Aug 27, 2024 | Blog
Few of us can claim to be unaware of the powerful influence of social media. With so many social media platforms available these days it is so easy for young people to get lost in the myriads of options to connect with different online communities, share content, influence and be influenced. Now we are not saying that these influences are ‘bad’ for young people, however we are saying that as parents and guardians we need to be informed so that we are aware of the people and things our young people are exposed to.
For those of us who grew up before the advent of social media or have little interest in or just aren’t that interested in, and consequently don’t know much about how it works; trying to understand the huge impact it has on young people’s view of themselves, and the world is difficult to grasp. It is used by many as an escape and distraction from ‘real’ life. This then leads to a lack of focus and interest in school, physical activity, family interaction and spending time hanging out with peers. Then there is the very real danger of exposure to inappropriate or harmful content. This compromises their safety by oversharing personal information and location; cyberbullying; pornography. This then invariably has a negative impact on self-esteem, causes anxiety, which can lead to depression.
We know that not all social media is bad. The challenge is to assist young people find the balance. When it is used for the right reasons, in moderation and with an awareness of what is and is not appropriate there should not be a problem. As parents/guardians it is important to monitor their usage and be alert to changes in their attitude, social interaction and approach to everyday life. It is in your young person’s best interest to set some guidelines to support them as they navigate the world of social media, before it becomes evident that they are wrestling with its negative effects.
3 simple ideas you may want to consider:
- Decide at which age you feel comfortable for your child to have access to social media. Remember the risk of exposing children to so much content at a young age can be dangerous. If you are struggling to decide on an age, ask yourself this question; – Am I happy for my child to go alone into a community of strangers without me, without adult supervision or safety measures in place? If the answer is no, then your child is not ready to have access to social media. It doesn’t matter if other children their age have access to it. As a parent you are responsible to ensure that your child is protected and taught to make wise choices.
- When your child is at the right age and does have access to social media, then you need to set some sound boundaries. A basic rule which can apply to school going children and teens is – No devices are allowed in the bedroom at night. Try to create a culture in your home where all cell phones are switched off at a certain time, aiming for at least one hour before bedtime.
- Communication is key – we can’t shield our children forever or prevent them from making mistakes. But we can keep the lines of communication open so that we can freely speak to them about making wise decisions. When a child understands that the lines of communication between you and them are open, they will feel freer to speak to you rather than looking to peers and social media for solutions. Be mindful of your approach, so that when needed they choose to come to you over anything else.
Jul 31, 2024 | Blog
What is Dyslexia? Depending on one’s exposure to this condition, or lack thereof, the response may be accurate or reflect one of the commonly held myths.
Some of the myths that one may have heard are that Dyslexia is a reading disorder caused by vision problems causing a child to read backwards or mix up the letters ‘b’, and ‘d’; that all children with Dyslexia cannot learn to read; that they all have the same problems with reading; or that the presence of Dyslexia is linked to a child’s level of intelligence.
The facts are that Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects either the ability to read or write; that affected children are impacted by different degree; that although the exact cause is unknown, possible risk factors could include family history, premature birth or low birth weight, exposure to substances during pregnancy or infection that may have altered brain development of the foetus.
Irrespective of the causes of Dyslexia, we must remember that all children learn and develop at their own pace. Mastery of the skills of writing and reading is a process that some children may find more difficult than others and hence take longer to become competent in. However, we need to recognise that there are parameters in which developmental goals should be achieved. If the educator has raised concern for, and you too have noticed the child’s poor progress and constant struggle with writing and reading, resulting in him/her falling behind his/her peers; it would be wise to approach a professional for an assessment to identify whether there is a barrier to learning that needs to be addressed.
An assessment and subsequent remedial programme will contribute to:
- Creating a supportive environment
- Developing tailored learning strategies
- Collaborating with educators
- Utilizing assistive technology
- Promoting self-esteem
Ultimately, we want to be able to nurture children’s interests and strengths, thereby helping them successfully reach their potential as learners.
