Families Birmingham Nov-Dec 2022 PRINT

Someofyouloveitandothersfinditoverwhelming….wethinkyou allknowwhatwe’retalkingabout!Yes,thefestiveseasonisjust roundthecornerandit’snottoosoontostartplanning.Webringyou thebestofChristmasentertainment:placestogo,andthingstodo availableforyourfamilyinandaroundBirmingham,Solihulland SuttonColdfield.Therearemuch-lovedpantomimes,greatideason wheretofindSanta,andmuchmore!

Meanwhile,lifetickson.Youmaybeworryingaboutconflictinthe playground,musingonyourchild’sfutureeducation,planningforthe arrivaloftheirbabysiblingortryingtoworkthroughthedaywhile yourchildrenkeepyouawakeatnight.Ifyouarepreoccupiedwith anyofthesethings,thisissueofferssomethingveryrelevantforyou. EspeciallyforreadersofFamiliesBirminghammagazine,ourfriends attheOldRepTheatre,Birminghamhavefourticketsupforgrabsfor oneluckyfamilytoseeanenchantingproductionofBeautyandthe Beast!

AsanextraChristmastreat,wehave tonnesofWeeblestogive away! Applyfortheseadorablewiggly,wobblyminitoysat familiesmag.co.uk/go.Bydoingso,you’llalsoensureyoureceive ourdigitalmagazinewithlotsmorecontentandgoodiesonoffer. AllofusatFamiliesBirminghamwishourreadersaveryMerry ChristmasandaHappyNewYear!

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

PyjamaDramahavebeendeliveringdramaandimaginativeplayclasses andinteractiveshowsforchildrenaged0to7yearssince2005.Wecan visityournurseryorschoolorfindusatpublicsessionslocally.Weharness thepoweroftheimaginationtodevelopkeyskillssuchascommunication, confidence,co-operationandproblemsolving.Ourincrediblytalented teachersdeliverchild-ledsessionsthattakechildrenonmagical adventureswheretheymakenewfriends,explorenewworldsand‘trial’ situationsbeforetheyhappen.Whetherit’sswimmingwithmermaidsor goingtothedentist–PyjamaDramanurtureshappy,confidentandcuriouschildren. carolinef@pyjamadrama.com

THEATRETRAIN,HARBORNE

Balletclassesfromage2½andTapclasses fromtheageof4.OnSaturdaymorningsfrom 09:00amatStHelensChurch. Formoredetails,pleasecallKateon 07722732678. www.solihullyoungdancers.co.uk

BILINGUASINGBIRMINGHAMSOUTH

LearnaLanguagewithyourLittleOne!

BearwoodandBournville.Helpdevelopyourlittleone’s earlycommunicationskills,buildtheirconfidence,andenhancetheir

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

Ourfun,structuredplaysessionstakechildrenona journeyofsportingimaginationwithengaging coachesteachingthemhowtocatch,pass,kickandrunwiththeball,and playaspartofateam.Ourmottoissimple;"makeitmorefun".Wedothis bydeliveringourspecificallydesignedprogrammeforeachagegroupwith energy,enthusiasmandexcitementcreatinganatmospherethatis engagingforparentsandchildrenalike.Classesaresplitinto3age

THECHOCOLATESHED

Themedchocolatemakingpartiesand workshopsforchocoholicsofallages.Allofour holidayworkshopsandchildren'spartiesare runbyourfabulousteamoflocalchocolatierswhoarelookingforwardto guidingyouthroughtheprocessofcraftingyourchocolateycreations. Everyworkshopisuniqueandweofferarangeofdifferentoptionswhich willbetailoredtotheneedsofyouandyourparty.Yourchocolate masterpieceswillbemadeusingreal,sustainableandlocallysourced ingredientswherepossibleandeveryworkshopinvolvesalotofstickyfingeredfunandtasting!

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

Educatingforthe future

ByLouiseLivingston

Childrenareoftenaskedwhattheywanttobewhenthey growup.Fromfarmerstoflightattendants,astronautsto doctors,theanswersarealwaysamixoffamiliarcareers. Butastonishingly,overtwothirdsofchildrenjoiningprimary schoolthisSeptemberwillendupinjobsthatdon’tyetexist. Thinkbackthirtyyears-therewerenosocialmediamanagers orBitcointraders!

Today’sworkplaceisrapidlychanging.AsRichardRiley,former SecretaryofEducation,said:

‘Wearecurrentlypreparingstudentsforjobsthatdon’tyetexist, usingtechnologiesthathaven’tbeeninventedtosolveproblems wedon’tevenknowareproblemsyet.’

It’sachallengeandmainstreameducationwillberequiredto adjust.Isaneducationsystemthatfocusesmainlyonteaching childrenacademicsubjectsoutdated?Focusingontestsand examresultswillnotdeliverforafuturewhichwillneedcreative, flexibleproblem-solverswhocancollaborate.

Thevisionaryeducationalpioneer,MariaMontessori,recognised thiswhenshewrote,

‘Educationmustnolongerbemostlyimpartingknowledgebut musttakeanewpath,seekingthereleaseofhumanpotentialities.’

