Families Leeds & West Yorkshire September/October 2024 DIGITAL
Welcome
Well, it’s back to school already and soon the nights will start drawing in! So make haste while there are still pleasant days and plenty of daylight left and enjoy some family adventures.
To entertain the kids, why not pick a family wild-life spotting walk to make the most of the great outdoors. Don’t miss our article on apps and platforms to help your child with spelling as well as our selection of great graphic novels for reluctant – and other readers.
Halloween is a favourite time of year for many children so to get them in the mood, don’t forget to download our spooky craft activity and take a look at our Halloween food, craft and sciencethemed special effects pages too!
Finally, in this issue, we have four great giveaways for our readers, so don’t forget to apply and good luck!
Claire Bottomley, Editor
Get in touch
Education
Make a hanging pumpkin tree News
Autumn make n’ do’s Best family walks for wildlife spotting
Clubs & classes
Health
Halloween spooky science
Fun Halloween craft projects
Delicious Halloween delights
Reader
Competition winners from our May/June issue
Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE
Award-winning Toddler Sense classes available in North Leeds
A session made up of two parts allow toddlers to explore adventure playtime on bouncy castles, soft play, ride ons and more. Followed by themed sensory activities with puppet shows, interactive games and light shows.
Each week there is different equipment and a different theme; meaning both toddlers and grown ups are never bored!
For ages 13 months to 5 years Siblings under 13 months are FREE!
Text Lou on 07870275916 www.toddlersense.com/northleeds
Apps and platforms to help your child with spelling
Spelling isn’t easy – sometimes even for grown ups! Luckily there are a wealth of tools available to help you and your kids with spelling.
First Words Deluxe
Ideal for toddlers who are just beginning to master letter sounds. Ages 3+. ios
Sir Linkalot
Helps memorise and recall the spelling of high frequency words. Ages 5+. ios & android
Spelling Shed
Popular in schools and great for competition between friends. Ages 5-11. ios & android
DoodleSpell
Tailors spelling exercises to suit a child’s strengths and weaknesses. Ages 5-11. ios & android
Squeebles Spelling Test
Create spelling tests with your choice of words. Ages 5-11. ios & android
Word Wizard for Kids
Great app for independent practice of spelling words. Ages 4-10. ios & android
Your Spelling
Focuses on the words needed for KS1 and KS2 SATs. Ages 5-11. ios
Night Zookeeper
Fun, engaging online programme that increases vocabulary and improves spelling. Ages 6-12. web
Spelling Hangman
Great for challenging your child and makes weekly spelling fun. Ages 4+. ios
Graphic novels for reluctant readers
Graphic novels can really encourage those kids who don’t embrace reading – and are great for those who do too! Take a look at our selection below.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson
Follows the friendship between an awkward girl and a unicorn. Ages 7+.
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green
Comic strip format. This is a wordplay-packed cartoon! Ages 7+.
Wonder Woman by Lisa Yee
Female friendship and bravery in this riproaring, crime-fighting adventure. Ages 9+.
Bumble and Snug and the Angry Pirates by Mark Bradley Great for independent reading Ages 5+.
Cowgirls and Dinosaurs by Lucie Ebrey Crime fighting adventure. Ages 9+.
The Pavee and the Buffer Girl by Siobhan Dowd Great sensitivity and storytelling. Ages 10+.
Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick Well-told, gripping scifi story, colourful action and comedy. Ages 6+.
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
Explores empathy, kindness and persistence. Ages 7.
Meesh the Bad Demon by Michelle Lam
First story in a fantasy graphic series. Fun and fast-paced. Ages 8-12.
Get Set for SATs with tutor Rachael Egan
Rachael Egan has spent 30 years working in primary schools as a class teacher and senior leader. Now she provides support for children across the primary school age range and beyond, through her tutoring service, Get Set for SATs. She sets out some of the reasons here why parents turn to her… Does any of this sound familiar?
• I am not sure how to assist with schoolwork - teaching methods and the curriculum have changed so much.
• I want to ensure my child achieves their potential in formal school tests.
• Home life is busy but my child needs help with their homework.
• Secondary/Grammar school is approaching, and I want my child to feel more confident about the transition to Key Stage 3.
• A little extra weekly practice would help my child to consolidate their learning. My child:
• is not ‘keeping up’ with their friends at school;
• is ‘stuck’ on a particular topic e.g. Fractions, Reading Comprehension;
• has special needs but is not receiving the support they need;
• is gifted, but insufficiently challenged at school;
• can be quiet and does not always ask for help.
