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IN THIS ISSUE
Easter activities & What’s Ons * Win chocolates for Mother’s Day & family day out tickets * Play café guide * School open days * Reader offers Issue 10 March/April 2020
email: editor@familie
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CONTENTS
In This Issue
We’re Celebrating!
4
There are some reasons to celebrate as we head into autumn.
Education
10 Autumn Activities 12 Early Years 14 Halloween 18 Health 19 Parenting 20 Clubs & Classes 22 Activities
Get in touch Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.
Our children will hopefully get to go back to school and nursery after a huge break, which is really good news for parents. This autumn also marks the 30 year anniversary of Families Magazine, first launched in London in 1990. Throughout the next 12 months, we’ll have lots of freebies on offer for our subscribers to mark this milestone. So sign up if you don’t want to miss out! It’s FREE. To get the ball rolling, we’re proud to offer you the chance to win a family holiday to Santa’s Lapland in Finland! See below for details. In the meantime, we hope you find this issue useful in negotiating the start to the new school and nursery year.
Win a magical break to Santa's Lapland in 2021 Enjoy a Reindeer sleigh ride, sledging with huskies, exploring a real igloo and much more, including a once in a lifetime private visit with Santa himself! Click here to enter
Entries close at midnight on 30th October 2020. Terms & conditions apply, see website for details.
familiesonline.co.uk
September 2020 3
EDUCATION
Free Learning Support Resources Need some additional tools to help your child catch up at school?
BBC Bitesize
Preschool, KS1, KS2+.
Oxford Owl
Early Years, KS1, KS2+.
BBC School Radio
Daily Phonics Lessons by Ruth Miskin Training
Mathematics Mastery Home Resources KS1, KS2.
Literacy Counts Home Learning Packs
Reception, KS1, KS2.
Bud’s Number Garden Game
Literacy Shed
NRICH Maths at Home Resources
Preschool, KS1.
Preschool, KS1.
4 September 2020
KS1, KS2.
Early Years, KS1, KS2.
Hi I’m Max from MAOAM. Follow me through the magazine to try to win a Halloween prize!
KS1, KS2+.
familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
What Do We Say to the School about our Separation?
Five “Must-Do’s” When Choosing a School for your Child
Any parent who has been through a separation will understand the massive stress it involves and the anxiety around co-parenting. One of the important issues that can get overlooked in the mix is what to tell your child’s school. READ MORE
It always makes sense to put your child at the centre of the process when choosing a school. Parents know better than anyone how different individual children can be and individual schools can be very different too.
By Rebecca Giraud & Bob Greig
By Judith Judd
READ MORE
Coping with Back to School Stress
Starting a new school year after Covid-19 may mean both parents and children feel more anxious than usual. So what can we do to help our children go back to school feeling more happy and relaxed? Claire Winter speaks to some experts. READ MORE familiesonline.co.uk
September 2020 5
EDUCATION
18 Top New Children’s Books for Autumn
Duck and Penguin That Dog! Things I Love by Emma Lazell. Do Not Like Bear Will smart dog outwit the Susie Linn/Alex Willmore. Sleepovers Julia Woolf. Night time adventure for babies/toddlers.
dog-nappers? For babies/toddlers.
Scenes and activities little ones will recognise. For babies/toddlers.
The Diddle That Dummed
It’s OK to Cry
I’m Sticking with You
Kes Gray/Fred Blunt. Laughter, music, word play & silliness. Ages 3+.
Molly Potter/Sarah Jennings. Great intro to emotions. Ages 3+.
Moth
The Blue Giant
Egneus. Powerful/ visually spectacular evolution story. Ages 5+.
story about pollution in our oceans. Ages 5+.
Smriti Halls/Steve Small. A story about friendship. Ages 3+.
Super Milly and the By Isabel Thomas/Daniel By Katie Cottle. Poignant Super School Day
6 September 2020
By Owen Millward. Upbeat/funny picture book about kindness. Ages 5+.