Jun 24, 2024 | Blog
Did you know that exposure to Arts and Craft is one of the best ways to boost a child’s creativity. Keeping our children busy and stimulated means that we’re always looking for interesting activities for them to do. So, with it being the June School Holidays we’ve decided to dedicate this month’s post to encouraging creativity in children by using Arts and Craft.
You may be surprised to read that all age groups, can benefit from spending time engaging with interesting DIY craft projects. By providing the opportunity and space for children to work with their hands can result in the following benefits:
- Ignites imagination;
- Develops creativity;
- Enhances motor skills;
- Promotes critical thinking;
- Provides a sense of accomplishment;
- Boosts self-esteem;
- Offers a therapeutic outlet for self-expression.
Over the years our children have created some beautiful and imaginative ‘works of art’. Our most recent craft was done by our teenage girls. They created this stunning bouquet of flowers using coloured paper. This is just one example of the many interesting projects our children have completed.
Follow the link below to learn how to make one of these awesome bouquets – https://youtu.be/qjvYgxtTAIw?si=w9be-pclIGPHnTMS
Other fun craft ideas can be found in the link below –
https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/craft-ideas-for-kids/
May 9, 2024 | Blog
The month of May is National Child Protection Month. It is commemorated in our country annually to raise awareness of the rights of children. Protecting children from violence, neglect, exploitation, and abuse isn’t just everyone’s responsibility it’s our moral obligation! Children in South Africa live in a society with a constitution that is meant to protect them and enforce their rights! Having the constitution and even the Childrens Act is one thing, but if there is no enforcement of it then the system fails!
It takes ordinary citizens like you and I, to be alert and involved in safeguarding the most vulnerable members in our society.
Violence against children comes in many forms such as:
- Abuse – can be physical, emotional, psychological or sexual.
- Neglect – is the failure to provide for childrens basic emotional and physical needs.
- Exploitation – is the use of a child for another person’s advantage.
- Violence – can happen at the hands of individuals known or unknown.
The following stats were shared by KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza in a recent article in the Sunday Tribune. “In the fourth quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year, the department handled 828 cases of child abuse, with sexual abuse topping the reported cases at 423, followed by deliberate neglect at 271, physical abuse at 112, emotional abuse at 53, abandonment at 21 and child abduction at one. Among the districts, eThekwini South reported the highest number of cases at 198, followed by uMgungundlovu at 129, eThekwini North at 109, and King Cetshwayo at 108.” These numbers are truly alarming, especially when one considers that these are just the reported cases. No one knows how many cases go unreported.
Reasons that prevent children from speaking up are complex. These are just a handful of them. The abuser is the bread winner of the family, a family member living in the same house or close by, a ‘trusted’ family friend, mother’s new husband, the next-door neighbour’s son, a respected member of the community know by everyone, the child is known within the family/community as a troublemaker, so who would believe their story?
In South Africa, the Children’s Act emphasizes mandatory reporting of child abuse for a long list of professionals who come into contact with children. Chapter 7, 110. (2) states that ‘any person who on reasonable grounds believes that a child is in need of care and protection may report that belief to the provincial department of social development, a designated child protection organisation or a police official’.
If you need help or know of anyone in need of assistance, please take note of the following numbers:
The Department of Social Development has a pilot 24-hour call centre dedicated to provide support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence:
The toll-free number to call is 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) to speak to a social worker for assistance and counselling.
Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cell phone.
You can also get help at:
Childline South Africa: 0800 055 555
Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) / 011 452-4110 / e-mail: info@childwelfaresa.org.za
References:
https://www.gov.za/news/commemorative-events/child-protection-week-2024
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/child-protection-month-all-children-deserve-a-safe-environment
Apr 29, 2024 | Blog
Recent years have seen an increase in the reporting of incidents of crimes against children, especially of sexual abuse. Should we be alarmed? Well, I am certain that we would all agree that children being hurt in any shape or form should just not be happening, but the reality is that it does. So, the increase in reported incidents requires interrogation. Opinion from experts in the field suggest that the increase is not necessarily because more incidents are happening, but rather because more incidents are being reported. This is progress! As child protection policies take root in practice, and levels of awareness of the processes and procedures for reporting increase, more of the incidents that take place surface, and can be addressed.
