Families Oxfordshire Mar/Apr 2021

F R TAKE EE ME HOM E

Issue 100 March/April 2021 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families Oxfordshire 1

Families Advertorial

Oxford Diocesan Board of Education seeks new Foundation Governors for Schools to help redress a 40% vacancy rate across Oxfordshire The Oxford Diocesan Board of Education (ODBE) is seeking people with a variety of skills to become foundation governors in church schools across the diocese, with a particular focus on schools in Oxfordshire. Currently there are 283 Church of England schools and academies across the diocese, with approximately 60,000 pupils. These are some of the best schools in the UK, with 95% of them judged ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. However, these schools are facing a shortfall in terms of governors, with a 24% vacancy rate of ODBE appointed Governors across the Diocese which translates to a 40% vacancy rate in Oxfordshire, spread across approximately 52 schools.

Governance is a crucial part of the leadership of schools; a strong governing board supports and challenges in a way which enables the whole school community to thrive. Governors set the strategic goals which ensure the school’s Christian vision is lived out. Foundation governors, along with the whole board help to maintain and develop the Christian ethos and principles on which these schools were founded.

Frances Bartlett, Deputy Director, Oxford Diocesan Board of Education, says, “Church of England schools across the diocese offer a safe, supportive and nurturing learning environment for those of all faiths and none, and we cannot thank our staff, children and young people enough for the way they have met the challenges of the Covid 19 pandemic with resilience and dynamism.

“As we look forward with hope and begin planning for the new ‘normal’, now, more than ever we need the support of strong governing boards, made up of a diverse cross section of our communities, to help guide and support our schools towards academic and pastoral excellence.”

ODBE are keen to point out that those interested in becoming a foundation governor, do not need to have prior experience in education. They will bring a range of relevant and current skills, and a desire to help and make a difference in their local community. The role, although remote currently, involves attending meetings of the governing body, visiting the school and providing support and challenge. Training is provided from both the Local Authority/

MAT and ODBE. If you would like to find out more please visit our website or for an informal discussion contact ruth.bennie@oxford.anglican.org

Did you know that across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire there are 283 Church of England schools and academies with approximately 60,000 pupils? These are some of the best schools in the UK, with 95% of them judged ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. And yet they face a shortfall of foundation governors appointed by the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education.

Oxfordshire alone has 52 schools with high foundation governor vacancies. Now more than ever, these schools need people with the passion, drive and innovation to help support children and young people locally.

ing Do someth amazing

You do not need to have prior experience in education, just a desire to help and make a difference in your local church community.

For more information, please visit oxford.anglican.org/schools or email ruth.bennie@oxford.anglican.org

Contents & Competitions

Dear Reader, Spring is full of promise as we welcome the first signs of life after a long cold winter, the daffodils peek through the soil and the newborn lambs bring the fields alive. Easter is a special time for family celebrations and days out together, hopefully with lockdown restrictions beginning to ease we can finally take the children to outdoor farms and venues toward the middle of April and meet up with family and friends outdoors again. Keep an eye out for events on our Facebook page as things begin to open up again, meanwhile stay safe and Happy Easter. ife, love and Do you have a couple of spare days every Lwother lau hat priceless ghter, gifts to month, your own car, and want to earn some extra cash? give our ch ildren.

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What's in this issue?

4.

News & views

6.

Baby News

8.

Talk, Read and Play

9.

Surviving Tantrums

11.

School Spotlights

12. How stories help children llis Dryden Families Magazine Cambridgeshire is looking forPhy trustworthy, reliable 13. Helping your child become and self motivated people to join their team, delivering our magazine an effective learner to locations around Ely, Cambridge outskirts and Huntingdon. facebook.com/familieseastoxfordshiremag

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Families Magazine Oxfordshire is looking for trustworthy, reliable and self motivated people to join their team, delivering our magazine to locations around Oxford City, Wantage & Faringdon Abingdon & Didcot.

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Families Oxfordshire 3

News & Views

It's Time for Your Child to Shine at a FREE Perform Class Perform classes are back in person this summer term and there’s no better time for your child to try a class. Packed with selfesteem boosting activities, these weekly classes will help children get back to doing the things they love most. With a focus on developing confidence, communication, coordination and concentration, Perform uses a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s potential.

The termly curriculum ensures plenty of fun, friendship and laughter, with drama games, catchy songs and funky dances. Class material is specially designed by Perform, with apps, downloads and videos for the children to enjoy at home. Small classes, run by warm, friendly and enthusiastic teachers, ensure plenty of individual attention and each child receives a progress report every ten weeks. Classes

Air quality during lockdown

Primary and secondary schools across Abingdon are working together on an original piece of scientific research to monitor the air quality in the town. The initiative began last spring after a conversation between Abingdon School’s Science Partnership Coordinator, Jeremy Thomas, and Caldecott Primary School Science Coordinator, Holly Irving. The pair were discussing air quality in lockdown and realised that there was an opportunity to promote science to children in the local community, encouraging them to carry out research and develop enquiry skills while raising awareness of environmental issues surrounding air quality. The project is just one of the initiatives that sees schools across Abingdon sharing ideas and resources as part of Abingdon School’s Partnership Programme.

The Schools Clean Air Monitoring Project in Abingdon, or SCAMPA, was launched in September 2020 following a successful bid to the Royal Society of Chemistry for a Schools Outreach Grant to cover equipment and evaluation. 13 local primary and secondary schools jumped at the chance to take part.

Children of all ages have played an integral part in the project, evaluating the equipment needed and establishing testing sites at their schools. Now that the sites are up and running, the next step will be interpretation of the results.

Speaking about SCAMPA, Jeremy Thomas said, “The commitment from the pupils across all age groups has been exceptional. Many of the town’s senior schools including Larkmead, Abingdon, Fitzharrys, Radley College and John Mason have been involved in mentoring and supporting younger children and setting up testing sites. Abingdon’s primary schools have been involved with collecting data, monitoring monthly average levels of nitrogen dioxide and measuring particulate matter.”

4 Families Oxfordshire

are available for ages 4-7 and 7-12 with a new creative theme each term.

Local Perform classes available in Oxfordshire: Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot and Wallingford Perform weekly classes are available locally in Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot and Wallingford and provide confidence building fun for 4-12s. A unique mix of drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. Classes are delivered in line with government Covid guidelines To book a no-obligation FREE trial at Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot or Wallingford, visit www.perform.org.uk/try T: 020 7255 9120 E: enquiries@perform.org.uk

Around the world in 92 magnets!

This Janod magnetic puzzle is a fun and educational way of discovering the planet. Each magnet represents a country or region of the world, with its name, capital and an illustration characteristic of that part of the world. Available from johnlewis.com £39.99

ACTIVE MUMS RAISE ACTIVE KIDS

Children are not "just naturally active”. Instead, parents have an important role to play in developing healthy exercise habits early on in life, according to a study.

Researchers from Cambridge and Southampton Universities analysed the physical activity levels of more than five hundred mothers and their pre-schoolers by fitting both mothers and children with activity monitors at the same time. Participants wore the monitors continuously, including while sleeping and doing water-based activities.

The data from mothers and children showed a direct, positive association between physical activity in children and the activity level of their mothers: the more active the mother, the more active her child.

Although, it wasn’t possible to tell whether active children were making their mothers run around after them, it is likely that activity in one of the pair influenced activity in the other.

More info: http://bit.ly/3iz9pfZ

Boredom Can Be Good for Children Most people associate boredom with feelings of restlessness, dissatisfaction and futility. As parents we may want to avoid our child having these negative experiences and feel compelled to fill their days as much as possible.

However, according to research, periods of boredom can motivate our quest for meaning and exploration, which can in turn promote creative and intelligent thinking, as well as reflection.

