FR E E
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Gloucestershire IN THIS ISSUE
Easter
Crafts, cooking and hunts to keep your family busy this Easter
Education
Dealing with exam stress
The Great Outdoors
What should your child do to stay active?
What’s On
Activities and days out
Issue 49 March/April 2019
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Contents 4 News Why it’s important for a good night sleep. Children targeted on social media.
Gloucestershire Editorial Katie Azam 07921 338894 editor@familiesgloucestershire.co.uk Design The Mini Media Company 01789 417897 www.minimediaco.com Next issue May/June 2019. For holiday camp info, kids party ideas and much more... (out 1st May).
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6 Education Supporting your child with exam stress. How do children learn best? 9
Parenting Dealing with ‘Fake News’
10 Childcare An Inspector Calls! 11 Classes/Clubs/Activities The Great Outdorrs Football for girls? 14
Whats On Events and activities to keep you entertained over the coming weeks.
15 Easter Family friendly arts and crafts, plus a list of Easter activites in your area!
Gloucestershire
To Advertise with us and reach over 40,000 parents in the region contact Katie Azam on: 07921 338894 or email editor@familiesgloucester.co.uk
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News
Lack of Sleep Damaging For Children More than a third of primary school children are failing to get Enjoy British Science Week
Families can enjoy wonder-full time together during British Science Week 2019 which will take place from 8 to 17 March. Science Week is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths with fascinating, entertaining and engaging activities for all ages taking place across the UK. Last year there were over 2,100 events involving almost 1 million participants. You can also download a series of FREE activity packs at www.britishscienceweek.org filled with resources and ideas to try out at home or school, without the need for a science background or expensive equipment. To find an event close to you, visit www.sciencelive.net
sufficient sleep, according to research by the University of Leeds. The study has linked poor sleep with difficulties in paying attention in class, keeping up with school work, forgetfulness and absenteeism. The NHS recommendation is that children of that age should get 10 hours sleep per night but the study discovered that out of 1,100 children ages 6 to 11, 36% were getting only eight hours sleep or less on a weekday night. Just under a third of children reported that worrying about school work was keeping them awake, whilst around one in six children reported that they found it difficult to sleep because of concerns about bullying or friendship. The researchers identified that children who had access to technology in their bedroom were more likely to experience a shorter night’s sleep and recommended that parents consider removing technology from their children’s bedrooms. More info: www.leeds.ac.uk
Nursery Children Could Be Coached for Exams
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In September 2017 the Government announced that a new assessment would be introduced in Reception as a baseline measure to track pupils’ progress during primary school. Children who start Reception in September 2020 will be the first group to take the new test. The focus of the assessment will be on communication, language and literacy, numeracy and ‘self-regulation.’ A recent report from an expert panel who examined the proposals concluded that the new test will not provide an accurate comparison between schools and that it is “flawed, unjustified and wholly unfit for purpose.” Additionally, Neil Leitch, chief executive of the charity the Pre-school Learning Alliance, has warned that the new test risks putting pressure on the youngest group of school children and would encourage the coaching of pre-schoolers to ensure they were ‘test-ready.’ More info: www.bera.ac.uk and www.pre-school.org.uk
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News
Child Safety on Social Media
Social networking is one of the revolutions of the online age and when used correctly is an excellent way of keeping in touch with friends and family. But it can also be a source of danger for your child (or for you and other family members, via your child). Most social networking sites set a lower age limit for membership (13 years old is commonplace), but it’s easy for children to get around it and get online at an earlier age. Encourage your child to tell you which sites they’re using, and ask them to show you how they work. The main risks are associated with your child befriending or talking with a stranger who may be stalking them, cyberbullying from either strangers or people they already know, being scammed by downloading or linking to hoax content, and identity theft by revealing private information in profiles and posts. And though it may seem unthinkable, your child could even be bullying or saying inappropriate things about somebody else, rather than being the target. Ensure that your child is only befriending and communicating with trusted people that they know. Tell them that revealing personal details such as their birth date, address, pet’s name or teacher could give someone all the information they need to harm them. Teach them not to click on links or download from sites they have linked to. Educate your children about safe use of passwords and other login details. It’s very commonplace for children’s pages to be hacked into, their profiles being changed either for fun or maliciously, or harmful comments to be posted by someone else in their name. This can also happen if they leave their computer or mobile device on and walk away from it without logging off the site. Above all, assure them that it’s OK to come to you or another trusted adult if they feel threatened by or uncomfortable about something they have seen or done on a social networking site. In a recent study for Net Aware, the essential guide to 40 of the most popular social media sites, apps and games that young people use, Children and parents were surveyed about violence, bullying or adult content on social networking sites and games they use. Facebook and YouTube were reported as very high-risk sites from those surveyed. Other sites found to be risky in this survey included Twitter and Reddit, with both rated high for inappropriate content, as well as lesser known sites such as Sarahah, Episode: Choose Your Story, Omegle, ROBLOX and Yubo (formerly called Yellow). The NSPCC encourages parents to use Net Aware to learn about the various platforms their child may be using, together with the risk rating of each. More information and advice can be found at www.net-aware.org.uk
10 Tips for Keeping Your Child Safe on Social Media 1 1. Educate yourself about all the different social media networks 2. 2 Establish an age limit for your child to start using social media 3. 3 Regularly check your childs privacy settings 4. 4 Keep your childs profile private 5 Make sure they are not posting personal details 5. including phone numbers, address or check-ins 6 Don’t allow them to post photos or videos which 6. jeopardize their safety or character 7 7. Make sure they choose a strong password 8. 8 Never allow them to accept friend requests from people they don’t know 9. 9 Set rules and guidelines for their social media use
10 Keep an open dialogue with your child
Family Safety Week
Accidents are the biggest killer of children and young people with at least one child under 5 killed each week. Every year, over 2 million children under the age of 15 have an accident in and around the home which takes them to A&E and half of the under 5s visiting do so as a result of a preventable accident. Family Safety Week, which commences on 1 April, is run by the RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) to help raise awareness of the “simple things you can do to stop your child becoming an accident statistic.” RoSPA provides free resources and advice to help families keep children safe in their homes. Its free Keeping Kids Safe packs also enable schools, nurseries, playgroups and children’s centres to hold child safety session for parents. More info: www.rospa.com www.familiesonline.co.uk
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Education
your child’s emotional and mental well-being. It’s important you guide your children appropriately in this area. Encourage Good Work Habits Primary school children may find it hard to sustain concentration for longer than 30 minutes without a break. It’s important not to schedule too many study sessions in one day – one or two would be the appropriate maximum for this age group on a weekend or school holiday day, but less if they are also managing homework. Otherwise your child will become stressed and it’s much harder for them to learn under pressure.
