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Issue 147 May/June 2022 familiesonline.co.uk
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In this issue 3-7
News & Views
...endless ideas for families of young children in Chiswick • Ealing • Hammersmith • Kensington • Maida Vale Notting Hill • Uxbridge
News & information
Give the gift of confidence this New Year EDUCATION
West London At Stagecoach they teach their students so much From the Editors... 8 A parent’s guide to more than how to sing, dance and act. They help FamiliesWest @FamiliesWestLondon @FamiliesWest secondary school them blossom into well-rounded individuals, ready transition to embrace life and all its opportunities. With manyIt’s the final term of the school year and for Anna and I, the very last term of primary 9 Understanding years of experience in teaching the performing school for our older boys. It feels like that’s come round very fast and I for one am already preparing my son for the fact that I will expect him to walk to school with executive function arts, they understand how to get the best out of me (and maybe even hold my hand), one last time before he finishes! For any other 10 learn before our young Lessons performers.to They delight in seeing parents with mixed feelings over children starting secondary school, we look at how you’re 10 their students have fun, make friends, learn new to handle that transition on p.8. SUMMER ACTIVITIES skills and discover hidden talents. If you’re looking ahead to the summer holidays and They run term weekly classes 12 Thetime lowdown on and wondering how to fill them, or want a new hobby for your holiday workshops 4 to 6 years and 6 to 18 children during the summer term, we’ve put together a schoolfor holiday camps years in Kensington, Hammersmith, Chiswick, camps and classes guide to help you plan your time on and workshops pages 12-13 as well as our usualup What’s Acton andSummer Fulham andcamps, you can enrol via their website. If you have a birthday coming they doOn guide on pages 13 clubs 16-18. great themed for younger children and Murder Mystery parties for 11+ andparties Classes Happy summer planning! FOOD
Researchers at the Birkbeck Babylab expand studies to 14 Exploring different Anna & Rach includecultures schoolthrough age children! food
At the Birkbeck Babylab, they don’t just study babies! Their team of friendly researchers create EARLY YEARS Next Issue: Editors: fun and interesting studies to learn how brains in babies, toddlers and children develop. Rachel Bailey & Anna Collins July/Aug 2022 15 The Importance of They use cutting edge technology and a variety of methods to achieve this. Their studies appeal Tel: 01628 829761 / 01628 788058 01628 829761 / 01628 788058 routines for young to both babies and children through play, games and computer animations. Lisanne and Aude, Editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk Circulation: 16,000 children two of their wonderful PhD students, are currently studying 2 - 6 year olds. www.Familiesonline.co.uk Cover image: depositphotos.com 16-18 WHAT’S ONLisanne uses motion capture cameras and Duplo toy blocks to learn Families West London is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All Franchised magazines in the group are independently how the ability to remember instructions and create things in the 19 BOOK CLUB owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd. Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bucks, SL8 5TD. The contents of FamiliesThe West London are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or correct order to achieve aBourne goal End, develops throughout childhood. photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families West London. Every care is taken in the technical psychology termpreparation for this ofisthis action sequencing andcompany, is essential magazine but the franchise Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the of advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof. to daily life. For example,claims learning how to get dressed independently requires remembering the order of underwear before trousers and socks before shoes! Aude is also interested in action sequencing and uses a game on a touch screen computer where children build recipes for their favourite cartoon characters. The way the children plan, They discovered Speaking ‘baby talk’ to infants notoronly helpstheir parents and caregivers hesitate change minds while playing will provide insight intobabies had a distinct preference for speech with resonances of a vocal tract that is similar in size and length to their connect with them but it may also help babies learn to make words, a how action sequences develop and improve throughout childhood. own. study by the University of Florida has found. They are currently recruiting children from birth to school age to take in ourvocal research in thebabies heart ofunderstand Central London.While Participants Mimicking the sound of apart smaller tract helps parentswill arebe sometimes discouraged from engaging in baby talk, how words should soundcompensated coming out offor their own mouths, the the research shows the patterns associated with that speaking style, travel expenses. researchers said. which scientists call ‘infant-directed speech,’ could be a key component Enjoy a fun day out in London and sign up today!
‘Baby talk’ can help infants learn to make words
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Dementia journeys made easier through charity Pathways Through Dementia is a charity which assists people navigating the legal and financial aspects of the dementia journey. They run a helpline service and deliver talks and training on topics such as paying for care, Lasting Powers of Attorney and relevant community care laws such as the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Some common questions that can come up are: Is it too late for Power of Attorney? Is my relative entitled to free NHS continuing care? I co-own a house with my parent. What will happen to the house if they go into care? What sort of financial help can I get to pay for home carers? Am I entitled to help as a carer and how do I access that? If these or any other concerns come up, Pathways Through Dementia offers simple and clear information so you know what the law says and you get the reassurance and direction you need. The helpline email is swilcox@pathwaysthroughdementia.org and the helpline number is 0203 405 5940 www.pathwaysthroughdementia.org
Little Tigers give a mighty welcome A warm and friendly brand-new children’s nursery has opened its door in Park Royal, North-West London. Little Tigers Day Nursery and Pre-School is easily accessible for those in North Ealing and Acton and is just a five-minute walk from Park Royal tube station. The nursery has 90 places and is open from 7.30am to 6pm, led by highly experienced nursery manager Morinola Soremekun. She said: “We’ve created a beautiful oasis here, with lots of play equipment, indoors and out. We’d love people to come and see it for themselves.” The new setting is part of the Little Nursery Group and has already been commended by parents, including one who said: “I can’t praise the nursery enough as they are very accommodating and understanding about the needs of all the parents and children. My son loves it here.” For information call 0204 553 0790 / www.littlenurserygroup.com
Bilingual Mandarin Montessori Preschool to open in Notting Hill The Maria Montessori School will offer a Mandarin bilingual programme for 2-6-year-olds at their Notting Hill Children’s House in W11 from September. Michel Capobianco, Head of School, explains what this Montessori bilingual preschool could offer your child. “There is much research on the benefits of bilingual education which include better communication skills and improved cognitive functioning. Young children are able to absorb sounds, structures and the rules of a language much more easily than in later years. They develop not only language skills but the confidence to access many varied opportunities in the future. Children attending the Children’s House will also benefit from the Montessori approach with highly trained Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) teachers who have a deep understanding of child development and promote hands-on and joyful learning which supports confidence and creativity.
