Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield Nov Dec 2012

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2012 ISSUE 12

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Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

Win a Christmas Treat Is your child left handed?

A new puppy

Tuition Plus

‘Helping students achieve their true potential’

Professional Tutoring Literacy & Numeracy for ages 5 to 11 First lesson free Harvest Fields Centre Sutton Coldfield B75 5TJ Tel: 07592 556 452

Email: info@tuition-plus.co.uk www.tuition-plus.co.uk

in Moseley & Bournville Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus Ages: 3-18

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

BALLET

SCHOOLS

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You can work part time, around your existing work or family commitments and there is no financial investment.

Find out how Carolyn’s children can always be her priority – working part-time hours to suit her family commitments – you too could change your life.

Contact Carolyn for a FREE information pack on

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08/10/2012, 10:06

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or every child who dreams about Father Christmas creeping down their chimney to fill their stockings with magical gifts on Christmas Eve, the chance to meet the man in person is too great an opportunity to pass up.

C

hildren of all ages will be enchanted as once again Warwickshire’s most magical Christmas grotto returns to Stratford’s Magic Alley in Henley Street.

One of the most popular Christmas experiences in the midlands. timed entry tickets are available as it can get very busy.

The Magic Alley Grotto is not suitable for pushchairs or those with limited mobility as it is spread over three floors in a medieval building with steep stairs and narrow passageways.

There is also a magical gift shop and cafe on site for those last minute gifts and a gingerbread latte!

Tickets are available from 0844 824 8600.

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Issue 12

Contents In this Issue...

4 News

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elcome to the festive issue of Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield. Read Sarah Butter’s downto-earth guide for a happy family Christmas that does not become a stress fest for mums.

And psst kids - Santa is coming to the West Midlands. It’s official. And we know where to find him - see our Where to find Santa guide for all the best places to meet him. You will find, too, details of some fab Christmas shows and activities, and you can even win a Christmas treat for all the family (see our back page).

But while we get ready for Christmas we are also asking readers to support a very worthwhile charity – Brain Tumour Research. More children and adults under 40 die from brain tumours than any other cancer, yet it receives less than 1 per cent of research funding. We are asking nurseries, schools, parents’ workplaces, children’s classes and mums’ groups to help change that by signing up for Wear a Hat Day 2013.

Read our guide to learning times tables, get some advice about supporting a left handed child, and catch up with the Red Cross campaign to help parents get to grips with basic first aid. Don’t forget your pets either – we have some advice on how to look after your new puppy or kitten.

Finally, we wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and the New Year you would wish for yourself.

Wendy Flynn , Editor

Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield Front page picture by photo artist Abby Wilkes.

Abby won the West Midlands Master Photographer Award for her work with children three years in a row.

She specialises in photographing children and families, creating art from life’s special moments.

Contact Abby for more information: 07966 867306. www.abbywilkes.com

Next Issue:

Advertisers: book now for our January/February 2013 issue.

Call 0758 352 6056 or e-mail editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk before Tuesday, December 4.

Design: www.MattWaltonDesign.co.uk Print: Warners Midlands PLC, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincs. PE10 9PH Copyright Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield, Nov 2012 We take care preparing this magazine but the publisher and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the contents nor its consequence.

6 Clubs and classes 8 A new puppy?

9 S.O.S. – First Aid 10 Power of play 12 St George’s School, Edgbaston 14 Is your child left handed?

4 9 14

16 Times Tables 18 Christmas 20 Where to find Santa 22 What’s On 24 Win a Christmas Treat

18 24

www.littlekickers.co.uk

Classes in Solihull, Knowle, Hockley Heath & Wythall Approved football training for kids aged 2 to 7 years

For a free trial class or information about our football parties please call

0121 744 9730

Where learning’s a ball rhiggs@littlekickers.co.uk

Issue 12

3

News

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Wear A Hat Day for Brain Tumour Research Sign up for Wear a Hat Day on March 28 and help fund the fight against brain tumours. Families magazines nationwide are supporting ‘Wear a Hat Day’ for Brain Tumour Research, and we are appealing to our million plus readers, schools and nurseries across the country to help too by signing up to wear a hat.

Sue Farrington-Smith, Director of Brain Tumour Research, explains why funds are so desperately needed. “Brain tumour research receives less than 1% of national cancer research spending in the UK yet this deadly disease kills more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer so please get involved on March 28, 2013”.

Fifty years ago fewer than 20 per cent of childhood leukaemia patients with the most common form of the disease lived more than 5 years – today almost 90 per cent do. That dramatic turnaround in survival rates could be possible with brain tumours, but it will only happen if money is raised for research.

Sue adds: “Wear a Hat Day is a fun way of increasing awareness and getting people raising money for an often overlooked form of cancer.

“It’s one day every year that we ask people to wear a hat to raise awareness and funds for vital research into brain tumours. A day when we encourage people to make donations in order to wear a hat to school, at work, at social events or even at home.

“From sponsored silences to charity runs and school bake sales, we are asking schools, nurseries, children’s play areas, and work places around the country to raise money in any way they can”.

Register your interest today. E-mail: sarah@braintumourresearch.org

Time is running out for the Dinosaurs Don’t miss your last chance to come face to face with a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Stegasaurus or a 3-horned Triceratops at the Herbert’s Dinosaurs Uncovered Exhibition. The show, which leaves in January, has been a big hit with children and families, attracting thousands of visitors since it opened in June. If you have not been yet, or would like a return visit, schedule it before January 6 when the children go back to school after the Christmas break.

The music of the Madhatter and Alice Dress up as your favourite character from Alice in Wonderland and join the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – a concert which conjures up the world of Alice in Wonderland.

The performance, aimed at introducing children to music, includes pieces by Berlioz and Mussorgsky which ‘make things shrink and become super-sized’ in their music.

Concert goers will also meet Alice and the Cheshire Cat in music by Debussy and Leroy Anderson. And who knows what time it is inside Symphony Hall? Curiouser and curiouser!

4 Issue 12

There is a free craft workshop and music in the foyer from 1.30pm and the concert starts at 3pm on November 18.

To book call: 0121 780 4949

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

News

Let your imagination go wild!

Friendly hedgehogs, shy badgers, cheeky squirrels, quizzical foxes … the RSPCA want schoolchildren to celebrate all that is wild about Britain, and to help them do so it has launched a short story competition.

Here’s the challenge. Can you captivate your reader with a tale of the wild in less than 500 words?

Put pen to paper or get tapping away on the computer keyboard, let your imagination go wild and come up with a story that will wow the judges.

There are two categories for story-tellers, under 11 and 12-16, and every story must feature an animal or animals.

Around 50 per cent of the 1.1 million phone calls to the RSPCA’s 24 hour cruelty and advice line concern wildlife, and the charity is working to make Britain’s wildlife valued, protected and celebrated.

To find out more about the rules of the competition log on to www.rspca.org.uk/wildaboutbritain

Christmas shows Wind in the Willows, James and the Giant Peach, Knick Knack and Doo Dad and the Gruffalo’s Child – there are some cracking Christmas shows for all the family this year (See page 24 for your chance to win family tickets) For panto you have the choice of Dick Whittington, Robinson Crusoe and Cinderella.

Or meet Cinderella, the ugly sisters, Fairy Godmother and the handsome Prince in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Christmas family show.

All children know the story of Cinderella and this colourful production will appeal to all ages. Students from Elmhurst School for Dance will be joining the professionals as they dance the roles of young Cinderella, the young Stepsisters (Skinny and Dumpy), and Cinder’s friends, the mice. For full details of all shows see our What’s On guide.

Issue 12

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Clubs and Classes

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Poised for life

Backaches, headaches, joint ache and muscular pains? Bad posture is often the culprit.

Good deportment might sound old-fashioned in this high tech age of computers and hand held gaming devices, but many computer-savvy children are storing up problems for the future, with poor posture, headaches, neck ache and back problems common even when they are young.

More than three quarters of parents surveyed in Birmingham were concerned about the impact computer use was having on their children’s health. That is why the Society of Alexander Technique teachers are focusing on children in their new Poised for Life campaign.

Angela East, of STAT, says: “The Alexander Technique is a great tool – it helps prevent bad habits, such as hunching and slouching, from creeping in and affecting children’s health.”

Arts Classes Holiday Clubs • Arty Parties Aldridge Rd, Great Barr

www.arts.alkhami.com Tel: 0121 244 8435

The Poised for Life campaign is not about stopping computer use but about making sure children (and adults) know how to maintain good posture and good health.

There are registered Alexander Technique teachers in Kings Heath, Harborne, central Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield. For contact details log on to www.stat.org.uk

Mambo Jambo Time With Strictly Come Dancing back on our screens again, children might TIM TANDLERlike DRUM SCHOOL to know that a new Salsa Dance 1-to-1 drum tuition, City Centre class has startedlocation up in Bearwood.

