOW's vision of a world where invisible mental health issues are treated like any other physical injury, and where anyone dealing with mental illness feels supported," Aimee said.

Waves of Wellness (WOW) will be rolling out local programs on the coast as of May. For full details visit foundationwow.org www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

Entertainment

FROM LITTLE THINGS

big things grow WHEN Johanna Wallace started a small drama club at the Noosa Arts Theatre in April 2009, a seed began to shoot.

Since then, Little Seed Theatre Company has become a fertile training ground for hundreds of talented young performers and a confidence booster for countless kids around the Coast.

In the last few years alone, Johanna and her team at Little Seed have staged two Shakespearean masterpieces and three full-length musicals, and have taken home a swag of awards at the Sunshine Coast Theatre Festival.

A sell-out production of The Fantastic Mr Fox in January kicked-started Little Seed's 10th birthday year.

"At Little Seed, we have always been focused on helping young performers to tell stories - and we've just got better and better at that," Johanna explains.

Several of Little Seed's teachers including Director David Williams and Musical Director Connie Groves - have been part of the team for more than five years.

This year Cameron Rouse, a graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and Little Seed alumni, joins the teaching staff.

something we've done several times since.

"Cameron was one of the first students to walk through the doors of Little Seed a decade ago. To see her return to teach the next generation of students is very special," Johanna says.

Other Little Seed students have spread their wings this year, heading to drama school and leaving the stage open for new stars to shine.

"I always say we are the luckiest theatre group in town, because our line-up of seasoned performers is so strong, and we are always unearthing new talent. Casting is often a happy nightmare," Johanna says.

Little Seed's list of productions is impressive, and Johanna is reluctant to pick favourites.

"But I was very proud of Romeo and Juliet. The setting, overlooking Lake MacDonald at the Noosa Botanic Gardens is just magical.

"Alice Dreaming was the first time we developed a soundscape to accompany our actors - it was so exciting to bring talented musicians into the mix, and it's

Paris Williment playing the White Witch in Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Picture: Ilsa Wynne Hoelscher-Kidd

"And I love many of our actors' performances at the Sunshine Coast Theatre Festival. It is one of my favourite events of the year and is a great platform for young performers to take risks."

Jacqueline Elley as Glinda in the Production of Wicked with Abigail Waugh as witch Elphaba.

At the heart of Little Seed's approach is human connection, Johanna explains.

"We teach our performers to create a connection with the audience, and the connections they make with each other are so beautiful and often extend many years after they've moved on from Little Seed. It's these connections that create the Little Seed magic."

Little Seed provides young people from the ages of five to 18 with a space to explore their creativity and make theatre. Classes are held at the Bicentennial Community Centre at Sunshine Beach. To be a part of the Little Seed acting community, visit: www. little-seed.com.au/enrol SHAKESPEARE IN MAY Following last year's sell-out performances of A Midsummer Night's

Dream in the Noosa Botanic Gardens' amphitheatre, Little Seed will present Shakespeare's The Tempest over two

weekends in May, as part of the Anywhere Theatre Festival. Book tickets: www.little-seed.com.au

“Happy 10th Birthday�

Acting Musical Theatre www.little-seed.com.au Call: 0407 873 232 12412020-SN13-19

www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

AUTUMN 2019 17

books

BOOK EXPECTED TO

RUFFLE FEATHERS IN

Education Sector themselves rather than be systematically, explicitly taught, was the moment reading scores began to take a nosedive.

Lyn Stone doesn't care if she ruffles some feathers with her new book.

"We are begging initial teacher training institutes and school leaders to stop creating ideological casualties of the Reading Wars," Ms Stone said.

"Those who can afford external tutoring, get help, but woe betide those who can't. So many end up in the criminal justice system."

By Melissa Meehan A new book that aims to upskill teachers and parents attacks the kind of thinking that allows poor practice in schools and leads to unacceptable levels of illiteracy in society.

Reading for Life: High Quality Literacy Instruction For All, is linguist and literacy consultant Lyn Stone's third book and is bound to ruffle some feathers in the education sphere.

But she doesn't mind.

"Too bad," Ms Stone said.

"I speak for thousands of specialists in literacy instruction when I say enough is enough."

According to the OECD, 43.6 per cent of Australians between the ages of 15-74 are below proficiency level in literacy.

That's more than seven million people in this country who risk unemployment and social exclusion.

Similarly depressing figures can be found all over the English-speaking world.

The moment education systems started embracing the notion that children should 'discover' learning for

Ms Stone's book provides fully referenced definitions of all the key terms in reading instruction, including phonics, whole language, balanced literacy and dyslexia.

soon to be available online.

"I'd like to be redundant. But instead, my colleagues and I spend thousands of hours a week undoing dreadful habits embedded in literacy instruction," she said.

"This robs vulnerable children of crucial decoding practice and creates weak spellers."

Though it's common to be accused of teacher-bashing, Ms Stone maintains that nothing could be further from the truth.

"I have the greatest admiration for teachers and have worked alongside them throughout my career," she said.

