F R TAKE EE ME H OME
STAGECOACH
CAMBRIDGE & CAMBOURNE
E& RIDG CAMBBOURNE CAM
www.stagecoach.co.uk/cambridge 01223 359974
Issue 64 May/June 2021
Aware lth n a e
eek sW es
Realise the unique potential in your child at Stagecoach.
Mental H
Suitable for ages 4 -18 years
10th-16th May 2021
familiesonline.co.uk
SUM MER SCH OOL
THE PERSE SUMMER SCHOOL 5 – 30 JULY • AGES 7 – 14 There are 60,000 minutes in a summer holiday. Fill them with something interesting from a wide range of activities including sports, drama, science, baking, outdoor pursuits, technical theatre and creative writing.
OPEN TO CHILDREN FROM ANY SCHOOL For more information and to book for summer 2021, visit: persesummerschool.co.uk
Contents & Competition
Dear Reader, With May comes the promise of sunny, lazy days in the garden and the anticipation of a long awaited summer after such a long hard winter due to COVID restrictions. The warmer weather means there are so many more places to go and things to do outdoors, at a time when we cannot meet indoors and have to socially distance. This issue has a good selection of days out and as many local events as we could find when we went to press. The ‘what’s on’ clubs and classes for children include workshops and classes for “In the spri after school, May half term and the summer to ng, at the end of the keep them busy and off computer games! day, you should sme ll like dirt.” Marg
Wise word s aret Atwoo d
@familiesCambMag
www.facebook.com/FamCambsMag
DON’T MISS A COPY! Receive Families Cambridgeshire by post for just £9.30 for 6 issues (1 year) or £18 for 12 issues (2 years). Call or email editor@familiesCambridgeshire.co.uk for a subscription form.
WIN
a week at a TryOut residential summer camp
Try Out a week at residential summer camp for FREE to 6 lucky winners! Normally £295! This summer any child ages 9 to 15, who has never attended a residential summer camp can stay at a TryOut camp, run by experienced providers, for just £295 for a week (including accompanied travel).The initiative is organised by The Summer Camps Trust to help share with children the joys of summer camp. Camps take place at Nettlecombe Court, a magnificent Field Studies Centre in beautiful grounds near Taunton from 8-15 August and at Camp Redwood, a fabulous tented camp in the heart of Sherwood Forest from 15-21 August. Get ready for games of all kinds. Explore areas of wood, hills and countryside. Enjoy tracking activities, unravel mysteries and stimulate the imagination. Participate in entertainment, songs and stories around the camp fire. Sleep under the stars, climb or enjoy water activities. Or relax and chat in the sun. Leave screens and peer pressures behind, reconnect with the natural world and with being a child again. So don’t wait, book now at www. summercamptrust.org or email chris@summercamptrust.org for more information. Apply at: familiesmag.co.uk/go Closing date: 15 June T&Cs at bit.ly/3dGueFx
familiesonline.co.uk
What's in this issue? 4. News & views 6. Lack of sleep & mental health 7. Baby news 8. What's on 11. Mental health in the age of coronavirus 12. The hidden benefits of performing arts 13. Addressing post-covid learning loss 14. Clubs & Classes EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336, editor@familiesCambridgeshire.co.uk ASSISTANT EDITOR: Amanda Dawson, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk SOCIAL MEDIA: Amanda Dawson, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk SALES: Jean Stevens, jean@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk DESIGN: Caroline Thompson-Heap, info@cheekymonkeydesigns.net 22,000 copies of Families Cambridgeshire available through schools, nurseries, hospitals, clubs and classes, selected shops and restaurants. If you would like copies for your establishment please let us know. Families Cambridgeshire is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Cambridgeshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Cambridgeshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Cambridgeshire its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.
Families Cambridgeshire 3
News & Views
COURAGE FOR LIFE
styles and vocal techniques in the singing lessons, while dancing classes feature pop, street and musical theatre routines. In acting classes, children enjoy working on role play, improvisation and performance. Main Stages classes are designed for six to eighteen year olds, with children split by age into small groups so they can give everyone the attention they deserve. No two lessons are the same as students enjoy experiencing a wide variety of performance skills and styles. With three terms a year, lessons are structured so that one term focuses on the skills of singing, dancing and acting, another term allows students to practise, hone these skills and demonstrate their class work at the end of term, and the third term sees students gaining performance practise in front of friends and family. Stagecoach use DBS checked drama, dance and singing teachers. They also offer summer workshops which can be found in our ‘Clubs and Classes ‘pages or on the Stagecoach website www.stagecoach.co.uk
Stagecoach Cambridge and Cambourne introduce children as early as age four to six to the performing arts through their fabulous range of Early Stages singing, dancing and acting classes. In the singing classes, children learn new songs and find out about rhythm, timing and how sounds are formed. The dancing classes give children the confidence to try new dance moves, while the acting sessions allow budding young actors to role play and practise improvisation and storytelling. Older children and teens can also flourish while improving their singing, dancing and drama skills during their weekly Main Stages performing arts classes. Students learn different rhythms, tempos, singing
Aware lth n ea
10th-16th May 2021
For more information please visit www.beingwellfamily.com
Equip children with skills to meet tomorrows challenges There is a lot of debate about the future of work and what skills our kids need to develop today to meet tomorrow’s challenges. The World Economic Forum identified several areas of development including critical thinking, problem-solving, design thinking as well as the effective use of technology. They believe these are key for the future jobs market. Fire Tech's courses for 8-17 year olds build future-readiness, addressing these skills and empowering kids to explore the universe of tech at their fingertips. Through exciting and engaging project-based work, kids can learn skills from coding, working with AI to games design and digital music production. Find out more about the offering at www.Fire-Tech.com
Join in with Walk to School Week
Thousands of children across the UK will celebrate the health and wellbeing benefits of walking during National Walk to School Week from 17th to 21st May. Families will be encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ for the whole week to see the big differences that can come from small steps - from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates. This year’s challenge will focus on the ‘walking superpowers’ that benefit individuals, communities and the planet. Free Family Walk to School Kits and interactive wall charts and stickers can be downloaded. Schools can obtain Walk to School classroom packs to help teach children about the benefits of being active,with daily reward stickers and special rewards badges at the end of the week for those who travelled actively every day. More info:www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school 4 Families Cambridgeshire
familiesonline.co.uk
CREDIT image: Life Coach, Grace McMahon.
2. Talk openly about feelings - try not to presume whatever is going on for them is causing particular feelings. Use open questions to help them reveal more, for example “how is this making you feel?” rather than “does this make you feel sad?”. This will help them work out how they are feeling for themselves without thinking they need to give ‘the right’ answer. You could even try sharing how you’re feeling to help them know it’s ok to not be ok all the time. 3. Build positive routines together - work together to find things that bring joy, remind you both of happy moments, or even just take their mind of everything else for a moment. Include activities they enjoy, hobbies that bring a moment of peace, things you could do together like cooking dinner, going for walks, maybe even get them excited for some chores!
eek sW es
With Mental Health Awareness Week this month (10th – 16th May), Life Coach, Grace McMahon has told us parents what to look out for in children. It can be hard to know when our children and young people are struggling with their mental health, and it can be even more confusing for them too. Whether you’ve noticed something different about their behaviour or attitude recently, or they’ve voiced concerns about their thoughts and feelings, it can be hard to know what to do to help and support them. We’ve got some tips to help you help your children and young people feel supported: 1. Be there to listen - our mental health can be really confusing, and even more so for young people and children, so try to really listen to what they have to say. When you are listening, do so without judgement or disbelief to help them feel supported by you in their struggles.
Mental H
Help your children and young people feel supported
News & Views
The best bedtime routine
Love the special places that helped you through lockdown
Take part as #Litterheroes in the Great British Spring Clean #MillionMileMission from 28th May to 13th June to clear litter from our streets, parks and beaches. In the past 12 months our outdoor spaces and places have mattered to us more than ever before, demonstrating that what is good for our environment is good for our mental and physical health too. So Keep Britain Tidy invites you to show some love for those special places that helped us through lockdown. You can pledge how many hours and minutes of litter-picking you will undertake during the Great British Spring Clean on the Keep Britain Tidy website. You can pledge as an individual or as a group, which at the moment is you plus one other person, a family group or bubble, or a school. For all advice and information you need and Covid-19 guidelines, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org
PAID WORK BY MUMS: no impact on child behaviour
Having a mother who works full or part time in the first six years of their child’s life has no negative impact on a child’s behaviour, according to new research by the University of Cologne. The study found, in fact, that children whose mothers have spent more years in full time and part time employment actually exhibited fewer behaviour problems at around eight years old. The study which looked at mothers and children in Scotland also found that children from disadvantaged household were also not at greater risk of behavioural problems. Factors that do impact on child behaviour were found to be economic resources, family structure, maternal health, child development and neighbourhood characteristics. More info: www.ingentaconnect.com familiesonline.co.uk
A study by psychologists at the University of Manchester has scientifically defined for the first time the elements that constitute a good bedtime routine for children from ages 2 to 8. They found that a combination of activities, from the obvious teeth brushing and bedtime story were essential, but that it also helped to talk with children. Funded by the Medical Research Council, the study identifies the following key elements: • Brushing teeth before bed • Going to bed at the same time each night • Reading/having a story • Avoiding food/drinks before bed • Avoiding electronic devices before bed • Interactive activities (conversation, playing, cuddling, singing) • Bath/shower.