Supporting Your Child with Exam Stress
By Vicky Bellman
We have come to the time of year when many children are preparing to face exams or tests at school. These exams or tests vary in their significance for your child’s future. For some, they will be the stepping stone to the next part of their educational journey, for others an assessment of their progress this academic year. Regardless of which category the exams or tests fall into, exam time is likely to be a pressured and overwhelming time for most children and their parents. Stress and anxiety in young children is particularly heightened at this time of year as they deal with performance-related concerns related to their educational tests. These tests can often feel like tests of who they are. Their behaviour may suffer during a stress peak and it’s important to do what you can to respond from a place of calm. Invite them to join you in feeling calm, rather than you joining them in emotional chaos. With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you support your child at this time: Keep it in Perspective Yes, of course exams are important. But everyone involved needs to remember it's not the end of the world if there’s a hiccup and things don’t go as well as expected. There is almost always another chance. Help Manage Expectations Working longer than is advisable for their age, or expecting grades significantly higher than their capabilities could well be detrimental to
Grammar School Ready?
Many of us with primary school children in years 4 and 5 are probably thinking about secondary school and whether to apply for grammar school. But where do you start? Do you need a tutor and is it worth doing a mock test? If you decide on the grammar school route, your child will need to sit the entrance test in September. Designed to be ‘tutor-proof’, the reality is that children who have no idea of what to expect will be at a disadvantage. It’s helpful to let your child experience the types
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Remember the Building Blocks Again, when it comes to the real basics, we can easily forget the building blocks for emotional wellbeing. Make sure that your child is getting enough good food, water and sleep! Free Time is Vital It’s a difficult balancing act, but it’s important to remember that primary school age children need plenty of free time - structured studying has to be balanced with plenty of unstructured free time. Relaxation and fun are vital. Getting outside to play and spending time relaxing with family and friends are super-important at this time. A useful analogy to share with your children is that human beings are basically machines. We need fuel, and we also need to switch our engine off every now and again. Otherwise, we risk overheating! On any long-term journey in a machine, comfort breaks and fuel fill ups would be an accepted and necessary part of the journey. Humans are no different. Make Time for You You can’t pour from an empty cup. Your children need more from you when preparing for and going through exams or tests. To be able to give more you need to be able to have more fuel in the tank. Connection is Important Make sure you have family down time; perhaps, watching a movie one night with popcorn, or going for a family walk, or day out. Don't just save the treats for the exam results, as this reinforces to children that they have more value when they achieve more. Let them know that their wellbeing and enjoyment of life is as vital when they're striving for success, as well as when they're achieving it. Vicky Bellman is a counsellor at Fegans, a Christian charity which counsels children and provides support for parents. For more parenting advice on stress and mental health, visit www.fegans. org.uk/parent of tasks they will encounter in the entrance test, by using printed or online practice questions. This is the absolute minimum that needs to be done as preparation. Mock Tests are valuable in giving your child experience of examination conditions to build their confidence. The results can also be very useful in ranking your child in relation to others and identifying topics for further practice. This can be a cost effective way of helping your child prepare for the real thing. Many parents employ a tutor for their child, which can help focus on specific topics for improvement but it can be quite expensive and difficult to find a good, experienced, tutor. If you go for this option make sure the tutor is experienced in the grammar school test and is DBS cleared. Personal recommendations are particularly valuable in finding a good tutor. Few parents consider helping their child themselves, for many reasons. However, there is a lot you can do in providing learning and revision resources and you might even consider trying tutoring yourself –with some support for the right knowledge and skills, of course! Cotswold Education has a package of support events to help you through the whole grammar school preparation and application process including mock tests, a summer school and a parents’ support evening. To find out more about Cotswold Education’s events and to book your place see their website www.cotswoldeducation. co.uk or call them on 07976 218062
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Education
quate as is a child’s own bedroom, but they will learn better if all distractions are removed. That includes music. Get rid of screens and sources of music when children are learning. They might tell you that listening to music helps them to relax or to concentrate. The overwhelming evidence is that this is not true for long-term, profound learning.
2 Ignore much of the nonsense written about 2. learning styles.
How do Children Learn Best?