It’s me again, Max from MAOAM. Count how many times you can see me to win a Halloween surprise!
familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
18 Top New Children’s Books for Autumn
Mermaid School: Ready, Steady, Swim!
Noah Wild and the Floating Zoo
Lucy Courtenay/Sheena Dempsey. An underwater school story. Ages 7+.
Alexander Mccall Smith. An ordinary boy’s heartwarming/extraordinary feat. Ages 7+.
Louis Sachar/Aleksei Bitskoff. Brilliantly illustrated story of mixedup mayhem. Ages 7+.
My Name is River
Turtle Boy
Health Heroes
The Virus
Return to Wonderland
The Unadoptables
Beneath the Cloud of Doom
Emma Rea. M. Evan Wolkenstein. Emily Sharratt. Thrilling, ecological A story offering hope/ ‘Health heroes’ talk adventure in the Amazon new perspectives to life’s about their working lives. jungle. Ages 9+. outsiders. Ages 9+. Ages 9+.
Ben Martynoga/Moose Allain. Explores the science behind viruses/Covid-19 pandemic. Ages 11+. familiesonline.co.uk
Wonderland-inspired stories from top contemporary authors. Ages 11+.
Hana Tooke/Ayesha L.Rubio. Adventure set in oldworld Amsterdam/ surrounds. Ages 11+.
September 2020 7
EDUCATION
Supporting a Dyslexic Child By Ellie Malt “Do you think she might have dyslexia or something like that?” I asked. I was standing in the playground with one of the teaching assistants, watching my 4 year old climb into her buggy, eager for her after-school snack. Although it was only her second term in Reception, I’d noticed she seemed uninterested in the alphabet, while other children could already write their names. But I was only really thinking out loud. Even to me, it seemed ridiculously early to be jumping to any conclusions. “Probably” she shot back over the general hubbub. I admit, I was shocked. But looking back years later, finally in possession of a formal diagnosis, I appreciate her honesty. I only wish I had acted sooner; it could have saved so much struggle and frustration. READ MORE
Dyslexia Features
Sources of Help
Your child may:
British Dyslexia Association Advice and assessments. Find your local association.
• • • • •
Talk well but write little; Be a slow/reluctant reader; Struggle with spelling; Have difficulties with writing; Not always remember/ understand what he/she has just read; • Seem inattentive and unable to concentrate/remember instructions; • Have difficulty organising himself/herself; • Struggle to remember the order of things, eg days of the week. 8 September 2020
The Dyslexia Association Screening, assessment, tuition, assistive technology training. Dyslexia Assist Find local support. Achieve Now Works with dyslexic pupils and IT. All services online. IPSEA Free, independent legal information, advice and support. Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre Influential regional centre. familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Top Homework Tips Where, When and How
Let THEM Do the Work
Create space. If possible, this should be a communal space but one with minimal distractions. This enables parental supervision/input without it feeling like an intrusion.
Provide guidance, not answers. Use questioning to help them get as close to the answer as they can but don’t tell them.
Establish a routine. Some children prefer to do homework straight after school; others need to ‘unwind’ or eat first. Whatever is decided, stick to it. Get organised. Have your child do the hard work first when they are most alert. Help them make a “Done/To Do” list.
Let them make mistakes. Giving answers means they will not learn the material and their teacher will not know how much they understand it. Step in only when progress comes to a halt. Encourage them to set small positive targets promoting independent working and selfsufficiency.
What YOU Can Offer Discuss homework. Even if you know nothing about a subject, you can still help just by talking, listening and helping them to find the right answer. Use a timer. Challenge your child to estimate how long an assignment might take. Suggest setting a timer for that amount of time, or less. Encourage. Praise effort not achievement. Focus on hard work or improved concentration, handwriting or presentation. Make it positive. Tell them how important school is. Your attitude to homework will influence their attitude. familiesonline.co.uk
September 2020 9
ACTIVITIES
Autumn Outdoors Enjoy these seasonal outdoor activities with the family.
