Professional Documents
Culture Documents
GEEK PARENTING
Issue #51 March 2017
+
SUPER
RETRO
HEALTHY
HEADPHONES
PROTECTING
LITTLE
EARDRUMS
BOY
CODING
IT’S GROWING
ROUTINES IMPORTANCE
FOR KIDS
WHY THEY’RE
GOOD FOR
PARENTING
TEACHING
KIDS
IS FINANCE
PREPARING FOR
THE FUTURE
WIFI
DANGEROUS?
CONTENTS IS WIRELESS
TECHNOLOGY
HARMFUL?
FEATURES
HEALTHY HEADPHONES
PROTECTING LITTLE EARDRUMS
4 GEEKY ACTIVITIES
TO HELP YOUR KIDS THRIVE
NO MONEY TREES
TEACHING KIDS FINANCE
SPHERO
ROLLING ON THE FUN
DAILY ROUTINES
HOW THEY MAKE PARENTING EASIER
ISSUE
REGULARS
51
| Parent View | My Geek Girls | Gamer Dad
PARENT PERCEPTION
DO SOME REALLY FIND IT
EASIER THAN OTHERS?
Zunammie Keren
GOOGLE GIRL
Chloe Bridgewater may just be the
youngest applicant to Google at the
tender age of 7. The tech enthusiast
wrote a letter to the search engine giant
but neither she nor her parents expected
to actually receive a reply from CEO
Sundar Pichai. As well as wanting to work
for Google she also mentions wanting
to work in a chocolate factory and
swimming in the Olympics! We applaud
her early ambition!
Email: info@geekparenting.tv
Twitter: @GeekParentMag
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
geekparentingmagazine/
Blue whales are already known as the largest animals in the world (as they are technically marine
mammals) but amazingly this ability effectively doubles their weight! As they dive to feed, they can
quickly consume vast amounts before the water in their mouths allows them to ‘balloon’ back up. In
fact, a fully open mouth is big enough for another blue whale to swim into!
heAlthy
HEADPHONES
efore you tell your kids to emergency services vehicle siren
JVC Tinyphones
DEBATE CODING
Some parents my shudder at One of the most common
the idea of teaching their child to complaints that parents today
argue, but those parents are have is that their children are
missing out on one of the most playing too many video games.
helpful activities your children Many, however, don’t see that
can join. Debate teaches public the best solution to this problem
speaking, research, critical involves even more video games.
thinking, problem-solving, :WLJPÄJHSS` JVKPUN JSHZZLZ (Z
evidence analysis, and many technology becomes an
other skills valuable no matter increasingly important part of
what your child ultimately our lives, coding knowledge has
decides to do. Programs have become not merely helpful but
started for students as young as essential in many careers that
elementary school, and parents previously were not connect to
are always impressed by how programming at all. Coding
the activity helped their child classes will help your kids learn
ÄUK HUK L_WYLZZ [OLTZLS]LZ (Z valuable skills while satisfying
an added bonus, your child may their urge to be on the computer,
gain world-wide notoriety for which is a win-win for any geeky
ÄUHSS` YLZVS]PUN [OL :[HY >HYZ parent.
Star Trek question.
As you can see, there are a
number of excellent geeky
activities for your kids that will
not only keep them entertained
and help them grow, but provide
valuable life skills further down
[OL SPUL (SS VM [OLZL VW[PVUZ VɈLY
skills useful across a wide variety
of professions, and exposing
your children to the wonders of
the world is one of the best ways
to help them decide what they
want to do with their lives. Don’t
raise geeky kids, raise Super
Geeks.
SPHERO
ROLLS ON
I t may not be too far
in the future before
almost every
household with kids have a
programmable robot of some
form. The thing is that some
robots are better than others,
I\[ ÄUKPUN ^OPJO HYL [OL ILZ[
JHU [HRL H SV[ VM PU[LYUL[ ZLHYJOLZ
HUK JVTWHYPZVUZ /V^L]LY
`V\ JHU J\[ V\[ T\JO VM[OH[V\[
I` Q\Z[ NL[[PUN H :WOLYV HUK
OH]PUN M\U ^P[O [OH[
Sphero isn’t huge at 74mm in
KPHTL[LY HUK ^LPNOPUN PU H[
168grams, but is pile of fun. An
opaque ball that is fully
^H[LYWYVVM HUK OHZ H T\S[PH_PZ
N`YV [V RLLW P[ VU WH[O HUK [OL
YPNO[ ^H` \W HUK PZ JHWHISL VM H
^OVWWPUN TL[YLZ WLY ZLJVUK
[VW ZWLLK HUK HSS [OPZ ^OPSL
ZOV^PUN VɈ HZ T\S[P[\KL VM
JVSV\YLK SPNO[Z PUZPKL PU H
TLZTLYPJ KPZWSH` 0M P[ Q\Z[ KPK HSS
VM [OH[ [OLU P[ ^V\SK IL H M\U
[V` I\[ [OL YLHS L_JP[LTLU[
JVTLZ MYVT [OL HIPSP[` [V
program Sphero.
