Families Hampshire West Sep/Oct 2020 (Print)

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IN THIS ISSUE

Win a family holiday to Santa’s Lapland

Issue78 September/October 2020 familiesonline.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk

Families Hampshire West 1

Win a magical break to Santa's Lapland in 2021 Enjoy a Reindeer sleigh ride, sledging with huskies, exploring a real igloo and much more, including a once in a lifetime private visit with Santa himself!

To enter, visit SantasLapland.com/families by 30th October 2020.

Terms & conditions apply, please see website for details.

Come and visit us this autumn!

To arrange a personal tour of the school site, email registrar@kes. hants.sch.uk.

@kessouthampton 2 Families Hampshire West

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Contents

Welcome - we’re celebrating!

There are some reasons to celebrate as we head into autumn.

Issue 78 I Sept/Oct 2020 Editor Rebecca Carr editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk 07789 882 467 Advertising Claire Clarricoates claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk 07812 218331

Firstly, we’re back in print for the first time since March.

Whilst we’ve been busy online for the last few months you may have read our digital “lockdown” issues - it feels great to be able to provide you with a hard copy of our magazine as usual.

Printed by Holbrooks Printers Ltd.

And this autumn is also special as it marks the 30 year anniversary of Families Magazine, first launched in London in 1990. Throughout the next 12 months, we’ll be inviting our readers to mark this milestone with us in lots of fun and interesting ways.

Next issue November/December Booking deadline 16 October

To get the ball rolling, we’re proud to offer you the chance to win a family holiday to Santa’s Lapland in Finland! See page 2 for details.

We distribute copies in Winchester, Southampton, The New Forest, Totton, Eastleigh, Chandler’s Ford, Hedge End, Bursledon, Netley, Park Gate and all the areas in between.

Published 6 times per year. If you would like copies for your establishment contact us.

Cover image Depositphotos Connect with us on Social Media

In the meantime, we hope you find this issue useful in negotiating the start to the new school and nursery year.

In this issue 4.

Education News

6.

Education

10. Clubs & Classes 11. Early Years 12. Local Activities

@Familieshampshire

Advertise your business in our Nov/Dec issue. Book by 16 Oct Education I Parenting I Health Christmas I Clubs & Classes & more Call 07789 882467

15. Kids Activities

© Families Hampshire West Magazine 2020. 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.

W.J. French & Son, your local, children’s shoe experts.

We stock a large range of children’s shoes in full & half sizes as well as a wide range of width fittings.

We are recognised by the Children's Foot Health Register as a centre of excellence for shoe fitting.

We are the largest independent shoe shop in Hampshire and have been providing excellent customer service for over 200 years.

W.J. French

& Son Limited familiesonline.co.uk

40 Bedford Place, Southampton, SO15 2DG 023 8022 6542 www.wjfrenchandson.co.uk Families Hampshire West 3

Education News

Take advantage of Kumon’s free trial Kumon individualised Maths and English worksheets are set at just the right level for your child to advance in their studies, at their own pace. Established for over 60 years, the Kumon study enables students of all ages and abilities to develop into confident, independent learners with strong study skills.

Their programmes place great importance on selflearning, encouraging students to discover how to solve problems for themselves.

Your local Winchester study centre is offering a one-week free trial of the Kumon programmes from 1 September – 31 October 2020 for all new students. Your child will be assessed so that your Kumon Instructor can tailor their level of study precisely to their ability. They will receive personalised ongoing support from their Kumon Instructor, who will carefully monitor their progress.

Lockdown Life at King Edward VI School For schools, responding to the Coronavirus pandemic has meant working above and beyond to continue to educate our young people. At King Edward VI School in Southampton, adjusting to the ‘new normal’ saw a transition to online learning which reconstructed the students’ usual timetable, albeit from home. As phased reopening was endorsed by Government, then came preparing the site for social distancing regulations and devising ‘hybrid’ lessons, delivering content appropriate for the whole class, whether they were in school or connecting from home.

