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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

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Supporting mums through pregnancy and beyond

“CityNews” speaks to businesses and services dedicated to supporting mums with pregnancy, birth, babies, kids and beyond.

BEING a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences, but it can also be one of the most challenging, especially as parents navigate their way through a whole new lifestyle.

A new addition is also a time of great change, with a lot of new products and services needed.

“CityNews” speaks to the businesses who can help support mums with pregnancy, birth, babies, kids and beyond.

Giving kids a headstart on their schooling

KIDSTART Southside Education and Activity Centre understands that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial for development, says owner Kristen O’Connor.

“Kidstart offers classes for children from five months to five years of age to develop them socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually,” she says.

Operating since 1996 and located in Wanniassa, Kristen says Kidstart offers three distinct and age-appropriate programs to ignite a love of learning.

The first program is for children under the age of three, to attend with an adult, and introduces them to music, stories and stimulating equipment.

The second program is a “Pre-Preschool” program for three and four-year-olds to attend by themselves before starting preschool.

“It has been amazing to see 26 years’ worth of kids and their families growing, loving, enjoying and benefiting from the program,” says Kristen.

The third program is Preschool PLUS. It’s designed for children to be involved alongside Preschool. The program is centred on phonics based literacy. 

“We use interactive computer sessions to expose the children to the letter sounds, letter identification and letter formation,” says Kristen.

“We are passionate about developing a love of learning in each and every child.

“By allowing them to thrive in an educational setting and experience the joy in exploring and achieving, we hope learning will be a lifelong passion for all our Kidstart kids.”

Kidstart Southside Education and Activity Centre, 65 Sternberg Crescent, Wanniassa. For enrolment enquiries visit kidstart.com.au or call 0422 406622.

Julie Tongs… “I’m not your generic CEO. I’ve had a chequered life, and I’m a little bit left of field.”  Photo: Holly Treadaway

Culturally safe and accessible maternity care

WINNUNGA Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Service’s midwifery program aims to remove barriers that prevent women from accessing maternity care by providing culturally safe, non-judgemental and flexible care, says CEO Julie Tongs.

“We focus on the clinical, cultural and spiritual needs of Aboriginal clients, families and the community and the midwifery program welcomed 68 babies into the community in 2020 and 2021,” says Ms Tongs.

“The midwifery team offers antenatal and postnatal care, community at home support, baby health checks, breastfeeding support, immunisations, and a range of women’s health services.

“Our midwives work closely with ACT hospitals, and assist in ensuring continuity of care between Winnunga Nimmityjah AHCS and hospital services”.

Ms Tongs says Winnunga also has a comprehensive child immunisation program they encourage patients to access.

“This also allows us to follow up on our patients’ progress with postpartum recovery, and to assist them with any needs in relation to caring for their infants,” says Ms Tongs.

“It is vitally important for high-risk clients to have access to Aboriginal specific, culturally appropriate midwifery services, as many choose not to access mainstream services without support.”

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services, 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah. Call 6284 6222 or visit winnunga.org.au

Senior meet preschoolers for ‘meaningful interactions’

NORTHSIDE Community Service is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation that has been supporting the community in North Canberra and beyond since 1976, says manager Kate Malone.

“We’re a progressive and modern community organisation that embraces diversity, social justice and advocacy for those in our community whose voices are often unheard,” she says.

“Northside supports young children through our high-quality early education services, children and young people through our youth programs and family support services, older citizens through our aged-care services and support programs, and the wider community through our housing, community development, outreach, and volunteer programs.”

Kate says “Learning Through the Ages” is a new and noteworthy intergenerational program that has been introduced this year at Northside.

“Each week our senior social group spends time with our preschool children from one of four Northside Early Childhood Centres, giving the opportunity for meaningful interactions and relationships to be built over a 10-week period,” she says.

“Research into intergenerational learning has shown extensive benefits for both the seniors and children in regard to their mental and emotional health, and overall wellbeing.

“This program has already proved an invaluable one here at Northside, and we are very excited to continue watching the countless positive outcomes unfold.”

Northside Community Service, 2 Rosevear Place, Dickson. Call 6171 8000, or visit northside.asn.au

The importance of a postnatal assessment

Marita O’Shea of Her Physio.

ALL women who have had a baby should have a postnatal assessment with a pelvic floor physiotherapist, according to Marita O’Shea of Her Physio.

