Families East Kent Magazine Issue 1: Jan-Feb 2018

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East Kent

The brand new parenting magazine and resource for families in East Kent RECRUITING NOW Successsful ‘business mum’ is seeking 5 working partners to work part-time from home, alongside and without compromising family commitments or current career.

If you have a supervisory, managerial, sales, marketing, recruitment or self-employed background, or you wish to develop an extrordinary lifestyle,

Please call Vicki King 07501 433 922

Issue 1 January/February 2018 familiesonline.co.uk

IN THIS ISSUE How to make maths fun Boost your mind with healthy foods Clubs & classes What’s on in January & February

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East Kent

Advertise your business with us from ÂŁ31.20 per month Free design service Delivered direct to parents and carers across East Kent 6 copies per year Seasonal features and free editorial

To promote your business in our next issue call 07789 882467 or email: editor@familieseastkent.co.uk Next issue March/ April 2018. Book by 2 February

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

Book rental for young readers.

Are you looking for some extra income?

Do you have a few hours spare for 1 - 2 days every two months within school hours?

Families East Kent Magazine is looking for distributors to delivery our magazine to local schools, nurseries and family attractions. If you live in the area, are reliable, have a car and would like to earn extra money, please email for more information: editor@familieseastkent.co.uk

Faversham I Whitstable I Herne Bay Canterbury I Ashford Margate I Broadstairs I Ramsgate Deal I Dover I Folkestone

East Kent

Call Rebecca 07789 882467 I editor@familieseastkent.co.uk

2 Families East Kent

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Editor’s Welcome East Kent Managing Editor Rebecca Carr editor@familieseastkent.co.uk 07789 882 467 Advertising Amanda Biggs amanda@familiespublishing.co.uk Next issue March/ April 2018 Booking deadline 2 February Artwork deadline 9 February Printed By Holbrooks Printers Ltd Distributing to: Ashford, Canterbury, Faversham, Whistable, Herne Bay, Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, Dover, Folkestone and all the areas in between.

Familieseastkentmagazine

Welcome to the very first issue of Families East Kent Magazine.

I am very proud to bring this much loved family magazine to East Kent and I hope you will come to enjoy it as much as the thousands of other families across the UK have for over 27 years!

The first issue has a bit of everything to whet your appetite including; clubs and classes, education news, health and wellbeing, childcare as well as lots of events happening during January and February, plus some book reviews to check out.

If you have any news or events to share with our readers, please do get in touch with me and if you run a local business; parties, clubs and classes, holiday clubs, education, nurseries, play centres and would like to target parents and families in the area in our next issue you can email me at editor@familieseastkent.co.uk. Plus, don’t forget to like us on Facebook for up-to-date information, competitions and much more.

Best wishes Rebecca Carr I Editor

Contents 4. News & views

A round up of all the latest news.

5. Education news

All the latest education news including Independent School Spring Open Day dates for your diary.

7. How to make maths fun

Kjartan Poskett shares his tricks and games to try at home.

Cover Image: Kaile Meyers Photography © Families East Kent 2018 Families East Kent 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 East Kent are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families East Kent. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families East Kent ; 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.

Free Magazines for your school, nursery, cafe, shop or club - just ask! editor@familieseastkent.co.uk or 07789 882467 East Kent

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8. Early years and childcare

How to ensure your child is happy at nursery.

9. Help your child manage their feelings

Parenting expert Jane Rogers shares her tips and steps to follow.

10. Clubs & classes

Dancing and the performing arts.

11. New year health

Nutritionalist, Christine Bailey, shares her top nutrients, foods and tips to boost your mood.

12. New year book reviews

Justin Crow gives her views of the best books for the season for all ages.

13. What’s on

A round-up of local events to enjoy this January and February and half term activities.

Families East Kent 3

News & views

Whether we are listening to someone else’s story or telling our own, inventing and adapting narratives can open doors to exciting new worlds — both real and imaginary.

National Storytelling Week takes place in storytelling clubs, theatres, museums, schools, hospitals, spoken word venues, and care homes.

The Society for Storytelling has lots of information as “the home of UK oral storytelling” and offers free packs for schools to download. To find a local event or to look through its extensive archive visit www.sfs.org.uk If you have some local news to share with our readers, please email it to; editor@familieseastkent.co.uk

FA

D VE

Do you prefer winter or summer in the Alps… or both?

Francesca, Paul and their three children live in Morzine in France all year round and have a good knowledge of Alpine traditions and the Morzine people. Having adapted their chalet holiday style over the years to suit the tastes of their regular guests, they offer the perfect ski and summer holidays for either families, couples or mixed groups in relaxing luxury, with fantastic food and outstanding facilities, with unrivalled inhouse childcare facilities. For many returning guests Chilly Powder is considered a real home from home. For more about Chilly Powder chalets visit www.chillypowder.com.

Shocking statistics about infant colic revealed in new survey A survey, conducted on behalf of Infacol, surveyed over 4,000 parents about the effectiveness of simethicone in treating infant colic. Simeticone drops, such as Infacol can be added to breast or bottle milk to aid digestion and release any bubbles of trapped air in the baby’s digestive system.

The survey found that the vast majority of parents (63%) diagnosed infant colic themselves by associating the typical symptoms like squirming and excessive crying (more than 3 hours a day). Almost all of the respondents (93.2%) considered the use of simethicone oral suspension either totally resolved or had an impact on the signs of infant colic. And a further 81.2% reported an improvement in the baby’s sleeping patterns during the course of the treatment and an improvement in their own sleeping patterns and stress levels. Infant colic affects 1 in 5 babies in the UK, yet 1 in 3 new mums admit that they don’t know what it is.

The NHL urges concerned parents to speak to a GP or pharmacist before trying Simethicone drops. Support groups, such as Cry-sis, can also offer help and advice on 0845 122 8669 from 9am-10pm, seven days a week.

Free Magazines

Can you deliver Families Magazines?

Families East Kent Magazine is looking for distributors to join our team to delivery our magazines across East Kent, including Ashford, Canterbury, Thanet, Dover and Folkestone. If you have a few hours to spare every two months, have a car and would like to earn some extra money, please contact Rebecca by email: editor@familieseastkent.co.uk.

We are looking for someone to start in early March.

4 Families East Kent

LIES APPRO MI

Speech and language therapists believe that storytelling is vital for children’s academic success as it promotes narrative skills and strengthens the ability of children to correctly sequence ideas. To be a good reader and writer a child needs to be a good speaker and listener first. But above all, storytelling is fun.

A home from home with Chilly Powder

FA

The first week of February marks National Storytelling Week, a chance to reflect on one of the oldest art forms in the world.

We are all immersed in stories — from conversations retelling events in our lives, to watching our favourite television shows.

LIES APPRO I M

D VE

Spin a Tale during National Storytelling Week

FREE

for your school, nursery, cafe, shop or club - just ask!