I have expertise across the full Maths and English primary curriculum
which includes Reading, Writing, Phonics and GPS (Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling). My experience includes teaching children of varying ages, abilities and with special educational needs.
I am passionate about helping children to overcome any barriers by working on gaps in their learning and helping to prepare them for the future. This includes test preparation, such as the Year One Phonics Screening Check, end of Key Stage 2 SATs, entrance exams e.g. 11+, as well as laying the groundwork for GCSEs.
In addition to tutoring after school, I provide support during the day for home-educated children. A trial lesson today could be the first step towards to self-confidence and educational achievement.
More info HERE or EMAIL Rachael.
Helping children with theory of mind
By Usha Patel
Back in 2007, a mum called Sarah told me of an incident involving her then 8-year-old son, Albi. Sarah had fainted in the bathroom of their small flat. As she was coming round, she called out for her son. He said: ‘Yes, I saw you.’ Sarah reported that Albi carried on playing without concern.
READ MORE
Overcoming failure and disappointment
By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble
Whilst studies show that children learn better when they experience failure, no parent likes seeing their child upset or disappointed. It feels right to help them avoid anything seemingly harmful they encounter, whether that be through distraction, bargaining or a quick credit-card swipe. READ
How to be great at spelling
By Zuzu Jordan
For children, learning how to spell isn’t just about passing school tests but also about being able to write words correctly in their extended writing. As adults, spelling is essential for effective writing in the professional world. So how can kids learn to spell well? READ
Motor
MAKE HANGING PUMPKINS FOR A TWIG TREE
We asked our friends at Hobbycraft for a spectacularly spooky Halloween craft activity for parents to do with their kids and they’ve come up with these cute pumpkins to hang on a twig tree.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Light Night
Light Night Leeds is the UK’s largest annual arts and light festival and will return on October 24 and 25. Some of Leeds’ most recognisable indoor and outdoor spaces will again be transformed by spectacular artworks and captivating performances by local, national and international artists. More info HERE
A new season at Carriageworks Theatre
Some exciting new family shows are set to be staged at Carriageworks Theatre this autumn. See The Chronicles of Atom and Luna, an epic fairytale. Everyone’s favourite fire fighter will also be making an appearance, in Fireman Sam and the Great Camping Adventure. Catch The Bubble Show and Adventures in Science too. More info and tickets HERE
Festival of Play
A week-long celebration, Festival of Play will take place in Leeds this autumn.
From October 25 to November 3, events will take place at Leeds Art Gallery, Leeds Libraries, Royal Armouries and Leeds Playhouse, as well as a Playful Information Booth in Victoria Gardens.
There will also be localised community events including Playstreets, Arts and Craft Workshops, Sports sessions, Storytelling and Play Trails.
The festival is created by local communities and businesses passionate about the power of play, along with Child Friendly Leeds. More info HERE
Paediatric First Aid
Spooky goings on at Lotherton
This Halloween, Lotherton is hosting some spine-chilling events that will plunge you into a world of twisted fairytales.
Spooky Skeletons: Scarytales is a daytime event perfect for all ages. As you wind your way through the grounds, gardens and house at Lotherton, come face-to-face with a series of skeletons, making themselves at home and reimagining classic fairytales with a Halloween twist.
And you can make more Halloween memories Pumpkin Picking. New for 2024, hop onboard the tractor trailer to the patch.
As night falls, the atmosphere at Lotherton shifts dramatically for those aged 8 to 15. Once Upon a Nightmare is an immersive scare event where familiar fairytale characters take a dark and sinister turn.
More info HERE
Heritage Open Days celebrates 30 years
Heritage Open Days, brought to you by the National Trust, returns from September 6 to 15 for its 30th year with thousands of free events and experiences.
From historic houses to factories, museums to music halls, formal gardens to graveyards, places, spaces and communities across Leeds and West Yorkshire will again host hundreds of free events with free interactive activities for children this autumn.
These will include dressing up, craft, woodland walks and railway rides, all based around this year’s theme, Creativity Unwrapped, sharing England’s colourful history of creativity.
New events will be added to the festival’s directory every day.
Find a local event HERE
Autumn make n’ dos
How about some great autumn activities that truly celebrate the wonderful colours and beauty of this season? From playing with shiny conkers to leaf rubbing, there’s something for everyone!
