Families Vale of York magazine issue 87 Mar/Apr 2019

BRACKENFIELD SCHOOL Independent Prep School for 2-11 year olds

OPEN MORNINGS

FRIDAY 8th MARCH 2019 10-11.30am FRIDAY 17th MAY 10am-11.30am NOW OPEN; YEAR ROUND NURSERY Small Class Sizes. Outstanding Results. Family Ethos 128 Duchy Road, Harrogate, HG1 2HE

50 Week Year Round Nursery Provision in Little Brackens for 2-4 year olds

Boo Discou k n Ticketsted 30 Online Sat h – c Mar 28 Sun ril Ap

IN THIS ISSUE Easter holiday family fun & activities Finding more family friendly work Education focus

EASTER

EGG-STRAVAGANZA NEW Live Animal Shows*, NEW Easter Egg Hunt, Bottle Feed Lambs, Lambing Live, Baby Animals, Magic Hatter Easter Show* & all the usual farm park fun. *Selected dates only, see website for details

PIGLETS, NR YORK YO32 9ST TEL 01904 499183 PIGLETSADVENTUREFARM.COM

Issue 87 Mar/Apr 2019

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An exciting programme of events for all the family in the year ahead.

SAT 30 & SUN 31 MARCH

SAT 3 AUGUST

House Opens – Mother’s Day Afternoon Teas

Castle Howard Proms

FROM SAT 13 APRIL

BBC Countryfile Live

THU 15 – SUN 18 AUGUST

The Great Castle Howard Easter Egg Hunt

THU 26 – SUN 29 SEPTEMBER

Autumn Flower and Harvest Festival

FRI 19 – MON 22 APRIL

SAT 26 OCTOBER – SUN 3 NOVEMBER

Easter Weekend Fairground Rides

Halloween Half Term

SAT 4 – MON 6 MAY

FROM SAT 16 NOVEMBER

Castle Howard’s Festival of Dogs SAT 25 – MON 27 MAY

Castle Howard Traction Engine Rally

Christmas at Castle Howard: A Christmas Masquerade

SAT 8 & SUN 9 JUNE

The Knights of Royal England – Spectacular Jousting Tournaments and Birds of Prey SUN 16 JUNE

Father’s Day Classic Car Show

A place like no other

SAT 20 & SUN 21 JULY

Castle Howard Triathlon FRI 26 – SUN 28 JULY

Luna Outdoor Cinema

2 Families Vale of York

Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA www.castlehoward.co.uk

WED 31 JULY

Howard Day castlehowardest

BBC Countryfile Live, August 2019

castlehoward

castle_howard

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Welcome

Contents

Dear Readers,

It’s been exactly one year since I took over as owner and editor of Families Vale of York and produced my first issue of the magazine! How time flies when you’re having fun ☺ I want to say a big thank you to all of you for supporting the magazine and its social media channels (Facebook; Twitter and now Instagram!) My friends and family have supported me greatly in my transition year and I am looking forward to what 2019 brings…

It’s SPRINGTIME! This is honestly, one of my favourite times of the year. There’s just something about the sunshine trying desperately to burst through the clouds and the signs of new life where ever you wander. For this reason, I find it’s a fantastic time of the year to get the kids outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and the adventures that our wonderful region offers.

In this issue, you’ll find lots of information about where to go and what to do this Easter season. There’s also a separate section in our ‘What’s On’ guide for organised Easter egg hunts and trails to help make your family planning for days out even easier. Read about how you can support your child with exam stress and weigh up whether homework does actually work. Don’t miss our competition on page 19 to win a ticket for 4 to the Deep in Hull and find out how you can enjoy making a spring bird café with the kids in our step by step guide.

Happy Easter!

4. Family News 6. Family Parenting 8. Family Health 10. Clubs & Classes 11. Holiday Camps & Workshops 12. Family Education 15. World Book Day 20. Easter Family Fun 22. What’s On?

Editor, Families Vale of York Magazine

Get in touch

E – editor@familiesvoy.co.uk T – 07794909820 @FamiliesValeofYorkMag @FamiliesVoYMag @FamiliesVoYmagazine

Where is Families Vale of York?

Families Vale of York is distributed bi-monthly throughout The Vale of York. You can collect a FREE copy from the scores of outlets: schools, nurseries, play groups, clubs & classes, sports centres, libraries, family doctors & baby clinics and children’s shops. If you would like to stock copies please let us know. For families from birth to twelve. Read by over 20,000 local families 6 times a year.

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York

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Goole

Circlulation: 20,000

Deadline: The deadline for the May/Jun edition is early April 2019

Designed by: Anna Lawton

Printed by: Warners Midlands PLC www.warners.co.uk Families Vale of York is part of Families Print Ltd, 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 Vale of York are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Vale of York. 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, or any consequence thereof.

Open up the world for your child with our Montessori nurseries.

Outstanding care and education to inspire and guide each individual child.

Fulford 01904 642666 Strensall 01904 490339

www.yorkshiremontessorinursery.co.uk

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FAMILY

News

Top 5 Dog Beds, Scruffs!

Whether you have a huge Saint Bernard, a leggy Lurcher or a tiny Shihtzu, and you need a compact, den-like bed for hounds who like to feel snug and cosy or maybe something spacious and comfortable for older canines who need support for their joints and who like to stretch - Pets Love Scruffs have lots of new dog bed must-have favourites for you to choose from.

4) Scruffs Habitat

The Scruffs deluxe Habitat beds are produced using a luxurious felt fabric, this is constructed using a lattice technique to form the outer bed. The beds are finished with a faux leatherette Scruffs logo. A super-soft faux fur inner cushion lines the bed, providing a snug environment for your pet to dose. For practicality, the inner cushion is machine washable. These beds are predominantly designed for cats and miniature breeds of dogs, they are available in a variety of colours, 45cm.

Enjoy British Science Week Families can enjoy a wonder-full time together during British Science Week 2019 which will take place from 8 to 17 March.

Science Week is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths with fascinating, entertaining and engaging activities for all ages taking place across the UK. Last year there were over 2,100 events involving almost 1 million participants.

You can also download a series of FREE activity packs at www.britishscienceweek.org filled with resources and ideas to try out at home or school, without the need for a science background or expensive equipment.

For more information visit www.sciencelive.net

1) Scruffs ArmourDillo Anti Chew chunky Memory mat

The Scruffs MEMORY collection of orthopaedic pet beds has been designed predominantly for larger breeds or pets that require more support for their joints, back or body. Scruffs have various styles such as the Chateau box bed, ArmourDillo robust dog bed, Hilton Orthopaedic mattress, and more.

5) Scruffs Thermal Collection The Scruffs Thermal, self-heating pet beds are an ideal choice to keep your pet warm on those cold winter nights.

Each bed contains a foam layer, backed with reflective foil. This layer is sandwiched between quilted polyester fibres and the bed’s main fill, it reflects body heat back to your pet, keeping them warm. The box beds feature a one-piece construction providing greater support and durability; they are filled with a 100% recycled green-fibre fill with unmatched cushioning, resilience and insulation characteristics - all sizes.

For more info and to buy: www.petslovescruffs.com

Lack of Sleep Damaging For Children 2) Scruffs Expedition Memory Pillow or Box Bed

The Scruffs Expedition Box Beds are the ideal solution for dogs that enjoy outdoor pursuits such as beach walking and muddy forest trails. The reverse side of the fabric is coated with a 100% water resistant backing to prevent the ingress of water. For improved support the box beds are constructed using a one-piece design. The centre cushion of the bed forms an integral section, maximising the bed’s strength and durability. Comes in various sizes.

More than a third of primary school children are failing to get sufficient sleep, according to research by the University of Leeds.

The NHS recommendation is that children of that age should get 10 hours sleep per night but the study discovered that out of 1,100 children ages 6 to 11, 36% were getting only eight hours sleep or less on a weekday night.

The Scruffs Ellen dog bed collection (donut and mattress styles) is produced using a textured faux fur, with a contrasting tweed outer cover. The beds sleep area has been lined with a luxurious plush fur, providing warmth & comfort. Each bed is finished with a soft-feel Scruffs logo on the front of the bed, comes in medium and large sizes.

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The government has announced its desire to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online. Digital minister, Margot James says: “There is far too much bullying, abuse, misinformation and manipulation online.”

The announcement comes after the tragic death of Molly Russell, 14, whose parents had found she had viewed content on social media linked to depression, self-harm and suicide before taking her own life in 2017.

Ms James said “The tragic death of Molly Russell is the latest consequence of a social media world that behaves as if it is above the law. For too long the response from many of the large platforms has fallen short.”

“We have heard calls for an internet regulator and to place a statutory duty of care on platforms, and are seriously considering all options.”

“Social media companies clearly need to do more to ensure they are not promoting harmful content to vulnerable people” said a Government spokesman. A white paper is forthcoming.

For more information on making the internet safer for your child visit www.saferinternet.org.uk

The study has linked poor sleep with difficulties in paying attention in class, keeping up with school work, forgetfulness and absenteeism.

3) Scruffs Ellen Collection

Social Media Companies Face Government Action

Just under a third of children reported that worrying about school work was keeping them awake, whilst around one in six children reported that they found it difficult to sleep because of concerns about bullying or friendship.

