Manchester In this issue: Making maths fun! Winter clubs & classes A safer digital world
Issue 67 Jan/Feb 2018
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News Geronimo Festival - the hottest ticket in every kid’s calendar
This ultimate kids’ festival, and a must-go event, is delighted to be returning in May 2018 to Arley Hall and Gardens in Cheshire. Referred to as ‘Glastonbury for kids’, the likes of Justin Fletcher, Mr Bloom and Cook and Line have all headlined the main stage in the past. Don’t miss out on early bird tickets on sale now! Geronimo loves savvy festival goers, so book early before the price increase and take advantage of early bird discounts with a huge saving on the gate price! All Early Bird tickets are eligible for FREE funfair wristbands which give you 5 free rides with a 1 day ticket, 10 free
Flipping brilliant!
As the trampolining craze continues to boom in the UK, the UK’s biggest trampoline and adventure park, Flip Out, has just opened in Sportcity, Manchester. The park is a 35,000 square foot trampoline heaven featuring a Ninja Warrior course – an action-packed adventure with awesome climbs, Cyber Towers (race your mate to the top), Lazer Maze, Ninja Slide (20ft Drop) and Stunt Box Zones. For the little ones, there’s a special trampoline area Next issue: March/April 2018 Circulation: 25,000 copies of Families Manchester are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Greater Manchester. If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know. Editors: Jayne Keep & Caryl Hall Contact details: Families Manchester, 3 Hall Hill, Bollington SK10 5ED Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiesonline.co.uk Editorial: editor@familiesmanchester.co.uk 2 Families Manchester
rides with a 2 day ticket and unlimited rides for the 4 day tickets! Geronimo has everything your family needs with a jam-packed schedule of performances from the country’s best children’s entertainers, 2 circuses, zip lines, a full-scale showground arena with activities including jousting tournaments and motorcycle stunt displays, a Victorian funfair and much more! Camping and glamping is available at Arley Hall so why not make it a mini-vacation! There’s even a magnificent spa including a free crèche/ kids club for spa users. Tickets are available NOW via the only official ticket partner www.ticketline.com (all under 2’s, carers and senior citizens go free). www.geronimofest.com exclusively for under 7’s and a toddler soft play area. Flipout Manchester is the ultimate destination where fun isn’t just a promise, it’s a guarantee! The park provides entertainment for all ages as well playing host to special events including parties (with some fabulous private party rooms), fitness sessions and classes. Did you know that an hour’s trampolining burns up to 800 calories?! Flip Out is the fastest-growing trampoline park operator in the world with 75 outlets in seven countries around the world. For more information: www.flipout.co.uk
Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiesmanchester.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on: events@familiesmanchester.co.uk Cover Photography: Bury Grammar Schools www.burygrammar.co.uk Design: WITH Creative, Congleton. www.withcreative.co.uk Print: Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TR Tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk
A fabulous day out for all the family
Discover the BIGGEST choice anywhere in the North at The Caravan & Motorhome Show held at Manchester’s EventCity from 18 – 21 January 2018. With over 200 exhibitors including leading manufacturers, the region’s premier dealerships and more launches than ever before, The Caravan & Motorhome Show is not to be missed! With so many products on offer it’s the perfect opportunity to compare layouts, interiors and specifications and to take advantage of some superb show-only discounts. Plus, with the biggest ever selection of accessories, you can kit yourself out with all the essentials. In a world-first, kids will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a tow car
A gift of presence For many people, mindfulness is unknown. So, what is mindfulness? What benefits does it bring? What impact can it have on family life? The Mindful Living Show will be coming to Manchester, on 2nd - 3rd February 2018, to give you answers to these questions and offer learnings on parenting, encouraging your children to flourish, their mental wellbeing and education. With exclusive content for both beginners and experienced practitioners, the unique event looks at how mindfulness can benefit every aspect of your life, Families Manchester 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 Manchester are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Manchester
and caravan and have a go for themselves! Peg Perego have handbuilt three incredible mini caravans, based on the Swift Basecamp, so kids aged from 3-10 can take a spin around the track and manoeuvre their caravan, just like mum and dad! There’s also free manoeuvring tuition for grownups as well as expert cooks and TV personalities on the Food & Travel stage, including Wildlife TV Presenter Steve Leonard and TV Presenter Monty Halls, who will be preparing their favourite delicacies for you to enjoy while sharing stories from their holiday adventures. The Caravan & Motorhome Show is a great value day out for the whole family with FREE car parking, FREE entry for under 16’s, FREE show guide and FREE entry to the co-located event, Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show! Book your discounted tickets by 9pm on 17 January for only £8.00 (£9.95 on the door) by visiting www.CaravanShows.com or call 0844 873 7349 and quote BT1. health and wellbeing through live practice, study, fun and relaxation. The all-inclusive ticket price will give you access to over 70 expert talks across a huge variety of themes, in a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere. The event also offers a range of creative and physical arts and meditative practices, plus a range of relaxing and uplifting products and services. This unique show will allow you to meet others in this community, pick up tips from the experts or simply be introduced to the art and science of mindfulness and meditation. To find out more information about our features and speakers, please visit www.mindfullivingshow.com Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Manchester, 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.
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News Emily’s Paint a Pot now open in Manchester Arndale
This fabulous ceramic and craft studio has just opened its second location in Manchester!
