Families Cheshire Magazine Issue 64 Mar/Apr 20

Cheshire In this issue: WIN a Family Holiday with Away Resorts!

Why my daughter’s autism has made me a better person

Issue 64 March/April 2020

familiesonline.co.uk

News All Stars Cricket – made for kids

All Stars Cricket is a programme aimed at children aged 5-8 years old to give them a great first experience in cricket.

Sessions are accredited by the England & Wales Cricket Board and delivered nationwide at over 2,000 centres. All Stars Cricket will help your child develop key skills in a fun and safe environment where parents can join in too and help create #BigMoments you’ll both treasure!

Following successful registration, All Stars Cricketers will receive a brand-new kit bag full of goodies to help them get their summer of cricket started and fully look the part when they attend their 8 weekly sessions and it’s all delivered straight to your door.

To find out more about how to get involved this summer, simply visit www.allstarscricket.co.uk and get your place booked.

Sessions begin May2020.

Big

Participate Discover in British National Parks Science Week this Spring

British Science Week is a 10 day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place from 6 to 15 March.

The annual festival features fascinating, entertaining and engaging events and activities across the UK, designed to appeal to families with children of all ages.

Your child can also enter the annual poster competition and/ or download a series of FREE activity packs at www.britishscienceweek.org, filled with resources and ideas to try out at home or school. The good news is these activities don’t require parents to have a science background or buy any expensive equipment.

To find your local event or activity, visit www.sciencelive.net

Saturday 4 April marks the start of Discover National Parks Fortnight, a celebration event aimed at inspiring people of all ages to explore outside and learn more about these special places.

There are fifteen National Parks in the UK, spanning the length and breadth of the country.

Ten in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. National Parks protect almost 10% of England, 20% of Wales and 8% of Scotland.

The UK-wide celebration includes a wide range of events and activities running throughout the Easter holidays, including guided walks, geocaching and wildlife experiences at every park.

These events offer families a great opportunity to explore, learn, relax and unwind.

To find about more visit: www.nationalparks.uk/discover

Moments Have fun, make friends and learn skills that last a lifetime Find your nearest programme and register at allstarscricket.co.uk

Next issue: May/June 2020 Circulation: 30,000 copies of Families Cheshire are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Cheshire. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know.

Contact details: Families Cheshire, 3 Hall Hill, Bollington SK10 5ED Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiesonline.co.uk Editors: Jayne Keep & Caryl Hall Editorial: editor@familiescheshire.co.uk 2 Families Cheshire

Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiescheshire.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on: events@familiescheshire.co.uk Cover Photography: Razzamataz Theatre School. Chester www.razzamataz.co.uk Design: WITH Creative, Congleton. www.withcreative.co.uk Print: Warwick Printers, Caswell Road Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 1QD Tel: 01926 883355 www.warwickprinting.co.uk

Families Cheshire is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Cheshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families

Includes personalised kit!

Cheshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but but Families Cheshire, its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof. @FamiliesChesMag facebook.com/FamiliesCheshire

familiesonline.co.uk

News Join the fight against plastic with the Great British Spring Clean

WIN a Family Holiday at an Away Resort of your Choice*!

Just take part in Wear a Hat on 27 March to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

Away Resorts offers family holidays at award-winning holiday parks, each superbly located and unique.

Mill Rythe on Hayling Island offers a holiday jam-packed with activities from zorbing to an outdoor high ropes course, plus daytime and evening entertainment.

Sandy Balls in the New Forest gets you back to nature; delve into the forest with its resident alpacas, enjoy a serene spa, fantastic on-site restaurants, and an array of activities including cycling and swimming.

Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire is a water world away. From fishing and pedalos to jet-skiing and a water aqua park, there’s fabulous on-site restaurants, rooftop bars, indoor/outdoor splashpads and activity programmes for all.

Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight offers the perfect balance, with rolling countryside on one side and a beautiful sandy beach on the other. The park bustles with great on-site activities to keep your family busy.

Wherever you live, you and your family can make a difference to your local environment by sparing just a few hours to take part in the Great British Spring Clean from 20 March to 13 April.

Run by charity Keep Britain Tidy, this initiative is the country’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign and aims to get 600,000 #LitterHeroes out and about, cleaning up the

To Enter: 1. Register for Wear a Hat Day 2020 at www.wearahatday.org and take part on 27 March.

2. Email your competition entry to info@familiesmagazine.co.uk with your full name and post code or enter online at https://bit.ly/2OytS6D by 30 April 2020.

Use the same email address, name and post code for both steps 1 and 2.

environment on their doorstep.

It’s easy for families to get involved. Simply pledge to take part and either organise a litter-pick in your community or join an organised event.

To find out more, join a local event, register to take part and access resources including a how-to guide, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org/ GBSpringClean

T&Cs: *Excludes Mersea Island Holiday Park and Barmouth Bay Holiday Park.

Prize is for a seven-night stay for two adults and two children. Accommodation provided will be of Superior or Luxury grade at Sandy Balls, Tattershall Lakes and Whitecliff Bay, and Ambassador at Mill Rythe, subject to availability. Prize value will be dependent on location and time of year chosen. More T&Cs online.

Does this look like the perfect job?

Work from home 3 Be your own boss 3

Cheshire

Work the times you like 3 Fun & interesting work 3 No limit to your earnings 3 Cheshire

Cheshire In this issue: best Make the of Open Days kids Foraging with Is your child sport ready?

In this issue: Times tables tips & tricks Family friendly working Mother’s Day after loss

In this issue: Easter fun!

Is Shared Paren tal Leave for you?

Finding the right childcare provid er

.co.uk familiesonline

Issue 52 Mar/A pr 2018 familiesonline.co .uk

Oct 2018 Issue 55 Sep/

Issue 58 Mar/Apr 19

familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Become the new owner of Families Cheshire and be part of an experienced and supportive network of like-minded people Families is perfect for you! You’ll do everything from writing and editing to selling ad space and invoicing – all with full training, back up and support from an experienced team at Head Office and over 30 other editors country-wide.

To find out more, get in touch today!

Email editor@familiescheshire.co.uk or call 01625 801801.

Families Cheshire 3

Education Exam preparation techniques for different learning styles

By Claire Winter

Listening to a recording or watching a video Auditory learners can record information (even in the form of songs they make up!) and listen to it. Watching videos is also a good way to revise.

Whether it be for SATs, 11+ or school exams, your child is likely to need to do some preparation at home. Of course, your child’s school may provide practice exam papers which are important tools but it may be that your child needs to hone in on revising particular subjects or topics in order to complete these successfully.

