Families Northants MarchApril 2020

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IN THIS ISSUE ALTERNATIVE EASTER GIFT GUIDE MOTIVATING GOOD BEHAVIOUR WHEN SHOULD BABIES START TALKING

Issue 5 March/April 2020

familiesonline.co.uk

CONTENTS NEWS & VIEWS

2-3

Hello everyone!

EARLY YEARS

4-5

Spring time is here, my favourite time of the year after a long cold winter. Days become brighter and nature begins to blossom again.

Spring also marks a time to celebrate that someone special in your life on ‘Mothering Sunday’ whether that is your Mum, Grandma, Aunty or someone who has always been there for you. Show them how much you care and appreciate them.

- When should babies start talking - Tax free childcare

PARENTING

6-7

- A new path - Motivating good behaviour

EDUCATION

8-9

- Encouraging reluctant readers - Exam preparation techniques

EASTER

10-11

- Alternative Easter gift guide - Healthy Easter cookies

Easter is coming up soon too! Check out our What’s on section for Easter egg hunts! We have also compiled a list of alternative Easter gifts for those of you who want less chocolate in their kids tummies, and a healthy Easter cookie recipe for the kids to make! What ever you choose to do this Easter, I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Happy reading

CLUBS & CLASSES

Hayley xx

12

- Activities for under 5s

WHAT’ ON

13-15

KIDS CLUB ACTIVITIES

Managing editor @familiesnortha1

16

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familiesnorthantsmagazine

Peppa Pig’s

Muddy Puddle Walk for charity Between the 11th and the 17th May, nurseries, early years groups, families and children up and down the country are being encouraged to take part in a Muddy Puddle Walk to raise money for the international children’s charity, Save the Children.

By taking part in a Muddy Puddle Walk and raising money for Save the Children, you can help vulnerable children around the world have a safe place to play and learn.

Sign up at MuddyPuddleWalk.org for a free Muddy Puddle Walk Fundraising Pack full of fun Peppa Pig inspired activities to help you get started – with tips for great walks indoors and out, fundraising ideas, fun activities to get your walkers ready for the big day and at the end of the walk, there’s a free Peppa Pig sticker reward for every child.

More info: MuddyPuddleWalk.org

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EDITOR - Hayley Ash editor@familiesnorthants.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk 07568 406901 CONTRIBUTORS Claire Winter Gabby Nash Andrew Campbell Sarah-Jane Butler Tom Palmer PRINTERS CKN Pure Print www.cknprint.co.uk UPCOMING ISSUE May/June BOOKING DEADLINE 7th of April

Families Northants 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 Northants are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Northants. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Northants, 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.

NEWS & VIEWS

Join the fight against plastic with the Great British Spring Clean

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

There are fifteen National Parks in the UK, spanning the length and breadth of the country. Ten in England, three in Wales and two in Scotland. National Parks protect almost 10% of England, 20% of Wales and 8% of Scotland.

The UK-wide celebration includes a wide range of events and activities running throughout the Easter holidays, including guided walks, geocaching and wildlife experiences at every park. These events offer families a great opportunity to explore, learn, relax and unwind. www.nationalparks.uk/discover

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

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

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

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

Participate in British Science Week British Science Week is a 10 day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place from the 6th to the 15th of March. The annual festival features fascinating, entertaining and engaging events and activities across the UK, designed to appeal to families with children of all ages.

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

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

Having fewer toys may be better You’ve probably suspected it – well, it may now have been confirmed!

Children who have too many toys are more easily distracted, and do not enjoy quality playtime, a new study suggests.

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

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

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

They found that youngsters were

More info: www.sciencedirect.com

Email: editor@familiesnorthants.co.uk Phone: 07568 406901

Families Northants 3

EARLY YEARS

When should babies start talking?

D

uring the first three years of life, a baby’s brain is developing rapidly which is why this period contains so many contain critical milestones for their speech development.

Interestingly, much of your baby’s speech development depends on your “baby talk” skills as well as those of your baby!

The first “baby talk” is non-verbal and happens soon after birth. Babies grimace, cry, and squirm to express a range of emotions and physical needs, from fear to hunger to frustration. It is important to listen to your baby’s different cries, work out what they mean and respond accordingly.

At the age of 3 months, you’ll notice your baby listening to your voice, watching your face as you

talk, and turning towards other voices, sounds and music.

Before babies start talking, they are gathering information. That information eventually becomes the foundation of the first baby talk. And the best way for parents to help their babies make it to those first words – and thrive with language development in the months after – is to talk to them.

At around 6 months of age, you’ll hear your baby begin to babble and coo, as they play around with different sounds. This “baby talk” is a happy, gentle, repetitive, sing-song vocalisation of sounds similar the world over, despite the language of a baby’s parents.

After 9 months of age, babies can say and understand a few

basic words like “no” and “byebye.” They also may begin to use a wider range of consonant sounds and tones as they try out sounds and find their own voice. Babies may also be able to point to people, objects, and body parts you name for them.

They repeat words or sounds they hear you say, like the last word in a sentence, but they often leave off endings or beginnings of words. For example, they may say “daw” for “dog” or “noo-noo’s” for “noodles.”

Most babies say their first words sometime around their first birthday - possibly “mama” and “dada.” Now, importantly, they know what they are saying. They should also respond to -- or at least understand, if not obey - short, one-step requests like:

By Andrew Campbell

“Please put that down.”

Over the next six months, your baby will start to use language in a more recognisable way and you may start to hear them talking.

You might find that initially only you and a few of your baby’s favourite people can make out what they’re saying though! By the age of 2 years, babies can string together short phrases of two to four words, such as “Mummy bye-bye” or “me milk.” They’re learning that words mean more than objects like “cup” - they also mean abstract ideas like “mine.”

