Go TOPPLE DOWN TOWN !

Bullying – Hurt kids, hurt kids!

The prevalence of bullying amongst children is a particularly important topic; however, one should keep in mind that the syndrome is diverse and complex with a family dynamic playing an important role in the processes. Children frequently learn communication skills, behaviours and life skills from the modelling provided by older family members.

There is a significant difference between playing and bullying in young children. Occasional roughness between children is a perfectly normal part of play, while repeated roughness or repeated planned victimization on the other hand, is not.

The intention of bullying is to cause deliberate hurt or to gain more power and control. Bullying usually occurs consistently between the same children, with each consistently assuming the same role, that of victim or aggressor.

Initially, the effects of being bullied could seem inconsequential and the victim will naturally be upset by what they are experiencing. They may occasionally return home tearful or perhaps become withdrawn, begin to have sleepless nights or bad dreams. If the bullying continues the victim may begin to make up excuses like having a stomach ache, headache or other minor illness with the intention of avoiding the location where the incidents are taking place such as school or day-care.

Ideally the problem should never reach this stage. Bullying requires immediate adult intervention to intercede and lessen the traumatic effects of stress associated with the incident which can negatively impact and undermine the victim’s confidence and self-esteem. In extreme cases this could lead to self harm and suicide later in life.

Children are highly skilled at using technology but they don't always know how to respond to negative issues that may arise online. A new form of Bullying called “Cyber Bullying” is on the rise and presents when a teen, preteen or child is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or is otherwise targeted by a member of their peer group using the internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones.

More familiar forms of Bullying consist of:

Verbal bullying - this cruel form of bullying is most likely perpetrated by girls and can leave the victim deeply emotionally scarred, the effects of which may linger far beyond the point of which the Bullying took place. Verbal bullying consists of teasing, name calling, sarcasm and spreading rumours.

Social bullying – this form of bullying usually takes place publicly where an aggressor deliberately attempts to exclude another from a social group. This type of bully will often make the victim the scapegoat and humiliate them at every opportunity in front of others.

Physical bullying – This form of bullying is most likely perpetrated by boys and only occasionally girls, it takes the form of hitting, pinching, pushing, taunting and destroying or stealing possessions.

If you are a parent reading this article and are concerned about your child’s aggressive habits, please seek professional assistance. By helping kids develop the right skills early, one can prevent bullying permanently. The greatest role models in a child’s life are parents and the lessons that are taught to children in their first few years will leave an indelible mark on them for the rest of their lives.

About Us:

Topple Down Town Edutainment is an organisation committed to improving and enriching the lives of children.

As an organization concerned about many serious social issues, our contributions in tackling such issues will be based on self-sustained models where we extend an invitation to like-minded organizations to be part of a solution alongside us, with a profit incentive as motivation rather than a “handout”.

As an unconventional, innovative and responsible organisation, we asked ourselves this question: “What could we do to educate children about healthier lifestyle choices, in a manner that they would be able to understand?”

To do this, we needed a great idea and a great idea is when anything is possible!

In keeping with this philosophy and objective, we have developed a children’s reader for the whole family which will demonstrate the power of characters playing an effective, influential and meaningful part as role models in children’s health. Our content is designed to focus on some key issues and deliver a pro-health, positive social message in an entertaining and non-violent manner, at the same time remaining relevant and true to the needs of children the world over.

One of our principal concerns are the lack of nutritional foods and the lack of physical activity that kids need to face up to today and consequently, the related health risks which are likely to follow should current trends continue...but don’t despair, we are constantly working on credible and creative solutions based on this unique little children’s book!

Not just any old Book & CD for Kids...

Topple Down Town Entertainment is an organisation committed to improving and enriching the lives of children with the emphasis on children’s health.

Wake Up! Topple Down Town, by sheer content and construction is a social voice with a very strong ethic – that of positively motivating young children and encouraging them to make healthy, active and morally sound lifestyle choices.

This is a publication which focuses on the area of Emotional Literacy, an important aspect of all children’s lives, yet one which has been sadly neglected. It also introduces some fantastic characters as role-models who, by setting a good example, guide children in preparing a foundation of healthy life choices and sound social decisions.

Our positive social message is sensitively transferred to a target age group of 4 to 8 year olds and is presented in a fantastic tale entitled “Wake up! Topple Down Town” about a ball that takes two highly inspired and motivated children on a journey of discovery though a town which needs to improve socially, culturally and morally.

It’s a very accessible story, easy to read, whether it be through the modes of guided or independent reading. It tells of just how powerfully inspirational children can be.

It introduces the energetic “Super Duper Twins” as role-models who, by setting a good example, guide children in making healthy life choices and encourages them to be physically active, away from TV and other devices, to do what children do naturally – play, interact, explore and learn.

It’s an engaging, incredible story packed with energy, vitality and hope.

It’s both EDUCATIONAL and INSPIRATIONAL - MOTIVATIONAL and MOVING!

Special features of the book include:

· INTERACTIVE AUDIO
Superb story-telling, supported by atmospheric sound effects and amazing music make it a compelling experience for all children (including those with special needs) and parents. It includes an introduction, an animated reading of the entire story, a question and answer segment and a sing-along / move along session.

· BRAILLE
Many sighted kids have never been exposed to Braille. It is for this reason that we have included a numeric sample in this book. It offers them an entirely new tactile experience which is fun, functional and serves a distinct purpose. By doing this, we encourage a child to think, overcome fear and question prejudice.

