Familiesonline.co.uk Families Solent East 1 Family food Familiesonline.co.uk FREETakeMeHome Issue 101 September/October 2022 Solent East PerformAd-FamMag_QPL-Sept2022_SolentEast.qxp_Perform 24/08/2022 16:56 Page 1 HalfAutumnEducationfunterm IN THIS ISSUE
Families Solent East2 TRAVEL Calling parents living locally Work part time from home around your family and do something you love. Would you like to try your hand at magazine Wemarketing?mediainterestedAreayouDopublishing?youthinkcangrowbusiness?youinandarelooking for a new owner for Families Solent East Magazine. Get in touch today. Contact Paul for more details at editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk
Give the autumn term a confidence boost with Perform A common struggle shared by many children as they start school or return after the summer break is a lack of confidence, and this can stop them reaching their full potential. Whether you’re looking for a confidence boost for your child or just a weekly dose of drama, dance and singing fun, Perform is back for the autumn term with two exciting productions for 4-7s and 7-12s.
Venues
no-obligation trial class visit www.perform.org.uk/try WorkHolidaysEarlyAutumnHalfHalloweenWhat’sHealthEducationontermactivitiesyears May/June competition winners Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at https:// bit.ly/MJrecipients
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Solent East 3 Contact us In this issue Editor Paul Constantine 07592editor@familiessolenteast.co.uk370426 Sales Claire Clarricoates 07812claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk218331 Book now to be included in our November/December issue. 15.14.13.12.11.10.9.8.4. 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.
“Perform is not a stage school” stresses Perform Principal, Lucy Quick. “Our classes teach life skills using fun confidenceboosting drama games which results in a celebratory end of term production. The primary aim of our classes is to develop what we call the 4Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Coordination and Communication.”
Learning in every sense
Open Morning 1 October 2022 Register westbournehouse.org/visit All I am, everything I can be For boys & girls aged 21/2–13. We provide a wider education with opportunities to explore the new and inspiring.
This term, Perform 4-7s will venture into The Magician’s Chamber for some confidence-building fun with Merlin the Wizard whilst 7-12s will work on a funky festive performance of Ebenezer, based on the Charles Dicken’s classic, A Christmas Carol.
The term runs from September to December and children are welcome to try a free class at any point. in Chichester, Fareham, Petersfield, Southsea or ToWaterlooville.bookaFREE
CONTENTS
Solent East4
Sarah Campbell is co-founder of Parrot Street Book Club (www.parrotstreet.com), an award-winning monthly subscription book club for children ages 5 to 14. Each subscription box includes a brand new book plus an activity pack inspired by that particular book.
The children of Wigley Primary love having Noodle the Doodle at school and are thrilled that he’s coming on the class trip to the seaside. But will Noodle be on his best behaviour or will the day end in chaos? Perfect for young dog-lovers.
Noodle the Doodle by Jonathan Meres, illustrated by Katy Halford
The Tindims of Rubbish Island by Sally Gardner, illustrated by Lydia Correy
Panda at the Door written and illustrated by Sarah Horne Pudding the Panda of Edinburgh Zoo really wants a family to take care of, just like her heroine, Mary Poppins. When 9 year old Callum is given a certificate to adopt a panda for his birthday, the two come together... and pandemonium ensues! Velda the Awesomest Viking and the Voyage of Deadly Doom by David MacPhail, illustrated by Richard Morgan Velda might be small but she is certainly mighty. Nothing will stop her from taking to the high seas to earn her place on the dragon ship Valkyrie, along with a wonderful, colourful cast of characters.
BrilliantEDUCATION
There’s a Dog in My Brain by Caroline Green, illustrated by Rikin Parekh When Danny made a wish to stay home instead of going to a family wedding, he didn’t expect to end up trapped in the body of a dog. Meanwhile, Dudley the dog is off on the adventure of a lifetime. He might look like a normal 10 year old boy, but can he behave like one?
Alien in the Jam Factory by Chrissie Sains, illustrated by Jenny Taylor Get ready for aliens, jam, doughnuts, snails, one dastardly villain and a brilliant kid fizzing with ideas! Young inventor Scooter and his alien buddy Fizzbee team up to outwit Daffy Dodgy in a hilarious new adventure.
first chapter books for early readers
The first in a new series exploring our impact on the environment. Meet Captain Spoons, Mug, Jug, Brew, Skittle and friends, all residents of Rubbish Island, which the inventive Tindims have built entirely from thrown away items.
