F R TAKE EE ME HOM E
Sat 27 November 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022
Written and directed by Steve Marmion
kypaul.com n: www.kor © Illustratio
For everyone aged 5 to 105! TICKET FROM S £15
01865 305305 www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Issue 104 November/December 2021 familiesonline.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk Families Oxfordshire 1
Margot’s
Ages 4+
MAGICAL
winter wonder
PARTY
An enchanting winter show celebrating the here and now
Pegasus Theatre | 11 - 23 Dec Magdalen Road, Oxford OX4 1RE | Tickets £10
01865 812 150 | pegasustheatre.org.uk Pegasus
Sponsored by
Contents & Competitions
Dear Reader, Tis the season to be merry, or so they say! For busy parents already juggling work, school, and a household, the thought of probably the biggest event of the year on the children’s calendar only weeks away can be overwhelming, especially when trying to squeeze in school plays, Christmas fairs, carol services, Christmas social events and Christmas shopping. So remember to take time for Wise w yourself this Christmas - we deserve a Many o ords f life’s fa break at Christmas too! ilures a w
re peop ho did n le ot realiz e how c they we lose re to su ccess w hen they ga ve up. Thomas A. Ediso n
facebook.com/familieseastoxfordshiremag DON’T MISS A COPY! Receive Families Oxfordshire by post for just £9.30 for 6 issues (1 year) or £18 for 12 issues (2 years). Call or email editor@familiesOxfordshire.co.uk for a subscription form.
WIN
What's in this issue? 4.
News & Views
7.
Baby News
8.
What’s On This Christmas
9.
Where To Find Santa
10. Meet the Author 11. Tutoring 12. Teaching Young Children About Time 13. How Is Your Child’s Self Esteem 14. Choosing Safe Toys 15. Christmas Gift Guide EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336, editor@familiesOxfordshire.co.uk
A FAMILY TICKET TO ROBIN HOOD AT OXFORD PLAYHOUSE The Oxford Playhouse Pantomime is back, oh yes it is! From Sat 27 November 2021 to Sun 9 January 2022 get ready to cheer on Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men and Women, as they find a way to outwit the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham and enjoy plenty of musical interludes along the way.
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Amanda Dawson, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk SOCIAL MEDIA: Amanda Dawson, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk DESIGN: Caroline Thompson-Heap, info@cheekymonkeydesigns.net 22,000 copies of Families Oxfordshire available through schools, nurseries, hospitals, clubs and classes, selected shops and restaurants. If you would like copies for your establishment please let us know. Families Oxfordshire is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Oxfordshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Oxfordshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Oxfordshire its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.
DISTRIBUTORS WANTED Do you have a couple of spare days every other month, have your own car, and want to earn some extra cash? Families Magazine Oxfordshire is looking for trustworthy, reliable and self motivated people to join their team, delivering our magazine to locations around Wallingford & Thame and Abingdon & Didcot. You’ll be distributing our magazine every other month for 1-3 days depending on the route. GOOD RATES OF PAY!
Call Lisa on 07887 521978 or email editor@familiesox.co.uk to find out more. familiesonline.co.uk
Families Oxfordshire 3
News & Views
Christmas at Cogges
Cogges Manor Farm is a unique historic farmstead in the heart of Witney and wellknown locally as a hidden gem and popular visitor attraction. But did you know that Cogges also hosts many special events throughout the year, most recently the sellout Witch’s House for Halloween? As the darker nights draw in, the focus is moving to the festive season when the Manor House will be beautifully decorated for Christmas and open once again for visitors to explore. The café will also be open for all those festive drinks and food and for toasting marshmallows on the fire. For some extra magic, you might also like to stay on for the Friday - Sunday evening illuminations. Children can enjoy craft activities on Saturdays and Santa’s Grotto on Sundays and have fun choosing a beautiful Christmas tree to take home. Cogges will reopen from Saturday 27th November until Wednesday 22nd December, five days each week (9.30am – 4pm). Evening illuminations each Friday – Sunday from 5 – 8pm; Family craft activities on Saturdays, Santa’s Grotto on Sundays (December only); Christmas table decoration workshop Saturday 11 December; Cogges Kitchen café open every day during this period and you don’t need a ticket to the farm to access the café. www.Cogges.org.uk
Jetkids BedBox
STOCKING FILLER ORANGE
Bring joy to a vulnerable child this Christmas
Made with delicious, high quality and sustainable ingredients that you can find in the kitchen - like fresh organic British cream, butter and wildflower honey – Steve and Giles set out to create delicious fridge-fresh chocolates, making hundreds of prototypes before settling on their launch range. www.russellandatwell.com
Online Parents’ Evenings likely to stay
November 2021 sees the launch of Russell & Atwell’s brand-new Limited-Edition Seville Orange Chocolates, just in time for Christmas gifting. The vibrant and zesty new variety will melt on the tongue and leave you with a gorgeous citrus finish, an ideal addition to the Christmas haul this year, whether as a gift, a treat to add to the after-dinner rotation, or even as a twist on the stocking filler orange! Also in this year’s gifting range are letterbox friendly Triple Pouch Packs (from £20), for those who love variety; Triple Glass Jar Gift Sets (from £40); and the motherload, The Big Kahuna Gifting Box (from £80) – perfect for large family gatherings, or those who’ve made it back to the office!