So how do you help equip a primary school child with the techniques they need to revise?

Educators, scientists, and psychologists have developed different models to understand the different ways that people learn. One popular theory, the VARK model, identifies four primary types of learners: visual, auditory, reading/ writing, and kinaesthetic. Each learning type responds best to a different method of teaching.

For example, auditory learners remember information best after reciting or explaining it back, while kinaesthetic learners jump at the chance to participate in a hands-on activity. Most pupils don’t learn in just one way, so often using a combination of techniques will work best.

Once you have established your child’s preferred learning style, you can try a variety of these methods to help your child prepare successfully for exams.

4 Families Cheshire

Mind mapping A mind map is a visual representation of information, introduced in an organised, but innovative method. This method is great for visual learners. Mind maps can be as detailed as your child likes, organising notes and suggestions around bigger, connecting ideas, around one idea, or around several topics. Mind maps can enhance memory and learning by 15% compared to conventional study methods.

Creating visual reminders Note-taking and highlighting are mainly reading-based learning techniques, but flashcards, post-it notes, and mind maps all take advantage of visual recognition too. If your child is naturally creative, then making flashcards with essential keywords or formulas on them can help them recall what they are studying. Try sticking flashcards or post-it notes around the house and every time your child comes across one, encourage them to describe the keywords or information in more detail.

Organising information Children who learn by reading and writing will like planning their work by topic. Not only will this help them access the information they have to learn much faster, but the act of planning can

make a child feel more in charge of their learning. Visual learners can use colour coded post-it notes to help remind them about the different topics too.

Note taking Taking notes on important facts from current classwork can be a good way for your child to keep the essentials in mind. If your child likes writing and reading, then they may find this highly effective. For younger children, highlighting important information can be just as efficient.

Verbally explaining Another great revision technique for auditory learners is to ask your child to verbally explain something. They retain more information revising this way.

Ask your child questions about their classwork such as: “Can you tell me more about Xyz?” This will encourage your child to use memory recall to remember the important facts. You can also use questions to identify any gaps in their knowledge.

An excellent revision game is to make your child the teacher.

Get them to pretend they are in front of a class and talk about certain topics as if they were teaching themselves. This is a great learning technique for primary school kids that enjoy drama and acting things out.

Assembling charts and diagrams Kinaesthetic learners learn by assembling charts and creating diagrams.

Flashcards can also help kinaesthetic learners; if you physically turn them over and write on them, it engages many different parts of the brain. Keeping fingers busy, tracing words or tapping out sequences can help your child retain knowledge too.

Using a mixture of many learning techniques is the most successful way to help your child retain information. You’ll soon learn what they like doing and what helps the most in their tests and exams.

Here’s a handy reminder of the different learning styles.

Visual • Processes information using information and charts • Needs images to explain concepts and ideas • Prefers graphic elements over words Auditory • Learns best when information is spoken out loud • Prefers to listen to lectures and discussions • Processes information by talking through things Read/Write • Prefers to receive written words • Enjoys reading and writing assignments • Processes information by writing notes Kinaesthetic • Learns best through a tactile process • Prefers to create concrete personal experiences • Processes information by recreating and practicing

familiesonline.co.uk

Education What to do if school isn’t working

By Claire Winter

Making a formal complaint In the unlikely event that you are still not happy that your child’s issue is being resolved, you can check out the school’s complaints procedure on its website and make a formal written complaint to your child’s Head Teacher and then to the school’s governors or academy trustees. For further information, visit www.gov.uk/ complain-about-school

When your child is having trouble at school it can be really challenging for the whole family. The first thing you need to do is to try to establish if the problem is with another pupil, their teacher or the school itself.

Common problems include falling out with friends, finding schoolwork too hard and being bullied.

Talking to your child The first thing you need to do is talk to your child to get to the bottom of the issue. Let them know that you care and want to help. Ask them if there is anything you could do to make their situation easier and explain you are going to help them work through their problems.

Explore whether you can come up with a solution without involving your child’s school but, if you can’t resolve the problem as a family, the next step is to arrange a meeting with your child’s class teacher. If you find out the issue is bullying, you should always speak to the school.

Don’t leave your child to sort it out by himself. You can get some good advice about dealing with bullying from the charity the Anti-Bullying Alliance or the NSPCC. Whilst you are working towards resolving the issue, emphasise the importance of after-school

familiesonline.co.uk

clubs or activities away from school. Having friends and hobbies outside of school will distract them and give them something to look forward to.

Talking to their teacher During the meeting, explain the situation and ask the teacher what they can do to help. It’s good to ask when they will update you on the steps they have taken to resolve the problem. Remember though that some issues may take time to resolve; extra support or help with schoolwork may need to be organised or a friendship issue sorted out. Some schools use planners and diaries to update parents and you could suggest communicating this way so you can get regular updates

Changing schools Whilst no parent wants to disrupt their child’s education by moving them to another school, it is a fact that sometimes your child and a particular school is just not a good fit. If your child still has a number of years ahead at their school, it may not be worth struggling along if their unhappiness is affecting their wellbeing and you are confident that everything possible

has been done to try to make things better.

If you are considering moving your child to another school, do discuss it with your child’s current Head Teacher first.

Bear in mind that the least disruptive time to make a change is at the end of the school year and make sure you allow time to research alternative school options. It’s not advisable to withdraw your child from a school before you have formally been offered a place at an alternative setting.

Take heart though. Schools are generally expert at working with parents to resolve a wide range of issues and concerns and their overriding priority is the wellbeing of their students.

So don’t be afraid to talk to them – and talk some more, if necessary! It’s very likely that whatever issues your child has can and will be resolved.

Talk to the Head Teacher If your child’s class teacher is unable to resolve your issue, you can request a formal meeting with the Head Teacher. It’s helpful to keep a record of your dialogue; if you write a letter or email, keep a copy of your correspondence. If you phone or speak face to face, make a note of the date and write down what you both say during the conversation.

Your information may help if you need to get in touch with the school again.

Families Cheshire 5

Education Header Bright Beginnings

“This is the most idyllic and enabling environment for your child’s first years in education...”

Starting school is an important step in a child’s life. Cransley School’s happy and enabling EYFS environment works in close partnership with parents, providing a balanced introduction to education. The Reception class is currently taught alongside Year 1, allowing capable EYFS children to access an additional element of academic rigour, but only if appropriate, and only if the child is ready.

At the age of five, your child enters into full time education.

The EYFS classes offer the opportunity to learn in a structured play environment whilst continuing to follow the school routine.

