Rascals Of London 4 by Project Baby/Rascals Of London

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 1

2 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

classes

shopping

cafe

parties

personal shopper

A new retAil experience for pArents And kids We’ve done the hard work, so you don’t have to. We’ve chosen the best in healthy, modern baby products to make the transition to parenthood that little bit easier. From furniture and buggies to feeding, bathing and toys, we’ve got it covered.

8-10 Winchester Road Swiss Cottage NW3 3NT 020 7483 2826 www.huggle.co.uk

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 3

Quick Numbers

Natasha Hewett

Lucy Pailing

Editor-in-chief

Copywriter

London travel: 0843 222 1234

Rebecca Harding

Gavin Bridle

London Underground: 0845 330 9880

Assistant Editor

Art Direction

London Buses: 0845 300 7000

With many thanks to our contributors: Isabelle from DreamMakers, Natasha Wiening Photography,

Barclays cycle hire: 0845 026 3630

Gambado, Victoria from Look Bunny Find, Diddi Dance, Pretty

Oyster customer services: 0845 330 9876

Pregnant, Maria from Eddie Catz, Florentine and Pig, Karen, Prima

Congestion charges: 0845 900 1234

and Hina from Beanies, Tara from Reading Eggs, Club Petit Pierrot, Annabel Karmel, Sarah Rose, La Chouette School & all our advertisers.

Advertising with us: Email: info@rascalsoflondon.co.uk Tel: 0751 485 2648 Web: www.rascalsoflondon.co.uk No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, without the express permission of the editor. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. The opinions expressed within Rascals of London magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers, but those of individual writers. Rascals of London is printed by Warners Midlands PLC

4 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

Boots Pharmacy Piccadilly: 0207 346 126 The Portland Hospital Woman and Children: Children 020 7390 6504 Maternity 020 7390 8274 NHS Direct: 0845 4647 Child benefit: 0845 302 1444 Tax credits: 0845 300 3900 Job centre: 0800 055 6688

What’s 37 Ready, inside

Steady The Wean! best bits

March

A little planning makes weaning your baby 7 Clubs & Classes across London much easier, so start getting prepared Sneaky peek at Localwith Clubs and Classes for your tots help from Annabel17 Karmel the UK’s of Messy Play The –Importance favourite feeding expert. Why Messy Play is a Must

22 Homework Habits Annabel’s easy-to-follow recipes from hertantrums in 9 Easy Steps Banish the homework bestselling weaning and fantastic 30books Spring Bumps iPhone App will ensurePretty you Pregnant feel more fashion for mum´s to be confident about making wholesome, 54 Weaning with yet Annabel Karmel delicious, meals for your little ones. Ready, Steady, Cook with the whole family

59 Take the Plunge Teaching the kids to swim

Goodies

All the rest www.annabelkarmel.com 14 Party with Beanies

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225g sweet potato peeled & 300 ml unsalted vegetable s 30g grated Cheddar

Let them do the hard work

16 Latest Rascals News Keep up to date on all the latest news across the city

24 12 Great Baby Products Hand picked baby products by our Editor Natasha

27 After Giving Birth Dr Goldstein has the answers you need

41 Florentine and Pig Florentine and Pig need your help

44 Why Motherhood Over 40 is a Fine Vintage Breaking the “age barrier” on motherhood

46 What´s On Keeping the whole family entertained

53 Help My Child´s a Biter Its Just a phase, so they say!

64 Directory & Services Rascals of London l March 2012 - 5

From the Edito r

HAPPY

7th Birthday Henry

Easter Rasca ls

Welcome Back

Here´s to a Successful 2012 Well I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New year! Trying to get back to normality has been the hardest thing for me and after eating and drinking far too much over the festive period I am now faced with the arduous task of shifting this extra Christmas weight (yes it will be my new years resolution next year as well!) Davina workout Dvd is my weapon of choice and I´m sure like most busy mums its finding a willing 58 minutes every day that is proving one of the biggest obstacles, with so many distractions and over the last month or so a magazine deadline looming. The stress seems to lead me straight to the cupboards of comfort food which I always said we shouldn’t have in our Rascals office. I cant believe we are almost in March, where have those 2 months gone? I found myself thinking where have the last 7 years gone when Henry kindly reminded me that he wanted Horrible history books for his birthday next month. He was most annoyed that a full page couldn’t be devoted to him but after I had explained that we had a jam packed edition and that he didn’t have enough money to take out an advert he accepted that a picture of him would be sufficient (as long as he got the right presents)! I have been baking most nights with Henry (which doesn’t help with the fitness) but he loves cooking (or at least he loves the getting messy part). Chocolate Marble Brownies from the one and only Annabel Karmel recipe book have been our favourite, in fact you can enjoy some of Annabel´s child friendly recipes in this edition as well as a Special Easter Ginger Cookie recipe on page 57, which we urge you to attempt, then send in your photos for a chance to win Annabel Karmel´s new book ´My First Cookbook´ and appear in our next edition. In this edition we also bring you the latest fashionable ways to dress your Bump with a blooming gorgeous selection from Pretty Pregnant on page 30, our favourite baby products for 2012 on page 24, many interesting articles on child health and education, and of course with Easter just around the corner an eggtastic section (page 35) dedicated to everything Easter.

Thank you to Lauren and Morgan age 3 & 4 from Richmond for being th e Stars of our Easter ed ition and to Natasha Wien ing Photography for ta king such fantastic shot s.

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So all that is left for me to say is go get a cup of tea, snuggle up on the sofa with your babies and have a real good read and I will see you all in June, but in the meantime as always we would love to hear from you and your thoughts on our articles so why not drop me an email at: natasha@rascalsoflondon.co.uk. Happy reading,

Natasha

Natasha Hewett, Editor-in-chief

A wealth of fun and educational activities in the London area for you and your child to enjoyâ&#x20AC;Ś

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 7

Art at Kite Studios A creative oasis in Shepherds Bush. Founded more than five years ago to provide quality art education for children in particular, they have since evolved into a community interest company.

Maggie & Rose The members club for families Classes for your mini Mozart, juvenile Jamie Oliver or pintsized Picasso. From 6 months to 9 years, Maggie & Rose classes are lovingly designed by our brilliant teachers to recognise talent and cultivate creativity. Vibrant entertainers, exciting activities and yummy, fresh organic food: all the ingredients your child could wish for but without the mess or bother of doing it yourself.

Their aim is to make Art accessible to everyone, irrespective of income, ability or age, including the early years and children with additional needs, and to involve parents in the creative learning process. They also offer bespoke workshops at beautiful premises in Kemerton, Gloucestershire, where you can book self-catering cottages or come for a day trip. Tel: 0208 576 6278 Email: info@kitestudios.org Web: www.kitestudios.org Where: 2b Bassein Park Road, Shepherds Bush

BabyBallet Theatrebugs

Tel: 0207 371 2200 Web: www.maggieandrose.com Where: 58 Pembroke Road, Kensington

Totstars

Babyballet is an award-winning baby ballet Song and Dance Academy with a wonderfully exciting educational movement to music programme for pre-school boys and girls from 6 months.

Established in 2005 as a means for children to learn through play, Theatrebugs carefully designs each adventure to ignite your child’s imagination and allow their confidence to bloom! They offer exciting new extracurricular activities in nurseries, schools, parties or shows. Helping your child with improved concentration, enriched vocabulary, increased selfconfidence and much, much more! But most of all, they will have so much fun!

Designed to encourage babies and young children to enjoy the benefits and joys of song and dance, baby ballet has built up a fantastic reputation for providing children with the opportunity to express themselves within a fun, safe and caring environment.

Totstars have developed a unique and innovative method of enhancing children’s cognitive, social and physical development through sport. Their enthusiastic coaches do this by using fun and action packed games to challenge children in order to keep them enthused as they learn. They focus on Awareness, Numeracy, Teamwork & Sharing. FA Qualified coaches and enthusiastic nursery teachers provide young children between the ages of 2 and 5 an opportunity through the use of fun, action packed games and drills to engage in football and to teach them basic early learning. Tel: 0754 093 2356 Web: www.totstarsuk.com Where: Saturday Sessions - Streatham, Wallington/Hackbridge, Croydon

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Tel: 0142 232 9471 Email: info@babyballet.co.uk Web: www.babyballet.co.uk Where: Wimbledon, Putney, Hamstead, Highgate, Greenwich, Bromley, Dartford and Bexley

Tel: 0800 975 5290 Email: enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk Web: www.theatrebugs.co.uk Where: All areas across London

The Kids’ Cookery School The Kids’ Cookery School is a unique cookery school for children and young people all over London! A registered Charity, which aims to reach out to children and young people who are most in need, empowering them to look forward to a healthier future. They have purpose-built teaching kitchens, and also have a fully equipped mobile kitchen bringing interactive cookery sessions to you. They welcome students with special needs (physical, learning or behavioural) and their premises are fully wheelchair accessible. Tel: 0208 992 8882 Email: info@thekidscookeryschool.co.uk Web: www.thekidscookeryschool.co.uk Where: 107 Gunnersbury Lane, Acton

Pineapple Performing Arts School Pineapple offers a warm and friendly environment for students to learn a variety of professional, disciplined performing arts subjects such as singing (musical theatre) dancing (street dance) and drama, and is a great place to meet new people and build confidence, whilst developing performing arts skills. Every Sunday since they opened over 11 years ago the studios have buzzed with the energy of over 250 students singing, dancing and acting. All of their tutors are widely recognised industry professionals, and have lots of teaching experience working with all age groups and levels. Students are accepted from the age of three. Tel: 0208 351 8839

Email: admin@pineapplearts.com

Web: www.pineapplearts.com

Where: 7 Langley Street, Covent Garden

Baby Sensory The Creation Station

Sensory Play, Baby and Child Development. Baby Sensory classes offer a musical world full of exciting sensory experiences for parents and babies from light shows to bubbles, bells, rainbows, puppets, signing, games, baby whispering & bonding activities. The possibilities for learning & fun are endless!

Creation Station aims to inspire creative thinking at an early age in a safe and nurturing environment; to stimulate children’s development in thinking and problem solving using art, craft, music and movement, and help to build essential and desirable life skills, whilst children have loads of fun. Tel: 0844 854 9100 Email: enquiries@thecreationstation.co.uk Web: www.thecreationstation.co.uk Where: Harrow, Finchley, Dulwich and Wimbledon

Tel: 0754 524 7963 Email: info@babysensory.co.uk Web: www.babysensory.com Where: All London areas

Monkey Music Monkey Music is a highly successful and innovative pre-school music group for children aged 3 months to 4 years. Based on an exciting and progressive curriculum, Monkey Music provides weekly music classes that are entertaining and educational. Teachers make full use of the lively 30 minute classes to captivate the children using a winning combination of catchy music, percussion instruments, visual props and boundless energy. Monkey Music is fun, formative and a great way of making friends. Tel: 0158 276 6464 Email: info@monkeymusic.co.uk Web: www.monkeymusic.co.uk Where: All London areas

Diddi Dance At Diddi Dance they realise and encourage endless enthusiasm and energy in an action packed, full of fun 45 minute dance class. Using various dancing games and exercises, bells, hoops and dance ribbons to their own funky pop songs so your little one not only improves their rhythm and co-ordination but also their social and gross motor skills. Classes are ideally suited for both boys and girls between 2-4 years old, however they have had children as young as 16 months. Tel: 0797 398 2790 Email: info@diddidance.com Web: www.diddidance.com Where: All areas across London

Twisters Gym and Dance Twisters welcome children of all abilities and offer stimulating and fun classes for 6 months to young teens. Classes include: Twisters 1 & 2, Gymkids, Gymnastics, Ballet, Street Jazz, Tap, Dance, Drama and Art. Tel: 0208 933 9997 Email: twisters@btinternet.com Web: www.twisters.org.uk Where: Ealing: St.John’s Church, Mattock Lane, Elthorne Sports Centre, Westlea Road, St.Thomas’s Church Hall, Boston Road.

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 9

Water Babies Water Babies is the UK’s leading baby swim school, teaching a core skill to hundreds of babies & children every week which can potentially save their lives. The courses are very different to traditional swimming lessons. For a start, because they only use warm water pools, babies can join them from birth. And while the emphasis is on having fun, their course is carefully structured, with progressive lesson plans for each week. Tel: 0140 454 8348 Web: www.waterbabies.co.uk Where: All London areas

Pippa’s Poppets Music & Movement Classes Join Pippa Panda and get musical with these action-packed 40 minute classes! With songs and teaching curriculum written by award-winning composer Pippa Cleary, this unique programme brings parents, carers and children together through fun and interactive learning.

Tel: 0207 193 3920 Email: info@pippaspoppets.co.uk Web: www.pippaspoppets.co.uk Where: St Columba’s Church, Pont Street, Knightsbridge St Gabriel’s Church vestry, 30 Warwick Square, Pimlico Chelsea Theatre, World’s End Place, Chelsea.