COVID: young now more interested in science career
New research suggests children have been particularly engaged by scientific discoveries over the last year. According to a survey commissioned by Thales, a French aerospace company, the pandemic has inspired more than a third (35%) of children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). A survey of more than 2,000 parents of children ages 5 to 16 across the UK found that 50% of youngsters cited NHS frontline staff, the scientists behind the Covid-19 vaccine rollout (31%) and the Mars Rover landing (24%) as events that have most inspired them. More info: www.thalesgroup.com
It's time to Shine at Perform this summer
As we look forward to getting our children back to much-loved activities, Perform talks to Families about their holiday courses which promise to be the perfect summer tonic. ‘Holidays should be fun and we've created magical adventures sure to give the children a really memorable week. Our three and five day holiday courses for 4-10s put together a fantastic show using catchy songs and energetic dance routines. But there's no repetitive rehearsing or laboured learning of steps. Instead, we use drama games and exercises to develop skills like character portrayal by using different voices, encouraging quiet children to come out of their shell and providing a structure for the more enthusiastic. The days are filled with fun, but at the heart of Perform is the development of a child's social skills, with each activity designed to build confidence, boost communication skills, improve concentration and develop coordination. You'll see this on the final day, as the children excitedly don their costumes and put on a mini-musical performance for family and friends. They'll be bursting with pride at what they’ve achieved and you will be too!’ Alice in Wonderland runs at Newnham Croft Primary School from 26th – 30th July. Visit www.perform.org.uk/holidays for full details.
Honour the Heroes of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Stamps
For over 50 years the Royal Mail have featured famous people from British History and their achievements on a set of stamps. During the coronavirus pandemic many people have done some incredible things, with frontline and key workers helping us through a difficult time. To celebrate these people, the Royal Mail are inviting school-age children to design a stamp based on their heroes. A panel of judges will choose 8 winning designs and these will be presented to Her Majesty The Queen before being printed and issued. Entries close 28th May. More info at www.stampcompetition.ichild.co.uk/
When replying to adverts or listings, please mention Families Cambridgeshire Families Cambridgeshire 5
Families Education
Lack of sleep impacts emotional resilience and mental health Our children getting the sleep they need is fundamental to their physical and mental health. It is one of the most important building blocks that their development is built upon - particularly their emotional health, mental wellbeing and their day-to-day mood. There was a time when we thought sleep issues were a symptom of mental health issues, but we now understand that, for our children, their mental wellbeing and their sleep have an interconnected relationship. Poor sleep impacts on our mental health, and if our children are struggling with their emotional wellbeing this will impact on their sleep. When it comes to our kids' sleep cycle, the stage that impacts on their emotional resilience and mental health the most is the REM stage of sleep. It helps to see this stage of sleep as an overnight counselling session, where they will be working through the emotions of the previous day. If our kids are not getting enough sleep then it is often this stage of sleep that is most affected. Any parent can tell when their children have slept well as they are more emotionally resilient, more alert and focused and want to engage with the world.
As parents, we also see our child’s behaviour change when they haven’t met their sleep need in terms of quality and quantity. They struggle to regulate their emotions, getting angry at the slightest thing, being lethargic and not wanting to do anything. Sometimes they can be “bouncing off the walls” as the body makes up the energy deficit from a lack of sleep by producing more stress hormones to give the appearance that they are overly energetic. In fact, research is starting to show that what was previously thought to be ADHD, could in some cases be the symptoms of sleep deprivation. For more information, please visit www.beingwellfamily. com
Image: Sleep Expert James Wilson AKA The Sleep Geek
Families Baby News
Babies at increased risk of cot death during covid A survey commissioned by leading SIDS charity The Lullaby Trust has found that less than a third of dads are being given information on the basic steps they can take to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The Lullaby Trust has raised concerns about the risk to families after a new survey shows less than a third of dads have been given advice on how to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The survey of over 500 new and expectant dads, found that less than a quarter of dads had been able to attend all antenatal appointments and over 50% have not been allowed to attend any at all. The survey results are a concerning indication that lockdown restrictions combined with the increased pressure placed on public health services by COVID-19, means less support and information for new parents, which is putting babies at risk. The latest figures released by the ONS in September 2020 showed that SIDS rates
went up in 2018, fuelling concerns of a further increase during the covid pandemic. A parliamentary report released in the summer from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss, highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and baby loss, stated that lockdown had exacerbated risk factors for some types of baby loss, such as sudden unexpected death in infancy. Although the cause of SIDS is still not known there are steps parents can take to lower the risk. Awareness of SIDS and following safer sleep advice is crucial to reducing the rate of babies dying. Since the guidelines were made known to the public through the 1991 Back to Sleep campaign the rate of SIDS has gone down by over 80% overall. Visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk for up to date advice.
HELP CREATE A GREENER AND CLEANER WORLD
The improved Kit & Kin reusable cloth nappy is made from sustainable and plant-based materials so your little one’s bottom only comes into contact with plant-based materials. Hemp and TENCEL™, a material derived from sustainable tree pulp, are kind on delicate skin and up to 50% more absorbent than cotton. This super soft and highly absorbent fabric is breathable, gentle and offers unbeatable performance to keep bottoms dry for up to 12 hours. From the brand’s initial market research, parents have said that Kit & Kin’s 100% plant-based inner layer is the most absorbent on the market. Available alongside the reusable nappy are a range of baby changing essentials including biodegradable liners, sustainable boosters and a handy nappy
• You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side (unless your doctor has advised you of a medical reason to do so) • Firmly tuck in sheets and blankets (not above shoulder height) or a baby sleep bag is safe for a baby to sleep in.
wallet. Designed to contain solids and make nappy changing quick and easy, the liners are made from a 100% plant-based material, while the super soft hemp and TENCEL™ boosters offer an extra layer of absorbency – ideal for night-time or heavy wetters. Hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested, with a double gusset to help prevent leaks, the nappy also boasts handy poppers and secure hook and loop fastenings to create the perfect fit for babies of all sizes, promising parents a truly reliable reusable nappy. Staying true to the brand’s ethical ethos, every nappy rescues two plastic bottles from landfill, helping to create a cleaner and greener world for us all RRP: Reusable cloth nappy - £19.99 Stockists: www.kitandkin.com
Maternal physical and mental health cannot be separated Intimate, potentially embarrassing or upsetting symptoms like incontinence (wetting yourself), prolapse symptoms or painful sex affect more than women’s physical bodies. They damage self-confidence, dignity, function and daily comfort and happiness. Pregnant women and new mothers receive plenty of (not always welcome!) well-meaning advice around their diet, their parenting or their life choices. However most will agree that they were absolutely not prepared for the physical and mental health impact of childbirth and beyond. We know that 1 in 3 women suffers stress incontinence after childbirth, and that urinary incontinence doubles the risk of postnatal depression. 50% of postnatal women experience pelvic organ prolapse symptoms of bladder and bowel dysfunction, and in a recent survey it was reported that 76% of women claim that their pelvic health symptoms impacted their mental health. But despite the distress they cause, many familiesonline.co.uk
women present to their GP with these symptoms very late, if at all. The perceived stigma means women suffer in silence. Incontinence, pelvic or sexual pain are common, yet often believed to be normal or inevitable, especially after we’ve had children, or as we get older. We put up with it, ignore it, or are too self conscious to seek help. So sadly, incidence is much higher than reported and symptoms worsen over time. There is a gap in provision of information and preparation needed to cope with the physical, emotional and hormonal changes of childbirth and parenting, that results in women experiencing trauma and unanticipated physical and mental health symptoms following delivery. The solution is providing women with empowering, evidence based strategies to cope and address symptoms, helping them to feel in control and strong, to cope with unexpected birthing experience or outcomes, and for everything motherhood throws at us.
Wendy Powell is the Founder of the NHS Digital approved 12-module online pregnancy and postpartum specialist health platform clinically proven to improve postpartum symptoms such as incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis recti and painful intercourse. For more details on MUTU System, visit mutusystem.co.uk. Membership is priced at an affordable £99 for 12-months and includes additional support worth over £1500 such as food guides and personal online trackers.