The EYFS’s ‘hands-on’ nature and multi-sensory approach provides a stimulating and highly motivating environment where talent is recognised and encouraged. Children learn pre-reading and pre-number skills appropriate to the

individual stages of development and small class sizes help to give children individual attention, enabling them to work at their own pace. If potential barriers to learning are found, the school can provide early intervention and ensure excellent individual progress.

Cransley not only focusses on English and Maths, but also ensures a wider curriculum which includes Science, Music, Ballet, Physical Education and Cooking alongside superb topic based learning opportunities.

The school uses excellent educational technology (edtech) to record and observe the children in their day-to-day activities for sharing with parents and for recording against the benchmarks of the EYFS profile. These are made available to you throughout the year and on request between these times.

Bright Beginnings Day 24 March 2020 Join the Early Years class for their Bright beginnings day on 24 March 2020 to see whether their idyllic learning environment is right for you.

Please email admission@ cransleyschool.org.uk and they’ll get in touch with you immediately.

If you have any questions or want more information, please call 01606 891747 and ask for Mrs Clare Holt. www.cransleyschool.com

Ofsted ratings driving up house prices

Families in England are paying a house price premium of as much as £100,000 to make sure their children live within the catchment of schools rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, new analysis suggests.

Researchers analysed the Ofsted ratings of 20,545 secondary and primary schools in England and found that average house prices often reflect the quality of the local school.

The average price of a house in England with top-rated schools nearby stands at £331,605, according to research by comparison website Confused. com. This is about £38,600 more than the average price of homes with schools rated ‘good’

by Ofsted nearby, about £78,000 more than in areas with schools that ‘require improvement’ and nearly £100,000 more than in postcodes with schools rated ‘inadequate’.

A similar study by the Department of Education found that house prices are 8% higher near the best performing primary schools. To view the report, visit www.confused.com

Maintained schools outperform academies and free schools Maintained schools in England outperform academies and free schools in national exams taken at the end of year 6, according to figures released by the Department of Education (DfE).

This data seemingly contradicts assurances given by government for several years that conversion of schools from council-maintained to academies and the opening of free schools would drive up education standards.

The DfE reports says 66% of pupils in local authoritymaintained schools reached the

government’s expected standards in both maths and reading, whilst 65% did so in academies and free schools. In sponsored academies, only 58% of pupils reached the required national standards.

Free schools also compared poorly with maintained schools, with 62% of pupils reaching the expected standards. In maths alone, 77% of free school pupils reached the expected standard, compared with 80% in maintained primaries.

More info: www.gov.uk/ government/

Bright Beginnings EYFS Experience Day 24th March 2020 Outstanding independent education for boys and girls aged 4-16

cransleyschool.com 6 Families Cheshire

familiesonline.co.uk

Education Top performing school at GCSE & A Level Bursaries & Scholarships at 11+ & 16+

Find out how we see education differently at our...

Infant & Junior Open Afternoon Thursday 30 April, 1pm–3pm

Taster Day (Year 5 Pupils)

Charity No. 1137204

NEW £60m campus opening September 2020

01625 260000

Charity No. 1137204

Charity No. 1137204

Friday 26 June

www.kingsmac.co.uk

STOCKPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL An independent school for children from 3-18 years FOUNDED IN 1487

Assistance with fees available at 11+ and 16+ (means tested), academic and music scholarships

Junior School and Pre-Reception Open Morning Saturday 2nd May 10am - 12pm Come and spend a day in the Senior School - Year 5 Taster Days 13th May, 21st May and 9th June To book call 0161 419 2408 Senior and Junior School day tours available Extensive school bus routes including Sale, Altrincham and Hale

SGS Inspires Tel: 0161 456 9000 familiesonline.co.uk

Highest Inspection Rating of “Excellent” 2019

www.stockportgrammar.co.uk Families Cheshire 7

Parent’s place Children with autism will still be able to make friends, and form relationships. Some children will exhibit average or above average intelligence - many of the world’s greatest thinkers and innovators have displayed autistic characteristics – while others might have a learning disability and will need help with daily life and routines.

Autism Spectrum Conditions: differences, NOT disabilities

By Shelley Goffe-Caldeira

Autism Spectrum Conditions are lifelong developmental conditions which affect how people communicate and interact with the world. It affects approximately 700,000 people in the UK and whilst awareness and understanding of the disorder has improved, families dealing with ASC continue to face significant challenges in day-to-day life. World Autism Awareness Week runs from 30 March to 5 April this year and Families takes up the baton to help champion better knowledge of this disorder.

Autism is not a medical condition that can be treated with medication and there is no cure. The fact that there is a spectrum of autism simply means that autism can be different for each individual. It is usually detected in early childhood but for some people it is not formally diagnosed until later in adult life. Autism is the most common in a range of conditions making up ASD, which include Asperger’s syndrome (which is on the milder end of the autism spectrum).

8 Families Cheshire

How to identify autism Autism is something a person is born with or is first noticeable during early childhood. If a child is autistic, they will be autistic their whole life. There are many signs and symptoms to watch out for and all or some can be present in any individual with autism.

Some typical characteristics may include: • Difficulty making eye contact; • Difficulty with social interaction; • Repetitive behaviours and activities such as arm flapping, head banging, or twirling an object over and over; • Rigid behaviour and difficulty with change and routines; • Narrow range of interests and activities; • Intense and prolonged emotional reactions; • Sensory challenges.

Gone are the days when autism was blamed on parenting practices, making parents feel guilty and responsible for causing their child’s “difficult” behaviour. Today, it is widely agreed by scientists that autism is a combination of genetic and

environmental factors. The purported link between vaccines and autism has been comprehensively dismissed.

In the last decade, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of diagnosed cases of autism around the world, but this could be due to doctors spotting the signs more consistently. Researchers are investigating environmental triggers and biochemical factors to understand what causes autism, but currently scientists are still unsure of the cause.

Autism is NOT a disability In scientific circles, autism is often defined as a deficit – something lacking. However, in general society, attitudes have rightly become more accepting of the differences in children and people with autism. The biggest change in attitude is the understanding that autism is not a disability but a difference. Being autistic means someone’s brain works in a different way from other people but that does not have to stop a child or adult from having a good life.

How do i know if my child has autism?

In order for someone to be diagnosed with autism, they’ll generally have to be assessed as someone whose symptoms ‘limit and impair everyday functioning’, who struggles with social interaction and communication and has had repetitive and limited hobbies, interests and patterns of behaviour from early childhood onwards.

