Parent Talk January 2019

FREE!

Parent talk

Clubs & Classes Schools Events Reviews Essential reading for parents and grandparents in Somerset

January 2019 Volume 26 Issue 1

NEW YEAR, NEW HOME?

Beautiful, new contemporary homes with a traditional twist from Crest Nicholson see p4

WIN

a Playbrush Smart Sonic toothbrush see p11

Helping kids understand money and how to get them into the habit of saving see p14 Facebook “f ” Logo

Visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

CMYK / .ai

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .ai

/parenttalksw

@parenttalksw

To advertise in Parent Talk please call 01458 250461

parenttalksw

“Staff have extremely high expectations of behaviour and act as excellent role models.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2017

Will your child be aged 4 by September 2019?

If so, you need to apply for a school place.

“Children make excellent progress in their learning and development relative to their starting points.”

Independent Schools Inspectorate, 2017

If you would like any advice, an application form, or to arrange a tour, please contact Admissions on tppsadmissions@tauntonschool.co.uk or call 01823 703302.

Registrations now being taken for entry into Reception September 2019 to September 2020.

“Described by one parent as ‘The jewel in the crown’.”

The Good Schools Guide, 2017

Discover Taunton School at our Whole School

OPEN MORNINGS

Saturday 2nd February 2019 or Monday 6th May 2019, 09:30 - 12:30 Register your interest via www.tauntonschool.co.uk/admissions

Challenge · Nurture · Inspire

www.tauntonschool.co.uk

Parent talk Is January your contents Family pages

p2-6

Clubs and Classes

p7

Events

p8

Book Bag

p9-12

Education, information

p13-17

Book Review

p18-19

competition Smart Sonic Toothbrush

p11

competition winners I Saw it First! Jungle K Smith, Bridport M Gozna, Exeter J Cooper, Highbridge

Icescape R Trott, Curry Rivel Power Dough – online competition E Reardon, Weston super Mare

Dear Readers...

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that the start of 2019 is going well so far. If you’re feeling post Christmas broke, this month you’ll see that we’ve got a bit of a focus on finance: how to save and how to talk to kids about it. We’re also running a piece about the London Underground with some fascinating facts about annual passenger numbers and longest escalator! With mental health rightly receiving so much attention these days, our book review features some fascinating adult titles for that inner peace and well being.

Best wishes, Tamsin

FAMILY PAGES

decision time?

A new year often prompts people to make change. If you feel it is time to move on from your relationship, there are several areas to consider.

Think about any children involved; regular contact should continue with both parents, if it safe to do so. Make sure arrangements work for

the children as well as for you.

Look at your finances including outstanding loans and mortgages, and assets such as pensions and bank accounts. Prepare a budget based on your family’s needs; if you are not working you may need some additional support.

You may need to protect

your rights in the home by registering a Matrimonial Homes Right.

If you can talk to your partner, have a frank discussion about future finances. It may help to

Imran Khodabocus

use an independent mediator as a go-between.

Call Family Law on 01823 785070 to make your first, free appointment to find out how we can help make the process as stress-free as possible.

Win a Hippychick fleece lined waterproof suit!

It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s officially January and winter is in full swing but don’t let that stop your children playing outside. With Hippychick’s warm, windproof, breathable and 100% waterproof suits, outdoor play is possible no matter what the weather.

With the UK experiencing an average of between 150-200 rainy days each year, it is vital your children have the right protective clothing so they can play outside all year round. The outer skin is made from the very highest quality peach skin polyester and the inner lining from polyester fleece combined with the real attention to detail in the Hippychick children's outdoor clothing range, from their taped seams to their adjustable ankles and wrists that allow room to grow.

They don’t just look good, they are also incredibly practical and can be wiped clean or machine washed. Available in seven sizes and four different colours, these kids waterproof fleece lined All in Ones are generously sized to ensure that they can fit over other clothing.

“So warm and cosy for our little adventurer! She loves it and runs around free and we don’t worry about her falling in the cold or getting wet. We LOVE it!” – Hippychick Customer.

To enter your chance to win a fleece lined waterproof simply email your details to enter@hippychick.com.

A winner will be drawn on 1st February 2019. www.hippychick.com

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Specialists have an advantage

The same is true in family law Mountain goats are specialists as they can climb the most precipitous slopes. At The Family Law Co we are specialists too; we have developed a sure-footing in all aspects of family law, including divorce, separation & financial matters, co-habitation agreements and grandparents’ rights.

Contact us for specialist advice on all areas of family law.

Tel 01823 785 070 www.thefamilylawco.co.uk

Parent Talk January 2019 3

FAMILY PAGES

Upsize to a new family home at Crest Nicholson’s Langford and Vicarage Fields Situated on either side of the picturesque Mendip Hills of Somerset lies Crest Nicholson’s standout developments Langford and Vicarage Fields. The traditional collection of homes are the perfect fit for families, offering a range of three, four and fivebedroom homes.

Both developments offer a suburban oasis with picturesque walkways, cycle paths and an abundance of outdoor activities on offer. From exploring Cheddar Gorge’s intricate network of caves, to Glastonbury’s famous Tor and Wells’ medieval cathedral, families can enjoy funfilled weekends.

Langford Fields is only twelve miles from Bristol, with Bristol International Airport

reachable in under fifteen minutes, and Bristol city centre in under thirty minutes. There are excellent schooling options with Churchill Primary School and Churchill Academy within close proximity.

On the other side of the Mendip Hills lies Vicarage Fields, located in the highly sought-after Keward area in Wells. The range of education amenities include Wells Cathedral School, Stoberry Park School and St Cuthbert’s Church of England Infant and Junior School.

Each home has been designed to support a lowmaintenance lifestyle with a spacious layout, neutral décor, brand new fixtures, fittings and integrated appliances. The

contemporary homes have a traditional layout, providing generous space and ensuring privacy for the whole family.

A collection of three to five bedroom homes are available at Langford Fields with prices ranging from £335,000 £575,000. Vicarage Fields have a selection of four bedroom houses to purchase from £315,000 - £565,000.

Homes are available through Crest Nicholson’s VIP Part Exchange scheme, with agents fees paid, allowance for removals and the flexibility of up to two weeks to move in.

For more information about Langford Fields please call 01934 252009 or visit www.crestnicholson.com/developments/langford-fields and for Vicarage Fields please call 01749 600864 or go to www.crestnicholson.com/developments/vicarage-fields

How to Save Energy in Your Home This Winter

With an increase in gas and electricity usage leading to larger bills in the winter, there are ways in which you can save energy (and in turn, money). Here, home experts Birlea outline 10 small ways you can save energy in your home this winter, which will help to reduce those dreaded bills.

Invest in a Smart Thermostat Smart thermostats only warm the rooms you’re using, making your heating system much more efficient. Over time, they learn how long it takes to heat your home, meaning 4 Parent Talk January 2019

they can ensure it’s the right temperature at the right time.

Whilst smart thermometers cost a couple of hundred pounds to install, they can help you to reduce your heating bill by a third, so you’ll soon start to see the rewards.

Turn Down Your Thermostat If you don’t want to install a smart thermostat in your home, then you can save energy by turning down your thermostat.

Obviously, you’ll want the heating on during the colder months, but by turning your heating down by just one degree, you can save up to £75

a year – and you won’t feel the difference in temperature!

Switch Your Lightbulbs If you’re using traditional incandescent lightbulbs, then you may be shocked to know that by replacing them with halogen incandescent bulbs or LEDs, you’ll be reducing your energy consumption by between 25% - 85%.

These types of bulbs can last anywhere between 3 – 25 times longer than your traditional bulbs, making them much more effective.

Turn off Appliances on Standby Are you guilty of leaving the

kettle turned on, or the TV plugged in? Even appliances on standby are using energy, which results in bigger bills for you. Research has shown that turning appliances off at the plug can save you approximately £30 a year – it may not be a huge amount, but it’s better than nothing; and is a step in the right direction to saving energy in your home this winter.

Use Water Wisely One way you can save your energy bills is being smarter about how you use your water: and there are several ways you can do this.

When washing up for example, instead of letting the tap run, put the plug in the sink and you could save up to £25 a year. Alternatively, investing in an efficient showerhead can save you £75 a year on your bills. … and of course, choosing to take a shower instead of a bath will see you using less energy. A five minute shower uses approximately 1/3 of water used to fill a bath – so while it’s OK to bathe every once in a while, showers are much more efficient (and if you have a power shower, turn the settings down).

Replace Your Boiler By upgrading your old boiler to

an A-rated condensing boiler (featuring a programmer, room thermostat and thermostatic radio controls), you’ll soon start to see a reduction in your bill costs. In fact, a detached house could save up to £320 a year, just by switching their old boiler to a new one.

Wash Your Clothes Smarter If you’re washing your clothes at 40 degrees, turn the temperature down to 30 degrees, and you could save up to £52 a year, as you’re using less energy.

However, you’ll need to ensure that you run hotter washes more occasionally, to help keep your washing machine clean.

And instead of turning to a tumble dryer, let your clothes dry naturally – whether it’s out on the washing line, or hanging on an airer. They may take longer to dry, but you’ll be using less energy, and your clothes will smell nicer too.

Insulate Your Roof Heat rises, which means a lot of the heat in your home escapes through your roof.

That’s why it’s so important to ensure your roof is insulated this winter.

It can cut your energy bills by £200, as you won’t feel the need to turn the heating on quite so high, or for so long.

Get a Draught Excluder Cold draughts coming through cracks and seals can make your home quickly lose its heat – and this is especially true in older homes.

Rather than turning your heating up, invest in some draught excluders to stop the cold air from entering your home. They’re cheap to buy, but you’ll soon start to see a difference in temperature – focus on cracks in skirting floors and boards, and if you have an unused chimney, you can block that too.

Compare Energy Prices Yes, it can be easy to simply renew your energy policy year after year, but how do you know you’re getting value for your money?

