All the latest news from Trinityhouse Schools

Beyond Smiles: How Trinityhouse Turns Happiness into High Performance

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:28:54 GMT

Where emotional intelligence, belonging and wellbeing shape confident, high-achieving students

International Day of Happiness invites reflection on what truly enables young people to thrive. Academic excellence often dominates education conversations, yet an equally powerful driver of success is gaining recognition: happiness.

Within Trinityhouse Schools, happiness is not treated as a fleeting emotion or a reward after achievement. It is embedded as a foundational element of performance. A clear understanding exists that students perform best when they feel secure, valued and connected.

Emotional intelligence plays a central role in this approach. Students are guided to understand their emotions, manage stress and navigate relationships effectively. Classrooms become environments where ideas are shared openly, mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities and respect underpins every interaction. Confidence grows naturally in spaces where students feel heard.

Academic pressure remains a reality in South Africa’s education landscape. High expectations can either motivate or overwhelm, depending on the support systems in place. Trinityhouse addresses this balance through a structured pastoral care model that ensures every student is supported both academically and emotionally. Teachers maintain high standards while offering guidance that acknowledges individual challenges.

Resilience is actively developed rather than expected. Students are taught practical strategies to manage setbacks, reflect on progress and approach challenges with a growth mindset. This equips them not only for examinations, but for life beyond school. Adaptability, empathy and communication emerge as key strengths alongside academic achievement.

Participation in sport and co-curricular activities further strengthens this holistic approach. Trinityhouse students are actively involved in a wide range of sporting codes, cultural pursuits and enrichment programmes, creating opportunities to develop teamwork, discipline and confidence beyond the classroom. Physical activity and creative expression play a vital role in supporting both overall health and mental wellbeing. Energy is channelled in positive ways, stress is reduced and a sense of achievement extends beyond academic results. Balance between academic focus and active participation ensures students remain motivated, connected and emotionally well, reinforcing the link between happiness and high performance.

A strong sense of belonging further strengthens performance. Students who feel connected to their school community are more likely to participate, engage and push beyond their comfort zones. Positive relationships between students and teachers foster trust, which in turn reduces anxiety and encourages ambition.

School culture plays a defining role in shaping outcomes. Trinityhouse intentionally cultivates an environment where kindness, respect and accountability coexist. Expectations remain high yet fear of failure is replaced by a sense of possibility. Students strive because they believe in their ability to succeed.

Questions around whether prioritising wellbeing compromises academic rigour continue to surface. Evidence suggests the opposite. Emotionally supported students demonstrate improved focus, stronger problem-solving skills and greater perseverance. Happiness enhances performance rather than detracting from it.

Long-term success depends on more than examination results. Future workplaces increasingly value individuals who can collaborate, adapt and communicate effectively. Emotional intelligence ensures students leave school prepared not only for academic pathways, but for leadership and life.

International Day of Happiness serves as a reminder that education must extend beyond content delivery. A holistic approach that integrates emotional development, strong pastoral care and positive culture creates sustainable success. Trinityhouse demonstrates that when happiness is prioritised, excellence follows.

True success is visible in students who are confident, resilient and equipped to navigate a complex world. Happiness, in this context, becomes far more than a feeling. It becomes a powerful driver of performance.

The Joy of Numbers: Growing a Lifelong Love for Mathematics in South African Classrooms

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 06:00:01 GMT

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.

Problem-solving then becomes an adventure rather than a source of pressure.

Confidence also strengthens critical thinking skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Modern societies increasingly rely on data, algorithms and technological innovation. Artificial intelligence, climate modelling, engineering breakthroughs and financial systems all depend on mathematical reasoning.

Logical thinking, pattern recognition and analytical problem-solving provide young people with tools needed in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Pretorius believes students should see mathematics not as an isolated subject but as a language that explains the world.

“Mathematics connects to almost every career imaginable,” she notes. “Architecture, sports analytics, medicine, environmental science, aviation and digital design all rely on mathematical insight.”

Real-world connections help students recognise the relevance of numbers in everyday life. Budgeting, travel planning, sport statistics and technology all demonstrate practical applications of mathematical thinking.

Many students experience mathematics anxiety at some stage in their education. Pressure to produce the correct answer immediately can discourage exploration. Support structures and thoughtful teaching approaches help transform that anxiety into curiosity.

Teachers often encourage students to break complex problems into manageable steps. Progress then becomes achievable and rewarding.

Moments of breakthrough often occur when a previously confusing concept suddenly makes sense.

Few experiences compare to the moment when a student says, “Now I understand.”

Those discoveries remind teachers why mathematics remains such a powerful subject to teach.

Events such as Pi Day highlight the playful side of mathematics. Quizzes, puzzles and collaborative challenges create opportunities for students to experience the subject in a fresh way.

Joy and rigour can exist in the same classroom. Serious academic study does not exclude creativity or fun.

Students who engage with mathematics in varied ways often develop deeper appreciation for the subject’s beauty and logic.

A lifelong relationship with mathematics begins when students recognise that struggle forms part of learning. Confidence grows through persistence, curiosity and support.

Mathematical thinking ultimately equips young people to question assumptions, interpret information and solve complex challenges. Numbers become tools for discovery rather than obstacles to overcome.

“Every student can develop mathematical thinking,” Pretorius concludes. “Success begins when students realise that understanding grows through curiosity and effort.”

Classrooms that nurture those qualities do far more than teach equations. They prepare young minds to explore a world shaped by patterns, possibilities and problem-solving.

Alumni Spotlight: Sam Lee Hill

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:30:13 GMT

Four Pages, One Future: The Trinityhouse Wordsmith Making Her Mark

Matric Year: 2014

School: Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

Some writers discover their voice quietly. Others pin it to a corridor wall in Grade 3.

For Sam Lee Hill, Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge alumna class of 2014, storytelling began early, and it has never slowed down. Today, she is a professional copywriter, author and self-described “personal wordsmith”, crafting SEO-optimised blogs, websites and emails that help brands sell their story.

Below, Sam reflects on her journey from school learner to entrepreneur and author, sharing lessons learned along the way.

1. Take us back to your Trinityhouse days. What first sparked your love for language and storytelling?
My first vivid memory of writing was in Grade 3 when we had to write a story about being sick. My classmates wrote a page or a page and a half. I was eventually limited to four pages. Seeing the physical difference of our work displayed in the corridor sparked something in me.

2. Which teachers influenced your journey most?
Mr Rhea and Mrs Gibson, teachers who truly loves their subject and their students and left a lasting imprint especially on me. I still think about their lessons today, more than a decade later.

3. What does International Mother Language Day mean to you personally?
Isn’t it incredible that the language that gave us Wordsworth, John Green and Suzanne Collins also gave us “rizz” and “adulting”? Celebrating language means celebrating the past, the present and the future. We shape how it evolves. I used the same language to write my wedding vows, place a takeaway order and vent about losing a hockey match. That is powerful.

4. Did you always know you wanted a career in storytelling?
Storytelling always felt like the goal. At seven, I thought acting was the answer. A short-lived rockstar dream followed. Writing remained the obvious choice.

5. You describe yourself as a “personal wordsmith”. What does that mean?
A leathersmith crafts a belt to exact measurements. I do the same using words.
There is a difference between “a premium brand” and “the premium brand”. It’s those small details that matter in crafting the overall story.

6. How do you balance creativity and SEO strategy?
Clear communication is the ultimate aim. If a reader gets confused by a metaphor or pun, the message is lost. Passion projects allow freedom. Professional work demands focus.

7. What do people misunderstand about copywriting?
It has nothing to do with legal copyright. Trademarks fall outside my expertise.

8. Book writing versus copywriting, which is harder?
A book tells a story. Copy sells a story.
Books offer creative freedom and multiple drafts. Copywriting requires precision from the outset. My controversial opinion? Writing an advert is harder than writing a book.

9. What advice would you give young Trinitonians who love writing?
Ignore the panic around AI. Master the basics. Human creativity remains highly valued.
Seek feedback consistently. Separate yourself from your work. Growth follows humility.

10. Career highlight so far?
Two years ago, I helped write content for the Olympic Committee. Details will have to wait until the NDA expires.

11. Why is nurturing one’s mother tongue important in South Africa?
Your mother tongue is your identity and heritage. It shaped your first words. It deserves to be honoured and preserved.

12. Who first recognised your talent?
I won the book prize in Grade 1. Neat colouring may have helped.

13. How do you recharge creatively when writer’s block strikes?
Creative burnout calls for music, nature, good food, friends, and an indulgent nap.

14. What does life beyond words look like?
It looks like ice hockey, French lessons, sketchbooks, and (of course) a lot of reading.

Quick Fire Questions

· Tea or coffee? Hot tea, cold coffee

· Sunrise or night owl? Night owl

· Book or movie night? Book

· Poetry or prose? Poetry

· Favourite word? Serendipitous

· Life book title? The Copywriter’s Guide to Screwing Up the English Language

· Quote I live by: “If I am occasionally a little over-dressed, I make up for it by being always immensely over-educated.” – Oscar Wilde

A four-page story in primary school evolved into a thriving career built on clarity, creativity and confidence. This Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge Class of 2014 alumna demonstrates that language shapes identity, opportunity and influence.

International Mother Language Day offers the perfect reminder: every Trinitonian has a voice worth developing.

International Mother Language Day: Raising Globally Confident Students Proud of their Roots

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 06:00:14 GMT

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.

Alumni Spotlight: Anya Rabbets

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:19:39 GMT

Engineering her own future: Trinityhouse Alumni Anya Rabbets thrives in stem

Matric Year: 2019

School: Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

A love of science often begins in the classroom. A successful career emerges when curiosity meets determination. Trinityhouse Alumna Anya Rabbets , Class of 2019, discovered her calling early. Today she works as a Chemical Engineer in Secunda, proving that passion, discipline, resilience open doors into industries once viewed as inaccessible to many young women. Her journey offers inspiration to current learners considering futures in science, technology, engineering, mathematics.

What first sparked your interest in science, engineering during school?
I have loved science since primary school. By Grade 4, I already knew I wanted a STEM career. Science helped me understand how the world works. Interest in engineering developed later. In Grade 11, visits to Chemical Engineering laboratories at Wits University plus UP introduced me to engineering thinking. Conversations alongside postgraduate students revealed exciting problem-solving opportunities.

What gave you confidence to enter a challenging, male-dominated field?
I trusted my academic ability. Female role models in industry showed success was possible. Passion outweighed insecurity about entering a male-dominated environment.

What does your role as a Chemical Engineer involve today?
I work at Sasol where daily responsibilities include troubleshooting, solving technical challenges, optimising processes. Chemical engineering remains versatile across petrochemical, pharmaceutical, water treatment sectors, even finance. Each day offers new lessons plus fresh applications of university knowledge alongside workplace experience.

A career moment that made you proud?
During my first working year, I joined a major investigation after equipment failures destabilised a production unit. Understanding core system principles allowed me to contribute meaningfully towards identifying root causes.

Why celebrate International Day of Women, Girls in Science?
Historically, women were excluded from STEM due to unfair perceptions. This day recognises achievements of female scientists, engineers, mathematicians while encouraging young girls to pursue scientific ambitions confidently.

How can schools encourage more girls into STEM?
Industry exposure matters. Many learners misunderstand engineering careers. Guest speakers from industry help learners choose informed study paths.

Your message to girls unsure about science, engineering?
If you enjoy mathematics, physical science, life science, explore STEM options. Engineering degrees challenge students yet bring immense reward. Ignore negative opinions. Passion should guide decisions. University departments gladly offer insight when learners seek advice.

Have you experienced being one of few women in technical spaces?
Yes, though negative experiences have been limited. I remind myself that my education equals colleagues around me. Confidence grows through experience plus mentorship support when difficult situations arise.

How did Trinityhouse prepare you professionally?
Trinityhouse shaped my work ethic plus approach towards responsibility. Dedicated teachers supported my journey throughout schooling.

Which school skills still assist you today?
Critical thinking skills help me analyse problems logically. Debating, public speaking experiences-built confidence when presenting ideas to senior management.

What do you enjoy outside engineering?
Reading, travelling, spending time alongside friends plus family bring balance.

How do you switch off after demanding workdays?
Books allow mental escape. Textile arts such as cross stitch provide creative relaxation.

How do you maintain life balance?
Work boundaries matter. Weekends plus evenings remain personal time unless emergencies occur. Relationships require deliberate effort once university life ends.

Who supported your journey most?
Family support never wavered. Friends met during studies remain equally important since engineering succeeds through teamwork.

How did family shape your ambitions?
Family recognised where passion met talent. Support included bursary applications that enabled university studies. Career success would not exist without them.

Any surprising passions?
I love mythology plus folklore, especially Greek, Roman stories. Collecting myths from various cultures remains a favourite pastime.

What scientific developments inspire you currently?
Sustainable engineering excites me, especially renewable energy, waste valorisation, circular economy solutions.

Where do you see your career heading?
My aim involves strengthening technical expertise. Long-term goals include transitioning into renewable energy industries.

Advice to future Trinitonians?
Challenge yourself constantly. Growth begins outside comfort zones.

QUICK FIRE
Favourite subject? Chemistry
Coffee or tea? Both
Night owl or early riser? Night owl forced into early mornings ��
Lab or office work? Lab work
Lab coat or hard hat? Hard hat
Favourite holiday destination? Sedgefield
Engineering in one word? Challenging
Favourite way to relax? Reading alongside tea
Favourite movie or series? The Princess Bride
Favourite song? Annie’s Song – John Denver
Three essentials? Family, dogs, Kindle
Life quote? “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.” – John Lennon

Anya Rabbets represents a new generation of engineers shaping South Africa’s future through knowledge, resilience, curiosity. Her journey highlights how early encouragement, strong schooling foundations, supportive communities enable young women to step confidently into STEM careers. Her message remains simple yet powerful: passion unlocks possibility.

A sisterhood in science at Trinityhouse

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 07:20:34 GMT

Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science – 11 February

South Africa’s future economy will be shaped by innovation, technology and scientific advancement, yet many girls still grow up questioning whether science and technology careers are really meant for them. International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February highlights an urgent reality: closing the gender gap in STEM is no longer optional if the country hopes to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Science shapes industries, infrastructure and solutions to national challenges, from renewable energy and healthcare innovation to space science and digital technology. Young women must see themselves as future contributors in these fields, not spectators.

Across Trinityhouse schools, the conversation has moved beyond simply teaching science to fundamentally redefining what a STEM classroom should look like in modern South Africa. Success is measured not only through marks, but through confidence, curiosity and the belief that science belongs to everyone.

At Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge, Science teacher Shelden Millett-Clay sees daily how classroom culture determines whether girls stay in STEM subjects or quietly opt out.

“Students need to feel they belong before they believe they can succeed,” she explains. “Confidence grows when girls are encouraged to ask questions, lead experiments and tackle complex challenges alongside their peers.”

Classroom culture plays a powerful role in shaping subject choices. Spaces that encourage collaboration rather than competition help students feel safe enough to take intellectual risks. Curiosity is rewarded, mistakes become learning opportunities and participation is shared equally, allowing girls to build both competence and confidence.

Teaching methods also influence how science is perceived. Trinityhouse classrooms prioritise practical experiments, real-world applications and problem-solving projects. Scientific theory connects to issues students recognise in everyday life, including sustainability, community development and emerging technologies shaping South Africa’s future workforce.

Representation remains equally important. Girls need to see women succeeding in science, engineering and technology careers to believe those paths are possible. Trinityhouse teachers intentionally highlight female scientists and invite former students studying STEM disciplines to share their journeys, helping current students picture themselves following similar routes.

Unconscious bias still shapes subject decisions across many schools and households. Subtle messaging often suggests mathematics and science are exceptionally difficult or better suited to boys, despite clear evidence to the contrary. Trinityhouse teachers actively counter these assumptions by encouraging girls to persevere through difficulties, providing informed subject guidance and ensuring participation opportunities are shared equally in class.

Impact stretches beyond lessons and textbooks. Robotics clubs, coding initiatives, science expos and innovation programmes allow girls to experiment, collaborate and lead outside formal classrooms. Interest levels at Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge reflect changing attitudes. Two thirds of students registering for the Pathways to Space programme this year are girls, signalling growing confidence in entering Africa’s expanding space and technology sectors.

Families and communities remain vital partners in this shift. Encouraging curiosity at home and celebrating scientific achievements reinforce the message that STEM careers are both achievable and exciting options.

Closing the gender gap in STEM is about more than fairness. Diverse perspectives drive better innovation, create more inclusive solutions and strengthen economic competitiveness. South Africa needs every capable mind contributing to future technologies, scientific breakthroughs and problem-solving industries.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science therefore serves as a national call to action. Girls already sitting in classrooms today could become tomorrow’s engineers, data scientists, researchers and innovators shaping the country’s future.

Trinityhouse continues to build environments where girls participate confidently, explore boldly and understand that science is not someone else’s future. Science is theirs.

Alumni Spotlight: Hannah Coppin

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:14:37 GMT

Hannah Coppin: Styling life one mannequin at a time

Matric Year: 2020

School: Trinityhouse Little Falls

Hannah has swapped sunny South Africa for the misty Highlands of Scotland, where she now works as a Visual Merchandiser at Primark in Inverness. With her eye for detail, creative flair, and a talent for making displays that shoppers can’t resist, Hannah is proving that hard work and a little imagination can open doors to exciting adventures.

Hannah, you’re currently working as a Visual Merchandiser at Primark in Inverness. What does a typical day look like for you?
I start bright and early at 6am! First, I take a walk around the store to check the visual merchandising stands, cleaning up re-styling mannequins if stock has sold out, and making sure everything looks polished. Every week trends change, which means I get the freedom to style and set up new looks that appeal to customers. No two days are the same, and that keeps it exciting.

Styling mannequins and creating displays sounds creative! What’s been your favourite project so far?
Definitely the “In Denim We Can” launch on 1st September. It was my first big project without my co-worker (who was away for three weeks), so I had to set up the entire trend section solo. Picture denim blues, earthy browns, greens and whites. It was a huge undertaking and such a proud moment for me.

What do you love most about visual merchandising?
I love that it’s hands-on and never repetitive. The sense of accomplishment after setting up a fixture is amazing, especially knowing that customers interact with my work every single day. And if my displays convince someone to buy something? That’s the cherry on top!

You mentioned you’re looking for additional opportunities. What’s next for you?
I’ve always been drawn to the arts. With my degree in Information Design, I’m exploring roles in graphic design or film, and even considering hairstyling for movie sets, how fun would that be? Anything creative where I can keep experimenting excites me.

Looking back at your Trinityhouse days, what subjects prepared you most for what you do now?
Art, without a doubt, it taught me to see things from different perspectives and apply principles like colour and balance to create appealing looks. And believe it or not, Maths Literacy! It’s all about predicting trends and managing stock, no over- or under-ordering. Those probability skills are golden.

Were you always interested in fashion and styling?
Yes and no! As a kid, I wanted to be a famous fashion designer. I had every “Top Model” book, layered outfits like nobody’s business, and wore the funkiest hats. That interest faded a bit as I grew older, but it’s come full circle now.

What advice would you give future Trinitonians?
Don’t stress over missed opportunities. What’s meant for you won’t pass you by. Every experience, even rejection, is valuable practice. Life has a funny way of surprising you when you least expect it.

Living in Scotland must be an adventure! What’s been the biggest adjustment?
Walking everywhere! In SA it wasn’t always practical, but here I get in at least 10,000 steps a day. My 20-minute walk to work is actually shorter than my old walk to university.

If you had to style a mannequin in true Trinityhouse spirit, what would it look like?
It would radiate care and pride , qualities I felt throughout my time at Trinity. Care from the teachers who truly had our best interests at heart, and pride in the value of education that South Africa holds dear.

10. Quick Fire. Let’s Go!
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Sweet or salty? Salty
Heels or trainers? Trainers
Style icon? Harry Styles. I love his fearless edge!
Primark must-have? Basics: cropped tees, sweats, crewnecks.
Best Sunday? Family exploring day, complete with a Greggs sausage roll.
South Africa or Scotland? SA will always be home, but Scotland’s cool weather is winning right now.
Favourite song? On The Square by Mac DeMarco – calming vibes!
Quote you live by? “Embarrassment is an underexplored emotion, go out there and make a fool of yourself.”
On your nightstand? A lamp, an empty coffee cup, coloured pencils, and a photo I developed myself.
Fun fact? I’ve dyed my hair every colour under the sun, currently rocking red!

Hannah’s story shows how curiosity, creativity and courage can take you far beyond your comfort zone. Whether she’s styling mannequins in Inverness or dreaming of film sets and design studios, she is proof that life after Trinityhouse is full of exciting possibilities and that sometimes, the journey is just as stylish as the destination.

Alumni Spotlight: Hannah Ainsley

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 05:38:17 GMT

Hannah Ainsley’s unstoppable journey

Matric Year: 2016

School: Trinityhouse Little Falls

At Trinityhouse, we love to celebrate the unique journeys our alumni take, and few are as inspiring and dynamic as that of Hannah Ainsley . Excelling in both health sciences and mathematics, to thriving as a project manager in the fast-paced IT world, Hannah’s story is one of courage, curiosity, and never being afraid to change direction. We caught up with her to hear more about her fascinating journey, her love of swimming, and her life beyond the office.

You’ve taken quite a unique academic journey with both a BHSc in Biokinetics and a BSc in Mathematics, what inspired you to study in such different fields?
I was initially guided into health sciences because it seemed like the “ideal option” for someone with strong academics. But as much as I valued the experience, I realised towards the end of my degree that it wasn’t my true calling. That’s when I looked back at my school days, thought about what had always lit me up, and remembered how much I’d loved maths. Making the leap to study mathematics part-time was scary, but it turned out to be the best decision I could have made.

How do you bring the analytical side of mathematics and the people-centred side of biokinetics together in your everyday work?
I tend to treat situations like mathematical problems – what’s the question, what are the variables, and what’s the ideal solution? But I also love connecting with people, so whether it’s checking in with colleagues about projects or simply arranging a run after work, I balance the logical with the personal.

You’re now a Project Manager at an IT & Managed Services Company, how did you end up here, and what does a typical day look like?
The opportunity came during my final year of studies. I started part-time and then transitioned into a full-time role. My days are filled with client meetings, internal check-ins, task lists, minutes, and lots of follow-ups. And of course, the occasional team Wordle session – always a highlight!

Project management in IT sounds fast paced and exciting, what do you love most about your job?
I’m a sucker for to-do lists! I get a strange joy out of being the “team nagger”, making sure things get done on time and everyone stays on track.

Do you feel your background in biokinetics, and mathematics gives you a unique edge in the IT world?
Not directly, but both degrees helped shape me as a person. They taught me how to manage my time, think critically, and structure a plan. Whether it was solving a maths equation or managing a sports injury, the process of problem-solving has translated well into my career.

Looking back at your Trinityhouse days, what subjects or activities do you think shaped your path?
Definitely maths, those classes still bring back fond memories. But sport also had a huge influence. Swimming, in particular, gave me a love for open water events. Joining Trinityhouse for the Midmar Mile in Grade 11 sparked a lifelong passion. I have swum it every year since, sometimes multiple times! In 2022, I even joined the 8 Mile Club. Other highlights include swimming 10km across Langebaan Lagoon at 3am and completing a Robben Island Crossing in 2021.

Were you always more of a numbers-and-logic person or did Trinityhouse also nurture your interest in health and wellness?
Trinityhouse gave me a safe space to try everything. It wasn’t about being boxed into one path, it was about growth, exploration, and having fun while doing it.

If you had to sum up your Trinityhouse experience in three words?
Encouragement, belonging, pioneering.

What advice do you have for the next generation of Trinitonians?
Don’t be afraid to change track. Starting something new might feel like going back to square one, but it’s never truly starting from scratch. Every experience you have had comes with you. People may not always understand your choices, but what matters most is building a life you genuinely enjoy.

What’s one life lesson you’ve carried with you from school into your career?
Ask questions and stay open to learning. You never know when something new might surprise you.

Outside of work, what do you love doing?
I live with my boyfriend and our two dogs, Shadow and Bailey. I love reading, action netball, weekly runs with my brother, and family Burger Fridays. I also sew: tote bags, skirts, and most recently a dress I plan to wear to a wedding in October.

Quick-fire round: let’s go!
Tea or coffee? Coffee in the morning, tea for the rest of the day.
Technology, mathematics or health & wellness? Health and wellness – it’s part of my every day.
Favourite song? Double Life by Pharrell Williams – it reminds me to be goofy and enjoy the moment.
What’s on your nightstand? A framed photo of my dogs, my retainers, and two books: Butter by Asako Yuzuki and Into the Magic Shop by James R. Doty.
Life quote? “The mornings were so fresh and innocent that they rendered him speechless with gratitude to be alive.” – The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George.

From solving maths problems to swimming across oceans, and from biokinetics labs to IT boardrooms, Hannah Ainsley’s journey proves that life is not about sticking to one set path. It’s about listening to yourself, taking risks, and embracing the unexpected. Her story is a powerful reminder to all Trinitonians – past, present, and future – that it’s okay to change course, because every step shapes who you are becoming.

Alumni Spotlight: Lauren Crossman

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 06:43:19 GMT

Mind Over Matter: How Trinityhouse Alumna Lauren Crossman Is Shaping Futures

Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

Year: 2011

Education is more than textbooks and classrooms; it is also about unlocking potential, nurturing resilience, and guiding young people towards becoming their best selves. Few understand this better than Lauren Crossman (née Jordaan) , who matriculated at Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge in 2011. Today, she is an educational psychologist making a real difference in the lives of children and families. Her journey blends academic achievement, professional purpose, and a deep personal connection to Trinityhouse, a connection set to continue when her own children join the school in the years ahead.

You matriculated at Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge in 2011. Looking back, how did Trinityhouse shape your love for psychology and working with children?
I had always wanted to be a psychologist, even as a child. I loved helping others and was often involved in outreaches, youth groups and children’s homes. Trinityhouse really encouraged that community spirit and combining this with my passion for working with children and adolescents made educational psychology a natural fit.

You’ve built a career as an educational psychologist. What does a typical day in your practice look like?
My mornings are usually admin-filled, but after 1pm my afternoons belong to my clients. If I’m assessing, I start at 9am with three hours of assessment, then break for lunch before therapy sessions. Sometimes I travel to assist at another practice too, no two days look exactly the same.

You completed your master’s in educational psychology at the University of Pretoria in 2019. How did that journey shape you?
I loved it! The programme was incredibly relevant and practical, equipping me for the real world of practice. I also gained amazing colleagues who are still a huge part of my professional support system today.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work with children and families?
The privilege lies in witnessing families find the clarity they need, together with a supportive process that helps them move forward.

Educational psychology bridges learning and emotional wellbeing. How do you help learners unlock their potential?
My biggest focus is helping learners realise they are not defined by what they’re going through. I guide them in finding the internal or external resources they already have – and show them how to use those tools to thrive.

Is there a misconception about educational psychology you’d love to clear up?
For a long time, people thought we only dealt with academic cases and weren’t equipped for serious emotional challenges. Thankfully, that narrative has shifted – our work is so much broader.

You’re now returning to Trinityhouse as a parent, with your toddler starting at RPR in 2028! How does that feel?
Surreal! I’ve always felt connected to Trinityhouse, through my work with Trinity families and even completing my Honours practicum there. It’s exciting to see how my son (and soon my second child!) will experience the opportunities I once had.

What excites you most about your boys stepping into the Trinityhouse world?
What excites me most is knowing that my boys will step into an environment filled with choice, opportunity and diversity. Trinityhouse has always been a place where children are encouraged to explore, grow, and discover who they are, whether it’s through academics, sport, culture, or leadership. I can’t wait to see them embrace all of these experiences, find their passions, and create their own memories within the same community that shaped me. It feels incredibly special to know they will have the chance to carve out their own Trinityhouse journey while continuing the legacy.

What advice would you give the next generation of Trinitonians?
Be grateful for the education and opportunities you have. The world may be changing, but a solid education is still the best foundation to lean on.

Quick-Fire! Let’s Go!
Tea or Coffee? Coffee
Early bird or night owl? Neither!
Psychology in one word? Resilience
Dream holiday with family? Italy
Comfort food? Sushi
Favourite song? Too many to choose!
Toddler chaos or toddler cuddles – which wins? Always the cuddles
Terrible twos and terrifying threes: fact or fiction? FACT!

Lauren Crossman embodies what it means to be a Trinitonian for life. Her career in educational psychology is not only about guiding children through challenges but also about empowering families with hope and solutions. Her story highlights how the Trinityhouse foundation continues to influence lives long after matriculation. The legacy now continues as she prepares to see her own children begin their journey within the same school community that shaped her.

Alumni Spotlight: Saiyuri Rampathi

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 07:00:07 GMT

Saiyuri Rampathi – finding her voice, inspiring the next generation

Matric Year: 2024

School: Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

At just 19, Saiyuri Rampathi is already juggling university life, chasing big academic dreams, and coaching the next generation of Trinityhouse debaters. A proud Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge alumna (Class of 2024) , she’s passionate about English, Linguistics, and mentoring – and somehow still finds time for series, music and market strolls.

We sat down with Saiyuri for a lively chat about life after school, debate, dreams, and what keeps her going. Spoiler alert: she’s as inspiring as she is down-to-earth.

You have only just matriculated, what has life been like since leaving Trinityhouse?
The transition has been a big one, but I’ve found my feet and I’m loving it so far. I am thoroughly enjoying my degree, and coaching debate continues to be a source of inspiration. This season feels very much like one of discovery, both academically and personally.

You chose English and Linguistics, what drew you there?
Honestly, it’s been a winding road. But once I got here, I knew this is where I belonged. My mentors sparked my love for literature and critical thought, and I realised how powerful literacy is for dignity, agency and even social change. The dream? One day becoming a professor, bridging English Studies and Applied Linguistics . (Yes, I know I sound like a nerd, but a passionate one!)

And on top of studying, you’re back at Trinityhouse as a debating coach. What’s that like?
I believe coaching carries a profound responsibility. Teaching is both a privilege and a calling, but it is also a two-way journey where I continue to learn from my debaters. My vision is to put Trinityhouse debating firmly on the map and to inspire students to see how it can open doors, create opportunities, and give them a powerful voice they never knew they had.

Looking back, how did Trinityhouse shape this love for debating?
Everything started at Trinityhouse. The coaches, the teachers, the mentors, they transformed my academic life and my personal journey. My first debate coach and a handful of English teachers opened doors I never even knew existed. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

What advice would you give to current Trinityhouse students?
Take it all in! Don’t waste time trying to create a “perfect” high school experience – it doesn’t exist. Instead, step into every moment with the mindset that you can learn from it. Be intentional, grab opportunities, and when life feels tough, look for those small glimmers of good that God leaves behind. They’ll keep you going until brighter days arrive.

Balancing university and coaching – how on earth do you do it?
I won’t lie, I haven’t perfected it yet! But the beauty is that I genuinely love both. When my studies get heavy, coaching feels like a breath of fresh air – and vice versa. Plus, what I’m studying feeds directly into my coaching, shaping the way I train my debaters. So, in a strange way, it’s all connected.

What’s the “big dream” for Saiyuri?
Academically, I want to become a professor specialising in critical literacy and consciousness. Personally, it’s simpler: to live with hope, resilience and intention – never cynical, always grounded. Oh, and somewhere in the far future, I’d like to start a family too.

Let’s lighten things up a bit, what do you do outside of books and debate?
Well, my hobbies are pretty nerdy – I love reading research, exploring new ideas and coming up with arguments to challenge my debaters. But I balance that out with series, films, music, markets, and time with family and friends.

Quick-fire round: let’s go!
Tea or coffee? Tea, always.
Debating or conversation? Conversation. (Though, I really enjoy both!)
Favourite song? Kun Faya Kun by AR Rahman – it always strengthens and comforts me.
Life quote? “Instead of praying ‘God, help me through this’, pray ‘God, help me see you in this’.”

Saiyuri’s story is proof that alumni don’t have to wait decades to inspire. With her mix of passion, purpose, and humour, she’s making her mark already, and reminding us all that the Trinityhouse journey doesn’t end at matric, it just changes shape.

Are you a Trinityhouse alumnus with a story to tell? Join the Trinitonian Alumni Network and let’s celebrate your journey too – because every story matters.

Soaring beyond the classroom: Meet Bradley Jacobs, Trinityhouse’s aerospace engineer on the rise

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:40:03 GMT

Alumnus Spotlight: Bradley Jacobs

 Matric Year: 2018

School: Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

Few stories capture the spirit of curiosity, courage, and commitment quite like that of Bradley Jacobs , a proud Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge alumnus . As Head Boy and Dux Scholar of the Class of 2018, he excelled in both academics and sport before charting a course into the world of aerospace engineering. His journey has spanned continents, cutting-edge research, and incredible adventures, proof that passion and perseverance can truly take you anywhere.

1. What path did you take after matriculating from Trinityhouse?
After finishing school, I began studying Mechanical Engineering at Stellenbosch University . I moved into Helderberg residence , which quickly became a second home, joined the Maties Hockey Club , and embraced student life. It was an exciting and transformative few years.

2. Mechanical Engineering is a challenging field. What inspired you to choose it?
I’ve always been fascinated by aeronautics and space , and I believed that mechanical engineering was the best route to contribute to that field. I enjoy solving problems and taking on new challenges. Engineering gives me that sense of purpose and progress every day. It’s creative, practical, and incredibly rewarding.

3. After your degree at Stellenbosch, you made quite a leap, two years in Ohio for your Master’s! What was that experience like?
It was a big change. Moving to a new country on my own was daunting at first, but once I settled in, it became an incredible adventure. I worked in a research lab focused on aircraft engines and learnt from some brilliant minds. Outside of academics, I ran the Columbus Marathon , spent weekends hiking, camping, and fishing, and travelled whenever I could.

4. How did you adapt to life in the United States? Any cultural surprises?
Joining university clubs helped me meet new people and settle in quickly. I also tried to embrace American sports culture, though I was surprised by how long an American football match actually lasts! It’s advertised as an hour, but with all the ad breaks, it easily stretches to three. The tailgating culture was also fascinating, people set up TVs and grills in car parks before games. It reminded me of home, just swap rugby and boerewors rolls for football and hot dogs . The cold was another shock, waiting for a bus in, - 15°C weather was a real test of endurance!

5. You also travelled quite a bit while studying abroad. Which destinations stood out most?
Nashville, Tennessee was unforgettable, the home of country music and buzzing with live performances. Chicago also impressed me with its clean, modern feel. I loved taking an architecture boat cruise along the Chicago River and trying their famous deep-dish pizza .

6. Returning to South Africa after two years abroad must have been special. How did it feel to be home again?
It felt incredible. There’s something unique about being surrounded by the warmth and friendliness of South Africans. I missed the braais, local sport chatter, and our easy-going culture. Living abroad really made me appreciate just how vibrant our country is. I’ve even convinced some American friends to come visit!

7. You’ve been working as a mechanical engineer in Cape Town since June. What excites you most about your current role?
I’m working in the aerospace industry , which has always been my dream. Being surrounded by experienced engineers means I’m constantly learning and growing. Every day brings a new challenge, and it’s inspiring to work in a space where innovation literally takes flight.

8. Can you share a project or moment at work that reminds you why you became an engineer?
We design and manufacture unmanned aircraft , and seeing those designs become real, functional machines that actually fly is an incredible feeling. Turning an idea on paper into something that takes to the sky captures exactly why I chose this profession.

9. Thinking back to your Trinityhouse days, what do you think best prepared you for this journey?
Trinityhouse helped me develop a strong work ethic , which has been invaluable both in university and my career. But beyond that, it taught me the importance of balance , the combination of academics, sport, faith, and community. That foundation has guided me through every chapter of my life.

10. If you could share one piece of advice with current Trinitonians, what would it be?
Follow your interests, even if they take you down a less-travelled path. Find what makes you curious and chase it. And always make time for your family and friends, everything becomes more meaningful when shared with people you care about.

11. What’s next for you, any big goals or dreams on the horizon?
Professionally, I’d love to play a part in strengthening South Africa’s aerospace industry . Personally, I’ve developed a passion for triathlons, so completing a half Ironman is definitely on my radar!

12. Quick Fire! Let’s Go!
Tea or Coffee? Coffee
Early Bird or Night Owl? Early Bird
Dream travel destination? New Zealand, for the fly fishing
Best food you discovered in the USA? Chipotle burritos
Engineering gadget you can’t live without? A trusty pocketknife, always useful
Three words friends would use to describe you? Determined, loyal, generous
What’s always on your playlist? Coming Along by Sunset Sweatshop, “It always gets me amped up!”

Whether he’s testing designs in a lab, running marathons, or helping shape the future of aerospace, Bradley Jacobs continues to exemplify what it means to be a Trinitonian, balanced, driven, and endlessly curious. His story is a reminder that the foundation built at Trinityhouse can propel dreams far beyond the classroom and across the world.

For Bradley, the sky isn’t the limit, it’s just the beginning.

Be mindful of mental health: building wellness, resilience, action and purpose in our families

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:00:16 GMT

By Laura Barrett, Intern Counselling Psychologist at Trinityhouse Glenvista

Each year on 10 October , the world pauses to recognise World Mental Health Day, a reminder that mental well-being is not just an individual concern, but a shared responsibility among families, schools, and communities.

As an Educational Psychologist working closely with children and families, I have seen first-hand how early conversations about mental health can change the course of a young person’s life. When emotional well-being is acknowledged and nurtured from a young age, children are better equipped to handle life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.

Why conversations about mental health matter?

Mental health is not a “grown-up” topic, it’s a human one. If children are not taught about emotions and coping mechanisms early on, they may grow into adults who struggle to manage stress, relationships, or change. Talking openly about feelings, naming emotions, and learning healthy coping strategies are all part of developing emotional literacy. These are the tools that help children and adults stay grounded through the ups and downs of life.