If you are jetting away this Christmas, then the Jetkids Golden Olive BedBox, inspired by the Orient Express train, is designed to help you get back on track to family travel. After years of taking travel for granted, this past year JetKids had time to think more about what it meant for families. Travel is the time to create memories as a family that will last a lifetime. The muted green colour takes us back to when travel was luxurious, about slowing down and enjoying the journey. The BedBox™ is the world’s only ride-on suitcase for children with an inflight bed / leg-rest feature. This travel essential combines Scandinavian and aviation-inspired designs with practical features for the entire journey and allows your child to rest comfortably or sleep during long and short trips. The ride-on function is suitable for children 3-7 years, and the bed feature is best suited for children over 2 years. www.Jet-kids.com 4 Families Oxfordshire
Christmas won’t be magical for every child. It can be a difficult time of year for children in care who may be spending their first festive season away from their family. And for households facing economic hardship, buying presents will once again put additional pressure on families. Reading brings children profound and wide-ranging benefits that can have a lifelong positive impact on their lives, affecting their health, wellbeing and their academic and social development. This Christmas, the BookTrust is aiming to give 16,000 books to children who need them the most – giving them access to a world of imagination, creativity and possibilities that books can provide. A £10 donation to BookTrust will help fund a surprise book gift for a vulnerable child and support the BookTrust’s work during the year. Find out more and donate at www.booktrust.org.uk/xmas
It’s likely that the pandemic will leave behind one lasting change to the normal school year. Online Parents’ Evening could become the norm, putting an end to the mad dash to arrive on time, confusion over finding the right room and the seemingly endless queuing for five minutes with your child’s teacher. During lockdown, the then Education Recovery Commissioner, Sir Kevan Collins, said that that particular aspect of school life would ‘never be the same again.’ Educational-technology adviser and London Borough of Havering senior inspector Dave Smith agrees the online versions of Parents’ Evening are ‘here to stay.’ ‘Online parent/ carer meetings have proved very successful in schools,’ he says. familiesonline.co.uk
News & Views
Playing with food is good for children Children allowed to squash, touch and handle fruit and vegetables at mealtimes are less likely to be picky eaters, according to research. Researchers found toddlers who were given permission to mess around with foods like bananas, tomatoes and oranges were more likely to eat fruit and vegetables than rival groups. The finding suggests that it is touch and feel – not taste, as has long been suggested - which could be the catalyst to encouraging children to eat more healthily. The study involved sixty two pre-school children ages three to four from nurseries around Northampton. The results revealed that those who had played with them tried significantly more fruit and vegetables than those in the rival groups. Researchers said the key is not to put pressure on children but to let them play instead. More info: www.dmu.ac.uk/research/research-news
Exploring Expressionism
In their Saturday art workshop, Years 7 and 8 at Abingdon Prep enjoyed exploring the work of German expressionist painter, Franz Marc. After selecting their chosen animal, they began mapping out onto canvas. The boys took their time to consider both composition and colour. Franz Marc linked his use of colour towards how he felt the animal connected to human emotions. The boys took on this idea really well, and created some truly personal paintings.
Potential breakthrough in care of children with autism
Training parents how to respond to babies showing early signs of autism could reduce by two thirds the number of three-year-olds meeting the criteria for diagnosis, a study suggests. The first two years are critical for brain development, but most autism diagnoses are made around the age of three or older when children display symptoms such as difficulty talking or making eye contact. The study suggests that intervening earlier in at-risk children, when the brain is developing rapidly, could prevent them developing these symptoms in the first place. Improvement on this scale has never been shown before, the researchers say. Study author, Professor Jonathan Green, said the first two years of life when signs of autism are emerging are critical. But he stressed that although the therapy can prevent long-term difficulties, it is not a ‘miracle cure’. More info: jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics
familiesonline.co.uk
Sleeping badly can affect children’s mental health
Irritability, fatigue, short attention span - the short-term effects of a bad night’s sleep can have a particularly strong effect on children. But regular sleep deprivation can have a worrying impact on children’s longterm mental health, a new study has found. Researchers at the University of Warwick looked at eleven thousand children ages 9 to 11, examining the relationship between sleep duration and brain structure. It was observed that children who had shorter sleep durations had reduced brain volume in areas such as the orbitofrontal cortex, prefrontal and temporal cortex, precuneus and supramarginalgyrus. Having lower brain volume in these areas has been linked to mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, impulsive behaviour and poor cognitive performance. The researchers stated that the recommended amount of sleep for children aged 6 to 12 years is 9-12 hours. More info: www.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents
RADLEY COLLEGE
Radley offers an environment for boys to grow in self-confidence, thrive academically, and make the most of an enormous range of opportunities. The door is open to any talented candidate, regardless of their means or their background, and we hope that we will have many applicants who wish to join us in the pursuit of excellence. A Radley education is about independent thought and learning with enthusiasm. It is about cultural awareness and academic ambition. It is about learning to live with others and preparation for the world beyond its gates. We are looking for boys who have curiosity and aspiration; creativity and critical thought; strength and humility; leadership and collaboration; adaptability and resilience. If you have a talented boy, who excels academically or at music, sport, art or drama then we have bursary support available up to 100% of the fees. To arrange a visit please contact us: admissions@radley.org.uk or 01235 543 174 or complete the enquiry form on our website www.radley.org.uk. Families Oxfordshire 5
Early Years Christmas
Open Morning
g Mornin Open nce differe a h it w sday Wedne ber em 24 Nov
