Families North London Issue 94 Jan - Feb 2012

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

e! e r F Issue 94 Jan/Feb 2012

Happy New Year!

Health Special Win! FITNESS MAKEOVER TO BE WON!

Performing Arts Training 4 - 18 year olds

STAGECOACH PRIMROSE HILL 020 8444 2220

Venues: Friday & Sunday Schools: Primrose Hill Primary Princess Road, London NW1 Saturday School: 14 Gloucester Gate email: primrosehill@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/primrosehill

PLUS • Support for new mums • Swaps and shares

Always dreamed of performing on a West End All students to stage?

Perform at

‘Her Majesty’s Theatre’

NEW

April 1st 2012

Sunday Classes!

Free Discovery Day Sun Jan 22nd 2.30pm Please call to book a place

Covering the boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Westminster

ENROLLING NOW FOR

SPRING TERM

* RM VILLAGE FA

Fe

brua

r y F r o l i cs

bing Event m -La 2012

y uar r b Fe 11th-19th

● See newborn lambs in

our Lambing Marquee

● Meet the Shepherd ● Farming inspired Mad

Science Children's Shows

● Fun hunt for Bo Peep’s

lost sheep with prize

● Woolly’s

Workout Agility Play Trail

● Tristan the

Runaway Tractor

● Adventure Play ● Fun Fair Rides ● Under cover and heated

Young Drivers Zone ● Meet the Falconers ● Woolly Jumpers indoor

COULD YOU FOSTER?

play barn

● Skate on Willows

We can provide you with a great

Magical Ice Rink†

opportunity to help transform children’s lives  You don’t need to be employed  You don’t need a big house  You do need a spare room and space in your life to help a vulnerable child to achieve.

As a Chrysalis Care Foster Carer you will receive:

Open daily 10am - 5.30pm Just 300 metres from Jnc.22 M25. Willows Farm Village, Coursers Rd, London Colney, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL4 0PF

Tel: 0870 129 9718 www.willowsfarmvillage.com Programme subject to change. †Synthetic Ice Rink.

15448A 12.11

 You don’t have to be married

 24 hour professional support Excellent remuneration  Job satisfaction  Comprehensive training  Up to 3 weeks paid respite per year  Retainer fees We are also looking for specialist foster carers who can provide a home to teenagers, a parent and child, children with disabilities and carers interested in Remand fostering. If you are considering becoming a foster carer, or would like to find out more about us,

please contact us on: 0208 298 2800 or via our website: www.chrysaliscarefostering.org

2

RM VILLAGE FA

*This voucher admits one child free to Willows Farm Village with one full paying adult day ticket 1. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, school/group bookings, birthday parties or Willows Membership. 2. This voucher is valid 11th – 19th February 2012.

3. Only one child (up to 13 years old) admitted free with one full paying adult day ticket (aged 14+) per voucher. 4. No forged, defaced or photocopied vouchers or downloaded copies from electronic versions of publications accepted. 5. This voucher can only be used once and must be given up at the time of use.

www.willowsfarmvillage.com

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Contents Issue 94 | Jan/Feb 2012 | Families North London

This Issue

4

8

10

8 Support for New Mums 10 Win a Fitness Makeover!

13 Swaps & Shares

Regular Features 4 News 8 Health 11 Book Corner

10

13

12 Five of the Best: Active Adventures in

North London

12

14 Out & About

Families North London Magazine Tel 020 8815 1351 editor@familiesnorth.co.uk advertising@familiesnorth.co.uk distribution@familiesnorth.co.uk Listings: Contact Kathy Brown on

listings@familiesnorth.com Design: Positive2 020 8444 5050 Print: Bishops Printers Next Issue: Issue 95 Mar/Apr 2012 Focusing on: Easter Fun

Welcome

A very Happy New Year to all our readers. May 2012 be a happy, healthy and positive year for you all, and I hope you find inspiration in this first issue of 2012 to put all your resolutions into practice. My main resolution is to spend more time with my own children, and with that in mind, you will be introduced to the proud new owner of Families North in the next issue!

Harriet Taylor Editor

Confidence, Communication and Concentration Book your FREE Drama Class today Watch your child’s self-esteem soar with Perform’s unique drama, dance and singing classes. Our weekly workshops will do wonders for their social, linguistic and physical development as well as being the best fun they’ll have all week.

perform.org.uk www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Classes for 4 – 8s and 8 – Visit perform 12s. .org.uk to find your nearest venue.

0845 400 1274 3

news

News who why where

Got some news for us?

If you are a North London based group or organisation whose services or products are for families of young children, we’d love to hear from you. Send press releases and pictures to: editor@familiesnorth.co.uk

NEW! Renew your enthusiasm for storytime

Football and Rugby for Healthy Kids Public health minister Anne Milton said tackling obesity was not just about eating better but about children spending at least an active hour a day. (The Guardian Nov 2011). Raise your child’s heart rate and support their physical literacy with 60 minute Ligasoccer football coaching for U6 and U8’s and NEW for 2012 KiddiRugby – Reception and Year 1 age children.

February Frolics at Willows Farm Willows Farm Village, one of Hertfordshire’s leading family attractions, has lambs being born in their Lambing Marquee every day during its February Frolics event. New for 2012 is the Willows ‘Lamb Cam’ , allowing visitors to log on

4

Ligasoccer introduces small-sided Match Play for maximum exposure to football which is fun and develops super-skills. KiddiRugby introduces tag rugby and basic rugby skills.

Rugby available in W2, W8, NW8 and Ligasoccer Football in NW1, NW8 and W9. All classes indoors from January to March except Sunday NW1 Ligasoccer in Regents Park.

Book online www.kiddikicks.co.uk, 020 7937 7965, sarah@kiddikicks.co.uk.

All services are available for nursery, private, school settings and birthday parties.

from home and see how the newborn lambs are progressing after their visit.

As well as enjoying the cute lambs, children can also learn all about them from Tuck the Shepherd who will be on hand to help with the lambing.

While Willows newborn lambs are safe in the Lambing Marquee, Bo Peep has lost her sheep and needs the help of the children who visit Willows during February Frolics to help her find them – with a prize for every child who takes part in the fun Bo Peeps Lost Sheep hunt.

Activities during the fun week (11th-17th February), include Farmyard Favourites, Tristan the Runaway Tractor, Meet the Falconer and Fun Fair Rides. Indoors Captain Chicken’s Egg Dodge and Woolly Jumpers play barn provide plenty of fun whatever the weather, with Willows Magical Ice Rink also under cover and open for the last chance before the spring to skate on the synthetic ice rink.

Visit www.willowsfarmvillage.com or call 0870 129 9718 for more information.

Debutots Early Years Drama have recently launched Debutots Storycise workshops which will empower and inspire parents and practitioners to play more imaginatively with their little ones through books and stories.

For details of local workshops please contact Jennifer on 020 8442 2380 or jennifer@debutots.co.uk Inspiring parents, childminders, nursery staff, etc to become the best storytellers for their children that they can be, the workshops will be packed full of useful tips and tools to make storytelling more fun and also more productive (enhancing children’s speaking and listening skills).

For further information visit www.debutots.co.uk

More schoolchildren have ‘special needs’ A new report shows that the number of children diagnosed with special needs has risen by 10 per cent in the past five years, amid concerns that schools are ‘playing the system’ to disguise poor exam results.

According to the Department for Education, around 1.7m schoolchildren in England, which is more than 1 in 5, have been diagnosed with special educational needs and suffer from behavioural problems, learning difficulties or physical disabilities.

A report published this winter by the Department concluded that both boys and children from the most deprived backgrounds were more likely to be classified special needs than any other group. The study also underlined the link between special needs and poor examination results, with only one-fifth of children with special needs leaving school with five good GCSEs. But Ofsted is concerned that up to half of children were wrongly labeled ‘special needs’ as a way to mask inadequate teaching, and that ‘higher expectations of all children‘ would lead to an actual drop in the number being diagnosed. As a result, the Government has proposed an overhaul of the system, with Ministers trialing the reforms in a number of locations.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

news

‘Good old-fashioned storytelling’ with a twist Dramavision’s Toddler Drama begins its second year in Muswell Hill and Finchley.

Marianne Harris and Dina Leander launched Dramavision’s Toddler Drama in 2011 to an enthusiastic reception from eager children (aged 22 months to 4 years) and appreciative parents.

Blending make-believe, music and movement within a tried and tested method, each week the children take the ‘Story Train to Story Lane’ where a new cast of puppets and characters re-imagine classic and original stories such as Puff the Magic Dragon, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Teddy Bear’s Picnic.

Once the children have been engaged (and the parents amused!) by the ‘show’, it’s time for them to act out the story. And with a dive into the instrument basket, the session then turns to music, song and dance to further explore the week’s story theme.

