Families Birmingham March-April 2018

Birmingham

IN THIS ISSUE:

Family fun at Easter Special education Could shared parental leave work for you? … and so much more!

Picky Eaters?

Your local Juice Plus Rep Mrs L Woodstock is happy to help

Tuition Plus

‘Helping students achieve their true potential’

Professional Tutoring Literacy & Numeracy Free Initial Assessment

Web: Lwoodstock.juiceplus.com

Harvest Fields Centre, B75 5TJ (Tues & Sat) Mere Green Centre, B75 5BT (Wed & Thurs)

Call: 07943 112 186

Tel: 07592 556 452

Exclusive offer on Page 6

Email: info@tuition-plus.co.uk www.tuition-plus.co.uk

Issue 44 March/April 2018

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Traditional Values

Open Days

Modern Approach

Connect with us

22nd and 23rd March 2018

Haberdashers’ Adams High Street, Newport Shropshire, TF10 7BD

To find out more please visit www.adamsgs.uk/openevents

01952 953810

//HabsAdamsGS /H a sAd abs Adam msG GS

2 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

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IN THIS ISSUE… Birmingham Welcome to the March-April issue of Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield Magazine.

Spring has finally arrived, and with it have come plenty of opportunities for you and your families in and around our great region of the Midlands. In terms of education, days out, things to do, places to visit, and parenting news, as always, you’ll find this issue positively packed with the very best our area has to offer. Look no further, it’s all right here – in Families Magazine!

Suzanne Brown Editor Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

NEXT ISSUE: Advertisers:

Book now for our May-June magazine Call 07807 352087 or email editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk before Monday 9th April

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News

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Health and wellbeing

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Books

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Education

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Early learning for success

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Special education

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Parenting and childcare

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Clubs and classes

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Easter childcare and crafts

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Musical opportunities

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What’s On

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11+ Tuition For children in Years 4 & 5 Tailored 11+ Courses

Editor: Suzanne Brown Designer: Lauren Brown Designs Print: Warners Midlands PLC, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincs, PE10 9PH Copyright Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield, March 2018 © Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield magazine 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 Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield magazine. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield magazine, our distributors, 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.

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Finalist Final list 20122

Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield 3

News

To advertise call: 07807 352087

Egg-citing Easter activities at BCLM Sat 24 March – Sun 15 April Head on over to the Black Country Living Museum where a cracking programme of Easter fun is ready and waiting!

Take part in an epic egg hunt, exploring 26 acres of historical houses and shops, solving clues and meeting characters of the past along the way. Head down to the Museum’s canalside village and try your hand at a traditional ‘egg rolling’ competition – there’s a sweet surprise for the winner. A selection of crafts await the more creative visitors so look out for egg painting and paper craft.

2@S 24 Mar – Sun 15 Apr 10am-5pm

Traditional tastes of the past are on offer once you’ve worked up an appetite - stop by the Victorian bakery where you’ll see the resident baker rustling up sweet treats in a coal-fired oven. If you fancy a treat yourself, then don’t forget to pay T Cook’s sweet shop or Veal’s bakery a visit.

For more information or to book tickets visit www.bclm.com or call 0121 557 9643.

Pay for one day, visit for 12 months

Youth classical orchestra set to electrify Birmingham NYO Unleashed is coming to Birmingham Symphony Hall on Saturday 7 April.

A showcase for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain’s brilliant young musicians, it’s a chance to hear an orchestra as never before – and they’re all teenagers! You’ll be welcomed, carnival style, to the venue, and the talented teens of NYO will introduce the music and encourage you to march into battle with John WIlliams’ Star Wars Suite, mambo with Bernstein’s Dances from West Side Story, be thrilled by James Newton Howard’s Hunger Games Suite and chill out by the cool electronica of Mason Bates’ Mothership.

Come and hear it and be inspired, whatever music you’re into.

For the complete gig experience, come to the Teen Hangout before the concert at 5.30pm, all ages welcome! Doors open 7pm and tickets are just £10 or £5 for under 25s.

bclm.com West Midlands, DY1 4SQ

0121 557 9643

Laws on smacking are changing New laws to be introduced in the UK relating to smacking children.

Currently, it is legal for a parent or carer to smack their own child but only when it amounts to ‘reasonable punishment’, as laid down in the Children Act 2004. What is defined as ‘reasonable punishment’ is a grey area as it is not set out in the law and depends on each individual case.

However, changes are planned in the Scottish and Welsh legal systems which will ban the smacking of children under any circumstances.

This means England will be the only country in Britain where parents will still be able to legally smack their children.

In England it will remain illegal for teachers, nursery staff or care workers to smack a child.

Privately hired carers such as nannies and babysitters may smack, but only if permission has been given by the child’s parents. www.childlawadvice.org.uk

www.thsh.co.uk

4 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

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News

@familiesbirminghammag

73 questions a day!

So what’s the problem?

British children aged 1 to 6 ask an average of 73 questions every day ... half of which parents struggle to answer, according to a recent study conducted by One Poll.

Children are at their most inquisitive at 4 years old and boys and girls tend to be just as curious as each other.

Almost a third of parents in the study find this constant barrage of questions exhausting, lasting as it often does from the time children wake until they drop off to sleep at night. Almost half of the parents interviewed admit that they struggle to find an answer 50% of the time, turning to Google for help, whilst nearly one third confessed to making up answers on the spot.

Fathers field the most questions but mothers still deal with an average of 413 per week.

To help parents deal with some of their children’s more challenging questions, Tots Town at Argos has teamed up with child psychologist Dr. Sam Wass and created a series of videos which can be found on YouTube.

Primary school tests - a guide Here is a quick guide to some of the tests that our children are taking: The Reception Baseline Test. It is proposed by the Government that reception pupils will face a “baseline assessment” when entering school from the year 2020. The test is intended to provide a baseline measure to track your child’s progress during the primary school years.

The Year 1 Phonics Screening Check is taken by all children in Year 1 in June. It measures how well your child can use the phonics skills they’ve learned up to the end of Year 1 and identifies children who need extra help.

The Year 2 Key Stage 1 SATs take place in May. The tests include Maths Arithmetic, Maths Reasoning, Reading, Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation. The tests will be carried out in your child's usual classroom, with their teacher.

The Year 6 Key Stage 2 SATs include tests in Reading. Maths Arithmetic, Maths Reasoning, Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar. These tests are both set and marked externally and the results are used to measure the school’s performance via Ofsted reporting and published league tables.

Children are given a score that is “scaled” across the whole country so the average score nationally is fixed at 100. If your child has a "scaled score" higher than 100 they are doing better than average and if it is below 100 it means they may need more support.

For more information visit www.gov.uk

Women more stressed-out than men – IT’S OFFICIAL! Women in the U.K. suffer from more work-related stress than men because of office sexism, extra responsibilities at home and unequal pay, according to official figures from the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The official figures show that women aged 25-54 feel more workrelated stress than men, but it’s mainly women aged 35-44 who are often juggling work with parenting and childcare that feel it the most.

On top of this are new findings published which reveal many more women than men are experiencing generalised stress and anxiety. The research reveals that insomnia, unhealthy eating, tense relationships and missed nights-out are commonplace for many more women than men.

This research also found that being a parent with kids aged under 18 is linked to higher levels of stress than being a parent with adult children.

For more information visit www.hse.gov.uk or www.chrysaliscourses.co.uk

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Interiors Antiques, Furnishings, Giftware, Shabby Chic Interests Tack, Animal Feed, Needlework & Bunting, Florist, Wood-turning Food and Drink Licensed Restaurant, Chocolate Shop, Tea Rooms Fashion Jewellery, Handbags, Wedding Dress Shop & Alterations, Spring & Summer Collections General Pyrography, Glitter Bottles, Salt Lamps & Crystals, Antiques, Art Gallery & Commissions Crafters Workshops, Knitting kits, Victoriana Fun The Children’s Farm, Pets Corner, Farm Parties, Dottie Pots Painting & Disco Parties

Craft Fair th

Sunday 15 April

Open all year (inc Bank Holidays) Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm Tel: 024 7639 4433 www.hoar-park.co.uk B4114 Nr Ansley, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 0QU Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield 5

Health

To advertise email: editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Wellbeing with the Woodstocks Follow our health journey!