Running a simple comparison on websites such as Compare the Market and uSwitch will give you an overview of different energy plans and costs, so you can make sure you’re getting the best value for your money.

It’s natural to see an increase in your energy bills over the winter months, due to the weather being colder. But there’s no need to throw money away - these 10 tips will help you to be smarter with your spending, meaning you’ll reduce your energy usage and bills this winter.

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

A whole new life awaits you...

Our sought-after developments in Langford and Wells will give you the life you’ve been dreaming of and a home that is well connected, perfectly located and built to the highest specification.

When you have found your dream home, we go the extra mile to ensure that your moving experience won’t be affected by delayed chains so you can move in smoothly.

With our VIP Part Exchange* scheme, we become your chain-free, guaranteed cash buyer offering you professional guidance and regular updates every step of the way.

Best of all, once you have picked up the keys to your new home, we give you 2 weeks to move in at your leisure.

We even cover your estate agents fees and removals costs!

Contact our friendly sales advisors today and start a new chapter in your life for 2019!

Off Pudding Pie Lane & Stock Lane North Somerset | BS40 5EL 01934 252009

www.crestnicholson.com *

Terms and conditions apply. For further details on Part Exchange, please speak to a sales advisor.

31 Knight Road | Wells | Somerset BA5 1WD | For Satnav use BA5 1WD 1749 600864

6 Parent Talk December 2012

FAMILY PAGES

How to avoid the family cold Seven out of ten parents believe they have been responsible for passing a cold onto their children, it has emerged.

A study carried out among 2,000 mums and dads with kids aged three to 16 found a large percentage believe they've given colds to their kids – with dads being the worst offenders.

As well as missed days at work, school and nursery, it also emerged winter bugs are to blame for parents enjoying less time cuddling their children.

The research, commissioned

by Olbas, revealed that to try and avoid catching colds and viruses, nearly half of parents make a deliberate effort not to engage in physical contact with their kids. Furthermore the study found one fifth of children rarely or never cover their mouth when sneezing, blasting out germs with each explosion.

And when they do, 43 per cent of children sneeze directly into the palms of their hands, making the spread of the cold likely via shared toys, books and other items.

GP and Olbas expert Dr

6 Parent Talk January 2019

Roger Henderson, said: “Children can catch colds from siblings, parents, other family members, and playmates – and there are definite trends depending on the child’s age and lifestyle.

“In general, children with older siblings and those who attend nursery seem to have more colds than older children.

“Children get fewer colds as they get older and usually by the time they start school, children who attended pre-school daycare will have fewer colds than children who did not because of their exposure to the cold virus.”

When looking at the origin of illness, one quarter of parents surveyed revealed they are currently working with someone they suspect has been infected – leading to giving them a wide berth in the office.

And 21 per cent believe they have also caught a cold from their work commute.

Although mums and dads are often responsible for cold contagion, kids can also be super-spreaders. In fact, one in three parents try and keep their children from having playdates with a particular friend as they

always seem to be suffering from a cold.

Once the winter lurgy has infiltrated the family home, it takes British families on average two entire weeks before every member has caught and recovered from the symptoms.

In fact, three quarters of families, surveyed by OnePoll.com, reported there have been times when everyone in the house has been suffering from the same bug.

In terms of frequency, children are likely to suffer from more colds than their parents. The research revealed the average adult comes down with three colds a year, while younger children will suffer with an average of four in a 12-month period.

Dr Henderson added: “If you want to avoid contracting or spreading a cold, strict hand hygiene is crucial. ''Sneeze into a disposable tissue and throw it away, wash your hands regularly or use sanitizing gel, avoid intimate contact, and when you do wash your hands, do it thoroughly.

“Use soap and water and

scrub for a minimum of 20 seconds. When you're not near a sink, a hand sanitizer that’s at least 60 per cent alcohol is a good substitute.

When the dreaded family cold does strike, using a gentle yet effective Olbas decongestant can help soothe stuffy noses and offer relief to families across the UK.” Dr Henderson's top tips to avoid the family cold ● Give out gold stars! To encourage your children wash their hands with soap and water regularly, a star chart and incentivising rewards can really help. ● Sharing isn’t caring. Think about using paper towels rather

than using shared hand towels which can be a hotbed for bacteria and viruses. Make sure every member of the family has their own bath or shower towel and don’t allow the sharing of utensils or cups either. ● Show a little empathy. Allow a sick family member off doing the washing up or cooking to prevent them passing on their cold. ● Ban the hanky! Use disposable tissues rather than handkerchiefs. Make sure these are disposed of as soon as they are used, including during the night. Put a small waste basket next to a sick child so they can put used tissues into it and empty it regularly.

● Disinfect those toys. Clean toys with disinfecting wipes or temporarily limit specific toys to your unwell child to avoid the spread from sibling to sibling. ● Elbow not hand. Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Colds are spread by droplets so encourage your children to do this to help prevent the spread of germs. ● Open those windows!

Remember to keep the house well ventilated. The more fresh air the better. ● Stay hydrated! Make sure everyone in the house drinks lots of fluids, even if they are not suffering with a cold, to keep their immune system fighting fit.

Poor wi-fi connectivity restricts life at home BT Modern Families Report reveals 43% of people believe poor wi-fi connectivity restricts their life at home BT has released its first formal study into modern families and how they use technology in their homes. The detailed ethnographic study on British families and the homes they inhabit has uncovered the full extent of how families use technology to spend time together, and apart, in the home.

While technology use in the home is growing, 43% of the 1,000 households polled for the BT Modern Families Report claimed poor wi-fi connectivity restricts their life at home.

This is because the spaces that could be adapted for multiple purposes, or enhanced with connected technology, don't have a good enough connection. The same number of respondents felt they would be happier if their wi-fi worked in every room in the home.

12% admitted in the study that they argue with others in the household about the wi-fi.

The report also found half of people admitting they would be put off living in, or buying, a house with wi-fi black spots, with 56% of those polled wanting to get online anywhere in the home. With one in five UK households now including an adult child aged 18+, which is also the age group with the highest dependency on connectivity, the need for homes to have a strong and reliable wi-fi network has never been greater.

Among those questioned, when asked what they would do if their wi-fi was more reliable, one fifth would set up a home office, one in five would

create a games room and nearly a third would create a study for their kids.

Pete Oliver, Managing Director of Marketing for BT's Consumer business said: “These findings show us how much potential there is for families to get more out of their homes, and the central role that technology and good wi-fi play in our lives.

Whether it's families streaming their favourite series together on TV in the living room, or a parent getting some work done while listening to music in the attic good connections throughout the house are now absolutely critical to family time together, and apart, in the home."

The findings mark the launch of Complete Wi-Fi - the world’s first wi-fi coverage guarantee in every room of the home. Not only will customers get wall-towall coverage, they’ll also get faster wi-fi speeds, allowing them to stream HD video in more places around the home.

A four-bedroom home could see an increase in average wi-fi speeds of up to 25% around the home with just one disc.

The BT Modern Families Report also demonstrated the growing role of voice-assisted technology in households with a fifth (22%) of people claiming they would prefer to use their

voice for all digital activity.

The findings showed a fifth (22%) of homes now own a wifi-enabled voice-assisted smart appliance. Owners of these devices are using them in their living rooms (62%), kitchens (45%), dining rooms (45%) and bedrooms (29%).

The top ways families use voice-assisted devices: ● 72% play music or audiobooks ● 60% ask for the latest news, sport, weather or travel updates ● 41% listen to the radio ● 35% ask their device to deliver them a joke or some good news Architectural designer and TV presenter Charlie Luxton added: “Good wi-fi coverage at home is now taken for granted. We don't even realise how much we use it until we go somewhere it isn't as available. When I think about the spaces people will live in, a strong reliable internet connection that can reach every inch of the home is now a pivotal aspect of my designs.”

Psychologist Dr. Becky Spelman said: “Going online, or rather being online all the time, has become a seamless aspect of our lives. Wi-fi has become so integrated that we often notice it above all else when it is not working. We can feel bereft if we can’t get online and find it impossible to settle.”

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

From Superheroes Welcome to our classroom! to Superstars

As an established theatre school, we are in the privileged position of working with young people who continue to inspire us with the journeys they go on while they are with us and after they graduate.

For some children, their dream of becoming performers starts after they take their first theatre arts class and a decade later, we are in the privileged position of watching them on the West End stage.

For other children, joining their local Razzamataz school means so much more than just learning to sing, dance and act. It’s about making friends, building confidence and having fun.

This is why for 2019, Razzamataz is spreading the word that performing arts is for all children and young people and the discipline of attending weekly classes, working as a team and committing to practice will help children

achieve their full potential.

The message is simply: ‘From Superheroes to Superstars! #BeSuperAtRazz.

“We want to give each child that we teach the chance to be the superhero of their own story,” explains Claire, Principal of Razzamataz Yeovil. “For some children, that might be battling shyness or confidence issues, and then having the experience of stepping onto the stage for the first time. For others, it might be attending weekly classes even though they have physical difficulties and for others, it might be working as a professional performer. These are all heroic acts - ones that we make sure the children know they can be proud of.”

Razzamataz Yeovil has limited FREE taster sessions available in the New Year. To find out more contact Claire on yeovil@razzamataz.co.uk or 01935 411128 or visit yeovil. razzamataz.co.uk.

You might well ask why Mill on the Brue Outdoor Activity Centre in Bruton, South Somerset has a classroom? Ours is the outdoors, our own 25 acres of fields, river and woods. We provide canoeing, climbing, caving, archery, high ropes, raft building, in fact over forty activities, and the Centre links the activities, particularly the team building and problem solving challenges to the National Curriculum.

We are open all year for residential or day trips, accommodating 90 pupils and 10 staff. In the summer months there is also a camp site for 60+ with large canvas tents on wooden floors, sleeping 5 or 6 students - teachers have their own tents. Additionally a barn for wet weather, shower blocks, camp fire site, games, washing lines, even a solar drying room. Many children have not experienced the excitement and fun of camping.