It outlines the history of the Reading Wars and lists the key players and their contribution to the field.

"But I won't cynically suck up to them either and tell them everything is fine.

It's not."

There is a section devoted to flaws in thinking that lead to poor practice and finally, a whole section packed with ideas and guidance to help struggling readers get back on track.

Her first two books, Spelling For Life and Language For Life have been popular with educators worldwide since their release.

This is accompanied by a one-day workshop, touring Australia in 2019 and

Reading for Life is available at www.lifelongliteracy.com and all reputable online book outlets. RRP $35

Children's books..

Der Glumph Went the Little Green Frog

Shoelaces Are Impossible

So That's How I Began!

Ed Allen & Nathaniel Eckstrom

Illustrated by Matt Shanks

TYING your shoelaces can seem impossible when you are little, but imagine how hard it would be if you were a caterpillar!

Gina Dawson, Illustrated by Alex Mankiewicz

"WE all know frogs go la-di-dadi-da! La-di-da-di-da!"

Yes, we all know the words to this much-loved nursery rhyme!

However, this book features a distinctly Australian version of the popular song. Various Australian outback animals are featured, including a spiky echidna that scritches and scratches one day, and a little red roo that hops.

This colourful book has playful and humorous illustrations with easy to read and rhyming text, making it a fantastic to read with your little one (although your tongue may get twisted). Great for kids aged 1+ Scholastic, RRP $15.99 18 AUTUMN 2019

This fun book follows the shoelace tying efforts of a caterpillar desperate to learn how to tie his laces so he can be a tap dancing star.

The book Includes step-bystep instructions for shoelace tying so your child can learn and practice. It also encourages them to keep trying, even when tying their shoelaces seems impossible.

Perfect for young kids aged 3+ Scholastic, RRP $15.99

IT can be awkward when a child starts asking questions about how they came to exist.

This book is a great resource for parents trying to tackle those tricky questions by spelling out the facts about where babies come from in a age-appropriate manner. It explains how the modern family comes in many different forms, the important functions of the male and female bodies, the 'special cuddle' that leads to a baby, IVF, pregnancy and birth. It's a very handy book as you can just turn to the page that answers the question your little one is asking.

New Holland Publishers, RRP $14.99

George and the Great Bum Stampede

Liars #2 No Survivors

Cal Wilson, illustrated by Sarah Davis

A viral phone app harbouring secrets about a criminal mastermind is at the centre of this story, the second instalment in a thrilling five-book series by best-selling Australian author Jack Health.

When a plane crash destroys a house at Kelton, it's clear something strange is going on.

All the passengers are missing and nobody knows the cause of the crash. But then Jarli's Truth App discovers a secret at a crash site - a secret that crime boss Viper, who has previously threatened Jarli's family, doesn't want uncovered.

MEET the Peppertons - an unusual family about to experience the 'worst week ever'.

George is the youngest, but not the smallest - that's Poco due to an incident with the 'shrink ray' machine created by mum Pepperton, who is an inventor. Of all her inventions, the most amazing is the replicator which can replicate anything. It seems amazing until it replicates pinching hands and 500 bums! To make matters worse, the replicator ends up with the school bully who moved in next door.

Written by comedian Cal Wilson, this is an hilarious read for kids aged 7+

Jack Heath

A gripping read for kids aged 10+.

Scholastic, $14.99

Scholastic, RRP $12.99 www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

What's on this autumn 31 MARCH WISHLIST FUN RUN The Wishlist Fun Run is back! Walk, run, skip or jump to raise funds and support Sunshine Coast patients and their families.

Now in it's second year, the Wishlist Fun Run is a family-friendly event with a corporate team category - so even more Sunshine Coast locals can take part.

It's a picturesque run - you will never lose sight of the water on our course around Lake Kawana!

Family Pass: $90 (2 adults + up to 4 kids), Adults: from $35, Children: $25 (11+ years) or $10 (3 - 10yrs), kids under 3 are FREE.

just a short stroll from North Shore beach and Maroochy River, the adventure activities are designed to get kids enjoying the outdoors while providing them with an opportunity for personal growth and to make new friends.

From 8-18 April (excluding the weekend) For bookings or more information, visit www.apexcamps.com.au/ schoolholidayprogram

With something for everyone, the Cooroy Fusion Festival is a great day out.

25 APRIL ANZAC DAY AT TEWANTIN A very important component of the day is the involvement of local youth from the schools, sea cadets and sea scouts.

The Tewantin Primary School's band is leading the parade this year, and the Good Shepherd Lutheran College music department is participating in the Dawn Service. Each year the Captains from a selected school give a short talk on the importance of Anzac Day and this year the Sunshine Beach High School Captains will be speaking.

N O O S A C I V IICC - H HA A VEN MINDFUL MI N DFU L AND CREATIVE SPACE

Visit noosacivic.com.au for full details.

This annuall is a celebration of local artists, entertainers, artisans, food, community groups and much more.

There will be free rides for kids, sensational food and market stalls.

