Families Upon Thames Mar/Apr 2023 Print

Upon Thames

Welcome

The seasons are turning and spring is just around the corner. So it’s time to stop hibernating and re-embrace the big outdoors! You’ll find plenty of opportunities to get out and about locally if you take a look at our What’s On guide. And it’s not too soon to start planning Easter egg hunts!

Do you remember when you were young, all those blissful and adventure-filled days playing in the local neighbourhood with the other children that lived nearby? We have some interesting information on how you can offer your kids the freedom of ‘playing out’ that these days is much harder to come by.

Also in this issue, we have Smoby Nature Playhouses to giveaway and you can apply inside. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

Helping boys manage the gender gap

By Catherine Loble and Lisa Wander

A 2022 global report shows that boys are increasingly becoming left behind in education. Furthermore, recent school entry baseline assessments show over one million boys are already under-achieving by the time they enter Reception. So what are the reasons behind this?

One key factor is that the male brain is wired to respond in external, rather than internal ways. This leaves boys at a disadvantage in the school environment where teaching focusses on the sedentary development of verbal skills, at the expense of active learning. A calm, controlled classroom is usually the teacher’s end goal but boys tend to learn better by doing rather than sitting.

Both at home and at school, boys participate less in activities such as storytelling and nursery rhymes that support language and literacy development. Even playtime choices affect their development; whilst girls often use make believe and role play activities which further develop their language skills, boys generally choose more physical outlets.

The gender gap is further evidenced by the fact that boys make up around eighty per cent of pupils excluded from schools. They are often easily distracted and less likely to follow instructions.

What is being done to address this? Sadly, our education system does not always get it right and only a minority of schools have been successful in developing specific strategies to raise boys’ attainment. These involve refining approaches to learning and teaching by challenging stereotypical perceptions and making necessary changes to the curriculum.

An excellent model which proves the theories about the different learning styles needed for successful boys’ education is the rapid emergence of Forest Schools. Here educators are seeing young boys excel when allowed to learn in the right environment, mixing physicality with academia. The benefits are limitless and encourage children of both sexes to learn in their own ways.

While it may not be possible to find or have access to the perfect school environment, acknowledging that boys will mature later and have different learning needs and styles and giving them the encouragement and support they need, will help them progress through the school system. Encouragingly, once they are mature and by the time they finish school, the gender gap will have decreased with boys often outperforming their female counterparts at A-Level.

Catherine and Lisa are co-founders of Emparenting (www.emparenting.co.uk), supporting children, parents and families with insights, skills and tools to nurture the development and well-being of the next generation.

Emotional intelligence supports learning

Emotional intelligence is defined as a person’s ability to express and manage feelings appropriately, while respecting the feelings of others. Studies show that children with high emotional intelligence gain better grades, stay in school longer and generally make healthier choices. All children can be taught emotional intelligence.

Give feelings a label. Children need to recognise them. This helps build up their own emotional vocabulary when approaching others.

Show empathy. Slow down and be less dismissive of how your kids are feeling.

Model appropriate ways to express feelings. Use feeling words in your everyday conversation.

Teach healthy coping skills. You will find plenty of calming techniques online to show kids how to regulate their feelings. Develop problem-solving skills. Help your children work through problems, don’t simply remove them.

Often all our children need is a hug and an acknowledgement of how they feel!

Meet the Head

What’s the best thing about being Head of Kew College Prep?

Seeing the children progress and being happy day to day.

In three words, how would the students describe you?

Friendly (I hope!), funny and caring. What aspect of the school’s Early Year’s offering are you most proud of?

We are really proud of the resilience and independence that our Early Years setting offers our children. We provide them with a truly bespoke curriculum so they can reach their full potential. Every child’s learning journey here is as important as their end achievement.

What is your favourite time of the school day?

It varies. Sometimes, the start of a day when we have a rousing assembly. Other times, it's lovely to see the children enjoying their lessons and having fun in the process.

In what ways do you strive to make Kew College Prep a happy place for children to be?

We inject a lot of high-quality pastoral care alongside a bespoke teaching and extracurricular approach so that each child is known, valued and fulfilled. We get to know each and every child so that we can ensure that their wellbeing is paramount and that they thrive in every possible way.

How do you think a Head can make a real difference to an individual pupil?

Ensuring that the staff working closely with a child know them well and are focused on getting the best from them and that the positive and inclusive ethos and values of the school permeate throughout.

Kew College Prep is known for having a unique 11+ preparation programme. Tell us about that.

We take this area of the school’s offering very seriously. Our Year 5 children are taught by high quality specialist teachers from the start of that year. They are then taught by their Year 6 teachers from the February of Year 5, to help them transition to the 11+ programme suitably early to ensure success. The foundation to this great system is put in place lower down the school, with a structured and well organised curriculum which results in the 11+ journey in Years 5 and 6 being both smooth and enjoyable. At the same time, it’s important to appreciate that these are still young children and so we ensure that they have lots of opportunities to flourish in the arts and sport as well.

What is your proudest achievement as Head?

I am particularly proud of the children who leave us at Year 6. They are kind, rounded and academically well-prepared young

people who will undoubtedly make a great mark on the world.

How do the facilities and location of the school enhance its curriculum and cocurricular offering?

We have super facilities for a school of our size. Our whole site is modern, bright and appealing. We have well-equipped specialist areas such as IT, science and music and make use of excellent off-site sports grounds too. Years 5 and 6 have their own building, giving our oldest children a special space in the school. Our location in central Kew is fantastic for both transport and community links.