However, the characteristics of autism and autism spectrum conditions vary widely from one person to the next. Autistic children often have other conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, dyslexia, anxiety and depression that must be formally and separately diagnosed.

If you are concerned that your child may be on the autistic spectrum, then ask your GP for a referral to a paediatrician.

Early diagnosis and intervention using skills-training and behaviour modification by a professional can help create positive results. It can also greatly improve the chances of a child with autism going to or remaining in mainstream school and participating in activities with their classmates.

For more information about autism, check out Need2Know’s Essential Guide to Autism at www.need2knowbooks.co.uk/ product/the-essential-guideto-autism which explores the different types of autism including causes, early signs and related conditions.

To receive a 25% discount quote N2K25OFF at checkout.

familiesonline.co.uk

Parent’s place Why my daughter’s autism has made me a better person

By Jane Constantine

Today my daughter read We’re Going on A Bear Hunt all the way through, all by herself, without any help! I am bursting with pride. Alexa is actually 10 years old, so you may question my pride in this. But until a few years ago, she could say very few words and couldn’t construct a sentence. She is of around 100,000 children in the UK today with autism spectrum disorder.

Watching your child develop and gain new skills is part of the joys of parenthood. Alexa was a beautiful little toddler, full of mischief and joy but when she didn’t achieve the expected milestones, I was understandably worried and confused.

When we started to attend the Stay and Play sessions at our local Sure Start centres, Alexa would happily play with the toys and loved the puzzles and sensory activities but, at the end of the session, when the little ones would happily sit and listen to the storytelling session, Alexa would just

familiesonline.co.uk

wander off uninterested. She didn’t even seem aware that a story was being told. Most of the toddlers around her age said words quite frequently and were pointing and communicating to their parents; we had a hard time getting Alexa to turn around when we called her name.

I consulted a paediatrician when Alexa was just over 2 years old. She was diagnosed with speech delay and we were asked to come back when she was 3 years old, if no further progress was made. A year later, we were back in her office.

My gut feeling was that something was wrong. Autism was casually mentioned but an assessment was needed. Looking back, we were fortunate that our referral came through in 9 months.

That assessment can take a frustratingly long time – a friend of mine has recently waited 18 months to get a diagnosis for her son.

Within this time Alexa had started to say some words – bizarrely one of her first was “treasure chest,” not the typical “mummy” or “daddy” – but her progress wasn’t consistent. She would say a word one week, but it could take three weeks before she would say another.

Finding out that your child is different and will go through life struggling is hard. I think it is perfectly normal for any parent to be in denial and to not want to hear this and I was guilty of this to a degree. Hearing Alexa’s diagnosis shattered all the happy expectations I had for her and I went through a period of grieving the “perfect” child I seemed to have lost.

Luckily, Alexa had started attending a pre-school which some other children with autism attended and it had a specialist SEN group attached. This helped greatly. I went through a period of feeling sad and wondering what the future would hold for Alexa. After a few weeks, I had a chat with myself and realised that my negative state wouldn’t

help me or her. I resolved to find out EVERYTHING about autism that I could.

I discovered a new determination to get Alexa all the help and support I could and that had to start with my husband and I – we had to step up and be ready to take on everything that this condition threw at us.

I joined groups; I listened to others; I made sure Alexa received intense speech therapy. One of the best things I did was enrol on a Makaton sign language course. This has been fantastic in helping us communicate with Alexa and vice versa. Once we had an official diagnosis, we were also able to obtain an EHC, a legal document which ensures Alexa is supported in her schooling.

Now Alexa has no physical issues, her sensory issues have subsided and she has many more language and communication abilities. Most importantly she is a happy and healthy girl. Yes, she has autism and if I could take it away from her I would, but we have given her the best tools to help her manage.

She IS my perfect child and she has taught me so much. In particular, to be much more understanding of individuals with disabilities; that we are all different and that differences can and should be celebrated.

Families Cheshire 9

Parents’ place Motivating good behaviour: what’s the secret?

By Gabrielle Nash

and energy levels. A tired child is considerably less cooperative.

Praise is essential. A child who feels good when praised, is encouraged to develop a desire to be ‘intrinsically’ well behaved and need rewards less.

Focus on effort when giving praise. Be immediate and be generous, combining your words with eye contact and a cuddle.

Whenever discussing your child’s good behaviour, never confuse them by also introducing a criticism or caveat.

If you’re lucky enough to find bedtime a breeze, or have a co-operative child who eats all their vegetables, then you are indeed one of the fortunate and few. If you regularly find yourself battling bath times and lack of fruit intake and gentle (and not so gentle) admonishment of your child just doesn’t work, then it might be worth introducing a system to motivate good behaviour.

Reward-based systems like sticker charts are popular and effective tools because they’re positive. “It’s a straightforward concept” explains Dr Sarah Rose, a child psychologist at Staffordshire University “Children learn through association, so if a behaviour is associated with something nice happening, they will be more likely to repeat that behaviour in future.”

However, every child is wired differently, so it’s important you think carefully about exactly

10 Families Cheshire

what motivates your child.

Reward charts can work well, as can marbles in a jar (or pasta in a pot). The idea here is that your child earns marbles for completing a task or behaviour.

Once the jar/pot is full they earn an activity or treat.

Your child’s age is also a factor.

For toddlers a reward chart during potty training is great. A simple concept like “do a wee in the potty and you can have a sticker” is easy to understand.

But anything more complicated and a toddler will struggle because they don’t fully understand the idea of consequence yet.

Once you’re using a reward chart, it’s important to be reliable and consistent. Ideally, you’d like your child to simply wish to behave well without needing the chart as motivation; the best way to encourage this is to combine the reward with plenty of praise.

Top tips for making reward systems work Keep it specific. Pick a few areas that need work and make sure to explain to your child why they’re important.

For example, if your child struggles to go to bed without a fuss, try a reward chart for good behaviour at bedtime. Explain what that means for you (e.g. stay in bed) and why it’s important (e.g. if you don’t get plenty of rest, you won’t have the energy for more fun tomorrow).

Be clear about your expectations. For example, if your child consistently behaves badly in public, on your next outing make it clear what the boundaries are for their behaviour: “I would like you to walk nicely on the pavement with me” or “I would like you to sit and read with me while we wait at the doctors.”

Consider what it is reasonable to ask of them. This will be dependent on age, personality

So, what about the bad behaviour?

