Families London South West May 2016

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SouthWest May 2016

Fabulous local baby services When is a child old enough to babysit?

What is Mindful Birthing?

Exam preparation strategies Half term activities Cost effective ways to freshen up your home

How to start a new exercise regime when you’re a busy mum ®

25 YEARS

Really useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds in SW London Find us online: FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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May 2016

Contents Families® SW London | May 2016 | Issue 256

FEATURES 07-15 Education •Are we too focused on academia and not enough on developing thinking skills?

•Local School news •Exam preparation strategies

Vote for your favourite local Outdoor Playground on Facebook.com/FamiliesSW

IN EVERY ISSUE 04-05 Local news 06

Families ‘Top 5’ this month

34-38 What’s On •Diary dates & events •Theatre •Museums and galleries •Days out •Half term activities

ADVERTISE IN OUR NEXT ISSUE: Contact us on 020 8696 9680

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16-18 Home & Interiors •A relatively cost effective way to freshen up your home •The importance of a good relationship with your builder 19-23 Health and Fitness feature •Osteopathy, homeopathy, acupressure, Lymphatic drainage, sophrology, life coaching and more •When is a child old enough to babysit?

24-27 Baby Feature •Weaning, baby massage, cloth nappies, Private Pregnancy Show, mum and baby holidays •What is Mindful Birthing?

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Clubs and Classes •Round up of great local Clubs & classes •Does your child lack confidence? try dance classes Find us on Facebook & Twitter FamiliesSW

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in Families It makes a HUGE difference Thank you

Healthy party food: hooray!

Check out this new company offering healthy children’s party food. Just Kinder Party Food have years of experience in high-end catering. They are passionate about crafting the perfect nibbles and refreshments and will prepare fresh, delicious and beautifully presented food. Children are sure to love the unique, delicious food that Just Kinder Food provide for your memorable event. The children’s party catering ensures that both children and parents alike can tuck into yummy and healthier food at parties. info@justkinderpartyfood.co.uk ( 3641 6208 : justkinderpartyfood.co.uk

Top 10 outdoor playgrounds Mountain Warehouse, the UK’s largest outdoor retailer, revealed in a recent study: • • • •

British kids spend 50% less time playing outdoors than their parents did Almost one quarter of British kids have never climbed a tree 8 out of 10 British parents prefer to keep their children indoors for reasons of safety Half of British parents admit to sometimes relying on school to ensure their children play outside

Conveniently, two of the top 10 outdoor ‘playgrounds’ in the UK are in London (Richmond Park and Hampstead Heath). Which one is your favourite playground locally? Let us know via Facebook. Results in the next issue! : facebook.com/FamiliesSW

National Young Writers’ Awards – free competition Participate in this fantastic, free writing competition for children across the UK, judged by best-selling author of the Charlie & Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort books, Lauren Child and organised by tuition provider, Explore Learning. There's a family trip to Disneyland Paris and £500 worth of books for your school up for grabs. The competition runs until Tuesday 7th June. : explorelearning.co.uk/youngwriters

Get strolling for Walk to School Week Say goodbye to traffic jams and lack of parking spaces and walk to school as part of the annual Walk to School week, organised by Living Streets.

Running from 16th to 22nd May, the theme is ‘Strider’s Walk in the Wild’ exploring habits and natural environments of different animal species each day. Living Streets are also promoting walking your recommended 20 minutes a day with the #Try20 campaign.

They are encouraging individuals to fit in their daily walking through creative tips sent directly to your inbox. : livingstreets.org.uk/wtsw

My First Ballet family workshop

Ambitious plans for Tooting Common

An extra special workshop you need to book NOW if you are keen to go. On the 10th July the English National Ballet will put up a very popular creative Dance workshop in the enchanted world of forests and fairies and explore the magical story of Princess Aurora. Learn extracts from My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty (taking place at the Peacock Theatre 6-10 July) with English National Ballet dance artists, get up-close to the dazzling tutus and stunning scenery, and experience the thrill of dancing on stage. Suitable for 3 to 6 yrs and a participating adult.

Book at : ballet.org.uk

The Heritage Lottery Fund has backed plans to restore some of Tooting Common’s most prominent historic features and breathe new life into this much loved green space.

Wandsworth Council has been awarded nearly £1.4m of National Lottery funding to revitalise some of the common’s best-loved features, including restoring ancient habitats and boosting biodiversity. It will also provide new acid grasslands, renovate the lake, restore the Woodfield Pavilion, refurbish the popular lido and restore a unique 1930s drinking fountain. For more information about the Tooting Common Heritage Project see : projectdirt.com/project/13903 or wandsworth.gov.uk Volunteers requested to get involved.

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May 2016

Local news New psychological therapy clinic Built with passion, Fernwood Clinic offers an expert service to help clients to make permanent, long-term improvements to their emotional well-being.

They provide healthcare for a range of emotional concerns, such as depression (including pre and postnatal), anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, stress and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Each client is offered tailored therapy to provide the most effective, collaborative solution for their needs, including cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness based cognitive therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (third wave CBT), interpersonal psychotherapy and exposure therapy. A holistic approach, regarding diet and exercise is also stipulated alongside clinical work to offer the utmost care to clients.

Fernwood is exclusively staffed with professional clinical and counselling psychologists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Psychological Society (BPS).

All healthcare professionals have at least 7 years of training, along with extensive therapy experience. ( 8673 8604 : fernwoodclinic.co.uk

World’s tallest colouring book Is your child a colouring fanatic? With this new book, he/she can colour a giant tower all the way from his/her house, past dragons and witches, space ports and flying elephants, to reach the moon at the very top. By Sarah Yoon and published by Laurence King, £9.95.

We love it.

Natural home cook food delivered The brainchild of two West London foodies, Piccolo Plates offers free delivery across London of child friendly, healthy, homemade and nutritious dishes, delivered directly to your door. No added salt. No added sugar. Simply natural and nutritious. Each dish is £5 and serves 2 children and all dishes are freezable. Avoid the stress at tea time by feeding your little ones these wholesome and delicious dishes. : piccoloplates.com

Join the campaign to ban microbeads It is believed that 100,000 marine mammals die from ingestion of plastic, or by being trapped by plastic bags each year. The introduction of the 5p charge on plastic bags is a great step towards combating this major threat. Microbeads (exfoliating agents less than 5mm in diameter) not only pass through the sewage system, they are also very toxic when ingested by wildlife. There are two things you can do to help: avoid products with microbeads—they are found in soaps, toothpastes, lip gloss, nail varnish and more — and please sign the Greenpeace petition to have them banned. It matters hugely. : greenpeace.org.uk

Looking for domestic harmony? dallas dacre lacy ltd, supplies the crème de la crème in domestic staff throughout the UK and overseas. The agency, run by Dallas Dacre Lacy herself, provides a personalised service that sources and introduces experienced staff to maintain and run clients’ homes or care of their children and pets. dallas dacre lacy Ltd’s aim is to make the perfect match where both client and candidate have a feeling of domestic harmony.

Take the weight of your shoulders and contact dallas dacre lacy ltd to find quality domestic staff that will make your home run like clockwork and your life less stressful. : dallasdacrelacy.com or call ( 3080 0129

Safer route for Tooting pupils School pupils in Tooting now have a safer route to school as work to improve road safety on the approach to two schools has begun. Traffic calming measures are being installed in Dalebury Road where it meets Trinity Road, with the junction remodelled to slow vehicles down, plus improving sight lines and making it easier for children to cross the junction. It will also provide step free crossing points for buggies and wheelchairs. ‘These simple safety measures will help local parents and children who attend schools in the area,’ said Transport spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook.

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Families ‘Top 5’ this month Half term is just around the corner, so here are our Top Five picks of workshops, classes and events to keep your little ones entertained.

Brand new Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace

The Polka Theatre

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240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB : polkatheatre.com 1 June. Play in a Day: James and the Giant Peach A gigantic peach of a workshop! Explore acting and performance skills with a Polka Theatre director whilst creating your own version of James and the Giant Peach to share with friends and family. Ages 6–9, 10.30am–3.30pm, £30.

2 June. Theatre Unlocked: Design Masterclass A unique opportunity to find out what goes on behind the scenes and spend the day working with the professional set and costume designer of James and the Giant Peach to create your own set model. Ages 10–14, 10.30am–3.30pm, £30.

3 June. Puppetry Skills Meet some of Polka’s puppets and spend the day with their professional puppeteer to create your own. Learn the art of bringing puppets to life. Ages 7-11, 10.30am–3.30pm, £30.

Opens daily 10am-6pm. The Magic Garden is included in the palace ticket price or purchase a separate ticket for entry to the Magic Garden and Maze only. £7.50 adults and £5.50 children. : hrp.org.uk We haven’t been to visit as we go to press, but this imaginative new play Hampton Court dragon’s nest garden sounds amazing. Inspired by the myths and legends of the Tudor Court, it is populated by mysterious mythical beasts, with battlements to storm, towers to besiege, and even a secret grotto to discover. The Magic Garden is also a unique way for families to explore the palace’s past. Designed by RHS Chelsea award-winning landscape architect Robert Myers for Historic Royal Palaces, the new garden has been six years in the making and begins an exciting new chapter in the palace’s 500 year history.

The Chelsea Physic Garden

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66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HS : chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 31 May. Chocolate Tuesday Look into the history, geography and science of chocolate and celebrate this very special substance. The day will include craft activities, a Garden tour, chocolate tasting and the chance to create your own mixtures to take away. 10.30am3pm, ages 7+.

31 May. Puppetry in Motion Design garden-inspired creatures and turn paper cups into beautiful characters. Artist Hyunjung Choi will lead this creative and lively day giving you the know-how to make your own cup puppets at home. 10.30am-3pm, ages 7+.

1 June. Marvellous Masks See a selection of masks from around the world and hear the stories behind them. Then it’s your turn to create your own marvelous mask and decorate it with leaves, twigs and seeds from around the garden. 10.30am-3pm, age 7+.

2 June. Thinking With Your Nose: an introduction to plant perfumes Team up with the wonderful Organic Pharmacy to bring to life the scent-sational world of plant perfumes. Learn the basics of perfumery: the plants, the science, the jargon and how to make your own perfect personal blend to take away. Age 11+, 10.30am-3pm.

Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF : rmg.co.uk 27-28 May. Maritime Family History Day Led by expert staff, this family study day introduces the Caird Library's collections, the world's largest collection of merchant navy family history resources. 11am-4pm, £27/£24.

27-28 May. Greenwich Book Festival The second Greenwich Book Festival will take place in the beautiful buildings and grounds of the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Don’t miss it!

30 May – 4 June. Above and Beyond Workshops Half term holiday workshops to accompany the museum's flight-themed exhibition 'Above and Beyond'. Learn about space, ships and spaceships, and help build amazing top-secret flying, floating and sinking machines.

