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 Kids in Perth ñ The Parentsí Paper. To read the rest, pick up a copy of
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How to teach so kids will learn ñ through ICE-CREAM!
by Victoria Carlton, International Centre For Excellence 

Parents and teachers have encountered this often enough: why are some kids unresponsive to teaching methods that work well on others? Children come in all flavours and styles, just like ice-cream. Learning activities solely designed for vanilla cones may not suit a double choc mint! 

Many children have visual or kinaesthetic styles of learning and are completely at sea in a traditional auditory-focused classroom. They may take in a few sentences, then simply switch off or start causing a ruckus ñ often prompting us to cry ìAD/HDî and medicate. 

All children can learn, but we must skilfully design programs that fascinate, engage and excite them, and honour the unique abilities that each child brings to the learning process. We must think of education as a giant smorgasbord of educational strategies, and ensure we are offering a healthy combination of tastes and flavours. 

Thatís exactly what we do at the International School for Excellence (ICE). Our proven approach, called CREAM, ensures every learning activity is chosen according to whether it is Creative, has a Reflective component, is Engaging, is Active in nature, or activates Multisensory techniques. 

All ICE teachers are trained to discover a childís predominant learning style, and teach accordingly. Working in small groups, we may juggle, play with perceptual motor equipment, and do specific exercises to stimulate various parts of the brain. This guarantees mind-body engagement, attention and learning. WA schools have begun to use this approach with positive results, and we offer training to all educators to help them fully engage their children.  

The Breastfeeding Blanket ñ supporting a free lunch 

Can we blame reactions in society for women not choosing to breastfeed? And how do those who choose to breastfeed incorporate feeding into their lifestyles? Are women who breastfeed always comfortable doing it in all public situations? 

As a breastfeeding mother I am aware first hand of the issues a mother has to go through in order to feed her child. Breastfeeding is an art in itself, from the learning period, first in hospital and then at home, to shopping centers. 

Yet breastfeeding is definitely one of the best things I have ever done in my life. It became easy to incorporate it into my lifestyle by using The Breastfeeding Blanket, an idea that came about as a result of my feelings of uncertainty on feeding my baby in public. Since then I have given several family members with babies The Breastfeeding Blanket as a gift. They agree that it is a great invention and they wouldnít leave home without it. 

The Breastfeeding Blanket has many proven benefits. It covers your breast, stomach and back area while feeding the baby and acts as a weather shield during breastfeeding or over the pram and baby when not in use. It is a great infant comforter and your baby can feed at any time in any place. The Breastfeeding Blanket is lightweight and manufactured from wash-and-wear fabrics in great fashion and classic colours. It doubles as a fashionable wrap and is also a lovely accessory for an expectant mum. 

The Breastfeeding Blanket is now available to the public through Baby Zone (Malaga and Midland); Baby Boom Nursery Products, Baby Expo, Baby Goose, Baby on a Budget, Baby West, Babyland, Babyroad, 8 Studio and Fernís Gift Shop, St. John of God Hospital Auxiliary, Murdoch. 

More information can be found at www.easyfeed.com.au or through leading hospitals including St. John of God Hospital Murdoch, Attadale Private Hospital, Swan Districts Hospital, Joondalup Hospital and Fremantle Hospital. 

Alternatively Easy Feedís Breastfeeding Blanket can be seen at stand C57 at this yearís Pregnancy, Babies and Childrenís Expo on Friday 18 to Sunday 20 August at the Claremont Show Grounds. 

Large companies spend thousands of dollars every year advertising baby formula, which begs the question: does this really encourage breastfeeding? Experts are always telling us how important breastfeeding is. Did you know that the World Health Organisation, for example, recommends that a child be breastfeed for two years or beyond? 

There are recognised reasons why some women find breastfeeding challenging and there is often a lack of support from society for breastfeeding women. Entertainer Kate Langbroek was kicked out of Seven Stones restaurant on My Restaurant Rules for breastfeeding her son. Were the team from the restaurant worried that people would be offended and not eat there again? 

The Victorian parliamentís response to MP Kristie Marshall was questionable when she was removed from chamber after trying to feed her 11-day-old daughter. The parliament stated the baby had to be removed as it was deemed a ìstranger in the houseî, but what was the government saying about breastfeeding in public with this type of judgment? 

Breastfeeding is considered by many to be one of the best gifts you can give your child (see www.breastfeeding.asn.au). If you feel uncertain about breastfeeding in public, donít hide in a feeding room or anywhere you can find privacy and donít give up. Try the Breastfeeding Blanket. The Breastfeeding Blanket supports women who wish to breastfeed and allows them to incorporate feeding into their lifestyles. 

The Australian Breastfeeding Association offers breastfeeding counseling and support through their free Helpline number, 9340 1200.