Families Birmingham March/April 2023 PRINT

We’reanenvironmentally responsiblepublication

Weoftencovertopicsrelatedtotheenvironmentin ourmagazinebuthaveyoueverwonderedabouthow environmentally-friendlyweare?

Doyourememberwhenyouwereyoung,allthoseblissfuland adventure-filleddaysplayinginthelocalneighbourhoodwiththe otherchildrenthatlivednearby?Wehavesomeinteresting informationonhowyoucanofferyourchildthefreedomof‘playing out’thatourkidsthesedaysdon’tenjoy.

Ofcourse,Easterisjustaroundthecornerandit’snottoosoonto startmakingplans.Onpage15,TorInBirminghamtellsusabout somegreatseasonalfamilydaysoutonourdoorstepandfurther afield.Also,takealookatpage10,whereClaireWintergivesaround upofwhat’snewandfreein2023–somanywaystohavefunand makethemostoftheyear.

Finally,inthisissue,wehave SmobyNaturePlayhouses to giveawayandyoucanapplyinside.Bydoingso,you’llalsoensure youreceiveourdigitalmagazinewithlotsmorecontentandgoodies onoffer.

https://bit.ly/NOrecipients

YoumayhavespottedtheFSC®logointhemagazine.We’re happytoreportthatthisgivesanassurancethatallpaperwe useismadeofmaterialfromwell-managed,FSC®-certified forestsandothercontrolledsources.

ThemagazineisprintedbyBuxtonPressonresponsibly sourcedpaper.Eachaspectofourprinter’sbusinesshasbeen examinedforcontinualimprovementofitsgreencredentials. Infact,BuxtonPresshasevenbeenrecognisedforits achievementstodate,includingwinningPrintWeek’saward of EnvironmentalCompanyoftheYear. Readmoreat www.buxtonpress.com/environment

NotonlythatbutFamiliesisreducingtheimpactofits publicationontheenvironmentbycarbon-offsetting, compensatingfortheemissionofcarbondioxideintothe atmosphereasaresultofthepapermakingprocess.

T: 01217529750

E:crescent@childbase.com CrescentDayNurseryandPreschool, 21-22CalthorpeRoad,B151RP

T:01214541170

E:highfield.nursery @childbase.com HighfieldDayNurseryandPreschool, 3-4HighfieldRoad,B153ED

Supportiveethos givesEHSgirls theedge

Parentswithdaughtersstarting inReceptioninSeptember2023 or2024shouldaddSaturday22 Apriltotheirdiaries,when EdgbastonHighSchool(EHS) opensthedoorsofitsPrep departmenttoprospective families.

AtEHSPrep,academicchallenge iscoupledwithastrongand distinctiveprogrammeofpastoral careresultinginthewonderfully supportiveethosforwhichthe schoolisrenowned.Aswellasa curriculumthatstretchesand challengeseachpupil,girlsare encouragedtoembracenew experienceswiththeaimof developingtheirindividualgifts andtalents.

Weareproudofouracademicsuccessesandhaveaproventrack recordofguidinggirlsintotheseniorschooloftheirchoice.Weare, however,muchmorethanfantasticresultsandassuch,attributes suchasconfidenceandresiliencearegivenmuchimportance. VisitorstoEHSoftencommentonhowhappythegirlsare.Parents areencouragedtovisitandtalktoourpupils;theyareourbest ambassadors!

edgbastonhigh.co.uk

BilinguaSing BirminghamSouth

Didyouknowthatwenowofferourmulti-award-winning sensory,song-filledSpanish&Frenchbabyandtoddlerclasses inHarborne,BearwoodANDBournville!

Singinginaforeignlanguagemakesiteasiertolearn-thinkof allthesongsyoustillrememberthewordsto!InaBilinguaSing classyou’llsinginEnglish,thenSpanishorFrenchsoyouand yourlittleonewillgraduallymakeconnectionsbetweenthe two.

EachBilinguaSingsessionisafun-filledsensoryadventure, combiningouroriginalsongsandbilingualnurseryrhymeswith fantasticpuppets,lighting,bubbles,andprops.Ifyouare choosingbetweenclasses-whynotchooseonethatoffers music,sensoryactivitiesANDanotherlanguage,allinone class?BilinguaSingclassesevenofferthegrown-upssome mentalstimulation,helpingtostaveoff‘babybrain’!

Wealsooffersessionsfornurseriesandprimaryschoolclubs! •bilinguasing.com/find-a-class/birmingham-south •Tel:07539863024

•Email:lucy@bilinguasing.com

Stretchingyour child’simagination

ByJemmaZSmith

Imaginationistheabilitytocreatementalimages,thoughts orideas.Ithelpsustogeneratenewideas,tothinkcreatively andtoconsiderpossibilitiesthatmaynotberootedincurrent reality.Imaginationcanbeapowerfultoolforproblem-solving andinnovation.

Imaginationisoftenassociatedwithchildhoodandisan importantaspectofchilddevelopment.Childrenusetheir imaginationstocreatestories,gamesandotherformsofplayin whichtheyexploretheirenvironmentandlearnabouttheworld.

However,imaginationisn’tonlyimportantinchildhood.There aremanyjobsthatrelyonimaginationandcreativethinking.For example,imaginationisusedbythefollowingprofessionalsin thefollowingways:

Painters,sculptors,photographers -tocreateworksofart; Novelists,screenwritersandotherwriters- tocreatestories andcharacters;

Actors -toportraycharactersandbringstoriestolife;

Architects -todesignbuildingsandotherstructures; Graphicdesigners -tocreatevisualdesignsforwebsites, advertisementsandothermedia;

Musicians -tocomposemusicandcreatenewsounds; Gamedesigners -tocreateinteractivegamesandvirtual worlds;

Marketers -tocomeupwithcreativemarketingcampaignsand advertisements;

Teachers -tocreateengaginglessonplansandactivitiesfor theirstudents;

Engineers -todesignandbuildnewproductsandsystems.

