Madre Kroukamp and Associates

08/01/2026

SKOOL Aflaai : the fears and tears 🩵

‘N Nuwe skooljaar bring vir baie gesinne ’n groot oorgang. Vir sommige kinders (en ouers) beteken dit in die volgende week is die eerste afskeid by die skool na ’n lang tyd tuis. Hierdie oomblik van skeiding kan emosioneel intens wees en is ontwikkelingsgewys heeltemal verstaanbaar.

Baie ouers ervaar self spanning tydens aflaai, en kinders toon dikwels hartseer, angs of verlange. Dit is nie ongewoon om trane by kinders én ouers te sien nie. Weet gerus: julle is nie alleen nie, en hierdie reaksies is by baie gesinne deel van ’n normale aanpassingsproses.

Waarom gebeur dit?

Vanuit ’n ontwikkelingsperspektief is skeidingsangs ’n normale reaksie, veral by jonger kinders. Dit hou verband met gehegtheid, die behoefte aan veiligheid, en die kind se vermoë om oorgange en onsekerheid te hanteer. Die intensiteit en duur verskil egter van kind tot kind.

’n Paar praktiese wenke:

1. Voorbereiding en voorspelbaarheid
Berei u kind vooraf voor vir die skool. Gesels oor positiewe aspekte soos maats, speeltyd, sport, musiek of sang. Betrek hulle by praktiese take soos tasse pak en kosblikke regmaak. Deelname bevorder ’n gevoel van beheer en emosionele gereedheid.

2. Roetine en struktuur
Sorg vir ’n konsekwente aand- en slaaptydroetine. Navorsing toon dat roetine kinders help om veilig te voel, oorgange beter te hanteer en emosionele regulering te ondersteun. Voorspelbaarheid verminder angs.

3. Erken individuele verskille
Elke kind ontwikkel teen sy of haar eie tempo. Vermy vergelykings tussen kinders, aangesien dit onnodige druk en onsekerheid kan skep.

4. Kort, duidelike afskeid
Onderwysers vra dikwels vir die sogenaamde “get in and get out”-benadering. Gee af, groet liefdevol en loop. Al is u kind ontsteld, is ’n lang, uitgerekte afskeid gewoonlik meer ontwrigtend.
Wanneer die onderwyser die troos oorneem, kan die kind begin om ’n veilige verhouding met die persoon te bou wat deur die dag vir hulle sorg. Hoe langer ouers bly, hoe moeiliker word die skeiding en hoe meer emosie bou op wat later verwerk moet word.
Baie onderwysers rapporteer dat kinders dikwels binne minute ná die ouer se vertrek weer kalmeer.

5. Wissel die aflaairoetine indien nodig
Indien die skeiding baie ouer-spesifiek is, kan dit help as ’n ander ouer die kind aflaai (waar moontlik). Soms verlig dit die spanning merkbaar.

6. Verseker en benoem die dag se roetine
Herinner u kind daagliks aan wat gaan gebeur, byvoorbeeld:
“Na skool kom mamma jou haal, en dan bou ons saam legkaarte.”
Duidelike verwagtinge, roetine en struktuur verminder onsekerheid en bevorder emosionele veiligheid.

Ten slotte

Hierdie is algemene riglyne. Sommige kinders benodig meer tyd of ekstra ondersteuning om aan te pas. Indien aflaai-angs aanhou of vererger, is dit raadsaam om hulp in te win by ’n ervare onderwyser, berader of sielkundige. Vroeë ondersteuning kan ’n groot verskil maak.

Vriendelike groete
Dr S

17/12/2025

The Self Regulation Song: This upbeat video gets kids practicing listening, waiting, impulse control, and flexibility all while having fun to the beat.

✨ Lyrics display on-screen for a built-in literacy boost
👏 Kids clap, march, snap, and freeze when they hear STOP
📚 A great tool for teachers, therapists, and parents alike

Get the FREE printable Self Regulation Song with lyrics at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2025/09/17/self-regulation-song-2/

13/12/2025

Ever wonder why some children can’t stop moving — spinning, hanging upside down, or constantly fidgeting?

Or why others avoid movement — hating swings, climbing frames, or even being picked up?

The answer might lie in their vestibular system — the sense of balance and movement that helps us feel grounded and safe in our bodies.
When this system is over- or under-responsive, the world can feel too fast, too spinny, or too still — and that can look like clumsiness, anxiety, or constant motion-seeking.

Understanding the vestibular system helps us see what’s really going on beneath the behavior — and how to support it through everyday movement and play.

via The Contented Child, Child Wellbeing Consultancy

18/11/2025

18/11/2025

To every mom who has delivered a baby early… this is for you. 💜

Your journey is not the one you imagined. It wasn’t the glowing, predictable path motherhood is so often portrayed to be. There was a rupture - a sudden change of direction - an abrupt ending to your pregnancy.

And then came the fear…
the unfamiliar language,
the foreign machines,
the world of beeps, wires and watching.

And yet - look at you.
You are there.
You are showing up.
You are loving fiercely.
You are holding hope in the hardest, most fragile moments.

This one is for your village - the people who stood beside you and held you while you held your tiny warrior.

This one is for the fighter who is your child - brave, resilient, extraordinary.

Today, and every day, we celebrate you, mama.
Your strength is felt. Your courage is seen. Your love is your power 💛

13/11/2025

11/11/2025

Using task analysis, each dressing skill has been broken down into simple steps. Create visual sequences for the children to follow along each step of the task. Also included is a tip sheet on how to teach dressing and a small book to read entitled “I Can Dress Myself”.

09/11/2025

Sensory Tools Visual Supports – Over 155+ sensory activities to help children thrive at school and home!

This resource includes easy-to-use visuals covering:
🔹 Proprioceptive input
🔹 Vestibular input
🔹 Tactile input
🔹 Auditory input
🔹 Oral motor input
🔹 Olfactory input

Perfect for 👩‍🏫 educators, 👨‍👩‍👧 parents, and 🧠 occupational therapists who want to support a healthy sensory lifestyle in children.

🛠️ Created by an experienced OT – designed to be practical, visual, and child-friendly!