IN THIS ISSUE September/October 2022 Familiesonline.co.uk HalloweenAutumnEducationfun Free Action Heroes mini figure sets for kids APPLY INSIDE Magazine FREE Bedfordshire
AutumnEducationtreasure
Autumn is a beautiful time of year so take a look at our suggestions for activities to do with the kids outside. Enjoy our Autumn treasure hunt or try one of our family-friendly walk suggestions when half term rolls around. And, if you want to keep your kids off screens as the nights draw in, check out our half term screen-free kids’ activities too!
Get in touch
Can you believe the kids are back at school already? It seems like just a moment since they were breaking up!
hunt Road safety for kids Screen-free indoor DIYHalloweenHalloweenwalksFamilyoutsideAutumnactivitiesactivitiesfriendlyautumnfoodcraftHalloweencostumes In this issue 171614131210984
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October2
Starting or going back to school can be challenging for children (and parents) so check out our advice on new term teething problems and inspire your kids with our great book recommendations.
Competition winners from our May/June issue
Finally, in this issue, we have tonnes of Action Heroes sets, some fun Sneezy Panda games, Mr Frosty toys and cool Marlo & Cole t-shirts to giveaway! By applying, you’ll also ensure you continue to receive our wonderful magazine!
Sneezy Panda games to giveaway!Theflowersandleavesmakepandasneeze...whatcanyoudo? T&Cs applyAPPLY HERE Magazine available10 Suitable for ages 4+ CONTENTS
Welcome
Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE
Our aim is to help children become confident, independent learners. Our students develop lifelong study skills and a passion for learning, as well as the confidence to complete their work independently.
Your child will complete a free maths and English assessment so that their level of study can be precisely tailored to their ability. Our individualised maths and English programmes allow students to begin at their own, individually set starting point and to progress to an advanced level at their own pace. This creates a positive learning experience, with work always set at just the right level.
Try Kumon’s one-week free trial now! North 07341 583675 - Tom
Kumon Bedford North study centre is offering a FREE TRIAL from 1 October to 15 November for all new students. The free trial can be accessed in September exclusively for Families readers! Find out more HERE.
Bedford
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 3 EDUCATION
kumon.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October4 EDUCATION
The GrannyMarvellousJinksandMe
There’s a Dog in My Brain
By Alastair DeschampsillustratedChisholm,byEricandBenMantle
Noodle the Doodle
By Serena Patel, illustrated by Selom Sunu
Brilliant first chapter books for early readers
The Tindims of Rubbish Island
By David MacPhail, illustrated by MorganRichard
Morgan the Book Cat
Written and illustrated by Sarah Horne
By Polly Faber, illustrated by VulliamyClara
Dragon Storm
When your child is ready to move on from picture books, here are some wonderful first chapter books recommended by Parrot Street Book Club.
By Sally illustratedGardner,byLydiaCorrey
By Caroline Green, illustrated by Rikin Parekh
By Jonathan Meres, illustrated by Katy Halford
Alien in the FactoryJam
By Chrissie Sains. illustrated by Jenny Taylor Velda andAwesomesttheVikingtheVoyageofDeadlyDoom
Panda at the Door
By John and Kyle Hattie
Why education begins at home
READ MORE Getting school support for a child with SEN Contributed by Contact Unique T-shirts from Marlo & Cole! Magazine T&Cs apply FREE for your child APPLY HERE available10 2-3,Sizes3-4&4-5
What can parents and carers do to ensure their children, of all ages, develop great learning habits which will help them achieve their maximum potential in school and in life? It all starts with talking - and lots of it – from the very early years onward.
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 5 EDUCATION
By Usha Patel
READ MORE
Most children with special educational needs (SEN) go to a mainstream school, where there are both pupils with and without SEN. So, if your child has special educational needs, what type of support can you expect from their school and how do go about getting that support?
Hand grasp challenges in young children
Does your child struggle to open a packet of crisps? Like all motor function problems, this is indicative of something more significant, in this case a general problem with ‘hand grasp.’ Children who struggle with this usually struggle with other tasks like handwriting too.
READ MORE
By
friends at Parrot Street Book Club contribute their suggestions.
The Elephant PeterAgesCarnavas6+
Age 10+
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October6 EDUCATION
Elephant
Lost By Ele AgesFountain11+
By JionAgeSheibani6+
The MovementSoup
The Worries: Sohal Finds a Friend
A Kind of Spark By ElleAgesMcNicoll8+
By Holly Goldberg Sloan
By Ben Davis
By Onjali Q. Rauf Ages 8+
Wonder By R. J. AgePalacio8+
Boy at the Back of the Class
Chapter books that encourage kindness
Room
The in the
By Gillian Cross Ages 8+
Five Ways to Make a Friend
Our
Age 8+
anything formal, just reading a little more together or encouraging them to do some basic adding up when you’re at the shops or baking. For writing practice, could they write a post card to their grandparents or other relatives? MORE
My child can’t manage this year’s curriculum
Perhaps they’re in a different class or their closest friend has left the school and they’re struggling to adjust and find a new bestie or gang. Regardless, there are a couple of things you can do to boost your child’s friendships. Firstly, of course, talk to your child’s teacher and ask if there’s anyone they think your son or daughter might particularly gel with. Next up, invite them over for a playdate or arrange to meet them and their parent in the park. If confidence is an issue, role play approaching potential friends with your little one…take it in turns.
