Families Hertfordshire January/February 2024 Print

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IN THIS ISSUE

New Year, New You Education WIN tickets: Camp Bestival

Issue 114 January/February 2024

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January/February 1 Familiesonline.co.uk

FUN FAMILY ADVENTURES AT GOSLING Enjoy activities as a whole family after school and weekends at Gosling Sports Park. You can reach the skies in our trampoline park, discover a world of fun in our soft play and slide into the weekend on one of our fun rings on our dry ski slope.

Find out more and book online today by visiting better.org.uk/gosling

Better is a registered trademark and trading name of GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), a charitable social enterprise and registered society under the Co-operative & Community Benefit & Societies Act 2014 registration no. 27793R. Registered office: Middlegate House, The Royal Arsenal, London, SE18 6SX. Inland Revenue Charity no. XR43398.

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Scan the QR code to find out more 2 January/February

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CONTENTS

Hello!

In this issue

Happy New Year from all of us here at Families! We wish you health and happiness in 2024.

4 News

6 Education

If your goal is to work towards a healthier family this year, then remember, there’s twelve months ahead and lots of time to put your plans into action. We have a healthy idea for you to introduce to your family for each new month of 2024 in our New Year, New You feature.

9 Early Years 10-11 New Year, New You 12 Gemma Hunt interview

January and February can be dull and gloomy months to get through with the excitement of Christmas over and spring still many weeks away. So cheer the family up by planning something to look forward to later in the year. If fun for you is heading to a festival, check out our top choices in this issue.

Despite the inevitable bad weather to come, we all know that our kids still need to get outside. But what happens if you don’t have rainy day gear? In this issue, we talk to CBeebies presenter, Gemma Hunt, about her role as the ambassador of The Waterproof and Wellies Project which plans to give every primary school in the UK ten sets of waterproof and wellies so all children can have fun outdoors.

Finally, in this issue, we have National Geographic Science Kit bundles to giveaway! Apply for six inside.

Charity number 311060

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

Call Dale Harry on 07958284983

Happy girls are successful girls

Excellent academic value added Door-to-door transport Flexi, weekly and full boarding ‘...a staggering range of facilities and opportunities on offer...’

– Tatler Schools Guide 2023

Saturday March and and Thursday 9 May 2024 March,2September November

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BOOK TODAY

Happy girls are successful girls

Open Openmornings morning

Editor: Dale Harry Tel: 07958284983 Email: editor@familiesherts.co.uk Web: www.familiesonline.co.uk

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15 What’s On

Q

ueenswood

BOOK NOW

1 8 9 4

A LEADING INDEPENDENT BOARDING AND DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS AGED 11-18

Brookmans Park, Hertfordshire AL9 6NS | 01707 602500

January/February 3

NEWS

WIN

WIN a family ticket to Camp Bestival!

One lucky family has the chance to score a family ticket to Camp Bestival.

This four-day safe, fun, magical and adventurous festival for kids of all ages, takes place during the summer holidays in both Dorset and Shropshire.

Multi award-winning and designed specifically for families, enjoy hundreds of activities from bushcraft, circus schools, sports and immersive theatre to incredible live acts and DJs, family raves, circus spectaculars, wellness, award-winning street food and cabaret. www. campbestival.net Apply at familiesmag.co.uk/go T&Cs: www.bit.ly/cmpbest

GET THE LOWDOWN ON FAMILY FRIENDLY FESTIVALS FOR 2024 IN OUR FEATURE ON PAGE 14.

Boost your child’s confidence this year with a FREE Perform class The new year is a great time to start something new and Perform is offering every child a free trial class to help them shine this spring. With two brilliant new themes incorporating confidence-building fun, classes for 4-7 year olds will join a high-energy adventure to the Wild West while 7-12 year olds enjoy a dancefloor-filling adaptation of Snow White, in Killa Queen.

Classes are packed with confidence-boosting games which focus on developing the 4 Cs – confidence, communication, coordination and concentration – using drama, dance and singing. At the end of each term, the children will take part in a show-stopping final performance for family and friends so you can see the progress they’ve made!

Classes are for all abilities with no previous experience required and children are welcome to join at any point in the term.

To try a free class in Broxbourne, Harpenden, Hertford, Hitchin, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, Royston, St Albans, or Welwyn Garden City go to www.perform.org.uk/try, call 020 7255 9120 or email enquiries@perform.org.uk

Boo no-ob k a lig FREE tr ation www.p ial at erfo org.uk rm. /try

Ages 8+ National Geographic Science Kit Bundles Giveaway

T&Cs apply

Educational * Immersive * Interactive

Discovery and hands-on learning

Worth £77 each

Geodes Kit Glow in the Dark Science Kit Gemstone Dig Kit 3 bundles available

APPLY at familiesmag.co.uk/go 4 January/February

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NEWS

UK families missing out on a £2,000 childcare benefit Almost two-thirds of families do not claim the tax-free childcare to which they are entitled.

A pedal-powered charity challenge for local hospice

It is estimated that 1.3 million families are eligible for up to £2,000 a year per child (or £4,000 for those with disabled children), through the tax-free childcare (TFC) scheme.

An opticians have raised over £1,700 for a Letchworth hospice after cycling for eight hours non-stop.

Under this scheme, the government will add £2 to every £8 you pay your childcare provider but just 36% (470,000) of families claimed in June, according to the latest data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

To be eligible for the £2,000, each parent or carer, must be earning at least the minimum wage and not more than £100,000 and working 16 hours a week or more.

The Specsavers store Letchworth held a fundraising event for Garden House Hospice Care.

The store borrowed an exercise bike from a local gym and the team cycled non-stop outside the shop all day, dressed in disco clothes. They also held a bake sale and ran a ‘how many sweets in the jar’ competition.

Garden House Hospice Care provides free specialist palliative care for patients, families and carers facing lifelimiting illnesses.

NEW YEAR, NEW SHINE

Get involved in Children’s Mental Health Week From 5 to 11 February, families across the UK are encouraged to take part in Children’s Mental Health Week organised by charity Place2Be. This year’s theme is My Voice Matters.