At Trinityhouse, together with the world earlier this year, we explored the WRAP framework: Wellness, Resilience, Action and Purpose, a simple yet powerful approach to supporting children’s mental well-being. Each pillar plays a role in creating emotional stability and balance, not only for children but also for the families guiding them.

Wellness begins with the basics. Adequate sleep, good nutrition, hydration, and rest may sound simple, but they lay the foundation for emotional regulation. A well-rested, nourished child is far more likely to cope effectively with daily stressors.

Being mindful of mental health also involves small, practical steps like taking a few deep breaths before a stressful test or stretching during homework breaks. For adults, this might mean pausing for a cup of tea, taking a short walk, or simply naming what you’re feeling in the moment. Labelling emotions (“I feel anxious about this meeting”) helps calm the mind and re-engage rational thinking.

Resilience isn’t about “always being strong.” It’s about learning to recover and grow after setbacks. Parents and teachers can nurture resilience by giving children space to express their struggles without judgement, then helping them explore possible solutions.

When a child faces disappointment, a poor test result or a conflict with a friend, remind them of times they’ve overcome challenges before. Ask: “What helped you last time?” This reflective process empowers children to see themselves as capable problem-solvers, rather than passive victims of circumstance.

Positive mental health requires active engagement, not just awareness. For families, this can mean creating calm, structured environments where children feel safe and heard. The Positive Parenting framework offers five helpful practices to support this:

Empathy : Validate your child’s emotions instead of dismissing them. “I can see you’re upset about your toy” goes further than “Don’t cry, it’s not a big deal.”
Positive Reinforcement : Celebrate effort and progress, no matter how small. A star chart or extra family time can be simple yet powerful motivators.
Consistent Boundaries : Predictable routines and clear consequences make children feel secure. Boundaries should be calm, firm, and fair.
Open Communication : Create family moments for honest sharing. Ask, “What was the best part of your day?” and really listen to the answer.
Co-regulation : Young children often mirror their parents’ emotions. When you model calmness through deep breathing or gentle reassurance you teach them to regulate their own feelings.

A sense of purpose is vital for both adults and children. It gives meaning to our actions and connects us to something larger than ourselves. Encourage children to explore hobbies and interests that bring them joy and fulfilment, whether it’s art, sport, volunteering, or spending time outdoors. These pursuits help build identity, confidence, and belonging.

For parents, purpose can come from nurturing both their children’s and their own mental health. The saying “You cannot pour from an empty cup” is particularly true here. When parents take care of themselves, physically, mentally, and emotionally, they model balance and self-respect for their children.

Recognising when a child is struggling

Even with the best support, children can experience emotional challenges. Warning signs may include withdrawal from friends, sudden changes in sleep or appetite, irritability, or declining motivation. These can indicate stress, anxiety, or burnout.

If you notice these signs, open a gentle conversation: “I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed yourself lately. Would you like to talk about it?” Sometimes, simply being heard is the first step toward healing.

Continuing the conversation

The most inspiring shift in recent years is how openly young people now speak about mental health. Many no longer see anxiety, sadness, or stress as weaknesses but as part of the human experience. This honesty offers hope for a more empathetic, emotionally literate generation.

On this World Mental Health Day , let’s extend that conversation beyond schools and into our homes. Let’s practise a WRAP culture together by building Wellness, Resilience, Action and Purpose not only in our children’s lives but in our own.

At Trinityhouse , we believe education extends beyond academics, it’s about nurturing the heart and mind. By fostering open dialogue, emotional awareness, and resilience, we aim to create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

When families make mental health a daily priority, we don’t just raise stronger children, we raise a kinder, calmer and more connected generation.

Helping your child make smart subject choices: A guide for South African parents

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 07:00:51 GMT

One of the most significant academic decisions your child will make in their school career is which subjects to select. For many South African families, it can feel like a daunting task filled with pressure, uncertainty, and long-term consequences. But with the right support, tools, and guidance, parents can help their children make well-informed decisions that set them up for future success, both academically and professionally.

The foundation of good subject choices lies in understanding your child’s academic ability and current performance. Subjects like Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Accounting require solid results in Grade 9 and a strong grasp of key concepts. Similarly, subjects like Engineering Graphics & Design (EGD) or Visual Arts cater to students with practical and creative aptitudes. Consider your child’s learning style: do they prefer theory, or do they thrive with hands-on learning?

Although, it is normal to want what’s best for your child’s future, you should not force them to live up to your ideal of success. Rather initiate conversations about possible careers or areas of interest and explore how different subjects align with those pathways. Platforms like YENZA Careers are incredibly helpful in this regard. YENZA uses psychometric assessments to offer realistic subject recommendations based on your child’s strengths, interests, and potential career matches, and it gives parents access to the results too.

“Choosing the right subjects is a balance of academic ability, interest, and long-term thinking,” says Sumari Purdon , Head of Academics for Trinityhouse Schools. “We encourage families to use this opportunity to start meaningful conversations about the future, with support from tools like YENZA and input from educators who know the student well.”

There are many misconceptions around subject selection. For instance, Mathematical Literacy is often seen as a “lesser” subject, yet it’s a valuable choice for many careers in law, humanities, and business. Likewise, not every science-related career requires Physical Sciences. Understanding what specific tertiary programmes require is more important than following assumptions or outdated advice.

Another myth is that taking more subjects automatically boosts university admission chances. In truth, only your top six subjects (excluding Life Orientation) count toward your APS score. It’s far better to excel in fewer, well-matched subjects than to struggle with unnecessary extras.

While your child’s interest in a subject is key, as enjoyment often leads to motivation and perseverance, it must be balanced with academic reality. For example, Mathematics is best suited for students achieving above 55% in Grade 9 Mathematics, while Physical Sciences typically requires over 60% in both Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Choosing a subject simply because your child “likes it” could lead to frustration if they don’t have the foundational skills to succeed.

Again, this is where YENZA proves its worth, it bridges the gap between what your child is passionate about and what they’re actually equipped to handle.

Subject changes after Grade 10 are restricted, and it’s nearly impossible to pick up demanding subjects like Physical Sciences or Accounting in Grade 11 if they weren’t taken earlier. Early planning is therefore essential. For those considering international study, subjects like ISC Further Studies Mathematics or English can add global credibility and competitiveness.

As career fields evolve, it’s also worth noting the rise of technology, digital skills, and sustainability subjects. Information Technology, Computer Applications Technology, Geography, and Life Sciences are increasingly relevant in today’s world.

When it comes to choosing a subject, parents are crucial, but they should help, not dictate. Do not force your own tastes on your child or make them relive your school days. Instead, have candid discussions free from bias. Honour their uniqueness and assist them in taking responsibility for their choices. When combined, YENZA and other tools can transform a potentially stressful process into one that empowers.

Selecting subjects in Grade 9 involves more than just checking boxes, it also involves determining a path that aligns with your child’s skills, passions and long-term goals. Early preparation, trustworthy resources like YENZA and encouraging parental participation can help your child make decisions that will boost their confidence now and open doors for them in the future.

Trinityhouse’s Class Of 2024 Soars To New Heights!

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 13:30:06 GMT

Celebrating Academic and Educational Excellence

Trinityhouse Schools are proud to announce the outstanding achievements of the Class of 2024 in the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams. With 267 matriculants across four campuses in Gauteng, this year’s results are a testament to the school group’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and holistic education.

The Class of 2024 achieved a 100% pass rate across all campuses, with an impressive 99% Bachelor Degree pass rate and an average of 2.43 distinctions per candidate . These exceptional outcomes reflect Trinityhouse’s dedication to fostering well-rounded learners who excel academically, spiritually, and personally.

Brand Academic Head of Trinityhouse, Sumari Purdon, commended the learners, stating:
“Our Class of 2024 has raised the bar for academic excellence. Their dedication, resilience, and wholehearted embrace of our holistic educational philosophy shine through in these remarkable results. We are thrilled that 99% of our students qualify for university degree studies, and both Trinityhouse Centurion and Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge achieved a 100% Bachelor Degree pass rate. This is a testament to the exceptional dedication of our students and teachers alike.”

IEB Outstanding Achievement: Students achieving within the top 5% nationally in six or more subjects and scoring 80% or more in Life Orientation. These students include:

· Declan Swanepoel – Trinityhouse Little Falls

· Rhys Tyler Feldman – Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

· Niquita Ann McHugh – Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

· Charlotte Helena Josephine Petrick – Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

IEB Commendable Achievement: Students achieving within the top 5% nationally in five subjects and scoring 80% or more in Life Orientation. These students include:

· Erin Pretious – Trinityhouse Little Falls

· Sisipho Swana – Trinityhouse Little Falls

· Zoe Femke Koster – Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

· Saiyuri Rampathi – Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

· Riya Umang Vaish – Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

Among the highlights, Charlotte Helena Josephine Petrick and Kelly Nicole Gravette achieved an incredible 9 distinctions , while 10 students earned 8 distinctions , including Declan Swanepoel , Rhys Tyler Feldman , and Niquita Ann McHugh .

58 students achieved an average of 80% or above , and 98 students scored an average of 70% or higher , showcasing the remarkable dedication and hard work of the Class of 2024.

The newer campuses, Trinityhouse Glenvista and Trinityhouse Centurion, continued to shine, each achieving a 100% pass rate for the second consecutive year. These results underline their growing reputation for fostering academic and personal excellence.

Trinityhouse Schools remain dedicated to nurturing future leaders through rigorous academics, a strong Christian ethos, and diverse extracurricular programmes. To learn more about joining this inspiring community, visit the Trinityhouse website or attend the Open Day on 1 March 2025 .

Applications for Grade 8 scholarships are now open, providing a gateway to a future of unparalleled opportunities.

Life after Matric

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 05:37:01 GMT

You’ve passed Grade 12 and the whole world lies ahead. What’s next?

It feels like your whole life has been leading up to the last day of high school, right? Twelve years of schooling and you’re finally set to start living freely, following your own path, and reaching your life’s goals. While hearing that school bell ring for the last time is no doubt something you have been looking forward to, it is also quite normal to feel a little bit confused, stressed and even overwhelmed about what comes next.

It’s possible that the thought of choosing a career and starting at university feels daunting, or that you haven’t yet made up your mind about exactly what it is that you want to do for the rest of your life. And that’s all okay. Part of life after Matric is knowing that life is a journey, not a destination. And much like any journey, there could be some bumps and detours along the way – the trick is learning, growing, and enjoying the process. Here are a few ideas on how to get started on the ride that is life after Matric:

1. Pursue further studies

The most commonly pursued post-Matric option is starting tertiary studies at a university or college straight after Grade 12. You’ll likely know all about this option already, but what you may not know are the challenges you may face after leaving school and pursuing your degree, diploma or certification.

Firstly, you may not have achieved the marks needed to attend the university you want, or for the courses you want to take. This is not the end of the world, promise! You could rewrite the subjects required. Investigate taking a bridging course, or even consider a different course or tertiary institution altogether. Ask advice from a past teacher or from the university or college you’ve applied to for more information on what you should do.

If you aren’t able to attend the university you wanted to, there are other study options open to you. Consider distance learning, a private college, or FET college to get started. However, always make sure that the institution you are interested in is properly accredited with the necessary educational bodies.

And if you do start at varsity and feel like it’s just not for you, or that you’d rather investigate a different career path, that’s okay too. Deciding what to study and work in for the rest of your life is a big one, and we don’t all get it right the first time around. 30 to 40% of students drop out of their first year at university in SA.

2. Find a mentor

Remember that ‘life is a journey’ thing we mentioned? Well, it’s not a journey you have to take all by yourself. Having the support, insight, and guidance of a mentor can help you in the decisions you’ll be making now. This should be someone who has some life experience and who you can trust and depend on. Consider approaching a senior member of your community, a life coach, or even a person in the career field you’re interested in to become a mentor for you.

3. Look into an internship or learnership

There’s also a possibility that you could work while learning and studying on the job. This is called a learnership (sometimes an internship) and occurs through one of the 21 SETAs (Sector Education and Training Authorities). This means that you work in a specific field, learn while you go, and undertake studies, all while being paid a small salary, which is called a stipend. Look here for more on this.

4. Consider a gap year

If the pressure of deciding on a career path and life goals right now feels like too much, you don’t have to decide right now. You could consider taking a gap year. But be warned: this is not the time for you to sleep late or play video games all day! The best way to use this time to its full potential is to spend it productively.

This could be traveling and working in another country, as many SA youths spend time abroad working as waiters, au pairs, nannies, etc. This is a great way to explore the broader world while learning how to be self-sufficient and figure out a few things on the way. Look at some opportunities at CCUSA as a start.

You could also do this locally, so look around for work opportunities or even volunteering options. South Africa has many NGOs that need keen helpers. These could be close to home, or even in another city or province to give you a chance to spread your wings a bit.

5. Whatever you do, do it for yourself

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that life is all about change. No matter what you end up deciding to do after Matric (or however many bumps there are in the road ahead), do it because it’s something you want, and not because it’s what society or your loved ones deem acceptable. The biggest part of the journey that lies ahead is that it is yours.

Resources:

https://www.postmatric.co.za/guidance-where-to-next-plan-your-future/

https://issuu.com/independentnewspapers/docs/top_100_matric_digimag_040321/s/11838763

Anxious about your Matric results? Here’s how to cope

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 07:40:19 GMT

Waiting for your Grade 12 results can be a stressful time, but don’t let the pressure get to you.

As if all the studying, stress, and sleepless nights of your final Matric exams isn’t enough, then comes the long wait to get your final results! And that wait can be excruciating. On the one hand you may be full of excitement to start the next chapter of your life, but on the other hand the ‘what-ifs’ can play with your brain.

You are not alone. Thousands of learners are in the same boat.

The anticipation of the release of the Matric results can have you feeling a range of emotions. Feeling excited, stressed, anxious and more are all quite normal at this time. However, the pressure to live up to the expectations of your family, friends, teachers, and even yourself, could leave you feeling overwhelmed.

Whether you’re worried about getting that distinction or not, whether you’ll be able to study further in the way you want to, or you’re worried that you’ve failed, dealing with this stress in healthy ways will help you get through this tense period.

Tips to deal with the stress

Be kind to yourself

This always sounds like a trite tip but treating yourself with empathy and care is very important during periods of anxiety. What this means is looking after yourself physically by eating nutritious food and getting enough sleep. It also means looking after yourself mentally and emotionally. Try not to be too critical of yourself – you have done everything you can to ensure good results.

Don’t hide from the anxiety

If you are struggling with negative emotions, try to face them head-on. For example, follow these steps to bring yourself back to the present:

Name the emotion and focus on how it makes you feel physically. You may be feeling anxious, and this makes your shoulders tense up, or your chest feel tight. Just notice the feeling, try not to let yourself get caught up in it.
Focus on your breathing. Fill your lungs with air completely, then use your diaphragm to breath it out.
Now take your focus outwards. Notice what is around you by naming five things you can see, four things you can hear, three things you can smell, two things you can touch. This lets you know that even though you have difficult thoughts and feelings, there is still a world around you and you are part of that world.
You could even ‘ground’ yourself by pushing your feet into the floor or surface you’re standing on.

Keep busy

Keep up your hobbies, physical activity, and social life while you wait. Exercise is a great way to deal with stress, as your body releases feel-good endorphins that help you deal with the physical effects of stress. Think about taking up volunteering or taking up a part-time job during this time. The point is to keep your mind off the wait by giving yourself purpose and by having fun.

Talk to your parents – really!

It may have been a million years ago, but your parents have been through this before. They’ve also had to cope with many moments of stress and anxiety in life. Let them know how you’re feeling and that you need their support during this time. You could even have a calm, friendly chat with them about your expectations of this support – let them know that saying things like, “There are bigger things to worry about in life,” or, “Don’t worry, it’s all going to be fine,” make you feel like they’re dismissing your feelings.

Look at the bigger picture

It’s not going to feel like it now, but your life and future do not depend on these results. You can and will be successful regardless of the outcome – because success in life is about facing and overcoming challenges to reach your goals.

Where to find more support

If you’re disappointed with your results, you do have quite a few options open to you:

If you’ve missed a distinction or have failed by a few points, look into having your paper remarked. You could also write a supplementary exam. Chat to your principal about your options here.

If you haven’t achieved the exemption needed to study at a certain tertiary institute, or to pursue a certain course, you could pursue bridging courses or look at attending other types of institutions. Chat to the institution you’ve applied to, or want to attend, for more information.

Don’t wait to get help!

If you’re experiencing depression or debilitating anxiety (and especially if this goes on for more than a couple of weeks), experiencing loss of appetite or trouble sleeping, or you’re having thoughts of hurting yourself, reach out for help:

Lifeline : 011 422 4242 or 0861 322 322

SADAG (The South African Depression and Anxiety Group):

National 24-hour Helpline: 0800 12 13 14

Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567

Resources

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240003927

https://www.iol.co.za/education/schools/dealing-with-stress-and-anxiety-whilst-waiting-for-your-matric-results-ea46ba11-7796-413c-8af4-5a42cc842181

What You Need To Know About Maths Literacy

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 08:28:57 GMT

Parents! We know what you’re thinking: ‘Maths Lit’ is the new Standard Grade Maths from when you were at school. We know you are totally against the “drop” because it will put your child in a box and limit their opportunities for future careers in Rocket Science.

However, Maths Literacy is not Standard Grade Maths.

What is Mathematics Literacy?

Instead of being a watered-down version of Maths Core or Pure Maths, Maths Lit is a unique offering. It focuses on things such as calculating income tax, calculating budgets and investments, interpreting statistics, working out loan repayments and interest, and other commonplace matters that relate to figures. It’s a more practical subject that relates to the real world on a day-to-day basis.

What is Mathematics Core or Pure Mathematics?

Here learners deal with theories and concepts that aren’t necessarily experienced in everyday life. This subject focuses on algebra, trigonometry, and basic calculus. It’s the type of mathematics that studies concepts, numbers, and shapes, and the relationships between them. The basis of the subject is to teach learners to think critically when problem-solving and use a lot of abstract thinking.

University and Careers with Maths Literacy

The bottom line is that whether you take Maths Core or Maths Lit, hard work and dedication are needed; there’s no ‘get out of jail free’ card here.

You may also think it’s too early for your Grade 9 child to decide what they want to do with the rest of their lives, which will determine the subjects they must choose for Grade 10. But the hard truth is that the subject choices your children make now could affect the opportunities they have in the future.

Universities, colleges, and other tertiary education institutions have certain Mathematics requirements for the courses and qualifications they offer. It’s a good idea to investigate this as you help your child choose between Mathematics Literacy and Pure/Core Maths. When it comes to pursuing a future in STEM-related fields, Pure/ Core Maths is a minimum requirement for acceptance into university courses.

Careers that require Pure / Core Maths:

Medicine
Engineering
Economics and analytics
Genetics
Accounting
Physics
IT

If your child is more artistically or linguistically inclined, Mathematics Literacy could be the way to go. For further studies and qualifications in the arts and social sciences, Mathematics Literacy is a minimum requirement.

Careers that require Math Literacy:

Advertising and marketing
TV, radio, and film
Teaching and academia
Politics and Advocacy
Writing and publishing
Law
And more

Do your research! Whether you spend time with your child researching different career fields and the minimum study requirements for these, or if you rely on a career counselor to unlock your child’s interests and passions, make sure that the subjects your child chooses for Grade 10 will help them study what they want to after school. You may also have to assess that what they want to study is realistic for them. If you need to, seek career guidance from a professional or psychologist.

If you want to do it yourself, then there are a few local career guidance questionnaires that can be found with an online search. At Trinityhouse Schools, we understand the importance of choosing the right subjects for each student’s career path.

Trinityhouse has partnered with Yenza , a smart career platform that guides and develops individuals along a personalised pathway toward career success.

Yenza

Yenza offers built assessments that use a data-driven, integrated approach to understand the whole individual to accurately guide them toward career success. The platform has a suite of E.Q and I.Q assessments for schools, universities, and corporations and provides students with personalized guidance and recommendations to help them decide on the best career path for themselves.

Over and above the career consideration, you need to consider the well-being of your child. If your child is battling with Pure / Core Maths, and getting bad grades, this can affect their overall point score in matric, not to mention their confidence. Children who are doing well in Maths Lit may not pursue the STEM careers they hoped for, but they will get better points for university exemption and may just be happier children overall.

At the end of the day, the decision is guided heavily by who your child is and what they want to do, so take the time to learn all the facts.

Mathematics: Literacy vs Pure and Technical Maths

What's the Difference Between Pure Math and Math Lit?

Mathematics Thought Leadership: Core maths vs maths literacy

Maths Subjects

Choosing Mathematical Literacy As a Subject

Trinityhouse has partnered with Yenza

Raising Kind Kids: Teaching Your kids (and the family) Kindness

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 13:37:08 GMT

Here’s why you should cultivate kindness in your children (and family members) through good deeds and acts of kindness.

It goes by many names – kindness, compassion, empathy, generosity, helping others, and more – but love for others is certainly something that can make the world a better place. According to the Making Caring Common project , “We should work to cultivate children’s concern for others because it’s fundamentally the right thing to do, and also because when children can empathise with and take responsibility for others, they’re likely to be happier and more successful people.”

“ Be nice to your sister ,” “ Always stand up for your friends ” and, “ Never tease anyone ,” are common parenting refrains the world over. Yet, in a fast-paced, achievement-focused digital world , teaching real compassion to our children can feel like a serious challenge. Raising a generation of really “good people” is possible – it’s all about making kindness a habit.

Teaching kindness to your kids

The building blocks of kindness lie in emotional intelligence (called EQ), which is really all about understanding, managing, and using one’s emotions to communicate, overcome challenges, resolve conflict, and empathise with others. Rather than a personality trait, kindness is just a skill in the EQ skill set. Here are some ways to teach this skill to your children:

1. Talk about it

Because the foundation of kindness is EQ, being able to identify, talk about and work through their feelings is the first step in a child growing into a kind person. So, talk about what kindness means, how it makes people feel, why someone would need kindness and what this looks like. You could think of reading books about kindness together or, when reading any book, point to the characters and ask your child to tell you how they’re feeling.

2. Focus on kindness

When it comes to caring for others, children need to learn how to balance their own needs with those of others, as well be able to put these moments into practise.

Ask your child: “What was the nicest thing someone did for you today?” or “What nice thing do you think you can do for someone tomorrow?” Respect for others is also a big part of teaching kindness, and you could bring this in by teaching your child to always greet and treat other with respect even when they’re angry tired or upset.

3. Celebrate good deeds

Take care to notice the small acts of kindness your child shows – whether that be picking you a little flower on your trip to the park or sharing their half-eaten biscuit with you. Kindness starts by caring for someone other than yourself, so praise your child’s efforts and encourage more kindness. Tell them, “It’s so kind of you to share your favourite treat with Mom!” As they grow older, it becomes even more important to affirm their kind actions.

4. Be a model of kindness

As with most things in this job of parenting, you are your child’s best role model when teaching kindness. So, think about joining a school or community project, volunteering as a family and donating to local causes to help your child see what kindness looks like (and that it does require commitment).

With older children, you could also chat about empathy, kindness, etc. by working through moral dilemmas with them. For example, “What do you think I should do if one of my friends says something about one of my other friends?” You could also pause a movie or series and start a dialogue about something that has come up for a character in the story.

5. Make the circle bigger

Because kindness is about showing care and concern for others, it’s something that needs to extend beyond our core circle of friends and family. Yes, your child’s immediate circle is important but there’s a bigger picture to consider too.

Think about the children at school, the people in your community, our society. This isn’t to make them feel responsible for everyone, but to understand that we can practise and spread kindness everywhere. A good way to do this is to do good deeds and practice acts of kindness as a family.

Here are 10 acts of kindness to do as a family

1. Collect old (but in good condition) toys to donate to a local orphanage

2. Offer to babysit for friends so they can enjoy a date night out

3. Donate old books to a doctor or dentist’s office or to a rural library

4. Learn a joke to share with the teller at the till of your local shop

5. Offer to help an elderly or sick neighbour with household chores or around the garden

6. Take a meal to a family who needs it (they’ve had a new baby, or a bereavement, or have been ill)

7. Share some treats with your school’s staff, just to say thanks

8. Donate DVDs, books, puzzles to a care home for the elderly

9. Volunteer at local charities and causes

10. Smile – a random act of kindness goes a long way to warming the hearts of others.

Sources:

7 Tips for Raising Caring Kids

Raising kind kids: 9 daily habits to teach kids kindness

3 Simple Rules To Raise Kind Kids

52 Acts of Kindness for Families with Young Children

Family Conversation Starters: Fun Topics For Everyone

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:50:33 GMT

When kids are small, they are often extremely forthcoming with information – so much so that sometimes you must beg them to stop sharing. As kids grow up, information sharing becomes less frequent. One day, you'll find yourself wondering what question you can ask that will give you more than a one-word answer!

Conversations are an important part of family life. They are the key to any successful relationship and offer family members understanding and a sense of belonging. So encouraging your family to speak to each other is what all parents should be doing to create an open, supportive and loving family environment.

What are the benefits of having family conversations?

Besides understanding one another and deepening the bond of trust between child and parent, here are some other benefits to starting conversations with your family:

Language development

To develop language and conversation skills young children need many opportunities to talk. Daily conversations will help your children express their thoughts, get what they need, resolve conflict, ask for help, and to learn from adults and from one another. All of this will have a positive effect on your child’s language development.

Intentional family communication is foundational and long-lasting

Families are primarily composed of involuntary relationships that are often widespread with emotional intensity, subtle innuendo, and histories of both great pleasure and intense grievances. When there is good communication between family members, learning becomes collaborative, accomplishments are acknowledged, problems are recognised, and solutions are provided. That’s the basis of any healthy relationship.

Healthy family communication builds social skills and cultivates good behaviour

Meaningful family conversations are so important to the overall health and growth of your family. Rely on open-ended questions that allows your family member to speak.

Always ask follow-up questions to draw out more details and keep the conversation going. These conversations are a good way to build relationships with your family and can greatly reduce stress and anxiety. Conversation is also a skill that in the future will assist and facilitate interactions in many different environments.

Respect the silence

Positive communication can be about respecting someone’s desire not to talk. Positive communication is about listening without judgment and expressing your own thoughts and feelings openly and respectfully.

It helps everyone in the family feel understood, respected and valued, and this strengthens your relationships. If you mention a topic that your child is uncomfortable discussing, respect his or her wishes and move on. They will come back to that topic once they are more comfortable.

Teach children about the non-verbal cues

Non-verbal communication is really important too. Effective understanding of non-verbal cues is the balancing of both words and movements in conversation.

Create an activity that will highlight these cues. For example, play the silent communication game where you are not allowed to talk. Use your body to let others know how you feel. [Side note: eye rolling is a non-verbal cure frequently understood and used by teenagers].

Family Topics & Conversion Starters

Probably the most important thing about family conversations is that they don’t actually need to be serious. Laughing and having fun can achieve togetherness just as much as a ‘deep-and-meaningful’. With that in mind, here are some fun conversation starters for your family:

What’s the earliest childhood memory you have?
What is your favourite thing about your family?
What will your life be like 20 years from now?
If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
How would you change the world if you could?
What is the best book you have ever read?
What do you know a lot about, that you could teach others?
What qualities do you admire in other people?
What would your superhero power be?
If you could change the world, what would you do
What is favorite family tradition?

A great book on this topic has been written by authors Gary Chapman and Ramon Presson. Both authors developed a treasure trove of 101 fun and thought-provoking questions to help families get the conversation started. These are available at C.U.M Books and are well worth the read.

So, to recap, it is really important to keep the lines of communication open with your family. Remember to ask the right questions and to listen to the answers. You may just learn a thing or two about the people closest to you.

Sources

10 Super fun sibling conversation starters

101 Conversation Starters

Inspired by : 45 Family Friendly Conversation Starters When You’re Stuck at Home

Our Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge Family is expanding in 2023!

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 13 Jun 2022 12:52:50 GMT

We are so proud and excited to announce that our Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge campus will finally be extending our family to include a brand-new Grade 0000 class in 2023.

Over the years we have been inundated with requests to extend our offering to include a Grade 0000 class and we have worked hard to prepare for this inclusion. We are finally ready to make the announcement that Grade 0000 is coming and we are so excited to be opening our arms to our newest ‘littlies’ in 2023.

Grade 0000 caters for children aged from two to three years old and is an extremely important addition to the Pre-Primary school’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) offering.

No longer are the earlier Grades such as Grade 0, Grade 00, Grade 000, and Grade 0000 simply about preparation for Grade 1 and the Primary School years. Early Grades are about the holistic development of a child’s emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and creative needs – all of which are vital to producing well-adjusted little human beings.

To highlight just two of the examples: Social Skills would entail learning to take turns, to share and to work together as a team, while Creative Skills learnt through cultural activities is the ability to think about a task or a problem in a different way, or the ability to use the imagination to generate new ideas.

The developmental benefits are obvious, but Grade 0000 will also offer your child two very important factors:

1. Routine and

2. Family

Routine:

It is a well-documented fact that early routine offers a child:

· Safety and security

· Preparation to deal with change in a safe environment

· Behaviour management - as children learn early what is expected of them

· Strong foundation for their school years ahead

Family

Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge boasts something unique and very special; we are a family with strong Christian values and an undeniable community bond. The school community offers all our children support, encouragement, and unconditional love from Garde 0000 through to our Trinityhouse high school. By joining this campus in Grade 0000, your child will belong to this unbelievable community for even longer, extending the bond that exists between all our members – pupils, parents, and teachers.

There is no greater place for your two-year-old to be than at Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge in the new Grade 0000. So don’t delay, take a virtual tour, or register today by clicking on one of the links below.

Secure your spot .

Book a tour of our Randpark Ridge campus

Or for more information contact the school directly on the contact details below:

Trinythouse Randpark Ridge Pre-primary ((Pre-Primary, Preparatory, High School in Randburg).

Tel:(011) 794–8564

Email: dpage@trinityhouse.co.za

How To Teach Your Children Resilience

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 10:30:30 GMT

Building Resilient Children

As much as you try and protect them, your children will at some time face tough times. You will hear complaints about: nobody wanting to play with them; being accused falsely; making a mistake and being judged for it; being rejected or ignored. You cannot stop those tears, but what you can do is teach them to bounce back.

Here are some thoughts and activities to build resilience in your children:

The 3 Ps to tell your children:

1. Permanence: The turning wheel

A good way to talk to your children about resilience is to explain that our lives are like a turning wheel. Teach your kids that sometimes we are on top of the wheel, where things are good and times are happy. Sometimes, the wheel turns and we find ourselves on the bottom of the wheel, going through tough times and challenges.

The point is that the wheel is always turning and when we are on the bottom we need to work though it to help that wheel move back up towards the top again.

2. Positivity: Reframing your thoughts

We need to teach our children how to deal with negative thoughts. If left, negative thoughts become self-beliefs and will mould children in the future. Every negative thought needs to be turned into positive thinking.

For example, when a child thinks, ‘I am bad because I did something wrong’, you can help reframe their thoughts by saying, “It’s true, you made a mistake but your mistakes helped you to learn a lesson. Now you know something that you didn’t know before."

3. Perspective: The mountain

Getting kids to see perspective of their problems is key to overcoming the challenge. A good example is to pick a mountain and to explain that the mountain remains a mountain, day in and day out, no matter the problem, no matter the worry, the mountain remains. When a child is faced with a worry that has them off-balance, they need to think of the mountain and how it stands tall because it is bigger than the small problems that passes it by.

Three games to build resilience:

1. Make a worry jar

Being able to recognise feelings is key to developing resilience. What’s more, talking about things also helps. With a worry jar, you get to start conversations with your child about life’s tough stuff without them having to dominate your lives.

First, talk to your child about any worries or fears they may have. Say something like, “Have you been thinking about problems or scary things lately? It’s normal to think about your problems, it’s called worrying.

So today, we’re going to give your worries a place to go so you can feel a bit better, we’re going to make a Worry Jar.” Help them to write these down or draw pictures of them on pieces of paper. Next, decorate a large glass or plastic jar – use paint, stickers, markers, whatever your child wants.

Then it’s time to put the worries you drew or wrote down into the jar and explain what this process is all about to your child. “This Worry Jar is a place to put your worries so they don’t get too big – you can put your worries in here any time.

Talking about your worries also helps, and you can always tell me about what’s bothering you.” This should give you an opportunity to explore the worries your child has and talk about them openly, explore possible solutions with them, model resilience and (most of all) let your child know that they have your support no matter what.

2. Play musical chairs

This old childhood game is a great one for resilience, as it teaches your child that you don’t always win – and that that’s okay! It’s one of the hardest lessons to learn for a child, so why not have some fun while you’re at it?

Gather some friends or family members to play with and at the end of the game, talk about how it felt to be without a seat and having to sit out the game. Being the odd one out brings with it some surprisingly strong emotions, and this game helps children learn how to cope with those feelings.

3. What’s the hard part?

Problem-solving is key to resilience. Help your little one develop problem solving skills in the moments where they are frustrated.

If you see them feeling discouraged or wanting to give up on something, ask them, “What’s the hard part?” When they answer you, repeat it back to them so that you help them identify the challenge clearly. Then ask them what they could do to ‘fix’ the hard part.

For example, “Figuring out how to connect those Lego blocks is hard. What could you do to fix it?” This encourages them to persevere and find solutions, even if it takes time to do it. Let them figure it out on their own, guiding them if you need to – but don’t solve the problem for them (“What would happen if you turned the block around?” for example).

Characteristics of a resilient child (what we are aiming for):

Solves problems effectively
Asserts themselves
Shows initiative
Shows empathy towards others
Is self-aware of their abilities
Can act independently
Asks for help when its needed
Is secure in their own ideas
Is motivated to do their best
Adapts when things don’t go to plan
Has a generally positive attitude

A child’s resilience has more to do with their connection to people, their confidence in their own abilities, and how they are enabled to cope with life’s problems than anything else. And it is something that is constantly under development, so there are always moments and ways to help your child develop this life skill.

Sources

9 Activities To Build Grit and Resilience in Children

Helpful Emotional Resilience Activities for Kids

Resilience guide for parents and teachers

Anxiety in Kids and Teens

Resilience: how to build it in children 3-8 year

Five Easter Crafts You Will Love

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:09:52 GMT

Easter Sunday is a special holiday in our Christian calendar because it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But it is also a special day for families because it’s a day to share time, share appreciation, share stories and to share in the fun of some easy Easter crafts. This Easter holiday, let the egg-citement begin with these fun, family-friendly activities for kids - of all ages.

Activity 1: Pipe Cleaner Eggs

An easy take on the Easter decorations aspect of Easter fun, and one that will engage fine motor skills too

What you need:

· Dry, clean and cooled boiled eggs

· Or polystyrene craft eggs

· Colourful pipe cleaners

· Crafting glue

How to do it:

1. Attach one end of a pipe cleaner to the top of the egg using a dot of glue and allow to dry.

2. Wrap the pipe cleaner around the egg, taking care to keep the coils close together so that the egg is covered.

3. Use dots of glue as you go to secure the pipe cleaner to the egg.

4. Cut off the excess piece of pipe cleaner once you get to the bottom of the egg.

5. You may need three or four pipe cleaners per egg.

Activity 2: Salt Dough Flower Eggs

This Easter craft idea is a goodie for a secret lesson on measuring and counting with the ingredients as you go.

What you need:

· ½ cup of table salt

· ½ cup warm (not boiling) water

· 1 cup cake flour

· 2 Tbsp sunflower or canola oil

· Food colouring

· Plastic wrap

· Egg-shaped cookie cutter or knife

· Rolling pin

· Skewer or straw

· Small flowers or herbs

· Ribbon

How to do it:

1. Mix the water and salt together in a large bowl until it is fully dissolved.

2. Add two or three drops of food colouring of your choice and stir until fully combined.

3. Add the flour and mix until you have a crumbly dough mixture. Get your child to use their hands to make this dough, breaking up any large clumps to combine it all well.

4. Add the oil and continue to mix with the hands until fully combined.

5. Form the dough into a ball and cover tightly with plastic wrap.

6. Set this aside for 10 minutes.

7. Sprinkle your work surface and rolling pin with flour, and help your child roll out the dough until it’s about half a centimetre thick.

8. Use the cookie cutter or a knife to cut out egg shapes.

9. Use the skewer or straw to punch a small hole through the top of the egg shapes.

10. Press the herbs or flowers into the dough to make impressions.

11. Bake in the oven at 90°C for about two hours (or air-dry overnight)

12. If you like, paint the dry eggs using acrylic or craft paint.

13. Thread a ribbon through the hole and hang your pretty crafts up

Activity 3: Pot Bunny

These make cute gifts, or you could pot a pretty plant in them and use them as centerpieces on your Easter lunch table.

What you need :

· Clay flowerpot in the size of your choice

· Acrylic craft paint in white and pink

· Paint brushes

· Permanent marker

· Googly eyes (2 per pot)

· Craft foam or cardboard in white and pink

· Scissors

· Pencil

· Craft glue or glue gun

How to do it:

1. Paint the flowerpot with the white paint and allow to dry

2. While that’s drying, draw bunny ear shapes and two bunny paw shapes on the white craft foam and cut them out.

3. Draw smaller bunny ear shapes (for the inner ear) and a small triangle for the nose on the pink foam and cut them out.

4. Stick the pink inner ears onto the white ears.

5. Next, paint the cheeks onto the white bunny pot by using the pink paint to make two circles and paint an inverted triangle on for the nose.

6. One that’s dry, stick the googly eyes, ears and paws onto the flower pot to form the bunny’s features.

7. Lastly, draw the bunny’s mouth and whispers on using the marker.

Activity 4: Easter Bunny Wreath

This something cute gets those hand muscled working (and uses up any extra wool supplies you may have lying around).

