Familiesonline.co.uk Families Dorset 1Issue 25 September/October 2022 Familiesonline.co.uk HalfAutumnEducationfunterm FREETakeMeHome IN THIS ISSUE Dorset Independent School for Girls aged 3-18 Talbot Heath Are you choosing the best school for your daughter? Register online for our Kindergarten, Pre-Prep, Junior and Senior School Open Day 30th Sept THE BEST START Talbot Woods | Bournemouth | Tel: 01202 763360 | talbotheath.org | Connect with us @TalbotHeathSch | Day and boarding
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Dorset2 WHAT’S ON 13 TheSeptemberArk,Poole Park – 0930-1630 14 LittledownSeptemberCentre, Bournemouth – 1000-1400 15 TwoSeptemberRiversmeet Leisure Centre, Christchurch The140930-1330NovemberArk,Poole Park – 1000-1600 15 LittledownNovemberCentre, Bournemouth 1000-1400 D I D YOUKNOW?65% of all car seats are not fitted correctly FREE ChildCarSeatChecksIs your child’s car safe?seatPopalongforaFREEindependentcheckinpartnershipwithChildSeatSafetyLtd bit.ly/bcpcouncilchildcarseat Choosing reusable nappies helps fight climate change, reduces your rubbish, and saves up to £600 off your nappy bill! Trying to reduce your single-use plastic? Nappies: it’s time for a change! Save £30 from the cost of purchasing reusable nappies Visit: dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/reusablenappies Ditch single-use nappies and make reusables the new norm! New starter packavailableoption
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you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer. Free trial with Blackwell Dance Academy Blackwell Dance Academy prides itself on being a very friendly school with a high standard of teaching. The Academy offers pre-juvenile classes from age 2.5 years and all pupils have the opportunity to perform in the annual Blackwell Dance Academy Show, held at Pavilion Dance, BoastingBournemouth.a100% exam pass rate, classes are priced very competitively and the school has its own fully equipped dance studio, offering classes in ballet, tap, modern jazz, musical theatre, acro and performance classes for older pupils. Call Clare on 07886 406888 to book a FREE TRIAL or visit www.blackwelldanceacademy.co.uk May/June competition winners Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https://bit.ly/MJrecipients HalloweenWorkHalfParentingHolidaysEarlyHealthThingsEducationtodoyearsterm16.15.14.13.12.11.9.8.4. Book now to include your advert in our next issue. Call Claire on 07812 218 331 Book by 7 October.
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Starting or going back to school can be challenging for children (and parents) so check out our Education section for some great articles that will help, including what to do if your child hates school, the mysteries of phonics explained and how to help your child with homework. also have some advice for any parents who have a child suffering from panic attacks. It’s a great time of year to think about a winter holiday so it’s worth check out some top recommendations for holiday destinations around the world in this issue. And, if you want to keep your kids off screens as the nights draw in, check out our half term screen-free kids activities and Halloween craft too!
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Dorset 3 CONTENTS Editor Linda Stone 020editor@familiesdorset.co.uk82410423 Sales Claire Clarricoates 01494claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk689098/07812218331 Printed by Buxton Press Design Rebecca Carr Contact us In this issue Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof. Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Musical Theatre, Acro, Commercial Shows, Exams, Festivals, Workshops and Specialised Pre-Juvenile classes from 2½ years Classes in Bournemouth, Boscombe & Southbourne T: Clare 07886 406888 E: blackwelldanceacademy@gmail.com W: www.blackwelldanceacademy.com FREE TRIAL Call Clare today to book a free trial Welcome Can you believe the kids are back at school already? It seems like just a moment since they were breaking up! We hope you had a really fantastic summer. No doubt, some of you will be reluctant to get back to routine, whilst others will welcome it; either way, getting some hours back in your day is a great opportunity to make some plans and set goals for the coming months.
toy sets for
Finally, in this issue, we have tonnes of Action Heroes Sets to giveaway! Apply for these loveable mini your child familiesmag.co.uk/go. doing so,
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The Tindims of Rubbish Island by Sally Gardner, illustrated by Lydia Correy The first in a new series exploring our impact on the environment. Meet Captain Spoons, Mug, Jug, Brew, Skittle and friends, all residents of Rubbish Island, which the inventive Tindims have built entirely from thrown away items.
BrilliantEDUCATION
The children of Wigley Primary love having Noodle the Doodle at school and are thrilled that he’s coming on the class trip to the seaside. But will Noodle be on his best behaviour or will the day end in chaos? Perfect for young dog-lovers.
Alien in the Jam Factory by Chrissie Sains, illustrated by Jenny Taylor Get ready for aliens, jam, doughnuts, snails, one dastardly villain and a brilliant kid fizzing with ideas! Young inventor Scooter and his alien buddy Fizzbee team up to outwit Daffy Dodgy in a hilarious new adventure.
first chapter books for early readers
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Dragon Storm by Alastair Chisholm, illustrated by Eric Deschamps and Ben Mantle Tomas can’t believe it when a mysterious stranger invites him to join a secret society and tells him that he has a very special power… he can summon his very own dragon! With a medieval setting and a strong dose of fantasy, this is the first in a thrilling new series.