A child learns to repeat an action that gets the desired effect: attention from a parent. It could be that your child is behaving badly because they feel they need more of your time, so giving them plenty of attention when they are behaving well may alleviate negative behaviour. The once popular options of using either a “naughty step” or a “time-out” are no longer well thought of because they are based on punishment. When used judiciously, however, what those methods can still offer, is an opportunity for both parent and child to calm down before tantrums or tempers explode.

Finally, while motivating your child to behave well is important, children do need to be able to make mistakes without negative consequence. So, if your child slips up now and then, gently point this out and encourage them to try again. Remember all children learn by observation too. So model good behaviour towards them and others whenever you can.

Follow Gaby @thelondonishmum Email us at info@familiesmagazine.co.uk to receive our free, printable Colour-in Animal Reward Chart.

familiesonline.co.uk

Parents’ place Do you believe in Magic?

Razzamataz Theatre School in Chester is now taking early bird bookings for their Harry Potter inspired Summer School, Monday 10 – Wednesday 14 August 2020, with 10% off if you book before 10 May 2020!

Sing, dance, act, get creative with arts and crafts, and put on a fantastic performance for families on the final day, AND every child goes away with a certificate, goodie bag and their magical craft creations!

Book now to save your space – they’re snapped up fast!!

As one of the leading Theatre Schools in Chester, Razzamataz offer exceptional training in

dance, drama and singing with exciting opportunities to perform. They believe that every student should have the opportunity to be energetic, gain confidence, make friends and have fun!

So, if your child is aged 2-18 and wants to get involved in performing arts in a funky, fresh and vibrant atmosphere, then contact Chloe to book onto a FREE taster session! Razz Chester have recently performed at Her Majesty’s Theatre on West End, they’re performing at Disneyland Paris in November, and have regular workshops with top industry professionals such as West End star Kerry Ellis, Ashley Banjo from Diversity and many more.

Their quality tuition is very affordable, and they offer an amazing 50% sibling discount on your second or third child!

07514 624222 / chester@razzamataz.co.uk / www.chester.razzamataz.co.uk

Having fewer toys may be better

You’ve probably suspected it – well, it may now have been confirmed! Children who have too many toys are more easily distracted, and do not enjoy quality playtime, a new study suggests.

Researchers at the University of Toledo in Ohio, US, recruited 36 toddlers and invited them to play in a room for half an hour, with either four toys, or sixteen toys.

They found that youngsters were far more creative when they had fewer toys to play with. They also played with each for twice as long, thinking up more uses for each toy and lengthening and expanding their games.

The authors of the study conclude that parents, schools and nurseries should pack away most of their toys and just rotate a small number regularly, to encourage children to become more creative and improve their attention spans.

More info: www.sciencedirect.com

R

M

.0

JU

TS AR T ST S

O

FR

VE

O

C

£8

0 M

P/

Does ADVENTURE run in the family?

We’ve got you covered

ADD UNLIM ITED CHILDREN FROM JUST

£ 1. 0 0 PER MONTH

MultiProtect insurance offers an affordable protection plan for the whole family, covering a wide range of eventualities from broken bones to life-changing injuries and providing 24/7 financial support.

Contact Jayne for quick quote:

07960 274 739

jayne.keep@protectmyincome.com

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Cheshire 11

Grieving the loss of a mother

By Lianna Champ

Everybody reacts differently when their mother dies. My mother and I were close and when I lost her, I thought that I would never feel ‘normal’ again. I sometimes couldn’t breathe and was often sick. I couldn’t sleep and had to force myself to eat. Yet somehow through all that, I accepted that this is how it was, and I just let it happen. Some days were infinitely harder than others, but as long as I kept coming up for air, and facing that I was meeting my worst fear – losing someone I loved so deeply – somehow I knew that eventually I would be okay.

I felt so conspicuous in my grief - as if there were a big invisible finger pointing down at the top of my head. I felt disconnected from those around me who quite simply didn’t know what to say or what to do. I realised that I looked different: my loss had changed me and I would have to re-learn myself.

For many people, losing a mum is like losing two people – a mum and a best friend.

It’s important to remember that children learn their coping mechanisms from the adults around them. They may not always understand what you are saying but they watch what you do. Let your children know that you are still there for them even though you may feel like folding.

You are still a parent and have that responsibility.

It is vital that we are emotionally honest in all our life events. If

your mother’s death is expected, don’t be afraid to include children in the lead up to this event. Use this time to offer them a valuable opportunity to express their love, to say things to their grandmother that are important to them and to share everything that needs to be shared. Experiencing our grief together brings us closer and is all part of the cycle of life.

Let the words and the tears flow.

You are teaching your children

a very important emotional tool – how to grieve. Create a safe space so they can talk about how they are feeling. You go first and if you cry, talk through your tears.

Explain that what you are feeling may be different from how they feel. Each loss experience is as unique to us as our own fingerprint. Try not to offer an opinion on your child’s words, be open and accepting in your body language. Feedback words to show you understand, but don’t interrupt their flow. Don’t try and analyse what they are feeling and don’t compare how you are feeling. Comparisons minimise the importance of their expressions and can affect their self-esteem and confidence and create imaginary failings where there are none.

On Mother’s Day, you will inevitably be thinking of your mother. It’s okay to tell your child that you miss her. Explain that on this special day, you want to share a hug and your tears, to share how losing your mother has made you feel and to openly express your memories.

Somewhere along the line we have surrendered the right to allow ourselves to grieve. We try to hide our tears and swallow the lump in our throats. When we are happy, we feel like sharing our news with everyone. Sadness must be shared too. Both emotions need equal expression. Show your child you are not afraid to be vulnerable in your grief – this is where healing begins.

Memory is how we hold on to the things we love. On Mother’s Day, why not share a special activity with your child? If they don’t want to join in, don’t force it but tell them what you are doing and why. Choose photographs together to make a scrap book or draw pictures. This can evoke lovely conversations and memories. Choose a beautiful memory box for cherished items.

Have a memory hour where you think of and share your favourite memories of mum. Our memories are the fruits on the tree of grief.

Lianna Champ has over 40 years’ experience in bereavement and grief recovery. Her book How to Grieve Like a Champ is available from Amazon (£9.99).

12 Families Cheshire

familiesonline.co.uk

Parents’ place New eBooks encourage Five activities for £5 each! children to eat vegetables

Parents of fussy eaters can now access new FREE resources courtesy of the ‘See & Eat’ project, an initiative supported by the British Nutrition Foundation, to support parents in persuading their children to eat more vegetables.

Resources include 24 new

eBooks which can be downloaded from the ‘See & Eat’ website.

