Families Thames Valley West issue 100 March April 2019

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H ME KE TA

EE FR E OM

Thames Valley West

100 th issue!

IN THIS ISSUE

Meet the lambs and Spring days out Does homework work?

Hayley turns police work into kids’ play Could you be a school governor

PLUS Clubs and classes to try today What’s On Guide for the Easter holidays Survival guide to holiday car travel

Issue 100 March/April 2019

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2 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire

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...endless ideas for families of young children in Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire Families® Thames Valley West • Issue 100 • March/April 2019 Visit us at www.familiesonline.co.uk

In This Issue...

4

News and Views

7

Does homework work?

9

Education News

10

Independent School Open Days

12

The joy of newborn lambs

14

Who dunnit? Hayley turns police work into kids’ play

15

Could you be a school governor?

16

What’s On

20 22 23

24

25

26

27

28 30 31

Survival guide to holiday car travel Help I’ve lost my child

Learning the Times Tables – tips and tricks

Sharenting - what's the best approach?

Supporting your child with exam stress

Should we reward our children with sugary food?

Choosing the right swimming lessons for your child Clubs & Classes Directory Clubs & Classes news

Let’s make a Spring bird cafe

Hello from the Editor

Hello and good to meet you! I’m delighted to have taken over as editor of Families Thames Valley West magazine. I’ve been an avid reader for several years – the tips and advice in the features have helped with many a parenting wobble, and our weekends and school holidays have been far richer thanks to the What’s On Guide. I’m really looking forward to carrying on the great work, and evolving the magazine even further. You can expect to see plenty of local flavour – clubs and classes to try, places to visit, advice on the best schools, inspiring stories of business start-ups, and much more.

This special Easter copy has some ideas of local days out with your families this Spring, including places to meet newborn lambs.

There are also some great features on everything from a police woman turned party entertainer, to what it’s really like being a school governor.

While you’re waiting for the next issue, please do stay up-to-date through our new and improved Facebook and Instagram pages (see details on page 4) which are now a hub for news, competitions and information. We even have a weekly What’s On guide for the times that your copy of the magazine is not to hand. Thank you for continuing to read and support Families.

Rachel

Don’t Miss these great offers • FREE trial with Steppin’ Out, see p.6 • FREE tasters available with SwimKidz, see page 27 • FREE trial at diddi dance, see p.29 • FREE taster class at Monkey Music, see p28 • FREE confidence-building Perform drama class, see page 30 • WIN a block of four bilingual music classes with BilinguaSing Wokingham, see page 30 Thames Valley West

Find us on Facebook and Instagram

To advertise: If you are reading this, so are your customers! We can help you reach an audience of over 47,000 parents in Reading, Henley, Newbury, Wokingham, Bracknell and West Berkshire. Give us a call on 07968 711937 or drop us a line at editor@familiestvw.co.uk to find out how we can help support your family friendly business!

The Families Team Editor: Rachel Jones Designed by: Ridgeway Press Ltd, 01256 300 420 www.ridgewaypress.co.uk Next Issue: May/June – Party Special Booking deadline: 10 April.

Families Thames Valley West 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 West 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 West. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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Movie weekends at LEGOLAND

News & Views

The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort reopens for a fun-filled season on 15 March 2019 and fans of Emmet, Wyldstyle, Unikitty and Benny can rejoice! The Resort is celebrating the longawaited cinema release of The LEGO® MOVIE 2 with movie-themed event weekends in the Park throughout March.

Art classes in a box Is your child the next Picasso or Matisse? A new service from Berkshire-based Lots of Lovely Art (LoLA) brings its innovative and exciting art classes to your home with a monthly art box. The aim is to provide children with easily accessible art-education tools so that they can experiment freely with quality supplies and artists-inspired projects.

There is a different theme every month, complete with clear instructions, videos and all the art materials you need – from wax pastels to fabric flowers. Children are carefully shown how three well-known artists worked, and how they can achieve similar results.

In addition, in each month’s box there are four separate process-led art ideas. And there are lists of suggested reading, and museums and exhibitions where the artists’ works can be viewed. Tips on how to tailor the projects for under-fours are also included.

For over a decade, LoLA has been

Help a buddy to read Berkshire charity, ABC to Read, is celebrating 15 years of providing trained volunteers to support local children who are struggling to read. Thousands of youngsters have benefited from the scheme over that time, improving their reading ability, enjoyment and confidence.

To celebrate its 15th birthday, the charity will be supporting a school and orphanage in Malawi by setting up a library, as well as launching a Reading Buddy workshop in secondary schools, training sixth form pupils to support younger ones.

supporting children’s creative education. This has mostly been through after-school art clubs, workshops, parties, Toddlerart groups and by visiting schools and working with teachers.

One of the two founders, Alara Hindle, says: “All my years of teaching have shown me that the best way to inspire children is through process-led projects which are fun and openended. My business partner, Selina, and I are both mothers ourselves, so we appreciate how important it is for things to be as simple as possible for parents in their busy lives.” For Families’ review of the art boxes, check out our Facebook and Instagram pages.

During The LEGO MOVIE Days on 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31 March 2019, guests will be able to meet stars of the movie, Emmet and Wyldstyle, during daily character meet and greets. Plus they’ll have the chance to say hello to a new character to be discovered in the film.

Families can help Emmet find his friends in a scavenger hunt through the world-famous Miniland. Guests who find Emmet’s friends will be in with the chance of winning The LEGO MOVIE themed prizes. Families can also help build The LEGO MOVIE Mystery Mosaic. All the activities are included in the entry price.

ABC to Read's model of assigning a one-toone volunteer mentor to work with children identified by their schools as struggling most with their reading, is achieving excellent results, with 97% of the children who benefit from a mentor improving their attitude towards reading.

Marcia Rowlinson, ABC to Read CEO, said: “I am very thankful for the many volunteers who have served our local children so faithfully over the years. We have more demand from schools than ever before and continue to search for volunteers who can support our youngsters as they learn to read well and nurture a love of stories and learning.”

Follow Families If you don’t already follow Families Thames Valley West on Facebook and Instagram, check out our social media pages for regular news and information.

We have just launched a weekly What’s On guide, rounding up some of the top things to do in your area with your family – from regular toddler classes, to special weekend events. Our readers are already telling us that it’s invaluable in planning fun family time.

We will also be running exclusive online competitions with the likes of Tractor Ted and The Little Welly – which you can win just by liking and sharing our posts. On Facebook, search for @FamiliesThamesValleyWest and Instagram @familiestvw

4 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire

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News & Views Food for thought

A more diverse tech world for the future

One of the most startling facts to emerge in recent weeks has been that in a class of 30 children, four can be expected to be suffering from emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety.

function, concentration and energy. Targeted at the primary school age group, they also boost the immune and nervous system. The secret lies in mixing superfoods into meals that appeal because they taste great.

Elsewhere, we have been reminded that the human brain is made of food, so what we eat and drink affects our ability to keep a healthy, alert and active mind. Put the two together and you see the great sense in the philosophy of the innovative quick-meals from Smart Infused Füd, developed to optimise key nutrients, vitamins and minerals that help cognitive

If you struggle to get even one vegetable into your child each day you have to admire the promise from Smart Infused Füd to ensure that they get a full five-a-day. On top of that, they include the right nutrients for mental wellbeing such as zinc and iron. And ingredients such as liver and fish oil are snuck in so that kids don’t even taste them.

Fire Tech is the UK's #1 Tech Camp for 9-17 year olds. They invite young people to tackle bold, challenging tech projects and master the skills that shape tomorrow.

Across the 10,000 courses delivered by Fire Tech, almost a third (28%) of the students have been girls – that’s twice the national average.

But as an educator, Fire Tech believes more can be done to improve the gender balance for the future tech industry.

In response to the challenge, Fire Tech has launched a series of #AllGirls coding and robotics classes - which will be rolled out alongside the seasonal school holiday camps.

The purpose of the #AllGirls workshops is to allow young, passionate individuals to flourish and learn in an environment with like-minded peers where they won’t have to worry about being ‘the only girl’ in the class.

Past Fire Tech Python student, Vivian, aged 14: “When I’m older, I want to be a fashion designer and I want my own business. I’ll use my Python knowledge to build the back-end processes to maximise efficiency.”

Please tell advertisers you found them in Families

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News & Views

New arrivals delight Jubilee children The much-anticipated arrival of 29 lambs on a neighbouring farm is causing much excitement at Padworth’s Jubilee Day Nursery.

The children will enjoy handling sessions, and may even witness a birth, when the Hampshire Down ewes lamb during April and May. The farm is also preparing to welcome calves, ducklings and chicks.

Jubilee has a highly regarded reputation for outdoor learning and hands-on experiences. With over 60 acres of gardens, private woodland and farm, the nursery children enjoy natural pursuits – from taking part in Forest Schools, to helping Farmer Pete Harrod.

Pete said: “My team and I are passionate that the children know where their food comes from, and that they understand how to behave around animals. We also thoroughly enjoy the enthusiasm and fun that the youngsters bring on their visits.”

To advertise in

please ring 07968 711937

Join All Stars Cricket Today!

All Stars Cricket is a programme aimed at children aged 5-8 years old to give them a great first experience in cricket. Sessions are accredited by the England & Wales Cricket Board and delivered nationwide at over 2,000 centres.

All Stars Cricket will help your child develop key skills in a fun and safe environment where parents can join in too and help create #BigMoments you’ll both treasure!

Following successful registration, All Stars Cricketers will receive a brand-new kit bag full of goodies to help them get their summer of

Kids vs mud The UK’s biggest obstacle course for children is back. The 3km course in Henley-on-Thames, which runs over the weekend of 8 and 9 June, will feature 30 big challenges across the beautiful Culden Faw estate. It makes use of the natural aspects of the terrain, including lakes and woodland. As well as adding some exciting new obstacles to old favourites, the Festival Village is better than ever, with live music and entertainment

6 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire

cricket started and fully look the part when they attend their 8 weekly sessions.

This year we have a brand-new Cricket World Cup themed activity book that is full of top tips, games and, it’s a great place to keep those weekly stickers to celebrate your All Star's achievements. Plus, it’s all delivered straight to your door.

To find out more about how to get involved this summer, simply visit www.allstarscricket.co.uk and get your place booked as sessions begin May 2019.

on the big stage, and an activities tent with free workshops and ‘have a go’ sessions.

“The Little Welly experience is all about getting kids active, outdoors and, of course, muddy,” says Tracey Beard, one of the organisers. “We are passionate about helping children connect with nature, giving them a sense of nature and a freedom to run wild.”

Look out for more information on this and other family-friendly festivals in our next issue, out at the beginning of May. familiesonline.co.uk

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Does the word ‘homework’ fill you with dread or do you think it is an important aspect of your child’s education? How much time do you spend supervising your child’s homework?

What is it actually teaching your child? Is it really necessary or should schools just scrap it altogether?

Does Homework Work?

H

ere in the UK, the government says it's up to individual head teachers in primary schools to decide whether to set homework or not.

Homework is generally set to be completed outside of school hours and when children are young, parents are often asked to help with it. In 1997, 6 out of 10 primary schools were setting homework.

