Child (June 2019)

The magazine for parents

CHiLD ISSUE 65, June 2019

SAVING OUR SEABIRDS FINANCIAL LITERACY TEEN LIES

WELCOME SUMMER

MAKING READING FUN HOME ALONE PLUS: water safety tips, skincare advice, recipes, science activities

CHiLD ISSUE 65 June 29, 2019

Contents

Summer – it’s silly only if you make it

Features 4 Finances: Teaching children about money 12 Nurture: Leaving children alone 16 Nature: Seabirds’ plastic threat 20 Parenting: Permissive parents 24 Health: Skincare concerns 28 Psychology: Why children lie 32 Reading: Enticing children to read 38 Recipes: Healthy summer treats

Regulars 10 Top Tips: Free summer activities 26 Top Tips: Water safety 41 Shop window: The best of goods and services

Correspondence to the editor may be sent to: The Executive Editor, Child Magazine, Times of Malta, Triq l-Intornjatur, Mrieħel, BKR 3000, or send an e-mail to stephanie.fsadni@timesofmalta.com

Executive Editor Stephanie Fsadni Publisher Allied Newspapers Limited Printing Progress Press Limited Production Allied Newspapers Limited Contributors Jessica Arena, Sandy Calleja Portelli, Arianne Cutajar, Darlene Zagata. Design Krista Bugeja Advertising Sales Amanda Gauci (tel: 2276 4332; e-mail: amanda.gauci@timesofmalta.com).

All rights reserved. © 2019 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publishers is prohibited.

Summer is here and the last exams have been suffered and survived. And that’s a big sigh of relief for children and, probably, for their parents as well… up to a certain extent because chances are that guardians will soon start worrying on how to keep their kids occupied during the upcoming long, hot summer days.

I remember that as a child, summer time oozed as slowly as treacle out of a jar – weekdays, especially, would seem endless and unless I had some fun outing to the beach or visiting relatives from abroad, I would spend most of my day playing with my young brother, drawing and watching cartoon reruns on TV. On my mother’s insistence, I would sometimes read and do some handcrafts but the effort was nothing to write home about.

Afternoons were the worst, especially when my parents used to nap and we weren’t allowed to whisper. Occasionally, there would be some Franco e Ciccio or Bud Spencer movie playing on Italian TV which would keep me entertained for a couple of hours. But otherwise, I would find this time of day incredibly boring.

The evenings, however, offered a different menu. Visits to the local playground, fish and vinegar-doused chips or an ice cream by the sea were enough to make me happy.

Things have definitely changed since then (although I still look forward to summer evenings) as nowadays, children have a myriad of opportunities. Besides summer school, there are more kid-friendly activities and events going on all the time and more places to go to, such as nature and amusement parks which didn’t exist in my time.

Besides, there are nowadays a variety of courses including art, gardening and cooking classes for children of all ages and inclinations. I think that summer is, in fact, an ideal time for kids to pursue their interests and try out new hobbies.

It is also an ideal time to read more and perhaps learn more interesting stuff than school texts. There aren’t only novels at libraries but shelves of books on everything under the sun, so encourage your children to borrow books.

It is also not a bad idea to use their free time to teach them life skills, including financial literacy, a skill which will definitely help them in future. There are various practical tips which you can introduce them to this summer to help them become more independent and responsible citizens.

And remember, one does not need to break the bank to keep the kids occupied and entertained, as this edition of Child proves.

May you have a cheerful and blissful summer.

CHiLD JUNE 2019 3

FINANCES

MONEY TALKS

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Developments strongly suggests that financial education should be taught in schools ‘as early as possible’. Sandy Calleja Portelli gives a number of practical tips while discussing how catching them young may help them become more responsible individuals in future. t never ceases to amaze me how fast children seem to grow. They seem to go from babies to teenagers in the blink of an eye and, before you know it, they have graduated from learning to hold a crayon to handling their own bank account.

The question is: are they adequately equipped to handle their finances well enough that they can meet their expenses, save for their future and avoid being permanently broke or massively in debt?

Recent studies say probably not.

In November 2018, the Retirement and Financial Capability Group published research showing that just over half (55 per cent) of 20- to 29-year-olds in Malta rely on someone to manage their money for them and 38 per cent could not afford a major expense equivalent to one month’s income without assistance or a loan.

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The overall conclusions of the study highlight a lack of financial literacy among adults in Malta, a problem which has also been highlighted in other countries across the globe. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) defines financial literacy as “a combination of awareness, knowledge, skill, attitude and behaviour necessary to make sound financial decisions and ultimately achieved individual financial well-being”.

The OECD strongly suggests that financial education should be taught in schools “as early as possible”, describing this as a “fair and efficient tool”. The OECD, and other international organisations, identified financial literacy as a necessary life-skill after the global financial crisis of 2008, acknowledging the fact that financial literacy benefits the wider community, not just the individual.

“Simple actions like switching off the lights when leaving the room and not wasting water could become lifelong habits if adopted at an early age”

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FINANCES On leaving compulsory education, most youths acquire an independent income either through employment or the student maintenance scheme, and they are eligible to open their own bank account the year they turn 16. Two years later, they are legally entitled to apply for credit cards, loans, enter into hire purchase agreements and start investing their money, so it is crucial that they are financially literate before they begin making decisions which can have long-term repercussions on their financial situation.

As these young adults try to find their feet in a world in which they need to shoulder responsibility for their financial security, financial literacy is as important as numeracy and literacy and, just like these other basic skills, must be learnt gradually. And there’s no denying that the best place to raise a financially savvy adult is at home.

It is important to begin teaching children about money from a very early age, ensuring that the matter is approached in an age-appropriate way. Children as young as three can begin observing and learning about parents’ financial habits so one of the best ways to teach financial responsibility is by practising it as a family and adopting an open attitude to discussing your financial situation. Although you may not wish to discuss figures, it’s important for children to be aware of the existence of regular financial commitments such as loan repayments and utility bills.

While it’s important to model good financial behaviour, it is also important to actively engage in passing on financial knowledge.

Possibly one of the most important financial skills is learning to

“Toddlers and very young children learn best through play”

distinguish between wants and needs. Always shop with a shopping list and limit yourself to buying only what is on the list. If you do buy something that is not listed, explain why you made that choice. As children grow older, involve them in the list-making process.

Categorising your list according to essential needs and treats will help children learn to distinguish between the two. From around age six, children can help to check the cupboards to see which items need to be replaced. With younger children, this may be limited to the items they consume themselves such as their favourite breakfast cereal and then discuss whether the item needs to be replaced. The store offers a number of learning opportunities as children can learn about unit prices and to evaluate the real benefits of store promotions. Agree to any treats before you head to the shops; thus, if you plan to indulge in a treat, make it clear that their choice is limited to one item or cost.

Toddlers and very young children learn best through play and playing shops is always great fun, especially if they are allowed to ‘buy and sell’ real things acquired from around the house. Turn this into a learning opportunity by fixing pictures of coins to act as price tags to the items and sending your little one ‘shopping’ with a set amount of cash – when that finishes, the shopping trip is over. Story books and TV shows may also provide ample learning opportunities as you can start conversations around any purchases or shops featured in the story.

CHiLD JUNE 2019 5

FINANCES At around five or six, children can also start learning about savings. Designate a transparent container as a ‘savings jar’ and encourage them to save up for a treat. As the child sees the amount of coins grow and fill the jar, they begin to understand the basic concept of saving. When you have collected the required amount, let your child enjoy the thrill of making the purchase themselves, if possible. It may be advisable to select a small jar and a small goal which can be reached before your child becomes disheartened and loses interest.

Take the opportunity to discuss the importance of saving money as a family and encourage the children to think of ways in which they can help cut expenses. Simple actions like switching off the lights when leaving the room and not wasting water could become lifelong habits if adopted at an early age.

As we move closer to a cashless society, most purchases are paid for by debit or credit cards which lack the visual impact of using ‘real’ money. Explaining that these cards are financed through money you have already earned and deposited in the bank is crucial. Similarly, ensure your child understands that online purchases, including apps, must be paid for.

