Taking it slow, and being more “in the moment” as parents, gives us the opportunity to see our children operating at their own pace for a change, and not dancing either to our hectic schedules or the ones we or school have imposed on them. As you stop and smell the roses for a little while I want to encourage you to be a “watcher” from time-to-time. Stop doing, organising and micromanaging, and just take a while to be a watcher and not a doer. Observe your children with all of your senses whether you are doing something together or observing them from a distance.

Open your eyes, ears, hearts and minds and absorb your children. Soak them up. Look at their faces, really look. Listen to their conversations, really listen. Give them some money (it doesn’t have to be a lot) to buy small Christmas presents for family members, or let them choose a new decoration for the Christmas tree, and don’t judge their choice – observe with interest and give them a chance to express themselves, even if their ideas are very different to yours.

You may have the opportunity of cuddling up together as a family in the big bed, or on the couch watching a movie together or playing a game. What does it feel like? You now have the time to notice. Can you see how they have grown and matured this year and what they are now capable of that they have never been able to do before? Appreciate the growth and let your heart swell with pride. It’s a great feeling.

Enjoy their anticipation of the season of giving and receiving – they are both an art and a life skill that need to be developed. Watch how you speak to each other over this time. Talk with kindness and respect, and listen twice as much as you speak.

Watch for the little things about your children, capture moments often missed in the daily grind of our rushed and hurried lifestyles. Most of these little moments will be so fleeting is it unlikely you will be able to photograph them. It is as if you are a guest who has been privileged to ’see’ and you get to store these moments only in the recesses of your heart and mind.

The most important thing about being a “watcher” is to remember that they are watching you too, and they are doing it with their whole being, absorbing the very essence of who you are.

Happy holidays!

NIKKI BUSH

• Play value
• Packaging
• Size
• Price

Age guidelines have been included as well as sizes of items where possible.  This is a while stocks last promotion so do get your orders in soon.

Orders can be placed by email info@brightideasoutfit.co.za.  Deliveries will be made to your door or you may collect if you are in Johannesburg.

NEWIES:

MY GIANT STICKER HOLIDAY ACTIVITY BOOK (R99.00)

6 years and up

A magnificent book with over 300 stickers, a free CD and over 200 pages of beautifully illustrated and laid out facts, puzzles, drawing and colouring activities to keep your child busy for hours.  You will keep going back to this bumper book that is filled with fascinating general knowledge that you can share together too.

Size:  A4 x 3cm thick.

ZINGO TO GO (R150.00) (The very clever travel version of the very popular Zingo)

Ages 3 – 7 years

At last, a travel version of the very popular  Zingo, a classic bingo lotto-type game.  Fun for the whole family but easy enough that children can learn how to play without adult supervision very quickly. A drawstring bag is supplied for easy storeage of all items in Zingo to Goa when travelling.  There are 9 ‘robots/traffic lights’ which click/snap together to form a bingo board.  Three traffic lights each means three players can play, two each means four players can play etc.  The little car contains two picture dice. Shake it and see how the dice land.  If you have the picture on your board make sure you shout out quickly.  Then turn over the disc so that the picture is face down.  The first person to turn over all his discs is the winner.  As children get older you can play the first to turn over a horizontal/vertical/diagonal line is the winner etc.  10 – 15 minutes a game.  Size of box is 16cm x 16cm x 8cm.

FILO (R250.00) (Back by popular demand.  We can’t always get this product so buy while you can!)

Age 5 – adult

This light as a feather, beautifully and practically packaged eye-hand co-ordination acitivity will have your child engrossed for ages.  Under the age of 7 your child will just doodle, pushing the ‘pen’ which is filled with a lace, into the ‘holes’ on the rubbery board.  The holes trap the lace with no knotting required and voila, you are on your way to making a picture.  Comes with 18 double-sided pattern cards for older children as well as a complete booklet with even more complex patterns and pictures to copy.  Copying one of these pictures requires counting and spatial planning – a brilliant mathematical activity that also stimulates all the eye-hand and fine-motor co-ordination skills for good reading and writing.  Creating pictures with Filo exercises the tripod grip for handwriting and gives fabulous proprioceptive feedback to the brain via the muscles and joints.  “How hard do I need to push?” A very soothing and creative activity.  Great for travel, the size of an A4 page and 5cm deep.  All the ‘pens’, laces and pattern cards are stored in the plastic, basket-like container with a clip on rubber mat.  Size 30cm x 22cm x 4cm.

OLDIES:

BENDAROOS (R135.00)

Age 5 to adult

Amazing, flexible building sticks.  Shape them, wrap them, stick them. A 500 piece mega set including 250 rainbow colour Bendaroos and 250 neon Bendaroos, these wax covered super strong strings make for hours of creative fun.  Create flat constructions or 3D ones, stick them on your windows or patio doors.  Use your imagination.  We have seen some stunning ideas at our Toy Talk events.  Create small packets of mixed colours to take to restaurants etc or while travelling to keep boredom at bay.  Brilliant for eye-hand co-ordination and a real see, touch and feel experience.  Fun for the whole family and great when lots of children come to play.  Size of actual box 25cm x 25cm x 22cm x 5cm.

