Educate

Painted tasty treats, collaged fresh fruit, with vegetables galore at Adelaide Central Market At 5.00pm, on Friday 21 September, Little Picassos Art Studios will launch a new art exhibition, ‘The Market through Our Eyes’, at Adelaide Central Market, filling the walls throughout the Market with artworks by 400 children. Large brightly coloured pieces inspired by the Market will feature throughout the Heritage location including lots of yummy treats fruit big and small, portraits of shoppers, Stall holders, hungry participants and all capturing the colour, pattern and joy of the Adelaide Central Market through children’s eyes in this vivid exhibition from South Australian children, aged between 2 to 16 years. The exhibition, proudly supported by Adelaide Central Market, will run for four weeks and will be viewed by thousands of shoppers, visitors and traders as they visit this iconic location in the heart of the city. “We are absolutely thrilled that Adelaide kids get to show off their skills to thousands of Adelaideans and more, especially during the busy Spring season in Adelaide. It’s a great way to build each child’s self- esteem, whilst nurturing their love of art,” said Janine Boyd, Managing Director, Little Picassos. Children exhibiting will be attending the launch event with parents, grandparents and carers at the Grote Street North East Entrance this Friday night, 5 pm, as it launches with a special opening for the artists to share their work. Little Picassos Little Picassos provide quality art classes for children. As the biggest art school for children in Adelaide they offer innovative and educational sessions that promote creativity and build self-esteem, whilst nurturing each individual child’s love for art and art making. One of the features at Little Picassos is the high standard and quality of the work the children produce. The company, established in 2003, has two shop-front locations in Glenelg and Hyde Park and will be expanding this year as demand continues to grow. Their teachers are all qualified visual arts, art & education and/or early childhood specialists and are specifically selected for their passion for art education. Children from 2.5 years of age can join in a range of activities from weekly classes, birthday parties, school holiday sessions and canvas creations. littlepicassos.com.au Adelaide Central Market 

It’s common knowledge that nature-based play enhances children’s learning and their connection to the environment. So, what better way to capture your child’s interest than taking them on an educational nature trail in the heart of the city? A Walk on the Wild Side A new nature trail in Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi will take you and your children through a stunning biodiversity site, where you could spot a variety of interesting vegetation and wildlife, from rare grasses and flowers, to birds, lizards and maybe even the Chequered Copper Butterfly! This beautiful butterfly was recently rediscovered in the area after not having been observed on the Adelaide Plains for nearly 50 years! To find out more about the Chequered Copper Butterfly and the weird and wonderful relationship it has with the Rainbow Ant, that also calls this area home, pick up the Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi Grasslands Field Trip Activity Booklet and use it as a guide while completing the nature trail. Grasslands and Butterflies Thrive The new nature trail meanders through the City of Adelaide’s Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi biodiversity site, which safeguards an important and rare ecosystem that has survived nearly 200 years of changing land use. The Grey Box Derived Native Grasslands vegetation community is nationally-threatened, yet a small patch still thrives in the Adelaide Park Lands thanks to a team of dedicated experts who tend to the area, allowing native grasses and flowers to grow. These grassland ecosystems would have once been widespread in the South East of Adelaide. The Kaurna people would skilfully use fire to maintain the health of grasslands and other ecosystems in the Adelaide area. As the Traditional Owners and stewards of this Country, they have had an integral connection with this land for thousands of years. Yet despite the country changing over time, even uncommon species still survive, like the Spurred Spear Grass, which is also considered rare in South Australia. And spring is the perfect time to visit, as you have the best chance of seeing native wildflowers in all their glory. Where can I find the trail? You can find the Victoria Park Biodiversity Site in the southern side of Pakapakanthi / Victoria Park, with limited parking available on Beaumont Rd and Hackney Rd. Where can I find the Victoria Park/Pakapakanthi Grasslands Field Trip Activity Booklet? To find out more about the flora and fauna of the Grasslands and for ideas on activities to do while walking the nature trail, you can pick up the Victoria Park / Pakapakanthi Grasslands Field Trip Activity Booklet from the City of Adelaide Customer Centre, SA Museum, cafes in the vicinity of Victoria Park or online at cityofadelaide.com.au/grasslands before the end of October.

