Stonnington Boroondara Kids Autumn 2021

AUTUMN 2021

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STORYTELLING New tricks from

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About Us

Welcome to autumn!

HELLO everyone!

2021 certainly gave us an interesting start, didn’t it?

I hope you’re settling in and starting to make plans for the year ahead!

In this edition of Stonnington Boroondara Kids, we’ve tried to keep it local and showcase some incredible people in our community.

We’ve got a chat with Andrew Kelly, the Yarra Riverkeeper, about his lovely historical picture book for kids called Little Lon. We’ve got a nice informative piece about why drawing is actually more beneficial for kids than colouring in - it’s an interesting read!

How did you handle lockdowns in 2020?

While some of us found it pretty rough going, there were others who used their time productively and funnelled their energy into getting crafty. We speak to a local Boroondara mum who honestly put me to shame

with what she got up to in 2020!

Seriously creative.

And please do check out the beautiful pics our wonderful photographer Rob Carew took around Stonnington and Boroondara - some nice picnic spots to check out this autumn! Maybe even ones you didn’t know about.

As always we have a bumper education and health section, with some nice feature stories on bringing chalk back to the classroom, and why we need more male teachers.

I also spoke to Insta-famous dad George Georgevski (aka ‘The Lunchbox Dad’) who’s back with a fabulous new book ‘Air Fryer Express’.

About five minutes into our chat I was convinced I need to buy an air fryer, honestly the recipes are mouthwatering and I am actually excited to cook again. Which is shocking in itself!

Stonnington Boroondara

Movement, Angela Johnson, who has some great advice for how to slowly wean our little sweet-tooths off the good stuff.

I don’t know about you, but after summer, my children were basically two waling vials of sugar. And I needed help!

I also spoke to leading parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson and we tackled an interesting topic - sleepovers. When do you let your kids have a sleepover at a friend’s house? And under what rules?

It’s a good read. He raised points I had not even considered.

We’re so glad to be connecting with you again!

Don’t forget to reach out to us through Facebook and Instagram. We always love your feedback, and more importantly, to hear from you!

Enjoy!

Boy driven to design cars

Lifestyle on your doorstep

Joining a club

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PAGE 16

PAGE 26

The magic in storytelling

The beauty in birth photography

PAGE 5

PAGE 17

EDUCATION

Kew Traffic School’s lighting up

Getting active after Covid

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Yarra River Keeper’s children’s book

The reality of name sadness

PAGE 6

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PAGE 8 Why drawing is better than colouring in PAGE 9 Best local picnic spots PAGES 10-11 Going green with the kids PAGE 12 Neighbourhood watch for kids PAGE 12 Driveway safety

Editorial Danielle Galvin

Advertising Clare Vane-Tempest clare.vane-tempest@starnewsgroup. com.au Phone: 5945 0666

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TV host’s amazing family trips

Stonnington Boroondara Kids Cnr Princes Hwy and Army Road, Pakenham, 3810 PO Box 9, Pakenham, Victoria 3810 Phone: 5945 0666 Fax: 5945 0777

Photography Rob Carew

Mum’s creative cubby hacks

PAGE 7

Stonnington Boroondara Kids will be published quarterly prior to each of the school holidays.

Phone: 5945 0666

On that note, I also reached out to nutrition consultant at That Sugar

ACTIVE KIDS

Steve Biddulph on the biology of boys

Stonnington Boroondara Kids magazine is a Star News Group publication.

danielle.galvin@starnewsgroup.com.au

CONTENTS IT’S YOUR LIFE

TODAY

Advertising Manager Mandy Clark Published by Star News Group Pty Ltd ACN 005 848 108.

Publisher/Managing Director, Paul Thomas.

All material is copyright to Star News Group Pty Ltd. All significant errors will be corrected as soon as possible.

Should schools take a step back in time?

PAGE 27

Cover Ruby and Lilly at Studley Park Boathouse.

Picture: Rob Carew

Thrive, learn and grow together PAGE 27 AUTUMN 2021

Victoria’s most popular baby names

The great need to attract more male teachers

PAGE 18

PAGE 28

Tips for parents to stay up

School readiness and screen time

PAGE 19

PAGE 28

Returning to work

How drama boosts kids’ confidence

PAGE 20

PAGE 29

Shake the mum guilt

Xavier’s unique approach

Our top

PAGE 20

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PICNIC SPOTS

Sharing culture with the world

Good nutrition starts young

PAGE 21

PAGE 30

STORYTELLING

Funny things kid say

The learning journey at Preshil Independent School

New tricks from

PAGE 21

The magic of

SCHOOL LUNCHBOX DAD

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PAGE 12

HEALTH

Inclusivity is key

Lunchbox dad’s new obsession

Poor sleep for teens eating badly

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PAGE 13

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A unique school

BOOKS

Windmill’s new look

Pandemic baby blues

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Teaching girls how to love themselves

PAGE 14

PAGE 22

Should schools provide lunches?

PAGE 37

Camberwell

PAGE 33

Children’s books

PAGE 14

The impact of the pandemic on dental care

The benefits of chess in class

PAGE 37

Keeping it real at Gracie Jiu Jitsu

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PAGE 14

Weaning your child off sugar

Sleepovers - the modern dilemma

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REALITY BITES

KIDS CALENDAR

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PARTY TIME

Resources for kids PAGE 15

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PAGES 34-35

It’s party time

Mum’s most memorable birth story

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stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au www.stonningtonboroondar www daraki akids. d com.au

What’s on this autumn

Mum’s fitness inspiration

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It’s Your Life

Creative cubby hacks and more!

By Danielle Galvin

fun of it was salvaging what we had laying around and getting creative. The girls loved it. And so did we.”

EVERY family adapted and managed Melbourne’s two lockdowns differently.

Tanja is hopeful her ideas and hacks may inspire other parents.

For Boroondara mum Tanja Mitrov, she made it her mission to get her daughters, Sienna and Harper outdoors.

“The best way to encourage other parents to get creative is to just think how can I make life magical for the kids? And just watch those ideas pour in. “There are so many tutorials on YouTube and inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram to give you ideas, then you just make it your own by using what you have laying around and getting the kids involved, whether it’s collecting any little treasures to create a fairy garden, to cutting up scrap fabrics to make a bunting!”

“What kept me motivated during isolation was finding fun ways to get the kids outside and away from those screens,” she said.

“We kept ourselves busy by finishing off those home projects like painting, or started new ones that were on the to-do list, like building a veggie garden with them.”

Tanja, who runs a business called Art Deco Collective, got seriously creative to keep her girls engaged.

■ Follow Tanja on Instagram, the. artdeco.collective

She wanted to share some of what they got up to, and she’s even grateful for the “crazy and unpredictable” year that 2020 was.

Tanja’s tips for transforming your cubby!

From transforming their cubby multiple times to making a not so scary scarecrow, she set the bar high.

Oh the power of paint is a huge one.

You can instantly give your cubby some personality just by painting the door a different colour.

“Since we couldn’t visit cafes anymore, I thought why not bring the cafe to us?”Lemons were in season which could only mean one thing ... a lemonade stand! So that was the first transformation the cubby had. “I found a little online shop Olive Eve and Co that had cute lemonade printouts. “Then we just put the rest together by setting up their table and chairs outside, they had a go at squeezing lemons, and collected whatever we could find in the home from straws, to the drink dispenser, to making a menu using one of our Moodyboards.”

Similarly when October rolled around and trick or treating was off the table, Tanja transformed their cubby into a pink haunted house.

They painted pumpkins pink, had a pink balloon garland leftover from a 4 AUTUMN 2021

Little hacks to really create that charming look for your cubby is so easy!

1. Changing the window and door is a cheap and effective thing to do. We went from timber knobs to brass ones and even a little brass knocker and added a bell to really tie it all in.

birthday and she ordered some spider and bat balloons online.

baby clothes (size 1 or 2 is perfect) and a hat that didn’t fit anymore,” she said.

“We made whimsical witches broomsticks from dried up twigs in our backyard, painted a sign and turned the veggie garden into a Cinderella pumpkin patch.

“The only supplies we needed to get was the foam ball, burlap to cover the ball, wool for her hair, and raffia for stuffing. All from Spotlight!”

“It was so much fun!”

The other big project was the veggie patch which needed a not-so-scary scarecrow. “The scarecrow was a great one to make because we were able to use left over dowel or garden stakes,

They also built a fairy garden with little trinkets, built a macrame swing to hang from a tree in the backyard, and made a treehouse platform using some old doors that were laying around in the shed. “We will eventually make it a bit more aesthetically pleasing, but the most

2. If your cubby has windows, turn one side into the cafe window. My daughters love serving me coffees and burgers through it.

3. Add festoon lighting! It really creates the most magical feeling at dusk and they are not expensive to buy at all.

We ordered ours from Temple and Webster.

4. And make use of every corner of your garden, including the back of your cubby! We got a huge piece of marine ply from Bunnings, primed and covered it with blackboard paint, and attached it to the back of www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

It’s Your Life

A magical guide to storytelling

By Danielle Galvin BOROONDARA author, storyteller and grandmother Judy Hubbard is passionate about reviving the ancient art of oral storytelling, and she says it’s a wonderfully easy and relationshipbuilding activity to do with your kids.

In her new book, The Storyteller’s Kit Box: how to create and tell spellbinding stories to children, she gives the reader helpful tips, tricks, a ‘toolbox’ of ideas to get you started.

She believes storytelling helps develop a child’s imagination, as well as building language and problem solving skills.

And quite simply, it’s a lovely, simple thing to do with your child.

“My reason for writing the book, was that something I found easy and instinctive, and I had been doing with my children for years, other people I spoke to just couldn’t understand how you could do it,” she explained.

“You start with a bit of a structure, you involve your child and suddenly you’ll find the story tells itself.

“The response I get it ‘oh I am not creative, I won’t be able to think of something’.

“But I think what people forget, is part of the magic of storytelling, is the relationship building that happens between you and the listener and that’s just as important as the narrative.

“Whether you’re good on pixies and elves or intergalactic spaceships coming into your backyard, it doesn’t matter if the story is not brilliant.

“What really is special as an adult, parent, grandparent or carer is sitting with a child, sometimes on your lap, snuggled up next to you, or lying on a pillow and ready for bed, you have this beautiful, intimate moment when the relationship is about you and you’re in the story together.”

Ms Hubbard wants people to let go of any worries about their own creativity, and not to fret about the plotline or narrative.

“If the child says to you - tomorrow night I’d like a rocket story or a dinosaur story, I hop online and get a few ideas and get a few of the names right, the names of the dinosaurs up my sleeve or some rocket ship parts that I might not

Judy Hubbard’s new book is a great read. read

normally pull out of my memory and then you enjoy the storytelling more... because you think gosh I have done a bit of homework!

“But you don’t have to.

“There isn’t a right or a wrong story, there isn’t a bad story, because it’s unique.”

She says the more stories you tell, the better your stories become.

And quite simply, we all have stories to tell.

She recommends starting a story by inviting suggestions from your child, so that the story is tailored to their age, stage and interests.

Another suggestion is adding in some drama or action and atmosphere by using storytelling tricks of the trade like mimicry, voice volume, actions, body language and facial expressions, repetition, rhymes and that old favourite - onomatopoeia.

The storytelling jar you can use with your kids!

“Book reading is fabulous you can never replace pictures, but I think the thing I would like to encourage is to give people the confidence to let the phone go for a bit, just once a week and just use your own brain, and your imagination and your child’s imagination,” Ms Hubbard said.

“You need a box of tricks in your head and that will enable you to be a storyteller,” she said.

“Because it’s that combination that is the magic and that’s when the lights go on and that’s when you see your child problem solving, thinking and being curious and you watch these little lights in their eyes, and you see awe and wonder.

It’s something they won’t forget.

“I see awe and wonder when you can surprise a child with a story that you have created, it’s yours.”

Another idea is a storytelling jar, with items inside that can help get a story going.

It gives the child a starting point by picking out some of the items, and you can ask them questions.

“Our ancestors told stories years ago and we can all do it.”

There’s even stories she told years ago to her children who still vividly remember them.

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, Ms Hubbard wrote and published three books, two self-published books, The Storyteller’s Kit Box and I’m busy for toddlers, and My Grandma has pink hair with Five Mile Press.

She would also be delighted to read her books at kindergartens and to talk to young parents about oral storytelling for free.

To arrange for a visit, contact Judy directly at judyhubbardstoryteller@ gmail.com or contact her through her website at www.judyhubbardstoryteller. com.au

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AUTUMN 2021 5

It’s Your Life

Community stoked about upgrade BIKES, scooters and tricycles are all welcome at the new and improved Kew Traffic School.

improve the site for private parties and community events, including a large party room with kitchen facilities.”

In late 2020, the site got an upgrade, with a new outdoor barbecque area and modern party room, as well as a striking new train mural too.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Kew Traffic School hosted over 300 road safety education sessions, 550 functions, and over 24,000 children and their families came through the gates in 2019.

Boroondara Cotham Ward councillor Felicity Sinfield said the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Many parents attended the centre themselves as a child and the new facilities have breathed fresh life in to the centre for a new generation,” she said.

From left, Charlie 8, Eliza 6, Ollie 6, Lottie 8, Harry, 10 with Boroondara councillor Felicity Sinfield.

Picture: Rob Carew

“The facility was re-developed to continue providing the best environment for children to be taught road safety.

“The new facilities will further

This year, there’s plans for a refreshed road safety education program for kindergarten and primary school children.

Kew Traffic School is located at the Corner of Cotham and Grange roads, Kew. Parents or guardians must supervise children at all times. Kids must also wear helmets while riding bicycles and scooters.

The story of young Marie

By Danielle Galvin

long ago, but very different to the one they know today.

YARRA Riverkeeper Andrew Kelly has always had a passion for history and Melbourne.

As told in the book; it was the Haddads from Syria who lived above their fruit shop, Old Mrs Honor Madras who sold lollies from her table in the front room, Joe and Sadie Malouf from Lebanon who lived above their boot making business, the Kwongs who were Chinese cabinetmakers selling inexpensive furniture, Crisp Melos, a Yugoslavian who sold roast chestnuts during the winter and more.

In his second book, Little Lon, he tells the real-life story of Marie Hayes and her life growing up on the 1920s on Little Lonsdale Street.

“She grew up in the 1920s on little Lonsdale Street, which most people would have considered the pits,” he said.

“That’s what attracted me to the story, the kids didn’t care what people thought.

“I was also startled with how open the community was, despite this reputation.”

It was a vibrant, melting pot of multiculturalism at the time, and the story is told mainly through young Marie’s eyes.

Children will enjoy its simplicity and a window into a time, albeit not too

“The incredible thing is that kids back in the day didn’t care if you were from Syria or China or Lebanon or any country; they didn’t see race,” he said.

“They also didn’t care if you were poor. They just enjoyed the people of the area.

Little Lon is his second children’s book.

“The multiculturalism was right in the heart of the city; the Italian cafes, the Greek restaurants, always brought that energy and vigour to the CBD, which

Mr Kelly said he loved telling the story of Marie.

still exists today”.

“It’s such a lovely unknown story,” he said.

Andrew Kelly is an author and Yarra Riverkeeper.

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It’s Your Life

The biology of boys Boy or girl - does it matter? You have to discover the unique child you have got, writes Steve Biddulph

We need to raise our sons to be good communicators with open hearts.

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CONGRATULATIONS they say to you. It’s a girl! Or, it’s a boy! And straight away your ideas and images about their future start to take shape. You can’t help it, and nor should you, as it’s by dreaming that we mobilise ourselves for the great journey of raising a child. But we have to keep an open mind. Gender does not tell you everything about a child.

There are boys, for example, who are sensitive, quiet and gentle, and girls who are thick-skinned, boisterous and noisy.

You have to wait and find out ‘what you have got’. But taken as a whole, gender still has some risk factors that will apply and are really worth knowing. After all, the whole secret of raising children is finding out their nature and working with that. I often say that the world doesn’t need men who can wrestle buffaloes any more, so we need to raise our sons to be good communicators with open hearts. But, the world is still harsh and terribly sexist, so we have to raise our daughters with backbone and fire.

By knowing what you start with, it makes working towards equality more likely to succeed.

The biggest biological difference between boys and girls is in rate of brain maturity. Even as a newborn, a baby girl has a more finished brain and that difference continues all through. Most girls are ready at five for sit-down schooling, they are settled and patient, and their fingers work well, their words and language are coming along.

Meanwhile, most boys are simply not. So we have to be wary of starting boys in school too young.

Boys also go through very different stages, at very different times. In updating the Raising Boys book last year, we found that new hormone research explained the phenomena of the ‘full-on fours’ when many parents

noticed their four-year-old sons becoming incredibly active and physical. In fact, it’s been one of my key themes over forty years that we must let all children feel okay about their need for movement, activity, and exercise. Mothers in many countries have told me that they felt enormous relief that their boys weren’t ‘bad’ for being lively. That just as with a big dog in your home or apartment, you need to run off all that energy. It’s actually helping them to grow their brain.

We also found new research about the ‘emotional eights’ when early hormone changes, about four years before actual puberty, cause them to have more intense feelings. Explaining to our little boys that “it’s okay, sometimes feelings get big” and helping them know the warning signs, when to walk away and chill for a while, and to be able to talk to you when they are sad or afraid, or feel like punching out their best friend.

