RaisingKids July 11

July 2011

Let’s play Sniff, sniff, sniff Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and win - click here!

Vital vitamins

www.babaindaba.co.za

www.babaindaba. co.za

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Publisher TLG Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Managing Editor Tracey Garde editor@raising-kids.co.za 082 460 6007 Advertising sales@raising-kids.co.za Art Director Heidi Amrouni eye2design@iafrica.com General enquiries info@raising-kids.co.za 012 667 3935 Visit our website for advertising deadlines, technical specifications and advertising rates www.raising-kids.co.za General competition rules: Winners will be notified telphonically or by email. Prizes are not transferable nor may they be exchanged for cash. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Front cover Chris Krokos

editorial comment

Our four-legged family member

About 11 years ago, having just gotten married and moved into our first townhouse, and way before we were even contemplating starting a family (a human family that is!), my hubby and I decided that it was time to add some four-legged friends to our home. After visiting our local SPCA, we headed home with our pigeon pair - Roxy (a mix between a Jack Russell and Staffie) and Skinno (a pavement special kitty).

Sadly, Skinno passed away just before Caitlyn (our first born) arrived, but Roxy is still going strong and she’s seen us through many, many years.

Roxy is no ordinary dog – although I’m sure most folk who have animals think the same of theirs. From the moment we bought her home, she’s bounced off the walls (literally). I remember how excited she got when Caitlyn came home from the hospital – she drove the neighbours mad as she barked and growled at every passerby (I’m sure she was merely letting them know that she had a new addition to take care of). And in true doggie style, she has fiercely protected her family ever since.

Every now and then I notice just how old she’s getting. The hair around her nose has greyed a little and when I let her in at night to sleep on the couch, she’s a little slower at getting up onto it. She is so engrained in our lives that I dread the day she is no longer with us.

I’m sure most you have a pet that has become a part of your family and this is why we are so excited about our ‘Kids and their pets’ competition we have running until 15 August 2011. Be sure to read all the entry details on page 12 – we are looking forward to your photos.

Also in this issue, we explore prenatal vitamins (page 10), the dreaded post nasal drip (page 15) and the games children play (page 17). Make sure your entry is in for our Mount Grace competition as entries close this month and check out the charities featured on the MySchool pages 18 and 19.

Till next month, keep warm...

Postal Address PO Box 67269, Highveld, 0169 South Africa Tel: 012 667 3935 Fax: 086 515 5487 ISSN 2070-6219

All work published in RaisingKids DigiMag is protected by copyright. Only with written permission from the publisher may any part of this digimag be reproduced or adapted in any form. We welcome contributions to RaisingKids DigiMag, but the publisher of this digimag retains unrestricted rights to edit submitted material. We do not accept responsibility for material submitted and can not guarantee the return of any original material. The publisher’s opinion is not necessarily that published in RaisingKids DigiMag and the publisher does not accept any liability of any nature that may arise from the contents of this digimag.

RaisingKids - July 2011

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www.prevent.co.za

www.prevent.co.za

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contents Editor’s Comment

3

Our four-legged family member.

Letterbox with Huggies

7

Write us a winning letter and Huggies will send you a R500 hamper!

News and reviews

8–9

Nutritious can be delicious. Win with Nativa’s new TurboKidz Smart Shakes.

Vital vitamins

10

Vital vitamins

10

There are over 50 nutrients that are essential for good health when you are pregnant. We have looked at some of the most critical.

Kids and their pets competition

12

Get snapping and send us your entries via Facebook.

Sniff, sniff, sniff

15

The games children play

17

Post nasal drip season is here!

It’s time to get out there and teach our kids some games from Kids and their pets competition

12

the ‘good old days’.

My School

18

Win 4 VIP tickets to the blue carpet Smurfs movie premier with MySchool!

Sniff, sniff, sniff

15

RaisingKids - July 2011

5

Baking fun

Let’s bake!

Make these cupcakes and then decorate them with Hulett’s flavoured icing sugars.

