ISSUE 2, 2008 10 things to do every single day Best of National Playgroup Week How to change bad behaviour Journal of Playgroup NSW and Playgroup QLD The team Chief Executive Officers Playgroup NSW:Deb Ryan Playgroup QLD: Mark Brooke Editor Jane-Anne Lee Designer FLUXX To place an ad in Totline Michelle Seale: 02 9876 8558 [email protected] Please note Copy deadline for the August issue of Totline is 13 June 2008. Advertising deadline is 20 June 2008. Playgroup NSW PO Box 6665 Wetherill Park DC 1851 Tel: 02 9604 5513 or 1800 171 882 Fax: 02 9604 5541 Email: [email protected] www.playgroupnsw.com.au Playgroup Queensland PO Box 339 Alderley QLD 4051 Tel: 07 3855 9600 or 1800 171 882 Fax: 07 3855 9699 Email: [email protected] for referrals or [email protected] for members’ enquiries www.playgroupaustralia.com.au contents Features 4 Guide for parents 10 things to do every day 6 Changing behaviour Rules of thumb 8 Health matters Beating bronchiolitis 10 National Playgroup Week Celebrating the fun & friendship of Playgroup 33 14 Playgroup profile Dulacca Playgroup 30 16 Money matters Dealing with debt Totline is registered with Australia Post Privacy Notice Information about Playgroups and personal information from families and volunteers is collected for the sole purpose of referring families to Playgroups and is collected in accordance with government funding requirements and to assist the Association and Australian Government in its planning and service delivery. The Association conforms to a Privacy Policy (see website for full copy) that complies with the Information Privacy Principles (IPP) of the Privacy Act. You can view or change your personal information at any time and should you have a complaint about your privacy, please contact the CEO of Playgroup NSW or Playgroup Queensland on 1800 171 882. © Copyright No part of this newsletter may be copied or reproduced in any form without the written permission of Playgroup NSW and Playgroup Queensland. To the best of the Editor’s knowledge, all details were correct at the time of going to print. The Editor and Playgroup NSW and Playgroup QLD are neither responsible nor liable for any errors in Totline. We do not necessarily endorse the advertising appearing therein (with the exception of Playgroup’s own products and services). Playgroup Association of New South Wales ISSN 0728-0394 Playgroup Association of Queensland Inc ISSN 1038-2852 Regulars 3 President’s welcome 18 Newsline 20 Playgroup 2008 21 Your turn 6 22 Early literacy 25 Awards time 26 Board nomination 27 Play matters 30 Reviews 32 What’s on 33 Playgroup raffle 34 Giveaways 34 4 8 President’s welcome Hi, welcome to the new-look Totline. We hope you enjoy its fresh design and content which mark an exciting era for our much loved magazine. After months of planning, Helen Wicks Playgroup NSW and Playgroup Queensland have joined forces to jointly publish the magazine, dramatically boosting its circulation from 25,000 families to more than 45,000! This is an amazing achievement at a time when many publications are actually experiencing a decline in circulation. In bringing together both states’ resources and early years’ expertise, we aim to build the single largest Playgroup and parenting publication in Australia within five years! Importantly, we will also be more cost-effective. Ultimately, Playgroup families expect us to deliver quality and cost-effective services and the revamped Totline aims to do both for NSW and Queensland families attending Playgroups. Although some things have changed, much will stay the same in Totline. It will continue to be distributed quarterly through Australia Post, free to all Playgroup NSW and QLD members. And it will continue to provide articles on Playgroups, the best available advice on parenting and children’s development, and keep families up to date with the latest reviews, events and children’s entertainment. We are genuinely excited about the new Totline venture and welcome feedback from Playgroup members. Keep playing, having fun and reading Totline Helen Wicks TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 3 Caring for Country Cousins guide for parents 10 4 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 things to do every day as a parent 1. Be loving You can never be too loving with your children. Forget the outmoded idea that hugging them, holding them or telling them you love them is spoiling your children. If the parents of the world paid more attention to their children, the world would be a better and happier place. Show affection in the words you use to praise your child’s specific accomplishments when he/she tries hard or masters something new or challenging. Nothing makes a child stand up taller than praise from a parent – praise that’s heartfelt, genuine and specific. 2. Act as a role model Imitating parents is a natural part of how children develop. Perhaps you’re not aware of the subtle messages you send to your children all the time. But all your actions and emotions are communicated to your kids. That’s why anxious parents produce anxious children and positive parents bring up confident kids! Don’t be afraid to assert authority as a parent – that’s what you’re there for. You can set clear, fair and consistent boundaries. So limit your child’s TV viewing and video games and regulate what he/ she’s allowed to watch. Everyone performs poorly when tired or stressed so forgive yourself when you stumble. 3. Involve yourself One of the most important things you can do to safeguard your children is to spend time with them. No one ever feels that they have enough time to do the things they have to do – much less the ones they’d like to do! But strong family ties are formed between children and their parents if a little regular daily effort is made to spend time talking, eating and playing together. Remember that each of your children needs some time to spend with you alone, apart from brothers and sisters. Set aside time together with your children when they’re younger and the habit is likely to continue as your children grow. 4. Focus on flexibility Your role as a parent changes as your child grows. What worked well when your child was in the nursery doesn’t necessarily work when she/he reaches Year 6 – and is likely to outright fail when they enter adolescence. The drive and independence that makes your three-year-old say “no” all the time is actually part of the same process that makes your 13-year-old argumentative at the dinner table. It is also what makes them more inquisitive in the classroom and even later on in their career. So embrace the wider implications of your child’s actions. Parental flexibility is all about getting inside the mind of your child at their particular age. 5. Set boundaries and rules 8. Be firm and fair The two most important things children need from parents are love and structure. Like everything in life, providing your child with structure is a balancing act. Structure makes children feel the security of love around them. If your child feels insecure, he/she may be reluctant to try new challenges. The real reason for setting boundaries is that over time your children can develop the ability to set their own boundaries and manage their own behaviour. Although this premise may sound weird, you need to realise that your children’s ability to be controlled by you leads to their ability to control themselves. 6. Be consistent At each stage of your child’s development, you must establish your rules that you expect your child to obey. But you also need to expect that your child will, at some point, challenge you and test your limits. This behaviour is just what kids do. Your job is to do what’s best for your child, whether they like it or not. You are the adult; you are the more experienced, wiser person who can see the bigger picture. Don’t let your toddler blackmail you into buying that ice cream just before lunch with a screaming tantrum. Remember, you’re teaching life skills and helping to develop a well-rounded, helpful, self-reliant adult for the future and, if it helps, remember that this phase doesn’t last forever. The biggest single contributor to a child’s disciplinary problems is inconsistent parenting. The secret of consistency is keeping your expectations clear and always meeting the same behaviour with the same reaction. 9. Listen first, talk later If you’re having trouble disciplining your child, the first thing to do is to take a step back and ask, Am I being consistent? Through listening properly to your children, you help them find their own answers. They also let off steam. You may even get to ask the odd great question and your child may start to see things from a different perspective. So turn down the TV, stop reading the paper, and stop peeling the potatoes. Listen with genuine interest and really pay attention to what they are telling you. 7. Encourage independence From the day you play peek-a-boo with your baby, you’re preparing him/her for separation from you. From their first day at school, first sleepover and first school trip away – to the day they leave home. Good parenting is a step-by-step process, a gradual moving out into the big world, confident and independent from you. You tread a fine line. Good parenting requires a balance between involvement and independence. Your children learn selfconfidence from learning to manage their own self-sufficiency. Parents who encourage independence in their children help them to develop a sense of direction. To be successful in life, children need both self-control and self-direction. They also need self-discipline to balance their own individual needs of others. Listening is the best gift you can give anyone. Listening makes children feel valued, heard and understood. It makes them feel important. 