Just two years later, 90% of schools were setting it and it seems that the majority of schools have continued this trend.

But are pupils and parents coping with the added pressure of homework on top of busy lives and after-school activities? A recent report by the BBC highlighted that only 11% of parents in Britain are spending an hour a day helping their children with homework.

While in other countries, like India, 64% of parents are spending an hour a day on this activity.

Whilst many people think children at primary school are too young to do homework, education specialist Melanie Harwood (www.harwoodeducation.com) believes homework is vital for developing learning skills. It helps children:

“watched over” by a teacher, their parents or peers.

• develop critical thinking and puzzle solving skills, which will serve them well in life and further education.

• develop a deeper understanding of a particular point within a task or specific item of learning, by completing further work on it at home.

Melanie adds: “Learning to work on one’s own and time management are important life skills. This is what will separate many learners from the rest of the pack. Being able to focus on a task and having the selfmotivation to complete it is extremely important when working both in a team and on your own.”

“Surely a child who turns up to school well rested and relaxed having had sufficient ‘downtime,’ will learn more in lessons than one who was made to do an extra half hour homework the night before?”

A recent report about homework by the Teaching Schools Council says that homework set at primary school should have a clear purpose. The report states that schools should explain to pupils and parents why they are setting it, and the teachers should let pupils know how well they have done.

The jury is still out on whether homework is a good thing for primary school children. However, it is clear that schools need to do more to help parents and pupils understand exactly what the benefits of the homework they are setting are, as well as making it achievable for all involved including parents!

Ex-teacher Hannah Deane who now runs a social media marketing business from home (www.littleshout.org) says setting homework at a primary level has always been a contentious issue amongst many teachers.

• develop a sense of their own self-worth and individual learning styles.

“In my experience, if you get a group of teachers in a room, (without the presence of an Ofsted inspector or anyone who has power over their career!), they usually agree that before senior school, homework is surplus to a child’s educational needs.”

• become confident working things out in their own space without the constraints of being

“Learning spellings and reading at home can be beneficial, but the constant flow of worksheets,

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practice SATs papers, and ‘homework’ seem to be little more than a box-ticking exercise.

Homework at primary level has no proven track record of enhancing a child’s education. Let them play and learn through an unstructured activity. Once they reach senior school, their levels of concentration and capacity have increased to allow them to continue with formal learning outside the school day.”

By Claire Winter

Email: editor@familiestvw.co.uk • Tel: 07968 711937

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Pangbourne boarders enjoy reinvigorated programme Pangbourne’s Junior House, Dunbar, is when pupils are first introduced to life in the College community. Students will begin to embrace a ‘have a go’ attitude, learn about the values, and get a taste for the subjects and sports which will shape their futures.

Recently, boarding students in both Dunbar and the senior school have been enthused by reinvigorated evening and

Education News

weekend programmes.

Innovative ways to enrich time outside of academic and cocurricular activities have proved a major hit.

As a recent Good Schools’ Guide reviewer wrote: “New life has been injected into the boarding programme in the last couple of years, say students, who cite comedy evenings, magic evenings, and Come Dine With Me house competitions.”

Storyteller visits Cranford House Pupils at Cranford House enjoyed a literary treat thanks to a visit from a celebrated British storyteller.

Award-winning illustrator and the artistic genius behind the muchloved Winnie the Witch series, Korky Paul, visited the South Oxfordshire school. Korky spent the day introducing both Nursery and Junior pupils to the art of story-telling through pictures, as well as working with GCSE students to hone their

draughtsmanship.

Headmaster, Dr James Raymond, commented: “Reading for pleasure sits at the heart of daily life here at Cranford House so it has been wonderful to welcome such a well-known literary figure into school. We aim to offer our pupils as many inspiring experiences as we possibly can and I’m sure that meeting Korky will be something that stays with them for a long time.”

The Oratory to Welcome Girls The Oratory School – which has educated boys for 160 years – will open its doors to girls from September 2020. The Reading-based boarding school has looked at the needs and demands of current and future pupils and their parents, and decided that coeducation will best serve families for generations to come.

Joe Smith, Head Master said: “We are delighted to be making this announcement and excited to be able to offer families of girls and boys alike our unique Oratory education. By extending our vibrant provision, we will be providing an outstanding preparation for our pupils in what lies beyond The Oratory.”

Matthew Stilwell, Chair of Governors, added: “Many of the families who enquire about a place at The Oratory already have children in coeducational schools, including of course The Oratory Prep School, and we have seen that parents are increasingly looking for a family-based school which can serve daughters and sons at one school.”

Science special effects “Wow” quickly became the day’s buzz-word for Year 5 and Year 6 girls when Ben from Explorer Dome came to The Abbey Junior School to teach them about solids, liquids and gases.

Everyone was blown away by the colourful, hands-on experiments, like freezing roses in liquid nitrogen and creating frothing concoctions straight out of a movie. There were even sparks, fire and explosions added to the mix!

One of the many amazing facts the girls found out was that Pluto is so cold (at -200 degrees Celsius), that rocks are made out of water and, instead of oceans of water, there are seas of nitrogen. As liquid nitrogen freezes at -196 degrees Celsius, Pluto is even covered with nitrogen icebergs!

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Call to book your place now!

Independent School Open Days Spring 2019 BRACKNELL AND ASCOT THE MARIST SCHOOLS, Ascot (independent Catholic girls school, 2 1/2 – 18yrs), 01344 624 291, themaristschools.com Prep OpEn MORnIng Wed 13 Mar 9.15-11.15am

OXFORDSHIRE SHIpLAKE COLLEgE (independent boarding and day school for boys 11-18 and girls 16-18) 0118 940 2455, shiplake.org.uk Whole school OpEn MORnIng Sat 23 Mar 9.15am-12pm THE ORATORY SCHOOL (independent day and boarding school for boys aged 11-18), 01491 683 500, oratory.co.uk Whole school OpEn MORnIng Sat 9 Mar

THE ORATORY pREpARATORY SCHOOL (independent day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 2-13), 0118 984 4511, oratoryprep.co.uk OpEn MORnIng Sat 2 Mar 10am-12.30pm MOULSFORD pREpARATORY SCHOOL (independent boys day & boarding school 4-13 yrs) 01491 651 438, moulsford.com OpEn DAY Fri 17 May

READING THE ABBEY (independent day school for girls aged 3-18), Junior School 0118 931 3111, Senior School 0118 987 2256, www.theabbey.co.uk Senior school OpEn MORnIng Fri 8 Mar 9.15-11am Junior school OpEn MORnIng Fri 3 May 9.15-11am ST JOSEpH’S COLLEgE (independent co-ed day school 3-18yrs), 0118 966 1000, sjcr.org.uk Senior OpEn MORnIng Fri 22 Mar 10.30am-12pm Prep OpEn MORnIng Fri 22 Mar 9.30-11.30am STAY AnD pLAY Fri 8 March 10.45am-12pm

QUEEn AnnE’S CAVERSHAM (independent girl’s day & boarding school 11-18yrs), 0118 918 7300, qas.org.uk OpEn MORnIng Fri 8 Mar 9.30am OpEn MORnIng Sat 11 May 9.30am OpEn EVEnIng Thursday 13 June 4.30-6.30pm

Please check the date has not been changed or cancelled before setting out.

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SOUTH OF READING CROSFIELDS SCHOOL (independent co-ed day school 3-13yrs), 0118 987 1810, crosfields.com OpEn MORnIng Fri 8 Mar 9am WAVERLEY SCHOOL (independent prep school and day nursery for boys and girls 3 months 11yrs), 0118 973 1121, waverleyschool.co.uk OpEn MORnIng Fri 3 May 9.30-11.30am EAgLE HOUSE SCHOOL (independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3-13 in Sandhurst), 01344 772 134, eaglehouseschool.com OpEn MORnIng Fri 2 March 10am-12.30pm HOLME gRAngE SCHOOL (independent day school for boys and girls aged 3-16), 0118 978 1566, holmegrange.org Pre-school EASTER EVEnT Fri 29 March

WEST BERKSHIRE pAngBOURnE COLLEgE (independent co-ed day and boarding school 11-18yrs), 0118 984 2101, pangbourne.com OpEn MORnIng 27 Apr 9am-12pm ST AnDREWS pAngBOURnE (independent coed day and boarding school 3-13yrs), 0118 974 4276, standrewspangbourne.co.uk OpEn MORnIng Fri 8 Mar 9am ELSTREE SCHOOL, (boarding & day school for girls 3-8yrs and boys 3-13yrs), 0118 971 3302, elstreeschool.org.uk OpEn MORnIng Sat 3 Mar 10am-12pm familiesonline.co.uk

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Odds Farm Park

The joy of new born lambs Spring is in the air! And nothing makes you feel it quite like new born lambs bouncing around and enjoying simply being alive. We are very fortunate in our region to have a whole host of places to visit where lambs are the stars of the spring show. Here, we provide a guide to some of the best.

Amners Farm, Burghfield, Berks The Amners Lambing Weekends offer a real family day out – not only may you be able to see lambs being born, but there are also a host of other exciting activities including pony rides, an area where you can hold chicks and lambs, miniature railway rides, tractor and trailer rides, craft stalls and much more.

Timings: 11am-6pm on 27/28 Apr and 4/5/6 May Prices: £8.50 per adult, £5 per child and £25 per family on the gate Further information: amnersfarm.co.uk Odds Farm, near Beaconsfield, Bucks Spring into Easter at Odds Farm Park. This year, the Easter Holidays are all about CARROTS at Odds Farm Park! Join the quirky ‘Quest for Carrots’, taking you in and around the Farm Park. Follow the trail to earn your special treat and take part in a most unusual Easter Egg & Carrot Hunt. Plus, enjoy fun shows with the Oddsocks Family, in addition to Spring-themed arts, crafts and games.

Combined with the fun of the giant indoor playbarn, award-winning Marmalade’s Tearoom, acres of outdoor play and plenty of animals to meet, including lots of adorable baby lambs and cheeky kid goats, you won’t want to miss it!

Timings: daily 6-23 Apr Location: Odds Farm Park is located just minutes from Junction 2 of the M40, near Beaconsfield.

Further information: 01628 520188 or visit oddsfarm.co.uk

Roves Farm, near Swindon It is lambing time again at Roves Farm. Spend some time on the viewing walkway looking out over the lambing shed as the day’s action unfolds in front of you. With over 400 lambs expected, several Pygmy nannies due to kid as well as caves and piglets, there will be plenty of baby animals to meet and cuddle. Tractor rides, crafts, indoor play and activities also run throughout the day making a magical Spring family day out!

Timings: 19 Mar-5 Apr Prices: Day tickets - £9.50 Adults, £9.50 Children 3yrs+, £4 Toddler 2yrs, Under 2’s FREE. Further information: rovesfarm.co.uk 01793 763939 info@rovesfarm.co.uk Earth Trust Farm, Little Wittenham, nr.

Abingdon The gates will be open at this working farm to meet newborn lambs, piglets and goats. There will also be bale climbing, tractor and trailer rides, talks from farmers, refreshments and more.