Friday 3 December 10.45am-11.45am
Come and see a real school day at OLA; watch classes in action, feel free to stop and chat, find out what truly makes OLA a wonderful place to learn and grow. Register at www.ola.org.uk for all Open & Experience Days and Admissions Catholic Independent Co-educational Day School for 7–18s welcoming all faiths and none Our Lady’s Abingdon | Radley Road | Abingdon-on-Thames | OX14 3PS | 01235 524658 | www.ola.org.uk
OLA Oxfordshire Living A4 Oct21.indd 1
MAGIC MOMENTS EVERY DAY All pre-school children welcome. Please book at our website www.chandlingspst.org
15/10/2021 17:42:00
Abingdon Prep
Radley for Life Bursary support available at 11+, 13+ or Sixth Form for talented boys. Radley is a top boys’ boarding school near Oxford. 01235 543174 www.radley.org.uk/funded-places Please contact admissions@radley.org.uk
abingdon.org.uk/prep Independent education for boys aged 4-13
Families Baby News
NEW MOTHERS’ SLEEP LOSS LINKED TO ACCELERATED AGEING
Lack of sleep in the first six months after having a baby can add up to seven years to the biological age of new mothers, a study reveals. Researchers said the findings mean that those who complain of sleepless nights taking years off their life may well be right. They studied 33 mothers during their pregnancies and the first year of their babies’ lives, analysing their DNA to determine their ‘biological age’, which can differ from chronological age. A year after giving birth, the biological age of those who slept fewer than seven hours a night at the six-month mark was three to seven years older than those who logged seven hours or more. The researchers from the University of California urged new mothers to take advantage of opportunities to get a little extra sleep. www.newsroom.ucla.edu
This super soft chunky knit cardigan, made from sustainable 100% organic cotton to be gentle on delicate skin, has stylish doublebreasted buttons for easy changing and a comfy hood - it’s the perfect layer to keep baby cosy all day long. Comes in sizes 0-24 months. £34.99 www.kitandkin.com
CUDDLEDRY PENGUIN
Kaloo first dolly
We love the new Tendresse doll from Kaloo. Ideal from birth and made from the softest materials, the doll collection will comfort little ones as they grow, soon becoming the star of any imaginative play and games. All dolls include a delicate ribbon necktie and soft, long legs for easy gripping. Each Tendresse has their own individual style, outfit and personality. From £19.99 www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk
KIT & KIN CARDIGAN
Introducing the NEW cuddle pal, the Cuddlepenguin. With her flippers by her side she’ll waddle her way straight into your little ones heart. This soft grey towel with it’s adorable penguin face on the hood and flippers by its side is available in sizes 1-3 years and 3 – 6 years. Starting at £34.99 www.cuddledry.com
FAIRY TALES
From Little Red Riding Hood to The Little Mermaid, all the favourite fantasy characters feature in delightful and bright illustrations on each page, alongside a new surface for little hands to explore – from Cinderella’s glittering carriage to Snow White’s magical mirror, there are so many new textures to discover! £7.99 www.penguin.co.uk
Keeping little hands safe
Snüzpouch
The unique SnüzPouch comes in both 1.0 and 2.5 tog, with sizes 0-6 months and 6-18 months available. Featuring the brand’s thoughtfully designed nappy change zip, the super handy opening has been seamlessly integrated into the design making night changes quick and easy, with minimum disturbance for baby. From £29.95 www.snuz.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk
With winter truly on its way, little ones will be spending more time indoors exploring their surroundings. Fred’s award-winning safety solutions ensure curious little hands will be kept out of harm’s way, keeping children safe around the home. Offering simple and straight forward solutions, the easy to use safety locks and innovative stair gates exceed safety standards and are of the highest quality, to offer parents peace of mind during festive family days indoors. Fred’s iconic safety gates are truly an essential in any family home. Keeping inquisitive toddlers away from a busy kitchen, a flight of stairs or any rooms in the house that may be unsafe, Fred safety gates are easy to fit and secure whilst not looking out of place in any stylish household. Exceeding EU safety standards, the Screw Fit Clear-View Stairgate is one of the brands hero products for good reason. With a 2-way magnetic locking system, at-a-glance visual locking indicators and the FastMount™ installation system (that make it the quickest and easiest gate of its type to fit correctly), the high quality, contemporary stairgate fits seamlessly within any home. The Fred Invisible Magnet Locks offer a simple way to add another level of safety to drawers and cupboards to ensure dangerous items are kept firmly behind closed doors. With no tricky lining up or fiddly fittings, the locks are quick to fit, creating a strong hold that won’t tug off. Alongside this, the Multi-Purpose Blocks are also a favourite with parents for simple home safety. Fitting in seconds, the Squeeze-n-Lift™ system can keep anything from cupboard corners, drawers and fridge/freezers secure – whilst remaining bite and choke safe too. Keeping little hands away from Santa’s hidden presents has never been so easy! Fred safety range prices start from £6.99 available from fredsafety.co.uk Families Oxfordshire 7
On Whgsatotd’s o, places to
Robin Hood Panto
WHERE: Oxford Playhouse 27th November – 9th January Feared by the bad, loved by the good, taking from the rich to give to the poor. Robin Hood and his Merry Band are our favourite outlaws, especially when they treat us to songs, dance, laughter, and derring-do! From £15.00 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305
Thin be had go and fun to ages in for kids of all
Oxfordshire
Fre
50 Miles in November
WHERE: Anywhere and everywhere! WHEN: 1st November – 30th November Have fun and get active by taking on this great challenge to walk or run 50 miles in November. You can do it whenever, wherever and however you like and raise vital funds to help local terminally ill children. Free entry. www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/ event/50-miles-in-november/
Early Years Christmas Open Morning
WHERE: Chandlings Prep, Oxford WHEN: 3rd December 10.45 - 11.45 Have lots of christmassy fun experiencing what it’s like to be in Chandlings’ nursery. Activities may include singing around the Christmas tree, story time in front of the fire and there may be a special visitor too! Book at chandlingspst.org/openmornings
Meet me a Tree
WHERE: Pegasus Theatre, Oxford WHEN: 13th November: 11.00, 12.00 and 14.30 A multisensory journey for you and your baby, following the life of a tree. Meet me a Tree is an opportunity to unwind and have fun for new parents, carers and babies. Ages 0-2 £6.00 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150
8 Families Oxfordshire
e!