Healthy eating for kids: The Juice Plus+ children’s health study Caring means sharing. Which is why Lesha Woodstock, your local Juice Plus rep wants to provide you with easy-to-understand information about healthy eating for kids. She says: “We already know that a high fibre diet of fresh fruits and vegetables is healthier than fast food, but what do you do when your kids are nagging you for a pizza or burger? Or what if you can’t face a tantrum when junior wants another sweet?

“As a busy wife and mom, working and running a successful business, my family's health has always been an important issue to me and I'm sure it's the same for you.

“I'm happy that I have found a simple, convenient and affordable solution to eating 30 different fruits veg and berries consistently everyday. Because variety is not only the spice of life but also leads to a healthy happy family life. Contact me today to find out more.”

Text ‘WW’ to 07943 112 186 for more information for this season’s special offer.

By Lesha Woodstock – regional Juice Plus rep

@waterInfusedWithLove

Text ‘WW’ to Mrs Woodstock for a chance to receive one month's FREE supply of Juice Plus+ Chewables - Tasty child size nutrition from 30 different fruits and vegetables. T&Cs apply.

@waterInfusedWithLove

@waterInfusedWithLove

Finding space for YOU

by Susie Ramroop

Research confirms new dads’ mental health concerns A new poll reveals almost 40% of men experience anxieties after having children. The research released by the Priory Group of Harley Street, London also claims to show that thousands of men experience anxiety – and in some cases depression - as they enter fatherhood.

One in five men believed they were actually suffering from Paternal Post-Natal Depression, although only 2% were officially diagnosed.

This accords with earlier research by the parenting charity the NCT, which showed around 1 in 3 new fathers are concerned about their mental health.

The increased pressures of fatherhood, more financial responsibility, changes in relationships and lifestyle, combined with a lack of sleep and an increased workload at home, may all affect a new dad’s mental wellbeing.

Concern about their partner is another worry for new fathers. The NCT found that almost three quarters (73%) of dads were worried about their partner’s mental health.

For more information visit www.nct.org.uk/dads-PND or www.priorygroup.com

6 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

Take a moment to ask yourself: will your family be better off with a happy and well-balanced you, or with one that is constantly over-extending themselves?

‘Me time’ is not just nice to have. It is an absolute necessity. So slow down and reconnect with what brings you joy. Here’s how:

Create a safe haven Create a space where you have room to think – a sofa that is clear of homework, a dining table that is clear of the remains of the last meal or a room that is out of bounds for the children. Clear physical space helps generate clear mental space.

Delegate your Top 3 Try listing the top 10 things you are juggling, pick three that you don’t like and delegate them; that might mean outsourcing, or finding someone else at home to take responsibility. Don’t rule out your child as a possible candidate – help them to take responsibility for their own belongings.

Accept support Some parents won’t ask for help for fear of criticism, whilst others won’t offer for fear of interfering. The truth is we all have family and friends who want to support us if we allow them to do so

Focus on 15 Rather than focusing on your need for an hour or two of spare time, experience the joy you can extract from 15 minutes of the same activity.

Find that space today using the steps above, no matter where your starting point is.

Susie Ramroop is a mum and a Transformational Coach.

For more tips go to: www.susieramroop.com familiesonline.co.uk

@familiesbirm

Books and Study Guides

Ed’s Reading Room Welcome to Ed’s Reading Room, an exciting free book review website for primary children in homes and schools. Here is the Spring book selection for you to enjoy.

YEARS PLUS YE E 7 YEARS FOR AGES

See these reviews, download the specially written reading activities for these books and buy the books online at www.EdontheWeb.com. Have fun reading!

ED SAYS: ‘Will and his classmates paint a giant mural at the local zoo. When he pays a late night visit to the zoo, Will is fascinated to see the painted animals light up. Then to his astonishment the glowing gates swing open and he is transported into the mysterious world of he rotect tthe protect op the Night Zoo. As the Night Zookeeper his task is to giraffes and other creatures from the robotic Voids that are trying to destroy the zoo animals. Will he, with the help of his friend Riya, be able to overcome the evil Voids?

FOR AGES 5-7 YEARS

Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Up, Up and Away

by Tracey Corderoy (Nosy Crow £5.99) ED SAYS: ‘It is Rocky Road Race Day and Shifty and Sam are so excited. They have made sure the Bakemobile is gleaming and ready for the race as they would love to win the sparkling gold cup. However trouble is in store when they see Red Rocket at the start line. Can their k t Rocket dR Red t R super-sized spatulas and the Cupcake-Catapultt stop from winning? Shifty and Sam must then use their skills to help catch a jewellery thief and sort out a mystery parcel that is left at the café.

‘Here are three more super stories with fantastic illustrations in this delightful series. They are sure to keep young readers entertained and amused.’

Mr Penguin and the Lost Treasure M b Alex T Smith (Hodder £9.99) by EED SAYS: ‘Mr Penguin certainly looks like a p penguin but he is much more than an ordinary – he is an adventurer! So when the p penguin ttelephone rings and Boudicca Bones, owner of tthe Museum of Extraordinary Objects, asks him tto find buried treasure he is eager to help, fl flippers aquiver with anticipation. He enlists Colin the spider and the dynamic duo head to riiend C is ffriend his ellp off h help he h th the the museum. But when things get dirty and even dangerous, will Mr Penguin keep his spirit of adventure and emerge a hero?’

h Giraffes Night Zookeeper: The of Whispering Wood (Oxford £6.99)

by Joshua Davidson

‘This is an exciting and magical story that is action-packed. This adventure with its super illustrations will appeal to boys and girls alike.’

The Explorer T b Katherine Rundell (Bloomsbury £7.99) by E SAYS: ‘Four children find themselves alone ED aand in danger after their plane has crashed in tthe rainforest. Although they think there is lilittle chance of being rescued, they also know tthey must retain hope and use their skills and in instincts for survival. They gradually find signs tthat someone has been there before them and discover a map, they are led to a ruined city. Can they hey discover th hen they wh when possibly survive in this beautiful but hostile environment?

‘This is a gripping adventure and a fantastic story full of suspense.

The setting with its vivid and exotic landscapes will captivate any would-be explorers.’

Ed’s Reading Room is a DTI award-winning website created by Maggie Humphreys and Les Snowdon.

AE Publications have got 11+ exams covered AE Publications’ range of Testpacks are ideal for preparing your child for 11+ exams at home. By working through the practice papers within a Testpack, your child will familiarise themselves with the examination procedure and gain confidence in the process.

The practice papers and answer sheets are arranged to enable you to simulate an 11+ exam with your child at home. The answers are provided in a separate booklet within the Testpack folder, and a certificate of achievement is included in each Testpack as motivation for your child to progress.

Visit www.aepublictions.co.uk to purchase a Testpack or browse AE Publications’ full range of 11+ exam preparation material.

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Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield 7

Education

To advertise call: 07807 352087

Haberdashers’ Adams One of region’s oldest schools has changed its name to reflect their historic links with one of London’s leading Livery Companies.

Haberdashers’ Adams is the new name for Adams’ Grammar School in Newport. Headmaster Gary Hickey explained the reason for the change, “William Adams founded the school in 1656 to educate 80 boys. He never married so the considerable wealth he created was used to ensure his school would continue. The fact the school continues to flourish nearly 400 years later is a tribute to him and to the Haberdashers’ Company who have continued to support us throughout that period.

“Haberdashers’ Adams is the only state boarding school within the Haberdashers’ family. The support the Company provides is invaluable in allowing us to provide pupils with additional help in terms of careers, the facilities we are able to offer, and the benefits former pupils enjoy from being part of the unique Haberdashers’ community.”