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies
When your child is ready to move on from picture books, there are some wonderful first chapter books aimed at children ages 5 to 9. Many are highly illustrated, with stories that will last over the course of a few reading sessions. Here are some of our recent favourites, all available through your friendly local independent store or www.bookshop.org
Dragon Storm by Alastair Chisholm, illustrated by Eric Deschamps and Ben Mantle Tomas can’t believe it when a mysterious stranger invites him to join a secret society and tells him that he has a very special power… he can summon his very own dragon! With a medieval setting and a strong dose of fantasy, this is the first in a thrilling new series.
The Marvellous Granny Jinks and Me by Serena Patel, illustrated by Selom Sunu When Jada Jinks finds a box of magic tricks in her granny’s flat, she uncovers her granny’s secret dream of becoming a magician. Inspired by the first black woman to be admitted to the Magic Circle, this is a fun, inclusive and magical story, with tricks!
By Sarah Campbell
As we know, practise makes perfect and so if we want our children to grow up with an adventurous ‘can do’ attitude, to be someone who is a good team player and leader, and who is happy and comfortable in their own skin, we need to give them the chance to work their way through a diverse range of Theopportunities.uniqueeducational experience at Westbourne House School, for children aged 2.5 to 13 years old, does just that. Our curriculum is broad and truly inclusive so all our pupils can discover what makes them tick and where their strengths lie. They learn to work together in teams as well as having many chances to take on positions of responsibility and lead.
So when we hear from senior schools that our Westbourne House pupils are flying high in their new environment, we know it is in part due to their grounding which has empowered them to be their best. Come along to an Open Morning on Saturday 1 October to find out more. www.westbournehouse.org
Scholarships and bursaries are available for 2023 entry. The next open morning is on Saturday 8 October 10am to 12.30pm but private visits may be arranged on a week day. Call 01983 617970 or email admissions@rydeschool.net
Beach and Forest School sessions have long been a part of school life in the Prep, Pre-Prep and Nursery at Ryde School. Alongside the vibrant academic curriculum, children spend time immersed in nature, learning skills invaluable to their wider development, broadening their learning through discovery; building confidence and fostering their natural desire to learn and explore.
Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).
If the methods that your child uses are not familiar to you, don’t worry. YouTube, BBC Bitesize, Oak Academy and IXL are your friends. Simply type in your child’s year and the topic that they are studying (often found at the top of the worksheet) and the subject e.g. Year 4 - bus stop method, maths, into Google. It can be useful to start a session by running through a video with your child. Depending on their age, you may want to run through the video first before looking over it with them. This also really helps you focus and ensures you have your head around the topic sufficiently to be able to help explain it further to your child or answer their questions.
Grow tomorrow’s leaders at Westbourne House School
Explore, discover and learn at Ryde School
At the heart of a school day is a traditional academic curriculum, enriched with an introduction to Spanish Mandarin and Latin and a wide extra-curricular programme. Inter-schools maths challenges, explosive science sessions in the science labs and fun, educational residential trips help children ignite their passion for learning. Team sports matches against other schools, on and off the Island and sailing competitions in the School’s own fleet of dinghies also embed the team spirit and healthy competition that are part of the School ethos.
This year I supported two students with exam preparation and covered over fifteen different subjects with them - only three of those subjects are my specialism. So here is what I have learnt about supporting children in subjects in which you are not confident yourself.
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Solent East 5 EDUCATION
So that your time with them is productive, set goals and a timer. Goals help you prioritise and the timer prevents you from watching the clock. Your child will also have your undivided attention during this time.
At the end of each session, write down what you have covered in three bullet points. That way if your child gets another homework on the same topic, you can remember what you covered. These will also come in handy if you have a younger child or for end of year tests.
As children settle back in at school for a new academic year, parents also settle back into the routine of being called upon by their children to help them with homework. But what if you have very limited time, you are not across the school’s expectations or you simply aren’t familiar with the topic?
As a busy parent, you may only have a short amount of time in which to work with your child. Make sure that you both have clear expectations about what you will be able to achieve. If you only have twenty minutes, you may not be able to finish their homework together but you may be able to tackle a few key problems before they complete the rest themselves.
Oh dear! I can’t help my child with this
If your child is struggling with something specific, reach out to the school and ask them if they can point you in the direction of some practice that you can do with your child. Remember you are all on the same team. Use parents evening to ask what topics are coming up and to find out when exams are. Forewarned is forearmed.
By Jemma Zoe Smith
How would you describe the ethos of Portsmouth Grammar School?
The key thing is to spend time with them as an individual finding out what is acting as a blocker to their learning.
A book or a movie? Book, except on Friday night! Sport or a movie? Sport, even on Friday night!
I would like to continue to enhance PGS’s reputation as a fantastic school, one of the leading educational establishments in the country.