Conkers
Acorn owl
Best family walks for wildlife spotting
We asked our friends at The Outdoor Guide to recommend some of the best UK ‘walks on the WILD side!’
Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, Dorset
Brownsea Island is a haven for wildlife including red squirrels. Dorset Wildlife Trust also has some hides on the island where you can get glimpses of the resident and visiting birdlife that migrates here during winter.
Blakeney Point, Norfolk
Show your kids wild seals - the Norfolk coastline is a great place for it!
There are colonies of grey and common seals that can be seen on the tidal sands, as well as migratory birds including redshanks, oystercatchers and avocets. This is a long walk though so best for older children.
National Trust Charlecote Park
The grounds of Charlecote Park, on the outskirts of Stratford upon Avon, has been home to a herd of fallow deer for centuries. Legend has it that William Shakespeare was prosecuted for poaching deer from here!
Richmond Park, London
During the autumn, male deer show prowess by clashing antlers with their rivals. Watch the deer rut in Richmond Park in London, home to fallow and red deer. Remember, keep a respectful distance and ensure dogs are on leads. This is a 7-mile circular walk so will only be suitable for older children.
We asked our friends at The Outdoor Guide to recommend some of the best UK ‘walks on the WILD side!’
Somerset Levels
Later this year, one of the wonders of the natural world will return to the Somerset Levels - the starling murmurations. Thousands of starlings come to roost here amongst the reedbeds. The peak season is November to February.
The Needles, Isle of Wight
With views out across the English Channel, you may glimpse a pod of dolphins that have become regular visitors here. Surrounded by the sea, this walk also gives you the chance to see marine birds including gannets and shearwaters. This is a longer walk so do consider your child’s age and capabilities.
Regency Walk, London
Even in the heart of London you can go for a walk to see some amazing wildlife. The Regency walk takes you past St James’s Park - well worth a detour to observe the abundant birdlife living on the lake - you might see the pelicans that live there too!
Petworth Park, West Sussex
The deer park in Petworth, West Sussex, is home to between seven and eight hundred fallow deer. The lake also offers the chance to see various ducks and geese.
If you’re a National Trust member, pop into the cafe afterwards for a well earned cuppa and slice of cake.
Find inspiration and sign up! Don’t forget to say you saw them in Families Leeds & West Yorkshire magazine.
Number Train
A fun and interactive introduction to maths for preschool children.
Pauline Quirke Academy
A weekend performing arts academy providing tuition for children and young people from 4-18 years.
Baby Ballet
Fun and informal dance classes in North Leeds for ages 18 months to 6 years.
Debutots
Interactive storytelling and dramatic play sessions for ages 6 months to 7 years.
Rock Stars
Climbing Club
Climbing sessions for 4-7 and 8-12 year olds, after school.
Little Seedlings
Pregnancy, baby and toddler classes that focus on development in a fun, easy way.
Music Bugs
Sensory, playbased music and singing classes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Toddler Sense
Explore adventure play on bouncy castles, soft play, ride-ons and more. Ages 13mths-5 years.
Your Club or Class Here?
Would you like to promote your club or classes in our next issue and reach 1,000s of local parents?
EMAIL Claire for more information.
Clubs & Classes Directory
Find inspiration and sign up! Don’t forget to say you saw them in Families Leeds & West Yorkshire magazine.
Baby Swimmers & Swimmers Academy
Through fun and games at Baby Swimmers see your little one progress to a confident little swimmer!
Hidden Village
Allow your child’s imagination to flourish in this immersive roleplay village. Children’s play town, café and boutique toyshop based in Leeds City Centre!
Tumble Tots
Classes available in North Leeds for babies from 6 months to children aged 7. A progressive play programme designed to develop your child’s physical skills.
Could it be meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia?
Helen Underwood from Underwood Training explains what to watch for...
What is meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia?
Meningitis occurs when the lining around the brain and spinal cord are inflamed – it can be a viral or a bacterial cause. Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause blood poisoning (septicaemia –often now called Sepsis). Meningitis and Septicaemia can occur together.
Most cases of Meningitis occur alone, it is rare to ‘catch’ meningitis from someone who has the disease. The bacteria that can cause meningitis commonly live in the back of the nose or throat. In most cases this is harmless. Only occasionally do these bacteria defeat the body’s defences.
Someone with meningitis or
septicaemia can get worse very quickly; keep checking them and get medical help if you are concerned.
