Families Birmingham PRINT March-April 2022

Birmingham

IN THIS ISSUE:

Spring Fun Education Travel What’s On

Issue 68 March/April 2022

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TRAVEL News

Are staycations here to stay?

By Claire Winter hotels and foreign locales may seem, I also love being in the UK. There are no stresses of air travel, you can have all the home comforts to hand and jet lag isn’t an issue.

Staycations are fast becoming part of family life and many families experienced holidaying in the UK for the first time during the last two years.

For many, myself included, it meant discovering a new love for Britain’s varied coastline, beautiful cities and countryside.

While some families will continue to travel abroad, the uncertainty and increased costs will mean that many opt to stay in the UK in 2022 too.

Staycation fan, presenter, adventurer and ambassador for Bailey of Bristol, Andy Torbet (www.andytorbet.com) lives in the Wye Valley with his wife Bex and their two lively sons ages 6 and 4.

‘I love staycations because I work away from home a lot and as glamorous as

Over lockdown we realised that with a bit of imagination you can have a lot of fun.

We camped in our garden for four nights without returning to our house once.

But this was made easier as we have a motorhome in the driveway! We hunted for bugs, set camera traps for badgers and birds, made maps, did treasure hunts, built shelters and campfires and stargazed.’

Author and Coach, Eleanor Tweddell (www.eleanortweddell.com) lives in the Lake District with her husband and daughter, age 6. She’s on the fence about

staycations.

‘Staycations have been a bit hit and miss for us. We’ve tried the traditional B&B above a pub for a short getaway. It felt like a good idea, with the promise of a log fire, hearty meals and beautiful walks along a seafront. The reality was a stressed landlord, an unlit fire and walks that would’ve been good if the howling wind let up for a moment!

Our next trip was more considered.

We found a beautiful hotel with dinner included. The other trick was to make the journey to our destination part of the trip.

We planned a scenic route, stopping off at a farm shop for lunch. This set us up for a whole different experience. I’ll be keeping staycations in my holiday plans for the future.’

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2 Families Birmingham Magazine

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CONTENTS Welcome Birmingham

Contact us Editor: Suzanne Brown Email: editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Tel: 07807 352087

In this issue 2. Travel 4. Education 8. Clubs, Classes & Activities 9. Early Years

We’re really looking forward to spring here at Families and in preparation, here’s our Easter magazine.

It’s time to start thinking about getting out and about with the family again and, in this issue, we give you plenty of ideas to keep your young family exploring nature and enjoying the fresh air.

With fuel bills rocketing, saving energy is on everyone’s mind. Get the kids involved in cutting the cost and easing pressure on the environment – read our suggestions on how to do this.

Are you nervously waiting to find out the results of your school application? We have suggestions on what to do if you don’t get your first choice. Also, find out how tidying their room can help your child at school.

Plus, embrace going out with some great entertainment options from our What’s On guide.

Finally, we have lots of Doodlejamz to give away! Apply for this squishy, squashy, sensory – but mess-free - drawing toy for your child. And, if you haven’t signed up to receive our digital magazine and enjoy additional, interactive content, you can do this at familiesmag.co.uk/go to receive every issue free to your inbox.

10. Parenting

November/December competition winners

12. Family Fun with Flowers

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https://bit.ly/compwinnersND

13. Environment 14. Diversity 15. What’s On

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Families Birmingham Magazine 3

EDUCATION News

Help, we didn’t get our first choice school!

By Emma Lewry School allocation day is almost upon us. In England, secondary school places are announced on 1 March. Then, during April, those who have applied for a primary school place will find out their designated school. Thankfully, almost ninety two percent of families are given their first-choice primary school and ninety eight percent get one of their listed preferences. In secondary, ninety six percent of students get one of their listed schools. But what about those who do not get their first choice or even any preferences? How can you deal with the fallout from not getting a choice you planned for? Here are three suggestions: Give the allocated option a chance If you do not know much about the school, get nosey on their website and give them a call see if you can visit. In many cases, second or third choice allocations turn out to be brilliant and families are really pleased with the decision. Give the school a chance, it might work for you!

Manage disappointment Sometimes the biggest issue is managing the disappointment you and your child might feel. Look after yourself and take some time to be sad, angry and frustrated; these are important and valid feelings. Communicating positively with your child is important if you can, so they don’t feel nervous about their new school.

Get on the waiting lists Plenty changes between the spring and September and there is still a good chance you can get a space at your first choice school or another you feel happier about. Depending on your local authority procedures, you may automatically go on a waiting list or you may need to request this with your local authority or directly with the school.

If you are still feeling unsure about the school options, there is time to look at other schools and request a change. Both starting school and moving to secondary are big events and you need to feel as happy about them as you can. There are also options to appeal; although this can be challenging, it may be worth a shot.

Again, your local authority website should explain the appeals process.

Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, former Headteacher and mum to two little girls. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk/links) which supports families to prepare for starting school through groups, courses and a school starters planner available from Amazon.

We know that choosing a school for your child can seem like a daunting decision, but we believe you’ll know when you’ve found the right one...

OPEN DAY Saturday 5th March, 10am - 12pm No appointment necessary.

St James Road, Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2NX westhouseprep.com

4 Families Birmingham Magazine

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News

EDUCATION

Parental pressure

By Catherine Loble and Lisa Wander It can sometimes be challenging for parents to walk the fine line between caring too little and caring too much about their child’s progress at school.

