EDUCATION

Playways Workshop 5: The Importance of Construction Play

Educational toys offer a variety of play experiences and develop a wide range of skills. Choosing your child's toy is very important. Toys that require interaction and problem solving can only help them in their development; toys that switch on and are used for entertainment are not stimulating or benefiting your child's development.

Construction play involves putting pieces together and manipulating objects to create things. Find out more from paediatric occupational therapist, Marie Yuncken, about how both girls and boys can enjoy the large variety of these toys. Share her extensive knowledge in the next Playways' workshop. Space is limited, so book early.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday, 30 March, at 7.15 pm (registration 6.50 pm) and will last approximately 2 hours. Refreshments will be provided. The cost is $7.00 per person or couple.

For information on any Playways' products phone 9381 3368, email info@playwayswa.com.au or visit their new website: www.playwayswa.com.au

Children & loss - their grief is different
Frankie Needham, Counsellor & Play Therapist

Children coming to terms with the death of a family member, friend or even a pet, experience very real grief. This grief may be experienced in a variety of ways, with behaviour problems and mood changes common.

Similar changes can be seen in separation and in divorce. For some there is no apparent change in behaviour or moods, in fact some children become better behaved and put themselves under great pressure. School can be stressful following a major loss; schoolwork and concentration are often difficult.

The belief that children are too young to understand or don't know what is going on is common. An understanding of the normal range of behaviours and other expressions of grief can assist in the provision of parental/guardian support to encourage healthy adaptive responses following a loss.

If you would like to understand more about what is happening to your child call Frankie on 08 9480 9429 for an appointment.

Museum of Childhood relocating

The Museum of Childhood is closed for relocation but the Museum's shop will be open until the end of February, from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, to sell off all remaining stock at half-price. So get along and grab a bargain!

As well as packing up the thousands of items in the collection, the staff is also busy developing exciting new outreach programs for families, schools and community groups. As they develop these new interactive products, they're keen to keep readers in the know about the new opportunities for children - young and old - to enjoy.

If you'd like the museum to let you know where and when they are moving, send your details to Virginia Giles at the Museum of Childhood, ECU Claremont campus, Bay Road, Claremont WA 6010. Other options are to send an email to v.giles@ecu.edu.au or log on to their website at www.ecu.edu.au/ses/museum and fill out the 'Contact Details' form. For further information call 9442 1373 Monday to Friday.

Childhood fears - Should I be worried? 
Carol Smith Clinical Psychologist Child and Adolescent Specialist

Separation Anxiety, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Social Anxiety, and Panic Attacks are all first evident in childhood. Indeed anxiety conditions are thought to be the most common psychological problem in children and adolescents. Some studies suggest two in every ten children will experience anxiety.

If you wonder whether your child has a problem with worry, the bottom line is to ask yourself if the worry is reducing your child's opportunities. Clinical anxiety impacts on children's lives in many areas. They suffer socially, personally and academically.

Anxiety may interfere with starting and maintaining friendships. Some children have trouble going to school. They need constant reassurance (which doesn't seem to help), and are typically tearful and clingy upon being separated from their main carer. This can last for months or years.

Some children are obsessive, making sure things are being done 'right', in the right order and/or right place. They develop unusual routines and may check and re-check things. Typically these children are overly dependent on their parents, usually very well behaved with others, but may have extreme tantrums in the privacy of their own home.

Don't wait for these problems to become an accepted part of your child's life. Seek professional assistance from a child psychologist, it may only take a few sessions and will set your children up for life. For information, contact Carol on 0407 828 944.

Help for childhood speech & language difficulties

Children's difficulties with communication, social interaction, literacy development, behaviour and learning in school can often be attributed to underlying weaknesses in their speech and language skills.

You may be looking for help in this area, and wondering whether Speech Pathology services would benefit your child. Specialist Speech Pathologists at Ballajura Speech Pathology Clinic provide assessment and therapy services in the areas of:

- Speech delay and Dyspraxia

- Language delay

- Reading and Writing difficulties

- Stuttering

- Autistic Spectrum Disorders

- Learning difficulties

From a thorough assessment the therapist can determine your child's strengths and weaknesses, identify areas that need to be developed and design a therapy programme specific to your child's needs.  During therapy your child will develop skills that will maximize their true learning and communicative potential.

You may have further questions so please call us on 9248 1353 and an experienced therapist will be happy to discuss any of your queries.

A simple solution to lost property

Make it easier for children to take responsibility for their belongings and avoid the lost property box by naming them with eye-catching labels from Design a Name.

