Families Thames Valley West January/February 2023 PRINT

Happy Sustainable New Year!

Wear A Hat Day, an iconic and fun annual event, is one of the UK’s most popular and family-friendly charitable fundraisers and it’s happening again on Friday, 31 March!

Running for more than ten years, this event raises millions for vital research into brain tumours – the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40. Wear A Hat Day events help children explore their individuality and creativity, whilst learning to work together and think of others – in a really fun way.

Participation fosters friendships, creates better local and school communities, offers unique learning opportunities and provides new ways for children to explore ideas around different life experiences, all while giving hope to brain tumour patients and their loved ones.

Join this event, as a family or by persuading your local school to take part. Register now for more information and your FREE fundraising pack. Just use the quick and easy webform at www.wearahatday.org

True Food Coop is an Organic Supermarket, so foodstuffs are produced without the chemicals found in non-organic food.

With over 90 zero waste organic whole foods, including fruit and nut snacks to scoop and weigh; and household and body care products to refill using pumps and funnels – it’s a great destination for reducing your plastic use.

Owned and run by the community, anyone aged 16+ is welcome to join and get involved. It’s very child friendly with mini-trollies to involve the kids – in fact it’s a very different shopping experience, so pop into this friendly shop to find out more.

Find True Food Co-op on bus route 23/24 from Reading station, opposite Emmer Green Primary School.

www.truefood.coop

www.vocabularyflashcards.co.uk

Revamped Shinfield Players Offers Warm Welcome To The Next Generation

As a landmark in Reading performance arts for almost 70 years, Shinfield Players Theatre has hosted hundreds of performances and has many tales to tell!

Our most recent drama was the loss of our roof due to Storm Eunice, initiating many repairs and internal upgrades, now making us one of the best-equipped theatres in Reading and an excellent venue for both enjoying our shows and participating in them!

Join our Youth Groups

Our vibrant Youth Groups cover Junior (8-13 yrs) and Senior (14-18). We meet weekly to learn all aspects of theatre skills, and members can perform in our shows. Contact us now to learn more or book a free trial.

Come to a Show

It’s also panto time! Come see Aladdin & the Valley Of The Dragons with fun for kids from 8 (and below) to 80! Shows run on January 13-15 and 20-22 including 2pm matinees at weekends.

Contact www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk or 0118 975 8880.

Easter Project at South Hill Park

Calling all young musical theatre enthusiasts! Come and join us for an action-packed week of musical theatre fun at South Hill Park this Easter from Mon 3 to Fri 7 April.

Participants aged 6–12 years will learn new skills, build confidence, and form new friendships as they work towards staging a musical theatre showcase performance at the end of the week.

Participants will have four days to learn a selection of contemporary musical theatre songs. These songs will be sung live, set to choreography and linked together by miniscenes, to create a short story. The showcase performance will take place on the Wilde Theatre stage, on the set of our Easter musical, with professional lighting and sound.

In addition to this, we are hosting a range of different workshops for the whole family to enjoy. From arts and crafts to street dance, there is something for everyone this April!

Wear a Hat for a better future!

Leighton Park wins important national Award for Excellence in Pupil Personal Development

Leighton Park has won the national Independent Schools Association (ISA) Award for Excellence in Pupil Personal Development 2022. This is a tremendous validation for the School’s values-led approach, based on Achievement with Values, Character and Community.

As well as offering significant programmes for pupil personal development at every stage, from Year 7 to Upper Sixth, Leighton Park supports students to reflect on their own progress and values, and set personal targets. We were the first pilot school in the world to test, feedback and develop the values-based, goal-setting features of youHQ.co.uk - an innovative digital personal development app.

Students have relished the opportunities to develop their leadership and volunteering skills in the community, as well as supporting them to develop a strong sense of self and benefit from the proven boost to wellbeing of knowing that they have helped others. 90% of our students reported that they believed that focusing on their personal development has made them more motivated to further improve their own personal skills and attributes.

Put a spring in your child’s step with Perform

Happy spring term! Perform confidence-building classes are sure to blow away the winter cobwebs and will help children feel energised and inspired.

This term sees 4-7s trapezing and somersaulting into a Circus Adventure whilst 7-12s work on a fun and funky adaptation of Robin Hood, in Outlaw. Imaginations will soar as children work towards a magical performance for family and friends.

Perform is not like other children’s drama schools. Its classes have a special emphasis on child development, using a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s potential. Run by experienced actor-teachers, Perform classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: Confidence, Communication, Coordination, and Concentration. With all abilities welcome, children can join at any point in the term and will take part in the performance. The only requirement is to get ready to have the best fun of the week!

Children are welcome to try a FREE class. With over 300 venues, there’s sure to be a class near you – just visit www.perform.org.uk/try. Local venues at: The Crowthorne Methodist Church Hall, Goring Village Hall, Henley Baptist Church D Two, St John The Evangelist Newbury, St Andrew’s Hall Caversham, St Nicholas Church Hall Earley, Twyford Youth Centre, Wokingham Methodist Church Hall

To find out more call 020 7255 9120 or visit www.perform.org.uk

50 things to do before you’re 5

This is a free app available to parents, carers, families, and Early Years providers that highlights the incredible adventures, events, and resources right here in West Berkshire; helping to engage children in a host of fun activities before starting school.