Rock School grades Ages 4 upwards.

Fiona1-8.

Williams is running Mambo Tel: 0121 503 5849–Salsa classes for Jambo Time www.timtandlerdrumschool.co.uk children aged 5-7 at St Gregory’s Hall on Saturday mornings. An hour’s lesson costs £3 and the first lesson is half price. Call Fiona on 07895 217 771to find out more.

MUSIC

Clubs & Classes

DIRECTORY To advertise here call 0758 352 6056

MUSIC MUSIC BIR

1-to-1 drum tuition, City Centre location M I N G H A M Rock School grades 1-8.

Ages 4 upwards.

Tel: 0121 503 5849 www.birminghamdrumschool.co.uk

DANCE & DRAMA

DUBARRIE SCHOOL OF DANCE Ballet, Tap and Jazz age 2 ½ + Branches in Yardley and Shirley Telephone: 0121 744 1422 www.dubarrieschoolofdance.co.uk

MASQUERADE MUSICAL THEATRE Youth Theatre Group, Age 6+ DANCE & DRAMA

Garretts Green Lane, Sheldon, B26 2SA

Telephone: 0121 722 3761 www.masquerademusicaltheatre.co.uk

6 Issue 12

Solihull Young Dancers Ballet and Tap Dancing Classes from age 2 ½ + Tel: Kate on 07722 732678

www.solihullyoungdancers.co.uk

SPOTLIGHT STAGE SCHOOL Dance/Drama/Singing/Gymnastics Exams, Shows & Competitions North Solihull. 0121-242-3904 www.spotlightstageschool.co.uk

Clubs and Classes

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Rock DJ Alkhami Arts Academy in Great Barr has started a Music Club for young people who want to learn how to digitally produce music and develop their skills as a DJ. The Thursday afternoon sessions at Aldridge Road are aimed at 9-15 year-olds and are run as a drop-in session between 4.30 and 6.30pm.

(Call 0121 244 8435 to find out more).

Arts and Craft The centre also run an Arts and Crafts drop-in session for ages 5-14 at 4.306.30pm on a Wednesday, where young people can meet various artists and learn new skills each week, including silk painting; mosaic, and drawing skills.

Young at Art Could you take a photograph with all the right ingredients to impress David Loftus, Jamie Oliver’s food photographer? His work has been described as “still works of art” where the food is just begging to be picked off the plate and eaten.

That is the challenge posed for children and young people in the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year competition.

The Young Photographers (aged 10 and under, 11-14 and 15-18) can submit any images taken of food – from a plate, in the field or in the street. The competition is free to enter and the closing date for entries is January 31, 2013. Register at www.pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com

Guitar, Bass, Drum Lessons 7-19 years Vocal lessons for over 11’s 2 Hour sessions including stage time.

CRB cleared Staff, great fun.

RockSchool grades.

Tel: 0845 226 3318 www.therockproject.com

Rugby-based, fun activity classes for kids aged 3 to 5 years old.

Classes in Birmingham and Solihull

07807 297 511

www.rugbymonkeys.co.uk

S Going potty A pottery club for 6-12 year olds is run at MAC, Cannon Hill Park, on Saturdays between 10am12pm. Children make houses, hills, people and palaces, mice and monsters, as they learn about different hand building techniques and creative and imaginative ways to decorate their pieces. Potter Kate Tilley also runs Family Pottery sessions for 6-12 year olds and their parents between 12.30 and 2.30pm.

ctrh a o c rts e a he e A g T a t

Stretch Your Child’s Imagination In Three Directions At Once The original, largest and still the best part-time performing arts schools in the world.

Nurturing and developing young peoples’ potential through dance, drama and singing.

Stagecoach Edgbaston Saturday classes at Edgbaston High School for Girls for children and young people aged 4 to 18

Call: 01926 651159 email: edgbaston@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/edgbaston

CE! AC

DAN SING!

T NOW!

Issue 12 7

Pets

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

A New puppy or kitten

H

aving a new puppy or kitten can be a very exciting, but daunting, time.

Everyone has advice to give and it’s difficult to decide who to listen to. Your best port of call is usually your own vet and their nursing staff. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

By Deborah Hope of 608 Vet practice

Cats and dogs The Supreme Cat Show, the Crufts of the Feline World, will be on at the NEC on November 24. Then it’s move over moggies, as the LKA Championship Dog show takes centre stage on December 15 and 16.

Having your puppy or kitten vaccinated is very important. But it’s not just an injection on this first trip. Vets cover many important subjects: what to feed; how to handle them; how to get them used to everything in the home and outside; when are they protected; where can they go; neutering; what to do about worms, fleas and mites; and now the emerging and dangerous issue of lungworm (in dogs), etc., etc. Getting their diet right is essential, especially for larger dog breeds. So many new things to learn, but vets have the team to help you.

Vaccination usually starts around 6-8 weeks for dogs and 9 weeks for cats, finishing around 10-12 weeks old, and then they can go out 1-3 weeks later. Your vet will give you very specific details for your own individual pet. Vaccination stimulates protection against, for example, parvovirus, distemper, leptospirosis and hepatitis in dogs; and flu, enteritis and the feline leukaemia virus in cats - all very dangerous diseases. Then don’t forget their annual boosters and health checks for the following years.

So once your puppy or kitten has settled in for a few days, remember to give your vet a ring and get all the good sound advice needed.

Look out for our 608 Early Care Vaccination Packages for Puppies and Kittens

We are passionate about giving you the best advice and most comprehensive start to your puppy and kitten’s life, all for the usual vaccination price.

On our First Vaccinations, your new pet will benefit from a full health check, advice on fleas, worms, diet, exercise, socialisation, neutering, grooming, keeping them healthy, and much more...

• We give you 4 weeks free insurance with Pet Plan.

• A month’s free wormer, flea and ear mite treatment.

• A month’s free protection against fox mange and potentially- fatal lungworm (puppies).

• A free Healthcare Advice Book, covering topics from puppy/kittenhood to old age.

• A free bag of Hills food for puppies or kittens.

Second Vaccinations go further, with more help and reassurance from our friendly nurses, plus 33% off our microchips.

Sign up to our extended 608 Early Care PLUS Packages or the 608 Pet Health Plan/Club for even better rates, on-going care and discounts for a full year. www.608 vet practice.co.uk Solihull: 0121 705 3044 Bentley Heath: 01564 774246 Acocks Green: 0121 706 1870 Sheldon: 0121 743 2890 8

Issue 12

Health

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

S.O.S - First Aid Your child is choking What do you do? on a sweet...

You are faced with an unconscious child who has tripped and fallen What do you do? on the stairs...

In both these scenarios your ability to stay calm and your knowledge of first aid could make all the difference to the outcome for your child. But how many of us parents are first aid trained, and how many faced with these situations would react in a blind panic?

Almost all parents believe they should have basic first aid knowledge, but two thirds of us admit we fall short and worry we would get it wrong.

A survey of 2,000 parents undertaken by Bounty found that our main fears were choking, treating an unconscious baby, or meningitis, but despite this many struggle to find the time to learn how to treat these cases.

British Red Cross is now throwing down the gauntlet to parents in a nationwide campaign to make sure they are better equipped to deal with an emergency.

As children grow and explore they will inevitably have some kind of accident, be it big or small, so it is a good idea to be prepared.

Registered charity:1093411

Jo Mulligan from British Red Cross says: “We’re asking parents to set themselves this challenge – learn something no matter how much time you have. Even 15 minutes is enough to learn something that could make all the difference.”

If you log on to www.redcross.org.uk from today you will find free videos, emergency advice, and information on first aid courses around the UK. Signing up for the challenge is free and you will get information on how to deal with day-to-day mishaps. You can also invest (£10.99) for a hard copy of a new first aid manual focused on babies and children.

WEAR A HAT DAY Thursday 28 th March

2013 NOW OPEN

Nursery Caters for children aged between 3 months and 5 years Fully Ofsted registered and working in line with the new E.Y.F.S Half and full day sessions available Children will have access to the Mega Pod play structure Our music and sensory Room Outside nature area for planting and bug hunts Holiday Club available throughout school holidays for 5-12 year olds.

OPENING OFFER

Book and start before Christmas 2012 and pay no booking deposit - ALSO, New revised nursery fees For more details please call 0121 745 9604 email: info@playpoddaynurseryltd.co.uk www.playpoddaynurseryltd.co.uk Rear of 208 Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 3AG (behind Shipways Estate Agents)

REGISTER NOW | Tel: 01296 733011

www.braintumourresearch.org Issue 12

9

Parenting

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

The Power of Play

A

s adults we generally don’t take much notice of what children are doing when they are playing. In fact we may just be grateful for those moments when our children are occupied in playing and there is finally some respite from demands on our attention.

