INDEX

Fussy Eating (Continued) 2

Literacy & Auditory Processing & Memory 3

Whats On June 4-5

Mobile Service Centres 6

ALAC Swimming Lessons Flyer 7

Calendar 8

June Newsletter

Fussy Eating Many children are fussy eaters. Fussy eating is normal, but it can be hard to handle. Most of the time fussy eating isnt about food its often about children wanting to be independent. Here are some ideas that might help if you have fussy eaters in the family.

About fussy eating and fussy eaters

Its normal for children to be fussy eaters that is, to not like the shape, colour or texture of particular foods.

Its also normal for children to like something one day but dislike it the next, to refuse new foods, and to eat more or less from day to day.

This all happens because fussy eating is part of childrens development. Its a way of exploring their environment and asserting their independence. And its also because their appetites go up and down depending on how much theyre growing and how active they are.

The good news is that children are likely to get less fussy as they get old-er. One day your child will probably eat and enjoy a whole range of different foods.

How to handle fussy eaters: make mealtimes pleasant

Your childs willingness to try food will depend partly on the eating environment. Pleasant, low-stress mealtimes can help.

Here are some tips:

Make mealtimes a happy, social occasion. Try not to worry about spilled drinks or food on the floor. Instead praise your child for trying new food or eating healthy, familiar food.

Have realistic expectations for example, you can ask that your child tries all the food on the plate, or takes a certain number of mouthfuls.

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter please email cforc@amityhealth.com.au

AMITY HEALTH CforC NEWSLETTER 2015 | 6 PAGE 2

If your child is fussing about food, ignore it as much as you can. Giving fussy eating lots of attention can sometimes encourage children to keep behaving this way.

Make healthy foods fun for example, cut sandwiches into interesting shapes, or let your child help prepare a salad or whisk eggs for an omelette.

Turn the TV off so the family can talk to each other instead.

Sometimes toddlers are too distracted to sit at the family table for a meal. If this sounds like your child, try having quiet time before meals so she can calm down before eating. Even the ritual of hand-washing can help.

You could also encourage your toddler to sit at the table with the family for most meals, but only for 15 minutes or so. You can build this time up as he gets older.

Giving fussy eaters independence with food

It can be a good idea to support your childs need for independence when it comes to food.

If you give in to a few demands or preferences, youll help your child feel more in control. Shell also be more likely to eat what she has a say in choosing. For example, it doesnt hurt to take the crusts off bread if thats what she wants.

You could also try letting your child make choices within a range of healthy foods. Just limit the options to two or three things, so your child doesnt get too confused or overwhelmed to eat. For example, instead of asking your child to pick what he wants from the fridge, you could ask, Would you like grapes or carrot sticks?

Another top tip is getting your child involved in preparing family meals. Shell feel proud of helping and be more likely to eat something she has helped to make.

How to introduce new foods to fussy eaters

If you have a fussy eater who doesnt like trying new food, here are some tips that might help:

Put a small amount of new food on the plate with familiar food your child already likes for example, a piece of broccoli alongside some mashed potato.

Make food attractive. Offer your child a variety of different colours, shapes and sizes and let your child choose what he eats from the plate.

Keep offering a particular food. Your child will probably try it and eventually like it but she might have to see a food on the plate 10-15 times before she even tries a taste.

When possible, look for opportunities for your child to share meals and snacks with other children he might be more willing to try a food if other children are tucking in.

Serve your child the same meal the family is eating but in a portion size your child will eat. If your child doesnt eat it, say something like, Try it, its yummy. If she still doesnt want it, calmly say, OK, well try it another time when youre hungry.

Encourage your child to touch, smell or take a lick of the new food, then praise him for having a go. Then encourage him to take a bite. Praise your child for trying it.

Offer different foods from each of the five good food groups. For example, if your child doesnt like cheese, she might enjoy yoghurt instead.

Avoid unhealthy foods

Its tempting to offer your child food treats just so she eats something. But if you offer fatty, sugary or salty snacks as substitutes, your child might start refusing healthier foods after all, shell know there are tastier options!

Offering unhealthy treats as bribes for example, If you have a carrot, you can have some chocolate can also make your child more interested in treats than healthy foods.

