Issue 84 - JanFeb 19

Happy New Year!

Issue 84 Jan/Feb 2019

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Families Herts

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In this issue:

From your Editor…

Welcome to the first issue of 2019.

At Families Herts the aim is to provide useful information that is also an interesting read. So, in the Childcare Feature you will find out about the Montessori approach to early years learning and development. Plus, Ruth Martin of Artisans Kindergarten in Harpenden, shows how, with only a little effort, you can turn a drizzly winter’s day at home into a fun learning and bonding time for you and your child.

A calm and orderly start to the day is good for the whole family. Our Education section gives five tips to help you be on top of your daily getting-ready-for-school (and work) routine.

For a fun family activity, join in Wear A Hat Day. This annual fundraising event takes place on Friday 29th March. Find out more in the News & Views section.

Once the Christmas bubble has burst, the start of a new year can feel like waiting to slide down a very high flume; you know there will be hidden twists and turns and a few little bumps along the way, but they will all add to the experience.

And finally, I have enjoyed bringing you each new issue of Families Herts but after fourteen years and eighty-four issues, this issue is my last. As I move on to new projects, I am leaving you in the capable hands of your new Editor, Dale Harry. Dale is very excited about his new role and he is already working on the March/April issue. Thanks to everyone who has supported Families Herts over the years: readers, advertisers, contributors, designer, printers, and deliverers. Now it’s over to Dale …

Find us in: Baldock, Borehamwood, Chorleywood, Harpenden, Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Kings Langley, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, St Albans, Stevenage, Ware, Welwyn GC.

Shelley

News & Views: 4 Childcare: 6 Education: 9 New Year, New Family: 10 Parenting: 11 What’s On: 12 Next Issue: 85 - March/April Copy Deadline: 7th February

Image credit: © kozzi2

Pick it up from cafes, playgroups, nurseries, schools, activity groups, selected shops, surgeries, leisure centres and libraries. Email or call to request copies for your venue.

020 8428 6384 editor@familiesherts.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk

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News & Views Dance your days away with a diddi dance franchise If you’re looking for an award-winning, family-friendly business opportunity with a supportive franchise network then look no further! Now is your chance to be in business for yourself, not by yourself!

Established in 2003 by professional dancer Anne-Marie Martin, diddi dance has, from day one, been the go to class for parents with active toddlers. diddi dance classes, parties and early years setting sessions are designed to engage and inspire children's own creativity by using action songs, dancing games and props all to our own original, funky music.

We are looking for more great franchisees to help us and join our mission to Get Children Moving!

Our franchisees come from different backgrounds, but inevitably chose diddi dance because of what we stand for and are trying to achieve within the preschool sector.

Our low-cost franchise package of

£4,995+VAT can suit anyone who wants to run their own business.

To find out more go to Contact franchise@diddidance.com or https://www.diddidance.com/franchise/

Wear A Hat Day If you’re looking for a fun activity for the whole family, look no further than Wear A Hat Day. The annual fundraising event takes place on Friday 29th March, 2019 and the Brain Tumour Research charity needs your help to make it the biggest, boldest and hattiest EVER! There are so many ways to get involved and the little ones will have so much fun, all whilst helping an important cause. From organising a hatty fashion show and making Easter bonnets, to hosting a bake sale and going on a hat-tastic walkabout, you can plan any type of event you fancy… just don’t forget your hat!

By taking part in Wear A Hat Day, you will be helping to raise vital funds for research into brain tumours. The disease is indiscriminate,

and it can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Register for Wear A Hat Day and your family can help change this; simply go to https://www. braintumourresearch.org/fundraise/wear-ahat-day/wear-a-hat-day-registration

Campus West Wins Awards Recently honoured with a Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for its consistently high customer ratings, the award-winning Campus West in Welwyn Garden City is home to all your entertainment needs under one roof. The 3-screen cinema shows the latest blockbusters, as well as more independent and unusual films for children, plus autismfriendly and mother and baby screenings.

Mary Poppins Returns is one of the big movies screening in early 2019, plus live screenings of the wonderful Bite Size Ballets from Northern Ballet including The Tortoise and the Hare, The Elves and the Shoemaker and The Three Little Pigs.

A fun skate session at RollerCity – Hertfordshire’s only purpose-built roller skating rink - will delight and surprise you.

A Day Out With the Kids Family Favourites Awards finalist, RollerCity won the award for Best Active Day Out in the eastern region.

Open 7 days a week, Soft Play City has unlimited play sessions, with dedicated age zones from 0-8 years and free entry for babies under 1 year old. There are a variety of parties on offer to suit every budget and every occasion - from shared sessions to exclusive parties.

If you get a FREE Zebra Discount Card, you can get up to 50% off tickets and food and drink.

Please go to www.cwentertainment.co.uk for more information.

Raising Confident Children with Perform Sara has two children, Honor (8) and James (6) who have both been attending Perform classes since they were 4 years old.

“I’ve always wanted my children to feel confident speaking in public and chatting to all sorts of people. I think these are essential life skills these days,” says Sara.

Sara was drawn to Perform because of its focus on developing confidence and selfesteem in a fun way. “It’s not a pushy stage school” she explains. “Each week, the classes focus on a topic like manners, making eye contact or introducing themselves, but this is wrapped up in a highly engaging way in the context of drama and songs.”

“Since my children started attending Perform, other parents frequently remark on 4

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their confidence and how well they speak in school assemblies. I’m really impressed with how they chat to adults in places like shops and restaurants.”

Classes at Perform are small with two teachers per class. “The teachers are professional actors with amazing energy and enthusiasm. They go out of their way to understand and engage every child” reports Sara.

Perform offers a FREE no-obligation dance or drama class in Bishops Stortford, Borehamwood, Broxbourne, Harpenden, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Potters Bar, Radlett, Sawbridgworth, St Albans and Welwyn Garden City.Visit www.perform.org. uk/try to book. familiesonline.co.uk

Nurture your child with Monkey Music classes!

Katherine Mayes is a professional violinist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and mother of two musical boys she also runs Monkey Music classes in Baldock, Biggleswade, Hitchin, Knebworth, Letchworth and Stotfold. Here, Katherine explains why she is passionate about the amazing effects music has on the development of babies and young children.