Movement and mindful play are central to the Toddler Drama sessions, with a warm-up action song to begin each week and a ‘cool down time’ using the sights and sounds of nature. Run by professionallytrained actors, well-known in North London for after-school Dramavision classes and workshops for the Saturday Kids Club at the Phoenix Cinema.

Email shine@toddlerdrama.co.uk or call 07952 757711 for more information.

Natural and safe modelling clay for kids Bicarbonate of Soda has hundreds of uses around the home from baking to cleaning and even deodorising – but did you know it can also be used to keep your little angels occupied? It can even be made into natural and safe modelling clay. This simple recipe for making clay is safe and inexpensive and will keep them entertained for hours.

To make natural Bicarbonate of Soda modelling clay, mix 400g Bicarbonate of Soda, 100g cornflour, 250ml of water and a table

Boys go single sex New figures show that more and more parents are sending their sons to boys-only prep schools with the intention of giving them a competitive and sporty education. In fact, 72 per cent of boys’ schools have seen pupil numbers rise since last year, according to a survey by the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS). The findings also found that just 14 per cent of boys’ schools

Volunteers Needed for Family Support Befriending Project Could you help parents cope with the ups and downs of family life?

Family Lives, a national charity providing parenting and family support, is recruiting volunteers for a project in the London Borough of Barnet to support families through befriending support. If you can spend a few hours of your free time a week to get involved in your local community and build a friendship with a parent who is struggling, they really

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

spoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan. Gently heat the mixture until it becomes the consistency of mashed potatoes, and leave to cool under a damp cloth. Once the mixture is cool, divide into separate trays, add a few drops of food colouring to each and mix into the clay thoroughly. Dust an old surface with a handful of cornflour and let the kids start creating their masterpieces!

Using cookie cutters is a great way of teaching children about shapes and they will love squeezing and pressing objects into the clay to make new ones. Let their imaginations run wild by letting them mould their own forms, or even creating new colours by mixing different clays together! The clay can be kept in airtight containers to be used for next playtime, or left to harden for 2-3 days before being painted.

Dri-Pak produces 500g packs of Bicarbonate of Soda which are available from supermarkets, independent stores and directly from Dri-Pak. For further information and ideas for keeping the kids entertained as well as a directional video showing the making of Bicarbonate of Soda clay visit http://www.dri-pak.co.uk/kidsfun.html

have recorded a decrease in pupil numbers.

However, it also noted a drop in numbers at girls’ schools, with 56 per cent of schools reporting that attendances had dropped in the past year compared with only a third who recorded an increase. 324 schools were surveyed, with the results showing that parents were looking to guarantee their sons an ‘interesting and challenging’ education, the IAPS said. Having high numbers of male teachers and excellent sporting and extracurricular activities could also have played a part in attracting parents, according to the report. The results of the report were published at the IAPS annual conference where David Hanson, chief executive of IAPS, said: ‘This growth has been achieved by our schools providing world-class education. We are aware of the economic challenges parents face and the sacrifices they make but parents know that investing in education is the best investment you will ever make.’

want to hear from you.

Activities undertaken by Befriending Volunteers include: visiting a family to befriend them on a one-to-one basis; visiting children’s centres and community venues to talk to parents; helping Family Lives staff to set up parent support groups and signposting parents to services that can support them. Volunteers receive on-going training and support from dedicated staff, who are always on hand to offer guidance.

Volunteer Befriender training will be held in January in Mill Hill (NW7). For more information contact Family Lives on 01707 630100.

5

news

BEADWORK JEWELLERY PARTIES Threading beads to make necklaces and bracelets has always been a popular activity with children. Rinat Koren, a North London-based jeweller, is helping children to take their passion one step further. In her Beadwork Jewellery clubs she teaches different beadwork techniques to make bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings.

The children learn how to use a needle and thread to follow their own designs and to understand and create different patterns.

Apart from the enjoyment of being absorbed in practical work and the thrill of creating beautiful jewellery, beadwork is a great tool to help with children’s concentration, fine motor skills, problemsolving and even maths (counting beads is essential for following a design successfully).

‘They usually start off not quite believing in their ability to create such a complicated and sophisticated piece of jewellery, and when they actually finish their piece and it looks beautiful it gives them such a boost of confidence and a sense of achievement’, says Rinat.

Following the popularity of her afterschool clubs, Rinat is now offering the parties for children age 8+. For more information/ booking please call 07962674043 or email rinat33@hotmail.com

Looking for a flexible job?

Workingmums.co.uk LIVE is returning to the Business Design Centre, Islington, London on Tuesday 27th March 2012. The event is free – and child friendly – and allows you to meet with family friendly employers, seek out flexible jobs, get CV tips and attend informative seminars on everything from returning to work to starting a business or franchise.

Register for your free ticket today at www.WorkingmumsLIVE.co.uk/london

DRAMARAMA

N8 NW1 NW8 N16

Stage School Ltd

Drama Dance Singing

Football training for under 5s who are nuts about football

Half-Term and Easter Holiday courses in NW3 Star in exciting, original dance shows, musicals & plays

Get your midfield dynamo enjoying super-skills, fun & exercise

Plus Saturday morning Street Dance, Drama and Drama Exam Classes in Hampstead. Specialised, fun-based, classes for ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-11 & 12-14 yrs.

CRB checked & FA qualified coaches Training sessions, courses & parties across London

020 8446 0891 info@dramarama.co.uk www.dramarama.co.uk

kiddikicks.co.uk 020 7937 7965

NEW! Match Play for Under 8s Kiddikicks_FAM_North.indd 1

05/07/2011 09:40

Choose kidsunlimited nurseries for:

w All inclusive fees (nappies, milk and food) w Experienced managers with care focused & enthusiastic teams w Flexible part time sessions and work friendly opening hours w Safe & secure nursery environments

PROFESSIONAL BABYSITTING

• ALL sitters fully vetted and background checked • Daytime or evening babysitting • Excellent rates • Free ironing service www.sittingpretty babysitters.co.uk

07971 083207

Free Ironing Service Once the children are tucked up in bed, your babysitter will do your ironing!

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w Care for children from 3 months to 5 years Ladbroke Grove - Notting Hill, Wandsworth, Chelsea Hepworth Court, Regents Place - Longford Street, Watford Printers Avenue, East Barnet, Mary Seacole - Tollington Way

Save £50 on your registration fee Quote: Families

Find your nearest ku nursery in London at www.kidsunlimited.co.uk or call us on 0845 365 2988

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

?

A McEachern Architect

Need more space?

What are your options?

Why not give me a call for friendly advice.

Enjoy-a-Ball Sports coaching for 3-9 year olds in a

fun, positive and non-competitive environment. Classes running in Finchley, Mill Hill and Hampstead Garden Suburb.

Children’s parties also available!

almcarchitecture@virginmedia.com 07896 210 061 www.almcarchitect.moonfruit.com

B_Panthakarate.pdf

1

Call 08452 262694 to book a FREE trial session.

28/03/2011

10:20

www.enjoy-a-ball.com

TIME FOR A CHANGE? NEED EXTRA INCOME? £500 – £2,000 per month Home Based Business “Without compromising your home or business life” Global Product (Est. 29 years) “Look Good Feel Good Industry” You could be anything from a parent, struggling to balance work/life through to topping up your pension … People from ALL walks of life …

If you are honest and ethical and have a desire to succeed, we would like to hear from you.

Beginners Classes: Wednesday 16.30 Hampstead Garden Suburb Thursdays 17.45 Swiss Cottage

020-8445-2588

www.panthakarateclub.co.uk info@panthakarateclub.co.uk

for children aged 5 to 14 years

Call: Alison or Ian on 01923 232242

It’s one thing buying kids the latest trainers, but giving them a head start in a sport is a real investment.

Obviously, we can’t promise you a future star, but we can offer them the foundation they need to lead a healthy and active life.

Half-Term and Easter Holiday football courses in NW3

APPROVED FOOTBALL TRAINING FOR KIDS FROM 18M TO UNDER 7YRS

PLUS: Exciting football parties for 5 to 11 year olds.

We are now recruiting 7-11 year olds to join our training sessions for matches with our teams in Hampstead, Finchley, Highgate, Belsize Park, Mill Hill & Hampstead Garden Suburb.

North & North West London, South Herts/Middx Southgate & Enfield areas Islington, Barbican & North East London

020 8201 1084 020 7431 9967 020 8958 2808

Call for more details!

020 8446 0891 info@leagueone.co.uk www.leagueone.co.uk

Local venues

Nurseries

Schools

Children’s Centres

Parties

Baby Story Play

Imagination takes you everywhere...

story

drama

play

6 months – 7 years

www.debutots.co.uk

Dipping their tiny toes into the world of stories, words and sounds, babies and toddlers delight in a multi-sensory blend of storytelling, puppets, bubbles and music.

