FAMILIES SOLENT EAST MARCH APRIL 22

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Solent East

IN THIS ISSUE

Education What’s On Easter

Issue 98 March/April 2022

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familiesonline.co.uk Families Solent East 1

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Get in touch to book your personal family tour and to find out more about joining The Portsmouth Junior Grammar School.

023 9236 0036

2 Families Solent East

www.pgs.org.uk

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CONTENTS

Welcome We’re really looking forward to spring here at Families and in preparation, here’s our Easter magazine.

Contact us

It’s time to start thinking about getting out and about with the family again and, in this issue, animal lovers can plan a unique wildlife encounter and find accommodation nearby.

Editor Paul Constantine editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk 07592 370426

With fuel bills rocketing, saving energy is on everyone’s mind. Get the kids involved in cutting the cost and easing pressure on the environment – read our suggestions on how to do this.

Sales Claire Clarricoates 07812 218331

Are you nervously waiting to find out the results of your school application?

We have suggestions on what to do if you don’t get your first choice.

Book now to be included in our May/June issue.

In this issue 4.

Education

8.

Early Years

9.

Clubs & Classes

10. Parenting 11.

Plus, embrace going out with some great entertainment options from our What’s On guide.

Finally, we have lots of Doodlejamz to give away! Apply for this squishy, squashy, sensory – but mess-free - drawing toy for your child. And, if you haven’t signed up to receive our digital magazine and enjoy additional, interactive content, you can do this at familiesmag.co.uk/go to receive every issue free to your inbox.

November/December competition winners

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https://bit.ly/compwinnersND

Environment

12. Travel 13. Easter Craft 14. What’s On

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.

Southsea’s best kept secret

Open Week - 14th March to 17th March 2022 Contact the Admissions Team who will be happy to help or click on the website.

www.stjohnscollege.co.uk call 023 9281 5118 email admissions@stjohnscollege.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

Families Solent East 3

EDUCATION

Help, we didn’t get our first choice school!

By Emma Lewry School allocation day is almost upon us. In England, secondary school places are announced on 1 March. Then, during April, those who have applied for a primary school place will find out their designated school. Thankfully, almost ninety two percent of families are given their first-choice primary school and ninety eight percent get one of their listed preferences. In secondary, ninety six percent of students get one of their listed schools. But what about those who do not get their first choice or even any preferences? How can you deal with the fallout from not getting a choice you planned for? Here are three suggestions: Give the allocated option a chance If you do not know much about the school, get nosey on their website and give them a call see if you can visit. In many cases, second or third choice allocations turn out to be brilliant and families are really pleased with the decision. Give the school a chance, it might work for you!

Manage disappointment Sometimes the biggest issue is managing the disappointment you and your child might feel. Look after yourself and take some time to be sad, angry and frustrated; these are important and valid feelings. Communicating positively with your child is important if you can, so they don’t feel nervous about their new school.

Get on the waiting lists Plenty changes between the spring and September and there is still a good chance you can get a space at your first choice school or another you feel happier about. Depending on your local authority procedures, you may automatically go on a waiting list or you may need to request this with your local authority or directly with the school.

If you are still feeling unsure about the school options, there is time to look at other schools and request a change. Both starting school and moving to secondary are big events and you need to feel as happy about them as you can. There are also options to appeal; although this can be challenging, it may be worth a shot.

Again, your local authority website should explain the appeals process.

Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, former Headteacher and mum to two little girls. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk/links) which supports families to prepare for starting school through groups, courses and a school starters planner available from Amazon.

Telling your child

Appealing a decision

Where possible, after taking a little time to process your own feelings, tell your child with a positive spin. Explain to them that there is a different school that wants them to join.

Each local authority has an appeals procedure to follow and this can be found on their website.

Find some specific things about the school they will love and show younger children pictures of happy children and fun activities on the school website. For older children, visit the website together to look at what is on offer.

Give them some examples of times when a change or difference in a plan has been good, for example ‘it was raining on our walk but we found some great puddles.’ Children of all ages are really receptive to these examples of bigger life lessons and it gives an opportunity to talk about how they feel.

Stories are a great way to explore feelings and talk about sadness and disappointment. Top recommendations for little ones are: The Colour Monster by Anna Lennas and for older children No Worries, an activity book by Dr Sharie Combes or You are Awesome by Matthew Syed.

4 Families Solent East

It will explain how to appeal and what reasons you can use for appeal. It is quite difficult to be successful with an appeal and in most cases, this only happens where children have additional needs which cannot be supported in any other setting. In a nutshell, if you appeal a decision, you are effectively asking a school which is full to remove a child from that allocation and move them to a different school. As you can imagine, that is an unlikely scenario.

It can be worth going through the process though, as there are situations in which schools may take on more children if they are able to and by appealing, you are showing you are serious about wanting a place at that school.

Once you appeal, the case will be heard by a panel, you may be invited to the hearing and you will be given a decision with reasons.

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EDUCATION

How important is spelling?

By Jemma Zoe Smith At a time when autocorrect is everywhere and very few situations call for handwriting, the question being debated is: does spelling matter?