At the bilingual school an AMI-trained mothertongue Mandarin teacher will work alongside the AMI-trained team to incorporate the language into the daily routine of the school, introducing Montessori learning materials in both Mandarin and English. In addition to the bilingual programme, the Notting Hill Children’s House offers a beautifully organised classroom and sense of calm as well as outdoor space with mature trees and lots to explore. It is one of five Maria Montessori School sites in London.” Interested to know more? Visit the website to register for the upcoming open day on 11th May 2022 or book a visit to the school. www.mariamontessori.org/schools
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t 0204 553 0790 e managerlt@littlenurserygroup.com Little Tigers Day Nursery & Pre-school 8 Lakeside Drive | London | NW10 7GS
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Enjoy a London city break with the family at The Resident Kensington London has so much to offer children and adults alike and what’s more it’s right on our doorstep. Given it’s easy to get to by train, we’ve always tended to visit for a day trip, but more recently we decided instead of trying to squeeze everything into one very rushed day and dragging tired children home on a late train, we’d look for somewhere to stay and enjoy a more relaxed visit. The Resident Kensington is a beautiful townhouse hotel with a lovely homely feel. For us, the initial draw was the location - just a short walk from South Kensignton’s Natural History and Science museums which were top of our list to visit, and 5 minutes from Earl’s Court station, with easy access to central London. However, as well as being perfectly situated for enjoying all that London has to offer, the quiet neighbourhood and comfortable rooms make this a real home from home. Some rooms offer bunk beds and outdoor terraces, but all include a mini kitchen cleverly hidden behind cupboard doors. Kitted out with all kitchen essentials including a Nespresso coffee machine (a real win for this coffee dependent mum!), it meant we could have a relaxed breakfast without having to rush out with hungry kids first thing. The front desk is managed 24 hours with friendly staff who can even prestock your fridge before you arrive. For us, The Resident was instrumental in turning a couple of days in London into a real adventure for the children whilst making it more relaxing and enjoyable for everyone.
A beautiful Italian holiday with family needs at the core Gattarella resort is a family hotel and residence in Puglia, South Italy. Their focus is to provide a dream holiday for both adults and children against the beautiful Italian setting. Creating the perfect holiday actually starts with entering your children’s ages on their website. You can immediately see that an 11-13 year old has access to adventure parks, skating, sport and private lessons and a 0-2 year old can access a ‘Baby Me’ package including care, nappies, sterilizers, push-chairs, a children’s buffet, music, painting and sleeping areas….. to name just a few options! There are an array of different accommodation options available including both rooms and apartments designed with different configurations to suit families. The website makes it clear how suitable each option is for adults, children and babies, which is a delight as it’s often difficult to gauge how suitable other holidays are. As a parent or carer you can be as sporty as you like or as relaxed as you like, as the resort caters for all. Personally we fancy the aperitif at sunset in the Lounge Bar overlooking the sea while the children are happily occupied! www.gattarella.it
Forward4 Families
o book your stay visit: www.residenthotels.com/the-residentT kensington. The Resident Kensington, 25 Courtfield Gardens SW5 0PG 0207 2442255
Resolving family differences through Forward4Families Forward4Families provides divorced and separating parents a costeffective and unique approach towards reaching an agreement on the arrangements for their child(ren). Aiming to achieve stability for children and minimising disputes outside of court, an independently led Family Group Conference is a child focused conflict resolution approach to making decisions.
Forward4Families provides divorced and separating parents a cost-effective and unique approach towards reaching an agreement on the arrangements for their child(ren).
Family Group Conferences have been at the forefront of family decisionmaking and effective partnership arrangements between families and statutory agencies for many years. The model is culturally respectful, works to a family’s strengths and enables increased participation in decision-making and planning for children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Aiming to achieve stability for children and minimising disputes outside of court, an independently led Family Group Conference is a child focused conflict resolution approach to making decisions.
As an indication of the increasing recognition of the value and contribution of Family Group Conferences, Local Authorities are now required under the Public Law Outline to have considered and facilitated a Family Group Conference prior to any planned initiation of legal proceedings concerning children. Contact them through the website to find out how they can help your family.
For further information contact Lillian on 07985 214 562 or Ingrid on 07950 642 501 or email: info@forward4families.co.uk Website www.forward4families.co.uk
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News & Information Give a little princess the chance to grow up to be a queen Esha loves dressing up as a princess, and dreams of being a queen one day. For a while, that dream was taken away. At just 4 years old, Esha was diagnosed with leukaemia – she’s one of over 600 children in the UK diagnosed with blood cancer every year. Esha went from enjoying her childhood – drawing, dancing, playing and pretending to be a princess – to spending much of her time on hospital wards. She needed a blood stem cell transplant from a stranger to survive. Finding her match wasn’t easy. Working with DKMS, in the course of searching for her own lifesaver, Esha’s family registered thousands more blood stem cell donors. Now she’s back to doing what she loves best – playing at princesses – and can’t wait to grow up to be a queen. It cost £40 to register Esha’s lifesaver. Help more people with blood cancer to dream of a future by donating now at www.dkms.org.uk/princess
Safe, fun and inclusive swimming SEN Swim, is a West London based swim school dedicated to providing swimming lessons to children and young people with additional needs. Families talks to Joe, the director and co-founder of SEN Swim.
West London
What led you to set up SEN SWIM? I had been a PE and swimming teacher in a special needs school for 8 years and witnessed the positive impact that swimming had on the students education and well-being. I wanted to extend this opportunity beyond the school environment and give young people with additional needs access to a vital life skill that they could also enjoy.
Families West London Magazine Want to reach over 32,000 parents? Contact advertising on 01628 788058
What children do you deliver swimming lessons for? We cater for a range of needs, from children on the autistic spectrum, to children with downs syndrome, ADHD and anxiety disorders. Health and safety remains our priority, but we work hard to make our lessons inclusive to most young people. What is the ethos of your swim school? Safe, fun and inclusive! With that as our foundation, we can then build skills of water safety and proficiency, while promoting a love and respect for the water. For more information visit: www.senswim.org
A nurturing, caring environment for your child with a 'home from home' atmosphere. The Montessori approach encourages active learning, individuality, and independence in learning, at your child's pace. Based in Greenford with breakfast club option available from 7.30am. Open from 8.30-5.30pm term time. Contact us to arrange a visit: Laila Crawford: 07768 946643 Amira El-Aghel: 07888 710516 info.lailamontessori@gmail.com lailamontessori.com familiesonline.co.uk
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Education
15
nger help?
A parent’s guide to secondary school transition
By Lisa Wander and Catherine Loble
The move from primary to secondary school is a major change for children. Most see this as an exciting next stage in their school journey but, for some, the change can make them feel anxious andmusic-making uncertain. And all this at an age when- and children determination and ingenuity finding An interactive session for ages are2-5. already going many physical andForemotional a kind of freedom. ages 8-12. Meet the players andthrough the instruments in changes ahead of adolescence. As you sit together in the cosy space, share the performance. the foyer after 12 - 23 Feb IMAGINE CHILDREN’S
in your baby’s excitement at the building
Bringing children a slow, FESTIVALup Dive into the bestis children’s t staggered anticipationprocess of Christmas of Daydetachment, and all things - including thethey very best bit: heatre, and music, withlearn plenty ofto crawl present-related from theliterature moment they to the moment finally crumpling, rumpling and scrunching workshops and When free eventsafor everyone. leave home. child starts secondary school, with athatmobile wrapping paper! Ushers will be on hand toin Draw, and write, read, play, card, sing, dance phone travel it’sandeasy to see impending adulthood look you,detachment and highchairs, babyFor ages 0-11. Book for shows thecreate. paraphernalia of ahead independence asafter the process changing and bottle-warming facilities are such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The begins. adventures of Supertato and The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean amongst
available. For ages 6-18 months.
