Families Pennines September/ October 2018 issue 46

Pennines

IN THIS ISSUE

BACK TO SCHOOL! HALLOWEEN AND HALF TERM WHAT’S ON

over SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER

PLUS

News Education Classes

Issue 46 September/October 2018

familiesonline.co.uk

HALLOWEEN CRAFT

How to Make a Doorway Dare hbours pretend sometimes it rains, or the neig Kids love trick-or-treating – but Wonderbly that at or treat game from our friends to be out. Here’s a crafty trick home. you can make and play with at You’ll create two doorways: one leads to a trick and the other to a treat. Will your little visitor get a chocolate or an eyeball?

It’s a shifty fifty-fifty.

Step 4 Turn your boxes around. Glue or staple a piece of cloth inside each, then cut a slit down the centre of the cloth (for intrepid hands to reach through).

Put these boxes to one side.

Follow these eight simple steps to build your doorways.

Step 1 Take two of the shoeboxes and draw a door-shaped rectangle on each. Using the knife and ruler, cut along three sides of the door, leaving it on its hinges.

Step 5 Now take your other two boxes. Decorate the insides with fake cobwebs, feathers or other touchy-feely things. One should feel lovely, the other should feel icky! These will form the backs (or hallways) to your doors.

Step 2 Grab some brushes and paint the boxes.

Try boldly-contrasting colours for the door and brickwork. Leave your doorways to dry.

Step 3 Get a thick marker pen and add some details: letterbox, doorbell, house number. For a doorknob, you can sew on a button or glue on a bottle cap.

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eyeball/pound coin etc.) Hide the treat in one doorway and the trick in the other.

Step 8 Dim the lights and invite your little trick-ortreaters to choose their fate. You can even make it a breakfast ritual in the build-up to Halloween. Ratatatat…

Wonderbly are creators of beautiful personalised children’s books that inspire courage, curiousity and kindness in children all over the world. A treat for any curious little mind. Find out more at www.wonderbly.com

Step 6 Tape the hallway boxes to the doorway boxes, so reaching through the door will lead to the sensory items.

Step 7 Find something lovely and something not so lovely. (Plastic spider/strawberry lolly, lychee

Could you be the next Editor of Families Pennines?

Now in its 7th year, Families Pennines is looking for a new Editor to take the reins.

Part of a national franchise of over 39 editions across the UK, being a ‘Families’ Editor means becoming part of a growing and supportive network and trusted name – established in 1990!

and advertising, want to run your own flexible business around the children, and be a trusted voice for all things local in your community, then get in touch today!

E-mail Emily at editor@familiespennines.co.uk.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be at the helm of your own print business with access to a network of fellow editors, as well as training to help you develop valuable skills in print publishing, copywriting, design, sales, marketing, social media and business management.

If you have a sound knowledge of the local area, are enthusiastic, have experience or interest in sales, marketing

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WELCOME

Back to School So that’s the youngest off to school this time and the eldest moves onto Junior school. They grow up so quickly don’t they?!

To help kick start the new school term, we’ve pulled together a bumper Back to School feature. Find out the difference between independent and state schools, if you should help with homework, and how to make the most out of school open days.

Looking for a club or class for your child? We’ve included a snapshot of local ones in the area, some tips to help find out if your child is sport ready and learn why STEM is so important in Early Years.

As the Autumn arrives, so does Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Check out our seasonal craft ideas, as well as things taking place over the next couple of months.

Don’t forget to get in touch if you would like to feature in the magazine. Families Pennines is a great resource if you run a business, school, club or class and want to reach out to families across Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford. If you want to feature in the magazine, drop me a line at editor@familiespennines.co.uk.

Enjoy the Autumn!

IN THIS

ISSUE

04 NEWS

06 FAMILY LIFE

07 EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

10 CLUBS AND CLASSES

14 WHAT’S ON

FAMILIES PENNINES Editor: Emily Raleigh 07974 401663 editor@familiespennines.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk @FamiliesPenMag

/FamiliesPenninesMag

CIRCULATION 20,000 DEADLINE Mid October 2018 IMAGES istock, Shutterstock and Depositphotos DESIGNED BY Theresa McDermott, 07462 961793, www.designedbytree.com

Emily Raleigh Editor, Families Pennines

PRINTED BY Warwick Printing, 01926 883335, www.warwickprinting.co.uk Copyright Families Pennines September/ October 2018 Families Pennines is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Pennines are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Pennines. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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Families Pennines 3

s

New ABLE PLAY T A L F N I T S E T THE LA

ERSFIELD

O HUDD T G N I M O C E CRAZ

Britain’s latest inflatable play craze is coming to Huddersfield this October, bringing a collection of giant inflatable games and challenges to entertain adults and children alike.

Inflatable Planet, created by the team behind the world’s biggest inflatable 5k run – Gung-Ho!, offers thrill-seekers of all ages the chance to run, jump and climb over SIXTEEN huge inflatables, containing enough air to fill 70 million footballs!

TV presenter Alex Winters, one of the team behind Inflatable Planet and Gung-Ho!, said: “We have spent a full year imagining, designing and testing Inflatable Planet to ensure kids and adults will have serious fun and we are beyond thrilled that Huddersfield is our newest location and the third to open in the UK. “These obstacles are SO fun to use, and offer a day out like no other venue in the region. Unlike other attractions, parents don’t have to pay to look after their kids – we really encourage families to spend time together and the feedback we’ve received so far proves we are on to a winner!"

Rastrick head joins Calderdale Council Steve Evans, Headteacher at Rastrick High School and Sixth Form, has been chosen to help lead the strategic improvement of schools across Calderdale and will take up a nine-month secondment as Assistant Director – Learning Services with Calderdale Council, in September.

