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IN THIS ISSUE
Education Family life New Year, New You
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January/February 2022
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Familiesonline.co.uk January/February 1
NEWS
Help fund vital brain tumour research Join Wear A Hat Day! Did you know brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer? This is an unacceptable fact which leading charity, Brain Tumour Research is determined to change. Join thousands of children, parents and teachers on Friday 25 March for Wear A Hat Day – a great way to bring people together and raise vital March sees the arrival of Brain funds Brain Tumour Research. Tumour Awareness Month. Coming towards the end of the month, Register your school, community or several celebrities will be lending family event today HERE and you’ll their support to the incredible receive a free fundraising pack. hattastic Wear a Hat Day campaign. The latest set of collectable Wear A Hat Day pin badges have a regal theme in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. Order your box of badges to sell when you register! Funds raised from Wear A Hat Day will help towards establishing a new Research Centre of Excellence.
Danny Clarke
Dame Sheila Hancock DBE
Caprice Bourret
Sarah Beeny
www.wearahatday.org MARCH 2022
2 January/February
#WearAHatDay
Registered charity number 1153487 (England and Wales) SC046840 (Scotland)
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CONTENTS
Welcome Happy New Year everyone! Let’s hope 2022 is an easier year for everybody. If you’ve made a resolution to prioritise your health this year, then plan to change ‘just one thing.’ Find inspiration in our New Year, New You feature. In Education, discover how children learn to write and download our free practice sheets. Concerned your child may not be ready for SATs? Find out how to help. And cheer up the dull winter months with some great activity and entertainment options. Finally, with our children’s mental health always at the top of our priority list, we have Happiness is…Mental Health Activity Packs for kids to give away. So don’t forget to apply! And sign up HERE to receive every issue of this magazine free to your inbox.
In this issue Editor, Families Leeds & West Yorkshire
Get in touch Email or call 07799 667041 to book in our next issue. Competition winners from our September/October issue Sally Garbutt, Joanne Banks, Petra Dias, Frankie Salter, Nichola Woad, Cindy Baldwin, Alina Ali, Cherelle St Hilaire, Gemma Lovegrove and Farrah Orr who received a Tales of Me book and to Hina Wajahat, Claire Goodfellow and Fran Dobbins who received an Art Lab Pouring Studio and Liz Gardner, who received a climb at Clip n Climb Ilkley. And, for the recipients of plasticine gifts or Equazen family packs, click here.
2 4
News
8
Winter activities
Clubs & classes
10 Education 16 Family life
18 Winter warmers 20 New Year, New You 22 Tween 24 Early years 26 Family life 29 Health 30 Activities 32 What’s on
Classes available in Alwoodley Horsforth Headingley Meanwood Moortown Roundhay
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January/February 3
CLUBS & CLASSES
Local classes for your pre-schooler
Number Train
Pyjama Drama The home of imaginative play!
Sensory baby and toddler music classes.
Baby Sensory
Baby Swimmers
Mini Maracas
Inspiring a love of maths from an early age
Music Bugs
Sensory baby development classes.
Baby and toddler swim school teaching babies from six weeks.
Sensory baby and toddler classes and baby massage.
Little Gym
Catalan
Northern Arts Factory
Activity classes for children 4 months to 12 years. 4 January/February
Fun, quality football coaching for tots to teens.
Drama and dance from pre-school up. Familiesonline.co.uk
CLUBS & CLASSES
Class review: The Little Gym Where: Moor Allerton Centre, Leeds When: Classes running daily Age: Classes for children aged 4 months to 12 years (we attend Funny Bugs classes for ages 3-4) “This is the way to the Little Gym!” – that’s a regular announcement from my three-year-old from the back of the car as we head in a certain direction around Leeds ring road. I signed her up to Funny Bugs classes for 3 to 4-year-olds there when I got the feeling she was in need of something new and different for her stage of development. And it turns out we had gravitated to exactly the right place. It’s perfect and she loves it. “Young children need at least three hours of play a day,” says Kate Henebury, who runs The Little Gym. “So we keep them moving.”
