Families London SW May 2018

South West

In this issue May half term activities Win a family ticket to

‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt!’

Finding happiness on your doorstep

One family’s experience finding a happy medium

The best museums and galleries to see this month

A mine of information!

Issue 276 May 2018

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CAN YOU

FOSTER? Be there for a child in Wandsworth... ...and we’ll be there for you

Come to one of three events taking place on the dates below (10am - 12noon or 2pm - 4pm or 6pm - 8pm) Thursday 17 May 2018 Thursday 24 May 2018 Thursday 21 June 2018

Call us now on (020) 8871 6666

Read about our foster carers’ experiences at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/carer_experiences

To find out more: wandsworth.gov.uk/fostering carerrecruitment@wandsworth.gov.uk wandsworthfostering

Designed and produced by Wandsworth Design & Print. wdp@wandsworth.gov.uk AD.1196 Families SW (4.18) Photos: istock, digitalvision, netnatives

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Contents

May 2018 Issue 276 Stuck in the mud with RHS Wisley

Hello SW readers!

The sun has finally come out to play just in time for lots of half term fun. I know it felt like yesterday with the children returning back after the Easter holidays, however, they’re counting down the days until they have a week off again.

So we, as parents, must plan in advance to keep them entertained! Especially for me, as I am going to be a busy mum now: thrilled to say I have joined the Families team—more from me in the issues to come!

With lots of information provided in our half term listings you will have a job choosing what to do! I have recently visited the Natural History Museum with my three-year-old twins and allowed the children to explore, it was quite pleasant allowing them to roam around whilst we tagged along behind (role reversal or what!) They certainly opened our eyes to things we wouldn’t have necessarily seen and we all thoroughly enjoyed ‘Sensational Butterflies’.

You will see we’ve had a mini make over in this edition and we would love to hear what you think of it! Our readers are important to us and your opinions matter, so drop us an email at info@familiesSW.co.uk and let us know your thoughts! Wishing you all a pleasant May. Happy reading!

With Love

Sevim

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News

6

Families top 5 activities this month

7-15

Education

Tutor feature – Is tutoring a thing of the past for London children?’

– Could online tutoring be a solution for you?

– A healthy balance of emotional and academic support

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Fostering - ‘Could you be a foster carer?’

18-20 Baby feature

- Benefits of baby wearing

- Organise an event with style

- Professional support during and after pregnancy

21-25 Half Term Holiday Activities Listing

Be prepared for half term with a range of activities to keep your children occupied

26-29 Clubs and Classes 30-31 Wellbeing

’Finding happiness on your doorstep!’ As Finland is announced the happiest place on earth, Dionne Ormonde discovers what it takes to really be happy.

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Bear Hunt Competition

WIN a family ticket to see ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’ at the Lyric Theatre, London

33-38 What’s On

- Diary dates - Babies and toddlers - Theatre - Museums, galleries and days out - Art activities

Managing Editor

Advertise in our next issue. Contact us on 020 8696 9680

Find us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram FamiliesSWLon

Tel 020 8696 9680 Editorial editor@FamiliesSW.co.uk News news@FamiliesSW.co.uk Adverts/Artwork adverts@FamiliesSW.co.uk Events/Diary Dates/What’s On whatson@FamiliesSW.co.uk Next Issue June 2018 Deadline Early May. ISSN 1354-9553. All content ©Families SW 2018.

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May 2018 Families South West

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Editor’s Top 3 Yummy Picks!

News

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the privilege of sampling some recipes and treats! The kids loved them and we were totally impressed!

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Little Cook Box is simple, healthy, yummy food that makes cooking for children fun and it’s delivered to your door! We all crave a stress-free mealtime with our little ones, now you can get them involved and make dinner time a happy time (and it’s yummy!) www.littlecookbox.com

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Piccolo has a new range of Squares out in May! These delicious wafers are made from a blend of grains, chickpeas and a dash of mango or coconut for our little rascals. Perfect for teething babies or hungry little ones in between meal times! www.mylittlepiccolo.com

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Fruit Bowl are championing Coeliac UK’s Awareness Week (9-15 May) and have a range of coeliac friendly delicious, versatile snacks perfect for adults and children suffering from the disease. Find out how you can help support at www.coeliac.org.uk/home and grab some tasty snacks at www.fruit-bowl.com

Cover Photo Playing hide and seek in the park.

Photo credit: Feri Kemal

feriphotography.co.uk

• Families London SW is part of the Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. • The contents of Families SW are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families SW. • Printed by Ridgeway Press, Wilts.

• Designed by Chris Webb.

• Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families SW, our distributors, the franchise company Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

• Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources.

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Raynes Park High School now a Tim Henman school Congratulations to Raynes Park High School, which is the first state school to be an accredited Tim Henman Foundation/BECSLink Community School. We were very impressed by the school, which is working alongside national and local Merton businesses, education charities, sports and arts organisations to provide resources and learning opportunities for young people.

Tim Henman, OBE, retired tennis champion said: “It’s important for youngsters to seize every opportunity and I’m pleased through my Foundation to give back in such a wonderful way in association with not only the scholarships but also in supporting further enrichment programmes with Raynes Park High School in the areas of science, technology, engineering and Maths, computer coding, through sport and helping the growth of a community tennis programme.”

Raynes Park High School is a co-educational comprehensive school, aged 11 to 19. www.raynespark.merton.sch.uk

Eaton Square Schools group grows The Eaton Square Schools group is welcoming Eaton Square School, Kensington – formerly known as Hyde Park School, after rebranding under one name.

The school was first launched in 1962 and has grown from a small day nursery to one of London’s most well-known preparatory schools.

Aatif Hassan, Chairman of Minerva Education who owns the school, said: “After years of operating alongside each other and following the successful launch of our senior school last year, we realised it made perfect sense to unite all our feeder prep schools in London under one name …we are able to provide even more families across London the opportunity of a seamless education, allowing their children to grow and learn with us from nursery, all the way through to leaving school at the age of 18.”

24 Elvaston Place London SW7 5NL 020 7225 3131 www.hydeparkschool.co.uk

Contact childcare providers for free New this year to the childcare scene, StarChildcare is an online platform where parents can connect with childcare providers for free! Created by two local mums who, frustrated by the options available and costs associated with sourcing childcare, decided to create something simple and easy to use that came at no cost.

Kate, co-founder says: “When it was time for me to go back to work the daunting task of finding a childcare solution that worked for us was proving challenging and expensive. When my friend told me she felt the same we wanted to create a one-stop, stress free solution for parents where they could find childcare absolutely free!” Find out more and register for free at www.StarChildcare.co.uk

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News

Two “Outstandings” for L’Ecole du Parc!

Staff and families at L’Ecole du Parc are celebrating after being awarded not just one but two “Outstanding” ratings in as many months.

OFSTED described teaching as “inspirational” and “exceptional” and praised “the quality of leadership, learning, teaching and care” as “outstanding”. As a consequence, OFSTED wrote in their report, “all children make excellent progress” and “quickly become highly confident bilingual communicators”.

L’Ecole du Parc provides high quality education in a French immersion or bilingual French-English environment. L’Ecole du Parc nursery school offers the best of the British and French educational systems and welcomes children aged between 21 months and 5 years old from all around the world regardless of their level of French or English.

020 7993 6460 www.ecoleduparc.co.uk

Hornsby House pupils achieve outstanding 11+ results Congratulations to Year 6 at Hornsby House School, who achieved another outstanding set of results in their secondary school entrance exams. An amazing 49 awards were offered to the children in the year group, including academic scholarships, art and drama awards and sport.

In their most recent inspection, Hornsby House was judged as excellent, this has been reflected by the 50% of pupils accepting places at secondary schools which feature in the Times top 50 independent schools 2018. Well done Hornsby!

Hearnville Rd, London SW12 8RS www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

A little help from Sainsbury’s Fircroft Primary School is one step closer to creating a new library thanks to a generous donation from thirteen Sainsbury’s stores in Tooting, Streatham and Battersea, who teamed up to make a generous £2,500 donation.

Headteacher Mrs Anne Wilson said: ‘Promoting a love of reading is at the heart of everything we do here at Fircroft and a new library will help our children have easy access to a wide range of books right here in the school—as well as a very special space in which to explore them. We are very grateful to Sainsbury’s stores from across the borough for helping us to achieve this.’

Fircroft Primary School is continuing its fundraising efforts for a new library - and if you are a local business wishing to support pupils please contact the PTA co-chair Katy Hill on k8yhill@hotmail.com

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May 2018 Families South West

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Credit: Laura Mtungwazi

Families top 5 activities this month Here are our top picks of the best ways to spend this May with the whole family…

Say cheese at Horniman Museum and Gardens

Spectacular Art & Nature Activities Horniman Museum and Gardens 100 London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk 28 May – 1 June As always, the Horniman is running a spectacular Half Term programme for all the family, including Family Art Fun where you can enjoy free craft activities inspired by their exhibitions and Gardens. Age 3+, free. Don’t miss Pond Dipping on 29 May and explore nature and wildlife in the pond on the Horniman Nature Trail. Age 5+, £3.

Other activities not to be missed are Big Wednesday: The Great British Bee Count, when the Horniman will be buzzing with family-friendly bee activities as part of the annual Great British Bee Count initiative; Mini-beast Safari where you can hunt for mini-beasts in the Horniman Gardens; and Hands on Base: Horniman Explorers - discover the collections that make the Horniman special. Explore and touch things from African masks to sharks jaws in their Hands on Base. These events are free.

Barnes Children’s Literature Festival

www.barneskidslitfest.org Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th May Did you go last year? We did and highly recommend it! Following last year’s success, which sold more than 7,000 tickets and £16,000 worth of books over the weekend, the Barnes Children’s Literature Festival is returning for its fourth year with more than 80 fun events for young book fans and their families. As well as programming some of the best known names in children’s books, Barnes is committed to nurturing new talent, offering exceptional events that audiences are unlikely to see at any other UK festival.

To date, confirmed authors and illustrators include Judith Kerr, John Burningham, Cressida Cowell, Frances Hardinge, Axel Scheffler, Andy Stanton, Tony Ross, Sophie Kinsella, Emily Gravett, Harry Hill, Peter Snow, Emma Chichester-Clarke, Matt Sewell and many more.

Centred around the much-loved green, which lends the festival its ‘village fete’ feel, Barnes boasts ten venues including the popular interactive stage, which will host various workshops.

See you there!

Tiddler And Other Terrific Tales Inventive Children Workshops

V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk 28 May – 1 June May Half Term Activities. Calling all mini makers and designers to their Inventive Children workshops this week. Be inspired by some genius design solutions from the Century of the Child exhibition, meet artists and digital makers, and get creative!

Drop in, all ages. Plus, Your Robot Helper Workshops run at 10.30am and 12pm every day this week - What would your special robot friend do to help you? Make teas for you or do your homework? You can design and make a mini model of your robot helper. £5 per child, age 4+. Ever dreamed of a washing machine that can also wash your dog or a tooth brush that can generate electricity? Join their Crazy Inventor Workshop to share your ideas with fellow crazy inventors and make the ideas into a model. Every day 2-4pm, £10, age 8+.

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Leicester Square Theatre 6 Leicester Place WC2H 7BX, www.tiddlerlive.com 25 - 27 May Prepare to go under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle, as four terrific tales are bought to life on stage with live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters from the best-loved titles: Tiddler, Monkey Puzzle, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze. Funky moves, toe tapping tunes and giggles are guaranteed. Get your tickets now!

BIAZA Love Your Zoo Week 2018

Battersea Park Children’s zoo, Battersea Park SW11 4NJ, www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk 28 May – 1 June Join the Battersea creatures and critters this half term as part of Love Your Zoo week, when each day a different animal will step into the spotlight. Children will get the chance to help zoo keepers make enrichment feeds and learn new facts about the animals. Plus there are loads of themed arts and crafts and story times to keep everyone busy. familiesonline.co.uk

Education

#whywelovehornsby To have a look around our school call 020 8673 7573 or visit hornsbyhouse.org.uk

An all-through education for your whole family Boys and Girls 2-18 years old Now open - Eaton Square, Kensington A co-educational prep school for ages 4 - 11 Located in the heart of South Kensington

To book a tour of any of our Nursery, Preparatory or Upper Schools visit:

www.eatonsquareschool.com

Belgravia

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Kensington

Mayfair

May 2018 Families South West

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Education

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Families South West May 2018

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Education

Is tutoring a thing of the past for London children?

We asked Yellowbird Education to comment and tell us what they think...

Tutoring of children in London has increasingly become the acceptable norm for many families ie: choosing to supplement their child’s often expensive education with further fees. Increasingly demand for too few oversubscribed school places in the capital has forced parents to throw yet more resources into hopefully securing their child a place in a top London school. So when at the end of last year, the North London Girls Consortium (comprising the twelve Heads of some of London’s most popular girls schools) announced that from January 2019 they will replace their current 11+ exam process quoting “There will be no further written assessments at our Schools, and we will develop the creativity of our interview processes” parents of many were left bemused and floundering, asking rightly: So now what can we do to get a place?

Is excessive tutoring a thing of the past?