As a dyslexic tutor, my answer does not fit squarely on one side of the fence. Spelling is a recognised core skill which helps with reading, processing and pronunciation. That said, should anyone be penalised for having important and novel ideas, simply because they struggle to write them down?

In UK primary schools, children are given regular spelling tests and spelling is tested at each stage of pupils’ lives. 11+ exams, SATs, GCSEs and even some job interviews require a writing task without spellcheck. So yes, spelling must matter because it is tested at so many points in the UK (although not so much in the USA). Fail to master spelling and it is harder to make it to top universities or careers.

Indeed, poor spelling skills can also impede you in love! In 2016, a survey of over five thousand people on online dating site Match.com found that over a third judged whether a potential date was suitable by their grasp of grammar.

Poor spelling can also impact business ratings, with a BBC article in 2011 stating that ‘a single spelling mistake can cut online sales in half.’

While spell checking tools can be used, they raise a new issue.

When spell check corrects a word, it can also change the word to one different than intended, creating hundreds of ‘funniest autocorrect’ articles online but also leaving governments red

Learning to proofread While grammar and autocorrect tools can support writing, I believe there is a missing skill: proofreading. Something that I often work on with students is ‘hearing their inside voice’ reading their work. Being able to spot mistakes can help students to notice patterns in their own writing, identify grammar errors and lead them to understand hidden meanings in texts.

The process of proofreading encourages children to slow down and consider making changes to their work, such as upgrading a word like ‘big’ to ‘enormous,’ allowing them to explore and use more advanced vocabulary. To produce crisp, clear copy, proofreading is the final part of the writing process and is as important as creating and revising text.

Proofreading is a skill that many of us will need in the world of work, when sending emails and writing presentations. For the best, proof reading can be a job in its own right.

To practise proofreading, try www.twinkl.co.uk for age-banded proofreading packs and worksheets www.portlandproof.com for free online games.

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faced as ‘peace’ turns to ‘peach’ in press releases.

But let’s not come down too hard on spelling lest it discourage children from writing. I have seen students go from enthusiastic to disengaged learners after seeing their work returned with red rings around the misspelled words. For many, their ideas for stories, articles and debates stay locked in their heads, never written down for fear of over-zealous correction. We might be missing out on some amazing works - after all, Jane Austen is known for spelling scissors as ‘scissars’ and sofa as ‘sopha’. And her novels are considered literary classics!

So does spelling matter? Sort of. But it shouldn’t get in the way of encouraging children to write. My solution? Spend longer on proof-reading, a skill that can help beyond the classroom. And, on that note, I’m off to proof-read this article.

Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).

First Steps at Portsmouth Grammar School Nurturing and developing a lifelong love of learning is at the heart of our provision for our youngest children, who benefit greatly from a caring and supportive approach to their personal development.

It is so important that our children feel happy, that their contribution is valued from day one and that they learn to value the contribution of others.

From their first day at school, the children are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy alongside the personal skills of sharing, respect and independence.

They do this in a happy, enriching, co-educational environment in bright, spacious classrooms.

More info at www.pgs.org.uk

Families Solent East 5

EDUCATION

Meet the Head

Meet the Head

Special feature

Families chats with Mary Maguire, Head of St John’s College, Southsea.

What do you think are the key skills that children should be mastering at the start of their school journey?

As we work towards Microsoft Showcase School accreditation this year, I want to champion the use of digital tools to educate and empower our pupils for life in the 21st Century.

Communication, a love of learning, questioning skills and discovery which will all lead to independent learning. In our Lower School, we focus on all these skills.

Pupils have their Numeracy and Literacy lessons every morning and then a mixture of specialised teaching and topic-based work to develop these skill ready for their move into Middle School in Year 5.

As an international school and a member of the International Schools Association, I want each pupil to have the opportunity to work collaboratively with pupils across the globe so they are world ready learners, fully prepared to succeed in global workplaces of the future.

Our journey to become a Microsoft Showcase School means that digital learning is embedded across the traditional curriculum. There is a commitment from the entire school to continuously invest in this ever-evolving area.

Why is Education so important to you?

Education really does open doors and can unlock the potential of young people from different backgrounds through academic studies and experiences beyond the classroom.

How would the students describe you?

Approachable, fair, and caring. I have been at St John’s College for 10 years. In a school such as this, I believe it is imperative that each pupil feels valued, that I know them and their strengths, how their studies are going and what they have achieved both in school and with other outside activities.

What is your best memory so far at St John’s College?

Within the last 12 months: the drop down day last March as we welcomed all pupils back on site but recognised they were would be a period of readjustment and ran workshops to help them get back into the swing of normal school life; when we hosted our first whole school Sports Day and the special memories of our most senior pupils supporting the very youngest ones on the track; in September, having our Prize Giving and Speech Night back on site to pay tribute to those pupils who had great success and overcome the challenges of lockdown learning.

In what way is St John’s College different from other schools?

Positive relationships between pupils and all staff a strong sense of community.

How do you help pupils who need extra

academic support?

High quality teaching in the classroom for all means the small number of pupils who require additional support, can have their needs met in the classroom working alongside their peers.

Teaching staff give freely of their time for any follow up questions once lessons are finished and our Learning Support Department works to develop strategies for pupils to use in their lessons. We also have a dedicated EAL department to support pupils for whom English is not their first language.