The role will see him work alongside Calderdale Council’s school improvement team, OFSTED and the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) to lead the strategy to support schools, while challenging fampenadvert2018.pdf 1 05/04/2018 15:39 them to improve.

The father-of-three added: “We’ve all seen shows like Ninja Warrior, Total Wipeout, Fun House and Gladiators, and now Inflatable Planet will give us all the chance to play for real, with people encouraged to take on their friends on the inflatables.”

Mum Lyn, who trialled Inflatable Planet at one of three taster sessions at the Newcastle venue, said: “I think I’ve seen just about every activity and party going and this beats them all! We have spent hours here and don’t want to leave. Every inflatable is such great fun and I’ve loved being able to be involved although it took a few attempts for them to convince me to leap off Cliff Jump!”

s More than third of parent ful think homework is Unhelp According to a recent Ofsted report, more than a third of parents said homework isn’t helpful to their children in primary school. Many parents said homework was a huge cause of stress for the whole family and had a negative impact on home life.

Nearly three quarters of parents thought allowing children more time at school to plan and get ready for lessons through research was a better alternative to homework.

Parents gave some very clear messages about homework, both negative and positive. Those who spoke positively said that homework enables them to feel part of their child’s learning and that it helps them to support that learning with other activities, such as visits to museums and home projects. The discipline, planning and time management skills that homework gives children were welcomed and homework was viewed as a way of promoting independent learning.

More info at www.gov.uk/government/ publications/ofsted-parents-panel

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4 Families Pennines

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Ed’s Reading Room

BABIES PREFER HEARING VOICES OF OTHER BABIES Recent research has revealed that babies appear to be much more interested in listening to other babies than they are listening to adults.

Researchers from McGill University and the University of Montreal conducted experiments on 5 month old babies. By using a synthesizer that simulates movements of the mouth, tongue, and vocal cords, they were able to produce vowel sounds that mimicked human voices. The babies displayed a clear preference for the synthetic baby voices, listening to them for 40% longer, on average, than the adult voices.

“This doesn’t mean mum or dad should give up oohing and aahing in high voices“ says Linda Polka, a professor at McGill University. “Babies do respond to these kinds of sounds. However, infant speech captures and holds infant attention, sometimes prompting positive emotions. This may motivate infants to be vocally active and make it easier to evaluate their own vocalisations, perhaps energising and supporting spoken language development.”

More info at www.sciencedaily.com

One Festival. Two Weekends.

5000 Free Events For the first time ever England’s biggest festival of heritage and culture will take place across two weekends in 2018.

Heritage Open Days taking place 6 to 9 and 13 to 16 September, is an annual celebration of England's architecture and culture that allows visitors free access to historical landmarks that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee. Co-ordinated nationally by the National Trust with support from the People’s Postcode Lottery it brings together thousands of organisations and properties across England.

With a theme of ‘Extraordinary Women’, this year’s festival will offer visitors more opportunities to discover the secret history of their towns, villages and countryside. There are hundreds of activities for kids, including dressing up, woodland walks, and railway rides. Best of all, every single event is FREE! For up to date information on events taking place near you visit, www.heritageopendays.org.uk ©JulianBrown

©AndrewBillingtonPhotography

Hi! I’m Ed and here is my Autumn book selection for you to enjoy.

5-7 YEARS The Twitches Bake a Cake

by Hayley Scott (Usborne £5.99) ED SAYS: ‘Stevie has recently moved to the country and adores the teacup house and its little family of toy rabbits, the Twitches, that Nanny Blue gave her. She is delighted to be helping her mum ice a big cake for their moving-in party. But the Twitch children, Fig and Silver, decide to make a surprise cake for their parents – will they be able to make their cake without being seen by the humans?'

Horace and Harriet: The Sports Spectacular

by Clare Elsom (OUP £5.99) ED SAYS: ‘Horace and Harriet are great friends although they are an unlikely pair – Harriet is seven and three-quarters and Horace is a statue who is almost 388 years old and comes to life! Harriet spends quite a lot of time stopping Horace getting into trouble and when the Sports Spectacular comes to town she has her work cut out. Horace does get into the spirit of the games but will he be able to cope with Coach Whipston?'

7 YEARS PLUS Spy Toys: Undercover

by Mark Powers (Bloomsbury £5.99) ED SAYS: ‘The Spy Toys – Dan, Arabella and Flax – are back to solve their latest mystery. An entire chocolate factory has vanished into thin air. The main suspect who used to work as a scientist at the factory is now teaching in a local school so the intrepid trio go undercover. When Flax is introduced to a secret society, he soon realises all is not what it initially seemed. Will his own secret organisation be able to accomplish its mission?'

To the Edge of the World

by Julia Green (OUP £6.99) ED SAYS: ‘Jamie loves his idyllic life on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. He adores running down to the beach but doesn’t ever venture into the sea, fearing the water. Mara however is fearless.

They have very different personalities but as they get to know each other a strong bond develops, with Mara’s adorable dog Django ever-present. But how will they manage on a wild and dangerous adventure at sea?'

Ed’s Reading Room is at www.EdontheWeb.com, a DTI awardwinning website. It was created by Maggie Humphreys, a teacher of more than 25 years, and Les Snowdon, who together are authors of several books on fitness walking and healthy eating. Contact Maggie on 01753 730019 or email maggiehumphreys@aol.com.

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Families Pennines 5

FAMILY LIFE

Educating your Child about Social Media

BY CLAIRE WINTER During the primary school years, there is a tendency to want to bury your head in the sand when it comes to the issues and challenges of mobile phone use and social media. If you have children under 10, you may feel you don’t need to pay attention to this yet. However, by Years 5 and 6 many of your children’s peers will start to actively use apps like Snapchat and Instagram and you need to start to understand how to help your child navigate the online world.