Families Cambridgeshire 7
W hat’s Onto places Things to do, be had go and fun to ages in for kids of all
e Cambridgeshir
NATURE TOTS
WHERE: Discovery Den, Ferry Meadows
WHEN: 14th & 24th May, 14th & 28th June,10-11.30
A fun monthly outdoor parent and toddler group with a nature theme. Each session will include a messy craft activity, time to explore the beautiful outdoors, story and song time. 2+ years. £3.50 www.nenepark.org.uk/ferry-meadows 01733 234193
Flying Days: Standing Together WHERE: IWM Duxford
WHEN: 22nd May: 10.00 – 18.00
Spring Gardens
WHERE: Chippenham Park
Gardens WHEN: Until 16th May: 10.00 – 16.00 Chippenham Park Gardens will be open to view their breathtaking display of spring gardens. Over 40 acres of garden, lakes, canals and wilderness. Delicious food and refreshments will be available for takeaway from the Potting Shed Cafe. Adult £5; Children FREE (Cash only) www.chippenhamparkgardens. info/opening-dates
CAMBRIDGE AQUAPARK, HANNAM’S WAKE HUB WHERE: Cambridge
WHEN: From 22nd May
Newly expanded, inflatable obstacle course for summer fun with your family and friends. Price includes lifejacket and wetsuit. All sessions must be pre-booked online. £20pp/hour www.cambridgeaquapark.com 01353 886955 8 Families Cambridgeshire
Family Orienteering WHERE: Cherry Hinton Hall
Park (May) and Hinchingbrooke Country Park (June) WHEN: 15th May and 26th June – 1-3pm An easy, fun way for juniors and families to try orienteering. Three different courses and friendly advice to get you started. Pre-registration essential - no entries accepted on the day. Family groups £5; Child £2 www.waoc.org.uk
When replying to adverts or listings, please mention Families Cambridgeshire
The Duxford Air Shows team have been working hard to create a series of great day out, aerial display events. They will bring you the best of flying, aerial choreography, storytelling and conservation success stories from IWM Duxford - all wrapped in to thrilling flying displays. From £14.25 (children under 5 free) www.iwm.org.uk/airshows/ events/may-flying-day-one
Messy Church
WHERE: Queen Mary Centre, Wisbech
WHEN: 15th May & 12th June: 15.30-17.30
Have fun making crafts, hearing bible stories and doing church in a creative way. All finished off with a home-cooked meal! FREE - donations welcome www.messywisbech.org.uk
HISTORIC DUXFORD: THE TOUR WHERE: IWM Duxford
WHEN: Until 16th May
Make the most of your Duxford Outdoors visit, with an intimate tour (groups of up to six individuals) from one of their expert guides. Learn more about the history of Duxford’s grounds and gain insight into the different buildings on site, from when they were built to what they were used for. £15 per adult, £5 per child (age 5-16) plus admission charges www.iwm.org.uk/events/ familiesonline.co.uk
Families What's on Cambourne Little Bugs WHERE: Cambourne Nature
Reserve WHEN: 11th June – 9th July: 9.30 – 11.30 Join Wildlife Adventurer Rebecca Neal for a series of strolls around Cambourne Nature Reserve The 5 weekly sessions are designed to support the wellbeing of the adults, as well as provide activities and resources to engage children (18 months – 4 years) in outdoor nature-related activities. www.wildlifebcn.org/events/
Audley End Wildlife Week WHERE: Audley End Railway WHEN: 29th May – 6th June
Featuring Bug Hotels, Wormery’s, Bird Boxes, Ant Houses and much more, your children will learn an abundance of knowledge (which they can record on their Wildlife Week Worksheet) as they venture through the NEW Nature Corner. Also includes Train Ride, Fairy and Elf Walk, Interactive Show and Adventure Play Area. From £6.75 (children under 1 free) Booking essential. www.audley-end-railway.co.uk
Terrific Tray Bakes for Kids
WHERE: Cambridge Cookery,
Clip’n Climb, Cambridge WHERE: Cambridge
Cambridge WHEN: 2nd June – 10.00 – 12.30 Perfect for keen bakers, (generally aged 7-11 but they leave the decision to parents) you make 3 of their most popular cakes in their café: apple, lemon drizzle and raspberry roll. Full recipe packs included and cake to bring home. £45 www.cambridgecookery.com/ cook/classes 01223 247620
Honk! The Musical
WHERE: Dean’s Garden, Ely
ROSES
WHERE: Chippenham Park
Gardens WHEN: Sunday 13th June: 10.00 – 16.00 Perfect opportunity to explore the most beautiful of rose gardens and rose terrace, along with a sneak peek into their Summer gardens. Delicious refreshments are served in the licensed Potting Shed Cafe. Adult £5; Children FREE (Cash only) www.chippenhamparkgardens. info/opening-dates
Cathedral WHEN: 20th – 25th July: Performed in the beautiful grounds of The Dean’s Garden, this year’s open-air theatre Olivier Award Winning Musical ‘Honk!’ is one not to be missed. With clever, inspiring songs and a whole lot of heart, this charming reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen's “The Ugly Duckling” will quack you up and bring a smile to your beak! From £15 kdtheatre.co.uk/honk-themusical/ 01353 725026
Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre WHERE: Stow Bardolph WHEN: May & June
WHEN: May & June
Make friends with a wide variety of tame animals and experience all their young at close quarters throughout the season as well as enjoying their adventure playground. Why not make a day of it and visit their Tea Room to enjoy a homemade lunch with a delicious piece of cake. 01366 382162 www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk
Clip ‘n Climb is suitable for everyone from 4 years upwards and is the ultimate fun and healthy activity for you to enjoy with your friends and family. Pre-booking essential. Prices start at £10.00 www.clipnclimbcambridge.co.uk
Little Bugs Club – Great Fen
WHERE: Countryside Centre,
Ramsey Heights WHEN: May / June – Fridays (Term-time): 10.30 – 12.00 A fantastic introduction to the natural world for pre-school children. Each weekly session is packed with activities, walks and games….be prepared to get mucky. £4 per child. Pre-booking essential www.wildlifebcn.org 01487 710420 familiesonline.co.uk
Please note
all events are subject to change and cancellation in view of any future COVID-19 legislations. Families Cambridgeshire 9
Families Education
EF Host Family UK Our host families play a key role in fulfilling EF’s mission of breaking down the barriers of culture, language and geography that divide us. Become a host family for international students today and be part of this great cultural exchange.
Why host with EF?
Experience the world Few experiences can spark interest in the world like opening up your home and becoming a host family for an international student. Being a host family with EF is a unique, rewarding, fun and educational experience for all members of the family and an opportunity to create long-lasting relationships. Hosting with EF is a great way of sharing and learning differences in languages and cultures. Exchange cultures With EF you’ll welcome an international student into your home. You will experience true cultural exchange and demonstrate your community to the world. As a host family you become a vital part of our students’ time abroad and their experiences, helping them to gain a deeper insight into your local culture, pick up expressions with much greater ease and return home with a more authentic accent. Showcase your hometown By becoming one of our host families you give our students a chance to experience maximum cultural immersion by living as locals – with locals. Our host families become the students’ home away from home, and EF host families provide a safe and comfortable environment for our students to ensure they get the best experience abroad as possible.