One of the myths of gender-based violence (GBV) is that females are more likely to be victims than males, however more and more data reveals that males are just as vulnerable. “Around the world, 1 in 13 boys experiences sexual abuse. Many more are exploited or exposed to inappropriate sexual materials. These experiences have long-term negative consequences for boys’ health and wellbeing, and the effects can be felt throughout all of society.” – Blue Umbrella Day Global Campaign 2024
Acting against sexual abuse of children; girls and boys, is crucial for the creation of a safer and more just society for children to live in. These are some ways you can make a meaningful contribution to this end:
- If a child opens up and shares his/her experience of violence, it is essential that you provide a safe, caring, and non-judgemental space for them to be heard.
- You can start an age-appropriate conversation with children about gender roles, stereotypes, consent, and body autonomy; and link this to their basic human rights.
- Find out what services, i.e. counselling, helplines, for child victims/survivors are available in your community.
- If you witness or are aware of a child being sexually harassed, document evidence discreetly. Report the incident to the authorities, ensuring that the child’s safety and well-being is prioritized.
- Speak up when you witness inappropriate behaviour and encourage others to do the same.
- Let people in your circle of influence know that you take a firm stance against sexual abuse against children. Use your voice to advocate for change, whether through conversations, social media, or community actions.
Our blog post for this month is in support of the Blue Umbrella Day Global Campaign led by the Family For Every Child alliance and its member organisations. Blue Umbrella Day aims to tackle the issue of sexual violence affecting boys, and to improve support and services for boys who have been affected by it already. Visit www.blueumbrelladay.org to learn more and take part.
Sources:
Mar 27, 2024 | Blog
KZN has been challenged with an escalating outbreak of Pink Eye over the past two months. The Department of Health reported that at least 161 cases a day are being reported, with the number of confirmed cases reaching over 1,000 in various parts of the eThekwini District since February 2024.
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as Pink Eye is the inflammation of the thin membrane called the conjunctiva, which covers the whites of the eye and the inner part of the eyelid. It can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection. It is extremely infectious.
Managing an outbreak of any contagious infection is extremely difficult in any home, let alone a children’s home! Here at DCYCC we have had to contend with a fair number of cases where both children and staff have been infected. We seem to be over the worst; however, reinfection is a real possibility. To minimise this risk, we have embarked on an awareness campaign with our children and staff and thought to share our learning with you.
Question – What causes Pink eye?
- Viral Infection: Most often, pink eye results from a viral infection.
- Bacterial Infection: Sometimes, it is caused by bacteria.
- Allergic Reaction: Allergies can trigger pink eye.
- Incompletely Opened Tear Duct (in babies).
Question – What are the common symptoms of Pink Eye?
- Light pink to red discolouration of the eye
- Swelling and irritation of the eyelid
- Sticky discharge, which crusts in the eyelids and/or eyelashes
- Increased tear production
- Itching and burning of the eye
While pink eye can be irritating, it rarely affects vision. Treatments can help ease the discomfort. If you experience new, severe, or persistent symptoms, it is essential to contact a healthcare provider.
Question – How long does Pink Eye last?
- Mild cases clear in one to two weeks
- Viral infections may take up to three weeks or longer to clear
Question – How can the spread of Pink Eye be prevented? According to the Department of Health one should;
- Practice good personal hygiene, regularly washing hands.
- Avoid sharing face cloths, eye cosmetics, or pillows.
- Change pillowcases often and discard old eye cosmetics, such as mascara.
- Avoid touching one’s eyes with your hands.
We hope this helps!
Resources: https://www.kznhealth.gov.za/mediarelease/2024/confirmed-cases-of-pink-eye-in-ethekwini-02032024.htm
