Kids West Today Autumn 2021

AUTUMN 2021

Big upswing in

GIRLS CRICKET Secrets of

INDOOR GARDENING

Passes to the

MELBOURNE STAR www.KidsWest.com.au

AUTUMN 2021 1

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www.KidsWest.com.au

About Us

Welcome to Kids West!

WE’RE excited to welcome you to the very first edition of our Kids West Today magazine!

Proudly brought to you by Star News Group – a family-owned and independent media company - our fabulous Autumn launch edition is full of engaging stories, handy tips and information to interest, inspire and support our wonderful communities in the west.

Many of our team are on the parenting rollercoaster and understand the ups and downs this journey brings.

Through Kids West Today, we aim to share your stories, bring you advice from experts in a range of fields, showcase local businesses with great family-friendly offerings and highlight events and activities that kids will love.

And we have a jam-packed first

edition for you.

Revamp your lunchbox routine with some inspiration from everyday dad and the author of Lunchbox Express, George Georgievski.

We tackle the dilemma of sleepovers, delve into good nutrition and ponder some interesting education topics.

Renowned author Steve Biddulph shares a though-provoking column on raising boys (Page 6), and a brave young boy with Down syndrome will inspire you with his story (Page 13).

There’s everything from swimming lessons to cricket and footy to keep active kids happy, to kid-friendly pampering and indoor gardening tips.

courtesy of Melbourne Star. To enter, scan the QR Code on page 30 or visit www.starweekly.com.au/competitions.

We’re part of your community and your opinion is important to us. If you have any feedback, ideas, upcoming events or great stories you think we should know about, please email us to share it – alana.richards@starweekly. com.au Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page and Instagram - search ‘Kids West Today’ - and also keep an eye on our website, www.kidswest.com. au

Kids West Today magazine is a Star News Group publication.

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

Happy reading!

To celebrate our very first edition of Kids West Today, we’re giving readers a chance to win passes to fly on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel,

Kids West Today Unit 6/1-9 Thomsons Road, Keilor Park Phone: (03) 8318 5777

CONTENTS

Sales Director Ben Sutton ben.sutton@starweekly.com.au

IT’S YOUR LIFE

PAGE 20 Babies sought for CUTIES trial

REALITY BITES

Editorial

PAGE 4

Poor sleep for teens eating badly

PAGE 32

Alana Richards

Lunchbox Dad’s secrets to success

Bumps for babies: Inducing

Getting back to work

The day-after toastie recipe

alana.richards@starweekly.com.au

Taking time for yourself, without the guilt

Advertising

PAGE 33

daniella.camillo@starweekly.com.au

What’s in a name?

Published by Star News Group publication ACN 99 006 310 498. 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.

PAGE 5

EDUCATION

The dilemma of sleepovers

PAGE 21

PAGE 6

Should schools provide lunches?

The biology of being a boy

The power of chess

From nipper to lifesaver

Victoria’s most popular baby names revealed

What girls want from sport uniforms

PAGE 34

PAGE 22

Creative cubby hacks and more!

PAGE 7

Good nutrition starts young

PAGE 35

Girls put down stumps

PAGE 23

PAGE 8

Mum’s activity book for Great Ocean Road

A school with ‘huge, huge ideas’

A pandemic pregnancy Sharing culture with the world PAGE 10 Weaning your child off sugar PAGE 11 TV host’s amazing family trips PAGE 12 Gateway to real help PAGE 13

PAGE 24 Sense of belonging is crucial

Young William finds his voice Colouring is good, but drawing is better!

Students dancing their way to success

PAGE 36

PAGE 26

Teaching girls how to love themselves

A journey to excellence

Children’s books…

PAGE 27

PARTY TIME

Solution in single-sex debate PAGE 29

PAGE 14

Should schools take a step back in time?

Young bubs get free lessons

The great need to attract more male teachers

Is your child ready to go out alone?

PAGE 15 A pamper destination for kids

AUTUMN 2021

PAGE 25

PAGE 28

Cover Lily, 5, at Werribee Mansion gardens.

Picture: Damjan Janevski

Boy driven to design cars gets a wild ride

BOOKS

World ready, future ready

Daniella Camillo

Big upswing in

PAGE 37

GIRLS CRICKET

Having a cake smashing time

Secrets of

CALENDAR

INDOOR GARDENING

PAGE 38 What’s on this autumn

ENTERTAINMENT

Passes to the

MELBOURNE STAR www.KidsWest.com.au

AUTUMN 2021 1

PAGE 30

PAGE 16 Young Doggies are barking Lifestyle on your doorstep PAGE 18

Melbourne Star competition

ACTIVE KIDS PAGE 31

Trot to kids fun at Tabcorp Park PAGE 19 Do your kids do eye push-ups?

kidswest.com.au www.KidsWest.com.au

Give them a growth spurt Getting your child involved in a local club

facebook.com/kidswestmagazine

instagram.com/kidswesttoday AUTUMN 2021 3

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 4 AUTUMN 2021

■ 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. www.KidsWest.com.au

It’s Your Life

The dilemma of sleepovers

By Danielle Galvin

something catastrophic happening to our children at a sleepover.

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.

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.

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.

It’s fair to say the reactions startled me. The majority of mums were adamant - “late high school - if even then”.

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.

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

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

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

“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).

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

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

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

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

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?

“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.

“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.

12479783-SN13-21

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

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

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

www.KidsWest.com.au

AUTUMN 2021 5

It’s Your Life

The biology of being a boy Boy or girl does it matter?

You have to discover the unique child you have got, writes Steve Biddulph 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 need to raise our sons to be good communicators with open hearts.

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

Victoria’s most popular baby names 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.

BOYS

GIRLS

1. Oliver

1. Charlotte

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

2. Noah

2. Amelia

3. William

3. Olivia

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.

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

There has been little movement in Victoria’s most popular names for both 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.

6 AUTUMN 2021

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

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.”

www.KidsWest.com.au

It’s Your Life

Girls put down stumps

By Carole Levy THE big upswing in live TV coverage of women’s cricket, and the adoption of such luminaries as Ellysse Perry and Meg Lanning as heroes of the game, are key catalysts to the growth of women’s and girls’ cricket at the grassroots level.

Female cricket players are finally receiving the kudos they’ve long deserved, with John Almond, the owner of Hoppers Crossing Indoor Sportz Centre in hearty agreement.

John, who is preparing to launch Under-11, 14 and 16 girls’ indoor cricket teams in April, says the indoor game is perfectly designed for young kids.

“It’s played in a much-reduced area, which allows plenty of fours and sixes to be hit; this gives the girls an early sense of accomplishment and maintains excitement,” he says. “Every player gets to bat, bowl and field in equal measure, an excellent way to learn the game and to reveal strengths in specific roles.

“And they play with a soft ball, while some equipment is modified. Kids can bring their own bats and gloves but we

can provide them if they don’t have them. We’ve organised things around keeping down costs for parents, wanting to give every kid a chance to play Australia’s national sport. Games cost $12 to play - no other expenses required.

“We encourage the girls to try to wear the same coloured T-shirts within their team, paired with runners and what’s comfy – such as trackies or leggings.

“It’s really all about having heaps of fun as they learn, and it’s a great social outlet that forges friendships and teaches the importance of teamwork.

We provide umpires and game supervisors, with the girls offered a safe and nurturing environment.”

John’s nine-year-old daughter, Hannah, is a keen cricket spectator, eagerly watching all the great women’s teams bash the ball around on TV. “She’s pretty excited to join our Under-11 team, and I’m a pretty proud dad.”

John is running a “come and try” day at 11am-4pm on Sunday, April 11, at his indoor sports centre.

“Girls can rock up and register as an

John Almond with daughter Hannah.

individual or with a ready-formed team, get the paperwork completed, and have a hit. We’ll be running free trial games so they’ll get a taste of what to

expect from indoor cricket. A guaranteed fun day.”

Enquiries: John, 0413 472 079 or visit www.hoppersindoorsportz.net.au

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AUTUMN 2021 7

It’s Your Life

A pandemic pregnancy

By Alesha Capone and Alana Richards FOR Emma Slattery, being pregnant during the coronavirus pandemic presented her with several challenges, but also allowed her to have more family time.

The Truganina resident is a mother to two girls, five-year-old Lilly and threeyear-old Aurelia, and the newest addition to the family, Spencer, born mid-July last year.

Emma said there was always a fear of the unknown, and as an expectant parent, the pandemic had amplified this.

She said medical appointments this time around were “very different” when compared to her previous two pregnancies.

“Not having as many, and most of them being over the phone, was a difficult thing to get your head around,” she said.

Baby Spencer.

Picture: Supplied

didn’t find out her iron was extremely low until late in the pregnancy.

“It’s hard enough trying to remember all the things you want to ask in a face-to-face appointment, let alone when you are on the phone with kids fighting for your attention.