10. Respect your child Your relationship with your child is the foundation of their relationships with others. If you treat your child with compassion, kindness and respect, they’ll grow up to be concerned about others, caring, considerate and respectful towards people. Edited extract from Raising Happy Children for Dummies, Sue Atkins, John Wiley & Sons. TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 5 Rulesof thum Changing behaviour Best-selling parenting author Mark Le Messurier offers practical and engaging ways to bring about emotional and behavioural changes in children. Here are some strategies to get you started… A few parents visibly cringe when they hear the word, rules. They worry that having rules will strangle their children’s expression, diminish their relationship or simply find it work that is too hard. The result of this sort of belief is a rapidly emerging group of young people who have been subjected to “loving neglect”. A statement recently released by the British National Association of Head Teachers said that some parents “love their children too much to say no”. Their children eat too much, eat what they like, do what they like, go to bed when they want and watch too much television. They see the problem as running throughout all socio-economic groups and being responsible for creating a group of young people unfit to pay attention, unfit to remember, unfit to follow instruction and with little respect for their learning. Let’s build on the idea of developing rules as a thoroughly positive way for everyone in the family to know what’s expected from them and what they can expect from others. These rules can be applied wherever you go – from Playgroup to preschool and beyond. Your new code of practice • Choose your battles wisely. A sensible rule of thumb is to allow 90% of your child’s negative behaviours to slip by and only pick up on the 10% that genuinely matter to you. This helps to ensure the continuation of a healthy relationship. • When a problem behaviour occurs, for example at Playgroup, stop what you are doing and move to your child, no matter what age they are. • If you’re angry, allow your initial flush of emotion to pass. If your child is having difficulty controlling behaviour, the last thing that will help is a parent showing the same thing. • Engage eye contact. • Use a calm, low, controlled voice. • Use your child’s name and briefly state the difficulty. • It is fine to begin by saying, “I am disappointed…” • For younger children, give two clear choices that will fix the problem. • State the negative consequence you will use if they choose to continue with this behaviour (use as few words as possible). 6 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 • Tell them to think and make their best choice. • Then, walk away. Walking away prevents you from standing over your child demanding their instant reform. Any further attention to the problem behaviour gives the behaviour far more recognition than it deserves. • Praise your child once they’ve responded positively. And don’t forget, from time to time, when you notice a terrific independent response from your child, draw on a positive reinforcement to highlight this attractive behaviour. • Finally, persist and keep persisting with this new code of practice. This code of practice is not a cure-all, but it’s logical, safe and reduces the emotional factor. It maintains the integrity between feelings, choice, behaviour and outcome. Without doubt, the earlier the system is embraced, the easier it becomes for everyone. Your consistency, more than anything, will determine whether the system works. Draw up a plan Sometimes a written plan that relies on more structure, stronger reinforcers and higher levels of accountability is called for. Introduce the plan optimistically Float it to your child as a way to shake off an old behaviour that isn’t working by replacing it with one that will help them to reach a new goal. Introduce the idea of concrete rewards as a catalyst, an investment to fire up your child’s intrinsic desire to do better! Remember plans won’t be successful if your child can’t see value in them. So it’s crucial to get them on side. Work out the behaviours you automatically jump to. Like it or not, when we instantly respond to one of our child’s behaviours (ones we like or dislike) we reinforce that behaviour. Start by questioning which behaviours are worthy of your response and consider using the 90%/10% rule (see above). Be a detective Behaviour happens for a reason. The aim here is to find out what the behaviour of your child is really saying and observation is a great way to do this. To begin with, when does your child start to whinge, hit, lose their temper or become moody or non-compliant? Where does this happen? How severe is it? Who’s around at the time they mb Describe the new behaviour wanted First describe the difficult behaviour you want to change and redefine this behaviour in a positive way. For example, the difficult behaviour might be that your child constantly interrupts you at Playgroup. The redefined positive behaviour might be, “Say excuse me when you want to say something. Then wait to be asked to speak.” Help your child understand how they need to look and sound when using the new behaviour. It is crucial to direct your energy towards strengthening the new positive behaviour as research tells us that trying to stomp out a negative behaviour is far less effective. Finally, ask yourself, “Is the expectation I have reasonable for my child?” Consider your child’s age, maturity, personality, capacity to persist and so on. Young children respond differently Young children, especially those who are busy and impulsive, respond best to immediate feedback and predetermined rewards for using their new thinking. This helps to keep their new goal fresh in their mind. A consistent dripfeed that nurtures small changes is best, as opposed to, “If you’re good all week you can have a reward.” Older children are able to respond to more complicated systems which have longer delays built in between behaviour and reinforcement. Optimistic relationships count most More than anything else, a loving relationship is what enables co-operative behaviours to be stretched and reshaped. Healthy connections bubble to the surface as a smile, a wink, a silly face, a nudge, a dare, a joke, saying “I love you”, the zombie walk, a thumbs up, a kind or reassuring comment. are doing it? Can you see a pattern? Does it happen the same time each day? Does it happen each week at Playgroup? Researching the ABCs of behaviour is valuable. A = Antecedents Can you work out what it is that seems to trigger this behaviour? Can you identify patterns that seem to tip the behaviour: sharing, interactions with a brother or sister, an annoying brother or sister, sadness, tiredness, anxiousness, homework (if an older child), immaturity, excitability, inflexibility, poor planning or language difficulties? The benefits arising from a quality relationship are remarkable. They provide scope for everyone to make mistakes without causing a catastrophe, to allow the word sorry to be exchanged more freely and offer us a little more leverage to influence our children to change behaviours that are not working for them. If you see your child’s performance as awkward or impossible, they also are likely to be very aware of this problem. They will know that their fleeting concentration, bossiness, over or under-reactions bring negative comments and responses. They too will be able to identify the issues that regularly bring about the clashes at home or Playgroup. B = Behaviour In your own mind, spell out exactly what the behaviour is. How does you child act? Describe it by recording it. What do they look like? What do they say? Then, begin to question exactly how much this behaviour really matters. Is it behaviour worth tackling or might changing a routine nearly fix the problem? C = Consequences What usually happens following this behaviour? What does your child say? What do their brothers or sisters say or do? What do you say or do? Is what you’ve been doing working? Why or why not? Brainstorm other options that might be more effective. Edited extract from Parenting Tough Kids: Simple Proven Strategies to Help Kids Succeed, by Mark Le Messurier, published by Mark Le Messurier Pty Ltd For further details, visit www.marklemessurier.com.au TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 7 Health matters Beating bronchiolitis If the cough and wheeze worsen, your baby’s breathing is becoming more laboured or if there is any blueness around the lips, seek help immediately. What is it? Bronchiolitis is a chest condition caused by a viral infection that usually occurs in babies in the first year of life. The virus attacks the small breathing tubes (bronchioles) of the lungs and they become blocked. When a child is ill, it is very distressing for parents. Knowing how to deal with the illness and when to seek help is important. If you have a baby, look for the signs this winter and don’t put off visiting your GP. Symptoms Babies initially develop symptoms of a cold, such as a runny nose, a cough and fever. Over the next day or so, the coughing becomes worse and the baby may make a wheezing sound when they breathe out. The baby often breathes faster than normal and sometimes finds breathing difficult. You may also notice feeding and sleeping difficulties. 8 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 The fast breathing and wheezing sound usually lasts for only two to three days. As the wheezing settles, the baby gradually improves. However, the cough can last up to a month. Treatment Less severe cases of bronchiolitis can be managed at home. As this is a viral infection, there is no medicine that will “cure” it and antibiotics will not help, but medication will assist in alleviating the symptoms. Paracetamol (for example, Tempra™, Dymadon™ or Panadol™) in the recommended dose may be used to control the temperature if the child has a fever. Sometimes, other medication such as Ventolin™, Bricanyl™ or Atrovent™ may be prescribed to open up the airways and settle the wheezing, but these are not usually effective in babies with bronchiolitis. Your baby will need lots of fluids. Give an extra bottle or two per day, or give more frequent breastfeeds. Feeding may be difficult, so try offering smaller feeds more often. See your doctor if you notice poor fluid intake with your child or a refusal to feed. An easy way to tell if your baby is not taking enough fluids is to check their nappies. If your baby has fewer wet nappies than usual, it probably means that your baby is not getting enough fluid. If the cough and wheeze worsen, your baby’s breathing is becoming more laboured or if there is any blueness around the lips, seek help immediately. Most babies with bronchiolitis can be treated at home and they get better within a week to 10 days. However, if your child is not sleeping, or is having difficulty breathing, they may need to go to hospital where your baby may need oxygen and tube-feeding for a short while. Asthma link It is possible to have bronchiolitis again, but most babies will have it only once. If wheezing persists, your child may have asthma. You should consult your doctor for advice and different treatment. Some babies who have symptoms of bronchiolitis may eventually develop asthma. Doctors are not sure whether the virus causes asthma or whether it simply uncovers an inherited tendency to develop asthma. Further facts If you would like more advice on bronchiolitis and other winter conditions, please contact Kids Health