Health

Getting your Child of the Couch

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Published March 9th 2011, in Exercise, Health

Do you have to beg your children to go outside and play? Are they always playing on their Nintendo, PSP, Wii, the computer or on their cell phones? Children nowadays are spoilt with their entertainment options – they do not have to lift more than a finger to switch on the TV, or any of the other gadgets available with the promise of hours of fun. I know that when we were younger we could not wait to finish our homework to go outside to swim, jump on the trampoline, kick the ball with friends or just run around chasing the lazy dog. zumbatomics

My children have many activities that are structured to teach them wonderful new skills for instance horse riding, music and ballet. Even though they do enjoy these activities, they have discovered a new activity that put smiles on their faces and give them a better workout than any of their other activities. Zumbatomics get their heart rates up and their feet tapping. Zumbatomics is a unique program for children from the age of 4 to 12. It combines urban dance styles with the reggaeton, hip hop and pop dancing. In no time will they find themselves singing along to Latin American music while they are learning new exciting dance moves. And most of all Zumbatomics is all about fun!

A class starts of with a fun dance that is learned in a follow the leader kind of way. All they have to do is to copy their instructor’s funky moves, which will be age appropriate. After the first dance they learn some new simple steps which will be used in a new dance. After having the opportunity to practice the moves they will be rewarded with the feeling of success when the steps get combined with the music. All the classes end of with a fun game which encourages movement and smiling!

Besides the fun aspect of Zumbatomics, there are many benefits for your child to be involved in this form of exercise:

  • During a Zumbatomics session your child’s heart rate will become elevated and they will burn calories.
  • It is a whole body workout. From the neck and shoulders to their feet. Zumbatomics give children a hip, abdominal, thigh and buttocks workout.
  • Overall flexibility and beautiful posture will improve.
  • Coordination increases. * Your child’s balance will improve.
  • With every class you will notice how your child’s endurance levels increase as they become fitter.
  • Children involved in Zumbatomics have faster reaction times when they participate in other forms of sport.
  • Their confidence and self-esteem improves dramatically.
  • These children sleep better than children who do not take part in similar exercise.
  • They quickly learn to focus and concentrate.
  • Children in a class get the opportunity to socialize and work together in teams.
  • Even though it is fun, the class is disciplined and they have to adhere to that.
  • Zumbatomics increases your child’s bone density and muscle tone.
  • Your child will get the chance to express their emotions through creative movement.
  • There is no form of evaluation that could make a child feel pressured to perform.
  • Children start to feel the music in their bones.

So if you are trying to get your couch potato active without threats, begging and pleading – take him or her to a Zumbatomics class and never look back! Let them join the internationally growing Zumba party!

Stop Mosquito Bites

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Published August 24th 2010, in Health, Mosquito Repellents

So here are the solutions for of us that cannot bear the itching and scratching that these pesky creatures cause.  I suggest natural solutions instead of using brandnames that contain DEET, because the verdict is still out on the long term effects on our children’s health and the environment.

Believe it or not:

  • Spraying amber colored mouthwash in the area you are going to be stops mosquitoes from coming close to you.
  • Misting a mixture of water and vanilla extract especially in outside areas helps to keep mozzies at bay.
  • Citronella oil and candles have long been known to work effectively.
  • Eat enough garlic and the mosquito will rather make a meal out of your neighbour.
  • Long sleeves, long pants all in a light color repels mosquitoes, they are actually drawn to darker colors.
  • The following herbal oils work very well and longer than products with DEET:
  1. Eucalyptus
  2. Lemongrass
  3. Cinnamon
  4. Castor
  5. Rosemary
  6. Cedar
  7. Peppermint.

Remember to reapply the oils every two hours to keep yourself and your kids bite free!

Childhood Rashes

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Published June 29th 2010, in Health, Rashes

Parents become extremely worried when a rash appears on their little one’s body. It is therefore important that parents can differentiate between the most common rashes and know when it is imperative to visit your doctor.

Rashes can often be attributed to an infection (viral or bacterial), a reaction to medicine taken or an allergic reaction.

The most common viral and bacterial causes of childhood rashes are the following:

  • Chickenpox: This rash is preceded with fever, a sore throat and fatigue. When the rash appears it is small blisters that eventually ruptures and form lesions with a crust. There is no treatment for chickenpox except medications that will alleviate the fever and extreme icthyness of the blisters.  It is important to know that no child with chickenpox should be given aspirin. A doctor should be consulted immediately if the little blisters form on the tip of your child’s nose or in their eyes.
  • Measles: Measles start with nasal congestion, red eyes, a cough, high fever and a decrease in activity and appetite.  The rash only appears 3 to 4 days after the initial symptom – it is a brown rash that starts and spreads down the body. Immunization is available against measles.
  • German Measles (Rubella): All pregnant should make sure that they are immune to the rubella virus, it can cause serious complications for an unborn baby.  In infants and older children it is not a serious illness and is usually better within 4 days. German measles starts as a pink rash on the face that spreads down the body and it is accompanied by swollen lymph nodes behind the ears and in the neck.
  • Scarlet Fever: Scarlet fever is a illness due to strep throat.  It is identified by a sore throat, fever, headache, swollen glands and sometimes abdominal pain.  The rash appears after 2 days as a superficial red rash with a sandpaper-like feel.  It usually look like the face is flushed.
  • Fifth Disease: Only about 1 out of 4 children infected by this virus will become ill and present with low grade fever, headache, sore throat, nausea and/or diarrhea, bright cheeks and sometimes sore joints.
  • Roseola Infantum: This is a disease that is most common with children under the age of two years.  It is often very upsetting to parents with small children, because the high fever can last for up to 8 days.  Children with “baby measles” have a high fever, small pink flat spots that start on their trunk and then spread to their extremities.  This will clear up without treatment, but the fever can be managed with acetaminophen. Aspirin and aspirin-like products should ALWAYS be avoided in children as it can cause a life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome.

If any rash causes you worry it would be better to consult your doctor. When your child have flat purple spots accompanied by high fever you should take your child to the emergency room or doctor as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of meningitis or other life-threatening diseases.