Early Years Drama Growing in age and poise, children are inspired by each week’s magical tale to share their own ideas and feelings as they creatively explore the characters, scenery and sounds together.

Family Story Play An engaging blend of our two class formats – perfect for siblings, childminders and children’s centres.

keeley@debutots.co.uk, 020 8211 3389 – Islington, Camden, St John’s Wood jennifer@debutots.co.uk, 020 8442 2380 – Finchley, Hampstead, Muswell Hill

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

7

health

Support for new mums It can be tough, but there’s help out there

By Joanna Parry

So, you’ve had a baby.

You’re a new mum and of course you’re tired, but you’re also elated and amazed at this tiny new being that has entered your life.

You spend every waking hour staring in adoration at their tiny little toes and gorgeous little mouth. Your exhaustion doesn’t matter as you drift from day to day in a haze of milky delight.

Or maybe you don’t. If you are like me then those first few weeks, even months of being a new mum are the hardest days of your life. Not only are you exhausted after weeks of broken sleep but you’re also struggling with breast feeding and getting your baby to take a bottle, your baby is unsettled and suffers from reflux and why oh why won’t it just go to sleep?

Even if it’s your second or third baby, it’s still just as hard. You’ve got baby blues, or perhaps even post-natal depression.

Now the most important thing you can do, even if you don’t feel like it, is to get out there, meet some other new mums and get some support.

Support groups If you’re tired, struggling to bond with or feed your baby or have a touch of the baby blues, there are plenty of support networks out there.

• H ealth visitors – health visitors are there for the welfare of babies and their parents, and your health visitor should support you in whatever way they can. They should get in touch with you in the first few days of you returning home from hospital, but if you don’t know how to reach your Health Visitor your doctor’s surgery will be able to tell you

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• H ome-Start is a charity that helps parents by providing volunteer support. Whether you’re struggling to look after your baby or suffering from postnatal illness or even just feeling lonely and isolated, Home-Start can help. Volunteers offer regular support, friendship and practical help to young families under stress in their own homes. The visits are flexible and you decide together what to do during that time. Call 08000 68 63 68 for details of your local Home-Start.

• C hildren’s Centres (also called the SureStart programme) have been developed throughout England to help parents, with many offering support groups for new mums as well as stay and play sessions, baby clubs, postnatal and breastfeeding classes.

Find your nearest centre at www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents.

• N CT runs Bumps, Babies and Beyond groups across the country, where you can make friends and share experiences with other new mums, and support is provided.

• D rop-in centres, playgroups and baby groups offer vital postnatal support and advice. Most importantly, they don’t cost more than a pound or two.

Meet a mum and join a class Whether it’s a picnic in the park, a coffee at Starbucks or a mother-and-baby group it’s important to get out there and meet other new mums. The NCT arrange regular coffee mornings and local playgroups often arrange get-togethers outside of the playgroup. You don’t have to ‘join’ these groups or come every time, but you’ll be sure to get a warm welcome and you will find these meet-ups invaluable, I promise you. Alternatively, join a class. This will give you an opportunity not only to meet other mums but also to bond with your baby.

• S tart with a baby massage class, where simple massage techniques help stimulate your baby’s senses.

Many local health services run free massage classes and there are plenty of private classes around too, often including postnatal support alongside baby massage. Baby massage has also been proven to help enormously with mums suffering from postnatal depression.

• B aby yoga is also a great way to encourage baby-parent interaction.

A natural transition from baby massage, it incorporates stretching, relaxation and yoga techniques, enabling you and your baby to create a joyful interaction. There are many baby yoga classes across the UK, but one company that runs classes throughout the country is www. yogabugs.com.

• A ctivity classes. These don’t have to be expensive, so shop around.

Choose from music classes to drama to sensory stimulation classes – even for newborns! It’s a great way to get out of the house, meet other new mums and compare notes.

Find classes for young babies at: www.perform.org.uk, www.amandasactionclub.co.uk, www.monkeymusic.co.uk and www.aquatots.com or in our directory of classes at www.familiesnorth.co.uk

If you’re tired, struggling to bond with or feed your baby or have a touch of the baby blues, there are plenty of support networks out there. www.familiesnorth.co.uk

health

Postnatal depression Postnatal Depression (PND) is often not fully understood by mums who experience it, yet one in three mothers will suffer from it.

Becoming a parent can be a shock and it is perfectly normal to feel emotional, vulnerable and sensitive after your baby is born. Some mothers may feel confused about their feelings – they feel they should be overjoyed and instantly fall in love with their baby but this is not always the case, especially if you’ve had a

difficult labour or a traumatic delivery.

Baby blues typically occur between 3-5 days after the birth, and one theory is that they coincide with the hormonal changes that occur as the breast milk starts to come in. Another theory is that they are due to the ‘come down’ after the effects of endorphins, or a sort of physical shock reaction after the upheaval of birth. You may feel weepy, irritable, have a low mood and feel that you lack confidence in being able to look after your baby but these feelings usually subside after a week or so.

However, postnatal depression is more serious and must be treated immediately.

Symptoms of PND can include: • • • • •

Tell your family and close friends, as talking about your feelings is part of the cure

• • • • • •

sleeping problems crying a lot not eating or over-eating physical pains such as headaches or stomach pains or blurred vision a lack of motivation to get up and do anything a constant sense of anxiety, sometimes escalating into panic attacks a feeling of being lonely or isolated having difficulty concentrating feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope having no interest in sex feeling guilty about everything and

wondering if you are a bad mother • being overly protective of your baby • feeling emotionally disconnected from your baby • having frightening thoughts about harming yourself or your baby or about bad things happening If you feel any of the above, it is important to seek professional help.

Your GP may suggest antidepressant medication and/or counselling and your health visitor will know about local postnatal depression support groups.

You can also go to www.apni.org or www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk for information, support and advice. Also, tell your family and close friends, as talking about your feelings is part of the cure.

Treat yourself If you feel up to it, get a babysitter for an hour or two and treat yourself to some quality ‘me’ time. Try a day spa for a pampering and revitalising treatment, or many of the ‘Yummy Mummy’ clubs that are springing up across the country offering spa treatments as well as a range of classes and support groups for new mums, usually with crèches onsite.

Helpful websites www.familiesnorth.co.uk www.nct.co.uk www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents www.nhs.uk www.home-start.org.uk Support for twins: www.twinsuk.co.uk www.tamba.org.uk

MANCHESTER

We are looking for babies and children between the ages of 0 and 12 years to assist us in a range of fun activities investigating how children see.

LONDON

A unique event on flexible working Attend the exhibition to meet with family friendly employers and franchisors, plus attend seminars and workshops for career advice and tips on starting a business from the experts.

The Child Vision Lab is based at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in Central London.

We will refund any travelling costs up to £20.

020 7608 6819 When ?

Tue 27th M sday arc 9am - h 2012 4pm Busin Where? ess Isling Design Ce ton, L ntre, ondo n N1

FREE

www.childvisionlab.org

Don’t forget to say you saw the ad in Families North!

EVEN

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Reserve your free ticket today WorkingmumsLIVE.co.uk/london

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9

health

! n i W

WIN a complete body makeover at Results Personal Training Studio If getting in shape is top of your new years resolution list, then why not enter our competition in conjunction with Results Personal Training Studio (www.equalsresults. co.uk, Results Studio,181 Priory Road, N8 Tel 0208 347 9555).

No time to workout, too unfit? No more excuses! Fitness expert Browne Bailey has the solutions to all your fitness cop-outs.

It’s too expensive…

Gyms and personal training can add up, but the good news is that getting fit needn’t cost more than the price of a pair of trainers.

Power walking or jogging are good forms of aerobic activity – and free! Invest in a good yoga or pilates video that you can do at home to improve strength and flexibility. If you haven’t exercised for a while, booking a consultation with a fitness expert can be just the thing to get you back on track – most gyms offer this free and some even offer one free personal training session.

How long are the workout sessions at Results?

hold for a couple of seconds.

• T hroughout this exercise the rest of your body should remain static and your back should stay in the neutral position.

• Concentrate on making your pelvic floor lift as you breathe out and relax as you breathe in.

• Repeat the exercise, making sure you take long slow deep breaths each time.

NEW YEAR FITNESS RESOLUTIONS

I haven’t got the time…

Work, family, social life – how can you squeeze exercise into a busy lifestyle?

‘Exercise doesn’t have to involve a daily gym- a-thon, just half an hour three times a week is enough to boost fitness and improve your shape,’ says Browne. ‘Try to schedule time into your diary so you have a subconscious commitment to actually doing it. If you join a gym make sure it’s close to work or home. Also try to slip some physical activities into your daily routine – using the stairs for five to ten minutes will burn at least 120 calories as well as strengthen leg muscles and tone your bum’, explains Browne.

