Families Dorset Jan/Feb 2023 Digital

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o l o f o v e r 3 0 0 b o y s a n d g i r l s C h o o s i n g t h e r i g h t s c h o o l i s o n e o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t d e c i s i o n s t h a t y o u a s a p a r e n t w i l l m a k e f o r y o u r c h i l d . I f y o u a r e l o o k i n g f o r a s c h o o l t h a t c o m b i n e s g r e a t a c a d e m i c r e s u l t s w i t h s p e c i a l c a r e f o r e a c h i n d i v i d u a l , t h e n y o u m a y l i k e t o c o n s i d e r P a r k S c h o o l P l e a s e s c a n t h e Q R c o d e t o b o o k y o u r s p a c e H o w e v e r , i f y o u c a n n o t m a k e t h e s e d a t e s , w e a l s o o f f e r p r i v a t e t o u r s . S i m p l y e m a i l a d m i s s i o n s @ p a r k s c h o o l . c o . u k t o b o o k y o u r v i s i t w i t h o u r h e a d t e a c h e r . W e l o o k f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g y o u s o o n .

P A R K S C H O O L , 4 3 Q U E E N S P A R K S O U T H D R I V E , B O U R N E M O U T H , D O R S E T , B H 8 9 B J T : 0 1 2 0 2 3 9 6 6 4 0 E : O F F I C E @ P A R K S C H O O L C O U K

S c a n t h e Q R c o d e t o b o o k y o u r s p a c e !

Welcome

Happy New Year from all of us here at Families! We wish you the very best for the months ahead.

It’s hard for everyone to keep New Year’s resolutions – especially children. Download our free colour-in Reward Chart which may help to keep your children engaged.

Whilst everyone feels like hibernating in winter, getting outside is good for us so, to motivate you, we’ve got some ideas for seasonal family activities as well as some projects which will help welcome more wildlife to your garden. And, once you’re back indoors? We have some great ideas for making family nights in special.

Finally, in this issue, we have Britannica Magazine subscriptions and other goodies to giveaway! Apply inside the magazine. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

Get in touch

Getting the best from online tutoring

By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble

SATS: getting in the know

By Jessica Joan

With Covid and the move to online platforms, tutoring has become more accessible, with more options and opportunities available. As a result, over fifteen percent of UK children are now receiving private tuition. But how can you get the best results?

READ MORE

Shared reading and language development

By Dr Jamie Lingwood

In May, Year 2 (KS1) and Year 6 (KS2) pupils will take their SATS exams. Yet, from their very first day at school, children are being trained to be able to perform in preparation for these assessments. So what support can you give at home?

READ MORE

Early language development is incredibly important and sitting down to read with your child gives them a big advantage in this area. But what are the best ways of helping your child to enjoy shared reading and why is it so beneficial?

READ MORE

Top children’s book picks for 2023

Plan some great reading for your child with our children’s book suggestions, all just published or due to be published this year.

DJ Baby Funky novelty board book featuring spinning record turntables! Ages 1+.

Ten Little Bugs Part traditional counting rhyme, part fun-filled story - perfect for sharing. Ages 3-5.

Grandad’s Pride

Beautiful follow-up to Grandad’s Camper, filled with heart and purpose. Ages 3-6.

The Library Fish Learns to Read

Charming picture book about the unusually literary fish. Ages 4-8.

Weird but true! 2023

National Geographic annual loaded with brain bending facts and photos. Ages 7-10.

A Dragon Realm Adventure

Special World Book Day story (£1) in the actionpacked series. Ages 8+.

Dave Pigeon Bookshop Mayhem

Special World Book Day story (£1) - a funny, joyful romp. Ages 6+.

Valentine Crow & Mr Death

Distinctive, warm and funny. From highlyacclaimed Jenni Spangler. Ages 9+.

Yetis are the Worst!

Gilbert the Goblin’s new adventure – finding the legendary yeti. Ages 4-8.

Meet the Head

Families chats to Melanie Dowler from Park School.

Why do you think the school has such a glowing reputation locally?

Park is a long-established school at which children are renowned for academic achievements, as well as for becoming well-rounded, life-long learners.

How do you involve parents in school life?

Parents are welcomed into school at all times. They are invited to school shows and class assemblies each term and to annual family events, such as Sports Day, Carol Service, Speech Day and ParkFest.

How do your teachers develop partnerships with the children they teach?

The most important feeling for any child is to know they are valued and respected.

Our teachers take the time to find out about each child’s home life, passions and aspirations so they can support and develop these. I know every child by name and engage with them all each week. Having these connections enables the children to explore their feelings and develop their learning in a safe and secure environment.

How does Park School go about developing the whole child?

Our wide curriculum, built upon the foundation of life-long learning, includes weekly art, sport and music with specialist subject teachers, so all children, whatever their passion, can enjoy developing their skills. Our PARK values, Polite, Ambitious, Resilient and Kind, provide the bedrock on which children build the life skills to succeed throughout their learning journey.