For a large number, the decision of the North London Girls Consortium has come not a day too late. Children have been exposed to ever mounting pressure to prepare for challenging admissions tests and many believe such academic grooming is potentially damaging to their mental well being at such a young age. So with many top schools looking to replace written assessments in the selection process with more creative methods of interviewing children what does it mean for the future of those responsible for tutoring London’s children? Furthermore is the North London Girls Schools’ Consortium the first to make a brave step with other schools soon to follow, leaving excessive tutoring a thing of the past?

Tutoring is about providing specific support for children We would argue that the term ‘tutoring’ is not limited solely to preparing children for aggressive admission processes and examinations. Tutoring for many is invaluable, providing tailored and at times specialist support in specific areas of learning and often for short periods at any one time. In often busy classroom

environments there may not always be the chance for a child to get the extra support at exactly the right time. It is in these circumstances that securing the support of an experienced tutor can be vital in maintaining a child’s confidence. Tutoring is also available in many different forms. The traditional 1:1 can clearly be beneficial in the case of addressing areas where a child is struggling or requiring specific support. However, there are increasingly available group learning opportunities which, whilst less tailored, are nevertheless all aimed at equipping children with key skills and most importantly growing a child’s confidence. Many such courses are becoming available during our lengthy school holidays and provide fun and engaging opportunities for children to practice learnt skills and work on developing new ideas. So whilst some London Head teachers are clearly looking to reduce the scope for tutoring for the purpose of gaining entrance into their schools, it is possible to argue tutoring in the true sense is now more important than ever, providing children with a new set of skills with which to shine and gain entry into top schools.

What can companies like Yellowbird do for your child?

The Team at Yellowbird Education further supports this view believing that whilst school admissions are undoubtedly changing, tutoring in all its guises still has a large part to play. Their experienced educational specialists run hugely popular group workshops that are interactive and forward thinking with a fresh approach looking to offer lively engaging sessions for children of all abilities. The focus at all times is on inspiring children and encouraging creative minds whilst giving children the confidence to think differently. As such, creative writing becomes far more importantly a life long skill rather than a means to passing grueling examinations. So whilst schools and their entrance processes are changing, tutoring is similarly adapting and changing alongside. Carefully structured support is now being used to build confidence and motivation and enlighten children to the joy of learning – a valuable asset for whichever educational journey they choose to take at whichever school they finally gain entry into!

Yellowbird Education – Educational workshops. Creative writing, handwriting, Exam preparation and more. 020 7731 0695 www.yellowbirdeducation.com

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Education

The Roche School Independent co-ed primary and nursery schools in Putney and Wandsworth

With clear teaching and small class sizes, children develop their academic, sporting and creative talents in an engaging, friendly atmosphere Ensuring every child fulfils their potential ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

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7+, 11+, 13+, GCSE, A Level, IB EAL specialists for international families SEND advice & learning support specialists School advice & consultancy services Tailored 1-1 support with inspiring teachers & tutors, enabling maximum progression.

Contact: charlotte@firstclasstutorsgroup.com Visit: www.firstclasstutorsgroup.com

Families South West May 2018

Discover The Roche Approach Our next Open Mornings: Friday 11th May & Wednesday 13th June admissions@therocheschool.com

Tel: 020 8877 0823

www.therocheschool.com

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Education

Could online tutoring be a solution for you?

Online tutoring opens up a world of top quality tutors that may not otherwise have been available. Once the limitation of geographical location is ruled out, the immense pool of ‘best tutors for the job’ becomes a reality.

Preparing for important exams lends itself to online tutoring, as students can still have regular tutoring, wherever they are. JK Educate’s 11+ students use online tutoring in the summer holidays, whilst they are preparing for their secondary selective exams.

Students need a good internet connection, so they can log-on to the right online platform, such as their virtual classroom. Tutoring providers should be prepared to help you get started and talk you through the process. JK Educate provide specialist IT support for their

clients wishing to use their online tutoring service; they also help them set up and use the systems.

JK Educate told Families: “We have found that online tutoring provides more flexibility for scheduling and very effective teaching, this is due to the wide range of online activities being offered throughout a lesson, which can then suit all learning styles.”

JK Educate offers bespoke support for children’s learning, with academic assessments, specialist tutoring, entrance exam preparation and study skills. Contact one of their experienced consultants on 020 3488 0754 or via www.jkeducate.co.uk

Achievement via a healthy balance of emotional and academic support We asked First Class Tutors for their views on achieving success without adding too much stress: “It’s that time of year again, when Year 6s across London have received their offers, accepted their places and relaxed into the safe comfort of where they are destined to be for their senior school years. Meanwhile the Year 5s are gearing up for the 11+ journey ahead. A nervous energy has bubbled to the surface and eyes are set on a prize in the distance. It’s blurry, but it’s a real goal now. It’s exciting, yet a little overwhelming.

I can’t offer enough encouragement to them, to let the anxiety go and enjoy the ride. They must dig deep to find that self-belief and resilience.

They will cope well, learn much, grow in confidence and skill. The inner-workings of content and strategy will soon be replaced by the finer details of exam technique and the interview process. With a supportive school environment, children will have their moment to shine and they will find the right school to suit their needs and dreams.

It won’t always be that easy There are emotions involved, bumps in the road, hiccups in friendships, blips in the classroom and on practice papers. We are lucky enough to live in a community with (mostly) amazing teachers in our classrooms. Sometimes however, all it takes is a 1-1 relationship with a great tutor to calm down those unsteady moments outside school. One or two sessions per week of support alongside their learning can (re)build their confidence and fine-tune their techniques from the classroom. Our tutors are teachers who are passionate about their subject. They have a close relationship with their tutees and offer a safe place, where they can share problem areas and work on them together. Our tutors often reach out to class teachers to ensure that time is focused on target areas, building confidence in specific areas and giving them the right form of support for a child to fulfil their potential. There is no doubt that the emotional wellbeing of a child is just as important as academic rigour. A healthy balance of emotional and academic support needs to be at the centre of the journey, so that it can be a positive experience for all, parents included. Then, they will fly.

Contact Charlotte@firstclasstutorsgroup.com www.firstclasstutorsgroup.com

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May 2018 Families South West

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Wenlin Chinese School Proudly Presents Chinese Traditional Arts Festival & Charity Fundraiser 2018

中华传统艺术节慈善筹款活动 ELEGANT ARTS GALA 6th May, 10.30am - 3pm Chinese painting, Calligraphy, Art Sale, Peking Opera, Chinese Orchestra, Tea Appreciation and many more

CHINESE WUSHU GALA 13th May, 11.00am - 3pm Chinese Martial Arts Display and Competition, Wushu, Tai Chi, Lion Dance, Dragon Dance

PERFORMING ARTS GALA 19th May, 3.30pm - 5pm Qipao Show, Art Sale, Wushu Display, Peking Opera, Guqin Erhu Performances

Christ Church Street French Nursery We are a bilingual nursery and all parents are welcome whether or not they are French. All the staff are qualified and 70% of the staff speak French; children learn French every day.

The nursery is a warm and happy place for any child to be part of our family.

Children from 1 year old are welcome.

3 Caversham Street, SW3 4AF 020 7351 9648 and 07530 825528 Lindaccsfn@gmail.com www.frenchnursery.co.uk

www.wandsworthfringe.com/whats-on-2018/chinese-traditional-arts-festival VENUE Chestnut Grove Academy SW12 8ET London £12 / £9.60 concessions / £25 for all three events Tel 07883 025706 info@wenlinchineseschool.org.uk www.wenlinchineseschool.org.uk

Our skilled staff prepare children aged 2­5 years for their next school and start them on a journey of life­long learning.

Incorporating art, cooking, music, sport, languages, drama, yoga and all aspects of the Early Years Curriculum. Please arrange a visit to see the learning and excitement in action. www.oaktreenurseryschool.co.uk Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, Balham, SW12 8QX Tel: 020 8166 5932

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School open days Call to book your place now SW1

SW10

SW17

St Matthew’s School 3-11 Co-Ed Visits by arrangement throughout May and June 020 7504 0500 www.stmwschool.org.uk More House School 11-18 Girls Visits by arrangement in May and June, Open Evening will be in October 020 7235 2855 www.morehouse.org.uk Eaton House Belgravia Pre-Prep 3-8 Boys Open Morning 5/6 9.30-11am 020 3917 5050 www.eatonhouseschools.com

Redcliffe School 3-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 11/5 9am at the Pre-Prep, plus Tours Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout May and June 9.30am booking required 020 7352 9247 www.redcliffeschool.com

Finton House School 4-11 Co-Ed Family Open Morning 29/9 10am12pm, plus show rounds available weekday mornings Monday-Thursday in term time 020 8682 5757 www.fintonhouse.org.uk Burntwood School 11-18 Girls Open Morning 5/7 8.45am, Open Evening 26/9 6pm 020 8946 6201 www.burntwoodschool.com

SW3

Hill House 4-13 Co-Ed. Tours of school available every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday during term time at 8.30am, no appointment necessary 020 7584 1331 www.hillhouseschool.co.uk

SW4 Eaton House The Manor 8-13 Boys Open House 2/5 9-10.30am 020 7924 6000 www.eatonhouseschools.com Allen Edwards Primary 4-11 Co-Ed Open Days TBC in May and June, booking required or call school to arrange alternative date 020 7622 3985 www.allenedwards.co.uk Parkgate House School 2.5-11 Co-Ed Open Day 9/6 9.30am-12pm 020 7350 2461 www.parkgate-school.co.uk

SW6 Fulham Prep School 4-13 Co-Ed Pre-Prep Open Morning 26/6 9.15am, 10.15am and 11.15am, call to book a place and time slot 020 7471 4217, Prep School tours by appointment only 020 7386 2444 www.fulhamprep.co.uk Parsons Green Prep 4-11 Co-Ed Midweek tours on Thursdays at 9am by appointment only, Open Day will be in September or October TBC 020 7371 9009 www.parsonsgreenprep.co.uk L’ecole Des Petits 4-11 Co-Ed School visits are held on Thursday mornings 3/5, 10/5, 17/5, 24/5 and 7/6 at 10am 0207 371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk

SW7 The Hampshire School 3-13 Co-Ed Tours of main school on Wednesdays at 9am and of Early Years School on Mondays and Thursdays at 1.30pm 020 7352 7077 www.thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk St Nicholas Preparatory School 2-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 10/5 9.30am book in advance 020 7591 2630 www.stnicholasprep.co.uk Eaton House Belgravia Prep 8-13 Boys Summer Term Open Days TBC 020 7924 6000 www.eatonhouseschools.com Franciscan Primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Reception and Nursery Schools Tours throughout May and June 9.15am 020 8672 3048 www.franciscan.wandsworth.sch.uk Hyde Park School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 9/5 11am, or the school offers showrounds on Wednesday and Friday mornings 020 7225 3131 www.hydeparkschool.co.uk Queen’s Gate School 4-18 Girls Senior School Open Day 10/5 and 27/6 020 7589 3587 www.queensgate.org.uk

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SW11 The Dominie 6-11 Co-Ed Tours by appointment Please contact the school to find out more about their specialist teaching for dyslexic children 020 7720 8783 www.thedominie.co.uk Dolphin School 3-13 Co-Ed Open Mornings every Thursday 9.15-10.40am by appointment 020 7924 3472 www.dolphinschool.org.uk L’ecole De Battersea 4-11 Co-Ed School visits are held on Friday mornings 4/5, 11/5, 18/5 and 8/6 at 10am 0207 371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk

SW12 London Steiner School 4-11 Co-Ed Weekly school tours by appointment every Wednesday at 9am 020 8772 3504 www.waldorflondon.co.uk Hornsby House School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 7/6 9am 020 8673 7573 www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk

SW18 The Roche School 2.5-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 11/5 and 13/6 9.30- 11.30am call to make an appointment on 020 8877 0823 www.therocheschool.co.uk Park House School / Tram House School 4-19 Co-Ed Open Days 24/5 and 21/6 1-3pm 020 3031 9705 www.beyondautismschools.org.uk St Michael’s CE Primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings by appointment only 4/6, 11/6, 18/6 and 2/7 020 8874 7786 www.stmichaels.wandsworth.sch.uk

SW19

The Study Prep School 4-11 Girls Tours on Tuesdays throughout May and June 9.20-10.30am 020 8947 6969 www.thestudyprep.co.uk Willington Independent Primary School 4-13 Boys Tours of the school by appointment 020 8944 7020 www.willingtonschool.co.uk Wimbledon Common Prep (also known as Squirrels) The Harrodian School 4-18 Co-Ed 11+ Open Mornings throughout the 4-7 Boys Open Morning 16/5 9.15-11am, go to website to make a booking, October Open Summer Term TBC 020 8762 6321 Morning 10/10 9.15-10.45am, bookings www.harrodian.com commence on 17/5 020 8946 1001 www.wimbledoncommonprep.co.uk Wimbledon High School 11-18 Girls Junior School (4+ and 7+ entry) 2/5, Tower House Prep School Sixth Form Open Evening 22/5 020 8971 0900 4-13 Boys Open Morning 11/5 9.15am 020 www.wimbledonhigh.gdst.net 8876 3323 www.thsboys.org.uk Kings College School 7-16 Boys, 16-18 Co-Ed Junior School (7+ to 10+ entry) Open Morning 22/6 9.30am-12pm, Senior School (11+ entry) Open Evening 11/6 Ibstock Place School 6pm, 16+ Entry Open Evening 13/6 6pm, Whole 3-18 Co-Ed The Prep School Open Mornings School Open Morning 15/9 9am-12.30pm 020 2/5 and 20/6 9.30am, The Senior School Open 8255 5437 www.kcs.org.uk Evening 9/5 5-7pm (for prospective entry in 2019) booking required 020 8876 9991 / 020 8392 5803 www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk The Norwegian School Granard Primary School Co-Ed 3-16 Tours of the school can be booked 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning in May TBC call to at any time 020 8947 6617 book a place 020 8788 3606 www.norwegianschool.org.uk www.granardprimary.co.uk Putney High School 4-18 Girls 16+ Open Evenings will be held in the Summer Term TBC, plus bookings are already open for their annual Open Week from Ravenscourt Park Prep School 13/10 020 8788 4886 www.putneyhigh.gdst.net W6 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 14/6 9am, booking necessary 020 8846 9153 Merlin School www.rpps.co.uk 4-8 Co-Ed Open Day 11/5, book in advance 020 8788 2769 www.merlinschool.net Mosaic Jewish Primary School 4-11 Co-Ed Open Day 2/5 9.30am and 10/5 1.30pm book online 020 8944 8731 James Allen’s Girls’ School www.mjps.org.uk SE22 4-18 Girls Tours Wednesday mornings by appointment only 020 8693 1181 www.jags.org.uk

SW13

SW14

SW15

SW20

W6

SE22

SW16

Streatham And Clapham High School 11-18 Girls Open Day 29/9 10am-1pm limited places, register online 020 8677 8400 www.schs.gdst.net

We take every care preparing this information, but things can change, so please do check with schools or websites before setting out.

