Families NW London Jan/Feb 23 PRINT issue

Families North West London Magazine is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families NW London 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 North West London Magazine. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families North West London Magazine, its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

Families North West London Magazine is distributed bi-monthly throughout north west London. An area bordered by the A40 to the south, by the A5/M1 to the east and out towards the M25 in the north and west.

You can collect a copy FREE from scores of outlets: schools, nurseries, play groups, clubs and classes, sports centres, children’s libraries, family doctors and baby clinics, theatres, your local council offices and children’s shops. If you would like to stock copies to give to parents, please let us know.

How logical thinking helps children achieve goals

By Usha Patel

My 6-year-old nephew came around the other day for tea and cake. In the middle of a conversation, he loudly declared he was on his eighth ‘mini-cake.’ These were bite-sized morsels made for tiny hands. It made me chuckle that a child of just 6 years would think to measure the increasing joy that eating cake could bring! I looked down at my plate and wondered how many I had gobbled up….

However, many children don’t see patterns, numbers or the need for measuring.

A 10-year-old student I recently worked with really wanted to play football but was reluctant because she had great difficulty tying her shoelaces. I taught her how to do it in five easy steps, explaining that she would achieve her goal but that some steps might be trickier than others.

Before our work together, she had thought of tying laces as one task. By breaking down the task into a series of logical steps, she could see which parts were more complex and which were manageable. She quickly got the hang of it by paying closer attention to those bits she thought were fiddly and not feeling as frustrated as she had before.

With my instruction, she practised regularly at home and each time she would get faster at the bits she found tricky. When she returned a couple of weeks later, she boasted she could now tie her laces very quickly and insisted on showing me with her brand-new trainers.

So what does this teach us? That when tasks are broken down into logical steps, success is possible.

When a child does not apply logic and reasoning to a difficult task, how they feel about the task dominates their approach. But we can’t measure feelings in the same way we can measure steps - or even cake! They are not objective and so the cycle of frustration continues and a child reinforces an unfair bias against their own ability.

Measuring progress allows a child to see for themselves what is going wrong. They then can problem-solve, achieve success and meet their intended goal.

Logical thinking takes time to nurture but once success is achieved, parents should celebrate. Decide on another goal and repeat a similar logical process.

Usha Patel is a neurocognitive therapist who runs Raviv Practice London (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk).

Activity ideas

Activities that require logical thinking can help move a child from a subjective to an objective way of problem solving, teaching them rely on facts to evaluate a situation and make rational decisions. Routinely playing specific games to help with sequencing, critical thinking, following procedures and analysing results can shift brain thinking patterns and develop a child’s resilience and stamina in the face of difficult tasks. Some ideas include:

Sequencing. Activities like cake baking are very procedural as you follow carefully laid out instructions in order.

Logical thinking. Suduko type puzzles require a lot of critical thinking and analysis.

Procedural. Origami helps children be precise with their physical actions. This activity can require a lot of patience but is very rewarding.

Analysis. Puzzles and brain teasers teach children mental stamina while applying different thinking techniques. There are great benefits in repeating easier tasks because they can help build a positive outlook and reinforce an expectation of success. Success breeds motivation, which leads to further success!

The importance of mentoring

By Jemma Zoe Smith

There are many different strategies which enable someone to ‘be the best they can be.’ In the adult world, the two commonly debated methods are coaching and mentoring. Whilst they are often discussed together, they are in fact two different concepts. As a mentor to teens and tweens, I have often found myself wondering if mentoring would work for primary aged children?

Some in the field of education may feel that mentoring is not appropriate for children of this age. How can you mentor someone who is just getting to grips with learning, formulating their ideas and their opinions?

However, mentoring can be very effective in instilling a love of learning, enabling open discussion and promoting self awareness at an early age. At its most simple, a mentor is ‘an experienced person who advises and helps somebody with less experience over a period of time’ 1. This period could be whilst a young child gets used to a new classroom or a change in family circumstances.

A mentor offers advice, using the benefit of their experience but always taking into account the fact that the child is an individual and that their background and experiences in life may be very different to that of the mentor’s.

Mentors do not have to be adults - instead, mentoring can be a peer-to-peer setup, with volunteer opportunities galore for schools to trial peer to peer encouragement and support techniques. Mentoring is about helping a child to recognise their true qualities and abilities, rather than moulding them into something that is not true to themselves.

If a child is interested in sports, a good mentor will connect with them, using this interest, even if it isn’t necessarily a shared interest between them. A mentor guides but also allows a mentee to discover who they are.

Having a mentor or studying in an environment such as a classroom with a mentoring ethos can help children to get to know themselves and make sense of the world in which they find themselves.

In the age of social media, with an ever-increasing number of platforms telling children who they should be, I think mentoring is more important than ever to help children peel back the curtain and feel as if they have the permission to be their own person.

Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).

Should I ask a teacher to mentor my child?

Having a trusted person or group of people at school can help children to better manage their emotions.

Anger and anxiety are big feelings for small children and can be difficult to process when they are not yet fully understood. Even if your child has a great role model at home, they might not see that person as relatable to their school life and so reaching out to their teacher about mentoring can be a great first step.

Most children will have a level of anxiety going into certain situations like tests and exams, leading them to ask themselves things like ‘what if I don’t do as well as last time?’ or ‘what if I’m not top of the class this time?’

Once a child has strategies to enable them to manage their emotions, this in turn will help them to build their self-esteem and improve their self-confidence. This can only have a positive impact when looking ahead to more important exams and other stress inducing times in a child’s life.