Imaginationtakesmanyforms,includingvisualimaginationto creatementalimagesorpictures,verbalimaginationinstories orideasusingwordsandmusicalimaginationcreatingmelodies andharmonies.Itcanalsoinvolvetheuseofallfivesenses,such aswhensomeoneimaginesthetaste,smell,ortextureofafood theyhaveneverexperienced.

Byprovidingopportunitiesforchildrentousetheirimagination andencouragingthemtobecreative,parentscandeveloptheir creativethinkingskills.

Allimaginativeplaystartswithanunderstandingoftheworld aroundus,sotohelpachildtousetheirimaginationwemust firstintroducethemtodifferentexperiences,fromsensory experiencessuchasdiscoveringnewfoodsorsmells,to listeningtodifferentaccentsandinstruments.Thisexposure totheworldallowsyourchildtohavealargemental‘dressing upbox’tousewhencreatingcharactersandscenariosfortheir imaginativeplay.

JemmaZoeSmithisDirectorofTheEducationHotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).

S4SwimSchool

S4SwimSchoolhavebeenprovidingswimminglessonsto thousandsofchildrenforoveradecade.HundredsofS4 swimmershaveprogressedtoCounty,RegionalandNational levelcompetitionsandbeyond,thankstotheexcellent pathwaysbetweenS4andotheraquaticorganisations.

Memberreviews:

“Mydaughtertookpartintheintensivecourseandabsolutely lovedit.Wasreallypleasedattheprogresstheymadeinsucha shorttime,wehavenowsigneduptoregularclassesandcan't waittoseetheprogresstheywillmake”. (Facebook) “Fantasticswimmingschool,theinstructorsarebrilliantwith youngchildren,verypositiveandencouraging.Woulddefinitely recommend”. (Facebook)

“BothofmychildrencompletedthiscourseinEaster.Theyhave returnedtoswimmingweeklyafterEasterandhaveboth improvedsomuchandhavenowprogressedintoanew swimminggroup”. ThanksS4(Facebook) www.s4swimschool.uk

Whattheparentssay…

Weaskedthreeparents,Sarah,WillandRachelwhoallhaveor havehadchildrenat WestHouseNurseryandPre-School,totell uswhattheythinkoftheschool.

Willhastwosons,whostartedinthepre-schoolandthenstayedon atWestHouseSchool.Hecan’tspeakmorehighlyoftheir experience.

Heexplainedthattheywereinitiallyattractedtothenursery because,WestHouseoffered extremelyflexiblehours thatsuited hisworkpatterns.

Itwasobvious,fromthebeginningthoughthatWestHouseoffered muchmorethanflexibility.Willcomments:-“Wewereoverwhelmed withthe nurtureandcare thatbothourboysreceived.”

Headds,“Theyalsoseemedtolearnanimpressiveamountinpreschool,sothatbythetimetheygottoreceptiontheyalreadyhada comprehensivegraspoflettersandnumbers.”

Sarahhashadasimilarlypositiveexperience.Shesays;-“My daughtershavehadafantasticstarttolifeineducation.It’sa nurturingenvironmentwheretheyhavelearntsomuch,enabling themtobereadyandhave aheadstartforprimaryeducation.” Sarah,likeWill,alsocommentedontheflexibility:-“Theflexibilityis fantastic.Providingatermtimeonlyoptionhasbeenperfectforus.” Willtellsusthathisyoungersonreallybenefittedfromhaving access,whilstatnursery,totheextensivegroundsoftheschool.

Thechildrenhave acresofspacetorunaroundin andexplore. Theyregularlyplayedinthesportshallandgottousethegym equipmentfrom“bigschool”.Willjokesthathisson’spassionfor rugbywasignitedinpre-schoolasheusedtoseetheolderboys playingandhewantedtocopythem.

WhenaskedspecificallyaboutthestaffRachel,whohasadaughter inthenursery,commentsthat:-

“Thenurserystaffhavesuchagoodunderstandingofwheremy daughterisatabilitywiseandprovide manydifferent opportunities toextendandreachhernextsteps.

Theyarealsogreatatgivingadvicetoanewparentonarangeof topicsincluding,napping/sleeping,learningtowalkandtoilet trainingjusttonameafew.”

Sarahadds:-“Thestaffareextremelycaringandhardworking, andwecouldn’tbemoregratefulforeverythingtheydoforourlittle ones.”

Willagreesthatthestafftakesuchaninterestintheindividual child:-“Fromtheveryoff,thenurserytookthetimetogettoknow mysons.Theylearntabouttheirinterestsandgottoknowusas parents,so wereallyfeltpartoftheWestHousefamily.” Thisconnectionhasonlygotstrongerastheboyshavemovedup theschool.Hethinksoneofthereasonsthattheyhavethrivedin theprepdepartmentisbecausebythetimetheygottoreception theyfeltsoathomeandhappy.

Whenaskedwhattheirchildwouldsaywastheirfavouritething aboutWestHouse.Rachelisinnodoubt:-“100%herkeypeople andthewonderfulstaffthatlookafterhereverydayintheroom. Mydaughteradoresthem,fromthemomentshejoinedtheywent theextramileforherineverywaypossibleastheydoforallthe children.Iamsoluckythataftertakingawhiletosettlesheisso happytogointoschoolandsometimesdoesn'tevenwanttocome home!”

Sarahsaysthatherdaughterswouldalsosaytheteachersaretheir favouritething,closelyfollowedbytheLego!

Willrecallsthathissonsusedto lovethefood,whichisall preparedonsiteinthekitchensatWestHousebutalsoaddsthat hiswifewasgratefulthatnappiesandwipeswereallprovided. “Itwasjustonelessthingtothinkabout!”

