Families Cambridgeshire May June issue

F R TAKE EE ME H OME

STAGECOACH

CAMBRIDGE & CAMBOURNE

E& RIDG CAMBBOURNE CAM

www.stagecoach.co.uk/cambridge 01223 359974

Issue 64 May/June 2021

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Realise the unique potential in your child at Stagecoach.

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Suitable for ages 4 -18 years

10th-16th May 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, With May comes the promise of sunny, lazy days in the garden and the anticipation of a long awaited summer after such a long hard winter due to COVID restrictions. The warmer weather means there are so many more places to go and things to do outdoors, at a time when we cannot meet indoors and have to socially distance. This issue has a good selection of days out and as many local events as we could find when we went to press. The ‘what’s on’ clubs and classes for children include workshops and classes for “In the spri after school, May half term and the summer to ng, at the end of the keep them busy and off computer games! day, you should sme ll like dirt.”

Marg

Wise word s aret Atwoo d

@familiesCambMag

www.facebook.com/FamCambsMag

DON’T MISS A COPY! Receive Families Cambridgeshire by post for just £9.30 for 6 issues (1 year) or £18 for 12 issues (2 years).

Call or email editor@familiesCambridgeshire.co.uk for a subscription form.

WIN

a week at a TryOut residential summer camp

Try Out a week at residential summer camp for FREE to 6 lucky winners! Normally £295!

This summer any child ages 9 to 15, who has never attended a residential summer camp can stay at a TryOut camp, run by experienced providers, for just £295 for a week (including accompanied travel).The initiative is organised by The Summer Camps Trust to help share with children the joys of summer camp.

Camps take place at Nettlecombe Court, a magnificent Field Studies Centre in beautiful grounds near Taunton from 8-15 August and at Camp Redwood, a fabulous tented camp in the heart of Sherwood Forest from 15-21 August.

Get ready for games of all kinds. Explore areas of wood, hills and countryside. Enjoy tracking activities, unravel mysteries and stimulate the imagination. Participate in entertainment, songs and stories around the camp fire.

Sleep under the stars, climb or enjoy water activities. Or relax and chat in the sun. Leave screens and peer pressures behind, reconnect with the natural world and with being a child again. So don’t wait, book now at www. summercamptrust.org or email chris@summercamptrust.org for more information.

Apply at: familiesmag.co.uk/go Closing date: 15 June T&Cs at bit.ly/3dGueFx

familiesonline.co.uk

What's in this issue?

4. News & views 6. Lack of sleep & mental health 7. Baby news 8. What's on 11. Mental health in the age of coronavirus 12. The hidden benefits of performing arts 13. Addressing post-covid learning loss 14. Clubs & Classes 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 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.

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.

Families Cambridgeshire 3

News & Views

COURAGE FOR LIFE

styles and vocal techniques in the singing lessons, while dancing classes feature pop, street and musical theatre routines. In acting classes, children enjoy working on role play, improvisation and performance.

Main Stages classes are designed for six to eighteen year olds, with children split by age into small groups so they can give everyone the attention they deserve. No two lessons are the same as students enjoy experiencing a wide variety of performance skills and styles. With three terms a year, lessons are structured so that one term focuses on the skills of singing, dancing and acting, another term allows students to practise, hone these skills and demonstrate their class work at the end of term, and the third term sees students gaining performance practise in front of friends and family.

Stagecoach use DBS checked drama, dance and singing teachers. They also offer summer workshops which can be found in our ‘Clubs and Classes ‘pages or on the Stagecoach website www.stagecoach.co.uk

Stagecoach Cambridge and Cambourne introduce children as early as age four to six to the performing arts through their fabulous range of Early Stages singing, dancing and acting classes.

In the singing classes, children learn new songs and find out about rhythm, timing and how sounds are formed. The dancing classes give children the confidence to try new dance moves, while the acting sessions allow budding young actors to role play and practise improvisation and storytelling.

Older children and teens can also flourish while improving their singing, dancing and drama skills during their weekly Main Stages performing arts classes.

