Xander Blog
Can children still just be children today?
I was privileged enough to grow up on a farm, where we literally had stones that we pushed around in lieu of toy cars, while making excited revving noises. Not for a minute did I feel that I was missing out, or that my life was... Read the Post
#XanderMoms winter recipes
We’ve previously asked our #XanderMoms how they use and manage technology in their lives. Now that the days are shorter and we are spending more time indoors, we thought we would ask them to share some of their favourite go-to recipes with us. We’re keen to... Read the Post
Playing with your food
Remember the mashed potato train? Or the aeroplane spoon with the zooming noises? Moms have tried in a hundred different way to make food interesting, and to get kids to eat their veggies. Some moms take this to new heights, and there is a delightful trend of... Read the Post
What #XanderApps can do for you. We started with the basics, and so should you.
From birth to three years children start to develop basic hand-eye skills, such as reaching for and grasping objects, feeding and dressing themselves (or at least attempting to), and begin to recognise concepts of place and direction. They also start to develop the ability to manipulate... Read the Post
Cath Jenkin, digital mom and tech groundbreaker
“ I know and believe that we have a community here that’s like no other, and that we live in a country of possibility.” Cath Jenkin is a parenting columnist, copywriter and Managing Editor for DigiKids, one of our favourite South African parenting and tech sites.... Read the Post
Sibella Knott-Craig: Xander’s Creator and the Mom who started it all
Our super #XanderMom for this week is Sibella Knott-Craig. To say that Sibella is a busy working mom would be an understatement. As CEO and co-founder of Tribage, she manages to look after three young children while building a truly African tech company and – of... Read the Post
Why your Mom is awesome
“Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.” —Robert Browning We’re feeling a bit sentimental this week, what with Mother’s day coming up next month. But let’s forget about the cards and the chocolates, and examine what the love and attention of a mother, father or... Read the PostLeslie Maliepaard: Energy conscious, organised and efficient #XanderMom
“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” Eleanor Roosevelt Our very organised mom this week is Leslie Maliepaard, one of the driving forces behind the Renewable Energy solutions business Charge Energy. “My daughter is now 3 years old and at... Read the PostTanya Kovarsky: Award-winning blogger and provider of mumspiration
And now as promised, some more from our #XanderMoms. Tanya Kovarsky (owner of parenting blog, Rattle & Mom) is a dynamic working mother, and our first question to her was how she manages to balance the demands of being a mother and an entrepreneur? Tanya carves... Read the PostPlaying: Allowing children to grow and learn
“Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori The school holidays are just around the corner for most of us. The kids can’t wait to get away from the routine of school, but many parents dread filling the days and keeping their... Read the PostXander Apps team attends The Barn Khayelitsha launch
Let’s think of our problems as opportunities – Helen Zille The Bandwidth Barn has recently launched The Barn Khayelitsha as a community-based incubator which focuses on areas in which there is a market need and an opportunity for growth. This building will provide much-needed business services... Read the PostHow to choose the right app for your child: The good, the bad and the ugly of apps.
By now you should know that we here at XanderApps love apps and the many worlds that they can open up for kids and parents alike. There are, however, good and bad apps out there. How do we choose the best and most appropriate apps for... Read the PostThe place of technology in our lives: Finding a balance
In this century, the mass media have come to rival parents, school, and religion as the most influential institution in children’s lives. – Media and Values Magazine We all hear about the benefits of educational games and applications, but secretly we also worry about how much screen... Read the PostThe Paperless Classroom is coming to a school near you
“The future depends on what you do today.” ― Mahatma Gandhi Apps and related hardware such a tablets and touch screen devices are part of the modern knowledge landscape. They can have a huge positive impact on education and early learning, especially in countries in Africa,... Read the PostIntroduction to our SuperMoms
“Any mother could perform the jobs of several air traffic controllers with ease.” – Lisa Alther We were lucky enough to be able to interview some tech-savvy working moms, and get their input around time management, coping skills and the impact of technology in their lives.... Read the PostKids and Creativity. Is your child the next #ToddlerStylist?
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. – Ralph Waldo Emerson Parents have been trying to dress their kids sensibly for as long as we can remember. But what happens when the tables are turned?... Read the PostHelp your kids cope with school related stress.
“Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in”. Leonardo da Vinci. The new year can be a time of excitement for kids and families alike. New school, new friends, so many fresh opportunities. And yet, this enthusiasm can just as... Read the PostMultilingualism for young children. Yes or No.