In other words, when children are left to their own devices, they can be forced to be more creative and imaginative in finding ways to amuse themselves. More info: http://bit.ly/3p9UOtF

familiesonline.co.uk

News & Views POSITIVE POWER OF PODCASTS

Free Online After School Sports Club

A free live online After School Sports Club has been launched to fill the void of school and community sport in children’s lives during lockdowns.

Created by the Youth Sport Trust, children can tune in from home and be led through a range of fun, exciting and challenging activities which will help them stay fit and healthy while also supporting their broader personal development.

Focussing on much more than physical fitness, the club helps children develop physical literacy and the confidence to try new sports.

The sessions are led by Athlete Mentors and guest athletes from a variety of backgrounds, abilities and sports,including former British sprinter, Jeanette Kwakye and Paralympian Kate Grey.

The live clubs take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm on the Youth Sport Trust’s YouTube Channel. More info: www.youthsporttrust.org/AfterSchoolSportClub

There has been a significant rise in young people listening to podcasts during lockdown and this may be having a positive effect on reading, according to recent research.

The study by the National Literacy Trust looked at the results of two surveys of up to 58,346 young people ages 8 to 18, conducted before and during the UK-wide lockdown.

The Trust found that nearly 25% of youngsters said they listened to podcasts and audiobooks more during lockdown than before.

The most common reasons given were the extra time they had, the ability of podcasts to assist relaxation and the draw of key role models as podcast creators.

Significantly, the study also revealed that more youngsters who listened to podcasts also enjoyed reading for pleasure and read daily, than those young people who did not listen to podcasts.

More info: www.literacytrust.org.uk

Participate in British Science Week

British Science Week is a ten day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place from 5 to 14 March.

This year’s theme is ‘Innovating for the future’ and will be encouraging families and children of all ages to get hands on at home.

A range of FREE activity packs suitable for all age groups will feature over 40 fun STEM activities for families to do at home and can be downloaded from the British Science Week website.

For more information and to download activity packs visit: http://bit.ly/BritishScience

“Huge Impact” on Children’s Activity Levels

Recent data from Sport England shows that the huge impact that the pandemic has had on children and young people’s engagement in sport and physical activity.

The majority of young people failed to meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise in the 2019/20 academic year, a decrease of 2% compared with the previous year.

Almost a third of children were classed as 'inactive’, not even doing 30 minutes per day up by 2.5%.

There was also a 16% drop in children taking part in sporting activities - team sports, athletics, running and swimming - but a sharp increase in walking, cycling and fitness activities.

Sport England CEO, Tim Hollingsworth said: "While we are pleased to see the increase in more informal activities such as walking and cycling, we can't underestimate the long-term effect on other sporting activities both in and out of school.”

More info: www.sportengland.org

Red Nose Day is Back for 2021 and is Plastic Free

Red Nose Day 2021 will return on Friday 19 March and will have plastic-free red noses for the first time.

Comic Relief, the charity which runs the TV fundraising extravaganza, said it had received letters and emails from hundreds of children about the issue requesting that they switch to a natural alternative.

The new Red Nose will be made from bagasse, a natural by-product of sugarcane, chosen for its widely celebrated sustainable qualities.

Red noses are sold to raise funds for the charity, which made more than £63m at its last event in 2019.

As well as making a donation, you can find tips on hosting a social distanced activity or an online virtual event at www.rednoseday.com

When replying to adverts or listings, please mention Families Oxfordshire familiesonline.co.uk

Families Oxfordshire 5

Don’t Worry About Baby's Disrupted Sleep AX1 Retractable Straps - featured on the BeSafe iZi Modular A X1 i-size.

Be Safe with BeSafe

Let's be honest, being a parent can be complicated at the best of times. Scandinavian Car Seat Company, BeSafe, wants to help simplify travel for you and your baby without compromising on safety.

This seat pictured with the ‘A' in its name is almost identical to the BeSafe iZi Modular X1 i-Size, but in addition features the Active Retract Harness™. The revolutionary belt system is the only harness that helps parents with buckling their child up. It features an advanced retractor construction on the inside that continuously pulls in the belts.

That way, parents simply push up the belts inside the shoulder pads for a tight fit, and done!

Other features of the BeSafe iZi Modular X1 i-Size include a 360 rotation seat which combines a baby seat and toddler seat into one by featuring a Two-Fit Cushion to provide extra comfort and stability. The Dynamic Force Absorber™ is a new and state-of-the-art, innovative headrest design. Created with a honeycomb placement of V-shaped materials, allowing for controlled bending in the inner area of the seat, whilst keeping a rigid outer frame. By bending like a trampoline, the seat allows for a perfectly controlled and very gentle cushioning of the child. It gives optimal protection for the baby's most vulnerable body parts - the head and the neck. Being made from Polypropylene, the Dynamic Force Absorber™ is more durable than polystyrene, which is widely used for shock absorption, and even fully recyclable.

Research shows that 49.3% of children in toddler seats are not buckled in correctly as the belts are not tight enough. In 63% of these cases the misuse is classified as serious. So with the Active Retract Harness™ you can rest assured your little one is properly buckled in.

6 Families Oxfordshire

New parents often expect their baby to start sleeping through the night around the time they are 6 months old.

However, according to a new study, half of babies this age never get more than eight consecutive hours of sleep per night.

Tracking forty four infants over a period of two weeks, the study found that sleeping patterns vary greatly - not only for different babies, but also night to night for the same baby.

According to the authors of the study, parents should view their baby's sleep consolidation – gaining a consistent pattern of sleeping through the night – 'as a process’, rather than a milestone that is reached at a specific age.

Breastfeeding and mum and baby sleeping in close proximity were linked to greater variability in infant sleep patterns, the experts found.

THE MONTESSORI BABY

A Parent's Guide to Nurturing Your Baby with Love, Respect and Understanding Filled with the values, advice, and aesthetic that have made The Montessori Toddler a parenting bestseller with over 200,000 copies in print, The Montessori Baby is here to help new parents find the support and peace they crave.

Co-written by Montessori Toddler author Simone Davies and fellow Montessori educator Junnifa Uzodike, The Montessori Baby draws on the child-led principles of the Montessori educational method to foster a first year defined by love, respect, understanding, and a surprising sense of calm.

Maria Montessori observed that all children have what she called ‘an absorbent mind’, ready to drink it all in, and that the role of parents is to mindfully assist in their learning and development. With babies, that means less is more — a lot less stuff, for sure, but also less speed; slow way down, and avoid rushing through feeding, nappy changes, and the like. It means establishing a ‘yes’ space — where baby can safely explore absolutely everything, whether with hands or mouth. It means setting up activities to help promote baby’s movement and language development, but then to step back — the parent’s role is to prepare the environment, not be the entertainer.

There are tips on how to set clear and kind boundaries, how to create a secure sense of attachment, how best to speak to baby, and even what kind of toys to use — all through the Montessori lens.

And like its predecessor, The Montessori Baby is that rare parenting book that’s a pleasure to look at — beautiful colour illustrations and a bright airy design reinforce the book’s direct and jargon-free approach. It may also inspire parents to look at their own homes in a different way and use the Montessori aesthetic to create an environment of uncluttered calm. The whole family will benefit.

Published in April 2021; £15.99, paperback familiesonline.co.uk

Families Baby News GREAT LITTLE TRADING COMPANY PORTABLE QUILTED PLAYMAT, WOODLAND

Made from 100% cotton and filled with polyester wadding to make it soft and comfortable to lie on. It has a lovely quilted design and a tie cord to keep it in place when rolled up. £38.00 www.gltc.co.uk

VOKSI Breeze Light will keep your child well-protected in their stroller when out for walks, and ensure that they are in a pleasant temperature during mild weather conditions.