Shop South Australia, an initiative of Brand South Australia, celebrates the abundance of talented makers and producers here in South Australia. The new Shop South Australia website is home to a unique collection of over 300 South Australian gifts and goods from more than 65 local brands. The platform provides an opportunity for South Australian businesses – both small artisan makers and iconic brands – to sit alongside one another in one online location. The Shop South Australia platform combines local distillers, winemakers, designers, artists, artisan makers and iconic brands. Brands involved include Robern Menz, Haigh’s Chocolates, Charlesworth Nuts, Ambleside Distillery, Fox Creek, Naomi Murrell, Yard Skincare, Botanica Boutique, Ettie Ink, Mini Jumbuk, East End Flower Market and more. Adelaide Hills locals, Applewood Distillery and Unico Zelo are also among the 65+ local brands on the site. “To have our meticulously crafted products sitting alongside some of the best in the state is a brilliant opportunity. The Shop South Australia initiative will help grow awareness of the great products that hail from South Australia” says Brendan Carter, Owner, Applewood Distillery and Unico Zelo The platform helps South Australians to find and buy local products, encouraging them to choose SA when buying for friends, family and themselves. This aligns with Brand South Australia’s popular I Choose SA program, which encourages South Australians to support local jobs by buying from local businesses, retailers and suppliers. “As a proud local family business, it’s so important that South Australians support local makers and producers to create more jobs, and a more prosperous state” says Fiona Krawczyk, Marketing Manager, Haigh’s Chocolates. Operating as a product aggregtation site, users can browse for local products and services, with prompts to purchase directly from the vendors website, ensuring profits remain with the maker. Brand South Australia is asking consumers, businesses and retailers to visit Shop South Australia at www.shopsouthaustralia.com.au and help spread the word on social media by tagging Shop South Australia on Facebook and Instagram and using the #shopsouthaustralia hashtag. @shopsouthaustralia 

As soon as you step into Toys2Learn on Kensington Road you are greeted with a kid wonderland, filled wall-to-wall with every possible game, gadget, toy, puzzle or book imaginable. Owned and operated right here in Adelaide, Toys2Learn is a family business, established by Jodie and Chris Sanders. The pair’s vision was always to encourage learning through play. All toys are selected based on their ability to stimulate young minds and bring the fun to learning. With thousands of products Toys2Learn is a space designed to aid any parent or child, no matter what their age or ability, to find fun and engaging toys. Choose from figurines, science, construction, music, literacy, numeracy, sensory, gross motor toys and more. Be sure to check out the fabulously detailed Toys2Learn website, before going in-store if you want a sneaky browse without the eager kids present. Jodie and Chris also have a son on the autism spectrum and are aware of the challenges of parenting a special needs child. They recognized a gap in the market when they noticed how very little material and assistance was available for special needs. This inspired them to provide an extra level of service in their store. Toys2Learn will help locate and source any toy a parent needs. Many children, especially special needs children, often develop deep fascination and particular interest with certain types of toys. Whether it’s science, mathematics toys or trucks, Toys2Learn will track down whatever they can to cater to your child’s requirement. Drawing from her own experience Jodie will walk parents with children on the spectrum through toys suitable for various ages and stages of their development. Don’t worry if your little one finds shopping overwhelming, Jodie will also open the shop after hours to cater to those who need a special level of care. Toys2Learn Top Ten Toy Brands: 1. Playmobil2. Corolle3. Janod4. Brio5. Haba6. Le Toy Van7. Fischertechnik8. Bruder9. Heebie Jeebies10. everearth 224 Kensington Road, Marryatville toys2learn.com.au@toys2learn

The City of Norwood Payneham and St Peters is helping keep kids and adults as busy as bees with their new garden workshops, as part of the 2018 Sustainable Garden Awards! Supported by the team at Jeffries the Sustainable Garden Awards is a biennial initiative of the council, showcasing local gardens which make a positive contribution to the environment through sustainability principles, design and innovation. In the lead up to the Award presentations, a series of free workshops will be available to every shade of green thumb. Whether you’re an avid gardener or looking to turn over a new leaf there is a blooming great program of free workshops and tours kicking off this Saturday. The program includes a variety of sustainable gardening topics covered and a special workshop for children who love to learn about the creatures in their own backyard. The workshops are presented and hosted by expert gardeners committed to sustainable gardening practices and who are ready to share their tips and tricks, and answer all of your gardening questions. Don’t delay, places are limited and bookings are essential. Bugs, Bats and