Families Thames Valley East Jan/Feb 22 by Families Magazine

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Issue 118 January/February 2022 familiesonline.co.uk

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Based in the heart of Windsor, Upton House is a thriving Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School for boys and girls aged 2-11 years. Self-esteem and happiness, we believe, are paramount to each child’s success and we pride ourselves on developing confident and happy children with a love of learning. Call 01753 862610 or email registrar@uptonhouse.org.uk

Virtual Open Morning Saturday 29th January 2022 10am. To book: www.uptonhouse.org.uk/admissions/open-mornings

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Contents ...endless ideas for families of young children in

In This Issue 4-6

Maidenhead • Windsor • Marlow • Ascot • Slough • Egham ®

News & information

EDUCATION 8 Learning to write 9 Print books or e-books 10 Encouraging girls into science PARENTING 12 Soothing nightmares & night terrors 13 When friendships go wrong HEALTH 15 Just one healthy thing in 2022 16 Helping kids with eco anxiety 17 Family health check list 18-19 WHAT’S ON Contact: Chrissie Wilson 20 BOOK CLUB Telephone: 07799 826 567 Email: editor@familieschiltern.com SHE MEANS BUSINESS 21 Taking a chance with your career 22-23 The power of networking

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From the Editors…. With 2021 behind us and hopes for a brighter 2022, the New Year is traditionally a time to focus on health and consider what we might do differently this year. Resigned to the fact that by the time February comes around I’ve usually broken all my resolutions, I gave up making them a while ago. So, with that in mind, we have some more realistic suggestions on page 15 to help you make just one small change to keep you healthier this year. find below a proof of your advertisement for the There’s also advicePlease on helping kids deal with friendship challenges and eco July/August 2021 issue of Families Chiltern (Issue 110). anxiety on pages 13 and 16 plus a handy family health checklist on page 17. Please ALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT The wonderful Anne Fine isCHECK our bookclub author this month, with a great especially dates, telephone numbers and addresses. read for older children on page 20 and Anna talks to some of the ladies from Any changes need to be made at this stage. networking group Athena on pages 22-23.

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Here’s to a happy and healthy 2022 for everyone!

Anna & Rach

Families Thames Valley East is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All Franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd. Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks, SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Thames Valley East are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Thames Valley East. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

Co-educational Preparatory Day School and Nursery for children aged rising 3 to 11

Editors:

Rachel Bailey & Anna Collins 01628 788058 Editor@FamiliesTVEast.co.uk www.Familiesonline.co.uk Next Issue:

Visit the School and Nursery

March/April 2022

Tel: 01628 788058 Circulation: 16,000 Cover image: depositphotos.com

Eton End School 35 Eton Road Datchet Berkshire SL3 9AX

01753 541075 • registrar@etonend.org

Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds

ASCOT 01344 206466 ascot@stagecoach.co.uk

Helping children believe they can do anything BRACKNELL NORTH (WARFIELD) 01344 206466 bracknellnorth@stagecoach.co.uk

HIGH WYCOMBE HENLEY AND MARLOW 07968 598227 07968 598227 henleyandmarlow@stagecoach.co.uk highwycombe@stagecoach.co.uk MAIDENHEAD 01628 281128 maidenhead@stagecoach.co.uk

WINDSOR AND LANGLEY 01932 988086 windsor@stagecoach.co.uk Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

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EDUCATION News Newsand & Views Information

Dance Inspired celebrates 10 year anniversary! Dance Inspired celebrates 10 years after starting up classes back in September 2011. After a tough year with Covid they are hoping to see a return of their biennial summer show in June 2022 which will be a great way to celebrate their tenth year in the business. Owner Amy created the dance school to provide students with an opportunity to discover more about authentic street dance including the history as well as the dance moves. Since classes began the dance school has grown to include 2 more incredibly talented dance teachers, allowing Amy to give the students a chance to also learn contemporary dance within the school and to audition to be a part of their performance dance crews. The dance school is based in Maidenhead and Windsor offering classes to children aged 4 years (reception age) all the way up to adults.

Help fund vital research by joining Wear A Hat Day!

www.danceinspired.co.uk • amy@danceinspired.co.uk

Join thousands of children, parents and teachers on Friday 25th March for Wear A Hat Day – a great way to bring people together and raise vital funds for leading charity Brain Tumour Research. Register your school, community or family event today at: www.wearahatday.org and they’ll send you a free fundraising pack! Coming at the end of March, Brain Tumour Awareness Month, several celebrities are supporting this hattastic campaign. The latest set of collectable Wear A Hat Day pin badges have a regal theme in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. Order your box of badges to sell during registration! Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. This is unacceptable and Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this. Funds raised from Wear A Hat Day will help towards establishing a new Research Centre of Excellence. Find out more at www.wearahatday.org

After

Hair Health and Vitality ‘ Before and After’ by Jenna Joycelyn from Hair, Health and Vitality has helped transform both my hair and my confidence and I hope other people can benefit from her expertise. I’ve always had fine hair and it has always made me very insecure, especially when going out. Even my best friend said I had wispy thin hair!

Concerned about hair loss or hair related issues? Contact the Maidenhead based clinic on 01628 92511 / 07590 545922 info@hairloss-trichology.com www.hairloss-trichology.com Local qualified Trichologist Hair Loss Consultant & Glyco Nutritional Wellness Consultant (I.A.T, W.T.S, GNWC, AMAE)

Before

I decided to seek help and Jocelyn completely put me at ease with her knowledge. She took one look at me and knew exactly how to help. In as little as four weeks my hairdresser commented on how much better the condition of my hair was. It was no longer dry at the ends and oily and ‘angry’ at the scalp. I also noticed that it was appearing to look thicker. I didn’t expect to see any results for months but in 4 weeks I was amazed at the difference. I also got advice about my skin and nails and again quick results were noticed by my beauty therapist and nail technician. They noticed how much plumper, toned and hydrated my skin looked and how my nails were stronger and whiter on the tips. I am incredibly grateful to Joycelyn because she has genuinely changed my life. I actually like my hair which is something I never thought I would say! It’s given me my spark back! www.hairloss-trichology.com Contact Jocelyn on 01628 925911

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News and News Information & Views

Small Business Health Check – Five Marketing Tips from RIMU marketing January typically has that feeling of new beginnings. With one in four people cited to be considering changing their roles in 2022 as part of ‘The Great Resignation’ now may be the perfect time to consider setting up your own business. So if this sounds like you, or you are currently a small business owner and are ready to kick start your marketing for 2022, we wanted to share five tips to help get you started. 1. Be clear on your objectives. Make sure you define SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed) objectives, to help you determine where you wish to take your business. 2. Define your target audience. This is worth spending some time on, as it will guide all of your marketing activity eg: content generated, images selected, media chosen and more. 3 It is all about content. Content underpins all marketing in today’s digital world, it is a great way to connect with your audience. 4. Choosing the right channels. There are many different ways to connect with your ideal client. Get the foundations in place with a good website, blogs, email marketing and choosing the right social media channels. Once those are in place, media such as radio or print are also great options for an integrated marketing programme, with many budget options available. 5. Track results. It is important to understand if your marketing has been successful, so you can do more of what works for your business. Above all it is important you enjoy what you do and let your passion shine through to your customers! If you would like some help in establishing your marketing for 2022, please get in touch to arrange a no obligation discovery call. visit www.rimumarketing.co.uk to discover more.

