Kids West Today Summer 2021

SUMMER 2021-22

Find your local

DADS GROUP

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TOY GIVEAWAY How to deal with

SCHOOL REFUSAL

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About Us

Hooray for summer!

HELLO! Welcome to the summer edition of Kids West Today.

How good is it that summer is finally here? After spending months at home and with the weather warming up, there’s never been a better time to get out and about.

The West is full of great places to visit, from beaches to some pretty cool playgrounds. But there are also some lesser known gems.

For this edition we spoke to the creator of Gumnut Trails, a new guide to the great outdoors in Melbourne’s West.

Gumnut Trails - which features five mystery trails and more than 15 family adventures - is the creation of Flemington mum Christina Carter, who wants to connect people with the amazing places right on their doorstep.

Speaking of connecting people, the Dads Group movement is really taking

off across Australia and they have a number of groups in the west. Joining a Dads Group allows dads to spend time with other dads and their kids. It also helps dads to bond with their child and gives their partner some alone time. We spoke to Adam Tardiff, one of the men behind the Dads Group movement in Victoria, about how the group is changing the culture of fatherhood for the better.

Our regular columnist, renowned psychologist and author Steve Biddulph, shares an interesting piece on how parenthood - especially fatherhood - has gone from being all about ‘control’ to being more about connection.

Paediatric nutritionist Lucy Stewart is also back to share a yummy summer recipe in her column ‘Kids in the Kitchen’.

had only days left to live on life support.

It’s an heart-warming story that shows the incredible lengths a parent will go to for their child.

We also have a bumper education section, with advice on how to deal with school refusal and preparing your child for prep.

If you love a giveaway, be sure to check out our summer toy competition.

We’ve teamed up with some great toy brands to give our readers the chance to win some incredible prizes. Entries close on 2 February, so head to our website and get your entries in!

Kids West Today magazine is a Star News Group publication.

The team at KidsWest Today wishes you a merry Christmas and all the very best for 2022.

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

Thanks for your support and happy holidays!

Kids West Today

In this edition, we also caught up with a mum who gave her son a life-saving liver transplant when he

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CONTENTS

Mandy Clark mandy.clark@starnewsgroup. com.au

IT’S YOUR LIFE

ACTIVE KIDS

REALITY BITES

Editorial

A tough road to mumpreneur PAGE 4

Time for Aussie teens to get physically active PAGE 15

Confidence during uncertainty

Melissa Grant editorial@kidswest.com.au

Council offers cashback for reusable nappies PAGE 4

EDUCATION

PAGE 25

PAGE 25

Adventure trails in the west PAGE 5

World of pathways for students PAGE 16

Helping little women

Playgrounds recycled for kids overseas PAGE 5

All bases covered at Copperfield College PAGE 17

Pandemic pregnancy from London to Melbourne

Students spoiled for choice PAGE 18

Backyard relay for a good cause

Mum’s amazing act to save her son’s life PAGE 6 Group connects dads PAGE 8 Fathers not using flexible work PAGE 8 A big change in our dads PAGE 9 The top things stressing out Aussie teens PAGE 9

Preparing for prep PAGE 20 What to consider when selecting child care PAGE 20 Child care fee relief comes early PAGE 21

Win great prizes in toy giveaway PAGE 10

Schools teaching kids how to stay safe online PAGE 21

Managing stress over the festive season PAGE 11

How to deal with school refusal PAGE 22

All aboard miniature train for a fun day out PAGE 11

Changing the way we think about learning PAGE 23

Kids in the Kitchen PAGE 12

PARTY TIME

Are you ready to get back on the hamster wheel?

PAGE 12 Summer fun at the trots PAGE 13

HEALTH

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.

Young Tarneit leader recognised

PAGE 26

SUMMER 2021-22

PAGE 27

PAGE 27 Sharing a tale of too many toys PAGE 28 Mum’s experience helps acne sufferers PAGE 28

Find your local

DADS GROUP

BOOKS A ‘Wandi’ful book for kids PAGE 29

Great prizes in our

Children’s books PAGE 29

How to deal with

KIDS CALENDAR What’s on this summer PAGE 30

TOY GIVEAWAY SCHOOL REFUSAL Cover Sisters Ella, 9, and Charli, 7, are ready for summer.

Picture: Damjan Janevski

Time to roll up to the party PAGE 24

ENTERTAINMENT New show a wild ride for young viewers PAGE 24

Real insights into picky eating PAGE 14 Vigorous exercise during pregnancy tested PAGE 14

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It’s Your Life

AusMumpreneur Award winner Arpana Patel and her sons Niam, 13, and Neil, 11.

Picture: Damjan Janevski

A tough road to mumpreneur

By Goya Dmytryshchak

“My marriage ended, I basically didn’t have any money.

MARIBYRNONG’S Arpana Patel is one mother of an entrepreneur. She has been named AusMumpreneur Award winner for founding AveSol Accounting Services.

“I was at the verge of bankruptcy because all your money is in mortgage so you didn’t have any spare cash lying around.

The awards were held at an online event with talented mums in business from all over Australia.

“My eldest son is autistic and all my family is in New Zealand so I don’t have any family support.

“I have two boys, 11 and 13 years old,” Arpana said.

“I eventually couldn’t work outside because my eldest son needed me as a carer.”

“I started about six years ago at the verge of a divorce, so I became an overnight entrepreneur with two little kids.

Arpana studied accounting and worked at night to start her own firm.

“The journey was a difficult one but

not impossible but eventually I got there,” she said.

“All my clients are small businesses.

“I think it’s incredible to be standing with all these mums who are running multi-million dollar businesses.

“I always want to inspire women regarding money matters because a lot of women do not take interest in their money matters and when something like divorce happens or some other crisis comes, they don’t know where to get that money or that support.

“I want to really educate women in money matters ... and inspire them to

open up their business whatever their passion is.”

AusMumpreneur Network co-founder Katy Garner said “the awards show the passion of women who want to fulfil their entrepreneurial dreams as well as be great mums”.

“Despite the pandemic, the number of women starting businesses has continued to grow in the last 12 months,” she said.

“We are thrilled to be the No. 1 community for mumpreneurs and proud to showcase the best and the brightest each year through these awards.”

Council offers cashback for reusable nappies

By Goya Dmytryshchak

reusable nappies quickly became easier to use than disposables, with fewer leaks and poo explosions.

HOBSONS Bay parents are being offered a $75 rebate to buy reusable nappies.

“I totally get why most families don’t even consider them but I think it’s one of those things that once you try, you’re quickly converted.

The idea stems from Newport mum Deborah Frenkel, who switched to reusable nappies with her second child.

She made a community budget submission through the Pitch Your Idea program, suggesting the council give parents an incentive to give reusable nappies a go.

“I had heard of other council areas around Australia providing rebates for reusable nappies and figured it would be a good way to help other new families in Hobsons Bay get started with them.”

“When I had my daughter in 2017, we were using disposable nappies and sending piles and piles of disposable nappies to landfill,” she said.

Parents and expectant parents in Hobsons Bay can receive up to $75 off the purchase price of reusable nappies under the reusable nappy rebate trial.

“As an environmentally conscious parent, the idea of a literal mountain of disposable nappies, which last for centuries in landfill, was horrifying.

“When I became pregnant with my 4 SUMMER 2021

Deborah Frenkel with Mika, four, and Raphael, one.

Picture: Damjan Janevski

now one-year-old son, I told myself that we would switch to reusable nappies.

“After using them for a while,

A 2020 Monash University study predicted that by 2025 Hobsons Bay will be using more than 64 million nappies per year.

Hobsons Bay mayor Jonathon

Marsden said switching to two reusable nappies per day would prevent more than 1500 disposable nappies from entering landfill each year.

“Reusable nappies are kinder to the environment and reduce landfill,” he said.

“For many families, the cost of purchasing enough reusable nappies and questioning whether reusable nappies will work for your family and situation, can be a barrier.

“Thanks to the community budget submission through Pitch Your Idea, we are able to offer families incentives as part of a trial program to give reusable nappies a go.”

For more information and to apply, visit www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/ reusablenappyrebate www.KidsWest.com.au

It’s Your Life

Adventure trails in the west

By Melissa Grant ARE you looking for an outdoor adventure close to home?

Gumnut Trails is a new guide to the great outdoors in Melbourne’s West, with five mystery trails and more than 15 adventures for families.

Gumnut Trails is the creation of Flemington mum Christina Carter, who wants to connect people with the amazing places right on their doorstep.

Gumnut Trails actually began as a family project during lockdown as Christina sought new adventures for her three-year-old daughter.

‘We spent our mornings exploring local parks and creating adventures,” she said.

“Afternoons were dedicated to creative writing and illustration. It was the perfect way to fight off the lockdown blues and make sure we connected to something real as a family.”

Aimed at kids aged 2-12, Gumnut Trails ‘Gone Exploring in Melbourne’s West’ is an adventure card set, featuring five mystery trails and journal cards.

The trails are presented as an illustrated comic adventure with two hero characters Ellie and Felix, who tell a story to get your child excited about each park. The trail cards also feature information about the location, including how long you might want to spend there, its length, some fun facts, plus three activities and a main mission to complete. Each card includes an individual QR code that links to a map, extra activities and a picture gallery to help you identify local wildlife.

Brimbank Park is featured, but we can’t say much more as part of the fun is that the trails are a mystery.

Christina and her three-year-old daughter love exploring the outdoors together.

trails and long trails.

When creating Gumnut Trails, Christina drew on her memories of growing up in country Victoria where she enjoyed treasure hunts in local nature reserves, holidays in national parks and epic sandpit excavations.

It was only when Christina was married and raising a young child in inner city Melbourne, without a beach forest or park in sight, that she realised how incredible her childhood was.

Then lockdowns hit and Christina became determined to get her daughter to connect with nature.

The idea, Christina says, is that you simply pick up the adventure guide, choose a trail and go!

“I really wanted to create that connection for her. It’s a bit of a personal mission but maybe an opportunity to connect people a lot more with what’s on our doorstep,” she said.

Each trail is different - there are trails in the forest, trails at the beach, short

“There are amazing spaces where you can go and discover things and

The adventure guide.

when your child is there they can see things that you can’t see.”

Each trail offers a family-friendly adventure.

Gumnut Trails ‘Gone Exploring in Melbourne’s West’ launched in September. The guide is proving popular with 50 copies sold in the first two weeks alone.

She is already working on a guide for Melbourne’s North and has further guides planned for East and South East Melbourne.

Christina said proceeds from each copy would go towards local conservation projects.

To buy a guide, or for more information, visit https://www.gumnuttrails.com. au/

Playgrounds recycled for kids overseas THREE Wyndham playgrounds destined for landfill will bring joy to the children of Manila, thanks to Wyndham council and the Hoppers Crossing Rotary Club.

A Rotary International initiative, the Recycled Playgrounds Program, donates playgrounds earmarked for replacement in a First World nation to underprivileged countries.

Under the program, Hoppers Crossing Rotary Club members have dismantled playgrounds from Flemington Crescent Park in Wyndham Vale, and Powell Drive Park and Central Park in Hoppers Crossing, to ship to the Philippines.

Hoppers Crossing Rotary Club members Len Marshall, Phil Hartcher, Alastair Robinson and Eddie Szatkowski.

Picture: Wyndham council www.KidsWest.com.au

Wyndham’s climate futures and environment portfolio holder, Cr Robert Szatkowski, said the Recycled Playgrounds Program was a great way to repurpose community assets.

“In the past, council would send old playground equipment to landfill,” Cr Szatkowski said.

“This program allows these three Wyndham playgrounds to be utilised for another life cycle as well as saving on landfill and costs associated with their demolition.

Wyndham council will replace the play equipment at all three parks after it has been sent overseas.

“We all know how important it is for children to be outside and active, and we’re thrilled that these playgrounds will bring a smile to the dials of young children in the Manila region.”

When the playgrounds are installed at schools or parks in Manila, a plaque acknowledging Wyndham council’s donation will be placed alongside them.

Cr Szatkowski said the council hopes to donate more playgrounds to the Recycled Playgrounds Program in the future.

SUMMER 2021 5

It’s Your Life

Claire and Beau with their children Jake, Mia and Evie.

Mum’s amazing act to save her son’s life Matching scars... Claire and son Jake.

By Melissa Grant

At the RCH, Claire and her partner Beau met with transplant surgeons and Jake was put on transplant waiting lists in Australia and New Zealand.

SIX-YEAR-OLD Jake Shiels had only two days left on life support when his mum gave him an incredible life-saving gift.

Due to the urgency of the situation, both Claire and Beau underwent tests to see if it was possible one of them could donate part of their liver.

The Victorian boy was battling a mystery virus that had caused his liver to fail and he needed a transplant to have any chance of surviving.

Claire was watching her son on life support when a surgeon called to inform her she was a match.

Time was running out to find a donor when his mum, Claire DeStratis, discovered she was compatible but donating part of her liver meant risking her own life.

“The surgeons said ‘look, one in four you’re going to have a major complication and one in 200 don’t survive the surgery’,” the mum of three said.

“That was probably one of the things that scared me the most. But I knew that Jake was going to get what he needed regardless of anything that happened to me.