What are your goals for the next couple of years?

We plan to build on our current successes in all areas – namely our quality of teaching, our unique 11+ programme, our family community and our varied curricular and co-curricular activities, to name just a few. We want to continue to make life easier for working parents by further developing the school as ‘working parent friendly’ and have made numerous changes to our Nursery, wraparound care and hot lunches in recent times.

What do you think are the key skills that children should be mastering at the start of their school journey?

Resilience and social skills are extremely important. In their early years, young children need to learn to question everything, take risks and problem-solve. They learn their social skills through teamwork activities.

What is it about Kew College Prep that makes it stand out?

Our personalised education. We do everything we can to help and support each and every unique child during their prep school journey.

If you weren’t Head of Kew College Prep, what would you be?

A secret agent! It seems like an exciting career choice!

What is your real-life superpower?

A sense of humour! It’s a big stress reliever. What is your most useless skill?

1980s pop trivia!

Film or theatre?

I like both.

Bake Off or Premier League?

Bake Off.

Kew College Prep School is a co-educational school and nursery teaching children ages 3 to 11. For more info, visit www.kewcollegeprep.com

Families chats with Jane Bond, Head of Kew College Prep School in Richmond.

What the parents say….

As a parent, it’s hard to find the most appropriate adjectives with which to sum up your child’s school. But when Families talked to some of the parents at Staines Prep School (SPS), it was noticeable that exactly the same words cropped up many times – nurturing and friendly.

Kavita, whose daughters, Alaana and Myaa joined the school in Nursery, was struck from the beginning by ‘how much the teachers at the school care for the children, going above and beyond.’ Jen, whose daughters, Beatrice and Elisabeth, also joined the school in Nursery, agrees. ‘The small class sizes and friendly and caring teachers made the progression from Nursery very natural’ she says.

The parents say the friendliness of the school is palpable – they feel welcome, the school is easy to contact and the dialogue with teaching staff is very positive. ‘Teachers at all year group levels have been open and engaged when discussing any challenges or problems our children have had’ reports Dan. Payal, whose son, Nivaan, is in Year 3 and daughter, Bella, is in Reception likes the school’s ‘family feel’, whilst Jen says its ‘small size’ is one of the things she particularly appreciates.

We asked the parents why they’d chosen to send their children to SPS. Kavita had heard ‘lots of positives about the school’ whilst Payal says: ‘The school values and focus on growing children into well-rounded individuals was important to us. I was particularly impressed by the emphasis the school places on tailoring its support to the needs of children as individuals.’

Ginny, mother of Tiger, mentions that the school’s approach to the wellbeing of its students was one of the main reasons her family chose SPS. ‘With its cheery sunflower-yellow blazers heralding the school's sunny disposition - which is notable at every pick-up, every event and with the invariably genial staff – the school also takes an active role in helping children make healthy, socially conscious and forward-thinking choices’ she reports.

Equally critical to Ginny’s decision were the robust resources and results in maths, science, computing and design and technology and the emphasis given to boosting creativity

through music and arts, with activities such as singing and in-house choirs as well as individual music and drama sessions available as optional add-ons.

We asked our group of parents what things about SPS made their children happy. Top of the list was approachable teachers who really support and get involved with them. The other key factor was the opportunity to try a huge array of different things, from sport, performances and school trips, to the chance to be given roles of responsibility within their classes and year. And, of course, friendships. ‘They both developed lovely groups of friends, to whom they stayed close as they moved through the years’ says Dan of his daughters Violet, who has just left SPS and Ivy, who is currently the school’s Head Girl.

All the parents we spoke to were extremely positive about the facilities and the co-curricular activities SPS offers. Dan tells us that the school’s facilities were good when his daughters joined the school and are constantly improving, with the outdoor classroom and kitchen a recent notable addition. Sport at the school is a highlight with tennis, cricket, archery, football, netball, judo and rugby, as well as games and PE during the school day, all thoroughly enjoyed by the children. Pavel’s daughter is enjoying singing lessons, Jen’s eldest loved the Young Voices choir trip, while both her daughters are anticipating joining cookery club and Dan’s daughter represents the school in netball, rugby and cricket.

When the time arrives to make choices about their children’s senior schools, the parents say that they expect to receive an honest assessment of their child’s capabilities from SPS combined with realistic expectations of what their child can achieve. Dan, who has already chosen senior schools for his daughters, reports that the school ‘supported our children’s applications to their chosen secondary schools in a frictionless and professional manner.’

It’s clear from the parents with which we spoke that SPS is an exceptional school. Ginny sums up its unique attributes succinctly: ‘SPS skilfully manages to tread the fine line between instilling the habit of striving to achieve and placing due importance on individuality, whilst also preserving the carefree joie de vivre that is so precious in children. The pupils respect their teachers but there’s no stuffiness - children can be children and fun is valued.’

Ginny explains that this elegant combination translates naturally into fortitude, social confidence and high-level communication skills in the school’s students, as well as traits such as determination, being present in the moment, social responsibility and kindness. The school practises what it preaches, producing academic success but also being progressive, inclusive, thoughtful and embracing positive change, setting the course for the success of its students in multi-faceted areas of life.

Staines Prep School (SPS) is a co-educational nursery and prep school for children ages 3 to 11. For more information, visit www.stainesprep.co.uk

Homework: how you can help

By Zuzu Jordan

Homework is an important part of the learning process but many parents find it difficult to help their children with this for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s difficult to juggle work and find the optimum time when your child is most productive. Frequently parents feel that ‘the way they teach now’ isn’t how they were taught when they were school age.