Whilst we all want the best for our children, our own expectations and behaviour can have a direct impact on their academic and emotional development. The weight of pressure and expectation can lead to low self-esteem and anxiety, whilst a lack of pressure and expectation can be equally counterproductive. So how do we strike a balance, ensuring that we are setting and supporting realistic goals for our children?

Research suggests a strong and positive link between high expectations and high academic achievements. But these expectations must be based on a realistic understanding of our children’s abilities. When our dreams and fantasies do not coincide with their own interests and abilities, our expectations can strike a debilitating blow to their development.

Putting children under unreasonable pressure can impact their mental and physical health as well as their relationships with both parents and peers. The constant stress to perform interferes with children’s identity formation and can cause them to feel that they can never be good enough.

On the other hand, having low or no expectations can lead to poor performance and an inability to cope with pressure of any kind. When parents are too accepting of whatever their child does, it communicates that the child doesn’t really matter. This can be equally damaging.

Key here is to maintain expectation but minimise pressure. High expectations can be motivating and encouraging, helping your child reach their potential and feel confident and secure. Think

about the process rather than the result by encouraging them to stick with their studies even when they are struggling.

Work with your child to decide on best ways to manage test situations. Experiment with different study methods together to find out what works best for them. If your child is struggling, then talk to your child’s school to see what support can be provided.

Finally, it’s crucial to remind your child of your love and support without reference to their academic performance and test outcomes.

Supporting them to learn from their mistakes motivates them to try new approaches to problem solving, achieving wisdom and good judgement along the way.

Lisa and Catherine are co-founders of Emparenting (www.emparenting.co.uk), supporting children, parents and families with the insights, skills and tools needed to nurture the development and well-being of the next generation.

S4 Swim School

Positive parenting is key

S4 Swim School have been providing swimming lessons to thousands of children for over a decade. Hundreds of S4 swimmers have progressed to County, Regional and National level competitions and beyond, thanks to the excellent pathways between S4 and other aquatic organisations.

Focus on positive action, trust and communication. This will lead to a greater sense of happiness and help your child achieve their goals.

Manage your own expectations. Our own reactions towards our children’s behaviours have a direct impact on how they internalise and develop their own sense of themselves so try to focus on the child you have and not the child you wish you had.

Value goals over grades and focus on the process they used to get there. Use positive language and help your child learn about growth mindset – rather than ‘you only got 5/20 in your test,’ ask how you can help them to improve, think about what worked and what could work better.

Talk about their successes and failures. This shows you are invested in the process of learning and not just interested in the end grade.

Maintain a long-term perspective with realistic expectations.

Choose the right school, not just the one that achieves the highest grades.

Manage your own disappointments and value what is, rather than what might have been.

Member reviews: “My daughters took part in the intensive course and absolutely loved it. Was really pleased at the progress they made in such a short time, we have now signed up to regular classes and can't wait to see the progress they will make”. (Facebook) “Fantastic swimming school, the instructors are brilliant with young children, very positive and encouraging. Would definitely recommend”. (Facebook) “Both of my children completed this course in Easter. They have returned to swimming weekly after Easter and have both improved so much and have now progressed into a new swimming group”. Thanks S4 (Facebook) www.s4swimschool.uk

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Families Birmingham Magazine 5

EDUCATION News

How important is spelling?

By Jemma Zoe Smith At a time when autocorrect is everywhere and very few situations call for handwriting, the question being debated is: does spelling matter?

As a dyslexic tutor, my answer does not fit squarely on one side of the fence. Spelling is a recognised core skill which helps with reading, processing and pronunciation. That said, should anyone be penalised for having important and novel ideas, simply because they struggle to write them down?

In UK primary schools, children are given regular spelling tests and spelling is tested at each stage of pupils’ lives. 11+ exams, SATs, GCSEs and even some job interviews require a writing task without spellcheck. So yes, spelling must matter because it is tested at so many points in the UK (although not so much in the USA). Fail to master spelling and it is harder to make it to top universities or careers.

Indeed, poor spelling skills can also impede you in love! In 2016, a survey of over five thousand people on online dating site Match.com found that over a third judged whether a potential date was suitable by their grasp of grammar.

Poor spelling can also impact business ratings, with a BBC article in 2011 stating that ‘a single spelling mistake can cut online sales in half.’

While spell checking tools can be used, they raise a new issue.

When spell check corrects a word, it can also change the word to one different than intended, creating hundreds of ‘funniest autocorrect’ articles online but also leaving governments red

faced as ‘peace’ turns to ‘peach’ in press releases.

But let’s not come down too hard on spelling lest it discourage children from writing. I have seen students go from enthusiastic to disengaged learners after seeing their work returned with red rings around the misspelled words. For many, their ideas for stories, articles and debates stay locked in their heads, never written down for fear of over-zealous correction. We might be missing out on some amazing works - after all, Jane Austen is known for spelling scissors as ‘scissars’ and sofa as ‘sopha’. And her novels are considered literary classics!

So does spelling matter? Sort of. But it shouldn’t get in the way of encouraging children to write. My solution? Spend longer on proof-reading, a skill that can help beyond the classroom. And, on that note, I’m off to proof-read this article.

Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).

New skill sets?

Learning to proofread

Across the pond in the USA, spelling has been phased out of the school curriculum, in the same way as handwriting. Spelling errors don’t count against students on the essay portion of the SAT, according to the College Board which administers the exam.