Nowadays the biggest challenge for children on a residential is not the activities but the food! Ours is exceptional. We grow many vegetables and fruit organically, purchase locally wherever possible, and also cater for Bruton Primary school. We have always practised our environmental principles, and are able to teach the children about alternative energy and introduce many other aspects of sustainable living.

In summary, a trip to Mill on the Brue is a fun learning experience; new activities, trying new food, the environment, team working, improving communication, being more resilient and independent, and most importantly for their futures healthy living and life skills. www.millonthebrue.co.uk info@millonthebrue.co.uk 01749 812307

Building children’s confidence with Evolution Martial Arts

To further improve the quality of our lessons, each class is limited to give our students the best instructor to student ratio.

Each student is treated as an individual and never a number.

Our children's classes are fun and engaging, the lessons are taught in a safe, positive and structured environment.

Physically, students will build

strength, develop co-ordination and gain flexibility. Parents will see psychological benefits such as improved concentration, self confidence and discipline.

These important life skills transfer into the child's home and school life.

Children positively benefit from training with Evolution Martial Arts - JOIN NOW!

!

oom r s s a l c r Ou open all year

Bruton, Somerset BA10 0BA 01749 812 307 www.millonthebrue.co.uk

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Parent Talk January 2019 7

8 Parent Talk December 2012 8 Parent Talk December 2012

Parent talk events

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .ai

Facebook “f ” Logo

Got an event to share? Like us on CMYK / .ai

/parenttalksw

. M A R K E T S . T H E AT R E S . FA I R S . F E T E S . S H O W S . E X H I B I T I O N S .

Oh yes it is! Panto time in Bridgwater Panto time is here again in Bridgwater and this year Bridgwater Pantomime Society will be performing “Dick Whittington” at the Town Hall, Bridgwater from Friday 18th until Saturday 26th January 2018. This year there are special family night tickets available for the Friday 18th, Saturday 19th (evening) and Saturday 26th (evening) performances.

Bridgwater Pantomime Society prides itself on traditional family friendly shows and this year is no exception.

We have a large company of over 50 people ranging in age from 3 (on the matinees) to over 70 and in some cases several generations of the same family on stage. It’s the family atmosphere within the Society and the fun we have on stage which translates to a great evening out for the whole family.

Tickets are £11.00 for Adults (16 and over) and £8.00 for

children. You can order your tickets by visiting the Box Office which will be located in the Bridgwater Carnival Centre, until the show opens in the Town Hall, between 10:00am and 1:00pm daily (excluding Sundays) or you can phone the Box Office on (07554) 724124. This year is the first year we have credit/debit card facilities so why not take advantage of this and book your tickets on your flexible friends.

For further details, visit our website: http://www.bridgwaterpantomime-society.org.uk

BRIDGWATER PANTOMIME SOCIETY

At the Town Hall, Bridgwater from 18th - 26th January 2019 Adults - £11.00, Children - £8.00 Senior Citizens - £8.00 23rd January only Tickets available from the Carnival Museum 10:00am - 1:00pm (EXCLUDING SUNDAYS)

Box Office Telephone Number:

(07554) 724124

Holiday Clubs, Parties and Adult Workshops Craft Studio fabulous craft Having a Birthday?

Bodley Craft Parties.ANo Stress, No Mess.

studio, minutes from

Children’s party: Tell us your theme; pirate, princess, cute animals, scary monsters, or a favourite colour! We theme the day to suit you. Any age or ability! £15 per head to include craft, party game, party meal and goody bags!

Wellington Easter Holiday Club town with for 8-12 year olds ample parking Tuesday 31st March Wednesday 1st April Thursday 2nd April Fun packed days run from 9am-5pm £25 per day – discounts available Contact Sam for more information and to book

Holiday Clubs for 6+

Birthday Parties for any age

Various Workshops throughout the year

For more information Leave

Bodley Craft: and 07525 to127878 book contact: the sjr1509@yahoo.co.uk sam@bodleycraft.co.uk party or follow us on Facebook to us! or www.bodleycraft.co.uk

8 Parent Talk January 2019

15th January: Spirit of the Dance. Octagon Theatre Yeovil, BA20 1UX. Irish in origin and bursting with raw energy, this explosive and powerful show combines heartpounding Irish Dance with the sensual Latino rhythms of Flamenco and red hot Salsa in a thrilling production of strength and passion. This awardwinning spectacular has brilliant lighting, dazzling costumes and breathtaking choreography. With thunderous applause, standing ovations and sold out crowds at every performance, Spirit of the Dance is one of the greatest dance shows ever.

7.30pm.

01935 422884 15th-19th January: Horrible Histories Live on Stage!

AWFUL EGYPTIANS. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare, BS23 1HP. From the fascinating Pharaohs to the power of the pyramids, discover the foul facts of death and decay with the meanest mummies in Egypt. Are you ready to rumble with Ramesses the Great? Dare you enter through the Gates of the Afterlife? It’s the history of Egypt with the nasty bits left in!

Tues/Sat 7pm, Wed 10.30am, Thurs 1.30pm, Fri 10.30am.

01934 645544 16th-19th January: Horrible Histories Live on Stage!

TERRIBLE TUDORS. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare, BS23 1HP. From the horrible Henries to the end of evil Elizabeth, hear the legends (and the lies!) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry's headless wives and his punch up with the Pope. Meet Bloody Mary and see Ed fall dead in his bed.

Survive the Spanish Armada as it sails into the audience!

Wed 1.30pm, Thurs 10.30am, Fri 7pm, Sat 2.30pm.

01934 645544 17th January: Wassail at Sheppy’s Cider, Taunton TA4 1ET. The Taunton Deane Morris Men celebrate the ancient ritual of Wassail at Sheppy’s Cider with food, fires, hot irons & cider. Chanting, dancing & shot guns are also involved, so looks to be a noisy night working to ensure the next harvest is a good one.

In support of St Margaret's (Somerset) Hospice, admission includes pulled Longhorn beef roll (or vegetarian option). Bar, Tea/Coffee available. 5.30-9pm.

01823 461233 18th January: Heart Warming Tales. Regal Theatre, Minehead, TA24 5AY. Join local storyteller Alexandra Simson for an evening of magic as you relax and listen to folktales,

myths and legends from around the world. 7.30pm.

01643 706430 19th January: Children’s Festival 2019. The Children of God – Earth, Moon and Stars. Wells Cathedral, BA5 2UE. 10.30-3pm. Fun day for 4 to 11 year olds with activities including worship and live music, planetarium, games and crafts, stories, animals, labyrinth. Come as a group or as a family. Places need to be pre-booked.

01749 672773 19th January: Wassail at Glastonbury Tor, BA6 8AG. Time for some seasonal, festive fun. The ranger team are having a festive celebration in the orchard at Glastonbury Tor. Wassailing is an ancient custom that involves drinking cider, singing to the trees in the hope of a good harvest and scaring away any evil spirits that might be lurking.

You can tour the Tor, sing around the trees, hear stories by the fire and sample the fruit of last year’s crop. Tours of the Tor from 2pm. Booking advisable. On the day entry: £3 per adult and £1 per child (ages 5-16). NB cash only.

2-6pm.

Until 20th Jan: The Snow Mouse, the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. An enchanting Winter’s Tale for the very young. Winter has arrived and the woods are covered in white. A child hurries to put on their winter clothes so they can run outside and play in a sparkly new world. Just when they start to feel a bit lonely, they find a sleeping mouse buried under the soft white flakes. Sliding, tumbling and laughing, they explore the winter wonderland together and keep each other safe and warm from the winter freeze.

Come and join the two new friends on their adventures in a magical forest full of play, puppetry and music.

01225 823409 22nd -26th January: YAPS: Jack and the Beanstalk.

Octagon Theatre, Yeovil, BA20 1UX. Following their Rock and Roll spectacular Beauty and the Beast, Yeovil Amateur Pantomime Society present their latest fun-filled family pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. This disco-tastic pantomime tells the story of Jack, a boy who ventures up a huge Beanstalk where he meets a fearsome giant, magical disco diva Fairy and plenty of other crazy characters along the way.

Tues-Fri: 7.15pm, Sat: 1.30 & 6.30pm.

01935 422884.

Over half of house burglaries in the UK happen when someone is at home New research commissioned

by Verisure, Europe’s leading provider of monitored security solutions and the UK’s leader in smart alarms, has revealed the impact of burglary upon families across the UK. Conducted by Opinion Matters, the survey of 1,002 burgled UK respondents found that over half of house burglaries in the UK occurred when someone was at home, and that 86.9% of burglaries significantly affected members of the household, with over 17% of victims moving home because of the burglary.

“About half of the people surveyed have been burgled within the last year, and a surprising 49% said that they had no major security deterrents installed in their homes when the incident occurred,” said Horacio Perez, Operations Director at Verisure UK. “You can’t put a price on peace of mind when you consider that parents are 63% more likely to feel unsafe after a burglary compared to those who don’t have children and that over 70% of children have been negatively impacted emotionally by the burglary.”

According to the survey, 31% of victims reported their home no longer feels the same, and 14% said they had to seek emotional support following the incident. Perez added: “What’s even worse is that 1 in 8 people who have been burgled admitted to still feeling vulnerable up to six months after being burgled.

That’s why we are working with the charity Victim Support to ensure burglary victims get the support they need to move beyond the crime.”

“Burglary not only robs victims of their physical possessions - it can also rob people of their sense of security at home, a place where everyone should feel safe. The impact can last not only for a few days, but months after the burglary has taken place,” said

Barbara Oakley, Operations Manager, Victim Support.

“Every year burglary affects over 435,000 households across England and Wales and, even if nothing is stolen, most people feel anxious and less secure in their home afterwards.

