It’s almost here. Summer fun and holidays are starting to phase out and the reality of heading back to school is kicking in fast for families. For some, it might be just “another” new year, but for others it would be completely new and a lot of the times, clueless. 

Don’t panic. You’re not alone in this. 

Here are top 5 tips for starting (or going back to) school that will help keep you and your children confident, happy, and starting Term 1 on a positive note. 
## 1. Have the 'talk' with your child about starting school
It’s a great way to get into the mindset of starting the new school year. Think of it as an ‘open plan’ where the whole family can dive into a conversation about anything, from what they’re looking forward to, as well as some of the worries or questions that your child might have. This will help to provide some sort of structure and an overview of the issues that matter specifically to your child and your family. 

As a family, it’s important to talk about getting back into a routine. If you’re still on the ‘school holiday clock’ you may need to let your child know that they’ll need to rest up well the night before and allow themselves time to get ready in the morning. For working parents, this means possibly getting up earlier than usual to help your child prepare for school, as well as getting yourself ready to head out on time. 

## 2. Don't feel pressured to buy everything
Especially for Term 1, we feel like we need fresh gear to help us get into the ‘new term mode’. Don’t get tricked into buying unnecessary things you’ll only regret once they actually start school. 

For example, there’s the school comms (flyers, newsletters, etc.) that list absolutely everything you think you need to buy; then you hear about all the things that “Sally” (another new school parent) has got for her little one; or you come across blogs and social pages that list everyone’s everything (we’re not one of them!).  

Create a list by separating the ‘needs’ from ‘wants’ to get a better idea of the essentials and expenses estimated for Term 1.  

Things like buying uniforms for new school parents can be overwhelming. A great tip is to start off by only getting current season pieces (summer shorts, polo tees), rather than trying to buy a whole year’s worth of wardrobe from the get-go. Some children will have an unexpected growth spurt and may not fit into their uniforms by winter. 

## 3. Create a lunch plan you can stick to
We get it. You can’t possibly plan out a whole term’s worth of lunches in advance, keeping in mind there will be plenty of ‘special lunches’ at school and other circumstances where it may be difficult to stick to your plan. But there’s a way you can set up a plan that you can adhere to, whilst being flexible with it. 

A handy tip is to select your ‘hero lunch’ of the week. This can be whatever your child likes, from lasagne to a ham & cheese sandwich. Once you have your hero lunch locked in for the week, you can alter or substitute others (i.e. fruit, morning tea snacks) as you shop for your weekly groceries or as they’re available.  

If you have a fussy eater who doesn’t like eating the same lunch two days in a row, you can prepare your mains by sorting them into ‘cold’ and ‘hot’, or ‘sweet’ and ‘savoury’ options to alternate every other day. For example, a ‘cold’ lunch can be a chicken wrap while a ‘hot’ one can be pasta (in an insulated food container), where a ‘sweet’ lunch can be a slice of banana bread while a ‘savoury’ one can be corn fritters... you get the idea. 

The point is to set your ‘main lunch(es)’ for every week or two in advance, so you don’t suddenly run out of ingredients and panic about what to pack for lunch the next day.  

## 4. Stay calm and on top of school communications
Even before your child starts Term 1, you may get an e-mail from the school in regard to preparing for day one. And that’s only the beginning. 

Soon, you’ll find that your inbox will be full of newsletters, reminders, events and more coming through every other day. It can start to get quite overwhelming, especially for a new school parent. 

The first thing you need to know is that you don’t have to stay on top of EVERYTHING. Even if you just know another school parent, or are invited to join the parents’ social page, that will be enough to be aware of any key news and events coming up for your child.  

Don’t feel pressured to be involved in everything either. You’ll come to know that there are different families with different ‘participation’ levels when it comes to school calendar events. Especially as a new school parent, we often feel as if we need to be 100% involved just to feel as if you’re doing your part while your child is adapting to school. 

A practical tip for any 'lost' parent, is to make a note (or add it in your calendar) to set up notifications to remind you of only the things that are important – and come near the date, you can either choose to participate if you can (i.e. volunteering to help at swimming) or pass it up (i.e. due to work commitments). Remember, no one is judging you based on how engaged you are at school. 

## 5. Sharing is caring
You know the phrase “knowledge is power” - but as a school parent, knowledge is peace. If you know what’s happening in your child’s school and what events are coming up, you’ll have assurance and the confidence to go about your day – in peace, not panic. 