Creative Fun Factory Play Yoga Baby Yoga Classes, Baby Massage & Baby Weaning Classes in North London. Eat Play Grow aims to inspire positive development in the early years that will build the foundations which last a lifetime. Tel: 0783 194 1419 Web: www.eatplaygrow.co.uk Email: alissa@eatplaygrow.co.uk Where: North London

This class provides a variety of different activities with the essential stimulation that babies to five year olds need. It is well structured in a nursery-like setting where the children can explore, dress up, build, and create with art and craft materials. They finish the class with ‘music time’ where they use the puppet theatre to help with letter, number, shape and colour recognition.

Founded in 1983 and recognised by the French government, La Jolie Ronde has for many years been a unique centre for learning not just a second language but a platform for introducing children to the everyday realities of the country and its culture. Their Programme which is structured according to age and differing levels of ability, is available in both French and Spanish for 3-11 year olds - an ideal age when children are very receptive and less inhibited. Each weekly lesson combines fun with exciting games, songs and activities. Tel: 0194 983 9715 Email: info@lajolieronde.co.uk Web: www.lajolieronde.co.uk Where: All areas across London

Tel: 0845 519 7882 Email: info@creativefunfactory.co.uk Web: www.creativefunfactory.co.uk Where: Harrow & Pinner, Ruislip & Chiswick

TinyTalk Half an hour of lively, interactive singing with signing. They teach about six core signs each week, with lots more signs being used in the songs. Every third week is a revision week, with a signed story book too! The second half hour is playtime for the babies and social time for the adults. They serve a range of refreshments, always chocolate biscuits and often birthday cake. Tel: 0759 455 7846 Email: jackiep@tinytalk.co.uk Web: www.tinytalk.co.uk Where: St Augustine’s Avenue, South Croydon & Woodside, Baptist Church, Spring Lane, South Norwood.

10 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

parties parties parties

Advertising - Rascals of London

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24/2/11

13:18

Page 35

After-school pottery classesnew term starts After-school pottery classesnew term starts 2nd March, 4.15pm to 6pm 2nd March,classes4.15pmnew to 6pm After-school pottery term starts

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Pottery Painting ages · ·Pottery Painting forforallallages Painting for all ages • Pottery · Fun enamelling, silver clay jewellery&&pottery pottery makingclasses classes Fun enamelling, silver clay jewellery · ·Pottery Painting for all ages Fun enamelling, silver clay jewellerymaking & pottery • Workshops throughout the year for adults & kids making classes Workshops throughout the year for adults & kidsmaking classes · ·Fun enamelling, silver clay jewellery & pottery undertakecommissions commissionsfor forany anyoccasion occasion ·· Workshops WeWe undertake Workshops throughout the year adults & kids • throughout the year for adults for & kids Castingservice servicetotopreserve preservethose thoseprecious preciouslittle littlehands handsand andfeet feet ·· ·We Casting We undertake commissions for any occasion commissions for any occasion • undertake Available in a range of finishes & mounted – a fabulous gift Available in a range of finishes & mounted a fabulous gift feet service preserve those–little precious · Casting service to preserve those precious handslittle and • Casting Delicious coffees & teastoand a range of refreshments · ·Available Delicious coffees & teas and a range of refreshments hands feet in aand range of finishes & mounted – a fabulous gift Dollis Road, Mill Hill, London NW7 1JX Available a range finishes & mounted 143 Dollis Road, Mill&in Hill, London NW7 1JX • ·143 Delicious coffees teas and aofrange of refreshments Tel: 020 fabulous 8371 6709 gift parties Tel: 020 8371 6709 143 Dollis Road, Mill Hill, London NW7 1JX

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www.firedtreasures.co.uk Dollis Road, Mill Hill, NW7 1J Fired143 Treasures 020 8371 6709 · Pottery Painting for all ages 143 Dollis Road, Mill Hill, NW7 · Fun1J enamelling, silver clay jewellery & pottery making classes www.firedtreasures.co.uk Gambado - Watford's Premier 01923 · Workshops throughout892 the year140 for adults & kids Gambado - Watford's Premier 01923 892 140 undertake commissions for any occasion IndoorRoad, Play &Mill Party Centre 143 Dollis Hill, NW7·· We 1J service to preserve those precious little hands and feet Indoor Play & Party Centre Casting www.gambado.com Available in a range of finishes & mounted – a fabulous gift Gambado - Watford's Premier· Delicious 01923 892 140 coffees & teas and a range of refreshments www.gambado.com Woodside Leisure Park, North Orbital Road, 143 Dollis Road, Mill Hill, London Indoor Play & Party Centre Woodside Leisure Park, Orbital Road, NW7 1JX Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 7JZ Tel: 020 8371 6709 After-school pottery classesnew term starts North www.gambado.com info@firedtreasures.co.uk The and modern interior coupled with and after-school pottery 2ndfresh March, 4.15pm to 6pm Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 7JZ making, glass fusingwww.firedtreasures.co.uk the councils effective Leisure modern lighting andNorth walls classes. Birthday parties are a fun, creative Woodside Park, Orbital Road, adorned with an assortment of beautiful and exciting part of the Fired Treasures councils Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 7JZ 020 Enfield Council 8379 1000We cater for kids aged finished pottery certainly make it an Aladdin’s pottery experience. party ideas/themes Enfield Council 020 8379 1000 cavewww.enfield.gov.uk of pottery treasures. And if the eye5 years upwards, even adults and hen Art-Work 07930 463 547 councils catching decor doesn’t grab your attention Family groups. Packages are available to suit budget www.enfield.gov.uk Informed Families Enfield's www.charlottegerrard.com then theCouncil aroma of the fresh- Italian coffee and and age range. Enfield 020 8379 Informed Families Enfield's Family (See ad page XX) Information Service - 0800 694 1066 - 1000 our deliciously mouth-watering homemade www.enfield.gov.uk Information Service - 0800 694 1066 www.enfield.gov.uk/if. pary venues cakes certainly will. We also offer a baby hand and foot casting Informed Families Enfield's Family www.enfield.gov.uk/if. Fired Treasures (See ad page 020 39)8371 6709 service, which is quick and easy to do so there www.firedtreasures.co.uk Since itsad official opening is no (See page 39) in -October 08002006, 694the1066 Information Service - stress for the baby or child. Once an 143 Dollis pottery Road, Mill 1J to be a huge success cafeHill, hasNW7 proved impression of the hands and/or feet are taken, www.enfield.gov.uk/if. Gambado and - Watford's Premier 892activities 140 continues to grow 01923 with new we cast them in plaster and hand-finish in a Indoor Play & Party Centre (See ad page 39) being added like Enamelling, Teddy Bear variety of ways according to taste. They can www.gambado.com Woodside Leisure Park, North Orbital Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 7JZ

councils

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Delicious coffees & teas and www.firedtreasures.co.uk a range of refreshments info@firedtreasures.co.uk • 8371 Tel: 020 6709 info@firedtreasures.co.uk www.firedtreasures.co.uk then be mounted in a beautiful presentation box frame. We can also put hand and foot prints onto virtually any pottery item then glaze and fire it in our kiln for a lovely keepsake. New for 2012 is the silver handprint jewellery. Your children’s hand and footprints are miniaturised and stamped onto pure silver clay to create a unique piece you can cherish. Charms, necklaces and cufflinks are all popular choices. So whether you want to keep your children busy with something that is enjoyable yet educational whilst you sit back and take in a sublime frothy cappuccino or if you want to unwind and lose yourself in the therapeutic pastime that pottery painting provides then Fired Treasures is the place to visit for your ideal family activity or party.

For further details of the pottery cafe contact Ruth Sacks on: 0208 371 6709 or email: info@firedtreasures.co.uk website: www.firedtreasures.co.uk

10% off any ceramic or plaster items on presentation of this article

TheofParents’ Directories 35- 11 Rascals London l March 2012

The Parents’ Directories

Advertising - Rascals of London

Classes held all over London! For classes in SE London: Call Anne-Marie: 07973 982790

For classes in N London: Call Charlene: 07892 711162

For classes in SW London: Call Clair: 07877 664809

For classes in W London: Call Gina: 07426 009179

Advertise Make the most of your business

with Us

Half page adverts only ÂŁ395 Quarter page adverts only ÂŁ225 Call us on: 07514852648 Or email us at: info@rascalsoflondon.co.uk 12 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

Advertising - Rascals of London

Babyballet was started in order to encourage babies and young children to enjoy the benefits and joys of song and dance. Since then the Academy has won numerous awards, and appeared on national television (CBeebies, Nickelodeon) as word has spread about the programme. to take on to more formal classes - but without realising it!

The classes aim to help children to learn balance and poise, to appreciate and become inspired to move and dance in harmony with music, and to build selfesteem, confidence and a sense of achievement. Unlike many other dance classes, the root of everything we do is in pure ballet; even from as young as 6 months babies will start to learn basic skills

Miss Stephanie joined the Babyballet team in 2011, coming from a background as a professional stage actor and dancer in the USA. She studied ballet from age 4 and, combined with her experience working professionally with day-care centres in the USA and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charities in London, this makes her an ideal teacher to inspire your child. She works with Miss Clare, a former West End actor and dancer. We would love to see you at a class soon - please call or email us for more details.

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 13

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A mixture of ball-game based activities and competitions. Age-appropriate, and themed, party games. Sundays or after 5pm on a weekday. Free play on our play floor plus pass the parcel and a visit from our friend the Beanies Bear!

Traditional party games such as making masks, musical statues, musical cushions, parachute games and pass the parcel.

Activities include making princess tiaras, nail painting and art, fairy face painting, themed and age-appropriate games.

Music, lights and smoke machine, dance routines, competitions and games.

Making gastronomic creations! Foodthemed party games and activities.

Age-appropriate creative activities such as t-shirt design, jewellerymaking, mask-making, party bag creation.

All packages are for up to 15 children + ÂŁ10 per additional child

Email: hina@beaniescafe.co.uk Or call us on: 0208 680 2088 14 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

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Advertising - Rascals of London

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 15

Rascals News

New Opening Pitter Patter The Hub for Bubs Providing activities, events and support groups for those of us caring for babies and toddlers in Ealing and the surrounding areas.

Where: The Grove Pub, Corner of The Green & The Grove. Tel: 0208 567 7871 Web: www.pitterpatterhub.com

Babies in Waiting published Published in time for Mother’s Day on the 15th March from Quercus. BABIES IN WAITNG is an engrossing, funny, bright and moving novel about three very different women’s experiences of pregnancy and the friendship that develops between them along the way. By Rosie Fiore Available from all good bookshops Price: £6.99

“Busy Rascals provides a baby and child friendly environment where parents in and around NW2 can meet, socialise and participate in activities with their little ones. The activities we offer include music, rhymes, dance, art, massage, drama/storytelling and baby/child signing, as well as coffee mornings and workshops and events for parents. Email: info@busyrascals.com Tel: 0797 376 0598 Web: www.busyrascals.com

Club Petit Pierrot Fun French For Children Club Petit Pierrot, London’s Premier French Club, now has many Parent and Toddler groups across London and they also offer fun French classes for children up to 8 years old (including advanced classes for bilingual children). They can organise private tuition at your home (even during the school holidays) and they teach their unique programme in many prestigious schools. Highly recommended by BBC, Daily Telegraph and Time Out. Tel: 0207 385 5565 Email: admincpp@btconnect.com (book a FREE Trial lesson) Web: www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

Funny Women 10th Anniversary Funny Women celebrates its 10th Anniversary on International Women’s Day this year by challenging 10 high profile women from the worlds of business, media, politics, international development and academia to perform stand up for the first time in their lives. 10 women will be performing a Comedy Challenge supporting 10 charitable causes helped by 10 women’s networks. Individual and table ticket prices include a drinks reception with pink prosecco and nibbles, Grange Hotels sumptuous signature meze meal, delicious dessert bar, and wine. Plus a Benefit Cosmetics goody bag!. Where: Grange Tower Bridge Hotel, City of London

When: 8th March Tel: 0207 959 5000

Pretty Pregnant

The Maternity & Nursing Specialists Introducing the Pretty Pregnant Wear Magazine! Making shopping from the sofa even easier and without your usual catalogue generic-ness. Pretty Pregnant have created a mail order magazine that not only allows you to see their beautiful new pieces on offer in some fabulous trends, but also offers you in depth editorial – whether you’re looking for some style advice from the experts at The Independent or Stylenest.co.uk, some real feel good articles on their work with Tommy’s the baby charity or The White Ribbon Alliance and not to mention the fantastic split between maternity and nursing meaning you can look & feel great pre and post bump! Tel: 0207 620 6429 Web: events@prettypregnant.co.uk.

