Discover 99+ ways to assist your child in growing up happy

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Way # 1

Golden Hour

An e-mail here, an InstaStory there... coping in a fast-paced world means we get easily distracted and lose track of how much quality time we are spending with our kids.

If this sounds familiar, we suggest introducing our “golden hour” into your daily routine, where you set aside one hour of time, dedicating it to engaging with your little one, either through play or other activities. Switch your electronic devices off, forget about your work and try to relax and enjoy!

Did you know that spending quality time with your little one can strengthen your relationship while stimulating their emotional, language, social, cognitive and motor skills? Finding or scheduling a golden hour in your day may be challenging, but it will mean so much to your child. A little effort from you can go a long way!

By introducing this dedicated time for your child daily, you will create a space for precious quality moments. So... phones off. Let’s turn Play Mode on!

• Let your child choose what they want to play or do and encourage their choice.

• Try to promote physical activity and outdoor play as much as possible to stimulate physical and cognitive development.

• Talk to your little one while you are playing to stimulate language development.

• And as always, show your love, be attentive and responsive.

Remember everything starts in the tummy...when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

WAY #8

‘No’ means ‘No’

At times you might find it hard to find the right balance between being fun and implementing limits and boundaries. Even though you love your child unconditionally, discipline is necessary for your little one’s stable growth.

Your child needs rules and boundaries to feel safe and secure and it also helps them learn to manage different situations. A warm and supportive environment, with clear rules and boundaries fosters happy and healthy growth.

While you know that establishing and maintaining rules at home is important, it is often challenging to say ‘No’ and remain consistent... so here are a few tips to make it easier:

• Keep it simple. Too many rules are confusing for the whole family.

• Set a few clear, realistic rules and respect them yourself. For example: no sugar after brushing teeth; we all eat at the table; we don’t raise our voices at each other.

• Repeat to your little one that you love them unconditionally, but rules must be respected.

• Remain consistent, no matter how challenging it might be (no means NO and stays NO – be strong!).

• Explain in a simple way the WHY of every rule or decision you make. With time this will help your child understand.

Remember everything starts in the tummy...when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

 

WAY #20

Veggies Stories? I'm all ears!

Do you know how superheroes are made? Just add Super, Mr. or Ms. to any vegetable name and there you go! A great new story to tell your child to make them love veggies! You’re not the only parent worrying about your child not eating vegetables. Most parents do. And while it’s not easy to get your little one to start enjoying their veggies, it’s not impossible either.

Telling your little one exciting stories about “unpopular foods” like veggies will allow the child to become familiar with them, and it increases the likelihood of your child accepting and eating them.

So, let’s take it one step at a time to cleverly make them love veggies... for life we hope:

• Invent an exciting story where the superhero character loves vegetables. The character could be a cartoon, an animal or a real person.

• Conjure up some adventures the superhero goes on: include activities that your child enjoys e.g. kicking a ball, swimming or playing with a sibling.

• End the story with the superhero enjoying his vegetables... having a second helping too! When the superhero is hungry, he washes his hands, sits at the table and eats his healthy meal with LOTS of veggies (the ones your child refuses to eat).

Remember everything starts in the tummy...when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

WAY # 32

Let’s get those little muscles moving!

Whether you are chasing the family’s puppy, leading an intergalactic mission or running races, encourage your child to be physically active. Anywhere is the best playground!

Physical play has a positive impact on your little one’s development and it has a positive impact on their self-esteem, mood, well-being and happy growth...

• There’s a world of possibilities to stay active: games, sports, dancing, hiking and outdoor playing. These activities will have a beneficial impact on your mood too, Mom!

• Would you like to motivate your child further? Let them choose either a game, sport or an activity they already enjoy, even if this is something that they already do all the time.

• Set a good example for your child to follow. Initiate physical play or join in their physical play even if the activity is not what you normally like!

• Be encouraging even if your child is not proficient at the activity.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

WAY # 51

Hey little DJ, turn the music on!

While musical tastes might differ - daddy listening to a good rock concert and mommy listening to her jazz, music plays a central part in everyone’s life and culture... and especially for your child. The super combo of music and dance has great benefits! So, turn on the radio and invite the family to join the party!

Playing music strengthens the bond between yourself, your child and your family members. It also stimulates your little one’s emotional, social and motor skills, thus boosting their well- being and happy growth!

There are many ways to ignite your child’s musical appreciation:

• Play different kinds of music – everyone in the family can contribute with their favourite playlist!

• Pay attention to the music that your little one likes and play it often.

• Repeat the movements that your child makes and exaggerate them.

• Make it fun, sing loudly, move and laugh a lot.

• These can be fun family moments to remember forever so invite the whole family to join. The more, the merrier!