May 2018 Families South West

13

Education

The Willow Nursery 55 Grafton Square, Clapham Old Town, London, SW4 0DE 0207 498 0319 www.thewillownursery.co.uk | admin@thewillownursery.co.uk

Established for over 30 years, a family run, traditional nursery school with a unique ethos and fabulous premises.

Term time only. For 2 ½ to 5 year olds.

WillowNursery_Advert.indd 2

30/11/2017 14:48

Est 1976 Ofsted registered and MEAB Accredited An independent nursery school for children 2 to 5 years

• EYFS and Montessori Method of teaching • MEAB inspected and accredited Montessori nurseries (the only ones in SW12) • Ballet, Drama, Football, French and Music classes • Morning, afternoon and full day sessions (term time only) • Summer Clubs Nightingale 1 Montessori: St Luke's Church Hall, 194 Ramsden Rd, SW12 8RQ. 07958 567210 Nightingale 2 Montessori: St Stephen's Church Hall, 35 Weir Rd, SW12 0NU. 07930 401769 Contact: info@nightingalemontessori.co.uk www.nightingalemontessori.co.uk Register early to avoid disappointment.

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Families South West May 2018

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Education

WIN an Annual Family Membership to Dreamland Margate for up to 5 People-worth £190!

The oldest surviving amusement park in the UK, Dreamland Margate is a world-class visitor attraction that offers all the fun of the festival for everyone to enjoy. Located opposite the golden sands of Margate, Dreamland boasts: ✸ vintage, family and thrill rides ✸ pop-up entertainment ✸ live music and art installations ✸ a vintage arcade and street food An Annual Family Membership entitles you to visit as many times as you wish throughout the summer holidays and all year round!

For more information and membership benefits, visit www.dreamland.co.uk/membership TO ENTER

Email your answers to the following questions to info@familiesmagazine.co.uk no later than 23 June 2018: Terms & Conditions: • Please note that height restrictions apply on all rides and we cannot guarantee that all rides will be in operation on the date of your visit.

• Events are subject to availability and operated on first come first served basis.

• Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 and over

✸ Tell us in 50 words (or more) why you find Families magazine a useful tool for family life?

New for Summer 2018: daily aerial circus act + new, exciting family friendly rides

✸ How likely are you to respond to a piece of advertising you see in Families? a Very likely b Possibly c Unlikely

Runner-Up Best Family Theme Park 2017 Family Traveller Awards

• All Dreamland terms and conditions of entry apply https://www.dreamland.co.uk/terms • Membership terms and conditions apply • In case of query, please contact Dreamland at office@dreamland.co.uk or 01843 295887

Make a splash! ... at Dawmouse Montessori School Come and see how we teach with passion in our two Montessori Schools in Fulham.

Fully qualified staff, small class ratios, established for over 20 years, modern in our approach.

Call Miss Emma on 020 8398 9294 or visit our website www.dawmouse.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

May 2018 Families South West

15

Fostering

Foster Care Fortnight ru ns from 14th to 27th May

Could you be a foster carer?

A Wandsworth Council recruitment campaign is focussing on recruiting an additional 20 foster carers to meet the needs of their children and young people in their care. Could you be one?

People from all walks of life can consider becoming a foster carer. You can be married, in a civil partnership, or single, you can come from any cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Carers from a diverse range of religions—whether actively practicing or not—are welcome.

You don’t have to own your own home—many of the carers rent their homes, whether these are houses or flats you will need to have a spare room. Many of the carers only undertake fostering as their main source of income, but others successfully combine working with fostering. Previous childcare experience will support you in your application to foster.

Children are placed into foster care for a whole range of reasons and, more often than not, it’s a temporary solution to ensure each child is cared for in a safe environment whilst issues are resolved.

More foster carers are always needed, and the council has brought in a new initiative because people who are referred by others have a higher application success rate.

People who refer a friend or relative who is successfully approved to be a foster carer will get £1,000 under a new council incentive scheme It is all about spreading the word and encouraging people to sign up to a rewarding job that can transform a child or young person’s life. People from outside Wandsworth can be referred, and they can be married, single, divorced and from any religious or cultural background. All they need is the resilience and determination to take on a challenge and to have a spare room in their home.

Pearl’s fostering journey My name is Pearl and I have fostered more than 100 young people for over 40 years. Empowering young people to achieve the best in their lives has been my focus. I am Wandsworth’s longest serving foster carer and I am proud to say that I have recently been awarded an MBE for my services to children and families.

Fostering is challenging without a doubt; some of the children I have looked after have been difficult. One needs to understand they are testing you… don’t give up. It is so worthwhile when I see how well they are doing in their life achievements.

We need to understand that not all the young people want to go into higher education, some of them want to work or get a trade. Fostering is about supporting them in whatever they want to do.

Taking baby steps, being resilient and setting clear boundaries and together devising house rules all help enforce consistency and routine.

This, with the support of your social worker, your support network and your family will help you through your journey in life as a foster carer.

To find out more call 020 8871 6666 or email: carerrecruitment@wandsworth.gov.uk

Come to one of three events taking place on: Thursdays 17th May, 24th May and 21st June (10am-12noon or 2pm-4pm or 6pm-8pm) Call to book on an event on 020 8871 6666.

Read about foster carers’ experiences at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/carer_experiences

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Calling all baby Scientists!

Help us discover how babies learn!

Calling all infants from birth to 18 months to take part in fun studies at the Birkbeck Babylab in central London. We provide a black cab if you live within 5 miles of Birkbeck, or we refund any travel expenses.

020 7631 6258 babylab@bbk.ac.uk www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk

N 1/12 page - 87x40mm

Connect with us on social media Facebook, Twitter & Instagram FamiliesSWLon

Football fun for children aged 18 months-7 years.

Learning the FUNdamentals of Football

Book your free trial class!

Email: trichardson@littlekickers.co.uk Tel: 020 8675 1155 Website: www.LittleKickers.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

May 2018 Families South West

17

Baby feature

The benefits of Babywearing

By Hannah Wallace of Wear My Baby

Keeping your baby close to you in a sling or carrier has so many benefits for the whole family.

Here are a few:

It is good for babies’ physical development. Being carried upright position with the whole body well supported, as if you were holding them in your arms, supports your baby’s physical development, and gives the same benefits as ‘tummy time.’

Babies feel happy and settled. Your baby will feel comforted by being close to you and from the movement of your walking, breathing and heartbeat.

It’s incredibly practical. You’ll have your hands free to make sandwiches, do the laundry, look after other children… the list is endless. Slings take up far less room than prams and buggies, making travelling by car or public transport so much easier.

Wearing your baby can support postnatal recovery, gently improving your posture and core strength. Simply walking with your baby in a sling is a brilliant way to improve your overall fitness, without any postnatal exercises regimes.

An upright, gently moving position can make babies with reflux or digestive problems more comfortable.

It supports parent-child bonding and may ease symptoms of postnatal depression. It’s also a great way for other family members or caregivers to build strong, healthy connections to baby.

Breastfeeding is promoted through the continued close contact that babywearing gives you. It is possible to breastfeed or bottle feed in any sling, though the ability to do so depends on a number of factors.

It encourages babies to sleep. Newborns in their ‘4th trimester’ who are still adjusting to life outside the womb often prefer to sleep on someone than in their cot. This is biologically appropriate, not a bad habit and will not last forever!

Babies who nap in slings are very portable, meaning you can get out of the house and get on with your day while they sleep safely.

Sling use can help regulate newborns’ and premature babies’ temperature and breathing, notably when baby is carried against their parent or carers skin.

It’s good for their cognitive and emotional development. Your baby can see the world around them and engage with you face to face—and snuggle into you if they want a rest.

If you’d like help choosing the right baby carrier, or want help using the one you have, get in touch with Wear My Baby’s team of Babywearing Consultants, or pop in to London’s specialist baby carrier shop and sling hire service, the Wear My Baby Boutique, Thursdays only 10am-6pm at 19 Thrale Road, London SW16 1NS. See www.wearmybaby.co.uk for details.

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Families South West May 2018

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Baby feature

Mother and baby clinic With over 25 years’ experience in antenatal, postnatal care and paediatrics at Physio4all, you can be assured of caring and professional support during and after your pregnancy as well as for your new born baby.

Your event organised with love!

Are you about to have a baby shower, birthday, wedding, engagement, private or corporate event? Let London based Love Makes Events convert your dreams into reality.

All events are designed with the same importance; each concept is tailored by professional event planner and includes tableware design, bespoke backdrop, special celebration cake, drinks, candy buffet, snacks, set up equipment/service and more.

Derya Kurt, Founder & Director of Love Makes Events says: “Children and mums-to-be are our priority. We offer a wide range of custom concepts. We believe success comes from working with smiling and high energy, each of our parties becomes an unforgettable event and are full of fun. I hope to share your special moments with you.”

For more information please contact Derya on: 0746 7503558, info@lovemakes.co.uk, www.facebook.com/lovemakesevents, www.instagram.com/lovemakesevents, www.lovemakes.co.uk

Courtfield Private Practice caring for your children A large emphasis is placed on the care of children at this Practice in South Kensington. In addition to providing routine and emergency appointments, they recommend that babies and children have checkups and vaccinations on a regular basis. All paediatric appointments are given by doctors specialising in this field, and are offered at flexible times throughout the week including Saturday mornings.

Their aim is to give excellent medical care to all age ranges, from newborn babies to the frail elderly. From simplifying bookings with their flexible appointment portal, to keeping your little ones up-todate with their routine immunisations, they are here to support you and your family.

“Amazing Doctor, has followed my son since he was 2 weeks old. Always put me and my son at ease. Careful and detailed explanation of what he is doing, empathetic and wonderful attitude, approachable - I have complete trust in him” Children can be seen at any time outside of scheduled checks and a doctor is always available to answer your questions and concerns.

Older children can also be seen for routine checks, including for school and summer camp medicals.

To book an appointment or for more information contact them via: 020 7373 3541, enquiries@courtfieldpp.co.uk or www.courtfieldpp.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Christine Julien-Laferrière and her team of experienced physiotherapists with postgraduate training in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Paediatrics and Osteopaths can help you.

To prevent and treat pregnancy related problems such as pelvic girdle pain, carpal tunnel syndrome and abdominal separation as well as common pelvic floor problems such as incontinence, prolapse, perineal and sexual pain they recommend a MOT postnatal check for all mothers to assess pelvic floor muscle function and abdominal separation before returning to abdominal exercises, high impact classes and sports.

Physiotherapy for new-borns and babies Are you concerned with your baby’s development? Their paediatric physiotherapists can help with diagnosis, treatment and advice to take home. “We recommend our MOT Baby Check, a comprehensive orthopaedic and developmental assessment to ensure any issues are treated early.” Physio4all provides services at their practice and at your home.

Call them 020 7228 2141 or battersea@physio4all.com www.physio4all.com

10% discount on all breaks .

Mentioning Families SW

Breathtaking villa in Tuscany

Villa Radicata is situated in a stunning, undiscovered part of Tuscany and can be rented on a self - catering basis or they have tailor made family breaks with babysitting provided and all food/wine/activities are included!

You can have the choice of various health and fitness classes with mini yoga for the little ones. Learn how to make Italian pizza and pasta whilst the children learn how to speak the language.

Finding time for yourself as well as making sure quality time is spent with the children is a juggle for any parent, that’s why they offer well deserved massages and excursions to the medieval town of Anghiari.

At Villa Radicata you will find true Italian hospitality, delicious food and peace of mind knowing that your children are happy with their Italian “Nonna”.

About the accommodation Villa Radicata sleeps up to 12 people, offers stunning lake and mountain views, fenced pool and garden, stair gates for little escapers, plenty of toys, baby equipment (highchairs/cots/sterilizer).