Through an exciting joint venture with the retail giant, Next, Emily has created a wonderful place for everyone to take a break from their shopping and create some lovely pots and lasting memories. People visiting the store will be able to tap into their inner
artist in a number of different ways. There are over 200 different pots to choose from, from original pieces to classic cups, and customers can use the array of colourful paints to personalise their designs. For customers wanting a more classic keepsake, Emily’s also
offers 3D lifecasting and clay imprints. Founder Emily Barratt is super excited to see you all at the brand new studio within Next at the Manchester Arndale – make sure you pop in! 07852 254095 / www.emilyspaintapot.com
New performance school in Altrincham
Noodle Performance Arts is an affordable and fun alternative to traditional stage schools and has just launched in Altrincham! Sessions focus on developing children’s skills in a relaxed, no-pressure environment and there are no expensive uniforms to buy or stressful exams to take. Classes take place at St Peter’s Assembly Rooms, WA15 9NU from 11 January and Altrincham FC Community Hall WA15 8AP after February half term – and you can now book a FREE taster class. Noodle Tots (Thursdays, 9.30 – 10am for walking age children) costs £5 per class, and includes action songs, music and fun activities. Performing Arts (Fridays 4.30
– 5.30pm for ages 3 – 6) costs £7.50 per class, and teaches youngsters drama, singing and dance. Street Dance (Fridays 5.30 – 6.15pm for ages 5 –9) costs £6 per class. NPA Academy (Thursdays 4 – 6pm for ages 5 – 16) costs £16 per class and offers more in-depth training in the different aspects of performing arts and musical theatre. All Noodle teachers are fully-qualified, insured and DBS-checked. They are also trained to gently build your child’s confidence while helping them learn valuable new skills which will boost their selfesteem, improve their physical co-ordination and inspire a passion for performing. To find out more or to book your free taster class, email cat@noodleperformancearts. com or call her 07769 155591. www.noodleperformancearts. com/knutsford
We’re looking for media sales people to join the Families northern editions sales team. If you have a strong sales background and are looking for part time, flexible work from your own home, then get in touch! Experience of media sales is ideal, but not essential. For more info, call Jayne on 07960 274739 or email jayne@familiesmanchester.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk
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Education Manchester High’s reception girls New specialist school in unlock the secret to being happy Stretford, Manchester
The Reception classes at Manchester High School for Girls have been introduced to the ‘myHappymind’ programme which teaches pupils the science behind the workings of their own brain. Launched with the School’s seven-year-old pupils last year, the programme aims to build resilient, balanced and happy minds. With a successful roll-out to Reception, the girls have enjoyed meeting Bertie and Betty Brain who have been teaching them how to look after, and be aware of, everything that goes on inside their heads. Mrs Anderson, Assistant Head Mistress of MHSG’s Preparatory
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Department and Reception class teacher, commented: “One of the ways our pupils have been learning to look after their brains is by Happy Breathing. They love using teddies and blowing bubbles to help them discover different breathing techniques. “The programme has been really successful, and girls have even requestedHappyBreathing exercises during the school day. Parents have had a guide sent home and are even reporting that it is a very useful tool for settling down at bedtime.” If you’d like to discover more about life in the Reception classes ofManchesterHigh,whynotgoalong to their Reception Information Morning on Friday 2 February between 9.30am and 10.30am. There is no need to register, however, if you would like more information please call Manchester High’s Registrar, Mrs Percival, on 0161 224 0447 or email registrar@mhsg.manchester.sch.uk.
Does your child have dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia or other learning needs? Would your child benefit from being in a small, nurturing class taught by specialist teachers? The Liberty School Manchester is a new specialist school opening in January 2018, set in the grounds of St Matthew’s Church in Stretford. The school aims to create a village school atmosphere in the city, offering a mixed aged primary class with a high staff to pupil ratio. It will provide a well-structured, positive learning environment with an accessible and adaptable curriculum. All pupils will
receive one to one specialist teaching for functional literacy and numeracy to help them to reach their full potential. With an emphasis on developing resilience and self esteem, the school values creativity, structured play and concrete learning. The teachers have a long history of working with children with special needs in Manchester schools and are passionate about meeting their individual needs. The school offers both full time places of 4 days a week and the option of flexi-schooling where children attend for 2 days, and will operate on a not for profit basis. Full time fees will be approximately £8,000 and part time fees will be around £4,250 per annum. For all enquiries please e-mail Michelle or Tom at thelibertyschoolmanchester@ gmail.com.
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Education Explore Learning gets behind “more maths for everyone!”
In November 2017, the government released their budget which stated they were committed to investing more money for maths teaching in schools. Whatever your political belief and aside from the debate, we can all get behind the chancellor’s sentiment of “more maths for everyone”. Helping the next generation to master maths concepts, be
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confident mathematicians and proud problem solvers is our responsibility as educators and parents. Charlotte Gater, Head of Education at Explore Learning said: “This way we can help children to develop the skills needed, not only in so many jobs, but also to be financially healthy. Whilst listening to the budget speech, and the chancellor’s comments on how
much the country spends on debt, it’s clear that we need to teach children the importance of good financial management.” Charlotte has put together some top tips to help you help your children have a good understanding of budgets: 1) Get them involved with shopping. Give them a budget to spend for the week and get them to meal plan. Encourage them to shop around different brands or supermarkets to see if they can get more for their money. 2) Teach them about interest rates. Does your child turn to the bank of Mum and Dad to borrow money? Give them some options. a) They can either save up their pocket money or do jobs to earn the money. b) You will give them the money upfront, but they then have to pay you back with interest. So, if they want £50 they have to give you £55 back over a set period of time. This way they will start to understand about the debt they could create by using loans.
3) Learn about pay. A great activity we do with our older members at Explore Learning is to get them to research how much they would get paid for their ideal job. They then have to see how far their monthly wages would go. Looking at tax, rent, bills etc gets them to see how much disposable income they would have! Let’s take the fear out of maths, relate it to real life situations and encourage children to get to grips with finances. More maths for everyone…yes please! Explore Learning is awardwinning maths and English tuition for children aged four to 14, voted the number one private tuition centre in the UK! They’re confident you’ll love it so why not call to book your free trial with your nearest centre today on 033 0124 3802.