“I spent a lot of days on the couch where all I wanted to do was sleep, but then I felt so guilty for the girls because I just didn’t have the energy to play with them or do anything with them,” she said.

“When you did have appointments, ultrasounds, specialists, etc there were no support people or children allowed to come in with you.”

“As soon as that problem was fixed, I had so much more energy and was so much happier, I just wish I knew sooner.”

She said that had presented more things to think about, such as: “Who can I leave my children with while I have appointments?” and “Who has been self-isolating so that I know it’s safe to leave the kids with them?”

On the positive side, Emma did enjoy having the time at home to play, cook, learn and have fun with her two daughters.

Emma said she understood and respected the precautionary measures medical outlets implemented during the coronavirus outbreak.

But she said not having as much contact with the hospital meant she

“I felt lucky to be able to use the time to watch them grow and learn,” she said.

Even when pandemic restrictions were easing, Emma was still worried about bringing a baby into the world while COVID-19 was still such a big factor.

Emma Slattery with her two daughters Aurelia and Lilly.

“As a family, we were doing what we could to prevent the spread, and we knew it was just a case of getting through it as best we could,” she said.

“We just had to stay hopeful that we would all stay happy and healthy, and continued to do what we were doing.”

Emma was induced at Werribee Mercy on the first day of the big lockdown, with a new set of strict rules from her previous hospital visits.

“No visitors were allowed and although partners could come and go as they needed to, it was recommended this be limited as much as possible,” Emma said.

“As we were in one the birthing suites, one of the doors was open and we overheard a nurse mention a suspected case of Covid next door,

Picture: Daniella Camillo

which was a bit worrying. But we didn’t hear anything else about it, so I guess it was all ok!”

“Being my third baby, I hadn’t planned to stay in hospital long, so I was only in there for 24 hours.

“For us it wasn’t really any different with the visitor rules because we were in and out so quickly. However, I don’t have any photos of myself at the hospital from this time and the girls didn’t get to meet their new brother until they came to pick me up.

“They met me outside and they were very excited because the baby was finally here.”

And what did big sister Lilly think of it all? “It was the best day ever because I got to have mashed potato and chicken nuggets - and I got a new baby!”

Sharing culture with the world

By Melissa Meehan B

decided to do something about it, for my kids.”

P PERCY Shozi could never find what he w was looking for.

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

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

Author Percy.

8 AUTUMN 2021

But it was the stories he loved the most.

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

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

So what better place to start when writing a book.

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

“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.

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

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

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

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

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.

“Sadly, little has changed so I

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 https:// www.percyspoems.com/online-store/ Who-Am-I-p264567491 and some local book stores. www.KidsWest.com.au

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AUTUMN 2021 9

It’s Your Life

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.

10 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!

www.KidsWest.com.au

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

www.KidsWest.com.au

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.

AUTUMN 2021 11

It’s Your Life

Gateway to real help FINDING genuine, reliable support co-ordination for her teenage son felt like an endless battle for Williamstown mum, Maraid.

As she sought to make the most of Duke’s National Disability Insurance Scheme plan, Maraid tried out several support providers unsuccessfully and was left feeling overwhelmed.

She said it wasn’t until she met Gateways Support Services support co-ordinator Ashesh that she finally felt supported.

“If you don’t have someone like Ashesh, it’s just so overwhelming,” Maraid says.

“He’s taken the time to get to know me and my family and especially to get to know Duke.”

Outside of school - which is his favourite thing - Duke, who has Angelman syndrome, enjoys dancing around the house to blaring music, motorsport races and loud engine noises, or swimming with his dad.

Maraid says reliable support co-ordination has been vital to ensuring Duke can fully participate in daily living

and activities with his family in a meaningful and enjoyable way.

“Having Ashesh means that I’m not constantly Googling to search for activities or carers. It means that when I’m at home I can focus on Duke and my two other kids,” she says.

With Ashesh’s support, Maraid was able to double Duke’s funding, enabling the family to modify their home and purchase specialised equipment.

Asked what makes a good support co-ordinator, Maraid says that creativity, trust and a good relationship are key.

“You need to care about the kids and take time to get to know families; you can’t just know them by looking at a computer screen,” she says.

Duke, who has Angelman syndrome, gets incredible support.

population, making sure families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds understand their plans is a key part of what Gateways Support co-ordinators do.

“NDIS plans are intimidating for a lot of families, and language barriers make it even harder for them to understand,” says Ashesh.

“Ashesh is very good at knowing people well and recognising if a particular program would suit different participants. It’s always in the back of his head: ‘who else would like this?

Who else can I recommend this to?’”

“If we’re working with a Vietnamese family, for example, we have a Vietnamese support co-ordinator here at Gateways who can interpret the plan with the family. We also have three support co-ordinators from Indian backgrounds, including myself.”

Working among western Melbourne’s diverse and multicultural

For Ashesh, no matter which family, it comes down to caring deeply about

helping them to get the best possible support. And the positive experience of Duke and his family is testament to that focus.

“We know Ashesh is 100 per cent behind us and making sure we have everything we need,” says Maraid.

“He is always there. He’s always got your back. We’ve been so lucky.”

Gateways Support Services is an NDIS registered and quality accredited not-for-profit organisation supporting children, teenagers and adults with autism, intellectual disabilities and complex behaviours and their families.

Gateways Support Services,77 Droop Street, Footscray. Enquiries: 9396 1111 or visit www.gateways.com.au

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12 AUTUMN 2021

www.KidsWest.com.au

It’s Your Life

Young William finds his voice

By Goya Dmytryshchak

integration aides, and his new communication device.

EIGHT-year-old William Tagg, who has Down syndrome, has progressed in leaps and bounds since he was linked in to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

that he’s connected in with.

‘frustrated’, ‘sad’ or ‘sick’.

“We’ve just seen such huge progress in his learning and development, so now being able to trace his name and count to 10,” she said.

“The school’s embraced having the OT and ... the speech therapist getting William onto the iPad device; the aides that they’ve employed - I could not have asked for a better school.”

“William has learnt words we never really taught him, like ‘sad’ and ‘sick’, so now he’s trying to put one over us when he doesn’t want to do something.

The Spotswood Primary School pupil is in mainstream education using augmentative and alternative communication to enhance his speech, such as tapping on pictures and words on a tablet and using signage.

When she and husband Rob went to enrol William, Ms Tagg said the school could not have opened up its doors more.

Ms Tagg said the tablet had helped William to communicate and learn new words - sometimes even to get out of doing things like putting away toys.

“The whole school community has embraced William,” she said.

Mum, Sharon Tagg, credits William’s improvements to Gateways Support Services’ speech therapist and occupational therapist, the school’s

“The school has a year book. The last two years, William’s been on the front or back cover.

“William’s a very happy little boy, he’s just got one of those personalities ... he draws people in,” she said.

“He’s got friends that are grade sixes

“He’s always got a smile on his face, he’s very sociable, he’s very affectionate.

“We’ve never used words like

“He’ll say ‘sick’ and it’s come from the tablet.”

To encourage William’s speech, the tablet is loaded with some of his favourite things, like mini-golf, water sports and the movie Jaws.

“He absolutely loves everything Jaws and sharks,” Ms Tagg said.

“When he goes out on our boat, he tells us he’s got to stop because he’s got to look for Jaws.”

Colouring is good, but drawing is better!

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.

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

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.

www.KidsWest.com.au

There’s many benefits to shared drawing.

But, drawing for pre-school aged children is better. Drawing for preschool 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 ■ 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 ■ can happen anywhere with anything! Napkins, notepaper, recycled materials, newspaper!

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.

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/

AUTUMN 2021 13

It’s Your Life

Paul Sadler’s programs for younger children are designed to create a fun introduction to swimming.

Young bubs get free lessons IN the past year, 12 Aussie children aged up to four years old drowned, 50 per cent in swimming pools.

It’s this kind of tragic statistic that drives home the message to parents: get your littlies into swimming lessons.

At Paul Sadler Swimland – “the survival specialists” - babies as young as four months old can be part of the Wonderbabies, leading to Wondertots swimming programs.

Shona Pallas, parent/child program leader at Paul Sadler, says the programs are a great, fun way to introduce your baby to all the exciting experiences they can have in the water.

“We’re so passionate about young babies beginning water survival skills, while having maximum fun with parent and instructor, that four and five-monthold bubs receive free training!” she says.

“At four months old, babies are able

to regulate their body temperature for the duration of a 30-minute class. It’s a perfect age to start water familiarisation and a great opportunity for parents and carers to connect with their babies.”

Shona says that the long-term benefits to children who start swimming lessons young are huge.

“Research suggests that early swimming lessons can lead to better physical, cognitive and linguistic development in children,” she explains.

and meeting a number of developmental milestones earlier than their peers.”

