Emma

by Dr Lyndsey Collins-Praino, Senior Lecturer, Adelaide Medical School, University of AdelaideEducate Reflections from a Neuroscience Mumma As my son enters toddlerhood, talking seems to be all I talk about these days. Watching him discover how to describe the world around him, and his excitement at being able to interact and be understood in entirely new ways, has been amazing. But for me, like for many other parents, it has also been a source of some anxiety. Is everything on track? Is he saying as many words as he should? Is the fact that my Italian partner and I are raising him bilingual going to slow down his language acquisition? My fears were sent into overdrive a few months ago, when we brought him to see an ENT for an unrelated problem. Much to my surprise, she barely spoke about the issue we were there for, instead suggesting that we consider inserting grommets. Now I know that such a procedure is routine and very safe, but, like any parent, I felt my heart immediately contract at the idea of putting my little bubba through surgery. I was also a bit taken aback, as my son had no history of ear infections or other risk factors that usually lead to such a recommendation. When I asked her why she was suggesting this, she vaguely mentioned that his speech might be a bit delayed and began to use a model to describe the structure of the ear. Smiling inside, since, as a lecturer of anatomy, I use that model nearly every day to teach the same to future ENTs (sometimes you need to know your audience), I tuned out her lesson and began to wonder, was it true? Was my son’s speech delayed? Everything seemed on track. He was readily able to understand many of the things we said to him (now, as we get closer to the “terrible twos,” whether he listens or not is an entirely different matter; today’s request that he brush his teeth led to a meltdown that 2007 Britney Spears would be proud of). He was also able to say multiple words, pulling from both English and Italian. But how did I know if I was right? Was this ENT predatory or were her fears founded? Part of what makes it so difficult to tell is that there is a large variability between children in terms of language development. At its heart, language is built up of “building blocks” of meaningless sounds called phonemes. We learn how to combine these phonemes into words and, eventually, sentences, according to rules of grammar (rules for using language) and syntax (how to order language components in a meaningful way). Yet the exact time frame at which this occurs can vary between individuals, due to a complex combination of biological and environmental factors that we are just beginning to understand. There is also a large discrepancy between expression and comprehension, with the capacity of children to understand language far surpassing their ability to produce it. While the average child produces fewer than 10 words by 12 months, they understand close to 40. Between 18 and 30 months, rapid language development occurs for most children, significantly increasing not only their vocabulary size, but also the way they combine words to make sentences and use language to communicate. By the age of 3, children will have close to 1000 words and, amazingly, by the age of 6, children have acquired nearly 3,000 words and can understand approximately 20,000! Children also increase the number of words they use per sentence, increasing from around 3 words at age 2 to 5 words by age 8. But how do these language changes mirror what is happening in the brain? Neuroscientists know a great deal about language areas of the brain. What we are still learning about, however, is how these brain regions develop and mature. Even as newborns, babies show a preference for sounds in the range of language frequencies, indicating a predisposition to learn language. However, it isn’t until later childhood or even early adulthood that the language areas of the brain show the same organisation seen in adulthood. Experience likely plays a key role in the maturation of language areas of the brain. We know that exposure to language from birth is critical for the development of ability to understand and produce language. When you kiss those adorable little toes and “baby talk” to your bubba, you are emphasising important distinctions between sounds. Interestingly, while very young infants can perceive and discriminate between phonemes in all languages, by 6 months of age, infants begin to show preference for the phonemes of their native language. By 12 months of age, they no longer respond to foreign phonemes. This suggests that there is a critical period during which exposure to language must occur for us to acquire it normally. So what can we do to maximise language development? Quite simply- keep talking! Even before your little one can answer back, actively engage in conversation, leaving pauses where they will someday answer, to model the rhythm of speech. Spend lots of time snuggling up and sharing books together, pointing to the photos as you read the words. Go for long walks and describe what you see. As your child becomes older, encourage them to describe to you what they are seeing or feeling. Provide as many language-rich experiences as possible- and try to avoid the temptation of allowing a screen to sub in for you, as the reciprocity that comes from you engaging in conversation together is key for language development. Keep chatting and you’re sure to give ‘em something to talk about! Tips for Parents: 1. Keep talking!: Even before your baby can answer back, have a conversation and leave brief pauses where they will someday answer back. This helps to teach them the rhythm of language.2. Narrate the day: Go for a walk and describe what you see around you. When making dinner or giving your

