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Generations of a Movement Member Profile by Christine Le Fevre

THE APPLE CONNECTING TASMANIAN FAMILIES

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Christine le Fevre Member since 1975 Treasurer (Moonah Branch) from 1977-1982 Life member since 1986   My daughter was about a month old when I had just been to see Dr Hudson in Albert Road when Rene Johnson asked me if I wanted to join the Child Health Association.   It was good to meet all the members and I developed a great friendship with all members over time.   I learned about a playgroup in Hopkins Street near the Moonah Arts Centre, and both my children, Cassie and Lincoln went there.   We had stalls to raise money outside the Post Office on certain Fridays. Before I joined the committee they cooked for Rotary to raise money for the new clinic. The Moonah Child Health Association started in 1921 at

Summerhome in Hopkins Street and then moved to Albert Road in 1974.   Members of the Moonah Branch that I remember at the time I was a member were:

• Rita Johnson • Mrs Hurburg (Life Member) • Mrs K Scott (Life Member) • Mrs Porte • Carol Booth • Mrs Phillips • Edna Jessup (Life Member) • Rene Johnson • P Swain (Life Member) • A Millar • Gwen Johnston • Joan Midgley (Life Member) • Vicki Guinnane • Jillian Browning

We used to have meetings at the clinic and at some meetings we would ask known locals to come and give talks. I asked Elizabeth Hope who had a chemist in Moonah to

come and talk, and also Dr Conroy as he had just taken over Dr Hudson's clinic.   Being a member I learned lots of things to help me along the way also my children got to mix with other children.

We had functions at different people’s places to raise funds. We also went to the Botanical Gardens and Tolosa Reserve for different events. Christmas dinners were sometimes at Cooley's Hotel.

From the SEO: It is wonderful to see that although the Moonah Branch no longer operates, Christine still shows an avid interest in CHAT and its future. Christine still attends CHAT events, volunteers her time, and has even passed on her love and commitment to the organisation to her daughter Cassie, who is now also a member.

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By Alison Wood

It’s been another big month for the Child Health Association (CHAT) with the launch of a brand new educational resource, Building Healthy Smiles. This is a really fantastic resource aimed at raising awareness of the importance of oral health. With current Tasmanian statistics showing that over half our children have had dental disease by the age of 5, it is almost impossible to believe we are talking about an entirely preventable disease.

I am really excited for CHAT staff to undergo training during November in using the resource, so we can start to play a role in passing on the simple, evidence based information and practices that all families should be following when it comes to caring for their teeth and mouths.

You may recall that we have been going through the process of recruiting a Northern Regional Coordinator. I am very pleased to announce that we have now completed this process, and have appointed Katrina Lokan to the job. Katrina will be starting the job in November. It will be wonderful for CHAT to have that person dedicated solely to the northern region again, to provide that one-on-one support, guidance and presence for our existing members and groups, and to start to roll out regular information sessions and attend events in the region.

Sadly, our North West Regional Coordinator, Kelly Rechtin, will be leaving us when we find a replacement. Kelly joined the CHAT team in April this year, and has made great inroads into starting to rebuild the CHAT presence in the north west. The deadline for applications have been extended till the 12th of November for the position.

Over the last few weeks, I have been continuing to look at forward planning for information sessions. We will be offering another information session in Hobart with our partners, Kidsafe Tasmania, sometime in late November, and are hoping to get the RACT along to provide free checks to carseat fittings. I am currently looking to confirm these sessions in the north and north west in early 2015. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook pages for confirmed dates, venues and times.

It has been a fantastic start to The Haven’s extended opening hours to every weekday morning, with lots of families visiting on the new days in the first couple of weeks. I am so pleased that we have been able to start a new City CHAT group in response to need, run at The Haven on Monday mornings by Christine Jolly. New members are always welcome, so grab the kids and head along for a chat, cuppa and relaxed catch up with other mums or dads, while the kids occupy themselves with any number of toys and books we offer at The Haven.