What would you like to achieve over the next couple of years and beyond?

What advice would you give to parents choosing a school?

How quickly will the teachers get to really know your child. No matter which year group they join, our staff and our pastoral system allows us to get to know our pupils quickly, so we are providing an education that both challenges and supports each individual.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I considered many careers including Dentist and hairdresser and was adamant I wouldn’t be a teacher yet here I am with over 25 years of teaching experience.

We already offer an excellent education; the focus now is on developing our site and facilities for 21st Century learning. Making sure that the school has fit for purpose so we can improve on our educational provision including Sport, Performing Arts and co-curricular.

What are you known for?

We are currently working with a local architect who has speared headed projects for schools both in UK and abroad to ensure we have a fit for purpose site. Look out for updates on our social media!

I considered many careers including Dentist and hairdresser and was adamant I wouldn’t be a teacher yet here I am with over 25 years of teaching experience.

Still have my Northern Irish accent although often confused for being American or Scottish.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

What are you known for?

Still have my Northern Irish accent although often confused for being American or Scottish.

Netflix or Kindle?

Kindle: I really enjoy escaping with a good book.

Premier League or Last Night at the Proms?

Last night at the Proms. However, my husband is Welsh and we lived there for many years. You cannot live in Wales and not get involved with Rugby. Six Nations Rugby season can be tense in our house.

Find out more about St John’s College at www.stjohnscollege.co.uk

6 Families Solent East

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EDUCATION

Tidy bedrooms and school performance

By Usha Patel The instruction ‘Tidy your room!’ is the bane of most children’s lives. But there’s so much more to keeping bedrooms tidy than maintaining a positive environment. In fact, the very act of regular tidying can actually help children in other areas of their life too, including at school. It’s all part of building certain processes and routines that are important to their overall development.

Nurturing a sense of tidiness By the age of four, children can usually hold just one notion in their active memory, for instance, immediate instructions such as picking up certain toys or doing one tidying job. Young children often struggle with being given too much to do all at once simply because their active memory is quickly drained. However, by the time they are sixteen, they can hold six or even seven notions in their active memory at a time.

If you want your child to more easily absorb a sequence of instructions, you can try habit stacking, with tidying their bedroom a perfect example of how to nurture it. Habit stacking is achieved by linking an existing habit with a new one you want to create.

How a tidy bedroom can help with working memory How easily can your child find something in their bedroom? To recall where a particular item is, children first need to retrieve the information from their long-term memory storage and bring it forward to their active thinking. The more items they have to put away, the more working memory is used to remember where each one is located.

Working memory is a critical cognitive function for everyday activities from learning to reading, remembering spellings, maths and mathematical tasks. By encouraging your child to start small and create the tidying habit and then retrieve the items, you are exercising that same part of the brain.

It’s impossible to overstate just how important working memory is in every aspect of your child’s life. In fact, Dr Tracy Packiam Alloway, award-winning psychologist who has conducted extensive research on memory and the brain, states it is a more significant indicator of academic success than IQ. So, there’s no need to feel like you are being a nag when you ask your child to tidy their room; it really is good for them. There’s a direct line from toybox to brainbox - just don’t expect them to thank you for it yet!

Usha Patel (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk) is a neurocognitive therapist and an expert in special educational needs.

Habit stacking to improve bedroom tidying

Tips for improving tidying and working memory

Beds take up a large portion of any bedroom and having a madeup bed can contribute to a ninety percent tidier room if your child’s room is small. Using a habit stack to instruct your child to make their bed could be worded like this:

Introduce and start using habit stacking from a young age.

‘After your feet touch the floor in the morning, plump up your pillow and pull the cover straight to make your bed. After making your bed, head straight to the bathroom’.

A room tidying habit stack might sound like this: ‘Pick up your cars and put them in the blue crate. Then sit your soft toys next to each other on the shelf.’

Habit stacking becomes a routine that can be easily adapted and made more complex with age. It creates a series of sequential steps that leave no gaps for distraction. Importantly, it does not drain active memory. If you want to find out more, Habit Stacking creator Dr BJ Fogg’s book Tiny Habits is an excellent guide to the science of behaviour change.

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Celebrate the implementation of each new habit with plenty of praise and encouragement. Comment on how much better your child’s room looks and how pleased you are with their efforts; Dr BJ Fogg says happiness helps behaviour change!

Creating and ingraining a new habit usually takes around twenty one days. Once the habit is in place, add another and keep going. Gradually build the chain of habits to achieve the right result.

Exercise your four-year-old child’s working memory by asking them to retrieve one item. Build up to four items by age nine and seven by age sixteen.

Every child develops at their own pace, bear this in mind and support or reduce when needed at every stage.

When you deem them old enough, explain the science behind what they are learning and how clever they are making their brains!

Families Solent East 7

EARLY YEARS

Play for nurturing emotional intelligence

By Dr Anne Lane When my daughter was in her first year at nursery her favourite game was pretending to say goodbye to me. ‘Bye Mama, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.’ ‘Oh no! You’re not going...’ I’d say after her, ‘I don’t want you to go!’ The more I sighed ‘Don’t go,’ the more she’d giggle and run off. Thus reassured, we were ready for our day.