I always remember a little boy who heard his best friend was moving to another school - he hit him! We males have to be able to stay with our grief sometimes. I once heard a dad saying to his son, who was struggling on the edge of tears “you are a great kid, you have such an open heart”, and then nestling against him with a sideways hug. The boy turned towards him in a full embrace and let the tears come. It was so healing.

When I began in the 1970s, the theory of the time was - raise kids the same, without any gender messages, and they will turn out the same. And that is very worthwhile to pursue. We have to make absolutely sure that we don’t box children in by saying girls must, and boys must. At the same time, if we can learn all we can about the biology of being a boy, and being a girl, then we can do equality better. Next time I’ll write about the strengths, and vulnerabilities of being a girl, and how to make sure she is strong, equal, and comfortable in her own skin. So she can wrestle her own buffaloes! www.stevebiddulph.com Steve Biddulph AM Author - 10 Things Girls Need Most, Raising Girls, Raising Boys.

Complete Secrets of Happy Children, and The New Manhood AUTUMN 2021 7

It’s Your Life

TV host’s amazing family trips AS the host of The Amazing Race Australia and a former rugby league player, Beau Ryan has travelled to some pretty awesome places around the world.

However, his favourite holidays have been in a motorhome with his wife and children.

He spoke to Kids Today editor Melissa Grant about hosting the latest series of the reality game show, travelling with kids and his favourite family-friendly placesto holiday in Australia.

The second series of The Amazing Race Australia has just gone to air. Due to Covid, the team raced around Australia. What were the highlights for you?

Meeting the cast was great. We’ve got such a diverse cast, not only from all over the country but from backgrounds all over the world and belief systems, which was fantastic. And then exploring Australia properly. I mean, we’ve all travelled in Australia but obviously not to the extent we did and just some of the places, you know in the outback and down in Tasmania just really blew me away. Tassie was fantastic and the middle of the country, Alice Springs, all around there, was just breathtaking. It’s hard to sell it in terms of what you see, you’ve just got to see there to believe it - the animals, the night sky, the landscapes, the weather - you have to be there.

Beau Ryan, pictured in Coober Peedy SA, says the Australian outback is spectacular.

What was it like filming? It must have been a lot of fun but hard being away from your family for that time?

Yeah, it was hard. It was tough, it was physically tough and mentally draining. But seeing it all come to life now and the reaction from Australia makes it worth it. I’m really happy with how the show turned out. I put everything I had into it physically and mentally, and it’s a wonderful show.

I understand you recently returned from a caravanning trip with your kids. How was that?

It was beautiful. It was probably my favourite holiday as a family, and we do go on a lot of holidays. We just went up the north coast of NSW, stayed in caravan parks - no phones, no iPads, went fishing, jumped off rocks, swam in the ocean, swam in rivers, stayed at caravan parks and we just loved it! It was our favourite trip. We liked Yamba.

We went all the way up the coast and we got to Yamba and we liked it.

kids to experience that. Port Douglas I hold close to my heart - that’s where I had my honeymoon but I’m a massive fan of Coolangatta. I’m a huge Coolangatta fan. The bottom end of the Goldy - I love it.

We have been unable to travel overseas due to Covid. Where are the best places to holiday in Australia with kids in tow?

Up in the Whitsundays and North Queensland - anywhere where it’s warm does make it easier for kids. We started in Cairns, so Cairns, Port Douglas, The Great Barrier Reef are amazing. Wildlife everywhere. The scenery is beautiful, as good as anywhere in the world and I’ve travelled a lot. The Great Barrier Reef is just breathtaking. So the safe option is always up there - where there is good weather, good food, the climate is warm enough. I really like Tasmania. I would like to get in a van and go around Tasmania. There is a lot of history there, which is boring for my kids (daughter Remi, 8, and son Jesse, 3), but good people, the food is great, the rainforests, Cradle Mountain and the dam - I really want to take my kids up there but maybe when they are a bit older. It’s quite breathtaking. I had a lot of wow moments in Tasmania and I want my

Not really. I went to Bali once when I was really young but I don’t really remember it. I went to Foster, I went once. Port Macquarie. We didn’t have a lot of money, we just went where we could drive up (from home in Wollongong) and our friends had a holiday house, we used to stay with them.

My kids have been everywhere. We took them to Asia, Thailand, Bali, America - we’ve been everywhere. But my favourite holidays have been in Australia with my kids and I honestly stand by that. I think because when you are at home, we go somewhere and we go back to basics. So we will go fishing, swimming, in the bush, go off-road. We do stuff where we get away. We don’t camp. My wife won’t camp and I won’t camp either. But we get in like a Winnebago or one of the motorhomes and go up the coast. I’ve got one of those Let’ s Go Motorhomes, one of the big campervans and that’s our base.

Then we just explore. Because I went to

8 AUTUMN 2021

Beau Ryan in Tasmania, a place he plans to explore when his children are a bit older.

Did you go on many holidays as a child?

Host of The Amazing Race Australia, Beau Ryan.

Port Macquarie and Foster (when I was a child) I want my kids to have the same experience. And the water is cleaner over here, it’s safer living standards, I don’t have to worry about problems overseas, the food’s great, the coffee’s great and it’s just good to get to small country towns and give back.

And we just love it!

care less. My son said the other day that he wants to play footy which is out of nowhere. I’m not really concerned about what he does, actually I wouldn’t mind getting him into surfing. I can’t surf, I wish I could. Because we are up in Cronulla, everyone is a surfer. I’d like him to do something in the water. He’s a good swimmer.

Travelling with young children can be a challenge. Do you have any tips to help entertain the kids?

But yeah, he went down to my mum and dad’s house at the weekend and found one of my old jerseys... my little Bulldogs jersey and put it on and now he wants to play footy.

I like to stay near the coast where there is plenty to do. We went out to see the saltwater yabbies with my son, went fishing, kayaking, swimming, we found waterholes. We just kept moving all day, so when we did get back to the van they were tired. We just had them outside and active. They forgot about phones, they got off their iPads. We stayed at a caravan park at Yamba, it was called The Blue Dolphin, and they had two water slides so we were out all day and when you come back you can just have them in the base and not worry about them. It was just good. We ate takeaway. We didn’t have to worry about anything.

You played NRL professionally. Has your daughter or son shown any interest in the sport?

My son (has), my daughter couldn’t

Also growing up in Cronulla there’s a big footy culture there, so I think inevitably he will go and play but I’m easy if he doesn’t want to.

Do you have any other trips planned this year with the family?

Not with the family. We will be going away again soon with The Amazing Race. Hopefully we get to Croatia and Lebanon. I want to go to Far North Queensland (with the family). I think they (the kids) are too young for Tasmania, but I do want to take my kids up to Cairns because you can get out to the reef and have a base in Cairns, and I really like Cairns. It’s warm. My kids are happier when it’s warm. www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

It’s Your Life

The great benefits of drawing ■ builds the foundations for writing, with children exercising a combination of visual, fine motor and working memory skills in drawing, all of which are required to write

HOW often do you draw with your children?

Research points to the importance of drawing for school readiness, developing fine motor skills, as well as being a precursor to writing.

■ can happen anywhere with anything! Napkins, notepaper, recycled materials, newspaper!

And it’s a lovely, quiet one-on-one activity to do with your child, a chance to bond, chat and engage with them.

Drawing is actually better shared!

While we all need activities for our kids that can be completed independent of us and with little supervision from time to time (in fact, our kids need independent play too), drawing is one activity that is even better shared with a responsive adult.

Paediatric occupational therapist Debbie Isaac and Lauren Gardiner, a local children’s author, have joined forces to come up with Squiggle Kids.

They run workshops and have activity books to encourage shared drawing between parents and kids.

Below, they share some insights into why drawing is actually better than colouring in, and why sitting down together to draw can be a wonderful, beneficial activity to do with your child!

It’s hard to walk out of a major retailer without a colouring book for your pre-school aged child.

Fronted by your child’s favourite TV or movie character, you know it will be a hit (and with mum and dad too if it buys a few minutes without the noise of electronic devices)!

Colouring is good for pre-school aged children. For example, it helps children develop fine motor skills, hand and finger grip strength, colour awareness

and provides a creative outlet.

Colouring activities can also have a calming effect and can be fun.

But, drawing for pre-school aged children is better. Drawing for pre-school aged children has all of the above benefits of colouring and more. In particular, drawing: ■ is a way for children to express themselves, in addition to and as a support for talking, to use their imagination and to tell a story ■ provides an opportunity for kids explore making meaning using marks on a page using a variety of mediums

Drawing activities shared between parent and child can provide an opportunity to bond and to have fun together.

Shared drawing activities also provide an opportunity for the parent to teach the child about colours, shapes and the world around them and for the child to express their emotions and their views.

Sitting down together to draw can also be a way to get your otherwise disinterested child to start drawing. If you’re interested, they might be too!

Show your interest by commenting on what they are doing and asking questions.

Does your child have trouble starting

a drawing off? Start it for them! Breaking down the barrier of a blank page may be all that is required - we all know that feeling of writer’s block, your child might have what we like to call “blank page fright”!

Or - even contribute to the creation from go to whoa!

And why not take a “leaf out of a [colouring] book” and use the same approach that colouring book publishers use to get us and our little ones in -draw his or her favourite TV or movie character! This integrated approach, that responds to children’s own interests, is one used in kindergarten programs and schools to increase interest and engagement.

But, there’s no need to bin your colouring books!

Colouring books have their place and colouring is good. But drawing (and shared drawing in particular) is better!

The Squiggle Kids Term 2 workshop series called Play, Learn and Grow with Drawing is running at Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre in Term 2, starting 30 April 2021. Contact the centre on (03) 9890 2467 to find out more or book.

For more on Squiggle Kids workshops and their range of drawing books, go to www.memobooks.com.au/ squigglekids/

BOROONDARA FAMILIES

Discover local services and activities for children from birth to eight years of age.

www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

Add calendar reminders for immunisations and important kindergarten dates

Search activities and events by age and category

Explore childcare and kindergarten centres near you

Learn about local services on offer

12483757-AV13-21

www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/growing-together

AUTUMN 2021 9

It’s Your Life

Victoria Gardens.

Being a tourist in your suburb THE Stonnington and Boroondara locales are truly among the best for beautiful gardens and parks in Melbourne.

People from all over the city visit the well-maintained playgrounds and picnic spots in the municipality.So it’s no secret to many local families - but we headed out to a few spots to take some snaps and show off what the area has to offer.

And as the weather cools, it’s great to have some options if you’re looking for a spot to enjoy your surrounds.

1. Maranoa Gardens in Balwyn - If you haven’t been, you must! It truly is a local gem. There’s a big playground with lots of shade. As well as a few little walking tracks and the gardens themselves are

Victoria Gardens.

10 AUTUMN 2021

stunning. Like a little oasis.

2. At Anderson Park in Hawthorn you’ll find arguably one of the best views of the city. There’s a playground and walking tracks too.

3. A nice spot to stroll along the river at Yarra Bank Reserve. Check out the views!

4. Go exploring in the inner suburb’s green oasis at Victoria Gardens in Prahran. The perfect spot for a picnic with plenty of shade and trees.

5. Malvern Urban Forest is a small urban park, with a nice bike track to the take the kids. It’s a nice place for a walk, a picnic and a bike ride!

6. Malvern Public Gardens is another nice spot for a stroll!

Malvern Urban Forest.

Maranoa Gardens in Balwyn.

Yarra Bank Reserve.

Malvern Public Gardens. www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

Anderson Park.

Yarra Bank Reserve.

Maranoa Gardens in Balwyn.

Anderson Park.

Maranoa Gardens in Balwyn.

Malvern Public Gardens.

Maranoa Gardens in Balwyn.

Malvern Public Gardens.

Victoria Gardens.

Malvern Urban Forest.

www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

AUTUMN 2021 11

It’s Your Life

Give them a growth spurt

By Carole Levy ONE of the bonuses of home time during Covid-19 was being able to spend more time with the kids; conversely, one of the downsides was having to spend more time with the kids. Right?

It wasn’t their constant presence so much, it was more how to entertain them without resorting to full-on screen time. One thing many parents turned to was gardening, taking the time to teach kids about how to grow things, and to show how getting into soil is not only uplifting, but productive and joyful.

Autumn is a fab time for gardening, with kinder weather but still plenty of sun to see things grow. At this time of year, thoughts turn to planting winter crops for abundant picking come spring and summer, but with the exception of lettuces, or radishes (able to be harvested within three weeks), kid-

MUSHIES IN A JAR Place used coffee grounds (from one bag) into the bottom of a jar, break up a mushroom and sprinkle on top of grounds. Seal jar with baking paper beneath a screw-top lid. Mushies will grow within 30 days.

Kids can sprout their own carrots ready to plant.

friendly quick results are slim pickings.

However, there are plenty of ideas for kids to be into quick-turnaround gardening indoors. Here are a few:

CARROTS ON A TRAY Cut tops (with crown intact) off carrots, lay in a tray of shallow water (2mm deep), cut side down. Leave for four-five days and they’ll sprout fronds to about 10cm. Ready to be planted in the garden.

SWEET CORN IN A PLASTIC CONTAINER Save water from rice cooking, add to a container. Place an old corn cob into the water (late June/early July), leave for 30-50 days in a sunny spot and it will sprout about 10cm. Ready then to plant out in August/September for a summer crop.

BEAN SPROUTS IN A JAR Place a handful of mung beans into a jar of water. Cover with cheesecloth, fix with a rubber band. Mung bean sprouts will be ready to harvest in two-three days.

Safety in driveways MOST journeys start and end at the driveway.

Kidsafe Victoria says this is exactly the reason that particular care is needed.

Every year an average of seven children aged 0-14 years are killed and 60 are seriously injured due to driveway run over incidents in Australia.

“Children are unpredictable,” Kidsafe Victoria General Manager, Jason Chambers said.

“They are naturally inquisitive, as well as being surprisingly quick and mobile.

Neighbourhood Watch 4 Kids is an e-learning portal that will help to improve safety knowledge.

Picture: istock

Is your child ready to venture out alone?

NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch Victoria believes that everybody has the right to feel safe at all times and the start of a school year is a great time to check if your child is ready to be out and about without you.

Neighbourhood Watch 4 Kids is an e-learning portal that will take you and your children on an interactive learning journey to improve safety knowledge, increase confidence and empower your child to trust their instincts and react appropriately to unsafe situations.

The site teaches how to recognise if you are feeling unsafe, how to react to that feeling, and when and how to report.

Bambi Gordon, chief executive of Neighbourhood Watch Victoria, says the resource has been designed so that parents and children can plan 12 AUTUMN 2021

together the route to and from school, or to and from a friend’s house.

“They can discuss the pros and cons of each route and work together to decide upon the best one,” she says. “For example, Route A may take five minutes longer, but Route B involves crossing several busy roads.

“Educating parents and children about what to do if feeling unsafe is not just worthwhile when they first go out into the community unaccompanied. It’s information that they can share with their mates as they learn to watch out for each other.”

The resource is an initiative of Neighbourhood Watch NT and is now being shared by Neighbourhood Watch Victoria across the state.

It is available now at www. nhw4kidsvic.com.au

“This, combined with the large blind spot that exists behind all vehicles, can make it difficult to see a child behind a reversing vehicle.”

And while newer cars have all the fancy technology you could expect, just like us - they can’t guess what a child will do next.

“Even if a car has parking sensors or a reversing camera fitted, children may not be noticed until it is too late to stop,” he said.

But it is not only home driveways that children are in potential danger - it’s carparks and roads, especially around schools.

“Roads are designed with adults in mind, however children aren’t ‘little adults’. They don’t have as much traffic experience or knowledge and are physically and cognitively less developed than adults, which places them at greater risk of injury,” Mr Chambers said.

“During school hours there will be lots of excited children around roads, car parks and driveways, especially during the often chaotic pick-up and drop-off times, which is why it is important that all road users take care.”

Kidsafe Victoria has released a set of tips to help keep children safe on and around roads.

Driveway Safety Tips: ■ Treat the driveway like a road and always Supervise, Separate and See: Actively supervise children when near driveways and ensure they are kept well away from moving vehicles ■ Separate children’s playspaces from garages and driveways where possible. This can include fitting high handles to garage doors, installing fences to separate the house and garden from the driveway, and installing self closing doors and gates.

■ All vehicles have blind spots which can make it difficult to see a child when reversing. Reversing sensors and cameras can help to reduce blind spots, however they should never be relied upon on their own to keep children safe.

Safety when travelling to and from school: ■ Slow down and be extra vigilant around school zones - school speed limits will be back in action so it’s important to look out for road signs advising speed reductions during school hours.

■ Children should be seated in a child car restraint or booster seat that is correct for their size/height, correctly installed into the vehicle and adjusted to fit them properly on every trip, no matter how long or short.

■ Set a good example by always using a designated school or pedestrian crossing to cross the road. Teach children to “Stop, Look, Listen and Think” before crossing the road and explain what this means.

■ If your child is using a wheeled device like a scooter or bike to get to school, ensure that they are using appropriate protection equipment such as helmets and wrist, elbow and knee guards and know how to safely cross the road. www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

It’s Your Life

George Georgievski is a best-selling author with his recipe books.