This article was sourced from the Raising Children Network. To read the full article on Fussy Eating visit http://raisingchildren.net.au/

AMITY HEALTH CforC NEWSLETTER 2015 | 6 PAGE 3

Great Southern Early Years Network growing our children together

Conference - Albany

July 19th and 20th 2015

The Great Southern Early Years Network is hosting an Early Years (birth - 8 years) Conference in Albany, on Sunday 19th and Monday 20th July 2015.

The theme of the conference is Building CapacityGrowing our Children Together and recognises children as a shared responsibility of the whole community. The conference will include hands-on sessions as well as some inspirational guest speakers.

Maggie Dent, Mem Fox, Paul Prichard and Associate Professor Sally Brinkman are just a handful of the inspiring speakers.

For more information visit www.gseyn.org.au/ and like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gseyn

Listening and Auditory Processing & Memory

Efficient listening skills are essential for childrenfor classroom learning and for successful social interactions. The importance of listening is recognised across all areas of the school curriculum in Australia.

The ability to process auditory information is essential if a child is to comprehend the spoken word. Auditory processing has been defined as the ability to hold, sequence, and process accurately what is heard (Rowe, Pollard & Rowe 2003).

Children with short-term auditory memory difficulties may present in a variety of ways. They may: Be unresponsive to verbal instructions

Seem distracted Appear shy and withdrawn

Appear to daydream Say What? a lot

Look blank Be talkative

Become frustrated Present as lacking confidence.

Strategies you can try

Make sure you are looking at each other instead of trying to have a conversation while your child is in another room,

Make sure your child is looking at you and ready to listen before starting the conversation.

Reduce the background noise level when you are trying to have a conversation, e.g. turn off tv/music or leave that room and go to a quiet place.

Speak slowly and pause between thoughts, this will give your child time to process the information.

Repeat and rephrase important information.

Establish rules for active listening, e.g. the 5 Ls Lips, Legs, Laps, Look, Listen

If you have concerns regarding your childs development, Amity Health provides speech therapy services for children and can accept self referrals. Our therapists can advise whether a referral to a GP or other service provider may be appropriate. Call 9842 2797.

Adapted by a Speech Pathologist at Amity Health from: Rowe, K, Pollard, J & Rowe, K 2003, Auditory processing: literacy, behaviour and classroom practice, Australian Communication Quarterly, vol. 5(3), pp. 1347.

ALBANY Australian Breastfeeding Association

Meets every Thursday 10am - 12 at 18 Chester Pass Rd. (Albany Playgroup). A variety of topics discussed. All mothers, support people, babies/toddlers welcome.

To speak to a local ABA counsellor call Emilynne 9844 1458. Visit our website www.breastfeeding.asn.au or call our national helpline 24hr/ 7days a week 1800 686 268

Albany Breastfeeding Centre 99 Collie St. Appointments available Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Please call 9842 7561

Albany Babywearers Meets twice per month (next meet 29th June), 10am-12pm at the Church of Living Waters. Discuss safe baby carrier use, share tips & see demos. Contact albanyba-bywearers@gmail.com or www.facebook.com/groups/albanybabywearers or call Lisa 0475 193 836 for more in-formation.

Play in the Park Tues 10-12 Cull Park, with Storytime, Campbell Rd. Fri 10-12 Lange Park, Bayonet Head. YMCA

Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre 219 North Road Ph: 98418254: Free and low cost activities, call ahead for crche availability.

Bouncing Back Mon 9.15am Mums the Word Mon 11.45am and Thurs 9.30am Messy Maestros Tues 10am-11am starts 20th October Multiple Births Wed 9.15 am Garden GrubsWed 3:30pm Wednesday Women Wed 11:30am Early Parenting Wed 1:30pm Baby Rhyme Time Thurs 1:30pm Playgroup Fri 9:30am Produce Swap and Share 1st Sat of the month 10am-12pm Time Out Fridays Fri 12.30 2.30pm

Albany Library Story Time (2-4 yrs) Thurs and Sat 10.30am, Rhyme time (0-3 yrs) Wed and Fri 10.30am. Call 9841 9390.

Albany Museum 10am 4:30pm daily, range of activities, free - $5

Albany Playgroup 18 Chester Pass Rd. Caryn 0400 209 767.

ALAC Swim School All ages and stages welcome. Contact Nola on 98442274 or E: nolao@albany.wa.gov.au with any queries.

Immunisation Clinic Tues 1.30-4pm at Population Health, Warden Avenue. Thurs 1.30-4pm at Population Health, Warden Avenue. Please call 9842 7500 to make an appointment.