Activities – Yoga, fitness classes, cooking lessons, art, baby Italian, massage for mum and baby, shopping and horse riding.

Contact Rita on 0039 349 5018679 / 0778 557 1292 www.mum-and-baby-experience.co.uk www.holiday-villa-in-tuscany.com May 2018 Families South West

19

Baby feature The only UK iding charity prov ediatric specialist pa on a osteopathy t-youha -w te na do can basis

The power of kindness in osteopathy In this world of political upheaval and social tension much is currently talked about, in the medical and Complementary and Alternative Medicine circles, of kindness. But what, in truth, is kindness? Is the human heart honestly capable of it and does it have a special place in the world of osteopathy?

The Osteopathic Centre for Children (OCC) is a UK charity specialising in paediatric osteopathy based in Wandsworth, with an outreach clinic in Shoreditch. The OCC’s osteopaths treat perinatal women, babies and children up to 18 years for a range of childhood issues as well as more complex conditions.

Kindness is at the heart of the OCC’s culture, as demonstrated by the number of osteopaths volunteering, delivery of treatment on a donate-what- you-can basis and a peer-to- peer collaborative approach to treatment. Earlier this year, the OCC asked osteopaths attending their bi-annual Conference how important they felt kindness was in their practice. Many cited it as ‘essential’, particularly when working with children. ‘Children are the barometers of kindness’, said one, ‘you can’t treat (children) unkindly, i.e. using unkindness’. Another commented that kindnesses in the form of touch and listening, ‘holding the space for the patient’, were key to her practice. Many spoke of the mutually beneficial nature of kindness, the ‘human to human contact’, while others explained how kindnesses experienced had transformed them and so their practise.

Marta came to the OCC for treatment for both herself and her 3 week old son.

Treatment helped her baby to relax and for her it relieved the tension and stresses she was feeling on her body. But it was the kindness that struck her the most. ‘I experienced not only professionalism but also kindness in various ways – through gestures, words and through the eyes. It was an emotional time and the clinic gave me a lot of support.’

Perhaps it is through small acts of genuine kindness that we can make the most difference. Find out more about the OCC and their principle of kindness at occ.uk.com Book an appointment today on 020 8875 5290 Registered charity number 1003934

Hypnobirthing

I run group and private courses to parents that want to learn how to release that fear of birth and to be able to relax and enjoy pregnancy. No matter if it is your first or second birth, or how far you are in your pregnancy, HypnoBirthing will help you to relax and create a special bond with your baby.

Hypnotherapy for parents

Helping parents to deal with stress, anxiety, self-confidence, depression, addictions and teaching self-hypnosis techniques to practice at anytime.

Hypnotherapy for children

Post-Natal Nutrition and Fitness Training Lindsay Holden runs health and fitness company Pure Lifestyles and specialises in post-natal rehabilitation.

“The pressure on mums to get back to their pre-baby weight can be enormous and that has to stop” she says. Lindsay creates progressive exercise programs and realistic and easy to follow nutrition plans for mums to help them start to feel like themselves again without the pressure. Lindsay is based in Clapham and sees clients 1-1, in groups or coaches via email and calls through distance coaching methods. Babies are always welcome along to the sessions.

While working with children’s imagination I help kids to change unwanted habits (thumb sucking, tics, bad eating patterns, bedwetting) and to deal with anxiety, self-confidence and bullying.

My approach is very safe and gentle with an aim for kids to enjoy the session.

Lindsay also runs a mum and baby bootcamp on Clapham Common every Wednesday at 11am—the first session is free!

www.evahypnotherapy.com Based in Bayswater and South Kensington.

Contact Lindsay via email lindsay@purelifestyles.co.uk or phone 07845 273 746.

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Families South West May 2018

Head to www.purelifestyles.co.uk to find out more about everything Pure Lifestyles has too offer

familiesonline.co.uk

Half Term Holiday Activities Listing

Developing Skills

Eddie Catz Putney, Wimbledon and Earlsfield

Little House of Science

• First Floor, 68-70 Putney High Street SW15 1SF • 42 Station Road SW19 2LP • 279 Magdalen Road SW18 3NZ 0203 4755268 www.eddiecatz.com Throughout May Half Term Holiday Activities Across the 3 branches in SW London – Putney, Earlsfield and Wimbledon Colliers Wood – there will be plenty of holiday camps, creative workshops and parties to choose from. See www.eddiecatz. com for more information and to book online. Prices usually include lunch and a free play at the venue, plus Eddie Catz appears in all venues twice a day to meet and greet the children.

Horniman Museum

100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23 3PQ 020 8699 1872 www.horniman.ac.uk 29 May – 1 June Family Art Fun Enjoy free craft activities for children aged 3+, free, sessions 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 1.15pm, 2pm and 2.45pm. Plus Pond Dipping, 29 May, explore nature and wildlife in the pond, age 5+, £3; Big Wednesday: The Great British Bee Count, 30 May, buzz with family-friendly bee activities, 10.30am-3.30pm, free; MiniBeast Safari, 31 May, hunt for mini-beasts, age 3+, £3.

Imperial College, Kensington SW7 2AZ 0800 092 1062, info@littlehouseofscience.com www.littlehouseofscience.com 29-31 May Evolution, Adaptations and Natural Selections Little House of Science invites Little and Young Scientists to explore the Five Kingdoms of Life: Plants, Animals, Fungi, Eubacteria and Archaebacteria. Hands-on, project based holiday camps, Tuesdays – Thursdays 9.30am3.30pm, age 4-11, £240 per child, sibling discounts apply.

Unlock Learning

Kingston University, Penrhyn Road Campus, KT1 2ET 07970 212727 www.unlocklearning.org.uk 29 May – 1 June May Half Term Courses Transform learning with technology. These clubs use a combination of technology, games and traditional teaching methods. Touch Typing Course teaches children to touch type and create Word documents quickly, 9.30-11am or 11.30am1pm each day, age 7+, £250, sibling discount available.

Spark4Kids

Venue TBC 020 8090 1444 www.spark4kids.com See website for dates Coding Workshops Workshops introducing children to Computer Coding, Minecraft Modding, Robotics, Games Design, Python, HTML/CSS and JavaScript in a fun, engaging environment. Ages 5-7 years, and aged 8+.

Inkhead

Venues in Streatham, Brixton and Beckenham 07943 514408 www.inkhead.co.uk Dates in May Half Term Holiday courses Exciting and inspiring courses for young avid (and not so avid) writers.

Includes GCSE Creative Writing Exam Buster Course, £45, 1 June; and What If? – Fiction 8-11 year olds, £90, 30-31 May.

Join Et Patati Patata for French fun

Naomi Martin Touch Typing

Sinclair House School, 59 Fulham High Street SW6 3JJ 07949 204553, www.nmtouchtyping.co.uk 29 May – 1 June Touch Typing Courses Touch typing courses for children aged 7+, classes are 90 minutes long, mixed age and ability. Sibling discounts available, 9.30-11am or 11.30am-1pm.

Yellowbird Education

Parsons Green Prep School, 1 Fulham Park Road SW6 4LJ 020 7731 0695 / 07790 912318 www.yellowbirdeducation.com 29 May – 1 June Creative Writing Workshops 4-day workshops exploring creative writing techniques, times vary, book online. Plus 4-day English Exam Preparation course for 8+ and 11+.

Languages Et Patati Patata

Flora Gardens Primary School, Dalling Road W6 0UD 07966 893674, caroline@etpatatipatata.com www.etpatatipatata.com 29 May – 1 June May Fun French Day Camp Join the award winning French immersion programme and learn French without leaving London.

Fun activities including French music, French art, patisserie, French coding, French musical, sport… and it’s all 100% French fun! Age 4-10, 9am-3pm.

Music & Drama Dantastic

Across SW London 07460 222003 www.dantasticproductions.com/ classes

Throughout May Half Term Baby and Toddler Classes Action packed, interactive musical adventure classes aimed to inspire, educate, build confidence and improve fitness.

Expecting plenty of singing, dancing, puppets, instruments and sensory activities. Drop in, dates vary depending on venue.

Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes

Streatham, Clapham and Blackheath 01732 457100, mail@funkymonkey.info www.funkymonkey.info Dates TBC Funky Chicken Music Workshops These one-day workshops are a perfect opportunity to try out the keyboard and make music the Funky Monkey way. Learn how to write and play notes C-G and try some famous tunes, plus theory, keyboard games, quizzes and art activities based around music.

Age 4-8, 10am-2pm, £45/£35 with sibling discount.

Polka Theatre

240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 020 8543 4888 www.polkatheatre.com 27 May – 3 June May Half Term Workshops A range of exciting holiday workshops for budding actors, directors, designers and costume makers, including The World of Supersaurs, Puppet Lab: Making Monsters, Play in A Day! Double Act, and Move On Up! Ages, times, dates and prices vary, see website for details.

Sparks Ignite

Broomwood Hall School, Nightingale Lane, Balham, SW12 8NR 020 7101 9329 www.sparks-ignite.com/balham 29-31 May Dance Studio Make a reality style TV drama set in a dance studio. Inspired by TV show

Cont. p.22

Arts &Crafts

Become a scientist at Little House of Science familiesonline.co.uk

May 2018 Families South West

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from p.21

Baby Feature Half Term Holiday Activities Listing

The Next Step, create your own version complete with choreography and competitions.

No previous dance experience necessary, but dancers very welcome! 9am - 3pm, £175.

The Strings Club

Tooting Primary School, Franciscan Road, Tooting SW17 8HE 0121 296 9204 www.thestringsclub.org Dates TBC Holiday Camp Each day with The Strings Club is wonderfully different, including exciting workshops alongside high quality small group instrumental sessions. Children aged 4-5 join in with the ukulele session whilst those in Year 1+ take part in one of the Sound Start guitar sessions. Half days from £20, early bird and late club £5, 9.30am-4pm, half days 9.30am12.30pm or 1-4pm, wrap around care from 8am until 5.45pm.

Sport All Star Tennis

Leaders Gardens SW15 1LS King Georges Park SW18 2GJ Wandsworth Common SW18 3RT Tooting Common SW17 8JU 020 8871 4706 www.allstartennis.co.uk/ holidaycamps 29 May – 1 June Holiday Tennis Camps Award winning tennis camps renowned for their fun and creative approach, packed with games, drills, tennis technique and tournaments. Age 3+, times very depending on age.

AJ Coaching Cricket Academy

Dundonald Recreation Ground SW19 3QH

07790 935428 www.ajcoaching.co.uk 29 May – 1 June Holiday Camp Cricket camps focusing on skills and match practice, all abilities welcome, age 5-10, 4 day course, £120, 8.30am-1.30pm.

Battersea Sports Centre

Battersea Sports Centre, Hope Street, SW11 2DA 020 8871 8529 www.enablelc.org 29 May – 1 June May Half Term Holiday Activities Take part in a range of sports for all ages and abilities.

10am-3pm, £55 for 5 days, £45 for 4 days, £13 per day, sibling discount available.

Central London Golf Centre

Burntwood Lane SW17 0AT 020 8871 2468 www.clgc.co.uk 29 May – 1 June Junior Golf Holiday Camps What better way to spend the holidays than improving your golf at one of these fun camps with an array of skills challenges, competitions and tasks. Whether your child is a beginner to the game of golf or a progressive golfer, camps are designed to improve their enjoyment and ability under professional supervision. Includes golf coaching, daily fun competitions, skill challenges and prizes. Age 7-14, morning only camp 9am12pm, £30, whole day camp 9am3pm, £45. Bring a packed lunch.

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Families South West May 2018

Fulham FC’s Training Ground in Motspur Park, Bishops Park in Fulham, Dundonald Rec in Wimbledon and other venues across South West London.

Prices start from £21 per day, with discounts for booking the whole week. 3-14 years.

Little Gym

Smugglers Way SW18 1DB 020 8874 6567 wandsworth_fulham@thelittlegym.eu www.wandsworthfulham. thelittlegym.eu 29 May – 1 June May Half Term Gym Camps Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join these popular classes for children all ages.

The programme focuses on building new skills and developing confidence while the kids have loads of fun. Take advantage of 1 free class and 5% discount of the total amount.

Little Kickers Chelsea FC Soccer School

Venues across SW London 020 7957 8220 londondevelopment@chelseafc.com / soccerschools@chelseafc.com www.chelseafc.com/foundation/ www.chelseasoccerschools.co.uk Throughout May Half Term London Soccer School For boys and girls aged 4-13. All abilities welcome, times vary according to course, from £30.

Fulham FC Foundation

Smile underwater with SwimWay

Take a picture with your favourite animal at Bocketts Farm

Venues in Fulham 0870 442 5432 holidaycourses@fulhamfc.com www.fulhamsoccerschools.com Throughout May Half Term Holiday Courses Soccer schools run every day of the holiday, 9am to 3pm. Taking place at

Venues across SW London www.littlekickers.co.uk Throughout May Half Term Classes and Workshops A positive introduction to sport by teaching high quality football skills in a friendly, pressurefree environment. There are four different classes tailored specifically to the needs of children between 18 months and 7 years.

SwimWay

East Sheen, Putney, Kensington, Kew Gardens and Wimbledon 020 8871 3972 info@swimway.co.uk www.swimway.co.uk 28 May – 1 June Swimming Courses Intensive courses to improve your child’s swimming technique, on a private or semi-private basis.