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East Kent

IN THIS

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Education

news

Parenting Clubs &

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classes s

partie Children’s shows

Theatre

What’s on more!

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Families

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Issue 1 Launc .co.uk

familiesonline

Six issues per year

What’s on Clubs & Classes Education Parties and more!

editor@familieseastkent.co.uk or 07789 882467

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Portfolio competition gives young people the chance to be exhibited at Turner Contemporary Portfolio is Turner Contemporary and Canterbury Christ Church University’s annual art competition for pupils, students and teachers in Kent and Medway. Enter Portfolio for the chance to win prizes and exhibit your artwork as part of Turner Contemporary’s 2018 Summer exhibition.

The competition celebrates creative talent across the county, with the winning works seen by thousands of visitors to the gallery over the summer. The Theme; Art, Animals and Us explores our relationship to the animal world. What human characteristics do we link to certain animals and why? When did the relationship between humans and animals begin? (Evolution, prehistoric age, mythology, religion). Where do we encounter animals in our lives and how do we communicate with them? (At home, in the wild, in a zoo, with technology). Why do we keep certain animals as pets?

How does our relationship with food affect our relationship with animals? Who is responsible when scientists are warning of mass extinction?

The competition is open to those in Kent and Medway who are aged 4-18 years, teachers, teaching assistants and professionals working in an educational establishment and current teacher trainee students. To enter and for more information visit turnercontemporary.org/portfolio. The deadline for entries is 1st March 2018.

Wear A Hat Day 2018 for Brain Tumour Research Get involved in Wear A Hat Day – the UK’s premier brain tumour research fundraising event. It takes place on Thursday 29 March.

Join in the fun as schools and families across the UK get involved to help raise funds for research into brain tumours.

Mums want more flexible working opportunities According to a survey by Workingmums. co.uk, almost three quarters of working mums identify flexible work as being crucial to getting more women into senior roles.

The survey shows that mums feel flexible working is vital for them to manage work and family life and that 60% of those who work flexibly would like even more flexibility.

So what can individuals do to help persuade their employers to agree to them working flexibly?

Here are some tips: •

Think through what the job requires and whether the tasks you have to perform can be done at a different location ie from home, or at times outside of the standard working day.

Take account of any additional costs or challenges this might involve and discuss them honestly.

•

Give examples of the ways in which your work can be successfully carried out under any new working pattern you are proposing, and show that it will not harm the business.

Point out any business advantages.

•

Research some case studies, ideally in your sector that shows how the work pattern you are suggesting can be mutually beneficial to you and your employer.

•

If managers are dubious, suggest a trial period.

•

Have a compromise solution as a back-up.

Register online today and get your fundraising pack. The new website makes registering much faster and you can explore the allnew Wear A Hat Day pages for ideas to make your Wear A Hat Day event a fantastic success.

In 2017, families and schools came together alongside other organisations and communities across the UK and helped raise over £300,000 to fund vital research. With your help, the hope is to double this in 2018 to £600,000, enough to keep a group of researchers funded for a year. To get involved and register visit www.wearahatday.org

Looking for a new opportunity?

11 years ago I was like any Mum who had just stepped into the world of motherhood, nervous excited and not really sure how I would ever be able to leave my daughter to go back to work. At this point I decided to resign from my corporate position and sit and think about what I really wanted to do.

I decided I still wanted to have the independence of earning my own income but on my terms, I wanted control over my diary so I could choose when I worked.

I came across a small advert for a home based opportunity that was offering the flexibility and income I wanted. I now earn a full time income around my two children who are now 12 and 7. I’m enjoying the benefits that would rival any blue-chip company in the city. More importantly, I’ve achieved my success by helping other people (especially mums) to succeed, coaching the simple business model which has served the company for almost four decades and earned them the investor in people Gold status in the UK. For more information please contact Vicki King on 07501 433922 or email Vickimking5@gmail.com familiesonline.co.uk

Visit www.workingmums.co.uk for more information and flexible work opportunities.

Families East Kent 5

Education News

New Year Reading Resolutions Helping your children learn to read and develop a love of reading is the single most important activity you can do to help with their education.

It’s never too late! Just follow Reading Chest’s new year’s reading resolutions to get on the right track: 1.

I will get more involved in my children’s reading. (In many schools children don’t get much opportunity to read individually with a teacher. Reading at home is essential).

2.

I will read aloud to my children as often as possible, even to my eldest who I haven’t read to for a year or so. (Children will see that reading is enjoyable and exciting, not just something they might struggle with at school. It also gives them access to books and authors that they might not have chosen themselves).

3.

I will read more books myself and let my children see me reading. (If children see reading around them at home, they are much more likely to pick up a book themselves).

4.

I will listen to my children read every day. (Listening to children read for just ten minutes a day will make a huge difference to their progress).

Explore Learning help you make the most of your recent school parents’ evening So you’ve been to a meeting with your child’s teacher and you’ve got an overview of how your child is progressing. But what do you do next to help?

Discuss with your child the feedback from their teacher, they may already be aware of what they need to work on but if they don’t, talk about it. Set a goal together of something they would like to achieve based on their feedback and aim to complete this by the end of next term. Make a plan together about how they are going to get there.

For example: You’re told they give up every time they have to learn something new, especially times tables. The goal you come up with together is to have a can-do attitude. Steps to getting there could be taking a new set of tables and learning them in small batches. Praise them for the ones they have got right alongside highlighting when they are being positive towards their learning so they know what kind of attitude is expected.

If you’ve set any goals with the teacher, then plan a time to review these. Depending on how the teacher likes to work this could be an email, call or face to face catch up 6-8 weeks after the initial meeting. Review how things are going and make changes if needed.

You may come away from a meeting and realise you’ve forgotten something or you don’t understand how the school is reporting on progress. Contact the school if you still have questions, or look on their website as you should find a wealth of information on there.

Ask others for help, don’t worry if you don’t understand something or want to know what others are doing. Lots of people will be in the same position so talk to fellow parents for advice. Alternatively, there are some great advice websites like www.theschoolrun.co.uk and www.oxfordowl.co.uk or if you have a tutor, talk to them. At Explore Learning our tutors always help parents when they need advice and will take into account your child’s recent reports and feedback when tailoring their learning. Never be afraid to ask, there is no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your child’s learning!

About Explore Learning and claim your free trial

Free Trial Available

Explore Learning offers tailored maths and English tuition from expert staff, exam preparation workshops and parent information evenings throughout the year so that everyone feels confident at home.

There are local centres in Ashford and Thanet - both of which offer a free trial and holiday sessions. Book a place by calling 01843 606632 for Thanet, or 01233 220 344 for Ashford or visit the website: www.explorelearning.co.uk and don’t forget to mention Families East Kent Magazine.

6 Families East Kent

For further help and reading advice visit www.readingchest.co.uk.

