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IN THIS ISSUE
Everything Christmas! Win Toys for Christmas! Micro Scooter + LOTS MORE!
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November/December 2020
familiesonline.co.uk
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Familiesonline.co.uk November/ December 1
Toy Giveaway! Vroom Vroom Plate
Conversation Cards
Sword & Shield Sets
Micro Scooter
Knitted Diplodocuses
Driving Experience
Space Magnetic Pack
Mermaid Tails
Robo Wunderkind
Animal Wall Prints
Germ German Attack Games
See Gift Guide for details
2 November/December
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CONTENTS
In This Issue
Welcome
4
Education
7
Early Years
It’s not long until Christmas, and, whilst it will feel different to usual, there will still be plenty to organise.
12
Christmas Gift Guide
14
Great Families® Toy Giveaway
16
Local events
18
Seasonal Acts of Kindness
20 Christmas 26 Family Life
Get in touch Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.
So we’ve got every angle covered – gifts, cooking, decoration and cardmaking, ideas for a cheaper and more eco-friendly season, opportunities for giving to others – right through to the best family films and ideas for Christmas Eve traditions. So save our link and keep it handy! Marking our 30 year anniversary, we are also delighted to bring you the Great Families® Toy Giveaway – check out the opportunity to win toys from our Gift Guide. Wishing you a Merry Christmas from everybody at Families® Magazine.
R OYA L A L B E R T H A L L A N D B I R M I N G H A M R OYA L B A L L E T P R E S E N T
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AS PART OF OUR SPECIAL SOCIALLY DISTANCED FESTIVE SEASON THE TIMES
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royalalberthall.com/christmas 020 7589 8212 #RAHChristmas
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Birmingham Royal Ballet is registered charity No.1061012 and is funded by
November/ December 3
EDUCATION
Choosing a Tutor for your Child
Primary School League Tables Explained
By Kate Hilpern
By Annabel Gray
In the past, parents might employ a tutor, discreetly, to help their child keep up at school. Now tutoring is higher profile and focuses on making students more academically competitive – getting ahead, not just keeping up. So if your child needs a tutor, how do you choose one? READ MORE
There are many factors to consider when choosing a school for your child – often including how well the school is performing. A useful tool to reference is the school annual league tables. Unfortunately though, these can sometimes seem a little complicated. READ MORE
Improving your Child’s Working Memory
Why Children Should Write Creatively
Children use working memory all the time: to remember what they read in the previous paragraph of a book, when doing mental maths and to follow directions with lots of steps. The good news is that, if your child’s working memory seems poor, it can be improved with practice. READ MORE
Every day children experience events that are new to them as well as adding new words to their vocabulary. These new experiences help them to develop a curious mind and can trigger ideas which then develop into stories or creative writing. So what benefits does this have? READ MORE
4 November/December
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11 plus tuition EDUCATION
Getting your child ready
to reach the stars... Year Four
11+ Foundation Year Five
11+ Preparation Year Four and Five
11+ Mock exams
11+ Online Courses - now also available Mathematics English Verbal Reasoning Cloze Procedure Non-Verbal Reasoning Exam Technique All courses include weekly tuition classes and monthly mock exams.
familiesonline.co.uk November/ December 5 To book, call 0208-390-6076 or 01239-851942 or visit 11plustuition.co.uk
EDUCATION
Protecting your Child from Cyberbullying
Anti-Bullying Week 16-20 November
Should you Defer your Child’s School Start?