READ
New term teething troubles
My child is having trouble making friends
Primary school learning is much more of a double act these days, a partnership between parents and teachers. Again, go and have a chat with the teacher to try and understand your child’s level and find out what you can do to support your little one’s reading, writing or maths at home. This needn’t be
By Liat Joshi-Hughes
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 7 EDUCATION
Make fruity, crunchy ice with Mr Frosty! APPLY HERE for your FREET&Cstoyapply Magazine available5 Suitableforages3+
The autumn term has begun and your child has returned to school. What kind of ‘teething troubles’ might you face over the next few months while your child copes with the changes that September brought with it? And how should you deal with them?
Ideal for appreciating the autumn season and getting outdoors. No checking online until you get home!
Get outdoors and go on a treasure hunt with your kids, finding and matching autumn treasures.
AutumnHuntTreasure
And hey presto, you’re done! And hopefully you’ve found an autumn treasure you can keep or learned something you didn’t know. Have fun!
Thenyou.
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October8
Autumn treasure hunt
On the next page you’ll find pictures of eight different autumn treasures to find in the park or woodlands. Remember, the Woodland Trust has a great guide to woodlands near you. Once you’ve found them, write in the name of what you’ve found. Get your grown up to help
take a look at the pictures in a row at the bottom. Each picture has some kind of connection to your treasures. It might be where the treasure comes from or maybe where you find it.
When you’ve worked out the connection, draw a line from each of your autumn treasures to the picture at the bottom that is connected to it.
DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE What am I? I am a: I am a: I am a: I am a: I am an: I am an: I am a: I am a:
The number one rule is hand holding. If your child is likely to pull away use safety reins. Make sure your child walks on the INSIDE of the pavement away from traffic. Introduce Stop, Look, Listen and Think.
Ages 5-7
Reinforce Stop, Look, Listen and Think.
THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road. Walk straight across the road. Keep LOOKING and LISTENING for traffic while crossing.
Children should not go out alone until they know and can use the Green Cross Code . Let your child make decisions with you, so they learn through practical action. Help your child plan safe walking routes. Encourage your child to talk about what they see on the roads and whether it’s safe.
LISTEN for traffic approaching from all directions.
In this film for children ages 3 to 6, pupils dress up and learn how to cross the road safely using the Stop, Look, Listen, Think sequence.
Find a safe place to cross. STOP just before you get to the kerb. LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic.
Ages 7-11
Never let your child go near a road alone and always hold Showhands.children how pedestrians walk safely on the pavement and vehicles use the road.
Point out safer crossing places and show how to use them.
Point out hidden entrances or driveways that cross the pavement.
Stop, Look, Listen, Think
The Green Cross Code
Road safety for kids of all ages
First Journeys
In this film for ages 7 to 12, children discuss first solo journeys they’re looking forward to and older children share what their first journeys were like.
Toddlers
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 9 PARENTING
Painting
Reading to your kids is great but don’t limit the experience to sitting on the sofa. If the book is set in a cave, evict the vacuum cleaner from under the stairs and issue everyone with head torches! If you’re reading a desert adventure, create a Bedouin tent using some sheets and your clothes horse.
Playdough
Boosted books
Children love to paint and getting messy is part of the fun! BUT the idea of the mess can fill many parents with dread. Instead of using poster paint, try using watercolour paints which are easier to clean up. To change things up, get the kids painting on coffee filters, a canvas or ice cubes.
There’s no doubt that playdough is a versatile toy. But if the smell and texture of big-branded playdough is something you’re not keen on, there are some wonderful options for soft and scented playdough that doesn’t leave a greasy residue. Check that its been UKCA tested before buying.
Baking
Baking shortbread and scones is simple enough for inexperienced bakers to try. Hopefully the end results will taste great and they will enjoy eating them too. Baking bread is also surprisingly simple and you and your children can have lots of fun creating different animals out of the dough to then bake in the oven.
We asked Isabell Fisher, co-founder of Little Hands Learning for some easy-to-set-up activities that will appeal to little hands, eyes and brains.
Screen-free rainy day activities
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October10 ACTIVITIES
This doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Often keeping it simple is far better than creating something elaborate. Try making a paper boat and see how far it travels or creating tealight holders out of old jam jars by gluing on pieces of tissue paper. These also make lovely homemade presents for grandparents.
Easy science experiments
This is a fun way for kids to learn about design and teamwork. All you need is a piece of paper, some pens, some counters (maybe toy figures), some dice and some rules. Involve your children in working out what the game is about, how it works and decorate your board before playing!