One lucky reader can win ten free personal training sessions worth £250. Plus five runners up will win a free session each. At Results, the ethos is on high intensity half hour workouts for maximum results To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following question;

Tips for Regaining Core Strength Post Pregnancy

by Adam Waller, Personal Trainer Pregnancy and labour puts a huge amount of strain on the core muscles of the body. Post pregnancy these muscles need re-activating to get them firing properly which will help improve posture as well as eliminate any back pain and assist in regaining your prepregnancy fitness. Start off with this simple reverse breathing exercise to get those core muscles working again: • P osition yourself on the floor on your hands and knees.

• Take a deep breath in and push your belly towards the floor, hold for a couple of seconds.

• As you breathe out slowly pull your belly in towards your spine as tight as you can.

Breathe out as far as possible and again

When you get used to this breathing pattern you can start to progress by adding some resistance to the core. As you breathe out try extending one arm straight out in front of you and/or the opposite leg out behind you whilst maintaining the neutral position of the core and alternate this movement on each side. For an even greater challenge you can try holding the plank position for as long as possible whilst undertaking the same slow breathing pattern.

Remember, there is no rush to push your body to its limits right away; however a few simple exercises to challenge the core can really start to make a difference in a short space of time.

Adam holds postnatal exercise classes every Tuesday at 11:30 am and Thursday at 2:00 pm at the Hornsey Vale Community Centre in Crouch end, babies welcome.

Adam also see clients on a one to one basis for personal training. See website for details www.aptpersonaltraining.com

I’m so unfit…

If walking up a flight of stairs leaves you breathless, you’re not beyond help, but the longer you leave it, the harder it will get, so stop putting it off and make a start today.“ Try incorporating exercise into your day house work, gardening and walking all burn calories, then build this up to a short run, power walk or cycle” says Browne.

Browne Bailey is at Results Studio, 181 Priory road N8. www.equalsresults.co.uk Tel 020 8347 9555. To read the rest of this article log onto www.familiesnorth.co.uk// newyearfitnessresolutions

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book corner

Book corner Book Reviews

by Jan Deykin

Doodleday

By Ross Collins (Gullane Children’s Books)

Harvey ignores his Mum’s vague warning about not drawing on Doodleday and draws a huge fly. It comes to life and wrecks the kitchen.

How could he stop it? By drawing a spider of course, but unfortunately the spider prefers Harvey’s Dad to the fly.

He wonders if a drawing could eat you?

Harvey draws increasingly bigger things but they cause havoc until his Mum draws something more terrifying. A fun idea with clever wordplay, this is a nicely illustrated picture book with Harvey’s drawings shown as crayon outlines.

Families Rating:

Let’s Make Some Great Art

By Marion Deuchars (Laurence King)

This was pounced on by my eleven year old arty daughter and whisked away. Similar in appearance to the ‘Doodle’ series, which we love, it has lots of suggestions for what to draw (what are these people dreaming about?). The huge difference is that it is also packed with information about artists and shows you how to recreate their style: for example, taking a line for a walk like Klee or painting your own Pollock. It also has excellent strategies for drawing things including birds, bicycles and 3-d shapes, with space to experiment.

Families Rating:

Sewing School

By Amie Petronis Plumley & Andria Lisle (Storey)

We love this book! It starts with sewing lessons that include choosing fabric, cutting out patterns and types of stitches.

Next are 21 appealing sewing projects

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for children such as soft ‘stuffies’, ‘hold-my-stuff’ bags and present ideas.

It also shows how to mend clothes, toys and recycle fabric. My eight year old daughter made (with a little help) a ‘friend’ for herself and an apron as a present and we were really pleased with the results. Very nicely presented with step by step photographs, it promises to keep us busy for some time.

Families Rating:

From Trash to Treasure Papermaking

By Arnold E. Grummer (Storey)

I like the idea of making paper but have never tried, so was keen to get going. It transpires that you need quite a lot of equipment but we bravely cobbled together enough to have a go and eventually produced our first red sheet. We were impressed: this really is a complete handbook for papermaking with very clear instructions and lots of photographs. There are different effects to experiment with and projects to make with your paper. It is quite complicated though, so something for the creative teen rather than younger children.

Families Rating:

Mars Montessori Bilingual Nursery

Islington Green (Angel). 2-5 year olds.

8.00 am - 6.00 pm 2 days, 3 days or 5 days a week 47 weeks a year

020 7704 2805 www.marsmontessori.com

Don’t forget to say you saw the ad in Families North!

Poetry App for Kids iF Poems, the first ever poetry App for children, featuring 230 poems, some of which are read by British icons Helena Bonham Carter and Bill Nighy, for iPhone and iPad is proving to be a big success already. Ten per cent of all sales of the App will go to Save the Children’s work helping children the world over fulfil their potential.

In just the first day of the App’s release, the partnership had paid for the sum of providing educational books and toys for almost 100 UK children living in poverty.

The App is written by two parents, Allie Esiri, mother of three a writer and actress, and Rachel Kelly, mother of five and a writer. They said: ‘We created the app as we thought it would be interesting today to provide poetry in a new way. We thought that hearing two brilliant actors reading the poems was something beyond just a book.

The audio medium provided on both the iPad and the iPhone is a perfect return to the oral tradition of poetry. If children turn to poems on their devices instead of video games, then we shall be very pleased. And when they recite poems and record them we shall dance a jig.’

Justin Forsyth, CEO of Save the Children said: ‘This App is a brilliant way for families to share classic poetry in a modern format and Save the Children is proud and delighted to be its charity partner .

10 downloads of the App for iPad would buy a mosquito net to protect a child from malaria, or buy a blanket for a newborn baby living in poverty in the UK as the winter comes around. A few more than that would provide a child in the UK with educational books or toys to help them with their development while the App helps your child with theirs.’

Available for download at £1.99 for the iPhone and £2.99 for the iPad version in the UK.

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five of the best

Five of the Best:

Trent Park Equestrian Centre takes riders as young as four years old, so the whole family can safely enjoy learning to ride.

Active Adventures in North London

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Climbing www.castle-climbing.co.uk www.geckos.co.uk Rock climbing can be an exciting challenge. It builds self-confidence and improves fitness, co-ordination and strength. North London has one of London’s finest indoor climbing centres at The Castle in Stoke Newington. They run courses for different levels of ability, including beginners, and children aged nine and over can sign up for climbing lessons with Gecko’s who provide expert tuition at the centre.

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Winter White Water Rafting www.gowhitewater.co.uk Telephone: 08456 770 606 An adventure for the teenagers, Lee Valley White Water Centre welcomes adrenalin fans (age 14 and over) bold enough to brave the 300m long Olympic Standard Competition Course. Hosting the London 2012 Olympic Canoe Slalom, the venue has already accommodated thousands of rafters from schools, family groups and sports teams.

Led by an experienced guide, a half-day rafting session will include a safety briefing and a session to get used to paddling the raft. All the gear – super thick wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet and boots – is provided, so all that’s needed are swimmers, a towel and a willingness to take on the white water. When the rafting is over, rafters can warm up with a free bowl of hearty soup and crusty roll served at the café overlooking the course.

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Horse Riding www.trentpark.com Horse riding can be an exhilarating adventure and an excellent way to keep fit.

There are several riding schools within easy reach of North London including Trent Park, London Equestrian Frith Manor and South Medburn.

Trent Park Equestrian Centre takes riders as young as four years old, so the whole family can safely enjoy learning to ride. They offer both private and group lessons, catering from complete beginners to advanced riders on a variety of horses, in addition to Pony Days and birthday parties. There is even a little café onsite serving teas, coffees, hearty homemade cakes and snacks for afterwards.

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4

Sledging When snow falls in North London, your kids can have fun on the slopes of their local park like never before, with the cool new Snow Boogie penguin and polar bear sledges.

The adorable 44” inflatable snow tubes are made of durable, cold resistant PVC vinyl to ensure that you can ride the penguin or polar

bear all the way to the bottom of the slope as many times as you like! A slick and speedy ride, cushioned all the way down, sledging has never been so much fun. Great for homes with little storage as they are deflated easily. £12.99 from Firebox.com, Tesco Direct and Notcutts. Great sledging slopes include Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Alexandra Palace. And if you can’t get hold of a Snow Boogie, bring out a tea tray or bin bag to slide about on!

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Make a Splash in your local pool!

Encourage a family swim once a week, and to make it that bit more special, how about kitting the kids out in Gogglows!

These can be used as a fancy flashing goggle to encourage younger swimmers to put their face into the water, as well as a standard non-illuminated goggle for swimming lessons.

The lights flash for thirty seconds then automatically turn off and flash when the buttons on each side are pressed. A patented light shield protects the user’s eyes from the LED lights. To buy the goggles and see their innovative range of swimming products to make visiting your local pool even more exciting check out www.swimglows.com For even more excitement, try the wave pools at Archway Leisure Centre and Park Road Swimming Pools and Barnet Copthall.

