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Issue No. 74 May/June 2017
Parties Education What's On at Half Term
Special Events Child Mental Health Tips to get families outdoors
The Herts magazine with the information young families want
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From your Editor…
In this issue:
The Summer Term has begun and already we are careering towards the June half term break! Let’s hope for clement weather so that children can be tempted away from their tech and encouraged to get active. You will find lots of ideas of things to do on our Half Term and Special Events page and What’s On guide plus some top tips on ways to get kids back into the great outdoors. Getting the most out of holiday time is important but so is term time. Our education section has a helpful piece by Explore Learning about clever ways to make doing homework fun. Mental health has been in the news a lot lately, especially with the recent launch of the Heads Together Campaign, a coalition of eight mental health charities that have been brought together by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry with the aim of getting people talking about mental health – so we are. Our article on how to deal with stress, depression and anxiety in children is a must read. If you are getting ready to party, do read the party pages with some theming ideas for your next child’s birthday party.
Where are we? Baldock, Bishops Stortford, Borehamwood, Chorleywood, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Kings Langley, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, St Albans, Stevenage, Ware, Welwyn GC. Pick it up from cafes, playgroups, nurseries, schools, activity groups, selected shops, surgeries, leisure centres and libraries. Email or call to request copies for your venue.
Shelley
News & Views: 4 Parties: 6 Education: 8 Family Wellbeing: 11 Child Mental Health: 12 Half Term & Special Events: 13 What’s On: 14 Next Issue: No. 75 - July/August Copy Deadline: 9th June Image credit: © svetamart
Families Herts, PO Box 434, Pinner, HA5 9AH Tel: 020 8428 6384 editor@familiesherts.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk
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News & Views Paradise Wildlife Park becomes a Charity Paradise Wildlife Park, Hertfordshire’s award winning zoo, has recently formed a charity: the Zoological Society of Hertfordshire (ZSH). Paradise Wildlife Park is known for its animal breeding and conservation work and has contributed over £5,000,000 to conservation projects and wildlife causes in the UK and around the world. The charity will raise funds for its work and will offer a wider wildlife education programme for visitors. Commenting on the change, ZSH Director, Lynn Whitnall, said: “As a zoo we’re crucially aware that our purpose will always be questioned. However, at Paradise Wildlife Park, we’ve always made the wellbeing of our animals and the preservation of the wider natural world our prime focus. The creation of ZSH will help us to expand our conservation and educational work, making clear the valuable role zoos can play in protecting species throughout the world.”
Paradise Wildlife Park have also opened the ‘Penguin Falls’ enclosure for endangered African Penguins. The penguins' new habitat, based on their South of African homeland, will provide the space and conditions for an excellent quality of life and for breeding – Paradise Wildlife Park is one of only two zoos in the UK to be recommended for African Penguin breeding. Find out more at www.pwpark.com or call 01992 470490.
Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes
Perform is a unique children’s drama school that has a special emphasis on child development. Their mix of drama, dance and singing brings out every child’s full potential. Run by experienced actor-teachers, in small groups, the classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: Confidence, Communication, Coordination, and Concentration. The curriculum ensures plenty of fun with its energetic games, catchy songs and funky dances. All the class materials are written by Perform and there are also apps, CDs and
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videos that the children can play at home to keep the magic alive. Each term sees a new theme to keep imaginations buzzing. This Summer Perform’s 4-7s group will be saddling up and going on a ‘Wild West’ adventure to find the ‘Horse with the Golden Mane’. The 7-12s will be zooming off on a space adventure with Robinson Crusoe in a spaceage version of the castaway classic. Perform offer no-obligation free sessions for newcomers. Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book your free class today. With venues all over Hertfordshire you’re bound to find a class near you - Berkhamsted, Bishops Stortford, Broxbourne, Bushey, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Potters Bar, Radlett, Sawbridgeworth, St Albans, Tring, Welwyn Garden City Summer term runs until 21st July and the autumn term begins on 2nd September. Contact perform on 020 7255 9120 or email enquiries@perform.org.uk
Snappy Tag Back to School Kit
Snappy Tag - easy as 1,2,3 Here’s one busy mum’s experience with Snappy Tag … My nickname is Lastminute.com Mum in my son’s playground. There are so many little jobs that need doing that my ‘to do’ list is constantly growing and the ‘clothes labelling’ task was always being shifted down the priority scale and it eventually dropped off my list altogether! When Snappy Tag asked if I would like to try out their labelling system I decided to give it a go. With my son’s school uniform and armed with my tags and the Snappy Tag applicator I set to work. I very soon discovered, to my great delight, that the Snappy Tag solution really was easy. And not only that, I would never have to name a school item again, as my son proved to be fully capable of operating this little gem himself! After reading through the instructions together, off he went: push, snap, clicked on. It really is as easy as 1,2,3. To solve all your name labelling problems visit www.snappytags.co.uk
Explore your local museums this summer!
The Museum Explorer Passport is back for the summer, with new museums joining in Herts and Beds. Children can claim their passports for free and they are encouraged to explore museums, with their families, across both counties. Children will get a passport stamp for every museum visited. Visit and stamp five museums to receive a sticker prize. Plus, complete four Arts Award Challenges to qualify for an Arts Award Discover Certificate. Go to www.museumexplorerpassport.com.
Families Bedfordshire magazine is for sale!