By Shelley Goffe-Caldeira
By Claire Winter
It’s been reported that 82% of parents said that their children’s screen time increased during lockdown, with some having an extra four hours or more of non-school related screen time per day. Given this increase, there is no question that cases of bullying will have increased. READ MORE
Are summer-born children disadvantaged? If so, should you consider deferring your child’s school start if they are summerborn? This topic has been hotly debated for years. Certainly, there are pros and cons, but generally no one-size-fits-all solution. READ MORE
Recognising a Subtle Type of Bullying
By Tanith Carey Imagine this. Annabel spots classmate, Lisa, whispering to her best friend, Eve. Later, Eve informs Annabel that she only wants to play with Lisa today – and the two girls don’t save Annabel a seat at lunch. Tearful and confused, Annabel wonders what she has done wrong…. READ MORE 6 November/December
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EARLY YEARS
Kingston Vale Montessori School offers a warm environment
Established in 1981, Kingston Vale Montessori School proudly offers children from ages 2 to 5, an excellent Early Years Montessori education in a warm and nurturing environment, located in Kingston and situated between Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common. The nursery follows the Montessori philosophy of education combined with the Early Years Foundation Stage. This provides each child with a variety of multi-sensory learning experiences enabling them to learn and develop at their own unique way and pace. Their beautiful environment is designed with the child in mind and Montessori’s approach to learning. The work cycle is of children doing things independently, calmly, carefully and competently. The activities are freely accessible to the children and are designed to be hands on and self-correcting. This fosters independence as well as developing children’s ability to problem-solve. Discover more by visiting, call 020 8546 3442 or 07789808245 to arange a visit or visit www.kvmontessori.co.uk
Pre-school Montessori Nursery for 2-5 year olds Excellent Montessori education combined with the Early Years Foundation Stage in a nurturing and stimulating environment For a prospectus to to arrange a visit call 0208 5463442 I 07789 808245 or email georgia@kvmontessori.co.uk St John’s Church Hall, Robin Hood Lane, Kingston Vale, London SW15 3PY
www.kvmontessori.co.uk I www.facebook.com/kvmontessori familiesonline.co.uk
November/ December 7
EARLY YEARS
Best Sing-Alongs for Learning Songs can help children learn and remember. Check out these great singalongs for under 5s.
Days of the Week Song
Counting to Ten in Four Languages There’s English, German, Portuguese and Indonesian.
Great for co-ordination and includes signing.
Shapes Song
Shape up with The Hippie Hippie Shapes in the CBeebies house.
Alphabet Song
Bring the alphabet to life with this memorable song and movement routine.
Months of the Year
Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
12 Days of Christmas
So Many Colours to See
Learn the days of the week with Buzz the Bandleader.
Teaches co-ordination and body parts. 8 November/December
Sing and count with this popular Christmas song.
The Wheels on the Bus
Learn the months by singing along with Marvie from Sesame Street.
Learn about colours with The Wiggles.
familiesonline.co.uk
EARLY YEARS
The Importance of Toddler Play By Dr Sarah Mundy
Play is an enjoyable part of childhood, and an important one for the developing brain. Through play, children develop physically, emotionally, cognitively and creatively. It allows them to engage in the world in a way that feels safe, explore different roles, address fears, and develop confidence. Children who have parents who actively play with them, learn about sharing, problem solving and decision-making more quickly than those who don’t. Playing with your child also helps you understand their world and shows them you are interested in them, both important aspects of a secure attachment relationship, which is seen as the cornerstone of a child’s development. So playing with our children is very important, even though prioritising this can be difficult. But how do we initiate play? And what do we do? READ MORE
Unlock Your Child’s Inner Superpowers
Children’s charity Barnardo’s has launched the Super Seekers activity packs for children aimed at helping to develop life skills such as kindness, creativity and resilience. The packs are designed to help children ages 3 to 5 years develop important life skills through fun and imaginative play. FIND PACKS familiesonline.co.uk
Calling all young Scientists!
Help us discover how babies & kids learn! We’re recruiting infants from birth to school age to take part in fun studies at the Birkbeck Babylab in central London. Our prime location is easy to reach and we refund travel expenses. We also have online studies you can do from the comfort of home www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/online-studies 020 7631 6258 babylab@bbk.ac.uk www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk November/ December 9
EARLY YEARS
Weston Green School in Thames Ditton extending kindergarten Weston Green School in Thames Ditton, Surrey are delighted to be extending our Kindergarten to offer an excellent start to school for children as young as 2 years in our new Nursery class from January 2021. With the option of choosing traditional school “term time” or “extended year” throughout the holidays, Weston Green provides a flexible approach for busy working families as well as a happy, safe and In the holiday periods, children will take part in Early Years activities secure environment for children to take their first steps into education. with members of the Nursery team who they will be familiar with from their usual school life. Therefore, Our newly built Garden Room will act as an additional break-out space whether you choose term time solely for children across Early Years or extended year provision, your children will not miss out on any and allow a flexible approach to activities both inside and out in our curriculum-based learning. free-flow environment. We’re very excited to welcome 2 year olds into the Weston Green During term time the children will community and welcome families to follow a structured Early Years come for a personalised tour to see curriculum to learn and develop to the vast facilities the children will prepare them for starting school. benefit from as part of our school. To find out more or to book a tour of our school, contact our team, email info@westongreenschool.org.uk or call 020 8398 2778. www.westongreenschool.org.uk
10 November/December
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n g e r a t r e d K i n Accepting children from 2 years from January 2021
Available term time or 48 weeks per year
“Weston Green Kindergarten is a wonderful environment for any child to grow, develop and thrive.� Parent
For more information, call us on 020 8398 2778 or visit www.westongreenschool.org.uk Weston Green Road, Thames Ditton, KT7 0JN familiesonline.co.uk
November/ December 11
CHRISTMAS
The Unusual Christmas Gift Guide Surprise your kids with some quirky gifts this Christmas!
