FR
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Loving life with little ones
Suffolk
April - June 2020
VIRTUAL CLASSES Activity ideas at home
FIRST TIME MUM
EASTER FUN
How to Safeguard your Mental Health
Easter Recipe & Craft Activities
WIN t Day Ou
y A Famil n Farm at Easto th £42 r Park, wo
Everything Bump, Baby & Toddler Near You Covering Thetford, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich and surrounding areas
Loving life with little ones
Discover what’s on for little ones online Just enter your child's age, and away you go...!
Check out the NEW Toddle About website today
www.toddleabout.co.uk
2 April-June 2020 Toddle About
WELCOME
IN THIS ISSUE
TO OUR DIGITAL MAGAZINE
Easter Activities
6
This is our first ever purely digital magazine.
Easter Recipe
7
Easter Craft
8
Craft Activity
10
Fab & Funky Products
12
Like many small businesses, Toddle About has been turned upside down by the lockdown. We had our spring magazine ready to go – we were literally 48 hours from going to print – when, overnight, 90% of our content went out of date as everything got cancelled. Lots of our advertisers lost their incomes instantly, and our distribution network for the magazine disappeared. It wasn’t pretty. But it’s not all doom and gloom! So many of the businesses we work with have shown incredible resilience and resourcefulness as they have switched to offering their services online. Thanks to them, there’s still LOADS going on… and that’s what this digital magazine is all about – helping to spread the word about what they are doing so you can find out about all this wonderful stuff!
Birthday Shout Out Birthday Competition
14-15 17
Family Break Competition 20
After all, we might all be stuck at home, but that means it’s more important than ever to stay connected and communicating with others.
VIP Club
18
That’s where live streaming sessions really come in.
Win Festival Tickets
21
I’ll admit it – I was sceptical about how well a group class would be able to translate to the screen… but it’s amazing how well it works. And now the whole family can join in!
Family Life at Home
26
Father’s Day Craft
30
We’ve been working hard here to make it easy for you to find the online sessions that are running for little ones – now, when you search our website, we will default to show you the online activities on offer, and you can filter by age, activity and more to easily find what you want.
Father’s Day Competition 31
Check it out! Head to www.toddleabout.co.uk to start discovering what’s on. We hope it helps!
Pia
DISCOVE WHAT’S R ON FOR LITTLE O NES ONLINE
OWNER/EDITOR
Call us on 07748 020141 or email: pia@toddleabout.co.uk toddleaboutsuffolk suffolk_TA toddleabout
MEET THE TEAM
Pia - Owner/Editors/Advertising Sales
Eloise - Graphic Designer & Editor
Lorraine - Advertising & Customer Support
Becky - Office & Customer Support
11,000 copies of Toddle About Suffolk are distributed every quarter around Ipswich & East Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds & West Suffolk and Forest Heath & Thetford area. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information in Toddle About Suffolk is accurate and correct, we cannot guarantee that this is so and Toddle About Suffolk cannot and does not accept any liability for loss, damage or problems arising from any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in content, nor from actions taken by readers based on information or opinions presented in advertisements or throughout the magazine. Images and information supplied by 3rd parties have been accepted in good faith and all liability for any legal transgression including breach of copyright remains with the supplying parties. Toddle About Suffolk, 3 Winchester Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3QT. Call us on 07748 020141.
April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 3
MONDAY
Funday Monday @ Home A signature Hartbeeps Session... Its Fun Fun Fun all the way!
NEW Podcasts TUESDAY Coming Soon Tuesday Tales @ Home The Frazzled A lovely story, followed by a lovely song and some fun Grown-ups ideas for Tuesday Tales @ around the home wind down WEDNESDAY and Duvet Day @ Home Baby Bells useful tips and lullaby's Bring your duvet or just stay in bed, its snuggle up fun today with muscial story telling and excellent den building ideas for your Little Bundle THURSDAY Competitions Arts and crafts and more...
Teeny Tiny Thursday @ Home A gentle session for our tiniest Little Hartbeepers; Baby Bells. All welcome to take part with your best baby, teddy or dolly
FRIDAY
Lots of lovely stuff Funky Friday @ Home to keep Little Lets dress-up in whatever takes your fancy, PJ's and a Hartbeepers and fabulous sunhat would look great! their grown-ups SUNDAY busy bee's having Sunday Mash Up @ Home BIG fun all week long For all the family, its time to boogie around your kitchen, a great start to the day
www.hartbeeps.com
4 April-June 2020 Toddle About
Hartbeeps BRINGING SOME MAGIC SPRINKLES TO YOU Written by Liz Robertson
In these uncertain and challenging times, we wanted to try and bring some Magic Sprinkles to you and your little ones. We’ve set up Hartbeeps @ Home online so that our current little Hartbeepers can continue joining in with familiar songs, see some of their favourite puppet characters, and have lots of fun. To bring them a little bit of Hartbeeps most days, we’ve put together a weekly schedule which includes a mix of activities. Our current Hartbeepers will be able to enjoy the rest of their Spring Term online, and class families will be able to connect via our Facebook Group. This is also available to new families if you would like to join us. We’re starting with a 3-week block online, and you can book in or find further details via the link below. Stay safe everyone. Liz x To book your session visit https://www.bookmyclass.co.uk/hartbeeps/?FID=113
Are you running your sessions online? Toddle About can help you promote them! The Toddle About website now allows parents to search for the new 'virtual' classes and events that are springing up everywhere. List your online sessions for FREE. wwww.toddlebout.co.uk
April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 5
Easter Activities jigsaw puzzle
Easter Sunday
12th April
easter egg hunt
The Easter Egg Hunt is an annual tradition for many families - our children look forward to it almost as much as Christmas! But keeping it fresh each year can be challenge, so here’s a great hunt idea that is a little different. You’ll need a few simple items: • Plain jigsaw puzzle (Amazon) or bought puzzle • Paint/Colouring Pens • Plastic Eggs (craft shop) 1. If you’re drawing your own design onto a plain puzzle, do this first. You could make an Easter Bunny puzzle, or personalise it with your child’s name or hand/foot prints. Make sure that each piece of the puzzle has some part of the writing or picture on it. Let this dry and break up the puzzle.
2. Place 1-2 pieces of the made or bought puzzle in each plastic egg. 3. Now the fun begins! Hide the eggs around your home and/ or garden. Then let your little one loose to find all the eggs. 4. When your little one returns with their eggs, pop open the eggs and have fun making the puzzle. The prize can be the jigsaw itself or you can give them an additional prize too. Have fun!
Craft courtesy of Mummy Blogger ‘Make The Best Of Everything’ www.makethebestofeverything.com
growing EGG
cress HeadS
You’ll need a few simple items: • Washed egg shells (break them as near to the top as possible so you have a large egg shell to work with)
• • • •
Cress seeds Cotton wool Googly eyes and glue (optional) Egg box
(or something to stand the cress heads in)
1. Draw a character onto your egg shell. You can be as creative as you like. Use googly eyes and draw the mouth on with a pen.
66 April-June April-June2020 2020Toddle ToddleAbout About
2. Put 2 or 3 damp cotton wool balls into the egg shell. 3. Sprinkle cress seeds on top of the cotton wool. 4. Leave them in a sunny spot and wait for them to grow. 5. If the cotton wool dries out add a little extra water. The cress heads will grow really quickly. In 2 days they will have a head of hair and after 4 days they’ll be ready for a hair cut. Craft courtesy of ‘messy little monster’. for more fun ideas visit www.messylittlemonster.com
Suffolk Babies go online BY KATIE MACKENZIE In these uncertain times, we all need a bit of normality and to see friendly faces. That’s why at Suffolk Babies we are running interactive online classes and a whole load of support. From pregnancy and birthing classes to baby and toddler sessions, as well as our Fitmumas workouts, classes run across the week to give you and your children some structured options to fill your day. We are excited to tell you that we have now taken all of our courses online, providing you with the opportunity (albeit virtually) to still socialise with us and other parents like you. During our interactive sessions we can all talk together and enjoy each other’s company, whilst helping both our children’s and our own mental and physical health and wellbeing.