Mums, dads and other carers can either stay and view from the side of the gym area, or go upstairs where there is a huge viewing window, as well as free tea and coffee. Alternatively, you can leave the site while they have their class, and with shops, a supermarket and coffee shop nearby, this can be a handy hour for busy parents!
It is always a pleasure to visit The Little Gym, which is a colourful, professional space. It is clean and well-lit will handy little toilets for They use balance beams, bouncy the children right beside the arena. mats and bars to stretch physical There is always someone to greet skills, and learn techniques which you at the front desk and everything build towards forward rolls, is very organised and flexible – if handstands, cartwheels and more. you miss a regular class you can The ratios of teachers to children is save it to use another time, or it can small – maximum six children to one be used by a sibling. teacher, and they use imaginative play to make it fun and engaging the It is a place where children gain confidence, have fun, make friends, children. develop skills for school and get used to taking part independently What really makes Funny Bugs classes a bit different, and a definite in classes and activities. No wonder they love it! step towards school readiness, is that children participate all by More information HERE. themselves, without their parents. Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 5
CLUBS & CLASSES
Unusual class and club ideas Kids looking for something a bit different to try in 2022? Check out our ideas.
Chess
Rock climbing
Fencing
Trampolining
Parkour
Archery
Table tennis
Sailing
Skating
6 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
CLUBS & CLASSES
Swimmers Academy & Baby Swimmers Swimmers Academy
Beginners to advanaced, whatever their age and ability. Survival skills, stamina and stroke techniques.
Baby Swimmers
Through fun and games, see your little one progress to a confident little swimmer! Mobile Friendly 0333 335 5388 www.babyswimmers.co.uk
Promoting a positive attitude to Maths Pre-School classes Monday to Friday Call 07852 989523 email: numbertrain@hotmail.com
www.numbertrain.co.uk
CLASSES FOR CHILDREN 4MTHS-12YRS
JOIN US www.harrogate@thelittlegym.co.uk www.leeds@thelittlegym.co.uk www.york@thelittlegym.co.uk
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January/February 7
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Winter boredom busters Virtual fun
Take a ride on a virtual roller coaster. Check out 10 of the best virtual rides. Go on a virtual tour of a zoo, aquarium or science centre. Here’s some of the world’s best. Explore breath-taking scenery with a virtual visit to America’s greatest national parks. Drop in on London - visit a museum, Brick Lane, Houses of Parliament and more. Take a plunge and swim with wild dolphins. Marvel at the magic of nature’s beauty by gazing at the Northern Lights.
Kitchen capers
Try a new cookie recipe, suggestions here. Bonus idea: Set up a camera or smart phone and film a cooking show! Make ice cream in a bag, recipe here. No need for a fancy ice cream maker! Make slime, instructions here. Make some DIY play-dough, recipe here. Have a pizza party, DIY pizza recipes here. Throw an afternoon tea party for the family, see children’s tea party ideas.
Game time
Educational
Learn and play a new card game, here are 12 classic card games.
Conduct a science experiment, find 31 easy science experiments using common household items.
Play family charades. Choose from 100s of ideas with this online random charade’s generator.
Put on a family magic show, here are 13 easy tricks to learn. Dice games teach maths and other skills. Here are some great options. Two truths and a lie. Play two truths and a lie, See some childfriendly examples. Have a bingo tournament. Try this online Bingo Card Generator.
8 January/February
Check out the National Literacy Trust’s list of podcasts here.
Have an extra Amazon box laying around? 32 fun, creative, and educational things to do with a cardboard box. Create a message for the present and the future with a Sustainable Development Time Capsule.
Practise a new life skill with your kids, here are 19 life skills you can teach your child at home.