Timings: 10am-4pm, weekends of 23/24 & 30/31 March Prices: advance tickets online, adults £7, Children £4, Family £19 Further information: 01865 407 792 earthtrust.org.uk Bucklebury Farm, near Reading Each year, Bucklebury Farm Park helps local farmers by taking in lambs that cannot be supported by their mothers, and require bottle feeding. These lambs can arrive at no more than

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a day or two old and need lots of care. You can help by joining the daily bottle-feeding sessions throughout the Spring which are as popular with the lambs as they are with the young visitors!

Further information: buckleburyfarm.co.uk Millers Ark Farm Open Days, near Hook Open Days throughout March and April, where you can go into every pen and handle the animals. Whether you like cuddling baby donkeys, grooming the ponies, playing with lively goats, tickling a pig’s tummy or sitting holding a duck, chick or guinea pig, the animals will provide hours of enjoyment for all ages. The warm traditional tea barn will be open for delicious hot food, home produced cakes, teas and coffees.

Timings: various weekends during March / April – check website for details Prices: Entry is £8 for adults and for children aged 2 and over. Children under 2 are free.

Further information: millersark.co.uk Cotswold Farm Park, near Cheltenham, Glos The flock of 660 ewes are due to give birth and you can visit and see the magic for yourself.

Daily talks from the team, access to the lambing shed where you may be lucky enough to see a live birth. Have a go at bottle feeding, hold chicks and rabbits, enjoy a farm safari ride and feed animals on the outdoor walkway.

Timings: daily until 28 Apr Further information: cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk Finkley Down Farm, Andover Lambs to see throughout March and April, alongside Finkley Down Farm’s other attractions – animals handling and feeding activities, an indoor play barn, pedal go-carts, mini ride on tractors, sandpit and trampolines.

Timings: daily throughout March and April Other information: finkleydownfarm.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

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Beale Park is full of fun things to do this Spring! Don’t miss out on the bugtastic ‘Meet the Bugs’ event, where you’ll be able to experience the amazing world of giant insects – join us at the Education Building on Wednesday 10th and 13th of April from 1:30pm. You can also build your very own ‘Bug Box’ – where you can keep your own insects – at our workshops on Wednesday 10th and 13th of April from 10:30am.

We can’t wait to see you then!

Beale Park, Lower Basildon, Reading, Berks RG8 9NW

Tel: 01189 767480 | www.bealepark.org.uk

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Who dunnit?

Hayley turns police work into kids’ play Thames Valley housewife transforms the fascinating world of crime scene investigation into a brilliant children’s party opportunity

L

ife was falling apart for Hayley Scott after her husband was diagnosed with cancer. While he went for intensive chemotherapy, she struggled to cope with caring for their young son while working as a crime scene investigator for the Metropolitan Police.

Hayley, from Caversham on the outskirts of Reading, found herself having panic attacks due to the stressful nature of a job that

demands close focus coupled with her worries over her husband’s health. She battled through, but when he was finally able to go back to work, they mutually decided that life was too short for them both to work so intensively.

Hayley dedicated herself to being a stay-at-home Mum with part-time work — but never lost her dedication to criminology. “I had been doing short forensic talks in schools for 17 years but then my

HEAR and nOW Auditory is now working with ADULTS, TEEnS and CHILDREn. Our Auditory training is beneficial to people with Auditory processing Disorder (ApD) which commonly coexists with Tinnitus • Vertigo • Hypersensitive Hearing • Dyslexia • Delayed Language processing • Exam anxiety • Concentration and focus difficulties • ADD • Autism spectrum disorder

son Oliver’s cub leader asked me one day if I could make it last an hour-and-a-half, so I set up a complete crime scene. Suddenly, the penny dropped that I could develop it into a business.”

Just a few months later, Hayley has turned crime scene investigation into a busy children’s party business known as ‘The Forensic Experience’. She is now having an increasingly hectic time coping with growing demand locally and all over the UK. She is also running monthly family sessions for parents with children, and fitting in a sixweek after-school course and special sessions for other kids’ groups. And there’s even an adult variation involving murder scenes and an awfully realistic silicone body.

Hayley bases her children’s parties on burglary. Participants are invited to sign in at a taped-off crime scene and then don protective clothing, face masks and a CSI badges. Hayley gives them a short brief on forensics and tells them there are three suspects who each give video denials.

The kids then work in crime scene groups, checking for DNA, fingerprints, footprints and tool marks. At each stage, they get to use real forensics tools and techniques. With their investigation complete, each group is asked to name the culprit before he or she finally owns up on video. Hayley then lightens things up with a series of funny stories about burglars.

“The kids are riveted by the subject,” she says. “I get many messages and reviews from parents saying they don’t stop talking about it for ages.”

The parties last two hours, with a further half-hour for food, and cost £300 for up to 15 participants.

Family events cost £25-a-head and currently take place at Kidmore End near Reading.

Such is the success that Hayley is having to take on additional staff and is considering franchising her business. But the best news of all is that her husband has recently had his all-clear on cancer!

CALL or EMAIL TODAY veronica@hearandnowauditory.com Mobile 07534 307 203 • 43% of children with learning difficulties and 25% of people with Dyslexia ALSO haver APD. • Auditory Integration Training improves auditory processing and diminishes overall stress on the system ALIEVATING MANY OF THE SYMPTOMS of sensory conditions • Clinically supervised, intensive and highly successful programmes, conducted by Berard practitioner Veronica van Nierop B.Sc; D.C; N.E.T; A.R.T; Find out if AIT could benefit you or your child with a 15 minute chat.

www.hearandnowauditory.com

14 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire

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Could you be a school governor?

Families Thames Valley West editor Rachel Jones tells her own story ...

Entrusting your child to a particular school is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It must then make sense to invest some of your own time in supporting it. One very effective way in which to do so is by becoming a governor.

I

did just that four years ago when the eldest of my three started at Yattendon Church of England Primary in West Berkshire, and I can honestly say that it is one of the most rewarding challenges I have ever taken on.

It’s a busy role that carries a lot of responsibility and it is unpaid. So maybe it’s not surprising that one-in-ten of the 300,000 governor posts across the country are unfilled.

But on the other hand it offers the greatest of all rewards — the chance to contribute to the lives of future generations.

Short of becoming a teacher, there is no better way of gaining a real insight into the inner workings of the place where your son or daughter spends six hours-a-day. Your skills and your ideas on ways to support and improve the place can make a real impact on your own child’s education.

But it can also be of direct benefit to you as an individual. Working as a governor is a great way in which to gain professional development, and to build a record of public service for potential employers. The role provides an opportunity to hone a range of valuable skills – from communication to finance, and from performance management to law.

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The low down Every state school in the country has governors – a group of around seven to 12 ordinary people tasked with overseeing the running of the school. Led by a Chair and Vice Chairs, each governing body usually has people from all walks of life and includes parents, teachers, business people and the local church Chaplain.

A governor has three main roles: 1. To shape the future vision for the school and agree its plans and aims 2. To act as a critical friend to the school by challenging and supporting the Headteacher 3. To be accountable to parents and other stakeholders.

You can expect to spend up to half a day each week during term-time at meetings, training or other activities. Responsibilities may include signing off a school’s budget, leading the performance management of the headteacher and making decisions about teachers’ pay.

My journey I wanted to find a way to support our school beyond helping out at PTA events. The governing board was keen to recruit someone with marketing experience, which was my

Email: editor@familiestvw.co.uk • Tel: 07968 711937

Rachel Jones

speciality. In the early stages I was supported by the other governors, including my own ‘buddy’, and received induction training from West Berkshire Governor Services.

Before long, I felt sufficiently confident to put myself forward to be one of two Vice Chairs. Soon afterwards, I was voted in as Chair for a two-year term of office.

It has been a huge learning curve but incredibly rewarding, and fascinating to see at close quarters how a school operates. It’s far more complicated than I ever imagined, and has given me huge respect for the staff. It is often hard to fit my governor role around other commitments. But perhaps the greatest challenge is to ensure that I leave my ‘parent hat’ at the door when I enter school on governor business.

Two of my three daughters are now enjoying the benefits of a wonderful, thriving school, and I get huge satisfaction from feeling that I am helping to shape the place that is shaping my children’s future.

Families Thames Valley West • 15

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What’s On March-April 2019

LOCAL ATTRACTIOnS THE LOOK OUT DISCOVERY CENTRE, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7QW, 01344 354 4000, bracknellforest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre There are over 90 hands-on science activities for children of all ages to enjoy at The Look Out Discovery Centre. You can launch a hydrogen rocket, play with boats in the indoor stream or build a house with your friends.

Activities and exhibits are organised in ‘zones’ which correspond with what your child may be learning about in school: Forces & Movement, Body & Perception, Light & Colour, Woodland & Water and Build It where you can use the rubble chute, wheelbarrows, design a house or drive a dumper truck. Open daily from 10am-

5pm. Extra shows run at The Look Out on weekends and school holidays.

Until 24 Mar UNDER THE SEA Enter the magical world of the ocean as we take a journey through the wonders of the deep. Discover the creatures that live there and help protect them through different challenges. Can you help us save our seas?

Show times at weekends and Bracknell Forest school holidays: 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3.15pm. Cost £1.95 in addition to entry price.

No need to book – just buy show tickets at reception on the day. Suitable for primary school-aged children ODDS FARM PARK, Wooburn Common, Wooburn Green, High Wycombe, HP10 0LX, 01628 520 188, oddsfarm.co.uk SPRING INTO EASTER at Odds Farm Park, nr Beaconsfield, Bucks Daily 6 – 23 April This year, the Easter Holidays are all about CARROTS at Odds Farm Park! Join the quirky ‘QUEST FOR CARROTS’, taking you in and around the Farm Park. Follow our trail to earn your special treat and take part in a most unusual Easter Egg & Carrot Hunt! Plus, enjoy fun shows with the Oddsocks Family, in addition to Spring-themed arts, crafts and games. Combined with the fun of the giant indoor playbarn, award-winning Marmalade’s Tearoom, acres of outdoor play and plenty of animals to meet, including lots of adorable baby lambs and cheeky kid goats, you won’t want to miss it! Odds Farm Park is located just minutes from Junction 2 of the M40, near Beaconsfield. For more information, including opening times and prices visitors should call

16 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire

01628 520188 or visit oddsfarm.co.uk LEGOLAND WINDSOR RESORT, Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY, legoland.co.uk 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 & 31 Mar THE LEGO MOVIE DAYS THE LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is hosting the ultimate celebration of the new THE LEGO MOVIE 2! Join Emmet, Wyldstyle and the gang during event weekends with exclusive building activities, out of this world character experiences, interactive photo opportunities and more! It’s going to be AWESOME! All The LEGO MOVIE Days activities are included in the entry price with tickets from £35pp when booked online 7+ days in advance at legoland.co.uk

nATIOnAL TRUST

BASILDON PARK, Lower Basildon, RG8 9NR, 0118 984 3040 Every day in Mar & Apr EXHIBITION: GEORGIAN SPLENDOUR The house is redisplayed to emphasise the splendour of the 18th century collection and interiors, telling the fascinating stories of the Georgian residents who lived here.

