Issue 26 September/October 2022 Familiesonline.co.uk TopEducation9autumn walks Half term FREETakeMeHome IN THIS ISSUE
Print a blank monthly calendar for the family pinboard, ready to add any one-off events and holidays. Book dentist appointments and all haircuts for the year ahead.
Arrange long distance trips to see family and friends.
Look on apps like UDEMY or YouTube for tutorials and webinars to develop your software skills. Many of these can be done at any time and are free. Post a link to the course in your calendar.
Home Now Declutter and clear the decks: bag up old clothes, toys and electricals and take them to a charity shop or recycling bin. Post any large or valuable items on Ebay or Facebook TakeMarketplace.aninventory of your house and garden and make a note of necessary home improvements. Prioritise the top three jobs and note the steps to achieve each one, who will take them and when. Pin up your lists where everyone can see them. Older kids can get involved too.
Order or borrow any tools or materials needed for your first DIY jobs. Start the first job on the DIY list. Early next year Complete most of the jobs on the DIY list. Call in a decorator, handyman or gardener to finish any jobs left undone.
Text three friends you haven’t see for ages and invite them around or arrange some fun, grown up nights out/or lunches for you and your friends.
Work Now Which new qualification would get you that promotion at work? Courses run by colleges tend to start in the autumn so research and book now. By October half term
Early next year
Compile a rotating weekly meal plan for the term ahead. Schedule a weekly reminder for your food shopping order into your personal calendar. By October half term
By October half term
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Northeast Magazine2 Ellie’s parent goal planner OUTCUTANDKEEP ü
Early next year Head, Heart and Hands represent the three aspects of you that need equal attention. Write down each of these three words at the top of a column. List your daily activities under each heading. Typically, one of these columns will be shorter than the rest. Find a personalised goal that adds something to the shortest column!
Work not going well? Update your CV and test the water by posting it on a jobs website.
Family Now Put term dates into your phone, calendar or planner for the whole Printyear. and pin up a weekly timetable for office hours, school timings, pick up and drop off arrangements, homework and clubs/activities (including your own).
Start Christmas planning; set budget, list presents.
Early next year Have the talk: tell your employer or clients about any new skills you’ve gained in the last year and tackle tricky subjects like letting your employer know you’re keen to get promoted or informing your clients about price rises. Refresh your social media and online profiles, update any pages that might be seen by a customer, recruiter or potential employer.
As school re-opens and we settle back into routine, here’s a planner from writer and parent, Ellie Malt, designed to help everyone in the family focus on their annual goals. Ellie suggests pinning it up to keep everyone’s goals in sight!
Self Now
By October half term
Sign up to a class, group or activity. Search by area and activity using apps like Meet Up, Class Pass and Eventbrite. Buy the necessary kit or equipment for your activity.
Try something new: it might be superinteresting or satisfyingly creative but remember that anything that fits your schedule can open the door to opportunities and friendships.
Have a family meeting to talk about household rules, consequences and Searchrewards.online for trips or activities that you could all do together. Book next year’s summer holiday.
Carla & Laura x
Contact us In this issue Ellie’s goal planner for parents
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Autumn can be a beautiful time of year for spending time outdoors so check out our Top 9 autumn walks on the back page. And, if you want to keep your kids off screens as the nights draw in, check out our half term screen-free kids activities
Carla
Laura
Welcome Can you believe the kids are back at school already? It seems like just a moment since they were breaking up! We hope you had a fantastic summer. No doubt, some of you will be reluctant to get back to routine, whilst others will welcome it; either way, getting some hours back in your day is a great opportunity to make some plans and set goals for the coming months. We hope our goal planner will help with this.
Finally,too. in this issue, we have tonnes of Action Heroes Sets to giveaway! Apply for these loveable mini toy sets for your child at familiesmag.co.uk/go. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.
Starting or going back to school can be challenging for children (and parents) so check out our Education section for some great articles that will help, including what to do if your child hates school and the mysteries of phonics explained. We also have some advice for any parents who have a child suffering from panic attacks.
Editors E:
TopHalfFamilyClubsWhat’sEarlyEducationyearson&ClassesLawterm9Autumnwalks16.14.13.12.10.8.4.2.
Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https://bit.ly/MJrecipients Finlayson & Macaulay Carla@familiesnewcastle.co.uk 690020@FamiliesNorthEastMag@FamiliesNEMag@familiesnortheastmag
By Sarah Campbell
Sarah Campbell is co-founder of Parrot Street Book Club (www.parrotstreet.com), an award-winning monthly subscription book club for children ages 5 to 14. Each subscription box includes a brand new book plus an activity pack inspired by that particular book.
Families Northeast Magazine4
The Marvellous Granny Jinks and Me by Serena Patel, illustrated by Selom Sunu When Jada Jinks finds a box of magic tricks in her granny’s flat, she uncovers her granny’s secret dream of becoming a magician. Inspired by the first Black woman to be admitted to the Magic Circle, this is a fun, inclusive and magical story, with tricks!
Panda at the Door written and illustrated by Sarah Horne Pudding the Panda of Edinburgh Zoo really wants a family to take care of, just like her heroine, Mary Poppins. When 9 year old Callum is given a certificate to adopt a panda for his birthday, the two come together... and pandemonium ensues! Velda the Awesomest Viking and the Voyage of Deadly Doom by David MacPhail, illustrated by Richard Morgan Velda might be small but she is certainly mighty. Nothing will stop her from taking to the high seas to earn her place on the dragon ship Valkyrie, along with a wonderful, colourful cast of characters.
The Tindims of Rubbish Island by Sally Gardner, illustrated by Lydia Correy
BrilliantEDUCATION first chapter books for early readers
There’s a Dog in My Brain by Caroline Green, illustrated by Rikin Parekh When Danny made a wish to stay home instead of going to a family wedding, he didn’t expect to end up trapped in the body of a dog. Meanwhile, Dudley the dog is off on the adventure of a lifetime. He might look like a normal 10 year old boy, but can he behave like one?