Open days: 22nd & 23rd March 2018 Haberdashers’ Adams, Newport, Shropshire 01952 953810 | www.adamsgs.uk/openevents

Five keys to 11+ success With just over 6 months left before the 11 Plus Exams now is the time to plan, in order to give your child the best chance of success.

Below, 11 Plus Mocks has listed five ways that you can help your child achieve a grammar school place.

KNOWLEDGE – Make sure that your child has covered material that is relevant to the 11 Plus Exams.

CONFIDENCE – Your child needs to become confident in examination conditions.

CONSISTENCY – Help your child to perform at a high level consistently over time.

FAMILIARITY – It is vital that your child becomes familiar with the 11 plus exam format and process.

REASSURANCE – Help your child to ease nerves by letting them know you are proud of their efforts.

Sitting a series of 11 Plus Mock Exams can help to improve your child’s examination performance.

To book 11 Plus Mock Exams visit: www.11plusmocks.co.uk

11+ VERBAL REASONING VOCABULARY FLASH CARDS Expand your child’s antonym and synonym knowledge and achieve a higher 11+ score A comprehensive vocabulary resource with child-friendly definitions and a list of synonyms www.vocabularyflashcards.co.uk 8 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

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Education

@familiesbirminghammag

King Solomon School provides an excellent education K focus on phonics, spoken language, reading, writing and numeracy.

They offer a creative curriculum across the seventeen early learning goals, providing good levels of development above local and national average results.

ing Solomon is a school at the heart of Birmingham, serving students from across the city and working in partnership with other local, national and global organisations to provide the very best education.

They are uniquely positioned as the first all-through (age 4-19), Christian ethos, free school with a specialism in International Business. They are preparing their students to study the International Baccalaureate at post-GCSE and subsequently to access university, paving the way for students to impact positively on their own communities and on the wider world.

At secondary level they have a strong international business and enterprise focus, following the National Curriculum, but tailored to embrace the International Baccalaureate learner profile. This means that their Sixth Form students can compete with other high performing and invariably affluent students from international, independent and grammar schools.

The curriculum is driven by their vision to provide a Christian education with an international and business focus.

The vision of King Solomon International Business School is to achieve academic excellence, develop students with exemplary character, prepare students to effectively live, work and trade in the global economy and ensure all students succeed.

King Solomon International Business School looks forward to welcoming all prospective parents.

www.kingsolomonibs.com; 0121 357 1905

In the early years of their Primary Phase, students

Birmingham

11+ Exam

GROUP TUITION

A High Achieving School We are achieving higher than the national and Birmingham average: • EYFS- Good level of development (2016) 71% • EYFS- Good level of development (2017) 76% • Year 1 PhonicsSummer (2017) -87.5% compared to National average 81% › › › › ›

Multi-denominational Christian School International Business Specialism International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form No fees City-wide admissions

Contact us to arrange a school tour

King Solomon International Business School Richard Street, Aston, Birmingham B7 4AA 2018 admissions are NOW OPEN

T: 0121 357 1905 E: admin@kingsolomonibs.com W: kingsolomonibs.com Facebook: /kingsolomonIBSchool Twitter: /kingsolomonibs

familiesonline.co.uk

• Year 5 and Year 4 - small group courses • Groups managed by professional tutor and published author, Philip McMahon • Our own high quality resources for tuition and homework • Sunday courses available at Crowne Plaza Solihull • Proven results • Support in developing students’ well-being and resilience • Mock exams available July and August 2018 • Now taking reservations for a September 2018 start Please contact us for a free trial.

PRIVATE TUTORING COMPANY OF THE YEAR 2016 - FINALIST

Email: 11plustutoringacademy@gmail.com www.11plustutoringacademy.co.uk Call: 01242 221271

Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield 9

Early Education

To advertise email: editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

How early learning can predict a child's success

By Dr Robert Titzer

Exciting educational classes for the under 5s Intellitots is a unique new pre-school company which provides exciting educational classes for children between 18 months and 5 years What’s involved?

• Each 45-minute class develops mathematics and phonics skills through play.

• The fun and practical activities within each class help to develop and build upon essential skills that are required at primary school, such as teamwork, reasoning, speaking and listening and motor skills.

• The classes are progressive with the class leader getting to know each child’s strengths and identifying their next steps, inspiring them to meet their full potential.

• The programme closely follows the early years framework, and was designed by an experienced and creative primary school teacher.

Intellitots’ mission is to encourage a love of learning early on and to give children a head start into their primary school education.

GIVE YOUR TODDLER A HEAD-START FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL • DEVELOPING PHONICS AND MATHEMATICS SKILLS THROUGH PLAY • EXCITING CLASSES FOR UNDER 5’S

Classes in Sutton Coldfield and Solihull

Tel: 07900 152 302 E: info@intellitots.net

www.intellitots.net /intellitotsUK

/IntellitotsHQ

10 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

Y

ou may be surprised to learn that the long term effects of children learning language and maths skills at an early age is one of the greatest predictors of their financial success as adults.

How can this be possible you may ask? With the many confounding variables such as a child’s IQ, formal education and socio-demographic background, it’s hard to believe that early reading or maths skills can be one of the most important factors associated with doing well as an adult.

However, a 2013 study from the University of Edinburgh shows that early maths and reading abilities have major long-term benefits. Children who performed better in reading and maths tests at age 7 were shown to be more likely to earn higher wages later in life according to researchers. Children who had advanced by just one grade level in reading by age 7 earned an average of £5,000 per year more at age 42 than their classmates.

The study also concluded that “mathematical and reading ability at age 7 are substantially and positively correlated with financial success at age 42, independently of relevant confounding variables.” In other words, it was the actual reading and maths abilities at age 7 – not just the child’s socioeconomic status, the child’s IQ, or other factors – that had a lasting impact on the person’s life chances.

Understanding Words

Research consistently indicates that the earlier a child learns language skills, the better the long term outcome.

Early Reading and Maths Skills Studies back in the 1960s concluded that children who were taught to read at ages 3 or 4 read better than children of the same IQ who were taught at ages 5 or 6. In addition, the studies showed that the earlier a child was taught to read, the more likely the child would enjoy reading.

Parental involvement in teaching children about reading and writing words is also related to the development of early literacy skills.

For more details see: www.yourbabycanlearn.com Dr Robert Titzer is an Infant Researcher 1 Ritchie, S. J. & Bates, T. C., (2013). Enduring Links From Childhood Mathematics and Reading Achievement to Adult Socioeconomic Status. Psychological Science.

2 Hart, B. & Risley, T., (1995). Meaningful Differences in Everyday Parenting and Intellectual Development in Young American Children. Baltimore: Brookes.

3 Fernald, A., Marchman, V. A. & Weisleder, A., (2012). SES differences in language processing skill and vocabulary are evident at 18 months. Developmental Science.

familiesonline.co.uk

Special Education

@familiesbirm

Life with a child with Special Educational Needs P

arents are often faced with additional challenges when they have a child with a special educational need.

Claire Winter talks to a parent about life with a child who is on their school’s Special Educational Needs and Disability register...

Caroline is mum to seven-year-old AlďŹ e, who has autism. She says life with autism is like being on a constant rollercoaster as no two days are the same. “Some days we’re on a level, and then the following day we might be hurtling down an enormous drop! AlďŹ e is autistic, which as a spectrum disorder, affects people in completely different ways. AlďŹ e’s main challenges include social and communication issues, anxiety, dyspraxia (problems with coordination and motor-functions), sensory issues, emotional under-development and short-term memory problems. This means that even basic things, like asking him to put his shoes on or ďŹ nd his water bottle can be fraught with difficulties.

Frankly, it’s exhausting at times!�

Caroline’s son is in a mainstream school, and she says that getting education and support for your child at school is a huge sticking point for many parents of children with SEND. “I think AlďŹ e could thrive at school if he had access to further support and if the school

could fund a helper to sit with him. He is exhausted when he comes home from school from trying to â€˜ďŹ t in,’ and that is when he is most likely to meltdown. This is a major issue for parents, and a lot of us feel very let down by the system.â€?