Noodle the Doodle by Jonathan Meres, illustrated by Katy Halford
By Sarah Campbell
The Marvellous Granny Jinks and Me by Serena Patel, illustrated by Selom Sunu When Jada Jinks finds a box of magic tricks in her granny’s flat, she uncovers her granny’s secret dream of becoming a magician. Inspired by the first Black woman to be admitted to the Magic Circle, this is a fun, inclusive and magical story, with tricks!
When your child is ready to move on from picture books, there are some wonderful first chapter books aimed at children ages 5 to 9. Many are highly illustrated, with stories that will last over the course of a few reading sessions. Here are some of our recent favourites, all available through your friendly local independent store or www.bookshop.org.
Sarah Campbell is co-founder of Parrot Street Book Club (www.parrotstreet.com), an award-winning monthly subscription book club for children ages 5 to 14. Each subscription box includes a brand new book plus an activity pack inspired by that particular book.
Panda at the Door written and illustrated by Sarah Horne Pudding the Panda of Edinburgh Zoo really wants a family to take care of, just like her heroine, Mary Poppins. When 9 year old Callum is given a certificate to adopt a panda for his birthday, the two come together... and pandemonium ensues! Velda the Awesomest Viking and the Voyage of Deadly Doom by David MacPhail, illustrated by Richard Morgan Velda might be small but she is certainly mighty. Nothing will stop her from taking to the high seas to earn her place on the dragon ship Valkyrie, along with a wonderful, colourful cast of characters.
There’s a Dog in My Brain by Caroline Green, illustrated by Rikin Parekh When Danny made a wish to stay home instead of going to a family wedding, he didn’t expect to end up trapped in the body of a dog. Meanwhile, Dudley the dog is off on the adventure of a lifetime. He might look like a normal 10 year old boy, but can he behave like one?
Play to your strengths
If your child is struggling with something specific, reach out to the school and ask them if they can point you in the direction of some practice that you can do with your child. Remember you are all on the same team. Use parents evening to ask what topics are coming up and to find out when exams are. Forewarned is forearmed.
As a busy parent, you may only have a short amount of time in which to work with your child. Make sure that you both have clear expectations about what you will be able to achieve. If you only have twenty minutes, you may not be able to finish their homework together but you may be able to tackle a few key problems before they complete the rest themselves. So that your time with them is productive, set goals and a timer. Goals help you prioritise and the timer prevents you from watching the clock. Your child will also have your undivided attention during this time.
Be honest with your child. You don’t know it all and nor should you be expected to.
The anchor and the kite
Young people flourish when they feel safe, valued, respected, supported and inspired. Talbot Heath School fosters in its pupils a ‘can do’ attitude, encouraging them to think big while helping them to develop the self-belief and principles that keep them grounded while they fly high.
By Jemma Zoe Smith
As a tutor, I get many requests from parents to tutor their child, even when that parent is a teacher themselves. It can be hard for some children to study with their parents and you don’t want it to lead to any strain in your relationship.
Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).
There may be some topics in which you feel you can very quickly assist your child without straining your own brain cells past the point of endurance. But if your child is struggling in multiple subjects, reach out to others. You may be able to ask other parent friends or your relatives for help.
Maybe one day the children can study science with you and the next they can cover maths with their friend’s mum.
If your child is needing more help than you can provide, speak to their school. There may be a club they can attend or some additional support that they can access in the lesson.
As children settle back in at school for a new academic year, parents also settle back into the routine of being called upon by their children to help them with homework. But what if you have very limited time, you are not across the school’s expectations or you simply aren’t familiar with the topic?
If the methods that your child uses are not familiar to you, don’t worry. YouTube, BBC Bitesize, Oak Academy and IXL are your friends. Simply type in your child’s year and the topic that they are studying (often found at the top of the worksheet) and the subject e.g. Year 4 - bus stop method, maths, into Google. It can be useful to start a session by running through a video with your child. Depending on their age, you may want to run through the video first before looking over it with them. This also really helps you focus and ensures you have your head around the topic sufficiently to be able to help explain it further to your child or answer their questions.
More information at www.talbotheath.org
Teamwork, kindness, compassion and selflessness will enable them to overcome adversity and build the strong relationships that will be so important in their lives.
Rockets reach their dizzy heights because they are equipped and supported by a team of experts. The rigorous teaching, high standards and outstanding pastoral care at Talbot Heath ensure that all the foundations are in place to allow young people to explore and discover their loves and passions and become resourceful and determined individuals.
Pupils at TH have dreams and aspirations but know that these will only be achieved through hard work, determination and tenacity. They appreciate that it is substance, time and effort that brings the most sparkling and ambitious of plans to fruition.
This year I supported two students with exam preparation and covered over fifteen different subjects with them - only three of those subjects are my specialism. So here is what I have learnt about supporting children in subjects in which you are not confident yourself.