WestHouseSchoolandNurseryinEdgbaston,offersacoeducationaldaynurseryandpre-schoolandtakesbabiesfrom theageof6months.Theprepschoolisforboysage4-11yrs. Forover125years,they’vebeenrenownedfortheirunique familyatmosphereandforsuccessfullystrikingtheperfect balancebetweenacademicrigourandprovidinganincredibly nurturingenvironments,inwhichchildrenthrive.

Formoreinformation,visit www.westhouseprep.com

Clubs, Classes & Activities

S4SWIMSCHOOL

S4SwimIntensive-Schoolholidayswim coursesdesignedtogiveyourchildareal boostwiththeirswimmingdevelopment!

AtypicalSwimIntensivecoursewould involvefourexperiencedswiminstructors andfourdifferentlevelgroups.These coursesareonofferforNon-Swimmers, Beginners,ImproversandAdvanced children.

•Maxof5swimmerspergroup

•On-goingswimmerassessment

•TaughttheS4way,producingswimmers withahighdegreeofskill&technical ability

•Aconsistentprofessionalapproachatall venues(groupstructure,teaching standards)

Findswimminglessonsnearyouat s4swimschool.uk

SOLIHULLYOUNGDANCERS

Balletclassesfromage2½andTapclasses fromtheageof4.OnSaturdaymorningsfrom 09:00amatStHelensChurch.

Formoredetails,pleasecallKateon 07722732678. www.solihullyoungdancers.co.uk

THEATRETRAIN,HARBORNE

AtTheatretrainwe:empoweryoungpeople;encourageselfexpression,individuality,andcreativethinkingalongside professionaltuitionin•SINGING•ACTING•DANCING

AtTheatretrainwebelieveperformingartsshouldbe accessibletoeveryone,that’swhyweneverauditionnew studentsoraskforanypreviousexperience.It’sourpolicythatfeesarekeptatalevelaffordableto mostfamilies.TheatretrainLOVESTOPERFORMbothlocallyandnationally,givingourstudentsvast opportunitiesinawidevarietyofshows.

Joinnowtobepartofourfun-packed,high-energy,creativeclassesandseeyourchild’sconfidence soar!ClassesinHarborneandBromsgrove

ContactMelanieDykeson07766724834;harborne@theatretrain.co.uk; theatretrain.co.uk/harborne

BILINGUASINGBIRMINGHAMSOUTH

LearnaLanguagewithyourLittleOne!

Song-filledSpanish&FrenchClassesinHarborne, BearwoodandBournville.Helpdevelopyourlittleone’s earlycommunicationskills,buildtheirconfidence,andenhancetheir physicalandemotionaldevelopmentwithourmulti-award-winningmusic, languageandsensoryclasses.Earlyexposuretoasecondlanguageis fantasticforyourlittleone’sbraindevelopmentandlearningskills.

LEARNIRISHDANCINGWITH GRANARINCE

Fun,fitnessandfriendship-Irishdancing classesforgirlsandboysaged4+availablein SellyOakandRedditch.Firstclassfreeof charge!Alllevelscateredto.

ContactLouiseon07790876345or louise-stanley@hotmail.co.uk granarince.co.uk

FOOTBALLFUNATICS

Introducechildrentofootballandlifeskillsinthe mostfunwaypossibledevelopingconfidenceand techniqueinanopressureenvironment.

Qualifiedcoachesrunfunsessionsandamazing variedholidaycampsforallabilitiestotakepartin Aged4–13. footballfunatics.co.uk

SOFTPLAYTAKEAWAY

Oursoftplaypackageskeeplittleones entertainedatpartiesandotherspecial occasions.Weprovideequipmentincluding bouncycastles,ballpits,musicalmats, softplayshapes,andmore!Wearealso availableforhiretotoddlergroupsand nurseries.

01618184876

softplaytakeaway.co.uk

Contacttheeditortodayon07807352087

Classesforbabies(from4weeks),crawlersandtoddlerstopre-schoolers! Youdon'tneedtoknowanylanguagestojoinin-you’llbesingingalongin notime!

Findoutmoreat:bilinguasing.com/find-a-class/birmingham-south Tel:07539863024,Email:lucy@bilinguasing.com

THECHOCOLATESHED

Themedchocolatemakingpartiesandworkshops forchocoholicsofallages.Allofourholiday workshopsandchildren'spartiesarerunbyourfabulousteamoflocal chocolatierswhoarelookingforwardtoguidingyouthroughtheprocess ofcraftingyourchocolateycreations.Everyworkshopisuniqueandwe offerarangeofdifferentoptionswhichwillbetailoredtotheneedsofyou andyourparty.Yourchocolatemasterpieceswillbemadeusingreal, sustainableandlocallysourcedingredientswherepossibleandevery workshopinvolvesalotofsticky-fingeredfunandtasting!

f l l

W:www.thechocolateshed.comE:info@thechocolateshed.com

MeetGeorgeWebster

FamilieschatswithGeorgeWebster,the22-year-oldTV presenter,actor,dancerandambassadorforMencap.George wascatapultedintothepubliceyewhenhespokeabout Downsyndromeinhismyth-bustingvideoforBBCBitesize.A trailblazer,heisnowthefirsteverCBeebiespresentertohave DownSyndrome.InNovember2022,GeorgewonaBAFTA (ChildrenandYoungPeopleAwards)forBestPresenter.

Congratulationsonwinning yourBAFTA!Howdoyoufeel aboutthatachievement?

Ifeelreallyproudandreally honouredtoachievethe awardforpresenter.Iwork withsomanybrilliantpeople atCBeebiesandIfeellike thingsarestartingtoimprove forpeoplelikemeinthemedia industry.

Tellusaboutyourjourney tobecomeapresenteron CBeebies.