Bees: Kids Workshop Tuesday 2 October, 10am – 11.30amSt Peters Banquet Hall, 101 Payneham Road, St PetersFree, bookings essential The Workshop Program also includes: Get the Most out of your Patch Six mini workshops on 1 September Getting the most out of your patch 10am – 11amUrban beekeeping 11am – 12 noonThe good soil 12 noon – 1pmLinde Community Garden Tour 12.30 – 1pmBountiful, resilient veggie gardening 1pm – 2pmFruit cornucopia, fruit tree care 2pm – 3pm Sustainable and Pest Free Four mini workshops on 7 October Dealing with pests and diseases organically and sustainably 10am – 12 noonImportance of urban green spaces for wildlife, climate and people 12 noon – 1pmSustainable house, sustainable garden 1pm – 2pmWicking beds 2pm – 3pm FREE Tours! Sophie’s Patch One of SA’s most popular and enthusiastic gardeners, Sophie Thomson is a well-known author, public speaker and ABC TV presenter. Over the last five years, Sophie and her family have created a remarkable garden on what was once a bare paddock.Saturday 6 October 10am – 12 noon (bus departs at 9am and returns at 1pm)Sophie Thomson’s Garden, Hamlyn Cottage, Mount Barker Award Winning Garden Tour Join John and Chris on a tour of their award-winning sustainable garden. Together, they produce 30 percent of their food requirements in their garden which also acts as climate control, habitat for frogs, bees, birds and lizards, sanctuary and place for enjoyment.Saturday 13 October 10am – 11am21 Shirley Avenue, Felixstow St Peters Billabong Wednesday 17 AND Saturday 20 October10am – 11amThe Billabong is a haven for native wildlife and is recognised as an urban biodiversity ‘hotspot’ on the Adelaide Plains as well as a wonderfully tranquil and beautiful place to visit. It’s also home to the Council’s first native bee hotel. ALL workshops are FREE – bookings are essential.More information about and bookings for all workshops at www.npsp.sa.gov.au/sga @cityofnpsp @jeffries_group

Windmill’s Amphibian is an epic tale of displacement, loss and adapting to different worlds.  Windmill Theatre Co returns to the Adelaide Festival Centre this September with the world premiere of Amphibian. Written by local playwright Duncan Graham, Amphibian is inspired by the global refugee crisis and displacement of young people. Even when the kids are screaming and we feel like we are going grey way sooner than expected, we know that family truly is the greatest gift of all, but do our kids know how lucky they are? To grow up in Australia surrounded by friends and family, with such a sense of belonging. Following the story of Chloe and Hassan, two outsiders who wish nothing more than to belong, Amphibian teaches Australian children the importance of family, love and truth. As their personal histories are revealed, Chloe hears the incredible first-hand account of an Afghan boy who’s travelled alone, thousands of kilometres across land and sea, for a better life. Playwright, Duncan Graham says, “When coming up with the idea for Amphibian, Sasha Zahra and I interviewed dozens of young people about what was important to them. Unsurprisingly it was family, love and truth.” Created specifically for ages ten and up, this thought-provoking performance is brought to life by two formidable young actors – Maiah Stewardson, who featured in Windmill’s award-winning film Girl Asleep, and Antony Makhlouf, an actor, visual artist and presenter for Channel Seven’s Get Arty. “The timing of these interviews coincided with some powerful images on the news of refugee families in dire circumstances all over the world. We wanted to capture a story that sees two young people fighting for their version of family, love and truth, while showing how radically different this is for people from different backgrounds.” Director Sasha Zahra (Book of Loco, previous Adelaide Fringe Creative Producer) says, “Amphibian travels back and forward in time, to different countries and locations, and traverses memory, imagined and dream worlds, creating endless possibilities for interesting and unexpected forms of storytelling to be explored. Windmill’s Artistic Director, Rosemary Myers says, “It’s great to work with Sasha and Mark again and exciting to bring in some new artistic collaborators with Duncan, Meg and Ian. The displacement of families and young people across the world is a burning issue right now. By locating the play in an Australian school quadrangle, Duncan has found a setting that immediately connects with our audiences to tell this powerful and very human story.” The work will be accompanied by a dynamic, new online experience for audiences and students called Across Land and Sea: Muzafar’s True Story. This platform will allow users to explore cultural consultant Muzafar Ali’s real-life journey from Afghanistan to Australia as a refugee through video interviews and photos from his life. Amphibian is a truly powerful and thought-provoking performance to introduce children to, which will open up valuable discussions. A Windmill Theatre Production  Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre – 5 – 15 September  Tickets available  or enter our competition to WIN a Family Pass! Images by: Shane Reid