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

WAY # 17

On the way to Master Chef

Cooking can be so much fun for a child... and what a playful way to introduce ingredients to your little one! They can use them and make a dish of their own – woah! – and to learn a healthy approach to food. Who knows, the result might even be scrumptious! They may also discover a new passion and maybe even a future profession!

Cooking or baking together is a fun bonding activity that helps your child to get familiar with new foods. Little ones are also more likely to taste meals that they have proudly created themselves. Establishing healthy eating habits and a strong bond and trust with your little one is essential for their healthy and happy growth.

A few tips on cooking with your kid:

• Choose very simple and fast recipes (at their age, patience is not a child’s strength).

• When possible, go together to shop for ingredients or pick them from the garden.

• Let your kid choose what goes on the plate (healthy options).

• Use this time together to engage verbally: explain what you are doing and why.

• Remember to praise them for a good job and for helping you.

• Enjoy a family dinner together at the family table.

• Show how you, and the whole family, enjoy the meal – let me hear that ‘yummy’!

The next step is Master Chef!

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

 

WAY # 41

Once upon a time ...

Build a blanket fort with cosy blankets and snuggle in it with your child... It’s story-time! Reading picture books together has plenty of benefits for your little one but letting them choose the picture book and which page to start on is even more beneficial.

Discovering the visual universe of books can work wonders: from long-term emotional and cognitive benefits, developing focus and concentration to stimulating language development, thereby ensuring happy and healthy growth.

Here are some steps to introduce reading as a fun activity:

• Look at picture books together.

• Point at things and name them.

• Look out for what they’re interested in and talk about it, providing more information.

• Play games, animate your face and make gestures. Do your best animal impressions, they will love it!

• They might want to start “reading” from the last page, because there is something at the very end. Don’t stop them; in fact, give in to their demands.

• Choose a picture book over an electronic screen. The shared, interpersonal experience between you and your little one is so much better without a screen.

• When they are older and their ability for visual imagination evolves, they’ll be able to follow a story without needing the pictures, although they’ll still enjoy looking at them.

• Change it up as some children enjoy free storytelling while others like the predictability of hearing a story read out loud.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

WAY # 13

When it‘s playtime, they are the boss!

At this age, around 3–5 years, your child should be the boss of one thing: playing! Give your child the choice of what to play. After all, they are the one exploring the world, so let them do it in their own way!

We might not realise it, but making their own decisions is a big milestone in a your little one’s journey. Giving them total autonomy to choose will help to develop their identity and support healthy and happy growth.

The first step to help your child discover the world around them is to give them plenty of play time... A full-time dream job!

• Rather than showing them how to play, let them discover their own way!

• Pay attention to what they show an interest in. To fully fuel their creativity, give them suitable objects or toys to increase this interest.

• Every time they achieve something, turn it into an opportunity to praise them!

• Encourage them verbally. Use phrases such as: “You’re building such a great house! So nice and cosy” or “Who is going to live in your house?” This will build their self-esteem and confidence in a constructive way.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

 

Growing up happy: WAY # 56

Treasure box for children: all home-made!

Mom, did you know that your house is full of hidden treasures in plain sight? A treasure box can contain a spatula, box, whisk, roll of paper or something as simple as plastic cups. It may come as a surprise to you, but a box full of household items is a goldmine for young children. Any safe item at home represents a potential for discovery and a great opportunity to learn something new.

If you notice that your TV remote control is missing, just smile and enjoy this as part of the fun experience of growing up. Unstructured play is very important, because it stimulates their creativity, learning and decision-making skills.

Now let us dig into it a bit more:

• No need to show them how to play with items in the treasure box, they gain more joy from discovering it in their own way.

• There is no deadline to meet nor plane to catch. Give them all the time they need to enjoy and learn. After all, in this way they will discover their own way to see the world.

• Go further! Add a bit of verbal encouragement such as “So, you’re talking on the phone! Are you talking to Gogo?” or “Aha...you’re cleaning the floor! Thanks for helping me”.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

 

Growing up happy: WAY # 28

Hello? A little attention here please!

It is not easy. The world expects you to have the time for everything. However, it is important to find and dedicate some time to your little one. Being attentive and responsive, even when you are busy managing daily obligations, is key for a little one’s happiness, ensuring their healthy growth and a bright future!

As a matter of fact, by paying full attention to them you will foster trust in your relationship. The result? They will realise that they can rely on you no matter what and you’ll become the best mommy ever!

Whether you’re on the phone with your best friend or working from home, try to take a pause when your child approaches. Pay full attention to them while they show you their amazing outfit or tell you about their new game. That moment will mean the world to them.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

 

Growing up happy: WAY # 47

Introducing...my kitchen turned into a recording studio!