“Burglary affects the whole family. Victim Support can provide free, practical and emotional support to everyone affected, including children.” added Oakley.

Snapshot of survey findings ● 91.5% of people burgled did not have a monitored alarm system, but over 73% of burglary victims increased their peace of mind after installing one. ● Over 53% of house burglaries in the UK occur when someone is at home. ● 86.9% of burglaries significantly affected members of the household. ● Over 17% of victims move home because of the burglary. ● Over three in ten (31%) burglary victims say their home doesn’t feel like it used to. ● 13% say they are too scared to be at home. ● Parents are 63% more likely to feel unsafe after being burgled than those who don’t have children. ● 70.9% of children have been negatively impacted emotionally by the burglary. ● Just under half (49%) who have been burgled said they had no major form of security installed at their home, only locks on the doors and windows. ● 4% said they had to seek emotional support following the incident. ● 1 in 8 people who have been burgled admitted to still feeling vulnerable up to six months after being burgled.

For more information, please visit www.verisure.co.uk/victimsupport and www.victimsupport.org.uk

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

welcome to your NEWS n EWS sectio Nbringing you competitions, job tasters, boredom busters, interesting facts and everything topical...

Book Bag

? e e s u o y ahW BigtGarden What did ?ees uoy did Birdwatch e same time? th t a e e s u o y e same kind ?deidmit emas eht ta ees uoy did dnik emas eht fo sdrib ynam woH th f o s d ir b y n a How m Blackbird House sparrow dribkcalB I saw

I saw

worraps esuoH

was I

Robin

Blue tit

niboR

I saw

was I

Black-headed gull hcniffahC I saw

was I

I saw

tit eulBThe Big Garden Birdwatch was I takes place at the end of January each year (26-28 January 2019). It takes place over three days, so ch if you're busy over the Chaffin weekend or perhaps the I saw weather's bad, you have the dedaeh-kcalB llug option of a third day! was I

Magpie

Starling I saw

was I

I saw

eipgaM

gnilratS

was I

Great tit

Woodpigeon I saw

was I

I saw

tit taerG was I

Your name

noegipdooW was I

plorers RSPB Wildlife Ex ership is the junior memb of the RSPB.

654. , Scotland SC037 nd & Wales 207076 red charity in Engla 15 iste reg a is PB The RS 40-14Langman. 382-03 Drawings by Mike

srerolpxE efildliW BPSR pihsrebmem roinuj eht si .BPSR eht fo

How does Big Garden Birdwatch help?

With over half a million people now regularly taking part, coupled with almost 40 years worth of data, Big Garden Birdwatch allows us to monitor trends and helps us understand how birds are doing.

As the format of the survey has stayed the same, the scientific data can be compared year-on-year, making your results very valuable to our scientists.

With results from so many gardens, we are able to create a 'snapshot' of bird numbers across the UK. While some changes in bird numbers can seem scary - we've lost more than half our house sparrows and some three-quarters of our starlings - it isn't all doom and gloom. Since Birdwatch began blue tit numbers have risen by 20 per cent and the woodpigeon population has increased by a whopping 800 per cent.

Your results help us spot problems, but more importantly, they are also the first step in putting things right. em an rthat uowe Y This is why it's so important count garden birds.

www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch .456730CS dnaltocS ,670702 selaW & dnalgnE ni ytirahc deretsiger a si BPSR ehT 51-41-0430-283 .namgnaL ekiM yb sgniwarD

Book Bag NEWS

THE LONDON UNDERGROUND London Underground's history dates back to 1863 when the world's first underground railway, the Metropolitan Railway, opened between Paddington and Farringdon serving six intermediate stations.

Since then the Underground network, affectionately nicknamed the Tube by generations of Londoners, has grown to 270 stations and 11 lines stretching deep into the Capital's suburbs, and beyond.

The development of London into the preeminent world city during the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries would not have been possible without the mobility provided by the Underground.

10th January 1863 9

7

8

Chalfont & Latimer

Chesham Amersham

Chorleywood

Croxley

Bushey

Rickmansworth West Ruislip

Ruislip

Headstone Lane

Harrow & Wealdstone North Harrow

Rayners Lane

Harrowon-the-Hill Northwick Park

West Harrow

South Kenton North Wembley Wembley Central Stonebridge Park Harlesden Willesden Junction

South Harrow

South Ruislip Northolt

Sudbury Hill Greenford

Sudbury Town

Hanger Lane

East Acton

Ealing Broadway

Heathrow Terminals 2&3

West Acton

3

North Acton

Acton Central

Ealing Common

Hounslow West

Brondesbury Park

Paddington

South Acton

Osterley Hounslow East Hounslow Central

Wood Lane

Shepherd’s Bush Market Goldhawk Road

Acton Town Chiswick Park

White City

Hammersmith

Bayswater

2

Green Park

Hyde Park Corner

Gloucester Road

West Turnham Stamford Ravenscourt Brook Park Kensington Green

Earl’s Court

Sloane Square

South Kensington

West Brompton

1

Gunnersbury Fulham Broadway

Hatton Cross

Kew Gardens

Richmond

Heathrow Terminal 5

Bakerloo Central Circle District Hammersmith & City Jubilee Metropolitan Northern Piccadilly

Victoria Waterloo & City DLR Emirates Air Line cable car (Special fares apply) London Overground TfL Rail London Trams District open at weekends and on some public holidays

Interchange stations Step-free access from street to train

Dundonald Road

Step-free access from street to platform

National Rail Airport Victoria Coach Station

Emirates Air Line cable car

Services or access at these stations are subject to variation. Please search ‘TfL stations’ for full details.

Wapping

River Thames

Canada Water

2/3

Balham Tooting Bec Tooting Broadway Colliers Wood

Kennington

Stockwell

Emerson Park

Goodmayes Seven Kings

Wanstead Park

Ilford

Upminster

Manor Park

Upminster Bridge

Woodgrange Park

Forest Gate

Hornchurch Elm Park

Maryland

Dagenham East

Stratford

Dagenham Heathway Becontree Upney

5

Barking East Ham Upton Park Plaistow

4

Canning Town

Royal Victoria

3 Custom House for ExCeL Prince Regent Royal Albert

West Silvertown

Beckton Park Cyprus

Emirates Greenwich Peninsula

Gallions Reach

Pontoon Dock

Beckton

London City Airport

2

Mudchute Island Gardens

Borough

King George V 17/IT/3139/P

Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich Queens Road Peckham

Elephant & Castle

Clapham High Street Clapham North Clapham Common Clapham South

Chadwell Heath

Gants Hill

Emirates Royal Docks

North Greenwich

Crossharbour

Oval

Leytonstone

Blackwall East India West India Quay

Heron Quays

Surrey Quays

Wandsworth Road

Harold Wood Gidea Park

Canary Wharf

Rotherhithe

London Bridge

Shenfield Brentwood

Romford

Redbridge Wanstead

Special fares apply

Star Lane

Langdon Park

Westferry Poplar

Lambeth North

Merton Park

4

Tower Gateway

Fenchurch Street

Pimlico

South Wimbledon

Riverboat services

2

Limehouse

Tower Hill

5

West Ham

Bow BromleyRoad by-Bow

All Saints

Waterloo

East Putney

Wimbledon

Whitechapel

Shadwell

Monument

6

Hainault Fairlop Barkingside Newbury Park

Abbey Road

Devons Road

South Quay

Vauxhall

Wimbledon Park

Aldgate East

Bermondsey

River Thames

Clapham Junction

Stepney Green

Aldgate

Blackfriars

Southwark

Southfields

Cannon Street

Embankment

Putney Bridge

Heathrow Terminal 4

1

Bank

Temple

Imperial Wharf

Parsons Green

St Paul’s

Covent Garden

Charing Cross

Westminster

Victoria

Bow Church Liverpool Street

Grange Hill

Stratford High Street Pudding Mill Lane

Shoreditch High Street

Moorgate

Holborn

St. James’s Park

London Fields Cambridge Heath

Bethnal Green Bethnal Mile Green End

Old Street

Chancery Lane

Leicester Mansion Square House

Piccadilly Circus

Knightsbridge

Barons Court

Hoxton

Barbican

Russell Square

Tottenham Court Road

Marble Arch

Queensway High Street Kensington

Kensington (Olympia)

Goodge Street

Leyton Midland Road

Homerton

2

Haggerston Angel

Regent’s Park

Oxford Circus

Dalston Junction

Farringdon

3

Stoke Leytonstone Newington High Road St James Rectory Street Road Dalston Stratford Leyton Kingsland Clapton International Hackney Canonbury Hackney Downs Hackney Central Wick

Caledonian Road & Barnsbury

4

Walthamstow Central

Highbury & Islington

King’s Cross St Pancras

Euston Square

Snaresbrook

Blackhorse Road

Walthamstow Queen’s Road

Finsbury Park

Euston

Warren Street

Notting Lancaster Bond Street Gate Hill Gate

Holland Park

Mornington Crescent

Woodford South Woodford

Tottenham Hale Stamford Hill

Arsenal

Roding Valley Chigwell

Wood Street

Bruce Grove South Tottenham

Seven Sisters

Manor House

Camden Road

Camden Town

Great Baker Portland Street Street

1

Edgware Road

Shepherd’s Bush

Chalk Farm

Finchley Road Swiss Cottage St John’s Wood

Edgware Marylebone Road

Turnpike Lane Crouch Hill

Kentish Holloway Road Town Caledonian Road

Belsize Park

West Hampstead

White Hart Lane

Upper Holloway

Kentish Town West

Finchley Road & Frognal

Buckhurst Hill Highams Park

9

Theydon Bois

Chingford

Edmonton Green

Harringay Green Lanes

Epping Debden

Loughton

Silver Street

Wood Green

Tufnell Park

8 7

Southbury

Arnos Grove

Archway

Hampstead

Kilburn

Cheshunt Theobalds Grove Turkey Street

Bounds Green

Gospel Oak

Dollis Hill

Ladbroke Grove Latimer Road

Park Royal North Ealing

Highgate

Hampstead Heath

Golders Green

Willesden Green

Southgate

Finchley Central

3

Brent Cross

Neasden

Totteridge & Whetstone

Bush Hill Park

East Finchley

Hendon Central

Kingsbury

Enfield Town

Oakwood

West Finchley

Colindale

Queensbury

Wembley Park

Kilburn Park Maida Vale Warwick Avenue Royal Oak Westbourne Park

Perivale

South Ealing Northfields Boston Manor

Canons Park Kenton Preston Road

Kensal Rise Brondesbury Kensal Green South Queen’s Park Kilburn High Road Hampstead

