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Education Family Health Early Years New Year Resolutions
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January/February 2021
Familiesonline.co.uk
Familiesonline.co.uk January/February 1
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ACTIVITIES
Fabulous Crafts to Celebrate Chinese New Year 11-26 February
Easy Chinese Lantern
Egg Carton Dragon Dancing Puppet
Paper Dragon Slinkie
Dragon Mask
Chinese Lantern Suncatcher
Chinese Fan
Panda Paper Bag Puppet
Year of Ox Headband
Year of Ox Paper Plate
10 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Classic Free Audio Books for Kids A great way to introduce your child to these classic stories with no cost attached.
By Carlo Collodi. Ages 3+.
The Wind in the Willows
By Kenneth Grahame. Ages 6+.
When We Were Very Young
The Secret Garden
The Railway Children
Peter Pan
Adventures of Pinocchio
By Frances Hodgson Burnett. Ages 8+.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland By Lewis Carroll. Ages 4+.
4 January/February
By E. Nesbit. Ages 8+.
Aesop’s Fables Ages 4+.
By A.A. Milne. All ages.
By J.M. Barrie. Ages 8+.
The Swiss Family Robinson
By Johann David Wyss. Ages 7+. Familiesonline.co.uk
EARLY YEARS
The Benefits of Nursery and Things to Consider
The Lowdown on Potty Training
By Gabrielle Nash
By Andrew Campbell
Choosing good quality childcare is one of the most important decisions parents make. So whether you are assessing options for returning to work or considering part time childcare for your toddler, a nursery may be what you need. So what factors should you consider? READ MORE
There are various potty training methods and none of them are right or wrong! Each comes with advantages and disadvantages. So it’s important to consider what style is the best fit for your family. Slow and gentle, get it over quick or somewhere in between…. READ MORE
Working with Little Ones at Home
By Dr Sarah Mundy
Like me, you may be thinking that your multi-tasking skills were pushed to the limit before Covid! Working from home whilst looking after a preschooler isn’t easy so here are my tips on maximising your work time whilst still meeting your little one’s needs. READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 13
OUTDOORS
RSPB Bird-Related Garden Activities
Celebrate the Big Garden Birdwatch from 29 to 31 January!
Build a Bird Bath
Make a String Bird Go Bird Watching
Make a Flock of Fingers
Build a Bird Box
Go on an Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Play ‘Hungry birds’ Online
Make a Recycled Bird Feeder
Make a Speedy Bird Cake
14 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
FAMILY LIFE
9 Best Pancake Recipes for Shrove Tuesday Experiment with some pancake-making on and around 16 February!
Banana Pancakes
Fluffy Black Forest Pancakes
Vegan Pancakes
Flourless Rainbow Pancakes
Upside-Down Pineapple Pancakes
Teddy Bear Pancakes
Mary Berry’s Easy Drop Scones
Easy Pancakes
Baby’s First Pancakes
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 21
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EARLY YEARS
Best Nursery Rhymes & Action Songs for Pre-Schoolers
Little Peter Rabbit Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
Baby Shark
Finger Family Song
Little Bo Peep
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Little Miss Muffet
The Ants Go Marching
Itsy Bitsy Spider
12 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Online Tutoring Providers for Primary School Children Does your child need to catch up on some learning?
Teachers to Your Home
MyTutor
Dulwich Tutors Online
Bigfoot Tutors
Tutorful
Owl Tutors
Mentor Education
Kings Tutors
Think Academy
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 7
FAMILY LIFE
Find ‘Me-Time’ and Achieve your Goals
Vegan Food for the Family – By Stealth!
By Carina Lawson
By Louise Palmer-Masterton
The pandemic arrived like a whirlwind, changing the way we live. Whilst it is still here, we have to make sure we and our families are motivated to stay on top of things and enjoy life as best we can. Here are some tips.