Design a Name make great personalised name stickers for lunch boxes, drink containers, bags, booksŠ anything with a clean smooth surface.  No need to worry about reapplying marker pen that has washed off!  Also available are iron-on clothing labels, shoe labels, bag tags, schoolbook labels and more.

As their customers tell them, not all labels are the same. Design a Name guarantee their clothing labels will not come off in the wash when correctly applied and their name stickers are made from a high-grade vinyl with superior adhesive qualities.

Design a Name is run by mums for mums - and they know how to provide friendly, efficient service.  The product range is also great for fundraising with minimal effort.  To find out more phone 0500 529 018 or log on to www.designaname.com.au to order securely on-line.

Aqua-Net saves lives and water

The Aqua-Net swimming pool safety net has been custom-fitted to hundreds of pools, spas and fishponds in Perth since 1988, with a 100 per cent safety record. The safety net is a barrier to stop pre-schoolers, who unfortunately make up most of the drowning statistics, from getting to the water.

The weave of the safety net creates 100mm square spaces, which makes it impossible for children to walk on and so they avoid it. If, however, they do fall on the net (or 'kiddie catcher' as staff at Aqua-Net like to call it), it will contain them at the water's edge and they can clamber off out of harm's way.

How does Aqua-Net save your pool water? They also supply solar pool blankets that lie in direct contact with the water and prevent up to 97 per cent of water evaporation. For more details about their products call Rodger on 9335 6986, seven days a week, at Aqua-Net Pty Ltd (est. 1988).

Kinway Parents Korner

Children in step families
by Christine Ockenfels, Counsellor/Facilitator, KinWay-Anglicare               

Step families have for many years been referred to as 'blended families'. Many professionals and step family associations no longer use this term, however, as it may suggest that a step family is made up of people who somehow merge to create one instant and identifiable family. In reality, each person who enters a new step family has a past history that needs to be valued, accepted and nourished.

The arrival of a new baby into a step family might seem symbolic of such a blending but this event can often trigger jealousy, thus emphasising the challenge to address individual needs and concerns within the step family group. There are some useful strategies to employ when dealing with jealous children:

-     Be patient and avoid saying 'don't be jealous.'

-     Spend some one-on-one time with each child.

-     Attend school activities.

-      Encourage children to talk about how they are feeling and acknowledge their feelings.

As long as expectations are realistic and personal growth is encouraged in each and every family member, a step family will be richer for the arrival of a new baby.

For information on parenting courses, including step parenting, please call KinWay on 9263 2050.

Kumon student wins scholarship!

The East Fremantle Kumon Centre aims to nurture confident, responsible students who enjoy learning. William is one student who exemplifies all of these aims and more. William's parents enrolled him in Kumon because they believe it is a perfect compromise between Western and Eastern education, neither too strict nor too relaxed.

William has achieved academic success through Kumon and has won a scholarship to both Christchurch Grammar School and Scotch College. He plans to become an aeronautical engineer because he believes that planes are the future of travel, as they are the fastest means of transportation.

William has been studying at Kumon since he was seven. Now, in his second year of high school, he has completed the English programme and is well on his way to finishing maths. Kumon students are some of the brightest in Australia. Their mathematics and English skills allow them to flourish in all areas of learning.

William believes his supervisor, Frances Davenport, encourages all of her students to do well. Each time William attends the centre, Frances motivates him to continue his studies, even on the more difficult levels. He takes one step at a time but keeps focused on his future goals, as he knows Kumon will help him reach them.

Kumon is a year-long programme that runs through the holidays. It aims to be a gentle form of study that allows students to work a little, but learn a lot. William has just been on holiday with his sister Jessica overseas but was able to take his Kumon worksheets with him. He was able to do just the little bit each day the Kumon programme requires of students.

Kumon Education Centres are located across the Perth metropolitan area. For more information please call 1800 458 666 or visit www.kumon.com.au.

Homework clubs to ease family pressure
News from International Centre  for Excellence by Victoria Carlton, director

Research by ICE indicates that most families experience stress due to homework requirements. Many students have no idea how to study, organise timetables and revise effectively. These habits need to be formed as soon as possible so students experience success with tests and exams.

We have launched 'Homework Clubs' to help students finish homework, timetable, organise time and study effectively. Students will learn how to cut out distractions and self-limiting behaviours. Sessions will be set up after school, in friendly environments with snacks and trained supervisors. Participating families will be able to relax and enjoy 'homework free' evenings! The service will be provided at low cost at Guildford, Melville and Leederville.