Sophie Comas, Founder, RIMU Marketing

Take part in National Storytelling Week National Storytelling Week takes place from 29 January to 5 February and during this period, stories will be told in schools and theatres, pubs, museums, village halls, community centres and in many other places across the UK. Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To

be a good reader and writer a child needs firstly to be a good speaker and listener. Above all though, storytelling is fun. Whether we are listening to someone else’s story or telling our own, inventing and adapting stories can open doors to exciting new worlds — both real and imaginary. To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive. visit www.sfs.org.uk

Danny Clarke

Dame Sheila Hancock DBE

Caprice Bourret

Sarah Beeny

www.wearahatday.org MARCH 2022

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Registered charity number 1153487 (England and Wales) SC046840 (Scotland) Families Thames Valley East

News Newsand & Views Information Tips for positive parenting by Taz at ‘Connecting with your children’ Taz is a parenting coach and a paediatric nurse who has an MSc dissertation called ‘positive parenting & brain development’. Positive parenting is a way of developing a strong, deeply committed relationship between a parent and child based on communication and mutual respect. Here she shares some top tips:

Developing a love of learning by the Founders of Eden Tutors; Rebecca Nuthall and Hannah Benwell “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn” Benjamin Franklin. Developing a child’s love of learning is centred upon building an excellent rapport and a tailored, immersive approach towards lesson content, customised to realise their full academic potential. It is also crucial to select a tutor who will value your child’s unique strengths and put their needs at the centre of learning. Our students apply learning within ‘real world’ contexts, ensuring they obtain important life skills and develop their cultural capital. In maths, pupils use money to buy and sell and within science, children conduct experiments to answer topical world questions. Our ‘hands-on approach’ stimulates a student’s academic achievement, whilst cementing the concepts of abstract knowledge.

• Have quality time playing with your child even if it’s 10 minutes a day it will make a big difference. • Every child is different so try not to compare your child or yourself to others. • Try to communicate with your child when they do something good, for example ‘thank you for helping mummy put the books away’ rather than focusing on negative behaviour. • Have some kind of routine - consistency helps children feel safe • Boundaries need to be set with fair consequences. • Do not react straight away if you are feeling angry or frustrated with your child. Count to 10 to help you act in a calm way. • You are your child’s role model and your child can copy negative behaviours as well as positive. Taz is based in Windsor and available for face to face meet ups (in the area) and online coaching. www.connectingwithyourchild.co.uk taz@connectingwithyourchild.co.uk

We believe that it is essential for your child to have a highly positive experience of learning, providing them with the foundations to generate lifelong success. Responding to an increasing post-pandemic demand and the uptake from homeschool learners, we provide an interactive approach using online technologies which demonstrates the shift towards immersive learning and increasing flexibility. Whether online or in person, we provide a ‘fun’ context-led approach which will develop problem solving skills, invaluable in later life. Indeed, we would agree that education is not simply ‘the learning of facts, but training the mind to think.’ www.eden-tutors.co.uk

Looking for things to do in the New Year? Welcome to Rugbytots: fun, weekly classes for children aged 2-7, themed around rugby! Rachel Cooper has five years' experience running a franchise, and she has recently purchased East Berkshire, Reading and Henley, so new classes have arrived in Tilehurst, Caversham, Earley and Woodley, alongside the well-established classes in Henley, Marlow and Maidenhead. Each class starts off with a fun warm-up game, followed by passing and catching, the amazing obstacle course/relay races, kicking and one of many fun-filled Rugbytots games to finish the class, leaving everybody on a high. Every class has a lead coach and an assistant coach, and the classes are delivered with excitement, enthusiasm and drama, which really engages the children. Feedback from parents all over world mirrors this comment: “My little one’s confidence has grown, his listening skills have improved, his behaviour has improved.” or more information, go to: www.rugbytots.co.uk/ or e-mail F rachelc@rugbytots.co.uk 6

Now open in Slough: Big on Bouncing’s play days and parties venue Big on Bouncing moved to a new venue in Slough last autumn and if you have a child under 8, it’s definitely worth a visit. Although my twins are now at the older end of the age range, I would have loved the all enclosed space for them to play freely when they were younger. With an interactive play wall, plenty of climbing and a separate area for the little ones, it’s a great set up. Plus, great coffee and menu options including gluten free, can all be enjoyed from the separate seated area enabling adults to keep an eye on children at all times. They offer 4 sessions a day Monday-Friday to allow for cleaning in between and are limiting numbers. Weekend sessions are at 9am and then the venue is exclusively for party hire. Plenty of parking and one of the cleanest soft plays I’ve come across. Book online at: www.bigonbouncingparties.co.uk Unit 1 Kelpatrick Rd SL1 6BW 01628 410736 info@bigonbouncingparties.co.uk

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SUMMER FUN Education

Learning to write By Catherine Lynch Children need to develop lots of skills before they can write. The three main skills that build writing foundations are the physical ability to make marks on paper, knowing that print conveys meaning and knowing what to write. In preparation for writing, children need to develop both their gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills develop first; walking, jumping, throwing and reaching. Fine motor skills, like picking up small objects, follow. Children need to be given lots of opportunities to move their bodies and build up the muscles needed to sit in a chair, hold a pen and write. Next, children need to know what they are going to write. Adults can support children in this stage by providing practical opportunities. Writing shopping lists together is a great way to get children writing for a purpose. What are the basics of getting marks on paper? Children’s first marks on paper start with squiggles and scribbles. With practise, their marks become more controlled and they may start to ascribe meaning to them, for example, scribbling lines on paper and saying they are a list of their friends. As children’s awareness of letters increases they will start to use letter shapes in their writing. Familiar letters might start appearing among their squiggles and shapes. In the next stage of learning to write, children use their phonetic knowledge to identify which letters to write.

in words, for example ‘c’ for cat and ‘a’ for apple. As their phonic knowledge improves they will start to hear and write more sounds in words. It is common for children to reverse letters, miss out sounds and muddle up letters for the first few years that they are writing. By the end of Year 1, children should have been taught most of the letter sounds in the English language, complete with alternative spellings and sound groupings. For example, the many ways to write the /ai/ sound in sail, crayon, lake, weigh, grey, reindeer, break and acorn. Initially children won’t typically use the correct spelling of the sound; however, the more they read the better they will get at recognising when a spelling looks right. Catherine Lynch is a former UK primary school teacher, now writing for PlanBee (www.planbee.com) about issues affecting teachers, schools and pupils. PlanBee has lots of completely free resources for teaching and learning for home and school.

Phonics explain the relationship between sounds and letters. Typically children start by hearing and writing the initial sounds

Fun activities to develop writing skills Create obstacle courses that require a wide range of movements. Create challenges with a variety of ball sizes to get children developing their motor skills. Encourage activities like picking up small objects, building with blocks, threading beads and using pens and cutlery to develop fine motor skills. Provide lots of mark-making opportunities eg finger painting, drawing with chalk on the ground, using crayons, pencils and pens. Help children get the correct pencil grip by using the ‘pinch and grip’ method. Praise all their efforts; writing skills take time to build. Make use of free resources available as downloads for home practice. There are many ideas for play activities, tips to get parents and children started, word tracing sheets, handwriting guides, letter formation worksheets and posters. Good resources include www.planbee.com, www.jellyandbean.co.uk, www.teachhandwriting.co.uk and www.teachingideas.co.uk 8

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Education

Print book or e-books What’s best for our children? By Lulu Skantze Electronic devices enable us to access, at the touch of a finger, millions of e-books at a lower cost and with easier storage than printed books. Most children’s books and magazines are now available in digital format too. This makes sense as many children use electronic devices at an early age. But while it is important to embrace all technologies and see stories available in all formats, printed materials have an essential role in developing young readers.

and be in the reading space - a wonderful habit to develop.