Learning does not always come from a book or a teacher... it also comes from exploration. Your little one can learn a lot about sounds and shapes from any safe household items that you can find in your kitchen... time to shine light on that old frying pan hiding at the back of your cupboard!

Learning through exploration and play is crucial for healthy development – a building block for a happy childhood and later a happy, creative life.

Here are our tips to encourage them:

• Give your little one everyday household items in different shapes (pots, dishes, carton boxes, wooden spoons), textures and materials.

• Make sure the objects are safe (no sharp edges, fragile or dirty objects).

• Let them discover the sounds different objects make when you hit them.

•To make it more fun, invite the entire family to join in!

Your child will be learning that different materials and shapes produce different sounds. They will also figure out the consequences of their actions in their social surroundings, so be prepared when they look at your face to see  whether you are startled, angry, surprised or happy. This kind of play teaches them about the social consequences of their behaviour.

• Be expressive in your reactions “(oh it’s too loud!)”

• Do not stop the game instantly, but give several notices before you gently take the spoon away

• Give them alternative objects that make less sound

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

 

Growing up happy: WAY # 2

Now performing...Family sing-a-long

Whether you’re a karaoke master or just love singing in the shower, it is time to share your love for singing with your child! Singing songs is not only a great way to teach them about tone, beat and rhythm; it is also great for family bonding and just feels good.

Singing together strengthens your relationship and stimulates your child’s emotional, social, cognitive and language development. It also stimulates the well-being and happiness of the whole family.

Our tips to prepare for this great moment:

• Choose the favourite songs of each family member (including your child’s).

• Use different occasions to sing your favourite songs: while walking in nature, driving in the car, or simply sitting in your living room.

• Do it even if you are not a great singer! It is all about having fun and laughing about it.

• Do not forget to praise everyone – including your little one – for their singing efforts.

• Make it an enjoyable family moment, and maybe it’ll become a routine.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

Growing up happy: WAY # 72

Architects of their own life

Today on the playing program: building blocks! There are no limits to their imagination. Let your little one play with building blocks or stackable objects... they will be soon be showing you their engineering skills.

Did you know that these types of games boost creativity and provide a better understanding of structure and spatial dimensions? Who knew these games were so helpful!

Keep in mind:

• Give them stackable objects such as blocks or boxes.

• Show interest in what they have built and engage in spatial talk. Describe their creation with words such as tall, short, circle, rectangle, round, straight, inside, outside or middle.

• End of the story? Don’t think so! Time to tear down those walls! Knocking the creation down is just as much fun as building it and teaches consequences of actions.

• Exaggerate your expressions when they look at you, searching for a reaction. No matter if you feel startled, angry, surprised or happy, the point is to let them know the effects of their actions.

A few points to keep everyone happy:

• Avoid letting your child “tear-down” playing games with older siblings while they are building something. This could create tension.

• Bear in mind that knocking down a construction is not a destructive quality, it’s simply an inherent need to learn how objects behave in space.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

Growing up happy: WAY # 58

Sorting fruit and veggie

Let them distinguish and categorise shapes, sizes, colours and textures using fruit and veggies. Watch your child’s fascination as they sort them, or even create images out of them. Have fun with descriptions as they discover the bumps on a mielie, practice peeling a naartjie or even taste a lemon.

Playing with fruit and veggies in this way helps them understand categorisation which is good for their memory, language development and Happy Growth!

You could perk up their interest by slicing some of the fruit and veggies into different shapes, such as a long thin cucumber which becomes circles when sliced.

There are no rules: Put out a range of fruit and vegetables and explore the many ways you and your child can describe and sort them.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

 

Growing up happy: WAY # 62

Ready or not, here I come!

Hide-and-seek is a popular game among children... and some elders too, right dad? Hiding games are a joyful way to help your little one develop their cognitive skills and gain a better understanding of their environment.

It teaches them how to regulate their emotions and develops social expectations – essential for happy and healthy development. Interesting, huh?

Here are some basics for you and your child to become the champions of good play:

Set a few safety rules such as the hiding area – especially if playing outdoors – and any out-of-bounds areas.

• The “seeker” covers their eyes and begins counting while the others hide. Keep the counting number to one your child is comfortable with at their age.

• The best part: The seeker yells “Ready or not, here I come!”

• Try not to giggle in your hiding spot.

• The player who gets found first is the counter for the next round, but this can be changed to give everyone a turn to be the seeker.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

Growing up happy: WAY # 5

Big chair for a little one!

Your child is a new member in the family club, and they deserve their place at the table too! Your little one means the world to you and having them at the dining table during a meal is yet another way to make them feel included.