InMontessorieducation,childrenareguidedbyateacher trainedinchildobservationanddevelopment.Classrooms provideopen-ended,hands-onactivitieswherechildrenchoose tasksappropriatetotheirstageofdevelopment.

Withactivitiessotargetedtoeachchild’sindividualneedsand interests,childrenareengagedandmotivatedtoconcentrate, persevereanddevelopself-discipline.Inaddition,the activities aredesignedtoencouragechildrentothinkflexibly andcome upwithcreativesolutions.Intheearlyyears,thismaysimplybe howtounbuckletheirshoesorshareasnack.Later,itmaybean explorationoftheJurassicperiodoranovelapproachtosolving quadraticequations.

Mixed-ageclasseswithchildrenageduptothreeyearsapartis anotherkeyfeatureofMontessorieducation. Youngerchildren learnfromolderrolemodels andolderchildrenbenefitfromthe experiencetoo.Inthisminicommunity,childrenshareresources putthingsawayreadyforsomeoneelseaftertheyhaveused themandhelpeachother.Thisfosterssocialcollaborationand buildsemotionalintelligence.

LouiseLivingstonhasoverthirtyyears’experiencein educationandabackgroundineducationalneuroscience. SheisHeadofTrainingattheMariaMontessoriInstitute (www.mariamontessori.org),whichoffersMontessoriteacher training,onlineshortcoursesandtheMariaMontessori Schoolforages2to12inLondon.

Ageisjustanumber

InaMontessorienvironment,childrenwithathree-yearage spanworkalongsideeachother,choosingandtakingpartin activitiesasandwhentheyaredevelopmentallyready.Thisisin sharpcontrasttomainstreamapproacheswhichtypicallyrequire childrentolearnthesamethingsatthesametime,inthesame yeargroup.

Developmentally,therecanbeamarkeddifferenceintheabilities oftheyoungestandoldestchildreninastandardclassroomand howreadilytheycanpasssetmilestonesandtests.

WithMontessori, childrendevelopcapacitiesattheirownpace, buildingonafirmfoundationofwhattheycanalreadydo.

Mistakesareviewedpositivelyasanopportunitytofind adifferentwayofdoingsomething,whereassometimes mainstreamapproachescanmakechildrenfeelthat‘gettingit right’isallthatmatters.Whenmistakesarevaluedaspartofthe learningprocess,achild’sconfidencegrows,theyareabletotry newthingsandcontributetheirideas,exemplifyingthefactthat everyonehasauniqueperspectivetooffer.

Resolving playgroundconflict

ByZuzuJordan

Playgroundconflictscanshapeachild’sexperienceatschool. Whenweshowchildrenhowtomanagethem,theyare learningvitallifelessonsaboutgettingonwithotherpeople.

Conflictvsbullying

Conflictsintheplaygroundcanflareupandbeforgottenfrom onedaytothenext.

Asparents,wecan’tswoopinandsaveourchildrenfrom uncomfortableorevenpainfulsituationswhiletheyareat school.However,wecanequipthemwiththeirownskillstouse whenteachersarenotimmediatelyavailabletointervene.Using well-chosenwordscanchangethecourseofaconflictandhelp equipchildrentodealwithfutureones.

Ofcourse,it’simportanttounderstandwhereconflictendsand bullyingbegins:bullyinginvolvesarepeated,intentionalactto hurtsomeone;itcantakemanyforms.Allschoolsmusthavean anti-bullyingpolicyshouldbullyingoccur.

Takeaction

Whenconflictoccurs,explaintoyourchildthat‘hottingup’a conflictmakesadisagreementworseand‘coolingdown’makes itbetter;wecanhelpchildrenrealisetheyhavethepowerto influenceandresolvesituations.

Startbylistingwhichbehaviourscanhotupaconflict,suchas shouting,name-calling,invadingpersonalspace,accusing,lying andbeingphysical.Thenlistthebehavioursthatcancooldown aconflict:admittingtowhatyoudidwrong,sayingsorry,saying whatyouwouldliketohappen,usingacalmvoiceandavoiding wordssuchas‘always’and‘never’whichcanimmediatelymake someonefeeldefensive.

Activelisteningisafundamentalskillinresolvingconflicts. Helpyourchildrenpractisebyaskingthemtolistenand repeatinstructionsbackandparaphrasewhatyouhavesaid. Encouragethemtoaskquestionssotheylearnhowtodevelop healthydialogues.

Olderchildrenmayhavemorecomplexconflictsinvolvingsocial media.Theserequireaslightlydifferentapproach. Childline (www.childline.org.uk)and UNICEF (www.unicef.org.uk)offer solidsupportandadviceforthosewhoareexperiencingissues online.

Dealingwithconflictprovidesanopportunityforgrowth, emotionally,sociallyandintellectually.Bycontinuingtoobserve andgivechildrenasafespacetotalkaboutanyconflictsthey have,weareprovidingusefulsafeguardsagainstpotential bullyingscenarios.

ZuzuJordanisaMasteryforMathsspecialistwhohastaught primaryagedchildrenforsixteenyearsandisinterestedin earlyyearsandhomelearning.Forfreehomeworkandhome learningresources,findtheInstagrampageedumate_uk.

BilinguaSing

BirminghamSouth

Didyouknowthat wenowofferour multi-awardwinningsensory, song-filledSpanish &Frenchbabyand toddlerclassesin Harborne, BearwoodAND Bournville!