Staff and students were heavily involved in the community effort to support the NHS, answering the call for PPE. Distributing to frontline workers at Southampton Children’s Hospital and other local NHS hospitals, surgeries, and social care facilities, the laser cutter worked overtime on manufacturing hundreds of visors, and soon surgical gowns and scrubs were added to the production schedule.

as

The school is open to small groups of visitors for taster mornings and open afternoons. Email registrar@kes.hants.sch. uk or visit www.kes.hants.sch.uk for more information.

To take part in the free trial and book a consultation contact your local Instructor, Chen Lu, email: winchester@kumoncentre.co.uk or call 01962 458188. www.kumon.co.uk

Skills for Life at Sheiling School & College The Sheiling Ringwood School and College offer a broad, balanced, developmental curriculum, covering all the subjects in the national curriculum, including the ASDAN Personal Progress qualification and the OCR Life and Living Skills qualifications.

At the Sheiling, students are encouraged and supported to become resourceful and caring individuals, to explore the world of feelings, behaviour and values. They focus on building confidence and skills in different environments and social groups, whilst also developing functional independence, in preparation for adult life.

Sheiling build positive relationships with students that acknowledge their value, believing that every young person can be empowered to find meaning and purpose in life.

Find out more at www.sheilingringwood.co.uk

Discover Moyles Court School this autumn Moyles Court School offer not only an excellent academic grounding, but also much more. All of the children who attend their Pre-school and Reception class achieve the early learning goals, with many children performing well above national expectations at the end of Reception which is maintained throughout their education to age sixteen. They offer a selection of curriculum enhancements throughout the week for Reception class including; French, P.E. Music, Dance, Cookery and Forest Schools.

To arrange a Covid safe viewing of the school call the school office on 01425 572 586 or visit www.moylescourt.co.uk

Let’s embrace the new normal...

...together Independent education in the heart of the New Forest.

To arrange a Covid-safe school visit please contact 01425 572856 | lisa.mullen@moylescourt.co.uk 4 Families Hampshire West

www.moylescourt.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Education News

Exciting changes at Stroud School Stroud School is excited to start the autumn term under the leadership of newly appointed Head, Mrs Smith.

Book Today!

Mrs Smith has more than 20 years experience in education and joins Stroud from St Swithun’s Prep school, Winchester, where she was Headmistress.

Also new at Stroud is the newly built Key Stage 2 building that provides a new spacious educational environment, with a very dynamic design. All classrooms have direct access to undercover outside areas, allowing all pupils to learn outdoors in all weather.

The materials and colours have been chosen carefully to fit in with our natural woodland surroundings.

youthoptions.co.uk/holidayclubs

• • • • •

Stroud School in Romsey is a co-educational independent school for 3-13 year olds, set within 22 acres of beautiful parkland, playing fields, woodland and wetland that allows for exploration and the development of a love of learning. It is the prep school to King Edward VI, Southampton.

To find out more about life at Stroud or to arrange a visit, please call 01794 513231 or email registrar@stroud-kes.org.uk.

Audiobooks improve literacy Audiobooks can benefit children’s reading skills, according to new research published by the charity, the National Literacy Trust.

Age 4+ 8.30am-4pm Ofsted Registered Social distancing Childcare vouchers & sibling discount

Join us for a day outside building dens, campfire cooking, playing games, creating woodland art and exploring the natural world!

Woodland Holiday Clubs Join us at our forest school themed holiday club at Itchen Valley Country Park, Eastleigh!

Book NOW to include your business, clubs, school nursery or activity in our Novembr/ December issue Call 07789 882467 editor@familieshampshirewest.co.uk

The report looks at the advantages of listening to a recording of a novel being read, and the impact on young readers.

The research suggests that listening to a recorded story requires the same mental skills as reading in print, so audiobooks can help with understanding words and remembering information. They can also give children access to a broader range of texts and engage readers who might be reluctant, struggling or developing.

Emily Best, from the National Literacy Trust, said: “Audiobooks can be the key to unlocking a child’s love of reading. They enable children of all reading abilities and interests to access and explore the incredible world of stories, which are brought to life by a range of exciting voices, different accents and sound effects.”

More info: www.literacytrust.org.uk

Reception testing delayed to 2021

Independent day schools for boys and girls aged 3-16 years old

www.thegreggschool.org

The government’s plan to introduce Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) will be delayed until September 2021 because of the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

In September 2017, the Department for Education announced that a new start-of-school assessment for children ages 4 and 5 would be introduced as a baseline measure to track progress during primary school.