Basic cupcakes Makes 24

Ingredients

Method

375 ml (1 1/2 cups) cake flour

Preheat oven to 180°C

10 ml (2 t) Moir’s baking powder

Sieve first 3 ingredients together, add sugar

2 ml (1/2 t) salt

Add the rest of the ingredients

187 ml (3/4 cup) Huletts sugar

Mix well

2 extra large eggs

Spoon 2/3 full into greased cup cake pans or paper cups

125 ml (1/2 cup) oil or soft magerine 125 ml (1/2 cup) milk

Bake for 20 minutes until done

5 ml (1 t) Moir’s vanilla essence

www.hulettssugar.co.za 6

RaisingKids - July 2011

Letterbox Heading

LetterB

x

www.huggies.co.za

Our winning letter Big sister and I get ready for baby I am the very proud mom of a beautiful 4 year old girl and soon to be second time mom to another precious baby daughter. My goodness, how different things are the second time around!

With only six weeks left until the due date I shudder when I think about all the things I still need to get ready for the new little one. The first time round everything was ready and waiting for Mieke when I still had three months left to go! Now there just isn’t enough time in the day. We have also recently moved into a new house and we have not even unpacked all the boxes yet, never mind decorated a nursery. Last weekend my husband assembled the cot and compactum again so if the new baby surprises us a little earlier she’ll at least have a place to sleep, even though it might not be pretty!

Mieke has been really good at helping me to wash and dry all her old baby clothes, and at choosing a couple of new items in preparation for her new little sister. When shopping she was adamant about the things that she chose and if I didn’t agree on a choice, no matter how hard I tried, I could not convince her to pick something else. I think maybe her sense of fashion is much better than mine – I’m a real ‘Plain Jane’. Mieke can spend hours dressing up and playing with her makeup, whereas I put on the first pair of jeans and t-shirt I find in the cupboard. I still don’t even bother with lipstick!

So when I thought it a good idea to start getting my hospital bag ready (just in case) and I decided I really needed some new pajamas, I took Mieke along to the mall. Being practical me, I grabbed some good old comfy flannel front opening (with breastfeeding in mind) pj’s, thinking that they were really cute (little koala bears were printed all over). After finally managing to get the multitude of buttons closed over my enormous belling in the changing room, I thought it a good idea to include Mieke in the process and asked her what she thought. BIG mistake! Without even a second’s hesitation she put on her most serious face and said (loud enough for the entire shop to hear…) “THAT, mom, looks TOTALLY TERRIBLE. Dad will

not be impressed!” All I could do was snigger along with all the other people in the cubicles around me and to try and get out of there without too much embarrassment on my face!

Needless to say, I won’t be asking my 4-year-old’s opinion in public again too soon! Although I love her to bits and have enjoyed every moment of getting ready for our new bundle of joy with her.

Mieke is going to be a wonderful big sister (with loads of fashion advice).

Olandi

Hi Olandi I can certainly relate to your experience of not quite being as prepared for baby number two as you were for your first one. But at the end of the day, your baby won’t worry about what her room looks like or how prepared you were, all she will want is the love, warmth and care that I am sure you are more than ready to give.

It sounds like Mieke is going to be a fantastic big sister and one that your new baby will appreciate having around as she grows up. There is nothing better than a sister’s opinion when it comes to choosing clothes and getting dressed up. I trust they will grow up to be great friends.

Best of luck.

Tracey

www.huggies.co.za

Letterbox: The author of the winning letter will receive a Huggies® hamper to the value of R500. Simply send us your ‘Letter to the Editor’ to editor@raising-kids.co.za.

RaisingKids - July 2011

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news&reviews

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Share the Care 2011 begins this month

Make sure your child’s immune system is on guard!

Besides beautiful works of art what else does your child bring back from school?

This year marks the 19th year that Elizabeth Anne’s & Purity will embark upon the ‘Share the Care’ campaign aiming to raise funds in support of the Avril Elizabeth Home and its 160 residents.