My Voice Matters is about encouraging young people to use their voices, share what matters to them and encourage those around them to hear their voices.

Evidence shows that empowering children and young people can have a positive impact on their health and wellbeing. For example, children and young people who feel that their voices are heard – and that what they say makes a difference – have higher levels of self-efficacy and self-esteem.

Don’t let the aftermath of the festivities dull your home’s appearance. We clean carpets, upholstery, tiles and surfaces better than anyone using our game-changing Zr Water technology.

Once the Christmas rush is over, our expert technicians can revive your home so you’re able to start 2024 in style!

BOOK NOW AND GET £15 OFF* Visit www.zerorezuk.com or call 01923 605 020 to schedule your new year clean and get a £15 discount by using the code SEASONSCLEANUP *minimum spend of £99 required to use the coupon.

Find FREE resources for parents and carers and more information at www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk

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January/February 5

EDUCATION

Supporting your child with SATs

By Jemma Z Smith By the end of their last academic year at primary school, children are usually very settled and are experiencing the privilege of being the oldest in the school. Then comes talk of SATs (Statutory Assessment Tests) which will happen in May. As a parent, it’s only natural to be concerned about your child’s academic progress and wellbeing. The key to helping your child succeed is to provide them with the right support, encouragement and a stress-free environment.

The Key Stage 2 SATs are standardised tests in the UK for children in their final year of primary school. These assessments check their understanding of key areas in core subjects (mathematics, reading comprehension and spelling, punctuation and grammar). The purpose of these tests is to measure school performance and to assess your child’s progress.

You might wonder whether it is necessary for your child to be impacted in a process partly designed to evaluate school performance. There are several reasons for this: first and foremost, the overall quality of education provided by a school significantly impacts your child’s learning experience.

Moreover, SATs results can offer valuable insights into areas where the school might need to improve, benefiting both current and future students.

Understanding the importance of SATs gives you the opportunity to advocate for your child’s success and make their transition to secondary education as smooth as possible.

Children should not be sitting mock SATs exams constantly in school as this can feel demoralising or stressful. However, they do need to see and experience a formal testing situation before the actual SATs exams, particularly if they have not been in one before. This can help to reduce the anxiety of the unknown.

At home, have open and honest conversations with your child about SATs. Explain that these tests are not about passing or failing but about measuring their growth and understanding their areas of strength and improvement. Setting up a structured daily routine that includes time for homework, study and relaxation can also help.

The KS2 SATs can be a source of anxiety both for parents and children but the right approach can help everyone navigate this period with confidence. The key is to reassure your child that you believe in their abilities and you are there to help them succeed.

Remember, the most important thing is that your child tries their best.

Jemma Z Smith is Director of The Education Hotel. For further advice, visit www.educationhotel.co.uk

What do SATs consist of?

Can a tutor help with SATs?

Reading comprehension. This includes one paper with at least three texts to read and comprehension questions. The texts will be a mixture of fiction and non-fiction and can include poetry.

A tutor can provide your child with valuable additional support. Unlike the 11+ or entrance exams for independent schools, SATs tests are not competitive and students are not ranked comparatively between each other.

Spelling, punctuation and grammar (often abbreviated to SPaG or GPaS). This consists of two papers, one with twenty words to spell and one with questions focussed around grammar and punctuation. Students will be asked questions such as ‘identify the expanded noun phrase in this sentence’.

If your child knows the technical names for the grammar that we use in everyday speaking and writing, they will find this test much less daunting.

SATs test only what has been taught in the National Curriculum throughout your child’s time at primary school.

This means that there is a very clear structure to what your child will need to have been taught prior to taking the exams in May.

Mathematics. These papers assess arithmetic knowledge and problem-solving skills. There are usually three papers set over two days of SATs week. If your child has been able to consolidate their arithmetic knowledge, this will stand them in good stead for the subsequent two problem-solving and reasoning papers.

2024 KS2 SATs will start on Monday 13 May. Read more about them and see past papers at www.bit.ly/sats2024 6 January/February

A tutor can focus on specific areas tailored to your child’s needs and boost their confidence as they prepare for their SATs. Tutors with experience in helping children prepare for SATs can make the learning experience purposeful, engaging and effective rather than ‘teaching to a test.’ This might include plugging gaps from previous years to help a child take the next step to success.

Remember to check with your child’s school earlier in the school year to see whether your child qualifies for additional reading support if they have a reading issue.

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EDUCATION

Jo Cameron

from Queenswood School Jo Cameron has been Principal of Queenswood School in Brookmans Park, Hatfield, since 2016. Previously she was Deputy Head at Ipswich High School for Girls. In 2024 she will be the Chair of the Boarding Schools Association.

How would the students describe you?

Cheerful, fun and fair. I hope that I am always consistent in my approach to the students.

What was it about the school that made you want to apply for the position?

Who wouldn’t want to work here? It’s so beautiful! I immediately felt that Queenswood would be somewhere I could really thrive and be myself. It instantly felt familiar to me, having been to boarding school myself, and having worked in all-girls’ education throughout my life. The mix of boarding and day pupils really appealed to me, and the girls struck me as very happy. I firmly believe that happy girls are successful girls.

What inspired you to become a teacher and, later, a headteacher?

I absolutely loved my own schooling, and particularly the boarding community. I’ve always had a very strong moral compass, and I knew that I wanted to make a difference to people’s lives very early on. I did lots of voluntary work when I was a student, working on environmental projects

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with local schoolchildren. That was when I really started to think that teaching might be for me.

single decision is centred around the individual child, the impact is going to be positive.

I had the most incredible experiences at school, and what drives me is to ensure that as many other children as possible have those same opportunities.

What have you been most proud of since joining Queenswood as Principal?