Over the course of the next year, your baby’s vocabulary expands rapidly, and “make-believe” play spurs an understanding of symbolic and abstract language like “now,” feelings like “sad,” and spatial concepts like “in.”

Ideas to encourage talking The more words children hear, the more they learn.

Here are some fun things to do together to encourage your baby’s speech and language development: •

•

Repeat your baby’s attempts at words to encourage a two-way conversation. For example, if she says “mama” you could say “mama” back to her. Build on your toddler’s words. For example, when baby says: “train,” you say: “Yes, it’s a big red train.”

•

Show interest in your baby’s babbling and talking by smiling and looking him/her in the eye.

•

4 Families Northants

Chat to your baby about the things you’re doing, even if you think they’re boring – for example, ‘Daddy’s vacuuming the carpet to get rid of the dust that makes you sneeze.’

Respond to and talk about

your baby’s interests. For example, if your baby starts playing with a toy train, you could say “Toot, toot.”

•

Read, tell stories, share songs and nursery rhymes with your baby.

•

Praise your baby’s efforts to talk. For example, if your baby points to a dog and names it, you could say: “Well done for pointing out the dog, Georgie!”

Infants all develop at a different pace, but if you’re worried about your child’s speech or language development, talk to your GP or health visitor. If necessary, they will refer your child to your local speech and language therapy department.

More info: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/ helping-your-childs-speech www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/ learning-talk-and-communication-your-baby

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EARLY YEARS

Are you up to speed on

tax free childcare?

T

ax-Free Childcare was introduced by the Government in April 2017 to replace Childcare Vouchers. At the same time it also increased free childcare hours. Whereas previously, childcare vouchers were a benefit offered by employers and free childcare hours were simply provided by nurseries, there is now a registration process and an eligibility criteria for both.

Are you eligible?

Yes , IF: • • • • •

Both parents are working (or a sole parent is working) Both earn over £131 per week Employed or self-employed Live in England You have at least one child aged 0-12 years old

No, IF: • •

•

Either Parent earns over £100,000 per annum You are a two-parent household in which only one parent works You are receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or child care vouchers through your employer

Tax-Free Childcare The Tax-free Childcare Scheme is similar to corporate childcare vouchers in that it helps parents with funding towards the cost of childcare. However, it is administered for parents by the government and not by employers.

Parents must open an online account and the Government will pay £2 for every £8 paid into the account by the parent up to a maximum of £2,000 every year (i.e. a Government contribution of up to £500 per quarter). Parents will then be able to pay their Ofsted registered childcare provider (nursery, childminder, nanny or holiday club) directly from this account provided the childcare provider is linked to that account through its Ofsted registration number.

The benefit of this new scheme is that it is calculated per child (not per parent), therefore those with more children and higher childcare costs should be at an advantage. In addition, those that are self-employed, who were not previously entitled to join company schemes, are eligible under the new scheme.

Unfortunately, though, there are disadvantages too: namely that every three months you need to

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re-confirm eligibility for the scheme (which can be an administrative burden). The scheme is also ONLY available for children up to age 12 (compared to age 15 under the previous scheme) and, of course, parents must meet the eligibility criteria consistently throughout the year.

This means that in the event of a bonus or commission, some parents may be taken above the eligibility maximum threshold of £100,000 per year or below the minimum of £131 per week in the event of unemployment or redundancy.

will be asked to re-confirm your eligibility.

What Next?

Firstly, parents should check their eligibility and entitlements for any of the offerings. It’s also important to fully understand the financial impact of such changes on your family.

Free Hours Due to funding issues, most nurseries are offering increased hours, but not necessarily the full 30. Nurseries cannot charge you extra fees for the additional hours, but they can structure their hours in a way that you are still liable to pay for certain attendance. Check the specific offering of any nursery in which you wish to enrol your child.

Considerations

If you are still in a childcare voucher scheme through your employer (because you were registered before the 1st of October 2018) you may wish to consider which scheme is right for you. You can find out more and check your eligibility at www.childcarechoices. gov.uk.

Many parents, particularly those with high earnings, will be better off sticking with their company childcare vouchers. However, there will be those who would benefit from the Government scheme.

Check out the calculator www. gov.uk/childcare-calculator Sarah-Jane Butler is founder and CEO of Parental Choice, designed to help you find the perfect childcare solution for your family. For more info visit www.parentalchoice.co.uk

Now taking registrations For children aged 6 weeks to 5 years Fun is an essential ingredient at Nene Valley Day Nursery and Preschool where the care and education opportunities for each and every child are as extraordinary as the staff who provide them.

We would be delighted to show you around

15 and 30 Hours Free Childcare If parents meet the Tax Free Childcare Eligibility criteria above, they are also entitled to additional 15 hours free (hence the name ‘30 hours free’ childcare) which is offered for 38 weeks a year (roughly in line with school terms). In order to apply for the additional 15 hours, parents need to register via the Childcare Choices website. It is essential to do this prior to the term in which they are entitled to the benefit. For eg, if your child turns 3 in November, you will be entitled to the additional 15 hours from the 1st of January, therefore you must apply prior to the 31st of December.

Again, every three months you

By Sarah-Jane Butler

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Please call 01604 628444 or email nene.valley@childbase.com Nene Valley Day Nursery, General Hospital Complex, Cliftonville, Northampton NN1 5BD

Open 7.30am to 6.30pm www.childbasepartnership.com

Email: editor@familiesnorthants.co.uk Phone: 07568 406901

Families Northants 5

PARENTING

A New Path

One Mother’s emotional journey with her autistic son and moving him from mainstream school to a special needs school.