6YIV[P_ [OL THRLYZ VM :WOLYV
OH]L JYLH[LK H U\TILY VM TVZ[S`
MYLL HUK KV^USVHKHISL (WWZ
[OH[ JHU IL \ZLK [V PU[LYHJ[ ^P[O
the little robot, but also has an
HWWSPJH[PVU WYVNYHTTPUN
PU[LYMHJL (70 HUK H TVIPSL
ZVM[^HYL KL]LSVWTLU[ RP[ :+2
SL[[PUN `V\ JYLH[L `V\Y V^U
(WWZ ;OLZL IYLHR KV^U PU[V
[^V RPUKZ VM M\UJ[PVUZ ¶ [OVZL
^OLYL `V\ JHU JVU[YVS [OL IHSS
\ZPUN `V\Y WOVUL VY [HISL[ HUK
[OVZL ^OLYL `V\ JHU \ZL [OL
IHSS HZ H JVU[YVSSLY
>OPSL [OL IHSSJVU[YVS (WWZHYL
a breeze for a while, it can get a bit repetitive, situations though getting hand to eye
so many will quickly turn to the second coordination needs a bit of practice and
option and create games that can be may never become mastered by younger
navigated by using the ball. To do this, you kids who are, ironically, its core
hold the ball in the right way, which gives demographic. Furthermore, Sphero has a
you the ability to control characters that fairly limiting battery life; laying for around
you have inserted into by moving the ball an hour – or even less depending on what
around in your hand. This comes in handy you are trying to do with the little robot – is
for space-based games and anything about enough for a recharge. And Sphero
where you need to move up and down, left is fairly expensive for what it is, but it
and right, and have the ability to spin round. ILJVTLZ H [YHKLVɈ IL[^LLU HU L_WLUZL
The SDK gives you the ability to create and the programing possibilities and when
KPɈLYLU[ JOHYHJ[LYZ PU SV[Z VM LU]PYVUTLU[Z put in such black and white terms, ability
and be able to manipulate them, thereby beats cost.
learning some excellent programming Sphero might not be the best at everything
skills, while having tons of fun. Sphero it attempts but it’s a good all-rounder and
seems to do most things well, from pairing VɈLYZ WSLU[` VM VWWVY[\UP[` MVY [OL KL]LSVWLY
with your device via Bluetooth to being a in your child to grow and tackle more
competent game controller in most advanced projects.
IS WIFI
DANGEROUS?
W
e use Wi-Fi tumours in children have risen
connections for an I` WLYJLU[ PU [OL SHZ[ [LU
increasing number `LHYZ HUK OH]L YPZLU PU [OL <2
of out tech today. From to I` H ^OVWWPUN WLYJLU[ PU [OL
mobile phones and home SHZ[[^LU[``LHYZ)YHPU[\TV\YZ
broadband to quadcopters, are now showing higher
robotic devices, and smart home instances than leukaemia and is
automation, we run it all without now the highest incidence of
wires. The undeniable fact about JHUJLY[`WL PU JOPSKYLU >OPSL P[
Wi-Fi is that it is convenient; hasn’t been established that this
ÅL_PISL HKHW[HISL HUK ]LY` PZ KPYLJ[S` H[[YPI\[HISL [V
]LY` LHZ` [V \ZL (Z H TLHUZ VM PUJYLHZLK 9HKPV -YLX\LUJ`
communications, it is without Interference (RFI), it is seen as a
peer, being able to work of possible smokin n amongst
ZPNUPÄJHU[ KPZ[HUJLZ H >P-P VUS` H OHUKM\S VM WVZZPISL
connects an increasing number L_WSHUH[PVUZ )HJR PU
of devices around our houses reports linking RF radiation from
and businesses, and is becoming mobile phones to potential brain
more important in how we run disorders began circulating.
them too. Much of it was dismissed as
Our homes are becoming ever scaremongering, but as our
smarter, but that means that ^VYSK ILJVTLZ PUJYLHZPUNS`
[OL` HYL HSZV ILJVTPUN ÄSSLK ^P[O YHKPV MYLX\LUJ`
PUJYLHZPUNS` ÄSSLK ^P[O >P-P devices, the likelihood is that we
ZPNUHSZ HUK ^OH[ PZ LZZLU[PHSS` will spend our entire lives bathed
low-powered microwave in the glow of RF radiation. No
radiation. While it is low powered other generation has to endure
>P-P TVZ[ JVTTVUS` \ZLZ [OL such high levels of radio-
2.4 gigahertz (12cm) UHF and 5 MYLX\LUJ` IVTIHYKTLU[ HUK
gigahertz (6m) SHF ISM radio ^L OVULZ[S` KVU»[ RUV^ [OL M\SS
IHUKZ ¶ ^L HYL JVUZ[HU[S` L_[LU[ VM ^OH[ P[ TLHUZ MVY V\Y
L_WVZLK [V P[ HUK [OH[ TLHUZ WO`ZPJHS HUK TLU[HS OLHS[O
that we risk the increased ill- Research has indicated links
health creeping up on us. IL[^LLU YHKPV MYLX\LUJ`
pollution and several maladies
RADIO GAGA? of the modern world, including
insomnia and a lack of sperm
-VSSV^PUN Z[\KPLZ PU (\Z[YHSPH P[ generation, but there is
has been established that brain increasing evidence that RFI
may also contribute to cell
abnormalities, interfere with
brain development, promote
cardiac instability, and may kick-
start the formation of cancerous
cells. Any of these is important
enough to warrant further
investigation, though there is
little evidence to suggest that
Wi-Fi is any more dangerous
than normal exposure to the
sun, and much more work needs
to be carried out to establish
any link.
