Families Cambridge March April 21

F R TAKE EE ME H OME

Issue 63 March/April 2021

familiesonline.co.uk

SUM MER SCH OOL

THE PERSE SUMMER SCHOOL 5 – 30 JULY • AGES 7 – 14 There are 60,000 minutes in a summer holiday. Fill them with something interesting from a wide range of activities including sports, drama, science, baking, outdoor pursuits, technical theatre and creative writing.

OPEN TO CHILDREN FROM ANY SCHOOL For more information and to book for summer 2021, visit: persesummerschool.co.uk

Contents & Competition

Dear Reader, Spring is full of promise as we welcome the first signs of life after a long cold winter, the daffodils peek through the soil and the newborn lambs bring the fields alive. Easter is a special time for family celebrations and days out together, hopefully with lockdown restrictions beginning to ease we can finally take the children to outdoor farms and venues toward the middle of April and meet up with family and friends outdoors again. Keep an eye out for events on our Facebook page as things begin to open up again, meanwhile stay safe and Happy Easter.

Life, love an d la what pricele ughter, ss gifts to give our ch ildren.

Wise word s Phyllis Dry den

@familiesCambMag

www.facebook.com/FamCambsMag

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EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336, editor@familiesCambridgeshire.co.uk ASSISTANT EDITOR: Amanda Dawson, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk SOCIAL MEDIA: Amanda Dawson, admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk SALES: Jean Stevens, jean@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk DESIGN: Caroline Thompson-Heap, info@cheekymonkeydesigns.net

What's in this issue?

4. News & views 6. Baby News 9. Helping your child become an effective learner 10. School spotlights 13. Is online tutoring effective 14. How stories help children 15. Choosing Activities

22,000 copies of Families Cambridgeshire available through schools, nurseries, hospitals, clubs and classes, selected shops and restaurants. If you would like copies for your establishment please let us know.

WIN

A TIMBER TOTS MAGIC TREE (RRP £39.99)

and enter an enchanting woodland adventure with your pre-schooler's imagination. Little ones and parents alike will love exploring the nostalgic Timber Tots Magic Tree (based on the original from 1975). Press on the roof and 'Pop!', the tree lifts up to reveal a charming little house - ideal living for woodland creatures! With two characters, a working lift, a swing, garage and secret hideaway you are all set to enjoy the next Timber Tots adventure. Suitable for 18 months+ Explore more of the range here: www.timbertotstoys.co.uk/ To enter, please visit our Facebook page @FamCambsMag and like & share our competition post.

Families Cambridgeshire is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Cambridgeshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Cambridgeshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Cambridgeshire its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof. familiesonline.co.uk

Families Cambridgeshire 3

News & Views

It's Time for Your Child to Shine at a FREE Perform Class Perform classes are back in person this summer term and there’s no better time for your child to try a class. Packed with selfesteem boosting activities, these weekly classes will help children get back to doing the things they love most. With a focus on developing confidence, communication, coordination and concentration, Perform uses a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child's potential.

The termly curriculum ensures plenty of fun, friendship and laughter, with drama games, catchy songs and funky dances. Class material is specially designed by Perform, with apps, downloads and videos for the children to enjoy at home. Small classes, run by warm, friendly and enthusiastic teachers, ensure plenty of individual attention and each child receives a progress report every ten weeks. Classes are available for ages 4-7 and 7-12 with a new

Have you ever thought of hosting an international student?

Families with children of their own, those with “empty nest syndrome” or grandparents to name a few, all benefit from hosting international students. Hosting can be short term and very flexible to fit with your lifestyle.

The experience that a child has when staying with a host can bring lifelong friendships.

From learning to adapt to life in the beautiful English countryside, to life in a large busy city, from learning to bake bread to sharing with your host how to cook the best noodles!

There really is something for everyone. Why not go to our website www.collegeguardians. co.uk and watch Jen’s Story then register for this wonderful experience? In exchange for your hospitality you will receive a generous compensation package.

For information please contact Jane@collegeguardians.co.uk

creative theme each term.

Local Perform classes available in Cambridgeshire: Perform weekly classes are available locally in Newnham, Hills Road and Chesterton and provide confidence building fun for 4-12s. A unique mix of drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. Classes are delivered in line with government Covid guidelines.

To book a no-obligation FREE trial at Newnham, Hills Road or Chesterton visit www.perform.org.uk/try T: 020 7255 9120 E: enquiries@perform.org.uk

Around the world in 92 magnets!

This Janod magnetic puzzle is a fun and educational way of discovering the planet. Each magnet represents a country or region of the world, with its name, capital and an illustration characteristic of that part of the world. Available from johnlewis.com £39.99

ACTIVE MUMS RAISE ACTIVE KIDS

Children are not "just naturally active”. Instead, parents have an important role to play in developing healthy exercise habits early on in life, according to a study.

Researchers from Cambridge and Southampton Universities analysed the physical activity levels of more than five hundred mothers and their pre-schoolers by fitting both mothers and children with activity monitors at the same time. Participants wore the monitors continuously, including while sleeping and doing water-based activities.

The data from mothers and children showed a direct, positive association between physical activity in children and the activity level of their mothers: the more active the mother, the more active her child.

Although, it wasn’t possible to tell whether active children were making their mothers run around after them, it is likely that activity in one of the pair influenced activity in the other.

More info: http://bit.ly/3iz9pfZ

Boredom Can Be Good for Children

Most people associate boredom with feelings of restlessness, dissatisfaction and futility. As parents we may want to avoid our child having these negative experiences and feel compelled to fill their days as much as possible.

However, according to research, periods of boredom can motivate our quest for meaning and exploration, which can in turn promote creative and intelligent thinking, as well as reflection.

In other words, when children are left to their own devices, they can be forced to be more creative and imaginative in finding ways to amuse themselves.

More info:http://bit.ly/3p9UOtF 4 Families Cambridgeshire

familiesonline.co.uk

News & Views POSITIVE POWER OF PODCASTS

Free Online After School Sports Club

A free live online After School Sports Club has been launched to fill the void of school and community sport in children’s lives during lockdowns.

Created by the Youth Sport Trust, children can tune in from home and be led through a range of fun, exciting and challenging activities which will help them stay fit and healthy while also supporting their broader personal development.

Focussing on much more than physical fitness, the club helps children develop physical literacy and the confidence to try new sports.

The sessions are led by Athlete Mentors and guest athletes from a variety of backgrounds, abilities and sports,including former British sprinter, Jeanette Kwakye and Paralympian Kate Grey.

The live clubs take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm on the Youth Sport Trust’s YouTube Channel. More info: www.youthsporttrust.org/AfterSchoolSportClub

There has been a significant rise in young people listening to podcasts during lockdown and this may be having a positive effect on reading, according to recent research.