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Education Making maths fun By Kjartan Poskitt
I always say that maths is like broccoli. You either like it or hate it, but you have to have some because it’s good for you. Now I’ll tell you a secret. I do not like broccoli, but I do find it helps to have a bit of brown sauce on it! Similarly, maths becomes more exciting when it’s spiced up a little.
The Table Attack Game cards face-up. Players must Try to play this game multiply the numbers on the with your children regularly cards together, and the first in short bursts of about 10 person to shout the right answer minutes. You need two or more wins a point. Make sure you are people and a pack of playing cards. multiplying and not adding! (So, if you Remove the jacks, queens and kings see 5 and 1, the answer is five not six.) from the pack and put them back in Now make it more exciting! the box. Now take the aces, twos, fives Without looking, pick a couple of the and tens from the pack, and just one power cards and slip them in with the joker. The aces count as one and the joker others, then play again. Once you’ve got counts as zero. Put the other cards aside used to the extra cards, keep adding a for a moment. We’ll call these the few more power cards until you have power cards. all the cards in play. Shuffle the 17 normal cards This is a fabulous, quick fire then put the pack face down. way to get your children Two players each take to firm up on their a card from the top times tables. without looking and then together they turn their Throw three dice, but don’t let anyone else see how they land. Tell everybody what the three numbers add to, and also what they multiply to make. Who can work out the numbers on the dice? So, for example, if the three dice add to 9 and multiply to make 12, what are the three numbers? Answer: 1, 2, 6.
It’s important that your children are comfortable enough with simple sums that they don’t have to rely on a calculator – that’s like using arm bands for swimming! If they can develop an instinct for numbers, simple sums become much easier. The secret is to spend some time playing around with numbers and getting to know them. Here are a few little facts, games and tricks to share with your children to help them see that numbers have quirky behaviours and make fun patterns. I hope some of these things help. And just to make you feel better, while you’re practising your numbers, I’m going to go off and eat some broccoli!
The Dice Challenge
Trick 2 Trick 3
Trick 1
If you write out the digits 1 2 3 4, you can turn them into 12 = 3 x 4. You can also do this with 5 6 7 8 because 56 = 7 x 8.
The numbers in the 3 times table have a special trick, because if you add the digits together, the answer will always divide by 3. For instance 8 x 3 =24, and 2 + 4 = 6 which divides by 3. You can use this to test if any number divides by 3. Let’s test 71865. 7+1+8+6+5 = 27 which divides by 3, so 71865 also divides by 3.
Pick any three consecutive numbers (e.g. 4, 5, 6). Multiply the smallest by the biggest, and then add one. (So here we get 4 x 6 =24, then 24 + 1 = 25). The answer is always the same as the middle number squared … i.e. times by itself. (Here we get 5 x 5 = 25 YAY!) This works with any three consecutive numbers, so let’s try 7, 8, 9. 7 x 9 = 63, then 63 + 1= 64 and that’s the same as 8 x 8!
Trick 4
Prime numbers are numbers which will only divide by themselves and 1. For example, 7 is a prime number because nothing else divides into it; 8 is not a prime number because 4 x 2 = 8. Place seven playing cards in a pile face down with the bottom card as a joker. Choose a magic number less than 7. (Let’s say you choose 4). One by one slide a card off the top and put it back on the bottom. When you get to the 4th card, turn it face up and then put it to the bottom of the pack. Keep doing this, turning every 4th card face up. The last card to be turned over will be the joker! Try this trick again picking a different magic number – e.g. 5. It will always work! What’s more you can have any prime number of cards, so try the trick with 5, 11, 13 or even 17 cards! The magic number can be any number smaller than the number of cards.
Kjartan Poskitt is author of the series of books Murderous Maths, published by Scholastic. He is also the Ambassador for the National Young Mathematicians’ Awards, the only team maths competition for primary schools in the country, run by Explore Learning in collaboration with the NRICH project at the University of Cambridge.
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Education Helping your child with exam pressure By Claire Winter
Although SATs will eventually be phased out for younger children over the next five years, year 2 and year 6 pupils will still have to sit their SATs this May. Many children also have entrance exams for prep schools, private secondary schools and the 11+ to prepare for too. Expectations are important Recent research shows that parents who place a high value on education and have high academic expectations can have a positive impact on children. However, with high expectations there must come a high level of support. Children who don’t get this are more likely to struggle. They also need to learn how to build up resilience. We need to teach them how to cope with the highs and lows of life, and how to handle exams. Setbacks are not failures Children are often well aware of what their parents think about failure. If they are taught that mistakes are opportunities to learn, rather than being made to feel bad or a ‘failure,’ they are more likely to develop a growth mindset. Using the word ‘yet’ is incredibly powerful and encourages the growth mindset. “I am not good at spelling yet.” When your child faces a setback remind them that the more they learn and try, the more their brains will grow. There are some great TED talks about the growth mindset, by Carol Dweck on YouTube. Find the revision techniques that work for your child Does your child remember best by what they see or hear, or do they learn by doing? Children may familiesonline.co.uk
find learning easier if they know their learning style. There are lots of online quizzes, which children can do to find out whether they are visual, auditory or kinaesthetic learners. This may help them work out what revision style works best for them. Agree on a plan Talk to your child about the schoolwork they need to do and devise a realistic programme of revision and work that they can achieve. Remember they will need additional support from you, so make sure you can stick to what you have agreed. Avoid distractions Children can’t multi-task; revising with an iPad, mobile phone, television or XBox means they are not fully concentrating. The average person checks their phone over 80 times a day. If you set them up to study without outside distraction from the get-go, they will hopefully continue to revise this way when they go to secondary school. Take a break Make sure your children still have hobbies, see their friends and have a life away from studying, exams and schoolwork. Educational specialist and children’s author Leysa Henderson, who taught Year 6 pupils for 15 years says, “We need to help children feel good about themselves when doing exams and not feel under pressure. I would recommend lots of creative and fun mental stimulation that isn’t necessarily exam/content focussed. “In fact, it is important to give them space from content. Helping children to make links in life also encourages independent thinkers. Laughter is also a fantastic stress reliever, so go out and play silly games with them. I always gave this advice to my pupils, and I always got extremely good results.” Sleep matters Children ages 10 and 11 should be getting 9½ hours of
sleep a night, and this doesn’t really change when they become teenagers. Make sure they get adequate sleep by taking digital distractions out of their rooms. Give them an alarm clock, so they don’t use their phone as an alarm. Set them up for the future Remember you are setting up your children with good habits for the future. Sarah Brazenor, a tutor from Connective Learning (www.connective-learning.co.uk) says, “It’s really important as parents to help your child get through these first serious tests in the best possible way. Once they go to secondary school there will be more exams, and some schools are not very good at using motivational language, so learning coping strategies now can set them up for the future. “Find family mantras that work for you and your children. We have, “There’s no such thing as failure, just feedback.” We have to get things wrong to learn from them. It took the lighting pioneer Edison 1000 tries before he developed the light bulb. Without him continuing to learn by his “failures,” we’d all be sitting in the dark.”
