IN THIS ISSUE September/October 2022 Familiesonline.co.uk HalloweenAutumnEducationfun Free Action Heroes mini figure sets for kids APPLY INSIDE Magazine FREE
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Can you believe the kids are back at school already? It seems like just a moment since they were breaking up!
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 3
Sneezy Panda games to giveaway!Theflowersandleavesmakepandasneeze...whatcanyoudo? T&Cs applyAPPLY HERE Magazine available10 Suitable for ages 4+
Autumn is a beautiful time of year so take a look at our suggestions for activities to do with the kids outside. Enjoy our Autumn treasure hunt or try one of our family-friendly walk suggestions when half term rolls around. And, if you want to keep your kids off screens as the nights draw in, check out our half term screen-free kids’ activities too!
Starting or going back to school can be challenging for children (and parents) so check out our advice on new term teething problems and inspire your kids with our great book recommendations.
Get in touch
Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE
Autumn treasure hunt RoadEducationsafety for kids Screen-free indoor DIYHalloweenHalloweenwalksFamilyoutsideAutumnactivitiesactivitiesfriendlyautumnfoodcraftHalloweencostumes In this issue 171614131210954 CONTENTS
Competition winners from our May/June issue
Welcome
Autumn treasure hunt
Ideal for appreciating the autumn season and getting outdoors. No checking online until you get home!
And hey presto, you’re done! And hopefully you’ve found an autumn treasure you can keep or learned something you didn’t know. Have fun!
DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE What am I? I am a: I am a: I am a: I am a: I am an: I am an: I am a: I am a:
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October4
AutumnHuntTreasure
Thenyou.
Get outdoors and go on a treasure hunt with your kids, finding and matching autumn treasures.
On the next page you’ll find pictures of eight different autumn treasures to find in the park or woodlands. Remember, the Woodland Trust has a great guide to woodlands near you. Once you’ve found them, write in the name of what you’ve found. Get your grown up to help
take a look at the pictures in a row at the bottom. Each picture has some kind of connection to your treasures. It might be where the treasure comes from or maybe where you find it.
When you’ve worked out the connection, draw a line from each of your autumn treasures to the picture at the bottom that is connected to it.
Most children with special educational needs (SEN) go to a mainstream school, where there are both pupils with and without SEN. So, if your child has special educational needs, what type of support can you expect from their school and how do go about getting that support?
By John and Kyle Hattie
Does your child struggle to open a packet of crisps? Like all motor function problems, this is indicative of something more significant, in this case a general problem with ‘hand grasp.’ Children who struggle with this usually struggle with other tasks like handwriting too.
Hand grasp challenges in young children
By Usha Patel
READ MORE
What can parents and carers do to ensure their children, of all ages, develop great learning habits which will help them achieve their maximum potential in school and in life? It all starts with talking - and lots of it – from the very early years onward.
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 5 EDUCATION
Why education begins at home
READ MORE Getting school support for a child with SEN Contributed by Contact Unique T-shirts from Marlo & Cole! Magazine T&Cs apply FREE for your child APPLY HERE available10 2-3,Sizes3-4&4-5
READ MORE
Lost By Ele AgesFountain11+
Chapter books that encourage kindness
Room
The MovementSoup
By
Age 10+
By JionAgeSheibani6+
By Onjali Q. Rauf Ages 8+
friends at Parrot Street Book Club contribute their suggestions.
Age 8+
Elephant
By Holly Goldberg Sloan
The Worries: Sohal Finds a Friend
The in the
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October6 EDUCATION
By Ben Davis
A Kind of Spark By ElleAgesMcNicoll8+
Five Ways to Make a Friend
By Gillian Cross Ages 8+
The Elephant PeterAgesCarnavas6+
Boy at the Back of the Class
Wonder By R. J. AgePalacio8+
Our
My child can’t manage this year’s curriculum
READ
By Liat Joshi-Hughes
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 7 EDUCATION
The autumn term has begun and your child has returned to school. What kind of ‘teething troubles’ might you face over the next few months while your child copes with the changes that September brought with it? And how should you deal with them?