WHEN TO STOP LESSONS “This can be an equally confusing question for many parents and we often hear them say, ‘I’ll stop lessons when my child can swim’. This, however, is quite an ambiguous statement, which means different things for different people.

“A study conducted in 2013 by Griffith University, which ran for three years and surveyed almost 7000 parents with children under five, examined whether participation in early swimming lessons impacted subsequent milestones in child development.

“Studies show that many parents overestimate their children’s abilities in regards to swimming and therefore exit swimming lessons too soon, only to find that by the time their children finish primary school, their skills have declined.

“The results showed a clear connection between children who participated in early swimming lessons developing a range of physical skills

“The Covid lockdowns emphasised this because we saw the regression in children’s skills during enforced time away from the pool.”

SWORDY ONE-KILOMETRE SWIMS “Our Swordy one-kilometre swims are not only a significant achievement, but also a great indicator that your children are proficient swimmers - and a goal to aim for before exiting lessons.

“That’s why we’ve made Swordy 1km an achievable goal for all our swimmers and we’ll help your children reach this.”

FREE SWIMMING LESSONS Not only do the aforementioned tiny bubs get free lessons, but if readers subscribe to Paul Sadler Swimland’s weekly email (sign up on the website) they’ll go into the draw for a free term of swimming for adult or child.

Paul Sadler Swimland operates in Melbourne’s west in Hoppers Crossing, Laverton, Braybrook, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, Parkwood Green and Essendon.

Enquiries: www.paulsadlerswimland. com

Is your child ready to go 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 together 14 AUTUMN 2021

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

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

Picture: istock

www.KidsWest.com.au

It’s Your Life

A pamper destination for kids

By Carole Levy

read a book or watch a movie, mum can get her facial waxing done.

BILLED as a place “Where every mother’s dream comes true”, StarKids in the Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre launched in mid-January and the response has been overwhelming, according to founder and director Nisha Ambwani.

“The whole experience is really bonding for mums and kids, and our lovely team goes out of their way to make everything very special.”

Nisha notes that children with special needs are received lovingly and sensitively. She tells of a six-year-old boy with autism who came in with his mum for a haircut in StarKids’ opening week.

StarKids offers children and tweenies an amazing spa experience and parties within an equally amazing salon, where everything is designed for fun and glamour, using only chemical-free products. It’s a place where all children are given a royal welcome, in a thrilling and engaging setting.

Originally a primary school teacher and entrepreneur in Dubai, Nisha has always loved children and lamented the lack of child-friendly salons for her own kids. That was a catalyst to creating StarKids where everything revolves around the children.

“My children hated the chemical smells and the impersonal feel around them when getting haircuts. That’s why StarKids uses only natural products across the board, from make-up and nail polish to hair and body care products.

“Our salon, professionally designed to my own concept, is kids’ heaven in itself

“It was his first (free) trial visit, and our specialist staff knew just what to do. We played soothing music, gave him books to read and iPad to distract him, and he began to feel comfy.

Beauty therapist Catherine N-Dawng pampers mum Claire Parker and her daughter Indy (5).

Picture: Damjan Janevski

– there are stacks of photos and other details on our website, Facebook and Instagram. And we have a shop where all our products are available for home use.”

The on-site shop carries only organic products, with no chemicals that can cause harm. Nisha says that one of the most popular items is the play make-up set, suitable for toddlers and up. All items can also be ordered online and shipped out the following day.

The various pamper packages, especially when shared with best friends or sisters, are also hugely popular. And the mums aren’t forgotten.

“We have mums and their daughter and son come in and each gets pampered to the max. While the boy receives a trendy haircut - while sitting in a racing car - mum and daughter can get a manicure/pedicure together, or they can both get a haircut. Or while the kids get pampered, get on our iPads,

“On his second visit, he was great.

Our hairdresser played with his hair, and got him relaxed with the scissors which he found scary. It was so wonderful to see him settle in and enjoy the experience.”

StarKids is definitely set to be the destination of choice for birthday parties and treats. It’s utterly unique, offers great value for money, and the joyful experience will be remembered for a long time.

StarKids, Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre, 300 Point Cook Road, Point Cook. Enquiries: 0491 683 581 or www.starkss.com.au

12481840-DL13-21

BOOK ONLINE! 0491 683 581 Sanctuary Lakes Shopping Centre 300 Point Cook Road, Point Cook, VIC 3030 www.KidsWest.com.au

starkss.com.au AUTUMN 2021 15

It’s Your Life

Young Doggies are barking IF you bleed red, white and blue, a Bulldog through and through, it’ll be a sure bet you’ll want your little tackers to follow suit, keeping the love of the Western Bulldogs strong within the family.

Loyalty to the “sons (and daughters) of the west” runs deep – consider the inspiring grassroots campaign to save the club’s very existence back in the late ‘80s – and that same loyalty is as strong – or even stronger - today.

Kids all around the country proudly wear the numbers of today’s champions, the likes of Marcus Bontempelli, Jackson Macrae, Caleb Daniel, Bailey Williams and others.

And the much-anticipated number one draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is likely to gain his own cult following.

Then there’s the Bulldog’s lauded AFLW team, with the likes of Ellie Blackburn, Isabel Huntington and Jessica Fitzgerald - just to name a few of the young guns who are inspiring girls everywhere to pull on their footy boots.

One of the best ways to not only support the Doggies but also to keep the family youngsters true-blue is to purchase a club membership, tailored to particular age groups.

BABY BULLDOG Every child should have the best start in life and what better way to send them on life’s journey than with a Baby Bulldog membership?

Not only will they have lifelong bragging rights, but they’ll get some exclusive Baby Bulldog merchandise items.

membership? It’s the perfect gift for Bulldog toddlers and comes with some bonus merchandise to keep the pups entertained.

This pack is recommended for 2 to 4 year olds, and, again, makes a great birthday or Christmas gift.

■ https://am.ticketmaster.com/ bulldogs/puppy-pack#/ JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP Set your young Bulldog up for life with a Junior Membership, available as nine-game (full-season), six-game or three-game options to give greater flexibility in how many games your young Bulldog plans to line up at Marvel Stadium.

This membership is perfect for fans between 5 and 14 years old.

■ https://am.ticketmaster.com/ bulldogs/junior#/ AFLW JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP The Bulldog’s AFWL team were pioneers of the national competition and historic premiership winners in 2018, so get your juniors on board to be part of the next chapter and emerging traditions of women’s football at VU Whitten Oval.

Pictures: Supplied

■ https://am.ticketmaster.com/ bulldogs/womens-juniormembership#/ THE PACK KIDS CLUB It’s free to join for kids aged 14 and under and has a great range of benefits including: ■ Ticket offers

This pack is recommended for bubs under a year old, and makes a fab gift for parents of a newborn Doggie.

■ A Kids Club Passport with exclusive offers and discounts to be used through the year

■ https://am.ticketmaster.com/ bulldogs/baby-bulldog#/

■ The Pack E-News including lots of fun Bulldogs content

PUPPY PACK They’re not babies forever, and what better way to set them up for that next stage than with a Puppy Pack

Western Bulldogs have a range of club membership packages for young Doggies.

■ Exclusive Kids Club deals and competitions ■ https://www.westernbulldogs.com. au/kidsclub

Western Bulldogs have a range of club membership packages for young Doggies.

Lifestyle that’s right on your doorstep RCA Villages managing director Andrew Philips has no doubt Wyndham Grange Village and Point Cook Village provide the best value resort-style retirement living close to Melbourne.

He has many reasons for that belief, not least the unique operation and management model the villages follow.

“Our model means that residents virtually run the village themselves,” he says.

“We have a management committee of 10, seven of whom are democratically elected residents who are vitally engaged in decision making – from totally transparent financial decisions to setting the 16 AUTUMN 2021

direction for the community.

We have a village manager who then implements workable ideas – all our community members have to do is simply enjoy the amazing lifestyle on offer.”

And quite a lifestyle it is.

Both of these boutique villages have independent villas with a range of different floorplans.

Designs offer two bedrooms, two bathrooms, study and double garage – perfect for welcoming family members to come and stay.

With so many thoughtfully designed activities and facilities, it’s the kind of place that makes living there feel like being on a permanent holiday.

Residents and visiting loved ones alike enjoy the community hub and Clubhouse, these shared spaces bringing people together to indulge in leisure and fun.

There’s also an indoor pool, a fully equipped gym and a bowling green and computer and internet facilities are provided for study or keeping on contact with friends and family on social media.

An arts and crafts room enables continuance or discovery of a creative hobby; a library is the spot for losing yourself in a book; and a billiard and games room is a friendly social hub.

There is also a beauty salon to glam up before a special outing in the village bus; a workshop for tinkering

in; and vegie gardens to nurture the soul. And if the grandkids are itching for an outing when they visit, both villages are in fantastic locations with plenty of options of things to do close by.