The test is due to eventually replace key stage 1 SATs in providing the baseline on which pupil progress scores are based. The new tests have been criticised by some teachers, Head Teachers and parents, who claim it is unnecessary, will cause distress and could damage children’s future learning.

The Gregg Schools

Registering now for 2021 The Gregg School Townhill Park House Cutbush Lane Southampton SO18 3RR Tel 02380 472133 office@thegreggschool.org

The Gregg Preparatory School 17-19 Winn Road Southampton SO17 1EJ Tel 02380 557352 office@thegreggprep.org

www.thegreggprep.org

Daily tours available

www.gov.uk/guidance/reception-baseline-assessment Families Hampshire West 5

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27/08/2020 11:03

Education

Coping with back to school stress Starting a new school year after Covid-19 may mean both parents and children feel more anxious than usual. So how can we help our children go back to school feeling more happy and relaxed? Claire Winter speaks to some experts.

Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dr Sarah Mundy from www. parentingthroughstories.com says it’s vital that we support our children to make sense of what we are calling the ‘new normal.’

She cautions against dismissing our kids’ emotions: “We need to support children to make sense of their feelings and the changes that the pandemic has caused. We need to normalise anxiety rather than dismiss it and help them (and parents and teachers) find ways of coping. Emotions are contagious so the more the adults and systems around children can model that they can cope, despite the uncertainty, the better.”

Evidence Based Parenting and Education expert, Dr Kathy Weston (www.drkathyweston.com) advises being positive about returning to school. If your child is worried remind them of: The safety measures that the school has implemented; The things that can be controlled versus the things that can’t; The innovation in healthcare science that is helping us move towards eventual normality.

Other tips from Kathy include: Provide a positive home learning environment; Use effective praise to motivate your child; Remember to be organised during the first few weeks of term; Ensure your child gets enough sleep!

AD SEN01

Books to Help with Anxiety Recommendations from Dr Sarah Mundy, Consultant Clinical Psychologist from www.parentingthroughstories.com Coronavirus: A Book for Children about Covid-19 by Elizabeth Jenner, suitable for all ages. Illustrated by Axel Scheffler, this accessible book provides clear explanations about Covid-19 and its impact on health and family life.

Please Stay Here - I Want You Near is Dr Sarah Mundy’s first interactive book in the Bartley Bear series. It helps children ages 2 to 4 make sense of their feelings and cope with spending time away from their parents.

The Goodnight Caterpillar by Lori Lite is an encouraging story for ages 4 to 9. The caterpillar teaches the child how to relax, unwind, and see things more clearly so he/she can fall asleep peacefully.

The Huge Bag of Worries by agony aunt Virginia Ironside is a brilliant book for ages 2 to 5. Worry follows Jenny in a big blue bag. Can Jenny get help to get rid of the worry?

6 Families Hampshire West

Education specialist and author of ‘100 Things to Learn Before you are 10’ Gail Hugman (www.lessonsalive.com) says it’s important to check in with your child regularly. “Have a chat with them about how they are adapting to the new school routine and friendships. Is everyone glad to be back? Is there anything they like better? Is there anything they miss? Are they worried about anything? Is there anything they need to catch up on?”

In terms of school work, remind your child what was achieved during lockdown. “Actively talk to them about the progress they made (include maturity, self-control, confidence, new skills learned.) Remind them that the teacher also went through lockdown and isn’t expecting them to be perfect, just polite and well behaved!”

Finally, she suggests keeping a free evening each week for a ‘no expectations, no pressure’ night. “Films, games, popcorn - cosy things to relax the system and chill out!”

If you are worried, reach out to your child’s school. Remember though that learning how to cope with uncertainty will help build your child’s ability to cope with change in later life.

The Sheiling Ringwood School and College (6-25 years)

Set in a stunning, sustainable and eco-friendly 40-acre site close to the New Forest and Dorset coastline, the natural surroundings of our school and college provide a rich, enabling and therapeutic learning environment for students who have special educational needs.