And of course its not going to stop here. Visit our award-winning, not-for-profit social enterprise at www.suffolkbabies.co.uk and join our friendly, caring community. Look out for further news about how we plan to offer you even more through our all new online programme of classes and support, via a new membership scheme launching through our website in April. While we are experiencing huge changes in the way we live our daily lives, Suffolk Babies wants to make sure we remain a constant in your lives. Visit www.suffolkbabies.co.uk for virtual classes and support in a unique package, from pregnancy to preschool.
Rice Krispie Easter Eggs These Rice Krispie treats are so yummy and marshmallow-y that they are usually gobbled up within a day.
Ingredients per colour for 6 eggs: • 3 cups of Rice Krispie cereal • Food Colouring • 3 tbsp of salted butter (we used pink, purple, • 3 cups of mini marshmallows yellow, green and blue) Instructions for a single batch of eggs You will need to make five batches of Rice Krispie treat mixture - one for each of the five Easter Egg colours: 1. Melt the butter in a medium pan. 2. Add 3 cups of mini marshmallows and stir until the they are completely melted on a low to medium heat. (If the heat is too high this the eggs will turn out hard). 3. Take the pan off the heat. Add food colouring and mix. 4. Add the Rice Krispie cereal and mix until it is completely covered with the marshmallow mixture.
5. Allow the Rice Krispie mixture to cool slightly for 4-5 minutes. You need the mixture to still be pliable but not burning hot to the touch. 6. Cover your hands in a small bit of butter, grab a handful of the mixture and then use your hands to lightly form the Easter Eggs. 7. Allow Rice Krispie Bites to cool. Repeat for the other four colours. Eat and enjoy!
Recipe provided by Two Sisters Crafting - two sisters that love to craft and bake. For crafts, April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 7 do-it-yourself home projects, party planning and baking, check out www.twosisterscrafting.com
Make an EASTER BUNNY BONNET! Try out this egg-citing activity with your little ones! You will need: • Easter bonnet • Felt sheets • Ribbon • Pom-poms • Pipe cleaners
1. Cut out four felt bunny ear shapes in the same colour as your Easter bonnet. 2. Cut out two smaller white felt inner ear shapes. Glue these to two of the larger ears. 3. Twist two pipe cleaners together at one end. Bend them into the ear shape then glue them to the back of an ear (with white inner), then glue an ear shape (without white inner) to the back of this to cover the pipe cleaner. Repeat for the second ear.
Glue it onto the bonnet along with two pink circles for cheeks, ribbon for the whiskers, a pom-pom for the nose, two white pom-poms as eyes, then add two black felt circles for the pupils.
4. Take the ears and push the end of the pipe cleaners through the top of the bonnet. Secure them by twisting the pipe cleaner ends together inside the hat. Trim the ends and cover with a square of felt. 6. Finally, tie a bow around the bonnet and add 5. To create teeth, draw a black line down more pom-poms! the centre of a small piece of white felt.
The Works is the UK’s leading family friendly retailer of value gifts, arts, crafts, toys, books and stationery. All craft supplies for this activity are available at www.theworks.co.uk. Images c/o @littlebuttondiaries
Outstanding nursery near Christchurch park two year old places available now! Our privately run Montessori offers your child the best start in their journey for independence. Our nursery building is purpose built with a large secure garden, outdoor classroom and brand new play equipment. We use outsourced professionals to come in and provide extra activities.
Dance Tuesdays
Yoga Wednesdays
Forest School Fridays
So if you are looking for a kind and caring nursery, we can offer that personal touch, with our highly qualified staff. Book a visit by calling or emailing Emma, on 01473 253619 or emma@smallworldkindergarten.co.uk 8 April-June 2020 Toddle About
THE CREATION STATION
Guinnes World Record™ Attempt Join ‘Our Creative Face’ the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ attempt to create the largest online gallery of portraits. With creativity such an essential part of learning, leisure and life, The Creation Station is launching daily streamed creative activities as part of their #ImagineNation campaign. This launches on Thursday 26th March at 11.00am with a positive and fun official GUINNESS WORLD RECORD™ attempt; called ‘Our Creative Face’. The goal is to produce the largest online gallery of completely collaged portraits made from everyday materials (no paint!) over the next few months. The Creation Station have put together a special ‘Our Creative Face’ Fun Arty Box to help you do this activity at home, with templates and materials to use for just £9.99 with free delivery.
As part of The Creation Station’s ‘Buy One Inspire One’ campaign, £1 from every sale goes towards food banks. Sarah Cressall Founder of The Creation Station stated ‘I’m delighted we are able to support families in isolation with our new daily streamed creative activities, a fun world record challenge and craft packs to enjoy activities at home’ . You can download a template to collage your portrait, or simply collage a piece of paper and upload a photograph of the artwork to www.ourcreativeface.com. Share your artwork with #OurCreativeFace and tag three friends to inspire them to get creative, each week a winner will be selected to win a craft pack. Visit our FB page at #ImagineNation - daily inspiration for families in isolation, join in the fun!
For further info visit www.ourcreativeface.com
MINI FIRST AID SUFFOLK
First Aid Course At Home Award-winning first aid experts unveil two-hour course parents can learn from the safety of their own home. Mini First Aid, the multi-award winning brand delivering truly engaging first aid courses to parents and families, is thrilled to unveil the launch of its 2-hour online course. With the current global Coronavirus crisis, Kate Ball, mum of six and Founder of Mini First Aid wanted to offer parents an easy option to complete the 2-hour first aid course from the safety of their own home. The invaluable course has been developed by Mini First Aid in partnership with an E-learning platform, who are First Aid Industry Body recommended. The course has been developed so it is interactive, it also confirms understanding and tests learning – making it truly engaging.
Once complete parents feel confident in the knowledge they’ve just learned. Like the award-winning practical classes, the online course covers CPR, Choking, Bumps, Burns, Breaks, Bleeding, Febrile Seizures & Meningitis Awareness. The course takes 2 hours but can be paused or returned back to, which will be perfect if parents are distracted or called away by their little one. Just £20 and 2 hours of your time could give you the knowledge and the skills to save a child’s life. Every online booking will receive a £10 voucher off a Mini First Aid Suffolk 2 hour practical class valid for 12 months to enable follow up practical elements if preferred.
Written by Naomi Cooper
To book your course today visit: April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk https://Suffolk.minifirstaid.co.uk/classes/online
9
Mister Maker Melon Fans cool yourself down with a gigantic melon slice!
L N E E D: YOU WIL te aper pla p » White ick » Glue st pink and dark ls n e a » Gre ri te g ma colourin rs) e rk a m r (paints o ers dot stick » Black ick st y en loll » Wood
FOLLOW OUR HANDY INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE A WATERMELON FAN: 1. Fold old and glue a paper plate in half. 2. Colour the folded plate to look like a watermelon slice: 3. Colour olour the rim of the paper plate green, to look like the rind. 4. Leave eave a small border white and then colour the centre entre of the plate pink, to look like the flesh. 5. Add black dots to the pink section of the melon to look like the seeds. 6. Glue a lolly stick to the back of the plate to make a handle.
Join the Mister Maker Club and receive an exciting new art project every two weeks. From gloopy glue to crazy crayons, every box contains all the materials you need, plus a brilliant activity book and a collectable sticker for your wall chart.
