Families Manchester Issue 61 - January & February 2017

Edition 61 • Jan/Feb 2017

The local magazine for families with children 0-12 years www.familiesonline.co.uk

MANCHESTER

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In this issue: > Make maths FUN! > Home alone: leaving your child in charge > Scouting: skills for life

Covering: Altrincham, Trafford, Salford, Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Didsbury, Stockport, Cheadle, Bramhall, and surrounding areas.

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News In this issue 02: News 04: Education 08: Parents’ place

Geronimo 2017 – bigger and better than ever!

12: Clubs & classes 13: What’s on

Hello!

The older we get, the faster the years fly. We’re so busy watching our children grow that we get quite startled when we catch a glimpse of our own aging faces in the mirror!

But luckily with age comes wisdom (we hope!), and the realisation that we’ve done a pretty good job so far considering there’s no degree in parenting. Our kids are happy, loved and flourishing and that’s all we can really ask for.

So here’s wishing you all: 12 months of success 52 weeks of laughter 365 days of fun 8760 hours of joy 525600 minutes of good luck And 31536000 seconds of happiness Happy 2017!

Caryl Hall

Jayne Keep

Next issue: Mar/Apr 2017

Families Manchester is part of Families Magazines Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Manchester are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributors can’t be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequences.

Circulation: 25,000 copies of Families Manchester are available through nurseries, schools, libraries, selected shops and other points throughout Greater Manchester.

If you would like free copies for your organisation, please let us know.

Contact details: Families Manchester, 3 Hall Hill, Bollington SK10 5ED Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiesonline.co.uk Editorial: editor@familiesmanchester.co.uk Advertising/artwork: advertising@familiesmanchester.co.uk Events, diary dates, what’s on: events@familiesmanchester.co.uk Cover Photography: Shutterstock

The ever-popular Geronimo Festival will be back for its third year in May (27 – 29), promising a whole weekend full of amazing acts and activities.

Taking place in the stunning, expansive grounds at Arley Hall in Northwich, this year families will be able to take advantage of camping and glamping so they can enjoy a mini holiday at the event.

The ultimate family festival will play host to a huge array of CBeebies, CBBC and ITV stars who will take centre stage throughout the day and be on hand to keep their young fans entertained.

This year, older children will also be treated to a Digital Zone where they can meet their favourite YouTubers and Gamers as well as try their hand at all

Should you let your child use a tablet?

Design: Paul Wilson Graphic Design, Congleton.

Tel: 07743 111 694 www.withpaul.co.uk Print: Bishops Printers, Walton Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TR Tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk

@FamiliesManch www.facebook.com/familiesmanchester

Private schools to offer 10,000 free places to children from lower-income backgrounds

Private schools will offer to provide up to 10,000 free school places a year to children from low-income families in England.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) says if the government pays £5,550 per place – the cost of a place in the state system – the remainder of the cost will be covered by the schools.

The ISC was responding to pressure from the government to do more for their state school counterparts in return for charitable status, which allows for tax breaks. The scheme, which would test some children on academic ability, would be open to primary and secondary school-age children.

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the latest tech. Geronimo guests will also be treated to two full Circuses, a Theatre Tent and a Show Ground Arena with lots of displays including motorcycles, jousting and fencing.

For the active kid, there’s so much to cram in including mobile climbing walls, cardboard harp workshops and a Bear Grylls Assault Course. In fact there are literally hundreds of activities to enjoy and something for kids of all ages (and big kids too!).

Take advantage of the unique Early Bird offer which is available until the end of January with family tickets available at £16.50. As a thank you to loyal festival goers, repeat guests will also be treated to a free wrist band ride for Geronimo’s Fun Fair. www.geronimofest.com

A newly-launched research project aims to discover the influence technology has on children’s learning, social interactions and play, from birth to 47 months – and parents are invited to join in.

Dr Elena Hoicka and PhD students from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Psychology are looking to discover whether technology, such as tablets, is good for children’s development, bad, or a bit of both.

The survey asks questions about how long children used different types of technology – such as a tablet or a

television – the previous day. It also asks questions about how children prefer to learn, what children understand about other people, and whether and how children engage in pretend play.

Parents of children with low activities levels, such as newborns, are also invited to participate, as the researchers are interested in how technology impacts children right from the beginning. All participants will then be invited to repeat the survey six months later, which allows researchers to determine whether or not technology has had an impact.

At the end of the survey, parents will receive a summary of their child’s learning style, social understanding, and play. For every parent who completes the survey twice, six months apart, £2 will be donated to UNICEF. It only takes around 20-30 minutes to register and complete the survey. To sign up or read more, go to www.babylovesscience.com.

News National Storytelling Week

Kyte Photography

To mark National Storytelling Week (28 January – 4 February), international best-selling author Joanne Harris spoke to Families about life as a writer, how storytelling has evolved through social media, and gives her advice for those with a passion for writing stories.

The success of Chocolat kick-started your career as an author – was it an easy decision to retire from teaching?

Writing is generally a job that doesn’t make a lot of money, and nearly all writers have another job. For my first three published books I was a teacher and if one of my books hadn’t been unexpectedly successful I would have stayed a teacher. When you reach a certain level of success it’s very difficult to do the two things at once, so I gave up teaching. I thought then temporarily, and it turned out to be permanent. But it could have been different.

How did it feel when you found out that Chocolat was being made into a film?

I didn’t believe it at first, because books get optioned all the time, but very rarely do they end up making films. I started to pay attention when they started filming, and when they invited me on set, when it was clear something was actually happening. By then it didn’t really have much to do with me, so I was able to enjoy it in a different way. It was very nicely done, the cast was great, the direction was great, the score was great, and they deserved the success it had.

Do you ever meet people and think they would make a great character in a book?

I’m borrowing from people all the time. It’s part of being a writer, using the experiences you have with people and conversations; things you’ve noticed about them, and you filter them through this process. I don’t think I’ve ever actually put someone in a book, but I think we all borrow extensively from other people around us.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

I’m usually working on more than one thing.

Some have taken me 10 years to finish, some only one. Some I’ve started and then finished 5, 10 or 15 years later. I tend to start things off and then quite often put them on the back burner for a bit, work on something else and then go back. Sometimes I just need to let it lie, do some research, or work out a plot construction.

Dippy on tour

You’re very active on social media, do you think this new digital age we’re living has changed the way people tell stories?

I think it’s had an impact on the whole of the book business in a lot of ways, some good, some bad. What it has done is given us more access to each other and provides a much more interactive side to telling stories. I tell my #Storytime stories on Twitter, and you really feel as if you’re talking to people, because it’s a very conversational medium, which is its charm.

It’s National Storytelling Week in January.

What advice would you give to children or adults if they have a passion for writing and want to take it to the next level?

To be a professional writer you have to write, a lot, and understand that a lot of it will be bad but practice makes you better.

So start writing, and don’t worry too much about where you are heading. Also read a lot, because the more you read the more you realise how writing works and why it’s good and why it fails, and just keep improving all the time.

Have you faced any challenges when writing books, and what did you learn from them?

It’s useful to keep an open mind. There is no way you can please everyone all the time. Learn to live with criticism even if you think it is unfair and still do what you are doing. If you are absolutely convinced that

For more information on Joanne Harris and her work, go to www.joanne-harris.co.uk

Boutique Baby Show comes to Manchester The Manchester Macdonald Hotal & Spa (conveniently situated next to Manchester Piccadilly station, with nearby multi-story carparks) plays host to the Boutique Baby Show on Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 February (10am – 4pm), showcasing small Baby businesses and local suppliers.

Entry is FREE, and if you pre-register your attendance, your details will be put into a

The Natural History Museum’s star attraction, Dippy the diplodocus, is set to tour the UK for three years from 2018. Eight carefully selected venues nationwide have been chosen to host the 70ft reconstructed dinosaur, and it’ll take more than a year to prepare him for his journey.

Closest to home to host the iconic dinosaur is Number One Riverside in Rochdale, with the actual dates still to be confirmed.

He’ll make his first stop at the Dorset County Museum in February 2018, followed by Ulster Museum, the

your book is a masterpiece, but people read it and think it’s rubbish, then there’s probably some truth in it. However, keep believing you can do it, learn from mistakes, acknowledge them and move on.

Do you have any new books or projects that our readers can look out for?

I’ve got an illustrated book of the Storytime stories coming out, hopefully next year, called Honeycomb. I’m also working on a sequel to The Gospel of Loki, which hopefully will come out the year after next. I’ve also got another illustrated project, which may or may not come out next year.

Favourite childhood book(s)/author?

Ray Bradbury - Something Wicked This Way Comes Favourite character you’ve created?

The villain in Gentlemen and Players Favourite book/story you’ve written?

The Gospel of Loki Favourite writing drink?

Tea Favourite writing food?

Toast The best thing about being an author?

Spending my life doing something I love, and getting it out to people who also love it.

draw to win a £20 Mothercare gift card.

A raffle with some fantastic prizes will be held to raise funds for the baby charities Bliss and Sands. Bliss works to provide care and support for premature and sick babies and their families and Sands provides support for bereaved parents and their families. www.boutiquebabyshows.co.uk

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, the Great North Museum in Newcastle, the National Assembly of Wales, Number One Riverside in Rochdale and Norwich Cathedral. The exhibit will be free to view.

A team of experts will be tasked with disassembling and reconstructing him at every stop and it’s estimated that 1.5 million people will have seen Dippy by the time his tour ends in late 2020.

Dippy is being replaced by the real skeleton of a blue whale at the Natural History Museum from January 2017.

Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk 3

Education How to make maths fun for kids

Numeracy targets are fundamental to both the National Curriculum and to primary school testing and that can seem as intimidating to you as to your child. But there are some simple strategies you can put in place that can make maths more fun and less daunting. The way the subject is taught in schools has changed fundamentally over the past few years so, who knows?

You may end up learning something new, too!

Do your homework Before you can support your child’s maths learning at home, you’ll need to find out about the way they learn maths at school. Do some homework on modern maths methods like number lines and gridding, and find out whether your child’s school offers maths support classes for parents. If not, there are some excellent resources available

online like the family maths toolkit from national numeracy or the ‘Maths for Mums and Dads’ books by Mike Askew and Rob Eastaway.

Maths by stealth There are plenty of ways you can incorporate maths into everyday life, which is an excellent way of letting children know how important numeracy skills are outside of the classroom. Next time you have a cake or a pizza, ask them to divide it into quarters or thirds or an even number of portions for the number of people eating it. Baking isn’t just a pleasurable activity to do with your kids, it’s one of the very best ways of embedding the importance of weights and measures. They’ll also need to keep an eye on the clock to know when their goodies are ready to come out of the oven. Meanwhile, every time you go to the shops, encourage them to add as they go and then make their best estimate of the final bill. From

calculating the change they should receive when they buy an ice cream to keeping score in a friendly game of football, everyday maths really is everywhere!

Make tech and tables count There are numerous maths apps available for children of all ages, from simple counting games to more advanced calculations. Doodle Maths and Mr Thorne’s Maths Universe should get even committed young mathphobes practising their numeracy on their tablets and smartphones. Percy Parker Sing Your Times Tables and Squeebles Times Tables are both excellent apps for embedding times tables in young brains. Why not try singing along with Percy Parker on your next long car journey? For older children facing their end of primary school tests, ensure that they know not just the multipliers but the divisors too, up to 12 x 12.

Try gamification In other words, get out some old fashioned board games. Children learn best when an activity is fun, and they’re usually unaware that they’re learning through playing games. Dominoes is an excellent game for practising basic maths concepts, as is Snakes and Ladders. They’ll be having too much fun to notice they’re adding and subtracting and recognising basic number patterns.

For older children, Monopoly introduces more sophisticated numeracy skills and Scrabble is a brilliant way to practise both numeracy and literacy. Board games are also valuable for introducing related concepts like strategy, logic and reasoning skills into the mix.

Make it more formal As your children’s maths skills

progress, you can begin to make their home learning more formalised. There are any number of online maths resources available and your school may encourage at-home use of a programme like Mathletics to challenge and reinforce skills learned in the classroom. These online resources usually feature progressive levels so you can easily track your child’s progress but do check before you sign up to a paid programme that it’s compatible with the National Curriculum. Although it’s easy to assume that children will prefer working on the computer, many also enjoy age-appropriate workbooks, with stickers to reward their progress.

Learn with and from your children As the family maths toolkit points out, maths is not a can or cannot subject, but something we can all improve, however old we are. When your children start to bring home maths homework, take the opportunity to learn about new maths concepts from them and show them real world examples of how to put those skills into practice – by checking your shopping or phone bill. Encourage them to contextualise a newly acquired skill by putting it into practice around the home, whether it’s telling you the time their favourite TV show comes on or estimating how long their bath takes to run. And always praise their effort rather than their talent, to reinforce the message that by working hard anyone can improve their maths skills.

To find out more about helping your child learn visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk/education

Ensuring a strong foundation in maths and English The tutoring market in the UK is burgeoning. Figures published at the end of last year suggest that one in four children have sought private tuition and supplementary education to support them at school.

The benefit of reinforcing lessons at school with an outside provider is that it allows parents to ensure their child is keeping up with their peers, and/or is being stretched to surpass levels in the classroom.

For the first time this year, Year 11 pupils are required to resit English and

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maths GCSEs if they did not score a C grade, and with just 35.9% of school leavers achieving a C or above, the overall pass rate has dropped.

Kumon Educational offers maths and English programmes for children of all ages and abilities. The ultimate aim is to encourage students to take learning into their own hands and develop a firm foundation in these key subjects to ensure success at school and beyond.

Visit Kumon.co.uk or call 0800 854 714 to find out more.

Education How to create an after school routine that works for your child

By Vidya Patil, Manchester Child Therapy (www.kidsattitudemanchester.nlp4kids.org)

What’s your after school routine like?

How do you and your child make the transition from school to home?

Some children fly out the classroom door with smiles and cheers of “freedom!”

Other children wait until they get home and then explode like a volcano.

And then there’s you. You’ve had a crazy day at work and school pick-up is just the start of a stressful afternoon of taxiing the children to clubs, followed by a night of nagging about homework.

Sound familiar? Here are a few tips to make your after school routine smooth and positive!

Things to remember 1. Smile 2. Make Eye Contact 3. Lead with something other than a question about homework 4. Focus on the effort, improvement or accomplishment rather than the grade received 5. Ask open-ended questions If your child is • Extroverted: She may be energized by being with her classmates all day. Let her do the talking, your job is to listen.

Let her know that you’re listening by making eye contact, inserting “Oh!” or “Tell me more!” while she is talking.

• Introverted: He may be exhausted by being with his classmates all day.

Let him be quiet. Keep questions to a minimum, giving him time to talk when he is ready. Allow time for him to be alone, rest or do an individual activity.

• Techie: She may run to the iPad immediately after coming in the door, so set limits around technology in advance. Decide what tasks need to done before using technology; then set a time limit.

• Active: After being cooped up in a classroom all day, he wants to run! Allow time for him to exercise before completing homework. Engage in an activity together – he may be more willing to talk about his day while playing with you.

• Explosive: He’s worked hard to remain calm and follow the classroom rules during the day. Take a few deep breaths before he comes home. Offer a snack right away. Stay positive, and limit the number of directions and corrections you give.

If you are • Extroverted: You want to know everything about their day! Take into consideration that your child may

need space. Ask a few questions, but be ok with delaying the conversation until your child has a chance to relax, exercise or have a snack.

• Introverted: You need some time to yourself after work, but keep in mind your child may need to connect with you right away after school. Wait a few minutes before coming in the door or set a timer for a 10 minute check-in with your child.

• Techie: You want to connect with your kids, but your work or social media has your attention. Turn off the computer, put your phone on “do not disturb.” If needed, set a timer to help you focus on your kids rather than checking emails or returning calls.

• Busy: You don’t know how to fit it all in. Create a transition that works with what you are already doing. Have “Special Snack Tuesdays” on the way to piano. Skip to the car after daycare.

Talk in the car for 5 minutes before football. Or check-in at bed time.

For many children, heading home from school is a very important part of their day, so make sure you creating a routine that’s right for you and your unique child.

Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk 5

Education Take the fear out of exams in 2017

We all know that the lead up to exam season can be a daunting and stressful time for child and parent.

With children encountering phonics screening checks, teacher assessments and SATs by the time they reach the end of primary school, you might wonder how best to support your child through exams - and you certainly aren’t alone!

In a recent, independent study by Explore Learning, while 90% of British parents

said exam results are important to their child’s future, only 1 in 4 parents felt their child’s exam performance actually reflects their true ability, and 2 in 3 parents admitted that their child has suffered from exam stress.

Although there is no magic formula for exam success, there are many ways to help children feel prepared and confident about assessments.

6 Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk

Here are a few of Explore Learning’s top tips: Plan ahead – This is the key to kick-starting any successful exam preparation. Blocking out periods of time to ‘cram’ for an exam might save time but it won’t assist your child’s retention of information long term.

Revisiting a range of subject areas in manageable, weekly chunks can be much more beneficial to supporting memory, skills, and confidence.

Find the right way for your child - It is important to understand that everyone learns and revises in their own way.

Some children like to visualise their work so sticky notes around the house and visual representations might be useful, whereas others will respond better to you asking them questions and to explain a paragraph in their own words. Some children will switch on bright and early, while others will be ready to learn later on in the day. Find the learning style and pattern that works

for your child, with their input, and create a plan to suit their individual need.

Positive thinking - Finally, be sure to remain positive throughout exam preparations and praise them when you see them accomplish something great: hearing things like “brilliant reading” or “you’ve done a fantastic job explaining that method to me” will undoubtedly build their self-belief.

Explore Learning is able to support both you and your child from day one.

As well as tailored maths and English tuition from their expert staff, they run relevant workshops and parent information evenings for their families throughout the year so that everyone feels as confident as possible at home, especially when exams are around the corner!

For more advice and top tips to support your child’s exam preparation this year, and to book your free trial at your local centre, visit www.explorelearning.co.uk.

Education The benefits of mindfulness in children friends or even anxieties related to changing or starting new schools, these pressures are simply no good for our children.

With this in mind it’s no surprise that teachers, carers and parents are looking towards proven methods of mindfulness to protect and nurture their youngsters’ mental and general wellbeing.

Some children find short yoga routines at the start or end of their day a great way to clear their mind and relax, as well as stay in tune with their mind and bodies. These sorts of activities are perfect for all ages, from very young children to the elderly.

Children who are undertaking exams may find yoga a much-needed break The past two decades have seen an abundance of research, and hundreds of studies conducted, about the increasingly popular practice of mindfulness. Countless results of said studies have shown a great increase in stress, so much so that some Fortune 500 companies in the US for instance, have even employed mindfulness coaches to benefit their employees.

Specific programs for businesses around the globe have been created for their employees to help reduce stress, keep employees’ minds fresh and focused and in turn able to perform better at work and of course be happier and healthier from the inside out.

But, just what is mindfulness? And does it have the same positive effect on younger children, specifically those between the ages of three and 11?

What is mindfulness?

In short, mindfulness is a simplistic program of meditative activities. It is a simple, yet powerful observation free from criticism and is a new and improved way of seeing what is happening to us in our lives. Although very effective once learnt, mindfulness does of course not rid you of everyday problems and pressures, yet it does, however, provide you with the tools and mindset needed to handle them in a calmer way. This calmer way has been said to benefit not only your mind but also your heart and body, thus providing an improved way of life and a greater sense of clarity and focus.

How can mindfulness help young children?

Extensive research has shown that mindfulness can help children between the ages of three and 11. If we take a look at the developmental changes that occur within children, the physical changes and events such as starting school, socialising, and simply learning about life, it makes perfect sense to equip youngsters with tools on how to deal with their emotions,

and how to develop a positive outlook on life with mindfulness skills. Children can learn vital stress-relieving skills such as breathing techniques, mindful hearing and listening. If children struggle with an emotion or getting angry they can revert to mindfulness techniques to learn how to deal with, and control, those emotions.

Mindfulness and autism, ADHD and ADD The Autism Research and Treatment study undertaken by Sequeira is a piece of research that supports the notion that mindfulness meditation has a great positive effect on children with autism. To be mindful helps one keep focused in a precise moment.

Taking medication for autism, ADHD or ADD does not have long-term benefits, however, mindfulness can help long term given it is practised daily and part of one’s lifestyle, not only for children but also for adults.

Parents and/or carers who look after children with such disorders can often find themselves dealing with stress, so things such as meditation and mindful thinking can help reduce the effects of stress, thus enabling them to deal with situations in a calmer, more helpful way, to themselves and children.

Some of those with autism suffer from psychological imbalances, such as lack of rhythm. Children who struggle with this can have difficulty when trying to balance the inner and outer world, which can result in issues with interaction or distorted relationships.

One area of mindfulness that may benefit these children is Mantra Meditation. This type of meditation is all about repetition, such as repeating a sound or repeating a movement or word. It’s this calm and harmonising meditation that can help to restore the child’s sense of rhythm.

Can mindfulness help your child thrive at school?

It’s a sad and somewhat worrying fact that more and more children are feeling the stress and pressure of school life. With a push to succeed academically, to make

from studying, as even 10 minutes’ practice can provide great clarity and help to re-focus the mind.

Many practitioners are encouraging schools and parents to practise mindfulness with their children due to the plethora of proven benefits to all.

For instance, Susan Kaiser Greenland has published a study named “Mindful Revolution in Education”. This informative piece goes into more detail on the ways in which mindfulness programs for children can help create a more compassionate, calmer youngster with good practices.

For more information, visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk/wellbeing

Reception information morning at MHSG

Manchester High School for Girls’ Preparatory Department is an active and happy place to learn, where girls aged four to 11 enjoy every aspect of school life.

Dedicated staff support and inspire pupils to achieve their full potential, enabling them to be independent and to think for themselves. Girls are encouraged to develop high aspirations, and their achievements are celebrated in all forms.

Girls experience a wide-ranging curriculum and benefit from excellent resources.

Stimulating lessons are complemented by visiting speakers and educational trips.

Girls take a lively and enquiring interest in reading and current affairs and develop a natural curiosity and understanding of the world around them.

The qualities of kindness, respect, loyalty, tenacity, self-discipline and a sense of self-worth grow during each child’s journey

through the Preparatory Department.

Beyond the classroom, teaching is enhanced through a wide range of extra-curricular activities. The After-School Club provides a high standard of activities and care, and is available every weekday on a regular or occasional basis.

Girls leave Manchester High’s Preparatory Department as dynamic, motivated, independent learners, equipped with the confidence and skills to thrive in the Senior School.

Drop in on Friday 10th February (9.30am – 10.30am) to find out about their Preparatory Department, meet Reception class teachers and have a look around the infants’ facilities.

Visit www.manchesterhigh.co.uk or call the Registrar on 0161 224 0447 to find out more.

Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk 7

Parents’ place When should you leave your child home alone?

Over the past few years there has been huge debate around when children should be left home alone.

Knowing when your growing child is responsible enough to be left alone, even for a short time, can be difficult and there is no law that governs when this might be appropriate. For parents, in the absence of any hard and fast rules, knowing when it’s the right time to allow your children more responsibility can be tricky.

What the law says The Government’s advice is to follow NSPCC guidelines, although you are advised never to leave your child alone when they are ‘at risk’ and you may be prosecuted for neglect if you leave an unsupervised child ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health.’

The NSPCC guidelines state that babies, toddlers and young children should never, under any circumstances, be left alone and that children under the age of 12 are

rarely mature enough to cope with an emergency. Therefore they should not be left alone in the house for any length of time. Children under 16 should not be left alone overnight.

Leaving a child alone in the car Children should never be left alone in the car. Stranger danger is an ever present issue for young children – however well you teach them, young children can act quite differently when something tempting is apparently on offer. Leaving a toddler in the car runs the risk of them wandering off into traffic or a busy car park. And no child is safe from the risk of another car crashing into yours, even when your car is stationary.

Leaving your child home alone This is far trickier to navigate as growing children begin to want their independence from their parents. The important thing to remember, in the absence of a clear legal framework, is your child’s wishes. If they

Books to inspire picky eaters Feed your fussy eater’s imagination with these clever and humorous books which will inspire even the pickiest of children to start exploring the wonderful world of food. Good luck!

Bread and Jam for Frances, by Russell Hoban This lovely book tells the story of Frances who loves bread and jam so much she eats it at every single meal! At least that’s until she realises what else she’s missing...This charming tale will keep parents and kids entertained!

Green Eggs and Ham, by Dr Seuss This fantastic story teaches little ones that you never know whether you like something or not until you’ve tried it! With Dr Seuss’ unique combination of funny rhymes and cool characters, this book will be a delightful read for both adults and children.

Oliver’s Vegetables, by Vivian French This book is aimed at parents with a picky eater at the dinner table! This story tells the tale of young Oliver who loves chips so much that he refuses to eat anything else! Well, until this grandfather plays a game with him where he must eat every vegetable he finds in the garden!

simply can’t cope with being left alone then you’ll need to make other arrangements.

But when they reach the age of 12, you could experiment with leaving them for a short amount of time. If you do, make sure you’ve thoroughly discussed the kind of behaviour you expect from them – like not boiling a kettle – and that they know exactly what to do if there’s a problem. Take your mobile and make sure they have the number, plus a list of trusted adults to contact if they can’t reach you. If you have more than one child, make sure they’re engaged in a calm activity, like watching TV or doing homework so squabbles and problems are less likely to occur.

Are they ready to be in charge?

Some children actively enjoy showing how grown up they are, but it’s wise to run through a few scenarios to reassure yourself how they might genuinely cope in an emergency. Try asking them what they’d do in a power cut, or if the bathroom flooded. What if they’re hungry or a stranger knocks at the door?

Have the conversations for a few minutes at a time, to try and gauge how they’d react. Remember, you don’t have to leave them alone at home if you don’t want to, but sometimes the situation is unavoidable so you’ll need to know how they might cope. By having these conversations, you can work towards a plan of action if you do need to leave your child in the house alone.

Knowing when the right time to leave your child alone is never easy, but through planning and good communication you can both enjoy peace of mind.

For more information about keeping your child safe visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk/wellbeing

I Do Not Eat the Colour Green, by Lynne Rickards This fun, engaging book is ideal for young fussy eaters.

Showcasing the tale of Marlene McKean; this story is all about how little Marlene absolutely hates the colour green!

Monsters Don’t Eat Broccoli, by Barbara Jean Hicks and Sue Hendra In this stunning picture book the monsters insist that they don’t eat broccoli; despite the fact the tractors and rocket ships look EXACTLY like broccoli! Maybe vegetables aren’t so bad after all?

Tea Time for Pirates, by Richard Dungworth Packed with fantastic rhymes and funny illustrations, this book is a perfect story for picky eaters. Telling the tale of how Captain Cutlass convinces his crew that sausages, carrots, mash and peas will make them big and strong!

I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato, by Lauren Child Little Lola is a really picky eater; she won’t eat peas, carrots, mushrooms, eggs or sausages - and most definitely NOT tomatoes! Well, until her brother Charlie explains to her that actually peas are small green drops from Greenland and carrots are orange twiglets from Jupiter - this fun-filled book will keep your kids entertained and you never know; they may even start to eat their veg!

For more amazing books for your kids, visit www.familiesonline.co.uk/bookclub

8 Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk

Make a checklist If you and your child decide that they’re responsible enough to be left home alone, perhaps after school while you’re still at work, then work together on a checklist that covers both your concerns.

• Double check that they’re happy to be left alone: it may be that they’d feel happier if a neighbour looked in on them from time to time.

• Set some ground rules: your child may be as worried as you are about the responsibility of being left in charge.

• Agree what’s safe and not safe to do: you might be happy for them to visit a friend or have a friend to visit.

• Be clear that mentioning you’re home alone on social media is not a cool idea.

• Let them know when you’ll be home: leave a number where you can be contacted, and let them know you’ll inform them if you’re delayed in any way.

• Check in every now and again: give them a call to check that they’re OK. • Put potentially dangerous objects out of harm’s way before you leave.

Parents’ place The little guide to little bilingual brains

By Dr Evelyne Mercure

Infants and young children have an impressive capacity for learning languages. They are curious, very eager to communicate and their brains are designed for fast learning. Bilingual families have an interesting opportunity of making the most of these early learning capacities in teaching their children two languages from birth. There are several interesting advantages to raising bilingual children.

1. Bilingualism does not cause language delays. Bilingual children usually learn two languages at the same pace as monolingual children are learning one. For example, bilinguals say their first words and start combining words into sentences at the same age as monolinguals.

Bilinguals may sometimes appear to know less words than monolinguals, but this is usually because their vocabulary is divided between two languages.

2. Learning two languages encourages children to think about languages.

Young monolinguals might struggle to recognise that ‘caterpillar’ is a bigger word than ‘whale’ because they find it difficult to dissociate a word from its meaning. Bilingualism attracts children’s attention to language itself, making children more aware of the sounds, words and regularities in languages.

This gives them a head start in school when learning phonics or grammar rules.

3. Bilingualism might make your child better at multi-tasking or listening to someone speaking in a noisy environment. When speaking one of their languages, bilinguals must inhibit the impulse to use words in their other language. To achieve this task, they activate parts of their brain involved in cognitive control. This extra practice at

controlling their own thoughts may lead to a ‘bilingual advantage’ in certain cognitive tasks.

4. Mastering two languages will give children a better understanding of their family’s cultural background.

The most unique aspects of a culture always risk getting lost in translation.

For this reason, being bilingual helps children become ‘bicultural’, making them more aware of cultural differences and more likely to take part in two cultures.

Every family and every child is different. There are a million different ways of raising bilingual children and the most important is to find a way that feels right for your family. Here are a few tips that can help making these decisions for your family.

1. Maximise face-to-face communication. From the first days of life, babies love making eye contact and hearing their loved ones speak, vocalise and sing. Face-toface communication is the motor of language learning and early experience is key. Making sure you talk to your baby as much as possible, and involving your child in as much conversation as possible will lead to better abilities in one, two or more languages.

2. Have a plan. It is important to think about what ‘bilingualism’ means for your family. Would you like your child to have a basic understanding of another language? Are you hoping for your child to be fluent in two languages? Or read and write in two different languages? Make sure you provide plenty of experience for your child to achieve each of these goals.

It might be a good idea to decide on a language to be used at home. One parent may decide to use one language when addressing their child, while the other parent will use a different language. Think of the language(s) you want to use when reading to your child or singing to them. The more exposure your child will get in one language, the more fluent they are likely to become in that language.

3. Keep it fun. Your child’s motivation to learn each of their languages will make a huge difference to their achievement. A child may find it unpleasant if they feel constantly tested and criticised when speaking.

The main focus should be on what is being said and not how it is being said.

4. Find role models. One way of keeping their motivation up, may be to involve people who are not fluent in your child’s dominant language.

This may encourage them to use a language they are less comfortable in. It will also show them that this language is spoken by people other

than mum and/or dad. Children will also learn a lot from other children, especially older ones. They will want to speak like them and adopt their accent and expressions. Cousins who are not fluent in your child’s dominant language, for instance, may become excellent role models and a very good source of motivation.

Offering a bilingual environment to your child is a richness they will benefit from all their life. They may not only learn two languages, but also a new way of thinking about cultural diversity. Do not be afraid of making the most of their incredible language learning abilities!

About the author: Evelyne Mercure studied Speech & Language Pathologies, Neuroscience and Psychology. She is currently an ESRC fellow at UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, investigating the impact of language experience on infants’ brain and cognitive development. She is also the proud mum of three bilingual children.

Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk 9

Parents’ place A Birthday to remember

By Robina Cowan

DIY or the full shebang?

Leisure centre package, experience day or all round to yours? When you’re planning your child’s celebration, factors to take into consideration include your child’s age and interests, the size of your house (and credit card limit), and your stamina levels. Here are some pros and cons to help you work out what type of party would suit you best.

Home party Pros: the DIY approach is great for babies and toddlers – adults usually outnumber the children.

Cons: not necessarily the cheap option you might imagine, especially if you go for an entertainer. You need plenty of room, tables and chairs. It takes

How to beat the January blues

Once the excitement of Christmas is over and gone, it can often feel like a real struggle for the whole family to keep things fresh and lively at the beginning of a new year.

However, there are so many opportunities for you to do things together as a family - both indoors and out - that you’ll soon banish the January blues!

Here are a few ideas to keep in mind…

A family read-in When it’s blowing a gale outside, there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than snuggled up with a good book. For younger children you can encourage them to act out the story and show off your full range of funny faces and voices. For older children, take the opportunity to discuss what they’re reading in some depth – talk about plot and characters and why they enjoy a particular type of book. Who knows,

you may even inspire them to try writing their own story!

Family Bake-Off Who doesn’t love the Great British Bake Off? Those grey January days offer the perfect opportunity to get into the kitchen and bake up a storm. Let younger children indulge in some messy play with their own bowl of cake mix or a piece of pastry - don’t get stressed about the mess but enjoy a real opportunity to spend some creative time together in the kitchen. For older children, encourage some healthy competition by going ‘full Bake off’ and seeing who can produce the best cookies or cupcakes.

Get creative in the garden Outdoor crafts are a wonderful way to liven up the garden for pennies, using materials you can find outdoors or simply lying around the house. It’s amazing how ice, berries and watercolours or food colourings can transform tap water into beautiful ice baubles to decorate the garden when set in interesting moulds.

Or spread peanut butter all over the outside of an empty toilet roll holder or that piece of over crunchy toast, then roll in birdseed to create an instant feeder that the kids can hang near the kitchen or living room window.

10 Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk

at least a day to buy and make the food and then there’s clearing up afterwards.

Tip: under-threes are too young for games or magic shows, but if you want to push the boat out, music and face painting go down well.

Party in a hall Pros: the mess is not at home! You could invite the whole class and have a magician or a dance party (check the venue’s rules on noise), a bouncy castle or soft play equipment. Many halls are used by playgroups during the week. You can often hire the toys and equipment for a small fee.

Cons: large parties and big rooms can be overwhelming for little people. Do hire some professional entertainment. You start out grumbling about the cost; by the end of the party, you’re kissing their feet.

Tip: if you’re short on helpers, visit www.familiesonline.co.uk to find manpower. Childminders, au pairs or nursery nurses are often willing to help out at babysitting rates.

Leisure centre or indoor playzone package Pros: a really cost-effective, stress-free way to put on a party. Some deals include venue, entertainment, food and party bags all-in. There’s no clearing up, just pick up your over-excited child and the presents, and head home.

Cons: some offer such a good deal that the whole class is there every weekend – sometimes twice in one day!

Activity party (eg bowling, makeover, drama, trampolining) Pros: popular with 7-10s, who are too cool for puppets but still need to be entertained.

The activity can create the going home present.

Cons: when you write the invitations, remember not everyone shares your child’s passions. She may adore streetdance but will some friends mob it up?

Sleepovers Pros: inexpensive and hugely popular, especially with those into double figures.

Cons: ration sweets and veto violent video games or you’ll have tiaras and tantrums all night long. Keep an eye on the action: I have lost my nerve since a seven year-old and his friends decided to pee into balloons and make ‘water bombs’. Perhaps you should dig out that old baby listening device?

Tip: don’t forget the golden rule: invite more than four children and at least one will be sick.

Experience days Pros: a brilliant solution when they have outgrown parties and you have outgrown sleepovers, but you still want a special celebration with lasting memories.

Cons: cost means this will probably be a solo event, or a day shared with just one friend. Ooh, the politics!

Tips: Into the Blue and Experience Days offer a good range of children’s activities including scuba diving, segwaying, and supercar or rally driving experiences. www.intotheblue.co.uk www.experiencedays.co.uk

Add a bird book and they can pass a few hours identifying and logging the birds that come to visit. Just make sure they wrap up warm!

Fun in the snow Of course, snow in January isn’t guaranteed, but if it does snow you have the ideal excuse to wrap up warm and organise snowman building contests and a monster snowball fight. Kids of all ages love playing in the snow, but have you ever played tug of war? Or tried snowball dodgeball? Once that snowman is built, try frisbeeing a hat onto his head or play a game of pin the nose on the snowman using a carrot.

And everyone can join in a simple game of tag, made a little more interesting if you’re only allowed to use the footprints of the other players!

Create rock pets The best way to blow away the cobwebs during January is to take the family for a long winter walk. It’s great exercise, but it’s even more fun if you make your walk an excuse to collect items for some winter crafting.

Find a talking stick Another interesting find on your walk might be a stick that transforms, with the help of some beads, feather, paint and markers into a wish stick for younger children or a talking stick for the older members of your tribe.

Talking sticks have a long history in tribal cultures as a way of allowing everyone to have

their say - you can only talk when holding the stick - so, for larger families, this could be an ideal way for your kids to create something that will ensure they’re heard.

Look to the heavens On a clear night, there’s nothing better than wrapping up warm and heading outside to stargaze. Download an app and see how many constellations you can find and identify. Younger children will enjoy spotting stars and older ones can test their astronomical knowledge.

Have a tech-free day Be brave and ban iPads, smartphones and games consoles for the day. Instead put out a pile of blank paper, pens and craft materials and see what your children can create. Boredom can be the best motivator for creativity.

Revive the art of den building For younger children, provide blankets, boxes and furniture indoors and encourage older children to get outdoors and get den building in the garden or the woods. Find out who’s the Bear Grylls of the family and who can create the best fantasy castle/ spaceship/dragon’s belly. Den building is for everyone, so get involved!

For more ideas on keeping the kids active visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk/activities

Parents’ place 20% discount at Oxygen Freejumping!

Oxygen Freejumping, Manchester’s Favourite trampoline park, is set to make your family time soar this year with a great offer on 1-hour jumping sessions for Families Manchester readers!

Oxygen Freejumping is the place where you can jump, flip, leap, play and soar to your heart’s content. Unlike other trampoline parks it has multiple different jumping zones, so whether you’re a superstar flipper or a bouncing beginner you’ll be in for a treat at Oxygen Freejumping!

The whole family is welcome to have

Play it safe Remember the good old days when you could play ball games safely in quiet streets? Do you remember the game Kerby (also known as Curby or Curb Ball)? Well it’s back! And it’s better than ever as it’s now portable, environmentally friendly (made in the UK from recycled PVC) and designed

by Manchester dad of two, Paul East!

Great fun for all the family, Kurby® can be played safely anywhere – in the garden, at the park, school or beach.

There are lots of different games you can play too – no matter what your age or skill level.

Try regular Kurby, Kurby rounders (mixture of rounders and dodgeball), Kurby stepup and Kurby knockout, to name but a few.

Two base units plus the ball and grass fixings cost £40 and as they’re heavy duty and hard wearing (designed to be either fixed temporarily to grass or permanently to parks or playgrounds), you know they’re made to last.

To find out more, and to order, go to www.kurby.co.uk

a bouncing time as you defy gravity on the mega airbags! Take on the Oxygen Allstars at dodgeball, battle your friends on the speed reaction walls and practice your super slamming skills on the basketball hoops. If it involves Freejumping fun, they’ve got it covered!

Plus, exclusively for Families Manchester readers, you can save 20% if you use code FAMILYTIME when booking! Get ready to make some memories with the whole family at Oxygen Freejumping. Visit oxygenfreejumping.co.uk to book.

Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk 11

Clubs & classes Scouting: skills for life

The image of kids spending lots of time outdoors, getting heaps of fresh air and exercise while learning life skills as they go seems quaintly nostalgic now. There is, however, a great British institution that still promotes and encourages those values, while incorporating the realities of twenty-first-century living, like IT skills and PR. We spoke to Gareth Huxtable, a former scout and Scout Leader, about Scouting and what it can offer to today’s youngsters.

How has Scouting changed in the twenty years you’ve been involved?

The fact that a major celebrity and world-class adventurer, Bear Grylls, is now the Chief Scout, speaks volumes. His many remarkable

achievements are an inspiration to the boys and girls, and he has definitely made scouting cool. We now go right the way through from age 6 to 25 and offer a huge range of activities.

The uniform has been updated and is really practical, modern and comfortable for both sexes.

Tell us more about the activities It’s still based on the model of working towards Proficiency badges, which has been proven to be a great system for application and reward. There is something for everyone to work towards and achieve. We’ve got the old favourites like map reading and first aid, but also mechanics, abseiling, photography and entertaining. You name it, really. There is always a topic that will appeal. Going on from there we have the personal development awards, Chief Scout and Queen Scout that

are similar to the Duke of Edinburgh awards and impressive for CVs. As well as physical challenges and new skills, these top awards require commitment to a charity, and the Queen herself does the presentation. Quite an honour!

Do you still go away on camps?

Oh yes. Camps and nights away are a big part of the scouting experience and they are open to the boys and girls of all ages. It’s a great chance for them to learn some independence and to fit in living and working alongside others.

As they get older, the camps get more adventurous and we do overseas expeditions as well. This way we meet up with scouts from other countries, which is a brilliant chance to make new friends, have fun and see that they are a part of something bigger.

Does it cost a lot to become a scout?

I’d say it’s surprisingly cheap compared to a lot of other children’s activities. We have an annual subscription charge, and that varies a bit depending on where in the country you are, but the average is somewhere between £50 and £100. That doesn’t include things like camps, as obviously there are extra costs involved in transport, food and accommodation for trips away. The only other outlay is for the uniform, but there is no need to buy all brand-new kit. There is a thriving second-hand market in scouting gear, and the Scouting Association itself can help out for families that struggle with the costs.

What’s the best thing about scouting?

That’s a hard question! There are so many benefits. Most of all, it’s good fun. It’s also good to get kids outdoors, get them muddy, and, at the same time, they are learning behaviours and skills that are setting them up for life. It’s win-win really. They make new friends, they have adventures, and they

push themselves. I think the fact that we currently have over 450,000 members shows that the movement is more popular than ever and is providing a lot of opportunity for young people. Membership is growing, so that proves that the scouts are enjoying themselves and that’s not bad for an organisation that’s over a hundred years old, but still meeting the needs of today’s kids.

A hundred years old?

Yes, we’ve hit our centenary year and there’s been a lot to celebrate. We formed Cub100 to commemorate 100 years of Cub scouting and have held events all over the country. We’re actually the largest mixed youth organisation in the UK today. Not bad for a movement that was established in 1907. I think it shows we have really moved with the times and are providing a valuable outlet for our members.

The transformation in the last fifteen years has been quite remarkable. That translates to thousands of kids all over the UK getting involved in masses of different activities every week. And that’s not including the camps and trips.

So it’s not all about woggles and knots anymore?

We still have a woggle but, as I said before, the uniform is very modern these days. It’s all part of the re-brand to keep us relevant in the twenty-first century. Anyone, boy or girl, can join as a Beaver when they are six and carry right on through Cubs, Scouts and Explorers to the Scout Network for 18-25 years old. Scouting is very inclusive and I really can’t recommend it enough.

For more information about scouting and other clubs visit: www.familiesonline.co.uk/activities

Puddle Ducks A wonderful swimming programme delivering nurturing, fun classes to over 13,000 babies, children and mummies across the UK every week. Babies and children can join our swimming classes at any age from birth, developing into confident swimmers without even realising they’re learning to swim. By engaging each child’s abilities and natural affinity with water, Puddle Ducks offer simple steps to a lifetime love of swimming. Every child is different: our fantastic teachers adapt each activity to suit your child, nurturing water confidence and enjoyment. Mums to be can also keep fit, relax and unwind by joining our Aqua Natal classes. Call 0161 883 0222 (Manchester, Stockport, Oldham and Gee Cross, Hyde) or 01257 262622 (East Lancashire). www.puddleducks.com

Advertise in Families Manchester

Call Jayne on: 01625 801801 or email advertising@ familiesmanchester.co.uk

12 Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk

What’s on Are YOU looking for a new challenge or direction in 2017?

Daily until Sat 1 April

Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Puppet Masters Exhibition with Aardman Studios A fascinating behind–the–scenes insight into the world of stop motion animation, this free exhibition features puppets, props and production artwork from titles including, Wallace and Gromit, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! and Timmy Time, and will tell the story of how each character is brought to the screen. 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscentre.co.uk

Mondays in Jan & Feb

How would YOU like to own your own business, running colourful art classes for babies and children?

Are you enthusiastic, creative, great with people (big and small!) and unafraid of a bit of mess?

If the answer to all of these questions is a big YES then ARTventurers would love to chat to you!

Founded in 2011 by mum of two Fiona Simpson, ARTventurers run award winning art classes for babies, toddlers and children – jam packed with colourful, creative (and often messy!) fun. Classes are centred around children’s learning and development through art and creative play and the demand to join in the ARTventurers fun has been so high that last year Fiona launched an ARTventurers franchise package.

“The past 12 months have been amazing for ARTventurers” said Fiona. “We have a fabulous and growing team of ARTventurers franchisees, the majority of whom are parents looking to escape the 9 to 5 and run a fun, flexible business around the needs of their family. I set up my business with a baby and a toddler in tow so I’ve been

there myself…it’s a great way to earn money whilst working around the kids and with an ARTventurers franchise there are lots of different income streams available to our franchisees.”

“We offer a bumper franchise package, TONS of support and we already have 22 franchisees running classes in all different locations across the country which is fab!

However we don’t yet have an ARTventurers branch in the Manchester and surrounding areas and so we are looking to award new franchises in the Manchester area in 2017 to people who are going to be a great fit for our team.”

ARTventurers are going to be attending the Boutique Baby Show at the MacDonald Manchester Hotel on Saturday 4 February and would love to chat to anyone interested in finding out more about joining the ARTventurers Team. You can contact Fiona to book a one-to-one chat on 07775 911990 or email her at mail@artventurers.co.uk. Or just go along on the day and say hello! You can also find out lots more about all of the fun they get up to at ARTventurers over at www.artventurers.co.uk

The Place at Platt Lane, Fallowfield Childrens Craft Club 4.30 – 5.30pm / Ages 5 – 11 (under 8s accompanied) Arts & Crafts activities facilitated by an experienced youth worker and supported by volunteers.

For more information contact Michelle Wright on 0161 227 1283 or e–mail michelle.wright@onemanchester.co.uk www.theplaceonline.co.uk

Wednesdays in Jan & Feb

Ordsall Hall, Salford Once upon a Time 9.45am / £1 per child Discover what’s behind the doors of Ordsall Hall with a different activity each week such as storytelling, crafts or music. 0161 872 0251 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk Helly Hansen Watersports Centre, Salford Climbing Club 6.30pm / Adult £6.50, Junior £5. Come and challenge yourself and keep fit by climbing up the 8 metre high indoor climbing wall. Save when you buy a block pass. 0161 877 7252 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk

Saturdays in Jan & Feb

The Lowry, Salford Lookout, it’s Saturday Playhouse!

11am – 12.30pm / Ages 5 – 11 / Free A weekly art activity for children and their families in the dedicated Lookout space for families. Something different each week. www.thelowry.com

Sundays in Jan & Feb

Salford Museum and Art Gallery Mr Tomlinson’s Sweet Shop 12.30 – 3pm / Free (donations welcome). Visit Mr Tomlinson’s shop on the recreated Victorian street and pick up some sweet treats! 0161 778 0800 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk

Weekends in Jan & Feb

Salford Museum & Art Gallery Creation Station 12 – 4pm / Younger children / Free. Get creative at the creation station! A different activity each week.

0161 778 0800 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk

Sat 7 Jan, Sat 4 Feb & Sat 4 Mar Bramall Hall, Stockport Saturdays at the Hall 1pm – 3pm / Age 4+ / £1pp, drop in (limited places). A fun family craft activity in the brand new learning room in the Visitor Centre.

0161 474 2020 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Sat 7 Jan & Sat 11 Feb

Hat Works, Stockport Early Birds Doors open 9am, Crafts 9.15 – 11am / Free entry, £2 for crafts. Enjoy the museum at a quiet time and take part in a different craft activity each month. Staff on hand to start the machinery and talk about the exhibits. Suitable for children and adults with autism, their families and companions 0161 474 2487 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Thurs 12 & 26 Jan, Thurs 2 & 16 Feb

Bramall Hall, Stockport Bramall Hall Babies – Sensory Stories 11.30am – 12.15pm / non–walking babies / £6 per baby (max two accompanying adults free), booking essential. A sensory story and play session. Listen to tales of Billy the Bear, Dottie the Dizzy Dragon or a surprise story!

Bramall Hall Babies – Tudor Sensations Bramall Hall themed sensory play sessions.

10.15am – 11am / £3 per baby (max two accompanying adults free), booking essential 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Thurs 12 & Thurs 26 Jan, Thurs 9 & Thurs 23 Feb

Touchstones, Rochdale Tiny Touchstones Babies: 10.30am, Toddlers: 11.45am, Ages 3 – 5: 1pm / £2, no booking required. A programme exploring themes of celebration and culture through music, stories, movement and art with Ruthie Boycott–Garnett.

Babies: relax and explore the arts through sensory play.

Toddlers: an active session focusing on a newart form each week to explore, create and build adventures. Ages 3 – 5: A creative session making music, telling stories and exploring the world.

01706 924928 / link4life.org

Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk 13

What’s on Fri 13 & 27 Jan, Fri 17 & 24 Feb

The Lowry, Salford Under 5s First Steps 10 – 10.45am and 11 – 11.45am / Ages 2 ½ – 4 ½ / £3.50 (£1.75 Salford residents). Wriggle, jiggle and jump as you explore stories, rhythm and music through your body.

0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com

Fri 13 Jan & Fri 10 Feb

Hat Works, Stockport Messy Milliners 11am – 11.45am / £3.50 per baby (plus max two accompanying adults), booking essential An exciting and innovative messy play session with a hatting theme! Suitable for babies and early walkers 0161 474 2399 /www.stockport.gov.uk Manchester Art Gallery Mini Art Club 10.15 – 11.15am, 11.30am – 12.30pm / Ages 1 – 4 / Free, book one week in advance. Explore artworks, create and get messy with visual artist Jess Wild. 0161 235 8888 / www.manchesterartgallery.org

Sat 14 Jan

Jodrell Bank, Macclesfield Family Starlight Adventure 2 – 5pm / All ages (specially under 8s), £10, (Families £32 (2 + 2) or £40 (2+3), booking essential. Discover the secrets of the stars in the night sky. A fun, fact–packed science show, hands–on lantern making session, and a special lantern–led walk to the Galaxy Garden. Enjoy a star show in the inflatable planetarium (please note that visitors will be required to sit on the floor for this). 01477 571 766 / www.jodrellbank.net The Manchester Museum Autism Friendly Early Opening Ages 5 – 16 / Free, drop in. Early opening aimed at children who have autism and other needs, along with their families and carers, and siblings. Activities take place before the Museum opens to the general public and there will be a quiet room available too.

In this session, the Fossils gallery where Stan the T–Rex lives will be open earlier. www.museum.manchester.ac.uk Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), Manchester Pi: Platform for Investigation – What’s your FOODprint?

10.30am – 3.30pm / Age 8+ / Free Interactive science show creating awareness of the impact of food–related activities. 0161 832 2244 / www.msimanchester.org.uk

Sat 14 & Sun 15 Jan, Sat 11 & Sun 12 Feb

Manchester Art Gallery Family Weekend 1pm–3pm / All ages / Free, drop in. Explore, create and have fun with your family. Join us in the Clore Art Studio where a different artist each month will be responding to an exhibition.

0161 235 8888 / www.manchesterartgallery.org

Mon 16 Jan & Mon 20 Feb

Z-arts, Hulme Jitterbugs 10.30am / Ages 2 – 5 / Free for Bright Sparks members. A dance and movement class for pre–schoolers. Booking recommended.

0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org

These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiesmanchester.co.uk or upload your event listing to our website - www.familiesonline.co.uk

Tues 17 Jan

Sat 28 Jan

Sun 5 Feb & Sun 5 Mar

Tues 17 & 31 Jan

Sun 29 Jan

Sat 11 Feb

Z-arts, Hulme Baby Play 10.30am / Ages 0 – 18 months / Free for Bright Sparks members. An interactive room for you and your baby to discover. Booking recommended.

0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org The Manchester Museum Baby Explorer 10.30 – 11.15am or 11.30am – 12.15pm / Free but booking essential a week in advance. Interactive story and sensory play sessions taking place in the Nature Discovery gallery.

Musical Baby Explorers 1 – 1.45pm / Free but booking essential a week in advance. Live music and songs inspired by the collections, supported by a range of playful sensory resources for babies to explore. 0161 275 2648 / www.museum.manchester.ac.uk

Fri 20 Jan & Fri 17 Feb

Bramall Hall, Stockport Behind the Scenes at Bramall Hall 7pm – 9pm All ages / £10, booking essential Find out more about the restoration and conservation of Bramall Hall – a guided tour with a difference.

0161 474 4444 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Sat 21 Jan & Sat 18 Feb

Manchester Art Gallery Open Doors 9.15am – 10.45am / Ages 5 – 16 with families or carers / Free, drop in. A series of creative, sensory activities aimed at children with autism. 0161 235 8869 / www.manchesterartgallery.org

Sun 22 Jan

Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery Wellbeing Workshops – You, With Your Body 2 – 3pm / All ages (children must be accompanied) / Free, booking essential. A fun and interactive discussion where you can learn some simple pragmatic tools. Guest Speaker: Geraldine Ling.

0161 474 4453 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Mon 23 Jan & Mon 27 Feb

Z-arts, Hulme Paint Pots for TotsZ 10.30am / Ages 2 – 4 / Free for Bright Sparks Members. Get creative with your little one. Special offers in the café too.

0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org

Fri 27 Jan & Fri 24 Feb

Hat Works, Stockport Mad Hatters Art & Crafts Club 10am – 11.30am (Ages 2 – 5), 2 – 3pm (Babies – age 2) / £5 per child (plus max two accompanying adults), booking essential. An action packed hour of arts and crafts with the emphasis on fun and age and ability appropriate crafts. Dress to get messy!

0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Sat 28 Jan

Grappenhall Community Centre Mess Around Extravaganza 10.30 – 11.45am / Age 6mnths (sit unaided) – 5yrs / £10, siblings £5.50, booking essential. Multi–sensory messy play experiences for little ones with older siblings (up to age 10) welcome to participate in the Big Kids Create & Make corner. Loads of activities where little ones can squelch, pour, mix and splat, including the painting wall, rainbow spaghetti and snow storm. Also a visit by a mascot character, and facepainting and glitter tattoos for children. www.messarounduk.com/cheshiresouthmcr

14 Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk

Z-arts, Hulme Chinese New Year Family Fun Day 10am – 12pm / Free, booking recommended A Chinese themed fun day with arts and crafts inspired by the year of the Rooster.

0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org Ordsall Hall, Salford Story Telling for Burns Night 1.30 – 3.30pm / All ages / Free, drop in Be captivated by listening to stories from Scottish history and folklore in Ordsall Hall’s ‘Chamber of Light’ - The Solar Room. Suitable for families and children under 16. 0161 872 0251 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk

Sat 28 Jan & Sat 25 Feb

Bramall Hall, Stockport Early Birds 9.30 – 11.30am / Child free, normal admission for adults, booking essential. Early opening for families with autism, offering the opportunity to explore the Hall when it’s quiet. Enjoy family trails and activity boxes. Staff will be on hand to help you to learn about the Hall. 0161 474 2020 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Sun 29 Jan & Sun 26 Feb

The Lowry, Salford Relaxed Playhouse 11am – 12.30pm / Ages 5 – 11 / Free but booking essential. An accessible visual art activity for children with additional needs and their families.

0843 208 6000 / www.thelowry.com

Thurs 2 Feb

The John Rylands Library, Manchester Toddler tales 10.30 – 11.15am / Under 5s / Free. Find a cosy corner, pull up a cushion and listen to fun stories.

Join in playtime, creating a storyworld of your own. www.library.manchester.ac.uk

Fri 3 Feb & Fri 3 Mar

Manchester Art Gallery Baby Friday 1.15 – 2pm, 2.30 – 3.15pm, Free, book one week in advance. Explore with visual artist, Rose Miller. Ideal for babies who aren’t yet walking. For those who can’t book on, drop in to the Clore Art Studio from 10am where there will be special baby baskets which will help you and your baby explore the Clore’s new design.

0161 235 8888 / www.manchesterartgallery.org Bramall Hall, Stockport Bramall Dragon Club 10am – 12 noon / Ages 2 – 5 years / £7 per child, booking essential. Explorer visits to the hall, park and gardens with dragon hunts, creepy–crawly trails and wild woodland walks.

0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Wed 4 Feb

Stockport Air Raid Shelters Children’s Explorer Tours 6.45pm – 8.15pm / Age 7+ / Child: £3.95, Adult: £3, booking essential. Brave the darkened tunnels as you go back in time and experience the life of a child during the war. 0161 474 1940 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Sat 4 & Sun 5 Feb

Macdonald Manchester Hotel & Spa Boutique Baby Show 10am – 4pm / Free entry An exciting new Baby Show, aiming at showcasing a variety of small Baby businesses, with focusing on classes / activities in the North of Manchester that you can attend with your little one. Raffle in aid of Bliss and Sands charities. www.boutiquebabyshows.co.uk

Ordsall Hall, Salford Through the Ages... Live!

1pm / All ages / £1 per child, drop in. A family fun day packed with arts, crafts and activities.

0161 872 0251 / www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk Altrincham FC Community Sports Hall Mess Around Extravaganza (with a Valentines twist) 2 – 3.15pm / Age 6mnths (sit unaided) – 5yrs / £10, siblings £5.50, booking essential. Multi–sensory messy play experiences for little ones with older siblings (up to age 10) welcome to participate in the Big Kids Create & Make corner. Loads of activities where little ones can squelch, pour, mix and splat, including the painting wall, rainbow spaghetti and snow storm. Also a few valentine themed activities including Valentine card making. www.messarounduk.com/cheshiresouthmcr Quarry Bank Mill, Styal Baby and Toddler – Storytelling and Play session 9.30am, 10.15am, 11am / Free, booking essential Bring your little ones to Quarry Bank, for a special storytelling and play session just for them.

01625 527468 / www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry–bank

Sat 11 – Sun 26 Feb

Chatsworth House, Bakewell Half term in the farmyard & adventure playground 10.30am – 4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm) / £6pp / £22 per family (2 adults and up to 3 children) The farmyard and adventure playground will be open for the February school holidays. Join in the Wild West themed fun on our trailer ride, dare to handle the spiders and snakes, take a shot in Tin Can Alley, let off steam in the adventure playground and meet all the animals in the farmyard. Small extra charge for the tractor trailer ride.

01246 565300 / www.chatsworth.org

Mon 13 Feb

2nd Bramhall Scout Hut Mess Around Party with a Valentines twist 10.30 – 11.30am / Age 6mnths (sit unaided) – 5yrs / £10, siblings £5.50, booking essential. Multi–sensory messy play experiences for little ones with older siblings (up to age 10) welcome to participate in the Big Kids Create & Make corner. Loads of activities where little ones can squelch, pour, mix and splat, including the painting wall, rainbow spaghetti and snow storm. Also a few valentine themed activities including Valentine card making. www.messarounduk.com/cheshiresouthmcr

Sat 18 & Sun 19 Feb

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham Manchester Model Engineering Exhibition 2017 A unique opportunity to see some of the finest model engineering in the world. A brilliant family day out and an inspiration to all engineers, old and new with manhy fascinating attractions. www.mmex.co.uk

Sat 18 – Sun 26 Feb

Tatton Park, Knutsford Scarecrow Festival Normal opening times and admission applies.

Visit the scarecrow festival in the Gardens and at the Farm. Over 30 scarecrows will be resident in the Gardens. Find the farmyard scarecrows and have a go at making your own. Closed Monday.

01625 374400 / www.tattonpark.org.uk

Mon 20 Feb

Stockport Museum For Families with Autism 10am – 12pm, Free, drop in. Enjoy the museum while it’s quiet and closed to the public. Staff on hand to chat about the exhibits and explain the craft activity. Suitable for families with autistic children.

0161 474 4444 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Not all event information is available at the time of going to press – so make sure you visit our website which is full of fabulous LOCAL content and being constantly updated. www.familiesonline.co.uk

Mon 20 – Fri 24 Feb

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal February half term fun 11am – 4pm / All ages / Free, normal admission applies, drop in. Make computer coded necklaces using binary beads to spell out your name, and take a clothes peg and lollipop stick engineering challenge. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry–bank

Tues 21 Feb

Tatton Park, Knutsford Deer Feed and Trailer Ride 9.30 – 10.30am / Age 4+ / £8pp, booking essential Take a trailer ride with the Rangers to watch the daily deer feed. Get a close look at hundreds of deer feeding in their beautiful natural setting.

01625 374428 / www.tattonpark.org.uk Staircase House, Stockport Scribble as you go Special Discover different styles of writing as you go round the House. Come and find out more and have a go at one or more types of lettering!. 1pm – 4pm / All ages / Adult £4.75, Child free, drop in 0161 474 4444 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Tues 21 – Thurs 23 Feb

Hat Works, Stockport Half Term Hat Works Fun 2pm – 4pm / Age 7+ / £4, booking essential Try your hand at a different craft each day, including felt making, decoupage and easy lino print.

0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk Bramall Hall, Stockport Half Term Fun! 10am, 12pm, 2pm & 4pm (1 hour sessions) / Age 6+ / £3 per child, drop in. Try your hand at a difference craft activity each day – printing, stained glass, wattle and daub, or ceiling pendant making.

0161 474 2020 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Tues 21 & Thurs 23 Feb

Stockport Museum Half Term Museum Crafty Makes 1pm –4pm, Age 5 – 11 / Free, drop in Have a go at different crafts.

0161 474 4444 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Wed 22 Feb

Staircase House, Stockport Disgusting Days Tour 2 – 3.30pm / All ages / Children £3 (1 adult free per paying child), booking essential Take a trip round Staircase house and discover disgusting habits, tales and stories about life in the House (includes a craft activity) 0161 474 4444 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Thurs 23 Feb

Tatton Park, Knutsford Winter Welly Walk 10.30am – 12pm, 1 – 2.30pm / Ages 3 – 5 (accompanied) / £8 (adult free), booking essential Taking inspiration from Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Where My Wellies Take Me’, children are invited on an exciting journey through the woodland to learn about Tatton Park’s nature and wildlife. Only one accompanying adult per child 01625 374428 / www.tattonpark.org.uk Touchstones, Rochdale Family Music and Dance Day 11am – 4pm / Free, drop in Singing, making instruments, drumming and family barn dancing (11am & 2pm) with an expert live band.

01706 924928 / link4life.org

Fri 24 Feb

Bramall Hall, Stockport The Beasts of Bramall Hall 10am, 1pm & 3pm (1 hour sessions) / Ages 3 – 6 / £3 per child, booking essential. A magical tour of the Hall for younger visitors. Listen to stories based on the creatures found here and find the Red Dragon.

0161 474 2020 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Fri 24 – Sun 26 Feb

East Lancashire Railway, Bury Mystery at the Magic Museum Join the award–winning After Dark Entertainment team on an exciting family friendly theatrical adventure taking place amidst the exhibits of Bury Transport Museum.

Scout for clues around the steam powered stars of yesteryear to solve this interactive mystery. www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

Sat 25 Feb

What’s on Daily from 28 Feb (closed Mondays)

Stockport Museum Museum Mouse’s Musical Meander Normal opening hours / all ages / Free, drop in A new trail as museum mouse travels around the Museum learning about music.

0161 474 4444 / www.stockport.gov.uk

Sat 4 Mar

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal World Book Day at Quarry Bank 10.30am – 4pm / All ages / Free, normal admission applies, drop in Celebrate World Book Day at Quarry Bank with an interactive tour inspired by bestselling author Berlie Doherty’s ‘Far From Home’. Dressing up as your favourite book character is encouraged! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry–bank

Didsbury United Reformed Church Hall Mess Around Party 1.30 – 2.30pm / Age 6mnths (sit unaided) – 5yrs / £10, siblings £5.50, booking essential Multi–sensory messy play experiences for little ones with older siblings (up to age 10) welcome to participate in the Big Kids Create & Make corner.

Loads of activities where little ones can squelch, pour, mix and splat, including the painting wall, rainbow spaghetti and snow storm. www.messarounduk.com/cheshiresouthmcr

Sun 26 Feb

Hat Works, Stockport Super Sunday 11am –– 4pm / All ages / £1.50pp (under 2s free), drop in. Celebrate all things Welsh as we head towards St David’s Day! Daffodils and dragons galore!

0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk

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16 Families Manchester | www.familiesonline.co.uk