Wooden Shield/ Sword Set
Perfectly designed for little hands and big adventures. Ages 4+. £15.
PomPom Climbing Triangle
Munchy Play Plate
Fun dining as little ones whizz toy cars/trains around meals. Ages 6mths+. £14.50.
Space Magnetic Pack
An affordable Christmas gift with an intergalactic theme. Ages 5+. £25.
First-of-its-kind climbing triangle which can be folded away at night. Ages 3+. £325.
Young Driver Drive-tastic
Get behind the wheel for a memorable driving experience! Ages 5+ £32.99.
Christmas Cracker Puzzles
Best Years Dino Love
Together Equal Conversation Cards
Gruffalo Micro Scooter
Bright, knitted diplodocus dinosaur – sturdy but soft too! Age 0+. £14.99. 12 November/December
Great stocking filler. Thought-provoking conversation starters. Ages 7+. £7.99.
Premium wooden puzzles in cracker packaging. Ages 3-8. £9.95.
Exclusive for 2020. Range of prints and colours. Ages 1-5. From £95.95. familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
The Unusual Christmas Gift Guide Surprise your kids with some quirky gifts this Christmas!
Horrible Science Germ Attack
Planet Mermaid Tails
Smart Counting Football
Junko Zoomer Kits
Follow Me Ball
Penguins On Ice
Robo Wunderkind
Engenius Contraptions Marble Run
Animal Wall Prints
Imagination-stimulating Beautifully designed board game with a and created mermaid topical subject! Ages tails. 100% swimmable! 8+. £19.99. Ages 3+. From £33.99.
Counts up to 100 keepy-uppies with lights and sounds. Ages 6+. £20.
Make junk into working A colour changing Unique, award-winning toys using problemmotorised ball for baby puzzle game with solving skills. Ages to follow. Ages: 6mths+ multi-level challenges. 6-10. From £9.99. £16.99. Ages 6+ £19.99.
Award-winning robotics kits that teach coding through the joy of play. Ages 4-10. From £199. familiesonline.co.uk
Wooden perpetual motion marble run. Ages 10+. £28.99.
Bespoke, personalised animal wall or shelf prints. Ages 0+. From £10. November/ December 13
CHRISTMAS
The Great Families® Toy Giveaway! WIN! 1 of 3
Mermaid Tails from Planet Mermaid
WIN!
WIN! 1 of 3
Gruffalo Micro Scooter from Micro Scooter
Germ Attack Game from Horrible Science
Select 3 in 1 (12mths5yrs) or Mini (2-5 yrs).
WIN!
WIN! 1 of 2
WIN! 1 of 5
Sword & Shield Sets from Green Owl Toys
Conversation Cards from Together Equal
WIN! 1 of 2
Child’s Animal Print from Lauren May Illustrates
Knitted Diplodocus from Best Years
Vroom Vroom Plate from Munchy Play
WIN!
WIN!
WIN!
1 of 2 Young Driver Driving Experience (10-17yrs)
Space Magnetic Set from Time Flies for Kids WIN!
Explorer Lite from Robo Wunderkind
Good Luck!
ENTER HERE
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14 November/December
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CHRISTMAS
Crafty Christmas Gifts for Teachers Make a homemade gift to say thank you to your teacher for their support this year.
Make a Pebble Teacher Paper Weight
Decorate a Plant Pot
Make a Jar of Chocolate Brownie Mix
Bake Flowerpot Bread
Knit an Apple
Make a DIY Pencil Holder
Put Together a Tea Wreath
Create a Cactus Pet Rock
Make Hot Chocolate Stirrers
familiesonline.co.uk
November/ December 15
CHRISTMAS
Christmas at Scoot Theatre Join Scoot Theatre this festive season for Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story, as you’ve never seen it before!
wine and mince pies on offer and Christmas trees available to buy on site, why not make it a proper Christmas day out!?