Scientists and pollinators want your help…
Four years after setting up and launching Families Bedfordshire magazine, the time has now come for Judith Dow to move on to pastures new. If you are motivated, ambitious, sales driven and enjoy building relationships, then running your own magazine business could be the right opportunity for you! Running a franchised magazine allows you to choose your own hours and to work flexibly around your children. Being your own boss means you get to keep the profits whilst enjoying the satisfaction of producing a highquality local magazine. To find out more call Judith on 01727 373929 or email editor@familiesbedfordshire.co.uk.
Imagine living in a desert with barely any food, water or place to call home. Unfortunately, this is life for the pollinating insects currently living in Britain. Loss of habitat, pesticides and farming practices have left them hungry and homeless. The Polli:Nation survey needs families to become citizen scientists and to help vital research into the health and status of pollinating insects across the country. The survey takes under an hour to complete in any outdoor spaces such as gardens, school grounds or local parks and uploading your findings will contribute to valuable scientific research. Your survey results can be submitted either online or by post. There are also lots of free survey resources that can be downloaded with cheap and simple ideas of ways to make your garden or local outdoor space a friendlier place for bees and other pollinators. You will be able to
Work Opportunity with Families
Walk to School Week is Monday 15-Friday 19 May 2017
We are recruiting for a new Area Manager for West Hertfordshire to run the Hemel Hempstead section of our website, www.familiesonline.co.uk. As an Area Manager you will enjoy a fun and flexible role which fits around your family life, whilst affording you a great challenge. You will be trained by industry experts and will develop valuable new skills in the digital, print and digital marketing industry. To register your interest, please email: editor@familieschiltern.com
create your own feeding or nesting habitats or places where insects can shelter, such as bee hotel. Find out more at www.opalexplorenature. org/polli-nation
Walk to School Week Join thousands of children across the country celebrating the benefits walking brings. We know that walking to school makes children feel healthier and happier, while reducing congestion and pollution outside the school gates. Yet less than half of primary school children currently walk to school. Living Streets, who organise the annual event, want to reverse this decline and see every child that can, walk to school. For more information or to order a challenge pack see: www.livingstreets.org.uk/what-wedo/projects/walk-to-school-week
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Party Feature 5 popular kids party themes There are few things that kids enjoy more than their birthday party, but as a parent, it can be difficult to know how to meet their expectations. Whether you're trying to think of an original party idea, or are determined to keep up with the Joneses, here are five popular kids' party themes that are great for the little ones (and plenty of fun for you, too!).
1. Princess The princess themed party is as popular with adults as it is with children. Big dresses, fancy shoes, beautifully quaffed hair, and tiaras. You can really get creative: turn a big chair into an elaborate throne, get a red carpet, and don't forget the royal party favours - child-sized clutches and dress-shaped bags make great goody bags! An elaborate princess castle cake is also a must-have for this theme. If you want to bring in the professional try Debutots or Perform Parties; both specialise in themed parties.
2. Alice in Wonderland If you're looking for something a little more unusual, or you have a bookworm to impress, an Alice in Wonderland themed party is guaranteed to please. With so many characters to dress up as and the lure of a Mad Hatter tea party, the clothes and food attend to themselves. If you want to go all out, set up a croquet game and get some inflatable flamingos! A prerequisite for this one is a whole lot of unusual fun, and little signs with 'Eat Me' and 'Drink Me' on all food and beverages. Try Debutots or Perform Parties.
3. Witches and Wizards If you have a Potter-addict on your hands, this is definitely a good way to go, but don't shy away from this theme if your children aren't mad about the Potterverse. There's great fun to be had with witches and wizards, from Gandalf to Glinda, and Merlin to Witchfire. Wands, cauldrons, capes, and broomsticks are all must-haves. If you are going down the Harry Potter route, stage your own game of Quidditch - if not, magical duels, broomstick races and, of course, an actual magician will go down a storm! Try Debutots or Perform Parties.
and rolling pins and stage your own Master Chef tournament at home! Try Little Cookies, who will come to your home and clear up the mess afterwards or Cinnamon Square for a baking party in a professional kitchen.
5. Animals
If your kids enjoy baking, making pizza, or want to try something more complicated, cookery is for them. Find a restaurant or cafe that hosts children's parties. If not, get chef's hats, aprons
Animal-themed parties are incredibly simple to do, but so much fun. You can take the kids to an animal park, farm, or the zoo, have them dress up as their favourite animals, or even get a petting zoo to come to your house! Face painting is a great activity with this theme, as there are so many wonderful designs to choose from. Why not try a niche of the theme, like big cats or wolves, and book an experience day at a special nature reserve? Try Hatfield Park Farm. These are just five ideas but the list is endless … just like kid’s imaginations!
Hatfield Park Farm Parties
Kool Kidz Parties
Hire the Kid’s Cabin outdoor shelter for do-it-yourself parties. Take your own food and decorations to personalise your child’s celebration. In your private area there is space for indoor and outdoor party games. You will all enjoy the farm, Bloody Hollow Play Area, Goat Pass and a tractor ride. Hire costs £100 (inc.VAT) a day (11am to 4pm) for up to 30 children and 10 adults. Extra adults cost £5 p/p and children, aged 3-15 years £2.50 each. To find out more email info@ hatfieldparkfarm.co.uk or visit www.hatfieldparkfarm.co.uk.