Admittedly, banking is an abstract concept for a youngster to grasp but taking them along to the bank and watching you make a deposit makes the process more comprehensible.

Older children can grasp the basic idea of saving accounts and could be encouraged to deposit any monetary gifts into a bank account held on their behalf.

By the time children have reached the tween stage, they should be ready to start taking their first steps towards financial responsibility.

Opinion on how pocket money should be given to children is divided; some parents believe that allowances should be earned while others feel that chores are simply part and parcel of being part of the family. However, almost all financial experts agree that at some point around the ages of nine to 11, children should be given a token income of their own, according to the family’s finances and values.

The principal reason for giving pocket money is to let children practise managing finances, so encouraging them to keep a money book in which they keep track of their income and expenditure would go a long way towards enabling them to understand their spending habits. The allowance should also keep with 6 CHiLD JUNE 2019

some responsibility, so perhaps the child will be expected to purchase their own treats or be responsible for replenishing their stationery supplies throughout the school year.

Encourage them to save a portion of their allowance either for a specific goal if your child is keen on a particular item or simply as an example of good financial practice. Explain that saving regularly will help them meet any unexpected expenses and suggest that once they save an agreed sum, they can add it to their saving account for their future.

“By the time children have reached the tween stage, they should be ready to start taking their first steps towards financial responsibility” At this age children will want to assert a level of independence, possibly asking for a mobile phone and wanting to be involved in choosing their clothes, shoes, etc. Once you decide your child is ready to have a mobile phone, they should understand the running costs involved. Explain the monthly costs involved and set a limit to the monthly expense you are willing to incur for their mobile service. If your child exceeds that amount, they must either wait for the next scheduled payment or purchase more credit from their allowance.

When it comes down to replenishing an adolescent’s wardrobe, the issue may become more complicated but this can also be a valuable learning experience.

Establish a budget and encourage your child to make a list of the clothing they need, which should include items you deem to be non-negotiable priorities, before you head to the shops.

Start the shopping trip by looking for those items you have identified as nonnegotiable items, such as a warm coat in winter, teaching your child to prioritise their shopping. As your child starts selecting items, highlight the opportunity cost of their choices; if they spend a quarter of their budget on a single item, they will not be able to afford all the items on their list. Perhaps the most important part of this exercise in teaching

FINANCES

“Raising children to be financially literate is as important as teaching them to walk and talk”

your child to shop responsibly is to make them live with the consequences of their choices; if they choose to buy only one pair of shorts, that is the only pair of shorts they have to wear that summer.

Adolescents are capable of getting to grips with the more complex aspects of finance and this is the time to make sure they understand the importance of paying credit card balances in full every month and honouring their regular commitments.

As they start earning their own income, teenagers are liable to being carried along by the sway of their friends’ spending habits. Seemingly innocuous habits such as buying lunch from the canteen at work or school may seem like the cool thing to do but the overall cost will make a severe dent on their income.

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Encourage your teenager to reflect on the financial and environmental benefits of making alternate choices such as taking a pre-packed lunch from home or using a refillable water bottle. Young adults who are capable of basing their spending options on their own circumstances are less likely to buckle to the pressure of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ later on in life.

Talking about money is rarely entertaining and finance tends to be perceived as beyond the scope of childhood, a threat to children’s innocence. In this romanticised ideal, children grow up innocent and free from financial care but capable of managing their finances as adults. The reality is that raising children to be financially literate is as important as teaching them to walk and talk.

Finances THE ISSUE OF RETIREMENT it may seem counter-intuitive to include the issue of retirement in an article about teaching children financial literacy but financial planners recommend that we should all start planning for our retirement as early as possible and, ideally, as soon as we start earning money.

Ray calleja, head of consumer ranking at MeDirect (Malta) plc, has the following advice for young adults: • if you start saving for retirement in your 20s or 30s, you are more likely to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle after retirement. if you invest €300 monthly between the ages of 20 and 60 and your investment manages an eight per cent return, you would have accrued more than one million euros. However, starting 10 years later and saving just €36,000 less would result in an investment valued at €440,445 at age 60, costing you over €550,000.

• Manage your finances well: saving is pointless if you are drowning in debt and cannot control your spending.

• Divide your financial goals into short-term and long-term ones. invest in conservative investments such as fixed-term deposits or government bonds for shortterm goals (e.g. saving for a home) and in more aggressive investments such as equities, bonds and mutual funds for long-term goals (e.g. retirement).

• it may not always be possible to commit to regular savings from an early age, especially if you must save for other goals such as buying a home. some people prefer to start investing gradually, increasing the amount they invest for their retirement as they grow older.

• How much you can save is directly related to your income. investing in your work ethic, skill set and knowledge is the best investment you can make.

• Help yourself commit to saving regularly by having savings deducted from your pay cheque or set up a

recurring transfer from your bank account. This will help you stick to your savings plan and learn to live on less.

• Many experts say your retirement income should be about 80 per cent of your final pre-retirement salary. The following are suggested savings goals: • age 30 – half annual salary • age 40 – two times annual salary • age 50 – four times annual salary • age 60 – six times annual salary • Despite your best intentions, life will affect your ability to save, sometimes enabling you to save more, sometimes less. What’s important is to get as close to your savings objective as possible and check your progress at each target date to make sure you are staying on track.

• When it comes to choosing where to save and invest your money, there are different options to consider: • consider contributing to a personal pension plan every month. it allows you to save regularly and to invest additional lump sums at any time.

• You may start by looking for a high-interest savings account to start with. Once you have saved a considerable amount of money (e.g. €2,000 or €5,000) this will be invested in a diversified portfolio of different types of investments.

• it is possible to build your own portfolio if you are able to research different assets. alternatively, you could consider multi-asset products, which are designed to ensure you have a portfolio of different shares, bonds and other assets. Local banks and financial institutions can advise you in building a diversified portfolio for you, which will provide you with good diversification, well-spread risk and good returns and capital growth, although it is important to remember that the value of your investment can rise and fall.

Further reading: https://gemma.gov.mt; https://www.oecd.org/daf/fin/financial-education/financial-education-andyouth.htm; https://www.oecd.org/finance/financial-education/493199776.pdf

Competition Pemix Distributors Limited is giving readers the chance to win €50 worth of Babylino Sensitive products by answering the following question:

How do Babylino Sensitive diapers ensure a baby's peaceful sleep? answers, including your name, surname, telephone number and e-mail address, are to be sent to amanda Gauci on amanda.gauci@timesofmalta.com, until the end of July. The winner will be announced in the next issue of Child. The winner of the last issue is nicole cachia.

Terms and conditions: The voucher is valid for six months. It can be redeemed on Babylino Sensitive products only (whole available range). Products will be given at consumer prices.

www.pemix.com.mt

cHiLD JUne 2019 9

TOP TIPS

FREE SUMMER ACTIVITIES One of parents’ worst fears in summer is how to keep their kids entertained without breaking the bank. Child gives a few ideas on a variety of free educational and fun activities that should keep their little minds occupied and intrigued.

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TOP TIPS

our children’s summer holidays have just started but you are already predicting that they will soon drive you crazy. You know the horrified expression they will respond with when you tell them to get off the TV/computer, video game or mobile phone and do something more creative and beneficial.

Does this scenario seem familiar to you? If so, you are not alone. But rest assured that there are many activities, which also come for free, to keep your children occupied and entertained this summer if you just know where to look.

A great place to start is your local library, where your children can browse through and borrow a huge amount of books of all sorts. And there will surely be a few that will pique your child’s interest.

After exhausting the possibilities at your local library, the next stop should be a park. Among the major nature parks in Malta are Majjistral Nature and History Park, Xrobb lGħaġin Nature Park, Foresta 2000 and Għadira and Simar nature reserves.

Other parks include Ta’ Qali National Park and Sant’Antnin Family Park. Visit their websites and Facebook pages to check out their summer opening hours and any organised events. You can tailor your children’s activities at each park according to what is offered there, however, you can plan your own activities, such as a nature scavenger hunt.

List a number of items, such as a bird’s nest and a bee, for your children to locate and check off on their list and see who can find everything first. This activity will be even more fun if you invite some of their friends along, which will earn you the undying gratitude of those friends’ parents and, hopefully, a quid pro quo!