W

hen you become a parent you go through many emotions; delight, horror, amazement. But when you realise your child has special needs at whatever stage it is, the rule book changes. I once attended a parenting course for parents of special needs children and they noted that it’s like suffering a loss.

You don’t love your child any less but when you realise their path will be different from the one you expected, the one that you went on and everyone else’s children are taking, you react with grief.

First denial, then anger, followed by depression and bargaining, then finally acceptance.

I first realised my son was different when he was a baby. A parent’s first joy is in their child’s expression, their smile and their laughter.

But mine never did this. He would sit and watch patiently, as the other children laughed and giggled at the most inane things. At the time I was slightly proud, if a little frustrated, that he had risen above this futility at only one month old. It was also delightful to watch people turn themselves inside out desperately trying to make him smile, despite being forewarned that he didn’t indulge in such frivolities.

Early on I could see he was different and as a toddler we referred to him as the ‘evil genius’, but it wasn’t until he started school that we truly realised his differences.

It started with the dispatching of

When your child’s emotions or behaviour are holding them back

all the hand soap down the toilet, high skill but low will, can be given which afterwards he justified by support in a mainstream school saying it was hurting the ‘ouchy’ BUT your child has low will and on his hand. Then there was skill” It seems harsh, but I knew the flooding of the corridor with exactly what he meant. My son the water fountain. Children are was not stupid, not by a long shot, curious creatures; but soon these but he did not have the skills to misdemeanours escalated into access education in this setting full-on war in the classroom. His and his demand avoidant traits speech was severely delayed and meant he struggled to follow their he was an extremely shy child, so instructions. the teachers found it impossible to pinpoint exactly what had Though we knew in our hearts the upset him. I was mortified, as psychologist was right, it was a we were proactive parents who bitter pill to swallow. We had been felt we’d done a good job to instil in denial for a long time, we had the right values been angry that into our child. At the school couldn’t his mainstream home he was a support his needs school was sensory and the profeskind and caring, if a little mischieoverload for him and sionals could not vous, child. find solutions. Now he was gradually came depression Over two years and that sinking becoming more we battled with feeling of “what do isolated. reward schemes, we do now?”. punishment, By this point my tears, tantrums and exclusions. son was only attending his mainEventually we received a diagnostream school for three hours on sis of Autism Spectrum Disorder three days of the week, and two with demand avoidant behaviour. days at a Pupil Referral Unit. His As part of our EHCP (Educational mainstream school, a small village Health Care Plan) evaluation we infant only site, was supportive but were given an assessment from said they couldn’t offer him a place an Educational Psychologist. He for Year 2. So I skipped bargainwas extremely honest and asked, ing, and went on the offensive to “What do you want to get out of find the right school for him. this?” Though the words weighed heavy on my lips, I managed to We looked at a number of schools, speak them aloud; “Can he stay some with units in mainstream in a mainstream school?” After school and some specialist provihis assessment he said, “Children sions, but it was clear that none who have low skill and high will or met his needs and many played

‘

’

*Tuned In & Connected online course* *Assessment and Consultation* *Autism, ADHD, trauma, attachment, developmental delay* Dr Alice Brown Family and Educational Psychologist

It's okay to ask for help info@wellbeingtreehouse.co.uk www.wellbeingtreehouse.co.uk

6 Families Northants

*Book your FREE consultation*

into our fears. He has above average intelligence and they were primarily catering for severely handicapped children. But we persisted and eventually we found a school that fitted perfectly. It wasn’t just a place that would keep him safe and manage his behaviour but we could see there were opportunities for him to grow.

Finally came acceptance, when he returned from his assessment day at his new school. School by this point had become a massive source of anxiety for ourselves and my son. It was a battleground, where only negative things were said and done.

But he returned from his new school uplifted and excited about the new friends he’d made. The school was enthusiastic for him to join, extolling his virtues and boasting how the teachers were all fighting for him to join their class.

Though we had a bumpy few weeks transition, his behaviour improved and his anxiety reduced dramatically.

Looking back we realised his mainstream school was sensory overload for him and he was gradually becoming more isolated.

At his new school he’s blossomed and we are now on a new path. It’s still very scary and every time he misses a milestone we are thrown back into that cycle of grief, but we know it will work our for the best if we keep fighting for what’s right for him.

The Wellbeing Treehouse is a family and educational psychology service run by Dr Alice Brown. It empowers parents to find practical strategies for their families that increase mental health and wellbeing, improve communication and deepen connection. It’s mission is to create environments where children and families can thrive. A new online course is launching in March 2020 - Tuned In and Connected - join other parents in a supportive community and learn strategies that can unlock your child’s potential, improve behaviour and develop social and emotional skills. The Wellbeing Treehouse also offers specialist services to adoptive parents and foster carers, assessment and consultation for children with a diagnosis or additional needs (e.g. autism, ADHD, trauma, attachment difficulties, developmental delay), workshops, coaching, interventions, and the highly effective Video Interaction Guidance, which supports parents and children to improve their communication, deepen their relationship and have calm, connected moments together.

Visit www.wellbeingtreehouse.co.uk or email info@wellbeingtreehouse.co.uk to find out more. www.familiesonline.co.uk

PARENTING

Motivating Good Behaviour What’s the Secret?

By Gabrielle Nash

I

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

Reward-based systems like sticker

charts are popular and effective tools because they’re positive.

“It’s a straightforward concept” explains Dr Sarah Rose, a child psychologist at Staffordshire University “Children learn through association, so if a behaviour is associated with something nice happening they will be more likely to repeat that behaviour in future.”