A Kool Kidz’ party goes with a swing from beginning to end. Choose from: Traditional (3 years +), Sports (relay races, football, unihockey, team-games), Themed (a twist on the traditional party; superheros, fairies and more), Disco (with lights, snow machine and games, dancing competitions and prizes), Pedal Go Kart (races, timed laps, games with a medal for the birthday child). Two hour parties with a break for food followed by more fun. One hour after-school parties also available. To find out more call 01582 723449 or visit www.koolkidzgroup.co.uk
4. Cookery
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Perform Parties: performparties.co.uk
Perform Parties
Debutots Parties
Perform parties are high energy, fun and infectious. Based around a colourful theme, Perform’s enthusiastic party leaders use a magical mix of songs, games and laughter guaranteed to ensure every child is part of an enthralling adventure. As soon as the lively leaders arrive, they'll give your child and friends the best birthday party ever. Whether your child wants to be a swashbuckling pirate, a shimmering mermaid or a dazzling superhero, they'll have a brilliant time. Find out more at performparties. co.uk or call 0207 255 9120.
Debutots Adventure Story Parties, for 1–7 year olds, use original stories, games, characters and places for an unforgettable treat. Create a personal package for your child from a story, character or animal or choose one of their original party themes. Fun and relaxed, with minimum hype and volume. One mum said: "The children were captivated by the story and the games and challenges. They all believed Laura really was the character she was playing, and got into character themselves. It was magical and wonderful to see them all so enthralled.” Find out more from laura@debutots.co.uk or call 01707 861437.
360 Play Parties 360 Play is the place to party! Packages available to suit everyone; whether it's an ‘Arty Party’, an after school party or a toddler’s birthday, 360 Play have all you need. A party provides up to 80 minutes of play and 40 minutes party time. Plus, your party host will dance, play and interact with your guests and you can enjoy hot or cold food and drinks. Every child gets a party activity bag. Head to 360 for an all-round party experience,whatever the weather! Find out more at 360play.co.uk
Little Cookies Cooking parties for children of all ages. 3-9 year olds make their own birthday tea and those aged 10+ can host a three course dinner party! Lots of menu options. They provide all the ingredients, equipment and know how. Most allergies catered for. To find out more call 01727 839444 or visit www.little-cookies.co.uk
Cinnamon Square Cinnamon Square café hosts baking parties for children (5+). Parties include baking and fun experiments to discover how bread rises. Older children (9+) can choose a Cupcake or Chocolate Making party. Buy KiddieKraft baking kits for a party bag alternative; personalised free and delivered nationally from £4.95 each for orders of 15 and over. Find out more at www.cinnamonsquare.com or call 01923 778353.
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Education Abacus Maths:
An ancient skill for the 21st Century
If the word ‘abacus’ conjures up a toddler’s brightly coloured bead frame then think again. The traditional Japanese soroban abacus is a sophisticated calculating instrument that is used for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The soroban originated in ancient China where it was known as the suanpan. The earliest known description of the suanpan appeared in a book of the Eastern Han Dynasty in 190CE, titled ‘Supplementary Notes on the Art of Figures’ written by Xu Yue. The suanpan began to be used in Japan from the 14th century and it continues to be used all around the world to teach 21st century children numbers and mental arithmetic. Noby Fujioka, who runs Abacus Maths X Learning, believes that learning how to use the abacus helps children to become competent arithmeticians. Noby has developed his course so that children will learn to calculate number questions as well as word problems, that require knowledge and understanding of the real world. Children are encouraged to think about the problems and to find the best processes to solve them in different situations. From the age of five, children will learn the meaning and application of times tables and will remember and recall the answers quickly. They will explore and express patterns and processes to solve maths problems in different forms. Children also internalise and reinforce their knowledge in a structured way with regular exercise and practice. To find out more call Noby Fujioka on 01442 800808 www.abacusmaths.info
Centre 4 Excellence
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Leading figures call for official guidance on screen time If you’ve ever worried about the amount of time your children spend in front of smartphones, computers, consoles and TV, you’re certainly not alone. A group of 40 leading authors, educationalists and childdevelopment experts have called for official guidelines on the use of screen devices by children up to 12 to be drawn up by recognised authorities on child health and development. In a letter to The Guardian the group, which includes author Philip Pullman, psychotherapist Susie Orbach, childcare expert Penelope Leach and the former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, said it also wants to see the creation of a minister for children. This cabinet-level role would have the responsibility for assessing the impact of all government policies on children’s health and wellbeing. The letter also called for a kindergartenstyle education for 3 to 7 year olds, which
would emphasise emotional and social development and encourage outdoor play. “If children are to develop the self-regulation and emotional resilience required to thrive in modern technological culture, they need unhurried engagement with caring adults and plenty of self-directed outdoor play, especially during their early years (0–7),” the letter reads.
Girls grow and learn at St Albans High School Prep The Prep School at St Albans High School for Girls (STAHS Prep), based in Wheathampstead village just a few miles from St Albans town centre, offers a broad and rich curriculum which gives girls strong foundations and harnesses their natural curiosity. They learn French and Mandarin to help prepare them for a global workplace, as well as essential strong skills in I.T., maths and English. The school offers a modern curriculum with lots of opportunities to research, work collaboratively and present to others. STAHS Prep is an exciting place to grow and learn, where girls reap the benefits of a broad, happy education. With 18 acres of field and woodland every child has the opportunity to engage with the outdoors, to play, to develop her passion for learning and to have fun. The girls enjoy learning science outdoors as well as in the school’s purpose-built lab. A rich
extra-curricular programme encourages girls to find their passion in music, sports or the creative arts. This year the school has opened a new performing arts centre, which resonates with music and drama every day. Relationships between teachers and children are of the utmost importance and each child is valued for her individual strengths. Find out more at www.stahs.org.uk
Centre 4 Excellence provide specialist sound training programmes that can be helpful for all children but which are especially useful for children with specific learning difficulties as those mentioned below. What are Sound Training Programmes? We learn to read, write and spell from the sounds that we hear. When the brain encounters problems translating what it hears it can make learning difficult. Sound Training Programmes help to retrain the brain to improve auditory and sensory processing. Who created the programmes? The programmes are based on years of research in neuroscience and the way the brain learns. They have been devised by a team of neurologists; experts in the field of brain plasticity, communication, speech and language, audiology and physiotherapy.
