parenting publication NOVEMBER 2014 VOL 9 NO. 11 Be your child’s tutor Finding the best quality child care How to avoid the antibiotic roller-coaster FREE i’m lovin’ it ® Chris Humfrey’s ZOOKEEPER EXPERIENCE! Spend a whole day with zoologist Chris Humfrey from ABC’s hit series “Chris Humfrey’s Wild Life!” Work as his very own private zoo, and learn from Chris himself! Get up close and personal with over 2000 animals! Discover what drives Chris to work with animals. Who knows your child could follow in his footsteps! This is an exceptional hands-on experience, which is offered nowhere else. Chris has personally designed this exclusive program. Stricly limited numbers of children will ensure that your child will get the WILD experience which they CRAVE! Chris’ zoo is nestled in the foothills of Mount Macedon. It’s an easy 50 minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD. GREAT GIFT IDEA! Bookings and Enquiries www.wildaction.com.au Phone 0419 385 245 2 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au november 2014 aussie kids parenting publication is a monthly publication published by aussie kids publications pty ltd. acn 118 365 165. articles 04 be your child’s tutor 05 the importance of volunteering 06 when your child learns differently postal address po box 5175, daisy hill 4127 street address suite 14/19 kp centre cnr roselea street shailer park 4128 phone 07 3806 4611 fax 07 3806 4699 10 education 08 finding the best quality child care 14 how to get off or avoid the antibiotic advertising enquiries national mary aitchison [email protected] victoria [email protected] online advertising [email protected] account enquiries kellie lewis [email protected] general enquiries [email protected] roller-coaster 16 attention, memory and processing information 17 found: imagination in night shadows 19 22 23 places 2go what’s on party page all rights reserved. copying or reproduction of this publication in any form constitutes a breach of copyright. all advertisement, copy and artwork remains the property of aussie kids publications pty ltd and cannot be copied and/or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. disclaimer: the views expressed in “aussie kids” are not necessarily endorsed by the editor or publisher. no responsibility is accepted by the publisher, editor or the printer, for the accuracy of the information contained in the text or advertisements. www.aussiekids.net.au Padtastic’s personalised A5 notepads make wonderful gifts for family, friends, work colleagues, teachers or simply treat yourself! Sue’s To Do List only each no minim um order! Jonathan’s Notes Order online using code AUSP www.padtastic.com.au www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 3 Be Your Child’s Tutor Assess the problem areas Begin by assessing the areas and subjects your child is having difficulty with. Is your child struggling with reading or maths concepts? Is he working too slowly and unable to complete tasks? Are his comprehension skills good but organisational skills in need of work? Analyze what some of the trouble areas are so you can set up a plan on how to help your child succeed. Talk to his teacher oc Your primary school child is struggling in school and the teacher has suggested you hire a tutor. While a tutor can be an enlightening experience, having one can also be expensive and the time a tutor spends with your child is limited. Instead, consider tutoring your child yourself with the subjects Set up a meeting with your child’s teacher to get her view on what your child’s strengths and weaknesses are in academics. Maybe your child is distracted easily and cannot concentrate in class. Or your child may learn better by interacting and touching rather than reading long chapters. Getting a second opinion will help lead you in the right direction to help your child. Also, for specific subjects your child is having trouble with, ask the teacher for a al child c ar ion s e ca 77 Waimarie Drive Mt Waverley 9831 9452 8.30am to 3.30pm* copy of the curriculum so you can help supplement it at home. Ask for copies of any worksheets or workbooks that the teacher has that may help you work with your child. It might be your child only needs a little extra work in these areas to master them. Get materials Depending upon the subject your child is struggling with, purchase or borrow learning tools such as workbooks, flashcards, and games. You can buy these at almost any bookstore or borrow them from the school or local library. Work together with your child using these materials to help build on the skills he already knows and to learn new ones. Organise your time together Put aside time each day to help your child with his current homework on the problem subjects and to work with him on additional materials to help supplement what he is learning. Start with only a few concepts and build on those as the days and weeks go by. Don’t overwhelm your child with too much extra work or concepts because this will only frustrate him. Learning a little extra each day will help to build on what he is doing in school so he can catch up with the other children. If organisation or stress over timed tests are your child’s big roadblocks try teaching your child better ways to organise his time or SPECIALIST PAEDIATRIC PODIATRIST Dr. Linda Walsh Huntingtower School Occasional Care Centre • • • • • • • • We are a fully licensed child care service offering: Secure, nurturing, homely environment with indoor and outdoor play Qualified, experienced and loving staff Daily sessions between 2 and 5 hours duration *Operating hours 8.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday, term time Maximum of 5 hours per day, 15 hours per week for each child Catering for children from 1 to 5 years of age Low hourly rate of $9.50 Bookings recommended - limited places sometimes available on the day. 176HUN AdPlace For inquiries, bookings or a Parent Handbook please call 9831 9452. oons Aftern 3.30pm 2.00 to from 1 e mornings m and so y available tl curren 4 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au www.huntingtower.vic.edu.au B.Sc.(Hons.)(Melb.).B.App. Sc.(Pod).M.A.Pod.A(Vic.)E.M. relaxation techniques for stress. Sometimes a perfectly good student can lapse because of one of these issues, so it’s important to teach them the skills they need to conquer these problems. Be Internet savvy There are many sites on the Internet that offer ideas for lessons for all subjects and year levels. They have free worksheets, word search puzzles you create yourself, handwriting worksheets, reading comprehension tests and even flash cards you can print plus much more. These are great tools because you can create materials to suit your child’s needs. Try abcteach.com or atozteacherstuff.com There are also interactive learning sites your child can use. These have learning games for all age levels in a variety of subjects, puzzles that you can put together, Sudoku, mazes, word search puzzles and much more. Try funbrain.com or primarygames.com Be patient and have fun exploring these subjects with your child. Often, as parents, we expect to see results instantly but that isn’t always the case. The important thing is for your child to try to catch up and keep up with his class and age level. Some subjects may always frustrate your child but it is comforting for him to know that you are there and willing to help him when the times get tough. by Deanna Lynn Sletten Toorak Foot Clinic AK-1114TFC he is having difficulty with in school. Consider tutoring your child yourself with the subjects he is having difficulty with in school ★ Pigeon-Toeing ★ Weak Arch Feet ★ Toe Deformities ★ Skin and Nails ★ Sports and Dance Injuries ★ Back / Leg / Foot Pain ★ Natural Balms Evening and Saturday appointments available! 711A Orrong Road Toorak 9826 2112 DISCOUNTS ONLINE www.vicpodiatry.com.au PARENT & BUB SPECIAL TWO CONSULTS FOR ONE (one adult/one child) valid to 29.02.2015 $ 97 The importance of VOLUNTEERING at your child’s school In many regions, the public school system is overloaded. If one compares the number of children per class 10 years ago to the number of children per class today, one would see that the head count has vastly increased. At the same time budget cuts have reduced the amount of staff and resources available. That is why it is very important for parents to take an active interest in their children’s education by volunteering their time whenever possible. care and just because you can’t be there once a week does not mean that you cannot participate at some level. Most homes have two working parents. It is understood that, in many cases, volunteering during regular work hours is simply not an option. But for families who have a parent who is home full-time, spending at least one day per week at the school should be considered part of their job. It may not seem like much and you may think that your child won’t care or even notice. Rest assured, they do notice, they most certainly do care, and it matters a great deal. There’s nothing like a grin or the look of pride on a little one’s face when their mum or dad comes into school for the day. It has been proven that children benefit immensely when their parents take an active interest in their education. Not only does the entire class benefit from a volunteer, it sends a message to your child that you are interested in what’s going on in their life and that school is important. Many parents who volunteer on a regular basis have noticed that there are a few added benefits of being there as well. This is not to say that working parents don’t Throughout the year, there are a number of opportunities for parents to pitch in on either an evening or weekend. It could be as simple as working the bake sale table for an hour at the Christmas pageant, or offering a hand on one of the maintenance jobs that needs done. While they may not necessarily follow their kid around all day, they have a much broader view of what’s going on. They get to know their child’s friends and they get to see first hand how they interact with others. Choosing Child Care Being around a lot also gives you the opportunity to ward off any issues before they become serious. In some cases it may come down to recognising the signs of your child being bullied or being able to prevent your kid from getting in with the wrong crowd before its too late. In addition, there’s the benefit of getting to know your child’s teachers. Yes, teachers are supposed to be impartial and are not supposed to play favourites, but they are human. Developing a relationship with their teachers can only benefit your little scholar. This is not to suggest that the teachers will Do your WHAT MATTERS TO YOU! Researchers from Macquarie University, together with Goodstart Early Learning and KU Children’s Services, are investigating what influences parents’ child care choices. show favouritism to your child, but you do get an opportunity