All of us have come across something that we don’t understand at some time in our lives and we have been grateful to someone who took the time to help us work through this. Academic support is no different. PGS has an excellent Learning Support department that work individually with pupils, where required, to support them where they need it. What would you like to achieve over the next couple of years and beyond?
It provides me with an opportunity to serve my community and to have an influence on how we grow.
Meet
If you weren’t Head of Portsmouth Grammar School, what would you be?
I was brought up in Hampshire so knew the formidable reputation of PGS from when I was a pupil. Therefore the opportunity to apply to lead such a prestigious school in an area of the country that I call ‘home’ was compelling.
What does being a Head mean to you?
EDUCATION
Curiosity about the world around them, a passion for life-long learning, selfreflection and plenty of patience.
What attracted you to Portsmouth Grammar School?
There are plenty of skills that they will acquire over time, but the key ones are waking up each day being excited about coming to school to see their friends and their teachers and being curious about what they might learn about the world around them.
The support we give our pupils to develop as individuals and as a community is at the heart of PGS.
To find out more about Portsmouth Grammar School, visit www.pgs.org.uk
How do you think a head can make a real difference to an individual pupil? Most Heads came into teaching because they wanted to make a difference to children. As a Head you can do this by ensuring a safe and inspiring environment in which children can grow, develop and flourish; that makes a real difference to each individual. But it is also important to role model this and that means spending time with individual children, helping and supporting them. I like nothing more than doing that each day because it reminds me why I do the job that I do.
The school has a reputation for excellence in the academic sphere, as well as offering a plethora of co-curricular opportunities outside of the classroom. This is built on a nationally-recognised system of pastoral care throughout the whole school; our aspiration is to help every pupil in the school achieve the very best they can.
What are the qualities of a great teacher?
In three words, how would the students describe you? Positive, enthusiastic and determined. What do you think are the key skills that children should be mastering at the start of their school journey?
Meet the Head
How do you help pupils who need extra academic support?
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Families talks to Mr David Wickes, the new Head of Portsmouth Grammar School. SpecialHeadthefeature
Head of Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School, Crosby. What did you want to be when you grew up? A spy. What is your most useless skill?
Knowing all the Kings and Queens of England from 1066 onwards. What is your real-life superpower? Being positive.
Ask your child what’s worrying them and actively listen to their responses, withholding judgement and advice and validating their feelings.
By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble
It’s important to recognise the problem and provide the right support. School ‘hatred’ can arise for various reasons: Anxiety. This most frequently occurs during times of family stress such as a change in the family situation or when a child is about to enter a new school or phase. It can manifest as separation anxiety.
To find out more about Portsmouth High Prep, visit: www.portsmouthhigh.co.uk
Talk with the school to find out what’s really going on.
When children are afraid of failure, and I am sure many of us relate to this, they choose the easier route and less challenging. That way they are successful but don’t necessarily make the improvement or experience learning that might lead to even greater advancement
How you can help
School can be a source of support and community as much as learning. It provides new experiences, exposure to different opinions, a sense of achievement, peer friendships and relationships with trusted adults. However, it can also be a lot to cope with, particularly when starting a new academic year. Children usually settle in. But what do you do if this doesn’t happen and if your child says they ‘hate’ school?
What to do if your child ‘hates’ school
Paul Marshallsay, Headmaster at Portsmouth High Prep and Pre-School shares his thoughts.
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Solent East 7 EDUCATION
Rather than dismissing children’s worries, let them know they are heard. If they are struggling with a certain class, help them find ways to overcome their struggles. If they have fallen out with their friends, listen to them and talk about what they are going through. Helping them to find their own solutions will build resilience and restore positive feelings about school.
It is sometimes hard for our children to accept this as making mistakes and getting things wrong doesn’t come naturally to them. But it is something that is crucial for accelerated learning. I have noticed that there is an increasing trait, amongst primary aged children, to be fearful of failure since the pandemic. It is essential that challenges to this trend become part of the culture in our schools and something I would encourage as integral to home life as well.
I often challenge children in school with the phrase ‘when is it right to get things wrong?’ In the past I have shown a film clip of a trail biker performing amazing feats of skill and balance. I then show them the outtakes and what she had to endure to become that good. She often had to make mistakes to learn what worked and what didn’t, sometimes with painful results. But it was only through tenacity, resolve and failing occasionally did she manage to produce the seemingly impossible.
Children who always feel alone will often feign illness to avoid school and school-related activities.
Bullying. If your child seems quiet and anxious, has few school friends or suddenly shows a drop in self-esteem, bullying may be a factor. Ask your child’s school to keep an eye out.