16 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

David Lloyd Kids opened in Finchley on12th January and is available for non members & members! Giving children a great opportunity to enjoy and experience play, activity, learning in a place designed just for them. It’s about fitness and fun learning at every level. Where: Leisure Way High Road, Finchley. Tel: 0845 217 6464 Web: www.davidlloyd.co.uk

Latino Bambino

Salsa Fun for Me and My Mum Latino Bambino – “Salsa Fun for Baby and Mum” is an energizing dance/exercise class where new mothers wear their babies in carriers or slings whilst dancing to the pulsating Latin American tempo. This unique Mum and Baby class offers inclusive fun and benefits for both you and your little one! Latino Bambino – Toddler (1-4 years) A dance class full of Latin/Tropical rhythms enriched with props using a range of musical styles has been designed to build confidence; develop motor skills, coordination and balance. For more information on parties or local classes Call Urska on: 0796 183 8349 Web: www.latinobambino.co.uk

The Importance of

Messy

Play

My children have all spent the first 5 years of their lives at school or Nursery almost constantly playing andâ&#x20AC;Śguess what? I was furious about it! If, like me, you have memories of education being all about learning by rote, sitting at a desk studiously learning the three Râ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and being tested on your competence by written exams, you may be shocked to discover that times have changed!

By Isabelle Parasram l www.mydreammaker.co.uk

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 17

t was not until I completed my early years training that I began (and I really mean began) to understand the concept of learning through play. Even now that I am a total convert, I still panic every so often and whip out everything from my old school armory – recitations, drills and repetitive exercises. Deep down, though, although I am really grateful for the military style education I had, which filled my head with knowledge, I would much rather my children were equipped with skills, practical application and the ability to translate their knowledge from one field to another – something that happens much more effectively when they learn through play. I have had a mixed experience of education, having been based both in the UK and in Trinidad. Most of my education was in an all girls competitive system in which I was usually top of a very clever class. There was absolutely no time for play in my home life and no hope of it at school. It suited my Alpha personality really well and has lead to an endless array of exam certificates and considerable career success. However, when I look at my four very different children, I realise that, given their hugely different personalities and learning preferences, the likelihood of producing another me is just about zero – and that’s possibly a good thing. The problem with the way in which I was educated is that it was really well suited to those who naturally blossom through discipline and regimes, but it left out those who dared to learn in any other way. In this modern age of diversity where I, as an assessor, am myself judged by how well I adapt my assessment of NVQ 2 and 3 learners to suit their individual learning styles, it may make perfect sense to expect your child to be

presented with a variety of learning techniques. What many parents/carers don’t seem to realise, though, is that, for under-fives, the key method of learning is through play.

So why are we so concerned when it seems that our child has spent the day ‘just playing’ at school, Nursery or with our childminder? I think it’s because learning through play does not give us, as parents/carers, any measurable or instantaneous proof that our child is actually learning.

I feel very satisfied when my 3 year old can recite his times tables, but realise that this feeling is misplaced when he cannot extend that knowledge: ‘Zac, if one two is two, what is one fourteen?’ Answer: ‘I don’t know.’ I am thrilled when my 8 year old gets 100% in her spelling test, but can see that she hasn’t really grasped the underlying concepts when her freestyle composition is full of spelling mistakes of the words from her test. My experience has taught me that these foundations are useful and do fall into place eventually – indeed, the times tables will be excellent grounding for when Zac actually has to use them when he’s older – but, I also have to ensure that the children actually learn as well as accumulate knowledge.

Take my five year old. One month ago, he could not read. He was one of the lowest achievers in his class, if not the lowest ‘ranking’ Then… Mrs Baptist - a fantastic teacher - came into his life and began working with me as well as with him. Now, Carl’s homework partly consists of me playing the game of ‘Snap’ with words he finds tricky. We also play ‘Lotto’ with words and letters he doesn’t recognise easily. I have also started to play ‘Eye Spy’ with the foundational phonemes – ‘s’, ‘a’, ‘t’, ‘p’, ‘I’ and ‘n’. Every day he plays games from the CBeebies website and every Sunday, we have been going to the London museums just to play in their children’s ‘pods’ which are truly rich learning environments. If you’ve read my other articles, you’ll know that I incorporate teaching into my children’s everyday lives through fun and play and that the foundational stuff will always be important to me, but, even for me, there are times when I go off track and it takes a teacher like Mrs Baptist to re-inspire me. Sowing into a child’s life is almost purely an act of faith. You put a load of things in and hope that, eventually, something good will come out. When, this month, Carl began to recognise words, it was completely breathtaking for me. But it took five years of a relationship between Carl, books and me to hear those golden words come out of his mouth and, in all that time, I had no idea whether my efforts would bear any fruit whatsoever! So, keep persisting! Research has shown that young children learn to think, socialise and develop on every level through doing and talking and this is exactly what playing is. An example of learning through play: Your daughter decides to organise a small-scale train layout at Nursery. In doing this, you might simply see your daughter and a Nursery Nurse ‘messing about with the train set’, whilst another Nursery Nurse has a break doing paperwork. What I might see, in looking at the same scenario is a Nursery Nurse engaging with your daughter, ‘scaffolding’ her learning and asking pertinent questions of her designed to provoke thought, whilst the other Nursery Nurse observes your child closely, noting down what interests her, what she is learning and what the next steps in her learning should be. I would look at your daughter playing and seeing her: • creating a world of her own in which she can act out her understanding of the real world • making choices and directing outcomes • becoming skilful with her fingers as she manipulates small objects • planning, organising and taking charge • forming mathematical concepts of sets as she sorts the shorter trains from the longer trains

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In a few years’ time, this type of play ‘seed’ would lead to ‘fruit’ you might never have imagined. For example, had I known that if I had let Carl play with small objects such as Lego more often, he would have found it easier to start writing at school, because he would have developed fine motor skills to a greater extent than he has done. The fact that Jemima and I played with bananas as pretend phones taught her how to represent a phone using another object. She then translated that fundamental understanding of re-presentation to grasp the fact that a letter on a page written with a pen can also represent a sound coming from her mouth. My one year old, Theo, spends long periods of time emptying boxes, then refilling them. We provide such activities for the children of his age at Nursery and, although this might seem to be a pointless activity, Theo is learning a multitude of lessons that his little mind is storing away as a blueprint for future learning: ‘Rubbing 2 items together can create a sound!’ – friction ‘A small thing can fit into a big thing!’ – long division ‘Things that are the same go together!’ – mathematical sets/patterns ‘When the box is full, I can’t fit anything else in!’ – capacity/volume ‘When I build the blocks, they sometimes fall down!’ – action and reaction

If you want to encourage your own child to learn through play, here are a few ideas that we use at home: 1.Cooking – through which Jemima learns how to measure in metric. 2.Putting away the cutlery (this is technically housework, but, as my children think it’s fun, why spoil a good thing?!) – through this Carl learns the basis for multiplication and long division by sorting the spoons, forks and knives into separate compartments. 3.Sewing together a play puppet (2 in a pack from Wilkinson’s for £1!) – through this, Zac is developing the fine motor skills that he will need to be able to use a computer mouse. 4.Playing peek-a -boo with Theo – through which Theo learns the theory of object permanence… crucial for grasping the idea of an abstract concept in the classroom.

And, one last thing to remember…as a parent/ carer, learning through play should be just as much fun for you as it is for your child, so choose activities you can both enjoy, after all, you’ll be doing it for at least five years! Isabelle Parasram is the mother of four children aged 1-8. She is also a barrister, an AVA College Assessor of Childcare and Education, an NCT- trained antenatal teacher, the Director of a large children’s day Nursery & Out of School Club in Tower Hill and is a Trustee of a Community Nursery in Shadwell. She would love to answer your questions or to have your comments on her article. Please e-mail her at: Director@mydreammaker.co.uk You can also read more about her at: www.mydreammaker.co.uk/our-ethos

Learning through play is not complicated, it’s simply about learning in a fun way without your child noticing, recognising the value of the activity they are doing and, if you can, linking it to learning in a non-overt way.

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 19

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1. Healthy habits take time to learn

Building Healthy Homework Habits! Getting children to complete their homework is not impossible; All you need is Healthy Homework Habits!

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2. Allow your children to have opportunities to fail

Creating habits of success in your children will take a while, perhaps a month or two. During this learning period, it’s important to stick to the principles and follow the guidelines outlined here. Be patient. Don’t expect immediate results - or you will abandon a successful strategy just because you failed to give the seeds of success an opportunity to grow.

If you try to protect your children from every failure, you guarantee their ultimate failure, because they won’t be prepared for life. Allow them to experience the consequences of their choices. This doesn’t mean you just ignore their actions, or pretend you don’t care. You must learn, however, that protecting kids from the consequences of their choices is the equivalent of expecting a muscle to grow when you never work it. It just doesn’t happen. Life happens. In every circumstance, there is a consequence for choices. Please recognise the critical role that life consequences play in teaching your kids about life. We can’t protect them from age-appropriate struggles and choices; this is how they build emotional, social and intellectual “muscle.” Protect them from the consequences that come with poor habits, and you will teach them a false lesson. They will grow up thinking that the world will protect them from poor choices - and this just isn’t so!

3. Words don’t teach critical lessons. Consequences do

6. Focus on efforts, not outcomes

Reward your children with attention

I’ve never seen a child turn around while they’re working. It can be as his or her academic performance simple as a touch on the shoulder after receiving a lecture from a parent or teacher. Instead, or a smile. Don’t interrupt their work, children feel bad about not but casually engage them while measuring up, offer excuses and lies, and-most important they’re putting in effort. As they learn start to believe that they’re poor to work more diligently, continue to students. After a while, kids learn to ignore repeated discussions and pay them attention, but less often lectures; you just become like When they finish, remark on their effort background noise. Instead of rather than the quality of their work. lecturing, parents can make certain that the environment is structured in a way that consequences will teach the lessons they want their children to learn. During the teaching-learning process, 7. To promote independent learning children will fail. They won’t always perform and thinking, teach independence the way you want them to. Just stay the Don’t sit with your children and guide them course and keep the consequences in place. through their homework. Don’t answer every question and help them with every little 4. Establish the structure of challenge. If you do this, you’re promoting an success: “Work, then play. Everyday.” attitude of helplessness and incompetence, Successful students and successful adults organise It’s essential that they learn to tackle these their lives so that they work first and then play, a difficulties themselves. Think of yourself as a coach: structure that automatically rewards effort. Parents • Give instruction and allow opportunities to learn. can apply this principle as a ground rule until the • Ignore whining and complaining. kids graduate from secondary school: Every day • Have them save their questions for the after school, the children do their homework, end of the homework session, so they’re then they may play. Until their work is finished, encouraged to answer them on their own. there are no phone calls, visitors, toys, TV - no • If they genuinely need help, offer guidance distractions. If they don’t want to do their work, and direction but let them solve the problems. don’t argue with them. In most cases, they’ll quickly become so bored that they’ll choose to 8. Teach your child to self-correct get the work done. Over time, this structure will produce a powerful set of behaviors that will Many parents are reluctant to send their children propel your children to success in any endeavour. to school with homework that’s less than 100 The key is to be consistent. For example, if the football game is at 4:30 and your children get home from school at 3:00, they must complete their homework before the game or they won’t go.

percent accurate. They want their children to get A´s. This isn’t doing them any favours.

Instead, we need to send them to school with work that reflects their skill level, so the teacher will know what to respond to and focus on. Instead of correcting homework, coach your children to do it themselves. Ask questions that guide their attention to errors and help them solve problems, then notice and reward their efforts. If you assume the responsibility for correcting their homework, you’ll produce children who depend on you for all the answers. As they get older, this will produce more frustration in school and poorer performance. How do you do this within the “Work, then play” approach? Simple, You make sure the homework is “checked” by you before play begins. In other words, HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE! Give few clues, when you see errors. Over time, gradually put more and more responsibility on them to find their errors before they can play. In this way, there is no reward in rushing through their work. There is reward in learning to pay better attention, so that you don’t have to keep repeating your homework. Slowly for some, they get it. Others will get it very quickly.

9. Hold the Course As you implement these strategies, do so strongly and confidently, so your children know you’re prepared to hold the course. They’ll recognise any hesitancy. Be firm and consistent in your control of the environment, not in your control of your children. Offer them a choice, but maintain the “work then play” structure every day. Then sit back and have some fun. Notice how enjoyable your interactions with your children become when you’re no longer nagging them to do their homework. Instead, you’re allowing the consequences of the work-then-play approach to build behaviour over time. Be patient. Healthy behaviour doesn’t appear overnight, or in a week. If you persist, you’ll likely to see changes in two to six weeks.