Ialwayslovedacting,dancing andperformingatschool andsincethenonething hasledtoanother.While volunteeringatParkrun,Sky filmedmeforadocumentary andIthenbecameaMencap ambassador.WhenmyBBC Bitesizevideobustingthefive mythsofDownsyndromegot fivemillionhits,CBeebiesgot intouchinvitingmetobea

guestpresenterandnowI’ma regular!

Whohasbeenmost supportiveinhelpingyou achieveyoursuccess?

Myparentshavebeenreally supportivethroughoutmylife andtheyalwayskeeptelling me‘justbeyourself.’Ialways amandIwanttosaythank youtothemfortheirloveand support.Also,mysupport teachersatschool,myfriends, theNHSandlocalcharities.

Whatadvicewouldyougiveto encourageotheryoungsters whoarefacingchallenges andwanttopursuesimilar careers?

Beyourselfanddreambig.We canalldreambigsodon’tlet anyoneelsedecideforyouas it’syourlife.Getinvolvedwith localperformingartsgroups too.

GIVEAWAY! Fivesignedcopiesof ThisisME! picturebook

Familieshasteamedupwith BAFTAaward-winningTV presenter,GeorgeWebster, CBeebies’firstpresenter withDownsyndrome,tooffer fiveluckychildrencopiesof George’snewbook, ThisisME!

Whatdoyouenjoymost aboutpresenting?

Iloveeverythingabout presentingatCBeebies!I’ve metloadsofbrilliantpeople andnowwe’regreatfriends. Ialsoenjoyshowingthe viewersathomethatpeople likemecanberepresented withinthemediaandthat ‘difference’caninspiretheir kids’lives.Theirkidscanhave manyrolemodels,nomatter whoandwhattheyare.

You’venowwrittenapicture bookcalledThisisME!Tellus more.

ThisisME! isaboutme,my friendsandfamilywhenIwas younger.It’saboutcelebrating differencesnomatterwhatwe looklikeandwhoweare.It’s alsoabouteachpersonhaving theirownglowinsidethatwe allneedtosee.

Yorkshireasthefirstinclusive dancegroupwithMeshdance andwatchingmyappearance onStrictlyComeDancing backonChristmasDay.

Youareambassadorfor thecharityMencap,which workstoimprovethelifeof youngpeoplewithlearning difficulties.Telluswhatthis workmeanstoyou.

ItmeansalottomeasIhave manyfriendswithalearning disabilityandthey’reall brilliant.Peoplelikeusexist andworkingwithMencap meansourvoicesgetheard. Iwantpeopletounderstand usmoreratherthanbescared ofus.

Wherewouldyouliketosee yourcareerheadinginthe future?

ThisisME! isaheartfeltand upliftingstorythatfollowsalittle boycalledGeorgeashetellsthereaderall aboutwhoheis,hislifeandhisexperiences.George knowsthathavingDownsyndromeisanimportantpart ofhimbutitdoesnotdefinehim.

d ll e er a

FeaturingGeorge’sreal-lifefriendsandfamilyaswellas ajoyfulcastofcharactersreflectiveofsocietyandwith brightandboldillustrationsbybest-sellingillustrator, TimBudgen, ThisisME! celebratesuniqueness,being ourselvesandhowourdifferencesmakeusspecial. ake us special peci c

ScantheQRcode toapplyorvisit familiesmag.co.uk/go

Closingdate:21April

T&Csathttps://bit.ly/gwbookgiveaway

Thebookillustrationsare theperfectaccompaniment toyourrhymingwords.How didthepartnershipcome together?

Mypublisher,Scholastic Children’sBooks,pairedme withthewonderfulillustrator, TimBudgen.Workingwith himandmyco-author,Claire Taylor,hasbeenbrilliantanda realcollaborativeeffort.

Whathasbeenthebest momentofyourcareersofar?

Therearesomany!Working withCBeebies,writinga book,winningaBAFTA, beingonCasualty,goingto thepremiereofS.A.Mand dancingonstagewithTalent Hub.PlusgoingtoUDance NationalFinalstorepresent

I’dlovetodomorepresenting andactingwork.Iwouldlove tobeinDeathinParadise, EastEndersandDoctorWho. OrIcouldbethenewJames Bond-whynot!Also,I’dlove tocompeteonthemainshow ofStrictlyComeDancing.

Ifyouhadtobustone mythabouthavingDown syndrome,whatwoulditbe?

‘PeoplewithDownsyndrome arealwayshappy.’Thisjust isn’ttrue!Wehavearange ofemotionslikeeveryliving personhas.

Whatdoyoudotorelax?

Ilovegoingtothetheatreor cinema,watchingfilmsand tvandlisteningtomusic.Oh, andthrashingmydadatFIFA!

What’sneworfree in2023

ByClaireWinter

Tohelpyouandyourfamilygetthebestoutoftheyear ahead,Familiesbringsyouthelowdownonexcitingfree eventsandnewproductsfor2023.

