Families Hereford & Worcester Sep/Oct 2020

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Hereford & Worcester

IN THIS ISSUE

Win a family holiday to Santa’s Lapland

September/October 2020 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 1

EDUCATION

Start your Abberley Adventure Abberley Hall is a happy and vibrant co-educational prep school and nursery for children ages 2 to 13, welcoming day pupils and full/parttime boarders.

Providing every child with the best possible start, its dedicated staff instil a quiet confidence, enabling children to make the most of opportunities ranging from performing arts to DT and including fishing, riding, swimming and daily sport.

From the Forest School to the classroom-sized treehouse, Abberley’s beautiful grounds are at the heart of the school experience, and, together with its academic rigour, the great outdoors plays a huge part in the breadth of education on offer.

The school is proud of its considerable achievements - this year, 42 leavers were awarded 48 scholarships or exhibitions across all disciplines – academic, sport, art, DT, drama and music.

To start your Abberley adventure, visit the website or contact our Registrar, Victoria Heath, on 01299 896814.

PART OF THE MALVERN COLLEGE FAMILY OF SCHOOLS

Start your Abberley Adventure OPEN DAY

Saturday 14 November 2020

Co-educational Boarding and Day for pupils aged 2-13

www.abberleyhall.co.uk T: 01299 896 275

2 September 2020

familiesonline.co.uk

CONTENTS

In This Issue

We’re Celebrating!

2

There are some reasons to celebrate as we head into autumn.

Education

10 Autumn Activities 12 Early Years 14 Halloween 16 Health 17 Parenting 18 Clubs & Classes 20 Activities

Get in touch 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.

Our children will hopefully get to go back to school and nursery after a huge break, which is really good news for parents. This autumn also marks the 30 year anniversary of Families Magazine, first launched in London in 1990. Throughout the next 12 months, we’ll have lots of freebies on offer for our subscribers to mark this milestone. So sign up if you don’t want to miss out! It’s FREE. To get the ball rolling, we’re proud to offer you the chance to win a family holiday to Santa’s Lapland in Finland! See page 13 for details.

In the meantime, we hope you find this issue useful in negotiating the start to the new school and nursery year.

Ofsted

Action-packed childcare this

registered

October Half Term Monday 26th – Friday 30th October 2020

Choice of venues available

We accept childcare vouchers

Our number one priority is the safety of you, your children and our team.

How are we making Active Camps safe?

With our six point strategy developed in line with government guidance.

Contact free sign in and out is here!

Brand new Active Camps App now used for registration and collection.

For more info visit aspire-sports.co.uk or call 0121 663 1979 familiesonline.co.uk

Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham, Redditch, Worcester North, Shakespeare Country and Borders Venue & online e-classes available

September 2020 3

EDUCATION

Free Learning Support Resources Need some additional tools to help your child catch up at school?

BBC Bitesize

Preschool, KS1, KS2+.

Oxford Owl

Early Years, KS1, KS2+.

BBC School Radio

Daily Phonics Lessons by Ruth Miskin Training

Mathematics Mastery Home Resources KS1, KS2.

Literacy Counts Home Learning Packs

Reception, KS1, KS2.

Bud’s Number Garden Game

Literacy Shed

NRICH Maths at Home Resources

Preschool, KS1.

Preschool, KS1.

4 September 2020

KS1, KS2.

Early Years, KS1, KS2.

KS1, KS2+.

familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

The King’s School Welcomes New Headmaster The King’s School in Worcester is excited to welcome its new Headmaster, Gareth Doodes.

Gareth brings 20 years of education experience to The King’s School, joining from Dover College, where he was also Headmaster. He will provide the strategic leadership and vision for King’s St Alban’s, King’s Hawford and King’s Worcester, all of which deliver first-class independent academic, pastoral and co-curricular provision for children 2 to 18 years.

Commenting on his new role, Gareth said: “I’m immensely proud to be joining an organisation which has a long history of providing unrivalled opportunities for pupils. Ultimately, I am a big believer in an holistic education that balances academic excellence with extra-curricular opportunity and exceptional pastoral care. These three areas working together can foster a real love of learning, whilst at the same time giving children the freedom and confidence to explore and discover their individual passions.”

More information

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 5

EDUCATION

18 Top New Children’s Books for Autumn

Duck and Penguin That Dog! Things I Love by Emma Lazell.

Do Not Like Bear Will smart dog outwit the Susie Linn/Alex Willmore.

Sleepovers Julia Woolf.

Night time adventure for babies/toddlers.

dog-nappers?

For babies/toddlers.

Scenes and activities little ones will recognise.

For babies/toddlers.

The Diddle That Dummed

It’s OK to Cry

I’m Sticking with You

Kes Gray/Fred Blunt.