I find this very difficult to answer, because I see everything we achieve here as the result of being such a close community. Obviously I am delighted with our new facilities – particularly the Bellman Sixth Form Centre and the sports hall. I’m very proud that Queenswood is now in the most positive position – the reputation of the school has improved greatly over the last eight years, we have the highest ever pupil numbers, and we are really on the map now.

How do you think a head teacher can make a difference to an individual student?

There are the obvious single interactions, which I think should never be underestimated. As a head, you have such a position of responsibility and power, and you have to remember that every comment you make is taken very seriously and taken to heart. If you choose your words very wisely, then every single interaction with a child is a very powerful experience for them. On a one-to-one basis, simply asking how a child is as you walk past them can have a huge impact on their wellbeing and their feeling within the community.

Making sure that students are congratulated for their achievements – whether academically, in sport, in the theatre or the concert hall – is very important. I want them to understand that I am genuinely interested in them and how they’re getting on.

Their feedback to me is equally vital – students understand that they can come and talk to me directly.

And then, of course, more widely I have the privilege of making big decisions about the school – about the teachers we hire, about the facilities we build, about the subjects we teach – and these wider strategic responsibilities have an impact on every single child. As long as every

Tell the readers something about yourself that no-one else knows?

At least once a week I get up at 5.30am to ride my horse. I’ve ridden ever since I was a child – at boarding school I was lucky enough to be able to take my horse to ride on the beach – and now as an adult I still compete and event. It’s my outlet, a wonderful way of letting go of the busyness and challenges of the job.

Netflix or Kindle?

I think I’d rather pick up a good book!

At the moment I’m reading The Authority Gap by the incredible Mary Ann Sieghart, whom I met at the Girls’ Schools Association conference last month.

Book your place at Queenswood’s next Open Morning on Saturday 2 March 2024. www.queenswood.org/open-events January/February 7

EDUCATION

Beyond the school system

By Ana Fábrega It’s a fact that the traditional school system doesn’t suit everyone, yet many parents aren’t in a position to take their children out of school. The good news is that there are some fabulous learning opportunities available outside of the school system, which can be used to complement school learning. Consider these: Self-directed learning communities. Programmes like Kubrio (www.kubrio.com) bring kids together to share interests and design their own curriculums. Over one hundred classes cover coding, game design, art, writing and entrepreneurship.

Academy (www.khanacademy.org) offer amazing courses.

Forest Schools. Forest School programmes (www.forestschoolassociation.org) put kids at the centre of learning, connect them with each other and nature and challenge them to take responsibility and make meaning for themselves.

Foster a love of reading. Let kids read freely and widely. Let them skim through books and dive deep into what interests them: poems, comic books, non-fiction, magazines, cookbooks or even the same book over and over. Choice is the secret recipe for fostering a love of reading. Once they develop this, they will be able to teach themselves anything.

Team problem-solving. Synthesis School (www.synthesis. com) empowers kids to solve the world’s hardest problems.

They compete in teams, debating ideas, testing tactics, communicating decisions, taking ownership and drawing out the best in each other.

Alternative schools. If you are thinking of a different school, consider alternatives such as Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia. For specific alternative schools, research Sora Schools (www.soraschools.com), Higher Ground (www.higherground. com) and Acton Academy (www.actonacademy.org).

Project-based learning. Programmes like Arduino (www.arduino.cc) cover chemistry, physics, electronics, coding and more. They ship all the components to your door, with online training and support to allow kids to learn by doing.

Microschools. Microschools are also wonderful options, like those available through Prenda (www.prenda.com) and other networks. To find a good one, look for mixed age groups, a childcentred curriculum and project-based learning.

Online STEAM classes. Many schools struggle to provide enough opportunity to explore science, tech, engineering, art and maths (STEAM subjects). Platforms like Brilliant (www.brilliant.org), Skillshare (www.skillshare.com) and Khan

Ana Lorena Fábrega is a teacher, turned edupreneur and author of The Learning Game: Teaching Kids to Think for Themselves, Embrace Challenge, and Love Learning, available from www.bookshop.org

The Lindy Effect

Lindy ideas in education

Lindy ideas refer to concepts or principles that have demonstrated resilience and longevity over time. The term ‘Lindy’ comes from the Lindy Effect, a concept introduced

by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book Antifragile. In essence, it says that ideas age differently from people. The longer ideas have been around, the longer they’re likely to last.

Play. Free play is our natural method of learning about the world. Since ancient times, we’ve used it to explore, experiment and build new knowledge by venturing into the unknown.

Each of the learning options explored above share common traits. Although each is unique, they all take Lindy ideas from the past and apply them to today in various ways. Lindy ideas stick around for a reason: they often work quite well and have proven themselves across generations. We should leverage wisdom from the past and adapt it for today.

The teacher as facilitator. Throughout history, the best educators acted as wise guides. Rather than conveying knowledge, they facilitated questions and dialogue until students arrived at their own understanding. It was a collaborative model of truth-seeking.

Although most traditional schools today do not follow Lindy ideas, there are an increasing number of alternative schools and educational programmes that do things differently. These can help parents of children for whom traditional education is not working to replace or supplement it with learning experiences that are grounded in Lindy ideas and updated for today.

8 January/February

Learning by doing. Hunter-gatherers of the past let kids learn survival skills through practice. They played with bows, spears and cooking tools and participated in the work of the tribe.

The Socratic method. For hundreds of years, teachers used the method of the Greek philosopher Socrates. Instead of lecturing, they asked penetrating questions to help students use reasoning to develop their own beliefs.

One-room schoolhouses. Historically, kids attended one-room schoolhouses (or ‘microschools’ today) where they learned in small, mixed aged groups. Older kids taught younger kids, younger kids learned from older ones.

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EARLY YEARS

What makes a good pre-school or nursery?

By Justina Gapper When choosing a nursery or pre-school, most parents base their decision on a combination of personal recommendation, the vibe of the setting, how much they like the staff and the setting’s Ofsted report and rating.

But what are the other features that contribute to the success of a nursery or pre-school setting? What really makes the difference between your child having a great experience, rather than just an acceptable one? Here are some things to take note of when you are visiting potential nurseries for your child.