The first in a new series exploring our impact on the environment. Meet Captain Spoons, Mug, Jug, Brew, Skittle and friends, all residents of Rubbish Island, which the inventive Tindims have built entirely from thrown away items.
Dragon Storm by Alastair Chisholm, illustrated by Eric Deschamps and Ben Mantle Tomas can’t believe it when a mysterious stranger invites him to join a secret society and tells him that he has a very special power… he can summon his very own dragon! With a medieval setting and a strong dose of fantasy, this is the first in a thrilling new series.
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The children of Wigley Primary love having Noodle the Doodle at school and are thrilled that he’s coming on the class trip to the seaside. But will Noodle be on his best behaviour or will the day end in chaos? Perfect for young dog-lovers.
Noodle the Doodle by Jonathan Meres, illustrated by Katy Halford
When your child is ready to move on from picture books, there are some wonderful first chapter books aimed at children ages 5 to 9. Many are highly illustrated, with stories that will last over the course of a few reading sessions. Here are some of our recent favourites, all available through your friendly local independent store or www.bookshop.org.
Alien in the Jam Factory by Chrissie Sains, illustrated by Jenny Taylor Get ready for aliens, jam, doughnuts, snails, one dastardly villain and a brilliant kid fizzing with ideas! Young inventor Scooter and his alien buddy Fizzbee team up to outwit Daffy Dodgy in a hilarious new adventure.
This year I supported two students with exam preparation and covered over fifteen different subjects with them - only three of those subjects are my specialism. So here is what I have learnt about supporting children in subjects in which you are not confident yourself.
If your child is needing more help than you can provide, speak to their school. There may be a club they can attend or some additional support that they can access in the lesson.
Sneezy Panda game
Simply pop your favourite fruity drinks into the moulds and shape trays and place them in the freezer. Put the frozen shapes under Mr Frosty’s hat and turn his handle to create tasty, crushed ice treats! Ages 3+ Mr Frosty The Crunchy Ice Maker available10
Apply for our great FREE giveaways!
If the methods that your child uses are not familiar to you, don’t worry. YouTube, BBC Bitesize, Oak Academy and IXL are your friends. Simply type in your child’s year and the topic that they are studying (often found at the top of the worksheet) and the subject e.g. Year 4 - bus stop method, maths, into Google.
As a tutor, I get many requests from parents to tutor their child, even when that parent is a teacher themselves. It can be hard for some children to study with their parents and you don’t want it to lead to any strain in your relationship.
The game with flowers and leaves which make little panda, Sam, sneeze! Suitable for two to four players. Ages 4+ Apply
Maybe one day the children can study science with you and the next they can cover maths with their friend’s mum.
Cool UK made t-shirts from ethical babywear brand, Marlo & Cole, created to inspire the next generation’s love of music through unique, vibrant and fun illustrated designs. Printed with child-friendly inks on Oeko-Tex cotton. T-shirts for ages 2-3, 3-4 and 4-5. available10 available5 T&C’s apply
By Jemma Zoe Smith
www.familiesmag.co.uk/goatMarlo&Colekids’t-shirts
As children settle back in at school for a new academic year, parents also settle back into the routine of being called upon by their children to help them with homework. But what if you have very limited time, you are not across the school’s expectations or you simply aren’t familiar with the topic?
Be honest with your child. You don’t know it all and nor should you be expected to.
As a busy parent, you may only have a short amount of time in which to work with your child. Make sure that you both have clear expectations about what you will be able to achieve. If you only have twenty minutes, you may not be able to finish their homework together but you may be able to tackle a few key problems before they complete the rest themselves.
There may be some topics in which you feel you can very quickly assist your child without straining your own brain cells past the point of endurance. But if your child is struggling in multiple subjects, reach out to others. You may be able to ask other parent friends or your relatives for help.
Oh dear! I can’t help my child with this
It can be useful to start a session by running through a video with your child. Depending on their age, you may want to run through the video first before looking over it with them. This also really helps you focus and ensures you have your head around the topic sufficiently to be able to help explain it further to your child or answer their questions.
Play to your strengths
Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).
If your child is struggling with something specific, reach out to the school and ask them if they can point you in the direction of some practice that you can do with your child. Remember you are all on the same team. Use parents evening to ask what topics are coming up and to find out when exams are. Forewarned is forearmed.
So that your time with them is productive, set goals and a timer. Goals help you prioritise and the timer prevents you from watching the clock. Your child will also have your undivided attention during this time.
At the end of each session, write down what you have covered in three bullet points. That way if your child gets another homework on the same topic, you can remember what you covered. These will also come in handy if you have a younger child or for end of year tests.
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Northeast Magazine 5 EDUCATION
As children develop in their phonics ability you will find they want to help you read and you can work together to read a text. By Emma Lewry
Read as often as you can, whether it’s stories, poems, cookery books, magazines - anything you have or see! Allow your child to ask questions and talk about what they understand along the Thinkway.
If the thought of supporting your child with phonics fills you with dread, never fear! There is one simple thing you can do which will help them beyond your expectations: reading!
For example, ‘i’ can sound short as in ‘fish’ or have a longer sound like ‘eye’ in ‘find’. There are different groups of letters that make sounds: a digraph is two letters that go together to make one sound e.g. ‘ch’ in is three letters together making one sound e.g. ‘ear’ in As‘near’.children develop their knowledge, they build up and put together all of the sounds they recognise in order to read and write.
about reading as sharing a book with your child rather than them always sitting quietly and listening. By talking about the words and language and explaining meaning, children learn and understand more.
• Your child will be taught phonics in a specific way at school so ask them to teach you. It’s a great way for them to test their understanding.