Some things about travelling are unavoidable, like jetlag or paying more in accommodation than you need to. But one part you can prepare for is protection against diseases. If you’re holidaying with your little ones, make sure your family postcard is one to remember (in a good way). Once you’ve picked your destination, talk to your GP or travel-shot clinic about the vaccinations your children need. Bring a copy of your itinerary to your appointment and anything you plan to do, so your doctor can best advise you. There are certain countries that require proof of vaccination against specific diseases before they’ll let you enter. Learn about the destination at Smart Traveller or the embassy or consulate of the countries you’ll visit (or transfer through). Here are some tips about vaccinations to prepare and protect you for your big adventure: Australia’s childhood vaccination program covers a range of vaccines including polio,tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella. But don’tassume that they’re covered for travelling. They could be due for a booster. Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines must be up to date (particularly if you’re visitingAsia, Africa or any country where bottled water is recommended).  Plan enough time before your holiday departure for your boosters. Some vaccinesrequire more than one dose to be effective such as Hepitatis B and Rabies. There aredestinations where animal exposure is possible and young kids might want to patthem. Make sure they’re vaccinated, just in case there’s a risk of Rabies. Find out if there are any destination-specific vaccines. Yellow fever is a must forplaces like Africa, South & Central America as well as the Caribbean. Exploring Asia?Japanese encephalitis shots might be necessary. Travellers to Africa normally requireprotection against meningitis. Once you’ve organised the vaccinations, it’s time to pack your medicine bag for the children. You can never be too prepared when it comes to packing your travel ‘first aid kit.’ Everyone loves that person you can depend on who has everything. As a parent travelling to a new country with kids, you want to be that person. The more at ease you feel, the better the holiday will be. Vaccinations will protect your children from diseases, but what about those minor day-to-day risks? Like stomach bugs, itchy skin or knee grazes. Then, it’s time to pull out your travel medicine cabinet. Regular MedicationPack any regular medication your children may be taking. Don’t forget about asthmaand allergy medications. Base your supply on the length of time you’re away. Thenadd a little extra, just in case there’s an emergency. Pack all important medicationsin your hand luggage and day bag, so you’ve always got it close by. If you’re goingoverseas, organise a letter from your doctor to show immigration if they ask whyyou’re travelling with the medication. Stomach UpsetsTwo words: Bali belly. Whether or not you’re heading for Bali, stomach bugs are oneof the most common travel sicknesses. Pack tablets for an upset stomach andmotion sickness medication if you plan to travel on boats and buses. For littlesensitive-bodied children, have medicine for diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, andvomiting handy. Electrolytes are important for children who are sick, so bringing afew packets for a quick recovery is a smart move. Pain and FeverParacetamol is your best travel companion when children have a high fever. It’s goodfor the whole family, so bring a whole box. Remember to throw in a thermometer,so you can check your children’s temperature should they fall ill. SkinThe only bad thing about a tropical island are the mozzies (literally, nothing else).Make sure you’ve got insect repellent to stop your kiddies getting bitten andscratching away all night. Also, don’t forget the sunscreen. There’s nothing worsethan the whole fam being sunburnt. Cuts and GrazesAccidents can happen, especially in a new country. It’s best to be prepared for them,by including child-friendly Band-Aids and antiseptic lotion in your first-aid kit. It’sbetter to be safe than sorry. Your family’s in for a fun adventure. Travel is one of the best ways to educate your children about the world. Just make sure you’re prepared with all the right things you need to do before and pack in your bags. Your local National Pharmacies pharmacist will help you put your medicines list together, so come in store (and make us jealous) sharing your travel plans. We love to live vicariously. National Pharmacies  @nationalpharmacies

Reach For The Stars ADELAIDE ALL STAR CHEERLEADERS ARE A JUMP ABOVE THE REST. Armed with a dream and a tiny 40sqm part time gym space in 2009, founders Jess and Rachel were filled with the kind of spirit that makes the academy what it is today. Now the largest, most competitive program in South Australia, Adelaide All Star Cheerleading is also one of the largest programs in the country! The dream team behind All Star is comprised of owner and coach Jess, who has more than 50 state titles and over 9 years experience coaching teams and groups to numerous National Championship titles around Australia. Jamie is your go-to man for everything cheer, o ice related and in-between, as well as being a certified cheer and tumble coach. Last but not least, Kayla is a cheerleading, coaching and tumbling extraordinaire from the USA bringing more than 15 years of experience to her role. You know your kids are in safe hands with a team like this! Owner, Jess’ mission is to reduce the stereotypes around competitive cheerleading and promote the incredible