Take them for a lovely stroll in the park, head out for a meal together or spoil them with some treats at a nearby shopping centre – it’s all about lifestyle.

Wyndham Grange Village, 83 Kulin Drive, Tarneit. Inquiries: 1800 123 131 or www.wyndhamgrange.com.au Point Cook Village, 320 Point Cook Road, Point Cook. Inquiries: 9394 6799 or www.pointcookvillage.com.au www.KidsWest.com.au

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www.KidsWest.com.au

AUTUMN 2021 17

It’s Your Life

Trot to kids fun at Tabcorp Park VICTORIA’S home of harness racing, Tabcorp Park, is the perfect place to spend some time with family, including the kids.

Tabcorp Park’s bistro.

A unique and modern event and entertainment complex, Tabcorp Park is a multifaceted venue featuring a spacious bistro, indoor playground, function centre, Mantra Hotel and lush lawns overlooking the picturesque harness racing track.

Kids will be thrilled with how close they can get to the horses on a race night. With the track adjacent to the bistro, they can watch as the horses race past with dedicated male and female drivers guiding the sulkies around the track.

PONY TROTS PROGRAM This is designed for children aged 6-16 years old to get involved with their pony and to have some fun out on the track.

This is a fabulous platform for the future drivers of the industry where they can learn about the sport and better their skills. For more information about how to be involved in Pony Trots or when they will be racing, visit www.ponytrotsvic.com.au KIDS CLUB The perfect (and unmissable) way for kids to feel included, the club has regular updates about the very popular free kids’ activities at racing events,

The Kids Club offers activities and meal specials for the little ones.

school holiday shows, giveaways and meal specials in the bistro. When you next visit, ask the friendly staff how kids can join.

ABOUT HARNESS RACING Affectionately known as “the trots”, this name comes from the trotting gait that horses race in while on track. For upcoming race meetings, visit the website below. Entry into the races is free.

Keeping with the racing theme, each area of the venue has been named

Poppy the mascot.

after a famous harness racing horse, with the bistro named after Popular Alm who raced in the early 1980s. The Popular Alm Bistro offers a chefprepared a la carte menu featuring pub favourites, specials, decadent desserts and kids’ meals. For news and special offers, ask the team about how to become a member of the free Golden Reign Rewards program.

Tabcorp Park, 2 Ferris Road, Melton.

Enquiries: 8746 0600, Facebook or www.tabcorppark.com.au

DID YOU KNOW? Tabcorp Park’s mascot ‘Poppy’ was named after a very famous horse, Popular Alm. He was a pacer which means that when he races his legs moved on the same side of his body together.

He won 49 races out of 62 starts.

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COLOUR IN FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A $50 TABCORP PARK VOUCHER

NAME: ___________________ PHONE: __________________ EMAIL: __________________ AGE: _____________________ Competition Concludes Sunday 11 April 2021, Drawn Tuesday 13 April. Judges Decision is Final, one entry per person, entries to be submitted in person at Tabcorp Park before close of competition. One winner only.

Open to ages 0 to 12 years.

Winner will be contacted via phone/email must have valid details to be eligible to enter.

(175< Entries will be publicly displayed.

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18 AUTUMN 2021

www.KidsWest.com.au

Health

Do your kids do eye push-ups? peripheral myopia control zones, are more effective than traditional lenses in controlling the progression of myopia.

WEARING glasses due to an eye turn from an early age herself gave Liz Muller, owner of Eyecare Plus Altona, real insight and kicked off her special interest in children’s vision.

“Yes,” Liz says, “contact lenses for kids are easier and safer than you think and can provide a lot of freedom! Kids are quite responsible when it comes to wearing contact lenses. They love them for sport, dancing and other activities.”

She realised early on as an optometrist how visual challenges could significantly impact on the quality of a child’s learning.

“The appropriate use of glasses or contact lenses, and vision therapy when required, has helped many children to reach their full potential without the added deficit of a vision problem,” Liz explains.

Liz helping Ruby choose frames.

“It’s very satisfying to see kids who have come in with symptoms of eyestrain, blurred vision, and trouble concentrating on their work, start enjoying reading and learning again.”

Liz notes that the current generation of young learners also do a lot of their tasks using screen-based devices. She says that this is a lot of work for a young visual system that’s been traditionally accustomed to more flexible visual tasks, and fatigue of the eyes is very common.

“I saw the incredible amount of time that my own kids spent on screens during remote learning, and then afterwards in their leisure time. I explain that this is like trying to do push-ups with your eyes all day!

Ruby has her eye test at Eyecare Plus Altona.

Liz Muller checks young Ruby’s eye health.

“This is a major concern for the parents who bring their children in for an eye test.”

sunlight, and letting your eyes be flexible is so important for developing eyes.”

Apart from having a comprehensive eye test that assesses all the near visual skills, getting an appropriate amount of time outside can reduce the risk of longer term visual problems such as myopia.

MYOPIA This is more commonly known as short-sighted eyesight and progressive myopia occurs when the person needs stronger glasses regularly. Research shows that specialised contact lenses, and new spectacle lenses incorporating

“Time outside, moving, getting

VISION THERAPY CLINIC The clinic employs evidence-based in-office and home-based vision therapy programs for children (and adults) who have lazy and turned eyes, eye movement and tracking difficulties, and convergence insufficiency. Vivid Vision Virtual Reality training for eye teaming and lazy eye is also used.

EYE MOVEMENTS AND VISUAL PROCESSING Eyecare Plus Altona offers visual processing testing and uses the Readalyzer for tracking and eye movement assessment for children whose vision problems may be impacting on their ability to develop adequate reading skills.

Eyecare Plus Altona, 90 Railway Street South, Altona. Opens 9am-5.30pm Monday-Friday; 9am-2pm Saturday; and Thursday night by appointment, Enquiries: 9398 1344 or visit www. visionadvantage.com.au or www. eyecareplus.com.au/altona

More than just 20/20 At Eyecare Plus P Altona, we understand that vision is much more than just seeing 20/20. Our e examinations assess eye function as well as eyesight and eye health.

Assessment of eye movements, eye alignment (using 2 eyes together) and focusing sk skills are crucial to understand how well our visual system is working, when visual demands are high. especially w An eyetest before b starting school and during the school years ensures that your visual skills that are needed to learn efficiently. child has strong str TM The ReadAlyzer ReadA is an eye movement analysis technology that records and understand understands how eyes perform when they read. It produces a complete eye tracking an analysis when reading, looking at whether reading speed, eye movement accuracy, and comprehension, are inefficient or normal for age.

Eyecare Plus ALTONA 90 Railw Railway St. South, Altona I 9398 1344 altona@eyecareplus.com.au altona@

Eyecare Plus www.KidsWest.com.au

12482161-AV13-21

Visit our vision therapy website at www.visionadvantage.com.au or www.vis www.eyecareplus.com.au/altona www.ey for more information.

AUTUMN 2021 19

It’s Your Life

Inducing

Babies sought for CUTIES trial

BUMPS AND

BABIES WITH DR BRONWYN HAMILTON

Osteopath Julie Hjorth with 10-week-old baby Jack.

Picture: Damjan Janevski

By Goya Dmytryshchak BABIES are being sought for a study to assess the effectiveness of osteopathic care in reducing crying in colicky infants.

Williamstown osteopath Julie Hjorth is among a handful of practitioners from across Australia, the UK and Switzerland chosen for the Crying Unsettled disTressed Infants Effectiveness Study – the CUTIES trial.

The study is being run by the University College of Osteopathy in London in conjunction with Southern Cross University.

Ms Hjorth has been a qualified osteopath for 10 years and a clinical supervisor and sessional lecturer in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT University since 2016.

She said the study was a ‘superiority trial’ to see if standard osteopathic treatment showed a more significant reduction in crying time of colicky babies than light touch.

The parent will not know until after the two weeks if their infant received targeted tension release (standard osteopathic care) or generic tension release (light touch).

Now, she is seeking to recruit babies from across Victoria.

“There have already been pilot studies that show some benefit to having hands-on therapy to nothing,” Ms Hjorth said.

“We need infants that are between one and 10 weeks old when the study starts,” she said.

“The main criteria is they need to be unsettleable, like crying and unsettled, for at least three hours a day for at least three days in the one week.

“We will have them in for up to four consults over a two-week period.

“In the meantime, the parents will be taking a ‘crying diary’, so we’ll give them a diary to fill out at home, which will [record] how many minutes the infant’s crying each day.”

“Now, we’re seeing if osteopathicspecific treatment actually makes a difference compared to just general touch.

“The results will help parents in the future decide what treatments are best for their babies.”

The study is free.

Details: Julie Hjorth, fergusonstosteo. com/ and 0415 412 500.

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.

disturbance than those who only ate fast food once a week, while the odds were 49 per cent higher in females.