Alperton

6 5 4

Burnt Oak

Stanmore

Cockfosters High Barnet

Woodside Park

Mill Hill East

4

Edgware

Pinner

Eastcote

Ruislip Gardens

Hatch End

Northwood Hills

Ruislip Manor

Ickenham

5

Carpenders Park

Moor Park

Northwood

Hillingdon Uxbridge

Watford Junction Watford High Street

7 6

8

Special fares apply

Watford

2

Peckham Rye

Denmark Hill

Brockley

3

3

Forest Hill Penge West

5

Morden Phipps Belgrave Mitcham Mitcham Beddington Therapia Ampere Waddon Wandle Road Bridge Walk Junction Lane Lane Way Marsh Park

Deptford Bridge

Anerley Norwood Junction

Avenue Road Harrington Road

4

Church Street

Wellesley Road George Street

Beckenham Junction

Elmers End

Woodside Blackhorse Lane

Lebanon Road East Croydon

4

Arena

West Croydon Centrale

Woolwich Arsenal Beckenham Road

Birkbeck

Elverson Road Lewisham

Sydenham

Reeves Corner

Morden

New Cross

Honor Oak Park

Crystal Palace

Brixton

3

Greenwich

New Cross Gate

Addiscombe

Sandilands

London Trams fare zone

Lloyd Park Coombe Lane

Gravel Hill Addington Village

Fieldway

King Henry’s Drive

New Addington

*Service and network charges may apply. See tfl.gov.uk/terms for details.

Reg. user No. 17/IT/3139/P

Improvement works may affect your journey, please check before you travel

Date opened 1863 Annual passenger numbers 1.35 billion Length of network 402km

Version J TfL 12.2017

Correct at time of going to print

Busiest station Waterloo 100.3 million passengers per year Annual train km travelled 83.6 million km Average train speed 33kph

visit https://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/london-maps-and-guides/free-london-travel-maps

Book Bag NEWS The Tube has been an integral part of London's history for 150 years. But do you know which is the deepest station? Or the shortest journey? Find key facts and some interesting figures here.

N WI

Proportion of network in tunnels 45% Longest continuous tunnel East Finchley to Morden (via Bank) - 27.8km

Total number of passenger escalators 440 Station with most escalators Waterloo 23 Longest escalator Angel 60 metres Shortest escalator Stratford 4.1 metres Total number of passenger lifts 188 Number of moving walkways Four, two each at Waterloo and Bank Deepest lift shaft Hampstead 55.2 metres Shortest lift shaft King's Cross St. Pancras 2.3 metres Station with most platforms Baker Street 10 Highest station above mean sea level Amersham (Metropolitan line) - 147 metres Furthest station from central London Chesham (Metropolitan line) - 47km to Aldgate

Longest distance between stations Chesham to Chalfont & Latimer (Metropolitan line) - 6.3km Shortest distance between stations Leicester Square to Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) - 0.3km Longest direct journey Epping to West Ruislip (Central line) - 54.9km visit https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/what-we-do/london-underground/facts-and-figures

Win a Playbrush Smart Sonic toothbrush Playbrush is an interactive electric toothbrush that connects via Bluetooth to game apps, so children can play fun games with their toothbrush and learn the importance of dental hygiene.

Studies show children who use Playbrush brush their teeth for twice as long as traditional toothbrushes and are more likely to brush twice per day.

Playbrush syncs to an app which makes brushing teeth fun, children use their own toothbrushing movements to paint masterpieces, make music or defeat monsters. The app incentivises movement and encourages children to brush all around their mouth, increasing surface coverage. Children’s toothbrushing quality is recorded and assessed through each game they play.

The Playbrush Smart Sonic costs £29.99 from Playbrush and includes, 1 Playbrush Smart Sonic, 1 brush head, 1 charging dock and 4 free games. Additional games and brush heads are available via subscription from as little as £3.99 Parent Talk have 2 Playbrush Smart Sonic toothbrushes to give away. For your chance to win, answer the question below and visit www.parenttalk.org.uk by the closing date of 23 January 2019.

How many free games does Playbrush Smart Sonic include? a) 1 b) 3 c) 4 If you win this competition, we will contact you for permission to pass on your contact details to the PR company concerned. We will never pass on your details without your consent. All other entries will be deleted after the competition closes and will not be passed on to any third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.

Book Bag NEWS

UIZ Q R A NEW YE 1. How many years in a century?

2. How many strings on a violin?

3. What year did the Second World War start?

4. How many days are there in May 5. How many consonants are there in the alphabet?

6. True or False: 25% and Âź are the same?

7. Which way is anti-clockwise, left or right?

8. Trout, mackerel and plaice are all types of what?

9. In ancient history, a Pharoah was a ruler in which country?

10. What is the capital city of Russia?

11. Which of the following animals is a herbivore a) Hippo b) giraffe c) tiger 12. What type of gas do plants absorb from the atmosphere?

13. What are molars, premolars, incisors and canines all types of?

14. Unscramble the word to reveal a shape: L C E I R C 15. True or False: the Sahara desert is the smallest desert in the world.

Can you spot the 7 differences?

2019 GOALS

1 2 3 4 5 6

Answers to New Year Quiz 1. 100 2. Four 3. 1939 4. 31 5. 21 6. True 7. Left 8. Fish 9. Egypt 10. Moscow 11. Giraffe 12. Carbon dioxide 13. Teeth 14. Circle 15. False

for answers to our puzzles visit www.parenttalk.org.co.uk

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Away with the fairies: parents want new tales to replace outdated classics One in three parents admits to altering the ending of their children’s favourite bedtime story - to make them more modern.

With most favourite fairytales having been written two centuries ago, their relevance to today’s generation of kids is slim - and parents are taking matters into their own hands.

While the moral of the story may be timeless, the characters and settings are in dire need of an update: only 18% of parents believe they are still relevant to modern day life, resulting in one in ten of those surveyed no longer reading fairytales to their children.

The most outdated fairytales, according to the research carried out on 2,000 UK based parents by cartridgesave. co.uk, are Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel And Gretel, Cinderella, Snow White, and The Princess and The Pea.

Delving into the research further, parents feel that parts of these stories need changing as they are worried about what their children might think of the real endings. Some also feel that the morals are wrong and that they don’t represent modern day life anymore.

The themes that mums and dads feel are in need of inclusion in modern-day moral stories for their children include: the importance of being independent, not being pressured to look a certain way, not seeking to live ‘happily ever after’, multiculturalism, feminism and the impact of social media on today’s society.

One in ten parents even insert relatable celebs into stories to bring them bang up to date for their little ones in 2018 - with Prince Harry, Ed Sheeran, David Walliams, Holly Willoughby, Mo Farah and Harry Kane amongst the most popular.

Ian Cowley, managing director of cartridgesave.co.uk, says: “Reading at bedtime is one of the greatest things a parent can do with their child - and it’s about time some of the stories were updated. We understand why parents may adjust parts of their children’s favourite tales and have developed some assets that may help to inspire a new type of bedtime story.

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Magnificent Maths at Millfield If your child is aged 18 months - 6 years and would like to explore Millfield Pre-Prep, please book to join us on our MAGNIFICENT MATHS OPEN MORNING on Friday 8 February, 10.30am-12.00pm.

Based around the magical world of maths, the morning will include a fun, interactive and educational workshop.

Throughout the morning children will be encouraged to think mathematically through fun activities and the session will end with a short and exciting maths show for both parents and children to enjoy.

Our pupils frequently engage in hands-on problem solving, using analytical thinking and interactive resources to aid learning. At Millfield PrePrep, we encourage a love of learning and aim to inspire each child to make the most of their potential. We utilise a dynamic topic-based, childled curriculum, small class sizes and fantastic indoor and outdoor learning spaces and activities. Frequent trips and an on-site Forest School, walled and sensory gardens,

apple orchards and a soft play area give children the space and freedom to let their imaginations run wild. Our allround education ensures all our children get the individual care they need, we offer over 20 free after-school activities (including

pottery, computer skills and trampolining) or, an Early Birds and Late Club and a daily Minis toddler group during term time for ages 1-3. Explore the wonderful world of Pre-Prep on our website or attend our funfilled Open Morning.

To arrange a Personal Visit or book a place on our Magnificent Maths Open Morning please call Flora Coward 01458 837763 or email coward.f@millfieldprep.com millfieldschool.com/openmorning

Parent Talk January 2019 13

14 Parent Talk December 2012

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Five million parents admit they aren’t equipped to help teach their kids about money

More than five million parents in the UK say they find it difficult to teach or talk to their children about money because they lack confidence.

According to new research than once a month. But putting from financial services provider off teaching children about OneFamily, more than one money comes with its own set in three parents struggle of anxieties, with more than to discuss money with their half of parents worrying they children. Even though nearly do not do enough to help their all agree it is important for children learn about money. their children to learn personal As a result, many parents finance skills, one in 10 avoid are also concerned about their the subject altogether, even kids’ financial futures. Around when asked. half worry about their child’s On average, parents have finances more than they do started talking to their children their own, with nearly twoabout money by the time they thirds fretting that their children turn eight years old, but low will be bad with money when confidence sees others putting they grow up. off financial conversations until As one in four of those who their kids are over ten. Three in find talking about money 10 who find it difficult admit difficult simply don’t know they are worried about getting where to start, OneFamily has it wrong, while others believe created a short guide to help they are not a good financial parents feel more confident role-model for their children when speaking to their children because they are bad with about personal finance. money themselves.