Little moments of play like this helped my daughter process her separation from me at nursery from a space of safety and connection.

For a child, life can be full of emotional demands; from the strains of separation from you, to new friendships, periods of uncertainty and family changes.

As a parent and psychologist, one of the most effective and fun ways I have found to help children navigate experiences and the difficult emotions that come with these is through this process of play. Simple, giggly, repetitive play helps children develop a resilience and familiarity with situations which can dispel tension and anxiety.

So how does play work?

Play is serious work for your child. The process of role-playing real scenarios allows them to reflect on their reactions and beliefs about a situation. They can steady their emotions and become more nuanced and agile in their reactions.

in the world of play, they get to switch things around and feel empowered. They can explore and try different things. The play scenario can be ridiculous, funny, amusing - tense and tight emotions soften and ease.

Against this background of safety and security, your child can become more comfortable making suggestions and changing things, allowing their understanding of situations to develop.

They’re the boss, they call the shots and decide how a situation goes. From this place of safety, they revisit difficult experiences without feeling vulnerable or uncertain.

In role playing and playing out different scenarios with them, your child comes to know you as someone who can understand and relate to their experience. They feel steady and secure.

Dr Anne Lane is a clinical psychologist and author. Her new book Nurture Your Child’s Emotional Intelligence: 5 Steps to Help Your Child Cope with Big Emotions and Build Resilience is out now.

The most important aspect of play is that it feels safe. In the real world, things are unpredictable. People can be abrupt and cross and make your child feel vulnerable and uncertain. But

Top tips for playing

Play and tricky emotions

When you play with your child, focus less on conversation and more on acting things out and exploring. This focus away from language allows your child to relax and connect.

Role reversals are a fantastic way to help children feel safe and more in control around an area of anxiety.

Follow the laughter. When your child is laughing they are releasing fear and tension, enveloped in happiness with you.

Silliness, smiles and laughter are great indicators that play is working.

Let your child take the lead. If you can, get down to their level.

Prioritise your child feeling in control. If your child seems uncertain or pulls back then slow down, change things around.

Let them be the boss.

Be careful with tickling. Although a lot of children love tickling, the feeling of being tickled can be overwhelming and intense.

Instead prioritise play which creates real engagement and collaboration, as well as laughter.

Play doesn’t have to be big, take long or be over-planned.

Make it spontaneous and funny. Some of my children’s favourite games can involve me simply looking surprised or pretending to sleep on the sofa!

8 Families Solent East

You might role play being worried about something (for example, a teddy bear or a falling leaf). Your child gets to reflect on what it feels like to be anxious and to calm you.

Easing resistance or struggle: does your child become frustrated and resistant even around small things like brushing teeth or dressing?

Playing in a way that brings on giggles melts away these tired, stuck emotions. I’ve often pretended to scrub the floor and a child’s legs with the toothbrush. When they start giggling and the mood softens, you can say: ‘Here you go, let’s get those teeth brushed.’

Play can also help your child notice and reflect on a behaviour.

If your child is being mean to another, play ‘shaking out the meanies.’ The behaviour gets named but without shaming the child, tension shifts and a more collaborative, open way of relating replaces the power play.

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CLUBS & CLASSES

Perform classes will build your child’s confidence

Pre-schoolers and group activities

Perform puts children’s social development at the heart of its weekly sessions for ages 4 to 7 and 7 to 12.

After nearly two years of social distancing and screen time, the number of UK pre-schoolers joining organised group activities has risen by ten percent, according to a new study from leading researcher Childwise. Twenty six percent of parents surveyed said their pre-schooler had participated in group activities last year, up from sixteen percent in 2019.

Using performing arts-based games and inspiring activities, classes are designed to boost confidence, build concentration, develop communication skills and hone co-ordination – and are brimming with fun and laughter too.

Swimming is the most popular activity, followed by dance classes and group music lessons. On average, UK kids are now participating in 1.4 activities, up from 1.2 activities preCovid.

Run by professionally trained actors, dancers and singers, classes are small to ensure individual attention, with regular progress reports provided. Free apps, music downloads and dance videos support each theme, meaning the fun continues at home! But don’t just take Perform’s word for it, see what parents say by visiting www.perform.org.uk

More info: www.childwise.co.uk

‘The beaming smile you see when Annabelle finishes a class is so wonderful to see. She has grown in confidence and thoroughly enjoys it.’ Katie Pashley Regardless of when children join in the term, they can still take part in the end of term performance. Classes are for all abilities; just prepare your child for the best fun of the week!

To book a no-obligation FREE trial in Chichester, Petersfield, Southsea or Waterlooville visit www.perform.org.uk/try, email enquiries@perform.org.uk or call 020 7255 9120. Use code SOL310322 for a £40 discount when booking before 31 March.

More about Perform’s weekly classes Confidence building drama classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. A unique mix of fun drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination.

Learn the FUNdamentals of football Little Kickers provide football fun for children aged 18 months to 7 years across the Portsmouth and Gosport area.

Learning the FUNdamentals of football in a pressure free, fun environment. Little Kickers have four different football classes each tailored to a different age group giving children a positive introduction to football with their “Play not push” ethos.