Singinginaforeign languagemakesiteasiertolearn-thinkofallthesongsyou stillrememberthewordsto!InaBilinguaSingclassyou’llsing inEnglish,thenSpanishorFrenchsoyouandyourlittleonewill graduallymakeconnectionsbetweenthetwo.

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

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

Whyshouldmychild aimforuniversity?

Yourchildisprobablystillatprimaryschoolormaynot evenhavestartedschoolyetbut,atsomepointduringtheir education,thequestionofwhetherornottheywillgoto universitywilldoubtlesscomeup.

Decidingwhethertogotouniversityornotdependsonthe careeryourchildwantstopursuebutnoteverystudentthat embarksuponauniversitycourseisdeadsetonaspecific career.

Thegoodnewsisthatalluniversitycoursesequipstudents withtransferableskillsthatbenefittheircareers.Heriot-Watt UniversityinEdinburghbelievesthatwhateverthecourse,a universityeducationwillequipyourchildwiththeseskills.Here theyexplorewhythekeyskillslearntatuniversitycanmakea studentmoreemployable.

Teamwork

Groupprojectsundertakenatuniversityarevaluablebecause teamworkisanessentialskillthat’srequiredinalmostany jobyoucanthinkof.Evenifyourchildpursuesacareerthat involvesalotofindividualwork,likebecominganauthoror photographer,theywillstillneedteamworkskills.

Throughteamactivitiesatuniversity,studentslearnhowtowork withavarietyofotherpeople.Inourlivesandcareers,manyof usmighthaveexperiencedgroupworkwithsomeonewhodoes notpulltheirweightorsomeonewhowantstotalcontrol.

Knowinghowtodealwiththeseissuesprofessionallywillbe vitalforyourchild’sfuturecareer.Theywillalsogainvaluable experienceinsupportingothers,aswellascollaboratingwith otherpeopletocomeupwithnewideas.

Planningandorganisationskills

Alongsidetimemanagement,theabilitytoplanouttheir workloadandorganisetasksandeventswillbeusefulforyour childinanynumberofemploymentroles.Iftheychooseto undertakeadegreethatisverypractical,theywillhavealotof opportunitiestohonetheseskillsinscenariosthatwillpresent themselvesintheworldofwork.Iftheyareconsideringamore theory-baseddegree,theywilllearnhowtoplantasksthat requirealotofworkhours,liketheirdissertation.

Outsideoftheirstudies,thereareotheropportunitiesto honetheseskillsatuniversitytoo,likevolunteering. Student VolunteeringWeek, whichusuallyhappensduringFebruary, givesstudentsanamazingopportunitytotakepartinorganised volunteeringprojects.

Volunteeringdoesn’thavetobelimitedtooneweekeachyear either.Mostuniversitieshavepartnershipswithcharitiesand businesses,offeringvolunteeringopportunitiesyear-round.

Thiscouldinvolveorganisingfundraisingeventsforachosen charity,providingsupportduringanevent,orevengettingout onthestreetstoraiseawarenessormoney.Alltheseeventscan helpstudentsenhancetheirplanningandorganisational skills, aswellasmanyothers.

Whenthetimecomes,whetheryourchildhasadreamcareer carvedoutintheirheadortheyarestillponderingtheiroptions, goingtouniversitycanequipthemwithskillsthatarevaluablein anyjobrole.

Oneofthekeybenefitsofuniversityisthetransferableskills itdelivers;thesecanmakeayoungpersonmoreemployable, whicheverdegreetheyhavestudied.

Infact,transferableskillsarekeytoyourchild’sfutureat work.Theirabilitytoproblem-solve,becreative,resilientand adaptableandwillingtolead,willcontributemassivelytoanyjob inanyindustry.

That’swhy,thesedays,

Introducinganew sibling

Introducinganewbabyintothefamilycanbeanexcitingyet nerve-wrackingtimeforparents.Herearesometipsonthe bestwaystoprepareyourolderchildrenfortheimpending arrivaloftheirbabysiblingandhelpthemtofeellovedand includedduringtheprocess.

Explainwhat’sgoingtohappen

Iftheyareundertheageoftwo,theymaynotbethatinterested atallandtaketheideaofanewadditiontothefamilyintheir stride.However,aslightlyolderchildmightbeburstingwith questionsorstruggleemotionallywiththetransition.

Preparethemforwhattoexpect

Explainthatthenewbabyisgoingtobewithmummyordaddy mostofthetimeandthebabyisgoingtodoalotofsleeping, cryingandfeeding.Thiswillalsohelpmanagetheirexpectations sotheywon’texpecttheirnewsiblingtobeaplaymatefromthe momenttheyenteryourhome!

Tellthestoryoftheirbirth

Showyourchildrensomeoldphotographsofwhenyouwere pregnantwiththemorofthemwhentheywereababy.Talkto themaboutwhatitwaslikewhentheywereyoungerandhow theytoocriedandfedallhoursoftheday.Thiswillbealovely bondingexerciseandhelpthemunderstandwhythenewbaby willneedmoreattentioninitially.