Every day in Apr & May BLUEBELLS AT BASILDON PARK Set off on an adventure into the parkland and discover some special bluebells. Dates dependent on flowering.

6 –23 Apr CADBURYS EASTER EGG HUNT Hunt for clues around the estate to win a Cadbury chocolate prize. There are two separate trails this year, one in the run up to, and one on the Easter weekend. £3 per child.

GREYS COURT, Near Henley-on-Thames, RG9 4PG, 01491 628529 familiesonline.co.uk

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What’s On Every day in Apr & May BLUEBELLS: DISCOVER A BLUE CARPET Pick up a map from reception and head to Spinney woods to discover a vibrant carpet of bluebells. Dates dependent on flowering.

6 –23 Apr CADBURYS EASTER EGG HUNT Hunt for clues around the estate to win a Cadbury chocolate prize. There are two separate trails this year, one in the run up to, and one on the Easter weekend. £3 per child.

CLIVEDEN, nr Taplow, SL1 8NS, 01628 605069 Apr – May (dependent on flowering) BLUEBELL WALK Follow our planned walk around the estate to see the blanket of purple.

6 – 22 Apr CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Hop into spring with this nature-themed trail, complete with chocolate treat.

10am-3.30pm. £3 HUGHENDEN, nr High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, 01494 755 573, nationaltrust.org.uk/Hughenden 9 & 10 Mar WORLD BOOK DAY WEEKEND Dress as your favourite book character for story-time in Hughenden’s Victorian dressing up room. Head to the shop to spend your £1 token. 11am-5pm 8–22 Apr CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Hunt for giant eggs in the gardens and receive a chocolate prize. Trail suitable for little ones and older explorers. Child £3. 10am-4pm 9, 16 Apr TRAIL TRACKERS Join our Ranger, become a ‘mini-ranger, and explore the wildlife trails and tracks.

Child £4. 10.30am – 12noon 11 & 18 Apr GREAT BIG TREE CLIMB Join expert instructors for an adventure into the canopy of a giant horse chestnut. £20. 10am-5pm. Book via bigtreeclimbing.co.uk WADDESTON MANOR, nr Aylesbury, HP18 0JH, 01296 820 414 31 Mar MOTHERING SUNDAY Treat your mother to something special with a sparkling afternoon tea served in the Manor restaurant. Adult £25 Child £10 6 –18 Apr SPRING TRAIL AND ACTIVITIES Explore nature at Waddesdon with an outdoor trail and Spring-themed activities over the school holidays.

19 – 22 Apr CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT Follow the Easter trail around the grounds exploring nature through the ages to collect your chocolatey prize. Child £3. 10am-4pm THE VYNE, Near Basingstoke, RG24 9HL, 01256 883858 6 – 22 Apr CADBURY’S EASTER EGG HUNT Young adventurers in wellies are needed to tackle this spring animals Easter trail. You’ll get a chocolatey prize at the end. Trail £3. 10am4pm From 6 Apr YOUNG ENVIRONMENTALIST AWARD Pick up an activity sheet from visitor reception and complete the activities listed on it before earning your Young Environmentalist Award. 10am-5pm

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OngOIng EVEnTS Weekly FRIDAY FLEDGLINGS at The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL), University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5EX, 0118 378 8660, merl.reading.ac.uk A weekly outdoor session for the under 5’s in the fantastic urban garden at the MERL. Join in outdoor activities inspired by the themes and collections in the museum. Enjoy outdoor play and explore the natural environment. Each session involves story-telling, craft activities and singing. £4 per child (includes a snack and a drink). Children and adults must dress for the weather. 10am-11.30am, term time only.

Weekly BIG SCREAM CLUB, TODDLER TIME AND KIDS CLUBS at The Regal Picturehouse, Boroma Way, Henley, RG9 2BZ, 0871 902 5738, picturehouses.com Big Scream Club runs on Fridays at 11am exclusively for parents with babies under 1 year so you can catch up on the latest film releases.

Toddler Time on Tuesdays at 11am offers special 30 minute shows designed to introduce little ones to the big screen, followed by fun activities. For the older ones there’s Kids Club every Saturday showing a classic film at 11am plus pre-screening activities.

Weekly TALES FOR TOTS – STORY TIME FOR THE UNDER 5’S at Reading Museum, The Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QU, 0118 937 3400, readingmuseum.org Enjoy a story using objects from the Museum’s collection. Every Wednesday at 10.30-11.30am in The Green Space or Window Gallery. Just drop in. FREE. Weekly The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, 0845 521 8218, cornexchangenew.com RHYME & SHINE, Tuesdays, 10.15-11am, £3.50 Suitable for parents with babies 2 and under. A relaxed singing session with a range of songs, rhymes and rhythms in a fun and relaxed environment.

Email: editor@familiestvw.co.uk • Tel: 07968 711937

ALPHABETLAND, Wednesdays, 9.30-10.15am Join the Early Years and Education Officer for this fun, active and creative session to support your child’s learning and development ahead of school. Each week will focus on a different letter, exploring that sound and stories and topics that spring from it. Suitable for ages 5 and under.

MINI MAESTROS, Friday mornings Relaxed, friendly classes led by professional musicians from Berkshire Maestros who play real instruments. ‘Mini Maestros’ (and their grown-ups) will sing fun action songs, play percussion instruments, dance with colourful scarves, and have a wonderful introduction to musical experiences together. Separate sessions for babies, and 18 months to five years.

Weekly RHYME TIME at Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ Rhyme Time every Monday (except bank holidays), Thursday and Saturday 10.30am11am. No need to book, just drop in. FREE. Weekly BOARD GAME CLUB at Southcote Library, Southcote Lane, Reading, RG30 3BA, 0118 901 5109 A weekly free board game club for ages 9-12 from 4.10pm-5.10pm.

Weekly LEGO CLUB at Winnersh Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane, Winnersh, RG41 5ND, 0118 979 7519, wokingham.gov.uk/libraries Every Thursday during term time for children aged 5-10 years. 4pm-4.45pm, 50p. Places must be booked in advance.

Weekly STORY TIME at Caversham Library, Church Street, Caversham, RG4 8AU An experienced storyteller will bring stories to life for the Under 5’s every Thursday (22.30pm) during term time. Sessions must be booked in advance via the library.

Weekly TODDLER CRAFT at Southcote Library, Southcote Lane, RG30 3BA, 0118 901 5109 A free craft session every Friday for the Under 5’s from 11am-11.30am

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What’s On Monthly NATURE EXPLORERS at The Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3FU, 01635 874 381, bbowt.org.uk A great opportunity each month for parents and their preschoolers to have fun in the beautiful woodland, meadow or orchard. Each session will include activities such as bug hunts, mud kitchens, crafts and nature discovery. Tea, biscuits and mud provided!

Booking essential. Thursdays 10-11.30am or 12.30-2pm. £7 Monthly NATURE TOTS DIDCOT at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre, nr. Didcot, OX14 4TE, bbowt.org.uk An opportunity each month for you and your pre-school little one to interact with and learn from nature. Come along for an outdoor nature play, games, stories and craft on the wild and wonderful nature reserve. Booking essential. Dress for the weather. 9.30am11.30am, £7.

Twice a month STAY AND PLAY at The Abbey Nursery, 30 Christchurch Road, Reading, RG2 7AR, 0118 931 3111, theabbey.co.uk Held twice a month, the sessions offer you and your toddler a safe and stimulating environment to make friends and enjoy learning through play. Inspiring creative and imaginative play and encouraging your child’s natural curiosity is central to The Abbey’s learning ethos. Set in the University area of central Reading, Children can explore the Nursery garden and play with a range of toys, dressing up, science and role play equipment as well as take part in activities such as art, cooking, music and movement as they find out about the theme for the month. Refreshments will be provided for the children and parents/carers. Limited places, call 0118 987 2256 to reserve your space.

MARCH 2 Mar FAMILY YOGA, MINDFULNESS AND RELAXATION, Brilliant Beings, Tilehurst Discover how simple, fun, mindful tools can bring peace and balance to body, mind and spirit in our hectic world. These sessions are for children 6-11yrs and their grown-up/s, £8 per person. 1.30-2.30pm. The event will also take place in the same venue on 27 Apr. To book, contact Sarah: sarah@brilliant-beings.co.uk, 07979 755667 or visit brilliant-beings.co.uk 7 Mar BLAZE’S BUDDIES, West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury RG14 5AS Come and meet Blaze, the museum dragon, and join in with an action poem, story, simple craft, treasure hunt and sing-a-long! Held in the museum’s comfortable and child-friendly learning space, Blaze’s Buddies will encourage your child to take part in fun and interactive activities, including a simple craft, linked to the treasure (museum object) Blaze has found that day. The session closes with a hunt to find a museum object or a sing-a-long. 11-11.30am (FREE)

9 Mar HEROES & VILLAINS, RPO NOISY KIDS 2019, The Hexagon Theatre, Queen’s Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, 0118 960 6060, readingarts.com Put on your superhero cape and crusade against dastardly villains in this unmissable family concert. Join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in a struggle between the forces of good and evil! Hear the Orchestra perform exhilarating pieces that celebrate your favourite adventurers, daredevils and scoundrels, with music from legendary stories like STAR WARS, ROMEO and JULIET and JURASSIC PARK, alongside classical favourites such as DANSE MACABRE and IN THE HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN KING. The perfect introduction to orchestral music for children aged 5-11 and their families. 11.30am 12 Mar ST GABRIEL’S DANCE SHOWCASE at Arlington Arts Centre, Mary Hare, Snelsmore, Newbury, RG14 3BQ. arlington-arts.com St Gabriel’s returns to Arlington Arts with a dazzling display of dance talent. Be enchanted by an array of exciting dance performances including ballet, jazz and contemporary.

Tickets £10, concessions £7 16 Mar SECRET GARDEN, The Abbey Junior School, Reading Explore Secret Garden and uncover a world of fun and adventure... Join us at The Abbey Junior School’s Secret Garden activity morning for girls and boys aged 2 to 5. Children and their families are invited to spend the morning following our challenge trail and enjoying craft, action and music activities with the help of our staff and pupils. Collect challenge stickers to add to your adventure map; create culinary delights in the mud kitchen; meet the minibeasts in the bug hotel. Refreshments will be provided during the morning and there will be an opportunity for parents to talk with our experienced teaching staff. Please note: parents are expected to accompany their children throughout the morning. The activities will be both inside and out so in the event of rain there will still be lots to do. 9.30am-12pm.

Book your free place in advance at theabbey.co.uk 29 - 30 Mar NEWBURY YOUNGSTARS: LEGALLY BLONDE JR at Arlington Arts Centre, Mary Hare, Snelsmore, Newbury, RG14 3BQ. arlington-arts.com Legally Blonde Jr is the latest production from the acclaimed Newbury Youngstars group. The group’s previous shows have included Fame, Camp Rock and Alice in Wonderland. Legally Blonde Jr promises to be another hit, showcasing some of Newbury’s best and brightest young performers. Newbury Youngstars is a charitable musical theatre group for children aged 9 to 16. We help children develop dance, drama and singing skills, growing in confidence in a fun, safe and entertaining way. Tickets £10, concessions £8 30 Mar NICK COPE FAMILY MUSIC at The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, 0845 521 8218, cornexchangenew.com Join Nick Cope for his ever popular interactive

18 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire

music sessions with songs about everything from counting to how plants grow. 10.3011.30am. Suitable for children aged 8 and under. £4 per ticket.