The researchers identified that children who had access to technology in their bedroom were more likely to experience a shorter night’s sleep and recommended that parents consider removing technology from their children’s bedrooms.

More info: www.leeds.ac.uk

Football Boosts Girls Confidence New research suggests that playing football can have a greater positive impact on the self-confidence of teenage girls than other popular sports.

The study by the University of Birmingham for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is the largest of its kind and features data collected from 4128 girls and young women aged 13 and over in Denmark, England, Germany, Spain, Poland and Turkey.

80% of teenage girls surveyed said they felt more confident as a result of being part of their football team compared to 74% who played other sports. 58% of the female footballers questioned said they had overcome a lack of self-confidence as a result of playing football, compared with 51% of girls who play other sports.

UEFA have launched the Together #WePlayStrong campaign, which aims to make football the number one participation sport for girls and women in Europe by 2022.

More info: www.birmingham.ac.uk/news familiesonline.co.uk

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FAMILY

parenting

Why Children Misbehave… and How to Handle It

By Kristina Bill, Joy Marchese and Jane Nelsen Human beings are fundamentally social beings. Our primary goals are to belong (connection) and to have a sense of purpose and contribution (significance). In their pursuit of these goals, it is normal for children to test the waters by misbehaving. They do so when they are struggling to achieve these goals and feeling discouraged.

one soon.” You are connecting by showing understanding and validating your child’s feelings AND you are giving them the opportunity to contribute (earn and save their money) instead of rescuing them and buying something for them.

When children misbehave and parents feel frazzled, we often resort to quick fixes such as punishment, reward and bribery, because yes, they deliver temporary results.

However, many of these approaches do not empower children to find connection, belonging and a sense of purpose and contribution. This leads to a vicious cycle of discouragement and renewed misbehaviour.

Positive Time Out

To see sustained behavioural change, we need to focus not just on the misbehaviour, but on the belief behind the behaviour – the discouragement our children are experiencing. Then we need to use parenting tools based on encouragement that help our children experience their deep need to belong and feel capable through contribution.

Building Confidence and Resilience Here are some strategies that we can use to help our children develop the skills they need to pursue their goals.

Connection before Correction Brain research has shown that children do better when they feel better. This does not mean feeling better because they get everything they want. They feel better because they feel connected (belonging) and responsible (significant). Thus it is very important to make a connection with your child before you attempt correction. One of the easiest ways to do this is to validate their feelings.

Validate Feelings “I know you’re upset because you can’t have that toy, but if you save your pocket money, I’m sure you can purchase

Study reveals almost half of children want parents to use their phone less in 2019

When your child misbehaves, firstly you need to check in with yourself and make sure you are calm enough to deal compassionately with your child at that time. If you are not, chances are you will react with short-term strategies. Say to your child that you are upset and need some time by yourself. This models self-regulation, an essential life skill.

Ask if it would help him to have some chill time too. To ensure your child understands what you are doing, discuss as a family what happens when we’re stressed – our brains are flooded with stress hormones so we can’t think. Then explain that when one of you is stressed, you can ask for chill out time in a different place in the house that works for each individual. This Time Out should ALWAYS be a choice and NEVER a punishment.

Focus on Solutions Reduce power struggles by focussing on solutions rather than consequences of bad behaviour. Learn to think in terms of problem = solution instead of problem = blame and punishment. It can be effective and empowering to help children explore the consequences of their choices by asking, “What do you think caused that to happen, and what ideas do you have to solve the problem?” This teaches them valuable life skills such as problem-solving, respectful communication, decision-making, conflict resolution and negotiating strategies.

Jane Nelsen is the founder of the Positive Discipline Methodology programme. London-based educators Joy Marchese and Kristina Bill worked with Jane to coauthor the book Positive Discipline for Today’s Busy (and Overwhelmed) Parent: How to Balance Work, Parenting and Self for Lasting Well Being. Published by Harmony Books and available from Amazon at £12.99.

The UK’s largest online platform for childcarers, parents and tutors has surveyed more than 2,000 parents on what New Year’s resolution their kids want them to make. The results show that more than half of children want their parents to use their phones less in 2019, compared to just a quarter that want them to quit smoking.

nannies, nurseries and private tutors and allows childcare providers to advertise their services. The site has more than 1.5 million users nationwide and is the largest online community for parents in the UK, having launched in 2009.

Due to the survey results, Childcare.co.uk asked the parents surveyed to anonymously submit their Screen Time usage and discovered that the respondents were on their phones for three hours a day on average.

“Making New Year’s resolutions is something most of us do every year, so we thought it would be interesting to see what kids think their parents New Year’s resolution should be. Some of the answers were resolutions that benefit the children which can be expected, but some highlight a wider issue in our society. We live in a digital age and children are used to technology being a regular fixture in our lives, however the survey results indicate that children are very aware of how much time we spend on our phones, so maybe we should make a conscious effort to be aware of it as well and take action.”

More than half (53%) spend most of their phone time on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Instagram, and a fifth (22%) spend their time on games, such as Candy Crush and Words with Friends.

Nearly two thirds (58%) of the children were girls and less than half (42%) boys, all were between the ages of 5 and 12.

Childcare.co.uk is a platform that allows parents to search for and connect with babysitters, childminders,

6 Families Vale of York

Effective parenting means constantly looking for winwin solutions, rather than winning at the expense of your child. Co-operation is the best way to avoid power struggles and feelings of inadequacy in children, reducing your stress in the process.

Richard Conway, founder of Childcare.co.uk said:

To see the full survey results, visit the website: www. childcare.co.uk/blog/resolutions

familiesonline.co.uk

Helping your children spot ‘Fake News’

By Katie Harrison

The term ‘fake news’ first came to the fore during the course of the last American Presidential election, when Donald Trump used it to describe some of the news reporting around the campaigns. Since then, debate about ‘fake news’ has hit the headlines amidst concerns that its proliferation is disrupting elections around the world: it’s one of the most talked about subjects of the year.

Medieval Easter Families Leeds Advert (87x130mm).qxp 21/02/2019 12:01

But what is it? What does it mean to you and your family? Being news-savvy empowers children and keeps them engaged and motivated to find out about the world around them.

But what should we be teaching them about ‘fake news?’

A recent BBC survey of 18 countries worldwide found that nearly 8 in 10 people said they worried about what was fake and what was real on the internet. Fake news can easily go viral via social media so it’s vital that children learn to question what they see and read and have the opportunity to discuss it and share their views.

Most school children know what fake news is, but teachers report that many of them aren’t always able to correctly identify it. They don’t always know what they are looking for.

Here are our top 5 tips for helping children spot fake news:

Question, Question, Question!

Who made this? Who is the target audience? Who paid for this? Or, who gets paid if you click on this? Who might benefit or be harmed by this message?

Is the Article Angry or Emotional?

If it makes you feel very strongly, it could be ‘clickbait’ - a grabbing headline to get you to follow a link.

Check what Other Media are Saying Don’t rely on a single source. Are other well-known news providers sharing this news story? If not, it may not have been verified.

Spell check!

Obvious grammatical errors or spelling mistakes can be a sign that an article hasn’t been professionally produced or proofread and can be a giveaway.

Facts, Facts, Facts!

What proof or evidence does the article give? Does it cite credible research or expert opinions?

If you can help familiarise your children with what is real and ‘fake’ news, they will soon be able to critically assess what they are reading and seeing.

Katie Harrison is an early-years educational expert and founder of Picture News, a new service for schools helping them teach children about the news. More info at www. picture-news.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Action-packed Easter 30 March – 14 April

Combats | Drama | Knight School 10am – 5pm | Free museum admission | Leeds

International Jousting Tournament Easter Bank Holiday Weekend Book Now www.royalarmouries.org

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Visit us york.razzamataz.co.uk

Should we reward our children with

sugary food?

By Andrew Campbell

It’s not unusual for parents to offer their children “special” - and often unhealthy - foods as a reward for good behaviour or achievement.

Equally, if children are bored on a long car journey, or fed up with being in the buggy, it’s tempting to use snack foods to distract them for a little longer.

We’ve all noticed that if children are upset because they have hurt themselves or want something they cannot have, the offer of something sweet helps ‘make them feel better.’

Withholding special food treats may also be a punishment. A parent might refuse to serve pudding, for example, if her children have talked back or neglected to tidy their rooms.

But what is the result of using food as a tool to deal with emotions like boredom or sadness or as a punishment? Does it turn children into adults who cannot cope with being bored or upset without a sweet snack?

There certainly isn’t any evidence to suggest that occasionally resorting to the biscuit tin will affect children in this way. But what if we do it on a regular basis? What happens when sweets and biscuits become the major reward in a child’s life?

Reading scheme books for 4 to 9 year olds delivered to your home.

Book rental for young readers.

There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that regularly using food as an emotional distraction or as a reward or punishment for children may be associated with a greater risk of emotional eating.

A recent study carried out by Aston, Loughborough and Birmingham universities found that parents who use controlling feeding practices with their children could be unintentionally teaching their children to rely on food to deal with their emotions later in life.