Then there is the sea. Few things keep children more occupied than a body of water. Besides enjoying a dip and playing in the sand, there are endless nooks and crannies along the coasts of the Maltese islands waiting to be discovered. One can spot a crab or

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“You can tailor your children’s activities at each park” an interesting fish in rock pools or find amazing shells on the beach. Besides, snorkelling is a good way of introducing them to the many natural wonders lying beneath the sea surface. By the end of the day you will have wet and probably dirty, but very happy, children. If you’re taking food with you, enlist the children’s help in preparing and packing lunch.

For some fun evening activities, many localities put up free music concerts, plays and other child-friendly activities throughout summer. Check out the local paper and social media and you’ll find plenty of diverse events for all the family.

So, you’ve exhausted the library, the parks and free community activities and there is still a lot of summer left.

What now?

If your children are not so young, you can organise your own ‘summer camp’ with their friends’ parents. Here’s how this ‘camp’ would work. Let your child each pick a couple of their closest friends and contact the parents to see if they want to participate. This obviously works best if you are already friendly with the parents.

Each parent picks a weekday to host the kids for a few hours and plans an activity for them. The activity can be an art project or a series of board games, or you can even tell the kids to prepare their own play and that you will record it to show to the other parents.

The activities can be geared to the ages and interests of the group members. You could always just let the children come up with their own activities, but having something planned beforehand eliminates the possibility of arguments about what to do. The beauty of this rotating camp is that it frees up time for the parents to have their own summer fun, or to just get a few errands done without having to tote the children along.

It is a given that most children greatly enjoy the time they spend on their various electronic devices. It is equally true that most parents would prefer to limit that time without breaking the bank on expensive courses or activities. By adopting some of these above-mentioned suggestions, you can ensure that both you and your children will enjoy every minute of summer.

CHiLD JUNE 2019 11

NURTURE

HOME ALONE

As much as a parent would want to always be available for their children, the reality is that, at some point, they will need to leave them alone at home. Child gives some advice.

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NURTURE

o one would want to leave their child alone at home. But when both parents work and there is no one to take care of the kids, especially in summer, it can be a problem. However, this does not have to stress you out, especially if your child is no longer that young, is quite independent and knows how to stay safe at home. Here’s a guide to help you decide if you can leave them alone and how to train them to be safe while you are away.

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allows you to at least remotely keep an eye on them every now and then. Many home security systems have cameras that you can access remotely through a phone app. Not only do these cameras provide parents with peace of mind, but children will also feel a bit safer and content knowing that their parents are still keeping an eye on them.

number of any establishment you will be visiting while you are gone, and the numbers of any close friends, family or neighbours who can help if necessary?

• Do they know the numbers for emergency services?

• If you have one, do they know the codes to the security system and how to operate it?

• Do they know what to do in case of emergencies such as fires, severe weather or power outages?

AGE CONSIDERATIONS

LOCK UP UNSAFE ITEMS

Children mature at varying ages. One child might be emotionally and mentally mature enough to stay at home alone while another child of the same age might not be. As a rule of thumb, it is best to wait until your child is at least 10 years old before letting them stay home alone, but whether or not your child is at an age where they are prepared to care for themselves for a few hours is up to you to decide.

Some things to take into consideration when making this decision are: • Do they do their homework well and on time?

• Do they tend to panic easily?

• Do they do all of their chores without being told?

• Do they follow the rules?

• Do they practise proper safety techniques around strangers?

• Do you trust them with other big responsibilities like walking home from school by themselves, caring for a younger sibling or managing their own money?

Make sure that you discuss their feelings on the topic no matter their age.

Many kids find the prospect of staying home alone to be exciting and fun, but others might be apprehensive and concerned. Most issues can be worked through but your child might simply need more time before they feel they can be left home alone.

Anything hazardous to your child should be locked up in a safe or locked cabinet until you get back home. Some important items to lock away are alcohol, prescription medications, lighters, tobacco products and toxic chemicals.

INSTALL A REMOTE SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM You may not always be there with your children, but modern-day technology

STOCK UP ON THE ESSENTIALS

TEACH THEM BASIC FIRST AID In case of an injury, your child should know some basic first aid skills. Ensure that they know where the first aid kit is and how to use everything in it. You may also want to take a course in first aid with your child to make sure they are as prepared as possible for emergencies.

CREATE A REGULAR CHECKLIST Before you leave the house, go through a checklist with your child that covers the necessities: • Do they have keys to the house?

• Are all of the doors locked?

• Do they have your mobile phone number, your work number, the

No matter how prepared your child is to take care of themselves or handle an emergency, it will not mean much if you do not have the proper tools and supplies to help them out. For basic essentials, make sure there are plenty of snacks and water in the fridge, food for any pets in the house, and set aside any necessary medication. Provide them with some things to entertain themselves, such as books, games and drawing materials. For emergencies, ensure you have a fully stocked first aid kit, plenty of flashlights with fresh batteries and fire extinguishers.

PET SAFETY If your child is the only one home, they are the only ones able to care for the pets of the house. Any child left alone with a pet for extended periods of time should have the knowledge and capability to feed, water, play with and walk them safely. They should also be taught some basic first aid skills for animals and have the number for the local veterinarian handy.

Keep in mind that a pet provides your child with some company while you are away, and they relieve feelings of loneliness and boredom until you get back.

CHiLD JUNE 2019 13

NURTURE

SET FIRM RULES

CREATE A SCHEDULE

Your child already has a set of rules to follow in the house but there should be a separate list of rules to follow specifically when they are home alone to help them stay safe: • Come home straight from school.

• Do not enter the house if the window is broken or the door is busted open.

• Do not go outside.

• Do not answer the door for anyone.

• Do not answer the phone unless they are certain it is from a parent or other trusted individual.

• Do not invite friends over.

• Limited or restricted access to the internet.

• Do not use the oven.

Write down these rules and pin them to the fridge or put them up on the wall to ensure that your child is always aware of what they should and should not be doing.

Your child will be safer and less bored while home alone if they have a schedule set up. For example, when they arrive home from school, schedule a snack time. After that, set aside an hour for homework. The next hour can be dedicated to recreational activities such as drawing or playing video games. Remember to make their time productive yet fun.

It’s also a good idea to schedule times when you will call the house or have your child call you to check up on everything.

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HOLD A PRACTICE RUN One of the best ways to prepare both you and your child for them staying home alone is by holding a practice run. Start out by pretending to leave the house and going through everything your child should be doing as they get home and wait for you to return. Ask them what they would do at certain times when tasks need to be

done, such as chores or homework.

Ask if they remembered to follow particular safety guidelines like locking the door or not using the oven.

When you have completed a practice trial or two, give them a bit more practice by actually leaving them home alone for a short time. Go to a neighbour or nearby friend’s house for 15 to 30 minutes, then bump it up to an hour. Once you and your child feel as though they have everything under control, you can leave them alone for much longer periods of time while you are much farther away.

Leaving a child home alone is stressful for any parent, and your child may be nervous at first as well, but it does not have to worry either of you too much. As long as you follow these tips, your child will stay as safe as humanly possible while home alone.

They may even develop a stronger sense of responsibility and independence as a result.

PROMO

BEATING CRANES AND CONCRETE WITH A BOOK awlu wakes up one morning to the wrecking sound of demolition. The house opposite his is being razed to the ground to make way for a towering block of flats. Gone is the large garden of that house where he spent many hours playing adventures with his neighbour friends. Gone are the views of fireworks, of Mdina and of the Grand Harbour. Now his only view from the window will be of cranes and concrete.

What can he do about it?

According to the author of this children’s picture book, Carmel Borg, the solution is empowering children to view the world around them critically, to visualise a better place and to realise that they can take action.

Prof. Borg, an education professor at the University of Malta, found himself writing Pawlu’s story − Id-Dar ta’ Faċċata − when a row of houses in his street was demolished and he could not take more of the ugliness of overdevelopment thriving around him.

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He specifically wanted to target the younger generation to challenge and question that which has become normal, and dream of a more beautiful future.