Snow Boogie polar bear

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swaps and shares

Swaps and shares A new economy is emerging to fit these cashdrained, eco-conscious times. Swapping computer skills for fresh vegetables, renting out your car or lending an empty office to a youth group are all ways of joining the new ‘what’s mine is yours’ society, reports Samantha Chippindale No one enjoys being stuck in a recession, but having to rethink our spending and how we consume and often waste goods does seem to encourage innovative and highly effective alternatives to the ‘buy it, use it, bin it’ routine.

A genuine social revolution The internet is home to a flowering of new sites that exist to connect people who have skills or unwanted items to share, exchange, barter or loan out. Far from being merely an alternative, feelgood movement, this is a genuine social revolution that is gaining momentum.

Not only do people who swap, lend and loan on a regular basis save – and sometimes make – money, they also connect socially with people they wouldn’t otherwise have met, adding to a sense of community involvement.

Finding that your skill as a writer or hairdresser or gardener is genuinely valued and needed by others is also a boost to your sense of self worth, something that can often be lost in our everyday working lives.

Stop wasting, be real!

The starting point for many collaborative consumption sites has been to look at the accumulated stuff around us, from coffee machines to cars, and to ask how much of it we really need and use. Rather than buy a new item, let’s say a camp bed for occasional visitors, wouldn’t it be better to borrow one from a friend or colleague? If your elderly neighbours can’t manage to mow their lawn, but own a mower, why not do their mowing in return for borrowing the machine to do your lawn with?

Common sense perhaps, but registering with one of the host of websites dedicated to this way of living spreads the effectiveness of this new economy and what we can all get out of it.

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Anything I can do – sharing time, skills and space A key area of the new global marketplace is skills swaps, a particularly appealing phenomenon if you are a parent taking a career break with small children.

Your ability as, say, an accountant, IT specialist or chef could come in very handy. Equally, you might know someone who hates ironing, but would do dog walking in return. Sites such as www.tradeurtrade.co.uk connect people who have time rather than cash to offer. The international www.uexchange.com does the same – house painting for proofreading perhaps.

Along the same lines as skills sites are those that share assets such as space or money. If you are one of the 100,000 people in the UK on a waiting list to get an allotment, it might save time to hook up with someone who has spare land of their own that you could use. The nationwide Landshare scheme, www.landshare.net, puts individuals or groups in touch with anyone prepared to give them land to grow their own produce on.

Share and share alike – borrow it, swap it, loan it Where eBay leads, we follow, with sites dedicated to getting our unwanted goods to people who can use them, either by selling them, swapping or loaning them. For example,

www.netcycler.co.uk allows users to swap unwanted items: a recent visit saw a mobile phone being swapped for a play set. Once you find something you like the look of, you offer your item in return, and if successful, either meet up or post the items.

If you need a sledgehammer for a short building job, or a glamorous dress for a wedding, you could be lucky and find it at www.ecomodo. com, which connects those who have with those who need. Registered members can offer items for free or for a modest rental fee.

The fashion industry, which encourages us to think of what’s in season, then to ditch it, is to blame for mountains of unworn clothes. Swishing, www.swishing.com, is for the fashionconscious swapper. Swishing parties allow guests to swap their good quality clothes for ones brought by other guests. Result: a girly good time and reduced fashion waste. (Local swishing dates are advertised on the site.)

Finding that your skill as a writer or hairdresser or gardener is genuinely valued and needed by others is also a boost to your sense of self worth 13

out and about cinema • museums

Out & About Your guide to North London family entertainment

Cinema BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS ( Barbican) 0845 120 7528 barbican.org.uk Family Film Club Weekly family films with activities on special days. Free goody bag on joining. Cost £3.

PHOENIX CINEMA 52 High Road, N2 9PJ ( East Finchley) 020 8444 6789 phoenixcinema.co.uk Tinkerbell & the Great Fairy Rescue (U) January 7 Can Vidia and her pals rescue Tink?

Ratatouille (U) January 14 Remy the rat causes trouble in the kitchen.

Sunday Matinee: Song of Freedom (U) January 15 Black History studies. Booking required.

Up (U) January 21 Russell tries to get an ‘assisting the elderly’ badge.

The Met: Live in HD January 21, February 11, 25, 26 Live transmissions from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

Ella Enchanted (PG) January 28 Ella has been given the gift of obedience.

Dolphin Tale 3D (U) January 14 A young dolphin is rescued and nursed back to health. Cost £3/£2.

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn 3D (PG) January 21 Adventures of Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock. Cost £3/£2.

Johnny English Reborn (PG) January 28 Accident prone spy Johnny English is back. Cost £3/£2.

SOUTHGATE COLLEGE – THE ZONE High Street, N14 6BS 020 8982 5050 sc-zone.co.uk Children’s Cinema Check website for current screenings every Saturday. Cost £3.

Museums BRUCE CASTLE MUSEUM Lordship Lane, N17 8NU ( Seven Sisters) 020 8808 8772 haringey.gov.uk Half Term Activities February 15 – 17, 19 Family activities. Free.

CARTOON MUSEUM 35 Little Russell St, WC1A 2HH ( Tottenham Ct Road) 020 7580 8155 cartoonmuseum.org Fun Days February 11 Drop-in cartooning activities.

RIO CINEMA 107 Kingsland High Street, E8 6LJ (Dalston Kingsland ) 020 7241 9410 riocinema.org.uk

FOUNDLING MUSEUM 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ ( Russell Square) 020 7841 3600 foundlingmuseum.org.uk

Saturday morning picture club and Tuesday afternoon matinees for children and accompanying adults.

Family Fun Sessions January 7, February 4 Activities for children and 2 accompanying adults. 3 – 12 years.

Free.

Tangled 3D (PG) January 7 Disney animation of Rapunzel. Cost £3/£2.

Play Centre Matinees January 10, 17, 24, 31 Cost £3/£2.

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GEFFRYE MUSEUM Kingsland Road, E2 8EA ( Old Street) 020 7739 9893 geffrye-museum.org.uk

Farewell to Christmas January 6 Garden event celebrations.

Bean Kings and Pea Queens January 7 Craft session with crowns and regal accessories. 5 – 11 years. Tickets on the day.

Tea Time Tick Tocks February 4 Make a teacup-shaped clock. 5 – 11 years. Tickets on the day.

MUSEUM OF LONDON London Wall, EC2, ( St Paul’s) 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk

Museums Explored January 8, 22, February 5, 19 Family event to explore the galleries with hands-on activities. 5+ years.

Free.

Perfect Pattern January 15 Use digital technology to design a pattern. 5+ years. Free ticketed event.

Characters from History January 29 Story telling. 5+ years. Free.

Baby & Toddler Groups January 11, 18, 25 February 1, 8, 22, 29 Booking required. Free.

Half Term Events February 11 – 19 Stories and characters from history and workshops based on Dickens’ London.

MUSEUM OF LONDONDOCKLANDS West India Quay, E14 4AL (DLR West India Quay) 020 7001 9844 museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands

NATIONAL GALLERY Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN ( Charing Cross) 020 7747 2885 nationalgallery.org.uk Leonardo Da Vinci Until February 5 Exhibition of paintings and drawings.

Cost £16/£8/family £32 (2+4) /under 12s free.

Magic Carpet Storytelling January 8, 15, 22, 29 The magic carpet lands on a different painting every session. Limited places allocated on arrival. 2 – 5 years. Free.

Art Workshops January 8, 15, 22, 29 Use paper, collage and drawing to create textures. Limited places allocated on arrival. 5 – 11 years.

Free.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY St Martin’s Place, WC2H OHE ( Leicester Square) 020 7306 0055 npg.org.uk Imagined Lives January 15, 16, 17 Art activities. 5+ years. Free.

The Queen of Drury Lane January 21 Stories and art activities. Limited places. Tickets allocated on the day.

5+ years. Free.

Family Art Workshop January 21, February 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 Art activities. 5+ years. Tickets on the day. Free.

Victorian workshops at the Museum of London

Dragon Mask January 21 Make a mask to wear to the Chinese Dragon dance celebrations. 4+ years.

Free.

Chinese Watercolour Painting January 22 3+ years. Free.

Dragon Tales January 22 Story telling. 5+ years. Free.

Half Term Events February 11 – 19 Workshops based on Victorian times.

Free.

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museums • theatres out & about Tour & Draw February 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 Hidden stories behind portraits on exhibition. 3+ years. Free.

Storytelling February 18 3+ years. Free.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD ( South Kensington) 020 7942 5000 nhm.ac.uk Dino Snores January 21, February 25 Sleepovers in the museum with activities. 8 – 11 years. Cost £46.