Deep reading

Shared reading

‘Deep reading’ is an important process which is activated when reading from paper and particularly applies when reading highquality, long texts. Screens affect our reading processes and the more we read short texts on screen, the more our reading shifts towards skimming. Consequently, our tolerance for reading long literary texts diminishes and we lose the benefits of using the cognitive processes that deep reading involves. In addition, reading from devices involves juggling multiple distractions, such as interactive touchscreens, hyperlinks and alerts, which move our attention away from what’s being read. This adversely affects our comprehension and reading speed.

Printed books make shared reading easier than e-books. Shared reading is incredibly important when it comes to encouraging a child to read. A book allows for more discovery and children can interact with it for longer in a more engaging way, as well as being able to colour in, draw, underline words and so on. Reading for pleasure

Mindful reading

Studies have found that reading for pleasure plays a huge role in a child’s confidence, personal development and academic achievement. Reading books engages children in a magical world of stories, adventures and fantasy. It is so important that reading for pleasure now forms part of the National Curriculum.

Printed books help children develop the habit of reading through mindfulness. They slow us down and enable us to engage with a book with no sounds, distractions or screen glare. Reading printed books teaches us to connect with the present moment

Lulu Skantze is co-founder of Storytime, a high-quality monthly magazine that helps to improve children’s literacy with no adverts or plastic toys, just great stories. Visit www.storytimemagazine.com

Shared reading tips

Reading for pleasure

Sit together with your child so that your they can see the pages you’re reading. As you read to your child, get them involved from the start. Can they guess what the story might be about from the title? Follow each word of the story with your finger, so your child can associate the sounds they’re hearing with the letters they see. Encourage your child to read out loud with you when reading rhymes and repetitive stories. Ask your child to listen and repeat unfamiliar or hard-topronounce words. This will help their pronunciation. Talk about what the word might mean to help build their vocabulary. When you find a complex idea or sentence, stop and ask your child whether they understand. Point to the illustrations, ask your child who the characters are and what happens next. This helps build anticipation and encourages participation. When reading aloud, put lots of expression into your reading, so your child can copy what you’re doing. When you’ve finished, ask questions about the characters and what happened to them.

Reading is fun, entertaining and relaxing; it also improves writing, spelling and vocabulary and increases general knowledge and understanding of other people and cultures. Here’s how to help your child to fall in love with reading:

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Make reading part of your child’s routine and life. Have old and new books around at home and treasure them. Pick books that are at the appropriate level for your child. Put aside quality time to read together every day, even if only for ten minutes. Listen attentively when your child reads to you. Dig deep into the stories with them. Value books, magazines and stories. Discuss with your child what they like about their favourite titles. Take books everywhere! Your child can then read anywhere. Join your local library. Visit with your child so they can choose and borrow books and discover new authors for free. Exchange books with friends. Treat your child to a magazine subscription or book vouchers for special occasions.

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SUMMER FUN Education

Getting girls into science By Gabrielle Nash For many years, girls have shied away from subjects like science and maths. As a result, the numbers of women in STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are small. International Day of Women and Girls in Science takes place on 11 February with the aim of celebrating and motivating women and girls to study and take up careers in science and related fields. Getting more girls into those fields is crucial to improving diversity. Recent efforts to address the balance of men and women in STEM is working. Yet while the female STEM workforce has for the first time reached over one million women, most of the workforce is male and the balance still needs addressing. So what can be done?

Another factor that is stopping both boys and girls from choosing certain subjects, like computing and physics, is the idea that it is harder to achieve top grades in them. But many employers are not looking for the highest grades; instead they want logical and thoughtful people who can problem solve.

First, we must look at what is stopping young women and girls from choosing these subjects. Sadly, this is believed to be largely the result of gender stereotypes introduced at a young age.

If you are the parent of a young girl, you might think it is too early to engage her on this issue but even at a young age, girls can be motivated to pursue science-based subjects through appropriate role models.

Children are often encouraged towards traditional play based on their gender, which develops their brains and skills in a certain way. Look at introducing a variety of play experiences from the outset: from dolls to Lego, there should be plenty of variety and no boundaries.

Introduce your girls to some of the world’s incredible female scientists through books. It’s one of the easiest ways to inspire more girls to take a career in science. There are some wonderfully engaging options.

As children get older, they are faced with the stereotype and belief that boys and girls are suited to different subjects. Research has clearly shown that there is no difference in ability between boys and girls in different subjects, so we need to tackle the stereotypes children are exposed to from an early age.

By introducing these role models to our girls, we can spread the word about female achievement and hopefully encourage passion for STEM subjects amongst them.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly Based on the best-selling adult novel, this picture book features four brilliant mathematicians who contributed to some of NASA’s greatest successes in space. Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden had to persist during a time when being both black and female were limitations. With their genius minds, they ultimately helped change the world. There’s also an edition for ages 8 to 12.

Part of the Little People, Big Dreams series, this book is about scientist Marie Curie, who became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize for Physics. Despite being unable to go to college because she was a woman, she became a groundbreaking scientist whose discoveries dramatically helped the fight against cancer. With a simple language and structure, these books are great for children ages 5+.

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

I am Jane Goodall by Brad Meltzer

Inspired by real-life mathematician Ada Lovelace and scientist Marie Curie, this best-selling picture book champions STEM, girl power and women scientists in a celebration of curiosity, the power of perseverance, and the importance of asking ‘Why?’

Part of the Ordinary People Change the World series, this book is all about the chimpanzee scientist, Dr Jane Goodall.

Even when her fact-finding missions and elaborate scientific experiments don’t go as planned, Ada learns the value of thinking her way through problems and continuing to stay curious. This is a funny, engaging picture book for young readers.

Marie Curie (Little People, Big Dreams) by Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Her love for animals started when she was given a toy chimpanzee as a child. She changed the world with her patient observations about chimpanzees, improving the future for many female scientists who came after her. Jane is depicted as a child, making the book playful and accessible to readers ages 5 to 8.

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Small School Big Benefits Meadowbrook delivers what others can’t… …staff who know pupils better…teaching & learning tailored to individual & not whole class needs…greater social confidence…a more inclusive sense of community…pupils who genuinely value & enjoy learning...parents who benefit from closer relationships with the school…

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Through a combination of Montessori inspired practice, the National Curriculum, Growth Mindset & Positive Discipline, Meadowbrook offers a unique, highly personalised approach to child-centred education without compromising on standards. Excellent preparation for secondary school & beyond in a firm but fair, loving & stress-free environment. To book your visit call us on 01344 890869 or email admin@meadowbrook.uk Find out more at www.meadowbrook.uk

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Wednesday 9th February for Nursery -Year 2 Thursday 10th Feburary for age Year 3 - Year 8 If you would like to attend one of our Open Days please visit our website to register

Godstowe is a happy, thriving day and boarding school for girls aged 3 to 13 and boys aged 3 to 7

www.godstowe.org Godstowe Preparatory School, Shrubbery Road, High Wycombe, HP13 6PR

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Parenting

Soothing nightmares and night terrors Nightmares can be very upsetting for children but they are distinct from night terrors, which can be very alarming for their parents! What are nightmares? Nightmares typically start between the ages of 3 and 6 years. They happen during deep sleep, usually in the early hours. Unlike night terrors, children can remember nightmares (or feeling afraid) after waking.