The study by the National Literacy Trust looked at the results of two surveys of up to 58,346 young people ages 8 to 18, conducted before and during the UK-wide lockdown.

The Trust found that nearly 25% of youngsters said they listened to podcasts and audiobooks more during lockdown than before.

The most common reasons given were the extra time they had, the ability of podcasts to assist relaxation and the draw of key role models as podcast creators.

Significantly, the study also revealed that more youngsters who listened to podcasts also enjoyed reading for pleasure and read daily, than those young people who did not listen to podcasts.

More info: www.literacytrust.org.uk

Participate in British Science Week

British Science Week is a ten day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which takes place from 5 to 14 March.

This year’s theme is ‘Innovating for the future’ and will be encouraging families and children of all ages to get hands on at home.

A range of FREE activity packs suitable for all age groups will feature over 40 fun STEM activities for families to do at home and can be downloaded from the British Science Week website.

For more information and to download activity packs visit: http://bit.ly/BritishScience

Red Nose Day is Back for 2021 and is Plastic Free

Fire Tech

There is a lot of debate about the future of work and what skills our kids need to develop today to meet tomorrows challenges. The World Economic Forum identified several areas of development including critical thinking, problem-solving, design thinking as well as the effective use of technology. They believe these are key for the future jobs market.

Fire Tech's courses for 8-17 year olds build future-readiness, addressing these skills and empowering kids to explore the universe of tech at their fingertips. Through exciting and engaging project-based work kids can learn skills from coding, working with AI to games design and digital music production. Find out more about the offering at www.Fire-Tech.com

Red Nose Day 2021 will return on Friday 19 March and will have plastic-free red noses for the first time.

Comic Relief, the charity which runs the TV fundraising extravaganza, said it had received letters and emails from hundreds of children about the issue requesting that they switch to a natural alternative.

The new Red Nose will be made from bagasse, a natural by-product of sugarcane, chosen for its widely celebrated sustainable qualities.

Red noses are sold to raise funds for the charity, which made more than £63m at its last event in 2019.

As well as making a donation, you can find tips on hosting a social distanced activity or an online virtual event at www.rednoseday.com

When replying to adverts or listings, please mention Families Cambridgeshire familiesonline.co.uk

Families Cambridgeshire 5

Don’t Worry About Baby's Disrupted Sleep AX1 Retractable Straps - featured on the BeSafe iZi Modular A X1 i-size.

Be Safe with BeSafe

Let's be honest, being a parent can be complicated at the best of times. Scandinavian Car Seat Company, BeSafe, wants to help simplify travel for you and your baby without compromising on safety.

This seat pictured with the ‘A' in its name is almost identical to the BeSafe iZi Modular X1 i-Size, but in addition features the Active Retract Harness™. The revolutionary belt system is the only harness that helps parents with buckling their child up. It features an advanced retractor construction on the inside that continuously pulls in the belts.

That way, parents simply push up the belts inside the shoulder pads for a tight fit, and done!

Other features of the BeSafe iZi Modular X1 i-Size include a 360 rotation seat which combines a baby seat and toddler seat into one by featuring a Two-Fit Cushion to provide extra comfort and stability. The Dynamic Force Absorber™ is a new and state-of-the-art, innovative headrest design. Created with a honeycomb placement of V-shaped materials, allowing for controlled bending in the inner area of the seat, whilst keeping a rigid outer frame. By bending like a trampoline, the seat allows for a perfectly controlled and very gentle cushioning of the child. It gives optimal protection for the baby's most vulnerable body parts - the head and the neck. Being made from Polypropylene, the Dynamic Force Absorber™ is more durable than polystyrene, which is widely used for shock absorption, and even fully recyclable.

Research shows that 49.3% of children in toddler seats are not buckled in correctly as the belts are not tight enough. In 63% of these cases the misuse is classified as serious. So with the Active Retract Harness™ you can rest assured your little one is properly buckled in.

6 Families Cambridgeshire

New parents often expect their baby to start sleeping through the night around the time they are 6 months old.

However, according to a new study, half of babies this age never get more than eight consecutive hours of sleep per night.

Tracking forty four infants over a period of two weeks, the study found that sleeping patterns vary greatly - not only for different babies, but also night to night for the same baby.

According to the authors of the study, parents should view their baby's sleep consolidation – gaining a consistent pattern of sleeping through the night – 'as a process’, rather than a milestone that is reached at a specific age.

Breastfeeding and mum and baby sleeping in close proximity were linked to greater variability in infant sleep patterns, the experts found.

THE MONTESSORI BABY

A Parent's Guide to Nurturing Your Baby with Love, Respect and Understanding Filled with the values, advice, and aesthetic that have made The Montessori Toddler a parenting bestseller with over 200,000 copies in print, The Montessori Baby is here to help new parents find the support and peace they crave.

Co-written by Montessori Toddler author Simone Davies and fellow Montessori educator Junnifa Uzodike, The Montessori Baby draws on the child-led principles of the Montessori educational method to foster a first year defined by love, respect, understanding, and a surprising sense of calm.

Maria Montessori observed that all children have what she called ‘an absorbent mind’, ready to drink it all in, and that the role of parents is to mindfully assist in their learning and development. With babies, that means less is more — a lot less stuff, for sure, but also less speed; slow way down, and avoid rushing through feeding, nappy changes, and the like. It means establishing a ‘yes’ space — where baby can safely explore absolutely everything, whether with hands or mouth. It means setting up activities to help promote baby’s movement and language development, but then to step back — the parent’s role is to prepare the environment, not be the entertainer.

There are tips on how to set clear and kind boundaries, how to create a secure sense of attachment, how best to speak to baby, and even what kind of toys to use — all through the Montessori lens.

And like its predecessor, The Montessori Baby is that rare parenting book that’s a pleasure to look at — beautiful colour illustrations and a bright airy design reinforce the book’s direct and jargon-free approach. It may also inspire parents to look at their own homes in a different way and use the Montessori aesthetic to create an environment of uncluttered calm. The whole family will benefit.

Published in April 2021; £15.99, paperback familiesonline.co.uk

Families Baby News GREAT LITTLE TRADING COMPANY PORTABLE QUILTED PLAYMAT, WOODLAND

Made from 100% cotton and filled with polyester wadding to make it soft and comfortable to lie on. It has a lovely quilted design and a tie cord to keep it in place when rolled up. £38.00 www.gltc.co.uk

VOKSI Breeze Light will keep your child well-protected in their stroller when out for walks, and ensure that they are in a pleasant temperature during mild weather conditions.