Keep devices away from m . 0M `V\ Protect your home. 0[»Z UV[ Q\Z[ `V\Y
T\Z[ OH]L `V\Y SHW[V V VU `V\Y SHW ¶ 9- [OH[ PZ [OL WYVISLT" V\Y H[TVZWOLYL
ZVTL[OPUN [OH[ OH H ILLU ZOV^U HNHPU PZ ÄSSLK ^P[O 9- ZV `V\ JHU SPTP[ ^OH[
HUK HNHPU [V Y \JL [OL X\HSP[` HUK HJ[\HSS` JVTLZ PU[V `V\Y OV\ZL ^P[O
X\HU[P[` V Z LYT ¶ \ZL ZVTL[OPUN Z\JO ZWLJPHS 9-ZOPLSKPUN NSHZZ MVY `V\Y
HZ H [YH` VY H ZWLJPHSS`THKL J\ZOPVU [V ^PUKV^Z JHYIVUPUM\ZLK WHPU[ MVY `V\Y
WSHJL P[[ U :PTPSHYS` ^P[O TVIPSL ^HSSZ HUK TVZX\P[VZ[`SL ILK JHUVWPLZ
WOVU \ZL [OL SV\KZWLHRLY MHJPSP[` ZV @V\ JHU HSZV I\` H YHUNL VM WLYZVUHS
[OH[ `V\ KVU»[ OVSK P[ HNHPUZ[ [OL ZPKL VM JSV[OPUN Z\JO HZ OH[Z OLHKZOPLSKZ
V\Y OLHK" `V\ TH` YPZR Z[LYU SVVRZ MYVT IVK` JV]LYPUNZ HUK 9-HYTV\Y [V SPTP[
[OVZL HYV\UK `V\ I\[ `V\ Z\IZ[HU[PHSS` `V\Y L_WVZ\YL 4HU` VM [OLZL SVVR SPRL
YLK\JL[OLYPZR VM MY`PUN `V\YIYHPU YLN\SHY JSV[OPUN HUK HYL TVYL WYV[LJ[P]L
[OHUHZH\JLWHUJV]LYLKPU[PUMVPS
It is fair to say that as more Wi-Fi enabled
products become available, the bulk of
RF in the atmosphere is going to rise
steeply. Wi-Fi is seen as a convenient
and fast way to connect and we are
becoming creatures of convenience
rather than caution and that could,,
ultimately, be our undoing. So perhaps
it might be worth considering t
problem of RFI and whether adding
your dose with even more Wi-Fi ena l
products is actually a good idea.
MONEY
DOESN’T
GROW ON
TREES
WILL TEACHING OUR CHILDREN THE FINANCIAL
BASICS, HELP PREVENT ANOTHER `BANKING
CRISIS` IN THE FUTURE?
H
ow often have we past few years, seen an increase
used this saying? in popularity and awareness,
How often have we even though it might seems a
heard this saying now as well as strange subject to be looking at
when we were kids? It’s a with children. But, highlighted
phrase that every parent at by the banking crisis was how
some point has said to their we need to educate our children
children, especially when from a young age, teaching
standing in a shop and they them the basics about saving,
“need” the next batch of ZWLUKPUN ^OH[ `V\ JHU HɈVYK
`Shopkins` or the latest Disney and not borrowing more than
`Tsum Tsum` and you’ve just `V\ JHU HɈVYK [V WH` IHJR 0[»Z
popped in for milk! also these basics which many
It leads on to a fundamental have shouted need to be brought
point that at what age should we back to the forefront of the
start and teach our children ÄUHUJL ZLJ[VY HUK [OVZL
HIV\[ ÄUHUJL HUK Z[HY[ [V working in the industry!
engage with them about the
value of money.
Of course the subject of
ÄUHUJL HUK LK\JH[PVU PZ
something which has, over the
STARTING YOUNG
,K\JH[PUN V\Y RPKZ VU ÄUHUJL
might seem a daunting task and
HSZV SL[»Z MHJL P[ UV[ [OH[ L_JP[PUN
However, it all starts when our
kids are young and to be honest
TVZ[ VM [OL [PTL [OL` KVU»[ L]LU
YLHSPZL HZ [OL`»YL SLHYUPUN
[OYV\NO WSH` -VY L_HTWSL HZ H
parent you might play “shops”
with your children. Where you
HYL [OL ZOVW RLLWLY HUK [OL`»YL
the visitor or vice versa. Play
money is given out and they
have that amount to spend. All
of a sudden kids can start and
see how much things can be.
7SH`PUN [OH[ [OL` KVU»[ OH]L
enough money, or they choose
ZVTL[OPUN LSZL [V I\` HZ P[»Z
cheaper. This role play
encourages them to think but to
also see how money is
L_JOHUNLK MVY P[LTZ
Most children also receive
pocket money or some sort of
reward for being good or
ÄUPZOPUN [OLPY JOVYLZ L[J ;OPZ
HNHPU PZ [LHJOPUN [OLT [OH[ PU
VYKLY [V THRL TVUL` `V\ OH]L
[V ^VYR MVY P[ 2PKZ RUV^ [OH[ HZ “Kids actually love to
parents we go out to work, but save, they have
[OL JVUJLW[ VM NL[[PUN WHPK MVY money boxes galore
^OH[ ^L KV KVLZU»[ RPJR PU \U[PS dotted around their
[OL`»YL T\JO VSKLY :V rooms and when
\UKLYZ[HUKPUN [OH[ PM [OL` KV talking about savings
^VYR HUK NVVK ^VYR [OL` JHU most parents will look
be rewarded for it starts to better to open a savings
[OLPY \UKLYZ[HUKPUN HIV\[ account for their
TVUL` children at some
>OPJO SLHKZ VU[V ^OH[ [OL` point.”