The following day she was admitted to the Austin Hospital for a six-hour surgery to retrieve 20 per cent of her liver. Under police escort, the partial liver was then rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital for Jake’s 12-hour transplant surgery.

Jake spent weeks in hospital.

Medical Centre in Clayton.

The youngster’s skin had also turned yellow and blood tests revealed he had a viral hepatitis.

“He wasn’t going to get it any other way because they couldn’t find a donor and they could only keep him on life support for a maximum of five days.”

Two weeks of tests failed to uncover what exactly the virus was, but it was clear that his immune system had begun attacking his liver.

The nightmare ordeal started in February this year, less than two weeks after Jake returned to school.

“They said ‘we are going to have to transport him to the RCH (Royal Children’s Hospital) because his liver is failing. He’s going to be going to the transplant ward and he’s going to need a liver transplant’,” Claire explained.

All of a sudden the usually healthy and happy boy felt extremely ill.

“We thought he had gastro but within 24 hours of him vomiting his eyes turned yellow and I knew that wasn’t normal so I rushed him to our local GP,” Claire recalled.

Claire ended up taking Jake to the emergency department at the Monash 6 SUMMER 2021

“There was no stopping the onslaught of it. There was no minimising the symptoms or anything like that, his liver was failing.

“I watched him deteriorate over 11 days… my heart was just breaking.”

Fortunately Jake responded well to the transplant, with his skin returning to a healthier colour in less than 24 hours.

The entire time, Beau was with Jake while the couple’s daughters Mia and Evie were cared for by their aunt and grandmother. Claire’s workplace rallied to raise over $17,000 while a GoFundMe raised more than $10,000 for the couple.

“Our family and friends showed such great support financially,” Claire said.

“We were able to put all our energy into Jake’s recovery and my recovery without the financial worry.”

Claire spent an entire week laying in a hospital bed wondering how her little boy was faring.

When the pair finally reunited Jake’s face lit up and he proudly pointed to the scar on his stomach.

“I said to him, ‘mum has one too honey’,” Claire said.

Claire has recovered well and it is believed her liver has regrown and returned to its pre-surgery size.

Jake had some complications following his life-saving surgery - his lung collapsed and a blood clot that formed on his liver had to be removed.

After the transplant, it was discovered that Jake’s mystery illness was slapped cheek, a virus he previously caught and fought off but had caused an immune response so heightened it attacked the liver.

Jake will take immunosuppressive medication for the rest of his life and is on a low-fat diet to ensure his liver isn’t under undue pressure.

Apart from that it’s been pretty smooth sailing post-surgery for Jake, who celebrated his 7th birthday in October.

“You look at him today and you wouldn’t even think he has had an organ transplant,” Claire said.

“He is such a good kid and he is such a fighter. Even four of five days after the transplant he was trying to get up and walk… he just took it all in his stride.”

Claire is eternally grateful to the talented surgeons who performed the life saving transplant surgeries.

“Without them and the knowledge they have we wouldn’t be where we are today.

“Jake was operated on for 12 hours, I was operated on for six hours - that’s incredible.

“I can’t thank them enough.”

To register to become an organ and tissue donor, visit donatelife.gov.au www.KidsWest.com.au

12521865-HC49-21

www.KidsWest.com.au

SUMMER 2021 7

It’s Your Life

Fathers not using flexible work WORKPLACE culture and masculine norms are preventing dads from asking for flexible working hours including paid parental leave, new research suggests.

University of South Australia researcher Dr Ashlee Borgkvist has investigated barriers and facilitators for men to access and use flexible work arrangements.

She found that many fathers felt pressure from their organisations not to use flexibility for family reasons, with this sentiment also echoed across societal norms.

Australia has one of the lowest rates of fathers taking paid parental leave.

Dads Groups help dads feel connected.

Group connects dads

By Melissa Grant

child,” he said.

JOINING a mothers group is pretty much a given for new mums.

“Some mums don’t trust the dads. I’ve got group leaders who have told me their partners weren’t comfortable with them going out with the child without them.”

For years, mums have had the opportunity to connect with other new parents in their local area.

Dads haven’t really but that is finally changing.

Dads Groups are popping up all over the country, including in Melbourne’s west.

An organisation called Dads Group is the driving force behind the groups and a number of other initiatives targeted towards fathers.

Their mission is to change the culture of fatherhood for the better, while reducing isolation for new and expectant fathers.

WHO CAN JOIN Victorian State Manager Adam Tardif says all fathers and father figures are welcome.

“Some people have the idea that it’s for dads that are struggling. It’s not. It’s a place for dads to form friendships with other dads in their local community,” he said.

“You don’t have to be the paternal father - you can be a grandfather, uncle, stepfather - anyone who is a father figure.”

However, the dad or father figure must bring their child along.

The catch-ups are generally just a chat over a coffee at a cafe or a playground.

THE BENEFITS Adam says joining a Dads Group allows dad to bond with their child, gives their partner some alone time and makes them ‘learn on the fly’ when it comes to ‘managing situations’.

“It’s common that dads come along with a 3-month-old and it’s the first time they’ve been out alone with their

8 SUMMER 2021

Adam said Dads Groups help dads feel connected, while gaining confidence and enhancing competence in their parenting abilities.

“We allow mums to come by if need be,” he said.

“But they come back and see bub has all their limbs and that baby is okay - they can see that dad can do it.”

Adam says the impact of Dads Group is clear to see and in some cases has been quite profound.

“We have had dads tell us point blank that it has saved their life, saved their marriage, saved their relationship with their children,” he said.

THE STORY BEHIND DADS GROUP The first Dads Group dad is Tom Docking, who started the organisation with wife Kate in 2014 after realising how little support there was for fathers.

Kate fell pregnant a few weeks into the couple’s two-year around the world adventure, sending Tom into shock.

After bubs was born he went searching for support for new dads. He discovered there really wasn’t anything available.

One day he spent time with a couple of other new dads and their babies. It was then he realised what was missing - a place for dads to feel connected in a way that wasn’t clinical and sterile.

DADS GROUP IS GROWING It’s likely you’ll start hearing more about Dads Group. Over the next three years, the organisation is aiming to support at least 10 per cent of new fathers in Dads Groups across Australia - that’s more than 30,000 new fathers!

The organisation has also started

rolling out programs in hospitals, where they are essentially working with midwives running classes for first-time parents.

Adam says this is all about creating change in the health system. He said many slides in parenting classes don’t even mention the word dad.

“Part of the project is we review the slides they are providing and ‘dadifying’ them,” he said.

MAN WITH A PRAM Man With A Pram are local events that bring fathers and families together on Father’s Day for a walk to combat isolation and bring the community together. Anyone can put their hand up to run one - and it doesn’t have to be on Father’s Day. So far, more than 25 of these events have been held across the country.

DIGITAL DADS GROUPS When Covid hit, Dads Group teamed up with their partner Movember to create Digital Dads Groups.

At 10am every day, dads can visit https://www.dadsgroup.org/, click on a Zoom link and connect with any dad across the country. The calls are hosted by an experienced dads group leader and there are usually between four and five dads on each call.

HOW TO FIND YOUR DADS GROUP Visit https://www.dadsgroup.org/ and click on Dads Groups. Scroll down and you’ll find a Google Map where you can search for your closest Dads Group. If there’s none in your local area, you can send a message to Dads Group and they will work with you to start one.

The following groups are listed in Melbourne’s West: Dads of Wyndham, Dads of Melton, Dads of Moorabool, Dads of Footscray and Dads of Yarraville.

You can also follow Dads Group on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/dadsgroupaus

Dr Borgkvist says the low uptake of formal flexible working arrangements by Australian fathers is primarily due to a perceived, and quite often objective, lack of support from workplace managers and colleagues.

“Workplace flexibility is typically accepted as an option for mothers, but when it comes to dads, flexibility is unlikely to be as readily accepted – and in some cases not even considered,” she said.

“Workplace and societal norms play a big role in the lack of flexibility for dads, with many men feeling pressure to conform to stereotypical concepts of the male ‘breadwinner’.”

Dr Borgkvist said while Australia’s national Paid Parental Leave scheme is gender neutral, the stigma of asking for flexibility, along with the need for mothers to utilise the whole Paid Parental Leave period, is limiting its uptake by dads.

“One father I spoke to said he’d stepped back from visiting schools with his wife and child because he felt he’d taken too much time off; another father said he wouldn’t ask for flexibility because he didn’t ‘want to be seen as ‘someone who tries to get out of doing work’.

“So, while the desire and need for flexible work hours is there, it’s being squashed by restrictive workplace cultures. As you can imagine, these ideas around flexible work also have impacts for how women who use flexibility are perceived within workplaces.”

Dr Borgkvist said cultural change was vital.

“Evidence shows that when fathers are provided with wellcompensated, targeted and extended parental leave, they are very likely to take it.”

“Australia is very conservative when it comes to fathers and parental leave. Only when governments and businesses can commit to tangible and practical change will we see flexibility become a real option for Aussie dads.” www.KidsWest.com.au

It’s Your Life

A big change in our dads Parents have realised that children struggle with their ‘big feelings’.

Parenthood - especially for fathers used to be all about ‘control’.

But a new generation is learning it is really about connection, writes STEVE BIDDULPH SOCIAL media is a great gift, for someone like me who lives on an island and is also quite shy. And now I have stopped my life of touring and doing shows for parents around the world, it can be a warm-hearted connection to folks who read my books. These mums and dads are enthusiasts for parenthood and family who think love matters more than fashion, say, or material possessions or ‘success’.

I’ve avoided Instagram or Twitter, but manage two Facebook communities, one for parents of boys, and one for girls - and they are full of life and heart, they really keep me going. I dip into Facebook cautiously, aware it can be like a bush track which you can easily slip off and go careening down through prickly scrub to a rocky landing!

Often my Facebook feed sends me posts from a rather heart-rending page called Dadventure, where mostly American fathers seek help and emotional support from each other as they struggle with the many challenges of kids’ health, behaviour, as well as marriage strife, and making a living while still being a good dad.

It’s such a window into the world of dads, both heart rending and inspiring in about equal amounts. And there is something very striking that you can’t

miss, a kind of watershed moment happening in fatherhood. The old giving way to the new.

Whenever someone posts a question about kids’ misbehaviour, the old guard are there weighing in with things like ‘kids have to know who is the boss’ and ‘my old man taught us respect with his belt, and it worked for me’. I used to work with those dads when I was a family therapist, as they gradually admitted that, well, in fact they hated their dads for most of their childhoods and were noticing that their kids were starting to hate them too.

There is a whole skip bin full of denial inside a great many men, and they are almost buried under it, but one day they do get out.

But most heartening is the number of commenters who have made a very big fundamental shift to realise that parenthood is not about control. It’s not about dominating kids into behaving well by yelling, threatening, hitting or contriving punishments - at least, not as the first line of defence. It’s been one of the greatest leaps forwards in

parenthood that we have realised that children struggle with their ‘big feelings’ and our job is to help them find a way through the frustrations, negotiations, and griefs and fears which every childhood brings, so they can give space to their emotions but express them in words, and not in actions that might hurt those around them or themselves.

Plenty of adults in our generation knew no other way to express their grief or fear than to punch a hole in the gyprock, or walk out and get drunk, or be abusive or horrible to a partner just trying to help. Plenty of readers will have partners who still struggle to be vulnerable and communicate, instead of merely reacting. So we have to urgently help our kids learn these skills.

When our four-year-old or six-year-old goes into a meltdown or misbehaves terribly it takes incredible grace to not just lose it, or yell at them or go all cold and rejecting, but instead to calm ourselves, really connect with them and reassure them that we love them, and we want to help. But I see this all the

time now in parks and shopping malls, and the homes of young friends and family. A child struggling - and a mum, or dad, crouching down, or sitting with them and talking it through. If they will allow it, holding them close. And seeing that child’s feelings subside, and happiness be restored.

It doesn’t mean mollycoddling kids or giving them everything they want, or letting them call the shots. It’s still okay to say, “I am getting cold and bored now, and I want to go home” when they’ve been almost an hour at a freezing playground! Your feelings count too. But being a parent who is committed to teaching their kids - at the peak of their misbehaviour - that we can all find a way through our feelings, is worth more than gold. Who wouldn’t love to have a parent like that?

Visit Steve on Facebook at Steve Biddulph’s Raising Boys, and Steve Biddulph’s Raising Girls communities.

Steve’s books including Raising Boys, The New Manhood, and Fully Human - are in over a million Australian homes. www.stevebiddulph.com

The top things stressing out Aussie teens SCHOOLWORK is the number one cause of stress and worry among Aussie teens, according to a new report.

felt stressed about their schoolwork and 42 per cent cited it as their biggest worry.

cent), what people think or say about them (31 per cent) and missing out on their goals (24 per cent).

Alarmingly the report also reveals that many don’t talk to anyone when they are struggling.

Other causes of stress included: ■ Feeling anxious about what might happen (41 per cent)

The 2021 MyStrengths Youth Wellbeing Report surveyed nearly 10,000 high school students aged 11-18 years to understand how stress, sleep, social media, and relationships are impacting teen mental health.