benefits of the sport that she has seen first hand at All Star. ‘Those that only associate cheerleading with sideline style pom poms are really missing out. It’s actually a really exciting challenge for us- to reach out and share the real nature of our sport and introduce people to it for the first time’ The programs at All Star are designed to give young kids the opportunity to develop agility, fitness, strength, teamwork, confidence and should be especially recognised for its capacity to empower young girls. All Star is a competitive club that puts the fun of cheerleading first. Although they love winning and it’s something they are very good at, it will never get in the way of the vision to teach and inspire their young athletes. ‘Sharing that journey with parents- seeing physical and maturity changes in kids who go from not knowing anything about cheerleading to not only enjoying it, but embracing the whole world of the sport and becoming incredibly talented, dedicated and hard working athletes in the process is one of the most rewarding parts of running our programs.’ As well as its A-class spirit, All Star boasts the best facilities of any other club in SA. Their Nailsworth gym has SA’s largest 9-run full size competition sprung floor giving students a unique advantage for training and competing. Watch the All Star Mini gym tour here. ‘One of the best things about cheerleading is there’s something here for everyone. All ages, all genders, all heights, all levels of athleticism all bundled into fun and welcoming teams.’ Pippa Waganeen and her three beautiful girls, Kitty, Posey and LuLu love a chance to burn o some excess energy around the All Star gymnasium. Although they are all different ages, there are classes to suit each one of the girls, which has everyone looking forward to Cheer time each week! ALL STAR JUNIORS Now introducing… All Star Juniors classes! The team at All Star have carefully designed an exciting and interactive program for bubs and tots. Watch your little one discover, play and climb over the so cushioned floor of the All Star gym. BABY & TODDLER CLASS5 months – 5 years These classes are designed to be highly interactive for parents and are a perfect way to introduce your bub to developing co-ordination skills, like walking. Sessions are specifically designed to improve balance and muscle tone through creeping and crawling while also developing visual skills such as depth perception and hand-eye co-ordination. Think colourful toys, guided exploration and free play… all the fun stu ! Tuesday 10 – 11am Wednesday 10 – 11am TUMBLE TOTS2.5 years – 5 years If your junior tumbler is competent and confident enough Tumble Tots will introduce ‘shapes’ vital for tumbling and cheerleading. Parents can ‘kiss and drop’ and watch safely from the parents lounge as this class works to help mini All Stars develop their body awareness and build strength and fitness. This class will work as the building block to see your child begin working independently with just coaches. A great way to build confidence prior to school! Tuesday 11 – 11.45am Wednesday 11 – 11.45am SPACE CADET2.5 – 5 years Once your mini athlete has had a tasteof Tumble Tots and deems themselves ready for the next big step they can start their career as a tiny cheerleader. The Space Cadet competitive team train once a week to learn the basics of cheerleading.They then work together to learn a routine and compete at three competitions throughout the year – just like the big kids!Saturday 8.30 – 9.15am * Next in take January 2019 adelaidecheerleading.com.au @Adelaideallstarcheerleading 2 Jones St, Nailsworth 8269 1988 Photos by Kirsty Burns Photo

OTFC is an Adelaide Clinic revolutionising treatments for adolescents with ASD otherwise known as Autism Spectrum Disorder. This is a world first occupational therapy clinic for the 13-21 age group! OTFC+ is a service developed to support young adolescents and adults with sensory, physical, behavioural, social and emotional challenges. OTFC+ is an extension of Occupational Therapy For Children (OTFC) services that have been offered to children and families for over 30 years in South Australia. The innovative approach of this new therapy clinic will help thousands of Australians live more fulfilling lives and revolutionise the way the disorder is managed. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder of varying severity that affects a person’s ability to perform basic roles – impacting on their social, emotional and physical well-being and placing extra responsibility and pressure on carers and family members. More than 115,000 Australians have ASD, with 48,100 reporting a need for more help with cognitive or emotional tasks and 27,100 asking for more assistance with communication. OTFC+ programs are based on the link between physical health and emotional and social wellbeing, and bring together a variety of services to address these shortfalls. Through the OTFC+ LIFEskills SOCIALskills group programs and individual physical programs, the challenges adolescents with ASD face – physically, cognitively and emotionally – can be targeted. occupationaltherapychildren.com.au @occupationaltherapyforchildren