I am also happy to share that we are starting a new type of CHAT group, run for the first time in CHAT’s

history. This group will be for parents who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, and while it will not be providing any professional support or services at this stage, we hope it will be a peer-support group for people who have experienced similar journeys of loss, giving them an opportunity to come together and talk to others who understand. As someone who has experienced multiple pregnancy losses myself, I think this group will be a wonderful way for people to connect with and share stories in a safe space. We will run monthly sessions - a combination of family-friendly sessions at The Haven and also evening sessions for just the parents.

We will start the Hobart group in late November, and follow with groups in the north and north west in the new year. Please keep an eye on our website and Facebook pages for details on dates, times and venue over the next couple of weeks.

We are also now recruiting for our Family Food Patch program. If you are interested in being involved with our nationally recognised program, and have experience in managing health promotion programs

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President’s Report By Katie Wightman

The Child Health Association Tasmania Board 2015 will convene this month. The agenda will allow time for an induction and reflection. Taking time now will set the Board up for success and will long term bring us time two fold. Understanding processes and procedures is vital for effective communication, encouraging robust discussion and good decision making that together leads to positive relationships and productive outcomes.

The Board will be discussing the findings of our building reports and working toward making decisions regarding the assets. We look forward to hearing the outcome from:

• the northern regional coordinator interviews; and • the advertisement of the north west regional

coordinator position.

The Board will review our Strategic Plan 2010-2015 and will develop a new 5 year plan. A future agenda item from this work will be to develop the 2015 Operational Plan.

While this time of year leading up to Christmas is busy it feels really good to take time to reflect on the year and set new goals for the future. We hope you can take time to do the same.

As a worker I'm pretty lucky, I get to be around little people (and big people) having fun with yummy, healthy food.

As parents we all know the challenge to come up with new ideas to feed our families, particularly when it comes to snacks and lunchbox ideas. As a worker it can be quite a challenge to come up with a fresh new idea particularly if it is a group I visit fairly regularly. My motto is 'Keep it simple'! Some of the 'hands-on' ideas I have prepared for the MOBILE CHAT 'N' MUNCH sessions include, my ol' favourite, "Fruit 'n' Veggie Faces". Take a rice cake, spread it with Philly cream cheese, then starting creating your face... maybe cherry tomatoes for eyes, a strawberry for the nose, a piece of orange for a mouth, mushrooms for ears and grated carrot for hair. A great opportunity to talk about whether the face is happy or sad, and the colours and textures of the fruit and vegetables. It's also great to encourage new tastes especially if others are trying the foods.

Parents and staff at a local playgroup were quite amused by my wonderful idea of "Catherine Wheels" so the children (and parents) would always remember me. Many children know me as the Fruit 'n' Veggie Lady... now they know me as a sandwich... hmmm! Oh well, fruit and veggies were included! Take a slice of wholemeal bread, cut off the crust, spread it with Philly cream cheese, and place some lettuce, grated carrot and cheese, [sultanas and apple slices, optional... so yummy if you haven't tried it] on 1/3 of the bread and carefully roll up and cut into slices. This idea would also work well with mountain bread as a wrap.

I have recently piloted two new ideas at the Ravenswood Child & Family Centre Playgroups. "Humpty Dumpty sat on a Bread Wall" and "Gobble & Go Boxes”.

Humpty Dumpty was a a hard boiled egg and the bread wall was made up of alternating white and wholemeal bread sandwiches with crusts removed, cut into quarters and stacked on top of each other like a wall. Then came Humpty Dumpty... I had fun singing too!

The Gobble & Go Boxes were basically a disposable (but re-usable) plastic takeaway container filled with various fruits and vegetables, a slice of french bread stick, and cheese 'n' biscuits. I had the small zip-lock bags to keep the biscuits dry or to place the fruit pieces to stop everything going mushy. Some children liked having the whole fruit instead, like little mandarins or apples. With little preparation this was a healthy box ready for snacking on. I was encouraging everyone to have a walk and a picnic. A catchy name made it more exciting to entice little people (and adults) to make their Gobble & Go Box.

What will I come up with next time?

Growing Families - Mobile CHAT’n’Munch By Kathryn Ervin

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We have the following opportunities for volunteering. We would love the help of our members to assist our staff in the following ways:

NORTH BABY AND KIDS MARKET, 22 November • 9:00am-10:30am - 2 Volunteers, passing out

promotional material and blowing up balloons for children.