• •
By Mr Sean Dunne
Want to start an argument between two teachers? Ask them if pupils should be taught knowledge or skills first. Arguments have raged for decades about the nature of learning with schools urged to adopt one initiative after another, whilst old-timers bemoan how ‘everything comes around again’ according to the fashions of the day. Thankfully there is a way to cut through all the nonsense that gets written, blogged, and tweeted and that is to rely on good solid evidence of what works. Whilst a number of educational theorists inform our work at Wycliffe, we are particular backers of the work of Professors Barak Rosenshine, Robert Coe and Dylan William. Using evidence of what actually works in terms of pupil outcomes and achievements we have been able to advocate certain habits of teaching. Using the same principles, we can share with parents what really works.
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•
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An expert teacher checking understanding and anticipating misconceptions in advance is hugely beneficial. Every learning session should start with review of the last thing learned in the subject. Children need to know what they actually know, appreciate what they don’t, and develop a positive attitude towards their own potential. New material needs to be delivered in small steps building upon what was covered previously and allowing time for student practice. Exposure to examples of how the learning has been applied effectively by others can be helpful, especially if linked to an example that provokes an emotional response. Regular reviews and tests are very helpful in developing profound understanding.
So How Can Parents Help?
3 Show an interest in their work without it 3. sounding like a nag. 4. 4 Ensure your children are getting plenty of sleep, taking on board enough fluids, are taking exercise, and have a balanced diet.
5 If they don’t have any work, ask them to 5. make a revision card with the key points of that day’s lesson in a subject. Over time, they will build up a really effective library of revision aids, all ready to go. 6. 6 To support revision encourage children to adopt ‘dual-coding’ techniques, in which verbal materials are combined with visual prompts. Get them to make timelines, cartoons, or infographics to help consolidate deep memory learning. Above all else, seek a partnership with the school. Every child differs, so don’t compare yours with any other, especially after a few wines at dinner!
1. 1
Set aside a calm, quiet working environment for your children at home. This does not have to be a separate study space; kitchen or dining room table is perfectly ade-
Mr Sean Dunne is Deputy Head (Academic) of Wycliffe Senior School in Stonehouse. For further information, visit www.wycliffe.co.uk
Co-Educational Day, Flexi-boarding and Full Boarding School for Ages 2-18. Founded 1882.
Take a closer look at Wycliffe To arrange an informal tour of the school please contact briony.armstrong@wycliffe.co.uk (Prep) or Fiona.lawson-best@wycliffe.co.uk (Senior)
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60 seconds with a KSOL 11 plus tutor Paul, Senior KSOL 11 plus tutor What is the 11 plus? The 11 plus is a highly competitive set of entrance exams taken by children at the age of 11 when applying to a grammar or independent school. What’s in the 11 plus exam? Gloucestershire CEM 11+ exams are multiple choice question papers with timed sections in verbal ability (including comprehension & vocabulary), numerical ability and non-verbal ability (NVR). How can parents prepare children for the 11 plus? KSOL provide online 11+ courses and run CEM 11+ mock exams throughout the year to help benchmark ability and to familiarise children with: • • •
the format of the exam paper the style of questions and content the live exam environment
Why should children sit 11 plus mock exams? We don’t want children to become nervous by the atmosphere in the real exam, so it’s important for them to experience this formal setting in order to build confidence. Sitting mock exams also enables parents to benchmark their child’s ability and work on any weak areas. Whether this is a particular 11 plus topic, exam technique or poor time management, identifying and tackling these areas will boost a child’s performance on the day. KSOL are award-winning 11 plus specialists with over 11 years of experience. Upcoming CEM 11+ mock exam dates include 24th March, 19th May and 21st July. Call the team on 0121 733 6558 or visit www. ksol.co.uk to book mock exams and discover KSOL 11 plus online tuition for children in Year 4 and Year 5.
Group tutoring reduces costs but probably won’t be as tailored These can work out cheaper per hour but your child won’t get the same one-on-one attention, and it’s vital to check that those in the group need to work on the same things at roughly the same level. Anyone can become a tutor so do your homework One-on-one tutors should be Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked (formerly known as CRB checking) – if they aren’t, then be wary. Don’t be shy about checking how they work Ask questions even if you’ve had a recommendation from other parents - what suits their child may not suit yours.
Tutoring: What you need to know
Here’s how to find the best tutor for your child… Plan ahead where possible The best tutors may well have waiting lists, so if you know your child will need support for exams or perhaps before moving to secondary school, begin your search well in advance. Ask around Word-of-mouth is often the most effective way to find a good tutor. Ask parents you know and trust for recommendations. Consider agencies Reputable agencies will vet tutors’ credentials and should match you and your child to someone with a similar style.
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Find out the local going rate Expect to pay anything between £20 and £65 an hour, depending on where you live and how in demand a particular tutor is. However, more expensive doesn’t necessarily mean better. Arrange a trial lesson Many tutors will offer your child a trial lesson - this lets you get a feel for whether the tutor and your child gel and whether their teaching style is going to work for you both. Good luck! By Liat Hughes Joshi Liat Hughes Joshi, parenting journalist and author of 'New Old-fashioned Parenting' and 'How to Unplug Your Child' (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson).
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Parenting
Help! I’ve Lost My Child... Families offers tips on how to guard against this.
