Dear Clients and Colleagues
“Parenting and playfulness can seem like contradictions, but sometimes we just need a little push, to find one another and have fun together.” Lawrence J. Cohen, Playful Parenting (Ballantine Books, 2001)
“Something’s clicked!” were my sister’s words to me last Saturday when we were discussing her six year old daughter’s progress on the tennis court. ” I don’t know what’s happened but it’s starting to come together.” It reminded me of my boys when they first started off in the game (as with any other sport). To begin with, their shots were almost mechanical in their execution – they were paying attention to every aspect of the shot, overemphasising it, almost making it look awkward. And then at some point in time all those details come together in one flowing movement which not only looks good but it works,.
When children learn anything whether it be crawling, walking, speaking, reading, writing or a sport, they need to learn the basics, the constituent parts and then learn to put them together, into the correct sequence. This is the perceptual skill of analysis and synthesis and it takes planning. Some of the keys to effective learning at all ages are repetition, persistence and perseverance - mastering the movement, deciphering the words or grooving the shot.
I am so grateful that my sons’ tennis coach warned me early on to bear with her because not only would it take a while for their shots to look like something, but most importantly, it was essential to get the basics of each stroke absolutely correct from the beginning. I have to admit there have been times when, like my sister, I have wondered when exactly it would all come together. And then, suddenly, something clicks and they go from functional to stylish and competent, almost overnight. But, of course, it has been weeks, months or years in the making. As our children’s cheerleaders, our gifts are patience, time and encouragement, for Rome wasn’t built in a day.
We need to step back every now and again, and sit and watch with wonder and amazement at the miracle that is our child, marvelling at the power of the brain-body connection. Life takes practice and time. We must support the journey.
TALKS AND WORKSHOPS
I had a lot of fun in March presenting to different groups of parents and educators in Gauteng and KZN, from Grade 12 life orientation teachers in Soweto, to HeronBridge College (Gauteng), St Martin’s, Wykeham Collegiate and Top Tots/Cowan House(all in KZN) as well as some private functions. A big thank you to all my gracious hosts who put so much effort into the organisation of each function. April will be spent travelling with my family and presenting at various public and private events in the Cape including two presentations at the Global Speakers’ Summit where a few hundred top speakers from all over the world will be congregating.
I am running public workshops in Cape Town (21 April), Knysna (23 and 28 April) and Johannesburg (May 7, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17) in amongst private talks for schools and corporates in Johannesburg and KZN. Please see booking details below.
Please note that while I have set presentation fees for public workshops, when I am booked by a private organisation or school, costs per head for workshops and talks may vary for the following reasons: by how much the organisation is subsidising the talk, the number of people attending, costs of venue, catering etc.
Parenting on the Run Workshop (one hour) on Tuesday, 21 April 2009, 6 - 7.00pm at the Plumstead Methodist Church, CAPE TOWN. Cost: R40 per head. Bookings: Alet Prinsloo (021) 762 2787 074 124 0514 alet@perfectpic.co.za
About the talk: Parents today are busy. Being able to parent creatively - on the run - makes your parenting journey easier and much more fun. In this talk, creative parenting expert and author, Nikki Bush, introduces the concept of cheating time and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, helping parents to give away the guilt they so often feel as they juggle life and parenting. Come away with 50 practical ideas of how to create quality time moments with your children when you are on the run. Learn to cheat time by converting “wasted time” into quality time.
Parenting on the Run Workshop (2.5 hours) on Wednesday, 23 April 200, 5.30 - 8pm at Oakhill School, KNYSNA. Cost: R150 per person or R200 if both parents attend. Bookings: Lucia Salters, saltersjl@iafrica.com, 082 806 4619.
About the workshop: As above but includes well over 100 ideas and Nikki will also include her ever-popular suggestions on toys to pack for travelling, or for when you are simply on the run. Connecting and communicating with your child can be so easy, even for busy parents.
Future-proof Your Child talk on Tuesday, 28 April 2009 from 6.00 - 7.00pm at Oakhill School, KNYSNA. Cost: R30 per person or R50 per couple. Bookings: Lucia Salters, saltersjl@iafrica.com, 082 806 4619.
About the talk: The world has changed. The future has changed. Childhood is changing. Raising children has never been more challenging – or potentially rewarding. Nikki Bush, creative parenting expert and author of the popular new book, Future-proof Your Child, explores what you need to know about tomorrow today, why you need to know this and what you need to do to prepare today’s children for a world that doesn’t yet exist.
This thought provoking multi-media presentation, peppered with personal anecdotes, will introduce you to the X-factors required for success in 2020 and beyond, providing many practical ideas to help children to develop them from an early age. This talk is suitable for anyone involved in raising children, from parents to teachers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and even parents to be.
Parenting on the Run Workshop on Thursday, 7 May 2009 from 9 - 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON. Cost: R300 per person, includes notes and tea. Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za
About this workshop: see above for details.
Nuts & Bolt Workshop on Friday, 8 May 2009 from 8.30 - 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON, JHB. Cost: R300 per person, includes notes and tea. Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za
About this workshop: A fun, interactive workshop covering the specific perceptual skills your child needs to acquire within the first six years of life in order to be ready for school. Get dozens of ideas to help you be really creative with your classic toys such as: shape sorters, stackers, threading and pegging games, matching and association games, puzzles, gross motor equipment, construction toys etc.
This workshop takes parents well beyond what’s in the instruction leaflets. Parents are encouraged to put their own stamp on their child’s play experiences by using their imagination, adding love letters, breaking the rules and combining games in order to create more games! Come prepared to play.
Beyond the Nappy Bag talks, 14 – 17 May 2009 at The Baby Expo, The Dome NORTHGATE, JHB. Bookings: Watch the press for details.
About this talk: A brand new talk for moms who are moving into the next phase of their child’s development.
Keep on playing with your precious children over this holiday period. If you find play difficult just start with 10 minute sessions and build up from there. Remember that we are hard-wired to play, it is part of our human nature, we have just forgotten how.
Kind regards
NIKKI BUSH
The Bright Ideas Outfit
nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za