50 things to do before you’re 5 gives you 50 activities that parents and carers can use to support their children to try out and repeat. Each of the 50 things have been carefully developed by education experts and early years practitioners following consultation with parents. We’ve made sure that children with special education needs are included and that each of the 50 things means something across our culturally diverse community.

All the suggestions we’ve included are low-cost or no-cost experiences that include indoor, outdoor, seasonal, homebased and out-and-about activities, that are not only fun but will get your little one off to a flying start with their learning and language development. Each experience has been suggested by parents, carers and professionals; sifted, developed by early years experts and language specialists, to create a fabulous resource for every child under five and the grown-ups in their life!

You can download the app here: https://westberks.50thingstodo.org/ app/os

How logical thinking helps children achieve goals

By Usha Patel

My 6-year-old nephew came around the other day for tea and cake. In the middle of a conversation, he loudly declared he was on his eighth ‘mini-cake.’ These were bite-sized morsels made for tiny hands. It made me chuckle that a child of just 6 years would think to measure the increasing joy that eating cake could bring! I looked down at my plate and wondered how many I had gobbled up….

However, many children don’t see patterns, numbers or the need for measuring.

A 10-year-old student I recently worked with really wanted to play football but was reluctant because she had great difficulty tying her shoelaces. I taught her how to do it in five easy steps, explaining that she would achieve her goal but that some steps might be trickier than others.

Before our work together, she had thought of tying laces as one task. By breaking down the task into a series of logical steps, she could see which parts were more complex and which were manageable. She quickly got the hang of it by paying closer attention to those bits she thought were fiddly and not feeling as frustrated as she had before.

With my instruction, she practised regularly at home and each time she would get faster at the bits she found tricky. When she returned a couple of weeks later, she boasted she could now tie her laces very quickly and insisted on showing me with her

So what does this teach us? That when tasks are broken down into logical steps, success is possible.

When a child does not apply logic and reasoning to a difficult task, how they feel about the task dominates their approach. But we can’t measure feelings in the same way we can measure steps - or even cake! They are not objective and so the cycle of frustration continues and a child reinforces an unfair bias against their own ability.

Measuring progress allows a child to see for themselves what is going wrong. They then can problem-solve, achieve success and meet their intended goal.

Logical thinking takes time to nurture but once success is achieved, parents should celebrate. Decide on another goal and repeat a similar logical process.

Usha Patel is a neurocognitive therapist who runs Raviv Practice London (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk).

Shared reading and language development

By Dr Jamie Lingwood

Early language development is incredibly important and sitting down to read with your child gives them a big advantage. Here are my thoughts on the how’s and why’s of shared reading.

Make it a conversation

Shared reading is so much more than simply reading books aloud from start to finish. It’s powerful as an interactive experience, creating a conversation along the way. Evidence suggests that asking children lots of open questions about books can really boost language skills.

Exposure to new words builds their vocabulary and the more they hear spoken language, the more easily they can use it themselves. The earlier you start, the better their reading ages will be at school. Research has demonstrated how shared reading protects against a lot of language difficulties and delays. It can even predict how successful children could be as adults in terms of income!

Doing it your own way

Parents, grandparents, carers or sibling will each have their own reading styles; and that’s a good thing. Find the flow that comes most naturally to you, making the experience more interactive as you go along.

Picture books are a good start

Picture books with few or no words are great starting points. A good example is Hug by Jez Alborough, which simply repeats the word ‘hug’ on each page. It’s then down to the adult to create a story around this, starting a conversation with the child. Talking with them about what they see and what they think about the story naturally involves using a mix of words and grammatically structured sentences. The book becomes a prompt for children to express themselves.

Reading the same book over and over...

I hear this a lot from parents: ‘My child wants to read the same book over and over again.’ As an adult, what do you do? Do you read the book for the thirty fifth time this week or encourage them to read something else? A recent study suggests that reading the same book repeatedly can help with a child’s memory, in terms of building familiarity with particular words. The biggest challenge is your stamina - knowing it’s all in a good cause might help here!

When and where?

When it comes to shared reading, little and often is the way forward. You don’t have to sit down and rigidly read with your child for a set hour at a time. Five minutes here and there is just as useful, particularly when it comes to keeping them motivated.

Fit reading around what works for you and the structure of your own lives. You may well choose a time towards the end of the day when you’re settling them down for bed. But for a lot of people, that isn’t successful because, by that point, their child is too tired to engage properly. Remember it doesn’t have to be bedtime. Pick a different point in the day. Or grab five minutes when you’re travelling on the bus together, for example.

And finally…

Do it yourself! When your child sees you reading and clearly enjoying it, they will want to copy you. This will help them develop a habit that will open up a lifelong world of adventures and learning.

Dr Jamie Lingwood is a Lecturer in Psychology at Liverpool Hope University (www.hope.ac.uk/psychology) and belongs to the ChildLab research group, a group of psychologists and educators who are interested in researching how children develop and grow.

‘Elaborative reminiscing’

This involves getting your child to think about a time that relates to them, prompted by the book. So, if the book’s narrative is about going to the zoo and seeing lots of animals, stop reading and ask: ‘Do you remember when we went to the zoo? Can you remember which animals we saw?’

This gets a conversation going and it relates the story specifically to your child’s own experiences. This exercise has been shown to boost language development, particularly for memory and vocabulary.