Ourmany role is to our children details. roots and wings. Roots to know others. Seegive website for more where home is and wings to fly away. The roots begin to form UNICORN during earlyTHEATRE years education; secondary school is the place BACH TO BABY SE1 2HZ where children start to grow their wings.
CONCERTS
www.bachtobaby.com/londonnorth www.unicorntheatre.com f a little girl All concertssecondary at 10.30am. school 31 Jan-1 Mar THE BEE IN MELET’S FLY a positive Whilst most children will have lar bear. 27 Jan, 17 Feb on in Notting AWAY One ordinary boy living an ordinary start and will embrace the new experiences offer,Hillresearch p, an (St. John's Church, Lansdowne Crescent, Every day the same: parents still asleep, haslife.found that the shift to secondary school can be stressful o Tilly’s W11) late again for school, can’t find his clean for trousers. aboutBut one in four children and that nearly three quarters of gue and a 17 Jan, 21 Feb in Chiswick today is different. Today is a parents are anxious themselves. Tilly’s not (St. Michael and All Angels, Bath Road, W4) game. Today he has wings. Fly out of your heart15 Jan, 19 Feb in Kensington room. Congratulations! Level two. Get on and Ourdressed, inputfindatbreakfast, this stage is crucial and our role Church, as parents to be (Saint Stephen's GloucesterisRoad don’t wake your ourparents, child’s an open relationship in SW7) level three,establishing get sounding to school, reach board, A warmwhich they feel valued, respected and connected. By adopting 8 Feb in Ealing keep going… Don’t get flattened… ures the (Haven Green Baptist four…Full of warmth andresponse, sorrow, thisLevel non-judgemental our children areChurch, more likely to When a little 2 Castlebar Road, W5) dreamlike and kaleidoscopic, it celebrates a tar, he puts it child discovering inner resources - resilience, es. But the the little boy send the star
keep talking to us as they get older. Finally, while we may no longer be at the school gates, our involvement continues to be crucial to both our children’s emotional wellbeing and academic success. There are still many opportunities to stay involved: by joining the PTA, becoming part of a class WhatsApp group and getting to know the school and what support it offers. Talk to your children about their day but possibly not the moment they walk through the door - a snack and a drink often help to ease the way into a pleasant chat. The key to a healthy ongoing relationship is to keep the communication going. Remember that you are your child’s emotional coach. Lisa and Catherine are co-founders of Emparenting (www.emparenting.co.uk), supporting children, parents and families with the insights, skills and tools needed to nurture the development and well-being of the next generation.
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ABIES g ends when aby. As he m of fish, are drawn ful depths, d new sioned onettes and
G’S BEST dventures. to dinosaurs es - there is nd their Rabbit, Mr e and more. , games and
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Education
Understanding executive function By Usha Patel Executive functioning is a way of describing the series of mental processes that are required to complete a task. Broadly speaking, executive function skills involve selfcontrol, working memory and flexible thinking. Children labelled with a learning or behavioural problem will often display issues with their executive functioning, for example, in staying organised and focused. But many of the symptoms that parents may be told to medicate away are, in fact, executive functioning problems that might respond to a different kind of therapy. These are the kids who lose the homework they stuffed into overflowing backpacks. Or the children who realise at 9pm that they need supplies for a vital project due the next day. When the tasks of daily life become unbearable, they melt down in a convulsion of emotion. Whether the diagnosis is ADD, dyslexia or something else, these kids share a common problem: they just can’t manage the simple daily tasks that come easily to some of us. Many children experience problems with their executive functioning, regardless of whether they have an underlying condition. Difficulty with one skill usually manifests across lots of different areas of a child’s life. For example, a child who has difficulty with time management is likely to both struggle to be on time and be unable to estimate how long a task will take. Executive function difficulties seem pervasive but I believe it is possible to deconstruct their symptoms and pinpoint cognitive
skills that can be strengthened using the latest research. These difficulties are manageable and respond well to intervention. The first step is to observe your child and their behaviour, look for any executive functioning problems and then talk to them about their difficulties. A child’s struggles can come from a variety of sources but these may be mysterious and frustrating for both you and your child and the source may be difficult to pinpoint. However, the chances are there is an underlying cognitive skill that needs strengthening. By understanding the root cause of the problem, you can then implement helpful therapies. You may find it helpful to download my self-assessment that highlights behaviours associated with executive functioning problems. You can find this at https://bit.ly/exfuinfo Usha Patel is a neurocognitive therapist and expert in executive functioning, along with other special educational needs. She runs Raviv Practice London (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk).
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Education
Lessons to learn before you’re 10 By Gail Hugman We live in a world where it’s easy to become overwhelmed. So teaching young children to make good use of their working memory, exercise self-control and get organised will really help them develop the skills they need to succeed in life. These key skills underpin everything we do in life and it takes just a few minutes a day to boost them so your child learns more effectively and confidently. What’s more, growing these skills can be fun! Developed by experts who understand how children’s brains develop and form, try these starter activities to set your child off on the right path.
school, your brain will remember it better if you sort the information first. You’ll be able to remember names, countries, lists, linked facts and even do magic tricks by remembering a bunch of playing cards in order - how cool is that?’
Working memory
Self-control
Play Kim’s Game.
Ask your child to tell you really quietly what colour socks they are wearing. Then ask them to tell you again as LOUDLY as possible (it may not be such fun for you, but they will love it!) Each time they whisper or shout, give feedback to their brain by telling them ‘that’s great whispering, can it be quieter?’ or ‘excellent LOUD voice, is that the loudest you’ve got?’
To set up, gather ten objects together on a tray. Give your child one to two timed minutes to look at the objects, then cover them up. Depending on age and ability, ask them to tell, draw or write which ones they remember. As they progress, add more objects or give them less time to remember them. There are ways help brains recall objects; the trick is to make links and spot patterns. Give them these tips: To start with, count how many objects you’ll have to remember. Look to see if any can be linked together, by colour or by material, such as all plastic or all wood, by shape or by use; eg knife and fork go together, tools together, toys together.
Do this exercise a few times and congratulate your child on their self-control. Tell them that taking charge from the inside is a very grown up thing to do. Decide one thing you’d like your child to get under control. For example, it may be to resist the impulse to call out in class. Or leave their desk when they should be sitting quietly. Make it a positive.
Older children ages 7+ might be able to order the objects in a sequence or a story.
Explain to your child that you’d like them to focus on this one thing every day for a week. Remind them each day, ask how they got on and praise their progress. In this way, you’ll support their effort to control their impulses.