We have started our intensive individual and small-group tuition and the results are already showing! A limited number of places remain at Melville, Guildford and Leederville. Please call us if your children experience difficulties or need extension.

On Thursday, 3 March we have our 'Brain Child' workshop for parents. All parents who would like to help their children with academic development will gain greatly from attendance.

We are about to commence our seven-week 'Sparky Brains' workshops for children with concentration disorders. Children are taught how to concentrate and get organised! Please call to ensure a place for your child.

Saturday afternoons are red-hot fun with our new 'Flame' program (Fun Literacy and Mathematics Education), hands-on fun sessions to help children use their creativity while extending and improving basic skills.

Please call 9478 3323 for more details or bookings.

Reading, writing, spelling & maths help
Julia Gilmore (M.Ed.,B.Ed.,Dip.Tch)

'My child is smart but is having problems with maths and spelling and her self-esteem is really low.'

'I am not happy with my child's essay writing.  The spelling, punctuation, presentation, sentence structure and editing skills are very poor.'

'We know there is a problem with his learning, but he won't listen to us and the teacher is too busy with so many other children in the class.'

These are just some of the comments that are common to parents with children who are not achieving their full potential at school.

There are many reasons why a Primary or Secondary student is not coping at school in the areas of reading, writing, spelling, essay writing, handwriting and mathematics.

Some students have learning difficulties, some are 'cruising', while others just need a boost of confidence but all of them require an individual assessment and learning programme that will help them to achieve the right academic levels for their abilities.

A specialist, qualified, experienced teacher who can individually assess and assist each student is the most highly recommended course of action.  Positive changes can happen immediately.

For assistance and advice please call Julia from A1 Learning on 9402 5080. Website: a1learning.q-net.net.au

Make reading fun & accelerate learning

Make Reading Fun is a ten-week primary level course particularly suitable for children with learning difficulties and new pupils can join at any time. It is designed to accelerate learning from Years One to Seven (Senior Class), when students are encouraged to:

-     Make up for gaps in learning from Years One to Three, especially with phonics and word study

-     Read, write and spell quickly

-     Revise basic reading skills for slower readers

-     Skim read for the main idea

-     Compose narratives

-     Use correct punctuation and grammar

-     Self correct and edit written work

-     Develop daily dictionary usage

-     Comprehend information quickly

-     Recount information from memory

-     Develop self esteem and confidence

And much more.

This is a unique, innovative reading and writing programme from which parents can expect reluctant, not so capable and good readers all to reach their full potential at a faster rate.

Classes -

-      Wednesday 3.45-4.45pm 2 February to 6 April, Morley Sport and Recreation Centre

-      Thursday 3.45-4.45pm 3 February to 7 April, Wembley Community Centre

Call Maggie on 0438 946 621.

Read write now!

Why is it that some children underachieve in literacy despite obvious intelligence, particularly in creativity and visual-spatial skills? They are highly intuitive and are able to see and perceive things that most other children can't. They are good at making things and love drawing. It is almost as if they think in pictures.

Words that have to be decoded from text make less sense to these children's brains and they often read slowly and awkwardly, sometimes omitting words and missing punctuation cues. These children often become frustrated from their lack of reading success and when not achieving equal to their peers, their self-esteem plummets.

What these children need is a special programme to increase their literacy skills in a fun, positive way so they enjoy learning and regain confidence in the classroom. Once their reading age reaches a level equal to their chronological age, they are capable of achieving their full academic potential.

Please call the Reading and Learning Centre on 9343 0333 to book your child in for Term One, 2005. Children can start at any time during the term. The clinic has received numerous national awards and runs an internationally-acclaimed literacy program developed by Dr Peter Sloan.

Kip McGrath centres - tuition plus more

At Kip McGrath Education Centres, professional tuition by qualified and experienced teachers will help your child catch up, keep up and get ahead at school. Kip McGrath Education Centres operate throughout Australia with sixteen centres in the Perth Metropolitan area. In recent years they have expanded successfully to many overseas countries.

A free educational assessment is offered to students to assess their strength and weaknesses. From this assessment, a comprehensive programme is constructed to meet the individual need of the student. The Kip McGrath programmes have been responsible for thousands of success stories for Australian students over the past 25 years.

'The children experience success and motivation from day one,' said Brian Raven, director of the Kip McGrath Education Centre in Myaree. 'Not only do we assist in their academic development but students develop sound study skills, personal responsibility and independent learning skills through the Kip McGrath programmes.'

