8 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 TODAY THE WEST AUSTRALIAN

Child proofi ng isn’t just about protecting your child from bangs, trips and boo boos. Proofi ng is also making sure your child is healthy and happy right through to adulthood.

Baby teeth start forming way back in the womb and before you know it, they’ll erupt through your baby’s gums and will need to be cared for.

Your child’s baby teeth are vital for their overall health and prevention of oral disease.

To ensure your baby gets the best chance for a healthy mouth, their teeth need protecting and cleaning daily.

Baby teeth help children chew food easily and correctly, assist with children’s speech and hold space in the jaw for adult teeth to come through straight.

Aside from these important health aspects, it can also aff ect the child’s confi dence during the formative years of their life.

Baby teeth are just as prone to cavities as adult

teeth; in fact, 41.8 per cent of children aged 5-6 years in Western Australia have a history of dental decay in baby teeth.

When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth will often drift into the gap prematurely, making it diffi cult for other adult teeth to fi nd room when they erupt.

Booking your child an appointment to see the dentist as soon as they develop teeth will not only help them establish good oral habits at a young age, it will also go a long way in the healthy development of your child – even beyond impressing the tooth fairy!

Contact any of our three locations to book your child in to see one of our friendly oral health therapists.

Aim Dental Group is a preferred provider with HBF, BUPA, HCF and MediBank Private which could mean free dental check-ups for you and your family.

www.aimdental.com.au

Cost-eff ective, safe and bursting endless possibilities for enjoyment; who said staying at home during the holidays was no fun? After all, it can enhance the opportunity for some quality family time and gives you the chance to put some of these creative boredom busters to the test.

Lights, camera, action - host a movie day

Whether it’s a classic or one of the latest family fl icks, a ‘day at the movies’ in the comfort of your own home can be a good alternative to the cinema. Fire up the TV, throw some popcorn into the mix and perhaps even rearrange your lounge room to resemble a cinema by decking it out with cushions and blankets. Dim the lights, sit back and hit play; from here, the rest is easy.

Ready, steady, scrap - make a scrapbook

So many photos, so many memories. With technology dominating our modern world, sometimes taking a step back and enjoying the tangible version of these priceless memories can be much more satisfying. Pick up a scrapbook and some glue to let their imaginations run wild as they scrapbook the day away. Leftover paper or materials can make for great artistic possibilities and get those young minds thinking of new ways to be creative. With so many options from a cupful of crayons and a selection of paint to glitter, glue, pencils or even paper mache, allowing you child to let their imagination run wild will keep them busy for hours.

Get your game face on - play a board game

Cracking open a classic game or two can see the hours seamlessly pass by. You could even set up a board game tournament that divides the time into rounds. As well as having the potential to stimulate the brain or even encourage physical activity, the endless amount of games out there means there’s no getting bored of the same thing over and over. Twister anyone? Or perhaps Monopoly is more your thing?

Cook up a storm in the kitchen

With careful supervision and planning, your child can be proud of creating a delicious culinary treat. There are virtually thousands of child-friendly recipes available, so jump online for some inspiration. The best part is not only will they gain valuable skills they can apply to cooking time and time again, they get to eventually enjoy what they’ve cooked and be proud of their culinary eff orts. Bon appetit.

On your marks, get set, go - keep active

If parenthood has taught you one thing, it’s that kids always have energy to burn. Make time during summer to enjoy the brilliant warm weather we’ve been having – whether that means trips to the beach, the park or the simply charging around the backyard. Grab a frisbee, a footy or anything you can fl ing to turn your trip into a game of piggy-in-the-middle or catch. They’ll be tuckered out in no time. Make sure you pack plenty of water to stay hydrated, the sunscreen and a picnic to help recharge their batteries when they run out of juice.

Keep your child entertained at home during

the holidays with these creative activities

Defend against dental decay with AIM Group

Stuck for ideas on how to keep your child’s mind buzzing over summer? The great outdoors is bursting with activities right outside your front door. Why not try building a birdhouse or bird feeder for your backyard?

Spotting and identifying diff erent types of native Australian birds is both educational and fun for little ones and they might even impress their friends in the playground with their bird knowledge.

Children should start to fl oss when tooth surfaces are next to each other. This is where bacterial plaque and food can get trapped, which can lead to gum disease, tooth decay and all manner of costly complications. Start

fl ossing with your child at a young age and imprint the practice on their formative years.

