Families Bedfordshire Sep/Oct 2020

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Bedfordshire

IN THIS ISSUE

Win a family holiday to Santa’s Lapland

September/October 2020 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

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Magazine 2 September 2020

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IN THIS ISSUE

Easter activities & What’s Ons * Win chocolates for Mother’s Day & family day out tickets * Play café guide * School open days * Reader offers Issue 10 March/April 2020

email: editor@familie

familiesonline.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk swestkent.co.uk

ME

CONTENTS

In This Issue

We’re Celebrating!

4

There are some reasons to celebrate as we head into autumn.

Local News

10 Education 12 Autumn Activities 14 Early Years 16 Halloween 17 Health 18 Parenting 20 Clubs & Classes

Get in touch Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

Our children will hopefully get to go back to school and nursery after a huge break, which is really good news for parents. This autumn also marks the 30 year anniversary of Families Magazine, first launched in London in 1990. Throughout the next 12 months, we’ll have lots of freebies on offer for our subscribers to mark this milestone. So sign up if you don’t want to miss out! It’s FREE. To get the ball rolling, we’re proud to offer you the chance to win a family holiday to Santa’s Lapland in Finland! See below for details.

In the meantime, we hope you find this issue useful in negotiating the start to the new school and nursery year.

Win a magical break to Santa's Lapland in 2021 Enjoy a Reindeer sleigh ride, sledging with huskies, exploring a real igloo and much more, including a once in a lifetime private visit with Santa himself!

Click here to enter

Entries close at midnight on 30th October 2020. Terms & conditions apply, see website for details.

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 3

LOCAL NEWS

From award-winning environmental initiatives to ethically sourced home-cooked meals and snacks, Lavenders Day Nursery in Bedford is committed to giving children the best possible start in life. For the team of professionals at the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ setting in Bushmead Avenue, each child from six weeks to nearly five years is unique and this individuality is actively celebrated. With imaginative learning spaces, state of the art ICT, toys and equipment and beautiful outdoor play areas, children’s days are filled with exciting activities which are planned around their personal interests.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Symbol Spot on the Marston Vale Line (Bedford-Bletchley) this Autumn!

Collect a free Symbol Spot booklet and colouring pencils with your Marston Vale Line train ticket! Find all 12 Symbols for a prize! The Marston Vale Line is the first line in the country to have a Symbol Spot along the route! marstonvalecrp

@marstonvalecrp

For full details call 01234 832 645 or visit www.marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk 4 September 2020

familiesonline.co.uk

LOCAL NEWS

Staying safe as lockdown eases!

As well as offering an online eLearning and Zoom classes, we are starting to get back to face to face classes ensuring we comply with COVID-19 safety measures. From only £20pp this is of great value. CLICK HERE to book.

Blended Paediatric First Aid (PFA) certification (Ofsted approved) & First Aid at Work are most popular for children’s group leaders. Costs are between £90pp-£250pp including the certificate valid for 3 years.

Visit bedfordshire.minifirstaid.co.uk Feedback from a recent PFA course “Elaine’s relaxed yet thorough approach left me feeling far more confident. All equipment was immaculate, and every effort to ensure we were able to partake in the practical parts safely during COVID-19.” familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 5

EDUCATION

Free Learning Support Resources Need some additional tools to help your child catch up at school?

BBC Bitesize

Preschool, KS1, KS2+.

Oxford Owl

Early Years, KS1, KS2+.

BBC School Radio

Daily Phonics Lessons by Ruth Miskin Training

Mathematics Mastery Home Resources KS1, KS2.

Literacy Counts Home Learning Packs

Reception, KS1, KS2.

Bud’s Number Garden Game

Literacy Shed

NRICH Maths at Home Resources

Preschool, KS1.

Preschool, KS1.

6 September 2020

KS1, KS2.

Early Years, KS1, KS2.

KS1, KS2+.

familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

What Do We Say to the School about our Separation?

Five “Must-Do’s” When Choosing a School for your Child

Any parent who has been through a separation will understand the massive stress it involves and the anxiety around co-parenting. One of the important issues that can get overlooked in the mix is what to tell your child’s school.

READ MORE

It always makes sense to put your child at the centre of the process when choosing a school.

Parents know better than anyone how different individual children can be and individual schools can be very different too.

By Rebecca Giraud & Bob Greig

By Judith Judd

READ MORE

Coping with Back to School Stress Bedfordshire

Families Bedfordshire Magazine is looking to return back to print in November!

Starting a new school year after Covid-19 may mean both parents and children feel more anxious than usual. So what can we do to help our children go back to school feeling more happy and relaxed? Claire Winter speaks to some experts.