It can also be used as a sit mat or underlay for your child by zipping off the top part. £85.00 www.VOKSI.com

Baby Bjorn leopard print baby carrier is a classic, modern yet timeless ergonomic Baby Carrier crafted in a soft cotton blend. The sturdy waist belt and padded shoulder straps relieve pressure on your back and shoulders, and make babywearing possible from newborn and up to the age of three.. Image received RRP: £160 www.babybjorn.co.uk

POCO NIDO

Award winning British baby and children’s footwear brand produce barefoot friendly shoes that are simple and functional.

Available in UK sizes 1-8 RRP: from £18.00 www.poconido.com

CUDDLEDRY!

Go sugar free and cuddle up to your very own little bunny this Easter with CUDDLEDRY! Available in two sizes and with the option of personalisation: 1-3 Years £34.99 www.cuddledry.com

The Etta Loves x Keith Haring collection of magical

baby essentials has expertly scaled Keith Haring’s striking art to a pattern and colour that support babies' visual and cognitive development from birth to around a year old. ettaloves.com Prices range between £18.50 & £75.00.

BUNDLEBEAN BABY RANGE,

Carefully designed covers fitting all types of sling and carrier, and including a detachable hood for top to toe protection.

RRP: from £29.99 www.bundlebean.com

MAGNET MOUSE

Classic, timeless baby wear with tiny hidden magnetic fasteners.

No more fiddly poppers or tiny buttons, just simple style in seconds.

Available in sizes 1m – 12m RRP: £24.95 magnetmouse.co.uk

THE HAPE PORTABLE PLAYMAT WITH ARCH MEDELA FREESTYLE FLEX™ is an electric breast pump designed to fit into your life: its light, compact design and USB-chargeable battery give you the flexibility to express wherever and whenever you like, with no compromise on pumping performance.

RRP: £349.99 www.medela.com

familiesonline.co.uk

Can be folded up for easy storage and portability, ready to pop out at playtime. When assembled, it has a wooden arch with dangling toys to tempt your baby's senses. £90.00 www.laredoute.co.uk

Families Oxfordshire 7

Families Education

TALK, READ, PLAY Three Essential Parenting Skills Covid-19 has kept us locked in our homes with our children 24/7. Under these circumstances, we’d be forgiven for switching to autopilot, managing through the day without paying any special attention to our children: we’re always with them, so no special effort is needed, right?

Wrong. Psychologists Edward Deci and

Richard Ryan tell us that children have the

following basic needs: the ability to connect with others; to do things well; and to have some independence. To help our children

develop and meet these needs, we need to

actually engage with them if only for half an hour a day, by talking, reading and playing.

Talk Studies are clear: talking to our children is

crucial for their cognitive skills. We can start

talking to our babies when they are still in the womb: children can hear from twenty four to twenty six weeks gestation. Remember that

talking is actually “conversing” which includes “listening.” Concentrated, focussed listening,

with 100 per cent of our attention. This makes

our children feel valued, protecting them from the temptation to seek support elsewhere.

8 Families Oxfordshire

Read

400,000 children in the UK don’t have any books at home. Yet reading is the key to learning: good literacy is one of the biggest predictors of a child’s outcomes. In reading with our children, ask them questions:“What’s pretty on this page?” “What do you think happens next?” This shows them that we want to know what they think and feel and who they are. Reading also takes us far from home, to new lands, new customs, new people. In the difficult times in which we live,this is blessed relief. Reading to our child also allows us to slow down, breathe in and wallow in one each other’s presence.

Play

Games, from ball to cards, teach rules, team spirit and the relationship between effort and reward; they raise aspirations, help exercise social skills and keep children physically and mentally healthy. Playing with our children offers parents a chance for easy communication – a pat on the head and a hug, speak volumes. By engaging the right side of the brain, playing develops children’s imagination, motor skills and emotional skills (whether they cry with frustration or control their anger). Playing also allows children to gain an understanding of space, volume, colours, boundaries, risk and consequences.

by Cristina Odone

Walk and Talk

I believe in focussing on our children, 100%. But we have to be prepared for a contradiction: they may soak up our attention like a sponge, but our children can find it awkward to speak openly, or answer personal questions, when they feel our beady little eyes on them.

To engage them in talking to us about their innermost concerns and worries, I always opt for walk-and-talk. Whether it’s walking the dog or going to the shops to buy a snack, as we walk towards our destination, children are focussing on the road ahead and feel unselfconscious because they don’t need to look us in the eye. Start with general comments about school (“Has this term been harder than the last one?” “How are your friends at the moment?”) to draw them out. It helps to start by asking about someone close to them rather than about their own feelings, but from there it is a short step to: “And what do YOU think?”You may be surprised at what comes pouring out.

Cristina Odone’s bookTalk, Read, Play is available on Audible.

THE VALUE OF A PARENT’S LOVE

My half-brother, Lorenzo, was a bright, lively child. He suffered a hearing loss at age six and medical tests revealed a heart-breaking diagnosis: Lorenzo was affected by a rare neurological disorder, Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), which would confine him to bed, unable to eat or drink independently.My parents were told he would die within the year.

They didn’t have a science degree but my parents vowed to save their beloved son. They took turns to sit at his bedside, while the other pored over experiments at a science library.

Their determination paid off: they discovered an oil made up of oleic and euricic acids, that when taken by presymptomatic boys, could prevent them from developing ALD. In Lorenzo’s case, the oil kept him alive, but tragically could not restore his health. He died in 2008, aged thirty.

My father and stepmother showed me that parents’ love can achieve what no scientist or medic can.

For those interested, a Hollywood film, Lorenzo’s Oil tells the story of my parent’s extraordinary journey.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Parenting

SURVIVING TANTRUMS If you are a parent of little ones it’s likely that you may have to deal with the occasional or even daily tantrum. There is actually quite a lot you can do to prevent / reduce them. Here are some strategies that worked for me.

Have predictable routines

‘No you can’t have another biscuit, ooh quick look there’s a rabbit in the garden’ (no rabbit? then go outside and look for one!)

This one is really useful when your child is very young, they are usually easily distracted, requires quick thinking though!

Try not to use the word ‘no’ too often though- being told no all the time is very frustrating, and may lead to more tantrums.

Tune in to your child Spend as much quality time with your child as you can. Not only will you be meeting a very important need, but it will help you to really tune into your child, and to understand what makes them tick. Children’s more difficult behaviours will often improve when a parent simply spends more time with them.

Look after you

Children are little sponges, they will soak up the emotions of the adults around them. How you feel can have an effect on how your child feels and therefore on their behaviour. If Mummy or Daddy is stressed, depressed, anxious, or angry it can be impossible for children to understand what is going on, they are only just learning about their own emotions.

Looking after yourself is not a luxury, it’s vital. If you are not ok parenting is much harder, so never be afraid to ask for help.

g after n i k o o L not a s i f l e s r you t’s vital. i , y r u x lu

Little kids love routine, it makes them feel safe and secure, keep it simple, for example: breakfast, play, time outdoors, more play, story time, lunch, nap, pick up siblings from school, park, home, play, tea, wind down time bath, book, bed.

You get the idea.

Of course there will be days that are different, but now you’ve got a tiny human you will most likely totally understand why your friends, who were Mums before you, used to be so precious about protecting nap time, ‘Sorry can’t meet you at that time, little Billy / Sophie / Charlie will be asleep’.

Distract

by Jane Rodgers

Tried all this and your child still has a tantrum?

Stay calm, don’t try to reason with your child once the storm has hit, your child can’t hear you. If you feel stressed about the situation, step away for a few minutes, but always be sure to reconnect with your child with a cuddle when they have calmed down.

