Issue 77 - January/ February 2017
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Big enough to challenge: small enough to care
Rye St Antony is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18 (and boys 3-11). Established in 1930 as a lay Catholic foundation, the school is situated in a beautiful 12-acre location overlooking the city of Oxford.
11+ and 13+ Scholarships Closing date for applications: Friday 20 January 2017 Visitors are welcome throughout the year. Please telephone the Registrar, Fern Williams, to make an appointment.
01865 762802 Pullen’s Lane, Oxford OX3 0BY enquiries@ryestantony.co.uk www.ryestantony.co.uk
Oxfordshire's leading distribution magazine and online resource for families with 0-12's. www.familiesonline.co.uk Oxfordshire Magazine
ABINGDON PREP SCHOOL
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– pupils’ achievement both inside and outside the classroom.” ISI Inspection
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abingdon.org.uk/prep
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www.familiesonline.co.uk
Oxfordshire www.familiesonline.co.uk Tel: 01993 815 966 Editor Ema Murphy editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk Design Rebecca Carr Printer Warners 40,000 readers per issue Next issue March/ April 2017
In this issue...
Booking deadline 3 February 2017
4
What's New
Cover image: Shutterstock
6
School matters
8
How to beat the January blues
9
Music lessions: why your child should start early
10
The little guide to little bilingual brains
12
Mother & Baby
13
How to get the kids outside gardening
14
The benefits of mindfulness in children
15
What's on in January and February
To book an advert in our next issue call 01993 815 966 The latest reader give-away winner of a copy of 'The Working Parents Guide to Raising Happy and Confident Children' Is Tanya Lewis of Witney. Watch out for more in coming issues! Disclaimer: Families Oxfordshire Magazine is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Temple House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Oxfordshire Magazine are fully protected by copyright and non of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing this magazine but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents.
Oxfordshire parents invited to take part in new study Should Children use tablet devices? New research has begun to determine if technology like iPads are beneficial for children’s development. Dr Elena Hoicka, and PhD students Stephanie Powell and Burcu Soy, from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Psychology, are inviting Parents everywhere to take part in the study, by completing a survey at babylovesscience.com and repeating the survey six months later.
Oxfordshire Magazine 3
Families news & views
What's New? Get Trampolining for New Year Fitness
Rush UK are passionate about health and fitness, with have a profound understanding on what you can achieve and how you can achieve it whilst having an exhilarating and fun experience. Banish cellulite, lose those extra pounds whilst strengthening, firming and toning with low impact healthy fun. Incorporating a trampoline into your fitness regime allows you to experience low-impact, healthy fun that combines core exercises, strength and conditioning exercises with high intensity interval training (HIIT). Just one hour on the trampolines will help you burn up to 1000 calories!! If trampolines are just not for you traditional classes are offered in the studios. Visit www.rushuk.com for further information.
Big shows small prices Get Into London Theatre is back, and running until 10 February. With over 50 participating productions ranging from plays and musicals to dance and opera, the scheme covers the full range of extraordinary shows on London's stages, with tickets from just £10. www.getintolondontheatre.co.uk.
New sports facilities to open in Abingdon Abingdon School is opening its Sports Centre to the public for use out of school hours and during the holidays. From Monday 9 January through a membership scheme, giving members access to the gym, swimming pool, squash, badminton and tennis courts, plus a range of exercise classes. Prices start from £19.50 per month and on a pay-as-you-go basis. The Sports Centre will also host sports courses, holiday activities, junior swim sessions and birthday parties. The Open Day is on Sunday 8 Jan 11am – 4pm. Everyone is welcome. For further details contact Abingdon Sport and Leisure: 01235 849 062 or email sports.centre@abingdon.org.uk. www.sportsandleisure.abingdon.org.uk
Child friendly LEON comes to Oxford You may have already noticed the new Naturally Fast Food chain LEON, which opened in Cornmarket St in November. With over 130 seats, the restaurant prides itself on seasonal, fresh and naturally fast food, as well as being family-friendly, with a dedicated play area, children’s library (stocked with books from the local Oxfam) and a buggy park. Hurrah! CEO John Vincent, said: “At LEON we make naturally fast food that tastes good, does you good and is kind to the planet. We’re fast food, but fast food in heaven. Sounds delightful.
Empowerment and Performance Coach For children, teens and parents Do you or a younger family member need help with a specific part of their life? Such as additional support in getting back on track, after a turbulent or upsetting time, or confidence building relating to something they find embarrassing, stress management or help with setting goals and making important life decisions? Or maybe you’d like a healthy work/life balance, to overcome fear and to build confidence, to start a new business or career? Ola Oritsegbone is an experienced Youth and Parent Coach who works with local schools and individual families. To find out more call Ola on 07932 876 187 or email eandpcoaching@gmail.com 4 January/ February 2017
A New Year – A New Challenge! If your child has been inspired by the local panto, the final of Strictly or insists on entertaining the family in the living room, it’s probably time you investigated drama classes! Stagecoach has plenty of local centres to help your budding thespian to develop their skills in singing, dance and drama. With regular classes and many performance opportunities, including during school holidays, ranging from local and regional events to major movies and the West End stage. The New Year’s a good time to enroll! Call your local Stagecoach now as places are limited! www.stagecoach.co.uk Oxford 01869 278600 Headington Summertown, Botley, Kidlington Abingdon 01865 390970 Thame and Watlington 01865 763767 Banbury 01908 969467 Photo courtesy of Monty Smith
www.familiesonline.co.uk
Experienced Parent and Youth Coach Services Olajumoke Oritsegbone is a Youth & Parent Coach and an experienced Mental Health Nurse.