It can also be used as a sit mat or underlay for your child by zipping off the top part. £85.00 www.VOKSI.com

Baby Bjorn leopard print baby carrier is a classic, modern yet timeless ergonomic Baby Carrier crafted in a soft cotton blend. The sturdy waist belt and padded shoulder straps relieve pressure on your back and shoulders, and make babywearing possible from newborn and up to the age of three..

Image received RRP: £160 www.babybjorn.co.uk

POCO NIDO

Award winning British baby and children’s footwear brand produce barefoot friendly shoes that are simple and functional.

Available in UK sizes 1-8 RRP: from £18.00 www.poconido.com

CUDDLEDRY!

Go sugar free and cuddle up to your very own little bunny this Easter with CUDDLEDRY! Available in two sizes and with the option of personalisation: 1-3 Years £34.99 www.cuddledry.com

The Etta Loves x Keith Haring collection of magical

baby essentials has expertly scaled Keith Haring’s striking art to a pattern and colour that support babies' visual and cognitive development from birth to around a year old. ettaloves.com Prices range between £18.50 & £75.00.

BUNDLEBEAN BABY RANGE,

Carefully designed covers fitting all types of sling and carrier, and including a detachable hood for top to toe protection.

RRP: from £29.99 www.bundlebean.com

MAGNET MOUSE

Classic, timeless baby wear with tiny hidden magnetic fasteners.

No more fiddly poppers or tiny buttons, just simple style in seconds.

Available in sizes 1m – 12m RRP: £24.95 magnetmouse.co.uk

THE HAPE PORTABLE PLAYMAT WITH ARCH MEDELA FREESTYLE FLEX™ is an electric breast pump designed to fit into your life: its light, compact design and USB-chargeable battery give you the flexibility to express wherever and whenever you like, with no compromise on pumping performance.

RRP: £349.99 www.medela.com

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can be folded up for easy storage and portability, ready to pop out at playtime.

When assembled, it has a wooden arch with dangling toys to tempt your baby's senses. £90.00 www.laredoute. co.uk

Families Cambridgeshire 7

Why Wisbech Grammar Early Years?

Our Kindergarten and Reception class offers children the very best possible start to their educational journey. Our new Early Years setting has been extended and is a great space for our pupils to explore, and develop a love of learning through play.

We also follow an Early Years Curriculum, as well as:

Through our enriched curriculum, expert teachers, and small class sizes, we offer each child

Children thrive when they feel secure and valued and we make this our priority. We achieve this by giving children dedicated time and developing supportive relationships between teaching staff, children, and their families.

• Time to Discover who they are • Time to Learn their potential • Time to Create lifelong foundations

• Forest School • Music • Modern Foreign Languages • Sport • Science

• Time to Grow in confidence

Book onto a virtual coffee morning with our Early Years Team or visit our Prep School on 24 March for an individual tour.

Contact our Admissions Team on 01945 586750 email admissions@wisbechgrammar.com

Families Education

Helping your Child Become an Effective Learner Nowadays, there are many things that can get in the way of a child learning effectively, including not wanting to practise difficult things; being discouraged by failure; comparing themselves with others; or simply not making much effort. This is frustrating, both for the child who is under performing, and for parents, tired of nagging and at a loss as to how to motivate them.

It’s worth bearing in mind that a child hasn’t learned to see the world the way we do and doesn’t know how it works. Feelings are the only tool they have to navigate and experience the world and often they find these hard to interpret. If they feel confused, contradicted,overwhelmed or under pressure, they are unlikely to be able to explain what’s wrong and so they switch off. We’ve all asked the question: “Why did you do that?” and been met by a shrug. They ‘did that’ (whatever it was), because they were reacting to what they were feeling at the time. Looking at it through a child’s eyes, we might see it as selfpreservation in a crazy-ish world!

Many children feel that they have to ‘wait to grow up’ before they can DO anything, and some behave as though education is being ‘done’ to them. Punishment and bribery may change the outward behaviour, but will not fix poor motivation,which is needed for meaningful, happy learning to happen.

To help your child when they have gone off track, step back and look beyond the behaviour. Understand that deep down, your child wants to succeed, wants you to be proud of them and doesn’t want to let you down, but has got stuck and doesn’t know how to get unstuck.

Explain to your child that their job as a child is to grow- what they know, what they can do, their experience and their abilities - and that school is a place that can help them to do this.

Children also benefit from focussing on grasping one skill or piece of learning in any task, so that they know what they are aiming for and when they have achieved it.

A Simple Way to Explain Learning to your Child

SO much happens in everyday life! The part of our brain that loves new things really enjoys it, but if it isn’t exciting, it doesn’t remember anything for more than about twenty minutes because there’s just too much going on!

To learn something new, we must take action, and that action is practise!

When you do something over and over again, your brain gets the message that what you’re doing is important and makes a little track about it (called a neural pathway). After a while, when you’ve done familiesonline.co.uk

By Gail Hugman

it lots of times, your brain knows it’s important and wraps up the little track to make sure you don’t lose it! That’s when you say: “I’ve got it!”

For example, spend three minutes every day focused on learning one of the times tables.

Write it out and say it repeatedly and in a week or two, your brain will wrap it up so you’ll know it forever. Your brain wants to help you!

Gail Hugman is the founder of Lessons Alive. Gail has 46 years’ experience teaching and motivating children to be the best they can be in school and in life. This article contains extracts from her book 100 Things to Learn Before You’re 10, available at www.theendlessbookcase.com For further information, visit www.lessonsalive.com

Using Spelling to Practise Three Essential Learning Skills Tell your child which skill they are developing each week.

Listening

Week 1: Break each word into syllables or phonics,and talk about the sounds in each word. Make sure your child is correctly pronouncing them.

Week 2: Whisper the words, so they need to listen carefully and tell you what you said!

Memory

Week 1: Make two sets of the words on small cards and play pairs. Lay the cards face down and win by selecting matching words.

Week 2: Write the letters of each word onto post-its and muddle them up. Let your child rearrange them to make the word!

Organisation

Week 1: Teach your child to sort the words in alphabetical order to remember them.

Week 2: Tell them to sort them according to the number of letters in the word.

All these activities will not only help your child to remember their spelling words but will consciously boost their learning skills, too. You can use other subjects to boost skills, too.

COLLEGE GUARDIANS YOUR CHILD THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE WORLD

Ever Thought of Hosting an International Student?

We are currently seeking host families to look after children attending boarding school in the UK whose parents are based overseas.

Our hosts look after the children during some half term holidays and occasional weekends.

Dates of stays will depend very much on the school that the child attends.

In exchange for your hospitality you will receive a generous compensation package as well as the invaluable experience that hosting an international student can bring to you and your family.