But if we do stop to watch our children playing, we see that it’s not ‘just playing’ – there is something magical, spontaneous, uninhibited, creative and rejuvenating happening. As Plato, the Ancient Greek Philosopher, said “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation”. Play is the ‘window’ into a child’s world.

Play is a child’s natural, spontaneous way to explore the world and express themselves. It has long been recognised by educators and psychologists as vital to children’s development, helping them to grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. Free play (unstructured) in particular, provides opportunities for children to play out and rehearse roles and feelings, try out new ideas, practice facing challenges, rethink experiences and work out solutions.

Play also has the power to heal, especially when children have problems that are disrupting their lives and those around them. Children’s thoughts and emotions naturally come to the surface during play and it is a good way for

We can provide a complete and professional service that meets all your nannying and childcare needs: - Day nannies - Live-in nannies - Night nannies - Maternity nurses - Breast-feeding support - Babysitters - Before and after school care - Corporate and event nanny services

Simply call us on 08000 194518 or go to www.sallysnannies.co.uk 10 Issue 12

Shani Blumenfield

children to find solutions to problems.

It’s generally easier for children to make positive changes when they are playing and playing allows children to express feelings and anxieties that may be difficult to put into words.

Playful families Whilst play comes so naturally to children, as adults we have often lost the ability to play and joining children in their play doesn’t feel ‘comfortable’ as it requires putting aside our familiar ‘adult’ roles, letting go of our authority and realism for a while, and risking appearing (to the adult world only), silly.

But research clearly shows that playing with our children has enormous benefits. It allows family members to relax and laugh together, we can change roles, bend the rules a bit, and go where the fun takes us. And kids just love it when parents step out of parental mode and join them as equals in play. Crucially, playing together can also bring parents and children closer and help to build warm and lasting relationships. Adults and children alike develop skills in talking and hearing each other; children gain a sense of security, selfconfidence and a view of themselves as effective in the world; and it can even facilitate talking about problems through diversion and relaxation.

Parenting

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

You don’t need any specialist skills or equipment to join your child’s play. Just give your undivided attention, watch and listen, comment occasionally on what you see and if you want to get involved allow your child to ‘direct’ you like a film director would an actor. Resist the temptation to teach, criticise/praise or guide the play (unless for safety reasons) as this will help your child express themselves without the anxiety of failure or judgement. And don’t worry – letting your child take charge in their play for a while isn’t going to turn them into ‘bossy’ children. It needn’t be time-consuming either- just ten minutes a day of joint play will give your children the message that you are interested in them, that they are valuable and will help to strengthen your relationship.

Play Therapy All children encounter challenges in their life and most children manage to weather these emotional storms with the support of parents, carers, friends and family. However sometimes children experience problems with their feelings or behaviours that are harder to work out even with the support of those around them, and they may need additional help. Play Therapy is an effective way of helping children to work through muddled feelings or upsetting events that they haven’t had the chance to sort out properly and that are disrupting their lives or the lives of those around them. Rather than having to talk about what is troubling them - as an adult might do in a counselling session - in Play Therapy children use play and expressive activities to communicate deeper feelings or worries that may be hard for them to put into words.

Parents and carers may seek extra support from a Play Therapist when their child seems unduly sad, disruptive, rebellious, unable to cope or inattentive or when parents are concerned about their child’s development, eating or sleeping patterns and how they are getting along with family, friends or at school. Play Therapy can help children affected by a variety of difficult life experiences, such as low self-esteem; separation issues; loss or bereavement; bullying or school-related issues; family changes or breakdown; domestic violence; abuse or traumatic experiences; issues relating to disability/ illness (of the child 2008|2009 29008|2009 002|8002 or family members).

Play Therapy not only helps children make sense of difficult feelings or experiences but also to feel better about themselves, get on better with friends and family and find healthier ways of coping with the challenges life inevitably brings. Play Therapists can also work with children and their parents together.

Shani Blumenfeld is a registered Play Therapist.

Tel: 07812 089 760

Day Nursery Schools Quality Pre-School Education and Care • Ages 3 months to 5 years • Small group sizes • Open 8.00am to 6.00pm • Mature qualified staff • Home cooked meals • Ofsted approved 106 Wake Green Road Moseley, B13 9PZ. Tel: 0121-449-3673

• CCTV and Door-entry security • Grant Funding processed • Teachers specializing in Music, Dance & French (subject to availability) 19 Woodland Road, Northfield, B31 2HU. Tel: 0121-475-8416

Grasshoppers Day Nurseries

Loving, caring and quality childcare in homely settings

Erdington - 0121 384 8096 Edgbaston - 0121 455 6026 Open 7.00am – 6.15pm Harborne - 0121 427 5040 Open 7.30am – 6.15pm

Child first day nursery

RUSSELL NURSERY SCHOOL

Children aged from 3 months to 5 years.

Ofsted Outstanding

• Qualified friendly staff.

• Daily home cooking.

• Interactive Whiteboard/Table.

• CCTV cameras in every room.

• Free Grant places available for 3+

Tel: 0121 777 4902

130 Russell Rd, Hall Green, B’ham B28 8SQ

Other sites

621 Fox Hollies Road, Hall Green, Birmingham.

B28 9DW Tel: 0121 777 3778

Small World Nursery, 975 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 8BG Tel: 0121 693 3071

Childcare and a whole lot more

Drop in anytime and see – 3 months to 5 years 0121 788 8148 • solihull@childfirst.co.uk www.childfirst.co.uk • Cooks Lane B37 6NZ Issue 12

11

www.sgse.co.uk Parties

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

THE TR PROSPEC T

he whining school-boy creeping like a snail unwillingly to school is clearly a thing of the past at St George’s Edgbaston. As a visitor I was hit by the pupils’ morning gusto as they poured in from all over the West Midlands.

Some carried school bags, some the remnants of breakfast - most had a smile. Seventeen year olds, whose maturity I mistook for younger members of staff, mingled happily with ten year olds as each made their way to their respective areas of the school.

Two members of staff stood in the upper school hall greeting everyone, including parents ‘dropping off’ or ‘popping in for a chat’. Conversation covered last night’s TV programme on global warming to the need to print Physics’ homework. Three teenage girls openly admired a teacher’s new watch. Amidst this throng a portly, convivial Irishman wove his way through the mêlée, addressing individuals as ‘my friend’, teasing and enquiring after family members; in response, pupils crowded round him, seemingly eager to share a chat or a laugh. Sir Robert Dowling, the Headmaster, described without a hint of disrespect by one sixteen year old as ‘a cool geezer’, had arrived and was busy dispensing advice to all. His energy matched that within the school – nothing or no one was over-looked, a tribute to the school’s ‘open-door’ policy.

And so the day unfolded. Pupils vanished to their vertical tutor groups, a mixture of Years 7 to 11 but never more than 12 to a group which means we can’t get away with things. It also means close pupil integration and support.

Assembly, commiserations to the U13 Football team who lost and three cheers for the netball team who won and a reminder to be the ‘best you can be’ was over in a flash and the business of teaching begun.

With less than twenty pupils in each class and a close working relationship with the teacher, academic success is expected and achieved, helping fill top universities, a remarkable achievement given the school’s non-selective nature in a city of selection – Cambridge, Durham, King’s London and Manchester were just some of the 2012 destinations, medicine, Viking History, and creative writing just some of the chosen subjects. Girls and boys do equally as well.

An assistant teacher and ex-pupil told me quietly, ‘I wanted to give something back before going to LAMDA next year. St George’s lets you be who you want to be. I owe it.’ A GCSE pupil waiting to pick the brains of the Head of Maths added, ‘The teachers teach us more than we need to know for an exam. We learn for life.’ The diversity of the Wednesday afternoon activities programme, including ‘Duke of Edinburgh’, dog training, kayaking and eco-farms appeared to support his claim as did the enthusiastic singing in the school hall.

‘We’re rehearsing for One Night Only, a tribute to our military heroes.’ Notices hailed further school verve - support for Acorn’s Children’s Hospice with £3,000 raised by reading all 7,000 books in the upper school library, a visit by young offenders for Year 10s, a theatre trip to the RSC in Stratford and involvement in the Auschwitz project run by the Holocaust educational trust.

A Year 7, fresh from the Lower School to where I next headed, regaled me with a breathless edition of his week’s highlights (so far). ‘I’ve done squash AND fencing AND photo IT. 12 Issue 12

St George’sParties School

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

RAVELS OF A CTIVE PARENT

We’re doing a competition called Lines Aloud. I’m reciting a poem by Spike Milligan. Everyone from Year 3 to 10 takes part. The older ones make a speech. Do you know what ‘ignominious’ means? Have you visited the Den? (a quiet refuge in the process of undergoing some interior design by Year 8 and 9) This is the Sixth Form Centre – I know lots of them – they hear us read and the whole school ate cakes in here last week for charity.’ His enthusiasm was infectious; he had only been in the upper school for five weeks and he felt he belonged. This attitude was endorsed by many sixth formers who, post GCSE, had eschewed places at the city’s prestigious schools in preference for proven, personal teacher input. ‘I talk to all the teachers, even the ones who don’t teach me.’