Oral blending is the skill to practise here. Oral blending means hearing separate sounds and putting them together without reading the letters too. It’s really helpful to practise lots of oral blending with your children from as young as the age of 2.
Try I spy with whole words split up or hide some pictures for children to hunt for. The idea is you say the sounds of the object in the pictures separately and they blend them so they know what they are hunting!
English is a tricky language and sometimes the same letters make different sounds.
Phonics is one of those things that feels like a secret clubsome people understand it and to others it’s gobbledegook! If you have a child at school, they’re part of ‘the club’ and they may look askance at you when you ask what a digraph or blending is. For you and anyone who has a child due to start school, here are some tips to get you both closer to full admittance of the phonics club! What is phonics?
• Practise blending - this can be the key to unlock entry to ‘the club!’
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Northeast Magazine6
Top Tips • Practise recognising the sounds.
• Read, read, read!
Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.
Once children have learned the separate sounds, they then have to ‘blend’ them together to make the full word. For example, they hear or read ‘c’, ‘a’, ‘t’ and need to put the sounds together to make ‘cat.’ This skill can be a real stumbling block for children because they are working so hard to recognise the sounds that they can’t put them together easily.
Read, read, read! Blending can be the key
• If you’re stuck or worried, ask your child’s school for help. Supporting children learning to read can be as frustrating as it is magical.
Phonics is a way of teaching children to read and later write. It is based on the fact that letters and groups of letters make sounds and when we put those sounds together they make words.
For example, say separate sounds, a bit like a robot, and get your child to blend them together to make the word. You can do this in sentences e.g. put on your ‘c’, ‘oa’, ‘t’ or let’s go to the ‘p’, ‘ar’, ‘k’.
I hope these tips help you joining the Phonics Club!
Achop.trigraph
• Help children to spot when two or three letters work together to make one sound e.g ‘ai’ in ‘rain’ and ‘igh’ in ‘light’.
phonicsUnderstandingEDUCATION
Reading to and with your child is the single most impactful thing you can do to help their reading, writing and language skills to develop. By being read to, children hear new words, learn the flow of language and develop their understanding of grammar.
Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery opened its doors to its brand new purpose-built school ten years ago, and it has continued to go from strength to strength.
Lisa and Catherine 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.
Poor chemistry with a teacher. Your child may complain that a particular teacher is ‘unfair’ or ‘mean.’ Remember, children know how to play a parent against a teacher. While acknowledging your child’s feelings, don’t automatically assume you’re getting the whole picture. Talk with the school to find out what’s really going Ratheron.than dismissing children’s worries, let them know they are heard. If they are struggling with a certain class, help them find ways to overcome their struggles. If they have fallen out with their friends, listen to them and talk about what they are going through. Helping them to find their own solutions will build resilience and restore positive feelings about school.
The transition from Nursery to the next stage in school life is always a smooth one at Dame Allan’s with children stepping up to the Reception class within the same building.
It’s important to recognise the problem and provide the right support. School ‘hatred’ can arise for various reasons: Anxiety. This most frequently occurs during times of family stress such as a change in the family situation or when a child is about to enter a new school or phase. It can manifest as separation anxiety. Trouble learning. For some children, the jump to higher academic levels and the sheer volume of information they need to digest can be overwhelming. Loneliness. Making new friends can be difficult and children often fall out for no obvious reason. This can have a direct effect on self-esteem and turn into a dislike of school. Children who always feel alone will often feign illness to avoid school and school-related activities.
This all helps set the foundation for a fulfilling academic journey at the School which caters for children from Nursery all the way up to Year 6 at the same site, before they move onto the next stage at Dame Allan’s Senior Schools, along the road in Fenham.
School can be a source of support and community as much as learning. It provides new experiences, exposure to different opinions, a sense of achievement, peer friendships and relationships with trusted adults. However, it can also be a lot to cope with, particularly when starting a new academic year. Children usually settle in. But what do you do if this doesn’t happen and if your child says they ‘hate’ school?
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Northeast Magazine 7 EDUCATION
Bullying. If your child seems quiet and anxious, has few school friends or suddenly shows a drop in self-esteem, bullying may be a factor. Ask your child’s school to keep an eye out. If bullying is happening, the school will need to put strategies in place to support your child.
Children at Dame Allan’s Schools receive an exceptional start to their education thanks to the Early Years provision at the school, and its outstanding dedicated Early Years facilities for children in Nursery and Reception.
By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble
Here, provision follows the successful Diamond Structure model of education which sees boys and girls educated separately as they progress through Years 7 to 11, and then together again in the mixed Sixth Form as they prepare to move on to life after school.
What to do if your child ‘hates’ school
Discover more about this inspirational start at the forthcoming open morning Saturday 17 September – to register visit www.dameallans.co.uk
An startinspirationaltoeducation
As the first experience in school is such a vital step in a child’s learning journey, staff at Dame Allan’s create a friendly, nurturing environment where having fun and learning go Thehand-in-hand.childrenbenefit from outstanding outdoor education facilities. Classes held in the School’s outdoor classroom ‘Woodland Ways’ and in The Edge yurt, encourage children to explore and be adventurous. Both facilities are central to the School’s exciting Skogsmulle programme, a Swedish educational initiative which centres on a fantasy figure who informs children about nature through play and song.
If you speak to the parents of most toddlers, they’ll probably tell you that life is somewhat turbulent! Toddlers are at this lovely, exciting age where they are really exploring the world and figuring things out and their brains are firing and learning new things every day. This exploration can come with its challenges though and a BIG one is often seen at mealtimes with food refusal!
What’s interpreted as ‘fun’ will vary from family to family but you could start with some calming music, a funky table cloth or kicking off with some silly faces, whatever helps to bring some joy to the table.