They say that music is the language of the soul and answer to all your problems! We think that is reason enough to get involved in Girls Rock Adelaide! Girls Rock Adelaide uses the medium of music to inspire confidence, encourage creativity, celebrate individuality and ensure opportunity for young people in a non-judgemental space They run week-long mentorship programs for female, trans and gender non-conforming youth between the ages of 10 and 17. No music experience necessary and instruments provided! Girls Rock! Adelaide is a not-for-profit youth organisation that takes inspiration from a network of incredible initiatives across Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Aotearoa and around the world. They believe the fun, creative and healing presence of music is essential in the lives of young people and that a more inclusive music industry benefits us all. Girls Rock Adelaide works to: create space for young people to engage and contribute in local music communities  empower female and gender diverse youth in music amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard. School holiday camps: Their music camps run over the space of a week (Monday – Friday). Campers form a band for the week, learn an instrument, participate in creative workshops, see live bands, and collaborate to produce an original song. At the end of the week campers experience what it’s like to perform live to an audience at the Girls Rock showcase. Their first camp will be held 15-20th July 2019. Apply now for the first ever Girls Rock! Adelaide program! Applications close end of June: girlsrockadelaide.org/program girlsrockadelaide.org@girlsrockadl

Phil Cummings is Coming to the State Library! Whether your childhood was 5 minutes, 5 years or 50 years ago Phil Cummings: Stories behind the books exhibition will enchant all!Phil Cummings is an award winning South Australian author of over eighty books for children (from picture books to novels) in a career that has spanned thirty years. This FREE and INTERACTIVE exhibition (yes, emphasis on the free and interactive wahoo) was co-designed with children from Peterborough Primary School and will allow kids to explore and for adults to be kids. The characters and worlds that Phil created in his books will be brought to life in the exhibition space, including:– A country chook shed reading space to feel at home in Phil’s books– A recreation of the younger Phil’s lounge room as he watched the history-making Moon landing in 1969.Interactive elements include:– Giant light-box sand table to encourage dynamic storytelling in a highly tactile medium, and to spark reflection on Indigenous stories and methods of transmitting them.-A ‘writing ideas’ table, with plenty of scrap paper and writing prompts to capture the essence of creativity and perhaps even begin your own bestseller.– Inspired by Phil’s fable Boy (about a little boy who faces a dragon and stops a war) visitors can face their own ‘dragon’ and sculpt a dinosaur, dragon, monster or even their greatest fear from clay, then display it, take it home or conquer it as they want. This activity is about finding power within to be your own hero! Presented by the State Library of South Australia as part of the DreamBIG Children’s Festival discover the wonder of childhood and inspire your own kiddos creativity, through Phil Cummings work. Fast Five With Phil Cummings What is your earliest memory of reading?The earliest memory I have is sitting with my Nanna and she was reading poems from When We Were Very Young by A.A Milne.  I remember trying to read them myself and struggling. I also remember reading my first reader when I started school. What age did you write your first novel?My first novel, Angel, was published by Random House in 1998. Up until then I had been writing picture books and junior fiction; mainly for educational publishers. What advice would you give aspiring junior authors?Writers learn to write by writing and reading; the more you do, the better you will become. It is also important to try many different things and to challenge yourself. Which author had the biggest influence on you?It wasn’t any one author, but the books that had a real impact on me when I was young were The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. What inspires you today?I search for stories everywhere, I observe the world and see if any passing moments can somehow find their way into my stories. I love finding new characters and settings and seeing where I can fit them into my writing. Phil Cummings: Stories behind the books18 April to 21 July 2019State Library of South AustraliaFREE entryOpen during Library hoursFor more information about the exhibition visit:slsa.sa.gov.au

Developed in partnership with Reconciliation SA, Like Me Like You is an interactive performance for students in years one to three. It explores all of the different people, cultures, and stories that make up Australia today; from the First Nations people who have been here for thousands of years, to the new migrants who’ve just arrived! Kids will meet three characters who will take them through a series of short scenes. With songs, dance, puppets and stories about what makes you, like me, like you. The show is presented with three characters and one facilitator. The facilitator is a woman of colour, one character is white Australian, one is first nations Australian, and there are two versions of the work for the third character; an Asian Australian or a Muslim Australian. This means that the work can be adapted best for actor availability, and for the cultural make-up of the local area and audiences. Like Me, Like You was created by Australia’s leading forum theatre company ActNow Theatre after strong demand from primary schools sector following the success of their anti-racism production for years 7 – 12, Responding to Racism. A development run happened throughout 2018 with close partnership with the Department of Education, Catholic Education SA, and the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia. The work will premiere at the DreamBIG Festival 201922 – 24 May 2019 Book Now dreambigfestival.com.au