Lunchbox Dad’s secrets to success

By Danielle Galvin SCHOOL Lunchbox Dad, George Georgievski, was a little freaked out to hear he has something in the order of a quarter of a million followers across his social media accounts.

For your everyday Geelong dad (in his words) he sure does know how to make waves with his creative school lunchboxes, down to earth style, and seriously inspiring recipes.

It’s impossible not to see the appeal: he is a dad with a vision to make lunchboxes healthy and easy to put together.

It’s that simple.

His new recipe book is all about his new obsession, the Air Fryer, which follows his first book, Lunchbox Express.

In Air Fryer Express, he’s got tips and tricks to get the most out of your Air Fryer, as well as 60 recipes for parents on the go, keen for quick, easy, healthy and delicious meals.

If you don’t have an Air Fryer, prepare to be converted.

There are pizza scrolls, heavenly bread rolls, cheesy balls - and the dinner ideas and bar snacks are truly nothing short of inspiring for those of us who bemoan dinner time and making lunchboxes every day.

As for Air Fryers - he loves them.

“They are not expensive, I just think the world of them,” he said.

“They are so versatile, multifunctional, time saving, economical, I reckon they are the way to go.

“If you want to reheat something - it’s like a third of the time - you don’t have to preheat the oven. It is so quick and the fact you don’t need oil - or you use very little oil.”

It’s fair to say the success of Air Fryer

This is his second book, after Lunchbox Express.

Express has taken him by surprise.

It became the number one cookbook on Amazon based on pre-orders alone, and his first book was number two at the same time - with people buying his second book at the same time.

Georgievski’s not a chef, he says, and has a full-time day job.

His laidback approach helps him too, he is a straight talker, self-deprecating, engaging.

It all started on his Instagram account, when he got sick of seeing difficult recipes that many parents wouldn’t even bother with.

And he wanted to make it as easy as possible to well, to follow the rules “eat a few veggies, and three fruit”.

He wants others to see what he does and think that they can do it too.

There are 30 pages of lunchbox inspiration to inspire even the fussiest of kids.

“In the past, when we were kids, we didn’t have technology to occupy us, so we’d burn off the rubbish we ate ... now kids are so technology minded so we have to look after their intake of foods.”

On his Instagram account, you’ll find bento style lunchboxes, the ones he creates for his two girls each week, as well as cooking videos, instructions and more.

But his formula is simple: create wholesome, colourful, easy, delicious lunchboxes, and quickly. It’s not about how they look or spending hours baking.

He uses readily available ingredients, but he’ll put a spin on it.

There’s not a bland sandwich in

sight, there are mini croissants, baguettes, scrolls.

“My daughter made those scrolls (that you see in the recipe book) and we made them together, she’s eight. That’s how easy it is.”

The success of his books and the fact he’s got followers from all over the world still blows him away.

“My daughter’s calculated (them), she’s like ‘dad you’ve got nearly a quarter of a million (followers)’ and I’m like ‘don’t, that freaks me out’, so I don’t look at the numbers anymore! I look at the messages I get and try to respond to everybody, just food related questions.”

Air Fryer Express by George Georgievski, Published by Plum, RRP $26.99, Photography by Nikole Ramsay

The day-after toastie recipe HERE we get a sneak peek into one of the recipes in the book! We’ve all had that ‘day-after’ moment; the times when we’ve celebrated a little too hard and realised that we’re not that young anymore.

This little recipe has helped me in the past, so it’s time to share with you my saving grace.

Inspired by the Cubano sandwich, it is pure bliss and a fabulous pick-me-up.

I don’t care what anyone else says about the perfect toastie; for me, it’s all about the following ingredients.

So take a photo of this list and get to the supermarket (but don’t drive if you’re recovering from the night before).

YOU WILL NEED ■ 1 tablespoon butter ■ 2 x 2 cm thick slices of crusty Vienna bread www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

■ 1 tablespoon American mustard ■ 2 slices of Swiss cheese ■ 4cm piece of chorizo sausage, finely sliced ■ 2 slices of cheddar ■ 2 slices of ham off the bone ■ ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ■ 2 dill pickles, finely sliced lengthways, plus extra to serve (optional) ■ Thin plain chips, to serve WHAT TO DO Butter both sides of the bread slices and let’s start stacking. Here’s how it works: Smear the mustard on one side of the bread slices, then top with one slice of Swiss cheese, half the chorizo, one slice of cheddar, one slice of ham and a dusting of smoked paprika.

Take a breath and get ready to keep

layering. Add one slice of Swiss cheese, the remaining chorizo, one slice of cheddar, one slice of ham and the pickle. Top with the other slice of bread and finish with a dusting of paprika.

You should now have a tower of deliciousness, so what we need to do is give it a little squash (I use a frying pan to push it down, but I guess your hands will work, too).

Line the base of your air fryer with baking paper and pop the toastie in.

Cook on 180°C for 5 minutes. The cheese and oil from the chorizo should be oozing out the sides, while the top of the toastie will be lovely and golden from the butter and paprika.

Cut the toastie on an angle because that’s how everyone does it these days, top with some extra dill pickle, if you like, and serve with a handful of chips.

AUTUMN 2021 13

It’s Your Life They teach children a different approach to dealing with bullies.

Keeping it real at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Burwood GRACIE Jiu Jitsu Burwood’s Keep it R.E.A.L. program is all about teaching your child the skills to recognise bullying behaviour, share and manage in the moment.

knowledge that they are stronger and more capable than they may know.

It stands for: respect (everybody), educate (the bully), assist (the victim) and lead (the way).

Most martial arts programs rely on striking the attacker with violent punches, kicks, knees, and elbows, but in the Gracie Bullyproof program, they take a different approach.

The purpose of the bullyproof classes is to teach children verbal assertiveness, control and defence and to give kids the

It teaches children how to diffuse confrontations with words and never to initiate physical aggression.

“We will teach your child to use verbal assertiveness to deter bullies and several non-violent self-defence techniques to stay safe if physically assaulted,” Robbie Singh, head instructor at Gracie Jiu Jitsu Burwood, said.

“Importantly, we don’t teach how to punch or kick, since this often does more harm than good.

“Instead, we use leverage-based

control holds to neutralise threats without violence.

“The bottom line is: we will prepare your child to defend themselves against bullies without turning them into one.”

If you’re interested learning more, visit https://graciejiujitsuburwood.com.au/ for more information.

Gracie Jiu Jitsu Burwood is located at 2/5-13 Sinnott St, Burwood

Windmill’s new look shop IT has been a challenging start to the year for the staff at Windmill.

They have been busy redesigning the shop as well as their normal duties - as well as coping with the limitations of retail due to COVID-19.

The freshly renovated shop looks amazing and is well worth a visit.

It’s now long instead of wide and goes back to a lower level warehouse with Australian made furniture and also a sale area.

The event is on again on 29 May.

Health and wellbeing event in Camberwell CAMBERWELL-BEING is back on in May to celebrate the diverse range of health and wellness businesses in Camberwell and showcase the best the area has to offer.

your wellness passport.

If you’ve been thinking of joining a gym or a fitness class, if you’ve got an interest in health, nutrition, fitness, then you’ll love the CamberWELLBEING event.

When you’re done, head to HQ by 2pm with your stamped passport for the chance to win some great prizes.

It’s all about pampering your mind and your body, and finding out more of what your local Camberwell shops have on offer.

You can follow the wellness trail by starting at the Camberwell Fresh Food Market where you can pick up

Windmill still has the courtyard with their great range of things for outdoor play including basket and soccer balls, kites, sand & water play and most of the old favourites that encourage physical activity such as quoits and skipping ropes.

It has been fun and a bit like doing a large jigsaw puzzle trying to fit all the

categories into the new layout.

But their variety of toys from science to art and crafts hasn’t changed - and there’s no better way to encourage imaginative play and creativity.

They have something for everyone, including special needs, babies, toddlers and school kids.

Windmill does their best to stock as many Australian made and designed products as possible, too.

They stock a wide variety of science related toys including some great kits for STEAM or STEM based learning, including Stanley, a keypad coding robot and winner of the 2021 ATA Educational/STEAM product of the year award.

Windmill Educational Toys 593 Whitehorse Rd, Mont Albert VIC 3127 9830 4336

You’ll be guided through participating health and wellness stores, and there will be special events and offers on the day.

The Wellness Trail is free and perfect for anyone who wants to try something new, with an extensive range of health and wellness businesses participating in the event.

It will be held on Saturday 29 May from 11am-2pm.

To find out more, visit https:// camberwellbeing.com.au/ Windmill’s got a range of toys from scientific, educational and Australian made products.

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www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

It’s Your Life

It’s a tough call as a parent: when to let your child have sleepovers.

Sleepovers - a modern dilemma

By Danielle Galvin IN a post in a Facebook group with hundreds of thousands of everyday Australian mums, one mum posed a question to the group about sleepovers, and it elicited a very strong reaction.

She asked what age you should let your child have a sleepover, and how she could gently let down a parent at her child’s kindergarten who had suggested one.

our children at a sleepover.

It’s a natural phenomenon that as parents, we grapple with the worst possible scenarios, and the idea of your child being abused is a horrific one.

“This is a classic example of what we can all availability bias, impacting our decision making,” he said.

“If there’s a kidnapping in the news, people think there are kidnappers everywhere.

The majority of mums were adamant - “late high school - if even then”.

“What can happen - is that we hang on to that - and we think that that applies to everyone, everywhere and therefore we start to make those decisions (based on that information).

So I put it to renowned parenting expert and author Dr Justin Coulson also a father of six - to hear his thoughts on sleepovers with friends.

“The probability of it happening is very, very, very low, but if it happens to your child, who cares about probability?”

Are people too scared to send their child to have sleepovers with friends these days?

Dr Coulson said people are naturally impacted and affected by their own experiences, and similarly by people around them.

It’s fair to say the reactions startled me.

If you take social media as gospel, the answer would be yes.

He explained when we hear of something alarming, our brains hold onto and fixate on it, so it’s hard to shake the feeling there’s a possibility of something catastrophic happening to

family decide are okay to watch, or how much sugary junky food they are going to put into your kid’s body.

“A lot of parents will say it’s not worth it because my kids are a deadest write-off the next day then I’ve got to deal with the ramifications.

“Another more serious one ... if there’s an older brother or sister, there may not be physical or sexual harm done but I can’t tell you how many stories I have heard of the big brother (coming in to the room) and telling them to look up a rude word on the iPad and next thing kids are looking up hard-core pornography.”

The other issues parents need to consider is who else may be in the home at the time, whether the parents will be drinking, who might be visiting that night, and many others.

Is there an age he deems appropriate to have a friend sleepover?

“When you look at the risks - there’s obviously your child’s physical safety and sexual safety, the primary risks people are concerned about.

“There is no correct answer - it depends on the child, their characteristics their anxiety ... how well you know them, activities they have planned, what you’ve got planned the next day.

“The other risk, depending on the age of the child, might be what movies the

“It’s an impossible question to answer.”

Dr Coulson’s tips and hints before sending your child on a sleepover: ■ Make sure whenever there is a sleepover to give them a phone. I like the idea of setting up a secret code. A code to say to mum and dad go come and get you - maybe a word at the end of a text to let you know.

■ Teach them not to go into anyone else’s bedrooms - adult bedrooms/ siblings as well ■ Depending on the age, you might disclose why you are having this conversation. Older children definitely.

As a dad, Dr Coulson said he does allow his girls to go on sleepovers.

“We think it’s a delightful, fun way to spend a childhood. We think that it’s a sign of growing up its an indication we trust them.”

But, there are quite a few buts.

They want to know all of the details - who is there, what children will be there, and they want to get to know the family first.

In terms of the mum who was nervous to address the issue in the Facebook post, Dr Coulson said honesty is the best policy.

Activities, services and resources for kids WHETHER you are expecting a baby, researching childcare or kindergarten options, or looking for local events, you can find age-appropriate information, services and activities for children from birth to eight years on Boroondara Families. Developed in collaboration with the community, Boroondara Families is the result of comprehensive research around what is most important to local parents and care givers when it comes to raising children from birth to eight years.

The online hub is packed with features and information that our community told us matters to them, including our kindergarten calculator tool that shows when your child can start kindergarten based on their date of birth. It also prompts you about important kindergarten dates. www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

The online hub is packed with information for local families.

May Liao of Kew East said that if it’s your first child, or you’ve only been through the childcare system, the kindergarten enrolment process can be really daunting for new parents.

“All of the information you need is now really easy to find and navigate on Boroondara Families,” May said.

Boroondara Families also houses information on specific services provided by Council like breastfeeding clinics and parent information sessions.

“Once I was in the Boroondara Families section of the Council’s website I found many different services I wouldn’t have thought to look for, such as children’s activities to do at home. It is a great resource to help you find out what’s on offer,” May said.

Boroondara Families helps you: ■ View clear and simple information about how kindergarten works, then use our calculator to find out when your child can start kindergarten based on their date of birth. You can also add important kindergarten dates to your device’s calendar.

■ Browse our searchable database of local children’s activities that can be filtered by age range, location and activity type.

■ Use our custom-built tool to find out what immunisations your child needs, and when they need to get them. You can also add these important dates to your device’s calendar in a few easy clicks.

■ Discover in-depth information about local childcare and kindergartens, without needing to leave our website.

■ Browse our resources to help navigate the challenges of parenting.

Head on over to Boroondara Families today. Visit www. boroondara.vic.gov.au/growingtogether AUTUMN 2021 15

It’s Your Life

Jake Field with the Mustang that his family was loaned from Ford.

Boy driven to design cars

By Melissa Grant WHEN 10-year-old Jake Field sent a letter and a Mustang design he created to Ford, he was hopeful of getting a response.

Not in his wildest dreams did he anticipate a Ford Mustang would end up in his family’s driveway.

“I’d almost given up hearing back from anyone then I got a parcel in the mailbox,” he said.

“I was so excited just to get a letter ... then I read the letter asking if I wanted to have a loan of a Mustang and reading that blew my mind! I couldn’t stop talking about it - I was so excited.”

The parcel also contained a Ford Mustang cap and licence plate.

Mustang-mad Jake had written the letter to Max Wolff, Design Director for Ford International Markets Group and China.

Jake checks out the Mustang.

love to get into car designs when I’m older. I would like to share with you my mustang design I created,” Jake wrote.

Max replied, offering Jake the opportunity to meet with Ford’s Product Development team in Australia once he was old enough to apply for the Ford Australia Graduate Program.

Jake shared a design he created for a new Mustang.

“You’re a little too young to join our 2021 Graduate Program, but we’d love for you to apply for perhaps the 2035 intake of our Ford Australia Product Development stream,” Mr Wolff wrote.

His Mustang was a convertible with a supercharged V8 engine, titanium alloy frame, custom 20 inch chrome rims and a built-in iPad.

“Please get back in touch once you’re old enough and we will set up a meeting with our Product Development team.”

“I love cars especially the mustang (my ultimate dream car) and would

Jake said the loan of the Mustang was “awesome”.

The Mustang design that 10-year-old boy Jake Field sent to Ford.

Jake’s mum Kristine, dad Chris and little brother Harry were also thrilled.

Jake says his dream job is to design cars - for Ford.

“We had the Mustang for a week, which was so much longer than we thought and we were sad to give it back,” he said.

“I’d love to work in the car design industry and would like to apply for the Ford graduate program,” he said.

Lifestyle on your doorstep at Martha Bay MARTHA Bay, a community for modern retirees from RCA Villages, offers its residents a wonderful combination of lifestyle and security, all set in an ideal location for loved ones to visit and share the joy of exploring the beautiful Mornington Peninsula region.

villa which is enticing in itself, but there’s so much to see and do in the wonderful surrounds.

In the heart of Mount Martha, the village is fast taking shape, with the future holding a sophisticated Clubhouse with amazing facilities, a gym, lap pool and lawn bowls green, a communal vegie garden and plenty more.

Mount Martha Beach, considered one of the best on the peninsula, is five minutes by car down the road, while Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park (where crocodiles and other creatures roam) and Boneo Discovery Park’s mazes, giant games garden, mini golf and jumping castle are both within a 20-minute drive. And the iconic Arthurs Seat chairlift is just 15 minutes away. Kids sorted.

If plans are afoot to visit grandma and grandpa who have already taken up residence at Martha Bay, families can kick back for a while in the luxe

Grown-ups have a plethora of choices to make holidays a roaring success, with plenty less than 20 minutes away. There are wineries

16 AUTUMN 2021

galore for fun and food in the sun, the nearest Mont Rouge estate (15 minutes) and just a bit further afield, Red Hill Estate and Polperro Winery - with others in between. On the trip, check out farm-gate produce.

Mount Martha is home to many eateries. Donato cafe is directly across the road for brekkie and lunch, Milkbar & Co is five minutes away for brunch, while highly regarded Volpino Pizzeria & Wine bar and sophisticated Assaggini Wine Bar & Restaurant are similarly close.

And to scratch the cultural itch, there’s National Trust-managed historic Beleura House & Garden, and amazing Baluk Art Gallery with aboriginal art to

explore - both less than 10 minutes afield.

Martha Bay’s lucky residents have these choice on their doorstep yearround, as well as more than 30 towns spanning Seaford to Portsea, where boutiques and antiques and hot springs beckon. And if they want to head overseas or travel around Australia, they get to return knowing everything is left secure and maintained.