Primary school learning is much more of a double act these days, a partnership between parents and teachers. Again, go and have a chat with the teacher to try and understand your child’s level and find out what you can do to support your little one’s reading, writing or maths at home. This needn’t be
anything formal, just reading a little more together or encouraging them to do some basic adding up when you’re at the shops or baking. For writing practice, could they write a post card to their grandparents or other relatives? MORE
New term teething troubles
Perhaps they’re in a different class or their closest friend has left the school and they’re struggling to adjust and find a new bestie or gang. Regardless, there are a couple of things you can do to boost your child’s friendships. Firstly, of course, talk to your child’s teacher and ask if there’s anyone they think your son or daughter might particularly gel with. Next up, invite them over for a playdate or arrange to meet them and their parent in the park. If confidence is an issue, role play approaching potential friends with your little one…take it in turns.
Make fruity, crunchy ice with Mr Frosty! APPLY HERE for your FREET&Cstoyapply Magazine available5 Suitableforages3+
My child is having trouble making friends
Brilliant first chapter books for early readers
Morgan the Book Cat
By Serena Patel, illustrated by Selom Sunu
Alien in the FactoryJam
By Caroline Green, illustrated by Rikin Parekh
There’s a Dog in My Brain
By Alastair DeschampsillustratedChisholm,byEricandBenMantle
When your child is ready to move on from picture books, here are some wonderful first chapter books recommended by Parrot Street Book Club.
Dragon Storm
By Polly Faber, illustrated by VulliamyClara
By Chrissie Sains. illustrated by Jenny Taylor Velda andAwesomesttheVikingtheVoyageofDeadlyDoom
Noodle the Doodle
Written and illustrated by Sarah Horne
By Sally illustratedGardner,byLydiaCorrey
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October8 EDUCATION
The GrannyMarvellousJinksandMe
By Jonathan Meres, illustrated by Katy Halford
By David MacPhail, illustrated by MorganRichard
Panda at the Door
The Tindims of Rubbish Island
Stop, Look, Listen, Think
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 9 PARENTING
Point out hidden entrances or driveways that cross the pavement.
Point out safer crossing places and show how to use them.
Ages 7-11
Children should not go out alone until they know and can use the Green Cross Code . Let your child make decisions with you, so they learn through practical action. Help your child plan safe walking routes. Encourage your child to talk about what they see on the roads and whether it’s safe.
Toddlers
In this film for ages 7 to 12, children discuss first solo journeys they’re looking forward to and older children share what their first journeys were like.
Find a safe place to cross. STOP just before you get to the kerb. LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic.
LISTEN for traffic approaching from all directions.
First Journeys
Reinforce Stop, Look, Listen and Think.
Ages 5-7
Never let your child go near a road alone and always hold Showhands.children how pedestrians walk safely on the pavement and vehicles use the road.
The number one rule is hand holding. If your child is likely to pull away use safety reins. Make sure your child walks on the INSIDE of the pavement away from traffic. Introduce Stop, Look, Listen and Think.
In this film for children ages 3 to 6, pupils dress up and learn how to cross the road safely using the Stop, Look, Listen, Think sequence.
THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road. Walk straight across the road. Keep LOOKING and LISTENING for traffic while crossing.
Road safety for kids of all ages
The Green Cross Code
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.
We asked Isabell Fisher, co-founder of Little Hands Learning for some easy-to-set-up activities that will appeal to little hands, eyes and brains.
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October10 ACTIVITIES
Baking
Screen-free rainy day activities
Children love to paint and getting messy is part of the fun! BUT the idea of 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.
Painting
Playdough
There’s no doubt that playdough 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. Check that its been UKCA tested before buying.
Baking shortbread and scones is simple enough for inexperienced bakers to try. Hopefully the end results will taste great and they will enjoy eating them too. 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.
Screen-free rainy day activities
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 what the game is about, how it works and decorate your board before playing!
Easy science experiments
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!
We asked Isabell Fisher, co-founder of Little Hands Learning for some easy-to-set-up activities that will appeal to little hands, eyes and brains.
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 creating tealight holders out of old jam jars by gluing on pieces of tissue paper. These also make lovely homemade presents for grandparents.
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 11 ACTIVITIES
Treasure hunt
Design a board game
Hide some treasure 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. For more authenticity, scrunch up the paper and stain it with a damp teabag.
