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Meet my imaginary friend, mom! The benefits of imaginary play
Imaginary play is a common way children learn, writes Dr Jo-Marie Bothma, clinical psychologist and play therapist. Imaginary or pretend play is one form of play that we frequently find children taking part in. Through imaginary play a child learns to better imagine...
Should my toddler exercise?
An exercise programme? For toddlers? It’s not so much about formal exercise as getting your kids active from the start, writes fitness expert Potso Mpandawana. You are probably thinking … should my toddler exercise? They are only two years old! That surely can’t be...
5 Ways to Cultivate Your Child’s Creativity
Give your child the tools to explore their natural curiosity of the world and themselves, and in the process help them to develop their creativity – with these tips. Novelty-seeking, tenacity, and self-transcendence (defined as “a capacity to get lost in the moment...
Turn your NO into KNOWING!
Teacher, coach, international speaker and author Renee Lighton unpacks positive parenting techniques to help your child understand – and respect – the boundaries you set for them. A historical UCLA study claims that the average child hears “no” up to 400 times per...
Growth vs development: Your baby’s body & brain working together
Melodie de Jager and Cozette Laubser explore the connection between babies’ physical growth and their ability to reach their developmental milestones. According to neuroscience, babies are born with more brain cells than they would ever use. Depending on the range of...
Self-awareness in young children
Self-awareness is a vital skill that helps all of us to cope with social challenges. Cindy Glass, founder and owner of Step Up Education Centres, looks at how you can instill self-awareness in your child from a young age. The act of being human means that we are a...
Development milestones in your pre-schooler
Child development can be exceptionally detailed and overwhelming. This is the first in a three-part series to demystify child development and milestones by educator Kerry McArthur. Child development is a process every child goes through. This process involves learning...
Let’s play! Games for toddlers and parents
Children learn by play – it’s a vital part of their development. Clinical psychologist Michelle Nortje looks at some games you can incorporate into your child’s life. The central way in which children learn and communicate is through play. Play is the language that...
It’s always shoe ’o clock somewhere
It only sounds like shoe shopping for your toddler is fun – in reality there are a host of things to bear in mind, writes Yashmitha Padayachee. For many of us, buying a new pair of shoes is an indulgence, a professing of self-love, or a little ‘go on, you deserve it’...
Your social butterfly
Social skills are an important part of your child’s development, and lay the foundations for confidence and assertiveness. Clinical psychologist and play therapist Dr Jó-Marié Bothma explains how to help your child bloom. Children who have well developed social skills...