They believe football can be educational. Coached in the right way it can stimulate imagination and aid early development skills such as learning colours and numbers, following instructions and playing as a team.

To find out about their tailored football classes and the exciting badges that each child receives, email: ajane@littlekickers.co.uk or visit www.littlekickers.co.uk

Venues: Chichester: St Michaels Church Hall, Summersdale Road, PO19 6PN Petersfield: Salvation Army Hall, Swan Street, GU32 3AD Waterlooville: Merchistoun Hall, 106 Portsmouth Road, PO8 9LJ **New Class** Southsea: St Simons Church Hall, Waverley Road, PO5 2PW Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class, email enquiries@perform.org.uk or call 020 7255 9120.

Special offer for Families readers Perform is offering Families readers a special £40 introductory discount on bookings made by 31 March just quote SOL310322.

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Learning the FUNdamentals of Football Football fun for children aged 18 months - 8 years old.

Book your first class now!

Visit our website: www.LittleKickers.co.uk Call: 07551 664969

LittleKickers

Families Solent East 9

PARENTING

Tackling childhood fears

By Tanith Carey

During the pandemic, levels of anxiety among adults have risen sharply and some of this worry has been contagious for kids. So how do we help children manage their own feelings when the world feels uncertain for grown-ups too?

Firstly, remember that children take their cues from you. This means noticing when you feel overwhelmed.

Visualise a sliding scale in your mind with notches from one to ten. When the scale starts to move towards seven or eight, take deliberate steps to process your own worries, maybe talking them through with another adult, so you can stay calm and rational around your child.

You may be concerned that this is hiding your worries from your child. Don’t be. It’s putting on your own oxygen mask so you can reassure them they are safe within the world of their home. If your child seems worried by something about Covid they have heard outside the home, ask what they’ve heard.

From around age 4 or 5, young children engage in ‘magical thinking’ in which they believe they are the centre of the world.

In order to try and make sense of how the world works, they also tend to link events that aren’t linked, meaning that they often leap to the wrong conclusions. If a grandparent gets Covid, they may for example, assume it’s down to them not washing their hands when they come home from school.

Asking your children about their fears allows you to tackle their concerns directly. You can help them feel more in control by telling them they are part of a big team winning the war on the virus and helping by wearing masks and washing their hands. Explain: ‘Lots of people have caught this germ, but for most, it’s been like a really bad cold.’

Talk too about how clever scientists have come up with vaccines and millions of grown-ups, from health care staff to teachers, are still working hard to look after them. Help them get the virus in perspective too. Explain that there are good germs in our bodies as well as bad ones, how their immune system works and how to look after it.

While young children tend not to worry about death as something that happens to them, they may worry about who will look after them if you or your co-parent dies. If this is a concern that surfaces, tell your child that everyone dies eventually but

you don’t expect it to happen for a long time and by then they will be grown-up.

Facing and talking about their fears doesn’t mean they will become persistent. In fact, they are more likely to keep coming back when children feel alone with them, not heard or unable to express them.

If you do lose a loved one, give clear, open honest answers because younger children don’t understand death is final. Avoid phrases such as ‘gone to sleep’ or ‘we’ve lost them.’ Explain simply the reason that their loved one is no longer here is that their body stopped working.

Sometimes kids can find it easier to process the death of a loved one through tangible ways of mourning. Going through family photos, making a keepsake box, releasing a balloon with the person’s name on or planting a tree can all be helpful.

Tanith Carey is author of What’s My Child Thinking: Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents with clinical child psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin, published by DK books.

Fears and anxieties are some of the one hundred scenarios faced with children aged 2 to 7 that are tackled in this book.

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I’m scared of the dark

Will bad people hurt us?

Fear of the dark at bedtime affects about half of children up to the age of 5. When a room goes black, children can feel ‘trapped’ by the darkness around them.

By the time children are 5 or 6, they may overhear talk about crime or terror attacks and worry that ‘bad people’ may want to hurt them or the people they love.

By helping kids name their worries, they will feel more in charge.

Summarise and talk about what they are saying, so they know you have heard and understood.

While you may feel it’s too soon to tackle such a big subject, they are really asking if they are safe with you right now.

To make lights-out seem less scary, offer your child a nightlight which will cast a warm glow around them without interrupting their sleep.

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Acknowledge their concerns and how scary this must feel.

Explain that serious crimes and big news incidents are rare and they are safe at home.

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ENVIRONMENT

Involving children in saving power

By Angela Terry The climate crisis is hot news, energy prices are soaring and families are feeling the pain. With nearly a quarter of the UK’s carbon emissions created by our homes, there’s no better time to instil good energy-saving habits in our children, help the environment and reduce energy bills. Luckily, there are many creative ways of doing this so you don’t need to resort to nagging. Here are some suggestions: Measure your household carbon footprint To put energy saving into context, find a free online calculator and measure your household carbon footprint. Start a family art project, drawing a big foot and recording the date and the number of tonnes of emissions generated by your household. As you work together to reduce your footprint, you can update your achievements periodically, getting your children to draw smaller and smaller feet. Display your feet in a row along a wall to chart your progress.