Jane Rogers is founder of The Cambridge Parent Coach. She is experienced in running a number of highly regarded parenting courses, and writes and runs her own workshops for parents. Jane is passionate about Positive Parenting and her aim is to share the ethos and ideas of this style of parenting in a way that is simple to understand, and easy to put into practice. Jane’s two parent workbooks: ‘How to Encourage Good Behaviour so You Can Enjoy You Children’ and ‘How to Use Positive Discipline to Improve Your Child’s Behaviour’ are available on Amazon

Families Education St Helen and St Katharine School The Junior Department at St Helen and St facilities. A wide range of extracurricular Katharine is where a unique journey begins. clubs, from gymnastics to chemistry club to A cheerful and vibrant place, buzzing with Junior Choir, is designed to encourage Junior activity and curiosity, the department offers students to give new things a go. so much more than an education. Our Years 5 With transfer into Year 7 assured for each and 6 students enjoy the space to settle into student, learning continues at a pace to which a new school and embrace new challenges they will be well-accustomed, ensuring a while being supported by a dedicated team of smooth and happy transition. primary specialists.

Headmistress’ Breakfast events 11 May en p O day! and 25 June; Open Junior Department The Juniors learn four modern foreign languages and have access to the exceptional 15 June; www.shsk.org.uk/visitus school facilities including science laboratories, performance spaces, computing suites, an extensive library and impressive sports

Dragon School

Dragon School is one of the leading Prep schools in the UK, educating boys and girls from 4-13 years old. It is a vibrant, happy and aspirational school; promoting a love of learning and amazing breadth of opportunity with a strong sense of community and fun. The Dragon Pre-Prep is in the heart of Summertown. The Dragon has offered a unique educational experience to pupils since the School was founded in 1877 to educate the children of Oxford University dons. It is a truly co-educational school whose distinctive, progressive approach encourages enquiry, confidence and enthusiasm and ensures that the boys and girls are happy and have fun. The

Dragon’s location on the edge of the beautiful, cosmopolitan city of Oxford provides the perfect balance of green space and culture, whilst its scale ensures that children benefit from an amazing breadth of opportunities.

The School values of Kindness, Courage and Respect alongside our Pastoral values of the Dragon CIRCLE are at the centre of the social and emotional development of our youngest Dragons. Many aspects are investigated in our weekly PSHEE sessions with these complemented by the Assembly programme, visiting speakers, our Changemakers committee and Circle Time.

Junior Department – Years 5 and 6 To find out more about our wonderful Junior Department and how to join Year 5 or Year 6, get in touch with our friendly Admissions team or visit our website to book a virtual visit or open event.

www.shsk.org.uk admission@shsk.org.uk 01235 530593

10 Families Oxfordshire

Independent day school for girls aged 9–18 ABINGDON • OXFORDSHIRE School bus service across the Thames Valley

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Education Abingdon Prep School

FRENCH CRIMES AND EXCITING ART AT ABINGDON PREP In art this term the boys have started a new project ‘Share a bird’ inspired by the artist Mark Hearld. Each bird delivered a positive message on the boys return to school. The drawings by Years 3, 5 and 6 of robins,

kingfishers and chickens were wonderful experiments ahead of making the birds into 3D sculptures. We even had the delight of a real chicken join us for his first art lesson, he was very well behaved too!

Meanwhile pupils in Year 5 became French detectives to solve the mystery of the stolen pains au chocolat.

There were ten prime suspects and the boys listened to them talk and then received police transcripts (all in French of course) so they

Chandlings Prep School

Chandlings is a leading co-educational prep school for children aged 2-11 set within 60 acres of beautiful grounds yet just five miles from Oxford itself. Alongside such an enviable location, we pride ourselves on exceptional academic achievement, genuine pastoral care and superb facilities. Our teachers are passionate about education and our children are curious, creative and independent.

We offer impressive sports facilities, a huge range of enrichment activities such as yoga and archery as well as extensive private rural surroundings that include a low-ropes course in the Bluebell Wood. The wellbeing of our children is at the forefront of everything we do, along with the importance of developing positive mental health, and lies within the fabric of the school community. We consistently gain outstanding academic results

Radley College

Radley offers an environment for boys to grow in self-confidence, thrive academically, and make the most of an enormous range of opportunities. The door is open to any talented candidate, regardless of their means or their background, and we hope that we will have many applicants who wish to join us in the pursuit of excellence.

A Radley education is about independent thought and learning with enthusiasm. It is about cultural awareness and academic ambition. It is about learning to live with others and preparation for the world beyond its gates. We are looking for boys who have curiosity and aspiration; creativity and critical thought; strength and humility; leadership and collaboration; adaptability and resilience.

If you have a talented boy, who excels academically or at music, sport, art or drama

familiesonline.co.uk

could build up a profile of each individual. The thief also left behind a bag which contained a number of clues. As each clue was revealed the detectives eliminated suspects until the culprit was identified.

Mr Windsor, Headmaster at our senior School, Abingdon, assumed the role of one suspect and the boys were delighted to put all their learning into practice to say nothing of solving a pastry based crime!

Abingdon.org.uk/prep

to highly selective senior schools and with our class sizes we ensure that our children are both challenged and inspired. With us, your son or daughter will discover themselves, have space to grow and make memories to last them forever.

Open Please join us at our Virtual Step into day! Reception Evening with Mrs McAloon, Head of Pre-Prep to find out more about learning in Reception at Chandlings. Please book at www.chandlings.org.uk/openmornings

then we have bursary support available up to 100% of the fees.

To arrange a visit please contact us: admissions@radley.org.uk or 01235 543 174 or complete the enquiry form on our website www.radley.org.uk/funded-places.

Families Oxfordshire 11

Families Education

How Stories Help Children Understand Others The world we live in is full of complexities, tumultuous relationships and gaps between us and other people. How do we ensure our children connect with others and fully understand those around them without automatically struggling with the same issues that we are?

Studies have shown that from the age of 2 years, children start to show genuine empathy - understanding how other people feel even when they don't feel the same way that they do. So how do we as parents nurture this?

The role-modelling that we apply at home is probably the most key way in which we can empower our children to develop the emotional intelligence our world needs. This means showing our children how empathy looks and how we put the feelings and reality of others at the forefront of our actions. Our children will follow our lead.

Beyond this, the secret to creating empathy may lie in the books and stories we give our children access to. Bedtime stories. Day-time stories. Life-time stories. However you tell them, storytelling with your children can be an incredibly powerful tool to helping them gain new perspectives and create shared understanding with those around them.

Emotional simulation and imagination through storytelling is the foundation of our children's ability to evolve their capacity to empathise and truly understand others. It allows them to make the leap from their own beautifully self-centred world to recognising that others may feel distinctly different to them - and that recognising this is well within their reach and role.

Academic research now shows that reading, or being read to, actually changes the neuro pathways in our brain – it quite literally alters the way we process and think.

Creating empathy is, of course, not limited

by Mimi Nicklin

to storytelling alone but it’s a proven way to support our children as they grow in a world that has increasingly low empathy.

How do Stories Help?

Storytelling has been powerful throughout modern civilisation - we have been sharing and learning through this medium for as long as we can record. From drawings on cave walls to the first children’s tales published in books for children in the 1740’s, we have always instinctively known that stories positively impact society. Telling our children stories allows them to rapidly understand people’s emotions and realities, bringing the brains of a generation of our children together.

The power of storytelling in building our humanity and society shouldn’t ever be left to a pre-bedtime routine alone. Throughout our children’s lives and education, stories have the power to create deep childhood empathy by: • Allowing children to imagine how another sees the world by feeling as the character does; • Fostering children's understanding of social behaviours and our ability as humans to work together as part of a group; • Breaking down bias and fostering inclusively.