Whether you choose to take part or not is completely up to you and your child but knowing that certain events are taking place regardless will ensure that you’re always ‘on track’ with school duties as a parent. 

One of the best places to share, engage and be informed is a social platform where parents of the same year level are communicating. Usually, there is a Facebook page or something similar where parents can ask away day-to-day or random questions (shamelessly) and you see others commenting or providing their answers.  

If you’re a first-time school parent, this is particularly helpful as it may act as a ‘guide’ to Term 1 and lead to building friendships, as well as provide opportunity to network with other parents. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions or share what you know – a lot of parents are appreciative of any information regarding their child’s school life. From “Has anyone seen Sam’s hat?” to “What’s everyone doing for the school holidays?” (Ahem, Rocketeers!), and even recommending good reads other children may enjoy, no info is TMI.  

###### **_Your OSHC_ Before and After School bookings are now open for 2023 - [BOOK HERE](https://campaustralia.com.au/your-oshc)!**

Top 5 Tips for Starting Term 1

Tips

Safer Internet Day (7 February) is a global event that brings together communities, families, schools and organisations from more than 200 countries to help create safer online spaces. 

This worldwide initiative is celebrating 20 years in 2023, making it a great time to reflect on how far we have come, as well as look forward. This year’s key message for Safer Internet Day by the Australian Government and eSafety Commissioner is **Connect. Reflect. Protect.** 

Here are top 3 tips to creating a safer online experience for your children, whether at home or school.  

**CONNECT with care – and carefully.** Whether children are connecting with their peers through a social platform or an online network, you as a parent (or an educator) should teach them that the online space is not an outlet for negativity. This includes bullying, stalking, leaving hate messages and any other misconduct that they should not provoke or engage in.  

It should be used with love, care and kindness to develop healthy relationships and create an environment where everyone feels safe to share and interact. An important tip for children using mobile devices is to keep their apps secure with protected access (PIN, passwords), and for parents to set up a ‘child-lock’ to ensure they are not getting access (or exposed) to inappropriate ads or apps. 

**REFLECT before you act.** Children tend to react to digital content instantly, and quite bluntly sometimes. Whether it was intentional or not, comments and messages left online for someone can be misunderstood by the receiving end, and even hurtful with lasting scars – or cause trauma. Something to consider for parents (and educators) is to teach your children the ‘power of words’ and how they can affect others. It can even save lives in some instances.  

Research has shown that when a group of cyber bullies were asked to read their own comments they had posted online, it was aimed to be a ‘shock treatment’ for them to realise how their ‘words’ would have affected others. A tip is to understand why your children are feeling negative towards something or someone, and what you could do to help them ‘resolve’ this feeling.

**PROTECT your children by taking caution and action.** The best way to protect your children online is to understand prevention. Sure, you can protect them to some degree by taking them off social platforms altogether, but that might be difficult in this digital-heavy world. The first step is to [educate children about protecting themselves](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/how-parents-can-help-children-thrive-in-a-digital-world) and reaching out to family and school if they are experiencing difficult situations that are impacting their life in a negative way. 

At Camp Australia, we support Safer Internet Day. The world is more connected than ever before, making online safety awareness even more important. That's why our 2023 message is encouraging everyone to Connect. Reflect. Protect. Talk to your family and school community by asking what they could do to reduce the risks of harm online and make online safety awareness important.

Safer Internet Day: Online Safety Tips

Blog

It’s that time of the year when school is back for Term 1, and primary school-aged children in Year 3 and 5 (and Year 7 and 9 in high school) across the country are getting ready to sit the annual NAPLAN. It’s a “testing” time for some but it’s the parents that need to do the heavy lifting, so they provide their children with support and encouragement to approach the tests in a positive way. That's why NAPLAN preparation is always important.

**What is NAPLAN?** 

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy, is a series of tests focused on basic skills that are administered to Australian school students. This year, it will be held during Term 1 from Wednesday 15 March to Monday 27 March. 

**Why NAPLAN?** 

NAPLAN helps governments, education authorities and schools to get an overview of whether young Australians are reaching important literacy and numeracy goals. The NAPLAN test also provides information about how education programs are working, areas for improvement, and which schools need support in the teaching and learning of literacy and numeracy. 

It also allows parents to see how their child is progressing against national standards over time. It provides a way to see how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and mathematics, which are basic skillsets that will set them up for the path to success as adults. 

**The NAPLAN nerves** 

For many children, the thought of taking a test can be confusing and a little scary. For Year 3 students sitting the NAPLAN test for the first time, they may find it overwhelming and, in some cases, may not be fazed by it at all because they don’t know what to expect (or what is expected of them).  