At the end of each session, write down what you have covered in three bullet points. That way if your child gets another homework on the same topic, you can remember what you covered. These will also come in handy if you have a younger child or for end of year tests.
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Dorset 5 EDUCATION Oh dear! I can’t help my child with this
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Top Tips
There are different groups of letters that make sounds: a digraph is two letters that go together to make one sound e.g. ‘ch’ in is three letters together making one sound e.g. ‘ear’ in develop their knowledge, they build up and put together all of the sounds they recognise in order to read and write.
For example, say separate sounds, a bit like a robot, and get your child to blend them together to make the word. You can do this in sentences e.g. put on your ‘c’, ‘oa’, ‘t’ or let’s go to the ‘p’, ‘ar’, ‘k’. Try I spy with whole words split up or hide some pictures for children to hunt for. The idea is you say the sounds of the object in the pictures separately and they blend them so they know what they are hunting!
As children develop in their phonics ability you will find they want to help you read and you can work together to read a text. By Emma Lewry
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• Practise blending - this can be the key to unlock entry to ‘the club!’
• Your child will be taught phonics in a specific way at school so ask them to teach you. It’s a great way for them to test their understanding.
Oral blending is the skill to practise here. Oral blending means hearing separate sounds and putting them together without reading the letters too. It’s really helpful to practise lots of oral blending with your children from as young as the age of 2.
Phonics is a way of teaching children to read and later write. It is based on the fact that letters and groups of letters make sounds and when we put those sounds together they make words.
As‘near’.children
I hope these tips help you joining the Phonics Club!
phonicsUnderstandingEDUCATION
Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.
This skill can be a real stumbling block for children because they are working so hard to recognise the sounds that they can’t put them together easily.
If the thought of supporting your child with phonics fills you with dread, never fear! There is one simple thing you can do which will help them beyond your expectations: reading!
English is a tricky language and sometimes the same letters make different sounds. For example, ‘i’ can sound short as in ‘fish’ or have a longer sound like ‘eye’ in ‘find’.
Reading to and with your child is the single most impactful thing you can do to help their reading, writing and language skills to develop. By being read to, children hear new words, learn the flow of language and develop their understanding of grammar.
• Read, read, read!
Once children have learned the separate sounds, they then have to ‘blend’ them together to make the full word. For example, they hear or read ‘c’, ‘a’, ‘t’ and need to put the sounds together to make ‘cat.’
Phonics is one of those things that feels like a secret clubsome people understand it and to others it’s gobbledegook! If you have a child at school, they’re part of ‘the club’ and they may look askance at you when you ask what a digraph or blending is. For you and anyone who has a child due to start school, here are some tips to get you both closer to full admittance of the phonics club! What is phonics?
Read, read, read! Blending can be the key
• If you’re stuck or worried, ask your child’s school for help. Supporting children learning to read can be as frustrating as it is magical.
Read as often as you can, whether it’s stories, poems, cookery books, magazines - anything you have or see! Allow your child to ask questions and talk about what they understand along the Thinkway. about reading as sharing a book with your child rather than them always sitting quietly and listening. By talking about the words and language and explaining meaning, children learn and understand more.
• Practise recognising the sounds.
• Help children to spot when two or three letters work together to make one sound e.g ‘ai’ in ‘rain’ and ‘igh’ in ‘light’.
According to NHS UK, concerning signs to look out for can include:
Poor chemistry with a teacher. Your child may complain that a particular teacher is ‘unfair’ or ‘mean.’ Remember, children know how to play a parent against a teacher. While acknowledging your child’s feelings, don’t automatically assume you’re getting the whole picture. Talk with the school to find out what’s really going Ratheron.than dismissing children’s worries, let them know they are heard. If they are struggling with a certain class, help them find ways to overcome their struggles.
Reach out to the school – it may suggest counselling to support your child. Be mindful of your own reactions and emotions. Staying calm and positive conveys the message that you are there for your child all the way.
How you can help Ask your child what’s worrying them and actively listen to their responses, withholding judgement and advice and validating their feelings.
Difficulty Interruptedconcentrating;sleepandbad dreams; Constant worrying and negative thoughts; Constant complaining of stomach aches or general malaise; Quickly becoming angry and irritable; Crying often for no apparent reason.
Seeking other help
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Lisa and Catherine are co-founders of Emparenting (www.emparenting.co.uk), supporting children, parents and families with insights, skills and tools to nurture the development and well-being of the next generation.
By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble
Problem solve together by discussing coping strategies, ideally led by them. Set a daily routine. It can help children regulate their emotions and alleviate concerns about the unknown. It can also help children feel more control over their environment. Create a ‘worry box’ or journal with your child. Sometimes the problem will feel less extreme in black and white.
If they have fallen out with their friends, listen to them and talk about what they are going through. Helping them to find their own solutions will build resilience and restore positive feelings about school.