DINKIE BOOKS (R25.00)

Age 3 – 5

Lovely A5 size books that fit neatly into your handbag.  The following are available:

• Dinkie mazes
• Dinkie dots

FLIP-TO-WIN MEMORY GAME (R150.00)

Five to nine years.

A fabulous travel version of the memory game.  Flip the elasticated windows open to see the picture underneath. 14 reversible game cards that slot into the back of the game for safe-keeping.  Elasticated scoreboards at the bottom of the game board so you can’t forget who is winning.  10 – 15 minutes a game.  A4 size x 2cm thick.

FLIP-TO-WIN HANGMAN (R150.00)

8 years and up

Superb for travel.  All letters and parts of the hangman are on elastics so nothing can get lost!  A4 size x 2cm thick.

FUN ON THE RUN BOXES™  (R175.00)

Parents swear by Nikki Bush’s popular Fun on the Run Boxes™ for when they are travelling or are simply out and about.  They contain a number of items which translate into 25 different activities which are detailed on the information leaflet inside the box as well as listing the skills being stimulated.  Size 22 x 18 x 5cm.  Now available in three different age groups:

• 1 – 3 years
• 4 – 6 years
• 6+ years

Don’t leave home without one.  If you haven’t attended Nikki’s acclaimed Parenting on the Run Workshop yet then make sure you book for the next one which takes place on Monday, 23 May from 9 – 12am.  Email info@brightideasoutfit.co.za

MONSTER CASES (R95.00) (only available in red with yellow fasteners and stock is limited)

These are the best cases for the car as they not only fit perfectly at your child’s feet between the front and back seats, but they make a great little ‘desk’ too.  Fill them with activities and games for the journey. 35 x 25 x 12cm

Monster Cases are also ideal for toy storage at home.  I have had 15 of them for 15 years and they are as good as the day I first bought them.  I have one for Duplo, one for Lego, another for playough, plastic food, army, cars, doctor kit etc.  See how I have marked them with masking tape and a thick black pen.  It makes tidying up together with your child very easy, and toy storage is neat and tidy as the Monster cases interlock.  Stacking on top of each other at the bottom of a cupboard, for instance, uses up wasted space.  The handles lie flat when required.

These cases are not always available and we have waited six months for this consignment.  Buy them while you can.

NO SPILL BUBBLES (R45.00)

Ages 1 – 7

It’s a miracle – bubbles that can’t be spilt!  What a win for parents of toddlers who’s first reaction to bubbles is to pour them out.  Once the bubble liquid is finished, just replace with any cheap bubble solution of make your own.  Putting the wand in and out of the No Spill bubble container is fine-motor, eye-hand co-ordination, and blowing builds the foundations for the ‘p’ and ‘b’ sounds.

FOR ORDERS EMAIL info@brightideasoutfit.co.za.  Let Bridgid Thomas know what you want and she will send you an electronic order form and confirm stock availability with you.

PIPE CLEANER PENCIL BUDDIES

Such an easy way to brighten up old pencils or decorate new ones for use as party favours.

You will need:

• Pipe cleaners
• Plastic eyes (from a sewing or craft shop)
• Some coloured paper – red or green works well
• Glue eg. Bostik
• Pencils
• Scissors

What to do:

1. Make a loop at one end of the pipe cleaner for the snake’s head.
2. Now wind the pipecleaner around the pencil from the bottom of the tail upwards.
3. Place the pencil upright in a glass.
4. Using glue, stick the eyes onto the head.
5. Now cut out a tongue from some coloured paper.
6. Glue it onto the tip of the head. Now you have a snake with googly eyes!

EGGS IN A CHOCOLATE RICE CRISPIE NEST

This activity is fun, easy and very effective. A great idea for an Easter children’s party or to use as an alternative Easter gift, or just to eat because they are a yummy treat.

You will need:

• A large mixing bowl and spoon
• 1 cup of cooking chocolate
• 1 ½ cups Rice Crispies
• A muffin pan
• Paper cup cake holders
• Egg shape Smarties or any other colourful egg-shaped sweets such as M & Ms, jelly beans, or even small covered Easter eggs, etc

What to do:

1. Line the muffin tin with paper cup cake holders
2. Melt the chocolate in the microwave (stir every 30s, it should take about 2 minutes on 100% power), or in the top of a double boiler.
3. Stir in the Rice Crispies and place a heaped dessert spoonful into each paper case.
4. Using your finger, or the back of the spoon, make a hollow in the middle for the eggs.
5. Place a few mini-Easter eggs or egg-shaped chocolates or sweets in the middle of each nest and allow to cool and harden in the fridge.
6. Remove the nests from the muffin pan and place on some packing straw for an attractive Easter display.
7. Eat and enjoy. Makes 9 nests.

FINGER PRINT PEOPLE

You don’t have to be an artist to have fun with this activity. Create fingerprint people for fun or decorate gift tags with them to create some functional art.