TheYoungV&A (formerly theMuseumofChildhood) willre-openinBethnalGreen, Londonthissummerasanew nationalmuseumandcreative powerhouseforchildrenand youngteens. www.vam.ac.uk/young

ManchesterMuseum has undergoneanincredible£15m transformationproject. The GoldenMummiesofEgypt promisestobeanexciting exhibitionfeaturingmorethan ahundredobjectsincluding eightmummies. www. museum.manchester.ac.uk

Goonanight-timeadventuretolookatconstellationsand galaxiesatoneofEngland’sgrowingrangeofdarksky experiencesandfestivals.2023marksthetenthanniversary of NorthumberlandInternationalDarkSkyPark, theUK’s largestandfirstInternationalDarkSkyPark,whichspans nearly1,500squarekmof NorthumberlandNationalPark and KielderWaterandForestPark.https://bit.ly/northdarkskies

Explorethe NorthDowns ArtTrail onfootorbicycleto enjoystunningviewsbetween DoverinKentandFarnham inSurrey,whereaseriesof sculpturesworkasbenchesor shelters.Choosefromarange ofdownloadable,self-guided walkingorcyclingroutes.

https://bit.ly/ndownsarttrail

Checkouttheall-Britishand all-electric FireflySports carforkids.It’shopedthecar willhelpeducateyoungsters aboutroadsafetyandhow futuremotorvehiclescanbean environmentalforceforgood. TrydrivingtheFireflySportat YoungDriver’sUK venuesfor £20.Bookalessonat www.youngdriver.com

AlleyeswillbeonLondonwiththe CoronationofKing CharlesIII onSaturday6May.Plus,wegetanewbank holidayonMonday8Maytocontinuethecelebrations. Expectlotsoffreeroyal-themedevents,exhibitionsand celebrationsacrosstheUK. www.royal.uk

LEGOFriends® releasesfivenewsetsthisyearwith diversecharactersthatbetterrepresentchildren.Thenew setswillbeinclusiveofvariousethnicities,disabilitiesand neurodivergenceandwillfeaturecharacterswithlimb difference,Downssyndrome,anxiety,vitiligoandevenpets withdisabilities,includingablinddogandadogwitha wheelchair. https://bit.ly/friendsdiverse

Thenewcarsunshade from Shady® istheonlycar sunshadethatallowsyouto winddownyourcarwindow. Thesunshadeblocksnearly allharmfulUVraysandsticks firmlytotheglassofthe window.It’sperfectforany ageandifyouhaveanewborn, ithasbeenspecifically developedtonurtureand stimulatevisionandtheoptic nervesbyincorporatinghigh contrast,black-and-white, funimageswhilstproviding protectionfromdirectsunlight. www.sunshady.co.uk

Baboodle isthefirstbaby equipmentsubscription platform,rentingbaby essentialstoparentsforas muchtimeastheyneed.There arehugediscountsonbaby equipmentandthescheme reducesthewasteassociated withbabyequipment. Signupandstartsavingat www.baboodle.co.uk

FunkyT-Shirtsfrom BonBonBon willbrighten upanyday.Designedbymotherand daughterduoNatandBonnie,theygive tenpercentofeverysaleto Place2Be, acharitydedicatedtoimproving children’smentalhealth. https://bit.ly/bonbonfunky

Understanding interoception

ByUshaPatel

‘Mychildisinthe99thpercentileforreadingbutheisnotable totellmewhenheishungryorthirsty.’

Traditionally,ourmainstreameducationsystemtellsusthata childissuccessfulwhentheyachieveatcurriculumsubjects suchasreadingandwriting.Werarelyassociateacademically brightchildrenwithlearningdifficultiesorothercognitiveissues, sothesecanoftengooverlookedinanacademicallyachieving child.

Thesedays,wearemoreawareofdyslexiaandADHDand howtheycanaffectusbutothermoresubtledifficultiescan bedifficulttounderstand.Forexample,Irecentlyspoketoa parentofan8-year-oldboywhoisaveryfastlearnerandenjoys reading,ofwhichhismotheris,ofcourse,veryproud.However, hestrugglesagreatdealwithotherthings.Everyweek,there isanearaccidentinthetoiletdepartment;hedoesn’tseemto knowwhenheishungry,coldorthirstyandhisteachersreport thatheissociallyaloof. Sowhatcouldbegoingonhere?

Thisisaproblemwithsomethingcalledinteroceptionanditcan beworkedonandimprovedbyanexperiencedandqualified therapist.

Whatisinteroception?

Interoceptionisbetterknownasourbody’sabilitytounderstand messagesfromourinternalorgans.Thisincludesthesense thatwefeelhungryorthirsty.Ignoringornotunderstanding thesefeelingscancauseallsortsofproblems.Forexample,not understandingwhenyourbladderisfullcanleadtoaccidents.

Aschildrengrow,theylearntointerpretthesignalstheirbodies givethem.However,sometimesinteroceptioncanbeadifficult skilltoacquire.Manychildrenandevenadults needhelp todevelopthisinternalintelligence, whichisdistinctand separatefromacademicskillssuchasreadingandwriting.Itis notuncommonforinternalintelligenceandacademicskillstobe outofsynch.

Developingmindfulnesscanbeverybeneficialtousallin understandinghowourinteroceptionworks.Itcanbeatopdownwaytodeliverawarenessandimproveourunderstanding ofourbodies.Givingourselvestheabilitytobetterunderstand ourbody’ssignalsnaturallyleadstobetterinteroception.

Whathappenswhenwecan’ttapintoourfeelings?

Interoceptionispartofsomethinglargercalledneuroception, whichisourresponsetoallsensorytriggers,bothinternaland external.Asitincludesourbody’ssignalsandthosearound us,suchasdifferentsensationsandnoises,itplaysahuge partinhowweunderstandifwearesafeornot.Forexample, neuroceptionisresponsibleforhowweinterpretthetonesof others’voices:whethertheyseemgentleandfriendly,orangry andthreatening.

Ofcourse,theseskillsdon’tjustaffectusphysically, theyalso affecthowweinterpretouremotionalstate andhowwe decidetoactonouremotions.Ifwecan’tunderstandourown emotions,wecan’tunderstandthoseofotherseither.Thisleads toawkwardsocialinteraction,whichiswherethatsenseof aloofnessfromapersonwithpoorneuroceptionoftencomes from,aswellastheirapparentlackofempathy.

Notfeelingsafebecausewedon’tunderstandhowtoreadthe environmentandthosearounduscanleadtoapoorsenseof selfandbelinkedtomentalhealthproblems.It’sfortunatethat therearewaystohelpchildrenwiththisissue.