Three actor-musicians zip through this sixty-minute, light-hearted, family-friendly adaptation filled with music, song and dance to get you firmly in the Christmas ‘spirit’.
Performances will take place inside a marquee and will adhere to all COVID-secure regulations. Audience capacity is reduced to allow socially distanced seating and bookings are limited to six per group. Masks must be worn inside Scoot Theatre’s brand new adaptation, written by Scoot founder the marquee. Max Hutchinson, is a play-withina-play: “Legendary star of stage Please book under the same name and screen (in his own opinion), and specify (using the appropriate Darren Broccolis, has not only ticket option) if you are within a written and directed his own version bubble. of A Christmas Carol but has also now cast (some may say typecast) Book tickets here. himself as the main part - the infamously miserable old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. Unfortunately, having spent almost the entire budget on a lavish, historically accurate Victorian costume for himself, he is forced to enlist the help of a very keen (and very inexpensive) young actor and his painfully shy niece (free) to play all the other parts. Will this ‘star vehicle’ prove to be the comeback Darren so desperately seeks? Will his co-stars push his patience to the brink? Or could Darren, rather like old Scrooge himself, learn the true meaning of Christmas and the value of community along the way?” Staying (fairly) true to the original tale, Scoot’s mischievous take on this classic is the perfect way to kick off your festive period. With mulled 16 November/December
familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Ready, Set, Glow at RHS Garden Wisley Tickets for Glow 2020 at RHS Garden Wisley are now on sale as the world’s leading gardening charity prepares to light up its flagship garden this winter for a magical event until 4 January 2021 (closed on 24-26 December). With the safety of visitors and staff its foremost priority in these challenging times, the RHS has put in place a number of measures to ensure everyone can enjoy the event with confidence. These include mandatory advance booking, one-way routes around the garden and limits on numbers at any one time. RHS Garden Wisley has recently been awarded Visit England’s ‘Good to Go’ certification, an industry-standard mark of reassurance that it is carefully following all the latest government guidance on Covid-19.
RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262
Tickets for Glow 2020 at RHS Garden Wisley must be booked online in advance. Routes are fully accessible. For further information and to book, visit click here.
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21 November – 4 January 4pm – 8.30pm Closed 24, 25 & 26 December See the gardens after-dark with a brand-new festive display of magical illuminations. Book your time slot at rhs.org.uk/wisleyglow Your visit supports our work as a charity
November/ December 17
CHRISTMAS
Seasonal Acts of Kindness
It’s a tough time for everybody, so here are some different ways to support those in need.
Centrepoint More Than a Christmas Dinner
NSPCC Letter from Santa
#FoodBankAdvent Reverse Calendar
RSPCA Christmas Appeal
Action for Children: Be a Secret Santa
BookTrust Give a Festive Book Parcel
Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day
Age UK Say Hello to an Older Neighbour
Wear a Christmas Hat Day Support this vital research on 18 December for Brain Tumour Research.
Donate when you order Help a homeless young a letter from Santa for your child. person this Christmas.
Help rescue an Support your local food bank. Collect a Reverse abandoned/neglected animal. Advent Calendar.
Help a vulnerable child have a happier Christmas.
Brighten a vulnerable Ideas for supporting an child’s Christmas with a Get your silliest jumper older neighbour with special gift book parcel. small acts of kindness. out on 11 December and donate £2. 18 November/December
familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Seasonal Acts of Kindness
You may want to consider how you can be especially kind to those closer to you too.
Acts of Kindness to Family at Home
Community Acts of Kindness
Exchange hugs often. Affection makes everyone happier and healthier. Happy Hour. Spend time telling jokes, funny stories and smiling at each other! Do a chore without being asked. Help out in the kitchen even if it’s not your job/turn. Leave a loving note for another family member. Compliment each other. Say thank you – every time!
Make a Reverse Advent Calendar. Choose something to donate each day and drop all the items to a local charity in time for Christmas. Give blood. Make “thank you” window posters for key workers. Donate to an animal shelter blankets/treats/toys. Let someone go ahead of you in a queue. Pick up litter. Volunteer with a charity.
Acts of Kindness to Friends/Neighbours Sing Christmas carols outside someone’s house – remember to socially distance! Give a Christmas plant to someone who doesn’t get outside much. Call a friend you haven’t seen for a long time. Text someone and wish them well. Send an elderly neighbour a Christmas card. Give a book that has inspired you. Do some shopping for a neighbour/friend who needs help. familiesonline.co.uk
November/ December 19
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Cooking with the Kids
Get the whole family busy in the kitchen with these exciting seasonal recipe ideas.