Reading Chest is a through-the-post book rental service for children, specialising in reading scheme books for 4 to 9 year olds. Reading Chest aims to make learning to read enjoyable for children and easy for parents to be involved.

Reading Chest members receive regular personalised deliveries of colour banded books from an extensive selection of schemes including Treetops, Oxford Reading Tree, Project X, Rigby Star, Collins Big Cat and Bug Club – all used in UK schools.

Reader Offe r

£5 off your first m

onth

Monthly membership starts from £9.95. To find out more go to www.readingchest.co.uk. Get £5 off your first month’s membership with the discount code FAMILIES2018.

Forthcoming Independent School Open Days Ashford Prep School East Hill, Ashford, TN24 8PB www.ashfordschool.co.uk Sat 13 January Call 01233 620493 for the prep school and 01233 636450 for the Bridge Nursery.

Cranbrook School TN17 3JD www.cranbrookschool.co.uk Tour arranged by appointment, email admissions@cranbrook. kent.sch.uk St Lawrence College Junior School Ramsgate CT11 7AE www.slcuk.com Open Morning: Friday 26 January, 9.30am – 12 noon 7+ Scholarship Morning: Saturday 3 February Sutton Valence School Maidstone ME17 3HL www.svs.org.uk

Prep School Fri 2 March Seniors Sat 3 March Call 01622 845206 for the seniors or 01622 842117 for the prep school.

The Duke of York’s Royal Military School Dover CT15 5EQ www.doyrms.com Sat 10 March, 9am-12.30 noon.

Call 01304 245073 to book a place.

The Kings School Canterbury, CT1 2ES www.kings-school.co.uk Saturday 10th March. To book your place email registrar@ junior-kings.co.uk Wellesley School Broadstairs, CT10 2DG www.wellesley.kent.sch.uk Call 01843 862991 to arrange a tour.

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a card from the top without looking and then together they turn their cards face-up.

Players must multiply the numbers on the cards together, and the first person to shout the right answer wins a point. Make sure you are multiplying and not adding! (So if you see 5 and 1, the answer is five not six.)

Now make it more exciting

Without looking, pick a couple of the power cards and slip them in with the others, then play again. Once you’ve got used to the extra cards, keep adding a few more power cards until you have all the cards in play.

This is a fabulous, quick fire way to get your children to firm up on their times tables.

The Dice Challenge

How to make Maths fun

By Kjartan Poskitt

I always say that maths is like broccoli. You either like it or you hate it but you have to have some because it’s good for you. Now I’ll tell you a secret. I do not like broccoli, but I do find it helps to have a bit of brown sauce on it! Similarly, maths becomes more exciting when it’s spiced up a little.

It’s important that your children are comfortable enough with simple sums that they don’t have to rely on a calculator - that’s like using arm bands for swimming! If they can develop an instinct for numbers, simple sums become much easier. The secret is to spend some time playing around with numbers and getting to know them.

Here are a few little facts, games and tricks to share with your children to help them see that numbers have quirky behaviours and make fun patterns.

Trick 1

If you write out the digits 1 2 3 4, you can turn them into 12 = 3 x 4. You can also do this with 5 6 7 8 because 56 = 7 x 8.

Trick 2

Pick any three consecutive numbers (e.g. 4, 5, 6). Multiply the smallest by the biggest, and then add one. (So here we get 4 x 6 =24, then 24 + 1 = 25). The answer is always the same as the middle number squared … i.e. times by itself. (Here we get 5 x 5 = 25 YAY!) This works with any three consecutive numbers, so let’s try 7, 8, 9. 7 x 9 = 63, then 63 + 1= 64 and that’s the same as 8 x 8!

Trick 3

The numbers in the 3 times table have a special trick, because if you add the digits together, the answer will always divide by 3. For instance 8 x 3 =24, and 2 + 4 = 6 which divides by 3. You can use this to test if any number divides by 3. Let’s test 71865.

7+1+8+6+5 = 27 which divides by 3, so 71865 also divides by 3.

Trick 4

Prime numbers are number which will only divide by themselves and 1. For example, 7 is a prime number because nothing else divides into it; 8 is not a prime number because 4 x 2 = 8.

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Place seven playing cards in a pile face down with the bottom card as a joker.

Choose a magic number less than 7. (Let’s say you choose 4). One by one slide a card off the top and put it back on the bottom.

When you get to the 4th card, turn it face up and then put it to the bottom of the pack.

Keep doing this, turning every 4th card face up. The last card to be turned over will be the joker! Try this trick again picking a different magic number – eg 5. It will always work! What’s more you can have any prime number of cards, so try the trick with 5, 11, 13 or even 17 cards! The magic number can be any number smaller than the number of cards.

The Table Attack Game

Try to play this game with your children regularly in short bursts of about 10 minutes.

You need two or more people and a pack of playing cards.

Remove the jacks, queens and kings from the pack and put them back in the box. Now take the aces, twos, fives and tens from the pack, and just one joker. The aces count as one and the joker counts as zero. Put the other cards aside for a moment. We’ll call these the power cards.

Shuffle the 17 normal cards then put the pack face down. Two players each take

Throw three dice, but don’t let anyone else see how they land. Tell everybody what the three numbers add to, and also what they multiply to make. Who can work out the numbers on the dice?

So, for example, if the three dice add to 9 and multiply to make 12, what are the three numbers? Answer: 1, 2, 6.

Kjartan Poskitt is author of the series of books Murderous Maths, published by Scholastic. He is also the Ambassador for the National Young Mathematicians’ Awards, the only team maths competition for primary schools in the country, run by Explore Learning in collaboration with the NRICH project at the University of Cambridge.

Maths Tops Popularity Poll for Children New research has shown that when it comes to children’s favourite subject it’s a numbers game as maths comes out on top. A survey carried by the extra tuition provider, Explore Learning has found that maths was the most enjoyed subject of four to 14 year olds (26%) followed by PE (20%) and art (16%). This was despite the fact that maths is also the subject that children admit to finding the most challenging, followed by English and geography.

More highlights of the survey include: •

• •

The next generation may signal the end of the gender divide as seven in ten (69%) of children think boys and girls are equally good at maths Nearly two thirds (61%) think a job in maths would be exciting!

90% think being good at maths will help you get a better paid job in the future

To inspire your aspiring mathematician there are great ideas on how to make maths fun and engage young maths minds online at www.murderousmaths.co.uk

Families East Kent 7

Childcare and Early Years

Ensuring your child is happy at nursery The process of introducing a child to a new caring environment can throw up a number of challenges. However, some can be prevented if your child’s nursery gets to know upfront what both you and your child need and want from the childcare arrangement.

Before a child arrives at a new nursery, nursery staff should take time to fully understand your child’s home routine. In this way, potential issues can also be nipped in the bud early.