Familiesonline.co.uk
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Enjoy the outdoors this winter with fairy trails, park runs and more… Getting out into nature can be a great way of beating the January blues, according to a huge metastudy published in 2021. The researchers concluded that being in green spaces close to home and school has positive benefits for children’s mental wellbeing. But it can be tough to get kids out of the house on dingy winter days. Here, Sally Hall from Public Health England shares some great ideas to make it a bit more fun: 1. Love Exploring is a free app which can transform the experience of visiting a park into a dinosaur-hunting safari or voyage of local discovery. With walking trails and augmented reality games available in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield, all you need is a smart phone and a sense of adventure. Download the Love Exploring app. Check out the Unlocking the Past trail in Leeds city centre, which brings the city’s history to life with colourful characters including suffragettes and circus bosses. Or, test your belief in fairies with the brand-new Winter Fairies trail, which will be available till the end of the February half-term holiday. Familiesonline.co.uk
2. Junior parkrun is back on in parks across Yorkshire, including Roundhay Park in Leeds. Meet other families for a 2km jog in the park on Sunday mornings. More information HERE. 3. Park Play is coming to Yorkshire this winter. Launching in Brickfield Park, Beeston, in Leeds, families will be invited to come and play on Saturday mornings, with a local play leader offering fun ideas for free things to do. Park playgrounds in Leeds will also now offer information on accessing advice and support for families who are experiencing difficulties with mental and emotional wellbeing, via the Parenting children five to 11 years section of the MindMate website. Signs will be displayed at park playgrounds across Leeds encouraging parents to scan a barcode linking to the site. January/February 9
Ground, Grass and Sky Handwriting Guide Help your child practise their handwriting and learn to make their letters the correct size with this activity from PlanBee. Download the instructions and practice sheets to get started.
Handwriting practice sheets Use the example on the previous page to show your child how each letter should look in relation to the ground, the grass and the sky. Get your child to write the letters of the alphabet using the dots below.
Handwriting practice sheets Use these sheets for your child to practise their handwriting and learn to make their letters the correct size. Below you can see an example of how each letter should look in relation to the ground, the grass and the sky.
Handwriting practice sheets Once your child has joined the dotted letters on the previous sheet, let them have a go at writing their own on the ground, grass and sky lines below. Give them the example letters on the first sheet to help.
Using this example as a guide, get your child to trace the dotted letters on the next sheet and then move on to writing the letters themselves on the final sheet.
DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS HERE!
10 January/February
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EDUCATION
Show your child how to hold a pencil Watch video!
Join us in winter wonderland!
Stay and play taster mornings for 2 - 4 year olds Fri 14 Jan Fri 11 Feb 09:30-11:00 Register at: www.gsal.org.uk/events Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 11
EDUCATION
New children’s books for 2022 Winter’s a great time of year to enjoy some fantastic children’s fiction. Here are our recommendations.
Also
by E B Goodale Ages: 4-7
Invented by Animals
by Christiane Dorion Ages: 7-12
Rita Wants a Ninja by Maire Zepf Ages: 3+
12 January/February
Little Horror
Crocodile Hungry
Big Wig
Atlas of Amazing Migrations
by Daniel Peak Ages: 8-12
by Jonathan Hillman Ages: 4-8
The Smeds and the Smoos Board Book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler Ages: 0-2
by Eija Sumner Ages: 3-7
by Matt Sewell Ages: 7-10
Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty Ages: 5-7
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BradfordGrammar.com @BradfordGrammar
A leading co-educational independent school for children aged 6 to 18
This is our ethos Make it yours Regular open events for Junior, Senior and Sixth Form
At ease with excellence Open Event Wednesday 12 January bradfordgrammar.com/signup
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 13
Fulneck Junior School 3-11 YEARS
Classrooms full of
laughter, kindness & achievement
"Fulneckhas has "Fulneck beenaa life life been changing changing experiencefor for experience my child" child" my -Year 55 Parent -Year
Reception places available for September 2022 For more information, please visit fulneckschool.co.uk or contact our Admissions Manager on 0113 257 0235 or via email at admissions@fulneckschool.co.uk 14 January/February Fulneck School, Pudsey, Leeds LS28 8DS
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EDUCATION
Is your child ready for SATs? By Jemma Zoe Smith SATs have been cancelled for the last two years but this year they’ll be going ahead. If you’re a parent of a child who will be sitting SATs this year or even next, you might be concerned about how the disruption to their education during the pandemic may affect their exam performance - a worry which is doubled for those If the situation is causing you stress, parents whose children are also it’s important not to transmit that sitting the 11+. to your child, whose performance won’t be improved by exam nerves. The good news is that if you’re addressing these concerns now, So what are the next steps? you’re doing so in good time. There’s plenty of opportunity for READ MORE your child to make up any gaps in their learning before the exams roll around. The first thing to do as a parent is not to worry too much! While your child’s schooling has been disrupted, so has that of all their peers. It’s likely results will be poorer across the board, which is reassuring if you’re considering a selective school for your child’s secondary education. What’s more, any teacher looking at your child’s exam results in the future will consider the extraordinary situation in which their studies took place.