However, every child is wired differently, so it’s important you

think carefully about exactly what motivates your child. Reward charts can work well, as can marbles in a jar (or pasta in a pot). The idea here is that your child earns marbles for completing a task or behaviour. Once the jar/pot is full they earn an activity or treat.

Your child’s age is also a factor.

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

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

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

Top Tips for Making Reward Systems Work Keep it specific. Pick a few areas that need work and make sure to explain to your child why they’re important.

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

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

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you to sit and read with me while we wait at the doctors.”

Consider what is reasonable to ask of them. This will be dependent on age, personality and energy levels. A tired child is considerably less cooperative.

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

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

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

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

Finally, while motivating your

Email: editor@familiesnorthants.co.uk Phone: 07568 406901

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

Follow Gaby @thelondonishmum If you’re keen to use a Reward Chart.

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

Families Northants 7

EDUCATION

Encouraging reluctant readers

C

By Tom Palmer

hildren must read. It’s good for them! Unfortunately, that’s the last thing a child who doesn’t like reading wants to hear. They might think reading is boring. The might have low confidence. They might even have an unidentified issue like dyslexia.

Being told that reading is good for them just makes them feel worse.

My mum knew I hated reading.

The more pressure she applied the more stubborn I was about it. I reacted to the pressure by defining myself as a non-reader and once I’d told myself that, I became even more entrenched.

Then my mum changed tack. She did some things which made me want to read and to eventually call myself a reader.

Forget that loving reading is good for children. Make reading relate to something they already love.

Make a list of the things your

child is passionate about.

Write down the five experiences, television shows, sports, interests that enthuse them. These are the things that are probably going to get your child into reading.

For me it was football…and then football…

Start with their favourite television show. Television is seen as one of the enemies of reading.

But it’s so good now, it’s sometimes hard to tear yourself away.

It’s helpful then that a lot of shows have books linked to them. Search for an official book or biography of one of the main characters on the show’s website. Is there spin-off fiction? An annual? If enough people watch a show – say, like Strictly – then there’ll be a book.

Teachers and school librarians often know more about what a child might like to read than a parent. Talk to your child’s teacher or school librarian. They also

A voyage of self discovery

know what books have worked for other children in the past. They’re experts.

one role model. Let them see you reading what YOU want to read!

Have a day out. Football. Cinema. Theme park. Zoo. Whatever you do, there will usually be books available. Gift shops at the end of museums or theme parks often have books or guides. Theatres and sports venues have programmes. For me, it was Leeds United match day magazines, but I accept they’re not to everyone’s taste!

Don’t worry if your child doesn’t finish every book. I finish less than half the books I read.

Borrow from the library and then your child can experiment without it costing money.

Who does your child admire?

A dancer? A singer? A sports person? Has that person written a book? There are more and more celebrities writing books. As a non-celebrity author I hate it, but, as a parent of an impressionable child, it’s great for you. Look the celeb’s name up on Amazon and see what’s out there. If you don’t want to buy it, then head to the library.

“The quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent” - ISI Inspection Report, November 2019 Experts in education for girls aged 2 to 18. We invite you to book a personal tour of our school, and we look forward to welcoming you into our family. Book your bespoke visit today: northamptonhigh.co.uk/visit-us

Role models are not just famous people. Does your child have a coach, teacher, aunt or neighbour that they admire? For me it was my sister’s boyfriend: he gave me books. I read them because they were from him.

Get your child’s role model to talk to them about books and recommend titles. A book from someone you look up to is more likely to get read.

You are your child’s number

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Books are not always best.

Does your child have a favourite magazine? There are hundreds of magazines for kids available from supermarkets and high street newsagents. They cost a bit and there are far less words in them, but they’re a great way to get children reading. They’re colourful.

They’re silly. They’re exciting.

Get a magazine delivered. The idea of a magazine arriving for your child (and your child alone) can be exciting for them. I had Match magazine delivered when I was a kid. I couldn’t wait for Thursdays as a result.

Tom Palmer won the Ruth Rendell Award 2019 for his outstanding contribution to raising children’s literacy levels in the UK. He is the author of 45 books for children, many about football, rugby and WW1 and 2; yet he only became a reader at age 17, thanks to his mum and what she did to engage him with reading.

For more info visit www.tompalmer.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Exam preparation techniques for

different learning styles W

By Claire Winter

hether it be for SATs, 11+ or school exams, your child is likely to need to do some preparation at home. Of course, your child’s school may provide practice exam papers which are important tools but it may be that your child needs to hone in on revising particular subjects or topics in order to complete these successfully. So how do you help equip a primary school child with the techniques they need to revise?

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

Another great revision technique is auditory, ask your child to verbally explain something, this helps to retain more information Ask your child a questions about their classwork such as: “Can you tell me more about Xyz?” This will encourage your child to use memory recall to remember the important facts. You can also use questions to identify any gaps in their knowledge.

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

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

Creating visual reminders Note-taking and highlighting are mainly reading-based learning www.familiesonline.co.uk

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

Assembling charts and diagrams

Educators, scientists, and psychologists have developed different models to understand the different ways that people learn.

One popular theory, the VARK model identifies four primary types of learners: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic.

Each learning type responds best to a different method of teaching.

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

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

themselves. This is a great learning technique for primary school kids that enjoy drama and acting things out.

Kinaesthetic learners learn by assembling charts and creating diagrams.

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

Organising Information Children who learn by reading and writing will like planning their work by topic Not only will this help them access the information they have to learn much faster, but the act of planning can make a child feel more in charge of their learning. Visual learners can use colour coded post-it notes to help remind them about the different topics too.

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

For younger children, highlighting important information can be just as efficient.