Family Fun this February at Britain’s Greatest Palace There is always more to discover at Blenheim Palace. Visit this February half term and enjoy fun for all the family in the Pleasure Gardens with its Butterfly House, Giant Hedge Maze and Adventure Playground. In the West Courtyard younger visitors can learn to walk, talk and dress like little Lords and Ladies in fun and immersive workshops, running from 11th – 19th February. From 11th February – 12th March, visitors of all ages can explore 300 years of style at Blenheim Palace with a new exhibition, ‘A Passion for Fashion’ in place throughout the State Rooms. Find out more at blenheimpalace.com Do you have some local news to share with our readers? Email it to:
As a youth coach, she encourages personal development in young people by focusing on the different areas that they may be facing challenges. She links up with the school and parents/carers to support the young person. She also helps them to tap into their inner strength to develop a can-do attitude, in order to tackle challenges and make decisions. E and P Coaching also: • • • •
As a parent coach, Ola works with parents to deal with all aspects of parenting. And her service can deal with more specific areas such as: • • • •
Maintaining a healthy work/life balance Stress Management Building Confidence as Parents Making decisions
BE GOOD AT BEING YOURSELF
ABINGDON 01865 390970 abingdon@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/abingdon
BANBURY 01908 969467 banbury@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/banbury
Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year olds, where students learn to embrace life with creativity and courage
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OXFORD 01869 278600 oxford@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/oxford THAME & WATLINGTON 01865 763767 thame@stagecoach.co.uk stagecoach.co.uk/thame
Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach is a registered trademark of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Ltd.
For more information or to discuss ways in which you or a family member or child can be supported, contact Ola on 07932 876 187 or email eandpcoaching@ gmail.com.
editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk
Creative Courage For Life
Helps troubled teenagers get back on track Encourages teenagers to discuss and address difficult and embarrassing issues Helps discover their potential and set goals to attain it Builds confidence
Oxfordshire Magazine 5
School Matters
Phonics in action On Tuesday 28 February Abingdon Prep is opening its doors for a phonics demonstration, giving prospective parents the opportunity to look inside the classroom and see the techniques employed to capture the boys’ interest and enthusiasm and how these progress as they move up the school. Parents are put into small groups with a member of staff to watch the teaching in action. They tour different age groups and abilities so the morning gives a very good insight into the phonics programme in a normal classroom environment. The Head of Phonics also gives a brief talk about the theory behind what we do and what we set out to achieve. Prospective parents and anyone with an interest in phonics are very welcome. Starting at 9.30am until 10.45am. The phonics demonstration is combined with an open morning, if you’d like to have a tour of the school and there will be plenty of opportunity to meet staff and boys.
Shine Project for local Primary Schools Now entering its third year, Oxford High’s ‘Serious Fun on Saturdays’ programme will be kicking off again in January. We partner with local Oxford primary schools and run weekly sessions designed around a Space theme. Topics include learning about the food that astronauts eat in space; the scale of the solar system and the stories hidden in the stars. Each week, the children are collected by minibus and enjoyed a morning of fun learning activities with OHS teachers and Sixth Formers before being returned by minibus to their homes. See if your school is involved -oxfordhigh.gdst.net/shine-project 6 January/ February 2017
The Unicorn School Celebrates its Silver Jubilee 2016 is an exciting year for the Unicorn School as they celebrate a 25 year anniversary. They are proud to have served a quarter-century providing specialist education to pupils with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and those with Speech, Language and Communication needs. Pupils can join The Unicorn School at any age from Year 2 upwards. The specialist school offers a positive, nurturing environment, helping pupils of all ages to build self-confidence, appreciate their learning difficulties and develop their personal learning style. Visitors are warmly welcomed, to discuss how The Unicorn School can support your child’s needs. Please contact Registrar Rowan Knowles, on 01235 530222 or email her at registrar@ unicornoxford.co.uk.
Take the fear out of exams in 2017 We all know that the lead up to exam season can be a daunting time for child and parent. With phonics screening checks, teacher assessments, and SATs, you might often wonder how best to support your child. While there is no magic formula for exam success, there are many ways to help children feel prepared and confident about assessments. Start early by planning ahead. Revisiting a range of subject areas in manageable, weekly chunks can be much more beneficial to supporting memory, skills, and confidence than ‘cramming’. Everyone learns and revises in their own way. Some children like visual representations and sticky notes around the house whereas others will respond better to conversations and answering questions aloud. Find a learning style and timetable that works for your child and create a plan to suit this. Be sure to remain positive and praise them when you see them accomplish something great: hearing “you’ve done a fantastic job today!” will undoubtedly build their self-belief.
Private schools to offer 1000's of free places Private schools will offer to provide up to 10,000 free school places a year to children from low-income families in England. The Independent Schools Council (ISC) says if the government pays £5,550 per place – the cost of a place in the state system – the remainder of the cost will be covered by the schools. The ISC was responding to pressure from the government to do more for their state school counterparts in return for charitable status, which allows for tax breaks. The scheme, which would test some children on academic ability, would be open to primary and secondary school-age children.
At Explore Learning, we’re here to support the whole family from day one. We offer tailored maths and English tuition from expert staff, and exam preparation workshops and parent information evenings throughout the year so that everyone feels confident at home! For more advice and top tips, and to book your free trial session, visit our website: www.explorelearning.co.uk/blog/exampreparation-how-to-support-your-child
Death of the school gate? Two thirds of parents can’t name their child’s friend’s parents. A recent study found two thirds of primary and secondary school parents don’t know the name of their child’s school friend’s parents. Fathers were nearly three times less likely. The study found that modern work and life pressures are weakening community links, where long lasting friendships between parents and families are often created. Classlist is a free mobile-friendly service for connecting parents, set up by mums Susan Burton and Clare Wright. www.familiesonline.co.uk
Swire Chinese Language Centre to open in Oxford Radley College and Oxford High School are putting teaching of the Chinese language on the agenda for state schools across Oxfordshire, with the opening of a new Swire Chinese Language Centre, which will broaden the reach of Chinese teaching and allow students from all backgrounds to learn Chinese. Funding for the project is being provided by the Swire Chinese Language Foundation, funded by the Swire Group, as part a nationwide programme to promote the teaching of Chinese.