Win a Gingersnap Balance Bike Ages worth 2 to 4 years £119! Perfect to get little adventurers started! APPLY HERE
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January/February 15
FAMILY LIFE
Who do the kids live with if we separate? Making the decision to separate can seem overwhelming, especially when you have to consider your children. If you’re struggling to plan their living arrangements, there are options to help you come to a resolution.
should spend time with each of you. A judge, when asked to make decisions about arrangements for a child, must apply the Welfare Gabbie Clasper, Head of Family Law Checklist (Children Act 1989). This at Emsleys Solicitors, explains… includes the age of the child, their wishes Family mediation Family mediation is an ‘out of court’ and feelings, emotional and physical needs, the effect of change and settlement process. It is often felt whether they are at any risk of harm. to be a more sensitive method in resolving child arrangements Essentially, the law relating to following separation than going children is ‘child focused’, meaning to a court. It should be attempted the child is central to the Judge’s (unless there is an emergency situation or domestic abuse) before thoughts when making decisions. Considering: how far do the parents any court application is made. In mediation, with support, you decide live apart? Who has been involved in the daily arrangements for that the outcome together. child’s care, for example, nursery, grandparents, school and in Going to court practical terms, who is able to care If you feel it necessary, there is the court system, where an application for that child? can be made for the help of the Unless there are issues such as judge in determining what should those relating to harm, or a new happen. significant travel distance to consider, what has gone on prior to What will help the judge make a separation is likely deemed the best decision? Section 11 of the Child and Families indicator of what should continue in Act 2014 introduced a presumption future arrangements. that, unless the contrary is shown, Emsleys’ award-winning family the involvement of both parents in department assists with negotiating the child’s life will further a child’s parenting plans and any court welfare. In real terms, this means proceedings. Click here for more if there is a dispute, you start off with the assumption that your child information. 16 January/February
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FAMILY LIFE
Competition Time – Dream Big
WIN!
We’ve teamed up with our friends at The Little Bookshop in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, to offer one lucky reader a fantastic prize! Little People, Big Dreams is a best-selling biography series for children. In them, you discover the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, and each began life as a child with a dream. Told as a story, with a facts and photos section at the back, the series celebrates triumph over adversity through some of history’s favourite characters. The winner of the competition will be invited to visit The Little Bookshop and choose five books.
book launches in the pipeline. Its ever-popular Storytimes are back on Fridays at 11am and are free; but do book ahead. Enter the competition HERE. Terms and conditions apply.
The Little Bookshop caters for children and adults and is preparing More information about The Little Bookshop HERE. an exciting year ahead, with author signings, workshops and Families Magazine 180x85 Sol 21/10/21.qxp_Layout 1 13/12/2021 14:49 Page 1
looking for expert legal advice? we can help. There comes a time when everyone needs advice from an expert. • Conveyancing & property • Employment law • Family matters
“I cannot speak high ly enough of Emsleys.
98%
OF CLIENTS* would use us again and recommend us.
Everyone was friendly and helpful. Thank you for the great service.” MATTHEW
• Wills, trusts & probate • Notary Public
• Personal injury • Resolving disputes
Call us on 0113 264 4414 or visit www.emsleys.co.uk *Based on Emsleys’ client satisfaction survey results January 2018 – September 2021.
Yorkshire Legal Awards 2019: Shortlisted
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I
Yorkshire Legal Awards 2018: Winner
I
Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2018: Shortlisted
I
The Legal 500: Recommended
I
FT Innovative Lawyers 2015: Stand Out
January/February 17
FOOD
Winter warmers Get your big bowls and mugs out and make some of these fabulous, hearty seasonal soups and hot drinks with the kids.
Real tomato soup
Hot butter beer (no alcohol!)