Here’s some advice from local parents: Anne says, “Make it fun. No pressure, early nights in the week and treats at weekends. There’s more to life than exams.” Karen says, “Don’t make it a chore, be light-hearted and don’t let them feel it’s going to dictate the rest of their life or reflect their academic potential.” Mark says, “We don’t focus on academic achievement, we tell our children to put maximum effort into their studies and to do their best. We value emotional intelligence, above exam results.” Clare says, “Support them to relax and switch off when the pressure feels intense. My son regulates by listening to a relaxation CD at bedtime to help switch off his busy brain.” Bhavna says, “I rewarded my children for actually studying. I never focused on the results when it came to the SATs. However, I was like a woman possessed with my eldest for the 11+. Again, we rewarded her effort before we even got the results. A successful result did make her realise that you get what you put in. I feel that this is a valuable life skill to learn so early in life.” Gill says, “Be organised, don’t spring work on them, agree on a revision plan or work schedule with lots of breaks and treats. Help them revise - make them know they have a team helping them. A ‘we are all in it together’ approach, has really helped support my girls.”
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Clubs & classes Winter clubs and classes
With the nights closing in and the temperature dropping, the idea of sending your child out on to the football pitch, tennis court or athletics track is not an attractive one. But active after school activities offer children great developmental benefits including:
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Improved academic performance Research has found that children from disadvantaged backgrounds who participate in after-school clubs get better results at age 11 than their peers. Enhanced socialisation skills Making friends with children from outside their school allows children to broaden their social experience, whilst extra-curricular activities at school give children the chance to enjoy a different type of social experience with their school friends and other children in their class. Better health and fitness According to the National Association of Sport and Physical Education, kids aged 5-12 should exercise for at least 60 minutes of each day, and this figure shouldn’t be ignored just because it’s cold outside. Stress relief Exercise helps to relieve stress built up by homework, exams and peer pressures.
As parents, we are responsible for setting up opportunities for our children to keep active during winter months. So here are our ideas for keeping your restless young one on the go – and the good news is you don’t have to force them (or you!) outside: Trampoline Clubs and Parks These are popping up all over the country and classes are fun and social. The UK now has over 190 trampoline parks and most offer kids a safe environment to cut loose as well lessons and classes for children from as young as toddlers upwards. Indoor Rock Climbing This activity is also growing in popularity across the country with a centre likely to be very close to you. Even the NHS recommends it as an activity that provides unique physical and mental benefits whilst at the same time catering for all ages, fitness levels and abilities. Girl Guides and Scouting Scouting and Girl Guides are experiencing an unprecedented surge in popularity. Why? Because they offer an antidote to the modern world with adventure being at the heart of everything they do. From as young as 6, children can get involved in learning outdoor skills and undertaking leadership qualifications, as well as enjoying camps and residential experiences. However, waiting lists can be long so act quickly! To register interest visit www.girlguiding.org.uk or www.scouts.org.uk
Ice Rinks/Snow Slopes Local snow slopes and ice rinks are great places to get kids active during the winter and offer kids the opportunity to try tobogganing, skiing or snowboarding, or get a pair of skates on. There are indoor and outdoor rinks and centres, depending on how you feel about braving the cold or damp weather. Indoor Sports You can access indoor classes for most outdoors sports such as football, cricket and tennis at leisure centres or school recreation halls. Likewise for toddlers and pre-schoolers, multi-sport and ball skills classes are often run inside during winter. How many is too much? Whilst clubs and classes are important for children, be careful how many activities you sign your child up for. Some require significant time commitment. For example, joining a swimming class can involve two or more weekly training sessions, as well as competitions. Are you and your child up for that? What else will suffer or be sacrificed? If your child’s opportunity to have unstructured time for play will go by the wayside, then this is probably not a good thing. Children these days have much more structured lives than ever before and already often have less unstructured play time than previous generations. Research indicates that unstructured play with minimal adult supervision helps children to learn important social skills, use their imagination, concentrate and be more self-directed.