We offer an individualised and flexible approach to placements. Day and residential. We also offer respite services for our students during the holidays.

Call 01425 477488 www.thesheilingringwood.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Education

Five “must-do’s” when choosing a school for your child

By Judith Judd

When my daughter was four, she came with us to visit several primary schools. Afterwards, we asked which she liked best.

“The one with the shoe shop” she said. As it happened, we also liked the one with the (pretend) shoe shop and so that is the school we chose.

Maybe it doesn’t always make sense to take a 4 year old’s advice when choosing a school but it’s always important to put your child at the centre of the process. Parents know better than anyone how different individual children can be.

The first rule for choosing a school is to ignore the label.

Research about different types of schools – academies, specialist, free, grammar - reveals that the type of school doesn’t guarantee the level of the education.

The second is to visit the school. When you do, check out the relationship between children and teachers. Do teachers pay attention to what the children are saying? Do they respect them?

You want your child to be happy at school and the relationship with teachers matters.

Find out what progress pupils make during the time they arrive at school and by the time they leave. Schools’ exam results at GCSE and in national tests at age 11 give an idea of the sort of children who attend the school but they don’t indicate progress. You can get an idea how good a school’s teaching is by looking at progress measures available on government websites for that school.

Look at the Ofsted report. Inspectors give ratings: outstanding, good, requires improvement, inadequate. But equally important is their assessment of how different groups of children fare.

A school may do well with able children but not those who struggle and vice versa. The reports also give an idea of a school’s strengths and weaknesses. That’s particularly important for older children who may have particular talents and interests.

Talk to the Head Teacher. Leadership is crucial to a school’s success. It’s important that you have confidence in the Head and that she/he impresses you with their engagement with staff and pupils.

Whilst choosing a school feels like a daunting process, bear in mind also that research shows that whilst schools and teachers are important in helping children thrive, parents’ support at home matters more.

Judith Judd is co-author, with Wendy Berliner, of the book How to Succeed at School: Separating Fact from Fiction: What Every Parent Should Know. Published by Routledge and available from Amazon and good book stores.

Everyday Excellence

Excellent (Pastoral) / Excellent (Academic)

“Displaying a Strong Sense of Belonging” - 19/20 ISI Report

Stroud School, Romsey

King Edward VI Preparatory School Independent day school for ages 3 - 13

Visit Stroud in Action

Wednesday 23 September 9.30am - 11.30am

registrar@stroud-kes.org.uk / 01794 513231

www.stroud-kes.org.uk

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Families Hampshire West 7

Education

Supporting a dyslexic child

By Ellie Malt “Do you think she might have dyslexia or something like that?” I asked.

I was standing in the playground with one of the teaching assistants, watching my 4 year old climb into her buggy, eager for her after-school snack. Although it was only her second term in Reception, I’d noticed she seemed uninterested in the alphabet, while other children could already write their names.

But I was only really thinking out loud. Even to me, it seemed ridiculously early to be jumping to any conclusions. “Probably” she shot back over the general hubbub.

I admit, I was shocked. But looking back years later, finally in possession of a formal diagnosis, I appreciate her honesty. I only wish I had acted sooner; it could have saved so much struggle and frustration.

In the following years, when I picked my daughter up from playdates, I would see the books being read by her friends. They were usually far in advance of anything we were struggling through at home. Bedtime reading had become a frustrating experience. Spelling tests were dreaded.

I turned to friends who were teachers for advice. “Each child learns at their own pace” they said. I clung to that mantra for a couple more years, until the issues became too difficult to ignore.

Plucking up courage, I approached her teacher and suggested investigating dyslexia. Her reply was discouraging: “Do you really want to label your child? In any case, there is no official diagnosis possible until she is seven.”

By my daughter’s eighth birthday, her loss of confidence was dramatic and she was falling even further behind at school. To me, it seemed obvious there was a problem. But still I had to push her school into running a screening test.

The Head of Learning Support called us in. “I think she has dyslexia” she said. “You should see an educational psychologist for a proper assessment.” Six months and several hundred pounds later we had the official diagnosis. While it was a relief, it was also the beginning of a new and difficult stage in the dyslexia journey as we struggled to work out what to do next.