[OLU KV ^P[O P[ 6M JV\YZL ZWLUK
[OL LU[PYL HTV\U[ VU ZVTL[OPUN
^L HZ WHYLU[Z ZJY\UJO V\Y
UVZLZ \W H[ HUK ZH` ¸YLHSS` HSS
[OH[ MVY [OH[¹ )\[ [OL` ZWLUK P[
RUV^PUN [OH[ [OL` JHU»[ OH]L
HU`TVYL SLHYUPUN HUK I\PSKPUN
VU [OLPY \UKLYZ[HUKPUN [OH[ [OL`
JHU»[ ZWLUK ^OH[ [OL` KVU»[
saved for retirement.
OH]L ZV\UKZ HU PU[LYLZ[PUN
This trend is similar in the UK
IHJR [V IHZPJ SLZZVU MVY OLSWPUN
with the number of
[V ZVS]L [OL ÄUHUJPHS JYPZPZ [VV
low-income households holding
a bank account declining year
on year.
So to help buck this trend and
SAVE SOME! encourage savings and for
children to get excited about
0[»Z HSZV UV[ HIV\[ ZWLUKPUN [OLPY
wanting to save,
WVJRL[ TVUL` HUK ^LSSLHYULK
banks and building societies
JHZO Z[YHPNO[ H^H` 2PKZ HJ[\HSS`
UV^ VɈLY ZVTL VM [OL ILZ[ YH[LZ
SV]L [V ZH]L [OL` OH]L TVUL`
around for children’s savings
IV_LZ NHSVYL KV[[LK HYV\UK
accounts. Children’s accounts
[OLPY YVVTZ HUK ^OLU [HSRPUN
are also tax free on the interest
HIV\[ ZH]PUNZ TVZ[ WHYLU[Z ^PSS
earned too. Plus, most banks
SVVR [V VWLU H ZH]PUNZ HJJV\U[
will provide children with their
MVY [OLPY JOPSKYLU H[ ZVTL WVPU[
own passbook or card from the
/V^L]LY HJJVYKPUN [V H
age of 7 to encourage them to
Z\Y]L` JHYYPLK V\[ I`
understand and take charge of
.6 )HURPUN 9H[LZ PU VUL
their money (of course still with
PU [OYLL (TLYPJHUZ OHZ UV
FUN FINANCE APPS
To help tap into today’s get kids starting to think serious
generation, there are a number about managing their money.
of apps available for kids which Then there’s FamZoo which is
MVJ\Z VU [LHJOPUN [OLT ÄUHUJL a little bit more complicated but
but again through play and the concept is good. FamZoo is
online games! a collection of prepaid cards
For example Piggybot which is which are set-up for the entire
a kid-tested allowance app, family. The cards are all linked
helping kids to spend, share and via the app, so you can help
save smartly. It also allows manage your family’s spending,
parents to be part of it so they allowances, chores and savings
can keep track of how much you etc. Convenient that it’s all in
owe them for completing their one place and the family can tap
chores and it can be allocated in to use this feature and again
to their spend-it, share-it and allows older kids the opportunity
save-it accounts. Kids can even to take on more responsibility
set goals and take pictures of when it comes to money!
things they want! A great app to The Allowance and Chores
bot is a great app for Mums
everywhere. It allows you to set
JOVYLZ ^P[O KPɈLYLU[ YL^HYKZ VU
[OL HWW :V `V\Y RPKZ JHU
C
oding is a growing trend and
something which is now
actively being taught in
schools. The focus is on showing kids
how technology today works and how
they can be part of it – a big part of it.
Parents are also now actively
encouraging kids to understand more
about programming and computer
skills, which they believe to be
essential for the future.
Coding is now part of everyday
language and if we don’t work in the them to real life situations.
industry, what we’re beginning to To help meet this increase in demand
understand ourselves as well as teach it’s not just schools that are introducing
our children is how coding and coding to kids but large organisations
programming is what is driving the are now running coding clubs in their
software in every device, phone and local areas. These coding clubs are
household appliance. It’s what’s organised with the aim to encourage
developing new ways of working, new people within the same occupation to
systems and processes as well as new come together to share best practice
ways of thinking. HZ ^LSS HZ UL^ HUK KPɈLYLU[ ^H`Z VM
Demand is continuing to grow in the approaching coding.
number of classes and online courses There’s also a number of skilled
being delivered to teach children coders now volunteering in schools to
coding, as more and more people see help run coding clubs and provide
the value in teaching their children the further information to kids in school.
logic and clear thinking principles Of course coding has always been
behind it. Children don’t necessarily there, but now it’s being thrust into the
have to go into a programming or limelight as a concept that everyone
coding job to be able to take the lessons should know at least a little something
and principles learnt away and apply about.
Barclays code playground
in on the action
Not to miss out on an opportunity to next generations’ things like coding will
promote themselves or the sector, be something which they will simply
banks are also getting more involved. take for granted as part of the norm and
For example Barclays Bank now run a something in which everyone
Code Playground. The code playground understands.
SL[ZRPKZJSPJRVU[OLKPɈLYLU[HUPTHSZ If the online playground is not enough
shapes or people on the screen and it )HYJSH`Z HSZV VɈLY JVKPUN ZLZZPVUZ
will bring up the code used to make the with what they are calling their
picture what it is. Kids can then change “Digital Eagles”. Aimed at 7 to 17 year
the code to alter the picture. So for VSKZ[OLZLZLZZPVUZVɈLYJOHSSLUNLZ[V
L_HTWSL[OLNPYHɈL»ZULJRJHUILTHKL coding that introduce kids to the basics
longer or shorter by simply altering the as they build their skills and knowledge.
code on the screen. What’s interesting when it comes to
The focus is on teaching kids in a way [OL SPRLZ VM )HYJSH`Z VɈLYPUN JVKPUN
in which they understand and to our schools and clubs is that it also allows
IHURZ HUK ÄUHUJPHS PUZ[P[\[PVUZ [V what it is sometimes maybe portrayed!