No words can describe the panic that a parent feels when their child disappears from sight in a crowded place. It can happen in a heartbeat and, if it’s happened to you, you’ll recall the terrifying sensation exactly. At airports, stations, leisure attractions, museums and beaches, crowds can go with the territory and mean it’s more difficulty spotting your child if you get separated. So here’s some things you can do to help:
Helping Your Children Spot ‘Fake News’ By Katie Harrison
The term ‘fake news’ first came to the fore during the course of the last American Presidential election, when Donald Trump used it to describe some of the news reporting around the campaigns. Since then, debate about ‘fake news’ has hit the headlines amidst concerns that its proliferation is disrupting elections around the world: it’s one of the most talked about subjects of the year.
Bright Clothing
Dress your children brightly - those dressed in colourful, distinctive clothes and accessories can be more quickly spotted in a crowd.
“What If” Preparations
But what is it? What does it mean to you and your family? Being news-savvy empowers children and keeps them engaged and motivated to find out about the world around them. But what should we be teaching them about ‘fake news?’
If your child is old enough, discuss what to do if they get separated. Tell them to seek help from people like staff in a supermarket, a lifeguard, a police or security officer or a mother with young children. Agree an obvious meet up point if they are old enough to find a pre-determined landmark, or instruct them to stay put if they are younger (under 8).
A recent BBC survey of 18 countries worldwide found that nearly 8 in 10 people said they worried about what was fake and what was real on the internet. Fake news can easily go viral via social media so it’s vital that children learn to question what they see and read and have the opportunity to discuss it and share their views. Most school children know what fake news is, but teachers report that many of them aren't always able to correctly identify it. They don’t always know what they are looking for.
Take a Photo
Here are our top 5 tips for helping children spot fake news:
Teach Essential Details
1
Question, Question, Question!
2
Is the Article Angry or Emotional?
3
Check What Other Media are Saying
4 5
Have a recent digital photo of your child on your smart phone or camera. Even better, take a picture of your child wearing that day’s outfit before you head out.
Who made this? Who is the target audience? Who paid for this? Or, who gets paid if you click on this? Who might benefit or be harmed by this message?
Consider ID Cards or Tagging
If it makes you feel very strongly, it could be ‘clickbait’ - a grabbing headline to get you to follow a link.
Don’t rely on a single source. Are other well-known news providers sharing this news story? If not, it may not have been verified.
Safety ID cards with essential information can be attached to bags and clothes or worn around the neck with a lanyard. For waterproofing, you can buy small capsule-like containers worn like a necklace. You can also now obtain quite powerful, wearable GPS trackers for kids.
Baby and Toddler Harnesses
Spell Check!
Obvious grammatical errors or spelling mistakes can be a sign that an article hasn’t been professionally produced or proofread and can be a giveaway.
Facts, Facts, Facts!
What proof or evidence does the article give? Does it cite credible research or expert opinions?
If you can help familiarise your children with what is real and ‘fake’ news, they will soon be able to critically assess what they are reading and seeing. Katie Harrison is an early-years educational expert and founder of Picture News, a new service for schools helping them teach children about the news. More info at www.picture-news.co.uk
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Help a child learn their name and address and your name and phone number, so that they can give the details to an authoritative person. If they're very young, try teaching them your number through rhyme or learning by rote and repetition.
Even if you don’t like seeing little ones constrained, sometimes the security offered by reins and harnesses can help you all relax. These days you can buy really cute reins attached to furry belts and backpacks that your little one will be happy to wear.
Stay Calm
If your child disappears, try to stay calm (easier said than done!). You'll be able to think and communicate more clearly, helping you and others find your child quickly.
Call 999
The police advise calling 999 and reporting a child missing as soon as you have concerns for their safety. More info, visit www.safekids.co.uk
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Childcare
An Inspector Calls! The Role of an Ofsted Inspector in Assessing a Nursery Setting
Whilst there are lots of important considerations when choosing a nursery or pre-school for your child, it’s unlikely you’ll make a final choice without at least a cursory glance at the setting’s Ofsted report. The acronym is one used frequently by parents but how many of us actually know what the acronym Ofsted actual stands for or how a nursery or pre-school gets its Ofsted rating? Sangeeta Gardiner has been an Inspector for The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) since it was set up in 1992 and has conducted well over 150 inspections of nurseries, pre-schools, and child-minders. Becoming and remaining an inspector requires rigorous, ongoing training and examinations, meaning that Ofsted Inspectors are very knowledgeable. One of the key things an Inspector examines is how a setting safeguards the children in its care. Inspectors check to make sure
safeguarding policies are implemented, that staff have the relevant legal background checks, and have been properly recruited. “I’ll ask staff members how they got their jobs” reports Sangeeta. “Being a friend of a friend is simply not good enough. I also probe more deeply if I discover staff members have moved around a lot.” Checking safeguarding arrangements also involves monitoring how children enter and leave the setting and what provisions there are for visitors. “It’s also important that children are being taught how to keep themselves safe” comments Sangeeta. “For example, they need to know that it’s dangerous to walk while holding a pair of scissors.” Changes in the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) framework place more emphasis on the importance of a child’s emotional security, so Inspectors also observe how confident and secure children feel in their environment and in their interactions with others. Early Year’s Education is all about learning through play but the word “teaching” is still used in the EYFS framework. Staff “teach” children about their world by asking them open ended questions. “I observe the language teachers use and how they’re interacting with a child” says Sangeeta.” I’ll ask staff why they have chosen a