If your child is feeling nervous about the upcoming NAPLAN tests, there are ways you can help as a parent to get them ready and hopefully ease their worries with the right NAPLAN preparation.

Dr Helen Schiele, Principal Consultant and Early Years Specialist at Independent Schools Victoria, has stressed how the language parents use with their children makes all the difference. 

_“It’s important your child knows that you will remain incredibly proud of them no matter the test results, as long as they tried their best, and they were able to draw upon a series of strategies to help them manage the testing space. For a test should be seen as a celebration of what your child knows, understands and how they can demonstrate their thinking.”_ 

**Top tips for parents** 

If your child is feeling worried or anxious, here are some tips to help them beat the NAPLAN jitters. 

1. **Have a positive and encouraging conversation about it.** Ask your child what they are worried about and why. This will help you understand their concerns better and give you an opportunity to provide support with positive guidance ahead of the NAPLAN tests. 
2. **Eat well and rest well.** Getting plenty of sleep and keeping to a [healthy diet](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/the-healthy-eating-dietitian-approved-cookbook) can have an impact on both physical and mental wellbeing. It’s important that your child is feeling calm and confident leading up to the NAPLAN tests, so they feel their best on the day, inside and out. 
3. **Be active and limit screen time.** Too much screen time can increase stress levels and make it harder for children to focus or get back to studying. A great way to keep stress levels down is to let your child do the things they enjoy each day, especially being outdoors and engaging in meaningful play. See our blog on [How to Manage Screen Time](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/managing-screentime-throughout-the-years) for more information.
4. **Avoid last-minute cramming.** Whatever you are preparing for, rushing into it is never the answer. Trying to cram everything in the last couple of days will only increase stress and anxiety, causing your child to feel overwhelmed on test day. Ideally, it would be best to set aside some time each day to prepare for the NAPLAN tests in advance, even if it’s just learning one new thing a day. 
5. **Celebrate the effort, not the outcome.** The most important thing is that they ‘gave it a go’ and did their best with what they knew on the day. It’s about praising their efforts rather than focusing on the results. Parents need to assure their child that the test is only about their abilities on one day, and not who they are as a person.  



_Read more about [encouraging positive thinking in kids](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/how-to-encourage-positive-thinking-in-kids-1), and [inspiring motivation](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/how-to-inspire-motivation-for-kids) when children are faced with challenges and how you can support them._ 

NAPLAN: Tips for Parents to Support Children

Our children are growing up in a world where online experience is unavoidable. Although there are educational and helpful platforms, the concerns around harmful and negative online content are ever growing. Our latest survey has shown 42% of families are concerned about too much unproductive screen time in children (CIS, 2022). Today, eSafety for kids is becoming more and more important. 

Schools are equipped with guidelines and resources to keep children safe online, but what about at home and beyond? That’s why online safety for parents is also important. 

It’s vital to protect kids online today and the support and guidance parents provide children will help them to safely navigate their digital world and have the confidence to make the right decisions online.  

Here are some practical online safety tips for parents with children aged 5 to 12. 

1. Keep the computer or smart device in an area of your home where you can see and supervise. You don’t want it to become “out of sight, out of mind” with what your children are accessing and viewing. 
2. Set rules for usage time and content (what type of websites they can visit). Even if you have a family video game session, make sure you as a parent stick to the rules as well. It's limiting how much time they’re allowed to spend on devices, with or without your involvement. 
3. Choose apps and games that are age appropriate. This can be found on the App Store or Google Play, where age ratings and consumer advice are displayed. 
4. Ensure your devices are protected by a password or PIN and set up Parental Controls (or even a separate child profile for certain apps), so they don’t accidentally access content that isn’t for them. 
5. Have an open and engaging line of communication. Let your child understand that there is unsafe and inappropriate content online, and should they ever come across any, they should be able to come to you to talk about it. 
6. Revise the rules as children get older. You know when they grow out of their clothes and it’s time for a new wardrobe. The same goes for their online journey. You need to be conscious of their age and review the rules constantly to ensure they’re safely accessing content that’s age appropriate. 



**For parents:**
You can access more information on eSafety through [HERE](https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItsCjvYHp_QIVSQQrCh1WawtSEAAYASAAEgKbWfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds). Ensure you stay up to date with protecting kids online and find more [online safety tips](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/safer-internet-day-online-safety-tips) for Parents here. 

eSafety for Parents

With children back at school and Term 1 in full swing, there is one challenge in education that seems to be impacting schools and families. We’re seeing the continuing fallout of COVID, where last year there was a big drop in attendance rates from the impact of the pandemic and lockdowns.  