11am-1.30pm and 1.30-4pm, drop in, all ages. FREE

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Visit RHS Garden Wisley

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©National Maritime Museum

National Maritime Museum

5 Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB : rhs.org.uk Just down the A3, Wisley is perfect for a day out from SW London. Late evening opening every Thursday in June.

28 May – 5 June May Half Term and Budding Gardeners As part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, local schools have built their own mini show garden, which will be on show until 5 June and there will also be the chance for the public to vote for their favourite. During May half term, bring the family for scouting-themed activities with an interactive orienteering trail around the garden.

4 – 5 June Birds of Prey Meet wonderful birds of prey up close and learn all about them during this weekend. Watch the birds in agility displays at 11am and 2pm each day.

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May 2016

Est 1976 Ofsted registered and MEAB Accredited An independent nursery school for children 2 to 5 years

• EYFS and Montessori Method of teaching • MEAB inspected and accredited Montessori nurseries (the only ones in SW12) • Ballet, Drama, Football, French and Music classes • Morning, afternoon and full day sessions (term time only) • Summer Clubs Nightingale 1 Montessori: St Luke's Church Hall, 194 Ramsden Rd, SW12 8RQ. 07958 567210 Nightingale 2 Montessori: St Stephen's Church Hall, 35 Weir Rd, SW12 0NU. 07930 401769 Contact: info@nightingalemontessori.co.uk www.nightingalemontessori.co.uk Register early to avoid disappointment.

Dawmouse Montessori Nursery School “To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will able him to develop freely” Maria Montessori

Celebrating 20 years of excellence in Montessori teaching Come and visit one of our two Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools in Fulham and discover why we have enjoyed such a long period of success teaching children from 2yrs to 5yrs in their early years education.

To learn more about us just visit our new web site at www.dawmouse.co.uk or email miss.emma@dawmouse.com

www.dawmouse.co.uk

Tel: 020 83989294

Passionate about teaching and learning

May 2016

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School Open Days Streatham & Clapham Prep School SW2 3-11 Girls Nursery and Prep School 3/5 9am-10.45am ( 677 8400 : schs.gdst.net Parsons Green Prep SW6 4-11 Co-Ed Midweek tours on Thursdays at 9am by appointment only ( 7371 9009 : parsonsgreenprep.co.uk Sinclair House School 4-11 Co-Ed 10/5 10-11.30am ( 7736 9182 : sinclairhouseschool.co.uk

SW6

Ravenstone Prep School 4-11 Co-Ed Pre-Prep 8/6 Prep 9/6 booking required ( 7225 3131 : ravenstoneschools.com

SW7

Newton Prep SW8 4-11 Co-Ed Friday tours by appointment -10.30am ( 7720 4091 : newtonprepschool.co.uk Dolphin School SW11 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings most Thursdays 9.10-10.30am by appointment ( 7924 3472 : dolphinschool.org.uk White House Prep School SW12 4-11 Co-Ed Tours Tuesday mornings at 9.15am ( 8674 9514 book in advance : whitehouseschool.com

St. Nicholas Preparatory School SW7 2-10 Co-Ed Open Morning 19/5 and 16/6 9.30am, plus Open House every Wednesday and Thursday during term time 9.30-10.30am book in advance ( 7225 1277 : stnicholasprep.co.uk

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Call to book your place now

Familiessouthwest.co.uk ( 8696 9680

Hornsby House School 4-11 Co-Ed 9/6 9am ( 8673 7573

SW12

The Roche School SW18 2.5-11 Co-Ed 6/5 and 22/6 9.30-11am ( 8877 0823 : therocheschool.co.uk St Anne’s C.E. Primary School SW18 4-11 Co-Ed 9/6 booking required ( 8874 1863 : st-annes.wandsworth.sch.uk The Study Prep School SW19 4-11 Girls 3/5, 17/5, 24/5 and 28/6 9.20am and 10.30am ( 8947 6969 : thestudyprep.co.uk Wimbledon Common Prep SW19 (also known as Squirrels) 4-7 Boys 11/5 call to book ( 8946 1001 : wimbledoncommonprep.co.uk

Ibstock Place School SW15 3-18 Co-Ed Pre-Pre and Prep 15/6 9.30am Senior School 11/5 5-7pm booking required ( 8876 9991 / 8392 5803 : ibstockplaceschool.co.uk

Wimbledon High School SW19 4-18 Girls Junior School Open Morning 19/5 Sixth Form Open Evening 18/5 ( 8971 0900/0902 : wimbledonhigh.gdst.net

Broomwood Hall Lower School 4-8 Co-Ed 19/5 9-10.30am ( 8682 8830 : broomwood.co.uk

Ravenscourt Park Prep School W6 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 5/5 and 14/6 9.15am ( 8846 9153 : rpps.co.uk

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May 2016

Education – Building resilience in children, Part 2

Are we too focused on academia and not enough on developing thinking skills?

By Mark Peters, Assistant Head at Hornsby House

Resilience is becoming a buzz word in education and has been cited as a key quality our children need to acquire in order to face the challenges that lie ahead of them on their journey through education and into the wide world. It is heard alongside terms like growth mindset and empowerment but this new lexicon is of no use unless it is explained and justified to parents who want to be equipped to help their children. resilience noun 1. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.

2. the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

As parents we face the most powerful of juxtapositions; we have an inherent need to protect our children from adversity and difficulty but we also have a duty to make them independent. Achieving this balance is at the heart of their education both in and out of school so we have to be prepared for them to make mistakes, support them and encourage them to learn from these before trying again. Simple examples may involve helping them learn to ride a bike or tie their own shoe laces where there is very little pressure put on them, allowing us to be patient and accepting of initial failure. These little bumps in the road, things they find challenging, help them become resilient as they learn to iterate and try again on their learning pathway.

Develop Growth Mindset The term ‘growth mindset’ was coined by American psychologist Carol Dweck, to describe an approach whereby challenges can be overcome through hard work, in turn developing resilience and independence.

People may fail on their journey but with support and understanding they will learn from their mistakes and persevere for longer, becoming better learners. Most children have this approach to life from a very young age but as they get older, the bumps in the road become increasingly bigger and more challenging, for children and parents alike, which can see them plateau. They require a vehicle that provides them with challenges to avoid this stalling in their development and learning.

Knowledge based system vs. creativity in adversity Traditionally, the education system values academic league tables, rewarding knowledge based learning through formulaic testing, so children find it more difficult to take risks in the core subjects. This risk averse culture removes the opportunity for children to be brave, creative and independent, which develops their resilience. Fortunately there are other areas of the wider curriculum that allow children to explore, create, collaborate and innovate and acquire the skills they are going to need for the world that lies ahead of them.

Every child should develop at least two extra curricular skills Although hugely undervalued by academia, educationalist Sir Ken Robinson identifies that sport, music, art and drama all provide fantastic environments for children to be brave, collaborate with others, solve problems, overcome difficulties and acquire the real life skills they will require including confidence, independence and resilience. We all have heroes who are self-proclaimed products of failure, from James Dyson and the 5,127 prototypes for his first bagless vacuum cleaner through to Michael Jordan and his 9,000 missed basketball shots.

Whether our children choose a sports field, a stage, an instrument or a canvas, I would implore parents to help their children develop an interest in at least two of these creative areas, not to boost their 11+ CV but because they are so vitally important in developing the soft skills they need.

Skills to fight back and succeed We have no idea what the world will look like by the time our children leave higher education but we do know that whatever that world throws at them, if our children are resilient and independent and have our support as parents then they will be in a much stronger position to adapt, prosper and succeed.

Hornsby House, SW12 www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk May 2016

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THE STUDIO DAY NURSERY (Established 1987)

Montessori Teaching Method 8.00am to 7.00pm Full & Part-time Cooked Lunch & High Tea provided Boys & Girls Aged 2yrs-5yrs

93 Moore Park Road Fulham SW6 All enquires: 020 7736 9256 Principal: J.M.R. Williams, NNEB, RSH (Norlander).

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May 2016

Education

Local education news All children should be learning touch typing

New French and English nursery

In a world where online activity is dominating the way we communicate, computers, laptops and tablets are becoming an essential item. Being able to touch type is therefore an invaluable skill—as important as learning to drive or cook a basic meal. A skill that once learnt will be appreciated forever. A touch typist is not reliant on looking at the keyboard, so focus is not wasted on finding the keys. Being able to type as fast as you can think means that ideas flow more readily, so you are immediately more productive, detailed and expressive in your written work.

Little Linguists nursery is a new French and English bilingual nursery offering flexible, affordable nursery care and education for children in Streatham.

They expect that children who join the setting will learn to understand a language in a natural and direct way, similar to how they learned their mother tongue. With lots of lovely Montessori materials in the classrooms, Little Linguists use sensory materials, music, and imagination to create rich learning experiences for your child. Flexible childcare options for children aged 0-5 years, 7.30am – 6.30pm.

121 Fallsbrook Road, London, SW16 6DU. Contact them to arrange a viewing on ( 8127 8581 or info@littlelinguistsnursery.co.uk : littlelinguistsnursery.co.uk

Touch typing and SEN Most significantly, recent research into learning difficulties like dyslexia or dyspraxia has concluded that touch typing is not only of huge benefit for those with SEN, but in some cases is considered to be a necessity. Not only is it a relief for children who struggle with handwriting, but it also helps with spelling, as word patterns are learnt using muscle memory. Intelligent children, who were once falling behind in class, due to having difficulty translating the thoughts in their head onto paper, feel liberated. Their self-confidence is boosted, as is the quality of their written work.

And the results speak for themselves.

At NMTT they aim to teach children how to touch type in one week and to make it fun as well! For info go to : nmtouchtyping.co.uk

Inspiring tuition– free trial session!

Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition for 5 to 14 year olds of all abilities. The centres are open 7 days a week, meaning Explore can fit into busy family life. As Explore members, children work with tutors who are great educational role models, enthusiastic about learning and fantastic motivators. Each child has an individualised learning programme, and all Explore courses map to the National Curriculum in England and the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland.

Find out how your child can benefit from Explore Learning membership today. Book your free trial at : explorelearning.co.uk May 2016

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Improve 11+ vocabulary in a flash Looking to boost your child’s vocabulary ahead of the 11+ exam? The 11+ Entrance Examination demands strong vocabulary and comprehension skills, this is why Farquhar’s Vocabulary Flash Cards have been specifically created to improve children’s verbal reasoning skills and ultimately help them succeed. Featuring carefully selected words collated from recognised 11+ material, the cards will build confidence and vocabulary knowledge at the appropriate level tested in the 11+ Entrance Examination.

The flash cards will encourage your child to build up a bank of challenging vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms and compound words. Easily portable in small sets, they are perfect for vocabulary practice on the go. They can be used in many ways – as classic flash cards, stuck up as words of the week, or a tool to make up your own games to challenge friends and family.