While grammar and autocorrect tools can support writing, I believe there is a missing skill: proofreading. Something that I often work on with students is ‘hearing their inside voice’ reading their work. Being able to spot mistakes can help students to notice patterns in their own writing, identify grammar errors and lead them to understand hidden meanings in texts.

With online learning forcing many students onto laptops over the last two years, some schools in the UK are now following the USA and allowing laptops in lessons. So is spelling becoming less important in their curriculums?

Certainly schools are no longer purely about the ‘three Rs’ of writing, reading and arithmetic (why did only one of those start with an R?). Indeed, many UK schools are now including wellbeing, computing and even BTECs in agriculture in their curriculums, instead of GCSEs like history.

So what skills are becoming more important? Coding is already a highly valued skill and is destined to become even more important in the future. Look into www.mama.codes. Equally, success for our children is likely to require strong critical thinking and communication skills. You can encourage this at home with www.kidcoach.app.

6 Families Birmingham Magazine

The process of proofreading encourages children to slow down and consider making changes to their work, such as upgrading a word like ‘big’ to ‘enormous,’ allowing them to explore and use more advanced vocabulary. To produce crisp, clear copy, proofreading is the final part of the writing process and is as important as creating and revising text.

Proofreading is a skill that many of us will need in the world of work, when sending emails and writing presentations. For the best, proof reading can be a job in its own right.

To practise proofreading, try www.twinkl.co.uk for age-banded proofreading packs and worksheets www.portlandproof.com for free online games.

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News

EDUCATION

Tidy bedrooms and school performance

By Usha Patel The instruction ‘Tidy your room!’ is the bane of most children’s lives. But there’s so much more to keeping bedrooms tidy than maintaining a positive environment. In fact, the very act of regular tidying can actually help children in other areas of their life too, including at school. It’s all part of building certain processes and routines that are important to their overall development.

Nurturing a sense of tidiness By the age of four, children can usually hold just one notion in their active memory, for instance, immediate instructions such as picking up certain toys or doing one tidying job. Young children often struggle with being given too much to do all at once simply because their active memory is quickly drained. However, by the time they are sixteen, they can hold six or even seven notions in their active memory at a time.

If you want your child to more easily absorb a sequence of instructions, you can try habit stacking, with tidying their bedroom a perfect example of how to nurture it. Habit stacking is achieved by linking an existing habit with a new one you want to create.

How a tidy bedroom can help with working memory How easily can your child find something in their bedroom? To recall where a particular item is, children first need to retrieve the information from their long-term memory storage and bring it forward to their active thinking. The more items they have to put away, the more working memory is used to remember where each one is located.

Working memory is a critical cognitive function for everyday activities from learning to reading, remembering spellings, maths and mathematical tasks. By encouraging your child to start small and create the tidying habit and then retrieve the items, you are exercising that same part of the brain.

It’s impossible to overstate just how important working memory is in every aspect of your child’s life. In fact, Dr Tracy Packiam Alloway, award-winning psychologist who has conducted extensive research on memory and the brain, states it is a more significant indicator of academic success than IQ. So, there’s no need to feel like you are being a nag when you ask your child to tidy their room; it really is good for them. There’s a direct line from toybox to brainbox - just don’t expect them to thank you for it yet!

Usha Patel (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk) is a neurocognitive therapist and an expert in special educational needs.

Springtime fun down on the farm!

Head to PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm near Penkridge this spring for bags of family adventure.

Throughout spring new life on this working farm will be celebrated - starting with the Lamb & Ewe event all about sheep, which will run through to late April.

Visitors will get the chance to meet calves, piglets and chicks as they are born over the spring months, while during Easter break there will be a host of fun activities alongside the farm’s huge indoor and outdoor adventure play spaces.

Discover more and book at www.playatthefarm.co.uk.

Get 10% off your visit!

Simply use FAM10 at the checkout. familiesonline.co.uk

Sat 9th Sun 24th April

Easter-themed fun, plus lots of baby animals to meet!

Book online:

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Use code FAM10

www.playatthefarm.co.uk Lower Drayton Farm, Lower Drayton Lane, Penkridge, Staffordshire ST19 5RE

*Online PLAY@ tickets only. Does not apply to parties or special events.

Families Birmingham Magazine 7

CLUBS, CLASSES & ACTIVITIES

Solihull Young Dancers Ballet & Tap Lessons Classes from age 2 ½ + Tel: Kate on 07722 732678 www.solihullyoungdancers.co.uk

DUBARRIE SCHOOL OF DANCE Ballet, Tap and Jazz age 2 ½ + Branches in Yardley and Solihull Telephone: 0121 448 0055 www.dubarrieschoolofdance.com

PYJAMA DRAMA ERDINGTON, CASTLE BROMWICH AND SOLIHULL Pyjama Drama have been delivering drama and imaginative play classes and interactive shows for children aged 0 to 7 years since 2005. We can visit your nursery or school or find us at public sessions locally. We harness the power of the imagination to develop key skills such as communication, confidence, co-operation and problem solving. Our incredibly talented teachers deliver child-led sessions that take children on magical adventures where they make new friends, explore new worlds and ‘trial’ situations before they happen. Whether it’s swimming with mermaids or going to the dentist – Pyjama Drama nurtures happy, confident and curious children. carolinef@pyjamadrama.com

MASQUERADE MUSICAL THEATRE

BILINGUASING BIRMINGHAM SOUTH

Youth Theatre Group, Age 5+ Garretts Green Lane, Sheldon, B26 2SA Telephone: 0121 722 3761 www.masquerademusicaltheatre.com

A Sensory Music Class - with added French or Spanish!