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THE WEST AUSTRALIAN TODAY TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 • 9

Of all the items on the ‘back to school’ checklist, decent shoes are the most important. Exercise books will be ripped and pencils will get snapped – but a quality school shoe that is cared for and looked after

will stand your child in good stead for the whole school year. It may take some time and cost a little extra, but there is value in fi nding sturdy shoes that can keep up with the strain of thudding through the playground. Much more value than a high-tech pencil sharpener for instance.

Lisa Martin knows only too well that ensuring your children are ready to go back to school following the summer holidays can often be a challenge.

With Jayden (aged 7) and Jessica (5), the Perth mum of two shares her top three tips to make that transition back into the school routine as easy as possible for you and your kids.

Gradually move bedtimes back to school night bedtimes

During the school holidays, I relax on the sleep times of the kids. Normally we have a 7-7.30pm bedtime, but during the holidays I relax on this, as we are out later or the kids are watching movies. However, I fi nd that they also wake up the same time as normal, which makes them more tired earlier the next day. In the few days before school starts, I make sure they are in bed at their normal times so they are prepared when it comes time to wake up for school and so they aren’t tired out halfway through the school day.

Go back to more structured meal times

During the holidays, the kids tend to eat more junk food, more frequently and tend to not eat proper meals. We might not have a traditional breakfast, but a bigger snack mid-morning and graze throughout the day, rather than having a sit down lunch. However, when they are back at school, break times are very structured so I try to make sure in the days leading back to

school returning we go back to them having a proper breakfast and lunch at times similar to they would at school so it’s not a shock to their tummies.

Start talking about school

Like adults, after having two weeks (and in the case of summer holidays, six weeks) of holidays, we can be a bit apprehensive about going back to work and I believe kids can be the same about school. I start talking about the new year or term in the last few days before school holidays end, discussing all the fun things they might be doing and how exciting it will be to hang out with all their friends again. It’s important to get them relaxed about returning to school because, especially when it’s a new year, they are going to be in new classes with diff erent teachers and potentially diff erent kids. I have found it has helped ease nerves going back on day one.

World at their feet: the right shoe will help

your child start school on the right footThe life span of a school shoe is generally 6-12 months. However, how much your child uses them or how much they have grown can alter that fi gure. Using school shoes for sport and running in the playground tends to wear shoes out quicker due to the surface being rough and wearing down the sole of the shoe quicker.

Have a look at your child’s shoes. See if there are any worn patches on the sole. Are there any holes? Is your child getting any friction or blisters? These are common signs of their shoe being too worn and ready for replacement.

What to look for in a school shoe

When it’s time to start shopping for school shoes, keep in mind the following features to help you make the right shoe choice.

The shoe weight

Look for a shoe that is lightweight. A heavy shoe can get tiring to wear and can hurt your child’s ankles after a full day.

The heel counter

Look for a shoe with a fi rm heel counter. Make sure this doesn’t give in when you push it in. A fi rm heel counter increases the stability of your child’s foot and can reduce the risk of sprained ankles.

The fl exibility

Look for fl exibility in the forefoot of the shoe (the ball of the foot). This will allow your child’s

toes to bend when they are skipping, running and jumping.

The insole

A removable insole is important if your child wears orthotics. Make sure you bring the orthotics into store so the staff can use them during the fi tting process.

The fi t

School shoes that are too big wear out more quickly. Many parents buy school shoes with the hope their children will grow into them. Shoes that are too big will drag, causing the soles to wear out more quickly. They will also be more easily scuff ed as your child won’t be able to pick up their feet properly.

The Fit Technicians at The Athlete’s Foot know what to look for when it comes to fi tting your child’s foot and can ensure that they get the right fi tting shoe that will last.

Ascent school shoes are designed with sport shoe technology providing the essential comfort, support and durability for the growing feet of children.

Kids spend over 1500 hours in their schools shoes every year, jumping, kicking and running around on hard, fl at surfaces. Considering the amount of activity our kids get up to, and their still developing physical structure, they defi nitely need good footwear more so than adults.

All set for the start of the new school year? Even if they have all the books and stationery they will need at their disposal, the new school year can still be very daunting for your child, whether they are enrolling for the fi rst time or

transitioning from primary to high school. It can often take time for kids to settle into a new learning environment, familiarise themselves with the heightened academic expectations of their new grade or even their changing social circle as they grow older. During this time it is important to talk with your child and understand what might be making them anxious – a calm voice and a warm hug will always start their day off on the right foot. If you have any concerns, be sure to share them with your child’s teacher at the earliest oppurtunity.

