Families Hampshire North January/February 2024 PRINT

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Hampshire North

IN THIS ISSUE

New baby products Health special What’s on Issue 60 January/February 2024

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Alton School Open Event

DOT TO DOT Join the dots to create a creature you may see in your garden this winter!

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Reception - Year 6 Open Event Thursday 25 January 2024

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register: altonschool.co.uk

Educating boys and girls from six months to Sixth Form

When you’ve finished, why not colour it in?

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 2

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CONTENTS

Editor’s Welcome Happy New Year! I hope 2024 has started well for you and is full of happiness.

The Team: EDITOR: Lesley Chambers 07863 790592 editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk SALES SUPPORT: Claire Clarricoates 07812 218331 claire.clarricoates@familiespublishing.co.uk DESIGN: Rebecca Carr rebecca@familiesmagazine.co.uk NEXT ISSUE: MARCH/APRIL Booking deadline: 31 January Features: Easter holidays activities

IN THIS ISSUE: 4: 5: 6-7: 8-9: 10-11: 12: 13: 14-15:

News Education Early years Health Parenting Family festivals Clubs & classes What’s on

This is a time of year when people often focus on health and starting new healthy habits. We have therefore provided twelve manageable ideas to improve your family’s health, broken down into a different goal for each month.

We also have some good articles relevant to under-fives: a look at nurseries and pre-schools plus a roundup of some of the latest baby products on the market.

We are committed to showcasing the best clubs and classes in the area and we have created our first directory of some of these on page 13; please get in touch with information of any other great groups that could go into a future version of this directory.

Have fun!

Competition winner Congratulations to Donna McFarlane, who won My First Space Atlas and My First Dinosaur Atlas from the giveaway in our November/December 2023 issue.

Where is Families Hampshire North?

We distribute 16,000 copies every issue!

FREE Magazines!

If your school or family-friendly venue would like to receive FREE copies of Families Hampshire North magazine, contact us at editor@ familieshampshirenorth.co.uk

Families Hampshire North 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 Hampshire North are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Hampshire North. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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NEWS & VIEWS

Confidence-building classes with Perform

Vivace’s music classes grow with your child

Boost your child’s confidence in 2024 with a FREE Perform class.

At Vivace Music School, we help children discover a love for music that lasts a lifetime!

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.

Rooted in the ingenious Kodály approach, our birth to senior school curriculum leads children to joyfully discover their voices, grow in confidence and learn the language of music.

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 showstopping 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.

Perform classes are currently taking place in Andover, Basingstoke, Bramley, Fleet and Hartley Witney.

Book a no-obligation FREE trial at www.perform.org.uk/try

A Roar-some game for the whole family!

WIN!

Are you looking for a fun game for the whole family in 2024? Weldon Owen Children’s Books has the solution!

Wake Up The Beast! is a new card game which challenges the whole family to test their dinosaur knowledge against one another! Can you walk like T-Rex? Do you know how many teeth a Nigersaurus had? Do you know where a Ankylosaurus’s weak spot is?

The game has 80 cards and a mini book with extra facts about the dinosaurs.

We have a free copy of Wake Up The Beast to give away!

If you would like to chance to win it, please e-mail editor@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk by 31st January 2024. A winner will be chosen at random.

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Little ones are immersed in imaginative songs and sensory musical play, while school-age kids’ classes burst at the seams with fun, helping them playfully learn key skills such as reading and creating music. Our expert teachers love nurturing their innate musicality and creativity through games, songs and real instruments.

Now’s a great time to join - visit www.vivacemusicschool. co.uk or email info@vivacemusicschool.co.uk to book your FREE class in Fleet, Farnham or Yateley.

Would you like to advertise your business in our next issue?

BOOK TODAY

Call Claire on 07812 218331

Alton School open events Alton School is a contented co-educational Catholic School, Pre-school, and Nursery accommodating children from 6 months to Sixth Form.

Their expansive and scenic grounds, inclusive of a woodland walk, provide an ideal setting for Early Years outdoor learning and play.