Little Tennis Stars is a local Adelaide tennis club specifically designed for early learning so that little ones can develop confidence straight off the bat. Founder Dionysia Paronis (Didi) was introduced to tennis in primary school at age 5. She instantly fell in love with the sport and decided to join a tennis club. After noticing the joy and confidence that she gained from her involvement with tennis, Didi decided that she wanted to provide this same experience to younger children (as young as 18 months old). A mama herself, Didi loves working with young kids, this lead to a specific focus on catering to the Early Learning area. Her programs allow young ones to feel safe and comfortable in their new learning environment. We asked Didi to explain a bit more about the benefits of tennis: How does playing sport build up children’s confidence and help with their developmental learning? We use the ‘Game Sense Approach’ this encourages children to play with purpose while learning through play. Children feel confident when successful and as a good coach it’s important to make each child successful at everything they try. With confidence and success their developmental learning comes naturally and they will be able to advance to the next level. How do you provide a safe/supportive environment for children with all different levels of capabilities? Our program follows the Early Years Learning Framework guidelines (EYLF). This assists in planning each lesson like an ELC would as part of their daily routine. During a lesson we use both direct and indirect teaching styles. Both encourage children to learn how to search and receive information, solve problems and explore solutions. At the Foundation stage of children’s development we ‘guide more, direct less’. Are your programs purely competitive? At the foundation stage of children’s learning it’s important to keep it simple and effective for their development. Seeing the children have fun while learning is most rewarding for us. Our foundation program isn’t competitive. Once children progress to our Hot Shots Red, Orange and Green stage program there you’ll see more competitive training methods to assist in match play. PROGRAMS Hot Shots Blue Stage 3–5 years (ELC) Hot Shots Red Stage 5-8 years Hot Shots Orange Stage 8-10 years Hot Shots Green stage 9-12 years Petite – Introductory Program 18 months – 3 years (ELC) The Petite Introductory program assists in preparation for the ANZ Tennis Hot Shots pathway. Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) The Little Tennis Stars Program has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Children have the opportunity to develop skills including:• Gross motor skills• Co-ordination• Group interactionConfidence and self-esteem littletennisstars.com.au@littletennisstars Image by Meaghan Coles Photography

The year before school is so important for young children. It’s where they learn the skills to develop the confidence they need to make a smooth transition to school. If you are the parent of a three or four-year-old then you are probably already starting to consider what your options are for kindergarten (also known as preschool) for 2019. For first time parents it can be a little overwhelming wrapping your head around the different options – Government run programs, sessional ELCs or kindergarten at a centre-based long day care service. For a government preschool you also need to consider your ‘catchment area’ (or sometimes called ‘school zone’) and priority / wait lists may apply. Then cross your fingers and wait to see if you will be offered a place. Not to mention the added challenge of the traditionally limited kindergarten hours – either ‘sessions’ or a ‘full 9-3 day’, maybe 2.5 days per week or perhaps a five-day fortnight. If both you and your partner are working than this these inflexible hours can be hard to accommodate. This is when a kindergarten program in a centre-based long day care setting has its perks. You get wraparound care for up to 12 hours a day, so your child can attend kindergarten with the flexible longer hours you need. Plus, thanks to the new Child Care Subsidy if you attend a kindergarten program at a centre-based long day care service you may be entitled to 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight. And even better is that families don’t need to meet the new activity test in order to qualify for this subsidy payment – that means that regardless of how much work or recognised activity you and your partner do, you can still receive payments to offset the cost of kindergarten at a centre-based long day care service. To find out if you meet eligibility requirement take a look at the government fact sheet. But most importantly you want to ensure your child is attending a high quality kindergarten program. Kindergarten is an important year in which children develop many of the skills they need for school. So, what makes a good kindergarten program? The year before school is all about school-readiness, and high quality kindergarten programs combine a strong play-based government approved curriculum with the skill of degree qualified teachers to achieve just that. A high quality program helps children become school ready by developing their:• Physical health and wellbeing• Social competence• Emotional maturity• Language and cognitive skills• Communication skills and general knowledgeThese are the areas against which the Australian Early Development Census measures children in their first year of school. High quality kindergarten programs are geared towards helping children develop the foundational skills they need for a smooth transition to school. A program delivered through play-based learning makes it active and fun for children and helps them develop an openness to learning that lasts well into adult life. Thanks for the team at Goodstart Early Learning for helping us to unpack the ins and outs of kindergarten. @goodstartel goodstart.org.au