Get children to write the rules Go through each room in your house with the kids and ask them to pinpoint all the potential sources of wasted energy. Draw up a list together and agree a set of family rules that you’re all going to stick to, like switching off appliances that aren’t in use and keeping all curtains closed at night. Ownership of the rules should help motivate kids to follow them.

Rewards To help younger children stick to your rules, try a reward chart with stickers. If they stick to them for a week, you can then give them a special eco treat, like a bee hotel for the garden or a packet of sunflower seeds to plant together. Older children and teens are more likely to be motivated by money, so agree a small weekly financial reward. Given how much energy prices are increasing, this will still save you money overall.

Appoint monitors Allocate specific roles to each child. One could be the curtain monitor, ensuring all curtains are pulled shut at dusk, stopping extra energy seeping out of windows as the temperature drops.

Likewise, another child could be the thermostat monitor and check it isn’t set above nineteen degrees Celsius. Children can

also check that bedrooms and little-used rooms are not being heated unnecessarily by turning down their radiator valves.

Finally, a socket monitor could make sure all appliances not in use are switched off at the wall.

Time showers Make a game of it when it comes to cutting hot water usage by timing each other in the shower to see who can be the quickest – whilst still actually getting clean, of course!

Screen time Screen time limits can be one of the greatest sources of tension between parents and children. Building in an energy saving component can help. Explain to your children that the carbon footprint of our gadgets, the internet and the systems supporting them is nearly four percent of global emissions - greater than those from aviation. If they stick to agreed limits, offer to reward them with an outing to the park or a hot chocolate in a cafe.

Set an example One of the best things you can do, is role model ultra-efficient energy usage. Children are like sponges and imitate those they’re closest to. Make sure you do everything you’re asking them to do and ask them to remind you if you forget. They’ll love the sense of responsibility (and telling you what to do!).

Angela Terry is an environmental scientist and founder of One Home (www.onehome.org.uk), the UK’s first consumer climate action hub.

Draught hunting...

Smarten up your saving

Of course, you want to save energy but simultaneously make your home as insulated and cosy as possible. Encourage your children to come on a draught hunt with you, searching for any leaks around windows or doors. When you find some, enlist their help in a bit of easy DIY, sealing them with inexpensive rubber trim, available from most DIY shops. If cold air is seeping under the front door, do some ‘draught craft’ and make a snake draught excluder together. YouTube has lots of helpful tutorials.

A smart meter is a great visual tool. Once you’ve had one installed, use it to show your children when you’re using the most energy and how much it’s costing. Set targets to reduce your monthly usage and bills. Explain that just by turning down your thermostat by one degree saves an average of £80 per year. The ideal temperature is nineteen degrees Celsius.

Set targets and treat yourselves to a family games night or outing whenever you hit them.

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Families Solent East 11

TRAVEL

Unique UK animal encounters From the truly wild to the more domestic, there are so many animal experiences to be enjoyed here in the UK. Whether you dream of taking you and your family strolling with alpacas or heading out into the deep blue sea, these animal encounters will create lasting memories.

Spot badgers in Dorset

Walk alpacas in East Sussex

Herd sheep in the Lake District

Watch beavers in Cornwall

Possibly one of the most elusive of all British wildlife, wild badgers are often difficult to find despite their size. For an opportunity to glimpse one of these creatures, head to Dorset’s Old Henley Farm where guests can sit and view in two spacious hides. Visit www.badgerwatchdorset. co.uk

A stroll through the British countryside with an alpaca friend in tow is certain to put a smile on your face! Alpaca walking at Spring Farm Alpacas in East Sussex will take you through beautiful countryside, where you can spot a wide range of wildlife the farm has encouraged. Visit www.springfarmalpacas. co.uk

If you’re keen to get stuck into life on the farm, look no further than the truly unique Lake District Sheepdog Experience. Designed for absolute beginners, just one session will see you guiding your flock around a small course all with assistance of your trusty sheepdog. Visit www.bit.ly/lakesheepdog

After four hundred years of extinction in the UK, beavers are making a comeback thanks to the Cornwall Beaver Project. These chubbycheeked rodents in Cornwall have been reintroduced into a secure area of woodland and can be viewed on weekly beaver walks. Visit www. cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk

Stay: Shepherd’s Hut, Blandford Forum

Stay: Gun Hill Cottage, Heathfield

Stay: Winster Fields, Windermere

Stay: 2 Pencoose Barns, Truro

Go whale watching in Scotland

Kayak with seals in Pembrokeshire

Spy red squirrels in the Yorkshire Dales

See wild boars in the Forest of Dean

Whale watching may be on your bucket list for an exotic country but it is achievable here in the UK. Off the mainland of Scotland, near the islands of Tiree, Coll and Mull, you can see Minke whale along with dolphins and porpoises.