at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (02) 9845 3585 or visit www.chw.edu.au Dr Antonio Penna Chief Executive, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead National Playgroup Week/World’s Biggest Playgroup Celebrating the fun & friendsh Every year, National Playgroup Week and the World’s Biggest Playgroup are the key events for the Playgroup movement across Australia. Once again, they were an outstanding success. National Playgroup Week is an annual celebration that highlights the importance of families playing together. This year, it inspired events in over 100 locations around the country. The 2008 national launch was held at the NSW World’s Biggest Playgroup event at Holroyd Gardens in Sydney on Wednesday 30 April. It was officially opened by the Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin. There was also a special performance by Nikki Webster who inspired people to sing along to the appropriately chosen song, Walking on Sunshine. She was then surprised by a giant 21st Birthday cake to mark her special day with us. An estimated 15,000 children and adults came together at more than 60 events Australia-wide for World’s Biggest Playgroup Day, the signature event of the week. 10 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 From Dareton to Grafton, Huskisson to North Bondi, Playgroups and zones across NSW brought together families with under-school age children to celebrate the fun and friendship of Playgroup. Nationally, there were concerts and games in the parks of Sydney, Darwin, Perth and Canberra; a Bananas in Pyjamas tour of Tasmania; a Teddy Bears Picnic at Melbourne Museum; live Rhyme Time shows at Adelaide’s Colonnades Shopping Centre; and a Playgroup at State Parliament in Brisbane! In addition, 16 Centro shopping centres and 70 Tyres & More stores around the nation took part by giving away Vegemite Little Aussie Readers and information about the benefits and fun of Playgroup participation. A special thanks to member and actress extraordinaire Lisbeth Kennelly for the kind donation of her voice in recording a community service announcement on VEGA to promote World’s Biggest Playgroup. She made us sound fabulous. After last year’s success in Sydney for World’s Biggest Playgroup, we were inspired to make the event even bigger and better than last year… and we did! About 3000 children and families from across Sydney and beyond joined us at beautiful Holroyd Gardens in Merrylands Classic wooden puzzles. Any Name! for the 2nd Sydney World’s Biggest Playgroup. After 18 straight days of rain, the morning dawned with a beautiful clear sky and the sunshine lasted all day – we were so lucky! More than 100 Playgroups from as far afield as the Blue Mountains, the Illawarra and the Northern Beaches brought their picnics and their sunhats and spent the day playing, singing and generally just having a great time! Christi Malthouse from 9 AM with David and Kim on Channel 10 came out with a roving camera crew to capture all the action. There was dancing and singing with Dorothy the Dinosaur Show; Go Seek! performed some fabulous numbers; Pete and the Funky Bugs were leaping and singing; and the Rhythm Factory Movement Dance Music Show got us all grooving! • Letters with three coats of paint. • Easy Grip solid wood pegs • Large sizing up to 525mm wide • Colourful animals on the back! • Optional wood storage box. • The box lid is also the puzzle! Order at www.mooo.com.au or phone 03 90111646 Heaps of new personalised products online. T-shirts, pedal cars, wall art, and more. Children (and the grown-ups!) got to meet and greet Dorothy, the Go Seek ship of Playgroup characters and the Funky Bugs, and some took home special souvenirs of their day. We bounced and bumped with Specialty Castles and got up close and friendly with the gorgeous animals from Misty Ridge Animal Farm. Tumble Town Mobile Fun Softplay Play Centre visited again this year with two amazing play centres. Also back for more were all the great activities provided by our fabulous Playgroup NSW staff and their cheery bunch of helpers in their bright green shirts – finding a staff member on the day was certainly not a challenge! Free My Child magazines and Vegemite Little Aussie Readers (and the Vegemite!) were handed out. There were Huggies Nappy Change stations, the Tyres & More staff gave child restraint-fitting demonstrations for parents, and the Holroyd Lions Club did a great job keeping us well-fed with over 1000 sausages eaten on the day. TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 11 National Playgroup Week/World’s Biggest Playgroup Volvo Australia had display cars and a Road Safety area with some gorgeous little ride-on cars for kids on which to practise. Volvo also ran a fabulous competition where one lucky Playgroup member won $1000 for their Playgroup plus a Volvo X90 for a week. That lucky winner was Samantha Kneeshaw, Treasurer from Milton Playgroup on the South Coast. See the next edition of Totline to find out what great things they’re going to do with the $1000. Four other families got to take home those cute little rideon cars – what a great thing to take away from a free event! Those lucky winners were: Micaela Nealon, of Give Me a Break Playgroup, Glenwood; Sarah Edmonds, of Wommers Playgroup, Austral; Sharon Miller, of Mozarts, Glendenning; and Natasha Rodionor, of Lidcombe Friends, Lidcombe. By the end of the day, we definitely were zapped from dancing, singing and playing, but the constant stream of happy faces and “thank you for a great day” comments from our members and their children as they left made it all worth it. Many thanks to our National Gold Sponsor, Tyres & More, State sponsor Volvo and all of the other fabulous companies, 12 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 presenters and helpers for their generous donations, sponsorship and gifts of time that combined to make the day an outstanding success. Everyone had a great time and we’re already planning next year. Deb Ryan, CEO, Playgroup NSW National Playgroup Week Partnerships promote Playgroup National Playgroup Week (27 April-3 May 2008) was bigger and better than ever thanks to the support of corporate sponsors and partners, according to Playgroup Australia National Executive Officer Karen Merange. “Our major sponsor, Tyres & More, offered their generous support to sponsoring television and magazine advertising, and the giveaway of Vegemite Little Aussie Readers to tens of thousands of families across Australia,” she said. “We are proud to have been in partnership with Tyres & More. They are committed to providing service to families with young children, and we look forward to our partnership continuing.” Families who missed out picking up a copy of a Vegemite Little Aussie Reader can go to their local Tyres & More store and collect a copy of this great giveaway (until stocks run out). By calling 13 MORE (13 6673) people can connect with their nearest Tyres & More store, or find out more at www.tyresandmore.com.au “Vegemite provided 45,000 copies of the Vegemite Little Aussie Readers, and we were thrilled to have their support,” Karen said. More information about the Vegemite Little Aussie Readers can be seen at www.vegemite.com.au These colourful scrapbooks are part of an innovative early childhood literacy program for ages 0-5. “It’s the sort of giveaway that we are proud to be associated with,” Karen said. A partnership with Centro enabled Playgroup Australia to have promotional stands inside 16 shopping centres in seven different states and territories, including places like Dubbo, Albury, Hervey Bay and Mandurah. On World’s Biggest Playgroup Day, the shopping centre events helped raise awareness of Playgroup with families in metropolitan, regional and rural Australia. Copeland Publishing also supported National Playgroup Week 2008, with advertising in Sydney’s Child, Adelaide’s Child, Brisbane’s Child, Melbourne’s Child, Perth’s Child and Canberra’s Child. My Child magazine also supported the event through coverage and giveaways. “The generosity of these organisations is just fantastic and is greatly appreciated by Playgroup Australia,” Karen said. She added that the partnerships formed between Playgroup Australia and corporate supporters spread the message about the value of caregivers and children learning through play, and resulted in extensive media coverage. “We hope that everyone enjoyed the week, the fun and the giveaways!” Karen said. If you would like to contact Playgroup Australia and give your feedback on this year’s National Playgroup Week, please send an email to info@playgroupaustralia. com.au or call 07 3394 8448. www.lilplayhouse.com.au Www.lilplayhouse.com.au is a online toy store packed with award winning, educational wooden toys, puzzles, games, dolls, castles, figurines, dress ups, instruments and much more that will capture your child’s heart and imagination. Affordable�Personalisation�also�Slogan�&�Billabub�Clothing Unique�gifts�for�the�special�child�in�your�life... Call�0266762731��or��Visit�our *NEW*�Shopping�Cart�Website at.. www.cuteweethings.com TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 13 Playgroup profile: Dulacca Playgroup plus A for community spirit Dulacca Playgroup is one of the first teacher-led groups to be set up under the Playgroup Plus banner thanks to the power of community spirit. The desire of rural parents for their children to participate in a quality early childhood experience has inspired the creation of a new teacher-led Playgroup in Queensland’s west. Dulacca Playgroup, the brainchild of local parents, began life as a community Playgroup just 18 months ago. With the closure of the local kindergarten two years ago, dedicated parents wanted to ensure that the district’s children were given opportunities to participate in a quality early childhood program. Under the banner of Playgroup Plus, Playgroup Queensland’s new program of facilitated Playgroups, Dulucca is one of the first groups to be established in the state and is proving a success in supporting families living in rural and isolated communities. Playgroup Plus brings together the strength of parent-managed Playgroups with the expertise of a qualified Early Childhood Teacher. Parents continue to attend the group, assuming volunteer roles as with other Playgroups, but the children’s play experiences are guided by an Early Childhood Teacher employed by Playgroup Queensland. A creative, age and developmentally appropriate play program is facilitated by Katrina Gaze who works alongside parents to provide a range of activities for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Parents pay a term fee of $200 and supplement the teacher’s wages with local fundraising efforts. The Playgroup operates once a week for an extended period of four hours from 9am to 1pm from the former Kindy building. “My role as a teacher is to support each child’s developmental needs in partnership with each child’s parent,” Katrina said. “The attendance of parents enriches the group and helps to ensure a high quality play experience.” Considerable planning goes into the Playgroup with a dedicated baby area and a play program that is enjoyable for both parents and children. Activities include a mix of structured and unstructured activities, such as music and dance, indoor and outdoor play, story-telling, and a variety of activity areas for dramatic and creative play, including painting, threading and construction. 