Nevertheless, we all want to feel that we have done all we can to steer our children’s education in the right direction.

So what is homework?

Homework covers activities set by the class teacher, which vary from preparing for an upcoming topic, consolidating a lesson already taught or revising for a test. Your role at home is to help your child learn how to work independently, rather than endeavouring to ensure they get full marks.

Consider some of these techniques as a starting point towards a happier homework environment:

Ensure the space helps your child concentrate. A quiet room in the house with a table or desk is preferable. If this isn’t possible, libraries offer quiet spaces and most schools run a homework club. If you don’t have access to a computer or tablet, these are valuable free services.

Establish a routine. If your child works better in the morning when they are more alert, then consider doing some homework before school. This may require a complete change to your morning routine.

Devising a timetable with your child that shows the times for homework across the week can help them see what is expected each day.

All the kit at their fingertips. This is key to ensuring a smooth transition into getting the homework started. Searching for a pencil for half an hour will not help your child stay on track.

Technology can be a great tool. It helps with research and can be also used to revise a concept with which your child may be struggling. More and more schools are setting homework online and expecting children to use a unique login.

Teachers appreciate your input so do ask them for advice if homework is proving a sticking point.

Zuzu Jordan is a Mastery for Maths specialist who has taught primary aged children for sixteen years and is interested in early years and home learning. For free homework and home learning resources, find the Facebook page Edumateuk.

Maths toolbox

Visual and concrete resources boost learning, embed mathematical understanding and are widely used in schools. Providing familiar props at home will help children who are not yet ready to work out homework problems in their heads. Check you have the following: a number line, hundred square, dice, times tables chart, counters (eg milk bottle lids), protractor, weighing scales, tape measure, clocks (digital and analogue) and a place value chart. A lot of these resources already exist around the home, can be drawn or downloaded.

If you are willing to invest, Numicon, dienes and place value discs are good physical tools which give clear and concrete mathematical examples. Often used in primary school, there are many online resources showing how to use them.

Top Marks (www.topmarks.co.uk) has free online learning games which support classroom teaching across different age groups.

Numberblocks (BBC iPlayer) is an engaging, song-filled, animated series designed to help children remember key number facts.

BBC Teach (www.bbc.co.uk/teach) has helpful videos for specific topics, including maths.

Be a Duck Detective at London Wetland Centre

Can you quack the clues this Easter?

Visit London Wetland Centre from 1 to 16 April for a day of exploration and discovery that will put all your senses to the test. To succeed as a Duck Detective and complete the Easter trail, you’ll need to get closer than ever to nature.

It’s time to investigate underwater mysteries. Follow tracks to work out who’s creeping around at night, using everything from feather bird calls to animal poo (honestly!) to reveal the wildlife secrets only a true Duck Detective knows. Are you ready for the challenge? The Duck Detectives Trail is £1, suitable for all the family and can be purchased at the Admissions office.

Other activities on offer include the Colour Hunt Trail Card for under 5s (free), Pond Dipping sessions (11am and 2pm) and Plant Detectives sessions (1pm), both drop-in and suitable for all ages.

Book your visit today at www.wwt.org.uk/London

Springtime action at Brooklands Museum

This spring get up-close, go onboard and discover the amazing history of Brooklands Museum in Weybridge.

Enjoy Get Ready to Race! This action-packed day for families runs 1 to 16 April. Build a downhill race car, complete an activity trail and go on a Concorde Supersonic Walkthrough. Spot costumed characters portraying pioneers from Brooklands’ heyday and enjoy a heritage bus ride around the local area.

On 26 March, Mini Day, a celebration of the iconic Mini kicks off a host of motoring events which will keep Brooklands buzzing with activity. It’s followed by the Easter Classic Gathering on 8 April and Italian Car Day, in association with Auto Italia magazine, on 29 April. Popular with families, these events have something for everyone, amazing cars and motorbikes, live entertainment, food outlets and interesting trade stalls. Easily accessible by car/train, free parking, café and plenty of picnic space.

Book your visit today at www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Easter family fun at Hever Castle

From 1 to 16 April, make some special family memories at Hever Castle. Help the Easter bunny find sweet treats as part of a quest around the grounds, get creative with the FREE egg decorating workshop and enjoy the very best of spring, including a dazzling display of spring blooms as you explore the stunning garden.

Children ages 7 to 14 can explore the Tudor Towers adventure playground with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets, featuring three slides, two poles and interactive elements. The under 7s can discover the natural play area, Acorn Dell. With its two-metre-high living willow structure, a giant sandpit, a mound with tunnels to clamber in and a climbing frame, there’s plenty of fun to be had. Or why not challenge yourself not to get wet in the Water Maze (fun for all ages)?

Enjoy lovely food at the restaurant or picnic in the grounds and round your day off with a visit to the shop and a spring-themed face paint (additional charge/selected dates).

More information at www.hevercastle.co.uk

Easter at the National Trust near you

There’s plenty to enjoy during Easter at National Trust properties in Surrey. Spot and count eggs on the Easter nature trails at Hatchlands Park (GU4 7RT), Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl (GU26 6AB), Polesden Lacey (RH5 6BD) and Dapdune Wharf (GU1 4RR).

Limber up on the activity trail at Claremont Landscape Garden and join in with games. Or take a voyage of discovery on the activity-filled nature trail at Winkworth Arboretum. Children can make their own masterpiece with items found on the woodland floor, search for wildflowers or predict the weather.