LOPENING I MSEPTEMBER ITS The new Preschool at St Mary’s stmaryscambridge.co.uk/visit 10 Families Cambridgeshire
START AS THEY MEAN TO GO ON familiesonline.co.uk
Families Education
Mental health in the age of coronavirus For a lot of people, the coronavirus pandemic, the lockdown and now the gradual reopening of life as we know it, has been a difficult time. First the shock and worry of facing a new unknown, the stresses that came with everyone being stuck at home during lockdown; now, some children may find it difficult adapting to the ‘new normal’. Matthew O’Reilly, the Head of St Mary’s Junior School, Cambridge, provides some tips for keeping our children’s mental health in mind. Explain the changes and talk about them together. Find out what your child is thinking about and how they are feeling. Try to answer their questions in an age-appropriate way and reassure them that it is ok to feel worried or unsure. Just talking through their worries might help your child to feel calmer, or use play to try and eek out their feelings through role playing etc. If you have any concerns, talk to your child’s class teacher. We encourage a two-way conversation with all our families to ensure we are all focused on the children in our care. Remind them that the rules are there to help keep them and others safe. All schools have been doing all they can to ensure that staff and pupils feel safe and happy on site. At St Mary’s Junior School, the girls have adapted well to our enhanced hygiene measures, with regular hand washing, hand sanitising, one-way systems and bubbles. Let your children know that the rules won’t be in place forever – and that things will eventually go back to normal.
familiesonline.co.uk
Embrace new (or old) hobbies. Lockdown encouraged many of us to take up new (or old) hobbies and spend more time together as a family, whether it was cooking or baking, doing arts and crafts, playing board games or getting out into nature and going on walks or cycling excursions. With schools and businesses reopening, things have started to go back to normal, but don’t lose that creative spark! Keep positive routines. Research from the Guy's and St Thomas's Charity and the Bite Back 2030 healthy eating charity studied over 1000 14-19 year olds and showed a 40% increase in snacks during lockdown. On the plus side, families tended to eat more home-cooked food, and ate together more. It might not be easy to resist the lure of chocolate and unhealthy snacks, but try to keep structure around regular routines, healthy eating and exercise. With our new state-of-the-art facilities at Long Road, the girls have been enjoying making the most of our new sports grounds! Keep up sports and exercise routines outside of school as well – we encourage girls and parents to safely walk or cycle to school if possible. Sleeping well is also key - make sure that bedtime routines are in place so that your child feels calm and relaxed when it is time to go to sleep. Remember – the school communities are here to support you and your children. When St Mary’s shut to everyone except the children of key workers during lockdown due to Covid-19, we ensured that we were still St Mary’s, with live lessons and even a virtual Sports Day. Now that our doors have reopened, teachers and support staff have been doing their utmost to support our girls to embrace the ‘new normal’. Now, more than ever, we are #stillStMarys. Wishing you and your families the best through these challenging times. Matthew O’Reilly Head of Juniors
Families Cambridgeshire 11
Families Education
The hidden benefits of performing arts Our daughter was 3 years old when we enrolled her in a performing arts holiday workshop – 5 mornings for a week, on her own, with children she’d never seen before, aged from 3 to 8 years. When my husband dropped her off, he said: ‘I think we’ll get a phone call soon. She was the only little one there and there were loads of older children.’ No phone call came. In fact, quite the opposite. When our daughter came home at lunch time that day, her face glowing and eyes sparkling, her first words to me were: ‘Mummy, I LOVED it. Can I go tomorrow?”’ And that was it. 9 years later, she still attends a performing arts class once a week. During that time, she has sung, dance and acted her way through dozens of performances, formally and informally, with and without audiences, with and without been filmed or in costume. She’s taken LAMDA acting exams, LCM Musical Theatre exams, auditioned for scholarships and even, famously, stood up in front of 400 people in a packed church to sing a Christmas carol. And, she has done the large majority of this without feeling nervous about what she was doing. Perhaps because she started at such a young age. Maybe your first reaction to this tale is: ‘My child could never do that.’ ‘Your daughter must have been a naturally confident child, who was always going to want to perform,’ I hear you say. It’s true that she’d always shown a fondness for role play, singing and acting out fairy stories. And seemed to love to dress up and ‘accessorise.’ And we ran with that. But, truthfully, I think most children love these things if given the opportunity to nurture them. Interestingly, although our daughter was comfortable being away from us, she was never all that comfortable interacting with other children. In fact, she was quite reserved. I sincerely believe that starting performing arts classes at such a young age, on the back of her love of storytelling, developed her
12 Families Cambridgeshire
by Linda Stone
confidence and ability to perform, rather than capitalising on some innate confidence she already had. Participating in performing arts has benefited her personal growth and education in unprecedented ways. Drama teaches children how to get inside the head of others. By “being a character” they learn to empathise. And this is a highly valuable skill for making friends during childhood, for understanding the deeper
Mummy, I LOVED it. Can I go tomorrow? context of books and even world situations and for developing emotional intelligence. Performing arts has helped our daughter make friends by teaching her how important it is to consider others feelings and needs and to be kind. Her performing arts classes involve considerable trial and error. In rehearsals, lines are forgotten, mashed up and fluffed in all sorts of ways. Songs are sung at the wrong pitch or note. Dancers fall into each other and trip over their own feet. And it is all fun, everyone laughs and it is all okay. Most importantly, with repeated practice and commitment, things improve. This fantastic blueprint has helped our daughter to accept failure, value practice and understand why commitment is required. This translates into an acceptance that she can contribute to class discussions and put up her hand to answer questions and that it is okay for others to disagree with her or for
her to get an answer wrong. She has even been able to accept that sometimes she will do less well than expected in an exam or test but that this too is okay – because with more work and practice, she will improve. Not only this, but her confidence and level of articulation mean she is able to comfortably read out loud, in class and in front of an audience at school, deliver presentations and even speeches. All this as a result of nurturing her initial interest in stories and ways of storytelling during her pre-school years! It just shows where encouraging and developing a child’s interest in stories, books and self-expression can lead.
familiesonline.co.uk
Addressing Post-Covid Learning Loss As our worlds slowly open back up and children are in school once again, for many parents a key question will be how they can support their child’s learning post-COVID. There has been much in the news about children being ‘behind’ and needing to ‘catch up.’ However, just as important is their emotional wellbeing, in particular connection, play, making sense of the world and resilience. By focusing on mental health, we can help our children to be in the best possible place to learn.
by Emma Martin
progress at school. One way to support your child’s ability to bounce back when things get tricky is to spend quality time doing an activity of their choice with them, whether it’s playdoh, kicking a ball about or playing a board game. By doing so, you are giving them a sense of safety and letting them know you are there for them.
Let’s prioritise their wellbeing
Think back to your own childhood and the things you enjoyed – being free to play, being yourself and being with friends. Let’s not give our Children do need to catch up this summer – but to catch up children the message they are ‘behind,’ but instead celebrate with friends and family. Social connections have been their wonderful achievements during this tricky time. hugely impacted by the pandemic, so it is important Let’s make this summer one of freedom and play By focusing on mental that we give children the time and space they by prioritising their emotional wellbeing - the rest health, we can help need to enjoy being social again (and not just will follow. our children to be in via a screen!). By giving time to rebuilding social Tips to help children process the the best possible place connections, parents will be helping their child to pandemic feel good about themselves and to practice all the to learn. Explore your child’s feelings. Recollections like: ‘Oh skills they need to help them get on with others in a I remember, I think you were excited when we first did positive way. home learning’ or ‘Yes, it was worrying when it was time to go
Re-build and strengthen connections
Let’s play!
With opportunities limited during lockdown, by giving children the opportunity to play we can help them to develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills. Most importantly, play helps children to have positive thoughts about themselves which is exactly what we need to encourage right now.
Making sense of experiences
One of the most important things parents can do this summer is to help children make sense of the pandemic so they don’t store concerns. We can do this by helping them to share the challenges and successes of their own ‘Covid story’ through conversations, role play or painting and drawing.
Nurture resilience
Many people have commented on how resilient children have been during this tumultuous time. Whether your child has ridden the rollercoaster with ease or found it more challenging, placing a focus on problem solving and resilience is a sure-fire way to help your child make familiesonline.co.uk
back to school and you weren't sure what your classroom might look like, wasn’t it?’ help children notice, explore, process and understand their feelings, whilst simultaneously recognising them as normal. It also conveys that you are interested in their feelings and that talking about them is a safe and positive thing to do.
Focus on accomplishments.
Avoid referring to a need to catch up or suggesting that your child is behind. This places unnecessary pressure on children that could be detrimental to their mental health. Instead focus on their accomplishments during the pandemic. Help them put some of their work into a scrapbook or assemble a photo book to remember this key time. Also look forward with them. Embrace their aspirations and desire to learn new things, helping them and celebrating their achievements. Emma Martin is an educational psychologist employed full-time by E-ACT multi-academy trust. She supports their primary academies in Bristol and is co-author of their national Relationships and Recovery Curriculum. Families Cambridgeshire 13
n O s ’ t a h W his
Stagecoach Performing Arts Classes WHERE: Coleridge Campus, Cambridge and
Cambourne Village College, Cambourne WHEN: From 22nd April Stagecoach aims to nurture and develop young potential through singing, acting and dance classes in Cambridge & Cambourne, stretching young imaginations and helping them to develop confidence, physical awareness, communication and articulation. From £50 for two-week trial www.stagecoach.co.uk 01223 359974
do t Things to ma, ime - Dra g Summert somethin t r o p s & music one in for every
Cambridg
eshire
RAZZAMATAZ CAMBRIDGE WHERE: Impington Village College WHEN: Summer Term.