The lower school was equally as uplifting, a strong sense of family prevailing and clearly strengthened by frequent interaction with the upper school. Confident pupils competed to share with me the excitement of their learning, Montessori methods in the younger years jostling with the more traditional. A Year 4 lesson on understanding number patterns was linked to their forthcoming harvest festival whilst Year 6 familiarised themselves with the language of A Midsummer Night’s An individual approach to education Dream. I was assured by a six year old that, ‘We do quarrel.

But then we’re helped to unquarrel!’

The newly opened nursery was perhaps the symbolic Edgbaston jewel in St George’s ever growing crown. Spacious, light filled rooms and enclosed outside play areas were a fitting St George’s School, Edgbaston, understands the importance start for what is clearly an energetic and rewarding school of an excellent education in the life and development of life. Open 51 weeks of the year and providing care from children. Our students are treated as individuals, allowing early until late, it offers parents physical and emotional each to maximise their own potential. security for their children, a model that could be a feature Fully co-educational independent day school - a caring and for many years to come. friendly community for children from 4 months to18 years.

I left heartened by this school’s remarkable pupils and its remarkable staff. My only complaint – as a parent I’m too old to enrol myself!

St George’s School

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Issue 12 13

Education

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Supporting your left hande

O

ne in ten children are left handed, but Messy handwriting If you have a child who is left handed, chances are they haven’t been many fail to get the support they need in taught to write. Most are simply allowed to use their left hand. As the the early years of their education. Experts right handed parent of a left handed child I admit to having that same say teachers aren’t given the proper training attitude. I now know that I was completely wrong.

Left handers push the pen across the page, whereas their right and schools don’t have the right resources.

Sarah Butters is mum to a left handed daughter. handed friends will pull. This can lead to smudging and untidy work which in turn leads to anxiety on the part of the child. At an early She takes a look at some of the most common stage a left handed child should be encouraged to master the correct problems faced by left handers and some tips for handwriting position and paper placement to avoid problems as the writing assignments increase. helping them out.

The paper should be rotated to 45 degrees with the hand and wrist below the writing. Any pen needs to be held in a strong 3 point grip. In Early Years this can be supported with a triangular bodied pencil or a moulded grip around a regular pencil. If your child can get into good habits from the start of their school life, they will avoid problems when they graduate to a fountain pen and longer writing assignments.

Hook grip

Some left handers use a hooked grip to avoid the problem of smudging, and angle the pen in the same way a right hander would.

This causes more problems than it solves. The hook grip becomes more uncomfortable the more you write. It leads to an over-tight grip and aching hands which in turn lead to messy handwriting. The wrist should always be below the writing line. If your child is developing a hook grip, consider introducing a sloped surface to resolve the problem.

Elbow collision

At some point your child will have to share a desk and if they’re left handed this can be a problem. “I always end up banging elbows” explains my 9 year old daughter. “That makes my writing messy.” Your child should always be placed at the left hand side of a shared desk or next to another left hander. This gives them plenty of space to get their paper positioned correctly and avoid knocking elbows with a right handed neighbour.

White boards

They’re a teacher’s best friend but a left hander’s worst nightmare.

White boards and chalk boards are a great learning tool in the modern classroom - pupils can get rid of mistakes easily without using endless pieces of paper. However, if you’re left handed you can end up erasing as you write. Good grip and placement of the board gives left handers half a chance. However if your child isn’t completing white board work quickly or neatly enough, it may not be their fault.

Mirror writing

I remember being hugely concerned when I discovered that my daughter had completed a Reception assignment using mirror writing. She had begun her words on the right hand side of the page and written from right to left. It’s common in left handed children and when you think about it, it makes sense. If they are sat next to a right hander, they are simply mirroring their work. Encourage them to start on the left hand side of the page by placing a coloured star in the margin as a reminder.

14 Issue 12

Education

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

ed child Computers

Most ICT rooms are set up with the computer mice on the right hand side of the keyboard. This gives left handed children an automatic disadvantage because they either need to move the mouse or attempt to use their right hand. Don’t presume the teacher knows your child is left handed. Be sure to let all the staff involved with your child know they’re a left hander and will need a different workstation set up.

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The ‘right’ equipment

Many left handed children learn the basics with the wrong equipment.

Give a left handed child some right handed scissors and they’ll find the blade is upside down and so they can’t see the line they are cutting.

It means the child has less control and think of themselves as messy.

This can be a real problem in the Early Years. Check your school has left handed scissors to offer your child. Ambidextrous scissors don’t exist – trust me!

As they progress to writing, shiny barreled pens are to be avoided. Make sure whatever pen you choose has a good grip so it’s easy to hold even when hands get hot and tired. Left handed fountain pens are available from www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk. They’re worth the investment for older children as they have an angled nib.

Lack of understanding

As a right hander, I never appreciated the challenges faced by my daughter. Until she mastered left handed writing, she was labeled untidy in her written work and lost enthusiasm for putting pen to paper. It wasn’t until I began researching this piece that I realised how much of her attitude is linked to the hand she writes with. The bad news is she’s had a more challenging time than her right handed pals. The good news is she’s in good company. Barack Obama, Leonardo Da Vinci and Bill Gates are all lefties. Now that’s not a bad club to be in!

You can make a difference

Keith Milsom campaigns for better support for left handed children in our schools and offers some advice about what to expect from your child’s school. “Despite decades of campaigning and a string of promises from government ministers and teacher training authorities, there is still virtually no guidance provided to teachers on helping left handed children and no process for identifiying left handers in schools.

Make sure you talk to your child’s teacher to make sure they know that he/she is left-handed and may need assistance and advice. Ask your child’s teacher to talk YOU through the support they’re going to give so you can be sure they really understand. If you’re concerned, refer them to the teacher guidance sheets available from www.anythingleft-handed. co.uk. The school should have left handed scissors available and pens that will help left handers write in the correct style.

If children are left to their own devices it is very unlikely they will find writing and cutting out easy. Apart from the practical difficulties this can mean they are working more slowly than the rest of the class and lose confidence - especially if the teacher tells them off for “not doing it right�.

Left handers can end up underperforming at school and having difficulty with written exams as a result of a lack of informed guidance at an early stage. It’s important parents keep the pressure on schools to support their left handed children.�

USEFUL RESOURCES www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk has some great left handed guidance sheets for parents and teachers.

It’s also a super source of left handed equipment. www.lefthandedchildren.org is another great website with some top tips for parents.

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0121 733 6558 www.ksol.co.uk Issue 12

 15 

Education

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Learning the times tables – i

B

y Gove – it must be done! Children are now expected to master their times tables up to 12x12 by the age of nine. Tedious indeed but as times tables are the foundation for so much maths work, getting to grips with them early should help raise standards. Finding a pain-free method of learning tables is not always easy, but if you can make it fun with these tips and techniques from Elizabeth Doulton, your child could forge ahead and feel more confident with number work.

Start with explaining the concept

If your child understands that multiplication is repeated addition, they will have an easier time learning times tables. Using objects such as crayons, illustrate a simple times table such as 3 x 2. Make two groups of three crayons, then count the crayons. Continue until they understand that multiplication is just adding a series of numbers, 6 x 4 means 6 added together 4 times (6 + 6 + 6 + 6). Create a number line from 0 to 100. Show them the pattern to working out each multiple, i.e. the three times table answers are every third number.

End by encouraging them to write out the times tables on paper, using addition, up to 12.

Show them the tricks of the trade

Now they need to start learning the facts, rather than by counting.

Learn the tricks of the trade first, e.g. any number times by 10 is the number with a zero on the end, e.g. 10 x 5 = 50. They are all listed on www.mathsisfun.com/tables.html

Further ways to help them memorise

Your aim now is to recite memorised facts quickly and in any order. If your child is a visual learner, purchase or make flashcards. Write the problem, like 4 x 9, on the front, and the answer, 36, on the back. Buy or create a times table poster and display key facts.

Times tables raps and music CDs are great for an auditory learner.

Chant the times tables as multiples 0, 5, 10, 15, etc. and also as sentences 1×5=5, 2×5=10, etc. Say difficult times tables in a funny voice, a squeak or a whisper. Use helpful rhymes to remember really tricky ones, e.g. 8 x 8 = 64 becomes “He ate and he ate and he sticks in the door, eight times eight is sixty-four”.

For a kinaesthetic approach, add actions. Children can clap, stamp or jump on the difficult fact. Play ‘Knock, Knock’ –knock your fists twice on the floor, then put out the number of fingers of a times tables. The winner is the first to say the answer.