Caroline says autism is often referred to as a ‘hidden disability, but it does depend on the child and their speciďŹ c needs. “The nature of the condition being a spectrum disorder means that everyone experiences it differently. People often don’t realise AlďŹ e has a condition, and then if we explain, we get comments like “well, he doesn’t look autistic.â€?

Society expects him to be a certain way because he doesn’t have the indicators of what people perceive to be ‘disabled,’ such as a wheelchair or a full-time carer. I am always happy to talk about AlďŹ e and his condition as part of a positive conversation around disability.â€?

What should you do if you suspect your child may have special or additional needs?

If your child is school age, your ďŹ rst port of call should always be their school, particularly if they haven’t agged anything up to you already.

If your child is younger talk to your health visitor or doctor.

Be able to give clear examples of how the issue

is affecting your child and their ability to learn or function in a classroom setting, and how it may be affecting them at home. Keep notes if necessary. Additional support can be provided by the family GP who can refer them on to the relevant services. “Last of all – don’t give up! If we all keep shouting about it, eventually we will get heard!�

By Claire Winter

Parents’ and Carers’ Day at Dyslexia Conference, Telford For the ďŹ rst time, the British Dyslexia Association are welcoming parents and carers to their conference in April at Telford International Centre.

The tickets are a very family-friendly price of ÂŁ20 and there is lots of free parking at the venue. If your child has dyslexia and you want to ďŹ nd out more about this learning difference you will ďŹ nd an engaging and informative series of talks and discussions, offering parents a chance to ask leading educational and legal experts for information and advice on how to support their children. BDA are also proud to welcome Star Wars actor turned author John Chapman, who will talk about his experiences with dyslexia and his dyslexia friendly books! Finally, there will be a chance to wander round an exhibition of products and books to help support individuals with dyslexia.

Want to ďŹ nd out more?

Email: conference@bdadyslexia.org.uk

BDA International Conference & EXPO 12th -14th April 201 Telford International Centre A leading conference on Dyslexia and Neurodiversity across the age ranges

Parents' and Carers' Day! $ IDQWDVWLF HYHQW DLPHG DW SDUHQWV DQG FDUHUV RI \RXQJ SHRSOH ZLWK G\VOH[LD DQG WKRVH ZKR KDYH D JHQHUDO LQWHUHVW LQ ILQGLQJ RXW PRUH DERXW WKLV OHDUQLQJ GLIIHUHQFH Tickets Ti Ticket Ticke Tick Tic Tickets only o on onl ÂŁ20! ÂŁ ÂŁ2 ÂŁ20 :H UH DOVR SURXG WR ZHOFRPH 6WDU :DUV DFWRU WXUQHG DXWKRU -RKQ &KDSPDQ ZKR ZLOO WDON DERXW KLV H[SHULHQFHV ZLWK G\VOH[LD DQG KLV G\VOH[LD IULHQGO\ ERRNV Find out more and book your place:

bdainternationalconference.org familiesonline.co.uk

Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton ColdďŹ eld 11

Parenting

To advertise call: 07807 352087

Ofsted

Outstanding nursery care

By Claire Winter

An enthralling, exciting, loving and fun learning environment is how Catherine House Day Nursery School has been described by parents, staff and now also by Ofsted.

At Catherine House, every child is warmly welcomed, and the staff develop each individual’s skills and confidence in a calm and focused learning environment. The bright and extremely well resourced rooms form the basis of how the children choose to learn. There are large outside areas which incorporate a natural area for exploring and growing, large mud kitchen, a large climbing frame, an astro turf space that enables play sessions for all ages.

This is alongside the sensory area and the garden activity tables.

None of this can happen without the dedicated, experienced and qualified staff team, many of whom have been with Catherine House for over ten years.

An outstanding provision with children firmly at its heart. www.catherinehousedaynursery.com

ed NG st DI Of TAN 8 TS 201 ley e OU s Mo

12 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

One, two or three children?

How many children is the perfect number?

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expecting their third baby in April. We all know that they will get a lot of help, but how can the rest of us manage with a third?

Having one or two children is ‘neat’. They fit in a normal sized car, and you can easily buy a family ticket for a day out. Family holidays are often sold as a standard package for four.

The reality of a larger family is your house is always noisy, the laundry is never completed, and the fridge is often empty. However, there is a lot to be said for living in happy, messy mayhem!

Some would say that the benefits of having a larger family is that siblings quickly perfect their negotiating skills, become more resilient and learn self-sufficiency.

In reality, whether you choose to have one, two, or more children, they will bring you lots of happiness and chaos in equal measures. Making it work for you and your family is what really matters. www.theparentpractice.com

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O TS fst TA ed No 201 ND rth 2 ING fie ld

familiesonline.co.uk

Parenting

@familiesbirminghammag

British kids spend less time outdoors than adult prisoners One of the greatest joys you can have as a parent is to see your kids run free outside the d delight their t id - watching t hi th li ht on th i faces and listening to their laughter as they hide in long grass, get muddy or roll down a hill.

With increasing pressure from work and school, families are struggling to ďŹ nd free time to be in nature. It seems there is an epidemic of families and children who aren’t getting to go outside enough.

According to a report commissioned by Persil for their ‘Dirt is Good’ campaign, many British children are spending less time outside than adult prisoners!

74% of kids are spending less than an hour outdoors every day. A third only spend half an hour, and one in ďŹ ve don’t go out at all. Also, a recent government funded survey showed that one in nine kids haven’t been in a natural environment, like a park, forest or beach for at least 12 months.

Being outside is good for children’s general wellbeing and mental cognition. Kids are shown to be happier, healthier, more conďŹ dent and less anxious when they spend time in nature.

Organisations like The Wild Network are trying to encourage families to get back outside. Their mission is to give children more #wildtime. You can ďŹ nd out more by going to their website www.thewildnetwork.com.

The best thing about spending time in nature is that it is as free as the air you breathe. Just pack some sandwiches and the world is your oyster. Keep your phone in your bag and gadgets at home. Enjoy playing hide and seek, rock pooling, jumping a stream and ďŹ nding bugs under a rotten branch.

Here are some simple tip tips i s to encoura encourage r ge Wild Time: W Wi ld Ti T me: 11. G Gett the th kids kid to t help h l build b ild a den d in i the th back b k garden. d They could even camp in it overnight!

2. Invest in some wellies and waterproofs so that you can go outside, rain or shine.

3. Grow some fruit and vegetables. You can do this by using pots on the windowsill or by using a small patch in the garden.

4. Start an animal watch list that children can tick off.

5. Create some landscape art. Use twigs, leaves, shells or stones, and photograph what you have made.

6. Make walks fun – do some of the walk blindfolded!

Or make a treasure map of things your children have to ďŹ nd.

7. Try geocaching (www.geocaching.com). This does involve using an app but might encourage a reluctant nature explorer who won’t be parted from a device.

8. Let older children have some freedom. Get them to walk, explore and go out on their bikes without adults.

9. Research some outdoor activities or exercise classes that you can do as a family, like an outdoor boot camp or mountain bike riding.

10. Sign up to the National Trust’s ‘50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 ž.’ Other resources www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives www.ifootpath.com app, ÂŁ1.99.

Buy The Adventure Map of Britain for ÂŁ14.99 at www.marvellousmaps.com

By Claire Winter

2008|2009

2008|2009

RUSSELL NURSERY SCHOOL Children aged from 3 months to 5 years

Ofsted Outstanding

Could shared parental leave work for you?

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By Mandy Garner

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Shared Parental Leave (SPL) allows parents to share time off work during the ďŹ rst year after their child is born, with dads and mums both taking some of the leave, whilst being paid at a statutory rate.