These have been developed based on past research which has shown that showing hard-copy picture books about vegetables to children helps to familiarise them with new food and ultimately, helps them to eat a wider variety.

The ‘See & Eat’ eBooks each tell the farm to fork journey of a different vegetable and can be personalised with pictures, videos and text.

To access eBooks, visit www.foodunfolded.com/ seeandeat

Healthier Easter Cookies

Five activities for £5 each!

It’s easy to put your health first.

Visit your local Brio Leisure centre and buy five activities for just £5 each when you pay upfront! * With zero commitment and lots of choice, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Let off some steam with their off-peak racquet sports, relax in the pool, get some me time in the spa, or burn some energy in one of their many gyms or fitness classes.

With a saving of up to £20 and access to all eight Brio centres, there’s never been a better time to get involved.

Call your local Brio centre or go online and visit www.brioleisure.org/take5 *Terms and conditions apply.

Why not take a look at Brio’s holiday fun guide to see how your little cherubs can keep busy while you work out? www.brioleisure.org/fun

SAVE These are easy to make, with plenty of opportunities for the kids to get involved with mashing, measuring and mixing.

They’re made healthier with the use of bananas and oats, but still offer the satisfying chocolate hit we all love!

Makes: 12 Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 12 minutes Ingredients 2 bananas 3 tbsp honey 2 tbsp cocoa 150g rolled oats 80g chocolate mini eggs Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F), 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6. Line a couple of baking trays with baking paper.

2. Mash the bananas in a large bowl, then add the honey and mix well.

familiesonline.co.uk

3. Stir in the cocoa and oats until evenly combined.

4. Divide the mixture into 12 (about 2 level tablespoons each) and roll into balls.

Place them on the baking trays.

5. Press a teaspoon into the centre of each cookie to create a nest shape.

6. Bake for 12 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.

7. Add a couple of chocolate mini eggs to the centre of each cookie.

You’ll find more great recipe ideas in Get Your Kids to Eat Anything by Emily Leary (www.amummytoo.co.uk), published by Mitchell Beazley, RRP £16.99 and available online and in all good bookshops.

TAKE

5

UP TO

£20

Choose 5 activities for £5 each when you pay upfront* *Terms and Conditions apply

brioleisure.org/take5

Cheshire Families - Quarter Page Take 5 2020 v1.indd 1

Families Cheshire 13 11/02/2020 08:59

What’s on Sat 7 & Sun 8 Mar

Reaseheath College Lambing Weekends & Zoo 10am – 4pm (last entry 3pm). Adult £8, Child £5 (under 3s free), Family £25.

A unique springtime experience for the family. Experience lambs being born, visit the zoo (ticket includes entry to the Zoo), Farmers Market and fun children’s activities including farm competitions and colouring. www.reaseheath.ac.uk/lambing/ Biddulph Grange Garden World Book Day - The Puffling Children’s Trail 9.30am – 3.30pm / Free (normal admission applies). Dress up as your favourite story book character and join in the fun of World Book Day at Biddulph Grange Garden. Pick up a trail based on ‘Where are you Puffling?’

by Erika McGann and Gerry Daly.

Search all the indoor areas around the garden to find the seaside characters and collect your sticker.

Don’t forget to bring your WBD voucher to redeem for one of our £1 books. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ biddulph-grange-garden

Mon 9 & Fri 13 Mar

Grosvenor Museum, Chester Museum Explorers 10 – 11am / Ages 2 – 4 / £2. Explore nature’s changing seasons and discover lots of exciting things from the past through play, crafts, stories and songs. Makaton-friendly. www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Fri 6, 13, 20 & 27 Mar Fri 4 & 24 Apr

Lion Salt Works, Northwich Little Lions Explorer Club 9.45 – 11.15am / Ages 2 – 4 / £3 Loads of exciting activities, stories and popular songs. Bring your old clothes – things might get messy! www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Fri 6 Mar & Fri 3 Apr

Grosvenor Museum, Chester ‘Quiet’ Afternoons 3 – 4.30pm (drop in) / All ages / £2 For those who enjoy a ‘quieter’ visit to the museum, including people living with autism, their families and carers.

Themed, with hands-on activities to engage all ages and abilities. www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Sat 7 Mar

illustrator, Nick Butterworth, as he talks about his much-loved character Percy the Park Keeper. A fun and interactive session with stories and live drawing. Find out about Percy’s return in his new book, One Springy Day. Bring along your own book for signing! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunham-massey

Sat 28 Mar & Mon 6 Apr

Lion Salt Works, Northwich Ogg ‘n’ Ugg and the World’s First Dogg 10.30am – 12pm / Adult £6.50, Child £4.50. A long, long time ago were no dogs - there were wolves, but we didn’t like them and they didn’t like us. But then along came Yorkshire hunter-gathers Ugg ‘n’ Ogg who palled up with the wolves and invented our best friend, the dog. www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Dunham Massey, Altrincham Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 10.30am – 4pm / £2.50 per trail.

Follow Mog the Forgetful Cat’s trail and crack the clues around the garden to earn a Cadbury chocolate reward. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunham-massey

Sat 15 Mar

Tegg’s Nose Country Park Family mindful nature walk 11am – 1pm / Ages 7 – 12 / Adult £7, Children £6. Join ‘The Sea Within’ for a calming and creative family mindfulness walk, set within the stunning landscape of Tegg’s Nose Wood at Tegg’s Nose Country Park.

Advance booking and payment essential. 07830 191943 / www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers Tatton Park Farm Adopt a Farm Animal Day 11am – 4pm / Adult £7, Child £5, under 4s free. Choose from Prancer the Reindeer, Blossom the Clydesdale Horse, Tallulah the Tamworth Pig and Frosty the Donkey. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Sat 21 Mar

Blacon, CH1 5JL The Great Blacon Spring Clean 11.30am – 2pm www.keepbritaintidy.org Adswood/Garners Lane, Stockport SK3 8QS Great British Spring Clean 2020 10 – 11.30am www.keepbritaintidy.org

Sat 28 Mar

Tabley Hall, Knutsford Tabley Races First race 12pm. A mixture of pony and horse racing. A great family day out. www.tableyraces.co.uk

Dunham Massey, Altrincham The Lost Words: Family Art Workshop 12 – 3pm / Free (normal admission applies). A family friendly art workshop. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunham-massey

Weaverham Youth Village The Great Weaverham Spring Clean 2020 10.30am – 1pm www.keepbritaintidy.org

Fri 13 – Sun 15 Mar

Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor’s Centre Tegg’s Nose Star Party 7.30 – 11pm / £5 – booking essential An evening of astronomy. A general talk, from members of the group, suitable for all levels of knowledge, followed by an opportunity to ask questions and engage in some guided observing. Equipment supplied or bring your own. A chance to see the 3-day old crescent Moon and a possible International Space Station (ISS) pass.