16 Issue 12

Education

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

it must be done Games to reinforce the multiplication facts

After your child has a basic knowledge of the tables, games will help instil the recollection of correct facts quickly. Multiplication Bingo, Hoo Ha!, Know Your Times Tables and Math Whiz are great board games. There are a whole host of multiplication computer games – multiplication.com, Learn-timestables.com, themathsfactor. com, mathsisfun.com, maths-games.org, and computer apps such as Squeebles, Ghost Blasters, Multiple Wipeout. Another idea is to print off worksheets from Multiplication.com or Enchanted Learning, math. about.com

Keep it fun

Hallelujah! Your continued energy and enthusiasm is very important – go at their pace and always praise their efforts. Aim to reward your children with every bit of progress made; it doesn’t have to be

material things, just a bit of fun together. Take breaks often, relax, give lots of ‘high fives’, and real compliments.

And keep it up!

After memorising times tables, it can be all too easy to forget them!

Don’t give up too soon. It can take six or seven weeks until the facts are truly automatic. Practice quick-fire drilling. There are numbers everywhere, so multiply the digits in number plates or in recipes. Print out a times table square and keep a record of the tables your child knows well, so you know which ones you need to focus on.

Whichever method you choose, there is never a truly pain-free answer because real fluency requires real practice over weeks and months.

That said, it is important for your child to have a secure knowledge of the times tables with instant recall - their future maths skills depend on it. So take the challenge, make it happen, and enjoy it!

Give a Gift

Acorns Children’s Hospice has some festive gift ideas this December which celebrate the true spirit of Christmas. They are perfect for teachers (who must go home each year laden down with countless boxes of chocolates!); for the hard-to-buy-for relative who seems to ‘have it all’; or indeed, for a child who likes to think of others.

The Acorns Give a Gift range (priced from £3-£90) includes: giving a child the gift of a Christmas storytime with an Acorns’ specialist carer; a Christmas party at the hospice; or a Christmas cards Arts and Craft session. Look online at www.acorns.org.uk/giveagift. Once purchased, you will be sent a token with details of your gift, a card with space for a personal message and an envelope to forward your gift on to your recipient.

What age should your child start school?

Clarification

In our last issue we included an article looking at school starting ages in relation to children whose birthdays fall later in the school year. While a child does not legally have to start school until the term after their fifth birthday, a reader has pointed out that delaying a child starting school means they risk missing out on a place at their chosen school. This could indeed be the case. Birmingham School

Admissions Service say that a child who turns five in the summer term and delays starting school until the following September would have to apply for a school place in year one with their age group, rather than apply for a place in reception. Solihull School Admissions say it can be possible to defer a child’s place for up to a term but this has to be negotiated with the school, and a child must join their age cohort on starting school. Please check with your relevant local authority if you have any queries relating to delayed school admissions.

Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to improve your child’s skills, develop their confidence and inspire a passion for learning.

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Improve your child’s study skills 0800 854 714 kumon.co.uk Issue 12 17

Lifestyle

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Make it a happy family Christm Sarah Butters talks you through the do’s and don’ts Don’t expect it to be perfect

Like it or not, your Christmas will not be perfect. You will over-cook the turkey, under-cook the pudding and end up sobbing into a huge glass of Sauvignon Blanc because your mother-in-law has criticised your gravy. But because you’ve put so much time and effort into hosting the perfect Christmas, the disappointment at the odd hiccup is overwhelming. Start the festive period accepting you’re not Nigella and it won’t be perfect and you’ll enjoy the parts that go well.

Do try and relax

By the time Christmas Day arrives, most of us are exhausted. You’ve probably spent the weeks prior to the big day panic shopping, baking everything that Jamie suggested in his Christmas special and ferrying the family from one festive event to the next. Earmark some time for you. It’s supposed to be a holiday!

Do make your own traditions

Every family has it’s own way of celebrating. Now you have your own children it’s time for you to make your own traditions. Whether it’s a trip to the local crib service on Christmas Eve, or a day of Christmas baking on the Sunday before the festivities begin, it’s up to YOU to create your traditions. A great idea I’ve taken from a friend is the Christmas Eve hamper. This is a basket, left by one of Santa’s helpers filled with goodies to enjoy on the night before Christmas. In it are festive pyjamas for the children, new tooth brushes, a mug to make hot chocolate and a DVD for the family to watch. It’s the perfect kit to help kick start Christmas.

18 Issue 12

Do get out and about

You are not under house arrest over the festive period. We shouldn’t be surprised that if you fill your home with relatives you rarely see and then lock the door, there will be arguments. Add some wine and the results are anything but festive. Don’t be afraid of getting wrapped up and heading out for a bracing walk. It will clear the house and let the little ones run off some steam.

Don’t expect your children to be angels

They’ve broken up from school about to burst with excitement about the arrival of Santa. You’ve been using the ‘if you’re not good, Santa won’t come’ since Easter and then the presents are opened and your little angels turn into little devils. Rules and routine are thrown out of the window so relatives can be entertained and trips can be taken.

Combine that with too many treats and lots of attention from well meaning visitors and the magic of Christmas can disappear pretty quickly. Try not to let all discipline go out of the window and if you sense that there’s a tantrum on the way, remove your child from the mayhem. During your time out, remind them that Santa can take gifts back from children who don’t behave!

Do give out jobs

A resentful host is not a happy host so when you do your preChristmas shopping list, make sure you also write a list of jobs you’ll need doing on the big day. If you know your mother-in-law has a view about your Yorkshire Puddings, set her to work making some better ones. Remember, a busy cook is often a quiet cook!

Lifestyle

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

mas - not a stress fest Don’t waste money

Let’s face it, this is going to be a tough year for all of us. We want to give our children everything on their list, but won’t be able to. Most of us will be celebrating making it to the 25th of December with a job and a roof over our heads. However, you can still enjoy the festivities while being frugal. Swap traditional cards for an e-mail including a festive photo, organise a secret Santa for adult family members with a spending limit, or simply suggest that you only buy for the family’s children. Keep reminding yourself that it’s not about the money you spend on each other, it’s about the time you spend with each other.

Do enjoy the preparation

If you’re not careful, baking the cake, decorating the house and dressing the tree can begin to feel like a chore. Don’t let it become hard work. Give yourself the time to enjoy it and accept that with a little help from your little ones you can create some lovely Christmas memories.

Ok, you won’t have a cake fit for Delia. There’ll be precious few needles left on the tree and your house will resemble the aftermath of a children’s birthday party. But despite the imperfections you’ll have happy children and you won’t have spent a penny. Now that’s a happy Christmas.

Don’t stress about the presents

So you haven’t been able to find the latest Transformer or bag a Buzz Lightyear doll. Before you beat yourself up ask yourself this: do you remember the presents you didn’t get when you were a child? Or do you remember the experiences you had? My Christmas memories are preparing lunch with my wonderful Nana and attempting to wake my King Charles Cavalier after he’d drunk the best part of a bottle of Blue Nun. Your kids will remember the laughter and the love and when you wake up in January, Make so will you. and Create Happy Christmas!

Money

Space

* Organise and reduce childrens’ toys and clothes * Sort rooms, clearout cupboards or organise paperwork * Arrange sale of surplus items to make you money * Dispose of unwanted items in an enviromentally friendly way

Do laugh!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Resell

Forget the stress of present buying and preparing a feast fit for royalty and take a minute to laugh. Remember, when you strip away all the tinsel and tat this is about preparing one meal, on one day with decorations and a gift or two.

Alison Watts Tel: 07752243341 Email - alison@declutteryourhome.vpweb.co.uk www.declutteryourhome.vpweb.co.uk

And if you’re finding smiling hard, try using our favourite Christmas Cracker joke to cheer you up.

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Issue 12 19

Here comes Santa

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Where to find Santa

P

sst kids … Santa is coming to the West Midlands and here is where you can track him down.

Santa on Safari

The Knight Before Christmas

Santa will be down on the farm this year in the run up to Christmas Venue: Umberslade Farm Park, Butts Lane, B94 5AE Date: From Nov 26-Dec 24 Time: 10am-3pm weekdays and 11am-3pm weekends Tickets: £3 to visit Santa and usual entry to farm

Visit Santa at Thomasland at Drayton Manor. Festive music, snow 3 times a day, children’s rides and attractions. Christmas show and cinema experience.

Venue: Drayton Manor, Tamworth, B78 3TW Date: From 16 Nov-Jan 6. Fri-Mon only until Dec 20.

Then every day from Dec 27-Jan 6.

Time: Thomasland Park opens 11am. Rides from noon.

Tickets online: £15 adults; £10 children 4-11 and under 4 free.

To Book: www.draytonmanor.co.uk

Santa in Magic Alley

Santa arrives early at Magic Alley at the Creaky Cauldron in Stratford on Avon and is there until Christmas Eve. From Boxing Day meet up with famous Christmas Grump Ebeneezer Scrooge who takes up residence for a week. Bah humbug!