Students learn different rhythms, tempos, singing

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10th-16th May 2021

For more information please visit www.beingwellfamily.com

Equip children with skills to meet tomorrows challenges There is a lot of debate about the future of work and what skills our kids need to develop today to meet tomorrow’s 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

Join in with Walk to School Week

Thousands of children across the UK will celebrate the health and wellbeing benefits of walking during National Walk to School Week from 17th to 21st May. Families will be encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ for the whole week to see the big differences that can come from small steps - from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates. This year’s challenge will focus on the ‘walking superpowers’ that benefit individuals, communities and the planet.

Free Family Walk to School Kits and interactive wall charts and stickers can be downloaded. Schools can obtain Walk to School classroom packs to help teach children about the benefits of being active,with daily reward stickers and special rewards badges at the end of the week for those who travelled actively every day.

More info:www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school 4 Families Cambridgeshire

familiesonline.co.uk

CREDIT image: Life Coach, Grace McMahon.

2. Talk openly about feelings - try not to presume whatever is going on for them is causing particular feelings. Use open questions to help them reveal more, for example “how is this making you feel?” rather than “does this make you feel sad?”. This will help them work out how they are feeling for themselves without thinking they need to give ‘the right’ answer. You could even try sharing how you’re feeling to help them know it’s ok to not be ok all the time.

3. Build positive routines together - work together to find things that bring joy, remind you both of happy moments, or even just take their mind of everything else for a moment.

Include activities they enjoy, hobbies that bring a moment of peace, things you could do together like cooking dinner, going for walks, maybe even get them excited for some chores!

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With Mental Health Awareness Week this month (10th – 16th May), Life Coach, Grace McMahon has told us parents what to look out for in children. It can be hard to know when our children and young people are struggling with their mental health, and it can be even more confusing for them too.

Whether you’ve noticed something different about their behaviour or attitude recently, or they’ve voiced concerns about their thoughts and feelings, it can be hard to know what to do to help and support them. We’ve got some tips to help you help your children and young people feel supported: 1. Be there to listen - our mental health can be really confusing, and even more so for young people and children, so try to really listen to what they have to say. When you are listening, do so without judgement or disbelief to help them feel supported by you in their struggles.

Mental H

Help your children and young people feel supported

News & Views

The best bedtime routine

Love the special places that helped you through lockdown

Take part as #Litterheroes in the Great British Spring Clean #MillionMileMission from 28th May to 13th June to clear litter from our streets, parks and beaches.

In the past 12 months our outdoor spaces and places have mattered to us more than ever before, demonstrating that what is good for our environment is good for our mental and physical health too. So Keep Britain Tidy invites you to show some love for those special places that helped us through lockdown.

You can pledge how many hours and minutes of litter-picking you will undertake during the Great British Spring Clean on the Keep Britain Tidy website. You can pledge as an individual or as a group, which at the moment is you plus one other person, a family group or bubble, or a school.

For all advice and information you need and Covid-19 guidelines, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org

PAID WORK BY MUMS: no impact on child behaviour

Having a mother who works full or part time in the first six years of their child’s life has no negative impact on a child’s behaviour, according to new research by the University of Cologne.

The study found, in fact, that children whose mothers have spent more years in full time and part time employment actually exhibited fewer behaviour problems at around eight years old.

The study which looked at mothers and children in Scotland also found that children from disadvantaged household were also not at greater risk of behavioural problems.

Factors that do impact on child behaviour were found to be economic resources, family structure, maternal health, child development and neighbourhood characteristics.

More info: www.ingentaconnect.com familiesonline.co.uk

A study by psychologists at the University of Manchester has scientifically defined for the first time the elements that constitute a good bedtime routine for children from ages 2 to 8.

They found that a combination of activities, from the obvious teeth brushing and bedtime story were essential, but that it also helped to talk with children.

Funded by the Medical Research Council, the study identifies the following key elements: • Brushing teeth before bed • Going to bed at the same time each night • Reading/having a story • Avoiding food/drinks before bed • Avoiding electronic devices before bed • Interactive activities (conversation, playing, cuddling, singing) • Bath/shower.

COVID: young now more interested in science career

New research suggests children have been particularly engaged by scientific discoveries over the last year.