Over the years, Elizabeth Anne’s have raised a substantial amount of funds which they’ve donated to the home and last year saw the highest amount ever raised in the history of the campaign as Elizabeth Anne’s together with Purity raised over R600 000 which contributes to the R4.6 million they have donated to the home so far.

But, of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of the moms and dads out there who choose to use Elizabeth Anne’s & Purity products. For every purchase of an Elizabeth Anne’s & Purity Toiletry product and Purity Ready To Eat cereal between July and October 2011, 10c will be donated towards the Avril Elizabeth Home.

Elizabeth Anne’s & Purity believe that it is imperative to ensure that awareness is created around people who live their daily lives with mental and physical challenges and therefore the campaign will commence in July, which is Mental Health Awareness month.

The ‘Share the Care’ campaign aims to continue having the resources to care for the residents of the Avril Elizabeth Home in an attempt to bring smiles to the faces of those who they care for.

For more information, please visit the Avril Elizabeth Home website www.avril.org.za and www.purity.co.za.

Could your child be the next

RaisingKids CoverKid? http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.ph p?gid=118257481557724&amp;amp; ref=ts <http://www.facebook.com/#!/ group.php?gid=118257481557724&am http://www.facebook.com/#!/group. p;amp;amp;ref=ts> 11

July 20

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for more details and to enter!

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RaisingKids - July 2011

One of the things you can do as a parent is boost your child’s immune system, a healthier child is less susceptible to catching everything that goes round.

And Créche Guard has just the product for this job - Créche Guard Immune is a multivitamin that will boost your child’s immunity all year round.

Créche Guard Immune is formulated with a combination of herbs, tinctures, vitamins and minerals that assist the body to boost a child’s immune system, help fight infections, help promote healing, help build strong teeth and healthy bones, and help prevent bruising. Furthermore, Créche Guard Immune provides a combination of vitamins essential for growing bodies and developing minds.

Your child could benefit from Créche Guard Immune if they have recently had any of the following: •

Antibiotics in the last year

•

Any colds or flu

•

Allergies

•

Tummy bugs

•

Lack of appetite

•

Fatigue

Créche Guard also has Créche Guard Restore the Balance which helps alleviate the symptoms of diarrhoea so should your little one catch one of these horrible tummy bugs you can at least alleviate the symptoms.

Créche Guard products are available in all leading pharmacies countrywide. You can also visit their website www.crecheguard.co.za.

news&reviews

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Calling all wannabe Junior Rangers For those families looking for the perfect getaway, Legacy’s Bakubung and Kwa Maritane Bush Lodges in the Pilanesburg National Park have become two preferred destinations. Always ideal for children to explore and enjoy, the Legacy Group has now introduced a fabulous new activity programme that not only engages their enquiring minds but simultaneously teaches them valuable information about the natural environment.

Known as the Junior Ranger’s programme, parent’s staying at either of the two lodges, are invited to enrol their children in this educational and fun experience. Activities within the programme are geared towards natural resource protection, environmental education and responsible recreation.

Children are encouraged to explore the Pilanesburg National Park according to a structured activity programme created by Legacy’s professional game rangers.

A total of 8 different activities appealing to the age group of between the ages of 6 and 12 years have been devised.

From learning about the history of the Pilanesberg National Park as well as the fauna and flora of the area, the kids are also taken on expertly guided wildlife walks and game drives in this pristine and unspoilt region.

Once all 8 activities have been successfully completed, each child will be presented with activity badges and stickers. A Junior Ranger pledge ceremony will be held whereby the Kwa Maritane and Bakubung Junior Rangers are given a certificate indicating that they are now a part of the resource protection, environmental education and responsible recreation initiative.

For further information regarding enrolment please contact Bakubung or Kwa Maritane on 014 552 6000 or 014 552 5100 respectively.

Nutritious can be delicious Growing up has just become a yummy affair with Nativa’s new TurboKidz Smart Shakes in delicious milky strawberry and vanilla flavours.

TurboKidz Smart Shakes are a meal replacement and snack for kids on the go. The new super tasty milky variants are bound to be a hit, even with picky eaters. Moms on the other hand will be impressed with the solid formulation that supports their children’s growth, development, energy provision and immune response.