School can be a source of support and community as much as learning. It provides new experiences, exposure to different opinions, a sense of achievement, peer friendships and relationships with trusted adults. However, it can also be a lot to cope with, particularly when starting a new academic year. Children usually settle in. But what do you do if this doesn’t happen and if your child says they ‘hate’ school? It’s important to recognise the problem and provide the right support. School ‘hatred’ can arise for various reasons: Anxiety. This most frequently occurs during times of family stress such as a change in the family situation or when a child is about to enter a new school or phase. It can manifest as separation anxiety. Trouble learning. For some children, the jump to higher academic levels and the sheer volume of information they need to digest can be overwhelming. Loneliness. Making new friends can be difficult and children often fall out for no obvious reason. This can have a direct effect on self-esteem and turn into a dislike of school. Children who always feel alone will often feign illness to avoid school and school-related activities.
What to do if your child ‘hates’ school
School life can create many situations that make children feel unnerved. Some degree of anxiety is normal in new or unfamiliar situations and for most it’s an essential part of a child’s emotional development. For some children, however, anxiety impacts their everyday behaviour and thoughts, interfering with their school, home and social lives.
Highlight the positives. It is important not to dismiss your child’s worries; but it is equally important that children recognise the good and fun bits of their day and don’t just fixate on the negatives.
If you have tried self-help strategies such as mindfulness, calming apps and breathing techniques and they appear not to be helping, it’s a good idea to seek professional support. Your GP, child’s form teacher or head of year should be able to point you in the right direction.
Bullying. If your child seems quiet and anxious, has few school friends or suddenly shows a drop in self-esteem, bullying may be a factor. Ask your child’s school to keep an eye out. If bullying is happening, the school will need to put strategies in place to support your child.
Half term activities at Highcliffe Castle
You must wear a seat belt where one is fitted. The driver may be prosecuted if a child aged under 14 years doesn’t wear an appropriate seatbelt which, for children aged under 12 years and shorter than 135 centimetres in height, means the correct child restraint.
If you are on the lookout for local swimming lessons in Purbeck, its STA swim school runs fifty weeks of the year, with lessons available for children as young as age 3, all the way through to the teens. Sign your young person up to its lessons by filling out the online form on the website. Look out for Autumn half term activities for children on Purbeck’s social media pages and website too. They will have activities daily including: Nerf Battles, Laser Tag, Intensive swimming lessons and loads more!
Discover more about the Purbeck Sports Centre at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/purbecksportscentre
Keeping young people active is really important for the team at Purbeck Sports Centre. Sign your young people up to one or more of their fun courses this Autumn.
There are Youth Tennis and Badminton courses available. In addition, Purbeck is really excited to be welcoming Baby Ballers, football and child development sporting activities for children 16 months to 5 years, to the centre.
If you’ve already bought your car seat, visit one of our car seat fitting clinics in Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch, to get your car seat checked. Reference links www.childsafety.co.ukwww.think.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/DfT_SeatBeltBooklet.pdf seat
Find out more at https://bit.ly/seatbeltbooklet
Highcliffe Castle has some exciting activities for children and families over the October half term school holiday. From Sunday 23 to Sunday 30 October (excluding Friday and Saturday), included as part of the normal Castle admission price, children can enjoy an indoor lantern and lights-themed question trail running throughout the Castle. They can also make their own lanterns on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday (11am to 3pm, with an additional evening session up to 6pm for families on TheSunday).Castle will also be holding a special Castle by Candelight event on Sunday, 30 October between 5pm and 7pm.
Research and prioritise safety. All seats must pass minimum standards of safety. Some manufacturers test way beyond these standards. Get independent advice from Child Seat Safety (www. childseatsafety.co.uk) or from BCP Council Road Safety Team at road.safety@bcpcouncil.gov.uk who have IOSH accreditation or can direct you to someone experienced. Ask for the car seat expert in store to serve you and ask about their qualifications. If they are IOSH approved in Child Seat Safety Awareness they should be able to provide an accreditation number. If they aren’t available, request an appointment. Where possible, make sure your IOSH expert shows you how to fit the car seat. This avoids confusion and should give you confidence to fit the seat correctly.
safety: what is the law?
7 top tips before you buy** Avoid second hand car seats -. you can’t be sure of their history.
Awesome Autumn at Purbeck Sports Centre
In the darkness, see the Castle as you’ve never seen it before, illuminated by a variety of candles, lanterns and sparkling lights. Join the outdoor lantern procession (weather permitting) at 6.30pm and bring your own homemade lanterns or torches to help guide you along the route. Refreshments will be available. Please visit www.highcliffecastle.co.uk for more details and ticket prices.
A child may wear an adult seatbelt when they reach 135 centimetres in height or the age of 12 years old (whichever is reached first).