1 Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries definition

BigShots Golf (HA1)

BigShots Golf is transforming the game of golf to make it accessible and fun for everyone. They have developed cutting edge ball tracking technology and created colorful, virtual games so that even a total beginner can step up and swing on to have fun! https://bigshotsgolfuk.com/

Lincolnsfields Playzone (WD23)

A soft play centre in Bushey for children up to the age of 11. Birthday party packages available. Open daily during school holidays, and Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday during term time. www.lincolnsfieldsplayzone.co.uk

Ninja Warrior Watford (WD25)

Our Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Park is a supervised activity and fitness venue inspired by ITV’s hit programme Ninja Warrior UK! A great place for supervised family activities and for keeping fit, we welcome you on your Ninja journey. No charge for spectators to come and watch your Ninjas from our Café area and treat yourself to our full range of hot and cold food plus a wide selection of drinks!

www.ninjawarrioruk.co.uk/watford

Harrow Woodcraft Folk

Join our Elfin group (6 to 9 years). Meeting in Central Harrow. Tuesday evenings (term time): 6:30-8pm. Email harrowwoodcraftfolk@yahoo.co.uk for more details. www.woodcraft.org.uk

Holidaytime After school club is part of Activetime Children’s Activities Limited (HA1)

Pick up from four local schools at the end of the school day, then take the children back to the club for a snack and the daily activity. Open Mon-Fri 3-6pm at The Cadet Centre, Harrow, HA1 2QA. Call 07575801623, email holidays@activetime.co.uk www.activetimedaynursery.co.uk

Willesden and Brent Chess Club (NW2)

Provides social chess for players of levels, set up Club competitions and tutor juniors. For the more competitive player they enter teams into local leagues and refer members to our county team. At Cricklewood Library, 152 Olive Road, NW2 6UY. Call Anthony on 07974 238357, email fulton790@aol.com www.willesdenchess.wordpress.com

DiscoG Coding Academy (HA3)

Run weekly term-time classes and holiday courses and workshops for students aged 6 to 18. Join in to learn Computer Science, Coding, Robotics, AI and Machine Learning. Contact Gerard & Kat on 07767300940, email: info@discogcodingacademy.com www.discogcodingacademy.com

Little Coders

Coding class for children aged 4 to 6 years. Develop critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. www.littlecodersclub.co.uk

Hatch End 11+ Tuition (HA5)

Hatch End 11+ Tuition is an established and successful tutoring centre offering a warm and friendly environment where children are encouraged and motivated to achieve their maximum potential whatever their ability. Their aim is to build children’s confidence and help achieve high standards of work in an engaging and challenging environment 020 8421 3066.

www.hatchend11plus.co.uk

Little Big Leaders (HA8 & WD23)

Code Ninjas

Kids learn to code in a fun, safe, and inspiring learning environment, with a game-based curriculum that they love. Parents love it too, because their kids make real progress and gain valuable skills while having a great time. Everyone wins at Code Ninjas! www.codeninjas.co.uk

Blank Canvas Art Club

Online, fine art classes for kids and adults from 6-106 teaching skills & techniques whilst encouraging imagination and finding your own style whatever your experience. Weekday afterschool kids classes. Adults evening or daytime classes suitable for beginners or refreshers. Email Suzi blankcanvasartclub@gmail.com www.Facebook.com/BlankCanvasArtClub

Maths/English or Phonics & Writing for 3.5 to 11 yearolds at our Saturday School, Summer and Winter School. Tutors support and challenge pupils to improve their learning and have a track record in enabling pupils to demonstrate progress in their mainstream setting and/ or in 5+, 7+ and 11+ examinations. Childcare vouchers accepted. Free trial lessons. Call 020 3637 6266. www.littlebigleaders.com

The

L Marsh Art Studio (HA7)

We celebrate the making of art by tapping in to the creativity, interest and enthusiasm of our students and providing the space, time and guidance for it to happen. Classes are taught from a purpose-built art studio, either in small groups or 1-2-1 private tuition. Skills and techniques are taught according to each student’s individual readiness. 90-minute after-school art classes Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. Term-in-a-Week Painting Courses during school holidays. Private classes by arrangement. All ages from 7 y/o and upwards. All levels of experience. www.facebook.com/art1stanmore

Brain Train Tuition Centre (HA2)

English and Maths Tuition for Ages 5 to 16 years. Brain Train Tuition will help to improve your child’s academic and social skills, as well as building their confidence and a belief in their ability to succeed. call 0208 426 84250. Email: braintraintuition@gmail.com

Free Readers (various)

At Free Readers, your child’s academic success is their priority. They help children of year groups and individual needs, from ages 3 to 11. They offer enrichment or extra help in Reading, Maths and English, homework and test preparation. Individual teaching and attention in small groups is the preferred way to help children. They encourage them how to learn, enabling them to reach their full potential. www.freereaders.co.uk

Integratedbrain - Improve Co-ordination for learning! (UB5)

Activities to help those with poor co-ordination, dyspraxia, dyslexia or fine motor difficulties. Small groups of 4/5 children working to develop better all-round motor integration. Call Usha Patel 07766 837 616 or email ushapatel.raviv@gmail.com www.integratedbrain.co.uk

Learning Wheel (Northwood Hills)

Maths and English tuition classes which target identified needs to improve achievement levels. They set goals for your child, monitor progress and provide regular progress reports. Cater for all levels from Reception to Year 11. www.thelearningwheel.co.uk

Raviv Practice London (UB5)

Catch up reading course. Improve reading age by 1 year in 3 months of home-based work. The computer interventions is similar to having a tutor in your home with daily monitoring and feedback. Call 07766 837 6168 info@ravivpracticelondon.co.uk (registered therapist). www.ravpracticelondon.co.uk

Street Dance Academy (various)

Teach children aged 5-18 yrs every weekend during school term time, with clubs in and around London, Hertfordshire and Surrey. Street Dance Academy also teach Adult Street Dance and Zumba Classes in Twickenham every Wednesday. Call 0800 0236 236. www.streetdanceacademy.co.uk

Elina Patrou Academy of Dance (HA7)

Ballet classes to develop poise, technique and expression through dance, for boys and girls aged 3-16 years with Royal Academy of Dance examinations. Online private ballet lessons available. call 07555 861561 or email elinapatrouacademyofdance@gmail.com www.elinapatrouacademyofdance.com

New Strathspey

School of Dancing

Highland Dancing for fitness and fun. Children’s Saturday morning highland dancing class for 5-11 year olds, starting September 2022 at Knutsford School Hall, Watford. Full details of all classes is available on the website. Contact Sandy at shunt@moose.co.uk www.rscdsherts.org/new-strathspey

Divine Yoga (Borehamwood and Kenton)

No booking necessary, but feel free to call us to check

School holidays – open every day from 9.30am, last entry at 4.00pm

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS CODING ARTS & CRAFTS EDUCATION SUPPORT DANCE FREE MAGAZINES For your school, nursery, cafe, shop or club. just ask us! editor@familiesNWLondon.co.uk or 01923 237 004

availability.

HEALTH & WELLBEING LANGUAGES & DEVELOPMENT

Baby Lab (WC1E)

Etiquette and Emotions

Achieve Arts (HA5/NW7/NW11)

Etiquette and Emotions

live, interactive, and enjoyable workshops for children and teens aged 7-15 to elevate their emotional intelligence and social etiquette. Workshops are run by a certified children’s coach and include videos, discussions, and a quiz. Get 10% off! Use discount code: ee10off at checkout!

www.etiquetteandemotions.com

Kids Yoga with Yana (Watford) www.facebook.com/kidsyogawithyana Yana is a qualified Kids Yoga teacher with a passion for empowering children to be the best version of themselves through yoga and mindfulness practice.