· GLOW-IN-THE-DARK EFFECT
Part of this book actually glows in the dark, which is always an enjoyable experience for kids of all ages. This effect is used to focus on the HEART as the CENTRE of EMOTION

· ON-THE-SPOT INFORMATION
This is a useful feature included on several of the pages. It is specifically designed for parents and teachers and highlights the ways in which children can be guided and taught the value of communication, healthy lifestyle choices and healthy emotional development.

· PLEDGE PAGE
An easy- to- remove perforated commitment page which can be framed or placed on a child’s a bedroom wall or door. The pledge is specifically developed for children and can be used as a "reminder" for parents to use when necessary.

What distinguishes Topple Down Town Entertainment as an effective tool in improving the lives of Children?

Kalon Badenhorst (Star of SA's Got Talent)

Topple Down Town Entertainment recognizes that humans are emotional beings more so than logical ones and are driven mostly by how they feel about things. As a consequence, if one attempts to motivate children or change patterns, we recommend focusing on their emotional needs first. The development of emotional literacy is a significant and vital component in any effective children’s health strategy. This unique approach to children’s health sets Topple Down Town apart and prepares the foundation on which we are able to bring together all the benefits of nutrition and activity.

It is obvious that when kids are active it prepares their bodies to do the things they want and need it to do. We also know that regular exercise provides strong muscles and bones, controls weight, decreases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, improves sleeping patterns and generally gives kids a better outlook on life. Healthy, physically active kids are also more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful but equally and perhaps more important, is that physical competence builds self-esteem at every age and this is key to all successes in life.

The positively influential role models and varied personalities in the storyline of this children’s book are designed to be used in conjunction with parents and educators to positively motivate, highly influence and support a young child’s behavioural and early developmental infrastructure.

Topple Down Town Live

This day was all about drawing attention to the healthy alternatives in life and demonstrating to kids how “cool” it can be to make healthy life choices! Like the heroes in the children’s book “Wake Up! Topple Down Town”, the gymnasts are not only super active - their confidence is sheer “magic”. They are unrelenting in their zest for and belief in an ACTIVE LIFE and a HEALTHY ATTITUDE.

" Toy Story "

The real life “Active Super Twins” from Wake up! Topple Down Town recently came to life from the pages of the popular children’s book in support of the East Coast Radio’s Toy Story charity drive and have been visiting individual hospitals, encouraging kids and handing out gifts as part of the Toy Story campaign. Toy Story visited 63 provincial hospitals in KZN giving each child in the paediatric ward a toy, offering them comfort and support during their stay in hospital over the festive season.

The Topple Down Town "Super Twins"

Colour in Competition

The prize giving during an assembly where Topple Down Town was in support of an educational environment in which the learners have the opportunity to achieve their full potential - academically, spiritually, socially and physically.

The judges were overwhelmed by the sheer number of entries as well as by the overall standard of the artwork that was submitted…so, well done to all the grade 1, 2 and 3 kids who took part, your artwork was incredible!
Congratulations to the winners of the competition and enjoy your prizes!

Since the theme of Topple Down Town is to encourage kids to eat healthy and be ACTIVE, our parties offer the perfect opportunity to play all sorts of fun group games and even take part in a dance competition.

Providing a variety of healthy fruit juices, healthy snacks and appropriate goodies balance out all the fizzy, sugary treats which usually give way to kids “bouncing off the walls” in manic cycles.

Serving up heaps of fresh juicy ‘funtastical’ fruits while spinning loads of catchy tunes, promoting energetic dancing and active play which is always heaps of fun for everyone!

Making hearts Glow!

The New Topple Down Town Movement for Children is a concept like freedom. You can't explain it. You need to read it, live it and enjoy it!

Wake Up! Topple Down Town is available at: Township Pharmacy, The Toy Shop, PNA Wierda Park, PNA Farramere, Exclusive Books, Fascination Books, Adams, eBooks etc, Booktique and all respectable book stores nationwide: http://toppledowntownbooks.blogspot.com/

Additional items... Enquiries: info@toppledowntown.com

CD's

T-shirts

All children’s sizes available

Adult S, M, L, XL

Caps

Topple Down Town’s Early Learning Resource Packs have been developed to teach and help children understand basic educational concepts, regardless of their social circumstances.

Recently published results of an international survey into adult illiteracy reveal that on average 40% - 50% of adults in the Western World are reading below proficiency level.

Countries like Finland that have high literacy levels do not suffer poverty, nor do they have high crime rates. There are fewer jobs available for the illiterate person whose frustration and desperation often make criminal activities an attractive alternative to a life of poverty. Substance abuse and criminal behaviour seem to offer a form of reprieve from a life of desperation and isolation.

Teenagers who feel inadequate because they cannot cope in an ever demanding, technological literate society seek thrills where they can live the type of unrealistic glamorous lifestyles they see in the movies and on television.

If they cannot earn the salaries that would provide them with all the highflying items their hearts desire, joining a violent gang, regardless of the consequences becomes another form of survival.

With the terrifying spread of AIDS and related illnesses, it is essential for the fight against these diseases, as well as to reduce teenage pregnancy, for people to be able to read how to protect themselves from these plagues and live a richer, fuller life.

A solid education is every child's right !

*** Topple Down Town’s Early Learning Series ***

Some News:

Michelle Obama and her daughters were presented with copies of “Wake Up! Topple Down Town” when they arrived in South Africa on Monday night, in support of the US First Ladies significant involvement in the “Let's Move!” campaign.

The weeklong visit is intended to improve relations with African nations and promote youth education, health, and wellness.