• 10:30-12:00pm - 2 Volunteers, passing out promotional material and blowing up balloons for children.

NEW YEAR ON THE ROYAL, 31 December • Taking expressions of interest of volunteers who can

participate in a roster to help facilitate our Parenting Tent.

FESTIVALE, 13-15 February • Taking expressions of interest of volunteers who can

participate in a roster to help facilitate our Parenting Tent.

Email Alison Wood at seo@chatas.com.au or call 0428 221 886

SOUTH THE HAVEN • Monday-Friday, 9:30-11:30am - 5 Volunteers (1 each

day) - open up and welcome families to The Haven. • Monday-Friday, 10:30-12:30pm - 5 Volunteers (1 each

day) - welcome families to The Haven and pack up.

SUSTAINABLE LIVING FESTIVAL, 8 November • 10:00am-12:00pm - 2 Volunteers, passing out

promotional material and making apple slinkies with children.

• 12:00-2:00 - 2 Volunteers, passing out promotional material and making apple slinkies with children.

BABY AND KIDS MARKET, 16 November • see volunteer descriptions under North BKM event

THE TASTE FESTIVAL, 28 December - 3 January • Taking expressions of interest of volunteers who can

participate in a roster to help facilitate our Parenting Tent on Parliament Lawns.

Email Christine Jolly at hobartmumsnetwork@gmail.com or call 0400518154 if you are keen to lend a hand.

Volunteer Opportunities By Christine Jolly

Water based workouts are well known to be the best place to be when returning to exercise, while nursing an injury, when you are pregnant or somewhat older. But did you know that water based workouts can also appeal to a strong, healthy and fit population who just love water and want a high intensity workout without the impact? There are so many reasons why a weekly dose of water based workout will improve your health and fitness levels. Here is a quick summary of all the health benefits you may not have considered:

• Low or no impact • Symmetrical movement • Flushes out any swelling or excess fluid • Heart rate is automatically lower in water – while

you are getting the same benefits as working out on land

• Your body temperature is lower in water (providing you are not in a hydrotherapy pool)

• Your workout is multi-directional (otherwise known as functional)

If you’d like more information on these benefits click here or visit www.activesolutionsandhealthnetwork.com.au for the full article.

By CHAT member, Jo Cordell-Cooper, who runs award winning Active Solutions and Health Network – finding the RIGHT balance for women at all ages and stages. www.jocc.com.au 0409 862 206 for more information.

Why Water? By Jo Cordell-Cooper

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Mojo’s Beard and Tache Supplies A Business Connect InterviewBy Rachel Baker, Business Connect Coordinator

Who is Luella Mageean? Hi! I am Luella. A busy mother of three young children ranging from 4 years to 1 year of age, and wife of the dapper Scott Mageean. We moved to Tasmania just under 2 years ago from Melbourne, and before that Ballarat.

Tell us about your business and what you do. Mojo’s Beard and Tache Supplies is a men’s grooming product business, stocking some of the best beard, mostache and grooming products from across the globe, as well as from Tasmania. We are primarily on Facebook at the moment but in the process of getting a webstore up and running in time for Movemeber.

What were you doing prior to Mojo’s Beard and Tache Supplies? Prior to starting Mojo’s I was being “Mum,” now I am “Mum” and Mrs. Mojo. I still do the same as I was before starting out in business, now I just do it on top of the craziness of life. Prior to that I have studied and completed a Psychology degree, Student Welfare Grad Dip, and a Grad Dip in Primary Education.

Inspiration behind starting Mojo’s Beard and Tache Supplies? The inspiration for Mojo’s was my husband’s moustache. He has been focussing on growing his moustache for over 2 years, and started importing moustache products and waxes for his personal use. Soon after his friends were asking him to source products internationally for them too.

What was your first step in setting up Mojo’s Beard and Tache Supplies? As we were already getting some products shipped over, we started a few emails to different companies requesting wholesale pricelists, and investigating what brands others are using and loving. From there we applied for an ABN, got a logo designed, and are currently working on our webstore.

Your biggest achievement to date? Business-wise our biggest achievement, that we are proud of is the handmade wooden combs made specifically for Mojo’s.

Best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Organisation is key! And I’m still not on top of it!Another lesson is that there are some amazing women in business in Hobart, who are a wealth of knowledge.

You're a business woman- how do you balance home/work life? I am lucky that I am in this business with my husband. He does a lot of legwork and behind the scenes work, which helps me keep the home life a bit more stable. Coming into Movember things will start getting a bit busier for us, so organisation will be key. But at the moment Mojo’s is primarily worked on after hours when kids are sleeping.

What do you do to relax? I love to drive around beautiful Tasmania, and just drink in the absolute gorgeous views, and explore new places. It does my soul good. I also like a good night in with Scott and a dvd.

Finish this line. If I could accomplish… If I could accomplish one thing, personally... would be to raise thoughtful, caring, honest and resilient children. Above all my family comes first. Business wise, I would love to be at a point where we are making some of our own products, sourcing some of the most popular products worldwide, and being one of the largest specialty male grooming business in Australia.

Any hot tips for aspiring Business Mums?Don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are no dumb questions! The business world is huge and so much information to take in. Finding yourself a mentor or a strong supportive network where you can ask questions and gain advice from others experiences in invaluable. Everyone needs to start somewhere.

Are you a Tasmanian mum with a business, tiny or large or simply an idea? Join Business Connect today by emailing hobartmumsnetwork@gmail.com for more information.

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Kids Allowed in Kingborough

Time Workshop Bookings/Venue

Tuesdays 18th and 25th

11am-11.30am

Children’s Yoga Taster Bend, stretch, reach and play with a special

kids style yoga class.

Kids Allowed Shop

$10/child for both sessions Bookings Essential to Rebecca Chabot

0429 504 995 or rebeccahabeeb@hotmail.com

Wednesdays 10am-11am

Moonsand – 5th

Learn how to turn ordinary sand into something magical to take home.

Cereal Box Turkeys – 12th These cute turkeys are easy to make and don’t

create a big mess.

Bubble Wrap Indian Corn – 19th Everyone loves bubble wrap – why not try making

some yummy looking corn cobs with it.

Animal Grassheads – 26th We had so much fun making grasshead people that we thought we could try a few animals too!

Kids Allowed Shop No Bookings Required

Free Event

Thursdays 10.30am – 11.30am

Kids in Harmony Music, Movement and Relaxation

Have fun singing, playing instruments, moving, drawing and relaxing to music.

Kids Allowed Shop No Bookings Required

$5/child/session Questions, call Kym

0407 430 820 kymweatherley@hotmail.com

Fridays

10am-11am

Drop in for Science Fun

Drop in for a bit of science fun during your visit to Channel Court.

Kids Allowed Shop No Bookings Required

Free Event

For more information, contact Council’s Community Development Officer on 6211 8228 or email: kc@kingborough.tas.gov.au

‘Kids Allowed’ Shop, Channel Court Shopping Centre (next door to RACT and opposite Post Office)

Children must be supervised.

November Activities for Children

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The Child Health Association Tasmania (CHAT) is proud to have been involved with the development of a fantastic new educational resource, Building Healthy Smiles. In partnership with Oral Health Services Tasmania (Department of Health and Human Services) and funded through a Calvary Community Council Grant, we have developed a flip chart that can be used as an educational tool both during pregnancy and for the parents of children 0-5 years.

The chart focuses on the key areas of oral health, early childhood and nutrition and is designed to contain simple, consistent evidence based oral health and nutritional messages with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of oral health to general health and overall wellbeing.

We were delighted to have Minister Jacquie Petrusma MP officially launch the resource for us, at the Wayrapartee Child and Family Centre in Geeveston. With lots of young families in attendance, it was an exuberant and action-packed event!

The children enjoyed meeting the Tooth Fairies, dress ups and some fun oral health activities like contributing to the ‘Wall of Smiles’. Children and adults alike enjoyed singing and wiggling along to popular nursery rhymes accompanied by live guitar. It was also wonderful to have Rachel, the mum featured throughout the chart, in attendance with her two children.

I would like to thank the Wayrapartee Child and Family Centre. Anna Jones and her team created a very special backdrop for the day’s activities.

Great thanks and recognition must be afforded to former CHAT SEO and Life Member Christine Minchin, as she was the driving force behind the idea for the chart, and securing the grant money required.

Special thanks and recognition must also go to the amazing Jenny McKibben (Oral Health Services) as she spent countless hours of her own time doing the groundwork and compiling the fantastic charts. The amount of work that goes into planning, securing funding and actually putting together something like this resource is enormous. It has been a privilege for CHAT to be a part of this, and was something we saw as absolutely essential.

As we well know, early childhood is the time when most lifestyle habits are established. With scary statistics like over half of Tasmanian five year old children having a history of dental disease, a resource like our flip charts aim to provide the greatest opportunity to set up good oral health habits for life.

With dental disease (such as decay) being the greatest reason for hospital admissions in the 0-5 year age group, a great portion of the Oral Health Services budget is spent on restoring compromised teeth. When you consider that tooth decay is preventable, it seems impossible that we are faced with such awful statistics.

We aim to distribute this resource throughout early educators, health professionals, community inclusion workers and peer community members. We are very excited that this resource will raise awareness, and enable all these people and services to offer accurate and consistent oral (and general) health messages.

CHAT staff will also undergo training on how to use the resource, so it can be taken in to new parent groups across the state, form the base for Oral Health information sessions for our members, and be integrated into our Family Food Patch and Growing Families programs.

Building Healthy Smiles Launch By Alison Wood

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Wayrapartee Child and Family Centre in Geeveston hosted the launch of our new oral health education resource. We enjoyed a lovely morning with fine weather doing craft, enjoying cuddles with Tooth Fairies, and the entertainment of silly songs.

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This month was a wonderful new chapter in our history. For the first time we are open every weekday. Our new hours of 9:30-12:30pm have proved very popular enticing families who have never visited us before to pop in and even become members.

We have also successfully relocated our Southern Parent Resource Library from the Newtown Parenting Centre to The Haven. Next time you’re in, peruse our shelves and select a book or DVD about cooking with toddlers or understanding teenagers.

Some have suggested that our organisation is doing for mums what the Country Women’s Association has done for rural women for decades. One way we have lived up to the comparison is our newest activity at The Haven: a monthly cooking competition. This month ten local mums each brought a loaf of banana bread vying for the recognition of Hobart’s Best Banana Bread. The recipes and loaves themselves were judged on the following merits: nutrition, density, taste, moistness, and texture. The loaf that scored highest on all accounts was Julia Speirs’ Paleo Banana Bread. You can find the recipe here: blog.meaningfuleats.com. The loaves were then laid our alongside their written recipes and sampled by all who attended. People were welcome to bid on the loaves with the money going to Small Steps, Hobart City Mission’s residential program for at-risk young mums. Stella Carmichael’s loaf laced with

melted chunks of Toblerone was a clear winner of People’s Choice. Winners each received a voucher from The Footsore Tasmania.

Want to take part in the next cooking competition?

Bake your best brownies, submit it along with your recipe and it will be judged on the following criteria:

• nutritious • dense • moist • taste • texture

Bring a dish of your best brownies with complete recipe on 14 of November to The Haven to be judged. We will have a silent auction on the brownies remaining and the money raised will go to Small Steps.

Participants will bring their loaf and printed recipe with complete list of ingredients at 10am. Judging will be complete at 10:30am. Silent Auction complete at 11:15am.

Don’t miss out on our Hobart City CHAT playgroup that meets Mondays at 10:30am. Each week expect a bit of the following:

• Welcome • Movement • Rhythm • Counting • Literacy • Feelings • Colours • Stretching • Social Skills

• Storytelling • Goodbye • Parenting Cafe - article

Want to make new friends while giving back to the community along with your little ones? If you are keen volunteer and make this facility accessible to local families contact, Christine Jolly at 040051815 or hobartmumsnetwork@gmail.com.

The Haven is a thriving hub of activity in Hobart’s CBD where local families come to connect. More than a parenting room, our members come to feed a baby, change a nappy, let toddler have a bit of a play, help themselves to a cuppa, make new friends, and participate in a number of events.

This volunteer-run facility is YOUR haven in the city.

Who can use it? All families are welcome at The Haven: mums, dads, bubs and kids, grandparents, carers, aunties, and uncles. Entry is $2 per family. FREE for Child Health Association Tasmania members. Opening Hours: Monday - Friday,9:30am-12:30pm

Location: 121 Macquarie St, Hobart (down the alley off Macquarie St. behind St. Davids Cathedral office building)

The Haven By Christine Jolly

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It is business as usual for Family Food Patch while we await further news about our funding for the future. We will be having a catch-up session with our recent graduates in Geeveston.

We’ve also been busy with our Family Food Patch YouTube channel. A clip on Lunchboxes and Snacks was uploaded recently and it is full of ideas and tips to help you with the lunchbox battle. Hot on its heels will be a clip covering key oral health messages. Please check out the great variety of media clips online and share with your family, friends and community networks. They are a great way to share simple messages without the stress of confrontation.

Christmas Competition

To mark the launch of our most recent clip we’ve created a competition to get you all thinking and inspired by healthy snack ideas. Email us your most creative festive snack idea to info@familyfoodpatch.org.au and enter into the draw for a bumper Christmas Activity Pack. All ideas will be posted to our Facebook page and the winner announced and celebrated in the next edition of The Apple.

Move Baby Move

A great resource from the QLD government Move Baby Move identifies the kinds of activities that are suitable for babies of different ages and gives parents suggestions about how they can support their baby's physical development in an enjoyable and safe manner.

It also looks at what foods your baby should be eating, suitable types of toys and how to keep your baby safe: http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/community-programs/school-community/childhood-programs/baby.html

Food Switch App

Label reading on the thousands of packaged and processed foods available in shops and supermarkets can be a mine field but BUPA’s Food Switch app makes making the ‘switch’ to healthier choices a great deal easier. Packaged foods can often be high in salt, fat, sugar and kilojoules. Use FoodSwitch to see what’s in the food you’re eating and make better food choices when grocery shopping for you and your family. www.bupa.com.au/foodswitch

Cheat’s Chicken Pie

A delicious recipe from Mum’s United- keeping up some hearty warmth for those cooler evenings still snapping about the state! www.heartfoundation.org.au/healthy-eating/mums-united

Ingredients 1 tbs olive oil460g skinless chicken breast, cut into 5-cm strips200g mushrooms, sliced 250g can chicken soup1/2 cup frozen peas1/2 tbs low fat Greek-style yoghurtCracked black pepper, to season 1 bunch broccolini, stalks trimmed  1 1/2 sheets reduced fat puff pastry, thawed1/2 egg yolk, beatenSteamed vegetables or green salad, to serve

Method 1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).    2. Heat 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large

frypan and brown chicken strips for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. 

3. Heat remaining oil and sauté mushrooms for 2 minutes. 

4. Return chicken to pan with mushrooms; add soup, peas and Greek yoghurt. Season with cracked pepper. Bring to the boil, then turn off the heat.

5. Transfer mixture to a pie dish approximately 28 cm x 21 cm. 

6. Arrange broccolini on top of chicken filling. 7. Cover pie dish with puff-pastry sheets, cut a hole

in the centre using a sharp knife and press down edges with the prongs of a fork. 

8. Brush pastry surface with beaten egg yolk and cook in oven for 25 minutes. 

9. Serve with extra steamed vegetables or salad.

Family Food Patch By Emma Rowell and Emily Rataj

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Motor development refers to the muscles – both large and small, in our bodies.

Gross Motor (GM) are the large muscles in our head and neck, arms and legs.

Fine Motor (FM) refers to the small muscles in your fingers, and eyes.

Children develop their muscles from top to bottom, and inner to outer. This means that babies’ muscles develop and strengthen first from the head, then torso, then legs; and from their arms and then out to their fingers.

Remember that wobbly, very heavy head when babies are first born? Gradually over the first few weeks they are more able to control their neck muscles to hold their head upright.

Children develop their muscles through opportunity to exercise them, at the appropriate time. Here’s a summary of the muscle skills they are developing, the approximate time frames for them, and how you can help them:

In the first 6 weeks they are (GM) trying to hold their head up, and will put their fist to their mouth. Their limbs have a jerky response, as they can not yet control them, and are easily startled by sudden noises and movements. FM: They may ‘track’ objects (follow them) with their eyes, but not moving the head.