Health and Fitness

We all want to be healthy and fit, but we often need something to motivate and inspire us to get going. These stories from local organisations provide some great ideas for activities for children and parents.

Cheerleading in 2023

Parents! Ever thought about being a cheerleader? Or maybe you used to be?

Artemis Cheer has recently introduced an Open Senior Non Tumble Level 3 team - for dancers and athletes aged at least 15 (but most are 20+) who want to work hard, work out and compete.

Training is every Sunday afternoon at Pinewood Gym in Crowthorne, and then join us for competitions in 2023! The team is non-tumble, meaning you don’t need high level gym skills (you do need to be ready to be part of a hardworking ambitious team though).

Cheer technique is taught along with the dance elements. This is an amazing way to keep fit, or get back into cheer. Artemis Cheer have classes for cheerleaders aged from just 3, so if you are a parent of an active child you could both work towards a hobby in common!

Two week free tryouts are available: Email: cheercoach@ artemis-studios.co.uk or www.bracknellcheer.co.uk

The Daily Mile at Dolphin School

Dolphin School’s newly opened astro-turf is in action from 7:30am every morning as our pupils are invited to run the daily mile before lessons start at 8am.

Since this initiative started in September, parents have commented on how they have noticed improved mental health and emotional stability in their children – it is something we are very keen to continue throughout the academic year. We will also use this facility to further enhance our excellent sporting provision, including football, hockey, netball, cricket and more.

We know exercise and being out in the open is good for our physical and emotional wellbeing and at Dolphin, having so many opportunities to be outside, whether that is for Forest School lessons, inspiring day trips, educational residentials or our excellent Mountain Adventure Programme, we are able to encourage our children to enjoy the great outdoors and become the confident young adults our world needs!

For more information about Dolphin School, go to www.dolphinschool.com

Dancing for mental health

Dancing has been proven to lift your mood and improve your mental health.

Shelly Otway, Principal at Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow tells us, “As an ex-fitness and personal trainer it is important to me that my students get those endorphin rushes that are so important to feel good and balance their stressful lives! Homework and the stresses upon children these days are much greater than when I was at school.”

Shelley worked professionally as a dancer for 20 years before starting her own very successful theatre school for children ages 3.5-

to 17 years.

Using up-to-date music that children can relate to and that evokes emotion is proven to help children cope with daily stresses.

Steppin Out offers classes in dance, drama and singing to improve mental health, confidence, release endorphins and encourage separate friendships away from school.

To book your free trial, contact Shelley Otway, Principal on 07970 034488, e-mail shelley@steppinoutstars.co.uk or enrol at www.steppinoutstars.co.uk

Get muddy, get healthy

By Gabrielle Nash

Is your child always making mud pies, splashing in muddy puddles and making friends with worms, leaves or sticks? Do you embrace it or hate it?

We all have those memories of getting messy and muddy as a child but when it comes to our children, it can be difficult to allow them free rein. Yet scientific evidence now suggests young children who are encouraged to enjoy safe, outdoor muddy play will go on to develop stronger immune systems than children who are discouraged from it, leading to better overall health.

In the last decade, over sanitised childhoods have contributed to higher cases of allergies in the western world1. The percentage of children diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and eczema has trebled over the last thirty years.

Meanwhile, other studies have also found children who grow up on farms, with easy access to farm animals and the outdoors have a lower risk of developing asthma2. The reason behind these findings is an immune system that is exposed to bacteria and viruses when young and becomes strong, meaning it is much less vulnerable to allergies and asthma.

So how can you safely achieve muddy play?

The best way is to get your child outside as much as possible, from as young an age as possible. Touch trees, leaves, grass and mud. Play with sticks, jump in puddles and breathe fresh air. Forest schools are now a popular alternative to traditional indoor nurseries and forest school activities run by Forestry England and the National Trust are increasingly common during the school holidays.

Locate your closest natural play area - playgrounds made from natural materials; some even have options for den building and mud kitchens. Not only are you giving your child’s immune system a boost but being in the fresh air has countless other physical and emotional benefits. Instilling a love of the outdoors from a young age will continue the healthy habit of getting outside.

You can also give young children regular exposure to safe bacteria through mud kitchens and gardening. This helps bolster their immune systems from an early age, contributing

to a more diverse range of bacteria in the gut and skin. Recent research has found a direct link between diverse microbes in a child’s gut and potentially chronic conditions like obesity, diabetes and even healthy brain development. If you don’t have access to a garden, consider a local allotment or community farm project where children learn about how our food is grown AND get their hands safely dirty.

Children who grow up with a pet, especially dogs, are also known to have a healthier immune system because of the dirt an animal naturally brings in. Use common sense with this though. Don’t play in muddy areas to which cats or dogs have regular access so you can avoid harmful bacteria your child may not be used to. Always wash hands with warm soapy water.

Messy and muddy play requires patience and a relaxed attitude – from you!

Don’t put children in their best clothes outdoors; a second-hand puddle suit and old wellies will suffice.

Don’t wait for a sunny day. If the weather isn’t perfect, remember, you need rain to create that mud.

Get involved yourself. Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you have to miss the fun and it might even help your immune system!

The saying ‘a little bit of dirt never hurt you’ really is true.

1 www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/statistics-and-figures/

2 www.newscientist.com/article/2206654-microbes-from-farms-may-protectchildren-from-asthma-even-in-cities/

Ideas for getting muddy

Mud paintings. Add some food colouring to watery mud and paint on patio slabs or paper.