He worked on the picture book in tandem with The Sunday Times of Malta cartoonist Steve Bonello, whose illustrations make stark reality even starker.

Children aged seven and over should ideally read Id-Dar ta’ Faċċata with a grown-up, to guide them to realise that the world is always open to different possibilities, if only the norm is challenged. In fact, the book comes with a series of questions at the end to help parents and teachers to kick off a conversation and get children to think.

At a slightly older age, children can enjoy reading the book by themselves and appreciate it as a glimmer of hope in the fight against ugliness.

This is another ground-breaking picture book for Merlin Publishers. It is the first time in Malta that overdevelopment, and all the adverse side issues that it brings with it, is tackled in a locally published children’s book.

NaTure Scopoli’s shearwaters at Ta’ Ċenċ.

PhoTo: Paulo lago

Saving our seabirds

Hannah Greetham discusses how the four species of breeding seabirds found in Malta are facing several threats at sea and on land, mostly due to plastic pollution.

he Maltese islands, Filfla to Fungus rock and all the prominent cliffs in between, beautifully surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, provide the perfect home for several seabird species. Some of these areas are protected and designated as Natura 2000 sites, such as Comino and rdum tal-Madonna, protecting the vegetation and species that live there. as their name implies, seabirds spend a good amount of time at sea. Some species do not touch land for about six to seven months. The chicks that fly from their nest may not return for years but instead spend their time discovering marine areas that are rich in resources − there is a lot of ocean to explore.

There are 346 species of seabirds and they come in a range of sizes with wingspans from three metres of albatrosses to 37cm of storm petrels.

The Maltese cliffs are home to four species of breeding seabirds: yellow-legged gull (gawwija prima), Scopoli’s shearwater (ċiefa), Yelkouan shearwater (garnija) and Mediterranean storm petrel (kanġu ta’ Filfla). except for gulls, all the other species lay a single egg per season and have long incubation and chick-rearing periods in which both parents contribute to raising the one and only

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chick. This task is very demanding, so if anything happens to the egg or the chick, they do not have a second chance, making their populations more vulnerable to threats.

Speaking of threats, these four iconic seabirds are sadly facing several problems both at sea and on land causing population decline. In Malta, the most common threat for these seabirds is predation of eggs and chicks by invasive species such as rats.

The rat population in Malta keeps increasing due to inadequate countryside waste management. The litter that is not placed in a bin attracts rats to the colonies and they eat the eggs of the seabirds… naughty rats!

It is not only the rubbish on land but at sea too which poses a threat… with approximately eight million pieces of plastic pollution entering our oceans every day. Seabirds can get entangled or injured from macroplastics (large pieces of plastic) or can be poisoned from ingestion of microplastics (very tiny pieces of plastic). a plastic bottle, for example, can last up to 450 years in the marine environment When young seabirds are ready to leave the nest they practise flapping their wings for a couple of nights before takeoff. however, bright coastal lights can disorientate young birds,

“Some species do not touch land for about six to seven months”

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NaTure so they fly into car parks and towns instead of out to sea; this is known as stranding. as the anatomy of these birds is adapted to live on the sea, they cannot take off easily on land.

So stranded birds have a lower chance of survival if not found on time. however, it is not all gloom and doom. There is help at hand. lIFe arċipelagu garnija is a Birdlife Malta eu-funded project that monitors and reduces the impacts of threats facing Maltese seabirds, especially the Yelkouan shearwater.

Monitoring on land consists of checking nests, counting and handling the adults and listening to calls (male and female shearwaters sound different!). But this is just land. as mentioned before, they are seabirds, so to monitor them out at sea boat surveys are conducted and small devices are attached to the birds. This has shown that Scopoli’s shearwater travels out to the atlantic ocean and that the Yelkouan goes to the Black Sea on migration.

Conservation actions by lIFe arċipelagu garnija have been implemented at colony sites, such as rat control, clean-ups, mitigating light pollution and establishing protected areas on land and at sea.

Public engagement is also important to preserve these seabirds, so every year boat trips are run in the gozo Channel. Scopoli’s and Yelkouan shearwaters can be difficult to see as they only visit their nest sites in remote cliff areas under the cover of darkness. But before they visit their chicks, they rest on the sea in front of the cliffs in large groups known as rafts.

These rafts can have hundreds of birds and are quite a spectacle to see when the sun is setting.

Plastics in the sea.

PHOTO: BIRDLIFE MALTA

BOAT TRIPS This year’s lIFe arċipelagu garnija Shearwater boat trips will be held on July 19, 20, 26 and 27. Follow more details on https://birdlifemalta.org/events.

You can follow Birdlife Malta’s seabird team on their website and social media to get updates and know your magnificent nocturnal neighbours closely.

The webpage can be found at https:// birdlifemalta.org/arcipelagugarnija while you can also follow the team’s work on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/arcipelagugarnija and Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaltaSeabirds.

Hannah Greetham is LIFE Arċipelagu Garnija Project warden assistant.

SCOPOLI’S SHEARWATER The Scopoli’s shearwater, Calonectris diomedea, can often be seen gliding along the waves in the gozo channel, distinctive by the grey upper body and yellow bill. This large bird has the longest migration of all the Maltese seabirds. after breeding they travel to the atlantic, flying along the coast of africa and South america; there must be some good fish there!

Scopoli’s rafting on the water before returning to their nests in the cliffs.

PHOTO: BIRDLIFE MALTA

QUICK FACTS Wingspan: 112-126cm (almost as big as the gull!)

Lifespan: >25 years old Maltese population: 5,000 pairs Present in Malta: February till october

ChilD JuNe 2019 17

NaTure

Yellow-legged gull on Filfla.

PhoTo: BIrDlIFe MalTa

Storm-petrel in flight.

PHOTO: BIRDLIFE MALTA

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL

MEDITERRANEAN STORM PETREL

The yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis (scientific name in latin so you can sound smart!) is the seabird you are most likely to see in your day-to-day life. They are seen along the coast, near fish farms and can be seen in urban areas.

The smallest seabird of the Maltese Islands is the Mediterranean storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus. This tiny bird lives on the tiny rock of Filfla (hence its Maltese name), which is host to 50 per cent of the Mediterranean population, meaning a lot of birds in a small area.

QUICK FACTS Wingspan: 120-140cm Lifespan: <12 years old Maltese population: <250 pairs Present in Malta: all year round

QUICK FACTS Wingspan: 37-40cm Lifespan: >20 years old (oldest for Malta 27) Maltese population: 5,000-8,000 pairs Present in Malta: February till october

YELKOUAN SHEARWATER and last but not least, the Yelkouan shearwater, Puffinus yelkouan, is endemic to the Mediterranean, with the Maltese islands having 10 per cent of the global breeding population. This shearwater has a black upper body and can also be seen gliding along the waves of the Maltese waters. You can often hear this bird calling from the cliffs of rdum tal-Madonna in Mellieħa, with the beautiful call similar to a crying baby!

QUICK FACTS Wingspan: 78-90cm (almost as big as the gull!)

Lifespan: 18 years old Maltese population: 2,000 pairs Present in Malta: october-July

18 ChilD JuNe 2019

A Yelkouan shearwater adult with chick at Majjistral Park.

PHOTO: BIRDLIFE MALTA

SERVICES

MY DAUGHTER, MY LIFE When her daughter was born with Down syndrome, Sandra Borg thought that a piece of her heart was broken forever. Two years later, she is deeply grateful for the love and joy her daughter has brought.

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t has been two years since I first received the news that my daughter was born with Down syndrome. As she lay beside me for the first time in the hospital bed, beautiful and perfect, my dreams for her came crashing down.

The hours that followed were not easy. Would she manage at school, would she have friends, would she get married, would she lead an independent life, what would become of her after my death? Thoughts and fears came flooding in. I thought my heart would break.

There is still considerable prejudice around disability, mostly by people who do not realise that disability can happen to anyone at any point in their lives. Disabled people’s lives are often said to be worthless and disability is often associated with suffering, difficulties and limitations. And while there is a fair share of those, for some reason, the wonder, the joy, mostly gets left out.

Now that those early days are over, these are my practical guide notes for new parents of children with a disability: • Hospital staff. We were visited by a bereavement nurse while still in hospital. While the title is unfortunate, she did provide empathy and a few pointers as to which entities would be able to help us.

• Early Intervention Service: this is a government therapy service which is provided free of charge to babies and children with disability in the first few years. The service is flexible and is provided weekly at home, childcare centre or school, as required.

• Child Development Assessment Unit: Apart from being a point of reference for all medical check-ups and medical advice, CDAU will introduce you to some services that you

Sandra Borg with her daughter Katarina.

might be entitled to, like free nappies, applications for blue badges and for the disability allowance which is paid out in addition to the children’s allowance. They are also the portal to all government therapy services, from physiotherapy to occupational therapy, speech and psychological assessments.

• Get in touch with the association that caters for your child’s condition/disability; they can provide you with info and will introduce you to other parents whose children share the same or a similar condition.

• Parent online communities: there are also a number of local and international Facebook groups where parents of children with disabilities can chat, exchange tips, vent and share inspiring videos.

• Aġenzija Sapport is the national entity which provides services for persons with disability. Services are wide-ranging, including subsidies and support but it is not so likely that you will need them in the early days although they do run support workshops for parents − a good place to start networking.

• The Commission for the Rights of Persons with a Disability (CRPD) is the regulatory body for disability in Malta. This is the place to go to for your child’s EU Disability Card, which provides a range of benefits as well as for the blue badge. CRPD also fights for disabled people’s rights in cases of discrimination due to disability and works for the implementation of the UN Convention for Rights of Persons with Disability in Malta.

• Finally, give yourself time and be gentle with yourself: it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, scared and disappointed in the first few months, especially if your child’s condition is not recognised immediately or is severe. But your child’s disability does not mean that you will not love them forever or that they will not turn into a wonderful, unique individual.

CHiLD JUNE 2019 19

PArenTIng

How passive parenting undermines family values

Darlene Zagata says that many of today’s parents are becoming more permissive, not realising the disservice they are doing to themselves and their children. She argues that children need rules and boundaries to feel safe and loved. nce upon a time, the rules of parenting values within the family unit, which can eventually afwere pretty clear-cut. Children had fect the whole of society within a generation.

“When parents rules and parents enforced those Unfortunately, this lack of disciplining ability hand over their rules. However, in modern times, has led to passive parenting. In many cases of responsibility to the discipline has become pretty much nonpassive parenting, the parents have become children by being passive existent. Much of this is because the fine disinterested and withdrawn from the disciin their parental skills, line between abuse and discipline has plinarian arena. Passive parents do not set the children often become blurred. boundaries for children and these children feel they have no Discipline has been taken out of the are out of control. one to turn to home and the school under the guise of In this age, it is becoming more common to for guidance” perceived abuse. At one time, physical see children hitting parents and being totally discipline such as with a father’s belt was disrespectful while the parents indulge the chilconsidered commonplace. However, in moddren and give in to their demands in order to avoid ern times, any physical discipline that involves hitconflict. The parents often do not want to be seen as ting a child is considered abuse, and rightly so. There is mean in the child’s eyes nor do they want to appear abusive nothing wrong with wanting to protect children from abuse. in the eyes of watchful adults. In any instance, these children However, in modern society, even raising your voice at a are ruling the roost. The roles have changed with the parents child can be misconstrued as abusive and traumatic to the obeying the children. child’s psyche. This attitude has led many parents to become The problem is that many parents do not take an active role passive and permissive in regards to parental discipline. A in parenting. They give their children too many choices and total absence of discipline leads to a loss of morals and often no boundaries at all. While giving a child options is fine,

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20 CHiLD JUne 2019

PArenTIng parents often go overboard by allowing the child to dictate and demand. Parents act as if they are afraid to say ‘no’ to their children.

Saying no to unacceptable behaviour is not abuse. It is simply part of being a responsible parent. Parents do not realise the disservice they are doing to themselves and their children by being too permissive. Children need rules and boundaries to feel safe and loved. As children get older, they may interpret parental disinterest as a lack of love and caring.

Parents discipline their children because they love them, not because they enjoy being mean. If children were meant to govern their own behaviour, they would be born with the level of maturity needed to do so. It is the responsibility of the parents to nurture, guide and teach them as they grow into mature adults.

When parents hand over their responsibility to the children by being passive in their parental skills, the children often feel they have no one to turn to for guidance. In this age of technology, they often turn to the internet and social media to guide them

through the stages of maturity. However, social media is not the best place for these young people to get guidance, especially when they turn to peers who are in need of guidance themselves. Parents need to be available to their children through all stages of growth and children need to feel comfortable enough to turn to their parents for guidance.

Taking an active role in parenting does not mean that parents have to be strict disciplinarians. However, it does mean that they need to set rules and boundaries. They need to provide guidance and have an open, honest communication with their children. They need to be aware of their child’s feelings. It is important to monitor a child’s behaviour and address any issues that arise. It is also important to make sure children know what is expected of them.

Children need to know what is permissible and what is not. Parents should not tolerate bad behaviour and children should understand the rules. Most of all, children should always know that they are loved and accepted.

HEALTH

TARGETING SKIN CONCERNS Medical student Arianne Cutajar tries to answer some of the most common questions parents ask about skincare problems among children. like to observe people during my placements in hospital and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it furtively. I especially like to watch the facial expressions and strong emotions of new parents welcoming their baby in this world.

As they leave hospital, I know they will feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities and challenges that parenthood entails. The adage that babies do not come with a manual is so true, yet there is so much information available.

You just need to know where to look for it.

This article features some questions related to dermatology which parents of young children frequently ask.

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How do we protect children from the harmful rays of the sun?

It is important for everyone but especially babies to stay away from the sun between 10am to 4pm. Exposure to too much sun increases the risk of skin cancer later on in life.

Is melanoma (skin cancer) common in children?

Although moles are common in children, the risk of melanoma is higher in adults. It is commonly found on the backs in men and, more often, on legs in women. Remember ABCDE â&#x2C6;&#x2019; a dangerous mole is often asymmetrical, with a border that is irregular and var-

What are birthmarks?

Birthmarks appear at or close to birth.

If a mark on your skin appears after that, it is probably a mole and not a birthmark. Many people consider birthmarks as beauty marks that add uniqueness. Some birthmarks do fade or seem to go away as you get older.

What is a port-wine stain?

It is a type of birthmark that appears due to blood vessel growth. Port-wine stains tend to grow darker with age but can be treated with laser. The earlier you treat them, the easier it is to remove them.

24 CHiLD JUNE 2019

ied in colour, has a diameter of up to 6mm and has evolved.

With the increase in food allergies in children, should we delay the first intake of food such as peanuts and eggs which tend to trigger them?

Professional advice has changed lately and paediatricians now believe that allergies are more likely to occur in children when those foods are delayed.

Do children grow out of a food allergy?

Yes, sometimes children grow out of the milder food allergies as these tend to be temporary but always consult with your physician as some severe food allergies may be chronic and deadly.

Are hives a kind of food allergy?

A virus normally causes hives. Your paediatrician may prescribe an antihistamine to cure it. Only in very rare cases is it caused by allergies and these normally disappear within a few days.

A baby with a port-wine stain.

Is eczema caused by food allergies?

We have no convincing evidence that food intolerance, including food allergy, is more than occasionally present. 75 per cent of patients with atopic eczema have a personal or family history of hay fever and/or asthma.

Always consult with your physician.

HEALTH Eczema on a child’s hand.

What causes eczema in children?

Irritant factors include detergents (especially ‘bubble baths’), solvents, alkalis, abrasive dusts, heat, woollen clothing and chlorine in swimming pools.

Sometimes moving house also causes outbursts, especially if the new house is near fields or in an environment where there is more dust. However, the eczema will subside if treated properly.

Is eczema contagious?

No. Is eczema chronic?

Many times atopic eczema improves with age – 50 per cent of children are clear by the age of six years and 90 per cent are clear by the age of 15 years.

Older children who still have eczema should be given advice about career choices and encouraged to avoid occupations such as hairdressing, construction, food handling and catering, nursing and others likely to make their condition worse.