The Pembrokeshire coast is home to one of the largest breeding Atlantic seal colonies in the world. Glimpse these inquisitive creatures and their pups up close. Mayberry Kayaking are so confident you will see them that they even offer a ‘seal guarantee’ during certain months. Visit www.bit.ly/mayberryseals

The endangered red squirrel is a rare find but can be easily found in Yorkshire’s Widdale Squirrel Reserve, one of the last strongholds. With a special viewing area for the public, you will be sure to get the perfect vantage point to spot these bushy tailed beauties. Visit www.bit.ly/yorkshiresquirrels

Wild boars had largely disappeared from the UK until an unsanctioned release from a farm in the Ross-on-Wye area. Many now roam the Wye Valley. If you are lucky enough to spot one on your visit, stay still and keep your distance they are not as friendly as their domesticated counterparts.

Stay: Tirlaggan Studio, Oban

Stay: Maerdy Lodge, Haverfordwest

Stay: Mary’s Cottage, Hawes

Stay: Danby Lodge, Coleford

Gun Hill Cottage, Heathfield

12 Families Solent East

Tirlaggan Studio, Oban

Compiled by Yonder (www.yonder.com), a new travel brand that offers responsible and nature rich stays and experiences. All properties referred to in the article can be found on their website.

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Make an Easter birds nest!

&

Cut out and Keep

Spring is springing and the birds are nesting.

So why not take the time to get crafty with the kids and help them make their own bird’s nest for Easter. Once you have gathered all of the pieces, you can put together your bird’s nest in no time.

Your child will love developing new skills as they explore making, sticking and creating.

Once the nest is complete, why not go on a walk and enjoy the sights and sounds of spring and see if you can spot birds’ nests in the trees?

You will need: • • •

Paper plate Brown paper squares Brown shredded paper

• • •

Feathers Wiggling eyes Bird cut outs (see below)

Instructions:

Step 1:

Cut the paper plate in half.

With one half, cut out a semicircle.

Step 2:

Cover both halves in brown paper.

Step 3:

Add the brown shredded paper to the half with the semi-circle cut out.

Step 4:

Step 5:

Then cut out the blue and yellow circles with the bird beaks in them and stick into the nest.

Step 6:

Add the wiggly eyes and feathers to the birds.

And, ta da, your nest is complete!

Stick the two pieces together, the half with the shredded paper on it on top of the other (so it makes a nest).

&

With thanks to Karen Allen, co-owner of Kidzplay Playbox for this craft activity. Kidzplay Playbox produces creative playboxes which are guaranteed to be fun and contain high quality, engaging activities. Visit www.kidzplay.co.uk for playboxes delivered to your door.

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Families Solent East 13

WHAT’S ON

Family fun at Chichester Festival Theatre

What’s on All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

Chichester Festival Theatre is a place that children and their parents can enjoy together.

Make yourself at home in their free Family Friendly spaces, take part in awesome activities and have a whale of a time watching a show like Private Peaceful adapted from Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning book which plays from 1–5 March (family tickets available).

The new Café on the Park is quickly making a reputation for a lovely place to visit. Bring the kids for a gambol around Oaklands Park before exploring the family friendly areas boasting beanbags, books, fancy dress and colouring-in fun. Open from 10am Monday to Friday, from 9am on Saturdays for the ParkRun.

Throughout March & April Chichester Festival Theatre Family Fun Thursdays during term time, 10am–12pm A weekly expansion of CFT’s family friendly spaces which invite you to relax and reconnect at CFT. Enjoy the Pop-Up For Families area next to the Café on the Park where children can discover toys, colouring-in, chalkboards, fancy dress and books in the nooks.

Ages 0–5. Free. www.cft.org.uk Monday 11 April Creation Station at Chichester Festival Theatre 10am, 11am, 12noon Enjoy arts and crafts at CFT with Creation Station – inspire your child’s creative skills and spark their curiosity. Tickets £8.50 per child with a 50% discount for siblings. Parents must stay with their children. Ages 2–11. www.cft.org.uk Monday 11 – Friday 22 April Easter Audio Trail at Chichester Festival Theatre Download a free map and listen to fairy stories in special spots around Oaklands Park before heading to the Café on the Park for hot chocolate (optional!). For all ages. Free. www.cft.org.uk

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 April Falconry at Fort Nelson Free falconry flying displays. www.royalarmouries.org

Visit www.cft.org.uk/familyfriendly for more info.

Saturday 9 - Sunday 24 April Easter Fun at Fort Nelson Exciting treasure hunt exploring the flora and fauna of Fort Nelson and the fascinating creatures found on our amazing collection of big guns. www.royalarmouries.org

Chichester Canal’s 200th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday 9 - Sunday 24 April Easter Activities at the Aldingbourne Country Centre Easter fun for all the family to enjoy. www.aldingbournetrust.org/ events

The family-friendly event will begin at 11am with a gunfire salute followed by an opening address. The event will reflect the history and today’s use of the canal and its environment and include live music, stalls, food, children’s activities, water-based displays and land-based exhibitions– culminating in a flotilla arriving at the basin at 3pm.

Saturday 9 - Sunday 24 April Easter at Weald & Down Lots of fun and exciting events for all the family. www.wealdown.co.uk Saturday 9 April 200th Anniversary Celebration at Chichester Ship Canal The event will reflect the history and today’s use of the canal and its environment and include live music, stalls, food, children’s activities, water-based displays and land-based exhibition. www.chichestercanal.org.uk

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Enjoy a family friendly event including live music, stalls, food, children’s activities, water based displays and a flotilla of boats on Saturday 9 April, from 11am-3pm.

