Lifestyle Triple P : Helping You Raise Healthy Kids

For more information on the Positive Parenting Program, click here.

Back to School

The holidays are over, the kids are back to school - and for some, this means beginning year one, taking the first exciting steps into "big school", and wading a bit deeper into the refreshing waters of lifelong reading!

To help your child have the best chance of learning success at school, give them lots of opportunities to read aloud at home. Inspire your young reader to practice every day! Reading Rockets has put together some tips for parents of first-graders that offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader.

Try a new tip each week, and see what works best for your child.

Don’t leave home without it.	-	Bring along a book or magazine any time your child has to wait, such as at a doctor’s office. Always try to fit in reading!
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Once is not enough.	-	Encourage your child to re-read favorite books and poems. Re-reading helps kids read more quickly and accurately.
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Dig deeper into the story.	-	Ask your child questions about the story you've just read. Say something like, “Why do you think Clifford did that?”
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Take control of the television.	-	It’s difficult for reading to compete with TV and video games. Encourage reading as a free-time activity.
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Be patient.	-	When your child is trying to sound out an unfamiliar word, give him or her time to do so. Remind your child to look closely at the first letter or letters of the word.
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Pick books that are at the right level.	-	Help your child pick books that are not too difficult. The aim is to give your child lots of successful reading experiences.
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Play word games.	-	Have your child sound out the word as you change it from mat to fat to sat; from sat to sag to sap; and from sap to sip.
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I read to you, you read to me.	-	Take turns reading aloud at bedtime. Kids enjoy this special time with their parents.
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Gently correct your young reader.	-	When your child makes a mistake, gently point out the letters he or she overlooked or read incorrectly. Many beginning readers will guess wildly at a word based on its first letter.
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Talk, talk, talk!	-	Talk with your child every day about school and things going on around the house. Sprinkle some interesting words into the conversation, and build on words you’ve talked about in the past.
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Write, write, write!	-	Ask your child to help you write out the grocery list, a thank you note to Grandma, or to keep a journal of special things that happen at home. When writing, encourage your child to use the letter and sound patterns he or she is learning at school.

Visit www.ReadingRockets.org for more information on how you can launch a child into a bright future through reading.

A Midsummer Knight's Read : Fairytales at the Library

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

Come along to the Busselton Library for a school holiday storytime full of fairytales both classic and twisted!

Stories read will be suitable for ages 5 and up (though younger kids are more than welcome too), followed by a fairytale-themed craft activity. The entire session will last about an hour.

Where:	Busselton Public Library
	Stanley St, Busselton
Date:	Wednesday 18th January 2012
Time:	10.00am - 11.00am
Cost:	FREE!

The Busselton Library runs regular storytime sessions throughout the year at 10.00am, every second Wednesday. For more information call the library on (08) 9754 1588 or email.

Relationships Australia : Parent - Teen Connection

We have all come through adolescence - do you remember? It has always been a challenging, sometimes frustrating period of life's journey.

Thankfully, today's parents are usually more inclined to listen. Living with teenagers can be confusing and even worrying, but also rewarding. This course reduces stress and teaches parents to communicate, negotiate and minimise conflict.

This 4 week course covers topics such as:
* Behaviours and tasks of adolescence
* Developing a helpful perspective on adolescence
* Communication adolescents understand
* Handling conflict
* Discipline

Where:	Bunbury Family Relationship Centre
	20 Molloy St, Bunbury (Symmons St entrance)
Date:	Each Tuesday morning 28th February - 20th March 2012
Time:	9.30am - 12.00pm
Cost:	$50.00 per person / $75.00 per couple

For bookings and payment please call (08) 9792 1111.
Concessions are available for concession card holders.

For more information please visit the Relationships Australia website.

Relationships Australia : Dads Raising Girls

Did you miss the Dads Raising Girls workshop held at the Kent St Family Centre in September? Well it's on again!

This one night seminar looks at the importance of the father-daughter relationship. It discusses what daughters need from their dads and covers practical ways to improve and maintain a positive and rewarding relationship.

Where:	Busselton Family Centre
	19-21 Kent Street Busselton
Date:	Wednesday 23rd November 2011
Time:	6.30pm - 9.00pm
Cost:	$25.00 per person

For bookings and payment please call (08) 9792 1111.