Mud sculptures. Mould mud into shapes and add pebbles, twigs and leaves.

Den building or mud houses. Use sticks as a structure and mud to secure them.

Mud towns. Get old dump trucks and plastic toy figurines to dig waterways and pour the water in.

And don’t forget some good old-fashioned splashing in muddy puddles. Make it a competition!

Make a mud kitchen

There are lots of way to enjoy the benefits of a mud kitchen without spending a fortune. Make one yourself by sourcing three wooden pallets, two for the base and one for the backing. Sand them down thoroughly before attaching them securely with ten-centimetre screws.

Next, use colourful exterior paint to brighten up the kitchen! Add old kitchen utensils, oven tray, washing up bowl, spoons and spatulas.

Then, just add mud!

Find more homes for birds

National Nest Box Week takes place every year between 14 and 21 February, just as the bird nesting season is starting.

It’s organised by the British Trust for Ornithology. This celebratory period aims to turn the spotlight on breeding birds and encouraging everyone to put up more nest boxes in their local area.

Many of us are aware of how vital it is to feed our garden birds but it’s also just as important that they have a suitable shelter and site for breeding.

Natural nest sites such as holes in trees and buildings are disappearing fast as people carry out home and garden improvements and woods are ‘tidied up.’

Find advice and instructions available about building and placing nest boxes at www.nestboxweek.com

National Trust Walks

Basildon Park parkland walks (nr Reading)

There are four way-marked walks at Basildon Park, from half a mile to 3 miles long. There’s a little natural play area near the Stableyard and then lots of den-building and hide-and-seek playing opportunities in the woodland. As you weave in and out of the trees, you get regular views across the parkland back to the house, so it’s easy to orient yourself.

On a winter walk the evergreens come into their own with yew trees and cedars providing much-needed splashes of green. You might see robins and wrens and even a tawny owl sweeping on silent wings across the parkland.

Normal admission (free to members) Suitable for off-roader buggies if it’s dry Dogs welcome

The Harris Garden

University of Reading Campus (Wilderness Road, Earley, RG6 6UR)

Have you been to The Harris Garden yet? If not, it is definitely worth a visit!

Even better, visit throughout the year to see its changing colours. In the early months of the year you can catch the first snowdrops emerging from the earth and run around the stately redwood trees.

There are some great hiding spots around the garden, and tree stumps to clamber on. You can make your visit as short or as long as young legs need, as there is no set route.

Take your own snacks and drinks, because there is no café on site, just lots of space and nature!

Greys Court Estate Walk (nr Henley-on-Thames)

This 2 mile walk is easily followed as it’s waymarked by red arrows. You can ask at visitor reception where to start. You’ll walk through woodland with bronze beech leaves still clinging on to branches, ancient gnarled oaks and cherry trees. Look out for veteran trees with broken branches and holes where birds, squirrels and dormice might be nesting. Children enjoy running up and down the steep sides of the lumps and bumps of saw pits or chalk extraction, and balance-walking on fallen logs.

You’ll amble through rolling Chiltern hills with restful views and farmland with grazing animals, so please keep dogs on leads. Head back to Greys Court for a hot chocolate or lunch in the Cow Shed tearoom.

Normal admission (free to National Trust members) Not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs Dogs welcome on leads Café

Clubs and classes directory

Please get in touch if you would like to be included in our directory: editor@familiestvw.co.uk.

DEVELOPMENTAL CLASSES

Baby Sensory North Reading

Awardwinning baby development classes for babies from birth to 13months.

Classes run during term time in Henley, Caversham and Tilehurst.

Each session’s new adventure is filled with wonderful sensory experiences enhancing learning and development. From singing and signing, musical instruments, tummy time, massage, visual development and so much more!

Contact Helen for more information 07899 790405 northreading@babysensory.co.uk www.babysensory.com/northreading

Master Builders Club Brick Building Workshops for Children

Master Builders Club is a LEGO® & DUPLO® lovers paradise! Our weekend and holiday workshops, after school clubs, birthday parties and nursery/primary school events are designed to provide children with an exciting and captivating experience.

We provide 1000’s of LEGO® or DUPLO® bricks in a calm and supportive environment along with the imaginative stimulus to transform a room into a world of creativity.

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 brick building fan a place or to find out more about our events, visit the webite.

www.masterbuildersclub.co.uk

BilinguaSing

French, Spanish and Italian classes from age 0-11. Fun sensory music classes with the added bonus of a second language! Trial slots available, as well as sibling discounts. Classes in Wokingham, Bracknell, Theale, Caversham and other Berkshire locations Monday-Friday. Contact Cari Weston at cari@bilinguasing. com or call 07729261018 for more

DANCE & DRAMA

Artemis Cheer & Dance

Artemis Cheer: Ages 4-adult, regional and national champions in 2019 and 2021! Training in Pinewood Gym and free holiday training sessions.

Artemis Street and Commercial dance: Ages 4-adult. Training in Great Hollands, Bracknell, taught by England Dance Team coach. Technique class with IDTA exams, junior and senior crews.

Artemis College: Full-time, free training. Ofsted registered - we accept childcare vouchers.

Artemis Studios & Artemis College

Mini & Junior: Artemis Little Actors, ages 4-7, Artemis Junior Theatre Company, ages 7-12.