“Frequent consumption of soft drinks more than three times a day, and fast foods more than four days per week, were significantly associated with sleep disturbance in all but low-income countries.”

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.

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

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

“Sleep disturbance increased with more frequent consumption of carbonated soft drinks, that often contain caffeine, and/or fast foods, that are traditionally energy-dense and nutrient-poor.

“Teens who drank more than three soft drinks per day had 55 per cent 20 AUTUMN 2021

Soft drink was one of the culprits.

higher odds of reporting sleep disturbance than those who only drank one soft drink a day.

“Males who ate fast foods on more than four days per week had 55 per cent higher odds of reporting sleep

“As stress-related sleep disturbance was more common among girls than boys, girls should be a priority target group for associated interventions that could target stress management and sleep quality.

“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.”

AN induction of labour is a process whereby we can bring labour on, even if your body is not thinking about it itself.

There are many indications for induction of labour and it is becoming more common due to increasing indications for having a baby earlier than the due date.

There is also research supporting routine induction of labour in all women at 39 weeks if they prefer this as it may improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce caesarean section rates (from a study called the ‘ARRIVE’ study).

Reasons for being induced include but are not limited to: diabetes, high blood pressure/ preeclampsia, big babies, growth restricted babies (small babies), certain ethnicities such as South East Asian ethnicity, low fluid level around the baby, other placental issues, being overdue, etc.

Methods to induce labour used in Australia include: 1. Breaking the waters (amniotomy) and starting a syntocinon infusion/drip (via a cannula placed in your hand/ arm). This will encourage you to get into labour by making your uterus have contractions.

2. Having prostaglandin gel/ pessary called Prostin or Cevidil. This mimics the natural hormones which set labour off and help the cervix to change and uterus start to contract.

3. Having a balloon catheter placed in the cervix. This is a long thin catheter with a small balloon filled with water that sits next to the baby’s head.

The pressure of the balloon over time opens the cervix.

Usually if you are having your first baby, you will need to have method 2 or 3 first followed by method 1 if not in labour from the balloon/prostaglandins. If you are having your second or subsequent baby, the majority of the time we can just use method 1 as your cervix (the gateway to your uterus) is often a little open after having your first baby so we can usually just break your waters and start the drip.

Pros and cons of being induced include: • Pros: convenient, able to plan especially if having first baby.

May improve mum and baby outcomes due to delivering before babies get too big, and before placentas start not to work properly.

• Cons: It is ‘intervention’ and some women prefer to go into labour naturally. Also, you will need to be continuously monitored (heart rate monitor on your belly) to check your baby is happy throughout the labour if induced.

For more details on the ARRIVE study, visit: https://www.nejm. org/doi/full/10.1056/ NEJMoa1800566 www.KidsWest.com.au

Education

Should schools provide lunches?

It’s an interesting idea to improve learning outcomes and nutrition.

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.

“While there will need to be an initial investment to set-up the necessary infrastructure and getting the right policies and guidelines in place, what is emerging from some work around Australia is that this public health

The powers of chess CHILDREN who play chess might be better versed to take risks than their peers, as well as aiding their arithmetic and rational thinking.

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 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, www.KidsWest.com.au

The study, by Victoria University, was led by VU’s Susan Alberti Women in Sport Chair Professor Clare Hanlon (Institute for Health and Sport).

Schools could consider teaching chess, research has shown.

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 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.

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.

■ Reduce unhealthy foods by cutting portion sizes in half or limiting the number of days in a week your children eat these foods.

■ 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.

What girls want from sport uniforms A NEW national study has found Australian girls want function over fashion, they prefer shorts and t-shirts and they want stretchy material that breathes when it comes to sport uniforms.

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.

strategy can deliver in terms of learning, student engagement and wellbeing.

“By children being provided with healthy meals at school, we think it will help children to concentrate in the classroom and support their learning.”

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, or dairy during school hours.

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.”

“These findings are for the benefit of girls in Australia to enable them to feel comfortable, confident and ready to play sport. Uniforms need to be designed for girls that are the right colour and fit, and are functional,” she said.

Girls and young women aged 12 to 18 years across Australia completed the survey.

It also found most don’t want to wear skirt, and they wanted choice, especially for girls aged 12 to 14.

“I am so sick of having to wear ‘unisex’ sport shorts that we all know were designed for boys, not girls. They

● Care from 6 weeks to school age ● Freshly cooked nutritious meals ● Funded Kinder Program ● Opening hours 6.30am to 6.00pm ● Fun and exciting programs guided by children’s interests ● Full Day and Casual Care ● Experienced educators with a passion for working with children ● Government Approved Rebates ● $2000 off yearly fee for 4 year old kinder

are totally unsuitable for girls who have hips ... “ one participant said.

Girls and young women from the Northern Territory are 16 per cent less likely to prefer wearing tracksuit pants or leggings, while in Western Australia, 53 per cent are less likely to prefer wearing singlets for sport outside school, compared with girls from Victoria (63 per cent) and NSW (72 per cent).

The study provided valuable insight into adolescent girls’ views on what makes them feel confident and comfortable to play sport.

It found that they want: ■ uniforms that make them feel ready for sport ■ clothing that fits them well ■ dark coloured shorts/skirts/pants ■ uniforms made from appropriate materials ■ no unisex clothing ■ options that do not make them feel over-exposed

Small Steps, Big Adventures

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AN idea out of Flinders University could have parents rejoicing: what if schools provided lunches for Australian students?

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.

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.

“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,

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

89 Lady Nelson way, Keilor Downs email: office@smallstepselc.net.au

9367 1114 AUTUMN 2021 21

Education

Good nutrition starts young 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

Lauren Burns, Archer, Vincent and chef Michael Dickson.

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 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

Picture: Rob Carew

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.

A kindergarten adventure like no other Taking registrations for 2022!

Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework of Australia, our unique kindergarten curriculum harnesses the theory of emergent learning and the science of positive psychology.

Discover how our Key Learning Environments will help shape your child’s love for learning and make sure their path to primary school is an exciting adventure!

To find out more about Niño ELA’s Kindergarten Program, including upcoming information evenings, contact your local Niño ELA centre today.

Niño ELA Saratoga Estate (Point Cook) 1 Winterberry Rd 9111 8150

Niño ELA Point Cook 60-62 Florey Ave 8878 2800

Niño ELA Newport 519 Melbourne Rd 9111 8200

Niño ELA Footscray 282-288 Geelong Rd 8508 8120

ninoela.com.au 22 AUTUMN 2021

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www.KidsWest.com.au

Education

A school with ‘huge, huge ideas’ HEAD of Junior School, Sondra Wood, believes that independent co-ed Geelong College Junior School is a wonderful place to learn, noting its commitment to providing best practice learning opportunities for all students.

confidence of our children as they take risks and develop familiarity and understanding of the natural world and their place in it. Many of our project based learning explorations are from inspirations from nature and Indigenous culture,” Sondra explains.

“From Early Learning to Year 3, the youngest learners of the Geelong College are nurtured, inspired and encouraged to reach their full potential under a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach,” says Sondra.

“Every day is full of life and packed with knowledge and experiences. Our Reggio Emilia-inspired learning is reflected in everything we do; our children are respected as citizens of the present and our educators value diversity and understand difference so that all learners are able to reach their full potential.”

The Geelong College Junior School learners are encouraged to take risks, be creative and imaginative in their learning, to maximize their connection to the land and the community.

Explorative and intentional teaching based on the Victorian Curriculum ensures that all children are provided with the foundations of literacy and numeracy to ensure that they are supported to meet their full potential.

Young learners are nurtured, inspired and encouraged to reach their full potential at The Geelong College.

for the children to be just who they want to be.”

Sondra says that the purpose-built school reflects this approach, with spaces for both indoor and outdoor learning.

Designed by renowned John Wardle Architects, the spaces provide endless opportunities and experiences for the children. Each space has both indoor and outdoor kitchens, ateliers to explore, and places to collaborate and for quiet time.

“The building wraps itself around our children, with central piazzas for our community to gather and to feel safe and protected. Importantly, it’s a place

The award-winning educators work together to understand the intricacies of young learners in the ever-changing world.

“Our children are sometimes the teacher, sometimes learner, but always playful and always learning.”

The land and place are an important part of The Geelong College experience.

Opportunities exist for learners to explore nature play, sensory gardens, to gather around the community fire pit within the Junior School, to explore the Enviro Garden at the Middle School and to visit Dog Rocks National Park regularly.

“It’s wonderful to see the growing

Every day at the Junior School is fun and dynamic, with expressive learning in the arts provided by the school Atelierista, the languages of French and Chinese taught by native speakers, and all the colour and fun of dance and drama, as well as opportunities to learn musical instruments such as the cello, piano and violin or to join the rock band.