For more information visit : vocabularyflashcards.co.uk

Top of the crop The Year 6 children at Hornsby House School have achieved a great set of 11+ results this spring. In fact, in their secondary school entrance exams the 51 pupils won a total of 40 scholarships and awards! 80% of the children are heading to one of six London day schools: Alleyn's, Whitgift, Dulwich College, Streatham and Clapham High School, James Allen's Girls School and Emanuel, with the other 20% moving on to a range of other London day schools and boarding schools, including both independent and state options. ‘I congratulate the Year 6 children on the excellent results they have achieved,’ said Edward Rees, Headmaster.

‘They have worked very hard and deserve their success. The number of offers achieved are impressive and reflect the high quality of the teaching at Hornsby House.’ Hornsby House, Hearnville Road SW12 8RS, ( 8673 7573 : hornsbyhouse.org.uk

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May 2016

Education – Tutoring

Exam preparation strategies

By JK Educate - Jaderberg Krais

It’s important to fully prepare for exams, both emotionally and practically. These strategies will help at all levels from SATs and school testing, to GCSEs and beyond.

Parent’s involvement is important As the exam system has changed greatly over the past few years, and is continuing to do so, some parents may feel it best to just let the ‘experts’ at their child’s school get on with it.

However we believe parent involvement is important and that parents don’t need to be an expert in any subject to make a real difference!

It is hard for children to understand the longterm importance of doing their best, so try to encourage and establish a feel good factor about learning - all learning is hard and requires sacrifice and deferred gratification, but students need to understand “what’s in it for me?”. For 11+ it’s to do with visualising the end goal of attending a particular school, for older children it is going to their chosen university and getting a good job.

Practical preparations for revision Create a work area where your child will be uninterrupted and comfortable. Agree up front whether music or screens will help or hinder them. Encourage your child to keep a file for each subject with section dividers and to file new notes and handouts straight away.

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Get good revision aids for each subject, including past papers, and match revision notes to likely exam questions.

Parents also need to encourage the student to start revision early and make a realistic timetable that they will stick to. Agree to a regular “check-in” where you are “allowed” to discuss where the student is in relation to their deadlines.

Learning tips It really helps to structure each revision session, setting an achievable aim and testing this at the end. “Doing something” with the information students are trying to learn and remember is essential to allow the brain to learn, make connections and remember.

Different people find different activities useful, and your child needs to find out what helps them remember things.

Some students like to use “spider maps” or create colourful posters that they display on the wall to see regularly; visualisation, mnemonics or acronyms are examples of useful rote learning techniques. Remember, the least effective methods of learning are just repeatedly reading the information through, or simply copying it out.

Managing stress during revision and exams A little bit of stress can be a good thing as it motivates us to work hard. But exams can make stress get out of hand, which can stop us from performing well, so it’s important to address it and get it back under control.

It’s vital students eat well, with fresh fruit and vegetables and proper breakfasts. Sleep is the other essential. Try to keep household routines the same and encourage regular breaks from work, particularly if they are becoming frustrated, angry or overwhelmed.

Encourage and praise your child; show an interest by talking to them about what they are learning. Keep a note of key dates and deadlines to ensure you support them before the ‘panic stage.’

As the exams draw closer, refrain from talking about them. Keep conversations light, trivial and away from anything to do with exams.

Before the exams, remember to tell them that you love and value them whatever happens.

And remind them of this again, when the results are due!

JK Educate specialises in bespoke support for children’s learning, with schools advice, child assessments, specialist subject tutoring, entrance exam preparation and study skills.

Contact Katie on ( 3488 0754 or : jkeducate.co.uk

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May 2016

Homes & interiors It’s spring, does the brighter weather highlight the need for some home improvements?

A relatively cost effective way to freshen up your home Painting your home can be done very quickly, for maximum impact and with very minimum disruption to daily family life.

We spoke to James Ashton, a senior painter and decorator at Dwell Property Services, for some insight and tips for a painting project.

“We are asked to repaint properties for a number of reasons, such as the arrival of a new baby to the household, general up keep, purchase of a new property, end of tenancy for Landlords. Whatever the reasons, we always advise on the best paint for the job, be it non-toxic paint for a nursery, durable/washable paint for hallways, to moisture resistant paint for bathrooms and kitchens.

Surfaces to be painted should always be rubbed down and treated (where necessary), prior to starting any painting works. This preparation is essential to providing a smooth even coverage, and makes all the difference for a professional finish. This combined, with the quality of the paint and tools used i.e. good quality rollers/brushes, is ultimately what will raise your painting project to a higher longer lasting, standard. At Dwell, we recommend properties are fully re-painted a minimum of every 4-5 years, to maintain a fresh looking home for you and your family.

Preparation is also the key when tackling exterior painting works to masonry, woodwork as well as choosing the right weatherproof paint for the job. The exterior of a property is often neglected, however, maintaining this area is just as important as the interior; for creating a home to be proud of.”

So, what are you waiting for? There is no time like the present to give your home well needed TLC! For more information or advice call Dwell Property Services on 020 3664 7074 for a free, no obligations quote. Take a look at their website for a full range of their property services : dwellmaintenance.com 1-9 Hardwick Square, Wandsworth, SW18 4AW.

Grassify your turf Leading suppliers and installers of luxuriously soft artificial grass and designer outdoor furniture, Grassify provide realistic looking lawns without any of the mess. They also offer custom-built storage, LED lighting and can also transform balconies, terraces and patios into practical green spaces. They can organise everything from start to finish ( 7993 9083 : GRASSify.co.uk May 2016

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Homes & interiors

Good relationship with your builder = positive build project Choosing the right builder for your project is key to its success. Build projects of any size are disruptive to the normal running of your life, so selecting the right builder can make a huge difference to the inconvenience you feel and the positivity with which you approach the project.

• Trust your builder You must be able to fully trust your builder. Trust is important for any relationship to work. Projects always run much more smoothly once a good working relationship with the client has been built and trust is established.

If possible, consider using them for a smaller project first or their maintenance/handyman team to get a feel for how their company works.

• Communicate effectively When obstacles are encountered, a plan needs to be established quickly to overcome them, in order to make sure that your project keeps to its schedule. Of course, in this situation communication is key. You must be able to feel that you can communicate freely, easily and regularly with your builder.

• Obtain past work references Do your research and ask for references. Make sure you establish if a specific build team is being recommended and obtain a guarantee that this team will be available to work on your project.

• Sign a contract Once you have selected your chosen builder make sure you both sign a contract. This should state the agreed scope of the works, a completion date and a schedule of payments. It is usual for a builder to ask for a percentage deposit up front, this will allow him to purchase required materials and also pay his team up until an agreed completion stage. Do remember to agree any further changes and costs in writing along the way to avoid anything unexpected at the end. It’s advisable to make sure that you are 100% happy with the work, which has been carried out before parting with the final payment.

“When I was little, I remember two things in my bedroom: the curtains and my name on the cushion. So now I am a mum, I look at my child’s bedroom and wonder how I could personalise it?”

Why don’t you contact Tatiana of My Right Style in the first instance? Email her with your thoughts, it could be nursery furnishings, cot lining, bed covers, soft wall decorations or wall painting, smart curtains or roman blinds, buntings, any shape cushion covers, stylish tailored or knitted clothes, accessories or headwear. She is brilliant! All products can be personalised for your baby or toddler. All kinds of embroidery can be done: you can write the name of your child or just the initials, or it could be the first letter only in any type of font by choosing from their Alphabet Gallery, where you can find over 110 fonts. Make a name as simple as a patch or appliqué, soft studs, buttons, shape cut-outs, or unique hand knitted 3D hand made wool cord. You can supply the fabrics or they can order for you.

“My Right Style Ltd thrive to understand the character of your child, his/her personality, the atmosphere and style of the house to please you and keep friends and family happy.”

Kelmscott Home Improvement say: “For the future success of our business it’s essential that we ensure our clients are happy. Personal recommendation is very powerful and of the utmost importance to us. Good luck with your search for the best builder for your project. If you’d like to meet with us to discus your next project, we’d love to meet you.

Alternatively please give us a call to book our handyman for those DIY jobs you don’t have time for.”

Kelmscott Home Improvement ( 8772 8191 info@khil.co.uk : khil.co.uk

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Do look at her website, Tatiana also does wardrobe revitalisation, interior design, style advice, colour analysis, online personal shopping and more. She is bursting with ideas and advice, all at affordable prices. myrightstyle@gmail.com : myrightstyle.co.uk ( 07741277190.

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May 2016

Health & fitness

How to start a new exercise regime when you’re a busy mum

By Sally J. Hall

When, for goodness sake, are you going to find the time for a new fitness regime to shift those few pounds or get that baby weight off? Don’t despair, we have a few great ideas.

Preparation is key

Do what you like

Using baby

Before you start any kind of exercise routine, check with your doctor (or midwife if you’re pregnant) that it’s OK. If you’re recently given birth, wait until after your six week check-up.

If you had a C-section or other complications, you might want to wait a while longer. Always start with stretches to warm your muscles and don’t overdo anything. If you start to hurt, it’s your body’s way of telling you to stop. Start with a small, short routine and gradually increase the time you spend and the intensity of your work-out.

It may sound obvious but choose an activity you actually enjoy. If you join a spinning class, can’t keep up, end up red in the face and aching all over and dread going back, it’s not the right exercise for you. Try out a few different classes – everything from kick boxing to zumba is available, in gyms and church halls – and then pick the one you like the most. If you have joined a gym, you might find it works better to do a different thing each time. Try to include something that gets your heart racing, something stretchy and something that involves weights.

If you are stuck at home quite a lot with a very young baby and don’t yet feel ready for the communal changing rooms, try some exercises at home. There are quite a few post-natal exercise DVDs now that start you off gently and most importantly, know how to support and strengthen your body as it returns to your pre-pregnancy shape. Pop in the DVD, do a few exercises and have your baby on a play mat next to you so that you’re still close. You can even use your baby to strengthen your arms by lifting her over and over – and she’ll love it too!

Kids come too

Quick bursts

Can’t palm the kids off onto a relative? Want to get a few more steps done this week? Take the kids with you. Go to a local park with scooters and bikes and baby in a pushchair and walk around the outside of the park, encouraging the kids to race you. Not only will you all get an oxygen boost, they will sleep really well that night.

The time when your baby naps can be great for a quick burst – one of the hottest new fitness trends right now. Use this precious time wisely. Do push-ups against the wall or on your knees, use small weights to tighten arms (tins of beans work just as well), do squats and a few yoga poses for flexibility and strength in your core.

Let’s swap Chances are your nearest and dearest may also be feeling the belt pinch. So talk through your desires for a little time to yourself to get a little fitter and suggest you swap. He has the kids while you go to the gym, for a swim, for a long walk in the woods – whichever you feel you like the most. Then do the same for him another day. If you’re single, could you and a friend swap exercise times?