Courses run for half an hour each day, book early to avoid

disappointment. Age 3-9, dates and times dependent on venue.

S W Swimming School

Emanuel School SW11 1HS Burntwood School, Tooting SW17 0AQ 0208 767 2723 operations@swswimschool.co.uk www.swswimschool.co.uk Dates in May Half Term Intensive Courses 4-day intensive splash courses where children swim everyday with same instructor. All lessons are 30 minutes each day, running between 9am-12pm Tuesday to Friday.

Telford Park Tennis Club

coaching@telfordparktennisclub. co.uk www.telfordparktennisclub.co.uk 07736068375 Half term and Summer camps There is something for everyone at Telford Park! A well structured, fun 5 day coaching session for all abilities. Also running ‘Performance Camps’ for the development of players who would like to play tennis at a competitive level. Ages 3-17 Prices vary.

Youngstars Multi-Sports and Activity Camp

Balham, Clapham, Parsons Green, Putney and Wimbledon 07749 343116 info@young-stars.co.uk www.young-stars.co.uk 29 May – 1 June May Half Term Holiday Camps Plenty of fun, games and excitement whilst kids are introduced to all aspects of sports in an all inclusive and noncompetitive environment. Age 3-10 years, times and prices vary.

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Half term

C 1/6 page - 87x85mm

Get growing this May half-term.

Activities vary daily Buy garden tickets at rhs.org.uk/wisley and save 10% RHS Members go free.

RHS Registered Charity Number: 222879 / SC038262

26th May - 3rd June 2018

SPRING SPECTACULAR

Ages 3-12yrs

FANTASTIC FAMILY FUN THIS SPRING!

ivity Children’s Multi Sport & Act

Camps

(Tues-Fri) Birds of Prey flying demonstrations

AY CAMP MAY HALF TERM HOLID

Circus skills workshop

TH IDAY 1ST JUNE TUESDAY 29 MAY - FR

• • • •

Panning for gold

Baby goat kids, lambs & more!

Guaranteed Fun Through Games, Sports & Arts & Crafts All Inclusive & Non Competitive Designed to Improve Co-ordination, Awareness, Motor Skills First Aid and DBS Checked Coaches

Clapham

PLUS

Loads of indoor & outdoor play!

D AR AW WI NN ING !

www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

St Lukes Community Hall, Ramsden Rd, SW12 8RQ

Balham

#

Alderbrook Primary School, Oldridge Road, SW12 8PP

SPECIAL

OFFER

Clapham Junction (ages 3-10 yrs) Belleville Primary School, Belleville Road, SW11 6PR

Wimbledon (ages 3-10 yrs)

£1 OFF full price farm entry per person* Valid from 4th June - 20th July 2018.

Only with this voucher (*maximum of 5 people).

FM

The Priory CofE Primary School, Queens Road, SW19 8LX

Wimbledon (4-12yrs) Wimbledon Chase Primary School, Merton Hall Road, SW19 3QB

Putney (ages 3-10 yrs) St Josephs RC Primary School, 90 Oakhill Road, SW15 2QD

VENUES Contact John on 07749 343116 or 0845 222 1313.

Email us: campbookings@young-stars.co.uk

www.young-stars.co.uk

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youngstarsltd

@ Youngstarsports

May 2018 Families South West

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Half Term Holiday Activities Listing

Day Activities Wild Child Half-Term Club

Heathfield Road, Wandsworth SW18 www.paradisecooperative.org/ wildchild 28th May - 1st June Outdoor Holiday Club An exciting outdoor club for children

All Star Tennis

info@allstartennis.co.uk 020 8871 4706 Book: www.allstartennis.co.uk/ term-time- clubs/ At: Leaders Gardens (SW15 1LS), King Georges Park (SW18 2GJ), Wandsworth Common (SW18 3RT) and Tooting Common (SW17 8JU)

aged 8-11, teaching children to be curious about nature, resilient and adventurous using a mixture of story-telling, games, and bushcraft and survival skills. Sibling discounts available. Located by Wandsworth Common.

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

Love your zoo week 0207 924 5826 www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk 28th May - 1st June Meet a Coati one day and an Otter the next! Lots of animal Renowned for their fun and creative approach to learning tennis, packed with games, drills, tennis technique, match preparation, fun tournaments, trick shots, prizes and team games. A chance to improve your LTA rating and dressing up on the last day!

themed fun to be had in the May half term! With your help each animal will receive special treatment and step into the spotlight each day. Find out more information on their website under ‘Your visit!’

Usual entrance fee applies.

Bocketts Farm Park

Young Street, Fetcham, KT22 9BS www.bockettsfarm.co.uk 01372 363764 26th May–3rd June Spring Spectacular There’s lots of extra activities this half May half term 29th May to 1st June In age group from 3yrs to teens.

Term-time programme Make the most of the Summer Term on court during after school and Saturday Clubs. Clubs running Monday to Thursday & Saturdays for 3yrs-teens.

term with Bird of Prey flying demonstrations, Tuesday to Friday and exciting Circus Skills Workshops. Meet the baby lambs and goat kids. Plenty to do indoors in the huge indoor play barns, tractor area and Small Animal Village. Outdoors, children can enjoy sandpits, slides, pedal go-karts, play trails and jumping pillows. Plus pony rides, tractor rides, goat milking, pig racing, gold panning and more!

Summer 9th July to 7th September Camps are filling up quickly for the Summer holidays with some already full!

Plan ahead for Summer Embracing life with Stagecoach

First Hand Experiences

Nature inspired creativity 01843652833 www.firsthandexperiences.co.uk July 9th – Aug 31st A nature based holiday camp designed around the surrounds of Fulham Palace. From ‘Palace Pioneers’ to ‘Wild Explorers ‘ they offer a range of workshops ranging for ages 3-14 years.

Prices vary.

Pineapple Performing Arts School (PPAS) Musical Theatre and Street Dance Summer School Held at Pineapple Dance Studios, 7 Langley St, Covent Garden.

02083518839 www.pineapplearts.com M/T 30th Jul - 3rd Aug, S/D 6th - 10th Aug Come into the heart of London and be taught by the industry’s professionals in two intensive courses each lasting five days.

An extremely popular Summer school with the choice to do

either or both, and take part in a spectacular showcase performance in a West End theatre at the end of the week!

Age 8+ £250

All Stars Cricket

Easy online registration www.allstarscricket.co.uk From May 11th through to July Only launched in March 2017 the programme has had an incredible first year with over 1,500 All Stars Cricket centres delivering the programme to over 37,000 children. Boys and girls from 5 to 8 years old have fun, cricket activities and games with the basic movement skills to begin a lifelong love of physical activity. The programme is delivered by trained volunteers who deliver game based activities that teach basic cricket skills like catching, throwing, hitting a moving ball and social skills like team work and communication. Reasons to join: Eight one-hour sessions, held over eight weeks, emphasis on fun and being active, focus on developing your child’s

movement skills, great first introduction to cricket, safe and fully accredited, valuable time with your kids – mums and dads are encouraged to take part too.

Story-writing through Art and Games www.paintwritenow.co.uk/ summer-holidays katherine.smith@gmail.com 07779 100 659 Creative Writing Courses in Wimbledon with Katherine Smith: artist, writer, Oxford graduate, passionate about helping children to emerge as confident artists and writers, for 6-11 year olds. Heroes and Villains (w/c 13th August) Under the Sea (w/c 20th August) Myths and Monsters (w/c 27th August) Limited availability: max 6 students per class.

30th Jul - 3rd Aug Put on a show in 5 days and perform in a theatre for friends and family.

Legally Blonde The Musical is for 7-16 year olds and from the moment they arrive they will be caught up in the excitement and creativity of rehearsals whilst having fun and making new friends.

Trolls Week for 4-6 year olds will be based on the animated musical movie, Trolls, and has sunshine in it’s pocket! With great songs and a refreshing tale that teaches courage, kindness and that it’s okay to be you.

You do not need to be a regular Stagecoach student to attend.

No experience required - just lots of enthusiasm!

Stagecoach Wimbledon

www.stagecoach.co.uk/wimbledon 020 8946 3400 23rd - 27th Jul & A great experience at First Hand Experiences

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Half term

4 For 4-1 s ld o r yea

Learn French without leaving London!

Fun French May and Summer Day Camp

More Info on: caroline@etpatatipatata.com Tel 07966893674 •www.etpatatipatata.com

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May 2018 Families South West

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Clubs & Classes Bring out every child’s potential at Perform

Royal Youth Dance Academy

Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-12s

Royal Youth Dance Academy teaches a wide variety of dance styles such as ballet, contemporary, jazz and street dance. The emphasis is on fun and enjoyment whilst learning skills, such as coordination, musicality, confidence building and imagination: skills which will be beneficial in everyday life. The Academy is for children from the age of 12months to 16years old, no matter what their ability. All teachers are DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked for your peace of mind and your child’s safety.

“We look forward to your princess and prince joining the Royal Youth Family.” Schools in Balham and Norbury.

Perform is a very established and hugely successful children’s drama school, with a special emphasis on child development. Perform uses a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s full potential. Run by highly experienced actor-teachers, in small groups, Perform classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: Confidence, Communication, Coordination, and Concentration.

07958 298 536 Admin@royalyouthservices.co.uk www.royalyouthservices.co.uk

Les Petits Choux Les Petits Choux runs French classes on Wednesdays at St Michael’s Church in Southfields, from 4pm. They offer classes for beginners and for bilingual children. They use songs and games as well as stories and craft activities to help with speaking, reading and writing the language. The children also have the opportunity to take part in various French drama workshops to encourage their speaking and to bring the language to life.

For more details visit www.lespetitschoux.org.uk or follow them on Facebook @lespetitschouxsouthfields

Would you like to earn extra money?

Capital Focus Groups are looking for people who enjoy giving their opinions and are willing to share their views on the products and services they use for many of the country’s largest companies and well-known products. It’s free, it’s fun and you will be financially rewarded as a thank you for taking part! Register now to earn extra money, by calling Liz on 07761128059 or e.dahlgren@btinternet.com

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Families South West May 2018

The Perform curriculum ensures plenty of fun, using a mix of energetic games, catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are written by Perform, with apps, CDs and videos that the children can play at home to keep the magic alive.

Venues: Balham, Barnes, Battersea, Belgravia, Chelsea, Clapham, Clapham South, Earlsfield, East Sheen, Fulham, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Pimlico, Putney, Raynes Park, Southfields, Streatham, Tooting, Wimbledon.

020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions.

Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class today.

Chinese traditional arts festival and martial arts gala WenLin Chinese School will host the first ever UK Chinese Traditional Arts Festival and Martial Arts Gala in May as part of Wandsworth Arts Fringe 2018.

In three days of events the activities scheduled for May 6th, 13th and 19th will bring together 100 Chinese Wushu Masters and renowned Artistes from across the UK. “At WenLin School mental health is a subject that we care about deeply,” says Rosa Wang, Principal of WenLin Chinese School. They have issued a challenge to thousands across the UK to purchase tickets in an aim to lend assistance to its selected charity for this year, YoungMinds.

6th May is Calligraphy, Chinese Painting, Tea appreciation, traditional dance, music, opera, arts & craft and more art related displays, workshops, interactive participations. 13th May is a consortium of Chinese Martial Arts display, demonstration, competitions, workshops. 19th May is professional performances of all to conclude the festival.

For further information on this Chinese Traditional Arts Festival and charitable undertaking please visit www.wandsworthfringe.com/whats-on- 2018/chinese-traditional- arts-festival

Swimming Rocks Popular swim school, Swimming Rocks, offers premier tuition for babies, children and adults in fantastic locations across London. A boutique company and small “cherry picked” team mean that they are recognised locally as a leading swimming tuition company with a strong reputation based on fantastic coaches and effortless service.

Private (1:1) or shared (2:1) lessons for children and adults, or in small groups of 4 or 6 for babies and toddlers. Term time lessons and school holiday crash courses.

07557 051 904 www.swimmingrocks.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

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May 2018 Families South West

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Inspire yo ur chi ld thro ugh mus i c L e arn ne w ski llsďż˝ Bu ild conf idence M ake ne w friends

Multi award-winning, Ofsted registered Holiday Camps for children aged 4-11

Children aged 4 welcome all day thestringsclub.org Tel: 0121 296 9204

Advertise in our next issue. Contact us on 020 8696 9680 or email editor@familiesSW.co.uk

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Families South West May 2018

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May and Summer

Summer Learn to Swim Crash Courses

Summer Half Term 2018 Tuesday 29th May – Friday 1st June (4days) Summer Holiday Crash Course 2018 Monday 23rd July – Friday 27th July Monday 30th July – Friday 3rd August Monday 6th August – Friday 10th August Monday 13th August – Friday 17th August Monday 20th August – Friday 24th August Tuesday 28th August – Friday 31st August (4 days)

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CHELSEA

MARYLEBONE

GOLDERS GREEN

CHELSEA HARBOUR

KNIGHTSBRIDGE

KENTISH TOWN

May 2018 Families South West

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Credit: Martin J Roach, martinjroach.com

Wellbeing

Finding happiness on your door step

Dionne and her gorgeous children

As Finland is announced the happiest place on earth, Dionne Ormonde discovers what it takes to really be happy. In a world apparently saturated with sad news and selfies, how do you raise a happy and resilient child?