YES. A 30% IMPROVEMENT IN MATHS.
The Oxford Swire Chinese Language Centre will be run from Radley College and Oxford High School. The aim is to set up programmes in partnership with local state primary and secondary schools to deliver lessons in Chinese - either within the curriculum or as an extracurricular activity. The Centre will provide teaching onsite for these sessions, supported by online resources and master-class sessions at one or other of the schools. John Moule, the Warden at Radley College, said: “It is a very exciting opportunity to pioneer a partnership between independent and maintained schools in an area of real educational and cultural interest. The Swire Chinese Language Centre will establish relationships with local schools from the state sector and encourage learning of the Chinese Language by widening access to students from all backgrounds. It is a powerful and exciting vision and we would love to hear from local schools in Oxfordshire, both primary and secondary, that would like to get involved.” Judith Carlisle, Head at Oxford High School, said: “We are delighted to be working with Radley College and the Swire Chinese Language Foundation. OHS has a long history of teaching Mandarin to all age groups from A Level to Reception age children and we find that even the youngest pupils love the complexity and beauty of the Chinese language. We already work collaboratively with Radley College on our Sixth Form programmes, so this opportunity to share our combined expertise and joy for learning with local school partners in Oxfordshire is extremely exciting.” The Oxford Swire Chinese Language Centre is due to launch fully in September 2017, with the appointment of a new Director to lead the programme to be made this month. Oxfordshire schools interested in joining the scheme should register their interest by contacting Radley College or Oxford High School.
SHALL I EXPLAIN THE FIGURES? Our maths and English tutors are here to build confidence, and we’ve got independent research to prove the difference we make.
Explore fearless learning today by calling 030 3003 4006 to book your free trial. explorelearning.co.uk /explorelearning @exploretutors
Pictured from left to right: Judith Carlisle, Head of Oxford High, John Moule, Warden of Radley College, Dr Yan Liu, Head of Mandarin at OHS, Gabriela Porter, Head of Languages at Radley
The Unicorn School Girls and Boys aged 6-16
GCSE provision
Specialist education for children with Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and those who need support with
Speech and Language
info@unicorn oxford.co.uk
Open Mornings
Tuesday 7th February Tuesday 2nd May
www.unicorn oxford.co.uk
20 Marcham Road Abingdon Oxfordshire
OX14 1AA
01235 530222
Oxfordshire Magazine 7
How to beat the January blues Once the excitement of Christmas is over and gone, it can often feel like a real struggle for the whole family to keep things fresh and lively at the beginning of a new year. However, there are so many opportunities for you to do things together as a family - both indoors and out - that you’ll soon banish the January blues! Here are a few ideas to keep in mind…
A family read-in When it’s blowing a gale outside, there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than snuggled up with a good book. For younger children you can encourage them to act out the story and show off your full range of funny faces and voices. For older children, take the opportunity to discuss what they’re reading in some depth - talk about plot and characters and why they enjoy a particular type of book. Who knows, you may even inspire them to try writing their own story!
Family Bake-Off Who doesn’t love the Great British Bake Off? Those grey January days offer the perfect opportunity to get into the kitchen and bake up a storm. Let younger children indulge in some messy play with their own bowl of cake mix or a piece of pastry - don’t get stressed about the mess but enjoy a real opportunity to spend some creative time together in the kitchen. For older children, encourage some healthy competition by going ‘full Bake off’ and seeing who can produce the best cookies or cupcakes.
8 January/ February 2017
Get creative in the garden Outdoor crafts are a wonderful way to liven up the garden for pennies, using materials you can find outdoors or simply lying around the house. It’s amazing how ice, berries and watercolours or food colourings can transform tap water into beautiful ice baubles to decorate the garden when set in interesting moulds. Or spread peanut butter all over the outside of an empty toilet roll holder or that piece of over crunchy toast, then roll in birdseed to create an instant feeder that the kids can hang near the kitchen or living room window. Add a bird book and they can pass a few hours identifying and logging the birds that come to visit.
Fun in the snow Of course, snow in January isn’t guaranteed, but if it does snow you have the ideal excuse to wrap up warm and organise snowman building contests and a monster snowball fight. Kids of all ages love playing in the snow, but have you ever played tug of war? Or tried snowball dodgeball? Once that snowman is built, try frisbeeing a hat onto his head or play a game of pin the nose on the snowman using a carrot. And everyone can join in a simple game of tag, made a little more interesting if you’re only allowed to use the footprints of the other players!
Create rock pets The best way to blow away the cobwebs during January is to take the family for a long winter walk. It’s great exercise, but it’s even more fun if you make your walk an excuse to collect items for some winter crafting.
For more ideas on keeping the kids active visit: www.familiesonli ne.co.uk/ activities
Find a talking stick Another interesting find on your walk might be a stick that transforms, with the help of some beads, feather, paint and markers into a wish stick for younger children or a talking stick for the older members of your tribe. Talking sticks have a long history in tribal cultures as a way of allowing everyone to have their say - you can only talk when holding the stick - so, for larger families, this could be an ideal way for your kids to create something that will ensure they’re heard.
Look to the heavens On a clear night, there’s nothing better than wrapping up warm and heading outside to stargaze. Download an app and see how many constellations you can find and identify. Younger children will enjoy spotting stars and older ones can test their astronomical knowledge.
Have a tech-free day Be brave and ban iPads, smartphones and games consoles for the day. Instead put out a pile of blank paper, pens and craft materials and see what your children can create. Boredom can be the best motivator for creativity.
Revive the art of den building For younger children, provide blankets, boxes and furniture indoors while encourage older children to get outdoors and get den building in the garden or the woods. Find out who’s the Bear Grylls of the family and who can create the best fantasy castle/spaceship/dragon’s belly.
www.familiesonline.co.uk
Music lessons: why your child should start right away!