30 – 31 Mar DAY OUT WITH THOMAS, Didcot Railway Centre, Great Western Society, Didcot Station, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7NJ, 01235 817 200 The event operates continuously from 10am to 5pm. Admission prices, which include rides on the trains and other activities, are adults £15, child aged (2-15) £11.00.

ApRIL

Various dates in April WELLINGTON COUNTRY PARK, Odiham Road, Riseley, Reading, RG7 1SP, 0118 932 6444, wellingtoncountry-park.co.uk 6 & 7: Easter Family Entertainment 10 & 11: Easter Family Entertainment 13 & 14: PeteZa & Big Foot Show 16 & 17: Family Circus Skills & Trapeze Workshops 19 – 22: Circus Wellingtonia, Easter Circus Spectacular 21: The Mega Egg Hunt 21: Easter Crafts 3-22 Apr STONOR EASTER TRAIL, Stonor Park, Nr Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 6HF Follow the clues around the Gardens and Wonder Woods to win a treat, and then spend time jumping, splashing, climbing and swinging in Wonder Woods. Grab a sandwich and a hot drink in the Visitor Centre while you're there, and the Pantry Cafe will be open Saturdays and Sundays for light lunches. 10am-5pm. For more information on tickets and prices: stonor.com/easter-trail 5 Apr MATHILDA AND THE ORANGE BALLOON at Arlington Arts Centre, Mary Hare, Snelsmore, Newbury, RG14 3BQ. arlington-arts.com Mathilda is a little grey sheep in a little grey world. Her herd is content to munch clovers, but Mathilda’s mind is full of questions. When an orange balloon makes a surprise appearance on the farm, Mathilda discovers there is more to who she is than being a grey sheep! As she explores what it means to be orange, Mathilda leads us all on a journey of self-discovery and the joys of self-expression.

Join Mathilda, her herd, and our narrators on stage and see how, with a little imagination and a big open mind, anything is possible! With a diverse cast of Deaf and hearing actors, Mathilda’s tactile, fully realised world is welcoming and fully accessible to Deaf and hearing children and families through the use of spoken English, sign language, and creative captions and animation. Tickets £10, concessions £8 From 6 Apr Visit Newbury, EASTER BUNNY HUNT, Newbury, West Berkshire Use the map to hunt for bunnies around Newbury town centre. Keep an eye on @VisitNewbury Facebook page for more details familiesonline.co.uk

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What’s On 7 Apr SPRING FOOD AND CRAFT FAIR, Shaw House, Church Rd, Newbury RG14 2DR Spring is in the air and we are celebrating with the return of our Spring Food & Craft Fair. The House will be packed full of artisan food, drink and locally produced crafts giving you the perfect opportunity to shop for unique gifts and treats. Local brewers will be on hand to keep you refreshed outside on the Orangery Lawn where hot food will be also be available.

And Miller’s Ark Animals will be back with their spring animals that children can feed and handle! £1 per adult, children 16 and under free. 11am-4pm.

8 and 9 Apr MASTER BUILDERS CLUB LEGO®BUILDING WORKSHOPS at three venues: 8 Apr: Sonning Common Village Hall 9 Apr: Dorchester on Thames Village Hall, and Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Henley on Thames masterbuildersclub.co.uk Do you love LEGO? Calling all young designers, engineers and inventors – Master Builders Club needs you! A two-hour workshop with LEGO building challenges.

Master Builders Club workshops follow a different theme each session and after setting the scene with a short story, the Master Builders will complete a number of build challenges. Master Builders Club aims to inspire children to be original in their designs and share their ideas. At the end of the session, the Master Builders are presented with a themed badge to keep and collect. Suitable for ages 5-11, £15. To book: masterbuildersclub.eventbrite.co.uk 9-10 Apr ROOM ON THE BROOM at The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, 0845 521 8218, cornexchangenew.com Join the witch and her cat on their mission to defeat the dragon in this magical, musical adaptation of the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler favourite. The witch and her cat are flying happily on their broomstick when they pick up a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a frantic frog. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – “CRACK” - it snaps in two... just as the hungry dragon appears!

Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups in the Olivier Award nominated stage show. Full price £12.50 10 Apr BUG BOX BUILDING WORKSHOP and MEET THE BUGS, Beale Park, Lower Basildon, Reading, RG8 9NQ, 0844 826 1761, bealepark.co.uk Create a handy home for Beale Park’s creepy critters this April by learning how to build a bug box with the educational team. Get to know some amazing facts about the insects, whilst having fun at the same time! Join from 10.30am until 12.30pm. Standard park entry fee still applies. Back for 2019, Beale Park’s Animal Keepers are giving visitors the chance to get up close and personal with some of the residents that live at the Park. So, if you would like to experience the amazing world of giant insects, then pop along to the Park from 1.30-3.30pm – you’re guaranteed to have a bugtastic time!

Standard park entry fee still applies. familiesonline.co.uk

10 & 17 Apr FAMILY ACTIVITY DAYS, Shaw House, Church Rd, Newbury RG14 2DR 10 Apr: the importance of planting wildflowers.

You’ll get the opportunity to decorate a plant pot in the Great Hall before going outside to plant a wildflower seedling with local charity, Growing2gether.

17 Apr: make a fridge magnet and note holder in the shape of a daffodil or other Spring flower, using Deco pens, felt, foam sheets and other craft materials. There will be a free Easter-themed outdoor rock hunt available too. Dress for mess! No need to book, drop in.

10am – 3.30pm 11 Apr BALLET THEATRE UK: SWAN LAKE at Arlington Arts Centre, Mary Hare, Snelsmore, Newbury, RG14 3BQ. arlington-arts.com Swan Lake remains as one of the most enduring, moving and irreplaceable classical ballets due to its fantastical plot filled with romance, sorcery, and betrayal. Join Ballet Theatre UK with their spectacular new production of this timeless classic. This immortal tale tells of a princess held captive as a swan by the spell of an evil magician, a spell that can only be broken if a prince swears true love to her. Featuring new choreography by Artistic Director Christopher Moore and over 120 new costumes and stunning sets this production promises to provide you with a new look at the classic tale and leave you with a new love for Swan Lake. Tickets £19, concessions £17, family £65.

12 & 18 Apr CRAZY CRAFT DAYS, West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury RG14 5AS 12 Apr: Delightful decorations and 18 Apr: Dress to Impress. There will be at least three crafts to choose from (while stocks last). You can pick the craft you wish to do and complete it using the craft materials available. A free Spring-themed trail will also be available. For 4-11 year olds but younger and older children are welcome. No need to book, drop in. Dress for mess! 10am-3pm. £2 15 Apr THE SELFISH GIANT at Arlington Arts Centre, Mary Hare, Snelsmore, Newbury, RG14 3BQ. arlington-arts.com Grinter the giant lives alone in her huge cold house, surrounded by her huge snowy gardens, enclosed by her high, frost-covered walls. She shuts out the world, because long ago, the world shut her out, and so she hides, in her peaceful, icy home. Outside, the world has changed and there is very little green left.

One day, the children, tired of playing on hard roads and grey rooftops, climb through a chink in the giant’s wall, changing the course of their lives forever. Powerful storytelling, captivating puppetry, beautiful design, enchanting music and a sprinkling of magic sums up this very special show! Tickets £8. 11am 16 Apr Hobbs of Henley, WILDLIFE CRUISE, Station Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1AZ Join the Chilterns Conservation Board who will help you and your children spot the hidden natural treasures between Henley and Hambleden on a voyage of discovery aboard

Email: editor@familiestvw.co.uk • Tel: 07968 711937

the Hibernia. 3-4.15pm Can be booked in advance online: hobbsofhenley.com/wildlife-cruise 17 Apr BUG BOX BUILDING WORKSHOP and MEET THE BUGS, Beale Park, Lower Basildon, Reading, RG8 9NQ, 0844 826 1761, bealepark.co.uk Create a handy home for Beale Park’s creepy critters this April by learning how to build a bug box with the educational team. Get to know some amazing facts about the insects, whilst having fun at the same time! Join from 10.30am until 12.30pm. Standard park entry fee still applies. Back for 2019, Beale Park’s Animal Keepers are giving visitors the chance to get up close and personal with some of the residents that live at the Park. So, if you would like to experience the amazing world of giant insects, then pop along to the Park from 1.30-3.30pm – you’re guaranteed to have a bugtastic time!

Standard park entry fee still applies.

18 Apr MASTER BUILDERS CLUB LEGO®BUILDING WORKSHOPS at two venues: Storton Lodge, Goring, and Sonning Common Village Hall masterbuildersclub.co.uk Do you love LEGO? Calling all young designers, engineers and inventors – Master Builders Club needs you! A two-hour workshop with LEGO building challenges.

Master Builders Club workshops follow a different theme each session and after setting the scene with a short story, the Master Builders will complete a number of build challenges. Master Builders Club aims to inspire children to be original in their designs and share their ideas. At the end of the session, the Master Builders are presented with a themed badge to keep and collect. Suitable for ages 511, £15. To book: masterbuildersclub.eventbrite.co.uk Until 19 Apr ESCAPE ROOM TRAIL at Reading Museum, Blagrave Street, Reading RG1 1QH Take the Reading Museum challenge and solve the riddles in each gallery. You will only be released through the invisible force field once you have unscrambled the secret code! 10am. £1, pay on the day, drop in 27 Apr GOLDILOCKS, The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, RG20 8AE, 01635 460 044 One … two … THREE empty bowls… a broken chair… footprints and mess EVERYWHERE! A family friendly performance, ideal for children aged 2 to 6. Tickets £7.50 and £7. More information and bookings: watermill.org.uk 01635 46044. 11am

To advertise here please ring

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Are We Nearly There Yet? A Survival Guide to Holiday Car Travel

By Claire Winter Spring is here and it’s possible you may be heading away during the Easter holidays or, if not, in the months to come. Many families opt to travel to their holiday destinations in the UK or Europe by car which can be economical and also means you can generally take more luggage. The trick is how to survive these trips without things turning nasty in the backseat.

Be Realistic

Games are Good

You may think it’s going to take seven hours to get to Cornwall but take into account for unscheduled loo stops, unexpected car sickness and getting lost despite having an excellent Sat Nav and Google Maps.

Top Trumps, travel games and story dice are all winners when it comes to travelling in the car.

Kids also love a drawing pad and felt tips. Make sure they don’t draw or look down for too long though as this can often cause car sickness.

Don’t overload the car interior. Try not to shove things into every seat well. If the kids are comfortable they are less likely to moan! Just pack stuff into the boot or invest in a roof box.

Take Gadgets Digital devices such as iPads, Kindles or similar are great for long journeys but do not peak too soon! Car journeys are also a great opportunity to talk to your kids and have some really fun and more in-depth conversations than usual.