Words by Kristen Harding, a childcare expert at Tinies Childcare UK

Settling In This is a key part of the adjustment process. A change in environment can upset a child and parents are generally stressed and worried when their child is unsettled. For this reason, it’s vital that your chosen nursery takes time to help your child gently settle in. Communication between your child’s nursery and yourself is very important at this stage. You need to develop a trusting relationship with the staff and settle into the new arrangement just as much as your child does. In fact, it’s often parents that have most difficulty leaving a child behind in a new setting!

However, communicating regularly and in as much detail as you need with the nursery setting can help ease your nervousness and worry. In turn, any insecurity your child is feeling will also lessen.

Separation Anxiety Regardless of the time taken beforehand, separation anxiety is a natural and

sometimes unavoidable part of leaving a child at a nursery. Generally, separation anxiety lessens over time but you can help by ensuring that nursery staff understand as much as possible about your child’s individual needs, how they behave when they are sad, anxious or upset and what helps calm them. This will ensure that your child’s nursery cares for your child in the very best way during this difficult period.

Often the anxiety of a child lessens when his nursery assigns a key worker to him. By identifying one particular carer who is going to form a strong bond and connection with your child, they will have the stability of knowing there is an individual there that they can rely on.

Eating Meal times at nursery are important and can have a real impact on the confidence and comfort of a young child. What your child is used to at home may differ greatly from what occurs in the nursery setting, whether it’s the food eaten or the way in

which meals are consumed.

When you visit your child’s nursery, try to do so at meal time occasionally. In a good setting, you will see nursery staff leading by example, engaging children with different food choices, helping them to learn about what they are eating and introducing new foods gradually. Meal times at nursery, as at home, should be unpressurised and enjoyable.

Potty Training This is another key milestone in your child’s development and reaching it may throw up stumbling blocks! Again, it is important to remember that each child is different and so will begin to learn at a different point and progress at a different speed to other children. A good nursery will ensure there’s no feeling of peer pressure between parents or children!

Don’t start potty training as your child is starting nursery. When you do decide to begin, ensure it’s not at a time of change or a stressful period at home. Share training methods with your child’s nursery to ensure consistency of approach. For instance, do you want nursery staff to ask your child if they would like to go to go or do you wat them to sit your child on the potty at specific times of day?

Sleep It is important that home and nursery work together over nap times, as the needs of individual children differ. When a child starts at a nursery, the nursery should follow the child’s home routine before adapting it slowly to suit the nursery pattern. It’s then helpful if you try to prevent your child taking extra naps, as their routine is likely to be disrupted.

If your child struggles to sleep at the nursery, a toy or blanket from home can provide comfort and help them drift off.

Whilst challenges are bound to arise during your child’s time at nursery, most particularly at the beginning, these can generally be dealt with as long as there is good communication between you and your child’s setting.

8 Families East Kent

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Outdoor Adventures at St Lawrence College Junior School St Lawrence College Junior School in Ramsgate is an exciting place to be – it’s no wonder its pupils love going to school! When Headteacher, Mrs Ellen Rowe, asked the school’s pupils what words they would use to describe their school, they came up with the following: Happy - Educational - Caring - Exciting!

As St Lawrence College is an independent (private) school, teachers have the freedom to expand upon the national curriculum and offer pupils an amazing range of extra-curricular activities and opportunities to enhance and complement their academic lessons.

All pupils from Nursery up to Year 6 are able to experience the school’s ‘Outdoor Adventures’ curriculum as part of their school timetable.

Pupils enjoy the freedom to explore the natural world in all seasons and in all weathers, with activities not just restricted to the on-site forest school, but including experiencing different local environments such as the nearby beaches and coastline.

Open Morning Fri 26 Jan

St Lawrence College teacher and leader of the sessions, Mrs Kirsty Danes, says: “The activities embrace an approach of nurturing, supporting and developing the self-esteem of our pupils and help to encourage innovation, problem-solving, risk taking, creativity and teamwork. There are different themes each term, adapted to each age group, with activities including den building, crafts, mud kitchens, beach visits and roasting marshmallows on camp fires.”

Having outdoor adventures is just one of the reasons why St Lawrence College pupils love going to school. Find out about all the other reasons by visiting the next Junior School Open Morning on Friday 26 January 2018. www.slcuk.com

Help your child to manage their feelings

By Jane Rogers

Recognising and understanding complex feelings in ourselves and others, and being able to deal with them in a healthy way, not bottling things up, exploding with anger or descending into depression etc. is known as emotional intelligence. Teaching your child to identify their feelings, is the first step to managing them, and can have a positive effect and help to change negative behaviour.

A good way of doing this is to use reflective listening.

Follow these steps: • • • • •

Listen for the feelings behind the words.

Accept that your child feels this way.

Reflect back what you are hearing.

Show that you understand.

Support your child to problem solve if you can.

Reflecting back to your child what you are hearing: ‘You seem angry/upset,’ and showing that you understand and empathise: ‘It must be disappointing, annoying, frustrating’ etc. can really help them to feel validated. So often as parents we say things like ‘Don’t make such a fuss’ or ‘It’s not that bad, or ‘I’m sure you will be fine,’ and then wonder why we don’t get the response we want.

When you have really listened and empathized with your child, it can sometimes be a good idea to ask a moving on question: • ‘What do you think would help?’

• ‘Is there anything you could do to feel better?’

• ‘Would you like some help with solving the problem?’

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So next time you find yourself about to say ‘Don’t make such a big deal out of it,’ or ‘Cheer up it’s not that bad,’ or ‘Calm down’, or ‘Go to your room,’ try using some Reflective listening instead, it really can help.

Jane Rogers is a parenting expert and founder of The Cambridge Parent Coach. Her two short parenting books: ‘How to encourage good behaviour so you can enjoy your children’ and ‘How to use positive discipline to improve your child’s behaviour’ are available on Amazon.

Visit www.thecambridgeparentcoach. com for more information.

Families East Kent 9

Boosting children’s selfesteem and life skills with Perform

Dance and the performing arts Some great ideas for starting your child’s love of dance and performing arts

By Sally J. Hall Who hasn’t dreamed of being a Prima Ballerina when wafting around our bedroom in a synthetic net tutu? How can you find out what class is best for your child? Read on to find the perfect dance space for your baby.

Tiny dancer

When your child is very young, shuffling around on tip toe while wafting their hands or pretending to be a tiger is about as much as you can ask for. A dance or acting class will keep them keen and entertained – and going back each week.

Expect to have to stay for these classes.

Try Diddy Dance – you can take your child to a taster session for free. Classes help enhance your child’s coordination and sense of rhythm in a fun and relaxed session (diddidance.com).

Stagecoach also offers dance, acting and singing as a part of its syllabus with classes from four to 18 years (stagecoach. co.uk).

Starting to get more serious

If your child wants to carry on dancing or acting, start looking at a class where they can take grades or get involved with productions. For ballet there is the Royal Academy of Dance (rad.org.uk) or for modern dance, Imperial Society Modern Theatre and Tap Dance (istd.org).