Spirit Collection Tours January 5, 12, 19, 26 February 2, 9, 16, 23 Behind the scenes tour of hidden treasures and specimens. 8+ years.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS Burlington House,W1J OBD ( Green Park) 020 7300 8000 royalacademy.org.uk Drop-in Workshops January 15, February 19 Free family workshops.

A Bigger Picture January 21 – April 9 Exhibition of landscape works by David Hockney. Cost £14/£4/£3/ under 7s free.

Hockney Family Workshop February 14, 16 Hands on sessions. Booking essential.

7+ years. Cost £3 + exhibition ticket.

ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM Grahame Park Way, NW9 5LL ( Colindale) 020 8205 2266 rafmuseum.org.uk Helicopter Half Term Holiday activities and interactive workshops.

SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, WC2A 3BP ( Holborn) 020 7440 4263 soane.org Stunning Self Portrait February 15 Make a framed self portrait. Half day workshops. Booking essential. 7+ years. Cost £12.

It’s Carnival!

February 16 Costumes and masks. Whole day workshop. Booking essential. 7+ years. Cost £20.

Update and Improve February 17 Sponge painting and stencils. Half day workshops. Booking essential. 7+ years. Cost £12.

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SOMERSET HOUSE Strand, WC2R 1LA ( Temple) 020 7845 4600 somersethouse.org.uk Ice Adventure January 8 Freezing fun and snowy songs.

Workshop tickets allocated on the day. 6 – 12 years. Free.

Ice Palaces January 14 Make a miniature wintry scene.

The Lay of the Land January 21 Collage art.

A Sense of Place January 28 Collage art.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION Hertford House, Manchester Square, W1U 3BN ( Bond Street) 020 7563 9500 wallacecollection.org The Little Draw January 8, February 5 Drop-in art workshop. All ages. Free.

Family Public Tour February 4 Explore the collection and handle objects. Free.

Cupid, Draw Back Your Bow February 14 Drop-in art sessions. 5+ years. Free.

Right Royal Stories February 13 Art and story workshop. 6+ years.

Cost £7.

A Day in the 18th Century February 18 Step back in time with entertainment, dance and creative workshops. All ages. Free.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, E2 9PA ( Bethnal Green) 020 8983 5200 museumofchildhood.org.uk Clara Button & The Magical Hat Day January 28 Story and illustration workshop.

Booking from January 16. 5+ years.

Cost £3.

Laura Veirs Sings from Tumble Bee January 29 American folk singer. Drop-in. All ages.

Fairytale Fiends February 13 – 17 Drop in sessions with stories and puppet making.

Jack & the Beanstalk February 13 – 17 Drama and games. Booking from January 30. 5 – 11 years.

Goblins & Gremlins January 6, 13, 20, 27, February 3 Art, drama and storytelling. Booking required. Under 5 years.

Theatres ARTS DEPOT Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley, N12 OGA ( West Finchley & Woodside Park) 020 8369 5454 artsdepot.co.uk Little Princess February 5 – 7 Little Princess gets invited to three parties and cannot choose between them. 2 – 5 years. Cost £10/family £36.

Elves and the Shoemaker February 12 Puppets and music. 3+ years. Cost £7.

The Secret Garden February 16 – 17 Mary comes to live in a big old house full of secrets. 6+ years. Cost £10.

The Snail and the Whale February 16 – 19 A snail takes a ride on a humpback whale. Workshops available on special days. Cost of show £8/family £28.

The Elves and the Shoemaker January 7 Elvis Schumacher has hit hard times as no one wants to buy his shoes. 3 – 9 years. Cost £6.

A Bird in Your Ear January 14 A collection of stories with puppets.

3+ years. Cost £6.

The Little Red Hen January 21 Who will help the little red hen to bake some bread? 2 – 5 years. Cost £6.

From Here.. To There January 28 Building bridges in an introduction to the theatre for the very young.

18mths – 4 years. Cost £6.

What Became of the Red Shoes February 4 Ruby finds a pair of shoes in the attic.

3+ years. Cost £6.

Little Hippo and His Magic Pen February 11 Daddy hippo gives little hippo a magical red pen. 2 – 5 years. Cost £6.

Spin February 18 Twisting tales and giddy rhymes.

3 – 7 years. Cost £6.

Liang & the Magic Paintbrush February 26 Chinese tale with puppets and origami. 4+ years. Cost £7.

Just a Bit of Paper February 25 Fold, tear and scribble with paper.

3 – 5 years. Cost £6.

BLOOMSBURY THEATRE 15 Gordon Street, WC1H OAH ( Euston) 020 7388 8822 thebloomsbury.com

INTIMATE THEATRE 521 Green Lanes, N13 4DH (Palmers Green ) 0844 414 2731 smptheatre.co.uk

The Firework Maker’s Daughter January 9 – 21 Philip Pullman story about Lila who dreams of becoming a firework-maker.

Cost £19.50/£14.50/family £64.

Cinderella!

January 19 – 21 Winter panto from the Saint Monica’s Players.

CHICKENSHED Chase Side, N14 4PE ( Cockfosters/Oakwood) 020 8292 9222 chickenshed.org.uk Tales from the Shed February 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24, 25.

March 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24.

Creative shows to help improve literacy, numeracy and communications skills. Cost £5.50/ under 6mths free.

Saturday Shed February 4 – March 24 Performance skills. 6 – 12 years. Cost £6 per workshop.

HALFMOON THEATRE 43 White Horse Road, E1 OND (Limehouse ) 020 7709 8900 halfmoon.org.uk

JACKSONS LANE 269A Archway Road, N6 5AA ( Highgate) 020 8341 4421 jacksonslane.org.uk Chicken Licken January 22 Puppets and story telling. 3 – 6 years.

Cost £8.95.

Red Riding Hood February 15 – 19 New adaptation of a classic tale. 4+ years. Cost £9.95.

LAUDERDALE HOUSE Highgate Hill, Waterlow Park, N6 5HG ( Archway) 020 8348 8716 lauderdalehouse.co.uk The Nightingale January 21 Interactive tale with ribbon and fan dancing. 3 – 8 years. Cost £4.50.

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out and about theatres • workshops Swallows and Amazons January 2 – 7, 9 – 14 Based on the book. 6+ years. Cost £12 – £42.50.

Island February 15 – 25 Cameron spends his holiday on an island where it is always day. 8+ years. Cost £12/£8.

NEW DIORAMA THEATRE 15 – 16 Triton Street, Regents Place, NW1 3BF ( Great Portland Street) 0207 383 9034 newdiorama.com

Grandfather Frost February 4 A tale about courage and greed with Grandfather frost and the snow maiden. 3 – 7 years. Cost £4.50.

The Marvellous Magical Coat February 11 A little boy travels to a strange land wearing the magic coat. 3 – 8 years.

Cost £4.50.

Bo Peep February 18 Bring a teddy and join in with traditional nursery rhymes. 2 – 6 years. Cost £4.50.

Stuart Clark February 25 Amazing magic! 3 – 8 years. Cost £4.50.

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE 14 Dagmar Passage,N1 2DN ( Angel or Highbury Islington) 020 7226 1787 littleangeltheatre.com The Very Old Man With Enormous Wings Until January 29 Goldilocks Until January 29 Little Red Riding Hood February 8 – 19 Puppets, music and song. 4+ years.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff February 22 – 25 Three hungry goats and a grumpy troll! 3+ years.

Fiddlesticks February 26 Musical fantasy with rod and shadow puppets. 4+ years.

LONDON INTERNATIONAL MIME FESTIVAL January 11 – 29 0844 847 9910 (South Bank) 0845 121 6839 (Barbican) mimefest.co.uk/2012 Baccala Clowns January 14 – 16 At South Bank Centre – two circus clowns. All ages. Cost £15.

Compagnie L’Immédiat January 18 – 21

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At The Barbican Centre. Circus theatre chaos. 8+ years. Cost £16 – £28.

Mundo Paralelo January 20 – 22 At South Bank Centre. All ages. Cost £15 – £20.

Fragments De Vie January 24 – 28 At Roundhouse, NW1 8EH. Sights and sounds of the rural world. 7+ years. Cost £14.50.

2 Dimensional Life of Her January 24 – 28 At The Barbican Centre. Puppets, animation and paper. 8+ years. Cost £16.

LYRIC THEATRE King Street, Hammersmith, W6 ( Hammersmith) 0871 22 117 29 lyric.co.uk A Midsummer Night’s Dream February 9 – March 17 Shakespeare’s play reworked. 11+ years. Cost £12 – £35.

MILLFIELD ARTS CENTRE Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 1PJ (Silver Street ) 020 8807 6680 millfieldtheatre.co.uk Rumpelstiltskin February 16 Classic tale with lots of participation.

All ages. Cost £11/£8.