Equally, listening to music on the radio or on CDs can be a great shared activity. Golden oldies, in particular, can spark conversations of the “Remember when ….” variety. Save the gadgets for when things start getting tricky.

You can whip out a fully charged iPad when they have asked ‘are we nearly there yet?’ for the tenth time or started turning on each other in a menacing way. Be sure to bring portable chargers so you can recharge your devices. A headphone-splitter is also a great invention, as this allows two children to plug headphones into the same device.

Bring Plenty of Snacks Pack a cool bag or lunchbox full of snacks for each child and adult (you don’t want a ‘hangry’ driver). If you don’t want the kids going loopy from eating too much sugar, try sugar-free lollies. But remember most sugar-free sweets eaten in large quantities can have a laxative effect! Travel early or late. Get on the road early to beat traffic jams or leave after rush hour or even later. Just pop the kids in PJs and eventually they will fall asleep and hopefully sleep through the journey. Of course, you may be tired travelling during the night, but you can drink gin and rest when you get there!

It’s All about Audiobooks Many families have given up on reading and watching films in the car because of carsickness, but audio books are always a winner! The whole family can listen to all the Harry Potter books, some Roald Dahl classics and many other favourites. You can borrow audiobooks from the library or download them onto your phone and sync it with the car’s stereo. We also create holiday playlists with everyone’s favourite music on them too.

Don’t Forget the Essentials Baby wipes, tissues, water, travel sickness medicine, snacks (never forget the snacks!), different layers of clothing, a bag for rubbish (this can double up as a sick bag too but hopefully you won’t need it)!

Remember to Have FUN Last but not least, don’t forget your sense of humour. Things often go wrong when small people are involved. Family time isn’t all hearts and flowers and learning to cope with friction and setbacks are all part of life’s big adventure.

The journey to a destination can be just as fun if you decide it’s going to be!

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Car Seat Safety Tips Car seat safety is vital to ensure your child does not get unnecessarily injured or hurt if you have a car accident or collision. Car seat manufacturer Joie UK shares some tips with Families magazine.

When Do I Need to Use a Car Seat?

All children must use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. There are exceptions to this in extreme circumstances, for example, in the case of children over 3 years, in an emergency or for an unexpected journey and only over a short distance. In these circumstances, a child still has to sit in the back of the car, with an adult seatbelt. It’s always best to be on the safe side and use a car seat to avoid serious injury and fines. A car seat that fits properly can be life-saving in the event of a collision, ensuring your child is securely fitted to the seat of the car, in the same way a seat belt does for someone who fits the seat of the car properly. You also have to use car seats in taxis and vans. The driver is responsible if a proper car seat is not fitted and can receive a fixed penalty £100 fine.

What Type of Car Seat?

With so many car seats on the market, it can be difficult to decide on the best one for your child. Ultimately, as long as you’re choosing one that is safe for the height and weight of your child and with good safety credentials, you shouldn’t go wrong - after that it comes down to preference. It’s important to take into consideration what you’re going to be using the car seat for. For example, if you know you’re going to be lifting your baby in and out of the car, it’s probably better to go for a lightweight infant carrier with a base that stays in place.

Should I Choose a Car Seat Based on Weight or Height?

This can be confusing as there are currently two sets of regulations running parallel. The newer regulation, known as R129, or iSize, states that car seats should be fitted by height. Any new ISOFIX car seats introduced to the market after 2018 will be fitted this way. The older regulation, R44, fits car seats by weight. Belted seats are still only available in R44 form. Existing car seats that met the first regulation are still safe and legal to use so both are feasible. For ease if you’re a new parent go with height, as this will become standard.

It sounds obvious but do remember to read the manual when fitting car seats and follow the instructions to the letter preferably alongside your car’s manual. If you are still unsure, the majority of car seat stockists will have a designated person on hand to fit the seat for you.

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Email: editor@familiestvw.co.uk • Tel: 07968 711937

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Help! I’ve Lost My Child….

Families offers tips on how to guard against this.

No words can describe the panic that a parent feels when their child disappears from sight in a crowded place. It can happen in a heartbeat and, if it’s happened to you, you’ll recall the terrifying sensation exactly. At airports, stations, leisure attractions, museums and beaches, crowds can go with the territory and mean it’s more difficult spotting your child if you get separated.

So here’s some things you can do to help:

Bright Clothing Dress your children brightly those dressed in colourful, distinctive clothes and accessories can be more quickly spotted in a crowd.

“What If” Preparations If your child is old enough, discuss what to do if they get separated. Tell them to seek help from people like staff in a supermarket, a lifeguard, a police or security officer or a mother with young children. Agree an obvious meet up point if they are old enough to find a predetermined landmark, or instruct them to stay put if they are younger (under 8).

Take a Photo Have a recent digital photo of your child on your smart phone or camera. Even better, take a picture of your child wearing that day’s outfit before you head out.

Teach Essential Details Help a child learn their name and address and your name and phone number, so that they can give the details to an authoritative person. If they're very young, try teaching them your number through rhyme or learning by rote and repetition.

22 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire

Consider ID Cards or Tagging Safety ID cards with essential information can be attached to bags and clothes or worn around the neck with a lanyard. For waterproofing, you can buy small capsule-like containers worn like a necklace. You can also now obtain quite powerful, wearable GPS trackers for kids.

Baby and Toddler Harnesses Even if you don’t like seeing little ones constrained, sometimes the security offered by reins and harnesses can help you all relax.

These days you can buy really cute reins attached to furry belts and backpacks that your little one will be happy to wear.

Stay Calm If your child disappears, try to stay calm (easier said than done!).

You'll be able to think and communicate more clearly, helping you and others find your child quickly.

Call 999 The police advise calling 999 and reporting a child missing as soon as you have concerns for their safety.

Fir more information, visit www.safekids.co.uk

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Learning the Times Tables – Tips & Tricks

In 2020, it becomes compulsory for all Year 4 students to undergo a new times table test [ENGLAND ONLY] and this is likely to put additional pressure on parents to help their children get to grips with their times tables.

C

hildren’s inability to instantly recall times tables and manage simple multiplication is a recurring theme of mathematics teaching reported by teachers in primary schools. These skills need to be embedded by Year 4 in order to prepare for the maths teaching for the next two years. At secondary school, lack of basic numeracy, including not knowing their multiplication tables really well, can lead to an inability to grasp new concepts and really slow children's mathematical progress.

While it may seem tedious to practise times tables with your child, by ensuring your child is confident with times tables you will be equipping them with essential tools for success in maths.

Getting Familiar with Multiplication Concepts The first step with multiplication is to make sure your child understands what multiplication really means. In other words, they need to understand that 4 x 3 is the same as 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 and be confident with such number sequences.

The Rule of Commutativity Show your child that each answer repeats, so, technically, they only have to learn half of the tables. In other words, 4 x 5 is the same as 5 x 4. The rule of commutativity helps them

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understand that they know more than they might think.

Point Out Patterns It doesn't all have to be memorised by rote.

There are clues and helpful hints that can be learned.

For example 2x is just doubling the number.

This is the same as adding the number to itself: 2 x 2 = 4, 2 x 3 = 6, 2 x 4 = 8 etc. So the pattern is 2, 4, 6, 8 etc. And once these are remembered then the rule of commutatavity above means they also know 3 x 2, 4 x 2 etc.

9× has a pattern too: 9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54, 63, 72, 81, 90. Notice how the tens (first digits in every number) go up by one and the units (second digits) go down.

All the multiples of ten end in zero.

All the multiples of 5 end in either 5 or 0 and are half as large as the multiples of ten. (10 x 5=50 which is half of 10 x 10 = 100).

Any number x 0 is always 0. No matter what.

The answers to the 4 times table are double the answers to the 2 times table. For example, 3 × 4 = 12 is the same as 3 × 2 × 2. Likewise, the answers to the 8 times table are double the answers to the 4 times table. For example, 5 × 8 = 40 is the same as 5 × 4 × 2.

Learning the 11 times table is actually easy up Email: editor@familiestvw.co.uk • Tel: 07968 711937

to the number 9. It is simply doubling the appearance of the number you wish to multiply by. For example, 2 x 11 = 22, 3 x 11 = 33, 4 x 11 = 44 and so on.

Teach the Tricks The great thing with times tables is that there are many tricks that can help your child memorise them more easily. Let's take a look at a couple of tricks: 2 times tables: Double it! Two times a number simply means add the number twice. 6 x 2 is actually 6 + 6 and 8 x 2 is the same as 8 + 8.

4 times tables: Double the number you are multiplying, then double it again! It is simply a matter of doubling the number, then doubling the answer. For example, 4 x 5 is 5 + 5 = 10 and then 10 + 10 = 20. 4 x 5 is 20.

12 times table is 10x plus 2x. For example: 10 x 4 = 40, then add 2 x 4 = 8 Drilling Some drilling is inevitable. Drilling should be done once the child is familiar with their tables or at least a set of numbers. Drilling should be started in order and once you feel they are getting there you can mix it all up. They may hesitate at the beginning but the more you drill the more the times tables will be embedded into their memories.

Everyone’s Different Some children like to learn by rote; for others it doesn’t work at all. To support their learning, work out what will make times tables stick in your child’s mind, whether that’s singing them, putting them into practice with puzzles, playing games with them or writing them out.

Good luck!

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Sharenting What's the Best Approach?

By Dr Bex Lewis

Develop your own and your child’s digital literacy.

Don’t believe that others have ‘perfect lives’ with their children any more than you do, and consider whether you need to capture every moment.

S

harenting is the term used to define the sharing by parents of posts about their children on social media, whether the everyday, or special milestones such as birthdays, travels, first steps or achievements.

Often known as ‘over-sharenting,’ it can be seen as negative, attracting criticism for being repetitive, boring, a form of digital narcissism, humblebragging (“isn’t it terrible that my child is struggling with Grade 7 piano?”), or insensitive of those who are unable to have children.

The Benefits of Sharenting For many, sharing posts about their children validates the value of the parenting role, and is seen as the modern equivalent of sending round-robin letters: part of the duty of communicating with the wider family.

Geographical distance can limit the ability to meet up physically and being able to engage online with the lives of nieces, nephews, and grandchildren online has been joyfully embraced as a substitute. For parents themselves, social media can create a sense of community and connection and can be helpful when managing the challenging aspects of parenting. For those who have grown up sharing their lives online, sharing parenthood is simply the next stage of their life journey.

The Risks of Sharenting Every interaction that we make online leaves a trail, commonly known as a ‘digital footprint,’ which others, such as future employers, may find by searching for your child’s name. Many children’s first appearance on social media is

their birth scan announcement. Once information is out there, it is hard, if not impossible, to recall it. Barclays are saying because of how much we share online, identity fraud has never been easier, so beware of revealing full names, dates of birth, home addresses, places of birth, mother’s maiden name, schools, names of pets, sport teams supported and/or beware of using the same information in passwords.

Practical Steps to Take Many of the practical steps that you can take to protect yourself or your child whilst sharenting are largely common sense, and involve thinking before you post: What platform are you sharing the content on?

Facebook is restricted to friends but other platforms are more public.

• Check your privacy settings.

Within Facebook, use lists to share content with specific groups of family and friends.