UshaPatelisaneurocognitivetherapistwhorunsRaviv PracticeLondon(www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk).

Followus

Buildingonawareness

Thisideaoffeelingsafeissoimportantandthereisa fantastictherapycalledthe SafeandSoundProtocol which canhelpagreatdeal.

Byusingalgorithmicallyfilteredmusic,thistherapyallowsthe individual’snervoussystemtounderstandandcommunicate withprocesseswithinthebody.Theabilitytotuneintoyour bodilyneedsandtoappearmoreconnectedtoothers,happens overaperiodoftimeandhasproducedsomeremarkable results.Readmoreatwww.move2connect.com.

Improvingmindfulness

Hereisasimpleexerciseyourchildcantryathome. Sitinafavouritechairwithbothfeetflatonthefloor.Haveone handonthenavelandtheotheronthechest.Bestillinthis positionfortentotwentyseconds.

Experiencetheriseandfallofthetummyandthebeatingofthe heart.Ignoretheoutsideworldandenjoythismoment.Thisis easytosaybutnotalwayseasytodo.Practicemakesperfect!

Bringingback playingout

Forthemajorityoftoday’sparents,thebestchildhood memoriesdon’tinvolveexpensivetoysororganisedactivities. Instead,theyrememberthesimplepleasuresofplayingand runningaroundoutsidewiththeirfriends.Theirstrongest andfondestmemoriesrecallamagicalsenseoffreedomand possibility.

Therehavebeenmanystudiesintothebenefitsoffree, unstructuredoutsideplay.Childrenplayingtogetherusetheir creativityandimaginationtocreategamesandinventrules;they learnhowtocollaborate,share,negotiateandresolveconflicts. Theybuildresilience,independenceandsocialconfidenceas theylearntonavigatetheworldwithoutadultinterference.All valuableexperiencesastheygrowintoyoungadults.

Playingoutsideisalso thenatural,joyfulwaythatchildrenare physicallyactive anddeveloprunning,balancing,skipping, climbing,jumpingandevenballskillsattheirownpace.You don’thaveto‘make’childrendothis;justlookataschool playgroundatbreaktime!

Inthepast,playingoutsidewastheeasy,freewaythatchildren gotallthesevitalhealthandwellbeingbenefits,everyday.Allit neededwassafespacesclosetohome:streets,patchesofland, smallparkschildrencouldgetto.Itdidn’tneedmoney,acaror anadulttotakethem.

Todaythingsareverydifferent.Whilescreensand‘lazy’children orparentsoftengetblamed,oneofthebiggestbarriersistraffic. UKtrafficvolumehasdoubledsincethe1980s androads arenowseenas‘justforcars.’Parentalfearsarejustified,as thenumbersofchildrenbeingkilledorinjuredonourroadsis shockingandshouldbeunacceptableinanysociety.

Children’shealthand community

PlaystreetshavebeenspreadingacrosstheUKforovera decadenowandthepositiveimpactonchildrenisbacked upbyresearch:regularextrahoursofphysicalactivity, theopportunitytomakefriendswithotherneighbourhood childrenandpickingupfunandusefulskillssuchasskipping andridingbikes.Inshort,allthegoodbenefitsofplayingout forhealthandwellbeingthatmanyofususedtohave.

Manystreetswhichhavebeenplayingoutregularlyforseveral yearshavefoundthatit’snotjustthechildrenwhobenefit;it canbringthewholestreetcommunitytogether.Everyoneonthe streetisinvitedtojoinin,whethertheyhavechildrenornot.

Friendshipsbetweenneighboursareformedorstrengthened, whileolderresidentsoftenfeellesslonely.WhenCovidleft someelderlyorunwellpeoplefeelingisolated,thoselivingon playstreetsfoundthattheyalreadyhadasupportnetworkof friendsandneighboursontheirstreet.

Playstreetsaren’tjustforchildren,they’reforeveryoneonthe street!

Sowhatcanparentsdo?

Gardensaresafebutnoteveryonehasone.Organisedactivities aregreatbutnotalwayspossibleanddon’treplacethebenefits ofunstructuredplay.

Playstreetsareonewaytoreclaimsomeofthefreedom childrenhavelost. Bytemporarilystoppingthroughtrafficon aresidentialstreet,neighbourscanopenupasafespacefor childrentoplaytogetherontheirdoorsteps.

In2009,agroupofBristolparentsclosedtheirstreettothrough trafficforafewhourstogivetheirchildrensomeofthefreedom theygrewupwith.Theircouncilthenagreedthatthiscould happeneveryweek.Theideabegantospreadandtheysetup PlayingOuttosupportotherparentsandresidentsdothesame. PlayingOutbringsmoreplayandfreedomintochildren’s livesinaneasy,affordableway.Lookintosettingupyourown spaceatwww.playingout.net.

Gettingstartedwithplay streets

Therearefourstepsinvolvedwithsettingupaplaystreet: Consultyourneighbours. It’sclearlygottobesomething thattheywilleitheractivelyembraceor,attheveryleast,find acceptable.

Applytoyourcouncilforpermission. Notallcouncilshave policiestosupportplaystreetsbuttheycanoftenbepersuaded iftheycanseethatthereisdemandfromresidents.Inthese areas,whynotstartwithastreetparty(fortheCoronation perhaps),focusonlowkeyspaceforplayandthentakeitfrom there?

Effectivelycommunicatewhatishappening toeveryoneonthe street.