Using food as a reward can also undermine healthy eating habits. Giving sweets, crisps, or squash as a reward can lead to children overeating foods that are high in sugar, fat, and empty calories. Worse, it can interfere with the child’s natural ability to regulate their eating, encouraging them to eat when they’re not hungry to reward themselves.

Offering unhealthy food as a reward or treat is also confusing. Children hear that they’re supposed to enjoy healthy foods and avoid foods with little nutritional value. Being told that they can indulge in foods that are bad for them as a reward or having these withheld as a punishment sends a very mixed message.

More information at www.nhs.uk/change4life

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How to celebrate Mother’s Day after losing a baby

FAMILY

health

By Petra Boynton Mother’s Day is supposed to be a time for happy families and honouring all that mums do. But it can be a bittersweet time if you’ve lost a baby recently or in the past. Grief can leave you feeling isolated and lonely, and you may feel you have to hide this from others, particularly if your friends or relatives have been awkward or unsympathetic about your loss(es). Perhaps you’re under pressure to keep up a ‘perfect mum’ persona that leaves no room for feelings of anger or frustration about your loss. Or you may simply be unsure how to mark the day.

At a time of year where you’re expected to be around children and celebrate motherhood you may struggle if you are missing a baby you lost, or are navigating family gatherings where you might feel envious of those who have children. You may want to take pride in being a mum while still find it difficult to adjust to not having a particular baby (or babies) with you.

While it’s not often talked about, it isn’t unusual for mums or their wider families to find Mother’s Day a tricky time – particularly if it’s your first anniversary following bereavement. Your partner may feel the same way, but say nothing – particularly on a day that’s supposed to be about the person who carried their babies. Similarly, young children may not be so aware of your losses but can still can be affected by grief; while older children may be struggling but unsure how to ask for help. Everyone in the family may have different ways of coping and managing their emotions and reactions and this can be tricky especially if what one family member wants to do conflicts with someone else’s needs.

There is no straightforward journey through the grieving process and there’s no set time by which you’ll feel better.

Instead there will always be good and bad days. This can mean Mother’s Day can either become a powerful time for remembrance, or a trigger for distress. You have permission to mark the day in whatever way you wish – it’s worth noting that you may not end up managing Mother’s Day in the way you anticipated.

It’s absolutely fine to tell others how you are doing, how you wish to treat Mother’s Day and how you’d like them to support you. This may include asking them not to make a big deal of the day or to join in celebrations that honour the memory of the baby (or babies) that aren’t with you.

It’s your day, so you get to define, change and mark it in whatever way works best for you.

Support groups are a good place to connect with other people who have experienced losses. In the run up to Mother’s Day and during the day itself, making use of online forums, groups on Facebook, charity helplines or email advice services can be very reassuring if you need support.

Petra Boynton is the author of Coping With Pregnancy Loss, published by Routledge, RRP £11.99. Get 20% off the book with the code CWL20! Other sources of support can be found at https://copingwithpregnancyloss.com/ support familiesonline.co.uk

Establishing new traditions after loss You may want to pick a meaningful place to visit like a walk in peaceful surroundings, a beautiful beach, or somewhere you feel happy.

Not everyone wants to celebrate after loss. That might mean doing very little to mark Mother’s Day; you may want to spend the time quietly or on a retreat with other parents who’ve experienced similar loss.

Alternatively, your preferred Mother’s Day treat might be something that’s focussed on your living children or those of other relatives or friends, whilst still remembering any babies not with you.

Meaningful dates can be good times to make memorials – these could include planting a tree, creating a memory box or scrap book, or joining an online memorial page.

If your baby has a grave to visit, spending some time there on Mother’s Day either alone or with family members can feel important and meaningful. You may want to take flowers or other mementoes.

You might ask for donations to a baby loss charity, made in the name of all your children or that of the baby (or babies) you’ve lost.

Families Vale of York 9

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Clubs & Classes

Razzamataz Razz Sessions are specifically designed for boys and girls aged 4 -18 years of age; with equal amounts of dance, drama and singing in commercial styles such as authentic Street Dance and Pop Singing as well as Musical Theatre Styles. Our Razz Students have great fun making new friends, learning new skills, increasing their health and fitness as well as being able to perform in our annual Summer Showcases and other local and national events! Including Indigo @ the 02 Nov 2018 London, and Her Majesty’s theatre planned for 2019; not to forget Disney Land Paris.

For some children, they start their dream of becoming performers after they take their first theatre arts class and a decade later, we are in the privileged position of watching them on the West End stage. Take Robson Broad from Razzamataz Medway, he was one of our first scholarship winners with The Stage newspaper and is now part of the world-wide sensation, Hamilton.

Little Gym

Swimmers Academy & Baby Swimmers

Swimmers Academy Beginners through to Advanced, whatever their age and ability Survival skills, stamina and stroke techniques.

Baby Swimmers

Through fun and games,see your little one progress to a confident little swimmer!

Free Phone 0808 1 33 44 55 Mobile Friendly 0333 8008 345

www.babyswimmers.co.uk

Mat, bar, beam. Each one is a springboard! The Little Gym offers you an annual programme where learning and fun lead to a natural progression of physical, emotional, intellectual and social skills. Children aged 4 months to 12 years attend weekly classes, progressing on a continuous basis thanks to our themed learning units. It is all about SERIOUS FUN! Our parent/child classes (4-36 months) nurture early development, confidence, socialisation and exploration all while joining in with the spirit of adventure. Parents take part with their little ones in our fun, interactive classes, joining in with the exploration of basic motor and social skills. In our Pre-School gymnastics classes (3-6 years) the giggles and growth go hand in hand. Classes enable your child to discover gymnastics-based movement and stimulates their motor, social and cognitive skills.

Our classes are filled with laughter, encouragement, imagination and fun! Finally, our Primary School classes (6-12 years) allow beginners, intermediates and advanced gymnasts to conquer the mat, vault, bar and beam. Developing at their own pace, focusing on giving everything 100% and most importantly having fun and developing a life long love of being physically active!

Having opened Harrogate in 2010, Leeds in 2016 and York due to open in late summer 2019, there is bound to be a Little Gym near you. With over 80 classes a week currently offered between Leeds and Harrogate and over 1000 members attending classes every week, it is proving to be very popular. We hope to have something that will fit in with your family’s schedule. Flexible annual and monthly payment plans and free introductory visits, allow members to join at any point in the year. As a member of The Little Gym you have huge flexibility in when you attend your classes. Under 3s can attend unlimited weekly classes and regular complimentary practice times for all ages offer all our members plenty of time to perfect their skills. Before and after class members can relax in our lobby, catch up with friends, take advantage of the complimentary refreshments or simply catch up on some work!

If you’re interested in joining The Little Gym Harrogate, Leeds or York, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Full details of the opening of York will follow soon.

This is why for 2019, Razzamataz is spreading the word that performing arts is for all children and young people and the discipline of attending weekly classes, working as a team and committing to practice will help children achieve their full potential.

The message is simply: ‘From Superheroes to Superstars!’ #BeSuperAtRazz.

Free Taster Sessions available from 2-18 Years.

Email york@razzamataz.co.uk /call 07969859895 /01430 860923 We look forward to hearing from you.

Tots

2-3 yrs 9-10 am

Minis

4-5 yrs 9-10 am

Juniors

6-8 yrs 10.30 -1pm

Inters

9-11 yrs

10.15-1.15 pm

All Stars Cricket All Stars Cricket is a programme aimed at children aged 5-8 years old to give them a great first experience in cricket. Sessions are accredited by the England & Wales Cricket Board and delivered nationwide at over 2,000 centres. All Stars Cricket will help your child develop key skills in a fun and safe environment where parents can join in too and help create #BigMoments you’ll both treasure!

Following successful registration, All Stars Cricketers will receive a brand-new kit bag full of goodies to help them get their summer of cricket started and fully look the part when they attend their 8 weekly sessions.

This year we have a brand-new Cricket World Cup themed activity book that is full of top tips, games and, it’s a great place to keep those weekly stickers to celebrate your All Star’s achievements. Plus, it’s all delivered straight to your door.

To find out more about how to get involved this summer, simply visit www.allstarscricket.co.uk and get your place booked as sessions begin May 2019.

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Camp Xplode

Holiday camps and workshops

MAKING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ADVENTURE DAYS

FREE Holiday Bible Club - York All Aboard! 23rd – 6th April 9.45am12.30pm, with Day 5 a ‘Parents come too’ Sunday 28th April 10.45am-12pm.

For Primary School age children, at York Baptist Church, Priory Street, YO1 6EX www.ybc.org.uk E: holidayclub@ybc.org. uk T: 01904 640124 F: facebook.com/ YorkBaptistChurch

Woodland Adventure Company

York

We welcome the (animal free) National Festival Circus – a magical mix of laughter and excitement! Fabulous funny clowns, balancing equilibrilists, fast tempo juggling, baffling magic, high flying diabolos, mesmerising spinning hoops and bucketfuls of fun.

Total Sports

York; Harrogate & Knaresborough

Holiday clubs run every school holiday for children aged 5 – 12 in York: Manor CE School; Archbishop Holgate’s School & Huntington Primary Academy and in Harrogate/ Knaresborough: Rossett Sports Centre & King James’s School. Clubs offered include: Total Energy; Total Dance and Football Development.