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Dorset8 Looking for new ways to save money? Reusable nappies can save parents over £600 and help fight climate change. They are made from hi-tech machine-washable fabrics, can be easily fastened and come in many sizes and colourful designs (or plain if you prefer!), making them a fun part of your baby’s wardrobe! Dorset Council’s reusable nappy incentive offers parents a reusable nappy starter pack or the chance to save £30, when spending a minimum of £45 on new reusable nappies from retailers. For more information, visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ reusablenappies You can save even more money and reduce your carbon footprint further by buying pre-loved nappies through the Dorset Cloth Nappy Library (the council voucher scheme doesn’t apply to this group). When you no longer need them, you can even sell them on yourself to get some money back! So why not have a search online for reusable nappies today and see what designs you would choose and how much you could save! Save money with re-usable nappies THINGS TO DO
Car
Distract your child Confront their fears
The distraction you create could be in the form of a favourite toy or game which you engage your child with, a photograph of a happy event and a chat about this event or even petting their hamster or another beloved pet. Equally, a distraction could be a song that they are familiar with, which you can encourage them to join in. The breathing technique described above may also act as a distraction. Or you could engage your child in a favourite childhood memory or recite silly tongue-twisters together.
By Dr Sohom Das
Helping your child with panic attacks
You can help to shift your child’s focus from anxiety and fear to something more comforting. You can even create a safety blanket in their minds. This helps to pull them out of their temporary intense and frightening experience and back into the familiar world around them.
If your child gets panicky in public, you start with simply discussing a trip to the park. Later this technique could involve taking increasingly longer trips outside into incrementally busier environments. This should help your child to gradually come to realise that their fears are irrational.
Dr Sohom Das is a forensic psychiatrist and author of In Two Minds: Stories of Murder, Justice and Recovery from a Forensic Psychiatrist. He is also host of the YouTube channel A Psych for Sore Minds.
With time and practice (and a sprinkling of patience), you can make a positive psychological connection to this distraction, which is further embedded every time it is used and helps shift your child’s focus from their anxiety.
Like all parents, I don’t like to see my own children suffering and, as a psychiatrist, my heart goes out to youngsters who come to me for help with panic attacks. However, there are proven strategies that can be used to help support loved ones in this situation. Here are five of my top tips. Educate your child
Panic attacks can be crippling but knowledge is power. Young people can be anxious about a range of issues at once, some of which may not seem logical. For instance, many children feel self-conscious and believe that people are judging or laughing at them, despite having no evidence of this. When they have a panic attack, some children may even believe that they are dying. Tell them they are not alone. Clarifying that panic attacks are common and normalising them can help children feel less isolated, abnormal or damaged. Teach your child that despite how it feels, these episodes aren’t dangerous or life-threatening. Reassure them that panic attacks are finite; they will always end. Take charge of the situation During a panic attack, your child will feel like they are losing control. It’s imperative to maintain equanimity and fight our impulses to show our own distress and anxiety. We need to model calmness by taking charge of the situation and not dramatising or over-medicalising it. Talk to your child in a gentle and reassuring voice and remind them that the panic attack will be over soon. This will make them feel safer and they might model your behaviour, which could quickly pull them out of the sinking quicksand of panic.
If your child suffers panic attacks in specific scenarios or situations, it is very tempting to try to avoid or remove these from their lives. Although this is an effective short-term fix, there is a risk that this may develop into a phobia over time. It’s unrealistic to assume that they can avoid these triggers forever and you might not be around the next time they face this fear. Sometimes, it is better to nip these issues in the bud. A very effective therapy for full blown phobias is ‘systematic desensitisation with relaxation and graded exposure.’ This involves gradual and controlled exposure to fearful elements, alongside relaxation strategies.
It’s possible to use a watered-down version of this at home with your child. Here is an example Here is an example.
Breathe! Panic attacks can cause hyperventilation, resulting in lightheadedness, fainting and even chest pains. In turn, this triggers the downward spiral of further anxiety. Encouraging your child to slow their breathing should relieve the physical symptoms and interrupt the cycle. Ask your child to breathe in through their nose for three seconds, hold their breath for three seconds, then exhale completely and fully for three seconds. This assists physiologically and can also act as a distraction. Once they become proficient at this, they can add it to their toolbox for the next time they are having a panic attack, even if you aren’t there.
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Families Dorset10 Calling parents living in Dorset! Magazine Would you like to try your hand at FamiliesComeayouDomarketing?mediainterestedArepublishing?magazineyouinandyouthinkcangrowbusiness?andrunDorset magazine! Work part time from home around your family and do something you love. To find out more contact Linda orinfo@familiesmagazine.co.ukatcall02082410423
Tricky toddler eating tips
We’re not talking about turning your table into a racing track but simply making it enjoyable for them, engaging them and allowing them to explore the foods on offer without too much restriction, pressure or ‘mealtime rules’.
However, if you keep offering rejected foods (without any actual pressure to eat them), they start to become ‘familiar’ and this has been shown to help toddlers to be more willing to try them.
Pressure Pressure to ‘eat up’ rarely works in the long run. It’s far better to sit back, take the pressure off and focus on making mealtimes positive occasions for toddlers, including trying to spend time with your little one and engage with them over It’smeals.best to role model the actions and behaviours you want your toddler to emulate so in time they learn HOW to eat and HOW enjoy a variety of foods.
Monitor how often cakes, biscuits and sweets are available at home and avoid referring to these as ‘treats’ as this suggests that these foods are the most desirable!
