Home & Lifestyle winter 2018

FOCUS ON CHILDREN

Support your child “Dress your child in pants that are easy for them to put on and pull off. It is more beneficial if you dress your children in bigger sized clothing as this makes it easier for them to take it off. There can be two transitions to work through. The first is to the potty and then from the potty to the toilet. The ideal age to start potty training is when the child is 2-3 years old. Continue to encourage your child through all phases of the process, even if there is a timing failure at first.” Empower your child to communicate with you “Ask your child every now and then - “do you need to go?” Encourage them to tell you when they feel the urge to go. It is also useful to stimulate discussions and ask them to communicate when they need to do a number one or number two.” Praise your child for every progress “It doesn’t matter how small or big the achievement is, or even if the toddler doesn’t complete the entire routine successfully - praise them for the part that they were able to do. Rewarding your child reinforces positive support. As the toddler achieves each stage, reduce the amount of praise.” Verbalise and gesture to your child “Show and help your child practise pulling to assist your child with toilet training Paediatric Physiotherapist’s Tips-

“During warmer weather, giving your child an increase in fluid or water intake can help. By providing them with a large drink 40 minutes before they visit the toilet can assist the process. Make sure you have enough time to devote to your child during toilet training. Stay with them to chat until they wee and then praise them.” The potty “Start gradually moving the potty closer to the toilet. Make the transition easier by getting your toddler to practise sitting on the ‘big potty’. You will need to buy a step and a smaller seat that fits securely inside the existing toilet seat.”

their pants down and up when toilet training. Explain to them the process of washing hands and what they need to do. By verbalising and gesturing to your child what toilet training includes, this helps them visualise and understand the process.” “Use visuals to assist when explaining toilet training to your toddler. Pictures may make it easier for kids to understand the process of going to the toilet and the order of actions they need to follow during the routine.” Role play going to the toilet “Use dolls, teddy bears or other soft toys with your child to demonstrate the toilet training experience. Timing is everything

Hit preschool TV series Kazoops! releases first toy line. Just imagine... Kazoops! - the hit preschool TV series currently airing on ABC KIDS is set to capture preschoolers’ imaginations with a beautiful new plush and figurine toy range from leading toy retailer TOMY. The show’s much-loved animated characters Monty Kazoop, Jimmy Jones and their imaginary companions form this fun, colourful range which has just landed on Australian shelves at Toys“R”Us and Big W. Kazoops! has captured the hearts and minds of children and parents globally since

launching. Its endearing lead characters, Monty and his loyal pet pig Jimmy Jones, journey into Monty’s imagination to challenge adult preconceptions about the world. The series encourages preschoolers to use their imagination to explore life’s questions and never take anything at face value, “because things could always be different if you just imagine...” explains Monty Kazoop.

“Children naturally use imaginative play to develop their understanding of the world around them – just like Monty does in the show,” says Kazoops!’s executive producer Patrick Egerton. “This improves their confidence and their

sense of self, which is great. So, anythingwe can do to inspire that is a positive. “We’re over the moon that the show has been such a big hit with kids and absolutely thrilled to see our Kazoops! characters come to life in this fabulous range from TOMY.” TOMY’s Kazoops! toy line priced between $12.99 to $34.95, includes a large 30cm Jimmy Jones Plush toy that oinks, as well as a high-quality, detailed 15cm Monty Plush toy along with Plush versions of his imaginary companions Lily the Alien, Suzy the Dinosaur and Otis the Warthog. The gang’s fun plastic figurine range features Monty, Jimmy Jones, Dyno- Pig, Zappa the Robot and Jarvis the Goldfish. Each figurine and playset comes with a collectible token. Additionally, the fun Monty trike with figurine and token, will inspire kids to emulate Monty and embark on their own imaginary adventures!