Trouble learning. For some children, the jump to higher academic levels and the sheer volume of information they need to digest can be overwhelming. Loneliness. Making new friends can be difficult and children often fall out for no obvious reason. This can have a direct effect on self-esteem and turn into a dislike of school.
Problem solve together by discussing coping strategies, ideally led by them. Set a daily routine. It can help children regulate their emotions and alleviate concerns about the unknown. It can also help children feel more control over their environment. Create a ‘worry box’ or journal with your child. Sometimes the problem will feel less extreme in black and white. Reach out to the school – it may suggest counselling to support your child. Be mindful of your own reactions and emotions. Staying calm and positive conveys the message that you are there for your child all the way.
When is it right to get things wrong?
Lisa and Catherine are co-founders of Emparenting (www.emparenting.co.uk), supporting children, parents and families with insights, skills and tools to nurture the development and well-being of the next generation.
If bullying is happening, the school will need to put strategies in place to support your child.
Highlight the positives. It is important not to dismiss your child’s worries; but it is equally important that children recognise the good and fun bits of their day and don’t just fixate on the negatives.
Poor chemistry with a teacher. Your child may complain that a particular teacher is ‘unfair’ or ‘mean.’ Remember, children know how to play a parent against a teacher. While acknowledging your child’s feelings, don’t automatically assume you’re getting the whole picture.
Sneezy Panda game
Simply pop your favourite fruity drinks into the moulds and shape trays and place them in the freezer. Put the frozen shapes under Mr Frosty’s hat and turn his handle to create tasty, crushed ice treats! Ages 3+ Mr Frosty The Crunchy Ice Maker available10
www.familiesmag.co.uk/goatMarlo&Colekids’t-shirts
Cool UK made t-shirts from ethical babywear brand, Marlo & Cole, created to inspire the next generation’s love of music through unique, vibrant and fun illustrated designs. Printed with child-friendly inks on Oeko-Tex cotton. T-shirts for ages 2-3, 3-4 and 4-5. available10 available5
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HEALTH
You can help to shift your child’s focus from anxiety and fear to something more comforting. You can even create a safety blanket in their minds. This helps to pull them out of their temporary intense and frightening experience and back into the familiar world around them.
Take charge of the situation
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The game with flowers and leaves which make little panda, Sam, sneeze! Suitable for two to four players. Ages 4+ Apply
The distraction you create could be in the form of a favourite toy or game which you engage your child with, a photograph of a happy event and a chat about this event or even petting their hamster or another beloved pet. Equally, a distraction could be a song that they are familiar with, which you can encourage them to join in. The breathing technique described above may also act as a distraction. Or you could engage your child in a favourite childhood memory or recite silly tongue-twisters together.
With time and practice (and a sprinkling of patience), you can make a positive psychological connection to this distraction, which is further embedded every time it is used and helps shift your child’s focus from their anxiety.
Dr Sohom Das is a forensic psychiatrist and author of In Two Minds: Stories of Murder, Justice and Recovery from a Forensic Psychiatrist. He is also host of the YouTube channel A Psych for Sore Minds.
Helping your child with panic attacks
Like all parents, I don’t like to see my own children suffering and, as a psychiatrist, my heart goes out to youngsters who come to me for help with panic attacks. However, there are proven strategies that can be used to help support loved ones in this situation. Here are five of my top tips. Educate your child
By Dr Sohom Das
During a panic attack, your child will feel like they are losing control. It’s imperative to maintain equanimity and fight our impulses to show our own distress and anxiety. We need to model calmness by taking charge of the situation and not dramatising or over-medicalising it. Talk to your child in a gentle and reassuring voice and remind them that the panic attack will be over soon. This will make them feel safer and they might model your behaviour, which could quickly pull them out of the sinking quicksand of panic.
Panic attacks can be crippling but knowledge is power. Young people can be anxious about a range of issues at once, some of which may not seem logical. For instance, many children feel self-conscious and believe that people are judging or laughing at them, despite having no evidence of this. When they have a panic attack, some children may even believe that they are dying. Tell them they are not alone. Clarifying that panic attacks are common and normalising them can help children feel less isolated, abnormal or damaged. Teach your child that despite how it feels, these episodes aren’t dangerous or life-threatening. Reassure them that panic attacks are finite; they will always end.
Breathe! Panic attacks can cause hyperventilation, resulting in lightheadedness, fainting and even chest pains. In turn, this triggers the downward spiral of further anxiety. Encouraging your child to slow their breathing should relieve the physical symptoms and interrupt the cycle. Ask your child to breathe in through their nose for three seconds, hold their breath for three seconds, then exhale completely and fully for three seconds. This assists physiologically and can also act as a distraction. Once they become proficient at this, they can add it to their toolbox for the next time they are having a panic attack, even if you aren’t there.