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particular activity and how it contributes to a child’s learning. “ Ofsted Inspectors also observe children and then question the Key Person responsible for those children about them. “If a child is upset, the Key Person should be able to tell me about the child’s circumstances, for instance, if they are new to the setting” says Sangeeta. “There should also be information about a child's development, and planning for a child’s next steps.” So what happens if there are issues with teaching methods? A lot depends on whether the majority of staff are working positively, and, where there are staff who are performing less well, that the manager of the setting recognises this. “Part of the inspection is a joint observation with the manager” says Sangeeta. ”If a staff member has set up an activity that hasn’t worked well and the manager isn’t aware of this, that needs to be addressed. However, if the manager is aware and can support a staff member to improve their skills, then this provides good evidence that the nursery is working well towards improving its provision.” Sangeeta owns two settings in Greater London. How does she ensure they meet Ofsted’s high standards in her setting? Good communication and reflective practice are vital. As a team, each setting regularly fills out a self-evaluation form, so that everybody involved can reflect on what works and what doesn’t, and a clear direction can be formulated. Sangeeta is always aware of what is happening at each nursery, but also stresses that the quality of her managers and teachers is exceptional. “The managers of my settings are experienced and well-established members of the team, and have known many of the children and their families for a number of years.” You can find Ofsted Reports for settings in your local area at https://reports. ofsted.gov.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk
Clubs, Classes & Activities
Outdoor Sports Clubs that are Ideal for Children As children get older, they get less active. As they move
through primary school, the number of children meeting the recommended amount of physical activity drops by 40%. Getting children involved in sport from a young age can help them keep fit and encourage the development of a lifetime habit of regular exercise. As spring approaches, here are some outdoor sports options to consider: Athletics m m m Athletics offers opportunities for use of the widest range of skill sets of any sport as its various disciplines provide the opportunity to throw, run or jump. It is suitable for all children as different body shapes, skills and preferences suit different activities. Most junior athletics clubs run taster sessions so that new participants can see whether they like the club before signing up. To find a local club, visit www.englandathletics.org Cycling m m m Cycling is an essential part of growing up – it’s great fun, helps children feel independent and keeps them fit and healthy. Local kids’ cycling clubs are fantastic places for children to get out on a bike, with expert coaching, a gang of riding buddies and access to some amazing cycling facilities. Sessions are often weekly and many clubs offer cycling holiday camps at which children can spend the entire day on two wheels. To find a local club, visit www.britishcycling.org.uk Rugby m m m The first years of rugby are not about scrums, mauls and tackling. Boys and girls alike are encouraged to play a simple, non-contact game together where tackles are replaced by touching a player or removing a tag from their clothing. The focus is developing passing and running skills. Your local rugby
club is likely to have junior and ‘mini’ teams starting at under 6s and there are also a large number of providers which offer rugby classes which from toddler age upwards. To find a local football club visit www.englandrugby.com Football m m m Many local football clubs run teams for boys and girls starting from age 7 as well as regular community coaching programmes for children from age 3, with the emphasis on skill development and fun and not on winning. As with rugby there are many providers offering classes and school holiday camps introducing the sport to children as young as 2 years. To find a local club, visit www.thefa.com Orienteering m m m Orienteering is an outdoor sport which the whole family can enjoy together. It offers a unique mix of mental and physical challenge and you can progress at your own pace. The aim is to navigate, in sequence, to different control points that are located on a special course, using a specially-drawn map. Clubs hold events in local parks, green spaces and forested areas. To find an event near you, visit www.xplorer.org.uk Tennis m m m The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) runs the Mini Tennis programme which uses smaller courts and equipment, combined with lower bouncing balls to introduce children aged between 3 and 10 to the sport. Tennis for Kids offers children ages 4 to 11 an introductory course of six sessions course delivered by specially trained coaches at various locations across the UK. For more info, visit www.lta.org.uk Multi-Sports m m m If you are not sure which sport to choose for your child, look out for multi-sports sessions run by independent providers or local authorities at which kids can try out a variety of sports such as athletics, rugby, football, netball, tennis and cricket. These are a great way for kids to experience a number of sports and find out what they like for themselves.
The Great Outdoors By Chloe Banyard, The Isbourne
We all instinctively know that fresh air is good for you, but getting outside comes with some surprising health benefits. Scientific research has shown that exposure to nature significantly decreases stress and boosts wellbeing, and trees and water are key components. The pleasure of taking in a good view can help to calm your mind and decrease anxiety, and spending time around trees can give your immune system a boost as the phytoncides released by trees increase your white blood cell count. Looking at water floods the brain with feel-good hormones, and air exposed to water is charged with negative ions, which have long been linked to improvements in mood and physical health. A family picnic by a lake, pottering around the garden with the children, or eating your lunch on a bench in a local park are all great ways to give yourself and your children that much-needed dose of nature. Visit www.isbourne.org for more info on how the great outdoors can boost wellbeing. Join in with The Isbourne Great Spring Treasure Trail on the 11th May. www.familiesonline.co.uk
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Clubs, Classes & Activities
Football Boosts Girls Confidence
An Additional Setting for 4-2-11 Activity Camp!