MD Massage Therapies

Massage has many health benefits - it helps to reduce pain, anxiety and fatigue, repetitive injuries, increases range of motion, relieves stress and much more! Gift vouchers available. Intro 20% off first treatment. Email info@mdmassagetherapies.co.uk, call 07950 84674. www.mdmassagetherapies.co.uk

Have fun for free with your baby making discoveries about brain development at the Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development. Birkbeck College. Travel expenses refunded. www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk

Phonics with Robot Reg (various)

Provide fun, high energy classes which teach early phonics skills to children 1 to 4 years. Fun, varied and educational classes. https://robotreg.co.uk

Gymboree Play & Music Watford

Sensory classes for babies, art and music classes, as well as Play & Learn classes for little ones who are on the move. They also offer a range of fabulously fun birthday parties. Find them upstairs in the Atria shopping centre at the top of the Queens Car Park. https://gymbo.co.uk/locations/watford

Monkey Music (Various)

Award-winning Monkey Music, trusted by parents since 1992, introduces babies and young children aged 3 months to 4 years to music with a unique four-stage curriculum tailored to each age group. Classes run 6 days a week, in Uxbridge, Eastcote, Northwood, Ickenham, Harrow, Stanmore and Watford. Call 020 8427 6595. www.monkeymusic.co.uk

Achieve Arts is a performance centre teaching drama, speech and singing to children and young adults. Young performers work towards their LAMDA examinations in acting, verse and prose, public speaking and musical theatre whilst learning some key life skills. The exceptional teaching team have a wealth of experience and are invested in the students to Achieve their best. call 020 8087 2461. www.achievearts.co.uk

PQA (Pauline Quirk Academy) (various)

PQA provides outstanding performing arts tuition for 4 to 18 years. Each week students rotate through specialist sessions in Musical Theatre, Comedy and Drama and Film and TV taught by leading industry professionals. PQA is enrolling for September. Book a free taster session at your local Academy. www.pqacademy.com

Perform

drama, dance and singing classes (various)

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

Sharpe Academy of Theatre Arts (HA5, HA6)

Performance based theatre school for children aged 3-18 with venues based in Hatch End and Northwood. Weekly classes in Musical Theatre, Ballet, Tap, Modern, LAMDA and Acrobatics. www.SharpeAcademy.co.uk

World of Children’s Yoga

New Weekend Family Yoga, for:

Learning & Development: Yoga for a confident, stable, calm, well-rested, focused state of mind, ready to receive learning.

Family Yoga with Pre-Schoolers (30 mins) Family Yoga with Children (4-8 years) (40 mins)

Puberty & Change: Yoga for strength, flexibility, self-awareness, positive self-image and self-worth, emotional regulation

Dads & Lads Yoga (11+ years)

Mum & Daughter Yoga with Tweens (8-11years) Mum & Daughter Yoga with Teens (11-15 years)

Yoga for Women: Yoga for balance, love, strength, healing, wisdom.

This is where Yoga for Women and all ages comes in and I share yoga designed for a woman’s body, women’s cycles, women’s lives.

anjli@worldofchildrensyoga.com

Facebook & Instagram: @worldofchildrensyoga

Sing and Sign (Various)

Fun classes combining the benefits of baby signing with music to develop language, memory and attention skills. For babies 6 to 30 months. Email info@singandsign.co.uk www.singandsign.com

TISKA Karate

Learn the art of Karate. Classes held weekly in Harrow, Northwood and Wembley. Families welcome, Ages 4+. 4 week free trial (07739 572487) patel.karate@icloud.com. www.tiskakarate-harrow.co.uk/ www.tiskakaratenorthwood.co.uk/ www.tiskakarate-wembley.co.uk

Watford Cycle Hub

Offering cycle repair services, maintenance courses and cycle training. They also offer advice and information about cycling and bikes, including local cycle routes and maps, news about locally led rides and opportunities. www.watfordcyclehub.org.uk

Aqua Vie

Regular after school weekly classes in Bushey during term times. Spaces for new babies, toddlers and adults on Tues and Wed. Learn mindful, effortless swimming in a calm environment in warm water. office@aqua-vie.com or call 01923 245 773 or 07814 987 153. www.Aqua-vie.com

Stagecoach (Various)

Training in three disciplines: drama, dance and singing. Great for building confidence, making new friends and beginning to hone talent and enthusiasm for performing, by having fun! Call Harrow 020 3504 0100, Harrow on the Hill & Sudbury Hill 01923 248 294, Stanmore & Harrow Weald 020 3504 2154, Watford 01727 768 738, Queen’s Park 020 7723 5861 or Northwood 01442 263 599. www.stagecoach.co.uk

Woodcarving (Iver)

A small group who would welcome new members. Drop in for a chat! Meet Monday mornings 9.30am-12.30pm at Evreham Centre. Email webb1959@btinternet.com.

Shared reading and language development

By Dr Jamie Lingwood

Early language development is incredibly important and sitting down to read with your child gives them a big advantage. Here are my thoughts on the how’s and why’s of shared reading.

Make it a conversation

Shared reading is so much more than simply reading books aloud from start to finish. It’s powerful as an interactive experience, creating a conversation along the way. Evidence suggests that asking children lots of open questions about books can really boost language skills. Exposure to new words builds their vocabulary and the more they hear spoken language, the more easily they can use it themselves. The earlier you start, the better their reading ages will be at school. Research has demonstrated how shared reading protects against a lot of language difficulties and delays. It can even predict how successful children could be as adults in terms of income!

Doing it your own way

Parents, grandparents, carers or sibling will each have their own reading styles; and that’s a good thing. Find the flow that comes most naturally to you, making the experience more interactive as you go along.

Picture books are a good start

Picture books with few or no words are great starting points. A good example is Hug by Jez Alborough, which simply repeats the word ‘hug’ on each page. It’s then down to the adult to create a story around this, starting a conversation with the child. Talking with them about what they see and what they think about the story naturally involves using a mix of words and grammatically structured sentences. The book becomes a prompt for children to express themselves.

Reading the same book over and over...