For more information please contact Caroline Lloyd, Guardianship Manager

caroline@collegeguardians.co.uk • +44 (0) 1684 581600

www.collegeguardians.co.uk Families Cambridgeshire 9

Be an

EXPLORER Access our on-demand open event stmaryscambridge.co.uk/visit

BE YOURSELF at ST MARY’S

Families Education Wisbech Grammar School Wisbech Grammar Prep School knows that choosing the right Early Years setting is a big decision and we are focused on ensuring every child that joins our Kindergarten and Reception class has the time to develop, grow and learn.

We pride ourselves on ensuring our children have opportunities to participate in a variety of endeavours that will help them to grow and succeed in all aspects of life. Beyond the classroom we provide an exciting programme of foreign languages, sport, science, music and forest school to name but a few.

Our class sizes are small and our teachers are passionate about ensuring every child is happy and reaches their full potential. As children progress, they get to take part in music and drama lessons, food and nutrition,

more team sport, art and textiles and science lessons in our Senior School laboratories along with many other opportunities.

We aim to provide an all-round education that inspires, to unlock each child’s true potential – so they can be the very best they can be – and more.

Book onto a virtual coffee morning or book a personalised tour of our Early Years on Wednesday 24 March by contacting our Admissions Team on 01945 586750 or email admissions@wisbechgrammar.com

Oaks International School (OIS) We are a small, friendly international school situated in Cherry Hinton Hall’s beautiful parkland. We welcome children from 2 to 11 years, from all over the world. Children who come to OIS learn in an environment that is unpressured, supportive, and inspiring. Our small class sizes mean that every child gets the individual attention and focus on their learning that they need, in a nurturing and caring environment.

For children who come to the school from a non-English speaking country, we offer EFL (English as a Foreign Language) lessons as part of the curriculum. We also offer a Mother tongue programme taught by native speakers, including Swedish, Mandarin, Spanish, German and Arabic. All children benefit from specialist teaching in Spanish, Music and Sport, and

St Mary's School

St Mary’s School is the leading independent day and boarding school for girls aged three to eighteen in Cambridge. Our girls thrive academically and personally, nurtured by teachers dedicated to enabling them to fulfil their true potential.

Rated excellent by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, a St Mary’s education is about discovering and pursuing individual talents with confidence and drive. Our approach inspires girls to become great women – creative, agile, resilient learners, ready to make their mark in the world.

As a faith-based school, courage, respect, compassion and integrity are part of everyday life. This creates a supportive community, where happiness and wellbeing are a priority and each girl knows her voice will be heard and valued. familiesonline.co.uk

our Forest School and Outdoor Learning programme makes full use of our beautiful surroundings.

At OIS, helping every child reach their full potential is our passion. We believe every child is unique, and our caring and talented team of teachers take the time to get to know what motivates, challenges and inspires every one of them. We also get to know you, the parents, and our community is a very friendly and supportive one.

Admissions@oischool.co.uk Tel: 01223 416938

In 2020, a seamless shift to remote online learning evoked positive parental feedback, from our quality of teaching and leadership to communication, academic challenge and pupil wellbeing. Nonetheless, everyone at St Mary’s is looking forward to being back together in the classroom.

VISIT ST MARY’S With new state-of-the-art sport facilities and a Preschool opening in September 2021, now is a great time for your daughter to join us.

Discover what makes St Mary’s so special by booking a personal tour, or by accessing an ondemand open event.

Discover more: stmaryscambridge.co.uk/visit

Families Cambridgeshire 11

Families Education

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES? We first met Rita at her home. With her kind eyes and happy nature, Rita made us feel welcome from the moment we stepped in, immediately offering us a cup of tea. “I’m always knitting, I knit toys and baby clothes,” she announced cheerfully as she brought us our cups, moving her knitting out of the way.

Her home was equally welcoming: countless photographs of international students she’s hosted adorned her walls: snapshots of birthday parties, days out and tea parties with her students spoke volumes about her commitment to providing the warmest possible welcome to all the international students she hosts.

To find out more about the art of hosting and what she’s learned from this experience, we took a quick sip of our tea and started asking away:

Thanks for having us to visit Rita. Let’s start at the beginning: What made you begin hosting international students?

Although I work part-time, I kept pondering and pondering what I could do to make a bit of extra money. My friend suggested hosting international students and that’s how it started. I’ve met some really nice people and made new friends on this journey; from time to time the students even write to me and get in touch.

12 Families Cambridgeshire

How do you greet the students when they arrive?

When students arrive, I introduce myself and I show them to their room. We take it from there.

You must have some great memories of the students who have stayed here.

How long have you been hosting for?

It’s been over three years now, and I’ve hosted over 80 students during these years. I haven’t got a computer, so I keep a record of everybody who has been here in a folder – it’s a neat record of students that have stayed with me and helps when they come back to visit, so I remember exactly who they were.

That’s impressive! And this picture on the wall behind you – are these some of the students you have hosted?

Yes! Last year, the school had an open evening and it happened to be my birthday. The school invited me to go and it was a really nice evening – I met lots of other host families. I told my students that I’d be away for the evening and when I came back home, the three girls I was hosting (from South Korea, France, and Japan) wouldn’t let me into the house! One of the girls said ‘you can’t come in, you can’t come in!’ After about twenty minutes they came out singing happy birthday, and when I stepped into the house, they had birthday tea set up, and even balloons all over the floor. It was a very nice surprise.

Do you keep in touch with your students once they leave?

Yes, I still keep in touch with quite a few of the students. They send me texts from time to time or write letters.

One girl from Switzerland had a baby recently, so I made a few bits for her and sent her some knitted clothes for the baby: a blanket and a cardigan and a bonnet. Yesterday I received a parcel full of sweets from her for my birthday!

Do they ever feel nervous when they arrive?

I had one girl from France – it was in September-October – and she was very scared at first, but as I sat and spoke to her she gradually settled down. When I got to know her a bit better, she told me it was her first time on her own away from her family and she was really frightened and wasn’t sure if she would like it here or like me or like the school. Thankfully she started feeling comfortable very quickly.

What’s the longest period of time a student has stayed with you?

Six months. And I have a few students arriving next week who are supposed to stay for eight months!

So lovely to meet you, Rita! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us!

Thanks for coming! Lovely to meet you too!

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Education

Is Online Tutoring Effective?

As a parent, if you have had time to breathe between home schooling, working from home and simply processing the unprecedented changes of the last 12 months, you may have wondered about the effectiveness of online tutoring. Like any online experience, the answer depends on many factors, particularly the facilitator, the goal and the environment.

The Tutors’ Association, the only professional body for tutoring and the wider supplementary education sector in the UK, would answer with a ‘yes’ to this question, as engaging online lessons are delivered daily by its members. However, it should be highlighted that the initial transition for any student or tutor to online teaching can be rocky and so careful attention should be given to the reaction of the student to the sessions. Clear communication is essential.