According to a survey commissioned by Thales, a French aerospace company, the pandemic has inspired more than a third (35%) of children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

A survey of more than 2,000 parents of children ages 5 to 16 across the UK found that 50% of youngsters cited NHS frontline staff, the scientists behind the Covid-19 vaccine rollout (31%) and the Mars Rover landing (24%) as events that have most inspired them. More info: www.thalesgroup.com

It's time to Shine at Perform this summer

As we look forward to getting our children back to much-loved activities, Perform talks to Families about their holiday courses which promise to be the perfect summer tonic.

‘Holidays should be fun and we've created magical adventures sure to give the children a really memorable week. Our three and five day holiday courses for 4-10s put together a fantastic show using catchy songs and energetic dance routines. But there's no repetitive rehearsing or laboured learning of steps. Instead, we use drama games and exercises to develop skills like character portrayal by using different voices, encouraging quiet children to come out of their shell and providing a structure for the more enthusiastic.

The days are filled with fun, but at the heart of Perform is the development of a child's social skills, with each activity designed to build confidence, boost communication skills, improve concentration and develop coordination. You'll see this on the final day, as the children excitedly don their costumes and put on a mini-musical performance for family and friends. They'll be bursting with pride at what they’ve achieved and you will be too!’

Alice in Wonderland runs at Newnham Croft Primary School from 26th – 30th July. Visit www.perform.org.uk/holidays for full details.

Honour the Heroes of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Stamps

For over 50 years the Royal Mail have featured famous people from British History and their achievements on a set of stamps. During the coronavirus pandemic many people have done some incredible things, with frontline and key workers helping us through a difficult time.

To celebrate these people, the Royal Mail are inviting school-age children to design a stamp based on their heroes. A panel of judges will choose 8 winning designs and these will be presented to Her Majesty The Queen before being printed and issued. Entries close 28th May. More info at www.stampcompetition.ichild.co.uk/

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Families Education

Lack of sleep impacts emotional resilience and mental health Our children getting the sleep they need is fundamental to their physical and mental health. It is one of the most important building blocks that their development is built upon - particularly their emotional health, mental wellbeing and their day-to-day mood.

There was a time when we thought sleep issues were a symptom of mental health issues, but we now understand that, for our children, their mental wellbeing and their sleep have an interconnected relationship.

Poor sleep impacts on our mental health, and if our children are struggling with their emotional wellbeing this will impact on their sleep.

When it comes to our kids' sleep cycle, the stage that impacts on their emotional resilience and mental health the most is the REM stage of sleep. It helps to see this stage of sleep as an overnight counselling session, where they will be working through the emotions of the previous day. If our kids are not getting enough sleep then it is often this stage of sleep that is most affected. Any parent can tell when their children have slept well as they are more emotionally resilient, more alert and focused and want to engage with the world.

As parents, we also see our child’s behaviour change when they haven’t met their sleep need in terms of quality and quantity. They struggle to regulate their emotions, getting angry at the slightest thing, being lethargic and not wanting to do anything. Sometimes they can be “bouncing off the walls” as the body makes up the energy deficit from a lack of sleep by producing more stress hormones to give the appearance that they are overly energetic. In fact, research is starting to show that what was previously thought to be ADHD, could in some cases be the symptoms of sleep deprivation.

For more information, please visit www.beingwellfamily. com

Image: Sleep Expert James Wilson AKA The Sleep Geek

Families Baby News

Babies at increased risk of cot death during covid A survey commissioned by leading SIDS charity The Lullaby Trust has found that less than a third of dads are being given information on the basic steps they can take to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

The Lullaby Trust has raised concerns about the risk to families after a new survey shows less than a third of dads have been given advice on how to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The survey of over 500 new and expectant dads, found that less than a quarter of dads had been able to attend all antenatal appointments and over 50% have not been allowed to attend any at all.

The survey results are a concerning indication that lockdown restrictions combined with the increased pressure placed on public health services by COVID-19, means less support and information for new parents, which is putting babies at risk.

The latest figures released by the ONS in September 2020 showed that SIDS rates

went up in 2018, fuelling concerns of a further increase during the covid pandemic. A parliamentary report released in the summer from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss, highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and baby loss, stated that lockdown had exacerbated risk factors for some types of baby loss, such as sudden unexpected death in infancy.

Although the cause of SIDS is still not known there are steps parents can take to lower the risk. Awareness of SIDS and following safer sleep advice is crucial to reducing the rate of babies dying. Since the guidelines were made known to the public through the 1991 Back to Sleep campaign the rate of SIDS has gone down by over 80% overall.

Visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk for up to date advice.

HELP CREATE A GREENER AND CLEANER WORLD

The improved Kit & Kin reusable cloth nappy is made from sustainable and plant-based materials so your little one’s bottom only comes into contact with plant-based materials. Hemp and TENCEL™, a material derived from sustainable tree pulp, are kind on delicate skin and up to 50% more absorbent than cotton. This super soft and highly absorbent fabric is breathable, gentle and offers unbeatable performance to keep bottoms dry for up to 12 hours. From the brand’s initial market research, parents have said that Kit & Kin’s 100% plant-based inner layer is the most absorbent on the market.

Available alongside the reusable nappy are a range of baby changing essentials including biodegradable liners, sustainable boosters and a handy nappy

• You should always place your baby on their back to sleep and not on their front or side (unless your doctor has advised you of a medical reason to do so) • Firmly tuck in sheets and blankets (not above shoulder height) or a baby sleep bag is safe for a baby to sleep in.

wallet. Designed to contain solids and make nappy changing quick and easy, the liners are made from a 100% plant-based material, while the super soft hemp and TENCEL™ boosters offer an extra layer of absorbency – ideal for night-time or heavy wetters.

Hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested, with a double gusset to help prevent leaks, the nappy also boasts handy poppers and secure hook and loop fastenings to create the perfect fit for babies of all sizes, promising parents a truly reliable reusable nappy.

Staying true to the brand’s ethical ethos, every nappy rescues two plastic bottles from landfill, helping to create a cleaner and greener world for us all RRP: Reusable cloth nappy - £19.99 Stockists: www.kitandkin.com

Maternal physical and mental health cannot be separated Intimate, potentially embarrassing or upsetting symptoms like incontinence (wetting yourself), prolapse symptoms or painful sex affect more than women’s physical bodies. They damage self-confidence, dignity, function and daily comfort and happiness.

Pregnant women and new mothers receive plenty of (not always welcome!) well-meaning advice around their diet, their parenting or their life choices. However most will agree that they were absolutely not prepared for the physical and mental health impact of childbirth and beyond.

We know that 1 in 3 women suffers stress incontinence after childbirth, and that urinary incontinence doubles the risk of postnatal depression. 50% of postnatal women experience pelvic organ prolapse symptoms of bladder and bowel dysfunction, and in a recent survey it was reported that 76% of women claim that their pelvic health symptoms impacted their mental health.

But despite the distress they cause, many familiesonline.co.uk

women present to their GP with these symptoms very late, if at all. The perceived stigma means women suffer in silence.

Incontinence, pelvic or sexual pain are common, yet often believed to be normal or inevitable, especially after we’ve had children, or as we get older. We put up with it, ignore it, or are too self conscious to seek help. So sadly, incidence is much higher than reported and symptoms worsen over time.

There is a gap in provision of information and preparation needed to cope with the physical, emotional and hormonal changes of childbirth and parenting, that results in women experiencing trauma and unanticipated physical and mental health symptoms following delivery. The solution is providing women with empowering, evidence based strategies to cope and address symptoms, helping them to feel in control and strong, to cope with unexpected birthing experience or outcomes, and for everything motherhood throws at us.

Wendy Powell is the Founder of the NHS Digital approved 12-module online pregnancy and postpartum specialist health platform clinically proven to improve postpartum symptoms such as incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, diastasis recti and painful intercourse.

For more details on MUTU System, visit mutusystem.co.uk. Membership is priced at an affordable £99 for 12-months and includes additional support worth over £1500 such as food guides and personal online trackers.

Families Cambridgeshire 7

W hat’s Onto places Things to do, be had go and fun to ages in for kids of all

e Cambridgeshir

NATURE TOTS

WHERE: Discovery Den, Ferry Meadows

WHEN: 14th & 24th May, 14th & 28th June,10-11.30

A fun monthly outdoor parent and toddler group with a nature theme.

Each session will include a messy craft activity, time to explore the beautiful outdoors, story and song time.