TurboKidz Smart Shakes deliver some of the highest quantities of protein, Omega 3 and 6 essential oils, B-group vitamins, vitamins A and D, calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc in this product category. With Xylitol to counter ear infections and tooth decay they are free of sucrose, as well as being free of lactose, trans fatty acids and gluten.

Children aged from one to 10 years old can have one to two servings of TurboKidz Smart Shakes a day, while children from 10 to 12 years can enjoy three servings a day.

For children with a milk allergy, TurboKidz Smart Shakes are also available in a tried and tested strawberry flavoured soy variant.

The TurboKidz range is available from selected pharmacies. For further product information you can contact Nativa on 012 664 7110, email health@nativa.co.za or visit their website www.nativa.co.za.

Giveaway Nativa are giving away a hamper of TurboKidz Smart Shakes to the value of R160 each to 4 lucky RaisingKids readers. To enter click here.

RaisingKids - July 2011

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Vital vitamins On your first visit to your doctor after discovering that you are pregnant one of the standard pieces of advice you will receive is for you to start taking a prenatal vitamin. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve often wondered whether or not this is entirely necessary because surely if you are eating the correct foods and perhaps taking a regular multivitamin then would it really be necessary to be taking extra? When standing in the pharmacy looking at the rows of vitamins available, one has to wonder if this is just a gimmick to entice you into spending more of your hard earned cash? Apparently not! On researching the subject, I discovered that prenatal vitamins are in fact, an essential part of your pregnancy.

Not only are prenatal vitamins beneficial to the health of your baby, they are also beneficial to you. They are specially formulated multivitamins that make up for any nutritional deficiencies in your diet and while they contain numerous vitamins and minerals, the inclusion of folic acid, iron and calcium content is especially important. There are over 50 nutrients that are essential for good health when you are pregnant and we have listed some of the most critical below:

Folic acid (also known as Folate or Vitamin B9) can reduce the risk of your baby suffering from a neural tube defect which is a serious birth defect of the brain and spinal cord. The most common neural tube defect is spina bifida and this is when your baby is born with a spine that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t closed. The exposed nerves are damaged, leaving the baby with varying degrees of paralysis, incontinence and sometimes, mental retardation.

Because neural tube defects develop in the first 28 days after conception which is before many of us even realise that we are pregnant, it is advisable that you take 400 micrograms of folic acid each day whilst you are trying to conceive and you should continue this dose for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Natural sources of folic acid are green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, strawberries, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, pasta, sunflower seeds and citrus fruits. It is also found in many fortified breakfast cereals.

Calcium prevents you, the new mother, from losing your own bone density as your baby uses the mineral for bone growth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; calcium helps your baby form strong bones and teeth. It also aids the brain and heart to function.

Some natural sources of Calcium include milk, cheese, yogurt, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes and lentils.

Iron develops the red blood cells needed to deliver oxygen to your baby. It is also required for the formation of tissue for both your baby and the placenta. The amount of iron intake required during pregnancy is double that needed in non-pregnant women.

Iron can be found in red meat, poultry, legumes, vegetables, some grains and fortified cereals.

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RaisingKids - July 2011

Pregnancy Heading

Protein is the main building block for your baby’s cells

Vitamin B6 (or Pyridoxine) helps form new red blood

which makes it very important to the growth and development

cells which is vital to baby’s developing brain and nervous

of every part of your baby’s body during pregnancy.

system. It’s also been known to alleviate morning sickness in

Naturally found in beans, poultry, red meats, fish, shellfish,

some pregnant women.

eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt, Protein can also be found in

Sources of Vitamin B6 include bananas, baked potatoes,

fortified cereals and protein bars.

watermelon, chick peas, chicken breast and fortified cereals.