There is something to suit everyone aged 5 up to 17.

1-28 APRIL

Noosa Civic Shopping Centre (28 Eenie Creek Rd, Noosaville).

COOROY FUSION FESTIVAL

There are more than 20 activities, including rock climbing, a mud pit challenge course, raft building and flying foxes.

Lake Kawana, 31 Sportsman Pde Bokarina (across from Sunshine Coast Stadium), 7am-11am

Haven Mindful and Creative Space will be hosting a ton of fun workshops over the school holidays, including botanical watercolour, sewing, meditation, photography and pottery. There's even complimentary yoga and bliss ball workshops for the kids. Bookings are essential and request a $5-$10 donation per workshop. 100% of proceeds will be donated to charity partner, Waves of Wellness Foundation.

11 MAY

Tewantin Cenotaph

11-14 APRIL

Poinciana Ave Tewantin

SUNSHINE COAST UKULELE FESTIVAL Get ready for four days and nights of playing the ukulele, singing, dancing and drumming.There are workshops for all standards of playing, dance and singing, plus a host of concerts featuring overseas and local artists.

5.30am: Dawn Service at Tewantin Cenotaph 6.30am: Cemetery Service 9am: ANZAC Day Main Parade, The Parade will march up Poinciana Ave Tewantin to the Cenotaph.

Daily 10am - 10pm Cost: Adult Season Ticket $100, Adult Single Day Ticket $35, children aged 15 & under free

19 APRIL & 17 MAY

Noosa Food & Wine Festival Noosa Food & Wine Festival is one of the region's most iconic events.The five-day event is an annual celebration of great food, wine, live music and entertainment in Noosa - one of Australia's favourite foodie destinations.

It features beachfront brunches, dinners with celebrity chefs and live cooking demonstrations. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Various locations in Noosa, including the Festival Village in the Lions Park at Noosa Heads, on Noosa Main Beach, on Hastings Street, in the Noosa Hinterland.

26-28 APRIL POMONA MUSIC FESTIVAL After a successful first year, the Pomona Music Festival returns.

Over three days, The Majestic Theatre will come alive with a mix of music acts, workshops, art and culture.

12noon Friday 26 April - Sunday 28 April The Majestic Theatre

CURRIMUNDI CU RRI MU NDI LAKE LAK E TWILIGHT TW ILIGHT MARKETS Sit back on the beautiful Currimundi lake foreshore and enjoy a Friday afternoon of delicious food and drinks to start the weekend.

APEX CAMPS SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM

The Currimundi Lake Twilight Markets feature unique stalls which offer a selection of street food, plus a designated entertainment area a bar for everyone to enjoy.

Apex Camps Sunshine Coast's School Holiday Program gives parents a small break, and kids an adventure to remember for a lifetime.

Thanks to Cr Peter Cox and the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, the Currimundi Lake Twilight Markets are held on the third Friday of every month.

Based entirely outdoors, nestled in the Maroochy River Conservation Park and

4pm - 8pm

www.sunshinecoastkidstoday.com.au

16-20 MAY

A fun event for ages 5-90.

Kenilworth Showgrounds

8-18 APRIL

Apex Park, Cooroy Library, Butter Factory Arts Centre, CWA Hall & Cooroy Memorial Hall. It is a fusion of community events combining the annual show of the Noosa District Orchid & Foliage society and the Lifeline Cooroy Denim Sale as well as the Cooroy Bendigo Bank Entertainment Tent, free rides for kids, community group stalls and sensational food & market stalls. 9.30am - 3pm

Currimundi Lake

Tickets $60-$80

19 MAY

For information visit. www.themajestictheatre.com.au

RSPCA MILLION PAWS WALK NOOSA

4 MAY

Join the 3km Million Paws walk to fight animal cruelty. There will be food, competitions and kids activities starting from 8am and continuing after the walk, so it will be a great day out people and dogs!

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL The original and the best mountain film festival screens at The J Noosa on one massive night. The 2019 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour features more than 2.5hours of mountain adventure films.

Purchase your Walk tickets now and start fundraising to support all creatures great and small. Walk Length - 3km Lions Park, Noosaville

7-10pm

8am-2pm

The J Noosa

For tickets or more information, visit www.millionpawswalk.com.au/ locations/QLD/noosa

For more information, visit www. banffaustralia.com.au

AUTUMN 2019 19

Take some time out to relax, reset and re-energise in our mindful and creative space.

Enjoy our workshops, including botanical watercolour, sewing, meditation, photography, pottery and much more. There’s even complimentary yoga and bliss ball workshops for the kids!

Monday 1st – Sunday 28th April Located next to Woolworths.

Please note, bookings are essential and request a $5-$10 donation per workshop. 100% of proceeds will be donated to our charity partner, Waves of Wellness Foundation.

Visit noosacivic.com.au for full details.

Big W Woolworths 100 speciality stores 28 Eenie Creek Rd (Cnr Walter Hay Drive) Noosaville Ph 5440 7900

12410906-LB13-19