TrickyYEARStoddler eating tips
Pressure
Charlotte Stirling-Reed is the Baby and Child Nutritionist. Her new book How to Feed your Toddler: Everything You Need to Know to Raise Happy, Independent Little Easters is published by Ebury Press.
However, if you keep offering rejected foods (without any actual pressure to eat them), they start to become ‘familiar’ and this has been shown to help toddlers to be more willing to try them.
Offer a variety, even foods that are refused. If you offer foods and they are refused and then you don’t offer them again, it’s unlikely that your little ones will grow to accept them.
We’re not talking about turning your table into a racing track but simply making it enjoyable for them, engaging them and allowing them to explore the foods on offer without too much restriction, pressure or ‘mealtime rules’.
Overly restricting foods that children can see or are asking for rarely works. This can make the restricted foods more desirable and put pressure on mealtimes and eating occasions. Instead, try to ‘covertly’ restrict by role modelling what to eat yourself, showing and offering a BALANCE. Monitor how often cakes, biscuits and sweets are available at home and avoid referring to these as ‘treats’ as this suggests that these foods are the most desirable!
Pressure to ‘eat up’ rarely works in the long run. It’s far better to sit back, take the pressure off and focus on making mealtimes positive occasions for toddlers, including trying to spend time with your little one and engage with them over It’smeals.best to role model the actions and behaviours you want your toddler to emulate so in time they learn HOW to eat and HOW enjoy a variety of foods.
Toddlers are constantly testing and figuring out the ‘rules’ and what works for toddlers. So, try to stay consistent and persistent whilst rolling out some of these tried and tested strategies.
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Employ the line ‘That’s okay, you don’t have to eat it’ and stick to it. Again, taking the pressure off and putting the ball in their court at mealtimes, helps them to have a sense of autonomy and feel like they have some control. In time, this can often help encourage them to WANT to eat a little more. Make it a mealtime they WANT to be part of. If you think about it, toddlers are all about fun and exploring. That’s simply the aim of their day. So, try and make mealtimes a part of the fun journey too.
“I don’t like it”, “yukky”, “I hate broccoli”…sound familiar? These are common phrases heard by those of us who have toddlers around the table and it’s pretty common for parents to express concern to me about this. The toddler years are often about independence and our little ones trying to seek some autonomy in their day to day lives, and that includes their food choices too.
The book includes step by step guides, tips and advice on tricky eating, as well as fifty delicious and easy recipes.
My main tips: Start by pretending you simply don’t care if they eat or not Research shows that the more PRESSURE we put on toddlers to ‘eat up’ the more likely it is to have the opposite effect.
By Charlotte Stirling-Reed
So, if you want to help your toddlers to enjoy more foods, try to fight your natural instincts and be nonchalant at mealtimes.
Restricting foods
It’s actually pretty normal for toddlers to be picky with their food, partly due to developing independence, partly due to ‘neophobia’ (reluctance to try new foods) which generally kicks in during the toddler years and partly because growth rates start to slow around this age which can result in their appetites simply taking a bit of a dip.
Remember, it’s a long game. The tips and tricks you put in place to help to support your toddler’s eating will not work overnight.
By Dr Sohom Das
It’s possible to use a watered-down version of this at home with your child. Here is an example Here is an example.
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Northeast Magazine 9 HEALTH
Breathe! Panic attacks can cause hyperventilation, resulting in lightheadedness, fainting and even chest pains. In turn, this triggers the downward spiral of further anxiety. Encouraging your child to slow their breathing should relieve the physical symptoms and interrupt the cycle. Ask your child to breathe in through their nose for three seconds, hold their breath for three seconds, then exhale completely and fully for three seconds. This assists physiologically and can also act as a distraction. Once they become proficient at this, they can add it to their toolbox for the next time they are having a panic attack, even if you aren’t there.
During a panic attack, your child will feel like they are losing control. It’s imperative to maintain equanimity and fight our impulses to show our own distress and anxiety. We need to model calmness by taking charge of the situation and not dramatising or over-medicalising it. Talk to your child in a gentle and reassuring voice and remind them that the panic attack will be over soon. This will make them feel safer and they might model your behaviour, which could quickly pull them out of the sinking quicksand of panic.
If your child gets panicky in public, you start with simply discussing a trip to the park. Later this technique could involve taking increasingly longer trips outside into incrementally busier environments. This should help your child to gradually come to realise that their fears are irrational.
With time and practice (and a sprinkling of patience), you can make a positive psychological connection to this distraction, which is further embedded every time it is used and helps shift your child’s focus from their anxiety.
You can help to shift your child’s focus from anxiety and fear to something more comforting. You can even create a safety blanket in their minds. This helps to pull them out of their temporary intense and frightening experience and back into the familiar world around them.
Dr Sohom Das is a forensic psychiatrist and author of In Two Minds: Stories of Murder, Justice and Recovery from a Forensic Psychiatrist. He is also host of the YouTube channel A Psych for Sore Minds.
Like all parents, I don’t like to see my own children suffering and, as a psychiatrist, my heart goes out to youngsters who come to me for help with panic attacks. However, there are proven strategies that can be used to help support loved ones in this situation. Here are five of my top tips. Educate your child Panic attacks can be crippling but knowledge is power. Young people can be anxious about a range of issues at once, some of which may not seem logical. For instance, many children feel self-conscious and believe that people are judging or laughing at them, despite having no evidence of this. When they have a panic attack, some children may even believe that they are dying. Tell them they are not alone. Clarifying that panic attacks are common and normalising them can help children feel less isolated, abnormal or damaged. Teach your child that despite how it feels, these episodes aren’t dangerous or life-threatening. Reassure them that panic attacks are finite; they will always end.
Distract your child Confront their fears
Helping your child with panic attacks
Or you could engage your child in a favourite childhood memory or recite silly tongue-twisters together.