Overly restricting foods that children can see or are asking for rarely works. This can make the restricted foods more desirable and put pressure on mealtimes and eating occasions. Instead, try to ‘covertly’ restrict by role modelling what to eat yourself, showing and offering a BALANCE.
Restricting foods
“I don’t like it”, “yukky”, “I hate broccoli”…sound familiar? These are common phrases heard by those of us who have toddlers around the table and it’s pretty common for parents to express concern to me about this. The toddler years are often about independence and our little ones trying to seek some autonomy in their day to day lives, and that includes their food choices too.
Remember, it’s a long game. The tips and tricks you put in place to help to support your toddler’s eating will not work overnight.
By Charlotte Stirling-Reed
The book includes step by step guides, tips and advice on tricky eating, as well as fifty delicious and easy recipes.
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Dorset 11 EARLY YEARS
If you speak to the parents of most toddlers, they’ll probably tell you that life is somewhat turbulent! Toddlers are at this lovely, exciting age where they are really exploring the world and figuring things out and their brains are firing and learning new things every day. This exploration can come with its challenges though and a BIG one is often seen at mealtimes with food refusal!
It’s actually pretty normal for toddlers to be picky with their food, partly due to developing independence, partly due to ‘neophobia’ (reluctance to try new foods) which generally kicks in during the toddler years and partly because growth rates start to slow around this age which can result in their appetites simply taking a bit of a dip. My main tips: Start by pretending you simply don’t care if they eat or not Research shows that the more PRESSURE we put on toddlers to ‘eat up’ the more likely it is to have the opposite effect. So, if you want to help your toddlers to enjoy more foods, try to fight your natural instincts and be nonchalant at mealtimes. Employ the line ‘That’s okay, you don’t have to eat it’ and stick to it. Again, taking the pressure off and putting the ball in their court at mealtimes, helps them to have a sense of autonomy and feel like they have some control. In time, this can often help encourage them to WANT to eat a little more. Make it a mealtime they WANT to be part of. If you think about it, toddlers are all about fun and exploring. That’s simply the aim of their day. So, try and make mealtimes a part of the fun journey too.
What’s interpreted as ‘fun’ will vary from family to family but you could start with some calming music, a funky table cloth or kicking off with some silly faces, whatever helps to bring some joy to the table. Offer a variety, even foods that are refused. If you offer foods and they are refused and then you don’t offer them again, it’s unlikely that your little ones will grow to accept them.
Charlotte Stirling-Reed is the Baby and Child Nutritionist. Her new book How to Feed your Toddler: Everything You Need to Know to Raise Happy, Independent Little Easters is published by Ebury Press.
Toddlers are constantly testing and figuring out the ‘rules’ and what works for toddlers. So, try to stay consistent and persistent whilst rolling out some of these tried and tested strategies.
Tempting Tenerife A little closer to home is the pleasant warm-allyear island of Tenerife. With one of Europe’s best waterparks and plenty of sandy beaches, even the most active of families will be entertained. Go in February for the largest and most vibrant carnival outside of Rio!
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The Florida coast offers something for everyone from water sports to snorkelling; then there’s the unforgettable bucket list experiences of Orlando. For a more relaxed family trip off the beaten track, Florida’s hidden beaches, such as St George Island, offer uninterrupted miles of peace and solitude.
Another European gem, just four hours away, with temperatures in the high teens even in January. From water parks to mountain sandyadventuresclimbingandstunningbeaches,there’sso much variety here. Older children may enjoy the exciting range of water sports too.
Special St Lucia St Lucia is another special place for adventure seekers and nature lovers, as much as for those who just want to sit back and chill. This lush tropical island offers white sandy beaches which are perfect for sand castles and sipping cocktails at the end of the day. Splash Island, the Caribbean’s first open-water sports park, is a must for family fun too.
Variety in Cyprus
First stop Australia Simply bursting with incredible experiences for the family, from learning to surf at Bondi Beach to spending an afternoon hiking up the Sydney Harbour Bridge, there are so many wonderful varieties in Australia. One of my top tips is to head over to Western Australia, hire a campervan and explore - Redsands Campers (www.redsandscampers.com) is a fantastic option. Ski in the Swiss Alps
If you are dreaming of whisking your family away for a fun-packed winter holiday in the sun, there are so many wonderful options to choose from. Look no further for ideas! Here are some inspiring places, all offering an excellent choice of activities and properties for all family styles and budgets, with enough to keep the whole family entertained. Ashley Lutz is a Travel Counsellor with seventeen years’ experience in creating inspiring journeys and long lasting memories and providing clients with expertise and peace of mind. Find out more at www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/ashley.lutz
Adventures in Mexico Combining the bliss of the Caribbean and its friendly locals with full-on adventures, a family trip to Mexico could be just the ticket. You may immediately think of the sweeping beaches and delicious cuisine but there is so much more to it. From exploring ancient Mayan temples to zip lining through jungles or cooling off on the waterslides at Xcaret Park, there’s no danger of even the ‘coolest’ child being bored. Stunning Sri Lanka Embark on a journey of discovery with this perfect introduction to the Indian Discoversubcontinent.exotic wildlife, ancient forts and fascinating culture. Chill out by the beach and spot turtles, cycle through peaceful villages or explore the national parks in a jeep safari. There’s so much to see in this beautiful country!
