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South African Maths Challenge 2012

Maths Challenge

SA Maths Challenge

Schools, classes and individuals are once again invited to compete in another exciting and educational SA Maths Challenge due to take place on the 18 and 19 September. The internet-based challenge, which is free to all learners from Grade R right through to grade 12, enables anybody to take part in real-time maths challenges powered by the Mathletics platform. Here they can put their best mental arithmetic skills against other students from around the world. Not only will the top performers go into the selection process to become Ambassadors of the World Education Games 2013 but there are lots of other exciting prizes up for grabs for the top students, classes and schools in each category.

The challenge is run in conjunction with 3P Learning, the founders of World Maths Day, and encourages learners from all over the country to practice hard to break the South African record for the largest online maths competition in the country. Rob Masefield, SA General Manager for 3P Learning says that in line with the goals of our education departments, this challenge is an ideal way for teachers to inspire learners by letting them do something different and inspiring with Maths.

The competition is very popular as it encourages learners of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to have a go at maths in a fun, interactive and accessible way and at a level which is suited to their varying abilities. They can improve the speed and accuracy of their maths in a fun interactive manner. Best of all participation in the competition is free – all students need is internet access, says Masefield.

Registration for schools is already open and students need to register before the night of 17 September. There are two distinct stages. Each day runs from midnight to midnight. The free practice session for learners commenced this week on 3 September allowing them the opportunity to hone their skills before the big event. Learners and teachers can go to www.samathschallenge.co.za to register and take part.

The first day is a Curriculum Maths Challenge where students are set a special challenge curriculum course, suitable for their age group. “This tests the students’ knowledge of Maths concepts, “says Masefield. The second day is where the fun really starts and here students compete in a live maths challenge. In sets of 60 seconds they play mental arithmetic races with other students from across the world. “Not only does this test their concept knowledge but also their speed,” says Masefield.

Masefield confirms that students already licensed for Mathletics or Spellodrome need not register and can automatically participate in the challenge by signing in to www.samathschallenge.co.za and using their existing user name and password.

In the 2011 South African competition nearly 50 000 students were eligible to compete and it is anticipated that the response this year will be even greater. “So come on, learners, register and get practicing!” encourages Masefield.

Super Mom Blog is giving away a R500 Exclusive Books voucher to one lucky student, you can enter the voucher giveaway yourself or get your mom or dad to enter for you! All you need to do is answer the simple question below, tell us what grade you are in and you could be spending that voucher at Exclusive Books!

All you need to do to win the R500 Exclusive Book Voucher is answer the simple question below:~
  • Who are the current top 3 students in the SA Maths Challenge – click here to find your answer. Remember to leave a comment with your answer and your grade in the comment section below!
    Please tweet about this to let you friends know – Enter the #SAMathsChallenge and Win a R500 Exclusive Books Voucher on @supermomsablog ! Or post about it on Facebook!

    Competition Details and Disclaimer:

    • The Maths Challenge Competition will run from 12th September 2012, until midnight on the 16th September 2012. The winner will then be randomly selected and announced on Super Mom Blog. The winner will also be notified via email that they have won.
    • The winner will receive a R500 Exclusive Books Voucher.
    • Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above; along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address). If you do not complete this step your entry will not be valid.
    • Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway but please advised that prize will only be shipped within South Africa. The prize may not be exchanged for cash.
    • Any person/s who have won a competition on Super Mom Blog in the last 3 months are not eligible for entry.

Children, Family, Fathers, Mothers, Parenting, Parenting Advice

Guilt Free Parenting

 

Much to my surprise the word “guilt” seems to be largely associated with the act of parenting; I have come across a few articles recently about this very association. Strangely enough they actually should have nothing in common but still we keep hearing about how guilty parents feel about : “ not spending enough quality time with their children”, “not participating in school events or functions”, “not giving equal attention to each child”… and so the list goes on.

Firstly let us look at the dictionary definition of the word “guilt” – “an awareness of having done wrong or committed a crime, accompanied by feelings of shame and regret”.  “OMW” 🙁 this does not sound like a healthy mind-set for someone trying to parent children.

The big question is, why are we feeling so much guilt and are we passing the “Guilt Gene” onto our children? I sincerely hope not because the last thing I want is my children growing up, with such a negative outlook.

If I think back to my early days of motherhood, I can remember feeling completely overwhelmed by the responsibility I had for this young life – if you let it, this can turn into feelings of guilt, inadequacy and even depression. We might not realise it but we may harbour feelings of regret or guilt from our own childhood and this can often manifest, in a damaging way in our own parenting.

Just the other day my 8-year-old was questioning why I had not completed filling in her baby journal and yes this is true (*Blush*) but I decided that instead of feeling guilty about it I would suggest that we complete it together! The result – making the experience a positive and bonding one, instead of me feeling wracked with guilt and explaining that I am not perfect . {And honestly have just not had the time.}

So what can we do to stop this pattern from occurring in our lives? I think, essentially we need to say NO to guilt! This brings me back to an article I read many years ago. I cannot tell you who wrote it but the essence is: you need to practice “good enough parenting”. This sounds like such an easy concept but think about it – you actually need to learn how to say “no”. That means not over committing yourself – which can be hard for many of us to do, especially moms. Stop being a people pleaser – ask me, I know I am one; stop trying to be everything to everybody! This includes your children. I need to remind myself, that I do not always have to give in to everything they want and I need to say no sometimes and yes – not feel guilty about it.