Teen: Artemis Medusa Musical Theatre Company, ages 13-23, Artemis Medusa Pro,ages 13-23. Screen acting and producing, Artemis College – full-time, free vocational training sixth form.

Holidays: Low-cost and free holiday classes for children, free three-week summer intensives with qualifications for teens. Ofsted registered, childcare vouchers accepted.

Free two-week tryout in all classes! 01344429403

Registration@artemis-studios.co.uk www.artemis-studios.co.uk

Diddi Dance Reading and Wokingham

Funky pre-school dance classes around Reading & Wokingham for children aged 1.5-5.

Specialist toddler dance programme exploring 16 different dance styles. Using action songs, dancing games, fun exercises, hoops and dance ribbons to our own, unique, funky pop songs.

FREE trial available. Ask for details!

Contact Bethany Bianga 07584 281174 bethany.bianga@diddidance.com

Shinfield Players Theatre Youth Groups

Join The Shinfield Players Theatre Youth Groups. Our vibrant youth groups meet weekly during term time.

Juniors (age 8-13) Wed, 6-7.45pm Seniors (age 14-18) Fri, 7-10pm

Members get great training in all aspects of stage craft, many show performance opportunities through the year and often make friends for life.

Book a free trial session now!

Supported by

gordon@shinfieldplayers.co.uk www.shinfieldplayers.org.uk/sptyg

Why can’t siblings just get along?

By Katharine Willsher

Siblings. One minute they are the best of friends, the next minute they’re at each other’s throats. Why can’t they just get along? The Parenting by Connection approach developed by US charity, Hand in Hand Parenting recommends listening tools to help parents when there is conflict between their children. Some key understandings of the approach are that children are at their best when their ‘connection cups’ are filled and they’ve had a chance to offload any difficult emotions with a caring listener.

Any sign of harshness from one sibling to another can be taken as a sign that the child is not feeling connected or relaxed enough to function properly. The rational part of their brain is off-line.

Dealing with conflict in the moment

Avoid shouting. Yelling at an off-track child just frightens them more, making it more likely that they will continue to be unable to act thoughtfully.

Limit your words and step in calmly. Offer eye contact and gentle touch. Move in to prevent injuries if things get physical.

Look for a mood shift. Our brains communicate with each other simply through presence. When you are calm, your child’s brain will detect safety and connection and they may burst into healing tears, erupt into a tantrum or even offer an authentic, unprompted apology.

Listen to any big feelings with warm presence. Good listening is enough. Very few words are needed as your child deals with difficult emotions.

Improving sibling relationships

Soapbox time! Set up an opportunity for each sibling to rant and rage about the other (away from any other siblings) and to fully express all of their frustrations. Listen well, acknowledge feelings. Resist the urge to counter or fix these feelings; just let them run.

Build your connection with each child. Fill up your children’s ‘connection cups’ with individual attention. A regular, really intentional five minutes of warm focus on a child can make all the difference.

Become a detective. Notice the times your children are most at odds with each other and increase your connection with them.

Increase physical play. Games where siblings get to unite against parents are particularly good for rivalry (balled-up sock fight, anyone?)

Katharine Willsher is a certified Hand in Hand parenting instructor based in Surrey. Hand in Hand Parenting (www.handinhandparenting.org) offers support for parents, caregivers and early care and education professionals.

Connected children function best

Well beyond the first few years of their lives, parent-child connectedness remains key in order for our children to thrive. Lack of it is often at the heart of so many off-track behaviours we see in children: common displays of whining, defiance, clinginess and crying are all a call for connection.

Take an average school morning. We’ve been apart from our children through the night and are often busy doing all the things needed for the family to get out of the house on time. Our children can be frustratingly non-cooperative as we cajole, raise our voices ever more loudly and perhaps resort to bribery in order to get them out of go-slow mode.

When we take as little as three minutes to connect intentionally to each child in the morning, doing or playing whatever they themselves choose, we may just find that they pack their school bags in record time. Children function at their very best when they feel safe and well connected to an adult.

Surviving separation anxiety

By Dorothy Lepkowska

It’s a common scenario; the toddler who actively resists being left with anyone else, struggling to separate from parents or loved ones. So what can you do to make separating from your toddler easier?

Most children go through a phase of being overly attached to one or both parents at some point in their early years. The tears can make leaving them at nursery or with a childminder heart breaking.

Kate Harding’s toddler would cling to her every morning when they arrived at nursery. ‘She wasn’t upset when she woke up in the morning or even in the car as we drove to her early years setting but once it was time for me to leave it was the same every day’ Kate says. ‘She would cling to my leg and literally have to be peeled off by one of the staff. Often I’d leave upset and in tears myself. On those days, no amount of reassurance from her key person that she was well and thriving would make me feel better.’

Important for resilience

Experts say that it’s completely normal for young children to go through what could be described as a clingy phase and it’s an important part of their development.

For many, anxiety at being separated from a parent begins at six to nine months. It’s around this time that babies become

conscious that they are separate little beings and are not the same person as their parent.

For some, this clinginess can last for a couple of years or more and can get worse when they go to nursery or a childminder.

As difficult as it is to be separated from a crying, anxious child, it’s best not to avoid leaving them. Explaining why you need to be apart, saying goodbye, telling them when you will be back and reinforcing the positives of this, is all part of teaching your child how to be resilient.