What are the Benefits of Online Tutoring?

For tutors and teachers, the possibilities for recording and re-using lessons opens many opportunities. A simple click of button can record an input, which can be delivered as a short video file for their students’ revision, after the lesson has been completed.

Absent students can also use these recordings to catch up on lessons missed. These benefits are obviously passed on to students.

For students, online tutoring means accessing the right tutor and removing the postcode lottery. It’s also well documented that an additional benefit of online tutoring is that students do not feel the social pressures of in person 1:1 tutoring, which can feel intimidating to certain people. Quality online educators can build a rapport quickly and cover the same ground that it would in person.

Top tips for Parents When Working with an Online Tutor Firstly, is the tutor or agency a member of the Tutors’ Association? This will allow you to feel confident that they have signed up to and

familiesonline.co.uk

by Lucy Spencer

agreed to a specific code of ethics. Secondly, always work with tutors that want to find out what motivates a student and considers how they can build an initial rapport. This is essential online, allowing the tutor to establish a supportive environment for learning to be built upon. Finally, always ask about the engagement strategies that will be utilised in the sessions. Which platform will be used? Just sharing a static PowerPoint and calling via Skype is no longer acceptable, as there are so many interactive strategies that online educators can employ.

Choosing an Online Tutor When looking at engaging an online tutor, did you know that you can search for a tutor's name on The Tutors' Association's database of members?

This tool will allow you to see if the tutor you wish to hire is a current member, providing reassurance that your child will be receiving support from a safe and qualified person.

The Tutors' Association stipulates that all members hold an up-to-date DBS certificate and, this year, is moving towards all members holding an enhanced DBS. This highest level of disclosure is required for those positions that can involve caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults.

Tutors don't have to be qualified teachers, as many have a wealth of subject specialist experience but do seek personal recommendations from friends or by searching on local parent groups and review sites. In addition, always be guided by your child's response to sessions. A great online tutor will build a rapport quickly and provide you with actionable strategies to boost confidence and attainment.

For more information, visit www.thetutorsassociation.org.uk

Families Cambridgeshire 13

Families Education

How Stories Help Children Understand Others The world we live in is full of complexities, tumultuous relationships and gaps between us and other people. How do we ensure our children connect with others and fully understand those around them without automatically struggling with the same issues that we are?

Studies have shown that from the age of 2 years, children start to show genuine empathy - understanding how other people feel even when they don't feel the same way that they do. So how do we as parents nurture this?

The role-modelling that we apply at home is probably the most key way in which we can empower our children to develop the emotional intelligence our world needs. This means showing our children how empathy looks and how we put the feelings and reality of others at the forefront of our actions. Our children will follow our lead.

Beyond this, the secret to creating empathy may lie in the books and stories we give our children access to. Bedtime stories. Day-time stories. Life-time stories. However you tell them, storytelling with your children can be an incredibly powerful tool to helping them gain new perspectives and create shared understanding with those around them.

Emotional simulation and imagination through storytelling is the foundation of our children's ability to evolve their capacity to empathise and truly understand others. It allows them to make the leap from their own beautifully self-centred world to recognising that others may feel distinctly different to them - and that recognising this is well within their reach and role.

Academic research now shows that reading, or being read to, actually changes the neuro pathways in our brain – it quite literally alters the way we process and think.

Creating empathy is, of course, not limited to storytelling alone but it’s a proven way to

by Mimi Nicklin

support our children as they grow in a world that has increasingly low empathy.

How do Stories Help?

Storytelling has been powerful throughout modern civilisation - we have been sharing and learning through this medium for as long as we can record. From drawings on cave walls to the first children’s tales published in books for children in the 1740’s, we have always instinctively known that stories positively impact society. Telling our children stories allows them to rapidly understand people’s emotions and realities, bringing the brains of a generation of our children together.

The power of storytelling in building our humanity and society shouldn’t ever be left to a pre-bedtime routine alone. Throughout our children’s lives and education, stories have the power to create deep childhood empathy by: • Allowing children to imagine how another sees the world by feeling as the character does; • Fostering children's understanding of social behaviours and our ability as humans to work together as part of a group; • Breaking down bias and fostering inclusively.

14 Families Cambridgeshire

Mimi Nicklin is a globally recognised millennial thought-leader. She is host of the Empathy for Breakfast show, Secrets of The Gap podcast and author of new book Softening the Edge.

For more information go to www.miminicklin.com

Empathy in Action

In April 2020, mid the world’s worst global pandemic in recent history, Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, announced that the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy qualified as ‘Essential Workers’ who were allowed to travel freely during the lockdown. As this news story unfolded across the planet, we saw the belief in the power of storytelling for our children at an unprecedented level.

When the leaders of entire countries are impacting policy in an effort to ensure that storytelling and imagination remain at the top of the national agenda and that our children remain connected to the power of empathising with others (fictional or otherwise), we know that we are encountering a human capability that can truly change the face of our own, and our children’s, futures. familiesonline.co.uk

Families Education

TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING CLASSES, ACTIVITIES & CLUBS FOR YOUR CHILD by Elisabeth Dolton Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the range and volume of activities, classes and clubs available for your child to join? Aside from the important issue of LOGISTICS, in other words, how are these activities going to fit into your schedule, how do you go about deciding what to choose?

HERE ARE MY TOP TIPS:

• Ensure staff members are professionals with relevant skills and experience.

• Talk to your children, explain how many activities you think there is time for and find out what they are interested in pursuing.

• Consider the mix of activities. The benefits of exercise are huge, so try to include a sport.

• Let them choose at least one class, activity or club themselves.

• If you are stuck between two similar activities, consider the usefulness, e.g. drumming lessons might be cool, but the guitar might have wider applicability.

Good luck!

• Help them choose activities that reflect who they are and what they want to learn and don’t impose your own preferences.

• If you have a reluctant child, explain that it’s important and fun to try new things, but don’t insist.

• Remember that moving from one activity to another is normal amongst children.

• Always consider the benefits of an activity.

For instance, there’s great value in disciplinebased activities that create a quality product over a period of time and teach value skills such as leadership and team work eg. putting on a play.

• Don’t assume that high cost equals high quality.

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Families Cambridgeshire 15

Stay K’nexted!

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Choose 10-in-1 Building Set Ages 5-10 Make 10 projects!

130 pieces

OR Kids Safari Mates Ages 3-5 Build animal friends!

21 panels and pieces

2 March/April

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EDUCATION

Free Maths Downloadables Use these high quality maths resources from PlanBee to help support your child’s learning.

Converting Measures Chart

What is the Question?