Parental Listening & Language I am not in the business of giving parents who are already stretched thin, more to do or more to feel like they’re failing at. However, I am interested in sharing my knowledge to assist parents and their children, not to DO MORE, but instead empower them with the choice to do things differently and sometimes perhaps even doing less! For example, as a parent you can strengthen your relationship with your child by using different words when communicating with them. This may sound simple but requires us to actively choose to stop reacting on autopilot (habits which we can be largely unaware of) and engage with our child in a new and different way in the present moment. Rather than jumping in with our parental wisdom and/or frustrations, we can learn a lot by zipping it (which is much easier said than done)! When we remain silent and actively listen to our children many things can happen: We take the pressure off ourselves to instantly respond to our child. We give ourselves time (sometimes one breath is all we need), which allows us space to make a choice about whether to react based on habit or try a different approach that may serve our child and ourselves better. We get a chance to turn down the volume on what’s pushing our buttons and choose to manage our own emotions before responding to our child. It gives us a chance to see and hear our child in the present moment, openly gather information to increase our understanding and empathy. Our child experiences us as seeing and hearing them and overall feels more accepted and worthwhile. Listening to our children is important from birth: watching our babies cues and working out their different cries, reading our toddlers sign language or deciphering their words (that no-one else would understand), listening to our children and teenager’s words (or grunts) in the context of their individual personalities and circumstances. The next point applies to not only our children but also to ourselves: LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS! We all have basic needs such as being fed and rested. Children (and most adults) cannot engage in a meaningful way with others if they are hungry or exhausted, so do your best to regularly feed them and assist them to get enough sleep (easier said than done I know). Then we need to be aware of our children’s development and match what we expect from them with what they are actually capable of. An understandable and common want for parents is for their toddler to spontaneously share, which sets the toddler up to fail as they are developmentally unable to do this on their own, but rather need support with this complex social skill. Another common belief we hold as parents is that if a child is capable of a certain behaviour they will consistently behave this way – I am capable of acting rationally and calmly but I most certainly do not behave this way consistently! Children will develop new skills but they take time to consistently master them, and even then, if they are under stress they will not always be able to access them (just like us). We can offer our children the gift of compassion by moving away from pressuring them to reach our expectations towards accepting them for who they are. Rather than shutting down our children’s expression of big emotions, especially negative ones, we can choose to ‘be with’ them in their feelings. Our children do not benefit from us dissolving alongside them – which results in both parent and child ending up in the bottom of an emotional hole. Nor do they benefit from us instructing them to pull their socks up and get on with things – denying the existence of any emotions. They need us to see their pain and validate their experience without judgement, resist your need to ‘fix’ things for them and sit alongside them while they process their negative feelings. As a parent I can feel worn down by the constant nagging and repetition of statements that start with “No…” and “Don’t …..”. I’m under no illusion that the nagging will stop but if we can choose to make statements that focus on the behaviour we would like to see, at least our children are hearing more positively worded phrases which include hints on what to do versus what not to do. For example, swapping: “stop jumping on the couch” with “couches are for sitting on” “don’t throw the ball at your brother’s head” with “throw the ball to mum” “No more lollies” with “If you’re hungry, have some fruit” Parents can also help their children to make better choices by providing simple explanations of why they would benefit from them. For example: “If you break the couch we’ll have to buy a new one which you will be contributing to and there will be less money to buy your birthday presents with” “because your brother is too little he may get hurt, but mum would like to play with you” “If you eat too many lollies your teeth and body will get sick” Listening more (saying nothing) along with saying things differently can strengthen your relationship with your child. Taking notice and supporting our children with their thoughts and feelings takes practice and patience. Undoubtedly, in the heat of many parenting moments we will slip back into our old reactive ways – and that is ok. Remembering we need to lower the expectations we set for of ourselves along with those we hold for our children. Facebook – @hannabeavenpsychologyInstagram – @hannabeavenpsychologyWebsite – www.hannabeavenpsychology.com.au

