Families SW Nov-Dec 2023 Digital

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South West

IN THIS ISSUE

Education Parenting Christmas The Great Christmas Toy Giveaway SEE INSIDE

November/December 2023

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CONTENTS

Welcome

In this issue

There’s a chill in the air, we’re edging towards winter and the Christmas season will soon be with us. Get ready to shop - find inspiration for Christmas toys for the kids and family in our gift guide!

You’ll also find lots more Christmas essentials inside, including fabulous festive experiences, DIY Christmas cards, teacher gift ideas and lots more.

8

In our Education feature, find out the connection between growing sunflowers and maths skills.

You also have the opportunity to be the lucky recipient of one of more than 140 Christmas gifts for kids in this issue – make sure you apply inside and you’ll also ensure you receive this digital magazine every two months.

Eleni

Editor, Families South West London

How to deal with cyberbullying

10 Education 16 Homemade Christmas gift for teachers 18 Best UK Christmas experiences 20 DIY Christmas cards 22 Christmas toy guide 24 Top family Christmas movies

Get in touch Competition winners from our July/ August issue Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE

A CHRISTMAS LIKE NO OTHER

This kind of Christmas comes but once in a lifetime.

Whisk your family away to magical Lapland where you’ll meet Santa and his cheeky elves.

Call 01483 944 960 or visit SantasLapland.com Santa’s Lapland

Families Magazine.indd 1 Familiesonline.co.uk

Experience a Lapland trip you’ll treasure forever and book with a deposit from just £150pp and take advantage of our latest offers for 2024.

@santas_lapland

06/10/2023 16:37 5 November/December

THE GREAT CHRISTMAS TOY GIVEAWAY EDUCATION

Biggies 10 available worth £19.99 each

Ages 6+

Miraculous Magic Heroez Dolls 4 bundles available worth £45 each

Paint Pot Spin & Create Set 10 available worth £10.50 each Ages 3+

Ages 3+

Ages 3+

Ages 3+

Katamino Classic 1 available worth £35

Fireman Sam Ultimate Hero 2 available worth £29.99 each

Tonka Hat & Belt Set 5 available worth £19.99 each

Ages 4+ K3YRIDERS 2 in 1 3D Perrycornio Plush Helmet & 3 Wheeled Scooter 2 available worth £50 each Ages 3+

My Emotions & Me Book 100 available worth £12.50 each

Ages 7+

Dragon Ball Dragon Stars 4 bundles of 3 action figures worth £60 each Ages 4+

EDURINO 3 starter sets available worth £44.99 each

Ages 4-8

T&Cs Apply

APPLY HERE 6 November/December

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APPLY BY 15 JANUARY 2024

PRIMARY SCHOOL APPLY BY 15 JANUARY 2024 FOR A PLACE IN A RECEPTION CLASS IN SEPTEMBER 2024.

For more information and to apply online please go to www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions

Familiesonline.co.uk

Photo credits: monkeybusinessimages, FatCamera, SolStock and davidf AD1212d (9.23)

CHOOSE A WANDSWORTH

November/December 7

PARENTING

How to deal with cyber-bullying Today’s children are so immersed in the digital world that over half of them accept cyber-bullying as part of life, according to a survey commissioned by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. Particularly invasive, cyber-bullying can be distressing because victims feel the bullies have access to them at all times.

Cyber-bullying is the use of electronic communication, be it phone, tablet or computer, to send messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. And it is not a trivial matter as some children can be subjected to prolonged online bullying campaigns that they feel they can’t escape.

to engage with their children in a positive and reassuring way to open a dialogue channel which youngsters can feel reassured, not intimidated by.’

So, what can you do if you suspect your child is being cyberbullied?

Look for the signs If bullying is going on there will be changes in your child’s normal behaviour. These could include becoming secretive about what they are doing on the computer, keeping their mobile on silent, spending a lot of time in their bedroom, showing signs of anxiety, irritability and moodiness and being quieter than usual.

Victims of cyberbullying can find it hard to open up to their parents, explains psychologist Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, an ambassador for Internet Matters’ cyberbullying campaign: ‘Sometimes children don’t want to talk about what is happening to them online’ she says. ’They may feel helpless or worry their parents will take away their phones or ban them from using tech.

But it’s vital that parents learn how READ MORE

PAINT POTS TERMLY CREATIVE CLASSES 6 months - 3 years at The Boltons, Chelsea Accompanied art, craft, music, messy play & Montessori classes for you and your child Explore, discover, create, have fun & make friends

WWW.PAINT-POTS.CO.UK creativeclasses@paint-pots.co.uk 020 7223 0123 8 November/December

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EDUCATION

Co-educational secondary (ages 11-18)

Trinity Academy is a ourishing mixed, non­selective secondary school and Sixth Form based in Brixton. As part of the outstanding Future Academies Trust, Trinity brings together the best of all worlds in offering a high quality education more usually found in independent schools. We are large enough to offer the fullest range of academic subjects and co­curricular activities yet small enough to know every student as an individual.