Artists and Makers Fair
WHERE: Thame Town Hall WHEN: 13th November and 4th December, 10.00 – 16.00 Immerse yourself in a glorious collection of local artisans and craftspeople and meet the talented artists showcasing their work from around Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. FREE www.sallyevansevents.com
Christmas at Waddesdon Manor
WHEN: 13th November 3rd January Christmas at Waddesdon is back with magical lights and the gardens aglow. Join them for festive fun with their enchanting outdoor extravaganza that will brighten the end of your year. Includes access to Christmas Fair, Winter Light trail and Manor illuminations. From £8.50 for children www.waddesdon.org.uk
Oxford Christmas Market
! New
Cogges Christmas lights
WHERE: Cogges Manor Farm WHEN: 27th November – 19th December (Fridays – Sundays), 17.00 – 20.00 Enjoy evening light illuminations at Cogges Manor Farm and maybe a festive drink or two. www.cogges.org.uk 01993 772602
Cogges Kitchen Café
WHERE: Cogges Manor Farm WHEN: 27th November – 22nd December, 09.00 – 16.00 Call in for all those Christmassy drinks and food and for toasting marshmallows on the fire. www.cogges.org.uk 01993 772602
Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival
WHEN: 19th & 20th November Oxford’s Christmas Light Festival is back for 2021. Join the festival of arts, culture and community across the city and make Oxford sparkle! www.oxlightfest.com/
‘Coming Home for Christmas’ at Greys Court WHERE: Greys Court, Henley WHEN: From 24th November Celebrate the festive season with the house decorated (open Weds - Sun), way marked frosty walks to follow, a children’s trail outside and the bare beauty of the walled gardens in winter. From £6.50 www.nationaltrust.org.uk
WHERE: Broad Street, Oxford WHEN: 9th – 19th December Choirs singing Christmas carols, market traders offering unusual and handmade gifts, colourful decorations brightening wooden stalls and the aroma of mulled wine and cinnamon - this is a truly magical Christmas experience. www.oxfordchristmasmarket. co.uk
Margot’s Magical Winter Wonder Party
WHERE: Pegasus Theatre, Oxford WHEN: 11th, 18th – 23rd December, 11.00 and 14.00 This charming show is all about celebrating the here and now – using physical comedy, original music, magical lights and puppetry. Join Margot and her cat Simon for the party of the year. Ages 4-7 £10.00 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 01865 812150
Pinocchio
Home in Time for Christmas
WHERE: Oxford Playhouse WHEN: 9th – 31st December Join Kayla and Snowy, her teddy, as they journey around the world on Christmas Eve, making new friends with the animals they meet along the way. Will they get home to Grandpa in time for Christmas? Take a starlight adventure with puppets and find out! Ages 3 – 7. From £8.50 www.oxfordplayhouse.com 01865 305305
WHERE: The North Wall, Oxford WHEN: 15th December – 3rd January Brimming with heart and humour, this high-energy retelling of the classic tale of a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real child sees The North Wall transformed into a magical wonderland. Age guidance 7+ From £11.50 www.creationtheatre.co.uk
familiesonline.co.uk
Families What's on
Whatto’sgoOton
Steam into Christmas
Places find Santa this Christmas in
Oxfordshire
The Polar Express
WHERE: Cholsey & Wallingford Railway WHEN: Selected dates from 27th November – 23rd December The Polar Express™ is theatrically re-created in a train ride so you can be immersed in the sights, sounds and intrigue of this classic children’s tale. Prepare to be surrounded by the magic and wonder of the Christmas season! From £24.95 tickets.cholseythepolarexpressride.com
Christmas Grotto
WHERE: Yarnton Home and Garden WHEN: 20th November – 24th December Create the perfect reindeer recipe, write a letter to Santa and explore the magical views in the Christmas Grotto. Visit Santa’s lodge, where you can talk and sing some carols with Santa and the excited elves and choose a wrapped gift to take home. Children From £11.95 Adult £3.00 www.yarntonhomegarden.co.uk 01865 372124
Santa Steam Special
WHERE: Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway WHEN: Weekends from 27th November – 19th December plus 22nd and 23rd December Santa will welcome everyone onboard and travel with you to his North Pole station where refreshments and a visit to Santa’s workshop to pick-up that important first Christmas present will happen! On the return journey Santa will pass through the carriages. £16.00 www.chinnorrailway.co.uk
WHERE: Didcot Railway Centre WHEN: Weekends from 4th – 19th December, plus 21st – 23rd December Santa will be in a special train full of presents in a decorated Victorian station with a gift for every child, helpers to entertain and a second steam train to take you on a festive journey. From £16.65 (includes admission, train ride, present and seasonal refreshments) www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk 01235 817200
Festive Fairytales with Father Christmas
WHERE: Odds Farm Park WHEN: 1st – 24th December Father Christmas invites you to join him and his Elves for an enchanting group story-time and take a magical stroll deep into the sparkly, wintery Enchanted Woodland to the North Pole! From £17.95 www.oddsfarm.co.uk