In the Reception and Lower School, children benefit from experience-tailored learning that unlocks each child’s unique potential. Our nurturing environment encourages exploration, fostering a supportive start to their educational journey. Diverse extra-curricular activities, encompassing sports, arts, drama, and eco-warriors, enrich the learning experience.

You are invited to witness Alton School’s educational ethos at the upcoming Open Events: Thursday 25 January: Reception - Year 6 in Action Thursday 8 February: Taster Day for pupils joining Year 3 in 2024 Register at www.altonschool.co.uk

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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.

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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

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 6

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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.

Waterproof and Wellies

Thinking ahead to school

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

Nobody wants to rush children or parents towards school and nursery should be viewed as an experience that is important in its own right and not simply about preparing little ones for school transition. Having said this, it is useful understand what kind of process and support system a nursery has in place for transitioning children to school.

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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For instance, does the setting provide provide transition reports for schools? These are generally, based on several areas of learning and give teachers a detailed account of the child that will be joining them.

Is a child’s Reception teacher invited to visit them at the setting before they start school? It’s clearly very valuable for little ones to meet their school teacher for the first time in a relaxed and familiar environment.

Primary teachers say it is social, emotional and self-care skills and a desire to learn that are important when children start school. Ask the nurseries you are visiting to explain how they go about nurturing these skills.

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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 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.

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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.

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PARENTING

Bedwetting beyond age five

By Usha Patel Troubled by your child’s bedwetting? Help is at hand!

‘My nine-year-old is a very bright boy. He is popular at school and is ace at sports, especially skateboarding. However I still find his bed wet some mornings. His father is not happy - he thinks it is a sign of immaturity.’

This problem is more common in older children than you think.

If you’re concerned about your child still wetting their bed, let me reassure you: you are not alone. But this is absolutely no one’s fault; not yours and certainly not your child’s. It really is something outside of their control. Parents usually breathe a sigh of relief at this point and ask me if there is any cure.

Usually, the problem lies with the child’s physiological makeup, so I am always happy to tell parents that there is a solution.

Reversing this problem is relatively straightforward and sometimes can take as little as three weeks.

Why do children wet their bed at night?

The problem of bedwetting is related to a child’s development before they are born, the birthing process and their early years. It is related to a primitive, unintegrated Spinal Galant reflex.

As the name suggests, Spinal Galant is a spinal reflex. During the birthing process, it helps the unborn baby turn their head and body in a corkscrew motion down the birthing canal.

Around nine months after birth, the reflex has served its purpose, matures and becomes part and parcel of the whole body’s movement.

We call this its integrated state. It has not disappeared but, in fact, has become a building block for the next stage of the child’s development.

However, if a child is delivered by C-section, for example, they do not engage this reflex and so the development stage is interrupted. This spinal reflex not integrating can be one of the biggest causes of bedwetting.

Fortunately, this can be helped later in life by using techniques such as Masgatova Neuro-Motor-Sensory Reflex Integration.

While it takes time to work fully, most children stop bedwetting after two to three weeks of therapeutic work. Your child can finally leave some of that low self-esteem behind and start to be their bright and sparkly selves again.

Usha Patel is a neurocognitive therapist at Raviv Practice London. If you need advice on the techniques and therapies described in this article, you can contact Usha at www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk

How MNRI can help with bedwetting

Unintegrated Spinal Galant reflex

Masgatova Neuro-Motor-Sensory Reflex Integration (MNRI) is an evidence-based programme which has frequently been shown to have great results helping children integrate their Spinal Galent reflex. This, in turn, helps children with all manner of developmental problems, including bedwetting.

When I assess a child, there are a few things I observe that are characteristic of unintegrated Spinal Galant reflex including:

MNRI is a series of physical exercises and stimuli delivered by a therapist based on an initial assessment of the child’s individual reflex responses. These exercises are designed to promote the functional use or integration of certain reflexes.

They are usually done over six consecutive weeks in weekly sessions with the therapist, as well repeated daily at home.

Hyperactivity and symptoms of ADHD (the Spinal Galant reflex is often confused with ADHD);

It can take between six months and two years for the problem reflexes to be fully integrated into normal body movement.

However, parents can start to see improvements in their child much sooner. In most cases, severe problems, such as bedwetting, can stop as quickly as two or three weeks after starting reflex integration work.