Fractions of Numbers Posters

This handy chart helps to convert a variety of different measures.

Work backwards from the answer to find the question.

Watermelon-themed posters that explain the concept of fractions.

Position Puzzles

Interpret positional language to put the shapes in the correct place.

Multiple Mazes

Identify the multiples of the 2/5/10 times table.

3 levels of difficulty.

Place Value Game

24-Hour Time Display

Times Table Booklet

Compare the Money Cards

Help your child tell the time on 12 and 24-hour clocks.

4 March/April

All the times tables in one handy booklet!

What numbers go in the place value columns to win the point?

Recognise coins. Use for playing Snap or Matching Pairs.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Autism and Education One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Is Online Tutoring Effective?

By Jane Constantine

By Lucy Spencer

Today I cried with happiness at an email. It contained a glowing report of my 11 year old autistic daughter’s progress at school in recent days. We’re in lockdown and it’s her first year at a specialist secondary school.

I’m so proud of how far she has come.

READ MORE

If you’ve had time to breathe between home schooling, work and parenting, you may have wondered about the effectiveness of online tutoring.

Like any online experience, the answer depends on many factors, particularly the facilitator, the goal and the environment.

READ MORE

Why is My Child Teaching Another Child?

By Annabel Gray

Just before the pandemic struck, I was in a café when I accidentally overheard a conversation between two mums. One was expressing her outrage that, at school, her child had been teaching another child to read. Let me share with you a secret about this.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 5

EDUCATION

Support your Child’s Love and Learning of Music

Meet the Orchestra with the Royal Albert Hall Fun introduction to the world of percussion for young children.

Gentle Guitar

Online guitar school with lessons for children ages 5-12.

BBC Play the Noise

Explore the elements of a song. Play/clap along.

Listen back to your own version.

6 March/April

Cbeebies Radio Prom Podcast

Enjoy an imaginary musical journey to the moon with this podcast.

On Stage at Home Nordoff Robbins & the Clangers

Young children have fun making music using household objects.

Virtual Musical Instruments

Chrome Music Lab

Naxos Music Box

Sing Up at Home

Fun, hands-on music Learn & create music. experiments. Make and Play instruments online learn your own songs. using PC keyboard/ mouse.

Interactive musical resource for ages 4-12.

Activities, puzzles, quizzes.

Keep kids learning & singing. Free online resources and A-Z playlist.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Supporting your Child’s Return to School

Helping your Child be an Effective Learner

By Catherine Lynch

By Gail Hugman

For the second time in a year children have experienced major turbulence in their school lives.

The restrictions of the latest lockdown have been piled on top of months of change, anxiety and uncertainty. So how can parents support their child’s transition back to school?

READ MORE

Many things can get in the way of a child learning effectively: dislike of practising difficult things; being discouraged by failure; comparing themselves with others; or simply not making much effort. If you feel your child is underperforming, what can you do?

READ MORE

Device Free Learning

Stay K’nexted!

By Dr Amanda Gummer

For many parents, home learning has been very challenging, with spotty Wi-Fi wreaking havoc and children battling to use the same device. The good news is that remote learning lessons on a device are not the only way that parents can support their child’s learning at home.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

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Magazine March/April 7

EDUCATION

Hot New Kids’ Books for 2021 All books can be purchased via Bookshop.org, an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.

Pip and Posy: The Friendly Snail

The Whale Who Wanted More

The Cat’s Cook Book

By Axel Scheffler.

Ages 0-2.

By Rachel Bright & Jim Field. Ages 1-5.

By Julia Donaldson.

Ages 2+.

Hom

The Woolly Bear Caterpillar

Nature Trail

By Jeanne Willis & Paddy Donnelly.

Ages 3+.

Draw with Rob: Build a Story

By Rob Biddulph.

Ages 3+.

8 March/April

By Julia Donaldson & Yuval Zommer.

Ages 3-5.

The Invisible

By Tom Percival.

Ages 3+.

By Benjamin Zephaniah & Nila Aye. Ages 3-5.

What Did the Tree See?

By Charlotte Guillain & Sam Usher. Ages 4-6.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Hot New Kids’ Books for 2021 All books can be purchased via Bookshop.org, an online bookshop which financially supports local, independent bookshops and of which Families Magazine is an affiliate.

RuPaul

By Maria Isabel Sanches Vegara.

Ages 4-7.

Wolfboy

By Andy Harkness.

Ages 4-8.

Move Like a Lion

Rainbow Grey

A Tangle of Spells

Space Detectives

Best Bites Cookbook

Dragon World

By Laura Ellen Anderson.

Ages 7-10.

By Omari McQueen.

Ages 8-11.

Familiesonline.co.uk

By Michelle Harrison.

Ages 8+.

By Radzi Chinyanganya.

Ages 5-7.

By Mark Powers and Dapo Adeola.

Ages 7+.

How to Grow Up

By Tamara Macfarlane. and Feel Amazing!

Ages 8-12.

By Dr Ranj Singh.

Ages 10-13.

March/April 9

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Spring “Make and Do” Outdoor Projects

Make a Bird Feeder

Search for Tadpoles

Make a Nature Journal

Make a Rain Gauge

Grow Butterflies

Make a Butterfly Feeder

Build a Den

Plant Tomatoes

Go Stargazing

10 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Making Family Walks More Fun

By Claire Winter Three ideas to liven up family walking in your local area.

Scavenger Hunt Make a list of specific things you might see locally eg red bicycle, car park, couple holding hands. Split into teams and walk around in your group, photographing the items when you find them. Whoever finds all the items first, wins.

Introduce Incentives!

Give each child a matchbox to fill with tiny treasures; Volunteer Let them map read; Create a nature journal for them Show the kids the importance of to fill with bark rubbings, photos, kindness. Volunteer to clean up litter drawings and notes; in your community or walk dogs at a Bring hot chocolate; local animal shelter.

Try geocaching.

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March/April 11

HEALTH

FREE ‘End Emotional Explosions’ Online Course

Lucy Russell, mother and clinical psychologist at Everlief, a large child psychology clinic, has seen mental health issues in children accelerating in the last 12 months.

EXCLUSIV In response to demand, Everlief has launched a parent E support site, They Are The Future offering free and paid online courses, masterclasses and blog. These include Calm OFFER & Connected, aimed at parents with pre-teens affected by stress, anger or anxiety. Everlief is offering Families readers a FREE 5 day mini-course in which Lucy teaches the Cup Approach, a powerful tool for preventing emotional explosions. You will learn the science behind emotional explosions, two distinct ways to prevent them and what is meant by filling your child’s “cup.”

Access the mini course HERE.

Boost Your Child’s Mood

Growing Pains or HSD?