Help develop your little one’s early communication skills, build their confidence, and enhance their physical & emotional development with our multi-award-winning music, language & sensory classes.

Early exposure to a second language is fantastic for your little one’s brain development and learning skills.

Lovely baby classes (from 4 weeks old), interactive “crawlers” classes and fun-filled mixedage “toddler” classes - perfect if you’ve more than one child under 4!

You don't need to know any languages to join us - you’ll be singing along in no time! lucy@bilinguasing.com | 07539 863024 www.bilinguasing.com/find-a-class/birmingham-south

RUGBYTOTS EAST STAFFORDSHIRE AND SUTTON COLDFIELD

S4 SWIM SCHOOL S4 Swim Intensive - School holiday swim courses designed to give your child a real boost with their swimming development!

A typical Swim Intensive course would involve four experienced swim instructors and four different level groups. These courses are on offer for Non-Swimmers, Beginners, Improvers and Advanced children.

• Max of 5 swimmers per group • On-going swimmer assessment • Taught the S4 way, producing swimmers with a high degree of skill & technical ability • A consistent professional approach at all venues (group structure, teaching standards) Find swimming lessons near you at s4swimschool.uk

Our fun, structured play sessions take children on a journey of sporting imagination with engaging coaches teaching them how to catch, pass, kick, run with the ball and play as part of a team. Our motto is simple; "make it more fun".

We do this by delivering our specifically designed programme for each age group with energy, enthusiasm and excitement creating an atmosphere that is engaging for parents and children alike.

Classes are split into 3 age groups; 2-3.5yrs, 3.5-5yrs and 5-7yrs.

We help parents, nurseries, primary schools, home educators and childminders to engage children in French language learning through fun games, music, drama and stories.

Please contact Amy on 07931 786041 or amya@kidslingo.co.uk

FREE tasters available!

Find your nearest venue at www.rugbytots.co.uk/Class/Find Contact matthew@rugbytots.co.uk | 0345 313 0803

LOOKING FOR CHILDCARE? Multi award-winning Holiday Camps for children aged 4-11 Offering only the best in childcare and music

www.thestringsclub.org | 0121 369 1950 8 Families Birmingham Magazine

KIDSLINGO FRENCH ERDINGTON, GREAT BARR & ALDRIDGE

THE CHOCOLATE SHED

GROOVY LITTLE MOVERS Engaging, educational dance & music classes for boys and girls. Classes on Mondays & Fridays.

Develop rhythm, co-ordination and confidence as you sing, dance & play the groovy way.

07932 333284 www.groovylittlemovers .co.uk

Themed chocolate making parties and workshops for chocoholics of all ages. All of our holiday workshops and children's parties are run by our fabulous team of local chocolatiers who are looking forward to guiding you through the process of crafting your chocolatey creations.

Every workshop is unique and we offer a range of different options which will be tailored to the needs of you and your party. Your chocolate masterpieces will be made using real, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients where possible and every workshop involves a lot of sticky-fingered fun and tasting!

W: www.thechocolateshed.com E: info@thechocolateshed.com familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

Play for nurturing emotional intelligence

By Dr Anne Lane When my daughter was in her first year at nursery her favourite game was pretending to say goodbye to me. ‘Bye Mama, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.’ ‘Oh no! You’re not going...’ I’d say after her, ‘I don’t want you to go!’ The more I sighed ‘Don’t go,’ the more she’d giggle and run off. Thus reassured, we were ready for our day.

Little moments of play like this helped my daughter process her separation from me at nursery from a space of safety and connection.

For a child, life can be full of emotional demands; from the strains of separation from you, to new friendships, periods of uncertainty and family changes.

As a parent and psychologist, one of the most effective and fun ways I have found to help children navigate experiences and the difficult emotions that come with these is through this process of play. Simple, giggly, repetitive play helps children develop a resilience and familiarity with situations which can dispel tension and anxiety.

So how does play work?

Play is serious work for your child. The process of role-playing real scenarios allows them to reflect on their reactions and beliefs about a situation. They can steady their emotions and become more nuanced and agile in their reactions.

in the world of play, they get to switch things around and feel empowered. They can explore and try different things. The play scenario can be ridiculous, funny, amusing - tense and tight emotions soften and ease.

Against this background of safety and security, your child can become more comfortable making suggestions and changing things, allowing their understanding of situations to develop.

They’re the boss, they call the shots and decide how a situation goes. From this place of safety, they revisit difficult experiences without feeling vulnerable or uncertain.

In role playing and playing out different scenarios with them, your child comes to know you as someone who can understand and relate to their experience. They feel steady and secure.

Dr Anne Lane is a clinical psychologist and author. Her new book Nurture Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence: 5 Steps to Help Your Child Cope with Big Emotions and Build Resilience is out now.

The most important aspect of play is that it feels safe. In the real world, things are unpredictable. People can be abrupt and cross and make your child feel vulnerable and uncertain. But

O P E N W E E KS

28th Feb to 4th March 4th April to 8th April 9th May to 13th May

Top tips for playing When you play with your child, focus less on conversation and more on acting things out and exploring. This focus away from language allows your child to relax and connect.

Follow the laughter. When your child is laughing they are releasing fear and tension, enveloped in happiness with you.

Silliness, smiles and laughter are great indicators that play is working.

Let your child take the lead. If you can, get down to their level.