5. Do not nag, argue, or lecture about homework No need. Your kids are smart. Set up the ground rule: “Work, then play.” Enforce the no-play with action - not words. Avoid the word battles and threats. You may be able to use these tactics and win the battle for that particular evening; however, you’ll lose the war. As your children get older, the battles will increase, and this relationship is the basis for your influence and leverage in your teenagers’ lives. What should you do instead? Make clear that “work then play” is the rule every day. Don’t offer repeated lectures or discussions about this; just remain absolutely firm and unwavering in your denial of play activities until work is complete. You can expect frustration and anger, whining and complaining from your child. Accept it and ignore it. Stick to the rule.

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After

Giving Birth Your body has spent months nurturing and growing your baby. All the changes that helped to bring your baby into the world are now abruptly reversed.

ssues such as your Relationship to work, family, intimacy, responsibility need to be thought through again, processed for new meaning, and value allocated to them in turn. You will often hear that priorities change... that is because they do! How this happens, and the way you (partner, family and friends) handle the process of change is important. Transitions can be daunting, and you need support in making that shift in your mind from whatever was before to what is now: you and family. Below I have described a few things that may support you in this shifting thought process, give you an idea of ‘normal’ thoughts, and help you transition at a time when certain adaptation is required. This list is by no means exhaustive, please also keep in mind that the transition remains an individual and personal experience.

Family

Relationships change drastically once you have a baby, your position in the family takes on new meaning. Relatives have different expectations of you now, to be a good parent, to contribute to the education of your baby etc. They want to be involved in family life. This can be demanding, and needs a little thought to go along with informed actions. It also takes a while for grandparents to realize that they have children who have become parents (just like them!) and are not solely their children any longer. These attachment bonds that went on for so long between parent-child are renewing themselves, changing for all parties involved. The realization of change can bring more loving connections or more distant ones, the ties are generally maintained, supportive but can also be a little strenuous. Most

Changes after giving birth are inevitable. Family takes on new meaning when having had your first child, and the chances are that the way you thought before having your child does not apply so well anymore; a couple of things need to be re-thought and the chances are you may have to adopt a new way of thinking. important is to think things through up-front, explain how you feel to your parents if you can, and find help with a friend when trying to manage other’s requests of you, in what is for you, a new phase in the life of your family.

Intimacy Intimacy is an important part of your life. Your relationship to your partner is just as important as your relationship to your baby, and if you see it that way, it will allow you to at least value your relationship when there is less time to exclusively focus on it. Intimacy is sometimes hard to maintain when a baby is so dependent and needs you 24-7... How to find time with your partner and engage in loving acts whether physical or thoughtful ones? Of course taking care of your baby is taking care of your ‘couple’ and your growth together, but should not come at the expense of your relationship to your partner! The complicit care and love in your couple is what will remain once your child is all grown up, every step of their development children take more steps away from you, so you’ve got to keep it all in perspective... They will leave! Talk with your partner as much as you can and engage in compassion, passion and love.

Ask your partner for help if you feel snowed under, and convey your intentions, these actions will come a long way.

Responsibility Your response-ability will now have changed, you will no longer feel responsible for yourself with a neat barrier around your actions thoughts and feelings. They will now extend to your babies actions thoughts and feelings. The physical response-ability you first feel when you have your baby is quite a change, but also so deeply felt that your body finds the ability to carry you through, after that the mind needs to start playing its part. Their mind-body connection is at no time so sharply felt! The way you think and feel when having a baby to care for is completely different; the way you see work, outings, friends, and so on and things you previously thought such as ‘being sooo very busy’ can now be thrown out of the window. Life looks so different with another pair of lenses on! Family may become more important, going to the park or taking fresh air might also be on your priority list. Things change and your value of the world does too. Make a note of these changes, small changes of the everyday, and think about the leap of faith and courage you have to muster up to brave the stormy waters.

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 27

Help On a positive note, it is considered a normal reaction to feel down and perhaps depressed when going through times of stress, loss, and change (Paula Nicolson, 2001, advocating for the reconceptualization of postnatal depression, I recommend the book). If it may have been impossible to ask for help earlier in your life, now is the time to seek help and be on the receiving end! You will find empathy in places you hadn’t imagined, and as awareness grows of the difficulties starting a new family can entail, there will be different sources of help available to you. Your health visitor will be there the first few weeks, and here after if

you wanted to call on the assisting team for support. Your GP is also generally quite a good source of support if feeling ill, or having concerns with regards to your baby. Other more specialised services are available such as talk therapy, or support from another mum through a mum’s online network, or foundation that specializes in supporting women and men with postnatal depression. There are also sleep specialists available to help with training baby to sleep well through the night if this is proving to be challenging, and some good books around to support you in understanding your child’s developmental stages, and tracking your baby’s growth.

Time Time flies once you have a baby. Suddenly there’s no time for doing bits of work at home, cooking or enjoying a nice diner, or calling a friend. Having a baby is time consuming and the way you organised your time before, changes drastically. It takes time to get into the flow or rhythm of time again, this time incorporating childcare. When you wake up baby has to get dressed and ready for the day – you are not alone anymore! In the early evening, baby has to get ready for bed, bath, story and so on – you may have to cook something once baby is in bed, but generally speaking you will only be able to return to yourself, probably being quite tired once baby is in bed. Keep a diary with a time sheet to get an overview of your busy day, and remember; you deserve a treat too.

Feeding Eating takes a different turn now. You are feeding baby as an ‘extension-of-yourself’, and therefore will be affected; less or more hungry depending on how feeding your baby affects you. Feeding is a form of care and love, and includes the action of ‘giving’, how do you give and love yourself at this point in time, and how much are you cared for by your partner... does your partner sometimes feed you in the evenings, or make you a coffee in the mornings? Eating can be thought of as a form of ‘give and take’; you may sometimes need more care from others, and on some other days are more able to feed others and yourself. Although there are lots of studies that show that it is the love that parents give that is of utmost importance, feeding is part of that love. Take time to eat, feed yourself the right amounts, take time to chew on food and process your day. It’s gratifying to do so.

28 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

Final words If you opt for postnatal therapy, you will generally get emotional, practical as well as educational support in various areas to help you through this challenging time (all of the above) - and get the added personal relationship which can be healing in and of itself. Parenthood is a paradox of happiness and - pain, loss, and change, take the time to care for yourself, and you’ll find some beautiful ways to live peacefully with the challenges ahead. Dr Goldstein, is a mother and works as a therapist and lecturer in psychology. She runs the De Andrés & Goldstein Clinic for psychology, psychotherapy, and wellbeing in East Finchley where she supports, and offers guidance to individuals and groups through pregnancy, postnatal care and other transitions/family issues. For further enquiries contact her on: 0208 444 6831 / 0796 632 0077 or info@deandresandgoldsteinclinic.co.uk.

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Happy

Easter Find an Easter Egg Hunt near you, enjoy Easter Arts and Crafts, get cooking with our Yummy Easter recipes and check out where to buy our favourite chocolate Easter eggs.

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 35

Find an Easter Egg Hunt in the City 31st March - 15th April

Old MacDonalds Open Farm. Complete the Easter Egg Hunt and claim your FREE Chocolate Egg! Old Mac’s lined up lots of exciting activities all over Easter. Kids love the indoor and outdoor activities and don’t forget to see the new borns. Where: Old MacDonald’s Farm, Brentwood. Tel: 0127 737 5177 Web: www.omdfarm.co.uk

4th April - 11th April

Kidspace Easter Egg Hunt Jam packed entertainment with a Pizza buffet, Face painting and our annual visit from the Easter Bunny. Where: The Colonnades, Purley Way, Croydon Tel: 0208 686 0040 Web: www.kidspaceadventures.com

5th April

Gamboda Easter Egg Hunt Come along for a eggtastic Easter egg hunt with lots of fab prizes to be won.

7th April

Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice Easter Egg Hunt Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice are once again organising an Easter Egg hunt and many other activities such as egg and spoon races, face painting, crafts, games etc! Join us for some Easter fun and let them help keep your bunnies busy! Time: 11am - 4pm Where: Capel Manor Gardens, Enfield. Web: www.capelmanorgardens.co.uk

8th April Kew Gardens Join in the Easter Egg Hunt, and seek out Buzzie Bee, Snap, Trap and Venus. These friendly characters from Climbers and Creepers, Kew’s indoor play area, will be waiting around the Gardens for youngsters to pick up the tokens needed to collect a delicious Easter chocolate treat from the Easter Bunny. Tel: 0208 332 5655 Web: www.kew.org Where: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey.

Where: Natwest Sports Ground, Beckenham. Tel: 0208 662 6910 Web: www.gambado.com

Between 2nd - 4th April Grant Museum

Throughout the Easter holidays the Grant Museum is exploring the world of ‘eggy’ animals. Beyond that, there’s lots more to see in their new home. Where: Rockefeller Building, University Street. Tel: 0203 106 2052 Web: www.ucl.ac.uk

31st March - 8th April

Battersea Park Zoo Easter Egg Hunt Around the zoo the animals are guarding EASTER EGGS, purchase a quiz sheet & use the clues to work out where they are. Where: Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ Tel: 0207 924 5826 Web: www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk

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6th - 9th April 21st Feb - 8th April The Big Egg Hunt

The hunt is on! For 40 days and 40 nights London will be transfixed by the most astounding and exhilarating egg hunt it has ever seen. Organisers hope it will become a Guinness World Record for the biggest ever, and raise £2 million for charity. Two hundred fibreglass eggs will be placed in high profile locations around the capital. Each egg will be 2ft 6ins high and uniquely decorated by a leading artist, architect, jeweller or designer. People will be able to pay a small fee to join the hunt using a map or a downloadable app with clues. Where: All over London Web: www.thebigegghunt.co.uk

Ham House & Garden Easter Egg Hunt Four days of family fun. Activities for children and exciting garden trail with chocolate prizes. Time: 11am - 5pm Tel: 0208 940 1950 Where: Ham Street, Richmondupon-Thames

Arts & Crafts

The Mouse the Pig & the

Super Egg What you will need • Eggs • Egg dye • Pipe cleaners • Candles or crayons • Pom poms • Markers • Blue and pink paper • Glue

Pig Egg

Mouse Egg

• Fishing line • Paint • Brushes • Scissors • 20-gauge wire • Paper ears • Toilet paper tubes • Constraction paper

Super Egg

Instructions

1. Set out plastic cups with assorted colors of prepared egg dye, let the kids take turns submerging eggs into the dye until the eggs reach a desired shine.

1. First submerge eggs into the dye until the eggs reach a desired shade. Gently blot excess dye with a paper towel. Leave eggs to dry. For eyes and spots, draw circles on the eggs with a birthday candle or crayon before submerging them in the dye.

1. Shake the egg to break up the yolk, then pierce the top and bottom with a pushpin, making the hole on the wider end a bit larger. Position the egg over the bowl and blow through the small hole, allowing the inside to seep out.

2. This cute mouse begins with a blue egg. Glue on blue and pink paper ears and a pink pom-pom nose. Add an extra-long pipe cleaner tail. 3. Set the decorated animal on a pipe cleaner stand. To make one, bend a pipe cleaner into an oval and twist it closed, using the excess as a tail. Cut a second pipe cleaner in half. Wrap one half around the back of the oval to form the back legs; wrap the other half around the front to create the front legs. Bend the ends into feet.

2. Start with a pink egg with eyespots. Glue on a pom-pom nose and pink paper ears. Draw eyeballs and nostrils with a marker. Curl the tail. 3. Set the decorated animal on a pipe cleaner stand. To make one, bend a pipe cleaner into an oval and twist it closed, using the excess as a tail. Cut a second pipe cleaner in half. Wrap one half around the back of the oval to form the back legs; wrap the other half around the front to create the front legs. Bend the ends into feet.

2. Paint half of the egg, stand it atop a bottle cap to dry, then paint the other half. Centering the face on either hole, paint on features with contrasting colors. Paint your hero red with a white face and a black mouth. Glue on red pipe cleaner legs and arms, and a blue tissue paper cape with an S. 3. Tape a long length of fishing line to the end of an unfolded paper clip, thread the line through the decorated egg and out the large hole. To keep your flying critter upright, tape the fishing line just above the hole in the critter’s back.

For more egg-cellent painting ideas for the kids and for more detailed instructions on the above please visit: www.familyfun.go.com Rascals of London l March 2012 - 37

Arts & Crafts

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Raspberry Eton Mess Egg Sandwich

The Flutterby Egg

Irresistible slabs of raspberry and white chocolate, sprinkled with crispy meringue and raspberry pieces, sandwiched between creamy white chocolate shells.

The Flutterby Egg is hollow cast in 40% milk chocolate, finished with cocoa butter Twinkle Toes decorations and comes complete with a mellow milk chocolate lolly.