Steve Ferrari, Managing Overall, the majority of Director of Child Trust Funds parents confess to having some at OneFamily, said: “It’s clear bad financial habits including that parents want to equip not budgeting, buying things their children with the financial on impulse and one in ten capability they’ll need when even admit they never check they grow up, but a lack of their bank balance. Nearly two confidence is preventing them in five say they learned these from doing so. Official guidance habits from their parents – and recommends that parents start now, most are concerned they teaching their children about will continue the cycle, passing money when they are a toddler their own bad habits onto their and it doesn't have to be taxing children. or complicated.

For other parents, low “When your children are two confidence stems from their or three you can start teaching lack of know-how, with a them about the concept of quarter reporting that personal money in games such as playing finance is too complicated a shop. Most children start to get topic for them to explain, and pocket money when they are one in twenty even admit they around six to seven and this is have to guess the answers when a great way to help teach them their children ask them about about the benefits of saving up money. The emergence of for something they really want. new digital payment methods Once they reach 10 you can is a significant driver of this, teach them budgeting skills with a similar number saying through the weekly shop and they don’t know whether they monthly bills. should focus on teaching their "With the first round of teens children about digital money or gaining access to their child trust actual notes and coins. funds in just two years’ time, it’s With many feeling unsure crucial that families start to have about their abilities, the conversations about money to majority talk to their children ensure that these teens make about personal finance less the most of their windfall.”

14 Parent Talk January 2019

How to get your kids into the savings habit Financial education became an official part of the National Curriculum in schools in 2014, to the delight of campaigners who wanted kids to get formal lessons in money management. By Hannah Smith But informal lessons on money are also really important – and this is where parents come in.

They play a vital role giving children practical lessons to boost their financial literacy.

Even something as simple as getting them a piggy bank can be a great way to encourage younger children into the savings habit.

Set savings goals for your kids If you give your children pocket money, or they ever receive money as a gift at Christmas or on their birthday, encourage them to put some of it aside to save for the things they want. Why not try out OneFamily’s Pocket Money Calculator to show your kids what they could eventually afford if they saved some of their monthly or weekly allowance?

Setting savings goals is a habit which will stand children in good stead into adulthood, and helps them understand the value of money and appreciate the things they have, if they’ve had to save up to get them.

Some parents even believe that you should give your children pocket money for doing chores as a way of teaching them this value.

You can lead by example and start saving for your child from the moment they’re born.

Taking out a Junior ISA, for example, is a great way to put

money aside regularly for your child from a very early age and give it time to grow.

Junior ISAs are long-term, tax-efficient savings accounts which let you put away up to £4,128 each tax year (rising to £4,260 in 2018/19). You can open a Junior ISA for your child from birth with as little as £1 and start making regular savings into it in their name. Other people such as grandparents or family friends can pay in too, up to the annual limit.

What about when your child reaches 18?

Junior ISAs are different from ordinary cash savings accounts because the money is locked away until the child turns 18. At this point, the money you or other family members have saved becomes your child’s, and the Junior ISA gets converted into an adult ISA which they can then access.

This means they can do whatever they want with the money. Hopefully with some good money management skills, they will be more inclined to spend the savings on a house deposit, higher education or something to bolster their future.

In the meantime, while the Junior ISA is under your control, you can involve your kids in the savings process. Show them how much money is in their

ISA and how it is growing every month. This can help teach them about the likes of interest and compounding if they’re old enough to understand.

Introducing the value of investing A Junior ISA can be either a Cash ISA or a Stocks & Shares ISA, and you can split your annual allowance between both types.

If you’ve set up your Junior ISA early and it has plenty of time to mature, investing it in a few different stocks or funds can mean the money works harder and grows faster than cash would, especially compared

to the meagre interest rates available on some cash savings accounts at the moment.

However, remember there is risk involved in investing – so do your research where you need to. Stocks and shares can fall as well as rise, so it’s possible to get back less than you invested. At the age of 16, your child can take over the decision-making as to what investments a Stocks & Shares Junior ISA holds. This can be a great introduction to investing, as well as making teenagers more invested in their own financial future.

Financial helping hand with childcare costs A new campaign for Tax-Free Childcare has recently been launched by the Government giving parents a financial helping hand to help with their childcare costs.

Q. How much money can I get?

A. You can get up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare.

For disabled children, you can get up to £1,000 every three months (£4,000 a year). The government will top up £2 for every £8 you pay into your online childcare account. This can be used to pay regulated childcare providers.

at National Minimum Wage) and up to £100,000 a year. It is also available to self-employed parents.

For two-parent families, both parents need to be working.

Q. Who is eligible for TaxFree Childcare?

A. Tax-Free Childcare is available to working parents regardless of where they work, earning from £125 a week on average (16 hours

Q. What age do my children have to be to get Tax-Free Childcare?

A. Your child must be aged under 12. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday.

Q. How can I calculate how much help with childcare is available to me?

A. Parents can visit Childcare Choices and use the childcare calculator to work out which type of support is best for them.

Q. How many people are eligible?

A. Around 1.5 million working parents are likely to be eligible.

Q. What is regulated childcare?

A. Tax-Free Childcare can be used for a whole range of regulated childcare, from childminders and nurseries to after-school and holiday clubs.

The childcare needs to be regulated through Ofsted in England or the equivalent body.

Q. I already get 30 hours of free childcare – can I apply for Tax Free Childcare?

A. Yes, you can get and use TaxFree Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare.

Q. Can I use it with Universal Credit or Tax Credits?

A. No, you can’t use it if you get either Universal Credit or Tax Credits.

Q How do I apply?

A. Go to the Childcare Choices website. And after checking that it’s right for you, apply for your online childcare account. It will only take around 20 minutes to apply and most parents find out straightaway if they’re eligible. You can then start paying money in and receiving top-ups, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child, per year (£4,000 for disabled children).

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Exciting opportunities await at Wellington School Wellington has so much more to offer than exam results.

The performing arts go from strength to strength and in addition to some groundbreaking new theatre projects, our pupils have just enjoyed presenting an outstanding production of School of Rock!

There are workshops, creative performances and technical opportunities and with a huge range of bands, orchestras and ensembles, the whole school is taking advantage of many exciting musical opportunities.

We have superb sports facilities and a unique new Sport and Wellbeing department with specialist strength and conditioning coaches who take fitness to new levels across all sporting disciplines.

Our competitive sports have been resoundingly successful this year with some National players across many sports.

Our pioneering new Wellbeing Programme teaches pupils a healthy lifestyle that will serve

them at school and long into the future including nutrition, Judo sports psychology and leadership.

There is a vibrant and active Outdoor Education programme, which includes Ten Tors, CCF (Army, Navy and Air Force), Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, expeditions, camping, ski trips, trekking, kayaking, climbing, canoeing and a wide range of international trips including Iceland, the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, Nepal, Greenland, and a conservation project in Domenica.

Wellington inspires and teaches pupils from 11-18 in the Senior School. In addition, the Prep School and Nursery nurtures pupils from aged 3, with wonderful premises, outstanding facilities and inspiring, creative teachers.

Additional activities such as Forest School, trips and outdoor education bring the whole experience to life.

We are justly proud of the rounded, all-encompassing education our pupils receive.

We call it “Learning for Life”.

“Happy parents, happy pupils!” – The Good Schools Guide

Find out more about our scholarship programme for Year 7, 9 and Sixth Form.

01823 668803 or email admissions@wellington-school.org.uk www@wellington-school.org.uk

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

More than just exam results at Sidcot

By Iain Kilpatrick, Head of Sidcot School As the Head of Sidcot School, a non-selective independent school, I often find myself torn between the desire for outstanding exam results and the need to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in the world beyond school.

We all know that children do not grow by measuring so why is there such focus purely on exam results? Surely, we need to be aiming higher than this for our children.

I believe that for schools to better equip students with skills for life we need to release the pressure valve on exam results.

We want Sidcot students to have an inspirational education that is as much about nurturing the spirit as it is about outstanding academic success.

Sidcot School lives and breathes the Quaker values of truth and integrity, equality and community, peace, simplicity, and sustainability. We welcome students and staff of all faiths and none.

We encourage individual

thought, questioning and exploration, whilst making sure our students have the support they need to grow as individuals, with their full range of talents recognised and celebrated.

My school’s moto is ‘Live Adventurously’ and we have consciously ring-fenced space in the timetable for our

students to explore different approaches to learning and to work on those skills and attributes that can’t be measured by an exam result.

Students leave Sidcot with a well-rounded, holistic education, prepared for life. After all, isn’t this a better demonstration of success than outstanding exam results alone?

Parent Talk January 2019 15

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

New Courses for the New Year!

There are many courses for adult learners starting this New Year – keep that resolution, and don’t let the opportunity pass you by!

Take a look at the hundreds of courses available and see how Bridgwater & Taunton College can help you get to where you want to be in Our courses may help you to train for your work, to progress your career, to gain a new qualification, or to learn new skills and hobbies. We work with many companies to ensure our provision is responsive to employer needs and requirements and our facilities are state-of-the-art to meet industry requirements also.

There are over 700 courses to choose from, with durations

from one day to a number of weeks, taking place at one of our campuses in Bridgwater, Taunton or Cannington, and Distance Learning courses mean you can study from anywhere!

A Government loan is available for learners who are aged 19+ and starting an eligible course, designed to support learners with their course fees in a similar way to how students studying university level courses receive a higher education loan.

If you don’t qualify for a free course or a 19+ Advanced Learner Loan, and you are on a low income or in receipt of other benefits, you may be able to receive support from our Learner Support Fund to cover some or all of your fees.