■ Self-esteem/feeling low (35 per cent)

The report found that many teens weren’t seeking help - professional or otherwise. One in three students (32 per cent) don’t talk to anyone when they are struggling. Teens who do reach out are more likely to turn to a friend (45 per cent) than a parent.

However, 62 per cent said they feel understood by their parents.

The report found 66 per cent of teens www.KidsWest.com.au

■ Friend problems (27 per cent) ■ Family difficulties (27 per cent).

The biggest worries among teens included what they will do in the future (38 per cent), the way they look (34 per

Only per 3 cent of students surveyed

seek support from their teachers at school.

The report also found students who go to bed later are more likely to experience mental health challenges.

The release of the report coincided with the launch of MyStrengths’ Raising Resilience course, a 10-step course designed to turn the tide on teen mental health. The course includes videos and daily challenges for parents to watch with their teens.

SUMMER 2021 9

It’s Your Life

Great summer toy giveaway KIDS Today magazines have teamed up with some great brands to give away a heap of cool toys this summer.

A Wahu pack valued at $139.92 which includes:

To put yourself in the running to win one - or all - of the prizes, visit kidswest. com.au/competitions

■ Wahu Mega Slide 7.5m, RRP $59.99: Kids will love racing down this massive 7.5m super slide. The continuous water spray means you’ll be zooming down the slide and into the plash bumper in no time! Ages 6+

Hurry! Entries close 2 February. Here’s what you can win...

VTech pack valued at $224.80 which includes: ■ Play & Chase Puppy, RRP $49.95: Get playtime on a roll with the interactive Play & Chase Puppy. More than 65 songs, melodies, sounds and phrases help children learn vocabulary words along with lively tunes. Ages 12 months - 3 years.

for an added challenge. Can also be filled with water in its’ base to play on land too! Ages 6+

■ Wahu Hole in Won, RRP $24.95: This inflatable game set includes 1 Hole in Won game board plus 4 sandbags. The waterproof PVC base floats and moves in the water

■ Surfer Dudes Classic, RRP $29.99: Surfer Dudes are the world’s first self-righting, self-surfing toy! Toss your dudes into the surf. They’ll catch and shred the waves, throwing down rippin’ tricks all the way back to you! Ages 6+

■ Blue’s Clues & You Mail Time with Mailbox, RRP $39: Drop the letters in Mailbox and raise his flag to hear phrases from the show. Listen as Mailbox delivers each letter featuring a special message.

Just Play Christmas Pack, valued at $183.99 which includes: ■ Barbie Fashionistas Styling Head, RRP $20: Barbie’s thick flowing hair is perfect for brushing, twisting, and pinning into chic styles! Use the barrettes and hair ties for a fancy up-do; use the brush and hair twists for a sleek top bun!

■ Toot-Toot Friends 2-in-1 Dinosaur Park, RRP $89.95: Get ready for a Dinosaur adventure in this truck which opens up into an amazing Dinosaur Park. Explore the park with the Park Ranger and interact with the dinosaurs.

Place characters onto the MagicPoint location to see them respond with fun phrases, sing-along songs, lively sounds and more. Ages 1-5 years.

■ Disney Junior Minnie Mouse Ring Me Rotary Phone, RRP $24.99: This vibrant pink phone has a glitter bow and features adorable Minnie Mouse phrases, realistic telephone sounds and fun light up effects!

■ Disney Doorables Puffables, RRP $20: Discover this fun unboxing experience which includes a 10-inch squishable plush Stitch, Frozen or Mickey Mouse plush hidden inside a tiny house with characters featuring signature Doorables stylised detailing and sparkly glitter eyes.

■ Disney Doorables Multi Peek Pack x2, RRP $15ea: Discover the Magic Key to reveal a secret image behind the door. Use the key to search and find how many Hidden Mickeys are in the image!

■ Play & Go Puppy Salon, RRP $49.95: Open the pet carrier to groom your pup. Lights and sound effects enrich playtime as you pretend to wash, comb, dry and clip this soft pup. Ages 2-5 years.

■ Switch & Go Dinos Smash & Crash Crew, RRP $34.95: Stomp into the cool, crazy world of prehistoric creatures that turn into vehicles with the Smash & Crash Crew! Crash the Switch & Go Dinos into another one to see them explode with smash-andcrash light effects. Ages 3-8 years.

10 SUMMER 2021

■ Wahu Pool Pets Croc, RRP $24.99: Kids will love these awesome new inflatable pool racers in bright funky Wahu colours. Perfect for racing up and down the pool or try and balance on them.

■ CoComelon Stacking Train, RRP $50: Children can get their numbers, shapes, and colours right on track with the CoComelon Stacking Train. Each big, colourful block features numbers 0-9. Use the blocks to build a train with this 40-piece construction set.

Spark curiosity and get kids ‘zooming’ in on nature (think leaves, flowers, feathers and insects) with this super portable, hand-held microscope.

Osmo Math Wizard and the Fantastic Food Truck valued at $99.99 The newest release from STEAM toy experts Osmo, this is a geometry-focused game that introduces kids to core maths concepts like angles, area and volume. Combining digital gameplay with active, hands-on learning, Osmo’s Math Wizard helps children build confidence in their maths skills through imagination, reasoning and exploration. Players become chefs who use kitchen appliances and a dash of magic to customize dishes, from pizza to sushi, sandwiches, pastries and more!

■ Paper Binoculars - Bird Spotter, RRP $12: Make your own set of paper binoculars, then head outside for all manner of feathered discoveries in the backyard or local park.

Tiger Tribe Nature Explorer Activity Pack valued at $100 ■ Outdoor Activity Set - Back to Nature, RRP $25: Jam packed with engaging activities, hands-on projects, a handy magnifying glass, coloured chalk and notetaking pencil, this kit encourages observation and interaction with nature.

■ Explorer Microscope Set, RRP $35:

■ Bug Spotter Kit, RRP $13: Designed to safely catch and release garden creepy crawlies (and observe them up close with the magnifying lid), this kit comes with an illustrated activity book providing bug tips and best places to spot.

■ Magic Painting World - Aussie Animals, RRP $15: Use the magic paintbrush to discover a bunch of cute Aussie animals. Simply add water to bring them to life with every brush-stroke.

Products are part of Tiger Tribe’s charity partnership with the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife (FNPW). www.KidsWest.com.au

It’s Your Life

Managing stress over the festive season

By Melissa Grant CHRISTMAS can be stressful enough at the best of times.

In the midst of a global pandemic, the festive season can feel pretty overwhelming for families.

Perhaps you are daunted about the prospect of catching up with family and friends after spending much of the year in isolation.

You may also be rushing around to find gifts as lockdown made it hard to start Christmas shopping early.

Finances could be tight, while travel difficulties may mean you are separated from family members.

If you’ve recently lost a loved one, then the festive season can amplify feelings of grief and loneliness.

If there are tensions within your family, the prospect of catching up for Christmas lunch can leave you feeling pretty anxious.

So while the festive season comes with expectations of fun family gettogethers, the reality can be entirely different.

It’s important to be aware of signs of stress. This includes being irritable, short-tempered, experiencing headaches or an upset stomach, difficulties sleeping, tension in your jaw or shoulders, lack of concentration, and fatigue or extreme tiredness.

Here are some great tips from Relationships Australia Victoria to help manage stress through the holiday season: ■ Organise yourself: Schedule time for exercise, relaxation, cooking and eating meals, and plan to complete certain tasks on certain days. These routines can be reassuring as they make life more predictable. Also plan time for the additional things you need to do, such as gift shopping and wrapping, and catch-ups.

■ Have reasonable expectations: Re-evaluate what you can reasonably get done before the holiday. This might mean deferring a catch-up, minimising the amount of cooking you might do, or asking family members for help. By reviewing your goals, the lead up to the holiday may be more enjoyable.

■ Give yourself positive feedback: Tell yourself that you can cope, and that you will complete the things you need to do to the best of your ability.

Avoid negative self-talk, including statements such as ‘I can’t do this’, or ‘I can’t cope with this.’

■ Connect with people you care about: Spend time with friends and loved ones who will listen to and understand you. Share your thoughts and feelings with people who care about you and may be able to support you. If you’re physically distanced from loved ones, try reaching out over the phone or online, or joining a social group in your local area.

■ Take time out: Regularly do something that is just for you. This might involve going for a short walk, listening to music, having a coffee at a cafe or at home, watching TV, reading, napping, talking to a friend, having a special treat or gardening.

■ Practice relaxation: Try meditation, progressive muscle relaxation or yoga to take your mind off your stress.

■ Exercise: Exercise can have a

positive effect on your emotional health and wellbeing. Try to exercise for at least 15 to 30 minutes, three days per week. If you’re finding this difficult, aim for a daily 10-minute walk. The short break can help to refresh and re-energise you.

■ Eat a balanced diet: It can be tempting to indulge during the holidays. Try to maintain a healthy diet by including lots of fruits and vegetables. Also try to minimise foods high in fat and sugar, and avoid depending on cigarettes, alcohol or drugs to cope with stress.

■ Rest: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Rest your eyes as well as your mind, particularly when spending time looking at computer screens or smart devices.

If you need support, talk to your GP or seek support from a counsellor. You can find a counsellor by visiting www.rav. org.au/counselling For crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can also find mental health support services open over the holiday period by visiting www.rav.org.au/ resources/mental-health-services

All aboard miniature train for a fun day out

By Melissa Grant

overlooking Port Phillip Bay.

TOOT toot!

The train does two laps of the track in eight to nine minutes.

There’s plenty of fun to be had too, with a children’s adventure playground part of the attraction.

It’s all aboard Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway this summer.

“The kids get a great thrill,” Mr Coleman said.

There is also a kiosk, plus sheltered BBQs, toilets and ample parking.

The railway is getting back on track after Covid lockdowns, offering families a fun and low-cost day out on Sundays.

The miniature railway operates every Sunday from 11am-4pm throughout the summer months - it is a fun familyfriendly attraction to experience while visiting the Bellarine.

The railway’s summer season began on 3 October and will last until June.

Mr Coleman is hopeful many people will be able to enjoy the railway over the holidays, following a spate of closures due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Tickets for adults and children are $4 each. Family passes and seasonal tickets are also available.

Located on the foreshore with stunning bayside views, the railway is a unique attraction.

Although the miniature railway has been operating since 1999, some families in Geelong and the West don’t even know it exists.

That’s why Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway Inc vice-president Brian Coleman is getting the word out.

“It’s the only miniature railway situated by a foreshore in Australia,” he said. www.KidsWest.com.au

Lauren, Olivia, Saacha and Nicholas Hyland enjoy a day out at the Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway.

Picture: Louisa Jones

“Come on down and have some fun.”

The railway stretches 1.2km and is situated on eight hectares of open picturesque and native parklands and

He said the railway is entirely run by volunteers, with any revenue ploughed into upkeep or expansion and, at times, donated to charity.

“We don’t pay anybody, we are not out to make a quid,” Mr Coleman said.

“We are out to make fun!”

In winter, the train only runs on the first and third Sundays of the month between the hours of 11am and 3pm.

The railway is located is situated within the grounds of the Portarlington Bayside Family Park, Corner Point Richards and Boat Roads, Portarlington.

For more information, visit https:// miniaturerailway.com.au/ or check out Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway Inc on Facebook.

SUMMER 2021 11

It’s Your Life

The finished product.

Herb and feta quinoa patties Makes: 20 Prep time: 10 mins + 1 hour Cook time: 20 mins Ingredients: ■ 2 ½ cups pre-cooked quinoa ■ ½ cup rolled oats ■ 4 free range eggs ■ 180g feta cheese Lucy Stewart in the kitchen with her son Otis.

Pictures: Studio 74 Photography

■ 4 shallots ■ 1 cup chopped fresh herbs – parsley, dill and mint work well

Kid-friendly patties DID you know herbs can pack in just as much nutrition as vegetables? Just like green leafy vegetables, fresh herbs are a good source of vitamins A, C and K and contain polyphenols – powerful plant compounds that have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Herbs are also alkalising and help support the bodies natural detoxification processes.

Growing herbs is a great way to help kids understand where their food comes from and research shows that children who are involved in the preparation of their food – especially vegetables – develop a more positive attitude

i th in the kitchen with Lucy Stewart

towards, and preferences for, those foods. You don’t need a big garden to grow them in either, just a few pots on the window sill will do.

Some of my favourite herbs for kids to grow include: mint, basil, dill, chives and parsley. Their fragrance and mild versatile flavours mean kids can happily pick, smell and eat the leaves raw or sprinkle them over some of their favourite dishes - even just a small amount goes a long way to giving them a nutritional boost.

These little herb and feta quinoa patties are full of freshness and make a great lunchbox addition or vegetarian burger option. Quinoa is high in protein and fibre, two important nutrients that work to keep kids tummies feeling fuller for longer and their energy levels stable.

■ Zest of half a lemon ■ Olive oil for frying Instructions: 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked quinoa, oats, eggs, feta cheese, chopped herbs, shallots and lemon zest and mix together until everything is well combined. Place in the fridge to set for one hour.