What you need:

· 2 to 3 balls of white wool (or coloured wool of your choice)

· Sturdy cardboard for wreath

· White and pink craft paper or cardboard

· Ribbon

· Pencil

· Craft knife

· Scissors

· Glue

How to do it:

1. Get your child to wrap the wool around their hand 10 to 25 times (depending on how full you want your pom-pom).

2. Cut the string of wool off from the ball and gently slide the loops of wool of your child’s hand.

3. Thread a string of wool around the middle of the loops of wool, tighten and tie a knot

4. Cut the two end pieces of the loop so that it’s tied in the middle with loose ends all around.

5. Fluff the ends out and trim them so that they form an even, fluffy ball.

6. Repeat this process until you have about 12 pom poms.

7. Now, draw a circle with a diameter of about 25cm onto the cardboard. Draw a smaller circle inside of this so that you have a wreath shape that’s about 6cm wide.

8. Cut this out using the craft knife.

9. Glue the pom poms onto this wreathe shape, making sure that all the carboard is covered.

10. Draw two bunny ear shapes onto the white paper and two smaller bunny ear shapes onto the pink paper and cut these out.

11. Glue the pink ear shapes onto the white ones and glue these ears to the wreath (it’s best to glue them onto the back side).

12. Attach your ribbon to the wreath and hang it up.

Activity 5: Easter Bunny T-shirt

This is a more involved craft, but the result is a cute top that can be worn at Easter events.

What you’ll need:

· Fabric paint in 2 to 3 colours of your choice

· White T-shirt

· Paper

· Pencil

· Small eraser (the one on the tip of a pencil is perfect)

· Craft knife

· Scissors

· Paper plate or paint palette

How to do it:

· Draw a bunny shape onto a piece of paper and cut this out.

· Use the craft knife to cut out a flower shape on the eraser – this will be the stamp.

· Place the bunny shape onto the centre of the T-shirt, you can secure it in place using safety pins.

· Place some paint onto the paper plate or paint palette.

· Dip the stamp into the paint and stamp this onto the T-shirt, around and over the bunny shape.

· Concentrate the stamping around the edge of the bunny shape so that it forms a silhouette on the shirt.

· Allow to dry and remove the bunny-shaped paper – some fabric paints have additional setting instructions, so be sure to follow those for the paint you’ve used.

Sources

Festive Easter Crafts Kids and Adults Will Love

Easter-stamped Easter Bunny Shirt

Easter Flower Pots

Easy DIY Pom Pom Easter Bunny Wreath

Image credit

(image from: Festive Easter Crafts Kids and Adults Will Love

(image from: Easy DIY Pom Pom Easter Bunny Wreath

(image from: Easter-stamped Easter Bunny Shirt

10 Habits of Rising Stars: Highly Effective Teens

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 07:37:32 GMT

You figure yourself out more during your adolescence than at any other time in your life. It’s an incredible and scary time filled with tough issues and life-changing decisions.

Here are ten teen life hacks to help you rise to be the star you are.

1. It gets better

Almost every middle-aged person on the planet will tell you this: no matter how good or bad your teen years are, life gets better. You get better-looking, or at least more stylish.

You learn to laugh at yourself more, and suddenly the opinion of others doesn’t matter at all. You like yourself better. So on the bad days, tell yourself: this is a learning curve and it WILL get better.

2. Body Beautiful

Making peace with the way you look can be a lifelong struggle, if you allow it. Develop an early appreciation for the amazing vehicle that your body is - you’ll save yourself so much unnecessary trouble.

Besides, yours is the generation that turned its back on body shaming, so we think you’ll manage this one. Try this: look at yourself in the mirror before your shower and say one positive thing about your body every day. Remember, not everything you see on Social Media is real or attainable so, aspire to be no one else but yourself.

3. Don’t abuse you

Related: don’t put stuff in your body that’s bad for it. Alcohol, tobacco, performance-enhancing drugs, any recreational drugs at all, too much food, too little food… Get it? Nobody looks at themselves at 40 and is happy they started smoking. Nobody!

4. One bite at a time

Sometimes, you tell yourself, “I MUST study!” and then you sit down and you have no idea where to begin. That’s because “must study” is vague and unhelpful. Yes, we know the Maths exam at the end of your high school career will test all your

knowledge, but right now, today, you feel unsure about the quadratic equations you did in class.

So say this instead: “Today, at home, I will spend half an hour rereading the chapter on quadratic equations, and I will practice five examples.” That’s attainable.

Many things in life are like this, that’s why we have the saying “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Just take that first bite.

5. Forgive yourself

Learning to forgive yourself is not only one of the most valuable teen hacks but a valuable lesson you will carry with you throughout your life. No person on earth has it all figured out. You keep on learning and changing throughout your life, so don’t think the choices and mistakes you make when you are a teen are going to be everything.

(The pace of change slows down in adulthood though - and thank goodness, because who can sustain the intensity of puberty?)

The best people resist becoming rigid and boring in their old age. If you’ve made a mistake, learn from it. Now let it go and move on.

6. Do unto others…

Whether it’s how you speak to a friend, how you compete in a match, and how you treat a girlfriend or boyfriend, don’t behave in a way that would upset you if someone did it to you. Simple!

More importantly, 'seek first to understand then to be understood', remember to pay attention to others too, listen and be kind. It is easy to become an egocentric teen, caught up in your own world but remember there are others around you and a whole world out there so, pay attention.

7. Listen to the voice

Peer pressure when you're a teen is real but everybody has an instinct so do your best to follow it. If something feels wrong, it is usually your little voice inside sounding a warning. Whether it’s telling you that you’re getting a “no” feeling about something you are doing, or that a certain person is untrustworthy, or that you probably shouldn’t lie to your parents about meeting up with a stranger you connected with online, listen!

The little voice is rarely wrong, and giving it airtime boosts its power. It will help you your whole life long.

8. Do it anyway

You may not be the best hockey player. Play anyway. Public speaking may frighten you. Give it a go, once, anyway.

Yes, you can’t load your plate with every single activity, and you do have to be selective, but don’t be afraid to try out and to be rejected once in a while. It’s a reminder that rejection, (while awful), is part of life.

Your crush wants to break up. A friendship hasn’t worked out. A university hasn’t accepted you for the course you want. But you’ll have the resilience to overcome the disappointment.

9. Look for the fun

While it can be hard, adolescence is also intensely fun. Make sure you don’t get caught up in cranky parents rolling their eyes or the stresses and problems of the day. Look for the fun, find it, laugh and be a kid.

10. Ask for help

Everyone gets overwhelmed. We can’t stress this one enough: asking for help when you are not coping is a sign of wisdom, not weakness! Speak to a parent, teacher, friend or call Lifeline on 08 000 55 555 if you feel desperate. There are people who can and want to help you.

Nurturing The Dream: 10 Dream Careers Of Children

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 12:02:22 GMT

10 Dream Careers of children and how to nurture the interest while it lasts.

Teacher, fireman, astronaut... We've all heard these options flow from the imaginations of our kids as they make their future 'Dream Career' lists.

However, the truth is that your baby may want to be a game ranger today but a ballerina or musician and a movie star tomorrow, so strike while the iron is hot! Here are the top 10 kids’ future dream careers and our suggested activities, crafts and games to keep the dream alive - for now anyway.

1. DANCER / CHOREOGRAPHER

TikTok has taken over the world and 16-year-old Charli D'Amelio and 19-year-old Addison Rae are now the world's biggest dancing stars and top earners! So, it's no surprise that dancing and choreography is on the popular careers list for kids, with every pre-to-late teen wanting to hit it big by busting some moves. And what better way to get into the swing of things than by watching Disney's Teen Beach Movie dance tutorial, taught by the movie stars, Ross Lynch and Maia Mitchell, themselves!

Click here to join the video tutorial!

2. ACTOR

Childhood dream jobs often include becoming a famous actor one day. Here's a cool drama game to get your kids creating various scenes and characters. The game is called 'It’s Mine, It’s Yours!' The game features two kids and one stuffed toy.

3. GAME RANGER

It comes with the territory, literally, but becoming a game ranger is on the dream career list of many young African-born children thanks to our Big 5 heritage and often experiences one-on-one. For younger kids, enhance their interest by helping them make "Spoor Slip Slops".

This will entail:

1. Your kids investigating different types of animal spoor (learning - tick)

2. Choosing the spoor they like the best (decision-making - tick)

3. Using thick craft foam, scissors and glue to create the spoor shapes on the bottom of their slops (crafting and fine motor skills development - tick)

4. Finding mud or sand and making tracks (fun in nature and dirty play - tick)

5. Other kids can guess the different spoors and get points (healthy competition - tick)

Click here to see how to make these.

4. TEACHER

Teacher Mike DeMaio took his teaching beyond the classroom and onto YouTube, using music, animation, voice-overs, puppets and other entertaining things to engage the kids. Get your kids to check-out his lessons on Times Tables, The Titanic, Sharks, Volcanos and Planets to name a few and to get a little inspired.

Click here to see the lessons.

Also: Read The World's Worst Teachers by David Walliams

Think your teachers are bad? Wait till you meet this lot, written by the famous David Walliams. Available from any decent bookstore or try it as an audiobook, narrated by David Walliams himself.

Click here for the audio version on Audible.

5. SCIENTIST

If your kid wants to be a Scientist, you are in luck. Try and ride this wave for as long as it lasts! There are hundreds of junior science videos on YouTube, and thousands of fun experiments to try at home, like the Bouncy Egg experiment below.

The Big Bouncy Egg Experiment

Instructions:

1.Place three eggs into three separate glasses.

2. Fill the glasses with vinegar and a few drops of different food colouring in each glass.

3. Leave the eggs in the coloured vinegar for two days.

4. Remove the eggs and peel them gently. Then rub them until they are smooth and shiny - and rubbery.

5. Lightly drop your eggs on a flat surface and watch them bounce around.

Check out the YouTube video .

6. FIREFIGHTER

'Extinguish the Flames' is a great party game for your ambitious little fire fighters.

You need:

* Large water guns - better to have ones that can shoot quite a distance.

* “Flames” cut out of cardboard or foam.

* Tin cans – tape the flames onto these.

Arrange the tin cans on a table or a wall with the "flames" facing forwards and get the kids to stand behind a line and squirt water at the flames. The first firefighter to "extinguish" the flames by knocking the can off the table or wall wins!

For older kids, get them to research ways to make fire without using a lighter or matches. Bear Grylls has many ideas for this, including rubbing sticks together and using a magnifying glass, but it was his ability to make fire using a smashed mobile phone that really got our attention!

Click here to watch Bear make mobile phone fire.

* Note: Parental supervision always advisable – you know kids!

7. DETECTIVE

Being a cop and busting baddies is always a popular dream career for kids, but why not encourage them to take it one step further and go full detective! The play will be a little more mature, more scientific, and comes complete with loads of gizmos and gadgets such as fingerprint kits, walkie talkies, badges and clues.

Check-out you favourite toy store for Detective Kits.

8. VET

The game Pet World – My Animal Hospital – Dream Jobs has been downloaded by 28,622 people and is rated 4 stars. The game allows your child to take care of pets such as monkeys, alpacas, panda bears and dogs in a realistic animation setting.

Other game features include:

- Managing your own pet hospital

- Learning the daily tasks of being a veterinarian

- Examining and caring for cute animals

- Collecting daily coins and rewards

- Unlocking various treatment rooms as you go

Available from Google Play. Click here to download.

9. ASTRONUAT

NASA (yes, the NASA) offers amazing content for spaced-out kids on their NASA Kids Club site. Here you will find games (which support STEM development skills), you can meet the crew currently orbiting Earth on the International Space Station, and you will be able to see NASA's most fascinating pictures and videos of things like the moon, the sun, planets, and of course, the earth.

Click here to check it out.

Astronaut Craft

For dress-up fun, making an astronaut suit for your child will make them love you to the moon and back, and it doesn't need to make your expenses skyrocket.

Click here to watch '5 Best Space Crafts at 1 Minute Crafts' on YouTube.

10. DOCTOR

Many kids will mention an interest in becoming doctors at a young age. Here is a game to inspire that dream. Operation said the doctor, operation said the nurse! Poor Cavity Sam is back, and he has returned to this new generation still feeling under the weather!

Get your mini MD-wannabees the legendary Operation game. Kids can use tweezers to try and remove Sam's "ailments", but they must be careful not to touch the sides of Sam otherwise his nose will light up and you will be buzzed out.

The Operation game is available from all good toy stores.

Click here to order.

It’s important to help kids create a realistic vision of their dream job from a young age as it is common to hear adults comment on how they “wish they were encouraged to pursue their dreams such as to become doctors when they grew up or professional athletes”. Instil confidence in your child to believe that their choice of dream job is attainable. Dreams are not pursuing what is easy or safe but often what's scary and larger than life.

Protecting Kids From A Hard World: How Much Truth Is Enough?

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 11:22:49 GMT

White lies wrestle with brutal truths as parents try to protect children from the truth and harm whilst navigating the limits of honesty.

Childhood is manufactured as a time of innocence and purity. For many lucky children, their early years are filled with unconditional love as well as food, shelter and education.

However, we don’t live in vacuums, and one day, probably sooner than you’d like, your child will bump up against hard facts. Nothing sweeps the mist from a soft-focus view of childhood faster than your eight-year-old asking: “Mom, what’s an alcoholic?”, “Why doesn’t Santa Claus bring the homeless man a house for Christmas?” or “Where did Sipho’s Daddy go?”

Ideal, meet real

It’s entirely normal to want to save children from negative emotions, especially if your child is anxious or sensitive. But the brutal truth is, you can’t, certainly not forever.

Every person’s journey towards becoming a well-rounded and emotionally intelligent adult involves positive reinforcement of the belief that the world is a fundamentally good and kind place. However, there are disillusioning experiences that demonstrate that sometimes, it’s not. How to balance building trust by being honest with young children, while wanting to preserve some of the magic of childhood, is something many parents struggle with.

It's a balance

The tooth fairy, Easter bunny and Father Christmas are all “lies”, but so are fairies and invisible friends, things children believe in all by themselves without adult intervention. In fact, research shows children in the preoperational stage of development have a magical world view, which they will eventually surrender without trauma in a child-friendly way by themselves, too. The famous psychologist Jean Piaget thought that children developed magical thinking during the period aged 2-7 and relinquished it by about age 10.

(Do you still avoid stepping on cracks even though you rationally know it can do no harm? There’s your remnant of childhood magical thinking. Treasure it.)

Seen this way, the tooth fairy isn’t a lie. It’s a caring parent’s attempt to meet a child in their developmental stage and share their reality.

Is Santa real?

“He is, but not in the way you think, and now that you’re grown up enough, I can tell you.

Santa is a children’s word for the love we feel when we wrap gifts and the excitement in children’s eyes when they open them. To me, that’s magic. Now that you know the truth, you graduate and can become one of Santa’s helpers. That’s what I believe, anyway.”

The big stuff

If you have the luxury of debating what truths to expose your child to and from what to shelter them, you are in a better position than a mother who does not have food to feed her child tonight. But in South Africa, with our world-beating levels of inequality, evidence of need is on every street corner. The world is not perfect, and your children know it.

Rather than deny or abstractify the problem you may prefer to be the change you want to see.

Let your child see you giving donations or volunteering, or engaging in political life and civic action such as voting or marching. This avoids a head-in-the-sand approach and substitutes it with the idea that humanity has the agency to improve our own condition. You can counterbalance evidence of our failures with examples of global progress.

For example, reducing global poverty and child labour and improvements in women’s rights and basic education levels since the Industrial Revolution (or other examples that resonate with you).

The fact that child abuse is endemic , however, means parents cannot afford not to talk about this ugly truth with their children.

Without creating panic, your children need to understand how they can keep safer. You can choose the path of partial truth here. In child-friendly ways, practice role-playing getting out of dangerous situations. For example:

“S how me how loudly you can scream if somebody tries to take you away” or “If you’re lost in a shop, look for a lady with children and ask her to help.”

Plan what you would do as a family in a hijacking or home invasion without coming off as a paranoid survivalist. Consider empowering yourself first via a hijacking or armed robbery survival course (hijack.co.za offers one). Modelling strength and agency is more reassuring to children than glib promises of safety or false denials of danger.

Take a more measured approach if you are facing challenges in your personal life, such as battling a mental health condition, spousal abuse, divorce or other trauma. Acknowledging that you have big stuff going on is always better for your child than denial. This can lead a young person to doubt themselves, and is even worse for them. Seek professional help such as a family therapist for you and your child if you can.

The good news is that you don’t have to be a perfect parent all the time.

So, forgive yourself for times when you cannot shield your child from hardship. The fact that you are reading this means you care. Not all parents do. And that’s the most important part of all.

10 Ways to Encourage Your Child To Learn

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 12:16:59 GMT

10 Ways To Encourage Learning

Who said learning has to be boring? Learning can be so much fun if you take the time to make it enjoyable. There are many interesting but practical ways to encourage learning. If you want your child to excel in class, you have to think beyond the walls of the classroom. Here are 10 proven ways to encourage your child or your students to learn more effectively.

1. Make more time for reading

Reading opens up a whole new world of learning. If you want your child or student to prosper academically, encourage them to read more. Children are more likely to read something they are interested in. Read to them frequently and make it a daily habit.

2. Give your child the option to choose

When encouraging your child or students to learn, it’s important to let them make their own choices. Children will refuse to learn if they feel as if they are being constantly controlled. Allow them to cultivate their own learning experience but ensure that you are there to guide them through it.

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”

B.B King

3. Communicate sincerely

Remember that communication is important when it comes to learning. As a parent or teacher, you need to show your child that they can communicate openly with you. When you allow a child to express their feelings and concerns, they feel that their opinion matters. Reassure them that you care about their learning experience.

4. Focus on their interests

Children tend to focus more and make more of an effort to learn when it’s a topic that intrigues them. For example, if your child is interested in planets, ask questions that will make learning fun. This could be something like what their favourite planet is, or which planet has a ring around it.

5. Find different learning styles

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to learning. Some children are visual learners whereas others learn better when they listen to something. You need to discover a learning style that is best suited to your child or student.

6. Be enthusiastic

Children tend to mimic those around them as they grow and learn. Show enthusiasm for their work and watch their smiles and excitement blossom. It will inspire them to learn more as they will find learning exciting.

7. Celebrate and acknowledge achievements

Whether it be a big or small achievement, you should praise your child for their hard work. Children require constant support to help keep them motivated at school. Try your best to always be positive and reward your child for their academic performance.

8. Ask what they have learned

Whilst performance at school is important, asking your child what they have learned is more beneficial. By simply asking your child what they have learned in school shows that you have a genuine interest in their learning experience. If you only ask about their test or exam results, you’re showing that you’re focused solely on how well they’re doing in school.

9. Make learning a daily habit

Encourage your child or student to learn more about the world around them by getting them involved in fun activities. Ask them questions on what they see and think to promote their learning experience.

10. Help your student or child get organised

Teach your children that organisation is an essential step in staying motivated. It prevents feelings of being overwhelmed and can boost their confidence. Show them how to keep their schoolwork organised by tidying up and packing away.

Here at Trinityhouse, we are continuously exploring and expanding our approaches to teaching. We take pride in helping our students learn and grow into successful young adults who are ready to take on the real world. For applications, please apply here. To learn more about Trinityhouse, click here . All enquiries can be submitted here.

Trinityhouse Points of Pride

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 13:56:37 GMT

Trinityhouse Schools are unique! There are so many reasons to be proud of our school and sometimes we just have to stop and appreciate those things.

In recent years, holistic development has become more important from an early stage of a child’s life. Trinityhouse Schools focuses on taking this holistic approach in its teaching methods to support each child’s development.

Trinityhouse staff play a central role in learning policies. They endeavour to help students discover their identities and find meaning in their community and the world through holistic teaching methods. This brings us to the points of pride at Trinityhouse Schools.

“We make it our mission to bring out the best in everyone from our students, staff and parents to the wider community. Apart from academic excellence, our schools also aim to develop character, compassion, and service,” says Marthie van der Wat, Head of Marketing at House Schools, ADvTECH.

Pride in a Christian Ethos

Trinityhouse operates within a Christian ethos at its core and suggests all people can connect to educating for faith, wisdom, knowledge and skills; educating for hope and aspiration; educating for community and living well together, and educating with dignity and respect. These strong traditions and values, together with a curriculum covering all facets of its pupils, ensure that the schools produce capable adults who are an asset to society.

Pride in Academics

Academically, pupils at Trinityhouse are prepared for the final Independent Exam Board (IEB) matric examinations. Trinityhouse Schools prides itself on its 100% pass rate, with a number of pupils achieving a minimum of two A-aggregates per student, year after year, some of whom rank within the top result bracket in the country.

Pride in Learning Environments

Learning takes place in spacious, well-equipped classrooms linked to the latest technological networks with access to the internet. Some classrooms also have smart boards and data projectors. The learning experience is further enhanced by life-science and science laboratories, computer rooms, STEAM education and well-equipped libraries. Hence, pupils have access to a broad spectrum of resources during their studies.

Pride in the Arts

Trinityhouse also offers art as one of its subjects. Art is viewed as fundamental in developing certain key skills where interest is nurtured and talent is encouraged. It is through the school’s art programme that skills can be embraced and developed.

It is important to bear in mind that schooling is not only about academic achievements. There is much more to it! Trinityhouse Schools serves to help pupils socialise and develop emotional control. These aspects of schooling are not of trivial importance. Just as cognitive development, they are associated with better outcomes in adulthood.

Pride in the Individual

Trinityhouse Schools focuses on the development of each individual as they fit into the school space. As a school brand, we place importance on the individual’s autonomy to grow at their own pace while being cognisant of the needs and sensitivities of those around them. Trinityhouse pupils are encouraged to grow and thrive in the process of making friends, discovering what is important to them, and making sense of limitations with which they can comfortably live as opposed to those that challenge them and inspire them to do better.

Pride in Sports

A wide range of sports activities is an inherent element of holistic education at the Trinityhouse Schools. The importance of sports in education is a powerful tool in developing a healthy body and mind. Fundamentally, the benefits of boosting self-esteem, reducing stress, improving sleep, and developing teamwork and sportsmanship are great motivations for pupils. Instruction for these takes place in premium facilities with expert coaches. Over the years, pupils from the school have performed well in various competitions across all disciplines.

Pride in Culture

Just as sports, cultural activities are of great importance at Trinityhouse Schools. This modern-day philosophy focuses on imparting various skills that build confidence, communication, etiquette, and more. The variety of cultural activities on offer come into play, instilling these skills in Trinityhouse pupils. Encouraging students to participate in cultural activities is most effective to instil personality-related skills.

Pride in Service

Trinityhouse Schools wants its pupils to be successful in the classroom and ultimately in life. Therefore, they have a variety of opportunities for servicing their communities. To participate in community service makes a difference to the people being served and to every pupil’s career prospects. It also helps pupils develop civic and social responsibility skills and become more aware of their community needs.

Pride in Diversity

Trinityhouse pupils are empowered to embrace diversity through life lessons that are taught concurrently with curriculums. This creates an inclusive space for all children to reach their full potential.

Pride in our Alumni

Trinityhouse Schools is proud to equip its pupils to flourish in school and life’s journey ahead of them. We continue to remain honoured and delighted by the number of our pupils who go on to achieve great success and make meaningful contributions to society.

In conclusion, Trinityhouse Schools is proud to boost the morale of our pupils so that they can go on to achieve greater heights for their futures while becoming upstanding citizens who contribute to the growth and development of society and the country. Hence, the holistic development of pupils is very important right from the beginning of school-going years.

How To Get Back Into A School Routine

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 11:54:39 GMT

Back to school, back to reality

Like adults, children can find it difficult to get back into a daily routine. Preparing your child/ children for the new school year can help them gradually get back into a consistent school routine.

Ease your child back into a school routine with these simple tips.

Bedtime routine:

· Get back into a bath time schedule

· Reel in earlier bedtimes

· Limit TV time and use of electronics before bedtime.

Morning routine:

· Ease your kids into waking up earlier each morning

· Get your kids to start eating on a scheduled time every morning

· Get your kids to start eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast.

Day-time routine:

· Instill some quiet time in the days leading up to school, let them do some reading or fun educational tasks.

· Keep your kids active during the day, this can make going to bed earlier a bit easier.

School essentials:

· Go uniform and stationary shopping

· Organise school essentials before the first day of school.

Provide validation:

· Talk to your kids about the new school year

· Let your child know that his nervous or apprehensive feelings about the start of school are normal.

· Get your kids excited about seeing friends, learning more getting back into a routine, no more boredom.

Sources:

https://www.moms.com/child-into-school-routine-winter-vacation/

https://childmind.org/article/helping-kids-back-school-routine/

Screen Busters

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 13:49:06 GMT

It’s easy to allow kids to stay on a screen all day because you are busy, because they are bored, and because it’s just less stressful that way, but here’s information that should make you rethink screen time for your kids.

“Screen time” gets a terrible rap. You’re supposed to hate it, and pretend your child has very little of it, even as you return from your own eight-hours-at-the-computer-screen job, hoping to spend the evening catching an episode of your latest Netflix addiction, order Uber eats for dinner and FaceTime your sister in Australia.

So let’s not start another piece of parenting advice with a litany of woes. Actually, the internet is an amazing receptacle of all the knowledge human beings have ever gathered, a minor miracle, which you can access via a screen small enough to fit in your pocket. Most of us use screens in our work, definitely for entertainment, and as much as social media can be dangerous or nasty, it can also provide a space of safety, connection and belonging to those who feel on the margins in some way including our children.

What’s more, many of us only survived the pandemic because we were able to work and be schooled from home. Lastly, living a screen-free, internet-less life is just unrealistic in a world that is moving online at a pace that will still transform our daily lives even in our (middle-aged) lifetimes. However. There are undoubtedly dangers to be aware of as we migrate, via augmented reality, towards a metaverse in which our screenagers’ online existence is as “real” as the physical world around us. Broadly, there are physical and psychological hazards to screens. Because they are more easily

quantifiable, let’s start with the physical dangers.

Physical effects of screen time

Focusing for a long time on a small screen can damage your eyes, and ways to mitigate against that includes getting your eyes tested, coating spectacles with anti-reflective coating, and adjusting your computer’s settings to reduce blue light, contrast, font smoothing and flicker. You can download blue light filter and eye protection software, for instance from https://iristech.co/.

Looking at screens from incorrect angles can cause bad posture and headaches. And it stands to reason that the longer you are sitting at a screen, the less physical exercise you are getting, which increases the risks of obesity and other negative effects of sedentary lifestyles. The answer here is obvious: limit screen time, and balance screen exposure with real-world activities. Sleep quality is affected by screen exposure, too, so insist your child put that device down half an hour before bedtime.

A word on addiction

Before we can discuss psychological hazards of screen time, let’s discuss what addiction is. So-called “screen addiction” has not been recognised as an official disorder by any official psychological or health body. Excessive internet use is not considered a disorder by the World Health Organisation and you won’t find it listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) or the International Classification of Diseases (IDC10).

Still, hallmarks of addiction are similar, nevermind your chosen poison. Dr Aric Sigman names the problem “children engaging in a variety of screen activities in a dependent, problematic manner” in the Journal of the International Child Psychology Association. He lists these eight characteristics of problematic, dependent screen use:

Preoccupation
Withdrawal symptoms
Increasing tolerance
Failure to reduce or stop screen activities
Loss of outside interests
Continuation despite negative consequences
Lying about extent of use
Use to escape adverse moods

You know your child (and yourself!). If this list seems eerily familiar, you’ve got a problem.

Psychological factors

The longer you spend online, whether it’s gaming, watching YouTube videos, using porn, or posting to and consuming social media, the fewer human beings you are interacting with in person. That equates to a lonely existence, and loneliness causes stress hormone cortisol to rise. So, your teen’s social skills are dulled (nobody is born with a fully functional set of these either; those skills are sharpened in real-world interactions with other people). Soon enough, a vicious cycle of frustration, isolation and depression can form. There is already a demonstrated correlation between internet overuse and substance abuse. Now throw unparalleled levels of insights into the private world of others into this mix, and a sad and mad teenager may not be able to cope.

“Social media allows insights into other people’s worlds and invites comparisons and insecurity,” says Pam Tudin, co-owner and creator of Klikd.co.za, a website and app that helps parents and teenagers navigate social media. So while it may be great that your teen can hang around in obscure corners of the internet meeting like-minded people with an equal passion for *insert super-niched interest here*, but there will also be SnapChats or TikTok videos or Instagram posts that document parties or friendships or in-jokes from which they are excluded.

“Know your child,” advises Pam. “Anxiety sufferers will be prone to online comparison, or need more online validation; an ADHD child may be more inclined to be impulsive. Be alive to your child’s disposition” so that you can react and look after them appropriately.

The teen years are a time for flexing the muscles of independence, and your child may object to your attempts to monitor their online behaviour. Partly this may be because they themselves are not yet aware of exactly what dangers can lurk online.

Consider downloading the Klikd app for them (it costs R450). It’s a multi-module app by teens for teens that deals with subjects such as phone addiction, cyberbullying, managing tricky people online, dealing with scammers, simulates online chats, online reputation and more. Tweens and teens aged between 10 and 15 complete 14 modules of the Klikdapp in their own time over a year or in a class, and they receive their “social media license” at the end of it.

“Contract with them that you will check their phone,” says Klikd’s Pam Tudin. You can safely rebut their demands for “privacy”, she says, by delineating what is private and what is not. “A journal or a voice call or an in-person visit is private, but an online forum is by definition not private, so their demands for a right to privacy on their phones is an oxymoron.” In that sense, you, reading their phone, are a concrete representation of the abstract, nameless and faceless individuals who consume your child’s online content or interact with them digitally.

“Get to a place where you can have less frequency and more trust in monitoring them online,” says Pam, “in that they demonstrate repeated, predictable behaviour in terms of how they show up online.” Managing screen time and online behaviour:

Balance, balance, balance: Allow your teen say an hour of screen time, but then expect that they spend an hour in the real world, doing a chore, exercise, seeing a friend or cooking a meal.

Who’s the parent? You are: Just as you may set a curfew or expect your children to contribute in some ways to the running of the household, so you are also allowed to set limits and have expectations in terms of online behaviour.

To prevent unhealthy late-night web surfing, it is a good idea to take devices away from bedrooms at bedtime and charge them overnight in the lounge or your bedroom.

Download an app such as the Google Family Link (or similar) that allows your teenagers’ linked accounts to be monitored for graphic content, total screen time, and that sets predetermined “online” hours (such as 6am to 8pm). Understand, however, that “net nannies” are not failsafe and that a determined enough user will figure a way around their restrictions.

For general safety in the real world, enable location sharing on your child’s phone or tablet so that you can track their whereabouts and vice versa. Google Family Link offers this, but many other apps such as Life360 do too.

Practise what you preach: If it annoys you to be speaking to your child almost exclusively “in profile”, with their nose buried in their phone, make sure you also put your device away when you’re with them. Modelling good manners is crucial for getting good behaviour back.

EA is a Sport

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 13:00:03 GMT

Extramurals 4.0

The world has changed irrevocably and immeasurably since we were kids, so it only makes sense that extra-curricular activities catch up and offer children additional learning and experience in skills that will be much needed in the future. As a result, after-school activities in the 4IR see our children gaming in AR, building robots and more. Now, for those of us still stuck in the last millennium, 4IR refers to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, meaning the digital age in which we are now living.

It’s not just technology that’s changing how our children spend their time after school. Life in a pandemic has had many rethinking our approach to traditional learning and activities, and there has been an increase in online or distanced options. Plus, there’s a lot more choice afforded to today’s children. In this ever-evolving world, it’s safe to say we didn’t have the option of these super-fun extracurricular activities when we were growing up, but our children do. Here’s a breakdown of a few of the exciting options now available.

FIRST Lego League

First Lego League introduces children of all ages to oodles of STEM exposure without them even knowing it! This is perfect, as skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are the way of the future. Using a LEGO League set, children work in teams to complete a challenge based on a real-world problem through building and commanding their very own walking, talking robots. The League has different age-appropriate levels, and each team requires four members and one coach. Teams meet once a week at the premises of their choice, and no special skills are needed. As they say, “This is the only sport where if you show up, you can play.”

What it teaches

Critical thinking
Coding
Robotics
Teamwork
Problem-solving
Creativity

Age group
FIRST Lego League Discover: 4 to 6 years
FIRST Lego League Explore: 6 to 10 years
FIRST Lego League Discover: 9 to 16 years

Get started!
Go to firstsa.org and click on the First Lego League to find out more and register your team.

High School Esports League

Traditional sports heroes like Lionel Messi and Lewis Hamilton are making a way in the popularity stakes for their online gamer counterparts, like Lee “Faker” Sang-Hyeok. Competitive video games, called Esports, are taking the world by storm, with some international events drawing over a million viewers at one time. The High School Esports League also provides a space for competitive school Esports for high-schoolers in South Africa.

“The HSEL provides schools with ready-made fixtures against other schools from across the country, to make Esports as accessible as possible for schools, with the understanding that this is a volunteer organisation run by the teachers,” says Tyrone Green, chairman of the HSEL. “We try to focus on team games rather than individual titles to combat the stigma that gaming or Esports is some activity that only loners take part in. The sense of camaraderie, not just with your teammates but with other schools, really makes Esports an incredible addition to any student’s school life. The HSEL and its partnership with Telkom VS Gaming also allow more competitive players to make their mark on the Esports scene.”

The League is for schools, but if you’re looking to join as an individual, you would need a teacher or staff member who can act as an intermediary (with the school's permission) to schedule matches and sort out other details. “We welcome all students and schools!” says Tyrone, adding that inclusivity is a driving factor of the League. “Most of the games titles played do not require high-end computers or consoles (making it affordable), and girls and boys are on an equal footing.”

What it teaches

Communication
Teamwork
Commitment
Problem-solving
Confidence

Age group

From 13 years, but there is room for younger participants. Tyrone explains: “While we style ourselves the High School Esports League, junior schools can join as long as their students are taking part in age-appropriate titles. CS:GO, for instance, is rated 16, while League of Legends has an age restriction of 13. However, games like
Rocket League is for everyone, which is great.”

Get started!

Reach out to Tyrone Green by email ( greet01@wbhs.co.za ) for more information about the upcoming season and all other related information.

MoneyTime

Financial literacy is another future-proof skill that can be learnt in fun, engaging ways. The MoneyTime programme focuses on everything we wish we knew about personal finance for your kids. Through online, self-taught lessons and a cute game, children learn about saving and budgeting and employment and job applications, cyber security, consumer rights, insurance, and more. Plus, it can all be done in the comfort of your home.

What it teaches

Financial literacy
Independence
Problem-solving
Critical thinking

Age group

From 10 to 14 years

Get started!

Visit moneytimekids.co.za for more information.

Digitank

If you’re looking for the motherboard of STEM skills that extend beyond coding and robotics, digitank has just about everything. The online classes offer a full computer science curriculum for kids aged 6 to 18, and you can choose between access to four group lessons a month or four private lessons a month. Courses available include Python and Java programming, app development, web design, game design and more. Students also get to connect with global peers when competing in Hackathons and open challenges.

Age group

From 6 to 18 years

Get started!

Go to digitank.co.za to learn more and to enrol.

While these activities are a far cry from what we were used to, they do offer amazing new opportunities for learning and fun – and a chance for us parents to show up in support in new and wonderful ways, too.

Planning Ahead

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 08:26:43 GMT

Parenting Advice

Back-to-school shopping is an exciting rite of passage for you and your child. Getting new clothes, new kicks, new school supplies, a new lunch kit, and a new backpack can be fun. First off, check with your child's school for their specific supply lists. Then, compare the list of suggested items with what you already have and take it from there.

1. Are you kitted out?

It's no secret that our children grow like weeds, so the back-to-school season is a great time to review your child's school clothes and supplement with what is necessary. Your child's needs will also vary according to their age, gender identity, activity level, and of course, the season. Trinityhouse Schools uniform is a traditional style, incorporating a blazer and school tie. In summer, blazers are optional. Our pupils wear their uniforms with such pride. Contact the school for your nearest uniform store.

2. Pre-pack your stationery!

Let’s face it, we haven’t fully recovered from that thing we will not name, but in the context of our “new normal”, it is a good time to think about school stationery for 2022. If you're a seasoned parent with kids in several grades, this list can strike fear into any heart when done at the last minute. But do not fear, 2022 school stationery includes lots of practical (and sensible) options for grown-ups and is cool for our children. Buy those today and aim to save time (and perhaps money) before the big rush. Start with well-labelled or personalised items to ensure they stay with their original owner and don't get shared. A few options to consider are:

Takealot.com: Stationery Pack: Back-to-school Grade 1, R628.00
Takealot.com: Marco School Stationery Bundle Envelope, R319.00
Loot.co.za: High School Essential Stationery, R400.00
Typo Activity Journal, from R74.99 per book
Typo Desk Set, from R149.99

3. The sports talk

Often, sports parents ask questions about the common issues they experience with their children, including things like sport specialisation versus sport sampling, whether to play multiple sports during the same sport season, and travel leagues versus recreational leagues. These questions can be complex and tricky, even for parents who were once themselves young athletes. Therefore, it is important to have sport choice conversations with your children as the decisions families make regarding school sports are important, not only for sports growth but also for future life skills development. It is also important to make your child part of the decision-making process, as it will directly impact their lives.

It would help if you also were open and honest about the financial impacts participation in certain sports will have. Travelling, camps and additional coaching could potentially make your child’s dreams come true but also break your bank. Therefore, if you cannot afford it, say so upfront and choose an alternative that will make your child equally happy.

Try to stay positive, open-minded, and respectful as you engage in the decision-making process, and show your appreciation to your child that they are taking ownership of their choices. Be flexible with decisions and allow for a change after the season ends. In addition, your child is more likely to have a positive and enriching experience playing sports if you focus on being a good sports parent. Just be sure to refrain from applying too much pressure or setting unrealistic expectations on both you and your child. Open and honest conversations are key before the sports season begins.