Staff team Recruiting the right staff and ensuring they work closely as a team is crucial to the success of a nursery setting. Look out for the way staff interact with each other. Are they supporting each other, anticipating issues and problems and each other’s needs, as well as those of the children? Look out for nursery managers who are present in the main part of the nursery, as opposed to spending all their time sitting in an office. When they are working alongside their staff, they can steer the ship and also offer support at particularly busy times of the day.

Communication Communication between nursery key workers and parents is a number one priority. Can you see evidence of nursery staff working closely with parents to help new children settle?

Settling a child into nursery or pre-school can be a stressful and anxious experience for both parent and child. Not all children are

the same, so settings should, where possible, be flexible enough to adjust their procedures to suit each child.

Good nurseries provide daily feedback to parents, send weekly emails and use social media to show the nursery in action.

Parents should expect to receive regular updates from their child’s key worker and be kept informed of their child’s progress and what is happening more generally at the nursery.

Look out for nurseries and pre-schools that help parents understand and support at home what their children have been learning at the setting. For instance, use of Home-Link Books which suggest small, achievable, fun activities that parents can do with their children at home.

Structure, routine and safety To feel safe, children need routine, so it is important that staff are able to maintain this. Parents also need complete peace of mind that their child is safe at the setting and may want to check whether the nursery has installed CCTV and telecoms on its entrances to ensure secure access.

Nursery Places Available Availability may be limited in certain age groups or booking patterns

FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS

OPEN 7.30AM TO 6.30PM

Waterproof and Wellies The Outdoor Guide Foundation was set up with the simple aim of making the outdoors accessible to all - and that starts with children.

Nearly one third of primary school children in the UK come from families that are living below the poverty line. This means there is little money for household essentials, let alone for buying suitable clothing for outdoor play. That’s where The Waterproof and Wellies Project comes in. Over the next five years, it aims to donate at least ten waterproof suits and wellies to every state primary school in the country - all twenty thousand of them.

Why? Because time outside is vital and there’s a startling statistic that suggests prisoners get more time outside in an average week than a child of primary school age. Waterproof and Wellies has already donated kits to more than three hundred schools. With the support of local families and business, the project can do much.

To find out more and support the project, visit www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org

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Fun is an essential ingredient at Hertford Barns Day Nursery and Preschool where the care and education opportunities for each and every child are as extraordinary as our colleagues who provide them.

Please call 01707 392999 or email hertfordbarns.nursery@childbase.com Hertford Barns Day Nursery, Cole Green, Hertford, SG14 2NL

We look forward to hearing from you www.childbasepartnership.com January/February 9

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

Twelve months to

It’s the New Year! This is the perfect time for a reboot designed for the whole family. Get started w February Grow more veg & herbs

January Eat less meat Veganuary takes place every January. Having started in the UK in 2014, it now has global traction. If going vegan is a step too far for your family, how about Meatless Mondays? Even reducing red meat by a small amount can improve heart health. Try a half-and-half approach; instead of using just minced beef in recipes, replace half with beans, lentils or mushrooms. It increases the amount of fibre in your diet.

It might be looking a little bare out there but the frostbitten days of winter are coming to an end. What better time to visit the garden centre, shake out the gardening gloves and push some seeds into the soil. Assigning individual pots to the kids might encourage them to get more involved in growing their own veggies and herbs - and eating them!

March Bake healthier snacks

April Take up a sport together Biscuits and cakes are often the easiest snacks to reach for after school. With forward planning though, we can all do a little better.

Homemade snacks don’t have to look or taste too different from shop-bought ones; by just by adding less refined white flour and more fibre you can improve gut health over the course of a year.

For biscuits, try a bit less flour and a few more oats. With cakes and traybakes, using wholewheat flour is a great way to introduce more fibre, antioxidants and protein, along with tonnes of important nutrients like B vitamins, iron, magnesium and zinc.

Finding an active challenge you can enjoy as family, can be loads of fun and healthy. But finding something that works for every age is tricky. Ice skating and golf can be good levellers and appealing to older children. If nothing else comes to mind, swimming or cycling usually work for most; it’s all-round physical exercise and always seems to have an immediate and positive effect on appetite and sleep.

June Go dancing!

May Tackle anxiety At this time of year, school tests and exams can pile on extra pressure. Meditating regularly, even for a few minutes a day, can make a difference and there are lots of meditation apps designed for children, as well as adults. More effective than yoga, meditation is proven to reduce the reactivity of the brain in response to stress and a Harvard-based study in 2011 demonstrated that you can even reduce the size of the amygdala (the bit of the brain associated with the stress response) when you meditate for a longer period of time.

10 January/February

The days are long and the sunset casts a rosy glow… well hopefully!

The festival season has arrived and it’s time to embrace the midsummer madness and go dancing. The health benefits of dance are impressive; cardio, weight-loss, strength, agility and balance are just the start. To top it all off, dancing brings joy and is a natural form of stress relief. Throw in some choreography and you’ve even got a workout for your memory too.

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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

a healthier family

with our step-by-step guide and let every month take you closer to a happier, healthier, family life.

August Drink more water

July Tech-free weekends Or, more realistically, just one day! As it gets brighter and sunnier, it’s much easier to come up with tempting outdoor alternatives and any reduction in screentime is likely to improve sleep and mental health.

Consider device-free times or designated tech free zones at home.

Are you keeping to your own weekly or daily limits? Revisit the rules, especially with older kids and discuss what a healthy balance looks like. Visual timers help some children keep screentime under control.

Yawn, we know this, yet we are probably still not drinking enough.

Let’s just recap how essential it is for our health. The blood is ninety percent water so good hydration basically effects every single organ and cell in the body, from heart to brain to skin. How about trying a different strategy for each family member? For one child, a new water bottle. For another…. deploying the dark art of parental bribery. For yourself, water infused with lemon instead of a coffee.

September Enrol in a new class

October The vitamin refresh It’s a new academic year and there is no need to limit the anticipation and thrill of a new start to just the children in the family!