Christmas Fairytale 2021
WHERE: Fairytale Farm, Southcombe WHEN: Weekends from 4th – 12th December and then daily from 13th – 24th December Enter a beautiful Fairytale Castle, meet some interactive dancing penguins, visit the Toymaker, see Santa’s sleigh and walk through the Secret Forest to meet Father Christmas in his charming Grotto. £13.99 for Child Christmas Fairytale tickets (includes gift and admission to Fairytale Farm) www.fairytalefarm.co.uk 01608 238014
Cogges Santa’s Grotto
Santa’s Grotto
WHERE: Thame Town Hall WHEN: 5th December, 11.00 – 15.00 Santa will be in his sparkly grotto ready to meet any children whether they’ve been naughty or nice! Let him know what you would like for Christmas, listen to some Christmas music and receive a small present. www.facebook. com/ChristmasInThame
WHERE: Cogges Manor Farm WHEN: 5th, 12th and 19th December Cogges Manor Farm is open 5 days a week for Christmas from 27 Nov – 22 December. Santa’s Grotto every Sunday in December. www.cogges.org.uk 01993 772602
All events are subject to change and cancellation in view of any future Covid-19 legislations. All details are correct at the point of writing this article in November. familiesonline.co.uk
Families Oxfordshire 9
Families Education
Book Club
As winter rolls around again my favourite place to be is cuddled up on the sofa with a good book and a roaring fire. The colder weather offers us the perfect excuse to cosy up with a hot chocolate and it’s the ideal time to encourage a love of reading with our children. Books make great Christmas gifts and sharing in those adventures is a great way to enjoy some peaceful family time. This month Rachel Bailey chats to picture book legend Nick Butterworth whose brand new book A Flying Visit, is the latest in the famed Percy the Park Keeper series and Families have two hardback copies to give away!
Who first inspired your love of books? Do you have any treasured memories of reading stories growing up?
My mum used to read bedtime stories every night without fail. I add that because she was a very busy mum, as the corner shop I grew up in was open 6am to 7pm six and a half days a week. There was always time for a story, and my gran, who lived nearby often visited and if ever I seemed at a loose end during the day, she’d say (in her northern accent), “Come on chuck, find me a book. Let’s have a story.” Even though I grew up surrounded by stories, I was slow learning to read. My mum never gave up and read to me longer than most parents would expect to read with their children. So we read longer books together, like Alice in Wonderland, Moby Dick and Kipling’s Just So Stories. I can still hear my mum’s voice in my head as she described, “The great grey-green, greasy Limpopo River, all set about with fever trees…” relishing every word!
Although you are best known for your Percy the Park Keeper stories, you have created many other lovable characters such as Q Pootle 5 and Albert le Blanc. Do you have a favourite?
It depends what mood I’m in – and to some extent, how long it might be since I revisited one of my own books. If I haven’t read THUD! In a school for some time, I might flick through and come across Ralph the rather timid lion or Humphrey the crocodile with toothache, and these will be at least a temporary favourite. But then, in The Whisperer, I have a soft spot for Old Ginger Tom (I even gave him a guest appearance in the second Albert Le Blanc book Albert Le Blanc to the Rescue). I even like the rat character, The Whisperer himself. That’s probably a bit like actors liking to play villains!
Is it true that Percy has his own picnic spot in a real-life park?
Yes, perfectly true. Raphael Park in Romford, where I used to live, had become quite neglected and run down. It was even in danger of being sold off for development as a leisure centre. Luckily a group of enterprising residents formed The Friends of Raphael Park and waged a strong campaign to keep and renovate the park. When they discovered that it was in this park that I’d first had the idea for Percy the Park Keeper, it provided them with an extra reason to keep the place as a park – suddenly, it had Literary Heritage! The park has now been beautifully spruced-up, the lake is clean, and there are more facilities, lots more planting, and a café. And Percy’s Picnic Spot, complete with carved wooden sculptures of Percy and his animal friends.
My children loved watching One Snowy Night at our local theatre. How did it feel to have your work adapted for theatre as well as animation?
It is immensely gratifying to think that enough people have responded to one of my ideas to make it viable to jump from page to stage or screen. To sit in a theatre with a large family audience all happily responding to a story that came to me one day walking in a frosty park with only our dog for company, is wonderful. Shirley Hughes once told me she had been approached by people wanting to animate one of her stories. “You’ve had your work animated, Nick,” she said. “What’s it like? Is it beastly?!” I told her no, but adaptations have to be accommodated for a different treatment. It’s important to choose the right partners.