Over at Box Hill (KT20 7LB), don’t miss the unforgettable Egg Rolling Event (7 to 10 April 11am and 3pm). Bring your own fabulously decorated egg to roll down the big hill – or come early and visit the egg decorating station! Prize for best decorated egg. Kids can also enjoy hedgehog-themed games, crafts and book readings during the Easter holidays.

For more information, see our What’s On guide or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey

Bringing back playing out

For the majority of today’s parents, the best childhood memories don’t involve expensive toys or organised activities. Instead, they remember the simple pleasures of playing and running around outside with their friends. Their strongest and fondest memories recall a magical sense of freedom and possibility.

There have been many studies into the benefits of free, unstructured outside play. Children playing together use their creativity and imagination to create games and invent rules; they learn how to collaborate, share, negotiate and resolve conflicts. They build resilience, independence and social confidence as they learn to navigate the world without adult interference. All valuable experiences as they grow into young adults.

Playing outside is also the natural, joyful way that children are physically active and develop running, balancing, skipping, climbing, jumping and even ball skills at their own pace. You don’t have to ‘make’ children do this; just look at a school playground at breaktime!

In the past, playing outside was the easy, free way that children got all these vital health and wellbeing benefits, every day. All it needed was safe spaces close to home: streets, patches of land, small parks children could get to. It didn’t need money, a car or an adult to take them.

Today things are very different. While screens and ‘lazy’ children or parents often get blamed, one of the biggest barriers is traffic. UK traffic volume has doubled since the 1980s and roads are now seen as ‘just for cars.’ Parental fears are justified, as the numbers of children being killed or injured on our roads is shocking and should be unacceptable in any society.

So what can parents do?

Gardens are safe but not everyone has one. Organised activities are great but not always possible and don’t replace the benefits of unstructured play.

Play streets are one way to reclaim some of the freedom children have lost. By temporarily stopping through traffic on a residential street, neighbours can open up a safe space for children to play together on their doorsteps.

In 2009, a group of Bristol parents closed their street to through traffic for a few hours to give their children some of the freedom they grew up with. Their council then agreed that this could happen every week. The idea began to spread and they set up Playing Out to support other parents and residents do the same.

Playing Out brings more play and freedom into children’s lives in an easy, affordable way. Look into setting up your own space at www.playingout.net.

Children’s health and community Getting started with play streets

Play streets have been spreading across the UK for over a decade now and the positive impact on children is backed up by research: regular extra hours of physical activity, the opportunity to make friends with other neighbourhood children and picking up fun and useful skills such as skipping and riding bikes. In short, all the good benefits of playing out for health and wellbeing that many of us used to have.

Many streets which have been playing out regularly for several years have found that it’s not just the children who benefit; it can bring the whole street community together. Everyone on the street is invited to join in, whether they have children or not.

Friendships between neighbours are formed or strengthened, while older residents often feel less lonely. When Covid left some elderly or unwell people feeling isolated, those living on play streets found that they already had a support network of friends and neighbours on their street.

Play streets aren’t just for children, they’re for everyone on the street!

There are four steps involved with setting up a play street: Consult your neighbours. It’s clearly got to be something that they will either actively embrace or, at the very least, find acceptable.

Apply to your council for permission. Not all councils have policies to support play streets but they can often be persuaded if they can see that there is demand from residents. In these areas, why not start with a street party (for the Coronation perhaps), focus on low key space for play and then take it from there?

Effectively communicate what is happening to everyone on the street.

Release your kids to play out. On the day, volunteer stewards supervise the road closure so that residents who need to can still drive in and out and the disruption to neighbours is minimal. All the information and support you need to take this further is at www.playingout.net

ASK THE EXPERT

NE Family Law in Richmond offers this issue’s specialist parenting advice.

Be kind to yourself

The decision to separate is never an easy one and will come with a roller coaster of emotions. You may have made the decision yourself or be coming to terms with your partner making the decision; often that means one of you is ahead of the other emotionally.

Think about setting some boundaries to allow each other the space you need to process what is happening and decide next steps. You may also need to think about how you will communicate effectively to help keep conflict to a minimum. Don’t make rushed decisions.

Children first

The importance of putting your children first and centre of your decision-making can’t be understated. Telling them about the separation will be one of the hardest things you have to do. Try to agree what they will be told, keep information age-appropriate and without blame. Be prepared to answer their questions, give them lots of reassurance and don’t worry about needing to have all the answers immediately.

Children need to know that however different life is going to be, their parents are doing their best to work together. There is a wealth of resources available to help you reach agreement and navigate parenting apart.

Early legal advice

You will have lots of questions. Early legal advice from a specialist family solicitor will equip you with the information and knowledge you need to make decisions that will best work for you and your family.

You will then have a clear understanding of:

• the process and options available to you to help you reach agreements, your legal rights and how your finances should be resolved to help you meet your future needs, including what information should be shared between you to ensure you have a clear financial picture;

• how you should approach agreeing future; arrangements for your children;

• your legal options if you are concerned about your safety or the wellbeing of your children;

• access to other professionals to support and advise you.

Early legal advice means you aren’t second-guessing and you have the stepping stones to help you navigate your way through what will be a difficult time.

NE Family Law is a boutique firm based in Richmond. Nicki and Emma provide advice and support in all areas of family law and the benefit of their collective knowledge and years of experience. www.ne-familylaw.co.uk

I’m separating from my partner/ spouse – what do I do next?