14 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 playland & cafe Five facts about Playgroup Plus 1.Facilitated Playgroup for children from birth to five. 2.Parents partner Early Childhood Teacher. 3.Parents pay a higher term fee. 4.Fees can be supplemented with fundraising. 5.Playgroup Queensland employs worker and provides training and supervision. Come for a party or come for a.. . Sydney's favourite indoor playland Fully air-conditioned� Polly Leahy, the Playgroup’s contact person and instigator of the service, said: “Katrina really is an asset to Playgroup in Dulacca. We have a few new faces, including some families who have never been interested in Playgroup in the past. Everyone can see the benefits of this for their children. I believe 2008 is going to be very productive, especially for the older children aged two and up.” With new families made to feel welcome, and parents travelling up to 60km from other small communities in the district, the Playgroup has a bright future. If you wish to become a Playgroup Plus group, please contact your Regional Development Officer or Head office on 1800 171 882 for further information. Quality cafe Separate toddler areas Unlimited playtime 7 fantastic locations: Campbelltown� � 4627 7744 Castle Hill� � 9680 8868 Moore Park � � North Strathfield 9331 0811 9746 5255 Penrith 4721 8555 Wetherill Park 9756 2580 Frenchs Forest 9452 4111 NEW! www.lollipopsplayland.com.au TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 15 Money matters Dealing with debt Getting out of debt doesn’t have to mean taking on an extra job. But it does mean making payments above the minimum specified by your lender, writes Nicola Field. Having a pool of savings is a good idea for all of us, not just prospective parents. But it doesn’t always make sense to have savings if you are carrying a lot of debt. The sort of debt I am referring to is not so much the mortgage, rather debts like personal loans and credit cards that charge high interest and are typically used for “lifestyle” purchases. You will save money by keeping these debts down simply because the interest you pay on debt is almost always higher than the interest you receive on savings. It is worth stressing that while it is a good idea to pay off your mortgage as soon as possible, your home loan isn’t a “problem” debt as long as you can comfortably meet the repayments. It is credit card debt that tends to be the Achilles heel of many Australian families, and it’s the sort of debt you should aim to get rid of. While I realise credit cards are very handy, they are also expensive. And although your card balance may look meagre in relation to your home loan, the fact is credit cards make impulse spending easy, and because there is no fixed repayment date you could end up paying a small fortune in interest if you stick to the minimum monthly repayments. It becomes too easy to fall into the “I’m way over head so what’s a little more” way of thinking, but by cutting your credit card debt now you are more likely to reach other important financial goals – such as saving for your new family member. Sadly, there’s no magic trick to debt reduction. It can be done, though. Here are a few suggestions to help get you started. Reason for debt It’s important that you take a look at why you have accumulated debt in the first place. In some cases, the cause can be unavoidable, especially if it is the result of unemployment or illness. For most people, though, high debt is the side-effect of overspending – in 16 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 Is debt consolidation the answer? Debt consolidation, where you combine all your debts into your lowest interest debt (usually a home loan), is often touted as an easy way out of debt. It can work, and if your debts are substantial (say credit cards measured in tens of thousands), it may be the only viable solution. But if you fold your debts into your home loan, the overall interest rate may be lower but the term over which you are required to pay off the debt is far longer so you are likely to pay significantly more in long-term interest unless you knuckle down and make additional repayments. other words, they are living a lifestyle that their income simply doesn’t support. A budget can help to identify areas of overspending, but in my experience most people have a fair idea of where they’ve gone wrong and can often point to a robust wardrobe, an impressive CD collection or a well-stocked shoe cupboard as evidence. Recognising your spending soft spots can help you resist the temptation next time. Find extra cash Getting out of debt doesn’t have to mean taking on an extra job. The only way to get out of debt is to make payments above the minimum specified by your lender. Finding the extra money can mean living on a leaner budget – squeezing as many dollars as you can into additional repayments. Prepare a plan of attack Don’t simply throw yourself into debt repayments. Organise a plan of attack. A good first step is to prioritise the amounts you owe according to interest rate, rather than by balance. This in itself can be an eye opener as Citibank research has found almost one in two (48%) Australians do not know the interest rate on their credit card. Make a list of your debts, putting those with the highest rate (usually your credit card) at the top, working your way down to the lowest rate (typically your home loan). The next step is to concentrate on paying off those sitting at the top of your list. You’ll save more by paying out expensive loans first, while keeping up the required repayments on the remainder. Some experts suggest paying off the debt with the smallest balance first as this provides the motivation to keep going. Take your pick. Just start taking action. Pay off faster There is a trick to paying off debts. Let’s say it costs you $80 each month to pay off the first debt. Once that is paid off, add that $80 to the minimum monthly repayment on the second debt. Once this balance is paid off, add the total you were paying on that debt to the next. This way your repayments get progressively larger for each debt, meaning you pay them off sooner. Allow time If you have a lot of debt, it can be easy to get discouraged by balances declining at a snail’s pace, but stick with it. Debt is easy to build up and hard to pay off; by repaying as much as you can afford – and not adding to the balance – your debts will go down. Excerpted with permission of the publisher John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd from Baby or Bust, © 2007 by Nicola Field. Available from all good booksellers from now. RRP $24.95. Nicola Field has a new book, Investing in Your Child’s Future, which is in bookshops from May. Friends of Thomas and The Fat Controller will visit the Zig Zag Railway in the July School Holidays 18th, 19th & 20th Come and Enjoy • A steam train ride with ‘Thomas’ the Tank Engine • A Little Thomas Ride with Annie and Clarabel • Jumping Castle • Merry-go-round • Pedal Trains and much more. Friends of Thomas Books out VERY QUICKLY, so to avoid disappointment... Please Book Early! Times 9:20am, 11:40am & 2pm daily at CLARENCE STATION For Bookings and Enquiries - Phone: 0417 422 646 or book through our website www.zigzagrailway.com.au ZIG ZAG RAILWAY - BELLS LINE OF ROAD, CLARENCE newsline Caring for Country Cousins Funding boost The Minister for Community Services, Kevin Greene, visited Miranda Playgroup in March to meet Playgroup NSW members, staff and Board directors and provide a cheque for $20,000. He spent time chatting to families from local Playgroups and was accompanied by Miranda local member Barry Collier. Playgroup NSW Vice President Tasha Prabhakar was on hand to accept the cheque and to explain the importance of the first funding to Playgroup NSW from the Department of Community Services in a decade. The funding will be used to promote Baby Playgroups and their benefits to both the baby and parents as they learn to re-connect with the community in the first year. Cheque it out: From left, Miranda MP Barry Collier, Board member Sue Collins, Playgroup NSW CEO Deb Ryan, Board Vice President Tasha Prabhakar and her daughter Kalani and the Minister for Community Services, Kevin Greene. Playgroup NSW is thrilled to receive this funding, which will go towards encouraging even more parents and carers to learn about the great benefits of being part of a community Playgroup. We thank the Minister for his generous support and we look forward to developing a strong and collaborative relationship with the NSW Government in providing high quality services for the families of babies and young children across the state. pressure, and these groups allow them to get support from people who know what they are going through. It’s great the families in Canberra can now share that support through MyTime at Noah’s Ark Resource Centre in Rivett.” Almost 600 families have joined MyTime since its launch in April 2007, with a third of families located in regional areas. About time: From left, Playgroup NSW CEO Deb Ryan, Christian Thompson, June McLoughlin, Bill Shorten and Jan Brennan at the Canberra MyTime launch. ACT MyTime launch Playgroup NSW has also been busy in the ACT helping their community partners, Noah’s Ark and the Parenting Research Centre, celebrate the launch of their new MyTime group, the 100th group of its kind in Australia. The group was launched by Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, at the Noah’s Ark Resource Centre in Rivett. “The Australian government is very proud to fund the MyTime support groups,” he said. “Families of young children with a disability can feel isolated and under 18 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 “Parents and carers are finding that they have common issues regardless of their background or their child’s disability or medical condition. Already, we are seeing mini-communities spring up around MyTime, with families continuing