For more information please visit the Relationships Australia website.

Get Down and Dirty... Outdoors!

In March 2011, Planet Ark commissioned an independent study to investigate childhood interaction with nature and how this interaction is changing.

The research shows that there has been a dramatic shift in childhood activity from outdoor play to indoor activity in the space of one generation.
♠ 73% of respondents played outdoors more often than indoors when they were young compared to only 13% of their children
♠ 72% of respondents played outside every day as kids compared to only 35% of their children
♠ 1 in 10 children today play outside once a week or less.

Physical benefits of playing outdoors:
♣ Children who play outside every day have better motor coordination and increased ability to concentrate.
♣ The outdoor environment allows children to move freely, placing fewer constraints on children’s gross motor movement and less restriction on their range of visual and gross motor exploration.

Cognitive benefits of playing outdoors:
♣ Greenery in a child’s everyday environment specifically reduces attention deficit symptoms. While outdoor activities in general help, settings with trees and grass are the most beneficial.
♣ While outdoors, a child is more likely to encounter opportunities for decision making that stimulate problem solving and creative thinking because outdoor spaces are often more varied and less structured than indoor spaces.
♣ Children are more likely to develop responsible attitudes toward risk if they have experience dealing with risky situations.
♣ Much of play is social. As such, play promotes learning about vital social skills such as turn-taking, sharing, negotiation and leadership.

Emotional benefits of playing outdoors:
♣ Free play has the ability to improve many aspects of emotional wellbeing, including minimising anxiety, repression, aggression and sleep problems.
♣ Mood may be positively affected not only by the physical activity itself but also by exposure to sunlight if the activity occurs outdoors.

Not allowing children to play freely and explore their outdoor environment results in a single benefit - safety. But this benefit can be outweighed by multiple risks – including compromised development, decreased physical exercise, increased obesity and limited spontaneous play opportunities.

If we’re sure that kids love to play, and we know that active outdoor play produces healthier, happier and more resilient kids, then the issue we face is simply the finding opportunities for regular, safe and easy outdoor activities for children. We need to make outdoors, not indoors, the habit.

Making outdoors a habit can be easy if you know how. Here is a list of simple ideas to try, adapt and add to, and many of them you can do right in your own backyard. These groups and activities are suitable for kids of all ages, so join your children and get outdoors!

♠ Climb a Tree
♠ Play street cricket
♠ Ride a bike
♠ Go for a bushwalk
♠ Walk the dog
♠ Go swimming
♠ Do some gardening
♠ Camp in the backyard
♠ Watch the sunset
^{(Information taken from Climbing Trees : Getting Aussie Kids Back Outdoors, published by Planet Ark)}

Need some more inspiration? Small Fry : Outdoors is full of ideas for every season, and activities to stimulate all the senses – grab a copy at the Busselton and Dunsborough libraries!

Relationships Australia : Dads Raising Girls

Find out how you can build a rewarding father-daughter relationship.

As the primary male role model in a girl’s life, fathers play an important role in the development of their self-concept and self esteem. This affects how they relate to others, particularly to boys and men.

This workshop will discuss:
* Common myths and mistakes around father-daughter relationships.
* The importance of the father-daughter relationship.
* What do our daughters need from their dads?
* Practical ways to improve and maintain a positive and rewarding father-daughter relationship.

Where:	Busselton Family Centre
	19-21 Kent Street Busselton
Date:	Thursday 1st September 2011
Time:	6.30pm - 9.00pm
Cost:	$25.00 per person

For bookings and payment please call (08) 9792 1111.
Concessions are available for concession card holders.

For more information please visit the Relationships Australia website.

Relationships Australia : Mums Raising Boys

As the primary female role model in a boys life, mothers play an important role in the development of their sons identity, including their ability to be nurturing. This in turn affects how they relate to others, particularly to girls and women.

This workshop will discuss:
* The importance of the mother-son relationship
* What boys need from their mums
* Practical ways to improve and maintain a positive and rewarding relationship

Where:	Busselton Family Centre
	19-21 Kent Street Busselton
Date:	Thursday 1st September 2011
Time:	6.30pm - 9.00pm
Cost:	$25.00 per person

For bookings and payment please call (08) 9792 1111.
Concessions are available for concession card holders.