PU[YVK\JL [OL ÄUHUJL ZLJ[VY HUK Z[HY[ It’s thrusting coding into the limelight
to allow kids to build their own picture and yes the Barclays app is showing
of how a bank operates and how how coding can be fun, but it also
important technology is within this teaches kids how it can be used in
sector. ÄUHUJL
Coding is currently and will continue How big data is used, analysed and
to be a big part of the banking sector. ultimately helps determine certain
Tying the two together in this instance outcomes within this sector. We talk
just seems to make sense! It shows about building digital skills of the future
kids that you don’t have to rule out a HUK [OPZ PZ L_HJ[S` ^O` TVYL ÄUHUJPHS
JHYLLY PU ÄUHUJL Q\Z[ ILJH\ZL `V\»YL institutions should jump on board to
interested in coding. It’s more about start building and upskilling our future
understanding enough about coding NLULYH[PVUZ\UKLYZ[HUKPUNVMÄUHUJL
that you can apply your skills and talent ;`PUN JVKPUN HUK ÄUHUJL [VNL[OLY
to any industry. ZVVULY JHU VUS` OH]L H WVZP[P]L LɈLJ[
0[HSZVZOV^Z[OLÄUHUJLZLJ[VY[VUV[ on our children’s understanding as the
be as sluggish and behind the times as grow up.
“...three-quarters of
the food in the
grocery store
contains added sugar,
so people consume it
without realising it.
HOW
ROUTINES
MAKE
PARENTING
EASIER
M
any parents and soon-to-be
parents go back and forth on
the idea of routines. Some
swear by them while to others they sound
like fascism for children. However there
HYL H U\TILY VM ILULÄ[Z [V THRPUN H
routine for your children. While unplanned
events will still happen, routines, especially
[OVZL ^P[O I\PS[ PU ÅL_ [PTL OH]L H U\TILY
VMILULÄ[Z MVY`V\HUK`V\YJOPSKYLU
Bicker Less, Enjoy More Training for the Future
One of the most common complaints from Regardless of what how their day is
parents is that their child resists instructions organized, most adults follow some kind
or doing as their told. Whether it’s washing of routine. Introducing your child to routine
their hands or eating their veggies, no will help them once they are in school, and
parent wants to negotiate with their child be vital once they go to college and are in
to keep the day going. Establishing routines control of their own time. Furthermore,
can make this process easier as your child having a routine is almost essential to
understands that certain things get done maintaining any job. By helping your child
at certain times. As a result, making sure get in the habit of being in routines, you
things like teeth getting brushed become spare yourself a number of headaches and
part of what your child expects of their day, a great deal of stress down the road when
TLHUPUN SV^LY [LUZPVU SLZZ ÄNO[Z HUK your child is leaving the nest or applying to
more fun time together. [OLPY ÄYZ[ QVIZ HZ `V\ ^PSS IL JVTMVY[HISL
in the knowledge that they know how to
manage their time appropriately.
Fears of Routine Are Routines Lead to
Misguided Independence
Some parents think that the idea of a 6UL VM [OL IPNNLZ[ ILULÄ[Z [OH[ WHYLU[Z
YV\[PUL ^PSS Z[PÅL JYLH[P]P[` ZWVU[HULP[` ^OV ZL[ YV\[PULZ OH]L MV\UK PZ [OH[ [OLPY
HUK M\U /V^L]LY [OLZL [OPUNZ JHU HUK JOPSK ILJVTLZ TVYL PUKLWLUKLU[ ;OPZ
ZOV\SK IL PUJVYWVYH[LK PU[V HU` YV\[PUL VJJ\YZ ILJH\ZL HZ JOPSKYLU NYV^ \W PU H
/H]PUN H YV\[PUL KVLZU»[ OH]L [V TLHU [OH[ YV\[PUL HUK ILNPU [V \UKLYZ[HUK [OL YLHZVU
L]LY` ZLJVUK VM L]LY` KH` PZ WSHUULK HUK ILOPUK P[ [OL` NL[ IL[[LY H[ HKHW[PUN [OLPY
OHWWLUZ [OL ZHTL ^H`" PU MHJ[ I\PSKPUN PU HJ[PVUZ [V TLL[ [OL NVHS VM [OL YV\[PUL
YLN\SHY [PTL ^OLYL UVUYV\[PUL L]LU[Z YH[OLY [OHU Q\Z[ ^HSRPUN [OYV\NO Z[LWZ
OHWWLU OLSWZ `V\Y JOPSK MLLS TVYL )LJH\ZL VM [OPZ [OL` ILJVTL TVYL
JVTMVY[HISL [Y`PUN UL^ [OPUNZ HUK OLSWZ JVTMVY[HISL L_WSVYPUN [OL ^VYSK HUK IL[[LY
[OLT NL[ IL[[LY H[ KLHSPUN ^P[O \UL_WLJ[LK H[ \UKLYZ[HUKPUN [OLPY WSHJL PU P[ (M[LY HSS
L]LU[Z (Z H YLZ\S[ [OL` ^PSS IL TVYL PZU»[ [OL NVHS VM HU` WHYLU[ [V OH]L H JOPSK
JVUÄKLU[ HUK SLZZ SPRLS` [V YLZPZ[ JOHUNL ^OV M\UJ[PVUZ HZ H WYVK\J[P]L HK\S[ VUL
VYYLHJ[[V\UL_WLJ[LKL]LU[Z IHKS` KH`&
$V \RX FDQ VHH WKHUH DUH PDQ\ EHQHðWV WR XVLQJ URXWLQHV 1RW RQO\ GR WKH\ PDNH \RXU OLIH HDVLHU
DV D SDUHQW EXW DOVR KHOS \RXU FKLOG JURZQ DV D SHUVRQ 'RQâW OHW PLVJXLGHG IHDUVGHQ\ \RXDOLIH
ZLWK OHVVVWUHVVDQGPRUH ORYHFRQVLGHU DGRSWLQJDURXWLQH IRU\RXU FKLOGWRGD\
Books
GEEK PARENTING
RECOMMENDS
Entertainment
| Books
BOOKS FOR
MARCH
BY SAM TYDEMAN
A
s a parent, we all know that our children are going to grow older and become more independent.