12 Families Oxfordshire

Mimi Nicklin is a globally recognised millennial thought-leader. She is host of the Empathy for Breakfast show, Secrets of The Gap podcast and author of new book Softening the Edge. For more information go to www.miminicklin.com

Empathy in Action In April 2020, mid the world’s worst global pandemic in recent history, Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, announced that the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy qualified as ‘Essential Workers’ who were allowed to travel freely during the lockdown. As this news story unfolded across the planet, we saw the belief in the power of storytelling for our children at an unprecedented level.

When the leaders of entire countries are impacting policy in an effort to ensure that storytelling and imagination remain at the top of the national agenda and that our children remain connected to the power of empathising with others (fictional or otherwise), we know that we are encountering a human capability that can truly change the face of our own, and our children’s, futures.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Education

HELPING YOUR CHILD BECOME AN EFFECTIVE LEARNER Nowadays, there are many things that can get in the way of a child learning effectively, including not wanting to practise difficult things; being discouraged by failure; comparing themselves with others; or simply not making much effort. This is frustrating, both for the child who is under performing, and for parents, tired of nagging and at a loss as to how to motivate them.

It’s worth bearing in mind that a child hasn’t learned to see the world the way we do and doesn’t know how it works. Feelings are the only tool they have to navigate and experience the world and often they find these hard to interpret. If they feel confused, contradicted,overwhelmed or under pressure, they are unlikely to be able to explain what’s wrong and so they switch off. We’ve all asked the question: “Why did you do that?” and been met by a shrug. They ‘did that’ (whatever it was), because they were reacting to what they were feeling at the time. Looking at it through a child’s eyes, we might see it as selfpreservation in a crazy-ish world!

Many children feel that they have to ‘wait to grow up’ before they can DO anything, and some behave as though education is being ‘done’ to them. Punishment and bribery may change the outward behaviour, but will not fix poor motivation,which is needed for meaningful, happy learning to happen.

To help your child when they have gone off track, step back and look beyond the behaviour. Understand that deep down, your child wants to succeed, wants you to be proud of them and doesn’t want to let you down, but has got stuck and doesn’t know how to get unstuck.

Explain to your child that their job as a child is to grow- what they know, what they can do, their experience and their abilities - and that school is a place that can help them to do this.

Children also benefit from focussing on grasping one skill or piece of learning in any task, so that they know what they are aiming for and when they have achieved it.

familiesonline.co.uk

By Gail Hugman

A Simple Way to Explain Learning to your Child

So much happens in everyday life! The part of our brain that loves new things really enjoys it, but if it isn’t exciting, it doesn’t remember anything for more than about twenty minutes because there’s just too much going on!

To learn something new, we must take action, and that action is practise!

When you do something over and over again, your brain gets the message that what you’re doing is important and makes a little track about it (called a neural pathway).After a while, when you’ve done it lots of times, your brain knows it’s important and wraps up the little track to make sure you don’t lose it!

That’s when you say: “I’ve got it!”

For example, spend three minutes every day focused on learning one of the times tables.

Write it out and say it repeatedly and in a week or two, your brain will wrap it up so you’ll know it forever. Your brain wants to help you!

Gail Hugman is the founder of Lessons Alive.

Gail has 46 years’ experience teaching and motivating children to be the best they can be in school and in life. This article contains extracts from her book 100 Things to Learn Before You’re 10, available at www.theendlessbookcase.com For further information, visit www.lessonsalive.com

Using Spelling to Practise Three Essential Learning Skills

Tell your child which skill they are developing each week.

Listening

Week 1: Break each word into syllables or phonics,and talk about the sounds in each word. Make sure your child is correctly pronouncing them.

Week 2: Whisper the words, so they need to listen carefully and tell you what you said!

Memory

Week 1: Make two sets of the words on small cards and play pairs. Lay the cards face down and win by selecting matching words.

Week 2: Write the letters of each word onto post-its and muddle them up. Let your child rearrange them to make the word!

Organisation

Week 1: Teach your child to sort the words in alphabetical order to remember them.

Week 2: Tell them to sort them according to the number of letters in the word.

All these activities will not only help your child to remember their spelling words but will consciously boost their learning skills, too. You can use other subjects to boost skills, too.

Families Oxfordshire 13

Families Education

Is Online Tutoring Effective?

As a parent, if you have had time to breathe between home schooling, working from home and simply processing the unprecedented changes of the last 12 months, you may have wondered about the effectiveness of online tutoring. Like any online experience, the answer depends on many factors, particularly the facilitator, the goal and the environment.

The Tutors’ Association, the only professional body for tutoring and the wider supplementary education sector in the UK, would answer with a ‘yes’ to this question, as engaging online lessons are delivered daily by its members. However, it should be highlighted that the initial transition for any student or tutor to online teaching can be rocky and so careful attention should be given to the reaction of the student to the sessions.

Clear communication is essential.

What are the Benefits of Online Tutoring?

For tutors and teachers, the possibilities for recording and re-using lessons opens many opportunities. A simple click of button can record an input, which can be delivered as a short video file for their students’ revision, after the lesson has been completed. Absent students can also use these recordings to catch up on lessons missed. These benefits are obviously passed on to students.

For students, online tutoring means accessing the right tutor and removing the postcode lottery. It’s also well documented that an additional benefit of online tutoring is that students do not feel the social pressures of in person 1:1 tutoring, which can feel intimidating to certain people. Quality online educators can build a rapport quickly and cover the same ground that it would in person.

14 Families Oxfordshire

by Lucy Spencer

Top tips for Parents When Working with an Online Tutor

Firstly, is the tutor or agency a member of the Tutors’ Association? This will allow you to feel confident that they have signed up to and agreed to a specific code of ethics. Secondly, always work with tutors that want to find out what motivates a student and considers how they can build an initial rapport. This is essential online, allowing the tutor to establish a supportive environment for learning to be built upon. Finally, always ask about the engagement strategies that will be utilised in the sessions. Which platform will be used? Just sharing a static PowerPoint and calling via Skype is no longer acceptable, as there are so many interactive strategies that online educators can employ.

Choosing an Online Tutor

When looking at engaging an online tutor, did you know that you can search for a tutor's name on The Tutors' Association's database of members? This tool will allow you to see if the tutor you wish to hire is a current member, providing reassurance that your child will be receiving support from a safe and qualified person.

The Tutors' Association stipulates that all members hold an up-to-date DBS certificate and, this year, is moving towards all members holding an enhanced DBS. This highest level of disclosure is required for those positions that can involve caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults.

Tutors don't have to be qualified teachers, as many have a wealth of subject specialist experience but do seek personal recommendations from friends or by searching on local parent groups and review sites. In addition, always be guided by your child's response to sessions. A great online tutor will build a rapport quickly and provide you with actionable strategies to boost confidence and attainment.

For more information, visit www.thetutorsassociation.org.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Education

Boosting Your Child’s Mood

by Caroline Roope

Our children’s mental health has never been more important. With everything Covid19 has flung at us - lockdown, school closures, separation from friends and family - coupled with the long, dark days of winter, it’s hardly surprising we’re all feeling somewhat deflated.

Children in particular can be prone to mood swings because they have not yet developed the emotional language to express their feelings.

If your child needs a pick-me-up, try one of these activities to help banish the blues.

Find your Inner Child

Get Creative in the Kitchen

Cooking your child’s favourite dish together is a sociable experience with a (hopefully) enjoyable outcome. If it doesn’t turn out as expected (try not to pull a face!) encourage them to consider what they might do differently. This helps encourage problemsolving skills. If your child is older, let them go it alone in the kitchen - it’ll be a great opportunity to build up their self-esteem.