2. Using a tablespoon of mixture, form 20 small patties with your hands.

3. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the patties and fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

4. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to five days.

Lucy Stewart is a mum who is nutritionist specialising in babies and kids health, and a recipe developer.

You can find more of her recipes at https://lucystewartnutrition.com

Are you ready to get back on the hamster wheel?

By Julie Cliff - professional organiser

IF you’re a working mum in Victoria there is no doubt you have been juggling a lot of things during the various lockdowns over the past 18 months: remote learning, your own paid work, keeping everyone fed, bathed and clothed. It’s a lot to do in the confines of your own home with very little outside help.

As we venture out again, I ask you to think about how you are spending your time now and take stock. By taking stock of where you are at and keeping one eye on the future (where you’d like to get to), you can start to put things in place to organise the life you want.

Take stock of the things you are juggling.

12 SUMMER 2021

As you go through each day, take stock of all the things you’re juggling.

■ How many hours are you working each week and how much ‘me time’ are you scheduling?

■ Are you spending time on meal planning?

■ How much exercise are you squeezing in each day?

your tasks and priorities and leave the office on time? Or do you need to get a new job?

■ Want to work more from home?

■ Want to eat healthier food by creating a set of four to six weekly meal plans?

■ Who’s doing the home chores and when are they done?

■ Want to spend more time with specific people?

Get it in the diary.

Plan now for the future Are you ready to get back on the hamster wheel? Do you want things to go back to ‘normal’ and run around like a headless chook or do you want to make some changes?

■ Want to get the family involved in running the household? Say no when someone tells you it’s your job. Have a detailed discussion now about who does what.

Now is an amazing opportunity for you to organise the life you want. With a clear picture of how you want your future to look, you can make a plan with systems and processes to support your ‘new’ future.

What next?

Among all your juggling now, have one eye on the future. Start to create the systems around you at home to support the life you want to live.

Space and Time which helps busy working mothers live easier, far less stressful lives through simple, easy to implement organising systems to clear the clutter - both mentally and physically. Sound familiar?

■ Want to work shorter hours? Do you need to work smarter or be clearer on

Need help?

Julie Cliff is a professional organiser at

Julie would love to hear from you via info@spaceandtime.com.au

Now is a great time to take stock of your life before getting back on the hamster wheel.

www.KidsWest.com.au

It’s Your Life

Take the family to the trots this summer.

and female drivers guiding the sulkies around the track. Kids can then get closer to the action by visiting the stables and parade ring.

With regular updates about the very popular free kids activities at racing events, school holiday shows, competitions, giveaways and meal specials for the kids in the Popular Alm Bistro, the Kids Club is the perfect way for kids to feel included. When you next visit, ask the friendly staff how your kids can join so they don’t miss out.

There is plenty of fun for the kids at Tabcorp Park this summer.

Summer fun at the trots HOME to Harness Racing in Victoria, Tabcorp Park is a unique and modern venue featuring a spacious bistro, indoor playground, function centre and Mantra Hotel.

is buzzing with excitement as the venue’s major events commence showcasing premium racing, with an array of free activities available for the entire family.

With luscious lawns that overlook the picturesque Harness Racing track, it is the perfect place to spend some quality time with the whole family.

The famous New Year’s Eve event is one to mark down in the calendar.

Featuring loads of activities, entertainment and the best fireworks display in the west, Tabcorp Park will be the place to be to say goodbye to 2021.

As the weather warms up, the venue

In 2022, the venue’s three day Summer of Glory carnival, running on 29 January and 4-5 February will feature vibrant colour, summer fun and adrenaline filled racing: it’s an event not to be missed.

Kids will be thrilled with how close they can get to the horses on a race night. With the track adjacent to the main lawn, they can watch as the horses race past with dedicated male

The Pony Trots program, designed for children aged six to 16 years old, is a great way for the kids 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 improve their skills. For more information about how to be involved in Pony Trots or when they will be racing, visit www.ponytrotsvic.com.au With so much fun for adults, kids and the family Tabcorp Park is the place to be for racing, entertainment and more.

Tabcorp Park is located at 2 Ferris Road, Melton. For enquiries, phone (03) 8746 0600 or visit www.tabcorppark. com.au

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SUMMER 2021 13

Health

USC PhD student Laine Chilman sharing a meal with her children.

Real insights into picky eating

By Melissa Grant

a picky eater.

PICKY eating is something many parents deal with.

Furthermore, firstborns seemed to have a higher likelihood of being a picky eater. This is something that rings true for Ms Chilman - her eldest son is picky when it comes to food.

When your child rejects a substantial amount of food it can be frustrating and cause you to worry about their nutritional intake.

“I think it’s different when it’s the first (born) because you have more time to make alternate meals and I wonder if I did a few things that weren’t perfect,” the mother of three said.

So, why does a child become a picky eater and is there anything you can do to get them to eat a greater variety of food?

“With the other two it was more like this is what we are having.”

New research from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) has identified the most common external factors that increase and decrease the likelihood of picky eating in children under the age of 10.

likelihood of picky eating.

USC student and academic Laine Chilman reviewed 80 health industry studies, largely based on parents’ reporting of their children’s picky eating, for her PhD paper ‘Picky Eating in Children’.

On the flip side, the most commonly reported external factors that decrease the likelihood of picky eaters are family meals, responsive parents, and involving the child in the preparation of food.

Her research found that authoritarian parenting, rewards for eating and pressuring a child to eat were external factors that appear to increase the

The study also found that a child’s personality and increased sensitivity, particularly to taste and smell, were the most common internal features of

USC PhD student Laine Chilman.

Ms Chilman said picky eating was an umbrella term for consistent behaviours such as rejecting substantial amounts of food based on texture, novelty or appearance, with associated practical or psychological impacts for parents/caregivers.

She said the papers she researched noted that picky eating tended to be a toddler-appropriate behaviour.

“Developmentally, they are learning different rules of the world but they are also quite protective - they don’t like change,” she said.

“It’s quite developmentally

appropriate. The concern is if it keeps going.”

So what are the things you can do to help address the issue?

Ms Chilman suggests finding a time for the family to have dinner together and getting picky eaters involved in food preparation.

Although she added that this was easier said than done as these things take time, which many families don’t have a lot of.

The aim of her study is to help families with mealtimes.

“I hope my research provides insights that help support – not blame – parents, caregivers and health professionals,” she said.

Ms Chilman, who has worked as a nurse and occupational therapist, is continuing her PhD on picky eating.

The findings of Ms Chilman’s PhD paper, with co-authors from USC, the University of South Australia and The University of Queensland, have been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Vigorous exercise during pregnancy tested COULD Pilates and weightlifting prevent pre-eclampsia?

The Australian Catholic University is launching a study looking into vigorous exercise in pregnancy.

The study is investigating how resistance training and other activities impact vascular function during each trimester.

Its findings could expose as a myth the notion that breaking into a sweat poses a risk to expectant mums and babies in the later stages of pregnancy.

“Fitspo mums pushing their bodies right up to delivery can create quite a stir but our own published research has shown appropriate vigorous physical activity is perfectly safe for mum and bub,” PhD candidate Courtney Giles said.

14 SUMMER 2021

“We aim to take that a step further to look at the effects of exercise on both healthy and clinical populations.

Women experience massive physical changes during pregnancy and we’re looking to see if a workout may be beneficial in preventing the onset of pre-eclampsia.”

In the study, participants will have their blood pressure, arterial stiffness and foetal heartrate recorded to test the hypothesis that high intensity exercise could be as beneficial in pregnancy as it is in other populations.

“There are numerous benefits to continuing exercise in pregnancy but we’d like to know more about how much and how intense so we can give the right advice,” Ms Giles said.

A study is investigating whether weightlifting and Pilates could prevent pre-eclampsia. www.KidsWest.com.au

Active Kids

Time for Aussie teens to get active

By Melissa Meehan A new study has revealed Australian teens are some of the least active in the world.

The study, published in The Lancet, ranked Aussie kids 140th out of 146 countries for physical activity.

And in 2018, a physical activity report card have Australian kids a D-minus for overall physical activity levels.

It found that only one in 10 Australian adolescents meet the World Health Organisation’s guidelines for daily physical activity.

When comparing differences in genders, boys were more than twice as likely to meet the physical activity recommendations than girls (21 per cent compared to 9 per cent), with girls citing a number of personal barriers to

participating in physical activity, the most common being feeling selfconscious when undertaking physical activity.

recommended guidelines.

Girls were around twice as likely to note feeling self-conscious, with 30 per cent of girls reporting this, compared to only 16 per cent of males feeling this way.

“Being physically active reduces the risk of unhealthy weight gain and reduces the risk of developing 13 different types of cancer later in life including endometrial, breast and bowel cancer so we really want to see as many teens as possible setting up good exercise habits while they are young.”

When looking at reasons for being physically active, girls were more likely than boys to report weight management as a reason, with 77 per cent of girls reporting this compared to 73 per cent of boys.

“Physical activity in teenage years sets up good habits for your adult years,” she said.

The Cancer Council of Australia called on increased support for younger Australians to get active.

Ms Hughes continued, “When we look at the combined cohort, over half (52 per cent) said a lack of physical activity options in school was a barrier and almost as many (48 per cent) said they were too far from school to walk or ride.”

Clare Hughes, Chair of Cancer Council’s national Nutrition and Physical Activity Committee said very few young people are meeting the

The study was based on 298 schoolbased surveys from 146 countries including 1.6 million students aged 11-17.

Aussie kids are lagging behind when it comes to physical activity.

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SUMMER 2021 15

Education

World of pathways for students CAROLINE Chisholm Catholic College offers multiple pathways and opportunities for its students to achieve academic success in a range of areas.

flexibility and choice in a wide range of core and elective subjects. Select students can extend their learning and study Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Vocational Education and Training (VET) subjects at Year 10.

This includes the Aspire program at Years 7 to 9, a wide subject range in VCE, VET and VCAL and the college’s Encore music program. An Advanced Learning Program (ALP) at Years 10 to 11 allows students to excel, with some students able to complete a university unit in Year 12.

Aspire: Years 7 to 9 Aspire enables dedicated and highachieving students to be challenged, providing a pathway that meets their specific needs.

The program is designed for students who share a particular passion for and commitment to learning, have exceptional abilities across multiple disciplines and are highly motivated to reach their full potential.

VCE, VCAL and VET The College offers more than 50 VCE subjects at Years 11 and 12.

Academically inclined students can study university subjects while still at school.

Caroline Chisholm Catholic College offers more than 50 VCE subjects at Years 11 and 12.

world learning and problem solving ■ Links with international stakeholders and networking ■ Team teaching ■ Development of a folio of learning ■ Peer assessment

Aspire students can be working 6-12 months ahead of students not in the program and are encouraged to go on to VCE and university subjects ahead of schedule.

■ External competitions and experiences

Aspire students learn through: ■ Investigation, inquiry and higherorder thinking

Year 10 Year 10 is designed to strengthen students’ ability to plan their future pathways with a structure that allows

■ Authentic tasks that involve real-

Aspire is accessed by invitation on the basis of academic testing and an application process in Grade 6.

The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is an alternative pathway which runs parallel to the VCE. A hands-on option for Year 11 and 12 students, it provides practical, work-related experiences. The robust VCAL program is supported by dedicated teachers and collaboration partnerships.

Also offered are Vocational Educational and Training (VET) units, designed to deliver workplace specific skills and knowledge basedcompetencies. Students undertaking VET units can gain a nationally recognised qualification and achieve credits towards completion of their VCE or VCAL program.

Students have the chance to study VET units off-campus at local registered training organisations such as TAFEs,

universities or another secondary college.

Music Caroline Chisholm Catholic College believes that learning to play an instrument and appreciating music is important for all students. The school’s courses are designed to give students a meaningful and fulfilling introduction to the art of performing, listening and composing. Learning a musical instrument has been shown to improve academic achievement, problem solving skills, communication skills, self-management, memory and teamwork skills.

Along with its extensive music program, which includes classroom music, instrumental music lessons as well as ensemble and band opportunities, the college also offers students a specialised Encore program that runs for two years, beginning in Year 7. This is a unique program that allows students who already learn or have learnt an instrument to focus on learning an orchestral instrument, being tutored by specialist music teachers on their selected instruments.

Caroline Chisholm Catholic College is located at 65 & 204 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook. For more information, phone (03) 9296 5311 or visit www.cccc.vic. edu.au

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16 SUMMER 2021

www.KidsWest.com.au

Education Copperfield College offers a huge range of course options, with senior students given the choice of 37 VCE subjects and 33 VET subjects.

The school community’s diversity is also a strength, with families coming from many different countries.

Community Liaison staff work closely with families, providing translations and information sessions in community languages. This brings a richness and vibrancy to the college as community members live out the school’s values every day.

Copperfield College also has a two-year scholarship program for students starting Year 7. There are three areas; Academic Excellence, Performing Arts and Leadership/ Community Scholarships. Students who demonstrate excellence in their field are encouraged to apply as this is a wonderful opportunity to be supported in playing to their strengths. Information is available on the school’s website.