For more information: www.totalsportslimited. co.uk

Technology in Play

Harrogate & York

TiP camps are a perfect cure for holiday boredom. Running from 9am – 4pm the day is full of a variety of STEM based activities all based on a chosen theme. For more information: www. technologyinplay.club/tip-camps

Pete Keighley Cricket Coaching

Ripon Grammar School

Fun drills, games, nets and matches. Each day will run from 10am – 3pm and will be for ages 5-13. For more information: www. peterkeighleycricketcoaching.co.uk

Kings Camps

Ashville College, Harrogate

The UK’s leading activity camp. Programmes include over 30 amazing sports and activities to get children aged 5-17 active, having fun and learning together. For more information: www. kingscamps.org/venue/harrogate-ashville-college

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The importance of getting back to nature Remember when we were children and we’d spend hours outdoors playing?

Creative Studio

York

Full day children’s workshops from 9am – 3.30pm. We do a mixture of activities, including working in clay, mixed media, paint work and drawing. 5-7 year olds are offered a different day to 8-12 year olds. We encourage children to be imaginative with their thinking and bring out their individuality. For more information: www. thecreativestudioyork.co.uk

The Web Adventure Park

York

Exciting childcare for 0 – 12 years! We’re passionate about play and want your child to have a great time, learn new skills and make new friends. Our friendly Holiday Club Team will ensure that each child is welcomed and has a fantastic time, whatever their interests. For more information: www.webadventurepark.co.uk

When we were kids – fun was outdoors.

Mums would complain about mucky clothes and we’d complain about having to come in for tea. We learned about our environment without consciously learning. And as a result, we know how to make the perfect mud pie, how to climb a tree and how to build an amazing den (secret password, optional).

However, these days it’s harder than ever to distract our children from a screen. With phones, tablets and TVs; gaming, YouTube, Netflix and Social Media – there’s a world (wide web) of tech that seems to have stunted our children’s sense of adventure.

Most studies agree that kids who play outside are smarter, happier, more attentive, and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors.

Getting active and getting outdoors can only be a good thing for everyone. In nature, we can develop confidence in unfamiliar surroundings, learn how to think creatively in nature and discover ourselves within challenging new experiences.

Live for Today

So, it’s easy to see what we need to do. There’s obviously some bias here, but we think there’s nothing better for children than to switch off from the modern-day madness, get out there and see what adventure is waiting!

Situated in the lovely grounds of Ripley Castle, we have taken our most popular activities and created a week full of excitement and fun. Our days allow your children to be dropped off from 8.15am and collected at the latest 5.30pm. For more information: www.live-for-today.com/schoolholiday-camps

Let’s get kids outdoors. But what about the worry of strangers, traffic or heaven forbid the risk of them getting dirty? The solution seems simple – a natural, safe environment for them to learn, explore and totally be themselves. Camp Xplode is just that.

Ripley Castle, Harrogate

I2i Football Academy

York College, Selby High School, Tadcaster Albion Football Club Ages 5 – 13 years 10am – 3pm (with optional early drop off and late pick up). Camps for girls; goalkeeping skills; attacking skills and general football skills. For more information or to book a place: www.i2i-football-academy.class4kids. co.uk/camps

Razzamataz

York 12-16 Aug Summer camp

Come along to our Mary Poppins themed Summer School at York High School for a fun filled week packed with Street Dance, Commercial Pop, Musical Theatre, Drama, Arts, Crafts & much more. For ages 4-18. Plus, the opportunity to perform onstage in front of family and friends. For more information or to book a place call 07969 859895 or email york@razzamataz.co.uk

It’s the sort of place that makes the great outdoors even greater. Held at 3 exceptional venues across Yorkshire (York, Ripon and Leeds), Camp Xplode’s unique holiday day camps give children and young adults the chance to discover their wild side – it’s a better type of childcare, albeit somewhat mucky (sorry Mums).

Every day at Camp Xplode is bursting with adventure. Committed to providing children and young adults from 3–17 with the very best multi-activity day camp experience possible. Children have over 40 activities to choose from as well as theme days, visiting attractions and excursions - all guaranteed to maximise fun. Each camp is tailored to your child’s interests and with a wide variety of energetic pursuits lined up each day.

If you’d like to know more about Camp Xplode or to book a place for your child, take a look at www.campxplode. co.uk and get ready for an adventure.

Families Vale of York 11

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EDUCATION

focus

The importance of

extra-curricular activities

Does homework work?

By Claire Winter

Does the word ‘homework’ fill you with dread or do you think it is an important aspect of your child’s education?

How much time do you spend supervising your child’s homework? What is it actually teaching your child? Is it really necessary or should schools just scrap it altogether?

Emma Chapman, Head of Co-curricular at Queen Ethelburga’s: At QE, we believe the more direct experience of the world around them that students have, the better equipped they are to deal with life beyond school.

We base our activities around the foundation of developing their participation, knowledge and skills in - Community, Creativity, Culture, Health & Exercise and Leadership.

We call it a Co-Curricular Enrichment programme because it is just that. Our students have over 100 activities to choose from and they discuss what and how they participate with their tutors, to get the best out of what is on offer, whilst maintaining a good balance with their studies.

The benefits of students getting involved in Enrichment Activities beyond the classroom are immeasurable. But if we had to count the ways…

It helps them to build stronger friendships and social skills, develop a real team spirit and also gives them different tools to positively manage their time and both their physical and mental health. We run a Performing Arts academy on a Saturday morning, offer a huge range of sporting opportunities, as well as music and drama activities and clubs around academic subjects. This is in addition to the many more niche pastimes, such as fencing, parkour and Lego club.

It builds their confidence, leadership and resilience, and gives them a taste of responsibility and autonomy, as they navigate their way through the different challenges each activity presents.

Students can get involved in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Combined Cadet Force, Model United Nations, Brownies and Rainbows as well as a range of charitable initiatives.

It opens their eyes to different cultures, communities and ways of doing things that support their creativity and a healthy awareness of the world in which they seek to build their own path to success.

Each year we take students around the UK and beyond; students can immerse themselves in the history and culture of cities such as Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Rome, New York and Sydney, learn to ski or scuba dive, or undertake valuable elephant conservation work in Asia and life-changing schoolbased community projects in Zambia.

We believe Enrichment plays an important role in students’ development and inspires them to be a part of something bigger than themselves.

Giovanna Zaribini, Year 9

I’m involved in the drama productions and attend rehearsals each week. It’s a way of meeting new people and it’s a great way to express your different talents as well. Everyone from sixth form right down the school is involved and everyone knows everyone. It’s basically just like a family. I see them around campus too which is nice. It really boosts my confidence and makes me feel part of a team. This year was my favourite production – I danced in Beauty and the Beast. Being involved in the productions gives you a break. You can’t always focus on your studies and this gives me some distance to clear my mind and think.

I tend to do sports at the weekends here too. I do netball, hockey, rounders – which I love – but it’s not the season for that yet!

I’m also involved in the charity committee, which raised over £20,000 last year for 21 charities.

There are students from every year involved in the committee and no one knows each other to start with, but when you get together it’s great because we all have the same passion to help people. I loved being part of the shoe box appeal and making up all the boxes for children and their families this Christmas.

Charles Berger, Year 6

I go to Lego club and I’m going to do the Junior Maths Challenge next term. I’m involved with the Eco Council – I had my first meeting last week! This came about because I wrote to my MP and I told him I was concerned about food wastage and when I told the school about it, they asked me to join the school Eco Council. The Council is run by sixth formers so I find it really good because it means I don’t just mix with King’s Magna students but also other parts of the school.

I go to enrichment club too, which is all about leadership. Right now, we’re concentrating on project Zambia. One of the things we are working together to do is to get stationary and books to the children in schools there. We work out for ourselves how we’re going to do that and take turns each week to be the team leader. Being involved in the club builds up my confidence and also helps me with what I say and what I write.

I go to swimming on Saturdays too in York, but everything else I do is at the school - I do something different every day here.

12 Families Vale of York

Here in the UK, the government says it’s up to individual head teachers in primary schools to decide whether to set homework or not. Homework is generally set to be completed outside of school hours and when children are young, parents are often asked to help with it. In 1997, 6 out of 10 primary schools were setting homework. Just two years later, 90% of schools were setting it and it seems that the majority of schools have continued this trend.

But are pupils and parents coping with the added pressure of homework on top of busy lives and after-school activities? A recent report by the BBC highlighted that only 11% of parents in Britain are spending an hour a day helping their children with homework. While in other countries, like India, 64% of parents are spending an hour a day on this activity.

Whilst many people think children at primary school are too young to do homework, education specialist Melanie Harwood (www.harwoodeducation.com) believes homework is vital for developing learning skills. It helps children: •

develop a sense of their own self-worth and individual learning styles.

•

become confident working things out in their own space without the constraints of being “watched over” by a teacher, their parents or peers.

•

develop critical thinking and puzzle solving skills, which will serve them well in life and further education.

•

develop a deeper understanding of a particular point within a task or specific item of learning, by completing further work on it at home.