You will need:

• Paper or cardboard for gift tags
• An ink pad used for stamps (a kiddie’s one with different colours works well) OR just plain disc paints in a box
• A black thin marker or khoki pen
• Crayons

What to do:

1. Practice on scrap paper before decorating gift tags.
2. Press your finger onto the stamp pad or the wet disc paint
3. Now press it firmly onto the paper. Voila, you have created a fingerprint.
4. Now allow the ink/paint to dry for a few minutes.
5. Then take your pen and add legs, arms, eyes, nose, mouth, hair, glasses etc. See pictures for some ideas.

WAX PAINTING

This is a blast from the past that you may have forgotten about. Get your child to create a picture using wax crayons. Then paint over it with black paint (or any other single colour) and the picture stands out because the paint can’t adhere to the wax. It’s like magic.

You will need:

• Paper
• Wax crayons
• Black poster paint
• Water
• Paint brush

What to do:

1. Get your child to draw a picture using wax crayons. Using a few different colours will make a prettier and more interesting picture.
2. Now instruct your child to paint over the entire picture with black poster paint.
3. Allow it to dry and then stick the masterpiece on the fridge for all to see.

• Play value
• Packaging
• Size
• Price

Age guidelines have been included as well as sizes of items where possible.  This is a while stocks last promotion so do get your orders in soon.  Orders must be placed by 15 December at the latest to ensure deliveries before the Christmas shutdown. Email your order to Bridgid Thomas at info@brightideasoutfit.co.za.   She will confirm your order and send you banking details.

ANACONDA R130.00 Out of stock

Age 7 – adult

Make or break the snake.  This brain teaser, perfectly packaged for travel develops logical skills, strategic plannning, visual and spatial perception.  Place all puzzle pieces together on the board and recreate the snake from head to tail.  100 challenges from easy to expert.   Solutions included.  Measures 15 x 15 cm.

APPLETTERS R185.00

Age 10 – adult

This beautiful apple-shaped package is a domino word building game.  You don’t connect the dots you connect the letters.  2 – 4 players, play anytime, anywhere!  When you create your word it must start or end with the starting or ending letter of a word already on the table.  That’s the only rule.  Simple!  Fabulous for building word power.

BENDAROOS R135.00 (Exclusive to The Bright Ideas Outfit only)

Age 5 to adult

Amazing, flexible building sticks.  Shape them, wrap them, stick them. A 500 piece mega set including 250 rainbow colour Bendaroos and 250 neon Bendaroos, these wax covered super strong strings make for hours of creative fun.  Create flat constructions or 3D ones, stick them on your windows or patio doors.  Use your imagination.  We have seen some stunning ideas at our Toy Talk events.  Create small packets of mixed colours to take to restaurants etc or while travelling to keep boredom at bay.  Brilliant for eye-hand co-ordination and a real see, touch and feel experience.  Fun for the whole family and great when lots of children come to play.  Size of actual box 25cm x 25cm x 22cm x 5cm.

BRAIN BOX MY FIRST ABC R150.00

Ages 4 – 7

Brain Boxes are brilliant for stimulating visual observation and memory skills.  Can you remember what you have seen.?You have a limited amount of time to memorise the card.  Throw the dice and answer the question on the reverse of the card that has the corresponding number.  2 or more players.

This is Brain Box My First ABC.  Looking at the above example, the question may be, “How many ants can you see?”, or “What colour is the apple?” , or “How many words start with the letter ‘a’ ?”. Great for strengthening comprehension skills.  15×15x15cm box.  For the car, just remove a pile of cards and secure with an elastic band.  Don’t take the dice and timer in the car.

BRAIN BOX MY FIRST PICTURE R150.00

Ages 4 – 7

An outstanding visual memory game.  Take a look the picture side of the card until the timer runs out.  Throw the dice and answer the question with the corresponding number on the back of the card.  You have to remember what you saw in order to answer the question, eg. how many teddy bears were in the picture, or what colour was the ball?  10 – 15 minutes a game depending on the number of players. Two or more players. Great for strengthening comprehension skills.  15×15x15cm box.  For the car, just remove a pile of cards and secure with an elastic band.  Don’t take the dice and timer in the car.

BRAIN BOX WORLD R150.00 Out of stock

Ages 8 – adult

With the increased interest in geography  among our children since the Soccer World Cup, this game is a must for any household. An outstanding visual memory game.  Take a look the picture side of the card until the timer runs out.  Throw the dice and answer the question with the corresponding number on the back of the card.  You have to remember what you saw in order to answer the question, eg. how many stars appear on the flag, or what is the name of the capital city? etc.  Great for general knowledge and strengthening observations skills. 15 – 20 mins depending on the number of people playing. Great for strengthening comprehension skills.  15×15x15cm box.  For the car, just remove a pile of cards and secure with an elastic band.  Don’t take the dice and timer in the car.