It is especially important to keep checking babies as they can become seriously ill very quickly.
Signs and symptoms may present differently due to the age of the patient.
Symptoms can appear in any order and may not appear at all. Do not wait for a rash.
Signs and symptons of meningitis in:
Babies and Toddlers
Could it be meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia?
Continued from page 18.
Signs and symptons of meningitis in:
Children and Adults
NOTE: Very young babies may not have a fever – their temperature could be normal or low. Young children may refuse food/drink, have no vomiting and dry nappies.
Images provided with kind permission of MENINGITIS NOW.
More information HERE.
THE GLASS TEST
Check any rash using the side of a glass pressed firmly to the skin to see whether it fades under pressure – if it does not this indicates septicaemia - this is a medical emergency.
Caution: the rash may initially fade under pressure, so keep checking it regularly.
On darker skin the rash can be more difficult to see, so check carefully.
Trust your gut
You know your own child well – if they are not themself and they are struggling to temperature regulate despite the usual measures (paracetamol, plenty of fluids), seek urgent medical advice and don’t wait for a rash.
Spooky Halloween science
Create some ghostly, glowing and ghoulish Halloween effects at home with these simple science ideas.
Ghost rocket
Made with simple ingredients which react to propel your ghost to fly.
Halloween lava lamps
Use simple ingredients which react eerily to create magical lamps.
Dancing ghosts
Learn about static electricity by creating ghosts that move by themselves.
Make a galaxy in a jar
Recreate the wonders of the night sky in a jar of magic.
Luminous drinks
Discover the weird effect on some drinks when exposed to UV light.
Ghostly glowing eggs
Examine the spooky reaction that occurs between vinegar and egg shells.
Ghost slime
Make slime that is icycold to touch with just a few ingredients.
Blow up a pumpkin balloon
Using simple science, blow up a pumpkin balloon without touching it.
Fake blood
Add authenticity to a Halloween costume with this concoction.
Fun Halloween craft projects
So much of the excitement of Halloween is in the anticipation, in choosing a costume and decorating the house. Here are some great Halloween craft ideas which will add to the fun.
Halloween sensory surprise box
Ghost leaves
paper plate spider’s web
CBeebies Trick or Treat bags Rock Skulls
Halloween fuse beads decorations
Easy paper craft ghosts
Threading
Halloween bat
Pumpkin pinata
Delicious Halloween delights
It’s not Halloween without some themed food and there’s as much fun in the making of it, as in the eating! Get the kids in the kitchen helping with some of these ideas.
Watermelon Jacko’-Lantern
Scary Halloween jelly
Sticky toffee apples
Spider pizzas
Skeleton biscuits
Mummy hot dogs
Frozen banana ghosts
Pumpkin Rice Krispie treats
Monster burgers
All things spice at family-friendly pub The Three Swords
Jo Hadfield reviews a pubrestaurant collaboration serving up a tasty treat in Leeds…
A relatively recent opening, The Three Swords in Horsforth is an exciting mash-up of the popular Kirkstall Brewery and highly regarded restaurant Dastaan, resulting in a lovely selection of beers and small plates of delicious indian cuisine.
Though it may seem entirely too beer-and-spice focused for eating out with children, this place has done it's homework. After sampling their bar bites on a rare child-free early evening (huge shout out for the Amritsari fish and the crispy fried okra) we decided to take the kids for Sunday lunch. The best thing, for a self-confessed glutton like me, is that the menu is refreshingly short.
Four starters and four mains including vegetarian options, supplemented by the aforementioned bar bites and lots of vegan choices. The adults in my party went for a mix of starters and bar bites and then a main course each, but we felt that any style of eating would have been perfectly and deliciously acceptable.
The two children chose from the four option strong children’s menu, with my more adventurous eater going for the butter chicken and my spice-fearing youngest going
for the fish fingers. Everything was delicious.
The main Sunday roast style options come with wonderfully spiced broccoli and a fabulous Yorkshire pudding (this is Kirkstall meets tandoori, after all) and the children can opt for a side of rice, naan, chips or salad. Whilst the main courses may seem pricey, the completely relaxed attitude to the menu means that you never feel obliged to spend big if you don’t want to.
And as for being family-friendly? The spacious interior means there is room enough for discreet booths, dog friendly sections and big family groups that can accommodate highchairs. And the food comes FAST. Need I say more?