By Caroline Roope

By Ellie Malt

With everything the last year has flung at us, it’s understandable that we’re feeling somewhat deflated. Children in particular can be prone to mood swings because they have not yet developed the emotional language to express their feelings. Try these activities to help banish your child’s blues.

READ MORE

Remember your “double-jointed” classmate who kept doing the splits and bending their fingers into impossible positions? Now, this is known as hypermobility and up to four in ten young girls and about one in ten young boys have hyper-flexible joints. But when can hypermobility start to cause issues?

READ MORE

12 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

April Fool’s Day Prank Ideas In the Bathroom….

Bath Blues. Paint a bar of soap with a thin layer of nail varnish so it won’t lather.

Shampoo Shock. Put some cling film between the bottle and lid of a shampoo/shower gel bottle.

How long will it take your family to realise nothing is coming out?

Wrap Attack. Place some bubble wrap under a rug or bathmat.

Wait for the shriek!

Toilet Bowl Alert. Remove the lid of the toilet cistern and pour in 10-20 drops of food colouring!

Tooth Trouble. Pop a raisin inside the neck of a tube toothpaste and cover with toothpaste to conceal.

In the Kitchen….

Brick of Breakfast. The night before, fill a bowl with cereal and milk, half-submerge a spoon and then put it in the freezer. Add a touch of fresh milk before serving it.

Cereal Confusion. Swap the contents of boxes of cereal, and watch the look of confusion as its poured out!

Pudding Prank. Make an ‘ice cream sundae’ out of mashed potato... yum!

Juice Joke. Put jelly in your child’s glass instead of juice.

Browned Off. Announce you have just baked some “brownies” and present a plate of letter Es cut from brown paper.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Around the House….

Spiders on the Loose. Cut out spider shapes using black paper and place inside a lampshade.

Television Terror! Place a very small piece of black tape over the sensor/light on the end of the TV remote.

Shoe Trouble. Stuff the end of a pair of shoes with toilet roll so your family member can’t fit their feet in.

Loopy Laces. Tie a family member’s shoe laces together so they’ll get nowhere fast….

Balloon Door Explosion. Tape balloons to the back of the front door before the family comes in.

Win a Smoby Playhouse!

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ENTER HERE Magazine

Choose TeePee or Nature Playhouse March/April 13

EASTER

Best Easter Craft Projects for Families

Paper Easter Wreath

Salt Dough Easter Eggs

Tin Foil Easter Egg Art

Easter Bonnet

Bunny Bunting

Sock Bunny

Bunny Corner Bookmark

Dye Easter Eggs

Bean Bag Easter Chick

14 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EASTER

Set Up an Easter Egg Hunt

Use our clues to set up an Easter Egg Hunt in your house.

Laundry and Kitchen

With this clue, you’ll have to follow your nose, where does mummy put all your stinky clothes? (Laundry basket) In this place it’s very cold, “Close the door properly!!” you’re always being told. (Freezer)

Bedroom

In here, daddy puts his toes, take a big breathe though and cover your nose! (Shoes/slippers) Where do you go when it’s time for sleep? Take a look here, there’s some treats to keep. (Bed)

Find me in the kitchen, I’m a big cold white appliance. (Fridge)

You put this on when you’re cold, ‘Fasten it up properly” you’re always being told. (Coat)

I have a sound that goes beep, and my main function is to heat.

(Microwave)

In this place you’ll find hundreds of pages, reading them all would take you ages! (Book shelves)

I take your clothes for quite a spin, but first, they get wet. That’s how I begin. (Washing machine)

Find me when you need to know how to spell a word. (Dictionary – Book shelves)

Other Rooms

In this place, it’s very wet, it’s where you and the duckies very first met. (Bath) I rain on you when you need a scrub, I’m very much like my friend the tub. (Shower)

Stay K’nexted!

Sign up to our digital magazine and receive your free gift from K’nex!

In this place we’re supposed to wipe our feet, open the door to see who to greet. (Front door) This is where you eat your dinner, find the hidden clue and you’re the winner! (Dining table) I have hands but no arms, just a face and my hands move at a steady pace. (Clock) I have four legs, but I don’t have feet, I come in handy when it’s time to eat. (Chair) Familiesonline.co.uk

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March/April 15

EASTER

The Great Families Easter Bake Off

Easter Egg Cookies

Easter Bunny Pancakes

Chocolate Krispie Chick

Hot Cross Scones

Easter Egg Bark

Easy Easter Nests

Hot Cross Bun Doughnuts

Baa-lamb Muffins

Easter Egg Biscuits

16 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

EASTER

Make an

Chick

With Easter just around the corner, it’s time for some crafty creating with your children to celebrate. This simple craft from Kidzplay Playbox takes just minutes to set up and creates a colourful Easter chick.

You will need: * Eyes, beak, legs and feet pictured here * Scissors * Glue * Yellow Tissue Squares * Feathers * Paper Plate

Step-by-step guide: Step 1 Cover the paper plate in glue.

Step 5 Fold the beak in half and stick to the plate and then add the eyes.

Step 2 Stick the tissue squares onto the plate.

Step 3 Fold the legs along the dotted lines to make them bendy.

Step 6 Finally stick the feathers onto the plate to make the wings.

Step 4 Attach the feet to the legs and then stick the feet on the plate.

Step 7 Leave to dry before displaying.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 17

FAMILY LIFE

Parenting Books that Don’t Shame!

Dr Sarah Mundy from Parenting through Stories selects accessible, evidence-based books that she’s appreciated as both a mum and a psychologist.

What To Expect Series

No Drama Discipline

A helpful resource covering pre-pregnancy to the toddler years.

Interprets neuroscience theory into practical parenting, with clear examples.

How to develop a secure attachment relationship with your child.

What Every Parent Needs to Know

The Danish Way of Parenting

Parenting Handbook

Calm Parents, Happy Kids

The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read

Pulls together up-to-date Advice on raising kids research into practical from the world’s happiest and accessible advice. people!

Why parents need to manage their feelings, and children need connection and empathy.

18 March/April

Relate how you were parented, to how you parent.

The Power of Showing Up

Make sense of every day challenges together with your child.

The Gentle Parenting Book

Helping parents become confident and calm.

Putting gentle parenting into practice.

Familiesonline.co.uk

FAMILY LIFE

What is Family Mediation?

Talk, Read, Play: Crucial Skills for Parents

By Louisa Dickson

By Cristina Odone

“I’m getting divorced and need a solicitor.” Only Mums & Dads, a not-for-profit social enterprise that supports people through divorce, hears this statement daily. Their advice is always to try mediation first (where there is no domestic abuse) and if it breaks down, to try again. But why?