Macbeth February 22, 23 Tickets £12/£10/£7.

Bob The Builder February 25, 26 Theatre production with plenty of songs. 3+ years. Cost £14.50/£12/ family £48.

NATIONAL THEATRE South Bank, SE1 9PX ( Waterloo) 020 7452 3000 nationaltheatre.org.uk The Comedy of Errors January 1 – 17, February 3 – 29 Lenny Henry in Shakespeare’s comedy. Cost £12 – £45.

Twelfth Night January 4 – February 18 Cost £15.50/£12.50

PEACOCK THEATRE Portugal Street, WC2A 2HT ( Holborn) 0844 412 4322 sadlerswells.com Umoja January 31 – February 19 South African song and dance. Cost £15 – £42/ family £120.

The Houdini Experience February 23 – March 25 Hans Klok performs daredevil stunts, wizardry and illusions. £17 – £52.

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE Blomfield Road, Little Venice, W9 2PF ( Warwick Avenue) 020 7249 6876 puppetbarge.com Mr Rabbit Meets Brer Santa January 1, 2, 7, 8 A wily fox and a mischievous rabbit.

3+ years. Cost £10/£8.50.

The Flight of Babuscha Baboon January 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 February 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 The story of a baboon who wants to fly to the moon in a hot air balloon and along the way meets an elephant whose life is threatened by ivory hunters. 3+ years. Cost £10/£8.50.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE Covent Garden, WC2E 9DD ( Covent Garden) 020 7304 4000 roh.org.uk Romeo & Juliet January 10, 12, 13, 16, 19 Royal Ballet performance.

Ballet Black February 29 – March 7 Celebrate the talents of black and Asian dancers.

SADLER’S WELLS & LILIAN BAYLIS STUDIO Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN ( Angel) 0844 412 4300 sadlerswells.com

Flamenco Festival February 7 – 19 Flamenco dance, songs and musicians. Cost £12 – £40.

Desh February 21 – 25 Akram Khan Company. Cost £12 – £36.

SOHO THEATRE 21 Dean Street, W1D 3NE ( Tottenham Court Rd) 020 7287 5060 sohotheatre.com Shallow Slumber January 24 – February 18 11+ years. Cost £10 – £15.

THE TRICYCLE 269 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JR ( Kilburn) 020 7328 1000 tricycle.co.uk The Frog Prince January 7 A mermaid comes to the rescue. Cost £6(£5 in advance) The Snow Queen January 14 A beautiful tale with puppets. 4+ years. Cost £6(£5 in advance) The Pied Piper of Hamlin January 20, 21 Lotto and Otto and a small problem with pests! 4+ years. Cost £6(£5 in advance) The Magnificent Flying Machine January 28 A professor tries to build a flying machine. 4+ years. Cost £6(£5 in advance) Red Riding Hood February 4 Popular tale with puppets and songs.

Cost £6(£5 in advance) The Gingerbread Man February 11 The gingerbread man runs away from some amazing characters. 2 – 6 years. Cost £6(£5 in advance) Rapunzel February 18 A prince saves a damsel in distress. 3 – 7 years. Cost £6(£5 in advance) There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly February 25 Fun nursery rhyme with audience participation. 4+ years. Cost £6(£5 in advance)

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, SE1 2HZ ( London Bridge) 020 7645 0560 unicorntheatre.com Scarecrow January 18 – 29 Story of a lonely scarecrow and crow who wants to be left alone. 5+ years.

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

workshops • special events out & about Into the Grimm Forest February 4 – 26 The mysterious world of the brothers Grimm.

Dancing Allsorts February 14 – 16 Dance styles from the 50’s to present day. Rising 5 – 8 years. Cost £120.

Grimms’ Sheesha February 7 – 13 South Asian tales. 8+ years.

The Pea & the Princess February 14 – 16 From pod to palace. 3 – 5 years. Cost £100.

Grim Grimms February 14 – 19 Forest tales for bolder listeners. 8+ years.

A Year in the Forest February 21 – 26 Forest tales with musical instruments.

5+ years.

GET INTO LONDON THEATRE getintolondontheatre.co.uk January 1 – February 10 Special ticket deals on theatre, opera, dance and entertainment, including special tours and workshops.

Workshops CAMDEN ARTS CENTRE Arkwright Road, NW3 6DG ( Finchley Road) 020 7472 5500 camdenartscentre.org Fab Lab for Infants February 14 – 17 Garden design. 5 – 7 years. Cost £140.

Fab Lab for Juniors February 14 – 17 Garden design. 8 – 11 years. Cost £140.

Clay for Infants February 14 – 17 5 – 7 years. Cost £140.

Clay for Juniors February 14 – 17 8 – 11 years. Cost £140.

CENTRAL LIBRARY 2 Fieldway Crescent, N5 1PF ( Highbury & Islington) 020 7527 6946 Graphic Novel Workshop February 13 Creative workshop. Courses also held at Archway Library and West Library.

Limited places. 10 – 15 years.

CIRCUS GLORY Primrose Hill Community Centre 0797 345 1603 circusglory.co.uk gmonastesse@googlemail.com Circus Workshop February 15 Includes trapeze, juggling and plate spinning. 3+ years. Cost £30.

CREATIVE MOVEMENTS Held at St Marys, Primrose Hill, NW3 020 7435 8217 creativemovements.co.uk

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Jack & the Flum Flum Tree February 17 Jack travels far to find the Flum Flum tree. 2 – 4 years. Cost £40.

CREATIVE WIZ KIDS 020 7794 6797 creativewizkids.com Mother/Toddler Groups Starts January 10 At St Judes Church, NW11 and St Mary’s, NW6.

Half Term Workshops February 13 – 17 At St Judes Church, Hampstead Garden Suburb, NW11 7AH. Art, dance, imaginative play, cake decorating and fun! Early booking discounts. 3 – 9 years unaccompanied.

DEBUTOTS 020 8442 2380 debutots.co.uk jennifer@debutots.co.uk Storycise Workshops January/February Local workshops to inspire parents to play more imaginatively with children through books and stories.

DRAMARAMA STAGE SCHOOL @South Hampstead School, Maresfield Gardens, NW3 5SS. 020 8446 0891 dramarama.co.uk Dramatots February 13 – 17 Stories, acting and plays. 3 – 4 years.

Cost £135/£30.

Dramarama February 13 – 17 Drama games and techniques. 5 – 6 years. Cost £145/£35.

Musical Theatre February 13 – 17 Acting, singing and dance routines.

7 – 11 years. Cost £145/£35.

HOLIDAY ACADEMY Camden, NW1 ( Camden) holidayacademy.co.uk Half Term Workshop February 13 – 17 Music, drama, sport and art. Check website for further details.

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE 6 Park End, NW3 2SE 020 7431 9866 jcclondon.org.uk

Better Parenting January 24 Teenage behaviour. Cost £13.

Post Natal Course January 26, February 2, 9, 23, March 1 Cost £10/session.

Tu B’Shevat February 12 Family event. 2+ years.

Half Term Club February 13 – 15 Cost £100/£40.

THE KIDS COACH thekidscoach.org.uk Book Signing & Talk February 9, 16 At Waterstones, North Finchley.

‘The Parent’s Tool Kit’ – simple and effective ways to help your child be their best. Contact Naomi on 07961312749.

LEAGUE ONE SPORTS ACADEMY South Hampstead High School, Maresfield Gardens, NW3 5SS 020 8446 0891 leagueone.co.uk Little League Courses February 13 – 17 Football fun. 3 – 4 years. Cost £135/£30.

business or franchise. Register for your free ticket today at www. workingmumslive.co.uk/london

Special events ALEXANDRA PALACE Alexandra Palace Way, N22 7AY ( Wood Green) 020 8365 2121 alexandrapalace.com London Model Engineering Exhibition January 20 – 22 Science, technology and engineering with working locomotive to ride on. Cost on door £10/£5.50/family £25.50 (2+3)

BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS ( Barbican) 0845 120 7550 barbican.org.uk Compagnie L’Immédiat January 18 – 21 Part of London International Mime Festival. 8+ years. Cost £16 – £28.

Architecture Workshop February 18 Buildings and spaces. All ages. Cost £14 or £12.

League Courses February 13 – 17 Football skills. 5 – 11 years. Cost £145/£35.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

by Britten February 28 – March 6 A Guildhall School production. Cost £25 (concessions available)

PERFORM 0845 400 4000 perform.org.uk enquiries@perform.org.uk

BARNET WALKS Paul Baker 020 8440 6805 barnetwalks.talktalk.net

Drama Classes Starts January Held in Highbury, West Hampstead, Crouch End, Barnet, Muswell Hill, Stoke Newington, Finchley, Northwood and Harrow. Free trial session. 4 – 8 years & 8 – 12 years.