Children are always delighted when their parents stop being their usual sensible selves and act a bit silly. Next time your child is having a pillow fight, playing chase or splashing in a puddle, why not join in too?

Getting inside your child’s games creates shared experiences. It’s important for our children to see us laughing and good for our mental health if we can take a break from “adulting” and spend some time “childing” instead!

Parenting is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but also one of the toughest.

Bringing up happy children is no mean feat, but at the core of inner happiness is a sense of connection, something that is innate in all parent and child relationships. So, you’re already most of the way there!

What Being Unhappy Looks Like

Yoga

Yoga is a brilliant mood booster, and encourages coordination and strength. Try these animal poses with your child: Lion – kneel on a mat and sit back on your heels. Press your palms into your knees, splaying out your fingers like claws. Breathe in through your nose whilst opening your mouth, stretching your tongue down to your chin.

Breathe out with a roar!

Frog – go onto your hands and knees. Walk your knees out wide as far as possible, but don’t overstretch. Bring your elbows and forearms to the ground beneath your shoulders whilst keeping your palms flat. familiesonline.co.uk

Often a child’s behaviour is a useful indicator of how they are feeling, particularly with younger children who may not have the vocabulary to put their emotions into words.

Signs to look out for include:

• Becoming withdrawn, or, if a usually quiet child, becoming aggressive; • Excessive mood swings; • Complaining about physical problems such as stomach or headaches (rule out illness first); • Changes in appetite; • Sleep disturbances; • Unwillingness to engage in their normal routine such as not wanting to go to school or after school clubs.

Trust your instincts: you know your child best. If you feel something isn’t right, it’s time to work out why. Try tracking your child’s mood in a diary to see if there are any patterns – for instance, are they always upset after a particular occurrence or situation? Try to identify triggers, but be mindful of belittling their emotions – a younger child’s perspective is very different to our own and they may feel genuinely unhappy about something we consider trivial.

Find more simple ways to boost your child’s mood in Help Your Child Feel Happier by Caroline Roope, published by VIE (£9.99) ENCOURAGING AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK An important part of growing up is acknowledging that life doesn’t always go to plan. For some children, disappointment can lead to feelings of self-doubt and sadness.

By encouraging a positive mindset, we can help our children to re-shape how they feel about themselves, giving them the resilience to weather life’s storms and the confidence to feel happy.

CREATE A POSITIVITY POSTER A strong visual message can help remind the whole family to think positively. Get together and choose a quote from a book or use the internet to research a saying that can become a family mantra, such as Roald Dahl’s famous quote: “If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams.” Write it in the centre of the poster and decorate the space around it with images of things that make you all feel happy. Younger children can draw their happy pictures or colour the poster in. Hang it somewhere where everyone can see it and get those positive vibes flowing!

Families Oxfordshire 15

Stay K’nexted!

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Choose 10-in-1 Building Set Ages 5-10 Make 10 projects!

130 pieces

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21 panels and pieces

2 March/April

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EDUCATION

Free Maths Downloadables Use these high quality maths resources from PlanBee to help support your child’s learning.

Converting Measures Chart

What is the Question?

Fractions of Numbers Posters

This handy chart helps to convert a variety of different measures.

Work backwards from the answer to find the question.

Watermelon-themed posters that explain the concept of fractions.

Position Puzzles

Interpret positional language to put the shapes in the correct place.

Multiple Mazes

Identify the multiples of the 2/5/10 times table.

3 levels of difficulty.

Place Value Game

24-Hour Time Display

Times Table Booklet

Compare the Money Cards

Help your child tell the time on 12 and 24-hour clocks.

4 March/April

All the times tables in one handy booklet!

What numbers go in the place value columns to win the point?

Recognise coins. Use for playing Snap or Matching Pairs.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Autism and Education One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Is Online Tutoring Effective?

By Jane Constantine

By Lucy Spencer

Today I cried with happiness at an email. It contained a glowing report of my 11 year old autistic daughter’s progress at school in recent days. We’re in lockdown and it’s her first year at a specialist secondary school.

I’m so proud of how far she has come.

READ MORE

If you’ve had time to breathe between home schooling, work and parenting, you may have wondered about the effectiveness of online tutoring.

Like any online experience, the answer depends on many factors, particularly the facilitator, the goal and the environment.

READ MORE

Why is My Child Teaching Another Child?

By Annabel Gray

Just before the pandemic struck, I was in a café when I accidentally overheard a conversation between two mums. One was expressing her outrage that, at school, her child had been teaching another child to read. Let me share with you a secret about this.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 5

EDUCATION

Support your Child’s Love and Learning of Music

Meet the Orchestra with the Royal Albert Hall Fun introduction to the world of percussion for young children.

Gentle Guitar

Online guitar school with lessons for children ages 5-12.

BBC Play the Noise

Explore the elements of a song. Play/clap along.

Listen back to your own version.

6 March/April

Cbeebies Radio Prom Podcast

Enjoy an imaginary musical journey to the moon with this podcast.

On Stage at Home Nordoff Robbins & the Clangers

Young children have fun making music using household objects.

Virtual Musical Instruments

Chrome Music Lab

Naxos Music Box

Sing Up at Home

Fun, hands-on music Learn & create music. experiments. Make and Play instruments online learn your own songs. using PC keyboard/ mouse.

Interactive musical resource for ages 4-12.

Activities, puzzles, quizzes.

Keep kids learning & singing. Free online resources and A-Z playlist.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Supporting your Child’s Return to School

Helping your Child be an Effective Learner

By Catherine Lynch

By Gail Hugman

For the second time in a year children have experienced major turbulence in their school lives.

The restrictions of the latest lockdown have been piled on top of months of change, anxiety and uncertainty. So how can parents support their child’s transition back to school?

READ MORE

Many things can get in the way of a child learning effectively: dislike of practising difficult things; being discouraged by failure; comparing themselves with others; or simply not making much effort. If you feel your child is underperforming, what can you do?

READ MORE

Device Free Learning

Stay K’nexted!

By Dr Amanda Gummer

For many parents, home learning has been very challenging, with spotty Wi-Fi wreaking havoc and children battling to use the same device. The good news is that remote learning lessons on a device are not the only way that parents can support their child’s learning at home.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

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Magazine March/April 7

EDUCATION

Hot New Kids’ Books for 2021 All books can be purchased via Bookshop.org, an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.

Pip and Posy: The Friendly Snail

The Whale Who Wanted More

The Cat’s Cook Book

By Axel Scheffler.

Ages 0-2.

By Rachel Bright & Jim Field. Ages 1-5.

By Julia Donaldson.

Ages 2+.

Hom

The Woolly Bear Caterpillar

Nature Trail

By Jeanne Willis & Paddy Donnelly.

Ages 3+.

Draw with Rob: Build a Story

By Rob Biddulph.

Ages 3+.

8 March/April

By Julia Donaldson & Yuval Zommer.

Ages 3-5.

The Invisible

By Tom Percival.

Ages 3+.

By Benjamin Zephaniah & Nila Aye. Ages 3-5.

What Did the Tree See?

By Charlotte Guillain & Sam Usher. Ages 4-6.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Hot New Kids’ Books for 2021 All books can be purchased via Bookshop.org, an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.

RuPaul

By Maria Isabel Sanches Vegara.

Ages 4-7.

Wolfboy

By Andy Harkness.

Ages 4-8.

Move Like a Lion

Rainbow Grey

A Tangle of Spells

Space Detectives

Best Bites Cookbook

Dragon World

By Laura Ellen Anderson.

Ages 7-10.

By Omari McQueen.

