About

 

Creative parenting expert, Nikki Bush is an inspirational speaker, author, educational game designer and toy judge. Her work is fuelled by her passion for play and her commitment to helping parents and teachers to find creative ways of connecting with today’s children.

 

 

 

 

 

Nikki’s book, Future-proof Your Child co-authored with best selling author and futurist, Dr Graeme Codrington, was published in October 2008 by Penguin. Recently, Future-proof Your Child was honoured by being selected and ordered for the Penguin US Global Catalogue.

 

 

 

 

Her sexuality education book, Easy Answers to Awkward Questions, co-authored with educational psychologist Ilze van der Merwe, was published in June 2009 by Metz Press. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will find Nikki’s four new educational games in toy stores and large retailers:

Collect-A-Shape with Barney (January 2009)

Thomas’ Shape Station Game (December 2008)

Indahoo (September 2008)

Sketch-A-Story (September 2008)

Nikki is a regular guest on radio and TV and is often quoted in the media. She writes a weekly column called Parenting Matters© which is used in both school and corporate newsletters around the country.She presents a variety of popular talks and workshops at conferences, seminars, corporate events, schools, parent groups etc, including: Parenting on the Run©, Connecting with Children through the Noise & Clutter©, Future-proof your Child©, Connect the Tots©, Grannies in Action©, Big Kid Fun©, Toy Talk, and more. For more info visit: http://www.brightideasoutfit.com/

Some of her clients include:

  • Nedbank
  • Discovery Health
  • The Young President’s Organisation
  • Accenture 2008, 2009
  • Deloittes
  • Toddlersense Seminars
  • Netcare
  • BMW
  • Living & Loving / Standard Bank 2008, 2009
  • The Executive Athlete Programme
  • Equal Zeal
  • KPMG
  • ICAS
  • ISASA (The Independent School’s Association of South Africa) 2006, 2007, 2008
  • SAGSA (South African Girl’s Schools Association)
  • SAHISA (South African Heads of Independent Schools)
  • Microsoft/ Your Child
  • St Stithian’s Junior Prep
  • St Martin’s Pre-primary, KZN
  • Durban North Pre-primary Association, KZN
  • Thomas More School, KZN
  • Highbury Preparatory, KZN
  • Maragon Private School
  • Livingstone Primary School, KZN
  • St David’s Marist Brothers
  • Redhill School
  • King David School
  • St Andrew’s School for Girls, Jhb
  • Learning in Practice Soweto Life Orientation Teachers’ Project
  • Saheti, Jhb, 2007, 2008
  • Wykeham Collegiate, Pietermaritzburg, 2008, 2009
  • Cowie’s Hill Pre-primary, KZN
  • Herschel School for Girls, Jhb
  • Plumstead Methodist Church
  • Montrose Primary School, Jhb
  • HeronBridge College, Jhb
  • Aurora College, Jhb, 2007, 2009
  • ACSI (Association for Christian Schools International)
  •  Kingsmead College, Jhb
  • Moms & Tots, Jhb
  • Brescia House, Jhb
  • Midstream College, Pta
  • Greenpark Pre-primary, Jhb
  • Jubilate School, Midrand
  • Motheong Primary School, Atteridgeville
  • BMW, Midrand and Rosslyn
  •  Mountain Cottage School, Hartebeespoort
  • Pecanwood College, Hartebeespoort
  • St Peter’s School for Girls, Jhb 2007, 2009
  • New Life Church, Jhb
  • The Baby Expo, Jhb, Dbn, CT, 2007, 2008, 2009
  • Oakhill School, Knysna, 2008, 2009

Some of her clients include:

MORE DETAIL:

Nikki Bush provides bright ideas for busy parents and teachers via her website: www.brightideasoutfit.com, newsletters, articles in the media, books, games and her inspiring talks and workshops.

She conveys important messages in a fun, hands on, and meaningful way. She believes in common sense, conscious parenting combined with an understanding of the modern parenting and child development environment. Nikki is passionate about helping parents to connect with their children in a world where there is a lot of interference, or what she terms ‘noise and clutter’.

Nikki has been involved in the educational toy arena for thirteen years. She was the editor of Smile Education’s parent newsletter for four years and contributes articles to various mainstream publications and e-zines on an ad hoc basis.

She has developed a number of educational games including:

Drop the Spot (Smile Education 2006)

Throw & Blow (Smile Education 2007)

Indahoo (Just Fun Toys 2008)

Sketch-a-story (Just Fun Toys 2008)

Collect-A-Shape with Barney (Just Fun Toys 2008)

Thomas’ Shape Station Game (Just Fun Toys 2008)

Barbie Shop-A-Thon (Just Fun Toys 2008)

Fun On The Run Box (The Bright Ideas Outfit 2006)

Nikki has been a judge in South Africa’s Toy of the Year Awards for the past four years and recently judged the Innovation Awards at The Baby Expo (2008).