The more children play the game, the better they will get at recalling the objects. Why not see for yourself and play along too! Keep a tally so they can track their improvement and praise them for being clever. Explain that this is more than just a fun challenge, it’s all about teaching their brain to have a really good memory.
Gail Hugman is the bestselling author of 100 Things to Learn Before You’re 10. A children’s life coach, she owns and runs Human at Core (www.humanatcore.com), which helps parents motivate and engage their children in developing a bright future and provides science-based online personal development courses for children and parents.
You can say: ‘When your teacher shows you something in
From Baby to Ballerina
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Camps, Clubs & Activities
The lowdown on school holiday camps and workshops By Andrew Campbell
Summer holiday camps, schools and workshops are not only an ideal way to fill in childcare gaps during the long summer break but offer the opportunity for your child to discover a new hobby or take their existing passion to a new level. Multi-activity day camps Offering a varied daily programme of sports and creative activities, with each session lasting between 1 and 1.5 hours, multi-activity camps are ideal for children who have a range of interests or have not yet found their ‘thing.’ Some camps offer an astounding range of sports, arts and crafts, outdoor exploration, games and challenges. Generally, camps can be booked for single days, half days and full weeks, including extended hours and multi-week discounts. Sport/single activity camps or workshops These intensely focused summer schools offer specialisation. Think a specific sport such as football, gymnastics and cricket, one creative activity such as painting, photography and cooking, a single performing art like drama, musical theatre or dance or an area of STEM such as computer coding, robotics and game design. Generally operating for two to five hours per day and running for just one day or as a progressive course from a few days to two weeks, these camps or workshops often cater for all ages of children and culminate in staging a performance, playing a competitive game or demonstrating a completed project.
For children who have an established interest, single activity camps or workshops offer a valuable opportunity to receive elite coaching and tuition, often from highly qualified or experienced instructors which can result in a significant boost to their existing skill level, confidence and enthusiasm in their chosen endeavour. For a child curious about an activity, single activity camps or workshops are a great opportunity for an immersive experience which will test their interest and aptitude and for gaining an appreciation of what a regular commitment to weekly term time classes, often run by the same organisation, could offer. For children who may struggle to find school friends who share their ‘passion,’ activity camps or workshops are a great way to meet ‘like-minded’ peers in their local area. And for you? A patchwork of activity camps and/or workshops can be expensive but there is a distinct advantage in that they offer some mainstays of childcare across the summer that simultaneously allow your child to be doing something enjoyable, fulfilling, exciting or unique.
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Residential camps – the benefits A residential summer camp may feel daunting for both parents and children but there are significant benefits in having time away from home. Acquire new life skills. Whatever the type of camp, your child will learn new life skills based on their experiences. They may discover a sport or hobby they have not considered before.
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4 Collins Yard, (off Islington Green), LONDON N1 2XU
Lower Ground Floor, 170 Gloucester Terrace, LONDON W2 6HS
Gain more independence. From choosing what to wear, to ensuring they eat well and keep their area tidy, your child will gain a sense of independence and responsibility that can only come from being away from you. Experience a sense of belonging and make new friends. Having fun with peers can foster a sense of belonging. Kids bond with their teammates on tasks and feel included in the activities taking place, not to mention making new friends. Character development. With more responsibility and freedom comes newly gained confidence which could see your child becoming better organised, making better choices and achieving more in the future.
Families West London 01628 788058 familiesonline.co.uk
Camps, Clubs & Activities With summer just around the corner, here at Families we’ve picked out some of the best clubs and activities running throughout the summer term as well as camps and other activities taking place during the school holidays. Camp Beaumont offers adventure day camps during the May half-term and Summer holidays, for children aged 3-16 years in Ealing and Chiswick. Visit their website for more information and to book. www.campbeaumont.co.uk Chiswick Holiday Courses for ages 6-11 years are running from the last week in July and throughout August this year, Monday to Thursday. www.chiswickcourses.co.uk Club Petit Pierrot who run fun french lessons during term-time are also running the following French holiday clubs and workshops from 18 to 29 July: Full Day in Chelsea for 4 to 8 years old. Half Day in New King’s Road for 3 - 6 years old. Children enjoy a wide variety of activities to learn and practise French without pressure in a fun and peaceful environment. The immersion holiday clubs include creative and educational activities such as worksheets, arts and crafts, sporty games, stories, yoga indoor and outdoor weather permitting (Chelsea only), singing and dancing…all in French! ET VOILA! Children flourish and learn French without realising it. Suitable for all levels (beginner to fluent speaker), as children are divided into small groups according to their age and level. For more information and to book visit: www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk/join-the-club/ holiday-clubs-2020 Hartbeeps run multi-award winning immersive, sensory music classes during term-time. Classes are designed for each stage of your child’s development from newborn to toddlers. For classes in Bayswater, Maida vale, Notting Hill, Shepherds Bush Mayfair and Kensington contact Loulou@hartbeeps.com For Ealing, Acton, Hammersmith, and Chiswick contact Kimmy@hartbeeps.com Heathfield School in Ascot has been running its own Summer activities Camp for almost 30 years. As a girls only Camp they ensure that they offer not only a full range of sports but also a lot of creative activities, including arts & crafts, cookery, dance, design, drama, flower craft and music. Every week girls put on a Show or Exhibition for their families to attend. They offer excellent lunches with a great choice of food plus drinks and snacks at breaks. As well as a full-day programme, there is also a breakfast option and late stay for day girls. Boarders enjoy a really fun evening programme with their international Summer School girls. www.heathfieldsummerschool.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk
JTL Football Club offers a Youth Development Programme, After School Football Club and School Holiday Camps. Their coaching staff have experience at premier teams – Paris Saint Germain, Crystal Palace FC and RC Lens. It’s all about fun, learning and great football skills. They offer a free trial session and will have Summer Camps from 11-22 July and the last week of August. www.jtlfcacademy.com contact@jtlfcacademy.com Miniversity Holiday Camps are running during May half-term as well as for a week in July and August this year. The Camps take place at Chelsea Academy and cover ICT topics with a career theme and are specifically designed for children aged 5-12 years. www.miniversity.com/holiday-camps-londonchelsea
Perform are running Peter Pan summer courses for 4-10s. Inspire your child’s imagination this summer with a unique drama, dance and singing holiday course. In July or August, your 4-10 year oldcan fly away to Neverland with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and friends on an unforgettable confidencebuilding adventure.With a sprinkle of Perform fairy dust, a team of skilled actors, musicians and dancers will ensure your child enjoys every minute as they work towards a showstopping performance to delight family and friends. ‘Freyja got so much out of those three days; it’s given her a lot of confidence in her ability to join in, make new friends and perform songs and dances. We were so proud of her’. Emma Robinson (parent). Courses are running as follows: 25-29 July 10am-3pm Belmont School, Belmont Rd, Chiswick W4 5UL 1-5 August 10am-3pm St. Barnabas Church Hall, Ealing W5 1QG 8-12 August 10am-3pm Holy Innocents Church, Paddenswick Rd, Hammersmith W6 0UB 15-19 August 10am-3pm St. Michael’s Hall, Elmwood Road, Chiswick W4 3DY Three day course: 3-5 August and 24-26 August 10am-3pm at St. Peter’s Hall, 59a Portobello Rd, Notting Hill W11 3DB editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk
www.perform.org.uk/peterpan Try some free weekly fun this summer term. Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s run throughout the summer term and, with over 300 classes running each week, there’s sure to be a class near you. See p.18 for details. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a free trial session. T: 020 7255 9120 / enquiries@perform.org.uk Sen Swim, who run swimming lessons for children and young people with additional needs in West London, are also offering swim crash courses at Horsenden Primary School (Greenford, UB6 0PB) on the following dates during the summer holidays: Week 1: 25th - 29th July 2022 Week 2: 1st - 5th August 2022 For more details: phone 07883 737266 or email info@senswim.org www.senswim.org Stagecoach where your children can make new friends, learn new skills and gain confidence in term-time classes for 4-18 year olds. During the holidays they also run one-week holiday workshops which focus on singing, dancing and acting skills which end in a performance for friends and family. For availability, age groups, dates and more information please check your local Stagecoach website: www.stagecoach.co.uk/ chiswick www.stagecoach.co.uk/kensington (and Hammersmith) www.stagecoach.co.uk/acton (and Ealing) The Little Foxes Club are running flexible camps in Chiswick, Hammersmith and Kensington over the half-term and summer holidays with a variety of sports on offer. www.thelittlefoxesclub.com/sports-andactivities/holiday-camp The Young Film Academy ‘make a film in a day’ course takes place on May 28 and July 23 at Chelsea Academy. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. They are also running a 4 day film school in July for ages 10-17 years. www.youngfilmacademy.co.uk West London School of Dance run ballet, jazz and tap classes for boys and girls aged 2.5 to 16 years during term-time. Classes are held in Bayswater, Covent Garden, Notting Hill and Shepherds Bush. www.westlondonschoolofdance.co.uk Details correct at time of going to press (April 2022) but may be subject to change. Families West London
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Food © Puffpuff Ministry
Exploring different cultures through food By Fola Williams Food! Such an important part of life, isn’t it? Are you a family of foodies who are interested in exploring culture through food? Here are some ideas to get you started on exploring the tastes and culture of Africa.
Specialist businesses are a great way to try a delectable selection of Africaninspired condiments, food and drink. DVees www.dvees.com Providing a luxurious taste of West Africa, DVees offers carefully crafted food and drink products that either take you down memory lane or introduce the unique and vibrant flavours of West Africa to you. Their signature mocktail DVees chapman is simply to die for, with perfectly combined ingredients that bring nothing but absolute refreshment.
For a window into colourful food prep ideas, Instagram has some inspirational bloggers and creators showcasing a variety of authentic cultural dishes, as well as African lifestyle. These are some of my favourites: Yemisi @sisi_yemmie
Ronke Edoho @9jafoodie
Yemisi delights followers with incredible plating and flavour combinations, as well as general lifestyle content. You can download her menu planner to organise and simplify your life for less than £10. Even better, follow her to a local Lagosian market as she shops for ingredients on her YouTube channel.
Follow Ronke Edoho for recipes and meal inspiration. She also runs @loseitnigerian for a more healthconscious view of cooking Nigerian food.
Jollofcode @jollofcode
Ghanakitchen @ghanakitchen
For the green-fingered, follow jollofcode and see how to grow Nigerian vegetables and spices such as okra, ata rodo (scotch bonnet peppers) and garden egg, which you’ll be pleased to hear is not an actual egg but a vegetable that can be either eaten raw or used to make stew!
Zoe runs live cooking workshops on @ghanakitchen where you enjoy an immersive experience in cooking Ghanaian food. Her shop, though momentarily closed, sells amazing spice blends that provide a wholesome introduction to authentic West African flavours.
Subscribe You could also try food subscription boxes from a different culture. Cook with Pika (www.cookwithpika. co.uk) makes it super easy to cook Nigerian by including several ingredients in the right proportions as well as simple recipes and cooking instructions in their boxes. They also have delicious vegetarian alternatives to some of our traditional dishes.
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Puffpuff Ministry www.puffpuffministry.co.uk The puff puff connoisseurs make puffy dough balls aka puff puff, like doughnuts but better! With flavours and toppings such as Oreo, Kinder Bueno and Lotus Biscoff syrup, they’re the perfect snack or dessert to follow a good hearty meal. Alhaji Suya www.alhajisuya.com If you can handle the heat, the spicy meat snack known as suya, is often grilled with a blend of spices over an open fire giving it a distinct smoky flavour that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Suya can be made with different meats (beef, chicken or lamb) based on preference and is often served with a blend of dry peppers, onions and tomato slices.
Food Festivals Keep an eye for any African Food Festivals in your area. They are a great way to sample a wide variety of African food and drink as well as some music! Failing that, the world food aisle at the supermarket might just unearth some gems which can be used to cook meals following simple recipes online.
Fola Williams is proprietor of Sheni and Teni (www.sheniandteni.com) which offers diverse books, toys and games for kids.
Families West London 01628 788058 familiesonline.co.uk
Early Years
The importance of routines for young children
By Claire Burgess
Routine is important for all of us. It provides safe, comfortable boundaries and keeps our lives on track. But it also means different things to different people and needs to fit each individual family, adjusting as children grow. Some families benefit from more structure, while others work well with more flexible routines. There is no right or wrong in a routine, other than when it doesn’t work for your children or for you! Why do babies and children need routine? As humans, every day of our lives is made up of various mini routines. These are the little routines which we have perfected over time and repeat daily, all of which help us to manage our day, many times without even really thinking about it. Routine is also another word for security. By having a routine it helps our children (and us) to feel secure and we are at our best when we feel safe and secure. This is when we are able to concentrate, co-operate, negotiate, listen and ultimately learn. Being able to tell the time gives adults the ability to develop routines but babies and young children don’t have this luxury. So they are relying on us to help them understand how their day is going to be structured. It’s worth being aware that if this timing changes day to day, your child will be constantly unsure of what is happening next. In turn, this may lead to them displaying challenging behaviours, their eating habits fluctuating and their sleep being disturbed.
How do I keep my child on track? It is all about watching for the signals. These can be subtle and can sometimes be easily missed; observation of your child is key. Look for those little indicators such as wandering off around the house and not being able to focus on things, becoming clingy when they were happily playing, staring into space, getting cross, frustrated or fidgeting, upset or boisterous. These behaviours can all be indicators that your child is feeling out of kilter and needs you to help them find the way back into their routine. Once you have recognised this, you can put a plan into action. Claire Burgess is a director and family consultant at Bespoke Family (www.bespokefamily.co.uk), which offers tailored support from newborns to teens.