4. The ABCs of subject choices

Choosing subjects at school is one of the most important parts of your child’s schooling as they take the first steps on the path of their potential future career. There is a lot of pressure to achieve academically, and sometimes the dreams we have for our children do not match what they want to do. Therefore, it is important to have a conversation.

Encourage your teen to talk to you about their ideas for a potential career path. Allow them to speak to the rest of the family, friends, and neighbours to get their views.

Ask them to do extensive research on what would be required for that specific career path, as well as the necessary subjects.

Although you want your children to look to the future and choose subjects that will help them towards a career they are interested in, they should also consider what they really enjoy and are passionate about. They are far more likely to succeed in those subjects than in the ones they feel they 'must' study.

Support your child as far as possible. Perhaps arrange a meeting with a career counsellor and consider an aptitude test. It is never too early to start thinking about tertiary education. Start with your child’s particular interests and investigate the courses available in those subjects.

The requirements for the National Senior Certificate are seven subjects:

4 subjects are compulsory: 2 x SA languages (the first as a home language and the 2nd as a first additional language), Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, and Life Orientation.

Mathematics is a requirement for many university courses and career paths, so keep this in mind when opting for one or the other.

3 subjects have to be chosen from the approved subject list as supplied by the Department of Basic Education, provided the school learner attends an institution that offers the subject(s).

Suppose the three optional subjects are chosen correctly and carefully, with all possible factors taken into account. In that case, your child will have many career opportunities ahead of them and not just one.

Remember it is okay not to know at 15 what you want to be; therefore, keep your options open as far and wide as you can, but do the research!

5. Setting goals!

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins

Approaching the new year offers us an opportunity to take stock of our lives and fix what we do not like. Whether it is our exercise routine, our tardiness, or even our tendency to procrastinate and leave everything to the last minute, there is always room for improvement for the coming year. We not only benefit from new year’s resolutions, but our children can also learn a lot about the value of setting goals and the self-discipline to keep them.

Teach this simple goal-setting formula: Goals usually start with, ‘I will’ and have two parts – what you want to accomplish and when you hope to accomplish it, e.g., for the little ones, it could be as simple as ‘I will brush my teeth, say my prayers and go to bed by 8 pm every night’. For older children, it could be the accomplishment of a chore, lesson or skill. Also, consider involving the whole family in bigger goals. The more public the goal is, the more motivated your children will be.

This allows for a broader range of encouragement to complete the goal. When you sit down to review your resolutions/goals, it is not a time for punishment but rather to be flexible and understanding. However you and your family arrive at your resolutions, the best part is that you’re doing it together and learning how to manage your role not only as an individual or as part of your family but also in the bigger world at large.

A weekend (just) with Gabe

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 08:03:09 GMT

Personal Parenting Tales

As busy parents, I realised we were caught up in the machine of life. I realised that we don’t actually talk to our kids. I realised that I wanted to know their stories and their opinions. I want to understand their passions and their worries. And I want to allow them to step up to the ‘responsibility plate’ instead of brushing them aside in the mad rush of ‘getting it done’.

With this in mind, I contemplated taking our seven-year-old son, Gabe, with me on a business trip to Durban for some one-on-one time. Of course, I did question whether he would behave in front of my client. Would he be hungry every five minutes? Would he whine to go to the beach when I needed to concentrate? Probably! But what if I roped him in and made it ‘our’ business trip to Durban? What if I gave him responsibility and made us a team? So, I booked two flights to Durban!

Check-in

On arrival at the airport, Gabe was responsible for his own luggage. He checked it in himself and was handed his boarding pass, which he guarded with his life because ‘no pass, no fly!’. As we went through the airport process, I explained what the metal detectors were for and let him look at the brochure that outlines all the things you cannot take on board. I knew he was getting the hang of it when he pointed out to security that I had tweezers in my make-up bag and a lighter in my pocket (reminder to self: buy new lighter and tweezers).

Things I learned about Gabe at this point:

He can be responsible for his own things
He takes security seriously
He can’t keep his mouth shut

The flight

On the flight, with my phone off and the plane hitting cruising altitude, Gabe had my full attention. He made up a game, Animal Clouds. He also constantly developed new rules to sway the game his way. We argued (playfully), we laughed, me at his audacity and him at his own wit, and ultimately, he got me to follow his amended rules, and he won Animal Clouds by six points to two.

Things I learned about Gabe at this point:

He is creative
He is competitive
He can craft a compelling argument (it does not need to make sense)
He is convincing

Car hire

I rented a car. I asked the rental agent to give Gabe the paperwork and explained that he needed to check the car against the paperwork for corresponding scratches and dents. “Whatever is not on the paper goes on our bill!” He inspected the car alongside the agent; it was a very long and laborious process for both the agent (and me), but there was no scratch left unturned!

Things I learned about Gabe at this point:

Responsibility empowered him
Gabe was thorough and detail-orientated

The drive

As we drove the coastline towards our destination, I turned the car radio off, and Gabe and I just chatted. He told me all about his mate Jethro, about Mrs. Kruger and the incident with the missing eraser. I told him all about King Shaka from Durban, the Battle of Blood River (Standard 5 History recollection). He looked at the Durban hills and passing rivers and asked if I thought King Shaka had walked there.

Things I learned about Gabe at this point:

He is chatty and filled with happy stories
He can absorb information and retell it in detail
He has a great imagination
History excites him

Work

My business trip consisted of setting up for an event at a track. I met with the client and introduced Gabe. I prayed for politeness (I'm never quite sure what will come out of his mouth). I nearly collapsed with pride when he extended his hand to greet the client with a fist-pump (Covid-19 rules) and then proceeded to have a full-on conversation about the cars and the track, and Mrs. Kruger!

Things I learned about Gabe at this point:

He is confident
He is well-mannered
He is highly social
He is intuitive – he understood that this was important to me, and he played the game

The incident

As predicted, Gabe constantly whined about me taking him to the beach. I eventually got a chance to do so, and we found a tidal pool. The tide was quite high, and I was worried about the waves, but Gabe (7) convinced me it would be fine. So, we jumped right in. We held on to the wall to try to beat the force of each wave until a freak mega-wave crashed into the pool and washed both Gabe and me completely out and over sharp rocks, eventually spitting us out on the beach, all tattered and torn. Note to self: stop listening to Gabe!

Things I learned about Gabe at this point:

He is compassionate and kind. (When I apologised to him and said I was a bad mom, he put his arms around me and said, “You are the best mom!”)
He keeps secrets – that’s good, and that’s bad! (When I told him not to tell his father, he looked at me with a cheeky twinkle in his eye and said, “My lips are sealed.”)

Midnight snacks

We were feeling a little “scratched-up”, so we decided not to eat out but to go to Woolies and get some supplies and stay in. I allowed him to select the snacks – whatever he wanted. I gave him a budget, and he selected, calculated, and paid (another long process). When we got back to the room, he unpacked and prepared the snacks, all on his own.

Things I learned about Gabe at this point:

He is capable
He is willing to try new things (even if peanut butter and Bovril turned out not to be a mix)!
He is considerate. (Camembert is not his favourite, but he knows it’s mine, so salty Crax and Camembert was what he served.)

Overall, the work trip was highly successful. Not only was the client happy, but I was more than happy to have had the chance to spend quality one-on-one time with Gabe. I learned so much about my little boy in one weekend, and our bond is stronger than ever. I can honestly say in this 'Makro-at-Christmas’ family, I found my child.

Another simple one-on-one idea: Number night!

Every month, on your child’s birth date, they get to have a "date night" with you. This means that every month, each child will get one night that is just theirs. It is special because it’s their night with you, with no one else around. Do something fun, out of the ordinary, and focus 100% of your attention on that child.

The child picks the activity. Here are some ideas…

Play a board game
Read a book together
Go on a walk or a bike ride
Do a science experiment
Build a fort
Bake

Top-Sellers for Christmas

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 07:19:18 GMT

Relax With A Read

There are just a few weeks of this year left, so whether your children love soaking up the sun or staying inside, it’s always a good time of the year to have a few books on hand to keep them entertained. So, in celebration of the festive season, here are the best sellers to look out for, from heartfelt picture illustrated books to fun adventures.

Book: Sulwe, R181.00

From Academy Award-winning actress, Lupita Nyong'o, comes a powerful, moving picture book about colourism, self-esteem and learning that true beauty comes from within.

Sulwe's skin is the colour of midnight. She's darker than everyone in her family and everyone at school. All she wants is to be beautiful and bright, just like her mother and sister. But then, a magical journey through the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.

In this stunning debut picture book, Lupita Nyong'o creates a whimsical and heart-warming story to inspire children to see their own uniqueness.

Book: Giraffe in the Bath, R120.00

Giraffe is all set for a soak in the tub after a hard day's work, but no one will leave her in peace!

Russell Punter’s lively rhyming story in the successful Phonics Readers series contains vivid illustrations and phonic repetition and is specially written for children learning to read. David Semple's fresh, modern illustrations bring this hilarious story to life. A delight to share with young children, and there are parents notes on phonics at the back of the book.

A fun introduction to language skills for young children or those beginning to read for themselves.

Book: Paris Cat, R135.00

A sassy cat from the back alleys of Paris believes she is quite different to the rest of the rabble.

She can do anything she sets her mind to, even if others don't think so. Leaving her cat family behind, she sets off to explore Paris. Cat meets legendary singer, Edith Piaf, creates her own stunning designs at a high-fashion atelier and dances with the infamous dancer, Josephine Baker, and her cheetah.

But is this the life she really wants? What about her friends and family?

Book: The 130-Storey Treehouse, R174.00

There are many laughs at every level in this 10th book in this bestselling Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. If you don’t have the other nine, make sure to get them.

This is our treehouse; come on up! We've added 13 new levels to our treehouse, including a soap bubble blaster, a grabinator (it can grab anything from anywhere at any time), a time-wasting level, a toilet paper factory (because you can never have too much toilet paper) and an extra-terrestrial observation centre, which will come in handy when giant flying eyeballs from outer space come to grabinate us!

It is a fun story with loads of adventure!

Book: Shadow Chasers, R79.00

Nom is an outsider at school. When she and Zithembe become friends, life still seems a little ordinary until an army of monsters threatens their world.

They set off on an amazing journey into the dreamworld on a quest that will change their lives. Powers of the Knife is the first book in the Shadow Chasers trilogy. It's an African fantasy adventure – one part family saga, one part hero's quest.

Author Bontle Senne crafted a perfect storyline to inspire make-believe, curiosity and creativity.

Book: Code Name Bananas, R251.00

Go back in time with No. 1 bestselling author David Walliams for a whizz-bang epic adventure of action, laughter and secret plots - and the extraordinary friendship between a little boy and a huge gorilla that just might save the day.

Britain is at war with Nazi Germany. Eleven-year-old Eric spends his days at the place that makes him happy: London Zoo. There's one animal he loves in particular – Gertrude, the gorilla. With bombs falling all over London, Eric must rescue Gertrude.

Together with his uncle Sid, a keeper at the zoo, the three go on the run. But while hiding out at the seaside, they uncover a top-secret Nazi plot. An amazing adventure awaits.

Book: They Both Die at the End, R211.00

An unforgettable tale of life, loss and making each day count.

This international No. 1 bestselling book of TikTok fame by Adam Silvera is an inspiring story. On 5 September, a little after midnight, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio to give them some really bad news: they're going to die. Mateo and Rufus are total strangers, but for different reasons, they're both looking to make one new friend on their last ‘end’ day.

The good news: there's an app for that, called ‘Last Friend’, and through it, Rufus and Mateo are about to meet up for one last great and awesome adventure – to live a lifetime in a single day. Another beautiful, heartbreaking and life-affirming book from the brilliant Adam Silvera.

DIY Christmas Spirit

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 11:52:10 GMT

Arts And Crafts For Christmas

Time is one of the best gifts we are given, and what better way to get into the Christmas spirit with some wonderful DIY inspiration. Skip the overpriced holiday décor and, together as a family, DIY a bundle of colourful Christmas tree ornaments.

Bedazzle Bauble

There’s nothing nicer than bedazzling your Christmas tree with beautiful and shiny baubles that you have made yourself.
Recommended ages: From 5 years (strict supervision required).

Learning ability:

Develops fine motor skills
Boosts creativity
Relaxation and mindfulness
Making memories that will last for a lifetime

Materials:

Foam ball
Sequins with a hole
Short push pins
Ribbon

Let’s get started…

Poke a pin through the sequin and then push them both into the foam ball. Children can cover the foam ball with sequins and pins however they like. Adding the ribbon: You can use a pin to secure the ribbon into the top. Additionally, you can use a small knife to cut a slit at the top of the foam ball and push the ribbon in, which holds it securely in place.

Surprise Ornament

Here is a Christmas ornament like no other, which is inspired by the infamous Christmas cracker. The ornament will have a special hidden surprise inside. Assist your child in making one for another family member, allowing for pre-Christmas excitement and guessing what special gifts are hiding inside. Nobody will be able to find out until Christmas when they can remove them from the tree and unravel them.

Recommended ages: From 8 years (supervision required).

Learning ability:

Boosts creativity
Assists with critical thinking
Builds communication and language skills
Relaxation and mindfulness
Making memories that will last for a lifetime

Materials:

Small toys
Crepe paper streamers
Gift paper
Ribbon
Wire or thread
Sticky tape
Scissors

Let’s get started…

Begin with the largest toy you’d like to hide and begin wrapping one end of the streamer around it. Continue wrapping the streamer around the toy, pulling and twisting it tightly around its shape. Wrap it in many different directions and continue to ensure it is securely covered. If some parts of the toy are oddly shaped or stick out, wind the streamers in such a way that it builds up around those areas and creates a more rounded shape. Once you are happy with the shape and toys inside your surprise Christmas ornament, you can use the streamer to hold cotton thread or wire, which can be used to hang the ornament on the tree. Once you’re done, you can hold the end of the streamer in place with sticky tape. Take a larger piece of gift paper and surround your ball. Tie the ribbon at the end and cut the excess paper off the tip, and you’re done. Hang it on the Christmas tree and enjoy the excitement and guessing in the household.

Wooling around

These DIY yarn Christmas trees spark joy and won’t break the bank. You can hang them or display them.

Recommended ages: From 5 years (strict supervision required).

Learning ability:

Develops fine motor skills
Boosts creativity and innovation
Relaxation and mindfulness
Making memories that will last for a lifetime

Materials:

Foam cones
Yarn (wool)
Cardboard
Pencil
Low-temperature hot glue gun
Crafting wire
Scissors
Accessories: small pom-poms, stars confetti/sequins

Let’s get started…

Take the foam cone and assist your child in making a hole either with a knife or scissors at the top of the cone about five millimetres from the top if you would like to hang them in the Christmas tree, otherwise, they can just be displayed. Push the ribbon through and make a knot to hang on the tree. With a little hot glue, paste the end of the yarn/wool around the top of the cone and start tightly going around and around until the foam cone is completely covered. In the end, tightly glue it at the bottom of the cone. Take the yarn tree and place it on a piece of cardboard. With a pencil, trace a circle in the exact size of the cone. Cut the tracing out and then paste it on the bottom of the cone as your base and hide the end of your yarn. Accessorise your yarn/wool tree, either with small pom-poms, star confetti and/or sequins to creatively give your tree some flair.

Popsicle tree

These are such wonderful holiday crafts to make. Not only will your kids want to make these, but they will have the inspiration to make it happen – popsicle eating time, the best during our South African summer.

Recommended ages: From 5 years (strict supervision required).

Learning ability:

Develop fine motor skills
Boost creativity
Relaxation and mindfulness
Making memories that will last for a lifetime

Materials:

3-4 popsicle sticks (you can also buy these sticks without the treat if you are worried about too much popsicle eating)
Kids paint
Big sheets of paper to cover the surfaces you will be working on
Painting aprons
Low-temperature hot glue gun
Punch
Scissors
Accessories: small pom-poms, confetti, sequins
Ribbon

Let’s get started…

Your stick tree will take about 3-4 popsicle sticks. If you do not buy the colourful ones, prepare to paint them. Lay sheets of paper on your surface and put on your aprons or old clothes. First, paint the one side of the sticks the colours that you prefer them to be. Wait until they are completely dry, and then turn them around and paint them on the other side in the colour you selected the first time around. Prep each Christmas tree ornament with one craft stick for the tree’s trunk and then six pieces of craft sticks to use as the branches. Then cut the popsicle sticks (you can use scissors) to make each branch shorter and shorter, going up the tree in a triangle shape.

Ask your children to lay their tree out on the surface you are working on. This presents a teaching moment for your little ones. If they don’t already know how to make a triangle shape, you can guide them in the right direction. Once it is laid out correctly, paste the sticks evenly on the base stick using the glue gun. Place a book or something heavy on your tree and leave it there for a while. Come back and accessorise it with sequins, confetti, small pom-poms or whatever your heart desires. Adult supervision is required for the hot glue. Punch a hole in the top end of the tree, push a piece of ribbon through and hang it on your tree. Your children can sign their tree on the back for a cherished item for your tree.

Beware The Christmas Monster

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 10:37:48 GMT

How To Build A More Meaningful Christmas

Have you ever tried to get your kids into the Christmas spirit by encouraging them to write a letter to Santa, only to read that letter later and realise that you need to extend your bond to meet expectation? If so, you have probably created Christmas monsters! Playstations, iPhones, hover boards and drones are not what Christmas is all about. It’s time we reintroduced some heart, some soul, some quality vs quantity.

How do we build a more meaningful Christmas? Here are some steps to achieving meaning over materialism.

Thanksgiving

Gratitude Advent: Christmas is a time to take stock and realise all that you should be grateful for. Together with the traditional Advent Calendar, and the daily bite of chocolate, each family member can say or write something which they are thankful for. This will make the traditional countdown to the 25th filled with more love and gratitude.

Home-Made Christmas Cards Only: The rule should be, no bought cards or tags! They are banned this year. Every child, and even adult, must make a member of their family a homemade Christmas card. Encourage your kids to consider the person they are making the card for: what they like, what makes them happy, their favourite colours, things they say, and the reason why you love them so much. Set up a crafters table with coloured paper, pencils and glitter and watch the love unfold.

Personalised Christmas Tree Decoration: In the run up to Christmas, you could hold a pre-Christmas ‘Bauble Ceremony!’ - like an awards ceremony but with dangly Christmas “trophies”. Look for tree decorations or baubles that have meaning to each person- they do exist! For instance, my husband’s first car was a Volkswagen kombi, and we found him one with a Christmas tree on top. We have also seen Dinosaur Santas, Christmas turtles, Pizza decorations and even a dangly gin and tonic for mom. This exercise is fun and helps everyone really think about the people in their family.

Sharing

Do Good: Make it a family exercise to select a dedicated charity for the year and get everyone to work towards helping that charity. Non profit organisation also didn’t have it easy the last two years and they are struggling to make ends meet. Look at your options: the local old age home, an orphanage in town, or your local SPCA. Your family’s time, collection of goods, monetary contribution or even just a visit will make a huge difference to others and to the spirit of your Christmas too.

Caring

Thoughtfulness: Get your family to take a moment to think of a special friend or family that might need something extra these holidays. Is it someone who had many financial challenges this year? Is it someone who had to bury one of their loved ones? Perhaps a jar of ‘thought cookies’ would mean a lot. The cookies could have words such as: Love, Caring, Happiness, Friendship, or even their names on it. Maybe a delivery of some grocery items to their door might be the splash of hope they need. Perhaps you could even invite them to your family dinner to show you really care.

Kindness

Kindness Elf: In many homes the Elf on the Shelf is responsible for fun and crazy mornings, after late night Elf shenanigans. From messing cereal all over the kitchen counter to wrapping the Christmas tree in toilet paper, they keep us on our toes. Perhaps this festive season, the Elf and his friends could rather send messages to our kids of suggested acts of kindness. Here are some to consider:

Today we spread the Christmas cheer, say a special thank you to the car guard and the shop cashier.”
There is no time to be a bore, surprise your sibling by doing their chores.”
Choose one of your teddies or a special toy, and give it to a child to spread the joy.”

Studies have shown that kids who engage in random acts of kindness are more likely to be accepted by their peers. Their good deeds improve their well-being and help them develop positive perceptions of their world.

Gifting

5 Gift Rule

Every year there are heaps of gifts under the Christmas tree. This brings so much joy to young and old, but in this journey of rethinking our ways, perhaps we can think of gifts that won’t blow the budget and gifts that will be appreciated. Why not stick to the “5 Gift Rule”:

Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to read
Something to do

Experience

Instead of material things why not wrap an experience? Like a flight ticket or a day trip to the Zoo? Print the tickets or vouchers out and wrap them up beautifully. When the kids finally get to redeem the gift, even if it is weeks later, it still feels like Christmas to them. And the best gift you could ever give is memories.

May this Christmas be meaningful to you and your family, and may the kindness and thoughtfulness extend beyond Christmas. Norman Wesley Brooks said: Christmas is forever, not for just one day, For loving, sharing, giving are not to be put away, Like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself.”

Eight to Eat at Christmas

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 11:55:17 GMT

It's Christmas Time!

You may actually have a little time to do fun stuff with your kids, so get them into the kitchen for some not-too-complicated holiday fun.

Underneath the brownie tree

No event ever is complete without a brownie! Make the exact ones you made for Easter shaped like a bunny, but shape it like a tree this time. Kids will have fun decorating their brownie tree and licking the bowl! Brownie Christmas tree recipe .

Christmas mess

It is a not-so-clever play on words around the traditional Eaton Mess dessert, but this one comes with less guilt because it is healthy-er. Fruit and yoghurt with a dash of meringue and a light pudding option after you've eaten the turkey, gammon and lamb! Eton mess Christmas recipe.

Grinch-mas pop

Make an ordinary bowl of popcorn a little more festive in all the wrong ways with this Grinch-inspired party snack. Plonk it on the kids’ table for a bit of fun for them and peace and quiet for you! Grinch Christmas popcorn recipe .

Krispie reindeers .

There's nothing like a ‘Krispie’ reindeer, but not in the charred and smokey kind of way but more in the yummy Rice Krispies and marshmallow kind of way. Thrown in a few pretzels and a red M&M, and wham, you have a reindeer! Reindeer Rice Krispie treat recipe.

Snowman in Africa

What happens when a snowman visits Africa? He melts onto a biscuit and is put on a plate. Note to snowmen: keep North! This easy snowman biscuit is so easy to make, and it doesn’t matter if it looks a little messy – melting snow looks wet and messy! Melted snowman biscuit recipe .

The fit deer

For families who run a 'fit week' and 'sweet weekend' routine, here's a healthy option for you. Just focus on how cute the reindeer is with his horns and red nose, and they won’t even notice the celery… Peanut butter celery reindeer sticks recipe .

Santa's jelly belly

Now, most of us are not big fans of our jelly bellies, but when it comes to Santa, the bigger the better! Who doesn't love a wobbly, fruity jelly cup? Ho, ho, ho and a wobble wobble wobble. Fruit cup Santa snacks recipe .

Sushi bells, sushi bells

For those who order the 'all you can eat' at the local sushi place, why not get them into making California Rolls and get a new type of Christmas tree going! The baubles are the ginger and wasabi, and the tinsel is the soy! Cooking with Kids: Making Sushi.

Sources

https://www.taste.com.au/recipes

https://www.kidspot.com.au/kitchen/recipes

https://www.fivehearthome.com

http://www.beafunmum.com

https://www.forkandbeans.com

https://www.thatswhatchesaid.net

Raddish Kids

10 Things To Remember When Applying To University

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 08:39:09 GMT

Applying To University? This Is What You Should Remember

If you’re not taking a gap year at the end of your matric year , then you might be considering applying for university. This next chapter of your life is one of the most important. That’s why it is vital to do your research and really think about what you want to do for the rest of your life.

1. Decide what you want to study

With so many choices, deciding what you want to study can be daunting. Talk about your options with your parents and teachers. Do research on the internet. If you have an idea of what you want to study, read more on the possible career options that can come from it. You should always choose a subject or degree that you are interested in and can see yourself using in the future.

2. Choose the right university

Choosing the right university can be difficult since there are so many to choose from. However, not all universities are the same, nor do they offer the same degrees. Some institutions offer a broad selection of degrees, and in turn offer distance learning for those who cannot afford to study full time. Make sure to read more into the different types of universities and their offerings to gain a better understanding. Then choose the right one for you.

3. Make note of the closing dates

All universities have registration and application dates throughout the year. It’s up to you to ensure that you meet those deadlines. It would be more beneficial to apply or register well in advance to allow some time for the university to process your application.

4. Have your documents ready

This is the most important part when it comes to applying for university. You will need the following documents:

Certified copies of your ID
Certified copies of your parents’ ID
Proof of residence
Matric certificate
Recent payslip from the person responsible for your tuition

The majority of universities have moved to digital application processes, allowing you to apply online. This means that you will need to have these ready in digital formats, such as a PDF, in order to complete your application.

5. Payment plans

Before you can even apply to university, you need to know how your fees will be paid for. Research more on the payment plans that your university choice offers. If you’re lucky enough to pay the fees upfront, then you are all settled. However, if month-to-month is your only option, make sure you’re able to pay for it.

6. Go through the application process slowly

The admin of the application process can be quite lengthy. It will require you to be 100% focused. It’s important not to rush through your application. Slow and steady wins the race. You don’t want to make any errors that will force you to restart your application.

7. Ask for help

Ask your parents or older siblings to help you with your application. There could be some sections that you might not fully understand. They can provide the assistance you need. You might also need some of their information, so set some time aside to do it together.

8. Have a plan B in place

You should always have a backup university in place. After you matriculate, many students would have applied to their choice of university. If in the event a university cannot accommodate you, it’s better to have a secondary university option you can rely on.

9. Make sure it is what you really want to do

You need to be fully committed and interested in your degree, otherwise it will be very difficult to stay motivated and engaged. Think long and hard about it. There is no rush. If you want to take a gap year to figure out what you want to do, then you should do it. This is your future, and you need to be certain about the choices you make at this moment in time.

10. Enjoy the process

Applying for university can be fun and exciting. Once you get passed the admin and receive that acceptance letter, you will definitely be motivated for all that lies ahead. Enjoy this time of your life, because it will pass all too quickly.

At Trinityhouse, we prepare our students for the real world that awaits them after their final year. For more on how you can join us as a student, click here .

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Alternatively, please submit an enquiry here - Enquire Now

How To Reduce Your Stress During Matric Exams

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 09:23:28 GMT

5 Tips to Help Reduce Stress During Exams

The Matric year is one of the most important years in a learner’s schooling career. The pressure to achieve good marks is one of the main reasons why the majority of students stress and worry about exams. Succumbing to negative stress doesn’t do any good and creates doubt in your ability to do well.

Stress and anxiety for final matric exams is completely normal. It’s your body signalling to you that it needs to remain on high alert for the significant event. Stress only becomes a problem once it starts crippling you. Some examples of exam stress symptoms are procrastination, struggling to sleep, excessive worrying and restlessness.

Put your fears aside and trust in your ability to do your best. If you believe that you have studied well and are feeling confident, you should have nothing to worry about. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed, practice these 5 tips to help reduce stress during exams.

“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible’”

Audrey Hepburn

1. Create a work space and routine

Having your own personal work space allows you to feel at ease in your environment. This is your space to study and revise. It also tells your brain that its work time, not break time. It’s also important to set up a study routine to stay organised and focused. As the saying goes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Keep a calendar of when your exams are coming up and plan which days will be allocated for studying. Once you’ve done this, stick to your plan.

2. Give yourself study breaks & get enough rest

Studying continuously without breaks overstimulates the brain. When this happens, you tend to not retain the information that you are trying to absorb. It won’t hurt to take a 15 minute break so that you can give your mind a rest. You can even set up a reward system for yourself. If for example you finish one module, reward yourself with a treat.

Don’t brush off getting a good night’s sleep. Did you know that our brains transfer what we learn into long term memories while we sleep? ( source ) Now you have an even better reason to catch up on some much-needed rest.

3. Find alternative ways to burn off stress

Overcoming exam stress can be done in many ways. Exercising and moving your body promotes circulation and is an excellent stress reliever. It doesn’t have to be strenuous exercise, it can be as simple as taking a walk or dancing to shake away those pre-exam nerves.

4. Be prepared (past paper)

Depending on how you study, you would have created study notes to help make your life a little easier. Revision helps reduce exam stress. Another way to stay on top of your revision process is to test yourself regularly. Do past papers and score yourself on how you do. Not only does this test your knowledge, but it also helps you identify any pitfalls.

5. Have a positive mind-set

It’s easier said than done, but it really comes down to your mindset. You are your own motivator and the effort you put in is generally the result you get out. Staying positive and kind to yourself is essential during exams, you don’t want to over exert yourself. Believe in yourself, keep revising and give yourself those deserved study breaks.

Here at Trinityhouse, we would like to wish the Matrics of 2021 good luck for their final exams. Remember what you have learned throughout the year and give your absolute best no matter what. Read through the papers carefully and take your time. Good luck!

If you would like to learn more about Trinityhouse and what we stand for, click here . All future applications can be submitted here . Please submit all enquiries here .

5 Ways To Encourage Your Kids To Read More

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:50:24 GMT

How you can get your children to enjoy reading

Reading opens up a whole new world of imagination and wonder for kids. Not only is it an important and essential life skill, but it also boosts their creativity and improves their vocabulary. If you want to get your kids to drop the tablet and pick up a book, here are 5 ways to encourage your kids to read more.

Getting your child to read more isn’t as easy as parents in the movies make it out to be. A lot of children are exposed to technology such as tablets and T.V and this consumes their interest more than a book. There needs to be a balance between enjoyment and education. After all, that’s what life is about, balance. Kids need to be shown that reading is fun and exciting, and here are 5 ways to encourage reading.

1. Read bedtime stories

Reading to your children frequently will teach them the importance of reading. Kids often like to copy what they see or hear, so make reading one of those things. If you turn reading into a habit, they will grow up to enjoy reading.

You can do this by starting off small and reading bedtime stories. Let them choose the story for the night and make it fun, create sound effects and switch your tone. This shows your kids that reading really can be fun.

“A book is a gift you can open again and again.”

Garrison Keillor

2. Use technology to your advantage

It’s true, the world is digital, but we can either be for it or against it. Children love playing games on their tablets, so why not download fun picture books and help them read? Time2Read is an educational learning tool we, at Trinityhouse, use. It that takes the chore out of learning and makes it exciting. Not only will it keep them interested, but they will also improve their cognitive skills at the same time.

You can download the Time2Read app on Apple or Google Play store and open up a whole new world of advanced learning. From games and interactive videos to workbooks and different levels, you won’t be complaining about your child getting too much screen time.

3. Create fun reading activities

Reading doesn’t have to come solely from books. Make reading a part of your kids’ lives by creating interactive, fun and exciting activities for both you and your child. You can create an activity booklet, let them read words from a magazine or subtitles on a movie, the options are endless.

This will encourage them to spot more words and say them out loud. It increases their self-esteem which is one of the many advantages of reading.

4. Help them choose (age-appropriate) books

It’s better to help a child read something they love instead of teaching them to love reading. Letting your children choose the type of books or comics they want to read is a sign of their interest and it would be wrong to say no. Of course, the books should be age-appropriate, but when kids choose their own reading book, there is a higher chance of them reading and retaining the information.

5. Show interest and take your time

Encouraging your kids to read starts with you. If you don’t show enthusiasm or interest in your child when they’re reading, they’re less likely to want to continue. Children thrive off praise and recognition and when they say the word right, you should show just how excited and proud you are. This will boost their self-esteem and encourage them to read more.

Here at Trinityhouse, establishing a love of reading is fundamental. Our Time2Read programme is an add-free educational tool filled with exciting stories, educational games and reading resources to help teach your child to read. It assists in ensuring that they are ready for a fruitful and successful future.

What are some of the ways you encourage your child to read? Leave a comment below, we’d love to hear what works for your children.

If you would like to learn more about Trinityhouse, click here . For enquiries, click here . If you’re interested in sending your child to our school, please apply here .

Trinityhouse has partnered with Yenza

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 13:40:38 GMT

Deciding on the right career path to follow can often be a daunting process as there are many important factors to consider when choosing a profession to follow. This decision-making process can begin at a young age as children are often asked ‘what they would like to be when they grow up’.

Children’s answers at this stage can depend on their surroundings, their parents and many other factors. For children, deciding on a profession can change as they grow, explore their identity and begin their schooling career.

In Grade 9, students are tasked with choosing academic subjects which will benefit them in working towards their future career. This process requires a great deal of thought and guidance from parents, teachers and often aptitude assessments. To aid our students during this process, Trinityhouse has introduced Yenza.

What is Yenza?

Yenza which means “Do or “Commit in isiXhosa and isiZulu is a smart career platform which guides and develops individuals along a personalised pathway towards career success.

What does Yenza offer your child?

Built assessments which uses a data-driven, integrated approach to understand the whole individual in order to accurately guide them towards career success.
Yenza Smart Career Technology uses advanced algorithms which analyse over 250 data-points of an individual to make highly accurate and personal recommendations.
Yenza makes it easier to make the right decisions with our explorer tools, which help navigate across subject, tertiary and job choice.
The platform curates the very best skills providers both locally and globally to provide certified, credible skill courses to increase levels of employability and career readiness.
A career technology platform that goes well beyond career guidance to bring special access to a variety of quality career services that support, uplift and increase chances of success.
Yenza makes your career journey experience motivating, exciting and we support you in all areas of your life, well beyond just career guidance.
Yenza offers Multi-Lingual Translations (English, Afrikaans, Zulu and many more.)
Yenza is data-lite. Taking one of their assessments only uses 3MB. The platform is currently working towards providing Yenza data free.

What kind of assessments does Yenza offer?

Yenza has two primary assessments:

The Worker Type assessment, which is a vocational aptitude assessment based on The Holland Code Framework. The Personality Traits assessments, which helps you understand your strengths and is based on the Big-5 Factor model. Yenza also has a suite of E.Q and I.Q assessments for schools, universities and corporates. To learn more please visit www.yenzacareertech.com/assessments .

Yenza provides students with personalized guidance and recommendations to help them decide on the best career path for themselves. Using Smart Career Technology Yenza helps students navigate the process of choosing a career path in an informed and non-stressful way. Yenza extends beyond a child’s schooling career and can offer guidance and recommendations throughout their working career.

For information on the Yenza App visit, https://yenza.me/ .

Enquire at Trinityhouse.

Apply at Trinityhouse.

Self-Regulation & Why Kids Should Learn It

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:07:18 GMT

Why Children Should Learn Self-Regulation

Being in control of your emotions and actions is something every child grows into. As your child enters different phases of their life, they will be taught a variety of self-regulation skills. This includes focusing on a task, controlling impulses and learning to calm down. Teaching your child self-regulation is crucial for character development and future success.

What is self-regulation?

Self-regulation is the ability to control your thoughts, feelings and actions. It involves the way in which we respond to something that could possibly upset or challenge us.

Why should kids learn how to self-regulate?

Self-regulation builds self-esteem, respect for peers and teachers as well as improves school performance. When children can grasp this concept, they will learn how to handle stress; this could be in relation to school or something personal.

Children also gain the ability to become more independent in how they behave. They will still need your unconditional support and guidance, but will develop the confidence to make their own decisions.

With great self-regulation, comes overall greatness. By encouraging your child to understand how to act and respond, you can help them in other parts of their life too. They will be nice to their school friends and sharing can come more easily.

“When we work on a child’s self-regulation, we are creating that stable internal platform that makes growth possible; any and all kinds of growth.”

Dr. Stuart Shanker

Remember, children are humans too and will sometimes struggle to learn how to deal with certain situations.

How can you teach self-regulation to your child or teen?

1. Be a role model

Children respond to the environment around them. Set a good example by making sure you create healthy eating habits , an exercise routine , emotional intelligence and proactive thinking. Be the person you want your child to be.

2. Be patient and supportive

A child needs to know that they are loved and cared for. As they learn the importance of self-regulation, it’s important to show genuine interest and interact with them if they seek your praise or approval.

3. Be realistic in helping them practice their skills

You can’t expect your child to do things they haven’t been taught or exposed to. Assess what they need help with. Is it learning how to focus? Is it knowing how to respond when spoken to? Practice makes perfect, so teach them that it’s okay to fail but never to give up.

4. Avoid punishment

Mistakes happen all the time. Shouting or screaming at your children doesn’t help improve self-regulation skills in any way. Rather try to be understanding and use it as a starting point to figure out which areas your child may need a little more help with.

5. Praise their accomplishments

Children thrive on praise and approval. You can start off with small rewards like longer screen time or something as simple as a sweet treat. This will motivate your child to improve their self-regulation skills.

How is your little one responding to self-regulation? Are they still in the learning phase or have they started to develop their own little personality? Share it with us in the comments below!

At Trinityhouse, we strive to develop the Five Core Global Competencies from Pre-Primary right up until Matric. This includes thinking, research, communication, social and self-management skills. We believe this allows our pupils to move successfully up into the real world.

To enquire more about us and who we are, click here . If you want to apply, click here . For all enquiries, please click here .

Why Is Early Childhood Education Important?

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 13:20:18 GMT

What Does Early Childhood Education Mean?

Early childhood development, or ECD, refers to the beginning of child’s a development phase. Children from the ages 0 to 6 years old are often enrolled into a nursery school or Pre-school where they are taught vital developmental skills.

According to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) “Early childhood care and education (ECCE) is more than preparation for primary school. It aims at the holistic development of a child’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs in order to build a solid and broad foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing. ECCE has the possibility to nurture caring, capable and responsible future citizens.”

The benefits of quality early childhood development extend beyond basic skills. Children can develop their creativity and social skills through social and emotional development activities, creative play and active learning.