Many parents encourage their children to play a musical instrument and the younger they begin, the more they can benefit. This guide aims to assist parents unsure of why their children should begin learning an instrument and what skills are required. Firstly, and most importantly, learning a musical instrument is hugely beneficial to your child's development. Whether they wish to be the next Chopin or Joe Satriani, the art of music can only be positive for your son or daughter as they navigate the choppy waters of adolescence.
You can buy music books including grade books, however, most music can now be found for free or at a small cost online.
How often should they practise?
All you need to know before your child starts to play a musical instrument‌
One lesson a week is ideal, so as not to overburden the youngster. Practice really is up to the individual, but research would suggest if your child practices at least once more a week, they will improve far faster.
When should your child begin lessons?
How does learning music benefit a young person?
Although some parents start their children at three, most teachers would agree that seven is ideal for several reasons; they must be able to hold the instrument, be able to grasp simple music notation and have the attention span required.
What skills are important?
Notes in music range from A to G. As long as your children know this, forwards and backwards, they can start to read and learn music! Obviously, an idea of co-ordination is useful. Your child will need to have an idea whether they want to play left-handed or right-handed. This will most often be the way that feels most natural to them, but as the adult it is important to know that left-handed equipment is often not as easy to find.
What is needed?
Purchasing the instrument is the easiest way to ensure your child is going to progress as quickly as possible, however, this is not the cheapest option! It may be worth talking to local schools and clubs about hiring the equipment in the first instance, but if the student has the instrument at home, they will be far more likely to practise.
Academic studies Learning a musical instrument is proven to help your child in school-related activities. If they are learning about beat, rhythm and rhyme, in essence, they are also learning how to divide, create fractions and recognise patterns. The art of studying music and lyrics will also help to improve a child's short-term memory and, if continued, their long-term memory too.
It is also widely believed that the scientific principles of strumming a guitar or playing a violin can aid the basic understanding of subjects such as physics. Cool, huh? Physicality Learning instruments such as the drums, percussion or even the double bass can help youngsters develop physically too. Co-ordination and motor skills benefit most specifically, yet in addition, a lot of instruments are high energy, helping your child enjoy and feel the creative flow of the activity, while letting off excess energy!
Also, learning to cope with uncomfortable positions for short periods of time helps increase ambidexterity and timing.
Patience Your child will also learn the key components of patience and delayed gratification. Learning to play with others at different levels is one of the key elements of contemporary music and helps increase acceptance levels in the young. In addition, some tricky instruments like the violin or piano, have a steep learning curve, so it teaches young people adult traits at an earlier age, giving them an advantage as they move through into adulthood. Self-esteem Self-esteem will be boosted as your child is likely to meet new people, as well as master an art form that is tricky to say the least! Thinking about cost A music lesson can vary quite considerably in price, ranging from ÂŁ15 up to ÂŁ40. This will depend on the quality of the teacher or location. Make sure you shop around and get the teacher that you want. In essence, you need to know what it is you want your child to gain from the experience and make sure the teacher you choose is the sort of individual your child can learn from and grow a special bond with. There would be nothing worse than spending money only for it to fail, but if you choose your instrument carefully and the teacher, the craft of learning an instrument is a gift you can give your little one that will last forever!
So hopefully it is clear to see the benefits of learning to play a music instrument. Whether an African drum or the simple recorder, the benefits of learning could be limitless! To find more information on music classes visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk/activities Oxfordshire Magazine 9
The little guide to little bilingual brains Infants and young children have an impressive capacity for learning languages. They are curious, very eager to communicate and their brains are designed for fast learning. Bilingual families have an interesting opportunity of making the most of these early learning capacities in teaching their children two languages from birth. There are several interesting advantages to raising bilingual children. Bilingualism does not cause language delays. Bilingual children usually learn two languages at the same pace as monolingual children are learning one. For example, bilinguals say their first words and start combining words into sentences at the same age as monolinguals. Bilinguals may sometimes appear to know less words than monolinguals, but this is usually because their vocabulary is divided between two languages. Learning two languages encourages children to think about languages. Young monolinguals might struggle to recognise that ‘caterpillar’ is a bigger word than ‘whale’ because they find it difficult to dissociate a word from its meaning. Bilingualism attracts children’s attention to language itself, making children more aware of the sounds, words and regularities in languages. This gives them a head start in school when learning phonics or grammar rules. Bilingualism might make your child better at multi-tasking or listening to someone speaking in a noisy environment. When speaking one of their languages, bilinguals must inhibit the impulse to use words in their other language. To achieve this task, they activate parts of their brain involved in cognitive control. This extra practice at controlling their own thoughts may lead to a ‘bilingual advantage’ in certain cognitive tasks. Mastering two languages will give children a better understanding of their family’s cultural background. The most unique aspects of a culture always risk getting lost in translation. For this reason, being bilingual helps children become ‘bicultural’, making them more aware of cultural differences and more likely to take part in two cultures. Every family and every child is different. There are a million different ways of raising bilingual children and the most important is to find a way that feels right for your family. Here are a few tips that can help making these decisions for your family. Maximise face-to-face communication. From the first days of life, babies love making eye contact and hearing their loved ones speak, vocalise and sing. Face-to-face communication is the motor of language learning and early experience is key. Making sure you talk to your baby as much as possible, and you involve your child in as much 10 January/ February 2017
Dr Evelyne Mercure
conversation as possible will lead to better abilities in one, two or more languages. Have a plan. It is important to think about what ‘bilingualism’ means for your family. Would you like your child to have a basic understanding of another language? Are you hoping for your child to be fluent in two languages? Or read and write in two different languages? Make sure you provide plenty of experience for your child to achieve each of these goals. It might be a good idea to decide on a language to be used at home. One parent may decide to use one language when addressing their child, while the other parent will use a different language. Think of the language(s) you want to use when reading to your child or singing to them. The more exposure your child will get in one language, the more fluent they are likely to become in that language. Keep it fun. Your child’s motivation to learn each of their languages will make a huge difference to their achievement. A child may find it unpleasant if they feel constantly tested and criticised when speaking. The main focus should be on what is being said and not how it is being said. Find role models. One way of keeping their motivation up, may be to involve people who are not fluent in your child’s dominant language. This may encourage them to use a language they are less comfortable in. It will also show them that this language is spoken by people other than mum and/or dad. Children will also learn a lot from other children, especially older ones. They will want to speak like them and adopt their accent and expressions. Cousins who are not fluent in your child’s dominant language, for instance, may become excellent role models and a very good source of motivation. Offering a bilingual environment to your child is a richness they will benefit from all their life. They may not only learn two languages, but also a new way of thinking about cultural diversity. Do not be afraid of making the most of their incredible language learning abilities!