May 2016

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Mindfulness for children using creative breathing techniques, visualisation and other fun activities

I can help your child • relieve anxieties and fears • relieve exam stress • improve sleep patterns • increase self-esteem and confidence • develop concentration skills Sessions can be 1-1 or group in central location in Putney Ellen Ley, BA (Hons) Early Years professional status Dip Counselling, Children & Young People ellenley@btinternet.com 020 8789 2474/07790 782157 Trained and qualified with founder and internationally renowned author Lorraine Murray

LEARN TO RUN Beginner & improver courses for WOMEN on Wimbledon Common COURSES start throughout the year Contact Caroline on 07810 486286, info@commonrunners.co.uk

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May 2016

Health & fitness Three of the best post-baby fitness DVDs

Pregnancy Health Yoga with Tara Lee DVD £14.99

My Pre & Post Natal Workouts

Post Natal Pilates

£34.99 Davina McCall

£9.99 Caroline Sandry

A very comprehensive DVD that offers a choice of eight workout routines all suitable for pregnancy. It promises not just to strengthen your muscles but to give you more energy and help you relax too. It includes a birth visualisation by Dr Gowri Motha, the creator of the Gentle Birth Method too.

You name the reason for exercise, Davina has made a DVD for it. But she really does know quite a bit about fitness during pregnancy and afterwards. In this DVD, Davina and her personal trainer Jackie Wren show you how to do a workout in two sections for before and after you have your baby. Well thought out and well presented.

Pilates is a very powerful form of exercise that gives you great strength in your core, abdominal muscles and also has the muscle lengthening effects of yoga. This DVD offers safe and effective exercises designed to be used at different stages, from right after birth or as soon as you feel able. I t offers two stages: pelvic floor and the muscles of the pelvis and abdomen then it moves on to improving strength and tone.

Recommended equipment

Dumbbells

Rowing Action Exerciser

Pilates Stretch Bands

£5.05 Reebok

£12 Pineapple

£8.10 Calmia

Weighing from one to five kilos, these weights are ideal for banishing the bingo wings. Get pumping! They come in five colours – one colour for each weight.

This little gadget will help you get fitter at home and will tuck away under the bed when not in use. It can be used in a rowing motion to help tone your thighs, bottom, abdominal muscles and back.

Use these oversized stretch bands to give you resistance to help tighten abdominals, tone your arms and back and shoulders and slim your legs and behind. In three colours.

Learn to run: new courses for beginners and improvers From outside the Windmill Café on Wimbledon Common, Common Runners offer beginner and improver running courses and social runs during the week, usually straight after school drop-off. The women-only classes are small and friendly and they welcome all ages and abilities.

If you want to get fitter, lose weight, run a 5K or more, their new courses will guarantee to get you up and running.

Contact Caroline on ( 07810 486286 info@commonrunners.co.uk

May 2016

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Love your tennis If you or your children enjoy playing tennis then why not sign up to a Jonathan Markson Tennis Camp? With 5 hours of professional coaching each day this is the perfect way to get some healthy exercise and improve your tennis. Their experienced coaching team uses the latest technical drills and on-court video analysis to boost your performance. Children of 7+ years, adults and all levels are welcome.

Next camps are taking place on 28–30 May (Barnes), 25–29 July (Barnes), 15–19 August (Fulham). ( 7603 2422, info@marksontennis.com : marksontennis.com

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Health and well being Lymphatic drainage: leg confidence regained!

Which one of you has not tried to achieve that perfectly polished look, that sexy silhouette that Hollywood stars tirelessly display on red carpets ? Under scandalous slits or micro mini-skirts celebrities around the World seize every opportunity to show their most amazing assets : their legs ! This summer, it is YOUR turn to steal the spotlight !

An excellent and non-invasive way to regain your “leg confidence” is Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LTD). Often classified as a slimming treatment, it fights water retention, swollen “heavy legs” and cellulite while reducing the risk of varicose veins.

Lymphatic drainage is a natural function of the body, which plays an important part in immunity.

It is a vascular network, which naturally flushes away toxins and metabolic waste. If the system is not working properly fluids may build up within the tissues, lead to the compression of vessels and become painful (even at night).

While blood is pumped by the heart, the lymphatic system relies on the movements of the muscles. Lymphatic Drainage Therapy consists in pneumatic compressions that improve the flow of both the blood and the lymph in a gentle way but much more powerfully than a manual massage. It uses inflatable boots with compartments that fill up with air one after the other from the ankles moving up to the upper thighs. They then deflate at regular intervals for 30 minutes. The treatment is completely painless and the feeling of well-being is immediate. It usually induces a light sweating due to toxin elimination through the skin. A session will make you feel relaxed and as “light” as an astronaut on the Moon ! or as glamorous as Liza Minnelli in “Cabaret”!

Although it does not lead to direct weight loss, this treatment contributes to reshaping the body, reducing swelling and the feeling of tiredness. Long term, it improves the orange peel aspect of the skin and retones the legs.

Francine Joyce offers nutrition and cosmetics with the French touch ! : sos-silhouette.com or : dietconsulting.co.uk Maison Médicale, 10 Cromwell Place, South Kensington ( 7589 9321.

Meditation not for you?

Try dynamic relaxation Developed in the 60’s by a Spanish neuropsychiatrist combining Eastern tradition and Western techniques, Sophrology combines breathing, visualisation, gentle movement and relaxation techniques to bring both body and mind into harmony. Anyone can learn these fast and effective techniques, which can be practiced anywhere, at anytime ie: you won’t need to ‘empty your mind’ or sit on a cushion for hours.

Florence Pasteur will make you immediately at ease. She will give you the tools for anchoring your body, giving you a moment for catching your breath, restoring your vitality. All of this will help with mind clarity, reconnecting with your values and yourself and aligning your being and your doing.

Sophrology techniques are so easy and adaptable they can help you and your family with any challenges you could be facing (sleeping troubles, child birth, career change, stress management, craving for ‘me time’…)

‘I experienced the physical change after my first 10 minutes practice, which made a whole difference. I found Sophrology the easiest tool among many others that I have tried. It offered me more than what I expected. I loved the dynamic, engaging and a positive interaction in a safe space created by the practitioner.’

Mrs T. 44 yrs old.

It’s a lifetime of tools for a balanced lifestyle!

Suitable from 8yrs.

Tried and tested by Pascale Gravell, Families South West editor, who loved it.

Florence is super. : florencepasteur.com

Would you enjoy a free life coaching session?

We asked Laure Polidori of The Family Life Coach to describe a typical session: “After giving birth to her baby, the client encountered some issues in her relationship with her in-laws.

These were mainly due to different cultural backgrounds, which ended up affecting her home and couple.

We explored what was really triggering her anxiety and concerns. Once the causes were understood, the client gained confidence in herself and clarity about what she really wanted. Thanks to that she was able to find a way to express and communicate perfectly what she wanted, in a way that made her feel good about herself. This not only improved her relationship with her in-laws, but also helped reach the right balance in her couple, by finding a compromise regarding the bringing up of their child. This provided a much happier environment for her baby to grow up in.

Julie (not her real name) said: “I would not hesitate to recommend Laure as a life coach for the family. In just three sessions, we have largely achieved my original goal, we resolved a situation that I thought inextricable. At the end of the third hour, I re-established the communication in my family, and greatly improved my relationship with my beautiful family.”

In this case coaching has proven to be very effective in untangling a situation that, in first instance, seemed to have no solution for the client. For your free session contact: Laure Polidori, The Family Life Coach ( 07968 440913 laure.polidori@gmail.com : laurepolidori.com

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May 2016

Health and well being When is a child old enough to babysit?

Emma Hammet of First Aid for Life explains: “The Health and Safety Regulations 1997 protect children at work, but do not have any jurisdiction for babysitting. RoSPA and the NSPCC recommend no one under the age of 16 should be left in charge of a baby or toddler.

When asking an older sibling or friendly teenager to babysit, it is vitally important to consider how competent they would be in an emergency; • How mature and responsible are they?

• Are they familiar with your home and any risks within it?

• Do they know your children well?

Remind your babysitter to be mindful of hazards including hot drinks, pets, tiredness and anything else that could cause a danger.

Is an older sibling the best option?

Research published in 2010 in Injury Prevention, a BMA journal, revealed when older siblings supervise younger children there is an increased risk of injury: mothers tend to spot and remove dangers, whereas older siblings often interact with hazards eg. make a hot drink and leave it accessible. Children also behaved in a more risky manner when supervised by siblings, copying what they were doing and failing to listen when chastised. This led to more accidents and injuries.

As a babysitter you are entrusted with someone else’s life in your hands and that is a tremendous responsibility.

The following preparation encourages a safer arrangement: • Ensure your babysitter is First Aid trained • Fully brief them, introduce them to your children and familiarise them with your home • Remind them they are there to supervise your children safely and adhere to your rules • Have a local back-up adult available • Make arrangements in advance for the sitter’s safe return home Complete an emergency check list – available from : firstaidforlife.org.uk

It should include your children’s names, dates of birth, allergies or medication, your mobiles and work telephone numbers, GP contact details, emergency telephone numbers – 999/112, reliable neighbours’ numbers and addresses as well as location of electricity and water main Parents need time away and most babysitters are wonderful and the children remain safe and happy, however it does no harm to think carefully and plan before leaving them and everyone will be that much safer as a result.

First Aid for Life run specific First Aid courses for teenagers to help keep themselves and others safe and know how to help in an emergency. Emma Hammett, : firstaidforlife.org.uk, ( 8675 4036 emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk

In praise of Homeopathy

£10 acupressure massage offer The Wellness Centre, the massage specialists in Northcote Road, are offering a fantastic opportunity to all readers of Families SW magazine: a 45 minute treatment of their signature Acupressure Massage for only £10! A skilled practitioner with years of training and experience will search out acupuncture points to find and release areas of tension on your body. To take advantage of this amazing offer go to their website www.TheWellnessCentre.com and book in a Pressure Point Session, using the code FSW10 to have a relaxing and therapeutic Massage for only £10 (normally £45). New customers only, all treatments to be booked in before 1st June 2016.

For any questions email them on info@thewellnesscentre.com

May 2016

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I started using homeopathy while researching an article for Families South West. The more I read about it, the more I wanted to try. It works so well I am amazed it is not more commonly used. Did you know it is perfectly common for many GPs in France to prescribe “the little sugar pills?” In Switzerland homeopathy has the same status as conventional medicine when it comes to state medical insurance.

Homeopathy, along with herbal medicine, acupuncture and Chinese Traditional Medicine, had been rejected by the country’s health authorities for a lack of scientific proof of their efficacy in 2005, but a groundswell of support for them from a proportion of the Swiss population caused a change of heart, so they are now included in the health insurance scheme until 2017 under a probationary arrangement.