Distract your child
Apply for our great FREE giveaways!
Entry | Book Online FORT NELSON Fareham PO17 6AN Open daily
Chichester Festival Theatre is a place that grown-ups and children can enjoy together. Make yourself at home in its family friendly spaces, take part in awesome activities or have a whale of a time watching a show.
Don’t miss the world premiere production of The Famous Five, based on Enid Blyton’s multi-million-selling novels. This brand new musical, where the Famous Five are on a daring mission with the future of the planet at stake, is an exciting and heart-warming family treat celebrating adventure, bravery and friendship and plays from 21 October to 12 November with tickets from just £10. You can take a Christmas trip to the Wild Wood with the Chichester Festival Youth Theatre’s production of The Wind in the Willows from 17 to 31 December; more family friendly shows and events are announced in September.
Fort Nelson is a great place to visit at any time of the year but around Halloween this historic Victorian fort, with its underground tunnels and secret chambers, is particularly Asatmospheric.wellasawhole
Spies and Secret Agents at Fort Nelson
Half term is just around the corner, have you made plans yet?
Find out more at cft.org.uk/forfamilies
Put Portsmouth on the top of your to do list and enjoy a family day out to Spinnaker Tower!
Half term fun at Spinnaker Tower
Half-term fun Saturday 22 – Sunday 30 October & Free 10:00 – 17:00www.royalarmouries.org
Secret Agents National Museum |
1142 FN October Half Term Families Solent East Advert (87
Admission to the Fort is FREE but please pre-book your visit on line to guarantee your visit.
We challenge you not to go ‘Wow’ when you step through the doors onto the view deck! If you’re worried that your kids have spent too much time in front of the screen and have been closed off from the outside, get them in front of our floor to ceiling glass walls and remind them what the world really looks like! With 23 miles of views stretching in all directions, there’s just so much to discover.
Come and have a crack at a challenging code-breaking trail and find out about spies and secret agents in the Second World War. Plus there’ll be a fun ‘find the pumpkin’ activity for our younger visitors.
Chichester is fantastic for families
our half term activities for families are sure to keep the kids out of mischief from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October.
museum of national treasures to explore
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Solent East 9 WHAT’S ON
Find out more at www.royalarmouries.org
If you’re already feeling peckish, our café on the ground floor serves a child-size cooked breakfast alongside our regular full English (and vegetarian) breakfast and a range of other breakfast options, from 10am. No need to book a table, just pop in to be seated by our friendly team.
and activities
Spies
Find out more at www.spinnakertower.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.ukFamilies Solent East10 It’s easy and fun to create your own decorations for Halloween! So get crafty with the kids. You’ll be able to gather what you need from around your home and from your recycling bin and paint, create and decorate to make your own family of spiders in no time. Your child will love developing new skills as they explore painting and sticking. And, under your supervision, they will develop fine motor skills as they practise with scissors. You will Instructions:need:Step4: Once you have all eight legs, fold each leg in half to bend. Step 1: First paint the cardboard tubes black. Step 2: Allow the black paint to dry thoroughly. Once dry, give the spider eyes so it can see! Step 3: To make the legs, start by cutting five slits about one centimetre apart on each side of the tube just over halfway up. The slits will make four spider legs on each side of the tube. There will be a spare piece of tube on each side which you will need to cut out. ü Paint brush ü Scissors ü Black paint ü Wiggly eyes ü Cardboard tubes Make spiders for Halloween! Cutoutandkeep Watch out! Your spider is carefulcomplete…..nowitdoesn’trunoff!
This is a fun way for kids to learn about design and teamwork. All you need is a piece of paper, some pens, some counters (maybe toy figures), some dice and some rules. Involve your children in working out how the game works and create and decorate your board before playing!
Baking Baking shortbread and scones is simple enough for inexperienced bakers to try and hopefully they will taste great! Baking bread is also surprisingly simple and you and your children can have lots of fun creating different animals out of the dough to then bake in the oven.
Easy experimentsscience
Design a board game
Music & Lyrics by Theo Jamieson Book by Elinor Cook Based on books by Enid Blyton Ages 7+ Enid Blyton & The Famous Five ® Hodder & Stoughton Limited October – 12 tickets available cft.org.uk
Screen-free rainy day activities
It’s important that children are tech-savvy but there is very little evidence that screentime contributes to a child’s cognitive ability. Screens are so appealing because of their continually changing content so any activities that we attempt at home with the kids need to be equally appealing to little hands, eyes and brains. Here are a few activities that are easy to set up if you need to keep the kids entertained this half term or you’re stuck at home during a rainy weekend. You probably have most of what you need at home already.