24th April – 17th July Performing arts training for Razz Tots (2-3yrs), Minis (4-5yrs), Juniors (6-8), Inters (9-11yrs) to Razz Seniors (12-18yrs), with access to talented performers through specialist workshops and classes. Small classes to nurture a child’s confidence and self-esteem, plus a lot of fun. From £54 for 12 weeks. Free taster session available. www.cambridge.razzamataz.co.uk 01223 755113 or 07895 347239
PERFORM weekly drama, dance and singing classes WHERE &
WHEN: Hills Road Sports Centre:
Wednesdays, Newnham Croft Primary School: Saturdays , St. Andrews Church Hall Chesterton: Mondays Confidence building fun for 4-12s. A unique mix of drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. Classes are delivered in line with government Covid guidelines. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class. 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk
May Half Term Holiday Bushcraft Club
WHERE: Wild Thyme and Embers, Wandlebury Country Park and Nature Reserve WHEN: 26th and 27th May: 8.30 – 16.00 Sessions focus on practical bushcraft and survival skills with tool use (under adult supervision). Following the forest school approach, kids can undertake activities cooperatively in groups to strengthen social development and problem-solving skills. Suitable for children age 5 -12. £38 per day www.wildthymeandembers.co.uk/ holiday-bushcraft-club
Online courses and tech camps for 8-16 year olds
14 Families Cambridgeshire
familiesonline.co.uk
Families Clubs & Classes Cambridge United Trust Disability Classes
PERFORM ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Summer Course WHERE: Newnham Croft
WHERE: Coleridge Community College WHEN: May / June Saturdays and Sundays Disability sport sessions provided by Cambridge United Community Trust including: Ambulant Cerebral Palsy Football; Down's Syndrome Football; Frame Football; Powerchair Football; and Women & Girls Pan-Disability Football £3 per session www.cuctrust.co.uk/inclusion/ disability-sport/ 07948 407950
Multi-Active Half Term and Summer Holiday Courses WHERE: Houghton Primary
School, Wyton and Priory Junior School, St. Neots WHEN: 1st – 4th June and 23rd July – 31st August: 9.00 – 16.00 (Extended hours available 8.00 – 17.30) Multi-Active exist to provide affordable and reliable childcare and day care to parents and carers and provide innovative experiences to get ALL children ACTIVE and not just sporty children. Ages 5 – 13. From £19.99 / day 07561 416208 www.multi-active.co.uk
Primary School WHEN: 26th – 30th July: 10.00 – 15.00 This summer holiday, your 4-10 year old can have fun tumbling down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy world of Wonderland. Perform’s brilliant team of enthusiastic and highly trained actors, musicians and dancers will work their magic to ensure your child enjoys every minute. Children will be encouraged to project their voices, learn energetic dance routines, sing catchy songs and develop the Perform 4 Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination. £335.00 www.perform.org.uk 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk
Stagecoach Performing Arts Holiday Workshops WHERE: Coleridge Campus,
Cambridge (26th July – 20th August) and Cambourne (9th – 13th August) WHEN: 26th July – 20th August Children (age 6 – 15) can make friends, have fun and develop some great new skills at Stagecoach’s fabulous Holiday Drama Clubs and Workshops. At the end of their course, the students will join together to showcase their new-found singing, acting and dancing skills to family and friends (COVID guidelines dependant). 01223 359974 www.stagecoach.co.uk
Baby Sensory (0-13 months) WHERE: Cambridge,
Trumpington, Ely Designed to aid your child's development from birth, with sounds, smells, sights, music, dance and more; classes run throughout the year. Book in blocks of 5 or 10. From £42.50 www.babysensory.com/ cambridgesouth/ for Cambridge / Trumpington classes www.babysensory.com/ cambridgenorth/ for Ely classes
WHERE: Great Shelford
WHEN: Weekly or Fortnightly
Music Lessons Engaging, fun and supportive one-to-one tuition in Piano, Bassoon, Organ, Musicianship, Music Theory and Composition. GCSE and A Level. Individual lessons to suit your needs. Nurture a love of music with the guidance of an experienced musician and teacher. From £80 for 4 lessons. Free trial session available. www.kwanmusic.co.uk musicoaktree@zohomail.eu
College
WHEN: 30th July – 24th August:
10.00 - 16.00 Start your kids adventure into a universe of tech! Explore video games design with Roblox, Minecraft and more. Coding with Python and Java or creative skills with graphic design and digital music. Holiday camps and online clubs available now. 0203 950 7310 www.firetechcamp.com
South Cambridgeshire Equestrian Centre WHERE: Barrington
A British Horse Society Approved Riding Centre with private and group lessons for 5 years + with or without riding experience. From £20/half hour group lesson www.scec.co.uk 01763 263213 or 07712 033862
Elite Swimming Academy WHERE: Weekly Children’s
Swimming lessons Venues across Cambridge With just 3 students per class and world class teachers, Elite Swimming Academy guarantee to have your child swimming years ahead of their time with a term time, weekly 30-minute lesson. www.eliteswimmingacademy. co.uk 01223 633 699
Gymnastics
WHERE: Various locations
WHEN: 5th – 30th July
familiesonline.co.uk
WHERE: Hills Road Sixth Form
Kwan Music
The Perse Summer School
Open to children aged 7 to 14 from all schools, The Perse School offers a wide range of courses including hockey, cookery, outdoor pursuits, golf, photography and water sports. Take a look at their website to find something for you! All courses, except multi-sports, run for a week of mornings or a week of afternoons. 01223 403800 www.persesummerschool.co.uk/
Firetech Camps
Paxton Lakes Sailing Club WHERE: Little Paxton WHEN: August
Official RYA training centre that welcomes people 8 years +, with large selection of boats and equipment available. Courses have maximum 12 places with qualified instructors to ensure personal attention. Adult £125.00 Child £100.00 for 4 half-day sessions plus £6.99 for log book. www.paxtonlakes.org.uk/index.php/sailing-school sailing.courses@paxtonlakes.org.uk
Jumping, bouncing, rolling, climbing – children are natural gymnasts. Encourage a healthy relationship with movement and confidence by signing your child up to a regular class with a specialist instructor. Use the British Gymnastics Organisation website to locate classes in your area. www.british-gymnastics. org/discover
Families Cambridgeshire 15
Calling our subscribers! Exclusive subscriber-only game giveaway! Pop Up Olaf
Active Snap
Screwball Scramble 2 Harry Potter Quiz
Sketchy
Fill your Pants
Rapidough
APPLY HERE
T&Cs
Not subscribed yet? SIGN UP and enjoy the benefits FREE
TAKE ME
HOME
ies
Maga
Magazine
z
30
nt
ri
years
e
Pr
o
il
IT’S FREE
in
Fa m
Magazine
2 May/June ud
to be
P
May/June 2021
o.uk familiesonline.c
Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Life skills beyond the classroom How many of these skills does your child have? Help them learn with these great instructional videos.
Touch typing
Repairing a bicycle puncture
Dialling 999
Basic sewing
Making a bed
Pitching a tent
Tying a shoe lace
Performing a shout and signal rescue
Managing money
4 May/June
Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
I don’t want to be THAT parent…..
Making science fun for kids
By Annabel Gray
By Oli Ryan
In my Facebook group Ask a Teacher, we always have a number of members stating that they don’t want to be ‘that’ parent with regard to expressing their concerns to teachers. I’m here, as a teacher, to tell you why teachers actually WANT you to be ‘that’ parent! READ MORE
Scientific processes happen all around us daily – just waiting to be discovered by curious, young scientists. Explore science with your kids outdoors, in the kitchen and even at bath time. Experiment with butter churning, toilet paper chromatography and making a rain gauge. READ MORE
Why we should prioritise stories this summer By Sarah Campbell
With summer on the horizon, we need inspiration for activities that help our children recover lost learning, support their mental health and bring some much-deserved fun to family life. What’s the one thing that embraces all these goals? READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk
Giveaway!
Disney princess wooden toys
APPLY HERE Magazine
T&Cs apply
May/June 5
EDUCATION
Addressing Post-Covid Learning Loss By Emma Martin As our worlds slowly open back up and children are in school once again, for many parents a key question will be how they can support their child’s learning postCovid. There has been much in the news about children being ‘behind’ and needing to ‘catch up.’ However, just as important is their emotional wellbeing, in particular connection, play, making sense of the world and resilience. By focusing on mental health, we can help our children to be in the best possible place to learn. Re-build and strengthen connections Children do need to catch up this summer – but to catch up with friends and family. Social connections have been hugely impacted by the pandemic, so it is important that we give children the time and space they need to enjoy being social again (and not just via a screen!). By giving time to rebuilding social connections, parents will be helping their child to feel good about themselves and to practice all the skills they need to help them get on with others in a positive way. Making sense of experiences One of the most important things parents can do this summer is to help children make sense of the pandemic so they don’t store 6 May/June
concerns. We can do this by helping them to share the challenges and successes of their own ‘Covid story’ through conversations, role play or painting and drawing. Read Emma’s suggestions for helping your child process the pandemic.