Laughter, music, word play & silliness. Ages 3+.

Molly Potter/Sarah Jennings.

Great intro to emotions.

Ages 3+.

Moth

The Blue Giant

Egneus. Powerful/ visually spectacular evolution story.

Ages 5+.

story about pollution in our oceans.

Ages 5+.

Smriti Halls/Steve Small.

A story about friendship.

Ages 3+.

Super Milly and the

By Isabel Thomas/Daniel By Katie Cottle. Poignant Super School Day

6 September 2020

By Owen Millward.

Upbeat/funny picture book about kindness.

Ages 5+.

familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

18 Top New Children’s Books for Autumn

Mermaid School: Ready, Steady, Swim!

Noah Wild and the Floating Zoo

Lucy Courtenay/Sheena Dempsey. An underwater school story. Ages 7+.

Alexander Mccall Smith.

An ordinary boy’s heartwarming/extraordinary feat. Ages 7+.

Louis Sachar/Aleksei Bitskoff. Brilliantly illustrated story of mixedup mayhem. Ages 7+.

My Name is River

Turtle Boy

Health Heroes

The Virus

Return to Wonderland

The Unadoptables

Beneath the Cloud of Doom

Emma Rea. M. Evan Wolkenstein.

Emily Sharratt.

Thrilling, ecological A story offering hope/ ‘Health heroes’ talk adventure in the Amazon new perspectives to life’s about their working lives. jungle. Ages 9+. outsiders. Ages 9+.

Ages 9+.

Ben Martynoga/Moose Allain.

Explores the science behind viruses/Covid-19 pandemic. Ages 11+. familiesonline.co.uk

Wonderland-inspired stories from top contemporary authors.

Ages 11+.

Hana Tooke/Ayesha L.Rubio.

Adventure set in oldworld Amsterdam/ surrounds. Ages 11+.

September 2020 7

EDUCATION

Supporting a Dyslexic Child

By Ellie Malt “Do you think she might have dyslexia or something like that?” I asked.

I was standing in the playground with one of the teaching assistants, watching my 4 year old climb into her buggy, eager for her after-school snack. Although it was only her second term in Reception, I’d noticed she seemed uninterested in the alphabet, while other children could already write their names. But I was only really thinking out loud. Even to me, it seemed ridiculously early to be jumping to any conclusions. “Probably” she shot back over the general hubbub. I admit, I was shocked. But looking back years later, finally in possession of a formal diagnosis, I appreciate her honesty. I only wish I had acted sooner; it could have saved so much struggle and frustration.

READ MORE

Dyslexia Features

Sources of Help

Your child may:

British Dyslexia Association Advice and assessments. Find your local association.

• • • • •

Talk well but write little; Be a slow/reluctant reader; Struggle with spelling; Have difficulties with writing; Not always remember/ understand what he/she has just read; • Seem inattentive and unable to concentrate/remember instructions; • Have difficulty organising himself/herself; • Struggle to remember the order of things, eg days of the week.

8 September 2020

The Dyslexia Association Screening, assessment, tuition, assistive technology training.

Dyslexia Assist Find local support.

Achieve Now Works with dyslexic pupils and IT. All services online.

IPSEA Free, independent legal information, advice and support.

Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre Influential regional centre. familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Top Homework Tips Where, When and How

Let THEM Do the Work

Create space. If possible, this should be a communal space but one with minimal distractions.

This enables parental supervision/input without it feeling like an intrusion.

Provide guidance, not answers.

Use questioning to help them get as close to the answer as they can but don’t tell them.

Establish a routine. Some children prefer to do homework straight after school; others need to ‘unwind’ or eat first. Whatever is decided, stick to it.

Get organised. Have your child do the hard work first when they are most alert. Help them make a “Done/To Do” list.

Let them make mistakes.

Giving answers means they will not learn the material and their teacher will not know how much they understand it.

Step in only when progress comes to a halt.

Encourage them to set small positive targets promoting independent working and selfsufficiency.

What YOU Can Offer Discuss homework. Even if you know nothing about a subject, you can still help just by talking, listening and helping them to find the right answer.

Use a timer. Challenge your child to estimate how long an assignment might take. Suggest setting a timer for that amount of time, or less.

Encourage. Praise effort not achievement. Focus on hard work or improved concentration, handwriting or presentation.

Make it positive. Tell them how important school is. Your attitude to homework will influence their attitude. familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 9

ACTIVITIES

Autumn Outdoors Enjoy these seasonal outdoor activities with the family.

Bark Rubbing

Autumn Scavenger Hunt

Conkers

Mushroom Hunting

Tree Decorating

Making and Flying a Kite

Building a Hedgehog Home

Litter Picking

Making a Leaf Maze

10 September 2020

familiesonline.co.uk

ACTIVITIES

Great Autumn Crafts Join our friends at MyBaba and get crafty with the kids!