King River Playgroup King River Hall, Millbrook Rd. Playgroup and 3yr old Kindy. Contact Janine 0438 945 604

Little Grove Playgroup Tues & Fri 9am Little Grove Progress Hall. Contact Sherrie 0418 412 626

Mt Lockyer Primary School Playgroup Wednesdays term time: 9am-12noon at "Our Place" Bring a piece of fruit to share. For details call Christine 9841 1166 or christine.tozer@education.wa.edu.au

Mt Lockyer Child and Parent Centre Mt Lockyer Primary School demountable opposite Tuck Shop on South Coast Hwy. Contact Sarah Pegden: 0408 806 405 or spegden@wanslea.asn.au

Free activities for 0-5 year olds:

Rhyme timestarting 20th October, running every Monday thereafter from 9:3010:30am

Jumping Joeysenergetic sessions, every Tues from 9:30-10:30am.

My Time Support group for parents of children with special needs. Weds at 9.30 am. Wanslea call Di on 9842 9998

PCYC 77 Sanford Rd. Host a wide range of low cost youth activities Toddler Gym- Mon, Thurs at 10am Kindy Gym- Tues 4.30pm Strike II - Fri 7:30 pm Gym - Mon, Thurs, Fri 4pm, Sat 8:15, 9:45 am Jnr Rangers- Tues 6 pm Police Rangers-Tues 6:30 pm Contact 9842 1716 or 9841 6672 for after school care.

Rainbow Coast Toy Library Open Friday and Saturday 10am-12noon Located behind PCYC building Children 0-8 years. E: rctoylibrary@hotmail.com

Whats On in the Great Southern for June 2015

AMITY HEALTH CforC NEWSLETTER 2015 | 6 PAGE 4

Monday 1st June, 10am4pm COME OUT & PLAY WA Museum-Albany, Residency Rd Relax with family and friends this WA Day and discover more about the WA Museum.

On WA Day well be creating a festival event in the Museum Grounds so come and explore, and play at the WA Museum with these fabulous free activities

- Circus, skipping and puppetry performances - Sea of Hands reconciliation activity - Live Music (from noon onwards) - Mask Making - Lots of Kids activities - Postcards from paradise - Community Canvas with Artsource - Community BBQ

Plus a bouncy castle, face painting, kite making, Jamie the Clown with his amazing balloon skills and displays galore will have the kids enthralled and entertained

BORNHOLM Western Districts Playgroup

Thursday 9.30am.Bornholm Hall, Lower Denmark Rd. Renee 0458 149 735.

BREMER BAY

Playgroup Tues mornings at Bremer Bay CRC, call Veronica Thomas 0413 761 370

Play in the Park 1st Wed of the month, 10-12noon (term time only), Pelican Park (next to Library). Run by YMCA and Albany Public Library, contact 0409 048 204 or 9841 9331

DENMARK Rhyme time & Story time

Mon 11am & Story time Thurs 11am, Library, Strickland St. Ph: 9848 3006

Play in the Park 2nd Wed of the month, 10-12noon (term time only, Berridge Park (off Hollings Rd). Run by YMCA and Albany Public Library, contact 0409 048 204 or 9841 9331

Bubs & Bellies Tues 10am-12pm, Denmark Family Place-Denmark Primary School, Ph: 9848 0800

FRANKLAND RIVER Playgroup

Thurs 10am Community Centre 55 Wingebellup Road. Christen tcwcrichards@bigpond.com

GNOWANGERUP Play & Mothers Group

Tues 9.30am, Family Centre Building, Whitehead Rd, Julie 9827 9219.

Story time Thurs 9.30am, Gnowangerup Shire Library.

KENDENUP Playgroup

Tues 9.30 at Kendenup Hall. Story time

Fri 9.00 am at Kendenup PS

KATANNING

Katanning Public Library Storytime and Baby Rhyme Time at 10 am on alternating Tues. Contact Sue on 9841 4300

Badgebup Playgroup Wed 9.30am Badgebup Hall

Walk & Talk Wed 9am. Ph: 9821 2009.

Katanning Playgroup For families with children between 0 - 5 years. Wed, Thurs and Fri 9.30am12pm. 84 Conroy St (opposite public pool) E: katanningplaygroup@yahoo.com.au or like Katanning Playgroup on Facebook

Toy Library Tues 11-12 & Sat 10.30 11.30am Katanning Library, Austral Tce.