Bella Learning Games
Fun educational games to download, print and play.
Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 Packs
Available Now!
For examples, tips and advice, find Bella Learning Games on Facebook and Instagram.
www.bellalearning.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Addressing Post-Covid Learning Loss Cont... Let’s play! With opportunities limited during lockdown, by giving children the opportunity to play we can help them to develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills. Most importantly, play helps children to have positive thoughts about themselves which is exactly what we need to encourage right now. Nurture resilience Many people have commented on how resilient children have been during this tumultuous time. Whether your child has ridden the rollercoaster with ease or found it more challenging, placing a focus on problem solving and resilience is a sure-fire way to help your child make progress at school. One way to support your child’s ability to bounce back when things get tricky is to spend quality time doing an activity of their choice with them, whether it’s playdoh, kicking a ball about or playing a board game. By doing so, you are giving them a sense of safety and letting them know you are there for them. Let’s prioritise their wellbeing Think back to your own childhood and the things you enjoyed – being free to play, being yourself and being with friends. Let’s not give our children the message they are ‘behind,’ but instead celebrate their wonderful achievements during this tricky time.
Emma Martin is an educational psychologist employed full-time by E-ACT multi-academy trust. She supports the trust’s primary academies in Bristol and is coauthor of its national Relationships and Recovery Curriculum.
Outdoor toy giveaway! Gazillion Rollin’ Wave
Stomp Rocket Ultra
APPLY HERE Magazine
Familiesonline.co.uk
T&Cs apply
May/June 7
EDUCATION
Books that challenge gender stereotypes Books can be purchased via Bookshop.org an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.
My First Book of Feminism
She Rex
Julie Merberg Ages 0-3.
Michelle Robinson & Deborah Allwright Ages 3+.
The Paper Bag Princess
Tough Guys Have Feelings Too
Robert Munsch & Michael Martchenko Ages 4-7.
Rebel Girls Lead: 25 Tales of Powerful Women Ages 6-9.
8 May/June
Keith Negley Ages 5-6.
Love Your Body Jessica Sanders & Carol Rossetti Ages 7+.
My Daddy is a Nurse
Kerrine Bryan & Jason Bryan. Ages 2-5.
Stories for Boys Who Dare to be Different 2
Ben Brooks & Quinton Winter. Ages 9-12.
Molly on the March Anna Carey Ages 10-12.
Familiesonline.co.uk
SUMMER FUN
TryOut a week at residential summer camp for just £295! This summer any child ages 9 to 15, who has never attended a residential summer camp can stay at a TryOut camp, run by experienced providers, for just £295 for a week (including accompanied travel). The initiative is organised by The Summer Camps Trust to help share with children the joys of summer camp. Camps take place at Nettlecombe Court, a magnificent Field Studies Centre in beautiful grounds near Taunton, Somerset from 8-15 August and at Camp Redwood, a fabulous tented camp in the heart of Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire from 15-21 August.
Recent UK attendees comment: ‘It was the best week of my life so far’, ‘My leader made me feel happy and safe just like my mum would do’. Parents said: ‘She came home with so many friends and memories and having had so much fun’ and ‘It was the happiest I have ever seen him’.
Get ready for games of all kinds. Explore areas of wood, hills and countryside. Enjoy tracking activities, unravel mysteries and stimulate the imagination. Participate in entertainment, songs and stories around the camp fire. Sleep under the stars, climb or enjoy water activities. Or relax and chat in the sun. Leave screens and peer pressures behind, reconnect with the natural world and with being a child again. Exactly what our children need right now.
So don’t delay, find out why summer camp is the best week of the year for millions of children worldwide. More information and booking. Or, for a brochure, email chris@summercampstrust.org
Attend a TryOut camp totally FREE! 6 places available
APPLY HERE
T&Cs
Being part of a small group, looked after by a well-trained 18 or 19 year-old leader who is like an older brother or sister, can be a unique experience and help children grow in confidence, social skills and positivity. Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 9
SUMMER FUN
Summer camp booking: what to ask General
What is the daily routine? What should my child wear? What happens if it rains (outside camps)? What does my child need to bring? Will my child be able to re-fill their water bottle? What is the sunscreen policy? What if my child needs extra help? Can I get some feedback on my child’s day? Can a friend or extended family member collect my child? Can I find out how my child’s day is going? Will I be able to contact my child if necessary?
Booking and Payment
What discounts are available eg early booking/siblings/groups? Can I make changes to my booking? What is the last date for making changes? Are all activities included or do I have to pay extras? Can I pay by instalments? What will happen if I am delayed in collecting my child? Will I have to pay extra? Do I get a refund if my child can’t attend due to illness? Do I need insurance? Are you signed up to the tax-free childcare/childcare vouchers scheme? Is an extension to the normal day available and what does it cost?
10 May/June
Your child’s safety
Is the camp Ofsted registered and where can I view the report? What are the camp’s policies on safeguarding, bullying, health and safety? Will any applicable Covid-19 guidelines be followed? What happens if a child or staff member tests positive for Covid-19? How many children are there on a camp? How many in each group? What age group will my child be in? What is the staff/child ratio? Will my child have a key worker?
Outdoor toy giveaway!
AquaPlay Lockbox
CAT Power Haulers
APPLY HERE Magazine
T&Cs apply
Familiesonline.co.uk
SUMMER FUN
Making the most of the summer By Claire Winter Summer is almost here - time to start planning fun family activities! Book it! Most venues will have a booking system to avoid overcrowding and to ensure Covid-compliance. Book and arrive early. Less is more. Don’t over schedule. You will have become accustomed to less stimulation. Brainstorm quieter places to visit, or plan events on alternate days/weekends. Don’t forget the food…. Don’t get stuck in long food queues. Hungry kids and ‘hangry’ parents don’t mix. Take a packed lunch and snacks. Enjoy the spontaneous. After months of restrictions, embrace spontaneity again. Why not take a day trip to the seaside or visit somewhere new?
E ME
E
HOME
Magazine
SIGN UP es Mag a
d
t
in
years
ne
u
ili
30
m
zi
IT’S FREE!
o
Familiesonline.co.uk
FRE
TAK
Pr
Go to a movie. Get lost in another world as cinemas reopen. There are lots of new films due for release this month. Visit museums and galleries Why not research a weird and wonderful museum like the Dog Collar Museum in Leeds Castle to visit? It’s perfect for all dog lovers! Take a day trip Head off the beaten track. You could visit stunning lavender fields in the Surrey Downs or the Yorkshire Sculpture Park? Go to a local event What’s on in your local area? It’s good to support your local community. Invite your friends and family to join you.
Enjoy subscriber-only giveaways & offers!
Fa
Half term highlights
r to be P
May/June 2021
IN THIS ISSUE
Activities Tips/Advice Days Out familiesonline.co.u
k
Already subscribed? Apply for our game giveaway HERE
Magazine
T&Cs apply
May/June 11
SUMMER FUN
Outdoor toys for summer We asked our friends at The Good Toy Guide to put together their recommendations. You can read reviews of each toy on their site.
Walkie Talkies
Kidnoculars
Diditrike
5 in 1 Outdoor Measure Mate
Paint-a-Puzzle
First Weather Science Kit
Hop Skip Jump
Discovery Adventures Metal Detector
The JUNKO Kits
12 May/June
Familiesonline.co.uk
WORK
I don’t want to return to my workplace… By Mandy Garner As lockdown eases, you may find yourself under increasing pressure from your employer to return to the workplace. For some, this will be a welcome relief; for others, a source of stress. If it’s the latter, what are your options? Firstly, if your reluctance to return to your workplace is due to concerns about safety, it’s important to know that, while government guidance on working from home is likely to change, businesses will still have to show they are Covid-secure. You can report a business to the Health & Safety Executive if you are worried.
any legitimate concerns of your employer.
Firstly, you need to consider what works best for you and your family. If you have school-aged children and little wraparound care available, hybrid working means you can get the benefits of both face to face contact and remote working and One of the outcomes of the pandemic is that previously resistant still be around at least part of the week to do the school run. But employers have seen that remote there are also other considerations, working is effective, although including your own motivation. Can remote working through Covid-19 has been far from normal. For many, you easily stay motivated when working alone? it’s been much more isolating and difficult. Once you have established how you want to work, think through how So your employer may be open this might affect your colleagues, to discussing with you different your ability to do your job and your ways of working. Many businesses career prospects. Whilst many jobs are anticipating greater hybrid can be done remotely, different jobs working, with people working lend themselves to different forms of some days from home and some in the workplace. Others may need flexible working. more persuasion. It’s important to Read more about remote working be clear about what you want, to options and getting the most out of think through the possible impact hybrid working. on your colleagues and to address Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 13
HEALTH
My Ways to Feel Better Poster
Help your children to handle difficult feelings. Download and pin up this poster from Partnership for Children with ideas to help them feel better.