Vitamin A promotes healthy skin, the development of

Vitamin B3 (or Niacin) provides your baby with

bones and teeth, as well as the heart, ears, eyes, cell growth

energy for development and helps build the placenta. It also

and resistance to infection. A deficiency in Vitamin A has been

helps your digestive system to operate normally.

associated with vision problems. For mom, getting enough Vitamin A during pregnancy will help your body repair the damage caused by childbirth.

such as eggs, meats, fish and peanuts, as well as whole grains, bread products, fortified cereals and milk.

Natural sources of Vitamin A include liver, carrots, sweet potatoes, kale spinach collard greens, cantaloupe, eggs, mangoes and peas.

In addition to improving iron absorption,

Sources of Vitamin B3 include foods that are high in protein,

Vitamin C

is essential for healthy gums, teeth and bones as it holds the cells together which helps the body to build tissue.

Natural sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits, raspberries, bell peppers, green beans, strawberries, papaya, potatoes, broccoli and tomatoes. .

Vitamin B2 (or Riboflavin) promotes baby’s bone, muscle and nerve development. A Vitamin B2 deficiency in a pregnant mom may put her at risk for pre-eclampsia.

Vitamin B2 can be found in whole grains, diary products, red meat, pork and poultry, fish, fortified cereals and eggs.

Vitamin B12 works hand in hand with folic acid to help both you and baby produce healthy red blood cells and it helps develop the fetal brain and nervous system.

Vitamin D regulates calcium absorption which leads

Natural sources of Vitamin B12 include red meat, poultry, fish,

to healthy bones for both you and your baby.

Zinc aids in cell division which is the primary process in the

Vitamin D can be found in milk, fortified cereals, eggs and fatty fish. Of course, it can also be found in sunshine so this may be the perfect time to take that well deserved island holiday before baby arrives!

Vitamin E helps baby to form and use its muscles and red blood cells. A lack of Vitamin E during pregnancy has been associated with pre-eclampsia and low birth weight.

Sources of Vitamin E include vegetable oil, wheat germ, nuts, spinach and fortified cereals.

Potassium is important for maintaining fluid and

shellfish, eggs and dairy foods.

development of baby’s body tissues and organs, and it may help reduce neural tube defects. It also helps you and baby to produce insulin and other enzymes.

Naturally found in red meats, poultry, beans, nuts, grains, oysters and dairy products, Zinc can also be found in fortified cereals.

Remember that prenatal vitamins are used to supplement your diet and not to replace it. Eating a balanced diet is still the best nutrition for your baby.

electolyte balance in cells.

Potassium is found in fresh fruits and vegetables, red meat and chicken, fish, milk and yogurt, nuts and soy products.

Vitamin B1 (or Thiamine) is essential for baby’s brain, organs and central nervous system development.

Vitamin B1 can be found in whole grain foods, pork, fortified cereals, wheat germ and eggs.

RaisingKids - July 2011

11

N I W

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r cutest o e h t e v a pet h could ur family o y and you d n y a a d d o il t h c icture ink your n d your p a lo If you th p u to win a s n e ie h il t m , a s mug cky f quirkiest e three lu h er. t f o e od hamp o be on F t e P e Complet

Whether you’re a dog person or a cat person (or prefer your best friends scaly, feathered or finned) RaisingKids DigiMag, Complete Pet Food and the World of Dogs & Cats & Pet Expo (WODAC) invite you to enter this fun family competition and stand a chance to win Complete Pet Food hampers for your pets.

And if you are in Jo’burg, we’ll be giving away a set of 4 family tickets to WODAC too.

you need to do to take part is to upload your favourite picture of your child with their pet/s on the RaisingKids SA Facebook page before 15 August 2011. If you All

enter before 15 July, you could also stand a chance to

win tickets to WODAC, which takes place at

Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from

22 to 24 July 2011.

R3000 00 0 1st Prize 2 R f o e lu a v e mper to th a h A e iz r P d 1000 2n the value of R the value of A hamper to

er to p m a h A e iz r 3rd P

Competition

The three finalists will be published in the September issue of the RaisingKids DigiMag (www.raisingkids.co.za) and readers will be able to vote for their favourite finalist until 25 September 2011. Winners will be announced in the October 2011 issue of RaisingKids DigiMag. Your pet will love Complete Pet Food. Complete is a tasty, fully balanced quality pet food which contains all the essential vitamins and minerals to ensure the overall health and condition of your pet. Complete has been specifically formulated to reduce the possibility of allergic reactions, food sensitivity and aid in the control of dry skin.