This is a versatile toy but if the smell and texture of big-branded playdough is something you’re not keen on, there are some wonderful options for soft and scented playdough that doesn’t leave a greasy residue. Just check that the playdough has been UKCA tested before buying.
By Isabell Fisher
Isabell Fisher is co-founder of Little Hands Learning, an educational and eco-friendly subscription box for children ages 3 to 6. For more ideas,
www.littlehandslearning.co.uk/activitiesvisitPlaydough
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There are lots of easy science experiments that can be tried at home with household items and they encourage kids to ask questions, make predictions and understand the world around them. Try making a lava lamp with water, food colouring and oil in a jar. Add an effervescent tablet and watch what happens!
Familiesonline.co.uk Families Solent East 11
AFIVEFAMOUSTHENEWMUSICAL
Boosted books Reading to your kids is great but don’t limit the experience to sitting on the sofa. If the book is set in a cave, evict the vacuum cleaner from under the stairs and issue everyone with head torches! If you’re reading a desert adventure, create a Bedouin tent using some sheets and your clothes horse.
Treasure hunt Choose something to be the treasure, hide it and then create a map for your kids to follow. Make it more interesting (and last longer) by having the map lead your little pirates to different locations where each location’s ‘treasure’ is a clue to the next location. To make the map look more ‘authentic,’ scrunch up the paper and stain it with a damp teabag.
November Family
Painting Children love to paint but the mess can fill many parents with dread. Instead of using poster paint, try using watercolour paints which are easier to clean up. To change things up, get the kids painting on coffee filters, a canvas or ice cubes.
HALF TERM
The great British countryside is full of stunning walks that are fun for the whole family. Here are ten examples that are suitable for getting the whole family outdoors. Why not have a day out this half term or take a short break near one of them?
If we get decent rain during the autumn, these walks will also be delightfully muddy! And what child can resist a muddy puddle?
So get your outdoor gear on, because you’re about to have a tonne of fun!
Seven Sisters Country Park
Tegg’s Nose Country Park Tegg’s Nose Country Park (www.teggsnose.co.uk) in Cheshire is teeming with trails and families of all ages can enjoy exploring the grassy fields.
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To explore the muddy countryside and learn about English history, you can take your family on a walk to Old Sarum (www. english-heritage.org.uk) in Wiltshire.
Last (but certainly not least) is the Seven Sisters Country Park (www. sevensisters.org.uk) in East Sussex. If you’re eager to visit the seaside, this stretch of coastline is the place for you.
A sight to behold, Ham House (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) is a seventeenth-century manor in Surrey.
The South Downs National Park spans one hundred miles but you’re able to walk a fraction of the distance and come across a host of wildlife. Instantly recognisable, the chalk cliffs offer the perfect backdrop for your adventure.
The Gritstone Trail, which runs from Disley to Kidsgrove, travels through Tegg’s Nose. The country park also has a tearoom you can enjoy at the beginning or the end of your walk.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens
The whole family can enjoy a walk through Ham Gardens. From building birdhouses to playing in the Family Tasting Garden, the grounds offer lots of fun activities for children of all ages.
There are miles of walking paths on offer, from the Ripon and Fountains Abbey walk to the Lost Spa trail. Regardless of where you choose to walk, if it rains the grass will be green and the hills will invariably be muddy.
Brecon Beacons National Park
In addition to Old Sarum, Stowe (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) is another walk in Buckinghamshire in the south of TheEngland.countryside is breath taking and the grounds of Stowe are no different. You can stroll around the lake and through the forest. Families are also allowed to walk their dogs as long as they are on a lead.
Brecon Beacons National Park
Ham House and Garden
The structure, otherwise known as the Iron Age Hillfort of Old Sarum, was first built around 400BC. For an experience like no other, wrap up warm and embark on a muddy walk to remember for years to come.
AUTUMNFamily-friendly walks for autumn
The Welsh countryside is home to a multitude of walks. To get started, visit Brecon Beacons National Park (www.breconbeacons.org).
There are lots of fun activities to do, from exploring Cantref Adventure Farm to running around the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Definitely a full day of fun….
Stowe
Morden Hall Park Morden Hall Park (www.nationaltrust. org.uk) is an outdoor oasis in London. This is a great place to escape the concrete jungle with the whole family. There are even cafes along the way. As well as this, children under 5 can take part in the Park Explorers programme and enjoy story-led activities.