This means that their reading tastes will change and grow. This month we are not only looking at
great reads for younger children, but also those for kids that are a little older too. Stories that may
not be quite as light-hearted as others to choose from, but that they still will really enjoy reading.
ENTERTAINMENT
FOR
MARCH
BY SUNDAY SIMMONS
Sunday Simmons is a
freelance writer, indie
author and mother of
three. She specializes in
entertainment writing and
music journalism, and has
a passion for geeky things
- from comics, to movies
to anime!
Dinozaurs (2000)
Do your kids love Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Then why not
introduce them to their mid-nineties competition for the weirdest
mutant creatures on the block – Street Sharks! Yes, sharks.
Walking about. On the streets.
>OLUMV\Y[LLUHNLIV`ZHYLT\[H[LKPU[VMV\YKPɈLYLU[[`WLZVM
YVSSLYISHKPUNZOHYRZ`LZYVSSLYISHKPUN[OL`QVPUMVYJLZ[VÄNO[[OL
evil Dr Paradigm and defend the earth from evil! Each with their
own special abilities, Streex, Jab, Ripster and Bends to on the bad
guys with the help of Moby Lick and a few other special friends.
wOne of my son’s favourite cartoons, this is action packed
adventure, brawling mutants, and good versus evil to the max. A
Z\YLÄYLOP[^P[ORPKZ^OVSV]L[OVZLUPUQH[\Y[SLK\KLZHUK^P[OH
healthy dose of humour thrown in for good measure, Street Sharks
PZº1(>:64,»HUK`V\JHUJH[JOP[UV^VU+=+
| Parent View
BY AMANDA WRIGHT
PARENT
PERCEPTION
IS IT REALLY EASIER
FOR OTHER PARENTS?
W
ith two children sorted!
under the age of I think it’s hard for parents as
Ä]L 0 RUV^ 0»T we might say we don’t, but we
extremely fortunate and blessed, do judge each other. We wonder
but I also feel extremely stressed, if we should be playing that
overwhelmed and constantly game with our children, singing
chasing my tail. Yet when I look that song or teaching them to
across the playground or at sign as they learn to talk. We
mother and toddler groups I see always wonder, could we be
other parents, calm, collected, doing more, should we be doing
unfazed as within their Mary more.
Poppins bag they have You see, no matter what we
everything under control. What do, the guilt eats us up. My
I would love to know is, is this house is never tidy and it drives
just a misguided perception that me insane! I know everyone
I’ve created in my mind or what says “it won’t ever be tidy again,
is the secret to having their life well not until the kids get older”,
“How do they make
sure their kid is
dressed in red for the
valentine’s party or
they rock up with a
perfectly baked
batch of cakes?”
PEANUT APP
Avaliable on iOS
and android
but then I sometimes look at other would probably be a blank expression
parents and wonder where they hide on my face and then probably a lie, so
all of the mess. Do they have a secret that I didn’t look bad in front of the
closet like Monica from friends, that other Mums. But now, there’s apps!
when they know when they have Apps such as Moment Garden or
people coming over everything gets Peekaboo Moments which are
stashed in one place and hidden designed to help you to record
away? L]LY`[OPUN MYVT ÄYZ[ TVTLU[Z [V
MH]V\YLKWPJ[\YLZ(SSÄSLKH^H`HUK
SHOCKING MEMORY? savoured for when you need to know
the exact dates and times, of when
How do other parents deal with [OL`ÄYZ[ZHPK¸4\TT`¹VY^OLU[OL`
remembering everything that gets [VVR[OLPYÄYZ[Z[LWZ4\TZULLK[V
thrown at us from school! From sports struggle no more remembering these
days, to valentine’s discos, jeans for crucial dates, we just need a helping
Gene’s day and of course the regular, hand to jog our memories!
IYPUN ZVTL[OPUN MVY [OL YHɊL 4`
diary is full and then I still forget. My AN APP TO HELP?
cakes will be shop bought as I don’t
have time to bake, if I do my children I know deep down that I’m not the
or the dogs have destroyed any only one out there who scrapes their
THZ[LYWPLJLPU[VZLJVUKZHUK0 hair back, dressed ready for “messy
also have to face the fact that…I can’t play”, scrambling in my kids back
bake. But how do other Mums do it? pack (only to realise I’ve forgotten the
How do they make sure their kid is IHSSL[ZOVLZHZ^OLU0HJ[\HSS`ÄUK
dressed in red for the valentine’s party the time to speak to other Mum’s I
or they rock up with a perfectly baked ÄUK ^L HYL HSS YLHSS` PU [OL ZHTL
batch of cakes? position.