The ingredients are natural and healthy and contain no fish meal, no Soya and no artificial flavourings or colorants. The recipes have been scientifically formulated, by specialist animal nutritionists to be both balanced and tasty.

Don’t forget the chance to bring the entire family to WODAC and enjoy the exciting arena attractions where

www.dogscats.co.za

the cleverest canines in town show off their prowess in the dog and puppy events or watch the parade of oh-so-superior felines in the Champion of Champions Cat Show.

Featuring the exciting hall of dogs, cats, birds, fish, exotic pets and reptiles, this expo is a one-stop pet wonderland. Watch dogs getting up to amazing tricks.

Find nutrition and health products, pet services, toys, accessories and treats. In the market for a new best friend? Talk to the experts, meet the breeds and make the right choice.

To plan your day at WODAC visit www.dogscats.co.za.

Terms and conditions: Entry into the competition ends on 15 August 2011. Voting entries close on 25 September 2011. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Winners will be notified telephonically before 1 October 2011.

If you aren’t already a member of the RaisingKids Facebook Group, then join us here.

www.completepetfood. co.za

www.raising-kids.co.za

RaisingKids - July 2011

13

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www.dogscats.co.za 14

RaisingKids - July 2011

YourHeading baby / child

Sniff, sniff, sniff It’s that time of year again! The cold and flu season and no matter how hard we try to keep our families protected, the kids are bound to catch some sort of bug as we go through changes of season and the winter months.

One of my personal dreads is the post nasal drip. Causing

allow the

several ailments in children, including a sore throat or a cough

mucus secretions to pass

that doesn’t seem to go away, the post nasal drip occurs when

more easily may be recommended

a large amount of mucus gathers in the back of the nose and

when it is not possible to determine the cause.

throat giving the sensation that the mucus is dripping from the back of the nose causing a ‘tickle’ or an itch – yuck!

Although most of us aren’t medical professionals and we prefer to seek the advice of our doctor or pediatrician, there are a few

Although mucus is not a topic to discuss around the dinner

precautions we can take to try to prevent the onset of a post

table, it serves a significant purpose moistening and cleaning

nasal drip.

out the nasal membranes. It removes bacterial viruses and other infection-causing invaders as well as clears out inhaled foreign matter and it humidifies the air that travels in your body keeping you and your insides comfortable. So on any given day, there is loads of mucus running down the back of your throat without you even noticing it!

Firstly, water is probably the most common-sense defense.

Drinking enough water keeps the mucus thin and your body, including your nasal passages, well hydrated. As is always the standard advice, try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day and try to ensure that your kids do the same, or close enough to it. Although it’s not always easy to get kids to drink water

A post nasal drip occurs when your mucus production goes

as opposed to all the other tempting beverages available to

into overdrive – this mucus is clear, thin and very runny hence

them, if you set an example by drinking lots of water they will

causing the drip, drip, drip feeing in the back of your throat.

probably be more inclined to follow in your footsteps.

The other extreme is when your mucus production slows down and thickens causing a thick, sticky yellow or green mucus that hangs around in the throat. Either way, it’s going to be uncomfortable.

Although we generally contract a post nasal drip during a

Decrease or eliminate your child’s exposure to allergens such as dust mites, pollen and mold.

Use a humidifier in your child’s room as this can help break up the mucus caused by the post nasal drip.

change of season or in the cold winter months, there are many

Keep your child away from nasal irritants such as cigarette

other factors that can trigger a change in mucus production.

smoke, perfumes and aerosol spray.