BRAIN BOX MATHS R150.00

Ages 9 – adult 

An outstanding visual memory game.  Take a look the picture side of the card until the timer runs out.  Throw the dice and answer the question with the corresponding number on the back of the card.  You have to remember what you saw in order to answer the question, eg. how many thermometres were there, or what was the size of the largest angle?  Covers a variety of mathematical concepts from fractions to decimals, geometry, volume, mass, temperature, time etc. Fabulous for observation skills – noticing detail.  15 – 20 minutes depending on the number of people playing the game.  Great for strengthening comprehension skills.  15×15x15cm box.  For the car, just remove a pile of cards and secure with an elastic band.  Don’t take the dice and timer in the car.

CHICKEN SHUFFLE R130.00 Out of stock

Age 6 – adult

The chickens are down at the farm and each chicken wants to sit on her egg, but that’s not as simple as it sounds.  You need to shuffle the chickens around until there is one chicken nesting on each egg.  48 challenges and solutions, transparent sliding puzzle with handy storage compartment.  Measures 15 x 15 x 5cm.  Perfect for travel, no loose pieces.  A one player game.

COLOUR WONDER WINNIE THE POOH R99.00

Ages 3 – 5

Oh wow!  36 pages of specially treated paper and 6 different colouredfat koki’s. However, the pens only work on the treated paper.  On any other surface they are invisible.  Colour in the pictures – only Winnie the Pooh version available – and find hidden treasures in the pictures.  It’s magic!

DINKIE BOOKS R25.00

Age 3 – 5

Lovely A5 size books that fit neatly into your handbag.  The following are available:

-  Dinkie mazes

-  Dinkie dots

FILO R250.00

Age 5 – adult

This light as a feather, beautifully and practically packaged eye-hand co-ordination acitivity will have your child engrossed for ages.  Under the age of 7 your child will just doodle, pushing the ‘pen’ which is filled with a lace, into the ‘holes’ on the rubbery board.  The holes trap the lace with no knotting required and voila, you are on your way to making a picture.  Comes with 18 double-sided pattern cards for older children as well as a complete booklet with even more complex patterns and pictures to copy.  Copying one of these pictures requires counting and spatial planning – a brilliant mathematical activity that also stimulates all the eye-hand and fine-motor co-ordination skills for good reading and writing.  Creating pictures with Filo exercises the tripod grip for handwriting and gives fabulous proprioceptive feedback to the brain via the muscles and joints.  “How hard do I need to push?” A very soothing and creative activity.  Great for travel, the size of an A4 page and 5cm deep.  All the ‘pens’, laces and pattern cards are stored in the plastic, basket-like container with a clip on rubber mat.

FINGER FUN R75.00

Age 6 to adult

Using the tips of your fingers move/roll the marbles into the corresponding positions to match the pattern on the task card by manipulating them through the holes underneath the marble box.  Comes wtih two perspex covered marble boxes and doubles side task cards.  Play against each other or alone.  Brilliant for eye-hand co-ordination and fine motor control as well as working in the midline as one would when reading.

GIANT DICE R40.00

Ages  3 to adult

Use these useful giant dice anywhere for a quick game.  Throw the dice and call out items the same colour or shape.  Play adding games or subtracting games.  Do times tables with the number and dot dice.   Get your littles to throw a colour and find the item that is the same colour or shape, for that matter.  Get them to count the dots and then pick you that number of leaves, or find that number of stones.  Make it really practical and fun for them.  The dice come in a set (one colour dice, one number dice, one dot dice and one shape dice) and each dice is 3cm x 3cm x 3cm x 3cm in size.  Don’t leave home without them.

FUN ON THE RUN BOXES™  R175.00

Parents swear by Nikki Bush’s popular Fun on the Run Boxes™ for when they are travelling or are simply out and about.  They contain a number of items which translate into 25 different activities which are detailed on the information leaflet inside the box as well as listing the skills being stimulated.  Now available in three different age groups:

• 1 – 3 years
• 4 – 6 years
• 6+ years

Don’t leave home without one.  If you haven’t attended Nikki’s acclaimed Parenting on the Run Workshop yet then make a New Year’s resolution to do so!

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR R120.00

Ages 3 – 6

This lovely little first card game, packed in a sturdy tin,  teaches the days of the week.  Each player is The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  The caterpillar must eat his way through the week to turn into a beautiful butterfly.  If you put down Thursday, I must put down Friday.  If I can’t but I have a wild card, I can put that down instead.    15 - 20 minutes a game. 2 – 4 players.

LONPOS COSMIC R140.00 Out of stock

Ages 8 – Adult

A compact brain teaser game perfectly packaged for travel.  Spatial planning, eye-hand co-ordination, this multi-award winning game will get your mind really thinking.  The irregular puzzle pieces train mathematical and logical intelligence in your left brain.  There are dozens and dozens of challenges in the booklet and eight levels of difficulty.  Arrange the puzzle pieces according to the picture in the booklet – there will be some open spaces.  Your job is to fit the remaining pieces into the spaces.   Measures 12cm x 9cm x 3cm.

MONSTER CASES R95.00 (only available in red with yellow fasteners)

These are the best cases for the car as they not only fit perfectly at your child’s feet between the front and back seats, but they make a great little ‘desk’ too.  Fill them with activities and games for the journey.