Why is social development an important part of early education?

Being able to socialize and interact with other people are skills that needs to be learnt. In preschool, children learn that there are other people around them and they learn how to be kind and caring towards others.

Children learn about sharing and taking turns too. They learn from others as they play together in their learning environment and at home. When socializing happens at this stage, it provides a foundation for the rest of a child’s life as they will need to know how to interact with other people in a positive manner. The social and emotional development of a child work hand in hand.

What is emotional development in early childhood?

When a child is young, they are emotionally immature. Children need to be taught about different feelings and how to express them in an appropriate manner. They need to learn how to express and communicate their feelings to others which is learnt over time with the guidance of their teachers.

“Social and emotional development in the early years, also referred to as early childhood mental health, refers to children’s emerging capacity to; experience, regulate and express a range of emotions, develop close, satisfying relationships with other children and adults, actively explore their environment and learn”. One way, children can develop these relationships is through play. Playing is an important part of a child’s social development.

How is play important for child development?

Children learn through play and a preschool environment is set up to allow children to think they are just playing but they are actually learning as they play. Various areas are set up such as outdoor activities (sensory tray, sandpit play, bicycles on the bike track, jungle gyms and balance beams), fantasy corner, construction toys area, art area, reading corner and a perceptual games area. These activities develop a variety of skills and in turn develop the whole child.

What is social play in early childhood?

There are different stages of play. Solitary play is when a child plays by themselves and seems to be unaware of other children around them. Parallel play is when children play next to each other but don’t interact or play together.

Cooperative play is when children play together, they talk to each other and decide on what to play together. Furthermore, various play types can help a child develop their creativity.

How to develop creativity in early childhood?

Creativity is a very important skill for children to develop as it helps a child to think and solve problems independently. Providing a child with many different opportunities to develop this skill is important as it takes time for this to develop.

Creativity can be developed through creative play activities such as, art, drama and music. These activities provide opportunities for children to be creative and express themselves. Different kinds of media, such as painting, drawing, collage and box construction, are used as these provide a child with the opportunity to put their ideas onto paper.

Other forms of creative play include answering questions after listening to a story, problem solving, and construction play with toys, using Inquiry based learning which is focused on the child being active in their learning.

What is active learning in early childhood?

Children learn best when they are active in their learning. They need to experience everything with their 5 senses and learn through moving their body. Children cannot sit at a table all day, they to active and explore different activities indoors and outdoors so that they can develop different skills.

In addition, active learning can attribute to a child’s emotional and social development by teaching children to express their feelings through words, listening and paying attention and showing affection towards other. Moreover, active learning can help reduce challenging behaviours in many children.

What are challenging behaviours in early childhood?

Children battle to express their emotions at a young age. Many kids often have temper tantrums when they cannot get their way or they fight with their friends. Children’s attention spans are short, therefore, it can be challenging to keep a child focused for a long period of time. One way parents and caregivers can manage challenging behaviours in children is by reinforcing routine.

Routine helps a child to feel secure, it is a big part of preschool. When there are changes in their routine, the teacher will help children prepare for it which helps them to deal with the change, in a safe environment.

Routines are important in early childhood for many more reasons such as:

“Helping with behaviour management because they help children learn what’s expected of them,
Routines also help you plan for times when children might behave in challenging ways,
Talking about routines with children can help them understand and follow your family’s rules.”

At Trinityhouse, we believe in the development and growth of children from a young age. We facilitate this growth through our holistic early childhood education programme at our Pre-Primary schools. For more information on who we are, you can find out more here.

From 2022, our Trinityhouse Pre-Primary Fees will be fully inclusive! Enquire or Apply .

Early childhood care and education

Why Is Early Childhood Education Important?

Routines: behaviour management strategy

Social and Emotional Development in Early Learning Settings

5 Of The Best Educational Apps For Kids You Should Know About

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 11:42:08 GMT

The Top Educational Apps For Children

Today’s generation of kids are little digital whizzes. Technology surrounds them. From the TV they watch, to the tablets they play on, we’re living in a digital era. As a parent, you worry about your child getting too much screen time and if they’re learning anything valuable on it. Why not combine productivity and fun time into one? Here are 5 of the best educational apps for kids that you should know about.

Educational apps can be fun and useful for kids of all ages to learn from. Each app is designed to inspire bright and curious minds through visually engaging content. We’ve gathered up 5 of the best learning apps that you can download to keep your little one’s mind busy.

1. Khan Academy (Ages up to 8)

Khan Academy is a free, award-winning educational app that focuses on early childhood development. From maths and phonics to reading and writing, this app makes learning fun. You can easily choose lessons for your child off of the app’s library or choose a personalised-learning approach that is on their level.

If your little one enjoys singing and dancing, Khan Academy will have them moving and squiggling all day long!

“It shouldn’t matter how slowly a child learns, as long as we are encouraging them not to stop.”

Robert John Meehan

2. Busy Shapes & Colours (Ages up to 8)

This app is specifically designed to build a child’s fine motor skills. Kids learn about the 11 different shapes and colours with the help of a cute, animated penguin. Once one level has been passed, the next level becomes more challenging.

Since children have a shorter attention span, this app maintains that same level of engagement by adding fun effects on the shapes.

3. Fish School (Ages 2 – 5)

If ‘Finding Nemo’ made your kid wish they were part of a fish school, this app is for them. Kids can enjoy a playful under-the-sea experience with 8 fun-filled activities to choose from. They will also enhance their creative and logical thinking by finding the matching fish, learning their ABCs with fish letters and so much more.

“Children learn from anything and everything they see. They learn wherever they are, not just in special learning places.”

Unknown

4. ABCmouse.com (Ages up to 8)

If you’re looking for the best overall app, ABCmouse.com . is worth a download. It has a variety of engaging quizzes, activities and story-orientated videos for your kids to try. Even better, they track your child’s learning development with a virtual map to see how far they have come. With over 850 lessons, your child will enjoy every step of their learning adventure.

5. YouTube Kids (All ages)

Safer and more convenient, YouTube Kids was made exclusively for kids. There are hundreds of videos and engaging content for your child to choose from. Whatever their imagination, they can explore the fun and exciting world YouTube Kids has to offer. It’s ease of use makes it ideal for your kids to discover where their interests lie.

Does your child enjoy playing on their computer or tablet? If so, let us know which one of these five fun and educational apps you’ll be downloading for your kid.

We understand the important of technology and believe it will better prepare our learners for the future. That’s why we’ve incorporated a Digital Literacy Curriculum as one of our methods of teaching.

Interested in enrolling your kid at Trinityhouse? Apply now here .

To learn about who we are, read more here .

For any and all enquiries, please submit them here .

The Role of Technology in Education

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 08:05:01 GMT

How Technology Is Changing Education

The role of technology in education has never been more important than it is today. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , schools have realised that solely relying on face-to-face teaching is not an effective strategy. Many schools successfully pivot between face-to-face teaching and learning as well as online learning to continue delivering the curriculum.

Technology is everywhere. Chances are your child or teen probably has a tablet or even a mobile phone, where they’re playing games or socialising on social media ( with your permission ). Whether we like it or not, children need to be exposed to technology to be able to fit into and excel in the modern business world.

“If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.”

John Dewey

So, just how important is technology in the classroom? Here are 5 reasons why technology is beneficial in education:

1. Offers plenty of online resources

There is an endless amount of information that is merely a click away. Students require multiple resources when it comes to projects or homework, and technology has made sourcing information extremely easy. It has simplified research and made concepts easier to understand through videos and online tutorials.

Teachers can use this to their benefit too. Through advanced technology, they can research video presentations on certain subjects and present it to the class. This is an effective way to teach as visuals are important in helping children understand and learn.

2. Online testing and quizzes

One important way that technology has changed education, is through saving the environment. Going digital has prevented excessive printing of activities and use of paper. Teachers now have the ability to conduct class exercises, tests and quizzes online.

“Technology will not replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational.”

George Couros

Online testing is the way of the future and many teachers are able to provide instant results to their students. There are also plenty of online courses available as well as apps designed to provide extra lessons to those in need of more assistance.

3. Lessons are more interactive

Technology in education has phased out traditional teaching methods. What was once chalk boards are now white boards that are simple and easy to use. Teachers can call on students to actively participate, turning regular teaching into more engaging lessons.

Teachers now have the opportunity to enhance their lessons through audio visuals, podcasts, webinars and more. Whereas textbooks can be somewhat boring and kids tend to lose interest very quickly, videos and interactive activities will keep them interested and learning.

4. Kids are digital whizzes

The current generation are considered to be very tech-savvy. They grew up with technology around them. It can be the TV, their tablet or even their computer or video games. For this reason, children learn much faster and are able to multi-task much easier than previous generations. Since every child is different and unique, technology allows them to learn at their own pace.

5. The future is digital

There is always something new when it comes to technology. It is advancing everyday and replacing many old-school trends. In order for children to succeed in the future, technology needs to be available and utilised in school. This will give them the added advantage they need to succeed.

At Trinityhouse, we believe the power of education can be transformed with technology. For this reason, we have STEAM Centres at our campuses in which an interactive curriculum is delivered. This curriculum focuses on practical-based learning for our students to explore their own interests through STEAM education.

How do you feel about technology in the classroom? We’d love to hear your thoughts about it below.

Interested in enrolling your child at Trinityhouse? Apply here now . If you have any questions and would like to submit an enquiry, please click here . To learn more about who we are and Go Lab, you can read more here .

How to choose a Preschool for your child?

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 14:45:58 GMT

What is a Preschool?

Preschool also known as a pre-primary or nursey school is a learning phase child care facility which assists in the development of young children. Many nursery schools offer a day care programme for babies and toddlers as young as 6 months old while some Pre-primary schools admit children from the age of 18 months and upward.

Commonly, children 3 to 6 years of age are enrolled into a preschool where they are taught a combination of fundamental, play based learning, hands on activities and developmental skills. Preschools or nursery schools play an integral role in early childhood development.

Why should a child go to a preschool?

As a parent, it is normal to have concerns about sending your child to school at young age and many parents often opt to keep their children at home. However, research suggests that “children in day care gain better social and behavioural skills that give them a leg up in life”.

High-quality, and nurturing preschools can help improve a child’s reading skills, basic math skills and vocabulary in their early years of development. In addition, preschools can reinforce vital social skills such as sharing , making friends, teamwork, following simple direction and the ability to think independently. These skills can contribute to the development of a child, physically, emotionally and socially but how can you be sure that your child is ready for preschool?

Common signs that your child is ready for preschool include:

1. Your child is toilet/potty trained

This is a requirement of many preschools as it allows children a more enjoyable experience at school. It reduces a child’s worry and anxiety around “having an accident” which can be an embarrassing and shameful experience for a young child. Some preschools will cater for children who are not potty trained (generally in Grade 0000) and potty training will form part of the skills the children learn.

2. Your child can spend time alone ( Independent Play )

Your child is comfortable in their own silence which usually indicates that they can concentrate for a longer period without getting distracted.

3. Your child can focus on a task for longer

Your child can focus on a given task without losing concentration or without getting easily distracted. This means that he/she will be able to listen to the teacher, take direction or focus on classroom tasks or homework.

4. Your child can interact with others

Your child feels comfortable in the presence of other kids and adults and can be away from their parents for a longer period. Moreover, your child is has developed social skills and can share, play and communicate with others.

5. Your child can communicate their needs

One of the most important signs that your child is ready for preschool is their ability to communicate their needs i.e. “I’m hungry”, “I want to lie down” or “my tummy hurts”. This shows that your child will be more confident in communicating their needs to their teacher.

You may see that your child possesses many of these qualities but what is better for a child, a half day or full-day preschool?

“A research study found that children who attend full-day programs are more school-ready than those who attend half-day programs.” Full day preschools allow a child more freedom to socialize, learn, explore, and play in a day.

Learning through play at Trinityhouse

The Trinityhouse holistic education and care programme of a learn through play methodology is combined with a sensory integrated perceptual programme and is implemented by our highly qualified teachers.

Learn through play aims to:

Promote the emotional, social and physical development of the child.
Develop a positive attitude towards school and learning through a nurturing environment.
Build the foundation of all academic areas.
Provide an atmosphere which allows for creativity and the love of God.
Provide guidance in developing self-discipline.
Develop the ability to communicate.
Provide opportunities for the child to learn to reason, solve problems, make decisions, draw conclusions, and express opinions without fear and rejection.

What are the requirements for Pre- Primary at Trinityhouse?

Grade 0000, 000 and 00 - parents are required to submit their ID copies, birth certificate and pay the R550 application fee, once application is processed, an offer will be made to the parent and.
Parents/care givers will be required an enrolment fee of R5850 to secure their child’s space.
Grade R/0 - parents are required to provide their ID copies and need to provide their child’s birth certificate, latest school report (if available) and pay the R550 application fee.
For entry into Grade 0 your child will be required to complete an assessment which helps the school identify any areas of concern and this has no bearing in weather Trinityhouse accepts your child or not but is used as a starting base for our teachers to work from.

Early learning helps to promote vital life skills and assists in the physical, social and emotional developmental milestones of a child. With four beautiful and well-maintained campuses, Trinityhouse schools are a home away from home. Through our system of consistent communication between our parents and teachers we are able to provide your child with the education and care that they require at their young age.

Looking for a Preschool in Randburg (Randpark Ridge)?

For a school in Randburg. Tel:(011) 794–8564, Email: dpage@trinityhouse.co.za. Enquire or Apply .

Looking for a Preschool in Centurion?

Tel:(012) 003-1395, Email: heritagehillinquiries@trinityhouse.co.za. Enquire or Apply .

Looking for a Preschool in Glenvista (JHB South)?

Tel: (010) 003-3944 | 081 821 4852, Email: mmotsepe@trinityhouse.co.za. Enquire or Apply .

Looking for a Preschool in Roodepoort?

Tel: 087-353-7898 Email: admin@trinityhouse.co.za. Enquire or Apply .

At Trinityhouse, we believe in the development and growth of children from a young age. We facilitate this growth through our holistic early childhood education programme. For more information on who we are, you can find out more here.

Sources:

Early childhood education yields big benefits

Signs your child is ready for preschool

5 Signs to Know if Your Child is Ready For Preschool

How to know if your child is ready for preschool

Early education

Is in house day care right for your children

Why Independent Play is Great for Kids

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:01:36 GMT

The Importance Of Independent Play

There’s nothing wrong with giving your child a little bit of alone time. In fact, children need their space too. Many parents believe that children require constant attention and need to be kept busy, but this is not the case. Leaving your child to play independently doesn’t just give you that small break you’ve been wishing for, it is beneficial to their development too.

Have you ever come home from a long day and just wanted a little peace and quiet? Children feel the same way too sometimes. Being at school can require them to be sociable and constantly interacting with their peers and teachers. Sometimes they look forward to coming home to play and unwind in their own space.

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.”

Kay Redfield Jamison

Independent play is a necessity for children, here’s why:

1. Imagination skyrockets

Independent play allows your child to be as creative as they want to be, without any judgment or input from others. They create imaginary worlds that are filled with their own creative ideas. Don’t be surprised if they tell you the floor is made of lava and you have to jump on couches to avoid getting burned.

2. Mood balances

After running around outside and playing with their friends all day, children find peace in being alone. It brings them a sense of serenity and they can be themselves, without having to find the energy to interact. This alone time teaches them to balance and regulate their emotions.

3. Self-Reliant and confident

Don’t feel guilty about encouraging your child to play on their own. It builds up their confidence and teaches them that sometimes, solitude is best . They have all this freedom on their hands, and this creates opportunities where they’re not limited by someone else. This tests their mind, their willingness and ability to learn.

“Only children believe they’re capable of everything.”

Paulo Coelho

4. Fast learners

Mental health is not only important for adults, children with calm minds tend to make better decisions and succeed at school. Through independent play, children are forced to think for themselves. This enhances their focus and concentration skills, which helps them develop a longer attention span.

5. Independent and empowered

Children who learn how to be independent will grow up knowing that they are in charge of their own actions. At social events, they won’t give in to peer pressure because they understand that they’re in control. Their independency helps them make conscious decisions based on their own thoughts.

Some children won’t adapt as quickly to independent play as others and need some inspiration. Through practice and patience, you can guide your child and ease them into playing on their own.

At Trinityhouse, we believe independency is an important skill for children to learn. We have identified five Core Global Competencies that we carry out from Pre-Primary to Matric and self-management skills are one of them.

How do you feel about independent play for your children? We’d love to hear your stories below!

Should you have any questions or queries, Enquire Now and we will gladly assist. For more information on who we are, you can find out more on our About Us page.

Enrolments at Trinityhouse are now open, Apply Now .

The Causes Of Loneliness In Kids

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 26 May 2021 08:18:16 GMT

What is loneliness?

Alone time, disconnecting from the world and occasionally distancing yourself from others, these are often very normal and necessary practices for an anyone's wellbeing. As a parent, you understand the need and importance for your child to have sufficient alone or down time. However, how much solitude is too much and can constant isolation be attributed to feelings of loneliness?

Loneliness is a common and normal human feeling of sadness often caused by the lack of friends or company. However, is it normal for young children to feel lonely?

Feelings of loneliness are experienced by both adults and children but intense and constant feelings of loneliness can be concerning, especially in children.

“According to an article published on MentalHelp.net, An American Addiction Centers Resource, “It is becoming increasingly clear that many young children understand the concept of loneliness and report feeling lonely.”

A study conducted in 2018 by Office for National Statistics (ONS) found that “More than one-in-ten children have reported suffering loneliness and 11% of children surveyed reported that they were often lonely. Feelings of loneliness were most prevalent for kids aged between 10 and 12.”

What are the causes of loneliness?

There are various life events or circumstances that can commonly cause loneliness in children such as:

Changing schools
Divorce
An older sibling leaving home
Feeling rejected by peers
Lacking social skills
Being bullied
Dealing with death in the family
Being “single” when they have boyfriends or girlfriends
Possessing personality traits such as low self-esteem, anxiety, shyness

Childhood loneliness

Childhood loneliness can be caused by “poor peer relationships” from a young age and can lead to difficulty in making friends or maintaining relationships later in life. Moreover, “feeling excluded can be damaging to a child’s self-esteem” and have various affects on a child’s behavior, including mental health.

A review in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) found “extensive evidence of an association between loneliness and an increased risk of mental health problems for children and young people.”

Loneliness & Mental Health

The Covid-19 pandemic and the need to isolate for weeks has had a major effect on adults and children’s mental health. According to a new review of existing evidence about childhood loneliness, “kids who were stuck at home, or away from school, for weeks or months during the pandemic could face mental health impacts, both now and in the future”.

The need to address symptoms of loneliness and other related mental health conditions such as anxiety are becoming greater as children are becoming more in tuned with their feelings form a younger age. This is to the extent that even popular children’s cartoons such as Adventure Time have now started tackling real life issues by creating episodes with underlying themes of mental health conditions such as loneliness.

Prolonged feelings of loneliness can lead to Chronic Loneliness which is a mental health condition and “can occur when feelings of loneliness and social isolation go on for a long period of time”. Other long-term effects of loneliness can include, difficulty sleeping , depression, anxiety, negative outlook on life, poor self-esteem, self-harm such as cutting or eating disorders.

Above all else, it is important that parents be extremely mindful of a child’s feelings and behaviors and find ways to address these feelings. There are many signs that your child could be struggling with loneliness and social anxiety, but it is important to know the difference between a child who likes to be alone and a child who is lonely.

How to tell if your child is lonely?

Talks a lot

Often the most common and first signs of a lonely child is being very talkative. This is due to a child’s need for attention.

Seeks attention

A child can seek attention in many ways, however, negative attention seeking commonly comes in the form of bad behavior and mischievousness. Children can often be disruptive and obnoxious in the classroom too.

Low self esteem

Children who are lonely often struggle with low self-esteem and constantly seek validation and approval form those around them mainly from their peers.

Children who suffer from loneliness are often sad and cry for no reason. They experience many negative and overwhelming feelings in which they cannot explain.

Retreats to their rooms for long periods of time

This may be more common in adolescents, however, children who are lonely often confine themselves to their rooms or places where they can be alone and completely avoid interacting with others.

Creates imaginary friends

They can create imaginary friends to fill the void of not having any friends and can commonly talk to themselves.

Often timid, shy and unsure of themselves

Lonely children often have poor social skills and find it difficult to “fit in” which can lead to feeling rejected by their peers.

Reclusive

Some children may seek attention but many children who are lonely tend to retreat and isolate themselves from others. These kids often want to be in company, however, lack the social skills and confidence to socialize and make friends.

Talks negatively about themselves

Kids who are lonely may not say it outright, however, they generally have quite a negative opinion of themselves such as “nobody likes me”, “I’m a failure”, “I don’t have any friends”. It is extremely important to pay attention to this behavior as it can be a plea for help.

How to help a child deal with loneliness

Overcoming loneliness is not a simple concept. However, parents who suspect that their child is struggling with loneliness can provide help in various ways:

1. Talk to your children about their feelings

Acknowledge your child’s feelings and try to understand what is causing them to feel this way. It is important not to dismiss these emotions.

2. Find out what your children are interested in

Talk to your child about what interests them and find activities, groups, or classes that they could join.

3. Encourage more outdoor activities

Urge your child to do more sports or exercise this is not only great for their bodies but for their minds too.

4. Limit screen time

Many kids who feel lonely may spend more time on their phones and the internet. However, Social media, pop culture and the internet in general can impact loneliness in a negative way. Not everything on the internet is positive and gaming can be an extremely unsociable activity.

5. Seek guidance from faith communities

Find out how your faith community can help, many faith communities offer prayer and worship groups for children. These groups can sometimes offer a sense of belonging.

6. Spend more time with family

Spending more time with immediate and extended family can encourage more socializing. During the Pandemic, find ways for children to socialize safely such as Face Time, or outdoor distanced gatherings.

7. Talk to your child’s teacher

Ask your child’s teacher to assist them in making friends or encouraging them to do group activities.

8. Seek professional help

Speaking to a therapist could help your child in addressing their feelings and with their social skills.

At Trinityhouse, the mental and emotional welfare of the pupils entrusted to us is not taken lightly. We want to see every child thrive. For more on how you can secure a place for your child, please click here to apply now.

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Should you have an enquiry, feel free to direct it to us here - Enquire Now

Sources

https://www.jdch.com/blog/2020/05/7-ways-parents-can-help-kids-cope-with-loneliness

https://www.mentalhelp.net/child-development/loneliness-in-young-children/

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/articles/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201119124626.htm

https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/health-wellness/chronic-loneliness

https://theconversation.com/why-addressing-loneliness-in-children-can-prevent-a-lifetime-of-loneliness-in-adults-76248

https://mhanational.org/your-child-lonely-parents

https://www.enannysource.com/blog/index.php/2012/01/07/10-ways-to-tell-if-a-kid-is-lonely/

https://www.verywellmind.com/childhood-loneliness-and-mental-health-5079357

https://animationexamination.wordpress.com/2019/03/10/addressing-mental-illness-through-the-ice-king/

How To Talk To Your Children About Racism

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 25 May 2021 13:43:58 GMT

Talking to kids about racism

As your children grow up and start exploring the world around them, they will begin to notice that everyone has a different skin colour, differences in eye colour or hair texture. While most schools address issues around diversity, it is important that the topic of racism is overtly discussed in the home and not just at school. We all know that this can be a difficult topic for a parent to tackle, but like many other difficult topics, the conversation will have the best outcome when parents create a safe space for it in their home.

As we will have seen from the Black Lives Matter movements and protests that swept the whole world in 2020, we cannot simply turn a blind eye to racism or pretend that it doesn’t affect us. The best approach is to take the time to explain that racism is often caused by a lack of empathy for others.

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than it’s opposite.”

- Nelson Mandela

Some studies have shown that babies from as little as 5 months old have the ability to pick up on physical differences such as skin colour. The earlier you teach your children about racial diversity, the quicker they will learn how to defend themselves or others from it. Here are some age-friendly ways to help your children understand racial diversity.

5 Years and Under

Children under the age of 5 are most impressionable and will model your behaviour. Show empathy and respect for all in your daily life and your child will model this behaviour going forward. Children under the age of 5 often tend “not to see skin colour” and will focus on other aspects of their friends such as gender and whether they like to play the same games. However, you can explain racism by simply putting a daisy and a rose next to each other. In age-appropriate language, teach them that whilst one is different from the other, they’re both equal and beautiful.

If your child asks why another child’s skin is a different colour from theirs, don’t ignore them; smile and say “Imagine having only one colour crayon, wouldn’t that be boring? You want all the colours of the rainbow, and so did God.” It’s a great way to show your children that you are open to helping them understand any question they may ask.

6 – 12 Years

Children are more aware of their surroundings and have started thinking for themselves at this age. The best thing you can do is to listen, understand and be supportive. If you’re watching a movie together, ask them, “Why are some people the bad guys and some the good guys?” It will be interesting for you to hear their response and they’ll probably teach you a thing or two.

At this age children are also able to absorb simple scientific facts. Find interesting YouTube videos that explain the reason for varied melatonin levels in skin.

13 Years and Up

Honest and open discussions are best during this age as they are able to tell you what they know and how they feel about racism. Try asking them how they would like to include more diversity and culture at home. Whether it’s a traditional meal or a culture-oriented movie, exposing your children to different lifestyles lets them know that everyone is different and should be respected.

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognise, accept, and celebrate those differences.”

- Audre Lord

At Trinityhouse, we believe that every child should be treated with respect, love and kindness. We have introduced a programme called Respect Diversity and Inclusion in every Trinityhouse School and specific topics are deliberately included to stimulate debate, improve understanding and ultimately ensure that every child is accepted and celebrated. How do you tackle this issue at home? Share your thoughts with us and other parents below.

If you wish to learn more about us and what we stand for, please visit our About Us page. All applications are welcome. Apply Now . For any and all enquiries, we’re more than happy to help:

Enquiries

Caring for a Child with Tactile Sensory Disorder

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 09:38:49 GMT

Tactile Sensory Disorder In Children

Children with tactile sensory disorder have trouble processing sensory information compared to other children. This type of disorder can affect their taste, sight, sense of touch, smell and hearing; which is pre-dominantly used in their early development phase.

Tactile sensory disorder is commonly found in children more than adults. Whilst it is not considered an official medical diagnosis, some doctors believe that a sensory disorder is a symptom of another type of disorder. This can include autism, ADHD, anxiety and so on. With this being said, all it takes is a little bit of extra help, love and attention to teach children with SPD how to manage their way through life.

“Children remind us to treasure the smallest of gifts, even in the most difficult of times.”

Allen Klein

So, how exactly does tactile sensory disorder affect a child? In certain situations, the brain either over or underreacts to a certain stimuli. This means that some sounds can be extremely painful or a soft abrasion can graze the skin; all because their brain receives and processes information differently compared to others.

W here does Tactile Sensory Disorder Stem from?

Like most disorders, it can be hereditary. However, it is said that prenatal and birth complications as well as environmental factors also have a role to play. It is likely that a parent who has autism is likely to produce a child who can suffer with SPD. But it must be noted that children with SPD do not have autism, unless consulted and diagnosed by a doctor.

How to Tell if Your Child has SPD

There are two types of tactile sensory disorders. One is an overreaction to stimuli; meaning some clothing textures, food smells and normal sounds can be overwhelming and difficult for their sensory system to interpret. The second is an underreaction to stimuli. Perhaps loud music is too soft and they require something louder which others would find unbearable. On the other hand, they could experience both types of SPD.

Sometimes a child’s behaviour can be mistaken as a learning pattern, where it seems as if they are trying their best to find their feet. If you notice your child is struggling or feeling over or underwhelmed by minor sounds and/or textures, it might be a good idea to take your child to a paediatrician.

SPD Treatment

It’s natural for parents to want the best for their children, and watching them struggle definitely tugs at the heart strings. Seeking a child therapist early to treat tactile sensory disorder is key to helping kids learn how to manage it effectively. During therapy, the professional will proactively teach your children how to cope; either through fun activities in a safe, controlled environment or supply what is referred to as a ‘Sensory diet’. This is personalised to your child’s specific needs and helps them remain focused and organised.

“Sometimes real superheroes live in the hearts of small children fighting big battles.”

Anonymous

It is important to treat your child with kindness and patience whilst they learn how to manage their disorder. It is not easy and can negatively impact them as they grow older if not treated early enough. Children with SPD are children that just need a little bit more love and help along the way.

Here at Trinityhouse, we continue to explore and expand our approaches to teaching and learning. We aim to provide your child with the best possible education for an ever-changing world.

Should you wish to learn more about Trinityhouse, please visit our About Us page. For applications, please click here and follow the process:

Apply Now

For any and all enquiries, please feel free to get in touch here:

Enquire Now

5 Essential Life Skills Every Child Should Know

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 11:59:08 GMT

Life Skills Your Children Should Know

As your children grow, they will need to learn important skills that will help them understand the world around them. Like anything in life, it takes continuous practice and guidance to excel any skill. Starting with the basics such as communication and comprehension to critical thinking and money management, here are 5 essential life skills every child should know.

Did you know that children have the ability to absorb information like a sponge? For this reason, it’s important to ensure children are exposed to many life skills from a young age. These include creative thinking, learning to be empathetic, communicating effectively and helping out around the house. Not only do life skills assist in overall development, it also helps children learn to adapt to any situation in life.

“It is not what you do for your children, but what you teach them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.”

Anne Landers

1) Communication Is Key

“Please”, “Thank you”, “Hello” and “Goodbye”, communication is one of the most basic examples of a life skill and it goes without saying that it will help your child get ready for the big world. Encouraging regular conversations assists children to find their voice and think about how they will respond, whilst learning how others will understand them. This is considered to be the most important and necessary life skill your child will learn.

2) A Good Mix of Critical and Creative Thinking

Children are full of bright and fun ideas. Yes, those macaroni necklaces do require a good mix of critical and creative thinking. Learning how to think differently and solve problems is another set of essential life skills that will give them the advance they need in the future. Getting your children involved in fun activities such as obstacle courses or puzzle games, allows them to analyse a situation and find a unique way to solve it.

3) Helping out in the House

Play time is fun time! But fun time also means learning how and when to pack away their toys. Teaching your children to clean up after themselves is a life skill fit for any situation. It teaches them to take responsibility for any mess that they may make and encourages cleanliness in their surroundings. Get them started with something easy, like washing the dishes or sweeping the floor. Make any chore fun by singing a song or rewarding them for their efforts.

4) Making Good and Healthy Choices

This is a set of life skills that should be taught from a very young age. Decisions can be difficult to make, especially if their hardest choice is chocolate or a crispy apple. For example, choosing the chocolate provides next to no nutritional value and can lead to a sugar rush, whereas the apple is a great source of vitamins and high in fibre. Let your children know that making good, healthy choices involves weighing out the good and bad. Guide them through these steps with patience as they learn to make them on their own.

“Children learn how to make good decisions, by making decisions, not by following directions.”

Alfie Kohn

5) Saving Money in the Piggybank

Children are taught from a young age how to count at school. Turn those lessons into life skills by teaching the importance of money and how to save it. Knowing when to spend and when to save is vital and will help them make smart choices as they grow older. If children are given an allowance or make money by doing chores in the house, teach them to save by investing in a piggy bank where they can keep it all safe.

At Trinityhouse, we understand the growth of each child is different and take pride in initiating these life skills into their early education. Our goal is to provide your children with a quality scholar experience that will prepare them for the real world.

Should you wish to learn more about us, please visit our "about us" page. Click here to apply now and secure a spot for your child.

For any enquiries, please contact us directly via this link:

Enquire Now

Anxiety In Children: School Anxiety Causes And Tips

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 13:10:34 GMT

Children like adults often experience feelings of anxiousness but is it normal for your young child to feel worried or anxious? The answer is yes, anxiety is a feeling or nervousness and your body’s natural response to stress, therefore, it is completely normal for children to experience these feelings too.

Feelings of worry or anxiousness may be more intense and frequent in some children and as a parent it is important to be aware of these feelings.

Common signs of anxiety in children

· Overwhelmed by feelings of sadness and stress

· Always crying

· Trouble sleeping , broken sleep and/or has recurring nightmares

· Constant negative thoughts and trouble concentrating

· Constantly irritable and gets agitated quite easily

· Loss of appetite and frequent complaints about tummy aches

· Feelings of nervousness, tenseness and often fidgety

· Often seems scared, distant, and reluctant to speak

· Being clingy all the time

Addressing anxiety in children means understanding the different types of anxiety experienced by children and their causes. One of the most common anxieties experienced by young children is School anxiety.

School anxiety

It is common for children to have fears about starting school, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America “School anxiety affects 2% to 5% of school aged children”.

Children react in many ways as result to fears about interacting with other kids or being separated from their parents for too long. Younger children may often be quite reluctant to go to school, they may throw tantrums, ask if “parents can stay at school with them” or complain about feeling unwell.

Moreover, anxieties towards school can stem from fears of being bullied or demands of achieving at a high level in the classroom. Understanding your kid’s fears surrounding school is important and a necessary step towards helping your anxious child.

Helping children with anxiety

There are many simple methods that parents could consider when helping children manage feelings of anxiety.

Five ways to help your anxious child

1.Help your child understand their feelings

Improving Your Child's Emotional Intelligence will help them in understanding and dealing with their feelings better. Children who understand their emotions at young age tend to cope with feelings of stress and worry in more positive way.

2. Help your kid face their fears

It is important to support your child when they are feeling afraid in way that is sensitive and reassuring. Pulling children away from the things that scare them could create a coping mechanism to all stressful situations. Helping children avoid their fears could be helpful in the short term but could possibly reinforce anxieties in the long run.

3. Reinforce a positive attitude

Helping children make light of difficult or stressful situations can provide them with the confidence to face various challenges and obstacles. You cannot take the feeling of fear away from children, but you can help in reassuring them that “everything is going to be okay”.

4. Ask your child about their feelings

Talk to you your child about their feelings and ask how they feel about a certain challenge or situation. However, be careful to not encourage fears by asking questions that lead to feelings of being stressed or worried. – “Are you nervous about going to school?” You can avoid fueling feelings of anxiety by asking questions such as “How are feeling about your first day of school”?

5. Mange your anxieties in a positive way

Children are extremely perceptive especially at a young age, therefore, as a parent it is important to model good ways of coping with anxieties. It is okay that children know that you too deal with feelings of fear and anxiety too. Tolerating these feelings and handling them in a way that is calm and positive helps your child learn great coping mechanisms towards feelings of anxiety.

Providing nurturing and care for your child to overcome any obstacle.

At Trinityhouse, we are there to support the modern child and our support extends beyond your child’s academic abilities. For more on how you can secure a place for your child, please click here to apply now.

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Should you have an enquiry, feel free to direct it to us via this link - Enquire Now

Tips On How To Help Your Child Sleep

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 10:40:52 GMT

Help! My Kids Wont Sleep

As a parent, you know the impact that a bad night's sleep can have on your child. It can lead to irritability and problems concentrating. While adults may have low energy levels with not enough sleep, some children may experience the opposite. They can become hyperactive. Science has also linked sleep deprivation with several health concerns such as obesity and a weakened immune system. Getting your kids to sleep properly is vital for your child's health and wellbeing. If your child is experiencing insomnia, here are a few tips to help them sleep better at night.

“Tired minds don’t plan well. Sleep first, plan later” - Walter Reisch

1. Set a proper bedtime routine

A regular bedtime routine starting around the same time each night encourages good sleep patterns. For younger children, a bath followed by brushing teeth and story time is a good bedtime routine. Their brains will start to associate this routine with bedtime, and they will feel ready for sleep. In older children, the routine may include a quiet talk about their day over a glass of milk then some time alone reading a book before lights out.

It is important to note that at this time all electronic devices need to be switched off and stored away.

2. Keep regular times

Maintaining regular sleep times every night reassures good sleep patterns. Because we are all creatures of habit, our brains start to recognise when it is time to sleep. Keep your child's bedtime the same time each night. This will ensure that their body clock is in sync. Try to maintain similar times on weekends and over the holidays.

3. Relax and calm the mind

Typically, a child will fall asleep within 20 minutes of going to bed. If you find that your child is battling to fall asleep you may want to introduce sleep aids for children. These are techniques to help calm them down. Examples of sleep aids breathing exercises for relaxation or some soothing music. Older children could wind down by reading a book. Sipping on a herbal tea like chamomile, can help lower anxiety, making it easier to fall asleep.

4. Keep your child’s daytime naps early and short

Younger children need daytime naps, but this normally stops between the ages of 3 and 5. If your child is over five years and is still napping during the day, try to keep these naps short and early in the day. If your child is taking long naps later in the afternoon, this could make it difficult for them to get to sleep at night.

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything” - Irish Proverb

5. Get plenty of exercise

A recent study by the World Health Organization concludes that 80% of kids between the ages of 11 and 17 aren’t physically active enough . Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and has been shown to improve the quality of sleep. It also helps with insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Just make sure your child's more intense workouts aren’t too close to bedtime, as this could keep them up.

As part of our holisitic offering, Trinityhouse, offers several sporting activities for pupils to participate in.

6. Electronic devices cause a child not to sleep.

Studies have shown that electronic devices can interfere with kid’s sleep by suppressing the production of melatonin. This natural hormone released in the evening helps you feel tired and ready for sleep. If your body isn’t producing melatonin, this leads to neurophysiologic arousals that increase feelings of alertness. If your kid won’t sleep, turn off those electronic devices long before bedtime.

To ensure that your child gets a better night’s sleep:

● Turn off devices at least one hour before bedtime.

● Keep devices and televisions out of your child’s room at night.

● For younger children who use a night-light, choose a dim, warm-coloured globe, rather than a bright, white or cool-coloured globe.

At Trinityhouse, the physical and emotional welfare of the pupils entrusted to us is not taken lightly. We want to see every child thrive. For more on how you can secure a place for your child, please click here to apply now.