According to the Richmond Dyslexia Association: “Neuroscience has made lots of very recent discoveries about the learning brain and what a dyslexic brain looks like.” Crucially, there may be several reasons why the connections between the sounds and the shapes of the alphabet don’t establish themselves firmly in some children in the early years. An excellent strategy for parents is to find out which reasons apply specifically to their child.

“Dyslexia is on a spectrum so is it an umbrella term for a wide range of strengths and difficulties? It is becoming much less common for it to be given a single diagnosis” reports Sophie Camillieri, Chair of Richmond Dyslexia Association.

Many of the explanations for why an intelligent child finds it difficult to learn to read or write begin with the two main ways we absorb language from the world around us: our eyes and ears. Good words to google here are “sensory processing.”

For some children, discriminating between different sounds is problematic. For others, a barrier to learning might be found in the visual pathway. As a starting point in establishing which of these issues apply to your child, you could seek an assessment from a Behavioural Optometrist, Auditory Consultant or Speech and Language Therapist.

8 Families Hampshire West

Dyslexia also overlaps with other conditions that could be affecting your child’s sensory input, such as hyper-mobility and ADD or ADHD. Learning more about these could help you to eliminate them or find therapies that will remove as many barriers to your child’s learning as possible.

It’s also widely accepted that memory is a key part of the dyslexia puzzle. If a child is absorbing sounds and symbols differently, it’s unsurprising that the brain learns to handle and store that data differently. Educational Psychologists talk about “working memory.” Neurologists refer to the “semantic memory.” This is where many of the various approaches to dyslexia learning support come into play because, by triggering all five senses, they rely on the episodic memory instead of the traditional “working” or “semantic” memory.

When it comes to reading, some learning support methods focus on breaking words down into chunks, combined with repetition.

Others are more about enjoying reading. According to Dyslexia Author, Dr Gavin Reid: “Studies have shown that releasing children from the burden of decoding can facilitate or enhance comprehension.” A child with dyslexia will learn differently, you just have to work out what works for them.

While no one wants to reduce their child to a label, the official diagnosis of dyslexia for my daughter gave me the confidence to start looking for answers and to begin finding the help we needed.

Teachers are still given almost no training in how to recognise dyslexia and how to help a child. So the support your child receives will very much depend on your ability to support them.

There is no one central place to go for help and no single answer that works for all. But the more I have learned, the more I have been able to help. And while she may always have “the label,” she is now an 11 year old, with a reading age of a 14 year old! An achievement that seemed unthinkable a few years ago.

Ellie Malt is a writer. She lives in Surrey and has two primary school age daughters.

St George’s Tutors Bespoke Individual Tutition For All Ages Individual Tuition Academic Support all subjects & levels Exam Preparation Common Entrance

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Qualified & Experienced Tutors DBS Checked I Belbin Accredited Contact Us office@stgeorgestutors.com www.stgeorgestutors.com familiesonline.co.uk

Education

Dyslexia features

Sources of help

Your child may:

It’s really helpful to look for organisations that provide support in your local area.

•

Talk well but write surprisingly little;

•

Be a slow or reluctant reader;

•

Have difficulties with spelling and/or writing;

•

Not always remember or understand what he/she has just read;

•

Seem inattentive and unable to concentrate or remember instructions;

•

Have difficulty organising himself/herself;

•

Find it hard to remember the order of things, such as the days of the week;

•

Have difficulty copying from the blackboard;

•

Feel discouraged and at times causes trouble.

Getting a diagnosis Getting a full report from an Educational Psychologist is a lengthy and expensive process. Sometimes reports are required by schools before they will provide extra learning support, or extra time in exams. But they are not always necessary and schools don’t have to act on them. Learning technology consultant, Caroline Batemen, recommends parents check with their child’s school first as to what difference a full report will make. Cheaper and quicker alternatives include a level seven qualified assessor or an online screening test such as Nessy’s at www.nessy.com/uk/product/dyslexia-screening

Here are some good national sources, some with links to local support.