She is married to Simon. They have two sons, Ryan (14) and Matthew (8). They live in Johannesburg.

COMMENTS FROM DELEGATES 

“Nikki’s talks are of the moment. She is adept at creating ideas around things that are changing.” Mel Dace, headmistress, St Stithian’s Junior Prep

Tuesday’s presentation on “Noise and Clutter” was excellent and made a positive impact on our parents. Their response to your talk was that it made them very aware of their own environment and the various consequences. They were quick to make the necessary adjustments to their daily routine e.g. driving to school with the radio (news) on.Thank you for presenting your talk to our Pre-Primary Parents. Regards
Martha Cavalieros, Principle, Saheti Pre-primary

 RegardsOutstanding Talk Nikki!!!It really got me thinking. Thank you. I feel different facing my children this morning, more motivated, focused, happy. I’m a divorced mom and the last 4 years I have been quite preoccupied with my stuff. I have been there for my children but I now know what to focus on. Thanks again. Tania Patrikios, Saheti School, Connecting with Children through the Noise & Clutter.

I must thank you very much for hosting this wonderful workshop. I went to Top Tots Today and raved about how every parent, especially first time mums like myself, should attend it. I look forward to updating my knowledge on a regular a basis and would appreciate being on your mailing list should any further workshops arise. Thank you once again for showing me the light on how to enlighten and entertain my son. Today I have definitely made a pact to reduce his T V time and increase his stimulation time and even came up with new games and ideas to do from the toys we have.Regards,
Veerashnie Parsad, Toy Talk

 

Finally a course with practical ideas I could use!  I really enjoyed listening to your talk on how to make the most of the time we have with our precious children.  It reminded me of the games I use to play as a little child with no T.V. play stations, DVD, computers etc.  I also liked the fact the you understand that we, as parents, lead busy lives so your suggestions of using bath/cooking/car times are most effective. I have photostated your “Car games” and left a copy in the cubby hole of my car.  We now have a permanent supply of ideas to play in the car. My kids argue less and laugh more!  I also think it is important to allow our children the opportunity to use their imaginations to come up with their own games.  One doesn’t always have to provide them with toys and ideas but let them be comfortable in their own space and quiet time. Once again, many thanks for an enjoyable and worthwhile morning.  All parents would benefit from listening to your practical. fun, effective and educational ideas.  Ideas easy enough to implement whilst “on the run!” Helen Jennings I can’t believe that I don’t have to feel guilty about being busy anymore! Audrey Stanley Parenting on the run is more simple than I realized.  Anyone can do this. Craig Aitken  If parents put into practice just a handful of these ideas they would reinforce what we are teaching at pre-school and we would be referring fewer children for therapy.  We need to get this message out to more parents.  Glynnis Courtney, Head of HeronBridge Pre-Prep and chairlady of the ISASA preschool committee.       It’s so nice to have some new ideas to take home and do with the children.  Annie Whitfield    

Parenting through the Noise & Clutter, Midstream College, 24 August 2006 Thank you for spreading this very important message.  We were honoured to have you.  Midstream College, Midrand    

 Dear NikkiThanks so much for presenting such a fantastic, well prepared talk to the Moms & Tots Workshop leaders. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and couldn’t wait to get back to our workshops to share your valuable information with all our mothers. You gave us a taste of what fun it can be to be a child who is given the right, creative construction toys to play with and we didn’t want to be adults again! You helped us realize what a vital role we can play – educating the mothers, and hopefully there will be less T.V watchers and more focused, satisfied children who feel proud of themselves and what they have created. Many thanks Nikki, and keep up the good work. Regards Petra Lester,Founder Moms & Tots

 You are the first person to put all the theory into a meaningful context for me. I learnt so much. Thank you. Lindy McNally, Nuts & Bolts Workshop, December 2006

 I am so inspired and full of new ideas from your workshop. I’m looking forward to playing with my 2 year old again. You need to take this fantastic information to more parents! Moira Sheridan, Nuts & Bolts Workshop December 2006  I wish I’d had this information when my children were small. Michelle Chiesa, owner of Kid Zone toy shop, Nuts & Bolts Workshop, December 2006I want you to present this to all my friends. Everyone needs to come to a Nuts & Bolts workshop. Thanks for the interesting workshop. We have already played lots of games with great success and enthusiasm. Kerry Velloza, Nuts & Bolts December 2006You’ve taken it out of the hat again Nikki. It was fabulous! Justine Heydra, Nuts & Bolts Workshop