The legal age for children to use social sites like Facebook, Instagram, Musical ly and Snapchat is 13. But, according to a report by the Children’s Commissioner, around 75% of 10 to 12 year olds have a social media account. The study makes sobering reading stating that children face a ‘cliff edge’ when it comes to using social media when they go to secondary school.

Getting comments and likes on their posts becomes a priority, especially when their whole class are now using mobile devices and have social media accounts. They become more concerned about how they look and feel anxious about staying connected at all times.

FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) becomes much more prevalent.

Class WhatsApp groups and the like mean that whilst your child has their phone they are connected to their peers 24/7. This is the equivalent of having the “noise” of the playground with them at all times. It makes it impossible for children to leave behind the social interactions of the day, including any negative ones, and switch off emotionally. It means your child is at risk of being negatively impacted by any hurtful throwaway remarks or comments made by their peers which may not even have been intended to be hurtful. Social posts without accompanying tone, facial expression and gesture are more likely to be interpreted negatively or the meaning questioned than words delivered face to face. In short, you need to set limits on social interaction if your child is going to remain sane and grounded.

6 Families Pennines

Here are some things to consider before your child becomes active on social:

Tell them not to share private information about themselves, like where they go to school or their address.

Explore the privacy settings on all the apps your children will use and explain how they work. Make sure their accounts aren’t public and are only available to their friends.

Remind them not to post, snap or chat about something that they don’t want to be shared or seen by a wider audience.

Remind them pictures can be captured by screenshot and shared with people they don’t know.

Explain they should only friend or follow people they know on all their social media accounts.

Stress that it is crucial for them to tell you if someone they don’t know is trying to contact them. Explain not everyone is who they say they are online.

Remind them they can block people they don’t know or users who are giving them unwanted attention (including their peers).

There are many things your children should not see on the internet. Ensure your children feel comfortable talking about what they have seen online or things that have been sent to them.

Conversations need to be open and frank because sexual and violent content can only ever be a few clicks away.

Follow them or add them as a friend on your social accounts, so you can see what they are doing. Many parents make this a condition before allowing their child to have an app, especially if they are younger.

Tell them that bullying should not be tolerated in real life or cyberspace. If they are being bullied or see someone being bullied, tell them to tell a trusted adult.

Limit how long they can be online. Put the Wi-Fi on a timer or set a daily limit of time for how long they can be on their device.

As parents, we need to lead by example, so limit the time you spend on social platforms when you are with your child. Accept that your child is bound to make some mistakes on social media. The key is to have an open dialogue with them about it so they can ask for advice if things go wrong and learn how to create healthy boundaries around their online activities.

If you are not on the social platform, explain that you will want access to their account to see what they are doing (actually follow through on this). Some people may feel this is an intrusion on their privacy, but my personal view is that young teenagers need some supervision.

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EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

‘Are there crocodiles in here?’

By Kerry Howes, Bradford Grammar Junior School Headmistress It’s not the average question we’re asked at Bradford Grammar Junior School (Clock House), but that was the burning thought on the mind of one of our Year 2 pupils as they took part in some canoeing on one of our residential trips recently.

As well as firing up the imagination and taking part in exhilarating activities, such as zip wiring and canoeing, there are so many more benefits to taking part in residentials, such as the challenges our children face which are personal to them. They certainly bring opportunities to take them out of their comfort zones.

The fun the children have on residentials is plain to see. They are exhilarated and enthused. (Pupils on our recent residential remarked: “I’ve never walked on a mountain before – it’s amazing!” and “No school trip can be better than this”). But watching the children grow in confidence is one of my greatest pleasures in my role as headmistress. Knowing that they’re gaining everyday life skills such as resilience, decision-making and problem solving, which will stay with them for life, and that BGS Junior School had a part to play in that, comes a close second. *You’ll be pleased to hear there were no crocodiles in the Lake!

When your children settle down to do homework, do you keep close tabs on them and routinely offer to help? Or is your approach more hands-off?

Bradford Grammar School was voted The Sunday Times – Northern Independent School of the Year 2018. For more information go to www.bradfordgrammar.com/signup.

Researchers from Finland have found that although most homework assistance aims at helping the child, one approach is much better at instilling persistence.

The study looked at children aged from 8 to 11 years and found that when parents offered opportunities for their child to work independently that the child demonstrated an increased ability to work persistently on his or her school assignments when tested 12 months later.

However, when parents provided concrete assistance to their child, the less task-persistent the child’s behaviour later became. This in turn, made parents offer more and more help.

"One possible explanation is that when a parent gives a child the opportunity to do homework autonomously, this sends out a message that they believe in their child's skills and capabilities. This, in turn, makes the child believe in him or herself, and in his or her skills and capabilities," Associate Professor, Jaana Viljaranta from the University of Eastern Finland explained.

BradfordGrammar.com @BradfordGrammar

Similarly, concrete homework assistance – especially if not requested by a child – may send out a message that a parent doesn't believe in their child's ability to do their homework.

When a parent offers the child an opportunity for autonomous working, the child will work persistently, which leads to better development of skills. If, however, a parent’s homework assistance involves plenty of concrete help, the child will work less persistently, leading to poorer development of skills.

Open Event Saturday 6 October bradfordgrammar.com /signup

Nurturing sporting talent

It is important for parents to take their child’s needs into consideration when offering homework assistance. Of course, parents should offer concrete help when their child clearly needs it. However, concrete help is not something that should be made automatically available in every situation – only when needed,” Viljaranta said.