Venue: Creaky Cauldron, Henley Street, Stratford on Avon, CV37 6QW Date: Nov 17-Dec 23 for Father Christmas; and Dec 27-31 for Scrooge Tickets: £6 adults; Concessions £4 and up to 2 children under 5 go free with paying adult. Family of 4 £12.

To Book: 0844 824 8600. Booking strongly advised for weekends and in the run up to Christmas.

House of Fraser

Victorian village street where you can browse for pocket money toys on way to see Santa in his Grotto Date: From mid November Tickets: Price to be confirmed.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland

Real snow, real reindeer and festive fun as Santa returns to the Snowdome. Play and slide in real snow, hitch a ride on the sleigh, say hello to the Reindeer and enjoy a Santa show.

Venue: Snowdome, Leisure Island, River Drive, Tamworth, B79 7ND Date: Nov 23-Dec 31 Tickets: £12.95-£16.95 To Book: 08448 0000011.

Or for midweek deals for school and nursery groups phone 01827 308410.

An artful way to visit Father Christmas

Drop in to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery to meet Father Christmas in his grotto Venue: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square, B3 3DH Dates: Nov 24 and 25; and all weekends in Dec to Dec 23 , Time: Sat 11am-4pm; Sun 12.30pm-4.30pm Tickets: £3 per child, accompanying adults are free. The ticket price includes a small gift and you are welcome to take photographs.

Santa at Cadbury World

Children can visit Santa at Cadbury World and receive a small free gift, enjoy Christmas entertainment and the chance to watch a special 30 minute pantomime production of Aladdin.

Dates: weekends from Nov 24 to Dec 23 Prices: Standard rates for entry to Cadbury World and no additional charge Santa. Pre-booking is strongly advised.

Santa’s Toyshop

20 Issue 12

Visit Santa at Hatton World, get a golden key to open his toy store and choose a gift from the shelf. See his reindeer, write a letter at the Elf house, listen to traditional Christmas stories with live animals.

Venue: Hatton Farm Village, Dark Lane, Hatton, CV35 8XA Date: Nov 24 and 25; weekends in December and then daily from Dec 15-24 Tickets: £11.95 child; Adult £7.95

Meet Santa, his reindeer and his elves on safari at West Midlands Safari Park. Climb on board a sleigh. See a pride of white lions and visit the penguins.

Venue: West Midlands Safari Park, Bewdley, DY12 1LF Date: Nov 24 - Dec24 Tickets: Adult £12.99; ages 1-15 £14.99; under 1 £7.50

Santa on the Farm

Breakfast with Santa

Meet Father Christmas over breakfast or lunch at Plantasia and Mazeworld Venue: Dobbies Garden World, Nr Atherstone, CV9 1RF Date: From Nov 26 For more information call: 01827 713438

Magical Christmas Adventure at Beckett Farm Take a trip to Santa’s magical wonderland, go carol singing with Rudolph and the Christmas elves and enjoy storytelling from Santa and Mrs Claus.

Venue: Becketts Farm, Wythall, B47 6AJ Date: Weekends from Dec 1-23 and Christmas Eve Time: Timed sessions from 10am – 5pm Tickets: Child: £15: Adults: £5: Family tickets available To Book: Book online at www.beckettsfarm.co.uk for a 20% discount

Santa Special

Visit Santa by boat on a magical illuminated journey to his underground Grotto at Dudley Caverns. Carols, hot drinks, mince pies and entertainment.

Venue: Dudley Canals Date: Weekends from Dec 8-23 Time: 10am-5pm. Trips last one hour Tickets: £9.99. Advance booking recommended.

To Book: 0121 557 6265

Father Christmas at Nature Reserve

At the time of going to print a Santa Grotto at the Nature Reserve was still to be confirmed. To find out if this event is taking place this year, call 0121 472 7775, or 0121 472 7775.

Christmas Winter Wonderland

Santa’s Elf leads you though an enchanted, fairy-light illuminated forest when you arrive. Take a magical train journey through tunnel of discovery, to see Santa in his Grotto, meet reindeers. Balloon modellers, street entertainment, and roasted chestnuts. Watch festive films at the Gallery coffee shop.

Venue: Waterside Winter Wonderland, Conkers, Rawden Road, Swadlincote, DE12 6GA Dates: Weekends from Dec 1 and then daily from Dec 19-24 Time: 11.30am-7pm Cost: £8.95 includes gift from Santa for children and mulled wine and mince pies for adults. Family of 4 £29.95. For an additional £2 you can also explore Conkers adventure park.

To Book: 01283 216633

Santa Hunt

A fun-filled search for Santa with costumed guides and Christmas clues pointing the way to his workshop and a surprise gift.

Venue: Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Way, Dudley, DY1 4SQ Date: Weekends from Dec 1, and then daily from Dec 19-24 Time: 10am-5pm Tickets: £14.95 adult; child £8.00 and under 3 £6.00.

To Book: must be pre-booked, Call 0121 520 8054

Magical Winter Wonderland

Have a magical Christmas at Dudley Zoo where you can visit Santa in his Jack and the Beanstalk-themed Grotto in 11th century Dudley Castle, go on a magical train ride, receive a gift and see a Christmas show.

Venue: Dudley Zoo, The Parade, Dudley Date: Dec 5-24 Time: 10am-2.30pm.

Last admission 1.30pm up to Dec 14.

Here comes Santa

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Tickets: Child £9.50. Under 1 yr with gift £4.00 or free without. Adult: £6.00. Family ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children) £27.00.

To book: call 0844 474 2272

Shugborough Estate Christmas Fayre

Attractions include Santa’s Grotto and ice-rink, Winter Wonderland riverside walk, fairground rides, and food and gift marquee.

Venue: Shugborough Estate, ST17 0XB Date: Dec 7-9 Adult: £7 (£6 in advance); Child £4 and family £17 or £15 in advance.

To Book: 01785 711200

Santa at Winterbourne

Get Christmas off to a good start at Winterbourne House and Gardens with festive food, carols, children’s activities and a visit to Santa’s Grotto Venue: Winterbourne House and Gardens 58 Edgbaston Park Road, B15 2RT Date: Dec 8 Time: 12-5pm Tickets: £4.50 adults; £3.50 children and a small charge for Grotto Tel: 0121 414 3003

Clent Hills Children’s Christmas Trail

Follow the trail to find Father Christmas and receive a gift.

Venue: Clent Hills, B62 0NL Date: Dec 8 Time: 10am-3pm Tickets: £2 per child Booking essential. To Book call 01562 712822

Family Santa Trail

Join in a Victorian Christmas for some festive fun. Meet the Victorian household readying themselves for Santa’s annual visit. With the help of Victorian servants explore the Santa trail before entering Santa’s grotto to receive a surprise gift.

Venue: Tamworth Castle, The Holloway, Ladybank, B79 7NA Date: Dec 8 and 9, 15 and 16 Time: 10.30am – 3.45pm Tickets: Child: £5.50 & adults: £2.50 (ratio of 1:5 adults to children). Maximum of 3 adults per child charged at £2.50 per adult.

To Book: Booking essential.

Contact 01827 709581/709618.

Christmas in the Park

Come and visit Santa in the park as he makes a guest appearance. Small gift for each child. Festive Treasure trail, craft activities and entertainment with carols from 1pm.

Brass band choir and seasonal good cheer for all ages.

Venue: Brueton Park, Solihull Date: Dec 9 Time: 12-3pm Tickets: £3.

To book a timeslot in advance call 0121 704 8000.

Santa’s Historic Hide Out

Santa is hiding out in Bromsgrove in an historic building.

Follow a costumed guide and find some festive clues to find him and receive a gift.

Venue: Avoncroft Museum, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, B60 4JR

Dates: Dec 15, 16 and 22 Times: 10.30am-4p, Tickets: £10 adult and £7 child

Christmas party treat at Villa Park

Have a ball at this Christmas family at Villa Park with VIP Guest Santa Claus. Enjoy a Christmas clown show, party games, and face-painting, followed by yummy yuletide feast. Then meet Father Christmas.

Venue: Villa Park Date: Dec 16 Time: 12-4pm Tickets: Adults £19.95; children £12.95 To Book: 0800 612 0950

Search for Santa

Each year Santa stops off at Lickey Hills Country Park.

Follow Santa’s trail through the woods to find his Grotto and a present.

Venue: Lickey Hills Country Park.

Meet at Visitor Centre Date: Dec 23 Time: 11am-4pm. Booking essential.

Santa Hotline number for booking: 0121 445 6036

A Merry Santa

Santa will be in his Grotto at Westfield shopping Centre, Merry Hill– and there will be an ice-skating rink outside Venue: Merry Hill, Brierley Hill Further details to be confirmed.

Notcutts

Catch up with Santa at Notcutts Garden Centre, Solihull Details to be confirmed.

Santa and Ebeneezer Scrooge at the Creaky Cauldron “I just turned the corner, and there he was. It made my day.” That was the reaction of one customer who visited Magic Alley with his children to visit Father Christmas.