Verbally explaining

them to pretend they are in front of a class and talk about certain topics as if they were teaching

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

Here is a handy reminder of the different learning styles.

Visual Processes information using information and charts Needs images to explain concepts and ideas Prefers graphic elements over words

Auditory Learns best when information is spoken out loud Prefers to listen to lectures and discussions Processes information by talking through things

Read/Write Prefers to receive written words Enjoys reading and writing assignments Processes information by writing notes

Kinesthetic Learns best through a tactile process Prefers to create concrete personal experiences Processes information by recreating and practicing

Email: editor@familiesnorthants.co.uk Phone: 07568 406901

Families Northants 9

EASTER

Easter gift guide Alternative

Do you want to give your loved ones a special Easter gift this year that isn’t edible? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s our alternative gift guide for 2020! Compiled by our editor Hayley Ash Personalised Bunny Egg Cup This sweet personalised bunny egg cup design is perfect for Easter. Add any name up to 12 characters. £7.99 www.borngifted.co.uk

Bella The Bunny Soft Toy Soft and cuddly, children will love a sweet Bella the Bunny soft toy. £16.95 www.rexlondon.com

Luna the Backpack Bunny LEGO BrickHeadz Easter Bunny Build this Easter scene, and you’ll create a bunny with moveable ears who carries a basket and carrot to his egg hunt. £14.09 www.amazon.co.uk

A gorgeous travel companion on all your travels - rest your head on her and she will be happy £24.00 www.kooshi.co.uk

Building Block Dinosaur Eggs It’s not always chicks that hatch from eggs. Kids will love revealing and assembling these ferocious dinosaurs. £13.99 www.amazon.co.uk

Snazaroo, Mini bunny face paint kit

Colour-In Easter Top This really cool company does a range of colour-in clothes. You can get a colour-in Easter top, in different sizes for children aged 2-10. Each top is printed with a design ready for your child to colour in with Selfie pens to make it their own. £15 www.selfieclothing.co.uk

10 Families Northants

Snazaroo has these pocket-friendly face paint packs, complete with instructions. They have ten designs to choose from including an Easter bunny and chick. It’s a really fun, budget friendly present for boys and girls. £2.99 www.snazaroo.com

Mr Bunny’s Chocolate Factory Book Go behind the scenes of Mr Bunny’s chocolate factory in this hilarious picture book. Packed with cross-over humour to amuse kids and big kids too with artwork full of details for poring over time and time again. £6.99 www.waterstones.com

www.familiesonline.co.uk

EASTER

Healthy

Easter cookies

These are easy to make, with plenty of opportunities for the kids to get involved with mashing, measuring and mixing. They’re made healthier with the use of bananas and oats, but still offer the satisfying chocolate hit we all love!

Makes 12 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients 2 bananas 3 tbsp honey 2 tbsp cocoa 150g rolled oats 80g chocolate mini eggs

Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F), 180°C fan, Gas Mark 6. Line a couple of baking trays with baking paper.

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

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

4. Divide the mixture into 12 (about 2 level tablespoons each) and roll into balls. Place them on the baking trays.

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

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

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

For more great recipe ideas in Get Your Kids to Eat Anything

by Emily Leary www.amummytoo.co.uk

www.familiesonline.co.uk

Email: editor@familiesnorthants.co.uk Phone: 07568 406901

Families Northants 11

CLUBS & CLASSES

Organised activity options for your child under 5

By Gabrielle Nash

I

f you ask mums and dads about what activities they enjoyed with their children when they were very young, many will speak fondly of their favourite playgroup or class. Such activities can become a lifeline for parents during those isolating and overwhelming first years and they’re essential when you’re desperate for some adult conversation. Of course, classes and groups are also a great opportunity for you to bond with your baby and give them early opportunities for socialization too.

Maybe you have already prebooked a weekly sensory, music or swimming class for your little one or perhaps you’re at home reading this with your baby or young toddler, thinking of ways to entertain them (and you) this week. Or maybe you’re finding it tough just getting out to the shops.

However you’re feeling, there’s no doubt that getting yourself along to something social can be hugely beneficial for you and your child.

Sarah has one daughter, now aged almost 4, and speaks fondly of the classes they participated in: “I loved having a music class booked each week with my 18 month old. It was something to look forward to – she loved the music and I enjoyed meeting other mums and drinking a rare coffee while it was still hot!”

So, what’s the best way to find a class or group? You’ll regularly find local options in this magazine and, as well as your local mum friends, you can also ask the wider local parent community on social media – word of mouth is great for a recommendation. It’s worth checking out your local Children’s

01536 415444

Centre and library for suggestions too – some of these may be free.

Next, which type of class or group should you go for? This may depend on the options available where you live, as well as on your budget.

Playgroup If your main aim is to get something regular in the diary that is easy, cheap and good for meeting other parents with similarly aged children, then your local church or community playgroup is a great option. Playgroups are often central parts of a local community so if you’re new or unfamiliar to

ketteringgymtots@gmail.com

We offer sessions: . For children aged under 2, 2-3 and 3+ . To build coordination, strength . To learn gymnastics skills . That are filled with fun and excitement!

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Come & join us!

an area you can find local support both from those attending and those running the group.

Library Most local libraries have a weekly story or rhyme time session.

These are simple drop-in activities and chances to socialise that can form a regular part of your week.

They are almost always free!

A library activity is also a great way of introducing this important source of books and resources to a young child and highlighting the importance of reading.