Who can benefit from the programmes? They are suitable for all children aged from five to sixteen years. They are of particular benefit to children who have reading, spelling and writing difficulties, attention and focusing issues, working memory issues as well as children diagnosed with autism, ADHD, auditory processing difficulties and developmental delay or dyslexia. How can it help my child? By training the brain to hear and interpret sounds correctly it can help to improve: speech and language; hearing with background noises; following multiple instructions; hearing the tonality of sounds; phonological awareness; making eye contact; listening skills; behaviour and receptive language. To find out more contact Florence on 07919 067343.
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Education 7 Ways to Make Homework Fun! ‘Homework? Boooring!’ Is this a regular moan in your house? We’ve all been there! We want our children to progress and do well at school but after a long day, many youngsters will feel reluctant to sit down to get on with their homework - and no amount of nagging seems to help! We’ve teamed up with the experts at Explore Learning to bring you seven awesome ways to make homework actually fun.
1. Set up a fun and creative space Having a special place to do work, decorated in personalised decor, can really help children to focus. Avoid busy areas and make sure there is no other distractions, like technology or televisions. Younger children may appreciate their own artwork hung on the walls, while older children may prefer more desk space and personalised planners, so they can organise their work.
2. Magical motivators Keep homework battles at bay by using incentives to keep your child on track. Younger children may be motivated by sticker charts, where they can pick a reward once it is full, whilst older kids may be persuaded to crack on with their work with the promise of time on the iPad. Make sure your child understands the value of developing good homework habits, rather than just receiving a reward!
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3. Find a study buddy Hold a homework playdate where your child and one of their friends do their homework together. Set some rules ahead of time and reward them afterwards with an activity of their choice. Or join your child yourself and accomplish some work of your own – be it catching up on emails, paying bills or planning a holiday. Win-win!
4. Turn it into a game Turn learning into a fun game. For spellings, you could use flashcards or writing words in foam, or for maths, you could use sweets like Smarties to help visualise numbers. When they get a right answer, they get to eat some!
5. Get outside If the weather is good, why not let your child do their homework outside? The fresh air will help them concentrate after being inside a stuffy classroom all day. Let them have a short break in between exercises, like a game of Frisbee or football.
6. Be positive Always be upbeat about school and homework and give your child bags of encouragement.
Reinforce how well they are doing, write them inspiring messages and chat to family members about your child’s achievements.
7. Make it visual If your child feels overwhelmed by everything they have to do, visually being able to see their progress will help. Make a list or chart on a white board or special planner and get them to cross each task off as it is completed. Some new pens and exciting stationary will also keep them happy!
Family Wellbeing Six tips to get your child outdoors this season Spring into Summer is a beautiful time of year. The sky provides a crisp blue background and the fields are green with new growth. It’s the perfect time for children! There is so much to see and do and it’s important to get them outside to experience it, for both their physical health and their psychological wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of fresh air and good, old-fashioned outdoor fun. Proven to increase children’s activity levels, alertness and general health, it’s also a great way to get their minds and their imaginations working. The trick is not to make it feel forced, but fun. Here are six tips to get your little ones scrambling for the nearest door and their next adventure…
1. Take them camping
3. Turn detective for the day
Studies have shown that the average child spends far too much time indoors using electronics and less and less time outside. This can constrain their natural creativity and gives them an inability to cope without constant stimulation. One great way to turn this on its head is to grab a tent and take them camping. Internet service should be naturally limited in more remote locations, but if it’s not, encourage your kids to leave their tablets and smartphones behind. Fill their days with hiking, campfires, and outdoor games and they’ll barely even notice the absence of 24/7 technology.
Woodland walks are one way to get your children moving, but to make sure that they don’t get bored and try to avoid going out again in the future, turn the day into a game. Compile a list of things to find in the forest, from certain types of flowers to feathers, leaves, and even animal droppings. Get them to tick these off their list as they locate them. The more they find, the more points they get, with a small prize at the end for the victor. Such games are guaranteed to not only be fun, but also to get all of their senses switched on and their attention focused on the task at hand.
2. Do some wildlife watching
4. Collect and craft
According to research by the Kaiser Family Foundation, children spend more than seven hours a day on electronic media. Luckily, the best antidote for gamer’s eye and texter’s thumb is a simple one: a different kind of mental and visual stimulation in the form of wildlife watching. Helping children to better appreciate the birds and beasts around them is a great way to engage their senses and educate them on the environment. If you want to make the day extra exciting, turn it into a photo safari and have them snap pictures of any animals they spot.