“I discovered Monkey Music when a friend asked me to join her in her local class. I remember feeling impressed by the catchy songs, amazing colourful props and professionalism of the teacher. The class was fun and interactive, yet very educational. As a music teacher myself, I wanted to find a class that was tailored to the developmental needs of my boys and for me Monkey Music surpassed anything else! Many years on, after a lot of training, I decided to buy the

local Monkey Music franchise. I enjoy every moment of teaching my classes, expressing my love and joy for music to the babies and children who attend. I must say that one of the special moments in class is when I serenade the children and captivate them with my violin. Their faces always look mesmerized, and there is a real sense of magic in class. Another wonderful moment is when percussion instruments are handed out and we all play together with lots of energy and fun!

At Monkey Music we enthusiastically believe that it is important for children to be immersed in making music in an enjoyable, exciting and structured environment. We have a wonderful, innovative and unique 4-stage programme, written by professional musicians within the Early Years Foundation Stages framework. Babies and children are divided

The Big Garden Birdwatch The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch takes place from 26 to 28 January and is the largest wildlife survey in the world. The information collected helps monitor bird species in the UK, and is great fun for children.

To take part, you need to watch the birds in your garden or local park for just one hour at some point over the three days and report your results to the RSPB. You can request a FREE Big Garden Birdwatch pack from the RSPB which includes a bird identification chart and advice to help you attract wildlife to your garden.

To make it fun, challenge your children to see who can spot the most birds. Take a bike ride to a local park to look for birds, or make a

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© Andy Hay rspb-images.com

day trip out of it and spot birds in a new place.

More info at www.rspb.org.uk

into age-specific classes from 3 months, all the way up to 4 years of age. By the time a child reaches primary school they will have a wealth of musical knowledge, life skills, have learnt to read music, and have specific experience both visually and aurally of every orchestral instrument. Monkey Music provides a perfect grounding for going on to learn an instrument at school.”

Find out more or book a FREE TASTER class at www.monkeymusic.co.uk and click on ‘find a class’; email Baldock.hitchin@monkeymusic. co.uk; call 01462 626735

Domestic Abuse The Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership is raising awareness of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is everybody’s business.

Domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in the UK during their lifetime and sadly over 750,000 children annually. Here in Hertfordshire, children were known to be present in the home in 26% of all reported domestic abuse crimes and incidents in 2015/16. It’s important that people know what to look out for and how they can get help.

If you’re concerned about yourself, your children, a family member, friend or colleague; free confidential advice is available at www.hertssunflower.org or by calling the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline on 08 088 088 088 (9am-9pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat/Sun). In an emergency, always dial 999.

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Childcare

What is a Montessori Pre-School or Nursery?

Many of us are familiar with the word “Montessori” in connection with education, but what exactly is the Montessori Method and how can it benefit children?

The Montessori Method was developed 100 years ago by Dr Maria Montessori and recognises that children want to be free to learn by themselves and will naturally do so in the right environment. In the Montessori classroom, carefully planned activities and specialised equipment are provided for different levels of learning. A child is completely free to choose how he or she learns but you won’t generally find plastic nursery toys in a Montessori setting.

The Montessori Method is child-centred and the curriculum is designed around the specific needs and abilities of each child as an individual, which allows each to explore and learn at his or her own pace.

Children are encouraged to choose their own activities from a range of Montessori equipment and materials. Each individual piece is designed to teach a range of specific skills.

Once shown how to use a piece of equipment,

“Children educated the Montessori way become great at problem solving and able to make decisions at an early age, which is a marvellous preparation for starting school” a child can then experiment until he gets it right. The equipment is specifically designed to be self-correcting which means children can learn by themselves, through their senses and at their own pace. Then, the equipment is designed to provide another challenge so that learning becomes progressively more difficult, providing the opportunity for children to progress. In this way, a child’s learning experience is accelerated.

All the activities and Montessori equipment have precise locations on the shelves and when a child finishes an activity, he or she is encouraged to return it back to the same place. This helps children develop a sense of order and promotes self-discipline.

At a Montessori nursery, there is generally only one piece of each equipment. “When a child is using a particular piece, other children must ask permission to join in” says Sonya Kanchan-Lal, Principal of Milkshake Montessori in Whitton. “Otherwise a child must wait until that piece of equipment becomes free. This really teaches the children about sharing. They learn that although they are industriously 6

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involved in their individual work, they are also part of a co-operative community.”

Julia Moody, Principal of Julia’s Montessori in Hampton says “One of the greatest benefits of the Montessori Method is the focus on hands-on learning. Children work on activities that teach language, mathematics, culture, creative, practical life and sensory skills giving them a broad and varied learning experience.”

Children learn to work on their own or as part of a group and the “prepared environment” encourages independence, confidence, concentration, self-control, a sense of order, initiative, grace, courtesy, patience, compassion, negotiation and selfesteem.

“Children educated the Montessori way become great at problem solving and able to make decisions at an early age, which is a marvellous preparation for starting school” says Julia.

In an Early Years setting, children are of mixed ages, allowing the older children to mentor the younger ones and the younger children to learn from the older children. The

curriculum focuses on ‘key developmental milestones’ that link in nicely with the Early Years Foundation State Curriculum.

Montessori encourages co-operative play, which enables and encourages children to share and work together exploring the various areas in the Montessori classroom, whilst learning respect for one another and building a sense of community.

Whilst all children are different and no hard and fast rules can be applied, research conducted by the University of Virginia in the US has shown that children who attend Montessori nurseries or pre-schools may be better prepared for English and maths learning when they start school. The research also demonstrated that these children scored higher in tests for “executive function.”

This is the ability to adapt to changing and complex problems. Those children who attended Montessori nurseries or pre-schools also displayed a greater sense of justice and fairness and interacted with others in an emotional positive way.

Choosing a pre-school or nursery setting for your child is never easy and it’s always advisable to visit and ask as many questions as possible. No one setting or type of setting suits every child, and, ultimately, your gut instinct on a setting’s suitability is most likely to lead you to the right decision!

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Nannies and Child-minders: the Same or Different?