My Ways to Feel Better Poster When I feel angry, sad or worried, I can choose to do one of the activities on this poster to help me feel better. Which will I choose?
Dance to your favourite song
Have a drink of water
Think of the three best Think of a happy memory of your moments of the day friends/family
Talk to a friend
Think of three solutions for your problem
Do some colouring
Smell your favourite smell
Hug a toy
Do five star jumps
Ask for help
Take some deep breaths
Write down how Think of a happy Watch television time you are feeling
Have a nap
www.partnershipforchildren.org.uk
Say you’re sorry
Make a list of things you are good at
Imagine your favourite place
Do a full body stretch
© 2020 Partnership for Children. Registered Charity number: 1089810. All rights reserved.
DOWNLOAD POSTER HERE 14 May/June
Familiesonline.co.uk
HEALTH
Overcoming emotional eating
Staying sun safe this summer
By Pranita Salunke
By Dr Sweta Rai
Struggling with the kind of pressure the last year has delivered can create stress in the body. One of the results can be falling victim to emotional eating - eating beyond hunger, to comfort or reward ourselves. So how can you overcome this problem? READ MORE
Summer often means spending more family time outdoors. So it’s important to be aware of the risks of over-exposure to the sun and how best to protect your skin and that of your loved ones. This applies even when outside in the UK.
Supporting brain health
Enjoy subscriber-only giveaways & offers!
Studies show that Omega-3 fish oils improve brain function, concentration and behaviour. In fact, a clinician-led year-long trial of Omega-3 and 6 brain health supplement Equazen was shown to lift reading scores in mainstream children ages 9 to 10 years. Equazen is a clinically proven range of Omega-3 with 6 supplements for children, which supports brain health, by offering the recommended amount of 250g of Omega-3 DHA, blended with Omega-6 GLA. Watch out for our Equazen giveaway coming soon! Familiesonline.co.uk
READ MORE
SIGN UP IT’S FREE! Already subscribed? Apply for our game giveaway HERE
Magazine
T&Cs apply
May/June 15
HOLIDAYS
Family-friendly UK city breaks We’ve picked nine top UK cities with heaps on offer for families. So start planning your trip now!
London
Cardiff
Bristol
Manchester
Edinburgh
Southampton
Oxford
York
Norwich
16 May/June
Familiesonline.co.uk
HOLIDAYS
Win a family holiday with Away WIN Resorts! Win a three or four night stay for four people in luxury accommodation at an Away Resorts park of your choice. Fall in love with a new type of holiday at one of its fabulous UK locations - where your accommodation is off-the-scale amazing and new experiences abound. Explore the New Forest at Sandy Balls, go wakeboarding at Tattershall Lakes or hit the golf course at Boston West, both in Lincolnshire. Sample the local cuisine at Mersea Island, soak up the sun beachside or mountainside at Barmouth Bay in Wales, discover the new-look Hayling Island gem, Mill Rythe, or enjoy a bucket-and-spade holiday at Whitecliff Bay on the glorious Isle of Wight. ENTER HERE. T&Cs.
Five things to take on a staycation
Beach Towels. An essential for having a dip! Wind-breaker jackets. You’ll be lucky to avoid a breeze when holidaying in the UK! Pack waterproof and windproof jackets. A portable BBQ. Not essential but happy faces are guaranteed when you whip up some delicious burgers and hot dogs. A picnic hamper. Taking a hamper will ensure everyone stays hydrated, nourished and happy. Games. Whether it’s cricket on the beach or card games by moonlight, pack something fun that all the family will enjoy. Familiesonline.co.uk
Five staycation “must-considers”
Make decisions now! UK staycations are booking fast. Avoid popular hot spots. Particularly during summer school holidays, when they may already be booked. How will you occupy the kids? Weather may be poor, so make sure there are bad-weather entertainment options. Consider a city break. There may well be more accommodation and more entertainment options. Think about journey time. The roads are likely to be super-busy. If you are travelling a long way, are you are prepared to endure longer than usual time in the car? May/June 17
HOLIDAYS
Top UK camping locations Availability for 2021 at time of publication but booking fast.
Whittlebury Park
Pop-up site at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix 13-19 July.
Home Farm Glamping
North London’s nearest glamping escape.
Andrewshayes Holiday Park
Award-winning and something for all budgets in East Devon. 18 May/June
Trevornick Holiday Park 5* holiday park in stunning Holywell Bay in Cornwall.
Camp Elwood
Pop up site from 26 July-9 August in Norfolk.
Little Retreats
Glamp in castle grounds on the Pembrokeshire coast.
Sacrewell Farm
Beautiful Cambridgeshire location. Adjacent to rare breed animal farm.
Walnut Grove Camping
Quiet, well-maintained site in Hampshire. 20 mins from Stonehenge.
Green Hill Farm Holiday Village
Dog-friendly, luxury holiday homes in the New Forest. Familiesonline.co.uk
HOLIDAYS
Top tips for a great camping holiday Before you go….
When you are there…
Making it cheaper…
Never want to miss another issue? FREE
TAKE ME HOME
Magazine
s Magaz
ri
years
ud
e
o
ie
30
nt
il
in
Familiesonline.co.uk
SIGN UP NOW IT’S FREE
Pr
Borrow equipment, buy second hand, rent a tent from Tentshare A great idea if this is your first trip… and it may be your last! Take your own duvets, pillows and blankets They may be more comfortable than sleeping bags. Book outside of peak season With the right clothes, autumn is a great time to camp. Collect wood If cooking on a campfire, do this when you arrive. It’s likely to be cheaper than buying firewood at the campsite. Buy a portable grill Cheaper than numerous disposable BBQ’s and better for the environment.
Don’t break the rules Camping involves sharing the peace and quiet of the countryside with others. Keep the noise down and be respectful, especially at night. Don’t leave food unattended It will attract unwanted animals. Tidy up outside your tent before spending the day exploring or going to sleep. Don’t leave a trace Leave the campsite as you found it. Take your rubbish with you or use on-site bins and dedicated recycling stations; Put out your campfire.
Fa m
Have a packing list Turning up with tired, hungry kids and no tent pegs isn’t funny! Pack eye masks, earplugs, hats, socks and blankets. Invest in a thick self-inflating mat (SIM). Don’t rely on Sat Nav/Google Maps Phone signal can be unreliable and can take you to the wrong place. Pack a paper map and compass (that you know how to use!) Plan your meals Take ingredients with you. This avoids last minute panics and unnecessary spending in on-site shops. Take plenty of snacks!
to be
P
.co.uk
familiesonline 1
May/June 202
Magazine
May/June 19
HOLIDAYS
The perfect weekend away We’ve found some top UK days out in areas of the country that have lots to offer families. Perfect options for an overnight or weekend stay.
Llechwedd Slate Cavern
The Needles Chairlift
Peppa Pig World
Overnight on the Isle of Wight.
Overnight in the New Forest or Southampton.
Legoland
Overnight in Windsor or Maidenhead.
Bewilderwood
Overnight in North Norfolk.
The Eden Project
Jorvik Viking Centre
Bram Stoker’s Dracula Experience
Dinosaurland Fossil Museum
Overnight in York. 20 May/June
Overnight in Whitby.
Overnight in Snowdonia.
Overnight in South Cornwall.
Overnight on the Jurassic Coast.
Familiesonline.co.uk
FATHER’S DAY
DIY Father’s Day gift ideas Help your child make something special for Dad this Father’s Day.
Lego photo pen holder
Scribble mug
Dad Rocks paperweight
Zig-zag Father’s Day card
Keepsake box
Printable Father’s Day book
Remote caddy
Dad’s special supper
Father’s Day card
Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 21
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Top tips for sprucing up your garden By Svetlana Blakeley-Sargeant The simple joy of being able to entertain in the garden is something we’ll definitely never take for granted again! But what if your garden isn’t quite up to the job? Our tips will help you: Set the scene for new plant life; Rekindle your love affair with your lawn; Vertically ‘green up’ a small, urban garden; Use container gardening for quick transformation; Transform an uninspiring garden; Embrace sustainability; Enjoy family-orientated garden activities and ideas. Set the scene for new plant life Start with a good garden clean up. Remove dead plants and Outdoor accessories for summer
winter weeds like chickweed and bittercress, prepare your flower beds and improve the soil. Give your trees and shrubs a trim and tidy up your hedges. Rekindle your love affair with your lawn Lawns act as a contrast to colourful blooms and focal evergreens and offer an inviting play area for your kids. De-thatch, aerate, and address weeds and bald patches. Overseed your lawn if needed and feed it with a slow-release fertiliser. Mow regularly. READ MORE Outdoor accessories for summer
Ornamental fire pit
Patio heater
Garden gazebo
Outdoor pizza oven
Garden bar
Garden table
Outdoor kitchen
Picnic table
22 May/June
Familiesonline.co.uk
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Renovating your child’s room By Claire Winter With countless interior trends online, paired with your child’s ideas for their room, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to home improvement. How do you combine practical with exciting?