You are welcome to contact us to arrange a visit during the school day. The Principal or a member of the Senior Leadership Team will be available to talk to you about Trinity and give you a tour around the school.

Sixth Form Open Evening – Entry 2024 Thursday 9th November 5pm

www.trinity.futureacademies.org

56 Brixton Hill, London, SW2 1QS T: 020 3126 4993 E: admissions@trinity.futureacademies.org Familiesonline.co.uk

November/December 9

EDUCATION

Apps for improving maths skills

Pet Bingo

Squeebies

Marble Math

Ages 2-7yrs Entertaining app that takes kids on a maths adventure.

Ages 5-11yrs Ideal for kids who love competition.

Ages 9-12yrs Fun, engaging app that practises and reinforces key math objectives.

Monster Math

Ages 5-10 yrs Stories help children practise and learn 40+ maths skills.

Doodle Tables

Ages 4-14 yrs Boosts times tables’ confidence with a personalised program.

Native Numbers

Math Dots Puzzles – Dinosaurs

Maths Shed

Twinkl MTC Practice

Ages 4+ Play connect the dots while learning maths.

10 November/December

Ages 4+ Fun and easy-to-use for practising maths skills.

Ages 4-7 yrs Develops maths skills built on a solid foundation.

Ages 4+ Expands times tables’ knowledge. Prepares for multiplication tables check.

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South West Swimming School

• All ages and abilities from babies to adults • Holiday courses and termly classes • Rookie Lifesaving Club • Adult Swim Fit and Learn to Improve Technique • Small classes, 7 days a week in 4 local venues • FREE trial of our classes

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN: 020 8767 2723

info@swswimschool.co.uk | www.swswimschool.co.uk

TODDLERS & MINI GYM CLASS! Venue : Raynes Park Sports Pavilion, SW20 0BH Toddlers: 1-3yrs, Tues & Thurs 9.40am & 10.30am Mini Gym: 3-4yrs, Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs 1.20pm & 2.10pm, Wed 9.30 & 10.30am

Spaces in Mini Gym, Waiting list for Toddler Gym, Spring term starts 8 January ‘24.

A clearly structured programme, concentrating on the development of co-ordination, spatial awareness, mobility and gymnastic skills, providing a stimulating environment for increasing social skills and having lots of fun!

Class run with 2/3 coaches, twin/triplets welcome

The club and all coaches are members of the British Gymnastics Association.

Phone Gill Holland 01252 702295/07885103080 www.tjsgymclub.co.uk

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November/December 11

EDUCATION

Games which improve concentration DIY memory games

DIY attention games

Board games

Apps & online games

The coin game: arrange an assortment of coins in a sequence. Allow your child to look at them closely for 15 seconds, then cover. Ask them to duplicate the sequence. Repeat, timing them!

Storytelling: each player must remember and repeat an entire story, then add a new sentence.

Chess & draughts: helps planning, concentration and anticipation.

Scrabble: focusses on spelling, strategising with available letters and maintaining attention.

Boggle: involves practising attention skills as well as vocabulary and spelling.

Sequence for Kids: enhances memory and strategic thinking.

HHHH HHHHH HHHH The Times

Musical Theatre Review

Evening Standard

‘a DYNAMIC, FAST-PACED GALLOP of a SHOW, BOLD and SPIRITED... like SIX’s LITTLE SISTER’

Backwards counting: give your child a random number and ask them to count backwards in 3s.

Spot-the-difference: helps develop focus and concentration.

Jigsaw & crossword puzzles: focusses attention on detail and patterns.

LEGO and building structures with blocks: encourages sustained concentration and creativity.

Readlax: Brain Games Ages 5+.

IOS & Android. FREE. MentalUP Ages 6+. Website.

FREE. CogniFit Ages 7+. IOS & Android. FREE. Memory Match Ages 4+. IOS. FREE. Kiko’s Thinking Time Ages 4+.

Ipad.

GON Memory Game All ages.

Amazon. FREE.

Visual Memory Test

Bouquets and Brickbats

BASED ON THE BOOK BY

KATE PANKHURST AND PUBLISHED BY BLOOMSBURY

WINNER

THU 30 NOV – SAT 2 DEC *Booking fees apply

12 November/December

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*

UK THEAT AW RE

BEST FAMARD ILY SHOW

Fun ten level game where kids have to remember where a picture is. Ages 4+.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Growing sunflowers and learning maths?