By Sarah-Jane Butler

There is sometimes a perception that a nanny is superior to a child-minder. After all, a child-minder looks after your child alongside others in their home, whereas a nanny is personal to you, works in your home and, unless you have a nanny share, looks solely after your child and, often, your house as well.

Child-minders must be Ofsted registered and have certain childcare qualifications. Some nannies may have higher level qualifications than child-minders, such as an NNEB Level 3 in Childcare or a Childcare Degree. However, many actually have no qualifications at all and, in some cases, little experience either.

Unlike child-minders, nannies are not regulated and don’t have to be registered or have any qualifications. All a nanny needs in order to care for children is a DBS (formerly CRB) check and even that doesn’t have to be up to date. A good nanny agency will ensure that your nanny has the right qualifications and/or experience and is appropriately screened.

However, the rise of internet search sites often drives parents to find a nanny online in order to avoid agency fees. Unsuitable nannies can therefore slip through the net and may be much cheaper than a child-minder.

Many parents also pay their nannies cash in hand without accounting to HMRC for the tax and national insurance they owe, so the savings overall may seem substantial. Do remember though that not paying tax or NIC is illegal and can carry substantial penalties if discovered. Not only that, but it unfairly deprives your nanny of any state benefits in the future.

If you decide to employ a nanny, do make sure she has the right skills, experience and/or qualifications. However much money you save, there

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is really no advantage in 1:1 care in your own home if the nanny you employ is inadequate or unsuited to the job.

Sarah- Jane Butler is CEO and founder of Parental Choice, a one stop shop for advice and guidance on all your childcare needs, including payroll and employment contracts for nannies. Find out more at www.parentalchoice.co.uk

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Childcare Making January Amazing Ruth Martin, Principal of Artisans Kindergarten in Harpenden, suggests imaginative ways to have fun with your little one whilst nurturing their creativity and inspiring their intellectual curiosity.

January and February are often dark, dull and drizzly, which can lead to grumpy pre-schoolers and frazzled parents. Being marooned at home together can also become the best childhood memory for both. Giving your full focus to your child will build a stronger relationship and teach your child to give you their focus too. Here’s some ideas how:

Housework Hero Pre-schoolers want to be like adults, so everyday household chores become fun activities. Sorting clothes is fun, they can extend their colour knowledge and explore shape and texture. Hoovering is great too: what is a vacuum and how does that catch the dirt? Empty or fill the dishwasher together and learn the names of everyday crockery items. Being able to position an object as you lift requires strength and balance and helps develop body awareness and coordination.

Mad Scientist Thousands of science experiments can be done with simple household items, helping to ignite passion and curiosity. Try searching the internet for ‘tornado in a bottle’, ‘bicarb volcano’, ‘making oobleck from cornflour’, ‘paper plane launchers’ and much more besides.

Amazing Artist Think Andy Goldsworthy and use your cutlery, cups, plates and whatever else inspires you to create amazing art. You could extend it to tomatoes, cucumber circles, carrot sticks, cheese cubes and make lunch into an artwork.

Intrepid explorer Set up a treasure hunt for each other. The clues can be verbal, pictorial, or acted out.

Add in an obstacle course, or pretend the carpet is molten lava that can’t be crossed and suddenly the doors of imagination are flung wide.

So, let’s turn those dull days into ones when we teach our children to question, problem solve and be independent; to tackle a project, find a passion and just to be happy with their own company.

Find out more about Artisans Kindergarten at www.artisans-nursery.co.uk or call 07795 510130 8

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Marshalswick Pre School and Nursery Marshalswick Pre School and Nursery has been serving the local community for over twenty-two years. The pre-school is set in a bright and spacious open space where the preschool children and nursery children benefit from two separate rooms where learning and development is encouraged in small groups. Because Marshalswick is a small pre-school and nursery the staff are able to be close to the children and can provide a secure environment where the children feel valued, encouraged and supported in all aspects of their development and well-being. The staff are highly qualified practitioners who form a close-knit, friendly team. Their deep commitment to their roles as practitioners and teachers ensures that the children’s needs

Willows Farm Day Nursery and Pre-School Ofsted registered Willows Farm Day Nursery and Pre-School offers nurturing childcare in a countryside setting at award winning Willows Activity Farm, conveniently located, 200 metres from junction 22 of the M25. There are plenty of outdoor play and learning areas with regular visits to the farm too. We have separate purpose built Baby and Pre-Toddler Rooms with a dedicated area in our gardens.

Children then move into our Toddler Rooms with a diverse range of activities available every day before moving into the Pre-School where independent learning is encouraged and where the pre-schoolers can enjoy their own private garden. We offer freshly prepared healthy food, cooked onsite. We have spaces available across our Baby Room to Pre-School with 30 Hours Funded Places available (subject to eligibility). To book a tour and find out more visit willowsfarmdaynursery.com or call 01727 829535

are at the centre of a warm and stimulating environment. Within the Early Years Statutory Framework the children are encouraged to explore the seven areas of learning through play. Daily activities are a combination of child led and adult led play. The children are provided with a range of activities that are creative, stimulating and challenging through which they can express themselves as individuals and discover the world around them.

To find out more call 07746 646011 or email marshalswickpreschool@gmail.com

Do you have a 3 or 4 year old?

Did you know you can apply now for a free early education place for your 3 or 4 year old to start?

If you need to apply for a free early education place for your child you must apply directly to the provider of your choice; this could be a pre-school, day nursery, childminder or school nursery.

Many school nurseries, pre-schools and day nurseries are having open days so that parents and carers can look around. Or, if not, you can contact the setting direct and arrange to visit.

96% of all Hertfordshire early years providers are graded good or outstanding

by Ofsted. Evidence shows that regular, high quality early education has lasting benefits for all children.

Regardless of where your child accesses their free early education entitlement, they will experience a varied and stimulating range of play and early learning activities, including: learning by playing and exploring; creative and critical thinking; socialising and making friends; having fun, in a safe and nurturing environment; being school ready.

Find your nearest early years provider at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/parents

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Education Five Tips for De-Stressing Getting to School Children don’t understand time in the same way as adults. This can make school mornings a stressful time of day for parents.

Here are five tips to that may help make things a little easier.