There’s also no need to spend a penny. Start by visiting your local council website to find out about free short adult education courses.

Or you could check out the online learning platform backed by The Open University called Future Learn (www.futurelearn.com). Most of their courses are also free.

Perhaps you’ve dished out vitamin C to head off colds, tried some probiotics for gut health or have been taking Omega 3 to improve focus? The chances are you probably have some unfinished bottles lying around in a cupboard somewhere. October is a good time to sort through what you already have and set your priorities for the winter ahead. The NHS recommends all children under age 6 (who are not being fed formula) should have vitamins A, C and D as daily supplements. Vitamin D is particularly important as winter approaches, as we get less sunshine.

November Switch to sugar alternatives

December Family cooking day Adding more spices to our diets benefits us by replacing sweetness with flavour. Other sugar alternatives, like agave or stevia, convert to glucose more slowly, helping improve our energy and health over time. Date sugar is made from dehydrated dates, retaining more of the fibre and vitamins than standard refined sugar. Monk fruit is a natural sweetener made from a Southeast Asian fruit.

It’s increasingly available in health food shops and is many times sweeter than sugar, yet it has no calories or effect on blood sugar.

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Help! It’s nearly Christmas again! This year, it might be a good idea to get some meals in the freezer before the holidays start and relatives descend. Dedicate a day to cooking as a family and let each member choose a healthy recipe. It’s great for teamwork and even better if you discover some new family favourites. Younger members can get to work on healthier versions of seasonal staples like mince pies or gingerbread men.

January/February 11

INTERVIEW

Helping children embrace the great outdoors Gemma Hunt, children’s storyteller and long-time presenter of CBeebies show Swashbuckle, tells Families about her role as ambassador for The Waterproof and Wellies Project for The Outdoor Guide Foundation (www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org) and why she’s passionate about getting kids and families outside.

Tell us about The Waterproof and Wellies Project?

purpose. Like going out to collect leaves or feathers for an art project or going on a litter pick.

We’re looking to raise £6m to provide ten sets of waterproof jackets, trousers and wellies to the twenty thousand state primary schools in the UK. Unfortunately around thirty percent of children do not own their own wellies. So having these sets in schools enables them to play outside in all weathers without ruining their shoes!

If we take her bike or scooter that usually stops the moans about her legs aching if we’ve walked too far!

What advice would you give to families whose access to green spaces is limited?

Make the most of the outdoor spaces you do have access to. Take outdoor games if there is no play area. If it’s rainy, put your waterproofs on and take a flask of hot chocolate and a big umbrella!

Why do you feel particularly passionate about this project?

I long for children to enjoy the physical, mental and spiritual value of getting outdoors more. It’s so good for their appreciation of our great British countryside, wildlife and nature.

I love to see my daughter play outside, climbing trees, investigating flowers and spotting insects, coming back with flushed cheeks and grubby knees!

On occasion, we’ve ruined clothing or footwear as we haven’t had the right gear with us BUT we’ve been able to replace them. This isn’t possible for all families so to have the right outerwear to enjoy time outside together is essential.

How do you think children’s experience of outdoor time today compares to yours as a child?

I don’t think we get outside as much as we used to – there are so many inside distractions. It used to be a treat to run around outside, play games and let off steam. Now children seem to view it more as a punishment as they’d often prefer to stay indoors connected to electronics and Wi-Fi.

What has The Waterproof and Wellies Project achieved so far?

Of course, we had more freedom to roam safely and I understand why we may not be so willing for our children to go out alone now but that is all the more reason to try and do so as a family.

How much time do you spend outside with your family?

Honestly, not as much as we should.

We do walk to school or play in the garden every day and we like to take our daughter out on her bike.

Luckily we live near the coast and great country parks like Betteshanger Park near Deal in Kent where we can walk, cycle and scoot. There’s also a great play area there and the most delicious café (I recommend the sweetcorn fritter burgers!).

To motivate our daughter, we turn outside time into an adventure or give ourselves a

Since Covid, we have donated more than three thousand sets of waterproofs and wellies to UK schools. We need more support from businesses and individuals as we’re still a way off our target and there are more than three hundred schools on the waiting list who are desperate for the gear.

You can see how you can support us at The Outdoor Guide Foundation website at www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org You’re also a writer. Tell us about your new book.

My newest book is about helping children to express and deal with big feelings like anger, jealousy and frustration.

I understand the power of imitative behaviour and wanted to write something that children could read (or have read to them) that would inspire them to better manage their behaviour.

My favourite role model has been Jesus so I wanted to take some stories told by or about him and re-tell them from the perspective of a mixed race family like mine. My husband and daughter and my parents and I all appear in the stories.

What motivated you to write it?

I wanted to write a series of children’s books that represented our own mixed race family. I struggled to find good books for my daughter that depicted our family dynamic - so I wrote them! The first book is about encouraging children to be a good friend and is called See! Let’s Be A Good Friend; the newest one has five helpful short stories which explore emotions. It’s called See! Let’s Be ME and is available from www.bookshop.org

12 January/February

Familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

Best new baby products 2024

By Mallory Reynolds-Trout

Knowing what to buy when you’re a new parent can be confusing when everyone has different lifestyles and there’s so much out there to choose from. So here are my top picks of some of the best baby products recently launched in the market.

The Sleep Nanny App

The BabyUp The brainchild of renowned paediatrician Dr Albani and based on vigorous testing, the BabyUp cradles babies in a natural, upright position which is as comfortable as a parent’s arms. It gently rocks your baby while playing a soothing heartbeat or lullaby through integrated Bluetooth speakers.