At KIDDO we are always keeping an eye out for great local businesses for kids and families. This week we spied Blue Dolphin Swim Centre and we’d like to tell you all about it! Blue Dolphin Swim Centre is a privately owned, family oriented swim centre and school that has provided swimming lessons to babies, toddlers and children in the local Adelaide community since 1986. The centre’s focus is to create a fun and enthusiastic atmosphere for teaching children and babies of all ages the efficient swimming techniques, water survival skills and what it means to be safer in the water. It can be daunting sending your little one to swimming lessons if they aren’t yet competent in the water. However the staff at Blue Dolphin are as welcoming and friendly as can be! More importantly they are all professionally qualified in a range of aquatic areas. The centre offers an extensive swimming education program for all different capabilities. Instructor qualifications include Austswim, World Aquatics, Swim Australia Teacher Qualification and Royal Life Saving, making Blue Dolphin’s swimming education offerings some of the best in the state. We spoke to Blue Dolphin Swim Centre to learn more!  How is learning to swim more than just a life skill? Learning to swim not only keeps you safer around water but it gives children an opportunity to keep fit along with the ability to enjoy other aquatic sports in the future such as surfing, sailing or scuba diving. Our mission statement is building happy, healthy and confident kids all year round. The milestones that children achieve in the water are really important to help them feel accomplished and confident which follows through into their lives outside of the water. Another added benefit is that it enhances their ability to learn and improve their physical development. As swimming is a complex skill that involves both physical and cognitive skills, research has proven that learning to swim gives children an advantage when it comes to their early childhood development. How do you achieve such a family centric vibe in your swim centre? We actively encourage parental participation, particularly with our younger kids until they progress into the learn to swim program. We also ensure our facility has the whole family in mind when it comes to making the customer’s experience as easy and as comfortable as possible. What is the history of the centre? Is Blue Dolphin a family run local Adelaide business? Our centre began back in 1992 from a leased pool and has always been a family business. The centre as it stands today at Happy Valley was purpose built in 2001 and continues to go from strength to strength. Over the years we’ve proudly taught thousands of children to swim and educated as many families. What makes Blue Dolphin the leading baby swim program in SA? Through extensive research both in Australia and overseas, we’ve implemented a progressive skill based program that results in children being able to swim. We are proud to be able to deliver our own nationally recognised infant aquatics program. As such we are able to qualify our own teachers with the infant aquatics certification. How does Blue Dolphin cater to different age groups and capabilities? We set ourselves apart by offering a skills based program that begins from 2 months right through to 16 years. Being competency based this means that there are no age restrictions to being able to learn to swim. This enables children to learn at their own pace whether it be quick or slow. What makes Blue Dolphin more appealing over other centres of swim programs? First of all the quality of our program and our commitment to progression. Having a senior teacher in the water means that we are able to consistently monitor, develop and grade both our children and teachers. Because we understand the pressures that life can present we offer unlimited makeup lessons so that children are not missing out on vital practice. Our shiver free UV sanitised pool also means that our water quality is not only more comfortable but always crystal clean and clear. We aim to make our customer experience as easy as possible. From ample car parking to our friendly customer service team. Our customers are also able to purchase a quality coffee so they can relax and enjoy watching their children glide through the water as they have fun learning to swim. Why we love Blue Dolphin Swim Centre Award winning Swim Centre ✔️Times that suit you: Morning, Afternoon and Evening Sessions ✔️Focus on Fun and Safety ✔️Classes up to 16 years ✔️Adelaide’s leading baby swim program ✔️Holiday swim program ✔️Warm UV Sanitised Swimming Pool ✔️ How Ultra Violet Filtration works:  The installation of UV Light Filtration was a large investment by Blue Dolphin Swim Centre. As the centre’s water circulates through their sanitisation plant, it passes under the UV Lights. At this point all bacteria is killed by the UV rays and then a small quantity of chlorine (Health Regulations requirement) is automatically added to the water to combat any pollutants entering the water from the plant room back to the filters. Ultra Violet light is similar to using the rays of the sun for water purification and presents no danger to users. Blue Dolphin is equipped with the most modern UV Treatment System available, ensuring the best quality environment for your child to swim in. The result is a sparkling clean pool that does not have the undesirable traits of a chlorine only pool, such as sore eyes, smell in the air and on the skin caused by chloramines. CLASS OPTIONS Little Ones2-4 monthsBlue Dolphins FREE Little Ones program for 2-4 month olds Baby Dolphins4 months – 3 years oldAdelaide’s leading baby program which is both nationally and internationally recognised. Kinder Dolphins3 to 5 years oldDesigned for 3-5 year olds to develop their water skills in a relaxed, fun filled and friendly environment. Learn to Swim3 to 16 years oldCommitted to teaching