Suffolk Woman’s Wellness Centre OFFERS SUPPORT THROUGH ALL LIFE PHASES Written by Nina Parnham
I have been thinking about how I could find a way to support you, keep your spirits up and keep you motivated whilst you are spending so much time at home, and without the usual outlets to engage in wellness activities. We are having to entertain, teach, support and nourish our families for longer periods without a break, and some are having to manage this and work from home. We certainly need to carve out some time for ourselves in order to feel wellbalanced. I have therefore, created a private facebook group where I will be posting exercise videos of 15 minutes to 60 minutes, so you can fit in some exercise into your day when you can. I will be recording barre, core, toning, yoga, HIIT and pregnancy workouts for you, so hopefully we can cover everything I already offer. Sadly, my bath is too small to get an Aqua workout to you all! 10 April-June 2020 Toddle About
I will be posting regular tips, recipes and sharing links to sites I follow and use that give great advice on health. Please research for yourself, I am not advocating everything they do on their sites, and some of the recipes and suggestions may not be right for you. So please ask if you have any questions. All I ask is that ladies who want unlimited access to this group pay a one off £10, so I can keep posting good content and keep working. I will keep up the content and access to everyone who joins for as long as we are socially isolating and needing this channel of support. The link to gain access is below. Once you have purchased your membership, I will authorise access to the group. https://swwc.as.me/onlineworkout I hope you enjoy being part of a local Suffolk community of women. For further info visit www.swwcuk.com
Phonics With Robot Reg
HAVE DECIDED TO BRING REG TO YOU! BY LOUISE HALLAM
We may not be able to meet physically, but we most certainly can continue our fun virtually.
We will offer a week of ideas based around a nursery rhyme and add downloadable activities too!
As a team we have designed a Facebook group with daily content to support you and your little ones. We may have to self-isolate, but we (as mums) feel it is incredibly important to maintain contact with one another and support each other though these difficult times.
Each afternoon we will have “ask the teacher anything” slot where a primary school teacher will be on hand to answer any questions. So if you don’t know your comparative adjectives from your common nouns they will be on hand to help!
You can join the group on a rolling weekly basis, ceasing membership at any point you feel you would like. There is no minimum term. We would just like you to join us as long as you feel it benefits you and your little ones. As a member of our group you will be able to access daily at home ideas for all children, videos from different class leaders including dancing, singing, rhyme time and stories and live classes for babies all the way to year one. There will be different classes each day including Saturday!
Membership of the group is just £7 a week, which you can choose to stop at any time. The link to join our group is: wwwrobotreg.co.uk/pages/manningtree-clactonnorth-colchester-and-surrounding-areas Alternatively you can contact me if you would like any more help or information: louise@robotreg.co.uk Tel: 07957 688101 For further info visit www.robotreg.co.uk
April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 11
FA
T F I Y G K N U F & B
THE LATEST AND FUNKIEST PRODUCTS FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES
MARY KAY 3D MIRACLE SET, FROM £20 Younger looks in just 4 weeks. 4 simple steps to stunning looking skin this Spring. Daily cleansing and 24/7 moisturising plus brighter firmer looking eyes & less wrinkles. Perfect skincare for busy mums. 3D foundation, flawless oil-absorbing formula for oily skin and moisturising formula for dry skin. Blends evenly with medium-to-full coverage. www.marykay.co.uk/rubaiswd
RHS GET GROWING, £14.99 A beautifully illustrated guide to growing plants indoors and out. For parents and children who enjoy engaging with the outdoors and want to do more activities together, the book explains how plants work, the building blocks of gardening and how to grow everything from cacti to cucumbers. www.amazon.co.uk
READER PRODUCT REVIEW Subscribe to the magazine and become a VIP Club member and you can review products too! (plus you get to keep the product). Sign-up at www.toddle.fun/vip 12 April-June 2020 Toddle About
MY LITTLE COCO: MY LITTLE EVERYTHING BALM, £5.99 The magical multi-tasking miracle worker that you can’t live without. Soothes dry skin. Tames frizz, flyaways and split ends. For little knees after a day of adventure. Dab onto cheekbones for a natural highlight. Super gentle with lots of natural ingredients, and completely fragrance free. www.boots.co.uk
MINI UV PORTABLE STERILISER, £19.99 The Munchkin Mini UV Portable Steriliser kills 99.99%* of bacteria and viruses in just 59 seconds! Perfect for disinfecting small, everyday items such as dummies and bottle teats at home or on the go. Compact, portable, fast working, and super simple to use. Pop it in your bag or fastening onto bag straps or buggies www.amazon.co.uk
THE MAGICAL UNDERWATER ACTIVITY BOOK, £9.99 It is entirely correct that the word “magical” should be part of the title of this elegant and captivating book. Mia Underwood has combined her creativity with science to offer children a stunning insight into the world’s oceans. It contains a huge amount of content with a wide range of activities, including prompts for writing stories, colouring, craft templates, games and stickers all designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and creativity. A perfect resource for a rainy day, the book also educates about plastics in our oceans in an age appropriate and thoughtful way. Written by Helen Ballantyne. Buy from www.amazon.co.uk (Review has been edited).
FREE online Boogie Babes sessions FROM THE COMFORT & SAFETY OF YOUR HOME Written by Luan Hockley
Join in with FREE online interactive Boogie Babes sessions - ‘Boogie Babes Live!’ from the comfort & safety of your own home. Boogie Babes is Music & Movement fun for all ages, full of action songs, props, wiggles and giggles! We run 3 live sessions a week via the Facebook Page BoogieBabesNewmarket on Mondays at 10am, Wednesdays at 2pm and Fridays at 10am. Online Birthday Parties are also available and ‘Boogie Babes Bitesize’, fun singalong videos, via the Boogie Babes Newmarket YouTube channel. In such uncertain, stressful times, my aim is to still bring smiles to everyone, and for 45/50 minutes, just to immerse yourself, with your little ones!...And have lots of FUN.
My name is Luan (or Lu Lu to the children!) And I started Boogie Babes Newmarket nearly 2 years ago and up until recently, I was running 6 sessions per week including Pre-School visits, Care Home sessions and Boogie Babes Birthday Parties. This all ended overnight and I was left devastated. More so as I would miss seeing all my wonderful Boogie Babes. But I am determined to “Keep the Boogies going!” I am asking those who can and would like to donate to support Boogie Babes Newmarket during these uncertain times, via the donation page. The link is below, and is always, very much appreciated. Thank you for all your continued support. Lets all shake our sillies out! Lu Lu x Donation Page Link: www.gofundme.com/f/boogie-babessupporting-the-wiggles-amp-giggles
Sponsor a Redwings rescued horse Sponsor a rescued horse or donkey from as little as £15 a year and you’ll receive an adoption pack including your new friend’s story and a stunning photo, plus access to their online diary. Do your little ones like horsing around? Trot over to our website and check out the
Young Reds At Home Academy! www.redwings.org.uk/adopt 01508 481000 April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 13
HAPPY BIRTHDA!Y TO YOU
Birthday SHOUTOUT
BIRTHDAY COMPETITION WINNER
Thank you to everyone who entered the New Year Birthday Shoutout competition. We hope you enjoy looking through the entries as much as we have. Congratulations go to Luca Foulger who won a Cake Smash Photography Session courtesy of Life is Beautiful Photography. Unfortunately, we're unable to print all the entries, below is a selection of some of the entries. Want to see your child here in our next issue? If their birthday is from July - Sept, send us their photo at www.toddle.fun/birthday
Winner
Luca Foulger, turnin
g 1 years old
Ethan Ian Pomfrett, turning 1 years old
Harry Carleton, turning 4 years old
Bailey Clarke, turning 1 years old
Dylan Robert Pritchard, turning 2 years old
Polly Arabella Brett, turning 1 years old
Zahra Abdalla, turning 1 years old
Cooper Genuino, turning 4 years old
Aurelia Jean Hollands, turning 1 years old
Audley Issey Siladaj-Walker, turning 2 years old
River Ridley, turning 1 years old
Jesse Henry, turning 3 years old
Sophia, turning 2 years old
Lillian Hamilton, turning 1 years old
Oliver South, turning 2 years old
Raya May Bailey-Pinto, turning 4 years old
Willow Rose Dodd, turning 2 years old
Elliot Stanford, turning 2 years old
Evie Violet Boniface, turning 3 years old
14 April-June 2020 Toddle About
Rocky Wilby, turning 4 years old
Arlo Gray, turning 1 years old
Birthday Shoutout Entries continued...