Another idea for woodland walks is to get your children to collect items that they can later use to make crafts. Encourage them to search around for the most beautiful bits and bobs that they can find, whether these are flowers, feathers, or even pretty rocks. Once you’re at home, let them showcase their findings, and spend some time teaching them about the things they’ve discovered, such as which birds their feathers came from. Then, get out the glue and the glitter and get to work. Their imaginations should soon be working overtime.
5. Take them pony trekking Horse riding can be an expensive hobby, but as a one-off treat, it’s a really pleasant experience for children. Helping to hone their hand-eye co-ordination, it's almost like enjoying a Great British safari. Most centres will take you out into the wilderness, with beautiful sights to be seen and enjoyed. Depending on where you trek, you could cross everything from woods to beaches to mountains, each of them offering a unique insight into the wonders of the great outdoors. Your little ones will probably love it so much that they’ll be talking about it for weeks to come, their minds filled with the fun and the excitement that being outdoors can bring.
6. Encourage them to cloud gaze As free as the air you breathe, cloud gazing has always been associated with daydreamers and there are worse things that your child could be. Encouraging them to pick out shapes in the sky will get their imaginations working overtime and is a truly fantastic catalyst for For more fun things to see and do in the great creativity. Afterwards, have outdoors, visit www.familiesonline.co.uk them make stories from the images they imagined, or else paint their own cloudy pictures. If it gets them thinking, the day will have been a success.
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Child Mental Health
Dealing with stress, depression and anxiety in children Stress, depression and anxiety don't just affect adults; they can affect children, too. In fact, the Office for National Statistics claims that one in ten youngsters between the ages of five and 16 experience a mental health issue, and 4% suffer from disorders such as depression or anxiety. It can be difficult for parents to see their child suffering from stress, depression or anxiety, especially when we tend to think of youngsters as being such happy and carefree souls. Parents may quickly blame themselves, but there may be complex factors at play contributing to the way your child feels. Often, the biggest problem is spotting the signs and symptoms of a potential problem in the first place. But, the good news is, there are plenty of solutions available to help your child overcome this issue.
Spotting the signs As with adults, it's normal for children to experience ups and downs in life, and how they react to certain situations can change as they develop and grow. Many children have fears or phobias, which is normal, too. But, it's when problems start to interfere with everyday life, that you may need to consider if there's something else going on. What is important to consider when deciding if your child may be suffering from stress, depression or anxiety is how long feelings or behaviours have been occurring, and what is usual or typical for your child. For example, it's normal to feel sad and upset when a grandparent or pet dies, but if these feelings of sadness persist for a prolonged period, or they interfere with daily routines, this may flag up potential problems of stress, depression or anxiety. Equally, if your child is usually very sociable and enjoys play dates and sleepovers, but has started to become withdrawn and wants to be on their own, this isn't typical of their normal behaviour, so may signal all isn't quite well. Stress, depression or anxiety may also exist if your child loses interest in hobbies they usually enjoy. They may find it hard to concentrate at school, may avoid certain
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activities or may display characteristics that aren't normal for them. A placid child may suddenly develop angry outbursts, for example, or a typically happy youngster may become tearful for no apparent reason. Some symptoms of stress, depression or anxiety may be more obvious than others. Children might start having nightmares or night terrors, or they may wet the bed. Behaviours such as hurting themselves or becoming obsessive about certain things may manifest, and some children may refuse to eat, or restrict what they eat.
Tackling the issue If you suspect your child may be experiencing stress, depression or anxiety, the first step you should take is to talk to them. Try to find out why your child is behaving the way they are, or feeling the way they do. Explain to them that they haven't done anything wrong, they aren't alone, and that lots of people often feel the same way. There are lots of factors that may contribute to the way your child is feeling. They may be worried about exams or schoolwork, or they may be experiencing problems with other children. Bereavement and parental breakup may trigger troubled feelings, and these may not necessarily manifest immediately after a traumatic event. Sometimes, it might not always be easy to pinpoint what has caused the prolonged low mood in your child.
Often, understanding the root cause or trigger can help alleviate the problem. If a child is being bullied, for instance, you can contact the relevant authorities to address the issue. If your child feels stressed because of exams, explain that it's normal to feel anxious before a test and that other children will feel the same way, too. By showing children that it's normal to feel symptoms of unease over situations, it can make them feel better. However, where problems persist or aren't easy for you to tackle on your own, it's wise to seek professional help from your GP to get a confirmed diagnosis. To the untrained eye, it's not easy differentiating between stress, depression and anxiety, so this is where your GP comes in. There are many trained paediatric therapists who can help to ease the burden that your child may be feeling. Talking therapies, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy, are effective at letting your child discuss their fears and concerns whilst finding strategies to help them cope or think differently about a situation. Art therapy or creating a worry box can also be cathartic for youngsters, where they express their feelings by drawing or writing them down and working with therapists to find solutions. Most of these therapies are effective in getting your child back to their old self, and only in extreme cases is medication used to tackle this issue.
Childline launches kids counselling app The NSPCC’s Childline service has just launched a new iPhone app to provide counselling for kids directly through their mobile phones. The ‘For Me’ app allows kids to access Childline’s online services, including 1-2-1 live chats with a counsellor, the ‘Ask Sam’ problem pages and entrance to their private ‘lockers’ – areas where they can write down their own personal thoughts and track their moods. It was invented by four teenagers who wanted to use technology to address the urgent need for support among young people. Childline founder Esther Rantzen said: “We know hundreds of thousands of young people use our website for help and support, with more than half those visits coming via mobile devices. Now young people can get immediate access to our counsellors through this brilliant, innovative app.” The app is free to download via iTunes and is designed for discreet usage. Read more at www.childline.org.uk
Half-Term & Special Events Unicorns are real!