I hear this a lot from parents: ‘My child wants to read the same book over and over again.’ As an adult, what do you do? Do you read the book for the thirty fifth time this week or encourage

them to read something else? A recent study suggests that reading the same book repeatedly can help with a child’s memory, in terms of building familiarity with particular words. The biggest challenge is your stamina - knowing it’s all in a good cause might help here!

When and where?

When it comes to shared reading, little and often is the way forward. You don’t have to sit down and rigidly read with your child for a set hour at a time. Five minutes here and there is just as useful, particularly when it comes to keeping them motivated.

Fit reading around what works for you and the structure of your own lives. You may well choose a time towards the end of the day when you’re settling them down for bed. But for a lot of people, that isn’t successful because, by that point, their child is too tired to engage properly. Remember it doesn’t have to be bedtime. Pick a different point in the day. Or grab five minutes when you’re travelling on the bus together, for example.

And finally…

Do it yourself! When your child sees you reading and clearly enjoying it, they will want to copy you. This will help them develop a habit that will open up a lifelong world of adventures and learning.

Dr Jamie Lingwood is a Lecturer in Psychology at Liverpool Hope University (www.hope.ac.uk/psychology) and belongs to the ChildLab research group, a group of psychologists and educators who are interested in researching how children develop and grow.

‘Elaborative reminiscing’

This involves getting your child to think about a time that relates to them, prompted by the book. So, if the book’s narrative is about going to the zoo and seeing lots of animals, stop reading and ask: ‘Do you remember when we went to the zoo? Can you remember which animals we saw?’

This gets a conversation going and it relates the story specifically to your child’s own experiences. This exercise has been shown to boost language development, particularly for memory and vocabulary.

‘Re-casting’ technique

When a child is reading to a parent they will often come across a word they don’t know or struggle to articulate. Let them have an initial go at it, then instead of saying they are incorrect, let them hear the correct grammatical version. This is what we call re-casting.

For example, if they said: ‘The dog jump on the sofa’, you can say, ‘Yes, the dog jumped on the sofa, didn’t he?’ It’s a good strategy to adopt in shared book reading.

Get muddy, get healthy

By Gabrielle Nash

Is your child always making mud pies, splashing in muddy puddles and making friends with worms, leaves or sticks? Do you embrace it or hate it?

We all have those memories of getting messy and muddy as a child but when it comes to our children, it can be difficult to allow them free rein. Yet scientific evidence now suggests young children who are encouraged to enjoy safe, outdoor muddy play will go on to develop stronger immune systems than children who are discouraged from it, leading to better overall health.

In the last decade, over sanitised childhoods have contributed to higher cases of allergies in the western world1. The percentage of children diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and eczema has trebled over the last thirty years.

Meanwhile, other studies have also found children who grow up on farms, with easy access to farm animals and the outdoors have a lower risk of developing asthma2. The reason behind these findings is an immune system that is exposed to bacteria and viruses when young and becomes strong, meaning it is much less vulnerable to allergies and asthma.

So how can you safely achieve muddy play?

The best way is to get your child outside as much as possible, from as young an age as possible. Touch trees, leaves, grass and mud. Play with sticks, jump in puddles and breathe fresh air. Forest schools are now a popular alternative to traditional indoor nurseries and forest school activities run by Forestry England and the National Trust are increasingly common during the school holidays.

Locate your closest natural play area - playgrounds made from natural materials; some even have options for den building and mud kitchens. Not only are you giving your child’s immune system a boost but being in the fresh air has countless other physical and emotional benefits. Instilling a love of the outdoors from a young age will continue the healthy habit of getting outside.

You can also give young children regular exposure to safe bacteria through mud kitchens and gardening. This helps bolster their immune systems from an early age, contributing to a more diverse range of bacteria in the gut and skin. Recent research has found a direct link between diverse microbes in a child’s gut and potentially chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes and even healthy brain development. If you don’t have access to a garden, consider a local allotment or community farm project where children learn about how our food is grown AND get their hands safely dirty.

Children who grow up with a pet, especially dogs, are also

known to have a healthier immune system because of the dirt an animal naturally brings in. Use common sense with this though. Don’t play in muddy areas to which cats or dogs have regular access so you can avoid harmful bacteria your child may not be used to. Always wash hands with warm soapy water.

Messy and muddy play requires patience and a relaxed attitude – from you!

Don’t put children in their best clothes outdoors; a second-hand puddle suit and old wellies will suffice.

Don’t wait for a sunny day. If the weather isn’t perfect, remember, you need rain to create that mud.

Get involved yourself. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you have to miss the fun and it might even help your immune system!

The saying ‘a little bit of dirt never hurt you’ really is true.

1 www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/statistics-and-figures/

2 www.newscientist.com/article/2206654-microbes-from-farms-may-protectchildren-from-asthma-even-in-cities/

Children form strong bonds with staff and treat each other kindly and with respect, due to the high expectations that staff have of their behaviour.

All staff are nurturing and have an excellent understanding of what their key children know and need to learn next.

Leaders carefully consider staffing to ensure the right support is provided to help children reach their individual next steps of learning.

Email nursery.manager@stnicholasschool.org.uk for more info.

What's On listings for all the family

Compiled by Anna Blackshaw

To promote your local event, coffee morning, nearly new sale, parenting courses or community group in the next What’s On listing. Email Listings@FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk.

Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures. Please check details of the events before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.

www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk for all our local weekly regular events.

Many activities and events require advance booking.

Please check the website in the listing to confirm terms and conditions for attending before heading out.

Fri 6 –Sun 22 Jan - Winter Light (HP18) Begin 2023 with sparkle and bright lights, as Waddesdon Manor extend their Winter Light programme into the new year for you to enjoy. See the gardens awash with colour and dazzling light displays. Go an enchanted journey with a light art trail, sequenced projections on the Manor’s façade and woodland lantern trail. 12-7pm. waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on/ winter-light

7–8, 14–15, 21–22 & 28-29

Jan - Planetarium Shows and Astronomy Talks (SE10) Join Royal Observatory astronomers and leading scientists on a fascinating journey into space, from planetarium shows and science sessions for kids to in-depth astronomy courses and community events. Shows are very popular, so to prevent any disappointment booking your tickets online in advance is recommended. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ planetarium-shows

Sun 8 & Sat 21 Jan - SEND Family Sensory Tours (TW9) Be immersed in plants and nature during this interactive storytelling family sensory tour at Kew Gardens, with a seasonal focus in the Mediterranean Garden. Tours are designed for children age 0 to 7 years with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) or children and young people with severe, profound and complex learning difficulties. Tours are led by trained volunteer guides and accompanied by supplementary resources to support sensory engagement. 10.30–11.15am. Email familylearning@kew.org www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whatson/send-family-sensory-tours