About the author Evelyne Mercure studied Speech & Language Pathologies, Neuroscience and Psychology. She is currently an ESRC fellow at UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, investigating the impact of language experience on infants’ brain and cognitive development. She is also the proud mum of three bilingual children.
www.familiesonline.co.uk
Worried about losing baby weight? Don’t be!
Mother & Baby
In our modern, western culture there seems to be pressure to return to your pre-birth body in no time. But with a baby to care for the last thing you need is to be worrying about your body shape. Here are our 7 top tips to help you combat those negative thoughts..
Are you under-eating? It's extremely common for new mums to under-eat rather than over-eat. If you think that sounds unlikely, jot down what you actually eat for a week. Look at your notes and underline nutritional foods you have eaten that provide real nourishment for you. What’s eating you? Sometimes it’s not what you eat but what is worrying you that will keep the extra weight stuck. If you’re stressed, overwhelmed or unhappy, weight loss can be more of a challenge You’re just like your baby. You’re exhausted, so it’s important
to remember that your body can confuse being tired with being hungry. You will find your weight loss, and life in general, much easier if you’re properly rested. That’s the holy grail for new mums who are desperate for sleep, so try to just do what you and your baby need to thrive.
Drink more water! Just as exhaustion can confuse your body,
being thirsty can do the same. Ask yourself ‘Am I hungry or thirsty?’ Drink a long drink of water and re-assess your appetite. This is particularly important while breastfeeding.
Love your body – it’s amazing! Women who are unhappy with the changes in their body’s shape after childbirth can disconnect from their own bodies. It’s a vital part of healing and moving forward to acknowledge deep within yourself that your body has done the very best it could throughout your pregnancy and birth. You are what you eat. Just as you are particular about what you feed your baby, raise the bar about what you eat too. There’s a growing realisation in the medical profession of the links between food and moods. It is important to eat the best quality food you can afford - looking for good quality protein, and a rainbow variety of vegetables on your plate at every mealtime.
Change is good. Remember your body has changed and
transformed itself since you were a child. Even more radical changes took place throughout your pregnancy and the birth of your baby. Be reassured that your body can change again. - See more at: www.emmasdiary.co.uk/lifestyle/ wellbeing/worried-about-losing-the-baby-weight-dontbe#sthash.0lx6LOqc.dpuf
New moms moving toward the bottle New moms are increasingly using expressed breast milk (either pumped or expressed by hand) instead of directly breastfeeding their babies, according to a University of British Columbia study. The study also found that mums who use expressed breast milk typically transition their babies to infant formula feeding sooner than their breastfeeding peers. Tarrant and her research team, studied the infant feeding practices of more than 2,000 mums in Hong Kong. They found that during a five-year stretch, mothers moved away from directly breastfeeding their infants to using expressed breast milk, which is usually delivered via a bottle. The study was published in Public Health Nutrition.
Miracles really do happen! I just had to share this story about a very old friend of mine. For many years she has tried for a baby and after her sixth attempt and years of trying with the help of IVF, she conceived in January 2016 and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy weighing a healthy 7 lb 6oz and delivered by C-section. After attempt number three, and a very emotional rollercoaster during that time, Sam was advised by specialists not to continue with the treatment, as the likelihood of her getting pregnant were in their view exceptionally slim. But despite this, Sam and her partner’s determination and faith prevented them from giving up on their dream of having a baby. Dreams really do come true.
Parents urged to spot the deadly signs of sepsis Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Sepsis campaigner Melissa Mead launched a nationwide campaign on 15 December, to help parents spot the symptoms of sepsis to protect young children and save lives. The campaign is principally aimed at parents and carers of young children aged 0-4 and will include a new film featuring mother and campaigner Melissa Mead, who lost her baby son William to sepsis in December 2014. Melissa’s film can be viewed and shared on Facebook here. The UK Sepsis Trust estimates that there are more than 120,000 cases of sepsis and around 37,000 deaths each year in England. The campaign is designed to arm parents with knowledge of the condition so they know when to take immediate action and seek urgent medical advice if sepsis strikes. Millions of leaflets and posters are being sent to GP surgeries and hospitals across the country. These materials, developed with experts, will urge parents to call 999 or take their child to A&E if they display any of the following signs: • • • • • •
Looks mottled, bluish or pale Is very lethargic or difficult to wake Feels abnormally cold to touch Is breathing very fast Has a rush that does not fade when you press it Has a fit or convulsion Oxfordshire Magazine 11
How to get the kids outside gardening Gardening can be a great way to get your kids playing outside, learning about nature and engaging with the environment. From the smallest seed in a pot to growing huge sunflowers in the garden, your children will love getting their hands dirty and watching their garden grow. While we may not have the best weather here in the UK, it's so important for kids to experience the natural world, get some vitamin D and learn some great lessons through gardening. So how do you get them outside? We've put together a few creative ways that you can encourage your children to start gardening.
Do a treasure hunt! Every child loves hunting for treasure, and what better way to get them outside than to go on a nature hunt? You'd be surprised how many different species are in your garden - dandelions, vegetables, woodlice, earthworms. See who can find the most different animals and plants. If they don't know what it is, help them to find out on the internet. This is something you can keep up throughout the year, encouraging them to observe the changing seasons and what plants grow at different times. Ask them what plants and animals they would like to see in their garden and start growing these/ encouraging wildlife together.