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And night terrors? intervene if for yourthe child is at risk of injury - if they are running Please find below a proof of yourOnly advertisement Night terrors are common and usually pass in time. Children who wildly or close to an area where they could hurt themselves. Mar/Apr issue (No. 107) of Families TVE. September/October Issue of Families TVE. have night terrors may shout, thrash around2020 or jump out of bed. Talk calmly and block access to dangerous areas. Holding or They may have their eyes open but may not actually be awake. restraining them may be difficult and lead to wilder behaviour. Unlike nightmares, children don’t have to be in a deep sleep and, Please CHECK ALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT especially in fact, night terrors can happen soon after falling asleep. Your As long as your child’s safe, don’t try to wake, comfort or talk dates, telephone numbers and addresses. child may not remember night terrors in the morning. to them. They may not recognise you and could become more distressed. If your child has experienced a nightmare: Any changes need to be made at this stage. T: 07867 514138 / 07753 Show and tell them that you understand how amendments scared or upset Wait for. for your child to calm by themselves. Then wake them and Any further will be charged E: editor@familiestveast. they feel. settle them back to sleep. Don’t mention the episode, as they are Tell a soothing bedtime story or sing some favourite songs or unlikely to remember it. Little People Media, 29 F Please contact us by return either to amend or approve your rhymes together. advertisement. Maidenhead SL6 3 NY Encourage your child to cuddle a favourite soft toy. Most children grow out of night terrors and they don’t cause any Ask your child if they would like a gentle massage. Try stroking long-term harm. Worried by their frequency and intensity? It’s a down your child’s arm from shoulder to hand, stroking their face good idea to get medical advice, find out more at www.nhs.uk/ or making circles on their back. conditions/night-terrors or speak to parenting coaches on the Ask them about the best part of their day or something that free helpline at www.parenting.actionforchildren.org.uk made them laugh. Try mindfulness activities to soothe your child. With thanks to Action for Children for this article. You can find many other useful articles on parenting at their Parent Talk If your child is having a night terror: site at www.parents.actionforchildren.org.uk Stay calm – you may have woken abruptly and feel alarmed.

Thames Valley

Excited to Monkey Puzzle announce our opening on Day Nursery located close to Maidenhead 7th January! train station and town centre. Children aged 3 months to 5 years are cared for by our wonderful team of practitioners, carefully hand-picked to offer the highest level of care. • Open Mon-Fri 51 weeks a year • Closed for Bank Holidays and during Christmas week • Full day sessions from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm Based at Bray Lake on the Windsor Road, Little Muddy Me is a 'solely outdoor' preschool where children aged 2-5 can discover their natural surroundings in a nurturing, safe and secure environment. They will climb trees, use tools, swing on hammocks, play in the mud kitchen, hunt for bugs, cosy up and read in the tepee and cook on a camp fire. rmation For more info t: ntacFor co more information please email or for a tour 42 Tel: 01628 6376 muddyme@littleme-preschool.co.uk r@ Email: manage ad.co.uk | www.muddyme-preschool.co.uk he396423 en aid 07900 lem zz monkeypu

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Parenting

When friendships go wrong By Clare Cogan Friendships can be a challenge throughout our lives; from our own school playground days to when we’re back there as parents. Late primary school age often brings significant shifts in friendships. If your child has been in a ‘group’ or has had a ‘best friend,’ you might observe fall outs between them which can include exclusions from invitations and activities. These evershifting sands can lead to tears, sleepless nights and worries.

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in life is to help them deal with and learn from difficult times. You are their guiding light in this regard.

Please CHECK ALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT especially Firstly, telephone take a moment.... andand a step back. dates, numbers addresses.

The drama itself is easy to get embroiled in, especially if you are

Any changes to be made at this stage. are involved. Despite friends with need the parents whose children the temptation, texting or up the Any further amendments willpicking be charged for.phone to discuss the

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As children start to return move either towards transition to secondary Please contact us by to amend or approve your school, we need to give them the tools and resources to cope advertisement. with friendship challenges and not always step in and sort it out ourselves.

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Consider your own friendship history. Use your own experiences of difficult friendships or times when you have moved away from friends and made new ones to help your children understand that it is okay for things to change.

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Spend time helping your child to think about what they value Maidenhead SL6kindness, 3 NY trustworthiness. Talk in friendship, such as honesty, about why others choose them to be their friend and point to what makes a good friend when times are tough. Clare Cogan is a teenage anxiety specialist and author who works with parents and their teens to help them understand how their mind affects their mood. More information at www.clarecogan.com

Windsor

When to worry Find out more info at www.danceinspired.co.uk

Playground spats and fallings out are as typical among friends as they are among siblings. Forgotten by the next day, they are useful lessons in getting on with others. However, if your child is coming home with continuous reports of unkindness and struggles and is upset, sad and clearly finding things difficult, give value to those experiences. Try not to pass judgement on the other children, no matter how hard as that is, it is possible they will be friends again tomorrow.

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Just as you are supporting your child and showing they are not alone, nor are you. Packed with expert advice, Young Minds specialises in young people’s mental health, supporting young people and their parents with helplines, webchats and email services. See www.youngminds.org.uk

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Families Thames Valley East

ADVERTISEMENT PROOF Please find below a proof of your advertisement for the Jan/Feb 2020 issue (No. 106) of Families TVE. T 01753 833 771 E mail@cotwmontessori.co.uk W cotwmontessori.co.uk Please CHECK ALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT especially dates, telephone numbers andfrom addresses. Education and play 6 months

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We are an Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ nursery providing high quality day care for children from three months to ﬁve years. Set within bright, modern Windsor Leisure Centre, our setting includes a large toddler room, pre-school room, a new snuggly baby room, and spacious outdoor garden.

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Health

Just one healthy thing in 2022! By Claire Winter

At this time of the year, we are bombarded with unrealistic health advice. Give up carbs, do a HIIT workout every day, walk fifteen thousand steps. Glamorous women and men in lycra stare at us from our social feeds, making us feel like failures before we even start a new health regime. So how about setting yourself an easy target of changing just one thing this New Year? Photo by Bruce Mars from Unsplash

Take Vitamin D

Get a fitness buddy Accountability works. If you want to start a new fitness regime, find a friend to do it with you, says Paula Kerr from Fitter Stronger. ‘This might mean always training with a friend and not letting them down or keeping an exercise or nutrition record and sharing it with a friend or fitness professional.’ www.fitterstronger.org

Vitamin D is highly recommended for anyone living in the UK because we don’t get enough sunshine. Public Health England recommends every adult takes a ten mg supplement in autumn and winter - all year round if you have darker skin. It boosts the immune system, helps prevent depression and strengthens bones. Find at all good health food stores/online.

Take time to meditate Just ten minutes meditation a day can make a huge difference. Research shows that meditation has a positive effect on a range of stress-related illnesses, including heart disease, cholesterol and high blood pressure. It can also help people suffering from insomnia, anxiety and depression. Check out www.insighttimer.com for hundreds of free meditations.