If they aren’t motivated by grades, find a class that won’t get boring. Street and jazz dance are great and they can try out holiday classes where they do different activities. All-round schools are also 10 Families East Kent

options where they learn to sing, act and dance.

Royal Ballet Associates training

If your child is thinking about a career in dance, the Royal Ballet runs classes. The Associates Programme trains children aged eight to 15 (royalballetschool.org.uk).

Boy’s brigade

Dance is not just for girls and though your son may have to cope with teasing. There are plenty of roles for male dancers on the stage, in TV and touring groups. The Boys’ Ballet school (boysballetlondon. com) teaches the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus.

What’s available?

If you’re not sure which style, take your child to a taster session. And if they get older and hang up their ballet shoes, why not encourage them to move on to a funkier style rather than give up dancing altogether?

Ballet I Tap I Ballet and Tap I Modern Dance and Tap I Jazz I Hip Hop I Break Dance I Contemporary I Street Dance I Commercial Dance (a blend of Street and Hip Hop).

Sally J. Hall is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail. She is author of Eco Baby and contributing author to Watch My Baby Grow (Dorling Kindersley).

All children find some things difficult.

Some hate speaking out in class, some struggle making friends, and others have so much energy they find it hard to concentrate. Perform is a unique drama school that uses drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s true potential.

“Perform is not a stage school” stresses Perform Producer, Karen. “It teaches life skills through fun drama games and end of term shows. The real aim of the classes is to help children develop the 4Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Coordination and Communication.

“Classes are small and have both a Producer and a Teacher. Children are offered a free trial and the Producer spends time beforehand with each parent to establish their goals. For instance, speaking more clearly or making eye contact when introduced to someone unfamiliar.”

Producers report back to parents after each class on the focus of the week and answer questions about the progress of individual children.

“Shy children often come to classes clinging to their parents. I can pretty much guarantee that within 5 or 6 classes, they will run in without waving goodbye” reports Karen.

BOOK A FREE TRIAL TODAY

To book a free trial at a venue in East Kent, visit www.perform.org.uk

Your Local Perform Venues Ashford St Mary’s Community Centre, Rylands Road, TN24 9LH Canterbury Bekesbourne Village Hall, Station Road, CT4 5EP Faversham West Faversham Community Centre, ME13 7RH Folkestone St George’s Church, CT20 3QA Whitstable Horsebridge Community Centre, CT5 1AF

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Boost your mood with food Include tryptophan rich foods

By Christine Bailey

Tryptophan is an amino acids found in many foods which the body uses to make serotonin. Foods high in protein, iron, riboflavin, and vitamin B-6 which are also essential nutrients required to make serotonin contain large amounts of this amino acid. Good food sources include poultry, oats, banana, salmon, sesame seeds, dairy products and red meat. The best way to boost serotonin production is to include a little carbohydrate at the same time. So a banana with yoghurt would be a great mood boosting snack.

Many people may feel sad or down during the winter months, when the days are shorter and temperatures drop. For some people, including children, this low mood can be ongoing.

The good news is that research reveals there’s a direct link between what we eat and how we feel, so changing our diet and lifestyle can have a profound effect on our mood. Fortunately, there are many foods and nutrients that can put a smile on your face and make you and your family feel great.

Exercise

Getting outdoors and exercising is an effective natural way to boost mood.

Exercise has been shown to increase serotonin and dopamine levels - two important neurotransmitters known to improve our sense of wellbeing.

Here are my recommendations for top nutrients, foods and tips to boost your mood.

Top up on Vitamin D

Vitamin D is the reason we love the sunlight as this is the primary source for this essential nutrient. During the winter months it can be difficult to get sufficient amounts, so it’s worth checking your levels (home spot skin prick tests are available online) and supplementing as needed. Aside from sunlight, you can get some vitamin D from oily fish, butter, eggs and mushrooms.

Choose healthy fats

Oily fish (e.g salmon, trout, sardines, mackerel) is one of the best foods for both your mood and brain health. It’s a great source of omega 3 fats which help optimize brain function and production of neurotransmitters, including feel good serotonin. Aim for 2 to 3 portions of oily fish each week. Vegetarian sources of omega 3 fats include flaxseed, chia, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.

Get your Vitamin B

B vitamins are particularly important for brain health and mood. B12 makes you sleep better and feel more balanced.

Good sources of B12 include shellfish, fish, beef, liver and eggs. Vegans should eat plenty of nutritional yeast and B12-fortified products such as dairy free milks. Folate is another mood booster as it helps make our neurotransmitters affecting how we feel.

Great sources include spinach, kale, black beans, black-eyed peas and lentils.

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Yogurt and Kefir

Probiotic rich foods like yoghurt and kefir are “a must” for a healthy brain. Packed with beneficial bacteria, researchers have found probiotics can help fight depression and anxiety. It is thought that bacteria may decrease inflammation in the body and increase levels of tryptophan, the amino acid needed to make serotonin.

Pump up the iron

Iron is especially important for your child’s brain development. In fact, studies have shown that low iron affects cognitive function, energy levels and mood. Aim to include some lean red meat, dark chicken meat, duck, seafood, lentils and leafy greens.

Balance blood sugar with fibre

Highs and lows in blood sugar through the day are a common reason for changes in mood. Small children are particularly sensitive and typically require regular meals and snacks throughout the day. To keep blood sugar balanced always include: protein, healthy fats and slow releasing carbohydrates rich in fibre at each meal.

Berries, vegetables, oats, beans, nuts and seeds are useful sources of fibre.

De-stress with Magnesium

When we feel stressed our bodies require sufficient magnesium which is often low in our diets. Magnesium helps you relax, helping to alleviate depression and anxiety.

Find it in leafy greens, oats, salmon, beans, sunflower seeds and blackstrap molasses.

Dark Chocolate

Another reason to eat a little chocolate - just make sure it’s the dark variety! There are over 300 naturally-occurring chemicals in chocolate, and some of them can affect the human brain via the release of particular neurotransmitters which affect how we think and feel. For example, phenylethylamine is sometimes called “the love drug”, because it arouses feelings similar to those that occur when one is in love. Tryptophan is also found in chocolate and causes the release of the feel good neurotransmitter serotonin.

A recent study found that eating 40g (just an ounce and a half) of dark chocolate daily for two weeks reduced levels of stress hormones in highly stressed, anxious individuals. The researchers discovered that compounds in dark chocolate affected our beneficial gut bacteria which changed the metabolism of stress hormones reducing overall anxiety levels.

Christine Bailey is a Nutritionist, Chef and author of a new book entitled ‘The Brain Boost Diet Plan.’ The book can be purchased at www.amazon. co.uk/BrainBoost-DietPlan-optimise/dp/1848993390 Families East Kent 11

0-2 YEARS Deep in the Forest Seek & Find Adventure

By Josef Anton & Lucie Bruniellere Abrams RRP £10.99

Created by a French duo with backgrounds in televisual animation and decorative art respectively, there are over 50 animals to find in this beautiful bright and feisty big book full of flaps to lift and names to shout out in triumph. Obviously it’s in English but double points if you know what an anteater is in French.