Ages 8-11.

Familiesonline.co.uk

By Michelle Harrison.

Ages 8+.

By Radzi Chinyanganya.

Ages 5-7.

By Mark Powers and Dapo Adeola.

Ages 7+.

How to Grow Up

By Tamara Macfarlane. and Feel Amazing!

Ages 8-12.

By Dr Ranj Singh.

Ages 10-13.

March/April 9

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Spring “Make and Do” Outdoor Projects

Make a Bird Feeder

Search for Tadpoles

Make a Nature Journal

Make a Rain Gauge

Grow Butterflies

Make a Butterfly Feeder

Build a Den

Plant Tomatoes

Go Stargazing

10 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Making Family Walks More Fun

By Claire Winter Three ideas to liven up family walking in your local area.

Scavenger Hunt Make a list of specific things you might see locally eg red bicycle, car park, couple holding hands. Split into teams and walk around in your group, photographing the items when you find them. Whoever finds all the items first, wins.

Introduce Incentives!

Give each child a matchbox to fill with tiny treasures; Volunteer Let them map read; Create a nature journal for them Show the kids the importance of to fill with bark rubbings, photos, kindness. Volunteer to clean up litter drawings and notes; in your community or walk dogs at a Bring hot chocolate; local animal shelter.

Try geocaching.

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March/April 11

HEALTH

FREE ‘End Emotional Explosions’ Online Course

Lucy Russell, mother and clinical psychologist at Everlief, a large child psychology clinic, has seen mental health issues in children accelerating in the last 12 months.

EXCLUSIV In response to demand, Everlief has launched a parent E support site, They Are The Future offering free and paid online courses, masterclasses and blog. These include Calm OFFER & Connected, aimed at parents with pre-teens affected by stress, anger or anxiety. Everlief is offering Families readers a FREE 5 day mini-course in which Lucy teaches the Cup Approach, a powerful tool for preventing emotional explosions. You will learn the science behind emotional explosions, two distinct ways to prevent them and what is meant by filling your child’s “cup.”

Access the mini course HERE.

Boost Your Child’s Mood

Growing Pains or HSD?

By Caroline Roope

By Ellie Malt

With everything the last year has flung at us, it’s understandable that we’re feeling somewhat deflated. Children in particular can be prone to mood swings because they have not yet developed the emotional language to express their feelings. Try these activities to help banish your child’s blues.

READ MORE

Remember your “double-jointed” classmate who kept doing the splits and bending their fingers into impossible positions? Now, this is known as hypermobility and up to four in ten young girls and about one in ten young boys have hyper-flexible joints. But when can hypermobility start to cause issues?

READ MORE

12 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

April Fool’s Day Prank Ideas In the Bathroom….

Bath Blues. Paint a bar of soap with a thin layer of nail varnish so it won’t lather.

Shampoo Shock. Put some cling film between the bottle and lid of a shampoo/shower gel bottle.

How long will it take your family to realise nothing is coming out?

Wrap Attack. Place some bubble wrap under a rug or bathmat.

Wait for the shriek!

Toilet Bowl Alert. Remove the lid of the toilet cistern and pour in 10-20 drops of food colouring!

Tooth Trouble. Pop a raisin inside the neck of a tube toothpaste and cover with toothpaste to conceal.

In the Kitchen….

Brick of Breakfast. The night before, fill a bowl with cereal and milk, half-submerge a spoon and then put it in the freezer. Add a touch of fresh milk before serving it.

Cereal Confusion. Swap the contents of boxes of cereal, and watch the look of confusion as its poured out!

Pudding Prank. Make an ‘ice cream sundae’ out of mashed potato... yum!

Juice Joke. Put jelly in your child’s glass instead of juice.

Browned Off. Announce you have just baked some “brownies” and present a plate of letter Es cut from brown paper.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Around the House….

Spiders on the Loose. Cut out spider shapes using black paper and place inside a lampshade.

Television Terror! Place a very small piece of black tape over the sensor/light on the end of the TV remote.

Shoe Trouble. Stuff the end of a pair of shoes with toilet roll so your family member can’t fit their feet in.

Loopy Laces. Tie a family member’s shoe laces together so they’ll get nowhere fast….

Balloon Door Explosion. Tape balloons to the back of the front door before the family comes in.

Win a Smoby Playhouse!

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Choose TeePee or Nature Playhouse March/April 13

EASTER

Best Easter Craft Projects for Families

Paper Easter Wreath

Salt Dough Easter Eggs

Tin Foil Easter Egg Art

Easter Bonnet

Bunny Bunting

Sock Bunny

Bunny Corner Bookmark

Dye Easter Eggs

Bean Bag Easter Chick

14 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EASTER

Set Up an Easter Egg Hunt

Use our clues to set up an Easter Egg Hunt in your house.

Laundry and Kitchen

With this clue, you’ll have to follow your nose, where does mummy put all your stinky clothes? (Laundry basket) In this place it’s very cold, “Close the door properly!!” you’re always being told. (Freezer)

Bedroom

In here, daddy puts his toes, take a big breathe though and cover your nose! (Shoes/slippers) Where do you go when it’s time for sleep? Take a look here, there’s some treats to keep. (Bed)

Find me in the kitchen, I’m a big cold white appliance. (Fridge)

You put this on when you’re cold, ‘Fasten it up properly” you’re always being told. (Coat)

I have a sound that goes beep, and my main function is to heat.

(Microwave)

In this place you’ll find hundreds of pages, reading them all would take you ages! (Book shelves)

I take your clothes for quite a spin, but first, they get wet. That’s how I begin. (Washing machine)

Find me when you need to know how to spell a word. (Dictionary – Book shelves)

Other Rooms

In this place, it’s very wet, it’s where you and the duckies very first met. (Bath) I rain on you when you need a scrub, I’m very much like my friend the tub. (Shower)

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In this place we’re supposed to wipe our feet, open the door to see who to greet. (Front door) This is where you eat your dinner, find the hidden clue and you’re the winner! (Dining table) I have hands but no arms, just a face and my hands move at a steady pace. (Clock) I have four legs, but I don’t have feet, I come in handy when it’s time to eat. (Chair) Familiesonline.co.uk

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March/April 15

EASTER

The Great Families Easter Bake Off

Easter Egg Cookies

Easter Bunny Pancakes

Chocolate Krispie Chick

Hot Cross Scones

Easter Egg Bark

Easy Easter Nests

Hot Cross Bun Doughnuts

Baa-lamb Muffins

Easter Egg Biscuits

16 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EASTER

Make an

Chick

With Easter just around the corner, it’s time for some crafty creating with your children to celebrate. This simple craft from Kidzplay Playbox takes just minutes to set up and creates a colourful Easter chick.

You will need: * Eyes, beak, legs and feet pictured here * Scissors * Glue * Yellow Tissue Squares * Feathers * Paper Plate

Step-by-step guide: Step 1 Cover the paper plate in glue.

Step 5 Fold the beak in half and stick to the plate and then add the eyes.

Step 2 Stick the tissue squares onto the plate.

Step 3 Fold the legs along the dotted lines to make them bendy.

Step 6 Finally stick the feathers onto the plate to make the wings.

Step 4 Attach the feet to the legs and then stick the feet on the plate.

Step 7 Leave to dry before displaying.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 17

FAMILY LIFE

Parenting Books that Don’t Shame!

Dr Sarah Mundy from Parenting through Stories selects accessible, evidence-based books that she’s appreciated as both a mum and a psychologist.

What To Expect Series

No Drama Discipline

A helpful resource covering pre-pregnancy to the toddler years.

Interprets neuroscience theory into practical parenting, with clear examples.

How to develop a secure attachment relationship with your child.