British Dyslexia Association (www.bdadyslexia.org.uk) offers advice, assessments and a free helpline. It also helps you find your local dyslexia association (www.bdadyslexia. org.uk/contact/find-a-local-dyslexia-association) The Dyslexia Association (www.dyslexia.uk.net) offers screening, assessment, tuition, assistive technology training and a free helpline.

Dyslexia Assist (www.dyslexia-assist.org.uk) provides information about where to find local support.

Achieve Now (www.achievenow.org.uk) works with pupils with dyslexia and IT. It has great resources on its website and provides all services and consultations online.

IPSEA (www.ipsea.org.uk/Pages/Category/service-overview) is an Independent Provider of Special Education Advice that offers free and independent legally based information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre (www.helenarkell.org.uk) is regional (based in Surrey) but is considered significant in terms of influence.

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Clubs & Classes

Out of school, not out of action

By Andrew Campbell As children move through primary school, the number meeting the recommended amount of physical activity for healthy development and weight drops by an astounding 40%.

This poses parents with a challenge. How to find their children physical activities they enjoy, feel successful doing and, crucially right now, are available in a safe, socially distanced way? Bear in mind, that whilst government guidance on social distancing allows for certain sports activities to be pursued, there is likely to be limited availability in many areas.

Here’s our checklist of out of school sports that can currently be pursued: Badminton is a great way to get into racket sports, badminton helps develop coordination, agility and balance. It can be played indoors over winter. Visit www.badmintonengland.co.uk to find a local club.

Cycling is part of growing up. It gives children independence and keeps them fit too. Local cycling clubs offer expert coaching, some amazing cycling facilities as well as an opportunity to make cycling buddies. Visit www.britishcycling.org.uk to find a local club.

Dancing allows kids to express their creativity, imagination and emotions. Dancing can also increase your child’s flexibility, range of motion, physical strength and stamina.

Football as well as being the most popular sport in the world,

Perform returns with Covid safe confidence building fun Families talks to Perform’s Principal, Lucy Quick.

football is one of the most well-rounded sports developing a host of physical and cognitive skills. Visit www.thefa.com to find a local club.

Gymnastics is a demanding sport that requires perseverance and discipline. It develops strength, speed, power, coordination, flexibility and balance. The sense of accomplishment gained from mastering complex physical feats helps children face and overcome their fears. Visit www.british-gymnastics.org/ discover to find a local club.

Swimming - If your child has shown an aptitude for swimming during lessons, they may enjoy the thrill of competitive swimming in a local club. Bear in mind pools are re-opening slowly; some may not re-open this year. Visit www.swimming. org to find a local club.

Tennis helps children develop valuable life skills like respect, fair-play and concentration. It can be played all year round and into adulthood. To get started locally, visit www.lta.org.uk

Children banned from heading footballs Children under the age of 12 have been banned from heading footballs during training and practice, although they will still be allowed to use their heads during matches.

The move follows comes after a study showed former footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than members of the general population of the same age.

We’ve always put children at the heart of everything we do and we’re thrilled to be back in real life with classes filled with laughter, fun and confidence-boosting activities.

More info: www.thefa.com

We’ve put enormous effort into adapting our class content to ensure that we follow the latest government health guidelines whilst making sure the children can still sing, dance, act and have the best fun of the week.

Holiday Clubs at Itchen Valley Country Park

To help children get back to enjoying the things they love most, our autumn term is packed with games and activities which build confidence, boost concentration, develop communication and help coordination. We have left no stone unturned when it comes to health and safety but the children will be having so much fun that they will barely notice a difference. Whilst there won’t be hand-holding games this term, there will be lots of eye contact, funky moves, fantastic diction and learning about how to be a great friend.

Youth Options are excited to be delivering an Ofsted registered holiday club based all day in the woodlands of Itchen Valley Country Park, Southampton throughout the year. Children from reception year – up to 11 years old are invited to come spend their holidays exploring a variety of woodland activities which could include: shelter building, campfire cooking, woodland art and sculptures, team building games, camouflage games, woodworking, nature walks, habitat exploration and much more. Drop off between 8.30– 9am and the day runs through to pick up between 3.30-4pm.

Perform runs drama classes for 4-7s and 7-12s as well as Perform At Home, popular online classes. Book a FREE noobligation class in South West Hampshire by visiting the website; www.perform.org.uk/try

Booking is flexible and easy; you can book for individual days throughout the summer and all payments are made online.

Childcare vouchers are accepted.

10 Families Hampshire West

www.youthoptions.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Early Years

Getting your child’s first shoes

By Caroline French

Does my child need shoes when they start crawling?

Barefoot is best for babies who are crawling and in the early stages of learning to walk, so don’t be tempted to get shoes too early. Little feet are very delicate, and toes need room to wiggle to allow them to balance and develop naturally. However, to keep feet warm out-of-doors and to protect little toes against bumps and scrapes from hard floors, fitted pre-walkers are a good option. They allow plenty of room for feet to grow, protection and therefore confidence.

When does a child need their first pair of shoes?

Harder soled walking shoes should be considered once the child has been walking unaided for about 4 to 6 weeks or when they are walking more than crawling. This can be any time between 9 and 18 months. Never push your child to walk if they are not ready.

Why are properly fitted shoes so important?

Children’s feet tend to grow rapidly in the first four years of life, but can take up to eighteen years for the foot’s bones, muscles and ligaments to harden into adult form. Properly fitted shoes play a vital role in helping to safeguard the healthy development of your child’s feet.

When your child is very young, their bones in the feet are made of soft spongy cartilage which can easily be pushed out of alignment by shoes (and even sleep-suits and socks) which don’t fit properly.

The nerve endings in babies feet also take time to develop, so your child may not be able to let you know if their feet are sore or squashed by shoes. At best, poorly fitted shoes won’t wear as well, so never settle for anything less than the perfect fit. It is essential that children’s shoes are always fitted by an experienced shoe fitter.

W J French & Son is a multi-award winning, family run footwear retailer in Southampton. Their team are trained shoe fitters with many years’ experience and are passionate about getting the correct fit and style of shoe for your child with a stress-free personal shopping experience.

They offer a large selection of brands in various sizes and fittings and can fit and give advice on orthotics and make reasonable adjustments to shoes in their onsite workshop. Visit them online at www.wjfrenchandson.co.uk

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Clever ways to get your child eating healthily

By Gabrielle Nash Do mealtimes fill you with dread? Does your child have little interest in broccoli and beans? Encouraging their children to eat healthily is a dilemma many parents face. Whether you’re trying baby-led weaning or desperate to get vegetables into a pre-schooler, we’ve got some top tips on how to give their children the best start at the dinner table.

DO get your child involved. Can you offer them a choice of 2 or 3 healthy options? Even if they can’t chop the vegetables, can they wash them? Psychologists suggest giving a child an element of control will help them engage with mealtimes.

DON’T allow snacks 1 to 2 hours before mealtimes. If they come to the table hungry, they’re more likely to eat and even try something new. Sticking to similar times for snacks and meals will also help.

DON’T offer alternatives. Or if you have more than one child, don’t make separate meals. If a child comes to expect yoghurt, toast or cereal when they don’t eat, they will soon learn to refuse even favourite meals.

DO have a family meal. Often bad behaviour at the dinner table stems from wanting attention. Even if you don’t eat, can you sit with your little one and talk to them about their food?

DO encourage and praise; stress does not encourage a child to eat. Show them how you enjoy YOUR food. Don’t try “they’re good for you” when commenting on e.g. green beans. Use statements like “these are so juicy” “eating lots of food gives me lots of energy for playing with you.”

DON’T insist on clean plates, especially if you bribe them to finish. Children are good at regulating their appetites and always insisting on finishing food or offering a bribe can lead to problems later in life. Remember: it’s the parent’s job to provide, the child’s job to decide.

Lastly, remember, you’re in charge of what food is in the kitchen. If you buy healthier options, your children will grow up with a healthy and varied approach to food. So eat varied, fresh food and eat it with pleasure.

DO model good eating behaviour. Your own anxiety towards food can contribute to poor eating in children. Think about how you approach and talk about food. familiesonline.co.uk

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Families Hampshire West 11

What’s on

Autumn events & half term fun

Visit Winchester Science Centre’s brand new visitor experience this autumn

Enjoy Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of your Childhood at Beaulieu this autumn

From Saturday 17 October, find out how far your curiosity will take you as you embark on an exhilarating adventure around Winchester Science Centre’s brand new visitor experience!