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Clubs & classes Babyballet in Didsbury, The Heatons and Sale Combining music, song and dance, babyballet dance lessons are the perfect way to introduce your little one (aged 6 months – 6 years) to the world of dance. The five-stage dance syllabus not only encourages young children to feel more confident and co-ordinated, but also welcomes them into an imaginative and magical world of movement and music. All ballet lessons are linked to the Early Years Foundation standards. Miss Laura brings the magic of babyballet to children from
Tuesday to Saturday in the Didsbury, The Heatons and Sale areas, teaching 420 babyballet stars each week! You can register for a three week introductory trial for just £15, after which classes cost £5.50 for tots (6 – 18 months), £6 for tinies (18 months – 3 years) and movers (ages 3 & 4), and £2.50 for tappers (age 3+) per week, payable termly. For more information, call Miss Laura on 07753 111753. www.babyballet.co.uk
Directory Little Monkeys Club Increase your child’s confidence, co-ordination and fitness through a fun variety of climbing equipment, soft play, shapes, music and movement (including badge scheme) for children walking to 5 years. Tuesday mornings at Brabyns Recreation Centre, Marple Bridge. Call Karen 07986 182884orvisit www.karenbrook.co.uk/little-monkeys
Puddle Ducks A wonderful swimming programme delivering nurturing, fun classes to over 13,000 babies, children and mummies across the UK every week. Babies and children can join our swimming classes at any age from birth, developing into confident swimmers without even realising they’re learning to swim. By engaging each child’s abilities and natural affinity with water, Puddle Ducks offer simple steps to a lifetime love of swimming. Every child is different: our fantastic teachers adapt each activity to suit your child, nurturing water confidence and enjoyment. Mums to be can also keep fit, relax and unwind by joining our Aqua Natal classes. Call 0161 883 0222 (Manchester, Stockport, Oldham and Gee Cross, Hyde) or 01257 262622 (East Lancashire). www.puddleducks.com
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Families Manchester 9
Parents’ place Ensuring your child is happy at nursery By Kristen Harding
The process of introducing a child to a new, caring environment can throw up a number of challenges. However, some can be prevented if your child’s nursery gets to know upfront what both you and your child need and want from the childcare arrangement. Before a child arrives at a new nursery, nursery staff should take time to fully understand your child’s home routine. In this way, potential issues can also be nipped in the bud early. Settling In This is a key part of the adjustment process. A change in environment can upset a child and parents are generally stressed and worried when their child is unsettled. For this reason, it’s vital that your chosen nursery takes time to help your child gently settle in. Communication between your child’s nursery and yourself is very important at this stage. You need to develop a trusting relationship with the staff and
settle into the new arrangement just as much as your child does. In fact, it’s often parents that have most difficulty leaving a child behind in a new setting! However, communicating regularly and in as much detail as you need with the nursery setting can help ease your nervousness and worry. In turn, any insecurity your child is feeling will also lessen. Separation Anxiety Regardless of the time taken beforehand, separation anxiety is a natural and sometimes unavoidable part of leaving a child at a nursery. Generally, separation anxiety lessens over time but you can help by ensuring that nursery staff understand as much as possible about your child’s individual needs, how they behave when they are sad, anxious or upset and what helps calm them. This will ensure that your child’s nursery cares for your child in the very best way during this difficult period. Often the anxiety of a child lessens when his nursery assigns a key worker to him. By identifying one particular carer who is going to form a strong bond and connection with your child, he will have the stability of knowing there is an individual there that he can rely on.
Eating Meal times at nursery are important and can have a real impact on the confidence and comfort of a young child. What your child is used to at home may differ greatly from what occurs in the nursery setting, whether it’s the food eaten or the way in which meals are consumed. When you visit your child’s nursery, try to do so at meal time occasionally. In a good setting, you will see nursery staff leading by example, engaging children with different food choices, helping them to learn about what they are eating and introducing new foods gradually. Meal times at nursery, as at home, should be unpressurised and enjoyable. Potty Training This is another key milestone in your child’s development and reaching it may throw up stumbling blocks! Again, it is important to remember that each child is different and so will begin to learn at a different point and progress at a different speed from other children. A good nursery will ensure there’s no feeling of peer pressure between parents or children! Don’t start potty training as your child is starting nursery.
When you do decide to begin, ensure it’s not at a time of change or a stressful period at home. Share training methods with your child’s nursery to ensure consistency of approach. For instance, do you want nursery staff to ask your child if he would like to go or do you want them to sit him on the potty at specific times of day? Sleep It is important that home and nursery work together over nap times, as the needs of individual children differ. When a child starts at a nursery, the nursery should follow the child’s home routine before adapting it slowly to suit the nursery pattern. It’s then helpful if you try to prevent your child taking extra naps, as his routine is likely to be disrupted. If your child struggles to sleep at the nursery, a toy or blanket from home can provide comfort and help them drift off. Whilst challenges are bound to arise during your child’s time at nursery, most particularly at the beginning, these can generally be dealt with as long as there is good communication between you and your child’s setting. Kristen Harding is a childcare expert at Tinies Childcare UK. For more information, visit www.tinies.com
Mums want more flexible working opportunities working day. Take account of any According to a survey by Workingmums.co.uk, additional costs or challenges this might almost three quarters of working mums involve and discuss them honestly. identify flexible work as being crucial to getting • Give examples of the ways in which your more women into senior roles. work can be successfully carried out under The survey shows that mums feel flexible any new working pattern you are proposing, working is vital for them to manage work and show that it will not harm the and family life and that 60% of those who business. Point out any business advantages. work flexibly would like even more flexibility. • Research some case studies, ideally in your So, what can individuals do to help sector that shows how the work pattern persuade their employers to agree to them you are suggesting can be mutually working flexibly? beneficial to you and your employer. • If managers are dubious, suggest a trial Here are some tips: period. • Think through what the job requires and • Have a compromise solution as a back-up. whether the tasks you have to perform can For more information and flexible work be done at a different location i.e. from opportunities, visit www.workingmums.co.uk home, or at times outside of the standard 10 Families Manchester
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Parents’ place Making the digital world safer for our children By Carolyn Bunting, CEO of Internet Matters
Late last year was marked by a landmark moment. Internet safety reached the top of the news agenda when the Government outlined its plans to make Britain the “safest place to be online.” Following the rapid development of the “open and free” digital world, the Culture Secretary, Karen Bradley revealed that although she felt the internet was a huge force for good, “it has also caused undeniable suffering and can be an especially harmful place for children and vulnerable people. Behaviour that is unacceptable in real life must also be unacceptable on a computer screen.” Among the Government’s forthcoming measures will be: • A voluntary levy on internet companies, such as Google
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and Facebook, to be used to target issues such as cyberbullying, online abuse and children being exposed to pornography on the internet. A social media code of practice intended to boost efforts to remove or address bullying, intimidating or humiliating online content. An annual internet safety transparency report undertaken by social media organisations which would show progress on addressing abusive and harmful content and conduct. Supporting tech and digital startups to build internet safety into their products from the beginning. New compulsory school subjects to provide online safety education.