Roleplaylookingafterthebaby

Usingadollisanothergreatwaytointroduceyourchildrento theideaofhavingababyaroundthehome.Theycanpractise

howtobegentle,holdthebabyandtalktothem.Overall,this helpstonormalisetheideaofababy.Betterstill,ifyou’vegot friendsorfamilywithsmallbabies,setupmeetupsorplaydates soyourchildcangetusedtohearingbabycries,beingarounda babyandobservinghowmumsandbabiesinteract.

Gettheminvolvedintheplanning

Askthemwhattheythinkofthenamesyou’vepickedforthe baby.Chancesaretheywon’tlikeyourchoicesandwouldmuch preferSpider-ManorPeppabutthekeythingistovaluetheir opinions!

Takethemshoppingfornewbornessentials

Itwillhelpthemfeelimportantifyouletthempicksomebaby clothes.Theycouldalsohelpputnewitemsaway,packthebaby changingbagorevenpreparethenursery.

WiththankstoleadingUKbabybrand,Nuby(www.nuby-uk. com)forthisarticle.

S4SwimSchoolhavebeenprovidingswimminglessonsto

swimmershaveprogressedtoCounty,RegionalandNational levelcompetitionsandbeyond,thankstotheexcellent pathwaysbetweenS4andotheraquaticorganisations.

Memberreviews:

“Mydaughterstookpartintheintensivecourseandabsolutely lovedit.Wasreallypleasedattheprogresstheymadeinsucha shorttime,wehavenowsigneduptoregularclassesandcan't waittoseetheprogresstheywillmake”. (Facebook)

“Fantasticswimmingschool,theinstructorsarebrilliantwith youngchildren,verypositiveandencouraging.Woulddefinitely recommend”. (Facebook)

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

WINafamily tickettosee Beautyand theBeast pantomime atOldRepTheatre

Thiswell-lovedmusicaladventurefollowsBelleasshe findsherselftrappedinanenchantedcastleinthedepths oftheforestcapturedbythegrotesqueBeast.Willshe learntolovehimforwhohetrulyisandbreakthespell?

Thisre-imaginingofaclassicfairytalewillexcite, entertainandleaveyouspellbound.

OldRepTheatre,Birminghamisofferingonelucky familythechancetowin4ticketsforSaturday3rd December,5.30pm.

Enterbyemail:

•Write‘BeautyandtheBeast’asyoursubjectheading

•Inthemainbodyoftextgiveyourfirstandlastname, fullpostaladdressandcontactnumber

•Sendemailtoeditor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

CompetitionclosesatmidnightonFriday11thNovember. oldreptheatre.co.uk

Pleasenote:thisisnotaDisney®production.

Sleeplessin ….wherever…

ByShyamanthaAsokan

Howdoyoujuggleworkandhomewhenyourkidswon’t sleep?

It’s4.30amandI’msleepingacrossthebottomendofmybed. I’mallcrunchedupsomyfeetdon’tdangleofftheedge,withno pillowandmyduvetataweirdangle.Idoubtthisevencountsas sleep–butI’lltakewhateverIcanget.

SohowdidIgethere?

Mythree-year-olddaughterandmyfifteen-month-oldsonare justemergingfromamonthofback-to-backnurseryillnesses, whichhasthrowntheirsleeprightoffcourse.Although,evenin normalcircumstances,neitherofthemisgreatatsleepingwhen theyshouldorwheretheyshould.Theycertainlydon’tsleeplike thechildreninalltheparentingbooksI’veread(seriously,who arethosechildren?).

Here’satypicalnightinourhouseatthemoment…

•8pm: Bothkidsgotosleepintheirbedrooms.

• 11pm: Mysonwakesandwillonlygobacktosleepinour bed.Husbandgoestosofa.

•1am: Mydaughterwakesandgoestosleeponthesofawith myhusband.

•2amonwards: MysonwakesoneortwomoretimesandI cuddlehimbacktosleepwithvaryingdegreesofsuccess. Sometimesittakesanhour.

•6am: Thekidsareupfortheday.

SometimesmysonfallsasleeponmylapandIhavetoshuffle himontoourmattressatadiagonalangle,inordernottowake him,leavingmejustthebottomstripofthebedtosleepon.

SometimeshefallsasleeponmyarmandIhaveto‘ninjaslide’it outfromunderhimwhenhe’sinadeep-sleepphase.Thewhole thingisabsurd.

Writingemailsinmymind

Ofcourse,Istillneedtogotowork–andworkingwhilesleepdeprivedisbrutal.

MadonnaandMargaretThatcher,twounder-sleptwomenwho werebiginthe1980s,bothseemedtoequatealackofrestwith apassionfortheirjob.Thisisquestionableforamillionreasons. TracyEmin,biginthe1990s,perhapsmoresensiblydescribed herinsomniaas‘crippling.’

Inanycase,Ijustturnouttobe arubbishversionofmyusual self. MyeyesburnasIreadresearchreports,concentratingis hardandpretendingnottobetiredistiring.

Inmeetings,partofmeislisteningtowhateveryoneissaying butpartofmeisjustthinkingabouthowwell-slepttheyalllook. Ifyou’vehadameetingwithmerecentlyandyouthoughtIwas abitdistracted,it’sbecauseIwasthinkingabouthowgreatthe skinunderyoureyeslooks.