School attendance is a massive issue, according to Hon Jason Clare, Minister for Education, and something that wasn’t just hit by COVID. He plans to address this issue for the next meeting of Education Ministers, along with challenges of teacher shortages and funding arrangements for schools. 

There is evidence that school attendance rates have been dropping for the last 10 years, and it’s not just a certain age group, gender or State that are part of this. School refusal happens amongst boys and girls, and in every year from kindergarten to high school, in every State and Territory across the country. 

**So, why are children refusing to go to school?** 

School refusal is different from skipping school. It happens when children (or adolescents) regularly refuse to attend school and/or experience significant stress when faced with the idea of leaving for school each day. 

There are several possibilities why children may refuse to go to school: 
- Social anxiety (fear of social situations, separation anxiety) 
- Learning difficulties (struggling with academic work) 
- Mental health issues (depression, anxiety) 
- Family problems (trauma, divorce, violence) 
- Negative school experiences (challenges with peers such as bullying) 

Understanding the root of the cause and being supportive and responsive (as a parent) is the best way to approach school refusal with children.  

Some people believe tough love is a simple, ‘quick fix’ to school refusal. However, [research](https://ojs.journals.cz/index.php/CBUIC/article/view/801) has shown such an authoritarian approach can have negative impacts on children. If they are being forced or punished because of it, children are likely to develop low self-esteem, a lack of independence and difficulty forming healthy relationships. 

**Major concern for children’s mental wellbeing** 

Camp Australia's Child Impact Survey (Dec 2022) has found that 68% of school leaders are concerned about the mental wellbeing of children, and more than a third of families (36%) concerned about children’s socialisation, despite the end of lockdowns. 

From the survey, we have found 5% of families said school refusal was their main concern, where 9% of those said their child’s behaviour/situation to school refusal got worse compared to the last 3 years. 

**Helpful school refusal strategies for parents** 

Address the issue in a supportive way and work together as a family to find a solution that works for your child. You can’t necessarily go from 0 to 10, but there are small steps you can take to encourage and let your child understand the need for school in a positive way. There must also be a promising partnership between the parents and the school for the child to go back to school successfully.  

School refusal strategies include:  
- Developing a plan together to work on alternative ways (home/online schooling) 
- Providing emotional support to help the child [feel more confident](https://www.campaustralia.com.au/blog/how-to-build-self-confidence-in-a-child) about attending school 
- Encouraging positive relationships with peers, teachers and the school community 
- Seeking professional help through counselling 

Hon Jason Clare MP held a press conference earlier this year in support of this issue. 

_“We’re going to roll out more than $200 million in a wellbeing boost to help students right across the country to bounce back from the impact of COVID. That’ll mean, on average, about 20 grand to each and every school across the country to spend on things like psychologists or counsellors or school excursions or school camps – the sorts of practical things that we know make a big difference to student wellbeing.”_ 

The focus for families with children who are refusing to go to school may be more on identifying the cause and addressing the issues, while working with the school to create a positive and encouraging environment to support them. The important thing is to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. 




_If this blog has raised issues for you or someone you know, you can call [Lifeline](https://www.lifeline.org.au/) on 13 11 14 or [Kids Helpline](https://kidshelpline.com.au/) on 1800 55 1800._ 

How to Deal with School Refusal

With around 81% of children aged 8 to 17 having played an online game _(State of Play Research, eSafety Commissioner 2023)_, children and games are almost inseparable in today's digital-heavy world. This is why it’s important to implement online gaming safety with children. 

Although online games can be great fun – and even educational – for your child, there’s a need to make sure parents and carers are creating a safe environment to help manage the risks that are around children. 

Many games can improve your child’s coordination and problem-solving skills, as well as provide entertainment through interactive play. However, it’s also important to be aware of the negative impacts that could potentially pose harm for your child from participating in online gaming. 