You can help your baby by: Giving them opportunity for tummy time – just a few minutes, several times a day – place them facing down, hands near their shoulders, and face turned to the side. Support your baby’s head, whenever you are holding them.

From 6 weeks to 3 ½ months, they are (GM) generally able to lift their head from side to side, when having ‘tummy time’, and use some voluntary movements such as stretching their legs. They may also bring their hands to the midline (the middle of their body). In terms of FM they unclench their fists and

may use them to bat at overhead objects – eg toys hanging from a frame.

You can help your baby by: Continue tummy time with several short bursts during the day – never just after a feed, or you will have a mess to clean up! Place three colourful objects in a semi-circle in front of them, so that when they raise their head, there is something interesting to see. Or, lay baby on your chest, so that when she pushs up she sees your face to smile at. Also, lay them on their back with an overhead frame toy – where objects dangle down withing their reach, to bat at – first it will be accidental, then they will learn to deliberately strike it. Give them different toys to hold – different textures to feel.

Between 3 ½ – 5 ½ months babies learn to use their forearms to push their head and chest up (when having tummy time), and they begin to sit with support. Babies will stretch and kick their legs, and reach for objects they can see. They roll from stomach to back.

You can help your baby by: Providing tummy time, and also opportunity to sit – use pillows around them as props (supervised) or sit with your legs around them. Let them have a little bit of room to ‘sway’ as they need to practise using their core muscles to learn to balance upright – this isn’t as possible in plastic ‘chair’ supports.

By 8 months babies can often (GM) sit unsupported, and may roll or pull their bodies along using their arms (dragging their legs). They may stand, holding onto support. In terms of FM, they may transfer a toy from hand to hand, may bang two objects together and may turn the object over or around.

You can help your baby by: Lots of floor time. Ensure the floor is clean, and clear of choking hazards – any small pieces and your baby will find them!. It’s often useful to lay on the floor yourself and check out what they can see, especially under

sofas. Show them how to bang objects together, and they will copy you.

Always supervise your baby whilst they play and explore.

Next week we’ll look at Motor Development from 8 months to 3 years.

Happy Parenting!

Sonja is a Senior Parenting Consultant, with 14 years parenting experience, on top of a 20 year teaching background. She is also a Life Coach. Sonja can be found at www.theparentingcafe.com.au or via email: sonja@theparentingcafe.com.au

Developing Motor Skills: Birth – 8 Months By Sonja Preston

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North West Region

CHAT had a stall at the Teddy Bears Picnic on Friday 24th October as part of the children's week celebrations in the NW. It was a great day, with lots of children enjoying making apple slinkies at our activity table. It was a great opportunity for families to learn about what CHAT offers members, including our fabulous Family Food Patch program, our NW CHAT groups, and our online mum community, NW Mums Network.

Our NW playgroups continue to meet weekly. Our Rosebery group meet every Wednesday at the Rosebery memorial hall at 10:30am, and our King Island group meet every Thursday at the KI racecourse also at 10:30am. The King Island Playgroup will be changing locations once the racing season starts up in November so stay tuned for location changes.

If you would like to start a playgroup or mums group in your town, drop me a line at kellyrechtin@gmail.com. CHAT will help secure a venue, provide all necessary resources and spread the word about your awesome new group, all while we support you fully along the way.

New support networks and friendships are waiting to be formed

Coordinator: Kelly Rechtin kellyrechtin@gmail.com 0408 538 349

Southern Region

A big THANK YOU to The Footsore Tasmania for sponsoring our Apple Slinky Stalls at various events we participate in. They generously supply the apples at each even ensuring that children have a healthy snack option while enjoying watching our volunteers transform the Huon Valley fruit into fun slinkies. Parents enjoy a chat with one of our staff or volunteers while children enjoy their snack. We’d love for our members to join us at these events and help with the slinky machines. Get in touch via the email address below if you’d like to help.

This month I set up one of these Apple Slinky Stations for Hobart City Council during school holidays in Collins Court and Elizabeth Mall. Later in the month, families enjoying the Playgroup Tasmania’s Teddy Bear Picnic also enjoyed our apple slinkies and a selection of free resources from Family Food Patch. It was SUCH a beautiful day!