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October12 AUTUMN Enjoying autumn outside Get your kids outside and engaging with nature this autumn with these great activity options. Play Pooh sticksPick your NoughtsPlaypumpkinownnaturalandCrosses Forage for edibleswild Make friends with a bug Go orienteeringfamily Play conkers Have fun stickswithMake a potionmagic
Try Ripon and Fountains Abbey walk or the Lost Spa trail.
Morden Hall Park
Seven CountrySistersPark
An outdoor oasis in London – escape the concrete jungle!
Explore the National Botanic Garden of Wales or CantrefFarm.Adventure
Explore the walks around this Iron Age Hillfort in Wiltshire.
Family-friendly walks for autumn
The great British countryside is full of stunning walks. Here are nine that are suitable for the whole family. So why not make a day of it?
Ham House and Garden
BreconNationalBeaconsPark
Follow The Gritstone Trail from Disley to Kidsgrove, through Tegg’s Nose in Cheshire.
Sutherland’sGrove
Fun walking & activities in the gardens of a seventeenth century manor in Surrey.
Stowe countryside,Breathtakinglake and forest at Stowe in Bucks. Dogs on leads.
Tegg’s CountryNosePark
From waterfalls to forest trails, a Scottish wonderland in West Argyll.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 13 AUTUMN
Miles of coastline in the South Downs National Park in East Sussex.
Old Sarum
These delicious hot chocolate sticks are perfect when you want a warming treat this Halloween. Kids can get creative topping them with their favourite chocolates, sprinkles or even cookies and then enjoy them by dunking in a hot cup of milk.
Hot chocolate sticks
Bake these delicious Halloween recipes from Neha Gandesha @squashedpickle. Watch her videos or click for recipe and ingredients.
Making rice crispy treats is one of my favourite things to do with my son because he can do most of the job himself! It’s a fab no-bake recipe, you can use any cereal and the results are deliciously crispy and perfect for decoration.
Tuna fish pie (with pumpkin tops)
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October14 HALLOWEEN
Spooky crispy treats Spooky snacks
RECIPE
My son is obsessed with anything creepy and scary and these fun and super-easy snacks are some of his favourites. Your kids will love these delicious Creepy Crumpet Pizzas, Ghostly Peppers and Witches Brooms made from Cheese Strings!
RECIPE
RECIPE
Halloween treats
If you’re looking for something that’s Halloween-themed and easy to prepare with just one pot, this healthy pie is a perfect option. It’s a great way to get fish and hidden veg into your child’s diet too!
RECIPE
Whatever age your children, we’d love you to tell us what’s happening in your world and about your childcare.
In the autumn we’ll share parent stories about how things have changed, the different challenges and how we’re all making things work.
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 15 Magazine
Tell aboutus childcareyour Take our 5 minute survey Rising costs of living. New ways of working. Not ...theChangingChangingworking.jobs.location...listgoeson! £100£100£100£100 £100 x5 VouchersAmazon£100tobewon!
Lot of things are changing in our lives and that includes our childcare needs and choices.
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October16 HALLOWEEN Halloween crafts the kids will love Time to get really spooooky…..get crafting in good time for Halloween! Paperspidersplate Pumpkin pinata Halloween bat Halloween box scene Easy paper ghostscraftGiant webs Halloween wreath Trick or bagsTreatRock Skulls
anything shop bought. Here
DIY Halloween costumes
time, a home-made Halloween costume can
a shopchina Pumpkinpaintface PirateThe Worst pillowcaseSkeletonWitch
you
BatgirlJackfaceSkellingtonmakeup
Spider’s web Bull in
If have be much more than are some great complete with
individual
Familiesonline.co.uk September/October 17 HALLOWEEN
options,
instructions. The BFG
Familiesonline.co.ukSeptember/October18 GIVEAWAYS Unique T-shirts from Marlo & Cole! Magazine T&Cs apply FREE for your child APPLY HERE available10 2-3,Sizes3-4&4-5 Make fruity, crunchy ice with Mr Frosty! APPLY HERE for your FREET&Cstoyapply Magazine available5 Suitableforages3+ Magazine Enter the Action Heroes*whilestockslastStylesmayvaryT&CsapplyNOW*setfiguremini-FREEyourGetCollect and build themed universe!APPLYworldsHERE T&Cs apply Sneezy youwhatsneeze...pandamakeleavesandflowersThegiveaway!gamesPandatocando?T&Csapply Magazine available10 Suitable for agesAPPLY4+ HERE