Savannah Rose Helen Smith, turning 1 years old
Teddy Jude Battley, turning 1 years old
Thomas Gill, turning 3 years old
George Henry, turning 1 years old
Primrose May Marie Mulley, turning 2 years old
Nora Bendell, turning 1 years old
Thomas Durrant, turning 1 years old
Elodie Rose Flockhart, turning 1 years old
Lily-Rosà Moore, turning 1 years old
Henry Calver, turning 1 years old
Talia Rosa Harris, turning 2 years old
Sophie Catalina Ranson, turning 1 years old
Ava Ashford, turning 2 years old
Joseph Mount, turning 1 years old
Kian Anthony Charles Fosker, turning 1 years old
COMPETITION
Birthday SHOUTOUT
WIN A BIRTHDAY PARTY AT CLIP ‘N CLIMB!
WORTH £199
Enter your name into our BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT competition to win a Soft Play Birthday Party to help you celebrate your little one’s big day. HOW TO ENTER: If your child’s birthday falls in July, August or September, simply send us a picture of them with the date of their birthday, and we will pop their picture in the next magazine to wish them a happy birthday!
THE PRIZE: An hour long party for up to 20 children at Clip ’n Climb Ipswich including a fully hosted birthday party (food & drinks included), free use of soft play and free party e-invites.
We will put every birthday boy or girl’s name in a hat and you can win a Soft Play Birthday Party courtesy of Clip ’n Climb Ipswich, worth £199.
Dates are subject to availability and party can only be booked mid-week during school term.
Party suitable for ages 1-5 years.
Submit your photo by Sunday 7th June.
www.toddle.fun/suffolkbirthday For more information visit
T&C’s apply - all online at www.toddleabout.co.uk/birthday/. The winner will be decided by
Suffolk. WeToddle will print About as many entries as possible in our next issue. 2Toddle AprilAbout - June 2020
The
www.ipswich.clipnclimb.co.uk icon tells you which advertisers have a voucher the centre pages April-June 2020 Toddle in About Suffolk 15
16 April-June 2020 Toddle About
LITTLE SIGNERS CLUB SUFFOLK
Opened its ‘virtual doors’ Little Signers Club Suffolk opened its ‘virtual doors’ on the 21 March. We are offering Baby Signing Basics ™ and Sing, Sign and Rhyme ™ online. I chose to postpone my face to face classes not wanting to put anyone at risk so moved to an online platform. The online offering is a wonderful mix of self-paced topics followed up with a teacher led session for everyone who is taking part. There is a wealth of information available to you for example Babysigning tips and techniques, signing videos, nursery rhymes, and helpful topic guides. A new topic is released every week, for you to go through at your leisure, and these build up, over your time together, into a wonderful baby signing treasury for you, and your little one.
You’ll get an email to let you know when a new topic is waiting for you and your weekly call will focus on the topic of the week with time to go through signs, ask questions and learn the nursery rhyme of the week. I have also moved my ‘Introduction to Signing” sessions online too, perfect for anyone who wants to get started with Babysigning. The current term has begun but if you want to join me here is how to get in touch: Contact Ali: alison@littlesignersclub.co.uk Tel: 07720 349424 LittleSignersClubSuffolk Baby signing the Little Signers Club way. Taught by experts ~ delivered with love – Online Written by Alison Hobson
For further info visit www.littlesignersclub.co.uk
Win a Family Break at COMPETITION
Darwin Escapes
Win a 5* family self-catering holiday for up to 6 people with Darwin Escapes! You can have a family staycation to remember if you win this prize to holiday with Darwin Escapes. Choose to escape to the seaside or head for an adventure in the country - wherever you venture, their sumptuous self-catering accommodation means you’ll have the perfect UK family holiday. You can choose to spend your holiday in one of Darwin Escapes’ 19 resorts in some of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations such as Devon, Cornwall and North Wales. THE PRIZE The winner will receive a family break (off-peak, 4 night mid-week stay Monday – Friday) staying in a standard accommodation for 6 people at one of Darwin Escapes’ 19 holiday resorts (subject to availability). T&C’s apply - all online at www.toddle.fun/darwin
HOW TO ENTER Enter via Facebook at www.toddle.club/darwin - simply comment on the post to enter. Competition ends midnight Sun 14 June 2020.
Enter at www.toddle.fun/darwin For more information about Darwin Escapes visit www.darwinescapes.co.uk
April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 17
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THIS QUARTER WE’RE GIVING AWAY:
FOREST SCHOOL ACTIVITY CARDS Pocket sized cards offering 48 games, crafts and skill-building activities to enjoy outdoors, worth over £10
LITTLE TIKES: LITTLE BABY BUM GIFT BUNDLE Twinkle the Star Plush, Singing Storybook and Wiggling Wheels on the Bus from the Little Baby Bum range, worth £60
BONDS WONDERSUIT Comfy stretchy cotton and cute prints with a unique two-way zip function making changing your baby easy, worth £20
GOOD BUBBLE: GRUFFALO PRICKLY PEAR BATH TIME GIFT SET
SUBS CR BEFO IBE 30TH RE JU TO W NE IN
LITTLE TIKES: MY FIRST MIGHTY BLASTERS
Grubby Gruffalo Hair & Body Wash, Little Softy Moisturiser and Gruffalo cuddly toy, worth £10
Launch two power pods at once with the Dual Blaster! With 6 colourful power pods, worth £25
MR TUMBLE WOODEN STACKING TRAIN
HEY DUGEE WOODEN PUZZLE CLOCK
Introduces fine motor skills, colour and shape recognition, matching and sorting skills, worth over £12.99
CHILDS FARM FIG RANGE Their much-loved organic fig range now also boasts an indulgent body wash and the bubbliest bubble bath, worth £4
Teaching children how to tell the time. The clock come with 12 pieces to allow children to count, sort and place, worth £12
MR TUMBLE WOODEN SHAPE SORTER Place the right shapes throughout the sorting bus. Encourages co-ordination and confidence, worth £19.99
SUBSCRIBE TODAY & GO VIP www.toddle.fun/vip 18 April-June 2020 Toddle About
You can cancel any time. For full terms and conditions are online.
VIP CLUB READER REVIEW: Hape Cupcakes, worth £19.50 Written by Charlotte Dawes
What a sweet treat! When my son opened this on his 3rd birthday, he was immediately enamoured by the vibrant colours and creative potential that these cupcakes provide. There was no tuition required to show him how to connect the pieces and he instantly set to work creating his favourite sweet treat – chocolate and strawberry cake! Since then, he has played with them every day and we have had endless fun re-enacting “Happy Birthday” using the candle piece atop a different cake combination each time. These cupcakes have given my son the chance to be creative with flavour combinations, all the while using his growing vocabulary to describe to me what he has made. Each piece of the toy has been beautifully shaped to fit together, snug enough so that the cakes do not fall apart and yet not too tightly that a toddler’s little hands cannot
easily manoeuvre the parts – so it helps to develop fine motor skills, without causing any frustration from being too difficult to enjoy. The only weakness would be the candle piece, which is not stable enough to stay in place whenever my son carried the cupcakes around the room. I would pitch this toy for children aged 2 and upwards, in terms of the motor skills required to play with it. However, my 9 month old daughter has also enjoyed the feel of each cake piece in her mouth, especially the flexible silicone icing topping. Overall, it’s a brilliant toy, sensibly priced, and one that will bring enjoyment for both younger and older children, and even the adults! I would highly recommend it as a way to encourage role play, creativity and increasing any toddler’s vocabulary. Purchase from: www.amazon.co.uk
Charlotte was given this Hape Cupcakes as a freebie for writing the review. Subscribe to Toddle About and go VIP and you can do the same! Subscribe at www.toddle.fun/vip
Jo Jingles GOES LIVE
BY KATIE FITZMAURICE
If you are missing your normal class then look no further...Jo Jingles Ipswich is offering fun music and movement sessions online! The sessions are designed to be for mixed ages from babies through to pre-schoolers and beyond! Sessions are running every morning at 10am on the ‘Jo Jingles Ipswich goes live’ facebook group. Current Jo Jingles Ipswich customers have free access to the page but anyone can join! There is a £10 fee for the two weeks w/c 23rd March and w/c 30th March. For this you will receive 30 minute daily, live sessions starting at 10am.