Homeopathy is completely natural with no side effects. When my twins were born I got ‘full on’ mastitis. My homeopath, who knew me – don’t try this on your own – prescribed the remedies I needed, I carried on with breast feeding and got better without antibiotics; when my son got ear or chest infections, he was relieved too; my daughter’s nightmares were cured overnight, as well as impetigo (that took longer). One beautiful thing about homeopathy is that I am empowered to learn which remedy works for each of my children. Slowly, with time, I learnt to give certain remedies myself. It is so effective, yet so gentle. I found I was able to go to my GP less often as I was able to deal with chesty coughs and common ailments on my own. Of course I also go and see my GP as well, and will use antibiotics if necessary, but I have found with my five children that we only needed them a few times in 20 years. Not bad!? And good for the NHS.

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May 2016

Baby feature Baby-led weaning Baby-led weaning has become an increasingly popular weaning method, with many parents choosing to move away from the more traditional spoon feeding of purees.

Two London mums have joined forces to create Little One Led, an online portal that provides advice, ideas and recipes as well as running regular workshops across London. “For those that are interested in learning about how baby-led weaning works, these workshops are the perfect starting point,” said Zoe Hill, Nutritional Therapist and Co-Founder of Little One Led. “At one of our workshops you’ll learn how it all works, when to start, the benefits of baby-led weaning, what foods to offer and what foods to avoid as well as addressing any questions you may have.”

Workshops are held at The Contact Centre, Church of the Holy Spirit, Hambalt Road SW4 9EH on a monthly basis. : littleoneled.com

'Knowing your midwife': can this become a reality for UK women?

A landmark conference explored this question last month with the collaboration of The Positive Birth Movement, Neighbourhood Midwives, the Association for the Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS) and more.

Indeed surveys by the NFWI and NCT reveal some sad facts: • 6 out of 10 did not see the same midwife more than once in pregnancy, 4 in 10 saw up to 10 different midwives.

• 8 out of 10 had never met the midwife who cared for them in labour and a startling 15% did not have one to one care in labour.

For those women with resources there is the option of adding on to their NHS care by engaging the services of a private, independent midwife. A constant part of your experience, she’ll provide your ante natal care at home, available by phone if you are worried, on call to you for labour and by your side throughout labour and birth. She will visit frequently in the post natal period and support you until 6 weeks as you grow into a confident and happy mother. Of course, sadly this is no help to those women who are unable to afford this care. This is why Neighbourhood Midwives is working hard to provide its model of care through the NHS and is also setting up a Charity so that they can reach disadvantaged and vulnerable women.

Protecting babies from wireless radiation More than one hundred medical doctors, scientists and public health experts from around the world have signed a Joint Statement advising pregnant women to take simple precautions to protect themselves and their babies from wireless radiation.

The Statement is part of a national right-toknow campaign called the BabySafe Project. The project is based on recent scientific studies suggesting that radiation from wireless devices is capable of interfering with the tiny electrical impulses that help synapses connect in a developing brain.

"The fetus is perhaps the most vulnerable to these types of insults, when the brain is just forming, when all of the organ systems are just beginning to develop," says Dr. Hugh Taylor, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale-New Haven Hospital, Professor of Women's Health at Yale University, and lead author of the study.

“Families” has been campaigning for years on this issue. Precautionary advice includes: don’t position your WIFI router next to baby, turn your WIFI off— or at the very least at night, don’t leave your baby monitor too close to baby, don’t leave your mobile phone next to baby, nor tucked in your bra! Be safe. : babysafeproject.org

Natural intimacy We’ve come across this great site for the ecoaware modern woman. Natural intimacy sells natural and alternative menstrual and fertility products, like FemmyCycle menstrual cup (disposable pads and tampons) or Caya opening up the world of hormone-free contraception. Love your body! : natural-intimacy.eu

In the meantime if you would like some additional care throughout your pregnancy, birth and postnatal period just call Neighbourhood Midwives and know that you may be helping a woman less advantaged than you in the future. : positivebirthmovement.org : neighbourhoodmidwives.org.uk : aims.org.uk

Sue Lewis ante natal and post natal services

Sources: Support Overdue: women’s experiences of maternity care. NFWI. 3 May 2013.

Maternity Services Survey: Care Quality Commission 2013.

Sue Lewis is a Women's Health Physiotherapist well known for her small and friendly ante classes in Wimbledon. Together with Gill Martin AN/PN fitness trainer, she is also offering mummy MOT's with lots of advice about correct postnatal exercise.

They see mothers one to one with pelvic girdle pain, ante natal obstetric problems, sacro-iliac joint pain, separated abdominal muscles (Sue wrote the treatment guidelines at St. George's for Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction). Specialist care also includes post natal complications and any gynaecological problems, and back pain.

At the fabulous newly built scout house in SW20, at Coombe House KT2 7DT or in your home. ( 07762 601 596 suelewisantenatal@hotmail.com : suelewisantenatal.co.uk

Positive Birth Movement We wrote about this excellent group in Families before. The Positive Birth Movement aims to connect pregnant women together to share stories, expertise and positivity about childbirth, aiming to challenge the epidemic of negativity and fear that surrounds modern birth. The Clapham Group is co-facilitated by Nadia Raafat alongside independent midwife Anna von Horsten and Neighbourhood Midwife Tina Perridge. It is hosted at a local yoga studio. The group has great energy behind it. To take part email Nadia Raafat Nadia@nadiaraafat.com or start your own group : positivebirthmovement.org

May 2016

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Baby feature New baby massage group in Wimbledon

Fitness, food and fun under the Tuscan sun

Baby massage is a wonderful way to bond and interact with your baby through a gentle approach of reflexology and soothing strokes to stories and nursery rhymes; not only does it help your baby's emotional and physical development but it can also help boost his immune system.

Group classes, private group sessions, a dads group and one to one sessions.

Updates, class info and early booking discounts on : facebook.com/wimbledonbabymassage

Are you looking for a chance to have a fun, relaxing holiday in the stunning Tuscan countryside, with your baby?

Let us tell you about Mum-and-babyexperience: you will be staying in a beautifully restored Tuscan farmhouse overlooking the Tiber valley and Lake Montedoglio. There is a fenced pool, mountain bikes, highchairs, cots, plenty of toys and baby equipment. You can enjoy yoga, zumba and a variety of fitness classes while your children are being entertained and looked after by qualified babysitters.

There are cooking lessons where children can join in and learn how to make homemade pasta and pizza, cooked in the outside bread oven. All delicious, locally sourced food prepared by their chef and meals with wine are enjoyed under the pergola. Plenty of time to learn some Italian with their friendly fun classes or just sit and read a book or swim knowing that your children are enjoying themselves too.

On market day you visit the beautiful medieval town of Anghiari and have a chance to buy some truffle oil or local salamis before enjoying lunch out at the local olive mill with the owners.

Not using cloth nappies yet?

Nappy Love is an online retailer for cloth nappies and accessories. They offer free individual advice via Skype and napuccinos in Central London. They have a selection of super nice nappies, from all-in-ones, to night nappies to nappy rental. Their mission? To make you fall in love with real nappies. : nappylove.co.uk

Airport transfers (with car seats), excursion to the medieval town of Anghiari and a massage are included. Holidays are suitable for babies aged 3 months upwards. Children go free. Dads and grandparents very welcome too. Closest airport is Peruguia (Ryanair). What’s not to like?

Contact Rita on ( 07785 571 292 Ritakobrak1@aol.com : holiday-villa-intuscany.com and : mum-and-babyexperience.co.uk

Changing maternity discrimination at work An amazing 70% of mothers who return to work leave their jobs within 5 years because they find it impossible to combine a career and family life. This is not right. Drawing on 14 years of experience and working with over 2,000 women, Bumps and the Boardroom has explored the correlation between what takes place around the pregnancy journey for high potential women who were moving up the career ladder and how the transition to motherhood can benefit, hamper or halt their continued ability to rise.

Maternity Action and the Alliance against Pregnancy Discrimination are campaigning for the Government to take action, introduce more robust policies to protect women and improve their access to legal recourse. Some companies do provide maternity coaching programs, enhanced parental leave packages, training for managers, support for colleagues, progressive women’s networks and return-ship programs. These initiatives are great but the overall culture and view of pregnancy at work still remains.

The plan is to create a positive community that will help bring about a groundbreaking shift in current attitudes and also establish a Training Academy.

To this effect, Bumps and the Boardroom have entered #VOOM 2016 to pitch their business idea to Richard Branson.

If you want to see a change please vote or pledge from your mobile device now : vmbvoom.com/pitches/bumps-and-the-boardroom We have!

It takes moments to do but will show that we all want change.

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May 2016

Baby feature

What is Mindful Birthing?

By Nadia Raafat, Founder of Becoming Mother, Yogini, doula and Mindful Birthing teacher

Four tips for a happy and healthy pregnancy and birth experience Mindful birthing offers the pregnant mother an opportunity to discover a new and more fulfilling connection to herself and her baby during the pregnancy, to experience a much deeper and fulfilling birth and a calmer and more connected path through early motherhood.

1. Learn to meditate Meditation underlies Mindfulness. This ancient practice has gained much popularity as evidence has demonstrated its efficacy in decreasing stress and anxiety and promoting emotional wellbeing. But meditation offers the practitioner much more than just a quiet mind. Through meditation we discover an aspect of ourselves beyond the fluctuations of our mental habits, reactive buttons and the beliefs, which shape our experience. We learn that we do not have to react negatively in difficult situations, that we can shape our own beliefs and become immune to the power of our own thoughts and emotions. We learn how to let go of control and flow a little easier through our own lives.

2. Prepare your body Pregnancy and birth, especially, are visceral experiences which our refined, intellectual and, increasingly, electronic lifestyles do not prepare us for. Those who practice regular exercise like yoga, dancing, swimming and walking through pregnancy produce babies in better positions, experience shorter labours and fare much better during childbirth. Additionally, preparing your body with massage, alignment work and developing pelvic awareness will all help enable a better birth experience.

3. Re-program your belief system We experience the birth in our minds as well as our bodies. How we think about birth will substantially determine our experience. Yet our cultural beliefs do not prepare us for a positive birth experience; we are taught to fear the pain of childbirth and to trust experts more than our bodies. Most of us enter labour mentally ill-equipped for the challenges it presents. A little self enquiry during pregnancy will reveal to you how you feel and think about childbirth (and breastfeeding), and whether you believe your body can birth un-assisted. The six months of trimesters 2 and 3 provide adequate time for re-programming your belief system and finding ways to work with arising challenges like a lack of confidence, mental exhaustion, control, despondency and fear.