Alphabet soup
Green pea and ham soup
Mini cob loaf sweet potato soup
White hot chocolate
Hot chocolate snowmen
Kids’ minestrone soup
Child-friendly hot toddy
18 January/February
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Happiness is…..a happy child! Receive a FREE Mental Health Activity Pack from Storytime for your child*
HAPPINESS i s ACTIVITY PAC ... K!
One of the big gest challen teachers and ges faced by carers is hel parents, and deal wit ping childre h their feeling n to talk abo ut s. That is wh activity pac y we create k! We recom d this me nd that you then share the read it first, ideas and act and ivities in it wit h your kids.
Be cool. Be kind. Be you!
Inside this pack:
Recognising Emoti ons ............................. 2 Feelings Are Like Rainb ows ................... 4 Resilience Tool Box .................................. 5 Fun with Framing! ..................................... 6 Gratefulness Diary .................................... 7 The Pancake of Mistak es ........................ 8 Get Active with Emoti ons! ....................... 9 Talking About Feelin gs ........................... 10 30 Things You Can Do to Feel Good! ... 11 Awesome You! ........... ............................... 13 Your Jar of Happiness ............................. 14 How to Use This Pack.. . for Grown-Ups! ........... ............................... 15
On page 17-20, there is a special section about how you can help your kids build resilience and get comfortable with their emotions!
© www.stor
With
ytimemagazi
ne.com 2021
14 pages of fun activities
Read first and then share with your child….
APPLY HERE Familiesonline.co.uk
*while stocks last. T&C’s apply.
January/February 19
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
Just one healthy thing
At this time of the year, we are bombarded with unrealistic health advice. So how about setting yourself an easy target of changing just one thing this New Year? © Bruce Mars from Unsplash
Consider cold water swimming Start with cold water showers and build up with the Wim Hof method.
Take Vitamin D
10mg daily for adults in autumn and winter compensate for lack of UK sunshine.
Get a fitness buddy
Take time to meditate
Accountability works. Find out more.
10 minutes a day can make a huge difference. Find hundreds of free meditations.
Try forest bathing
Get quality sleep
Time in forest/woodland boosts your mood, health and wellbeing. Find options here. Photo: Spirited Euphoria
If your nights are disrupted, try going to bed earlier. Discover the benefits. Photo: Gabrielle Henderson from Unsplash
Photo by Ella Olsson from Pexels
Go veggie
For one day a week, skip meat. Follow MeatFreeMondays.
20 January/February
Give up alcohol
Practise gratitude
Try mindful drinking with Keeping a daily gratitude Spirited Euphoria! 100% diary can make you feel more optimistic. natural, non-alcoholic, endorphin-releasing alternative. Familiesonline.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 21
TWEEN
Best skincare products for tweens We asked our friends at wearetwixt for their round up of some of the best, tween-friendly zit-zapping cleansers that avoid chemicals that can be abrasive on young, delicate skin. TROPIC Pure Lagoon Blemish Prevention Serum (£42) A gentle serum with pre-biotics builds the skin’s defences and fights acne. Olivia (12) says: ‘I put this on twice a day. It cleared my spots completely. Absolutely amazing!’ Olivia’s mum says: ‘Pricey but a little goes a long way.’ Pixi Glow Tonic (£10) Lightweight, gentle exfoliating serum which hydrates and boosts radiance. 100% chemical-free and beautifully gentle for young skin. Olivia (12) says: ‘I use this every evening and it makes my skin feel completely clean.’ Olivia’s mum says: ‘‘This has been brilliant for Olivia’s skin.’ 22 January/February
LUSH Tea Tree Water (£6) and LUSH Grease Lightning (£8) Tea tree water cleanses and helps banish spots. Grease Lightning cleanses and helps combat infection and further redness. Olivia (12) says: ‘I love how fresh these products are and how clean they feel.’