What Every Parent Needs to Know

The Danish Way of Parenting

Parenting Handbook

Calm Parents, Happy Kids

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read

Pulls together up-to-date Advice on raising kids research into practical from the world’s happiest and accessible advice. people!

Why parents need to manage their feelings, and children need connection and empathy.

18 March/April

Relate how you were parented, to how you parent.

The Power of Showing Up

Make sense of every day challenges together with your child.

The Gentle Parenting Book

Helping parents become confident and calm.

Putting gentle parenting into practice.

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

What is Family Mediation?

Talk, Read, Play: Crucial Skills for Parents

By Louisa Dickson

By Cristina Odone

“I’m getting divorced and need a solicitor.” Only Mums & Dads, a not-for-profit social enterprise that supports people through divorce, hears this statement daily. Their advice is always to try mediation first (where there is no domestic abuse) and if it breaks down, to try again. But why?

READ MORE

Lockdown has kept us at home with our children 24/7. Under these circumstances, we’d be forgiven for switching to autopilot, managing through the day without paying any special attention to our children: we’re always with them, so no special effort is needed, right? WRONG! READ MORE

Get Your Kids Recycling!

Win a Smoby Playhouse!

By Andrew Campbell

T&Cs apply

Everyone is responsible for creating waste, whether it’s leftovers on the dinner plate or the finished loo roll. And so everyone is responsible for sustainable waste disposal.

Here’s some great ideas for teaching children about recycling and encouraging them to get more involved.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

ENTER HERE Magazine

Choose TeePee or Nature Playhouse March/April 19

EARLY YEARS

Like Mary Poppins – Turn Jobs into Games….

Games and play ideas from The Good Play Guide that help children learn life skills in a fun and engaging way.

Tidy Up Game

Laundry Game

Bedroom Tidy

Ages 2+. Children tidy away their things by the end of a song.

Ages 2-3. Get children folding, sorting and matching the laundry.

Ages 3+. Makes another fun game out of tidying up.

Drying Up Game

Odd Socks Game

Changing Rooms

Ages 3+. Children dry up, playing ‘pick up sticks’ game with cutlery.

Ages 3+. Fun way to develop colour, shape & pattern recognition.

Ages 4+. Children learn to dress/undress and how buttons and zips work.

Running a Café

I Packed My Suitcase

Cooking

Ages 4+. Develops role play, social play, food/nutrition, money/ counting.

20 March/April

Ages 4+. Develops memory and concentration.

Ages 5+. Cooking and baking teaches children invaluable life skills.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

When Do Babies Start Walking?

By Andrew Campbell A baby’s first steps are an exciting development that every parent eagerly anticipates, marking the transition to toddlerhood.

Babies begin walking at their own pace and each is different.

Walking can occur from as young as 9 months but most babies take their first steps between 12 and 18 months.

A range of factors can affect when a baby begins to walk. A ‘risk taker’ So what does each of these stages will want to get up and going involve? quickly, whilst a more cautious child may not want to walk until they can READ MORE do it well.

Larger babies may walk later because they have to be stronger before they can carry their own weight. Ear infections can disrupt balance and delay the walking process too. A younger child may copy an older sibling and learn walking faster.

NEXT ISSUE Massive Outdoor Toy Giveaway!

There are key milestones you should expect to see on your baby’s journey to walking, as follows: Kicking, Wriggling and Rolling Grasping and Grabbing Supporting Head on Hands/Arms Sitting, Crawling and Bottom Shuffling Standing and Cruising Familiesonline.co.uk

SIGN UP HERE to receive the next issue to your inbox Magazine March/April 21

EARLY YEARS

Easy Games and Activities for Toddlers

Running out of ideas for keeping the little ones busy? Here’s some you may not have tried.

Hair Cutting Station

Shaving Cream Paper

Spring Play Dough Garden

Pompom Drop

Posting box

Rainbow Rice

Tugging Box

Book Drop

Car Wash Tunnel

22 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

Fun Science Projects at Home Your kids will love these cool experiments and activities. Adult supervision may be required!

Make a Balloon Powered Car

Create Crystal Snowflakes

Build an Electromagnet

Make a Sensory Bottle

Create Giant Bubbles

Plant an Ice Garden

Make Magic Milk

Create a Cloud

Make Butter

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 23

ENVIRONMENT

Let’s Go Plastic Free!

Start reducing your plastic consumption now. How many of these products do you use? How many can you try soon? Swap products or introduce new habits—one at a time.

A Simple Bar of Soap!

Compostable Coffee Pods

Buy Loose Fruit and Veg

Bin the plastic plunger container. Buy bars bar!

We love these.

Swap to these Nespresso compatible compostable pods.

Bring your own cotton or cloth bag to weigh and carry it home.

Shampoo/ Conditioner Bar

Reusable Sanitary Pads

Re-Fill your Detergent Bottles

Plastic Free Toilet Paper

Shaving Soap

Widely available. Try Planet Organic or The Body Shop.

Loose Washing/ Dishwashing Powder

Sainsbury’s sells its own brand of powder.

24 March/April

Re-fill or make your Wash at home, save money or use reusable own with white vinegar & essential oils. mooncup.

100% plastic free. Free shipping (most orders).

100% natural.

Hand made by disadvantaged women in Kerala.

Familiesonline.co.uk

ENVIRONMENT

Let’s Go Plastic Free!

Start small. Choose one new behaviour you’d like to take on board and only move to the next once it is established as a habit.

Plastic Free Tooth Brushing

Plastic Free Bathroom

Buy Loose and in Bulk

Think bamboo toothbrushes and toothpaste in tablets or a glass jar.

Cotton buds, dental floss, make up remover pads and more!

Buy larger quantities.

Store in glass jars. Refill from zero waste shop.

Start your Own Food Group

Buy Oil in Larger Quantities

Plastic Free Meat or Fish

Buy products in bulk, save money, reduce your carbon footprint.

Think 5 litres. Pour in glass bottles at home.

Get your local butchers/fishmongers to wrap goods in paper.

Deodorant

Pasta in a Cardboard Box

Use Real Nappies

Widely available. Try Boots, Holland & Barrett.

Familiesonline.co.uk

An easy switch that will further reduce your plastic footprint.

Wash and re-use nappies or use a laundry service.

March/April 25

TRAVEL

UK Holiday Inspiration Families top ideas for places to enjoy a brilliant staycation in the UK this year! Please adhere to Covid-19 government guidelines when travelling.

Bodmin Jail Hotel in Cornwall

Rocks at Plas Curi in North Wales

Bovey Castle & Spa Hotel in Devon

4-star boutique hotel within the walls of the 18th century prison.

5* hostel near Snowdon + Zipworld.

Family friendly luxury.

5*, child-friendly, relaxed, dogs welcome.

Plenty of activities.

Crewe Hall in Cheshire

Eco Glamping in Wales

Eilean Shona in Scotland

Luxury stay, famed afternoon tea, family attractions nearby.

185 acres for walking, hiking and wild swimming.

Cottages on magical private island off Scotland’s west coast.

Winchcombe Farm in Warwickshire

Scilly Isles

The Little Retreat in Pembrokeshire

Five unique tree houses at this gorgeous glamping retreat.

26 March/April

Sand-fringed islands, warm waters, empty beaches. 28m from Cornish coast.

Luxury glamping in castle grounds in coastal National Park.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Radley for Life Bursary support available at 11+, 13+ or Sixth Form for talented boys. Radley is a top boys’ boarding school near Oxford.

01235 543174 www.radley.org.uk/funded-places Please contact admissions@radley.org.uk

Online Open Morning

Saturday 1 May - 10am Book an online visit:

abingdon.org.uk/prep Independent education for boys aged 4-13