Beautiful villas are available now with a choice of designs to suit.

Martha Bay by RCA Villages, 111 Craigie Road, Mount Martha. Enquiries: 1800 998 990 or www.marthabay.com. au www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

It’s Your Life

Getting active after Covid

By Danielle Galvin WITH Australian children confined to their homes, remote learning taking place, and a period where even playgrounds were off limits, there were real concerns about a lack of physical activity for families in 2020.

It was an impossible juggle for parents with social isolation, schooling and work to contend with, so it’s fair to assume some kids spent more time in front of the screen than normal.

In a piece published by The Lancet in April 2020, researchers stressed that a “reduction in physical movement and the rise in sedentary screen time was alarming” but the long term physical impacts was of most concern.

Without the normal after school activities health and development experts feared kids were shifting to a

Getting kids active again this year might be a challenge for parents.

more sedentary day to day lifestyle.

many kids they will take it in their stride.

But for some community groups in lockdown, they found new ways to connect online and run virtual classes for kids.

“They really missed it, having those connections with their friends or something out of the school and the home.

Stonnington Physie, a small dance and fitness school in the area, pivoted and offered classes and workshops online, for free.

“Some parents have decided they have enjoyed not running their kids around everywhere.

“We ended up back face to face in November,” owner Kathryn Taylor said.

“It was a hard time but I think what it gave them was still a connection to their friends and social network during a hard time.

“It was really lovely too, some of the older girls we teach, they ran little workshops for the younger ones, strength classes, fitness classes and even cooking classes.”

Ms Taylor said members were eager to get back to classes this year, and for

“But I think the flip side is they will realise how important those extra curricular activities are in developing a passion.

“When that was all taken away, you could see a lot of kids, if they didn’t have those extra things they really struggled, just sitting at a home on a screen without the drive to do something else.”

She hopes parents will see the benefits in getting kids active again and involved in local groups, to help them get active again but also feel a sense of belonging.

“I think it’s more important than ever the physicality [side of things].”

Physie fuses dance styles and disciplines with a focus on building up girls’ strength, fitness and confidence without any emphasis on body shapes or sizes.

Through the dance school, the girls were able to feel connected to their community in 2020.

“I think the best thing about the lockdown was that it proved to us how strong community is,” Ms Taylor said.

“Without your community links, whether it be school or these outside activities, it was a real struggle on people’s mindset.

“It just proves how important helping kids create connections through the community whether that be through a sport or a community group.”

Capturing new life

By Danielle Galvin IT’S hard for birth photographer Veronika Sanderson to not shed a few tears, when she documents a new life.

A mother of three herself, Veronika is often moved by what she witnesses in a birth suite or at home, and she always leaves “on a high”, buzzing from the birthing experience.

“It is a momentous experience, not only for the parents, but for everyone involved in the room,” she explained.

“And you are there with the person, you see the journey, you see the labour, you see the power, and the pain the mother is going through. And then at the end, it’s a new life.

“There’s always tears. The high lasts for me for at least a day.”

In recent years, birth photography has grown significantly in popularity.

There are more photographers on the scene than ever before, and more expectant parents inviting in a photographer to capture the intimate, incredible moment of welcoming their child earthside.

Veronika also works as a newborn and family photographer.

“When I started tapping into the birth photography, when I saw it I thought ‘oh my gosh this is something I want to be doing’.”

Veronika sees her role as capturing the “bird’s eye view” of the environment as the silent observer.

“Choosing a birth photographer is not an easy task. I meet the client and they need to be OK with me, and I need to be OK with them.

“You’re in that space with them, it’s a pretty intimate environment. www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

“I don’t want to disturb the energy and the environment of the room, my job is making sure I document as much in the room as possible.”

Each photographer has a different style. Veronika explained that she thinks of herself as a documentarist.

“You are in a haze once you’ve given birth, so imagine there is someone there who can document it for you,” she said.

“I don’t interfere with the mother or anyone.

“You are there to be the documentarist, you are there through the early stages to the labour, up until the end, and I usually stay up to 2 hours after the baby is earthside, so I can capture the skin on skin, clamping the cord.”

One of her favourite things to do is capture the details that the birthing mother may not remember: what they were drinking, the song playing in that moment, how the room is set up.

While some women might be hesitant at the thought of someone taking photos during labour, the nitty gritty or the intensity of the pain, Veronika aims to capture the different stages.

In some ways, she says, having a snapshot of the different phases can help the birthing mother later in her recovery, if something doesn’t go to plan.

“With the birth, I feel if you have trauma you can carry it on, sometimes for weeks months with you.

“If I was with you for 10 hours, and say the trauma happens at the end, you don’t remember the 9 hours before that.

“So if I give you the gallery and you can look at you, look at what you’ve

done to get here, that healing process is much quicker, because you see yourself as the goddess.

“You powered through, and in your brain it shifts from the trauma.”

She also tries to capture that first cry with a short video, and the conversations happening in the room in the minutes after the baby has been born.

One of her favourite things to do is watch the reaction of the new parents, when they see her photos for the first time.

It’s the dads who often have the biggest reaction.

“It’s the fathers who go ‘oh my gosh, thank you so much, I am so glad you were there’.

“It’s un-posed, it’s raw, and they see themselves holding the baby, because no one is there to do this for them and they don’t have the time to take a picture of the mum.”

Within 24 hours Veronika aims to send the parents a picture of just the baby, and within a week or two the full gallery.

“And they say it brings back memories, and even I get emotional editing it.”

Veronika Sanderson loves her job and sees it as a huge privilege.

Picture: Rob Carew

For Veronika, she sees it as a real honour and a privilege to be there to witness a child being born, and to play a role in capturing that moment.

She says it’s hard to describe how it feels.

“Every birth is beautiful, different and I wish for all mothers to have a good experience.

“I think to have it documented is something you can carry for the generations and you can show it to your daughters, to your children.”

To find out more about her work, visit https://www. veronikasandersonphoto.com/ or find Veronika on Instagram or Facebook AUTUMN 2021 17

It’s Your Life

The reality of name sadness

By Nicole Williams

girls name would never be a part of our family.

LIKE many young children, I spent time daydreaming about what my life would be like as an adult - my career, the person I would marry and the names of our future children. As I got older, settled into a career and found someone to spend my life with, the idea of children became more than a daydream.

I have never thought ‘what if’ we’d had a girl and I am in love with our complete family of four (although I am outnumbered, even including the dog), so it is a unique feeling to mourn the combination of a few letters. I had spent years, and two long pregnancies, imagining the reactions of our families when we called to tell them the name of our newborn, murmuring it to calm an unsettled baby in the middle of the night or calling out the name at the playground.

When my husband and I decided that children would hopefully be in our future (the distant future at that time), we discussed names and settled on a girl’s name very quickly. The names, both first and middle, had special meaning to our families and we fell in love with the combination.

We didn’t find out the gender for either of our two successful pregnancies and it was a long search before we settled on a boy’s name. Again, the names we selected had significance to our families but, personally, didn’t capture my heart in the same way.

Turns out we were destined to have two beautiful little boys whose names ended up being perfect for them. While I never experienced gender disappointment, I will admit to a little heartbreak at the realisation that our carefully selected, and much loved,

Since our youngest son was born in mid-2020, we have had many people ask us what we would have called a little girl. We’ve been happy to share the name when asked but I have also been open with my disappointment. Some people even suggested using the name for any future pets we might have. Not out of the question, but not quite how we imagined honouring our family members!

I am not sure if it is an uncommon feeling or if it just goes unspoken. We feel many things as new parents and much of what we truly experience was considered unmentionable for years before I became a mum. The taboos of

Nicole with her two boys.

Picture: ROB CAREW

parenthood are slowly being broken down and the real feelings - the adoration alongside the terror, the relentlessness alongside the joy - are finally being normalised.

Therefore I know, that while it may

not be a common experience for many parents, my feelings of sadness and disappointment are valid. We will never have a little girl to bestow with a special name, but that combination of letters will always hold a special place in my heart.

Victoria’s most popular baby names revealed The state’s most popular baby names for 2020 have been revealed.

OLIVER and Charlotte are the most popular baby names in Victoria. There were 75,000 babies born in the state during 2020, according to the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Of those, 546 babies were named Oliver. Noah, William, Jack and Charlie rounded out the top 5 names for boys.

Victoria also welcomed 413 Charlottes in 2020 - just 11 more than Amelia, which was the second most popular baby name for girls and followed closely by Olivia, Mia and Isla.

There has been little movement in Victoria’s most popular names for both 18 AUTUMN 2021

boys and girls in recent years, with Oliver, Jack, William, Olivia and Charlotte claiming a top five spot each year for the past decade.

Archie and Theodore appeared in the top 20 boys’ names for the first time.

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes congratulated all of the parents who welcomed babies in 2020.

“Naming a child is often the first of many important decisions we make as parents - and it’s always fascinating to see which names are the most popular each year.”

BOYS

GIRLS

1. Oliver

1. Charlotte

2. Noah

2. Amelia

3. William

3. Olivia

4. Jack

4. Mia

5. Charlie

5. Isla

6. Thomas

6. Ava

7. Leo

7. Matilda

8. Henry

8. Chloe

9. Levi

9. Grace

10. Archie

10. Ella www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

It’s Your Life

Julie has a few ideas to getting more time for myself.

Tips for parents to ‘stay up’

By Julie Cliff professional organiser ABOUT 20 years ago, my manager gifted me Believe and Achieve by Australian motivational author Paul Hanna. A senior manager walked past whilst I read it on my lunch break and said “I didn’t think you’d need a book like that”.

I never really asked her what she meant, but I presume that since I was energetic and enthusiastic person she didn’t think I would need to need a pick-me-up from the self-help book. She was a long way off the mark. I use many techniques to keep me up each and every day.

This book was my first venture into self improvement and it has been a lifelong enjoyment over the past 25 years since receiving it.

Overall I’m a naturally happy person, but I still use daily strategies to keep me ‘up’. Here’s a list of nine techniques I use. I hope it helps you grapple with the ups and downs of your modern life.

Exercise The most important thing I do to stay up is exercise. I wake at 5.40am each weekday morning to walk twice a week and run three times. I head to our local bakery to buy bread or rolls for everyone’s lunches and get back with plenty of time to stretch and warm down and eat breakfast before any one starts saying “mum, mum, mum”.

Exercise in the morning is my “me time”.

Podcasts and audiobooks Another technique to keep me up is to listen to podcasts and audiobooks.

Rather than have my own thoughts going around and around my head of ‘I could do this’ or ‘I should do that’, I prefer to listen to other people’s stories and their journey in life. It gives me great comfort to hear the stories of others and realise the up and down emotions I

www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

feel about my business and life are what it means to be human.

Routine My strict daily routine is another thing that keeps me up. There is no secondguessing when things get done in my day. There is very little indecision because I’ve made deliberate and conscious choices about what to do from my long list of to-dos and when to do them. Deliberate choices in this way help reduce the overwhelm of choosing what to do each day. Everything in my daily routine is there to make be a better mum, wife, business owner and the best version of me possible.

Positive outlook Another technique to keep me up is it to look on the bright side of every situation.

In an article in the Sydney Morning Herald A Day at a Time with Pollyanna at His Side, actor Michael J Fox says “That’s the way I look at things - if you focus on the worst-case scenario and it happens, you’ve lived it twice. It sounds like Pollyanna-ish tripe but I’m telling you, it works for me.” It absolutely works for me too. I don’t blindly go about thinking everything is perfect. I calculate the pros and cons of scenarios, put some measures in place and I understand there is no point worrying about “what ifs” until they eventuate. If they eventuate, I will deal with it then.

Do nothing More recently, I have been learning to sit and do nothing. All of my life I’ve found doing nothing absolutely excruciating. I had thoughts of all the things I ‘should’ get up and do. However during the ‘lockdowns’ in Melbourne during 2020 there has literally been nowhere to go and nowhere to rush to.

This is given me the opportunity to practice being present. Being in the moment. And you know what? I’m realising the present is quiet a lovely place to be.

Rally your team I share my business adventures with two professional organising colleagues

on a call each week. I find it helpful to ‘talk shop’. Although they are competitors there is so much to be learned from their experiences with clients and how they run their businesses. I find this camaraderie an invaluable technique to keep me up.

Reduce alcohol Another more recent thing that I have done to keep me up is quit drinking. This is a whole other blog topic, but in a nutshell it came about quite easily after understanding the habit loop explained

by Charles Duhigg in his book ‘The Power of Habit’. I realised the reward I craved was feeling relaxed on the weekend after the ups and downs of working on the business all week. It became my routine to reach for alcohol to relax. However, once I read about the habit loop I made some changes: ■ Keep the cue (Friday night), ■ Insert new routine (gave myself permission to stop and sit on the couch) ■ Got the same reward (feeling relaxed).

■ Simple!

Be realistic Another technique to keep me up is to have realistic goals. As women we want to achieve it all, do it all, be it all and we want it all NOW! We CAN do it all but it’s difficult to pursue all of it at the one time. Being specific about what I’m focusing on each week has been invaluable to me.

I’m clear about my goals at home and my family’s involvement in reaching these goals. I am clear on the household chores and we all do them together. A clear list and an allocated time in the diary reduces the overwhelm.

In relation to being realistic about my business goals, I no longer drive around the city looking at the business and think “that company might need a professional organiser.” I now solely focus on working women and helping

them declutter and organise their homes. Defining my niche and being realistic about what I can achieve each day is a key technique to staying up.

I’m no longer a people pleaser.

Ahhhhh ... . a big one here! Are you a people pleaser? I didn’t realise until fairly recently that I’m a big people pleaser . Being a people pleaser can be exhausting when you’re trying to run a home and business. Over the years I’ve thought about why I think my home should look a certain way or I should raise my kids in a certain way. I’ve asked myself: are these actually external pressures or are they coming from myself internally? Overall, I’ve found that there’s a mix of internal and external pressures. I try to keep them both in check.

What’s next?

These are just some of the techniques I use deliberately choose to work on each and every day to keep myself up. I don’t do them some days, or occasionally, it’s all very a deliberate way to help me organise the life I want to live and make life simpler and more fun. Try them out and let me know what works for you or let me know if I’ve missed any.

Need help?

If this article has brought up any mental health challenges for you please reach out to a professional for their help and advice. This article is my personal techniques. That being said I’d love to hear from you if you need help to sort out your weekly routine to get some more of these techniques in your life to help you stay up.

Julie Cliff is a Professional Organiser at Space and Time which helps busy working mothers live easier, far less stressful lives through simple, easy to implement organising systems to clear the clutter - both mentally and physically. Sound familiar? Julie would love to hear from you via info@ spaceandtime.com.au

AUTUMN 2021 19

It’s Your Life

Getting back to work

By Melissa Meehan HEADING back to work after maternity leave can be a daunting task.

It can be even more daunting for those mums wanting to get back into the workforce after a lengthy period at home.

Rebecca Jones says there is no shame in taking some time out to care for your kids.

A resume writer and career consultant at Mumma Bird Resume Services, Rebecca says confidence is key.

“Don’t feel guilty about having that gap,” she said.

“I had my two kids 17 months apart and I know it’s daunting not knowing where you want to be and what you want to do.

“But you need to harness those skills you gain as a parent and believe in yourself.”

And while you might be happy to go back to your old job or career, there’s no guilt in finding something different, closer to home and more flexible.

Rebecca says the best thing is to sit down and work out what you want, what you enjoy and what kind of flexibility you need Then, write down your skills - not forgetting all the skills you’ve learnt and applied as a mum.

Once you have realised that the “gap” was actually an amazing and intense training camp that taught you new skills, you can go about confidently writing your resume.

“Women are traditionally hesitant and uncomfortable in selling themselves, but a resume is the best place to do this,” she said.

“Believing in yourself is really important and when looking at gaps in your resume it is perfectly fine to say you were raising your children.

“There are plenty of workplaces who

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed about returning to the workforce.

understand this and they are accommodating.”

The mentality that women can’t be mums and have a career is changing - and if you need help, there is professional help out there.

Tips for planning your resume: ■ Understand that your skills have changed (don’t forget the skills you have acquired as a mum!)

■ You have the freedom and right to look for something different - you may want to enrol in a course ■ Write a list of your skills, your top 10

- these can be technical & personal ■ Envision how your personal life looks like that ties into your family situation (then discuss the coaching tips) ■ Be kind to yourself!

■ Do you want to pursue that passion now?

■ Believe in yourself!

■ Become resourceful - place a profile on seek/linked in, join social media groups, meet with recruiters - search various job boards to gain an idea of what job /industry you are considering

Taking time for yourself, without the guilt

By Melissa Meehan MUMS sometimes need a break.

It’s a fact, and more and more women are finally realising it.

They are losing the mum guilt and recognising that they shouldn’t be the bottom of the pile in terms of looking after themselves.

And mum Sinead Phillips says that is something worth celebrating.

The local travel agent strongly believes that this break shouldn’t come in 10 minute bursts while rushing to the toilet alone.

But instead actual time our away from the family and home.

“I think women are starting to take more time for themselves and I think that is because they are getting more help at home which is great,” she said.

“The old theory that mum is the housewife and everything else around the house is gone.

“And there is a focus on not just physical health and mental health too.