Prioritise your child feeling in control. If your child seems uncertain or pulls back then slow down, change things around.

Let them be the boss.

Be careful with tickling. Although a lot of children love tickling, the feeling of being tickled can be overwhelming and intense.

Instead prioritise play which creates real engagement and collaboration, as well as laughter.

0121 592 0980

B23 6UY

Play doesn’t have to be big, take long or be over-planned.

Make it spontaneous and funny. Some of my children’s favourite games can involve me simply looking surprised or pretending to sleep on the sofa! familiesonline.co.uk

Families Birmingham Magazine 9

PARENTING

Tackling childhood fears

By Tanith Carey During the pandemic, levels of anxiety among adults have risen sharply and some of this worry has been contagious for kids. So how do we help children manage their own feelings when the world feels uncertain for grown-ups too?

Firstly, remember that children take their cues from you. This means noticing when you feel overwhelmed.

Visualise a sliding scale in your mind with notches from one to ten. When the scale starts to move towards seven or eight, take deliberate steps to process your own worries, maybe talking them through with another adult, so you can stay calm and rational around your child.

You may be concerned that this is hiding your worries from your child. Don’t be. It’s putting on your own oxygen mask so you can reassure them they are safe within the world of their home. If your child seems worried by something about Covid they have heard outside the home, ask what they’ve heard.

From around age 4 or 5, young children engage in ‘magical thinking’ in which they believe they are the centre of the world.

In order to try and make sense of how the world works, they also tend to link events that aren’t linked, meaning that they often leap to the wrong conclusions. If a grandparent gets Covid, they may for example, assume it’s down to them not washing their hands when they come home from school.

Asking your children about their fears allows you to tackle their concerns directly. You can help them feel more in control by telling them they are part of a big team winning the war on the virus and helping by wearing masks and washing their hands. Explain: ‘Lots of people have caught this germ, but for most, it’s been like a really bad cold.’

Talk too about how clever scientists have come up with vaccines and millions of grown-ups, from health care staff to teachers, are still working hard to look after them. Help them get the virus in perspective too. Explain that there are good germs in our bodies as well as bad ones, how their immune system works and how to look after it.

While young children tend not to worry about death as something that happens to them, they may worry about who will look after them if you or your co-parent dies. If this is a concern that surfaces, tell your child that everyone dies eventually but

you don’t expect it to happen for a long time and by then they will be grown-up.

Facing and talking about their fears doesn’t mean they will become persistent. In fact, they are more likely to keep coming back when children feel alone with them, not heard or unable to express them.

If you do lose a loved one, give clear, open honest answers because younger children don’t understand death is final. Avoid phrases such as ‘gone to sleep’ or ‘we’ve lost them.’ Explain simply the reason that their loved one is no longer here is that their body stopped working.

Sometimes kids can find it easier to process the death of a loved one through tangible ways of mourning. Going through family photos, making a keepsake box, releasing a balloon with the person’s name on or planting a tree can all be helpful.

Tanith Carey is author of What’s My Child Thinking: Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents with clinical child psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin, published by DK books.

Fears and anxieties are some of the one hundred scenarios faced with children aged 2 to 7 that are tackled in this book.

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PARENTING

Top apps every parent needs

By Ari Last It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of apps available in the App Store and give up before you’ve even started looking for something.

When it comes to parenting though, getting good apps on speed dial can really save time if you’re looking to keep the children entertained, connect with other like-minded parents, research childcare options or seek guidance on how to make family life just that little bit easier.

Here are some recommendations: Family Locator https://family-locator.com When older children or teenagers are out and about, keep track of their location with this app which keeps your family secure and connected, for extra peace of mind.

CBeebies www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies This staple app on any parent’s phone or tablet offers both educational games as well as classic cartoons for when you just need a break!

Mush www.letsmush.com The number one social app for mums to find friends who live nearby with kids the same age, arrange to meet up and get advice from parenting experts and peers.

The Wonder Weeks www.bit.ly/WonderWeeksApp A week-by-week guide to your baby’s development right through from pregnancy to after birth, showing how you can support and stimulate your little one.

Allrecipes Dinner Spinner https://dish.allrecipes.com/ mobile-apps A handy bank of recipes and cooking inspiration which keeps solving the ‘what can I make for dinner?’ question and keeps little bellies satisfied every evening.

Sound Sleeper www.soundsleeperapp.com Help your baby get off to sleep with this app’s collection of calming sounds.

Kidday www.kidday.com The easiest way to store your child’s photographs in one place, as well as share albums with friends and family.

Pre-schoolers and group activities After nearly two years of social distancing and screen time, the number of UK pre-schoolers joining organised group activities has risen by ten percent, according to a new study from leading researcher Childwise. Twenty six percent of parents surveyed said their pre-schooler had participated in group activities last year, up from sixteen percent in 2019.

Swimming is the most popular activity, followed by dance classes and group music lessons. On average, UK kids are now participating in 1.4 activities, up from 1.2 activities pre-Covid.

More info: www.childwise.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Bubble www.joinbubble.com The UK’s biggest ondemand childcare platform, with over 100,000 users and 5-star Trustpilot rating.

Find, book and pay local sitters or nannies who come recommended from their friends and other parents in their area.

OLIO www.olioex.com Here you can give away unwanted kids’ items to those in the local area, allowing you to help out a neighbour and reduce waste. You can also use the app to look for anything you might happen to need and save some pennies.