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The Crucial 10 Minutes

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The Night Before

Why not get up 10 minutes earlier? This will give you a chance to grab a cup of tea or coffee, have a shower and get dressed in less of a rush than usual.

Being up 10 minutes earlier also gives you a fair chance of making sure both you and your children are ready 10 minutes before you have to leave. This will give you time to gather your thoughts and make sure you have everything. No more rushing out of the door and rushing back to pick up forgotten items!

The night before, do everything that can be done to prepare for the morning.

Lay out the school uniform, make pack lunches, sort snacks, check all homework and sports kit are where they should be.

Make showers/baths and hair washes part of the night time routine, rather than obstacles to overcome in the morning.

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Have a Checklist

Either write an actual checklist for your child’s school morning routine, or just verbally repeat the jobs they are expected to do until they remember them.

A checklist could include: eating breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth and hair, packing lunch and water bottle, putting on shoes and coat. It’s good to have a plan of their weekly school routine somewhere handy too so that you know when school library books are due back, which day is swimming or games and so on.

4 Provide a Pay Off Give kids an incentive so that if they finish their school morning routine early they are rewarded with some time for television, reading or something they would like to do before school.

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Use Devices

Set reminders on your phone for special tasks such as remembering to give your child signed permission slips or leaving early for a school club. Think about an alarm for children who struggle to wake up. Set a timer for tasks such as 15 minutes to eat breakfast or 5 minutes for showering, so that you can keep your children on schedule.

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New Year, New Family

How to Have your Happiest Year Ever

By Dr Andy Cope

The secret to happiness turns out to be not-so-secret. Family.

Relationships, love, human connection - that’s basically it!

So are some quirky and fun tips taken from the science of positive psychology that will help your family towards the happiest year yet!

Get Huggy Christmas and New Year is a time for family and friends and, chances are, you will have been giving and receiving more hugs than usual in the last few weeks. So how about continuing the hugging habit all year and using this scientific fact that might just change your life: apparently, the average hug lasts 2.1 seconds. So a quick one…two… and it’s done and dusted. However, for the love to really transfer a hug has to last 7 seconds or longer. So a top hugging tip is to treat the ones you love to the full 7 seconds. Obviously, don’t count out loud as that spoils the effect, and they might start wriggling after 4 or 5 seconds – but a 7 second hug says “I love you.”

Everyone wins. Hugging releases oxytocin (a happy chemical) in you and the one you’re hugging.

Be a Hygge Spotter

A year of Experiences

The Danes have a word – hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-ga’) – that has no direct translation in English. The closest I can give you is ‘comfort.’

For me hoo-ga is sitting by an open fire, drinking hot chocolate, while a storm rages outside. And hoo-ga is also being wrapped up snug and warmly on a snowy walk. Hoo-go is also sharing a tub of Quality Street while watching a family movie you’ve watched many times before. Work out what your hoo-ga moments are, and then get good at spotting them, all year round. This is linked with mindfulness and improves your happiness by enabling you to better appreciate more wonderful moments.

Get everyone in your family to write an early Christmas list for December 2019. The exact question is this: What 20 things would you would like for Christmas? That aren’t things.

Share the ideas and schedule them to actually happen (where you can) in 2019.

Play As we grow up, we get weighed down with responsibilities and life can lose its lustre. Stop seeing yourself as a ‘responsible adult’ and start being an ‘inspirational adult.’ Rewind to when you were age 6, a time when everything was new and exciting. Start jumping in puddles and playing on the swings… Your children will love it!

Celebrate What Hasn’t Happened Have you ever asked yourself, what hasn’t happened that I didn’t want that I haven’t celebrated?

Feel free to read that line again. And again.

And again? Sadly, unless you’re a black belt happiness ninja your children don’t sit in a maths lesson thinking how lucky they are to have a nice school and a wonderful teacher.

They curse because they have to remember stuff. And when you’re stuck in traffic you don’t sit there marvelling at the sunglasses compartment and cup holders, you mutter and swear under your breath at the delay.

The opposite of savouring good experiences is to notice the many things that could have gone badly, but didn’t. Hence the question again - what hasn’t happened that you didn’t want that you haven’t celebrated?

Here’s my list for today (and it’s only 7am): I woke up and didn’t have toothache. My laptop isn’t broken. I haven’t got measles. My children aren’t poorly. I haven’t just stubbed my toe, we haven’t run out of Cheerios, there hasn’t been an earthquake and I haven’t been bitten by a zombie.

I mean, what a fabulous start to the day.

None of those bad things has happened! Of course, it’s hard to notice something that didn’t happen. But it’s helpful to sometimes switch your thinking to all the bad things that could have happened, but didn’t. And then celebrating the positive result.

Share it with your children and get them to think of examples. The chances are theirs will be much more creative than yours!

Dr Andy Cope is a positive psychologist and bestselling author. His latest book Diary of a Brilliant Kid is available now on Amazon. For more information, visit www.artofbrilliance.co.uk

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Parenting Five of the Best Scientifically-Based Parenting Books An Expert’s Choice

By Dr Sarah Kuppen New parenting books seem to pop up all the time – so much so that the choice can be a little overwhelming.

How can we know which guide will give us the answers to the questions that are most relevant to our needs, with an approach that we feel comfortable with?

I came across and read a vast selection whilst I was writing my own parenting book. I used a science-led, evidence-based approach and while the selection of genuinely research-orientated parenting books is not particularly large, there are a few books that I would highly recommend.

Your Baby Week by Week

1-2-3 Magic

Your Baby Week by Week by Simone Cave and Dr Caroline Fertleman was the book I used for my own children. It was a gift to us and I have given it many times as a gift to others. The thing that’s really great is that you can dip in and out of it, as and when you like.

In those first few months when you’re really exhausted and all you want is a response to the exact question you’re looking for, this book provides specifics on questions on milk, sleep and crying time. The essentials to caring for your baby.

With 1.6m copies already sold, 1-2-3 Magic: 3 Step Discipline for Calm, Effective and Happy Parenting

by Dr Thomas W. Phelan is the book on discipline and young children. Phelan believes that all discipline situations can be sorted into two categories – the behaviours you want to start (such as tidying up or getting ready for school) and those you want to stop (such as whining, fighting or anything anti-social).