READ MORE familiesonline.co.uk

If you would like to receive FREE copies of our November/ December edition OR would like to be included in our next edition contact Michéllin editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk

Don’t forget to subscribe to receive Families Bedfordshire Magazine HERE – it’s FREE! September 2020 7

EDUCATION

18 Top New Children’s Books for Autumn

Duck and Penguin That Dog! Things I Love by Emma Lazell.

Do Not Like Bear Will smart dog outwit the Susie Linn/Alex Willmore.

Sleepovers Julia Woolf.

Night time adventure for babies/toddlers.

dog-nappers?

For babies/toddlers.

Scenes and activities little ones will recognise.

For babies/toddlers.

The Diddle That Dummed

It’s OK to Cry

I’m Sticking with You

Kes Gray/Fred Blunt.

Laughter, music, word play & silliness. Ages 3+.

Molly Potter/Sarah Jennings.

Great intro to emotions.

Ages 3+.

Moth

The Blue Giant

Egneus. Powerful/ visually spectacular evolution story.

Ages 5+.

story about pollution in our oceans.

Ages 5+.

Smriti Halls/Steve Small.

A story about friendship.

Ages 3+.

Super Milly and the

By Isabel Thomas/Daniel By Katie Cottle. Poignant Super School Day

8 September 2020

By Owen Millward.

Upbeat/funny picture book about kindness.

Ages 5+.

familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

18 Top New Children’s Books for Autumn

Mermaid School: Ready, Steady, Swim!

Noah Wild and the Floating Zoo

Lucy Courtenay/Sheena Dempsey. An underwater school story. Ages 7+.

Alexander Mccall Smith.

An ordinary boy’s heartwarming/extraordinary feat. Ages 7+.

Louis Sachar/Aleksei Bitskoff. Brilliantly illustrated story of mixedup mayhem. Ages 7+.

My Name is River

Turtle Boy

Health Heroes

The Virus

Return to Wonderland

The Unadoptables

Beneath the Cloud of Doom

Emma Rea. M. Evan Wolkenstein.

Emily Sharratt.

Thrilling, ecological A story offering hope/ ‘Health heroes’ talk adventure in the Amazon new perspectives to life’s about their working lives. jungle. Ages 9+. outsiders. Ages 9+.

Ages 9+.

Ben Martynoga/Moose Allain.

Explores the science behind viruses/Covid-19 pandemic. Ages 11+. familiesonline.co.uk

Wonderland-inspired stories from top contemporary authors.

Ages 11+.

Hana Tooke/Ayesha L.Rubio.

Adventure set in oldworld Amsterdam/ surrounds. Ages 11+.

September 2020 9

EDUCATION

Supporting a Dyslexic Child

By Ellie Malt “Do you think she might have dyslexia or something like that?” I asked.

I was standing in the playground with one of the teaching assistants, watching my 4 year old climb into her buggy, eager for her after-school snack. Although it was only her second term in Reception, I’d noticed she seemed uninterested in the alphabet, while other children could already write their names. But I was only really thinking out loud. Even to me, it seemed ridiculously early to be jumping to any conclusions. “Probably” she shot back over the general hubbub. I admit, I was shocked. But looking back years later, finally in possession of a formal diagnosis, I appreciate her honesty. I only wish I had acted sooner; it could have saved so much struggle and frustration.

READ MORE

Dyslexia Features

Sources of Help

Your child may:

British Dyslexia Association Advice and assessments. Find your local association.

• • • • •

Talk well but write little; Be a slow/reluctant reader; Struggle with spelling; Have difficulties with writing; Not always remember/ understand what he/she has just read; • Seem inattentive and unable to concentrate/remember instructions; • Have difficulty organising himself/herself; • Struggle to remember the order of things, eg days of the week.

10 September 2020

The Dyslexia Association Screening, assessment, tuition, assistive technology training.

Dyslexia Assist Find local support.

Achieve Now Works with dyslexic pupils and IT. All services online.

IPSEA Free, independent legal information, advice and support.

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre Influential regional centre. familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Top Homework Tips Where, When and How

Let THEM Do the Work

Create space. If possible, this should be a communal space but one with minimal distractions.

This enables parental supervision/input without it feeling like an intrusion.

Provide guidance, not answers.

Use questioning to help them get as close to the answer as they can but don’t tell them.

Establish a routine. Some children prefer to do homework straight after school; others need to ‘unwind’ or eat first. Whatever is decided, stick to it.

Get organised. Have your child do the hard work first when they are most alert. Help them make a “Done/To Do” list.

Let them make mistakes.

Giving answers means they will not learn the material and their teacher will not know how much they understand it.

Step in only when progress comes to a halt.

Encourage them to set small positive targets promoting independent working and selfsufficiency.

What YOU Can Offer Discuss homework. Even if you know nothing about a subject, you can still help just by talking, listening and helping them to find the right answer.

Use a timer. Challenge your child to estimate how long an assignment might take. Suggest setting a timer for that amount of time, or less.