Yorkshire is home to some of the most beautiful country walks in England, including Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens (www.nationaltrust.org.uk).
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens Ham House and Garden Stowe Old Sarum Old Sarum
So, if you want to help your toddlers to enjoy more foods, try to fight your natural instincts and be nonchalant at mealtimes.
Tricky toddler eating tips
It’s actually pretty normal for toddlers to be picky with their food, partly due to developing independence, partly due to ‘neophobia’ (reluctance to try new foods) which generally kicks in during the toddler years and partly because growth rates start to slow around this age which can result in their appetites simply taking a bit of a dip.
Restricting foods
“I don’t like it”, “yukky”, “I hate broccoli”…sound familiar? These are common phrases heard by those of us who have toddlers around the table and it’s pretty common for parents to express concern to me about this. The toddler years are often about independence and our little ones trying to seek some autonomy in their day to day lives, and that includes their food choices too.
If you speak to the parents of most toddlers, they’ll probably tell you that life is somewhat turbulent! Toddlers are at this lovely, exciting age where they are really exploring the world and figuring things out and their brains are firing and learning new things every day. This exploration can come with its challenges though and a BIG one is often seen at mealtimes with food refusal!
Pressure
We’re not talking about turning your table into a racing track but simply making it enjoyable for them, engaging them and allowing them to explore the foods on offer without too much restriction, pressure or ‘mealtime rules’.
What’s interpreted as ‘fun’ will vary from family to family but you could start with some calming music, a funky table cloth or kicking off with some silly faces, whatever helps to bring some joy to the table.
However, if you keep offering rejected foods (without any actual pressure to eat them), they start to become ‘familiar’ and this has been shown to help toddlers to be more willing to try them.
Employ the line ‘That’s okay, you don’t have to eat it’ and stick to it. Again, taking the pressure off and putting the ball in their court at mealtimes, helps them to have a sense of autonomy and feel like they have some control. In time, this can often help encourage them to WANT to eat a little more. Make it a mealtime they WANT to be part of. If you think about it, toddlers are all about fun and exploring. That’s simply the aim of their day. So, try and make mealtimes a part of the fun journey too.
Toddlers are constantly testing and figuring out the ‘rules’ and what works for toddlers. So, try to stay consistent and persistent whilst rolling out some of these tried and tested strategies.
The book includes step by step guides, tips and advice on tricky eating, as well as fifty delicious and easy recipes.
My main tips:
Start by pretending you simply don’t care if they eat or not Research shows that the more PRESSURE we put on toddlers to ‘eat up’ the more likely it is to have the opposite effect.
Offer a variety, even foods that are refused. If you offer foods and they are refused and then you don’t offer them again, it’s unlikely that your little ones will grow to accept them.
Charlotte Stirling-Reed is the Baby and Child Nutritionist. Her new book How to Feed your Toddler: Everything You Need to Know to Raise Happy, Independent Little Easters is published by Ebury Press.
Pressure to ‘eat up’ rarely works in the long run. It’s far better to sit back, take the pressure off and focus on making mealtimes positive occasions for toddlers, including trying to spend time with your little one and engage with them over It’smeals.best to role model the actions and behaviours you want your toddler to emulate so in time they learn HOW to eat and HOW enjoy a variety of foods.
By Charlotte Stirling-Reed
Overly restricting foods that children can see or are asking for rarely works. This can make the restricted foods more desirable and put pressure on mealtimes and eating occasions. Instead, try to ‘covertly’ restrict by role modelling what to eat yourself, showing and offering a BALANCE. Monitor how often cakes, biscuits and sweets are available at home and avoid referring to these as ‘treats’ as this suggests that these foods are the most desirable!
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Remember, it’s a long game. The tips and tricks you put in place to help to support your toddler’s eating will not work overnight.
First stop Australia
Combining the bliss of the Caribbean and its friendly locals with full-on adventures, a family trip to Mexico could be just the ticket. You may immediately think of the sweeping beaches and delicious cuisine but there is so much more to it. From exploring ancient Mayan temples to zip lining through jungles or cooling off on the waterslides at Xcaret Park, there’s no danger of even the ‘coolest’ child being bored.
Ashley Lutz is a Travel Counsellor with seventeen years’ experience in creating inspiring journeys and long lasting memories and providing clients with expertise and peace of mind. Find out more at www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/ashley.lutz
Special St Lucia St Lucia is another special place for adventure seekers and nature lovers, as much as for those who just want to sit back and chill. This lush tropical island offers white sandy beaches which are perfect for sand castles and sipping cocktails at the end of the day. Splash Island, the Caribbean’s first open-water sports park, is a must for family fun too.