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Avoiding tight-fitting clothes around the waist (preferring elasticated waist trousers or jogging bottoms);

Frequent visits to the bathroom; Poor walking gait, sometimes with feet-dragging.

Parents report bedwetting, a curvature of the spine and their child’s inability to sit still for periods of time. Children with unintegrated Spinal Galant reflex will not have complete control of their bowel or bladder, nor proper core control: this affects how their legs move and movement in general. The reflexes are all interconnected and work together, so problems with the maturation of one can very much affect all the others.

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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

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11

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

12 Families Hampshire North

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

CLUBS & CLASSES

Alternative sports for Clubs and classes your child to try directory

By Andrew Campbell

Whether your child is bored with the usual options or simply not interested in the conventional after-school and weekend sport activities, you might be able to entice them to get active, develop a new interest and meet other like-minded kids by considering one of these more left-field sports.

Archery can captivate children’s interest with its blend of focus, precision and historical allure. It provides a sense of accomplishment as kids master the art of hitting targets with arrows. The sport encourages discipline, patience and fine motor skills, promoting mental and physical development. Archery also instils confidence, teamwork and respect for safety. Soft archery is now available as a safe and fun way to introduce the sport to young ones.

Cheerleading is growing in popularity as an alternative sport with over eighty nine thousand involved at recreational, competitive and elite level. Requiring a unique combination of gymnastics, dance and acrobatic stunts, it fosters physical fitness, teamwork, discipline and confidence. Competitions and events are held regularly at venues across the country and you are likely to find a club not too far away.

More info and local clubs at www.startarchery.co.uk

More info at www.ukca.org.uk

Padel tennis is an enticing sport for children due to its accessibility and engaging nature. It’s usually played in doubles on a smaller court enclosed by mesh or glass walls, making it easy for kids to keep the ball in play. Padel combines elements of tennis and squash, emphasising hand-eye co-ordination, strategy and teamwork. Its social and active aspects make it a fun and appealing sport for children.

More info and local clubs at www.lta.org.uk

Disc golf appeals to children due to its simplicity and accessibility. With just a frisbee, kids can enjoy outdoor fun, exercise and social interaction. It offers a sense of achievement, skill development and the opportunity to play in beautiful natural settings.

Disc golf is inclusive, allowing kids of all ages and abilities to participate, making it an attractive and cost-effective choice.

More info and local courses at www.discgolfuk.uk

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Street dancing is a freestyle dance form that emerged from urban culture and is great for a child who loves to get down and boogie but is not attracted to traditional dance styles. Whilst fantastic for encouraging self-expression, creativity and self-confidence, it also promotes physical fitness and flexibility while teaching rhythm and coordination. A local dance school is sure to offer classes or you will find a dedicated street dance school nearby.

Extra-curricular activities are a great way for your child to learn new skills and make friends outside school.

DANCE & DRAMA Perform Confidence-building weekly drama, dance and singing 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. Book a FREE class at www.perform.org.uk/try Stagecoach Performing Arts Bringing out the best in every child through the wonderful world of singing, dancing and acting. Weekly classes and holiday workshops are available. For more info email: Stagecoach Fleet fleet@stagecoach.co.uk Stagecoach Liphook liphook@stagecoach.co.uk

Stagecoach Yateley & Camberley camberley@stagecoach. co.uk

MUSIC Vivace Music School Fun and active music and movement classes for children from birth to senior school. Classes nurture their musicality, help them discover their voices and learn the language of music. To book your FREE class in Fleet, Farnham or Yateley email info@vivacemusicschool.co. uk or visit www.vivacemusic school.co.uk Please get in touch if you would like to be included in our clubs & classes directory: editor@ familieshampshirenorth.co.uk

ASK ABOUT OUR TWO WEEK TRIAL

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Families Hampshire North 13

WHAT’S ON

What’s on

January & February 2024

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

JANUARY Until 7 Jan Whitchurch Play Town Whitchurch Silk Mill, 28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch, RG28 7AL whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk Young visitors can enjoy a world of imaginative play with their parents, carers, friends and family with role play areas set up as a vets, nursery, doctors, grocery shop, post box, play cafe and a hairdressers.