07830 191943 / www.cheshireeast. gov.uk/rangers

Event City, Manchester The Baby & Toddler Show Over 150 top baby brands and unique products at the best prices. Meet knowledgeable experts, have hands-on demos and test, try, compare and buy all under one roof. Plus, there’s a free goody bag for every family, packed with a fantastic range of branded products. www.babyandtoddlershow.co.uk

Sat 14 Mar

Dunham Massey, Altrincham Percy the Park Keeper: Meet Nick Butterworth 11 – 11.45am & 2 – 2.45pm / Age 3+ / £7pp, booking essential. Meet bestselling children’s author and 14 Families Cheshire

Middlewich Middlewich Clean Team Great British Spring Clean 2020 2 – 3pm 28 Mar: CW10 9BU 4 April: CW10 0JE All equipment is provided. www.keepbritaintidy.org

Sat 28 Mar – Fri 17 Apr

Sat 28 Mar – Sun 19 Apr Dunham Massey, Altrincham Storytelling with Mog 12 – 3pm. Bring the family along for classic tales of Mog the Forgetful Cat’s many adventures. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunham-massey

Sun 29 Mar

Tytherington High School Tythy Tidy 1 – 3pm. Join local groups, Tytherington High School and the Bollin Valley Partnership Rangers on a mission to rid the area of litter.

07830 191943 / www.cheshireeast. gov.uk/rangers

Thurs 2 – Thurs 9 Apr

Tatton Park Farm Lambing week at the Farm 12 – 5pm / Adult £7, Child £5.

Normal Park admission also applied. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Daily from 4 April

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Find the Lost Words 10.30am – 5pm / All ages / £2.50 per trail booklet (normal admission applies) ‘Once upon a time, words began to vanish from the language of children.

They disappeared so quietly at first, almost no one noticed – until one day, they were gone.’ Ramble over forest trails and wander down garden paths to see how many of our words for nature have been lost to time. The fate of these words is in your hands: deep in the woods, long-lost words are starting to wake up… www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ quarry-bank

Sat 4 April

West Park, Macclesfield Great British Spring Clean 10am – 2pm. Pop along to the cafe to pick up your litter picking equipment.

Don’t forget to bring the whole family to help us give the park a spring clean!

Sat 4 & Sat 11 April

Macclesfield Town Centre Easter Trail 11am – 3pm / Free. Help Mrs Greenfingers find her Easter eggs hidden around the town centre. Meet the white rabbit and friendly fox along the way. Chocolate for every child who completes the trail.

Sat 4 – Sun 19 April

Biddulph Grange Garden Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 9.30am – 5pm / £2.50 (normal admission applies) Help Mummy bunny find her baby bunnies and don’t forget to collect your chocolate treat. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ biddulph-grange-garden Little Moreton Hall Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 11am – 4pm / £2.50 (normal admission applies) Search the garden for clues on our nature themed trail and enjoy a chocolate treat as a reward. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ little-moreton-hall Hare Hill, Over Alderley Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 10.30am – 4pm / £2.50. A nature-themed Easter Hunt to find the clues and claim your chocolate prize. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hare-hill Tegg’s Nose Tea Room Easter Hunt 9am – 5pm. Ranger Martin’s Easter Eggs have been stolen!

Can you help him find the wildlife that has taken them and collect their names?

Buy a map from the Tegg’s Nose Tea Room for 50p, and get searching around the top of the park. Each map purchased entitles you to a 50p discount off one hot drink from Tegg’s Nose Tea Room following completion of the trail. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt 10.30am – 4pm / £2.50 (normal admission applies). Look high, look low, look all around – seek out the Lost Words in the gardens and collect them all to receive your chocolate treat. Dogs on leads welcome. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ quarry-bank Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Visitor Centre Easter Hunt 9am - 4pm. Ranger Mark’s Easter Eggs have been stolen! Can you help him find the wildlife that has taken them and collect their names?

Pick up a map from the visitor centre and get searching around the park. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers Lyme Park, Disley Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 10.30am – 4.30pm / £2.50 per trail booklet (normal admission applies). As everything in Lyme’s garden begins to wake up, uncover the sights and sounds of spring bursting into life to earn your chocolate prize. (Alternative non-chocolate prizes available.) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyme Blakemere Village, Northwich Easter Trail 10am – 4pm / Ages 3 – 11 / £3 per child. Help our Easter Bunny find his bunny friends hiding around the Village in our fun interactive children’s trail. Complete the task to collect your prize! Buy your trail maps from the Visitor Information Centre. Trail takes 1.5 hours to complete. www.blakemerevillage.com

familiesonline.co.uk

What’s on

These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiescheshire.co.uk or upload your event listing to our website - www.familiesonline.co.uk

Mon 6 – Fri 17 April

Astbury Water Sports Centre, Congleton 8.30am – 3.30pm / Ages 7-16 / £25pp per day or £100 for 5 consecutive days.

Late pick-up (5.30pm) available for £5.50. Sailing, raft building, canoeing, survival skills, orienteering and shelter building. 01782 722226 / www.peakpursuits.co.uk

Mon 6 Apr

Pierpoint Lane Pocket Park, Chester CH1 1NN Pierpoint Lane Pocket Park Clean Up 9.30 – 11am www.keepbritaintidy.org Tegg’s Nose Reservoir Car Park Wellies in the Wild – Spring Stream Safari 10am – 12pm / Ages 5 – 10 / £7.50 per child. Learn about spring’s amazing bounty and how plants and animals use colour to help them survive. Then explore who is living in the stream at springtime. A craft activity to take home with you will lead us to the end of our Stream Safari. Booking essential. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Tues 7 Apr

Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Wellies in the Wild - Spring Pond Safari Learn about spring’s amazing bounty and how plants and animals use colour to help them survive. Then explore who is living in the pond at springtime. A craft activity to take home with you will lead us to the end of our Pond Safari. Booking essential. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Tues 7 & Wed 8 Apr

Lion Salt Works, Northwich Fossil Fun 10am – 12.30pm (drop in) / £2 Fossils hold exciting clues about our past. Join us for some activities exploring these preserved remains. www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Tues 7 – Thurs 16 Apr