Another very important part of not allowing guilt to rule your life is not being afraid to fail because if we let our fear of not being a good parent or making mistakes take over, we can never be who we were truly intended to be as people or parents! So it really comes down to “the good, the bad and the ugly” no holds barred Guilt Free Parenting.

This clearly is something I know I need to work on – so let’s say it together “I will banish the guilt!” Stop trying so hard and being so hard on yourself -stop the blame game – let it go and just be free from it!

A few books on the topic which could be helpful to read:
  • “Guilt-Free Motherhood: Parenting with Godly Wisdom”- by Julianna Slattery
  • “Mommy Guilt: Learn to Worry Less, Focus on What Matters Most, & Raise Happier Kids”- by Julie Bort, Aviva Pflock and Devra Renner MSW
  • “The Balanced Mom: Raising Your Kids Without Losing Yourself”- by Bria Simpson
  • “Motherhood Without Guilt: Being The Best Mother You Can Be and Feeling Great About It”-by Debra Rosenberg

*Please note: This is an update of a previous post.*

 

Children, Competitions, Education, Family

Pictures and Words Toddlers Book Giveaway

Pictures and words

Learning to read is such an important milestone in your child’s life and as parents we need to provide the right tools for our children to do so! The Pictures and Words Toddlers Book is a perfect first reader for those chubby little hands. It is made from durable cardboard, is fun and colourful, with pictures and words that reflect our local culture.

Pictures-&-Words2

I am pleased to announce that I am giving away 5 of these super cute Pictures and Words Toddlers Books!

What do you need to do to enter:~

  • Like Super Mom Blog’s Facebook Page.
  • Once you have completed all of the above steps leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have done so .
  • Please tweet about this fab giveaway to let you friends know – Fun for kiddies with Pictures and Words @supermomsablog  ! Or post about it on Facebook!

Competition Details and Disclaimer:

  • The Pictures and Words Toddlers Book Giveaway will run from 23rd August 2012, until the 31st August 2012. The winner/s will then be randomly selected and announced on Super Mom Blog. The winner will also be notified via email that they have won.
  • The winner/s will each receive a Pictures and Words Cape Town Book valued at R100 each.
  • Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above; along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address). If you do not complete this step your entry will not be valid.
  • Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway but please advised that prizes will only be shipped within South Africa. The prize may not be exchanged for cash. 
  •  Any person/s who have won a competition on Super Mom Blog in the last 3 months are not eligible for entry.

Be Inspired, Children, Family, Fitness, Lifestyle, Reviews and Features

Flexi-bar

 

The Flexi-bar is a revolutionary fitness tool from Germany, which activates both voluntary and involuntary muscles in a shorter space of time. The Flexi-Bar was originally developed by physiotherapists in Germany and was designed for rehabilitation purposes. The tool assists with injury prevention and faster injury rehabilitation.

Due to our modern-day lifestyle, our children spend far too much time indoors and not enough time engaging in physical activities such as climbing trees, playing on jungle gyms and riding bikes. This type of inactive lifestyle has led to an increase in the under development of children’s muscles and co-ordination skills.

The Flexi-Bar, available from Flexi-Sports SA, is a great tool for introducing the concepts of core conditioning and dynamic torso stability to children, as well as being an entertaining and stress relieving way to exercise. The Flexi-Bar is a proven therapy for mending and preventing back pain, therefore training with the bars will result in strong healthy backs and better circulation for the learners and this will lead to more effective working.

According to ADHASA, ADHD is believed to affect 10% of the South Africa population, and is prevalent in every ethnic and socio-economic cluster. Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder is believed to affect 8-12% of school-aged children worldwide.

Children suffering from ADD and ADHD can benefit from using the Flexi-bar, as it helps improve concentration, blood flow, oxygen intake and co-ordination. The Flexi-Bar engages muscle inter-play and improves intra and inter-muscle coordination.

Traditional gym work-outs are not enough to combat ADD and ADHD in children as the training only encourages muscles to work in isolation as opposed to interplaying and working together.

The Flexi-Bar uses vibration training to create muscle tone and strength.  As you swing a Flexi-Bar, vibrations pass through your body. These signals tell the muscles they are being pushed away from their centre and they must automatically contract to bring themselves back. The deep core muscles are involuntary, thus they are notoriously difficult to target and strengthen effectively. This is why 80% of the population suffers from back pain at some stage of their lives.

The Flexi-Bar can be used off the sports field and in the classroom by remedial departments and results in improved concentration, blood flow, oxygen intake, coordination, as well as right and left side brain stimulation.

Many schools in South Africa have joined the likes of some of the world’s top sporting teams such as Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Newcastle FC and a host of Olympic gold medallists, in choosing the Flexi-Bar tool to add to their existing sports-specific programme.

To order your Flexi-Bar and enquire about Flexi-Bar training sessions please visit www.flexi-sports.co.za  or call 021 683 9981. You can also follow Flexi-Bar on Facebook.

We are giving away a Kids Flexi-Bar, valued at R900, to one lucky reader. All you need to do is “like”  Super Mom Blog on Facebook and “like” Flexi-bar on Facebook. Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above, along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address).

 

Competition Details:

  • This giveaway will run from Friday 20th July 2012, until the 27th July 2012. The winner will then be randomly selected and announced on my blog on the 28th July. The winners will also be notified via email that they have won.
  • The winner will receive 1 Kids Flexi-bar to the value of R900.
  • Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above; along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address). If you do not complete this step your entry will not be valid.
  • Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway but please advised that Flex-bar is situated in South Africa and the prize will only be shipped within South Africa.  The prize may not be exchanged for cash. 

This competition is closed

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