By Ashley Lutz
If you love hitting the slopes and are looking for a familyfriendly place for a ski trip, consider the ‘car free’ resort village of Saas-Fee. Why go? Aside from the picturesque backdrop, this smaller resort is pedestrianised, with nursery slopes walkable from the village, making it perfect for families with little ones. Fantastic Florida
getaways for families
What’s more, asking them to transition back to a reality in which they are no longer in control can feel like a physical and mental wrench. To help ease this, while your child is still playing, give them advance notice that it will soon be time to wrap up. Try something like: ‘One more game with your dinosaurs and then we can put them to sleep in their normal house (the toy box) until tomorrow.’
As soon as they make a start, acknowledge how your child is helping so they have the confidence to keep it up. Once the kids are as quick as you, try turning tidying up into a race. Schedule clean-up time at the same time every day, such as the interval just before mealtime, to establish a habit.
Getting children to tidy up
Bear in mind that if a child has been playing a fantasy game, they will be really proud of the little world they have created. So while your request to tidy up is perfectly reasonable, they may hear it as a request to destroy what they have just made.
Tips for kids ages 2 to 5
Helpafterwards.littleones who are not yet reading by colour coding the storage for different categories; soft toys, trucks etc. Alternatively, label their toy boxes with pictures they can recognise.
Just telling a child generally to tidy up can feel
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It can be useful to schedule clean-up time at the same time every day, such as the interval just before a mealtime, to establish a habit.
The first step to teaching children to help tidy up is to understand how ‘mess’ looks from their point of view.
With clinical psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin, she is co-author of What’s My Child Thinking?
Help young children learn that toys have homes where they live when they are not played with and have the storage accessible at ground level. Try some containers on wheels which they can push to the area they need to tidy up and which they can ‘park’
Tips for kids ages 6 to 9 Explain the advantages. By tidying up, they will have space to run around, their toys are safe from harm and they’ll know where to find them again tomorrow.
Finally it helps to reframe your expectations. A family home doesn’t have to be a show place. See tidying up at the end of the day as a sign your child has explored the limits of their imagination to the full.
If your older child does nothing to help when you ask them to clear up, try to keep calm rather than raising your voice. Keep your voice low and get down on their level. Say that it’s tidy-up time as a statement, not a request. Afterwards, thank them for their help.
When your child helps you pick up their playthings after a busy play session, you are on the right path.
Playtime, particularly messy play, is vital to children’s development because it helps them understand how the world works, as well as using their senses and imagination. But it shouldn’t stop there; tidying up is a great opportunity to help children develop cognitive skills, like sorting.
Tanith Carey is a parenting writer.
When a child is absorbed and ‘in the flow’ of an imaginative game it makes perfect sense to have all their materials and playthings spread out all around them. While it may look like chaos to us, having everything at hand means a child can stretch their creativity by using all the different items around them in new combinations.
Evenoverwhelming.teenagers may not know where to start with tidying up, so little children will definitely need a helping hand. Make it clear it’s a job you will start together and then be specific about the tasks you want them to do. Make tidying up fun by putting on music and setting a time limit, so small children see it as a game they are playing with you. To make the task more achievable, as well as helping to develop their sorting skills, you could also suggest picking up just one type of toy at a time. Try something like: ‘You pick up all the blocks while I pick up all the crayons.’
Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents, published by DK which is filled with practical tips for raising children ages 2 to 7.
By Tanith Carey
What parent or carer hasn’t felt weary at the sight of yet more trucks, play figures, crayons and LEGO® bricks to pick up at the end of the day?
By Isabell Fisher
Playdough This is a versatile toy but if the smell and texture of big-branded playdough is something you’re not keen on, there are some wonderful options for soft and scented playdough that doesn’t leave a greasy residue. Just check that the playdough has been UKCA tested before buying.
Art and craft This doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Often keeping it simple is far better than creating something elaborate. Try making a paper boat and see how far it travels or create tealight holders out of old jam jars by gluing on pieces of tissue paper. These also make lovely presents for grandparents.
Isabell Fisher is co-founder of Little Hands Learning, an educational and eco-friendly subscription box for children ages 3 to 6. For more ideas, visit www.littlehandslearning.co.uk/activities
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Baking Baking shortbread and scones is simple enough for inexperienced bakers to try and hopefully they will taste great! Baking bread is also surprisingly simple and you and your children can have lots of fun creating different animals out of the dough to then bake in the oven. Painting Children love to paint but the mess can fill many parents with dread. Instead of using poster paint, try using watercolour paints which are easier to clean up. To change things up, get the kids painting on coffee filters, a canvas or ice cubes.
Treasure hunt Choose something to be the treasure, hide it and then create a map for your kids to follow. Make it more interesting (and last longer) by having the map lead your little pirates to different locations where each location’s ‘treasure’ is a clue to the next location. To make the map look more ‘authentic,’ scrunch up the paper and stain it with a damp teabag.