Copperfield College empowers ‘every student to aspire and achieve’

All bases covered at Copperfield College COPPERFIELD College’s mission is to ‘empower every student to aspire and achieve,’ with the key word being ‘every’.

The college thrives under the values of Collaboration, Inclusiveness and Growth, and embraces all learners into the Copperfield family. With a focus on knowing that every student can learn,

progress and create opportunities for themselves and others, Copperfield encourages its students by investing in people to provide wraparound support for each child.

With home group teachers, team leaders, campus leaders, campus principals, wellbeing staff, expert literacy, numeracy and EAL teachers,

Copperfield College’s motto is ‘one family, three homes.’ Once students become part of the Copperfield family, they are nurtured until they realise their potential and leave the college as well rounded, caring citizens with a positive life pathway.

pathways staff and staff who support extracurricular activities, as well as expert classroom teachers.

Copperfield College student survey data reflects its success, with data being in the top quartile of the state for teacher-student relations, safety, not experiencing bullying, motivation and interest, and high expectations.

With three locations, Copperfield College has Years 7 to 10 campuses in Sydenham and Kings Park, and senior students have the choice of completing VCE, VET or VCAL at the Copperfield College Year 11 to 12 campus in Delahey.

For more information, visit www. copperfieldcollege.vic.edu.au or email copprfield.co@edumail.vic.gov.au

12518708-JW49-21

“Empowering every student to aspire and achieve” Book a tour of our College by visiting our website www.copperfieldcollege.vic.edu.au Junior School - Year 7-10 Kings Park Junior Campus Kambalda Circuit Kings Park 3021 Phone: 9365 4111 | Fax: 9365 4999

Copperfield College Sydenham Campus Community Hub, Sydenham 3037 Phone: 9361 3888 | Fax: 9361 3899

Senior School Year 11-12 - VCE, VET, VCAL Delahey Senior Campus | College Administration Goldsmith Avenue Delahey 3037 Phone: 9307 5555 | Fax: 9307 5444

Email: copperfield.co@education.vic.gov.au | Website: copperfieldcollege.vic.edu.au www.KidsWest.com.au

SUMMER 17 I acknowledge the traditional Aboriginal owners of this land, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present and2021 emerging.

Education

Students spoiled for choice Sunbury Downs College offers students the choice of VCE, VET and VCAL to best suit their passions and skills.

SUNBURY Downs College is an evergrowing co-educational school with extremely capable and professional staff and a wide range of subjects for students to choose from.

With approximately 700 students, Sunbury Downs College offers VCE as well as Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) programs to suit a wide variety of students’ needs.

“Our curriculum program has a strong emphasis on each of the eight domain areas: English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Visual and Performing Arts, Technology, Languages (Italian) and

Physical Education and Health,” says college Principal Warwick Beynon.

The college is also the only secondary school in the region to offer an Accelerated Curriculum and Enrichment (ACE) program for academically gifted students, extending their skills and abilities across a challenging curriculum with the possibility of an early introduction to VCE. With a strong focus on student health and wellbeing, Sunbury Downs College is proactively taking steps toward supporting students in an accessible and comfortable environment, with the introduction of a part-time mental

health professional in late 2020.

“We have a student wellbeing team that includes a full-time youth worker, a college chaplain for pastoral care, a team leader and an adolescent health school nurse on site two days per week,” says Principal Beynon.

“Our Learning Support team and Inclusion Coordinator also advocate and support students, whilst teams of teachers work in collaboration with school staff to provide a learning environment that embraces and supports individual student needs.”

The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and an

interschool sporting program. With year level and specialised camps and excursions, including an overseas Italian Study Tour, students have a huge range of opportunities to discover their passion at Sunbury Downs College.

“I recommend contact with the school to obtain further information, and I look forward to many more joining our community,” concludes Principal Beynon.

Sunbury Downs College is located at 148-174 Mitchells Lane, Sunbury. For more information or to book a tour, visit www.sunburydowns.vic.com.au or phone (03) 9744 0500.

Sunbury Downs College ‘Confidence to Achieve’ • VCE results consistently at or above state average • A safe, inclusive and secure learning environment • Supporting student’s wellbeing by understanding the needs of each child

• Recently modernised & upgraded facilities • Accelerated Curriculum & Enrichment (ACE) program • Students are known and cared for as individuals

Our work is underpinned by our College values:

Respect | Resilience | Ambition | Community A co-educational school with dedicated teachers who implement innovative ideas to stimulate learning Contact 9744 0500 or sunbury.downs.sc@education.vic.gov.au

18 SUMMER 2021

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148-174 Mitchells Lane, Sunburywww.KidsWest.com.au VIC 3429

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 O F E D U C AT I O N

Scholarships available now AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF EDUCATION – CAROLINE SPRINGS CAMPUS is now offering scholarships for students entering Year 11 in 2022 and 2023.

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The Scholarship is designed to recognise academic strengths, enhance enthusiasm in learning and to extend leadership talents. * Terms and conditions apply.

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Contact: no@aia.vic.edu.au to register your interest

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www.KidsWest.com.au

SUMMER 2021 19

Education

Preparing for prep There are steps you can take at home to prepare your child for Prep.

By Melissa Grant

exact,” she said.

STARTING school is a major milestone in a child’s life and a major transition.

“Walk them through the routine - the night time routine including getting ready their school uniform, lunch box, drink bottle.

So how do you best prepare your child for Prep?

Deakin University parenting expert Dr Elizabeth Westrupp says there are steps parents can take now to help with the transition.

Dr Westrupp, a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in Deakin’s Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development (SEED), says that while most kids are very adaptable, it’s important parents exude a “calm confidence” and happily answer any question their child may have about school.

Here, Dr Westrupp shares her top tips for helping the transition go more smoothly: ■ Talk about school: Kids are usually pretty excited about going to school, but it is helpful for parents to talk about what happens at school. Dr Westrupp says parents should explain what going to school is all about.

“Talk about a typical day in school, it doesn’t have to be perfect or

“As a parent you want to set your child’s expectations so there aren’t many surprises on the day.”

She says it’s also important to talk, in an age-appropriate way, about any questions or worries your child may have about starting school.

“Some children tend to worry about things. Give your child a base to chat about anything that’s on their mind.

“The way parents respond is how it shapes the child. If they are calm and confident that will reassure children. It’s really important that kids start with some enthusiasm so making it sound exciting, a positive, exciting thing.”

Mark the milestone with a celebration and/or take some photos of your child in their uniform before you take them to school for the first time.

■ Get your child involved: As your child’s first day of school approaches, get your child involved and make it

fun. Dr Westrupp says it’s a good idea to get your child involved in preparing everything for their first day. This includes their school uniform/outfit, deciding what will be in their first lunchbox and what is going in their school bag.

“When kids are involved in planning it makes it more fun and makes them more confident,” she said.

■ Make adjustments to sleep: Over the summer holidays, many families relax bedtimes and routines. Dr Westrupp says it’s helpful if you give your child a week or two to adapt to the school routine before they actually start. This means getting up early or setting a time to wake up.

“I suggest families set an alarm clock at the time their kids need to wake at school time, at least a week beforehand,” she said.

Although kids may be grumpy to start with, it should only last a few days.

■ Practice concentration: Learning in a classroom requires long periods of concentration.

“It might be good in those couple

of weeks before school getting them to do some reading, sitting down and doing shared book reading, puzzles, artworks and writing letters, ” Dr Westrupp said.

You should also explain to your child that in school they will have to listen to what their teacher wants them to do and sit for periods of time.

■ Nutrition: You need to make sure you are providing your child with the right fuel as nutrition is important for brain development. Dr Westrupp says to keep nutrition simple with healthy foods like sandwiches and fruits.

■ Prepare for a tired child: When a child starts school, their little brains do so much as it’s a big transition.

“The new rules, the way classrooms work is quite a jump from kindergarten which is play-based,” Dr Westrupp said.

“Most kids will be a bit more grumpy at home because home is the safe space, so they can let their feelings out at home.”

This means you will have to be a little more patient and gentle with your child, and make sure they go to bed on time.

What to consider when selecting child care ■ Do your preferred options have waitlists? Are there spots on the days you require care for? How early can you drop your child off and how late can you pick them up?

By Melissa Grant THE new year is a popular time for parents to enrol their children in child care.

■ How much will it cost? Are you eligible for the Child Care Subsidy?

Providers will be able to advise you of their fees and you’ll need to check how much child care subsidy you are eligible for.

Mums and dads may be going back to work or study, need occasional care or want their child to start spending time in an educational setting.

Whatever the reason, there is a lot to consider when you have decided to put your little one in child care.

■ Is your child up to date with their immunisations? To get the child care subsidy, your child must meet immunisation requirements.

Firstly, you need to determine what kind of care is appropriate for your circumstances.

■ Have you submitted your child care subsidy claim with Centrelink? Be sure to do this early as it can take time to process. The government pays the subsidy directly to your child care provider to reduce the fees you pay.

Should you enrol your child in a long day care centre, find a family day care service or consider hiring a nanny?

The answer will depend on how many hours of care you require, your child’s needs and, perhaps, your financial situation.

Then there’s the process of finding a suitable child care option and applying for the child care subsidy.

When arranging care for your child, here’s what you should consider: ■ How many hours of care do you need?

20 SUMMER 2021

Child care... there are a lot of things to consider and arrange before enrolling your child in a child care service.

■ Do you want your child cared for at a centre or in a home environment?

■ Do you need care that’s close to home or work? What options are there in the area?

■ What are the quality ratings of the child care services you are considering? You can check the quality ratings at the Starting Blocks website https://www.startingblocks. gov.au/find-child-care

■ What will you have to pack when you send your child to child care?

Does the service provide nappies and food? How many changes of clothes do they recommend?

For more information about the child care subsidy, visit https://www. servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/ services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy www.KidsWest.com.au

Education

Child care fee relief comes early

By Melissa Grant FAMILIES with two or more kids in child care will get fee relief earlier than expected.

Child care subsidies for second and subsequent children will be increased to as high as 95 per cent from 7 March, four months before what was promised.

A family earning $110,000 a year with two kids in care, four days a week, for example, will be better off by around $100 each week.

The annual $10,655 Child Care Subsidy (CCS) cap will also be scrapped on 10 December and applied retrospectively for the current financial year.

This means families earning more than $190,015 a year will no longer have to worry about paying full fees when their cap for each child runs out.

Education Minister Alan Tudge said the changes would ease pressure on working families and encourage more parents into work.

The changes were due to start on 11 July 2022, but the federal government says the necessary technical changes will be completed sooner.

“Removing the cap and increasing subsidies means more parents, particularly mothers, can return to work or take on more hours if they choose to,” he said.

Families with two or more children aged five years and under in care will have their CCS rate increased by 30 per cent for their second child and any younger children, up to a maximum rate of 95 per cent.

It’s estimated the overhaul will benefit 250,000 families, with the average saving $2200 a year on child care fees.

“Importantly, our support is targeted to those who need it most. We are reducing the out-of-pocket child care costs which really add up when you have two, three or more children in care.”

The child care fee relief will be delivered in time for the federal

election, which must be held by 21 May next year.

While Mr Tudge has insisted the government would bring forward the changes if possible, Labor claims the move is political.

Labor’s early childhood education spokesperson Amanda Rishworth said the policy was a “dud” and that Labor had a better plan for child care that would benefit 750,000 families.

“Labor’s plan that really is a wholesale reform, helping 97 per cent of families, and the Liberal Party’s plan that really only helps a minority for that short time when families have two or three children in care,” she said.

Schools teaching kids how to stay safe online ALMOST a third of all Australian schools are using quality online safety education providers endorsed by the federal online safety regulator.

interest in the educational programs, which have the the eSafety tick of approval.

“In the last financial year, 2772 schools - or about 29 per cent of all Australian schools - had at least one session from a Trusted eSafety Provider,” she said.

It’s an encouraging statistic given reports of cyberbullying continue to surge during the pandemic.

The Trusted eSafety Provider program, which is run by the eSafety Commissioner, helps schools find providers of evidence-based and curriculum-aligned online safety education programs.

“The majority of the participants in the programs have been students but parents and teachers have also taken part in the programs to learn about such topics as cyberbullying, imagebased abuse, and respectful online relationships.”

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said lockdowns and the pandemic have led Australian children to spend more time online than ever before.

“As many Australians are forced online for their work and education during the pandemic, eSafety has seen a rise in reports about cyberbullying and other online harms,” Ms Inman Grant said.

“Research released earlier this year found that 44 per cent of teens had a negative online experience in the six months to September 2020.

Additionally, 3 in 10 children had been www.KidsWest.com.au

Online safety... nearly a third of all Australian schools are using quality online safety education providers endorsed by the federal online safety regulator.

contacted by a stranger online.”

something doesn’t feel right.

Ms Inman Grant said it is vital that schools teach their students how to stay safe with online strategies. These strategies include being an ‘upstander’ when they see bullying online and knowing how to seek help when

“Providers endorsed by the Trusted eSafety Provider program can work with schools to educate students about these topics,” she said.

Ms Inman Grant said it was pleasing to see Australian schools take a huge

The eSafety Commissioner works with the providers to ensure they are up-todate with the latest online safety research, trends and practices.