Overnight,whenI’mwokenbythekids,Istruggletogobackto sleepaswork-thoughtspopupandracearoundmyhead.Ilieat thebottomofthebedandwriteemailsinmymind.Meanwhile mysonsnufflesandsnoreslikeacontentedlittlesea-lion,inhis rightfulplaceatthecentreoftheonlydoublebedinthehouse.

Iwas,ofcourse,workingwhenIwasonmaternityleavelastyear –lookingafterchildrenandrunningahouseisajob.ButIwas surroundedbyotherwomenwithyoungchildren,inablearyeyedecosystemwhereeveryonewastired.Theprofessional

But,inthemidstofitall, therearesuddenlymomentsofpure rest.

Thereareendlessparentingbooksthattellyounottocosleepwithyourchildrenbutinmyfamily’scaseit’sabalmfor everyoneinvolved.AttheweekendIhaveafternoonnapswith mydaughterandhertrulyinnocentsleep,thekindthatonlya childcanhave,calmsmeuntilIdropofftoo.

ShyamanthaAsokanisaMidlands-basedjournalistand motheroftwo.Thisblogispartofaseriescalled TheChaos Train, arecordofdailylifewhenyouhaveacareerandpreschoolchildren.

Withthankstowww.workingmums.co.ukwhohostherblog online.Findparttime,homebasedandflexiblefull-timejobs plusadviceforworkingmumsonitssite.

‘back-to-work’worldfeelsverydifferent.AriannaHuffingtonhas saidthatsleepisafeministissue,aswomengetfarlessofit thanmen.

Howlanguagedifficultiesimpactsibling communication

ByUshaPatel

Winterissuchalovelytimeforindoorplay.Familiescanget togetheroveradeckofcards,blowthecobwebsoffboards gamesandhuddletogether,fortifyingbondsoftogetherness andconnection.Theshorterdayslendthemselvestocosy nightsindoorsandareafantastictimeforsiblingstoenjoy qualitytimetogether.

Butwhathappenswhensiblingscan’t,orwon’t,playtogether?

Oneofthemostcommonbarrierspreventingsiblingplayis languagedifficulty.Oneofthechildreninquestionmayhave delayedspeechortherecouldbeamoresignificantcognitive impairmentsuchasadiagnosisofautisticspectrumdisorder. Fromachild’sperspective,havingtheirattemptstoplaywitha siblingrefusedcanbehurtfulanddistressing.Fortheirsibling, beingunabletoplayforanyreasoncanbeasourceofconfusion, eventrauma,becausetheydon’tunderstandwhatisneededof themorperhapsevenwhytheotherchildissoupset.

Usingvarioustoolsandtips,itispossibletofosteremotionally groundedplaybetweensiblings.

Communicatingwithaninfant

Communicationstartslongbeforeformaltalkingbegins.When ourchildrenarebabies,theywilloftenlookatusandreturn oursmiles,whichistheverystartofwhatwecall ‘receptive languageskills.’ Wepointtoobjectsandthegrowinginfant pointstoo,understandingthatwearecommunicatingabout thesamething.Itcouldbeaplaneintheskyoraduckor evenanothermemberofthefamily.Thisprocessisknownas ‘jointattention,’ whichachildusestodeveloptheabilityto understandlanguageandrespondappropriatelywhenasked questions.

Forexample,theymaybeaskedwhattheywanttoeatandbe shownachoiceoftoastorcake.Theymaynotknowtheright wordbuttheycancertainlypointtothefoodtheywantthemost (probablycake!).Thisshowstheinfantcanunderstandand decide.

Ifthisdevelopmentisdelayedforanyreason,itcanbecomean obstacletoplayingwithasibling.However,youcanhelpthisby modellingnon-verbalplayatdifferentlevels. Forexample, HideandSeekcanstartwithsomethingmuchsimpler,suchas

peek-a-boo.Throwandcatchcanstartwithrollingandtrapping aballwhensittingonthefloor.

Snapcardgamescanbeplayedwithfewercardsandinshorter bursts.

Thesemodifiedactivitiesnurturejointattentionandreceptive languageskills.Itisaboutscalingbackambitiousplayand gettingco-operation.

Theimportanceoffeelingsafe

Whenthemoreverbalchilddemandsthatthenon-verbalchild playwiththem,itcanmakethenon-verbalchildfeelunsafe. Theydonotnecessarilyunderstandwhatisexpectedofthem andtheywilloftendisengage.

Parentscanhelpbymodellingasofter,gentlertonefortheir moreverbalchildtousewhentheywanttoplaywiththeir sibling.Thehumanvoiceplaysanimportantroleincreating safety,asshownbyDrStephenPorges,whospentoverforty yearsresearchingitbeforeinventingthe Safe&SoundProtocol (https://bit.ly/safeandsoundpro),afantasticpre-languagetool oftenusedbyparents.

UshaPatelisaneurocognitivetherapistwhorunsRaviv PracticeLondon(www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk)anduses thetherapeuticprogramme,‘iLSfocustherapy’tohelp childrenbuildtheirreceptivelanguageskills.

Charitiestohelpparents

ICan (www.ican.org.uk

andunderstandingskills.