My 10-year old sticks his tongue out, licks his lips and does his best to lap up the blobs of sticky barbecue sauce smeared across his mouth. My seven-year old tells him he’s missed a bit, so he unleashes his tongue and scoops up the remaining sauce dripping from his chin; then savours the last remaining bits of sauce on his fingers and smiles. He’s happy.

resilience in your child for the future tests awaiting them in life.

The dynamics of family life today can be incredibly challenging, so managing stress is on the top of many of our to-do lists. Connecting with your behaviour and experiences and acknowledging how they influence your role as a parent and the relationship with your children is always illuminating.

It doesn’t take much to make my young sons happy; my youngest is more likely to jump up and do a victory dance whilst eating milk chocolate truffles, than a barbecued spare rib; but I’ve found that if my boys have a daily diet of good food, tasty treats, big cuddles and oodles of football they are happy… well most of the time.

While I was brought up with the notion that children should be ‘seen and not heard’, encouraging children to do the opposite - be seen… and be heard – is a wonderful way to guide your child toward not only feeling acknowledged, but calm, relaxed, self-confident and happy too.

Creating a family environment where children can thrive with a foundation of love, acceptance and empathy, isn’t always easy,

It’s not always going to be that easy, at some point my sons are going to lose interest in bear hugs and random declarations of love; as my kids grow, their sense of happiness will be challenged and perhaps compromised by exam stress, peer pressure, over scheduling, parental arguments, hormonal and emotional changes, relationship break ups and inevitable disputes with friends. As much as I’d love to control the minutiae of their very existence, I cannot guarantee my children’s future happiness. They, like most children, are developing an inner world that may become defined by angst, turmoil and confusion. Isn’t it a teenage rite of passage, to be deeply unhappy with the world and all those that inhabit it…particularly your parents?

So, the pursuit of happiness will never be enough; to be truly happy a large dose of resilience needs to be added to the emotional mix. It’s never too early to introduce children to simple therapeutic techniques designed to build emotional buoyancy. The ability to recognise that life is not a benign plateau defined by one emotion is so important in a world that seems to have generated a toxic predilection for soft focus selfies and unedited diatribes.

Finding ways to shift negative ideas and automatic thoughts and building a strong positive mindset is a wonderful opportunity to build

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Families South West May 2018

‘Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.’

Mother Teresa but certainly helps if you wish to raise children who are kind, compassionate, curious and playful.

Mindfulness, meditation and visualisation are wonderful ways to extricate you and your children from the inauthenticity of living life through a screen, choosing instead to connect with an inner power, embracing all emotions… be they happy or otherwise.

Happiness after all, is – forgive the cliché – a journey not a destination.

True happiness is wrapped up in the simplicity of contentment.

My husband often says he’ll always be happy if: ‘I’m loved, have someone to love and something to look forward to.’ Others however,

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Wellbeing find it more difficult to create concrete definitions; Happiness is a feeling, a state, a mystical and magical sense of being, sparked by a myriad of experiences, as a result happiness remains nebulous and unquantifiable in many minds.

But ‘Happy’ is just too simplistic a word for some academics who have chosen to drop the word all together, preferring ‘subjective well-being’ as a more accurate description of what many of us are frenetically in pursuit of.

Rather than a generic idea of happiness many deep thinkers rather place their focus on ‘positive emotions’, ‘engagement in life’, ‘meaning’, ‘positive relationships’ and ‘accomplishments’. While others are all too happy to hold onto the concept of ‘happy’, they instead suggest there are two very distinct kinds of happiness: the Hedonic approach, which focuses on happiness and defines well-being in terms of pleasure attainment, enjoying a good meal, passing pleasures and pain avoidance; and the Eudaimonic approach, which focuses on meaning, a sense of purpose, service to others and self-realization.

The Eudaimonic approach defines well-being in terms of the degree to which a person is fully functioning, but both types of happiness are essential to a balanced and contented life. As Finland is announced the happiest place on earth, a gentle, yet spirited pursuit of happiness seems to be emerging; but the idea that we should be happy all the time, is perhaps a dangerous one. This current focus on happiness suggests it’s the only valuable emotion to feel – the rest – anger, disappointment, fear, sorrow – appear to be signs of a weak character, rather than a rounded and resilient one.

As much as many of us want our children to have lives filled with happiness, joy and reflection, equally important are the challenges.

Raising happy and resilient children is important if we are committed to preparing our children for the ebb and flow of life – embracing both the success and the disappointments.

When I asked my boys if they were happy they seemed a little surprised by the question. ‘Of course, mum. Why do you ask?’ ‘Just wondering’ came my reply, but of course I wasn’t just wondering, there’s something more deeply held in that question, than simply wondering. And as the slew of workshops and books would suggest, what makes you happy is no idle question. Are we desperately seeking happiness, because we’re unhappier than before? Are we so concerned about our own wellbeing and that of our children, that we have become obsessed with happiness, throwing activities and gadgets at our children in the vain hope that an absence of down time will ensure no sadness can seep in and raise its head above the parapet of distractions.

that happiness has a direct correlation between pleasure and pain, as if removing pain and multiplying pleasures will make us happy, but of course it doesn’t work that way. The problem is we blame ourselves and feel guilty if we’re not happy and freak out at the idea that our children aren’t either.

Despite our ongoing pursuit of happiness, we are living lives that are lonelier than ever and many of us parents live with the fear that our children may have lonely existences too. Trapped by low self-esteem, bullying, stress or pressure to conform. Happiness is often blocked by a self-propelling anxiety to avoid failure.

Let your stresses float away Visualisation can be a powerful meditation tool. If you or your child is feeling anxious, visualise a hot air balloon and imagine that you are putting all your stress and negativity into the balloon. Then watch it gently float away into the distance, taking your worries and concerns with it.

So, while I give thanks that my children appear to be happy living lives, that bring them joy and excitement. I recognise that much of their joy is tied to fleeting pleasures – football, chocolate and Chinese banquets. I take comfort that they have a bedrock of love that subconsciously anchors them – but it also feels important to guide them toward feeling and expressing a different kind of happiness.

Happiness that is lasting, rather than fleeting – happiness tied to giving and sharing rather than just consuming.

Parenting has become clearly more than just a journey of discovery, it often feels like a science, it helps to have a healthy interest in psychology, neuroscience and holistic practices, but often feels essential in any bid to raise, happy, confident children. Guiding our children toward courage, creativity and kindness can be an adventure; So while I might harangue myself for all the things I can’t do, I try to celebrate the things I can; after all being a loving and supportive parent is pretty much all it takes in our bid to raise children that may be happy most of the time, but shine from the inside out, all of the time, even if it’s just from the glow of barbecue sauce.

• A former Journalist and Editor (The Voice, Pride and BBC World Service), Dionne now juggles being a mum, Therapeutic Counsellor, Writer, Tutor and Workshop Facilitator.

Both my boys agreed that family and friends made them happy, my ten-year-old added ‘having stuff to do’ and my youngest told me with a big grin that ‘the things you give me’ make me happy. And “I’m passionate about creative writing and love working therapeutically.” while I’d love my little boy to be referring to the unswerving love I unconditionally offer, he is probably thinking of the times I allow him If you would like to talk to Dionne about personal therapy or creative to play games on my phone or play FIFA on his brother’s Xbox. writing (group workshops and one-2-one sessions) please email Dionne at: Of course, if he really wants to experience true happiness – not just soulpurposecreative@gmail.com the Hedonic kind, but a less indulgent Eudamimonic kind, a digital detox will do just the trick. On the regular occasions I suggest it, he is never happy… for a while at least, but once he’s got through the pain barrier and Express yourself. Show your gratitude to others either verbally or in a letter reconnected with his Lego and his Be optimistic. Cultivate a positive perspective favourite books, all is finally well with the world.

10 tips for personal and family happiness

The non-stop stream of information we receive from mobiles, computers and TV can be overwhelming. So, it’s a good idea to give our mental ‘inbox’ a break from time to time.

Turn off your devices, hide all your kids’ gadgets and give you and your kids some time off from the endless technological invasion on our lives. We often have this automatic thought

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Acts of faith. Make thoughtful acts of kindness part of your daily routine Cultivate love. Nurture strong social and personal relationships Exonerate. Forgive those who may have hurt you Relish the moments. Savour life’s joys Get involved. Participate in activities that truly engage Take your time. Practice mindfulness Take care of your body. Eat well, exercise and laugh Not Guilty. Listen without judgement

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WIN! CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS!

The smash-hit production We’re Going on a Bear Hunt is returning to the West End this Summer! To celebrate, we are giving away one family ticket (admits 4).

There are a number of bear paw prints hidden throughout this magazine. To WIN, find them all and email how many there are together with your name (subject heading BEAR HUNT FAMILIES SOUTH WEST COMPETITION) to info@kennywax.com before midnight 30th June 2018).

Join our intrepid family of adventurers for this fun-filled adaptation of Michael Rosen’s We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at the Lyric Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue from 4 July. Live music, original songs and lots of audience interaction makes this the perfect summer treat!

T&Cs – Prize is for one family ticket (admits 4, min 1 adult) to see We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue from 4 July – 2 September 2018. The winner will be selected by random prize draw of entries with the correct answer. Tickets are subject to availability, hold no cash value, and are non-transferable. Answers will not be accepted after the closing date of midnight 30 June 2018 and all decisions will be final.

The Children’s Entertainer Fun & Games, Mini Disco, Magic, Juggling, Puppet Shows 07961 355269

www.mrbooboo.co.uk Recommended by the Evening Standard

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See more events in our online What’s On calendar

What’s On

Diary Dates Robotics Workshop

Imperial College, Exhibition Road SW7 2AZ www.inspiredmindstutors.com/ workshops 5 May and 2 June Take robots apart to learn how they work then build your own! These carefully crafted workshops are full of hands-on, fun activities. 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.

Somerset House

Strand WC2R 1LA 020 7845 4600 www.somersethouse.org.uk To 6 May 2018 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition Featuring inspirational works by more than 600 artists, showcasing winning and shortlisted works from the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards, the world’s most diverse photography competition.

Ham House And Gardens

Ham Street, Richmond-uponThames TW10 7RS www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hamhouse- and-garden 020 8940 1950 7 May May Day Celebrations. Along with other activities they are reviving a unique 17th century family tradition of dew gathering in celebration of May Day. Come along to find out more.

26 May – 3 June Half Term Activities. Join Ham House for a variety of 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ activities and trail. There’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy! They will have plant it, grow it, eat it workshops during the week, and an activity children’s trail all week.

If you only do one thing this month Don’t miss... Babyccino Kids’ The ShopUp The Yard 89 ½ Worship Street London EC2A 2BF 9 & 10 June (Sunday 12pm- 6pm, Monday 11am- 5pm); Babyccino Kids, one of the hottest yummy mummy shopping websites, brings its independent brand shopping portal to life for the weekend. The ShopUp event shows off a selection of independent boutiques for all ages. This year’s ShopUp event will be the 7th London event for the shopping pop-up, along with LA and NY later this year. Filling cool warehouse space The Yard in Shoreditch with charming shops and interesting brands, this is one-stop- summer shopping at its best. Over 30 independent boutiques will be present, along with fun for the whole family: face painting, crafts, food trucks and more. A day out that the entire family can enjoy. Entry FREE

First Aid For Life

74 Ramsden Road, Balham SW12 8QZ www.firstaidforlife.org.uk 11, 12, 23 and 26 May, 1, 6 and 9 June Paediatric 6 Hour First Aid Course. From £125.

The Moonwalk London 2018

www.walkthewalk.org 12 May Sign up now for a fun-filled night not to be missed! Join thousands of walkers at Walk the Walk’s iconic challenge, walking through the streets of London at Midnight wearing brightly decorated bras. This year they are heading out to the Wild West, grab your partner and dosey doe whilst raising money and awareness for breast cancer.

Sign up now for the Half Moon (13.1 + 2 miles) or Full Moon (26.2 miles), age 13+, £49.50.

Turn back the clock at Brooklands Museum

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NCT Clapham

Venues across SW London www.nct.org.uk/branches/clapham 12, 15 May and 2 June First Aid for Babies Course 12 May – 2-5pm at Physio For All, Webbs Road SW11 6SF. 15 May – 7-10pm at Eddie Catz, Earlsfield SW18 3NZ. 2 June – 2-5pm at Webbs Road.

Clapham Book Festival

Clapham Library and Omnibus Theatre, SW11 Claphambookfestival.com 12 May Roll up for a tip-top list of authors, including Dame Margaret Drabble and novelistscreenwriter Deborah Moggach.

Plus a programme of storytelling, poetry and children’s sessions.

Leeds Castle

Maidstone ME17 1PL www.leeds-castle.com 01622 765400 12-13 May Motors by the Moat. The perfect weekend for anyone with a passion for cars! Get up close to hundreds of vintage, high performance and classic cars on display on the Castle lawns. See an exciting selection of cars in action, as the main drives turns into a parade track.

26-28 May Grand Medieval Joust. See the squires arm the knights in full plate armour, before witnessing four knightly warriors demonstrate Mounted Skill-

at- Arms ahead of an authentic jousting competition. Gather around the Combat Arena for exciting entertainment with combat, archery and firepower displays throughout the day and a chance to witness the mighty medieval trebuchet shooting into the moat.