Do you have any family Christmas traditions?
We do have very strong traditions at Christmas time, mainly carried on from my mum’s side of the family. Like a lot of families, on Christmas Eve, we hang up stockings and leave a glass of sherry and a mince pie for Father Christmas and a carrot for Rudolph near the hearth. Then we’ll have a time of carol singing by firelight, candlelight and the lights of the Christmas tree, always finishing with at least two renditions of ‘Tis Christmas Eve’, a song that goes back to my grandparents’ time, the words of which are written at the front of my book Jingle Bells.
Families have two copies to give away!
For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk
Which series is ‘A Flying Visit’ part of? A. Q Pootle 5 B. Percy the Park Keeper C. Percy the Pilot Closing date for entries is 13 December 2021
A Flying Visit is available from November 11 in hardback priced £12.99. www.percytheparkkeeper.co.uk Facebook: @officialnickbutterworth
10 Families Oxfordshire familiesonline.co.uk
Families Education
TUTORING – getting value for money In at least one part of the country - London, not surprisingly - hiring a tutor is considered pretty normal. But if children are learning well already, tutors aren’t always necessary and the best tutors will tell you exactly that. Tuition comes into its own when you want to plug specific gaps. For example, where a child has missed a lot of school, is preparing for a vital exam or needs a ‘top up’ when a topic didn’t quite stick first time round. Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder when it comes to value for money in tutoring. You might want a tutor who comes with all the bells and whistles – along with rates which reflect demand and their qualifications. But, if not, there are ways to limit the cost of tutoring. You may be asked to pay for screening tests, revision sessions or holiday courses. If you don’t think your child needs them, then say so. Also ask about a reduced rate if you pay for a bunch of lessons upfront.
ONLINE TUITION
Online tutoring sessions are hugely popular with children, especially teenagers. With great apps and services, even an inexperienced online
by Kate Hilpern
tutor can now provide slick tuition. During the pandemic lockdowns, many tutors and tutor agencies moved online and you can still find sessions in pretty much any subject and at any level delivered remotely in this way. Online tuition sessions tend to cost less than face-to-face lessons because there is no travel involved and tutors can work back-to-back sessions. However, if your child already spends all day on screens or has problems concentrating, then inperson tuition may still be the better option.
TUITION CENTRES
These are now quite an established feature on high streets in town centres. If having your own private tutor feels a step too far, you could consider a tuition centre. Significantly cheaper than a visiting tutor or even online tuition, children learn in small groups, working through levels individually and under supervision, either with a worksheet or on a computer. The economies of scale makes the tuition more affordable for parents, albeit sessions lack the one-to-one, personalised attention which comes with the more traditional forms of tuition.
FINDING A TUTOR WORD OF MOUTH Asking around is the most effective and popular way to source good tutors. Parents whose children have just done the relevant exam, if that’s what you’re preparing for, are often the best source. YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL Try talking to your child’s teachers. Many teachers may themselves be happy to help a little outside school or know of other people who tutor.
Christmas festivities at Cogges Manor Farm Open five days a week from Saturday 27 Nov - Wednesday 22 Dec • Festive Manor House and evening light illuminations • Santa’s grotto and craft activities • Christmas trees and café delights See full details at cogges.org.uk Church Lane, Witney OX28 3LA (Free car park OX28 3FR)
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TUTOR AGENCIES Employing a tutor from an agency has advantages and disadvantages. While you are not getting a tutor recommended to you by someone you know, you can pick the one who seems most compatible. If it doesn’t work out, you can switch. WEBSITE AGENCIES Website agencies have their place. Parents can interview or chat with as many potential tutors as they like before agreeing to start tutoring. Be aware, however, that there is likely to be little support if things go wrong. Such companies have not undertaken, for example, the police checks that all the reputable, more complex, agencies now carry out routinely. Kate Hilpern is from The Good Schools Guide, the leading impartial source of information on schools in the UK, helping parents with every aspect of choosing the best education for their children. For more information, visit www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk Families Oxfordshire 11
Families Feature
Teaching young children about time If you’re the parent of a young child, you’re likely to be hearing the words ‘When’s Santa coming?’ more times than you can count in the weeks running up to Christmas. And when your little ones are never satisfied with your answer, no matter how many times you repeat it, it’s easy to feel a little frustrated. So, at moments like these, it may help to consider how time looks from your child’s point of view, at each stage of their development. For example, a toddler only really understands what they can touch or feel. Their first understanding of the concept of time is based on knowing that things – like getting up and having breakfast, lunch, dinner, bath time and story time, happen at roughly the same time every day. For now, they live in the moment. They can’t touch minutes or hours. So, when you say an event they are looking forward to will happen in ‘ten minutes,’ this is still too abstract a concept for them to fully understand. All they know is that there are some experiences which make them feel happy. But because they want a visit from grandma or a trip to the zoo NOW, that’s when they think it should happen, which is why they keep on asking. It will take a few years of life experience and more brain wiring, along with some thoughtful guidance from adults, for youngsters to appreciate an event doesn’t happen instantly because they want it to. By around the age of 4 or 5, children are starting to grasp that time passes in a