A very effective therapy for full blown phobias is ‘systematic desensitisation with relaxation and graded exposure.’ This involves gradual and controlled exposure to fearful elements, alongside relaxation strategies.
Take charge of the situation
If your child suffers panic attacks in specific scenarios or situations, it is very tempting to try to avoid or remove these from their lives. Although this is an effective short-term fix, there is a risk that this may develop into a phobia over time. It’s unrealistic to assume that they can avoid these triggers forever and you might not be around the next time they face this fear. Sometimes, it is better to nip these issues in the bud.
The distraction you create could be in the form of a favourite toy or game which you engage your child with, a photograph of a happy event and a chat about this event or even petting their hamster or another beloved pet. Equally, a distraction could be a song that they are familiar with, which you can encourage them to join in. The breathing technique described above may also act as a distraction.
Lightyear inspired activities
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Complete with FULL access to the farm on Saturday and Sunday AND camping Friday and Saturday night. Expect live music, a family festival atmosphere and plenty for all the family! Visit www.whitehousefarmcentre.co.uk to book tickets 17 Sept - Seven Stories
This half term join us at Raby Castle for a spooktacular Halloween Trail. Collect an activity sheet and see what hidden creatures you can find. Bring along your best-dressed pumpkins so we can put your designs on display for friends and family to see.
15 - 30 Oct - High Force Halloween Trail
Hear the blood-curdling tales from the Medieval Barber Surgeon as he regales you with tales of injury, ailment and terrifying treatments. Surrounded by authentic tools of the trade, discover the truth behind the Black Death, how wounds of battle were treated, how bones were set and blood was let.
1 - 30 Sept – Botanic Garden, Durham TerrificUniversityTrees
24 - 30 Oct – Alnwick Castle Medieval Barber Surgeon
This is a magical evening for little ones with the best in children’s entertainment and the opportunity to get up on stage.
Pick up a spotter sheet from the Visitor Centre and see what Terrific Trees you can discover in the Garden. This is a selfled activity, and subject to availability of spotter sheets.
This summer, celebrate the new Lightyear film at Life. Explore the science behind one of our favourite astronauts and enjoy a range of NEW space-themed activities that are out-of-this-world.
The Whitehouse Farm Festival
WHAT’S ON ‘til 10 Oct - Life Science Centre
30 Oct – Saltwell Park, Gateshead Treat & Trail in the Park Join our cast for a ‘Not so Scary’ Trail through the park meeting some ‘Not so Spooky Guests’ on the way. This is a family fun walk through the Park that’s hosted in the beautiful Saltwell Park, Gateshead. Suitable for all ages, even adults! Please come in your best attire and costumes if you wish to really get into the spirit.
Half Term Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Belsay Hall this half term. Follow the trail to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories. Book online and save! 22 & 30 Oct - Seven Stories
1 - 2 Oct – Beamish Museum Harvest Festival and Harvest Home Come along and see displays at Pockerley Old Hall, The 1940s Farm, and the chapel in The 1900s Pit Village as we celebrate Harvest Festival and Harvest Home.
If you venture down to High Force Waterfall this Halloween, you’ll find a series of spine-tingling clues along our woodland walk. Can you collect them all, solve the puzzle and make it all the way back to the Hotel?
You Choose! Interactive Musical Theatre Show for ages 2-7
The Durham National An action-packed day of family fun is set to make for a thrilling Race Day. It’ll be all smiles as the kids enjoy all of the free entertainment.
16 Oct – Sedgefield Racecourse Family Fun Day
Are you brave enough to come to Hall Hill Farm between 22nd - 30th October (also 15th & 16th October) for a ghoulishlygood time? There are lots of extra activities- including giant scarecrows, haunted Sheep Race, Mini Monster Maze, Trick or Treat treasure hunt, choose your pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, carve your lantern, and the Spooky Spider Barrel Train.
The ultimate end to the Summer, as we present our very own festival!
22 - 29 Oct – Durham Cathedral Go Bats! Did you know that you can see Common Pipistrelle bats flying around the cathedral’s cloister during the summer months? Join us throughout October half term as the bats go to sleep for the winter and create your own little bat to take home.
15 - 30 Oct - Hall Hill Farm Spooky Half Term
22 - 30 Oct – Beamish Museum October Half Term Join the staff at Beamish for a half term to remember with lots of fun family activities to see and do! 22 - 30 Oct – Belsay Hall, Castle and HalloweenGardens
Roald Dahl Family Quiz Do you know your Giant Peaches from your Marvellous Medicine? Your Matilda from your Esio Trot? Test your knowledge of Roald Dahl’s beloved characters and adventures in our Roald Dahl Family Quiz. Tickets - £6.50, check out www. sevenstories.org.uk for more details
13 Oct – The Customs House Family Magic Extravaganza
A brand new interactive musical show for all the family based on the brilliant book by Pippa Goodhart and Nick Sharratt, But in this show – YOU CHOOSE what Ticketshappens!-£11.50, check www.sevenstories.org.ukoutfor more details.
15 - 30 Oct - Raby Castle Halloween Trail
If you’re looking for places to visit and things to keep the kids entertained this autumn, then our What’s On guide is packed full of ideas for places to take the kids, whatever the weather, local festivals, events and shows.
9 - 11 Sept – Whitehouse Farm Centre
24 Sept - Tyne Theatre & Opera House
WHAT’S ON
Justin Live! The Big Tour Come and see CBeebies superstar Justin Fletcher live on stage. Justin Live! is a fabulous show for all the family packed full of songs, lots of dancing, hilarious comedy and plenty of slapstick fun!
15 Oct – Alnwick Playhouse
When all of his friends go away, Norman Price decides to find adventure in Pontypandy and become the star of a visiting circus. But with a tiger on the loose and faulty lights, the adventure soon turns to danger.