to discuss their development on a regular basis and have the chance to take early action if they begin to struggle. All in all, most parents who volunteer their time at the school would say that it has a positive impact on their child’s academic development. Will he or she be automatically accepted at Harvard just because you came in for story time every Wednesday? Perhaps not. But it does send your little one a very clear message: school matters, it matters a lot. SUFFER? • Pigeon toed • Out toed • Clumsy feet • Growing pains We would like to find out what matters most to parents who: • are thinking about using formal child care • currently use formal child care • no longer use child care because of quality concerns • have decided not to use formal child care Formal child care includes preschool/kindergarten, long day care or family day care. Parents who complete the survey can go into a draw to Find out more information or complete the survey at: http://tinyurl.com/MQchildcaresurvey AK1014IEC WIN one of eight $100 WISH CARDS To request a paper copy of the survey please contact Elizabeth Austin (02) 9850 9939 or [email protected] BEFORE AFTER PAINTING CREATIVE Tues to Fri: 10.30am-5.30pm Sat: 10.30am-4pm • Sun: 11am-4pm Phone 9813 0750 532 Riversdale Road Camberwell [email protected] WORKSHOPS ★ SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM ★ PARTIES AK-0814BP BUILDING Give your child the best start in life! AK-0913MFAWC Both hereditary and environmental factors can cause structural and muscular problems to develop in children’s feet, knees, g and back – but there is a solution. legs Blackburn Elsternwick Caroline Springs Melbourne Leongatha 03 9878 4566 03 9878 4566 1300 135 374 03 9662 2395 03 5662 5225 www.melbournewalkingclinic.com.au www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 5 Harry is twelve years old. He is a talented footballer and a whiz on the computer. Sharing his vast general knowledge with others is also a strength and he has a special interest in science. Harry also has undiagnosed dyslexia which means he finds reading, handwriting and spelling really tricky. when your c hild You wouldn’t know this about Harry when you met him – he is so articulate, creative and intelligent. People just don’t understand why he can’t get his amazing ideas on paper or read at an expected age level. Sometimes he is blamed for these discrepancies by his teachers and Harry struggles greatly to understand why he has the literacy challenges he does and feels terrible about his difficulties. Given Harry is unaware of any plausible explanation for these challenges, he naturally blames himself. s l e a rn ntl y e r e f dif I have met and worked with many ‘Harry’s’ in my role as an educator. In my experience, there are often four to six students like Harry sitting in each of our classrooms – intelligent, orally competent, creative and kind individuals who present with a significant discrepancy between their strengths and areas of challenge. If you met Harry you wouldn’t automatically ACT SING DANCE ENJOY! It can be devastating for parents to realise their child is finding aspects of learning a challenge in some way. Many parents are confused too – they know deep in their heart that their child is intelligent, has some wonderful strengths and simply don’t understand why learning to read or remember the times tables is so hard for their child. For parents, an exploration of their child’s needs and a possible diagnosis can impact them in a number of ways. Grief is a natural response to this process and sometimes discovering the reason for their child’s learning differences can come as a relief. Many parents I have worked with, knew for a long time there were some differences in their child’s learning profile and either didn’t know who to see about this, raised it with teachers who offered responses like, ‘They’ll grow out of it’, or the expense of a Gluten Free • Vegan • Vegetarian ee AP • Organic • Kosher • Soy free FODM F Dairy free • Nut free • Egg free ★ Holiday theatre workshops ★ Weekly term classes ★ Ages 4-16 Come in to our store or shop online at: glutenfreeshop.com.au veganandvegetarianshop.com.au P: 1300 369 443 www.stageleft.com.au 553A North Road Ormond Victoria Rowville★ East Malvern ★ Hampton ★ Glen Iris★ Camberwell 03 9578 6400 CUSTOM MADE FURNITURE FOR KIDS AND TEENAGERS 387 Old Geelong Road Hoppers Crossing Phone: 8360 7705 www.justkidsfurniture.com.au AK-0913JKF 92 Nepean Highway Mentone Phone: 9585 0222 6 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au ‘see’ his learning difference. This is because a learning difficulty, diagnosed or not, is invisible and silent. Children who learn differently, don’t look different. This invisibility can play havoc on their sense of self and is why many children blame themselves for their reading, handwriting, spelling and sometimes maths and concentration challenges. professional assessment was beyond their families budget. I also know lots of parents who are in complete denial about their child’s learning difference. Sometimes, this is because the adult too, has similar challenges and/or their own school experience was traumatic and they don’t want their son or daughter having the same encounters. On the other end of the spectrum, I have interacted with parents who are completely accepting of their child’s learning profile – strengths and areas of need, diagnosis or not. Here’s the thing – to be diagnosed with a specific learning difficulty (LD) you must be intelligent. It is part of the assessment process. An LD has nothing to do with how clever a student is. In his book, Dyslexia and Other Learning Difficulties (2012, Oxford), Mark Selikowitz defines an LD as being ‘an unexpected and unexplained condition occurring in a child of average or above-average intelligence, characterised by a significant delay in one or more areas of learning’. As a parent, it is important to acknowledge in some way that your child is having these difficulties. Ignoring them, pushing the child beyond their limits or being in denial, only reinforces to your son and daughter that their learning difference is their fault. In my experience, if an individual is demonstrating a significant and ongoing discrepancy between their strengths, such as oral language and vocabulary, and their areas of need like reading, spelling, handwriting, concentration and/or elements of maths, further exploration may be required. Exploring a diagnosis is a personal path and choice for families, but I will say that, in my experience, if a diagnosis is to be made the person it usually benefits the most is the child. This is because they finally receive tangible evidence and affirmation there is a reason for their learning challenges that is not their doing! The freedom and peace this can provide, is often palpable and can directly impact a students learning progress and confidence. Some common types of LD are dyslexia, dyscalculia (an LD in maths) and dysgraphia (an LD in the mechanics of writing, not usually the content unless the child also has a language challenge). Although not particularly scientific, I imagine that the brain of a student with a learning difficulty is shining bright with lots of great ideas and strengths and that the literacy, numeracy and/or concentration wiring (depending on their individual profile) is bit fuzzy. I also think of other challenges like ADHD or an auditory processing difficulty when I’m talking about learning differences as I have observed the impact of these conditions on students and families, along with the strategies required to effectively support a child with these needs, are largely the same. Many parents I know are consistently advocating for the needs of their child and, at times, this can feel like a tiring and fruitless endeavour. Parents also share with me the relief they feel when their child is gifted with a teacher who ‘gets it’. This generally correlates with a fantastic school year and experience for their child along with success and progress that is a truer reflection of their cognitive ability. The frustration and conflict for students like Harry is that, for the most part, our school system remains a one size fits all model. Yet, it is humanly impossible for most children, let alone those with an LD, to do the same amount of work, in the same way, in the same amount of time. Enforcing this expectation on students at home or school is the equivalent of asking an individual in a wheelchair to get out and walk up a set of stairs. We simply wouldn’t do it. We would provide the appropriate accommodations to support the mobility needs of this person. The accommodations students with LD require are not hard or complicated. It may be something as simple as halving the number of questions in a task or inviting students to use modalities, like technology to present their work. Although it is not always easy to do, you can reassure and model through your words and actions that your child’s learning challenges are not their fault. Students who learn differently have been some of my greatest teachers and just like Albert Einstein, Steven Spielberg, Alexandar Bell and Ann Bancroft (Arctic explorer), who all experienced a learning difference of some kind, your creative, clever, kind, athletic, artistic and perceptive son or daughter have much to offer the world. What hope and inspiration this can be for the ‘Harry’s’ in our lives. by Tanya Dickson Tanya Dickson is a mainstream and special education teacher, author and consultant. Further information about her book, Teaching Students with Learning Difficulties, is available at www.inclusivelearning.com.au www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 7 Finding the best quality child care Every parent wants the best quality professional care for their child, and the many types of child care available can be overwhelming and confusing, especially for new parents. Finding the right care for your child can be a difficult undertaking. With limited places and many different types of care available, finding the right situation can prove to be a frustrating exercise. • What is your child’s temperament? Every parent wants the best quality professional care for their child, and the many types of child care available can be overwhelming and confusing, especially for new parents. • Assess her behaviour; does she play and interact well with other children? Whether you choose family day care, long day care centres, out-of-school hours/vacation care (often called ‘OOSH’ care), preschool, a nanny, au pair or a nanny share situation, you want to select the care that best suits your family’s and your child’s needs. Above all, you want your child placed in a fun, nurturing, and educational atmosphere. Your child’s needs First, take a moment to consider your child’s needs. • What does she like and dislike? • What is her health situation? • What are her interests? • What is her learning