NEW YEAR BOOK REVIEWS

By Justine Crow Most of the books featured on this time round are a little on the large size and all are most definitely sublimely illustrated, even the titles for older readers. And why not? It seems to me to be short sighted (excuse the slight pun) to ration the visual representation of storytelling - or indeed science and history - just because a child has learned to read. Imagery on paper has a subjective permanence that we all enjoy and often it is the pictures over text that we recall from our own childhood.

Frances Lincoln RRP £12.99

Anova RRP £12.99 This authorillustrator has a knack for bringing natural history to life especially through his books about birds. Here he aims his deft brush at the pre-historic periods that produced the incredibly diverse gigantic reptiles that roamed our planet a gasquillion years ago, yet still absolutely intrigue today’s digital kids.

12 Families East Kent

A super-sized price but what value for money this exquisite gift edition is, thanks to the many drawings and facts about the magical bohemia created by Finland’s most famous writer.

Once you develop a love for the Moomintrolls, Snufkin, the Snorkmaiden and Little My, it can’t be shaken off.

9-12 YEARS The Gritterman

A softly penned graphic novel from a musician that speaks of stoicism and patience through many winters and questions the definition of loneliness through the eyes of a dignified man who knows his place in the universe. Thanks to him the traffic travels, pedestrians pass and life goes on.

By Dianne Hofmeyr, illustrated by Jane Ray

By Matt Sewell

Macmillan RRP £35.00

Penguin RRP £17.99

The Glassmaker’s Daughter

Amazing Dinosaurs

By Tove Jansson

By Orlando Weeks

3-5 YEARS

This clever picture book depicts the actual history of glassmaking in Venice through the tale of Daniela, an inconsolable craftsman’s daughter who spends her days staring into the dark depths of the canals in existential torment.

Eschewing her father’s gift of a glass palace, her smile is finally revealed when a young man discovers the secret of making mirrors.

Suddenly, splendidly, the pages explode with splintering glass and the city is rocked with laughter.

The World of Moominvalley

Norse Myths Tales of Odin, Thor & Loki

By Kevin Crossley Holland & Jeffrey Love

Walker RRP £18.99

6-8 YEARS 50 Cities of the USA

By Gabrielle Balkan, illustrated by Sol Linero Wide Eyed Books RRP £20.00

I found their previous title 50 States of the USA absolutely compelling and this is no less addictive for its fascinating detail presented in artful bite-sizes.

Along with the more obvious candidates of New York and San Francisco, we learn that as well as the famous Kentucky Derby, Louisville hosts the oldest Shakespeare festival in America; that Memphis as well as being home to Graceland, is where Justin Timberlake was born. And that huckleberries are a real thing and they grow in Boise. So there!

It’s never too soon to point out to the kids that long before Tom Hiddleston stepped into a leather frock and green tights to play Marvel’s movie version of Loki, stories about him and his brother Thor as well as Odin, god of all gods, were captivating listeners as far back as Roman times, and not just from the Viking period. Imagine being a youngster a thousand years ago hearing whirling adventures of sorcery and battles from across the land, passed on by mouth to future generations. How lucky we are now to be able to take images for granted. What a page-turner!

Justine Crow is co-founder of the famous South London bookshop ‘Bookseller Crow on the Hill’ based in Crystal Palace. As well as being a blogger and reviewer, parent of three and qualified swimming teacher, she also co-authored The Little Book of Nits published by Bloomsbury.

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© Kaile Meyers Photography

Your essential guide to family events this January and February. We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print.

MORE

ONLINE familiesonline.co.uk

Until 14 January Peter Pan The Marlow Canterbury, CT1 2AS Box office 01227 787787 There is still time to enjoy this fun-filled, family pantomime, Peter Pan. With lots of audience participation and spectacular special effects, this promises to be our biggest and funniest pantomime ever.

Until 4 February Clangers, Bagpuss & Co Sissinghurst Castle National Trust, Cranbrook TN17 2AB The magical world of The Clangers and Bagpuss is explored in a new exhibition opening at Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Created by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, and filmed in a barn in rural Kent, these characters brought new life to children’s television. Clangers, Bagpuss & Co is the first major retrospective of Smallfilms Firmin and Postgate’s influential and much-loved production company and includes films not seen for decades. 11am - 4pm Until 2 March My Ightham Mote Winter Adventure Ightham Mote Nr Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT Have fun in the countryside with the winter activity pack as you tick off some of the best 50 things to do before you’re 11¾. 10am– 3.30pm. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ightham-mote.

Throughout January & February Explorer Trail Westgate Parks St. Peter’s Street, Canterbury, CT1 2BQ Pick up an Explorer Trails from the Westgate Towers Museum or the Beaney Library and join Julius the roman soldier on a

voyage of discovery through the Westgate Parks. Find out about the history of the area whilst completing lots of fun educational activities including brass rubbings.

The Explorer Trail costs £2.50 (including a pack of crayons).

Throughout January Mini Flippers Flip Out Ashford, TN24 8DH Chatham Medway, ME4 4ZJ Mini Flippers is an amazing way for your little ones to explore and socialise, as well as develop coordination and balance. It’s also great for Mums and Dads who want to keep fit! The child must be accompanied by an adult. Price includes admission for 1 adult and 1 child under 5 subject to t&Cs. Valid Mon- Fri 9am - 2pm sessions (9am and 10am sessions only during Half Term). £5 per session.

Every Saturday (term time only) Saturday morning Art Club Espression Interactive Arts Cafe Canterbury, CT1 2DZ Call 01227 765665. 10am - 12noon.

Have fun with other children whilst trying out and developing different art skills and approaches!

Ceramics, mosaics, creative clay, drawing, games and more. Snacks and drinks for all participating. £15 for a week or £12 per week and a free sketch book for a block term booking! Ages 5 – 12.

Every Friday Messy Sensory Craft for babies and toddlers Espression Interactive Arts Cafe The Kings Mile, Canterbury, CT1 2DZ 10am to 11.30am creative, sensory and messy play for babies to preschool aged children. Welcome circle time with our crafty rabbit, lots of fun educational play, snacks and drinks for children and a choice of drinks and biscuits for accompanying grown-ups! £7 a week or £6 a week for a block booking of a term.

Throughout January (Wed & Thurs only) Little Ninjas Flip Out Chatham Medway, ME4 4ZJ Learn to leap, flip and twist like a ninja with Flip Out’s Little Ninjas trampoline classes.

We train your little warriors to develop balance, coordination, agility and quick reactions – all the skills needed to become superheroes of the future! For ages 4 – 14.