Mini Gingerbread Houses
Christmas Yoghurt Bark Slices
Rudolph Shortbread
Rudolph Pancakes
Santa Brownie Hats
Sweet Snowballs
Christmas Pudding Rice Krispie Cakes
Melted Snowmen Cookies
Kid’s Christmas Trifles
20 November/December
familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Are You Dreaming of a Green Christmas?
Here are some of our ideas for an eco-friendly Christmas.
Buy a Living Christmas Tree
Keep it outside and bring in every year.
Free Christmas Gift Cheques
Avoid unnecessary gift giving and waste. Pledge to do something instead.
Buy Reusable Crackers
Fill with your own special gifts and surprises. familiesonline.co.uk
Invest in a Reusable Advent Calendar Fill with your own treats each year.
Dedicate a Tree
Give a gift that keeps on growing.
Use Eco-Friendly Wrapping Paper
Make sure it is recyclable and, if possible, made from recycled paper.
Introduce Some Vegan Food
Reduce your carbon footprint by trying some vegan food.
Charity Christmas E-cards
Help a charity at same time as helping the planet.
Switch to LED Christmas Lights
Use up to 80% less energy than standard lights. November/ December 21
CHRISTMAS
DIY Christmas Cards Kids love to make or colour their own and they are so much more special than bought cards!
Surprise Christmas Cracker Card
Tinsel Tree Card
Sesame Street Christmas Card
Hand-Stitched Christmas Cards
Confetti Christmas Card
Layered Christmas Tree Card
Snow Surprise Christmas Card
Reindeer Christmas Card
Fingerprint Light Cards
22 November/December
familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Eve Traditions
Mix and match ideas for different parts of the day and create family traditions that your children will treasure.
Morning
Afternoon
Posh breakfast. Enjoy pancakes and bacon using festive plates and cups. Feed the birds. Hang edible treats or a feeder so the birds can have Christmas dinner! Make reindeer food. Mix edible glitter and oats to sprinkle outside for Rudolph and friends. Write a thank you letter to Santa. Encourage your kids to leave thank you notes for Santa. Create a Santa sack for others. Get your children to select unwanted toys for Santa to pick up and take to other children.
Bake something Christmassy. Gingerbread, shortbread, cookies or a cake. Exercise. A family walk or cycle will help your children settle to sleep on the big night. Set up a treasure hunt. Leave clues around the house for kids to find a special Christmas Eve present like a tree decoration. Family photoshoot. Take a family selfie. Compare with Christmas photos from previous years. Play a game. Introduce a new card game or play a board game.
Evening Snuggle up and watch a film, read a Christmas story or watch a panto. Leave food out for Santa. Don’t forget a carrot for Rudolph! Enjoy virtual Christmas carols. This year many organisations will be having carolling events online. Go on a family Christmas light walk. Get some fresh air and check out the neighbourhood Christmas lights. Carol singing. Wrap up warm and treat neighbours and friends to your angelic voices – at a safe distance! Hang up the stockings. Remember the most important tradition of all (as if you’d forget)! familiesonline.co.uk
November/ December 23
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Decorations to Make with the Kids
Tree House Decoration
Paper Plate Christmas Tree Twirler
DIY Wrapping Paper
Snowman Lantern
Paper Angel Garlands
Pine Cone Mouse
Paper Ball Reindeer
3D Christmas Tree
Paper Plate Santa
24 November/December
familiesonline.co.uk
CHRISTMAS
Best Family Christmas Movies Snuggle up on the sofa with your family and some Quality Street or mince pies to watch a classic Christmas movie!
Home Alone
Elf
The Holiday
An 8 year old boy protects his house from burglars when he is left home alone.
A man-sized Elf (Will Ferrell) wreaks havoc on the elf community.
Cheesy rom-com. Kate Winslett/Cameron Diaz find romance on a home swap.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
It’s a Wonderful Life
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Love Actually
Miracle on 34th Street
Jim Carrey is the perfect Grinch in this memorable festive flick.
Great British actors, a brilliant soundtrack, a festive classic that can be watched every year! familiesonline.co.uk
Beautiful black and white classic for the whole family.
A Christmas remake that’s as charming as the 1947 original.
Loveable remake of Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol, with Michael Caine.