Ari Last is a parenting guru and founder of childcare app Bubble. For more information, visit www.joinbubble.com

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Families Birmingham Magazine 11

FAMILY

I’ll bring you flowers!

By @girlaboutbirmingham Here are some great ways to get your family out to enjoy the colours, scents and sights of spring flowers.

A host of golden daffodils As daffodils are generally planted together in large numbers, the sea of yellow is a glorious sight to behold. There are lovely walks across the fields behind Packwood House NT, and some fun to be had playing hide and seek in the gardens! Coughton Court NT is also great for daffodils. nationaltrust.org.uk Other daffodil hotspots: Try Temple Balsall warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/TempleBalsall and Spetchley Park and Gardens, Worcestershire spetchleygardens.co.uk

Tiptoe through the tulips

Blooming blossom Arley Arboretum is a great place to visit with children. There are wide open spaces for kids to run around in, a natural playground, an adventure play trail, a maze, and more. There are an abundance of plants and trees here and the blossom really stands out! arleyarboretum.co.uk One of the most striking Birmingham locations for blossom is Oozels Square, where the stunning pink bursts of colour from the blossom trees elevate the Ikon Gallery and this area of town to a ‘must visit’ Instagrammable location ikon-gallery.org

You can buy tulips from Oak and Ivy, a small family run floristry boutique in the Warwickshire countryside. This could be a lovely experience for kids too as there are some friendly farm animals to meet, including some baby goats, and pottery workshops are offered for all ages. Please call/email to book an appointment before visiting. oakandivy.co.uk

Another super location for blossom trees is the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. An absolute delight in the Springtime. Why not take the family for a picnic on the lawn? birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk

To pick your own tulips try Whitlocks End Farm Flowers, Solihull. Here you can choose your own ‘fancy’ tulips that are homegrown on the farm. wefarmflowers.co.uk Check out the Tulip Festival, 30 April – 2 May, Morton Hall Gardens, Redditch. mortonhallgardens.co.uk

Endless creations at your child’s fingertips!

Finally, be sure to visit Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens which has a plentitude of blossom trees and even holds a special Japanese blossom picnic event at the end of April. castlebromwichhallgardens.org.uk

Enchanting bluebells My three boys and I are fans of bluebells. We find them magical as they conjure up images of pixies and fairies. Bluebells bloom in the main garden at Winterbourne House, and if you find the little gate at the bottom, it leads you into the grounds of Edgbaston Golf Club. Here you can walk around the pool and find an enchanting and peaceful bluebell wood to explore. Oh, and talking of fairies, have you ever searched for the fairy doors in Highbury Park? winterbourne.org.uk The Wildlife Trust website tells you where your local nature reserves are and which flowers you will find there. You can select ‘bluebells’ in the search function. Some local recommendations are Moseley Bog, Beacon Wood, Rough Hill Wood and Hill Hook. wildlifetrusts.org The Woodland Trust has an article on their website showing the best bluebell woods slightly further afield in the UK woodlandtrust.org.uk Other Bluebell hotspots: Austy Wood in Wootton Wawen and the Clent Hills. worcesterramblers.org.uk; nationaltrust.org.uk

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The lovely thing about spring flowers and blossoms is that they can be found in any local garden or street – and enjoyed for free! The vibrant colours will definitely catch your child’s eye and they will like pointing them out wherever they go. Enjoy them while they last!

Read my full article on familiesbirmingham.co.uk ‘Highlights’ Follow me on Instagram for more spring ideas!

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ENVIRONMENT

News

Involving children in saving power

By Angela Terry The climate crisis is hot news, energy prices are soaring and families are feeling the pain. With nearly a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions created by our homes, there’s no better time to instil good energy-saving habits in our children, help the environment and reduce energy bills. Luckily, there are many creative ways of doing this so you don’t need to resort to nagging. Here are some suggestions: Measure your household carbon footprint To put energy saving into context, find a free online calculator and measure your household carbon footprint. Start a family art project, drawing a big foot and recording the date and the number of tonnes of emissions generated by your household. As you work together to reduce your footprint, you can update your achievements periodically, getting your children to draw smaller and smaller feet. Display your feet in a row along a wall to chart your progress.

Get children to write the rules Go through each room in your house with the kids and ask them to pinpoint all the potential sources of wasted energy. Draw up a list together and agree a set of family rules that you’re all going to stick to, like switching off appliances that aren’t in use and keeping all curtains closed at night. Ownership of the rules should help motivate kids to follow them.

Rewards To help younger children stick to your rules, try a reward chart with stickers. If they stick to them for a week, you can then give them a special eco treat, like a bee hotel for the garden or a packet of sunflower seeds to plant together. Older children and teens are more likely to be motivated by money, so agree a small weekly financial reward. Given how much energy prices are increasing, this will still save you money overall.

Appoint monitors Allocate specific roles to each child. One could be the curtain monitor, ensuring all curtains are pulled shut at dusk, stopping extra energy seeping out of windows as the temperature drops.

Likewise, another child could be the thermostat monitor and check it isn’t set above nineteen degrees Celsius. Children can

also check that bedrooms and little-used rooms are not being heated unnecessarily by turning down their radiator valves.

Finally, a socket monitor could make sure all appliances not in use are switched off at the wall.

Time showers Make a game of it when it comes to cutting hot water usage by timing each other in the shower to see who can be the quickest – whilst still actually getting clean, of course!