Brooklands Museum

Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0QN 01932 857381 www.brooklandsmuseum.com 12 May The 1940s Re-lived. Turn back the clock to the decade of fashion, commemoration, style and celebration. Stock up on vintage gear at the extensive vintage market, listen to live music in the Dance Marquee, check out the display of pre-war vehicles and discover all sorts of unusual activity around the Museum site, as they welcome re-enactors representing civilians and military personal from the Home to the Eastern Fronts.

29 May – 1 June Half Term Family Fun. The popular car rides will be operating 11am-1pm and 2-3.30pm (subject to weather).

Take a trip in a vintage-style car up Test Hill or along the Members’ Banking of the old Race Track. Look out for Bertie the Brooklands Bear, pick up one of the trails for children or try out the family workshop.

Cont. p.34

We take much care in preparing these What’s On pages but please do double check with organiser before setting out as things change.

May 2018 Families South West

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What’s On

Look out for our numerou s

FREE

from p.33

‘Little green fingers’ RHS Garden Wisley ©RHS. Credit: Paul Debois

Fostering Information Event

Town Hall, Wandsworth High Street SW18 2PU 020 8871 6666 wandsworth.gov.uk/fostering 17 May, 24 May and 21 June Find out more about the possibility of fostering in Wandsworth at these informative events. 10am-12pm, 2-4pm and 6-8pm on both dates.

Bach To Baby

Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk 17 May Discover the award-winning classical concert series for babies, toddlers and parents.

Themed concerts are performed by pianist Miaomiao Yu along with other internationally renowned musicians. 10.30am, £12 adults, children FREE

Fulham Palace

Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org 27 May Hands-On Archaeology. Get up close and personal with archaeology and learn more about the rich and varied history of this ancient site. Each session explores a different theme – May’s theme is ‘Tobacco at the Palace’. 1-3pm, FREE all ages.

30 May Family Activity Day: The Tremendous Tudors. Travel back in time with tales of Queen Elizabeth I’s fantastic feast, a pop-up photo booth complete with top-to-toe Tudor garb, objects to handle and a whole host of fun-filled crafts and games. 11am-3pm, FREE age 3+.

31 May Historic England London History

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Day: The Palace During WWI. Travel back in time for an action-packed afternoon at the Palace, as part of Historic England’s annual celebration of the capital’s extraordinary heritage. 12.30–4.30pm, FREE all ages.

Mum2mum Market

Ricards Lodge High School www.mum2mummarket.co.uk 19 May and 23 June Come along and buy all kinds of nearly new toys, clothes, books, strollers, car seats, feeding accessories, baby equipment and so much more. Or if you fancy a quick clear out, why not book a stall? Admission £2 on the door, children FREE. Visit the Mum2mum Market website to get 2 for 1 admission. 2-4pm.

London First Aid Training

66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HS www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 29 May Early Years Art Safari. Meet the creatures of the Garden and explore their habitats, plus ponddip and see tadpoles, newts and many more creatures that live in a drop of pond water. Create art and crafts inspired by the Garden and use your senses to explore the many flavours, sounds, smells and textures.

Age 3-6, 10.30am-12pm and 1-2.30pm.

31 May Smartphone Photography in the Garden. Bring your smartphone along to capture the Garden in striking and unusual ways.

Advice on lighting, composition, texture and form will be provided as well as some top tips on photographing wildlife and making plant portraits. Age 1518, 10.30am-2.30pm.

The Bright Emporium

103 -105 St John’s Hill SW11 1SY www.thebrightemporium.com Every Saturday in May Messy Toddlers All the mess, all the fun but none of the tidying up. For mini artists in the making. 10am, age 1-4.

Little Science

Imperial College, Exhibition Road SW7 2AZ www.littlehouseofscience.com Saturdays in May Fantastic science workhops,

TCH Kids Club

The Climbing Hangar, 33-35 Parsons Green Lane SW6 www.theclimbinghangar.com/ london Saturdays in May Sports Club Climbing session led by experienced instructors and open to all abilities. Age 7-9, 9.30am.

Kids Club Film

Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn Street SW4 0AT www.picturehouses.com/cinema/ Clapham_Picturehouse Saturdays in May Movies exclusively for children and their parents and carers.

Includes My Little Pony and Shaun the Sheep.

Drop-In Chocolate Making

The Chocolate Museum, 187 Ferndale Road SW9 8BA www.thechocolatemuseum.co.uk Saturdays and Sundays in May Creative and fun workshop Age 5+, 11.30am-5pm, from £9.50.

Summer Fair

Broadwater Primary School, Broadwater Road, Tooting SW17 0DZ 23 June Fun for all the family at this annual summer fair. Inflatables, face painting, international food, raffle, lots of games and much more! Entry £1 per person, children go FREE, 12-3pm.

Venues in Battersea SW11 www.firstaidtraininglondon.co.uk 19 May and 16 June Paediatric First Aid Course Includes resuscitation procedures, drowning, choking, shock, spinal injury, burns and scalds. From £80.

RHS Garden Wisley

Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB 01483 224234 www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley 26 May – 3 June Family Gardening Festival Children can get hands-on with lots of practical gardening activities and garden-themed crafts. There will be planting, potato and spoon races, face painting, seed jars, talks and craft activities for children to take part in. Plus, there’s also a chance to take part in the fun vegetable sculpture competition.

‘Ingenious’ Daily Mail

Illustrations © 1989 Helen Oxenbury from We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen

Chelsea Physic Garden

ACTIVITIES helping lay the foundation for your child’s future academic progress. 10am, age 5-8.

From 4 JULY BOOK NOW

bearhuntlive.com

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See more events in our online What’s On calendar

What’s On

Babies And Toddlers Byob Comedy

Clapham, East Dulwich, Teddington, Putney, Tooting www.byobcomedy.com Dates in May Bring Your Own Baby Comedy.

A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy and you get to bring your own baby! They provide toys, baby changing, buggy parking, bottle warmers and more, so that baby is happy and you can relax and enjoy top comedy stars from the circuit and TV.

Horniman Museum And Gardens

100 London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Every Sunday in May A World of Stories. Enjoy stories from some of the best storytellers in London. Their tales bring the Museum’s varied collections to life and will whisk you away to faraway places and different times. Suitable for families with children aged 5+, free, 2-2.45pm and 3.15-4pm.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday in May Busy Bees. Lively sessions for under-5s. Activities include storytelling, art and craft and outdoor play. Free.

Dates in May Hands on Base: Family Activities. Each week these fun family sessions will explore a different theme using objects from our Handling Collection, from flying animals to musical instruments. Age 3+, free, 11am, 11.45am and 12.30pm.

Southbank Centre

SE1 www.southbankcentre.co.uk Dates in May Rug Rhymes. A short session of nursery rhymes, poems and rhyming stories. Times vary.

The Graveney And Meadow

40 Mitcham Road SW17 9NA graveneyandmeadow.com Wednesdays in May Kids’ and toddlers’ arts and craft classes. See website for details.

Thursdays in May Pram Chorus. Child friendly daytime choir, 10am, £7 per adult, see website for times.

Fridays in May Rhythm n’ Babies. Music classes for babies and their carers with instruments. 9.30am, £5.

The Bedford Pub

77 Bedford Hill SW12 9HD thebedford.com Tuesdays and Fridays in May Baby Sensory classes and Pram Chorus. See website for details.

Plus, they are running dance classes during October half term and hold a Big Fish Little Fish kids’ and parents’ “rave” every month, featuring top DJs, craft drop ins, bubble machine and parachute dance.

Last Wednesday of every month Screaming With Laughter.

London’s original afternoon comedy club, designed for parents with babies under 1 year. See the best acts from TV and the comedy circuit without having to book a babysitter. Buy tickets at www.wegottickets.com/ ScreamingWithLaughter

Unicorn Theatre

147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com Saturdays in May Up Club. Join the Unicorn Play Club most Saturdays for free drop-in activities from portrait painting and potato printing to giant rocket making and more.

12noon - 2pm.

Singing Mamas Choir

South London Liberal Synagogue, Streatham / The Half Moon (Workshop Room), Herne Hill www.singingmamaschoir.com Tuesdays and Wednesdays in May, depending on venue A Community of Choirs for Women, with or without children. Sing world songs, folk songs, gospel and more. A warm welcome awaits all singing abilities. Contact southlondonsingingmamas@ gmail.com, tel 07947 609780.

Fun, hands-on, creative sessions for toddlers, parents and carers.

3.30-4.30pm, book in advance.

Plus sensory, hands-on, playbased activities for you and your baby to enjoy together, 11am12pm.

Do-Re-Mi Babies Concerts

Barnes, Chelsea, Fulham, Wandsworth www.doremibabies.co.uk Dates throughout May Inspirational and fun classical concerts. Babies and toddlers are welcome to crawl, dance, sing, cry, nappy change and more, so you can relax and enjoy some wonderful music. £10 per adult, children free, tickets online or on the door. Dates vary depending on venue.

Morden Hall Park

Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Every Monday in May Little Explorers. Bring your little ones to enjoy crafts, outdoor activities, songs and stories. Little Explorers is a fun activity session for children aged 2-5, 10am, £2 per child, £1 siblings.

The Royal Albert Hall

Kensington Gore SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com Tuesdays and Wednesdays in May Storytelling and Music Sessions. A series of sessions for babies and toddlers aged 0-4, to encourage interaction between parents/carers and their little ones using musical instruments,

singing, movement and stories.

10am and 11.30am, £5.

Fulham Palace

Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org Mondays and Tuesdays in May The Palace Explorers. Join the Palace Explorers, weekly parent/ carer and toddler sessions for children aged 2-4. £4 per child, which includes a drink and healthy snack, booking essential. 9.30am-10.30am.

Hampton Court Palace

East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/ HamptonCourtPalace Every Thursday and Saturday in May Tiny Explorers. Explore and play in the Palace together.

Discover the stories of Hampton Court Palace through music, movement, messy play and more. £6 per child, price includes up to two adults £5 per child for members. 10.30am – babies, 1pm – walkers, 2.30pm – walkers.

Kensington Palace

W8 4PX hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace Selected Wednesdays and Saturdays in May Tiny Explorers. Explore and play in the Palace together. Discover the stories of Kensington Palace through music, movement, messy play and more. £6 per child, price includes up to two adults £5 per child for members.

10.30am – babies, 1pm – walkers, 2.30pm – walkers.

National Maritime Museum

Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Tuesdays in May Play Tuesdays. Embark on a museum adventure that includes trails, arty workshops, songs and stories. 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2pm.

Museum of London

EC2Y 5HN www.museumoflondon.org.uk Wednesdays in May Little Moles Toddlers Group and Mini Moles Babies Group.

Lots to do at the Foundling Museum

familiesonline.co.uk

May 2018 Families South West

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What’s On

Theatre New Wimbledon Theatre

The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1QG atgtickets.com/venues/newwimbledon- theatre 2-3 June Teletubbies Live Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po in a show full of love and laughter as they explore the magical world of Teletubbyland. Look out for the Tubby phone, Noo-Noo and the Sun Baby in a fun, bright and safe world which captures young children’s imaginations.

Penguinpig a play about the dangers of the internet! Omnibus Theatre

Colour House Theatre Watermill Way SW19 2RD www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Saturday & Sunday to 24 June The Jungle Book. Join Mowgli on his amazing adventure as he meets all the friendly, dangerous and unusual characters that make this story so iconic. Will Shere Khan get his claws on Mowgli? Will King Louie deceive the young boy into telling him how to make fire? Will Baloo and Bagheera be the heroes? 2pm and 4pm.

Lyric Theatre

Shaftesbury Avenue WC2H 8DP 0330 333 4812 4 July-2 September We’re going on a Bear Hunt.

The smash-hit production of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt returns vividly and noisily to the West End in director Sally Cookson’s fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower’s versatile lively score. Join the intrepid family of adventurers and their musical dog on a quest to find a bear; as they wade through the gigantic swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy river and the thick, oozy, squelchy mud!

Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-

Have fun with Mowgli at the Colour House Theatre

36

Families South West May 2018

on adventure. The production is adapted for the stage from the modern classic written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.

Ages 3+, tickets from £15.60.

Lyric Hammersmith

One Lyric Square W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk 12 May Tom Thumb. Tom shows everybody that even though he is mini he is still mighty as he saves his brothers from Mum, Dad and the ogre. Performed entirely on a kitchen table this wee wonder of a show is full of Lyngo magic with feathery spinning birds, a flying fiery house and a portable forest. Age 3-6, £8.

19 May Oskar’s Amazing Adventure.

Fun-loving Oskar has to run down a mountain to find a friendly animal to play with. But where are the animals? And why does Oskar have to wait till spring to play his favourite game again? An original, heartwarming and entertaining play, full of humour, adventure, music and song. Age 2-8, £8.

26 May The Owl and the Pussycat.

Join Owly-cat and fellow family members, Jumblie and Quangle Wangle Quee, in a story inspired by the nonsense world of Edward Lear. The spongetaneous trio travel to the dolomphious land where the bong tree grows, learning all about the creatures who live there and their curious habits. Will this meloobious family return together, will they always be a three? Age 4-11, £8.