Releaseyourkidstoplayout. Ontheday,volunteerstewards supervisetheroadclosuresothatresidentswhoneedtocan stilldriveinandoutandthedisruptiontoneighboursisminimal. Alltheinformationandsupportyouneedtotakethisfurtherisat www.playingout.net

Secretsofourfirst thousanddays

ByProfessorLucyGreen&ProfessorMarkHanson

Haveyoueverwonderedwhykeepinghealthyissotoughfor someofusbutseemseasyforothers?Andwhytheso-called ‘non-communicable’diseaseslikecardiovasculardisease anddiabetesstillaccountformostdeathsaroundtheworld, despitealltheeffortsofdoctorsandhealthcaresystems?Did youknowthatunconsciouscommunicationwithyourbaby inthewombhelpstheirbody’scontrolsystemsdevelopfor lifelonghealth?

Anincreasingnumberofmedicalexpertswouldsaythatweare missingafundamentalcluetowhatmakesushealthy. Our lifelongriskofchronicdiseasescanbeestablishedduringour firstthousanddays,fromconceptionuntilagetwo.Thiscritical timeaffectshowourbodiesareputtogetherandhowwewill respondtotheworldwewilllivein,withitsstresses,needfor exerciseandgooddiet,adequatesleepandhealthybehaviours. Thesecretsofthefirstthousanddaysofourlivesstartfromthe momentofconception.Oncetheeggandspermhavefused, theveryearlyembryobegins‘tasting’itsenvironment.Itdetects signalsabouttheworldfromthemother’shormonesandthe nutrientsfromthefoodsheeats.Theseleavesmall‘epigenic’ marksontheembryo’sDNA.It’snotjustaboutthemother;the father’sspermbringstheeggitsownmarkstoo,affectedbyhis dietandlifestyle.Thesechangetheinstructionsgivenbythe inheritedgenesandcanchangehowtheunbornbabydevelops.

Asthefoetusgrows itsensesmoresignalsfromthemother’s lifestyleandnutrition. Thisisimportantbecausesomeorgans developedbeforebirthmustserveusforalifetime,likethe musclecellsinourheartsandthefilteringunitsinourkidneys. Weevenstartedpractisingbreathing,albeitunderwater,inside thewombandourlungsaresensitivetocuesfromourmother. Scientificadvancesrevealevenmoresurprises;forexample,that foetalbrainelectricalactivitylookslikeadultsleepstates.Could thefoetusevenbedreaming?

Childrencontinuetorespondtocareandsignalsfromthe environmentastheyachievemajormilestonesbeforetheage of2,suchaseatingsolidfood,speakingtheirfirstwordsand takingfirststepsunaided.Somedevelopmentsarelessvisible, likecolonisationofthegutwithbacteria,buildinganimmune systembasedon‘experience,’orthechangesinnervecellsand connectionswithinthebrainastheylearntorecognisenew facesandvoices.

Wearequiteusedtocheckingourchildren’sgrowthfromthe momentofbirth.Itisparticularlyimportantbecausepoorfoetal growthisassociatedwithgreaterriskofnon-communicable diseaseslaterinlifeandsmallbabiessometimesstruggleto thrive.Inaddition,moreyoungpeoplethaneverareoverweight orobeseandthis riskofpooroverallhealthcanpassacross generationstoo.

Knowingthesecretsofdevelopmentandhowtheycanaffect risksofill-healthlaterinlifemakesusthink:ifallparentswere betterpreparedbeforepregnancytheywouldgivethebest firstthousanddaystothenextgeneration.Ourchildrenwon’t rememberitorgrowuptothankusbutthey’llstayhealthier.

MarkandLucy,bothattheUniversityofSouthampton,have spentdecadesresearchingtheprocessesunderlyinghuman earlydevelopment,whicharenowpublishedintheirnew book WhatMakesaPerson:SecretsofOurFirst1,000Days, availablefromwww.bookshop.org.

Thebeststartinlife

Foreverycouple,thetimeperiodduringwhichpreparationis neededforthefirstthousanddaysoftheirchild’slifeisquite short.It’slikelytobethreetosixmonthsbeforeconception and,atthispoint,societalandhealthcaresupportneedstobe inplace.

Wealsoneedtothinkaboutwhatsupportcouplesmightneed duringthisvitaltimewindow.Thiswillhelpinpersuading healthcareprofessionalsandpoliticaldecision-makersto providesuchhelpastheyplanhealthcarestrategiesforour future.

WhatMakesaPerson

Theachievementsofbiomedicalresearchoverrecentdecades havemadeitclearthatwhilegenesarethetoolswhichour bodiesusetodevelop,theplanofhowweeachdevelop andtheuseofthetoolstodothejob,isveryflexible.The messagesaboutlifereceivedfromourparentssetsthecourse ofdevelopment.

WhatMakesaPerson:SecretsofOurFirst1,000Days revealsless obviousandwell-knownscientific‘secrets’ofdevelopmentinthe wombandearlychildhood.

ItwaseightyearsagothatIleftmyjobasasecondary schoolmusicteacherwithnoplanofwhatIwasgoingto donext.Iwashankeringafteranexcitingchange,afresh challenge,butIdidn’treallyknowwhichdirectiontotake. WhatIwantedwasanewcareerwhichwouldprovidejust asmuchfulfilmentasteaching,allowingmecreative licenseandautonomy.Moreimportantly,Ineededa positionwhichfittedaroundbeingamorepresentmumto mytwoyoungchildren.FormonthsIsearchedthrough thejobvacanciesbutfoundnothinginspiring.

Thenfromthebluecametheopportunitytobuythefranchise forFamiliesBirminghammagazine.Withitcamethefreedom torunmyownbusinesswiththesupportofarespectedand well-establishedfranchise.What’smore,Iwouldneveragain missaschoolconcert,sportsdayorparent’sevening.

BeingaFamiliesmagazineownerandeditoroffersfantastic flexibilityandrewardsaswellassomeamazingexperiences formyselfandmyfamily.Therearearound30Families Magazineeditorswhojoinedthenetworkfromavarietyof careerbackgroundsaroundtheUK,mostlymumsanddads. TheFamiliesHeadOfficesupportseditorstoruntheirown magazineswithfulltrainingandbespoketrouble-shooting provided.