For more information and to enrol, visit www.btc.ac.uk or contact the Information and Guidance team: 01278 441234 info@bridgwater.ac.uk

ENROL NOW!

COURSES FOR ADULTS 2019

With so many opportunities offered at our campuses, online and in the workplace, the new year is a great time to embrace lifelong learning and professional and personal growth!

LEARN WITH A LOAN FREE DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES AVAILABLE!

BRINGING OUT YOUR BEST 01278 441234 | www.btc.ac.uk 16 Parent Talk January 2019

NURSERYdirectory

All Hallows Preparatory School Nursery Class Give your 3 year old the best possible start within the environs of this renowned Prep School. Fantastic facilities and activities including Forest School, LTA Tennis Academy and Swimming Pool and access to specialist teaching staff for languages, Music, Art, Dance, Drama and Sport set this facility apart from other nurseries.

Visit at any time: 01749 881600 admissions@allhallowsschool.co.uk Hazlegrove Nursery and Pre-Prep, Sparkford.

Family, friendship and festivals are at the heart of this coeducational boarding and day school which delights in children being children.

The winning combination of experienced, committed staff and small class sizes, creates a friendly, stimulating and secure environment in which pupils lay down firm foundations in all areas of the curriculum, on which they can build in future years. The nursery provides a vibrant and engaging environment for pre-school children and is the ideal start to their school life. For more information and to arrange a visit, please contact Sarah-Jane on 01963 442606 admissions@hazlegrove.co.uk King’s Hall Nursery King’s Hall is a wonderfully traditional yet progressive school set in the rolling Somerset countryside just outside Taunton. Although the Nursery shares the Preparatory school’s superb facilities, it is self contained and operates in a secure and peaceful environment. Log cabin classrooms, vast on-site

Forest School and highly experienced, dedicated staff make King’s Hall Nursery the natural choice for children 2 to 5 years.

01823 285921 www.kingshalltaunton.co.uk Millfield Pre-Prep School (Ages 2-7), situated in the beautiful Prep campus in Glastonbury. Our aim is to encourage a love of learning through a combination of classroom and outdoor activities, using a child-led curriculum, small class sizes and excellent facilities, including our on-site Forest School and indoor swimming pool. Over 20 free after-school activities as well as an Early Birds and Late Club, and a daily toddler group during term time for ages 1-3.

To arrange a visit please contact: Hannah Cox in Admissions on 01458 837524 Perrott Hill Montessori Nursery and Pre-Prep.

Given ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, the Nursery is situated in the attractive, safe courtyard of the manor house. The Nursery children, aged 3-4 years, have the use of the extensive grounds and facilities of the school (age range 3-13) as well as having their own outdoor adventure play area. The staff are warm and friendly.

Free after school care is available.

01460 72051 www.perrotthill.com Queen’s College Highgrove Nursery, Nursery School, Pre-Prep and Reception 0-5 years.

Queen’s Pre Prep and Junior School is renowned for excellence in infant and junior education and care. The team at Queen’s Highgrove Nursery embrace such standards of education and development offering year round care 0-3 years. Queen’s Nursery School is situated in the Pre-Prep Department and it is here that the stepping stones to a formal education are laid. Highly qualified and experienced Nursery School staff work in close liaison with parents and the Highgrove Nursery team, ensuring a smooth and personalised transition. Queen’s Pre-Prep takes pride in providing a rich, stimulating and diverse education within a nurturing and caring environment. www.queenscollege.org.uk 01823 278928, junioradmissions@queenscollege. org.uk Sunny Hill Pre-School and Pre-Prep Sunny Hill welcomes pre-school and primary school aged children, taking girls from 3-11 years old and boys aged 3-7. Situated in the beautiful market town of Bruton and sharing the same 40 acre campus of ‘big sister’ school, Bruton School for Girls, children have space and freedom to learn, have fun, take on new challenges and make friends. Our small classes mean that every child receives high quality, individual attention. All pupils enjoy either Forest School or John Muir outdoor education, and there is a wide variety of extra-curricular clubs and activities. Full wrap-around care is available to suit the needs of busy families, including breakfast

and supper club options and free after school care until 5.30pm every day.

To arrange a visit please contact: Mrs Carrie Crook in Admissions on: 01749 814401 or email: admissions@brutonschool.co.uk Taunton Nursery School for children from 0 years.

Flexible Nursery Education, 7.30am- 5.45pm.

Highly qualified teachers.

Spectacular grounds and facilities used by all.

Children can attend a combination of morning, afternoon and late club sessions.

01823 703300 www.tauntonschool.co.uk Wellington Prep School Nursery Attractive, well-designed buildings. Talented teachers.

Cheerful children. Proud parents. All this can be yours at Wellington Prep School Nursery and Pre-Nursery.

EYFS can be redeemed against our fees. We would love to have your children from 3 years upwards.

Open 50 weeks per year.

Please enjoy our website www.wellington-school.org.uk or call Rachel Debenham to arrange a visit.

01823 668700 Little Wellies Term time Toddler group.

Open to all pre-school children every Thursday morning 9.15-11.15am, Wellington Prep School Hall. £3 per child and £1 per additional child weekly charge.

Contact Marian Bassindale for more details 01823 668700 prep@wellington-school.org.uk

To book our Nursery Directory, please call 01458 250461 follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

An educational Why choose Taunton School? journey from Queen’s Pre-Prep The current Queen’s College Head Boy and Head Girl have both been at Queen’s for the past 15 years and, in a recent interview, looked back fondly on their time in Pre-Prep.

Matt Keogan and Olivia Sandow commented that Sixth Form students often walked past the place where they first learned to read and write and still swam in the pool where they took their first tentative strokes.

The ‘big dip’ on the Pre-Prep playing field evoked particularly happy memories of play times, serving as a great base to play hide and seek. It also proved to be perfect for sledging, when the snow came!

They said: “In the classroom, we loved always being encouraged to have a go and learning by discovery.

“While we were not aware of it at the time, it is now clear that, from the very earliest age, our thinking skills were being encouraged and nurtured and the foundations for the development of important life skills were being laid.

“At the time we were too young to appreciate just what a dynamic and exciting curriculum we enjoyed – weekly Forest School sessions were a favourite and who would have known that, when we started learning French in Reception,

Matt and Olivia are pictured making a nostalgic return to Reception.

one of us would go on to take it as an A-level!

“We hope that, in ten or 15 years’ time, the current Pre-Prep pupils will look back on their time at Queen’s with the same fond nostalgia.”

It was lovely to hear what our Heads of School remembered from their time in Pre-Prep and of the impact their early teachers and lessons had on them!

A key focus from Pre-Prep upwards is developing each child's confidence and personal skills. The range of activities we offer, from singing and

choreography clubs to drama, dance, cookery and mindfulness activities, all enhance our children's learning.

Building skills for life, developing resilience, tolerance and empathy, all feature alongside our extensive curriculum, creating those essential foundations for the children’s future development.

Come and see Queen’s College Pre-Prep and Nursery in action – book a personal visit by emailing junioradmissions@ queenscollege.org.uk or calling 01823 278928.

Taunton School guides your child through Nursery, PrePrep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form education, all based on one 56-acre campus. It’s a popular choice for families who see the advantages of a ‘through-school’ process.

At Taunton School we challenge, inspire and nurture your children offering a wide range of opportunities with excellent on-site facilities, including a health centre and extensive catering department. We are one of the only schools in the region that

doesn’t outsource its catering.

All meat, vegetables and dairy are sourced locally, supporting farmers and small family-run businesses.

Taunton School has also recently been shortlisted in the TES Awards for its wellbeing provision, after a comprehensive system was put in place to support the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff.

The Good Schools Guide stated: “Of all the school’s greatest hits, Pastoral Care stands at #1”. We know every child.

Furthermore, we have

ambitions to be the greenest school in Somerset and have already committed to a ‘zero to landfill’ project, so that all waste collected from school is recycled. Headmaster Lee Glaser commented: “Doing our bit to safeguard the planet for the future for our young people is something we take seriously”.

So what do our parents say?

“It’s an inclusive sort of place… you’d struggle not to fit in” “There’s never been a day when my children have not wanted to go to school”

Find out more about Taunton School at our Whole School Open Morning on Saturday, 2nd February.

For more, visit www.tauntonschool.co.uk or call 01823 703703

Helping children make sense of the news What’s going on in the world can provide many real-life learning opportunities for children that they not only find interesting but can also challenge their perceptions of the world around them.

Current affairs can also provide many opportunities for developing respect and empathy towards others.

But teachers are stretched, schools are under-resourced and teaching and talking about current affairs is often neglected. Teachers have considerable curriculum pressures and because the news is always changing and developing, they simply do not have time to create their own plans and resources.

At home, discussing the news

might not be a part of everyday conversations. The increased use of technology and social media can make it difficult to spot what’s real and what’s not.

A recent BBC survey sent to

18 countries around the world found that nearly 8 in 10 people said they worried about what was fake and what was real on the internet. So it’s vital that children learn to question what

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

they see and read and have the opportunity to discuss it and share their views.

Most school children know what fake news is, but many of them weren't always able to correctly identify it. Teachers tell me: “Most children know that fake news exists but when tested – they aren’t so sure!

They just don’t know what they are looking for”.

Being news savvy is crucial as it empowers children and keeps them engaged and motivated to find out about the world around them.

Fake news can easily go viral via social media so we need to give our children the tools to decide what’s real and what’s fake. It’s not always easy to spot so here are our top 5 tips

for helping children spot fake news: 1. Question everything!

Who made this? Who is the target audience? Who paid for this? Or, who gets paid if you click on this? Who might benefit or be harmed by this message?

2. Watch out for anger and strong emotion?

If it makes you feel very strongly, it could be ‘clickbait’ a grabbing headline to get you to follow a link.

3. Check if other newspapers are reporting it?

Don’t rely on a single source.