Encourage your kids to take their favourite toys outside... ...and build miniature worlds for them. Help them create a race course with ramps for toy cars, a jungle for their favourite animals to hide in or a fairy-tale wood for their princess dolls. Encourage them to think about what their little world looks like, and start to name the plants with them while they play.
Grow your own dinner! There's nothing better than eating peas straight out of the pod or picking your first strawberry, and all of these can be grown in your own garden. If you're not 12 January/ February 2017
hugely confident with gardening, cress is the best place to start, and you can grow it on your window sill. It's a great way for children to learn about how plants grow, watching seeds turn into tasty snacks. It can encourage your children to try new foods, after all - they grew it themselves, and it can add to their important 5-a-day! It's a great way for children to learn about the food they eat and where it comes from, and standing in the mud with a big spade is a million miles away from the supermarket, and far more fun. Some great fruits and vegetables to grow with your little ones are carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, courgettes, salad leaves, herbs, peas and potatoes. Grandparents are great at this kind of knowledge: why not organise a trip to a garden centre with them to choose seeds and plants? Keep an eye on the time of year and encourage your kids to read up on their plants, water them when needed, and take care of them. Don't worry if it doesn't go to plan and you only get one tomato it's a learning process, and your kids can think about why it might not have grown and what to try next time.
Create a wildlife garden Kids love animals, bugs and creepy crawlies, and a wildlife garden can be a great way to get them outside and stuck into gardening. Plant flowers such as lavender, honeysuckle and verbena to encourage butterflies and bees in the summer. Maybe think about building a pond to encourage frogs, dragonflies and water boatmen, and let your children learn about the life cycle as they turn from frogspawn to tadpoles to baby frogs. Encourage them to learn about and identify the different creatures and how to attract them to your garden and help them to make new habitats and learn
where animals live, from bug barns to hedgehog houses. Great fun!
Fill your garden with colours, smells and textures Choose bright flowers like geraniums, pansies and sunflowers so your kids can enjoy making the garden more beautiful. Choose strong smelling plants like honeysuckle, or plants that make interesting noises, like bamboo rustling in the breeze. Encourage your kids to make their garden their own, and if they love it, let them loose at Grandma's too!
Get messy! There's something so satisfying about getting all muddy: kids can't resist it. Gardening doesn't have to be about neat rows of flowers. Let your kids dig ‘til their hearts' content. If they can't get enough of mess, try making bird cakes to hang from the trees, and let them watch as quietly as possible as birds come to feed. Or how about a bird feeder made out of Cheerios and pipe cleaners? Encourage your kids to get crafty in the garden, making everything from bottle top wind chimes to lolly ice stick plant markers, so they know which plant is which. For more awesome activity ideas with the kids visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk/ activities
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The benefits of mindfulness in children The past two decades have seen an abundance of research, and hundreds of studies conducted, about the increasingly popular practice of mindfulness. Countless results of said studies have shown a great increase in stress, so much so that some Fortune 500 companies in the US for instance, have even employed mindfulness coaches to benefit their employees. Specific programs for businesses around the globe have been created for their employees to help reduce stress, keep employees' minds fresh and focused and in turn able to perform better at work and of course be happier and healthier from the inside out. But, just what is mindfulness? And does it has the same positive effect on younger children, specifically those between the ages of three and 11?
What is mindfulness? In short, mindfulness is a simplistic program of meditative activities. It is a simple, yet powerful observation free from criticism and is a new and improved way of seeing what is happening to us in our lives. Although very effective once learnt, mindfulness does of course not rid you of everyday problems and pressures, yet it does, however, provide you with the tools and mindset needed to handle them in a calmer way. This calmer way has been said to benefit not only your mind but also your heart and body, thus providing an improved way of life and a greater sense of clarity and focus.
How can mindfulness help young children? Extensive research has shown that mindfulness can help children between the ages of three and 11. If we take a look at the developmental changes that occur within children, the physical changes and events such as starting school, socialising, and simply learning about life, it makes perfect sense to equip youngsters with
tools on how to deal with their emotions, and how to develop a positive outlook on life with mindfulness skills. Children can learn vital stress-relieving skills such as breathing techniques, mindful hearing and listening. If children struggle with an emotion or getting angry they can revert to mindfulness techniques to learn how to deal with, and control, those emotions.
Mindfulness and autism, ADHD and ADD The Autism Research and Treatment study undertaken by Sequeira is a piece of research that supports the notion that mindfulness meditation has a great positive effect on children with autism. To be mindful helps one keep focused in a precise moment. Taking medication for autism, ADHD or ADD does not have long-term benefits, however, mindfulness can help long term given it is practised daily and part of one's lifestyle, not only for children but also for adults. Parents and/or carers who look after children with such disorders can often find themselves dealing with stress, so things such as meditation and mindful thinking can help reduce the effects of stress, thus enabling them to deal with situations in a calmer, more helpful way, to themselves and children. Some of those with autism suffer from psychological imbalances, such as lack of rhythm. Children who struggle with this can have difficulty when trying to balance the inner and outer world, which can result in issues with interaction or distorted relationships. One area of mindfulness that may benefit these children is Mantra Meditation. This type of meditation is all about repetition, such as repeating a sound or repeating a movement or word. It’s this calm and harmonising meditation that can help to
restore the child's sense of rhythm.