Ever Wednesday Storytelling Rare Breads Centre Ashford, TN26 3RJ 11.30 am and 1 pm in the Discovery Zone on the farm. Let our story teller take you away to some magical places where you can meet dancing giraffes, fiery dragons, pigs, princesses and lots of other creatures. We would also like you to get involved in some singing and dancing so please don’t be shy and join us! Storytelling is on every Wednesday until March.

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Kent Farmers Markets 13 & 27 January Whitstable

St. Mary’s Hall (AKA Umbrella Centre) Oxford Street, Whitstable, CT5 1DD 9.30 - 2pm

14 January & 11 February Herne Bay

Wimereux Gardens Williams Street, Herne Bay, CT6 5NX 10am - 2pm

14 January & 11 February Thanet

St George’s School Westwood Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2LH 9.30am - 1pm

28 January & 25 February Dover Biggin Street, Dover, CT16 1DW 10am - 2pm

4 February Ashford

Lower High Street, Ashford, TN24 8TD 10am - 2pm www.kfma.org.uk Every Sunday Junior Park Run Betteshanger Park Deal, CT14 0BF A free 2km junior parkrun takes place every Sunday at 9am. It is suitable for ages 4-14 and open to all abilities.

7 & 14 January Family Workshop Turner Contemporary Rendezvous Margate, CT9 1HG Join our Navigators in our bright Clore Learning studio to experiment with shape, material and colour inspired by Jean Arp! Easy Sunday family workshops are on every Sunday and allow children to create a piece of art inspired by the exhibitions currently on in the gallery. 1-4pm, £4.50 8 January & 5 February SPOTS Thanet Children’s Centres Green Banks, Margate, CT9 5PA A support and information sharing group for families, carers and friends of children and adults with Autism. Children welcome to play in the soft play and sensory rooms.

9.30 - 11.30am.

14 Families East Kent

9 January Open Day Canterbury College Canterbury, CT1 3AJ An open day is your best opportunity to uncover what you really want to know about our courses and experience an insight into college life. To get a feel of what your course will be like, take part in workshop activities taking place within each department.

4-7pm 10 January - 7 February After School Cookery Club Chequers Kitchen Golf Road, Deal, CT14 6RG This is a super club for children aged 9 to 15 who love to cook or are keen to learn. Each week we make a savoury or sweet dish, learning and developing essential cooking skills and techniques along the way. This Chequers Kitchen After School Cookery Club runs on Wednesdays during term times. Enrolment is per course and this block runs from 10 Jan - 7 Feb, 4:30-5:40pm. Call 01304 362 288 to book.

13 January The Three Musketeers The Tower Theatre Folkestone, CT20 3HL Baroque Theatre Company is proud to present this classic family adventure adapted from Alexandre Dumas’ ‘The Three Musketeers!’

Inventive stagecraft, witty dialogue and with colourful characters from the novel, this exciting story is brimming with energy and skillful storytelling to keep audiences captivated. Ages 5+. £12, Concessions £11 and children u14 £8.

13 January & 10 February Whitstable Saturday Sling Library East Kent Slings St John’s Methodist Church Whitstable, CT5 1JS Monthly library session at the Saturday morning parent and toddler group for working parents in Whitstable. Younger children will enjoy the toys, paint and play doh and you can treat yourself to a bacon roll, squash, tea and real coffee. This session is suitable for the whole family. Entrance to the playgroup is free and open to all, but the church would appreciate a donation towards drinks and food.

11 - 14 January Snow Mouse The Marlow Canterbury, CT1 2AS Box office 01227 787787 An enchanting winter’s tale for the very young. Winter has arrived and the woods are covered in white. A child hurries to put on their winter clothes so they can run outside and play in a sparkly new world. Just when they start to feel a bit lonely they find a sleeping mouse buried under the soft white flakes. Sliding, tumbling and laughing, they explore the winter wonderland together and

keep each other safe and warm from the winter freeze. Come and join the two new friends on their adventures in a magical forest full of play, puppetry and music. 3 months - 4yrs. 10am, 12pm & 2pm.

21 January Cardboard Carnival Gulbenkian Theatre Canterbury, CT2 7NB Trunk, Tail, Ears or Wings?

Carnival creates itself from all sorts of things! This is “Carnival of the Animals” but not as we know it. Dissected for body part potential to create the “ultimate animal” we take inspiration from the music by Camille Saint-Saëns, a little help from Darwin and a whole lot of cardboard to mash up a show full of puppet possibility.

Ages 4+ 24 - 28 January Hush-A-Bye Gulbenkian Theatre Canterbury, CT2 7NB An interactive, multi-sensory production for the very young, with live music, puppets and an enchanting environment. Created

by Oily Cart, a theatre company renowned for their innovation, the production is presented in three versions: one for babies and toddlers (6 months – 2 years), one for young children (3 – 5 years), and a relaxed version for young people aged 3 – 8. Tickets £1 - £8.

Every Wednesday in February Little Ninjas Flip Out Chatham Medway, ME4 4ZJ Learn to leap, flip and twist like a ninja with Flip Out’s famous Little Ninjas trampoline classes. We train your little warriors to develop balance, coordination, agility and quick reactions – all the skills needed to become superheroes of the future! For ages 4 – 14 years.

7pm.

Throughout February Mini Flippers Flip Out Ashford, TN24 8DH Mini Flippers is an amazing way for your little ones to explore and socialise, as well as develop coordination and balance. It’s also great for Mums and Dads who want to keep fit! The child must be accompanied by an adult. Price includes admission for 1 adult and 1 child under 5 subject to terms and conditions. Valid MondayFriday for the 9am - 2pm sessions (9am and 10am sessions only during Half Term). £5 per session.

4 February Hare and Tortoise Gulbenkian Theatre Canterbury, CT2 7NB Ready? Steady? Go! But who’s the fastest; who’s the best? Who will finally win the race? Younger, fitter, faster Hare – tearing around, unable to wait – or slow and steady Tortoise – taking the time to look at the stars? Find out in this funny, tender, award-winning

BABY RHYMETIME

Songs, nursery rhymes and fun for all at libraries across the region for 0 - 4 years and all events are free.

Ashford Library Church Road, TN23 1AS Friday’s 10am & 11am Canterbury Library 18 High Street, CT1 2RA Thurday’s 10am & 11am Cliftonville Library Margate, CT9 3JX Friday’s 10am & 11am Dover Library Market Square, CT16 1PH Thursday’s 9.45am Faversham Library Newtown Road, ME13 8DY Tuesday’s 10.30am Herne Bay Library 124 High Street, CT6 5JY Thursday’s 11am Margate Cecil Street, CT9 1RE Monday’s 10am Ramsgate Library CT11 9AY Friday’s 10am adaptation of the well-loved story as we journey through the seasons from bud-bursting spring to snow-falling winter in a tale of opposites, time and friendship, brimming with music, movement and colour. Ages 3+ 10 February Children’s Baking Session Chequers Kitchen Golf Road, Deal, CT14 6RG A baking class for children aged 9+ Classic home made burger, bread bun, and tomato relish.