That’s just £1 per session and 5 hours of entertainment!
It’s not too late to join as the best bit is the live sessions are saved to the page so you can access them as and when you like and as many times as you like! As you can see the from the pictures these sessions are proving really popular already! If you would like to get on board just send a request to join ‘Jo Jingles Ipswich goes live’ on Facebook and answer the questions. Let’s get your little ones smiling and dancing! For further info email ipswichjingles@gmail.com April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 19 19
First Time Mum
How to Safeguard Your Mental Health One in five new mums experience mental health problems, commonly with low mood and anxiety. Becoming a mum for the first time is a big transition and can present significant challenges to your emotional wellbeing. You may find it difficult to adjust to your new identity, to the new social elements of motherhood, or experience challenges in your relationships. Your body is recovering, and you are psychologically and neurologically adjusting to becoming a parent and responding to your baby’s needs. Add in a heavy dose of sleep deprivation and it’s no wonder that it can be a vulnerable time.
ANXIETY Anxiety in early motherhood can manifest in different ways: frequent upsetting thoughts that your baby will be injured; overwhelming urges to clean or perform other ritualistic behaviours; a physical, gut-wrenching, heart-pounding feeling of dread that something is wrong, or that something terrible is about to happen, when actually, things are OK. These often come together with physical symptoms, including sweating, shaking and dizziness.
DEP RES S I O N Depression in new mums could mean struggling to muster the motivation to get out of bed, to get washed, dressed, or to go anywhere outside your home. It can, however, be invisible to others; a happy, ‘normal’ version of you on the surface with the darkness hidden inside. You may feel numb, a lack of joy in your new baby, and little interest in doing the things your normally enjoy. You may struggle to sleep, even when you have the opportunity.
If any of this is familiar, and persists beyond the first couple of weeks, then it’s important to seek support. Talk to your Health Visitor or your GP. If you find it difficult to explain how you feel, take your partner or a friend with you for support.
Here are 3 key steps you can take to help safeguard your mental health as a new mum: 1. Don’t believe everything you think: thoughts are not facts! Our minds are complex and incredible, and can just as easily imagine a terrible accident as they can a pink elephant dancing on the moon playing a violin. Thank your mind for ensuring you are doing a good job of keeping your baby safe, then move on. 2. Make sure your expectations are realistic We are bombarded by images of beautiful babies and serene mothers, and well-intentioned comments like ‘cherish every moment’. These can undermine the struggles that new mums face, and leave you feeling as though you aren’t doing a good enough job. It’s time to recognise these unrealistic pressures and remember all the things you are doing well. 3. Get practical help It’s helpful to remember that, evolutionarilyspeaking, humans are designed to raise children in large family units, so if you feel like you are struggling without much help, this is totally normal. It’s not you, it’s society! Consider having a checklist of things that regularly need doing (e.g. put a load of washing on) so when people ask if they can do anything to help, you can say yes!
Dr Carla Runchman is a mum of two, clinical psychologist and author of ‘Mama Notes’, a notebook for the first 12 weeks of motherhood to help mums focus on their emotional wellbeing. www.mamadiary.co.uk Disclaimer: This article does not constitute medical advice. If you are struggling with any aspect of your mental health, talk to your Health Visitor or GP. 20 April-June 2020 Toddle About
20
AG CONTACT CENTRE
Keeping Families Connected Keeping Families Connected is the ethos behind the opening of a new Child Contact Centre in Thurston, near Bury St. Edmunds. AG Contact Centre (AGCC) provides a much needed resource for supporting families with their contact needs in East Anglia. The corona virus pandemic has necessitated AGCC to adopt its video technology-based systems to facilitate introduction meetings and ‘virtual contact sessions’, in place of the usual face-toface interactions This is a temporary solution, to address contact needs in the current health crisis. AGCC and its service users benefit from the wealth of experience the company has in technologybased innovations in its work with children and families. AGCC comes under the umbrella of its parent company: AG Family Support Ltd. Our contact supervisors can facilitate sessions whilst safeguarding personal confidentiality needs and remaining in complete control of the virtual meeting.
AG Family Support Ltd. founders are Arthur & Emily Gajewski, a Consultant Social Worker and Child and Adult Psychotherapist. They draw on their experience to ensure that child contact services it offers through AGCC’s are of the highest quality and reflect the company’s core values: “Meaningful contact between a child and their significant others is one of the main cornerstones of a healthy identity development process. Our Contact Services ensures families have ample opportunity to achieve those fundamental needs “.
Written by Arthur Gajewski
For more information visit www.agfamilysupport.com/contactcentres
3-5 JULY 2020, EASTON FARM PARK
Maverick Festival THE MAVERICK FESTIVAL, BORN IN 2008, IS NOW THE UK’S LEADING AMERICANA EVENT BECOMING A BEACON FOR ROOTS MUSIC FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC. Come and join UKs first and finest Americana music festival in the idyllic setting of Easton Farm Park with film, workshops and performances form over fifty artists across six stages indoors and out. The music begins on Friday at 5pm and runs until around 11.30pm. Saturday’s programme starts at 11am and finishes around 11.30pm. Sunday is altogether more relaxed beginning around 10.30am and running until approximately 2.30pm. We are giving you the chance to win 2x Saturday Tickets for 2 adults and up to 4 children to Maverick Festival on 4th July 2020 at Easton Farm Park, worth £200. Closing date is Sunday 7th June 2020.
Enter online at www.toddle.fun/maverickfestival WIN FESTIVAL TICKETS
WIN 2X SATURDAY TICKETS -for 2 adults and up to 4 children
n farm park, worth £200 April-June April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 21 to maverick festival on saturday 4th july 2020 at easto
Loving life with little ones
Discover what’s on for little ones online Just enter your child's age, and away you go...!
Check out the NEW Toddle About website today
www.toddleabout.co.uk
22 April-June 2020 Toddle About 2 April-June 2020 Toddle About
ALPHA PHYSIOTHERAPY
does your child complain of pain? The clinic may be closed for now, but we’re still here to help! Why not take this opportunity to find out what’s up with your child via a video consultation? School’s out, hobbies are on hold and the world is a very bizarre and scary place to be right now. However, some children still complain of pain and parents/carers have concerns about how their child is developing. At Alpha Physiotherapy we are delighted to be able to offer video consultations where we can discuss (and see!) what issues your child is having and provide a treatment plan to improve them. Now is an excellent time to finally get those aches and pains explained or find out why your child’s walking looks strange. You might be thinking “how can they tell me what’s wrong and get my child better without even seeing them in the flesh?!” We are experts at diagnosing issues, and just taking a detailed history of the problem often tells us a lot about what may be going
on with a child because we have seen it before and know what helps. If your child has or displays any of the following, they are an ideal candidate for a video consultation: Pain in the legs, knees, ankles or back; walking with their feet turned in and/or tripping frequently; walking on their toes; inability or reluctance to participate in physical activity due to pain or cramping. This is not an exhaustive list so please get in touch if you have any queries about whether we might be able to help your child. Written by Lyndsey Reynolds
For more info visit www.alpha-physio.co.uk or call 01473 561060
Water Babies SUPPORTING FAMILIES DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES Written by Bex Succamore
Water Babies made the extremely difficult decision to suspend all our classes the same evening that the Government advised that everyone should avoid social contact with others and stop non-essential travel to help fight coronavirus. We pride ourselves on being a responsible brand and we promise our customers that we will always put the safety and well being of your child above anything else, therefore we are proud that we made this decision in a timely manner.
We may be out of the water for now but we are working hard to support our Water Babies family through this difficult time. We have videos of skills that can be practiced at home, boredom-busting activities for little ones and we are available to answer any queries or questions that our swimmers or future swimmers may have. As time progresses and we can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, we will be ready to jump back into the water and pick up where we left off. If you have been thinking about joining us then now is a great time to find out all about Water Babies.