Some centres offer additional services. The centre in Myaree offers Life Coaching, which can not only assist children but also older students and adults. 'Some people need a little assistance to assess their life, set goals and move forward,' said Mr. Raven. 'With a 25-year background in education and educational management, I have many skills and experiences from which my clients benefit.'

The Myaree centre can be contacted on 93301399. For other centres and to find out more about what your local Kip McGrath Centre can offer to your family, visit www.kipmcgrath.com.au.

Making fun of music at Sykes

Sykes Music has offers musical tuition for piano, singing and guitar, for adults and children and has recently expanded to larger premises. Sykes Music has been teaching piano for the past 5 years. The piano programme was developed by Julia Sykes, with excellent results and currently over 100 students.

Julia's students become well-rounded musicians with a good understanding of their art, create their own music and read music fluently. Students learn the piano much faster with more enjoyment by working in small groups, which creates a fun and competitive atmosphere to them on their toes.

Some teenage students have formed bands within the school and are receiving assistance in getting their playlists together. Sykes Music believes music should be heard and enjoyed, so there are recitals every term.

'Rising beyond raising' as parents

Parenting is the most important and rewarding function anyone can fulfil. It is also, at times, be the most challenging, exhausting and frustrating.

Parents are responsible for bringing up loving, competent, self-confident and successful individuals in a world where children are bombarded with very enticing impressions, priorities, messages and misleading realities, which often directly defy and undermine our own morals and values. Thus, out of vulnerability and fear, we often parent reactively, which is the primary cause for 'well-meaning' mistakes.

Moreover, parents are required to 'rise beyond raising' and become teachers, leaders, coaches, self-esteem experts, and more. We often feel alone and when help comes, amateur or expert, it usually points out what has been done incorrectly.

U-Matter Counselling believes most parents are loving, devoted and competent. Rather than 'cure,' they build on your strengths and provide effective strategies to meet your unique parenting goals.

U-Matter Counselling specialises in children and teenager issues, child development and parenting skills. Contact Sandra on 9305 3928 or 0405 598 188.

Make your garden grow

Autumn is here and it is the perfect time to start getting back into the garden again. If you are interested in learning how to garden in ways that are effective, safe for you, your children and the environment then Eco-Echidna is your answer.

Eco-Echidna is an innovative new company that has been set up to provide good information and products to those of us interested in looking after our health and the environment. The company offers free home-based talks about gardening, and generous discounts on gardening products such as wetting agents, soil conditioners and mulches apply to those who host these talks.

Opportunities also exist for people who are interested in gardening and the environment, to become product demonstrators. Eco-Echidna offers fascinating training in everything from soil wetters to worm farming, beneficial insects and how best to use local native plants.

For more information, contact Alison Lawrie on 9336 6993.

Improve reading speed & comprehension

Fluency in reading is the ability to read with speed, accuracy and proper expression. No matter how bright they are, students who don't develop reading fluency will continue to read slowly and with great effort.

Although it is a critical component of reading, fluency and automaticity has been neglected in classrooms and remedial programmes until recently. The Reading Fluency Clinic helps poor readers from primary school children to business owners who would like to improve their fluency, students emerging from remedial reading programmes, those with limited English proficiency and with tracking problems such as occulomotor difficuties.

The Reading Fluency Clinic can help both children and adults become more proficient and flexible readers, by greatly improving their silent reading rates, comprehension and vocabulary. This will boost their self-esteem as they become more successful and comfortable with reading and enjoy it more. Fluency in reading will assist in developing the essential skills necessary for future academic and vocational success.

Call Reading Fluency Australia on 08 9448 4545 (Duncraig) or 08 9275 8886 (Noranda) for details.

Children's jewellery: Good choice for Easter

In times of healthy diets for children, why not give jewellery instead of an Easter egg?

Brazilian Jewellery Importers is a new business specialising in the import and sale of exclusive, handcrafted Brazilian jewellery, including adult's and children's designs.

Owner Virginia Tobar said they have exceptional pieces of rare jewellery that have been lovingly hand-made by Brazilian craftsmen. 'The pieces are true examples of Brazilian art at its best,' she said. 'You can enjoy the culture and love of life every time you wear our stunning creations'.

The exquisite jewellery is made from a carefully selected range of materials including glass and ceramics, and most pieces are one of a kind. 'Our services include party plan and free jewellery consultancy, over 300 designs of jewellery,' says Virginia. 'We come to your house and help you find the right jewellery to match your outfit.' For more information, call 0413 197 856.