Price: £8.00

Price: £12.00

Oodles of Eggs An eye-catching cluster of 50 hollow cast milk chocolate eggs - all individually wrapped in gold foil, so they’re ideal for an office treat, for Easter egg hunts, or as an Easter centrepiece at home - though it may not last long!.

Price: £35.00

The Champagne Truffle Egg The Champagne Truffle Egg with thick shells cast in creamy 40% milk chocolate and a deliciously hedonistic collection of 20 classic and pink champagne truffles. Price: £47.00

Chocolate Easter Eggs and Easter Gifts www.hotelchocolat.co.uk White Cow Beastie Egg A wildly stylish hollow-cast chocolate egg with 6 praline and caramel-filled mini eggs.

Easter Chicken Coup

Price: £15.00

Uh oh! There’s been a bit of a disagreement about the winner of this year’s Bunnies Versus Chicks Easter Cutie Competition… and the bunnies just won’t leave the chicken coop. Who wins? 15 individually wrapped milk chocolate bunnies and chicks.

Buttons the Bunny Cast in mellow milk chocolate to keep you company while the real Easter Bunny is hard at work.

. Price: £9.00

Price: £6.50

Easter Bliss Basket A real adventure of Easter goodies made for sharing because there’s something for everyone in here – so it’s perfect for families and friends to enjoy over the luxuriously long Easter weekend. Price: £50.00

The Milk Chocolate Ostrich Egg Truly enormous shells cast in classically creamy 40% milk chocolate with an exciting collection of 27 dreamy chocolates – for an extremely mellow experience.

Your enormous Ostrich egg shells – studded with cookie pieces, crispy puffed rice and chunks of white chocolate, served with an absolutely irresistible collection of 21 of our most sought after, dreamy chocolate recipes. Price: £70.00

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 39

Lambing Day at The Woodlands Farm Trust

Lambing Season in London

15th April

Send your child on a search for her hidden basket of treats with this holiday treasure hunt. Start by numbering the plastic eggs that will hold your clues (we used scrapbooking stickers and 6 eggs). Hide the basket, then write a clue to its location and place it inside egg number 6. Next, find a spot for this egg, write a clue to its hiding place, and put that in egg number 5. Continue in this fashion until you’ve hidden all but the number 1 egg, then hand this egg to your child to begin the hunt.

Your chance to meet our latest arrivals and celebrate Spring at Woodlands Farm. Also, your chance to purchase local produce including home-made preserves, cakes and honey, or take part in a treasure hunt and craft activities.

8th & 9th April

4th March

You will be able to watch the lambs being born and they will have fun for everyone with tractor rides, farm tours, family games and tours of the Oaklands Animal Care Centre - boasting a range of animals from reptiles to rabbits.

Time: 11am – 4:30pm Where: 331 Shooters Hill, Welling, Kent Tel: 0208 319 8900 Web: www.thewood landsfarmtrust.org

Lambing at Forty Hall Farm

Oaklands College Lambing Day

Time: 10:00 - 15:00 Where: Smallford Campus, Hatfield Road, St Albans Lambing Tel: 0172 773 7080 Web: www.fortyhall Weekends at farm.org.uk

Marsh Farm

Come and see the new born lambs at our Forty Hall Farm, plus the Clydesdale horses and outdoor rare breed pigs. A great opportunity to see a working farm and countryside activities.

3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th March Come and see the newborn lambs and if you are lucky witness one being born! Your children will love meeting Little Bo Peep and helping her to find her sheep. Our shepherd will also give talks and demonstrations in the sheep shed and you might get the opportunity to feed any orphan lambs.

Time: 11am – 4pm Where: Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield Tel: 0791 232 7936 Web: www.fortyhallfarm.org.uk

Lambing Nightwatch

8th March Be lucky enough to join our shepherd for this rare opportunity to help out in the lambing shed at night. Get close to the sheep and lambs, help bottle feed orphan lambs and learn how to look for the signs of a ewe lambing. Refreshments will be provided. Tickets will be available on a first come first served basis.

Scatter this irresistible path to your kids’ Easter baskets What You Need 2 or 3 bags of jelly beans Instructions The Easter Bunny simply winds the sweet routes from the kids’ bedrooms throughout the house to where their baskets await. You will need 2 to 3 bags of jelly beans for your trailblazing, and try spacing the beans about 6 inches apart.

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Lambing at Odds Farm Park

All of March

With Spring lambing taking place, March is the most special month of the year within the children’s farm, Odds Farm Park. Time: 10am - 5.30pm Where: Wooburn Common Road, High Wycombe. Tel: 0162 852 0188 Web: www.oddsfarm.co.uk

Where: South Woodham Ferrers, Essex Tel: 0124 532 1552 Web: www.marshfarm countrypark.co.uk

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ink icing !

Find this recipe and more at www.florentineandpig.com! Rascals of London l March 2012 - 41

Mother’s Day mper Breakfast Ha

Happy Pre gnancy Gift Set

U , day breakfast This Mothers t of treats to ge hamper is full a to f of y da l ia ec your Mum´s sp great start. iration.com www.giftinsp 95 2. Price: £2

A gorgeous gift-set of tr eats for a mum-t o-be; a thou ghtful pregnancy gi ft to say ‘W e wish you a Happy Pregnancy’. www.babes withbabies.c om Price: £49.00

Mothers Day Painted Gift Sign

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rfect gift for This sign is the pe to show that d an y Mothers da life how much special lady in your and she’s she is appreciated it!. e bound to just lov hstreet.com www.notonthehig Price: £18.00

Mothers’ Day Gingerbread House

Engraved Aspire Bracelet

This beautiful Engraved Aspire Bracelet is handm ade and personalised just for tha t special recipient. www.gettingpersonal.c o.uk Price: £39.99

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ade Handm les te Truff Chocola

Happy Mother’s Day 18th March

Something Special for Mothers Day. A delicious Ginger bread House featuring pretty icin g flowers and filled with marshma llows. www.notonthehighstre et.com Price: £19.00

tweet tweet! @f lorentine_pig

Post a pic of your creations on our facebook wall and you could win a prize!

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 43

Why Motherhood

Over 40 Is A Fine Vintage By Angel LaLiberte www.FlowerPowerMom.com

Over the last decade, the number of women in the UK having children over 40 has doubled. It all began with cultural shifts dating back to the 1970’s, when the advent of widespread birth control resulted in more women opting for higher education, careers and delayed motherhood. Today, women are integral to our workforce and national economy, as many families now depend on a two-paycheck household.

ith modern advances in reproductive medicine occurring at a breath-taking speed, we may soon break the “age barrier” on motherhood. At the very least, it’s unlikely the genie of later life motherhood will ever return to a more youthful vessel.

Mature pregnant mothers may experience more rigorous and invasive prenatal procedures including stress testing, or amniocentesis. They are constantly reminded of the risks of fetal genetic anomalies, miscarriage, and other disorders. They face higher rate of C-section births.

The truth is that natural fertility begins to decline from age 35 and even more rapidly from 40 onward. This is caused by hormonal fluctuations and decreasing quality of oocytes (eggs) as we begin the approach to menopause.

In the U.S.A, childbirth educators, midwives and doulas report that there are rising numbers of women over 40 seeking their services. Many have observed that later life mothers - often career women - sometimes feel the need to have greater control over pregnancy, and can be more anxious about risks. Longer term, later life mothers are more likely to have a limited peer support network, extended family, or parents around to help. So, what could possibly be the upside to all this?

More than half of women between the ages of 40-44 are expected to remain childless and have a 35% risk of miscarriage. Forty-year-old women have a 1 in 100 risk of chromosomal abnormality in newborns. Expectant mothers are more likely to have health conditions such as high blood pressure, or gestational diabetes.

Women over 40 bring many benefits and resources to motherhood that enable to them to make the most out of a longer life expectancy. Having waited so long, they are more likely to dedicate themselves to being healthy both during pregnancy and parenting in the long run.

In the midst of so much change, it’s wise to take stock of the current facts about motherhood after 40.

Fertility challenges in midlife women

Facing an age-sensitive healthcare system Midlife expectant mothers often experience extraordinary emotional and physical pressure imposed upon them by the healthcare system. They are immediately identified with negative-sounding labels such as “elderly primigravida” for first-time mothers, and “advanced maternal age” if they are over 35.

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Later mothers bring abundant benefits

What’s more, a 2007 California study showed that new mothers over 50 years of age were just as capable as younger mothers with the stress of parenting. Older women are more likely to breastfeed their babies. They are also known to be more patient and relaxed about parenting. After dedicating their 20’s and 30’s to personal growth and self discovery, they are more than ready to devote themselves to children in their

40’s and onward. And, with the benefits of successful careers behind them, they are more likely to be financially secure and able to provide well for their children. Most importantly, many have struggled to become mothers - perhaps having faced challenging and expensive infertility treatments, endured a stressful pregnancy, or the fear of being forever childless. Their gratitude is deeply felt - and their children are the greatest beneficiaries of all.

About Angel LaLiberte Angel La Liberte is the founder of Flower Power Mom.com - The Truth About Motherhood After 40 (www.flowerpowermom.com), a website featuring commentary, real mom stories, and expert advice about motherhood after 40. Angel gave birth to her children at 41 and 44, after conceiving naturally. She actively advocates for more supportive attitudes towards women having children in midlife and to raise awareness of the real issues related to later life motherhood. She also hosts “A Child After 40”, an online community to empower all women on the journey of motherhood after 40.

Advertising - Rascals of London

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London is great for kids! Keep th London’s kid-friendly attractions,

North London East London

West London Central London

South London

March 10th

Mum 2 Mum Market Tree Buy or sell secondhand baby and kids clothes, toys, books and equipment at this pop-up indoor market. Where: Balham Baptist Church, 21 Ramsden Road, Balham. Time: 2pm - 4pm www.mum2mummarket.co.uk

March 9th - 10th

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Central

Camden, Islington, City of Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Wandsworth, Lambeth, Southwark, City of London

March 24th

Crash Bang Wallop Come and discover the sounds of the orchestra through Stephen McNeff’s fun and enchanting musical retelling of Beatrix Potter’s classic story, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Where: Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, Sloane Square. Time: 11am www.cityoflondonsinfonia.co.uk

April 1st - 5th

Theatre Tribe’s Easter Musical Theatre Experience - ‘WICKED Don’t miss out on the opportunity to work with professional performers this Easter Holiday! Where: The Hall School, 23 Crossfield Road, Hampstead. Tel: 0775 123 8932

Young Goldilocks likes to explore the world and experience new things. This time, when she wanders into an empty house, she finds much more than three bowls of porridge.

April 10th - 14th

Theatre Tribe’s Easter Musical Theatre Experience - ‘MAMMA MIA!’

Where: Little Angel Children’s Theatre, 356 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield. Tel: 0208 333 4457 www.tara-arts.com

March 18th

Primrose Bakery Why not treat you mums to a trip to Primrose Bakery on Mother´s Day, offering an assortment of yummy goodies. Where: 69 Gloucester Avenue, Primrose Hill. 42 Tavistock Street, Covent Garden. www.primrosebakery.org.uk

March 18th - 23rd

The Gingerbread Man Come and join in with The Rainbow Collectors re-tell the popular story of The Gingerbread Man. Where: Little Angel Theatre, 14 Dagmar Passage. Tel: 0207 226 1787 Email: info@littleangeltheatre.com www.littleangeltheatre.com

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Where: Streatham & Clapham High School, 42 Abbotswood Road, Balham. Tel: 0775 123 8932 www.theatretribe.co.uk

April 11th

Make a Bunny Easter Workshop You can choose, stuff, fluff and adopt your very own cuddly and lovable teddy at Eddie Catz. Where: 68-70 Putney High Street, London. Time: 10am - 1pm Tel: 0845 201 1268 www.eddiecatz.com

he whole family entertained with , events and activities.

Until September

Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain

Every Weekend

Proud Kid’s Club An afternoon to escape the madness of Camden Market with events designed to treat you and the little ones - a haven in a Stable. Face painting, cupcake decoration, story time, painting and delicious Kids meals.