Due to a very successful few years at St Edward’s School and an OUTSTANDING Ofsted report, 4-2-11 Activity camp is expanding and will open a new and additional camp this EASTER at Prestbury St Mary’s Junior school in Cheltenham. The camp, which is run by mum of 6 Kate Hall is led by a team of highly trained childcare professionals and is well known for the fabulous activities that excite and challenge the children every day. We have recently added Mindfulness Workshops to our weekly timetable. As a working mum Kate wanted to create a safe, fun environment with a variety of sport, art and drama and of course chill out time, so that parents could totally relax and feel at ease during the school holidays . Please contact Kate for more details: 07825 630 751 info@camp4211.co.uk
New research suggests that playing football can have a greater positive impact on the self-confidence of teenage girls than other popular sports. The study by the University of Birmingham for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is the largest of its kind and features data collected from 4128 girls and young women aged 13 and over in Denmark, England, Germany, Spain, Poland and Turkey. 80% of teenage girls surveyed said they felt more confident as a result of being part of their football team compared to 74% who played other sports. 58% of the female footballers questioned said they had overcome a lack of self-confidence as a result of playing football, compared with 51% of girls who play other sports. UEFA have launched the Together #WePlayStrong campaign, which aims to make football the number one participation sport for girls and women in Europe by 2022. More info: www.birmingham.ac.uk/news
Join All Stars Cricket Today! 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. This year we have a brand-new Cricket World Cup themed activity book that is full of top tips, games and, it’s a great place to keep those weekly stickers to celebrate your All Star’s achievements. Plus, 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 as session begin May 2019.
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Easter
Crafts for the Kids
Make this Easter even more fun for the kids with these simple to make Easter crafts; perfect for adults and children alike!
Easter Egg-Bunny
Easter Bunny Ears
What you will need: 1 hard-boiled egg, Yellow and white felt, PVA glue, Felt tip pens
What you will need: White cardboard, Scissors, Grey and pink paint, PVA glue, An Alice band
Step Begin your craft by taking a freshly cooked and cooled hard-boiled egg. Step Cut shapes for the bunny’s feet and hands out of the yellow felt; then cut larger ear shapes out of yellow felt and smaller ones from the white. Step Stick the felt feet onto the base of the egg, making sure the egg can stand upright on them. Step Stick the white ears onto the yellow. Once they have dried a little, stick them on to the rear of where the face will be. Step Finally, draw a rabbit’s face on the front of the egg with the pens and decorate with patterns as your child likes. You could even stick a cute little bow on the top of the eggs by their ears, if you’re feeling really creative!
Step Get the kids to paint two sheets of white cardboard grey and then another two sheets pink. Step Using child-safe scissors help them to cut out larger ear shapes from the grey cardboard and then slightly smaller ear shapes from the pink cardboard. Step Using glue stick the smaller pink shapes onto the larger grey ears. Step Finally, attach the shapes to the Alice band with the glue and leave to dry.
Use this simple step by step guide to make a super cute Easter egg bunny with your little munchkins…
Make sure your kids get into the Easter spirit with this simple to make homemade bunny ears.
For more arts and craft ideas visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk
Easter Nest Chocolate Cupcakes 20 minutes cook time - 25 minutes prep time serves 18 - skill rate: easy/ child friendly
(Please have a supervising adult present when using the oven) Ingredients
115g soft butter 115g caster sugar 2 large eggs 115g self-raising flour, sieved with 1 tablespoon cocoa and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• • • • • • • •
For the icing
85g soft butter 1-2 tablespoons milk 225g icing sugar (less 1 tablespoon), sieved 1 heaped tablespoon cocoa 100g mini chocolate eggs, to decorate 1 packet of 40 mini wafer daisies, to decorate
Pre-heat your oven to 190°C, 170°C Fan, Gas 5. Put all the cake ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix with a spatula for 3/4 minutes until gooey and well combined. Spoon the mixture into 18-20 paper cases or 12-14 muffin cases placed into muffin tray. Place them on the middle shelf of your pre-heated oven and bake for 15 - 20 minutes. Take your cakes out and leave them to cool on a wire rack. Beat all your icing ingredients together in a mixing bowl until smooth. Spread or pipe the mixture over each cake to form a little nest, and pop a few chocolate eggs inside, and a few paper flowers to the side to decorate. Et viola, gooey chocolatly Easter nest cakes.
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What’s On
SPRING EVENTS AND DAYS OUT
Now - 28th April
Live Lambing at Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park. Come and meet the new arrivals and perhaps even witness a new-born’s very first moments ... a guaranteed memorable experience for all.
9th – 10th March
Gardening for Wildlife at the Dean Heritage Centre. A weekend of activities to encourage wildlife into your gardens.
Join us at Newark Park for a Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Spring is a great time to visit Newark with pretty spring blooms in the garden and the estate awash with wild garlic. And from Fri 19 - Mon 22 April you can join our Cadbury's Easter Egg Hunt around the gardens and receive a tasty reward; 11am- 4pm, £2.50 per trail.
16th March
Library tours of Gloucestershire Cathedral. Follow in the monks’ footsteps to discover their library. Explore the history of the Cathedral library and discover the medieval highlights of its historic collections.
16th March & 27th April
Owl Evening at Cotswold Falconry Centre. What makes an owl so special? This is your chance to get close to these beautiful creatures and learn more about them. See various owls free flying in the evening or night sky. Have the opportunity to hold a number of owls which presents a great photo opportunity. Walk into the ‘owl wood’ where breeding owls are found. Keep your eyes and ears open for the local wild owls.
30th – 31st March
Chase & Marshall from Paw Patrol at Cattle Country. Chase and Marshall from Paw Patrol will be visiting Cattle Country. They will be appearing together at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. Come and meet the mischievous characters… don’t forget your cameras!