predictable way, in the same units of seconds, minutes and hours, for everyone. Kids of this age also have enough experience of the world to relate activities to different times of year. So, they may understand that Christmas happens when it’s cold in Winter, while Halloween takes place when the leaves fall off the trees in Autumn. Gradually, as their memories improve, they can refer to events that have occurred as happening ‘last week’ or ‘next week,’ even though they still may not get these descriptions quite right. A child of this age who says ‘yesterday’ may be talking about an event that happened last week or even a month ago. Even so, children of this age can start to look forward to events, like birthdays, several months in advance. At around age 6, children can start to understand how time is represented on a clock face. This is partly since children’s frontal lobes are now more efficiently wired up to the rest of their brains, so they are able to view the world in a more logical way. This allows them a better grasp of what numbers can symbolise, while their working memory now allows them to hold numerical ideas in their heads. This higher order thinking also allows them to plan more for the future and remember more, so they are now better able to understand the broader concepts of the past, present and future, though you will still get plenty of questions like: ‘Are we there yet?’ if they are on the way to somewhere exciting. As they grow, taking a little time to explain the sequences of events and adding in lots
by Tanith Carey
of time words like ‘seconds,’ ‘minutes’ and ‘hours’ and applying them accurately, will not only help your child make sense of their world but it will also help it feel safer and more predictable. For more insights into how the world looks at every stage for your child, read ‘What’s My Child Thinking? Practical Child Psychology for Modern Parents’ by Tanith Carey and clinical psychologist Dr Angharad Rudkin, published by DK and available from www.bookshop.org
HELPING CHILDREN WITH TIME
AVOID OVEREXCITEMENT. Don’t tell toddlers
and pre-schoolers about events too far in advance. Save the news of upcoming events until a few days or hours before. EXPLAIN SEQUENCES. Nursery age children are ready to understand concepts like ‘before’ and ‘after,’ so include these words in your day. SHOW HOW TIME PASSES. Use visual tools like a big calendar to help your toddler and preschooler. Show them how to move a sticker or magnet along each day as it passes and a special day gets nearer.
Once your child reaches age 4 or 5… LISTEN TO MEMORIES: Pay attention when
your child talks about the past. Ask what they were feeling at the time to help them put that memory in context. NOTICE THE WEATHER: Watching the weather can help children understand the concept of ‘yesterday’ or ‘today’ better. Make a chart and mark weather observations. WHAT TIME IS IT: Point out where the hands are on a clock when their favourite things in the day happen, so they start to notice how time passes! 12 Families Oxfordshire familiesonline.co.uk
Families Education
Children’s Self-Esteem
Good self-esteem is something that can make a big difference to your child’s overall wellbeing, and something they can take with them as they learn and grow. This Anti-Bullying Week which runs from the 15th-19th November, Need2Know Books takes a look at some of the factors that can have a negative impact on a child’s self-esteem. Low self-esteem can often become an issue for children as they enter their tween and teen years, even if they had relatively high self-esteem as young children. Children who suffer from low self-esteem often suffer from bullying. Pre-adolescence is an especially challenging time for many children and families, and there are a number of interrelated reasons for this.
How Self-Esteem Develops
A person gradually becomes able to do things by themselves as they grow from a baby into a toddler into a child. As they master these skills, they begin to feel good about themselves. When a parent shows they’re proud, pays attention, encourages their efforts, and gives them smiles, their self-esteem grows. It may seem unlikely, but self-esteem is something that comes into play as early as infancy. It’s something that grows and changes over a long time. Just making sure a baby feels accepted, protected, and loved can build the foundations for healthy self-esteem. Loving care and positive interactions are a key part of this. Telling whether or not a child feels good about themself isn’t always as easy as we might expect. A child with good self-esteem is one that: • Feels confident. • Feels that they have skills to be proud of. • Has a good level of self-belief. • Thinks good things about themself. • Feels accepted and loved. Children with low self-esteem: • Feel they’re not as good as other kids. • Ignore their successes and focus on their failures. • Underestimate their abilities. • Lack confidence. • Are hard on themselves and judge themselves harshly.
Perceived Disapproval of Others
Kids will begin to pick up on disappointment in the adults around them if they don’t meet the expectations that are set for them. Self-esteem may remain high if this disappointment is coming from someone the child doesn’t like – such as a less respected teacher – as they are less likely to take this judgment to heart. Low self-esteem may become an issue, however, if the child believes that a beloved parent or trusted coach is disappointed in them. This is what makes parental support so vital in maintaining a child’s self-esteem.
Feeling Incompetent
Feeling of inferiority can quickly develop if a child comes to realise that their efforts aren’t always as good as those of their peers. Low self-esteem doesn’t always come about as a result, but it can. Self-esteem is less likely to be affected if the child’s weaker performance occurs in a domain they don’t value, such as sports. Low self-esteem becomes a higher risk if the child struggles in an area they find important, such as academics.
Pressure to Perform
As a child grows and approaches adolescence, performance pressure also grows. Whether an effort is excellent or weak, small or large, children in early and middle childhood will often receive praise. Performance starts to matter more than effort as the teen years approach, and adults come to expect more from kids. familiesonline.co.uk
This means many older kids will notice adults making the same unhealthy comparisons they’re dealing with internally, reinforcing that pressure.
Why Is Self-Esteem So Important?