As a guide from the eSafety Commissioner, there are 5 basic ways to create a safer gaming environment for your child. Read our online gaming safety tips below: 

- Prepare by locating the computer or game consoles in an open area of your home 
- Build good habits around online gaming safety by helping your child to protect their privacy online and teach them not to click on links provided by strangers  
- Stay involved and talk regularly with your child about their gaming interests, as well as monitoring their time spent online 
- Be aware of what they are playing as online games can vary in their level of violent or sexual content which may not be suitable for your child 
- Empower your child to help them make wise decisions for themselves when online gaming, rather than telling them what to do as it will help build their confidence and resilience 

So, how do you know if your child is spending too much time gaming or if they’re practising online gaming safely? Well, there is no magic number of hours to answer that question. The best way to find out is by looking out for some key signs such as: 

- Less interest in social activities and withdrawn from family 
- Not doing so well at school 
- Reduced personal hygiene 
- Obsession with particular games or websites 
- Appearing angry or anxious when away from the computer 

There are ways to address ‘too much gaming’ to your child by setting firm limits as a family, but there may also be underlying issues related to problematic internet use, such as depression and anxiety. If you notice any changes that concern you, you can get help for your child through a [counselling or supports service](https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/counselling-support-services). For more advice for parents and carers read Camp Australia’s [eSafety Blog](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/e-safety-for-parents) now. 

Online Gaming Safety Tips: Not All Fun and Games

If you’re struggling with your fussy eater, there are strategies that can help even the most reluctant children to try new foods. But before we skip over to the solutions and provide you with some dinner ideas for picky eaters, we need to understand why kids are so picky with food. 

When it comes to fussy eaters, there isn’t one primary reason. According to a [2015 review](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666315003438) that includes studies which date back to the 1990s, picky or choosy eating habits were linked to and affected by various reasons, from personality traits to parental control at mealtime, social influences and even maternal eating patterns – or your kid just being a kid! 

There are proven strategies for picky eaters when coupled with patience, persistence and some expert insight. 

**Provide and let them play** 

Do you feel like you’re heading into a war zone come dinnertime with a fussy eater at home? We get you. If you’re flustered about feeding your child and prepping food for a picky eater, remember that it’s only your responsibility to prep and provide the meal, while the child is responsible for whether they want to eat it. 

The idea is to provide healthy options for your child, then ‘leave it up to them’ to chow down. It may be difficult for parents who were raised to clean their plates and not to ‘play with their food’. It takes patience and consistency, but let your child be involved in the meal prep process and ‘play’ with the ingredients so they grow a liking to it through action (i.e. chopping, washing, handling). It’s good to get them into food at an early age, and it’s also a creative activity for kids which will keep them entertained for hours.  

**Scale back on snacks**  

This may be an obvious one, but we all know snacking prior to a mealtime will ruin your appetite, especially if you’re a picky eater. There are many studies that found when families had reduced their snack/beverage intake between meals, children were more receptive to trying something new (to eat) because they were truly hungry.  

The best practice is not to go cold turkey on snacks but to lower or cut back to one to three snacks at relatively consistent times throughout the day, so it doesn’t limit your little one’s hunger for dinner and helps their stomach be ready to consume food comfortably (not starving and not full). 

**Go small, slow and steady** 

The key to any change is to do it gradually over time. Discover what makes your child so put off by certain foods. Is it the colour? The texture? The smell? Once you know why, try a different way of serving or incorporating that ingredient into meals. For example, if your picky eater hates broccoli, instead of serving it whole steamed or in chunks in a stir-fry, you might want to try blending it into mashed potatoes to change the ‘look’ and texture of it. 

They might still know there’s broccoli inside and refuse to eat, but this is where persistence and encouragement need to kick in. Give them time, allow them to ‘investigate’ and let them eat with foods they like or add a different flavour (i.e. sauce) to it. These small changes will make a difference – you just need to stick with it and be creative with dinner ideas for your picky eater! 

**Harness the power of peers** 

Getting your fussy eater to at least try is half the battle and there’s no one that can influence your child more than a friend. When they see their friend take a big bite out of that sandwich with tomato inside, they’re more likely to try it – or even outdo their friend by taking two bites! 

This is great for instilling some ‘friendly rivalry’ when you need an extra push to help your child try new foods they wouldn’t otherwise. Ditto for dinner guests (i.e. family members they like or look up to) or at playdates and parties where they see their peers do it and are likely to be less picky and naturally accept what’s on offer.  


Want to entice the picky eaters in your home to make some healthy choices? Discover our [Healthy Snack Ideas](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/healthy-snack-ideas-for-hungry-children) Blog for some delicious food choices they won’t be able to resist. Or for times when you need some quick and easy snack ideas, read our tips for [fueling your body here](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/quick-and-easy-ways-to-fuel-your-body-with-food). Cooking is the perfect activity if you’re looking for [things to do over the school holidays](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/6-school-holiday-activities-to-entertain-the-kids).  

