5 Ways To Bond With Your Child Even With No Time In The Day
ADvTECH Group • July 20, 2020
Making Time To Bond With Your Child
Many parents are familiar with the feeling that they simply don’t have enough time to give their children the attention they need. With so many commitments and day-to-day distractions, you’re not alone in wondering how you can give your child quality bonding time.
What is bonding?
Bonding is described as the “intense attachment that develops between parents and their baby.” It’s the unique relationship that a child and parent will share and nurture throughout their lives.
The importance of bonding with kids
Parents will probably have heard the phrase “parent child bonding” since they discovered they were expecting. However quality time with your child
is not only important for newborns. Bonding with your child
through all phases of their development has many wonderful benefits.
● Parent child bonding lays the foundation for their personality as well as physical, mental and emotional development
● Helps children establish a secure and healthy parental attachment
● Children that have a close and secure connection with their parents stand a better chance of developing other happy and healthy relationships
● A tight bond helps with a child’s confidence and social behaviours
● A positive parental relationship also helps children develop better cognitive and problem-solving skills
● Overall contentment in the family environment.
Ways to bond with your child:
You needn’t set aside endless hours to bond with your child. There are plenty of day-to-day opportunities for connection that both moms and dads can take advantage of.
1. Eat meals together
Sitting together as a family to eat your breakfast or dinner is a great way to reconnect and check in with your child. As an added advantage, it also instills healthy eating and digestive habits.
2. Chat in the car to and from school
While teens might not be so chatty in the car, it’s a great chance to engage with your younger children. Singing songs, asking about school work or extracurriculars or even a simple round of “eye spy” can create a wonderful connection.
3. Be warm in your daily interactions
Children respond well to a loving touch, hug or cuddle. Making sure that you give your child warm and gentle interaction creates a strong sense of bond between you. Eye contact, positive reinforcement and kind words are also important for your child to develop a sense of security.
4. Bond with your children individually
Spending a little one-on-one time with each of your children can strengthen your individual bond. Aim to set aside even ten minutes of distraction-free time to spend with each child. This could be a short walk, a bedtime story or personalised interest in their sports or hobbies.
5. Begin a project together
Start something that you and your child can work on together, even if just for a few minutes a day. The sense of continual connectedness that children feel when working together with a parent on a task, makes them feel needed and bonded. This could be a painting, a veggie garden or an arts-and-crafts project.
The positive effects your child will feel from just 10 minutes a day of attentive time are far reaching. What’s your favourite way to spend quality time with your child?
Where emotional intelligence, belonging and wellbeing shape confident, high-achieving students
Each year on 14 March, schools across the globe celebrate Pi Day, a playful tribute to the mathematical constant π (3.14). Numbers may seem abstract at first glance, yet behind every formula lies a story of discovery, logic and imagination. Mathematical thinking shapes the way young people analyse the world, solve problems and innovate in fields ranging from medicine to technology. Passion for mathematics rarely appears overnight. Curiosity often provides the starting point. According to Camilla Pretorius, Principal of Trinityhouse Centurion , mathematical confidence develops when students realise that the subject is not about memorising formulas but about exploring patterns and ideas. “Mathematics is fundamentally about curiosity,” Pretorius explains. “Students begin to thrive when they understand that problem-solving is a journey rather than a test of instant ability.” Early childhood plays a critical role in shaping attitudes towards numbers. Young students naturally explore patterns, shapes and quantities through play long before formal lessons begin. Counting steps on a staircase, sorting colourful objects or building towers all introduce foundational mathematical concepts. Teachers who encourage exploration help students associate mathematics with discovery rather than anxiety. Games, puzzles and open-ended questions transform classrooms into spaces where curiosity flourishes. Confidence grows when mistakes become part of learning. “Students sometimes arrive believing they are ‘not maths people’,” Pretorius says. “Changing that mindset requires patience and encouragement. Progress becomes visible once students understand that effort and persistence build mathematical ability.” Academic performance improves when students believe they can succeed. Mathematical confidence determines whether a student will attempt a challenging problem or avoid it entirely. Supportive classroom environments allow students to ask questions, test ideas and learn through trial and error. Teachers play a central role in shaping that environment. Encouraging discussion, celebrating creative thinking and analysing mistakes openly helps students develop resilience.
Celebrating multilingual education at Trinityhouse, where identity, inclusion and global readiness grow together. Experts: Samantha Nkosi, Raesetja Ntuli and Maché Piek (Trinityhouse Centurion Teachers) International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on 21 February, offers schools across South Africa an opportunity to reflect on language inclusion, cultural diversity and identity. At Trinityhouse Schools, language education is not only about academic achievement. It is about building culturally confident, globally aware students who are proud of their roots. In the early years, language shape’s identity. When young children hear Sepedi, isiZulu, Afrikaans or their home language spoken in the classroom, they feel recognised and valued. Introducing home languages in Pre-Primary affirms cultural heritage at a critical stage of development. Children who encounter familiar words, songs and greetings settle more quickly into school life. Multilingual exposure through music, storytelling, indigenous games and augmented reality books strengthens vocabulary and builds early literacy foundations. Students explore the meaning of their names and surnames, deepening pride in their identity. When a child’s mother tongue is acknowledged, confidence grows. Participation increases. Classrooms become spaces where diversity is celebrated naturally. Early language inclusion supports emotional wellbeing and strengthens school readiness, creating confident students from the very beginning. As students’ progress through Preparatory School, continued development of home language skills alongside English strengthens academic performance. Research and classroom experience consistently show that students who maintain strong home language proficiency demonstrate improved comprehension, stronger reading skills and greater conceptual understanding. Teaching strategies such as repetition, guided group reading and small discussion circles allow multilingual students to participate without pressure. Students often explain concepts in Sepedi before bridging into English, reinforcing understanding and building academic confidence. Parents play a pivotal role in this journey. Daily reading in both English and home languages, storytelling and regular conversation strengthen vocabulary and cognitive development. A strong foundation in a home language enhances English acquisition rather than hindering it. Multilingual students develop cognitive flexibility, empathy and adaptability, essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Aligned with South Africa’s 11 official languages and a strong commitment to diversity in education, Trinityhouse continues to broaden its African language offerings. At Trinityhouse Centurion, Sepedi was introduced at Pre-Primary and Preparatory in 2019 and will be extended to Grade 8 in 2027. Offering Sepedi as a First Additional Language affirms students’ linguistic heritage within an academic setting. When students see their home language valued at high school level, it strengthens identity, belonging and pride. At the same time, multilingual students develop cultural awareness and global readiness. The Sepedi department will prepare students for the IEB National Senior Certificate examinations in their matric year. A structured academic pathway, rigorous assessment standards and active collaboration within the IEB Sepedi cluster across Pretoria and Gauteng will ensure consistency and academic excellence. Close cooperation between the Preparatory and High School departments will further support a smooth and well-coordinated implementation in 2027. Adolescence is a critical period of identity formation. Language inclusion directly influences student confidence, wellbeing and belonging. Being able to connect socially through a shared language reduces isolation and fosters community. Through Respect, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, Public Speaking, assembly celebrations and events such as Heritage Day Fire Feast, Trinityhouse creates spaces where students celebrate linguistic pride through praise poetry, storytelling and song. These moments strengthen engagement, participation and cultural appreciation. International Mother Language Day reminds us that language is more than communication. It is memory, belonging and identity. At Trinityhouse, raising globally competitive students who are proud of their heritage means ensuring that cultural identity and academic excellence walk hand in hand.
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