Get quality sleep

Have a cold shower Many people shared their outdoor swimming adventures last year. Intrigued? Start small with the Wim Hof method. Begin with a simple breathing technique and cold showers every morning and progress to cold water swimming. Doing this every day for five months has really improved my mood and quality of sleep! www.wimhofmethod.com Photo by Ella Olsson from Pexels

Personal trainer, Alex Cornwell, says: ‘It’s best to accept that as a parent it may not be possible to sleep uninterrupted for eight to nine hours a night. Instead, make sure you’re getting to bed early, not scrolling through Instagram or watching Netflix. This keeps you up longer and late-night screen time is proven to reduce the quality of your sleep’. www.revolution-pts.com

Practise gratitude ‘Gratitude is the first step to embracing our body, shifting our relationship with it and seeing it as one of our best buddies. It makes a huge difference in our fitness training and the food we choose to nourish our body’ says the Body Whisperer, Vanessa Conway. Keeping a daily gratitude diary can make also make you feel more optimistic about life. www.feelmovebewithvanessa.com

Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash

Try forest bathing

Go veggie For one day a week, try and skip meat. www.meatfreemondays.com is a good website to follow. Can you make a family favourite with a meat substitute or try a new vegetarian recipe? familiesonline.co.uk

Get out in nature and de-stress in your local forest or woodland. In Japan, it’s called Shirrin Yoku, it’s proven to help you boost your mood, health and wellbeing and it’s free. Find your local forest here www.forestryengland.uk

editor@familiestveast.co.uk 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East

Health

Helping kids with ecoanxiety By Angela Terry Growing up in a time of climate crisis is not easy. Images of deforestation, melting glaciers and out-of-control wildfires seem everywhere. The scale and severity of the situation is difficult for adults to comprehend. Naturally, children can find it overwhelming. Eco-anxiety is increasingly prevalent amongst our kids. Research by Bath University shows that sixty percent of children and young people describe themselves as ‘very or extremely worried’ about climate change. As a mum and environmental scientist, I am well aware of the difficulties of talking to children about this subject. The temptation is to tell them not to worry. But actually this will add to their genuine concern that this issue is being ignored by the ‘grown-ups.’ Focus instead on positive solutions. Here are my tips: Remind children that together we can change the world Taking everyday actions can empower kids. Like eating less meat or snuggling under a blanket instead of turning up the thermostat. But remind them that it’s practically impossible to live a completely sustainable life. The world needs lots of people doing sustainability imperfectly, rather than a few doing it perfectly. Point them to less frightening online resources Exposure to gloomy predictions online can affect children’s moods. Make sure they are looking at websites that talk about climate change in an unthreatening way without a barrage of scary statistics. NASA’s Climate Kids website has been designed specifically for children and has a wide range of resources,

including videos and games. Make green spending decisions jointly Discuss with your children which products your family buys. There are sustainable alternatives for everything, from food and fashion to cars and bank accounts. If the green alternative is more expensive, ask your children if they would be happy to go without something to pay for it. This allows them to understand the power of purchasing. Help children join or start a group with friends Joining climate-focused community and action groups can be of huge benefit to children with feelings of anxiety, helplessness and despair. The sense of shared belonging and concern can be very comforting. Working towards tangible solutions with others gives kids a greater sense of control. Angela Terry is an environmental scientist and mum of three. She’s the founder of One Home (www.onehome.org.uk), the UK’s first consumer climate action hub which provides independent, practical advice on the changes you can make to help fight global warming and adapt to climate change.

Discussing climate change

Practical things to do

As a parent your first instinct is to protect your kids but it’s not helpful to tell them not to concern themselves with climate change. Worrying about this huge problem is entirely normal. Here are some suggestions for handling those tricky conversations:

One of the best ways to help children feel better about the climate emergency is to empower them to do something about it. It can be as simple as encouraging them to walk to school instead of being driven. Here are some activity ideas for the whole family:

Listen to your child’s worries and acknowledge them. Don’t dismiss them out-of-hand. Empathise. Show you’re concerned too. But don’t focus on doomsday scenarios. There is no cliff edge. Point out they’re not alone. Talk about all the people who are also worried and striving to effect change. Check out Instagram accounts which offer a solutions-based outlook like @thegreenhub @ ouronehome @lowimpactmovement Empower without making them feel overly responsible. Tell them we all have a role to play in addressing this issue – but it’s not all on them. Point out positive climate news stories whenever you come across them. Teach anxiety regulation techniques, like breathing and mindfulness.

Rewild your garden. Set up a bug hotel. Start growing vegetables. Replace some of your lawn with wildflowers. Make low-carbon meals based around local fruit and vegetables from a farmer’s market, if possible (or even produce you’ve grown yourselves!) Take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch (www.rspb.org.uk), the Great British Spring Clean (www.keepbritaintidy.org) or Earth Day (www.earthday.org). Fundraise for a green charity by organising a low-carbon bake sale or doing a sponsored walk. Craft homemade birthday and Christmas presents for loved ones. Shut curtains and blinds from dusk until dawn to keep the heat in (and energy bills low). Write to your MP and explain why you are concerned about climate change.

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Your Family Health Check List

Keeping up with the routine (and non-routine) health checks and appointments for your kids can be time-consuming! Use our handy checklist to help you out. Eye test

Children should have an eye test at the age of 3 years and again just before they start school. An optometrist will then usually recommend a yearly eye test after this.

Dental check Six monthly check-ups are recommended for children from age 1 and children should visit the dentist as soon as their first milk teeth appear.

Orthodontist Has your child’s adult teeth nearly all come through? Ask your dentist whether your child will need a referral to an orthodontist.

Vaccinations If you have a baby or toddler, make sure they have had all their necessary immunisations. Children over 12 can now attend a walk-in centre to receive their Covid vaccine if they haven’t had it at school. Flu vaccinations are available for children ages 2 to 5 and for all school-age children from Reception to year 11.

Other services you may need Podiatrist Does your child complain of pain in their heels? Kids undergoing growth spurts are especially susceptible to plantar fascilitis pain starting at age 8 until around age 13 for girls and age 15 for boys. A podiatrist will advise on footwear to help the problem.

Allergy clinic If your GP provides a referral, your child can get tested at a specialist NHS allergy clinic. You can also get your child tested at a private clinic and pay for their allergy tests. It’s not recommended that you use an at-home allergy testing kit if you suspect your child has an allergy.

Tips: Do you have a family first aid kit? You can make up your own or buy one. Boots Children’s First Aid Kit £13.99

Little Life Excursion Kit £29.99

Everything you need to deal with cuts, grazes, bumps, bruises and bleeding. Comes with handy First Aid guide.

Perfect for family excursions with all the essentials you need.

What’s On?

January UNTIL JANUARY 9 WINDSOR ILLUMINATED Windsor Great Park Woodland and water at Windsor Great Park come alive with dazzling lights, dancing stars and breath-taking projections. www.windsorilluminated.com UNTIL JANUARY 9 JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Theatre Royal Windsor SL4 1PS Box Office 01753 853 888 www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/ jackandthebeanstalk SUNDAY JAN 2 TO MONDAY FEB 28 WINDSOR GREAT PARK HORSE-RIDING EXPERIENCE Wayside Stables, Fifield Road, Maidenhead, SL6 2PG 01628 777735 www.waysidestables.co.uk FRIDAYS IN JAN AND FEB

All details correct at the time of going to press. Please do remember to check online for up-to-date information and remember that in most cases you will need to book. MONDAY JANUARY 10

MONDAY FEBRUARY 7

MINI MONDAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning for ages 2-4. £6.50. Make a nest, keep the teddies warm and follow the leaf trail.

MINI MONDAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning for ages 2-4. £6.50. Finger painting and fitness trail, plus finding out what will keep the teddies warm.

FRIDAY JANUARY 21

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 12

NATURE TOTS Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane Maidenhead SL6 3LJ Outdoor nature discovery for preschoolers. £7 Booking essential. www.eventbrite.co.uk SATURDAY JAN 22 TO SUNDAY MAY 1 MAGICAL MISCHIEF The Making of Harry Potter, Warner bros studio tour, Studio Tour Drive Leavesden WD25 7LR. Brand new for 2022, revealing the filmmaking trickery behind the Harry Potter film series and shining a spotlight on magical pranks and mishaps. www.wbstudiotour.co.uk MONDAY JANUARY 24

4 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7RR Messy play for children aged 5mths - 5 years Any changes need£31.50 to be made at & this stage. Course of 4 Fridays 10-10.45 Any further amendments will be charged for. 11:45-12:30 www.littlelearnersuk.com

MONDAY 14 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 20 JUNGLE RUMBLE FAMILY MUSICAL The Fortune Theatre, Covent Garden, Russell St, London WC2B 5HH www.atgtickets.com/shows/jungle-rumble/ fortune-theatre

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 15 Thames Valley East MORGAN AND WEST: UNBELIEVEABLE SCIENCE

February

Please contact us by return either to amend or approve your MONDAY JANUARY 10 advertisement. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 4

BABY MASSAGE AND DEVELOPMENTAL MOVEMENT Bump and Beyond Hub, Quarry Wood Road, Marlow SL7 1RE For babies 2-6 months 9.40am Course of 6 Mondays £55 (other courses/ ages available) www.thebumpandbeyondhub.co.uk

STUFF YOUR OWN VALENTINES BEAR Teddy’s Playtown Ltd Units 12-16, The Observatory Shopping Centre. Slough, Berkshire, SL1 1LE

NATURE TOTS Woolley Firs Environmental Education Centre, Cherry Garden Lane Maidenhead SL6 3LJ Outdoor nature discovery for preschoolers. £7 Booking essential. www.eventbrite.co.uk

ADVERTISEMENT PROOF

especially dates, telephone numbers and addresses.

SUNDAY 13 AND MONDAY FEBRUARY 14

MONDAY FEBRUARY 14

MINI MONDAY FOR MINDERS Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning for ages 2-4 and networking opportunity. £6.50.

TEDDIES MUSIC CLUB The Gardener’s Hall, 213 St Leonards Road, Windsor, SL4 3DR 10am and 11am drop in (cash only) or term timefind prepaid. Other days available Please below a proof of yourin advertisement for the SATURDAY JANUARY 29 Cookham and Marlow see website January/February 2017 issue (No. 88) of Families TVE. www.teddiesmusicclub.co.uk/classes GIN AND FIZZ FESTIVAL Wycombe Arts Centre FRIDAY JANUARY Desborough Road HP11 2PU Please CHECK 7ALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT www.tickettailor.com LITTLE LEARNERS MAIDENHEAD

KIDS’ VALENTINE’S DISCO Teddy’s Playtown Ltd Units 12-16, The Observatory Shopping Centre. Slough, Berkshire, SL1 1LE www.teddysplaytown.co.uk

Wycombe Swan HP11 2XE T: 01628 627586 7+ years 2pm E: editor@familiestveast.co.uk www.wycombeswan.co.uk 50 All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead, SATURDAY 19 & SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26 Berkshire, SL6 6NA

MAIDENHEAD PARENT SUPPORT GROUP 5 High Street, Maidenhead SL6 1JN Free through The Autism Group 10-11.30am www.theautismgroup.org.uk

BRING ON THE BATTLE Windsor Castle learning centre, Windsor Castle SL4 1NJ Castle Crafts including children’s Attack and Defence talks Free upon admission to the castle MONDAY FEBRUARY 21 CREATIVE LEARNING WORKSHOP: COMEDY AND CLOWNING Wycombe Swan HP11 2XE 7-12 years 10am-5pm www.wycombeswan.co.uk

Blossom Ballet

MON 21, THUR 24 AND FRI FEBRUARY 25

For a FREE taster class or for further information please contact Lucy:

BRING ON THE BATTLE Windsor Castle learning centre, Windsor Castle SL4 1NJ Castle Crafts Free upon admission to the castle

07813084283 lucy@blossomballet.com www.blossomballet.com

B l o s s o m Ba l l e t

is about having lots of fun and making new friends. Classes in Windsor throughout the week and at the weekends 18

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What’s On?

If you’d like your event featured please email editor@familiestveast.co.uk with details. TUESDAY FEBRUARY 22 CREATIVE LEARNING WORKSHOP: IMPROV AND THEATRE SPORTS Wycombe Swan HP11 2XE 12-18 years 10am-5pm www.wycombeswan.co.uk TUESDAY 22 & WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 23 THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER Norden Farm Centre for the Arts Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF 11.30am and 2pm www.norden.farm THURSDAY FEBRUARY 24 THE HUG Norden Farm Centre for the Arts Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF 11.30am and 2pm www.norden.farm SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26 MORGAN AND WEST: UNBELIEVEABLE SCIENCE Norden Farm Centre for the Arts Altwood Road, Maidenhead SL6 4PF 7+ years 11.30am and 2pm www.norden.farm MONDAY FEBRUARY 28 MINI MONDAY FOR MINDERS Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning for ages 2-4 and networking opportunity. £6.50.

Happy Confident New Year from Perform Perform, the UK’s biggest centrally-run drama school, is getting 2022 off to a flying start with a new term of classes focusing on building confidence and social skills. How have your children adjusted after the pandemic? Many have struggled to reconnect and re-establish their old friendships and confidence. Child Psychologist and author, Linda Blair, says that classes like these “can help children recover from social isolation as they encourage communication and effective social interactions. Drama helps a child’s ability to understand and interpret things like eye contact and can help in countless other ways both socially and cognitively.” Fortunately, Perform classes are packed with confidence-boosting drama-based games and activities, allowing every child to shine as they explore two exciting termly themes. 4-7s will trek off on a Jungle adventure while 7-12s enjoy a thrilling adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. What’s more, Perform’s jungle theme becomes a West End musical during February half-term; featuring a professional adult cast, stunning costumes and fabulous music. Visit junglerumble.show

Local Perform Classes: St Peter’s Centre, 1 Thorney Lane North, Iver SL0 9JU 4-7s Tuesdays 4pm; 7-12s Tuesdays 5.05pm Boyne Hill Infant School, Rutland Road, Maidenhead SL6 4HZ. 4-7s Saturdays 9.30am; 7-12s Saturdays 11.15am Maidenhead Community Centre, 42 York Road SL6 1SH 4-7s Fridays 4pm; 7-12s Fridays 5.05pm All Saints Church Hall, The Causeway, Marlow SL7 2AA 4-7s Mondays 4pm; 7-12s Mondays 5.05pm Hilltop First School, Clewer Hill Road, Windsor SL4 4DW 4-7s Fridays 4pm; 7-12s Fridays 5.05pm New Class: We’re offering Virginia Water Families readers Community Centre, 3 Beechmount Ave, a special £40 Virginia Water introductory discount GU25 4EY on bookings made by 7th February 4-7s Mondays 4pm; quote TVE70222 T: 020 7255 9120 7-12s Mondays 5.05pm enquiries@perform.org.uk

To book a no-obligation FREE trial class visit www.perform.org.uk/try

Clubs, Classes and Activities If you are looking for a new club for your child, want to help them run off some excess energy, or just keep them entertained, below are some great suggestions for you to check out! When you call, please don’t forget to say you saw them in Families Thames Valley East Magazine.

The Jelly Lounge An Award-winning Restaurant & Soft Play Plus: • Weekly Baby Group meet ups • Baby weigh-ins • Baby, Toddler & Children’s Parties • Teen Parties • Gender Reveal • Private Hire • Booking is recommended. www.thejellylounge.co.uk 01753290175 contact@thejellylounge.co.uk

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Braywick Sprites

Teddies Music Club

Braywick Sprites stay and play and sport sessions.

Drop-in to our live music classes, meet and sing together with other toddlers and babies in bright, well ventilated venues. Drop-in and PAYG www.teddiesmusicclub.co.uk

Sprites develops social and physical skills and school readiness. Sessions with our outstanding PE teacher run on Mondays and Fridays 9.30-10.15 and 10.30-11.15. Email pe@braywickcourtschool.org.uk for information.

editor@familiestveast.co.uk 01628 788058

You can also join Teddies Online and sing with us at home! Subscribe to get your two week free trial on our website.

Families Thames Valley East

Book Club Spending more time reading is always top of my New Year’s resolutions... ...especially as books are my favourite gift to receive at Christmas, so if I’m lucky, I have a new stash to work my way through. Often, here at Families we suggest our favourite new books for younger children, but this month we have a young adult novel to giveaway! Rachel Bailey talks to best-selling, award-winning author Anne Fine, whose novel Shades of Scarlet explores growing up and family upheaval with humour and warmth.

Who first inspired your love of books? Do you have any treasured memories of reading stories growing up? I can hardly remember not being able to read. When I was three, my parents tried one last time for a boy, and had triplet girls. Mum could barely cope, so the health visitor suggested I went to infant school along with my elder sister. It was really for babysitting, but I learned to read anyhow. We did phonics, pointing at letters and making the sounds. I hated the letter ’V’ because it made my lip vibrate, but took to books at once. I was held back a year before junior school, and allowed to spend all my time reading, with the run of both the head teacher's bookcase and the library next door. Bliss! Total bliss! You’ve written numerous stories for both adults and children, is there an audience you prefer writing for? Or a favourite book you’ve written? I write what I'd have loved to read at the age I'd have enjoyed it most. So I write equally happily for me at eight, or at sixteen, or at forty. The adult novels explore issues that have been important to me, or those around me, as I've gone through life. Passion. Marriage. Divorce. Exasperation with family. Looking after an ungrateful old person. They're mostly comedies, but black ones, and I finish them feeling like a bit of chewed string. I'm much more protective when writing for the young, though I still try to keep the work as emotionally honest as possible, and I come out of children's books with a good deal more cheer and more energy. Scarlet is a very strong, determined character. Have you written books specifically for your children/ grandchildren in the past to help give them a voice? My children always seemed pretty lippy and opinionated to me. But I have tried to stay aware of what interests and worries them, and though, as Jan Mark said, you don't write about people you know so much as write what you know about

people, I have mined aspects of their temperaments along the way. ‘The Angel of Nitshill Road’ was sparked by one being deeply disturbed by the unchecked bullying she saw round her in primary school, and I know from letters that the book has worked as a comfort to many more children than her. It may sound strange, but I have never once asked my own children what they thought when writing a book, or tested it on them. To me, that would be as odd as a pediatric surgeon asking advice from a child. The teenage years are often seen as a challenge. As a mum yourself do you have any advice for helping parents and children through those years? Advice for children? No. They wouldn't take it anyhow. I'd try to comfort them by saying that nothing, however awful, lasts forever. But they wouldn't believe it. Advice for parents - gin and multivitamins? We had one peaceful daughter, and one who was simply exhausting. In the end, almost to comfort myself, I wrote ‘The Book of the Banshee’, a comedy about having a teenager in the house. Parents seem to enjoy it more than the age group it's aimed at, and it describes a neat trick to get round that grim business of having to stay awake till they're safely home from their parties. I have to say that Scarlet in ‘Shades of Scarlet’ is almost the other side of the equation. She's so clear-sighted, and she's often right. That's a hard thing for any parent to come up against. You've been so right for so long. And the ground suddenly begins to shift.... January is a time for resolutions and making changes, is there anything you are planning to do differently this year? No. This year, as every other, I'll be trying to stop biting my nails.

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WIN Families have two copies to give away! For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to competitions@familiestveast.co.uk What is the title of Anne Fine’s young adult novel? A Shades of Grey B Shades of Scarlet C Shades of Red Closing date for entries is 11 February 2022 Shades of Scarlet is available from Feb 3 in paperback, priced £7.99. www.annefine.co.uk

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She Means Business

Taking a chance with your career By Mandy Garner Ann-Marie Murphy works as a secondary school teacher in the Midlands but after her maternity leave she switched to part-time hours to manage childcare and her job. If the pandemic hadn’t happened, Ann-Marie would have returned to work full time when her daughter started school. As it was, a year later, ‘when she started in Year 1, I was still only working two days a week in school because the pandemic meant it wasn’t guaranteed she’d actually be there and there was also the possibility of needing to home school too,’ explains Ann-Marie. Like many other working mothers, Ann-Marie’s mental health was affected by the pandemic, with her anxiety levels increasing. As a parent, she worried about having to send her daughter to school during Covid, and, as a teacher, she worried about her own exposure to the virus. In a Working Mums (www.workingmums.co.uk) survey of one thousand three hundred working mums, thirty percent of those surveyed mentioned that worries about children’s wellbeing was one factor which contributed to the worsening of their mental health during the pandemic. ‘I work in a school of nearly two thousand children. Very few of them were willing to wear masks and social distancing didn’t exist’ reports Ann-Marie. ‘So all of that really added to a general sense of anxiety.’ Seventy percent of the survey respondents said that the anxiety about lockdowns and Covid generally affected their mental wellbeing and over sixty percent said that home-schooling and

childcare also had an impact. In the same Working Mums survey, only nineteen percent of those surveyed reported that their employer had supported them with their mental health and Ann-Marie did not feel that she was given the support she needed. The pandemic made Ann-Marie reconsider her career. ‘I think teaching is an important job’ says Ann-Marie. ‘But, during the pandemic, schools and teachers have not been treated well. It has made me feel like we’re not really valued and schools have been seen as a way to keep children occupied so that parents can work.’ Sadly, the Working Mums survey shows that Ann-Marie is not alone. Twenty four percent of working mothers state that they are less likely to seek a promotion than they were before Covid. Mandy Garner works for www.workingmums.co.uk, a website which offers employers and job seekers the chance to find home-based, part time and flexible full time jobs.

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But it’s not all bad news! Re-evaluating your career can be really beneficial. Before Covid, Ann-Marie was running different side businesses, the most successful one being an online gifts and cards shop. During the pandemic she decided to start an additional business with her partner, as they were both working from home. The focus of the new business is on digital safeguarding for schools, which includes looking at how images and personal data are used online and managing consent. The pandemic has opened a new door for Ann-Marie, which might have stayed closed under different circumstances. Being exposed to circumstances where she didn’t feel safe at work and in which she felt schools and teachers were being undermined, she wanted to look at creating and building on an opportunity which gives her more freedom over how she works. “I want to do something worthwhile which is helping but where I’ve got more control over my own safety and my timetable. The flexibility seems more important now than ever’ says AnnMarie. familiesonline.co.uk

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Families Thames Valley East

She Means Business

The power of networking The Athena Network® is a leading referral network for women. Athena is a womenonly network based on support, training and collaboration. With over 130 online groups around the UK, and a free pass for members to network widely both locally and nationally, this is a great network for women looking for business and personal growth. Locally, Lindsay McLoughlin leads groups in Maidenhead, Marlow, Taplow & White Waltham and Karen Fowler leads groups in Ascot, Warfield, Bracknell, Crowthorne, Wokingham & Wargrave. The monthly signature meetings are held online with offline activity at the discretion of the local regional director. The online meetings include formal and informal

networking, and two learning sessions covering all kinds of business areas, with the ability to network across the UK. One thing which makes Athena different is the continuous support of the local regional directors, such as Lindsay and Karen. They organise and run the meetings and the members networking training classes. They also support new members into the network, so they settle into the community quickly and effectively. Athena is a superb business community for women working alone, as well as professionals looking to attract new clients. The emphasis is on building sound and friendly business relationships,

allowing ideas to thrive and opportunities to develop. Families magazine attended one of the online meetings, and met and linked up with many inspirational women across the local area. Anna Collins talks to a few of those women about their businesses, their future plans and how networking with Athena has helped them perform at their best.

Lindsay McLoughlin (left) and Karen Fowler (right)

Amy Stroud Solicitor at

Brittons Solicitors Limited Business purpose I fight for justice. I am a voice for injured people. For over 20 years, I have provided legal advice, care, and support to people and families who have been harmed in an accident or by medical mistakes. My aims are to ensure proper investigations and redress with a full explanation and apology to my clients, to get early treatment for their injuries and to obtain compensation for the harm and financial losses. Future plans To continue my fight with passion and dedication for justice and compensation for my clients and injured people, to bring a brighter future for them, and to campaign to improve access and redress in the legal system. How networking helps Athena has helped me to provide the very best service for my clients. I have made strong relationships and many friends within Athena. They provide me with invaluable support, both professionally and personally, so I can provide a service to my clients. Athena gives easy access to a wealth of diverse expertise and training. There are also, of course, recommendations/referrals for me! 01628 533350 amy@brittons.law www.brittons.law/ www.linkedin.com/in/amystroudsolicitor/ 22

Sarah Grimsdick

Caryn Dunlop

The Profit Trainer

Business Coach

Business purpose I help small business owners give themselves a pay rise! Do you have a great product/service but not enough customers? Are you stuck in a rut and want help to reach your goals? Would you like to give yourself a pay rise in 2022? I help people just like you.

Business purpose We help business owners to make more profit, work less hours and get better results from their team. Do you know a business owner who has been in their industry for many years, knows their offering inside out, but isn’t getting the results they want from the business? We support business growth whilst removing challenges.

Future plans I’m on a mission to help as many small business owners (like you) as possible to create and deliver the life you want and deserve. I help you remove the stress and get a business which consistently delivers the rewards you need to enjoy quality time with your family. How networking helps Athena is perfect for me because it fits around school pick-ups, unlike most networking groups! I love speaking to the other business owners, learning about their businesses and providing help wherever I can. It’s a very supportive environment where everyone advocates for each other. 0333 567 1333 Sarah@Profit-Gym.co.uk www.Profit-Gym.co.uk

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Future plans In the next 5 years we aim to generate an extra £10 million in the local economy, create 100 extra jobs, with at least 10 apprenticeships – and who knows, maybe one of our clients will become a millionaire in the process! How networking helps No-one ever woke up and thought – I need a business coach! It takes several deep and considered conversations to make the decision that coaching is right for you and you are right for coaching, so the relationship building style of networking works perfectly. www.royalwindsor.actioncoach.co.uk www.linkedin.com/in/caryndunlop/ See Caryn in Action: www.youtube.com/c/caryndunlopAC caryndunlop@actioncoach.co.uk 01628 306305

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She Means Business

Katie Lewis

Rachel Tyrrell

Kumon Ascot

Business purpose Kumon Ascot is a study centre offering after-school study programmes in maths and English for children aged 3-18. Kumon study is specifically designed to develop subject knowledge along with higher level study skills, resilience and independence of learning. This is why Kumon is now operating in over 50 countries globally and enabling students around the world to unlock their potential. Future plans Kumon study is traditionally done with pencil and paper. However, an app is currently being released which Kumon Ascot will be among the first to offer. Parents will be able to select the best medium for their child’s study in order to maximise both motivation and achievement. Offering this new alternative will help to make daily study accessible to more students and also more tailored to their individual styles. Whatever the medium, every child has an individual study plan designed and adapted to their needs as they progress. How networking helps Networking with Athena has enabled me to link with related businesses in my area. I now have contacts in Ascot who help my business to grow. Others support my personal welfare and development as a business owner. Owning your own business can be a lonely venture; networking with Athena ensures that whilst I maintain my business focus, I do so with the benefit of the knowledge, friendship and support of others. 07730 475272 ascot@kumoncentre.co.uk www.kumon.co.uk/ascot www.facebook.com/ascotkumoncentre

Neli Hogan DipPFS CeMAP

Independent Financial Adviser and Pension Specialist Business purpose As an Independent Financial Adviser and a Pension Specialist based in Berkshire, I have been helping families achieve their long-term financial goals for 15+ years. I look objectively at my client’s plans, apply a long-term view to provide a solution that works for them as their priorities change over the years. The result is a bespoke financial plan that doesn’t just give them increased confidence and peace of mind – it also makes it much more likely they can achieve their goals. Future plans My aim is to demystify Financial Planning and show families how they can build their own individual Lifestyle Plan. Whether they need to invest long-term to beat inflation, find and consolidate old pensions, plan for comfortable retirement, mitigate Inheritance tax and pass legacy to loved ones, I can help. How networking helps Joining Athena has allowed me to build strong professional connections and to become part of a community which helps and supports each other’s initiatives. I now have access to a wide range of trusted specialists in different areas of business and life. This has ultimately benefited my clients and their families. 07921 166 600 www.linkedin.com/in/nelihogan www.talisifa.com/neli nh@talisifa.com I can also be found on Unbiased and Vouchedfor.

Co-Founder and Director of Cricketers Gin Business purpose Cricketers Gin is an independent family run gin company. The inspiration for our gorgeous gin was the village cricket and surrounding botanicals on Pinkneys Green, Berkshire, where I live with my family. Awards In just two years, Cricketers Gin have been awarded a Silver Medal for our London Dry Gin and a Bronze Medal for our Berry Blush Pink Gin. We have also been finalists in the 2020 Global Gin Guide Awards, and we won the Theo Paphitis Small Business Award. How networking helps I love the ability to network, connect and collaborate with like-minded businesswomen across my Athena home group, in addition to the training and development opportunities we receive. Also, to have hundreds of business owners’ ‘eyes’, ‘ideas’ and ‘input’ into the growth of my small business has been so valuable. Athena is also great for your confidence and wellbeing. I love being able to offer support and advice to others, too. Cricketers Gin have a wonderful range of ‘Gin Heaven’ Hampers which you can find at www.cricketersgin.com You can also stay up to date with their local activities at: www.instagram.com/cricketersginberkshire www.facebook.com/CricketersGin www.linkedin.com/in/racheltyrrellgin

It is clear that networking has offered these businesses considerable business support and friendship. Working alone or as part of a small business can be daunting and sometimes you just need other like-minded people to thrash an idea or problem out with! If you would like to arrange to find out how your business might benefit, visit www.theathenanetwork.com. You are also welcome to contact lindsay.mcloughlin@theathenanetwork.com or karen.fowler@theathenanetwork.com to find out more about visiting your local group. familiesonline.co.uk

editor@familiestveast.co.uk 01628 788058

Families Thames Valley East

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