friendships outside of group meetings,” said Christian Thompson, Director of Community Programs at the Parenting Research Centre. MyTime groups provide local support for mums, dads, grandparents and anyone caring for a young child under school age with a disability or chronic medical condition, who is eligible to receive the Carer Allowance (Child). MyTime gives parents the chance to socialise and share ideas with others who understand the rewards and intensity of the caring role. Parents can meet with people in similar circumstances to have fun, hear from others and find out about available community support. For details, call Sandy Kervin at our Sydney office on 1800 171 882 or visit www.playgroupnsw.com.au GIFTED CHILD? Steve Biddulph success More than 900 parents, carers and professionals attended Steve’s recent talks in Sydney. He was an amusing, challenging and inspiring speaker and his wise approach to raising happy children was much appreciated. Steve spoke about the importance of providing time for being around, learning from and just appreciating the lives of the children around us and reminded audiences of the need to be “present” with children in order for love, trust and the wonders of childhood to develop and grow within us all. Steve is a great advocate for Playgroup and is keen to return later in the year for more inspiring talks around Sydney and hopefully in other regional centres. Stay tuned! Need help? Information? Find out more from the NSW Association for Gifted & Talented Children Ph: (02) 9633 5399 www.nswagtc.org.au house ad Call for Child Health Presenters We recently completed training for a group of Child Health Presenters in the Fairfield area who will be invaluable in assisting us to spread the word about the value of play and Playgroups. But we need many more. Playgroup NSW is often invited to talk to New Parent Groups about the many benefits of play and Playgroup. Some of these groups decide to form their own Baby Playgroup, while other new parents join established local community Playgroups. If you would like to be involved and support the Playgroup movement in your community, check our website for the next training session in your area. And if there’s not one being conducted near you at the moment, please call to register your interest. If we have between four and six interested people in the area, then we’ll organise one! To place an ad in Totline please contact Michelle Seale • 02 9876 8558 • [email protected] Soft-play that comes to you! Volunteering is a great way to develop new skills, make friends and give something back to the community. Strong and sustainable communities are created by the people who live in them, and are great places to live because they are more connected. So if you can offer a few hours a week or a month, then log on to the website and register for a session, or call 1800 171 882. Warm welcome Playgroup NSW would like to extend a warm welcome to the following Playgroups: Glenbrook Growers, Brooklyn Playtime, Parramatta North Kidz United, Currans Hill Bubs R Us, Dundas Darlings, Plumpton All Stars, Dapto Chibikko Japanese, Martins Creek, Leichhardt Littlies, Illawong Little Lyrebirds, Nowra East Wayeela Cooinda Aboriginal, McMahons Point Bank Street, Byron Bay, Milton Farmyard and Balmoral Village. Tumbletown mobile play centres offer a safe, multi-level interactive climbing maze for 1 to 8 year olds. Kids get to enjoy slippery dips, ball pits, noodle forest, firemans crawl, mirror maze and more. Tumbletown is popular for birthday parties, play groups, fundraisers and christenings. For more information visit www.tumbletown.com.au, email [email protected] or phone 0419 618 598 Sydney/Newcastle TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 19 /48"VTUSBMJBO#BCZ$BSE )6(& 4"7*/(4 "--:&"3 playgroup 2008 A great day out! %PO´UGPSHFUUPTIPQ XJUIZPVSEJTDPVOUDBSEBU ".'#PXMJOH "NJHPT1MBZ$BGF$BSJOHCBI "SU³O´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assion plus: Mem Fox Are you coming to Playgroup 2008? Playgroup NSW’s annual parents’ conference is a fabulous day of inspirational talks and great learning – and it’s fun as well! This year’s event will be held at Dooleys Catholic Club, Lidcombe, on Saturday 30 August. It’s a great day to attend, either by yourself or with a group of friends from Playgroup – no matter who you are or where you’re from you’ll always find someone to talk to and share ideas with. Why not organise a group and car pool? The speakers are great, the food is excellent and it’s all available for a fabulous price – FREE! Best-selling children’s author Mem Fox is returning as our keynote speaker and if you know anyone who has ever heard her talk, then you’ll know that this is an event not to be missed. Mem is a world-renown author (Where is the Green Sheep? Possum Magic and Koala Lou just to name a few), and a powerful and engaging early literacy advocate. She will speak on the importance of reading and sharing books with children. By the end of her talk, you’ll be inspired to read to your children, in awe of her amazing passion and wiping away the tears of laughter! As well as Mem’s keynote address, there will be workshops, the awards presentation of the prestigious Volunteer of the Year, Playgroup of the Year and Zone of the Year and, of course, the Annual General Meeting where we elect our new Board for the following 12 months. More details of this fabulous day will be available soon on the website and will also be included in the May Playgroup mailout. So stay tuned! And get ready for a great day! Deb Ryan, CEO, Playgroup NSW Playgroup 2008 When: 30 August, from 9.30am-3pm Where: Dooleys Catholic Club, Church St, Lidcombe Guest speaker: Mem Fox Cost: FREE Your turn The Filter Sleeping Bag Turn the sleeping bag inside out to reveal a full all-in-one sheet set ready for day care/sleepovers! warning www.happysaks.com.au 0401 177 691 [email protected] After a tragic swimming pool accident, members from one Playgroup are cautioning parents to be vigilant about swimming pool filters. J is aged three. J, his younger brother and his mum were swimming in their pool one hot day at the beginning of January. J was investigating the insects and leaves that floated in and out of the pool’s “potty-style” skimmer box, as he had done many times before. The skimmer box is at water level on the side of the pool and is connected to the pool’s filter system. In an instant, J had sat on the skimmer box and was partially sucked in, forming an airtight seal. As a result of the pool’s filter still trying to pump, he was disembowelled. In one brief moment, J’s life had changed as had the lives of his mum, dad and brother. %CO0OINT2ESORTS2ELAXWITH.ATURE Within hours of the accident, J was flown to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney. His bowel was replaced inside him. It is now some time since the accident and J is still a sick boy. Several challenging operations later, some (not much) of his bowel is OK; the rest is probably unlikely to recover. At the time of going to press, J is finally able to eat a reasonably normal diet. But he will be in hospital for a further six weeks and is likely to need further surgery as he still has a pocket of infection in his abdomen. 3CHOOL(OLIDAY(OT$EAL PERNIGHTFORAFAMILYOF 0!#+!'%).#,5$%36ILLAACCOMMODATIONFAMILYADULTS KIDSUNDER&2%%KIDSMEAL&2%%%CO+IDS#LUBAND &2%%DAILYKIDSBIKEHIRE $6$RENTAL %CO0OINT-URRAMARANG2ESORT There have only been about six similar cases in Australia. There is little history, therefore, about this accident, so J’s future is unknown. He may be in hospital for a long time. He is likely to face many more difficult operations and may have an intravenous food drip for years. He may also suffer other complications. Although these skimmer boxes have been banned from sale for many years, they still exist in pools. Please check your pool, your friends’ pools or any pool you and your children use. If you have this style of skimmer box, remove it or have it altered. Always turn the pool filter off before swimming to avoid any body parts being sucked in. There is little publicity about the serious potential danger of this style of pool filter. As tragic as it is, we feel it is important to share this story with as many people as possible. As rare as it is, let’s not see this happen to another child. Please look out for dangers around your home and especially your pool. %CO0OINT-YALL3HORES2ESORT #ONDITIONSAPPLY3UBJECTTOAVAILABILITY WWWECOPOINTCOMAU # - 9 #- -9 #9 #-9 + Chris Stevens and Caroline Ivey, Comobella Playgroup, Central West, NSW TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 21 Early literacy Caring for Country Cousins Play with Words As part of your play experience, Playgroup NSW and QLD recommend that parents incorporate early literacy activities – Play with Words – into their sessions. Creatively exploring words by talking with children about their activity and what they are doing will not only extend the children’s early vocabulary, but it will also help them to understand new concepts that arise through play. Here are some simple suggestions to promote early literacy through play-based learning experiences… Using rhyme and playing word games focusing on speech sounds can be lots of fun at Playgroup and is a great group activity. This will help the children to develop an awareness of words and sounds, which will contribute to their language development. Try: What noise does a duck make? What noise does a chicken make? One Playgroup takes children on a make-believe farmyard tour of the hall, finding children’s stuffed animals along the way. Each time you stop, ask the question, What noise does the animal make? This takes 20 seconds to set up and can engage children from toddlers to preschoolers. Extend the activity by acting out the animal movements. 