Melanie adds: “Learning to work on one’s own and time management are important life skills. This is what will separate many learners from the rest of the pack. Being able to focus on a task and having the self-motivation to complete it is extremely important when working both in a team and on your own.”

Ex-teacher Hannah Deane who now runs a social media marketing business from home (www.littleshout.org) says setting homework at a primary level has always been a contentious issue amongst many teachers.

“In my experience, if you get a group of teachers in a room, (without the presence of an Ofsted inspector or anyone who has power over their career!), they usually agree that before senior school, homework is surplus to a child’s educational needs.”

“Learning spellings and reading at home can be beneficial, but the constant flow of worksheets, practice SATs papers, and ‘homework’ seem to be little more than a box-ticking exercise. Homework at primary level has no proven track record of enhancing a child’s education. Let them play and learn through an unstructured activity. Once they reach senior school, their levels of concentration and capacity have increased to allow them to continue with formal learning outside the school day.”

“Surely a child who turns up to school well rested and relaxed having had sufficient ‘downtime,’ will learn more in lessons than one who was made to do an extra half hour homework the night before?”

A recent report about homework by the Teaching Schools Council says that homework set at primary school should have a clear purpose. The report states that schools should explain to pupils and parents why they are setting it, and the teachers should let pupils know how well they have done.

While the jury is still out on whether homework is a good thing for primary school children, it is clear that schools need to do more to help parents and pupils understand exactly what the benefits of the homework they are setting are, as well as making it achievable for all involved including parents! familiesonline.co.uk

The

Mount School York

“The quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent.”

Supporting your

child with exam stress

THE MOUNT JUNIOR SCHOOL GIRLS AGE 4-11

Curiosity Creativity Confidence

“The quality of the pupils’ development is excellent.”

The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), November 2018

www.mountschoolyork.co.uk

admissions@mountschoolyork.co.uk

By Vicky Bellman

We have come to the time of year when many children are preparing to face exams or tests at school. These exams or tests vary in their significance for your child’s future. For some, they will be the stepping stone to the next part of their educational journey, for others an assessment of their progress this academic year. Regardless of which category the exams or tests fall into, exam time is likely to be a pressured and overwhelming time for most children and their parents.

Stress and anxiety in young children is particularly heightened at this time of year as they deal with performance-related concerns related to their educational tests. These tests can often feel like tests of who they are. Their behaviour may suffer during a stress peak and it’s important to do what you can to respond from a place of calm. Invite them to join you in feeling calm, rather than you joining them in emotional chaos.

With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you support your child at this time:

Keep it in Perspective Yes, of course exams are important. But everyone involved needs to remember it’s not the end of the world if there’s a hiccup and things don’t go as well as expected. There is almost always another chance.

Help Manage Expectations Working longer than is advisable for their age, or expecting grades significantly higher than their capabilities could well be detrimental to your child’s emotional and mental well-being. It’s important you guide your children appropriately in this area.

Encourage Good Work Habits Primary school children may find it hard to sustain concentration for longer than 30 minutes without a break. It’s important not to schedule too many study sessions in one day – one or two would be the appropriate maximum for this age group on a weekend or school holiday day, but less if they are also managing homework. Otherwise your child will become stressed and it’s much harder for them to learn under pressure.

Remember the Building Blocks Again, when it comes to the real basics, we can easily forget the building blocks for emotional wellbeing. Make sure that your child is getting enough good food, water and sleep!

Free time is Vital It’s a difficult balancing act, but it’s important to remember that primary school age children need plenty of free time - structured studying has to be balanced with plenty of unstructured free time. Relaxation and fun are vital.

Getting outside to play and spending time relaxing with family and friends are super-important at this time.

A useful analogy to share with your children is that human beings are basically machines. We need fuel, and we also need to switch our engine off every now and again. Otherwise, we risk overheating! On any long-term journey in a machine, comfort breaks and fuel fill ups would be an accepted and necessary part of the journey. Humans are no different.

Make Time for You You can’t pour from an empty cup. Your children need more from you when preparing for and going through exams or tests. To be able to give more you need to be able to have more fuel in the tank.

Connection is Important Make sure you have family down time; perhaps watching a movie one night with popcorn, or going for a family walk, or day out. Don’t just save the treats for the exam results, as this reinforces to children that they have more value when they achieve more. Let them know that their wellbeing and enjoyment of life is as vital when they’re striving for success, as well as when they’re achieving it.

Vicky Bellman is a counsellor at Fegans, a Christian charity which counsels children and provides support for parents. For more parenting advice on stress and mental health, visit www.fegans.org.uk/parentw familiesonline.co.uk

Families Vale of York 13

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate Queen Ethelburga’s has provided students with a vibrant and supportive school community since 1912. Welcoming day students from 3 months to 19 years and boarders from 6 years to 19 years.

Outstanding academic results • Extensive co-curricular programme Excellent pastoral care for all • Minibus service across Yorkshire Academic, sport, music & drama scholarships available Open day - 16th March • Infant / Junior school open morning 5th April Queen Ethelburga’s, Thorpe Underwood Hall, Ouseburn, YO26 9SS www.qe.org | admissions@qe.org | 01423 333330

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Is World Book Day just about dressing up?

Call 01904 640124

By Liz Walker, Founder of Reading Chest World Book Day 2019 is on 7th March. It is a huge celebration, marked in over 100 countries, with the aim of getting children enthused about books and reading. However, some parents are less enthused and associate World Book Day with the chore of producing a fancy dress costume rather than reading.

Children who read for pleasure are much more likely to be successful in all areas of their education than those who don’t. World Book Day is a fantastic opportunity to excite all children about reading. It could be the inspiration that a reluctant reader needs to read the one great book that leads to a lifetime of reading for pleasure. So why not embrace World Book Day 2019 and make the most of all its events, including dressing up!

World Book Day gives schools the freedom to drop the usual timetable and focus on books and reading. Exciting activities are planned, authors are invited in, book tokens are handed out and children love it. So be prepared, get the children involved and have fun on 7 March 2019!

For reading advice and more information on books for children learning to read, visit www.readingchest.co.uk. Families Readers can join Reading Chest with the discount code FAMWBD to get £5 off their first month’s membership.

Celebrate World Book Day & join a National Trust book trail

Metta Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre present

Nothing beats a good book for sparking the imagination. Over 9-10 March National Trust places across the country will be celebrating the joy of reading with World Book Day inspired events. Settle down for storytelling sessions, play dress-up as your favourite book character or follow the trail to find 10 Little Bookworms hidden throughout libraries and shops.

We couldn’t celebrate World Book Day without something new to read, with all of the National Trust places involved in World Book Day stocking this year’s special titles. Simply hand over the £1 book token, all children will be given at school or nursery, and pick one of the World Book Day Books.

Will it be Cadpig or Claude for animal lovers? Underwater with the Bad Mermaids? Or off on an epic Percy Jackson adventure.

Participating sites local to Yorkshire: Fountains Abbey & Nostell Priory.

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APR

APR

16 20 Families Vale of York 15

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She means business..

Here, we find out a bit more about Gemma Robinson, who runs Reading Fairy in York.

Who are you and where do you live?

Hello! I’m Gemma Robinson and I live in York with my husband and two children, aged six and eight.

Tell us a bit about your business.

I have just celebrated my first year of running weekly ‘Reading Fairy’ sessions and storytelling events for children aged 12 months to 5 years. Reading Fairy language development classes develop the building blocks needed for learning to read through a variety of play activities based on the latest research and best early years practice.

Each active, five-part class ensures that children develop a secure basis for learning to read in all areas, using five lovable characters; * Reading Fairy- loves storytelling using a range of sensory experiences and drama.

EXPERIENCE a BIRTHDAY PARTY with a difference at

* Phonic Fox- delivers a synthetic phonics programme, starting by linking environmental sounds to objects and progressively introduces letter sounds and blending using puppets, unique songs, take home activities and sensory props. * Music Mouse- develops rhythm and rhyme and extends vocabulary using instruments, nursery rhymes, familiar songs and our unique Reading Fairy music. * Chat Cat- practises speaking and listening skills using games. * Book Bear- shares part of a picture book at the end of every session, each child has their own copy of the book and a bear and a blanket to snuggle up with.

My regular sessions are progressive and run in three age groups; Toddler Tales, Story Stars and Reading Recruits. I also run one-off nursery, school, childminder and library events, as well as birthday parties.

What did you used to do?

I was a primary school teacher for 11 years and prior to that, I was a Teaching Assistant, Nursery Nurse and Nanny, so I have always enjoyed working with young children.

What inspired you to set up the business?

6-9 perfect for children aged Our fun-filled parties are past the Viking host, bringing and are led by a dedicated educational way! to life in an exciting and rk.com/birthday BOOK TODAY www.digyo DIG is owned by York Archaeological Trust. A registered Charity in England and Wales (No. 509060) and Scotland (SCO42846)

16 Families Vale of York

I was looking for a change of career so that I could get a better work:life balance and do the school run. I had taken my own children to ‘Baby Sensory’ and ‘Toddler Sense’ sessions and loved them, so when I heard that Reading Fairy was joining the WOW group I immediately knew it was the career I’d been waiting for. It is the perfect match for my skills and experience whilst also giving me the opportunity to learn new business skills. I still have a huge support network by being a part of a successful franchise company, but I can be my own boss and manage my work hours to fit around my family.