Nativity
Fondly remember the chaotic nativity plays you’ve all endured/ enjoyed! November/ December 25
FAMILY LIFE
WIN International Elf Service Elfie’s Christmas Advent Letters Story Bundle!
T&Cs apply
ENTER HERE BY 24 NOVEMBER This is your chance to win 25 Personalised Christmas Elf Letters from the North Pole, worth £38.50. Hide these hand-crafted, ecofriendly letters around your home for your children to find each day in December and discover what the Elves are up to in the North Pole! The winner will also receive a letter from Father Christmas. Runners up will receive one of 5 sets of 7 Personalised Christmas Elf Letter NEWS or ACTIVITY Bundles. 20% off when you order HERE using FAMILYMAGIC20 at checkout.
Top Self-Care Tips for Working Parents
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a huge test of parents’ resilience and adaptability. So how can you last the distance? Mental well-being is crucial for the long haul - and because your mental health effects that of your children. Our friends at Working Mums have 8 top tips for looking after yourself if you’re a working parent. READ MORE 26 November/December
Letter from Santa
What could be more special than a letter in the post from Santa? Children can receive a FREE letter from Santa via the Royal Mail if they post their letter to him by 11 December. Envelopes must have either a first or second class stamp and be addressed to Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ. Letters must include your child’s full name and address. Children can also receive a personalised reply from Santa via his elves at the NSPCC in exchange for a minimum £5 donation. Order online by 9 December. familiesonline.co.uk
Free £5 bonus when you make your first purchase!
As you tick off the turkey, brand new sofa and Christmas presents off your lists - you can tick off the biggest gift of all when you shop with KidStart... Together we can help make a brighter future for your child. Every time you shop at one of over 2,300 of our partners, we top up your child’s account for free.
Make your money go even further this Black Friday, Christmas and beyond... Search for a retailer and click to Shop Shop as normal Feel great as you watch your child’s savings grow-ho-ho-ho!
Sign up now! familiesonline.co.uk
November/ December 27
FAMILY LIFE
Storytelling Ideas for Parents By Becky Cranham www.planbee.com
Voice and Intonation Your tone of voice is crucial in engaging your children and helping them understand the story. Convey emotions by: Slowing or quickening your voice Changing the volume of your voice Making your voice higher/lower Use different voices for different characters.
Questions
Asking your child questions about what is happening and how they feel about it can help keep them engaged and following the plot.
Repeated Phrases Help Kids Join In
Think, the Three Little Pigs - “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down!” Try books like Not Now, Bernard Green Eggs and Ham We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Use Story Tools
Tired brain? Use tools like Roll and Write Story Ideas Generator to come up with basic plots.
Build on Familiar Stories…
Use Wordless Picture Books
…and change the setting, characters or details. Turn Snow White into a cat who runs away from the evil cat queen and lives with a group of seven friendly squirrels!
Describe the setting, characters, and what they say. Encourage your children to join in. Do they agree with your version? Can they make up their own? Try: Flotsam Flora and the Flamingo The Snowman Owl Bat Bat Owl Clown Mirror Journey Once Upon a Snowstorm
Or add your child as a character in stories like The Little Mermaid or modern classics like Bob the Builder.
Draw on Life Experiences You may, of course, embellish/ leave out certain details! Tell your children funny stories about when they were younger. 28 November/December
Tell Stories Anytime, Anywhere…. …not just at bedtime!
familiesonline.co.uk
FAMILY LIFE
How to Have a Thrifty Christmas
How Many Toys Does a Child Need?
The pandemic, lockdown, a slowdown in the economy, and job losses have affected many people’s finances across the UK, meaning less money to spend on Christmas. So here are some great festive money-saving tips from our Families® experts, to help you enjoy Christmas without breaking the bank. READ MORE
Toys have a way of taking over. Before you know it, you are knee-deep in discarded Lego and naked Barbie dolls. The children are bored, the house is a mess and no one is happy. Most families have too many toys and more toys actually equals less play. Why is this? READ MORE
Christmas if You’re Separated
By Rebecca Giraud and Bob Greig
All separated parents have a puzzle to solve at Christmas. How are you going to create a Christmas that is affordable, achievable, pleases the kids and works for your child’s other parent? None of this is easy… READ MORE familiesonline.co.uk
November/ December 29
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IN THIS ISSUE
Easter activities & What’s Ons * Win chocolates for Mother’s Day & family day out tickets * Play café guide * School open days * Reader offers
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Issue 10 March/April 2020
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