FRE
TAK
E ME
E
HOME
Magazine
SIGN UP HERE to receive every issue IT’S FREE! es Mag
a
zi
years
d
r to be P
May/June 2021
Magazine
ne
u
ili
30
m
o
Familiesonline.co.uk
Get the best out of family life!
Pr
Claim £10 off your first booking with Fantastic Services! Use code FANTASTICFAMILY10 when you register and create an account HERE Be it help with the house, garden, or any other domestic service, Fantastic Services is the place to find help. With an easy online booking process and live quotation, home maintenance becomes easy. Same and next day visits. 7 days a week. Fixed price.
READ MORE
t
Design themes Practicality Homework/play space Storage Colour and design trends Unique bedroom ideas – including
Design themes This year has seen a strong desire for escapism, using exoticallydesigned items and location wallpapers to transport us to other countries or worlds. Children will definitely enjoy a star-gazing galaxy above their heads when they go to bed, or an ocean-themed wall so they can imagine the whooshing of the sea lapping up to shore. These kinds of themes keep their imagination and dreams fuelled.
in
Here’s how to create smiles all round, considering:
space savers, wall art, plants and DIY items
Fa
During the pandemic, there has undoubtedly been a shift in the way many of us approach home living. Not only do we need functional and zoom-friendly spaces for us as adults, but we need safe and welcoming spaces for our children.
IN THIS ISSUE
Activities Tips/Advice Days Out familiesonline.c o.uk
May/June 23
FAMILY LIFE
Helping your child make friends
Your Child’s Relationship Legacy
By Poppy O’Neill
By Neil Wilkie
Rejection, big life changes, sensitivity and shyness can impact children’s ability to make or keep friends. Without guidance, they can feel baffled by friendship up and downs. What techniques can parents use to help their children build fulfilling social lives? READ MORE
Who teaches us how to have a loving and fulfilling relationship with another person? How parents relate to their children in the first three years, will shape their attachment style and influence their relationships for what is likely to be the rest of their lives. READ MORE
Two homes – the practicalities
Foster care: are you eligible?
Over the years at Only Mums & Only Dads, we’ve heard many separating parents express their concerns about their children having two homes. How will everyone cope? What can be done to make it easier for everyone? We have some answers to these questions and others. READ MORE
Foster Care Fortnight® organised by The Fostering Network, runs from 11 to 24 May. It raises awareness of fostering and celebrates the fostering community. There are some common myths and misconceptions about who can or can’t foster. Let’s attempt to clear some of these up. READ MORE
24 May/June
Familiesonline.co.uk
EARLY YEARS
Helping pre-schoolers re-engage with each other By Sarah Mundy Yesterday I was on the beach playing with my 3 year old son when a little girl ran up. She was interested in his toys, got straight in there, and then tried to give him a hug! Her awareness of personal space, even by pre-Covid standards, was non-existent and her excitement at seeing another child was simultaneously heart-breaking and warming. Her father explained that she had barely socialised with any children over the last year. Definitive evidence around the impact of lockdown on young children is yet to emerge. However, many parents are concerned about the lack of social experiences their children have had. They have missed out on things like toddler classes which help them learn the skill of being with others. In the early years, a child’s key relationship with their primary caregiver frames their view of themselves and the world around them. When secure, it acts as a buffer to adversity, meaning that children who have been doing okay at home will feel more able to confidently explore the world again, despite being potentially behind socially. Despite this, it wouldn’t be surprising if children are behind Familiesonline.co.uk
socially. By age 3, children actively seek to play with peers, but they need help in navigating social situations. Friendships can be complex and children need to learn about managing disagreements, understanding feelings (theirs and others), taking-turns, listening and co-operating. So, how do we support our children to feel ready to go back to preschool and help them (re)learn social skills? READ MORE
Get the best out of family life! SIGN UP HERE to receive every issue IT’S FREE!
Magazine
May/June 25
FOOD
Family-friendly al fresco dining recipes Get the family into the kitchen to help prepare some perfect food for eating outside.
Sticky chicken drumsticks
Easy traditional lemonade
Nutella fairy bread
Rainbow Jam tarts
Cheesy spinach muffins
Super sausage rolls
Layered rainbow salad pots
Child-friendly hummus with crudites
Simple tuna salad with pasta
26 May/June
Familiesonline.co.uk
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
Party ideas for different ages By Simone Ryder If, despite a year without socialising, you are a parent who feels that party planning is yet another of the daunting challenges to be faced on the hazardous path to parenting success, then read on…. Love or hate party planning, we hope this thumbnail guide will help you on the road to a successful event
co-operating. Keep the party to about ninety minutes to avoid overstimulation. By age four, children Age 1-2 are full of energy and imagination, Your child’s first party is your which makes them wonderful celebration – the anniversary of partygoers. Plan short games and becoming a parent. Your 1 year old will have no idea what’s going on, so keep things moving as they may you can make this a celebration for still find it hard to wait their turn. Treasure and scavenger hunts work adults only, if you prefer. well but many parents opt for soft Two year old can catapult from play venues or similar to allow little excitement to temper tantrum ones to burn off energy. Entertainers in minutes — so you need to at your home or hired venue are be prepared. Most age twos also popular. Plan for a party of one are still very possessive of their to two hours. toys so do put away your child’s favourite things beforehand. And Age 5-6 avoid opening gifts at the party Five year olds know parties are very since most of the guests won’t important and may have all sorts of understand they can’t just take the wonderful (and wild) suggestions birthday child’s new things home! about the event. Theme parties Organised games aren’t really work well at this age. Children are necessary since children still play usually ready for games that involve independently at this age. instruction like Hokey Cokey and Simon Says. They are acquiring Age 3-4 fine motor skills necessary to use Now your child is likely to be scissors and string beads so they’re familiar with celebrations. Singing and circle activities work better than ready for simple crafts too. Plan for a party of about two hours. group games as they will usually enjoy playing with other children More ages and stages. briefly but may still have trouble Familiesonline.co.uk
May/June 27
Birthday Party Countdown Planner
Plan your party the easy way using our cut-out planner and checklist! 3 months before
6 weeks before
4 weeks before
★ Set a budget and a date
★ Send out a ‘save the date’ by email
★ Prepare invitations
★ Make a guest list
★ Pick your theme
★ Book a venue/ entertainer
★ Plan the party food you wish to order
★ Buy/make party decorations ★ Order cake
✸ ✸ ✸ ✸ ✸✸ TIP
TIP
TIP
TIP
Don’t forget cost of venue, party entertainment, food and decorations.
Popular options may need to be booked even earlier!
Ask for an RSVP.
Choose a theme your child loves.
1-2 weeks before
1-3 days before
★ Sort out the party bags
★ Buy party food
★ Plan party games ★ Send out reminder by email
★ Pick up cake ★ Write list/timings for party day
✸ ✸ ✸ TIP
TIP
TIP
Allow research time and get the birthday boy or girl to help.
Don’t just leave this to chance. Roughly plan enough games to last for at least half the party.
Reconfirm party food if ordered from a supplier.
28 May/June
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
TIP
TIP
Get your child to hand out invites at school/ nursery.
Decorations can make or break the party vibe!
Party Day
✸
Enjoy the day and take lots of pictures!
TIP
Leave plenty of time to get to the venue…
Familiesonline.co.uk
SUMMER WORKSHOPS
Realise the unique potential in your child at Stagecoach.
Cambridge
Cambourne
Age 6-15 years
Age 6-15 years
Coleridge Campus, Radegund Road, Cambridge, CB1 3RJ
Cambourne Village College, Sheepfold Lane, Cambourne, CB23 6FR
26th - 30th July 2nd - 6th August 16th - 20th August
9th - 13th August
Industry Week Age 14-18 years Coleridge Campus, Radegund Road, Cambridge, CB1 3RJ
WE ACCEPT CHILDCARE VOUCHERS
2nd - 6th August
GE & BRID CAM BOURNE CAM
Stagecoach Cambridge and Cambourne 01223 359974
www.stagecoach.co.uk/cambridge
cambridge@stagecoach.co.uk
www.facebook.co.uk/stagecoachcambridge
Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach is a registered trademark of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Ltd.