EXCELLENCE OPPORTUNITY HAPPINESS We encourage and support all of our talented athletes.

Our staff, in conjunction with specialist external agencies and physiotherapists, nurture the sporting and academic talents of every BGS pupil.

More info at www.sciencedaily.com familiesonline.co.uk

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EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

Making the Best of Open Days This autumn, state and independent schools will be opening their doors to prospective pupils and their parents to give them a flavour of life at their school. Claire Winter has the lowdown on how to get the best out of these Open Days and tours.

Tips for Visiting an Open Day

What is an Open Day?

Do the pupils look happy and engaged? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask the pupils what they think of the school.

School open days help you decide what school you want your child to go to. During an open day, prospective parents are shown around the school, often on a school day, to give them a flavour of the working life of the school and the school environment. You will be able to see the children in lesson and talk to the teachers and pupils.

Take your child. There is no point in falling in love with a school only to find your child doesn't want to go there.

What is your general feeling about the school? Your gut reaction is very important.

Don’t make decisions on individual teachers. They often move on and large departments have a variety of teachers that will rotate every year to teach your child a particular subject.

Sometimes pupils are given the task of showing parents around the school. This is a great opportunity to ask them how they enjoy being at the school. How settled, relaxed and confident these children are can give you an idea of how happy the children are there. Usually, the head teacher or a senior member of staff also gives a talk which includes a general overview of the school and its values and ethos.

This is often followed by a presentation by the head of admissions or the relevant head of the section of the school (for example, head of reception, or sixth form).

If your child has a particular interest in a subject, make sure you visit the department and look at the kind of work they will be doing.

When Are They Held?

If, after your initial visits, you are still undecided, go back and visit the schools on your shortlist again during a normal working day.

State schools generally hold Open Days in September and October aimed at children and families looking for a school place for the following year. It’s a good idea to start looking a year in advance. So if your child is starting school, start looking at schools when they are three. If you are looking for secondary school places, start looking in year 5 (when your child is nine or ten). You can then revisit the schools you are most interested in with your child the following year.

Independent schools often hold Open Days throughout the Autumn and Spring terms. They can have waiting lists for Reception-age children or require children to take a school-specific 7+ or 11+ exam to gain a place, so you need find out the criteria for entry to the school and visit well in advance.

How are Open Days Organised?

Schools organise Open Evenings as well as days to allow working parents to visit the school too. Some schools (mainly independent) hold Open Days on a Saturday. All schools put a lot of care and organisation into the events and they all want to show their school in the best light. However, there may be a lot of people attending so do be sure to turn up on time and follow the school’s directions during the event.

What extra-curricular activities do they have? Are there clubs that will engage your child and allow them to pursue a range of interests?

While exam results aren’t everything, every parent wants their child to do well. Academic performance is a priority for many families. It’s See how the school is performing compared to other local schools, using exam league tables and Ofsted reports.

Finally, don’t be afraid to trust your instincts; you know your child and you are best placed to ascertain what is right for them. If your child is older, do take account of their preferences too and include them in the decision making process. The best decision will undoubtedly be the one you all agree.

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EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

“Her school work and self-confidence has significantly improved” Explore Learning provides maths and English tuition to children aged four to 14, with 139 centres across the country. Families caught up with an Explore Learning member.

How long have you been going to Explore? Emily joined over 3 years ago.

Why did you decide to join Explore?

To help raise Emily’s low self-esteem and to provide her with confidence in her learning and within herself.

How has Explore helped/ what impact has Explore had?

They have provided Emily with the tools to enable her to take pride in her work, whilst learning and gaining confidence. It has taught Emily how to prioritise her work whilst completing work within the required timescales.

Who would you recommend Explore to?

We would recommend Explore to any parent/ guardian or child of any school age and of any ability.

What advice would you give to other parents thinking about bringing their children to Explore?

Attend a ‘free’ trial session with your child at a convenient centre.

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Can you tell me what you think makes Explore Learning a unique tutoring service?

They have knowledgeable members of staff/ tutors who really do care about the children and their on-going learning. Explore offers great ‘staff to children’ ratios, which enables each child to be able to ask for help where necessary.

How do Explore tutors support your child in their sessions?

The tutors make Emily feel welcome and are supportive, friendly, approachable and encouraging. Both good work and difficulties that Emma has overcome are praised.

What does Emily enjoy about her sessions at Explore Learning?

Emily has seen for herself the progress she has made at school, which can be attributed to the excellent learning at Explore. This has helped to boost Emily’s selfconfidence and makes her eager to continue with her sessions.

How has Explore worked with you as a family/supported you as a family?

Explore has provided a safe learning environment. The regular parent’s meetings and reports mean we can discuss progression and we can then set new goals for Emily.

How has Explore supported what your child is working on at school?

Since Explore, Emily’s confidence and work has improved significantly and is clearly evident from Emily’s school reports. Emily recently sat her SATS tests and her great results can be attributed to Explore, as they ensured Emily’s learning was set at the correct level and in line with the National Curriculum. Emily has just commenced her first term at Senior School and Explore helped with the transition.

Get in touch with Explore Learning today by calling 033 0124 3802 to discuss your child’s needs and book your free trial. Alternatively, visit explorelearning.co.uk to find your nearest centre.

Families Pennines 9

EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

Independent or State Education for your Child?

If you are fortunate enough to be able to choose where your child will go to school, then it might help to look at the bigger picture and leap forward twelve years.

Recent statistics show that students from state schools outperform students from independent (private) schools at university.

However, before you allocate your tuition fees to more leisurely pursuits, consider that these statistics also show that students from independent schools are more likely to gain a place at university in the first place.

"

Look at the environment in which your child thrives and explore how they learn.