Your child is more likely to have the confidence to try new things if they feel good about themselves. They’re more likely to apply themselves fully. They will feel pride in their achievements and cope with their mistakes more healthily. Even if they fail at first, children with good self-esteem will be able to try again. This means their social, school, and home lives will generally go more smoothly. Making a child feel worthwhile and appreciated, warm and loving relationships form the foundation of a child’s self-esteem. Interacting with your child in a responsive, caring way is key to building this relationship. You can also give your child a sense of belonging by building family rituals into your relationship. Many children will feel unsure of themselves as a result of low selfesteem. They may not join in if they don’t think others will accept them and may fall victim to bullying, which will damage their self-esteem further. Standing up for themselves may be especially difficult. They may not apply themselves fully in a class or might give up easily, as they know they will find it hard to cope if they make a mistake, lose or fail after making an effort. This means they may not reach their full potential. By making them feel less capable than others, possibly for the first time, challenges at school can make a big dent in a child’s self-esteem. Conversely, good self-esteem will help a child to make the most of their time at school by helping them to apply themselves fully and authentically. The Essential Guide to Bullying offers some answers as to why children are bullied and how parents can stop it from happening as well as providing some proven methods on how to help the bullied child boost their plummeting selfesteem. Visit: www.need2knowbooks.co.uk Families Oxfordshire 13
Families Feature
Playing it safe by Suzi Rodrigues With online shopping so quick and simple, it’s too easy to overlook important safety factors when buying toys. Quite often parents remove labels without even looking at them, as it becomes second nature before handing anything to an excited child! We take it for granted that the toys we buy are safe but, increasingly, there are unsafe toys on sale. It’s getting harder to determine whether something is safe before it arrives in your hands and, even then, some risks you just won’t be able to determine by sight. For a toy item to get its CE or UKCA, its minimum safety passport for sale around the UK and Europe, it must go through a series of Toy Safety Standards tests. For most toys, this has three parts but others have more, according to the style of toy: Physical tests check the structure of the toy, to ensure that in usual use it won’t be broken and cause risk to a child. The tests involve the toy being dropped, poked, pulled and twisted, put into a cylinder to determine whether it’s a choke risk, and assessed for age, depending on its appeal and how it performs in tests. Flammability tests are almost selfexplanatory; toys have strict burn rates they must apply to, especially for soft toys, play tents and fancy dress items to reduce the risk of burns and enable a child to drop or get out of a toy which is on fire.
Chemical tests check for hidden nasties that wouldn’t be easily assessed by eye. They ensure all the materials used contain nothing banned, as well as checking no heavy metals could leach out if sucked or chewed.
How can you be sure a toy is safe?
Always read the labelling of any toy bought online, from a market stall, in a shop, even a handmade item for sale. All toys must have a safety mark to show that background work has gone into ensuring safety. It should also have the contact address of the company on it and clearly state any age-related warnings. If there is no label, or it has no CE or UKCA mark, return it.
Being hazard aware
To avoid unnecessary risk, it’s important to always read the hazards on the labelling of toys and stick to the age guidance stated when it comes to very small children. Although children develop at different ages and stages, toys being marketed at children under 3 years old have a stricter chemical regulation than for those older than age 3, due to the likelihood of the item being mouthed. As well as more obvious hazards such as strangulation with long cords and small parts that could be swallowed, long fur on soft toys can also be a choke risk for babies. Special care should be taken for babies under the age of 10 months, who aren’t sitting upright yet, as they may not easily remove items from their mouths when lying down. There are also some dangerous parts of toys such as button batteries and magnets which
can be fatal to children if swallowed, so inspect toys regularly to ensure that batteries and magnets are safe. Always dispose of toys with any sign of damage. Suzi Rodrigues is a toy safety consultant for UKCA & CE Marking Handmade Toys Collective (www.cemarking-handmadetoys. co.uk), which provides advice and support for small business toy makers and is passionate about toy safety.
Buying or selling handmade toys?
Times have moved on from the handmade toys of our childhood, and now handmade or handcrafted toys are most definitely in vogue. Small businesses are popping up all over the internet with all sorts of talent, often inspired by the makers’ own children. But, when it comes to any toys, safety first! Even handmade toys by small-time makers must have the UKCA or CE mark. If you aren’t sure if a maker has the mark, always ask. Those who have been through the process will be happy to talk about it with you. If you want to sell toys, it all sounds very official but it’s easier than you might think to get through the process required to receive the UKCA mark. Most toys can be ‘selfcertified’ and tested at home by gathering information on materials, completing some easy tests with weights, a bit of burning and some legal paperwork. If you would like to sell your own toys, there’s information and a walkthrough guide to testing at www.cemarking-handmadetoys.co.uk.
14 Families Oxfordshire familiesonline.co.uk
Families Gift Guide 1. 2.
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ALL I WANT FOR
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Stockists 1. Vet Set £30 www.kidly.co.uk 2. Rosa & Bo Woodland Friends Nesting Babies £22 www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk 3. Geomag Magicube Shapes £29.99 www.thetoyshop.com 4. Balance bikes £149 www.banwood.com 8.
5. Brico’ Kids Wooden Drill £15.99 www.woodentoyshop.co.uk
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6. Parrot Fringed Cape Dress up £45 www.kidly.co.uk 7. Sparkle Sequin wings £20 www.kidly.co.uk 8. Sparkle Tutu £25 www.kidly.co.uk 9. Kid’s Concept Bistro Wooden Shopping Trolley £49.99 www.allmamaschildren.com familiesonline.co.uk
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