Monster Cases are also ideal for toy storage at home.  I have had 15 of them for 15 years and they are as good as the day I first bought them.  I have one for Duplo, one for Lego, another for playough, plastic food, army, cars, doctor kit etc.  See how I have marked them with masking tape and a thick black pen.  It makes tidying up together with your child very easy, and toy storage is neat and tidy as the Monster cases interlock.  Stacking on top of each other at the bottom of a cupboard, for instance, uses up wasted space.  The handles lie flat when required.

These cases are not always available and we have waited six months for this consignment.  Buy them while you can.

NO SPILL BUBBLES R45.00

Ages 1 – 7

It’s a miracle – bubbles that can’t be spilt!  What a win for parents of toddlers who’s first reaction to bubbles is to pour them out.  Once the bubble liquid is finished, just replace with any cheap bubble solution of make your own.  Putting the wand in and out of the No Spill bubble container is fine-motor, eye-hand co-ordination, and blowing builds the foundations for the ‘p’ and ‘b’ sounds.

OOPS! R175.00

Ages 7 – adult

50 logic challenges provide hours of fun.  Simon the magician has lost his hat.  Can you help him find it?  The rules are simple.  One piece moves one step, two pieces move two steps etc.  The hat does not move and the head must land up on top.  All pieces are stored in the sturdy plastic box which has a lid that very cleverly folds back on itself.

SCRATCH-A-DOODLE 15.00

Ages 4 – 9

These fabulous activity cards work just like a scratch ‘n win card.  You get two cards in a set with a scraper in the shape of a pen – fabulous value.  Scratch away the lines of the simple picture and reveal a shiny shimmery layer underneath.

SCRIBBLE & DOODLE PAD BOY  R99.00

Ages 5 – 9

An innovative activity pad that comes with a very special ‘finger crayon’.  Dozens of fun activities and some blank pages at the back for your own creative ideas. Something a little different.

SCRIBBLE & DOODLE PAD GIRL R99.00 Out of stock

Ages 5 – 9

An innovative activity pad that comes with a very special ‘finger crayon’.  Dozens of fun activities and some blank pages at the back for your own creative ideas. Something a little different.

SMART ASS IN A TIN R120.00

12 years to adult

Smart Ass is a general knowledge game:  who is it, where is it, what is it?  There are 8 clues on each card, you can shout out the answer any time you like.  If you are right you win the card but f you are wrong you cannot guess again until the next card is drawn.  Eg.

Who is the Smart Ass in your family? Find out in this fun and outragous card game.  Each Who, What and Where card has 10 clues.  As soon as you think you know the answers shout it out, no turn taking here.  But, if you are wrong you are out.  If you are right you keep the card. The player who wins four cards first is the winner.  105 questions.  15 – 20 minutes depending on the number of players.  Packed in a sturdy tin, 20cm x 12cm x 5cm

WORD MIXER R75.00

Ages 8 to adult

Roll this unique letter mixer in the palm of your hand and lay it on the table.  List up to 10 words on the notepad supplied using the letters on the dice. The first person to complete their 10 words shouts “Finished!  Each letter may only be used once in a word. The person with the most number of unique words is the winner, ie. no-one else has the same words.  Scoring is determined by the length of the words.  Determine how many rounds will be played. The person with the most number of points at the end of the game is the winner.  The unique Word Magic Mixer is closed ensuring that the dice can never get lost.  The box is 15cm x 15cm x 4cm but the actual mixer has a flat,circular 9cm circumference.

ZINGO TO GO R150.00 (exclusive to The Bright Ideas Outfit only)

Ages 3 – 7 years

At last, a travel version of the very popular  Zingo, a classic bingo lotto-type game.  Fun for the whole family but easy enough that children can learn how to play without adult supervision very quickly. A drawstring bag is supplied for easy storeage of all items in Zingo to Goa when travelling.  There are 9 ‘robots/traffic lights’ which click/snap together to form a bingo board.  Three traffic lights each means three players can play, two each means four players can play etc.  The little car contains two picture dice. Shake it and see how the dice land.  If you have the picture on your board make sure you shout out quickly.  Then turn over the disc so that the picture is face down.  The first person to turn over all his discs is the winner.  As children get older you can play the first to turn over a horizontal/vertical/diagonal line is the winner etc.  10 – 15 minutes a game.  Size of box is 16cm x 16cm x 8cm.

ENJOY YOUR SHOPPING. Email orders to info@brightideasoutfit.co.za now!

Lawrence J. Cohen, Playful Parenting (Ballantine, 2001)

Dear Clients and Colleagues 

Today, Saturday, 28 May 2009, is World Play Day – a reminder of a child’s right to play (the Right to Play and Recreation is part of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 31). Celebrate the power and possibilities of play everyday – after all play is the language of childhood and play is absolutely FREE.

As we move through our daily lives with vision and purpose, with our action lists and tight schedules, don’t forget to be light and playful with your children. When you are playful you unlock your child, and you relax a the same time. When you come in from a busy time, at work or otherwise, you could try playing Dead Ants, a “silly little game” that has the power to change the mood and shift the energy for everyone. When you shout “Dead Ants!”, everyone must lie down immediately on their backs on the floor, kicking their legs and shaking their arms in the air (continue for 30 seconds or so). It’s a real laugh and it will put a smile on everyone’s face immediately, making it easier to bridge the gap beyond your busyness and the daily rush.

