Slip Slop Slap Wrap

Keep your kids safe in the sun this summer!

The weather has started to warm up and it feels that summer is here at last. Yay! However with it comes the need for us as parents to ensure our kids are safe in the sun.

In New Zealand kids are very lucky to be able to spend lots of time playing outside, in the swimming pool, at one of the many beaches or at the park. Unfortunately though, due to our location and clean air, the intensity of the UV radiation we receive from the sun is a lot higher than in most other countries.

With this exposure, comes the risk of sunburn which in turn is linked to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Over 400 New Zealanders die from skin cancer every year, even though it’s largely preventable.

The simple message Slip Slop Slap Wrap is still as important as ever and something that we need to teach our kids too. 

• SLIP on a long-sleeved t-shirt and into some shade, especially between 10.00am and 4.00pm each day.
• SLOP on SPF30+ broad spectrum sunscreen before going outside. Don’t forget to reapply it after any physical activity, swimming and towel drying.
• SLAP on a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face and neck.
• WRAP on some sunglasses to protect your eyes. 

By adopting sun-protective behaviours during early childhood you can help to reduce the life-long risk of skin cancer.

To learn more about being SunSmart visit http://sunsmart.org.nz/

Article written by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz. Check out our other Health & Wellbeing articles too.

Boredom busters - Keeping the kids entertained over summer

After the expense of Christmas, there’s no need to spend lots more money over the holidays entertaining the kids. Create your own fun!

They’ll love simple things like playing football in the garden or the park, swimming at the beach, feeding the ducks or even going to the library or having a picnic.

Check out these boredom buster ideas to keep the kids entertained!


Article written by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz.

Are we nearly there yet? Tips for travelling with small children

Holiday season is upon us! 

It's always great to get away with the family, and with extra planning and these handy tips, we'll help make this year's trip with the kids fun and stress free.

The main thing to remember though when travelling with babies and young kids is to allow extra time and organise as much as possible in advance.

• Be sure to plan a mixture of activities for everyone in the family to enjoy – old/young; girls/boys.
• Always allow plenty of time to travel to the airport/train or ferry for check-in.
• Use a stroller, front pack or ride-on to save small kids from having to walk long distances across the airport.
• Keep essentials (nappies, wipes, snacks, drinks, toys etc) together in a handy bag.
• Pack some new toys and books to help prevent boredom and to keep them entertained during the journey.
• Book direct flights/train trips to cut down on travel time.
• On the road, stop regularly to allow kids to move about and to get some fresh air.
• Fix a sunscreen on the car window beside them to prevent sunburn.
• Dress them in breathable, comfortable clothes to help them relax during the trip.
• Self-contained motels and apartments are often cheaper and have more room than hotels. They also have kitchen facilities and washing machines which can be really useful when travelling with young kids.
• Try and get into the local time zone as quickly as possible and re-establish the routines they have at home.
• Take their favourite toys, books or blankets to help comfort them whilst travelling.
• Don’t pack too much into each day. Kids have short attention spans and tire easily.
• Avoid queues by pre-booking tickets to activities or for travel.
• Depending on your trip, hiring a car at your destination for a few days will give you flexibility and independence when travelling with kids, rather than having to rely on local transport systems.
• You can also hire car seats and other equipment in advance to help cut down on the amount you need to take.
• If you’re flying, most airlines will allow you to push your umbrella stroller all the way to the gate and unload it first so it’s ready when you leave the aircraft.
• Take several changes of clothes for you and your children, just in case!

Article written by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz.

Twas the night before Christmas ...

Why not print out this much loved poem and read it to the kids on Christmas Eve before they go to sleep. Written by Clement Clarke Moore back in 1822.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.
 
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
 
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
 
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
 
"Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
 
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St Nicholas too.
 
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
 
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
 
His eyes-how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
 
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
 
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
 
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
 
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"



Article compiled by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz.

Last minute Christmas baking

Gingerbread Christmas Trees

Don't panic you still have time! These Gingerbread Christmas Trees are really easy to make and they look very effective too!

Head over to the Under 5s website for the recipe & instructions.

 Article written by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz.

Kids Christmas Gift Ideas

Still need some inspiration on what to buy the kids for Christmas this year?

Footsteps has put together some age appropriate gift ideas suitable for babies to 5 year olds. Things that will hold their interest and encourage learning through play.

Suggestions include:

Birth - 6 months

- Lullaby or infant sleep CD

- Textured floor play mat

- Front pack/baby carrier

- Sock rattles

- Their hands or feet made into impressions or casts

6 - 12 months

- Infant swing

- Tunnel

- Stacking cubes or posting

- Anything baby safe that makes a noise or has texture

- Baby safe mirror

- Books

12 - 18 months

- Rocking horse

- A ride on bike

- Paddling pool

- Bath toys

18 months - 2 years

- Pretend play toys

- Hammer and peg toy

- Play dough and tools

- Simple peg puzzles

- Buckets & spades

- Water/sand table

2 - 3 years

- Art easel

- Trike with pedals

- Costumes

- Construction

- Musical instruments

3 - 4 years

- Threading beads

- Puzzles

- Construction

- Dolls house

- Train set

- Magnadoodle

4 - 5 years

- Physical equipment

- Art, craft and collage kits

- Books with a CD story

- Large floor puzzle 50+ pieces

- Scooter

- Science or experiment kits

- Real cooking set for cupcakes

- Kites

Head over to the Under 5s website for the full article about what to buy or make for you little one this Christmas.

Article compiled by the team at Under 5s www.under5s.co.nz.