style? • Does she need or crave a lot of individual attention? By answering these questions, you can assess where your child stands, and what types of care might be best. Centre-based and family day care • Long day care centres usually care for children under school age, in premises specially built or adapted for child care. They offer all day or part-time care for working parents. Look for providers that offer a reputable Pre-Kinder program to best help prepare your child for school. Meals are typically served, the best services have a healthy menu that is prepared fresh onsite. Some providers may offer before and after hours care for primary school children. They can be run by community organisations, private operators, local councils or non-profit organisations. • Family day care services are run by experienced carers who provide care and developmental activities for other people’s children in their own homes. • Is the location convenient or far away? • Is the security at the site acceptable? • What is the quality and reputation of the service? Family day care is usually for younger children who have not yet started school; however, this varies widely, with some offering before/after-school-hours care for primary school children. Visit the providers • Preschool is child care with a planned educational focus for children in the years before a child formally begins school. Children are usually aged between three and five years of age. Pre-schools may occupy a purpose-built building, a community centre, a school, or may be part of a long day care centre. Nutrition for Parents and Kids Preschools usually run between 9.00am and 3.00pm but hours may vary. Logistics Once you have assessed your child’s needs and the types of care available, consider other important factors in the decision: • How much do the various options cost? Dietitian Services: Next, take your child with you and visit the centre or carer. Assess the facility, how the staff interact with children, the safety procedures in place, etc. Don’t be afraid to speak with the child care provider. Often the best way to discover whether a particular centre or carer is right for you is to get a feel for the person or people involved. What is great for one family may not be so suitable for yours. You will feel a lot more comfortable leaving your child with someone you instinctively trust and can develop a relationship with. At the end of the day, after assessing a number of different child care options, often you will have a clear gut feeling about the best place for your child. Above all, trust your instincts and enjoy this next step in your child’s growth! 1300 877 139 Quality baby gifts, educational puzzles, books and toys for young children www.thefoodclinic.com.au 8 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au VISIT US ONLINE AT AK-1013TFC Suite 2, Ground Floor, 767 Mt Alexander Road Moonee Ponds www.exploreplaylearn.com.au facebook.com/ExplorePlayLearn AK-0614EPL • General Nutrition • Weight Management • Food allergy • Food intolerance • Diabetes • Gut and bowel issues • Coeliac disease l ationa Intern mas t Chris s c r i C u r acula Spect Mrs Sto Claus ryte lling Rovin Chris g tm Chara as cters he Feel t our l l fa in snow ng new i amaz and l Snow nta t Sa Mee eive a c & re e gift r f e LEGO ® Brick Zone VOTE BEST D NE EVEN W T 2013 Rides & Attra ction s 15 November - 23 December | Now at Caulfield Racecourse BOOK NOW ON 1300 307 740 or g g www.santasmagicalkingdom.com.au LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO group. ©2014 the LEGO Group www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 9 education feature Testimonial ‘I found this course to be informative and professionally delivered. The presenters provided a wealth of experience and insights into the job of an Integration Aide. I feel totally committed and motivated to seek work in this area.” Karen Woods www.monash.edu/education/shortcourses Learnersaurus provides alternative programs and resources for learning A Monash University qualification that will enhance your career opportunities The Certificate of Education Support – Integration Aide / Teacher Aide The course is very practical and informative, and the qualification enables you to confidently apply for an Education Support Staff position as an Integration Aide / Teacher Aide in a primary, secondary or special developmental school. The course will equip you with the skills Interactive 12 months - 5 years Kinder & Playgroup available Creative Curious Capable �������� Kalimera Kids is designed to immerse young children into the Greek language and culture. ENROL NOW 0414 777 600 [email protected] kalimerakids.com.au Centres across Melbourne We recognize that some students have a specific learning style, which can impact on learning at school. Specialising in literacy and dyslexia, Learnersaurus provides support with multisensory, explicit, structured literacy programs, including online video instruction and workbooks. You can work with your child at home, seeing daily success. Our resources are carefully designed to improve the skills and processes required for developing literacy skills, suitable for home and school use. We also provide information for schools and teachers. Please contact us at www.learnersaurus.com hey dee ho radio is here!! e key radio kville s y Sunbur towe Templesnt South Tune in to 98.7 RPP FM every Wednesday at 11.05am to hear the hey dee ho RADIO SHOW Stream the program live from the internet, listen on your radio or download the phone app now! www.heydeehomusic.com.au Ph: 1300 139 631 Freedom from Dyslexic Studies show that more than 15% of children have dyslexia. When reading, does your child skip words, add words that aren’t there or get headaches? Poor spelling, letter reversal and being easily distracted are just some of the warning signs for Dyslexia. People with dyslexia are often highly intelligent but have a physiological problem with their eyes that prevents them being able to do literacy or numeracy tasks. The cause of visual dyslexia is an unsteady fixation in the aiming point of the eye. Early childhood is the best time to learn a new language. Young children absorb sounds, patterns and rules of a second language as easily and naturally as they learn their first language. When fixation fails in one eye the images that go to the brain from the two eyes are jumbled, so the brain gets confused. Kalimera Kids is an Early Learning Program for pre-school children designed to enhance the Greek language. The Alison Lawson Centre provides a simple and safe medical program for treating visual dyslexia. The Program views each child as an individual, fostering self-confidence and independence whilst developing important social skills. A permanent cure can be obtained in 10 one hour sessions, supported by structured home exercises. Dyslexia is a hereditary condition and adults or children from as young as 6, can be helped. Alison Lawson Centre Suite 3, 87 Main Street Croydon or 233 Auburn Road Hawthorn Telephone (03) 9724 9920 radio kville k s Sunbury we Templesto nt South Now you can tune in to hear your favourites from hey dee ho music no matter where you are. NOW ACCEPTING ENROLMENTS FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN 12 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS OLD. Certificate of Education Support e key Tune in to hey dee ho music! Kalimera Kids Integration Aide/ Teacher Aide Designed Designedfor forpeople peoplewanting wantingtoto work work with with special specialneeds needsstudents. students. Supporting Supportingstudents studentswith withadditional additional learning learning needs needsininprimary, primary,secondary and specialist settings. secondary and specialist settings. Day Day Classes: Classes:88days, days,9am-3.30pm 9am – 3.30pm OR OR Evening Classes: 16 evenings, Evening Classes: 16 evenings, 5.30-8.30pm 5.30 – 8.30pm Venues: Ballarat, Berwick, Broadmeadows, Venues: "ERWICK#LAYTON#AROLINE Caulfield, Clayton, Caroline Springs, 3PRINGS&RANKSTON'EELONG.ORTHCOTE Doncaster, Frankston, Mill Park, Northcote, Ringwood, Sale and Werribee 3ALE Contact: Contact:(03) (03)9905 99052700 2700 Six Six credit credit points pointsatatundergraduate undergraduatelevel level For futher furtherinformation: information: For monash.edu/education/shortcourses monash.edu/education/shortcourses 10 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au It incorporates a number of activities such as • Story Telling • Arts & Craft • Singing • Dancing • Playing • Puppet Shows • Plus a number of other activities For more information call us on 0414 777 600 or email [email protected] CRICOS Provider: Monash University 00008C and knowledge to support students who have additional learning needs to access the curriculum. Whether you are in the car, listening via the phone app, streaming online at an early learning centre or at home in front of the radio, you will be able to sing along and enjoy the musical wonder of hey dee ho music at the same time each week. Every WEDNESDAY morning at 11.05am. (eastern standard time) Tune in to 98.7 RPPFM or download the app now. http://www.rppfm.com.au/ place where children can explore language, literacy and numeracy in a fun filled and stimulating environment. All 4 of our programs recognise current research which emphasises the critical importance of these early experiences in brain development. We feature the acclaimed Letterland® system, plus our own special resources and approaches to present high quality educational sessions that children absolutely love. Our programs begin for 2½ year olds right through to 6 years with reading programs designed to give each child success and cater for all types of learners. Is your child ready to read? The first day of school is almost too late for a child to begin to learn to read. It’s as scary as that. (Mem Fox, Reading Magic) They allow children to explore language, numbers and print through a range of multi sensory experiences that are highly interactive and loads of fun. Learningland fosters excellent reading foundations in children aged from 2½-6 years that ensure a wonderful start to kinder and school. Don’t delay stimulating your child’s mind and love of learning! Your child will sing, craft, write, read and play their way to developing essential literacy and numeracy skills, confidence and creativity. Small classes fill fast. Don’t miss out. What is Learningland? For more than a decade Learningland has provided a Phone 1300 139 859 www.learningland.com.au Erasmus School … A classical approach excursions enable them to meet inspiring role models. Everything we do at Erasmus School is guided by four enduring virtues essential in a changing world – wisdom, justice, courage and self-control. We use simple mindfulness exercises to help focus the mind and enable children to develop an inner quiet, strength and steadiness. They are then able to attend with greater application to the task at hand. From the age of 10 about 10 minutes is set aside twice a day for quiet, reflective time. With parental approval these older children can learn meditation. The children are nurtured at all levels of their being – body, mind, heart and spirit. This approach helps build character. We provide a thorough, systematic grounding in English and Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, History and Geography, Scripture and Philosophy. We take a classical approach to languages including studies in Sanskrit and Latin. Health and Physical Education includes swimming, athletics, gymnastics, cross country running and ball games. Children in Years 4-6 attend annual camps. ICT and Design and Technology programmes are integrated into other subjects. A diverse palette of visual and performing arts programmes includes Art, Music, Drama, Dance, Craft and activities such as needlework, woodwork, calligraphy and hospitality. All children are set regular homework. After school activities available include art, ballet, chess, choir, dance, yoga and tennis. Students can take up private lessons in piano, violin, cello and classical guitar. After school care is also offered on site. All children regularly sing songs of praise, enjoy fine music, learn prayers, read and recite fine literature and participate in plays, assemblies and sacred celebrations. We use the Federal Government’s KidsMatter framework to help us develop a positive school community and social emotional learning opportunities for students. Throughout their studies, children delight in time-honoured myths and legends from around the world. Incursions and Classes are non-composite. Where learning assistance and additional extension opportunities are provided as needed. Fun programs for kids to assist literacy, numeracy and speech ‘Reading Sk the best in ills are of student dicator success’ n.a.s. s.p. 2010 e class. ‘Impressiv n up for Keen to sig rm’ rest of te ) nsborough (Priya, Gree BOOK NOW FOR 2015! ◆ We feature Letterland ◆ Sibling discounts ◆ Small classes 2½ yrs ‘Parent & Child’ (45 min) 3-4 yrs ‘Letters & Numbers’ (60 min) 4-6 yrs ‘Ready to Read PLUS’ (90 min) 4-6 yrs ‘Rockets PLUS’ (120 min) (Literacy and Numeracy) NEW NUMERACY PROGRAMS ENROLMENTS OPEN ONLINE SOON www.learningland.com.au FAST TRACK ENQUIRIES [email protected] A CO-ED, INDEPENDENT SCHOOL - PREP TO YEAR 6 40 Lisson Grove, Hawthorn Telephone: 9819 1266 BE INSPIRED. GO TO: erasmus.vic.edu.au 1300 139 859 ◆ Berwick ◆ Brighton ◆ Donvale ◆ Glen Iris ◆ Greensborough ◆ Greenvale ◆ Ivanhoe ◆ Moonee Ponds ◆ Point Cook www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 11 Super Speak – Drama and Public Speaking Program all children develop in a fun learning environment. Speak well, perform and achieve more in life. Whilst fun is at the heart of everything they do, Super Speak are serious about a few things: Super Speak is Melbourne’s award winning public speaking and drama programme for children aged 6-16 years. Super Speak combines a structured and fun mix of drama skills (such as role playing, mime, script work, improvisation and expressive skills) and public speaking skills (such as voice work, storytelling, persuasive speaking and informative speaking). Practical skills that last a life time: • Build creativity and quick thinking • Develop confidence and self esteem • Build self awareness and leadership skills • Learn practical presentation skills • Communicate with confidence and purpose • Learn structured public speaking skills • Overcome nervousness and build assertiveness • Develop in a safe and supportive environment • Have loads of fun and make friends Whether your child is shy, outgoing or anything in between, Super Speak helps • Leading curriculum: A team of experienced teachers have designed Super Speak’s unique drama and speaking progressive learning plan that connects to the Australian school curriculum and is FUN! • Great teachers: Super Speak’s teachers truly set them apart. They are highly experienced, qualified and skilled at teaching children. • Experienced: Super Speak are proven, effective and highly commended. They have been teaching drama and public speaking classes for over 20 years. • Small class sizes: Super Speak’s small class sizes ensure each child gets more personal attention. • Great culture: Super Speak classes are fun, energetic and supportive. Join this award winning program and see the difference! Enrolments NOW OPEN. For more info, please call 9572 5249 or [email protected] www.SuperSpeak.com.au Omiros College Learning Greek is fun and easy… Omiros College is an accredited school, and was founded in 1984, with students from Kindergarten to Year 12. The College is accredited by the Dept. of Education and the VCAA. It has a number of campuses in various suburbs in the metropolitan area to service the community. The College’s aim is: • To promote and teach the Greek Language and Culture throughout the Greek community and the wider community. • To provide the opportunity to students to benefit by the achievements and values of Hellenism and to appreciate its contribution to the development of the Western Civilisation. It increases their confidence and self esteem, improves their literacy and maths ability and it also helps develop their thinking and reasoning skills. By starting early, your child will become a fluent and confident speaker. At the Centre of Italian Studies, Italian is taught in a fun, nurturing and friendly environment. Our native Italian teachers use a variety of fun interactive activities such as stories, games, song and dance to teach Italian to children ages 3-14. Your child will be nurtured and will learn a range of words and expressions related to specific themes. These include greetings, the family, numbers, colours, animals and at CIS we also encourage children to learn about the Italian culture and traditions. • To cultivate Greek values through tradition and history. We look forward to sharing a life learning experience with your child this term. For more information call us on 03 9380 6055 or email [email protected] Why not make it a family affair and ENROL NOW. Children’s Italian Classes Research has shown that learning a second language can enhance children’s overall cognitive development and assist in forming and maintaining cultural connections. Visit www.italianstudies.com.au or call CIS 03 9347 9144. Bright Start Learning Some children prefer running and sports based play to drawing and crafts, which may delay their fine motor skill development. As an experienced childhood educator, I have seen many children struggle and lose confidence due to their lack of dexterity. Bright Start Learning Fine Motor Skill Development Fun learning program where children can develop their fine motor skills through exploring language, literacy and numeracy. • Small Classes • Ashburton & Mount Waverley CALL NOW FOR A FREE TRIAL* 0478 197 668 brightstartlearning.com.au Knowing and understanding how difficult it is to address fine motor skill deficiencies at home, kindergarten and school, I developed Bright Start Learning, a play and craft based educational program which offers a series of fun workshops designed to help children strengthen and improve their fine motor skills in readiness for kindergarten and school. For more information go to: www.brightstartlearning.com.au or phone 0478 197 668. *conditions apply GREEK IS FUN AND EASY K i n d e r to t o Year Ye a r12 12 Kinder P h : 03 9 3 89380 3 6 0 56055 5 Ph: [email protected] [email protected] w w w. o m i r o s . e d u . a u www.omiros.edu.au Children’s ENROL NOW ITALIAN Classes • Fun-filled program for ages 3+ • Expert teachers • Friendly atmosphere • Emphasis on conversation • Flexible times • Small groups 247-249 Cardigan St CARLTON 9347 9144 ENROL NOW AT A CAMPUS NEAR YOU 12 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au www.italianstudies.com.au AK-0913CIS LEARNING " % $ # " ! " # $$ % ! www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 13 get off or avoid o t How iotic Roller-C n ti A e Th How this cycle typically begins It’s such a common story … your child develops a cold, it keeps them up through the night which keeps you up through the night. You give them paracetamol to help with their symptoms, which are typically fever, sore throat, streaming nose and perhaps a cough, and you cross your fingers. You continue to give them their regular food and hope for the best. The best doesn’t happen. The illness progresses deeper into their chest or perhaps their ears, their snot turns green, and presto – your child has an infection that requires antibiotics. They take the course of antibiotics and no one mentions anything about changing their diet through this process, nor is there usually any mention of probiotics. A few weeks later your child comes down with another cold. This time it may progress to their ears or chest even faster, before you know it their snot is turning green and hey presto, you have another prescription for antibiotics. Alarm bells are starting to ring now but what choice do you have? You cross your fingers, give your child the drugs and move on. 14 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au b What’s wrong with this picture? Why repeated use of antibiotics is a problem Antibiotics are wonderful at getting rid of an infection if it is bacterial. They do nothing to get rid of a viral infection however, and every time they are used, they wipe out a significant amount of your child’s good bacteria as well as the bad guys. Growing and developing immune systems need plentiful supplies of good bacteria to ensure strong immunity. So if you’re not putting the good guys back into their gut after a round of antibiotics, your little one will most definitely be behind the eight ball when it comes to beating the next cold, flu, ear or chest infection. Over 70% of your child’s immune system is said to be in their gut – amazing isn’t it? It’s oaste r so important to replenish after the army of antibiotics has had its go at killing any and all bacteria in sight – good or bad. The other thing about antibiotics is that they don’t get rid of the mucus. That tends to hang around, especially as your child’s diet often remains unchanged, and certain foods promote more mucus. This mucus provides a beautiful warm breeding ground for any bug that might be lurking. The thing is, bugs, viruses and bacteria are everywhere all the time. They’re in the air, on other people, can be in food and on things your child touches with their hands which ultimately end up in their mouth. This means it’s super important to build your child’s immune system from the inside out. How can you build up their immune system and stop them from continually needing antibiotics? 1) Well first things first – you will need to change their diet. YES – the power to make big changes is actually in your hands. It’s important to help their little body get rid of the mucus first, to prevent that breeding ground from hanging around. You can do this by cutting out or cutting down mucus-forming foods. 