What are your strengths as a leader?

I pride myself on being a good listener and a team player. I lead by example but being a team player also means I give responsibility to others to develop their leadership skills and take charge of projects they are passionate about, which benefits the whole school. READ MORE

Yarrells: a gem of a school

The Head of Yarrells School and Nursery, Sally Moulton, is absolutely delighted with the outcomes of the school’s recent inspection report. The school achieved the highest possible results and was recognised as providing excellent education in all sixteen areas covering educational quality and pupils’ personal development.

Sally says: ‘I adore leading Yarrells and have always known it is a gem. I am passionate about providing the best possible education for young people and the opportunity to learn in a wide range of subjects, including meaningful learning experiences in sport, music and the creative and performing arts.

‘I believe children need a protected space in which they can learn about themselves, grow in self-expression and self-confidence and explore the world imaginatively and creatively, as well as gain deep knowledge and understanding in academic subjects. I have always believed it’s possible to create an excellent educational environment that meets the needs of all abilities, is broad and rich in its curriculum base and doesn’t compromise on quality.

Yarrells has an enviable academic reputation, with the pass rate for 11+ entry sitting at ninety five percent in 2022 but, for the school, it’s far from being just about results. It’s about each pupil and building a relationship with them: finding out

what makes each child unique, what they need in order to thrive and then ensuring we provide that. It’s a statement of fact that every child at Yarrells makes excellent educational progress against their starting points.

‘At Yarrells, we tailor our curriculum to meet the needs of each child.

To have received the external validation from the Independent Schools Inspectorate that we do this excellently, in every area of education, confirms to me that we have been successful in creating this vitally important environment in which children flourish under our care.

‘Yarrells is truly special and has a deep hold on my heart. I am very excited about where the next five years will take us and am completely committed to leading the school on that journey.’

READ MORE

Yarrells

“Pupils have outstanding attitudes to learning.”

“The quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent”

“Pupils are deeply knowledgable across all areas of learning.”

“Pupils show deep self-awareness”

“The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent

Benefits of an ‘All Through’ School

Talbot Heath is an independent day and boarding school which offers a dynamic and holistic education to girls ages 3 to 18. Community, continuity and a coherent curriculum are just some of the huge benefits that being a through school gives to every one of its students.

Staff get to know and forge strong, long-term, supportive and nurturing relationships with each and every pupil as they progress from Kindergarten right through to Sixth Form and are guided through all aspects of their development; the school’s broad and innovative curriculum provides cogent consistency and progression across the year groups and key stages.

The younger members of Talbot Heath benefit greatly from the support and role modelling that the older girls provide. Equally, older pupils develop their empathy, mentoring and leadership skills whilst working alongside younger pupils. Indeed, the latest initiative for students, The Bridge is a volunteer mentoring programme where Sixth Form students support younger Talbot Heathens in mathematics and through the Forest School.

Whole school events such as the Harvest Festival celebrations and School Birthday cement a sense of community through annual shared traditions.

Parents regularly acknowledge that their daughters have developed a strong sense of security throughout their education as a result of being surrounded by familiar people and places. It is this sense of security that enables Talbot Heath’s pupils to look outwards and take on their future with confidence and conviction.

READ MORE

New online children’s physio directory

Parents wanting to locate a local children’s physiotherapist can now use an online directory launched by Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists.

The majority of children’s physiotherapists work in the NHS. Your GP can advise about local services and make a referral, if appropriate. However, some parents choose to seek advice and treatment from an independent or private physiotherapist either instead of, or to supplement, NHS care. Many children need support from a physiotherapist at some time during their childhood. This may be sought for advice and treatment relating to posture and movement or for acute injuries.

Qualified children’s physiotherapists are regulated, have additional expertise in child development and childhood conditions and the right skill base and knowledge to deliver the best care for babies and children.

Find out more HERE

Amazing January offers at Purbeck Sports

Centre!

Dive into amazing January offers at Purbeck Sports Centre in Wareham. Check HERE for some fantastic offers on memberships which will make fitness affordable in these testing times.

Memberships are flexible, paid monthly and there are no contracts. The Centre has options to suit all needs, including family memberships, off peak memberships and student and youth options.

Purbeck Sports Centre is family-friendly centre and prides itself on the quality of its facilities, including a lovely warm swimming pool, fabulous racket sports, Astro pitches and a new state of the art gym. The Centre also offers courses for kids and adults alike.

Email HERE or call 01929 500000 to find out more.

Managing children’s anxiety

Be fully present

Phone alerts and notifications are constantly distracting and family members often have to compete. Being fully present with the activity or conversation we’re having with our children - without distraction - demonstrates that we value ‘real’ time together and are fully available.

Avoid fuelling anxiety

Limit screen time

Research shows that too much screen time can lead to mental health issues in children, whilst lost time interacting with family/ peers can impact their social development. Monitor screen time, ensure content is ageappropriate, communicate about inappropriate images and model healthy device habits.