Play, Fun and Learn Mon 9.30-11.30 (for migrant families), Wed 10 -12 (open to all). Tues 9-11.30am Kitchen Garden (open mixed group). Based at Coolingah. Call Leanne at Wanslea 98211 1102

KOJONUP Playgroup

Thurs 9.30am Spring St

Toy Library Tues 9.30am, playgroup building

MANYPEAKS Manypeaks Play Caf

Tues 9-10.30am, Mount Manypeaks Primary School. Contact Fiona 9846 1269

MT BARKER Parent Group

Alternate Thursdays 10:30-12noon for parents with babies up to 6 months old, Child Health Clinic. Contact Carolyn Oliff 9851 1451

Mt Barker Toy Library Thurs 10-11.30 am, 1st Sat of the month 9:30-10.30 at Mt Barker CRC, Robin on 0402 115 680 or mtbarkertoy-library@gmail.com

Play in the Park with story time 10-12 Thurs, Mt Barker Library. YMCA.

Mt Barker Playgroup Wed mornings at the RSL Club, Booth St. Contact Tara 0448 124 443.

Lift Off to Learn 9.30-11.30am during term time. KP1, Mt Barker College. Fun for Aboriginal Families in the Plantagenet Area. Start your kids learning journey from birth. Run by Wanslea. Contact 9843 0077 or 0448 137198.

NYABING Nyabing Playgroup

9.00-11.00am on Thursdays. CWA Hall, Richmond St. Ph: 9828 5200 or E: jehobley@bigpond.com

PINGRUP Play in the Park

4th Wed of the month, 10-12noon (term time only), Burston Park. Run by YMCA and Albany Public Library. Contact 0409 048 204 or 9841 9331

SOUTH STIRLING South Stirling Playgroup

Tuesday 9.30 to 11.30am, South Stirling Hall.

TAMBELLUP Family Playgroup

Crowden St, Tues 10am term time. Rebecca 9825 1372. Indigenous Parenting Playgroup

Fri 9.30am Primary School. Play in the Park

3rd Wed of the month, 10-12noon (term time only, Diprose Park. Run by YMCA and Albany Public Library. Contact 0409 048 204 or 9841 9331

WALPOLE Early Years Playgroup

Tues 10am Walpole Primary School. 9840 1020

WELLSTEAD Playgroup

Wed 9.30-11.30am, Wellstead Primary School

Whats On in the Great Southern for June 2015

AMITY HEALTH CforC NEWSLETTER 2015 | 6 PAGE 5

AMITY HEALTH CforC NEWSLETTER 2015 | 6 PAGE 6

Mobile Service

Centres

Mobile Service Centres travel to rural and regional communities to provide people with information and access to government services.

Services we provide We offer a wide range of services to meet the changing needs of rural and regional communities. We can help you with:

new claims for most Centrelink payments

updating your customer information in our records

confirming customer documents and supporting information, such as certifying copies of birth certificates

information on how financial matters may impact your Centrelink payments

information on payment and service options to suit individual circumstances

rural payment entitlements for eligible farmers

non-cash Medicare transactions

Medicare registrations

information on Child Support payment and service options

social work support and referrals

support with and access to self service facilities (including online accounts and mobile apps)

free hearing health checks

Our staff are specialists in rural servicing and live and work in the communities they serve.

Who we help We provide information, assistance and support to all rural and regional residents, including:

older Australians

families

students

job seekers

people with disability

carers

farmers

self employed people

We can provide emergency on the ground support for Australian Government disaster recovery efforts.

AMITY HEALTH CforC NEWSLETTER 2015 | 6 PAGE 7

Communities for Children - Lower Great Southern is funded by the Australian Government via the Department of Social Services.

This program is part of the Department of Social Services Families and Communities Programme (FCP) providing prevention and early intervention programs to families with children who are at risk of disadvantage and disconnected from childhood services.

Communities for Children is managed by Amity Health with the aim of overseeing the development of activities and organising funding allocations to selected community projects in the Lower Great Southern.

Additional services available from Amity Health include:

Amity Health, 136 Lockyer Avenue/PO Box 5294, Albany WA 6332 T: 9842 2797 F: 9842 2798 E: cforc@amityhealth.com.au W: www.amityhealth.com.au

Speech Pathology Diabetes Education

Occupational Therapy Child Mental Health Dietetics

Add your Events Below: