October 2006 IN THIS ISSUE |
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by Melanie Hartgill,Dear Moms, Dads, Relatives, Educators and Business Owners!
My favourite programme on television at the moment is "Healing Animals". The last episode was about an animal farm where children with special needs can visit each day and take the responsibility of caring for the animals. Many of the children formed a bond with at least one of the animals and responded well to this type of healing therapy. There is something therapeutic and calming about the simple action of stroking (or softing as my kids say) a pet. My husband sees no therapeutical benefits in picking up the dog's mess from the garden and watching the plants being chewed up. Ok, but I never said animals were not hard work and the pros far outweigh the cons.
My sister and I grew up with a menagerie. Dogs, cats, gerbils, rabbits, chickens, horses, hamsters and birds, Gerald Durrell would have felt at home in our house. I could not imagine my life without animals in it and I feel I am a better person for it. My daughter has the same love for animals and reminds me of Elmyra from Tiny Toons who wants to hug everything she sees. I take her to puppy school (yes, the puppy goes too) where the trainer encourages families to bring their children so that they can learn the correct way to interact with dogs and the dogs can learn about children. My daughter has to learn you cannot go up to any animal and pick it up to cuddle. Children must be taught the skills to play safely with animals and to prevent and recognise any problems that may arise. My son at 2 and a half has only just learnt to tickle the cat under his chin as opposed to yanking its tail. Fortunately the cat has a gentle nature and chooses flight over fight.
Growing up with pets in the house is very beneficial for children. Children with animals at home are likely to be more empathetic than those without. As children get older, their ability to empathise with animals will carry over into their experiences with people. A newborn coming into a home or for a child who has not developed allergies towards animals, exposure to pets appears to decrease the risk of allergies and eczema.
Our article by Melanie this month is Fine Motor Play and Development. Don't miss the Baba Indaba in Johannesburg 10 to 12 November and Little Sprout now has a whole lot of new Summer Stock in-store. Don't miss their open day in Jo'burg on 4 November.
We wish you all a happy halloween next week and please think of the neighbourhood animals before you rush out and buy a box full of fireworks!
Cara
Editor
Top tip - Rather than telling your child not to do something for example, "Don't play with the knife", rather explain the consequences of that action. "If you play with a knife you can cut your hand. Now there will be lots of blood, so you will need to get a towel or cloth to hold firmly on the cut to prevent the blood from gushing out. Then call an adult and phone the emergency services." By communicating the message in this way, the child will be horrified by what could happen and will be less likely to disobey you. A benefit of this is that if they ever do find themselves in this type of emergency situation, they will know what to do. Click here to email us your parenting tip.
PRESS RELEASES/PROMOTIONS/WHAT'S NEW Latest News
Self empowerment - A unique concept is helping thousands of ordinary South Africans obtain certification through skills development. [Read more]
New five roses and freshpack rooibos family packs. [Read more]
A Mothers Determination - Pacifeeder is now available in South Africa.
[Read More]
Pirates of the Reef docks at The Hippodrome for the December holiday. [Read more]
Once Upon a Time has created a variety of unique products to commemorate those special occasions. [Read More]
Athlone North Primary receives stellar software bundle from EvaluNet.
[Read more]
What's new onwww.kidzworld.co.za?
All Petit-Pea linen and accessories less 25%. [Click to view]
Da Mom's Creations - Spend R280 or more and receive a 15% discount on your order!
[Click to view]
Kidz Only sale now on! [Read more]
Baby Bobo's summer 2006/07 range is now available. [View here]
Memory lane Photographic Studio - Receive a free A4 enlargement with every photo shoot. Valid for the month of November 2006. [Click here to view]
Kindersafe - Holiday Trail Pack special - only R100. [Read more]
Designa-bug - End of range stock clearance sale, all photo cards R12.50 plus postage. [Read more]
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND TRADE ENQUIRIES Products for retailers Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Baby Bottle helps to reduce feeding problems like colic, spit-up, burping and gas. [Read more]
Kindersafe - Child safety tags - Kindersafe has a range of tags, wristbands and other products, on which your mobile number is displayed. [Read more]
Bundle-berry - Baby and children’s décor including linen, cots, beds and more. [Read more]
Robi Comb - Electronic lice comb that detects and removes lice.
[Read more]
COMPETITIONS/GIVEAWAYSNestlé HamperPacifeeder
WIN a hamper of Nestlé baby food worth R300!
[Click to enter]
WIN a Pacifeeder® hands-free baby bottle.[Click to enter]
Money Box Party PacksD for Diamond
WIN 10 x D.I.Y. money box party packs for your child's party.
[Click to enter]
WIN a genuine diamond set in a sterling silver
heart pendant & chain for your child.
[Click to enter]
Little Star 
WIN a R300 shoppingvoucher for Little Star.
[Click to enter]
NEW DIRECTORY LISTINGS Baby Inc 
A designer children’s boutique. We carry clothing brands like Indygo, Munko, Bearbum, Naughty co and Phoebe and Floyd We also do little people’s furniture, décor and gifts. [Read more]
Create a bag that is unique incorporating anything from a photo of your loved one to your favorite artist.
[Read more]
Bundle Berry 
Baby and children’s décor including linen, cots, beds and more. [Read more]
The school is situated in a beautiful country environment with ample parking and separately fenced, well treed play grounds.
[Read more]
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Baby BottleEcole Francaise Francois le Vaillaint
Helps promote good health in babies. By eliminating the vacuum and air bubbles, it helps to reduce feeding problems like colic, spit-up, burping and gas. [Read more]
The school caters foreducation from
Pre-primary to High School, with official French and internationally accredited end-of-school examination. [Read more]
Funki Fotos Importex - Robi Comb 
Featuring you! Ordinary people, extraordinary photographs.
[Read more]
Electronic lice comb that detects and removes lice.
[Read more]
Joyous Jumpers Kids Kingdom 
A family owned jumping castle hire business where we are passionate about children having FUN! [Read more]
Kids Kingdom is a new indoor play zone and party venue offering an exciting place to bring your kiddies to play in our jungle kingdom.
[Read more]
KindersafeLynnwood Ridge Pre-primary 
Child safety tags - A range of tags wristbands and other products, on which your mobile number is displayed. [Read more]
Pre-school ages 3 - grade R.
[Read more]
Once Upon A Time Pikanini Baby Academy 
The Memories Cube is engraved with your momentous information or event information on each of its six sides.
[Read more]
Baby massage, baby signing....
[Read more]
Party Wizz RB Productions
Brightly coloured jumping castles, party buckets and bags, catering equipment and kids' tables, chairs and more... [Read more]
Drama classes with Brümilda van Rensburg in Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape.
[Read more]
Rocky Ridge Estate Sunny Developments 
Rocky Ridge is a pre-primary school for children, a computer-aided reading school, a road safety centre and a fantasy minitown for parties.
[Read more]
Great and memorable entertainment with our unique giant and garden games plus accessories which can be used for any party or special occasion. [Read more]Top Tots Two Oceans Aquarium
Mother and children workshops. We provide stimulating ideas with the emphasis on FUN!
8 Weeks to 4 Years! [Read more]
Discover oceans of life beneath the African waves – the Two Oceans Aquarium is the place to go!
[Read more]
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