“It’s just so good to see the old cliches getting driven out.”

Of course there will always be some that can’t shake the mum guilt - but more and more women are taking some time out for themselves.

For some it’s going for a run, taking a yoga class, having a glass of wine - or going out for a delicious meal.

But there is no doubt that wellbeing looks different for everyone.

That’s why Sinead started her own side hustle called Mumscapes.

A chance for women with shared experiences to get away and relax.

“I don’t believe health retreats are the 20 AUTUMN 2021

Sinead Phillips with her kids Owen and Cora

be all and end all,” she said.

investment in themselves,” she said.

“It’s all about reconnecting and recharging - and something magical happens when women get together.”

“You can’t fill everyone else’s cup if yours is empty.”

She said that, especially post-Covid, so many women are trapped behind their computers, laptops and other devices that often they’ve lost a sense of connection.

“So by women actually coming together, face to face, and letting their guard down - they are making an

Sinead is hoping that mums realise that 10 minutes to yourself, or even going to do the grocery shopping isn’t a break.

“You need more than that,” she said.

“I want women to realise that they are worth more than that.

“It takes a village to raise a child - but it’s the same to have a happy life.”

Sinead Phillips www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

It’s Your Life

Sharing culture with the world

By Melissa Meehan PERCY Shozi could never find what he was looking for.

He went to book shop after book shop in search of a book whose characters adequately reflected the culture and experiences of his daughters Nala and Zara.

So, with a noticeable gap in the market - he set out to write his own.

Who Am I? is the first book in the Zola series, a series that covers topics such as missing family overseas and learning about culture.

“I want my girls to grow up seeing kids that look like them in books,’ Percy said.

“I want them to see brown superheroes and strong brown girls.

Growing up in Africa I never saw kids that looked like me, or houses that looked like mine in books.

“Sadly, little has changed so I decided to do something about it, for my kids.”

Percy’s own love of books started when he was a young boy growing up In South Africa.

But it was the stories he loved the most.

“Our stories of our culture are so beautiful - I just love them,” he said.

So what better place to start when writing a book.

“I said to my wife, even if It’s just for

them (my daughters) to read it and be part of the character, to me that’s enough,” he said.

“So that’s the thing, my mind was blown - they loved it and wanted to read it all of the time.”

Who Am I? follows it’s character Zola (a nice play on his daughters names), a young guru of mixed African/Australia descent growing up in Melbourne, speaks Zulu and dreams about Africa.

It covers culture, music, food and everything about South Africa. Things you wouldn’t normally know unless you knew someone of that background.

But it’s not just for those with African heritage.

Percy says he’s had wonderful feedback from people of all backgrounds.

“Now that we are in a sense cut off from the rest of the world, thanks to Covid-19, sharing our culture and experiences is more important than ever before,” he said.

“And when the book was released, just before Christmas, I had much interest from Australian’s wanting more stories like this.

Follow ‘Percy Shozi Childrens Author on Facebook to stay up to date with future books in this series.

Who Am I? is now on sale at www. percyspoems.com and some localbook stores.

Author Percy.

The hilarious things that children say

By Danielle Galvin

had some crackers.

One friend’s little girl says “fill it up” when she wants the volume turned up.

A few years ago when my daughter was little, I remember reading something on social media about writing down the funny things your kids say.

And she calls fireworks “fire boom boom”.

There’s plenty of ways to document these funny moments in life.

At the time, she wasn’t talking yet.

But I remembered the sentiment - that you might forget the funny, memorable things and phrases they come out with, if you don’t write them down at the time.

Thankfully we can all pull out our phones and video them with such ease, so that we have these little snapshots in time that capture our child’s innocence so perfectly.

And then on the other side of the coin, there’s the times they are far too brutally honest with no filter at all.

It’s because they come out with such funny stuff all the time, that we take it for granted when they are little.

They like to point out the obvious, don’t they?

The idea was to have a jar and write it down, pop it in the jar when they say something funny, so you don’t forget it.

A friend shared recently her 3-yearold boy pointed at a man in the supermarket to ask about his “fat tummy”. Totally innocent of course, but mortifying!

I love this idea!

Because sadly, we do forget as the years pass.

Over the years, my miss 5 has come out with some corkers and there’s quite a few that stick in my mind.

The most recent one which I found hilarious was when she genuinely questioned how her cheeky little brother got any presents at Christmas.

“I don’t know why he got any presents from Santa - he’s always super naughty.”

When she was little, probably around 2, she’d get “you” and “me” mixed up all the time.

“Mummy pick you up?” she’d say, arms out for me to hold her. www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

Here are some ideas: ■ Create a memory jar: jot down the funny things your kids say, and pop them in a jar. Don’t think you’ll do it later, do it before you forget!

Creating a memory jar is just one idea.

She also used to say “par park” instead of car park, and “vox” instead of fox.

basically a little parrot.

She also heard us say “LOL” colloquially, she started saying “YOL”.

And now that has of course stuck!

I hope I never forget his high-pitched, sweet little voice and how he calls every animal a meow meow.

My littlest, who has just turned 2, is

He likes to repeat his request to you multiple times “carry me, carry me”.

I asked around, and other parents

■ Some people keep journals or diaries with these sorts of things: birthday cards, special pieces of art the kids have made ■ Film it! If your kid comes out with something funny, recreate it. It sounds obvious but sometimes you need a photo or a video to jog your memory to remember some funny thing they said or did AUTUMN 2021 21

Health

Poor sleep for teens eating badly EATING unhealthily and drinking too much soft drink has been linked with poor sleep among teens across the world.

carbonated soft drinks, that often contain caffeine, and/or fast foods, that are traditionally energy-dense and nutrient-poor.

The University of Queensland’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences researcher Associate Professor Asad Khan said a world first study examined unhealthy diets and stress-related sleep disturbances in students across 64 countries.

“Teens who drank more than three soft drinks per day had 55 per cent higher odds of reporting sleep disturbance than those who only drank one soft drink a day.

“Overall, 7.5 per cent of adolescents reported stress-related sleep disturbance, which was more common among females than males.

“Males who ate fast foods on more than four days per week had 55 per cent higher odds of reporting sleep disturbance than those who only ate fast food once a week, while the odds were 49 per cent higher in females.

“Sleep disturbance increased with more frequent consumption of

“Frequent consumption of soft drinks more than three times a day, and fast

Soft drink was one of the culprits.

foods more than four days per week, were significantly associated with sleep disturbance in all but low-income countries.”

boys, girls should be a priority target group for associated interventions that could target stress management and sleep quality.

Dr Khan said the findings were concerning because of the adverse impacts on teens.

“Creating school environments to limit access to carbonated soft drinks and fast foods, and introducing a sugar tax to lessen the sales of soft drinks may be beneficial.”

“As stress-related sleep disturbance was more common among girls than

Pandemic baby blues THERE’S no doubt that life in recent time has thrown us some curveballs, and for those who are having a baby or are pregnant in the midst of the pandemic, there’s an extra set of challenges.

Epworth HealthCare psychiatrist, Dr Andrea Rapmund, explains how new and expecting parents can look after themselves during this time.

She says that with restrictions limiting interaction with friends and family, it’s totally normal to feel disappointed when things look very different from what you had anticipated and planned for.

“Some people talk about grieving the loss of expected experiences and these can be really hard feelings to have when, on the other hand, you’re having this incredibly joyful time of welcoming a new member to the family,” Dr Rapmund says.

“Times of uncertainty and change like this can often lead to increased anxiety and it’s important for us to acknowledge those feelings rather than suppressing them.

“We need to remind ourselves that we’re not aiming for perfection. We often talk about ‘good enough parenting’ and at the moment, things might have to be good enough.

“It’s a good idea to have some sort of routine to your day - whether it be as simple as getting up at a certain time, having three healthy meals a day and having some things scheduled in throughout the day, acknowledging that things don’t always go to plan with a newborn at home.

“Maintaining good nutrition, getting adequate sleep where possible and exercising during the day can also help with our mental health.

“Make sure that you also schedule in some pleasurable activities; remember what the things are that make you feel good. Make that time for yourself - it might look different due to current restrictions, but it’s still important.”

“If we tend to suppress uncomfortable feelings they can get stronger and more intense, and so if we’re able to acknowledge them it’s then that we can manage them more easily.

She encourages adding relaxation strategies into your day, for example: ■ Breathing techniques

“Things might look different at the moment, but it’s just as important as ever to seek help from our support systems. This might not be in the traditional ways that we’re used to, but it’s time to get creative connecting with people online and on the phone.”

■ Progressive muscle relaxation

She notes that another thing that’s really important is making time for self-care, adding that though it can seem like a throwaway phrase, self-care is absolutely crucial.

“It’s more important than ever that 22 AUTUMN 2021

we’re not putting too much pressure on ourselves.

■ Mindfulness techniques - you could try the Epworth Moments of Mindfulness playlist on Spotify “Finding a middle ground with media, where we can stay informed but not feel overwhelmed can also improve our wellbeing.

“Remember, if your mood is persistently low or anxious, speak with your doctor. You’re not alone and there is support available.” Dr Rapmund said.

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Health

Impacts of the pandemic on dental care THERE were nearly 900,000 fewer dental services provided during Victoria’s lockdown months compared to last year, research has revealed.

Schedule (CDBS) to vulnerable children across Australia, and this was replicated in Victoria later in the year,” he said.

The University of Melbourne and eviDent Foundation research found the Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on dental care for vulnerable children who already experience higher levels of dental disease and disadvantage.

“Delayed or deferred access to dental care meant that many routine dental problems deteriorated, and dentists now are reporting more emergencies and poorer health outcomes for their patients.

CEO of the Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Associate Professor Matt Hopcraft, also the lead author of the report, said the research found that from March to September there were 881,454 fewer dental services provided in 2020 than 2019.

“April saw an 86.9 per cent decrease in treatment provided through the Child Dental Benefits

“There is also real concern about the impact of delayed diagnosis of oral cancers.”

Given the chronic and progressive nature of dental disease, the deferral of necessary dental care could contribute to poorer oral health and long-term problems for many Australians, and place greater pressure on public dental waiting lists, particularly in Victoria.

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AUTUMN 2021 23

Health

Weaning your child off sugar

By Danielle Galvin LET’S talk about the sweet stuff: sugar.

Many of us eat way too much of it, including children.

In recent years, studies have shown how addictive it is. Over the summer months, many of us have watched as our children’s sugar intake increased, with way too many ice-creams, treats and sweets.

We asked for some advice from nutrition consultant at That Sugar Movement, Angela Johnson, about how to slowly wean your child off sugar or even start to reduce it slowly.

What advice do you have for parents who might be concerned about managing their child’s sugar intake around holidays?

After Christmas/the summer period I spoke to a few parents who were concerned that their child was consuming way too much sugar. First, try to keep things in perspective. The holiday season can involve multiple social events, extended periods away from home, and disruption of the usual weekly routine. Therefore, the consumption of homemade whole foods can decrease, while exposure to (and intake of) sweetened and industriallymade, ultra-processed stuff can increase. If your child or children consumed more sugary foods than usual over the summer holidays and Christmas period, know that this shift doesn’t need to be the new normal.

Starting today, you can take gradual steps to reduce the intake of added sugars and ultra-processed, packaged foods.

Each day, throughout and after the holiday period, aim to have at least one wholesome, homemade meal, and keep any snacks as fresh or minimally processed as possible. Lunches and snacks, whether at home or to have when out and about, are great opportunities to serve healthful whole foods, including vegetables, legumes, and sources of healthy fats and quality protein. It is helpful to prepare foods in advance for you or the kids grab and go as needed - think vegetable and egg muffins, portions of raw nuts and seeds, whole pieces of fresh fruit, plain yoghurt with berries, or pre-cut vegetables sticks with a favourite dip.

You may wish to explain to your children that the increase in sweet and ultra-processed foods over the holidays is temporary and now, as a family, we are having more of the foods that help us feel better, grow stronger, and have more energy.

Importantly, be sure to set a healthy, caring and kind example. You cannot expect your kids to eat healthier foods when you are consuming mountains of cake and cookies! At the same time, I recommend using neutral language with kids around food. Avoiding language around ‘diet’ or weight, or labelling sugar as a ‘poison’ or ‘bad’.

Similarly, try not to use words such as ‘treat’, especially if referring to ultraprocessed foods; instead such foods should be considered ‘once in a while’.

Keep in mind that our kids’ bodies are resilient. So long as you attempt to make real, whole foods the foundation of what your child eats, the once in a while cookie or cake or brief period of increased added sugar intake will not have long-lasting effects.

24 AUTUMN 2021

Angela Johnson, nutrition consultant at That Sugar Movement.

What are some signs your child might be sugar addicted?

Sweet-tasting foods are highly desirable.

Too much added sugar and sweeteners, and the ultra-processed foods they often come in, create a strong preference, habituation and desire for sweeter tastes, making subtler or bitter tastes less tolerable. While there is continued research into the area of food addiction, it is believed excessive consumption can impact the brain’s reward centre in a way that results in symptoms similar to addiction to other well-known addictive substances, such as intense cravings, shifts in mood, and energy highs and lows.

Angela Johnson has some tips for parents to wean kids off the sweet stuff.

I’ve read rewarding your child for good behaviour with a sweet treat is a bad idea - do you agree?

Here are other tips for helping your family reduce added sugar (and ultra-processed food) intake:

Using food as a reward (or punishment) is not ideal. It can set up a disordered relationship with food. Of course, you will feel there are times when tempting your child away from the playground with something tasty is the only way to get moving! Don’t be hard on yourself if you do. Try not to make a habit of it so your child won’t make the association between certain foods and behaviours, and if you offer something, choose a healthy whole food, such as a piece of their favourite fruit.

How do you wean your child off sugar, or work to lower their intake on a weekly/daily basis?

• Focus on real whole food: Make the foundation of the food you offer real, whole food. Think vegetables, fruit, unsweetened dairy, nuts, seeds, and eggs. For drinks, offer water. Infuse with slices of orange or lemon if you need to make it more enticing. Swap out sugary cereals, sweet spreads and snack bars for something more wholesome. Slowly reduce the amount of sugar or syrup in recipes by experimenting with swapping some of the added sugar for mashed or blended fruit and vegetables, such as banana, stewed apple or steamed pumpkin.

When reducing intake of added sugar and ultra-processed food, be gradual, patient and consistent. Adapt one meal or snack at a time, swapping something sugary or ultra-processed for a whole food option. Importantly, do not give up too soon! Research shows repeated exposure is helpful to acquire a taste for something new - up to 8-10 times.

• Have options available: Have prepared several options of tasty whole foods that include a source of fibre, healthy fat and/or quality protein. Kids can have the autonomy to choose from what is on offer, and enjoy a food that provides a source of sustained energy (and therefore, a reduced desire for sugar).

A really helpful guide for parents is this: The adult chooses what goes on a plate or into the lunchbox. The child chooses what and how much to eat. Try not to pressure the child into eating something they do not want, they will eat if they are hungry. Just be patient and consistent with the healthier foods you offer.

• Limit access: Keep sugary drinks, such as soft drinks and juices, and ultra-processed foods either out of the house or to a minimum.

It is recommended that children over two years limit intake to six teaspoons per day, and those under two shouldn’t have any added sugar at all. Remind yourself that every bite of healthier food makes a difference, so do not be hard on yourself - you are doing great!

• Crowd it out: Limit added sugar and ultra-processed food intake by crowding out meals with real, fresh food like fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and plain dairy. By enjoying mostly

Finally, if you have serious concerns that your child is not eating well or refusing to eat at all, please seek out advice from a qualified health professional.

homemade meals and snacks, over time eating habits and taste preferences will adjust also.

• Get them on board: Help your child understand why they will see a shift in the food they are served. For example, whole foods help bodies and brains grow strong and smart.

Get them involved in food preparation. Pair well known favourites with a new whole food or flavour. Trust that your child has an innate sense of what makes them feel better.

Above all, be gentle when weaning off a high sugar diet. The transition period toward a less-sweetened way of eating may feel tricky at first. Know that it needn’t be all or nothing. Your child does not have to abstain from sweet or packaged food altogether. A little is okay for most, just limit how much and how often. In fact, banning certain foods can make a child want them more!

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Party Time

Born to party

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AUTUMN 2021 25

Active Kids

Getting your child involved in a local club Being part of a team makes us feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. ourselves

WHEN TO JOIN A CLUB Your child is never too young to join a local club. These days, as Mr Lacey points out, there are sport-type programs for babies and toddlers.

By Melissa Grant THERE has never been a better time to sign-up your child to a local sports or recreation club.

He said it was important for a child’s physical activity to ramp-up once they reached primary school.

Covid-19 lockdowns left Victorian children inside their homes for months last year.

“Auskick, Cricket blasters, Hot Shots (tennis) all target that kind of age,” he said.

They missed out on physical activity, not to mention social connections.

We spoke to VicHealth Physical Activity and Sport Manager, Chris Lacey, about the benefits of getting children involved in a sport or local club.

HOW TO FIND A CLUB The best way is to ask a friend for a recommendation or simply get onto a search engine and type ‘sport near me’.

PHYSICAL BENEFITS Signing your child up for local sport is a great way to ensure they get enough physical activity.