While it can sometimes can feel overly controlling, this book is full of clear practical advice. Parents are certain to find something useful to add to their parenting repertoire.

The Science of Mom The Science of Mom: A Research-Based Guide to Your Baby’s First Year by Alice Callahan takes a clear, nicely paced approach to talking the reader through the science behind some of the most contentious parenting issues. Callaghan covers research on many of the areas parents care about most, such as feeding and sleeping.

The Informed Parent I really like The Informed Parent: A Science-Based Resource for Your Child’s First Four Years by Tara Haelle and Emily Willingham. It’s obvious the authors have plenty of experience communicating science to the lay reader. Not only do they present the most up-to-date knowledge on controversial topics, they also discuss this in relation to the personal choices they made when raising their own children.

Tara and Emily offer just the right amount of personal anecdote, making the review of the research evidence easy to digest and the book overall an easy read. I also like that they address in detail the thorny topic of sleep training and controlled crying.

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How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A survival guide to life with children ages 2-7 by Joanna Faber and Julie King is part of a very popular series. Through the use of practical examples, the authors illustrate the unhelpful communication patterns parents often fall into when dealing with their kids. They also provide loads of story examples, which many parents will relate to, with examples of how to deal with them. There is something here for everyone.

Dr Sarah Kuppen is a chartered psychologist and senior lecturer in Developmental Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University. She specialises in early child development, writes a parenting blog at www.littledilemmas.com and is the author of Little Kids, Big Dilemmas: Your Parenting Problems Solved by Science.

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What’s On Shows 96 SHENLEY ROAD Borehamwood, WD6 1EB 01442 454000 www.96shenleyroad.co.uk Captain Calamity: Mega Party 18 Feb – 11am Crazy mix of magic and mayhem.

Science stunts, enormous balloons, beautiful bubbles and one or two custard pies!

Cost: £6 THE ALBAN ARENA Civic Centre, St Albans, AL1 3LD 01727 844488 www.alban-arena.co.uk Elmer the Patchwork Elephant 29 Jan – 1.30pm 30 Jan – 10.30am Based on the classic children’s book series by David McKee. Cost: £14, £12 The Amazing Bubble Man 19 Feb – 2pm Louis Pearl explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized.

Cost: £12.50, £10.50 All Star Superslam Wrestling 23 Feb – 7.30pm 2 hours of top action for all the family.

Cost: £15, £10. Family £45 BROADWAY THEATRE Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 3DD 01462 681088 www.broadway-letchworth.com Morgan & West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Magic Show for Kids (and Childish Grown-ups!)

26 Jan – 2pm Magic and silliness abound!

Cost: £12. Conc £10. Family £40 Animalcolm 18 Feb – 1.30 & 5pm This vibrant musical combines physical theatre and puppetry to bring David Baddiel’s comic story to the stage.

Cost: £14. Conc £12. Family £50 GORDON CRAIG THEATRE Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk

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The Little Mix Experience 20 & 21 Feb – 1 & 6pm Tribute band. (Under 16s must be accompanied in the theatre by an adult.)

Cost: £17

Sooty's Magic Show 9 Feb – 11am & 2.30pm Izzy Wizzy let’s get busy! Chance to meet Richard & Sooty after the show. Ages 2+.

Cost: £13. Under 16s £11.

Family £44

HERTFORD THEATRE

The Amazing Bubble Man 16 Feb – 11.30am & 2pm Louis Pearl explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized.

Cost: £13. Under £16s £11.

Family £44

The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS 01992 531500 www.hertfordtheatre.com Aladdin 16-20 Jan – 7pm. Also 2pm on 19 & 20 Jan Traditional panto from Hertford Dramatic & Operatic Society.

Cost: £11-£16. Family Fri-Sun £50 Dementia-Friendly Film Screening: Singing in the Rain 23 Jan – 1.30pm New monthly film afternoons.

No adverts or trailers & lighting slightly raised throughout the film. Films start at 1.30pm with complimentary tea/coffee & biscuit beforehand.

Cost: £5. Free entry for a carer Hertford Symphony Orchestra Concert for Children: Machines!

3 Feb – 2.30 & 4.15pm Children are invited to come in machine-related fancy dress... robots, vehicles, toys, and to bring their musical instruments.

Audience participation guaranteed!

Cost: £8. Under 16s £5 Pop Divas Live!

9 Feb – 2 & 6pm A tribute to Little Mix, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé and Rihanna.

Ages 4+.

Cost: £15 Elmer the Patchwork Elephant 16 Feb – 1 & 3pm 17 Feb – 11am & 2pm Based on the classic children’s book series by David McKee. Cost: £15. Family £56. Babes in Arms under 18mths free THE RADLETT CENTRE 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk Elmer the Patchwork Elephant 25 Jan – 2 & 4.30pm 26 Jan – 11am Based on the classic children’s book series by David McKee. Cost: £14

The Little Mermaid 20 Feb – 11am & 2pm Classic tale brought to the stage in a new production by the internationally acclaimed Panto Company.

Ages 4-10.

Cost: £15. Under 16s £12.50.

Family £50 The Little Mix Experience 23 Feb – 3pm Tribute band.

Cost: £16 RHODES BISHOPS STORTFORD 1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 710200 www.rhodesbishopsstortford. org.uk The Amazing Bubble Man 18 Feb – 2pm Louis Pearl explores the breathtaking dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy and artistry with audience participation and enough spellbinding bubble tricks to keep everyone mesmerized.

Cost: £13.50. Concs £11.50.

Family £46 THE SANDPIT THEATRE The Ridgeway, St Albans, AL4 9NX 01727 799565 www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Margo & Mr Whatsit 19 Feb – 11.30am & 2.30pm When Sophia moves into her new foster home, her imaginary friend, Mr Whatsit, finds himself unimagined! Now Sophia has a new imaginary friend – the glamourous, grown-up Margo.

With her imaginary friends competing against each other, will Sophia manage to find her forever home?

Ages 3+.

Cost: £8. Conc £6

Peter Pan & Captain Cook 21 Feb – 11.30am The tale of Peter Pan and his battle with his nemesis Captain Cook, known for his evil saucepans and dastardly cook-offs!