Screen time Screen time limits can be one of the greatest sources of tension between parents and children. Building in an energy saving component can help. Explain to your children that the carbon footprint of our gadgets, the internet and the systems supporting them is nearly four percent of global emissions - greater than those from aviation. If they stick to agreed limits, offer to reward them with an outing to the park or a hot chocolate in a cafe.

Set an example One of the best things you can do, is role model ultra-efficient energy usage. Children are like sponges and imitate those they’re closest to. Make sure you do everything you’re asking them to do and ask them to remind you if you forget. They’ll love the sense of responsibility (and telling you what to do!).

Angela Terry is an environmental scientist and founder of One Home (www.onehome.org.uk), the UK’s first consumer climate action hub.

Draught hunting...

Smarten up your saving

Of course, you want to save energy but simultaneously make your home as insulated and cosy as possible. Encourage your children to come on a draught hunt with you, searching for any leaks around windows or doors. When you find some, enlist their help in a bit of easy DIY, sealing them with inexpensive rubber trim, available from most DIY shops. If cold air is seeping under the front door, do some ‘draught craft’ and make a snake draught excluder together. YouTube has lots of helpful tutorials.

A smart meter is a great visual tool. Once you’ve had one installed, use it to show your children when you’re using the most energy and how much it’s costing. Set targets to reduce your monthly usage and bills. Explain that just by turning down your thermostat by one degree saves an average of £80 per year. The ideal temperature is nineteen degrees Celsius.

Set targets and treat yourselves to a family games night or outing whenever you hit them.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Birmingham Magazine 13

PARENTING

Talking to kids about racial discrimination

By Suzanne Brown ‘I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.’ Martin Luther King Jr. All parents dream of a world where their children are treated fairly, free of the various discriminations which exist. But how do we achieve this?

When and how?

The ‘when’ is easy. Start early! Scientific studies show that children have formed lifelong attitudes about skin colour by the time they reach pre-school age.

The ‘how’ is trickier but there are many ways to approach this sensitive topic. Some parents may avoid talking about racial discrimination out of concern that they will say the wrong thing and make things worse. However, if these issues are never broached we risk making race a taboo subject.

Teach kindness From babyhood we can teach our children to be givers and receivers of kind words and actions. When kindness is second nature from a young age it helps avoid situations in which discrimination arises.

Teach justice Another starting point for young children is to explore what they think is fair and unfair. Then, at a pace suitable for your child’s level and comprehension, gradually expand discussions to incorporate an understanding of racial justice.

Model good behaviour Remember, children are always watching, listening and learning

from us, particularly from our sub-conscious actions. Observing special occasions such as Black History Month and different cultural events and festivals is fantastic. However, children are more likely to pick up and imitate the attitude they see you display towards others on a daily basis.

Use resources There is a wealth of TV programmes, films, YouTube videos, racially diverse toys and books to help explain matters in an ageappropriate way. Visit www.bit.ly/FamiliesResources What if you suspect racism at school?

If your child believes a racist incident occurred at school, firstly praise them for reporting it to you. Calmly gather all the facts, reassuring your child as they go along. Try not to show your own upset or anger. Work in partnership with your child’s school for the best outcome.

Discrimination is something to be tackled in small but meaningful daily steps. It’s our little everyday actions, as well as our skill and diplomacy in dealing with bigger issues, which convince children of our integrity.

Resilience and selfacceptance

Building identity and encouraging pride

No matter who your child is and whatever their ethnicity, it is likely that at some stage in life they will be marked out as ‘different.’ Find ways from a young age to build up their resilience and self-acceptance.

Pride in their ethnicity. Whatever your child’s ethnic origin, they should wear it as a badge of honour because that’s what it is. There is so much richness in everybody’s cultural background: language, cuisine, festivals, religion, traditional dress, songs, country flags, family stories passed down from previous generations. Your child’s genuine pride in their own roots will shine through to all who meet them and help create a strong armour against any negativity they may face.

Building articulate children. Children who have the verbal ability to cope with wordplay will be less likely to be browbeaten by hurtful ‘jokes’ of a racial (or other) nature. Build the articulation of younger children with stories, role play and use regular family discussions for older children.

Teach children to make the best of themselves. In our house we like to call it building their ‘superpowers,’ - whatever makes your child special to those who know them: kindness, sense of humour, patience, loyalty, sporting/artistic/musical talent, a happy smile. Help them to celebrate these superpowers so they are regularly reminded that they (and others) are valued for more than their appearance alone. There are many books written for children of all ages which will help them embrace their own individualities and welcome the differences in others.

14 Families Birmingham Magazine

Stories. There is an abundance of stories from around the world - everything from nursery rhymes to traditional fairy tales and novels. Can your child draw parallels between the characters in these stories and themselves? The less children see different cultures as ‘other’ to themselves the better.

There is more that unites us than divides us. We all belong to one race: the human race!

Finally, don’t feel you need to be an expert on racial discrimination. The important thing is that our children see we are open to talk and willing to learn. familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT’S ON OUT & ABOUT Ackers Adventure, Birmingham ackers-adventure.co.uk OPEN DAILY Activities include archery, climbing, orienteering, zip wire, etc.

Adventure Mini Golf, Star City adventureminigolf.co.uk OPEN DAILY Two family-friendly brilliantly themed 18-hole ‘crazy’ golf courses.

Ash End House Children’s Farm, Tamworth ashendchildrensfarm.co.uk OPEN DAILY Outdoor and indoor farm fun for children.

Baddesley Clinton, Solihull nationaltrust.org.uk /baddesley-clinton OPEN DAILY Enjoy the great outdoors whatever the weather.