Chichester Canal is the place for active families to explore.

The Chichester Ship Canal Trust, the self funded, volunteer led charity behind the canal, organises popular family fun days during each West Sussex school holiday. Aimed at primary age children, no booking is necessary, it is free to take part, although donations to the Trust are welcome, and the popular waterside café will be open.

More info at www.chichestercanal.org.uk

Sailing and watersports for all Visit the Andrew Simpson Centre in Portsmouth this spring, ideally located on the stunning shoes of Langstone Harbour, with a wide range of both water and land-based activities for all ages and abilities.

All dates and details of activities, clubs and courses are live on the website, where you can make bookings for you and your family.

Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

IN THIS ISSUE

You can also get vouchers for activities if you are looking for that perfect gift for someone special to get outdoors and active.

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CFT is a proud member of the Family Arts Standards, the Age Standards and also a Dementia Friendly Theatre – making it a great place to visit with the whole family.

For more details or if you have any questions call 02392 663873 or email: portsmouth@andrewsimpsoncentres.org or visit www.andrewsimpsonyachting.org

Familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

SPRING ANAGRAM Unscramble the letters to find springtime things!

1. L S O M O B S

2. G S R P N I

Family fun at the Aldingbourne Country Centre

3. T A E E S R

If you like the idea of supporting a local charity by having fun, the Aldingbourne Country Centre is well worth a visit. With a woodland walk, mini golf, sand and water play area, wooden train and castle play area, and delicious locally sourced and home-cooked food in the on-site café, these are just some of the activities you can enjoy.

Individual Price (age 2+) £7.50, Family Day Pass (up to 4 people) £28. This price includes entrance to all Easter events.

Visit www.aldingbournetrust.org for more info.

Support Change . Live Life . Change Lives

at the Aldingbourne Country Centre Fun for all the family & support a local Charity 11th April - 24th April, 10am - 4pm

G S E G

4. G R B S D I N O

5. H S S I E N U N

When you’ve finished, unscramble the circled letters to spell a special message!

Answers: 1. Blossom 2. Spring Flowers 3. Easter Eggs 4. Birdsong 5. Sunshine. Message is: Get some fresh air

Looking for a great day out this Easter Holiday? Visit the Aldingbourne Country Centre for two weeks of fun events, with something for the whole family to enjoy. Events include: Bounce About Day, First Class Falconry, Aldingbourne’s Wipe Out Zone, Foam Party, Easter Egg Hunt, Build a Den Day and Aldingbourne’s Assault Course!

R S E F W O L

Endless creations at your child’s fingertips!

Receive a FREE DoodleJamz pad for your child* Draw, squish, sculpt, shape, erase and repeat...

Join us for an Easter full of fun Visit our website for full details aldingbournetrust.org/events Aldingbourne Country Centre, Blackmill Lane, Norton, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0JP www.aldingbournetrust.org | Charity No: 276484

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Families Solent East 15

Sailing & Watersports For All Discover our Portsmouth Andrew Simpson Centre, making the water accessible to everyone.

Easter

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

9 - 24 April Everyone is welcome at our not-for-profit Centre, ideally located on the stunning shores of Langstone Harbour We provide a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities, with high quality kit and instruction.

When the clocks spring forward it marks the start of longer days, warmer weather and exciting outdoor adventures! So why not enjoy all that the Museum has to offer during the Easter Holidays?

wealddown.co.uk

You can enjoy sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, powerboating, foiling, winging, shore-based courses, standup paddleboarding, climbing, high ropes and archery, plus taster sessions if you’d like to try something new.

We can also offer discounts for groups and families. Get in touch to find out more.

02392 663873 // portsmouth@andrewsimpsoncentres.org

andrewsimpsoncentres.org Sailing // Watersports // Adventure

Explore Chichester Canal Bicentennial 1822 – 2022

& SCIENCE CENTRE CHICHESTER

EXPERIENCE BLAST-OFF

JOURNEYS IN TO SPACE EXPLORE NEW WORLDS

SEE THE FUTURE OF SPACE TRAVEL

TOUCH A REAL METEORITE

Scheduled and private boat trips Waterside cafe Paddleboard, kayak and angling licences

Rowing boat hire Heritage centre Towpath walks Family activities

boxoffice@chichestercanal.com 01243 771363 chichestercanal.org.uk Canal operations are dependent on Covid-19 restrictions

16 Families Solent East

IT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD

Registered charity number 1096869

Explore our heritage and unique habitats connecting the city to the harbour

MIND BLOWING

NEW

• New exciting shows every month FULLDOME • Great for everyone aged 6 years and above SHOWS • Stunning high-definition images and videos • You’ll learn so much in our fun presentations

BOOK ONLINE TODAY SOUTHDOWNS.ORG.UK OR CALL: 01243 774400

FANTASTIC VALUE adults £8 children £5

ADVANCED BOOKING ADVISABLE. CHECK WEBSITE FOR OPENING TIMES. DISCOVER US AT: KINGSHAM ROAD, CHICHESTER, PO19 8EB (FREE PARKING)

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17/02/2022 16:06