Top tips
Making it work
Make the routine fit your family. Every family is unique and has their own way of structuring their day; what works for your friend might not work for you.
A completely rigid system leaves little room for spontaneity and can be self-defeating. Don’t be afraid to nudge your routine when the need arises.
Don’t make it too rigid. But do have two key times of the day: the time your children get up in the morning and the time they go to bed. If you aim for and stick to these two points of the day, it will help to regulate your child’s sleep hormones at night and ‘get up and go’ hormones in the morning.
For example, if lunchtime is usually 1pm on a normal day, but today you have been swimming and your little one is showing signs of being really hungry and tired, take the hint and bring lunch forward. Just half an hour might be the difference between the biggest ‘I’m hungry and tired’ meltdown and having your little one eating well and feeling happy (meaning that you are happy and relaxed as well!)
Between getting up time and bed time you should schedule regular mealtimes (and snacks dependent on the activity of the day) and possibly naps. These focal points provide a constant structure which will give both you and your children the security and safety to approach each day with confidence. Go for consistency. For something to become a habit it needs to be consistent. When implementing a new routine or an adjustment, it can take at least two weeks to stick, so persevere!
The one routine that’s always worth sticking to is the fixed bedtime. Proper sleep is as important to children as a healthy diet. While it might be tempting to keep your little one up later than normal to fit in with your own plans, sleep time is when kids grow and rest so that they are ready for everything tomorrow brings. Including naps, experts recommend up to sixteen hours’ sleep for infants and up to twelve hours per night for older children.
editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk
Families West London
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What’s On
All details correct at the time of going to press. Please do remember to check online for up-to-date information and remember that in most cases you will need to book.
If you’d like your event featured please email editor@familieswest.co.uk with details. Event times and dates do change, please try and check that an event is still going ahead before you head out.
May ONGOING UNTIL SUNDAY JUNE 26 PINOCCHIO Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage N1 2DN Puppetry, shadows, illusion and original music Ages 5-11 years www.littleangeltheatre.com/whats-on ONGOING UNTIL SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4 FAMILY GLOBE THEATRE GUIDED TOUR Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside SE1 9DT Ideal for ages 7-11 years. www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on
ONGOING UNTIL JANUARY 2023 BEATRIX POTTER EXHIBITION The Porter Gallery, V&A Museum, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL Family friendly exhibition in collaboration with the National Trust. £14 www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/beatrix-potter-drawn-to-nature SUNDAY MAY 1 FAMILIES WORKSHOP: DANCE PIONEERS The Raphael Gallery, V&A Museum, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL Dance workshop for the whole family. Age 5+ Free, Drop-in 11.00am, 1pm and 3pm www.vam.ac.uk/event/rWNrLN5Ywz/families-workshop-dance-pioneers-may-2022 MONDAY MAY 2 THE ANIMAL GUYZ - ANIMAL ANTICS Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE Brand-new, funny, entertaining and educational live show that will delight the whole family. 2pm www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/tickets-theanimal-guyz-hayes-2022 SATURDAY MAY 7 SUDDENLY Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL Meet a magic mirror! Persuade a bird of paradise to lay an egg! Take a trip on a flying carpet! Ages 6+ years www.lyric.co.uk/shows/category/little-lyric
ONGOING UNTIL AUGUST 28 SUPERHEROES, ORPHANS & ORIGINS EXHIBITION AND WORKSHOPS The Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ Enter into the world of superheroes and comics at the Foundling Museum, Bloomsbury, with their exhibition and family events. Superman. Batman. Spider-Man. Black Panther. X-Men. Have you ever noticed they are all foundlings, orphans, adoptees, and foster children? The superheroes’ early life experiences impact on the stance they take over good and evil in their comic lives. Look beyond the traditional ‘superhero’ story in this exhibition exploring comics, graphic novels from around the globe. There are also characters from early newspaper comic strips, Japanese Manga and contemporary graphic novels, with examples of international comics rarely exhibited in the UK. As well as three new artistic commissions by comic artists Asia Alfasi, Bex Glendining and Woodrow Phoenix. It’s time to discover the back stories ... of the legends you know and love. And super news … under 21s go free! Book online with code ENTRYFAM to receive 10% off admission Find out more and book your tickets at www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk 16
SATURDAY MAY 7 OUT OF HOURS DINO-TOURS Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd SW7 5BD Book a Dinotour with a knowledgeable tour guide to get up close and personal with all the main characters in the world-famous Dinosaurs gallery. Also available May 8,15, 25 and 27-30. www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dinotours.html SUNDAY MAY 8 COVENT GARDEN MAY FAYRE AND PUPPET FESTIVAL St Paul’s Church Garden, Bedford Street, WC2E 9ED Grand procession at 11am. From 12.30pm Punch & Judy and puppet shows, puppet workshops, stalls, refreshments, folk music, maypole dancing and clowns. www.alternativearts.org.uk SUNDAY MAY 8 FAMILY SUNDAY ROH UPCYCLED Royal Opera House Covent Garden Activities designed for families with children aged 3-10. 10am and 1.30pm. www.roh.org.uk/tickets-and-events/family-sundays-dates MONDAY MAY 9 THE GREAT BIG DANCE OFF - LONDON HEAT (SECONDARY) Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE Secondary Schools from across the region
come together to perform the dances they have been practising at school. 3.30pm www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/tickets-greatbig-dance-off-secondary-hayes-2022 MONDAY MAY 9 MINI MONDAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Plant sunflower seeds, play in the mud kitchen, stories and more 10am-12pm ages 2-4. www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings WEDNESDAY MAY 11 BRING YOUR OWN BABY: NATURE TALKS Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd SW7 5BD 10.30am and 2pm www.nhm.ac.uk/events/bring-your-own-baby. html FRIDAY MAY 13 TO SUNDAY JUNE 12 GET DRESSED Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St SE1 2HZ When you‘re little, getting dressed is a really big deal! Ages 2-5 years. www.unicorntheatre.com/events/get-dressed SATURDAY MAY 14 THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS (THE TRUE STORY BY RAT AND TOAD) Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk/shows/the-wind-in-the-willows-the-true-story MONDAY MAY 16 OPEN DAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Drop in, donate, explore our tranquil centre. 10am-12pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings TUESDAY MAY 17 THE GREAT BIG DANCE OFF - LONDON HEAT (PRIMARY) Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE Primary Schools from across the region come together to perform the dances they have been practicing at school. 4pm www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/tickets-greatbig-dance-off-primary-hayes-2022 THURSDAY MAY 19 TO SEPT OUR FUTURE PLANET EXHIBITION Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD Free exhibition www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/ our-future-planet SATURDAY MAY 21 I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL Based on the brand new picture book by Steven Lee. Age 2+ years. www.lyric.co.uk/shows/i-spy-with-my-littleeye