Reading and the Key Stage 2 curriculum

By Usha Patel

By Jemma Z Smith

Parents often ask how to get their child interested in maths because ‘they just don’t get it.’ Luckily, it’s possible to give children lots of help at home by using maths language and supporting them to develop sequential thought processes and logical thinking.

READ MORE

Reading is vital for enabling students to access the rest of the curriculum and deepening their understanding of the world. While phonics lays the initial groundwork in Key Stage 1, the emphasis in Key Stage 2 (Year 3 and beyond) expands to exploring characters.

READ MORE

Understanding multiple intelligences

Our Lady Queen of Heaven Primary School

By Zuzu Jordan

According to the thesaurus, intelligence means ‘smart,’ ‘clever’ and ‘bright.’

Traditionally pupils with regular high scores in academic or IQ tests are recognised as intelligent. Yet as a society we marvel at great artists, musicians and Olympians for their outstanding talent. How intelligence is measured is a debatable topic.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

Places available in Nursery (full and part time) and other classes.

We are a Catholic Primary School that also welcomes families from other faiths and cultures.

Our school aim is to develop the full potential of each child: spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, physically and socially.

We celebrate the uniqueness of each child Prospective parents are warmly invited to contact us directly to find out more and to join a tour.

Our Lady Queen of Heaven Primary School, Victoria Drive, SW19 6AD • 020 8788 7420 ptaylor@olqh.net ourladyqueenofheaven.wandsworth.sch.uk

November/December 13

SW Swim School

The 6-in-1 Part 2 Vaccine Study Is your child nearly 12 months old? Would you like to assist in the development of the UK vaccination schedule?

We are inviting children who have not yet been given their 12month routine immunisations to take part in our research study.

Children taking part in our study will be given some of their routine immunisations at St George’s University Hospital’s Vaccine Institute and will be offered one or two doses of a vaccine which helps protect against chickenpox.

• New swim school at City of London School in the heart of the city by the Barbican

• Swimming classes for all ages on Sunday mornings • Learn to swim or improve with us • Opening offer of two FREE Adult or Child classes

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN: 020 8767 2723

6-in-1 vaccines protect young children against diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliovirus, Haemophilus influenzae b and hepatitis B virus. Our study will help to understand how best to use these vaccines.

All the vaccines given in our study are fully licensed for use in children in the UK. For further information about the study, please contact the study team: +44 (0)208 725 5382 or 6in1@sgul.ac.uk

info@swswimschool.co.uk | www.swswimschool.co.uk

MY EMOTIONS AND ME BOOK GIVEAWAY Help your child manage their emotions

Grab a FREE copy of My Emotions and Me AGES 7+ 14 November/December

APPLY HERE T&C’s apply Familiesonline.co.uk

Montessori Nursery

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November/December 15

CHRISTMAS

Homemade Christmas gift ideas for teachers

Pebble teacher paper weight

Crayon vase

Apple pie cookie kit

Hedgehog bread rolls

Indoor prickly cactus garden

Colourful macarons

DIY pencil holder

Homemade doughnuts and coffee

Succulent mini pot

16 November/December

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CHRISTMAS FOR AGES 3+

an

interactive

winter adventure EVERY 15 MINUTES 1 - 24 DEC 2023 SLOTS BOOK NOW AT BAC.ORG.UK TICKETS FROM £8

OR 0207 223 2223

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Image Published by Puffin Books Copyright © Raymond Briggs

R AY M O N D B R I G G S ’

22 Nov – 30 Dec Tickets from £14 lyric.co.uk | 020 8741 6850 Familiesonline.co.uk

18 Nov – 06 Jan Tickets from £10 lyric.co.uk | 020 8741 6850 November/December 17

CHRISTMAS

Top UK Christmas experiences for families Thursford Christmas Spectacular, Norfolk

Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, York

An extravaganza of non-stop singing, dancing, music, humour and variety. With a cast of one hundred and thirty, this fast moving celebration is billed as the biggest Christmas show of its kind in Europe. Also home to Santa’s Magical Journey and Enchanted Journey of Light.

A magical winter experience for all ages, with an outdoor ice rink, vintage funfair, Santa’s Grotto and alpine café. Surrounded by illuminated trees, log cabins, rink side cafe and viewing platform, this magical setting is a perfect festive experience. FREE to enter, with separate tickets for skating and Santa’s Grotto.

Active Lambeth

WINTER FUN

Find fun-filled indoor activities to keep the kids entertained this winter at Active Lambeth leisure centres!

Ice skating

Family Leisure Zone

Swimming lessons

Why not visit Brixton Recreation Centre’s epic Family Leisure Zone with soft play and agility course or skate the day away at Streatham Ice and Leisure Centre’s Olympic-sized ice-rink.