Autumn Leaf Pictures

3D Autumn Tree Craft

Autumn Leaf Sun Catchers

Autumn Play Dough

Painted Leaves

Leaf Rubbing Busy Bag

Animal Seed Collage

Leaf Chromatography

Autumn Sensory Tray

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 11

EARLY YEARS

A-Z of Early Years Activities

By Gabrielle Nash @thelondonishmum

Animal Hunt. Search for tiny creepy crawlies, the chirpy in the trees kind and the bigger more exciting kind!

Baking. Use overripe bananas to bake muffins. Or roll out some biscuit dough.

Cardboard Creations. A pirate ship, a car, or a doll’s bed? Save a box, colour it in or cut it up!

Den building. Inside with chairs and sheets. Outside with pieces of wood!

Envelope Endeavours. Send photos/stickers or a letter/card to a friend/family member.

Film Fun. Make popcorn, print off ‘cinema tickets’ and snuggle up.

Garden Growing. Ingredients: patch of soil for digging/planting, old spoons for digging and water for watering!

Hiking. Pack a bag and snacks/ drinks. Get your kids excited about a little ‘hike.’

Imaginary Play. Kids LOVE it!

Visit the doctors or take a pet to the vet!

Jumble Sale Jollies. Involve kids in sorting things for charity or a jumble sale.

Kickabout. Visit the park with a ball – run, jump, slide, shout!

Learning through Play...is the best way! Games like i-spy improve letter/sound recognition.

Mud Mess. It’s such FUN! Make mud pies.

Noise. Bang pans; pick out a tune/rhythm with bells or drums.

12 September 2020

Outdoor Painting. Paint leaves/stones. Add food colouring to bubbles and ‘paint’ windows – it washes off!

Puzzles. Jigsaws develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.

Quiet. Help your little one enjoy quieter things - small world toys, books, colouring or painting.

Reading. Make reading special.

Try different voices to captivate your child’s imagination.

Safari Special. Hide toy animals (or pictures) around your home. Grab paper/pen and go on safari. Write down the animals you see.

Treasure Time. Make a map and hide “treasure.” Grab a toy sword and battle pirates as you search for it!

Under the Stars. Show your toddler the twinkling lights from galaxies far away.

Virtual Fun. Journey down the Amazon; enjoy a virtual roller coaster ride!

Water. As a wise person once said: when a child is grumpy “just add water!”

X-Ray. Draw around your child’s body. Stick the drawing on the floor. Draw in bones, explaining what they are and what they do.

Yoga. Find great kid-friendly options on Youtube.

ZZZZ….Time to sleep. familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

Clever Ways to Get your Child Eating Healthily

Childcare Post Lockdown

Do you dread mealtimes? Does your child have little interest in broccoli and beans? Whether you’re trying baby-led weaning or desperate to get vegetables into a pre-schooler, here’s our tips on how to give your child the best start at the dinner table.

As childcare opens up postlockdown, there is a sense of unease about whether it’s safe to send our children back to nursery. Of course, we want to protect them. So how are nurseries making their environment safe for our children?

READ MORE

By Gabrielle Nash

READ MORE

Win a magical break to Santa's Lapland in 2021 Enjoy a Reindeer sleigh ride, sledging with huskies, exploring a real igloo and much more, including a once in a lifetime private visit with Santa himself!

Click here to enter

Entries close at midnight on 30th October 2020. Terms & conditions apply, see website for details. familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 13

HALLOWEEN

9 Best Halloween Recipes Creative Halloween party snacks for all the family to enjoy making and eating.

Sticky Toffee Apples

Spider Pizzas

Frozen Banana Ghosts

Scary Halloween Jelly

Sausage Mummy Dippers

Halloween Cupcakes

Spooky Pumpkin Soup

Eerie Eyeball Pops

Pumpkin Rice Krispies Treats

14 September 2020

familiesonline.co.uk

HALLOWEEN

9 Best Halloween Games Perfect for a small gathering or indoor family fun!

Halloween Pinata

Sticky Spider Web Game

Pumpkin Golf

Halloween Bingo

Halloween Tin Can Bowling

Apple Bobbing

Pin the Tail on the Black Cat

Toilet Paper Mummy Game

Doughnut Eating Race

familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 15

HEALTH

Coping with Tears at Drop Off

Keep it Moving and Stay Motivated

By Dr Elise Kearney

By Gabrielle Nash @thelondonishmum

Whilst tears at school or nursery drop off are something that most parents face at one stage or another, understandably, right now, this may be harder to cope with as parents grapple with their own mixed emotions about returning their children to school during the Covid-19 pandemic.