• Encouraging social media companies to offer safety advice and tools to parents and build safety messages into online platforms. • Streamlining and targeting education and advice on online safety for parents in the same way that other risks, like road safety, are tackled starting from when children are born. • Urging organisations that are collecting data from children and young people to publish how they intend to use it, so that children can understand where exactly their information is going and how it is intended to be used. • A new requirement that privacy notices setting out how an organisation plans to use personal data it collects are written in a clear, plain way that is understandable, even to a child. The Government intends to target new parents at NCT courses, Sure Start Centres, nurseries, pharmacies and via Facebook itself. This should mean that there is less reason for parents to fear technology and they should feel more comfortable in allowing their children to use it to explore, communicate and learn. It also intends that digital literacy should form part of the lessons in which children have traditionally learned about sex and relationships, and not part of IT classes. The aim here is to encourage children to recognise internet safety as a social issue; it’s part of life and it’s part of growing up.
Although all of the measures are voluntary, the Government has not ruled out legislating if companies refuse to take part. For further information about topical issues affecting parents and children in the digital world and how to keep your children safe online, visit www.internetmatters.org Five steps to ensure your child is staying safe online Ask your child what they are doing online. It’s important you understand what websites, apps, and social media platforms they are using. Check their privacy settings. Make sure they know how to make their profiles ‘private’ so they are not sharing personal information to strangers. Facebook has a Privacy Healthcheck feature. Make sure they know when and how to report and block any malicious or inappropriate messages or posts. Check your parental controls on your home broadband and safety filters that block inappropriate content across any devices. Talk to your children about the risks they may be exposed to and how to deal with them, such as cyberbullying and grooming, and ensure they feel able to raise with you anything they see which is upsetting. For more information and step-by-step guidance, visit internetmatters.org
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What’s on That Fun Place now open at Jump Xtreme, Bolton! giant airbag, dodgeball court, slam dunk basketball lanes, and tumble tracks, along with the existing superb coffee shop! So whether you’re a tiny tot, an energetic teen, an adrenaline junky or a fitness fanatic, the park offers a wide range of activities.
This state of the art adventure play centre features over 30 individual activities over three levels, ideal for kids aged 0-12! Highlights include spiral slides, ball pools, racing slides, a swing donut and a dedicated tots zone. There’s even an additional, all new coffee shop serving scrumptious treats and drinks. Jump Xtreme Trampoline Park still offers all the trampolining favourites, including wall to wall trampolines, xtreme stunt tower,
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Sessions include: • Regular fitness classes AM & PM • Tots bounce & brunch sessions • Family sessions • Teen nights • Bouncability sessions • Birthday parties They also have the ability to host large group bookings, corporate / team building days, school and local clubs bookings and for those extra special occasions exclusive hire and use! For more information visit www.jumpxtreme.co.uk, email bolton@jumpxtreme.co.uk or call 01204 971007.
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What’s on
These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiesmanchester or upload your event listing to our website - www.familiesonline.co.uk
Saturdays in Jan & Feb The Lowry, Salford Lookout, it’s Saturday Playhouse 11am / Ages 5 – 11 / Free. A weekly art activity for children and their families in the dedicated Lookout space. Something different each week. 0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com
Z-arts, Hulme Mix it up Families 10.30am & 12pm / All ages / Free for Bright Sparks Members. Family sized art sessions – no skill required, just enthusiasm! Limited spaces, booking advised. Children must be accompanied. 0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org
Sundays in Jan & Feb
Salford Museum & Art Gallery Mr Tomlinson’s Sweet Shop 12.30 – 3pm / Free (donations welcome) Visit Mr Tomlinson’s shop on the recreated Victorian street and pick up some sweet treats! 0161 778 0800 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk
Wednesdays in Jan & Feb
Ordsall Hall, Salford Once upon a Time 9.45am / Babies & toddlers / £1 per child. Listen to wonderful stories together, have fun singing songs and rhymes, make simple crafts to take home, play with our toys and percussion instruments. 0161 872 0251 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk
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Wednesdays & Saturdays in Jan & Feb Touchstones, Rochdale Homework Club 3.30pm (Wed) 1pm (Sat) – 4.45pm / All ages / Free. Got a project to finish, need a picture printing out? Under 11s must be accompanied. www.link4life.org
Thursdays in Jan & Feb (excl 15 Feb) Touchstones, Rochdale Tiny Touchstones Toddlers: 10.15am Babies: 11.15am Under 5s: 12.15pm £2 per child, no booking required. Creative sessions with an early years artist using a range of exciting and open ended objects to stimulate the senses for tiny ones and inspire imaginative play for the under 5s. New themes each week. www.link4life.org
Tues 8 Jan & Fri 9 Feb
Bramall Hall Sensory stories 11.30am – 12.15pm / £6 per child (max 2 adults free). An exciting story and play session for babies who are not yet walking. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk
Tues 9 Jan, 23 Jan & 6 Feb
Manchester Museum Baby Explorers 10.30 – 11.15am & 11.30am – 12.15pm / Free, booking advised a week in advance. An interactive story and sensory play session for babies who are not yet walking. Musical Baby Explorers 1 – 1.45pm / Free, booking advised a week in advance. Live music and songs, supported by a range of playful sensory resources for babies to explore. 0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk
Fri 12 – Sun 21 Jan
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Sale Nomads: Puss In Boots The annual Sale pantomime – fabulous family entertainment! 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscntre.co.uk
Fri 12 Jan & Fri 9 Feb
Hat Works, Stockport Messy Milliners 11 – 11.45am / £5 per baby (max 2 adults free), booking essential. An exciting and innovative messy play session with a hatting theme. Suitable for babies and early walkers. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk
Sat 13 Jan
Bolton Central Library and Museum Cinema at the Crescent: The Emoji Movie 2pm / Free, no booking required. Light refreshments for sale. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. www.boltonlams.co.uk
Sat 13 Jan & Sat 10 Feb
Manchester Museum Autism Friendly Early Opening 9.15 – 10.30am / Ages 5 – 16 and families / Free, drop in. Activities take place before the Museum opens to the general public and there will be a quiet room available too. A different gallery will be open at each early opening. 0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk
Sat 20 Jan
Manchester Museum Big Saturday: Art & Me 11am – 4pm / Free, drop in. A day of family activities inspired by Reena Saini Kallat’s stunning new solo exhibition, that explores ideas of identity, memory, history and the natural world. 0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk
Sat 20 Jan & Sat 10 Feb Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Comedysportz 4 Tots 3pm / Under 6s / £5. A highly interactive show full of improvised games with plenty of physicality, stories, songs, silly noises and big laughs. Comedysportz Age 7+ / 6.30pm / £7. Fast, feel good and always unpredictably funny. 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscntre.co.uk
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What’s on Sun 21 Jan
Tatton Park, Knutsford Winter Birdwatch 11am – 1pm / All ages / Free (donations welcome) – normal park entry applies. A drop-in session looking at winter wildfowl on the meres. Have a go with a telescope orask the experts.All donations welcome to help cover the cost of bird feed for the year. 01625 374428 / www.tattonpark.org.uk Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Bear & Butterfly 11.30am & 2pm / Age 4 – 7 / £9 (£4.50 Family Club). A charming tale of changing friendship with puppetry, live music and beautiful storytelling . 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscntre.co.uk
Fri 26 Jan & Fri 23 Feb
Hat Works, Stockport Mad Hatters art and crafts club Ages 2 – 5 years: 10am – 12pm / £7 (max 2 adults free) Babies & early walkers: 2 – 3pm / £5 (max 2 adults free). An action packed session of arts and crafts with the emphasis on fun and age and ability appropriate crafts. Booking essential. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk Manchester Museum Magic Carpet Jan: Ancient Egypt Feb: The Porridge Pot 10.30 – 11.30am / Free, book a week in advance. An interactive, creative, story making and activity session for active toddlers, parents, grandparents and carers. Younger siblings welcome. 0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk
Thurs 1 Feb & Thurs 1 Mar John Rylands Library, Manchester Toddler tales 11 – 11.45am / Under 5s / Free, drop in Find a cosy corner, pull up a cushion and listen to fun stories. Join in playtime, creating a story world of your own. www.library.manchester.ac.uk
Fri 2 Feb & Fri 2 Mar
Bramall Hall Dragon Club 10am – 12pm / Ages 2 – 5 / £7 per child (max 2 adults free), booking essential. An exciting developmental discovery session with stories, play and exploration in the Hall and park. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk
Sat 3 Feb
Hat Works, Stockport Early bird opening and craft session for families with autism. 10 – 11.30am / All ages / £3 per person for craft. An opportunity for families with autism to come and have a go at different crafts in a quiet space. Experienced staff will be on hand to help with the activities, which include felt making, printing and batik. There is also the opportunity to explore the museum whilst it is not too busy. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk
Sat 3 & Sun 4 Feb
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Tom Thumb 11.30am (Sun) & 2.30pm (Sat & Sun) / Age 3+ / £9 (£4.50 Family Club). Performed entirely on and under a kitchen table, it’s a show full of magic with feathery spinning birds, a flying house and a portable forest. 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscntre.co.uk 14 Families Manchester
These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiesmanchester or upload your event listing to our website - www.familiesonline.co.uk
Sun 4 Feb
Ordsall Hall, Salford Family Sunday 1 – 4pm / All ages / £1, drop in. Have a go at a range of fun, hands-on activities that span the history of Ordsall Hall from the 1300s up until the present day. 0161 872 0251 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk Z-arts, Hulme Access All Areas 10am – 3pm / All ages / Free, booking required. A monthly family fun day for children and families with disabilities, with a different theme every month. 0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org
Mon 5 Feb & Mon 5 Mar Z-arts, Hulme Let’s Imagine 10.30 – 11.15am / Ages 2 – 4 / Free for Bright Sparks Members. Enter into an immersive world of projected imagery, with a new theme each session. Play, move and react to the images you see. Let your imagination run free and your heart run wild! Booking recommended – children must be accompanied. 0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org
Tues 13 Feb
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale The Chit Chat Chalk Show 11.30am & 2pm / Ages 3 – 8 / £9 (£4.50 Family Club). A magical chalky adventure with dances, draws & giggles. 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscntre.co.uk Touchstones, Rochdale Snail Mail 11am – 2pm / Drop in A family friendly creative workshop. www.link4life.org
Thurs 15 Feb