There are currently 37 Trusted eSafety Providers offering a diverse range of services across each state and territory with at least 30 delivering programs online.

More details about the eSafety’s Trusted eSafety Provider program, including a list of providers, is available on the eSafety website.

SUMMER 2021 21

Education

How to deal with school refusal

By Melissa Grant FOR most kids, getting to school each day is pretty uncomplicated. They have breakfast, brush their teeth, put on their uniform and go.

However some students find attending school difficult and struggle with what’s called ‘school refusal’.

In its simplest form, school refusal is when a student can’t go to school. They don’t want to be there and will show features of emotional distress such as headaches or stomach aches.

Prolonged lockdowns in Victoria have led to more families experiencing school refusal.

Before the pandemic, an estimated 2-5 per cent of students were school

refusing. It’s estimated those rates tripled when school returned between lockdowns.

Education expert Dr Lisa McKayBrown says school refusal can happen at any point, but can be linked to periods of transition. It also seems to be more prevalent between Years 5 and 9.

This is because of shifts in friendship groups and increased challenges of schooling at this time, according to Dr McKay-Brown who is part of the learning intervention team at Melbourne University.

She says there are usually warning signs for parents.

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“Often you’ll hear things like ‘I don’t feel well today’, ‘I have a headache or a stomach ache, I don’t think I can face it’. Generally the symptoms subside if they don’t have to go to school,” she said.

She said children may also negotiate about going to school by asking to be picked up early, or struggle to get out of bed, the house or the car.

Sunday, 1st May 10:00am & 11:00am Please visit www.hopcross.vic.edu.au for bookings, or email enquiries to pr@hopcross.vic.edu.au

The return of school after the weekend or holidays can also be particularly challenging, with children becoming clingy or tearful.

In these situations, Dr McKay-Brown said it was important to note that school refusal might just be one of the things going on.

“Research shows around 50 per cent of children presenting with school refusal have a mental health disorder,” she said.

Dr McKay-Brown said while there is anecdotal evidence that school refusal rates had tripled since the pandemic, more research is taking place.

“It’s been a time of high stress,” she explained.

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“I think some people who may have been at risk of school refusal before the remote learning experience, for them it (remote learning) became an experience that the feelings of anxiety and worry when they had to go to school lessened.”

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Hoppers Crossing Secondary College 2 Fraser Street, Hoppers Crossing, Victoria 3029 I 03 9974 7777 instagram: @hcschcsc 12523071-SG49-21

22 SUMMER 2021

She said parents and schools had to be careful when considering remote learning or home schooling as a solution to school refusal.

“Anecdotally we find that young people who are school refusing are less likely to engage in those types of learning situations,” she said.

It’s important to address school refusal. In the short-term, school refusal can impact on a young person’s education, learning and peer relationships. Leaving school altogether can have long-term impacts as the young person won’t achieve their educational potential. Any mental health issues that aren’t address can have impacts into adulthood.”

So what can you do if your child is school refusing?

Dr McKay-Brown suggests the following: ■ Have conversations with your child to get a better sense of what is happening. Ask questions like ‘how are you feeling about school?’ and ‘are there some things that are difficult for you at school?’

■ Communicate with your child’s school. You don’t want absences to continue so let the school know what’s happening and ask them if they have any support or advice ■ School relationships. Relationships are important when returning to school.

What check-ins can be organised? Is there a way of having peer connections maintained?

■ Seek professional support. A GP is your first point of call. They will determine if there needs to be some kind of mental health referral.

Starting this process is important given the long wait times to see mental health professionals.

■ Maintain school routines. If you are at home it’s important to maintain the routine of a school day. Get your child out of bed, get them sitting at the table when it’s class time and keep them from more pleasurable activities such as gaming. If you are going to go for a walk do it in recess time.

■ Self-care. Parents need to think about their own self-care. They may need to seek support and family counselling can be helpful as school refusal is something that can impact the family unit.

The good news is that with the right support, young people who are school refusing can return to the classroom.

“It’s not forever - we know we can get young people back to school, it just takes time and it takes working on it,” Dr McKay-Brown said. www.KidsWest.com.au

Education

Changing the way we think about learning

By Melissa Meehan TEACHERS know that play is integral to a child’s learning.

But if they only free play, opportunities to support their conceptional understanding of the world around them may be missed.

Melbourne author Lili-Ann Kreigler has written a book that aims to change that.

Her book, Edu-Chameleon, draws upon decades of experience working across early education to provide a practical guide on how to engage young minds in the present, whilst paving the way for future learning.

Lili-Ann Kriegler says there are seven learning zones.

Her inspiration was setting frameworks for teachers confused about the right to learn.

From totally free play, along a continuum to direct teaching, different curriculum intentions and methodologies are outlined in the seven zones:

They are told that children have the right to learn through free play but then, on the other hand, that they should be teaching them.

“Instead of saying let them play or let them learn – my book explains seven zones to give them confidence that everything they are doing is right,” Ms Kriegler said.

“They can play and be creative, but at the same time learn what they need to.”

The aim is give educators a sense of clarifying what they already know and

Four experiments to turn your kitchen into a science lab SCIENCE is around us all the time.

Science is simply the study of what we observe around us every day. So why not engage in some fun and accessible science activities with your kids right in your kitchen! Let’s take a look at four easy experiments to do with kids: 1. Grow beans Start by soaking 5-6 dried white haricot beans overnight in a bowl of water. Next day, place two squares of folded, dampened paper towel into a large sandwich zip lock bag.

Put the haricot beans into the bag on one side of the towel. Zip the bag and tape it in a warm place against a window so that the children can see the beans. Within a few days the bean germinates and roots will start to appear. With more days’ patience the first leaves will be visible. When the beans reach this stage, they can be planted out in small pots of soil to become mature plants. The excitement of germination never ceases to amaze me. Growing anything can encourage the gardener in your child.

www.KidsWest.com.au

■ Free play Edu-Chameleon aims to change the way we look at learning.

giving them a framework.

Ms Kriegler shows how to refine professional knowledge about concept formation to augment the value, purpose and precision of everything you already plan, say and do each day.

2. Grow crystals Besides growing beans, why not grow crystals? Kids will need adult assistance, 3 cups of table salt, one litre of water, a pencil, a paperclip a strong plastic or Pyrex bowl and a piece of string. Boil the water with your child and fill the bowl. Add the salt a tablespoon at a time and stir until no more salt can dissolve. You will see a fine layer of salt collecting at the bottom of the jar when this supersaturation is reached. Tie one end of the string to the pencil and the other to the paper clip. Place the pencil across the jar so the string dangles down. The paperclip weighs the string down and shouldn’t touch the bottom or sides of the jar. Allow the jar to sit for a week in a sunny spot without disturbing it. You should see the salt crystals forming at the top of the string within a week. Children will love looking at the crystals through a magnifying glass. (They’ll want to examine everything else in reach including the cat’s whiskers if it sits still for long enough!) If your child wants to know why the crystals form it has to do with supersaturation. The boiling water encourages more salt to dissolve than would normally occur and the

■ Mediated play ■ Embedded concepts ■ Concept clarity ■ Closed-ended mobilsation ■ Open-ended mobilsation ■ Auto-generative creativity “It’s not all about reading and writing at an early age, it’s about what

salt it drawn up the string with the water. When the water evaporates, the salt crystals are left behind and accumulate in the characteristic tiny cube shapes. If your child falls in love with crystals, go online and investigate the huge variety they can grow. It can become an advanced hobby.

3. Explore sound For an investigation into sound, make a water xylophone. Arrange 5-6 glass jars of the same size and fill them with water to different levels.

For fun, add a little food colouring to each jar to create a rainbow effect.

When kids tap on the jars with a metal spoon they will hear the different pitch related to the proportion of air to water in the jar.

Ask them to explain what they think is happening.

4. Colour and walking water Staying with water, try the ‘walking water’ experiment. Arrange six small plastic containers filled with water in a circle. Add red food colouring to the first one. Skip a container and add blue food colouring to the third one and finally add yellow food colouring to the fifth one. Cut thick paper towel into strips, just long enough to dip

is up and down and side to side or even learning spatial distance,” she said.

“But their oral language is a huge part of that too, which a lot of parents don’t necessarily understand.

“So while my book is for teachers and educators, it might help parents understand that there are a number of ways a child learns through play.”

She has drawn on her own experience of teaching a wide range of students from toddlers to adults and specialises in early childhood education for children aged three to nine years old.

from the middle of one container to the next. Lay six strips across the jars so that the clear water is linked to a coloured water container on either side. Then see what happens!

The cellulose in the paper acts like tiny tubules starting off a capillary effect. Primary colours from the jars will ‘walk’ through the strips to the clear water and create the secondary colours! It’s like magic!

What you want to do through these and many other experiments is to get your child thinking using the scientific method. Scientists ask good questions. They experiment with a variety of materials and substances; they hypothesise about what might happen and they are keen observers. Besides this, they use specific vocabulary, measure precisely to recreate their outcomes and they record what they see with drawings, graphs and photography.

Children learn about more than what happens in a one-off experiment - they learn how to think. Good luck to you and your young scientists as you explore the world in your kitchen!

Find out more at www.krieglereducation.com

SUMMER 2021 23

Party Time

Time to roll up to the party Lamb souvlaki sausage rolls SAUSAGE rolls are an absolute necessity at our house. They’re super easy to make, incredibly wholesome and nutritious, loaded with hidden vegetables and they taste delicious.

These beauties are made from scratch, avoiding all the preservatives found in commercially bought sausage roll meat.

I make a variety of different flavour combinations for my little treasures but this Souvlaki variation is my fun take on the traditional sausage roll and such a family favourite, especially when paired with this creamy Tzatziki style dip.

Perfect for little hands but also loved by grown ups!

Makes 40 pieces Ingredients: ■ 4 sheets Pampas puff pastry, thawed ■ 500g lamb mince ■ 1 small purple onion ■ 2 medium cloves of garlic ■ 1 small potato, peeled ■ 1 small zucchini (unpeeled) ■ 1 piece of celery ■ 1 small carrot, peeled ■ 2 whole eggs ■ 2 teaspoons of sea salt ■ 2 teaspoons dried oregano ■ ½ teaspoon smoked Paprika ■ ½ cup of breadcrumbs Egg wash: ■ 1 whole egg ■ 1 teaspoon water

WITH OLIVIA C ENEA-BRAIN

Tzatziki Dip: ■ 2 cups Jalna Pot Set Greek Natural Yogurt ■ 1 medium garlic clove ■ 1 levelled teaspoon sea salt (more if desired) ■ 3 mini cucumbers, grated finely ■ 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Method: 1. Set oven to 180C, fan forced.

2. Line two biscuit trays with baking paper.

3. Place the minced lamb in a large bowl. Using a fine grater, grate the zucchini, carrot, potato, garlic cloves, celery and purple onion over the lamb. Next, add the salt, oregano, paprika, breadcrumbs and 2 eggs.

4. Using a fork, break down the minced meat and gently bring the mixture together, into a paste-like consistency.

5. Place a sheet of puff pastry down on a clean bench or a chopping board and scoop a large heaped tablespoon of the sausage roll

Lamb souvlaki sausage rolls.

mixture onto the bottom of the sheet, making an even line of the mixture horizontally across the bottom of the sheet. Fold the line of mixture over to overlap the pastry to create a long role. Trim the long role away from the sheet with a knife and slice the role into 5 pieces. Place the pieces on the lined trays about 2-3cm apart.

Continue with the other half of the pasty sheet, then repeat the process with remaining sheets.

6. In a small bowl, place the remaining egg and teaspoon of water and using a fork; gently whisk, to make the egg wash.

7. Before placing the trays into the

oven, using the sharp point of the knife, make 2 x 1cm long incisions on each sausage roll. This will allow for even baking then brush each piece with egg wash.

8. Bake in the oven for approximately 35 minutes; longer if they need more browning.

9. To make the Tzatziki style dip; in a medium bowl, place the Greek yogurt. Finely grate the mini cucumbers and garlic. Add the salt and olive. Stir well.

Serve warm. Enjoy.

Olivia C Enea-Brain is a Melbourne mum of two with a passion for making cooking fun

Entertainment

New show is a wild ride for young viewers AUSTRALIA’S ultimate animal survivors will be featured in a new children’s series on ABC ME. Production is underway on Built to Survive, a 10-part children’s natural history factual series.

The series is spearheaded by wildlife aficionado, biologist and third generation Indigenous educator, Phil Breslin.

Phil will brave some of the country’s most extreme and hostile environments in search of the ultimate animal survivors. These are species that have evolved their unique qualities to withstand Australia’s extreme conditions and unique ecosystems.

Built To Survive will be filmed on location in remote and wilderness environments throughout Queensland.

Consulting with First Nations peoples about habitats and lifecycles, Phil will traverse rivers and deserts, dive deep 24 SUMMER 2021

into the ocean, scale trees and use science in a bid to explore some of the strangest and most specialised animal adaptations on the planet.

Libbie Doherty, ABC Head of Children’s Production said the show would take children on a wild ride.

“Aussie kids are adventurers at heart, captivated by our unique land, curious wildlife and Indigenous knowledge,” she said.