For more information please visit the Relationships Australia website.

ClayPlay for Creative Kids

Little fingers love clay because its shape changes fast enough to keep up with their quick minds. ClayPlay involves toddlers in keen observation of how objects interact with their environments, while celebrating clay's endless possibilities. What will the clump of clay become this time? Elephants playing catch with a coconut? A tractor tilling the soil? Clay can magically become anything and everything. ClayPlay stimulates tots' creativity, and gives them a sense of their own vast potential.



Why don't you make your own "play dough" at home?

Best Recipes had this easy recipe you can try:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup salt
1 cup plain flour
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon oil
food colouring

Method:
1. Mix all ingredients together in a medium-sized saucepan.
2. Stir over heat until dough is pliable.
3. Allow to cool and store in a well sealed plastic bag or container.

Play dough made using this recipe should last for months if kept in the fridge.

Have fun with it!

Words of Wisdom from Dr Seuss

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."


^{- Dr Seuss (1904-1991) -}

The Busselton Library has plenty of Dr. Seuss' books for you and your family to enjoy,
so come in and have a look!

Busselton Public Library Opening Hours:

Monday	9.30am	to	5.30pm
Tuesday	9.30am	to	5.30pm
Wednesday	9.30am	to	5.30pm
Thursday	9.30am	to	7.00pm
Friday	9.30am	to	5.30pm
Saturday	9.30am	to	12noon

Precious Playtime for Better Baby Brains

^{Image by Francis Vachon}

Watching a baby at play is an amazing, beautiful thing. Journalist and doting parent Francis Vachon has shared with us his time lapse recording of baby Edward’s 4hrs of playtime, compressed into two and a half minutes. Apart from being very cute(!) the footage helps us understand the enormous value of play. Vachon explains the power of babies’ brains:

Here’s the thing about babies. When we’re born, we get the brain cells we need, but the connections between cells haven’t formed yet. In those first few years as we explore the world, the cells begin to link up at a dizzying pace, forming tens of thousands, even millions of new links. When you watch Edward you can almost feel it happening.

You can read more here.

Real Healthy Kids

Real Healthy Kids is committed to improving the health and well being of our children by providing educational workshops, seminars, lectures and cooking classes for families, caregivers and mums to be.

Event: NOURISHING YOUR CHILD : Kitchen Pantry Essentials and Cooking Basics
Date: Saturday June 4th
Time: 9.30am - 12.00pm
Cost: $50.00 (small classes only)
Contact: Sally Gray ND 0433 542 189 Child Health Specialist - Naturopath, Nutritionist, Herbalist, Author and Food Lover.

Make Australia A Reading Nation With the Wiggles

The Wiggles & ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association) urge parents to 'Make Australia a Reading Nation' by launching two Community Service Announcements

The superstar group has thrown their support behind the cause of literacy, fun times and sharing books to encourage children to get into the reading habit.

“We’d like you to help us help make Australia a Reading Nation” said Anthony Field, founding member of The Wiggles.

“By the age of 3 we’ve developed half our adult language, so what happens at home, in kinder and in the library in those early years is really important.”

“Children don’t need to be able to read when they start school, but it makes a big difference if they already love books, rhymes and stories – so share a book today!” Mr Field said.

Executive Director of ALIA Sue Hutley said the two advertisements are an “amazing show of support, and the timing of this generous support could not be better.”
“It is estimated that 46% of Australians struggle with the basics of everyday literacy – many of them seeking help from their local library with things like filling in forms. Literacy is the key not only to a better life but also to a great future for the nation” Ms Hutley said.

“Give your child the best start in life” Anthony Field continued. “Sing songs and make up stories together. Borrow books from your library! Take part in storytimes and wriggle along with The Wiggles!” Mr Field said.

Wiggle in to the Busselton Public Libraries for regular Story Time, Toddler Time and Baby Bounce sessions - upcoming dates and times can be found on our Parenting Programme Calendar.

Fruit and Vegetables Important in a Child's Diet

Children who lack access to healthy foods, particularly fruit and vegetables, are twice as likely to develop behavioural problems.

A Queensland University of Technology Institute of Health study surveyed 500 households across Brisbane in 2009 and released the findings this week.