Sat 21 Jan - Lunar New Year: A Family Celebration (online) Join the British Library in celebrating Lunar New Year alongside beloved children’s authors Eva Wong Nava and Maisie Chan. This is an online event streamed on the British Library platform. Bookers will be sent a

viewing link shortly before the event. Drop into these online sessions from 10.30 – 1pm to hear stories, join activities and ask questions to the authors.

www.bl.uk/events/lunar-new-yeara-family-celebration

Sat 21 Jan - Lunar New Year (SE10) Head along to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich for a fantastic new year celebration. Welcome in the new year with a day of celebration, performances and activities at the National Maritime Museum - a fantastic free programme designed for all ages. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ national-maritime-museum/lunarnew-year

Sat 21 – Sun 22 Jan - Lunar New Year 2023 (E14) Come together at the Museum of London Docklands to celebrate Lunar New Year at a weekend of free activities for the whole family. Enjoy free arts and crafts, workshops and performances, get stuck in with celebratory community activities and discover the museum’s historic connection to this celebration. Drop in activities will take place between 11am and 4pm. www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ museum-london-docklands

Sun 22 Jan - Family Snowdrop Kokedama Workshop (SW3) Join the team at Chelsea Physic Garden for a family workshop to create your own gorgeous Kokedama with snowdrops. Kokedama is a ball of soil, covered in moss and planted. This practice comes from Japan and allows plants to grow without pots. Kokedama can be hung from above or placed in small dishes.This workshop is designed for children ages 7+ and up. All materials will be provided. 10am, 12pm & 2pm. www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/ event/family-kokedama-workshop

Thu 26 Jan

(N12)

If you’d like to know more about joining email gaming@artsdepot.co.uk www.artsdepot.co.uk/events/ gamingartsdepot

Fri 27–Sun 29 Jan – RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch (various) Be wowed by your local wildlife. Big Garden Birdwatch is for everyone, whether you’re a complete beginner or a birding expert. Simply count the birds you see in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park for one hour between 27 and 29 Jan, then log your results on the RSPB website.

www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/ activities/birdwatch

Sat 28 Jan–Sat 4 Feb - Make-it: Costume Illustration (SW7) Take part in this families workshop at the V&A Museum to find out more about costume design and experiment with illustration techniques. Inspired by the Re:Imagining Musicals Display, you will be able to create a costume design for a character of your choice. 10:30am workshop for ages 7-10; 2pm for ages 10-13.

www.vam.ac.uk/event/ 4GreZwO3vKn/make-it-costumeillustration-jan-feb-2023

Sat 28 Jan & Sat 25 Feb - Safe Harbour (SE10) Safe Harbour is a series of free workshops created to provide a safe space for foster and adoptive families with children under 13 years. Head along from 12.30pm, take a snack or lunch and say hello to other families. After refreshments, take part in creative activities inspired by the items in the National Maritime Museum.

www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/nationalmaritime-museum/safe-harbour

The Big Garden Birdwatch

- Gaming@artsdepot

Go along to a Friday night gaming session at artsdepot. Beginners and experienced players - everyone’s welcome. Grab a drink at the bar and play a board game from our classics selection or take your own along to play!

Sun 29 Jan - Chinese New Year

Culture Show (WD17) Everyone is invited to Watford Palace Theatre to Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Enjoy an evening of festivities celebrating the Chinese New Year. watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/ events/chinese-new-year-cultureshow

Sun 29 Jan & Sun 26 Feb - All

Aboard Club Play Sessions (TW8) All Aboard Club is bringing its trains to the London Museum of Water & Steam. Autistic and ADHD children can build and play with their huge train sets in an inclusive, supportive and understanding environment. 34:45pm. Advanced booking required. www.waterandsteam.org.uk/ event/all-aboard-club-playsessions/2023-01-29

Throughout Feb - LGBTQ+ History Month (SE10) Head along to the National Maritime Museum this February for a spectacular series of events celebrating queer histories, identities and communities. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/lgbtqhistory-month

Sat 4 Feb - Hillingdon Library Service presents Storyteller Wendy Shearer (UB3/UB8) With a sprinkle of sunshine and a dash of sea breeze, Wendy Shearer will carry you across the Caribbean Sea with trickster tales. There will be music and colourful props, where everyone is invited to jump into the stories. Ages 5+, free, but booking is essential. Botwell Green Library at 2pm and Uxbridge Library at 3.30pm.

www.hillingdontheatres.uk/index. php/events/storyteller-wendyshearer

Sat 4 Feb – Sun 5 Mar – Orchids 2023 (TW9) Kew Gardens’ muchloved annual orchid festival is back, bigger and better than ever. Inspired by the beauty and biodiversity of Cameroon, Orchids 2023 is a vibrant celebration of colour and warmth to brighten up the winter months. Take a journey through our state-of-the-art glasshouse and discover larger-than-life sculptures by the team of expert horticulturists, hand-crafted from an amazing array of real, colourful orchids and plants. Don’t miss the towering giraffes, wallowing hippos, a troop of gorillas, and magnificent roaring lions. www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whatson/kew-orchid-festival

Sun 5 Feb - Cancer Research UK London Winter Run (WC2N) Starting at Trafalgar Square, the Cancer Research UK London Winter Run is a ten kilometre challenge through the heart of the capital. You will pass live music performances, encounter larger-than-life winter characters, and see world famous landmarks. It’s an unforgettable journey for runners of all abilities. www.londonwinterrun.co.uk

Wed 8–Fri 17 Feb - One and Everything Family Trail (SE1) Follow the free activity trail at the Southbank Centre to discover mysterious scripts, secret alphabets and hidden stories, inspired by Sam Winston’s book One & Everything. Part of Imagine Children’s Festival. www.southbankcentre.co.uk/ whats-on/family-young-people/ one-and-everything-familytrail?eventId=930144

Sat 11–Sun 19 Feb - STEM Week (NW9) Throughout STEM Week, the RAF Museum will have a dynamic range of activities available. Challenge your science skills, put your tech talents to the test, enhance your engineering abilities and add some magic to your mathematics with a range of fun family friendly activities and workshops. www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/ whats-going-on/events/stemweeklondon-2023