Even when our kids are younger, if 0[»ZOHYKHUKP[»ZOHYK[VÄUKV[OLY
someone asked me now what my Mums who are facing the similar daily
JOPSKYLU»ZÄYZ[^VYK^HZVY^OLUKPK battles as well as attending the same
they learn how to say that? There groups and classes and sing the
same songs as you a thousand times However as a whole it’s a good idea.
“Teamwork
a day! >L ULLK [V IL [HSRPUN [V V[OLYZ [V ÄUK
makes the dream
Mum herself, Founder Michelle out that no, it’s not just you. Making
Kennedy, has developed and launched us smile to hear other people’s stories
work.”
a new app called Peanut with Co- of their child crying all day as they
founder and parent, Greg Orlowski. went to school in their uniform, when
Peanut in its simplest form, connects it was dress down day. Or the child
Mums with others like them, who are who refuses to take part in the second
nearby and also interested in hanging rendition of “wind the bobbin up”, but
out! ÄUKZ [OL SH[LZ[ 1\Z[PU )PLILY ZVUN
It might sound a little bit too much, clearly more appropriate – well it just
hunting similar Mum friends out – but makes you feel normal!
the truth is becoming a new parent 6M JV\YZL L]LY` WHYLU[ PZ KPɈLYLU[
JHU IL KH\U[PUN HUK ÄUKPUN HUK and that’s a good thing. It helps us to
making friends with similar interests grow and learn from each other.
as well as being able to talk to people That’s the whole point, no matter how
who feel the same and are in similar perfect we think we are, there is
situations can be hard. Any help in always something new to learn when
this area is a bonus as it also takes it comes to children. Even if it’s how
away the awkwardness of trying to to keep your kids occupied for 5
make friends in the local soft play or minutes whilst you manage to put a
toddler music group in between load of washing in, or keeping in touch
nursery rhymes! with other Mums to help you remember
It does sound very similar to Tinder the school bake sale is on Monday!
with its, swipe up to give another Mum Perception is what we make of it
a wave or swipe down to skip their and is more about what we want to
WYVÄSL I\[ P[Z MVJ\Z PZ HIV\[ OLSWPUN see rather than what the reality is. We
\ZLYZ ÄUK V[OLYZ ^P[O ZOHYLK PU[LYLZ[Z sometimes as parents need to stop
Personally, I think this could be a being so hard on ourselves and realise
hard concept for Mum’s to take up that we’re all in the same boat really
because of the potential perception and sometimes it’s ok to admit the
and eyebrow raising it could cause. truth!
| Gamer Dad
HIT OR MISS?
THE SUPER RETRO
BOY AND THE
WORLD OF VIDEO
GAME REMAKES
since Square-Enix announced they would enable gamers and enthusiasts of past
be remaking the 1997 release of Final [P[SLZ[VYLSP]L[OLÄYZ[[PTL[OL`JVTWSL[LK
-HU[HZ` IHJR PU MHUZ OH]L ILLU campaign or enjoy their favorite titles on a
drooling over the teasers that have been KPɈLYLU[JVUZVSL
released over the years. (ZMVY[OL:\WLY9L[YV)V`P[^PSSKLÄUP[LS`
-YVT [OL VɉJPHS NHTL [YHPSLY H[ , HUK be fun to relive the old days of the Game
the screenshots that have been released, Boy on a better screen and improved
FF7 features many of the real-time elements hardware overall.
of FF XV. However, with no release date in
sight, FF enthusiasts will still have to wait
longer to immerse themselves in the world
of the FF7 remake.
When developers get it right, video game
remakes can easily outsell the original
[P[SLZ <USPRL ÄSTZ T\ZPJ HUK IVVRZ [OH[
can be easily archived then remade and re-
released on new formats, video game
remakes often require developers to About the author
emulate, port or rebuild titles from scratch.
Steve is a dedicated writer, dad, and
This can be quite the challenge for game husband who spends much of his
publishers, which is why remakes take a lot time writing whilst trying to keep his
son off the keyboard. He has written
of time before they can be released. dozens of articles on PC and console
0U HSS YLTHRLZ ILULÄ[ MYVT PTWYV]LK gaming. When he is not writing Steve
loves enjoying the outdoors with
hardware and allow developers to explore family and appreciating the small
previously undiscovered elements of things in nature..
VIDEO
GAME About the author
MAGIC
were spent playing on the
Commodore 64 and Sinclair
Spectrum, and her teenage
years on the Sega and
Nintendo. Now it’s all XBox
and online gaming - the fun
just never ends!
BY MICHELLE BELLE
I
M [OLYL PZ VUL [OPUN [OL NLLR` NPYSZ physics, have fun and re-spawn if they
HUK 0 SV]L HIV\[ NHTPUN¯ P[»Z KPL 0 OH]L [V HKTP[ [V ÄUKPUN P[ ZSPNO[S`
HS^H`Z [OL THNPJ 0 OH]L [V THRL H \UULY]PUN ^OLU [OL NLLRZ ÄYZ[ Z[HY[LK
full disclosure here and say that in our playing Minecraft and heard them saying
family, we believe in magic. Magic is things such as… “I’m going to die now
everywhere, depending on hovw you look and start again…” strange indeed,
at the world and in computer games, we however in fantasy world, immortality is a
get to play with magic in magical lands given, and thats all part of the magic.
and embrace our creativity.