4. Create your support If you really want a positive birth without intervention, part of your mindful preparation has to be understanding the system in which you birth. With 1/4 inductions and 1/4 caesarean sections, and as much as 1/2 women (in London hospitals) opting for chemical pain relief it is important to be able to discern when a proposed and unwanted intervention is really necessary for your body/baby and when it is simply hospital policy. Thanks to fabulous independent organisations like The Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services (AIMS), The Positive Birth Movement, Birth Rights and the NCT there is a wealth of support and information for pregnant women at community level.

Explore your support options; for you have many. There are so many courses and trainings at community level preparing partners with the skills they need to be the best they can be for you during your birth experience.

For more information on Becoming Mother’s 8 Week Mindful Birthing Course in SW London please visit : becomingmother.co.uk

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The Private Pregnancy UK Show In the first exhibition of its kind, the Private Pregnancy UK Show will present the UK’s top private healthcare providers and latest innovations in women’s health, fertility, pregnancy, childbirth and paediatric care. Hosted at the Royal Institution, London, the show brings together leading obstetricians, gynaecologists, fertility consultants and midwives from the UK’s leading private hospitals and clinics.

The Show will include exhibitors showcasing the latest innovations from the private sector, an exclusive series of 16 seminars from world-renowned doctors and 10 educational workshops.

10am to 6pm Saturday 21 May – Sunday 22 May 2016 21 Albemarle Street Mayfair, London W1S 4BS : privatepregnancy.co.uk

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Creative Little Minds ART AND CRAFT & BUILD AND CONSTRUCT WORKSHOPS two different activities that enhance children's creativity Locations: Chelsea, Fulham and Belgravia www.creativelittleminds.co.uk creative-little-minds@outlook.com

07711 992451

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It makes a HUGE difference. Thanks

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May 2016

Clubs and classes I bet, like most people, you automatically think of a show or a performance.

Sophie Hallett of Shene Stage School sees almost the complete opposite. “I see something much more important than the performance. I see a child’s selfconfidence grow, I see it helping children to understand the world around them, I see it encouraging children to work as a team and support their peers, I see it helping children to focus and concentrate but above all I see it breaking down barriers and helping children to feel their voice is important and to be able to express themselves in front of a group of strangers… to have the confidence to be able to look each one in the eye. These are such essential life skills. A lot of the children I have taught have no intention of going into drama professionally but have benefited greatly from having drama as part of their weekly routine, in a way it is a release from the routine of school during the week to come to a place where they are accepted for whoever they are and to create as a group in a safe environment.”

•Sophie Hallett has been teaching drama for over 15 years and has done a lot of research into the benefits of drama in education. : shenestageschool.com

Studio Film school Patrick Eastlake

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘drama’?

‘Pop’ makeover for Studio Film School Studio Film School gets an exciting new makeover at the hands of Form UK – the energetic branding agency behind Abbey Road Studios, Latitude Festival, and McBusted. The company will now be knows as ‘Sparks’, to capture the spirit of their fun, vibrant media workshops for children. Look no further this term (or this summer holiday) to find an exciting activity for your child, where they can develop their creative skills, confidence and a love of film. They could be part of the next generation of UK film talent! : sparks-ignite.com

The dancing tradition continues …

Brett Morgan

Drum lessons with a difference Brett Morgan has been playing drums professionally for 35 years with some of the finest artists and musicians around the world. He has been the Strictly Come Dancing drummer for the last 10 years and has worked with Jessie J, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Joss Stone, Rod Stewart the list goes on. He told Families: “After 35 years, I have decided to pass on my knowledge and experience by giving lessons on a one to one basis or master classes for students of all ages and ability in their homes or place of choice.”

View just a small selection of video clips on : Brettmorgandrums.com and call him on ( 07815 772841.

New tennis classes Popular Fulham-based South Park Tennis is offering new classes for 3-4 year olds this spring. Sign up for this pre-school class on Mondays 3.30pm-4.15pm, £121 per child per term. And while you’re at it, why not check out South Park Cardio Tennis and burn up to 600 calories per hour with tennis-based drills with up-tempo music! All levels and experience welcome, Tuesdays 9am and 11am and Thursdays 12pm, £10 per drop-in session. ( 07767 480148, : southparktennis.com

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There is a long tradition of dance classes at The West Wimbledon Society Hall – or ‘Avenue Hall’ as it is known.

The school, established in 1952 by Brenda Cass, continued for many years until it became a branch of The Jean Hart Academy of Dance. Maryrose Meadwell took over the school in 1983 renaming the dance school ‘Footsteps’.

Nearly 33 years later, the tradition is set to continue... Jennifer Siegeris has now stepped into Mrs Meadwells as ‘Footsteps’ is becoming a branch of ‘The Siegeris School of Dance’ this summer term. The Siegeris School of Dance, with its happy environment, has a professional and enthusiastic approach with a high standard of teaching under the direction of Jennifer Siegeris RAD Teaching Diploma, RAD RTS, AISTD DDE. The school offers a variation of ballet, modern, tap, contemporary and jazz classes for children and adults. The dance school runs ballet classes in the Royal Academy of Dance Graded and Vocational classes and modern and tap classes with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance encouraging the joy of movement in children from 3 years of age.

For more information and to book a free trial lesson please visit : siegerisdance.com

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Clubs and classes Does your child lack confidence? Try dance classes

London Dance Academy Saturday classes Established since January 2005 The London Dance Academy (LDA) provides ballet classes for children of all ages and abilities.

Former English National Ballet dancer and local mother of 3, Kate Stober is the principal and founder of the LDA. As an accredited Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teacher, Kate’s classes aim to provide a well-balanced, fun introduction to classical dance from ages 2 1/2 and upwards.

Weekly classes are already running at the Wilberforce Centre on Clapham Common, they have just opened their Saturday morning classes in a stunning new space within the recently renovated St Thomas’s Church in Balham. Pre-School (2.5+ years) PrePrimary (4+ years) Primary (6+ years) For further information call ( 07887 855371 : thelondondanceacademy.co.uk

As a painfully shy child, Becca Carter, Principal of BE.Dance, can remember always holding back at school but becoming completely alive during after school dance classes and performances on stage. This is something she can recognise in her own students and as a teacher, nothing gives her more pleasure than watching a young dancer open up in class and let go, whilst dancing in the studio. It is even more thrilling for both the teacher and the parent to then see these usually reserved children, give it their all on stage and have the time of their life. It is quite common for a dancer to be nervous and have butterflies before going on stage but once their adrenalin gets going, more often than not they exit the stage energised and exhilarated and desperate to get back out there. They realise that they can overcome their initial anxiety and all those months of practice leading up to their big performance are worth it.

A good dance teacher will always inspire a child and encourage them to be the best that they can be. They will nurture their students who will start to see just what can be achieved through a combination of hard work and dedication to their craft. The most timid child will gain confidence. It may be in a couple of classes or even a couple of terms but they will see that with persistence they can improve beyond belief and it is also rather fun!

Learn to give and accept constructive criticism Regular dance classes will take children out of their usual social circle and introduce them to a wider friendship group. In a place where they share common interests, many young dancers find that they make friends for life in their dance classes. They are encouraged to work together and support one another both in class and on stage and share a mutual respect for their peers.

When working on a piece of choreography or a new exercise in class, dancers are always focused on getting it right themselves rather than watching someone else get it wrong. When they do watch each other dance, they learn to give and accept constructive criticism and learn from their fellow dancers mistakes and triumphs. If a dancer struggles with something they have the tenacity to ‘get up and do it again’, safe in the knowledge that their fellow classmates and teachers are their biggest cheerleaders and are willing them to succeed. The support they will receive in their regular weekly dance classes will forever boost their confidence and they will carry the lessons they learn on the dance floor with them through life.

Becca Carter can be contacted on 07545 697352. : bedance.co.uk

Book your summer camps now Why not get a head start and start thinking about those long summer holidays now?

Barracudas offer a higher variety of activities including sports and arts & crafts.

They are rated 'Outstanding' more consistently than any other camp provider.

They've been running for 24 years now and have a fantastic and experienced team who make sure your children always have a brilliant time. For 4.5 to 16 years. At Streatham and Clapham Prep School, SW16.

25th July – 19th August. : barracudas.co.uk

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Familiessouthwest.co.uk ( 8696 9680

Fun book to learn music Music teacher Rebecca Rumens-Syratt presents a hugely enjoyable way for children to learn the language of music, introducing the clefs, the stave, the notes, key and rhythm. Young music enthusiasts will learn how to read music and music theory in order to be able to write their own tunes. Fun activities along the way make learning a blast. Readers can have a go at writing music with sweets, making a bottle-flute and making music with a grass reed.

Music for Children can be used in conjunction with the national syllabus and ABRSM theory and practical graded exams.

By Rebecca Rumens-Syratt. Published by Batsford, May 2016, £12.99. Age range: 6-12

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Nurturing and developing young people's potential through dance, drama and singing.

For 4-18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops.

Stagecoach Schools enrolling now Battersea Fulham Merton Park & Tooting Putney Wimbledon www.stagecoach.co.uk

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What’s on Wandsworth Arts Fringe Venues across Wandsworth : wandsworthfringe.com 6-22 May Fun and frolics in the nooks and crannies of Wandsworth.

With over 110 events, workshops, street performances, exhibitions and music. Highlights include a giant squid spectacle, a midnight trail of creative activities, a guided tour of the trees by a street performer, and the opportunity to feed a dinosaur!

Museums at Night May Festival Golden Hinde 16th century Barber Surgeon We took every care in preparing these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times changed.

Please double check event with the organiser to avoid disappointment.

historian of chocolate? Embark on a magical and interactive journey and discover the secrets of a writer beloved by gazillions of children. Ages 7–12

DIARY DATES

Gambado Chelsea, 7 Townmead Road SW6 2PY : nct.org.uk/branches/ kensington-chelsea Every Wednesday in May A great opportunity to meet other mums with babies under 1. 9.30-11am, £1, show your NCT card to get in.

See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Do-re-mi Babies Concerts Barnes, Chelsea, Fulham, Wandsworth : doremibabies.co.uk Dates throughout May Inspirational and fun classical concerts. With different musicians, instruments and programmes. Babies and toddlers are welcome to crawl, dance, sing, cry, nappy change, so you can relax and enjoy some wonderful music. £10 per adult, children free, tickets online or on the door. Dates vary depending on venue.

Golden Hinde Units 1 & 2 Pickfords Wharf, Clink Street SE1 9DG : goldenhinde.com Throughout May Golden Tour A new tour through stories, firing of the guns and raising of the anchor. Including a special visit from a 16th century Barber Surgeon who discusses the hardships and illnesses that came with life at sea. Age 6+, £15

Southbank Centre Belvedere Road SE1 8XX : southbankcentre.co.uk/RoaldDahl Until 3 July The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl Did you know that Roald Dahl used to be a spy, a fighter pilot, inventor and

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NCT Kensington And Chelsea Meet Up

Hampton Court Palace East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU : hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourt Palace Throughout May The Magic Garden A brand new imaginative play garden for families, inspired by the palace’s past. Located in King Henry VIII’s former tiltyard discover something new around every twist and turn in an immersive world populated by mythical beasts, including a 25m dragon!