1st – 30th April
In partnership with
Cotswold Wildlife Park - Calling all ‘CotsWild Explorers’ - The Cotswold Wildlife Park’s new ‘CotsWild Explorer’ activity trail launches in April for children aged 6-11 years old. The Egg themed trail pack (available from the gift shop) comes with a pop badge, lanyard and a pencil, for £2.50 per pack with 10% going to Penguin conservation. www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk Bradwell Grove, Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4JP 01993 823006
nationaltrust.org.uk/newark-park
5th – 28th April
Cracking Easter Fun at Birdland. As well as Easter trails, quizzes and daily egg-themed talks and shows, the Gloucestershire wildlife attraction is expecting some egg-stra special new arrivals in their hatchery. Birdland, Bourton-on-the Water, Glos. GL54 2BN. 01451 820480
7th April
Gallant Knights at Berkeley Castle. Gallant Knights fight it out at Berkeley Castle. Accomplished warriors and armour makers, Dressed to Kill, descend upon the Castle to impart their expert battling knowledge. Experience at first-hand how knights were trained in the 15th century and watch breath-taking sword fighting shows. Berkeley Castle, Berkeley, Glos. GL13 9BQ
6th - 27th April
Easter Holiday Specials @ Newbridge Farm Park. Join us for Lamb bottle feeding, holding chicks and bunnies, baby animals and some novelty edible delights too, throughout the Easter holidays! Saturday 6th- Saturday 27th April, closed Sundays. During Easter week, (closed Easter Sunday, 21st), children can join in with our Easter treasure hunt around the farm, and make Easter crafts to take home. No extra charges apply.
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What’s On
25th April
World Penguin Day at Birdland. Celebrate World Penguin Day in the company of England’s only breeding group of regal king penguins as well as a comical group of Humboldts. Birdland, Bourton-on-the Water, Glos. GL54 2BN. 01451 820480
27th – 28th April
Wartime in the Cotswolds at GWSR. Come and visit 2018’s nostalgic 1940s weekend at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. Transport yourself back to September 1940 and imagine you are waiting for a train at a small station on the Great Western Railway. Travel on a train between Cheltenham Race Course Station and Broadway on a beautiful heritage railway line, stopping to look at the exhibits and entertainment on offer at Gotherington, Winchcombe and Toddington stations. Gloucester Warwickshire Railway, The Railway, Toddington, Glos. GL54 5DT. 01242 621405
characters, all your favourite songs and a swashbuckling sensational story on the seven seas!
The Roses Theatre
Sun Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 5NX Box office; 01684 295074 Film listings
6th - 9th April. How To Train Your Dragon: Hidden World 6th – 10th April. The Lego Movie 2 12th – 24th April. Dumbo – the remake
For film times, please call the box office.
16th April
Dean Close School, Shelburne Road, Cheltenham, GL51 6HE 01242 258002 www.bacontheatre.co.uk
Beauty and the Beast. Belle (Kerry Katona) lives a quiet provincial life in the village of Ooh La La until her father accidentally stumbles across a terrifying Beast and she is taken captive. Now it is up to Fairy Enchante, the village idiot Wally and his mother Dame Dolly to pit their wits against the evil Enchantress and rescue Belle from the Beast… Prepare yourselves for another all-singing, all-dancing, laugh-a-minute ride through the fun and frolics of panto land - arriving Easter 2019.
16th March
20th April
THEATRE The Bacon Theatre
The Amazing Adventures of Pinocchio. A brand new, larger-than-life musical adaptation of the much loved classic, Pinocchio! Based on Carlo Collodi’s fantastical Childrens book.
30th March
Giselle. The Ultimate romantic ballet, Giselle is a tale of innocence, love, betrayal and madness. With music by one of the 19th century’s best composers, Adolphe Adam.
4th April
Horrible Histories: Brand New Barmy Britain. We all want to meet people for history, the trouble is everyone is dead! So its time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage with a brand new west end show that has never toured before.
15th April
The Amazing Bubble Man. Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences worldwide for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. An Edinburgh fringe favourite, he has sold out for the last 12 years!
The Everyman Theatre
7-10 Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HQ 01242 512515 www.everymantheatre.org.uk
1st – 6th April
Hair The Musical. Starring Dancing on Ice winner Jake Quickenden, Daisy Wood-Davis (Hollyoaks) and Marcus Collins. Winner of the 2018 WhatsOnStage Award, this exuberant 50th anniversary production of the legendary rock musical HAIR bursts into Cheltenham in full psychedelic glory.
8th – 13th April
Club Tropicana. From the producers of the hit UK tour of Hairspray. Take a trip to the electric 80s and embark on a summer of love and smash hit classics.
The Sooty Show. Izzy wizzy, let’s get busy! Join Sooty for his brand-new Laugh Out Loud Magic Show! Direct from their hit ITV series; Sooty, Sweep, Soo and TV’s Richard Cadell will amaze you with impossible tricks and sidesplitting jokes! Be astounded at Sooty’s flying car, Soo’s singing unicorn and Sweep’s levitating sausage! With special guests circus star Michael Jordan and the ultraviolet specialties of Fantasie de la Nuit. A spectacular treat for the whole family – including a chance to meet Richard and Sooty after the show! Suitable for ages 3+
Newbridge Farm Park will be bursting with fun this Spring! Join us for our Easter Holiday Specials to make your Easter holiday memorable, with lamb bottle feeding, a treasure hunt, Easter crafts, and lots of baby animals! Children of all ages enjoy the variety of play and animal contact that is offered at Newbridge: feeding animals, holding a rabbit and chick, having fun in our soft play areas, hay bale tunnels, rope swing, sandpits, zipwire, car track, trampolines, and more! Parents love our large, open play area, offering a safe play environment for children. Our family run farm park is a perfect day out with your family and friends! Our friendly animals, including alpacas, donkeys, rabbits, & goats, will be happy to greet you, and you can have a fast & bumpy tractor ride! Check our website for opening times, and for other events, such as Bouncing Bunnies Toddler Mornings. RE OPENS ON THE 6th April.