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Should you have an enquiry, feel free to direct it to us here - Enquire Now

Teenager Dating: The Conversation You Should Be Having

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 11:19:14 GMT

Does your teenager want to start dating? Here are some tips to help you during this worrying time.

It has finally happened. Your teenager wants to start dating. Perhaps you have dreaded this moment. You knew it would happen, but you didn’t think it would be so soon. Despite trying to slow down time, you wake up one morning and realise that your baby is not a baby anymore. Suddenly, their bodies are changing, and romantic feelings are starting to develop.

As a parent, it is normal to be worried. You can manage this transition with clear communication, patience and love. Dating can help your teenager make friends and feel more comfortable about their identity.

To help you navigate through these uncertain times, we have put together a few things to consider when your teen wants to start dating.

1. Set rules for teenage dating

Setting boundaries early on will cause you a lot less stress going forward. That is why it is important to lay down the rules. Make sure your teen understands and acknowledges those rules so that there is no confusion. Teen dating rules are essential for allowing them to be safe and still have fun. It is important to let them know that you support them but that it is also your job to protect them. This way, you will gain their trust and they will be more inclined to come to you with their problems.

Rules that should be discussed include curfews, where in the house they may visit, e.g. bedroom or lounge area, or who is allowed to drive if one party is a licenced driver. It is better to have these conversations upfront than in passing or in the heat of the moment.

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” - Khalil Gibran

2. Be realistic

When talking to your teen about dating and relationships, be respectful. If you communicate with your teen in a way that respects her or his individuality, opinions, and beliefs, then your teen will be more likely to do the same for you. This helps to create a healthy and open line of communication between you and your child. If you try to enforce harsh rules on the other hand, you will probably meet resistance and lies. Be gentle and supporting, but don’t be a pushover. Be sure to let your teen know you support him or her in the dating process. Parents need to be setting rules for teenage dating early in the relationship.

3. Define a healthy relationship

Make sure that you educate your teen about the foundations of a healthy relationship. Explain to them that a healthy relationship is built on respect, trust, honesty, communication and understanding. A healthy relationship should consist of boundaries that are respected by both partners equally. A good partner will accept your boundaries and support your personal choices. There are also many different types of abuse your teen should be made aware of before entering a relationship. Discuss these with them openly and honestly.

“Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses.” - Ann Landers

4. Keep the conversation open about sex

While most of us would like to avoid this conversation, it is in everyone’s best interest to talk openly about sex. Our children live in a highly evolving technology society and unfortunately are easily exposed to sexual language, images, and behaviours. Would you want your teen to learn about this from you, someone else or on the internet? You may not have to go into too much detail and rather turn it into a discussion rather than a presentation. Be honest, direct and consider your teen's point of view. It is essential that parents educate themselves about the laws that govern underage sex in South Africa. Though the legal age of consent is 16, this may vary should the parties involved both be under the age of 16 and the age gap no greater than 2 years. Awkward as it may be, sex education is a parent's responsibility.

How you support your child during this dating stage can have a big impact on their future relationships and the mature adult they become. The more open and supportive you can be with your teen, the better. Openly discussing sex with your teen does not mean that you condone or approve of sexual relations at a young age, but it will ensure that your teen is not caught off guard which could lead to an uneducated decision. It will also mean that if something does go wrong with the relationship, you want them to know that they can come to you for help and advice.

At Trinityhouse, our support extends beyond your child’s academic abilities. For more on how you can secure a place for your child, please click here to apply now.

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Should you have an enquiry, feel free to direct it to us via this link - Enquire Now

Should Your Teenager Get A Part Time Job While In High School?

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 11:17:18 GMT

Should Your Teen Get A Part-Time Job?

If you are asking yourself if your teen should get a part-time job, then you’re not alone. As a parent, there are many reasons why you would encourage your teenager to find a part-time job. You may want them to learn basic life skills and responsibility. Your teen might want to earn money so that they can buy the things they want. Whatever the reason, here are a few aspects to consider.

What are some benefits of a part-time job for teens?

1. Teens can learn about finances

When your teen starts their job, they will need to open a bank account. This is a great opportunity to teach them how to create a budget, learn to spend wisely and save. At this age, all they can think about is buying that new smartphone. As much as you’d like to let them do that, it’s important to teach them about long-term saving goals. While you’re teaching your teen about finances, you can also show them how you handle your finances. This will give them first hand experience to see how it’s done. Money management skills are essential tools that they will take with them through life.

2. Gain valuable soft skills

A job will help your teen develop soft skills essential for their future career. These include time management, interpersonal, communication, troubleshooting and presentation skills, as well as many others. Soft skills are of vital importance. They are often the reason employers decide whether to hire or promote an employee.

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.”

Albert Einstein

3. Get some practical experience

Hard skills are different from soft skills in that they are directly relevant to the job to which you are doing. Hard skills are teachable skill sets that are learned on the job. One such skill for a retail assistant might be the ability to operate a cash register. Unlike soft skills, hard skills may not necessarily be transferable, but they will give your teen an idea of how things work in the real world.

4. Setting themselves up for the future

When your teen takes on a part-time job, they will meet people who could assist them in the future . A work reference goes a long way when applying for their first job. Many companies offer internship programmes for graduates. If your teen already has experience working for the company, they have a good chance of being selected.

“The future depends on what you do today.”

Mahatma Gandhi

The earlier teenagers are taught good financial management skills, the better their chance of becoming financially savvy.

5. Independence

Independence is essential for your teen's self-esteem. Teenagers who feel good about themselves often have more confidence to determine who they are and what they want to do with their lives. Part of helping your teen to become independent involves agreeing on boundaries around their part-time job and what’s expected of them. As a parent, you want your teen to grow into a confident and capable adult, so it's ok to let go.

What are some disadvantages of a part-time job for teens?

1. Time

If your teen has a part-time job, this will result in a reduced amount of time to study, do homework or participate in extramural activities. It could be challenging to participate in the entire school experience such as sports, art, choir or clubs.

2. Work can cause stress

While a job can provide many positive benefits, the anxiety of time constraints and expectations can prove to be too much for your teen to handle. If any of the above aren’t an issue, here are some jobs that could be suitable for your teen:

● Retail shop assistant

● Waitering Jobs

● Lawn-mowing

● Warehousing

● Car Washing

● Tutoring

● Dog Walking

● Au Pair

It is important for your teen to maintain good grades. Getting their education is their primary job and helping them do that is yours. If you are considering letting your teen work during the year, you will have to contemplate what their current schedule looks like and decide if there is room for part-time work. By figuring this out together, you will gain a better understanding of whether it is the right time for them.

At Trinityhouse, our aim is to help your teen reach their full potential.

For more on how you can secure a place for your child, please click here to apply now.

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Should you have an enquiry, feel free to direct it to us via this link - Enquire Now

Tips For The Trinityhouse Grade 8 Scholarship Exam

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 07:56:50 GMT

Writing a scholarship exam can be an extremely exciting and daunting process, therefore, in order to yield the best results, it’s imperative that each candidate be well prepared for the task ahead.

What is a Scholarship Exam?

A scholarship exam is aimed at challenging and evaluating each candidates’ intellectual and academic abilities in both Mathematics and English. The Trinityhouse Academic Scholarship exam is set up to evaluate both these criteria as well as test a candidate’s knowledge on work that should have been covered in Grade 6. Candidates from various schools sit these examinations therefore there is an emphasis on skills that all Grade 7 pupils at this stage should Scholarships are awarded on merit and will cover a portion a student’s tuition fees based on their performance.

Applying for a Scholarship at Trinityhouse

You can apply for a Grade 8 Scholarship by filling out the application form and uploading your final Grade 6 report. Your report and application form will be assessed, and only selected applicants will be invited to sit for the examination. The deadline to submit Scholarship applications is the 6 ^th March 2023. The Trinityhouse Scholarship exam will be written on the 10 ^th March 2023 and candidates should come adequately prepared to write the exam.

Scholarship Exam Preparation Tips

Revise your Grade 6 work

Go over your work from Grade 6 as well as tests and exams you have access to. The fact is you cannot study for this examination, but revising will boost your confidence!

Focus on areas of improvement

Focus on areas of study in which you struggled with in Grade 6. Spend more time practicing on your weaker learning areas and turn them into strengths.

Prepare yourself for problem-solving questions

Place key attention on practicing your problem solving skills with regards to mathematical questions.

Give yourself time limits

Practice answering questions in a certain amount of time in order to manage your time effectively through the exam.

Maintain a positive mindset

Reassure yourself that you are well prepared for the exam, visualize a positive outcome and manage stress and anxiety levels before writing the exam.

How to manage stress and anxiety before an exam

Get a good night’s rest before the exam
Eat well and stay active
Focus on how well you have prepared for the exam
The exam is a challenge not a threat - remember you have surpassed many challenges and this one shouldn’t be any different
Try not to cram in last minute revision, this will overwhelm you and possibly increase anxiety levels
Increase your positive thoughts and your confidence by visualizing a great outcome
Arrive at the exam venue on time
Believe in yourself!

Receive an education beyond expectation, apply for a Grade 8 Scholarship at Trinityhouse.

Secure your child’s place at Trinityhouse – Apply

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Should you have an enquiry, feel free to direct it to us via this link - Enquire Now

How To Encourage Children To Take Turns

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 13:05:01 GMT

How To Teach Kids To Share

Teaching your children to share from an early age is a very important life skill. It helps them to build relationships, good negotiating skills and can even help them cope with all the disappointment that life brings.

Learning to share is a process and not something that’s done in a day. To help you along, follow these basic tips and you will be well on your way to helping your child learn the art of sharing.

"It wasn't much good having anything exciting if you couldn't share them with somebody."

― Winnie the Pooh

Start at home and be an example

Children imitate what they see. Show your child what you mean by sharing with your spouse, in front of them. When you have family or friends around, make a point of sharing things and explain it to your child as you do it. Even if it is the last piece of cake, offer it to everyone else. You can also share something of your own with your child and ask them to do it return. This can build a give and take relationship. When someone shares with you, make a point to show your child and tell them how that made you feel.

Compliment your child when you see them sharing

When you see your child sharing, compliment them. Praising your child will boost their self-esteem. It can also inspire children to be more cooperative and to continue sharing. Evidence suggests that pre-schoolers develop better social skills when they are praised. (Garner 2006). When you commend your child, you are helping them to recognise when they do well and to feel proud. They are also more likely to keep trying and to be encouraged when they face challenges.

Encourage your child to give away things they no longer use

Talk to your kids about giving away their old clothes and toys. Explain to them why you would like to donate them and how. Take them to a homeless shelter or SPCA shop, so they can hand them over themselves. If your kids are old enough to understand, you can explain to them that there are less fortunate people out there who can make use of their old clothes, toys and books. When you go to birthday parties let them hand over the gifts. You can also comment to your child on how happy and excited the person looked when they received their gift.

"Sharing is a wonderful thing, especially to those you've shared with."

― Julie Hebert

Reflect on their feelings and offer emotional support

Speak to your child openly about their feelings . Try to identify what they are struggling with. Your child may not understand what sharing means. They may think that the things they share may never come back. Helping them overcome this fear by explaining that they will get the item back may give them peace of mind.

Have fun while teaching your kids to take turns

Kids love playing games. Choose ones that involve sharing and taking turns. Card or board games are a great way to teach your child to be patient and wait for their turn. Depending on their ages, this can also teach them to start identifying numbers and shapes. Share the same piece of paper when doing a drawing with your child. It will teach them to share the space and their crayons. There are so many fun activities to do with your child to teach them how to share.

Be gentle. Do not force it.

There will be times when your child is not ready to give things up. That’s ok. The goal is for your child to notice when another child would like a turn. Children also need to learn how to stand up for themselves in a respectful way. If your child isn't forced to share, they will learn patience and empathy. They will also learn how to handle more emotionally complex situations as they grow older.

“Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.”

― Brian Tracy

At Trinityhouse, we are here to support your child's growth every step of the way. For more on how you can secure a place for your child, please click here to apply now.

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Should you have an enquiry, feel free to direct it to us via this link - Enquire Now

What To Expect At The Trinityhouse Open Day?

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:51:12 GMT

Our Trinityhouse Open day will provide you with all you need to know about our school plus you’ll have the best view our campuses. You will get know our history , teaching , Academic Excellence , ethos, culture, walk our halls and pathways and visit our classrooms where all the learning, creating, fun and hard work takes place. We want you to be well prepared for this moment and have provided you with a few pointers on what to expect at our Open Day.

Arrival & School Security:

Please ensure that you are on time for your scheduled tour slot, you don’t want to miss out any part of our tour.
We strive to make our campus premises as secure as possible for the safety of your children and our staff. Therefore, upon arrival at our various campuses you will be welcomed by our friendly and enthusiastic Security Guards.

Tour details:

Our tour will cover each campus Pre-Primary , Preparatory and High School
Our dedicated staff will show you our beautiful facilities and will give you a detailed expectation of what to expect from every Grade. This will include the curriculum and teaching we offer.

It’s always good to ask as many questions as possible at an Open Day and we are sure you already have a list of your own. However, here are few questions you can ask to help you make the most of your visit:

Questions To Ask On Our Open Day:

What curriculum do you offer?
What is your teaching philosophy?
What kind of food is sold at the tuck shop/canteen?
What is the school history, ethos, values?
What extramural activities do you offer?
What facilities does the school offer?
How does the Aftercare work?
How do you implement safety and security?
Do you offer extra or support lessons are offered?
What minimum qualifications do your teachers have?
What is Future Focused Learning and why is it an integral part of the Trinityhouse curriculum?
What does an overtly Christian ethos mean?

Now that you are prepared for our Open Day, we can’t wait to see you all at our Randpark Ridge , Centurion, Little Falls or Glenvista campus for what we hope will be a spectacular day and exceptional tour. If you haven’t already secured your spot, book a tour now on our Open day RSVP form .

FaceUp - A Brilliant New Addition To Trinityhouse.

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 06:19:56 GMT

FaceUp gives pupils a platform to report anything that makes them feel anxious, unsafe, excluded or overwhelmed (such as bullying or racism.) Our learners can get help from allies (teachers) if they are going through a difficult time. The platform allows learners to report anything quickly, safely and anonymously. Watch the video below to learn more about FaceUp.

4 Ways To Teach Children Emotional Intelligence

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:03:55 GMT

How Can You Nurture Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence?

As parents, we ought to place as much on our child’s EQ as we do their IQ. Over a number of years, various studies have determined that emotional intelligence is essential to helping your child throughout the course of their lives. For starters, a healthy EQ is linked to a strong IQ too. It also helps build and maintain healthy relationships and drives success in adulthood. A high EQ is known to improve mental health, allowing your child to live a happier life overall.

How can you nurture your child’s emotional intelligence? Here are a few ways to do so.

1) Teach your child how to classify their own emotions

How does your child know what they are feeling? Better yet, are they able to identify and process such emotions? Help them name their feelings and watch as they come to understand these emotions and why they experience them. Use emotive words to build up a vocabulary that they can then draw from. Some ideas can include:

Happy
Sad
Excited
Upset
Shy
Overwhelmed
Disappointed
Angry
Nervous

2) Show them what empathy means

A large part of teaching emotional intelligence in kids comes from setting a good example yourself. When your child is showing their emotions, don’t downplay them or tell them that they’re overreacting. This can have a negative effect on their expression as they might see showing their feelings as a sign of weakness. Never let them feel like showing emotion is wrong. Instead, validate these feelings and tell them that you understand the way that they feel. Better yet, give them an example of when you felt the same way. This will encourage them to share their emotions and show empathy to others as well.

3) Help them develop good coping mechanisms

Kids who have good coping mechanisms are less likely to fall into unhealthy patterns like emotional eating , lashing out or even substance abuse later on. Knowing how to pick themselves up or turn their moods around is vital as children cannot always rely on others to do this for them. From effective breathing to taking a walk or even meditating, there are several ways your child can mitigate the impact of their emotions. Tap into what your child responds to and help them create a network of mechanisms that work well in difficult situations.

4) Teach them how to express themselves

There’s more than one way to show a specific feeling but some are certainly healthier than others. We suggest showing your child the right way to display their emotions. For example, crying and sitting in your room is an acceptable way to show that you are sad but breaking or throwing things is not okay. When your child knows how to represent themselves and their emotions, they’ll be able to accurately portray how they are feeling. This means less frustration for them and less guesswork for you.

Support for your child throughout their schooling career

At Trinityhouse, our support extends beyond your child’s academic abilities. For more on how you can secure a place for your child, please click here to apply now.

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Should you have an enquiry, feel free to direct it to us via this link - Enquire Now

5 Things To Remember When Applying For University

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 10:11:59 GMT

Applying To University? This Is What You Should Remember...

When it comes to applying to university, the process can seem a little daunting. As another massive step in your educational career, it’s undoubtedly one of the most important applications you will ever submit. From practical pieces of advice to a few unconventional musings, there are many things you should keep in mind during this time. Here are a few of our favourite university application tips.

1) Your chosen university waits for no man

No, really. There are closing dates for applications and if you don’t make note of them there’s a real chance you might miss out on getting accepted. Be proactive and find out everything you can about your chosen university and when you need to submit your application by. Your application needs to be in before the closing date so if you need to send it via post or a courier, be sure to do so with time to spare.

2) Double and triple check everything

One thing that can really ruin your application is submitting incorrect documents or incomplete information. When applying to university, you need to be as thorough as possible. This means running through the application checklist and ensuring you have included the right paperwork. Read through your application several times to make sure that every section has been correctly completed. This includes the relevant signatures as well. You don’t want to have a rejected application once the deadline has closed.

3) It’s something to be taken seriously

Whilst nobody likes filling in paperwork, this is just something that needs to be done. It’s also an important application that could very well influence the rest of your life. Give it the time that it deserves and don’t leave anything to the last minute. If you need certified copies of documents like an ID, get these done beforehand. In fact, get a few extra done so that you always have some on file.

4) Ask for help

Don’t complete your application without help from your mom or dad. You’ll need to include some of their information in your application too so rather set aside some time where you can work on it together. There might also be a few sections that you don’t fully understand so getting assistance from a parent will certainly help.

5) Don’t forget to enjoy the process

Sure, admin can be boring but this is an exciting time that will only happen once in your life. Seize it and appreciate it for all it is worth. Soon, you’ll be attending your chosen university and begin studying towards your choice of programme. These moments are special and although they might seem mundane, we should look to find joy in them too.

We celebrate our students every step of the way

At Trinityhouse, our students leave ready to embrace the next chapter of their lives. For more on how you can join us as a student, Apply Now .

To learn more about us, please do so here - About Us

Alternatively, please submit an enquiry here - Enquire Now

Online Learning: tips to help parents and students

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 08:18:45 GMT

Navigate through Online Learning in a few easy steps:

1. Limit Distraction

2. Set up a dedicated space

3. Maintain break such as snack time and lunch time

4. Encourage your child to socialise – encourage video chats or online games with friends

5. Mix screen time with “old school” learning techniques

6. Keep in touch with other parents

7. Set up a schedule

Covid-19 safety protocols at high schools and colleges

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 06:53:55 GMT

We are extremely excited to welcome our students back for the new school year. We have outlined a few simple Covid-19 prevention and precaution rules to get every student and parent prepared for the year ahead:

1. Wear your mask on your way to school and keep your distance from others

2. Adhere to social distancing indicators

3. Every student’s temperature will be taken when entering the school’s premises

4. Every student will be required to sanitize their hands when entering the school’s premises

5. Posters with Covid-19 safety protocols are available throughout the school

6. Students are required to wear a mask at all times and must ensure to pack a spare mask

7. Wash your hands once every hour for at least 20 seconds

8. Sanitizer will be made available in each classroom

9. Avoid physical contact and adhere to social distancing parameters

10. Make sure to cough and sneeze into your elbow

11. Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes

12. Tissues and paper masks are to be disposed of in the bins provided

Class Setup

1. Class setups may have changed to provide for social distancing

2. Students are advised not to move their tables from the indicated spot

3. Students are advised to stay at their desks

4. The teacher will remain in front of the class in order to maintain a safe distance and to teach those following online

5. Ensure you wear a clean uniform each day

Change your behaviour

6. Don’t borrow or share stationery and books

7. Don’t share your lunch

8. Don’t walk in groups, keep your distance

9. Most importantly look after yourself and those around you

Back to school protocols

School for the 2021 Academic year. There are many safety protocols that have been put into place to protect every student from the spread of Covid-19. Moreover, students will have to adapt and change certain behaviors and practices in order to adhere to these safety protocols. This way each student plays a role in helping prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Primary schools: prevention of Covid-19 tips

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 12:03:49 GMT

Covid19 is still a reality. At Trinityhouse Schools our health and safety protocols were well tested in 2020 and we are confident that by following a few simple rules, we can keep each other safe in our school environment.

Explaining social distancing to kids does not have to be a difficult concept. Here are 6 simple steps that your little heroes can follow to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

1. Wear your mask

2. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose

3. Always wash your hands properly with soap and water

4. Do not stand too close to your friends

5. Remember not to cough or sneeze into your hands but rather use your hero shoulder

6. Do not share food, crayons or toys

For more information on Covid-19 visit https://sacoronavirus.co.za/

Simple steps to help kids take care of their masks

Wearing a mask is cool but like all our doctors and nurses, superheroes and ninjas, your little ones must wear their mask correctly and take care of them too. Here are 8 simple mask care tips for kids:

1. Wash your hands

2. Make sure your mask is clean

3. Hold the mask by the strings

4. Cover your nose and mouth

5. Don’t touch your face

6. Wash hands before and after adjusting your mask

7. Wash your mask after wearing it with soap and water

8. If you can’t wash your mask immediately after use, store it in a bag until you can

How to take care of your mask

Wearing and taking care of your mask is vital in helping prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Keep you and family safe from the spread of Coronavirus by following these simple steps on how to wear and take care of your mask:

1. Wash your hands with soap and disinfectant before putting your mask on

2. Hold your mask by the strings and do not touch the inside of your mask

3. Make sure your mask covers your mouth and nose

4. Make sure not to touch or fiddle with your mask throughout the day

5. Wash your hands before and after adjusting your mask

6. Wash your hands with soap and disinfectant before and after removing your mask

7. Hold your mask by the strings when removing it

8. Wash your mask with soap and water after wearing it and store it in a clean bag

9. If you can’t wash your mask immediately after wearing it, store it a bag until you can

For more information on tips and prevention methods against Covid-19 visit, https://sacoronavirus.co.za

Activities To Help Your Child Prepare For Preschool

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 07:50:20 GMT

Help Prepare Your Child For Preschool

At Trinity House, we believe in guiding our pupils wherever we can to help them feel more ready for the challenges of the classroom. Before they pass through our doors, their parents can help build confidence and preschool readiness at home. Helping your little one prepare for preschool is actually easier than you might think. If you’re ready to give your child the best start possible, here are a few activities to aid preschool preparation.

Start with some scissor skills

If your child arrives at preschool with the correct knowledge of how to use scissors they’ll already feel more capable. To start, why not show them how to correctly hold a pair of scissors? Remember, practice makes perfect. They might not get it right at first but after enough attempts, they’ll soon be a pro. Once they have the correct grasp down, move on to cutting different items. From straws too cardboard and even play dough, they’ll enjoy feeling the thickness of each type of material. As soon as they’ve done this, you can attempt to help them cut in a straight line on a piece of paper. This is considered an advanced skill and if they don’t master it, it’s okay. They’ll soon be able to at school.

Consider the social and emotional aspects

In order to prepare for preschool, your child will also need to navigate the psychological components of this stage of life. Teach your child how to share, take turns, clean up and pack away. These are essential skills that will help them make friends and play a healthy role in their new classroom. Teaching them how to focus and complete an activity like a picture or a puzzle will also be beneficial. At this age, they need to be able to sit down for at least five minutes to get a task done. Another important part of this area of preparation is teaching your little one that it’s okay to ask for help. Let them know that they’re able to ask for assistance at school the same way they do at home.

Focus on self-help skills

There are some skills that your child needs to learn in order to effectively look after themselves. Depending of their age, these skills may include putting on their shoes, pulling their pants up and down, washing their hands and using a spoon and fork to eat. With these skills under control, your child will be able to have a sense of independence as they embark on this next chapter of their education. If your child has not mastered these skills, don’t worry! That is what their teacher is for. Your child will be guided every step of the way…

Put pen to paper

Teach them the basics of letters, numbers, shapes and colours. Do this by reading them books and asking them questions along the way. Letting them draw pictures is another great way to build skills as your child can learn to express their creativity. Tracing over straight and curved lines is also wonderful to help strengthen their visual tracking abilities. If you’re looking for more ways to do this, dot-to-dot activities are perfect for this too.

An exciting adventure awaits

Preschool is a wonderful time for children and at Trinityhouse, we aim to make these years the most magical of all. Apply Now to secure your child's place at our Preschool.

For additional information about us, read more here - About Us

To direct your enquiry to us, please click here - Enquire Now

What Are Your Options After Finishing High School?

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 08:25:33 GMT

What To Do After High School

If you’re wondering what to do after high school, you’re not alone. Many young people tend to feel nervous and even a little overwhelmed at the thought of taking this next step. If you had to ask your mom, dad or even your teachers, they’ll probably tell you that they were also a bit confused at what to do once they finished matric . The good news is, there are so many exciting options available to you. Before you choose, you might want to sit down with your parents and discuss the following:

• Your hobbies

• Your talents

• Your dreams for the future

Once you’ve gone through those, take a look at these after school options and see which ones best suit you.

1) Study

If your dream career relies on having a qualification behind you, why not start on the path to success by applying to join a tertiary institution? Whether it’s a degree, diploma or higher certificate that you need, you can’t go wrong with furthering yourself with some studies. Once you’ve decided which course you need, to work in your desired field, consider where you’d like to study. The options are vast and you might even want to venture to a new province to do so.

2) Take a gap year

Some students wondering what to do after high school often consider taking a gap year before committing to a job or a full-time study schedule. If you decide to take a gap year, you can travel, do a foreign exchange programme or even volunteer for a worthy cause that’s close to your heart. Many find that after taking the year off, they’re more sure of the career path they see themselves on in the future. However, it’s not for everyone though.

3) Work

Get a head start on gaining that valuable work experience by getting a job once you finish school. Not only does this look good on your CV, it’s also a foot in the door that could lead to awesome opportunities later on. If you’re uncertain on whether or not a certain industry is for you, working in it will help you decide if you’d like to be there later on in life. If not, you’ll still have time to redirect your interests and pursue something else. Plus, you’ll be making a salary which is a wonderful chance to start putting money away for your future.

4) Start a business

If you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a business might be exactly what you were born to do. In today’s modern world, big ideas can yield big rewards so why not look into your opportunities and see what can be done? Some of the world’s most successful people started their own businesses. But be warned, being your own boss is tough and takes a lot of discipline.

Ready for anything

No matter what your future holds, we’ll make sure you’re prepared for it.

Enrolments at Trinityhouse are now open. Apply Now .

To read more about us, please do so via this link - About Us

If your parents have any enquiries, feel free to click here - Enquire Now

The Future of Education Post COVID-19

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 12:25:39 GMT

What Does The Future Of Education Look Like Post 2020?

2020 has indeed been a strange year for many. With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing the world to its knees, every industry has had to adapt to meet its demands. Schooling has been no different. Students learned from home and parents became teachers as best they could. Once the world regains normalcy, what does the future of education look like? Whilst we can only speculate, we seem to think that the educational sector will be left better off for all that was gained during this time.

What is the future of education in a post-pandemic world? Here’s what we predict will happen.

1) An even greater bond between traditional and digital learning

With COVID-19 keeping many learners at home over the course of the 2020 school year, technology has had to deliver what many teachers couldn’t provide in person. Ironically, the devices that often most distracted our children happened to be the same ones that allowed them to continue with their education whilst the world was in crisis. Going forward, we think that there’s a larger place for technology in the future of education . In trusting our children with using these devices for their school work, they’ve shown that they can use them responsibly.

2) A shift from physical classrooms to nomadic ones

Over the course of the year, learning took place beyond the proverbial four walls of the classroom. It took place in homes, with dining room tables as desks and parents as assistant teachers. This has indeed caused a shift in the way that our children perceive learning and where it should be taking place. Following the pandemic, learners will take the opportunity to complete schoolwork at home to the best of their abilities. They’ll be able to focus in non-traditional settings that might not have set the scene for education in the past. This will leave them open-minded and ready to learn at all times.

3) A greater emphasis on skills and not just knowledge

In the past, many parents might have placed more importance on their kids gaining theoretical knowledge. It took a global pandemic to prove that skills and character are just as vital. Our young people expanded their minds and their skillsets during lockdown, learning new things, taking up challenges and even discovering additional hobbies. This has left many kids better off and with stronger skills than ever before.

4) A stronger appreciation for our educators

Sadly, many students and their parents take teachers for granted. The COVID-19 pandemic forced parents to assume this role, ultimately garnering a new-found respect for the ones who teach our nation’s children. In the future, we know that educators will be appreciated a lot more than in previous years.

Whatever the future holds, we’re ready for it

At TrinityHouse, our past learnings pave the way for an even brighter future. For more on how your child can join us, please click here to apply now .

To learn more about us, please do so here: About Us

Should you have an enquiry, feel free to direct it to us via this link: Enquire Now

How To Improve Your Child's Focus At School

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 12:54:27 GMT

Improving Your Child's Focus & Concentration

If your child is going to make the most out of their schooling years and get great results, concentration is key. Whilst knowing how to improve focus at school might differ between learners, there are a few things that certainly help. At TrinityHouse, we’re big on supporting our students through as many avenues as we can. It’s why we share informative articles that offer insights and even practical tips.

Want to help your child improve their focus at school? Here’s what you should try.

Look At Diet

The foods we consume have a profound impact on the way our minds and bodies function. It’s why parents wanting to know how to improve focus at school should take a closer look at their child’s dietary intake . Refined sugars can lead to hyperactivity and lower attention spans. Once the sugar high has worn off, children often become lethargic which can really hamper learning. Look to brain foods like berries, nuts, fatty fish and avocado. Natural sugars can help with energy and alertness without causing a dip like refined ones do. In fact, sugar (glucose) is the brain’s preferred food source just not the kind found in sweets. Give your child some fruit instead.

Keep Your Child Organised

Staying organised is vital if you’re going to help your child increase their attention span. Often, a forgotten book or item is enough of a distraction to derail productivity and potential. Set the tone for staying organised by creating a packing checklist the night before each school day. This will limit forgetfulness and ensure your child can hit the ground running every day. It’ll also prevent those frantic last-minute packing sessions before school.

Create The Right Space At Home And Limit Distractions

Although you’re wanting to help them focus whilst at school, the space that they do their homework in can often impact the way that they grasp learning concepts too. If your child is surrounded by distractions, there’s a good chance that they won’t complete their tasks with the attention that they deserve. Don’t let your child work from the couch or their bed. Instead, help them set up a designated study space that sets the tone for productivity and concentration. At this desk, there should only be tools for completing homework. This means no toys, cell phones or items that they can use to get side-tracked.

Develop A Decent Routine

Studies have shown that children who have a good routine are able to focus better during the day at school. This means a set bed and wake up time each day and a realistic schedule for sport, homework and family time. When your child has a good routine, they’ll also be able to use their free time wisely. This is because they have a greater understanding of where their time goes and how valuable it actually is.

An education beyond expectation

For more on how we can help your child thrive, why not get in touch with us today?

Should you wish to apply, please do so here: Apply Now

To learn more about TrinityHouse, please visit the following link: About Us

Alternatively, please direct any enquiry that you might have here: Enquire Now

Zero Teaching Days Lost at Trinityhouse

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 19:12:20 GMT

Trinityhouse has since the start of the Covid-19 lockdown in South Africa managed to seamlessly integrate the delivery of face-to-face teaching and learning with our online platform. The start of the second term saw the immediate introduction of online classrooms. This has resulted in 0 teaching days lost at Trinityhouse Schools.

Face-to-face teaching and learning and online classrooms

Since the re-opening of schools, Trinityhouse pupils are given the opportunity to choose whether to attend in person classes or to remain online. This provides parents the peace of mind of knowing that the academic development of their child is not compromised whilst exercising their own decisions about their child’s health and safety.

Flexibility

Trinityhouse has adopted a flexible approach to teaching and learning which means that staff or pupils who have been identified as high risk individuals are able to continue online. Parents who, due to their own work from home or office schedules can offer their children a blend, can benefit from sending their children to school on certain days whilst keeping them at home on others.

Trinityhouse is determined that the academic development of each and every pupil will remain of paramount importance. We will continue to seamlessly integrate our programmes in order to ensure that no teaching days will be lost.

5 Ways To Bond With Your Child Even With No Time In The Day

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 11:37:13 GMT

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?

How To Support Your Child Writing Matric During COVID-19

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 12:12:58 GMT

Writing Matric During A Global Pandemic

Matric exams are a high pressure point in every teen’s life. These exams determine the future of your child and as a result, teens are under immense pressure to study and perform. With the added uncertainty of a global pandemic, disrupted school calendar and lockdown, it is also an unprecedented time for matriculants around the world. Support in the home environment is more important than ever and there are a few ways that you can help your child navigate this intense time.

1. Help your child get proper nutrition

Proper eating is imperative to the mental and physical health of your teen . During a stressful time, your child’s immunity may be compromised. They may not prioritise good nutrition. You can help by preparing food or encouraging your child to eat balanced meals at least three times a day. A variety of veggies, fruits, grains and proteins is optimal.

2. Encourage communication

Check in with your teen and allow them to express their frustrations or fears. You can offer them calming words of support and encouragement as well as providing them a safe space to vent and recover. Remember, exam time is a highly emotionally charged time for teens and heightened mood swings are to be expected.

3. Help limit distractions

Help your teen to prepare a distraction-free study space and schedule. Committing as a family to limit loud TVs, radios or chatter while your teen studies can help them to feel supported as well as assist with their focus.

4. Offer learning support where you can

Let your teen know that you are here to help them learn. Perhaps you can help them with study cards or test their knowledge on certain sections from a textbook. Even just allowing them to recite notes to you can help with studying.

5. Celebrate the wins

Foster a positive environment by celebrating small victories. Whether it’s the completion of a simple study session or a big exam. This can be with hugs, verbal affirmation or perhaps even their favourite treat or meal.

6. Encourage rest

Teens writing matric are likely to have their heads buried in books for hours on end. Make sure to encourage your child to take breaks, rest and recharge. This will help take some of the pressure off your child and ensure that they are able to better absorb and retain studied information.

As parents, your best resource will always be other parents. Chat to them to find out how they are coping during these unprecedented times. Together you’ll be able to discuss effective ways of supporting your teens during their exams.

Dark Spaces of the Internet: Cyberbullying During Lockdown

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 15:59:43 GMT

How to Handle Cyberbullying During Lockdown

“Cyber bullies can hide behind a mask of anonymity online, and do not need direct physical access to their victims to do unimaginable harm.” – Anna Marcia Chavez

With lockdown still a reality, students have been turning to the Internet to stay connected. As useful as the Internet is, not all children are aware of the dangers that the digital world imposes . What happens when innocent gestures like sharing one’s contact details leads to a traumatic case of cyberbullying? How can you help your child maintain an online social distance from cyber bullies? We’re here to guide you through it.

What Is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online. Even though it can’t be physical violence, it can be detrimental to one’s mental health . Cyberbullying can easily occur on digital platforms through social media apps, texts and online gaming platforms.

Cyberbullying includes:

• Sending cruel, harsh or humiliating messages to someone.

• Forwarding embarrassing videos or photos to people.

• Sending unwanted sexual messages or images to people.

• Making abusive comments about someone. This includes homophobic, racist, transphobic or sexist remarks.

How Can I Help My Child If They're Experiencing Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying can be difficult to control, but with the right steps it can be tackled. If you become aware that your child is being cyberbullied, follow these four steps to help them deal with the problem.

1. Talk To Them And Listen To What They Have To Say

It’s important to remember not to patronise your child. Instead, make them feel as if the power is in their hands and that you’re there to support them every step of the way.

2.Collect Evidence And Access The Situation

Once your child shares their cyberbullying experience, it’s time to assess the situation and collect evidence. Keeping a record of all interactions with the perpetrator is vital. Be vigilant from the beginning. Ask your child to screenshot anything offensive. This will be your evidence when reporting cyberbullying cases to site administrators, teachers, principals and to the police.

3. Report And Block

Enough is enough. Immediately block the perpetrator and then report them to site administrators. Site administrators are there to help support and protect people from online abuse.

If the cyberbully goes to the same school as your child, then be sure to report the case to your child’s teacher and principle.

4. Make Sure They Feel Safe

Be sure to protect your child’s online presence. Ensuring that your child’s social media platforms have a high privacy setting is a priority. This will help keep your child in control of who they’re talking to and who has access to view their social profiles.

It’s important to keep in mind that whilst the internet imposes a dark side, there are ways to avoid it. Here are some pro tips on how you can help protect your child on social media. Follow this social media profile example to ensure that your child’s online presence is protected.

Standing side by side with your child during a traumatic experience such as cyberbullying will help make them feel safer. It will also allow them to have the courage to speak up about other issues that they may face. Together, you can take on and overcome any challenge.

Remember: “Being challenged in life is inevitable, but being defeated is optional” – Roger Crawford.

Helping Your Kids Understand Social Distancing

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 15:42:52 GMT

Teaching Your Children About Social Distancing At School

By now your children are probably well versed on the importance of social distancing. Younger children and toddlers are likely to understand the gist of things while older children and teens will have a complete understanding of the global situation.

As we move through to Level 3 lockdown and begin to see a return to school, it’s important to help your kids fully understand the importance of keeping social distancing protocols in place.

Social distancing in school

It’s a difficult time for all families to navigate. The health and safety of our loved ones is a top priority and the country has been dedicated to strict social distancing for over 2 months.