Australian guidelines recommend that children aged 5-17 get at least an hour a day of ‘moderate to vigorous intensity’ physical activity.

It’s advised that kids aged 2-4 have at least 180 minutes a day of physical activity, including energetic play.

“It’s important for kids to remain physically healthy and sport is a great way to do that,” Mr Lacey said.

SOCIAL BENEFITS Sport and recreation gives children the chance to forge friendships and connections outside school.

Also, it often provides children with a new positive role model in their life.

Mr Lacey said while kids generally make a lot of mates at school, it is important for them to have other places where they can make friends.

There are the obvious local sporting clubs like AFL, basketball, netball, cricket and soccer.

Sport gives children the chance to forge friendships and connections outside school.

“The social connection you get from being involved is important for kids’ mental and social development,” he said.

“Being part of a team makes us feel like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves, which is important.

“Having social connections can reduce the incidence of anxiety and depression.”

SKILLS FOR LIFE Children involved in their local sporting club or recreation group learn various skills that they will use throughout their life.

This includes leadership skills. In junior sport, for example, captaincy is often rotated so that each child can

learn what it’s like to lead a team.

They can also learn how to tackle challenges and that winning isn’t everything.

“They learn that you don’t always win and that’s okay,” Mr Lacey said.

BENEFITS FOR PARENTS Children’s sport is good for parents too as it provides opportunities for social connection.

Mr Lacey said studies have shown that one in three Victorians are worried about their loss of social connection in the wake of Covid lockdowns.

More than half said they want to get involved in their community clubs, he said.

But there are also clubs for gymnastics, dancing, swimming, diving, skateboarding, skating, hockey, sailing and even paddle boarding. The list goes on.

But what if your child says they hate sport?

“It’s good to encourage kids to get involved in physical activity but not force them. If there’s something they don’t enjoy try to pivot them towards something else,” Mr Lacey said.

That could be something like dancing or swimming.

If sport is a no-go, then you can try music or arts clubs, or get them involved in the local Scouts or Girl Guides group.

“There’s no excuse really these days not to get involved because there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy,” Mr Lacey said.

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Education

Should schools take a step back in time?

By Danielle Galvin DIGITAL technology is increasingly common in Australian classrooms, with many primary school students having iPads and apps and various online tools and resources.

But there’s an academic in regional Queensland who believes there’s a better way forward, although for some it might seem like a step backwards.

CQUniversity education academic Dr Ragnar Purje published a piece in Australia’s Education Review that explores the benefits of a return to chalk and slate - a decades old approach he says is second to none.

Dr Purje argued that writing on a screen or typewriting, simply cannot replace the complex skill of handwriting with chalk.

“Handwriting is so profoundly

important as the brain research shows that it is intricately linked to two areas of the brain,” he said.

requires desire, discipline, dedication, determination, perseverance and resilience.”

the moment they are born .. technology immersement stops brain development at the level that it needs to take place.”

“Handwriting and typewriting are not the same.

He explained that the connection is profound: teaching children to write is not just about the activity itself.

While chalk and slate are not widely or readily used in most Australian primary schools, Dr Purje recommends that parents encourage their children to practise writing with chalk in the preschool years.

“Handwriting needs to take place to advance oral language, that becomes written language, which then always hthe development of complex ideas.

“However if a child doesn’t know how to hold a pencil correctly, their writing skills won’t be as efficient.”

Dr Purje said using chalk encouraged a “tripod grip” with thumb and pointer finger, which helps shape neurological, neuromuscular, gross and fine motor skill pathways.

“The research dealing with handwriting and compositional narrative writing development is unambiguous; handwriting and narrative writing is not only complex, it

It also leads into constructing complex sentences and ideas, as well as reading and writing.

He is also concerned about the prevalence of digital technology and how it can discourage an active imagination.

“Children don’t need technology at prep or grade 1,” he said.

“I am not an advocate for saying we shouldn’t have technology, we need to embrace it for what it is “We have choices in how we use that technology.

“Children don’t need technology form

“When I was at school, we practised letter formation with chalk, then progressed to pencil then pen. This process is hard work, but the brain advances in its complexities by and through the process of effort, application and hard work,” he said.

Dr Purje, who completed his PhD with CQUni in 2016 under the supervision of Professor Ken Purnell, is the author of Responsibility Theory®, a book and neuro-education program guiding teachers in best-practice education methods for brain-friendly learning.

Thrive, grow and learn together ST Francis Xavier Primary School in Box Hill is a place where your child can thrive, grow and learn, supported by a team of experienced and committed staff who understand how children learn best and how to nurture the wellbeing of every child.

The school is inspired by the model of St Francis Xavier, a man who served others and spent his time bringing the good news of Jesus to those he encountered. This is the school’s mission too, to educate young people to understand the values modelled by Jesus of trust, respect, forgiveness and care and live these out daily.

Staff work collaboratively to plan learning experiences that cater to the needs of every student in their care - every student, every day. They work in teams to analyse student data and bring this together with what they know and understand about their students to ensure that their teaching is targeted and purposeful, always aimed at supporting the students to grow and progress.

This sits within the school’s commitment to the wellbeing of each student, knowing that when students are happy, settled and secure at school, learning flows naturally.

The entire school community embraces diversity and values the partnership they have with each family. The school works with families

Care, Respect, Trust, Forgiveness We care for the whole child

Grace with St Francis Xavier Primary School principal Mary Jones.

Picture: Rob Carew

to enhance the learning of every student and values the contributions our families make to the life of the school through the School Advisory Council, the Parents and Friends Association, classroom helpers and volunteering.

Staff would love to welcome you to the school for a tour.

Please call 9890 1108 or email at enquiries@sfxboxhill. catholic.edu.au for assistance.

You won’t be disappointed!

We nurture every child to be their best self.

Our wellbeing and learning programs are designed to meet the needs of every child in our care, providing a rich, diverse and challenging environment for students to thrive and grow.

Our specialist and co-curricular programs offer students the chance to explore new and exciting learning pathways and foster social skills and curiosity.

Book a Tour Today YOUR CHILD’S FUTURE STARTS HERE 1087 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill Victoria 3128 T: 03 9890 1108 • E: enquiries@sfxboxhill.catholic.edu.au www.sfxboxhill.catholic.edu.au 12482900-NG13-21

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AUTUMN 2021 27

Education

Why don’t more men go into teaching?

By Danielle Galvin

secondary school, there was a huge jump to 39 per cent.

BACK in 2017, Macquarie University researchers tracked a worrying trajectory of a declining number of male teachers in Australian classrooms.

“That’s the big difference, it’s very obvious in primary schools,” he said.

The study lead them to ask the question: Are male teachers headed for extinction?

The research showed a steady decline in numbers in the past 50 years.

Granted the research is now four years old, but the question remains: are there enough male teachers out there?

Dr Matthew Zbaracki is Head of School of Education at the Australian Catholic University.

The former primary school teacher said the latest statistics, from 2019, estimated 18 per cent of teachers in primary schools were male. In

“I think there are a couple of reasons.

“One; there could be a gender stereotype around who teaches in primary school.

“I think there’s a lack of respect around the teaching profession in general which has an impact as well.”

While there’s no suggestion that any gender performs better in the classroom or gets different results, Dr Zbaracki said there’s a couple of reasons why it’s important.

“The reason why they are important is that children need to be able to have these experiences with teachers of both genders, and they need to have role models as well.

Do we need to do more to attract male teachers?

“Boys need to have role models that are men in the classroom instead of just females. I think it’s really important, learning styles and teaching styles are so critical.

comes to early education.

“Being exposed to as many different teaching styles you possibly can, as well as positive role models (is important).”

In Dr Zbaracki’s view, all educators bring different teaching styles to their environments, regardless of gender.

He said partly there’s still a stigma still around men teaching, particularly in the junior years, but more needs to be done to build back respect for the teaching profession.

He said male and female teachers engage students in different ways.

He hopes doing that will help attract more people to the profession.

“Those statistics are pretty shocking, 18 per cent in primary schools, that’s shocking.”

The divide is even more stark when it

In 2018, according to University of South Australia research, men accounted for between 2-3 per cent of the workforce.

“It’s important we don’t get complacent and be aware of this type of issue.

The impact of screen time on school readiness WORRYING new research has shown too much screen time and not enough play time could put children developmentally behind when they start school.

The study, undertaken by University of South Australia researchers Dr Kobie Boshoff, Alessia Pivato and Sarah Seekamp, looks at the concerns of 41 South Australian preschool directors.

It found that too much screen time, and not enough substantial quality, creative play could be impacting children’s development.

It’s estimated in South Australia, 22 per cent of children are considered developmentally vulnerable.

According to the Australian Department of Health, evidence shows long period of screen time for children

aged 2-5 is connected with a less active, outdoor and creative play times, as well as slower development of language skills, poorer social skills and an increased risk of being overweight.

Paediatric expert and Director of UniSA’s International Centre for Allied Health Evidence, Dr Kobie Boshoff, said more play time would help the issue, as well as reducing the amount of screen time.

“School readiness is all about the ability of a child to make a successful transition from preschool into formal school,” he said.

“But as research shows, nearly one in four South Australian children are not meeting the mark.

“In our research, preschool directors

indicate that families are overusing screens as ‘babysitters’ and that this could be contributing to lower levels of social skill development, concentration, problem solving abilities and selfregulation - all key skills that improve school readiness.”

The guidelines recommend children aged 2-5 have no more than one hour of screen time a day.

“While screen time has certainly become a normal part of everyday life, there has to be a balance, and we must educate parents about the adverse effect of too much screen-time on children’s development,” Dr Boshoff said.

“Young children need to be spending more time riding scooters, being outside, or playing with traditional toys such as

blocks, cars, or puzzles.

“A balanced, healthy lifestyle incorporating weekly time for physical activity, positive play time with parents and peers and giving children time to develop independence in their daily routines, are some examples of healthy activities for families.

“The result is that many more preschools have children with greater needs, leaving them in desperate need for early childhood interventions such as occupational therapy, speech pathology and physiotherapy.

“Providing this support is vital to ensure that children have a positive experience of the early years of school and that strong foundations for learning occur from day one.”

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Education

How drama class boosts kids’ confidence Creative drama classes are a great outlet for kids.

WORDS like embarrassed and shy don’t last long when children are making up their own comic book character or creating their own games to go with it.

Creative drama and performance classes boost children and young people’s confidence, providing a unique and supportive nurturing environment.

“Talent knows no boundaries. Often it takes just one open door to unleash the passion and empower the imagination

of a young person,” Director of NIDA Public Programs, Tricia Ryan, said.

busy, with a variety of learning to experience.

English and Drama teacher Louise Mayocchi sums it up.

“When it comes to children and young people, overcoming fear and doubt is a large part of the journey to exploring their creative side.”

Children respond to a course that means they will be learning how to act on camera one day, be involved in writing a script another day, and performing that group script on another day. One parent recently commented: “It was so good that he felt he was only there for an hour a day when in fact it was seven hours! He loved it and also loved the dedication from the teachers.”

“My advice for anyone considering taking part in a NIDA Open program is, is to pour your heart into it. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You’ll gain a new perspective which will be invaluable.”

NIDA’s methods are based on ‘learning-by-doing’ which means that all children receive specialist tuition with a practical focus.

Part of that is keeping the children

For more information and to book a course for the Autumn holidays: nida. edu.au/autumn

Xavier College’s unique approach XAVIER College has a unique approach to education, seeking to develop not just students’ minds, but their hearts and hands.

A Jesuit school in Kew, Xavier approaches any issues that may arise using the cura personalis doctrine, the care of the individual, at the heart of its discernment process. When navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, this approach guided the Xavier community’s transition to online learning.

During a time of enormous global upheaval, Xavier wanted to send a clear message that it prioritised students’ learning, but also valued their wellbeing and connection to their beloved Xavier community.

Students and staff quickly adapted to online learning, allowing community and wellbeing to be fostered.

Over the course of three terms, Xavier experienced the full range of COVID-19 challenges, making it a priority to communicate with parents and students at every turn.

Staff and students saw each other during the good days and bad, witnessed pets in the backgrounds of

screens and other family members also trying to learn or work.

They were able to learn about each other in a way that would not have happened without the pandemic.

When on campus at Xavier, a student’s House becomes their home within the broader school community.

In transitioning to online learning, House tutors went the extra mile to proactively foster wellbeing, encouraging students to take care of themselves and their households throughout the lockdown period.

Whether through dance challenges, quizzes, guided meditations, prayer or encouraging helping around the home, students were encouraged to “look to the good” in their situation, to care for themselves and to care for those in their households and their mates online.

Xavier’s student leaders also played a significant role in maintaining the wellbeing of the student community.

Student prefects led fortnightly voluntary examens (a style of meditative prayer) for students online. Student leaders also organised for senior students to “check in” individually with the younger students during lockdown, as well as making

videos of support and encouragement for students at Xavier’s early years and middle school campuses.

Other student led initiatives driven by the school’s prefects and Student Voice Committee included undertaking the World’s Greatest Shave, which raised over $42000 for cancer research, the school’s celebration of Wear It Purple Day, celebrating inclusivity and diversity, and acknowledging R U Ok? Day, which culminated in families participating in a sleepout under the stars in their backyards.

The school’s music leaders, supported by the College’s music staff, also produced numerous online ensemble performances that were shared with the school community.

Perhaps one of Xavier’s greatest achievements was enabling its graduating Year 12s a proper send-off, with end-of-year Valete ceremonies and its renowned Red and Black Ball in February taking place, to the delight of students and their families, despite the challenging circumstances.

Head of Teaching and Learning, Ms Melinda Roberts, saw the silver lining of an otherwise difficult year:

“One thing that emerged throughout the course of 2020 is that as a community we have learned the true value of companionship, conversation and accompaniment, hallmarks of a Jesuit school”.

As a learning community, the challenges of 2020 allowed Xavier to demonstrate its mission of cura personalis, to care for the individual. It is perhaps this approach that motivated Xavier’s senior Boarding community to choose to remain on campus during Victoria’s lockdown period.

Xavier’s unique approach continues to draw substantial interest from families across Melbourne, Victoria, interstate and internationally.

Looking to the future, Ms Roberts is confident that, at Xavier College, “we will continue to accompany each other in any way we can”.

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AUTUMN 2021 29

Education

Good nutrition starts young Lauren Burns, Archer, Vincent and chef Michael Dickson.

HEALTHY food, every day! That’s the mantra at Niño Early Learning Adventures.

Leading nutritionist, Olympian and Niño Early Learning Adventures nutritional ambassador, Lauren Burns believes in creating healthy eating habits for life and nutritional education starts at a young age.

“Together with the centre’s chefs, I have had the opportunity to create a wonderful, vibrant, seasonal wholefood menu for the children and continue to provide recipes and nutritional information for the Niño ELA families,” she explained.

One aspect to the Niño ELA approach that’s particularly different and special is welcoming parents to stay and enjoy some breakfast before rushing off.

“This allows for a slower pace at drop off, and for the transition of parents

leaving their little ones to be a little smoother, or to sneak a bit more time to do a puzzle together or read a book,” Ms Burns said. “It really articulates the commitment Niño ELA has to being child centred and valuing the family and carers around the child.”

In collaboration with Niño ELA’s chefs, Ms Burns develops seasonal menu plans to meet Australian nutritional guidelines, as well as incorporating cultural diversity and a variety of colours, flavours and textures.

The menus are designed to be engaging for the children as well as delicious and nutritious. “All centres provide onsite chefs to prepare meals from scratch, and what they produce each day is truly inspiring,” she said.

“At the Niño ELA centres, we focus not just on the food itself, but on other aspects of the meal.” Mealtimes are a wonderfully social event, so children are encouraged to have conversations

and talk to their friends, educators or the chefs as they enjoy their meals and snacks. “The environment of having lots of children around can support trying new foods which is always positive.

Sometimes parents remark that what they eat at Niño ELA they would never try at home! We eat with our eyes as well as our mouths, so preparation and presentation are important.”

Involving children at meal times is just one way Niño ELA helps to foster a love of food and meal times, as well as involving the children in the garden to water, tend to and care for the edible plants. “We believe giving children a great nutritional education at an early age is beneficial to their growth, development and positive relationship with food as they mature,” Ms Burns said.

At Niño ELA, the children are empowered to self-serve, allowing them to have autonomy and serve

Picture: Rob Carew

themselves from meals placed in the centre of the table, which also fosters socialisation, sharing (passing utensils) and turn-taking.

When it comes to trying new things, some children are more willing than others. “Exploring new foods is about regular exposure, trying something new, sensory exposure such as touching, feeling or smelling,” Ms Burns explained. “We talk about eating the rainbow, eating a variety of different colours. This is fun for the children and easy to capture their engagement and imagination but from a nutrition perspective, this ensures they are getting a variety of different phytochemicals.”

At Nino ELA, variety and diversity are an important aspect of having a diverse gut microbiome and healthy immune system - all very important lifelong skills for a positive development and respect of food and eating.

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Education

Your child’s journey at Preshil PRESHIL Independent School believes every child’s learning journey is theirs to own.

was a Zoom screen and they all put their portraits on it as a way of acknowledging what they had each been through, but also how they were connected through that time.”

The school offers a unique curriculum within the framework of International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

Preshil’s approach to the IB at all levels is flexible, innovative and challenging.