In my view, the way to win hearts and minds to veganism is by serving ridiculously delicious vegan food! But children can be notoriously difficult nuts to crack food wise and it helps to master the art of getting healthy food in by ‘stealth!’ READ MORE
READ MORE
Family Fitness By Claire Winter
It’s easy to use excuses like ‘too tired’ or ‘too busy’ to exercise. Exercising through the pandemic, with gyms and sports clubs often closed, is challenging. But regular exercise promotes physical and mental health in many ways. How can your family get fit this year? READ MORE 20 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
OUTDOORS
Outside Activities Whatever the Winter Weather Rain
Wind
Float your boat. Make a boat and float it in a puddle or stream. Wet chalk art. Rain intensifies and blurs the colours of chalk for a spectacular effect. Make mud pies. Use old aluminium or plastic containers and have a bake off! Gauge the rain. Make a rain gauge with a plastic bottle and keep a log. Puddle jumping. Try jumping over, rather than in – who can jump the biggest? Collectathon. Gather some different sized containers outside and guess which will fill first.
Fly a kite. Make one from different materials and see which works best. Blow bubbles. Let the wind do the blowing and watch them swirl. Parachute play. Make a toy parachute using a handkerchief and toy figurine and throw up. Make wind chimes. Hang spoons, keys and beads from a coat hanger. Play Frisbee. Go somewhere with lots of space and let it rip! Make a wind sock. Attach streamers or ribbons to one end of a toilet roll holder and string to the other.
Cold
Break out the binoculars. Since leaves have fallen from trees, it’s a lot easier to spot birds and other creatures. Take a night hike. Using torches explore your neighbourhood during these dark early evenings. Build a campfire. Bring out hot chocolate and roast marshmallows and cook jacket potatoes in the embers. Go stargazing. Cold nights generally mean clear skies, perfect for watching stars. Hunt for treasure. Look for holly leaves, lichen, leaf skeletons, sticks, pinecones and acorns. Frost art. On a frosty morning, draw or write in the frost on the pavement
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 15
FAMILY LIFE
Handling Co-Parenting Differences
The Guilty Parent Syndrome
By Rebecca Giraud and Bob Greig
By Dr Jan MacGregor Hepburn
Co-parenting is not easy, mistakes can and will be made but it’s the effort that we as parents put in that will really be of long-term benefit to our children. After all, loving our children is what we have in common with our ex-partner. READ MORE
As a parent, do you feel constantly guilty? About what you’ve said/done or not said/ done? If so, you’d be forgiven for thinking that guilt and parenting must be inextricably linked. And you would be right! BUT they don’t have to be….... READ MORE
Embracing your Inner Child
Special 15% Discount!
By Ed James, Mark and Nicky Taylor
Despite your intentions to parent your kids differently to the way you were parented, they probably view your parenting style in much the same way. But imagine the difference if you could combine the essential parts of adulthood and still be in touch with your inner child.... READ MORE 22 January/February
101 Questions Answered About Separating with Children has become an indispensable guide to divorce/ separation for parents. To mark the publication of the second edition, enjoy an exclusive 15% discount for Families readers from Only Mums and Only Dads. Use code FM10121 here. With legal help, tips and insights from professionals and parents, this book will save you time and money. Familiesonline.co.uk
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IN LONDON
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ONLINE CLASSES
Live and Pre-Recorded Online Classes for Kids
Singing Hands
Live online baby/ toddler signing sessions.
Kidslingo LIVE
Mother Nature Little Gym at Home Science Online Club Online pre-recorded Live online science activity classes. Ages 4-12.
gymnastics based activities. Ages 4mths-12yrs.
Tots Play
SA Dance
Live online language classes. Ages 0-11.
Live online baby and toddler play classes.
Live online dance classes. Ages 2½+.
Teddies Online Music Club
La Jolie Ronde
Parrot Street Book Club
Pre-recorded online musical fun and arty ideas for under 5s. 24 January/February
Live online French and Spanish classes. Ages 5-11.