It will be so delicious you will probably want to eat it at the end of the session! We will learn plenty of skills and have a lovely time making and baking together.

Please bring a suitable container if you will want to take home your burger, bun and relish rather than eating it here. Arrive by 9.50am for a 10am start.

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price of admission.

© Kaile Meyers Photography

10 - 18 February Snowdrop Walk Hever Castle & Gardens Edenbridge, TN8 7NG The Snowdrop Trail will start on February 10 and continue whilst the snowdrops are in flower.

Around 70,000 snowdrop bulbs have been planted in the Gardens over the past few years including a mix of single and double snowdrops, interspersed with some unusual varieties such as the yellow tipped ‘Wendy’s Gold’, a giant galanthus called ‘Colossus’ which at 9 inches is one of the tallest snowdrops you can find and Galanthus ‘Green Brush’ with its unusual green tipped flowers.

We recommend that you wear suitable footwear as the ground may be boggy in places. The event also runs 19 Feb – 25 Mar, Wed – Sun only.

11 February Bear & Butterfly Gulbenkian Theatre Canterbury, CT2 7NB Puppetry, live music and beautiful storytelling combine in this charming tale about love, loss and friendship. Ages 4+.

gorgeous costumes and crystal clear story-telling draw you into the magical world of ballet and make it accessible to all. A lovely production and a heart-warming tale with the theme of friendship at its core. Ages 2 - 9yrs. 11.30am & 1.30pm.

12 February Gingerbread Man Gulbenkian Theatre Canterbury, CT2 7NB A delicious adventure for families. Chase after our cheeky gingerbread hero as he sets off on the biggest adventure of his life! Hiccup Theatre cook up a brand new version of this classic tale adding delicious original live music, tasty story-telling and dollops of fun. Ages 3+.

13 February Simple Simon in The Last Magic Dragon Margate Winter Gardens Fort Crescent, Margate, CT9 1HX It’s half term and time for another fantastic adventure with children’s favourite entertainer; Simple Simon. This exciting panto style story is packed with songs, comedy and lots of joining in, especially the popular stage spots, where children are selected at random from the audience to take part in games and songs to win small prizes. All in all, a wonderful afternoon of live, interactive theatre for all the family. Ages 2-11.

Box Office 01843 292795.

13 & 14 February Peppa Pig’s Adventure The Marlow Canterbury, CT1 2AS Box office 01227 787787 Peppa Pig and friends are back in a brand new live show! Join Peppa as she gets ready to go on an exciting camping trip to the woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe.

With lunch-boxes packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, Peppa and friends are excited about their outdoor adventure, full of games, laughter and live music. 10am, 1pm & 4pm.

16 & 17 February The Princess and The Frog The Marlow Canterbury, CT1 2AS Box office 01227 787787 A beautiful classical ballet which will charm young audiences. After sell out tours around the UK, Let’s All Dance is delighted to return with this beautiful, classical ballet to charm audiences young and old. An original score, familiesonline.co.uk

February Half Term Family Days Dover Museum Dover, CT16 1PH Family days at Dover Museum are fun for children of all ages. We have a great range of themed days in the school holidays. All children do need to be accompanied by an adult during the activity. Family day activities are free, so come along and join us anytime from 10.30 am-3pm.

10 -18 February February Half Term Explorers Leeds Castle Maidstone, ME17 1PL Come to Leeds Castle and be a Junior Explorer! You can follow your activity booklet around the castle, solve all the clues, spot the different types of wildlife and collect your chocolate prize at the end. This event is included in the

12 - 16 February The Fairytale Castle Dover Castle Dover, CT16 1HU Open the book on the characters from England’s story and explore the tales of the castle. Step into the castle’s real fairytales with storytelling brought to life in spellbinding adventures. Journey into our realm where fairytales and England’s past collide. 10am - 3pm.

13 - 16 February Half Term Activities Maidstone Museum Maidstone, ME14 1LH Enjoy a week of creative workshops with an animal theme this half term. Tue 13th: Design an animal inspired t-shirt. Wed 14th: Create your own animal mask.

Thur 15th: Make your own pop-up animal puppet. Fri 16th: Become

your favourite animal! Make your own animal ears and tail. Ages 4-11.

15 - 17 February Cinder-Ella Theatre Royal Margate Margate CT9 1PW You are warmly invited to the Theatre Royal Margate as a spectacular pantomime of Cinder-Ella takes to the stage.

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients, CinderElla will feature laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes, a few twists and plenty of audience participation. 2pm and 7pm.

16 - 18 February Geek Dreamland Margate, CT9 1XJ GEEK, East Kent’s notorious gaming expo is back at the home of play for 2018. With digital and analogue games for casual and dedicated gamers alike, expect tournaments, spectacles, cosplay, talks, workshops and more. Adult £10 (£12 Sat), Child £5, Family £27.

Would you like to feature your events here?

Email the details to editor@familieseastkent.co.uk to be included in our March/ April issue by 2 February.

Do you run children’s clubs & classes or holiday clubs?

Would you like to feature then in our next issue and special upcoming features on holiday clubs & classes?

Email your details to: editor@familieseastkent.co.uk

10 - 18 February Living with Nature Hever Castle Edenbridge, TN8 7NG Discover more about conservation and local wildlife as part of Hever Castle’s February half-term event, Living with Nature.

Following on from the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch (27 - 29 January) and the Big School’s Birdwatch (2 January to 23 February) families and individuals are invited to visit the historic castle in Kent between 10 – 18 February to enjoy ‘Living with Nature’ aimed at school aged children.

Find out how to create habitats and encourage wildlife into your garden and join the RSPB workshop.

Join RSPB volunteers on a stroll around the grounds to learn about natural and manmade habitats or take a self-guided ‘Wildlife Detective’ walk to investigate animal footprints and tracks. Learn about nature throughout history from how fur was used to keep warm to which birds belong to the Queen.

Encourage creepy crawlies into your garden by building a bug house* (*additional charge) or buy a bag of bird food (50p per bag) and feed the birds and ducks.

For further information visit hevercastle.co.uk or call 01732 865224.

Families East Kent 15

Co-educational, day & boarding school for 3-18 years in South East England

Junior School Open Morning

Friday 26 January 2018 Come and take a look - all welcome!

Junior School Academic Scholarship Morning

Saturday 3 February 2018 Scholarships available for academically able children aged 6-10 years, currently in Year 2, 3, 4 or 5

T: 01843 572912 E: jsadmissions@slcuk.com College Road, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 7AE

www.slcuk.com

Registered charity number 1153487 (England and Wales) SC046840 (Scotland). Company limited by guarantee number 08570737.

Vintage inspired knitwear for the modern day baby and toddler

Families East Kent

www.etsy.com/shop/emilyandevelyn

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