2+ years. £3.50 www.nenepark.org.uk/ferry-meadows 01733 234193

Flying Days: Standing Together WHERE: IWM Duxford

WHEN: 22nd May: 10.00 – 18.00

Spring Gardens

WHERE: Chippenham Park

Gardens

WHEN: Until 16th May:

10.00 – 16.00 Chippenham Park Gardens will be open to view their breathtaking display of spring gardens. Over 40 acres of garden, lakes, canals and wilderness. Delicious food and refreshments will be available for takeaway from the Potting Shed Cafe.

Adult £5; Children FREE (Cash only) www.chippenhamparkgardens. info/opening-dates

CAMBRIDGE AQUAPARK, HANNAM’S WAKE HUB WHERE: Cambridge

WHEN: From 22nd May

Newly expanded, inflatable obstacle course for summer fun with your family and friends. Price includes lifejacket and wetsuit.

All sessions must be pre-booked online. £20pp/hour www.cambridgeaquapark.com 01353 886955 8 Families Cambridgeshire

Family Orienteering WHERE: Cherry Hinton Hall

Park (May) and Hinchingbrooke Country Park (June) WHEN: 15th May and 26th June – 1-3pm An easy, fun way for juniors and families to try orienteering.

Three different courses and friendly advice to get you started.

Pre-registration essential - no entries accepted on the day.

Family groups £5; Child £2 www.waoc.org.uk

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The Duxford Air Shows team have been working hard to create a series of great day out, aerial display events. They will bring you the best of flying, aerial choreography, storytelling and conservation success stories from IWM Duxford - all wrapped in to thrilling flying displays.

From £14.25 (children under 5 free) www.iwm.org.uk/airshows/ events/may-flying-day-one

Messy Church

WHERE: Queen Mary Centre, Wisbech

WHEN: 15th May & 12th June: 15.30-17.30

Have fun making crafts, hearing bible stories and doing church in a creative way. All finished off with a home-cooked meal!

FREE - donations welcome www.messywisbech.org.uk

HISTORIC DUXFORD: THE TOUR WHERE: IWM Duxford

WHEN: Until 16th May

Make the most of your Duxford Outdoors visit, with an intimate tour (groups of up to six individuals) from one of their expert guides. Learn more about the history of Duxford’s grounds and gain insight into the different buildings on site, from when they were built to what they were used for. £15 per adult, £5 per child (age 5-16) plus admission charges www.iwm.org.uk/events/ familiesonline.co.uk

Families What's on Cambourne Little Bugs WHERE: Cambourne Nature

Reserve

WHEN: 11th June – 9th July:

9.30 – 11.30 Join Wildlife Adventurer Rebecca Neal for a series of strolls around Cambourne Nature Reserve The 5 weekly sessions are designed to support the wellbeing of the adults, as well as provide activities and resources to engage children (18 months – 4 years) in outdoor nature-related activities. www.wildlifebcn.org/events/

Audley End Wildlife Week WHERE: Audley End Railway WHEN: 29th May – 6th June

Featuring Bug Hotels, Wormery’s, Bird Boxes, Ant Houses and much more, your children will learn an abundance of knowledge (which they can record on their Wildlife Week Worksheet) as they venture through the NEW Nature Corner. Also includes Train Ride, Fairy and Elf Walk, Interactive Show and Adventure Play Area.

From £6.75 (children under 1 free) Booking essential. www.audley-end-railway.co.uk

Terrific Tray Bakes for Kids

WHERE: Cambridge Cookery,

Cambridge

WHEN: 2nd June – 10.00 – 12.30

Clip’n Climb, Cambridge

WHERE: Cambridge

Perfect for keen bakers, (generally aged 7-11 but they leave the decision to parents) you make 3 of their most popular cakes in their café: apple, lemon drizzle and raspberry roll. Full recipe packs included and cake to bring home. £45 www.cambridgecookery.com/ cook/classes 01223 247620

Honk! The Musical

WHERE: Dean’s Garden, Ely

Cathedral

WHEN: 20th – 25th July:

ROSES

WHERE: Chippenham Park

Gardens

WHEN: Sunday 13th June:

10.00 – 16.00 Perfect opportunity to explore the most beautiful of rose gardens and rose terrace, along with a sneak peek into their Summer gardens. Delicious refreshments are served in the licensed Potting Shed Cafe.