Enjoying a family meal together increases the likelihood of a child accepting and trying new foods. It’s a simple and effective way to stimulate social and emotional development. Not only is it quality time for the entire family, but it’s good for the family’s happiness too (especially your little one).

It’s best to try and establish as many occasions as possible (several per week) when the entire family sits together at the table to share a meal and chat.

A few tips:

• Install your child’s “high chair” at the table, whether it’s a booster seat on one of the dining chairs or a taller chair.

Let them taste the food, smell it, squish it between their fingers and smear it on their face. It’s all part of the adventure!

• A little praise goes a long way too... it’s also necessary to praise them when they taste new food or enjoy what they eat.

• Be patient and tolerant! Sure, the meal could be a messy affair. But be patient and tolerant; we promise it is all worth it!

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

Growing up happy: WAY # 36

Veggie Art Masterclass

Picky eating... breathe, it‘s just a phase that your child is going through.

Fortunately, there are fun ways to encourage your little one to get all the nutrients they need. One of the best tricks is to transform their less-favourite ingredients into a lion, car, flower or anything that you and your child can imagine... with safe tools of course!

Creating fun images can increase the likelihood of your child tasting new foods. Establishing good eating habits is essential for balanced and happy growth... and for the sake of your mental health. Try not to get stressed if your child refuses a food, just try again another day.

Grab a pen mom, here a few tips to pass this phase with honours:

• Encourage your little one to taste it, but never pressure them to eat.

• Let them look at it, squish and smell it.

• Offer them the same food several times even if they keep refusing it. They need time to become familiar with new food.

• Try varying cooking methods, textures and presentations.

• Remember to praise your little one when they agree to taste a food... but do not reward with sweets.

• Have structured family meals, with as few distractions as possible so you can reconnect and enjoy the conversation.

• Show how you, and the whole family, enjoy the food. Yum!

• Be patient with them, remember we all passed this phase.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

 

Growing up happy: WAY # 15

Let them choose what they want to eat... as long as it’s the good stuff!

Tonight, let them decide what is on the menu and little by little, you will be helping them develop their personality! Not to mention, that all the options you are giving are healthy, one way or another!

Decision-making is a big milestone in your little one’s journey and by giving them the freedom of choice, you’re helping them develop their personality and supporting their balanced and happy growth.

Here’s a fail-proof way to make sure your child has at least one good food a day.

• Ask them if they’d like broccoli OR carrots along with their potatoes for dinner. Now that’s a pretty difficult choice for someone who isn’t a big fan of vegetables!

• But they can’t say “none”. They must choose one.

• You could also take them along when you go shopping and let them choose vegetables that they would like to have for dinner. Once they decide which ones to pick, they can’t change their mind about eating them at dinner.

• By providing your child a choice between several options (while making sure they’re all healthy), you increase the likelihood of them accepting the one they chose.

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

Growing up happy: WAY # 22

A Teddy Bear’s picnic

Include your little one in planning a surprise Teddy Bear’s picnic and watch how their planning and preparations build into great excitement and reward.

Mom, dad, planning a surprise together is a fun, bonding activity that helps your little one experience the pleasure that comes from selflessly giving to others. Numerous studies have shown that giving to others puts smile on the face and happiness in the heart.

The picnic can take place either indoors or outside. All you need is...

• Your child’s Teddy Bear/s

• A big blanket and some pillows.

• Stuffed animals to enjoy in Teddy’s surprise picnic

• Some yummy, and fun food that Teddy (your child) likes to eat

• Simple activities that your child will engage in

• Books – for a short story time after eating

Remember everything starts in the tummy... when they feel right, they can enjoy growing up happy!

 

Growing up happy: WAY # 51

Time to sleep: bedtime routines

They love having mom and dad’s undivided attention. A bedtime routine reassures your child of your affection and attention. While the activity does not matter – a family toothbrush party, reading a story under the blankets by torch-light or singing everything you say – it is important that you stick to a similar day-to-day routine, so your child knows the drill.

Bedtime routines go a long way in stimulating your child’s language skills and cognitive functions, and at the same time helps kids fall asleep or wake up more easily. It strengthens the bond between you, builds emotions and increases their happiness.

Did you know that research shows that doing the same activities, in the same order, at the same time every day and night, will help your little one fall asleep more easily, wake up less during the night, and sleep for longer! It is as “simple” as that.

Here’s a bedtime checklist to make their life easier (and yours too):

• Start your bedtime routine before your child gets overtired, fussy or cranky. It will be harder to get them to sleep if they are irritable.

• Gradually adapt your bedtime routine as they grow older, for example, reading a bedtime story instead of singing a lullaby.

• Avoid electronic devices in the bedroom. They could be distracting. Your child will relax so much better at the sound of your voice and you can enjoy the quiet, quality time together.