Ages 4-9.

Cost: £5. Conc £3 THE SPOTLIGHT High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BE 01992 441946 www.broxbourne.gov.uk/ thespotlight Cinderella 9-11 Jan – 7.30pm 12 Jan – 2 & 6.30pm 13 Jan – 2pm Traditional family pantomime presented by Broxbourne Theatre Company.

Cost: £12-16.50 WYLLYOTTS THEATRE Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN 01707 645005 www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk Beauty the Pantomime 24 Jan – 7.30pm (preview/final rehearsal, all tickets £10) 25 Jan – 7.30pm 26 Jan – 2.30 & 7.30pm 27 Jan – 11.30am & 3.30pm A tale of a beautiful girl who falls under the spell of a mean old beast - but all is not as it seems!

Traditional family pantomime

by The Warren, an amateur group who've been performing pantomimes since 1949!

Cost: £14. Child £10 (in support of local charities)

Half Term Camps & Courses KOOL KIDZ CAMPS Sandridge Primary School, Woodcock Hill, Sandridge, St Albans, AL4 9EB 0845 603 2858 www.koolkidzgroup.co.uk Half Term Camp 18-22 Feb Multi activity camp for ages 4-12. Art, sport and fun. Kool Kidz Camps are constantly developing and adapting according to the children’s needs.

Sessions can be booked by the half day, full day or full week.

Extended days available. familiesonline.co.uk

COOKERYEATERY 07795 627492 www.cookeryeatery.co.uk Holiday cookery camp.

Central Hitchin 18-20 Feb Ages 4-11.

Cost: £40 per day Letchworth 21-22 Feb Ages 8-16.

Cost: £50 per day BERKHAMSTED BASECAMP All camps take place in Berkhamsted www.berkhamstedbasecamp.co.uk 18-22 Feb Multi activity camps for ages 3-11.

Plus specialist courses in Pastry and Patisserie making (ages 7-14) and Computer Skills (ages 7-12).

Cost: See website LANGLEY TENNIS & RACQUETS CAMP Langley Tennis Club, High Woodhall Lane, Kings Langley, HP3 8RW 01442 230234 www.berkhamstedbasecamp.co.uk 18-22 Feb – 9am-4pm Have fun and improve your standard of tennis and eye hand co-ordination. Plus, table tennis, badminton & touch tennis.

Additional hours available.

Ages 4-14.

Cost: £40 per day (£55 for longer 8am-6pm day) HERTS YOUNG MARINERS BASE Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, EN8 9AJ 01992 628403, www.hymb.com

familiesonline.co.uk

18-22 Feb Caving; climbing; sailing; kayaking; canoeing; bell boating; bushcraft; orienteering; fencing & archery.

Cost: £8 per person per session.

Full week £80 GORDON CRAIG THEATRE Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk Mary Poppins-Themed Drama Camp 18-22 Feb Week-long camp for ages 6-12 exploring drama, music, singing, dance & visual art. Devise a script to perform for family & friends.

Cost: £120. Siblings & Drama Academy Students £105 RHODES BISHOPS STORTFORD 1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 450270 www.rhodesbishopsstortford. org.uk Play In A Day 20 Feb – 10am. Show 7pm Primary school-aged children can join in the challenge of creating a fun new piece of theatre in just one day!

Cost: see website

Classes and Workshops ARTSHED ARTS Westmill Farm, Westmill Road, Ware, SG12 0ES 01920 466446 www.artshedarts.co.uk Pottery Throwing Taster Sessions 19 Jan & 16 Feb – 30 min slots 10am-2pm 7yrs +. Two people can throw at the same time. Booking essential.

Cost: £20 including clay, glazing & firing Potty Potters 12 Jan & 9 Feb – 11am-1pm Monthly workshops for ages 6+ with a new clay project every time.

Cost: £25 per session. Includes materials, drink & snack and the opportunity to come back at a time that suits you to paint your piece KIDS FITNESS Healthy U Gym, 1-4 Kimps Way, Bennetts End, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8EN 01442 769071 www.healthyugym.com Every Mon to Thurs Ages 7-11.

Fitness & sport activities in the gym and studio.

Cost: Single session £4. Month pass £15

Fun music sessions for babies and toddlers from 3 months until rising 5. Monkey Music provide age appropriate structured sessions with a curriculum designed for each age group.

Rock‘n’Roll – (3-12 months) Heigh-Ho – (12-24 months) Jiggety-Jig – (24 months+) Baldock Community Centre: Friday 9.30 – Heigh-Ho 10.10 – Jiggety-Jig 10.50 – Rock’n’Roll Biggleswade, St Andrew’s Church Hall: Mondays 9.40 – Heigh-Ho 10.20 – Jiggety-Jig 11.00 – Rock’n’Roll Hitchin, The Secret Garden: Tuesday 10.00 – Heigh-Ho 10.40 – Rock’n’Roll 11.20 – Rock’n’Roll Knebworth, The Parish Centre: Monday 9.40 – Heigh-Ho 10.20 – Jiggety-Jig 11.00 – Rock’n’Roll Letchworth, The Mrs Howard Memorial Hall: Wednesday 9.40 – Jiggety-Jig 10.20 – Heigh-Ho 11.00 – Rock’n’Roll Stotfold, Fairfield Park Community Centre: Thursday 9.30 – Heigh-Ho 10.10 – Jiggety-Jig 11.00 – Rock’n’Roll First session is free.

MONKEY MUSIC in NORTH HERTS 01462 626735 Baldock.hitchin@monkeymusic. co.uk www.monkeymusic.co.uk/area/ baldock-hitchin-and-welwyn

13

What’s On PERFORM Weekly drama, dance and singing classes www.perform.org.uk/try 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk Confidence building fun for 4-12s. A unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child's true potential. Classes are kept small to ensure lots of individual attention.

Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions.