Grosvenor Museum, Chester Easter activities 2 – 4pm (drop in) / £2 7 Apr – Unicorns and Dragons 8 Apr – Easter Baskets 9 Apr – Easter Bonnet 14 Apr – Castles 15 Apr – Everything Bee! 16 Apr – Paper Dovesw www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Wed 8 Apr

Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve Easter Eggsplorer 10am – 12pm / Ages 5 – 10 / £7.50 per child. Fun and games as you solve the eggs-quiz-ite scrambled eggs challenge, make your very own bird’s nests and discover which creatures are out and about in spring time. As a special Easter treat, children will collect chocolate eggs to take home. Booking essential. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Wed 8 & Thurs 9 Apr

Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse, Northwich Key Rings and Zip Pulls 10am – 4pm (drop in) / £2. Make something both useful & artistic! Either a key ring or a ‘zip pull’ to use on your coat or bag, or why not make both? www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Thurs 9 Apr

Tegg’s Nose Reservoir Car Park Easter Eggsplorer Fun and games as you solve the eggs-quiz-ite scrambled eggs challenge, make your very own bird’s nests and discover which creatures are out and about in spring time. As a special Easter treat, children will collect chocolate eggs to take home. Booking essential. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Fri 10 – Mon 13 Apr

Tatton Park Magical Easter Adventures Enjoy trails around the Mansion, Garden and Farm with costumed characters, lambs at the Farm, magic and puppet shows, storytelling, garden games and much more! Normal admission charges apply. www.tattonpark.org.uk

Sat 11 – Mon 13 Apr

Churnet Valley Railway Mad Hatters Tea Party Specially decorated trains will be running through the scenic Staffordshire countryside. Once on board you can enjoy a range of themed treats as you discover a tea party that will delight all the family. www.churnetvalleyrailway.co.uk Chester Racecourse Chester Food & Drink Festival 10am – 6pm (5pm on Monday) A fabulous foodie day out with kids cooking workshops (booking essential). www.chesterfoodanddrink.co.uk

Thurs 16 Apr

Outdoor Experience Day - April Astbury Mere Country Park, Congleton 11am – 2pm / Booking essential For families of children with disabilities to try some new activities out in the fresh air. Children and parents/carers can cycle using adapted bikes and try out other activities such as orienteering, archery, pond dipping and much more. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Sat 18 Apr – Wed 20 May

Mog the Forgetful Cat trail 10.30am – 4pm / Free (normal admission applies). Share in fifty years of a really remarkable cat! Explore Dunham Massey for the first of series of trails and activities based on Judith Kerr’s classic character throughout 2020 for her 50th anniversary year. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ dunham-massey

Sun 19 Apr

Borrow Pit Meadows, Alsager Family Bushcraft Day 9.30am – 4.30pm / Adult + 1 child £50, Family of 4 (2+2) £85, Family of 4 (1+3) £70, Additional Child £15 A fascinating and packed day learning bushcraft skills – from shelter building techniques and filtering water through to lighting fires using natural materials.

Booking essential. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Sun 26 Apr

Tegg’s Nose Country Park Come and Try It Day 10am – 4pm / £18 per person. Climbing, Abseiling, Archery and Bushcraft.

Minimum age for Abseiling is 8.

Booking and payment in advance is essential. Cost £18 per person. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers Astbury Mere Country Park The Birdlife of Astbury Mere 7 – 9am / Age 8+ / £4 (under 16s free) An early morning walk around Astbury Mere to see the extensive birdlife that thrives in the park. Spring migrants w0ill be here in abundance.

Booking essential. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers Parish Hall Car Park, Wilmslow Carrs Working Party and Clean-up 10.30am – 3pm. Help keep your local park looking good by joining the Friends of the Carrs and the Bollin Valley Rangers on some conservation tasks. This will include tree pruning, footpath work and litter picking. Feel free to join in for an hour or for the full day. Light refreshments provided. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Thurs 30 Apr

Tegg’s Nose Country Park Orienteering for All 6 – 8.15pm / Adult £5, Child £2 Courses suitable for everyone, beginners and experienced orienteers. Families and groups welcome. Instruction available. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Tues 14 – Fri 17 Apr

Tegg’s Nose Country Park Visitor Centre Moorland Adventure Easter Kids Activity Club 8.30am – 5pm daily / Ages 8 – 16 / £35 per day or £120 for 4 days Day 1 – Archery and Bushcraft Day 2 – Climb and Abseil Day 3 – Scramble and Climb at the Roaches Day 4 – Orienteering and Problem Solving www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Tues 14 & Wed 15 Apr

Lion Salt Works, Northwich Victorian Nature Boxes and Butterflies 10.30am – 12pm & 2 – 4pm (drop in) / £2 Have a go at some nature based craft activities. www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

B RAN D NEW L IV E S H O W!

Wed 15 Apr

Riverside Park Ranger Centre, Tytherington Easter Eggstravaganza!

2 – 4pm / Ages 5 - 10 / £4.

Crafts with natural materials that you will find whilst on a wander down into the valley. www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/rangers

Wed 15 & Thurs 16 Apr

Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse, Northwich Pictures of You 10am – 4pm (drop in) / £2. Create a picture leaving a gap so you can insert a photo of yourself; you could be an astronaut, a mermaid, a dinosaur… the possibilities are endless! www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk

Sat 2 - Sun 3 May Tickets: £19.50-£22.50 (discounts available)

01298 72190 buxtonoperahouse.org.uk www.peppapiglive.com

#peppapiglive

Peppa Pig © Astley Baker Davies Ltd / Entertainment One UK Ltd 2003

Families Cheshire 15

Kiddy corner ANAGRAM

Can you unscramble the letters to spell out the names of five popular book characters?

1. d i a t m l a

2. p e t h o r r a t y r

3. k t e r a c y r e b a e

4. f g e e l f r y e g h

5. l g p i c n p s k i p g t o o i n

When you’re done, unscramble the circled letters to spell a special message!

The answers are: 1. Matilda 2. Harry Potter 3. Tracey Beaker 4. Greg Heffley 5. Pippi Longstocking. Message is: Happy Reading

PICTURE CROSSWORD

DOT TO DOT

Can you solve the picture clues and put them in the crossword?

1

Join the dots to say hello to a fluffy springtime friend!

3

2

1

3 2

3

4

1

5

2

4 4

6 7

36 34

9

8

10

35

33

12

13

32 31 29

7

28

5

16

27

8 17

26 25

24

23

6

18 22 21

20

7

19

9

Why not colour in when you’re done?

16 Families Cheshire

6

14

15

30

5

11

9

8

familiesonline.co.uk