“This is different from your six-week check with your obstetrician, GP or midwife,” she says.

“Every woman that has had a baby needs time to recover and every woman is different in terms of their recovery.”

Marita, a women’s health physiotherapist with postgraduate qualifications in pelvic floor rehabilitation says common postnatal issues are pelvic-floor weakness, urinary incontinence, abdominal separation, symptoms of heaviness or prolapse and lower back pain.

A postnatal assessment with a women’s health physiotherapist involves an internal pelvic-floor muscle assessment, a functional assessment of the deep abdominal muscles and abdominal separation, and a musculoskeletal assessment, says Marita.

“We consider your birth history, your exercise history and your exercise goals,” says Marita.

“Our aim is to support women to return to exercise safely after birth and prevent any long-term issues.

“For many women, exercise is important for their mental health. We encourage and assist women to continue to exercise safely in the postnatal period.”

Marita is available for consultations at Specialist Services in Deakin, where she works with specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists.

Her Physio, 12/12 Napier Close, Deakin. Call 6282 2033 or visit herphysio.com.au

Motina Hive CEO and founder Jordanna Davis.

Supportive workforce for mothers

MOTINA Hive aims to provide mothers with flexible work, training, ongoing development and mentorship including resume assistance, says CEO and founder Jordanna Davis.

“We provide businesses with support in social media, marketing, events, PR, website design, administration, project management and more,” she says.

“I noticed a gap for stay-at-home parents in the workforce and people are really struggling.

“I wanted to help support mums to receive an income, have flexible work, and be able to continue their professional development.

Jordanna says they have multiple packages available to suit any business needs.

“If you have a problem you need fixing, or not enough time to do all the little things, we can help,” she says.

“We provide a safe, supportive environment for mums to continue to work throughout early mumhood, keep their skills and work life going.”

Motina Hive will throw its launch party at 6.30pm on Sunday, December 18. 

Jordanna says it’s a $20 entry, with a drink on arrival, light snacks, a bar and entertainment.

“This will be a launch unlike any other.”

Motina Hive. Visit motinahive.com

Family store is ready for summer

FAMILY favourite store Lellow Kids is full of new summer clothing and footwear, says owner Jen Takiari, just in time for some Christmas shopping.

“We’ve got so many gift ideas,” says Jen. “From clothing and footwear to baby essentials, developmental toys, books, games and so much more for newborns up to eight-year-olds.”

“Because it’s a small business you really get to know the customers and experience all the different life stages with them,” says Jen.

“You’ll get parents coming in who are expecting, then they’ll come in with their baby, then they’ll come in and get their first shoes and then they’re getting things to start school.

“I just love getting to know people here, it’s a really fun place.”

Jen says she’s also proud that many of the brands stocked in store come from Australian businesses.

“Some of the brands we stock are unique to us, you’ll only find them here in Lellow,” she says.

“A lot of people shop here for Christmas gifts because we’ve got something that’s that little bit extra special.”

Lellow Kids, 63/30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. Call 6247 3679 or visit lellowkids.com

Program uses sport to develop important skills for kids

OWNER of the ACT chapter of Ready Steady Go Kids, Leonie Collis says the goal of their multi-sport program is to get kids moving and interested in being active from a young age.

Running year-round, the indoor program allows children aged one and a half to six to have a go at soccer, tennis, hockey, AFL, cricket, basketball, athletics, golf, rugby and tee-ball.

“The program covers all the gross motor skills associated with sports – catching, throwing, bouncing, kicking, batting, running, balance as well as spatial awareness” says Leonie.

“Getting their gross motor skills up means kids gain confidence, which they bring with them to school sports and PE sessions. 

“Having a strong body also helps kids with day-to-day activities like sitting at a desk, dressing themselves etcetera. Our hope is that these kids remain active and healthy throughout their lives.

“We’re open for enrolments all the time, parents can book their free trial any time.”

Leonie says parents are encouraged to get involved with the 45-minute classes, and that each child is able to attend one free session to ensure it’s suited to them.

She also says they take the program to Early Learning Centres.

“During the sessions there’s lots of socialising going on through lots of group activity,” she says.

“The kids get the opportunity to be amongst each other and make friends in the class, which is always great to see.”

Ready Steady Go Kids, visit readysteadygokids.com.au

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