Living and Loving asked 10 experts from different fields what they wish all parents knew.
Physiotherapist Samantha Timcke from Johannesburg wishes parents knew how to identity postural abnormalities or deformities in their children. “If conditions such as scoliosis [abnormal curvature of the spine], kyphosis [abnormal rounding forward of the shoulders and upper back] or leg-length differences are picked up early enough, they can be easily corrected at a young age, thus preventing problems such as back – and neck pain or muscular imbalances later in life.”
Children learn by examples set by their parents or other adults in their lives
Registered Dietitian Jeske Wellmann from Johannesburg wishes parents would realise that they are role models for their children and that they should set an example when it comes to eating healthily and making healthy food choices. “Children learn by examples set by their parents or other adults in their lives. You can’t expect children to eat healthily if their parents don’t. Parents give up too soon when trying to introduce healthy foods to their children. Children have to taste something at least 15 times before deciding whether or not they actually like that food.”
Paediatrician Dr Nicoletta Hay from Morningside Clinic in Johannesburg wishes parents knew that it is not the nature or the frequency of a cough that is important, but how a child is breathing in between coughing spells. “No matter how bad a cough sounds, if a child is not breathing with difficulty in between spells, the cough is of little relevance. A common cold can cause a cough for 10 days and doesn’t have to be stopped, as a cough protects a child’s chest.”
Educational Psychologist Karin Trollip from the family-focused Bella Vida Therapy Centre in Bryanston, Johannesburg says parents should love and accept their children unconditionally. “You will only have your children under your control for a few years and how you treat them will impact on how they treat you later on in life.”
Dentist Dr Jeff Michelson from the South African Dental Association wishes parents knew that if you start caring for your child’s teeth too late, chances are your child may experience problems, as tooth decay can progress very fast once established. “Just because kids eventually lose their baby teeth doesn’t mean these teeth are not important. Besides resulting in discomfort, decay of the baby teeth may cause early tooth loss, closing the spaces needed for permanent teeth. This may eventually lead to expensive orthodontic treatment that might otherwise have never been necessary.”
Independent Midwife and lecturer in Advanced Midwifery and Neonatology, Elgonda Bekker from Bloemfontein, wishes pregnant women knew that it is important to sing to their babies and to be happy to work towards a healthy pregnancy and baby. “The unborn baby is most sensitive to the voice of the mother. The stimulating capability of this wonderful voice in a higher tone with added rhythm is the most powerful natural stimuli to the eagerly developing brain.”
Speech Therapist Vicky Macrides from Johannesburg wishes parents knew that speech – and language difficulties are common and that seeking advice and therapy is the correct route to follow. “Parents experience enormous anxiety when their child needs therapy and intervention. Assessment procedures and training these days are of a high standard and therapists are well educated to treat speech – and language problems. Parents often spend time in anguish over the issue of their child needing therapy, but I would like families to embrace the process and enjoy it.”
Teachers at Giggles Nursery School in Johannesburg wish parents knew that their children aren’t always going to go home spotless. “Children don’t stay clean if they are out on the playground exploring and absorbing.”
Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Dr Dawie van Staden from Kempton Park wishes parents knew that ear -, nose – and throat infections are the most common childhood ailments. “Very often these infections are caused by viruses, not by bacteria – and should not be treated with antibiotics. Treatment should be symptomatic: for example, paracetamol should be given for the pain and fever.”
Occupational Therapist Maryna Rosentrauch from Pretoria wishes parents knew that the norms of development for children can vary significantly. “A norm that is set for walking, for instance, can vary by as much as six months and is still considered normal. A child may only start to walk at 18 months and will still be regarded as a normally developing child.”
Text by Xanet Van Vuuren, Illustration by Donnie Steyn, Taken from the October 2009 edition of Living and Loving
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