22 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 books and stories Sharing books with children at Playgroup can be a great way of introducing written language. There are many wonderful children’s books available, and they can be used in different ways (see reviews, page 30). Quick tip – groups should, where possible, set up a cosy area in which the children can relax and enjoy books on their own or with other children. A great quiet space can be made from a few rugs, large cushions and books brought from home. Parents are encouraged to sit with children and read together, and more independent readers will read alone or with other small friends! Children will also enjoy sharing books with a parent/carer on their own or in a small group. Books provide a wonderful starting point for storytelling at group time. Try different methods of storytelling too – puppets are a wonderful resource for storytelling and for language activities in general. Children will also enjoy stories told using a felt or magnetic board while parents/carers with artistic talents may be able to use these in storytelling by illustrating the story while it is told. Stories can be used as a basis for other areas of play: children may use them in their Pretend Play or even design Obstacle Courses for physical play around them. Are you interested in more activities to introduce early literacy at Playgroup? If so, look for the Play with Words Activity Cards as part of your Playgroup resources. Dozens of examples and activities are provided to get you started. With 4 pools, restaurants, bar, free daily activities, day spa, there’s no better time to escape with the family. Visit our website now for more information! TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 23 tl_mb_ad 88.5x123.5 04-08 f 4/4/08 11:00 AM Page 1 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K 8FTVQQMZBXJEFSBOHFPGRVBMJUZ FEVDBUJPOBMUPZTBOEFRVJQNFOU tDPOTUSVDUJPOTFUTtSPMFQMBZ tTDJFODFLJUTtPVUEPPSQMBZ tUFBDIJOHBJETtUSJLFT tBSUDSBGUtQV[[MFT tJOTUSVNFOUTtHBNFT -AIL/RDERS0HONE .ORCAL2OAD .UNAWADING 6ICTORIA 8FCTJUFXXXXJOENJMMOFUBV %MAILSALES WINDMILLNETAU 0LEASESENDMEYOURPAGEFULLCOLOURCATALOGUE /BNF@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ "EESFTT@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Composite Fun and learning too! • Structured program supported by current research • Movement, music, and specially designed equipment • Encourage critical skills for early learning and literacy • Professionally qualified instructors/educators • Parent information and home activities • Australia wide 20,000 children & parents attend this program every week Our Queensland Centres (GymbaROO Does not operate in Brisbane and the Gold Coast) Cairns Tablelands Cairns Townsville Sunshine Coast Our New South Wales Centres Albury/Wodonga Bathurst Belrose Blacktown/Marayong Bondi Beach Campbelltown/Liverpool Carlingford Central Coast/Toukley Concord Cromer Daceyville/Kingsford Glebe Ku-ring-gai/Pymble Lake Macquarie - North Lane Cove Maitland Manly/Seaforth Marrickville Mosman Newcastle Orange Pennant Hills Penrith Rouse Hill Ryde Taren Point Warriewood Willoughby Wollongong BabyROO (from 6 weeks) “GymbaROO the instruction Manual you wish your child was born with.” A Parent’s Quote “an innovative Australian Program” - American Academy of Pediatrics • Babies (from 6 weeks) • Preschoolers (3-4 years) • Toddlers (1-3 years) • School readiness (4-5 years) Accepted as sole major platinum sponsor AAMCFHN (Maternal Child & Family Health Nurses) National Conference 2005/7 Program approved by Institute of Neuro-Physiological Psychology - UK www.gymbaroo.com.au 24 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 Ph: 1800 559 426 Playgroup NSW Awards For Excellence Setting the standard It’s annual awards nomination time! The awards are designed to recognise and acknowledge the value of all the fabulous work that happens across NSW every year. There are three types of awards in the Playgroup NSW Awards for Excellence: • Playgroup of the Year • Zone of the Year • Volunteer of the Year. Playgroup of the Year The Playgroup Awards for Excellence (four categories) are offered each year to acknowledge Playgroups who strive to achieve “Best Practice in a Playgroup Setting”. Awards are given to Playgroups which meet the standards that contribute to a successful Playgroup. The standards are in line with the aims and values of Playgroup NSW. A Playgroup of the Year Award for Excellence is given for four different categories: • Best Country multi-session • Best Country single session • Best City multi-session • Best City single session All Playgroups are encouraged to apply. Volunteer of the Year The nominee must demonstrate commitment to the aims and values of Playgroup NSW through service to the organisation, be a person of good character who has the respect of her or his peers, and be someone who is respected for her/his contribution to Playgroup by the wider community. This is a single award with nominations accepted from Playgroups, zones and Playgroup NSW members. Zone of the Year The zone must demonstrate commitment to the aims and values of Playgroup NSW through service to the organisation and its objectives, and the active participation and respect of the local Playgroup members. The zone members may nominate their group for the range of activities organised such as Expos, Fun Days and Networking Days; the level of participation by members; and the contribution made to increasing the profile and membership of Playgroups in their area. 2. Read and discuss the application form with your whole Playgroup or zone. Many groups have found this the most valuable part of the process. It’s a chance to identify and appreciate all the things you are already doing well, and gain ideas on how to do some things even better. 3. Show the completed application form to the whole group for its approval. The application must be signed by the three cheque signatories. NOTE – Only the application form is required and no other documentation is necessary. If you would like to include some photographs of your achievements, please do so, but no other additional information/material provided will be considered. About the awards How entries will be judged • One simple entry form with a closing date of 18 July • Easy access to entry forms from the May Playgroup mailout and website • Prizes and Certificates of Recognition for all winners to display, celebrating their outstanding contribution to the Playgroup movement • Awards are presented at Playgroup 2008 on 30 August in Sydney. The awards will be chosen on the basis of the written entries by a sub-committee of the Board. The awards will be announced at Playgroup 2008 in Sydney on 30 August. All groups applying for the awards will receive a letter acknowledging their work and the recognition of their peers. How to apply 1. Fill in the relevant entry form which will be provided in the May Playgroup mailout, or download the form from the website www.playgroupnsw.com.au Deb Ryan, CEO, Playgroup NSW Closing date: 18 July 2008 Entries can be… Mailed to:Playgroup NSW Inc PO Box 6665 Wetherill Park DC 1851 Faxed to: 02 9604 5541 Emailed to: [email protected] TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 25 Board of Playgroup NSW our VISION To be an effective and proactive authority on early years parenting, play and development. Our Purpose To provide support, fun and learning for families and children 0-6 in their local environment to create confident parents and happy children. To assist the community in recognising the value of early years parenting, play and development. VICE REGAL PATRON Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC Governor of NSW board of management President Helen Wicks New England Zone vice president Tasha Prabhakar Inner West Zone Secretary Michelle Erofeyeff Ryde/Epping Zone treasurer Sam Arnold Hills Zone How to nominate Do you have a business, legal, marketing, health or education background? Are you interested in developing your Board governance skills? Can you contribute three hours a month to assist Playgroup NSW in its vision for the future? Then consider nominating for the Board! Board elections for 2008/2009 are fast approaching! Every year all 11 positions on the Playgroup NSW Board are declared vacant and any member is welcome to apply. To be on the Board, you should be someone with a commitment to the Playgroup movement, perhaps a professional background (marketing, education, business, health or legal could be an advantage) and some free time each month to attend a Board meeting and contribute your skills. The Playgroup NSW Board is responsible for the strategic direction of an organisation of over 22,000 members, 35,000 children and a staff of 60 across NSW. In collaboration with the CEO and her management team, the Board is responsible for overseeing a budget of $2.5 million and is involved in the promotion and relationship development of the organisation with government and the community. Playgroup NSW is in a phase of exciting growth and development with a new Strategic Plan and clear directions for future service delivery improvements. If you can help us drive that vision, then you should consider nominating. If this sounds like an interesting addition to your already busy lifestyle, or if you know of someone who might be a great addition to our Board then please contact us on 1800 171 882. We can put you in touch with the President or another Board member who can give you an idea of what is involved. To nominate for a position, the nomination form must be filled out, signed by two current members and the nominee, and received by the Association by 5pm on 30 June 2008. Members nominating should also include a statement of up to 200 words supporting their nomination. This information will be circulated with voting papers should a ballot be required. The election of the Board for 2008/2009 will be held during the Annual General Meeting at Playgroup 2008 on 30 August 2008. To download a Nomination Form, visit www.playgroupnsw.com.au or email [email protected] and we’ll send you one. Or just cut out the following form and mail or fax (02 9604 5541) it to us along with the 200-word précis about the nominee. BOARD MEMBERS Kylie Emr Illawarra Zone NOMINATION FORM Miho Kobayashi Inner West Zone Hereby nominate Megan Longdon Fairfield Zone Sue Collins St George Zone I Member no for election to the Board of Playgroup NSW in the position of Signature of member nominating Diana Marder Inner West Zone Gary Trenaman Eastern Zone Di Munro Northern Peninsula Zone Honorary life members David Thummler, Rosemary Roebuck, Lex Gray, Dawn Geddes, Carolyn Duke, Margaret Bryant, Gillian Weatherall 26 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 Member no Signature of member seconding nomination Member no Signature of nominee accepting nomination Member no (nominee) Play Matters Place of play The second NSW Supported Playgroup and Play Conference will be held in Sydney on Friday 29 August 2008. After the success of last year’s event, this conference will again further explore the place of play and Playgroups in early childhood and the human services sector. Play Matters will focus on the concept and importance of play for babies and children under-5 and the relationship to successful models of supported and special purpose Playgroups designed to deliver services to families in NSW or beyond. The day will also feature presentations by both the state and federal governments on the current provision of services and support for families of young children; and