For children finally returning to school, it might be easy to forget the severity of the situation. We understand that children will be excited to “get back to normal”. While we want to encourage this returning sense of community in the educational space, it’s vital that all learners and teachers maintain proper hygiene and social distancing habits.

Here are some ways in which you can help prepare your child for social distancing in school and how to help keep everyone healthy and safe:

1. Help them understand the situation

Depending on how much detail you’ve shared with your children, it’s important to drive home the severity of the situation and explain why social distancing is necessary. There’s no need to fear monger, but rather try to express the need to keep everyone safe and healthy. Explain to them that they need to keep a safe distance from friends, avoid sharing foods or juice bottles and not to hug one another. Remind them that the sooner everyone is able to comply with these habits, the sooner we can combat the spread of the virus.

2. Keep up social distancing rules outside of school

Avoid playdates or socialising until the correct lockdown level laws allow it. This will ensure your child is not at risk of picking up or spreading the illness outside of the school bubble.

3. Don’t forget masks and hand sanitiser

Hygiene habits such as hand washing, hand sanitiser and face masks will also help keep the spread of the virus at bay. It’s important for parents to observe these habits too, keeping the extended Trinityhouse community out of risk. There are plenty of hand washing tutorials on YouTube should your child need to brush up on proper handwashing techniques for optimal safety.

Checklist:

At the start of the school day, perhaps run through this checklist of reminders with your child. It might seem redundant but keeping this top of mind will help children to keep up social distancing and hygiene habits:

● Wash hands for at least 20 seconds, always with soap.

● Don’t touch your face.

● Use hand sanitiser when necessary.

● Avoid sharing juice bottles, straws or eating utensils.

● If you need to sneeze or cough, use the crook of your elbow.

● If a fellow learner sneezes or coughs, there is no need to panic. There is also no need to isolate or tease anyone who is unwell. We are all in this together.

● Don’t hug or make contact with friends.

● If you’re feeling unwell, communicate it to your parents or teacher immediately.

● Don’t be afraid to ask for support. This is a scary time, but your teachers and family are here to help you through it.

At Trinityhouse we are taking the utmost care in preparing our schools for a safe return. Our priority is health and safety for all. We are currently establishing optimal health procedures, adapting school policies where necessary and doing what we can to provide extra support to all parents, learners and teachers.

Enquire here

Apply here

Online Learning During COVID-19 With Trinityhouse

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 07:50:05 GMT

Trinityhouse’s Online Learning Resources During COVID-19

The resulting changes and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt around the world.

Perhaps one of the biggest changes has been experienced within the educational sector. As a result of lockdown safety measures, teachers, parents and students alike have had to become part of innovative new ways to teach and learn.

At Trinityhouse we’re committed to helping your child get the best education possible during these unprecedented times.

Navigating The New World Of Online Learning

We are fortunate to live in a time where online learning resources are readily available and largely accessible. As teachers, we’re also sensitive to the challenges a parent may be facing when trying to school their child for the first time. Often this is an unexpectedly tricky role for a parent to navigate alongside all their other roles and responsibilities.

Here are some helpful tips for parents that are currently homeschooling their children, from our Trinityhouse teachers:

● Limit distractions during “school hours”. These include mobiles, tablets, TVs and gaming stations.

● Set up a dedicated workspace. Try to make it a comfortable and quiet space that can help your child focus.

● Maintain regular breaks such as snack time.

● Allow your child to socialise after lessons through online video chats with friends or games. An important part of school is peer interaction and social development.

● Mix screen learning with more traditional educational mediums such as mind maps, handwritten notes, white boards or memory cards. Younger children can be encouraged to draw or create project posters.

● Keep in touch with other parents in your child’s class. They are in this with you and could become a great source of mutual support and encouragement.

● Set up a schedule and stick to it. Routine is important during this time as your child could easily mistake lockdown as holiday period.

Trinityhouse are currently working with ADvTech Schools to preserve teaching and learning during lockdown. These digital classrooms make use of an application called MSTeams and all parents have been provided with logins and class schedules. Online learning is available for grades 000 through to 12. Our staff are dedicated to improving the virtual teaching experience each week.

We would like to take this opportunity to commend all parents on their tremendous efforts to homeschool their children during this period. Together, we will navigate any new challenges that come our way without compromising your child’s education and future.

Nutrition In Children - What They Should Be Eating!

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 09:38:21 GMT

The Importance of Good Nutrition For Children

Proper nutrition is essential for the health and wellbeing of your child. By helping them establish a positive relationship with food, you’re able to support their physical and mental development. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of healthy eating in early childhood .

A varied and nutrient-dense diet is best for your child’s healthy development.

What is childhood nutrition?

Early childhood nutrition refers to the ideal diet for healthy children from 2 through to 11 years of age. A parent can help their child’s optimal development by establishing a nutritional diet and routine from an early age. By focusing on proper nutrition while your child is still young, you can set the groundwork for a healthy relationship with foods that support their growing needs. It can be harder to introduce these sorts of eating patterns when your child is a bit older and more resistant to routine.

The benefits of healthful eating for children

Just like quality sleep, exercise and play , what your child eats plays a huge role in their wellbeing. Other benefits of a nutritional diet include:

● Mood improvement

● Stabilised energy

● Sharper minds

● Maintained weight

● Prevention of a variety of physical and mental conditions due to poor diet.

Where do I start?

As always, your GP will best be able to advise on your individual child’s needs. However, there are some universal guidelines that can help set you up for success in this regard.

Here are some tips to consider:

● Balance . Ensure your child receives a balanced diet. This is a one that features all the different food groups such as proteins, healthy fats, carbs, fruits and veggies.

● Don’t skip breakfast . Make nutritional breakfasts a priority. This sets your child up for a better day and is a great way to instill good eating habits from early on. Aim for a breakfast that includes a protein such as eggs.

● Variety . Let your child explore a variety of fruits, veggies and grains for a healthy microbiome. A varied diet makes eating fruits and veggies fun and ensures your child receives all the different vitamins and minerals they need.

● Encourage mindfulness . Set a good example and be present at mealtimes or let your child cook with you. Rather discourage eating in front of the TV or with distractions, so that your child can chew and digest their food properly.

● Consider the alternatives . There are so many healthful alternatives to kid-favoured foods. A homemade smoothie is a great replacement for ice cream, as are roasted nuts in lieu of chips.

● Create comfort, not fear . A nutritional diet for your child needn’t come with food fear. The odd sweet is quite alright. Instead, foster an environment where food is a positive topic.

Healthy foods for kids:

Include:

● Lean meats such as chicken breast, fish

● Grains such as brown rice, oats, quinoa or millet

● Healthy fats such as oils, avocado, nuts and legumes

● Seasonal fruits and veggies

Limit:

● Red or fatty meats

● White flour carbs such as white bread and pasta

● Sweetened dairy products

● Processed sugars including soda, sweets and sauces

● Processed foods or microwave meals

● Takeaways and fast food

Helping your child form a healthy diet will ensure they maintain their best health, both physically and mentally.

How To Keep Your Children Active During The Lockdown

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 13:00:34 GMT

Fun Lockdown Activities To Keep Kids Busy at Home

With the lockdown extension, you might be looking for fresh new ways to keep your kids active and entertained. It’s understandable for everyone to become a little more sluggish during lockdown. It’s extra important for children to stay mentally and physically sharp - for both their mental health and yours. Here are some fun things to do with kids at home.

1.Keeping toddlers busy

Parents of young children or toddlers have had to put in extra efforts to keep their growing kids busy during lockdown. If you’ve exhausted your list of games, crafts or lessons, give these kids activities a try:

2.Mess-free painting

Babies and toddlers will enjoy this sensory experience. So will you, as there isn’t any extra clean-up.

● Add dollops of paint to a sheet of card and slip the card into a Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and let your child use the outer plastic to move and manipulate the paint onto the white card.

3.Easy at-home stamps

● Empty toilet rolls can be used to create heart, oval and circular stamps. Bend the tube to get your desired shape, dip into paint and stamp away.

4.Kids’ activities for older children

If your child is a little older, they’ll have extra energy to exert. Don’t let the days be spent solely behind screens. Physical activities are critical for their mental and physical wellbeing.

● Create a garden scavenger hunt. A simple Google search will yield plenty of printable clues and answers. This will have your kids running around the yard in no time.

● With access to the Internet , it’s also easy to find YouTube dance videos or Yoga classes for kids. These videos have been designed to keep kids engaged in fun, physical movement.

● Take your kids on a garden safari. Encourage your children to reinvestigate the garden by spotting as many bugs or creatures as possible. They can be awarded points for spotting different insects and plants. They could even sketch or document their findings in a notebook. This should keep them occupied outside in the fresh air for a couple of hours.

4.Keeping teens busy during Lock Down

Your teen will probably have a fair amount of school work to keep up with. They also might be the hardest hit emotionally and mentally with the home confinements. When it comes to teens, there are a few different ways you can engage with them in order to make sure they aren’t slipping into a routine of laziness or depression.

● Structure. Develop a daily routine for them and try to stick to it. Assign certain hours for schoolwork, chores, TV and sleep in order to emulate the structure they would normally experience during a school week. This leaves less time for apathy or negative mental talk.

● Up their responsibilities. By creating an atmosphere of “we’re all in this together”, you can help your teen take more responsibility with helping out around the house. By assisting with more chores, they’ll be more physically active and engaged.

Lockdown in the time of Covid-19 is a strange and uncertain time for all families. Together, families can help each other navigate through the “new normal” while maintaining good habits and a bit of structure.

What You Should Know About Teenage Mental Health

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 11:34:41 GMT

Teens and mental health: What parents need to know

We are fortunate enough to live in a time where the topic of mental health is no longer taboo. Today, parents are able to better understand common mental struggles such as anxiety and depression, and how they affect our teens.

Understanding teen mental health struggles sets you both up for better communication and healing.

How common is mental illness in teenagers?

It’s becoming increasingly common for teenagers to experience periods of anxiety and depression. A rollercoaster of hormonal emotions coupled with many new life experiences, pressures and tumultuous transitions, make teens a vulnerable group.

As a result, teens are more susceptible to mental health illnesses. These struggles could be triggered by the pressures of studying , questions of the future and the daily navigation of peers and puberty.

Teen mental health illness on the rise.

In today’s age of technology , many studies have found that teens are even more likely to develop anxiety, depression or eating disorders. Twenty-first century struggles such as cyberbullying and social media comparison have added new pressures on a young teen’s plate.

Signs of mental health illness in teens.

As a parent, you’ll easily differentiate between a moody teen and a depressed one. While mood swings are normal and nothing to worry about, it’s important to be aware when something more serious is going on.

Some of the symptoms of mental health illness include:

● Changes in sleep patterns

● Lack of energy, drive or motivation

● Inability to concentrate or complete takes

● Social withdrawal

● Changes in appetite

● Thoughts or mention of suicide or self-harm

● Loss of self esteem

● Dramatic decline in academic performance

How to help a struggling teen.

If you pick up on continued behaviours that seem different to a normal amount of irritation or apathy, rather confront the issue head on instead of leaving it too late. Here are some steps you can take to support your teen in such scenarios:

1. Open and honest communication. Communication is key to helping your teen navigate through a difficult time. Together, you can find positive ways to overcome mental health challenges. Chat to them about your own adolescent fears so that they don’t feel judged, abnormal or alone.

2 . Be patient. While the teenage years aren’t easy for anyone, it’s important to be gentle and patient with your teen in order to foster an open relationship. What may seem to be a simple problem to you, could feel like the end of the world to them.

3. Stay aware. Be attentive to your teen during these transitory phases, so that you’re able to pick up on any danger signs as early as possible. The sooner you can confront the issue, the better chance your teen has of finding suitable treatment.

While teen mental illness is becoming increasingly common, so is access to the right types of treatment. Should you feel that your child is exhibiting worrying behaviour, you can seek extra professional help. Your GP will be able to recommend relevant specialists or therapists to support both you and your teen through rocky waters.

The Importance Of Early Childhood Development

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Mon, 24 Feb 2020 04:35:59 GMT

Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential

Your child’s early years can make a remarkable impact on the young adult they will become. Here’s why a formalised programme of skills development from a young age can have a positive impact on their future.

The experiences your child has when they are young will shape the foundation of their mental, physical and emotional development. By exposing them to skills development tools, programmes or educational facilities early on in life, you can help them reach their full potential.

What is early childhood development?

Early childhood is a phase in your child’s life, made up of a number of “life stages” and developmental milestones. This period is generally defined from birth to eight years of age and forms the basis of a child’s intelligence, social behaviours, learning capacity and personality.

What are development milestones?

Simply put, developmental milestones are behaviours or skills seen in children as they begin to mature from infant to toddler to child. For example, crawling will mark a milestone, as will walking. These developmental benchmarks are different for each age range and life stage.

How to set your child up for success.

“As a society, we cannot afford to postpone investing in children until they become adults, nor can we wait until they reach school age – a time when it may be too late to intervene. The best evidence supports the policy prescription: invest in the very young and improve basic learning and socialisation skills.” - James J Heckman

Toddler development is generally marked with more tactile skills such as drinking from a cup and sharing toys. This is why Trinityhouse Pre-Primary’s learn through play approach suits this age group ideally. From the pre-school (6 years and up) phase, milestones become more education based and focused on the development of essential literacy and numeracy skills which forms the building block for their entire learning journey.

Should you choose to send your child to a reputable pre-primary school, your child can enjoy the added advantages associated with these developmental institutions. These benefits include:

● Improved behaviour. Children who attend crèche or preschool become socialised at an earlier age. As a result, they’re more aware of social behaviours and etiquettes. They also learn vital concepts such as discipline and responsibility.

● Earlier development of critical social skills. By interacting with their peers from a young age, children are better able to cope in social environments later in life. Group work skills are also enriched.

● Enhancement of education and life skills. Children are better able to develop their numeracy, literacy skills and other early life proficiencies from a younger age. Reading and writing skills are also enriched, setting your child up for pre-primary school and beyond.

● Openness for education. The earlier in life your child is able to get used to an educational environment, the more open they are to the school experience for years to come. Their capacity and passion for learning is ignited from a young age.

By enrolling your child for out-of-home childcare or schooling from a young age, you’re able to give them a head start in life.

Let’s set your child up for a bright future. Enquire now

How and When to Limit Children's Technology Use

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 31 Jan 2020 12:10:56 GMT

Technology is an important part of your child’s life. Ensure that it's also a healthy one.

It’s no secret that technology is a bigger part of people’s lives, from a much younger age. Instead of fearing this development, here’s how to confidently manage your children and electronic activity.

It might feel like new and unprecedented waters to navigate. However, children have been exposed to technology for decades. Your child might have more access to tech and electronics than previous generations, but it is still possible to set traditional family values and boundaries in this regard.

Kids and technology.

Laptops, computers, phones, tablets and TVs are just some of the technologies your child will engage with from a young age. For the most part, this accessibility to information is largely beneficial for your child.

Today, children are able to develop important computer skills early on in life. The educational benefits of technology are also widespread, thanks to internet access. Children have even more learning and researching resources thanks to these modern day advancements.

While there are plenty of tech benefits, it is also natural for parents to feel concerned for the safety and wellbeing of their child. Too much screen time or unmonitored activity could lead to a host of issues, making it important for parents to set healthy boundaries.

How much time should a child spend using electronics?

Every family will have their own feelings about screen time habits. A standard recommendation for older children and teens is approximately 2 hours per day. Children under 5 years old should ideally spend no more than 1 hour per day in front of a TV or computer screen.

When and how should I limit my child’s tech use?

If you’ve noticed your child spending too much time in front of a screen or becoming reliant on their phone, it might be time to consider setting limits . Another sign of problematic tech time is if you notice your child withdrawing socially or failing to engage in family conversation.

For the sake of your child’s physical and mental health, it is good to put boundaries in place. Here’s how:

● Incentivise screen time. Make the use of tech as reward and not a given activity.

● Spend quality time with your child. This is the easiest way to ensure that they don’t spend too much time engaging with technology instead.

● Encourage alternative uses for technologies. Instead of endless hours of games or series, encourage your child to use their tech to pursue other interests. Technology can be a great way to learn how to paint or play an instrument. This way, screen time provides a purpose instead of a never-ending stream of mindless entertainment.

● Limit your young child’s exposure early on. The earlier you introduce tech to your child, the earlier they will adopt these electronics into their daily life.

● Encourage other activities. By motivating your child to engage in social activities, family outings or extracurriculars, they will have less time to spend behind a screen.

When it comes to the wellbeing of your child, technology is not something to be feared. Instead, understand different electronics, social media platforms or tech trends in order to better set family boundaries.

How Can I Motivate My Teen To Exercise?

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 12:26:49 GMT

Exercise Is Important For The Mental & Physical Health Of Your Teen!

However, it’s not uncommon for teenagers to be reluctant to engage in extracurricular sports. Here’s how to motivate your child to commit to regular exercise. There are a variety of suggested teen exercises you can encourage.

How important is exercise for teens?

While exercise is wonderful for people of all ages, it can be especially necessary and beneficial for teenagers.

Physical activity is vital for the physical and mental development and wellbeing of your child. With all the changes and new pressures a growing teen might face, exercise is a fantastic way to release feel-good endorphins and channel extra energy. This in turn helps minimise the chances of your child suffering from anxiety, depression and a variety of health complications.

How much exercise does a teen need?

It’s important to note that each child is different and may have varying needs. An average recommendation is around 1 hour a day, 5 days per week . Exercise should also be intense enough to elevate the heart rate.

How do I encourage my teen to do more exercise?

If your child has not taken naturally to sports or exercise, it is completely normal. Teens may experience a lack of self-made motivation. The good news is that there are several ways you can help get them moving.

● Be a role model. Your child is more likely to embrace exercise if they are exposed to it at home. You can even invite them to join you for your next run, swim or yoga class.

● Limit screen time. By placing restrictions on time-consuming activities such as TV, your teen will have more time to consider other extracurriculars such as dance or sports.

● Make it fun. Instead of pressuring your child to commit to an activity they dislike, look for ways to make exercise fun. This could be by exercising as a family, inviting friends to join in on hikes, walks or swims or trying out new classes together at the gym.

● Use exercise as transportation. If the facility is available to you, consider any opportunity to walk or cycle to nearby locations instead of driving.

● Let them be in charge. Ultimately the biggest motivator is freedom. By letting your child decide what sports they enjoy or when they would like to exercise, it takes the unwanted pressure off the situation.

What exercises should a teenager do?

When it comes to getting your child to elevate their heart rate, the options are endless. Here are some teen exercises to consider:

● Dance

● Yoga Flow

● Running

● Hiking

● Cycling

● Guided at-home workouts that can be found on YouTube

● After-school sports

Physical exercise should be a fun part of your teens day-to-day life. By implementing these tips, you can expect your teen to enjoy the prospect of getting outside and breaking a sweat.

Glenvista | Drone Flyover - Jan 2020

dudaadmin@advtech.co.za (ADvTECH Group) — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 07:43:38 GMT

Watch the latest Drone Flyover of our beautiful school! See the progress made and what this campus will offer.

Glenvista | Drone Building Update Oct 2019

ghcmaartens@gmail.com (Drickus Maartens) — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 07:08:45 GMT

As construction of our beautiful school draws to a close, we can see our incredible team now working hard on the finishing touches. We are in awe of the work that has been done and we are humbled by the dedication and passion that has gone into ensuring that our school has been completed on time. Remember to visit our campus on 23 November at 10 am to see our new school with your own eyes!

Importance of Sports and Games in School | TrinityHouse

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 10:18:11 GMT

‘A healthy mind resides in a healthy body’ is an unavoidable necessity for all, particularly for a school-going boy or girl.

Sports stimulate the physical and mental growth of a child. A person who regularly plays sports develops a healthy body, develops better body strength and better coordination. The physical benefits also include maintaining a healthy weight, preventing chronic diseases and learning the skills necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The enhancement of physical and mental development of children is certainly the most important contribution of sports, but the list of values a child may acquire through sports does not end here. The positive aspects are numerous, which reveals the true beauty of sport.

Sport teaches children the important lesson of team-spirit and it gives them the experience of working with different kinds of people in different situations.
Playing sports enables children to create friendships they otherwise might not have formed. Sports and games can be a great lesson in time management and they provide the spirit of competition that drives them to give extra effort. Through sports children learn to respect authority and rules. Sport increases self-esteem, mental alertness and it reduces stress and anxiety.

Good sportsmanship provides guidelines that can be generalized to classroom and lifelong achievement. Participation in challenging sports contests teaches children to love challenges. It also teaches them to function in a competitive society. Sport helps to build character and discipline and it gives children the confidence of being an individual with overall development.

No other thing in life affords children such opportunity to develop positive character traits and to soak up many quality values as sports does.

Sports should be encouraged by parents and teachers. Children first need to get used to playing sports, accept it and get to like it. It will become part of his or her everyday life. Let them see the values of sports for themselves. As teachers and parents we must be the example. We must make sports and games fun and we must play by the rules. Viewing games or playing sports together often facilitates emotional bonding and develops a love for the game.

As long as a child is involved in sports , he will learn how to overcome obstacles and challenges that will come his way. Isn’t that what we all want for our children ?

There is a Monster Under my Bed!

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 13:41:13 GMT

It is normal for children to be afraid of the dark at some stage or another. Preschoolers aren’t always able to distinguish between reality and fantasy. Couple this with very active imaginations and it becomes easy for them to believe monsters are under the bed or in the cupboards, waiting to pounce once the lights go out.

“There are also fewer distractions to keep a child’s mind occupied at night,” says Dobbins, who is also an assistant professor of paediatrics and child psychiatry at Southern Illinois University. “So instead, his imagination runs wild, and as a result, a child who seems well adjusted during the day may be more vulnerable at night.” The idea that monsters come out at night and prey on little children dates to century old variants of the boogeyman.

The fear of monsters

The fear of monsters has existed for centuries, in the earliest form as the “boogeyman”, a mythical creature which originated simply as a behaviour deterrent for children. – “if you don’t go to bed on time the boogeyman will get you.

Today, the fear of monsters is still an extremely relevant concept throughout society. Ideas around the boogeyman have manifested with the introduction of modern day influences such as tv and popular culture.

Popular culture

When it comes to fear of the dark, television is one of the biggest culprits. Often parents don’t realise how negatively T.V. can affect their children. Gaming is probably the second biggest culprit. Both activities are extremely stimulating and may contain inappropriate content for little children.

A lot of parents don’t limit what their children watch on T.V., or even know what games they are playing on their tablets or gaming devices. The images can be menacing and trigger already active imaginations, stirring up all sorts of ideas that can come back to haunt a child who is lying alone in the dark.

Over protective or an overly anxious parent can also contribute to a child feeling scared or anxious at night time. If not addressed, a child’s fear of the dark may continue to disturb their night time routine.

HOW TO HELP:

Identify the fear
Try and identify the fear by listening to your child. Encourage your child to tell you what makes him or her scared at bedtime. Don't belittle or trivialise your child's fears, they are very real to them.

Empower your child
Allow your child to talk about his or her bedtime fears and experiences during the day. Try and find ways to deal with these fears, or cope with them that may help your child feel less frightened at night. Empower your child to deal with a fear of the dark by asking him or her if she wants dad to check on her at night. Let the child decide on the timeframe; every 5, 10 or 15 minutes.

Keep bedtime routine comforting
Half an hour to an hour before bedtime, don't allow any TV, gaming, potentially scary stories or activities that will over stimulate your child. Rather do something relaxing, like spending some one-on-one time with your child.
Use nightlights and security objects
To create a sense of security, use a night light or a fluffy toy/blanket that your child can snuggle with.

Monsters don’t exist
Don’t tell your child you will scare the monster away, as this is buying into the believe monsters are real. Gently but firmly remind your child monsters do not exist.

Be mindful of other stress factors
Find out if their fear of the dark comes from other worries. For example, some children may be afraid of their parents separating or dying, and this anxiety gets worse when they are alone in the dark. Other stressful issues like the birth of a sibling, death of a pet, moving house or divorce can appear at night as a fear of the dark. If this is the case, Play Therapy may be the best solution.

Professional help
If your child’s fear interferes with his daily functioning and well being professional help may be the best option. They can help you and your child to learn coping strategies to deal with the anxiety.

Always be supportive , encourage communication, take their fears seriously and let them confront their fears at their own pace.

Take the S out of Stress | TrinityHouse

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 07:12:41 GMT

As the examination period is in full swing, you may feel the pressure of the exams getting to you. “It is quite normal to feel some anxiety about exams”, says Avril van der Velde, Life-Orientation Teacher for Trinityhouse High Randpark Ridge . Some people find that a bit of pressure encourage them to do some serious work, while for others this often results in a fear of failure that defeats them even before they put pen to paper.

“Exam stress is usually not so much about the exam paper itself but more about the thought of having to write an exam that puts pressure on the student”, she continues.

If you are spending too much time worrying about your studies and exams, and have feelings of low confidence, self-esteem and feel panicky as well as depressed or anxious, then you know you will not be in a good learning space. These troubled feelings and symptoms in relation to your studies and exams are caused by stress. It is a warning sign that your body and mind are feeling the pressure and asking for attention.

The anxiety creates a kind of “noise” or “mental static” in the brain that blocks our ability to retrieve what is stored in memory which also greatly impairs our ability to comprehend and reason. The key to understanding how anxiety inhibits cognitive and physical performance lies in understanding how emotions affect the rhythmic activity in the nervous system.

The good news is that exam stress can be avoided and that parents have the power to help their children manage and deal with these stressors.

Firstly, learn to recognise when you are stressed out. Don’t be afraid to take a break and have a conversation with someone who knows about the pressure you're under. This will allow you to put things into perspective.

Put together a study timetable focusing on the times of day that you are most alert. We all have slightly different body clocks, so decide if you work best as a night owl or a dawn lark.

Plan in advance. Draw up a realistic revision schedule that could turn your heavy workload into something manageable that will ultimately also help you manage your nerves. We all have different revision styles; some of us like to sit at a tidy library desk whilst others prefer to sit on the floor with their laptop. Wherever you feel calm, in control and comfortable is the best place for you to work through your revision schedule and in so doing alleviate exam stress.

Build rewards and treats into your timetable – anything you can look forward to, for sticking to the timetable. Plan something exciting to celebrate the end of the exams with your friends and family that will make you even more motivated.

Never cram your work into one day, as this will add fuel to the tension and stress fire. You will not remember your work and your brain will strike a blank when it comes to the exam.

When studying, take regular breaks, every 45 – 60 minutes is a good timeframe within which to work. Breaks must at least be ten to fifteen minutes long. During your breaks, do something relaxing, such as reading a book or going for a short walk. Taking your mind off your current work will help you come back to it feeling refreshed. It can also help if you reward yourself after each revision session.

Eat healthily by eating fresh fruit and veggies while studying. On the morning of the exam have a proper breakfast. Fuel your brain as well as your body - no one can think straight on coffee and chocolate, so avoid the caffeine.

Ensure that you get eight hours of sleep before your exam. Wind completely down before you go to bed and don't revise under the duvet on your bed, this is your sanctuary, not your desk.

You need to remember that although this test feels like the most important thing in the world, it isn’t worth the physical strain that you’re putting on your body. When you’re feeling the effects of exam anxiety and your brain feels blank, take a drink of water and breathe deeply and slowly. This will allow your body to rehydrate and to stop the effects of the stress response.

Ultimately, don't lose sight of the fact that there is life after exams. Things might seem intense right now, but it won't last forever.

Are we doing too much for our children? | TrinityHouse

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 10:27:32 GMT

As parents, many of us do things for our kids that we were able and expected to do for ourselves as kids. Our parents didn’t feel the need to negotiate with our sports coach, solve our every problem, or entertain us in our free time. A big difference from today, when all too often we are over-involved in many areas of our children’s lives. Sounds funny, I know. How can a parent be too involved or do too much for their child? Isn’t that just being a good parent? But when we don’t expect our kids to take responsibility for chores or their behaviour, and we attempt to smooth away all the bumps and bruises that are a natural part of childhood, we aren’t doing our kids a favour. Instead, we’re bringing them up to avoid taking personal responsibility and to expect that others will take care of things for them – even when they are really able to take care of it themselves. We’re teaching our kids that life is full of unmanageable problems, when what we actually want them to learn are the basic skills to manage those problems. Stepping back and taking on the role of coach and teacher instead of “do-er” and “fixer” was one of the hardest things I had to do as a parent. But it is also one of the best things you can do to help your child build their social and problem-solving skills and at the same time learn responsibility.

We are often placed under pressure from our careers and households, which ultimately results in us spending less quality time with our children. Work and other responsibilities mean that we aren’t home, but consistently in the background. This leaves us feeling guilty. And guilt leads to over-doing, without us even realizing we are doing it! We do this partly because life is busy and we just trying to get through daily tasks, partly because we can do things better and faster than our children, and partly because we prefer not to see our children uncomfortable or not doing well. We also over-do when we are tired or strapped for time. It often seems easier to just go ahead and do the work ourselves. Making the time to teach our child to do a task, coaching them through the process, and holding firm with expectations takes patience – which is something hard to muster after a long day at work!

So how do we know when we are over doing-it?
Think of it this way. When you come home after having to work late and find that your daughter’s homework isn’t finished (again) and your son is sulking because he argued with a friend, ask yourself these five questions before you do anything:

1. Are you fighting the same battles over and over and getting no further ahead?
2. Whose chore is it? Mine or my child’s?
3. Whose challenge is it?
4. Who should be responsible for getting it done?
5. What do I usually do in these situations? Do I swoop in, taking care of everything (over-doing)?

If you come to the realization that the chore (or the problem or responsibility) is your child’s and that your typical response is to over-do, then it’s time to step back and find a different approach. This doesn’t mean that you have been a bad parent; it just means that you’ve taken on too much of what belongs to your child. It also doesn’t mean that you don’t love your child – you do – but now it’s time to try a more effective way to help them grow up.

What happens when we over do for our children?
If you always remind your child to do her homework so she won’t forget and receive a bad mark in school, you have done something for her that in the short-term may be helpful, but in the long-term is problematic because your child is not getting the opportunity to learn how to be responsible for herself, or to practice important life skills such as time management and self-discipline. Similarly, if you always bring your child’s coat (or lunch, or homework) to school after she forgets it at home, she won’t have the unpleasant experience of not having a coat (or lunch or homework) that will in turn motivate her to do it herself the next time (a.k.a Natural consequences).

Over-doing teaches the wrong lesson in encouraging children to avoid unpleasant tasks and challenges instead of facing them. This in turn creates manipulative behaviour where they learn to expect things from others instead of taking responsibility for themselves. Thus, further learning to underestimate their true capabilities. If your daughter or son has never tried new or different things, they won’t know how to start or how to pick themselves up and try again. They’ll think it can’t be done. Which will result in you as the parent feeling exhausted, not having accomplished much of a positive outcome in the long-run, and your child developing a fixed mindset.

Protecting your child from life’s knocks comes at a price. Children need to learn to manage setbacks which they won’t if we always shelter them. As tempting as it is to be the one to negotiate with the coach for more playing time, what will your child do when they’re on a team where the coach expects direct communication from the players? How will your child learn to speak for him or herself?

Opportunities for growth
Instead it is important to create opportunities for growth. Making mistakes and experiencing ‘failure’, disappointment or discomfort are essential life experiences that provide the opportunity for children to do better and to practice new skills. It is natural for parents to want to buffer children from these unpleasant experiences, but we make enormous future trade-offs when we do so. Learning to manage obstacles in life makes us all strong people. If we step in, we stop the learning process and run the risk of stunting our children’s growth. We prevent our children from developing the courage needed to try new things, even when it is hard or they may not succeed, whilst still in the sheltered environment of the family.

Rather take on the role of teacher and coach, supporting your children through the difficulty, while letting them discover their own potential and capabilities.

I see this as a ‘right’ of growing up- to learn from our problems and become stronger, more capable individuals. If you take over and don’t allow your children to come up with their own solutions and discovering their strengths, you may be preventing them from finding their path to resiliency. It’s the challenging twists and turns in life that often teach us the most about how strong we really are. These experiences and the learning that comes with them are essential to becoming responsible and capable adults.

Obviously, we can’t let go completely as parents. We need to make sure that our children are safe and secure, and have the skills to manage problems that come their way. This often takes planning on our part, along with awareness of how our children learn and what support they need. It also takes some trust in our child’s abilities to do more for him or her self- not always easy, I know.

Coaching, Not doing
Hands-on involvement- as a coach and teacher- will help your child develop the skills necessary to face new or disliked tasks and overcome obstacles. For example, if a disorganized primary school learner really needs to clean his room, it is most likely that he needs your involvement to learn how to effectively do this. Working alongside him instead of doing it for him, teaches him what is needed to complete the task. Or maybe your middle school daughter proclaims her hatred for assigned reading.

Offer to read the book with her so that you can both talk about it together, discussing her perspective and what you both found to be interesting. Using this approach, you teach your daughter the enjoyment of reading and helping her think through her book report without doing the work for her. Both examples incorporate parental teaching and coaching roles. By doing with instead of for, you are also spending more time with your child while developing their skills and building their character. It’s a win on both parts.

Keep in mind though, parent the child you have and not the one you wish you had. There are children whose behaviours can make this work so much more difficult. Children with learning challenges, attention problems, academic weaknesses, constant agitation, irritability or defiance have behaviours that place greater demands on you as the coaching and teaching parent. Remember to tailor your approach, based on your child’s needs. Maybe you will need to explain things over and over again until your child really understands. Or find creative ways to teach and reinforce new skills, like using charts and tangible recognition. You may need to break tasks down into smaller pieces and teach and coach one step at a time. You’ll need to understand your child’s specific challenges, coaching those challenges or needs and working towards gaining insight about what works for your child. It is hard work- but it will pay off. It does take patience, insight and a willingness to remember why you’re going through all this effort, you are teaching your child to solve problems and manage life’s obstacles so that they can become responsible adults.

For many parents, we will have to work on this our child’s entire life. It’s a process that changes as you and your child change. As you get better at stepping back, and as your child picks up skills and abilities, there will be improvements. Your child will grow into a capable and responsible person. It should be a parent’s delight to help our children learn how to deal with life’s obstacles, to slog through the hard stuff. It may feel like a tough job at times, but you can both do it… learning and growing along the way.

Why it is Important to have Fun with your Five-Year-Old?

Fri, 31 May 2019 10:07:39 GMT

In today’s world, parenting is no easy task. As a parent, the responsibility of balance is highly over-stressed, and the proverbial checklist is always hanging over your head. In the chaos of packing healthy snacks, rushing off to various activities, scheduling playdates, limiting screen time, preparing nutritious meals and persevering through homework – all while trying to bring your A-game to the workplace and being the person your spouse married – we forget the golden rule: all children want is some quality time.

Then calculating the time a child spends at school, extra mural activities and social engagements (the times that do not include parental involvement), what little time is left becomes alarmingly important. Most families will spend quality time with one another over the course of a weekend, which equates to 104 days a year. Over the course of 18 years, the average family will spend 1872 weekend days together. Not a lot considering that if your child is of school going age, that you have already used up 520 of these days.

How much of your family’s time is spent over scheduling, overworking and overloading? Sometimes it is important to put all the necessities on the back-burner and just have some good old fun. When thinking back on your own childhood, the most nostalgic and happy memories are the ones centered around time spent with family and friends, not your mom keeping your house spotless or your dad working late. Ultimately, it was when you were having fun.

So, what is fun and how do we get it? According to the dictionary, fun is “enjoyment, amusement, or light-hearted pleasure.” If you take the time to quietly observe your child, ask yourself these questions: “What does my child enjoy?” “What does my child find amusing?” “What gives my child pleasure?” Write your observations down and try incorporate them into your quality time moments.

Why is it important to have fun? Well, firstly having fun is a great stress-reliever. It is quite hard to believe, but children in today’s world have a considerable amount of stress. By engaging in fun, play-based activities, children are able to lower cortisol levels and produce more serotonin, which results in happier, calmer and more relaxed little people.

Engaging in fun activities, with someone we genuinely care about improves resilience. How many children around the age of five absolutely love board games? There are always fond memories of when a parent taught their child how to play a particular game. Playing boardgames also equips children with important social skills such as taking turns and learning how to win and lose.

Having fun is an energy injection. When children are enjoying themselves and spending time with others, doing the things they enjoy, they feel more awake and capable. It also helps to improve concentration and memory, hence why children in preschool have various play times.

Forming meaningful connections with others is one of the most significant benefits of having fun. Taking time to enjoy activities and conversations with friends gives us a sense of connection, usefulness, and meaning that can be more powerful than any prescription. Brene Brown, a sociologist who specialises in human connection, says, “As psychologists from Maslow to Baumeister have repeatedly stressed, the truth of the matter is that a sense of social connection is one of our fundamental human needs.”

Lastly, having fun helps create positive patterns. Taking the time to engage in fun activities is a great way to combat stress, strengthen connections, work through emotional issues and create learning opportunities for both parent and child.

Here are some tips and pointers to add some more fun to your quality time moments with your child:

Play together – make believe, hide and seek, card games, board games
Laugh together – whoopee cushions and silly pranks, knock-knock jokes
Get outside – go on a nature walk, ride your bicycles, go to the beach, have a water balloon fight, garden together
Have an adventure – have a camp out in the garden, go fishing, have a picnic, go on a scavenger hunt
Read together – read a classic chapter book, listen to audio books in the car, have a family quiet reading time during the day
Cook together – teach them the basics, cook something from a kids recipe book, make s’mores, teach them to flip a pancake, decorate cupcakes
Make and create – draw, paint, build something out of Lego, make a fairy garden, build a fort
Learn more about each other – use conversation starter cards, go on a mommy/daddy and me date, let your child take photographs, tell each other stories

The possibilities are endless. Now go have some fun!