Source: Sunday Times (Western Australia) April 17, 2011

If you need some inspiration for balanced meals for your children the following titles are available from the Busselton Shire libraries:

The Everything Family Nutrition Book: All You Need To Keep Your Family Healthy, Active, and Strong
by Leslie Bilderback

Healthy Food for Young Children
by Henny Fordham

If You're Happy and You Know It...

Would you take up an activity, or encourage your children to engage in it, if you knew that it could reduce the risk of dyslexia and dyscalculia, improve cognitive abilities, social integration, handwriting and spelling and make you feel more focused and less tense?

An Israeli researcher has recently conducted the first-ever study of hand-clapping songs, which has revealed a direct link between those activities and the development of important skills in children and young adults.

See Israel21c's article on the study here.

Libraries make good use of hand-clapping rhymes in regular Storytime, Baby Bounce and Toddler Time sessions - contact your local library to find out what free programs are available in your area.

Tips for Sharing Books With Your Child

It has been shown that the single most important activity in building knowledge for future success is reading out loud to your child.

Pick the best time. Choose a time to read when you and your baby are happy and content and can enjoy this special time together. Any time when your baby is settled but not sleepy or tired is perfect.

Show your baby the book. Talk and read in a cheerful voice, point to the pictures as you read and talk about them (do this even with tiny babies). This adds to a baby’s vocabulary and shows them how conversation works back and forth.

Be aware of what your baby wants. Don't worry if your baby is restless and is not interested in the book – stop if they are upset.

Read aloud with your child every day. Choose books that you and your child enjoy. If your child chooses the same old favourite over and over again, this may be boring for you but it will please your child and they may even begin to recognise some words.

Take books with you when you go out. You might have to wait somewhere and have a few spare moments to read.

Have Fun! Sharing books together creates a special bond between parents and children.

Toddler Time at Busselton Library

Join Kate and her orangutan every four weeks at 10.00am on Friday for a fun workshop especially for toddlers.

Held at the Busselton Library on Stanley Street, each session lasts for around half an hour and includes songs and rhymes siutable for active little ones.

Participation is free, and bookings are not necessary.

The next Toddler Time session will be at 10.00am, Friday 1st April at the Busselton Public Library.

Visit our Parenting Programme Calendar for upcoming session dates, or phone the Busselton Library on (08) 9754 1588 for more information.

Busselton Family Centre

Located at 19 - 21 Kent St, the Busselton Family Centre provides information and activities for families in the Shire. Currently over 35 organisations use the family centre on a regular basis including the following:
                           

Belly Flower (infant massage/birth skills)					0417 186 679
Busselton Family Playgroup					0450 735 305
Busselton Toy Library					08 9753 1682
Fun Fours					08 9755 4440
Yoga 4 Kids					0420 933 729

For more information on the various programs ph: 08 9752 3550

Office hours 9.00am - 2.00pm Mon - Fri

Comprehensive brochures are also available from the Centre and the Busselton Public Library.

Positive Parenting Seminars

Managing children’s behaviour can be challenging at times for most parents. Parents are invited to attend free parenting seminars facilitated by a child health nurse to learn practical, positive and effective ways to manage common behavioural problems, and ways to help achieve their best at school and in the future.

Parents may choose to attend one, two or three of the seminars and is aimed at parents of children aged between 3-8 years.

The topics are: The power of Positive Parenting, Raising Confident Competent Children and Raising Resilient Children.

No cost. Bookings essential. Contact your Child health nurse on 9752 1935.

Programs dates are available for viewing on the Parenting Programme Calendar page.

After the Emergency - Helping Kids Cope

As Christchurch deals with the aftermath of last week's earthquake, and Queensland recovers from their recent floods and cyclone it is apparent that many children who have been affected by these disasters will need ways of working through their experiences. The Red Cross produce an activity booklet for children titled ‘After the emergency’ which is a useful tool in helping children to think about what has happened and be aware of the feelings that they are experiencing as a result of these stressful situations.

For more information or to order these booklets you can contact:

Ray Wong
Supply Unit Manager
0451 111 480
0467 709 841

qldeocsupply@redcross.org.au

Red Cross QLD
49 Park Rd
Milton QLD 4064
Ph. (07) 3367 7222