a number of roundtable peer discussions on feature topics relating to work with parents from marginalised populations. It will bring together professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, including Playgroup staff, allied health professionals, government and non-government representatives and academics. Registration to the Play Matters conference will be available from mid-July 2008. The conference will take a broad, holistic and collaborative approach to play and Playgroup delivery and provide a platform to showcase initiatives and innovative programs operating both in Australia and internationally. It will also explore policy, practice and research aspects of play and supported Playgroup services in an interactive way that will inform and inspire practitioners and professionals from a wide range of disciplines. PLAY MATTERS explores the importance of play and Playgroups and their integral role in creating positive outcomes for families with babies and children under-5. Streams will include: • Research and new learnings on play and Playgroups • Innovative approaches to Playgroup provision • Working with CALD and indigenous families • Successfully transitioning families to community settings. Call for papers and presentations The conference committee is seeking brief submissions from individuals and organisations, outlining possible papers and presentations on the theme of models of Playgroup and/or the relationship to play for children 0-5. In particular, the conference is seeking new models, research, case studies and innovative examples of collaboration, such as government/community partnerships, working with marginalised communities and sustainable approaches. We are looking for a broad range of models from large and small initiatives and from city, regional and rural settings. Abstracts of presentations should be in writing (no more than 250 words) and must include the presentation title, a short description of the presentation, an outline of the key learnings to be achieved and links to relevant research (if any). Each abstract must be accompanied by a 50-word bio of the presenter. Please email abstracts to [email protected] Call for papers and presentations will close on Friday 6 June 2008. Deb Ryan, CEO, Playgroup NSW When: 29 August 2008 Where: Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club, Church St, Lidcombe, Sydney Guest speaker: Renowned early literacy advocate and author Mem Fox Mem will speak on the importance of playfulness in children’s lives and in their connections to books and communication. TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 27 INFANT EMERGENCY FIRST AID TRAINING Songs, stories and games. Itʼs Play School This NEW 40 minute show is full of active participation For the information of members and their guests Wednesday 25th June Hornsby RSL 4 High St Hornsby Ph:9477 7777 Thursday 26th & Friday 27th June Mayfield ExServices Club 58 Hanbury St Mayfield Ph:4968 4411 Nationally Accredited Courses Designed to Supply the NEED-TO-KNOW See www.allaidfirstaid.com.au Or call 02 9590 8224 “Every parent should do this course!” Saturday 28th June Illawarra Master Builders Club 61 Church Street Wollongong Ph:4229 6466 Sunday 29th June South Juniors 588a Anzac Pde Kingsford Ph:9349 7555 Monday 30th June Revesby Workers Club 2B Brett Street Revesby Ph: 9772 2100 Tuesday 1st July Campbelltown RSL Carberry Lane Campbelltown Ph:4625 1408 Wednesday 2nd July Sharkies 461 Captain Cook Dve Cronulla Ph:9523 0222 Thursday 3rd July Castle Hill RSL Castle St Castle Hill Ph:8858 4838 Friday 4th July North Sydney Leagues Club 12 Abbott St Cammeray Ph:9466 8888 Saturday 5th July Mingara Recreation Club Mingara Dve Tumbi Umbi Ph:4349 7888 *Monday 7th July Forestville Memorial Hall Ph:1300 788 028 Tuesday 8th July Panthers World Of Entertainment EVAN Theatre Mulgoa Rd Penrith Ph:4720 5555 Wednesday 9th July Parramatta RSL Cnr Macquarie & OʼConnell Sts Parramatta Ph:9633 5177 Thursday 10th July Dee Why RSL 932 Pittwater Rd Dee Why Ph:9454 4000 Friday 11th July Balmain Tigers 138 Victoria Rd Rozelle Ph:9556 0400 Saturday 12th July Burwood RSL 96 Shaftesbury Burwood Ph:9744 7444 BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL ON SALE NOW All Tickets *$12.00 First Shows 10am & 10.30am *Processing fees may apply For full tour details & session updates log onto our website www.kidspromotions.com.au •Kids Promotions Tel: 1300 788 028 The Australian Broadcasting Corporation in association with Kids Promotions presents Play School Concerts 28 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 Tear, Episiotomy or Caesar? We all happily make sacrifices for our children, and once they arrive the stitches heal quickly. But now you have the time to notice yourself again you may be finding that your pelvis is not feeling the same. Scar tissue can lead to discomfort or pain on intimacy, worsen period pain, irritate the bowel, affect future fertility. Tension can develop in the pelvic floor making it feel weaker, contributing to bladder control problems. Many get used to it, but it doesn’t really get better. The osteopaths below specialise in non-invasive gentle treatment for scar tissue related problems. Whether your sacrifice was made 3 months or 30 years ago, they can help you feel like you again. The Osteopathy Clinic s Parramatta s 02 9893 7494 Central Sydney Osteopathy s Stanmore s 02 9565 2291 North Shore Osteopaths s Balgowlah s 02 9907 8919 Jennifer Paull and Associates s Five Dock s 02 9713 8987 Osteopathy Narellan s Narellan s 02 4647 6700 Love holidays? Join the club! Pampering for parents Mobile massage is perfect for: s Parents at home s Birthday parties s Play dates and events Let us help you unwind from all the stresses and demands of parenting. Treat parents & guests with relaxing and rejuvenating massage at your next kids event or in your own home. We offer tabled or seated massage with fully-qualified and insured therapists. Ease the stress out of busy lives with 10min to 1 hour massages. Available all areas of NSW & Queensland CALL 1300 799 145 17/4/08 Totline_Quarter_Page_FC_Ad Looking for a holiday you’ll fall in love with? BIG4 has parks all around Australia, jam packed with all the facilities and activities you love and need! Become a BIG4 Member and you’ll enjoy discounted accommodation plus a whole lot more! For all the details come visit us at big4.com.au, call our friendly staff on 1800 632 444 or ask at the next BIG4 Holiday Park you visit. 3:16 PM www.corporatecaretherapies.com.au Page 1 big4.com.au C&C Totline Ad 7.3.08b:C&C Totline Ad 7.3.08 11/3/08 BIG852 Playgroup ad.indd 1 “The Best in Children’s Entertainment” Book The Jitterbugs for your next Special Event CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR CONCERT DATES & COLQUHOUN COLQUHOUN 4/4/08 2:11:10 PM ACCREDITED BUSINESS LAW SPECIALIST MEDIATORS & NEGOTIATORS MIGRATION AGENT Colquhoun & Colquhoun was established in 1969 and continues to serve the community today in Family Law, Busines Law, Estates, Migration Law and Property Law Martina Thornton Storgato is our Family Lawyer and a Playgroup NSW member 588 Darling Street Rozelle NSW 2039 Tel:(02) 9818 2666 “Organising a fundraising concert, call us for ideas” Tel 02 9659 3411 Mobile 0403 222 447 www.thejitterbugs.com.au 10: BIG85204_08 Fax:(02) 9555 1083 www.colquhoun.com.au [email protected] MARN 0428480 TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 29 Book reviews by Heather Hansen Caring for Country Cousins Secure Online Shopping Funky Fundraising Cheeky Parties Petting Farm Charming photographs and touchand-feel inserts make this book from Little Scholastic ideal for the under-3s. It has durable board pages and a short accompanying DVD. Scholastic Inc., $16.99 Who’s Driving? This is a large format pop-up book which asks the reader to guess from the page on the left just who is driving the vehicle on the right, then pull the tag to check if they are correct. Small clues help develop visual discrimination skills. By Leo Timmers, Gecko Press, $29.99 Emily Brown and the Thing Emily Brown and her toy rabbit Stanley can’t get to sleep because the Thing has lost his cuddly, needs a mug of milk, has a tickly throat, an itchy leg and so on. Every parent will identify with this amusing reversal of the usual bedtime routine whereby little Emily Brown reassures a big Thing which is scared of the dark! By Cressida Cowell, illustrated by Neal Layton, Orchard Books, $28.99 Paraphernalia’s Present This is a warm-hearted story about loneliness and friendship. When lonely Dottie Devine has to go away after an accident her hen Paraphernalia not only gives her some baby chickens, but with them the means of supplying enough eggs to keep visitors coming constantly. It is just the present that Dottie needs! By Diana Lawrenson, illustrated by Dee Huxley, ABC Books, $27.95 The Little Aussie Numbers Book From 1 to 100, this book is full of uniquely Australian animals, places and characters. Simple, colourful illustrations make it a great introduction to numbers for younger readers. By Tamara Sheward, Macmillan, $14.95 30 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 Isn’t it time to detox your home? Hide and Seek In a familiar game of hide and seek, a child searches for his Bapo (Grandfather) and eventually comes to the realisation of his death. Thoughtful illustrations enhance a gentle story of family loss and grief in Savvides’ first picture book. By Irini Savvides, illustrated by Owen Swan, Scholastic Press, $27.99 Why use harmful toxins everyday when effective natural alternatives are available at affordable prices? At The Pure Shop, you will find a superb range of non-toxic products for babies, children, women and men, cleaning products, pet care, room scents, hand-woven bags and more. Puff the Magic Dragon The story of Puff and his young friend, Jackie Paper, was made famous in song by Peter, Paul and Mary in the ’60s. The original authors have now added Eric Puybaret’s imaginative illustrations in a picture book to remind readers of just why Puff became a favourite all those years ago. It includes a CD featuring Puff the Magic Dragon and other songs. By Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton, illustrated by Eric Puybaret, Koala Books, $26.99 Stylish gear for school, rest and play. We stock quality children’s products by designer labels such as Penny Scallan, Little Chipipi, Rush, Bobble Art, Cocoon Couture and so many more! Our stylish products include ‘must-have’ school gear, unique gifts, funky rainwear, toys, puzzles, hair accessories and gorgeous jewellery. To receive 15% OFF type the code TOTLINE at checkout!!! (Valid until 30th June 2008) www.kinderkaboodle.com.au or phone 