10:30am–5pm 6 Jan Hospital Panto Family Show The Haymarket, Wote Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7NW, anvilarts.org.uk The plot is based on the usual Sound of Music story, but with an NHS panto flavour. 2:30pm 12-28 Jan Winter Woodland Lights Hawk Conservancy Trust, Visitor Centre, Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, SP11 8DY, hawk-conservancy.org The Hawk Conservancy Trust will once again become even

more magical, with beautiful illuminations and a live owl display set in a stunning, colourful woodland.

18-27 Jan Red Riding Hood Phoenix Arts, Station Road, Bordon, GU35 0LR pheonixarts.co.uk Join the Phoenix Players for an exciting adventure full of fun.

2:30pm/7:30pm 20 Jan Mum2Mum Market Hatch Warren Community Centre, Longcross Lane, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, RG22 4XF mum2mummarket.co.uk/ m2mmbasingstoke.html Parents and carers can buy or sell preloved baby and kids’ clothes toys and equipment. 12pm 27 Jan–10 Feb Robin Hood Holybourne Theatre, London Road, Holybourne, GU34 4EL, holybournetheatre.co.uk This is a traditional pantomime performed by an enthusiastic and talented cast of local people.

27 Jan–19 Feb Zero Degrees Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, Telegraph Way, Winchester, SO21 1HZ winchestersciencecentre.org

In The Hibernation Station families will learn all about what native species are up to during winter. Den building and seasonal activities, plus lots more. All ages. 9:30am–5pm

28 Jan Wifi Wars: Family-Friendly The Anvil, Churchill Way, Basingstoke, RG21 7QR anvilarts. org.uk Log in with your smartphone or tablet and compete in a range of games, puzzles, and quizzes to win the show, and prizes! 3:30pm FEBRUARY 6-23 Feb Gallery Trail The Allen Gallery, 10-12 Church Street, Alton, GU34 2BW hampshireculture.org.uk/allengallery Drop-in for a new and exciting gallery and garden trail, with a creative activity at the end.

10:30am–4pm 9-18 Feb Crafty Half Term Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age, 6 Church Close, Andover, SP10 1DP, hampshireculture.org.uk/ museum-iron-age Build your very own miniature

Winter fun at Winchester Science Centre It’s hibernation season, but the fun doesn’t stop at Winchester Science Centre this winter. Between Saturday 27th January and Monday 19th February, there’ll be all the usual Science Centre fun, plus even more to excite all ages with the return of Zero Degrees – and it’s all included with admission.

In The Hibernation Station families will learn all about what our native species are up to during winter. And for those feeling brave, there’ll be a chance to step outside and try some hibernation den building.

Back inside there’s a brand new action-packed live science show, Test the Water, that will use exciting experiments to delve into the science of water temperatures. Plus, there are two floors of interactive exhibits, huge ‘don’t try this at home demos’ and lots more in store!

More information at www.winchestersciencecentre.org 14 Families Hampshire North

Iron Age Round House and learn about ancient interior design as you decorate your own creation.

10am–4pm 10 and 18 Feb Play Days Milestones Museum, Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke, RG22 6PG, milestonesmuseum.org.uk Interactive games on the museum floor, five separate gaming areas plus the delights of the Milestones pier.

10 and 18 Feb The Silchester Trail Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery, Market Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7QD, hampshireculture.org.uk/willismuseum-and-sainsbury-gallery Hunt down the Romano- British characters and objects hiding around the museum and learn a few facts about the Romans in Hampshire.

10-18 Feb Spring Half Term at Finkley Down Farm Finkley Down Farm, North Way, Andover, SP11 6NF, finkleydownfarm.co.uk Welcome spring’s little lambs and meet many other adorable animals with all kinds of hands-on activities!

WIN a family ticket to WIN 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

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WHAT’S ON series makes its debut as a brandnew musical show.