“The children remain central to all we do, feeling safe, respected and valued by our community,” Sondra concludes.

“But don’t just believe me!

“As Year 2 student Alexis BegleyCapon puts it: ‘At school, you can join other people’s ideas to make a huge, huge idea!’”

Geelong College, Talbot Street, Newtown. Enquiries: 5226 3111 or www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au

The

Geelong C o l lege A leading Victorian day and boarding school from Early Learning to VCE.

Register or explore more dates or small group tours at www.geelongcollege.vic.edu.au or phone (03) 5226 3156.

www.KidsWest.com.au

12482271-AV13-21

Discover The Geelong College difference at our Open Days on Friday 30 April and Wednesday 26 May.

Be of

COURAGE 160 YEARS STRONG

AUTUMN 2021 23

Education

Loyola College fosters a sense of belonging for students.

Sense of belonging is crucial THE transition from primary school to secondary holds many challenges.

However, schools that actively respond to the needs of students are better placed to assist in navigating the adjustment, encouraging continual and seamless learning - ultimately resulting in positive learning outcomes.

More than ever, an environment that fosters a sense of belonging is crucial to support the social-emotional wellbeing of students, particularly given the learnings of 2020 and the disconnection students faced.

Ms Fotini Veis, Student Programs Coordinator Years 7-9 at Loyola College, says the Melbourne-based secondary school boasts a Personal Development

Program which is embedded within the curriculum in a considered, wholeschool approach.

“The underlying philosophy of the school involves the education of the whole person, ensuring the development of their social, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing,” Ms Veis says.

to know their peers at a three-day Belonging Camp.

“This sense of belonging is essential for students’ successful transition into secondary school.”

“The theme for the Year 7 Personal Development program ‘Belonging and Relationships’ has been carefully crafted to aid a positive and seamless transition from primary to secondary school.

As a Catholic College, Loyola focuses on the importance of belonging to a community and feeling connected, promoting a sense of home-away-from home atmosphere. This is strongly supported through the vertical Mentor program, a core component of student development and connection to the whole College.

“Students are encouraged to participate in the many pastoral programs, vibrant selection of cocurriculum activities, and enjoy getting

In addition, the program assists students in their social and emotional development via the framework of Positive Psychology.

“Increasingly, research highlights that these social supports have significant impact on students while transitioning into secondary school,” notes Ms Veis.

“Building positive relationships with teachers and friends within the College promotes positive student engagement and wellbeing, and sets students up with the skills they need to cope with the demands they are faced with.”

To book a tour of Loyola College or to keep up to date with the latest events, visit www.loyola.vic.edu.au Loyola College, 325 Grimshaw Street, Watsonia. Enquiries: 9434 4466

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Education

Students dancing their way to success “TRULY UNIQUE” is how Jemma Lowther describes the dance program at Hoppers Crossing Secondary College because, she says, it blends passion and education to promote growth and connectedness.

Jemma, the VET trainer for dance and whose teaching roles include Dance/Health, Physical Education, and Wakakirri, explains how getting involved in dance and performing arts at the college offers students invaluable life and creative skills.

compromise and work as a team.”

Jemma notes that dance education at the school, however, doesn’t stop there.

“The college also offers industrybased dance training through the VET program for Years 11 and 12.

“VET Dance gives students knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the performing arts. Dancers learn from current leading professionals in the field, while developing their technique, fitness and industry understanding.”

“Elective classes start at Year 9, with students encouraged to develop their skills in a range of dance styles and practice, communicating and brainstorming ideas with peers outside their home group.

Dance is also at the heart of the college’s largest extra-curricular program.

“Wakakirri is a story-dance competition that students from all year levels are welcome to participate in.

This program is so popular, more than 200 students sign up each year for both performing and backstage roles.

“By Year 10, the budding choreographers get to design, practise and perform their own theme-based routines. These activities allow groups to explore their creativity while learning to

In 2019, Hoppers Crossing Secondary

College was crowned National Champions for their story, ‘Be Careful What You Whisper’, which depicted the impacts of spreading rumours over social media.

“Regardless of year level, dance ability or academic success, all team members involved in Wakakirri have a safe place to express themselves and feel included in the school community.

“Having participated in the program for more than seven years, not only has the college had great success, but individual students have been singled out and awarded scholarships to full-time dance training at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance,” Jemma says. She believes the true success of the program is seen in the spirit and camaraderie built between the students.

“In a time where it’s common for young people to feel isolated, the dance programs at the college serve to foster relationships, as well as promoting students’ love of performing.”

Hoppers Crossing Secondary College, 2 Fraser Street, Hoppers Crossing.

Enquiries: 9974 7777 or www.hopcross. vic.edu.au

2021 Open Days Tours

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Hoppers Crossing Secondary College’s dance program blends passion and education.

Sunday, 2nd May Tours: 10:00am & 11:00am Please visit our College website for booking details.

Enquiries - pr@hopcross.vic.edu.au Cr os sin gS Cr e e oss g c e o l l ndary Co ing , Vic

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toria, 3029

p: 03 9974 7777 www.hopcross.vic.edu.au e:hoppers.crossing.sc@education.vic.gov.au instagram: @hcschcsc

12480376-AV13-21

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AUTUMN 2021 25

Education

Enriching lives THE Australian International Academy of Education is dedicated to the provision of high-quality education for students from Foundation to Year 12.

seek to broaden their horizons in a spirit of tolerance, compassion and cooperation with one another – and with others outside the school.

The Academy is an International Baccalaureate school offering the IB programs at all three campuses in Melbourne, as well as the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE).

The vision is to create lifelong learners who possess the competencies, confidence, and knowledge to meet the challenges that face them.

The programs allow AIA to enhance its local curriculum and to achieve its mission of developing productive Australian Muslim citizens who will help to create a better and more humane world through intercultural understanding and respect.

The Australian International Academy of Education holds the belief that each child is a unique individual.

All teachers strive to deliver a quality education to students in a nurturing, enriching, comfortable and safe learning environment in pursuit of academic and spiritual excellence.

A broad and a well-balanced curriculum with global perspectives is offered, where students are tolerant of others and empowered to shape their own future.

The Academy enjoins its students to cultivate a global perspective and a universalist outlook on life.

Students are taught to constantly

Outstanding academic results are ensured by the passionate teaching staff, who inspire and support students to achieve to their highest potential.

Small class sizes offer a personalised approach to learning and a diverse range of educational experiences.

Exciting experiences both inside and outside the classroom - from educational trips to other countries and camps allow students to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the world around them.

The Academy also provides a wide range of co-curricular activities that extend and complement the core curriculum, enrich student lives and develop their skills.

Enrolments for 2022 are now being taken.

Australian International Academy.

Enquiries: 9350 4533 or www.aia.vic. edu.au

A range of co-curricular activities are offered to students that extend and complement the core curriculum.

LIMITED PLACES FOR 2022

AU S T R A L I A N I N T E R N AT I O N A L A C A D E M Y 12480590-SN13-21

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Education

Every student has the opportunity to be recognised for their character and achievements.

Picture: Chloe Smith Photography

World ready, future ready THE Kilmore International School, catering for Years 3-12, seeks to form young women and men who have a true understanding of themselves, their values, and their view of the world, the Principal Peter Cooper states with pride.

“Our students choose to embrace an ever-changing world with confidence, engage others with a positive, loving attitude, and are prepared to act when needed,” Mr Cooper says.

“A good school cares for the individual, practices diversity, offers experiences for growth, is grounded in community, values the learning process, has teachers that are respectful and respected, and, importantly, places

the needs of the child at the centre of its decision-making.”

Mr Cooper believes his school has these characteristics embedded in its culture and daily practice.

“Such an ambitious environment takes commitment and teamwork, and our students are joined in their journey by highly qualified, experienced and inspirational teachers - teachers who understand that a child will not care about how much they know, until they know how much they care.”

The Kilmore International School is a non-denominational, co-educational day and boarding school delivering the prestigious International Baccalaureate

The Kilmore International School 40 White Street, Kilmore, Victoria, 3764 W kilmore.vic.edu.au T 03 5782 2211 E enquiries@kilmore.vic.edu.au ABN 21 083 505 131 CRICOS 00671E

Diploma in Years 11-12.

“Our graduates attend leading universities throughout the world, taking with them a joy of learning and a willingness to make a positive difference to the lives of others,” continues Mr Cooper. “By offering a challenging and supportive environment with a wide range of co-curricular activities, every student has the opportunity to be recognised for their character and achievements. With encouragement and guidance, students are expected to take on positions of responsibility and to harness their talents.”

The school provides bus routes to Gisborne-Woodend, Craigieburn and

Whittlesea-Mernda, allowing students a safe and easy commute directly to the school. Enrolments remain open, with applications available for 2021-2023 across all year levels. Numerous scholarship opportunities are also available, including the new Innovation Scholarship initiative, open for applicants in Years 5-10 in 2022 – applications close on 9 April 2021.