Afasic (www.afasic.org.uk

andyoungpeoplewithspeech, languageandcommunication disabilities,workingfortheirinclusion insociety.

Wordsforlife (www.wordsforlife.org.uk)offersactivitiesand supportforparents,childrenandyoungpeopletoimprove language,literacyandcommunicationskillsfromhome.

TheRoyalCollegeofSpeechandLanguage (www.rcslt.org)helpsparentslocateaccreditedspeechand languagetherapists.

Boys’body dissatisfaction

ByDrCharlotteMarkey

It’sknownthatgirlscanshowanawarenessofdietingbythe timetheystartprimaryschool.Meanwhile,manyboysfeel theyshouldbebigger,moremuscular,more‘manly.’While thisisasignofbodydissatisfaction,ittendstoflyunderthe radarorgounnoticedbyadultsbecauseit’sdisguisedas ‘gettinghealthy.’

Bodydissatisfactionisnotasuperficialconcernasitimpacts healthbehaviours,socialinteractionsandmentalhealthin general.

Researchindicatesthat boysandgirlsarealmostequallylikely toexperiencebodydissatisfaction. Wheregirlsmightfocus onweightlossdiets,boysareapttoover-exercise,cutsugaror carbs(orboth)fromtheirdietsandbecomeconsumedwiththeir health.

Mostparentsaren’tlikelytobeconcernediftheirsondecidesto skipdessertorspendtimeliftingweights.Ifthisshiftinhabits alsocoincideswithpuberty,itcanbedifficulttotellifaboyis gettingleaner,broad-shoulderedorjusttaller.

Inotherwords,thetypicalparentmaynotbeabletotellifthere isaproblembrewingorjustnormalteendevelopmenttaking place.Still,thischangeinhabitsshouldbearedflagtokeep aneyeoutforbodydissatisfactionoreventheemergenceof disorderedeating.

Howdoyouknowwhenyoursonhasaproblemorisjust genuinelybecomingmoreresponsibleforhishealth?

Boysshouldbegainingweightthroughpuberty,notlosing weight.Ifyounoticeyoursonlosingweight,anappointment withafamilydoctorisinorder.

It’salsoimportantthathealthconsciousnessdoesn’tinterfere withenjoymentoffood.Ifyoursonisrigidinhiseating habitsandwon’thaveatreatatabirthdaypartyorrefusesto participateinsocialactivitiesthatinvolvefood,it’slikelythere’s aproblem.Further,supplementuse(egproteinpowder)isoften indicativeofrealbodyimageconcerns.

Bodydissatisfactionanddisorderedeatingcanbecomechronic anddangerous,interferingwithhealthanddevelopment.

Treatmentismoreeffectivewhenproblemsarecaughtearly. Whenindoubt,it’sbesttoseekguidancefromaprofessional withrelevantexpertise,suchasaregistereddietitianortherapist.

CharlotteMarkeyPhDisaprofessorofpsychologyandchair ofthehealthsciencesdepartmentatRutgersUniversity,USA. Herlatestbook, BeingYou:TheBodyImageBookforBoys, is publishedbyCambridgeUniversityPress.

Abalanceddiet

It’sapopularmisconceptionthatboysandmenneed significantlymoreproteinthangirlsandwomen.Furthermore, manypeople(um,boys)believethattheyareproteindeficient andthatextraproteinwillhelpthemtobuildmuscle.

Nearlyeveryonegetsplentyofprotein,however,andany additionalproteinconsumedcan’tbeusedbythebody;itwill simplypassthrough.Someresearchsuggeststhat menoften eattoomuchproteinandnotenoughfruitandvegetables. A balanceddietisabetterandsafersourceofnutrition,giventhat regulationofsupplementsisspottytonon-existent.

Ifyoursonasksyoutobuyproteinfoodsormakemoreproteinrichmeals,explainhowit’simportanttoeatavarietyoffoods andthatthedietandsupplementindustryprofitfromour insecurities.Ifhisgoalisgrowth,healthorevenmuscle,avaried dietismoreimportantthanprotein.

Withknowledgeofwhatconstitutesahealthydietandbody, boyswillbebetterabletomakeinformeddecisionsandacton themaccordingly.

SeeingSanta Differently!

By@girlaboutbirmingham

HOHOhopeyouandyourlittleonesareexcitedabout seeingthebigmanthisyear?Asweknow,Santaisvery busyandhastogetroundseveraleventsandgrottosprior toChristmasday.Overthepastfewyears,ourfamilyhas triedtocatchupwithhimindifferentplaces.Somehave broughtjoyandwondermenttothefestiveseason;others haveleftuswonderingwhenthey’llpulltheirstockings up!

Here'smypickofthebestplacesI’vebeentoorhavebeen recommendedtome.I’vetriedtolookforideasthatarealittle differenttoo!