FamiliesBirminghamisastronglyperformingtitleinthe networkwithawell-establishedbaseofadvertisers,suppliers anddistributors.Itisalocallyknownandlovedbrandwith fewcompetitors.Youareupandrunningassoonasyoutake over!

Theschedulingofthesixprintedissuesayearenablesmeto worklessduringtheschoolholidays(Idon’tknowofanother jobthatenablesyoutohavemostofAugustoff).

Nowmyyoungestchildhasstartedhighschool,Iamreadyto explorepasturesnewandtoreluctantlyhandovertoanew ownerwhocantakethemagazineontoevengreater success.

Ifyouwouldbeinterestedinexploringthisopportunityand wouldlikeaninformalchatdofeelfreetogetintouch.

Mobile: 07807352087

Email: editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

BestWishes.

Wouldyouliketoownthismagazine? Suzanne

FiveSuperSpringythingstodo!

WhatdoyouthinkaboutwhensomeonesaysSpringis coming?Ithinkofbulbspokingtheirheadsupoutofthesoil, thesunrisingearlierandofcourse,thelittlebabylambs!I havetoadmit,IdoliketheEastertreatstoo.Farmshop favourites,suchasfreshbreadandhomemadecakes,healthy produceburstingwithcolour,creamteasandchocolateeggs. Infact,Ineedtogetmychequeredtableclothoutrightnow!

1.Seethenewlife

AtoppickofoursisAttwellFarmPark,Redditch.There’san outdoorplayground,indoorsoftplayandplentyof opportunitiestomeetandgreetanimalsinthebarnsandthe field.ThereareoftenEastereventsonovertheholidays whereyoucanvisitthehatcherytoseenew-bornchicksand eggsintheincubator.Keepyoureyeonthewebsitefordates attwellfarmpark.co.uk/events/easter-holidays/

AnotherfavouritefarmwhichoftenhaslambingeventsisAsh Endhousefarm,Tamworth ashendchildrensfarm.co.uk or forsomethingabitdifferent,takeadriveouttothewonderful CotswoldFarmParknearCheltenham.

Lastbutnotleast,theNationalTrustactuallyhasadedicated pageforplacestoseelambs!TheclosesttousisCalke AbbeyinDerbyshireandCharlecoteParkinWarwickshire. nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/countryside-woodland/placesyou-can-see-lambs

2.Haveapicnicparty

Home

PerhapsalittleoptimistictohaveapicnicinApril,or especiallyMarch,butdon’tletthatstopyouhavinganindoor one!Spreadyourblanketoutonthefloorwithsomepillows, grabafewteddiesandseteveryoneaplaceforaspring afternoontea.Visityourlocalfarmshopforyummytreats!

Away

Haveyouheardofamysterypicnic?NeitherhadIuntilI cameacrossthisbrilliantcompanythatofferthisverything! Takethefamilyonahuntforfabulousfoodandsolvethe cluesthatleadyoutothelocationforyoursecretpicnic. There’sonethatstartsrighthereinourveryownJewellery Quarter! amazingco.me/uk/experiences/mysterypicnics/family/jewellery-quarter Alovelywaytofillabasketofseasonalfoodistogoalongto theSpringForagingWalkatCastleBromwichHallGardens. Finally,packyourbasketandgoboating!GoBoatisbackin April.PackupyoursarniesandfloatalongBirmingham’s canalswiththefamily. goboat.co.uk/birmingham

3.Smelltheflowers

Naturally,theBotanicalGardensareagreatplacetoobserve thechangingseasonsandtherearesomegardenexplorer backpacksavailableforchildren. birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

AsecretgardenthatIalsolovethathasfamilyfriendlyevents onisMartineauGardens.Thereisalovelywoodattheback thatfillswithbluebellsfromlateApril.Entranceisfreeand youwillalsofindachildren’splayareaandnaturetrail. martineau-gardens.org.uk

Howaboutavisittotheabsolutelystunningdisplaysat BlakesleyHall?Thegardensarewell-keptandarebeautiful duringtheSpring.There’saforestfairyeventon25thMarch atAstonHallandanEarthDayeventatWeoleyCastleon 22ndApril. birminghammuseums.org.uk

4.Springintofestivalfever!

AtRHSMalvernSpringFestivalexpecttofindwonderfulfood stalls,exhibitions,gardeningadvice,stunningflowers,famous faces,rides,treats,trailsandmore.Familyfunperfection! rhs.org.uk/shows-events/malvern-spring-festival AnothereventI’mbookingthisyearisSwingamajigat BirminghamBotanicalGardens.Thisisaone-dayfestival whichpromisestobringtogetherablendofmusic,dance, andcabaret.Therewillvintageinspiredmusic,DJs,cabaret, andswingdancing,aswellasstreetfoodandmuchmore.

5.HuntforEasterEggs

Home

Whodoesn’tlovehuntingforchocolateeggsaroundthe house?I’vepreviouslyfoundsomefunEasterEgghuntkitsin Poundland!OnlinetryAmazon,EtsyandHobbycraft.

Away

ThehomeofBirminghamchocolateissurelythebestplaceto startyourEasteradventure!CadburyWorldisputtingonan EasterShowinwhichhuntingforthegoldeneggtakescentre stage! cadburyworld.co.uk

CheckouttheNationalTrustpagestoofordetailsofthe EasterEgghuntsnearyou.Othergoodwebsitestobookmark forEastereventsareVisitSolihullandResortsWorld Birmingham.

Comeandseeusatthe Museumthisyear.Thereare lotsofactivitiestoget involvedinwhichkeepallthe familyentertained. www.staffordshirere gimentmuseum.com

Staffordshire Regiment Museum

By@torinbirmingham