At the Arlington campus, the kindergarten and primary school are set amongst an incredible backdrop with spaces that encourage students to play, explore and harness their creativity.

“The Primary Years Program is a framework we deliver the curriculum through, what it does is it establishes 6 themes that the children study across the year,” she explained.

Head of campus, Cressida BatterhamWilson, said it is a truly joyful campus that’s second to none.

“The grounds are highly unusual for a primary school now, given that we allow the children to take measured risks. They climb our trees, our peppercorns, they use rope swings and climbing frames and they are encouraged to use woodworking tools to build cubbies.

“With cubby building, comes authentic social learning experiences about how we share resources, or resolve issues that come up through collaborative endeavours that are entirely children led.”

“That sort of social learning when there is a shared endeavour is a really important part of our tradition.”

“The themes are conceptually driven, not topic driven. They are ideas that are universal and timeless and connect us as humans right across the globe.

Head of campus, Cressida Batterham-Wilson with students Harriet and Daiynan making paper chains to decorate the school hall for their Valedictory Dinner.

Picture: Rob Carew

“It’s an internationally minded program.

playful in it.

“We offer the Primary Years Program from our kindergarten right through to Grade 6. We are proudly a continuum school, so we run the International Baccalaureate programs right through to Year 12.

“When the children are building cubbies, sometimes they will bring things from home to decorate them, sometimes they will paint them bright colours, sometimes they will name them, sometimes they will develop a currency system for nails, so they enact their own bartering and there is marketplace. This is incredibly powerful learning entirely generated from their passion in that space.”

In late February, the school held the graduation dinner for the 2020 graduates.

Ms Batterham-Wilson said the children “own the space” and are very

Every two years, the children in Years 5 and 6 paint a curtain that hangs across the stage. When it comes time for them to graduate year 12, the same curtain is hung again, to signify the end of their Preshil journey. “We are so busy today. As a community, all of the children from Kindergarten to grade six get together to prepare and decorate the Hall for the Valedictory Dinner. The children decide what they will do to make the space truly special. The connections across the school are very strong,” Ms Batterham-Wilson said.

“The curtain they painted last year

“We had two students who did very well last year, and they were students who have been with us since kindergarten. It was a strong confirmation that what we do is exceptional and we produce these really amazing students.”

To find out more or enquire about a tour, visit https://preshil.vic.edu.au/

THE PROGRESSIVE ALTERNATIVE The International Baccalaureate (IB) provides a rigorous framework for inquiry and allows a continuum of education from the Kindergarten through to the Diploma Programme in Years 11 & 12.

Preshil’s progressive IB Primary Years Programme delivers an innovative and engaging core curriculum supported by Languages, Art and Electives.

In a vibrant, natural and green environment, the school ethos is one of an uncompromising focus on respect for the agency, individuality and wellbeing of each student.

TERM 1 and 2 OPEN MORNINGS AND TOURS preshil.vic.edu.au/register-attendance

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AUTUMN 2021 31

Education

Inclusivity is key THE Currajong School is an inclusive, supportive and empathic place of learning.

The welcoming community recognises and celebrates the achievements of their students.

They provide an alternative educational option for children whose social-emotional disorders and challenging behaviours (such as ASD, ODD, ADHD, anxiety and social communication difficulties) prevent them from experiencing success at school.

A unique school

They work with families as equal partners in the planning and delivery of individualised programs for their child.

ANDALE School is quite unique in the learning landscape of Melbourne.

This small, independent school provides a positive learning environment for children who experience language and learning challenges.

Students are taught at their point of need and ability level.

The program of instruction is informed by the Australian Curriculum with a particular focus on the development of ‘personal and social capabilities.

Programs and activities are designed to support students to build positive relationships with their peers and adults, by developing an awareness of - and sensitivity to - the feelings and preferences of others.

prepare students for the challenges of returning to mainstream school within two to four years.

The school values are explicitly modelled and taught: respect yourself and others; take responsibility for your actions; be resilient in the face of disappointment and adversity.

Students learn to care for and about one another, understand their own learning needs and how to work with others.

A matching set of expectations in every aspect of school life helps to

In fact, its differences are what make the school unique. The welcoming community recognises and celebrates the achievements of their students.

School principal Susan Coull with students.

Picture: Rob Carew

Andale staff recognise the strengths and learning challenges of each of their students, ensuring an individualised program for all within a range of authentic and positive learning experiences.

Currajong students learn to take strategies and make good choices in times of challenge and difficulty.

Andale students enjoy a highly individualised curriculum that enables them to develop curiosity, confidence, and the skills to thrive. By providing an inclusive, empowering school environment that nurtures individual strengths, Andale students have the

Currajong: for the kids who just don’t manage well within the mainstream schooling model.

very best chance of achieving positive social and educational outcomes.

The introduction of the MuliLit literacy program, out of Macquarie University, has provided students with a structured, evidenced based program. Speech pathologist Heather Roper says that the benefits of the program are clear and measurable.

“We were able to assess all students prior to commencement in the program.

This has enabled us to group students according to learning needs. In conjunction with ongoing assessments, it has also provided data that demonstrates real growth in literacy skills.”

With small class sizes, highly skilled special education qualified teachers and integrated therapy support, Andale School is able to ensure each student experiences success as a learner.

Visit www.andale.vic.edu.au or call 9853 3911 to learn more.

www.currajong.vic.edu.au

An independent specialist primary school for children with social-emotional disorders and behaviours that challenge their opportunity to experience success in mainstream school.

We work intensively with children to develop the learning and coping strategies which lead to self-respect, established work habits and acceptable behaviours.

Special education teachers Specialist art teacher Psychologist Speech pathologist 90 Darling Road Education support Malvern East 3145 Music therapist admin@currajong.vic.edu.au Small classes

For the kids who just don’t manage well within the mainstream model.

ASD, ODD, ADHD, Anxiety, Average IQ, social communication difficulties 32 AUTUMN 2021

Contact us for more information andaleschool@andale.vic.edu.au 84 Charles Street, Kew, 3101 | +61 3 9853 3911

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Education

Should schools provide lunches?

AN idea out of Flinders University could have parents rejoicing: what if schools provided lunches for Australian students?

The Caring Futures Institute’s tips for healthier lunchboxes: ■ Keep lunchboxes and snacks basic: go back to the less packaged foods - grainy sandwich, vegie sticks, fruit and yoghurt, researchers say.

Researchers from the university’s Caring Futures Institute investigated whether it would be more nutritious, and there would be better learning outcomes, if the school provided lunches.

■ Reduce unhealthy foods by cutting portion sizes in half or limiting the number of days in a week your children eat these foods.

The institute’s deputy director Professor Rebecca Golley said it was a common practice in other countries such as the UK and would mean less room for treats high in sugar or salt.

■ Head to the supermarket with clear plans and stick to them.

Avoid the snack aisle. If there are no unhealthy foods brought into the home this can make it easier to eat healthier alternatives from the five food groups.

“A universal school-provided lunch model could help to ensure all children have access to food at school, reduce stigma of children not having lunch or having different types of foods to their peers, and help to ensure children are provided with healthy lunch options,” she explained.

“The meal would be prepared on site and served to children in their classroom, school hall or school yard, compared with the current school food model in Australia where generally parents provide lunch to their child/ children, either as a lunchbox packed from home or purchased from a school canteen.

policies and guidelines in place, what is emerging from some work around Australia is that this public health strategy can deliver in terms of learning, student engagement and wellbeing.

“While there will need to be an initial investment to set-up the necessary infrastructure and getting the right

“By children being provided with healthy meals at school, we think it will help children to concentrate in the

It’s an interesting idea to improve learning outcomes and nutrition.

classroom and support their learning.”

or dairy during school hours.

In a separate study, the university’s research team examined the dietary intake of children aged 5-12 years during school hours. The study found 40 per cent of the energy kids consume at school comes from unhealthy food, with most children consuming no or very few serves of vegetables, protein-rich foods,

Flinders University nutrition and dietetics researcher Brittany Johnson said good nutrition supports growth, learning and development.

“Australian families constantly face the challenge of packing lunchboxes that are nutritious, safe and quick, and that their children will eat.”

The incredible benefits of chess in the classroom CHILDREN who play chess might be better versed to take risks than their peers, as well as aiding their arithmetic and rational thinking.

Researchers from Monash University and Deakin University conducted an experiment to examine the effects of intensive chess lessons with more than 400 Year 5 students who had no previous exposure to the game.

Students participated in a 30-hour chess program, endorsed by the World Chess Federation, across a three-week period.

They were assessed on their cognitive and non-cognitive behavioural changes, including risk, time management and ability to focus, for nearly a year after the training had ended.

What it showed was fascinating.

Playing chess from a young age could decrease risk aversion by exposing kids to win/loss scenarios and competition, as well as teaching children about strategic risk-taking.

In a survey conducted with students 10 months after the chess program, 99 per cent said they wanted more chess lessons, 94.5 per cent had played chess with a classmate in the previous week, and 87.5 per cent said they played

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chess regularly with friends or family.

The study was led by Professor Asad Islam (Director, Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability, Monash Business School), and supported by Dr Wang Sheng Lee (Fellow, Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability, Monash Business School) and Dr Aaron Nicholas (Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics, Deakin Business School).

Professor Asad Islam said it could help model good risk taking behaviour.

“Risk and reward is a concept that is articulated well in the game of chess.

Players often sacrifice pawns, knights and bishops if it helps checkmate the opponent’s king and win the game.

Such sacrifices are inherently risky because if one’s calculations are faulty, the sacrifice could prove to be fatal, eventually leading to a quick loss,” Professor Islam said.

“Children need to know how to take calculated risks. If children are too risk averse it might prevent them from swimming at the beach, going to a public park or participating in contact sports for risk of injury.

“Later in life, this could also extend to adolescent behaviours such as drugs, smoking, truancy, involvement

Schools could consider teaching chess, research has shown.

in crime and in romantic relationships.

“In many life situations, it is also the case that with great risk often comes great reward. However, the line between necessary calculated risk-taking and reckless behaviour is sometimes difficult to determine.

Learning chess can help bridge that gap.”

The researchers believe it could show the potential benefits of schools across Australia integrating the teaching of chess in the classroom to help young people deal with risk and reward later in life.

Interestingly, Armenia and Poland have already made chess instruction compulsory in their primary-school curriculum.

AUTUMN 2021 33

Brea Kunstler exercises with her daughter Abby.

REALITY BITES

Getting fit while busy with kids AFTER Covid-19 lockdowns, lives across Australia have changed.

Mums (and dads) are working longer hours, many of them at home, leaving many to question when they have time for exercise.

Life is busy. It always has been.

But blurring the lines between work hours and life hours has become an even more delicate balance since Covid.

If spending more time at home, away from loved ones and friends has taught us anything, it’s that life is short.

And we need to look after ourselves.

But with even less time in the day (whether that be true or perceived), how can we get our 30 mins a day of exercise in?

This could be because it was easy to do this during lockdown or while physically distancing (eg. online pilates class in your lounge room).

Many people might have been doing these classes while watching the kids and making use of the time and opportunity they suddenly had.

We have also seen many people take up activities that can be done solo and without a gym membership (handy since they have been closed so often).

We have many more recreational runners than before (‘those people’ who throw on the activewear to get a quick jog in before the kids get up).

We need to take this idea into 2021 and beyond - make the most of the time and opportunities you have.

Mum Brea Kunstler is as busy as they come. She’s a physiotherapist and run coach and a research fellow at Monash University.

Are people finding it more difficult to find time to exercise?

Brea says the key is to make the most of the time you have, not to add more tasks to your ‘to do’ list.

However, I often encourage my clients to put their day on a page and see when they have at least 15 minutes to move.

Kids Today reporter Melissa Meehan sat down with her to discuss how we can find time to get moving.

Have you noticed a shift in peoples’ exercise habits since the pandemic?

We (researchers at BehaviourWorks Australia, Monash University) conducted a survey of over 1000 Australian adults early in the pandemic and noticed that physical activity levels weren’t hugely different to usual, we were still seeing the majority of adults not meeting the physical activity guidelines of 150-300 minutes of activities like walking, as well as two sessions of strength exercises, weekly (these recommendations differ by age).

However, when we looked a little closer, people seemed to be exercising in a different way. For example, people were doing more strength activities than usual during the early stages of the pandemic.

34 AUTUMN 2021

Time has often been reported as a barrier to exercise.

Often, we can find at least 15 minutes to ourselves and, if we can’t, we can look at where we can be active WHILE doing other things.

How can they go about changing that mindset?

We need to think about time versus priority.

Often, people say they don’t have time to exercise but they are able to find two hours a day to watch TV. So, TV watching is a higher priority than exercise in this instance.

You have the time, but you have prioritised something else. I get it! I have two suggestions for this: exercise while watching TV, or split the time.

Let’s say you have two hours to watch two episodes of your favourite show. Awesome!

Consider doing 3x12 push ups, squats and ab crunches in the ad breaks (or

Brea Kunstler says exercise can be fun.

just during the episode if there’s not breaks).

Pictures: ROB CAREW

enjoy and getting some activity in too.

This will take about 10 minutes in total.

Buy some hand weights and exercise bands to make your home exercises that little more challenging.

Then, once they are out of the way, sit down and relax to enjoy your show.

Why is it so important to get that exercise in?

Enjoying time to yourself watching your favourite program is important too.

There are so many benefits of regular physical activity.

Alternatively, consider watching one episode, and using the other hour to go for a walk and listen to a podcast or audiobook.

It strengthens muscles, bones and vital organs like heart and lungs. This is important for kids to grow into healthy and strong adults, and for adults to maintain their health.

So, you are doing something you

www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

Brea Kunstler.

Brea Kunstler exercises with her daughter Abby.

It improves balance and coordination. These skills are necessary for kids to safely participate in sport and for adults to avoid injury and falls as they age.

Maintaining a healthy weight, which is important in our increasingly obesogenic environment.

It maintains mental health by breaking up less enjoyable tasks like school work and facilitating socialising with friends (eg. online exercise challenges for teens and adults (eg. 55 squat challenge in March 2021) and family bonding (e.g. family walks after dinner).

Improve concentration during school and paid work. Enhanced sleep. It gives something fun to enjoy during a stressful time (stress and poor mental health was increasingly reported during the pandemic but these issues remain outside these times too).

You don’t even need to accumulate heaps of exercise to reap the benefits because something is literally better than nothing. We have seen people achieve significant health benefits by simply adding a short walk to their day (eg. walk to the shops instead of driving). Remember, your kids learn so much from you. If you are active, then they will see this as normal behaviour, and will be more inclined to do some exercise too.

that you can claim for yourself.

This can be 15 minutes when the baby is sleeping, or you could be lucky enough to get a couple of hours. After I had my daughter I claimed 5am-7am as my time.

I would feed my daughter (4.30am was a common feeding time) and then escape the house.

I would go into the garage to do an online exercise class, go to my 24hr gym and go on the treadmill or do another activity, or run outside (I felt safe enough to do this).

I was lucky enough to have my husband at home during that time so he could get up to her before he would wake for work at 7am, meaning I could leave the house.

However, if you would prefer to use this time to read a book or do something else, then find ways to exercise with bubs!

Mother and baby classes are available that are run by physios that can support you to get back into exercise safely and allow you to include your child (or you can try this virtual option).

I am a physio and provide online exercise programs to mums eager to get back into exercise but want to do so safely and in a place and time that suits them.

See one example above when I talk about time versus priority.

If you have toddlers, use your environment! Local parks are your friend, and so are online kid-focussed song and dance classes on days where you can’t get out.

With babies, treat your day like a 24 hour cycle. Find a space in that time

Do lunges as you walk around following your toddler around. Lunge as

What are your main tips on how to stay fit and healthy?

www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

you reach down to take the rubbish out of their hand before they put it in their mouth! Climb the equipment with them.

Lift them up so they can touch the monkey bars.

Do a squat, push up or burpee in between each push on the swing.

Suddenly you are getting a good arm and leg workout while hanging out with your kids!

There are endless opportunities for activity in the park if you use your imagination.

If you have babies and toddlers, get the pram out and walk (or run, if you’re able).

Walk to the library or to the shops.

Walk to the park. Just walk instead of drive!

The kids get to see and hear the outdoors while you get to pound the pavement.

Think about taking a hilly route for a harder workout or even stocking the pram up with groceries to make it harder to push.

With tweens and teens, it’s important to respect that your kids are starting to crave independence and have autonomy in their decision making. So ask them what they want to do.

If you get a “nothing” then try setting an example by getting active yourself or making it more appealing by including things they enjoy.

If you sit on your iPad all day, then your kids see that and think that’s normal. If they see you on your iPad for an hour, then going for a quick walk around the block before dinner, then

Pictures: ROB CAREW

suddenly that becomes normal.

They might then appreciate an invite to this previously exclusive walk. Also, don’t demonise screens, use them!

There are so many fun online options for kids to use to get active.

Try a scavenger hunt and make sure there are prizes that the kids actually want (i.e. they choose the prizes, like a night off doing the dishes!). Or access free exercise classes offered via council that are appropriate for teens and adults.

It’s important that you seek professional support if you haven’t exercised in a while (lots of people post-pandemic!) or are new to it.

GET THE KIDS OFF THE COUCH What are some tips to get your kids off the couch, away from the TV and engaged in physical activity?