The Kilmore International School… world ready, future ready.

The Kilmore International School, 40 White Street, Kilmore. Enquiries: 5782 2211 or www.kilmore.vic.edu.au

Bus service between The Kilmore International School and Craigieburn

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www.KidsWest.com.au

AUTUMN 2021 27

Education

Solution to single-sex debate ROBERT Brennan, principal of Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, says the pros and cons of single-sex and mixed education are constantly being debated but his college offers a practical solution.

“We focus,” he says, “on a concentrated single-sex education from years 7-9 for our young girls and boys at separate campuses, and a coeducational experience from years 10-12.

“This allows students to experience and take advantage of the best of both settings.”

The college is seeing a rise in the number of girls taking physics, chemistry, and specialist mathematics and maths methods in their senior years, as well as design and technologies and performing and visual arts subjects.

Mr Brennan says the preparatory years for girls are fundamental in setting study habits and academic skills.

“The single-sex setting encourages girls to challenge a national trend indicating they are less likely to take Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) and Vocational Education Training (VET) subjects at an early age.

“Our female students are encouraged to develop strong skills in theory and practical subjects throughout their early

Students Elena and Anicia.

Caroline Chisholm Catholic College.

years of secondary education.

without labels. Christ the King is a unique community built around educational choices, empowerment and identity.”

“The all-girls Christ the King Campus offers girls a safe space that prepares them for the co-educational setting in year 10 and beyond.Starting off at an all-girls campus creates a focused environment for girls to learn, but never feeling alienated from the college’s junior boys who learn on a separate all-boys campus.

“The college promotes student voice and agency, where students stand up for themselves; and a sisterhood that unites all the girls around important movements such as actions against bullying and International Women’s Day. “We also promote strong females

Mr Brennan also notes that the college collaborates with students to deliver a pastoral program that addresses the issues immediately at hand.

“The aim is to empower young women with the skills and attitudes needed to be their best, to overcome the obstacles and challenges society places before them, and to embrace their inner power. In addition to our programs, our all-girls campus has undergone a major refurbishment, with a new Arts Centre and Science Wing, as well an updated Design Lab.”

Pictures: Damjan Janevski

Caroline Chisholm Catholic College’s inner-west location is ideal for families wanting the best of both worlds. All campuses are close to public transport and the college runs a dedicated bus from Derrimut every morning.

“I believe the college provides an environment which allows all students to develop a sense of belonging, to flourish and become successful life-long learners, ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

Call the College to organise a personalised tour or email admissions@ cccc.vic.edu.au. Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, 65 and 204 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook. Enquiries: 9296 5311 or visit cccc.vic.edu.au

EXPLORE & DISCOVER

SUNDAY 23 MAY

All-girls 7 - 9 campus • All-boys 7 - 9 campus • Senior 10 - 12 co-ed campus • State-of-the-art Science labs • Sports oval 820-seat auditorium • Trade training centre • Indoor swimming pool • New Arts centre • Music labs • Food technology labs

65 & 204 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook | Visit cccc.vic.edu.au for more information 12482370-SN13-21

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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.

The great need to attract more male teachers females. I think it’s really important, learning styles and teaching styles are so critical.

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

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

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

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.

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?

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

The divide is even more stark when it comes to early education.

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

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

The former primary school teacher said the latest statistics, from 2019, estimated 18 per cent of teachers in primary schools were male. In secondary school, there was a huge jump to 39 per cent.

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

“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 www.KidsWest.com.au

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

Do we need to do more to attract male teachers?

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.

“Boys need to have role models that are men in the classroom instead of just

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

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

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

AUTUMN 2021 29

Entertainment

WIN! Melbourne Star passes TO celebrate the launch of the Kids West Today magazine, we’re giving readers the opportunity to win passes to fly on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, courtesy of Melbourne Star.

Up for grabs is one annual family pass, which gives two adults and two children unlimited flights for 12 months (value $232), and five Private Cabins, each for up to six guests and valued at $350 each.

Enter at www.starweekly.com.au/ competitions or scan the QR code for your chance to win these great prizes!

Star Weekly competition T&C’s apply.

Prepare for take-off on Melbourne Star During school holidays Melbourne Star offers a unique way to bring the whole family together and celebrate a well-deserved break with a Kids Fly FREE!* offer.

Experience the ever-changing skyline in one of Melbourne Star’s fully enclosed glass cabins offering a 360-degree view of the city and beyond. Have some family fun and make a day of it, exploring The District and all it has to offer in the heart of the Docklands.

Melbourne Star has a range of experiences available, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy: ■ Looking for something bespoke for your child’s birthday party?

Melbourne Star hosts the cutest

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soirees in the Private Cabin setting, complete with yummy treats for the little ones to enjoy.

■ Need a date night away from the kids? Melbourne Star offers a rare kind of escapism to let you relax and enjoy the night away together.

Savour a glass of bubbles on a Sparkling Flight or indulge yourself with delectable bites sky high crafted

by Peter ■ Rowland in your own cosy Private Catered Cabin. Packages start at $184 per couple.

Prepare for take-off and get ready to

create new family moments with Melbourne Star! *Offer valid during school holiday period only. Receive a complimentary child ticket with every full price general admission ticket, limited to one child ticket per one full price ticket purchased.

Cannot be combined with any other offer. Companion card holders exempt.

All other Melbourne Star terms and conditions apply.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands. Opens daily 11am-9.30pm September to April; 11am-6.30pm May to August; 1pm – 9:30pm Christmas Day and ANZAC Day. For more information and to book, visit www.melbournestar.com

Enjoy a flight of discovery on Melbourne Star!

Use the promo code online at melbournestar.com to enjoy 25% off our Star experiences*

at melbournestar.com *Offer valid until 31 December 2021 on general admission child & adult, Sparkling Flights, Private Cabins and Sights, Lights & Delights tickets purchased online. All other Melbourne Star terms and conditions apply. See melbournestar.com for details.

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Active Kids

Give them a growth spurt

By Carole Levy

Here are a few: MUSHIES IN A JAR

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-friendly quick results are slim pickings.

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

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.

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.

Picture: iStock

Getting your child involved in a local club

By Melissa Grant

WHEN TO JOIN A CLUB

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. www.KidsWest.com.au

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.”

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

SKILLS FOR LIFE

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

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

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.

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

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.

AUTUMN 2021 31

Reality Bites

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.

32 AUTUMN 2021

Sinead Phillips with her kids Owen and Cora

“I don’t believe health retreats are the be all and end all,” she said.

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

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

investment in themselves,” she said.

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

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.KidsWest.com.au

Reality Bites

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.

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,

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.

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.

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

Picture: Rob Carew

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.

Alice’s journey from nipper to lifesaver

By Carole Levy AS a six year old, Alice Henry naturally wanted to do what her best friend was doing, so when that friend started as a Nipper at Altona Lifesaving Club, Alice followed suit. Alice discovered she absolutely loved it.

For the next 10 years, Alice immersed herself in all things lifesaving and, at 16, gained her Bronze medallion which allowed her to officially patrol a beach in the iconic red and yellow. The pandemic restrictions put a halt to her first season, but this season she was part of a 14-member patrol, doing her bit to keep swimmers at Altona beach under her watchful eye.

Alice, a year 11 student at the Notre Dame campus of Emmanuel College in Point Cook, says the world of volunteer lifesaving is rewarding - and fun in every way.

“I’ve made so many friends through the club and its events – I still have the same friends I made in my time with the Nippers and through all the different learning stages we go through,” she says.

Alice Henry finds the world of volunteer lifesaving rewarding. www.KidsWest.com.au

Picture: Supplied

“As an Under-15 member, I was accepted into a leadership group where we learnt so much about teamwork and what’s expected from a beach patroller.

We were each given a designation that best described our “style” and I was named as a “peacock” which speaks of being outspoken and open about who I am. That was pretty funny – but also

nice.” Alice loved her recent season of being on patrol at Altona Beach.

“I loved being part of a team, meeting lots of different people and having such positive interactions with the public who were all so friendly. We also got to meet other volunteers from Wye River and Elwood and that was lots of fun. I wasn’t involved in any rescue events, but performed a lot of first aid on cuts and some broken bones.”

She also gets involved in lots of activities around the club.

“I’m a member of the youth group (14-18 year olds) where we do lots of training, one year going to a camp at Wye River where we did rock climbing and bike riding and other fun activities.

“We also run Sunday barbecues after Nippers.”

Alice’s family is also part of the Altona LSC. Her dad, Peter, is captain of her patrol group, while her older sister was a volunteer until her year 12 study load necessitated stepping back for a bit.

“Dad runs a lifesaving training group in winter at the Footscray pool and I manage one of the groups for him. It’s all voluntary and I love doing it. Next year, though, I hope to get some paid lifesaving work experience.”