Bark Rubbing
Autumn Scavenger Hunt
Conkers
Mushroom Hunting
Tree Decorating
Making and Flying a Kite
Building a Hedgehog Home
Litter Picking
Making a Leaf Maze
10 September 2020
Max from MAOAM here. How many pictures of me can you spot? Follow me through the magazine to win a Halloween prize!
familiesonline.co.uk
ACTIVITIES
Great Autumn Crafts Join our friends at MyBaba and get crafty with the kids!
Autumn Leaf Pictures
3D Autumn Tree Craft
Autumn Leaf Sun Catchers
Autumn Play Dough
Painted Leaves
Leaf Rubbing Busy Bag
Animal Seed Collage
Leaf Chromatography
Autumn Sensory Tray
familiesonline.co.uk
September 2020 11
EARLY YEARS
A-Z of Early Years Activities By Gabrielle Nash @thelondonishmum
Animal Hunt. Search for tiny creepy crawlies, the chirpy in the trees kind and the bigger more exciting kind! Baking. Use overripe bananas to bake muffins. Or roll out some biscuit dough. Cardboard Creations. A pirate ship, a car, or a doll’s bed? Save a box, colour it in or cut it up! Den building. Inside with chairs and sheets. Outside with pieces of wood! Envelope Endeavours. Send photos/stickers or a letter/card to a friend/family member. Film Fun. Make popcorn, print off ‘cinema tickets’ and snuggle up. Garden Growing. Ingredients: patch of soil for digging/planting, old spoons for digging and water for watering! Hiking. Pack a bag and snacks/ drinks. Get your kids excited about a little ‘hike.’ Imaginary Play. Kids LOVE it! Visit the doctors or take a pet to the vet! Jumble Sale Jollies. Involve kids in sorting things for charity or a jumble sale. Kickabout. Visit the park with a ball – run, jump, slide, shout! Learning through Play...is the best way! Games like i-spy improve letter/sound recognition. Mud Mess. It’s such FUN! Make mud pies. Noise. Bang pans; pick out a tune/rhythm with bells or drums. 12 September 2020
Outdoor Painting. Paint leaves/stones. Add food colouring to bubbles and ‘paint’ windows – it washes off! Puzzles. Jigsaws develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination. Quiet. Help your little one enjoy quieter things - small world toys, books, colouring or painting. Reading. Make reading special. Try different voices to captivate your child’s imagination. Safari Special. Hide toy animals (or pictures) around your home. Grab paper/pen and go on safari. Write down the animals you see. Treasure Time. Make a map and hide “treasure.” Grab a toy sword and battle pirates as you search for it! Under the Stars. Show your toddler the twinkling lights from galaxies far away. Virtual Fun. Journey down the Amazon; enjoy a virtual roller coaster ride! Water. As a wise person once said: when a child is grumpy “just add water!” X-Ray. Draw around your child’s body. Stick the drawing on the floor. Draw in bones, explaining what they are and what they do. Yoga. Find great kid-friendly options on Youtube. ZZZZ….Time to sleep. familiesonline.co.uk
EARLY YEARS
Clever Ways to Get your Child Eating Healthily
Childcare Post Lockdown
Do you dread mealtimes? Does your child have little interest in broccoli and beans? Whether you’re trying baby-led weaning or desperate to get vegetables into a pre-schooler, here’s our tips on how to give your child the best start at the dinner table.
As childcare opens up postlockdown, there is a sense of unease about whether it’s safe to send our children back to nursery. Of course, we want to protect them. So how are nurseries making their environment safe for our children? READ MORE
By Gabrielle Nash
READ MORE
More Healthy Eating Tips Dr Pandora Giles (University of East London) outlines her ideas. • Make meal times fun. Chat, sing, talk about the food. • Encourage food play. Make faces out of fruit or a forest with broccoli! • Offer new foods alongside a favourite. • Swap excessive milk/juice between meals for water if your child is eating little. • Have clear mealtimes of around 20 minutes. • Eat with your child. Offer encouragement. • It’s never too late. Tastes change, so you can introduce variety at any point. familiesonline.co.uk