Families West London 01628 788058 familiesonline.co.uk
What’s On
If you’d like your event featured please email editor@familieswest.co.uk with details. SATURDAY MAY 21 TO SUNDAY JULY 31 I WANT MY HAT BACK TRILOGY Little Angel Studios, Sebbon St N1 2EH Jon Klassen’s beloved books, I Want My Hat Back, This is Not My Hat and We Found A Hat, will have a brand new life of their own LIVE on the Little Angel stage. Ages 3-6 years www.littleangeltheatre.com/whats-on SATURDAY MAY 21 TO MARCH 5 2023 PIP & POP Kew gardens, Richmond TW9 3AE A playful exhibition of colour www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/pipand-pop SUNDAY MAY 22 BRIDGES OF BRITAIN FUNDRAISING WALK Start at: Vauxhall Park, Lawn Lane, Fentiman Road SW8 1JY Join the Lymphoma Action team in London and walk across 10 iconic London Bridges, or walk your own local 7-mile route any time throughout May, crossing at least one bridge. For more information or to register visit: www.lymphoma-action.org.uk/events/bridges-britain-walk-2022 MONDAY MAY 23 MINI MONDAY FOR MINDERS Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning and networking opportunity. Theme: Spring changes 10am-12pm ages 2-4. www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings TUESDAY MAY 24 ADVENTURE BABIES Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd SW7 5BD Sensory storytelling class. See website for times www.nhm.ac.uk/events/adventure-babies. html SATURDAY MAY 28 CATCH THAT BEAST Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL Full of humour, live music, inventive puppetry and audience participation. Age 5+ years www.lyric.co.uk/shows/catch-that-beast
SATURDAY 28 AND SUNDAY MAY 29 THE SILVER SHOWCASE Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE A musical spectacular, featuring the students from Stagecoach Performing Arts Uxbridge. 2.30pm and 7pm www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/tickets-stagecoach-hayes-2020 SATURDAY MAY 28 TO SUNDAY JUNE 5 JUBILEE JAMBOREE Windsor Castle Learning Centre, Windsor Castle SL4 1NJ Bring a picnic, create some Jubilee crafts and learn about ‘Our Platinum Queen’ Free upon admission to the Castle MONDAY MAY 30 FAMILY FUN DAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Theme: Exploring the senses 10am-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings TUESDAY MAY 31 AND WEDNESDAY JUNE DROP OFF DAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Theme: Exploring the senses 10am-4pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings TUESDAY MAY 31 TO SATURDAY JUNE 4 DUCKIE Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL Reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling with a message of tolerance and self acceptance at its core. www.lyric.co.uk/shows/duckie TUESDAY MAY 31 AND WEDNESDAY JUNE OUT OF THIS WORLD MOONS Royal Observatory, Greenwich, SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/royal-observatory/ out-world-moons
June WEDNESDAY JUNE 1 THE LITTLE MIX EXPERIENCE Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE 6.30pm www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/tickets-little-mix-experience-hayes-2020 WEDNESDAY JUNE 1 TO SUNDAY JUNE 5 JUBILEE JOUST Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/ whats-on/jubilee-joust WEDNESDAY JUNE 1 TO SUNDAY JULY 3 MARVIN’S BINOCULARS Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St SE1 2HZ Join Marvin as he discovers wildlife and friendship in the most unlikely places. Ages 6-11 years. www.unicorntheatre.com/events/get-dressed THURSDAY JUNE 2 BRING YOUR BABY PUB QUIZ The Areonaut, 264 Acton High Street, W3 9BH 12.30pm-2.30pm Book below - other London dates venues available www.bringyourbaby.org SATURDAY JUNE 4 DUCK POND MARKET Chiswick House and Gardens W4 2RP Visit stalls from small businesses, local artisans and food producers www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/ whats-on/duck-pond-market
Donate now Help more princesses like Esha grow up to be queens More than 600 children are diagnosed with blood cancer every year in the UK. For many, their best chance of survival is a blood stem cell transplant from a stranger. Will you help more children to find their lifesaver by donating to DKMS? Donate now at dkms.org.uk/princess or scan the code. DKMS is the trading name of DKMS Foundation, a registered charity in England and Wales (1150056) and Scotland (SC046917). DKMS is a limited company registered in England and Wales (08151279).
familiesonline.co.uk
editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk
Families West London
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What’s On SATURDAY JUNE 4 A PLATINUM PLAYLIST: JUBILEE SPECIAL Gunnersbury Park and Museum, Gunnersbury Park, Acton W3 8LQ www.chiswickcalendar.co.uk/event/a-platinum-playlist-jubilee-special SATURDAY JUNE 4 AND SUNDAY JUNE 5 FAMILY FUN WEEKEND Cutty Sark, Royal Museums Greenwich, SE10 9NF Workshops, songs and activities for all 11-4pm Run every first weekend of the month www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/cutty-sark/family-fun-weekend SUNDAY JUNE 5 PLATINUM JUBILEE PAGEANT Route to be announced. Will tell the story of the Queen’s reign and will be televised. MONDAY JUNE 6 JUBILEE PICNIC AT LONDON WETLAND CENTRE Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT www.chiswickcalendar.co.uk/event/jubilee-picnic-at-london-wetland-centre MONDAY JUNE 6 MINI MONDAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Create sparkly butterflies, play in the mud kitchen, stories and more
All details correct at the time of going to press. Please do remember to check online for up-to-date information and remember that in most cases you will need to book. 10am-12pm ages 2-4. www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings TUESDAY JUNE 7 ADVENTURE BABIES Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd SW7 5BD Sensory storytelling class. See website for times www.nhm.ac.uk/events/adventure-babies. html MONDAY JUNE 13 OPEN DAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Drop in, donate, explore our tranquil centre. 10am-12pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings MONDAY 13 TO FRIDAY JUNE 17 FAMILY EVENING POND DIP Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB 6-7pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings
MONDAY JUNE 20 MINI MONDAY FOR MINDERS Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning and networking opportunity. Theme: Butterflies 10am-12pm ages 2-4. www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/what-wedo/event-listings
Upcoming TUESDAY JULY 12 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 28 101 DALMATIANS Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre Daily including afternoon matinees on most Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Kids go half price at performances Monday – Thursday subject to availability. Children under 4 will not be admitted to the venue. Food is served in the theatre grounds before the show, or why not bring your own picnic. www.openairtheatre.com
THURSDAY 16 JUNE TO MONDAY 27 JUNE GIFFORDS CIRCUS Chiswick House and Gardens W4 2RP www.chiswickhouseandgardens.org.uk/ event/giffords-circus
Clubs, Classes and Activities If you are looking for a new club for your child, want to help them run off some excess energy, or find a new hobby, below are some great suggestions for you to check out! When you call please don’t forget to say you saw them in Families West London Magazine.