Sat 11–Sun 19 Feb - February Half Term: Water Power (TW8) Explore the wonders of waterpower this February half term. Get stuck into hands-on STEAM activities and get creative with a community art project. Plus, the fun Water Movers Science Show explores how to get water where we want it to be. www.waterandsteam.org.uk/ event/february-half-term-waterpower/2023-02-11

Sat 11 Feb–Sat 4 Mar – Brick Week (SL4) The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort welcomes you to Brick Week! Build family memories this February half term with awesome rides, attractions and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. www.legoland.co.uk/explore/ special-events/brick-week

Sun 12–Sun 19 Feb - February Half Term: Sailing Out (SE10) Badge making and BSL craft workshops are just some of the activities taking place over half term at the National Maritime Museum to celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ learning-space/february-half-termsailing-out

Mon 13 & Sat 18 Feb - Morning

Stars (SE10) Morning Stars planetarium shows are designed for anyone who would benefit from a calmer and more relaxed environment, in particular those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These shows are presented live by a Royal Observatory astronomer with several adaptations from the normal planetarium sessions.

www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/royalobservatory/morning-stars

Tue 14–Wed 15 Feb - Out Of This World: Mars (SE10) Take a trip to the Red Planet in this Mars-themed family workshop at the Royal Observatory. Begin by travelling across the solar system in the planetarium to our neighbour, the planet Mars. Then, join an interactive workshop as you find out how we explore this fascinating world that at one time was not so different from our own. Ages 7+.

www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/royalobservatory/out-world-mars

Tue 14–Fri 17 Feb - Half-Term Workshops at the Foundling Museum (WC1N) Join the creative family workshops this half-term. Re-make and animate history with artists makers through a range of imaginative workshops inspired by our Tiny Traces exhibition. 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm. Ages 5-12 and children must be accompanied at all times. www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk/ event/half-term-workshops

Wed 15 Feb - Islamic Geometry Workshop (HA5) Using ancient tools, recreate medieval patterns and bring them to life with contemporary colours. The patterns you will create in this workshop at Harrow Arts Centre can be found in the architecture of North Africa and Southern Spain during the Islamic Golden era. These patterns can then be traced, transferred and tessellated seamlessly to create our own contemporary Islamic Geometric artworks in watercolours and metallic. 1-4pm. www.harrowarts.com/whats-on/ event/learn-harrow-islamicgeometry-workshop

Wed 15 Feb - Rainbow Family Plant Drawing Session (SW3) For February half-term, Chelsea Physic Garden is hosting a family friendly plant drawing session to celebrate the diversity in plants through art with Edward Luke Thrush. Materials will be provided but you can bring your own preferred materials if you like. Ages 5+. 10am–12pm. www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk/ event/a-dash-of-lavender-familyqueer-botanical-drawing-session

Thu 16 Feb - Hillingdon Library Service presents Story Detectives (HA4/UB3) A 45-minute performance followed by a 30-minute workshop. The story detectives take families on an adventure around the library, using dance to find clues and solve a mystery. Ages 7+, free, but advance booking essential. Ruislip Manor Library at 11am, Botwell Green Library at 3pm. www.hillingdontheatres.uk/index. php/events/story-detectives

Thu 16–Fri 17 Feb - Revolting

Children 2-Day Workshop (UB10) A musical theatre workshop in the half-term holiday, for young people aged 7 to 11, at Compass Theatre in Ickenham. Listen up maggots! It’s your chance to sing and dance to your favourite songs from Matilda the Musical. Join in with this jampacked theatrical experience and get ready to express your revolting side! 10am-4pm. Space is limited so advance booking is essential. www.hillingdontheatres.uk/index. php/events/revolting-children-2day-workshop

Thu 16–Fri 17 Feb - Holiday to Space (SE10) Join Ted and Plant as they explore the Solar System in search of the best place to take a holiday in a morning of fun including a planetarium show and interactive workshop. Event takes place at the Royal Observatory and is recommended for ages 3-6 years. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/royalobservatory/holiday-space

Fri 17 Feb - Hillingdon Museum Service presents Victorian Toys (UB8) A family event where you can explore and play with Victorian toys, including some from the museum’s collection. At Uxbridge Library from 2-4pm. Free, but booking is essential. www.hillingdontheatres.uk/index. php/events/victorian-toys

Fri 17 Feb - Dino Snores for Grown-ups (SW7) If you thought the Natural History Museum sleepovers were just for kids, think again. Head along after the Sun’s gone down and let your inner child go wild for a night of fun and

games at the Museum. Not only will you get to sleep over in the iconic Hintze Hall beneath the beloved blue whale, but grown-ups will be treated to dinner as well as loads of awesome activities.

www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dinosnores-for-grown-ups

Sat 18 Feb - SEN Clay Modelling (HA5) A workshop for families with SEN children aged 5+. Colour and Clay’s sensory workshop for children with special educational needs and their families, will bring various sensory stations where children and their families will be able to experiment with clay in all its forms. At Harrow Arts Centre from 10am-1pm. www.harrowarts.com/whats-on/ event/learn-harrow-sen-claymodelling

Sat 18 Feb - Nick Sharratt’s All New Picture Book Drawalong (N12) Join this much-loved children’s writer and illustrator in a familyfriendly, fun-filled draw-along for all

ages at artsdepot. He’ll be sketching fab characters from his very latest stories and you’ll get to draw along with him. Whether it’s spectacular space aliens, funny fairy-tale folk or extraordinary elephants, you’ll have a whale of a time! Take pencils, paper and something to lean on, and expect plenty of chances to join in. www.artsdepot.co.uk/familyfebruary-half-term/nick-sharratt’sall-new-picture-book-drawalong

Sun 26 Feb - Hugglets Winter BearFest 2023 (W8) Meet thousands of teddy bears and artists from all over the world in the heart of London at Kensington Town Hall. The Hugglets Winder BearFest is an annual event featuring up to 100 stands and thousands of teddy bears for sale, with prices ranging from a few pounds to over £1,000. Both antique and modern bears will be there, plus clothes and accessories as well as bear-making supplies. www.hugglets.com

Put a spring in your child’s step with Perform

Perform’s confidence-building classes are sure to blow away the winter cobwebs and help children feel energised and inspired.

This term sees children ages 4 to 7 trapezing and somersaulting into a Circus Adventure whilst those ages 7 to 12 work on a fun and funky adaptation of Robin Hood, in Outlaw. Imaginations will soar as children work towards a magical performance for family and friends.