This is a Santa Grotto like no other – with the whole 3-storey Tudor building (The Creaky Cauldron, Stratford) made into one giant festive grotto.

You don’t know where Santa is … you have to go and find him. As you explore Magic Alley – bedecked in thousands of twinkling fairy lights – you will also come across Harry Potter’s schoolroom; a giant wardrobe room with snow and a lamp-post; and a Wizard of Oz room with ruby shoes, as the theme of this year’s Grotto is taken from magical Christmas films.

Dave Matthews, who has been stage managing the Grotto, says: “This is a unique experience and the atmosphere is magical as families explore the building, before coming across Santa and the North Pole post office.”

Santa is at Magic Alley from Nov 17 to Christmas Eve, but come Boxing Day when Father Christmas has delivered all his presents, Ebeneezer Scrooge takes up residence in Santa’s Grotto. Bah humbug!

The twinkling lights have all gone – as Scrooge will only use the candles, but if you can make Scrooge laugh you could enjoy some sweet humbugs yourself.

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What’s On storytelling in the galleries, festive crafts workshops, Christmas carols from Bourneville Young Singers (1-2pm) and delicious Nordic treats.

Venue: Barber Institute of Fine Arts, B15 2TS Date: Nov 24 Time: 11am – 4pm.

FREE drop in.

Supreme Cat Show

The Crufts of the feline world Venue: NEC Date: Nov 24 Tickets: £11 adult: £28 family of 4

Out & About Dinosaurs Uncovered

Travel back 250 million years, and discover some of the most iconic and awe inspiring creatures to walk the Earth. Come face to face with the skull of the ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex, witness the strength of the Stegosaurus’ armour plating and be astonished by the Triceratops’ three horned might. Featuring amazing life-size dinosaurs and interactive features.

Venue: Herbert Art Gallery, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP Date: To Jan 6 Tickets: £5.95 adult; £4.95 children and £18 family

Crafts for Christmas

Christmas shopping for unusual craft gifts Venue: NEC Date: Nov 8-11 Tickets: £9 in advance; £11 on day.

Under 16s free with paying adult.

To Book: 0844 338 0338

Christmas Craft Fair

Venue: Selly Manor, Maple Road, Bournville, B30 2AE Date: Nov 24 Time: 2-5pm

The BBC Good Food Show

Masterchefs, Hairy Bikers, and British Bake off team. Demonstrations and stalls to delight foodies Venue: NEC Date: 28 Nov-Dec 2 Tickets: 0844 581 1360

Christmas at Sealife Birmingham

Climb aboard the Polar Express 4D – seats that move to the rhythm of the traintracks, snow falling and the smell of hot choclate … a 15 minute Christmas movie when you visit Sealife Centre this December Venue: Sealife Centre, Waters Edge, Brindleyplace, B1 2HL Date: Dec 1-31 Time: 10am-5pm Tickets: from £10 Book online: www.visitsealife.com/birmingham

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk Holly Berry

Park rangers will be harvesting plentiful holly from Sutton Park for visitors to take away. Some freshly cut pin Christmas trees might also be available. Donations gratefully received.

Venue: Sutton Park, Visitor Centre, Park Road, B74 2YT Date: Dec 8-23

Birmingham International Children will love the pomp and splendour of brass bands which will be on show at the NIA this November. Birmingham International Tattoo is a

Christmas Wassail

Christmas stories and carols from Birmingham’s Crescent Theatre.

Mulled, wine, roaring fire and mince pies Venue: Coughton Court, Alcester Date: Dec 8 and 9 Time: 4.30-6pm, 7.30 and 9pm Adults: £23 and child £10 To Book: 01789 400777

Christmas tour and lunch

Villans young and old can get behind the scenes with an exclusive tour of Villa Park, followed by a 3-course Christmas lunch. Then say hello to Father Christmas.

Venue: Villa Park Date: Dec 9 Tour times: 10am; 11am; and 12.30pm Tickets: Adults £29.95; children £14.95 To Book: 0800 612 0950

Festive Fun

Create something special for your seasonal celebrations – make a card or gift using textiles. Workshop for ages 6-12, accompanied by an adult.

Venue: RBSA Gallery, Brook Street, B3 1SA Date: Dec 9 Time: 2-4pm Tickets: £6 per child. Workshops limited to 8 children. Booking Essential.

To Book: 0121 236 4353

Musical Picnic – Souza Wind Christmas by candle light at Christmas Decorations Baddesley Clinton Souza Wind introduce children of Make decorations from natural all ages to the woodwind family of instruments, their sounds and colours. Children’s songs, film music and a special section based on The Gruffalo.

Venue: Café Bar, Symphony Hall Date: Nov 10 Time: 10.30am FREE EVENT

Birmingham Christmas Lights Switch on of Christmas lights Date: Nov 10

Lunch in the Barn Restaurant and see the house dressed for Christmas Venue: Baddesley Clinton, Rising Lane, B93 0DQ Date: Dec 3-24 Cost: £15 for 3 course or £12 for 2 course lunch. Normal admission charges apply.

To Book: 01564 783294

Clothes Show Live Venue: NEC Date Dec 7-11 Tickets: £27

Frankfurt Christmas market Christmas Wreath Making Workshop Nov 15-Dec 22 The Footman James Classic Venue: Birmingham Back to Backs, Hurst Street, B5 4TE Motorshow Date: Dec 8 Classic car show with more than 1,400 cars from all eras Venue: NEC Date: Nov 16-18 Tickets: Sat and Sunday. In advance: £18.50 adult; £9.50 child and £45.50 family of 5 To Book 0844 338 0338

Festive Gift Fair

Toys, games, stocking fillers, jewellery, fashion, gadgets, gifts for cooks, gardeners – all your Christmas shopping under one roof.

Venue: NEC Date: Nov 22-25 Tickets:£9.50 adult: £3.00 children in advance To Book: 0844 338 0338

Scandinavian Christmas Fair and Family Day

Barber Christmas Fair - a fun-filled family day of Christams shopping, and browse artist’s stalls selling unique, hand-crafted gift. Live

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Time 11am-12.30pm; 1.30- 3pm Cost: £15 To Book: 0121 666 7671

Christmas Celebrations

Costumed guided tour, carol singing

by Enchant Choir and festive refreshments in the tearoom.

Family event.

Venue: Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, 75-79 Vyse Street, B18 6HA Date: Dec 8 Time: 10.30am-4pm

Traditional Candlelit Christmas

Family festive evening at Avoncroft with a candlelit tour of all the historic buildings. Buy gifts at local craft fair and visit the Edwardian tea room.

Venue: Avoncroft Museum, Stoke Heath, Bromgsrove, B60 4JR Date: Dec 8 Time: 6.30-9.30pm Tickets: £10 adult and £7 child

materials .

Venue: Woodgate Valley Country Park, Clapgate Lane, B32 3DS Date: Dec 9 Time: 1.30-3.30pm Tickets: Small charge for materials.

Booking essential. To Book: www.birmingham.gov.uk/rangerevents

Carols in the Courtyard

An evening of carols sung by a local choir within the candlelit courtyard.

Mulled wine or soft drink and mince pie included in the price.

Venue: Birmingham Back to Backs Date: Dec 11 and 12 Time: 6.30pm and 8.30pm Tickets: Adult £12 and child £6 To Book: 0121 666 7671

Cinderella Birmingham Royal Ballet’s sumptuous Christmas show for all the family Venue: Hippodrome, Hurst Street, B5 4TB Date: Nov 21-Dec 9.

Time: Eve at 7.30pm (except Nov 30 at 6.30pm);

Traditional Christmas Evening

Enjoy a traditional Christmas at Black Country Living Museum with carols, street entertainment, brass bands and Fizzog Theatre performing a panto with a Black Country twist ‘Kippin’ Beauty”. See Santa by the fireplace.

Venue: Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley, Dy14SQ Dates: Dec 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 Time: 6.30-10pm Tickets: Adults £14.95; Children £7.95 and under 4 go free. Family of 4: £39.95 Prebook only event.

Call 0121 520 8054.

LKA Championship Dog Show Venue: NEC Date: Dec 15 and 16 Tickets: £8 adult and £4 children To Book

Robinson Crusoe and the Swashbuckling pantomime adventure with Brian Conley and Lesley Joseph Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome Date: Dec 15- Jan 27

What’s On

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk Tattoo spectacular display of 1,000 military band players and performers from right across Europe. Nov 24 and 25.

To Book: 0844 338 8000.

Theatres & shows

Knick Knack and Doo Dad

A Christmas show for ages 3-101. How can shipwrecked Knick Knack and Doo Dad celebrate Christmas on an island of rubbish, with no shops and no money? Discover the real meaning of the Festive season.