Knebworth
Every year Chiltern Open Air Museum’s (COAM) ‘Enchanted Museum’ event is visited by a beautiful, friendly unicorn. This is a unique opportunity to experience a late-night opening of COAM, an outdoor museum that is home to rescued and rebuilt historical buildings.
Knebworth House, with its gardens, park, adventure playground and dinosaur trail, offers something for children and adults. In the Adventure Playground there’s all the usual fun to be had inside ‘Fort Knebworth’ with the exciting addition, this season, of the astro and drop slides, swings, a zip wire, interactive splash water features and a bouncy castle, which is just about everything kids need to burn off their energy. Make sure your kids save some energy (and time) to walk the Dinosaur Trail. Follow the trail through the Wilderness Garden to discover 72 prehistoric creatures in the shrubbery. Hear them roar with the sound boxes and draw a cave-man on the chalkboard. There is plenty of space for playing games and enjoying your picnic, with large covered shelters. Plus, parking is free. Knebworth is easily reachable off junction 7 of the A1(M). Knebworth is open 27 May – 4 June, 1 July – 3 September. Weekends & BH’s: 22 April –21 May, 10 – 25
Families can meet a princess riding a unicorn and fairy tale characters. Children can join the knight’s school, toast marshmallows and walk through the woodland where the elves and fairies live. There will be crafts, games, and magical storytelling in the museum’s Iron Age roundhouse. Visitors are invited to dress up as their favourite magical character for the fancy dress competition. The historic buildings will be lit by candle and firelight, adding to the mysterious atmosphere. Take a picnic or enjoy the BBQ on the village green. This year’s event is on Saturday, 20th May 4pm – 8.30pm. Advance booking is strongly recommended. Find out more at www.coam.org.uk
Hatfield Park Farm Visit Hatfield Park Farm on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May to see how the sheep are made ready for the summer months. Watch the fabulous sheep shearing demonstrations at this popular event that gives children the opportunity to learn how we prepare the sheep for the warmer months. There is no extra charge to watch the demonstration, just the standard admission charge of £5 per adult and £2.50 per child with little ones under 3 years free. The perfect start to the half term holidays! Find out more at www.hatfieldparkfarm.co.uk
June, 9 – 24 September. Park, Gardens, Adventure Playground and Dinosaur Trail open 11am-5pm (last ticket sold 4:15pm). House & Raj Exhibition open 12pm-5pm (last admission 4pm). Park & Garden Admission: £9.50, Family Ticket £34, Season Ticket £40, under 3’s go free. For more information visit www. knebworthhouse.com, or call 01438 812661.
THE XC XC is an extreme sports facility based in the heart of Hemel Hempstead. This world class facility features the only indoor concrete and wooden skate/BMX park in the UK, an impressive 60m x 14m climbing wall, a bouldering wall, Europe’s largest indoor caving systems and a challenging high ropes course. Each school holidays, XC puts on an exciting programme of activities for each of the areas and even has an extreme holiday day where your child can sample the climbing wall, high ropes and the caves! XC climbing wall is definitely not for the faint hearted! The climbing wall consists of four very distinct areas suitable for beginners through to advanced climbers. XC indoor caving system creates the illusion of depth and danger! It measures 160m stretching through intricate twists and turns. In one area
you get to go under a wall into a pit which is filled with balls, giving the feeling of going underwater, without even a drop of water. The high ropes obstacle course is situated 12m above the ground and has 8 obstacles to manoeuvre around. For more information visit www.thexc.co.uk.
Super Camps Super Camps' fabulous new Multi-Activity summer camp programme at Hatfield, Letchworth, Potters Bar and Hemel Hempstead allows children to get involved in some great activities. As well as taking part in the fun-packed programme, children are cared for by fully qualified and vetted staff to create a thoroughly enjoyable time on camp. As Ofsted noted, Super Camps runs "an excellent programme of well-planned, fun and exciting activities that contributes highly to the children’s play and learning environment". Half term camps run from 30th May – 2nd June. Find your nearest camp online. Families readers can save 15% with code
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FAMILIES17. For more information and to book visit www. supercamps.co.uk