Battle of Barnet January 15, 11am Guided walk across the famous battlefield. Starting point at Great North Road/Hadley Green Road.

Cost adults £7/ £3 under 12s accompanied.

WORKING MUMS Business Design Centre, Islington, London www.workingmumslive. co.uk/london Looking for a flexible job?

Tuesday 27th March 2012 Workingmums.co.uk LIVE returns to the Business Design Centre, Islington, London. The event is free – and child friendly – and allows you to meet with family friendly employers, seek out flexible jobs, get CV tips and attend informative seminars on everything from returning to work to starting a

French-English Bilingual Nursery School

St George’s Hall Crayford Road (entrance on Carleton Road) London N7 0ND 020 7697 8110

www.lespe�tesetoiles.co.uk

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out and about special events • further afield CHINESE NEW YEAR January 23 Year of the Dragon Special organised celebrations in and around Chinatown/Leicester Square.

Also weekend events in Trafalgar Square with music, lion dance and martial arts.

EFDSS Cecil Sharp House 2 Regent’s Park Road, NW1 7AY ( Camden Town) 020 7485 2206 efdss.org London Fiddle Convention February 19 Workshops and concert. Tickets on the door.

FORGE VENUE 3 – 7 Delancey Street, Camden, NW1 7NL ( Camden Town) 020 7383 7808 forgevenue.org Farmer’s Market February 4 Keys & Coffee Concert Series February 12, 19, 26, 11am Live music and tea/coffee. Cost £10/£8 under 12s.

HAMPSTEAD HEATH ( Kentish Town/Hampstead) 020 7332 3322 020 7482 7073 (bookings) cityoflondon.gov.uk/hampsteadheath Rookie Rangers Wildlife Club January 15, February 12 Family event. Booking required. 8 – 12 years.

ISLINGTON COUNCIL islington.gov.uk Community Gardening Day January 7 (Rosemary Gardens) February 4 (Arlington Square) Help with gardening jobs. Tools provided. Free.

KEATS HOUSE Keats Grove, NW3 2RR ( Hampstead) 020 7332 3868 cityoflondon.gov.uk/keatshouse Edward Lear Centenary February 15 Quangle-wangles, pobbles and jumblies! Create a fantasy animal inspired by the nonsense poems.

Write a poem and bring your creature to life with crafts. Family activities.

Book in advance.

LEE VALLEY PARK Enfield, EN2 9HG 08456 770 600 (M25/J25) leevalleypark.org.uk Farms Opening Day February 11

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At Lee Valley Park Farms, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF. Cost £7.50/£6.50.

Further afield

Family Cycle Ride February 12 At Pindar Car Park, River Lee Country Park, EN8 9AJ. Guided ride for all abilities. Booking required.

Free.

CADOGAN HALL 5 Sloane Terrace, SW1X 9DQ ( Sloane Square) 020 7730 4500 cadoganhall.com

ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ ( Charing Cross) 020 7766 1100 stmartin-in-the-fields.org

Family Concert February 18 Music from Imperial College Symphony Orchestra – narrated

by Professor Robert Winston. Cost £35 – £15.

Mini Maestro Family Concert January 28, February 25 Listen, learn and join in. Cost £8.50/£6.50.

Pianists of the World February 24 Free lunchtime concert.

SUTTON HOUSE – NATIONAL TRUST 2 & 4 Homerton High St, Hackney E9 020 8986 2264 nationaltrust.org.uk Family Fun February 23 Art and craft activities.

WEMBLEY MARKET Stadium Car Park, Wembley, HA9 ODW wembleymarket.co.uk Sunday Market January 8, 15, 22, 29 February 5, 12, 19 Held in the car park in front of the Wembley Stadium complex. Free entry.

Chamber Tots January 19, February 8, 22 2 – 5 years. Cost £6 per child.

The Soldier’s Tale February 4 Story and music with pre-concert talk. 8+ years.

Cost £7/£5.

Music in Motion February 16, 17 Half term course for instrumentalists grade 3 onwards. 11+ yrs. Cost £40 Igor and Friends February 18 Music and performance.

5+ years. Cost £12/£8.

HORNIMAN MUSEUM & GARDENS 100 London Road, SE23 3PQ (Forest Hill) 020 8699 1872 horniman.ac.uk Discovery For All February 13 – 16 Hands-on sessions. 3+ years.

Free drop-in.

I love Horniman February 13, 14 Make models of favourite objects.

Free drop-in.

Morris Dancing February 15 Live music – join in and learn.

4+ years.

Family Day February 26

WIGMORE HALL 36 Wigmore Street, W1U 2BP ( Bond Street) 020 7935 2141 wigmore-hall.org.uk

Don’t forget to say you saw the ad in Families North!

Egyptian Mummy Masks February 15 – 17 Mask making. 3+ years. Free drop-in.

INSTITUT FRANÇAIS – CINÉ LUMIÈRE 17 Queensberry Place, SW7 2DT ( South Kensington) 020 7871 3515 institut-francais.org.uk

Piano LESSONS Ages 5 – Adult All levels CRB checked Tel. 07792 052 919 www.pianotalents.co.uk

Le Petit Prince January 14 5+ years. Cost £5.

The Brodowski Quartet January 14 Fun family concert.

Cost £7/£5.

‘Bewitching!’ Daily Telegraph ‘Highly Recommended’ Time Out

Magical parties with Laurie Temple and his Company Themed parties & complete party organisation available

magic juggling puppets guitar & songs storytelling mini disco face painting

www.thepartywizard.co.uk

020 8951 9469 07951 596240 www.familiesnorth.co.uk

out & about SALLY SUNSHINE FACE PAINTING FUN !

07837 713 699

are proud to present

HENRY HEDGEHOG for 2–8 year olds

Delightful, original puppet shows, magic and games www.pippinpuppets.co.uk Tel: 02083484055

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Established

1979

The springboard to confidence for your child Tumble Tots is Britain’s leading National Active Physical Play Programme for children from 6 months to 5 years Using specifically designed equipment your child will learn agility, balance, climbing and co-ordination skills appropriate to their age A structured programme designed to build self confidence and develop essential listening and language skills Supervised by trained staff in a fun and caring environment

For Tumble Tots classes in Muswell Hill, Finchley Central and St John’s Wood Call: 020 8381 6585 Email: fun@tumbletotsnorthlondon.co.uk www.tumbletots.com/hampstead

www.familiesnorth.co.uk

Fun for all

You can Bank on it!

13 – 17 February

Riverbank Tales A costumed storyteller will read tales from ‘The Wind in the Willows’

by Kenneth Grahame.

10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm

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With special events and displays throughout the year, the Bank of England Museum is a great day out.

Admission free 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and public holidays. Entrance in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH. Tel: 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum

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Fiorentini Weenies

for 4-6 year olds Opening Jan 2012 Please visit the website for details.

The Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School for 4-18 years The North London branch of the Saturday Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School is currently taking applications for the forthcoming term and the next Taster Day. The school originally opened in Hackney in 2001 and now has over 250 students aged 7-18, many of whom have gone on to secure professional work on TV, Film and in theatre, including Charlie Jones who played Ben Mitchell and Belinda Owusu who played Libby Fox in the BBC series EastEnders.

As well as providing professional training, the aim of the school is to also provide a safe and supportive environment for all children to explore their creativity regardless of what career path they

eventually choose to follow.

Every week students follow a timetable of drama/film, dance and singing under the guidance of top industry professionals.

As well as weekly classes, students are given the opportunity to take part in Voice Idol, Drama and Stars in their Eyes competitions, culminating in a yearly Oscar Night.

The school has recruited some excellent teaching staff including: Mike Burnside, (actor in The Bill, Bergerac, the RSC), Mark Short, (choreograhper to Tina Turner, Peter Andre, Liberty X), Michael Buffong, (director of EastEnders, Holby City, Casualty and Coronation Street), Jacob Murray, (former associate artisitc director of the Royal Exchange Manchester and

teacher for National Theatre’s educational Department) and Jay Henry, (X-Factor coach and voice coach having worked with Craig David, Mariah Carey and George Michael to name but a few).

Celebrities such as Joseph Marcell, (Jeffery in Fresh Prince of Bel Air) and Warren Mitchell, (Alf Garnett) have also been amongst special guests to give master classes at this prestigious school.

Students get to work with a variety of casting directors, producers and TV directors. They also get the opportunity to be considered for the agency to audition for professional work.

Lamda Qualifications in Drama which carry UCAS points also available.

Drama, Singing, Dance, Film, Set & Costume Design for ages 4-18 Saturdays in North London & Hackney Tuesdays in Bethnal Green Wednesdays in Docklands

ANNA FIORENTINI

THEATRE FILM SCHOOL Contact us to book your free no obligation Taster Day. Hurry - Limited Places! www.ANNAFIORENTINI.com Tel: 020 7682 1403