TROPIC Clear Skin BlemishFighting Mask (£20)
Designed to control the levels of sebum in the skin, preventing spots forming. Kills bacteria, draws out toxins, closes pores and soothes sore skin. Olivia (12) says: ‘My skin is sensitive and can get dry and this is so gentle and soothing. It lasts for ages too.’ Familiesonline.co.uk
TWEEN
Why Aiyven and Kirsten are Happier Every Chapter Sisters Aiyven (12) and Kirsten (13) love writing stories and both published debut novels in 2020. Families talks to them to find out more. What made you start writing stories? Our parents read stories to us every night when we were young, which opened up whole new worlds to us. From around the age of 4 or 5, we were folding pieces of paper into cards and writing stories inside them - and just never stopped! What do you like best about writing stories? The best thing is how in a few hours, a new universe can sprout out of thin air. How many stories have you written? Many of our early stories were on laptops we don’t have any more but every month we write short stories for our book subscription box,
Baby Sensory North Leeds WOW Centre Alwoodley www.babysensory.com/north-leeds Familiesonline.co.uk
Happier Every Chapter. Over time, we’ve written at least thirty stories each. That’s excluding our books. Do you make a plan for your stories? When we were younger, we often just typed whatever came to mind, which can result in an unusual plot and a storyline that doesn’t flow very well. Now, we plan the beginning, build-up, climax, resolution and ending. Once you have those five factors planned, it’s just a matter of connecting the dots. Interested in Aiyven and Kirsten’s advice on story-writing? READ MORE
01943 603829 I www.clipnclimbilkley.co.uk January/February 23
EARLY YEARS
Sensible safety supplies It’s a great time of year to check that you have all the right protection to keep your children safe at home.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Essential if you use gas, LPG, oil or wood at home. £14
Cable Tidy Unit
The easiest way to keep cables away from children. Click-lock lid. £17.90
Bath & Room Thermometer
Flashes/beeps when water is too hot/cold for your child. Floats in bath. £11.49 24 January/February
St John Ambulance Travel First Aid Kit Important at home and when away. £18.60
Stove & Hob Guard
Protects from stove-top dangers. Adjustable. Suitable for gas and electric. £37.99
Magnetic Child Locks
Corner Protectors
Oven Door Guard
Door Slam Protector
No DIY skills required. Fit lock and catch simultaneously. £19.95
Prevents little hands from opening the oven and getting injured or burned. £6.49
Easy to install. Larger than others. Soft protection from sharp corners. £6.99
Protects fingers from door slamming and children from getting locked in. From £6.99 Familiesonline.co.uk
EARLY YEARS
Getting more involved with your child’s development Volunteering at your child’s childcare setting is a great way to become more involved with your child’s learning and development. If you’ve previously worked with children or in childcare, that’s invaluable but you don’t actually need any experience. You may be interested in formal roles like a nursery assistant where you will receive lots of support including an induction or special training. Other roles may be more informal with flexible arrangements such as joining outings to the park, helping with a fundraising activity or running a toy library. Your child’s setting is likely to be open to ideas. Volunteering at your child’s setting can help you: Increase your enjoyment and understanding of the way your child learns; Learn new skills, gain confidence and practical experience; Make new friends and meet other parents; Develop and become part of a parent forum; Take up free training opportunities to help you progress into paid work; Get to know your child’s friends better; Explore new career opportunities in childcare; Give something back to your local community. Familiesonline.co.uk
Children learn a huge amount while in quality childcare but parents remain their most important educators. Find out how to continue developing your child’s learning at home. READ MORE
Protect your child online! Get a free and complete guide to parental controls*
APPLY HERE * while stocks last T&Cs apply
Magazine
January/February 25
FAMILY LIFE
Top car seat suggestions Need a new car seat this year? Kickstart your research with these nine top ADAC safety-approved models.
Joie Spin 360 Group 0+1
Cosy N Safe Merlin 360 Group 0+/1 0 to 18kg. Birth to 4yrs. £200
Up to 18kg. 3mths to 4yrs. £325
Maxi Cosi Axiss Swivelling
Graco Milestone All-in-One Group 0+/1/2/3
Nuna Myti Group 1/2/3
Cosatto Judo Group 1/2/3
Halfords Essential Group 1/2/3
Birth to 18kg. Birth to 4yrs. From £199.