Take a deep breath and walk away. Your child is in safe hands and will thrive, as they will discover for themselves over time.

Kate says: ‘I would tell my daughter that I had to go to work so we had money and remind her how much fun it would be to play with her friends. Often this did the trick.’

Dorothy Lepkowska is an award-winning journalist, author and freelance writer for the Early Years Alliance (www.eyalliance.org.uk). You can read more of her parenting features at www.familycorner.co.uk

Don’t go back – check in by phone

Early years experts say that while parents might be tempted to seek reassurance that their child is okay by returning to the setting, this can be disruptive and unsettle their child all over again. All that is achieved is the transference of the parent’s anxiety to the child.

Instead, a quick phone call to the staff is usually enough to reassure you that everything is going well.

However, if a toddler remains unduly upset by separation for a prolonged period it might be worth investigating if there are other reasons for them feeling unsettled. Talk to your child’s key person or childminder about your concerns. They are best placed to advise you what is best for your child, even if this means delaying their start at the setting for a few weeks or extending their settling in period.

Kate adds: ‘My own experience and those of other parents I know, is that this separation anxiety is a temporary thing. There will come a day they run in without even a kiss goodbye.’

What’s on

January & February 2023

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

JANUARY

16 and 19 Jan

Nature Tots

1 – 31 Jan

Books and Brunch

Basingstoke Discovery Centre, Festival Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7LS

Join the free, weekly ‘Books and Brunch’ service for children ages 4-11yrs. Books will be selected for your child to take away and read, and when you return them you will get a free brunch bag of food items for your child to take away.

7 Jan

Young Rangers

Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/events

A wildlife club for 8–11 year olds who love nature and wildlife. £7. 2pm

7-29 Jan

GENERATE: student art exhibition

The Base, 1 Communications Road, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk

Featuring artworks created by students from local schools, sixth forms and colleges, this curated exhibition is a showcase and celebration of the imagination and creativity of young artists. Free entry (suggested donation on the door). 10am–5pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

13–22 Jan (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)

Aladdin and the Valley of the Dragons Shinfield Players Theatre, Whitley Wood Lane, Reading, RG2 9DF, shinfieldplayers.org.uk

It’s panto time again! This year Aladdin is in a very different mystery but still delivering seasonal fun for children (and adults) of all ages! Adults: £16, children: £9

13–15 Jan

The Pied Piper of Hamlin Loddon Hall, Loddon Hall Road, Twyford, Reading, RG10 9JA, whatsonreading.com

We have some villainous rats, a beautiful heroine, the usual scatty Dame and her even scattier son, Matty Muddle. Tickets from £10.

14 Jan

Family Dance Party

Pegasus Theatre, 64-65 Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE, pegasustheatre.ticketsolve.com

This disco is great fun for young children and their families. £5 11:30am/2:30pm

15 Jan

Children’s Book Group

Fourbears Books, 20 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG

A celebration of all kinds of rabbit-y stories and facts to usher in the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. Suitable for ages 5-8. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but pre-booking essential by 4pm on Sat 14 January via 0118 948 1747 or info@ fourbearsbooks.uk. 10am-11am

Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/events

Tots can take part in outdoor nature play, stories, trails and crafts. £7. 10am

19 and 20 Jan

Slime-themed Day

The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW

There’s always plenty for toddlers to enjoy and explore at The Look Out Discovery Centre, and on our toddler days we have extra special activities for children up to age 5.

21 Jan

The Grow Show

Pegasus Theatre, 64-65 Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE, pegasustheatre.ticketsolve.com

This joyful interactive puppet performance features shadow puppets, glove puppets, catchy songs, and a garden that grows before your very eyes! Aimed at ages 2-7. 11am/2pm

28 Jan

Iolanthe - Concert Performance

South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk

Bursting with glorious hit tunes, and suitable for all ages, this ingeniously witty and magical operetta is sure to leave you laughing and whistling all the way home. Adults: £12.50, children: £6.50 7:45pm

28 Jan

A Song in a Strange Land

The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com

Combining our characteristic blend of drama, humour and some great gospel music, this family show will have you laughing and crying in equal measure. 7pm

28 Jan – 2 Feb

Zero Degrees

Winchester Science Centre, Winchester, SO21 1HZ, winchestersciencecentre.org

As well as all the usual Science Centre fun, there’ll be even more on offer to excite all ages including Northern Lights experience in the Planetarium and Hands on Science Live demo, create a Cloud in a Bottle.

29 Jan

Children’s Book Group

Fourbears Books, 20 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG

As the Chinese Year of the Rabbit starts we look at traditional folk tales from around the world and new year customs. Suitable for ages 9-11. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but pre-bookby 4pm on Sat 28 Jan via 0118 948 1747 or info@ fourbearsbooks.uk 10am-11am

29 Jan

American Superslam Wrestling

The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading. com

Join us for an afternoon of exciting fun for the whole family - it’s wrestling at its best. Adults: £15, children: £11, 3pm

FEBRUARY

1 Feb–5 March (Wednesdays –Sundays)

Snowdrop Season

Welford Park, Welford, Newbury, RG20 8HU, welfordpark.co.uk

Our favourite time of year here at Welford Park is welcoming you through the gates to our snowdrops woods and getting to see you in our tea tent. 11am–4pm

2-4 Feb

High School Musical South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk

Troy Bolton, the star athlete at a small-town high school, falls for nerdy beauty, Gabriella Montez, at a holiday karaoke party.