Jack Frost and the Search for Winter
25 Oct – Gosforth Civic Theatre Meggie Magicia Meggie Magicia is a magical show for 5- 8 yr. olds, and their families, by North East playwright Wendy Errington. Meggie is newly moved to the seaside to live with her Gran, separated from her Dad who is working away. Meggie is desperate to fit in and impress the school bully, plus make her magician Dad proud. She sets about practising a magic trick for the Lifeboat Festival’s talent show, with the aid of her toy penguin. But time’s ticking – will she succeed?
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28 Sep - 2 Oct Newcastle Theatre Royal The Tiger who came to Tea Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Don’t miss this stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem…expect to be surprised!
25 - 30 Oct – Northern Stage
This year saw science lead the way in getting our lives back to normal. Now, the UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever! Join our presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way!
The Gingerbread Man Run, run as fast as you can…This Halloween, the Gingerbread Man is… ALIIIIIVE! One dark and stormy night, by the light of a fiery oven, a baking experiment goes terribly wrong and creates a monster…a Gingerbread Man! Can he be stopped before he wreaks untold havoc?
22 Sept - Tyne Theatre & Opera House Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow Live Fun for all and packed with chaos and familiar favourites including Two-Word Tango, Musical Splatues, The Grunty Song, Fairly Hairy Fizzogs, Pants Dance, and of course Bogies. It promises to bring the spirit of da Bungalow back to life.
Jack Frost is a mischievous young boy with a frozen touch. His magic transforms the landscape and brings the colours of autumn and the chill of cold winter. He freezes the orange and red leaves and covers the trees and ground with a glistening blanket of ice and snow.
11TheatreSept–The Forum Theatre, FiremanBillinghamSam
The Bird in the Window Raheem finds himself in his childhood home one evening, packing away items into boxes. Steve, an old feathery friend turns up to help the son pack but ends up making an absolute magical mess of his memories!
15 Oct – Northern Stage
25 - 29 Oct – Newcastle Theatre Royal The Little Mermaid
25 Oct – The Forum Theatre, Billingham Ministry of Science
From breath-taking underwater scenes to vibrant life on land, rediscover Hans Christian Andersen’s original fairytale performed by Northern Ballet’s worldclass dancers with Celtic-inspired music played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
NewcastleRazzamataz, Wilde PontelandFarm, Dance NewcastleCity,
Hartbeeps - Area Wide Hartbeeps are magical, musical, imaginative classes for little ones from 3 weeks to pre-school age! We take a different journey every week, full of multi-sensory fun & one to one play for adults and little ones! www.hartbeeps.com
Wilde Farm holiday club is an award winning club in Ponteland for adventurous 5-11 year olds. The children participate in a wide range of fun farm activities 9am - 5pm, MonFri in the school holidays. It is an outdoor holiday club based on a real working farm so the children get to experience first hand life on the farm and have lots of fun!
We are a multi-award winning children’s activity provider which offers educational messy play for babies to preschoolers. Your child is encouraged to use hands, fingers, feet and toes to make marks which will help to strengthen their core muscles and develop their gross and fine motor www.littlelearnersuk.comskills.
www.dancecity.co.uk
ARTventurers - Area Wide ARTventurers classes are super colourful and jam packed with creative fun for your little ARTventurers to www.artventurers.co.ukenjoy.
Famous 4.15 - Newcastle Whether you’re content to sing into your hairbrush or have serious ambitions to make it in the industry, Famous 4.15 has something for you. They offer a range of classes for children and young people who want to develop their performance skills and have a good www.famous415.co.uktime.
Our Baby & Pre-school programme is a wonderful bonding experience. Progressive lesson plans instil a water confidence and a love of swimming whilst our nurturing teachers tailor activities to your child’s abilities and needs. Taught in lovely warm pools with a maximum of ten children, our classes incorporate rhyme, music and movement based on extensive child development www.puddleducks.comresearch.
www.wilde-farm.myshopify.com
local Club/Class
Tiny Tasters - Area Wide Through stories and songs the children build a repertoire of early cooking skills as they make, bake, create and release their inner chef! www.tiny-tasters.com
Puddleducks - Area Wide
MeetCLASSESyour
RugbyTots - Area Wide RugbyTots offer fun, structured play sessions taking children on a journey of sporting imagination with engaging and energetic coaches supporting them every step of the way whilst teaching how to catch, pass, kick, run with the ball and play as part of a www.rugbytots.co.ukteam.
Little Learners - Area Wide
Rhythm Time - Area Wide Rhythm Time offer multi-sensory music classes that have been specifically written by a music teacher to enhance the development of every child. Their musical journey will begin when they are babies, and we will help them to develop their skills as they grow through to toddler and preschool www.rhythmtime.netlevel.
www.newcastle.razzamataz.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Northeast Magazine12 CLUBS &
Dance City is a vibrant & friendly place where people come together to take part, enjoy, experience & talk about dance. We offer over 65 weekly classes in more than 40 different styles of dance - open to all ages & for absolute beginners as well as more experienced. From contemporary to hip hop, ballet to ballroom, belly dancing to Pilates, & for adults with learning disabilitiesour classes are a great way to stay fit & healthy, learn new skills, have fun and meet new people.
Little & Loud - East Boldon Little and Loud classes combine familiar songs and rhymes with new songs, percussion instruments, puppets and props, opportunities to dance and move and always end with a relaxing lullaby or www.littleandloudmusic.co.uktwo.
Waterbabies - Area Wide Your little one is at the heart of everything we do. When they’re ready, we’re ready. Our classes have a maximum of 10 little ones, are 30 minutes long, tailored to your little one’s ability and we have manageable monthly payments to spread the cost of www.waterbabies.co.ukswimming.