In its annual survey www.workingmums.co.uk found that only 37% of respondents said they would consider taking SPL. The majority would not. Some of the reasons given were the negative impact on household ďŹ nances, fears that the dad’s career would suffer and a lack of knowledge about SPL. Some 43% of respondents said they wouldn’t take SPL because it would not make sense ďŹ nancially but the majority of these said that even enhanced SPL pay wouldn’t make a difference to their decision. Clearly, the suggestion is that other non-ďŹ nancial factors are at play, such as the desire many women have to spend as much time as possible with their baby. 17% of mums said they didn’t want to share their leave.

What SPL does is give parents greater choice over how they manage the care of their new born child and it can be an important building block in facilitating change in discriminatory working environments. However, take up familiesonline.co.uk

7HO Other sites

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remains very low nationally, possibly because the legislation is complex and dry. HR managers are recommending that the language is simpliďŹ ed and that managers are given tools they need to implement SPL, as well as being able to give concrete case studies which show the many different ways in which SPL can be taken: in one chunk or in separate blocks over a period of time; overlapping with the mother for all or part of the leave and so forth.

One of the beneďŹ ts of SPL is that dads who have taken it feel much more conďŹ dent about being in sole charge of their children. They also have a greater sense of empathy about what looking after a baby involves, and there can also be a positive impact on mental wellbeing.

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One dad who took SPL is John Birrell from the law ďŹ rm Berwin Leighton Paisner. His wife went through a traumatic emergency C-section followed by hospitalisation for an infection.

Having her husband to share the months after the birth meant she was not left on her own to recover from major surgery while doing the physically exhausting work of looking after a young child. “Mental health is too often ignored and post-natal depression must be one of the most common forms,� says John.

Workingmums.co.uk collaborated recently with dadswebsite www.daddilife.com on a series of videos highlighting the need for parents to have open conversations around Shared Parental Leave.

Mandy Garner is editor of www.workingmums.co.uk, a platform dedicated to ďŹ nding exible, challenging work for mums.

Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton ColdďŹ eld 13

Clubs & Classes

To advertise email: editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

All Stars Cricket – made for kids

A

ll Stars Cricket provides boys and girls from 5 to 8 years old with an opportunity to become a star. The curriculum of fun, cricket activities and games provides children with the basic movement skills to begin a lifelong love of physical activity.

The programme is a paid for product that has a RRP of £40 (price may vary). The cost includes the 8 week All Stars Cricket programme (1 x hour session per week for 8 weeks) and the pack; including a bat, ball, rucksack, cap and t shirt (personalised with their name) – all delivered to your door. The pack also includes an activity book that allows children and parents to engage with the programme using several weekly challenges to earn ‘star awards’ like bowling, catching, running, and teamwork.

The programme is delivered by trained volunteers who deliver game based activities that teach basic cricket skills like catching, throwing, hitting a moving ball and social skills like team work and communication. Held at accredited cricket clubs these courses are a perfect way for children to learn about cricket and make friends in a safe, and most importantly, fun environment.

The Centres will be delivering their programmes from May 11th through to July.

Reasons to join: • Easy online registration

14 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

• Delivered nationwide at over 1,800 centres • Eight one-hour sessions, held over eight weeks • Emphasis on fun and being active • Focus on developing your child's movement skills • Great first introduction to cricket • Safe and fully accredited • Valuable time with your kids – mums and dads are encouraged to take part too • For all boys and girls aged five to eight For more information or to register for a summer of #BigMoments please visit https://www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars

familiesonline.co.uk

Clubs & Classes

@familiesbirm

Family Fun in the Hippodrome Foyers

PROJECTS

Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays in term-time, 10.30am - 12.30pm. £2 per adult - kids go FREE and you can pay on the day!

MONDAY B’Opera, ages 0-4. Making beautiful music for tiny ears (with a little help from the grown-ups!).

TUESDAY Baby Bhangra, ages 1-5. Wiggle, giggle, dance & play instruments with Bhangra Bunny.

Dizzyrs Dance

VVarious arious aages ges welcome welcome Based ased iinn Highgate, Hiighgate te Birmingham.

THURSDAY Theatre Fun, ages 2-4. Unlock your little ones’ imaginations using movement, mime, and storytelling.

Learn more & reserve your place birminghamhippodrome.com/familyfun

0773 4651192

Which sports do parents feel their children should play?

Recent figures from a www.gov.uk report entitled ‘Taking Part Survey: England Child Report, 2016/17’ reveal that football is the second most popular sport outside of school.

Figures show that 49% of parents would choose this sport for their sons, whilst only 12% of parents with daughters would do the same. Therefore, specialists at GolfSupport.com wanted to find out if gender plays a significant role when parents choose a sport for their son or daughter to play. Here are some findings: • Football is the most popular choice for parents with boys (46.2%), while for parents with daughters the sport of choice was dancing (53.3%).

• Only 14% of mothers would encourage their daughters to play football, compared to 86% of fathers.

• Tennis and Martial Arts are the only two sports which are equally as important for boys and girls.

To read more about this report go to: https://golfsupport.com

www.dizzydancers.org

MUSIC 1-to-1 drum tuition, City Centre location B I R M I N G H A M Rock School grades 1-8.

Ages 4 upwards.

Book online @ www.birminghamdrumschool.co.uk

DANCE & DRAMA CENTRAL STAGE SCHOOL Tap Street Jazz Musical Theatre Solihull: Adult & Children’s Classes Free places for nursery children Tel: Claire 07939 529 227 info@centralstageschool.co.uk

Solihull Young Dancers Ballet & Tap Lessons Classes from age 2 ½ + Tel: Kate on 07722 732678 www.solihullyoungdancers.co.uk

DUBARRIE D UBARR SCHOOL OF DANCE Ballet, Tap and Jazz age 2 ½ + Branches in Yardley and Solihull Telephone: 0121 744 1422 www.dubarrieschoolofdance.com

Irish dancing classes for boys and girls aged 4 to adult Classes held in Selly Oak, Kings Norton and Redditch Call Louise on 07790 876 345 for information

www.granarince.co.uk

MASQUERADE MUSICAL THEATRE Youth Theatre Group, Age 5+ Garretts Green Lane, Sheldon, B26 2SA

Telephone: 0121 722 3761 www.masquerademusicaltheatre.com

BOOK TODAY! Put your club, class, activity or event directly in front of 45,000 readers who all have children under 12 years old.

Call 07807 352087 to advertise.

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield 15

Easter Holiday childcare Action-packed school holiday childcare

A

spire Active Camps provide sports and activities during all school holidays for children aged 4-14.

To advertise call: 07807 352087

GET CRAFTY THIS EASTER T These cheep cheep (!) activities are great for younger kids aas they will be able to do a lot of the tasks independently, w whilst getting really creative. How egg-citing!

As their camps are Ofsted registered, you can rest assured that your child is cared for in the best environment possible. Their child protection policies are in place and their coaches are qualified in first aid and safeguarding to ensure your child’s safety.

MARBLED EASTER BUNTING (age 2+)

They provide early booking offers, discount offers, a loyalty scheme and accept childcare vouchers.

This Easter their Sutton Coldfield camp at Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School will have Multi Sports Academy, Football Academy for age 7+, Gym Beatz, Complete Cricket, Dance and Stage Beatz and, for 12-14 year olds, Active Leaders.

The Solihull camp at Alderbrook School will have Multi Sports, Gym Beatz, Dance and Stage Beatz and Active Leaders.

The Walsall camp at Queen Mary’s Grammar School will be running Multi Sports and Active Leaders. www.aspire-sports.co.uk | 0121 663 1979

This activity is a great intro to marbling, brilliant for learning about colour-mixing and for developing fine motor skills. Grab an apron, cover your work area, have a tray ready for your finished art and let your little ones get creative!

What you’ll need: • Paper or card / Shaving foam / Poster paint (a few colours) / Tray or baking tin / Brush or clean stick

What to do:

Action-packed childcare this

Ofsted registered

Easter

• Spray foam onto the tray and then add the paint.