Meet George Webster

Families chats with George Webster, the 22-year-old TV presenter, actor, dancer and ambassador for Mencap. George was catapulted into the public eye when he spoke about Down syndrome in his myth-busting video for BBC Bitesize. A trailblazer, he is now the first ever CBeebies presenter to have Down Syndrome. In November 2022, George won a BAFTA (Children and Young People Awards) for Best Presenter.

Congratulations on winning your BAFTA! How do you feel about that achievement?

I feel really proud and really honoured to achieve the award for presenter. I work with so many brilliant people at CBeebies and I feel like things are starting to improve for people like me in the media industry.

Tell us about your journey to become a presenter on CBeebies.

I always loved acting, dancing and performing at school and since then one thing has led to another. While volunteering at Parkrun, Sky filmed me for a documentary and I then became a Mencap ambassador. When my BBC Bitesize video busting the five myths of Down syndrome got five million hits, CBeebies got in touch inviting me to be a

guest presenter and now I’m a regular!

Who has been most supportive in helping you achieve your success?

My parents have been really supportive throughout my life and they always keep telling me ‘just be yourself.’ I always am and I want to say thank you to them for their love and support. Also, my support teachers at school, my friends, the NHS and local charities.

What advice would you give to encourage other youngsters who are facing challenges and want to pursue similar careers?

Be yourself and dream big. We can all dream big so don’t let anyone else decide for you as it’s your life. Get involved with local performing arts groups too.

GIVEAWAY!

Five signed copies of This is ME! picture book

Families has teamed up with BAFTA award-winning TV presenter, George Webster, CBeebies’ first presenter with Down syndrome, to o er five lucky children copies of George’s new book, This is ME!

This is ME! is a heartfelt and uplifting story that follows a little boy called George as he tells the reader all about who he is, his life and his experiences. George knows that having Down syndrome is an important part of him but it does not define him.

Featuring George’s real-life friends and family as well as a joyful cast of characters reflective of society and with bright and bold illustrations by best-selling illustrator, Tim Budgen, This is ME! celebrates uniqueness, being ourselves and how our di erences make us special.

Scan the QR code to apply or visit familiesmag.co.uk/go

Closing date: 21 April

T&Cs at https://bit.ly/gwbookgiveaway

What do you enjoy most about presenting?

I love everything about presenting at CBeebies! I’ve met loads of brilliant people and now we’re great friends. I also enjoy showing the viewers at home that people like me can be represented within the media and that ‘difference’ can inspire their kids’ lives. Their kids can have many role models, no matter who and what they are.

You’ve now written a picture book called This is ME! Tell us more.

This is ME! is about me, my friends and family when I was younger. It’s about celebrating differences no matter what we look like and who we are. It’s also about each person having their own glow inside that we all need to see.

The book illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to your rhyming words. How did the partnership come together?

My publisher, Scholastic Children’s Books, paired me with the wonderful illustrator, Tim Budgen. Working with him and my co-author, Claire Taylor, has been brilliant and a real collaborative effort.

What has been the best moment of your career so far?

There are so many! Working with CBeebies, writing a book, winning a BAFTA, being on Casualty, going to the premiere of S.A.M and dancing on stage with Talent Hub. Plus going to UDance National Finals to represent

Yorkshire as the first inclusive dance group with Meshdance and watching my appearance on Strictly Come Dancing back on Christmas Day.

You are ambassador for the charity Mencap, which works to improve the life of young people with learning difficulties. Tell us what this work means to you.

It means a lot to me as I have many friends with a learning disability and they’re all brilliant. People like us exist and working with Mencap means our voices get heard. I want people to understand us more rather than be scared of us.

Where would you like to see your career heading in the future?

I’d love to do more presenting and acting work. I would love to be in Death in Paradise, EastEnders and Doctor Who. Or I could be the new James Bond - why not! Also, I’d love to compete on the main show of Strictly Come Dancing.

If you had to bust one myth about having Down syndrome, what would it be?

‘People with Down syndrome are always happy.’ This just isn’t true! We have a range of emotions like every living person has.

What do you do to relax?

I love going to the theatre or cinema, watching films and tv and listening to music. Oh, and thrashing my dad at FIFA!

Secrets of our first thousand days

By Professor Lucy Green & Professor Mark Hanson

Have you ever wondered why keeping healthy is so tough for some of us but seems easy for others? And why the so-called ‘non-communicable’ diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes still account for most deaths around the world, despite all the efforts of doctors and health care systems? Did you know that unconscious communication with your baby in the womb helps their body’s control systems develop for lifelong health?

An increasing number of medical experts would say that we are missing a fundamental clue to what makes us healthy. Our lifelong risk of chronic diseases can be established during our first thousand days, from conception until age two. This critical time affects how our bodies are put together and how we will respond to the world we will live in, with its stresses, need for exercise and good diet, adequate sleep and healthy behaviours. The secrets of the first thousand days of our lives start from the moment of conception. Once the egg and sperm have fused, the very early embryo begins ‘tasting’ its environment. It detects signals about the world from the mother’s hormones and the nutrients from the food she eats. These leave small ‘epigenic’ marks on the embryo’s DNA. It’s not just about the mother; the father’s sperm brings the egg its own marks too, affected by his diet and lifestyle. These change the instructions given by the inherited genes and can change how the unborn baby develops.

As the foetus grows it senses more signals from the mother’s lifestyle and nutrition. This is important because some organs developed before birth must serve us for a lifetime, like the muscle cells in our hearts and the filtering units in our kidneys. We even started practising breathing, albeit underwater, inside the womb and our lungs are sensitive to cues from our mother. Scientific advances reveal even more surprises; for example, that foetal brain electrical activity looks like adult sleep states. Could the foetus even be dreaming?