Keeping your baby in the optimal position aids digestion and prevents stomach contents from coming back up, easing babies who suffer from reflux. The foldable design makes it convenient to take wherever you and your baby go. www.dralbani.org

Devised by sleep expert Lucy Shrimpton, The Sleep App by The Sleep Nanny® is a new solution to help babies and children sleep happily and healthily. The app uses science-based strategies that can be tailored to parents’ unique needs, with bespoke plans, tips on navigating every stage, tracking tools and a community chat. Download from App Store or Google Play. www.sleepnanny.co.uk The SleepaSloth This portable and fully customisable baby sleep sound machine allows you to play the sound you want, at the volume you want and for exactly how long you want. You can record your voice to replay to your baby as if you were right next to them and there’s an adjustable nightlight for night time changes and feeds. www.sleepasloth.com

Milestone prints from My Baby Days These are beautiful and unique to the UK. Designed in France, these stunning prints look great as part of the nursery décor and would make a lovely gift. They enable parents to timestamp precious milestones, capturing everything from their baby’s earliest giggle, to their first taste of lemon, to their first ride on a swing. www.mybabydays.com

The Flavour Academy Cookbook by Zenia Deogan The Flavour Academy is a platform with online courses and individual guidance to provide healthy, positive family mealtimes. Zenia’s first family cookbook is filled with recipe ideas and healthy eating tips to give little ones the best start in life. She highlights how mealtimes play a huge role in children’s development, affecting sleep, behaviour and mood. www.bit.ly/FlavourAcademyCookbook

Maternity leggings from Natal Active Natal Active creates activewear for every stage of motherhood and their new selection of leggings for postnatal mums is stylish, supportive and fun. Available in a selection of colours, they are perfect for both new mums dashing from A to B and those re-starting their fitness journeys. www.natalactive.com

Kaia Leather changing bag from Storksak Changing bags never looked so good and Storksak’s brand new styles offer unrivalled functionality to modern parents.

The elegant Kaia Leather bag combines their signature grained leather with a new buttery soft nappa leather and includes hidden backpack straps. www.storksak.com

The Modern Midwife’s Guide to the First Year Marie Louise is The Modern Midwife and a regular speaker at The Baby Show.

Charting the highs and lows of parenthood from birth up until your baby’s first birthday, this book is an informative and supportive read during those crucial first twelve months. www.bit.ly/Modern MidwifeFirst

Mallory Reynolds-Trout is Show Manager at The Baby Show with Lidl GB. The UK’s largest and best loved pregnancy, baby and parenting event will take place from 1-3 March 2024 in London, 10-12 May in Birmingham and 7-9 June in Manchester.

More info at www.thebabyshow.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk

January/February 13

FESTIVALS

Top family-friendly festivals for 2024 Time to plan ahead! The UK has loads of family-friendly festivals happening this year and, from music and comedy to food and drink, there’s really something for all ages. Some festivals offer plenty of activities for little ones to enjoy, as well as great music line-ups, whilst others are dedicated solely to family entertainment and activities. Here is our selection of some of the stand-out festivals with dates to help you plan.

Gone Wild Festival Powderham Castle, Exeter 22-24 August and Holkham Hall, Norfolk 8-11 August

Celebrating the great outdoors with fabulous music alongside family-friendly, outdoor activities for all ages. Where else can you push your mum down a 50m mud slide, learn new survival skills then dance the night away? Activities include kayaking, nerf battles, circus workshops, high ropes, tree-climbing, adventure art and more. www.gonewildfestival.com

Just So Rode Hall, Cheshire 16-18 August This weekend-long camping festival aims to help families make memories together in the great outdoors whilst enjoying the very best music, theatre, circus, storytelling and much more. Child-friendly loos, baby change facilities, breastfeeding tent and even a bath time tent, offer families practical assistance, while attractions include an exhaustive range of activities and workshops for kids. www.justsofestival.org.uk

Victorious Festival Southsea, Portsmouth 23-25 August

Set on the stunning Southsea seafront, this festival not only features some of the biggest names of the UK music scene during its three day run, but it also has a great comedy line-up with some big names. A newly expanded Kids’ Arena offers face painting, zip wires, skate sessions and family activities, all of which are free. www.victoriousfestival.co.uk

Gloworm Festival Holme Pierpoint Country Park, Nottinghamshire 16-18 August

Festival of Sport Venue and dates to be confirmed Festival of Sport is the ultimate family sports festival, with entertainment, camping, competitions and coaching from world-class sporting legends for kids ages 5 to 17.

Sports on offer range from hockey, rugby, netball, cricket and football to kayaking, golf, trampolining, lacrosse, boxing, skateboarding and climbing. www.festivalofsportuk.com

Standon Calling Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire 25-28 July

An independent boutique music and arts festival with big acts and emerging talent which features a whole area dedicated to entertaining babies, kids and teenagers during the daytime. It also offers on-site baby sitting for evenings, a swimming pool and dedicated family campsites only ten minutes from the car park. www.standon-calling.com

Aimed at children ages 0 to 13, expect music, activities and arts all geared towards different age-groups. From well-known children’s artists and headline acts, through to a funfair, farmyard, facilities for families, meet-and-greets with their heroes and places to play, every corner of this festival is an incredible adventure for all ages. www.glowormfestival.co.uk

Deer Shed Festival Baldersby Park, North Yorkshire 26-29 July

Deer Shed is a three-day wonderland of music, arts, science and sport, set in beautiful North Yorkshire parkland. Choose from forest bathing, a circus masterclass, soft play, robotics, forensics, cinema and baby massage - there’s plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. www.deershedfestival.com

14 January/February

Camp Bestival Lulworth Castle Dorset 25-28 July and Weston Park Shropshire 15-18 August

This award-winning festival is known for its diverse line up of musical acts and its wide range of family-friendly activities and entertainment. In addition to music, the festival offers a variety of other attractions, such as comedy performances, theatre, circus acts, workshops and interactive art installations. Some areas are specifically geared towards children’s activities. www.campbestival.net Familiesonline.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

What’s On listings for all the family

If you would like to feature a listing in a future issue email editor@familiesherts.co.uk Don’t forget to sign up for our digital magazine for more interactive content at familiesmagazine.co.uk/go 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.

Places to go Skate Letchworth – Jan Letchworth Garden City www.sll.co.uk/skateletchworth/ A state-of-the-art ice rink which is perfect for various ages and abilities.