This is a fun way for kids to learn about design and teamwork. All you need is a piece of paper, some pens, some counters (maybe toy figures), some dice and some rules. Involve your children in working out how the game works and create and decorate your board before playing!
Easy experimentsscience There are lots of easy science experiments that can be tried at home with household items and they encourage kids to ask questions, make predictions and understand the world around them. Try making a lava lamp with water, food colouring and oil in a jar. Add an effervescent tablet and watch what happens!
Boosted books Reading to your kids is great but don’t limit the experience to sitting on the sofa. If the book is set in a cave, evict the vacuum cleaner from under the stairs and issue everyone with head torches! If you’re reading a desert adventure, create a Bedouin tent using some sheets and your clothes horse.
Design a board game
rainy day activities
It’s important that children are tech-savvy but there is very little evidence that screentime contributes to a child’s cognitive ability. Screens are so appealing because of their continually changing content so any activities that we attempt at home with the kids need to be equally appealing to little hands, eyes and brains. Here are a few activities that are easy to set up if you need to keep the kids entertained this half term or you’re stuck at home during a rainy weekend. You probably have most of what you need at home already.
Screen-freeTERM
Taking inspiration from nature
How do you spark your creativity when you are feeling uninspired or busy? For me, creativity is as essential as breathing for a happy and fulfilling life. But when and how do you get inspired?
Claire Winter is a journalist, ICF coach, speaker and awardwinning podcaster who loves being out in nature. She works to help women connect back to nature, ignite their creativity and share their stories. Read more at www.creatrixjourney. com or follow @thecreatrixjourney on Instagram.
When you are in the rut of daily chores, creative inspiration can feel non-existent. Perhaps current news events or the relentlessness of family life are making you feel stuck. Creative blocks can arise for many different reasons; maybe a work issue, fear of failure or self-doubt are standing in your way. Being creatively blocked can feel incredibly frustrating, timeconsuming and ultimately, can lead to a lack of motivation. While creative blocks can happen to everyone sometimes, there are ways to overcome them. A powerful tool to help you get creative is spending time in nature. Walk it out Simply going for a walk is surprisingly effective. A study from Stanford University found that walking boosted creativity by sixty percent, compared to subjects who were sedentary. The great German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche claimed that all great ideas came from walking. So, what is it about walking that helps our brains switch into a creative mode?
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The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and the rhythmic cadence of your steps can get you into the magical ‘flow’ state that many artists, writers and creators talk about.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or creatively blocked, take yourself out for a mindful walk in nature and see what inspiration you can bring back to your desk.
While walking on a treadmill can work, walking in the great outdoors is more powerful to clear the mind, get inspired and come up with new creative ideas.
Mindful walking Set out with a small notebook or use voice notes on your phone to record any insights. If you have to take your phone with you, switch it to do not disturb mode and ignore the screen. Start to notice the woodland and nature around you. Even towns have leafy gardens and birdcalls when you pay enough attention! Start tapping into all your senses. How does it sound? How does it feel? What does it smell like? What does it look like? How do you imagine things taste? What does the movement around you feel like outside your body and inside it? Continue to notice your breathing. Is it slow or fast? How has it changed since you started the walk? If you are distracted, take a moment to ground yourself and connect to your environment. Stand still, root your feet into the ground and take three deep breaths. When you come back from your walk, stay in the refreshed zone. Write down all your creative thoughts straightaway to give yourself inspired starting points. By Claire Winter Magazine Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go Enter the Action Heroes universe!*whilestockslastStylesmayvaryT&CsapplyGet your FREE mini-figure set NOW* Mix & match body parts & worldsthemedbuildandCollectexpressionsfacialchange
On top of this, we also know that exercising in nature is not only good for our physical health but also our mental health. By boosting mood and energy, you are helping to improve your Letcreativity.nature nurture you! Your over-thinking mind will clear when you take a walk, consciously seeking out greenery and clouds, listening to the sounds around you and breathing fresh air.
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Dorset16 It’s easy and fun to create your own decorations for Halloween! So get crafty with the kids. You’ll be able to gather what you need from around your home and from your recycling bin and paint, create and decorate to make your own family of spiders in no time. Your child will love developing new skills as they explore painting and sticking. And, under your supervision, they will develop fine motor skills as they practise with scissors. You will Instructions:need:Step4: Once you have all eight legs, fold each leg in half to bend. Step 1: First paint the cardboard tubes black. Step 2: Allow the black paint to dry thoroughly. Once dry, give the spider eyes so it can see! Step 3: To make the legs, start by cutting five slits about one centimetre apart on each side of the tube just over halfway up. The slits will make four spider legs on each side of the tube. There will be a spare piece of tube on each side which you will need to cut out. ü Paint brush ü Scissors ü Black paint ü Wiggly eyes ü Cardboard tubes Make spiders for Halloween! Cutoutandkeep Watch out! Your spider is carefulcomplete…..nowitdoesn’trunoff!