• Take care with photos.

Especially the ‘traditional’ back to school photos, cropping to remove the school logo and backgrounds that identify where you live.

• Consider turning off geotagging on your photos.

• Check the re-share rights of images that you’re uploading.

• Get permission to feature other children.

• Try not to show that you have a regular routine every day.

• Don’t post pictures of your children naked.

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Having Conversations about Sharenting Conversations about digital and social media should be an everyday conversation in most households. Before you post about your children, think whether this will cause them embarrassment or give rise to bullying. As they get older, ask permission before you post content. Be prepared to take content down. At the same time, be mindful that we tend to over-curate our lives, and, as Aimee Horton from www.passthegin.co.uk says, at some point children need to learn to laugh at themselves, and recognise that there’s a difference between amusing posts (shared with love) and harmful content.

There are no fixed rules when sharing, but thinking about what and where you are posting is critical.

Dr Bex Lewis is Senior Lecturer in Digital Marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University and author of Raising Children in a Digital Age: Enjoying the Best, Avoiding the Worst. She is passionate about helping people engage with the digital world in a positive way.

More info at www.drbexl.co.uk You can also view this article online at www.cityparents.co.uk Cityparents is a network of 14,000 working parents in City professions.

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Supporting Your Child with Exam Stress

By Vicky Bellman

W

e have come to the time of year when many children are preparing to face exams or tests at school. These vary in their significance for your child’s future. For some, they will be the stepping stone to the next part of their educational journey, for others an assessment of their progress this academic year. Regardless of which category the exams or tests fall into, exam time is likely to be pressured and overwhelming for most children and their parents.

Stress and anxiety in young children is particularly heightened at this time of year as they deal with performance-related concerns related to their educational tests. These tests can often feel like tests of who they are. Their behaviour may suffer during a stress peak and it’s important to do what you can to respond from a place of calm. Invite them to join you in feeling calm, rather than you joining them in emotional chaos.

With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you support your child at this time:

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Keep it in Perspective Yes, of course exams are important. But everyone involved needs to remember it's not the end of the world if there’s a hiccup and things don’t go as well as expected. There is almost always another chance.

Help Manage Expectations Working longer than is advisable for their age, or expecting grades significantly higher than their capabilities could well be detrimental to your child’s emotional and mental well-being.

It’s important you guide your children appropriately in this area.

Free time is Vital It’s a difficult balancing act, but it’s important to remember that primary school age children need plenty of free time - structured studying has to be balanced with plenty of unstructured free time. Relaxation and fun are vital. Getting outside to play and spending time relaxing with family and friends are super-important at this time.

A useful analogy to share with your children is that human beings are basically machines.

We need fuel, and we also need to switch our engine off every now and again. Otherwise, we risk overheating! On any long-term journey in a machine, comfort breaks and fuel fill ups would be an accepted and necessary part of the journey. Humans are no different.

Make Time for You You can’t pour from an empty cup. Your children need more from you when preparing for and going through exams or tests. To be able to give more you need to be able to have more fuel in the tank.

Encourage Good Work Habits Primary school children may find it hard to sustain concentration for longer than 30 minutes without a break. It’s important not to schedule too many study sessions in one day – one or two would be the appropriate maximum for this age group on a weekend or school holiday day, but less if they are also managing homework. Otherwise your child will become stressed and it’s much harder for them to learn under pressure.

Connection is Important Make sure you have family down time; perhaps, watching a movie one night with popcorn, or going for a family walk, or day out. Don't just save the treats for the exam results, as this reinforces to children that they have more value when they achieve more. Let them know that their wellbeing and enjoyment of life is as vital when they're striving for success, as when they're achieving it.

Remember the Building Blocks Again, when it comes to the real basics, we can easily forget the building blocks for emotional wellbeing. Make sure that your child is getting enough good food, water and sleep!

Vicky Bellman is a counsellor at Fegans, a Christian charity which counsels children and provides support for parents. For more parenting advice on stress and mental health, visit www.fegans.org.uk/parent

Email: editor@familiestvw.co.uk • Tel: 07968 711937

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Should We Reward our Children with Sugary Food?

By Andrew Campbell

It's not unusual for parents to offer their children "special" - and often unhealthy foods as a reward for good behaviour or achievement.

Equally, if children are bored on a long car journey, or fed up with being in the buggy, it’s tempting to use snack foods to distract them for a little longer.

We’ve all noticed that if children are upset because they have hurt themselves or want something they cannot have, the offer of something sweet helps 'make them feel better.'

Withholding special food treats may also be a punishment. A parent might refuse to serve pudding, for example, if her children have talked back or neglected to tidy their rooms.

But what is the result of using food as a tool to deal with emotions like boredom or sadness or as a punishment? Does it turn children into adults who cannot cope with being bored or upset without a sweet snack?

There certainly isn't any evidence to suggest that occasionally resorting to the biscuit tin will affect children in this way. But what if we do it on a regular basis? What happens when sweets and biscuits become the major reward in a child’s life?

There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that regularly using food as an emotional distraction or as a reward or punishment for children may be associated with a greater risk of emotional eating.

A recent study carried out by Aston, Loughborough and Birmingham universities found that parents who use controlling feeding practices with their children could be unintentionally teaching their children to rely on food to deal with their emotions later in life.

Using food as a reward can also undermine healthy eating habits. Giving sweets, crisps, or squash as a reward can lead to children overeating foods that are high in sugar, fat, and empty calories. Worse, it can interfere with the child’s natural ability to regulate their eating, encouraging them to eat when they're not hungry to reward themselves.

Offering unhealthy food as a reward or treat is also confusing. Children hear that they're supposed to enjoy healthy foods and avoid foods with little nutritional value. Being told that they can indulge in foods that are bad for them as a reward or having these withheld as a punishment sends a very mixed message.

More information at www.nhs.uk/change4life

Last Minute! Simple World Book Day Costumes With World Book Day coming up on 7 March, you may not have the time, energy, funds or inclination to provide a glitzy costume for your child to wear to school.

So here is Families list of book-related characters that require minimal accessories and that might work for your child this year:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney White shirt + black shorts + black backpack.

Charlie Bucket from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Trousers + white top + yellow jacket Tinkerbell – Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie A fairy costume Sophie - The Tiger who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr Purple dress + blue top + patterned leggings

26 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire

Book characters that Wear Pyjamas/Nightdress Wendy - Peter Pan by JM Barrie Tom – Tom’s Midnight Garden

by Philippa Pearce Boy - Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg 'Boy' – Lost & Found by Oliver Jeffers Red and white striped top + hat + penguin toy More info: www.worldbookday.com/dressing-up

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Choosing the Right Swimming Lessons for your Child

By Andrew Campbell Whilst swimming should be fun for children, your little ones are learning vital lifesaving skills, so it’s important to make sure they are getting the right provision.

Here are some key things to look for when choosing a swim school: Progression: Children need to have the opportunity to progress with their swimming as they improve. A good school will provide the facility for your child to swim right through from infant to competitive standard. Check whether the school is using the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme, a national syllabus which is designed to help teachers deliver swimming lessons for all ages to a high and consistent standard.

Check Teachers are Qualified: In England, there are two major bodies which award swimming teaching qualifications, the ASA and the STA. Group Size: It’s generally accepted that smaller is better. Swim England recommends no more than 12 learners to one teacher during a lesson. Often, good swimming lessons are run with two teachers, one in the pool and one out of the pool.

Knowledgeable Teachers: A swimming qualification is the bare minimum required of a teacher. A truly excellent teacher is trained and knowledgeable in a

number of areas, ranging from swimming and diving to water games. They should also have the ability to teach children of diverse ages and abilities.

Organised and Professional: A good teacher keeps regular records of his/her classes and has a plan for what needs to be achieved over a session, as well as during a term or season. They know how to set goals for individual classes based on different abilities and ages, and they know what exercises and drills they need to implement to achieve their goals.

Understanding: Every child is different and the pace of learning swimming is highly dependent on a child’s age, personality and how much water exposure they have had before starting formal lessons.

A good teacher will understand this.

Motivational and Creative: Teaching swimming has to be more than just verbally giving out instructions to learners and managing a crowd. It’s about motivating children and caring about the feedback that children provide during lessons. For example, if an exercise is not working (it is too hard or too easy), a good teacher should be able to use his/her imagination and creativity to implement changes.

Every activity in the lesson should

be fun, purposeful and should be used to help the children work towards achieving a goal.

Fun and Games: A good swimming lesson will take a games-based approach. If it is not enjoyable, your child is less likely to learn.

Water Skills and Awareness: Teachers should ensure that your child is developing water skills such as buoyancy, and that they are feeling confident moving in the water. They should also stress the need to understand swimming as a

fitness activity. Swimming for swimming’s sake does not make for good swimming lessons.

Swimkidz runs lessons at locations across the Thames Valley. Its innovative programme begins during pregnancy and continues through babies and toddlers, all the way to pre-competitive by a child’s tenth birthday. The aim is to have children swimming independently at the earliest possible stage.

GR Swimming Schools – children’s swimming lessons from 3yrs in Newbury, Thatcham, & Pangbourne. Places for non swimmers through to advanced academy levels. Also holiday crash courses in swimming, diving and coming soon SYNCHRO!!

Uniquely structured lessons, following Swim England Award Scheme.

BOOKING NOW

for classes in Thatcham, Compton and Pangbourne

• Non swimmers to advanced levels • Crash course — 15-19 April Book NOW! • Stroke technique & Diving • 6 children per class (from 3yrs) • Fun experienced teachers with DBS • Independent family run swim school

rose@swimlessons.co.uk | www.swimlessons.co.uk

What makes a good swimming lesson?

• Most lessons last around 30 minutes and children should be as active as possible throughout.

• Strokes should be introduced gradually once your child has acquired basic skills such as leg actions and breathing techniques.

• Teachers should not force children into activities. Understanding why they are doing something is essential in order to motivate.

For more information visit: www.swimming.org

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Clubs and Classes Directory Regular clubs, classes and out of school activities give your child a chance to shine and for you to have fun together, and there really is plenty of variety to choose from, as we’ve discovered. Here are a few of our favourites, for babies, toddlers and school aged children. For more clubs and classes in your area, check out familiesonline.co.uk Developmental Classes

Gym, Sport and Swimming

(See also our Music & Movement section)

Master Builders Club - LEGO® Workshops for Children Master Builders Club is a LEGO® lover's paradise! Our weekend and school holiday workshops, birthday parties and primary school events are designed to provide children with an exciting and captivating experience. Our fun workshops start with a short story which sets the theme and building challenges.

Then the creativity begins as our Master Builders have access to 1000’s of LEGO® bricks which have been sorted into colour, size and type.