"

Right now, the idea of your young child reaching university age may seem unimaginable, but it pays to do your research early. And, when you do, it’s hard to ignore the fiery discussion about the moral, financial and practical issues that catapult from any search engine as you try to weigh up the ‘pros and cons’ of state versus independent education.

Olivia Malaure spoke to Frances Delaney, a parent who made the decision to move her daughter from a state to an independent school at the beginning of Year 6.

Why did you make this change?

Firstly, I wasn’t confident that my daughter would get into our preferred, local state secondary school. I also wanted her to attend a school with an integrated sixth form, rather than have to transition to a large college later on. Crucially though, my daughter’s teacher, who I really respected, suggested she was playing up in class and was possibly bored because in Year 5, along with a number of other children, she’d actually reached Year 6 grades. I wanted my child to reach her full potential, but her teacher couldn’t help further as her priority had to be improving the grades of those children who were under-performing.

Was it an easy decision?

No actually, it was very difficult. My partner was politically opposed to private education – we both went to state schools. But we’d had the experience of our elder son completing his education at a large state college where he just didn’t 'fit in'. He felt he didn’t do as well as he could have done at a smaller private school. It took my partner a lot of convincing, but I wanted our daughter to have the best educational experience possible and my gut feeling was that she would perform better at an independent school. We were in a position where we could afford the fees and so we decided to move her.

Looking back, do you feel you made the right decision?

That’s a difficult question and I don’t have a definitive answer. She is happy and confident and doing well at school, so that is very positive.

She is still in touch with her friends from state school and it seems they’re also happy and doing well too, so it’s hard to tell what would have happened had she remained in the state sector.

Has your daughter experienced more academic pressure at her new school?

Yes, and the pressure comes from both parents and the school.

But, truthfully, I’m paying to ensure that she reaches her full potential and so pressure is part of that. My daughter thrives in that type of environment, but I can see that it could be stressful for children who aren’t meeting expectations, or who excel in one particular subject area rather than being an academic all-rounder. Having said that, I would imagine that children in good state secondary schools are also under a lot of academic pressure too.

At my daughter’s school, there is not an automatic entry into the sixth form so there is constant discussion about what she can achieve and how she will achieve it. Obviously, this isn’t the case in all independent schools.

Do you have any advice for parents who are having difficulty making a decision between a good local state school and a private school?

Look at the environment in which your child thrives and explore how they learn. Think about how they would deal with regular tests and exams. If they are at senior school level, find out what subjects are on offer in the sixth form, and if they are in line with your child’s interests. Some state schools offer a wider variety of subjects than some smaller private schools with limited resources.

The advantage of an independent primary school is that you are training your child for the private system and this training has its advantages. In my opinion the kids who are attending independent schools are not better or brighter, just more prepared.

10 Families Pennines familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE

importance of STEM for preschool children What is STEM? We hear a lot these days about STEM for children, but what does the acronym stand for? STEM incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and focusses on teaching these subjects together instead of separately. This allows children to understand how all these subjects are very much linked in the world around us. Take an alarm clock, for example. Science provided the circuits and electricity, engineering allows it to be manufactured, technology provides the design and maths, the calculations needed to work out costings.

Are preschool children too young to understand and get involved in STEM? No this isn’t the case! Toddlers and preschools are naturally curious, they like to ask lots of questions and like to explore the world around them.

How many of you have watched your child play with a toy and turn it over to find a button to turn it off and on? Given a new toy and they start to work out how to play with it? How many questions do you get asked a day? Why does that car move? How does that plane fly? What is that dinosaur called?

They are learning about STEM just by doing this!

Why is STEM so important for preschool children?

Take that innate curiosity further. Exploring STEM in the early years gives children the foundations needed for school, as well as skills they will use and need throughout their life. It allows them to develop knowledge in these areas, language, listening and questioning skills, build resilience, problem solve and work together, all skills not just suited to a career in science.

It is well documented that young children learn through play and STEM is perfect for getting them involved and allows them to investigate at their pace. Going out for walk in the woods, getting them to describe and feel what they see, building a den, counting sticks, even baking, all incorporate STEM.

At Mini Professors Huddersfield we see the importance of getting hands-on. In each session we have practical experiments for them to get involved and do. It really engages those curious minds, they get to explore how things work, predict what may happen, develop fine motor skills which underpin learning to write and most of all see how fun it is that they don’t even realise they are learning!!

The world around us is developing so quickly that by the time our children are applying for jobs the majority will require some STEM skills!!

Emma Wood runs Mini Professors Huddersfield with classes in and around Huddersfield on a Monday, Thursday and Friday.

Birthday parties for 2-7years, sessions in nurseries and infant schools are also available. For more information contact Emma on 07734312555, email huddersfield@miniprofessors.co.uk or go to www.miniprofessors.com/huddersfield/

Shape Lindley Originating as a before and after school club, Shape Lindley has now branched out and opened a new pre-school for 2018. Early Years at Shape is a private pre-school based in the heart of Lindley, Huddersfield, run by a qualified team of Early Years Practitioners and Educators.

As a childcare provision they aim to provide a unique community experience for parents and children, offering them the opportunity to explore, discover, play and learn within a safe and stimulating environment which caters to a diverse range of needs.

Shape also provides wrap around childcare throughout the year for ages 2-11, including a holiday club during the summer holidays with lots of exciting trips and visits which the children hugely enjoy.

Early Years at Shape is now taking bookings for the next school year.

For more information, email info@eyshape.com, call 0843 886 9234 or go to their Facebook page @EarlyYearsAtShape.

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Families Pennines 11

CLUBS & CLASSES

How to make volcanos

By Emma Wood Why not try an experiment at home?