Are other well-known news providers sharing this news story? If not, it may not have been verified.

4. Quality check!

Obvious grammatical errors

or spelling mistakes can be a sign that an article hasn’t been professionally produced or proofread and can be a giveaway.

5. Facts matter What proof or evidence does the article give? Does it cite credible research or expert opinions?

Katie Harrison (pictured) is an early-years educational expert and founder of Picture News – a new service for schools helping them teach children about the news. Find out more at http://www.picture-news.co.uk/ Parent Talk January 2019 17

BOOK REVIEW

Editor’s choice The Sea Saw

By Tom Percival Published by Simon & Schuster.

Age: 3+ When Sofia loses her beloved teddy after a day at the beach, she is heartbroken. But the sea saw it all, and maybe, just maybe, it can bring Sofia and her bear back together. However long it may take…

Look Inside a Hospital Published by Usborne Look Inside a Hospital provides a fascinating insight into what really goes on in a hospital, and is a hugely important book for any child who might be visiting ill relatives or need to go into hospital themselves. Find out what it's like to stay overnight, how operations happen and where babies are born, with flaps on every page revealing intriguing action taking place behind the scenes.

“Reading a book is like opening a door into a magical world where anything is possible. You can walk around in someone else’s shoes, meet enchanted creatures and live in different times and places.”

– Cressida

Cowell

Reading is magic!

Discover a love of reading with these top tips from Cressida Cowell, author and illustrator of the popular How to Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once books!

Read anything you want.

Try reading lots of different sorts of books. Storybooks are great but it is also good to read magazines, comics, fact books – anything you want!

Read as much as you can. Go to the

library and get exploring!

You could soon be walking with dinosaurs, casting magic spells or discovering new worlds.

Ask your friends what they are reading. It can

sometimes be hard to find books you want to read, so ask your friends, parents, teachers and librarian for some ideas.

Always have a book with you.

You never know when you might get a chance to read – on the school bus, at lunchtime, in the park. So carry a book, magazine or comic with you wherever you go.

Read stories out loud. It can

be great fun to use different voices for different characters and do sound effects. You could also take turns reading out loud with your friends and family.

Stop reading books you don’t like. A

great way to find out if you will like a book is to pick a random page and read it. If you don’t like what you’re reading, stop and pick something else.

Listen to stories.

Ask your parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters to read aloud to you.

You could also try listening to an audio book on your way to school or in bed.

Cressida Cowell’s The Wizards of Once: Twice Magic is out now! Published by Hachette Children’s Group. © National Literacy Trust 2018.

Cressida Cowell is an ambassador of the National Literacy Trust, which holds the secretariat for the Read On. Get On. campaign.

18 Parent Talk January 2019

Discover Our Solar System

By Colin Stuart, illustrated by Charlie Brandon-King Published by Button Books, Age: 7+ Discover the incredible things that make up the solar system and how it came into existence.

While you marvel at the beauty of the planets and our Sun and Moon, you can learn astonishing facts about them. You’ll find out exactly what dwarf planets are, and the differences between asteroids, comets, meteors, meteoroids and meteorites.

Plus you can delve into the fascinating history of space travel and glimpse what the future may hold.

Royal Rebel

By Carina Axelsson Published by Usborne, Age: 8+ Lily Waldenburg is in many ways a normal teenager. She loves fashion, her dog Coco, her guinea pig Zoe and sleepovers with her best friend Leonie. She dreams of being a fashion vlogger, and when her videos on her style vlog ‘Tiara Girl’ begin to take off, Lily knows this is her chance to succeed.

But Lily is also a princess. First in line to the Queendom of Waldenburg – a matriarchal and matrilineal society – she has her royal responsibilities to think about – ‘Queen-to-be-stuff’ that she must learn before she comes of age next year. Her Grandmaman and Mother have high expectations of what a princess should be – and that does not include being a fashion vlogger.

Animal Activity Book

By Alain Gée Published by Button Books.

Age: 4+ Fun and educational, the Animal Activity Book features beautiful, bright illustrations that will draw children in and keep them busy. All of the pages are incredibly absorbing with Alain’s unmistakably rich and appealing style of illustration.

And while they are enjoying the mazes, matching and counting, the games are helping them to develop a wide range of skills, including observational, conversational and motor.

Transport Activity Book

By Alain Gée Published by Button Books.

Age: 4+ This gorgeous transportthemed activity book will be very popular with any child who loves all things that go! With over 100 different activities, including dot to dot, spot the difference, colouring in, simple makes and other engaging puzzles.

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

CLASSIFIED FAMILY The Dragon Whisperer

By Lucinda Hare Published by Corgi.

Age: 8+ The Dragon Whisperer follows Earl’s daughter (and dragon whisperer), eleven year old Quenelda. Her best friend is a battle-dragon with the comically cautionary name of Two Gulps and You’re Gone, who she can command through thought alone. Hare offers a headstrong heroine in Quenelda that chooses dragons over dresses, battles over boys and ultimately dreams of joining her father’s side as a warrior in the Stealth Dragon Services.

Vote for Effie

By Laura Wood Published by Scholastic.

Age: 9+ Join Effie Kostas as she fights to become Student Council President in her new school.

With a campaign team of loveable misfits, she tackles the truly important subjects: gender imbalance, outdated school conventions…and good-looking boys stealing the last slice of chocolate cake at lunchtime.

The Peculiar Peggs of Riddling Woods

By Samuel J. Halpin, illustrated by Hannah Peck Published by Usborne.

Age: 9+ This is the story of a girl called Poppy and a place called Suds. A place full of strange rules – like never, ever dusting the window sills – and where children turn grey, before disappearing altogether.

There’s certainly something peculiar going on, and it’s up to Poppy and her new friend Erasmus to find out exactly what’s lurking in the Riddling Woods.

A Curse so Dark and Lonely

By Brigid Kemmerer Published by Bloomsbury.

Age: 11+ In a lush, contemporary fantasy retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Brigid Kemmerer gives readers another compulsively readable romance, perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer.

KEITH’S MAGICAL ENTERTAINMENT Children’s parties a speciality.

Magic, Puppets, Comedy.

Terrific entertainment.

Police checked and insured.

01935 822135 www.keithsmagic.co.uk

The Enchanted Hour

By Meghan Cox Gurdon Published by Piatkus A miraculous alchemy occurs when one person reads to another, transforming the simple stuff of a book, a voice, and a bit of time into complex and powerful fuel for the heart, brain and imagination.

Grounded in the latest neuroscience and behavioural research, and drawing widely from literature, ‘The Enchanted Hour’ explains the dazzling cognitive and socialemotional benefits that await children, whatever their class, nationality or family background. But it’s not just about bedtime stories for small children: reading aloud consoles, uplifts and invigorates at every age, deepening the intellectual lives and emotional well-being of teenagers and adults, too.

The Handbook for Highly Sensitive People

By Mel Collins Published by Watkins Are you often told to stop taking things to heart or to toughen up? Do you over analyze things and get 'stuck in your own head'? Or become easily overwhelmed by environmental stimuli and frequently need to withdraw?

If the answer is yes, you are probably a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). One in five people are born with the trait of high sensitivity, yet far from being hailed for their increased compassion and empathy, these people are so often dismissed as being ‘flaky’ or ‘snowflakes’. This general lack of awareness and appreciation of sensitivity in our society leaves so many people struggling physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually with being highly sensitive in a non-sensitive world. More often than not, HSPs are yearning for acceptance of their trait, not just from other people but also from themselves.

In The Handbook for Highly Sensitive People , former prison governor and psychotherapeutic counsellor Mel Collins presents a path to true self-understanding and positive action.

FUN PLAY FACILITATOR!!

Interactive Story Workshops for Kids.

Lisa Bolitho 07766 296497 energisingspaces@ yahoo.co.uk

Quirky Textile Pictures www.sarahharmertextileart.com

Ofsted Registered Childminder in idyllic rural location 5 minutes from A303

Melanie Tuffill 01460 234325/07876481027 melanie@oliveronline.co.uk Selection of children’s books and parenting guides for one lucky school to add to their library.

For a chance to win, email editor@parenttalk.org.uk giving the name of your school and, in less than 50 words, why it should be chosen.

Closing date 5th February 2019.

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter The Happiness Passport

By Megan C Hayes, illustrated by Yelena Bryksenkova Published by Quarto There are wonderfully evocative words in this collection that resonate with universal emotions: the ability of the natural world to deeply move us as captured by the Japanese word yugen, or the overwhelming urge to cuddle an adorable pet described by the Philippine Tagalog gigil. Each concept is deeply ingrained in its place of origin.

A must-read for all those seeking a more balanced life, this beautiful guide features original illustrations that evoke each elusive expression.

follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

@parenttalksw

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .ai

Facebook “f ” Logo

CMYK / .ai

and facebook

parenttalksw

Parent Talk

Newtons, Churchstanton, Taunton TA3 7QF T: 01823 601086 E: sales@parenttalk.org.uk Disclaimer: The editorial and advertising content of this publication does not imply endorsement of them by Parent Talk.

Nor can Parent Talk be held responsible for any actions or consequences arising from contact between reader and advertiser. Readers are therefore advised to check carefully, any references, professional qualifications and stated membership of professional bodies before entering into contracts or making arrangements to use a service featured herein.

Editor Tamsin Humphreys Advertising Juliet Barber Production Sarah Harmer February Issue deadline: 23rd January 2019 To guarantee receiving your copy of Parent Talk every month why not take out a subscription for just £17 a year and it will be sent to your door?

Parent Talk January 2019 19

www.sidcot.org.uk

Not just an exam factory We educate students rather than simply train them to pass tests. Find out how we can prepare your child for a life of adventure.

Whole School Open Morning Friday 25 January 9.15am for a 9.30am start To attend or arrange a visit call 01934 845236.

Independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18. Located just south of Bristol airport, with daily buses throughout the area.