Why kids are fussy eaters & how to help

Embarking on culinary adventures with your child is a great way to create lasting memories and grow a stronger bond. While it’s a journey that is undeniably rewarding, it can be quite challenging when cooking with children. Fear not, for here are some top tips to transform cooking with little ones into an enjoyable and sanity-preserving experience for all!

Before we delve into the tips, it’s important to discuss the benefits of involving children in cooking:
- **Creates a lasting connection:** Engaging in culinary activities with your child offers a unique bonding experience. By working together to achieve something that you’ll both enjoy, you can grow the connection and bond between you and your child, as well as create cherished memories that will never forget.
- **Promotes a sense of responsibility:** Allowing your child to assist or take charge of certain aspects of cooking will help to encourage their independence, as well as build their confidence in the kitchen. Entrusting them with tasks gives them a sense of control and accountability, resulting in a positive experience (i.e. growing their love for food, getting to do a hands-on activity, enhancing social skills).
- **May help fussy eaters:** Children are more likely to try new foods if they take part in making them. By involving your child in food preparation, you might inspire them to explore and taste new flavours, and potentially address the issues of picky eating habits. You can read more about [why kids are fussy eaters and how to help](https://campaustralia.com.au/blog/why-kids-are-fussy-eaters-and-how-to-help).


Alongside the benefits, there can be challenges when cooking and baking with children. Here are some tips you may want to consider the next time you plan to have your little one join you in the kitchen!

##### **1. Pick a good time**
Timing is everything when it comes to doing any activity with children. Choose a time in a day when they feel the most energetic and eager to engage in a new activity. Cooking with a cranky, hungry, or tired child is destined for a disaster, so ensure they are well-rested, fed, and happy to help!

##### **2. Embrace the mess**
It’s inevitable. If you can’t avoid it, then embrace it! From sprinkles all over the counter to eggshells in batter, and even some flour in hair (or hair in the flour), tell yourself that messes happen and it’s okay. You wouldn’t want to focus so much on being squeaky clean during cooking, but more on the process and the preparation. But that’s not to let them get away with the mess they created – involve them in the clean-up process after, so they learn to understand cleaning up is part of the experience.  
Making the cooking and cleaning process fun will help kids develop a positive association with cooking, which is often seen as a difficult chore by many.  

##### **3. Encourage tasting**
Children of all ages are naturally curious. Getting children to explore different tastes and textures of food engages them in the process and allows them to enjoy cooking even more. Children are more likely to be open to trying new foods (or flavours) when they are involved in the process of creating them. And of course, tasting the final creation together will make the experience much more enjoyable and memorable for them.

##### **4. Empower them to lead**
While you may be tempted to take control of the full recipe, it’s also helpful for your child to take charge wherever possible. If you’re cooking with a small child, easier tasks like beating an egg or adding milk to the batter will make them feel involved. Remember, no task is too small or meaningless. This is where you need your patience. Instead of saying, “I’ll just do it myself because you’ll spill it,” or “Watch mummy do it this time,” let your child have a go and only provide guidance. It’ll help develop a greater sense of independence and responsibility for them.

##### **5. Have fun**
Creating these memories with your child will be cherished forever – sure, it may look like your kitchen was bombed after, or you both might have lost your patience at times, or even the recipe may not have turned out exactly right – but, nothing compares to the joy your child will have had spending time with you. It’s not worth it if they don’t enjoy it. So, have fun and make the most of your time together!






In collaboration with leading nutritionist [Claire Bucek](https://www.nutritiongeelong.com.au/about1), Camp Australia has recently completed a pilot program, launching our upgraded menu options in Your OSHC and Rocketeers, with 50 new recipes created along with a variety of fresh ingredients added to our grocery list! 

Each service will have access to tailored ingredients that cater to the dietary requirements of the children, as well as what they would love to make and eat. Ask your Coordinator about the weekly menu options and [book into Your OSHC](https://pp.campaustralia.com.au/) for more exciting culinary experiences to come!

Cooking with children: Top tips for making the kitchen fun

Tailored activities in Your OSHC engage children, allowing them to follow their interests and try new experiences before and after school. Every activity is designed for children to develop their confidence and curiosity

Your OSHC

Escape the ordinary and experience the extraordinary with Rocketeers. Our open and inclusive crew truly understands that the school holidays are for children and are meant to be fun. Every school holiday break is a new Mission for children to embark upon, and every day is a new adventure.

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