17 and 24 Feb Evening Owls Hawk Conservancy Trust, Visitor Centre, Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, SP11 8DY, hawkconservancy.org As night falls, you’ll experience mystical owls and witness their graceful, silent flights in and out of the darkness over the Savannah Arena and amongst mysterious woodland. 5:30pm

13 Feb Trolls Band Together Phoenix Arts, Station Road, Bordon, GU35 0LR, pheonixarts. co.uk Poppy discovers that Branch was once part of the boy band ‘BroZone’ with his brothers, Floyd, John Dory, Spruce and Clay. 11am 13 Feb Museum by Torchlight Curtis Museum, High Street, Alton, GU34 1BA, hampshireculture.org.uk/curtismuseum Bring your torch and enjoy a family torchlight trail through the galleries. 5:30–7:30pm 13-19 Feb Play, Make and More The Allen Gallery, 10-12 Church Street, Alton, GU34 2BW, hampshireculture.org.uk/allengallery Free modelling and drawing activities in our craft area all week.

10:30am–4pm 14 Feb Valentine’s Day Crafts Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age, 6 Church Close, Andover, SP10 1DP, hampshireculture.org.uk/ museum-iron-age Create a unique card and some paper flowers for your loved ones at this Valentines Day. 10:30am

15 Feb Comedy Club 4 Kids The Haymarket, Wote Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7NW, anvilarts.org.uk The show is family-friendly, but without any patronising idiocy.

2pm 15 and 16 Feb Make a Mosaic Coaster Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery, Market Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7QD, hampshireculture.org.uk/willismuseum-and-sainsbury-gallery Using coloured tiles, design and make a Roman inspired mosaic coaster. 11am–12pm/2–4pm 17 and 18 Feb Future Andover Lego Build Andover Museum and Museum of the Iron Age, 6 Church Close, Andover, SP10 1DP, hampshireculture.org.uk/ museum-iron-age Come and join in with the building of a communal landscape of Andover in the future and add your own Lego creation.

10am-4pm

24 Feb Mum2Mum Market Hatch Warren Community Centre, Longcross Lane, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, RG22 4XF, mum2mummarket.co.uk/ m2mmbasingstoke.html Parents and carers can buy or sell preloved baby and kids’ clothes

toys and equipment. 12pm 25 Feb Morgan and West’s Massive Magic Show for Kids The Haymarket, Wote Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7NW, anvilarts.org.uk Roll up, roll up! Morgan & West are back with a massive magic show for kids (and their childish grown-ups)! 2pm 25 Feb The Farmer and the Clown Proteus Theatre, Proteus Creation Space, Council Road, Basingstoke, RG21 3DH, proteustheatre.com The Farmer and The Clown is a story of an unexpected friendship for all ages, told through physical comedy and dance and performed with an original live soundtrack.

2pm/5pm

Vivace

Music School Kodály-based music and movement classes PLAYFUL, INTUITIVE

FREE TASTER

MUSIC LEARNING FROM BIRTH TO SENIOR SCHOOL

07553 416347 www.vivacemusicschool.co.uk info@vivacemusicschool.co.uk

IN FLEET, YATELEY & FARNHAM

"Full of great ideas, confidence-building approaches and social games."

17 and 18 Feb There’s a Monster in Your Show The Haymarket, Wote Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7NW, anvilarts.org.uk Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved Who’s in Your Book?

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Alton School, Anstey Lane, Alton, GU34 2NG 01420 82070 altonschool.co.uk Friday 12 January: year 7 entrance assessment Monday 15 January: year 9 entrance assessment Thursday 25 January: lower school in action Thursday 8 February: year 3 taster day Highfield and Brookham School, Highfield Lane, Liphook, GU30 7LQ 01428 728000

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highfieldandbrookham.co.uk Saturday 10 January, 10am: open morning St Neot’s Prep School, Eversley, Hook, RG27 0PN 0118 973 2118 stneotsprep.co.uk Friday 2 February, 9am: open morning Yateley Manor, 51 Reading Road, Yateley, GU46 7UQ 01252 405500 yateleymanor.com Thursday 18 January, 9:15am: open morning

Families Hampshire North 15

All the usual Science Centre fun PLUS Test the Water - a brand new live science show, Hibernation Station and den building activities all free with general admission.

Weekends and February half term 27th Jan to 19th Feb 2024

Book now

winchestersciencecentre.org

16 Families Hampshire North

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