You will need Tray or baking tray Small empty plastic bottle (250ml) White vinegar (approx. 200ml in a measuring jug) Water (approx. 100ml) Bicarbonate of soda Teaspoon Funnel (if you have one) Food colouring (optional) I use a tray for this because when the volcano erupts it gets a little messy and this contains the lava. If you don’t have white vinegar you can use malt vinegar but it is harder to colour.

• Place the plastic bottle on your tray

and place the funnel if using in the top of the bottle.

• Add the food colouring to your white

vinegar – we used red but you can use any colour you like.

• Pour the white vinegar into the bottle until the bottle is half full

• Top up the bottle with the water until it is an inch and a half from the top.

Remove the funnel.

• Get a teaspoon full of bicarbonate of soda. Add to the top of the bottle and watch what happens!!

Is Your Child Sport Ready?

By Raymond Vestibule Physical activity is good for children of all ages and participation in organised sports may be an enjoyable way for children to be physically active. However, sporting activities must be developmentally appropriate for your child.

Enrolling your child in a sport or activity beyond their developmental ability can lead to frustration and early dropout.

Toddlers and pre-schoolers may be beginning to get the hang of many basic movements but are too young for most organised sports. So at this age don't stress too much if your little one isn't enrolled in a dozen different activities. According to the Mayo Clinic, toddlers who participate in organised sports typically don't gain any long-term advantage in terms of future sports performance. At this age, unstructured free play is usually best. Try running, tumbling, throwing, catching and swimming.

AGES 2-5

AGES 6-9

AGES 10-12

As children get older, their vision, attention span and transitional skills, such as throwing a ball for distance, improve. They're also better able to follow directions.

Consider organised activities such as running, football, gymnastics, swimming, tennis and martial arts.

By this age, children have mature vision and the ability to understand and recall sports strategies. Children of this age are typically ready to take on complex skill sports, such as football, basketball, hockey and volleyball.

As well as considering whether a sport is age-appropriate for your child, take into account how much they will enjoy the activity based on their maturity and abilities. Your child may show a natural preference for one activity over another, which shouldn't be ignored.

Remember children change as they grow and it’s normal for them to show a keen interest in one activity one year, only to switch to another by the next. Keep monitoring their level of interest and stay involved with their progress. Be positive and encouraging by emphasising effort and enjoyment over winning and never try to persuade your child to continue with a sport they clearly don't enjoy, whatever age they are.

More information visit www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle and www.nhs.uk/change4life 12 Families Pennines familiesonline.co.uk

TOP TIPS

FOR CHOOSING CLASSES, ACTIVITIES & CLUBS FOR YOUR CHILD

By Elisabeth Dolton Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the range and volume of activities, classes and clubs available for your child to join? Aside from the important issue of LOGISTICS, in other words, how are these activities going to fit into your schedule, how do you go about deciding what to choose?

Here are my top tips: Talk to your children, explain how many activities you think there is time for and find out what they are interested in pursuing.

Let them choose at least one class, activity or club themselves.

Help them choose activities that reflect who they are and what they want to learn and don’t impose your own preferences.

CLUBS & CLASSES Here’s a snapshot of just some of the clubs and classes from across the region: Tumble Tots www.tumbletots.com/huddersfield monique.brennan@tumbletots.com 01484 689467 Tumble Tots run structured classes for children aged 6 months to 7 years across Huddersfield, including Saturday sessions. We have a huge range of equipment, high staff-child ratios, plus rhymes and songs, and parental involvement with younger children. Physical activity is proven to boost mental development, and our classes increase confidence and teach skills for life. Established 1998.

If you have a reluctant child, explain that it’s important and fun to try new things, but don’t insist.

Remember that moving from one activity to another is normal amongst children.

Always consider the benefits of an activity. For instance, there’s great value in discipline-based activities that create a quality product over a period of time and teach value skills such as leadership and team work eg putting on a play.

Don’t assume that high cost equals high quality.

Ensure staff members are professionals with relevant skills and experience.

Consider the mix of activities. The benefits of exercise are huge, so try to include a sport.

If you are stuck between two similar activities, consider the usefulness, e.g. drumming lessons might be cool, but the guitar might have wider applicability.

Good luck!

Mini Professors Huddersfield huddersfield@miniprofessors.co.uk www.miniprofessors.com/ huddersfield 07734 312555 (Emma) Mini Professors are passionate about science and aim to inspire a generation. Offering fun preschool science for 2-5 year olds with hands-on experiments, video, storytelling & more! Children can explore science and gain many life skills, such as asking and answering questions, turn taking, sharing and socialising. Also available for nursery classes, KS1 and Birthday parties.

Babyballet www.babyballet.co.uk Baby Sensory/ Toddler Sense www.babysensory.com Bongo Beats www.bongobeats.co.uk Bilinguasing www.bilinguasing.com Jo Jingles www.jojingles.com KidsBeeHappy sales.kidsbeehappy.com LilyPadBaby www.lilypadbaby.co.uk Little Kickers www.littlekickers.co.uk Moo Music www.moo-music.co.uk Project Sport www.projectsport.org.uk Puddle Ducks www.puddleducks.com Pyjama Drama www.pyjamadrama.com Relax Kids www.relaxkids.com Rugby Tots www.rugbytots.co.uk Stagecoach www.stagecoach.co.uk Swimbabes www.swimbabes.co.uk Swimrite www.swimriteleisure.com Swim Stars www.ukswimstars.com Teenie Tennis Kids www.teenietenniskids.com

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Pennines 13

WHATS ON THIS SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER

THEATRE

A funny, warm hearted and interactive rustic tale to make you squeal with laughter, bristling with puppets, live music and lots of joining in.