For further info visit www.waterbabies.co.uk or email blastoff@waterbabies.co.uk April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk
23
Practical techniques to help manage children’s worries Anxiety and worries are on the increase in young children and it’s reported that even those as young as 4 years old are starting to display signs of panic attacks. By using the following simple strategies from an early age parents can help their children manage feelings of anxiety and ensure they have tools to call on whenever they are worried or anxious.
1. And breathe… When we’re feeling anxious, our breathing becomes shallower and this can create the sensation that it’s a struggle to breathe. A common misconception is that the solution is to ‘take a nice deep breath’. In fact, doing the opposite – blowing the excess air out – helps to calm things down. Practice this with your children in advance of a problem to ensure they know what to do should feelings of panic strike. Toys and games can help children to do this and some examples are: a hand-held windmill toy with sails some bubble mixture to blow through a wand blowing balloons blowing bubbles in a drink through a straw blow football blow a feather from one side of the table to another You can also ask your child to scrunch up their hand and simply imagine that they’re blowing up a balloon or paper bag – long, slow breathing out is what’s required.
by Alicia Eaton
2. Let’s pretend… Discuss situations such as a doctor’s visit in advance, rather than taking your child by surprise. From the age of two years, you can start using dolls, teddy bears and story-telling to help explain what the visit will entail. Take turns at playing ‘Doctors’ by giving a favourite teddy an injection or a dental examination. Older children might have a favourite TV character or super-hero and you could ask them to think about what they think this character would do if faced with the same challenging situation that they’re in at the moment.
3. Mindfulness made easy We often hear that living in the moment or ‘Mindfulness’ can reduce stress and greatly enhance the quality of our lives – it’s an excellent way of reducing your child’s feelings of anxiety. Young children are rarely still and quiet nowadays and it’s becoming harder for them to keep a lid on their emotions and think before they act. Achieving a state of complete silence, peace and calm is difficult for most children but a Mindfulness Jar is a useful way of teaching them how to be still: The mindfulness jar 1. Ask your child to fill an empty jar (the larger the better) almost to the brim with water and then tip in some glitter and close the lid tightly shut. 2. Vigorously shake the jar to spin the glitter pieces around and then sit calmly to watch the glitter pieces swirl around and eventually settle. 3. Count to see how long it takes – or use a stopwatch or clock and record the length of time in a notebook. Keeping a record will make it more interesting – next time will the pieces take longer to come to a complete standstill, or will it be quicker? This activity can also be used as a time-out exercise – so much better than the use of a ‘naughty step’!
Alicia Eaton is a children’s emotional wellbeing specialist based in Harley Street and author of First Aid for your Child’s Mind available on Amazon priced £12.99. To find out more go to: aliciaeaton.co.uk 24 April-June 2020 Toddle About
TinyTalk is changing BY CHARLOTTE LING The health and safety of everyone in our extended TinyTalk family – our community of class parents, their families and our teacher is of the utmost importance to us. Therefore, coming to a mobile phone, tablet, laptop, even a 55” TV screen near you is TinyTalk TV! Every week your favourite Baby Signing and Toddler Talking classes will be streamed LIVE straight to you and your family, at your usual time of your usual class, or CHOOSE your preference if you are new to TinyTalk. Our classes are already being delivered with GREAT success. “I think doing this is going to be really valuable. It will be precious time we can keep special to do something together. And I am definitely less lonely.” Our online classes are inclusive and interactive, and jam-packed full of all your favourite songs, signs and sensory activities.
TheBabyExpertsSuffolk
In addition we’ve also included song requests and games to get your little one involved, and of course, everyone’s much loved TinyTalk Ted! After the half hour lesson, there’s our usual highly valued ‘social and support’ time. We want everyone to check in on each other, catch up with each other and BE THERE for each other. “Thank you so much, TinyTalk, for keeping some ‘normality’ in our lives. We love the classes so much so it’s absolutely wonderful what you are now offering. Thank you!” Our TinyTalk community matters to us. Let us entertain you, educate you, keep you company and provide you with a strong close community. Click on the link to select your preferred E-Class, day and time. www.tinytalk.co.uk/charlottel Your 1st E-Class is free PLUS £4 off a block booking when quoting Toddle About
www.TheBabyExpertsSuffolk.co.uk April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 25
YOU’LL NEVER BE STUCK
for something to do AT HOME AGAIN... By Tim Freed, Founder of Toddle About
Here at Toddle About, we want to do as much as we can to help families through this tough time. And that’s not just families with little ones – but families with children of ALL ages. That’s why we’ve created Family Life at Home Overnight, families have been thrown into home schooling their children, and many of them are struggling. Teaching at home can be hard at the best of times - believe me, I know! We’ve been home educating our children for the last 7 years, and it’s not always a walk in the park. Fortunately, one upside of the COVID-19 crisis is that there has been an explosion of resources that we can tap into as parents to help us. Want to start learning martial arts in your living room? Take a virtual tour of the Natural History Museum? Get help with a maths problem? Ask Steve Backshall a question about animals? It’s ALL possible… and much more besides. In fact, it’s overwhelming. That’s where Family Life at Home comes in – it’s a central hub that brings together all the different resources that are available, and makes it easy to find what you need to educate and also entertain your children at home.
Try it now at www.familylifeathome.co.uk
It’s Really Easy to Use Pick your child’s age, then filter the options available by various criteria, such as the kind of resource you’re looking for, education topic or type of activity. You can even select today’s date to see all the live stream sessions that are running today. We hope you find it useful!
Try it now at www.familylifeathome.co.uk 26 April-June Toddle About If you know2020 someone who offers online resources for families, tell them they can add them to our site for free!
TUMBLE TOTS
Streaming LIVE on Facebook With all the uncertainty and negativity surrounding coronavirus at the moment, we are hoping to provide our members with some continuity and positivity via the wonders of social media.
In between our LIVE Facebook sessions, we have also been coming up with some other ways to keep little ones entertained during lock-down! These activities can be done with everyday objects. Follow us on Facebook TumbleTotsHQ or visit our website www.tumbletots.com
We know that you and your little ones will be missing classes for the foreseeable future so every day at 10am Tumble Tots (UK) Ltd will be streaming your favourite action songs and exercises LIVE on Facebook to keep children active, happy and entertained! Another idea to keep your children entertained and active in the home. Download our activity grid to print off and get little ones to colour in the tasks once they’ve been completed. For further info visit www.tumbletots.com
Five tips on play indoors CLAIRE RUSSELL, EARLY YEARS SPECIALIST & FOUNDER OF PLAYHOORAY Create a theme for your activities - playing around a theme can be really effective for young children and can bring all your activities together. Themes such as foods, shapes, colours and space not only help children to get excited, but can also you to think outside of the box. Take inspiration from anywhere - it’s amazing what can inspire small minds, from walking past a muddy puddle to spotting a ladybird in the kitchen, use everyday items or situations to inspire your play and go with what they are interested in. Extended activities - if you are investing your time (and energy!) to set up an activity, then use it wisely, like pretend role play. Once they are set up, they are often those that children return to over period of time. For example, a shop, where children can develop lots of different lines of play, will often be played with over a couple of weeks so set it up and leave it out. If it’s not being played with, just tweak it slightly - change it from a food shop to a pet shop with soft toys!
Always have in the back of your mind ‘Okay, after this what’s next?’. Have a little plan of activities you can do something quick, simple, easy to grab and set up. And as always if you’re stuck, grab a book! It can save you and your little ones getting stressed when there is little to do. Think novelty - kids love novelty, something new can be super exciting, so let them play somewhere they’ve never played before. Under the dining table, behind the sofa, in the hallway, in the sink, in an empty bath, in your bed, anywhere! Let them take their usual toys and all of a sudden they will think it’s amazing! And the same goes for their toys. Bring outdoor toys inside, take indoor toys out. Add plastic toys to bath time. Move toys from downstairs upstairs, and visa versa. Trust me, it can add a lease of life to old or ignored toys! Visit www.playhooray.co.uk for printable playPROMTS April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 27
Establishing a healthy relationship with food is important from a young age, but encouraging our children to eat healthily can feel like a constant battle for many parents.
Ways to Help Your Child
Love Food Charlotte Stirling-Reed, a specialist in child nutrition (also the nutritionist on Joe Wicks new book out May 2020) is working to help families create healthier and happier mealtimes and ensure that our children pick up the right ideas about what to eat and how to eat.
1
Not eating together
5
Giving up too early
2
Setting a bad example
6
Giving all your attention to the fussy eater
3
Setting too many mealtime rules
7
Forcing or coaxing your child into eating
4
Making separate meals
8
Using distractions such as televisions, toys or phones
The biggest bad habit we are all guilty of. Simple, but often challenging - aiming to sit and eat together whenever possible is the first step to healthy, happy mealtimes! Children learn the skills of eating, social skills and even what foods they enjoy by first copying others. If your own diet consists of chips and fried chicken, your children will soon pick up on that and want the same themselves. So even if it means changing some of your eating habits, it’s important that your child has an opportunity to see you eating and enjoying a healthy diet. Making mealtimes too pressured and setting mealtimes rules, such as clearing your plate, eating all your vegetables first, or sitting at the table until everyone has finished, can end up making mealtimes less enjoyable for kids. It is not uncommon for parents to make sperate meals for everyone in the family, or even for parents to create multiple meals for a single child at dinnertime, only to have each and every one rejected. Try and have one option that everyone eats. It’s good for you and your children to eat the same meals - seeing you eat similar foods will encourage them to eat a wider variety themselves.
Research has shown time and time again that babies and children learn to like what is familiar to them. If you offer your child broccoli and they reject it and you never offer it again, they won’t EVER learn to like it! In most instances, any attention given to food refusal simply encourages it, so don’t give all your attention to the fussy eater! Instead, give your attention to the people around the table, whether it be dad, brother or sister, who are eating well and enjoying their food.
Avoid trying to force or coax your child into eating, even if you’re worried they’re not consuming enough food. It can establish a negative relationship with food, and can also be dangerous. Young children are actually excellent at knowing when they are hungry and when they are full. If we override these signals, they are likely to have less understanding of their appetite as they grow older. According to the research undertaken by Stokke, over two thirds of parents try to use distractions to get their children to eat something unconsciously. However, this simply teaches your children that food is bad or unimportant.
“Be careful you are not teaching your children bad habits at mealtimes,” says child nutritionist Charlotte Stirling Reed, who advises thousands or parents at Stokke weaning and child nutrition workshops nationwide, www.stokke.com 28 April-June 2020 Toddle About
CLIP ‘N CLIMB IPSWICH
First purpose-built facility We opened the biggest Clip ‘n Climb in the world on Ransomes Europark in Ipswich back in July 2019 - it is the first purposebuilt facility of its kind in the UK.
The cost is only £10 per Toddler including free entry to our 3-storey soft play, allowing parents to relax together afterwards in our fantastic Paddy & Scott’s café, which offers a vast array of food and beverage options.
The centre is an independent, family-run business which was launched by our Directors who are both Ipswich based guys - Mark Patterson & Josh Davey.
Clip ‘n Climb is an indoor climbing experience like no other with over 250 centres worldwide and the brand has transformed the climbing industry by delivering exhilarating activities in a safe and vibrant environment. No knowledge or experience of climbing is required. Our staff will take you all through a safety brief and show parents how to use our stateof-the-art automatic belay technology. Each session is 1 hour in duration with full access to all our standard climbing challenges.
Work first started on the project 3 years ago and our vision was very simple - to create an entertainment hub for all ages to get active, socialise and have fun! Participation in climbing has increased, on average, by 20% every year, and for the very first time is forming part of the Olympics in Tokyo – now in 2021! As part of making it accessible to all, we have introduced Toddler Climbing for all pre-school children above the age of 2. These sessions take place every Tuesday – Friday at 11am during term time.
Like many businesses, we are unfortunately currently closed due to the circumstances we are all facing. However, we will return and cannot wait to reopen – hopefully very soon! Toddler climbing sessions are extremely popular so don’t delay - Book Online at www.clipnclimbipswich.com
Written by Mark Patterson and Josh Davey
diddi dance in daa house! BY CHARLOTTE FOXLEY
diddi dance North Essex & South Suffolk has moved online! We have been running Live sessions everyday for the past week, keeping your little ones active whilst at home, along with providing a little light relief for parents too! We are offering our uniquely created pre school class for YOU at home! • Exercise for your little one & siblings too! All ages can join in! • 45 minutes of teacher led interactive dancing fun • Entertainment Live into your home • Help your child’s development whilst at home giving you some respite • Easter Theme included • Party Week • Birthday Messages • Free colouring sheets & loads more
If you would like to dance with us in your living room then please book online: https://booking.diddidance.com/ Class/Details/18024 We have 2 weeks left of our Irish theme (with a twist next week!) - we are giving you 2 weeks extra to include Easter Theme for FREE. For more details please contact me on charlotte.foxley@diddidance.com or text/call me on 07722 605 395. www.diddidance.com April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 29
E M I T T F A R C DS R A C Y A D FATHER’S Daddy You Are My Superhero You will need:
• Blank card and envelope • Blue, red and white paint • Felt tip pen • Old sponge and a brush • Glue and a googly eye (optional)
FATHER’S DAY:
SUNDAY 21st JUNE
Instructions:
1
Using the sponge, apply the blue paint to the sole of your little one’s foot. Press the foot down to make a footprint that has the toes at the bottom and the print on the left side of the front of your card. This is the body of your superhero.
2
Apply the red paint to your child’s hand and press in down to create a handprint. This should be on the ‘back’ of your footprint and will be the cloak/wings for the superhero.
Tip: It is best to use a sponge or a brush to apply the paint to your child’s hand/foot so that you don’t load the print with too much paint – less is more in this case. case
3 4 5
Using a brush or circular piece of sponge, paint on a circle for the head – mixing the white and red paint to make pink. Either glue on the googly eye or wait for the paint to dry and draw on an eye and smile. Draw on an arm. Write your personal message on the front of the card – We like: Daddy you are MY SUPERHERO.
Instructions:
Love 1 r Bugs fo Daddy 2
Fold your card in half and draw half a heart (great for discussing symmetry with little ones). Use your peg to gauge the appropriate size of the heart.
A lovely twist on a traditional card - These butterflies look great clipped onto laptops or photo frames etc in the office.
You will need:
• A piece of card • Pipe cleaner, pom poms & googly eyes • A wooden peg • Glue, sticky tape and scissors • Felt tip pen
Glue your peg onto your heart and decorate the peg with your pom poms (we have found that pom poms don’t stick well with glue! So we always use double backed sticky tape). Stick your googly eyes onto the head.
3 4
Fold your pipe cleaner in half and stick it to the back for the antennae. Write your own message on the wings for Daddy.
These craft ideas were supplied by Arty Splats, who run adventurous arts and crafts classes for 0 – 5s to promote learning and development through lots of multi-sensory fun. Find out more at www.artysplats.co.uk. 30 April-June 2020 Toddle About
Baby Sensory @Home BY KATY CHADWICK If you can’t come to us - we will come to you! To help keep you safe and supported during this critical time we are taking our service online! We will be running Baby Sensory classes live in your living room, bringing our amazing sessions to you from our ‘virtual’ classrooms. Our classes have never been so accessible. Classes are suitable for babies from birth to 13 months but older siblings will definitely enjoy our classes too. Experiencing a Baby Sensory class at home is a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the house to have some fun and join in some lovely bonding activities that focus on your littlest family member. Not only are we coming to you in your homes, our classes have also been adapted to use household items and make your own activity props.
Our incredible team have created bespoke videos showing you where and how to find and make things to enjoy the classes too, making the fun endless before, during and after. For current class timetable and details on how to book your Baby Sensory@Home classes please head to www.babysensory.com/burystedmunds or contact me at burystedmunds@babysensory.co.uk for more information. For up to date news and class information you can also follow us on Facebook BabySensoryBuryStEdmunds
For further info visit www.babysensory.com/burystedmunds
A FAMILY DAY OUT AT WinEaston Farm Park F AT H E R ’ S D A Y C O M P E T I T I O N
Enter your name into our free prize draw to win a family ticket for 2 adults and 3 children, worth £42 TREAT YOUR DAD THIS FATHERS DAY TO A DAY OUT Come along to Easton Farm Park, nestled between Woodbridge and Framlingham in the Suffolk countryside, and meet some of Suffolk’s finest farm animals. There are ponies, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks, bunnies, guinea pigs, Suffolk Punch horses, donkeys and alpacas to meet and feed. Explore 35 acres of farm fun with their indoor playbarn, bouncy pillow, pony rides, cart rides, hug a bunny, hold a chick, barrel rides, egg collecting, adventure playground and delicious barn cafe.
Enter Online www.toddle.fun/EastonFarmPark Competition ends midnight Sun 14th June 2020. Ticket must be used before 01/11/2020. Terms and Conditions apply, visit bit.ly/tacompetitions for further details.
For more information visit: www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 31
Lovin g life with little ones
ATTACHMENT PARENTING
Loving life with little ones
FR
EE
Suffolk
April - June 2019
It might not be what you think it is
EASTER FUN Days Out & Fun Activities
Toddle About Suffolk is a free magazine, for families with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. Parents are always looking for places to go and things to do with their children in Suffolk – and Toddle About Suffolk is the place that thousands of parents go to for this information. Toddle About Suffolk is a free magazine, written just for families with babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, putting parents in touch with everything bump, baby and toddler in their area. • 100s of baby groups and toddler classes in Suffolk (including the free ones!) • Ideas for family days out in Suffolk • A handy, searchable directory of local businesses useful to families with babies & toddlers • Fun & interesting articles and features for parents • Discount vouchers, special offers and competitions
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Covering Thetford, Bury St
Toddler Near You
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JOIN OUR EXCLUSIVE VIP CLUB If you like what your read in Toddle About, then make sure you get a copy when it’s hot off the press each issue by subscribing - it’s just £1 every 3 months and you also get extra VIP Member benefits: • The Toddle About Magazine posted to your doorstep You’ll never miss an issue of the parents’ bible ever again! • Exclusive Monthly Competitions You will automatically be entered to win some great prizes. • Product Tester Invitations Do you like freebies? Members will have the chance to write product reviews and get fab free stuff in the process!
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www.toddle.fun/vip
DO YOU RUN A BUMP, BABY & TODDLER BUSINESS? Then advertise your business to thousands of parents on the Toddle About website for FREE FREE. The Toddle About Directory is used by 10,000s of parents every month, all of whom are looking for local things to do with, or buy for, their little ones. Each listing effectively gives you your own page on the Toddle About website. It has a modern and contemporary design which is easy to navigate and you can add and edit your listings yourself anytime you need to.
Simply got to www.toddleabout.co.uk and add a business listing.
www.toddleabout.co.uk For any further info, call Pia on 07748 020141 or email: pia@toddleabout.co.uk toddleaboutsuffolk
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Self Isolating? TOP TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP LITTLE ONES ENTERTAINED Written by Angela Spencerat Babyopathy
Get out in nature! I know not everyone will have a back garden but wherever possible we should be out in nature. One of the reasons we will struggle with isolation is the wellbeing of our mental health. Science has proven that being out in nature for just 20 minutes a day can have a big positive impact on our mental health wellbeing. Getting children outdoors is great on many levels – whether it’s climbing, making dens or a fort, generally getting dirty and soaking up the fresh air will bring smiles to any child’s face! Use the time in the garden to play games, get physical and wear out some of that boundless energy. Why not take the opportunity to plant some fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers? These are all great learning opportunities for maths skills, counting, shapes, size, volume etc – it’s amazing what you can learn when it comes to various pots, soil, seeds and water. Plus in a few weeks and months you’ll have food to start on my next favourite subject. Cooking!
Even from a very young age, children love to get their hands into a bowl of something and mix it! As long as you follow the usual hygiene rules (they really shouldn’t be anything new just because of a virus) and get baking! Weights, measures, and of course endless vocabulary is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to learning experiences from cooking. Try using a fruit or vegetable they’ve never seen before to learn something new, tell them how its grown and where it comes from and all of a sudden you’re in to the realms of geography too! Screen time can even be used positively - take some virtual tours of different countries, it’s wildlife, it’s people, it’s language - learn how to say ‘hello’ in as many languages as you can! This world has a wealth of wonders and knowledge to share and we are lucky that we have the technology to do it from our sofas! Most of all though, teach your children some very important things that have started to disappear over the years; compassion, manners, respect and general care of the world and people around them. Don’t forget, in these trying times that children learn from watching what WE do, so if we are being selfish, arrogant, ignorant, defiant and all of the other negativity we are seeing, that’s how they will grow up! For further info visit: www.babyopathy.com
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Enter at www.toddle.fun/kitandkin. Competition ends midnight Sun 10 May 2020.
Order online here kitandkin.com April-June 2020 Toddle About Suffolk 33
Working from home with kids - Coping with the pressure Written by Jonathan Ratcliffe from Offices.co.uk
Working from home is tough. Home schooling is very tough. So, if you must combine the two for a long period of time, how are you going to cope? You are going to have to plan well, get organised and work to a strict timetable if you want to get everything done. Equally, you’ll need to have a proper split between work, school, fun and rest. “The first thing you need to do is lower your expectations of what you are going to achieve, both with work and schooling. If you try to do too much the experience is going to be highly stressful”, Ratcliffe adds. • Simplify your day into a set routine • Don’t try and achieve too much • Pause and try and appreciate moments with your kids
HERE ARE 10 TIPS ON HOW TO SURVIVE:
Start Early At The Same Time Each Day: Routine is important for good sleep and mental health, for both you and your kids. School starts at a set time, so make sure you are ready and stick to the timetable.
Get Dressed Properly Like Teacher And Student: Getting showered and dressed is important to divide sleep and school. Create Spaces For Different Actvities: You might set up a teaching room (kitchen), quiet room (spare bedroom) and a play area (living room) Structure Your Day Like A School Day: Teaching time, activity time, play time and lunch time – just like their normal school routine Make A Plan With Your Kids: At the start of the day ask them what they want to do (within reason) so they feel involved Turn Off Your Phone: How are your kids meant to feel involved if you are checking emails? Set Aside Breaks For Tv, Ipad And Exercise: Use these times to schedule work emails or calls Take Exercise: Depending on where you live, if you have a garden or not – try and get some fresh air, this also allows you some headspace Finish At A Set Time, Bedtime At A Set Time: By getting a routine drilled in early on, you can try and get the kids to sleep at a sensible time, thereby giving yourself some space to work if you need to Don’t Be Tempted To Hit The Wine: If you can, evening time will be the only real time you can realistically work. If you drink your concentration will be poor, sleep poor and you’ll wake in a grumpy mood. Try and keep drinking to a minimum.
TASTE SAFE
Ice Painting Your little one will have a great time painting and exploring with these ice paint sticks. They can make some really striking watery patterns! YOU WILL NEED A FEW ITEMS: • Small pots (e.g. yoghurt pots) • Food colouring (we used wilton gel food colouring) • Water • Craft sticks • Card or paper 1. To make the ice paint sticks, fill the small pots with water and then mix in a tiny bit of gel food colouring. 2. Put a craft stick into each pot and then put them in the freezer. The ice paints will take a couple of hours to freeze. 34 April-June 2020 Toddle About
3. Once the ice has frozen take the ice paints out of the pots and you are ready to get painting. I would recommend painting on card or thick paper. Hand the ice paint sticks to your child and let them have fun exploring the different painty effects that they can create. As these paints are made from just water and colouring they are perfectly safe for babies and toddlers to use and even put in their mouths, though food colouring can stain clothes and (temporarily) skin.
TIP:
If you ar e st to get th ruggling e sticks ou ice paint t of the p ots run the pots u warm w nder ater.
Craft courtesy of ‘messy little monster’. for more fun ideas visit www.messylittlemonster.com
LY
TS ON TICKE
£5
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