Hartbeeps www.hartbeeps.com Multi-award winning immersive, sensory music classes for the little folk and their grown ups! Filled with original music, sensory lighting and textures, massage, dress up, role play and more. Hartbeeps is inspired by curiosity, backed by research and sprinkled with magic since 2003. Classes designed for each stage of your child’s development. Baby bells (Newborn to Sitting) Baby Beeps (Sitting to Standing) Happy house (Toddlers and Siblings) Bayswater, Maida vale, Notting Hill, Shepherds Bush, Mayfair and Kensington Loulou@hartbeeps.com Ealing, Acton, Hammersmith, and Chiswick Kimmy@hartbeeps.com
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Perform www.perform.org.uk/try • enquiries@perform.org.uk • 020 7255 9120 Confidence building weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. Classes are designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class. Local Perform Classes: St. Peter’s Hall, 59a Portobello Rd, Notting Hill W11 3DB 4-7s Wednesdays at 4pm; Fridays at 4pm 7-12s Wednesdays at 5.05pm; Fridays at 5.05pm St. Paul’s Church Hall, Ridley Ave, Ealing W13 9XW 4-7s Tuesdays at 4pm; Fridays at 3.45pm 7-12s Tuedays at 5.05pm; Fridays at 4.45pm St. Barnabas Millenium Hall, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing W5 1QG 4-7s Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4pm; Saturdays at 9.30am 7-12s Tuesdays & Wed’s at 5.05pm; Saturdays at 11.15am Masbro Children’s Centre, 87 Masbro Rd, Brook Green W14 0LR
4-7s Saturdays at 9.30am; 7-12s Saturdays at 11.15am The Advent Centre, 37 Brendan St, Marylebone W1H 5JE 4-7s Mondays at 4pm; 7-12s Mondays at 5.05pm St. Michael’s Hall, Elmwood Road, Chiswick W4 3DY 4-7s Sundays at 9.30am; 7-12s Sundays at 11.15am Christ Church W4 Mission Hall, Cunnington St, Chiswick Park W4 5ER 4-7s Tuesdays at 4pm; 7-12s Tuesdays at 5.05pm Holy Innocents Church, Paddenswick Rd, Hammersmith W6 0UB 4-7s Thursdays at 4pm; 7-12s Thursdays at 5.05pm
Kensington United Reformed Church, Allen St W8 6BL 4-7s Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4.15pm; 7-12s Wednesdays at 5.15pm and Fridays at 5.20pm The YAA Centre, 1 Chippenham Mews, Maida Vale W9 2AN 4-7s Tuesdays at 4pm; 7-12s Tuesdays at 5.05pm St. Dunstan’s Church Hall, Friar’s Place Lane, East Acton W3 7AW 4-7s Saturdays at 2pm COMING SOON: St Mary’s Acton W3 9NW 4-7s Wednesdays at 4pm; 7-12s Wednesdays at 5.05pm Kensington URC W8 6BL 7-12s Mondays at 5.15pm
Families West London 01628 788058 familiesonline.co.uk
Book Club
With the summer holidays looming, now is a great time to start thinking about holiday reads. Even if you’re not heading to a beach or looking for ways to pass the time on a long plane or train journey, reaching for a good book allows children to have all sorts of adventures from the comfort of the sofa. This month, Rachel Bailey speaks to Nicola Skinner, whose new book Giant is being touted as her most brilliant book yet. High praise for an author whose previous novels include the award-winning Bloom. What made you take the leap from journalism to becoming a published author? It wasn’t particularly premeditated. One day I was sitting in the garden with my daughter and I had the first beginnings of a story (that turned out to be Bloom.) I started, slowly, to write it down and explore it, and I made many mistakes along the way. I’d had ideas before, and abandoned them. What was different with Bloom was that, at the back of my mind, I was two years away from my 40th birthday, and there was a voice that kept telling me: ‘It’s now or never.’ Because I’d wanted to be a writer since I was a child. So basically – a deadline!
Your first book, Bloom, boasts some beautiful, unexpected illustrations. How did you choose an illustrator to work with? They are stunning, aren’t they? But I can’t claim any credit for that; it was my publishers, HarperCollins Children’s Books, who knew of Flavia Sorrentino and paired her with my work. She has illustrated and done the cover design for all four of my books now, and she just keeps getting better, I think.
the only thing that makes it bearable is it’s also a golden time in terms of understanding the power of protest. Go online, find local community protest and action groups, connect with like-minded children, and see if your school can help.
We love that your books feature strong, feisty, rebellious female characters. Are they based on anyone you know? They’re not based on any one person, but I count myself very lucky because I have lots of incredible women and girls in my life, who inspire me every day. I also think that nowadays, girls feel more empowered to be whoever they want to be, and perhaps that feeds into my books. Having said all of that, I do love boy characters too, and always make sure that in each book I have a strong boy/girl friendship.
Do you have a favourite heroine in particular from books you enjoyed reading as a child? I really, really loved Harriet in Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy. I thought she was just wonderful – curious about the world, fiercely independent, very strong, but capable of making mistakes, and feeling loss, too. She’s always watching people and writing about them, and that’s something I love to do, too.
Bloom has a strong environmental theme and the climate crisis is something many children are very concerned about, Calling all young Scientists! with great role models such as Help us discover how babies & kids learn! Greta Thunberg We’re recruiting infants from birth to school age to leading the way. take part in fun studies at Birkbeck’s Babylab & How would you ToddlerLab in central London. Our prime locations are easy to reach and we refund travel expenses. We encourage young also have online studies you can do from the comfort readers to find of home www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/online-studies their voice? I think we’re living through a very difficult time, but
Your heroine in Storm is ‘born raging’ what inspired you to write her story? The thing about Frankie, my heroine in Storm, is that I don’t think she’s any different to any other eleven-year-old girl, in real life. She has moods, and hormones, and occasionally rallies against the injustices of her life, and I think that’s incredibly common. But I don’t often see that sort of child on the page; fictional girls at that age are just very sweet and endearing, which are both wonderful qualities, but don’t reflect the entirety of a child, don’t always feel real to me. After becoming a mother to my daughter I became aware of how much parents try to control their children’s emotions. I suppose I wanted to explore a child who had emotions which are difficult to control, sometimes can be messy, spill out into the world, are challenging to process, and show how wonderful and beautiful that can occasionally be, because there can be real strength there.
What’s your favourite way to spend time with your family?
WIN
Families have two copies of Giant to give away! For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to editor@ familieswest.co.uk
What is the name of Nicola’s new book? A Giant B Bloom C Storm Closing date for entries is 26 June 2022 Giant is available from 23 June in hardback priced £12.99. www.nicola-skinner.com @skinnernic @skinnerwrites
I love doing anything and everything – being cosy at
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home, or seeing friends, or doing something adventurous, like kayaking and swimming in a river. To be honest, it just depends on how much sleep I’ve managed to get in the night before!
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19
Superheroes, Orphans & Origins: 125 years in comics
New York World’s Fair Comics, Vol. 1 #2, Jack Burnley & ™ DC. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission. Zenobia, 2016 Morten Dürr and Lars Horneman
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