Spend time in nature

Children absorb emotions like sponges and overhearing the news or emotionally-charged adult conversation can fuel their anxiety. If your child is worrying about the future, use mindfulness to bring them back to the present moment—’right here, right now, with you, all is well.’ Tell them that you love them no matter what.

Nature-deficit disorder (NDD) can contribute to higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. But the good news is, it can easily be reversed. Spending time in nature is easier than we think: village greens, parks, commons and nature reserves abound in the UK and they provide the perfect setting for free family activities.

Claire at Bridgemaker Mindfulness shares her top tips.

Managing children’s anxiety

Claire at Bridgemaker Mindfulness shares her top tips.

Encouraging reading

Sharing feelings

Reading is relaxing, distracting and a good alternative to screen time. A 2009 University of Sussex study found that reading can reduce stress by up to sixty eight percent. Just six minutes of relaxing into a good book can lower blood pressure and muscle tension.

Can’t fall asleep?

Children are more likely to express their feelings when they sense we are fully available. Sitting somewhere that they have to pass by when they return from being elsewhere and gently inviting them to join us can be a good start. Listen intently without moving into ‘fix-it mode.’

Enrol on a course

Creating a comforting, wind down routine can help (reading a book together, listening to soothing music). Try placing hands on the belly, breathing easily and focusing on the breath, following the gentle movement of the belly that rises and falls. For the busy mind, try counting the breath to ten (in – 1, out – 2 etc) over and over.

Mindfulness apps/recorded meditations can help adults and children to relax and unwind but nothing compares with attending a course with a qualified mindfulness teacher which teaches key mindfulness skills. However, if, despite your best intentions and care, your child’s behaviour or anxiety level becomes worrying, do seek medical advice from a GP.

Family meals made easier

What is batch cooking?

Cooking multiple meals at one time and then storing for later use.

Food is cooked in a ‘batch’, then stored in airtight containers. Meals are stored in portions for ease.

Batch cooking often involves doubling, tripling or quadrupling ingredients.

What you need

Big pans - you’re cooking bulk so ensure you have enough big pans to cope.

Large mixing bowls to bring all those ingredients together.

Storage containers and resealable freezer bags. Choose the right size for your family.

Labels. Keep track of what you’ve got and when you cooked it.

Intro to batch cooking

Benefits of batch cooking

Saves money - buying food in bulk is cheaper. Saves time – you don’t need to cook every evening.

You are cooking when you want to and not when you have to.

It’s healthier as you always have a tasty nutritious meal on hand.

Top tips

Set aside a few hours so you’re not rushed.

Prepare ingredients - weighing, measuring and chopping first will make the job easier.

Clean as you go and, if making several recipes at once, tidy up as you go too.

Cool before you freeze; food will keep better and save fridge energy.

This 2 minute video from The Batch Lady shows exactly what you’ll need to start batch cooking freezer meals.

Best

Macaroni

Tackling toddler tantrums

By Sarah Ockwell-Smith

The ‘terrible twos’ aren’t called that for nothing! This stage of a child’s life is all about big feelings. Scientifically, it relates to the undeveloped prefrontal brain cortex meaning a child is unable to regulate their own emotions.

What is a tantrum?

Tantrums describe the state of an individual who is out of control, full of big emotions and stress hormones and unable to calm themselves down. Tantrums can happen right into adulthood but adults learn to self-soothe.

Toddlers don’t possess these skills yet. They are not being naughty or manipulative, they are simply being toddlers. Tantrums are a normal and exceedingly common feature of child development. Research has found that nearly nine in ten children between 18 months and 2 years regularly have tantrums, with most having at least one a day, lasting on average between thirty and sixty seconds (although it is not uncommon for them to occur far more frequently and last for much longer).

‘No’ to the naughty step

Contrary to popular belief, ignoring, shaming or punishing tantrums can make a toddler’s behaviour much worse. These approaches ignore a child’s difficult underlying feelings and don’t resolve the cause

or help the toddler regulate their behaviour. Experts have discovered just how much infant brains are affected by the level of parental care they receive. With nurturing attention, the part of their brains responsible for regulating emotion become better connected as they grow. READ MORE

Dangerous things (you should let your child do)

Let them experience ‘age-appropriate risk’ under adult supervision AT ALL TIMES. Research shows that it’s essential for a balanced childhood.

Use power tools

The use of a power tool is an important life skill that is good to learn early.

Spend an hour blindfolded

Challenge your child to live blindfolded – it’s fun and builds empathy.

Play with fire

It’s best children learn about fire safely with you.

Throw rocks

Children can’t resist throwing - and it can be managed safely.

Use a pocketknife

A life skill that develops with experience, whittling is a fun introduction.

Climb a tree

Another irresistible urge for children - fun and beneficial when done safely.

Blow up a bottle of coke

A classic science experiment which is spectacular - but messy!

Play conkers

This ancient British game can be safely played if done correctly.

Use a bow and arrow

Though potentially hazardous, it’s great for developing situational awareness.