Little Kickers - Area Wide The Little Kickers programme delivers high quality football skills, combined with important pre-school learning concepts such as colour and number recognition, sharing, following instructions and using imagination. www.littlekickers.co.uk
Razzamataz Newcastle is proud to put the welfare of its students at the heart of everything it does. Each child will receive first class tuition in a range of styles from classic West End musical theatre to funky street dance and pop singing. We pride ourselves in providing affordable part-time performing arts training for children and young people and giving them access to some of the most talented performers through specialist workshops and masterclasses.
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Northeast Magazine 13 FAMILY LAW
Regaining contact with grandchildren
Initiate contact
Grandparents should first attempt to make contact with the parents themselves, before getting any third parties involved. Of course, this may prove difficult if the relationship is particularly strained or hostile, in which case it may be helpful to try and initiate contact over email or by writing a letter instead.
If grandparents are not able, or don’t feel comfortable, to make contact on their own then they may find it useful to work with an independent family mediator. However, mediation is voluntary so it is entirely possible that other family members may refuse to take part.
If an amicable solution can’t be found using other methods, grandparents may want to consider bringing an application to court, something they will need to gain permission for from a CourtsJudge. appreciate the positive influence grandparents can have on the lives on children and will always strive to find the best outcome for the child.
Court order
Grandparents often form an important part of the family structure, providing parents with support, childcare and a helping hand when needed. However, this relationship can become strained when parents go through a separation, leaving some in the difficult situation where they find themselves denied access to their family. It may be a surprise to learn that under current law in the UK, grandparents do not have the automatic right to see their grandchildren and visits are up to the discretion of the parents. However, while a parent is legally entitled to stop a grandparent from seeing their child, there are a number of steps that can be taken to try and rectify the situation.
Once the case proceeds to court, the expectation will be to prove that it is in the child’s best interests for contact with them to continue and that they had a healthy relationship with the child prior to the disruption.
While the process can seem daunting, there is support available and grandparents may also find it useful to instruct a solicitor to help them navigate the legal landscape. Grandparents looking to learn more about their options can get more information or advice by contacting Rachel Smith, Family Law Solicitor at Mincoffs Solicitors, at rsmith@mincoffs. co.uk
It is possible that parents may raise objections, so it is important to be prepared for this and any further hurdles this may produce.
Mediation
www.empoweringmindtherapies.co.uk 07727 917582 corrine@empoweringmindtherapies.co.uk We work 1:1 with; Children (4 15 yrs) Children with special needs Young adults (16 25yrs) Parents & families Adults We specialise in therapeutic interventions for children, young adults, parents and families. Our passion is making a positive difference to the lives of everyone we have the pleasure of working with. Issues we can help with; Stress and Anxiety Lack of Behaviouralconfidenceissues Low self esteem Anger Relationships Contact direct no referral needed! New clients usually seen within one week Contact us to arrange your FREE, no obligation, consultation Therapies offered; Neuro Linguistic Programming IndianHypnotherapyHeadMassage Staff health and wellness therapy Cognitive Behavioural Coaching Mindfulness Therapeutic coaching Follow us Rachel Smith Family Law Solicitor
Design a board game
Playdough
By Isabell Fisher
It’s important that children are tech-savvy but there is very little evidence that screentime contributes to a child’s cognitive ability. Screens are so appealing because of their continually changing content so any activities that we attempt at home with the kids need to be equally appealing to little hands, eyes and brains. Here are a few activities that are easy to set up if you need to keep the kids entertained this half term or you’re stuck at home during a rainy weekend. You probably have most of what you need at home already.
This is a versatile toy but if the smell and texture of big-branded playdough is something you’re not keen on, there are some wonderful options for soft and scented playdough that doesn’t leave a greasy residue. Just check that the playdough has been UKCA tested before buying.
This is a fun way for kids to learn about design and teamwork. All you need is a piece of paper, some pens, some counters (maybe toy figures), some dice and some rules. Involve your children in working out how the game works and create and decorate your board before playing!
Easy experimentsscience There are lots of easy science experiments that can be tried at home with household items and they encourage kids to ask questions, make predictions and understand the world around them. Try making a lava lamp with water, food colouring and oil in a jar. Add an effervescent tablet and watch what happens!
Boosted books
Screen-freeTERM
Baking Baking shortbread and scones is simple enough for inexperienced bakers to try and hopefully they will taste great! Baking bread is also surprisingly simple and you and your children can have lots of fun creating different animals out of the dough to then bake in the oven. Painting Children love to paint but the mess can fill many parents with dread. Instead of using poster paint, try using watercolour paints which are easier to clean up. To change things up, get the kids painting on coffee filters, a canvas or ice cubes.
Reading to your kids is great but don’t limit the experience to sitting on the sofa. If the book is set in a cave, evict the vacuum cleaner from under the stairs and issue everyone with head torches! If you’re reading a desert adventure, create a Bedouin tent using some sheets and your clothes horse. Isabell Fisher is co-founder of Little Hands Learning, an educational and eco-friendly subscription box for children ages 3 to 6. For more ideas, visit www.littlehandslearning.co.uk/activities
Treasure hunt
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Choose something to be the treasure, hide it and then create a map for your kids to follow. Make it more interesting (and last longer) by having the map lead your little pirates to different locations where each location’s ‘treasure’ is a clue to the next location. To make the map look more ‘authentic,’ scrunch up the paper and stain it with a damp teabag.
Art and craft
This doesn’t need to be overly complicated. Often keeping it simple is far better than creating something elaborate. Try making a paper boat and see how far it travels or create tealight holders out of old jam jars by gluing on pieces of tissue paper. These also make lovely presents for grandparents.
rainy day activities
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Northeast Magazine14
Forest bathing, or ‘shirrin-yoku’, was first developed in the 1980s following studies by the Japanese government. The benefits are said to be numerous. Results showed that two hours of mindful exploration in a forest or wood could reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol levels and improve concentration and memory.