“Phil’s fresh perspective combines all three and takes the ABC ME audience on a wild ride across Australia.”

The series is being produced by Butter Media, with the support of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).

Built to Survive will screen on ABC ME and ABC iview in 2022.

Phil Breslin, host of the new children’s TV series Built to Survive. www.KidsWest.com.au

Reality Bites

Erika Cramer, The Queen of Confidence, is an international confidence coach and popular 5 star podcast host.

Confidence during uncertainty

By Melissa Meehan

For many, the sense of normality was taken away and unfortunately adults weren’t mindful of speaking carefully around their kids.

MELBOURNE mum of two Erika Cramer knows a thing or two about trauma.

They pick up so much of what we say, Erika says.

She grew up in the United States, her mum was bi-polar and spent time in and out of foster care.

But despite all of that she worked on herself and became the Queen of Confidence.

Now with more than 55,000 instagram followers – she provides life coaching for other mums dealing with anxiety and trauma.

Covid-19 has thrown a curve ball for many Australians – particularly Melburnians.

And as adults we’ve all felt it but imagine being a kid during these times.

“There has been so much uncertainty – both in the home and outside world,” Erika told Kids Today.

“And how the parents are coping or have coped with it – our kids feed on our anxiety.”

Erika with her son.

Erika says during the many lockdowns since the start of the pandemic, many would have their “trauma brain” on 24/7.

“It’s not healthy but that’s what we’ve had to deal with, stuck at home, real life shut down – and especially when the playgrounds closed… that was huge,’ she said.

“Before they were closed, we knew it was bad but we had the playground but when they were closed, it was just like a dagger through the heart.”

“For many kids Coronavirus is a monster who ruined their lives, which is kind of true, but if we don’t do as much as we can to express how we are feeling and explain to them what is happening and how we are feeling… they make up the rest with fear and imagination,” she said.

She has some tips about how to be a better parent when you are already feeling anxious yourself: ■ Be aware of yourself Think about how you are feeling right now, can you communicate freely?

Are you overworked? Anxious?

Stressed out? What do you need?

■ You need to fill your cup first We say it all the time. But if we are not feeling our best, we can’t be the best for the ones we love.

■ You need to say how you feel There is no point of having the “she’ll be right” attitude, it’s an unhealthy to deal with trauma. We need to express how we feel and that is OK and teach our children that its normal to have emotions ■ Set boundaries It’s hard when in lockdown to set your own boundaries but then you need to set new ones. Whether it’s as simple as not having the news on 24/7. Kids aren’t programmed to have that screen time.

And when lockdown is finally over and we’ve reached 90 per cent, ease back into normal life.

Be mindful of how your child is feeling. If they are anxious around large crowds don’t take them to a busy shopping centre during the Christmas rush and don’t fill your house with visitors every day.

Sometimes slowly easing back into normal life is all we need. https://thequeenofconfidence.com

Young Tarneit leader recognised

By Alesha Capone

she is now co-president.

TARNEIT student Shane Nicole Coloma Villegas has been recognised for her commitment to helping the community.

Students in the group run activities year-round at school in support of several good causes including the Vinnies Winter-Out Appeal, Christmas Hamper Appeal and soup van.

Shane, who is in Year 12 at Thomas Carr College, is one of seven Australian students to have received a 2021 Future Justice Award from the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria’s not-for-profit initiative Future Leaders.

Thomas Carr College Year 12 student Shane Nicole Coloma Villegas has won a youth leadership award.

Picture: Joe Mastroianni www.KidsWest.com.au

“My team is filled with people who have the drive and passion to put themselves out there and challenge the evolving society,” Shane said.

The award recognises students who show leadership and help to create a better world for future generations.

“Without the people that I have met over the past years, especially this year, I don’t think I would be achieving to the best of my ability and doing what I love.”

Shane, who started volunteering in Year 7, helped found the Thomas Carr College Young Vinnies group, of which

Shane said she started volunteering at the St Vincent de Paul Society opportunity shop in Hoppers Crossing

this year, thanks to an inspiring friend, Riley Ty. “I think seeing my relatives giving to the less fortunate when growing up in the Philippines really inspired me,” Shane said.

“Not only that, but I also occasionally enjoy putting myself in a different environment where I am somewhat out of my comfort zone, as I often find my drive to help as much as possible.

“I know that I can’t touch everyone’s hearts within a day, especially in this time of need, but when I do, the feeling is indescribable.”

Shane said she hoped to become a nurse in the future, and also potentially an orthopaedics or cardiac surgeon.

SUMMER 2021 25

Reality Bites

Helping little women Rebecca does a lot of posts about matching fashion.

By Melissa Grant

A Little Miss Period box.

landmarks,” Bec said.

“I feel like it definitely took off there.”

VICTORIAN mum Rebecca Little is big on making a difference.

More followers came when Bec announced that she and Dion were having twins.

Whether it’s empowering young females through her new project Little Miss Period or using her profile to help charities, Bec is a busy mum who is making her mark.

“I think it’s very intriguing for people to see how you manage life with two newborns. I think people found a lot of interest in following our lives,” she said.

And with three young girls, including twins, a business and managing an Instagram account with more than 48,000 followers, Bec admits that life can be pretty hectic.

The Little family hasn’t travelled much since the arrival of the twins, Florence and Penelope, now aged 3, due to Covid.

Having such a strong following on Instagram has led Bec to some great opportunities and collaborations, but she’s careful about what she posts particularly when it involves the kids.

“I think for the everyday person that being a mum is a full-time job obviously now I’m juggling that and the Instagram, Little Miss Period and my husband (Dion) works really long hours.

I would consider it a full-time job times three!” the 33-year-old said, with a laugh.

She asks Charlotte, who turns 7 in January, for her consent before posting.

“I make sure she approves what I’m posting. I ask her if she wants to do the particular jobs we get asked to do because at the end of the day I’m not going to force her to do things she doesn’t enjoy any more.”

During lockdown in July Bec launched Little Miss Period, although the idea had been brewing for a while.

The business, which started off as selling ‘period boxes’, stemmed from her own transition into womanhood.

She also won’t take on a job if it means losing her authenticity and is careful not to take on too much.

“When I was young and going through those stages that my mum pretty much put a box of tampons at the end of my bed,” she explained.

“I have been quite open about my mental health. I was diagnosed last year with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I say yes to a lot of people and I’ve learned over the last 18 months to start saying no just to put myself first.”

“It was my 12th birthday party where I got my period and I ended up sitting out of my own birthday party. I had no idea what to do with a tampon.”

Bec likes to put her profile to good use. She became an ambassador for Share the Dignity after the charity put out a call to influencers via social media.

It’s a situation she doesn’t want her own girls - and other young females - to experience.

“I just want that openness with my girls. I want them to feel supported and empowered in every decision that takes place around their body and know that they’re in charge,” she said.

“OCD me took it on and within a week we were able to raise $40,000 in cash and product. I used my network of brands I’d worked with before and so many came to the party.

“I guess I wanted to make it (getting periods) fun and exciting and not such a scary thing.”

The period boxes are intended to be a celebratory gift for a girl when she starts menstruation. The boxes are fun but informative with a ‘Welcome to Your Period’ book, tampons, pads, period briefs, a wheat bag and more.

“It’s about choice. I’ve found that on the market they’ve only got options where you can buy period underwear or you can go the other route of going pads and tampons,” Bec explained.

“So I just wanted to make it a bit about everything so they can go into 26 SUMMER 2021

Rebecca with her husband Dion and three daughters.

their period with choice.”

The concept has taken off with Bec receiving orders every day. It has also evolved into a site that sells period underwear, menstrual cups and self-care resources.

Bec is also busy managing her Instagram page, where she posts about women’s fashion, children’s fashion and beauty.

Picture: Jackie Thomas

However her early posts were all about travelling with children.

Bec and husband Dion took their young daughter Charlotte, who was nearly 2 at the time, around America for two months. They hired an RV and travelled the east coast.

“It was just a really spectacular holiday. I guess people loved seeing us travelling to all these incredible

“We put together 350 bags of essential items you would need in a month shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, just the essentials we all take for granted.

“We were able to do that all in a week. It was a very proud moment and something I hope that I can continue to do.”

Bec donates $2 from each Little Miss Period sale to Share the Dignity.

You can follow Bec on Instagram at rebeccalittle_ or check out Little Miss Period at https://littlemissperiod.com/ www.KidsWest.com.au

Reality Bites

Pandemic pregnancy from London to Melbourne

By Melissa Meehan BEING pregnant during the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns is tough.

But imagine being stranded on the other side of the world, numerous flights cancelled and having only two weeks before you’re no longer legally able to fly.

This was a reality for Melbourne mum Radhika Sahu and her husband Utkarsh.

The pair were living in London when Radhika was first pregnant and lived there for seven-and-a-half months of her pregnancy.

So the couple flew to Brisbane where they completed their two week quarantine and then to Melbourne.

“There was definitely tears when we landed, we thought thank God we made it,” she said.

From there they had seven weeks to find somewhere to live and buy all of the baby necessities.

Luckily for them, the shops were open during that time.

Baby Aneeka was born on 8 February 2021. Melbourne went into a snap lockdown just one day later.

It was during the height of the pandemic in the UK – all retail and services were closed.

Thankfully the lockdown only lasted five days, and Radhika and Aneeka were able to connect with other mums and bubs through their local mothers group a few times before the longer lockdown of 2021.

“It’s safe to say we did a lot of walking, discovering London on foot,” Radhika said.

“I have the most amazing mum’s group, I am so thankful for them,” she said.

But while seeing London from a different view was exciting, the reality of the pandemic coming to an end sooner than later seemed like an impossible dream.

She said being able to meet face-toface allowed them to bond before they were forced to connect virtually.

It seemed unlikely they would be able to travel home with the new baby or have family come visit.

And while her pregnancy wasn’t exactly what was expected, being able to live in the same city as her family (pandemic or not) gave Radhika some perspective on the issue.

“Thankfully we had flights booked through my husband’s work, but despite that we had five cancellations before we were able to board a flight home,” she said.

“We are just so thankful to be back in Melbourne. That was our priority and looking at the bigger picture, I’m just so happy to be in the same city as my family,” she said.

“If we were cancelled once more, I doubt we would have been able to come home. I was two weeks away from not being able to fly while pregnant.”

“Sure there are things we would have loved to do, including getting some more travel in or being a little bit more prepared in terms of shopping – but we are just so glad that we got back home.”

Mum Radhika and her daughter Aneeka.

Picture: Rob Carew

Backyard relay for a good cause

By Alesha Capone A FAMILY ran 120 laps of their backyard to raise funds for the Cancer Council Victoria, following the cancellation of this year’s Wyndham Relay for Life.

The Relay’s committee made the tough decision to cancel the September event amid concerns about Covid-19 still being prevalent in the community.

Roland Geilen, young Harry and Mayer and their mother Lauren.

Picture: Joe Mastroianni www.KidsWest.com.au

Mother Lauren said she and her family had been planning to take part in the Relay in a team of community members from the Crossroads Uniting Church in Werribee.

However, after the event’s

cancellation, Lauren said her family, including children Harry, aged four, and Mayer, aged one, decided to spend the weekend running laps of their back garden raise funds instead.

“By the end of it, he started to understand about why people were donating money through all the encouraging phone calls and messages.”

The family documented their efforts on social media and took suggestions for ‘novelty’ laps including an egg and spoons round, raising a total of $1420 for the Cancer Council Victoria.

Harry said he was “very surprised” by the amount his family raised for the Cancer Council Victoria.

Lauren said that she wanted to teach Harry “a little bit about the good things we can do for other people even though we are in lockdown”.

“Harry started the relay thinking it was good fun playing in the backyard and doing silly laps,” she said.

“But that’s good because we can help more people and make the world nice,” he said.

Another member of the Crossroads Uniting Church, Roland Geilen, raised $3849 by shaving off his beard.

The Wyndham Relay for Life is hoping to hold its next event in March 2022.

SUMMER 2021 27

Reality Bites

Sharing a tale of too many toys

By Melissa Grant LIKE many parents, Jan Juc author Stef Gemmill knows that far too many plastic toys can end up in the bin.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Stef has fond memories of being a young girl constantly playing with a hand-me-down doll that was well-loved and well-worn.

The doll had one eye, so Stef took her to the local toy hospital to be repaired.

She loved the doll so much that it never crossed her mind to replace it.

Jan Juc mum and author Stef Gemmill.

opt for toys that last by following the story of a boy named Sam who becomes a toy tester for a toy factory.

into the hands of children and getting them to consider the impact of consumer choices,” Stef said.

Sam, who was growing tired of his toys, ends up with a heap of plastic toys in all shapes and colours.

“It’s by self discovery that he (Sam) ends up with this huge pile of plastic junk... his treasured toys are at the bottom and he has a change of heart.”

However, he soon finds himself at the bottom of a mountain of broken plastic toys and needs his family’s help to save the day.

The book, beautifully illustrated by Katharine Hall, highlights the huge amounts of plastic waste generated by consumer culture.

The doll is the inspiration behind Stef’s latest children’s book, Toy Mountain.

