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.

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 : Living in a Step Family

Strategies on communication, agreement on discipline - who spells out what the rules are - and on handling competitng demands. It is just as important for couples to ensure that in a busy environment there is time just for each other.

This 6 week course covers:
* The differences and uniqueness inherent in stepfamilies.
* The need to let go of the past in order to devise mutual expectations, which requires good communication skills.
* Parents' roles and challenges in the stepfamily, and the need to establish positive biological and step-parent roles.
* What children experience and how they cope in stepfamilies.
* Nuturing the couple bond and development of conflict resolution skills particular to the stepfamily experience.
* Charting of stepfamily stages and the building of new stepfamily traditions.

Where:	Bunbury Family Relationship Centre
	20 Molloy St, Bunbury (Symmons St entrance)
Date:	Each Thursday evening 23rd February - 29th March 2012
Time:	6.30pm - 9.00pm
Cost:	$75.00 per person / $120.00 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.

Parenting WA South West Service Launch

Event:	Playgroup WA (Inc) cordially invites you to South West Service Launch
Date:	Wednesday 14th September, 2011
Time:	11am to 1.30pm
Venue:	Koombana Bay Sailing Club
	Koombana Drive Bunbury, WA 6230
	Refreshments and a light lunch will be served
RSVP:	by Thursday 8th September, 2011
Contact:	Karen Collins 0421 819 171 or email.

Other information:

11.00am	Get Together
11.30am	Welcome note David Zarb, CEO Playgroup WA
11.45am	The importance of the South West for Playgroup WA
	Leanne Gordon, President of the Board, Playgroup WA
12:00pm	Launch speech
12:15 pm	The benefits of Playgroups/Research Summary
	Kirsten J. Hancock, Telethon Institute for Child Research

Parenting WA Library

Do you live in Busselton, Collie, Harvey, Bunbury or anywhere in between?

The South West Parenting Service, as part of Parenting WA, is a free service providing information and parenting resources such as books, pamphlets, DVDs and videos on pre-birth, babies, children, teenagers and parenting. Free postal return is available to anyone who needs it - just ask when you borrow.

Click here to view lists of items you can borrow.

Parenting WA also provide experienced Parenting Coordinators who support families with children up to eighteen years of age by helping them gain confidence in their parenting. Coordinator for the South West, Brenna Denholm, offers the following services:

* Individual Meetings: Parents / carers can make a time to talk about their individual interests, concerns or situation.

* Community Presentations / Workshops: Topics on parenting can be presented at any groups such as New Mother's Groups, Playgroups, Play Cafe, schools or any child-focussed group on request.

For more information please call (08) 9725 2622 or Freecall 1800 681 842.

South West Parenting Service Hours:
Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm
Please note: Brenna travels across SW communities so please call 0417 991 052 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday afternoons.

Resource Library Hours:
Tuesday 9.30am to 4.30pm
Thursday 9.30am to 4.30pm
Friday 9.30am to 1.00pm

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.

Real Healthy Kids : Natural First Aid Workshop

Event: THE NATURAL FIRST AID KIT FOR YOUR CHILD : Supporting Your Child’s Health Naturally
Date: Saturday July 2nd
Time: 9.30am – 12 noon
Cost: $50 (small classes only)
Contact: Sally Gray ND 0433 542 189 Child Health Specialist - Naturopath – Nutritionist – Educator – Author

You will learn:
• The Natural First Aid kit – including herbs, homeopathics and nutrition
• 12 month plan for child health maintenance naturally
• Natural remedies to use for common acute and chronic conditions
• How to support your child’s immunity
• Including immune boosting foods into everyday life

Lotus Young Mums Group

Lotus is a support group for mothers aged 15-25. The group meets every Tuesday at the Busselton Family Centre and do all sorts of activities for the mums and children. There are regular guest speakers who talk about things like nutrition, sexual health, child restraints, sleeping and behaviour issues and toddler music. Lotus mums share morning tea/lunch then have an activity or guest speaker and then read a story and sing some songs to finish off for the day.

Where: 19-21 Kent St Busselton

When: Tuesdays 12.30pm during the school term - sessions last approximately 2 hours

Contact: Amy (0434 582 388) or Celeste (0422 049 928)

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.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby Helpline 1800 882 436

Parents/Carers can use this service from the moment they find out they are pregnant to when their baby is 12 months old. The site gives good coverage of the frequent questions asked on pregnancy, birth and caring for your baby. It also has up-to-date information on health topics for families.
http://www.healthdirect.org.au/pbb.

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.

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.

Child Resuscitation Awareness

St. John Ambulance Busselton is looking for expressions of interest in the holding of a Child Resuscitation Awareness course. This very valuable skill is available at $35.00 and provides basic child life support skills for all child minders.

For enquires and registration ph: 08 9752 3866

Office hours: Mon to Thurs 8.30 to 12.00 noon

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

Children love to read and be read to

Your public library is a great place for finding books to read for fun and pleasure. There is a strong link between community health and wellbeing and the use of libraries. Read to your children from a young age and see the benefits in their success in literacy and academic success.

Australian Breastfeeding Association

The Busselton branch is meeting at the Kent St Family Centre on Friday 25th February at 10.00am. Contact Janet on 9754 4461 for more details. For more information on breastfeeding support and a question forum you can view the Australian Breastfeeding Association website at http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/.