3+. 45mins. 2.30pm.

HALF TERM

12 & 13 October

26 – 28 October

GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU 15 & 16 September

TELETUBBIES LIVE! The Victoria Theatre, Fountain Street, Halifax, HX1 1BP, 01422 351158 victoriatheatre.co.uk

Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po in a show full of love and laughter as they explore the magical world of Teletubbyland. 1 hour 20 minutes. 10am and 1pm.

29 September

Theatre Royal Wakefield, Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE, 01924 211311, theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk

Join Little & Big Nutbrown Hare, from the bestselling Guess How Much I Love You and I Love You All Year Round collection, as they leap off the page and onto the stage in this magical journey through the seasons. 11am, 1pm. 3+.

14 October

3 LITTLE PIG TAILS

LITTLE BO PEEP

The Lawrence Batley Theatre, Queen’s Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP, 01484 430528 thelbt.org

Square Chapel, 10 Square Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 1QG, 01422 349422 squarechapel.co.uk

A funny, warm hearted and interactive rustic tale to make you squeal with laughter, bristling with puppets, live music and lots of joining in.

3+. 45mins. 2.30pm 29 September

MILKSHAKE! LIVE Theatre Royal Wakefield, Drury Lane, Wakefield, WF1 2TE, 01924 211311, theatreroyalwakefield.co.uk

Sing along to your favourite nursery rhymes; Ten Green Bottles, Hickory Dickory Dock, The Grand Old Duke of York and many, many more. Featuring magnificent puppets, fantastic scenery and lots of music. 3+. 45mins.

2:30pm.

23 – 27 October

MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL The Alhambra Theatre, Morley Street, Bradford, BD7 1AJ, 01274 432000 bradford-theatres.co.uk

Join Alex (X-Factor 2016 winner Matt Terry), Marty, Melman and Gloria as they bound out of the zoo and onto the stage in this live musical spectacular. 5+ 27 October

Set amongst Milkshake’s magical bookcase, this brilliant live show is sure to amaze and delight! The Milkshake! cast will be singing songs and sharing stories that audience members, young and old, will love. 11am, 2pm.

30 September

3 LITTLE PIG TAILS Square Chapel, 10 Square Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 1QG, 01422 349422 squarechapel.co.uk

NICK SHARRATT’S DRAW-ALONG Square Chapel, 10 Square Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX1 1QG, 01422 349422 squarechapel.co.uk

Join acclaimed children’s writer and illustrator Nick Sharratt to find out how he creates his picture books.

Plus he’ll share some of his very best drawing tips. Bring pencils, paper and something to lean on with plenty of chances to join in! 4+. 2pm.

It's Museums at Night and when it gets dark, Lister Park will light up with lanterns, fire jugglers and wonderful musicians. Drop in during the day to make your own lantern. 11am-1pm and 3.30pm-5.30pm.

HALLOWEEN GHOST TRAINS 20 October – 4 November

HALLOWEEN Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Discovery Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2NE, 01422 330069 eureka.org.uk

Head to Eureka! for some spooky Halloween fun!

23 October

FAMILY DROP IN: POPPY MAKING Cliffe Castle Museum, Spring Gardens Lane, Keighley, BD20 6LH, 01535 618231 bradfordmuseums.org

Make a poppy. For inspiration visit the Poppy Field of Remembrance in the Bracewell Smith Hall, made to commemorate the Bradford Pals and other soldiers from the district who lost their lives in the First World War.

Kirklees Light Railway, Park Mill Way, Clayton West, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD8 9XJ, 01484 865 727 kirkleeslightrailway.com

Climb aboard the Ghost Train for an evening of frights as the train takes you along the spooky line to the haunted woods!

Not suitable for under 3s.

27 October

GRUESOME NEWSAM Temple Newsam Estate, Temple Newsam Park, Leeds, LS15 0AE, 0113 3367460 leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays

Hear some of the grisly and ghastly stories associated with Temple Newsam including a journey through the creepy derelict cellars. This gruesome tour is suitable for brave guests aged 7+. 11am.

27 October – 4 November

24 October

SPOOKY SCARECROW TRAIL

GHOSTS IN THE MACHINES: FAMILY DROP IN

Lotherton Hall, Off Collier Lane, Aberford, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS25 3EB, 0113 378 2959 leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays

Bradford Industrial Museum, Moorside Mills, Moorside Road, Eccleshill, Bradford, BD2 3HP, 01274 435900 bradfordmuseums.org

Free Halloween family craft activities. Who’s haunting the museum’s galleries and playing havoc with the machines...

Drop-in sessions 11am-12pm and 2-3pm 25 October

THE BIG DRAW FAMILY DROP IN: PLAY! Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Lister Park, North Park Road, Bradford, BD9 4NR, 01274 431212 bradfordmuseums.org

The Big Draw Festival 2018 is all about letting loose, embracing happy accidents, discovery and most importantly having fun with those HBs! 26 October

HALF-TERM FAMILY DROP IN: LISTER'S LANTERNS Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Lister Park, North Park Road, Bradford, BD9 4NR, 01274 431212. bradfordmuseums.org

As well as the ever popular Spooky Scarecrow Trail, take an evening scary walk through the haunted woods or visit the new Scarecrow Shanty Town. With creepy craft activities every day.

27 October – 4 November

HALLOWEEN TRAIL Oakwell Hall Country Park, Nova Lane, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LG, 01924 324761 kirklees.gov.uk/museums

Pick up your activity pack from the Visitor Centre shop and take 22 – 23 September

ANIMAL ANTICS Eureka! The National Children's Museum, Discovery Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2NE, 01422 330069 eureka.org.uk

Eureka! will be welcoming be a range of friendly animals onsite all weekend.