MagicAlleyStratford

MagicAlleyisoneofthebestexperienceswe’vehadseeing Santa.Itwascalm,organisedandyes,itwasmagical.The fascinatinglittleshopissituatedinthetwinklingandaptly namedBellCourt.Itisonlyasmallvenue,butitsintimacyis itsUSP.Thereisplentyoftimetoenjoyeachsectionasyou movethroughthewinterwonderland.Oh,andthisis definitelytherealSanta.

magicalleystratford.com

DudleyCanalSantaboat

Onethingyoucandefinitelysayaboutthisexperienceisthat it’sdifferent.Myfirsttimeonanarrowboat,Iwasexcitedto donmyhardhatandfloatalongBirmingham’swaterways withthekids!Wewereallkeentoseewhatwouldgreetusin thetunnels!AsAutumnhadturnedtowinter,thescenerywas perfect,andthestagewassetforwhatturnedouttobea veryentertainingandjovialshow!

dudleycanaltrust.org.uk

WinterGlow,Malvern

WinterGlowisa‘mustdo’eventforyourChristmascalendar. Therearemanyactivitiestochoosefrom,buteventhelight trailalone,youdonotwanttomiss.Ihadafantastictime glidingaroundtheicerinkwithmyeldestboy.Thewholeset upfeelsextremelyfestive.Wedidn’tactuallymeetFather Christmashere,butI’veheardit’saworthwhileaddontoa wonderfulafternoon/eveningout.

winterglow.co.uk

ThePolarExpress

The Polar

It’sbeenelevenyearssincemyfirstSantatrainride.Whenmy eldestwastwowewereluckyenoughtobetreatedtoatrain tripbymysister.Thesights,soundsandsmellsconjureupa festivefeelinglikenootherasyouarewhiskedofftoagrotto whilstenjoyingahottoddy(orajuiceforthekids).

Itmightbetoolatetograbyourbestdateoraprivate carriagebutI’msureifyou’requickyoucanstillsecurea ticket.

vintagetrains.co.uk

NationalTrust

Itwouldn’tbeaGABarticlewithoutsomeNationalTrustlove, wouldit?!However,youmightnothaveknownthatthereare someNationalTrustvenueswhereyoucanbooktoseeSanta forachatandagift.Atothervenues,FatherChristmas occasionallymakesanappearanceifyoujustturnuptothe festiveevents.

nationaltrust.org.uk/features/visit-father-christmas

WhereelsecanIgetonthegoodlist?

AstimeistickingonI’veaddedafewmoreplacestocheck thatmaystillhaveavailability:

•WebbsofWychbold-EnchantedGardens webbsdirect.co.uk

•SellyManor-Santa’sGrotto- sellymanormuseum.org.uk

•EchillsWoodRailway-BrightLightsforWinter Nights2022- ewr.org.uk

•BlackCountryLivingMuseum–SantaHunts bclm.com/santa-hunts

Lastyearmylittleoneadoredlookingroundthedecorations anddisplaysinourlocalgardencentres.YoucanseeSantaat WarleyWoodson3rdDecember,andsomelocalcommunity centreshavespecialeventstoo.I’venoticedaChristmas marketatRowheathPavillionon19thNovember.

Finally,checkthemapforyourSantadrivethoughfromyour localLionsClubs.Routedetailsareannouncedinlate NovemberviatheirFacebookpages.

Gotofamiliesbirmingham.co.uk‘Highlights’ toseemyfullarticleonfindingSanta!

WHAT’SON Out&About

AckersAdventure,Birmingham

WINTERACTIVITIES

Opendaily

Learntoskiorjoinafestive tubingortobogganingsession. ackers-adventure.co.uk

BaddesleyClinton,Solihull

Opendaily

Explorethegreatoutdoorsat Baddesley,creatingmemoriesto lastalifetime. nationaltrust.org.uk /baddesley-clinton

BarberInstituteofFineArt, Birmingham FAMILYTRAILS

OpenTuestoSun

SeeBarber’scollectionthrough differentthemeswithfunand friendlyactivities. barber.org.uk

BirminghamBotanicalGardens LUMINATEBIRMINGHAM–WINTERLIGHTTRAIL 26Nov–2Jan

Amilelongtrailwithstunning lightingelementssettoambient music. birminghambotanicalgardens .org.uk

BirminghamWildlife ConservationPark

Opendaily

Hometoauniquecollectionof animalsfromacrosstheworld. birmingham.gov.uk /conservationpark

BlackCountryLivingMuseum, Dudley MERRYMAKERS

3–4Dec

MeetBCLM’sChristmassy charactersintheirshops,houses andworkshops. CHRISTMASLATESATBCLM 9,10,16,17&18Dec

Enjoyacosyfamilyeveningwith carols,storiesandwarmhearths. bclm.co.uk

BurntwoodAlpaca&Animal Experience

SANTA’SGROTTOONTHE FARM 10–11Dec&17–23Dec

Tonsoffestivefarmfun.Watch outforSanta’snaughtyelves! burntwoodalpacas.co.uk

CBSOCentre,Birmingham MUSICMAZE

Sun4Dec

Fun,creative,participatory workshopforchildrenin Years3–6. bcmg.org.uk

CentenarySquare,Birmingham ICESKATE,BIRMINGHAM 3Nov-8Jan

Theultimateiceskating experienceforallages. iceskatebirmingham.co.uk

DraytonManor MAGICALCHRISTMAS 26Nov–24Dec

Santa’sgrottoexperience,festive entertainmentinThomasLand andmore. draytonmanor.co.uk

DudleyCanal&Caverns CHRISTMASTHROUGHTIME–SANTATRIPS 2-23Dec. Selecteddatesonly. Climbaboardandexperience ChristmasfromVictoriantimesto thepresentday. dudleycanaltrust.org.uk