2) The second super important step is to give them top strength probiotics that are specifically helpful for repopulating the gut after a round of antibiotics. It’s recommended they take these for three months post drug treatment. Ask your practitioner or local health food store for the best brands. It’s important to have these strains in the product: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. 3) The third step is to include immuneboosting foods in their diet moving forward to help strengthen their system. Favour vegetable sources over fruit when they have lots of mucus as fruit can be quite mucus producing. Once they are clear you can include more fruit. What if you do all this and it’s not enough? Your ability to fix the situation with food and probiotics alone will depend on how far down the roller-coaster you actually are. Some children will need herbs to help shift the mucus in their body and they may also need herbs after that to boost their immune system to avoid falling prey again too soon to another virus or bacterial infection. In Chinese medicine, herbs are individually prescribed for your child. That’s how it’s done. Everyone is that little bit different and so each formula is tailored to suit the needs of your little critter. How you can avoid this roller-coaster The answer is simple in theory – harder in practice. Diet. When your child starts to get sick, whip out those mucus-producing foods from their diet and put them on very easy to digest foods. Depending on the age of your child and their negotiation skills, this will be easy or hard. It is totally worth the effort though and it will help them to start to get an understanding of how their body works. If their gut is happier and they’re not getting sick very often, they will sleep better, enjoy more even moods, have well-formed medium to low smell bowel movements one to two times daily and generally life will be smoother. It’s amazing how much a continually sick child can impact not just themselves but the whole family. Mucus-producing foods Wheat, ice-cream and dairy products (except raw goat’s milk and unsweetened raw yoghurt), sugar and concentrated sweeteners, fatty meat (especially pork and duck), eggs, tofu, tempeh, soy milk, lard, butter, margarine, chocolate, nuts and seeds (especially peanuts), avocados, tomatoes, tomato paste, raw and dried fruit (especially bananas and tropical fruit), salt and vinegar. These are not all bad foods per se – they are simply mucus-forming foods according to Chinese medicine theory. Eggs are a MUCH better type than sugar or concentrated sweeteners for example, but both will produce a level of mucus or “damp” in the body and so you need to know that as a mum. If your child is displaying “damp” symptoms such as mucus from their nose, watery or loose and smelly bowel movements, ear infections or if they are sick at all, then you should reduce these foods until they are better. Immune-boosting foods • Garlic, shallots, ginger, turmeric, • Carrots, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, • Papaya, mandarins, lemon, grapefruit • Slow-cooked bone broth made from free-range organic chicken or beef bones • Small amounts of free-range organic chicken and beef • Miso Aussie Kids Online Events Calendar gives you easy access to local events in and around your city. It is also the perfect opportunity for your organisation to promote your upcoming event free of charge to your local community. Visit our website today! www.aussiekids.net.au Foods to avoid when they are sick • Dairy (milk, yoghurt, cheese, ice-cream) • Fruit (fresh and dried) especially bananas, avocados, tomatoes, tropical fruit • Chocolate, lollies, cake, biscuits, sugar • Lots of meat – stick to broths • Fish (avoid during the peak illness stage as it expresses symptoms) • Wheat • Keep food super simple (3-4 different ingredients at a sitting) Foods to eat when they are sick • Relatively plain and simple food • Bone broth in everything • Congee • Chicken or beef or veg soup with rice pasta or rice noodles and 1-2 veg they like • Porridge (rolled rice, oats or barley) with broth or water and stewed fruit • Increase garlic and ginger in foods (not at the same time, remember to keep it simple) • Rice pasta with a little olive oil and 1-2 green vegetables (asparagus, broccoli, snow peas, beans, carrots, peas) • Blanched/raw/steamed vegetables as snacks • Rice crackers if you really need to as snacks but favour all other foods already mentioned as when they are sick their appetite usually drops anyway. Where to search for a Traditional Chinese Health Practitioner: www.atms.com.au www.ntpages.com.au Check they are government registered here: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/ by Rebecca Mar Young. Director of Red Tent, Mother-of-two, Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. She’s giving a free call on November 11 on Fevers & Your Toddler. www.redtent.com.au/free-talk-fevers www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 15 ry Attention, Memo on nformati and Processing I Many students with learning difficulties especially students with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia tend to struggle concentrating and focusing during events which they are least interested in. Completing a difficult task can also cause students to have difficulty in staying on task. The frontal lobe of our brain known as the executive function is our Mr. Organiser. Mr. Organiser helps us to pay attention to surrounding stimuli, comprehend information, and finally filter important information to be kept in storage (memory). This can be known as mind processing. However, Mr. Organiser functions differently for every individual. The common concentration time span can be explained through the concept of ‘age plus two’. For example, if you are 20 years old, then your attention span will be 20 + 2, which is 22 minutes. However, some of us have the ability to stay focused probably a little longer than that. Unfortunately this is not the case for students with learning difficulties; they struggle to stay focused even up to five minutes. Early Interventions and Inclusive Learning #Today’s Kids are Tomorrow’s Leaders! Supporting students with learning difficulties; ADD, ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and any other learning conditions www.interventionsandinclusion.com SERVICES: School Visits After School Interventions PD/Seminars Parent/Teacher Consultation Parent Support Group School Holiday Program This situation can be certainly explained as the Mr. Organiser of these students feeling confused because of a fault in either one or more of the processing measures. PlayStation, Wii, and other similar gaming platforms). Play activities that are supervised by an adult result in better progress. So, waiting can be a terrible issue for some children, for some others learning is another issue; specifically reading, and problem solving can be a difficult task. This may even affect their daily life when reading a description in a menu, writing comments on social media, texting on phones, and with many other similar activities. Even, simple activities like writing and spelling will not be easy. This is because, all these activities require the child’s Mr. Organiser to go through the three step process. Thus, this is an involuntary process where intensive intervention would encourage better control over the mind. Besides that, too often lengthy sentences and chunky paragraphs will be overwhelming for some children to read, process and comprehend. Thus, a major task should be broken down into smaller steps, otherwise known as task analysis. Task analysis is a clearly written list of steps on how a task can be accomplished. Too many steps is just as inefficient as none. Avoid using jargon. Always accompany your verbal instruction with visual cues and printed words. Do you have a child who is having trouble paying attention in class? Here are some tips for helping students who have difficulty in paying attention, remembering and processing information taught. Keeping the mind active is what these tasks require us to do. How do we keep their minds active? Guided play activities will help stimulate and develop the young mind by providing exercise to Mr. Organiser. This is often achievable when the child is consistently engaged in a play session of board games (e.g. chess, snakes and ladders, scrabble, etc.), riddles, puzzles, simulator games (e.g. In addition to that, you can help your child learn to manage difficulties by having a notebook at all times where they can record their understanding, and refer to it when required. This may especially assist students who are struggling to remember facts learnt. Routine and structure are of prime importance; practise makes perfect. When the brain gets used to something, the subconscious mind has the ability to repeat the task without help and prompting. Also, be aware of your child’s ability and interest; when you deliver a message or lesson it is important to do it in a way the ABA Therapy OT Work Yoga Therapy Study Skills Living Skills Brain Training Reading Recovery Organisation Skills Warm, salt water pool Baby to adult lessons Small class sizes Term classes Heidelberg Primary School Pool 116 Cape Street Heidelberg. Ph: 9455 1330 [email protected] ENROL NOW FOR OUR HOLIDAY PROGRAM! www.learntoswimvic.com.au child will comprehend. Provide plenty of examples related to the child’s knowledge and interests, preferably tangible items (e.g. physical space and images) for better understanding to take place. Consequently, this help your child form a pattern or sequence to see the connection between each lesson, just like the ‘memory place’ technique used in the ancient times by the Greeks. Moreover, did you know? A great thinker is one with a calm mind. In the process of helping your child achieve a harmonious and balanced mind, it is useful to incorporate yoga and meditation into their weekly routine. Finally, on-going motivation, encouragement and unconditional love is enormously important for these children to continuously try and learn from the mistakes that they make throughout their learning journey. It is crucial to remember that these children are struggling because they can’t do and not because they won’t do. There is large gap between the definition of can’t and won’t that some parents are still unaware of. Dealing with children with learning difficulties surely requires sound strategies, good understanding and lots of patience. by Reena M.Palanivelu Learning & Teaching Specialist. B.Ed(Hons), M.Ed (Special Education, Inclusion & Early Intervention) www.interventionsandinclusion.com HAVING TROUBLE CONCEIVING? Optimise your chances with the fertility experts! ✓ Effective ✓ Scientifically proven ✓ Completely natural fertility method FREE CALL: 1800 16 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au 335 860 www.thebillingsovulationmethod.org ✦✴✦✴✦ Found: ✦✴✦✴✦ Imagination in Night Shadows “I’m afraid! I’m afraid!” my three-year-old yells from her bedroom. I let out a long exhale, the kind I reserve for crayon-on-thewall moments, and prop myself up on my elbows so I can see the digital alarm clock. It’s 2:48, 22 minutes since the last frightened outburst. It’s my turn; my husband went last time. I fumble through the darkness, stubbing my pinky toe on the leg of a chair, and make my way to my daughter’s dimly lit bedroom (she has three night lights). She sits on the edge of her rumpled bed staring at her play kitchen. “What’s the matter, Sweetie?” I ask, arms folded across my chest. “I’m afraid.” “What are you afraid of?” “The kitchen,” she says, not taking her eyes of the colourful kitchen, a gift from her grandmother last Christmas. How can she be afraid of that toy? She plays with it every single day. “Come on,” I say, “I’ll lie down with you for a few minutes.” We get comfortable in her little twin bed. I put my arm around her and she grabs my ear, a habit she picked up as a baby. After a few minutes her breathing slows down and regulates. I’m eager to get back to my bed, but I also don’t want to risk leaving too soon and waking her. So I examine her room. I look at the sturdy wooden shelf my husband built for her stuffed animals. I study my paint job, light blue with white trim. She has called her room the “blue room” ever since. I scrutinise the homemade curtains I made in the spring. I searched three fabric stores for just the right shades of blue and yellow. It’s a homey room, I thought. How can she be afraid of it? I began to drift off to sleep. As my thoughts blur between sleep and consciousness I notice the shadows. The row of friendly stuffed animals on the wooden shelf becomes an advancing army. Tall shadows line up behind them like ghost reinforcements. The folds in the curtains become columns in a fortress, ready for the stuffed animal army. Each shadow takes on a life of its own, greater than the object it hails from. My daughter flinches, startling me, and then falls back into her deep sleep. I look at the toy kitchen, so harmless in the daylight, and see a steely robot staring me down. My eyes widen, and I think back to the haunts of my own childhood bedroom. From the top bunk I shared with my sister, I gazed at the textured ceiling just a few feet above my head. Each night the plastered swirls became new and different objects, oddly three-dimensional: dragons, trees, hardened profiles, swamps. Much to my frugal father’s dismay, I insisted on keeping the hall light on all night, with my door cracked. The beam of artificial light thrown into my room resembled a long straight leg with an angular foot at the end. I thought of a phrase my mother often used, “get your foot in the door,” and pictured a tall bright man trying to stick his scary long foot into my room. E SIV CE TE EN REN N SI T EX NFE S O E CO LITI CI 4½ Star Apartment Accommodation A F These late night memories, combined with the shadowy figures on my daughter’s light blue walls, send shivers through me. What happened to my imagination, I wonder? Did I trade it in at junior high school orientation for my locker combination? Did I use it up making one too many book report dioramas in elementary school? Or did I smother it with my pillow after it scared the living daylights out of me one night long ago? I untangle myself from my child’s arms, tuck the quilt firmly around her as a protection against her own imagination, and kiss her smooth forehead. As I make my way back to my own dark bedroom, I vow to respect my little one’s imagination not only for its beautiful watercolour creations at preschool but also for its nighttime power. And I make a goal to find my own imagination and pick up where I left it years ago. But not until the sun rises. by Rachel Tolman Terry THE PARK FOR ALL SEASONS Discover all Emerald Lake Park has to offer • Have a splash in the free seasonal wading pool – open during summer season • The Environment Centre offers a live aquatic display, information on flora and fauna and historic information on the park. AK-0614CSC • Take a paddle boat ride • Visit the model railway display • Enjoy a snack at the cafe • Utilise the free barbecue facilities • Watch Puffing Billy arrive at the station • Try your luck at some fishing • Take a walk along one of the many walking tracks Kids Club School Holiday Program Pools, Playground, Games room Watermark Restaurant & Bar www.silverwaterresort.com.au 17 Potters Hill Road, San Remo VIC 3925 [email protected] | 1800 033 403 1300 131 683 www.emeraldlakepark.com.au www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 17 How children cope learning two languages How will my child’s development differ from other children? What if my child starts mixing the two languages? Although every child’s development is different, typically bilingual children will develop at the same rate as their monolingual counterparts. It is normal that bilingual children go through periods of mixing the two languages in one sentence. This generally occurs because the vocabulary may be known in one language but not the other. Mixing languages will tend to peak around 2½ years of age and then gradually decline until around five years of age. That is, they will start using single words between 10-18 months of age and putting two words together in a phrase by 2 years of age. It is normal that bilingual children may appear to have a smaller vocabulary in one language and may take a little longer to master the languages than their single-language peers. In Australia’s multicultural society, there are many children whose parents come from non-English speaking backgrounds. Thus, there are many children who are exposed to two or more languages right from the time they are born. The issue of teaching toddlers and young children to speak two languages raises several questions and challenges for multi-cultural families. After all, learning two sets of words and grammar is more challenging and requires more effort. Eventually, bilingual children will usually catch up to their peers and most differences will disappear by grade five. It is also common that children have a dominant language that will progress quicker than the other, depending on the child’s environment. Some tips for parents raising a family with more than one language: • Allow your child to have plenty of exposure and practice in both languages. Children need to hear and speak each language often to learn the words and grammar of both. • Digital media isn’t as effective as a real person using language in everyday situations such as playing, shopping or just talking. • Read to your children in both languages – it’s a great way to build vocabulary and early reading skills. • To reduce confusion, you may like to help your child learn to associate the two languages differently, e.g., using one language while speaking to the mother and the other while speaking to the father. • Use language the same way with all of your children. Using one language with one child and the second language with another could lead to hurt feelings. • Have patience with mistakes or language switching. This is a normal part of learning two languages. With more practice, these mistakes will fade. Will learning two languages cause speech/language problems? Learning two languages simultaneously will not cause speech or language problems. However, like in the general population, specific language problems can occur and learning two languages will make it more difficult for these children to progress. What if my child is having trouble communicating? If your child is experiencing difficulty communicating, it is best to stick to the language that you and your child are most comfortable with. It is also advisable to seek professional help if your child appears to be struggling in both languages. by Louise Tyquin Moonee Valley SPECIALIST CENTRE G a s t r o e nterological and Rela t e d C a r e (03) 9372 0372 www.mvscentre.com.au [email protected] Suite 2, Ground Level, 767 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds, 3039 Sportlink’s new new holiday holiday Sportlink’s sports camps are a fun, sports camps are a fun, safe and cost effective way safe and cost effective way of keeping your children of keeping your children entertained during the school entertained during the school holidays. All camps are delivered holidays. All camps are delivered by experienced, qualified and by experienced, qualified and enthusiastic coaches. enthusiastic coaches. Holiday sports camps cater for Holiday camps cater for childrensports aged 6-12 years. children aged 6-12 years These popular school term programs involve group coaching by skilled badminton, table tennis and futsal coaches within a fun and supportive environment. Catering for primary and early secondary aged children. FIND OUT MORE VISIT www.sportlink.org.au CALL 03 9847 7111 Sportlink Vermont South 2 Hanover Road, Vermont South 18 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au go Phillip Island Nature Parks – an island adventure! Phillip Island Nature Parks is the renowned home of Australia’s most popular natural wildlife attraction, the world famous Penguin Parade. A mere 90 minute-drive from Melbourne, the Nature Park covers 1805 hectares of Phillip Island’s unique natural areas, so there is much to explore. The Nature Parks cares for much of the natural areas on Phillip Island and features worldclass attractions where you can experience wildlife in its natural habitat. Be assured that you will need at least a day to enjoy all four PINP attractions, including The magic of the sunset march of the Little Penguins at the Penguin Parade will complete your wild visit. Other popular attractions that form part of Phillip Island Nature Parks include Rhyll Inlet, Cape Woolamai and Pyramid Rock, where walking tracks and boardwalks allow you to explore these stunning natural areas that are home to unique Australian animals and plants. The 3 Parks Pass gives visitors entry to the Nature Parks’ top attractions for one discount price. It offers entry to the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island and the Nobbies where entry is free. Visitors can also upgrade their Penguin Parade entry to any one of our penguin viewing options including Penguins plus Viewing Platform, Private Penguin Parade Experience, Penguin Skybox or the Ultimate Penguin Tour (extra cost and conditions apply). out the back to the fern gully, and maybe a play in the adventure playground. Soon it’s time to feed again, then we’ll have a BBQ and toast marshmallows over the fire-drum. What a day! Time for bed! 3 Parks Passes are available online at www.penguins.org.au, at any Phillip Island Nature Parks’ outlet, Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre and selected outlets. A day on Emerald Park Holiday Farm 266 Licola Road Jamieson Victoria Phone 03 5777 0569 www.emeraldpark-jamieson.com Macka’s Farm If it’s a real farm experience you are seeking then share a few days on our busy farm with our large indoor animal nursery that houses our friendly animals; cuddly baby bunnies, chickens, kittens, puppies, goats, piglets and more. Imagine waking to the morning song of the kookaburras and magpies, yeay no school! I’m on the farm! Time to put on my boots and feed the animals with the farmer. First off is the chooks and collecting the eggs, all these eggs we’ll have to have some for breakfast! What are those strange looking fluffy ones? They’re Silkies, wow how odd! Next some treats for the sheep and then it’s off to the stables to feed and brush the ponies, I wonder if there’s some cows to feed too! All Done! Lets go for a walk in the Fairy Garden or The farm yard is just full of surprises! Milking can be observed twice daily; morning and evening. Fresh milk is always available as are the farmyard eggs that can be an exciting experience to find, collect, eat and enjoy. We’ve got a good supply of gumboots in all shapes, colours and sizes … so just grab a pair that fits. Phone 03 5598 8261. 