Visitors will be able to handle creepy crawlies and see birds of prey.

14 Families Pennines familiesonline.co.uk

WHATS ON THIS SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 30 October

SPARKS! HALF TERM FUN – MAKING A MAGICAL SPELL BOOK Bankfield Museum, Boothtown Road, Halifax, HX3 6HG, 01422 352334 museums.calderdale.gov.uk

Join in with some spooky games and make a magical spell book.

11am-12pm, 1-2pm, 2-3pm. £3.50 per child or £2.50 for PTL. 30 October

CRAFTY CREATURES DAY Leeds City Museum, Millennium Square, Leeds, LS2 8BH, 0113 224 3732 leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays

27 October – 4 November

ORCHARD WEEK Thwaite Mills Watermill, Thwaite Lane, Stourton, Leeds, LS10 1RP, 0113 3782983 leeds.gov.uk/school holidays

Celebrate Apple Day with a treasure hunt and other family friendly fun. Get arty with apples (30 Oct, 1-3pm), make erupting apple-cano’s (1 Nov, 1-3pm) and get creepy with Halloween crafts in the orchard on All Hallows Eve (31 Oct, 11am-3pm).

29 October

FAMILY FORESTCRAFT Oakwell Hall Country Park, Nova Lane, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LG, 01924 324761 kirklees.gov.uk/museums

Outdoor family activity days.

Children must be 5 and over and accompanied by an adult. £8 per child & £2 per adult.

Booking essential. 10.30am12noon 29 October

FUNGUS FORAY Temple Newsam Estate, Temple Newsam Park, Leeds, LS15 0AE, 0113 3367460 leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays

Take a 1.5 mile walk through the woods with a local expert on a beginner’s guide to the natural history and identification of fungi around the Temple Newsam estate. 2-5pm. familiesonline.co.uk

30 October

BUSH BABIES Oakwell Hall Country Park, Nova Lane, Birstall, Batley WF17 9LG, 01924 324761 kirklees.gov.uk/museums

Fun environmental themed activities for the under 5s including storytelling, crafts and games. Children must be accompanied. £5 including juice drink. Pre-book.

10-11.30am 30 October

DROP IN CREEPY HALLOWEEN CRAFTS Bagshaw Museum & Wilton Park, Woodlands Road, Batley WF17 0AS, 01924 324765 kirklees.gov.uk/museums

Dare to get creative with chilling crafts? Take inspiration from the stunning Victorian Gothic mansion, make your very own haunted house and fill it with mummies, skeletons, spiders. £2. 12-4pm

Join fairandfunky for Halloween themed crafts using recycled materials. £3.50 per crafter.

11am-1pm & 2-4pm 31 October

SPOOKY SCIENCE Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Abbey Rd, Kirkstall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3EH, 0113 230 5492 leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays

A day of spooky science activity with goo and ghosts, frogs and foam. No scientific knowledge necessary, only curiosity. 10am12pm & 2-4pm 1 November

PUTTING THE HAPPY IN HALLOWEEN

SPARKS! HALF TERM FUN – HAUNTED HOUSE

Leeds Industrial Museum, Canal Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 2QF, 0113 378 3173 leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays

Bankfield Museum, Boothtown Road, Halifax, HX3 6HG, 01422 352334 museums.calderdale.gov.uk

Come and discover the real stories behind Halloween with 21st-century witches from the Leodis Pagan Circle. Family craft sessions will include jack-o’-lantern and willow wand making. 12.30pm-3pm.

Join us for a spooky trail around the house and then make a spooky picture.11am-12pm, 1-2pm, 2-3pm. £3.50 per child or £2.50 for Passport to Learning.

31 October

SPOOKY SPOOKTACULAR Temple Newsam Estate, Temple Newsam Park, Leeds, LS15 0AE, 0113 3367460 leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays

30 October

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN CRAFTS

31 October

Get ready for Halloween with a day of creepy crafts in the spookily decorated Victorian Streets. 10am-12pm & 2-4pm.

SPOOKY SCRAPTASTIC CRAFTS Tolson Museum, Ravensknowle Park, Wakefield Road, Huddersfield HD5 8DJ, 01484 223240 kirklees.gov.uk/museums

30 October – 1 November

Tour the house with tales of spooky residents who creep through the corridors at night.

Try your hand at spooky crafts and collect terrifying treats along the way. 5-8pm with last admission at 7.15pm. Book.

Abbey House Museum, Abbey Walk, Abbey Rd, Kirkstall, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS5 3EH, 0113 230 5492 leeds.gov.uk/schoolholidays

31 October

©AndrewHeptinstall

a spooky walk around the park this half term. £1.50 per pack. (closed Monday & Tuesday) 10am-4pm

Flock to the museum where you can build animal dens, nests and lodges. Use recycled junk materials to create art inspired by nature. There’ll be extra activities for young people aged 11+, including mosaic making.

10am-12pm and 1-3pm.

1-2pm, 2-3pm. £3.50 per child or £2.50 for PTL.

SPARKS! HALF TERM FUN – POP UP HALLOWEEN SCENE Bankfield Museum, Boothtown Road, Halifax, HX3 6HG, 01422 352334 museums.calderdale.gov.uk

Listen to some spooky tales and create your own pop up Halloween scene. 11am-12pm,

Please be aware that things change so check details and suitability for your family with the provider before setting out as Families Pennines cannot be held responsible for the events we list.

Heritage Open Days Don’t forget the Heritage Open Days taking place over two weekends – 6 to 9 and 13 to 16 September. Discover events taking place near you here www. heritageopendays.org.uk.

Families Pennines 15