15 - 22 APRIL Easter egg hunts Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham barber.org.uk OPEN TUES - SUN Barber Family Trails Explore Barber’s collection through different fun themes.

BBC Birmingham bbc.co.uk/showsandtours TUES, WEDS & SAT Tours. Take an exciting look behind the scenes.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens birminghambotanicalgardens .org.uk OPEN DAILY Discover the plants, birds and mini-beasts with Family Backpacks.

Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park birmingham.gov.uk /conservationpark OPEN DAILY Visit the reptiles, meerkats, birds, monkeys and more.

Black Country Living Museum, Dudley bclm.com OPEN WEDS - SUN See history brought to life across 26 acres.

Blakesley Hall, Birmingham birminghammuseums.org.uk /blakesley 13 & 20 APRIL Tall Tales: Goldilocks and the Three Bears. An interactive telling of Goldilocks.

familiesonline.co.uk

THURS 14 APRIL Crafty Thursday: Easter Egg Decoration. Create a decorative Easter egg.

13 – 17 & 20 APRIL Easter Egg Hunt Trail An eggsciting Easter Egg Hunt.

Broomey Croft Children’s Farm, Kingsbury broomeycroftfarm.co.uk OPEN WEEKENDS & SCHOOL HOLIDAYS A fun-filled farm day out for the whole family.

The Core, Solihull thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk SAT 26 MARCH Solihull Bookfest Interactive storytelling fun for 012s. A variety of events.

Hoar Park Shopping & Craft Village hoar-park.co.uk SUN 17 APRIL & SUN 15 MAY Craft Fair. Shopping, food and more. Fun for the little ones too!

Lower Drayton Farm, nr Stafford playatthefarm.co.uk 9 - 24 APRIL Easter Egg-venture Easter-themed fun, plus lots of baby animals to meet!

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Packwood House, Solihull nationaltrust.org.uk /packwood-house OPEN DAILY Explore the beautiful grounds, and create wonderful memories.

ENTERTAINMENT The Alexandra, Birmingham atgtickets.com 8 - 12 MARCH The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. Step into the magical kingdom of Narnia for a mystical adventure.

Midlands Art Centre, Birmingham macbirmingham.co.uk 19-20 MARCH Art with Heart: Stan A powerful new play featuring awesome animated dinosaurs.

Birmingham Rep Theatre birmingham-rep.co.uk 31 MAR – 16 APR Coming to England 10 year old Floella Benjamin’s tale of hope, determination and triumph.

Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre birminghamhippodrome.com 6 – 10 APRIL Dear Zoo Live!

This much-loved lift the flap book comes to life on stage.

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall suttoncoldfieldtownhall.com SAT 9 APRIL The Greatest Showman Singalong Experience this show the best way possible – singing along loudly!

Old Rep Theatre, Birmingham oldreptheatre.co.uk THURS 14 APRIL The Wind in the Willows Join Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad as they embark on their adventure.

The Core Theatre, Solihull thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk SAT 16 APRIL Exciting Science Silly, fun, factual Science experiments. Age 4+ Town Hall, Birmingham bmusic.co.uk 17 – 20 APR The Smeds and the Smoos Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures for everyone aged 3+ The Core Theatre, Solihull thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk FRI 22 APRIL The Sooty Show Join Sooty for his brand new magic show!

NOTE: Events are subject to change. Check online before visits.

Pre-booking sometimes necessary.

WorkshopsBook Swap$87+256Illustrators Draw-along Bookshop Model-makingStorytelling

15 - 22 APRIL Easter egg hunts Rock Up, Birmingham rock-up.co.uk OPEN DAILY (EXC TUES) Over 70 different ways to climb.

Fun for all the family.

SAT 26 MARCH at The Core How to Grow a Unicorn 10.30am Age 6-9 years £6 Draw along fun with illustrator Steven Lenton

Shakespeare’s Stories 2pm Age 6-12 years £7.50

Rush Trampoline Park, Birmingham rushuk.com OPEN DAILY With 30,000 sq ft of activities, there’s something for all ages.

Science Magic! 4pm Age 6+ years £6 Tricks, puzzles and stunts with Dr Matt Pritchard

Sandwell Museums sandwell.gov.uk/museums A range of different museums, plus activities. Mostly free.

Illustration Masterclass with Chloe Inkpen

Tamworth Castle tamworthcastle.co.uk OPEN TUES - SUN History brought to life.

Lots of activities for the family.

ThinkTank birminghammuseums.org.uk /thinktank THURS 17 MARCH Toddler Thursday: Space. Early years planetarium show.

Fast art & music - author-illustrator James Mayhew

Make A Shaun or Gromit 10am,12 & 2pm Age 6+ £12.50 Aardman Animation clay workshop incl. all materials

Big Dog Draw-Along 1pm Age 9-12 years £6 Fantastically Great Women Artists 12pm Age 6+ £6 Drawing, dressing up and art with Kate Pankhurst

Kipper and Friends 10am Age 3-6 years £5 Fun for pre-schoolers with Chloe Inkpen

Ella Bella Ballerina 11.30am Age 4-7 years £6 Dolls & music with author illustrator James Mayhew Pizazz! Comic Superheroes 2.45pm Age 6-12 years £5 With award-winning illustrator Sophy Henn

book online at solihullbookfest.com Draw-along BookshopModel-makingStorytelling WorkshopsBook Swap$87+256Illustrators Families Birmingham Magazine 15

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