2310 Princetown Road Princetown. EXPERIENCE COMFORT RELAX PLAY BARNYARD FUN MILKING ANIMALS E M E R A L D PA R K H O L I D AY FA R M Macka’s Farm LOADS OF FUN TO BE HAD • Collect eggs • Brush the ponies • Feed the animals • Swimming • Fishing • Adventure playground • Sand-pit • Swings • Campfires • Bbq area A farm experience for all Four self-contained cottages, each sleep six people 266 Licola Road Jamieson Victoria 03 5777 0569 www.emeraldpark-jamieson.com AK-0913MF places 2 We recommend that you start your journey at Churchill Island Heritage Farm, which was the site of Victoria’s first agricultural pursuits in 1801, before moving on to the Koala Conservation Centre and later exploring the spectacular western tip of the island that features the new Nobbies Centre. Being not for profit, revenue supports our award winning ecotourism, land management, research and environmental education programs designed to protect and promote Phillip Island Nature Parks’ unique wildlife. AK-0614EPHF the Penguin Parade, the Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Nobbies Centre. Our super-value ticket, the 3 Parks Pass will ensure you don’t miss a thing and you’ll save money as well! Quality self-contained accommodation Phone 5598 8261 Fax 03 5598 8201 2310 Princetown Road Princetown E: [email protected] www.mackasfarm.com.au Enjoy a 3 PARKS PASS visit Phillip Island’s top attractions for one discounted price plus the nobbies centre for free! penguins.org.au @Penguin Parade @ www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 19 Playdays … where every day is a playday Our indoor play area has been designed to provide a safe, fun, exciting and enjoyable atmosphere for toddlers and pre-school aged children. Our equipment is of a high quality and is aimed at assisting children to use their imagination and physical energy to develop their cognitive and motor skills. Playdays is designed so that your children are visible to you at all times whilst they are playing. Children will find Playdays to be challenging, social and best of all FUN! The FUN includes * Jumping Castles * Ball Play Area * Swings * Home Play Items * Slides * Roller Coaster Track * Soft Play Obstacle Course * Cars * Crawlers Soft Play Ring * Soft Play Climbing Tower * Two Large Ball Ponds * and much much more! Playdays Parties are unique at Playdays! We supply fully trained party instructors for the two hour duration of your child’s party. Your Party Instructor will supervise the celebrations and help the children get the most out of free play time on the Playdays equipment and they also provide fantastic party games! At Playdays we do all the work so you can sit back and enjoy the party too! While the children play, mums, dads and guardians can relax and enjoy a Your personal Chill On party host will take care of you and ensure a totally unique birthday experience! cappuccino, hot chocolate or perhaps a cold drink and light snack can be purchased. To avoid disappointment book early. Join Club Playdays for great member benefits including: * Entry Rewards System * Your own access to check your entry reward status and details * Birthday Club Specials * E-News letters, so you’ll know what’s on, special just for you! Get set for an amazing winter wonderland experience, filled with chills and thrills you can marvel at the 50 tonnes of ice carved into incredible ice sculptures whilst slurping on a frosty fruity drink. Chill On Ice Lounge also hosts the hottest kids parties at the coolest place in town! Enjoy a party like no other completely surrounded by ice. After hanging out in the Ice Lounge, the party continues in the Ski Lodge where we serve party food and drinks, play cool games with awesome prizes. AK-1213DIS ☺ Jumping Castles ☺ Ball Play Area ☺ Home Play ☺ Slides ☺ Roller Coaster Track ☺ Soft Play Obstacle Course ☺ Swings ☺ Crawlers Soft Play Ring ☺ Cars ☺ Soft Play Climbing Tower ☺ 2 Large Ball Ponds ☺ Birthday Parties ☺ Great Coffee and Food ☺ Rewards Program ☺ and much much more! 20 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au • Chill On requires 1 parent or guardian for every 7 guests under the age of 18. WINTER SEASON: 1 April – 30 September. Cross Country competitions are run weekly by most Centres. Do you like to Run, Jump, Throw, have fun and be healthy? Then Little Athletics is for you! Family, Fun & Fitness. Little Athletics isn’t just for the kids. There are plenty of opportunities for parents to get close up to the action. You can be a coach, team manager, parent helper or join the committee. Different programs are offered for summer and winter seasons. SUMMER SEASON: 1 October – 31 March. Track & Field competitions are run weekly by all Centres. Events vary for different age groups and may include: y and Party Centre The Fun Pre-School Pla www.playdays.com.au THROWING • Discus • Javelin • Shot Put Chill On Ice Lounge & Ski Lodge Southgate Retail Complex, Mid Level MR6, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southank. Phone 9663 3877. www.chillon.com.au Know where the coolest kids in town hang out? JUMPING • High Jump • Long Jump • Triple Jump • In the Ski Lodge under 18’s are welcome until 10pm with a parent or guardian. • All school groups need to be pre-booked Playdays centres are located at: 350 Blackburn Road East Doncaster. Phone 9842 8844 247 Bay Road Sandringham. Phone 9532 2226 Visit www.playdays.com.au EAST DONCASTER 350 Blackburn Road Phone 9842 8844 SANDRINGHAM 247 Bay Road Phone 9532 2226 • Children are welcome in the Ice Lounge between 10am and 7pm and are served a fruity drink in an ice glass included in their admission. RUNNING Sprints: 70m, 100m, 200m. Distance: 400m, 800m, 1500m. Hurdles: 60mh, 80mh, 90mh, 100mh, 300mh Walks: 1100m and 1500m. Education & Training. In addition to training nights offered by Centres, Little Athletics Victoria conducts these clinics: • U6-U8 Carnival • U7-U10 McDonald’s Skills Clinics • U11 Skills Clinic • U9-U16 Race Walking Coaching Clinic • Introduction to Starters, Officials, Coaching Courses Junior Development Squad – JDS JDS gives U12–U16 athletes an opportunity to gain new skills and improve technical competencies through participation in coaching and training sessions with some of Victoria’s leading coaches. Find a Centre. With over 22,000 members competing on a weekly basis at 102 Little Athletics Centres across Victoria, you are bound to find a Centre close to you. Go to www.lavic.com.au and click on Find a Centre. Luna Park Shrug off the winter blues these school holidays and discover the unique carnival magic that has delighted families for over a century as Melbourne’s most iconic face enjoys its 101st spring. the magic of this world famous roller coaster, the oldest continually operating wooden roller coaster of its kind and winner of the prestigious American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) Coaster Classic Award. It also provides spectacular views over Port Phillip Bay and has to be at the top of every “must do” list of Melbourne attractions. Just as when the gates first opened in 1912, it’s all just for fun! There’s exciting contemporary thrill rides, there’s historical rides that you will enjoy just as much as your great grandmother did when she was a girl, and there’s that amazing carnival atmosphere that only can come from a century full of screams and giggles. You can also experience the views of Port Phillip Bay upside-down aboard thrill rides like the Pharaoh’s Curse, test your skills and win cuddly prizes in the carnival games huts, or relax and enjoy family favourites like the beautifully restored Carousel which celebrated its 100th birthday last summer. Spend a day aboard the Park’s new and famous historic rides and enjoy all that Luna Park continues to offer its visitors. It offers the perfect break from the more thrilling rides and is a not to be missed chance to enjoy a beautiful piece of history. Luna Park is the ultimate destination for fun in Melbourne! There are always the familiar screams and rumbling tracks you know and love but now the new Power Surge thrill ride is waiting to test your courage further still. This extreme thrill ride will take you high over the Park and will spin, twist and twirl as you are catapulted high and low. This white-knuckle ride reaches over 17m in the air and will have riders instantly considering if they were better off back on the ground! While you’re here, don’t forget to jump on board the Great Scenic Railway – you’ll be riding a piece of history! Experience Venture inside Mr Moon’s giant mouth, grab a stick of fairy floss and join the century of visitors before you in creating your own, unique, Luna memory. Open from 11am every day of the school holidays, Luna Park is bursting with amazing rides and attractions to fill your school holidays with screamworthy excitement. Check out the website for more information – www.lunapark.com.au Parks Victoria’s Junior Ranger program Parks Victoria’s Junior Ranger program is a free and fun environmental-based program for children aged between 6 and 12 years. The Junior Ranger program provides an opportunity for kids to discover the secrets of Victoria’s national parks, reserves and waterways. Using fun, hands-on activities budding Junior Rangers can be involved in a variety of ranger-led activities including wildlife detective walks, water-based activities, environmental craft sessions and rock pool explorations of the bay. If you’re a true blue Lunie you might like the new Annual Pass. This pass lets you scream and save with 12 months of unlimited rides for only $110. Junior Rangers can also explore on their own. The Junior Ranger website