Take a trip down memory lane this autumn at Beaulieu as you’re invited to step back in time to relive the joy and excitement of motoring childhood memories in Motoring in Miniature – the Toys of your Childhood. This brand new exhibition, set in the heart of the National Motor Museum, showcases more than 800 toy cars and pedal cars and celebrates much-loved playthings of the past.

Feel your senses come alive as you explore the sights and sounds of an exciting new interactive exhibition, all themed around sound, hearing and vibration. Put yourself in the action by venturing into an enormous 10m long guitar to feel the string vibrations or climb through a giant ear to explore its inner workings.

Get set for explosive Science LIVE demos taking place right on the exhibition floor! There’ll be fire, ice, explosions and much more, all on a massive scale and taking place regularly throughout the day so you won’t miss a thing.

For something a little more tranquil, the whole family can get creative and have a go at challenges themed around nature in the inside/outside experimentation zone BIO:SPACE – bring a coat so you can go outside whatever the weather! And if it all gets a bit too much, take a break in the Recombobulation Room – a quiet place designed for people who need time away from the hustle and bustle.

Those that visit us will be able to enjoy inclusive access to this new exhibition, as well as entrance to the whole of the Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum, On Screen Cars, World of Top Gear, the ancestral Montagu home Palace House, Secret Army exhibition, Beaulieu Abbey and new for 2020, Little Beaulieu, a brand new enchanting adventure play area for kids.

For more information, or to pre-book your tickets, please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk

While you’re visiting, don’t miss out on all the other exciting things on offer, including out-of-this-world interactive exhibits in Explorer:Space and spectacular shows in the UK’s largest standalone Planetarium. And with a free live science show where the team of Inspirers will be delving into the science behind the sounds through fun demos and exciting audience participation, there’ll be something for the whole family to get involved with!

If all that’s left you needing a break, take a seat and relax with a hot drink or mouth-wateringly tasty treat from the refreshed café before continuing your STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) journey at home with a souvenir from the remodelled shop.

For more information and to book tickets visit the website www.winchestersciencecentre.org

Spook-tacular half term fun at Exbury Gardens Vampire Batty and his crew of ghoulish friends are returning to Exbury’s Steam Railway this October half term. The whole family can enjoy the a range of fun, entertaining and exciting activities and of course a few frights along the way!

For tickets and booking information visit www.exbury.co.uk

12 Families Hampshire West

A world of sea, sand and seclusion at Whitecliff Bay Breath in the sea air and sail away from the real world to our island paradise, nestled within a secluded bay on the Isle of Wight.

Enjoy the perks of its spectacular secluded beach right on your doorstep, incredible views, indoor swimming pool with flume, an activity programme for all ages and live streamed entertainment, we’ve got the perfect recipe for all the family! Or head out and explore, this gem of an island has so much to offer!

With Away Resorts you can enjoy a COVID-safe getaway.

Find out more at www.awayresorts.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

What’s on

Exbury GARDENS & Steam Railway

Hidden Nature with Heritage Open Days this September Heritage Open Days is the largest volunteer led festival in the UK. There are some great events that would be ideal for families who are looking to save money but still have a great time with their kids. Entry is free to all events.

The theme this year is Hidden Nature, and it’s an opportunity to explore nature and embrace the benefits of being outdoors. Some local venues taking part are Bursledon Brickworks Museum on Thursday 17 September, the last remaining steam driven brickworks in the UK. Royal Victoria Country Park and Lepe Country Park are running treasure trails for families from 11-20 September.

For online fun and games why not join in with the Family Fun Stage from 11-20 September. It’s free and there are lots of great events to join in with such as Travelling through time with Winchester Theatre Royal, a new witty, fun and informative video about the fascinating history of the Theatre. For a full list of local venues taking part, visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Vampire Batty and his crew of ghoulish friends are returning to Exbury’s steam railway this October half term.

They will be haunting the train tracks and entertaining families with their slapstick comedy performances... with a few frights along the way of course!

Visit www.exbury.co.uk for booking and more infomation.

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