Venue: Mac Arts, Dates: Nov 13 – Dec 2 Times: Vary. See website Tickets: £8 To Book: 0121 446 3232

Robin Prince of Sherwood

A musical feast based on the story of Robin Hood presented by St Augustine Musical Theatre Company Venue: Solihull Arts Complex, Homer Road Date: Nov 19-24 Time: Evening at 7.30pm; Sat matinee at 2.30p.m.

Tickets: £12-£15 To Book: 0121-704-6962

Cinderella

Birmingham’s Royal Ballet’s sumptuous Christmas show for all the family Venue: Hippodrome, Hurst Street, B5 4TB Date: Nov 21-Dec 9.

Time: Eve at 7.30pm (except Nov 30 at 6.30pm); Wed matinee 2pm; Sat 2.30pm and Sun 1pm Dec 8 – Cinderella themed Family Fun day. Free to all audience members.

Face-painiting, costume rail, workshops and more. Time 12pm2.30pm Tickets: £15-£47.00 To Book: 0844 338 5000

Birmingham International Tattoo

Wed matinee 2pm; Sat 2.30pm and Sun 1pm Dec 8 – Cinderella themed Family Fun day. Free to all audience members. Face-painiting, costume rail, workshops and more. Time 12pm-2.30pm Tickets: £15-£47.00 To Book: 0844 338 5000

A spectacular display of 1,000 military brass band musicians and performers from right across Europe Venue: NIA, Birmingham Date: Nov 24 and 25 Tickets: Adults £14.50-£22.50 and children £10.50-£18 To Book: 0844 338 8000

The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

Tumble down the rabbit hole and join CBSO for a family-friendly concert conjuring up the mad, magical world of Alice in Wonderland.

Venue: Symphony Hall, 32 Broad Street, B1 2EA Date: Nov 18 Time: 3pm Tickets: £15 adult; £7.50 child: £32 group of 4.

To Book: 0121 345 0600

Cinderella

Have a ball at the annual Sutton Arts Pantomime and join Cinders, her ugly sisters, handsome Prince Charming and Fairy Godmother Venue: Sutton Arts Theatre, South Parade, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1QU Date: Dec 7-22 Time: Evenings at 7.15; Sat matinee 2pm; Sun performance 5pm To Book: 0121 355 5355

Noël Notelets

An interactive mini concert for toddlers and young children celebrating Christmas around the world. Bite-sized music, lively presentation, plenty to see, and plenty of chances for fidgety feet to get up an move around. A perfect introduction to music.

Venue: CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, B1 2LF Date: Dec 8 Time: 11am; 1.30pm and 3.30pm Tickets: £7.50; £25 group of 4 To Book: 0121 345 0491

Feast of Festive Frighteners

Don’t Go into the Cellar Theatre Company are at Aston Hall, Birmingham with a show based on Dicken’s best-loved Ghost stories. A festive, but chilling performance in an atmospheric setting. Recommended age 12plus.

Venue: Aston Hall, Trinity Road, Date: Dec 8 and 9 Time: 7.30pm Tickets: £12 and £10 concessions To Book: 0121 303 1966

Dick Whittington Family pantomime

Join Dick and his cat as they head off to London to make their fortune, meeting Idle Jack (Malcolm Stent) along the way Venue: Solihull Arts Complex Date: Dec 14-Jan 13 Times: times vary. See website.

Tickets: £11-£17.50. Family ticket: £62 To Book: 0121 704 6962

Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean pirates

Swashbuckling pantomime adventure with Brian Conley and Lesley Joseph Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome Date: Dec 15- Jan 27

Times vary. See website.

Tickets: £14-£37.50.

Some performances children half price with full paying adult.

To Book: 0844 338 5000

Carols by Candlelight

Part of Symphony Hall Christmas Festival 2012. A concert of carols and seasonal classics performed by Mozart Festival Orchestra in full 18th Century costume Venue: Symphony Hall, Broad, Street, B1 2EA Date: Dec 16 Time: 2.30pm Tickets: £12.50-£36

Jingle Bell Christmas

Get in the mood for Christmas with all your favourites Christmas songs –White Christmas, All I want for Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Baby; Have Yourself a Merry Christmas, Mary’s Boychild …

London Concert Orchestra and Capital Voice Choir Venue: Symphony Hall, Broad Street, B1 2EA Date: Dec 22 Time: 2.30pm Tickets: £12.50-£36 To Book: 0121 780 4949

The Gruffalo’s Child

A magical musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s and Alex Sheffler’s award winning sequel to The Gruffalo. One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow …

Venue: Town Hall, Victorial Square, B3 3DQ Date: Dec 22-Jan 16 Tickets: £10.50 To Book: 0121 345 0600

BASED ON JULIA DONALDSON & AXEL SCHEFFLER’S AWARD WINNING BOOK

The Wind in the Willows Watch out – Toad’s about.

Charming tale of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad by the Riverbank, brought to life this Christmas.

Venue: Crescent Theatre, Sheepcote Street, B16 8AE Date: Nov 28 – Jan 19 Times: vary. See website.

Tickets: £9-£28 To Book: 0121 236 4455

Dick Whittington

Caribbean pirates Times vary. See website.

Tickets: £14-£37.50. Some performances children half price with full paying adult.

To Book: 0844 338 5000

Pantomime with Dick, his loveable cat and friends Venue: Hall Green Little Theatre, Pemberley Road, Acocks Green, B27 7RY Date: Dec 7-15 Time: Evenings at 7.30pm; Sat and Sun matinee at 2.30pm To Book: 0121 707 1874

ON E SALW NO

OPENS 22 DECEMBER

0121 345 0602 www.thsh.co.uk

Issue 12 23

Christmas Treats

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

The Big Christmas Giveaway

W

e have teamed up with great family attractions and theatres to give our readers a chance to win some fantastic festive treats. Don’t miss this chance to take the children along to a spell-binding Christmas show, or visit Santa at magical West Midlands destinations.

SnowDome, Tamworth

Santa’s returning to the SnowDome with his magical Winter Wonderland in the snow. As well as his reindeer he’ll be bringing all of his friends for some serious festive fun. Real snow, real animals and an all new Winter Wonderland show, there’s so much to see and do! (4 Family tickets to be won to visit Santa’s Winter Wonderland for Dec 8 or 9).

Magic Alley, Stratford on Avon The Creaky Cauldron in Stratford, home to all things magic, is an enchanting destination for a visit to Father Christmas. The whole Tudor building is given over to one big festive grotto – and you could come across Father Christmas anywhere in the building. You visit too – a Harry Potter-themed school room, a Wizard of Oz room (yes the ruby shoes are there) and a giant wardrobe room with snow and a lamp-post! A magical atmosphere for all the family. (2 family tickets to be won).

Win a £200 Christmas

shopping spree!

New clothes make any occasion extra special. The Polarn O. Pyret Christmas collection for newborn to age 12 is now in stores and online.

As always, the clothes are geared towards children not just looking good, but feeling comfortable too.

Cosy cotton PJ’s that will last until next Christmas Eve, a new party dress that can handle spills, or an extra cute outfit for Christmas Day. Enjoy the occasion PO.P style whatever you are planning for the holidays.

For your chance to win enter your details at www.polarnopyret.co.uk/win by 10th of December. Terms and conditions apply. Winner will be notified via email on 11th December.

Knick Knack and Doo Dad There is no such thing as a rubbish Christmas. Or is there?

Discover the real meaning of the festive season at MAC as Knick Knack and Doo Dad show you how to have fun wherever you are … even marooned on an island with nothing but a heap of old junk. (1 family ticket to win for Dec 1 or 2).

The Wind in the Willows, Crescent Theatre

Poop Poop! Watch out, watch out Toad’s about! The charming tale of Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad comes alive this Christmas as The REP heads downstream to the riverbank for a glorious adventure that leads to Toad Hall, the perilous Wild Wood and finally to battle. The Wind in The Willows will keep you entertained and enthralled, no matter what your age. (1 Family ticket to be won).

Gruffalo’s Child, Town Hall, Birmingham Following hot on the heels of the hit show The Gruffalo comes the Gruffalo’s Child with attitude! Just how brave is she? The Gruffalo said that no Gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep dark wood... but one wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child ignores her father’s warning and tiptoes out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he? (1 Family ticket to be won).

James and the Giant Peach, Old Rep Theatre

James lives with Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker, the most revolting Aunts in England.

They make him work and slave and never let him play with other children. Then one day he meets a mystical old man who gives him a bag that contains the strongest magic the world has ever known. When James spills the bag near an old peach tree, the most incredible things start to happen and James embarks on the adventure of a lifetime. Roald Dahl’s much-loved children’s tale - wonderful entertainment for kids aged 5+ and all the family. (2 family tickets to be won).

To be in with a chance to win, log on to www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk and answer this question before the closing date of Nov 25: Father Christmas is also known as: a) Santa Claus b) The Tooth Fairy c) Old Father Time