‘To have another language is to possess a second soul’. Charlemagne In South Africa, language and the educational language of choice can be a touchy subject, and one that many parents approach with trepidation. There is so much information out there that moms can feel intimidated.... Read the PostA reason to feel better about passing your ipad to your kids
Until now, little research has been done with younger children, specifically preschool and early-elementary children. Below are the findings of a report that concentrates on reaching children in informal learning environments learning through apps made available for use by children during their leisure or out-of-school time. “A... Read the Post
Writing for children
“You must write for children in the same way you do for adults, only better.” MAXIM GORKY
A wet afternoon and a house full of children?
Unlike the TV that passively entertains, iPad apps can engage children for the same amount of time, however this time is more beneficial, as it is interactive and teaches children new skills. Excellent apps for children exist where they can draw, do puzzles, learn about other... Read the PostKykNet Interview 7.8.2014
If you missed the show you can still see it here – we think its pretty cool. Educational apps for children to make traveling easier – no lost puzzle pieces and ink pen lids!Most Innovative Award
Slimkop App is awarded the certificate of excellence for Most Innovative Product at the Baba Indaba 2014! Thank you to all our supporters and congrats to our team who have worked so tirelessly xxThree, two, one, GO!
The time has come: We’re launching! Our weekend at the Baba Indaba can be described as an Epic Quest to – Make all South African children tri-lingual Reach every unsuspecting parent – if the iPads don’t do the trick, the chocolates do Repeat the same story 35 000 times... Read the Post
Cookies anyone?
Here’s feel good story for some early morning inspiration. We love the epicness! http://khayelitshacookies.co.za/k2/ “In 2005 the company started making hand-baked cookies with four women in Khayelitsha. Today we proudly employ 50 women from Khayelitsha who we have trained and grown into successful entrepreneurs. They hand-bake 30,000... Read the PostCan gaming make the world a better place?
Watch this epic talk by game designer and author, Jane McGonigal. She believes that gamers are developing all the skills necessary to solve the world’s problems. Why? Because they are self-motivated, they believe an epic win is within their reach, they are inspired to collaborate, they trust, they... Read the PostTicket give-away
Dear Phindie, Adalene & Marna, Thank you for liking http://slimkopapp.co.za/ We are thrilled to let you know that you have been selected as one of the winners of our Cape Town Baba Indaba ticket give aways. Please let us know where you would like to have your... Read the PostIt’s showtime!
Slimkop is going to be on the KykNet Dagbreek show! Be part of the action and download your app in the App Store at http://slimkopapp.co.za Watch this space for broadcasting details.Congratulations!
CONGRATULATIONS to our competition winners! Two Baba Indaba tickets are on their way to you: Phindie Nsele, Adalene Joubert Kellerman & Marna Esterhuysen Schnetler! Join us at the Indaba from between 1-3 August at the CTICC for lots of fun and many more give-aways.Baba Indaba
Find us at the Baba Indaba CTICC from 1-3 August 2014Where does Xander come from?
Xander with an “X” Once upon a time there was a little dinosaur called Xander. He descended from the greatest of beasts ever to walk the planet, but he was small and curious. His parents called him Xander, with an X, named after the most fearsome... Read the PostXhosa App
Our Xhosa app for counting from 1-10 is now also available in the App Store. Thank you to Sisipho and Mrs Ndlebe for your help! We’re loving all the positive feedback.Thank you Macaroon.co
Why I love www.macaroon.co? Its fun and trendy, local and online. They help mom’s keep calm and carry on with beautifully crafted clothes labels, gift tags, weekly planners and personalised stationary. Not only are their products perfect for my own use, but they are also thoughtful gifts.... Read the PostWIN Baba Indaba ticket for two
Be the lucky winner of two tickets to the Cape Town Baba Indaba 1-3 August 2014 at CTICC. Forward our website to your friends (www.slimkopapp.co.za), or “Like” us Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ekisnslimkop/info) Include me in cc on your email: sibella@everafrica.comQUOTE
“The only way to cultivate fearlessness in our daughters and other young women is by example. If they see their mothers and other women in their lives going forward despite fear, they’ll know its possible.” Gloria SteinemCalling all clever children
Do you know you can find Xander in the App Store now to learn and play games with ABC, 123 and Shapes and Colours in Afrikaans? Download Slimkop.