Children continue to respond to care and signals from the environment as they achieve major milestones before the age of 2, such as eating solid food, speaking their first words and taking first steps unaided. Some developments are less visible, like colonisation of the gut with bacteria, building an immune system based on ‘experience,’ or the changes in nerve cells and connections within the brain as they learn to recognise new faces and voices.

We are quite used to checking our children’s growth from the moment of birth. It is particularly important because poor foetal growth is associated with greater risk of non-communicable diseases later in life and small babies sometimes struggle to thrive. In addition, more young people than ever are overweight or obese and this risk of poor overall health can pass across generations too.

Knowing the secrets of development and how they can affect risks of ill-health later in life makes us think: if all parents were better prepared before pregnancy they would give the best first thousand days to the next generation. Our children won’t remember it or grow up to thank us but they’ll stay healthier.

Mark and Lucy, both at the University of Southampton, have spent decades researching the processes underlying human early development, which are now published in their new book What Makes a Person: Secrets of Our First 1,000 Days, available from www.bookshop.org.

Spring confidence-building fun with Perform

Classes in Brentford, Esher, Hampton, Isleworth, Kew, Kingston, Richmond, Staines, St Margarets, Surbiton, Teddington, Twickenham and Weybridge.

Book a FREE class at www.perform. org.uk/try

More about Perform’s weekly classes

Spring is the perfect time of year to get those feel-good endorphins pumping and Perform's new summer term themes will get bodies moving and hearts singing. What's more, your child can try a class for FREE!

Perform offers a different type of children’s drama class. It doesn’t focus on creating perfect dancers or the next child star. Instead, children's social development is at the heart of its classes, using a specially formulated mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s true potential.

Exciting termly themes keep young imaginations buzzing while small class sizes ensure lots of individual attention from experienced, professionally trained actors, dancers and singers. Classes are for children of all abilities and they can join at any point in the term; just be ready to have the best fun of the week!

This term, ages 4-7 will be setting sail on the Jammy Dodger in Mermaids & Pirates, whilst ages 7–12 will take part in The Dream, an hilarious adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Confidence building weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. Classes are designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try, email enquiries@perform.org.uk or call 020 7255 9120 to book a FREE trial class in one of the following venues.

Brentford: St Paul Church of England

Primary School

Esher: Church of the Holy Name & St Andrews Urc

Hampton: Linden Hall Community

Centre NEW

Isleworth: St John’s and St Mary’s Church Hall

Kew: Kew Community Centre

Kingston: Alexandra Infants School & The Parish of St John the Baptist

Richmond: Vineyard Life Church, The Russell Primary School & Holy Trinity

Church Centre

Staines: St Paul’s Church Hall NEW St Margarets: St Margaret’s Catholic Church Hall

Surbiton: Surbiton Hill Methodist Church

Teddington: Teddington Methodist Church

Twickenham: Twickenham United Reform Church & The Turks Head Weybridge: St James’ Parish Centre

Pre-school

Ages

STEP ON STAGE

LOVE MUSICALS? THEN COME AND JOIN US FOR OUR "ALL SINGING" "ALL DANCING" EASTER WORKSHOP

What’s on

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

Every Tue Storytelling for Pre-schoolers at Landmark Arts Centre

Art, yoga and musical storytelling for ages 2-4. www.landmarkartscentre.org

Storytime at The Alligator’s Mouth, Richmond

Experience a wealth of stories, meet other families and chat about books. www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk

Every Sat

ParkPlay at Osterley Park

A FREE two-hour long play session for everyone, starting 9.30am, registration required. www.park-play.com/parks/ greater-london

Every Sat & Sun

Meet the Tudors & Tudor Cookery at Hampton Court Palace

Try your hand at hand at roasting or watch the Tudors carrying out their daily tasks. www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-courtpalace

Steam Train Rides at Hampton Kempton Waterworks Railway Train rides every half hour and picnic area open (not every Sat). Booking required. www.hamptonkemptonrailway. org.uk

Every Sun Junior Parkrun

Free 2k event for ages 4-14 at Bushy Park, Laleham, Hanworth, Osterley, Surbiton & Twickenham. www.parkrun.org.uk

Sun 5 Mar & 16 Apr

Let’s Get Creative at Orleans House Gallery

Creative artist led workshop aimed at families with children ages 4-11. www.orleanshousegallery.org

Sat 11 Mar

Music Building at Landmark Arts

Centre

Fun music-making workshop for children ages 7+. www.landmarkartscentre.org

Museum Monkeys at Chertsey

Museum

Join Charlie the Chimp for singing, stories and crafts for under 5s. www.chertseymuseum.org

Sat 18 Mar

Young Archaeology Club

A group for ages 8-16s to learn and get hands on with the past. www.chertseymuseum.org

Sat 18–Sun 19 Mar

Mother’s Day Weekend at Hever Castle

Themed activities includes family photo booth and face painting. www.hevercastle.co.uk

Sun 19 Mar

Mother’s Day at Hatchlands Park

Treat your mum to a day at Hatchlands Park. Free entry for mums. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ hatchlands-park

Sat 24 Mar

Sensory Storytelling at the National Archives Kew

Dani the Storyteller will use music, play and toys in this fantastic adventure for under 3s. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Sat 25 Mar