The Birmingham Stage Company proudly presents the world premiere of Barmy Britain, the history of Britain with all the nasty bits left in! Where: Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road, St James. Times: Wednesday to Friday 1pm, Saturday 10.30am and 12pm, Sunday 3pm and 5pm Tel: 0845 434 9290 www.barmybritain.com

Where: The Horse Hospital, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town. Tel: 0207 482 3867 Email: info@proud.co.uk www.proudcamden.com

Until June

Matilda the Musical

From May 8th

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe Open the door to The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, and enter a spectacular world with Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they journey through the magical land of Narnia. Where: The threesixty Theatre, The Dial Walk, Kensington Gardens. Tel: 0207 243 6176 www.lionwitchtheshow.com

May 12th

Mr Punch´s Big Birthday Party Mr Punch (of Punch and Judy) celebrates his 350th year in 2012 and this birthday bash commemorates the first sighting of Mr Punch in England by Samuel Pepys in 1662. Where: Covent Garden Piazza, London. Time: 10.30am - 5.30pm www.coventgardenlondonuk.com

May 19th

Special Children’s Day at ZSL London Zoo

London is the theatre capital of the world - but the West End sparkles with Broadway imports and we haven’t made a great new musical since ‘Billy Elliot’. Rejoice, then, as ‘Matilda’ is the best British musical in years. And it’s not just a kids’ show. Where: Cambridge Theatre, Earlham St. Tel: 0207 907 7071 www.matildathemusical.com

Thursdays

Eddie Catz Zumba for Mums & Babies Zumba dance fitness class for Mums/Carers with babes in arms (up to 15 months). Get fit with baby and have some fun at the same time with other new mothers. Where: 68-70 Putney High Street, London. Tel: 0203 286 4484 www.eddiecatz.com

Wednesdays

Eddie Catz Tiny Tutus Ballet A relaxed, fun and creative environment for children to learn the foundations of classical ballet. Primary importance is placed on developing confidence, imagination, grace and posture, along with their co-ordination and musicality. Where: 68-70 Putney High Street, London. Tel: 0796 639 8224 www.eddiecatz.com

Special Children’s Day welcomes children with special needs and their families to ZSL London Zoo. With increased specialist facilities and number of staff, Special Children’s Day is an exciting and unique event. Where: London Zoo, Regent’s Park, London. Tel: 0844 225 1826 www.zsl.org

Thursdays & Fridays

Eddie Catz Club Petit Pierrot French Learn French through play using language games, arts & crafts activities, exercises, songs, dance, educational toys, stories, puppets & role-play. Where: 68-70 Putney High Street, London. Tel: 0207 385 5565 www.eddiecatz.com

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 47

North London East London

West London Central London

The West Hammersmith & Fulham, Hounslow, Ealing, Hillingdon, Harrow, Brent

South London

March 6th

March 31st - April 1st

Inspired by the legend of The Twelve Chairs, the new show takes you on an incredible journey in the company of, without a doubt, the greatest circus performers on earth. A mammoth cast of Russia’s greatest and most talented circus artistes, many of whom have never performed in Britain, transform the most famous circus in the world, combining contemporary and classical circus in a way never before witnessed!

A new arena show from CBeebies featuring presenters Justin Fletcher, Andy Day, Katy Ashworth and Andrew Agnew, along with Postman Pat, the ZingZillas, Stephanie and Sportacus from Lazytown.

The Moscow State Circus

Where: Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford. Tel: 0845 075 3993 www.moscowstatecircus.com

March 7th - 11th

Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes

CBeebies Live! Reach to the Stars

Where: Wembley Arena, Empire Way. www.cbeebieslive.com

April 17th

Mums the Boss Networking With an onsite Ofsted registered creche which you can pre-book in advance to secure your place, you can relax and enjoy the inspirational speaker each month followed by networking and refreshments. Where: William Penn Leisure Centre, Shepherd´s Lane, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Time: Third Tuesday of each month from 10am until midday. Tel: 0192 346 7452

Every Thursday Little Kickers

Touring the UK from March 2012, Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes beautifully recreates the defining moments from classic Disney films where eight Princesses’ wishes are fulfilled with help from their devoted Princes. Where: Wembley Arena, Arena Square, Wembley. www.disney.co.uk

Get the little ones keeping fit with Little Kickers great fun, meet new friends and build new skills

March 24th - 25th

Where: Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch Avenue, Harrow. Tel: 0208 201 1084 www.littlekickers.co.uk

Planting demonstrations, gardeners’ Q&A sessions, advice from RHS gardeners; a weekend packed full of ideas to help you grow the tastiest produce.

Tuesdays

Where: RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey. Time: 10am - 5pm Tel: 0845 260 9000 www.rhs.org.uk/wisley

Dance, creative movement, music and P.E. classes for pre-school boys and girls. Watch your child blossom as they develop physical confidence and ability.

Grow Your Own Weekend

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Dinky Dancers

Where: Victoria Hall, Sheepcote Road, Harrow. Tel: 0149 487 0014 www.dinkydancers.com

North London East London

West London Central London

The North Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Waltham Forest

South London

March 1st

World Book Day Party

Every Sunday in May Willows Farm

Come to the after-school party and celebrate World Book Day. Get a treat from Café Twit and join in with games, storytelling and crafts. Where: 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire. Time: 3.30pm - 5pm www.roalddahlmuseum.org

March 18th

Jewish Living Expo The Jewish Living Expo promises to be a great event, one that will see the whole community come together to celebrate everything that is good about our community. Where: Wembley Stadium, Wembley Tel: 0330 333 6189 www.jewishlivingexpo.com

March 18th

Mother’s Day Masterclass For all ages: drop into the craft room and make a gift for your mum on Mother’s Day. Create a buzzwangling butteryfly basket or a fantabulous flower. Where: 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire. www.roalddahlmuseum.org

March 25th

Crodswoggling Cress-heads For 6+ years: Follow Roald Dahl’s green-fingered example and make cress-heads to take home and grow. Listen to extracts from The Twits to inspire you. Where: 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire. Time: 1.30pm - 2.30pm and 3pm - 4pm www.roalddahlmuseum.org

First Thursday each month Zebra Painting Evening

Get inspired & be creative in a relaxing atmosphere. meet, talk & exchange ideas while having fun. Where: Zebra Ceramics, Alexandra Park Road, Muswell Hill. Tel: 0208 442 1314 Time: 8pm - 11pm www.zebraceramics.co.uk

Meet a Characters from your favourite childrens Tv shows. 6th May meet Timmy Time. 7th (Bank Holiday)Postman Pat. 13th Peppa Pig. 20th Waybuloo, Yojojo & Lau Lau. 27th meet Bob the Builder. Where: Willows Farm, Coursers Road, St Albans. Tel: 0870 129 9718 www.willowsfarmvillage.com

April 1st

Icky-poo Insect Puppets For 6+ years: Join our in-house team and make your own moving insect puppet inspired by characters from Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach. Where: 81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire. Time: 12noon - 1pm and 1.30pm - 2.30pm www.roalddahlmuseum.org

May 13th

Kid Carpet and the Noisy Animals Kid Carpet and the Noisy Animals is a lively and enchanting performance with a mix of theatre, comedy, animation and original live music. Where: Artsdepot Arts Centre, 5 Nether Street, North Finchley. Time: 12pm - 3pm Tel: 0208 369 5454 www.kidcarpet.wordpress.com

Every Weekend Lamb Walking

Come help take the lambs on their morning walks Where: Belmont Children’s Farm, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill. Time: 11am www.belmontfarm.co.uk

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 49

North London East London

West London Central London

South London

The East Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley

March 1st - 9th

March 10th - 11th

Welcome to the The Big Write! Authors, illustrators,

All aboard for a night time adventure! Join us for an amazing pirate story told with a fantastic interactive shadow puppet show. There will also be the chance to make a papery hat and sword. Suitable for 3 years +

The Big Write – Children’s Literature Festival artists and storytellers take over Discover and transform every corner into a treasure trove of words, pictures and stories. With over 50 events, there is something for all ages. All authors will be signing books. Where: Discovery Children’s story centre, 383-387 High street, Stratford. Tel: 0208 536 5555 www.discover.org.uk

April 2nd, 5th, 14th, 28th

Charlie’s Superhero Underpants

Pirates Weekend

Where: Discovery Children’s story centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford. Tel: 0208 536 5555 www.discover.org.uk

April 1st

Superheroes Be the first to tell your friends that you’ve been a superhero for the day at Discover’s new stratospheric exhibition Superheroes. Go on a mission, try on Superhero capes, do some weird and wonderful science and defeat the villainous villain. Where: Discovery Children’s story centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford. Time: 12pm and 2.30pm Tel: 0208 536 5555 www.discover.org.uk

On a wild and windy day all the washing blows away. Socks and vests, a woolly hat, and far worse than all of that - Charlie’s Superhero Underpants! Disaster! Charlie sets off around the world to find them. Where: Discovery childrens centre, 383-387 High street, Stratford. Tel: 0208 536 5555 www.discover.org.uk

March 4th

Tremendous Toys Drop in to the Family Room to investigate toys that children played with in the past -perhaps in the mansion! Try out games that the sea captain who once lived in the mansion came across during his travels around the world. Make a toy to take home. Where: Valentines Mansion & Gardens, Emerson Road, Ilford. Time: 11.30am - 14.30pm Tel: 0208 708 8100 www.valentinesmansion.com

50 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

Every Weekend All star Bowling

All Stars lane is a great place for the whole Family and very experienced in keeping your young ones entertained! We offer reduced rayes on bowling under 12´s. Where: All Stars Lanes Brick Lane, Brick Lane Tower Hamlets. Tel: 0207 426 9200 www.allstarlanes.co.uk

Every Tuesday and Friday

Hartbeeps at Parents Paradise Hartbeeps: Exciting and innovative music based workshops suitable for 6-18 month babies and children up to 4/5 years. Where: Parents Paradise Ltd, Greatham Road, Bushey. Tel: 0795 849 4167 Email: samahoney@gmail.com www.hartbeeps.com

North London East London

West London Central London

South London

March 13th

Mother’s day Gambado Beckenham

The South Bromley, Croydon, Sutton, Merton, Kingston Upon Thames, Richmond Upon Thames

March 16th

Polka Theatre - Circles in the Sand

Get your little one organised early in time for Mother’s day, let them put their unique touch onto a wonderful Mother’s Day Card! Just quote “Mother’s Day” at Reception. Where: Natwest Sports Ground, Beckenham. Tel: 0208 662 6910 www.gambado.com

Every Wednesday

Eddie Catz Musical Express A musical experience and education for under 5s – percussion instruments, action songs and rhymes, puppets and a new surprise each week. Most of all lots of fun! Where: 42 Station Road, Merton, Wimbledon. Tel: 0780 858 7606 www.eddiecatz.com

Every Friday

MAD Academy

A mixture of high-energy music and dance combined with carefully structured learning. This gives your child an opportunity to develop motor skills, co-ordination and confidence, as well as giving them the chance to explore different rhythms, musical instruments and musical styles. The ethos at MAD Academy is a relaxed and fun time for the children and this will, we hope, rub off on you! Where: St John The Devine Church Hall, Upper Selsdon Road, Croydon. Time: 10am - 10.45am Tel: 0168 984 4848

A story told with sand not words. Tam Tam Theatre’s charming show uses carefully chosen objects to explore playing in the sand. At the end of the show you can play in the sand too! Where: Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon. Time: 10.30am - 11.10am Tel: 0208 543 488 www.polkatheatre.com

April 2nd

Little Swishers Fuschia is hosting a Swishing clothes swapping event for Mums and Children aged Newborn-12 years. Unwanted Fashions, Toys and Books brought along by those who attend, will be swapped at this event giving a Fun, Frugal and Eco-Friendly way to shop. As the event is being held in the Easter period we will be offering the kiddies Easter themed Arts and Crafts to take part in, and will also be putting on an Easter Egg hunt for them to enjoy. We will have Pop Up Shops selling a variety of products and services based around Mummy’s. Where: Beanies Cafe, 7 Middle Street, Croydon. Time: 1pm - 4pm Tel: 0208 680 2088 www.beaniescafe.co.uk

April 11th

Easter Eggstravaganza Come along and enjoy Pizza buffet, Easter egg hunt, visit from the Easter Bunny and Face painting. Where: Kids Space, Unit 3, The Colonnades, 619 Purley Way, Croydon. Tel: 0208 686 0040 Time: 5pm - 7:30pm www.kidspaceadventures.com

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 51

Keeping it Green Grow My First Ever Flower Garden Grow your own flower garden kit for children. Includes soil, seeds and plant markers. Price: 15.99 www.crafts4kids.co.uk

6 in 1 Solar Kit The Educational Solar Kit enables you to create six amazing solar toys of your own! Price: 12.99 www.findmeagift.co.uk

Organic Cotton Giraffe This delightful eco friendly giraffe toy makes a lovely friend for both babies and older children. Price: 14.99 www.otoys.co.uk

Goodies

Counting Station Multi activity counting station includes blackboard, abacus, counting tiles, bead maze, and coasters. Price: £52.00 www.kindtoys.co.uk

Wooden Eco House A great playset to teach children about the environment and how they can learn to save energy. Price: £99.99 www.toysrus.co.uk

Franck & Fischer Gufo Birds on a stroll!! Great pull toy made of fabric birds on wooden wheels. Price: £34.99 www.franck-fischer.co.uk

Cardboard Play House Features eight rooms, stair-openings and spyholes. A perfect place to house your knights, pirates or princesses! Price: £18.00 www.notonthehig street.com

Balance Bike This fantastic Wishbone bike is designed to take your little ones from their first wobbly ride right up until the transition to pedal bike. Price: 197.00 www.nicnacnoo.com

52 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

HELP

My ChildÂ´s

a Biter!