September 2020 13
HALLOWEEN
9 Best Halloween Recipes Creative Halloween party snacks for all the family to enjoy making and eating.
Sticky Toffee Apples
Spider Pizzas
Frozen Banana Ghosts
Scary Halloween Jelly
Sausage Mummy Dippers
Halloween Cupcakes
Spooky Pumpkin Soup
Eerie Eyeball Pops
Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats
14 September 2020
familiesonline.co.uk
HALLOWEEN
MAOAM’s Top Halloween Hi folks. Max here. For those who don’t know, I’m not just the green guy you see on your bags of MAOAM. I’m MAOAM’s favourite mischief-maker too! And, I’m sharing with you some of my favourite family Halloween pranks. Let the mischief commence!
Pranks with Max
Spider Scare
Cut out a paper spider and stick it inside a lampshade. When a family member turns on the lamp, they will think it’s REAL!
Blood for Water
Re-vamp your bathroom with this ghoulish trick! Place red food dye gel around the tap. When turned on….gasp! The kids will see blood streaming from the taps.
Spooky Hot Dog Fingers
Bring extra scares to dinnertime! Add chopped onion to the end of your hot dogs - AND you’ve got yourself a creepy finger. Add one to the kids’ lunchboxes for an un-boolievable surprise.
Enjoy the SPOOOKY Fun!
Top Tips for Halloween Costumes
Creepy Sock Puppet
These aren’t just any old sock puppets. These are stinking scary ones! Grab some old socks. For the eyes, attach two delicious MAOAM Pinballs with glue and you’re ready for some spook-tacular mischief. Remember, the Pinballs are decoration only! Find loads more, super cool (and mischievous) family prank ideas at our Mischief Hub. familiesonline.co.uk
Get the creative juices flowing by browsing Pinterest for inspiration or YouTube for tutorials. Once you’ve done your research, put pen to paper and do some sketching. It doesn’t need to be a masterpiece, but you’ll be less stressed, if you have a plan. Then…. READ MORE September 2020 15
HALLOWEEN
9 Best Halloween Games Perfect for a small gathering or indoor family fun!
Halloween Pinata
Sticky Spider Web Game
Pumpkin Golf
Halloween Bingo
Halloween Tin Can Bowling
Apple Bobbing
Pin the Tail on the Black Cat
Toilet Paper Mummy Game
Doughnut Eating Race
16 September 2020
And‌guess what? I’m back! How many pictures of me have you counted so far?
familiesonline.co.uk
ACTIVITIES
9 Best Board Games For rainy weekends and as the nights draw in!
Djeco Little Circuit
Shopping List
Peppa Pig Muddly Puddle Game
Great first game with simple rules and quick games. Ages 2.5-5yrs.
Fast paced game testing memory and matching skills. Ages 3+.
Help George jump over muddles puddles to climb the hill. Ages 4+.
Cheeky Monkeys
Bananagrams
Jenga
Hang the monkey on the tree. Fun game of chance. Ages 4-8yrs.
Fast paced version of Scrabble. Ages 7+.
Take wooden blocks off the tower without it toppling! Ages 6+.
Monopoly Deal
Hey, That’s My Fish!
Einstein Eats Eggs
15 minute Monopoly – perfect intro to this classic game. Ages 8+. familiesonline.co.uk
Award-winning game of strategic fish hunting. For ages 8+.
High speed Charadestype guessing game. Ages 10+.
September 2020 17
HEALTH
Dealing with Separation Anxiety
Children with OCD: Recognising the Signs
Transitions are always stressful, and even more so if you have been out of the swing of things for a while. Dr Sarah Mundy from Parenting through Stories has created a guide to give you some ideas about the best ways to support your child through separation anxiety.
Children worry. Feeling anxious, having doubts, or being worried is normal at any age. However, those who are experiencing OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), may feel unable to stop focussing on those feelings – no matter how much they want to. This can compel them to behave in particular ways. READ MORE
DOWNLOAD HERE
Keep it Moving!