Listen to them, understand their interests, and get their interests involved in the activity (eg. they enjoy basketball, shoot hoops with them and make it a competition).

Yes, it’s important to establish healthy behaviours early as then kids learn that exercise is a normal behaviour. In saying that, they need role models to learn this behaviour. So their parents must be active too! This doesn’t mean that you need to be at the gym at 5am every morning. Going for a walk before dinner each night is a good example of integrating regular physical activity into your day AUTUMN 2021 35

Reality Bites

Mum’s surprise delivery after baby shower

By Melissa Grant AT just 31 weeks pregnant, Ashleigh Laing was about to welcome guests to her baby shower when she started showing signs of pre-term labour.

B Baby Sebastian with dad Rohan and mum Ashleigh.

It was a hot day, and Ashleigh and her husband Rohan had just been to the Angliss Hospital for their first antenatal class. During their visit, the couple was given a tour of the maternity ward, including the special care nursery for premature and sick babies.

Little did they know that in less than 48 hours Ashleigh would be birthing their son Sebastian, who would end up spending weeks in that very nursery.

“When I got back into the car, I remember feeling a bit off. But it was really hot, so I thought it was the heat,” Ashleigh recalled.

“When I got home my friends had been setting up the house for the baby shower. It looked great.”

Dozens of people gathered at the Laing’s beautifully decorated Ferntree Gully home for the celebration on 23 March, 2019. They ate cupcakes, homemade sausage rolls and sipped champagne. They sat in a circle and watched Ashleigh open gifts for her unborn baby.

Nobody - including Ashleigh - had any idea there had been signs of pre-term labour.

During the baby shower, the mum-tobe noticed she had lost some fluid but thought nothing of it. After her guests had left, the situation escalated.

However, Ashleigh’s mum Susie hung around as she thought something may be amiss.

“Luckily my mum had a feeling. She said ‘I could tell you were off’ and wanted to stick around.

Fighter...

Fi h Sebastian S b i weighed i h d 1.7kg 1 7k when h he h was born. b

“I was 31 weeks and 5 days at this point. I could tell because of the amount of fluid - I knew it was definitely happening.”

Ashleigh was given a shot to hold off the birth and then another. The following day, Ashleigh was put in an ambulance and sent to the Monash Medical Centre at Clayton as they had the facilities for such premature babies.

Contractions started but then stopped.

Ashleigh’s parents went home, but her sister Melissa - who initially declined an invitation to be at the birth - refused to leave. She went to the shops and got some clothes for Ashleigh, who didn’t have the chance to pack a hospital bag, before returning to the birthing suite.

For the entire day, the contractions were erratic. They were close and then far apart.

By midnight, the contractions had died off so the Laings were moved out of the birthing suite and into the ward. As it was after visiting hours, Rohan and Melissa had to go home.

“When I told mum what was going on she told me to go to the hospital.”

But by 2am, the contractions returned. Within 15 minutes, Ashleigh was on her hands and knees.

Rohan, who hadn’t left Ashleigh’s side throughout the pregnancy, was at his high school reunion in the city.

She was taken back to the birthing suite, while Rohan and Melissa were phoned and told to rush back.

“I said ‘mum, don’t call him, it will be nothing. She had a feeling that something might not be that straightforward and called Ro.”

Sebastian Michael Laing was born at 4.07am on 25 March, 2019. He arrived at exactly 32 weeks, weighing 1.7kg.

When Ashleigh arrived at the hospital, a nurse told her there was likely no reason to be concerned.

Shortly afterwards, Rohan and his best friend Robbie turned up.

“They were quite watered. Ro was joking, saying ‘hey everyone my wife is having a baby’.”

However, the mood quickly changed when the nurse returned with the results of an AmniSure test, which diagnoses rupture of the fetal membranes.

“When the nurse came back, she had a different look on her face - she turned very serious.

“She said, ‘look guys things are happening, the baby is coming!’

36 AUTUMN 2021

Picture: Belinda Denney Photography

The weeks that followed were an emotional rollercoaster.

Nobody had prepared the Laings for what it would be like to have a premature baby, including seeing Sebastian for the first time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where he stayed for eight days in isolette with wires and tubes.

“It was scary as he dropped down to 1.6kg. He kept vomiting. Then he put on weight and we would be happy. It was just a rollercoaster,” Ashleigh said.

Each day, the Laings were at the hospital from 6am until close to midnight. The scariest moment came when they phoned the hospital after they returned home in the wee hours.

They could hear an alarm going off in

Sebastian opening his presents last Christmas.

the background. Sebastian had stopped breathing.

“They had to go in and do some CPR and get him on the breathing machine.

We went straight back in and could see he was on the machine, which was breathing for him,” Ashleigh said.

When Sebastian was well enough, he was transported to the Angliss Hospital where he spent another 4-5 weeks in the special care unit.

At around six weeks of age, Sebastian reached the magic 2kg mark and was able to go home.

It was a tough few months, but the Laings had great support from family and friends who dropped off meals and stopped by to clean the house.

Sebastian had some weight gain issues initially, but now - at nearly age 2 - he is of average weight for his age and in the 90th percentile for height.

“The other day at the park he was mistaken for a ,three-year-old!” Ashleigh said.

Sebastian is also thriving developmentally. He is quite articulate for his age and has great pronunciation.

He loves story time and will often bring books into his parent’s room and say “mama read it please”.

Before Covid hit, Ashleigh and Rohan raised money for premature and sick babies by taking part in the Walk for Prems. They also visited the Angliss Hospital on World Prematurity Day, where they heard other couple’s premmie stories.

Ashleigh (right) with cousin Gabrielle Moody at the baby shower.

Covid resulted in the cancellation of Sebastian’s 1st birthday party, so this year the Laings are hoping to have a grand 2nd birthday celebration.

Sebastian would love nothing more than a big birthday bash - he enjoys being the centre of attention.

“He loves the limelight like his parents, he is very funny and cheeky,” Ashleigh said.

“He loves to dance and does anything he can to make us laugh.

“His latest thing is asking the waitress at cafes for a ‘coffee please’, very casually. As if we’d let him order a real one!” www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

Books

Teaching girls how to love themselves

By Melissa Meehan NOW that the glass ceiling is smashed, girls are told they can do anything they want - but the fear of embarrassment or judgement can often create a hurdle to success.

But if we can teach them to like themselves and have the confidence to achieve anything then the sky is the limit, according to a new book by Kasey Edwards and Dr Christopher Scanlon.

In a world full of parenting books that can often leave you feeling overwhelmed and guilty, Raising Girls Who Like Themselves tells girls their flawed is refreshingly different.

Not only does it work from seven basic ideas, but it clearly shows ways to introduce them into an already busy family life. And, authors Kasey and Chris, who share two daughters themselves, have proven it’s possible because they’ve done it all themselves.

“We were very aware of the issues ahead, some of the statistics for girls are really scary,” Kasey said.

“We were talking to a friend about it at a party and she said, we don’t have time to research and find all those things out, can’t you put it in a book?

Good advice ... authors Kasey Edwards and Dr Christopher Scanlon have girls of their own.

there, but by following their seven qualities and getting them right between toddlers to tweens your daughter’s life will be easier.

“And that’s how it started.”

Thanks to their ‘day jobs’ as researchers and journalists, the pair had the privilege of being able to call on leading parenting experts as well as those with a great knowledge of social and cultural issues.

“Mainstream advice at the moment doesn’t seem to be working. We all want to raise girls who thrive, but we still have horrific rates of anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm,” Kasey said.

“Girls are drowning in anxiety and doubt. The prescription at the moment just isn’t working,” Chris added.

So what makes their book so different to the rest?

“Girls need to like themselves,” Kasey said. “We believe that if she knows who she is and genuinely likes who she is they will achieve every dream and want.”

Because she loves herself.

And you won’t feel guilty once you finish the book, because the steps are practical and easy to slot into already busy family life and all that comes with trying to be a good parent.

Raising Girls Who Like Themselves.

Chris said: “They’ll have the confidence to achieve and won’t be defined by failure. And from there they will have good physical and mental health because it’s natural to care for what you love.”

And by extension, she will expect the same from those around her.

Both Kasey and Chris agree there is so much parenting information out

Alarming statistics ■ More than 55 per cent of Australian girls aged eight and nine are dissatisfied with their body ■ A quarter of 14-15 year-old girls have had thoughts about self-harming in the previous 12 months ■ Fifty-one per cent of girls say that girls often feel pressured to take ‘sexy’ photos of themselves and share them ■ The third most common chronic illness for young females is eating disorders.

Children’s books...

Round and Round the Garden

How to Make a Friend in 6 Easy Steps

Illustrated by Matt Shanks

Dhana Fox & James Hart

Little ones will love this very cute Australian take on the classic nursery rhyme Round and Round the Garden. In this book, the kids are playing in the garden with magical Aussie creatures around them.

All Rosie the shark wants is a friend. So she reads a book about how to make one.

“Round and round the billabong like a kangaroo. One hop. Two Hops. Wiggle your nose too!”

There are so many cool animals featured in this beautifully illustrated book, including a lorikeet, crocodile, wild brumby and a big wombat.

Ready to forge a new friendship, she swims down to a shipwreck where there are a heap of sea creatures.

Then, she starts going through the six steps outlined in her book. Easy, right? Wrong!

Although each step is pretty straightforward, making friends is not as easy as Rosie thinks … because she’s a shark!

Lola Online #1: #TheSecretUpstairsFanClubParty Shannan & Tayla Steadman A fresh and funny fiction series for the YouTube generation.

Characters leap off the page in this book that explores friendship, managing online presence, sibling rivalry and country music loving felines!

Leading little lady Lola has her own YouTube channel, a little brother, and a lot to say as well as a cat that loves country music. When Lola’s crazy top fan hijacks her birthday party plans, drama ensues.

A fun, rhyming read in a special hardback edition for kids aged 2+.

A playful read that introduces the concept of making friends.

For kids aged 3+

Perfect for reluctant readers aged 7+

Scholastic Australia, RRP $15.99

Scholastic Australia, RRP $17.99

Scholastic Australia, RRP $15.99

www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

Friday Barnes 9: No Escape

The Lake

R.A Spratt

A scary and suspenseful read from best-selling young adult author Natasha Preston.

Girl detective extraordinaire Friday Barnes returns with a new mystery that needs to be solved.

In this instalment, Friday has been released from prison but is a shell of her former self. She has sworn she won’t be solving mysteries again. But you guessed it ... you can’t keep her away from some muchneeded detective work.

Friday’s uncle wants her to fly to Italy to help him protect the Uffizi Galleries from thieves. So she goes, even though her ex-boyfriend/nemesis is living there.

Natasha Preston

The Lake is about a summer camp filled with dark secrets.

Esme and Kayla are excited to be returning to Camp Pine Lake as counsellors in training.

That’s despite the fact they once did something bad there when they were campers.

However, they have moved on and are both looking forward to a summer camp filled with sun and flirting. Until... they get a note.Their secret is about to resurface.

For kids aged 9-12 years

A thrilling read for kids aged 12+

Penguin, RRP $15.99

Penguin, RRP $18.99 AUTUMN 2021 37

Entertainment

Bluey top of the music charts CHEESE AND CRACKERS! Bluey: The Album has made history by reaching number 1 on the ARIA Album Chart, becoming the first children’s album to take out the top spot.

The weekly ARIA Charts are released each Saturday at 5pm (AEDT) and are the official record of the hottest singles and albums in Australia.

The album, which was released in Australia and the U.S. on 22 January 2021, reached number 1 on the Australian iTunes album chart and reached number 5 on the U.S. iTunes album chart within days it’s of release.

Bluey’s composer, Joff Bush, composed the album with his music team and the cover artwork is designed

by Joe Brumm, the creator of Bluey at Ludo Studio.

The perfect soundtrack fun and play at home or an outdoor adventure, the album features 17 tracks, all original compositions from Series 1 of the animated series.

“I’m a bit blown away. This is really thanks to the Bluey fans, Ludo and the awesome Bluey music team who I get to make magic with every day here in Brisbane,” ’ Bluey composer, Joff Bush said.

The album is available to stream or

download from digital platforms, including Amazon, Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube Music.

In a special treat for Australian fans, they can also get their paws on the CD from participating retailers, including Amazon Australia, Big W, JB Hi-Fi and Sanity.

Bluey is a multi-award winning Australian children’s series that has taken Australia by storm and is charming audiences across the globe.

In Australia Bluey is the most watched series ever on ABC iview, with over 480 million plays across series 1 and 2.

The series has enjoyed critical success, winning an International Emmy Award in the ‘Pre-school’ category in March 2020 and recently winning its second AACTA Award for ‘Best Children’s Program’.

Created by Joe Brumm and made entirely in Brisbane, Australia, Bluey is produced by the multi Emmy awardwinning Ludo Studio for ABC Kids (Australia) and is co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios, with production support from the Australian Government through Screen Australia, and Queensland Government through Screen Queensland.

Bluey now has her own album.

Let us help

you..

A Xavier education BOOK A TOUR

xavier.vic.edu.au/our-tours

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Contact us for more information andaleschool@andale.vic.edu.au 84 Charles Street, Kew, 3101 | +61 3 9853 3911 Education Empowered

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can take you there.

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Kids Calendar

What's on

this autumn

Lots of fresh botanicals to choose from; a fantastic range of artisan chocolate; artwork; homewares and more. All made in Melbourne / curated by Melbourne businesses, so a great chance to shop local and purchase something unique.

Also free chocolate tasting from 10-4pm and wine tastings from 1-4pm both days.

6 APRIL-17 APRIL THE JUNGLE BOOK, BY THE SHAKESPEARE COMPANY An outdoor musical adventure. Tickets via Rippon Lea Estate.

8 APRIL

on-road riding and independent travel.

It is commissioned by the City of Boroondara and run by the experienced instructors from Bikes At Work.

Visit https://www.eventbrite.com. au/e/school-holiday-bike-program-1316yo-tues-13th-and-wed-14th-apriltickets-138580505021 for all of the details

SOUNDS OF STONNINGTON Victoria Gardens, Prahran

27 MARCH CONVENT KIDS WORKSHOP: PEEK-ABUTOH, ABBOTSFORD CONVENT C3 FORECOURT

14 MARCH - 28 MARCH MOVIES AT FED SQUARE The big screen at Fed Square is lighting up this summer with a stack of free classic films.

14 March - The Goonies 4pm-6pm 20 March - Little Shop of Horrors 8pm10pm 21 March - The Karate Kid 4pm-6pm 27 March - Stand By Me 8pm-10pm 28 March - Labyrinth 4pm-6pm There’ll be comfy seating, shaded areas, environmentally-friendly recycled astroturf and in-square food and drink delivery.

Children aged 3 - 12 and parents/ guardians are invited to step inside the playful and imaginative practice of Japanese Butoh in this fun, familyfriendly workshop.

A selection of new pre-recorded arrangements of contemporary favourites commissioned by the City of Stonnington and performed by Stonnington Symphony featuring Artistic Director Roy Theaker as soloist and conductor.

Playing times: 11.00am, 1.00pm, 3.00pm, 5.00pm, 7.00pm

Participants will create fun art installations using masks, collage and everyday objects—diving into a world of transformation and shapeshifting, unleashing their kooky and spooky inner creatures inside and around the grounds of the Convent.

2 MARCH-27 MAY TEEN WRITING BOOTCAMPS (VIRTUAL) Teenaged budding writers are invited to attend the State Library of Victoria’s writing boot camps online, designed for budding writers of all backgrounds and skill levels!

Two sessions running, 10am and 11am.

Free, but regsitrations are essential.

SESSIONS ON UNTIL DECEMBER

13-14 APRIL

WORLD’S IMMERSIVE LEARNING LAB, MELBOURNE MUSEUM

SCHOOL HOLIDAY BIKE PROGRAM, CAMBERWELL PRIMARY SCHOOL 1-4pm, both days.

10am-4pm, 50 Wattletree Road, Armadale

Worlds Immersive is a 5-minute cinematic journey from the origin of the universe, through the building blocks of nature, to explore the patterns and connections that bind us and the natural world together.

The Melbourne Artisan Collective is Popping Up for Easter to make getting that perfect gift for your loved ones (or yourself!).

Using state of the art motion capture technology, all imagery is created without the use of CGI and is true to the natural world.

This program is 6 hours, held over two days to provide bicycle confidence, skills and awareness while riding.

19-20 MARCH EASTER COLLECTIVE POP UP

www.stonningtonboroondarakids.com.au

school holiday cycling program for children aged 13 to 16 years, to build confidence, skills and awareness while riding.

It will assist in preparing your child for

These creative crash courses will be hosted by accomplished and diverse authors throughout March, April and May. Choose from a range of topics to hone your skills, including fiction, personal voice, non-fiction, slam poetry, screen writing, and science writing.

There are six boot camps to choose from, each with four sessions.

All boot camps are open to teens aged 13 to 18 years old from all around Australia. They are free to attend, but require consent from a parent or guardian.

Contact 8664 7099 or inquiries@slv.vic. gov.au for more info.

AUTUMN 2021 39

A Xavier education can take you there.

BOOK A TOUR xavier.vic.edu.au/our-tours

Building the Possible x a v i e r.v i c . e d u . a u 40 AUTUMN 2021

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