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What’s On: Half Term & Beyond Country Shows & Fairs HARPENDEN FUNFAIR Harpenden Common, St Albans Road, Harpenden, AL5 1DT www.harpenden.gov.uk 26-29 May Roll up, roll up for all the fun of the fair. HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY SHOW The Showground, Dunstable Road, Redbourn, AL3 7PT 01582 792626 www.hertsshow.com 27-28 May - 8.30am-5.30pm Agricultural show and family entertainment. Arena displays. National Festival Circus. Cost: Ticket valid for 1 day. Advance purchase 20% discount. Adult £15.20. (On the day £19). 5-15yrs £7.20 (£9). Under 5s free. Family £37.60 (£47). Over 60s £13.60 (£17). Under 5s free Free car park. ST ALBANS STEAM AND COUNTRY SHOW Oaklands College (St Albans Campus), Hatfield Rd, St Albans, AL4 0JA 01727 737000 www.hertssteam.org 3-4 Jun - Opens 10am. Steam engines, vintage vehicles and tractors, fairground, stalls, refreshments. Steam engine parade at 2pm Cost: £8 Senior £5. Under 16s £5. Family £20 HERTFORD CASTLE Castle Street, Hertford, SG14 1HR 01992 552885 www.hertford.gov.uk Cars at the Castle 4 Jun - 12-4pm Families can visit and explore all rooms and enjoy dressing up activities. Display of classic & modern cars on the lawn. All ages. Free HARPENDEN CARNIVAL Harpenden Common, St Albans Road, Harpenden, AL5 1DT 0121 456 4567, www.harpenden. roundtable.co.uk/ 10 Jun - 12-5pm Enjoy Lamb Nationals, Falconry Displays, Ferret Racing and Pete the Dinosaur. Find out about local wildlife. Dog show. Live music, food and stalls. Procession from Lydekker Car
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Park to the Common at 12 noon. ‘Art on the Common’ will be running concurrently. Free but some activities will be chargeable. WHITWELL STEAM AND COUNTRY FAIR Mansell's End Farm, Bury Lane, Codicote, SG4 8XY 07833 532758 www.whitwellsteam.com 10-11 Jun - 10am-5pm Funfair. Steam engines, classic cars, motorbikes, lorries and tractors. Dog and Shire horse shows. Cart rides. Craft activities and stalls. Tug-o-war. Animal corner. Cost: £7. Child £4. Family £18. Advance booking 15% discount APPLECROFT SCHOOL Applecroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JZ. 01707 323758 www.applecroft.herts.sch.uk/PTA Summer Fete 17 Jun - 11am-3pm Stalls, games, bouncy castle, live entertainment, BBQ, licensed bar. Cost: £1. Children free KNEBWORTH HOUSE Knebworth Park, Knebworth, SG3 6PY 01438 812661 www.knebworthhouse.com Father’s Day Medieval Jousting 18 Jun - Jousting 12.30 & 2.30pm (weather dependent) Costumed knights on warhorses gallop at full tilt across the arena in a fantastic display of horsemanship. Hand to hand combat. Photo session with the knights after the jousting. Try archery with The Green Dragon Bowmen (small charge for 6 arrows). Jousting included in Park and Gardens ticket. 10% discount with advance online booking. DogFest 24-25 Jun www.dog-fest.co.uk The ultimate day out to enjoy with your four-legged friend, hosted by celebrity vet, Prof. Noel Fitzpatrick. See agility and dance displays. Get expert advice on all aspects of your dog’s life; dog training and grooming sessions. Live music, shopping and refreshment. Cost: One day - Adult £15, Child £9, Senior £11, Family £40. Two day - Adult £26, Child £14, Senior £20, Family £60. Ages 0-5 free. Prices do not include entry to Knebworth House, Gardens or Park
SHENLEY VILLAGE FETE Harris Lane Playing Field, Harris Lane, Shenley, WD7 9EG 01923 852841 www.shenleyvillage.org 18 Jun – 12 noon Stalls, rides, entertainment. Motorcycle stunt team. Tom's Talking Reptiles. dog show. Climbing wall. Go-karts. Ferret racing. Punch & Judy. Bungee trampoline. Fairground games. Laser tag. Cost: £1. Child 50p. Car parking £1 ALBAN WEEKEND St Peter's Street, in, St Albans, AL1 3JE www.enjoystalbans.com Alban Pilgrimage 24 Jun - 11am The Alban Pilgrimage retraces St Alban’s last steps and tells his moving story. Roman chariots, centurions, lions, roses and executioners take their place in the procession from St Peter’s Church to St Albans Cathedral. Alban Street Festival 25 Jun – 12noon-6pm Live music, dancers, street performers, face painters, creativity, food.
Half Term Camps & Courses SPORTSPACE Park Road, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1JS. 01442 507128 www.sportspace.co.uk Swimming Crash Courses 29 May-2 Jun One week course for children that is suitable for complete beginners and those with some experience who will learn to swim more confidently. Ages 4+. Cost: £22 (members), £30 (nonmembers). Note: This course is also offered at Sportspace Berkhamsted. Diving Crash Courses 30 May-2 Jun An introduction to the sport of diving. Participants will learn diving techniques. Ages 5+ (must be ASA Stage 4 or above and confident in deep water). Cost: £22 (members), £30 (nonmembers). KOOL KIDZ CAMPS Sandridge Primary School Woodcock Hill, Sandridge, St Albans, AL4 9EB 0845 603 2858 www.koolkidzgroup.co.uk
30 May-2 June Multi activity camp for ages 4-12. Days are jam packed with art, sport and fun. Activities to suit all. Book by the week, day or half day. Extended days available. LANGLEY TENNIS & RACQUETS CAMP Langley Tennis Club, High Woodhall Lane, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8RW. 01442 230234, www. berkhamstedbasecamp.co.uk 30 May-2 Jun - 9am-4pm Have fun and improve your standard of tennis and eye hand co-ordination. Plus, table tennis, badminton and touch tennis. Additional hours available. Ages 4-14. Booking required. Cost: £40 per day or £140 per 4-day week. BERKHAMSTED BASECAMP Berkhamsted Prep School, Doctor's Common Road, Berkhamsted, HP4 3DW. www.berkhamstedbasecamp. co.uk 31 May-2 Jun Multi-activity camp for the holidays, see website for full details. Ages 3+. Booking required. RE:PLAY HOLIDAY CLUB Sandridge Sport Hall, (off St Albans Rd, Sandridge. 07913 323608 replay5905@ntlworld.com 29 May-2 June Long established holiday and after school club for children aged from 4-11 years. Open during every school holiday and offers activities, outings and fun for kids. Parents can book half day, full day or extended day sessions as required offering total flexibility.