Touchstones, Rochdale Family Fun Day - Roll out the barrel! 11am – 2pm / Age 4+ / Free, drop in Join in the activities including art and craft, dressing up and storytelling. Roll out the barrel! celebrates the amazing story of this flour barrel, sent all the way from America in 1863 to feed the people of Rochdale who were out of work and starving due to the Cotton famine. www.link4life.org East Lancashire Railway Wizard Academy Age 5+ / Child: £8.50 / Adult £13, booking essential. An interactive quest which will see you and your family join colourful and quirky costumed characters on a steam train ride, and take part in a host of entertaining activities. www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk
Fri 16 Feb
Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Spark The Goblin Wizard 11am & 2.30pm / Age 5+ / £9 (£4.50 Family Club). With lyrics, laughs and lots of joining in, poet Dommy B needs your help to save the day! 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscntre.co.uk
Sat 17 Feb
Hat Works, Stockport Family Tour 11am – 12.30pm / Age 5+ / Child £5, Adult £2 (under 5s free), booking essential. Find out all about Stockport and its famous hats on this fun tour. Try your hand at making a piece of felt and see if you would have made it as a hatter. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk
Manchester Art Gallery Open Doors 9.15am – 12.15pm / Ages 5 – 16 / Free, drop in. A series of creative, sensory activities especially aimed at autistic children. Different themes and ideas each month. 0161 235 8869 / www.manchesterartgallery.org Manchester Museum Big Saturday 10am – 4pm / All ages / Free, drop in Creative activities for all of the family inspired by our collections. 0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk Z-arts, Hulme Chinese New Year Family Fun Day 10.30 am – 1.30pm / All ages / Free A Chinese themed extended Let’s Create with arts and craft all inspired by the Year of the Dog. 0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org
Sat 17 – Sun 25 Feb
Chatsworth House, Bakewell Half term in the farmyard and playground A chance for the young ones to run off some steam in beautiful surroundings during half term. 01246 565300 / www.chatsworth.org
Sun 18 Feb
Bramall Hall Early bird opening for families with autism 10 – 11.30am / All ages / Free when booked. An opportunity to explore the Hall before it opens to the public. Discovery packs, sensory sacks, trails and activity hampers available. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk
Mon 19 Feb
Bramall Hall Tudor Day Ages 8 – 12 / £15 per child, booking essential. Spend the day at Bramall Hall taking part in the kind of activities the Tudors might have enjoyed. Crafts and games galore as you explore the house ‘out of hours’. Children to be left in the care of the museum. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk Staircase House, Stockport Visits for families with autism 10am – 12pm / All ages / Free (£1 activity craft bag) The opportunity to explore Stockport Museum on a Monday while it is quiet and closed to the public. Suitable for families with autistic children. www.stockport.gov.uk
Mon 19 – Fri 23 Feb
Manchester Museum Feb Half Term Activities 11am – 4pm / All ages / Free, drop in Be inspired by the museum’s collections through a variety of creative hands on activities. 0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk
Tues 20 Feb
Staircase House, Stockport Disgusting Days tour 10.30am – 12pm / All ages / £3. Discover disgusting habits, tales and stories about life in the House. Craft activity included. www.stockport.gov.uk
Tues 20 – Thurs 22 Feb
Bramall Hall February Half Term Fun 1 – 3pm / All ages / £3, drop in. Have a go at different crafts: printing, clay modelling and stained glass making. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk
Hat Works, Stockport February HalfTerm Fun 1 – 3pm / All ages / £3, drop in. Try a different craft each day: decoupage, printing & felt making. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk
Wed 21 Feb
Air Raid Shelters, Stockport Children’s explorer tours 6.45 – 8.15pm / Age 7+ / Child £4, Adult £3, booking essential. Brave the darkened tunnels to go back in time and experience life as a child during World War Two. 0161 474 1940 / www.stockport.gov.uk
Wed 21 – Sat 24 Feb
Manchester Art Gallery Creative family workshops 1pm – 3pm / All ages / Free, drop in February half term workshops for families. www.manchesterartgallery.org
Thurs 22 Feb
Staircase House, Stockport Let’s do magic 10.30am – 12pm & 2 – 3.30pm / Age 5+ / £6 (1 free adult). An extravaganza of magic using everyday objects. Find out the secrets of magic and learn a trick or two yourself to surprise your friends. 0161 474 4444 / www.stockport.gov.uk East Lancashire Railway Princess Academy Age 5+ / Child: £8.50 / Adult £13, booking essential. An interactive quest which will see you and your family join colourful and quirky costumed characters on a steam train ride, and take part in a host of entertaining activities. www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk
Fri 23 Feb
Bramall Hall The Beasts of Bramall Hall 1 – 2pm / Ages 3 – 6 / £5 per child (1 free adult), booking essential. A magical tour of the Hall with stories about the beasts that live here. Hunt for the Red Dragon of Bramall Hall. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk Tatton Park, Knutsford Toys Through Time 10.30am – 12pm & 1 – 2.30pm / Ages 3 – 5 (max 1 adult per chld) / £10 per child (adult free). Discover the toys that children played with in the past. Learn about how they work, what they are made from and how toys have changed overtime.Aspecial opportunityto play and explore, ending with a competitive group game and a story. 01625 374428 / www.tattonpark.org.uk Salford Museum & Art Gallery Shoe Box Sets 10am – 12pm & 1 – 3pm / All ages / £2 per child. Create your own room set inspired by the interiors of Coronation Street using boxes, wallpaper and junk materials. 0161 778 0800 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk
Sat 24 Feb
Bramall Hall Family Tour 1 – 2pm / Age 4+ / Child: £4, Adult: normal admission (under 4s free). Find out lots of interesting facts about Bramall Hall. Who lived there? What did they eat? Where did they go to the toilet? What horrible illnesses did they have? No booking required – first come, first served. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk familiesonline.co.uk