Is it true that exposure to germs and parasites in early childhood prevents the body from developing certain allergies?

There is a downside to the overuse of disinfectants and antibiotics. Parents and health professionals should strive to find a balance.

Is it true that big cities have higher childhood allergy rates?

Yes, some air pollutants could be an unrecognised trigger. Children should be taken as often as possible to play in clean air, especially on the beach (make sure the breeze is blowing from the sea not from inland).

What is acne?

When our pores become clogged with oil or dead skin, we get acne, which is commonly accompanied by pimples, blackheads or whiteheads, usually on the face, shoulder, back and chest. It is most common in tweens and teens but can occur at any age, sometimes even in children.

What causes acne?

During puberty our sebaceous glands enlarge and secrete more oil (sebum).

This can clog up pores. This is also true if you use oily lotions or work in a place that produces grimy build-ups such as in a garage or with a deep fryer.

Pregnancy too can impact the amount

of sebum we produce. Even some medicines such as Corticosteroid steroids can cause acne. Foods such as chocolate, breads, pasta and dairy are also said to cause acne but this is not scientifically proven. Stress may also cause acne. Acne is also hereditary.

How do you treat acne?

Remove dirty skin by washing the face using appropriate cleansers. If you are acne prone, wash your hair, pillowcases, sheets and towels more often. In summer or after exercise, make sure to shower and change clothes immediately. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and/or creams to treat cysts and pustules.

When people look our way, we want our skin to look perfect. I have explored several studies to come up with this comprehensive list of questions and answers which I often hear parents discuss during my hospital attachments but the list is in no way exhaustive.

When in doubt, always consult with a medical physician.

A child suffering from hives.

A teenage boy with acne.

CHiLD JUNE 2019 25

TOP TIPS

KEEPING YOUR CHILD SAFE IN AND AROUND WATER 26 CHiLD JUNE 2019

TOP TIPS

Child gives parents some advice to ensure children stay safe when playing in the water. o one wants to think about the Older children are most at risk of dangers that lurk in and around drowning in open bodies of water, water, especially when the sun’s usually as a result of overestimating out and they are having fun. However, in their ability. Over-confidence and order to stay safe, it is important to showing off are usually factors in these consider the potential dangers when you incidents. Also, factors like undercurrents and your child are in and around water. can get even the most experienced Drowning is a leading cause of swimmers in trouble. Point out these posunintentional injury-related death in sible dangers to your child and the areas children aged between one and 14, that are out of bounds for swimming. which is why water safety should always be at the forefront of your mind, especially during the summer months.

So what can you do as a parent to ensure your children stay safe when they are enjoying playing in the water?

While it is important that your child knows how to stay safe in the water, you should never leave them alone unsupervised. Children can often forget all the good advice they have been told when they are excited, so it is important to ensure that “The you are there to remind ability to them and to help them swim is a useful should they need it. To skill and one this end, you should rethat everybody frain from drinking alcoshould acquire” hol when near water, especially if you are solely responsible for rescuing your children if they get in trouble.

Also remember, that a lifeguard will not necessarily notice if your child gets into trouble and do not assume that you will hear if they get into trouble in the water.

Teach your child to swim as soon as they are ready, which is usually by the age of four. Enrol them in lessons with a qualified instructor. The ability to swim is a useful skill and one that everybody should acquire. Having confidence in the water also means that children are able to get full enjoyment from water activities. However, being Follow the safety flag system at Blue able to swim will not make your child Flag and other managed beaches. The ‘drown proof’, so when they are in and flags are in rectangular form and the around water you still need to do what colours indicate the following: red over you can to ensure they are safe. yellow flag demarcates the lifesaving

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boundary, green is for calm water, yellow for medium hazard, purple indicates the presence of pests (such as stinging jellyfish), red is for high hazard and the double red indicates that the water is closed for the public and the lifeguards may not risk their lives to enter the rough sea.

While very deep water can be dangerous for children, shallow water can also pose threats when it comes to diving. Most diving injuries occur in pools of water less than 150cm deep. Therefore, if your child is keen to dive, ensure that the pool of water he is diving into is at least this depth. Teach your child to dive with his hands in front of him and to swim towards the surface once he has entered the water so as to avoid hitting the bottom or the sides of the pool.

Do not let your child dive from balconies or fences and ensure that diving boards are safe before diving from them. Never dive into above-ground pools, always use the steps provided.

Teaching your child to practise water safety and reminding him of the dangers that can exist at the pool or beach will mean they can spend the long summer days enjoying all that the water has to offer.

CHiLD JUNE 2019 27

PSYCHOLOGY

BIG little lies

28 CHiLD JUNE 2019

PSYCHOLOGY

As children transition into teens, their desire to seem more adult and attain more independence might see them lying to parents and caregivers more and more often.

Jessica Arena discusses this phenomenon and gives advice on how parents can avoid such a scenario. ne day something will happen that might keep niggling at the back of your brain for a while after it does. You will catch your typically obedient and trustworthy child in a lie. It might not be the first time it happened, and it definitely will not be the last, but it is certainly the first time you will have noticed it.

From the moment your children realise you aren’t a mind reader, they may regularly experiment with small and even humorous untruths to test what deceptions they can get away with without your knowledge. By adolescence, most children regularly tell white lies to spare other people’s feelings.

However, as children transition into teens, their desire to seem more adult and attain more independence might see them lying to parents and caregivers more frequently and about more serious subject matter than most guardians would be comfortable with.

“There could be many reasons why teens lie but the most common would be fear of being punished or judged by the parent or else feeling embarrassed to disclose certain things,” Stephanie Bartolo, a counselling psychologist who works with children, says.

As teens begin to grow into their own, forming new interests, friends and social circles, the scope of what they feel comfortable sharing with their parents begins to narrow as they may also begin to delve into areas and activities that their parents may not necessarily approve of.

“It really depends on what the teen would perceive their parent would be angry or judgemental about,” Dr Bartolo says. “It could range from getting

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a second piercing to something as simple as catching a bus with friends.”

Teens also begin to experience more serious issues for the first time, such as bullying, thoughts of self-harm, poor mental health, exposure to substance abuse and even broaching their first sexual relationship.

“There could be many reasons why teens lie but the most common would be fear of being punished or judged by the parent”

As it becomes increasingly difficult to shelter children from things that may harm them, judgemental attitudes and reluctance to discuss difficult subjects may lead children to withdraw

and perhaps make more omissions and tell lies to keep knowledge of their participation in such activities away from their parents. It can be a difficult act to juggle − for both child and parent − to keep a handle on transparency and healthy boundaries within the relationship.

“I think trying to keep an open mind and open communication with teenagers is key while also understanding that they may prefer to discuss certain things with their peers,” Dr Bartolo says.

“Let them know that that is okay, however, also make them aware that at times they may get good as well as bad advice and should they wish, you will be there to lend a listening ear and help guide them. Maintaining a CHiLD JUNE 2019 29

PSYCHOLOGY

non-judgemental attitude usually helps because they feel less of a need to bend the truth, so to speak,” she continues.

Testing new boundaries for teens might also mean questioning rules and conditions in the family that previously were obeyed unchallenged.

As they mature, children may also feel they have aged out of conditions put in place for their well-being, and it may be time to revisit your teen’s restrictions with a more nuanced conversation about why you feel these rules are important.

“Sometimes parents feel as though children should just ‘do as they’re told’ simply because they are children, but that doesn’t work,” Dr Bartolo points out.

“I think that if you have a rational conversation as to why you are not happy with certain things, for example, drinking, lying about their location etc, they are more likely to comply with telling you the truth because they can understand the logic behind it. Trying 30 CHiLD JUNE 2019

“Having open communication about emotions, not being dismissive of what they are going through, very often helps”

to find a compromise is always a good idea when possible; this way, both parties feel as though they have some form of control over the situation.”

Dr Bartolo adds that there are some instances in which one cannot reach a compromise for the sake of the child’s safety.

“In that case, I would suggest trying to explain logically why this cannot happen and see if a compromise can be reached about something else. At times, the child’s maturity and level of responsibility needs to be taken into account because every child is different,” she says.