The act of biting in children is common. Most youngsters will bite or attempt to bite another or at least once as they move through the toddler to pre school years. In most cases the child quickly learns how unacceptable such behaviour is, usually from the horrified response they receive from those around them, but the problem can linger in some children. Understanding why your child bites can help you deal with the problem as children bite others or themselves for a variety of reasons.

Experimentation:

Cause and effect:

Babies naturally use their mouths to explore their world and leaving this behind can take longer for some children. Such a child may need access to teething or biting toys for longer than may seem necessary to channel this biting action into a more socially acceptable route.

Some children bite to test the reaction they will receive. Our reaction must always be consistent, calm and unwavering to dispel their curiosity more quickly.

Threat: A child who feels threatened by another or by an event may bite in what they see as self defence. Children who feel threatened by new situations need a warm, safe bond with care giver when they find themselves in threatening situations. If the care giver pre warns the child of routine changes, new children arriving or new situations, their fear can be relieved.

Language immaturity: There is a strong link between not feeling heard and not being able to communicate well verbally with biting. This is especially the cause when a child finds themselves in situations when a second language is being used. Once a child has mastered basic language skills (usually by the age of 3) their need to display their feelings physically decreases and they are able to express themselves verbally to achieve the same result.

Power: Children who crave power and authority over others may bite to display this. This attention seeking action could be challenged by allowing the child greater choices in their day or giving them small tasks of responsibility to feed their need for autonomy.

Effectively coping with an incident of biting: Attend to the child who has been bitten first to reassure them of their safety and deny the biter the first moment of attention. Then deal with the biter straight after this. Children need instant discipline or your words will nit have the same effect once the moment has passed.

Stay calm and always consistent: Explain in simple language how wrong this is, how painful this is and how we must treat others the way we wish to be treated ourselves. Remove the child from activity for a time out period ( 1 minuet for a 1 year old, 2 minuets for a 2 year old ect) Search for in the conditions in which the biting happened and in the biterÂ´s response for reasons listed above. Look for patterns if the biting is regular to help you cope with the problem long term. Reinforce good behaviour and tell the child you are proud of them if they refrain from biting later in the day.

Remember that research suggests biting is a temporary phase that children pass through that invariably passes as children reach school age, in the vast majority of cases.

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 53

Ready, Steady Wean! A little planning makes weaning your baby much easier, so start getting prepared with help from Annabel Karmel – the UK’s favourite feeding expert. Annabel’s easy-to-follow recipes from her bestselling weaning books and fantastic iPhone App will ensure you feel more confident about making wholesome, yet delicious, meals for your little ones.

www.annabelkarmel.com

54 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

Weaning

with Annabel Karmel

Lovely Lentils You might not have thought of giving your baby lentils but some of my most popular baby recipes are lentil purees. Lentils are a good source of protein, iron and fibre. They are good for all babies and especially good to include in your babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diet if you are a vegetarian. 1 tbsp sunflower oil 50g onion, finely chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped (100g) 2 tbsp celery, chopped 50g split red lentils, rinsed 225g sweet potato peeled & chopped 300 ml unsalted vegetable stock or water 30g grated Cheddar

SautĂŠ the onion, carrot and celery in the oil for about 5 minutes or until softened. Add the lentils and sautĂŠ for one minute. Stir in the sweet potato and pour over the stock or water. Bring to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer covered for about 20 minutes. Puree in a blender and stir in the grated cheese until melted. Makes: 5 portions (500ml) From: 6 months Rascals Rascals of London of London l December l March 2011 2012 - 55

Feed the Family Jimmy’s Fish Pie 350g potatoes, peeled and cubed A generous knob of butter A little milk 30g Cheddar, grated 30g butter 1 onion, chopped 1 tbsp whit wine vinegar 30g flour 150 ml fish stock 150 ml milk 3 tbsp double cream 3 tbsp grated parmesan 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped 150g cod, skinned and cubed 150g salmon, skinned and cubed 40g frozen peas 1 beaten egg to glaze Large carrots to decorate (optional)

Jimmy is my trusted kitchen companion in Annabel’s Kitchen my new TV series a fun show on cooking with kids. He is a calamity prone fish mad penguin who’s made his home my fridge. Preheat the oven to 200C/ 180C Fan / 350F / Gas 6 Boil the potatoes in boiling salted water. Drain and mash them with the butter, milk and cheese and season to taste. Mash whilst they are still hot otherwise they may go lumpy. Melt the butter in a saucepan and sauté the onion for 5 to 6 minutes until soft. Add the white wine vinegar and boil for 1 to 2 minutes until the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the flour to make a roux, stirring continuously. Gradually stir in the fish stock and milk, over a medium heat, stirring all the time. Bring to the boil, stirring until it has thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the parmesan, cream and the chopped dill. Season to taste. Divide the fish and peas between two oval dishes and pour over the sauce (alternatively you could make 4 individual ramekins) Cover with the mashed potato. Brush the potato topping with a little beaten egg. Bake for 20 minutes then finish off under a preheated grill for a few minutes until its golden. Decorate with some fish –shaped carrot pieces to serve if you wish. Makes: 4 portions

Suitable for freezing

TIP Make several small portions and freeze for later

56 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

TIP

If you heat yo ur spoon in hot water before you measure the sy rup it will slide off the spoon easily

Tasty Easter Treat Easter Ginger Cookies These are my favourite Ginger Cookies and they only take a few minutes to prepare. 185g plain flour 1 ½ tsp ground ginger ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 50 g butter (room temperature) 85g soft light brown sugar 1 egg yolk 2 tbsp golden syrup Assorted Decorations e.g. Mini Smarties, M&M’s Currants or raisins Writing Icing or white and pink icing made with Royal Icing mixed with water Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4. Fan 160C. Line or grease two large baking sheets with non stick baking paper.

Stir the sugar into the mixture , then add the egg yolk and golden syrup and mix everything together using a wooden spoon. Sprinkle a clean work surface with flour and knead the dough until it is smooth .. Cut the dough in half. Sprinkle the work surface with a little more flour and roll out the dough starting at the centre of the dough and rolling evenly outwards. Repeat with the second ball of dough. Cut into shapes using cookie cutters Re-roll the trimmings until all the dough is used up. Place on the lined or greased baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You can add currants for eyes before the cookies are baked if you like. Allow to cool then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, you can decorate. Makes: approx. 15 cookies

Suitable for freezing

Sift the flour, ginger and bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl. Cut the butter into chunks and add to the bowl. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingers until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs.

Rascals Rascals of London of London l December l March 2011 2012 - 57

n i W Â´My first cookbookÂ´ Annabel Karmels Send us a photo of your Easter Ginger Cookies (recipe on page 57) and we will pick a winner

Winners will be announced on our website and facebook page on the 25th April

send to: info@rascalsoflondon.co.uk

58 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

take the PLUNGE Teaching kids to swim

Teach kids swimming with five fun and easy games. These five time-tested water-play activities will help teach your child to swim - and love it! “I show Mummy my swimming. I can do it myself!” exclaimed four-year-old John, midway through one of our swimming lessons. When he showed off his slightly uncoordinated paddle across the pool, both mum and son had ear-to-ear grins. For many of the families I have worked with as a swim instructor, the excitement of a child’s first solo swim is on par with his first steps. While lessons are certainly helpful, there are many things you can do to teach your kids basic swimming skills, water safety and a love for all things aquatic. Read on to learn five simple, fun activities to help your child take those first independent strokes in the water. These activities can help teach children as young as 18 months how to swim. It’s a great way to introduce swimming skills in stages. So grab your towels and let’s go!

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 59

Talk to the fishies

Practise talking to pretend fishies by getting your child to blow bubbles in the water. Then ask him to put his ear in the water to listen to the pretend response. Skill: Breath control, which is the first step in teaching your child to swim independently. Accidentally swallowing water can be a frightening setback, so make sure you encourage him to submerge his face and blow bubbles to increase his comfort level in the water. Tip: Make sure when you submerge your face and blow bubbles, you come up with a smile on your face. Your little one will be more apt to try this if he sees how much fun you have while doing it!

3 2

Motorboat front float

Securely hold your child under his arms, facing you. Start walking backward through the water. As you pick up a little speed, the water will gently push him into a front float position. Spin slowly in a circle and chant, “Motorboat, Motorboat, Go So Slow.” Pick up a little speed and say, “Motorboat, Motorboat, Go So Fast.” With the last line “Motorboat, Motorboat, Step on the Gas!” you can either blow bubbles or encourage your child to kick his feet.

Catch the fishies

Sit next to your child on the steps of the shallow end, or stand facing each other if the pool is shallow enough (water should ideally be at your child’s waist to chest), and ask your little one to try to catch fishies with his hands. Ask him to perform a front-crawl-like arm stroke by reaching his arms up in the air, plunging them into the water, and then pulling the water toward himself, as if there were lots of fishies in the pool that he is pulling toward his body. This will get him used to the arm action necessary to start swimming on his own. Sing a song together while he strokes (I like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”) and at the end of the song, ask him how many fishies he caught. Then have him throw them back in the water and make a big splash! Repeat the song and try to catch more fishies. Skill: Developing a fast, strong arm motion. Tip: Make sure your child is performing this activity with his fingers together, so the fishies don’t escape between his fingers. This will help with his propulsion when he starts swimming on his own.

60 - March December 2012 2011 l Rascals l Rascals of London of London

Skill: Becoming comfortable in a horizontal swimming position. Tip: As your child gets more accustomed to the front float position, hold him so that his outstretched hands are around the back of your neck. Help him stretch out his legs, as if he were taking a nap with his stomach on the surface of the water. This will help him get used to the position that his body will be in when he starts swimming.

Taking the plunge

In the shallow end, crouch two feet away from the wall, and hold your child so he is standing on your knees, your hands supporting his waist (you are both facing the wall). Ask him to jump off your knees and grab on to the wall. The first few times, he will not actually be swimming, but using the propulsion from his jump to get to the wall. This technique slowly gets your child used to swimming independently. Let him hang on to the wall for a moment so he can get used to supporting his body weight until you come over and grab him to try it again. Skill: Swimming independently. Tip: Gradually increase your distance from the wall, reminding your child to catch the fishies with his hands and kick his feet. He may struggle the first few times, but keep encouraging him and applauding his progress and, very soon, you will have a super little swimmer on your hands!

Red light, green light

Sit next to your child on a shallow step of the pool. If your child is a little older, he can hold onto the side of the pool, facing the wall. When you say green light, have him kick like crazy! A red light means stop, and yellow light means kick slowly. Skill: Kicking and propulsion. Tip: Make sure to encourage your little one to point his toes, as this is what will propel him through the water. You can also perform this activity by holding your child under his arms so he is facing you, and walk backward, encouraging him to kick. For an extra challenge, help him balance on a flutter board and get him to practise kicking this way too.

Safe swimming According to the Lifesaving Society, the majority of backyard-pool drowning victims under five were alone when they fell into the pool. This is why itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so important that parents provide adequate supervision, and that children learn swimming skills as early as possible; a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to paddle two feet and grab on to the wall can potentially save his life. Be sure that your child knows to ask permission before entering the water and that access to pools is restricted when they are not in use. Remind children about the rules, such as no horseplay or running on the deck. Life jackets should be worn by kids who cannot swim, unless an adult is providing close supervision in shallow water. Consider hiring a qualified lifeguard if you are hosting a pool party, to ensure the safety of all guests. Rascals of London l March 2012 - 61

62 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

Advertising - Rascals of London

The Valley When it’s time for your next well-earned break escape to a hidden valley nestling in 13 acres of outstanding conservation countryside. Each of The Valleys cottages are individually designed meaning there is plenty of room for choice when deciding which of the five different designs suits you and your family the best. Select from features such as stunning vaulted ceilings, open plan living areas, split level galleried floors and full length windows opening out onto balconies that really make the most of the spectacular views. Located in an oasis of tranquility from where you can explore incredible beaches, fishing villages & country pubs, The Valley also has wonderful grounds and footpaths which abound close by. From your balcony or patio you won’t know whether to focus on the birds, squirrels, owls or foxes! The cottages combine contemporary

designed kitchens with light and spacious open plan living areas. The dining areas are furnished with solid oak and have state-of-the-art mini sound systems and flat screen digital T.V. with DVD players. In the Italian designed bedrooms the combination of emperor size hand crafted pocket sprung beds and ‘soft as down’ duvets and pillows covered with crisp white linen means you will want to go to bed and never get up! The Valley has its own exclusive leisure facilities which include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a games room, spa pool as well as a fitness suite and tennis and squash court. For those days when you do not feel like cooking, choose from a selection of homemade tapas and a glass of wine in the stylish Café Azur.