DudleyZooandCastle SANTA’SGROTTO 1–24Dec

SeeSanta,visithisreindeerand seethezooanimals. dudleyzoo.org.uk

EdgbastonVillage ARTISANMARKET&LIGHTS SWITCHON 12Nov

Santa,MrsClaus,carolsinging andstageperformancesFREE! edgbastonvillage.co.uk /Christmas2022

HattonAdventureWorld ENCHANTEDCHRISTMAS KINGDOM 26Nov-24Dec,onselected dates

Woodlandgrotto,festiveshow, funfair,reindeerquestandmore. adventure.hattonworld.com

HoarPark,ShoppingandCraft Village,Nuneaton VICTORIANEVENING Thurs8Dec

ChristmasFair,hogroast,carols roundthetree,brassband,and more. hoar-park.co.uk

MartineauGardens, Edgbaston,Birmingham OpenMon-Sat

Naturetrail,wildflowermeadows, birdhide,ponds,andbeehives. martineau-gardens.org.uk

PackwoodHouse,NT Opendaily

Packwoodistheperfectplacefor afamilydayoutwhateverthe weather. nationaltrust.org.uk /packwood-house

RushUK,Stirchley, Birmingham Opendaily Trampolineparkwithover35,000 sqftofexcitingactivitiesforall ages. rushuk.com

SandwellMuseumService Openinghoursonwebsite Seasonaleventsavailableat SandwellMuseumvenues. Activitiesonoffer. sandwell.gov.uk/getinvolved

SealifeCentre,Birmingham VISITSANTAINHISGROTTO 19Nov-24Dec

Experiencetheultimate underwater‘MerryFish-massy’ adventurewithSanta. visitsealife.com/Birmingham

SellyManorMuseum, Bournville SANTA’SGROTTO&CRAFT FAIR 3&4Dec

AspecialChristmasexperience inthemagicalSellyManor. sellymanormuseum.org.uk

SevernValleyRailway, Kidderminster CHRISTMASATSVR 18Nov–24Dec

SantaTrains,EnchantedExpress, CarolTrains,FestiveAfternoon Tea&more. svr.co.uk

SnowDome,Tamworth SANTA’SWINTER WONDERLAND 12Nov–1Jan

Realsnow,realanimalsandan amazingwinterwonderland show. snowdome.co.uk

StatfoldRailway,Tamworth MAGICALSANTAEXPRESS 27Nov-23Dec

Afamilydayoutwithfestivefun aroundeverycorner. statfold.com

TamworthCastle MAGICALSANTASHOW 17-20Dec

AfunpackedChristmasshowfull ofcheer,songsandmerriment. tamworthcastle.co.uk

ThinkTank,Birmingham ELFTRAIL 1–23Dec,openWeds–Sun Comehelpfindthecheekyelves thathaveescapedSanta’s workshop. MINI-CHRISTMASIN MINIBRUM 3–4Dec

HelpdecorateMinibrumthis festiveseason. birminghammuseums.org.uk /thinktank

ThreeCountiesShowground, Malvern WINTERGLOW 25Nov–2Jan

Lighttrail,iceskating, Santaexperiences, observationwheelandmore. threecounties.co.uk

VictoriaSquareandNew Street,Birmingham FRANKFURTCHRISTMAS MARKET 3Nov–23Dec

Traditionalgoods,food, drinkandmusicinafestive atmosphere. thebfcm.co.uk

WestMidlandsSafariPark LANTERNFESTIVAL 11Nov–8Jan (onselecteddates) Seethemesmerising lightingdisplaysandlanterns. SANTASAFARI 25Nov–24Dec Afour-milewinterSafariand avisittoSanta’sGrotto. wmsp.co.uk

WHAT’SON Entertainment

Bookearlytogetthe bestseatsforChristmas shows!

BirminghamHippodrome Theatre TalesFromAcornWoodat Christmas, 15–31Dec DickWhittington, 17Dec–29Jan birminghamhippodrome.com

BirminghamRepertoryTheatre Nativity!TheMusical, 19Nov–7Jan birmingham-rep.co.uk

BlueOrangeTheatre, Birmingham Cinderella, 30Nov–10Dec TheSnowQueen, 17–30Dec blueorangetheatre.co.uk

CBSOCentre,Birmingham Notelets:ChristmasParty, 9&10Dec cbso.co.uk

TheCoreTheatre,Solihull BeautyandtheBeast Pantomime, 9Dec-2Jan thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

MidlandsArtsCentre, Birmingham TheBear, 17Nov–30Dec macbirmingham.co.uk

OldRepTheatre,Birmingham BeautyandtheBeast, 18Nov-16Dec oldreptheatre.co.uk

SuttonColdfieldTownHall Rapunzel&theRascalPrince, 6–31Dec suttoncoldfieldtownhall.com

SymphonyHall,Birmingham HorribleChristmas, 11Dec TheMuppetChristmasCarol: FilmwithLiveOrchestra, 14Dec bmusic.co.uk

WolverhamptonGrandTheatre Aladdin, 3Dec–7Jan grandtheatre.co.uk

checkonlinebeforevisiting.