Sometimes silly little games are the perfect antidote to adult seriousness. They are a playful, non-verbal way of saying: “I’m here, I’m home and I want to be with you!”

MY NEW BOOK – EASY ANSWERS TO AWKWARD QUESTIONS

You can look forward to the arrival of my new book sometime in June. Easy Answers to Awkward Questions: what 8 – 13 year olds need to know about their changing bodies, sex, babies, their rights and more……… I will drop you a line as soon as I have a firm date and a list of bookstores and other retail outlets who will be stocking it. It will be published in both English and Afrikaans by Metz Press.

TALKS AND WORKSHOPS

April and May were extremely busy! I had the privilege of addressing groups of parents and educators in Gauteng, KZN, Cape Town and Knysna. Thank you to you all for your enthusiasm for my work. Your positive feedback has been very moving. Due to numerous corporate and school bookings this month I will only be presenting two public workshops in June.

Nuts & Bolts Workshop

Thursday, 18 June 2009, 9am – 12pm Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, Bryanston, GAUTENG

Cost: R300 per head

Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

(A minimum of 10 delegates up to a maximim of 40. Payment secures your seat.)

 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.

Parenting on the Run Workshop

Saturday, 20 June 2009 9am – 12pm Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, Bryanston, GAUTENG

Cost: R300 per head

Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

 (A minimum of 10 delegates up to a maximim of 40. Payment secures your seat.)

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.

She will show you how time spent in the car; doing household chores and activities or waiting for appointments, can be so valuable to both you and your child – it is never a waste of time! This insightful talk is peppered with personal anecdotes and you will leave armed with over 100 creative and practical ideas for converted wasted time with your children into quality time.

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 your child can be so easy, even for busy parents.

Keep on playing with your precious children. It’s good for everyone.

Kind regards

NIKKI BUSH

The Bright Ideas Outfit

083 265 5754

nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

www.brightideasoutfit.com

I will show you how to maximize time spent in the car; doing everyday household activities, or even waiting for appointments with your child. You can stimulate your child’s brain and connect emotionally even when you are on the run.

I will also include my 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.

DATE :          Friday, 4 April 2008

TIME   :         8.30am – 11.00am

VENUE :         Hillcrest Pre-Primary School

COST :          R200 per head which includes the workshop, notes, tea,and lucky draws.  

                    Payment secures your seat.

TO BOOK :    Phone Emma on 083 7070 531 by March 28, 2008

The workshop will be helpful for parents of children aged 2 to 8 years.

Regret no children, as it is distracting to other delegates.

What people are saying about this workshop:

“I can’t believe that I don’t have to feel guilty about being busy anymore!” Audrey Stanley

“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 pre-school committee 2006.

“Many thanks for the fantastic Parenting on the Run workshop. Your practical suggestions have worked brilliantly for us. I have two very busy little boys (4 and 2) who are easily bored and distracted, but they are putty in my hands with my newfound “box of tricks”! “ Kathleen Bartels

ABOUT NIKKI BUSH 

Nikki Bush is an inspirational speaker and writer on child and parent development issues. She is also an educational game designer and toy judge. Her work is fuelled by her passion for play and her commitment to helping parents to find creative ways of connecting with their children. For more info visit www.brightideasoutfit.com.

We are already one twelfth of the way through 2007, ‘007 for short, or the James Bond Year! When it comes to James Bond anything is possible – anyone, anything, anywhere, anytime – kind of like the world we are living in today – full of chaos and change but definitely the Age of Possibility.

In our connected world a massive shift in power has begun – from governments and corporations over to individuals like you and me. We will increasingly have the power to create our own reality (anyone, anything, anywhere, anytime) by influencing and shaping the world we live in. Take China for example, which is not a democratic country. The Pop Idols TV show gave the Chinese people their first real taste of democracy when over 8-million votes were received via SMS from cellphones belonging to individual viewers. They were shaping their reality regardless of their government’s ideology. With personal computers and cellphones linked to the internet, it has become a plug and play world. If you can plug in you can play, that is the only barrier to entry. The new game called Possibility comes with new rules. Playing the new game without adopting new rules and adapting old ones may leave you standing on the sidelines watching the game.

James Bond always starts off his missions with some inside intelligence from MI6 and thereafter he creates and breaks the rules along the way. His mission is always clear but how he is going to achieve it only unveils itself in the moment. Our mission as parents and teachers is to facilitate, mentor and coach our children to prepare them for the future by showing them how to play The Game of Possibility.

Futurist Dr Graeme Codrington and I are in the throes of completing a book on parenting in the 21st century precisely to give you some intelligence so that you can play The Game of Possibility with your children. When individuals hold the power – whether or not they use it and how they use it – is dependent on their values and worldview. This is why children need parental input today. Taking personal responsibility for all the moves you make in The Game of Possibility becomes the number one rule, which is why parents will need knowledge, insight and understanding about the future.