By Ashley Lutz
Ski in the Swiss Alps
Fantastic Florida
Variety in Cyprus
Tempting Tenerife
Embark on a journey of discovery with this perfect introduction to the Indian Discoversubcontinent.exotic wildlife, ancient forts and fascinating culture. Chill out by the beach and spot turtles, cycle through peaceful villages or explore the national parks in a jeep safari. There’s so much to see in this beautiful country!
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The Florida coast offers something for everyone from water sports to snorkelling; then there’s the unforgettable bucket list experiences of Orlando. For a more relaxed family trip off the beaten track, Florida’s hidden beaches, such as St George Island, offer uninterrupted miles of peace and solitude.
If you are dreaming of whisking your family away for a fun-packed winter holiday in the sun, there are so many wonderful options to choose from. Look no further for ideas! Here are some inspiring places, all offering an excellent choice of activities and properties for all family styles and budgets, with enough to keep the whole family entertained.
A little closer to home is the pleasant warm-allyear island of Tenerife. With one of Europe’s best waterparks and plenty of sandy beaches, even the most active of families will be entertained. Go in February for the largest and most vibrant carnival outside of Rio!
Adventures in Mexico
Stunning Sri Lanka
Simply bursting with incredible experiences for the family, from learning to surf at Bondi Beach to spending an afternoon hiking up the Sydney Harbour Bridge, there are so many wonderful varieties in Australia. One of my top tips is to head over to Western Australia, hire a campervan and explore - Redsands Campers (www.redsandscampers.com) is a fantastic option.
If you love hitting the slopes and are looking for a familyfriendly place for a ski trip, consider the ‘car free’ resort village of Saas-Fee. Why go? Aside from the picturesque backdrop, this smaller resort is pedestrianised, with nursery slopes walkable from the village, making it perfect for families with little ones.
HOLIDAYSWinter getaways for families
Another European gem, just four hours away, with temperatures in the high teens even in January. From water parks to mountain sandyadventuresclimbingandstunningbeaches,there’sso much variety here. Older children may enjoy the exciting range of water sports too.
When you come back from your walk, stay in the refreshed zone. Write down all your creative thoughts straightaway to give yourself inspired starting points. By Claire Winter
How do you spark your creativity when you are feeling uninspired or busy? For me, creativity is as essential as breathing for a happy and fulfilling life. But when and how do you get inspired?
Mindful walking
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Claire Winter is a journalist, ICF coach, speaker and awardwinning podcaster who loves being out in nature. She works to help women connect back to nature, ignite their creativity and share their stories. Read more at www.creatrixjourney. com or follow @thecreatrixjourney on Instagram.
Continue to notice your breathing. Is it slow or fast? How has it changed since you started the walk?
On top of this, we also know that exercising in nature is not only good for our physical health but also our mental health. By boosting mood and energy, you are helping to improve your Letcreativity.nature
Taking inspiration from nature
While walking on a treadmill can work, walking in the great outdoors is more powerful to clear the mind, get inspired and come up with new creative ideas.
So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or creatively blocked, take yourself out for a mindful walk in nature and see what inspiration you can bring back to your desk.
The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other and the rhythmic cadence of your steps can get you into the magical ‘flow’ state that many artists, writers and creators talk about.
nurture you! Your over-thinking mind will clear when you take a walk, consciously seeking out greenery and clouds, listening to the sounds around you and breathing fresh air.
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Set out with a small notebook or use voice notes on your phone to record any insights. If you have to take your phone with you, switch it to do not disturb mode and ignore the screen.
Start to notice the woodland and nature around you. Even towns have leafy gardens and birdcalls when you pay enough attention! Start tapping into all your senses. How does it sound? How does it feel? What does it smell like? What does it look like? How do you imagine things taste? What does the movement around you feel like outside your body and inside it?
While creative blocks can happen to everyone sometimes, there are ways to overcome them. A powerful tool to help you get creative is spending time in nature. Walk it out Simply going for a walk is surprisingly effective. A study from Stanford University found that walking boosted creativity by sixty percent, compared to subjects who were sedentary. The great German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche claimed that all great ideas came from walking. So, what is it about walking that helps our brains switch into a creative mode?
If you are distracted, take a moment to ground yourself and connect to your environment. Stand still, root your feet into the ground and take three deep breaths.
When you are in the rut of daily chores, creative inspiration can feel non-existent. Perhaps current news events or the relentlessness of family life are making you feel stuck. Creative blocks can arise for many different reasons; maybe a work issue, fear of failure or self-doubt are standing in your way. Being creatively blocked can feel incredibly frustrating, timeconsuming and ultimately, can lead to a lack of motivation.
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