Some include allergies, air pollution, dusty/smoky conditions,

So long as the post nasal drip hasn’t developed into a sore

pregnancy or sinus infections.

throat, fever or any other symptom, you can treat it with

The problem with a post nasal drip, apart from the discomfort,

a saline nose spray. Be sure to use a specially-formulated

is that it often leads to a sore, irritated throat and although

version that is meant for use on children and use as directed.

there is usually no infection, the tonsils and other tissues in

If you suspect that the post nasal drip is the result of an

the throat may swell. Should you or your child develop a sore

underlying cause then it is always best to seek the advice

or irritated throat it’s best to seek medical advice as a correct

of your doctor. As mentioned earlier, whether it is a bacterial

diagnosis requires a detailed ear, nose and throat exam.

infection or an allergy, your doctor will be able to treat it

Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics and allergies are

accordingly.

managed by avoiding the causes. General measures that will

RaisingKids - July 2011

15

From April

to July 2011, RaisingKids and The Mount Grace Country House & Spa will be offering readers the opportunity to win a luxurious one

night stay for two adults, including all meals and two spa treatments, valued at R7 320! T & C’s apply.

Click here to enter.

Mount Grace Country House & Spa, surrounded by 10 acres of lush gardens in the magnificent Magaliesburg Mountains, is a true haven of natural elegance. It is the ideal environment to unwind and dissolve the stress that comes with the challenges of parenting. Enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains and valleys while taking in the fresh country air amidst the ‘din’ of nature at work.

The award winning luxury spa offers a sanctuary to refresh body, mind and spirit. Ignite the imagination and rediscover yourself in the relaxed tranquility of the famed hydrotherapy spa, which has a jacuzzi, waterfall and sound flotation pool. For more information visit www.mountgrace.co.za or contact 014 557 5600.

Children over 12 welcome.

Breakaway for Winter! Click here to find out about The Mount Grace Country House & Spa Revitalise spa pamper packages…

Your child

The games children play As we all know, with today’s fast paced, technology focused

kids to play the games that we used to play out in the back

world of TV, Internet, computer games and hand held video

yard.

games (to name but a few), our kids are asking for gadgets before they can even talk!

Physical games such as hopscotch, follow-my-leader, and hide and seek all improve on personal and social development for

I often receive emails referring to the ‘good old days’ when

example, working with others and taking turns. These games

we had no TV, no contact other than a Telkom telephone

also improve muscle development and co-ordination.

and when we were bored at home the standard instruction was to “go outside and play”. Although the ‘old days’ are outdated and I remember sighing whenever my parents would lecture me on how lucky I was as a child as they didn’t have half the options available to them as kids as we had, now being a parent myself, I have to wonder if my kids are at a

Party games such as pass the parcel and musical statues teach our kids how to be part of a group and, again, taking turns. Their creative development is stimulated by their movement to music which in turn develops strong muscles and hand-eye co-ordination skills.

disadvantage with today’s technology as opposed to being at

Board games such as snap, scrabble and monopoly

an advantage?

improve on mathematics as your child is counting, matching

Given the chance, most children love to play outside. Climb trees, ride bikes and chase after each other but, unfortunately, in today’s society with so many of us working long hours and

and sorting. Language and literacy is improved through communication with others and perhaps even learning new vocabulary.

with our gardens becoming smaller, they don’t really get the

Once you and your child have decided on a game to play,

opportunity to just be kids.

allow your child some freedom under your supervision so that

We, as parents, need to make an effort to ensure that our kids get the time needed to just play – no matter what the game is. Playing games is an important activity for their social and mental development not to mention learning about teamwork,

he can learn what his limits and the outcomes of his actions are. Ensure that the rules and boundaries of the game are explained so that he understands how the game works from the start.

sportsmanship and fairness. Games can create courage,

So, I challenge you to take some time out once a week, get

inspire your child to prove himself, teaches him to make quick

out into the garden or park with your child and teach them

decisions and how to work well under pressure. So whilst we

a ‘good old days’ game. They will benefit from the many

may think that playing hide and seek for the 100th time is just

advantages simple childhood games have to offer and they will

silly, our kids are learning vital skills which we may not even

love the interaction they have with you.

realise. It’s time to think back to your childhood and get your

Let’s play..

RaisingKids - July 2011

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