is a great resource for self-guided activities that Junior Rangers can do with their families, whenever they want. Bursting with amazing rides, attractions and activities to fill your school holidays with scream-worthy fun, Luna Park really has something to satisfy all ages and thrill levels! Junior Rangers is all about celebrating nature and encouraging kids to discover more about the environment and the part parks play in protecting animals and plants. There are many types of Junior Ranger activities you can get involved with. Including: • Rockpool Ramble A hands-on exploration of rock pools led by a ranger. Marine sanctuaries protect an amazing underwater environment. Learn all about how these animals live in one of the harshest possible environments and how they’ve adapted to survive. • Bush detective A ranger led walk and talk. What type of animal made this scratch, that footprint and left behind these droppings? Children get to become a wildlife detective, using their senses to search for and identify clues left behind by native animals. • Ponding A fun ranger led activity combining field and lab work. Learn about why healthy water contains diverse species, and measure the health of their pond or coast by identifying what lives within. • Fired into Life A ranger-led demonstration. By participating in a hands-on demonstration about the role rangers play in fighting bushfires, children learn about how fires are planned for and managed in our national parks. Visit: www.juniorrangers.com.au Á ÞÁ Þ Get outdoors with a Parks Victoria ranger and become a Junior Ranger today Parks Victoria offers a fun and engaging way for kids to explore the outdoors. Come along on a ranger-led activity these school holidays and be inspired! jÁ*&+**'Á(' jÁ*)$)" jÁ1.#Á / /$2 jÁ$- Á$)/*Á$! jÁ$)$H ./Á$.*2 -5 To learn more visit: www.juniorrangers.com.au Lower Esplanade St Kilda www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 21 9 November Family Festival at Finns • A great what’s 2 on day of fun for the whole family featuring craft, food and community information stalls, animal farm, camel and pony rides, children’s rides and Opus 21 Big Band. Gold coin entry. 9am-4pm. Finns Reserve, Lower Templestowe (enter via Templestowe Road). Enq 0412 558 066 or 9855 8184. www.templestowerotary.org.au/ Community Fun Fair • Picnic in the grounds, stalls, entertainment, bbq, raffles, kids rides, petting zoo, face painting and more. 10am-4pm. 48 Edinburgh Place Mooroolbark. Sophia Mundi Steiner School Spring Fair and Open Day • Activities 4 November St. Michael’s Melbourne Cup Day Fair • A great range of plants with helpful tips * Trash and treasure * Cakes and jams * Second hand books * Arts and crafts * Devonshire teas * Children’s activities * Sausage sizzle and lots more! 9am. Monash Avenue Olinda. Enq 9728 6353. 7 to 9 November Beechworth Celtic Festival • Historic Beechworth will celebrate all things Celtic, with a program of live music, theatre, dancing, comedy, village markets, pipe bands and a street parade. 9am. Beechworth Information Centre, 103 Ford Street Beechworth. Enq 1300 366 321. 8 November Family Open Cockpit Day • Open cockpits include F-111, DH Dove, Vickers Viscount, Canberra, Hunter, C-47, DH Sea Venom and more. Aircraft engine runs, model kits store, military vehicle display and motorcycle display. 10am-5pm. Australian National Aviation Museum, Corner First St and Second Avenue Moorabbin Airport. Enq 9580 7752 or www.aarg.com.au/ 8 to 9 November Dandenong Show • Fun-filled with carnival rides, animal competitions, live music, spectacular fireworks and much more. 9am. Dandenong Showgrounds, Bennet Street. dandyshow.com.au/ for the whole family, including candle making, face painting, blacksmithing, stonemasoning, live music, performances and a magical children’s tent surrounded by examples of student’s work. Free entry. 10am-4pm. Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street Abbotsford. Enq 9415 3600 or www.sophiamundi.vic.edu.au/ North Fitzroy Primary School Fete • Loads of traditional fun with rides, face painting, cake stalls, food, live entertainment, raffles, silent auction, book stalls and toy and clothing stalls. 10am-4pm. Fergie Street Fitzroy North. Enq 9481 5860 or fitzroynthps.vic.edu.au/ The Story Sessions with Leigh Hobbs • Find out how Leigh creates characters like Old Tom, and then create a giant collaborative storybook. The story sessions introduce young learners to the State Library, books and the joy of reading. State Library of Victoria, 328 Swanston Street Melbourne. Enq 8664 7099 or [email protected] 15 November Holy Rosary School Family Fun Day • Free entertainment for all the family. Activities and stalls will include face painting, rides, an auction, cakes, second hand clothing and toys, craft and much more! Free entry. 10am-3pm. Holy Rosary School, 37 Gower Street Kensington. Enq 9376 9455. 15 to 16 November Hans Christian, Stories In The Wall • Experience this interactive digital story installation, housed around the nooks and crannies of Arts Centre Melbourne. The stories are written and performed by primary school students, with the music composed and sound designed by secondary school students. 10am-6pm. Theatres Building, 100 St Kilda Melbourne. www.artscentremelbourne.com.au 15 November to 23 December Santa’s Magical Kingdom • Bringing all the wonder and joy of a traditional Christmas. This interactive walk-through is an enchanting experience that includes everything that you love about Christmas. Get ready to be amazed as you see the magic of Christmas come to life! Caulfield Racecourse. Book now at ticketek.com.au or phone 1300 307 740. santasmagicalkingdom.com.au 15 to 24 November Santa’s Christmas Spectacular • Wonderland Fun Park will transform into Santa’s Magical Wonderland where you can enjoy all of your favourite Christmas treats. 120 Pearl River Road Docklands Melbourne. www.wonderlandfunpark.com.au/ to 13 years inclusive, and their Dad, or significant male other. 525 Tynong North Road Tynong North. Enq 0431 839 035 or www.fatheringadventures.com.au/ 22 November The Great Fete • Loud and silent auctions, food stalls, art and craft stall, home produce, cake stall, plant stall, lucky dips, fantastic rides, superb entertainment on the central stage and much more. 1-8pm. Hartwell Primary School, Milverton Street Camberwell. Enq 9889 4012 or www.hartwellps.vic.edu.au/ Dingley Fair • With food and stalls galore, there is plenty to keep you enthralled. Heaps of prizes and giveaways. Free entry, with free or low cost activities. 11am-4pm. Cnr. Old Dandenong and Tootal Roads Dingley. Enq 9551 7871. 22-23 November Strawberries and Cherries Festival • Join in and celebrate the arrival of strawberry and cherry season along the Avenue of Honour and throughout Bacchus Marsh.www.visitbacchusmarsh.com.au/ 29 November Bell Primary School Fun Day • 16 November Fairy Party • Petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, jumping castle and more. $10 per entry. Overnewton Castle, 51 Overnewton Close Keilor. Tickets www.trybooking.com/DRGL. Enq 9331 6367 or www.overnewtoncastle.com.au/ Sausage sizzle, crafts, rides, games, cakes, preserves, 2nd hand goods, free 10 minute massages and kids’ workshops. The workshops will cover learning to crochet friendship bracelets, drawing caricatures and comic making. Free entry. 10am-3pm. 78A Oakover Road Preston. Enq 9480 5622. 20 to 23 November Frankston’s Christmas Festival of 2014 Australian Masters • Kids rule Lights • Frankston is transformed into an enchanted land where magic happens and dreams really can come true. 5-10pm. Free entry with costs for rides, food and amusements. Davey Street Frankston. at the Masters! Special kids viewing areas, golf simulators, interactive zones and more! The nation’s best golfers will be on show to inspire a new generation of Gold Jacket winners and there will be plenty of chances to pick up a few tips. Free entry for kids under 16 with a paying adult. The Metropolitan Golf Club, Golf Road Oakleigh South. www.australianmasters.com.au 21 to 23 November Father-Son Adventure Weekend • A Father-Son Relationship Investment Adventure Experience, for boys aged 7 29 November Wallan Secondary College Family Fun Day • Great rides, side show alley, games, show bags, food, markets, raffles, art display, entertainment and an animal farm. At midday we will be attempting to break a group world record, everyone is invited to join in. 9am-2pm. 100 Duke Street Wallan. Enq: 5783 4338. Join us on Facebook 22 November 2014 www.aussiekids.net.au Interesting Bee Facts Help the squirrel find the right path to the acorns Looking for an entertaining activity for your child’s next PARTY? Watch your child’s imagination run wild! <RXU3HUIHFW3DUW\ ZZZ\RXUSHUIHFWSDUW\FRPDX 1300 PINK LIMOS (1300 746 554) www.pinklimos.com.au 7UDFH\6FKZDVV 9LNNL'RQDOGVRQ \ Party Like A STAR ★ Looking for the wow factor for your next party? NE We no W ★ Allow us to Roll Out the 10 & 12w have PINK Carpet and treat se P INK Lim ater you like a STAR! availabl os e! ★ Many tours and cruises available in our fun Limos. 7UDFH\ 9LNNL ZDV www.heydeehomusic.com.au www ww.heydeehom h www.swordfightersaustralia.com ✆ 0409 013 171 ✉ [email protected] 1300 1 130 13 30 139 631 Call more us for tion ma infor e quot or a AK-0214SF We offer a fun and healthy kid’s party activity based around the sport of fencing that is a hit with boys and girls of all ages. We teach children “easy to learn” basics of fencing and organise a great range of games to keep kids happy and entertained. AK-0913PL Book your Ad space call now 07 3806 4611 Sword Fighters Australia has the answer! 6 F K Party entertainment to suit children aged 2-5 years. Songs, dances, musical activities, percussion instruments, props and puppets. Lots of fun-filled themes to choose from or we can tailor the event to match your party theme. H\ to your next party! 6 kid’s parties invite 0419 385 245 www.wildaction.com.au ★ Honey comes in different colours and flavours. The flower where the nectar was gathered from determines the flavour and colour of the honey. ★ The bees use their honeycomb cells to raise their babies in and to store nectar, honey, pollen and water. ★ Bees are the only insect that make food that humans can eat. W\ K I DZ KORNER ★ To receive 10% OFF enter promo code “aussiekids” (Conditions Apply) ★ www.aussiekids.net.au November 2014 23 Looking for something to do this week-end with the family . . . the answer is Aussie Kids online What’s On Calendar. With a user-frendly system it’s easy to search for events happening in your local community. Aussie Kids What’s On Calendar is aiming to be the best and most comprehensive calendar available for families in Australia. All listings can be uploaded free of charge. So if you have an event you would like to promote to a broader community go online now. www.aussiekids.net.au
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