NCT Nearly New Sale in Staines

Wide range of quality second hand baby and maternity items. www.nct.org.uk

Sat & Sun 25/26 Mar & 22/23 Apr

Steaming Weekend at Kempton Steam Museum

Watch these unique and enormous ancient steam engines in action. www.kemptonsteam.org

EASTER HOLIDAYS

Sat 25 Mar to Mon 10 Apr

Easter Trail at Claremont Landscape Garden

Join in games and an Easter trail with chocolate prize. NAA + £3. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ claremont-landscape-garden

Sat 25 Mar to Wed 19 Apr

Run Wild Through Time Easter Trail at Polesden Lacey

Journey back to the time of wolves and lynx and dress up! Chocolate prize. NAA + £3. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ polesden-lacey

Sun 26 Mar

Mini Day at Brooklands Museum

The site will be bursting with hundreds of mini car models celebrating the sixtieth anniversary. www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Mum2mum Nearly New Sale in Twickenham

Buy quality second hand and nearly new baby & children's stuff at popup market. www.mum2mummarket.co.uk

Sat 1 Apr

15 Minutes of Fun at Chertsey Museum

Free drop-in craft session for all the family. www.chertseymuseum.org

Sat 1, 8 & 15 Apr

Autism and Sensory Friendly Pond Dipping at London Wetland Centre

This popular activity for families can now be enjoyed by everyone. www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/london

Sat 1 to Sun 16 Apr

The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace

Seek out the Lindt Gold Bunny and discover the stories of fascinating people. www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-courtpalace

Easter at Winkworth Arboretum

Wind your way through the arboretum on a activity-filled nature trail with chocolate egg prize, NAA + £3 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ winkworth-arboretum

rhs.org.uk/wisley

The giant Easter egg hunt

WHAT’S ON

Sat 1 to Sun 16 Apr

Ready to Race at Brooklands Museum

Family workshops, costumed characters, pedal cars, heritage bus rides, planes and boarding a Concorde. www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Bubbles at London Museum of Water & Steam Crafts, hands-on activities and Wet and Bubbly Science Show. www.waterandsteam.org.uk

Easter Family Fun at Hever Castle

Easter quest, face painting, adventure playground and egg-cellent free egg decorating workshops. www.hevercastle.co.uk

Superworm at Kew Gardens

Follow the trail and discover familiar scenes from the story and explore the world of Superworm. www.kew.org/kew-gardens

Easter Trail at Hatchlands Park

See how many eggs you can spot on the Easter nature trail. NAA + £3 includes chocolate egg. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ hatchlands-park

Terrible Thames River Cruise from Tower Bridge Quay

Climb aboard and prepare to hear the horrible history of the most famous river in the world! www.terriblethames.com

Easter trail at Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl Activities and fun. NAA + £3 (includes a chocolate egg) www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ hindhead-commons-and-thedevils-punch-bowl

Hedgehog fun at Box Hill

Enjoy free hedgehog games and crafts plus on 6 and 16 April (10.30am & 2.30pm), meet Lucy Reynolds, author of ‘Hedgehogs don’t live in the city’ and enjoy readings and a craft workshop. Booking essential. No extra charge. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill

Sat 1 to Mon 17 Apr

Easter Fun at RHS Wisley

Search for giant eggs hidden in the garden and join family seed planting and craft workshops. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens

Sat 2 Apr

Kew Family Mile at Kew Gardens

Enjoy a scenic family run past the beautiful Palm and Temperate House.. www.kew.org/kew-gardens

Painshill’s Egg-straordinary Dragon Trail

Find all the dragon statues and eggs as you follow the route around the stunning gardens. www.painshill.co.uk

Explore with Elizabeth Trail at Ham House

A trail of activity and discovery, £3 includes chocolate egg. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hamhouse-and-garden

Bunny’s Rhyming Trail at Osterley Park & House

Easter trail with fun games and activities along the way, £3, includes chocolate egg. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ osterley-park-and-house

Duck Detectives at London Wetland Centre

Easter activities for all ages: Duck Detectives trail for whole family to discover wildlife secrets. Free Colour Hunt trail card for under 5s, daily drop-in Pond Dipping (11am and 2pm) and Plant Detectives sessions (1pm), both drop in. All ages. www.wwt.org.uk/london

Tue 4 to Thu 6 Apr

Easter Eggs Family Workshop at Museum of Richmond

Create your own Easter decorations and learn the history of Easter. www.museumofrichmond.com

Fri 7 to Sun 10 Apr

Egg Rolling at Box Hill

Take part in the grand old tradition of egg rolling down the big hill (11am & 3pm). Bring your own fabulously decorated egg to roll down the hill or come early to visit egg decorating station. No extra charge. Best decorated egg wins a prize. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill

Fri 7 to Sun 19 Apr

Easter Trail at Dapdune Wharf

Activities including den building, crafts, bunny hopping. £3 with Easter egg prize. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/riverwey-and-godalming-navigationsand-dapdune-wharf

Sat 8 Apr

Easter Classic Gathering at Brooklands Museum

There will be hundreds of classic cars, plus live music, BBQ and food outlets. www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Sun 16 Apr

London Bus Spring Gathering at Brooklands Museum

Extensive bus displays, heritage bus trips, workshop tours plus two free circular service bus routes to ride. Children’s activities and preservation workshop demonstrations. www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Sat & Sun 19/20 Apr & Mon 1 May

Thames Ditton Miniature Steam Railway Open Day

Take a ride on one of the miniature railways. www.malden-dsme.org

Sat 22 Apr

Earth Day Exploration Trail at Strawberry Hill House

A creative trail and a creative workshop making your own bugs from recycled material. www.strawberryhillhouse.org.uk