What would your advice be to other business women?

One of my favourite authors, Roald Dahl, has the perfect advice: ‘If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it’.

You have to be brave to give up a career you thought you would do for life, trained hard for and have a secure wage from but if you have enough drive to do something you love and/or it gives you more time to spend with the people you love, go for it!

familiesonline.co.uk

Finding More Family Friendly Work

By Mandy Garner

F

lexible working is one of the top three benefits that today’s jobseekers look for – particularly if they are parents. Meanwhile, employers are being encouraged to publish their parental leave policies and increasing numbers of employers are offering family friendly parental leave policies, from carer’s leave to the ability to buy extra holiday.

It’s not just women who want family friendly working.

Workingmums.co.uk’s recent survey of dads shows 73% say they are considering seeking flexible working.

The truth is that modern family life requires flexibility and employers who don’t offer it will lose out. Employers also need to do more than offer flexible working policies; they need to back this up with a culture that normalises different ways of working. Otherwise employees often feel side-lined or end up working overtime because expectations are not reduced in line with hours.

When this flexible working policies and the right culture work together, great opportunities arise.

Samantha Hamilton-Davies is a Senior Associate [Due Diligence] in the homeworking legal team of Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, based in Manchester.

Samantha works four days a week from home and has been promoted since joining the homeworking team. In her previous role Samantha had faced a long commute. She says that without her homeworking role she might have eventually left the legal profession.

Claire Brown left a ‘million miles an hour’ job in the City and is now working part time as Internal Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility [CSR] Manager at Carpetright. The post means she can use her skills and experience in a senior role AND still has enough time for her family and voluntary job running her village’s residents association.

Such cases are not confined to the big corporates. SMEs like IT firm, Hireserve, has grown by employing experienced professionals on flexible hours. Their hours have increased as their families and the firm has grown.

So how do you land this kind of job? The answer is research and being clear about what you want and why it is good for your employer. Research the best family-friendly employers. Don’t just look at their policies - everyone can look good on paper, but read what others say about them; talk, if possible, to people who work there; find out what the companies offer beyond the statutory requirements; and look at whether they are shouting out about it on their careers page or LinkedIn. Does it matter to them? Do they really get it?

It’s not just the provision of a flexible role that matters. It is about the employers’ overall attitude to flexible workers.

Line managers’ attitudes, in particular, are crucial to ensuring flexible working doesn’t mean career stagnation.

With regard to clarity, it is best to be upfront about what you need and to put a business case for why it is in both your interests and that of your potential employer. What do they get by allowing you flexi hours? What do you bring to the organisation that they need? Remember not to downplay or apologise for skills gained outside the workplace.

When Visa in Europe was advertising the post of Director of Talent, mum-of-four Pippa Edwards, who was a Talent Manager, expressed her interest but told her manager that she didn’t want to work full time. He said: “Have you considered a job share?” “In that one sentence everything changed for me,” says Pippa. “I started to believe I could have my cake and eat it.” Pippa now job shares with mumof-three Vicki Mawson, former Talent Acquisition Director at L’Oréal. Both women think the company has benefited from the job share, getting a depth of expertise that one person alone would not provide.

“Before I thought that I would have to make a choice between working part time and having a career” states Pippa. I had come to accept that that was the reality, but my boss showed me that I could have both and that was so powerful. So many women should have that opportunity and not have to make that choice.”

Mandy Garner is Editor of www.workingmums.co.uk, which links top family-friendly employers with female professionals and highlights examples of best practice to encourage greater innovation across sectors. They have just launched a partner website for dads at www. workingdads.co.uk

Keep up to date with all things Families in your local area Join our Families VoY Community Chat group on Facebook! www.facebook.com/FamiliesValeofYorkMag Topical articles / Recommendations / What’s on / Events / Chat / Sell familiesonline.co.uk

Families Vale of York 17

Activity Trail

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the fun!

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Activity Trail at Dalby Fore For more information:

dalbyforestfc @dalby_forest T: 01751 460295 forestryengland.uk/dalby forest

Zog © 2010 & TM Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler.

Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

the ultimate beach retreat... with holiday home ownership at Withernsea Sands Holiday Park

caravan holiday homes from

£9,995*

A few of our favourite things about Withernsea Sands Holiday Park...

• Get active and entertain the kids in our heated indoor pool • The eccentric sights and classic amusements of Withernsea are just a short stroll away • Deposits from just 10%^ and payment options available • Up to 12 month owner season meaning you can holiday all year round†

• Both the local town and beach are in easy walking distance from park

Withernsea Sands Holiday Park Waxholme Road Withernsea, Humberside

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Give us a call on 01964 770 462 Or visit us online at parkdeanresorts.co.uk/own-wit *Prices vary between models and Parkdean Resorts parks. Subject to availability. All prices include VAT. ^The amount of deposit required may vary depending on the holiday home. †Owners can holiday as often as they like within their specified holiday season and pitch agreement. Parkdean Resorts holiday parks are not residential parks and holiday homes cannot be occupied as a permanent residence. Facilities and entertainment will be available from time to time at the discretion of Parkdean Resorts and is usually indicated in the current Parkdean Resorts holiday brochure.

GA11466 Withernsea Sands Generic off park_210x148mm.indd 1

18 Families Vale of York

18/02/2019 16:26

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Let’s Make a Spring Bird Café 1

The Easter holidays will soon be here, and, this being the UK, the sun may not always shine. So why not use one of those rainy or chilly days to celebrate the arrival of spring and get creative making this fun craft project created by our friends at Wonderbly?

You can help your children create a funky spring bird café. It’s great for small fans of nature and Babyccinos. I’ll have one Latte, to fly…

You can make your own (really) small family business

with an upcycled milk carton and get to feed the local bird population at the same time.

Let’s get ready for the bird café opening day!

Take your bird cafe outside for the birds to enjoy or play inside with your own paper birds, you decide!

Wonderbly creates beautiful, personalised children’s books that inspire courage, curiosity, and kindness in children all over the world. A treat for any curious little mind. Find out more at www.wonderbly.com

You will need: A milk carton A paper plate A pencil A ruler Scissors or a Stanley knife (for adults only) Paint (use acrylic paint if you want it to go outside but make sure you wear an overall or apron as it doesn’t wash out!).

Bell and paper clip (optional) Decorative tape (optional) Bobbins and mini umbrellas Dowel or BBQ sticks Yummy seeds

2

Flappy customers

3

First things first, grab your (empty) milk carton. Take your ruler and get your child assistant to measure and trace two flaps for awnings and a hole for the birds. Your team’s builder can then cut the holes.

Time to get creative. Paint the milk carton and paper plate to make your building and outdoor area. For sharper colour, give your milk carton two coats.

4

It’s all in the details. Tile your roof by painting them on with the brush, and adorn your awnings. We used decorative tape, but you can paint or colour in with pens and pencils.

5

Get your bird café customer-ready.

Add a doorbell (obviously) by rolling a paper clip around a pencil, thread the bell into it and push it through the milk carton. Make some bunting using thread and decorative tape. You can even make a window plant box by folding up some paper and gluing it underneath one of the awnings.

6 While you’re doing the fiddly bits, let your child one make their café’s sign with some cardboard and paint. Let them paint with their fingers for more sensory fun! Leave to dry, and then help the café owner write their name with a marker before you cut and glue it.

Almost time for the grand opening.

Get the kids to stock the café with seeds. Birds especially love sunflower seeds and peanuts.

Nearly ready! Grown-ups, make a little ‘X’ with the Stanley knife below the seed hole and push a piece of dowel or a cocktail stick through. Finally, pop some tables and parasols outside for your first customers.

Bobbins and mini umbrellas are perfect for this, or you could use corks and leaves if you want more plants.

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7

Competition time Win a ticket for 4 to the Deep, Hull!

Families Vale of York magazine have a ticket for 4 (adults or children) to give away for you to enjoy a day visit to the Deep, one of the UK’s most spectacular aquariums, in Hull. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:

At the Deep, in the ‘Kingdom of Ice’, what type of penguin can be found?

Email your answer, plus your name, address and contact telephone number to: editor@familiesvoy.co.uk Closing date: 31st March at midday.

Families Vale of York 19

Please check listings with the venure before leaving the house!

Easter family fun Egg Hunts & Trails 30 Mar – 28 Apr Giant Easter Egg Hunt Stockeld Park

Included in your entry fee.

30 Mar – 29 Apr Easter Garden Trail RHS Harlow Carr

Come & have a go at our Easter themed garden trail.

6 – 22 Apr Easter Egg Trail Burton Agnes Hall

There are puzzles to solve and games to play, while in the craft tent children can get creative.

13 – 28 Apr Easter Egg Hunt Castle Howard

Keep the whole family entertained with an Easter egg hunt around the grounds of Castle

22 Apr Easter Celebrations

Burnby Hall Gardens & Museum

Easter art and crafts and meet our real lambs, chicks, ducklings and bunnies, along with an Easter themed trail around the gardens.