By Gabrielle Nash @thelondonishmum
One of the pleasant, unexpected consequences of lockdown, was witnessing so many families taking to their screens for some physical activity courtesy of the likes of Joe Wicks and Cosmic Kids Yoga. Wouldn’t it be amazing to stay motivated to be physically active? READ MORE 18 September 2020
Top Tips for Getting Active
Don’t be over-ambitious. Be active often, rather than attempting a 10 mile hike! Make it fun. Dance! Put on some tunes that get your kids moving. Set screen time limits. Make time. Think of creative ways to be extra active. Can you cycle to a friend’s house? Can you get off the bus one stop earlier? It all counts. Look for new options. New places to visit for physical activity or new types of activity to try. Set a good example. Live an active life. Explain to your children that it makes you feel good and STRONG! familiesonline.co.uk
PARENTING
Who Will Take Care of the Children IF….?
Busting the Myths about Adoption: Are you Eligible?
It’s tough deciding who will take care of your children if the worst happens and they no longer have a parent around. Unfortunately, in this eventuality, the situation is not straightforward for your children. Find out why.
Sadly, the number of children in care being adopted each year has fallen, while the number being looked after by local authorities is steadily rising. So there’s a continuing need to find more adoptive parents to look after vulnerable children. READ MORE
By Andrew Campbell
READ MORE
Meaningful Moments By Claire Winter
We all lead busy lives, with endless to-do lists and children with many hobbies. Naturally family time can fall by the wayside sometimes. Yet spending time together is essential if we want a happy and inclusive family environment. So why not plan some family moments this autumn? READ MORE familiesonline.co.uk
September 2020 19
CLUBS & CLASSES
Face-to-Face and Virtual Classes and Clubs
Mother Nature Science
Gymboree
Sing and Sign at Home
Music Bugs
Face to face classes for Face to face and online 0–5s utilising music, science activity classes movement, props, and patented apparatus. for 5-12yrs.
Online baby signing classes.
Online sensory music classes for babies and toddlers.
Rugbytots
Little Gym
Teddies Music Club
Face to face and online music toddler groups for 0-5s.
Helen O’Grady Drama Academy Face to face drama classes for 5-17yrs.
Little Kickers
Face to face rugby play Face to face and online Face to face football programme for 2-7 yrs. gymnastics activities classes for 18mths-7yrs. for 4mths-12yrs. 20 September 2020
familiesonline.co.uk
CLUBS & CLASSES
Face-to-Face and Virtual Classes and Clubs
Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School
FunTech
Caterpillar Music
Tots Play
SA Dance
Parrot Street Book Club
Online tech and coding Face to face and online music/movement for 7-18 yrs. classes babies and Face to face and online toddlers. drama for ages 4-18yrs.
Face to face and online baby and toddler play programme.
Online dance classes for 2.5yrs+.
Teddy Tennis
Lingotot
Face to face tennis classes for 2.5-6yrs.
familiesonline.co.uk
Face to face and online language classes for 0-12yrs.
Monthly subscription book club for 5-11yrs.
Water Babies
Swimming classes for 0-5yrs.
Here I am again. I’m Max from MAOAM, remember? Remember to follow me through the magazine to win a Halloween surprise!
September 2020 21
ACTIVITIES
Visit MAOAM’s Ghoulish Gallery Hey everyone, it’s me, Max. Ready to experience the FULL ON FUN of MAOAM’s Ghoulish Gallery? Get ready for this spook-tacular event at a location near you this October, including a hall of mirrors and zombie photo wall. I’ll make sure the Big Wigs at MAOAM HQ leave a treat for you to enjoy too. For the full tour list, check out the MAOAM Mischief Hub. P.S. We’ll be safely spooking by adhering to all Local Government guidelines!
Win a Halloween Surprise Count the pictures of Max you see in the magazine to win a special Halloween treat.
To be in with a chance of winning, email your name, answer and postcode to: info@familiesmagazine.co.uk 22 September 2020
Am I the last Max? If so, enter my fabulous competition above.
familiesonline.co.uk