Autumn Term Venues: Bishops Stortford Summercroft Primary School Plaw Hatch Lane CM23 5BJ Drama 4-7s - Mon 4pm Drama 7-12s - Mon 5pm Boreham Wood Theatre & Cinema,96 Shenley Road, WD6 1EB Drama 4-7s - Mon 4pm Broxbourne Broxbourne Sports Club, Mill Lane Close, EN10 7BA Drama 4-7s - Thur 4pm Drama 7-12s - Thur 5pm Harpenden Harpenden United Reformed Church Vaughan Road, AL5 4ED Drama 4-7s - Sat 9.30am, 11.15am, Tue 4pm Drama 7-12s - Tue 5pm Hemel Hempstead Apsley Community Centre London Road HP39SB Drama 4-7s - Tues 4pm Drama 7-12s – Tues 5pm Hertford Mill Mead School Port Vale SG14 3AA Drama 4-7s - Sat 9.30am, Drama 7-12s – Sat 11.15am Hitchin Church House Hall Church Yard SG5 1HP Drama 4-7s - Wed 4pm Drama 7-12s - Wed 5pm Potters Bar St John's Methodist Church Baker Street EN6 2DZ Drama 4-7s - Fri 4pm, 5pm Drama 7-12s – Fri 6pm Radlett Christ Church Vision Hall Watling Street WD7 7JJ Drama 4-7s - Wed 4pm, 5pm The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL Drama 7-12s - Sat 11.15am 14 Families Herts

Sawbridgworth Sawbridgeworth Memorial Hall, The Fourbury, CM21 9BD Drama 4-7s - Thu 4pm Drama 7-12s - Thu 5pm St Albans Fleetville Junior School 228 Hatfield Road AL1 4LW Drama 4-7s - Sat 9.30am, 11.15am

Main Stages: Fri 4.30pm; Sat 10am, 2.30pm Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted 01442 875977 Potten End First School Church Road, Potten End, HP4 2QY Early Stages: Sat 9.30, 11.15am

Drama 7-12s - Sat 2pm United Reformed Church Homewood Road Homewood Road AL1 4BH

Main Stages: Sat 10am, 2.30pm Swing Gate School Swing Gate Lane, Berkhamsted, HP4 2LJ

Drama 4-7s - Wed 4pm

Early Stages: Fri 4.30pm

Drama 4-7s - Thu 4.15pm

Main Stages: Fri 4.30pm Hertford 07474 082571 Duncombe School 4 Warren Park Road, Bengeo, Hertford, SG14 3JA

Drama 7-12s - Wed 5pm Trinity United Reform Church 1 Beaconsfield Road AL1 3RD Drama 4-7s - Fri 4pm Drama 7-12s - Fri 5pm Welwyn Garden City WGC Quaker Meeting House, AL8 6SP

Early Stages: Sat 9.30am

Drama 4-7s – Wed 4pm

Further Stages: Fri 4.30pm Letchworth 07964 099740 Fearnhill School Icknield Way, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 4BA

Drama 7-12s – Wed 5pm STAGECOACH THEATRE ARTS www.stagecoach.co.uk Stagecoach aims to bring out the very best in every child. Children will learn performance skills in dance, song and drama. They also develop communication skills, improved self-esteem, co-ordination and fitness levels.

Early Stages is for 4-6yr olds.

Sessions 1.5hrs. Main Stages is for 6-18yrs. Session 3hrs. Further Stages for 16yrs plus. Some schools offer Summer Workshops and Parties.

Borehamwood 020 8958 3143 St Teresa's Primary School, Brook Road, WD6 5HL Early Stages: Sat 9.30, 9.45, 11.30am Main Stages: Sat 10am Chorleywood 01923 771291 The Russell School Brushwood Drive, Chorleywood, WD3 5RR Early Stages: Sat 9.30, 11.15am Main Stages: Sat 10am, 2.30pm Harpenden 01525 717567 Sir John Lawes School Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QP Early Stages: Fri 4.15, 4.45pm; Sat 9.30, 11.15am, 2pm, 3.45pm

Main Stages: Sat 10am Pinewood School Hoe Lane, Hertford, SG12 9NZ

Early Stages: Sat 9.30, 11.15am, 1.15pm Main Stages: Sat 10am, 2pm Rickmansworth 01923 771291 Little Green School Lincoln Drive, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, WD3 3NJ Early Stages: Fri 4pm Main Stages: Fri 4.30pm Further Stages: {16+}: Fri 4.30pm Maple Cross Junior School Denham Way, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth, WD3 9SS Early Stages: Sat 9.30am St Albans 01525 630183 Cunningham Hill Junior School, Cell Barnes Lane, St Albans, AL1 5QJ Early Stages: Sat 9.30, 11.15am, 2pm, 3.45pm Main Stages: 10am, 2.30pm Stevenage 01438 870684 The Barclay School Walkern Road, Stevenage, SG1 3RB Early Stages: Fri 4.30pm, Sat 9.30, 11.15am Main Stages: 10am Watford 01727 768738

Parmiter's School High Elms Lane, Garston, Watford, WD25 0UU Early Stages: Sat 9.30, 11.15am, 2.15pm Main Stages: Sat 10am, 2.00pm,4.30pm Further Stages: {16+}: Fri 5pm Welwyn and Hatfield 01707 429 777 Oaklands College, College Way, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6AH Early Stages: Fri 4.30pm, Sat 9.30, 11.15am, 2pm, 3.45pm Main Stages: Fri 5pm, Sat 10am, 2.30pm Further Stages [16+]: Sat 11.30am WESTMINSTER LODGE LEISURE CENTRE Holywell Hill, St Albans, Herts, AL1 2DL 01727 736080 www.everyoneactive.com Ballet Tuesdays from 8 Jan excl 19 Feb Ages 2.5-15 yrs.

Trampolining 2.5-4 yrs: Tuesdays from 8 Jan excl 19 Feb 2.5-13 yrs: Sundays from 6 Jan excl 24th Feb Tiny Tumbles Tuesdays from 8 Jan excl 19 Feb Preschool gym for ages 2.5-4 yrs.

Basketball Thursdays from 10 Jan excl 21 Feb 7-11 yrs+.

Gymnastics 4-13 yrs: Fridays from 11 Jan excl 22nd Feb 2.5-13 yrs: Saturdays from 5 Jan excl 23rd Feb

Places To Go FUNZONE Birchwood Leisure Centre Longmead, Hatfield, AL10 0AN 01707 270772 www.funzonehatfield.co.uk Mon-Fri. 9.30am-4pm Soft play.

Cost for 90 mins play: Child £5.

Toddler £4. Adult £1 CMRA MODEL RAILWAY EXHIBITION Gordon Craig Theatre, Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ 01438 363200 www.gordon-craig.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

12 & 13 Jan – 10am Wide variety of superb layouts.

With several large ones to wonder at and many smaller to inspire young or inexperienced modellers to have a go.

Cost: £10 (includes adult & up to two children aged 5-16).

Under 5s free. Additional child £4. Unaccompanied child (aged 10-15) £4 BRAMBLETON MODEL RAILWAY CLUB EXHIBITION Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PD 01582 767525 www.brambleton.org.uk 19 Jan – 10.30am-5.30pm Catering for both families & model railway enthusiasts with the usual mix of layouts, preservation stands & traders.

Refreshments area.

Cost: see website STEVENAGE MUSEUM St George’s Way, SG1 1XX 01438 218881 www.stevenage.gov.uk/museum Family Saturdays: Suffragist Afternoon Tea 26 Jan – 2-3.30pm Cost: £5 per person, all money raised to go to a local women’s charity BISHOPS STORTFORD MUSEUM Rhodes Arts Complex, 1-3 South Road, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 3JG 01279 710200 www. rhodesbishopsstortford.org.uk Story Time at the Museum 9 Jan & 13 Feb – 1.30pm Perfect for toddlers and preschool, After the story telling join in with an activity – a sing song, small craft session or a trail around the museum.

Cost: £1 Puppet Making 19-21 Feb – 11am Ages 5+. Join in with the puppetry of Snow White, Rose Red & Bear Brown and make your very own animal puppet. Drop in workshop so numbers may be limited at one time. FREE HERTFORD MUSEUM 18 Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT 01992 582686 www.hertfordmuseum.org Let There Be Light Until 9 Mar. Tues-Sat 10am-5pm Exhibition. Discover how we seek out and utilize sources of light and why we’re afraid of the dark. familiesonline.co.uk

Includes collections from around the world – from Ancient Greek oil lamps to 1950s illuminated advertisements.

FREE. Donations welcome Stay and Play Saturdays 5 Jan & 2 Feb. Drop in 10.30am-4.30pm.

Toys & crafts. Explore the galleries. FREE Half Term Activities 19-21 Feb. Drop in 10.30am-3.30pm (last entry 3pm) Family friendly crafts.

Cost: £2 per child ST ALBANS MUSEUM + GALLERY Town Hall, St Peter's Street St Albans, AL1 3DH 01727 864 511 www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk Game Plan: Board Games Rediscovered Until 3 Mar Originally displayed at the V&A’s Museum of Childhood, this exhibition celebrates the joy, excitement and occasional frustration of playing board games.

Cost: £5. Under 18s £2.50

Spectacular display of snowdrops around the remains of the Norman Castle. Refreshments.

Cost: £5 (£6 on Sundays.) 12-16 yrs £2. Under 12s free MILL GREEN MUSEUM & MILL Mill Green, Hatfield, AL9 5PD 01707 357850 www.welhat.gov.uk/museum Toddler Morning 24 Jan – 10-11.30am Art & craft, songs & story, visit the Mill & Museum. Drink & biscuit provided.

Cost: £3.50 per toddler (includes entrance for one adult) ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL AL1 1BY 01727 860780 www.stalbanscathedral.org Family Discovery Morning: Building Mayhem!

21 Feb Find out how the Cathedral was built, learn about objects found during the recent archaeological dig and enjoy arts & craft activities. Ages 3-12.

FREE AMWELL NATURE RESERVE

LOWEWOOD MUSEUM High Street, Hoddesdon, EN11 8BH 01992 445596 www.broxbourne.gov.uk Family Fun: Milk Bottle Mammoths 21 Feb Drop in arts & crafts.

Cost: £1.50 per child Toddler Thursdays 17 Jan & 14 Feb – 10-11am or 11am-12noon Learn a nursery rhyme, share a story & make a craft. Ages 2-4 (with adult). Book in advance.

Cost: £1.50 per child per session Discover the Ice Age 9 Feb – 11am-4pm Opening of the Ice Age exhibition with a special display by the Essex Rock and Mineral Society showing how you can find evidence for this amazing time in history today. Try the Ice Age animal hunt and handle some real Ice Age artefacts.

FREE (donations welcome)

Amwell Lane, Great Amwell, Ware, SG12 9SS 01727 858901 www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk Winter Wildfowl 20 Jan – 2.30-4pm 13 Feb – 3.30-5pm Spot wildfowl on the water & in the margins.

Cost: Free. Suggested donation £5 (£3 if member) ROYAL GUNPOWDER MILLS Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY 01992 707370 www.royalgunpowdermills.com

Mayhem In The Mad Lab 16-24 Feb – 10am.

Last entry 3pm Interactive science shows at 11.40am, 1.40 & 3.40pm.

Hands-on experiments. Make personalized slime; learn how to make modelling dough; create & launch your own air powered rocket.

Cost: £8.10-10.50 WADDESDON MANOR Aylesbury, Bucks, HP18 0JH 01296 820414 www.waddesdon.org.uk Adventure Backpacks From Jan Put together to suit different ages & needs, the backpacks encourage children to engage with Waddesdon in different ways. Hear stories of trees, discover nature’s colour palette and design a Manor of your own while you explore.

Cost: Free with grounds admission Sensory Map From 5 Jan Designed for young children or those with learning disabilities, the map explores nature through senses such as touch, smell, sound & sight.

Cost: Free with grounds admission Family Cookery School 16-24 Feb – 11.30am, 1, 2 & 3.30pm Fun and informal hands-on cookery class for ages 7-11 (must be accompanied by an adult).

Create a lunch and take home a selection of sweet & savoury treats. Booking essential.

Cost: £25 per person Orienteering 16-24 Feb – 10am-3pm Choose from 4 different routes suitable for under 5s to teens.

Cost: Child £3. Normal grounds admission applies.

BENINGTON LORDSHIP GARDENS Stevenage, SG2 7BS 08701 261709 www.beningtonlordship.co.uk 6 Feb-3 Mar – 12-4pm 15

What’s On

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