The Three Swords 108 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4QB thethreeswords.co.uk
Celebrating 50 Things To Do Before You’re Five
The Bradford based initiative 50 Things to Do Before You’re Five has been shortlisted for a national award for Working With Parents by Nursery World.
50 Things to Do Before You’re Five is an exciting initiative full of ideas and activities for families with young children. It is based on such a simple idea. Fun, low or no-cost experiences for the whole family, indoors and outdoors, are great ways to support children’s development. It is a perfect resource for families and agencies working with families, presented as a free bucket list of ‘fun stuff’, involving an app, website and social media campaign.
It is available across the whole of West Yorkshire, where it has been localised by each individual authority. Localising 50 Things to Do enables the initiative to celebrate the diversity of individual
communities across West Yorkshire which represents and connects with local people. By exploring your own local landscapes, communities and cultural venues alongside the local history that defines the places you live, it increases connection with your community.
It is also the ideal tool to be used by nurseries, childminders, schools, health teams, cultural settings and community organisations, or by anyone who wants to improve outcomes for your young children.
September will see the launch of Friends of 50 Things across West Yorkshire, an accreditation enabling organisations to show they have embedded the initiative into their practice, acknowledging they are doing their part to improve outcomes for children.
There will be resource packs available and once they have demonstrated how it is embedded they will receive a certificate, digital marketing packs and the opportunity to purchase a plaque.
Find out more HERE.
Funny videos to get the kids laughing
In the often-stressed lives of parents it can be challenging to be playful and share laughter with our kids. So, for the moments when you can’t do this, keep these funny videos up your sleeve!
Kids’
jokes
The Bounce Patrol gang tell family-friendly jokes for kids of all ages.
Topsy and Tim funny moments
Topsy and Tim pick favourite funny moments from the popular CBBC show.
The Great Cookie Caper
Children’s soft toys play characters in this humorous tale of missing cookies.
The Terrible Plop
Funny rhyming story by Ursula Dubosarsky, read aloud.
Farm
animals
A video with farm toys playing, jumping and making silly, funny sounds.
Tiny Dog, Big Stick Watch Bosco the Dachshund navigate a park in London.
The Duck Song
Funny story about an annoying duck and a lemonade stand.
Talking
twin babies
Your kids (and you) will be in hysterics watching these chatterboxes.
If You Laugh I’m Starting this Book Over
Riotous read-aloud book that insists listeners must not laugh.
Exciting addition at Brontë House School
This term, Brontë House Reception children, who were housed in Ashdown Lodge Nursery, moved into the beautiful main Brontë House building.
Development took place over the summer at Brontë House, which is prep school to Woodhouse Grove School, to create the perfect indoor and outdoor environment for Reception pupils.
The benefits of being physically part of the main school include greater access to all facilities including the Key Stage 1 library, the Sports Hall and Music Studio.
Head teacher Mrs Chatterton said that a change of environment through the day will have a positive impact on concentration and will foster independence, organisation and confidence.
Reception children will benefit from Brontë House’s specialist sports coaches and performing arts teachers, enjoy lunch with their older peers, and be able to catch up with their Year 6 buddies.
“Moving into the main Brontë House building will prepare these young Grovians for the exciting challenges that await as they progress through the school – and then on to Woodhouse Grove,” said Mrs Chatterton.
Fees include all wrap-around care from 7.30am to 6pm, access to more than 50 weekly after school clubs and all home-cooked meals.
Find out more at the next Open Morning on Saturday 21 September. Register HERE.
Arts award for Queen Ethelburga’s
Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate (QE) has received an Artsmark Gold Award, accredited by Arts Council England.
Artsmark offers a creative quality standard for schools and to achieve it QE, in York, had to develop its arts and cultural provision to embed a broad and ambitious curriculum.
Helen Stephenson, Head of Creative Arts at Queen Ethelburga’s said, “We’re extremely proud of achieving this award. We are committed to delivering a high-quality arts and cultural education and are looking forward to growing our provision alongside Artsmark.”
Dr Darren Henley OBE, Chief Executive of the Arts Council, said: “I would like to congratulate Queen Ethelburga’s on their Artsmark Award. Becoming an Artsmark school demonstrates that through offering a broad, ambitious and creative curriculum, young people
have the opportunity to develop character and resilience, increasing their knowledge, curiosity and skills that will remain with them through to adult life.”
Queen Ethelburga’s is holding Open Mornings on September 28 and November 16. Register and find out more HERE.