If you are passionate about providing engaging and stimulating play opportunities that nurture your child's mind, then Master Builders Club is for you! To book your LEGO® fan a place or to find out more about all our events then please go to: masterbuildersclub.co.uk

Hartbeeps - Magical multi-sensory music classes using innovative props, lighting effects, and puppetry to a backdrop of funky tunes, reworked nursery rhymes, and beautiful lullabies. Classes for babies from birth to sitting; sitting to walking; and walking to four years. For Ascot, Bracknell, and Caversham email Rachel at rachel@hartbeeps.com. For Henley and Marlow, contact Kerraleigh on 07866 656366 or email kerraleigh@hartbeeps.com. For Windsor, Burnham, Maidenhead, Woodley, Earley, and Wokingham contact Liz on 07985 935662 or email liz@hartbeeps.com

Bulmershe Gymnastics Club – based at a purpose-built gym in Woodley, run gymnastics classes for all ages including Leap Frogs for walkers to five years lead by qualified coaches. bulmershegymnastics.co.uk

BilinguaSing Wokingham

Arts and Crafts GR Swimming Schools – children’s swimming lessons from 3yrs in Newbury, Thatcham, & Pangbourne. Places for non swimmers through to advanced academy levels. Also holiday crash courses in swimming, diving and coming soon SYNCHRO!! Uniquely structured lessons, following Swim England Award Scheme. 01635 34862 swimlessons.co.uk Aquababies/Kiddies Bagshot, Surrey and Dorking – one of the UK’s leading children’s swimming schools. They run lessons for children of all ages, including babies from as young as eight weeks old, that are based on progressive exercises relating to the child’s stage of physical and social development, whilst having fun. 20% off re-launch offer for newcomers. 07766 242572, info.surrey@aquababiesglobal.com SwimKidz - runs lessons at locations across the Thames Valley. Its innovative programme begins with babies from three months to toddlers, all the way through to precompetitive swimming by a child’s tenth birthday. The aim is to provide fun and progressive lessons in a small group environment. Contact Caroline Bairstow, 0750 005 6623 swimkidz.co.uk

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Artspiration School of Drawing and Painting – offering fun, imaginative and instructional lessons in drawing and painting to school-aged children in Maidenhead, Wokingham and Reading. Artspiration will inspire, motivate, guide and give your budding artists the skills required to express themselves better visually.

01628 634 418, artspiration.co.uk Music and Movement Inspire Guitar School – individual and group classes run by Alexander Clarke, B.Mus (Hons), M.A. Inspiring students, fulfilling aspirations.

Learn guitar in your school or home, Inspire Guitar School is a Berkshire based music service that offers tuition in Acoustic, Classical, Electric, Bass and Ukelele. The benefits of learning to play a musical instrument cannot be overstated. Learning to play helps with confidence, mindfulness and creativity.

Flexible style to suit the student and fulfil their aspirations. 0118 9375 9185, 07414 675 858, inspireguitar.co.uk, alex@inspireguitar.co.uk Monkey Music – fun music classes from 3months-4yrs with action songs and rhymes, music and movement, percussion instruments and musical games. Classes in Newbury, Thatcham, Mortimer, Henley and Upper Basildon. 01635 860 959, monkeymusic.co.uk

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diddi dance - funky pre-school dance classes for girls and boys.

Award winning, high energy sessions explore 16 different styles set to original, age-appropriate music. Classes improve gross motor skills, rhythm, co-ordination, confidence, creativity and social skills with dancing games, fun exercises, action songs and a host of props. Lessons are aligned to the EYFS and are structured yet relaxed. Nursery workshops and parties too! Free trial available.

Classes run every day throughout Reading & Wokingham. Call Andrea on 07719 878789, or email andrea.bickford@diddidance.com BilinguaSing Wokingham – award winning bilingual sensory music & movement classes with Spanish or French singing for babies (from 1 month), toddlers and pre-school children. BilinguaSing is a unique class for parents and little ones to learn Spanish or French together in a fun and engaging way. Familiar nursery rhymes and songs are learned in both English and Spanish or French and are accompanied by a variety of fun movements and lovely props. Classes suitable for complete beginners to native speakers. Wokingham, Winnersh and surrounding areas. First taster class is FREE! Private sessions also available in nurseries, pre-schools and primary schools to support the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 learning objectives. Call Kate on 07810 751645, kate@bilinguasing.com, bilinguasing.com Portuguese Language Club – offering tuition to help you talk fluently in Portuguese, but we don’t stop there. For us, it’s all about you and ensuring that you enjoy your stay with us whilst also making sure that your Portuguese language skills are vastly improved. We offer a range of services to suit all needs; including one-to-one and group lessons, in-school clubs, holiday

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Portuguese and GSCE and A Level tuition. Tilehurst, Berkshire, 07427 630331, info@portugueselanguageclub.co.uk, portugueselanguageclub.co.uk Dance & Drama Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow – Fun, energetic classes for 3½ to 18yrs. Dance, drama and singing, tap, street dance, pop styles, musical theatre. Regular classes in Wargrave, Wokingham and Woodley, plus summer classes. Call Shelley on 07970 034 488, or email shelley@steppinoutstars.co.uk, steppinoutstars.co.uk

Clubs and Classes Directory StageAbility - After-school drama classes for kids who love to ACT! Reading, Burghfield, Tilehurst, Earley and Wokingham. Highenergy classes mean that students never get bored, can't wait to get to class and develop confidence,

creativity and focus. Pay-AsYouGo option for infants and free trial class. Full listing of classes at: stageability.class4kids.co.uk , jackie@berkshire.stageability.co.uk M: 07721 565898, T: 0118 933 3791

Lots of Lovely Art

Stagecoach Theatre Arts School: Dance, drama and singing classes for 4-18 years that build confidence and teach skills. Early Years classes for 4-6 years designed to introduce young children to the performing arts.

Local branches in Wokingham, Henley, Reading, Bracknell, Marlow and Newbury. stagecoach.co.uk Perform – Weekly drama, dance and singing classes. Confidence building fun for 4-12s. A unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child’s true potential. Classes are kept small to ensure lots of individual attention. Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions.

Venues: Newbury, Reading, Twyford, Wokingham, Goring and Crowthorne.

Contact: T: 020 7255 9120 / enquiries@perform.org.uk perform.org.uk/try Berzerk Productions: LAMDA examination classes, unique Drama Factory workshops, musical theatre and production opportunities for 6-19 years in Tilehurst, Woodley, Spencers Wood, Caversham, Reading, Pangbourne and Woodcote. Trial class free. 07863 734 830, berzerkproductions.com

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Clubs and Classes News Very well spotted A West Berkshire charity has received a boost thanks to fundraising efforts from local swimming lesson provider, Swimkidz. A Spotty Hoop Party, sale of old equipment and donations from every new starter raised £370 for Swings and Smiles – a place to play for children with special needs and their families. It offers a unique environment where the whole family feels supported and can spend quality time together. Services include play sessions, sibling support and outreach.

For the Spotty Hoop party, every child completed an activity through the hoop – from an underwater swim for the babies, to a dive for the squad team. All the children were encouraged to wear something spotty (including the teachers) during the classes.

Perform’s Four Ways to Boost your Child’s Self-Esteem A child’s self-esteem is influenced by feeling loved, valued and believing good things about themselves. Perform have teamed up with positive parenting expert, Anita Cleare, to bring Families top tips for boosting self-esteem.

Encourage Independence When children do things for themselves and are praised for this, they feel proud. Teach your child to dress themselves and wash their own hair.

Use Believable Praise It’s not believable to tell your child he did something well when he clearly didn’t. Praise concrete achievements. Saying ‘Well done for keeping on running' (even when he lost the race) tells your child exactly what they have done well.

Listen to their Ideas Expressing ideas and being listened to help children feel valued. Involve them in practical family problem-solving by asking for their input. This helps them feel they are making a positive contribution.

Encourage Laughter and Show you Care Play, chat, share jokes and funny stories.

Laughter helps children relax and feel good about themselves. Be affectionate. Snuggle and cuddle! Show your child they are utterly lovable exactly as they are.

More tips from Anita can be found at www.anitacleare.co.uk To book a FREE confidence-building Perform drama class in Newbury, Reading, Twyford, Wokingham, Goring and Crowthorne, visit www.perform.org.uk/try

BilinguaSing Wokingham celebrates 4th birthday BilinguaSing Wokingham is celebrating its 4th birthday with an exclusive competition for Families readers. Since 2015, the company that runs bilingual music and sensory play classes has grown from a couple of classes per week to over 20, reaching around 200 babies and young children.

Kate Sleeman, owner and teacher of BilinguaSing Wokingham, commented: “It’s amazing that more than 200 children now come to sing with me in parent and child classes, primary school clubs and local nurseries and pre-schools. It shows how much families in the Wokingham area value

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introducing a second (or even third) language to their children’s world. It’s so far removed from how language lessons were run when I was at school and I really hope this helps to inspire a brand new generation of linguists.”

BilinguaSing is offering readers the chance to win a block of four free bilingual music classes for babies, which are suitable for nonwalkers. Parents and their little ones sing familiar nursery rhymes in Spanish or French, with fun movements and props to stimulate the senses. To enter the competition, head over to our Facebook page @FamiliesThamesValleyWest

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Let’s Make a Spring Bird Café 3

The Easter holidays will soon be here, and, this being the UK, the sun may not always shine. So why not use one of those rainy or chilly days to celebrate the arrival of spring and get creative making this fun craft project created by our friends at Wonderbly?

You can help your children create a funky spring bird café. It’s great for small fans of nature and Babyccinos. I’ll have one Latte, to fly…

You can make your own (really) small family business with an upcycled milk carton and get to feed the local bird population at the same time. Let’s get ready for the bird café opening day!

You will need:

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• A milk carton • A paper plate • A pencil • A ruler • Scissors or a Stanley knife (for adults only) • Paint (use acrylic paint if you want it to go outside but make sure you wear an overall or apron as it doesn't wash out!) • Bell and paper clip (optional) • Decorative tape (optional) • Bobbins and mini umbrellas • Dowel or BBQ sticks • Yummy seeds • Flappy customers

Here’s how to do it….

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First things first, grab your (empty) milk carton. Take your ruler and get your child assistant to measure and trace two flaps for awnings and a hole for the birds. Your team’s builder can then cut the holes.

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Time to get creative. Paint the milk carton and paper plate to make your building and outdoor area. For sharper colour, give your milk carton two coats.

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It’s all in the details. Tile your roof by painting them on with the brush, and adorn your awnings. We used decorative tape, but you can paint or colour in with pens and pencils.

4 Get your bird café customer-ready. Add a doorbell (obviously) by rolling a paper clip around a pencil, thread the bell into it and push it through the milk carton. Make some bunting using thread and decorative tape. You can even make a window plant box by folding up some paper and gluing it underneath one of the awnings.

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While you’re doing the fiddly bits, let your child one make their café’s sign with some cardboard and paint.

Let them paint with their fingers for more sensory fun!

Leave to dry, and then help the café owner write their name with a marker before you cut and glue it.

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Almost time for the grand opening. Get the kids to stock the café with seeds.

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Birds especially love sunflower seeds and peanuts.

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Nearly ready! Grown-ups, make a little ‘X’ with the Stanley knife below the seed hole and push a piece of dowel or a cocktail stick through. Finally, pop some tables and parasols outside for your first customers.

Bobbins and mini umbrellas are perfect for this, or you could use corks and leaves if you want more plants.

Take your bird cafe outside for the birds to enjoy or play inside with your own paper birds, you decide!"

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

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