Perform is not like other children’s drama schools. Its classes have a special emphasis on child development and use a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s potential. Run by experienced actor-teachers, Perform classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: Confidence, Communication, Coordination and Concentration. With all abilities welcome, children can join at any point in the term and will take part in the performance. The only requirement is to get ready to have the best fun of the week!

Children are welcome to try a FREE class. With local venues in Bushey, Eastcote, Harrow, Ickenham, Kensal Rise, Northwood, Pinner, Ruislip, Stanmore and Watford. Find the right class and book at www.perform.org.uk/try

Visit www.perform.org.uk or call 020 7255 9120 to book.

What's On Theatre & Family Shows

The Alban Arena, St Albans 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk

Sun 19 Feb

Fireman Sam

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. Can Fireman Sam come to the rescue and save the circus? Join Sam, Penny, Elvis, Station Officer Steele and Norman in an all singing, dancing, actionpacked show. You can become a fire-fighter cadet and then watch the magic of the circus.

Artsdepot, N12 020 8369 5454 www.artsdepot.co.uk

Sun 12-Tue 14 Feb

The Singing Mermaid

The singing mermaid is tempted away to join a travelling circus, with the promise of a life of excitement, and her own swimming pool!. The circus audiences love her singing but she soon finds she’s been tricked by the dastardly circus master. Will she ever escape? And who will help her along the way? With three skilled performers, beautiful puppets, and wonderful music & songs by Barb Jungr, Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ much-loved story comes to the stage. Ages 3+

Sun 12 Feb

Comedy Club 4 Kids

Like the name says it’s a Comedy Club 4 Kids! Cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old and under 400 years old (no vampires). We have the best comedians from the UK and world circuit doing what they do best... but without the rude bits! Ages 6+.

Chickenshed, Southgate, N14 020 8292 9222 www.chickenshed.org.uk

Fri 20 Jan – Fri 24 Mar

Planet Play Spring Season

Welcome to Planet Play, a magical world of sensory learning, wonder and exploration, for babies and toddlers aged 0-3 years. These 50 minute sessions will encourage young children to develop and explore the world around them through song, music, movement and a truly sensory experience. Ages 0-3.

Sat 21 Jan – Sat 25 Mar

Tales from the Shed Spring Season

Vibrant, inclusive theatre shows that are perfect for young children. They are informal, lively and amazingly engaging as the performers and audience share the same space. Every carefully planned show incorporates educational songs, movement and language games, which help promote brain development and early learning in young children. Ages 0-6.

Harrow Arts Centre, HA5 0208 416 8989 www.harrowarts.com

Sat 11 – Sun 12 Feb

The Jungle Book

Filled with original music, audience interaction, and bags of comedy, you are invited to join Mowgli and his friends, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, on a madcap jungle adventure as they meet and attempt to outwit a slithering snake, some cheeky monkeys, and the fierce tiger, Shere Khan! Funny, exciting, and wildly entertaining, this original, larger-than-life musical will have you howling with laughter, the perfect treat for the whole family! Ages 4+.

Little Angel Theatre, N1 020 7226 1787 www.littleangeltheatre.com

Until Sun 29 Jan

The Pixie and the Pudding When Charlie and her dad move to the farm from the city, everything seems to go wrong. If only they’d paid attention to the mysterious note left on their windowsill about a curious pixie and the pudding she likes to eat on Christmas Eve… This enchanting musical brings a tale from Scandinavian folklore to life with puppetry, original music and a sprinkling of pixie magic. Ages 4-11.

Until Sun 29 Jan

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

A family go on an expedition of a lifetime – running down the grassy bank, wading through the cold river, squelching over the oozy mud, stumbling into the dark forest, then peering into a cave… what will they find there? Little Angel Theatre brings Michael Rosen’s thrilling and funny adventure to life in this entrancing puppetry production, which is ideal for brave hunters and bear lovers alike. Ages 3-8.

The O2 Arena, SE10 0208 463 2000 www.theo2.co.uk

Sat 7–Sun 8 Jan

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party

Fans of all ages will be dazzled as they watch the iconic Hot Wheels Monster Trucks light up the floor in this one-of-a-kind, high-energy

Glow Party experience. The thrilling new experience brings audiences the only opportunity to watch their favourite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks - Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, Boneshaker™, Bigfoot® and more, plus the all-new Gunkster™ - LIGHT UP the floor in outrageous monster trucks competitions and battles.

Pump House, WD17 01923 241 362 www.pumphouse.info

Fri 20–Sat 28 Jan

Pippin

An extraordinary musical full of magical feats in the 2013 Broadway revival version of this multi Tony award winning musical from the composer of Wicked and Godspell. Pippin tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but simple life? Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory? This captivating production features sizzling choreography in the style of Bob Fosse and acrobatics.

Puppet Theatre Barge, W9 020 7249 6876 www.puppetbarge.com

Until Sun 29 Jan

Little Red Riding Hood

The much-loved story of Red Riding Hood is injected with humour and new twists to the tale in this specially commissioned version by prize winning author Deborah Jones. Granny is arty but forgetful, Little Red is fearful and feisty, and the Wolf as deep, haunting and mysterious as his forest. Performed using marionettes and shadow puppets, this production is perfect for adults and children ages 5+.

The Radlett Centre, WD7 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk

Sun 29 Jan

Captain Calamity: The Adventures of Captain Calamity This is a wild mix of magic and mayhem like no other. Expect 55 minutes of jaw dropping family fun and insanity featuring marvellous magic, bombastic balloons, beautiful bubbles, silly science, gigglesome games, cheeky tunes, one or two custard pies and enough craziness to send you into

a fit of giggles before the curtain comes crashing down. All ages.

Watersmeet, WD3 01923 711 063 www.watersmeet.co.uk

Thu 19 – Sat 21 Jan

High School Musical

It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations, and look forward to the new year. Basketball team captain and resident jock Troy discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical, led by Ms. Darbus. Although many students resent the threat posed to the ‘status quo,’ Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.

Watford Palace Theatre, WD17 01923 225 671

www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Wed 11 Jan

Bring Your Own Baby Comedy

An award-winning lunchtime comedy show for parents… and you can bring your baby! These shows feature the funniest comedians from TV and the circuit telling their grown-up jokes in a totally babyfriendly environment.

Sat 14 Jan

The Adventures of Captain Calamity

This is a wild mix of magic and mayhem like no other. Expect jaw dropping family fun and insanity featuring marvellous magic, baffling balloon bursting, beautiful bubbles, silly science, gigglesome games, cheeky tunes, custard pies and enough craziness to send you into a fit of giggles! Don’t miss this symphony of disaster conducted by a very smelly dragon, a mad scientist, a travelling musical storyteller, a Swabbie desperate to be a Pirate and the biggest buffoon of all, Captain Calamity. All ages.