Monthly subscription book club. Ages 5-11. Familiesonline.co.uk
8 Families South West • January/February 2021
familiesonline.co.uk
ONLINE CLASSES
Live and Pre-Recorded Online Classes for Kids
Lingotot
The Place
Funky Moves
Live online language classes. Ages 0-12.
Live online dance classes. Ages 4-18.
Live online yoga and ballet classes. Ages 4-11.
Tiger Crane Kung Fu
Music Monsters
Smart Raspberry Cookery School
Live online martial arts classes. Ages 5+.
Go Sketch Club
Live online and prerecorded drawing and painting classes. Ages 7-12. Familiesonline.co.uk
Live online piano lessons. Ages 3-18.
Funky Monkeys Keyboard Classes Online pre-recorded tutorial programme. Ages 4-12.
Live online cookery classes. Ages 2+.
Bright Light Creative Writing Live online creative writing courses. Ages 6-11.
January/February 25
EDUCATION
Books for Navigating Tricky Times
Encouraging Constant Learning
By Smriti Halls
By Dr Cath Bishop
A book can be a friend in lonely times, a delightful escape, a comfort blanket to wrap around us when the going gets tough. As a parent, sharing this understanding with your children is one of the best gifts you can give them. Find out how. READ MORE
“Who’s going to win?” From a young age, it seems natural to compare and compete with others. But, historically, what distinguished us from our ancestors was learning by cooperating, communicating and connecting. How can we help our children learn in this way? READ MORE
Getting Ready for SATs in 2021
How to Improve your Child’s Concentration
By Claire Winter
By Gail Hugman
Preparing for exams is a stressful time for everybody under normal circumstances. Added to this, children’s education has been severely disrupted by Covid with pupils estimated to be at least three months behind on their learning. So how to prepare children for SATs this year? READ MORE
If ever there was a time to help your child improve their learning skills, it’s now! Even without disrupted routines, many young children need help developing the skills of listening and concentration required in the classroom. Here’s how you can help your child. READ MORE
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 5
A village school in the heart of London ‘A hidden gem’ says the Good Schools Guide
Stellar 11+ results to top London schools. • Specialist teachers in key subjects. • Parents effusive over our lockdown and in-school learning. Critical thinking and interview preparation throughout Year 6. • STEAM lessons for all (nationally accredited). Pastoral care as important as academic success. • Spectacular LAMDA results Music embedded in the curriculum. • Amazing outdoor space. • Sport for all.
Prepare for the future; enjoy the journey!
familiesonline.co.uk
FamiliesSWLon
|
www.parsonsgreenprep.co.uk
• 020 7610 8085
January/February 2021 • Families South West 21
FAMILY LIFE
The Impact of Covid-19 on Working Mums By Mandy Garner The Covid-19 pandemic has been hard for many individuals and groups, with working mums, particularly single working mums, being one of them. But the picture is complex. Women dominate in many of the most risky frontline sectors such as health, social care and education and in some of the hardest hit sectors such as hospitality and retail. Parttime jobs, traditionally done by women, have seen a precipitous fall, BUT women are less likely to be unemployed than men and many have gone into full-time roles. Then there is self-employment which has seen a big decline. A recent report from IPSE and Starling Bank showed women freelancers have been hardest hit financially by late payments of money owed to them and the associated mental impact and women-led businesses have suffered disproportionately. What is clear is that the impact of childcare problems during the pandemic has been most keenly felt by women, with countless studies, including our own surveys, showing women have been carrying most of the childcare/home schooling burden, despite dads increasing their input generally.
Our latest survey shows lockdown restrictions and school or year group closures are still causing huge challenges. READ MORE
Bella Learning Games Fun educational games to download, print and play.
Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 Packs
Available Now! For examples, tips and advice, find Bella Learning Games on Facebook and Instagram.
www.bellalearning.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 23