Our book will help you to create a framework for your parenting experience as you embark on the adventure of a lifetime, that of raising the next generation of talent. It will answer these questions:

 What do parents need to know about tomorrow, today?
 Why do they need to know this?
 What action do they need to take?

TALKS & WORKSHOPS

Due to the writing deadlines for the parenting book discussed above, I will not be hosting talks again until May. My Winter Series kicks off with the following (see attached flyers for details):

Nuts & Bolts Workshop
Parents of under 5s
Wednesday, 9 May 2007 9.00 – 11.30am R150.00 per person

Connect the Tots Workshop
Parents of children from birth to 6 years
Wednesday,16 May 10.00 – 11.30am R75.00 per person
Thursday, 17 May 7.30 – 9.00pm R75.00 per person

Parenting on the Run Workshop
Parents of children from 4 – 7 years
Saturday, 26 May 2007 9.00 – 11.30 R150.00 per person

Our Toy Season series at the end of 2006 was oversubscribed. Please remember that payment secures your seat, so book soon to avoid disappointment. Refunds will be entertained up until two weeks prior to each talk. Thereafter, payment is non-refundable.

FEEDBACK FROM MY RADIO INTERVIEW ON SAFM ABOUT TOY TALK

After my interview in November last year on SAFM’s Afternoon Talk, I was left with two recurring thoughts based on the comments or questions the callers had:

1. Many people think about toys in terms of an object that does something to entertain the child. I prefer to think about toys like this:
• How can my child play with this or what can my child do with this toy or game?
• In how many different ways can this game or toy be played?
• For how many months/years will this toy or game be relevant in my child’s life

This is how I determine the value of a toy. Anything that winks and blinks and can only be played with in a limited or prescriptive way, or a toy that does all the entertaining without engaging the child, is a toy that is not worth my investment.

Yes, I hear you! We sometimes need toys that will distract and entertain our children while we get on with what we have to do, and you’re right. But these toys need to make up a very small percentage of your child’s toy box. If children are constantly entertained they will not learn how to play or learn how to entertain themselves. Without such skills they will constantly seek out your attention because they are bored, requiring ever more stimulation. So invest your time and wisely and early on to avoid landing up in a Catch-22 situation.

2. Our awareness of what’s available in the toy and game market is often limited to big brands that advertise.

Comments were made about the high cost of toys as mentioned in a Sunday Time article a few weeks prior to my interview. Most of the toys highlighted in the article were well known characters and brands. Brands and licenced characters attract a premium. You don’t have to buy them! More often than not there is a cheaper equivalent available, saving you anywhere from 30 – 50%, if you are prepared to buy unbranded goods for your child. Having spent many hours roaming the aisles of both large and small toy stores in preparation for Toy Talk 2006, I am also in a position to tell you that there are many excellent games and toys available at under R99.00 that would give children many hours of fun and learning. You can cut your coat according to your cloth and it is possible to bring up young children who are not hooked on particular characters, eg Spiderman, Barney, Power Rangers etc. It largely depends on how much they are exposed to the character and how much attention you pay to that character.

If you have very young children under the age of 5, attend the Nuts & Bolts Workshop where you will discover that by playing with core classic toys in an interactive way with your child, you don’t need a licensed character to make it fun – you are the character! A young child’s world today can be dominated Barney, Barbie, Spiderman etc, which are shaping and influencing them constantly, as I explain in detail in my presentation Connecting with Children through the Noise & Clutter. Committing yourself to playing creatively with your little one at least once a week, is one way of balancing the noise & clutter in their world. You, the parent, can still remain the best toy in the store!

EXCITING PRODUCTS FOR 10 YEAR OLDS AND UP – MYTH AND LEGEND BOARD GAMESAnd now for something totally different! Eco Kids, the toy shop in Lonehilll, has imported a range of unusual board games for older children, based on myth and legend. Eco Kids owner, Silke Ceruti (previously a judge in the Toy of the Year Awards) has provided a review of the following interesting games which retail from R279.00 upwards http://www.brightideasoutfit.com/2007/02/01/myth-and-legend-boardgames-for-older-children/:
• Carcassone
• Maharaja
• Ticket to Ride
• Lost Cities
• Lord of the Rings

TO READ ON MY WEBSITE

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BABY EINSTEIN AND YOU
……………It’s easy to seduce parents into purchasing by offering them something that will help them to make their children brighter and more successful. As I reiterate in all my talks and presentations to parents, gen yourself up with some basic knowledge about early childhood learning, then use your common sense when it comes to choosing appropriate toys and games (including video, computer and Playstation games.) Remember that babies and young children were born to move in order to explore and discover the world around them. For learning to have any meaning the child must use his physical body to experience his world. Occupational and physiotherapists tell us that the body is the architect of the brain, so encourage your baby to move rather than leaving him or her sitting in front of the goggle box. For the full story: http://www.brightideasoutfit.com/2007/01/29/the-president-of-the-united-states-baby-einstein-and-you/

May 2007 be your James Bond year! Stay connected to your children and remember that anything is possible.