Things to think about when choosing a Pre-Primary for your child

Fri, 24 May 2019 06:44:28 GMT

Choosing a school for your little one should not be a last minute, hasty decision. Start looking at least three months before you need to enter your child, if you are looking to place a baby. If you want your child to join a good school when they turn three, you should start looking at birth. This may seem ludicrous but the top Pre-Primary schools have waiting lists several years long!

The first decision is whether to place your child in a school near home or near your place of work. Small children suffer from many little illnesses and most schools want a sick child to go home as soon as possible. Choose a school that is close enough for someone to fetch them promptly if they fall ill. No matter how loving the care at school, a sick child just wants the comfort of home.

Choose a school whose hours suit your schedule. If the school closes at 5.30pm, you must be able to reach it with time to spare, regardless of the traffic. Does the school open early enough for you to get to work? You cannot leave a small child outside the gate and assume that someone will take responsibility!

There are so many places of care to choose from at the moment that you may be bewildered by the choice. Take the time to visit the school unannounced. Check the security first, it should not be possible for you just to drive in. Are there cameras at the door and an entrance procedure? Next, how are you greeted and dealt with by the receptionist? This should be efficient, friendly and with an offer to show you the school, either then or by appointment. An appointment does not mean they have anything to hide; good schools have to allocate time and staff to deal with parents effectively. Is the reception clutter free and efficiently run? Are the admittance forms neatly printed and requesting sufficient background detail on your child?

When you look around, watch the children. Under-fives should be playing freely and busily with clean, unbroken toys that are well displayed to enable choice, or engaged in activities that are stimulating creativity or enhancing number or literacy skills. There should be no worksheets or cloned art work. Is the classroom clean and attractive, with good natural light and ventilation? Is there sufficient space for the children? Crowded rooms lead to fights and stress. Has the teacher (who should be SACE registered) an assistant to manage bathroom visits, messes and to support play? Is there evidence of an overall theme that the children are investigating? Are there good quality books in a comfy spot for reading? Are the carpets and floors clean? Beware of schools that are too tidy and immaculate as this could mean that the equipment is for display, not the children’s use. Children should be aware of your presence but not clamouring for your attention.

What is your language policy for your child? If they are to attend Primary school in a specific language, they will be at an advantage if their early years are spent in the same language. This does not mean that you should forsake your home language. Bi-lingual children have a cognitive advantage, but do not confuse your child by subjecting him/her to a constant mixture of languages. Choose a school that will help your child enter grade 1 with a strong vocabulary and comprehension, as well as an ability to engage in their intellectual education with understanding.

What do you require in the way of meals? Not all schools serve breakfast, lunch and snacks and the price should reflect what is provided. Check out the kitchen, the kitchen staff and the certificates from the local authority indicating that the school is licenced to provide meals. Look at the menus. Is there sufficient variety and fresh fruit and vegetables? Ask about who feeds the little ones and how meals are conducted for the older ones. Are the children forced to eat their meals? Can the school cater for genuine allergies, (Not fussy eaters!)

If your child is still a baby, check the policies on formulas, nappies, wet wipes etc. If the school supplies everything, it may be a little more expensive but well worth your while in terms of convenience. Look at the nappy changing areas, where everything should be neatly labelled and the area safe and well ventilated, with proper disposal facilities. Potty training areas should be bright and welcoming, with small toilets for children aged two plus.

Are the baby rooms warm enough for the babies to play and crawl on the floor and not be kept in a cot all day. Who provides the cot linen and how often is it washed? There should be a nursing sister available for very young babies, as well as well-trained carers who will talk to and stimulate your child.

The outdoor area should have grass, sand, water, shade and wheeled toys, as well as safe climbing and swinging equipment, appropriate for the different age groups. Children are stimulated by their environment so the garden should be attractive, bright and well supervised. Gross motor development underlies all other development at this age so there should be a minimum of an hour per morning and afternoon set aside for active, outdoor play.

Last but not least, the atmosphere of the school should be welcoming and child friendly. Do not be swayed by the latest technological devices and lessons if the staff seem aloof and uncaring. With proper research your child should be happy and well stimulated in the chosen environment until it is time for Big School.

Coding: Teaching Your Child a New Language

Fri, 17 May 2019 07:28:53 GMT

There is a lot of talk in South Africa about the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the need for education in the country to start preparing learners for the future world of work from a young age. Unfortunately, in South Africa, resources are often lacking and many teachers are not yet equipped to teach coding. However this shouldn’t stop parents from encouraging their children to start with the basics of coding from a young age, an expert says.

“As we teach our children to read and speak our mother tongue language so we should start with coding at an early age,” says John Luis, Head of Academics at ADvTECH Schools, a division of South Africa’s largest private education provider.

“Parents who are not tech savvy may find this daunting, so the easiest way to start the children off will be to download some apps to their mobile devices which will use games to kick off the coding thought processes. Learning to code is like learning how to speak, read and write in a different language. Children are very good at learning a variety of languages from a young age so teaching them coding will be no different,” he says.

Luis says that the importance of preparing children for a technologically-enabled future cannot be overstated.

“Technology changes rapidly and our children must be able to adapt, be agile minded and most importantly prepared for the future working world. The 4IR should not be dismissed as a buzzword – it is real, and it is here where our lives will become intertwined with technology, the edges between reality and virtual worlds will blur and we need to ensure our children will be effective workers in this rapidly changing environment.

“This means that in the future world of work, coding will be a fundamental digital skill which our children will need to be literate in much the same way we prepare our children with language, numeracy and physical skills. Coding is no longer a skill reserved for scientists, engineers and IT geeks.”

Luis explains that the fourth industrial revolution is characterised by a rapidly developing technological environment in which disruptive technologies, the Internet of Things, virtual and augmented reality, robotics and artificial intelligence are changing the way we exercise, play, study, live and work.

“Behind this technology, functionality is achieved using code. It is how we communicate with computers, build websites, mobile apps, computer games and instruct robots. The Internet of Things (IoT) is already becoming more integrated into our homes. Smart TVs and watches, automated home management and security are only some of the examples where IoT is already used.”

Like mathematics, becoming competent in the language of coding has many advantages beyond the obvious, he says.
“Coding also helps with maths skills, it fosters creativity, improves problem solving abilities and can improve language and writing skills,” he says.

Internationally coding has long been recognised as a future life skill and is offered as part of the normal primary school curriculum. In South Africa, high schools have had the subject from Grade 10 to 12 as a subject choice (Information Technology) for many years, but was mostly offered to select learners based on their mathematics marks. Still, only a small percentage of schools have been able to offer the subject as it requires dedicated infrastructure and highly competent teachers.

The situation looks better at progressive private schools, where coding has been introduced as part of the mainstream offering, from as early as pre-prep, where children are introduced via simple techniques and readily available software.
“While many schools are still in the starting blocks, and most haven’t even arrived for the race yet, parents must realise that academic excellence and individual competitiveness in future will require a solid grasp of the language of technology. So the question of a school’s offering in this regard should be one they take very seriously before enrolling their child .

“And where they do not yet have the option of enrolling their child in a school that incorporates coding as part of the mainstream offering – which is the reality for the majority of the country - they should ensure that their child isn’t left behind, by assisting them independently,” says Luis.

One of the options available to these parents, is to search for holiday camps in their area. And where those are not offered, parents can start by helping their child download some of the various free mobile applications and software (listed below) which help young children to start coding, he says.

Scratch ( https://scratch.mit.edu/educators ) is a very effective free coding language that is designed specifically for ages 8 to 16 but can be used by people of all ages.
Alice ( https://www.alice.org/ ) is a block-based programming environment that makes it easy to create animations, build interactive narratives, or program simple games in 3D.
Microsoft Minecraft Education an educational version of Minecraft, the game popular with children all over the world. ( https://education.minecraft.net/ ) .
Roblox ( https://developer.roblox.com/resources/education/Resources ) caters for children from the ages of 8 to 14.

The Curfew: Why is it Important? | Trinityhouse Randpark Ridge

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 11:43:53 GMT

Why Do Parents Set Curfews for Teens?

In times of both peace and unrest, the use of a curfew has ensured safety and control for “the people” and also those in authority. Putting a curfew in place for children and young adults serves a similar purpose. This topic, while controversial, is one that parents and guardians still find merit in, despite the popular, modern trend to be more lenient rather than restrictive.

The Practical Benefits of a Curfew at Home

Curfews apply to children of all ages, and this extends to teens and young adults still living at home. There are several reasons that a curfew is an effective and valid parenting tool. One of the more “selfish” reasons a curfew can be considered is the fact that if there is a curfew in place it allows the parents to better plan their lives by applying times that suit them; and that the parents are not kept up waiting all night for a young person to return home! Knowing that parents require you home at a certain time will also enhance your sensitivity to the needs of others; resulting in social courtesy. This courtesy makes for a far more manageable household.

Curfews and Teen Safety: More Than Just Rules

On a less flippant note; a curfew assists in ensuring the safety of our young people. Often, it is not how our children behave that worries us as parents, but rather how others behave. Certain times of day/night may be considered safer than others and so adhering to a curfew could assist in keeping your young person in a safe environment during those more risky times. In addition to this, a young person who is required to leave at a certain time will often be able use his/her curfew as a reason not to engage in certain behaviour or not to go somewhere where he/she is not comfortable. This is a very useful tool that they will have at their disposal and may allow them to bow out of an unwanted situation gracefully. Curfews have been helpful in ensuring the safety of our young people from behaviours such as drinking, drugs, promiscuity and violence. In a day and age where there are so many threats to a young person’s safety, we need to be using every tool at our disposal.

Structure, Discipline, and the Teenage Brain

Although most teenagers would deny it; something they yearn for is structure and a level of discipline. To a young person a complete lack of structure and discipline could equate to a lack of caring. It is a time in their lives when they are being bombarded from every side with new things to do and try and there is pressure from every sphere of their lives. Trying to balance school, sport, a social life and so on takes some doing. A parent can really assist if they put a curfew in place for the sake of the child’s busy schedule. This allows the child to form good habits and take responsibility for his/her schedule. Learning to work towards -and around- a curfew, and learning the importance of being on time is a vital skill so many of us have lost. Surprisingly, adherence to a curfew is so much more than a simple disciplinary step taken by parents. Once a child becomes accustomed to it, he/she will find that the same discipline applies to studying/personal relationships and general work ethic.

Curfews Should Be Fair and Flexible

It is obviously important to ensure that the curfew is reasonable, manageable and indeed, that it is appropriate and valid. It is not to be used as part of an autocratic style of parenting, but rather as a tool that benefits all members of the family. Often negotiation between parent and child will allow for some interesting discussions. Negotiating a curfew will also allow the child to feel his/her opinion is taken into consideration. Ultimately, of course, the decision needs to be that of the parent. The negotiation of a “curfew discretion” needs to be considered by parents too where the child is perhaps participating in something out of the ordinary. There needs to be a degree of give and take around curfew times.

The Limits of Curfews in Shaping Teen Behaviour

While the setting of a curfew is a powerful and meaningful tool to add to your arsenal as a parent, there are some limitations that need to be taken into consideration. This is not a means to yield power over a young person, rather something that should enhance your relationship of mutual trust. Simply setting a curfew will also not change poor behaviour miraculously either. It might curb some behaviours, but parenting is so much more complicated than just the issue of being home on time.

Final Thoughts: Are Curfews Still Relevant Today?

Going back to the historical reason for curfews in society (that of ensuring safety and control), I think that if one can do anything to ensure the safety of our children in a world where that has become increasingly difficult; we should be doing it .

The Pros and Cons of Having an Imaginary Friend | Trinityhouse

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 11:08:03 GMT

In preparation for writing this article, I turned to Google and found that there are many articles discussing children’s imaginary friends available on the internet. There is rarely a mention of cons, but plenty of pros and they all agree on some general information.

Are Imaginary Friends Real?

Children usually create an imaginary friend around the age of 3-4. This friend can stay with them for several years, but overall, they seem to disappear when the child is in the first year or two of primary school. There are instances where the friend remains as part of the child’s life further into primary school, but this is not the norm. First born children are more likely to have imaginary friends and it is slightly more common for girls to have imaginary friends.

They will grow up knowing the difference between reality and fantasy, just like their peers who do not have imaginary friends.

The friend may be a person, usually another child, an animal of some sort or the personification of a their favourite stuffed toy. They may even replace a real friend who lives far away.

Why do kids have imaginary friends?

There was a time when a child having an imaginary friend was seen as strange and in some way this reflected poor parenting skills. There was the feeling that the child must be lonely and socially inept.

Although parents may still feel a little uncomfortable or unsure of how to deal with the issue, it is generally accepted that having an imaginary friend is quite normal for a child. They may be there to help the child through a big transition in their lives, or just as a part of the child’s imaginative play. Recent research has shown that there is no real link between imaginary friends and mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or chronic loneliness.

Children with imaginary friends are usually socially well-adjusted and interact well with real-life friends.

Creative, imaginative play comes very easily to young children and listening to their conversations, it is quite common to hear something like;
“…and then you told me to go to the cupboard to fetch the cups”
“…and you fetched the cups and then you poured the tea”
“…and then I wanted some cake too”.

Children will make suggestions regarding the direction that the ‘game’ is heading in and there is usually someone who is the ‘boss of the game’. They are fully aware that what they are doing is a game, but they are able to discuss different behaviours and can test options with their friends. The child with an imaginary friend is engaging in the same activities, imagining how a friend might react or behave. While engaging with an imaginary friend, the child has the opportunity to take both sides of the situation into account and to express emotions and feelings that are not easy to express outside of that situation. They can test ideas and social skills, while being in complete control of the situation.

Children will sometimes test a parent’s reactions by telling them that “Georgie” says this or that, waiting to see if that is acceptable to the parent. They will even blame their imaginary friend if they have done something wrong or readily suggest that he was the one who made a mess in the room. It is a good idea not to over-react, but ensure that the imaginary friend also adheres to the morals and norms of the family. The child may need to ‘help’ their friend to tidy up the room or tell their friend that it is not acceptable to be unkind or unfriendly. They still need to be accountable for their own actions.

Children might project their own anxieties or fears on to the imaginary friend, so it is probably worthwhile for parents to listen to the conversations and pick up clues about what the child is currently thinking or feeling.

As much as parents want to encourage their children to achieve academic and sporting success, they should be eager to encourage the development of their child’s language, critical thinking skills and imagination, all of which are developed with imaginative/ pretend play of all sorts. Parents should provide lots of opportunities for children to explore books and play imaginatively with dress-up items and play along with their children.

Although children know that their imaginary friend is not real, if they become withdrawn and do not interact socially with others, it might be time to seek professional help. This would also apply if the imaginary friend is aggressive, depressed or anxious.

So it seems to be the consensus that if a child has an imaginary friend, just relax, be happy that your child has a good imagination and know that it is not only normal, but good for your child’s overall creative development .

Keeping the Connection: The Nature of Time | Trinityhouse

Sun, 14 Apr 2019 10:40:56 GMT

Let’s be honest - in today’s times the pace of life is fast and furious. Too often we don’t know whether we are coming or going? The work / home balance can be a real tight-rope walk for many of us… So how does one ensure that one stays connected to the ones we love, especially our children, when they especially need this connection so desperately?

It comes down to that “unspeakable word” - TIME. We sometimes get so caught up in our guilt as working parents that we think buying things for them will show them we care and keep us connected. In actual fact, it does the opposite. If you were to sit and really calculate how much time you allocated to certain activities in your day e.g. work, meetings, driving, gym etc, how much would there be under “Children”?

We think our children need a lot of our time, when really, they just need uninterrupted time. So how then does one give them that time; how do we “fit it” into our schedules? We don’t have to change our whole day to fit this time in, but if we really want something we find a way, don’t we?

Let’s start with 5 easy ways to do this:

Hug and kiss your child often.
Driving in the car: This is a wonderful space and time to connect with your kids. However, the only real way to get the best out of this is to TURN THE RADIO OFF. Then just simply talk to each other. By having no other “noise” on, they feel that they have your undivided attention and even though you perhaps can’t always see them at the back of the car, you are listening.
Bedtime: Make a commitment to read to your child in bed at least twice a week, either in the morning or night, again by being in that small space they feel they have your attention. Read the story and then give them 5min where you just lie next to them and talk, about anything they would like to talk about…
Get them to teach you to play a game on their iPad or a game they know.
Get physically active with them.

The biggest thing though is putting away your phone and not looking at it at all when you are engaging with your child. That way they feel connected not disconnected.

I really believe these 5 simple tips will go a long way to keep you connected with your most precious possessions – your children.

The Value of Art | TrinityHouse

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:22:27 GMT

A toddler’s fist years is an exciting time with lots of exploration and discovery. Researchers show that creative activities are some of the fundamental building blocks during childhood development .

Care providers, parents, grandparents and teachers should plan regular creative activities with their toddlers to stimulate and develop their mind.

Once these children get involved in making art, it leaves them with a feeling of emotional satisfaction. It lends itself to physical development and the enhancement of fine and gross motor skills, as well as fosters children’s mentally, social skills, and emotional wellbeing.

It’s extremely important to make the art activities open-ended in order not to supress children’s individual creativity.

Deciding what they will make and what materials they will use may be the first opportunity they have to make independent choices and decisions.

Making art builds children's self-esteem by giving them opportunities to express what they are thinking and feeling.

One of the goals for art education, whether at school or at home, is to make children more creative regardless of where their creativity will be used.

Learning to create and appreciate the arts may be more important than ever to the development of the next generation of children as they grow up.

Why is art so important?

Develops creative thinking.
Provides means of communication and self-expression.
Serves as an emotional release.
Strengthens self-concept and confidence.
Increases self- understanding.
Heightens aesthetic awareness and sensitivity.
Enhances the ability to visualize.
Provides problem- solving/ decision making opportunities.
Develops the appreciation for the individuality of others.
Leads to integration of the individual.
Serves as a balance to classroom activities.
Aids physical co-ordination.
Develops work habits and a sense of responsibility.
Aids the adult in understanding and helping the child.
Generates JOY!
It covers the various fine motor skills taught.

Praising Children | Trinityhouse Pre-Primary Schools

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 06:51:06 GMT

The question we ask on this subject should not be, should we praise young children but how should we praise young children?

When our babies begin to demonstrate skills such as sitting, crawling, walking and feeding themselves, we show huge excitement and pleasure and encourage them to repeat the skill for daddy, auntie etc. We say things like, ‘Good boy!’ As they grow and begin to learn shape sorting, turning the pages of a book, helping with the dusting, we continue the praise by saying things like, “What a clever boy you are for finding the circles”. ”You are such a clever girl to ride your trike like that”. Thus begins the habit of praising the child for being clever, pretty, strong, etc. and this can be detrimental because we need to praise a child for effort, perseverance and grit, not for natural endowments.

As the child enters Play School/Pre-Primary parents will be greeted at the end of the school day with a selection of sticky boxes, brown paintings and half chewed baking. (If you are presented with coloured-in pictures or worksheets, you have chosen the wrong school!) Back to the messy art-work; your response here should be something like the following:

• ‘Gosh, I can see you worked hard on this picture, can you tell me about it?’
• ‘I see that the colours all turned brown, what colours did you start with? What do you think happened with the colours?’
• ‘That biscuit looks interesting, tell me how you made it?’
• ‘You even have sand in your hair; you must have dug really deep in the sandpit.”

A response that does not encourage thought or future effort, and one that may make your child mistrust your judgement, would be, “That’s lovely darling.” It can easily discourage the child from future effort if they feel they may not be able to reach this standard again, or worse, they know you are lying.

We can also create praise junkies if we are too liberal in the praise given. The child just seeks praise for the slightest thing and thus effort decreases. I have seen this in a Grade 0 class when a child seeks teacher’s approval for every small thing they do.

In everything your child achieves or needs recognition for, try and focus on the effort, perseverance or the learning that has taken place and be realistic but kind. From an early age children need to understand that effort, perseverance and courage in the face of difficulty are praiseworthy. Praising natural ability and intelligence does not raise a child’s self-esteem. Praise must reflect real achievement and be authentic.
When it comes to behaviour, praise what you want to be repeated. “I really liked the way you sat still through our meal. Thank you”. “I was so proud of the way you thanked Auntie Betty for having you for tea. I could see that she really liked your good manners.”

As well as learning to praise your child, knowing how to correct is just as important. Modern life seems to focus so much on success at everything, that failure and mistakes are considered to be disasters. Not getting something right the first time is an ideal opportunity to teach children to reflect on the reasons it did not work and to plan how they will do it differently next time. Stories of overnight success are seldom true and even young children need to learn the value of trying again and planning differently.

A reflective comment from a parent such as, “I’m sorry your science project did not work when you worked so hard on it, how do you think you could build it differently next time? If a child struggles constantly at any activity, the activity needs to be moderated so that success is possible. Small steps in achievement and growth should be the aim.

Naturally bright children do not necessarily achieve the best in schools. Those who have had authentic and honest praise, who understand that achievement needs motivation and determination, will go far, even if they do not find learning easy. Achievement is a marathon, not a sprint. This mind-set can begin from toddlerhood.

Grit is a term seldom used in these days of helicoptering parents. Grit is one of the abilities we have, based on cognitive control, and this can be taught. Children need to understand how their brains work and with technology we have, they can be shown how brains react to different stimuli and how working hard and persevering will develop their brains. As they get older they need to know that the ability to learn is not fixed and can be constantly developed through perseverance and practice. ‘I can get better when I try harder’. ‘My intelligence grows with effort’. Teach children to approach life and work with a growth mind-set rather than simply praising whatever they do.

So what is the goal when it comes to encouraging children? Keep in mind your long-term goals for them and watch for the effects of what you say. Ultimately, you want to encourage your children to be self-motivated and to embrace challenge, and that means not making them dependent on praise. When they reach the world of varsity and work, there will be no one praising their every move and if they have become used to this from home, life will be tough.

How to Get the Best Out of Your Children | Trinityhouse Schools

Fri, 01 Mar 2019 10:19:18 GMT

The aim of raising children is to produce independent, capable and collaborative adults who can communicate well, exhibit self-control, show good manners and empathy for their fellows. In addition, we want creative, innovative, life-long learners. So how do we do this and get the very best out of our most precious possessions?

Show them and tell them that you love them. Fill their love tank:
This sounds so obvious but while most parents love their children, they do not express that love through physical affection, especially once the child begins to resist those hugs and kisses in an embarrassed manner. Children of any age need plenty of physical affection, combined with verbal expression and positive affirmation. (But best not in front of peers after age 8 plus for boys!) Tell them of your love and show appreciation, “I just loved it when you helped me wash up/cook the dinner/lay the table. Thank you” If parents learn to notice the good and show affection and appreciation, the child will feel loved, learn to be positive and will not use negative behaviour to attract attention.

Pray together
It has never been more important for families to pray together. When you pray together, each member of the family learns what it means to be intimate with God. Prayer is the foundation of your Christian home and is one of the best ways to help your family thrive. Remember that prayer is about relationship, and relationship is something you can’t force, so keep your early approaches to family prayer as light and casual as possible. Start around the dinner table, go on your knees with your three-year-old and let times of prayer and thanksgiving flow out of sharing your joys. When you see answers to prayer, you experience His Love and His Presence in your daily lives. For this reason, there’s no time like the present to introduce your children to the joy and excitement of prayer.

Boundaries
Children feel safe when they have boundaries. Have weekly family meetings, even with children as young as 3, and discuss and formulate your family rules. The whole family agrees to abide by the rules, such as speaking respectfully to each other and keeping your room tidy. Write them out and stick them on the fridge. Agree on the consequences for breaking rules. Use your meetings to plan outings, holidays etc., as well as to talk about behaviour and chores. Teenagers will always balk at rules, but are more likely to comply if they helped to make them in a loving and supportive family environment. All our sports and work environments have rules so don’t be afraid of having them in your family!

Children need your time:
Modern life is challenging for parents with the morning rush to school and work and then the homework, dinner and bedtime routines to get through in the evenings. There seems so little time to just relax and play with the children but this is absolutely essential to their well-being. Schedule a time for ball games, walks, playing board games, reading together and just chatting, with phones switched off. Notice TV and tablets are not mentioned. The latter are not true social activities and do not encourage children to learn to make eye contact, read facial expressions or manage the give and take of doing things with others. By all means use a video link when you are apart, but this is not a substitute for you.

Acknowledging feelings:
There are so many more emotions than happy and sad and children learn to identify and manage their feelings by example. If dad yells and throws things when he loses his keys, the children will see this as acceptable behaviour. After all, dad is their hero and they will emulate him. It’s okay to be angry, but children must learn how to express it appropriately from their role models. Acknowledge feelings verbally, such as, “I can see you are upset because your friend didn’t play with you today. Let’s talk about how you can deal with that.” Give the child autonomy to make a plan and try it out. Phoning the child’s mother or teacher shows the child that you do not trust him to solve his own problems. This leads to dependence and you do not want your university child to be constantly expecting you to sort out his life!

Encourage independence:
By the end of pre-school your child should be able to dress, bath, tidy their room and toys, put their dirty clothes in the laundry basket and have simple daily chores such as laying the table. Some even feel that an eight-year-old should know how to sort laundry and load the washing machine. Independence and chores must increase with age, even if you have domestic help. It is not the parent’s job to lay out clothes for the next day or pack the school bag. You can help by being organised yourself and set an example, but you also have to show your child how to do a task, let them practise it, and give support if needed, before expecting it to be done properly. Living in an organised home and having some responsibility for it will support the child at school. He will be able to plan his desk, school work and locker space and not work in a constant mess. “Tidy as you go” is a good habit to encourage.

Children need to play with their peers
From the age of four, playing with peers, without interference from adults, is as essential as food to a child’s well-being. Through play, they learn to assert their needs while meeting those of their playmates. Friends just quit the game when a child is too demanding so children learn to sublimate their needs and pay attention to others. This is the most important skill that children need for life, marriage and the work place, none of which will allow you to have all your own way. With other children they have authentic communication and practise true independence. They negotiate what and how to play, they discuss and create rules. They modify rules as they play and become more creative as they experiment with variations. “Constant adult supervision and interference has been attributed to rising anxiety levels and depression in teens and young adults. (Gray P 2011.) Yes, you do have to keep an eye on safety, but don’t remove all challenges and do give them privacy. Read your book or cook with the door open but don’t organise the play or hover. Don’t over organise children in extra-murals, they do not substitute for free play.

“Children need to play out the norms of their society, and test them, often violating the rules, but this encourages the practise of courage and independence.” Gray P. 2012 Freedom to Learn.

With the lack of safe places to congregate, teenagers have turned to the internet for their ‘play’ with peers. Here you have to teach them on-line safety and impose some restrictions but they need this space to share thoughts and feelings in privacy.

Grit, perseverance and the ability to delay gratification
Today we are seeing a generation less likely to stick to tasks or to persevere in the face of difficulty. The finest inventions have been created because the inventors tried and tried again in the face of failure. Edison tried 1000 times before he created the light bulb. Children need to learn that not everything comes easily and effort and perseverance is necessary. Don’t allow them to constantly change activities when they hit a bump. Praise effort not results. Not every child is an A student but with hard work, everyone can reach their own potential.

Help them learn to delay gratification by not providing everything on demand. From age five, expect them to do small tasks to earn points towards a desired toy and later they can save a reasonable contribution from their pocket money. Don’t replace lost school items instantly, but if you have to, deduct pocket money afterwards. Schoolwork becomes more demanding by matric and the child who is able to delay gratification and persevere to do the studying required, will do well.

Teach money sense:
This has been touched on above, but if you start the habit of spending one third, saving one third and giving one third to charity, your child will develop money sense and learn to plan and budget for his ‘wants’. It is the parent’s job to provide the ‘needs’. If the family understand the share market, a twelve-year-old can be introduced to it and learn from an early age how to invest and grow their income. Your child will be more equipped for adulthood and be able to make sensible financial decisions. If he has learned to save some pocket money regularly, he may be close to buying a car as he leaves school.

Food and Exercise:
Our modern life encourages everything to be fast but not our bodies, which are becoming more and more sedentary. Here too, setting an example is vital. Taking walks as a family, using the gym, swimming or playing games in the garden sets a habit of activity that should take them through to adulthood. Exercise releases the ‘happy’ hormones, endorphins and serotonin, so screen time needs to be limited, even for the socializing teenagers. Children who have regular exercise also cope better in class and are less likely to become obese. This brings us to eating habits.

Teaching healthy eating habits is something that starts from weaning time and also requires role models at home. You can’t say no to chips and coke if dad is having them. Fast food should be an occasional convenience meal and sweets should be one or two after a meal, sometimes, not the whole packet daily. Don’t use either of these as a reward or children will crave them. Teachers should not use sweets as a reward either! Cut out the fruit juices and fizzy drinks in favor of water and make vegetables and fruit a bigger part of the diet than carbs. Children who eat properly have better concentration and don’t have energy slums. This leads to better school results. Pack sensible lunch boxes and don’t rely on tuck shops unless the school has strict policies about what may be sold.

Life Long Learning and problem solving
Once again, this is modelled by caregivers. Enjoy documentaries and good books with the children, model reading yourself, watch the news and discuss it, have conversations at meal times that involve expressing opinions on topics of interest and take courses to improve your own learning. View problems as challenges and demonstrate how you solve them. Stand back when your children encounter challenges and allow them the opportunity to try their own solutions.

Getting the best from your children is at least a twenty-one-year process. It takes planning, patience, dedication, commitment and love but the results are so worthwhile.

Children Are Not Adults | TrinityHouse

Wed, 27 Feb 2019 13:15:50 GMT

Children are not little adults. They learn things primarily through their experiences and modeling their parents and others around them, rather than verbal explanations. Being kind to your child is more effective in teaching kindness than an explanation of why it is good to be kind. Allowing a child to learn a concept by exploring it and experimenting with it through play and trial and error is far more effective than telling them how something does or should work. There is a very valid reason behind why this is so. It all has to do with how God has created our bodies to grow and develop.

When referring to a child’s holistic development, our children develop in a specific order for a very specific reason. First comes physical development, so that they can learn to manage their bodies according to their space and environment around them. They learn about their own strengths and what their bodies can do. This physical learning is important because neurological pathways are being developed. If this does not happen, connections for later learning are hindered.

Next to develop is communication, this is to ensure that their survival and basic needs are met. They do this through basic language, eg: crying and one syllable words such as “mama” and “dada”. This should progress to more coherent sentence structure later on. The development of language is the start of their cognitive development. They are therefore not yet able to cognitively understand the adult world which utilizes such things as sarcasm, figurative language, innuendoes, etc. Their understanding of the world is literal and concrete. By the age of two they are taking more cognisance of things like tone and body language.

Next come the social and emotional aspect of the child, this is the most complex part of development and therefore never stops developing, even into adulthood as it encompasses all relationships and our ability to manage ourselves within those relationships. That is why children who have missed developmental building blocks struggle in this area.

Children rely on their senses to give them feedback thereby evaluating their world around them. Hence, babies put things in their mouths and children want to, need to and have to touch things around them.
Our little people therefore need at least two of their senses involved in anything you want to teach them for it to be stored in their memories for recall later. For example, if a child has an item of their mom’s clothing, the smell of her will calm them when upset. This is why kinesthetic learning (using the body and its senses) is so important as they are moving, touching, hearing, seeing and sometimes tasting while learning. As a child effectively learns, the neurons in their brain are making connections. Neuron’s that are correctly ‘wired’ together effectively ‘fire’ together later in their lives.

I would like to close with a well know quote from Benjamin Franklin:
‘Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.’

How Much Sleep Should Your Child Be Getting | TrinityHouse

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 13:24:43 GMT

More and more research points towards the importance of sleep for children’s health , academic performance, and behaviour. Although this may seem apparent, many of us actually do not allow our children to get the critical sleep they need to develop and function properly.

It's certainly not something we do on purpose. But with parents working long hours, packed school schedules, after-school activities, and other lifestyle factors, naps are missed, bedtimes are pushed back, mornings start earlier, and nights may be anything but peaceful. Missing naps or going to bed a little late may not seem like a big deal, but it all adds up, with consequences that may last a lifetime.

"Sleep is the power source that keeps your mind alert and calm. It recharges your brain’s battery, increasing one’s brainpower and attention span, as well as allowing you to be physically relaxed and mentally alert at the same time. Then and only then can you function at your personal best." as stated by Paediatrician Marc Weissbluth.

Signs of sleep-related problems may show up in a number of ways with kids, including daytime sleepiness, weakened immune systems, inattention, poor concentration, moodiness, behavioural problems, weight gain, irregular social skills and poor academic performance. According to Dr Avi Sadeh, a loss of one hour of sleep is equivalent to the loss of two years of cognitive maturation and development.

To understand the critical nature of sleep to our children's growth and development, let’s take a look at the essentials needed for healthy sleep and what interventions we can put in place in our homes to encourage better sleep routines.

Essentials of Healthy Sleep
Healthy sleep allows for optimal alertness when we are awake. This is the state in which we are most receptive to and interactive with our environment – when our attention span is at its best and the most learning can occur. You can see this in a child who is calm and attentive, pleasant, wide eyed, absorbing everything, and socially interacts with ease. Altered states of alertness interfere with a child’s learning and behaviour.

Healthy sleep thus requires:
• Sufficient amounts of sleep to grow, develop, and function optimally. How much is right for your child varies by age.

• Uninterrupted (good quality) sleep allows good growth and development of the body’s nervous system.

• The proper number of age-appropriate naps optimize alertness, learning and development. Naps serve a different purpose to that of night time sleep, but are as important. Thus, timing is essential, making sure they are planned and in sync with your child's natural biological rhythms.

• A sleep schedule that is in sync with the child's natural biological rhythms (internal clock or circadian rhythm). This allows for effective restoration and long-term memory development, but being out of sync can lead to difficulty falling asleep or simply staying awake. Children then become overly tired and stressed. So, it is important your child’s sleep needs are met and that you adjust your schedule to be in sync with theirs. If, over time, any of these essentials are not optimal, symptoms of sleep deprivation and fatigue may occur.

How can we help our kids get the proper amount of sleep?
1. Limit bedtime activities- a routine of relaxing activities like reading or listening to classical music can help most children sleep better. Make sure all electronics are removed to avoid further stimulation.
2. Establish a sleep schedule- similar to routine activities, experts recommend consistent times to go to sleep and wake, ideally not differing much during the week or on weekends.
3. Create a Conducive Environment- children will sleep faster and deeper when the room is dark, quiet and cool.
4. Promote Regular Exercise- A minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity for children each day can yield many benefits, including better sleep.
5. Limit Caffeine- it’s advisable to limit all forms of caffeine, particularly late in the day, which includes tea, soda and chocolate.
6. Avoid late afternoon or Early Evening naps- later naps can result in later bedtimes and less critical sleep for older children.

As parents, it is our responsibility to be sensitive to and protect our children's sleep, just as we do their safety. We are primarily responsible for their sleep habits, so it is important to start healthy ones early; it is much easier to instil good habits than correct bad ones .

Thus, infuse the importance of sleep with daily attention to it and you will likely have a happier, self-assured, less demanding, and more sociable child. And who knows, you might just get some more sleep yourself!

ADvTECH Global Competencies | Trinityhouse Schools

Wed, 30 May 2018 07:16:08 GMT

Trinityhouse adopts ADvTECH global competencies, transforming today's learners into tomorrow's successful leaders

SAA Championships | Trinityhouse Preparatory Little Falls

Wed, 30 May 2018 07:09:38 GMT

Congratulations to Trinityhouse Preparatory School Little Falls’ Kaitlyn Du Plessis who came in 2nd place in the nation and Rorisang Tsaagane who came in 6th in the nation at the South Africa Schools Athletics Championships in Paarl. Both won in their 1200m cross country races. You’ve made yourselves and your school so proud!

Trinityhouse Little Falls Let's Their Talent Shine.

Wed, 30 May 2018 07:04:13 GMT

This past week Trinityhouse High School Little Falls held its annual Talent Show in the theme, “In a world where you can be anything, be yourself.” Our pupils put on a masterpiece production that showcased talents in music, acting and dance. What a night to remember! From the well known talents of years past performing, to new students that came out of the woodwork to show us their new talents, the audience sat captivated by the performances of the evening. One of the most notable observations was the fact that some students used their performance to address social issues from bullying to escaping abuse and standing up for those hopeless. At the end all the talent culminated to the finalists and the top three awards. In third place there was tie with Dylan van der Merwe and Robyn de Villiers who performed a piano and vocal piece called “Love in the Dark” and Kabelo Moalusi who did hip hop dance and breakdancing. Second place was awarded to Sean Steyn who did a karate routine with ballerina Lisa Smith. What a fiercely elegant performance! The first place award went to Avela who vocally smashed Whitney Houston’s hit “I have nothing”. Avela Fongoqa was pitch perfect, hitting every note and doing a flawless rendition of a vocally challenging song. Look on our Facebook page: www.fb.me/TrinityhouseLittleFalls to stay connected with what’s happening at Trinityhouse! A special thanks to all the hard work put in by the pupils and to the show coordinators Johanna Klopper and Joanne Brett for their tireless work that made the show the success it was! We are so blessed with the talent God has given us, to Him be the glory always!

Sending Treasure to Cape Town | Christian Private Schools

Wed, 30 May 2018 06:08:07 GMT

A recent article in the Daily Mirror, referred to water as a ‘treasure for the survival of the species.’ Looking at the present situation in Cape Town, it appears that this may indeed be true. The plight of the city of Cape Town and her residents have tugged on our hearts strings at Trinityhouse Palm Lakes. In keeping with the Word of God, the Outreach Club in the High School embarked on a water collection at school, collecting 5 liters of bottled water that would be delivered to The Gift of the Givers, who would then transport and distribute it to the residents of Cape Town. While the water collection proceeds, we also pray fervently that this distressed province would receive the much-needed rains soon.

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