Make marbled eggs & weave a willow nest to put them in and find out about how Victorian children celebrated Easter.

National Trust Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts

Put your wellies on and follow a nature-themed trail at your favourite NT places to earn a Cadbury reward:

19 – 22 Apr Beningborough Hall 10.30am – 4pm £2

19 – 22 Apr East Riddlesden Hall 9.30am – 4.30pm £2

20 Families Vale of York

19 – 22 Apr Fountain’s Abbey & Studley Royal 11am – 4pm £2.50

19 – 22 Apr Goddard’s House & Garden 10.30am – 5pm £1.50

19 – 22 Apr Hardcastle Crags 11am – 3pm £2

19 – 22 Apr Marsden Moor 10am – 3pm £2

15 – 20 Apr Nostell

10am – 3pm £2.50

13 – 28 Apr Nunnington Hall 10.30am – 5pm £2.50

7 – 22 Apr Ormesby Hall 11am – 4pm £2

13 – 22 Apr Rievaulx Terrace 10am – 5pm £2.50

13 – 22 Apr Treasurer’s House 11am – 4pm £2

19 – 22 Apr Yorkshire Coast, Ravenscar 10am – 4pm £2

19 – 21 Apr Yorkshire Coast, Robin Hood’s Bay 10am – 4pm £2

20 Apr Yorkshire Dales, Hudswell Woods

International Jousting Tournament 2019 The Royal Armouries Annual International Jousting Tournament is back in 2019 and this year Yorkshire’s greatest spectacle promises a transatlantic clash of knights.

From 19 – 22 April the museum’s impressive jousting arena in Leeds will resound to the cheers of crowds, as eight internationally-renowned knights battle it out in an authentic medieval tournament.

As well as individual competitions, spectators are encouraged to get behind their favourite teams as the Royal Armouries welcome returning victors from Team Poland, and all the way from across the Atlantic, Team USA and Team Canada, first time participants in this much-loved tournament. The teams will battle it out against the Royal Armouries own Team UK in pursuit of the coveted Sword of Honour and prestigious Queen’s Jubilee Trophy.

There will be two shows each day of the tournament, with Easter Monday featuring special events, including an authentic medieval mêlée and the grand finale and prize-giving.

The museum is hosting a number of exciting events as part of its Medieval Easter programme (30 March – 14 April). As well as an action-packed daily programme of combat demonstrations, dramatic performances and have-a-go activities, visitors can also experience a live-action Wars of the Roses weekend (6 & 7 April).

The weekend before the tournament (13 & 14 April) visitors can get up close to the action at A day of knights and see the knights from Team UK in training. There will also be an opportunity for children to get behind-the-scenes to meet the knights and learn what it takes to be a jousting champion, as well as meeting the real stars of the show – the horses of Atkinson Action Horses.

Tickets for the International Jousting Tournament are on sale now via Eventbrite: https://royalarmouries.org/event/internationaljousting-tournament-2019/ Tickets for Tournament Training and A Day of Knights can be purchased through Eventbrite: https://royalarmouries.org/whats-on/

10.30am – 2.30pm £2

familiesonline.co.uk

Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon & Yorkshire Dales

2 Mar Mary Poppins Animation Workshop, Harrogate Film Festival

Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate

Mary Poppins themed animation workshop for all the family (ages 4+). Led by animator David Bunting, who crafted storyboards for ‘Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed!’ & ‘The Tigger Movie’. www.harrogatefilm.co.uk

4 Mar – 12 May Secrets in the Cellar

Prison & Police Museum, Ripon

Deep underground below Ripon Town Hall, Ripon Museum staff & volunteers work to catalogue, pack & research the museum’s objects & stories.

Secrets in the Cellar reveals what happens behind the scenes at the museum & how we care for and preserve centuries of law & order history.

30 Mar Spring food, home & garden show

Ripon Cathedral

Activities to attract all ages including live animals, a bird of prey from Thorpe Perrow, cooking demos from local chefs, community flower stall, plus over 60 stalls selling the finest produce from Yorkshire & beyond.

30 – 31 Mar Mother’s Day Weekend

Goldsborough Hall

Indulge your mother with a fabulous afternoon tea and enjoy the beautiful setting of Goldsborough Hall and its grounds.

1 - 28 Apr Hoppy Easter

Mother Shipton’s Cave, Knaresborough

Hop along to Mother Shipton’s for a hoppingly fun time. Follow the trail and on your way, help Little Bo Peep find her sheep! Meet bunnies Betty and Clover, plus solve puzzles and clues for a chocolatey treat. For discounted tickets book online now: www.mothershipton.co.uk

8 – 28 Apr Easter Delights!

Royal Pump Room Museum, Harrogate

On arrival look out for Digger the Dog, who will guide you around the museum to discover why Harrogate is one of the happiest places to live!

Pick up an activity sheet to help you explore the museum, enjoy new toys & games too. Pop in anytime to complete our Easter hunt & get a prize! familiesonline.co.uk

Knaresborough Castle

Explore the King’s Chamber, dungeon and secret underground tunnel. Dress up and play games to discover what life was like in a Castle. Can you rescue the prisoner in our computer game?

Throughout the holidays complete the Easter trail to get a chocolate treat & enjoy Easter crafts, designed in partnership with our wonderful Young Volunteers.

13 Apr – 9am – 4.30pm Springtime Live 2019

Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate

A fabulous fun day out for families, especially those with young children. All activities are FREE, you just need to buy a ticket to get in. Mr Bloom from CBeebies is the special guest and will be performing with his band who’ve brought their instruments with them for a musical party!

Activities are all based around Spring, new life, food and farming. Tickets will not be available to purchase on the day. Buy in advance from 15th February.

18 Apr Easter family day

Ripon Races

Our annual children’s day is a fantastic way to introduce your children to the exciting world of horse racing at its best. Not only do we have thrilling racing, we have lots of FREE activities to make the children’s experience of Ripon even more enjoyable. Mini farm; face painting; free chocolate; balloon modelling & bouncy castles.

York & North Yorkshire Moors

Dos Palmeras - Chub Perkins

What’s On?

8 Apr – opens for the season Easter fun

11th - 12th & 18th - 19th May Artists around Wetherby OPEN STUDIOS This annual event takes place in villages in a 6-7mile radius of Wetherby, over two weekends, 11th & 12th, 18th & 19th May. 23 artists, using a broad range of mediums will be on showing their work by opening their studios. The event is open between 10am and 5pm.

All artists will be serving refreshments in lieu of a donation to St Gemma’s Hospice.

Demonstrations at many studios. For more information and a brochure please visit www.artistsaroundwetherby.com or follow the group on Facebook at https://engb.facebook.com/artistsaroundwetherby

30 – 31 Mar Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea

Castle Howard

Celebrate Mother’s Day in style by indulging in a unique Afternoon Tea experience in our elegant Grecian Hall.

10 Mar 1:30 – 5pm York Wellbeing Day – Family edition 30 – 31 Mar Mother’s Day Weekend Hotel du Vin, York

The event includes a range of family-oriented practitioners, therapists and professionals who can support families. Workshops on: anxiety & stress management; Kinesiology for kids; Promoting communication skills with children & teens; Mindfulness activities; Essential oils in the home and more.

Until 30 Jun Zog Activity trail

Dalby Forest

Step in Zog’s claw-prints at the forest classroom, learn how animals fly, what sounds they make and how they catch their prey. As well as winning gold stars along the trail, there will be panels with a hidden image that children can find using a coloured lens in their activity pack. Just £3, activity pack, Zog mask, activity sheets & stickers.

15 – 31 Mar York Literature Festival

Various locations

A range of events including creative writing and poetry workshops for children. Find out more at: www.yorkliteraturefestival.co.uk

Nunnington Hall

Enjoy a delicious Mother’s Day brunch before a special ‘ladies of the hall’ tour to hear more about the women and mothers who made Nunnington Hall their home.

30 Mar – 1 Apr & 6 – 7 Apr Lambing Time

Sledmere House

Come join us for a special opportunity to meet our new-born lambs, help out at feeding time and give them cuddles in the lambing tent. Watch lambing live streamed straight from our lambing sheds and ask our team any questions about our farming enterprise.

7 Apr 10 am – 4pm Bump & Baby Expo

York Racecourse

Yorkshire’s largest maternity fair with over 50 exhibitors and support groups to help with your parenthood journey. Book signing by Honest Mum with her bestseller ‘MumBoss’ plus shopping, café, toddler play area, photobooth, goody bags and more.

Book tickets at: www.bumpandbabyexpo.co.uk Families Vale of York 21

Please check listings with the venure before leaving the house!

Theatre

Tadcaster, Selby & surrounding areas

13 – 22 Apr National Festival Circus

Zog

Leeds Town Hall, 8 - 9 Mar Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and presented by Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre Kingston, the team behind Tiddler, Tabby McTat, Zog promises to be roaring fun for all ages.

Stockeld Park

We welcome the (animal free) National Festival Circus – a magical mix of laughter and excitement!

Fabulous funny clowns, balancing equilibrilists, fast tempo juggling, baffling magic, high flying diabolos, mesmerising spinning hoops and bucketfuls of fun.