• Use a brush to make patterns in the foam before laying the paper carefully on top and pushing down gently.

• Lift off the paper and use an old piece of card to scrape off the excess foam.

• Leave to dry and then cut the paper into egg shapes.

• Thread with string and you’ve got some beautiful Easter bunting.

Holiday

BOUNCY BUNNY (age 1+)

3rd - 13th April

Create this great Easter character and have fun decorating your home with lots of bunnies or putting on puppet shows!

What you’ll need:

Open from 8am-6pm

Solihull Alderbrook School

8ZYYTS (TQIƴ JQI Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School

Walsall

Queen Mary’s Grammar School

We accept childcare vouchers

Book before 5pm on Friday 16th March

Early Bird Offer

£15 per day 8am-4pm - Xtra Time available up to 6pm if required.

See website for full details. Terms and conditions apply,

SAVE

50% off our Standard Daily Rate

For more info visit aspire-sports.co.uk or call 0121 663 1979 16 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

• Craft foam / Googly eyes / Pompoms / PVA glue / Scissors / Felt tip pen/ Glitter / Card or paper / An adult to help

What to do: • Start by making the Bunny head – draw the shape outline including the ears and cut out the craft foam. Cut out two smaller ear shapes from different coloured paper to be the inside of Bunny’s ears. Add your googly eyes, two large pompoms for his cheeks and two small rectangles of paper for his teeth • Bunny body, arms and feet – cut out oval shapes of coloured paper for the belly and feet, and long shapes for arms. Cut two long strips of paper and fold into a concertina to create his long bouncy legs.

• Decorate his body with pens, glitter, sparkles, etc – get creative!

• Pop him on a piece of string or gift ribbon to make him bounce about

familiesonline.co.uk

Easter Crafts

@familiesbirminghammag

EASY EASTER CHICK (age 1+)

EASTER EGG AND BASKET (For Older Kids 7+)

What you’ll need:

• Paper Plate / Yellow tissue paper (cut into squares 2cm x 2cm) / Glue Stick / Orange Card / Googly eyes (or paint / drawn on) / Scissors

What to do: • Stick and cover the paper plate with the yellow tissue paper squares (don’t worry about it all sticking down it looks great feathery) • Draw round your child’s hand on the orange card and cut out • Stick the hands on the side of the plate to create the chicks wings • Cut two strips of the orange card about 15cm x 3cm for wiggly legs. Fold both strips back and forth to create a concertina effect.

• Let your child draw and cut out two feet from the orange card and stick these to the legs.

• Stick on the googly eyes and cut out and stick on a beak.

COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO EASTER BREKKIE (age 4+) Make these special eggcups to decorate your festive breakfast table. Adult help will be needed for cooking the egg afterwards.

What you’ll need:

0.8mm craft wire 0.4mm craft wire 1 wooden egg Craft paint – various colours Lengths of ribbon Cylindrical shape (2 different sizes) • Round nosed pliers • Wire cutters

What to do: • Cut 2 lengths (approx. 15cm) of the 0.8mm wire. Create two different sized circles of wire, using your cylindrical shapes leaving a long tail at one end of each piece.

• On each piece, wrap one end of the wire around the circular shape to secure.

Bend the long tail, 90 degrees.

• Secure the circular frames, one above the other, using the long tail wires to secure around the top of one and the base of the other.

• Cut another 6 straight lengths of 0.8mm wire, long enough to secure at the top and base of the circles, to stabilize the basket structure.

• Cut a 90cm length of 0.4mm wire and wrap this up and around the top and base of the basket shell, until it is totally wrapped around all sides.

• Once you have covered the side surfaces, weave more 0.4mm wire to create a base for the bottom of the basket. Cut approximately, 20cm of 0.8mm wire and fold in half.

• Hold the double end in your round nosed pliers and with your hand, twist the 2 extending wires together.

• Shape the twisted cable around a circular shape to form a curve, to the same size as the diameter of the top of your basket. Secure the ends around the basket to make a handle.

• Using your ribbons, tie around the secured areas of the handle creating a bow.

• Paint the wooden egg with a coloured design.

• Your egg in basket is ready to treasure or give to someone special as an Easter present.

ARE YOUR KIDS DOING WHAT IN THE HOLIDAYS?

• Empty eggbox / Scissors / Red & yellow card or felt / Glue / Googly eyes / Feathers / Eggs / Pan

What to do: • Carefully cut out a cup from an egg box keeping the central egg divider.

• Using red card or felt cut out a mini cocks comb, and glue it onto the head.

• Using a little scrap of red paper cut out a mini heart shape to form the wattle.

• A mini folded over yellow triangle will make the beak.

• If you have googly eyes to hand use these otherwise draw on the eyes.

• Feathers added to the sides using tape give your cockerel the finishing touch. familiesonline.co.uk

Credits: Dinky Doodlers; Creation Station; Monkey Bean; Squiggle, Dot & Squeeze, Blooming Crafts

What you’ll need:

• • • • • •

TUDOR GRANGE LEISURE CENTRE SPORTS CAMP We give you peace of mind that your children are safe, happy, getting fit, making friends and learning new sports in the school holidays.

Our camps are all run by fully qualified teachers.

Children will get the chance to learn from sports coaches and instructors from over 20 different sports and activities.

Ages 6-13 9am - 4pm (or 6pm) Every school holiday Monday-Friday

“My children have been attending Phys-Kids for years. I feel happy that they are doing something worthwhile in the school holidays.

They make new friends, play lots of sports and come home happy.”

Mrs Webster, Solihull

£20

PER DAY

FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND BOOKINGS VISIT: www.phys-kids.co.uk

siblings half price (EARLY BIRD OFFER)

TUDOR GRANGE LEISURE CENTRE, BLOSSOMFIELD ROAD, SOLIHULL, B91 1NB OFSTED REGISTERED EY429053. CHILD CARE VOUCHERS ACCEPTED

Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield 17

Musical Opportunities

To advertise email: editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Join Birmingham Contemporary Music Group for Noise Sounds, their concert for families Birmingham Contemporary Music Group bring one of their wonderful Family Concerts to CBSO Centre this May.

Award-winning musical experiences for kids Looking for high-quality, fun and rewarding childcare during school holidays?

Look no further than The Strings Club and their award-winning Ofsted-registered Holiday Camps. What helps stand their Camps proudly apart from other childcare providers is the passion and dedication to promoting the learning and development of children in attendance. Each day is wonderfully different, including ‘learn together, play together’ small group tuition in the morning and carefully curated workshops in the afternoon, offering 4-11 year olds a range of musical experiences to give them a holiday to truly remember.

Standard hours 9.30am-4pm, from £20 half day.

0121 296 9204; www.thestringsclub.org

Inspire your child this EASTER -

Learn new skills

-

Build confidence

-

Make new friends

Created especially for young audiences, this is a chance to bring the whole family together to explore new music.

In Noise Sounds on Sunday 6 May, families can discoverr the boundaries between music, sound and noise. Join composer FFraser aser Trainer and BCMG musicians and find out how musical instruments such as the cello and violin can produce extraordinary sounds, and how everyday objects can create music. Experience the theatre of a small group of musicians working together and use your own voice and body sounds to create new music.

Noise Sounds - BCMG Family Concert Sunday 6 May 2pm-3pm, (pre-concert activities from 1pm) Recommended age 7+ CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF Tickets £5, book at www.bcmg.org.uk

Noise Sounds

A family concert exploring the boundaries between music, sound and noise.

Sunday 6 May, 2pm-3pm Pre-concert activities in the foyer from 1pm CBSO Centre, Birmingham, B1 2LF Recommended age 7+ Join composer Fraser Trainer and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group musicians and find out how musical instruments such as the cello and violin can produce extraordinary sounds, and how everyday objects can create music. Experience the theatre of a small group of musicians working together and use your own voice and body sounds to create new music.