Besiege the battlements, storm the Tiltyard Towers and explore a mysterious secret grotto! Included in palace admission.

First Aid For Life : firstaidforlife.org.uk emma@firstaidforlife.org.uk ( 8675 4036 5, 7, 18, 21, 27 May Paediatric First Aid covering the full Ofsted syllabus for Childcarers 6, 14, 20 May, 4 June Emergency course as well as most commonly occurring injuries and illnesses in adults and children: choking, bleeding, burns, head injury etc

Familiessouthwest.co.uk ( 8696 9680

Museums across London : museumsatnight.org.uk 11-14 May The UK’s annual after-hours festival of arts, culture and heritage. Engage with history after dark and enjoy a range of special events, twilight screenings, allnight sleepovers and torch-lit tours at our capital’s museums.

Barnes Children’s Literature Festival Barnes Pond : barneskidslitfest.org 14-15 May A whole weekend of events for all ages from 2 to teenagers, including Costa Book Award winner Frances Hardinge and two former Children’s Laureates, the hugely popular author of War Horse Michael Morpurgo and bestseller Jacqueline Wilson.

Tower of London London EC3N 4AB : hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london 24 May Drawn at the Tower with Art Macabre: Royal Beasts The Tower was once the historic home to a magnificent menagerie of beasts, from Barbary lions and the first elephants in England to mischievous monkeys and a polar bear who swam in the river Thames. Explore through drawing the stories of London’s first zoo.

6.30-9pm, £24/£20

The Baby Sleep Show Kensington Town Hall : babysleepshow.co.uk 4 June Tired and trusted products proven to help your little one sleep, plus the UK’s leading sleep experts all under one roof

First Aid Course Battersea ( 8133 8552 : firstaidtraininglondon.co.uk info@firstaidtraininglondon.co.uk 21 May Accredited Paediatric First Aid £96inc vat

Hammersmith and Fulham Arts Fest Venues across Hammersmith and Fulham : hf-artsfest.com 6-12 June Celebrating the cultural richness of the borough including theatre, music, dance, film, art and literature workshops and events.

Check the website for events.

Italian Summer Bazaar Chelsea Old Town Hall King Road, SW3 5EE ilcircolobazaar@gmail.com 7th June 12.30-8pm & 8th June 10.30-8pm Italian food, jewelry, home décor, cashmere, leather accessories and beauty products etc. Entry £3

Royal Opera House Screenings Trafalgar Square : roh.org.uk/about/bp-bigscreens/london 10 June La Boheme Enjoy operatic royalty in Puccini's best-loved opera in the heart of Trafalgar Square. 7.30pm

London Steiner School Medieval Fayre Streatham Common : waldorflondon.co.uk 11 June A great day of old fashioned fun for all the family.

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What’s on Wimbledon Common, Southside : wimbledonguildvillagefair.org.uk 18 June A favourite with families, this fair offers two amazing Food Villages plus a music stage, jazz tent and a farmers’ market. Highlights for 2016 include a fabulous dog show, mini funfair and an Adventure Village. 10.30am-5pm FREE

DRAMA See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill SW11 5TN : bac.org.uk 4-5 June Grandad and Me A living storybook about loss, longing and the treasures of memory and imagination. A little girl traces her grandad’s footsteps on a magical adventure through time and space. For ages 5+, 11am and 2.30pm, £12.50/£10

The Cambridge Theatre Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street WC2H 9HU : uk.matildathemusical.com Throughout May Matilda The Musical Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, Matilda revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny.

The Chickenshed Theatre

The Little Angel Theatre 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross Street N1 2DN : littleangeltheatre.com To 26 June 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, then peering into a cave… what will they find?

New Wimbledon Theatre The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1QG : atgtickets.com/venues/newwimbledon-theatre See also under half term activities 17-21 May Horrible Histories - Incredible Invaders The Celts are crunched when the Ruthless Romans invade Britain. Can crazy Caratacus save the nation? It’s a thousand year journey with Incredible Invaders! £14.65-£19.65 17-21 May Horrible Histories - Groovy Greeks From savage Sparta to angry Athens, discover the truth about growing up in Greece. Take on the Trojans and pummel the Persians. Hold on tight as you gatecrash the Groovy Greeks! £14.65-£19.65

The Polka Theatre

Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PE : chickenshed.org.uk 28 May Tales Big Day Out An entertaining outing for all the family. Children can take part in a great interactive workshop and watch a fun performance of Tales from the Shed, then everyone comes together for a huge Tales extravaganza. Age 0-6 10am12pm, 2.30-4.30pm, £8

Colour House Theatre Watermill Way SW19 2RD : colourhousetheatre.co.uk 7 May Little Folk with Albo Popular Wimbledon folksinger Al Clogston performs a series of Saturday morning concerts for kids. Folk songs, American camp songs, traditional children’s songs, singalongs and original songs, 10.30am, £5

May 2016

Every Saturday and Sunday in May The Little Mermaid In the depths of the ocean lives Aerial, a young mermaid who dreams of a faraway land. When the magical Sea Witch grants Aerial’s wish, casting a spell to make her a human. 2pm and 4pm, £12/£10

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240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB : polkatheatre.com 6-8 May Frogs and Snails and Teddy Bear Tales It’s bear’s birthday tomorrow. His head is full of excitement. How will he ever get to sleep? Children are invited to bring a teddy bear to share the performance. £12/£9 1-15 May The Box of Photographs Every picture tells a story…When Chelsea moves into a new flat with her mum, she finds a box of intriguing old photographs underneath her bed. The mysterious lady who lived there before must have left them just for her…Ages 7-11, £13.50/£10 14-15 May Flights of Fancy Follow the tale of a baby Glovebird learning to fly, while the earthbound

Vauxhall City Farm puppeteer and stick-in-the-mud musician attempt to get the show off the ground. A whimsical and thoughtful rag-bag puppet delight, with music, laughter and feathers. £12/£9 21-22 May A Real Mermaid's Tale An exciting adventure on the high seas with pirates, monstrous sea creatures and mermaid treasure. £12/£9 From 27 May James and the Giant Peach Join James and his new-found insect friends as they embark on an extraordinary adventure which takes them halfway around the world with excitement, songs and laughter. Ages 5-11, £15/£10 28-29 May Meadow The grass remembers.

It remembers you. It remembers me. And it remembers the animals that called the meadow home...Time changes everything and only the grass remembers the way things used to be. £12/£9

Puppet Theatre Barge Little Venice, Blomfield Road W9 2PF : puppetbarge.com To 15 May The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse These two famous cousins visit each other and both experience new sights and sounds. Town Mouse meets the Billy Goats Gruff whilst Country Mouse meets a town cat and a grandfather clock. Music, songs and rod puppets for 3-8 year olds. 3pm

Putney Arts Theatre Ravenna Road SW15 6AW : ticketsource.co.uk/putneyarts theatre 3-7 May The Ladykillers Five seasoned con men planning an audacious heist think they have found the

ideal base. A hilarious new adaptation of the classic Ealing comedy. This production is presented as part of the Wandsworth Arts Festival 2016. £14/£10 17-21 May Under the Blue Sky An awardwinning, funny and touching play about the complicated love lives of a group of teachers. £14/£10

The Royal Albert Hall Kensington Gore SW7 2AP : royalalberthall.com Every Wednesday in May Storytelling and Music Sessions Session for babies and toddlers, encouraging interaction between parents and their little ones using musical instruments, singing, movement and stories.

Ages 0-4, 10am and 11.30am, £5 31 May Arabian Nights Classic tales retold with music and puppetry.

Let Story Pocket Theatre transport you to a wonderful world of mysterious marvels using puppetry, music and theatrical magic, in this new adaptation. For children aged 5+, 11am, 2pm 1-12 June Swan Lake With 60 swans, stunning costumes and sensational lighting, experience a choreographic kaleidoscope as the Royal Albert Hall is transformed into a magical lake. 2.30pm, 7.30pm

Sadler's Wells Rosebery Avenue EC1R : sadlerswells.com 27 May Northern Ballet – Tortoise & the Hare. Bringing this muchloved Aesop’s fable to life, Tortoise & the Hare: is the perfect opportunity for little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre, in a child-friendly production. 12 noon and 2pm, £8/£6

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What’s on Southbank Centre Belvedere Road SE1 8PX : southbankcentre.co.uk Throughout May The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl Embark on a magical and interactive journey and discover the secrets of a writer beloved by gazillions of children. Ages 7-12

St James Theatre 12 Palace Street SW1E 5JA : stjamestheatre.co.uk To 21 May My Mother Said I Never Should. Keatley’s award winning play is a moving exploration of the relationships between mothers and daughters and the consequences of breaking the most sacred taboo of motherhood.

2.30pm and 7.30pm, £15-£45

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Firepower - The Royal Artillery Museum Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18 6ST : firepower.org.uk Throughout May In Their own Words An exhibition about the Great War bringing to life artillerymen of different nations, through extracts from their diaries, letters home and photographs.

Horniman Museum 100 London Road SE23 3PQ : horniman.ac.uk

Every Saturday in May Hands on Family Workshop Fun family sessions exploring a different theme each week using real museum objects.

11.45am–12.30pm and 1–1.45pm Every Saturday in May Art Makers Have fun with art skills and exciting techniques to create something fabulous to take home. 1.30pm–2.15pm and 2.45–3.30pm

The National Gallery Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN : nationalgallery.org.uk Every Sunday in May Family Sundays Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 2pm, age 5-11 FREE

Natural History Museum Cromwell Road SW7 5BD : nhm.ac.uk To 15 May Otherworlds: Visions of our Solar System Travel to the remote edges of our Solar System in this spectacular new photographic exhibition. £11/£6 14 May Dino Snores Discover what really happens at the Museum when the staff and visitors have gone home. Dino Snores is for children aged 7–11, 7pm, ends 9.50am the following day, £60 (£54 Members) Throughout May Sensational Butterflies Follow chomping caterpillars turning into beautiful butterflies and along the way discover fascinating facts about one of our planet’s most amazing life cycles. Now in its eighth year, the tropical butterfly house is a favourite for children.