29 May – 2 June The Gingerbread Man. Imagine being born in an oven and the first person you meet wants to dunk you in his tea! Come and see the adventure of the deliciously smelling Gingerbread Man and meet the bravest biscuit of all time. Age 3-10, £10.

Omnibus Theatre

1 Clapham Common Northside SW4 0QW www.omnibus-clapham.org 20 May Perfect. The touching story of a boy meeting his disabled sister for the first time, with stunning puppetry, original live music, animation and physical theatre. A remarkable story of anticipation and disappointment, acceptance and love. 11am and 2pm, £9/£7, ages 5+.

2 June The King With Dirty Feet. Can you help solve the problem of the king’s dirty feet? Explore how shoes are represented in fairytales around the world, from magic moccasins to glass slippers, from dancing princesses to shoemaking elves. 10.30am, £5, free for under 2s, age 5-8.

3 June Penguinpig. A play about the dangers of the Internet, based on the best-selling picture book. Sophie reads about a Penguinpig on the Internet. Filled with delight and intrigue she sets off alone on an adventure to find the adorable creature, leading her to the Zoo. But what will she find inside? 11am and 2pm, £9/£7, ages 3-8.

Peacock Theatre

WC2A 2HT www.sadlerswells.com To 19 May The Tap Pack. Inspired by the kings of swing: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, The Tap Pack bring an exhilarating, new energy to a timeless style. With slick suits, sharp wit and songs from Sinatra to Ed Sheeran, Australia’s finest tap dancing performers are a cocktail of entertainment.

Polka Theatre

240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB www.polkatheatre.com To 13 May

Michael Rosen’s Chocolate Cake. Follow the adventures of two brothers and the night-time disappearance of a chocolate cake in this scrumptious new musical adaptation by the creators of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Age 4+, tickets from £10.

11-13 May Three Billy Goats Gruff. A story of three hungry goats and a grumpy old troll with an ecological message, told with puppets and live music and singing. Watch out for the dance of the goats, the flying troll and loads and loads of rubbish! Age 3-6, from £9.

18-20 May Jack at the Beanstalk Café. Watch and giggle as two full-grown adults play with their food as they search for the recipe for the perfect story. This nourishing bean-feast of stories in the Beanstalk Café includes the sweet and sour tale of The Old Woman in a Vinegar Bottle, and a tasty take on Jack and the Beanstalk. Age 3-6, from £9.

Puppet Theatre Barge

Little Venice, Blomfield Road W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com To 13 May The Birdman. A poetic story about an old man who rescues a small bird that has fallen out of the nest. Staged with beautiful lighting and specially composed music.

To 13 May Monkey Business. Check out exciting and hilarious tricks and turns performed by monkey marionettes to music, with all the skill of the circus.

Richmond Theatre

The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ www.atgtickets.com/venues/ richmond-theatre 23-24 May Peppa Pig’s Adventure. Join Peppa as she gets ready to go on an exciting camping trip to the woods with her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe.

With lunch-boxes packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, Peppa and friends are excited about their outdoor adventure.

The Unicorn Theatre

147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 27 May – 1 July Not Now Bernard. David McKee’s iconic picture book is vividly brought to life. An astonishingly clever, sometimes melancholic and outrageously funny play for children over 3, and a must-see for parents.

familiesonline.co.uk

What’s On

See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Museums, Galleries & Days Out 48 Doughty Street WC1N 2LX www.dickensmuseum.com Last Sunday of every month Highlighting the Collection.

Drop-in object handling sessions throughout the historic interior of 48 Doughty Street. Discover a unique set of Dickensian curiosities from a cheque signed

by Dickens, to a beautiful dolls house, an engraved snuff box and even a collection of original props from The Invisible Woman.

Foundling Museum

40 Brunswick Square, Camden Town WC1N 1AZ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk 29 May Casting Traces. Inspired by Jodie Carey’s sculpture Cord, join Sculpture Lab for a fun plaster casting workshop. Using rope, create a collaborative work of art that will grow throughout the day. Age 5+, FREE 31 May Identity Totems. Join artist Lydia Hardwick for a clay sculpture workshop. Drawing inspiration from the exhibition Sea, sculpt a clay totem and stamp your identity onto it by creating textures, patterns and images.

Age 5+, FREE

Hampton Court Palace

East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/ HamptonCourtPalace Throughout May The Magic Garden. Discover something new around every twist and turn in an immersive world populated by mythical beasts, including a 25m dragon!

Take the family to become Tudor Knights, besiege the battlements, storm the Tiltyard Towers and explore a mysterious secret grotto. Included in palace admission.

From 5 May Tudor Kitchens. This May sees a complete re-imagining of the famous Tudor kitchens, transporting visitors back to a time when they were the beating heart of life at Hampton Court Palace. New displays will feature interactive technology and sensory experiences, so for the first time ever visitors will be able to see, smell and touch their way through the process of preparing a meal fit for a king.

26 May – 2 June Horrible Histories live on stage

familiesonline.co.uk

with Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians. A chance to see the horrible history of Britain…with the nasty bits left in! Encounter some of your favourite historical characters, from King George III to the Lady of the Lamp, Florence Nightingale, in this open-air performance. From £7, under 5’s FREE.

Horniman Museum And Gardens

100 London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Throughout May Colour: The Rainbow Revealed.

Be dazzled by prisms showing how colours are made, peer through a giant human eyeball to find out how we see colour, discover how animals use colour to attract and hide, and look into how different colours mean different things across the planet. FREE Throughout May Horniman Butterfly House.

Get up close with hundreds of beautiful butterflies in a tropical indoor garden. The habitat is the perfect place to experience free-flying butterflies and discover amazing facts about the life-cycle and behaviour of these creatures. From £6.

5 May Dawn Chorus Walk. Experience the many bird songs that make up the dawn chorus on an early morning tour of the Horniman Gardens. Ornithologist David Darrell-Lambert will help you to identify the birds. Hot drink and a pastry included, age 10+, from £5, 5-7am.

Girls - a major new exhibition about 20th and 21st century female graphic artists opens at the Museum.

Throughout May Digging Deeper. Discover this fantastic new gallery exploring the history of tunnelling from Brunel in the 19th century to modern day Crossrail.

Featuring a giant audio-visual tunnel projection and a life-size recreation of the tunnelling shield that helped create the world’s first electric Tube railway.

Kids go FREE.

Museum of London

EC2Y 5HN www.museumoflondon.org.uk Sundays in May Museum Explored. Explore the galleries through fun, handson activities. 11am and 2pm.

Plus, join a fun and engaging tour of the museum’s galleries, especially for families. Age 5+, 2-2.30pm.

Sundays in May Hands-on history. Hear incredible London stories as you touch and hold real museum objects. Age 5+, 2-4pm.

families with curious youngsters.

From £4.

National Maritime Museum

Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk Saturdays in May Character Encounters. Join an exciting performance and journey bringing maritime history to life. 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, age 6+.

Natural History Museum

Cromwell Road SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Throughout May Whales Beneath the Surface. A major new exhibition exploring the extraordinary life of whales.

To 13 May Venom: Killer and Cure. Enter the realm of venomous creatures in this eye-opening exhibition explore the fear and ever-lasting fascination that venom evokes as you get up close to snakes, spiders and scorpions, plus 250 other startling specimens. See

Kensington Palace

W8 4PX hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace 27 May – 1 June May Half Term. Discover what growing up in a palace is really like and enter Princess Victoria’s magical world of stories. Born at Kensington Palace in 1819, Princess Victoria’s childhood experiences will be brought to life with drop-in sessions including illustration workshops and storytelling.

London Transport Museum

Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Throughout May Poster Girls. Girl power comes to Covent Garden when Poster

A sensational butterfly at the Natural History Museum

National Army Museum

Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HT www.nam.ac.uk Throughout May Special Forces: In the Shadows.

Discover the elite training and extreme skills needed to make the cut as this exhibition explores the operations our Special Forces have undertaken around the world over the past 70 years. A wonderful new exhibition at this completely refurbished museum, perfect for all ages and especially for

the world’s deadliest ants, which are more dangerous than a cobra. Yikes! From £5.

To 28 May Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Showcasing the world’s very best nature photography, highlighting the incredible range of life on Earth. The most prestigious photographic competition of its kind. From £7.50.

Throughout May Sensational Butterflies.

Escape to the Museum’s tropical butterfly house and watch the crawling caterpillar transform into the beautiful butterfly.

May 2018 Families South West

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Charles Dickens Museum

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What’s On

from p.37

Art Activities This immersive exhibition is filled with life, colour and beauty and features species found in the tropical forests of Central and South America, Africa and Asia.

From £5.85.

Royal Observatory Greenwich

Blackheath Avenue SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory Weekends in May Weekend Space Cadets. Family workshops related to space science and space exploration; from the International Space Station to the latest discoveries about the Solar System and the wider universe. 12.45pm, from 5+, FREE.

Science Museum

Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD Sciencemuseum.org.uk Throughout May Wonderlab: The Statoil Gallery. Don’t miss out on this fantastic new interactive gallery with live demonstrations and an Explainer-led experience revealing the beauty and wonder in the science and mathematics that shape our lives. Truly fascinating! £8/£6.

V&A Museum of Childhood

Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.museumofchildhood.org.uk To 20 May Sister Brother. The roles we are given within the family group are embedded from an early age and become defining elements of who we are. This set of portraits by Madeleine Waller aims to explore sibling relationships and how they affect our sense of identity.

Throughout May Century of the Child, Nordic Design for Children 1900 to Today. The 20th century’s most iconic and influential Nordic designs for children, from BRIO to LEGO, Marimekko and the Moomins have been brought together for the first time in this stunning new exhibition.

Landmark Arts Centre Ferry Road, Teddington TW11 9NN www.landmarkartscentre.org Dates in May TBC Kids’ ART Club. Fun workshops with a different project for each session including drawing, painting, relief making, printing and collage. 10am-12pm, age 5-11, £13.50.

Tate Britain

Millbank SW1P 4RG www.tate.org.uk Dates in May Under Fives Explore the Gallery. Experiment with a range of materials while discovering exciting routes and journeys through the galleries alongside other families.

Horniman Museum And Gardens

100 London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Saturdays in May Art Makers. Have fun with different art techniques to create something fabulous to take home inspired by the Horniman’s collections or seasonal celebrations.

Different themes each week. 1.30pm & 2.45pm, £3, age 3+.

St Martin’s Place WC2H 0HE www.npg.org.uk Every third Sunday of the month Drop In Family Sundays. Dropin with children aged 3+ to take part in portrait-related events.

FREE

The Wallace Collection

Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN www.wallacecollection.org First Sunday of the month The Little Draw. Meet artist Grace Holliday and use specialist drawing, handling and surface design techniques to respond to the stimulating forms and colour palettes. All ages, 1.30pm– 4.30pm, FREE

Sir John Soane’s Museum

13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB www.soane.org Third Saturday of the month Free drop-in activities for all ages. 1.30-4.40pm.

Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN www.nationalgallery.org.uk Every Sunday in May Family Sundays. Art activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 2pm, age 5-11, FREE

St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-oflondon Throughout May Armoury in Action.

A family friendly exhibition revealing the fascinating story of arms and the armoury at the Tower. From shooting arrows and assembling firearms to brandishing swords, a thousand years of history at the Tower is brought to life in this exciting, hands-on experience.

From 6 May Arrest and Last Days of Anne Boleyn. Follow the dramatic story of Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII, through her arrest, imprisonment, trial and execution at the Tower.

From hope to hopelessness, watch Anne’s journey unfold in this live performance which will be staged twice per day.

Tate Modern

V&A Museum

Cromwell Road SW7 2RL www.vam.ac.uk/families Throughout May Family Activities. Pick up a family trail from the Information Desk and explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation.

There are also hundreds of exciting handson exhibits containing plenty to touch and try Museum of Childhood Photo Marino Thorlacius © Vik Prjónsdottir

Families South West May 2018

National Portrait Gallery

The National Gallery

Tower of London

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out, plus regular activities and workshops for ages 7-12. FREE

Bankside, SE1 9TG www.tate.org.uk Throughout May Family Friendly Art Activities.

A range of free arty and crafty workshops, see website for details. FREE

Dulwich Picture Gallery

Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk First and last Sunday of each month Art Play. Creative drop-in workshops for adults and children, with a different activity each session. Make anything and everything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3.45pm.

familiesonline.co.uk

Weekly Local Classes

ld u o c t a h t ls il k s d n a Fun save your child’s life We feel incredibly proud that we’ve helped save a number of very young children’s lives after they’ve fallen into water and survived – thanks to the skills they learned with us.

Our world-class teachers could have trained as private pilots – five times over – in the time it takes to fully qualify with us. You can trust us to take the very best care of you and your little one.

classes held...

Fulham, Putney, Southfields, Tooting, Balham and Battersea

To give your baby a splashing start call

020 7585 1510 Let’s teach your baby to swim! familiesonline.co.uk

www.waterbabies.co.uk May 2018 Families South West

39

All star tennis camps this summer nis s n i e ar t tenn is01 t s r l /al llsta tenn r a @ llsta a @

Award winning camps for 3yrs to teens Full year round term-time and holiday programme for adults and juniors available across 6 locations in Wandsworth.

020 8871 4706, info@allstartennis.co.uk, allstartennis.co.uk