Encourage. Praise effort not achievement. Focus on hard work or improved concentration, handwriting or presentation.

Make it positive. Tell them how important school is. Your attitude to homework will influence their attitude. familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 11

ACTIVITIES

Autumn Outdoors Enjoy these seasonal outdoor activities with the family.

Bark Rubbing

Autumn Scavenger Hunt

Conkers

Mushroom Hunting

Tree Decorating

Making and Flying a Kite

Building a Hedgehog Home

Litter Picking

Making a Leaf Maze

12 September 2020

familiesonline.co.uk

ACTIVITIES

Great Autumn Crafts Join our friends at MyBaba and get crafty with the kids!

Autumn Leaf Pictures

3D Autumn Tree Craft

Autumn Leaf Sun Catchers

Autumn Play Dough

Painted Leaves

Leaf Rubbing Busy Bag

Animal Seed Collage

Leaf Chromatography

Autumn Sensory Tray

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 13

EARLY YEARS

A-Z of Early Years Activities

By Gabrielle Nash @thelondonishmum

Animal Hunt. Search for tiny creepy crawlies, the chirpy in the trees kind and the bigger more exciting kind!

Baking. Use overripe bananas to bake muffins. Or roll out some biscuit dough.

Cardboard Creations. A pirate ship, a car, or a doll’s bed? Save a box, colour it in or cut it up!

Den building. Inside with chairs and sheets. Outside with pieces of wood!

Envelope Endeavours. Send photos/stickers or a letter/card to a friend/family member.

Film Fun. Make popcorn, print off ‘cinema tickets’ and snuggle up.

Garden Growing. Ingredients: patch of soil for digging/planting, old spoons for digging and water for watering!

Hiking. Pack a bag and snacks/ drinks. Get your kids excited about a little ‘hike.’

Imaginary Play. Kids LOVE it!

Visit the doctors or take a pet to the vet!

Jumble Sale Jollies. Involve kids in sorting things for charity or a jumble sale.

Kickabout. Visit the park with a ball – run, jump, slide, shout!

Learning through Play...is the best way! Games like i-spy improve letter/sound recognition.

Mud Mess. It’s such FUN! Make mud pies.

Noise. Bang pans; pick out a tune/rhythm with bells or drums.

14 September 2020

Outdoor Painting. Paint leaves/stones. Add food colouring to bubbles and ‘paint’ windows – it washes off!

Puzzles. Jigsaws develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.

Quiet. Help your little one enjoy quieter things - small world toys, books, colouring or painting.

Reading. Make reading special.

Try different voices to captivate your child’s imagination.

Safari Special. Hide toy animals (or pictures) around your home. Grab paper/pen and go on safari. Write down the animals you see.

Treasure Time. Make a map and hide “treasure.” Grab a toy sword and battle pirates as you search for it!

Under the Stars. Show your toddler the twinkling lights from galaxies far away.

Virtual Fun. Journey down the Amazon; enjoy a virtual roller coaster ride!

Water. As a wise person once said: when a child is grumpy “just add water!”

X-Ray. Draw around your child’s body. Stick the drawing on the floor. Draw in bones, explaining what they are and what they do.

Yoga. Find great kid-friendly options on Youtube.

ZZZZ….Time to sleep. familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

Clever Ways to Get your Child Eating Healthily

Childcare Post Lockdown

Do you dread mealtimes? Does your child have little interest in broccoli and beans? Whether you’re trying baby-led weaning or desperate to get vegetables into a pre-schooler, here’s our tips on how to give your child the best start at the dinner table.

As childcare opens up postlockdown, there is a sense of unease about whether it’s safe to send our children back to nursery. Of course, we want to protect them. So how are nurseries making their environment safe for our children?

READ MORE

By Gabrielle Nash

READ MORE

More Healthy Eating Tips Dr Pandora Giles (University of East London) outlines her ideas.

• Make meal times fun. Chat, sing, talk about the food.

• Encourage food play. Make faces out of fruit or a forest with broccoli!

• Offer new foods alongside a favourite.

• Swap excessive milk/juice between meals for water if your child is eating little.

• Have clear mealtimes of around 20 minutes.

• Eat with your child. Offer encouragement.

• It’s never too late. Tastes change, so you can introduce variety at any point. familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 15

HALLOWEEN

9 Best Halloween Recipes Creative Halloween party snacks for all the family to enjoy making and eating.

Sticky Toffee Apples

Spider Pizzas

Frozen Banana Ghosts

Scary Halloween Jelly

Sausage Mummy Dippers

Halloween Cupcakes

Spooky Pumpkin Soup

Eerie Eyeball Pops

Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats

16 September 2020

familiesonline.co.uk

HALLOWEEN

9 Best Halloween Games Perfect for a small gathering or indoor family fun!

Halloween Pinata

Sticky Spider Web Game

Pumpkin Golf

Halloween Bingo

Halloween Tin Can Bowling

Apple Bobbing

Pin the Tail on the Black Cat

Toilet Paper Mummy Game

Doughnut Eating Race

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 17

HEALTH

Dealing with Separation Anxiety

Children with OCD: Recognising the Signs

Transitions are always stressful, and even more so if you have been out of the swing of things for a while. Dr Sarah Mundy from Parenting through Stories has created a guide to give you some ideas about the best ways to support your child through separation anxiety.