Award winning Ofsted registered Holiday Camps for children aged 4-11 in Harborne, Sutton Coldfield and coming soon to Solihull

Tickets £5 online bcmg.org.uk

Quote FAMILIESWM2017 for up to 10% off! thestringsclub.org/westmidlands | 0121 296 9204 18 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

familiesonline.co.uk

What’s On

Quote FAMILIES BIRMINGHAM when booking!

UNCOVER A

GHAM MUSEUMS AT BIRMIN Museum

Wonderland

DINOSAUR EGG TRAIL

Aston Hall

Thinktank Science Museum

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

1 April

29 March –15 April

3–13 April

Alice in

TREASURES

birminghammuseums.org.uk/whats-on

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum | Aston Hall Blakesley Hall | Museum of the Jewellery Quarter Sarehole Mill | Soho House | Weoley Castle Ruins

Funded by:

SPRING SPECTACULAR 30th March - 15th April 2018 19276A 2/18

ADVENTURE. ANIMALS. ACTION.

A choc-o-bloc array of Spring Newborns Magic and Puppet Shows Easter Egg Hunts Laser Combat (8yrs+) WůƵƐ͘​͘​͘ Ăůů ƚŚĞ ƵƐƵĂů ,ĂƩŽŶ ĨĂǀŽƵƌŝƚĞ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ALL DAY INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT

ONLINE DISCOUNTS for advance booking at hattonworld.com dĞƌŵƐ ĂŶĚ ŽŶĚŝƟŽŶƐ ĂƉƉůLJ Ͳ ƐĞĞ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ ĨŽƌ ĚĞƚĂŝůƐ

www.hattonworld.com familiesonline.co.uk

Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield 19

What’s On Aston Hall Trinity Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6JD, www.birminghammuseums.org.uk /aston 0121 348 8038 Aston in Wonderland: A Fairy Tale Takeover Date: Sun 1 April Time: 11am – 4pm Admissions: £8; £6; £3 Meet lots of your favourite story book characters including Alice, the Hatter, and the angry Queen as you explore this spectacular building.

Barber Institute of Fine Arts University of Birmingham, B15 2TS, www.barber.org.uk 0121 414 2261 education@barber.org.uk Little Artists Dates: 2 March, 12 May, 8 June Time: 10.30am – 12pm Admission: £7 per child Age: 3 - 4 years Booking essential.

Join Anna the Art Explorer for a journey through the gallery. Act out the stories behind the paintings and explore colour, shapes and textures.

Family Day: Act Your Age (Not Your Shoe Size) Date: Sun 25 March Time: 11am – 3pm Performance: 11.30am Ages: 4 – 104!

Tickets: £4 (adults and children) Booking essential: www.bournvillebookfest.com An artistic mash-up of live cartooning, poetry and family-friendly silliness, led by acclaimed children’s writer Ian Billings (CBeebies’ Gigglebiz).

Easter Art School Be a Scottish Colourist!

Dates: Tues 10 & Weds 11 April Ages and times: 4 – 8 years: 11am – 12.30pm 8 – 12 years: 1.30pm – 3pm Admission: £15 per child Booking essential.

Create a colourful collaged landscape inspired by the Scottish Colourists.

Combine the skills you’ve seen to make your own masterpiece!

Creative Sunday Workshops Dates – March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 8, 15, 22, 29; £6 per session Ages and times: 4 – 8 years: 11am – 12.30pm 8 – 12 years: 1.30pm – 3pm Bring your miniature Monets along to develop their art techniques in a stimulating environment. Workshops include skills in weaving, collage, still life painting, textiles, cross-hatching, and much more.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3TR, www.birminghambotanicalgardens .org.uk 0121 454 1860 20 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

Quote FAMILIES BIRMINGHAM when booking!

Mothering Sunday Date: Sun 11 March Time: 10am – 5pm Admission: Adult - £7.50; Child (over 5) - £5.25 Treat Mum to a relaxing day in beautiful surroundings – perfect as Spring starts to arrive!

Easter Eggstravaganza Admission: Normal admission applies; Under-16s go FREE Sun 1 April, 11am-3pm: Eggmerse yourself in the Gardens’ Easter Sunday egg hunt! Scour the garden for egg surprises – you could win a prize!

2 – 6 April, 11am-3pm: Easter week brings an array of wonderful activities.

Chocolate workshops; Face painting; Animal handling; Arts and crafts… and even a visit from the Easter Bunny himself!

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3DH, 0121 348 8000, www.birminghammuseums.org.uk /bmag Weekend Family Arts Days: Sats & Suns until April 1 Times: 11am – 1pm; 2pm – 4pm Admission: £1 per child Venue: the Mini Museum Get creative and make something new at Family Craft Activity sessions.

Storytelling: The Feast of St Patrick Date: Sat 17 March Time: 12pm - 1pm Venue: Mini museum Admission: FREE Pre-booking advised.

Bring your little ones to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with an interactive storytelling session. Suitable for children all ages and their parents.

Black Country Living Museum Tipton Road, Dudley, DY1 4SQ, 121 557 9643, www.bclm.co.uk Egg-citing Easter Activities Dates: Sat 24 Mar – Sun 15 Apr Time: 10am - 5pm Admission: Adults £17.95; Children from £8.95; free for under 3's Hop on over to find a cracking programme of Easter fun ready and waiting at BCLM!

Harborne, and the city centre. www.bournvillebookfest.com Dates: 15 -25 March Details of activities/events, tickets and times on website Early booking essential.

10 days • 100 events • 19 venues • 6,000 guests!

From magical unicorns to Lego stopanimation; Hungry Caterpillars to a David Walliams drama – Bournville BookFest 2018 is going to be bigger, better and bolder than ever!

CBSO Centre CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF, www.bcmg.org.uk/whats-on 0121 616 2616, learning@bcmg.org.uk Composition Workshops: Music Maze (8-11 years), and ZigZag Ensemble (12–16 years) Dates: Sun 4 March; Sun 29 April Times: 10am – 2.30pm Admission: £6 suggested donation Booking essential.

Bring your budding Beethovens along for a fun day of creative music-making.

Hatton Adventure World Dark Lane, Hatton, Warwick CV35 8XA, www.hattonworld.com 01926 843411 Mothers Day: Sun 11 March Spring Spectacular: 30 March - 15 April Time: 10am – 5.30pm General admission: Prices vary.

See website.

Come down to Hatton, which will be packed with seasonal shows fun, action, farmyard animals, indoor play and entertainment.

Hoar Park, Shopping and Craft Village B4114 Nr Ansley, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV10 0QU www.hoar-park.co.uk, 024 7639 4433 Craft Fair Date: Sun 15 April Time: 10am – 5pm At Hoar Park’s Craft Fair you will see their interiors, fashion section and enjoy their food. There’s fun for the little ones too in the Children’s Farm and Pets Corner.

Hoar Park is open Tues-Sun every week.

Blakesley Hall Blakesley Road, Birmingham, B25 8RN, 0121 348 8120, birminghammuseums.org.uk/blakesley Easter Craft Activities Dates: 3 - 12 April Time: 11.30am - 3.30pm Admission: £2 per child This Easter drop in on some fun Easter themed craft activities at Blakesley Hall on a Tuesday and Thursday.

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Bournville Bookfest Various locations in: Bournville, Stirchley, Cotteridge, Northfield, familiesonline.co.uk

Out & About

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Jewellery Quarter Museum

Sarehole Mill

75-80 Vyse Street, Birmingham, B18 6HA, birminghammuseums.org.uk/jewellery 0121 348 8140

Cole Bank Road, Birmingham, B13 0BD birminghammuseums.org.uk/sarehole 0121 348 8160

Easter Egg Hunt Dates: 30 Mar - 14 Apr Time: 10.30am - 5pm Admission: £7; £5; £3

Easter Half Term Dates: 30 March – 8 April; 10 – 15 April Times: 11am - 4pm Admission: £2 per child

Find all the letters and win a prize!

This trail takes place around the museum.