3 Feb

Play the World Pegasus Theatre, 64-65 Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE, pegasustheatre.ticketsolve.com

This unique session, full of music, story, puppet characters, and gentle clowning stimulates the imagination and opens up a whole new world of play for you and your under five. 10am

Show Sponsors

4 Feb

Young Rangers

Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/events

A wildlife club for 8–11 year olds who love nature and wildlife. £7. 2pm

4 Feb

Nick Cope Family Music

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com

Join Nick Cope, star of CBeebies’ Popcast, for his popular family music show. Age guide: 2+. £13.25. 11am

4 Feb

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

The Hexagon, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is an inspirational musical tale of an extraordinary girl who discovers her superpower and summons the remarkable courage, against all odds, to help others change their stories, whilst also taking charge of her own destiny. Adults: £5.50, children: £4 2pm

4 Feb

Morgan and West: Unbelievable Science

Pegasus Theatre, 64-65

Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE, pegasustheatre.ticketsolve.com

We’re welcoming back Morgan and West for a day of captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology in this fun for all the family science extravaganza! 11am/2pm

Independent Luxury Living for over 55s

WHAT’S ON

5 Feb

Children’s Book Group

Fourbears Books, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG

Food glorious food - a celebration of books featuring food and drink. Suitable for ages 5-8. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but pre-book by 4pm on Sat 4 Feb via 0118 948 1747 or info@ fourbearsbooks.uk 10am-11am

9 Feb

Songs and Stories in the Gallery

The Base, Greenham Business Park, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk

Visit the Wildlife Photographer of the Year and enjoy 30 minutes of stories and nursery rhymes. 10am

10 and 11 Feb

Bugsy Malone

The Hexagon, Queens Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com

Gangster warfare in New YorkDandy Dan’s hoodlums terrorise the district; his rival is Fat Sam Stacetto, who runs the Grand Slam Speakeasy. Adults: £20.50, children: £18.50

11 Feb

Hurly Burly: Meet Me a Tree Pegasus Theatre, 64-65 Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE, pegasustheatre.ticketsolve.com

Pegasus is so excited to have HurlyBurly back again with the enchanting Meet me a Tree: a beautiful, immersive first opera for babies. 11am/12:30pm/2:30pm

11 and 12 Feb

Shark in the Park

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com

From the creative team behind The

Hairy Maclary show and You Choose - see all 3 of Nick Sharratt’s Shark in the Park books live on stage! £14.75 1pm/3pm

11-19 Feb

Meet the Newborn Lambs Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common, High Wycombe, HP10 0LX, oddsfarm.co.uk

Meet newborn lambs taking their first steps in the Little Hooves Lamb Nursery.

12 Feb

Shark in the Park Pre-show Workshop

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com

Come to the Balcony Bar before curtains up and make yourself a kaleidoscope to take along to the show! Suitable for ages 3+. £3 10am/1pm

13 Feb

Half Term LEGO Workshop

Sonning Common Village Hall, Wood Lane, Sonning Common, RG4 9SL

Join Master Builders Club for two hours of brick building LEGO fun in our pop up playroom. Ages 5+. 9:30am– 11:30am

13 Feb

The Nosy Little Troll Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/shawhouse

Deep in the heart of the Norwegian Forest live the trolls – big trolls, tiny trolls and a Nosy Little Troll who has an amazingly sensitive nose… Adults: £9, children: £7 11am/1pm

13 Feb

Half Term LEGO Workshop

Badgemore Primary School, Hop Gardens, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2HL

Join Master Builders Club for two hours of brick building LEGO fun in our pop up playroom. Ages 5+. 2:30pm–4:30pm

13 and 16 Feb

Nature Tots

Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt. org.uk/events

Tots can take part in outdoor nature play, stories, trails and crafts. £7 10am

13-16 Feb

Half Term Art Club

The Base, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk

Join our art club for ages 6-11 this half term! £10 per session, 10am

14 Feb

Small Group Family Art Workshop: Dinosaurs!

West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage.org/westberkshire-museum

Whether you are a dinosaur expert or if you don’t know your Ankylosaurus from your elbow, you’ll enjoy this great illustration workshop from Armadillo Art Experience. Ages 7+. £12.50 per child. 10am

14 Feb

Movie in the Hall: Sherlock Gnomes

Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/shawhouse Garden gnomes, Gnomeo and

Juliet, recruit renowned detective Sherlock Gnomes to investigate the mysterious disappearance of other garden ornaments. Adults: £5, children: £3. 10am

14 Feb

The Amazing Bubble Man

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com

Discover the magic, art, science and fun of bubbles with bubble-ologist, Louis Pearl! £16.75, 11:30am/2pm

14 and 15 Feb

Breathe

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm

An extraordinary journey from the perspective of an acorn, with puppetry and folk music. £10-£12 11:30am/2pm

14–18 Feb

Gang Show – 50th Show

South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk

Enjoy an evening of quality entertainment by young people from local Scout and Guide groups.