For more details visit: www.the-valley.co.uk or call 01872 862194

It’s Your Lucky Day Come and work for Rascals of London Are you struggling to find work to fit around the school runs? Do you have a hectic family schedule? Or are you thinking of easing your way back into work after having children? If your answer to any of the above is yes, then this could be perfect for you! We need warm, friendly, hard working, diligent sales people. But it is a very soft sell. Work when you want, how you want - just a couple of hours each week or 6 hours per day. It’s up to you – you are your own boss! If you would like to find out more about this opportunity please email us at:

jobs@rascalsoflondon.co.uk Or call: 0751 485 2648

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 63

Directory & Services Classes

Private schools

Day Nurseries

Club Petit Pierrot

Ashton House School

Tel: 0207 385 5565

Tel: 0208 560 3902

St Mary Magdalen Montessori Nursery School

Baby Sensory

Bassett House

Tel: 0208 878 0756

Tel: 0759 437 1664

Tel: 0208 969 0313

Baby Yoga

Channing Junior School

St Mary’s Summerstown Montessori Nursery School

Tel: 0208 968 1900

Baby Sensory

Tel: 0208 342 9862

Tel: 0208 947 7359

Ackroyd Community Nursery

Tel: 0783 417 0485

Chepstow House

Boogie Babies

Tel: 0207 243 0243

Tel: 0208 291 4933

Devonshire House Prep School

Asquith Battersea Day Nursery

Tel: 0796 049 8208

Bright Sparks Tel: 0203 194 3178

Buzy Beez Tel: 07903 813 618

Catch a Ball Tel: 0208 398 3034

Caterpillar Music

Eaton House School

Blossoms Day Nursery

Eddie Catz

Tel: 0207 924 6000

Tel: 0208 760 0540

Tel: 0845 201 1268

Eaton Square School

Blue House Day Nursery and Preschool

Funky Monkeys

Tel: 0208 681 7579

It’s a Kid’s Thing

Bluebell Nursery

Tel: 0208 739 0909

Tel: 0208 566 7876

Little Dinosaurs

Carlton Hill Community Nursery

Tel: 0208 444 1338

Tel: 0207 624 3814

Tel: 0208 527 5431

Tel: 0207 730 2971

Crafty Tales

Garden House School

Tel: 0781 059 6342

Tel: 0207 730 1652

Culture Kids

Hall School

Tel: 0781 844 0771

Tel: 0207 722 1700

Dance Stars

Heathfield School GDST, Pinner Tel: 0208 868 2346

Tel: 0143 871 4893

Highgate Pre-Preparatory

Discover - Story Making Centre

Knightsbridge School

Tel: 0208 340 9196

Tel: 0208 536 5555

Tel: 0207 590 9000

Jo Jingles

Lloyd Williamson Schools - Telford Road

Monkey Music Tel: 0208 438 0189

Tumble Tots Tel: 0121 585 7003

Toy Library Tel: 0207 231 3755

Footprints Playgroup Tel: 020 8305 0520

West London Tots Tel: 07939 070 773

Adventure Playzone

Tel: 0208 960 1515

Tel: 0207 639 1812

Tel: 0796 183 8349

Indoor Play

Tel: 0208 695 9959

Francis Holland School

Latino Bambino

Tel: 0208 538 3999

Tel: 0207 251 2284

Childrens play room

Tel: 0208 655 1583

Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery

Bramleys

Tel: 0207 373 4501

Kids Play Cafe

Tel: 0207 480 6396

Blooming Kidz

Tel: 0780 115 1968

Tel: 0208 445 8889

Matilda Day Nursery

Dallington School

Falkner House

Kids@N20

Tel: 0170 872 2800

Tel: 0208 539 8343

Chatterbabies

Tel: 0149 477 8989

Mary Poppins Day Nursery

Tel: 0175 320 1122

Tel: 0207 931 9469

Digswell Toddler Group

Tel: 0208 211 3119

Tel: 0207 435 1916

Tel: 0208 693 9731

Tel: 0775 374 8819

Little Leo’s Nursery

Tel: 0208 962 0345

La Choutte School Tel: 0755 702 9255

L’Ecole Des Petits Tel: 0207 371 8350

London Christian School Tel: 0203 130 6430

Notting Hill Prep Tel: 0207 221 0727

The King Alfred Lower School Tel: 0208 457 5200

Wetherby School Tel: 0207 727 9581

Yesodey Hatorah School Tel: 0208 800 8612

Dicky Birds - Surbiton Tel: 0208 942 5779

Dreammaker Day Nursery

Tel: 0208 814 2167

Toddlers World Tumble in the Jungle Tel: 0870 626 0710

Tel: 0207 480 7166

Parties

Giggles & Wiggles

Party Magic Box

Tel: 0208 566 4774

Web: www.partymagicbox.co.uk Tel: 0791 316 8323

Goldstar Montessori Nursery

Boo!

Tel: 0208 364 6876

Tel: 0207 287 9090

Green Gables

Creative Biscuit

Tel: 0207 488 2374

Tel: 0208 532 2824

Hillyfields Day nursey

Creation Station

Tel: 0208 694 1069

Tel: 0844 854 9085

Jackanory

Fait Maison

Tel: 0784 917 1524

Tel: 0208 222 8755

Jelli Tots Nursery

Lila’s Party

Tel: 0208 451 5477

Tel: 0772 232 0862

Jigsaw Day Nursery

Nutty

Tel: 0208 646 6075

Tel: 0788 405 0954

Keiki Day Care Nursery

Perform Parties

Tel: 0208 340 3841

Tel: 0845 400 4000

Kiddi Caru Day Nursery

The Action Station

Tel: 0208 679 4009

Tel: 0870 770 2705

Little Angels

The Little Things

Tel: 0207 274 8333

Tel: 0142 487 0398

Little Elves Montessori Nursery School

Tin Pan Annie

Tel: 0792 176 1835

Violet and Lily

Tel: 0208 670 0644 Tel: 0208 946 2353

64 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

Directory & Services Half Term Camps

Photography

Health Centres

Shops

Active Sport:

Ada

Victoria Medical center

Blooming Bump

Tel: 0115 973 1676

Tel: 0208 525 1444

Tel: 0207 834 2298

Advanturous Muslim Summer Camp

Bravo Post

Waterloo Health Center

Email: info@bloomingbump.com Web: www.bloomingbump.com

Tel: 0207 287 7811

Tel: 0207 928 4049

Biff

Tel: 0207 252 0509

Clare Breheny

Birdhurst Medical Practice

Tel: 0208 299 0911

Tel: 0797 375 3636

Tel: 0208 686 2070

Blue Daisy

Garnham Photography

Bloomsbury Street Surgery

Tel: 0207 681 4144

Tel: 0771 194 1208

Tel: 0207 837 8559

Boots

Little Lookers

East Barnet health centre

Tel: 0207 409 2982

Tel: 0779 395 3610

Tel: 0208 440 1251

Bonpoint

Lomography

St James Medical center

Tel: 0207 792 2515

Tel: 0207 434 1466

Tel: 0208 684 5353

Caramel

Magic Rainbow

Killick Street health centre

Tel: 0207 589 7001

Tel: 0794 638 0581

Tel: 0207 833 9939

Early Learning Centre

Murphy James

Mitchison Road surgery

Tel: 0207 581 5764

Tel: 0207 278 4770

Tel: 0207 226 6016

Hamleys

Silverprint

The London General Practice

Tel: 0871 704 1977

Tel: 0207 935 1000

Tel: 0163 529 8326

CityDoc

Just Williams Toys

Tel: 0207 256 8668

Tel: 0203 538 6798 â&#x20AC;&#x17D;

Allsorts Tel: 0208 969 3249

Camp Beaumont Tel: 0126 382 3000

Crazee Kids Tel: 0208 444 5333

Creative Wiz Kids Tel: 0207 794 6797

Cross Keys Tel: 0208 371 9686

Hampstead Dyslexia Clinic Tel: 0208 455 5107

Fit For Sport Ltd Tel: 0845 456 3233

FZY

Tel: 0207 620 0844

White Todd Tel: 0207 734 9070

Tel: 0208 201 6661

Easy 2 Name Lables

Let Me Play

Yoga/Fitness

Dover House Surgery

Marie-Chatal

Tel: 0208 735 5379

Beez Kneez

Tel: 0208 807 1888

Tel: 0207 838 1111

Jewellery Summer school

Tel: 0208 354 1583

Willow House Surgery

Mush Kids ltd

Tel: 0203 176 0546

Egoist Body Studios

Tel: 0208 363 0472

Tel: 0208 653 6635

Jonathan Markson Tennis

Tel: 0785 092 7523

The James Wigg Practice

Mimmo

Tel: 0207 603 2422

Good Vibes

Tel: 0203 317 2000

Tel: 0207 731 4706

Kids Theatre week

Tel: 0207 240 6111

Clein Dr Lewis

Mother Care

Tel: 0207 557 6799

Light Centre Belgravia

Tel: 0207 580 8356

Tel: 0207 581 5764

Little Actors Summer School

Tel: 0207 881 0728

Tel: 0800 389 6184

Tel: 0208 354 1583

Birthing Babies

Me and My Baby Clinic

Tel: 0779 685 0016

Little Kickers Tel: 0193 242 9602

London Childrens Ballet Tel: 0208 969 1555

Music Makers Tel: 0142 565 4819

Stage Coach Tel: 0193 225 4333

Super Camps Tel: 0123 583 2222

React Drama Workshops Tel: 0208 366 1623

Days Made Easier Tel: 0208 201 7072

Allsorts Drama Tel: 0208 969 3249

all4kids Tel: 0787 625 4691

Play five aside Tel: 0203 432 9584

Mama Sambo

Mummy & Little Me

Antenatal

Tel: 0207 751 4170

Birth Hypnosis

Pregnancy Yoga

Tel: 0774 707 5340

Tel: 0152 254 8811

Oh Baby London Tel: 0207 247 4949

Pares Footwear Tel: 0208 297 0785

Tel: 0795 829 6647

Calm Birth Calm Baby

The Life Centre

Tel: 0794 976 4105

Tel: 0207 221 4602

Cupcake

Triyoga

Tel: 0208 875 1065

Tel: 0207 483 3344

Gas & Air

Yoga & Pilates London

Tel: 0797 425 3461

Tel: 0207 235 7737

Pom D Api Tel: 0207 243 0535

Please Mum Tel: 0207 486 1380

Tel: 0207 735 2177

Gilly Keith Antenatal

Yoganess

Tel: 0796 856 6396

Tel: 0795 668 1796

Inspiring Births

Yoga4Birth

Tel: 0777 542 5301

Tel: 0208 923 6452

Mybabyclass

Yoga College of London

Tel: 0781 260 4405

Tel: 0207 373 7070

The Summit

Baby Massage and Yoga

Tel: 0208 340 4040

Tel: 0758 206 9378

Portland Hospital

Mum-me-time

Tel: 0207 580 4400

Petite Ange

Ralph Lauren Tel: 0207 590 7990

Roobub&Custard Tel: 0779 645 1513

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Tel: 0798 145 6470

Rascals of London l March 2012 - 65

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Advertise Make the most of your business

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Half page adverts only ÂŁ395 Quarter page adverts only ÂŁ225 Call us on: 07514852648 Or email us at: info@rascalsoflondon.co.uk 66 - March 2012 l Rascals of London

Advertising - Rascals of London

Charity Registration Number 1110339

About Us The Brompton Fountain helps the families with children being treated at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust hospitals. Patients of these two hospitals often have extremely complex and challenging heart or lung conditions, and families will face difficult and emotionally demanding times. The Trust has an international reputation for its specialist paediatric services and clinical excellence. It cares for over 2000 children, often beginning when they are still in the womb, continuing throughout childhood and into their adult years. The charity raises money for medical equipment, improvements to facilities and accommodation within the two hospitals, and aims to provide support in as many other ways as possible, including parental support groups, activity days, newslettters, a website, and links to other agencies.

How You Can Help You could help make a real difference to the lives of children who have major cardiac and respiratory conditions and their families. We value your support - whether it be raising awareness, a donation of books or toys for the hospital playroom or help with fundraising. To make a donation please visit our website or email us for further details.

The charity Facebook page and contact details are:

www.thebromptonfountain.org.uk www.facebook.com/thebromptonfountain

Email: admin@thebromptonfountain.org.uk Telephone: 0207 776 9000 Rascals of London l March 2012 - 67

16 Feb - 21 Apr 12 Polka Theatre presents

Adapted by Simon Reade

Tickets: 020 8543 4888 / www.polkatheatre.com 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB 68 - March 2012 l Rascals of LondonRegistered Charity No. 256979

â&#x20AC;˘ Illustration by Rhett Podersoo

9 - 13 years