Wandsworth arts fringe festival £6.50, family £22 27 May Lates Visit the Museum after hours and experience London’s most unique Friday night out. 610pm

Science Museum Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD : sciencemuseum.com Throughout May Leonardo da Vinci: The Mechanics of Genius The Mechanics of Genius brings the intricate mechanical concepts of Leonardo da Vinci’s restless and curious mind to life in a major interactive exhibition. £10 Throughout May Fox Talbot: Dawn of the Photograph A major exhibition exploring the work of British photography pioneer William Henry Fox Talbot. £8/£6

DAYS OUT See more events in our online What’s On calendar

The Chelsea Physic Garden 66 Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea SW3 4HS : chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk 17 May Family Activity Day An assortment of drop-in activities for families including Art Safari, Pulp Fiction, Chocolate Tuesday,

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Water World and Creepy Crawling. 12-4pm, admission fees apply.

Cutty Sark King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT : rmg.co.uk 7-8 May Puppet Pals Lots of different animals lived on board Cutty Sark including pigs, chickens and the captain’s pet monkey. Choose your favourite and make a puppet to star in your own show.

11.30am-1.30pm and 2-4pm 7-8 May Don't Put Your Paw in the Sugar Bowl! Join a storyteller on board the ship for tales of animal adventure. Find out what happened when the monkeys got into the galley, the dogs wanted to go on deck during a storm and the pigs caused a right rumpus.

11.30am, 12.30 and 2pm 30-31 May Dancing Sailors Stamp your feet and clap your hands, Cutty Sark’s sailors are having a dance. Make a colourful sailor puppet to dance around the ship. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-4pm

HMS Belfast The Queen's Walk SE1 2JH : iwm.org.uk/visits/hms-belfast 28-31 May, 1-5 June and 18-19 June Tattoo T-Shirts Impress your friends and family by designing

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What’s on Science Museum Exhibition Road SW7 2DD : sciencemuseum.org.uk 7 May Early Birds session, plus their BSL program SIGNtific. Includes A Star Is Born Storytelling in British Sign Language at 1.30pm and The Bubble Show in BSL at 3.30pm 4 June SIGNtific Day. Includes Up, Up, and Away Storytelling in BSL at 1.30pm and Magic Lanterns in BSL, time TBC

Leeds Castle Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL : leeds-castle.com Leed’s Castle’s education workshops and activities for children are fully inclusive so that any schools or groups who have children with special needs can be

See more events in our online catered for. They have delivered to deaf children in the past with a member of the team wearing a loop system or with an adult translating into sign language.

They also have daily free flying demonstrations in the Falconry Arena - a fantastic visual show featuring a range of birds including hawks, vultures, falcons and owls. The owls are also brought to the visitors so they can stroke them. Meet the Falconer and Meet the Owls sessions take place at the Bird of Prey Centre each month.

Museum of London and Museum of London Docklands 150 London Wall EC2Y 5HN / No.1 Warehouse, W India Dock Rd E14 4AL : museumoflondon.org.uk

What’s On calendar A dedicated learning programme for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities, with over 20 different workshops and sessions. The programme is run by a dedicated SEN Programme Manager in conjunction with a team of specialist freelancers (artists, actors, musicians and storytellers). All sessions are supported by a wide range of online SEN resources.

Don’t miss out on their Sensory Explorer Bags designed for visitors with physical and learning disabilities. Each bag contains seven sensory objects that can be explored in different ways – collect them from the front desk on arrival.

Wallace Collection Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN : wallacecollection.org 2 June RNIB Family Day This event is for blind and partially sighted children and their families. Join musicians from Tactile, a new ensemble of blind, partially sighted and sighted musicians, to create your own brand new piece of music and tactile score.

Booking essential on ( 7391 2273 or james.risdon@rnib.org.uk.

11am–4pm FREE

The British Museum

SEN Great Fire (c) Museum of London your very own t-shirt, inspired by traditional Navy tattoos, and the sailor legend of Davy Jones's Locker. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm

The London Wetlands Centre Queen Elizabeth, Barnes SW13 9WT : wwt.org.uk Saturdays in May Early Bird Openings If you’re up with the lark come and see what wildlife is about on the lakes, meadows and gardens. This is your chance to enjoy some bird watching while most Londoners are still tucked up under their duvets. Admission fees apply.

Every Saturday in May Weekend Family Activities Enjoy a pond dipping session to see what mini-beasts are about and get creative with nature crafts. Admission fees apply.

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28 May – 5 June Pirate Treasure Hunt Ahoy there shipmates! Help Captain Blackbird find his lost treasure.

Aaarrr! £1 per trail (includes a small prize), plus paid admission to the Centre. 10am–4pm

HALF TERM ACTIVITIES See more events in our online What’s On calendar

Vauxhall City Farm 165 Tyers Street SE11 5HS : vauxhallcityfarm.org 30 May – 5 June Celebrate the official launch of the Farm’s new café and education centre with a fun filled week of farm, gardening, cookery

Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG ( britishmuseum.org 7 May and horse riding activities. 11am4pm, entrance free, activities individually priced.

The Bank of England Museum Bartholomew Lane EC2R 8AH : bankofengland.co.uk/museum 31 May – 3 June Picture Perfect Explore the Museum’s inspiring photography exhibition Capturing the City: Photography at the Bank of England, revealing some of the Bank’s historical moments. Create your own memories by becoming the face of a current banknote and make your own ‘Funky photo frame’ to display your picture.

Nature Study Centre Wandsworth Common : naturescope.co.uk 31 May – 3 June

Deaf Discovery Day Hosted in partnership with Camden Family Learning Service and Frank Barnes School. 12pm-4pm in the Clore.

Cutty Sark King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT : rmg.co.uk Explore the ship and its fascinating story on this audiodescribed tour for blind and partially-sighted visitors. Get hands-on with history on the world’s last remaining tea clipper. £17/£13.50 concessions (includes visitors with disabilities), includes admission to the ship, sighted companions enter free. Check website for dates.

First Aid For Life : firstaidforlife.org.uk First Aid For Life run regular courses at Garratt Park School and have run training for profoundly deaf teenagers with English as a second language and for groups of children with special needs and a huge variety of physical and sensory disabilities.

They also run First Aid training for children, teenagers and adults with special needs specifically tailored to their requirements.

Their trainers are highly experienced medical and emergency services professionals who create practical, engaging and appropriate training for those attending. They also run specialist training for their carers and family looking after them.

Active Art May Half Term Hey Doodle Dandy Get ready for a crazy Doodle Week of drawing imaginative characters, line drawings, squiggles and inventive shapes to customise clothes, skateboard designs, hats, bags and everything you can think imaginable to draw on. 3-6 years and 7-12 years, full or half days.

Call Amanda on 07775 781332

Geffrye Museum 136 Kingsland Road, Hoxton E2 8EA : geffrye-museum.org.uk 31 May – 3 June Inspired by the jobs done by families and servants in the home throughout the centuries, make natural cleaning products, bake seasonal biscuits and plant seeds.

Ages 5-16, 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm FREE

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What’s on Horniman Museum and Gardens 100 London Road SE23 3PQ : horniman.ac.uk 31 May – 3 June Family Art Fun, Minibeast Safari, Pond Dipping and more.

10.30am–4.30pm FREE

Sparks Ignite Broomwood Hall School, 3 Garrad's Road SW16 1JZ : sparksignite.com 31 May – 2 June Comedy Filmmaking Workshop Make ‘em laugh and test the funny bones this half term. For children aged 7-14, 9am–3pm (late club 3-5pm), £175, includes DVD.

Painshill Park

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Portsmouth Road, Cobham KT11 1JE : painshill.co.uk 1-2 June Story Pocket Theatre perform Arabian Nights Sheherazade has

Face Painting & Balloon Modelling Contact Susie 07814 925462 www.magicaldesigns.co.uk

a feast of adventures and fantasies to tell involving genies, villains, heroes and princesses. Come and enjoy Ali Baba’s encounter with the 40 thieves along with Aladdin and his lamp, the Little Beggar and the Fisherman and the Genie.

Age 5+, 11.30am, £12 1-2 June Story Pocket Theatre perform A Pocketful of Grimms Let the magical storyteller whisk you away to a land of fables and explore some of the favourite fairy tales ever told including Hansel and Gretel, the original Beauty and the Beast and Rumpelstiltskin. A rich mix of physical theatre, clowning, puppetry and music. Age 4+, 2.30pm, £12

V&A Museum of Childhood Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA : vam.ac.uk/moc/events 30 May – 3 June Moving Museum - Wind-up robots, toy cars and string puppets...the Museum is jumping with moving toys. Take a closer look at some of these intriguing objects with practising artists and

Imperial War Museum Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ : iwm.org.uk 28 May – 5 June Drawing a Somme Flipbook Find out about how images were made into flipbooks during the First World War as a way of animating pictures, create your own silhouette of a British 'Tommy' soldier and add it to the museum's animated flipbook collection. 11am-4pm, drop in, all

ages welcome. FREE 30 May – 3 June.

Object Conversations: The Battle of the Somme Feel the weight of a shrapnel piece from the First World War and come to grips with real First World War objects from the collections. 11am-2.30pm and 24pm, drop in, all ages welcome.

FREE

London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB : ltmuseum.co.uk 28 May – 5 June May Half-Term Family Fun Activities: The Poster Party Storytime sessions and creative workshops for families. Get artistic with foam block printing inspired by your favourite London locations, or listen to a fun storytime session about the loveable pelican Mr Beak.

Plus Make & Take workshops for artists aged 3-12, 11.30am and 2.30pm. Using posters of wild London spaces from the Museum’s collection as inspiration, create a foam printing block based on a fun London activity.

Silly Millie the Clown

Earn Extra Money?

Parties for 3-9 year olds Funny Magic Show, Puppet’s, Party Games, Silly Songs and Balloon Animals Call 020 7823 8329 - 07939 239397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk

Capital Focus Groups are looking for people to take part in Market Research and give their opinion on a variety of subjects.

If you would like to earn extra cash please call Liz on 07761 128059 or e-mail e.dahlgren@btinternet.com

Violin and Piano Tuition Passionate about teaching.

Experienced. Conservatory diploma.

SW15 based. Home visits possible.

0208 785 6494 /07956 307624 Rustemvinni@mail.ru

FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Editorial: editor@familiessouthwest.co.uk News: news@familiessouthwest.co.uk Adverts/artwork: adverts@familiessouthwest.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on info: whatson@familiessouthwest.co.uk Next issue: June 2016 Deadline: Early May 2016 ISSN 1354-9553 All content ©Families SW 2016

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makers. 11am-4pm each day, drop in, all ages. FREE Crazy Jumping Jacks Workshop - Artist Laura X Carlé will help you turn your fantasy creature into a classic children's moving toy - the jointed jumpingjack! £5 per child (with an adult), ages 4-10, 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm and 3.30pm each day.

Speaking Sculpture Workshop Join digital maker Paul Clifford to see and learn how he makes your sculptures create noises with simple wires and tools. Book now £5 per child (with an adult), ages 5-12, 10.15am, 11.45am, 1.45pm and 2.45pm each day.

Familiessouthwest.co.uk ( 8696 9680

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May 2016

May 2016

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