READ MORE

One of the pleasant, unexpected consequences of lockdown, was witnessing so many families taking to their screens for some physical activity courtesy of the likes of Joe Wicks and Cosmic Kids Yoga. Wouldn’t it be amazing to stay motivated to be physically active?

READ MORE

Children with OCD: Recognising the Signs

October Half Term Active Camps

Children worry. Feeling anxious, having doubts, or being worried is normal at any age. However, those who are experiencing OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), may feel unable to stop focussing on those feelings – no matter how much they want to.

This can compel them to behave in particular ways.

READ MORE 16 September 2020

After an unforgettable summer of fun, Active Camps can’t wait to be back this October half term, running from 26 to 30 October and offering a whole week of sport and physical activities.

Active Camps’ has a six point strategy to keep its camps safe: Space and Social Distancing Hygiene and Cleanliness Contact Free Sign In/Out Staff Training Safe Activities Policies and Procedures To find out more and to book, visit the website. familiesonline.co.uk

PARENTING

Who Will Take Care of the Children IF….?

By Andrew Campbell

It’s tough deciding who will take care of your children if the worst happens and they no longer have a parent around. Unfortunately, in this eventuality, the situation is not straightforward for your children. Find out why.

READ MORE

What Do We Say to the School about our Separation?

By Rebecca Giraud & Bob Greig

Any parent who has been through a separation will understand the massive stress it involves and the anxiety around co-parenting. One of the important issues that can get overlooked in the mix is what to tell your child’s school.

READ MORE

Meaningful Moments

By Claire Winter

We all lead busy lives, with endless to-do lists and children with many hobbies.

Naturally family time can fall by the wayside sometimes.

Yet spending time together is essential if we want a happy and inclusive family environment.

So why not plan some family moments this autumn?

READ MORE familiesonline.co.uk

September 2020 17

CLUBS & CLASSES

Face-to-Face and Virtual Classes and Clubs

Mother Nature Science

Gymboree

Teddies Music Club

Tiny Talk

Music Bugs

Helen O’Grady Drama Academy

Face to face classes for 0–5s utilising music, Face to face and online Face to face and online science activity classes movement, props, and music toddler groups patented apparatus. for 5-12yrs. for 0-5s.

Face to face and online baby signing classes.

Worcestershire and surrounds.

Online sensory music classes for babies and toddlers.

Rugbytots

Little Gym

Face to face rugby play programme for 2-7 yrs.

18 September 2020

Face to face drama classes for 5-17yrs.

Little Kickers

Face to face and online Face to face football gymnastics activities classes for 18mths-7yrs. for 4mths-12yrs. familiesonline.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES

Face-to-Face and Virtual Classes and Clubs

Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School

FunTech

Caterpillar Music

Tots Play

SA Dance

Parrot Street Book Club

Online tech and coding Face to face and online music/movement for 7-18 yrs. classes babies and Face to face and online toddlers. drama for ages 4-18yrs.

Face to face and online baby and toddler play programme.

Online dance classes for 2.5yrs+.

Teddy Tennis

Lingotot

Face to face tennis classes for 2.5-6yrs.

familiesonline.co.uk

Face to face and online language classes for 0-12yrs.

Monthly subscription book club for 5-11yrs.

Water Babies

Swimming classes for 0-5yrs.

September 2020 19

ACTIVITIES

9 Best Board Games For rainy weekends and as the nights draw in!

Djeco Little Circuit

Shopping List

Peppa Pig Muddly Puddle Game

Great first game with simple rules and quick games. Ages 2.5-5yrs.

Fast paced game testing memory and matching skills.

Ages 3+.

Help George jump over muddles puddles to climb the hill. Ages 4+.

Cheeky Monkeys

Bananagrams

Jenga

Hang the monkey on the tree. Fun game of chance. Ages 4-8yrs.

Fast paced version of Scrabble. Ages 7+.

Take wooden blocks off the tower without it toppling! Ages 6+.

Monopoly Deal

Hey, That’s My Fish!

Einstein Eats Eggs

15 minute Monopoly – perfect intro to this classic game. Ages 8+.

20 September 2020

Award-winning game of strategic fish hunting. For ages 8+.

High speed Charadestype guessing game.

Ages 10+.

familiesonline.co.uk

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Easter activities & What’s Ons * Win chocolates for Mother’s Day & family day out tickets * Play café guide * School open days * Reader offers Issue 10 March/April 2020

21 September familie 2020 sonline .co.uk email: editor@familie

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Education being happy at Nursery Summer clubs and classes Family fitness

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IN THIS ISSUE

Winter Wonderland Free puzzles and brainteasers!

Playtime in the warm Issue 10 November/Decembert 2019

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