MAGIC SCHOOL...
MAGIC IS CREATIVITY...
The magic in computer games is often
If you are in any doubt as to whether linked to history, nature and the elements
magic really is real, then all I would ask and by playing certain computer games,
you to consider is this… is being creative `V\HYLLɈLJ[P]LS`[LHJOPUNJOPSKYLUHIV\[
real? magic. However whilst they might teach
`V\ PU ºWYVWLY ZJOVVS» OV^ H JY`Z[HS PZ
In every creative act, be it painting, formed, in magic school (aka - computer
dancing, writing a story, making up a games) you can learn about the powers
game or playing a computer game, there derived from a chaos emerald, or how to
is always an element of magic. I sometimes use enchantments and spells and play
wonder if this is why children are so drawn ^P[O JY`Z[HSZ HUK SLHYU [OLPY KPɈLYLU[
to computer games, where they can defy properties. I loved it when the girls were
SLHYUPUN HSS [OL KPɈLYLU[ [`WLZ VM JY`Z[HSZ OUR FAVOURITE GAMES WITH
such as lapis lazuli and obsidian. I think
they were amazed when we actually went
MAGICAL ELEMENTS
and found the crystals that these things
existed in real life, and that started a love These are just a few of the games we like
ofcrystalsandrocks,theyareeverywhere! to play that contain magic, and I’m sure
0 HSZV ÄUK [OH[ PU H SV[ VM THNPJ NHTLZ we will be progressing over the next few
they always have string links with the `LHYZ [V KPɈLYLU[ NHTL WSH[MVYTZ ZV ^L
elements. Earth, Air, Fire and Water can can all expand our magical powers and
be used to cast spells, and also for healing work to achieve great things with the
HUK HK]LU[\YLZ 0 ÄUK [OLZL [V IL [OL elements of the earth!
most exciting part in magic games, and
this is one of our favourite parts of Lego 3LNV +PTLUZPVUZ
Dimensions. 9VISV_ ,SLTLU[HSZ
This is a slightly alternative education /HYY` 7V[[LY3LNV
by most standards, however its never 4PULJYHM[
going to be called a dull one and besides, :VUPJ[OL/LKNLOVN
this is actually all based on historical
records from older civilisations, so who
are we to argue fact vs magic? The chaos I think in a world that steals away magic
emeralds of Sonic the Hedgehog can be from children without a second thought,
traced back to ancient Babylonia and that at least we have the fantasy world of
before that, which is the start of a fantastic computer games to teach us these
history lesson in itself. It’s a lot of fun amazing magical skills.
when you start to check the origin stories I asked the girly geeks their thoughts on
in games, they are usually quite the matter and this is what they had to
enlightening. say…
0[OPUR[OH[ZHWVZP[P]LVU[OLTHNPJMYVTHSSVM\Z
| Diet & Health
BY SARA JACKSON
SUGAR
FREE
HT WYL[[` Z\YL [OL TLZZHNL OHZ in day out that is driving these diseases.
I urge you to set a good example to the So What’s The Best Way To
rest of your family and start to encourage Kick The Habit?
awareness about the sugar you are
knowingly and unknowingly eating every 0[»Z NVPUN [V O\Y[ I\[ [OL TVZ[ LɈLJ[P]L
day. Get savvy and read the labels on the way is to go cold turkey and take out sugar
back of your food and try to go for HZ ^LSS HZ YLK\JPUN YLÄULK JHYIZ PU `V\Y
^OVSLMVVKZ[OH[`V\ÄUKPUUH[\YLUV[PUH diet like white bread and white pastas. Like
factory. sugar, they provide zero nutrition, and are
I work with many clients to help them get forms of processed sugars and starches
VɈ Z\NHY HUK IYLHR [OLPY HKKPJ[PVU :JHYPS` that don’t exist in nature. Don’t fall into the
it’s been shown that sugar is addictive in [YHW VM HY[PÄJPHS Z^LL[LULYZ ILJH\ZL UV[
the same way that cocaine and nicotine are only do they feed the sugar cravings, but
due to the way sugar interacts with the there is mounting evidence against
reward centres of our brain. Sugar addiction chemicals like aspartame which many
also involves the most common stages of consider a neurotoxin due to its strong
addiction - cravings, tolerance (so you’re association with brain tumours and
never able to get enough), and withdrawal. ZLPa\YLZ:JHY`Z[\Ɉ
I’m not pretending it’s a walk in the park, but there’s a few things you can do to make it
a little easier to stick at it.
Endless Alphabet
Originator Inc., iOS/Android/Windows, 4+, Premium
R
LTLTILY [OVZL ^VVKLU SL[[LY ISVJRZ
that would often go missing? Well this is
HUHWW[OH[MVJ\ZLZVUL_WHUKPUN`V\Y
little one’s vocabulary without the fear of any of the
letters disappearing. There are about 100 words in
total to choose from, each appearing from within
the jaws of a cute, blue monster.
>OH[»ZJSL]LYPZ[OH[[OLKLÄUP[PVUVMLHJO^VYKPZ
then reinforced with special monster animations.
-VYL_HTWSLPM`V\ZWLSS[OL^VYKºJVU[YHW[PVU»HU
animation will play of an actual contraption made of
pulleys, strings, fans and funny monsters. A visual
KLÄUP[PVUPM`V\SPRL
VERDICT
A little on the pricey side but it is one of the
most beautiful and delightful learning apps in
the store. There are some words which may
be a little advanced for the very young, but it
is a fantastic and engaging way to learn new
vocabulary.