Two of my favourite moments this month was visiting two new parent groups hosted by Child Health Clinics. Together with Royal Life Saving Society, I present to these brand new parents about what our association offers and how they can become better connected to the larger Southern Tasmanian community. A Royal Life Saving instructor then provides an information session on water safety for infants and children.

Coordinator: Christine Jolly hobartmumsnetwork@gmail.com 0400 518 154

Northern Region

Our regular groups in the North continue to run. New members are always welcome, for further information on meeting times and venues, please check out our website at www.chatas.com.au.

We had a good response to our advertisement for the vacant Northern Regional Coordinator position, and we are thrilled to have Katrina Lokan joining the CHAT team in November. Katrina will be an energetic and vibrant staff member and is really looking forward to sinking her teeth into getting CHAT up and running in the North again. It will be wonderful to have a new member join the team, to provide a specific focus on the northern region.

Come and meet her at the next Launceston Baby & Kids Market. (see below)

Coordinator: Vacant Written by: Alison Wood seo@chatas.com.au 0428 221 886

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Honouring Our Life Members Annette Bain Kathy Barry Mary Brain Denise Bizjak Julie Bott Mary Brain Karen Cashion Debra Chick Esme Clarke Gill Clarke Jenny Clements Barbara Cooper Elizabeth Cowan Marylynn Connelley Chris Dahlenberg Margaret Davis Dee Dawkins Brenda Dickenson Kathryn Direen Marianne Dolbey Maree Duggan Maria Eaton Kathryn Edwards Kathryn Ervin Jillian Freeman Martha Frankcombe

Ruth Freeman Maria Gill Fiona Gleeson Jan Griffiths Pat Harthen Anita Hine Lindy Holmard Suzette Holmes Eilin Hordvik Suzanne Horton Jenni Howlett Judy Hunt Pauline Hurd Mandy Jackson Elaine Johnston Anna Jones Marylynn Jones Rosemary Kellaway Mary Keller Tanya King Christine LeFevre Annette Langham Lyn Long Jillian Lynch Margaret Maine Celeste Marchant

Jessica Marston Susan McKinnon Jane McKnight Tanya McNeill Anita Meier Charlene Milner Christine Minchin Chris Mooy Louise Morgan Robyn Nandan Lynne Neep Carol Newbon Leanne Newson Sonia Ollongton Allison O’May Maree Peck Eleanor Phelan Jenny Ploughman Catherine Revell Pam Revell Audrey Richardson Fiona Ringrose Robyn Robertson Gail Saggers Judy Salter Raelene Salter

Leonie Scott Elizabeth Singleton Emily Shepherd Kaye Smith Linda Smith Tammy Smith Kristy Springer Loriee Snook Christine Stacey Janet Stephens Rhonda Stewart Anita Street Pat Swindells Shelley Thomson Lyn Williams Kerrie Walkem Ann Wedding Marion Wilson Jill Zeeman

*Please contact us regarding any missing members or edits.

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There will be lots of activities including games, face painting, magic show, chalking fun and a Hobart Children’s Talent Show! For more details contact: Amanda Midgley Community Development Officer Hobart City Council on 6238 2953

Initiative of the Hobart Children’s Week Working Group

The following programs are part of Child Health Association Tasmania

Business Connect Family Food Patch Growing Families

The Haven Hobart Mums Network

North West Mums Network Pram Walking Groups

Resource Libraries Retailers Discount Program

To find out more about our programs and membership, please visit our website

www.chatas.com.au

A/State Executive Officer Alison Wood 0428 221 886

seo@chatas.com.au

Finance/Admin Officer Matt Smith

0477 033 669 admin@chatas.com.au

Southern Regional Coordinator Christine Jolly 0400 518 154

hobartmumsnetwork@gmail.com

North West Regional Coordinator Kelly Rechtin 0474 114 784

kellyrechtin@gmail.com

Northern Regional Coordinator Vacant

Enquiries to Alison Wood

Family Food Patch Program Manager Emily Rataj

0409 405 789 familyfoodpatch@iprimus.com.au

Growing Families Program Manager Dianne Martin 0478 242 196

growingfamilies@chatas.com.au