Tue 14–Thu 16 Feb

Shark in the Park

Timothy Pope is looking through his telescope – but wait, is that a Shark, in the Park!? From the creative team behind ‘The Hairy Maclary show’ see all 3 of Nick Sharratt’s ‘Shark in the Park’ books live on Stage! Age 2-7.

Winston Churchill Theatre, HA4 01895 250615

www.hillingdontheatres.uk

Thu 19–Sat 21 Jan

Rumpelstiltskin

Will Windy the Miller’s tall tales finally come back to haunt him? Can Sophie perform miracles to keep the ones she loves safe? Can the Prince stop his dad, the King, from going power and money hungry? Will Dame Daisy ever get her man? Go along and join in the fun at the Winston Churchill Theatre.

Harrow Art Centre 11-12 Feb

2023 life hacks for parents

By Ellie Malt

Honestly, cracking open the frozen spuds on Christmas morning was NOT cheating. It was efficient, it was easy and I’m addicted. So, for 2023 I’ve decided to pull the emergency cord and deploy some new life hacks. According to my darling daughters, YouTube has solutions to every problem so I’ve gone online to look. Happy hacking!

Speedy declutter

I’m skipping the part where I sift through everything I own. Instead, I’m targeting three big ticket items; a pile of wood which has been patiently awaiting a DIY project, clothes put aside for mending two years ago and some electricals I intended to sell on eBay last year. It’s time to bag them up and get to the recycling centre.

Food

I need a break from cooking, I’m hunting down alternatives. Eating out is a cheerfully obvious way out but the costof-living crisis makes this backfire. So, I’m switching meals out for take-aways or meal deals. I’ve also found two new veggie options to batch cook for the freezer to give me a cheap night off.

Paperwork

Every time the admin needs to be tackled, it really does create a general fuzz of panic. Just where is that important email from school? Scouting around on the internet I found an excellent twentyminute-high speed solution inspired by Marie Kondo on YouTube at https://bit.ly/youtube20mins

Planners

Mega playdates

If batch cooking can work for food, can it work for our social lives too? Organising and hosting lots of individual playdates is time-consuming so I’m inviting lots of friends around for one mega playdate. It’s short-term pain for long-term gain. Maybe we’ll get lots of invites in return?

I’ve switched to Google calendar from the Apple version. I find it clearer plus I can set a reminder for each task I don’t have time for on a particular day. If that doesn’t work, I’m going back to a good paperbased planner. I’ve got my eye on the perpetual planner from Moo (www.moo.com).

Gamification

Why not inject the fun principles of a video game into any activity? Set tonnes of levels or goals and then lots of tiny rewards for reaching them. Mind still wandering? How about the Apollo wearable clip (www.apolloneuro.com) that provides a gentle buzz of appreciation after achieving a flow state? We have reward charts for the kids so I’ll have one too. Gold star for me!

Prioritise

Accept help

Why is this so hard? Ironically, when it comes to accepting help, I find it easier when I’m already feeling capable. Next time I’m being an obstinate hermit who wants to go it alone, I’m going to kick that habit or maybe even reach out before arriving at the point of overwhelm.

This is where the number one life hack on www.lifehack.org can help. The ‘prioritisation matrix’ means placing all your tasks into one of four zones: do, schedule, delegate, eliminate. Eisenhower came up with this strategy for the Allied Invasion of Europe. Is that so different from running a family? Anyway, Europe was successfully liberated so perhaps it will work for me. Free template at https://bit.ly/prmatrix

New Year challenges

By Claire Winter

Every New Year we are inundated with health, fitness and self-improvement messages. Often, if we do decide to challenge ourselves and make a change, we don’t feel adequately supported and quickly lose motivation. One way of addressing this is to take on a new challenge as a family. Not only do you all have to get up off the sofa but you get to spend quality time with each other too!

Does your family thrive on a bit of competition? You could make your challenge a goalorientated one. Or perhaps you have family members who want to nail screen time, healthy eating or exercise? Call a family meeting and decide which challenge will suit you all. If you can’t decide, hold a vote! Here are some challenge ideas.

Get wild

We know that spending time in nature is good for you and science backs it up. Challenge each other to name different trees on every walk you go on, see shapes in clouds, identify birdsong; whatever it takes to draw the family into the fresh air.

The RSPB has some great wild challenge suggestions for families; check out fun and learning at www.rspb.org.uk.

Reduce screen time

If you decide as a family to spend less time on devices, there are some great apps like AppDetox or AntiSocial which can help. Plan family fun as a healthier and more inclusive use of your time.

Catch me if you can

Coach Martin Sharp (www.martinsharp.com) suggests a family running challenge. ‘You could keep it simple and see how many laps of the park you can all do. But if you want to make it more exciting you could enter a Color Run (www.colorrun.co.uk) or a Tough Mudder (www.toughmudder.co.uk) says Martin. ‘Exercise doesn’t have to be the same thing day-in, day-out; with a bit of imagination it can turn into a grand adventure.’

Make a family chart and log everyone’s goals and achievements.

Eat around the world

Bored with your normal meals? Inspire yourselves by researching healthy ingredients you’ve never tried before. Then plan a family challenge to cook meals from around the world. Everyone gets to try something they’ve not eaten before.

Be mindful

In this stressful world, taking time to ‘just be’ is so important. Try some relaxing yoga and meditation every evening for just five to ten minutes, for a month. Insight Timer (www.insighttimer. com) is a free meditation app, packed with different tracks and exercises.

Use workout cards

Fitness expert Lauren Allen (www.strongasamum.co.uk) suggests using playing cards to mix up workout challenges. Allocate a movement or an exercise to each suit. For example, clubs is squats, spades is push-ups, diamonds is star jumps and hearts is high knees. Shuffle your deck and deal out the whole pack to everyone. The number on the card represents how many repetitions of the exercise you need to complete. Set a timer and whoever clears their hand in the quickest time wins the round.

Be brave

Try a new activity that stretches the family’s comfort zone, such as ice skating, wild swimming, rock climbing or paddleboarding. Set yourself an achievable goal and get started!

Ready, steady, cook!

Cook up your own version of Come Dine with Me, with the aim of making your meals healthier. Social media platforms are full of inspiring chefs whipping up feasts you can copy at home.