Lisa Martin with her two children Jayden (7) and Jessica (5).

Top tips for prepping

your child for the

start of the new

school year

FROM BABY TO TEEN AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN

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15 STORES LOCATED ACROSS WESTERN AUSTRALIA

10 • TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2017 TODAY THE WEST AUSTRALIAN

Summer means being on the go, embracing the great outdoors and soaking up the sun’s rays. It can also present a few challenges, especially for mums. From juggling an ever-expanding nappy bag to protecting very sensitive skin, summer and the holiday season can prove tough on both mum and baby.

Nappy specialists, BabyLove, have put together their top 3 tips to sail through summer with a happy baby in tow.

Essential travel kit

Every nappy bag should contain a few essential items including 4 disposable nappies, a pack of nappy wipes, plastic bags for easy disposal as you go, a clean towel or sheet for a makeshift change-table, one or two changes of clothes and plenty of sun protection!

Avoid irritating nappy rash

To prevent nappy rash this summer, BabyLove advises parents to use nappies that have high absorbency so that they stay dry and breathable at all times. BabyLove Cosifi t

nappies include a DriWave™ layer that absorbs instantly, actively drawing liquid away from the nappy’s surface.

Fit baby nappies with ease

To avoid nasty red marks on your baby’s legs, ensure a snug (but not a tight) fi t. Cosifi t™ is the only nappy in Australia to include specially designed ‘double support gathers’ which evenly distribute pressure from the leg band elastic to prevent red marks whilst also providing a snug fi t. They also deliver an advanced level of leakage protection so you won’t be caught out this summer.

“We know that mums want nappies to care for their babies’ sensitive skin and this is never more so than in the warmer summer months, when delicate skin is more susceptible” BabyLove’s Debra Smith said.

To obtain further information about BabyLove Cosifi t, or to request a free sample of the new nappy, please visit www.babylovenappies.com.au/cosifi t.

As the old saying goes, the good things in life are better when they’re free. For the kids, enjoying fun activities during the school holidays is no exception. We’ve put together a list that pinpoints some of Perth’s best off erings that don’t cost a cent. If you’re looking to keep those hard-earned dollars in your pocket whilst guaranteeing your kids a fun time, be sure to check some of these during the school holidays.

BHP Billiton Water Park

Think of a place where your kids can safely enjoy the water in a fresh way and you’ll get the BHP Billiton Water Park. Located opposite the Elizabeth Quay train station, this water park is one of Perth’s newest free community spaces. Jets and lights make the water feature interactive and with change room facilities, outdoor showers and tiered decking surrounding the park, it’s the perfect way to lose hours having fun in the sun. You could even enjoy a picnic or relaxing coff ee on the tiered seating where you can always keep a close eye on the kids.

Kings Park Synergy Parkland

Great for the entire family, this park is located on the western side of Kings Park. It’s no secret why it’s rated among Perth’s best outdoor kids experiences, with free-to-use electric barbecues and well-kept lawns making it the perfect place to share a picnic. Whether they’re exploring the diff erent climbing structures, playing tag,

enjoying the swings or even sliding down a fi refi ghters pole, the kids are guaranteed to never grow tired of the playgrounds.

Northbridge Piazza Free Outdoor Cinema

Every Saturday from 5.30pm at the Northbridge Piazza on 142 James Street, you can bring a pillow, a blanket and some popcorn and settle in for a great free family fl ick outside with the kids. Fingers crossed you’re lucky enough to score one of the comfortable piazza beanbags too. To see which movies are showing and when, visit https://www.visitperthcity.com/northbridge-piazza/events.

Your local library

Many libraries run free children’s programs every week. Think craft activities, story time, song time and much more. Get in touch with your local library to fi nd out which free events or activities they are running throughout the school holidays. For example, the City of Stirling libraries run Lego clubs where a group meets each week to build and have fun with new Lego challenges.

Perth’s beaches

Perth is renowned for its pristine beaches and dazzling summers; why not take advantage of one during the school holidays? After a dip in the water, you could even hold a sandcastle competition to get those minds thinking creatively whilst enjoying a great day out.

Baby onboard: essential travel tips for

your family this holiday season

Free activities for the summer school holidays

Hanging on to a bunch of outgrown baby clothes? They don’t have to go to waste. If you don’t have any friends or relatives who could make use of them, charity shops, shelters or even the local church will welcome

anything and everything you can off er. Also, if you’re naturally crafty, why not give fashioning some cute keepsakes a try? That old babygrow could become a quilt or even a decorative throw.

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