Shows THE SANDPIT THEATRE The Ridgeway, St Albans, AL4 9NX. 01727 799565 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Old McDonald and The Three Pigs 27 May - 2pm A colourful and fun show with silly props. With the help of the farmer, the audience, mime and a wild bunch of animals this fun story comes to life. The children help to identify farm produce, sing and become the farm animals! Cost: £6. Concs £4
According to Arthur... 24 Jun - 11am, 2pm Inspirational and heart-warming tale of an old man who re-engages with the outside world and the adventurous life he once led. Meet Arthur, an odd old man who lives in his attic and spends his time with his only friend - the Moon. But now, Arthur needs help! The clouds have covered the sky and the Moon is nowhere to be seen, and without it Arthur’s life suddenly feels empty. Duration approx. 1hr) Cost: £8. Concs £6 HERTFORD THEATRE The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS. 01992 531500 www.hertfordtheatre.com Shark in the Park 27 May - 1.30, 3.30pm This fin-tastic family musical follows Timothy Pope (and his telescope!) on 3 exciting adventures. Ages 3-8. Cost: £11. Family £42 THE SPOTLIGHT High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE 01992441946 www.broxbourne.gov.uk Dick & Dom Live! 2017 31 May – 2pm, 6pm Dick and Dom in a show full of madcap challenges and audience participation games that will have you in stitches. Cost: £12. Child £10. Family £40 THE RADLETT CENTRE 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk Dogs Don’t Do Ballet 1 Jun - 11am, 1.30pm This hilarious story is about a small dog with big dreams. Ages 3+ Cost: £10
Activities RYE MEADS NATURE RESERVE Rye Road, Stanstead Abbotts, EN11 0EH. 01992 708384, www.rspb.org.uk Explore and Art 28 May - 12-2pm Discover amazing creatures and beautiful nature and create some artwork to take home. Booking essential. Cost: £3. Members £2. £3 parking non-members
Minibeast Monday 29 May - 10am-12noon, 2-4pm Find and learn about ladybirds, centipedes, butterflies and bees! Drop in. Cost: £5. Members £3 MILL GREEN MUSEUM & MILL Bush Hall Lane, Mill Green, Hatfield, AL9 5PD. 01707 357850 www.welhat.gov.uk Ancient Egyptians 30 May - 1 Jun – 10am, 11.15am,1.15pm, 2.30pm Themed holiday activities lasting one hour. Ages 4+. No booking required. Make a stunning Egyptian collar. 30 May Write your name in hieroglyphics in a cartouche 31 May Make a clay mummy in its own sarcophagus 1 Jun Children must be with an adult. Cost: £3.50 per child per session VERULAMIUM MUSEUM St Michael's Street, St Albans, AL3 4SW 01727 751810 www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Archaeology Fun Day 31 May - 10.30am-12.30pm, 2-4pm Explore how the Roman town was excavated. Handle artefacts from the dig. Craft activities. Drop in. Cost: £1.50 for craft activities. The Curse of the Pharaohs 1 Jun - 10.30am-12.30pm, 2-4pm Explore the Egyptian collection and hear about the stories and legends from the Nile Valley. Make a secret pyramid box. Ages 6-11. Limited spaces. Book in advance. Cost: £6
Pond Dipping 2 Jun - 10-11.30am Explore this rare chalk stream habitat and see some amazing creatures. Children must be with an adult. Booking essential. Cost: Suggested donation of £5 (£3 for members) CELTIC HARMONY Brickendon Lane, Brickendon nr. Hertford, SG13 8NY 01438 718543 www.celticharmony.org Family Volunteer Day 3 Jun - 10am-1pm Lend a hand with woodland work or the new Roundhouses. Spend the day planting, daubing, and exploring the Heritage Woodland. Book in advance.
Animal Attraction MEAD OPEN FARM Stanbridge Road, Billington, Near Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9JH www.meadopenfarm.co.uk 10am - 6pm A fun-packed day out for children and families. With outdoor and indoor things to do. Refreshments available or take a picnic.
Otter Weekend 27-28 May Fun and games for all whilst raising awareness and funds for the international otter survival fund www.otter.org. Woodland Wildlife Weekend 10-11 Jun A weekend of games, gifts and yummy treats to raise awareness and funds for conservation charities. STANDALONE FARM Wilbury Road, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4JN www.standalonefarm.com 01462 686775 Open 10am-5pm See the cows being milked on Sat, Sun and holidays at 1.30pm or 2.30pm. Pony grooming. Tractor Rides. WILLOWS ACTIVITY FARM Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, AL2 1BB 08701 299718 www.willowsactivityfarm.com Spring Special 27 May-4 June - 10am-5.30pm Live sheep shearing and acres of springtime fun. Refreshments available or take a picnic.
PARADISE WILDLIFE PARK White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, EN10 7QA 01992 470490 www.pwpark.com
BRITISH SCHOOLS MUSEUM Queen Street, Hitchin, SG4 9TS. 01462 420144 www.britishschoolsmuseum. co.uk Be a Victorian Child 31 May - 10am-1pm Try some Victorian chores, crafts and games. Ages 4+. Cost: £4 per child (adults free) BATFORD SPRINGS LOCAL NATURE RESERVE Batford Springs, Harpenden, AL5 5AT. www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk
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What’s On: Half Term & Beyond
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