It aims to empower children to take sustainability into their own hands by reminding them that their choices count.

The book highlights why we should

“This book is about putting change

Stef, a mum of a 13-year-old boy, said it was crazy to think about how much plastic toys there were on the market and how that contributes to the amount of waste we produce.

Toy Mountain is Stef’s third published book. The former music journalist has also written A Home For Luna, a story about a cat on a castaway island who makes unexpected friends with a colony of penguins. The story has an

underlying message about homelessness and refugees.

Her other children’s book is called In My Dreams, an illustrated story that empowers the reader to embrace their imagination and chase pirates and ride wild winds on the back of a dragon.

“Generally I write stories that usually have an element of peril but they are stories of hope and heart and all have a social message,” Stef said.

Stef has already started her next project, a novel aimed at children aged 8-12 years.

Toy Mountain, EK Books RRP $24.99, is available at bookstores and online.

For more information about Stef, visit https://www.stefgemmill.com

Mum’s experience helps acne sufferers

By Melissa Meehan

“In healing my own skin, I’m deeply driven to help others confidently present their full face and vision to the world,” Judy said.

WHEN Judy Cheung-Wood was a teenager, she suffered terrible acne.

It is no surprise she went down that path either, her grandfather was a chemist and manufacturer of natural skin products too.

And it followed her into adulthood.

“I started all of the brands at the supermarket but I found they ended up irritating my skin, so by the time I was in uni I was using very expensive products – I didn’t care if the bottle was $50 and when it didn’t work I just kept trying he next product,” Judy told Kids Today.

She believes she has inherited his expertise and passion for traditional, nutritional medicine and creation of natural skincare products.

It is no mean feat creating a skincare empire with a young daughter in tow, she’s now seven, but Judy says it’s really important to set aside some me time.

“So it got to the point that I had exhausted the market and I was reading some research about the benefits of vitamin B5 and I was absolutely fascinated.”

Judy built the business from a ground up, launching online with no advertising.

From there, this busy Melbourne mum of one started her holistic business, called SkinB5 that saw her win the gold in the 2021 AusMumpreneur Global Brand Award as well as a silver for product innovation and multicultural business excellence.

However, with a little help from her friends at AusTrade – who invited her on an international trip to sell her wares before she even had a product.

“We had an idea, but no product – so we had to get that sorted before we went on that trip,” she said.

“For decades, no one challenged the conventional approach to treating acne – using harsh chemicals to kill bacteria associated with acne breakouts, merely managing the symptoms,” Judy said.

“These wins showcase the traction that we have made and help refuel our passion to help acne sufferers with our nutraceutical Australian made products.”

SkinB5 is an Australian made skincare product composed of dermanutraceuticals, which treat acne holistically without side effects.

And it now has health professionals 28 SUMMER 2021

Now, she sells her product worldwide, includes Singapore, Philippines.

Melbourne mum Judy Cheung-Wood started her own business based on her experience with teenage acne.

are recommending SkinB5 as an alternative to prescription acne medication.

The patented vitamin formula found in SkinB5 addresses the underlying

causes of acne rather than just the symptoms.

Thousands of acne sufferers have left 5 star reviews and they call SkinB5 a ‘game changer’.

“I always use the philosophy of putting on an oxygen mask on yourself when in a plane before you out it on your child, and in life I think we have to do that,” she said.

“I actually schedule a walk every day in my calendar because it doesn’t happen otherwise.”

To read more about Judy’s product go to www.skinb5.com www.KidsWest.com.au

Books

A ‘Wandi’ful book for kids

By Melissa Grant THERE’S a true story about a dingo pup that fell out of the sky and into the backyard of a Victorian home.

Now that story is being shared in the form of a children’s book to raise awareness about purebred alpine dingoes, a species in need of protection.

Critically acclaimed author Favel Parrett wrote the book Wandi, named after the dingo that she’s come to know incredibly well.

Favel volunteers at the Dingo Discovery Sanctuary, where Wandi has lived since falling from the sky in August 2019.

Marks on Wandi’s back suggested he was picked up by a wedge-tail eagle or an owl and taken from his home in the mountains and dropped into a suburban backyard in Wandiligong, near Bright.

A woman found Wandi, who was just five weeks old at the time, crying in a garden and initially thought he was a dog or fox. However, DNA testing revealed he was in fact a purebred alpine dingo.

Wandi was taken to Dingo Discovery Sanctuary, where he was nursed back to health and paired with a female cub.

Wandi became an overnight sensation, with his incredible survival story making headlines around the world.

It’s a story Parrett wanted to tell in a children’s book. She longs for young readers to fall in love with alpine dingoes like she has.

Parrett met her first dingo a few years ago while visiting the sanctuary for a ‘cuddle a cub’ tour.

She thought she would be cuddling some cute cubs, but was instead blown away by what she discovered about the species.

She knew she was in the “presence of greatness” when she learned that they could hear human heartbeats from 25 metres away.

“They are hyper intelligent, their intelligence is beyond,” she said.

“Also, wherever their head can fit, they can fit. They can dislocate both of their shoulders and their hips.”

Parrett is at the sanctuary twice a

Wandi the dingo dingo.

week and has seen Wandi come leaps and bounds since meeting him as a four-month-old pup.

The wonder dingo recently became a dad to six cubs and has amassed more than 56,000 followers on Instagram.

Wandi’s journey to fatherhood is central to the book. According to Parrett, it’s a story of hope as it ends with the famous dingo having his own family. However he is missing his own parents and siblings and wishing they could all be free in the wild.

Author Favel Parrett is passionate about dingoes.

Unfortunately, Parrett says it’s impossible to “rewild” the sanctuary’s dingoes due to the threats they face. including being shot by hunters.

of great need,” she said.

Parrett hopes her story can rewrite the role of alpine dingoes and teach children to be proud of the apex predator.

She believes Wandi’s fall from the sky has a purpose.

Wandi is available at local bookstores.

The book is also available at wandithedingo.com.au, with all proceeds from the book and merchandise going to the sanctuary.

“Wandi has come here for a reason, we believe Wandi came to us at a time

You can also follow Wandi on Instagram at wandi_dingo

“He’s our ambassador to show, let’s give dingoes a chance… and say, hey let’s be proud.”

Children’s books...

Cookie

Little Big Bully

Isabelle Duff, illustrated by Susannah Crispe

Trace Moroney

A heartwarming book about the beautiful bond between Girl and her Border Collie Cookie that is a sensitive exploration of childhood depression. The inseparable pair play together and learn how to make each other happy, even on the days when Cookie is the only one who can make Girl smile. The book is inspired by the author’s personal experiences with acute depressive disorder and anxiety, and by her wonderful dog, Saffy, who has been an invaluable support to her. A valuable resource for reducing stigmatism around mental illness, and a tribute to the loved ones who are able to get you out of bed when nothing else can.

A thoughtful book that sensitively describes how and why bullying happens. It explores a range of wellresearched techniques to develop coping skills and proactive strategies that describe what to do when bullying occurs.

Little Big Bully is part of Trace Moroney’s new My Emotions Series about big feelings for little people. The first of two titles in the series (the other is The Grief Wave) which equips kids with valuable skills to navigate their way through life’s ups and downs.

A must read for kids aged 4+ eQ Publications, RRP $20.99

Kid President Totally Rules!

Who’s a Goose?

Deltora Quest

Scott Stuart

Emily Rodda

Jack Health, illustrated by Max Rambaldi

A hilarious book about two gaggling geese that will make kids giggle. The geese are grappling with how collective nouns apply to a variety of animals, from a barrel of monkeys to a cool waddle of penguins. One goose is goose, and two goose is geese… you get the idea! Serious Bruce is trying to teach silly-billy Bill but it’s not going that well. And when some foxes arrive, the lesson is pretty much over! With animated illustrations and rhyming text, this is a fun read for kids aged 3+

A special 21st anniversary edition of Deltora Quest from award-winning author Emily Rodda that features the much-loved series of eight books.

What would your child do if they were president? In this comedy from award-winning Aussie author Jack Heath, Jaxxon has accidentally been elected as the first Kid President. He wants free ice-cream in schools, homework to be made illegal and national parks to become skate parks. Sounds awesome, right? Well not everyone is happy and they want Jaxxon kicked out of the presidential office. Can Jaxxon remain president and show everyone that he totally rules? For readers aged 9+ Scholastic Australia, RRP $17.99

Scholastic Australia, RRP $17.99

Three companions - Leif, Barda and Jasmine - are on a quest to find the seven lost gems of the Belt of Deltora. Once the belt is complete the evil rule of Shadow Lord will be overcome.

This gripping novel is set in the fantasy world of Deltora, a kingdom of magic and monsters, bordered by the sea and a vast, curving mountain range, beyond which is an unknown territory called the Shadowlands.

For readers aged 8+ Scholastic Australia, RRP $39.99

EK Books, RRP $24.99 www.KidsWest.com.au

SUMMER 2021 29

Kids Calendar

What's on

this summer

4 DECEMBER CHRISTMAS AT THE LAKES A fun filled festive day out for the whole family. The event features local performers, rides, activities and stalls.

There will also be a visit from Santa and an amazing fireworks display.

3pm-10.30pm. Breezewater Reserve, Sanctuary Lakes Cost of entry is a gold coin donation.

UNTIL 6 DECEMBER LIFE IN LOCKDOWN EXHIBITION Obtain a rare insight into the Hobsons Bay community through the Together Apart: Life in Lockdown exhibition. The exhibition showcases portraits and stories from Together Apart: Life in Lockdown, a book of stories and portraits of Hobsons Bay locals’ lives during the 2020 pandemic.

A selection of portraits will also fly high on the flags at Pier Street and Railway Street, Altona.

Williamstown Library and the Civic Centre in Altona More information at https://www. hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/ Whats-On

ELIO SIMONETTI An online video series starring master magician Elio Simonetti who explains how to perform some astonishing tricks you can do to amaze your family and friends.

A free event for kids aged 5-12 years.

No bookings required.

More information: https://www. melbourne.vic.gov.au

UNTIL 23 DECEMBER SHRINE KIDS The Shrine of Remembrance is offering a free self-guided program for families with primary school-aged children. There are four different activity cards that provide a starting point for fresh perspectives of the Shrine. Kids are asked to consider and conjure their creative responses to a range of questions related to different aspects of the Shrine.

Bookings not required. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Ave, Melbourne

https://www.tabcorppark.com.au

THE STORY OF THE MOVING IMAGE

22-26 JANUARY FESTIVAL OF SAILS Discover Victoria’s oldest ongoing sporting event and the largest annual keel boat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere.

First held in 1844, the Festival of Sails annually attracts around 300 yachts and 4500 sailing competitors to Melbourne and Geelong over the Australia Day holiday period.

There are more than 15 different race series, with something for all spectators.

There is also plenty of shore-side entertainment including live music, children’s entertainment, free discover sailing experiences, food trucks, market stalls and interactive activities.

PORTARLINGTON BAYSIDE MINIATURE RAILWAY All aboard! Portarlington Bayside Miniature Railway is open every Sunday between 11am and 4pm over the summer period.

Activities include volleyball, soccer, and FIFA/NBA on the street surfer bus.

Free event. Werribee South Beach.

30 SUMMER 2021

More info: https://miniaturerailway. com.au/

EVERY SUNDAY

Join a fun day of activities on the beach from 10am to 4pm.

HOCUS POCUS: MAGIC WITH

Featuring loads of activities, entertainment and the best fireworks display in the west, Tabcorp Park will be the place to be to say goodbye to 2021.

More information: https://festivalofsails. com.au

BEACH ACTIVITIES

UNTIL 20 DECEMBER

Tickets are $4 each. Family and seasonal passes are also available.

Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Waterfront Geelong

11 DECEMBER

For more info, email streetsurferbus@ wyndham.vic.gov.au

event is one to mark down in the calendar.

31 DECEMBER NYE AT TABCORP PARK Tabcorp Park’s famous New Year’s Eve

This miniature railway is situated within the grounds of the Portarlington Bayside Family Park, Corner Point Richards & Boat Roads, Portarlington (Melway Map No. 444 – C5).

ALL SUMMER

An exhibition that traverses time, countries and cultures in a mesmerising exploration of an art form that changed the world and illuminated our collective humanity. The free vent features ancient shadow puppets, Victorian-era magic lanterns, original cameras, iconic costumes, movie sets, sketches and more.

ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image), Federation Square More information: https://www.acmi. net.au/whats-on/story-of-the-movingimage-exhibition/

MARCH 4-6 GEELONG REVIVAL MOTORING FESTIVAL Rev-heads big and small will love this action packed motoring festival, held on Geelong’s picturesque waterfront.

Over three days, see the huge motor show, exhibits, entertainment, food trucks, personalities and more.

The Geelong waterfront will be covered with over 600 quirky, valuable and fascinating vehicles. Celebrations kick-off with the Friday Night Cruise, featuring over 300 vehicles.

There will also be classic boats, vintage trucks and 4WDs displayed at the event.

The Geelong Revival Motoring Festival is a free and ticketed event.

More info: http://www.geelongrevival. com.au www.KidsWest.com.au

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