Sun 23 Apr & Tue 25 Apr

Little Explorers at Claremont Landscape Garden

Fun-filled session investigating spring through outdoor exploration and hands-on activities. Pre-book. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ claremont-landscape-garden

Sat 29 Apr

Italian Car Day at Brooklands

Museum

Brooklands will be bursting with hundreds of colourful cars with demonstrations on the MercedesBenz World track and Test Hill. www.brooklandsmuseum.com

Sat 29 Apr to Mon 1 May

Maypole dancing at Hever Castle Dance around the maypole with brightly coloured ribbons and watch a traditional May Day play. www.hevercastle.co.uk

DORKING HALLS

www.dorkinghalls.co.uk

Fireman Sam LIVE 11 Apr

Join Sam, Penny, Elvis and Norman in an all singing, dancing, actionpacked show. Ages 3+.

THE ELECTRIC THEATRE, GUILDFORD

www.electric.theatre

Let’s All Dance – Cinderella 2 Apr Combines stunning dancing, storytelling, music and beautiful costumes to enchant the family.

The Bubble Show 16 Apr

Join Mr Bubbles with his extraordinary soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes. Ages 3-12.

THE EXCHANGE, TWICKENHAM www.exchangetwickenham.co.uk

Teach Rex 2 Apr

Using life-like dinosaurs teaching children about the anatomy and life of one these creatures.

G LIVE, GUILDFORD www.glive.co.uk

Ministry of Science Live 11 Apr UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever. LYRIC THEATRE, HAMMERSHITH www.lyric.co.uk

The Tap Dancing Mermaid 11 Mar

Featuring stunning puppets, original live music and tap dancing. Ages 3+.

The King of Nothing 18 Mar

This wild new puppet musical sets out to prove… you’ll believe anything. Ages 5+.

Funnybones 25 Mar

Heart-warming show with puppetry, object manipulation, projection and movement. Ages 4-7.

Lily and Bear 1 Apr

Musical for children with animation and puppets tells a magical tale about friendship. Under 6s.

Bossy 8 Apr

Brand new show celebrating Black culture featuring kick-ass Caribbean soundtrack. Ages 5-9.

The ‘Not So’ Grim Twins 11-15 Apr Original live music and puppetry, this production is suitable for the whole family. Ages 4+.

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/newwimbledon-theatre

The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen 5 Mar

Exciting new concept show features award-winning comedians and improvisers. Ages 7+.

The Princess and the Frog 12 Mar Let’s All Dance presents an enchanting performance for the family.

OSO ARTS CENTRE, BARNES www.osoarts.org.uk

The Mules 1 Apr

A show the whole family can enjoy, packed with silly games, madcap fantasy and distorted guitars.

POLKA THEATRE, WIMBLEDON www.polkatheatre.com

The Singing Mermaid 31 Mar to 8 Apr

A fun warm-hearted adventure that will leave you humming its songs. Ages 3-8.

Let’s Build 1 Apr to 21 May

An interactive performance exploring the places where we live and how they are made. Ages 2-5.

The Lost Spells 13 Apr to 7 May

A fun, wild and boisterous adventure full of paw-tapping music and dancing. Ages 6-12.

THE ROSE THEATRE, KINGSTON

www.rosetheatre.org

The Smeds and the Smoos 4 to 16 Apr

Music, laughs and interplanetary adventures. Ages 3+.

EASTER WORKSHOPS

Mon 3 Apr to Wed 5 Apr AND Wed

12 Apr to Fri 14 Apr

Perform’s ‘The Jungle Book’ Workshop in Richmond and Twickenham

Running 10am to 3pm at the Vineyard Church in Richmond and from 12 to 14 April at The Crossway Centre in Twickenham, children ages 4 to 10 will enjoy three days of drama, dance and singing at Perform’s Easter holiday course based on The Jungle Book. Children will join Mowgli and friends as they journey deep into the jungle, meeting Baloo the bear, black panther Bagheera and hunting down ferocious Bengal tiger Shere Khan. Topped off with a fabulously colourful final show, it’s going to be

the wildest holiday ever! More info and booking: enquiries@perform. org.uk, 020 7255 9120 www.perform.org.uk/junglebook

Mon 3 Apr to Thu 6 Apr

Stagecoach Hinchley Wood and Esher ‘Just Dance’ Workshop in Molesey

Children can enjoy four days full of fun, dance and making new friends at this workshop running from 10am to 4.30pm daily at Imber Court. More info: hinchleywood@ stagecoach.co.uk or 01372 238238. www.stagecoach.co.uk/ hinchleywood

Stagecoach Staines Easter Workshop

Running 9.45am to 12.45pm at Thomas Knyvett College, Ashford, this workshop week will be suitable for children ages 4 to 16, split into age-appropriate groups. Educational, invigorating and packed with fun musical theatre activities, children can come for a day or every day – no two days will be the same. More info: staines@ stagecoach.co.uk or 07802 800633. www.stagecoach.co.uk/staines

Step on Stage ‘Strictly Musicals’ Workshop in Hampton

An ‘all-singing,’ ‘all-dancing’ four days of performing arts fun at this workshop running from 10am to 4pm daily at St James Church Hall. Suitable for children ages 6 to 16, attendees will work in ageappropriate groups – ages 6 to 10 and 11 to 16. The workshop will finish with a spectacular show at 4pm on the final day. More info: info@steponstage.co.uk or 07973 900196.

www.steponstage.co.uk