Can mindfulness help your child thrive at school? It is a sad and somewhat worrying fact that more and more children are feeling the stress and pressure of school life. With a push to succeed academically, to make friends or even anxieties related to changing or starting new schools, these pressures are simply no good for our children. With this in mind it is no surprise that teachers, carers and parents are looking towards proven methods of mindfulness to protect and nurture their youngsters' mental and general wellbeing. Some children find short yoga routines at the start or end of their day a great way to clear their mind and relax, as well as stay in tune with their mind and bodies. These sorts of activities are perfect for all ages, from very young children to the elderly. Children who are undertaking exams may find yoga a much-needed break from studying, as even 10 minutes’ practice can provide great clarity and help to re-focus the mind. Many practitioners are encouraging schools and parents to practise mindfulness with their children due to the plethora of proven benefits to all. For instance, Susan Kaiser Greenland has published a study named “Mindful Revolution in Education”. This informative piece goes into more detail on the ways in which mindfulness programs for children can help create a more compassionate, calmer youngster with good practices. For more information, visit: www. familiesonline.co.uk/wellbeing Oxfordshire Magazine 13
What's On Your guide to family events this January & February Every Thursday Baby Cafe East Oxford Children's Centre Collins Street, OX4 1EE thebabycafe.org Baby Cafes are drop-in centres offering information and support for pregnant and breastfeeding mums and their families, to offer help and support to breastfeeding mothers at any stage in their breastfeeding journey. Meet lots of other mums too! 1pm - 3pm 1-8 Jan Robinson Crusoe The Theatre Chipping Norton 2 Spring Street, OX7 5NL chippingnortontheatre.com Set sail for adventure with the strapping hero Robinson Crusoe, armed only with a treasure map, his mum, and the ship-shape crew of the Saucy Nancy. A tale loved through the ages of shipwrecks and desert islands, retold as you’ve never seen it before, with pirates, mermaids, cowboys and the fearsome Pirate Queen, Betty Babcock! Until 7 Jan Snow white and other tales from the Brothers Grimm North Wall Arts Centre South Parade, Oxford, OX2 7JN thenorthwall.com Enter the magical world of the Brothers Grimm where straw can be spun into gold, the moon can be kidnapped, death can be bargained with and whatever you do, don’t trust your parents. The North Wall will be transformed into a theatre in the round with the stalls arranged around circular tables so you can get up close with the action. Until 8 Jan Cinderella the Pantomime The Oxford Playhouse Beaumont Street, OX1 2LW oxfordplayhouse.com Are you ready for a gigantic sprinkle of Playhouse magic this Christmas even though it’s the now the New year!? Then get set to join Cinderella on a midnight coach ride through pantoland! Cinders' ugly sisters 14 January/ February 2017
and wicked step-mum make her scrape and clean all day and it’s beginning to make her feel all sad. And she needs you! Written and directed by Steve Marmion, director of our 5-star pantomime Aladdin last year. Until 6 Jan Winter Family Trail Museum of Oxford Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, OX1 1BX oxford.gov.uk Help William Fletcher, one of Oxford’s former mayors, finish his letter to Father Christmas and claim your lucky dip prize! Until 8 Jan Three Bears Furry Tales for Christmas The Story Museum 42 Pembroke Street, OX1 1BP storymuseum.org.uk We’re going bearserk at this winter with a lovely new musical show for children and families inspired by classic myths about our ancient cousin – the bear. Meet Teddy Rochester who has a collection of stories to share. The Three Bears are having Christmas porridge problems and on to the Stars where a couple of our furry friends have been twinkling for a long, long time. Check website for timings. Until 7 Jan January Pitt Stop: Chinese Lanterns Pitt Rivers Museum South Parks Road, OX1 3PP prm.ox.ac.uk A very interesting lantern workshop for all the family. Get ready for the Chinese New Year celebrations and make your own lantern to use in a special parade at the end of January. 13 Jan January Under 5s: A Little Look at... Hats Pitt Rivers Museum South Parks Road, OX1 3PP prm.ox.ac.uk A fun and hands-on session for walkers to 5 years. See some amazing objects and make something to take home with you.
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22 Jan Cushion Concert Jacqueline du Pre Building St. Hilda College, Cowley Place, OX4 1DY, jdp.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/events Rozzy and Mr Cello introduce children and families to different instruments and how they make music, feeding curiosity and nurturing the love of music in these fun and upclose concerts. Don’t forget to bring your own cushion! 10am, 11am & 12pm. 22 Jan The Bear at Cornerstone Cornerstone Arts Centre 25 Station Road, Didcot, OX11 7NE cornerstone-arts.org Ever wondered what it would be like to sit on a polar bear's lap? Or ride on its back? Have you ever tried to give a bear a bath? Or clear up its poo?! Looking after a bear is exhausting stuff. With dazzling puppetry, dreamy storytelling and dozens of laughs, The Bear is an unforgettable experience. Take your bear and join Tilly on a magical adventure. 22 Jan Burglar Bill The Beacon Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BX beaconwantage.co.uk Join Pied Piper Theatre Company in a fun and engaging stage adaptation of Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s charming picture book. Who's that creeping down the street? Who's that climbing up the wall? Who's that coming through the window? 11am &
2pm 27-28 Jan The Thing That Came From Over There Pegasus Theatre Magdalen Road, OX4 1RE pegasustheatre.org.uk Inspired by the movies of the 1950s, this is a fast-paced rollicking ride mixing paranoia, suspense and hilariously gruesome deaths. It’s 1912 and as Scott and Amundsen begin their race across Antarctica the hapless explorer Captain Reginald Cranston has accidentally landed on the wrong side of the continent. Join three daring actors as they play over 15 roles including shocks, spine tingling silliness and blood curdling terror. Suitable for ages 8+ 7.30pm 1 Feb Life, Animated The Phoenix Picture House 57-58 Walton Street, OX2 6AE scienceoxford.com A remarkable story of Owen, a boy living with autism, and how he uses Disney as a pathway to language and a framework for making sense of the world. By using quotes from the likes of Simba, Ariel and Jafar, he was finally able to open up, and his family discovered a porthole into their son’s mind. Using home footage, animation and family interviews, join us for a moving and inspiring documentary on communication, language and the importance of family. Followed by a Q&A session with Steven Chance from the Nuffield Department of Clinical www.familiesonline.co.uk
Neurosciences and chaired by Science Oxford. 6.15-8.30pm 2 Feb Cushion Concert Jacqueline du Pre Building St. Hilda College, Cowley Place, OX4 1DY jdp.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/events Rozzy and Mr Cello introduce children and families to different instruments. Making music, feeding curiosity and nurturing the love of music in these fun and up-close concerts. Take your own cushion! 10am, 11am & 12pm. 3 Feb A Little Look at... Magic Pitt Rivers Museum South Parks Road, OX1 3PP prm.ox.ac.uk A fun and hands-on session for walkers to 5 years. Join in to see some amazing objects and make something to take home with you. 4 Feb Jason and the Argonauts Cornerstone Arts Centre 25 Station Road, Didcot, OX11 7NE cornerstone-arts.org Meet Jason and the Argonauts – the original superheroes! A refugee forced out of his own land, Jason sets out on an epic quest across the known universe to find the magical Golden Fleece that will prove his identity. 4 Feb Nest Box Day - Saturday Science Club Abingdon School Park Road, Abingdon, OX14 1DE scienceoxford.com It's National Nest Box Week so get off to a flying start by making your own nest box to take home or to be put up in Science Oxford’s new woodland site. Choose a bird species to try to attract then construct your own nest box using hand and power tools. Each child must be accompanied by an adult! Ages 5-9 4 Feb Amazing Egyptians Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1SN sofo.org.uk Creative fun inspired by the land of the Pharoahs. 1pm3.30pm.