Sensory or Music Though not free, sensory or music classes can be lots of fun for older babies and toddlers. They are a fantastic opportunity for little ones to make a noise with their voices and with instruments, move around creatively and explore a new environment, all conveniently facilitated by a professional. You get a much needed chance to sit back and watch your child having fun, without having to provide it yourself!

cal appeals to you, then baby swimming or a gym based class might be right for your child. Baby swimming can be a beautiful way to bond with your baby and a gym-based class is great way for very active toddlers and pre-schoolers to burn off energy, as well as develop their gross motor skills.

Classes for YOU Whilst it’s harder with a toddler, when you have a baby, there are many activities aimed at you which your baby can attend too.

Whether it’s an outdoor exercise or yoga class or a baby friendly cinema showing, the change of environment is fun and stimulating for your baby too. You may even get to improve your fitness!

Swimming or Gym

Any children’s group or class will support a child’s development: the routine, the opportunities for socialising and the experience of being in a new environment. So if it helps YOU get out of the house, share happy times with your child and get talking and meeting other parents in your situation, then nothing could be more worthwhile.

If something a bit more physi-

Follow Gaby @thelondonishmum www.familiesonline.co.uk

Wha atsON

Our fun packed family guide for March & April 2020

Mothers Day March 21st Paint your own decorative planter for Mothers day Wildlife Nene Wetlands Decorate your planter, make a Mother’s Day card and learn about Spring flowers.

Drop in session. You can book in advance but it is not essential.

Price includes a ceramic planter (and paints), a small plant and a Mother’s day card to decorate.

Activity is open to all ages.

10.30 - 2.30 £7.50pp (adults free) www.wildlifebcn.org

March 22nd Cream Tea through the countryside Northampton & Lamport Railway Take mum on a ride on one of our Cream Tea Special trains and ride through the Northamptonshire countryside on a 4-mile round trip.

Afterwards, enjoy a walk along the Brampton Valley Way a 14-mile “linear park” along the historic Northampton to Market Harborough line. Book online www.nlr.org.uk

March 22nd Mothers Day crafts & cream tea’s Mini Meadows Farm Enjoy a delicious cream tea in the cafe, then let your little ones craft away and make a lovely gift for their special Mummy. Enjoy some simple good family fun around the farm park and meet and feed the lovely animals.

Normal farm entry plus £1 tokens for kids crafts. Cream teas £5.95 each.

No need to pre-book. www.minimeadowsfarm.com

March 22nd Mother’s Day Sunday Lunch Kettering Park Hotel & Spa Spoil your Mum to a delicious three course Sunday lunch and a glass of fizz. Plus every Mum will receive a special gift making it the perfect day for celebrating.

March 22nd

March 7th

March 14th

Mothers Day Posies Canons Ashby

Family Story Telling Canons Ashby

Youth Rangers Wildlife Nene Wetlands

Treat your mum by making her a little posy of flowers on a special day out to really put a smile on her face.

Suggested donation £1 and normal admission prices apply.

11 - 3pm Meeting point at Visitor Reception who will be able to direct you.

Bring your little ones and listen to a story in honour of World Book Day earlier this week. Our storyteller has a selection of stories for younger children, so why not pop in and settle down for a tale together?

11.30 - 2pm

If you’re aged between 11 and 17 and want to do your bit to help the environment, our new Nene Wetlands Youth Rangers group is for you. · Learn new outdoor skills including bush craft, species ID and tool use. · Help us build homes for wildlife and survey their numbers. · Meet and have fun with like-minded people.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canons-ashby

March 22nd Mothers Day Lunch The Cromwell Cottage It’s time to celebrate the special ladies in our lives. Show them just how much they mean to you with an exceptional three course meal at The Cromwell Cottage. Sit back, relax and they’ll make sure everything is served just the way they like it.

Book online. Visitor Reception who will be able to direct you. www.thecromwellcottagekislingbury.co.uk

March 22nd Canal Walk Stoke Bruerne If you don’t fancy heading out to a restaurant or going for a spa day, why not take your mum to the beautiful village of Stoke Bruerne near Towcester and head for a walk along the famous canal. With a free canal museum and stunning woodland walk, get your family together and go for an amble in the countryside.

If you fancy grabbing a bite to eat after, there are plenty of pubs and restaurants along the way. www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

What’s on in March - mid April Lamb Bottle Feeding Mini Meadows Farm Join in this spring at Mini Meadows Farm to bottle-feed the lovely little lambs. Come and meet other cute newborn animals in the baby barn and explore the huge indoor play area, The Treetops, and of course don’t forget the other larger animals that will be waiting to meet you.

To book please contact events team on 01536 416666 or events@ketteringparkhotel.co.uk

Normal farm entry price (£5 pp and under-twos free) plus £1 per bottle.

12.30 pm - 2 pm £29.95 pp

PRE-BOOKING: Bottle-feeding the lambs is very popular 07824 393517

www.ketteringparkhotel.co.uk

www.minimeadowsfarm.com

www.familiesonline.co.uk

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canons-ashby

March 8th Family Bird Walks Stanwick Lakes Join in for a walk around Stanwick Lakes to learn about it’s resident and migrant birds.

If you own binoculars, please feel free to bring them, if not the RSPB will bring spares!

Please wear suitable outdoor clothing for the weather, approximately 4k walk.

Book online. www.stanwicklakes.org.uk

March 10th - 15th The Wizard of Oz Castle Theatre Join Dorothy from Kansas on her journey through the Land of Oz to see the Wizard in the Emerald City.

Meet Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion who decide to accompany her as she tries to outwit the Wicked Witch of the West.

Go to website for times and to book www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/castle-theatre

March 13th, 20th and 27th Wild Tots Wildlife Nene Wetlands Nene Wetlands have combined Little Bug’s Club and Wild Tots to create an exciting weekly toddler group!