Filskit: STELLA

Junction, Goole, 9 Mar

Inspired by our night sky, Stella, is a brand-new piece of theatre for children aged 3-6 years and their families.

Using projection, clowning & aerial circus, Stella is an original story about a young woman’s quest to reclaim the night, to keep the stars shining bright and to save her home. Running time: 1 hour.

14 April Cyclesense Sportive

Tadcaster

One of the most friendly and welcoming sportives around. Event welcomes all riders regardless of ability.

High School Musical

Joseph Rowntree Theatre, 14 -16 Mar

East Yorkshire & the coast

What team? Wildcats! Come get your head in the game!

York St. John Musical Production Society.

30 Mar – 28 Apr CSI Seashore

The Deep, Hull

Join the Deep’s special agents as they make a trip to our native coastline to find out what can be uncovered at the seaside. Help the team solve the crimes as they go, and you might even earn a CSI badge of your own! Lend a hand in our interactive presentation at 11.30am & 3.30pm, follow Inspector Sharky’s trail and make your own sand art.

31 Mar – 12.30 – 3pm Mother’s Day Lunch

Carlton Towers, Goole

Do something extra special for Mother’s Day this year and book to eat lunch at Carlton Towers.

Time slots 1-3pm. Includes a gift for Mum.

Dalby Forest

table tots Table Tots Baby and children’s indoor mark ets; pre-loved, nearly new sales, maternity-10.

All Table Tots events are indoor with tables provid ed for you.

Booking is easy via www.tabletots.co.uk/ev ents 2 Mar / 1pm Horizon Community College,

Barnsley

3 Mar / 1pm Morley Leisure Centre, Leed

s

9 Mar / 2pm Selby Indoor Boot Market – Barlb 16 Mar / 1pm Wyke 6th Form College, Hull

y High School

Eto: Waxwings

York Theatre Royal, 30 Mar This is the latest in English Touring Opera’s acclaimed series of operas for children aged 2-5 and children audiences with SEND. This opera is highly interactive, with lots of multi-sensory elements, and is designed to stimulate and engage with young people with many different & complex needs.

Annie

Hull New Theatre, 1 - 6 Apr Direct from the West End, Annie returns for a new UK tour in 2019! Incudes unforgettable songs It’s a hardknock life, Easy Street and Tomorrow. You’ll be singing all of the way home!

Dear Zoo

17 Mar / 1pm QEGs, Wakefield

Bridlington Spa Theatre and Royal Hall, 9 Apr

LEEDS

23 Mar / 1pm New College, Pontefract

1 Mar – 20 Oct 50th Anniversary

6 Apr / 1pm Hull Indoor Market – Wyke

Dear Zoo, the timeless children’s classic book makes its stage premiere.

Lotherton Hall

Join us in a year of celebrations as we mark 50 years of Lotherton as a museum. We will be hosting 3 exhibitions, representing the past, present & future of Lotherton: End of an Era; Fifty Years in the Making & Fashion Forward.

30 Mar – 3 Nov Fantastical Beasts

Temple Newsam House

From gryphons to gargoyles and wyverns to wolves, come along and explore the hidden beasts lurking in the walls of Temple Newsam.

Take a trail around the house and delve into the weird and wonderful collection of ceramics, furniture and art work inspired by fantastical beasts or myth, legend and reality.

22 Families Vale of York

6th Form College

7 Apr / 1pm Leeds Trinity University, Horsf

orth

13 Apr / 1:30pm Rothwell Leisure Centr

e, Leeds

14 Apr / 1pm Brighouse High School, Hudd

ersfield

27 Apr / 1pm Titus Salt School, Shipley 28 Apr / 1pm Malet Lambert School, Hull

In the Willows

York Theatre Royal, 16 – 20 Apr Explosive new British musical, with soaring vocals and spectacular street dance. The classic story ‘Wind in the Willows’ is brought leaping into the 21st century. Fun for the whole family. Ages 6+

Milkshake! Live on stage

Harrogate Theatre, 18 Apr

Milkshake Monkey can’t wait to put on a spectacular new musical for you all! But when stage fright hits, his favourite Milkshake friends come to help, creating the most dazzling show you have ever seen! Age 3+ familiesonline.co.uk

the Deep

FAMILY

adventure

Visit Hull’s award-winning aquarium The Deep and encounter over 5,000 animals. Marvel at amazing marine life including magnificent sharks and rays, the UK’s only pair of Green sawfish, a colony of Gentoo penguins, Loggerhead sea turtles and hundreds of tropical fish as you go. Throughout the Easter holidays (30 Mar-28 Apr) The Deep’s special agents will be taking a trip to our native coastline in CSI Seashore to find out all about the species that can be discovered at the seaside. Help them solve dastardly crimes as you go, and you might event earn a CSI badge of your own. Follow Inspector Sharky’s trail around the aquarium, lend a hand in the interactive presentation as well as taking part in family crafts in the Learning Centre. And if that wasn’t enough for you, then make sure to stop off at 2pm each day and see the divers feeding the animals or carrying out essential cleaning duties in the dive show. Don’t miss your chance to get hands on in touch-pool sessions throughout the day at Discovery Corner. You can also stop by the chilly Kingdom of Ice, where our colony of Gentoo penguins are hand fed each day and hear from our guides about how we care for them. Take a walk through the stunning viewing tunnel as sharks and rays glide overhead and finish your visit with a ride in the glass lift through the 10 metre Endless Ocean tank. Little nippers can also enjoy the interactive magic floor, fossil brushing station and soft play area. After all that, make sure you head up to the 3rd floor for a drink and a spot of lunch in Castaways café with fantastic views over the River Humber and Old Town. Or bob on down to the Deepartment Store and see the wide range of gifts and souvenirs on offer. The Deep offers great value for money with the Day Plus Pass scheme. Simply pay once and visit as many times as you like for FREE for the next 12 months – the more you visit, the more you save. www.thedeep.co.uk.

Summit

Summit Indoor Adventure, Scott Rd, Selby is full of fun-filled activities for all the family and everything is under one air-conditioned roof so come rain or shine the weather won’t spoil your fun.

You can: scale new heights on over 20 themed climbing walls from a sheer rock face to a fantasy lunar landscape that are suitable for kids and adults alike. Navigate your way across the Aerial Trek obstacle course that has a swing bridge, cargo nets, beams and stepping stones all suspended high above the indoor skate park. Strike it lucky and see who the kingpin, or queen, of the gang is with a game of ten pin bowling. Climb, crawl, explore, run and slide through a maze of tunnels, nets and slides in Adventure Play. Ride in the indoor skate park with its ramps, jump boxes and rails that are suitable for scooter fans, skateboard addicts and BMXers. Just remember to bring your ride and helmet. Eat – don’t let hunger get in the way of having fun. There is a tasty selection of paninis, pizzas, burgers and kid’s meals along with hot and cold drinks and a selection of desserts if you’ve got room.

And if you’re planning a birthday party then why not book an activity party for you and your friends at Summit Indoor Adventure? As well as your choice of activity, there is a selection of party food to choose from, the birthday boy/girl will receive a memento photograph and you’ll be taken care of by your very own party host. Summit Indoor Adventure has plenty of parking, open seven days a week and is next to Selby Leisure Centre on Scott Road. Visit www.summitindooradventure.co.uk

With new egg-citing activities, cute baby animals and lots of family fun, there’s plenty to see and do this Easter at Piglets Adventure Farm.

From 30 March – 28 April, little egg hunters can take part in the new Easter Egg Hunt. Bigger & better than ever before, collect eggs from hidden chicks around the farm to earn a special treat.

Piglets

There’s also new Live Animal Shows from 30 March – 22nd April packed full of fluffy, fleecy & furry fun. From 18th – 28th April The Magic Hatter returns with comedy magic and Springtime silliness too!

The fun doesn’t stop there, take a tractor & trailer ride to the Bale Play Baaarn with 3 incredible new slides, straw bale mountain, junior tractor drivers’ area and dig’n’play. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s even a heated seating area with delicious food from the Piggy Pizza Parlour or try a tasty treat in Truffle’s Trough.

Other egg-citing activities include lambing live, lamb bottle feeding, baby chicks, bouncing pillows, animal barn and piglet maternity ward, giant sand pit and so much more.It’s eggs-hilarating fun for all the family!

To book discounted tickets online, go to pigletsadventurefarm.com Piglets Adventure Farm is located 15 minutes from the centre of York, on Towthorpe Moor Lane, between Strensall Road and the A64, North of York. For full information please go to pigletsadventurefarm.com or call 01904 499183

familiesonline.co.uk

Classes, Parties and Camps for children 4 months to 12 years

TRY US OUT! For every stage of your child's development, The Little Gym offers a diverse line up of classes, camps and parties filled with movement, music, learning and laughter for boys and girls.

Call us to book your free introductory class THE LITTLE GYM LEEDS 0113 3359915 leeds@thelittlegym.eu www.leeds.thelittlegym.eu

THE LITTLE GYM HARROGATE 01423 701560 harrogate@thelittlegym.eu www.harrogate.thelittlegym.eu

Families Vale of York 23

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