At the end of the day, parents may also benefit from remembering how it was when they were on the other end of the tracks and how they would have liked to be treated in their adolescence. While loving and caring for your child sometimes means making unpopular decisions, keeping the lines of communication clear and open may go a long way in building trusting relationships with your teens.

“I think that by trying to get down on their level and remembering what it was like at their age and trying to use logic to reason things out with them rather than taking an attitude, they should listen because you are the adult,” Dr Bartolo notes.

“Having open communication about emotions, not being dismissive of what they are going through, very often helps. If they feel heard and understood, they will come back time and time again. This is what parents should strive for while also maintaining boundaries to keep them safe.”

READING

Keeping their nose in a book Summertime is here and that means children are now free from their stuffy classrooms and ready to have fun. For many, however, the word â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;funâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is not associated with reading.

Child gives some tips on how to entice them to read.

32 CHiLD JUNE 2019

READING

child who does not enjoy reading will have no desire to pick up a book once they sense it is no longer expected of them.

As a parent, you know how detrimental this is to your child’s future. When school lets out for the summer, children run the risk of experiencing the ‘summer slide’.

If a child’s mind is inactive for two to three long months, any intellectual growth from the past school year can deteriorate, especially reading skills. A love of reading starts at home, not in the classroom, so it is your responsibility to nurture a healthy appreciation of words and stories.

So, what can you do to keep your child on track this summer? There are a number of ways to encourage them to read and, hopefully, even to learn to love it.

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READ TOGETHER

“Reading is reading, no matter what form it comes in”

The easiest way to make sure your child is reading is to read with them every day. Read while you wait for lunch to finish cooking or in the evenings before bed. Take turns reading pages to each other. Read to the dog or to a sibling. Read to anyone who will sit still long enough to listen.

One of the biggest benefits of reading with your child, besides the excellent bonding opportunity, is having the chance to show them how alive a book can be. Do the voices. Make funny or expressive faces and gestures. Breathing life into a story will let them engage with it in ways they may not have been able to on their own.

GATHER READING MATERIAL THAT SUITS THEIR INTERESTS If your child is smitten with superheroes and magic, do not bring them books about dinosaurs and outer space, at least not yet.

While it is certainly beneficial to encourage your child to read widely, that may not be the best course of action right out of the gate. They spend a whole school year reading about things they have little interest in, so there is no reason to make reading feel like a boring chore at home as well.

Instead, show them that there are tons of books and magazines and comic books dedicated to their favourite subjects, things they love and like to talk about.

TALK ABOUT BOOKS TOGETHER After you start reading with your child, take some time every now and then to have a casual discussion about the book you’re reading. Ask them how they felt when the main character did this or that and what they think will happen as a result. More importantly, tell them how you feel about those things.

Some children tend to shut down when they feel like they are being interrogated or tested. If your child feels like they are having their reading comprehension graded, there is no chance of them wanting to engage with a book any more than they did while at school.

Talking to them as an equal with a shared interest will encourage them to be more thoughtful and willing to express their opinions, especially if they are different from yours.

SET SOFT GOALS A little incentive never hurt anyone.

Classrooms sometimes implement a reward system for reading a certain number of books in a set amount of time. However, perhaps these goals were not realistic for your child. Instead of making them feel accomplished, it discouraged them and made reading feel like work.

At home this summer, once you have created a reading routine and everyone is settled, start tossing around CHiLD JUNE 2019 33

READING ideas with your child about setting goals. Let them in on the terms. Maybe you both know that, at this point, you will not be finishing a chapter book a week, but they do know that they can handle 10 pages a night. If they can keep that up for a week, let them choose their own reasonable reward.

Keep a chart of their progress and put it up for everyone in the house to see. Your child will be proud for meeting their goal and excited about getting a special treat.

USE DIFFERENT KINDS OF READING MATERIAL Reading is reading, no matter what form it comes in. Many parents, even educators, think that books are the be-all and end-all when trying to get an unenthused child to read.

“They must learn to love books!

Comic books aren’t literature!,” some might say.

But they are. So are magazines. So is the comic strip in the newspaper. So is the back of the cereal box. If your child is showing any interest at all in reading

something other than a book, that is a huge step in the right direction.

Comic books and magazines are easier for some children to pick up on their own and you should do everything in your power to encourage that.

Sure, it’s not Charles Dickens's classic novel A Tale of Two Cities, but that Batman comic is still teaching your child that reading can be so much more than words on a page. They are learning how to lose themselves in a story and become invested in characters or ideas that were previously unknown to them. Nurture this enthusiasm until it naturally spills over into books and stories.

ScIENcE

Malta First Mission to Pluto by Jacob Grech at the Ċittadella in Victoria, Gozo.

EMPOWERING

CHILDREN TO THINK Introducing the new online platform Gozo Spacelab

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he age of learning by rote is dead. Kids need to think.

This is the message of Naomi and Martin McDonald, founders of the new educational platform Spacelab.

The couple believes that the need for creative thinkers has never been greater than in this age, which is driven by an unprecedented speed of access to information, machine learning (AI) and robotics.

Spacelab is aimed at informing children of all ages about the latest happenings in the science world, including events on and off planet Earth, and divulge new ideas and content.

The name is actually an intentional play on words. ‘Space’ instantly conjures up images in one’s mind of the International Space Station but a hidden meaning reveals the ethos behind the creative purpose of the organisation.

“It is to stimulate and feed the space between one’s ears with fresh ideas, catalysts, challenges and alternatives to everyday experiences; in order that we may collectively

empower our children to think, to be creative, to experience the world through experimentation that both fails and succeeds; and, above all, to learn to act independently in an environment that values the mind of the individual,” Ms McDonald said.

The Gozo-based organisation, set up in late January, is also engaging students in a number of activities and events.

During the ‘Blood Moon’ total eclipse over Malta and Gozo, the organisation invited young explorers to stay up late with blankets and hot chocolate to watch the moon orbiting into the shadow of Earth.

Since then, it has consistently tried to stimulate children’s brains with space, earth, ecology, history and science projects. There are also plans for undersea and aviation projects in 2019. The platform also includes an online magazine with interesting news and fun things to do. cHiLD JUNE 2019 35

ScIENcE Zeto by Mirielle cini, winner of the Upcycled class in the Build a Spaceship contest.

The Earth Hour Gozo Spacelab telescope

Mars Spacebus by Victoria da costa

Winners of the first Build a Spaceship contest at Esplora.

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The biggest Spacelab event yet was the ‘Build a Spaceship’ competition, in which children could use Lego, Duplo, recycled materials or anything they wanted to use to create intergalactic vehicles. They had to give their spaceships names and invent back-stories.

The event was spread via word of mouth and children from Malta, Gozo, the UK, Spain, Denmark and Slovenia took up the challenge to conceive, design and construct their unique spaceships.

At one school in Gozo, pupils independently created their spacecraft from recycled waste items such as bottles, plates and cardboard.

The headmistress of Kerċem Primary School, Monica Tabone, said: “We are very proud of the children. They were only shown the Spacelab idea once by their teacher and then they went off and created their spaceships in their own time at home.

“We were amazed at their designs and the attention to detail. The children were delighted when they discovered their spacecraft were to be exhibited in Victoria and even more delighted when one of them won their category!

Spacelab made special posters after the event and they were presented at the school. The look of pride on the faces of all the children was wonderful to see and they will remember their experiences for a long time to come,” she added.

Students of the Gozo college Rabat Primary, also known as the Happy School, also took part enthusiastically in the competition.

The two-day exhibition was held at the Gozo Ministry’s Ċittadella Visitor centre during the global event known as ‘Earth Hour’. As darkness fell, visitors enjoyed two kids’ science movies, before heading out on to the darkened bastions for star-gazing through two telescopes with Spacelab and the Malta Astronomical Society.

The atmosphere was complemented by a specially commissioned symphony of cosmic sounds composed and mixed by musician Peter Jerman, who used original Nasa space sound recordings for the piece.

The next Spacelab event will be Walking on the Moon, which will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s historical achievement. The event will be held on July 20.