READ MORE

Lockdown has kept us at home with our children 24/7. Under these circumstances, we’d be forgiven for switching to autopilot, managing through the day without paying any special attention to our children: we’re always with them, so no special effort is needed, right? WRONG! READ MORE

Get Your Kids Recycling!

Win a Smoby Playhouse!

By Andrew Campbell

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Everyone is responsible for creating waste, whether it’s leftovers on the dinner plate or the finished loo roll. And so everyone is responsible for sustainable waste disposal.

Here’s some great ideas for teaching children about recycling and encouraging them to get more involved.

READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk

ENTER HERE Magazine

Choose TeePee or Nature Playhouse March/April 19

EARLY YEARS

Like Mary Poppins – Turn Jobs into Games….

Games and play ideas from The Good Play Guide that help children learn life skills in a fun and engaging way.

Tidy Up Game

Laundry Game

Bedroom Tidy

Ages 2+. Children tidy away their things by the end of a song.

Ages 2-3. Get children folding, sorting and matching the laundry.

Ages 3+. Makes another fun game out of tidying up.

Drying Up Game

Odd Socks Game

Changing Rooms

Ages 3+. Children dry up, playing ‘pick up sticks’ game with cutlery.

Ages 3+. Fun way to develop colour, shape & pattern recognition.

Ages 4+. Children learn to dress/undress and how buttons and zips work.

Running a Café

I Packed My Suitcase

Cooking

Ages 4+. Develops role play, social play, food/nutrition, money/ counting.

20 March/April

Ages 4+. Develops memory and concentration.

Ages 5+. Cooking and baking teaches children invaluable life skills.

Familiesonline.co.uk

EARLY YEARS

When Do Babies Start Walking?

By Andrew Campbell A baby’s first steps are an exciting development that every parent eagerly anticipates, marking the transition to toddlerhood.

Babies begin walking at their own pace and each is different.

Walking can occur from as young as 9 months but most babies take their first steps between 12 and 18 months.

A range of factors can affect when a baby begins to walk. A ‘risk taker’ So what does each of these stages will want to get up and going involve? quickly, whilst a more cautious child may not want to walk until they can READ MORE do it well.

Larger babies may walk later because they have to be stronger before they can carry their own weight. Ear infections can disrupt balance and delay the walking process too. A younger child may copy an older sibling and learn walking faster.

NEXT ISSUE Massive Outdoor Toy Giveaway!

There are key milestones you should expect to see on your baby’s journey to walking, as follows: Kicking, Wriggling and Rolling Grasping and Grabbing Supporting Head on Hands/Arms Sitting, Crawling and Bottom Shuffling Standing and Cruising Familiesonline.co.uk

SIGN UP HERE to receive the next issue to your inbox Magazine March/April 21

EARLY YEARS

Easy Games and Activities for Toddlers

Running out of ideas for keeping the little ones busy? Here’s some you may not have tried.

Hair Cutting Station

Shaving Cream Paper

Spring Play Dough Garden

Pompom Drop

Posting box

Rainbow Rice

Tugging Box

Book Drop

Car Wash Tunnel

22 March/April

Familiesonline.co.uk

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES

Fun Science Projects at Home Your kids will love these cool experiments and activities. Adult supervision may be required!

Make a Balloon Powered Car

Create Crystal Snowflakes

Build an Electromagnet

Make a Sensory Bottle

Create Giant Bubbles

Plant an Ice Garden

Make Magic Milk

Create a Cloud

Make Butter

Familiesonline.co.uk

March/April 23

ENVIRONMENT

Let’s Go Plastic Free!

Start reducing your plastic consumption now. How many of these products do you use? How many can you try soon? Swap products or introduce new habits—one at a time.

A Simple Bar of Soap!

Compostable Coffee Pods

Buy Loose Fruit and Veg

Bin the plastic plunger container. Buy bars bar!

We love these.

Swap to these Nespresso compatible compostable pods.

Bring your own cotton or cloth bag to weigh and carry it home.

Shampoo/ Conditioner Bar

Reusable Sanitary Pads

Re-Fill your Detergent Bottles

Plastic Free Toilet Paper

Shaving Soap

Widely available. Try Planet Organic or The Body Shop.

Loose Washing/ Dishwashing Powder

Sainsbury’s sells its own brand of powder.

24 March/April

Re-fill or make your Wash at home, save money or use reusable own with white vinegar & essential oils. mooncup.

100% plastic free. Free shipping (most orders).

100% natural.

Hand made by disadvantaged women in Kerala.

Familiesonline.co.uk

ENVIRONMENT

Let’s Go Plastic Free!

Start small. Choose one new behaviour you’d like to take on board and only move to the next once it is established as a habit.

Plastic Free Tooth Brushing

Plastic Free Bathroom

Buy Loose and in Bulk

Think bamboo toothbrushes and toothpaste in tablets or a glass jar.

Cotton buds, dental floss, make up remover pads and more!

Buy larger quantities.

Store in glass jars. Refill from zero waste shop.

Start your Own Food Group

Buy Oil in Larger Quantities

Plastic Free Meat or Fish

Buy products in bulk, save money, reduce your carbon footprint.

Think 5 litres. Pour in glass bottles at home.

Get your local butchers/fishmongers to wrap goods in paper.

Deodorant

Pasta in a Cardboard Box

Use Real Nappies

Widely available. Try Boots, Holland & Barrett.

Familiesonline.co.uk

An easy switch that will further reduce your plastic footprint.

Wash and re-use nappies or use a laundry service.

March/April 25

TRAVEL

UK Holiday Inspiration Families top ideas for places to enjoy a brilliant staycation in the UK this year! Please adhere to Covid-19 government guidelines when travelling.

Bodmin Jail Hotel in Cornwall

Rocks at Plas Curi in North Wales

Bovey Castle & Spa Hotel in Devon

4-star boutique hotel within the walls of the 18th century prison.

5* hostel near Snowdon + Zipworld.

Family friendly luxury.

5*, child-friendly, relaxed, dogs welcome.

Plenty of activities.

Crewe Hall in Cheshire

Eco Glamping in Wales

Eilean Shona in Scotland

Luxury stay, famed afternoon tea, family attractions nearby.

185 acres for walking, hiking and wild swimming.

Cottages on magical private island off Scotland’s west coast.

Winchcombe Farm in Warwickshire

Scilly Isles

The Little Retreat in Pembrokeshire

Five unique tree houses at this gorgeous glamping retreat.

26 March/April

Sand-fringed islands, warm waters, empty beaches. 28m from Cornish coast.

Luxury glamping in castle grounds in coastal National Park.

Familiesonline.co.uk

Find your fearless Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds

stagecoach.co.uk/cambridge 01223 359974

cambridge@stagecoach.co.uk

Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.