Family Fun Day Dates: Thurs 5 & 12 April Time: 1pm - 3pm Admission: £8; £6; £4 Take a family friendly guided tour of the Smith & Pepper jewellery factory and then enjoy a fun craft activity in the Education Space.

NEC Birmingham North Avenue, Marston Green, Birmingham, B40 1NT, 0844 338 8000 The Big Bang Fair Dates: 14 – 17 March Time: Wed – Fri 9.30 - 4pm; Sat 9am - 4.30.

Admission: FREE Book: www.thebigbangfair.co.uk Come along to the UK’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. A fun-packed, mind-stretching day for the whole family.

0121 348 8000 www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/ thinktank Easter Dino Egg Hunt Dates: 29 Mar - 15 Apr Time: 10am - 5pm Admission: £13.50; £9.75 Come and see how many Dino eggs you can track down in the giant egg hunt.

Easter holiday family fun with the Sarehole team.

Weoley Castle Alwold Road, Birmingham, B29 5RJ, www.birminghammuseums.org.uk /weoley, 0121 348 8160

Family Fun Day (Including Art Workshop) Date: Thurs 12 April Times: 11am - 4pm Admission: £5 Age: 7+ A family fun day. Art Workshops run from 11.30am-12.30pm and 1pm-2pm.

Pre-booking essential.

Telford International Centre St Quentin Gate, Telford, TF3 4JH, www.bdainternationalconference.org Parents' and Carers' Day - Dyslexia and Neurodiversity Conference Date: 12 -14 April Tickets: £20 A fantastic event aimed at parents and carers of young people with dyslexia and those who have a general interest in finding out more about this learning difference.

St George and the Dragon Egg Hunt Date: Sun 22 April Times: 12pm - 3pm Admission: £2 per child Help St George find all the Dragon Eggs before they hatch at Weoley Castle Ruins.

West Midlands Safari Park Spring Grove, Bewdley, DY12 1LF www.wmsp.co.uk, 01299 402114 Open daily from 10am Admission: £24; £22; £19 Go and see WMSP’s most beautiful and endangered animal species. Includes 4 mile self-drive Safari, adventure theme park. BOJ Gigglypark, Sea Lion Show, Hippo Lakes, Discovery Trail… and more.

ALWAYS CHECK THE VENUE’S WEBSITE IN CASE OF CHANGES TO SCHEDULE.

ThinkTank Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG,

In partnership with

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery 26 May – 9 September 2018 Free entry | Pre-booking required The Natural History Museum’s iconic dinosaur is taking a road trip to Birmingham! birminghammuseums.org.uk nhm.ac.uk/dippyontour

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Entertainment

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Birmingham Hippodrome

The Core Theatre

Hurst Street, Southside, B5 4TB, www.birminghamhippodrome.com 0844 338 5000

Solihull Theatre Square, Touchwood, Homer Road, Solihull, B91 3RG www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk 0121 704 6962

Catherine Wheels Theatre Company present White Dates: Fri 9 - Sun 11 March Times: 11am; 2pm Tickets: £10 Age: 2 - 4 years

HOOT OWL Master of Disguise Date: Thurs 5 April Time: 1.30pm Tickets: £10 Age: 4+

White is a playful, visual show for very young children and is a perfect first time theatre experience.

Hoot Owl is a Master of Disguise! And he plans to use his cunning camouflage powers to gobble up the tiny animals of the night.

Hansel & Gretel Date: Wed 4 - Sun 8 April Times: 11am; 3pm; 7pm Tickets: £12 Venue: Patrick Centre} Age: 5+ Live music, hilarious performance and a mesmerising design ensures that this play will entertain and amuse the entire family.

Wicked Date: Wed 4 - Sun 29 April Times: 2pm; 2.30pm; 7.30pm Tickets: £28+ Age: 7+ An ingenious reworking of the stories and characters created in ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’. Wicked tells the untold story of a friendship between two young women who meet as sorcery students.

Genting Arena Exhibition Way, Birmingham, B40 1PA www.gentingarena.co.uk 0844 33 88 222 Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment Dates: 28 Mar - 1 Apr Times: Various – see website Tickets: £21.05 - £49.18 From wheels to waves, icy wonderlands to infinity and beyond, your family’s favourite Disney moments come to life at Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment.

mac Birmingham Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH, www.macbirmingham.co.uk 0121 446 3232

’A five-star fiesta of energy and talent’

Indie Kids Disco Date: Sun 25 March Time: 2pm Tickets: £7 Age guidance: 4-12 years

THE GUARDIAN

’A dazzling showpiece

An event for Indie Kids to rock together to tunes that’ll make you want to live forever!.

for virtuoso youth’ THE TIMES

The Old Rep Theatre Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DY www.oldreptheatre.co.uk 0121 359 9444 Easter Bunny’s Eggs Factor Date: Weds 4 April Time: 1.30pm Tickets: £10 Come and join in the fun, the songs and the laughter down at the Chocolate Factory.

Symphony Hall, Birmingham Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA thsh.co.uk, 0121 780 3333

Star Wars John Williams / Symphonic Dances from West Side Story Bernstein / Suite from The Hunger Games James Newton Howard / Mothership Mason Bates An electrifying live music experience with the world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers.

NYO Teen Hang Out Date: Sat 7 April Time: 5:30pm FREE ENTRY Find out more about the stories behind the music at this free, lively, interactive and friendly pre-concert presentation hosted by NYO’s Young Promoters.

National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain – Unleashed Date: Sat 7 April Time: 7pm Tickets: £10; £5 Think you know what a classical music concert is like? Well think again. The world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers are set to bring you a totally electrifying live musical experience.

Town Hall, Birmingham Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3DQ thsh.co.uk, 0121 780 3333 Saturday 7 April, 7.00pm Symphony Hall, Birmingham Tickets £10 0121 780 333 thsh.co.uk

£5 FOR

UNDER

25S

In association with

Tiddler & other Terrific Tales Date: Fri 30 March – Tue 3 April Tickets: £12.50 - £17.50 Under the sea, out on the farm and into the jungle, these terrific tales are woven together with live music, puppetry and a whole host of colourful characters from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s well-loved titles ALWAYS CHECK THE VENUE’S WEBSITE IN CASE OF CHANGES TO SCHEDULE.

22 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

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EASTER TIC FAN T A S Sunday LITTLE CreWa t iRvKe SHOPS ARTISTS O FOR PRE-SHOOLERS!

FUN-FILLED MORNING OF ARTY ACTIVITIES!

2 MAR, 12 MAY, 8 JUN & 17 JUL 10.30AM – 12PM AGES 3 – 4 YEARS £7 PER CHILD. PLEASE BOOK!

Eggmerse yourself in our Easter Sunday egg hunt! Clear all your plans and come scour the garden for egg surprises - you could win a prize.

Then, join us for an array of wonderful activities this Easter week. From chocolate workshops and face painting to animal handling and arts and crafts, we’ve got the holidays covered.

2nd – 6th April 2018

ARE YOU 13 – 15? LOVE ART?

WANT TO SEE AMAZING ARTWORKS, AND TRY OUT NEW IDEAS? 17 APR, 15 MAY, 18 JUN & 17 JUL 4.30 – 6.30PM £7, PLEASE BOOK!

Eggstravaganza

EASTER ART SCHOOL

BE A SCOTTISH COLOURIST! PAINT, DYE & COLLAGE FUN

11AM – 12.30PM: 4 – 8 YRS 1.30 – 3PM: 8-12 YRS TUES 10 & WED 11 APRIL £15 PER CHILD PLEASE BOOK

Under 16S go free

We have even scheduled a special appearance from the Easter Bunny himself!

Visit our website for the programme of activities throughout Easter;

bbirminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/whatson irminghambotanicalgardens.orrg.uuk/w whatson Some activities will incur a small charge

Find us on:

Families First at the Barber Institute

familiesonline.co.uk

Your support keeps the Gardens growing

AN EDUCATIONAL CHARITY

Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield 23

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24 Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

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