Come and let your little ones explore and learn about nature through free play, crafts and wildlife activities in the designated education area.

Suitable for 3-5 year olds. Children (and grown ups) wear suitable outdoor clothing (that doesn’t matter if it gets muddy!)

Hot chocolate or squash are provided (please advise when booking if your child has any allergies) 10 - 11.30 am Booking Essential | £5 per child www.wildlifebcn.org

Email: editor@familiesnorthants.co.uk Phone: 07568 406901

Please wear suitable outdoor clothing appropriate for the weather.

Parental consent required.

10.30 - 12.30pm. Booking essential www.wildlifebcn.org

March 21st Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday The Royal & Derngate The enchanting world of Sarah and Duck is brought to life featuring the wonderful characters from the BAFTA award-winning CBeebies show. Join Sarah and Duck and a host of your favourite friends as they plan a birthday party. Told through a fantastic blend of puppetry, storytelling and music. www.royalandderngate.co.uk

March 25th - 28th Horrible Histories Castle Theatre We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! Has William Wallace met his match? Can King Charles keep his head? Will you see eye to eye with Admiral Nelson? Does the Duke of Wellington get the boot? Get ready for your great escape from the First World War! Booking essential - see website for dates and prices. www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/ castle-theatre

March 31st - 4th April Shrek - The Musical The Lighthouse Theatre Based on the story and characters from the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, this hilarious production turns the world of fairytales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing, must-see musical comedy guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages! Booking essential See website for times and prices www.lighthousetheatre.co.uk

Families Northants 13

Easter April 1st Easter Egg Decorating Swansgate Shopping Centre Make a delicious chocolate egg all nice and fancy with edible decorations.

Meet at the Community Lounge 10am-12pm www.swansgateshoppingcentre.com

April 7th - 13th Easter Egg Trail Abington Park Museum

April 10th - 13th

April 10th - 13th

Easter Egg-stavaganza Mini Meadows Farm

Family Bird Walks Stanwick Lakes

Join in on all the eggciting fun and games planned for the whole family.

Go on a bunny hunt, hold the cute chicks and ducklings, get your face painted and bottle feed the little lambs. Plus, new for this year, a giant indoor rabbit warren play area!

10 - 5pm

Take part in the Easter Egg Trail at Stanwick Lakes. Follow the clues around the Solstice Lake to win a prize! Pick up your clue sheet from the Visitor Centre and return to collect your prize Approx 2k walk accessible on foot, also suitable for buggies and wheelchair users.

Easter Egg Trail is £2.00 pp 10 - 4pm

www.minimeadowsfarm.com

April 10th - 13th Easter Egg-stavaganza Westlodge Rural Centre

Join our annual Easter trail around Abington Park Museum with a chocolate egg as a prize for every child.

Suitable for all ages. £1.50 per child 1 -5pm

Join in all the fun this Easter: Follow the Easter Trail around the farm; Meet the Easter Bunny in his Easter Garden and receive a special sweet treat! Decorate an egg to take home; Egg and Spoon Races; Lamb Feeding plus all the usual farm activities.

www.northampton.gov.uk/ museumkids

Book online www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk

April 9th Easter Rabbit Kids afternoon Tea Kettering Park Hotel Enjoy a spectacular afternoon tea with party entertainers, games and music. All this is followed by a film and popcorn!

Starts at 11am Booking essential www.ketteringparkhotel.co.uk/ events

www.stanwicklakes.org.uk

April 11th - 13th Easter Train Ride Northampton & Lamport Railway Take a ride on one of the Easter Egg Special trains with the family and ride through the Northamptonshire countryside. All children receive a creme egg with your All Day Rover ticket.

Book Online www.nlr.digitickets.co.uk

What’s on in April April 4th - 9th Delapre’s Chocolate Factory Delapre Abbey Explore the Delapré Chocolate Factory solving puzzles and enjoying sweet treats along the way.

Look out for Mr Delapré and his helpers and if you spot a golden ticket a chocolate experience awaits!

See website for details www.delapreabbey.org

April 4th - 19th Growing green trail Canons Ashby Grow your interest in the green things all around us by joining in this spring trail during the school holidays. Bring the kids and have a go, then pick up your sticker.

10 - 4pm www.nationaltrust.org.uk

April 6th April 10th - 13th

April 12th - 13th

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Canons Ashby

Easter Egg Trail Deene Park

A delicious Cadbury prize awaits at the end of our outdoor Easter trail. Bring the family to explore the ancient parkland, get in touch with nature this spring and earn your tasty reward.

Have fun, explore and seek out the brightly coloured eggs which have been hidden throughout the magnificent gardens. Unscramble the letters written on the eggs to claim a prize! See website for details.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk

www.deenepark.com

The Sooty Show Castle Theatre Izzy wizzy, let’s get busy! Join Sooty for his brand new Laugh Out Loud Magic Show! A spectacular treat for the whole family – including a chance to meet Richard and Sooty after the show!

Book online www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

Easter Family Day SATURDAY 28TH MARCH 10am - 1pm

We would like to welcome you to join us for our traditional egg hunt around the school grounds, crafting stalls, tombolas and more as we will be raising money for local charity, Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

Call us on 01604 752050 or visit bitly.com/QHSEaster20 for more information 14 Families Northants

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Advertise with us: If you are interested in spreading the word about your family friendly business then contact us. We are read by 32,000 families across the Northants region from Brackley up to Peterborough. editor@familiesnorthants.co.uk 07568 406901 April 6th - 9th

April 11th - 20th

April 14th - 17th

April 21st - 22nd

The Otter’s Holiday Club Stanwick Lakes

Spontaneous Potter kidz The Core at Corby Cube

Holiday Project Club The Royal & Derngate

Zog Castle Theatre

Whether you are a working parent looking for childcare or a fun holiday club, or you would just like your child to be able to get out and be adventurous, then the Otters Holiday Club is for you!