Reopens 6th April
The Stroud Subscription Rooms
Easter Holiday Specials
George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE. 01453 760900 www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk
Treasure Hunt*
10th April
Easter Crafts*
Treasure Island. Starring Callum Donelly (CBeebies, Spotbot and Justin’s House) and a host of stars from the world of children’s television, we are setting sail with a show perfect for children aged 3 and upwards. This Child friendly adaptation of ‘Treasure Island’ is a very funny, high energy, big, bold and bright show with crazy
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Baby Animals
www.NewbridgeFarmPark.com
Little Marcle, Nr Ledbury, HR8 2QG
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01531 670780
Families Gloucestershire
Only on 15th-23rd April . Closed Easter Sunday.
Lamb Bottle Feeding
Tweedy’s Illusion confusion at Stroud subscription Rooms Causing mayhem in a whirlwind of total madness, Tweedy is back with his brand-new show at Stroud Subscription Rooms. www.subscrptionrooms.org.uk 01453 760900
*
6th April
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6th – 18th April Easter Trail at Newark Park Get outdoors and follow the nature themed trail through the Newark Park gardens. 19th – 22nd April Cadbury Easter Hunt at Newark Park. Bring the family to Newark Park this Easter! Follow a nature themed trail through the Newark park gardens and earn yourself a tasty reward. The estate is perfect for a spring walk. Ozleworth, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7PZ 6th April The Eastington Egg Hunt. Join us on our themed egg hunt.A prize for each completed hunt. Lots more fun to be had on the day including a story corner, a cake stand, arts and crafts, hot food plus much more. Money raised will go towards vital learning equipment for Eastington Primary School and Eastington Playgroup. Starts Churchend, Stonehouse GL10 3SB 6th – 22nd April The Big Batsford Bunny Hunt! At Batsford Arboretum. The Easter Bunny’s helpers have escaped and are hopping around Batsford Arboretum – find them to win a prize! No need to book, just turn up and enjoy. Batsford, Moreton-in-Marsh, GL56 9AB 6th – 22nd April Eggsplore Easter at Gloucester Cathedral. Do you know what happened on the very first Easter Day? Come to your Cathedral this Eastertime and you can follow a trail around this amazing building and find out the answer for yourself. Bring your friends and family too! Gloucester Cathedral, College Green, Gloucester. GL1 2LX 13th – 22nd April Easter Egg Trail at Sudeley Castle and Gardens. It’s time for some Easter egg-citement at Sudeley Castle. Hunt for all of the Giant Easter Eggs that have appeared in the gardens for a chocolatey reward! Easter egg trail is included within admission. Winchcombe, Glos, GL54 5JD 15th – 23rd April Newbridge Farm Park Treasure Hunt. We have Lamb bottle feeding, easter crafts and that all important Treasure hunt! Little Marcle, Nr Ledbury, HR 2QG 01531 670780
19th April Easter Egg Hunt & Family fun Day at Glenfall House. Come and enjoy the family fun this Easter at GlenFall House! Easter Egg Hunt, BBQ, Music, Face painting, bouncy castle. Glenfall house, Mill Lane, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham. GL54 4EP 19th – 22nd April Easter Eggstavaganza at Berkeley Castle. Join the Easter hunt and don’t forget to collect your free treat, enter the magnificent Great Hall and sit captivated by Dragon Tales from the mystical dragon handlers. Berkeley, Glos, GL13 9BQ 20th April The Baby and Toddler Easter Egg Hunt @ 4KDZ play and fitness. Follow the paths with the Easter bunny & search for eggs. Unit 2&3 Cotswold Edge Business Park, Hempsted Lane, Glos, GL2 5WZ 20th April The Painswick Easter egg Hunt. You can expect a fun filled afternoon... our Egg Hunt starts and finishes in the beautiful St Mary’s churchyard, follow your maps which take you to each of our egg-stravagantly decorated eggs around the village where you will also find what you need to complete the children’s and adults’ quizzes. Amongst the trail we have bouncy castles, face painters to transform your little people into whatever they can dream up, yummy hot and cold local homemade food, drinks, raffle and tombola, bars, live music, teddy bear parachuting from the top of the church, and of course there will even be a visit from the Easter Bunny. 20th April The Slaughters Easter Egg Hunt. The Slaughter’s Country is hosting an adventurous children’s egg hunt over the Easter holidays, with a fun-filled afternoon exploring the beautiful spring gardens and lots of face painting! Keep the young and the young at heart entertained all day as you follow the clues around the garden, before finishing with a delicious chocolate treat! To book, please contact the events team: events@slaughtersinn.co.uk / 01451 822143.Lower Slaughter, GL54 2HS For additional information and updates on Easter Hunts taking place in Gloucestershire that are not listed above, please follow us on Facebook and twitter @familiesGlosMag.. Also let us know about an Easter Hunt near you!
19th April Cleeve Common Easter Trail. Come and explore Cleeve Common and earn yourself a treat. Cleeve Common, Bishops Cleeve, GL52 3PW
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