15 Feb

Half Term LEGO Workshop

The Heights Primary School, 129 Upper Woodcote Road, Caversham, Reading, RG4 7LB

Join Master Builders Club for two hours of brick building LEGO fun. Ages 5+. 9:30am–11:30am

15 Feb

Crafty Kids Half Term Creative Fun Creativ.Space, Caversham, Reading, RG4 5AF, madebytamalia. co.uk

We tailor our craft activities

Flock to ODDS Farm Park for ‘cutest event of the year’

Cuteness is coming this February half term to Odds Farm Park, near Beaconsfield, between 11th and 19th February 2023.

Billed as the ‘Cutest Event of the Year’, the farm’s annual ‘Lambwatch’ event is perfectly timed for the half term holiday where guests will be able to see new lambs born over the course of the nine-day break.

Visitors will have the opportunity to learn all about lambing and see newborn lambs take their first steps in the Little Hooves Lamb Nursery.

In addition to a cute-packed programme of half term entertainment there is also plenty of weather-proof fun at Odds Farm Park in the indoor soft play barn, and outside all the animals will be more than pleased to meet ewe.

Opening times are from 10.00am – 5.30pm Monday to Sunday.

For more information, or to book tickets, please visit the website: www.oddsfarm.co.uk

according to the season and the ages attending; ideally suited to ages 5-11. £20 per child 10am

15 Feb

The Bubble Show

South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU, whatsonreading.com

The Bubble Show is a unique blend of magic, storytelling, and bubble art! Ages 3-12.

15 Feb

Family Activity Day: You’re a Star! Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/shawhouse

Decorate a ceramic star decoration with paint pens. For ages 4-11 but younger/ older children are welcome. £2.50 per child. 10am–3pm

15 Feb

The Jungle Book

Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk

Filled with original music, audience interaction, and bags of comedy, you are invited to join Mowgli and his friends, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, on a madcap jungle adventure as they meet and attempt to outwit a slithering snake, some cheeky monkeys, and the fierce tiger, Shere Khan! 1:30pm/5pm

15 Feb

Half Term LEGO Workshop

Woodcote Village Hall, Reading Road, Woodcote, RG8 0QY

Join Master Builders Club for two hours of brick building LEGO fun in our pop up playroom. Suitable for LEGO fans aged 5+. 2:30pm –4:30pm

15 Feb

Let’s All Dance: Teddy Bear’s Picnic

Pegasus Theatre, 64-65 Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RE, pegasustheatre.ticketsolve.com

Combining classical ballet, physical theatre, gorgeous visuals and crystal-clear storytelling, this fresh, innovative dance company pitches another production perfectly to engage all children, including those with special needs. 11:30am/2pm

16 Feb

The Noise Next Door: Mysterious Mansions of Mystery

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm

Take a tour of the world’s most bewildering building with comedy heavyweights The Noise Next Door. £10-£12. 11:30am/2pm

16 Feb

Discovering Dinosaurs!

Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, RG14 2DR, westberkshireheritage.org/shawhouse

Discover the truth about dinosaurs and fossils as we investigate them in this hands-on session with Saskia Nesja, the Collections Education Officer at Eton College. Free entry 10:30am/11:30am/12:30pm

17 Feb

Messy Museum Morning (and bonus family-friendly talk)

West Berkshire Museum, Newbury, RG14 5AS, westberkshireheritage. org/west-berkshire-museum

Make a wooden pterosaur glider and then decorate with acrylic paint. £2.50 per child. 10am/11:15am/12:30pm

17 Feb

Sing-along Encanto

The Anvil, Basingstoke, RG21 7QR, anvilarts.org.uk

Cheer on Mirabel as she tries to save the magic surrounding the Encanto, and sing your heart out with the live host, who will teach you some dance moves and show you how to use your free props bag. 1pm

17 and 18 Feb

Nick Sharratt’s All-new Picture Book Draw-along Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm Nick will be sketching fab characters from his very latest stories and you get to draw along with him. £10-£12 11:30am/2pm

18 Feb

Half Term Concertini with String Fever

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm From £10.

18 Feb

Sing-a-Long-a Encanto New Theatre, George Street, Oxford OX1 2AG

The smash hit film musical of 2021 about the Family Madrigal with lyrics on screen that everyone can’t stop singing. From £17.50. 1pm

18 Feb

Tweedy’s Musical Mayhem Kenton Theatre, Henley-onThames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk

The comedy and slapstick legend and star of Gifford’s Circus, Cirque Berserk and the Cheltenham Everyman pantomime returns in a brand new show! 2pm

19 Feb

Hans Christian Anderson: The Ugly Duckling and Other Stories

South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark. org.uk

From the pen of one of the greatest children’s authors of all time, come four of Hans Christian Andersen’s most well-loved stories: The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and The Emperor’s New Clothes. £12. 2pm

21

and 22 Feb

Music-Themed Day

The Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, RG12 7QW, bracknell-forest.gov. uk/leisure-services/look-outdiscovery-centre

There’s always plenty for toddlers to enjoy and explore at The Look Out Discovery Centre, and on our toddler days we have extra special activities for children up to age 5.

25 and 26 Feb

The Wizard of Oz – Young Performers’ Edition

South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark. org.uk

Join Artemis Studios on a magical trip down the Yellow Brick Road.

26 Feb

Cirque: The Greatest Show Theatre Royal, Thames Street, Windsor, SL4 1PS, theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

We bring the world into colour as showstoppers from everyone’s favourite West End and Broadway hits combine with breath-taking, amazing aerialists, incredible contortionists, and thrilling feats of agility and flair. From £33.50. 2pm