9 to 18kg. 9mths to 4yrs. £139
Joie Baby Bold Group 1/2/3 9 to 36kg. 9mths to 12yrs. £179.99
26 January/February
Birth to 36kg. Birth to 12 yrs. £210
9 to 36kg. 9mths to 12 yrs. £180
Britax Romer Dualfix M i-Size
9 to 36kg. 15mths to 12 yrs. £325
9 to 36kg. 9mths to 12yrs. £40 Familiesonline.co.uk
FAMILY LIFE
Family tech ideas The latest in technological innovation – maybe you can find a bargain in the January sales?
Symfonisk Picture Frame with WiFi Speaker Your favourite sounds from your favourite picture! £179
Bonaok Wireless Bluetooth Karaoke Microphone Enjoy family karaoke at home. £29.99
Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset
Use headset and app to jump into VR. £299.
Facebook Portal - da Vinci miniMaker Illuminator Light Up Smart Video Calling Drone 3D Printer Video call others on their devices with WhatsApp/ Messenger, even if they don’t have Portal. £60.
First-time users 3D printer. Great for young minds and STEM learning. £284.40
Philips NeoPix Easy Heated Throw Perfect for snuggling up Home Projector
For cosy winter nights in. £99.99
Familiesonline.co.uk
with the family. £53
Delivers an amazing light show. USB and batteryoperated remote control. £29.99
Nanit Smart Baby Monitor
Peace of mind. A crystalclear overhead view of your baby’s cot. From £199 January/February 27
FAMILY LIFE
Protect your child online
Try Storytime, the world’s best story magazine!
The internet is a fantastic place to learn, play and contact friends and family. However, just like the real world, it’s not safe for children to navigate alone.
Special Full of fairy tales, adventures, myths Reader Offer and legends, tales from other cultures, real life stories and awesome animals, Storytime is the world’s best story magazine.
Save 15% on complete guide to parental controls (E-book/PB) Welcome to the new book, which aims to make it easier to protect our children online!
Leading children’s charities and parent groups agree that parents need more help to understand potential online dangers and understand how best to react when our children are upset or disturbed by something they have seen online. Protecting children of the digital age contains over 130 pages of information, advice, tips and step by step guides to setting parental controls on the most popular devices, Apps, platforms and games. Use code FAM15 at check out here to obtain the e-book for Special just £5.94 or the Reader paperback for just Offer £13.59.
Save 50% off your first 4 issues - just £9.99!
It’s packed with wonderful stories for children and parents to read, love and share, as well as puzzles, activities and games. All 52 pages are beautifully illustrated and printed on quality paper so they can be treasured, read and re-read. No adverts, plastic toys or packaging and each copy arrives in a specially illustrated envelope, so your child has all the excitement of receiving their own mail. Plus, each month, there are free home learning resources and fun activities to bring the stories to life. More info and apply for offer. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
28 January/February
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HEALTH
How CBT can help children with anxiety By Lilly Sabir As both a clinical therapist and a mother, I know from personal and professional experience how important it is to help our children understand, identify and support their own mental wellbeing. Studies suggest that the earlier children are empowered with the resources needed to improve the way they think, the earlier positive foundations are laid that they can build on throughout their lives. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is identified as the most effective therapeutic intervention in managing anxiety. When your child expresses feeling tiredness or pain, this can be one of the most demonstrative signs they are anxious - somebody or something has triggered an emotional response within them. Children don’t know how to express and articulate emotional language in the early years but this improves with age. Tummy aches, headaches and ‘something is hurting’ is often a child’s way of saying whatever is going on around them has caused them stress. They need to calmly be helped to cope with that pain, using fun ways that can help them tap into the sensations occurring in their bodies and minds. Familiesonline.co.uk
It’s important to recognise when a child needs therapeutic intervention, rather than masking their emotional problems and hoping they will grow out of them; the earlier the intervention, the more effectively treatments can work. If you have a child who is suffering with anxiety-related issues, find out more about some child-friendly CBT techniques that you can use to help them. READ MORE
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Magazine
January/February 29
ACTIVITIES
DIY board games from overseas Fed up with the board games in the cupboard? Make and try these fascinating alternatives curated from overseas by www.whatdowedoallday.com
Watermelon Chess Country of origin: China
Kaooa Country of origin: India
Nine holes Country of origin: England
Fighting Serpents Country of origin: New Mexico
Lu Lu Dice Country of origin: Hawaii
Picaria
Country of origin: American South West
Fox & Geese Country of origin: Scandinavia
Shisima Country of origin: Kenya
Tapatan Country of origin: Philippines
30 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
ACTIVITIES
Chinese New Year crafts Chinese New Year falls on 1 February this year and offers the perfect inspiration for kids to get crafty!