Baby Rhyme Time at Royston Library – dates in Jan and Feb Royston Every Wednesday 10.15am and again at 11.15am.

Bookstart Storytime at Royston Library – dates in Jan and Feb Royston Join in with stories and rhymes for ages 2 to 5 years. Let your child also have fun with a colouring activity.

Rye Meads Sensory Trail – up to 31 March Ware www.events.rspb.org.uk Teaming up with Sense.org and Ordnance Survey to create a sensory trail. Use your senses to connect with your surroundings in nature. Free.

A Is For Armadillo at Hertford Museum – up to 4 Feb Hertford www.hertfordmuseum.org Explore the world of animals.

From extraordinary creatures to familiar faces, see how their personality and images have captured the imagination of artists and craftspeople for generations.

Winter Wildfowl Guided Walk at Stocker’s Lake – 11 Jan Hertford www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk A family-friendly walk to discover winter wildlife. From mammal tracks and signs, bird ID tips, see where water voles live, and learn about ducks. Use telescopes to spot herons, egrets, lapwings and kingfishers. 10am – 12pm.

Origami – 13, 20, 27 Jan, and 3, 10 and 17 Feb St Albans Museum www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Come and experiment with the art of paper folding using different designs in this origami session. Suitable for all ages.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Gulls Galore, Hilfield Park Reservoir – 18 Jan Hertford hertswildlifetrustevents.org.uk See a nature winter wonder right before your eyes to see thousands of gulls of different species in a private nature reserve. Join local experts to learn why they come here and how to tell which gull is which (they are not all ‘seagulls’!) 3pm-5pm.

St Albans antique and vintage market – 21 Jan & 18 Feb St Albans www.stalbansantiqueandvintagemarket.com Spend a day with family and friends and see the vibrant street market full of some of the best antiques and vintage this country has to offer.

Willow Lantern Workshop at St Albans Museum – 4 Feb St Albans www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Learn how to make your own willow lantern. Guided by local artist Preet Cox, prepare to get messy in this two-hour workshop. 1:30pm, £10.

SENDsational Mornings at the National History Museum – 4 Feb to 26 May Tring www.nhm.ac.uk Children with neurodiverse conditions can take part in activities and enjoy the galleries with their families at a quieter time.

For children aged five to 15.

Art in Martins, Market Hill Rooms - Childrens Craft Session – 7 Feb Royston www.ticketsource.co.uk A 60-minute session with arts and crafts for all the family to enjoy.

Animal Superpowers at the National History Museum – 13, 15, 20 and 22 Feb Tring www.nhm.ac.uk Explore the extraordinary powers of animals and discover the incredible skills they use to defend themselves, find food and ultimately survive. Get hands on with the specimens and enjoy a short craft activity. £2 per ticket.

Children’s Storytime for under 5s – 16 and 23 Feb Melbourn www.melbournhub.co.uk Dive into this story time session for children under 5s. Let their imagination run wild. No need to book.

Clubs & Classes Monkey Music Harpenden, St Albans 01753 889481 www.monkeymusic.co.uk Music classes for babies and toddlers. This supportive and nurturing environment while hosting interactive musical experiences.

Kaisho Martial Arts Harpenden www.kaishouk.co.uk Programme specially designed for children between 4-6 years of age. It focuses on improving preschool-aged children’s basic motor and listening skills in a fun and friendly way.

Imagination Dance Hitchin, Hertford www.imaginationarts.co.uk With a range of sensory and creative dance classes specifically aimed at those with suspected or diagnosed additional needs. A magic movers class for age 7+ to express themselves in dance. Call for more information or email info.imaginationarts@ yahoo.com KMDT Self Defence St Albans, Hatfield www.kmdt.co.uk An all-inclusive, friendly club for families and juniors. Learn how to train and have skills to keep yourself safe! Call 07824883853 or email info@kmdt.co.uk to book a free trial.

Basketball at Everyone Active Westminster LodgeThursdays St Albans www.everyoneactive.com Everyone Active Basketball courses are led by a fully qualified level 2 coach that is designed to teach ages 7 to 10 the skills and game play of basketball through drills and games.

Core and Pelvic Floor Rehab at The Signing Rooms4 Jan to 8 Feb Hitchin www.coreconfident.co.uk Group exercise classes for mums. Strengthen your core and pelvic floor and manage diastasis recti. 9.45am-10.45am. £72 for 6 week course.

Signing Babies & Signing Toddlers www.terri.thesigningcompany. co.uk Signing Babies classes that gives you the opportunity to communicate and bond with your baby, through specially created songs, nursey rhymes, fun activities, and bubbles. Each session is based on a theme, so you and the little ones can learn essential signs together.

Camp Beaumont St Albans www.campbeaumont.co.uk Holiday day camps provide children with fun-filled experiences for 3- to 16-year-olds. Why not have a go at swimming, archery, and more. Let your child learn something new and make memories that will last.

Awesome Engineers St Albans and Harpenden www.awesome-engineers.com STEM sessions for primary school children using LEGO. All sessions are lead by a trained Awesome Engineers Instructor.

Check out the website for more information.

Mad Science Holiday Camp St Albans and Harpenden www.hertsbeds.madscience.org Mad Science holiday camps are full of hands-on, science exploration. Through active games, interactive experiments and take home projects which the children will make, build and do to share with their families to keep the learning going.

Happy Days Holiday Club Stevenage www.leys.herts.sch.uk/parents-holiday-club Happy Days Holiday and Afterschool Club, provides a fun and safe environment together with high-quality childcare for ages 3 to 13 years. Open during school holidays from 8:00am-6:00pm.

January/February 15

WHAT’S ON Fab Science Holiday Camps St Albans www.fabscience.co.uk 5 hours of Fab Science fun in the holidays! Heaps of handson experimenting, exploration, and excitement, all designed by science teachers and tested by kids. Open to all children aged 5-11 years.

Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes Confidence-building drama classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. A unique mix of fun drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. To book a FREE class visit www.perform. org.uk/try Finishing Touch Sports St Albans www.finishingtouchsports.com Finishing Touch Sports Camp is an engaging, enjoyable, and educational holiday sports camp.

A focus on physical/social wellbeing and development.

FunFest Holiday Clubs St Albans www.fun-fest.co.uk A school holiday club which provides children with lots of fun activities. With sports and craft sessions as well as more unusual sessions such as Minute to Win It, Mission Impossible, Beauty School, I’m a Kid Get Me Out of Here, Pottery and Nerf Challenge to name a few.

Rising Stars Wrap Around Holiday Clubs www.risingstars-wraparound. co.uk Holiday course activities including sports such as trampolining, team games, gymnastics as well as creative activities. Venues: Stortford, Hitchin, Lutterworth and Stevenage.

SuperCamps Holiday Club www.supercamps.co.uk SuperCamps offer holiday camps for children aged 4 to 14. Join them this February half-term. Venues at Hertford, Hitchin and Rickmansworth.

Lego Club at local libraries www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives A Lego workshop for children for ages 5 to 12 years.

Theatre The Alban Arena St Albans 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk 18 Feb Milkshake Live On Holiday Join your favourite Milkshake! friends in an all singing, all-dancing holiday together! It’s 16 January/February

a family show not to be missed!

3pm.

22 Feb The Sooty Show Sooty, Sweep, and Soo are planning a very special birthday party and you’re all invited.

However, in true Sooty style, nothing goes to plan! Plus – join us after the show to meet Richard and Sooty! 2:30pm.

29 Feb, 1 & 2 Mar Rare Productions Sleeping Beauty Sleeping Beauty is a classic fairy tale brought to life. Will true love’s kiss awaken the princess, and will the kingdom be saved?

Abbey Theatre St Albans 01727 857861 www.abbeytheatre.org.uk 13-14 Jan Snow White It’s off to work we go! The Hurst Children’s Theatre Group have their own spin on the classic tale. Old songs, modern songs, some rock ‘n’ roll and an audience singalong. For all ages.

Little Hadham Village Hall Ware 01279 842315 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 Jan Goldilocks and the Three Bears Watch this classic tale re-lived.

With a 30-minute interval. Recommended for over 10 years.

7:30pm.

Knebworth Village Hall Knebworth 01438 811304 4 Feb The Chocolate Factory & St Finnians!

A group of spoilt children attempt to make it through Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

Meanwhile, a school of unruly girls are getting ready for their end-of-year prom after a lively session at their local nightclub, but will they all make it there in one piece?

Sadler’s Wells, Peacock Theatre West End sadlerswells.com 5 Dec – 20 Jan Edward Scissorhands 23 – 27 Jan Beauty and The Beast Gordon Craig Theatre Stevenage 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk Up to 21 Jan Sleeping Beauty Experience a story where good meets evil, laughs meet boos, and dreams truly come to life on an epic adventure of a very, very lengthy snooze!

23 Feb The Sooty Show This spectacular celebration of the longest-running children’s television show in the world will

delight Sooty fans old and new and is a must-see treat for the whole family. Shows at 11am and 2.30pm.

South Mill Arts Bishop’s Stortford 01279 710 200 www.southmillarts.co.uk 10 & 11 Feb Dear Zoo Help your children learn as the book leaps onto the stage and share a magical experience as the story unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music, and lots of audience interaction.

19 Feb Alice In Wonderland Follow Alice and the White Rabbit as they set off on a colourful, topsy-turvy adventure and meet characters including Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire cat, and of course, the Mad-as a bat-Hatter! 2pm.

21 Feb Exciting Science With fun and fact-filled experiments, watch in amazement as a volcanic eruption; and a vacuum cleaner turned into a missile launcher! 11am and 2pm.

22 Feb The Amazing Bubble Man Louis Pearl explores the breath-taking dynamics of bubbles, mixing comedy and artistry with lots of audience participation and many bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized. 2pm.

Wyllyotts Theatre Potters Bar 01707 645005 www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk 18-21 Jan Frankenstein The Pantomime An hilarious family pantomime, full of huge laughs and jolly pranks.

24 Jan Rusalka- ROH Screening A poetic, contemporary new staging of Dvořák’s lyric fairy tale reveals our uneasy relationship with the natural world and humanity’s attempts to own and tame it.

14-17 Feb The Pirates of Penzance Will young Frederick escape from his reluctant apprenticeship to the pirate crew and marry the girl he loves, and will the Major-General’s many daughters escape the clutches of the pirates, with the help of the hapless local police? 2.30 and 7.30pm.

18 Feb Exciting Science Kids are guaranteed to love this exciting and educational show.

Full of laughs and fun-filled experiments for 4 years and up.

Prepare for some wiz, bang, and pop!

21 Feb Cartoon Circus Live A laughter-packed stage show combining the comedy of

pantomime with the thrill of the circus. Featuring some of Britain’s funniest clowns, traditional slapstick comedy and magical illusions for all.

The Eric Morecambe Centre Harpenden 01582 767525 www.the-emc.co.uk 26-28 Jan Snow White HURST Children’s Theatre Group production. It’s off to work we go! Snow White will have to face the evil Queen with the help of her friends and young Elves. The Well Fairy will watch over proceedings which include flashes of magic, a talking mirror, a whole chorus of Jesters, the panto Dame and of course the evil Bad Bert with his trusty crow, Russell.

The Old Town Hall Hemel Hempstead 01442 228091 www.oldtownhall.co.uk 14 Jan Can Bears Ski? Join Little Bear and Dad Bear as they learn how there are many ways to communicate love, and to find your place in the world.

With stunning illustrations, puppetry and music. Ages 3 plus.

Duration 45-50 minutes.

The Radlett Centre Radlett 01923 859 291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk 21-25 Feb Beauty and the Beast A tale as old as time. See a talented cast of 70 young performers, aged 5 to 13, capture your heart and ignite a magical adventure for all.

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