While walking on a treadmill can work, walking in the great outdoors is more powerful to clear the mind, get inspired and come up with new creative ideas.
The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and the rhythmic cadence of your steps can get you into the magical ‘flow’ state that many artists, writers and creators talk about.
The Japanese government thought the benefits were so great that they introduced it as a national health programme.
nurture you! Your over-thinking mind will clear when you take a walk, consciously seeking out greenery and clouds, listening to the sounds around you and breathing fresh air.
Claire Winter is a journalist, ICF coach, speaker and awardwinning podcaster who loves being out in nature. She works to help women connect back to nature, ignite their creativity and share their stories. Read more at www.creatrixjourney. com or follow @thecreatrixjourney on Instagram.
Set out with a small notebook or use voice notes on your phone to record any insights. If you have to take your phone with you, switch it to do not disturb mode and ignore the screen.
How do you spark your creativity when you are feeling uninspired or busy? For me, creativity is as essential as breathing for a happy and fulfilling life. But when and how do you get inspired?
When you are in the rut of daily chores, creative inspiration can feel non-existent. Perhaps current news events or the relentlessness of family life are making you feel stuck. Creative blocks can arise for many different reasons; maybe a work issue, fear of failure or self-doubt are standing in your way. Being creatively blocked can feel incredibly frustrating, timeconsuming and ultimately, can lead to a lack of motivation.
Here’s the science bit: trees release a chemical called phytoncides which have an antimicrobial effect on human bodies; this can, in turn, boost the immune system.
When you come back from your walk, stay in the refreshed zone. Write down all your creative thoughts straightaway to give yourself inspired starting points.
Taking inspiration from nature
Nurtured by nature
On top of this, we also know that exercising in nature is not only good for our physical health but also our mental health. By boosting mood and energy, you are helping to improve your Letcreativity.nature
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or creatively blocked, take yourself out for a mindful walk in nature and see what inspiration you can bring back to your desk.
Start to notice the woodland and nature around you. Even towns have leafy gardens and birdcalls when you pay enough attention! Start tapping into all your senses. How does it sound? How does it feel? What does it smell like? What does it look like? How do you imagine things taste? What does the movement around you feel like outside your body and inside it?
If you are distracted, take a moment to ground yourself and connect to your environment. Stand still, root your feet into the ground and take three deep breaths.
Mindful walking
In another study, researchers in Finland found that urban dwellers who strolled for as little as twenty minutes through an urban park or woodland reported significantly more stress relief than those who strolled in a city centre.
While creative blocks can happen to everyone sometimes, there are ways to overcome them. A powerful tool to help you get creative is spending time in nature. Walk it out Simply going for a walk is surprisingly effective. A study from Stanford University found that walking boosted creativity by sixty percent, compared to subjects who were sedentary. The great German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche claimed that all great ideas came from walking. So, what is it about walking that helps our brains switch into a creative mode?
As we spend more time indoors and online, this is a timely reminder of the value of stopping the scroll and spending twenty minutes walking in nature.
Continue to notice your breathing. Is it slow or fast? How has it changed since you started the walk?
Mindful walking in nature has taken a step further with the introduction of forest bathing workshops.
By Claire Winter
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Northeast Magazine 15 WORK
Within the ancient woodlands of the Derwent Valley, home to many birds including green and great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, and sparrow hawks. An observation hide is located within the woods. Walking routes are clearly marked including a circular route that takes in sculptures carved from trees’ stumps including an otter and a red kite.
Hedley Hall, Sunniside, Gateshead
This tranquil site is a mix of ancient woodland, which covers the long, narrow valley of Ridley Gill, and established new native woodland planted in 1992, where medieval farmsteads once stood.
Bolam Lake Country Park is situated in the heart of the beautiful Northumberland countryside surrounded by historic landscapes and dramatic views. It has lakeside, woodland and open grassed areas for all to enjoy with the attractive lakeside walk being accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
One of our region’s most important wildlife sites, this wetland reserve, bordered by the River Wear, also contains mixed woodlands and species rich grasslands.
Plessey Woods Country Park, Bedlington
Here’s our round up of some of the best walks this autumn in our region to enjoy with the whole family. Each one offers a unique experience with many also catering for children of all ages. Take a look at their websites before visiting for up to date information on opening times, parking and more.
Thornley Woodland Centre, Derwent Valley
Hamsterley Forest, County Durham Escape the hustle and bustle of the everyday at County Durham’s largest forest. From wildlife watching to stargazing, and adventure play for all the family to exhilarating mountain biking, there is something to keep everyone busy.
Chopwell Woods, Derwent Valley Chopwell Wood really is a wood for everyone. This 360-hectare mixed woodland is a real gem, set right on the fringe of Gateshead. Miles of paths allow fantastic access, walking and cycling into the heart of this fascinating woodland.
Auckland Castle Deer Park, Bishop Auckland
The Prince Bishops created the Deer Park over 800 years ago as their own private hunting ground. The 150 acre parkland is free to visit at any time of the year, and retains many of the medieval elements, including fish ponds and woodland paths.
Low Barns Nature Reserve, Witton le Wear
The Rising Sun Country Park is a green oasis of 162 hectares, set in the heart of North Tyneside. Boasting a nature reserve with ponds, woodlands and extensive grasslands; a farm and Countryside centre, the site is a haven for wildlife and an ideal place to relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
Bolam Lake Country Park, Belsay
Set in 100 acres of woodland, wild-flowerclad meadows and romantic riverside as the River Blyth runs through the park. Its network of paths/trails make this a great spot for walkers, cyclists and picnickers. Wander along the river bank to spot otters peeping out of the water and kingfishers skimming the surface. Self-guided trails offer a fantastic family day out.
Rising Sun Country Park, North Tyneside
TOP Autumn9 walks
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