There’s something for everyone this winter!

Scan the QR code to book or visit www.active.lambeth.gov.uk/winter-fun-2023/ for more information

18 November/December

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CHRISTMAS

Top UK Christmas experiences for families Chester Zoo Lanterns & Light

Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

This after hours annual Christmas event transforms Chester Zoo into an enchanted kingdom, with extraordinary, life-sized animal sculptures and costumed performers drawing visitors along an illuminated trail.

Father Christmas will make an appearance on his sleigh with reindeer sculptures.

This impressive market features decorated stalls selling crafts, toys and more and there is traditional German food and drink, including gingerbread hearts and glühwein. The stalls are looked over by an impressive Christmas tree. There’s also a fairground, big wheel and icerink.

Hogwarts in the Snow, Watford, Hertfordshire

Christmas at Chatsworth

The Christmas season brings a truly magical makeover to all the film sets on display. Christmas trees line the Great Hall and a replica festive feast, including flaming Christmas puddings, is laid out on the long tables, while icy silvers glitter on the stage as it is transformed for the return of the Yule Ball.

24 themed rooms of Christmas wonder in the Peak District!

Travel under archways adorned with candy canes, Christmas stockings and mistletoe; through snowflake showers and a glittering Christmas tree brooch forest. Explore Father Christmas’ workshop, with mischief-making elves and a giant exploding Christmas cracker.

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November/December 19

CHRISTMAS

DIY Christmas cards to create with the kids

String art Christmas card

Christmas tree card

Paper strip Christmas trees

Free printable penguin Christmas cards (8)

Tinsel tree card

Pom-pom Christmas wreath card

Snow surprise Christmas card

Reindeer card

Christmas cracker card

20 November/December

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020 3488 2698 November/December 21

CHRISTMAS

Families Christmas toy guide

We asked The Good Play Guide for their top picks. These accredited products have been independently tested by play experts and children.

ELC Soft Sensory Balls

Feely Farm Puzzle

Penguin Math Balance

Dragomino

Baby Delightful sensory toy that will be a favourite as your baby grows. £15.

Pre-school Stimulate your preschoolers’ senses with these first wooden puzzles. £15.99.

Sounds of the Forest

Pre-school A book and hooting owl whistle make story-time interactive & fun. £12.99.

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

Pre-school Fun way to learn about weight, size, addition and subtraction. £19.99.

Ages 5+ Practise strategic thinking to find the precious Dragon Eggs. £20.99.

Ages 3+ A fantastic sensory, stress-relieving product for all ages. £12.99.

Plus-Plus

Discover

Squirrels Go Nuts

Ages 5+ Use small interconnecting puzzle pieces to create 2D and 3D forms. £16.85 22 November/December

Ages 5+ All the tools you need to make anything from cardboard. £44.99.

Ages 6+ Multi-level sliding puzzle game – slide the squirrles and hide the nuts. £14.99.

Familiesonline.co.uk

A Polka Theatre production

Recommended for ages 6-12

Scan here to book:

Tic £10 kets pe * o fr rfo n om rm AL an L ce s Familiesonline.co.uk

November/December 23

CHRISTMAS

Top family films for Christmas

The Polar Express (2004)

The Grinch (2018)

Home Alone 2 (1992)

Kevin is left stranded in New York City.

The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

Kate and Teddy go on a journey to catch Santa on camera.

Arthur Christmas (2011)

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020)

A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

A grumpy Grinch plots A young boy learns about to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville. friendship, bravery and the spirit of Christmas.

An imaginary world comes to life for a toymaker and his granddaughter.

24 November/December

Origin story of Father Christmas, an ordinary boy sets out to find his father.

Little Women (2019)

The beloved story of the March sisters.

Santa’s clumsy son attempts to deliver a misplaced present.

Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, attempts to bring Christmas to his home.

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THE SUNDAY EXPRESS

THE MAGICAL CHRISTMAS TRADITION FOR ALL THE FAMILY

N U TC R A C K E R Group Discounts available

Join us on board for a unique Christmas party or Christmas Day celebration on the Thames Christmas Parties | Private Hire | Christmas Day Lunch & Sightseeing Learn More

cityexperiences.com/ChristmasinLondon

Photo © Jason Bell

this

14 Dec 2023 – 7 Jan 2024 ballet.org.uk/nutcracker

Children go half-price!* *When booking through the London Coliseum Box Office. T&Cs apply.

Registered Charity 214005

RHS Glow B O O K TO DAY Fri 24 Nov – Tue 2 Jan When the sun goes down, the lights go up.

Watch the night illuminate at our festive winter spectacular.

Your visit supports our work as a charity. rhs.org.uk/wisleyglow

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November/December 25

26 November/December

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