Whether it’s a media beat up or, as the morning news will have us believe we really are living through a bullying epidemic, we just can’t deny that the issue of bullying is real. It has evolved over time and is now impacting children in ways never seen before.It’s in our best interest to be well aware and involved in the online life of our children to ensure that we are taking all steps possible to keep Cyber Bullies out of our child’s lives. Technology is often made the scapegoat for the rise in Cyber Bullying, we know that bullying is more about values and behaviour than it is about choice of weapon. We need to give our children the support and tools to behave respectfully online and protect themselves from potential risks. Teach good values Empathy, respect and resilience are key to a positive online environment. Model these values and find examples in day-to-day life, in stories, tv programs, movies and people that they know. Tell some stories of your own. Highlight and discuss what these values look like in action. Find examples of your children showing behaviours that are inline with these values. Give them positive feedback on what they did and how they did it. Talk about Cyber Bullying Ask them if they know anyone who has been cyber bullied, or is a cyber bully. Discuss various possible scenarios and solutions. And most importantly, let them know that the same rules apply to online bullying as they do for bullying in say, a schoolyard. Don’t be a bystander. If they see or hear of anyone who is being bullied online, they need to tell a trusted adult and encourage their friend to get help. It’s also important for them to show a position of support if they feel safe to do so, remind them that their one supportive comment could make all the difference to a victim in distress. Teach them how to respond We need to give our children the tools to manage the situation. Avoid escalating the situation by retaliating as this can further provoke the bully; online bullies hope to get a reaction. So, the first step is to ignore. Teach children how to block, report and delete. Most social media platforms have rules that will ban cyberbullying and will have tools that will allow you to ask for something to be removed, sometimes called the report button. If this is not done within 48 hours you can then take your complaint to Esafety and they will follow this up with the social media platform. They can also help your child find someone to talk to and give advice and strategies. Save the evidence by taking a screen shot, while this can be overwhelming and intrusive, it is important. If the bullying is taking place via email and is continuous it may be necessary to change email addresses. If the bullying still continues, you may consider contacting your local police to help manage the situation. Understand how they are using the internet It’s no longer acceptable to say that we can’t keep up and children have surpassed us where technology is concerned. Some social media sites are safer than others. Get to know them, download them yourself and have a good browse, talk to your children about what they use and the advantages and disadvantages. Some social media apps have guides for parents and if they don’t it’s not hard to find them online. Keep them connected If children raise an online issue with you, it’s important not to take them offline. This is their world. Staying connected with supportive peers is important to recovery and building resilience. Banning them from their devices is like isolating them from friends, it will feel like a punishment and therefore will discourage them from coming to you with a problem the next time something occurs. Have a family agreement about internet use at home This will open the lines of communication and give guidelines to enable a conversation that is purely centred around online safety, and as a result a common understanding of acceptable behaviour. Keep devices out of the bedroom While this might seem like a no brainer to some, if this family rule is not put into place when children are first introduced to devices this can be quite a challenge, especially with teenage children who are in need of more privacy as they get older, and habits that are well engrained. Things happen online late at night and when a notification goes off, as adults we know all too well how difficult it is to resist the temptation to check it. Model this behaviour for your children, the benefits will far outweigh the inconvenience. It might be a tough adjustment, but well worth it. Whilst we can never completely control our what happens online or what our children are privy too, putting these steps in place can help you feel comfortable that your children know what to do when it comes to cyber bullying and give you peace of mind that you have done what you can do make them aware, educated and feel safe and supported should issues arise. @cybersafefamilies cybersafefamilies.com.au