“We were amazed at their designs and the attention to detail”

ScIENcE

The exhibition space at the Ċittadella Visitor centre. Left: My Nasa Spaceship by Theo Grech.

“The idea is to inspire the next generation of thinkers from Malta, Gozo and around the world to become the new generation of astronauts, scientists, adventurers and explorers,” Ms McDonald enthused.

For more information, visit www.gozospacelab.com and the organisation’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Two young Spacelab engineers comparing notes on the spaceships they built for the contest.

RECIPES

Time for some fun and healthy eating As children spend more time at home during the summer holidays, it’s important to have some healthy snacks ready for them to binge on.

If you are short on ideas, here are a few recipes courtesy of www.twohealthykitchens.com. They’re not time-consuming and the kids will surely love helping in their preparation.

NO-BAKE VEGETABLE ‘PIZZAS’ Ingredients Wholegrain pita Reduced-fat cream cheese Low-fat Greek yoghurt dip Hummus Cottage cheese Toppings Fresh veggies such as colourful peppers (diced, slivered or cut into shapes), halved grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, carrot sticks or shreds, small broccoli florets, celery sticks, peas, sliced mushrooms, pitted black olives Shredded reduced-fat cheese Directions To assemble, start by spreading the ‘crust’ with one or more types of ‘sauce’.

Add the desired toppings to make a fun face.

To serve, cut into wedges like a pizza, roll up like a wrap or fold like a quesadilla.

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RAINBOW VEGGIE KEBABS Ingredients Choose colour-coded veggies your children like best for each colour of the rainbow: Blue, indigo and violet vegetables: purple baby carrots, purple cauliflower, black or kalamata olives Green vegetables: green bell peppers (cut into chunks), broccoli florets, cucumber and/or zucchini (cut into rounds or chunky, triangular wedges), snow peas Yellow vegetables: yellow cherry tomatoes, yellow peppers (cut in chunks) Orange vegetables: cherry tomatoes, orange peppers (cut in chunks), baby carrots

Red vegetables: red cherry or grape tomatoes, red peppers (cut in chunks) For serving: your favourite veggie dip Directions For each veggie kebab, start by threading one or two blue/indigo/ violet veggies on to the skewer, pushing them part way down.

Next, thread on green, yellow, orange and red veggies (in this order, ending with red veggies on top).

Serve with a healthy dip of your choice (optional).

RECIPES NO-BAKE FRUIT ‘PIZZAS’ Ingredients Whole-wheat pita bread or wholegrain tortilla Peanut butter 100% fruit jelly or jam Reduced-fat cream cheese Low-fat Greek yoghurt Toppings Fresh fruit such as apples, kiwi, bananas, grapes Dried fruit such as raisings, chopped dates, pineapple, cranberries

Shredded coconut Sliced or slivered almonds Granola Mini chocolate chips Cinnamon Directions To assemble a pizza, start by spreading the ‘crust’ with one or more types of ‘sauce’.

Add the desired toppings and cut into wedges.

LOW-FAT CHOCOLATE POPSICLES Serves 8 Ingredients 1 350g low-fat evaporated milk 75g cocoa powder 75ml low-fat milk 75ml honey Directions Whisk all the ingredients in a medium bowl until completely mixed together, making sure the cocoa powder is completely dissolved.

Divide the mixture evenly among eight ice pop moulds.

Freeze until solid, carefully remove them from the moulds and enjoy.

‘INSTANT’ PEANUT BUTTER-BANANA ICE CREAM Ingredients 3 peeled, frozen, overripe bananas 170g cup creamy peanut butter 5 tbsp semi-skimmed or skimmed milk Toppings: mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, sliced fresh bananas Directions Break the bananas in half and place them in a blender, along with the peanut butter and milk. Blend until creamy and smooth, scraping sides once or twice if needed.

Serve immediately with chocolate chips, coconut and banana slices.

You may follow more Two Healthy Kitchens recipes on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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PRodUCTS & SERViCES

SHOP window Baby toiletries

Essential nutrients for your baby Cerelac infant Cereals provide the essential nutrients your infant needs to support healthy growth and development. Cerelac infant Cereals provide infants who have small stomach capacity with nutrient-dense foods, which are enriched with key vitamins and minerals, specially selected to reduce the risk of micro-nutrient deficiencies and thus promote healthy growth and development.

Mothercare’s ‘All we Know’ range of baby toiletries, wipes and cotton wool is developed using the company’s specialist knowledge and know-how.

All of the ingredients used in the All we Know baby toiletries are fully dermatologically tested to ensure they are kind and gentle to baby skin. Each of the toiletry formulations contains natural extracts of chamomile and olive oil.

Available from all Mothercare outlets in Sliema, Valletta, Birkirkara, Fgura and Gozo.

Hosting the perfect party Camilleri Caterers can help you set the scene for a fantastic children’s party!

Let your imagination take you wherever you want to go; whatever theme your child picks, they can make it happen. Simple or super, they can prepare anything from the cake to creative and yummylicious themed sweets, cookies, cake pops, marshmallow lollies, candy bars and, of course, a food menu appropriate for any bunch of little guests. Also, goodie bags can be sorted out at their popular sweet shop.

Browse the gallery for inspiration on www.camillericatering.com.

For more information, send an e-mail to info@camillericatering.com or call 2147 2255.

Sleek journeys The Mothercare sleek journey travel system comes with a group 0+ car seat and convertible pram to a pushchair seat unit, giving your baby everything they need to travel in comfort and style from newborn to toddler.

For more information, visit one of the Mothercare outlets in Sliema, Valletta, Birkirkara, Fgura or Gozo.

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PRodUCTS & SERViCES

SHOP window Is your child a picky eater?

Early feeding patterns in infants and toddlers are critical for growth and development.

These patterns also impact long-term health. Food preferences and eating habits will start developing at an early stage, so it is especially important to expose your child to a variety of healthy foods since these shape dietary patterns. offer picky eaters a variety of foods and experiment with different fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy products if there are no allergies involved. You can use a tasty delicious milk-based product such as Mio Merenda and add different fresh fruits as a tasty nutritious snack. otherwise, choose from the variety of flavours available to identify your toddler’s favourite.

Supporting families Programm Ulied Darna (PUd) is a volunteer-based service provided by Aġenzija Appoġġ to support families that have been referred by other services.

Volunteers are specifically trained to help individuals and families improve skills such as parenting and budgeting, among others. They also offer their time to assist these families by providing practical support such as child-minding, help with studies and transport to appointments.

Parenting: Volunteers provide parenting skills to parents, who are struggling with the way they care for their children, by helping them find a parenting style which is suitable for them. The family is also given the opportunity to learn other essential skills such as budgeting and cooking if needed.

Homework/crafts: There are some parents or carers who have a limited support system and just need some time to keep up with the neverending list of mundane tasks. The volunteers carry out home visits to assist their children by making crafts and helping them with their homework.

Child-minding/transport: when parents need to attend important meetings, such as therapy sessions or case review meetings, volunteers provide childminding sessions within the agency. This improves attendance and ensures the children are being well taken care of. Volunteers can also provide transport and accompany families or individuals to appointments or sessions.

The Foundation for Social welfare is looking for energetic positive individuals who are over 21 with a good command of Maltese and English to join the team. For more details, call 2388 5110. All you need is some spare time to make a difference in someone’s life!

42 CHiLd JUnE 2019

Reclining chair for mothers-to-be and more if you are expecting a baby, Fama’s Moonrise chair is just what you need. it will catch your attention but once you try it, you will fall in love with it. This concept of a recliner is different to everything else on the market. its wide measures offer the possibility of finding a great variety of very comfortable positions such as lying up or on one side, embracing the cushion, etc. in addition, the mechanism is reclining, swivel and rocking. it is also available in XL size, so it is wide enough to share it with someone else. The reclining system works with a remote control and can be stopped in different positions. it also has two independent adjustable headrests.

The full range of Fama sofas and chairs is available from R Living, Mrieħel Bypass, Qormi. For more information, call 2149 9699, send an e-mail to info@rliving.com.mt or visit www.fama.es.

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2388 5110 | appog gg@gov v.mt | www w.fsws.go .fsws.gov ov v.mt