Children worry. Feeling anxious, having doubts, or being worried is normal at any age. However, those who are experiencing OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), may feel unable to stop focussing on those feelings – no matter how much they want to.

This can compel them to behave in particular ways.

READ MORE

DOWNLOAD HERE

Keep it Moving!

By Gabrielle Nash @thelondonishmum

One of the pleasant, unexpected consequences of lockdown, was witnessing so many families taking to their screens for some physical activity courtesy of the likes of Joe Wicks and Cosmic Kids Yoga. Wouldn’t it be amazing to stay motivated to be physically active?

READ MORE 18 September 2020

Top Tips for Getting Active

Don’t be over-ambitious.

Be active often, rather than attempting a 10 mile hike!

Make it fun. Dance! Put on some tunes that get your kids moving.

Set screen time limits.

Make time. Think of creative ways to be extra active. Can you cycle to a friend’s house? Can you get off the bus one stop earlier? It all counts.

Look for new options. New places to visit for physical activity or new types of activity to try.

Set a good example. Live an active life. Explain to your children that it makes you feel good and STRONG! familiesonline.co.uk

PARENTING

Who Will Take Care of the Children IF….?

Busting the Myths about Adoption: Are you Eligible?

It’s tough deciding who will take care of your children if the worst happens and they no longer have a parent around. Unfortunately, in this eventuality, the situation is not straightforward for your children. Find out why.

Sadly, the number of children in care being adopted each year has fallen, while the number being looked after by local authorities is steadily rising. So there’s a continuing need to find more adoptive parents to look after vulnerable children.

READ MORE

By Andrew Campbell

READ MORE

Meaningful Moments

By Claire Winter

We all lead busy lives, with endless to-do lists and children with many hobbies.

Naturally family time can fall by the wayside sometimes.

Yet spending time together is essential if we want a happy and inclusive family environment.

So why not plan some family moments this autumn?

READ MORE familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 19

CLUBS & CLASSES

Face-to-Face and Virtual Classes and Clubs

Mother Nature Science

Gymboree Play & Music

Teddies Music Club

Face to face and online science activity classes for 5-12yrs.

Face to face classes for 0-5s on patented apparatus.

Face to face and online music toddler groups for 0-5s.

Sing and Sign at Home

Music Bugs

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy

Online baby signing classes.

Online sensory music classes for babies and toddlers.

Rugbytots

Little Gym

Face to face rugby play programme for 2-7 yrs.

20 September 2020

Face to face drama classes for 5-17yrs.

Little Kickers

Face to face and online Face to face football gymnastics activities classes for 18mths-7yrs. for 4mths-12yrs. familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

Face-to-Face and Virtual Classes and Clubs

Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School

FunTech

Caterpillar Music

Tots Play

SA Dance

Parrot Street Book Club

Online tech and coding Face to face and online music/movement for 7-18 yrs. classes babies and Face to face and online toddlers. drama for ages 4-18yrs.

Face to face and online baby and toddler play programme.

Online dance classes for 2.5yrs+.

Teddy Tennis

Lingotot

Face to face tennis classes for 2.5-6yrs.

familiesonline.co.uk

Face to face and online language classes for 0-12yrs.

Monthly subscription book club for 5-11yrs.

Water Babies

Swimming classes for 0-5yrs.

September 2020 21

ACTIVITIES

9 Best Board Games For rainy weekends and as the nights draw in!

Djeco Little Circuit

Shopping List

Peppa Pig Muddly Puddle Game

Great first game with simple rules and quick games. Ages 2.5-5yrs.

Fast paced game testing memory and matching skills.

Ages 3+.

Help George jump over muddles puddles to climb the hill. Ages 4+.

Cheeky Monkeys

Bananagrams

Jenga

Hang the monkey on the tree. Fun game of chance. Ages 4-8yrs.

Fast paced version of Scrabble. Ages 7+.

Take wooden blocks off the tower without it toppling! Ages 6+.

Monopoly Deal

Hey, That’s My Fish!

Einstein Eats Eggs

15 minute Monopoly – perfect intro to this classic game. Ages 8+.

22 September 2020

Award-winning game of strategic fish hunting. For ages 8+.

High speed Charadestype guessing game.

Ages 10+.

familiesonline.co.uk