There are lots of easy science experiments that can be tried at home with household items and they encourage kids to ask questions, make predictions and understand the world around them. Try making a lava lamp with water, food colouring and oil in a jar. Add an effervescent tablet and watch what happens!
Screen-free rainy day activities
Hide some treasure and then create a map for your kids to follow. Make it more interesting (and last longer) by having the map lead your little pirates to different locations where each location’s ‘treasure’ is a clue to the next location. For more authenticity, scrunch up the paper and stain it with a damp teabag.
We asked Isabell Fisher, co-founder of Little Hands Learning for some easy-to-set-up activities that will appeal to little hands, eyes and brains.
Treasure hunt
Design a board game
Art and craft
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 11 ACTIVITIES
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October12 AUTUMN Enjoying autumn outside Get your kids outside and engaging with nature this autumn with these great activity options. Play Pooh sticksPick your NoughtsPlaypumpkinownnaturalandCrosses Forage for edibleswild Make friends with a bug Go orienteeringfamily Play conkers Have fun stickswithMake a potionmagic
Explore the National Botanic Garden of Wales or CantrefFarm.Adventure
Fun walking & activities in the gardens of a seventeenth century manor in Surrey.
Old Sarum
Tegg’s CountryNosePark
An outdoor oasis in London – escape the concrete jungle!
Stowe countryside,Breathtakinglake and forest at Stowe in Bucks. Dogs on leads.
Family-friendly walks for autumn
Try Ripon and Fountains Abbey walk or the Lost Spa trail.
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 13 AUTUMN
BreconNationalBeaconsPark
From waterfalls to forest trails, a Scottish wonderland in West Argyll.
Miles of coastline in the South Downs National Park in East Sussex.
Follow The Gritstone Trail from Disley to Kidsgrove, through Tegg’s Nose in Cheshire.
Morden Hall Park
Seven CountrySistersPark
Ham House and Garden
Explore the walks around this Iron Age Hillfort in Wiltshire.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens
Sutherland’sGrove
The great British countryside is full of stunning walks. Here are nine that are suitable for the whole family. So why not make a day of it?
Making rice crispy treats is one of my favourite things to do with my son because he can do most of the job himself! It’s a fab no-bake recipe, you can use any cereal and the results are deliciously crispy and perfect for decoration.
RECIPE
Spooky crispy treats Spooky snacks
If you’re looking for something that’s Halloween-themed and easy to prepare with just one pot, this healthy pie is a perfect option. It’s a great way to get fish and hidden veg into your child’s diet too!
RECIPE
My son is obsessed with anything creepy and scary and these fun and super-easy snacks are some of his favourites. Your kids will love these delicious Creepy Crumpet Pizzas, Ghostly Peppers and Witches Brooms made from Cheese Strings!
Bake these delicious Halloween recipes from Neha Gandesha @squashedpickle. Watch her videos or click for recipe and ingredients.
Tuna fish pie (with pumpkin tops)
RECIPE
These delicious hot chocolate sticks are perfect when you want a warming treat this Halloween. Kids can get creative topping them with their favourite chocolates, sprinkles or even cookies and then enjoy them by dunking in a hot cup of milk.
RECIPE
Hot chocolate sticks
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October14 HALLOWEEN
Halloween treats
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 15 Magazine
Whatever age your children, we’d love you to tell us what’s happening in your world and about your childcare.
In the autumn we’ll share parent stories about how things have changed, the different challenges and how we’re all making things work.
Tell aboutus childcareyour Take our 5 minute survey Rising costs of living. New ways of working. Not ...theChangingChangingworking.jobs.location...listgoeson! £100£100£100£100 £100 x5 VouchersAmazon£100tobewon!
Lot of things are changing in our lives and that includes our childcare needs and choices.
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October16 HALLOWEEN Halloween crafts the kids will love Time to get really spooooky…..get crafting in good time for Halloween! Paperspidersplate Pumpkin pinata Halloween bat Halloween box scene Easy paper ghostscraftGiant webs Halloween wreath Trick or bagsTreatRock Skulls
individual
DIY Halloween costumes
you
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 17 HALLOWEEN
options,
Spider’s web Bull in
time, a home-made Halloween costume can
anything shop bought. Here
If have be much more than are some great complete with
instructions. The BFG
BatgirlJackfaceSkellingtonmakeup
a shopchina Pumpkinpaintface PirateThe Worst pillowcaseSkeletonWitch
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October18 GIVEAWAYS Unique T-shirts from Marlo & Cole! Magazine T&Cs apply FREE for your child APPLY HERE available10 2-3,Sizes3-4&4-5 Make fruity, crunchy ice with Mr Frosty! APPLY HERE for your FREET&Cstoyapply Magazine available5 Suitableforages3+ Magazine Enter the Action Heroes*whilestockslastStylesmayvaryT&CsapplyNOW*setfiguremini-FREEyourGetCollect and build themed universe!APPLYworldsHERE T&Cs apply Sneezy youwhatsneeze...pandamakeleavesandflowersThegiveaway!gamesPandatocando?T&Csapply Magazine available10 Suitable for agesAPPLY4+ HERE