Suitable for 5* and 11 years.

A family-friendly version of the smash hit Edinburgh Fringe show Spontaneous Potter.

MUSICAL MASH UP Are you up to the challenge of creating a musical performance in just four days? Love singing, dancing and performing with others? Then this Holiday Project is for you. You will work with a professional theatre director and choreographer to create a showcase of popular songs from musicals, such as Moana, School Of Rock and The Sound Of Music.

Age 8 - 13yrs Book online

Large in size, and keen in nature, Zog is so eager to win a golden star at Madam Dragon’s school, where dragons learn all the things that dragons need to know. Zog tries so very hard, perhaps too hard, and he bumps, burns and roars his way through years one, two and three.

Luckily, the plucky Princess Pearl patches him up ready to face his biggest challenge yet…a duel with knight, Sir Gadabout the Great!

Book tickets online

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

What a great way for your child to have an adventure and come closer to nature, no matter what the weather!

See website for more info and book to online www.stanwicklakes.org.uk

Grab your wands, don your house robes, and apparate yourselves to the box office! A very magical improv show awaits…

Spontaneous Potter Kidz is an entirely improvised Harry Potter comedy play, based on an audience suggestion of a fan-fiction title.

Hilarity ensues as an entirely new Potter adventure is magically improvised on the spot – with live musical accompaniment!

April 7th Animal Model Making Abington Park Museum Create your own 3D wooden animal using pre-cut wooden shapes. Once complete, decorate your puzzle to bring it to life!

Suitable for ages 6 and over. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. £4 per child 1.30-2.30pm & 2.45-3.45pm Booking essential www.northampton.gov.uk/museumkids

April 8th Playful Puppet Abington Park Museum Come and make your own woodland animal puppet. Choose from a range of animals and sew a friend to take home. Suitable for ages 5 and over.

All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. £4 per child Booking essential www.northampton.gov.uk/museumkids

April 8th Pop Divas Live!

Castle Theatre Get ready to experience all your favourite pop divas as the greatest female stars of today appear on the same stage for the first time ever!

Oi Frog & Friends! Live The Royal & Derngate

Whether you are a working parent looking for childcare or a fun holiday club, or you would just like your child to be able to get out and be adventurous, then the Otters Holiday Club is for you! For 5* and 11 years.

Cats sit on mats, hares sit on chairs, mules sit on stools, gophers sit on sofas and frogs sit on logs

www.stanwicklakes.org.uk

Expect songs, puppets, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at in this new action-packed stage adaptation of Kes Gray and Jim Field‘s bestselling books.

Book tickets online www.royalandderngate.co.uk

April 13th Rapunzel Castle Theatre A Tangled Musical Adventure Let your hair down and join in this Spring for a tangled musical adventure as KD Theatre Productions & Scott Ritchie Productions present a brand NEW staging of the popular fairy tale Rapunzel.

Featuring an exciting fresh script, catchy songs, high energy choreography, loveable and hair-larious characters, colourful set and costumes and an opportunity for the audience to meet the characters after the show, this production has all the right ingredients to be entertaining for all the family

FAMILY FUN AT THE CORE

Spontaneous Potter Kidz Sat 11 April 2pm

Woman Like Me: The Little Mix Show Wed 15 April 7pm

www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

April 14th - 17th Holiday Project Club The Royal & Derngate

It doesn’t matter if you’re 4 or 64, don’t miss Pop Divas Live! The UK’s number 1 Pop Tribute!

Book Online www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

www.royalandderngate.co.uk

www.familiesonline.co.uk

April 27th - 28th

See website for more info and book to online

Don’t miss out! Book online www.thecorecorby.com

WHAT’S IN THE WOODS Join in on an expedition through mysterious woods to discover the creatures who live there. What is hiding underground, Are there bears or badgers? Tigers or toads? Come and find out in a Holiday Project full of creativity and imagination! Meet new people and have loads of fun doing it. Book online 10am to 4pm Age 4 - 7yrs

Whether you’re a mum who listens on the radio or a little diva who watches on a tablet, we guarantee you’ll love every tune! There’s even a chance for four lucky little divas to join the stars LIVE ON STAGE!

April 14th - 17th The Otter’s Holiday Club Stanwick Lakes

Andy And The Odd Socks Thu 16 April 4.30pm

The Three Musketeers: A Comedy Adventure

Fri 8 May 7.30pm & Sat 9 May 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Tickets 01536 470 470 www.thecorecorby.com

Email: editor@familiesnorthants.co.uk Phone: 07568

COR0468 Adverts February 2020 Families Northants quarter page.indd 1

15 Families Northants

21/02/2020 12:18

ANAGRAM

DOT TO DOT

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

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

1. d i a t m l a 3 2

4

1

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

5

6 7

36 34

9

8

10

35

33

12

13

32 31

14

15

30 29

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

11

28

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

16

27 17

26 24

23

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

18 22 21

20

19

Why not colour in when you’re done?

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

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

25

Classes held NORTHAMPTON

Every Friday at 5.45pm & Saturday at 10.00am Caroline Chisolm School Wooldale Centre for Learning Northampton NN4 6TP

For more information please contact us on

07709 327274 or 01753 882012 tiska.karate@btconnect.com 16 Families Northants

KETTERING Every Saturday at 10.00am Isebrook School Eastleigh Road Kettering, NN15 6PT All our instructors have enhanced Disclosure and Barring Certificates

www.tiska.com www.familiesonline.co.uk