In the meantime, Alice is focusing on completing her secondary schooling then hopes to become a paramedic – because helping people is what this “peacock” lifesaver is all about.

AUTUMN 2021 33

Reality Bites

Creative cubby hacks and more!

By Danielle Galvin

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

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

“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,” Tanja Mitrov 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!

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

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.

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

“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 birthday and she ordered some spider and bat balloons online.

“We made whimsical witches 34 AUTUMN 2021

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.

2. If your cubby has windows, turn one side into the cafe window. My daughters love serving me coffees and burgers through it. broomsticks from dried up twigs in our backyard, painted a sign and turned the veggie garden into a Cinderella pumpkin patch.

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

“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!”

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

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 the cubby. It covers the whole back of the cubby, and would you believe that we still run out of room to draw on it? www.KidsWest.com.au

Reality Bites

Mum’s activity book for Great Ocean Road

By Melissa Grant KIDS love exploring the Great Ocean Road.

The iconic touring route offers so much for children to discover, from stunning attractions to wondrous wildlife.

And now there’s a children’s activity book dedicated to the destination.

The Great Ocean Road Activity Book is the brainchild of mother of three and teacher Samantha Kenna.

It features 28 pages of engaging, educational activities that feature a sight or attraction along the drive.

Samantha came up with the idea during one of her many adventures along the Great Ocean Road with husband Joe and children Louis, Harry and Lola.

Samantha and Joe had ventured into the Lorne Information Centre to search for something to keep their two eldest kids busy in the hope they could have a bit of a breather.

“I was looking for an activity book and I wanted it to be on the Great Ocean Road,” the Warrnambool resident said.

“They didn’t have anything. I started looking around and I couldn’t find anything.

“I couldn’t believe it. The Great Ocean Road is one of the most iconic destinations in Australia and there was no fun resource like that out there for children.”

In the weeks after that trip, Samantha started to think about how she could

Some of the activities inside the book.

Samantha and her two-year-old daughter Lola with a copy of the book.

create a fun and educational activity book for kids to take along the tourist route.

Activities include animal sudoku, design your own surfboard, join the dots and colouring in pages.

“I’ve received lovely messages from people saying how much they enjoyed the book.”

“I sat there feeding my baby with one hand and jotting down the ideas with the other,” she said.

The book also includes information on how the Great Ocean Road was built and the historical significance of Loch Ard Gorge, the site of a famous shipwreck.

The Great Ocean Road Activity book is available from the following stores: Anglesea News and Lotto, Collins Booksellers Warrnambool, Port Fairy Information Centre, The Bookgrove in Ocean Grove, Torquay Books, Lorne Beach Books, Kafe Koala at Kennett River, Apollo Bay Visitor Information Centre, Twelve Apostles Kiosk, The Port O Call Port Campbell, Peterborough Licensed Grocers and The Book Bird in Geelong.

“I wanted it to be something kids could do independently and also have tasks they could do with the family.”

Samantha, a teacher at St Patrick’s Primary School in Port Fairy, said the aim of her book was to educate children about the Great Ocean Road, including its attractions, history and wildlife.

There’s even a scavenger hunt that kids can do from the back seat of the car.

Samantha’s two eldest children, Louis, 6, and Harry, 4, have enjoyed doing the activities.

Hundreds of other children have too.

“I think the more children know and learn about something the more meaning it has, the more they will enjoy it,” she said.

Samantha has sold more than 600 copies of the book since its launch in November.

The book features activities aimed at children of kindergarten and primary school age.

“It’s been wonderful,” Samantha said, adding her book had been sold out at some outlets.

Pictures: Justine Walker

The book is also available online at wonderingclassroom.com You can follow Samantha on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the_ wondering_classroom

Boy driven to design cars gets a wild ride

By Melissa Grant

Development team in Australia once he was old enough to apply for the Ford Australia Graduate Program.

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

“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.

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

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

“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.

www.KidsWest.com.au

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

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

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

Jake shared a design he created for a new Mustang.

His Mustang was a convertible with a supercharged V8 engine, titanium alloy frame, custom 20 inch chrome rims and a built-in iPad. “I love cars especially the mustang

(my ultimate dream car) and would 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

“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.

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

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

AUTUMN 2021 35

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

36 AUTUMN 2021

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 www.KidsWest.com.au

Party Time

On trend: Having a cake smashing time

Bright colours and props help make your photo pop.

By Melissa Meehan

colours really pop.

THERE are fewer things in this world cuter than a baby covered in cake and brightly coloured icing.

Next, bake a cake (or even better, buy a cheap ready made one from your local supermarket) - chocolate works best as the colour really shows up in photos.

Cake smash photos seem to be taking over the world with mums and dads keen to get a snap of their bundle of joy enjoying the delights of their very first super sugar fix.

But with some people charging almost $500 for a professional photoshoot, not everyone can afford it.

So why not have a go at it yourself.

All you need is a baby, cake, balloons and a camera (even a smart phone could do the trick).

Firstly pick your colour palette.

Bright colours work best, and it’s even better if you can choose a colour that comes in food dye.

Cover the cake in your choice of coloured icing. Go crazy - the more icing the better.

You’ll also need about five balloons - it just adds something to the background and they are an affordable way to take your photo to the next level.

And finally, BABY!

Try to take the photo from a different angle. angle

There is nothing better than a classic white singlet, but don’t be afraid to add pops of colour to their outfit like a tulle skirt or a matching bow tie for boys.

And get snapping.

The trick is to have someone there to help get baby smiling, because they can’t really see your face when you are behind the camera.

12487182-CG12-21

It’s also good if you have an old white bed sheet or table cloth you can use as a background to make the

A handy hint is to cut the cake into smaller pieces while keeping it in shape before icing. It helps those little hands get in and get messy.

ALSO - take heaps of photos. You are bound to get at least one cracking shot out of 100.

Have fun and get messy!

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AUTUMN 2021 37

Kids Calendar

What's on

this autumn

UNTIL 28 MARCH

MARCH - APRIL

MOVIES AT FED SQUARE

Wyndham City Council is bringing the family fun and entertainment to your local park with a series of 6 family fun filled weekends. Enjoy music and theatre on Saturdays, movies and popcorn on Sundays and other fun activities on offer.

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 8pm-10pm

MARCH 27, APRIL 17 & MAY 15

21 March - The Karate Kid 4pm-6pm 28 March - Labyrinth 4pm-6pm

LITTLE ART BIG ART CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

There’ll be comfy seating, shaded areas, environmentally-friendly recycled astroturf and in-square food and drink delivery.

Creative workshops for kids run by Woods Street Art Space, 44 Woods Street, Laverton. 9.15am-12.15pm www.littleartbigart.com.au

27 March - Stand By Me 8pm-10pm

APRIL 1 - MAY 31 JURASSIC WORLD BY BRICKMAN

Good friday appeal

personal voice, non-fiction, slam poetry, screen writing, and science writing.

APRIL 3 - 18 KID’S DAY OUT SCREENINGS

There are six boot camps to choose from, each with four sessions.

Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre, 250 Heaths Road, Corner Derrimut Road, Hoppers Crossing.

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.

Teen writing

Contact 8664 7099 or inquiries@slv.vic.gov.au for more info.

2 MARCH-27 MAY

APRIL 1

TEEN WRITING BOOTCAMPS (VIRTUAL)

MEET THE EASTER BUNNY

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!

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, 38 AUTUMN 2021

Meet the Easter Bunny and have fun with an Easter scavenger hunt at Hoppers Crossing Shopping Centre, 24 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing.

APRIL 2 GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL The 90th annual Good Friday Appeal on Friday 2nd April 2021, brings together the community to raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital.

APRIL 6

TODDLER TUESDAYS AT SANCTUARY LAKES SHOPPING CENTRE Kids aged 0-8 will enjoy a 60 minute energetic and engaging session jam packed with dance, music and musical instruments. 10.30am-11.30am.

An immersive, LEGO® brick adventure. experience in Australian history. Over 50 large-scale dinosaurs, props, scenes and activities made from over 6-million LEGO® bricks will leave explorers in awe as they embark on a thrilling journey through stories and characters from the Jurassic World franchise.

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf. https://exhibition.thebrickman.com/

APRIL 25 LIGHT UP THE DAWN Anzac Day marches may have been cancelled in 2021, but you can still pay your respects by lighting a candle and gathering in our driveways.

APRIL 16-18 WEST END EXPERIENCE Enjoy fresh air and scrumptious bites from 15 different restaurants when the western end of Watton Street in Werribee transforms into a familyfriendly alfresco pop-up dining precinct.

Friday April 16 – 5pm – 11pm Saturday April 17 – 11am – 11pm Sunday April 18 – 11am – 9pm

Light up the dawn www.KidsWest.com.au

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