Year of the Tiger paper bag puppet
Chinese lantern
Chinese New Year candle holders
Tangram puzzle
Mr Panda craft
Fortune Cookies
Chinese New Year’s pinwheel
Rattle drum
Paper plate Chinese dragon
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 31
WHAT’S ON
What’s on Before setting out please check details with the venues as they may need to be pre-booked. DIARY DATES Ongoing Stirring up the Past – a storytelling walk around Leeds city centre Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6NP Take a walk through Leeds and go on a journey back in time to hear from some amazing people in history – war heroes, circus entertainers, suffragettes, and more! Ages 9+. January 8 Saturday Family Film Club: Movies from the Bookshelves Local Libraries Free event, prebooking essential. 11am-1pm. Until January 9 Beauty and the Beast: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds LS1 6LW You’ll be wowed by this breath32 January/February
Leeds City Museum
taking production which mixes traditional elements of audience participation and corny gags with a jukebox full of classic rock anthems and chart-toppers. Until January 9 Leeds City Museum is 200 Millennium Square, Leeds LS2 8BH A special exhibition celebrating the museum’s 200th birthday. Visitors are invited to add thoughts, ideas and experiences to the exhibition when they visit.
Until January 9 Aladdin Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds, LS2 3AD Follow Aladdin on the journey of a lifetime as he soars through the skies in his quest for fortune and true love.
Until January 22 Wendy & Peter Pan Leeds Playhouse, Leeds LS2 7UP Fly to Neverland this Christmas as Wendy takes centre stage at Leeds Playhouse in a magical retelling of the JM Barrie classic Peter Pan.
From January 22 Curious Creatures: Victorian attitudes to animals Abbey House Until January 16 Museum, Leeds, Sleeping Beauty LS5 3EH Get ready to Alhambra meet a gallery of Theatre, Bradford BD7 1AJ pet lovers, lion tamers, pigeon Billy Pearce, fanciers, colonial returns to the Alhambra Theatre hunters, offal eaters, featherplaying King hat wearers and Billy, joined by more. Curious TV celebrity Dr Ranj playing The Creatures explores the Royal Doctor many ways overseeing in which the medical Victorians proceedings interacted with in the Royal and sometimes Household! exploited animals. Familiesonline.co.uk
WHAT’S ON
What’s on Before setting out please check details with the venues as they may need to be pre-booked. From January 22 Kirkstall Lives A community display This exhibition celebrates the lives of people who have lived, worked and visited the Leeds suburb of Kirkstall. Famous for its dramatic 12th century abbey, the area has long been a thriving community, with generations of families calling Kirkstall home. From January 24 NHS Critical Carers project Leeds City Museum, Leeds LS2 8BH An installation created by NHS critical care staff as part of the ‘reset day’ programme organised by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Leeds. The display will include origami butterflies created by NHS Familiesonline.co.uk
Explore the different forms money takes and the complex relationship we have had with currency over the centuries With our society moving closer to being cashless, From February this exhibition 12 asks what will Money Talks: Stories of people this mean for physical currency and cash and its impact on Leeds City Museum, Leeds culture across the world. LS2 8BH Peter Pan at Leeds Playhouse
staff, as well as a video made by the patients and families affected by covid-19. January 29 Circus Spectacular St George’s Hall, Bradford, BD1 1JT International circus acts, amazing magic and lots of laughs. February 1 to 5 The Adams Family The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, BD7 1AJ Everyone’s favourite kooky family is coming back on stage in this spectacular musical comedy.
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Magazine
January/February 33
ACTIVITIES
Wild winter activities Playing outside is important for kids, even in winter. Here are some great outdoor activity ideas to keep them busy.
Build teeny tiny twig rafts
Rain paint
Make a muddy water filter
Make a mini pond in a pot
Do some wild weaving
Make a magic potion
Make a wormery
Create frozen sun catchers
Build a bird box
34 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk