Families West London September 2019

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 1

Issue 130 September 2019

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 2

2 Families west London

September 2019

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 3

News & Views In this issue...

The new school year is here and after long summer evenings when mealtimes and bedtimes may have slipped, it’s the time to put some new routines into place.

Familiarity at the beginning and the end of the day mean the rest of the day is (usually) easier for everyone. We have pages stacked with hints and tips for you so grab a cuppa and enjoy our September issue.

3

Contents News & Views

Choosing the right school...

8 School Open Day Dates/listing 10 10 Top Tips for settling into school...

6

12 Trying a new club or class 14 Activities, clubs & classes listings

16 Does my baby have ADHD? 17 What’s On in West London

20 Fostering self control in young children

22 Becoming Eco-Warriors

Buttercups Nurseries voted Top 20 in UK by parents

Buttercups Day Nurseries, in West London and Chalfont Park, have been voted one of the Top 20 mid-sized nursery groups in the country… for the second year running!

The annual Top 20 Nursery Awards 2019 highlight the most recommended nursery groups in the UK. The awards are based on over 50,000 reviews from parents or individuals responsible for a child who attends a nursery. With 75% of its nurseries rated Outstanding by Ofsted, Buttercups is a family-run group which has been providing high-quality childcare to children in West London for nearly 40 years.

Buttercups prides itself on its child-led approach to early years education, offering a mix of approaches including Montessori, Forest School, Highscope and the EYFS. This has made it a real favourite with parents and children alike: “The team at Buttercups are extremely caring and loving. They have a fun, educational and caring atmosphere and our child's learning growth over the years is a testament to the planning and structure they have in place” said John B, a current Buttercups Acton parent.

The awards are run by Daynurseries.co.uk, the leading UK Nursery review website with 4.5 million visits per year. www.Buttercups-nursery.co.uk

A confident start with Jigsaw Performing Arts

A new school year is here - time to try something new with your weekend?

These popular dance, singing and drama weekend classes for 3-18year-olds are designed to develop children's confidence, selfexpression, focus and social skills, while having fun and making lots of new friends. Parents share in the excitement and their children's progress with regular presentations, shows and reports from our team of highly experienced teachers. For more information or to book a two-week trial, search for your nearest school on their website: jigsaw-arts.co.uk or call them on: 020 8447 4530.

Like us on Facebook Families West Magazine

Follow us on Twitter @FamiliesWest

www.famililiesonline.co.uk

23 Going Car Free and Classified ads & party listings

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2019

Families west London 3

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 4

News & Views SleepGeeks

Coping with with bedtime battles, early rising or frequent night waking can be extremely stressful, and parents are in urgent need of evidence-based, realistic and workable solutions.

SleepGeeks are gentle sleep consultants helping parents solve their babies and young children’s' sleep issues without stress. Sleepgeeks carefully study the family’s specific needs to work out what is practical and achievable for each unique child.

SleepGeeks do not advocate stress for parent or child. Instead, we offer only evidence-based and ethical advice to parents.

SleepGeeks founders Sarah Johnson and Lou Toosey have supported expectant parents and families with babies and young children for years. Their training includes Millpond clinic, Sarah Ockwell-Smith’s Babycalm programme and the Holistic Sleep Coach Lyndsey Hookway at BabyEm. Lou and Sarah became firm friends when training to be NCT antenatal teachers 10 years ago. They are also both birth doulas. Sarah is a hypnobirthing instructor and Lou is a baby massage expert who has appeared on ITV’s This Morning App (see YouTube). To contact SleepGeeks or for a free 15 minute phone consultation, go to: www.sleepgeeks.co.uk

Improving your child’s concentration

Perform and parenting expert and child psychologist, Dr Claire Halsey offers her tips.

Concentration is a vital life skill which develops from birth. Linked closely to brain development, it improves alongside a child’s memory and ability to organise their thoughts.

Set Up for Success Reduce big distractions: television, music and screen time make it difficult to listen and concentrate, so limit these to set times.

Make it Fun Make activities fun as your child is more likely to pay attention eg: tidying up toys is less of a chore when you offer a tickle to the child who finishes first!

Keep Practising Games and activities can build concentration. Choose turn-taking games like Snap or Picture Dominoes or those with simple instructions.

Praise the Good Stuff Praise your child when they focus rather than highlighting when they don’t, eg: “Well done for sticking with that puzzle.”

Seek Advice A small number of children have difficulty paying attention no matter how hard they try. Ask your child’s teacher for suggestions.

If you’re still concerned, see your GP. More from Dr Claire Halsey at: www.clairehalsey.com Perform offers concentration-boosting drama classes in Shepherd’s Bush, Marylebone, Maida Vale, Ickenham, Hammersmith, Earl’s Court, Ealing, Chiswick, Brook Green and Acton. Try a FREE no-obligation class at: www.perform.org.uk/try

Independent French School For boys and girls aged 4-11 Welcoming and friendly community

Recommended by 100% of parents (Ofsted - Parent View) International environment with daily English lessons at all levels Numerous PTA clubs, Morning/Afternoon and Homework clubs Building skill with individual attention School visits (pre-registration essential) 7/3/19 - 4/4/19 - 6/6/19 59 Brook Green, Hammersmith, London W6 7BE +44 20 7602 6871 info@ecoleprevert.org.uk www.ecoleprevert.org.uk

4 Families west London

September 2019

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 5

Everyone Active

Learning to swim is a vital life skill which every child should experience.

Swimming lessons teach children independence and give a sense of accomplishment as they feel themselves improving. Swimming offers a whole-body workout like no other, helping children to keep active whilst having fun. Notably, learning to swim also gives children the ability to get themselves out of potentially dangerous situations, enabling them to fully enjoy trips to the seaside and beach holidays.

Everyone Active’s awarding winning learn to swim programme offers lessons for all ages of swimmers, from child classes starting at 4 months right through to adult classes and are available at over 120 sites. All swimming teachers are Swim England level 2 (or equivalent) qualified. All stages are progressive and continually assessed, initially developing water confidence and then teaching children to swim.

As they improve, this distance is increased and all strokes are introduced.

They also have the opportunity to develop water safety skills and other aquatic disciplines such as Rookie Lifeguard, synchronised swimming diving and water polo. To enrol visit: everyoneactive.com/swim-lessons

Dance Gallery announce their new show...

...“And The Beat Goes On!” and exciting new classes starting this September!

Dance Gallery, Ealing’s leading dance school is starting some exciting new classes this September! New Junior Jazz and Musical Theatre classes for 4 years up and Contemporary classes for students Year 8 upwards.

All the dances learnt during lessons will be performed as part of their amazing new show “And The Beat Goes On!” at Questors Theatre, Ealing in March next year.

Classes take place at St Stephens Church Hall W13 8HB. Call Jill on 020 8566 9672 to book your free trial class or fill in an enquiry form at: www.dancegallery .co.uk

Lemon Tree and St Matthew’s Montessori schools based in Ealing Broadway offering both full day care (8.00am-6.00pm) and term time (9.15am-3.15am) for children aged from 1.5 years to 5 years old.

We offer French, Ballet, Yoga, Drama and PE inclusive of fees.

Full and part time sessions available. Qualified and experienced teachers offer a high standard of learning, nurturing and care.

Lemon Tree Montessori: 07495 898 760 (Full Day Care) St Matthew’s Montessori: 07856 364153 (Term Time) Website: www.lemontreemontessori.com

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2019

Families west London 5

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 6

How to choose the right

for your child

Whether it's for primary or secondary school, in the next few months the majority of parents have to make big decisions about what school preferences to shortlist for their child.

But, don’t panic! Families has asked parents across the UK to give their top tips on how to make the right choices.

What type of School?

Do you want to choose a fee-paying or state school? Day or boarding?

Single-sex or co-ed? What sort of school will suit your child? There are lots of factors to consider when you start looking at prospective schools.

Mandy says: "Our son is really sensitive, and we felt a busy state school would not suit his character at all. We were lucky his grandparents offered to help with the school fees, so we chose a local independent school that didn't have an entrance exam. He loves it."

Do your research If you are looking at state schools, find out what catchment area you are in. Your local LEA website can help with this. If you feel you might be on the edge of a catchment area, it’s worth asking your local authority or the school whether children where you live have been offered places in previous years.

Linda says: “When we filled in our preference list for primary school, we already knew we might not get our first or second choice because the local authority had told us we were on the edge of the catchment area. This was really helpful because we made sure that we were slap bang in the middle of the catchment for our third and fourth choices.”

Make sure you research the admissions policy for all schools in which you are interested, state or independent, primary or secondary.

Many primary schools have a siblingsfirst policy whilst schools that are affiliated to a church may have special requirements related to your family religion. You need to know whether you fulfil the entry requirements.

Many independent schools have entrance exams which you need to understand. Similarly, if you live in a grammar school area you need to find out if you are in catchment for the school and when the 11+ examinations take place.

6 Families west London

By Claire Winter

Visit the School It is vital that you visit all the schools you are interested in. Independent school open days are widely publicised and it’s worth visiting them at least a year before you need to apply in order to come up with an initial shortlist. You can then visit again closer to the time of making your applications.

You can search for state school open days online, as well as finding out more about the school from their website. Pay attention to the attitude of the school at open days. You want the school to be friendly and welcoming to you at this time.

Lisa says: “I attended an open day at the school which was our first choice for primary because it is an Outstanding school with a very good reputation. But I found the attitude of the school towards parents really off-putting. Basically we were told at the open day that they wouldn’t be answering any questions about the school until we got offered a place.

Needless to say, I scratched them off our list!”

It’s very helpful to book an appointment to see the school during the working day. This way you get to see how the pupils interact with the teachers and you can see if the school will really suit your child.

What is the Head Teacher like?

Most Head Teachers make a speech at their school Open Days and these are well worth listening to. The Head is responsible for the ethos and vision of a school and is also a key decision maker. She or he are also responsible for employing key staff responsible for both teaching and pastoral care and so his attitude and outlook are likely to trickle down throughout the school and be very influential overall.

Isobel says: "We put a lot of weight on what the Head Master/Head Mistress was like. They really drive the culture of a school. Next up was the kids.

Watching them interact with each other and their teachers. That was a real eye-opener in some classrooms!

We chose our primary school because when the Head Master asked a

question they all put their hands up.

He picked a girl to answer but got her name slightly wrong.

She was confident to correct him, politely, before answering the question. That stood out for me as both respectful and confident - two characteristics I'd want my children to have."

Think about logistics How far away is the school? If you work, do they have a good breakfast club and after-school care? Can your child get to school by bus or a coach or can they walk to school?

Will you have to drive them?

"I wanted my daughter to go to a school she could walk to" says Amanda. "She could have travelled further by bus to a school with better results, but I loved the small size of our closest school and the emphasis they put on play."

Clare agrees: “I wanted my boys to go to a local school, primary and secondary, which they could walk to and from and benefit from physical exercise. Especially at secondary level, I wanted them to have local friends so that they could develop their independence and social skills outside of the school day. The academic performance of the school was secondary to these factors as I strongly believe that these other factors also contribute significantly to doing well at school."

Will the School suit your child?

Some children may have special needs or find large, noisy schools scary; some may need to be challenged whilst others will do better in a school which is a bit more laid back. Think about what type of environment your child needs to thrive. An academic school or a school that is smaller and friendly?

Do they need additional support and can the school provide it? Do they need an organised and more

September 2019

structured day? Or are they more creative and require a school that focuses more on art and creative pursuits?

Does your child have any friends going to that school?

Anna Louise wanted a friendly school for her daughter. "When it came to senior school, we visited the most academically successful school but found it very corporate. Then we went to a less academically successful school, but all of us loved its warmth and friendly atmosphere, so we chose it. Four years later, we have no regrets because the pastoral care has been superb. My daughter has been diagnosed with autism and anxiety, and the school has been wonderfully supportive. To succeed, children need to be happy and feel safe, and my daughter's school does just that for her."

Making the decision Don’t be swayed by the opinions of other parents: you know what is best for your child. Choosing a school is down to individual choice and, once you’ve done the research and homework, remember to listen to your heart, as well as your head and, of course, prioritise your child’s wellbeing first and foremost.

If your child is old enough, make sure you include them in the process of choosing a school.

Let them look around the schools with you and ask them what they think. Talk with them about the decision-making process and make the decision with them.

Then trust that you have all made the right choice and that all will work out for the best..

We’d love to know how you chose your child’s school. Let us know on our Facebook page: FamiliesWest Magazine or Twitter; @FamiliesWest

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 7

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2019

Families west London 7

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 8

OPEN DAY DATES

The school where your child will spend most of their teen years will have a huge influence on their development and character.

Your choices are important - which is where Open Days come in. Take your son or daughter with you; they will see things through a different set of eyes, and their opinion matters. Not all open day dates were available when we went to press: check the websites of the schools you're interested in for more information and where necessary, to book first.

School Heathfield House School

Address Heathfield Gardens, W4 4JU

Age 4-11

Dates By appointment

Contact details 0208 994 3385 www.heathfieldhouse.co.uk

Chiswick and Bedford Park Preparatory School

Priory House, Priory Avenue, Chiswick, London W4 1TX 3-11G

3-7B

By appointment

020 8994 1804 www.cbppschool.co.uk info@cbppschool.co.uk

Clifton Lodge School

8 Mattock Lane, Ealing, W5 5BG

3-13

5 Oct, 10am-12noon

020 8579 3662 www.cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk admissions@cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk

Durston House

12 Castlebar Road, Ealing W5 2DR

4-13B

10, 11 Oct Introductory morning 12 Oct 9.30 - 11am

020 8991 6532 www.durstonhouse.org info@durstonhouse.org

St Benedict’s School

Junior School and Nursery (age 3-11) 3-18 5 Montpelier Avenue, Ealing, W5 2XP Senior School and Sixth Form (age 11-18) 54 Eaton Rise, Ealing W5 2ES

Senior School Open Morning Book a place on the website or arrange Thurs 19 Sept a personal visit with the Registrar, Whole School Open Morning: Louise Pepper, on 020 8862 2254 Sat 5 Oct www.stbenedicts.org.uk Nursery & Junior School Open Morning Thurs 26 Sept

Harvington Prep School

20 Castlebar Road Ealing W5 2DS

By appointment

0208 997 1583 www.harvingtonschool.com admin@harvingtonschool.com

St Augustine’s Priory

Hillcrest Road, Ealing W5 2JL

2-3 co-ed (Nursery) 3-18G Private Tours are also available upon request

Open day: 12 Oct 10-12 noon

Register to attend 020 8997 2022 www.sapriory.com admissions@sapriory.com

Orchard House School

16 Newton Grove, W4 1LB

3-11

10 Oct, 9.30-11.30am

020 8742 8544 info@orchardhs.org.uk www.orchardhs.org.uk

Connaught House School

47 Connaught Square, W2 2HL

4-11

By appointment

020 7262 8830 office@connaughthouseschool.co.uk www.connaughthouseschool.co.uk

Hawkesdown House

27 Edge Street, W8 7PN

3-8B

By appointment

020 7727 9090 www.hawkesdown.co.uk

Notting Hill Preparatory School

95 Lancaster Road, W11 1QQ

4-13

By appointment

020 7221 0727 admin@nottinghillprep.com www.nottinghillprep.com

Norland Place School

162-166 Holland Park Avenue W11 4UH

4-8B 4-11G

By appointment

020 7603 9103 office@norlandplace.com www.norlandplace.com

Avenue House School

70 The Avenue, Ealing W13 8LS

3-11

By appointment

020 7386 2444 school@avenuehouse.org www.avenuehouse.org

Fulham Prep School

200 Greyhound Road W13 8LS

7-13

Individual tours by appointment

020 8998 9981 prepadmin@fulhamprep.co.uk www.fulhamprep.co.uk

Fulham Pre Prep School

47A Fulham High Street SW6 3JJ

4-7

Individual tours by appointment Please book in advance

020 7471 4217 admin@fulhamprep.co.uk www.fulhamprep.co.uk

ACS Hillingdon International School

Hillingdon Court, Vine Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB10 0BE

4-18

10 Oct, 9-11am, 23 Nov, 10am-12noon, 5 Dec, 9-11am

01895 259771 hillingdonadmissions@acs-schools.com www.acs-schools.com/acs-hillingdon

8 Families west London

3-4 co-ed 2-18G

September 2019

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 9

School Orley Farm School

Address South Hill Avenue Harrow on the Hill Middx HA1 3NU

Age 4-13

Dates 12 Oct, 10am-12pm

Contact details 020 8869 7634 registrar@orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk www.orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk

Harrow School

5 High Street Harrow on the Hill Middx HA1 3HP

13-18B

21 Sept, 5 Oct

020 8872 8007 admissions@harrowschool.org.uk www.harrowschool.org.uk

Quainton Hall School

Hindes Road, Harrow HA1 1RX

2.5-13B 2.5-11G

21 Sept, 10am-12.30pm

020 8427 1304 admin@quaintonhall.org.uk www.quaintonhall.org.uk

The John Lyon School

Middle Road, Harrow on the Hill HA2 0HN

11-18B

28 Sept, 9.30am - 12noon Sixth Form Open Evening 9 Oct, 5 - 7pm

020 8515 9400 admissions@johnlyon.org www.johnlyon.org

St Helen’s School

Eastbury Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 3AS

3-18G

21 Sept, 9.30am-12.30pm

01923 843210 enquiries@sthelens.london www.sthelens.london

Northwood College for Girls

Maxwell Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2YE

3-18G

Whole school: 5 Oct, 1-4pm Sixth form opportunities evening: 10 Oct, 6pm

01923 825446 admissions@nwc.gdst.net www.northwoodcollege.gdst.net

Merchant Taylors School

Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2HT

11-18B

21 Sept, 10am-12.30pm

01923 845514 admissions@mtsn.org.uk www.mtsn.org.uk

Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School

Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Herts WD6 3AF

5-18B

By appointment

020 8266 1700 (01727 873 632 for pre-prep open day) office@habsboys.org.uk www.habsboys.org.uk

Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls

Aldenham Road, Elstree, Herts WD6 3BT

4-18G

Various dates in autumn term

020 8266 2302 (Junior School and Sixth form entry) 020 8266 2338 (age 11+) admissions@habsgirls.org.uk www.habsgirls.org.uk

Eton College

Windsor Berkshire SL4 6DW

13-18G

By appointment

01753 671000 www.etoncollege.com

Eaton Square Mayfair

106 Piccadilly, Mayfair W1J 7NL

11-18

12 Sept, 9 Oct, 21 Nov

registrar@eatonsquaremayfair.com www.eatonsquareupper.school

Portland Place School

56-58 Portland Place W1B 1NJ

9-18

Open evenings: 12 Sept, 3 Oct, 7 Nov, 5-7pm Open mornings 21 Sept, 12 Oct, 10am-12noon

020 7307 8700 admin@portland-place.co.uk www.portland-place.co.uk

Southbank International School (Westminster Campus)

63-65 Portland Place W1B 1QR

11-18

24 Sept, 26 Sept 9.30 -11am.

By appointment

020 7243 3803 admissions@southbank.org www.southbank.org

Miss Daisy’s Nursery School

The Long Garden, Albion Street W2 2AX

2-5

By appointment

020 7262 1190 www.missdaisysnursery.com

Connaught House School

47 Connaught Square, W2 2HL

4-11

By appointment

020 7262 8830 office@connaughthouseschool.co.uk www.connaughthouseschool.co.uk

Arts Educational Schools London

Cone Ripman House, 14 Bath Road, W4 1LY

11-18

Year 7-11: 25 Sept, 6pm Sixth form: 24 Sept, 6pm

020 8987 6600 pupils@artsed.co.uk www.artsed.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2019

Families west London 9

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 10

Top tips for settling into the new

year

It’s the beginning of a new school year and children up and down the country are embarking on the next (or even first) phase of their learning journey. Whether excited or nervous about what lies ahead, there is lots to think about so here are some top tips to help you start your children off on the right foot.

By Sarah West

Be Positive Children may be feeling a real mix of emotions as they begin the new school year. They may be excited about going to school or they may be sad that the long summer holidays are over.

Indeed, they may feel both.

Try to be sympathetic to their feelings and give them space to express them, while at the same time being positive about learning and school.

Be prepared to talk about what lies ahead. It helps children feel 10 Families west London

at ease and encourages them to share their thoughts and ask questions. By showing them you are interested in their learning, you are sending a strong message about the value you place on their education and aspirations for the future.

Be there for them It’s completely normal to wonder how your child will get on at school in the coming year. Most children settle into the new school year relatively easily but

it’s important to support them to be brave, try their best and help them develop the skills needed to cope with new situations and bounce back when things go wrong.

Encourage your child to talk about how they are feeling For younger children, teach them about different emotions and how to recognise how others feel too. To get the conversation started, there are lots of books you can get from

September 2019

the library about making friends and getting used to a new environment. For older children, whose feelings are likely to be more complex, show them you are ready to listen and support them whenever they need you.

Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan. Talk to your child about the ways they can behave when this happens, for instance, taking time out or knowing when and who to ask for help. Children cope better in

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 11

different situations if they know there is support around them.

Get involved Research shows that parental participation in a child’s education has a very positive impact on children academically, emotionally and behaviourally.

The good news is that there are lots of ways to get involved!

Think about joining the PTA or another parent group or perhaps volunteer to help out with reading in the classroom or to accompany children on school trips. Chat with other parents at the school gate or ask your child’s teacher about what opportunities are available.

As your children move through primary school, gaining independence and confidence,

familiesonline.co.uk

talking to them about their day and helping them to organise their PE kit and homework may not seem like a great contribution, but it shows your engagement and that you are there to support them.

Other ways to get involved could include becoming a governor or trustee of your school, responding to surveys in which you can share your views and opinions about school policies and initiatives. You could even take part in a project or task to help improve the school grounds or a classroom.

Remember learning doesn’t just happen in school.

By getting your children involved in cooking, gardening, repairing and making things at home, as

well as participating in a raft of other activities that you undertake in your daily lives, you are teaching them basic life skills which will stand them in good stead for the future and help them make sense of the world around them.

Enjoy Yourself!

Finally, schools also bring communities together and provide families with the opportunity to make friends and socialise.

September 2019

By participating in your child’s education, no matter in what way or how much time you can devote, you will be supporting your child to achieve their potential, and most likely have some fun along the way.

Sarah West is from Parentkind, an organisation which promotes parental involvement in education.

For more tips on how to get involved in your child’s learning and education, visit: www.parentkind.org.uk

Families west London 11

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 12

Trying a NEW CLUB or CLASS

By Claire Winter

Whatever the age of your child, trying a new activity or sport encourages them to be more adventurous and learn new skills.

For parents of under 5s, classes and clubs can enrich a child’s day, giving them the chance to experience many different environments and activities. Vitally, these activities also provide social stimulation for parents too.

Meanwhile, the lives of older children have been changed by modern technology, and we need to strongly encourage them to be more active and step away from their smartphone, Xbox, or PlayStation. Thankfully, there are a huge range of organised after-school or weekend clubs and classes for children to attend, from pottery painting to coding.

Looking for a sleep trainer or sleep coach?

We are the SleepGeeks.

We support and empower parents and carers of babies and children under 5 with sleep problems.

We focus on ethical, gentle techniques.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions or in solutions that cause stress.

We are fully trained and experienced perinatal practitioners with a wide range of competencies.

Our mission: to help you to love being a family again.

For more information and to contact us, visit our site: www.sleepgeeks.co.uk

12 Families west London

Here are our Families’ helpful tips for encouraging your child to try something new.

Target their Interests A good starting point is to look at your child's current interests.

Their school may offer a wide range of classes and clubs from IT to sport. Additionally, local sports centres, libraries and art centres are often teeming with opportunities to join classes and clubs. So don't be afraid to

September 2019

look outside the school environment for things to do.

For active kids, why not consider something more challenging, such as climbing, caving, or martial arts? Those interested in animals may find opportunities at your local zoo, petting farm or riding centre. While for the creatively inclined, investigate an art class, reading or book club or a school newspaper or blog.

While it’s a little more difficult to assess the interests of preschoolers or toddlers, most enjoy sing and rhyme classes or activities that involve physical activity, like pre-school gymnastics or football.

Understand what's stopping them Many children can be very apprehensive about new experiences, but if your child is consistently shying away from

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 13

trying new activities, sit down with them and try to find out why.

It could be a fear of not making friends, being bullied, low selfconfidence about their abilities, or being in an unfamiliar environment. Once you know the cause of their anxiety, you can help address it.

If your toddler or pre-schooler is reluctant to join in a class, participate in the activity alongside them. It takes pre-schoolers time to get used to a new environment. Once they get used to the situation they will join in with gusto. I still have fond memories of my shy, twin girls dancing and singing at their first music class!

Tap into the demand factor and co-ordinate with others Many children simply want to fit in, so if this is important to your child, look for new or popular activities. Our local directory can help you find potential classes and clubs that you may not know about.

Try talking to other parents and see what activities their children are involved in.

You could even co-ordinate for your children to participate in the activity together. Simply knowing that their friends are interested in a new club or class may mean your child will be keener to get involved.

familiesonline.co.uk

Emma, mum of an 8 year old says: “It took three years at school together before I discovered that one of my daughter’s friends attended a weekly roller-disco at our local sports centre and the opportunity to do something with her friend was enough to persuade my daughter to join in.”

…It doesn't matter what activity your child pursues, as long as they actively enjoy it!

You could also introduce a reluctant child to an activity their sibling does, or for younger children nervous about being alone, you can attend the first session with them.

For pre-school and toddler classes, co-ordinating with other parents in your network can feel more important than whether you feel your child will particularly enjoy an activity. Structured activities can keep your little one occupied for a while and give you a welcome chance to make friends with other parents who have children at the same age and stage.

September 2019

Highlight the benefits Focus on the positive things your child will gain by taking part in a particular sport or activity.

These could be a new social circle, certificates, medals or stickers, job or education opportunities in the future, greater confidence, getting fitter, or simply being with friends.

After-school and weekend clubs and classes are a great way for your child to stay active and learn new things.

Remember, it doesn't matter what activity your child pursues, as long as they actively enjoy it!

Families west London 13

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:17 Page 14

Activities, Clubs & Classes MUSIC AND MOVEMENT

HARTBEEPS Award-winning, original, multi-sensory musical baby and toddler classes with original music, bubbles, costumes, twinkles, sparkly parachutes, puppets and more.

Bells - Newborn - Sitting Beeps - Sitting - Standing Happy house - Toddlers and Siblings e: kimmy@hartbeeps.com www.hartbeeps.com/west-london Monday, Haven Green Baptist Church - Ealing W5 2DP 11.45 Bells 12.45 Beeps 1.45 Bells

Arabic for Women and Children Families welcome – Goal Oriented • Dynamic • Innovative • Effective • Native Female Teacher (& mother of 3!)

Call Reem on

07956 845 053

STAGECOACH PERFROMING ARTS Provide fun and engaging weekly classes in dance, drama and singing in a safe and happy environment. Students aged 4 to 18 years are taught by a professional and experienced team of teachers. They offer two-week trials for all new students so that your child can try the class out.

To enrol go to: www.stagecoach.co.uk e: info@stagecoach.co.uk Chiswick: 020 8398 4709 Hammersmith & Kensington: 020 8398 8106

2.45 Beeps 3.45 Happy House

Monday, Half Moon Pub - Putney SW15 1EU

Tuesday, The Foresters Pub - Northfields W13 9EP 1pm Bells 2pm Bells 3pm Beeps 4pm Happy House Tuesday, The Barn Church - Kew TW9 4HF

WEST LONDON DANCE ACADEMY Classes for ages 3yrs to Adult.

Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Contemporary. Classes held in Chiswick and Ealing. e: natalieparnell.wlda@gmail.com t: 07795 578781

Tuesday, Cupcake Family Club - Fulham SW6 4TJ

Wednesday, Chiswick Theatre Arts - Chiswick W4 5BQ 9.30am Happy House 10.30am Beeps 11.30am Bells 12.30 Beeps Wednesday Hare and Hounds - East Sheen SW14 8A Thursday, The Brewers Inn - Wandsworth SW18 2QB

Thursday, Ravenscourt Baptist Church - Hammersmith W6 0UH 1.30 Baby Bells 2.30pm Beeps 3.30pm Happy House Friday, The Aeronaut - Acton W3 9BH 9.45 Happy House 10.45 Beeps 11.45 Baby Bells

DANCE GALLERY Dance Gallery teaches many different styles of dance (Street Dance, Contemporary, Commercial/Modern, Tap) and also runs Musical Theatre classes. The structured lessons promote fitness and confidence, with pupils enjoying learning fun exercises and routines. These routines build towards their famous “sell out” musical theatre shows performed at Questors Theatre, Ealing.

Classes take place at St Stephens Church Hall, Ealing W13 8HB (Mon - Thurs 3.45 - 7pm). e: jill@dancegallery.co.uk t: 020 8566 9672 www.dancegallery.co.uk KENSINGTON BALLET 15 months through to more formal RAD syllabus classes.

Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill and Fulham. t: 07957 650 042 www.kensingtonballet.com

CIRCUS

ALBERT AND FRIENDS INSTANT CIRCUS Email or visit the website for all the classes. e: info@albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk www.albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk

Friday, The Bulls Head - Barnes SW13 9PY

DANCE

WEST LONDON SCHOOL OF DANCE Classes for Boys and girls 2 ½- 16yrs Ballet, Point Work, Modern Jazz, Tap, and Annual Performances Classes held in Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate, Oxford St, Shephers Bush, South Kensington. e: info@westlondonschoolofdance.co.uk t: 020 8743 3856 www.westlondonschoolofdance.co.uk

CRAFTS

FUN WITH FIMO CLAY www.funwithfimoclay.co.uk

DRAMA

ARTSED EXTRA Develop musical theatre, dance and drama skills and grow in confidence at ArtsEd’s Saturday EXTRA Academy in Chiswick.

Available to children aged 4-16 of all abilities. e: extra@artsed.co.uk t: 020 8987 6692 www.artsed.co.uk

PERFORM Perform is a unique children’s drama school with a special emphasis on child development. Perform uses a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s full potential. Run by highly experienced actor-teachers, in small groups, Perform classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: confidence, communication, coordination, and concentration.

From Baby to Ballerina

Classes for Boys and Girls aged 21/2 to 16 years old Ballet, Pointe Work, Modern Jazz, Tap, Annual Performances

Fun French Lessons

Innovative immersion programme Highly recommended

by BBC, Daily Telegraph, Daily Express and Time Out

Est. 1993

020 7385 5565 admin@clubpetitpierrot.co.uk www.clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

14 Families west London

Classes held in: Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate, Oxford Street, Shepherds Bush and South Kensington

September 2019

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 15

The Perform curriculum ensures plenty of fun, using a mix of energetic games, catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are written by Perform, with apps, music downloads and videos for the children to play at home, keeping the magic of the classes alive.

Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions.

Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class today.

Venues: Acton, Brook Green, Chiswick, Chiswick Park Ealing W5 and W7, Earls Court, ,Hammersmith, Ickenham, Kensington W8, Maida Vale, Notting Hill, Shepherds Bush.

Contact: e: enquiries@perform.org.uk t: 020 7255 9120 www.perform.org.uk/try

STAGECOACH PERFORMING ARTS Provide fun and engaging weekly classes in dance, drama and singing in a safe and happy environment. Students aged 4 to 18 years are taught by a professional and experienced team of teachers. They offer two-week trials for all new students so that your child can try the class out.

To enrol go to: www.stagecoach.co.uk e: info@stagecoach.co.uk Chiswick: 020 8398 4709 Hammersmith & Kensington: 020 8398 8106

FOOTBALL

KIDDIKICKS Football (W2,W4,W8,W10,W11,TW8).

For boys and girls from 18 months to age 9. e: info@kiddikicks.co.ukt: 020 7937 7965 www.kiddikicks.co.uk

RUGBY

RUGBY TOTS www.rugbytots.co.uk

EALING TRAILFINDERS RUGBY CLUB Mini's Rugby 6yrs-12yrs. e: membership@ealingrugby.co.uk www.ealingrugby.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

SWIMMING

SERIOUSLY FUN Swimming Lessons. From 3 years.

Crowne Plaza Heathrow. t: 01753 364 366 www.seriouslyfun.com

TUITION SUPPORT

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF KUMON’S ONE WEEK FREE TRIAL! Kumon study helps children of any age and any ability to shine. Established for 60 years, the Kumon Maths and English Programmes enable students of all ages and abilities to develop into confident, independent learners with strong study skills.

Kumon Chiswick Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, W4 4JN. t: 020 88769954 Kumon Dormers Wells Holy Trinity Vicarage Church Hall, Park View Road, Southall, UB1 3HJ. t: 020 33041454 Kumon Ealing Unit 31, Dickens Yard, Longfield Avenue, Ealing, W5 2BF. Kumon Hammersmith Holy Innocents Church, Paddenswick Road, Hammersmith, W6 0UB. t: 07340 679521 Kensington, Olympia Masbro Centre, 87 Masbro Road, Kensington, W140LR. t: 020 33978581 Kumon Marylebone Hinde Street Methodist Church, 19 Thayer Street, Marylebone, W1U 2QJ. t: 020 77232900 Kumon Shepherd’s Bush St Stephen’s Church Hall, Coverdale Road, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 8JJ. t: 020 30020735 Kumon Southall The Dominion Centre, 112 The Green, Southall, UB2 2BQ. t: 07916 228757 Kumon St John’s Wood The Yaa Centre, 1 Chippenham Mews, Westminster, W9 2AA. t: 020 8204 6336

Image courtesy of Perform

Kumon Cricklewood Claremont Free Church, 1671a Chevlot Gardens, NW2 1PY. t: 020 82046336 Kumon West Drayton Yiewsley Methodist Church, Fairfield Road,Yiewsley UB7 8ES. t: 0118 3432516

EXPLORE LEARNING Maths & English Tuition Centres. 5 -14 years.

Free Trial session.

Ealing: 020 8090 8710 Hayes: 020 8561 8530 Westfield London: 020 809 01216 www.explorelearning.co.uk

VICTORIA PAGE Private tuition 21/2 - 11 years. t: 07050 246 810.

September 2019

VIVIEN BORNEMANN Home tuition. Art, Craft and design. All ages. t: 020 8932 1010.

LANGUAGES

ARABIC FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN Female teacher, native speaker 18 - year experience. 15 - year experience at Ealing Arabic School.

Private lessons. All ages and all levels welcome; from absolute beginners to university level.

Specialist in GCSE and A level courses.

Excellent track record. e: r.i.abdelhadi@gmail.com t: 07956 845 053

Families west London 15

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 16

Does my baby or toddler have ADHD?

By Toby Buckley

October is ADHD awareness month and Families takes up the baton to raise understanding about this debilitating condition.

Inattention, poor impulse control and hyperactivity are some of the key characteristics that define the behavioural disorder, ADHD. When your child is just a baby or toddler, the difficult behaviours associated with ADHD may slowly become apparent.

Many children with ADHD will have been particularly hard to put down to sleep as infants, so you may well find yourself pacing around the house with them in the middle of the night to no avail.

Nursing for long periods in the middle of the night can be particularly challenging with a baby with ADHD, who might sleep for a short while then wake up screaming and crying demanding full attention. In addition, nightmares may wake them back up pretty quickly even if you do manage to get them to sleep.

During the first year of life, around one fifth of all babies will show signs of “regulatory issues” such as sleeping issues, difficulty feeding and persistent crying. However, by the time they reach pre-school, most of these infants will have adjusted and their transient symptoms will disappear.

In research1 into infant regulatory problems, 22 studies of 1,935 children were analysed.

Babies with multiple regulatory issues were covered in five of these studies, excessive crying in ten, sleeping problems in four and feeding issues in three.

The study concluded that infants who experienced problems in several categories were at the highest risk of developing behavioural problems. Temper tantrums and ADHD were the most common behavioural problems to develop.

Tantrums Problems with temperament are particularly common in infants with ADHD. From rocking in their cribs or baby chairs to thumping one or both of their feet, a baby with ADHD may engage in a variety of troubling behaviours.

However, many of the symptoms of ADHD in babies closely resemble the behaviour of any other happy, healthy baby, so they can go unnoticed. It is only when the problems 16 Families west London

continue after other babies have grown out of them that the issue becomes apparent.

It can take a strict eye to figure out whether or not a baby is having difficulty remembering things. One issue can be food: does your infant tend to put food in their mouth but forget to chew or swallow?

Do they start crying for attention in the middle of a game, seemingly forgetting that they were playing?

These might be indicators of ADHD. Can toddlers be diagnosed with ADHD? There is evidence that toddlers are being diagnosed and treated for ADHD. The National Institute for health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines state that “ADHD should be considered in all age groups, with symptom criteria adjusted for age-appropriate changes in behaviour.”

ADHD that’s visible in toddlerhood can be associated with a number of causes and risk factors, including: Genes · Low birth-weight, especially when caused by premature birth · Central nervous system problems at critical moments during development · Mother using drugs, alcohol, or smoking during pregnancy, or exposure to environmental toxins during pregnancy

September 2019

· ADHD also has a number of early indicators, according to some studies.

Your child will not necessarily have ADHD if they have some of these signs and symptoms, but they may be worth taking into consideration · Slowed rate of head growth · Issues with behaviour · Delay in motor development, speech, and language. Speech development delays at 9 months old were present in a third of children with ADHD, according to one study.

At 18 months old, two thirds exhibited delayed speech and language.

As soon as they reach 3 years of age, certain researchers have suggested that a child can reliably be diagnosed with ADHD through evaluations.

Where can I find out more?

For more information about ADHD, check out this helpful guide from Need2Know books at http://need2knowbooks.co.uk/product/ the-essential-guide-to-adhd/ It answers essential questions and guides parents and teachers step-by-step through the actions they need to take to support a child with ADHD. Use N2K25OFF for a 25% discount.

Sources: Archive of Disease in Childhood

1

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 17

What’s On

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES BRITISH MUSEUM

WC1B 3DG www.britishmuseum.org DIGITAL WORKSHOPS Takes place at weekends and school holidays on a variety of themes. Free, 11am-4pm, for ages 7+ (unless stated).

8, 14 Sept A GIFT FOR ATHENA Come to the Parthenon gallery with your family and see the sculptures come to life while you play an augmented reality game on Samsung tablets. Free, drop-in for age 7+

CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM

48 Doughty Street, WC1N 2LX www.dickensmuseum.com A visit to the museum includes a free family trail for each child. The trail takes children on a journey of discovery through No. 48 Doughty Street, where Dickens once lived with his wife and young family. Exploration of the basement reveals a wonderful Victorian kitchen, full of period and replica items you can interact with. There are costumes for dressing up in both the kitchen and the attic to give a flavour of what life was like upstairs and down. For ages 4-12.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM

SE1 6HZ www.iwm.org.uk EXHIBITIONS: HOLOCAUST Film, photo-

familiesonline.co.uk

graphs and a large number of rare artefacts document the history of the Nazi persecution of the Jews and other groups before and during the Second World War. For ages 14+ A FAMILY IN WARTIME Explores the lives of William and Alice Allpress and their ten children and what life in London was like during the war.

SECRET WAR The clandestine world of espionage, covert operations and the work of Britain’s Special Forces.

FIRST WORLD WAR Discover the story of the war - Over 1,300 objects including weapons, uniforms, diaries, letters and souvenirs, will be on display as well as a recreated trench with periscopes and a dug-out, along with a soundscape and projection will evoke what daily life was like for the troops.

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk FUTURE ENGINEERS GALLERY Have fun exploring the fascinating world of transport engineering in the new Future Engineers gallery, which opens to the public as a permanent display. Test your skills, solve transport conundrums faced by modern day engineers, and enjoy a series of interactive exhibits.

LONDON STORIES Features 100 illustrations celebrating London and revealing some of the fascinating tales of London life past and present. From urban myths, historic events and remarkable characters, to daily lives and adventurous animals, the

exhibition offers new insights into the cultural history and heritage of London. It’s quirky, amusing and bizarre!

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM ACTON DEPOT

W3 9BQ www.ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/museumdepot/open-weekends 28, 29 Sept OPEN WEEKEND: ALL CHANGE This open weekend is inspired by the golden age of travel and London’s rich heritage of rail termini.

Hear about the ambitious visions for these striking buildings, from the celebrated to the condemned. Discover how the creation of new rail routes transformed the lives of city dwellers and continue to play a significant role in how residents and visitors travel around London.

Highlights include: • Hear from Tube expert Oliver Green and award-winning photographer Benjamin Graham about the history of the tube and join them for a special book signing afterwards • London has more mainline termini than any other city in the world. Learn more about the stations, history and the neighbourhoods that surround them • See how London Bridge was transformed by the Thameslink programme into a triple award-winning station

September 2019

• Discover the colourful history of the iconic fabric that makes up the Underground's seats • Peek inside the Small Object Store with our knowledgeable guides • Watch a screening of the BAFTA award-winning film short Terminus (1961, Schlesinger) • Meet costumed characters • Enjoy family craft activities • Take a scenic tour of Acton on a heritage bus • Try your hand at being a train operator in our Victoria Line driving cab 11am-5pm.

NATIONAL GALLERY

WC2N 5DN www.nationalgallery.org.uk Every Sun FAMILY SUNDAYS Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 3pm.

MAGIC CARPET STORYTELLING For children aged 2-5. Sundays 10.30-11am and 11.30am–12pm. Fly away on the magic carpet, coming to land in front of a different painting each day.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Until 5 Jan 2020 MUSEUM OF THE MOON A touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.

Since 2016 the Moon has been circling the globe, lighting up spaces from Bilbao to Beijing including abbeys and swimming

WHAT’S ON LISTINGS CONTINUE ON PAGE 18

Families west London 17

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 18

What’s On offering canoeing, kayaking and more on Middle Lake every weekend. 12-4pm.

4, 14 Sept GEORGIAN COSTUME DAYS Come along and see how the Georgian inhabitants of Osterley would have dressed, be it servant, Lord or Lady.

THEATRE AND CONCERTS CAMBRIDGE THEATRE

WC2H 9HU www.matildathemusical.com Booking until Dec 2020 MATILDA THE MUSICAL The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s magical story about a girl with extraordinary powers.

Maritime fun aboard the CUTTY SARK © National Maritime Museum, London pools.This six-metre model features meticulously detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface, ambient moonlight and an evolving soundscape. It's at the Museum in time for the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, accompanied by an exciting programme of events for space enthusiasts of all ages. Join interactive theatre-makers Coney in Companion: Moon, a free experience where you can join in or observe as multiple art forms combine.

Every weekend INVESTIGATE FOR FAMILIES Explore hundreds of real nature specimens that form the evidence Museum scientists use in their daily work. Drop-in, 11am-5pm.

20 Sept DINO SNORES Ever wondered what goes on at the Natural History Museum at night? 7 - 11 years. 7pm till morning, torchlit trails through the museum, live animal shows and more. For ages 7-11.

inspire you to make, create and invent something to take home. 12-4pm.

SW7 2DD www.sciencemuseum.org.uk WONDERLAB: THE STATOIL GALLERY The UK's biggest interactive science gallery is filled with specially-commissioned exhibits and artworks, live science shows, explosive demonstrations and immersive experiences led by the museum's talent team of science communicators. Day pass £8 adult, £6 child, £22.50 families.

OUR LIVES IN DATA Information about our lives is increasingly being captured, analysed and used, transforming the world around us.

From toys that can understand a child's personality and smarter public transport planning to new genomic technology that is helping uncover the causes of rare diseases and cancer, big data's invisible revolution has begun. Ages 8 to adult, free.

6 Sept ASTRONIGHT A special overnight event for 7-13 year olds featuring exciting hands-on workshops, science shows, and a sleepover at the museum.

FULHAM PALACE

SCIENCE MUSEUM

DAYS OUT BRITISH LIBRARY

NW1 2DB www.bl.uk 22 Sept FAMILY TAKEOVER: MAKE AND CREATE Enjoy playful multisensory activities exploring the sound collection. A selection of children’s books will be available to read and even perform if you wish! A range of materials will be on hand to

18 Families west London

CUTTY SARK

SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Every weekend CUTTY SARK CHARACTERS Come aboard to hear Cutty Sark’s incredible stories brought to life by characters from the ship’s past. Suitable for ages 3+ Every Weds TODDLER TIME Bring your little sailors along for songs, stories and playtime on board. 10-11.30am for ages 4 and under.

7, 8 Sept CUTTY SARK FLOTILLA Come and make your very own tall ship to add to a spectacular flotilla of masts and sails underneath the Cutty Sark! Work with a Boat Poet to write your own poem on your ship and listen out for poetry from students who took part in the Rivers of the World project.

11.30am and 2pm.

SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org every Mon and Tues THE PALACE EXPLORERS A weekly parent/carer and toddler sessions for children aged 2-4. £3 per child, which includes a drink and healthy snack.

7 Sept LITTLE GREEN FINGERS It’s harvest time! After watching them grow all summer, it’s finally time to start collecting the delicious produce and beautiful flowers. In this session children will harvest produce and flowers which have been planted in a dedicated Little green fingers bed in our walled garden. For age 3+ 22 sept FAMILY FUN DAY: GLORY OF THE GARDEN Take part in plant themed activities, games and crafts. You’ll also have a chance to meet the dedicated garden team who keep the garden looking so good. See birds of prey up close in the walled garden, including a ‘have a go’ session with a Harris Hawk. For age 3+

HAMPTON COURT PALACE

KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace Until 3 Nov HERE BE DRAGONS Can you find the fiery beasts hiding in the palace gardens? Explore the gardens and see if you can uncover the colourful dragons lurking among the trees and plants. Each dragon has a special name and its own superpower

for you to discover. Pick up an activity map from the Information Centre when you arrive to begin your hunt.

Daily DIGITAL MISSIONS Shh! You are invited on a special mission.

Go on interactive adventures at Hampton Court Palace. Meet characters from history, explore all around you, complete challenges and win badges. Download the free 'Time Explorers' app to your iOS or Android device before your visit.

HOLLAND PARK ECOLOGY CENTRE

W8 6LU www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/wildlife.aspx 12 Sept AUTUMN BAT WALK Join an expert from the London Bat Group and delve into the nocturnal world of bats. Learn about their natural history in an informative talk before using bat detectors to search for them around Holland Park. 7-8.30pm.

28 Sept SMALL MAMMAL TRAPPING AND SURVEYING Find out about the small mammals of Holland Park in this session led by one of the Ecology Team. Discover which mammals have been found in our live traps and learn about other sampling techniques.

10-11.30am.

ODDS FARM PARK

HP10 0LX www.oddsfarm.co.uk A FABULOUS DAY OUT AT THE FARM! Meet the farmers and get close to the animals in the hands-on area and in the large undercover animal barns. There is a massive adventure play area with a four lane astra slide, two drop slides, a netted area with zig zag chicanes and tunnels, swinging ropes and much more. Also a special Toddler and Under 5’s areas.

4-30 Sept RARE BREEDS MONTH Learn about and celebrate all of the rare breeds at the farm by completing the trail.

OSTERLEY PARK AND HOUSE

TW7 4RD www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park-andhouse Every Fri BAT WALKS Ever wondered what winged creatures enhabit the night skies here at Osterley? Their Ranger team are experts at tracking down and identifying the different bats who call the park home.

Learn about the different species and have a go at detecting them as the sun goes down.

Every weekend FAMILY CANOEING Fancy getting out on the water?

The Sharks Canoe Club are at Osterley

September 2019

LYRIC THEATRE

W1D 7ES www.tallstories.org.uk/the-gruffalo Until 8 Sept THE GRUFFALO LIVE ON STAGE Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups.

BOOK AHEAD: 29 Nov - 5 Jan 2020 OI FROG & FRIENDS! Packed with music, songs, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at!

This is the highly anticipated stage show which brings together Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling and award-winning picture books Oi Frog!, Oi Dog! and Oi Cat! published by the Hachette Children’s Group, into one action-packed musical production with songs, puppets, laughs and the perfect entertainment for families with children aged 3+ For the full performance schedule and to book visit www.nimaxtheatres.com

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH

W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk 7 Sept HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE When the full moon shines bright there’s magic in the air, and all the animals come out to play. Stay up late with flying cows, jazzy cats and runaway crockery and you jump and jive to the music in a brilliant new take on the classic nursery rhyme. For ages 3-7.

14 Sept THUMBELINA Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a girl no bigger than a thumb and her encounters with a frog, mouse, mole and swallow, is played gently amongst gardening tools, leading her to ultimate happiness in the kingdom of flowers.

Using traditional glove, rod and shadow puppets, this is an excellent introduction to the magic of theatre. For ages 2-7.

21 Sept BEST BOSSY BUM BONKERS PARTY Introduce your children to the magic of comedy, set up in the guise of a birthday party, where you are the guests. With the chance to join in with some unique comedy party games, watch some hilarious sketches, mischief and naughty pranks. An epic hour of cleverly crafted comedy for ages 3-10.

28 Sept NESSASAURUS A highland fairy tale for all the family brought to life through a live jazz and story-telling concert.

A heart-warming tale of Loch Ness, meteorites and bladderwort, Nessasaurus will

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 19

invigorate, inspire and amuse whilst introducing young and old to the world of music improvisation. For ages 5-11.

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE

W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com In Sept the barge will be in Richmond-onThames until 6 Oct THE INSECT CIRCUS The strange and beautiful world of the Insect Circus. Beetles and grasshoppers, wasps and dragonflies, demonstrate their dexterity with great skill and humour. Presented using marionettes, the show breathes new life into the traditional techniques used in Victorian trick marionettes. A show without words.

For age 3+

PALACE THEATRE

W1D 5AY www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/ the-worst-witch Until 8 Sept THE WORST WITCH Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches is now accepting new students. So make sure you know the Witches’ Code, get yourself a familiar, and let Mildred Hubble show you the ropes! Featuring all of Jill Murphy’s beloved characters, this action-packed new stage adaptation includes original songs, music, magic and a dose of Mildred’s unique brand of utter pandemonium!

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

SE1 8PX www.southbankcentre.co.uk Until 30 Sept UNDERBELLY FESTIVAL: An amazing line-up of entertainment for all

familiesonline.co.uk

ages. Family highlights include The Showstoppers Kids Show, Basil Brush’s Family fun show and The Lovely Bug Ball.

See: www.underbellyfestival.com for the full line up.

Every Fri RUG RHYMES Join the National Poetry Library puppets, Federico and Firebird, on their poem rug to find out what rhymes with rug in a short session of nursery rhymes, poems and rhyming stories for the very young. For under 5s and their carers.

Free.

14 Sept FAMILY GAMELAN TASTER SESSION Play in a Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra. For ages 6+

TROUBADOUR WHITE CITY THEATRE

W12 7TU www.troubadourtheatres.com/white-city Until 27 Oct PETER PAN Bursting with magic, mischief, music and make-believe, this wondrously inventive Peter Pan is a funny and moving version of a much-loved story. This is a National Theatre production suitable for all ages.

UNICORN THEATRE

SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 18 Sept-27 Oct ANANSI THE SPIDER In celebration of Black History Month, these classic West African and Caribbean tales about the spider hoaxster are brought vividly to life for ages 3-7.

26 Sept -27 Oct MAGGOT MOON In a sinister 1950s Britain, the country is under the rule of the violent and oppressive

The Insect Circus at the PUPPET THEATRE BARGE

Motherland. Dark government forces are at work. Spies and surveillance are everywhere, and the truth is difficult to discern. Meet hero, Standish Treadwell.

He is fifteen, he lives with his grandpa, and although his teachers are part of the regime, together he and grandpa are safe. But then one day, Standish’s best friend disappears.

And suddenly all their lives are in terrible danger. Can Standish be the hero who will save them all? For ages 9-13.

CONCERTS ROYAL ALBERT HALL

SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com 4, 5, 25, 26 Sept STORYTELLING AND MUSIC SESSIONS A series of sessions for babies and toddlers aged 0-4, to encourage interaction between parents/carers and their little ones using musical instruments, singing,

September 2019

movement and stories. 10am and 11.30am, £5.

28 Sept CLASSICAL FOR KIDS: BRILLIANT BASSOON An opportunity for families to attend a chamber concert performed by the professional musicians from Albert’s Band. Each concert features carefully selected ‘proper’ classical repertoire but presented in a relaxed environment for children to express themselves, with no expectation to stay still or be quiet. Buggies, babies and budding musicians all welcome!

WIGMORE HALL

W1U 2PB www.wigmore-hall.org.uk 18 Sept FOR CRYING OUT LOUD Informal concerts for parents or carers and their babies up to 1 year old.

20 Sept CHAMBER TOTS: AUTUMN Music-making workshop for children aged 1 - 2. 10.15 and 11.45am.

Families west London 19

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 20

Fostering self-control in young children

How much self-control does your child have and why is it so important?

Can your child delay gratification, plan ahead and resist distractions?

Inhibit impulses? Bounce back from difficult emotions?

Obviously, a lot depends on your child's age; toddlers find self-control difficult and restraint develops as they get older. But there is a lot of individual variation too. Some children have more trouble regulating themselves, and they suffer for it.

Studies show that young children with poor self-control skills tend to make less academic progress and are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and aggressive behaviour problems. They are also at higher risk of poor health outcomes like obesity and drug dependency.

The good news is that studies also show that parents can have a major impact on teaching their children self-control.

Removing Temptations and Distractions It’s natural for most parents to automatically put away toys that might cause conflict during a play date or steer clear of the chocolate aisle in the supermarket. Going further and asking your pre-schooler to help you remove temptations and distractions, gets them in the habit of identifying temptations these themselves. As they get older, they will be able to take active steps to avoid them when necessary.

Positive Disclipline Many researchers suspect that parenting styles have an influence on the development of self-control. For instance, a study of American pre-schoolers1 found that kids were more likely to exhibit poor selfregulation skills if they had parents who agreed with statements like "I ignore my child’s bad behaviour" and "I give in to my child when he/she causes a commotion about something."

Interestingly, kids with parents who took an "obey me without question" approach weren't as badly behaved as were children with permissive parents. But they were still lacking in self-regulation skills.

Rewarding Self-Control You may have heard of the famous “marshmallow test" in which pre-schoolers were given the choice between eating one treat now or two treats later. The children who

20 Families west London

demonstrated the greatest capacity to wait ended up, in subsequent years, with better educational outcomes.

Interestingly though, later research2 has shown that young children will only learn that delaying gratification is rewarding if the rewards always happen! In other words, there is no point in suggesting to a preschooler that if he says “no” to one sweet, he can have two later, if, later, he doesn’t then receive two. Your child’s willingness to wait will depend on how much he trusts you to deliver what you’ve promised!

Going over the Rules Young children can struggle to remember when and how they are supposed to do things, for instance, “I must wait to be offered a biscuit, rather than helping myself.” So it’s helpful to remind them of our expectations.

In experiments conducted in 2015, results showed that reminding children of “the rules” just before they do something is more effective than asking them to simply stop and think for a few seconds about how they should be behaving.

Praising Effort, Not Outcome Children need help to understand that effort shapes intelligence and that people are not simply born clever or talented. People who believe they have been successful because of the effort they have made are more resilient and determined. When you give child feedback, avoid praising innate traits eg: “You’re such a clever girl!” Instead, praise their effort eg: “You tried so hard to build that tower, well done!”

September 2019

By Linda Stone

Playing Games Any time we ask children to play by the rules, we’re encouraging them to develop self-control. But some types of games are more challenging than others.

Studies3 have shown that games which involve following directions and in which the directions are then reversed (for instance, running when they hear a whistle and stopping when they hear a bell and then reversing this), are effective in raising the self-control of those children who struggle in this area.

Motivating Recognise that just because your preschooler can’t sit still while you read to him, it doesn’t mean he lacks self-control.

Give him his toy cars to arrange and he demonstrates plenty of concentration and persistence. So he can sit and listen to you read, it’s just not interesting enough for him to do so. He needs motivating.

Discovering the right hooks to get children interested may require a lot of trial and error, observation, and flexibility, but it's worth it. In later life, your child will find it much easier to deal with mountains of homework, if they at least find bits of it interesting!

Sources: 1 JT Piotrowski Investigating Correlates of SelfRegulation in Early Childhood 2013

2 Kidd C, Palmeri H, Aslin RN. 2013. Rational snacking: young children's decision-making on the marshmallow task is moderated by beliefs about environmental reliability. Cognition. 126(1):109-14.

Tominey S and M McClelland Red Light, Purple Light: Findings From a Randomized Trial Using Circle Time Games to Improve Behavioral SelfRegulation in Preschool 3

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 21

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2019

Families west London 21

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 22

Top tips to turn your family into Eco-Warriors

Saving the planet is easier than you think.

And THE WHOLE FAMILY can get involved!

Go herbivore for a day When it comes to gobbling up resources, meaty meals are the planet’s number one enemy.

Each year, 7.6 billion humans chomp their way through meat from an amazing 65 billion animals. Raising these animals and getting them from farm to fork - puts enormous pressure on the planet’s resources and is a big source of greenhouse gases. Avoid meat (and cheese) for just 1 day a week, and you could make a bigger impact than taking your family car off the road for 5 WEEKS.

Do LESS washing up You hate it, and the planet hates it too! Happily, putting less effort into doing the dishes is a winwin situation. An average family washing up by hand uses around three sinks full of water per day - 10 % of all their daily water. It’s possible to use much less if you avoid wasteful habits, like running the hot tap to rinse dishes. If your family uses a dishwasher, you’ll be VERY pleased to hear they can be kinder to the planet - as long as you don’t rinse the dishes first.

beginning a journey that all-toooften ends in the stomachs of zooplankton, fish, albatross chicks, whales and seals.

So, what can your family do?

Invest in bottles that are easy to clean and reuse. Fill up before you go out for the day, and while you’re on the move - look out for water fountains or ask at a café or restaurant. If you find yourself filling up your water bottle in a coffee shop while the adults around you clutch disposable coffee cups with disposable plastic lids, be sure to bring out your best hard stares.

Party for the Planet Birthdays only come once a year, so most party goods are disposable. Wrapping paper, cards, decorations, paper plates and napkins, plastic cups and cutlery are all designed to be used for a few hours and thrown away. It doesn’t have to be this way. Send invitations and thank you notes by email, make your own decorations, and ban napkins - provide a bowl of soapy water and a towel instead.

Eat ugly food Shockingly, a THIRD of the food produced every year gets thrown away. The waste happens in many different places - on farms, where crops that don’t look perfect are left to rot; in supermarkets, where ‘ugly’ fruit and veg aren’t put out on display or are left on the shelves by shoppers; and in our homes, where food is forgotten at the back of the fridge until it’s too mouldy and disgusting to eat.

Play this game in the supermarket - who can track down (and take home) the strangest looking fruit and veg? No item is too blemished, big, small or gnarly if they’re on the shelf, they’re safe to eat. Give them a home, so they don’t get thrown away they’ll still taste delicious!

Plan a RUBBISH day out!

Imagine if your family stopped putting the bins out and stored all your rubbish at home instead.

After a year, you’d be wading through more than a TONNE of packaging and food waste - the average for households in the UK. We’re lucky that our waste gets taken away every week or every fortnight - but it means we never get to see how much we

By Isabel Thomas

really produce. So find out where your garbage goes once you’ve waved goodbye to the bin lorry.

Many landfill and recycling sites offer free tours for individuals or groups. Once your family has seen the scale of a stinking landfill site, they’ll be inspired to reduce, reuse and recycle like never before. Plus your house will look REALLY tidy in comparison!

Don’t rush to flush!

Around a third of the water we use at home goes straight down the toilet! Research has shown that flushing less often could reduce our water usage and bills much more quickly than turning off the tap while brushing our teeth, or even taking shorter showers. ‘If it’s yellow, let it mellow’ is backed by science!

Even easier is encouraging your family to take their first wee of the day in the shower - the focus of recent campaigns in Brazil and the UK. Doing just one daily wee in the shower could save 2,500 litres of water in a year enough to fill a hot tub! (Though we definitely don’t recommend that - hot tubs are yet another eco-baddie!).

Ban baths One of the top ways to cut the volume of greenhouse gases our houses belch is to reduce the amount of water we heat up at home. Skipping even 1 bath a week can make a really BIG difference. If you already prefer showers, don’t be too smug.

Fast-flowing and rainfall shower heads use up to 17 litres of water per minute, meaning that an average 8 minute shower can use almost double the energy and water of a bath! To make showers eco-friendly, get out after 5 minutes.

Lose your bottle In the minute it took you to read this far, a MILLION plastic bottles have been bought,

22 Families west London

September 2019

familiesonline.co.uk

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 23

And if you only do ONE Green thing this month... ...Participate in London Car Free Day @londoncarfreeday.com

CLASSIFIED ADS:

CLASSIFIED ADS:

PARTIES

TUITION “HOME TUITION” FULLY QUALIFIED TUITION IN ART, CRAFTS AND DESIGN Help with exams for school, portfolio’s for college, or, just for fun!!

ALL AGES WELCOME

PARTY PLUS

Contact: Vivien Bornemann 020 8932 1010

For all your party needs, Balloons Partyware · Banners · Decorations and much more.

9:30am - 5pm Monday - Saturday.

020 8987 8404 4 Acton Lane Chiswick Park W4 5NB www.partyplus.co.uk www.partiesbypost.co.uk

22nd September is the day to get on your bikes, rollers or trainers: many roads will be closed for the event in 18 London boroughs to help tackle the capital’s air pollution crisis.

Did you know air pollution kills thousands of people each year and leaves two million - including 400,000 children - living in areas with illegally dirty air?

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced major plans to help Londoners ‘reclaim’ the streets and get out and about enjoying hundreds of free events for London’s biggest Car Free Day celebrations.

We really MUST support this!

Check out your local events promoting walking, cycling and public transport, or better create your own “play streets.”

Help meet the Mayor’s ambitious target of 80 per cent of all journeys to be taken via sustainable modes of transport by 2041.

Imagine a city where children can breathe and walk to school safely!

Together we can do it.

Families West London is part of Families Print Ltd, and is a franchise company.

All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families West London are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families West London. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, orany consequence thereof.

Design by Martin Driscoll.

Email: martindriscoll@yahoo.com Printed by The MANSON Group Ltd, 8 Porters Wood, Valley Road Industrial Estate, St Albans AL3 6PZ. www.mansongroup.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Party Listings

MUSIC & MOVEMENT

DRAMA

PERFORM PARTIES Based around an exciting theme of your choice, Perform’s energetic party leaders use a magical mix of songs, games and laughter to create funfilled, action-packed parties to remember.

Call 0207 255 9120 or visit: performparties.co.uk for more info.

STAGECOACH Their themed parties for 4-10 year olds combine drama, dance and singing with a wide range of party games and storytelling all based around your chosen theme. You choose the date and the time and they can come to the venue of your choice.

Stagecoach Kensington: 020 8398 8106 Stagecoach Chiswick: 020 020 8398 4709

ENTERTAINERS

ADAM ANTS PARTIES 020 8959 1045 or 07969 121094 info@adamantsparties.co.uk www.adamantsparties.co.uk

BOO BOO THE CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINER 07961 355269 www.mr-booboo.co.uk SILLY MILLIE tHE CLOWN Parties for 3 - 9 year olds. Funny magic show, puppet’s, party games, silly songs and balloon animals.

Impossible = I am Possible 020 7823 8329 or 07939 239 397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk

FUN ON A FARM!

BIRTHDAY PARTIES AT ODDS FARM PARK For more information including full party terms and conditions and to book please visit: www.oddsfarm.co.uk

September 2019

BLUEBERRY PLAYSONGS Fun, inter-active, musical parties for the under 5’s since 1991!

Guitar-accompanied songs with actions, joining in, instruments, games and dancing.

020 8677 6871 info@blueberryplaysongs.co.uk

PARTY SUPPLIERS

PARTY PLUS They have a wide range of themed partyware available from stock. For mail order and more visit: www.partyplus.co.uk

VENUES

BETTY BLYTHE Specialises in bringing the Tea Service party to your own home or venue of your choice.

They can also host up to 10 in their Vintage Tea room. tea@bettyblythe.co.uk www.bettyblythe.co.uk

Families west London 23

FW130 September 2019_FW130 September 2019 27/08/2019 15:18 Page 24