NIKKI BUSH
The Bright Ideas Outfit
083 265 5754
brightideas@powerpt.co.za
www.brightideasoutfit.com

2006 is finally slowing down to gentle trot! Isn’t it great to be able to press the snooze button on the alarm clock repeatedly? For those of you who are still in town and frantically trying to complete their Christmas shopping, I include a few last minute hints and tips which I hope you will find useful. We ended the year with a full Nuts & Bolts workshop which was packed with dozens of creative ideas for parents to use during their playtime with their 2 – 4 year olds. For those of you on the waiting list, I will run another one early in the new year. Thank you for your emails with your comments and feedback about how your play time and relationships with your children are changing and growing. That is why I do this work. We need to do whatever we can to connect with our children in a world full of noise & clutter.

CONNECT THE TOTS WORKSHOP

I will be running two Connect the Tots workshops in January on the 19th and 20th. Here is the synopsis, see the attachment for more details:

In a modern world where the winking, blinking, noisy varieties of toys get much of the attention, real active learning can be found in good old-fashioned construction toys, from wooden building blocks, to toys with nuts and bolts, the click together variety or even magnetic ones. Construction toys are a cornerstone of most toy stores just as they should be in every family home. And they are not just for boys either!

Construction toys lay wonderful foundations for problem solving and the development of pre-maths, -writing and –reading skills. After this fascinating one hour workshop which explains the importance of “putting together and taking apart”, you will never look at a packet of Jelly Tots or a bag of wooden building blocks in the same way again!

SHOPPING TIPS

1. LEAP PAD INFO

ToyZone in Woodmead, received a new shipment of Leap Pads recently, for littlies up to about the age of 5. They also have a wide selection of electronic books and games to go with the Leap Pads.

The Toy Shop (this is the name of the shop) in Clearwater Mall (next door to Woolies) also has a comprehensive range of this product including the handheld Leapster for 6 year olds and up. Their prices, however, are much higher than previously seen at Toyzone or Toys R Us. Phone around and check your prices before going all the way there.

2. MEGA SKETCHERS

Checkers Hypermarket has MegaSketchers selling for R149.99. Elsewhere they retail for about R199.99. Great for those long distance trips in the car.

3. PRIDDY BOOKS

CNA in Sandton City has stock of this gorgeous and well-priced range of books for 0 – 4s.

4. CRAZY CLAY

This was one of the items in the Toy Talk goodie bag. It is back in stock and can be found at Pick ‘n Pay, for R49.99.

5. AIR HOGS STORM LAUNCHER

For the best price of R999.90, get this from Toys R Us. It is R1 299.00 in most other shops.

6. MESS FREE MAGIC FINGER PAINTS

This popular product has been spotted at Northgate Hypermarket for R99.00.

7. ART ON THE MOVE

An art set / fold out desk in a zip up bag that attaches to the back of the front seats of the car. A hot seller this time last year for families who were travelling. CNA has lots of stock for R99.99.

8. THE PLASTIC WAREHOUSE

Well worth a visit. Situated in the Fourways Value Mart (opposite the Snowscapes). Pick up plastic storage containers of all shapes and sizes if you are sorting our your child’s toys this holiday, as well as lots of plastic goodies that would make fun inexpensive stocking fillers such as spray bottles (also good for fine motor co-ordination), and more.

Have a wonderful December with your families. Use the time to play as much as possible. Fill that emotional bank with lost of fun experiences.

Best wishes

NIKKI BUSH

The Bright Ideas Outfit

083 265 5754

brightideas@powerpt.co.za

www.brightideasoutfit.com

It’s easy to seduce parents into purchasing by offering them something that will help them to make their children brighter and more successful. As I reiterate in all my talks and presentations to parents, gen yourself up with some basic knowledge about early childhood learning, then use your common sense when it comes to choosing appropriate toys and games (including video, computer and Playstation games.) Remember that babies and young children were born to move in order to explore and discover the world around them. For learning to have any meaning the child must use his physical body to experience his world. Occupational and physiotherapists tell us that the body is the architect of the brain, so encourage your baby to move rather than leaving him or her sitting in front of the goggle box.

More on this in an opinionated piece from Michael Mendizza from Touch the Future………………….

In the State of the Union address the President took several minutes to applaud the founder of Baby Einstein, a beautiful woman, for her entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit. No doubt she is all that and much more.

Touch the Future is a public service. Your financial support is needed and appreciated.

Round one :

Each person gets a chance to share a ‘sour’ (we say it is “the worst thing that happened in your day”). Mention what it is and how it made you feel. Eg. “By mistake I left my takkies at home so I couldn’t play tennis. I was very cross with myself because I really wanted to play.”

Round two :

Each person gets to share a ‘sweet’ (we say it is “the best thing that happened in your day”). Mention what it is and how it made you feel. Eg. “Robyn came to play with me this afternoon and we had fun. It made me happy.”

During the process, no family member may interrupt another. It is a game about listening and sharing. My youngest son was 3 ½ when we started playing it. I thought he would be too young to participate but I was taken by surprise as he actually led the process from day one, and still does today.