4 Feb Pitt Stop: Woven Wonders Pitt Rivers Museum South Parks Road, OX1 3PP prm.ox.ac.uk Find out more about how baskets are made and become a basket-making master. 6 Feb Jamie Raven Live The New Theatre Oxford George Street, OX1 2AG atgtickets.com/ Jamie Raven burst onto an unsuspecting world during the 2015 series of Britain’s Got Talent. His magic amazed audiences. Good show for all the family. 7.30pm 7 Feb Festival of Ancient and Modern Science Cheney School Headington, OX3 7QH eoccc.org.uk A celebration of ancient and modern science and technology, with themes on ancient and modern areas of scientific understanding and exploration! All ages are welcome. With a wide range of ancient and modern science activities, performances, stalls and events. Email to book. 11 Feb Big Howard’s LOL-tastic Yuckfest For Kids and Well Trained Adults Pegasus Theatre Magdalen Road, OX4 1RE pegasustheatre.org.uk Howard is a massive kid. A massive kid with a moustache. He makes words, pictures, animation and noises, nearly all of which will make you laugh. This hour of fun features standup, interactive digital animation, sound effects, jokes, and lots, and lots, and lots of cleaver nonsense (WARNING! some of the clever nonsense will be extremely stupid). 6pm 11-19 Feb Lords and Ladies Workshop Blenheim Palace Woodstock, OX20 1PP blenheimpalace.com Keep your little lords and ladies busy during half term with our fun new workshops exploring the world of the aristocracy. Children can make music using historic instruments, play historic games including blind man's bluff and checkers, and dress up as a Lord or Lady themselves. 10.30-5.30pm
13-15 Feb Spring Chickens Pitt Rivers Museum South Parks Road, OX1 3PP, prm.ox.ac.uk Find out all there is to know about chickens at this chicken bonanza! Joint event with Oxford University Museum of Natural History. 1pm-4pm. 14-16 Feb Wild at Heart: Love is in the air Sutton Courtenay Envrionmental Education Centre, Sutton Courtenay Road, OX14 4TE bbowt.org.uk/whats-on Visit Sutton Courtenay to find out about amazing wildlife. Wrap up warm to explore the reserve then join us inside by the fire to enjoy some crafts. Booking essential online. 10am - 3pm / £4 per child. Adults free 14 Feb Who do you love Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1SN sofo.org.uk Whatever or whoever you love, make them something special on this day! 1pm-3.30pm
14 Feb Waking up after Winter for Families The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum, Nuneham Courtenay, OX44 9PX botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk Go to Harcourt Arboretum to search for signs of Spring and enjoy some seasonal craft activities that everyone can enjoy. Look for buds, spring bulbs, awakening animals, take a trail and make something to take home. 1-4pm 15 Feb Fabulous Fairtrade Family Event The University of Oxford Harcourt Arboretum, Nuneham Courtenay, OX44 9PX botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk Come along to the garden to help celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight! With a Fairtrade themed family friendly event with activities and crafts suitable for children of all ages! With lots of Fairtrade chocolatey making! Children might also want to borrow one of our trails or one of our brand-new backpacks whilst they are visiting! Children are free with an accompanying paying adult. Donations appreciated. 11am-1pm
Join us for February Half Term Enjoy a host of fun family activities Giant Hedge Maze • Themed Trails Butterfly House • Adventure Playground Little Lords & Ladies Workshops ‘A Passion for Fashion’ Exhibition
For more information and to book tickets visit blenheimpalace.com Times of workshops vary. Please check the relevant details before visiting.
A precious time, every time. Britain’s Greatest Palace. Oxfordshire Magazine 15
Young Voices 2017 Is your child part of a school taking part in the next Young Voices on 26 January? If so what a spectacular event to be involved in! These concerts provide children with the opportunity to perform in some of the world’s greatest arenas alongside incredible artists and has a massive impact on the children involved. Taking part means the children have an amazing time with their school friends, who all support each other, by building self-belief and their ability to communicate as part of a team. Add the numerous health benefits of consistent singing in rehearsals, from breathing regulation to relieving stress, it’s no wonder that Young Voices is over-subscribed year after year. One of the highlights of the whole process is to see the pride that the children have in their own performance, further amplified when their parents are able to share the experience as part of the audience. Tickets for 2018 will be available through your children’s school starting in July 2017.
Families Oxfordshire would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year! May your dreams come true in 2017 Issue
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