🎧Learning and reading difficulties in children: is this the missing link?
What if some children diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia are in fact struggling with visual strain? Academic, optometrist & sports vision specialist Prof. Jannie Ferreira highlights the effect of 21st century living on sensory development and integration, physical literacy, the visual system and brain development. He explains how eye strain - related to screen time and particularly left-eye dominance - can contribute to learning and reading problems. He dicusses his new book which offers crucial insights and practical advice to prevent or address these fall-outs. A must-listen for parents.Sponsored content.
🎧Moms: Nurturing your baby, nurturing your brain
Neuroscience shows that Mom’s brain changes as she expects, births and nurtures her baby. How about Dad’s brain, or that of a foster mom or caretaker? Cozette Laubser explains how certain areas in the brain shrink or grow, how close contact with a baby “rewards” parents with feel-good hormones, and how being nurtured helps children develop a regulated nervous system. She reassures parents that parenting means growing a skill set and offers advice on exhaustion and moms returning to work.
How birth can shape a brain-body system geared towards resilience
Skin-to-skin contact during the 6 hours after birth has an enormous impact on the bond between Baby, Mom and Dad. Childbirth educator Cozette Laubser from BabyGym® describes how this affects a baby’s brain and those of its parents, and the role played by the triune brain, oxytocin, dopamine and cortisol. She offers practical guidelines for babies born prematurely or by Caesarean section - and supporting bonding once Baby goes home.
Three moms: “This helps me stay sane”
While we love our children deeply, parenting is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Three moms share their views of the challenges and joys of motherhood and offer practical insights, coping ideas and strategies.
Are you a tired, sleep-deprived mom?
Occupational therapist Tanya Muir sheds light on sleep problems encountered by parents, babies and young kids. Combining evidence-based solutions with her experience as a mom, Tanya explains how sleep deprivation can affect caregivers’ physical and mental health, weight loss after pregnancy, and love relationships. She offers practical interventions for getting better sleep all round.