0419 674 731 Ballet Sisters: the Duckling and the Swan Sylvie and her younger sister dress up and dance in this sweet story of imitative behaviour, sibling relationships and sisterly love. Jan Ormerod’s illustrations show careful observation of family moments. By Jan Ormerod, Scholastic Australia, $9.99 Whose Eggs? In this lift-the-flap book for the under-3s, children can guess whose eggs are behind the flap on each vibrantly coloured page, with just enough of each picture showing to give them a hint. By Jeanette Rowe, ABC Books, $12.95 Clinton Gregory’s Secret Clinton Gregory and his secret friends have a whole week of extraordinary adventures, from dragon wrestling to moon trips in rockets. This is an appealing book about childhood imagination from the popular Whatley. By Bruce Whatley, Scholastic Press, $24.99 TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 31 DVD reviews Heather Hansen Caring for by Country Cousins Dorothy the Dinosaur’s Memory Book DVD Dorothy the Dinosaur and her Rosy Town friends turn the pages of her memory book to share wonderful musical moments of singing and dancing with her young fans. The DVD features Troy Cassar-Daley, Don Spencer, Jane Kennedy and Leo Sayer among others and includes two episodes from the television series. ABC For Kids, Rated G, 86 min, $19.95 So Smart: Letters DVD The So-Smart series on DVD covers a series of basic subjects designed for babies and toddlers up to three years, and this episode covers letters. It features simple bold images which transform at an age-appropriate pace, as well as opportunities to interact and improvise for children from 9-36 months. ABC For Babies, Rated G, 30 min, $14.95 Shaun the Sheep: Washday DVD Here are eight adventures with Shaun the Sheep who sets himself apart from the flock with his inquisitive and mischievous nature. From the creators of Wallace and Gromit, Shaun now has his own show. ABC DVD, Rated G, 56 min, $19.95 32 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 what’s on Baby & Kids Markets Quality preloved items – from prams to cots, toys to books and clothes to shoes – are at bargain prices at the Baby & Kids Markets. Brands include Pumpkin Patch, Jack & Milly, Esprit, Fred Bare, Peg Perego, Mini Haha and Run Scotty Run. From 9am-noon. QLD MARKETS: North Brisbane, South Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Cairns NSW MARKETS: Lane Cove, Five Dock, Hurstville, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Newcastle For details, visit www.babykidsmarket.com.au Cinderella on Ice The world famous Imperial Ice Stars who have won international acclaim are set to thrill Australian audiences once more with Cinderella on Ice, commencing a tour of Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth from 5 August. For details, visit www.imperialicestars.com RSPCA walk The Million Paws Walk on Sunday 18 May gives lovers of all animals the opportunity to support the important work of the RSPCA and get a little exercise in the process! You don’t have to have a dog to join in the fun. The RSPCA’s Million Paws Walk has something for everyone. There will be stalls, displays, entertainment, vet checks and a host of other activities. For details, visit www.millionpawswalk.com.au National Tree Day National Tree Day on Sunday 27 July is Australia’s largest community tree-planting event, helping to beautify local areas, improve biodiversity, provide habitat for native wildlife and aid in the management of climate change. Why not organise for your Playgroup to plant a tree? For details, visit http://treeday.planetark.com/ Playgroup fundraiser 2008 raffle Great prizes for a great cause! The Playgroup NSW 2008 Raffle has a wide range of terrific prizes, from Dream Holiday Travel Vouchers and weekends away to children’s clothes and toys! With about $15,000 in prizes and tickets only $2 each, this raffle will be a great fundraiser for your Playgroup. For every ticket sold, your group will raise $1! Sell just 100 books of tickets and you’ve made $1000! Sell 200 books and it’s $2000 to spend on toys, equipment, excursions. Order your tickets now! 1st Jetglobe Travel Voucher to a destination of your choice* VALUE $6000 Yes, that’s ANYWHERE in the world! Disneyland? Tasmania? Japan? Paris? Or even a great trek across Central Australia. You choose! 2nd Australian Baby Card hamper of products/gift vouchers VALUE $800 A large range of toys, clothes, outings and gift vouchers to please everyone. All your Christmas presents solved in one! Or have a whole year of free surprises and new toys and treats for you and the kids. www.babycard.com.au 3rd EcoPoint Murramarang Resort escape* VALUE $750 Three nights’ accommodation in an Ocean Villa and a two-course meal for two adults and two children in the Flat Rock Brasserie www.ecopoint.com.au 4th EcoPoint Myall Shores Resort escape* VALUE $750 Three nights’ accommodation in a Lake View Villa plus a welcome hamper on arrival www.ecopoint.com.au 5th Two nights’ accommodation at Ocean Paws Terrigal Beach House* VALUE $600 www.oceanpaws.com.au 6th-10th BIG4 Holiday Park escape* VALUE $500 Two night’s accommodation for two adults and two children in an ensuite cabin at any of the BIG4 Holiday Parks around Australia www.big4.com.au 11th Universal Pictures Land Before Time Children’s DVD Pack VALUE $300 12th Family Pass to Sydney Tower + OzTrek , Sydney Wildlife World and Sydney Aquarium* VALUE $198 13th-17th Mum’s Getaway gift vouchers* VALUE $100 each www.mumsgetaway.com.au 18th-20th Hand-crafted, wooden miniature piano VALUE $99.95 each www.alanamarie.com.au * Conditions apply. The raffle will be drawn on Thursday 25 September 2008. Winners notified by phone and will be announced in the Public Notices section of The Sydney Morning Herald. Tickets can be ordered from 15 May. Just visit our website www.playgroupnsw.com.au or call 1800 171 882. Order forms will also be sent out in the May mailout to all Playgroups. *All sold and unsold tickets to be returned to Playgroup NSW before 6 September 2008. TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 33 Giveaways Caring for Country Cousins Escape to Noosa Beach Road Resort, Noosa North Shore (www. noosanorthshore.com.au) is the ideal family holiday location. A range of accommodation styles and affordable activities for the whole family will make this a truly memorable stay. Totline has a five-night $1400 accommodation package giveaway for two adults and two children in a Bushscape Cottage plus a meal package for two adults DVD giveaway Twenty-two lucky Totline readers will win a copy of the DVD Land Before Time: Wisdom of Friends. In the funniest Land Before Time journey yet, Littlefoot, Cera, Spike, Petrie and Ducky explore new and exciting friendships when they meet two goofy yellow-bellied Beipiaosauruses, Loofah and Doofah, who have lost their way. Total prize value: $660. to enter 34 > TOTLINE 2, 2008 and two children, including breakfast and dinner daily at the Verandah Restaurant. Conditions apply. CONDITIONS: Meal package includes one a la carte item from the breakfast menu and two-course dinners per person daily at the Verandah Restaurant. Children age is 12 and under. All transfers and other activities will be at the winner’s expense. This prize cannot be taken during public or school holidays and will not be exchanged for cash should the winner be unable or not desire to use the prize. All bookings are subject to availability and conditions apply. Win Life etc magazine subscription Totline has 10 x 12-month subscriptions to the magazine Life etc (www.lifeetc.com.au), valued at $45 each. Life etc is an Australian lifestyle magazine with the philosophy of “real reading, no gossip”. It is packed with simple ideas to boost your health, improve your home and get you travelling to the hottest destinations. Simply put your name, membership number and address on the back of an envelope and send to either Beach Road Getaway, Life etc Giveaway or Land Before Time Giveaway, PO Box 6665, Wetherill Park DC 1851 or enter online at www.playgroupnsw.com.au/totlinegiveaways by 13 June. CHILD INCENTIVE SPACER n AUDIBLE AND VISUAL INCENTIVE MODULE n ENCOURAGES CHILDREN TO TAKE THEIR MEDICATION CORRECTLY. PROVIDES PEACE OF MIND FOR PARENTS/ CARERS n FITS ALL METERED DOSE INHALERS (PUFFERS) n SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN 18 MONTHS AND OVER n n n n n LATEX FREE CLINICALLY TESTED EASILY CLEANED SIMPLE TO USE CHILD MASKS AVAILABLE $5 CASH BACK OFFER To claim your $5.00, simply complete this voucher (one per offer), attach your proof of purchase (original pharmacy receipt, photocopies will not be accepted), and mail to: FUNHALER CASHBACK OFFER, PO Box 207, SUBIACO WA 6904. For more information, Visit www.funhaler.com Name: Phone: Address: Postcode: Email: Your personal information will bot be provided to any 3rd party marketing organisations, nor will it be used for future advertising material. TOTLINE 2, 2008 > 35 TINY TOTS ORIGINALS Kids make their own Plates! Dishwasher proof, robust, a great fundraiser giving years of enjoyment with tiny hand prints, foot prints or favourite drawings. A reminder of those childhood years! ‘The plates were the perfect Father's Day present. Our dads were touched deeply and even brought a tear to the eye when they received them. Thank you for your great idea and service.’ Penny Campbell Pines Playgroup ‘We have done the Plates before. It was a big hit with the kids and mums and again this time both had a great time designing their very own Plate that was theirs to keep for ever and is a great way to fundraise. The looks on the kids faces when they got them back was priceless, we will be doing it again. We had a great time doing it, all playgroups should give it a go, they too will love the end product, Thank you Tiny Tots.’ Michelle Drabsch (President) Greenbank Community Playgroup ‘Our playgroup was very happy with the great service and the quick turn around of our plates and the quality of the plates are great. This fundraiser will be done again and again. Thank you so much.’ Little Possums Playgroup W.A ‘Hand and footprints on the Plates made wonderful Mother's Day presents, a lovely keepsake for ever. We loved doing them and thanks!’ Hope Cooper Gundagai Playgroup THERE ARE JUST THREE MOULDINGS EACH YEAR Your drawings must be posted by: if your Plates are wanted for: Your Plates will be posted to you by: March 6 July 10 September 9 Mother's Day Father's Day Christmas April 24 August 18 December 4 Our brochure can be downloaded from our website: www.tinytotsoriginals.com T: 0410 650 003 F: 02 8883 0534 PO Box 68, Stanhope Gardens NSW 2768 Email: [email protected] www.tinytotsoriginals.com
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