Adult £5; Children FREE (Cash only) www.chippenhamparkgardens. info/opening-dates

Performed in the beautiful grounds of The Dean’s Garden, this year’s open-air theatre Olivier Award Winning Musical ‘Honk!’ is one not to be missed.

With clever, inspiring songs and a whole lot of heart, this charming reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen's “The Ugly Duckling” will quack you up and bring a smile to your beak! From £15 kdtheatre.co.uk/honk-themusical/ 01353 725026

Church Farm Rare Breeds Centre WHERE: Stow Bardolph WHEN: May & June

WHEN: May & June

Make friends with a wide variety of tame animals and experience all their young at close quarters throughout the season as well as enjoying their adventure playground. Why not make a day of it and visit their Tea Room to enjoy a homemade lunch with a delicious piece of cake. 01366 382162 www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk

Clip ‘n Climb is suitable for everyone from 4 years upwards and is the ultimate fun and healthy activity for you to enjoy with your friends and family.

Pre-booking essential.

Prices start at £10.00 www.clipnclimbcambridge.co.uk

Little Bugs Club – Great Fen

WHERE: Countryside Centre,

Ramsey Heights

WHEN: May / June – Fridays

(Term-time): 10.30 – 12.00 A fantastic introduction to the natural world for pre-school children. Each weekly session is packed with activities, walks and games….be prepared to get mucky. £4 per child.

Pre-booking essential www.wildlifebcn.org 01487 710420

familiesonline.co.uk

Please note

all events are subject to change and cancellation in view of any future COVID-19 legislations.

Families Cambridgeshire 9

Families Education

EF Host Family UK Our host families play a key role in fulfilling EF’s mission of breaking down the barriers of culture, language and geography that divide us. Become a host family for international students today and be part of this great cultural exchange.

Why host with EF?

Experience the world Few experiences can spark interest in the world like opening up your home and becoming a host family for an international student.

Being a host family with EF is a unique, rewarding, fun and educational experience for all members of the family and an opportunity to create long-lasting relationships. Hosting with EF is a great way of sharing and learning differences in languages and cultures.

Exchange cultures With EF you’ll welcome an international student into your home. You will experience true cultural exchange and demonstrate your community to the world. As a host family you become a vital part of our students’ time abroad and their experiences, helping them to gain a deeper insight into your local culture, pick up expressions with much greater ease and return home with a more authentic accent.

Showcase your hometown By becoming one of our host families you give our students a chance to experience maximum cultural immersion by living as locals – with locals. Our host families become the students’ home away from home, and EF host families provide a safe and comfortable environment for our students to ensure they get the best experience abroad as possible.

LOPENING I MSEPTEMBER ITS The new Preschool at St Mary’s stmaryscambridge.co.uk/visit 10 Families Cambridgeshire

START AS THEY MEAN TO GO ON familiesonline.co.uk

Families Education

Mental health in the age of coronavirus For a lot of people, the coronavirus pandemic, the lockdown and now the gradual reopening of life as we know it, has been a difficult time. First the shock and worry of facing a new unknown, the stresses that came with everyone being stuck at home during lockdown; now, some children may find it difficult adapting to the ‘new normal’. Matthew O’Reilly, the Head of St Mary’s Junior School, Cambridge, provides some tips for keeping our children’s mental health in mind.

Explain the changes and talk about them together. Find out what your child is thinking about and how they are feeling. Try to answer their questions in an age-appropriate way and reassure them that it is ok to feel worried or unsure. Just talking through their worries might help your child to feel calmer, or use play to try and eek out their feelings through role playing etc. If you have any concerns, talk to your child’s class teacher. We encourage a two-way conversation with all our families to ensure we are all focused on the children in our care.

Remind them that the rules are there to help keep them and others safe. All schools have been doing all they can to ensure that staff and pupils feel safe and happy on site. At St Mary’s Junior School, the girls have adapted well to our enhanced hygiene measures, with regular hand washing, hand sanitising, one-way systems and bubbles. Let your children know that the rules won’t be in place forever – and that things will eventually go back to normal.

familiesonline.co.uk

Embrace new (or old) hobbies. Lockdown encouraged many of us to take up new (or old) hobbies and spend more time together as a family, whether it was cooking or baking, doing arts and crafts, playing board games or getting out into nature and going on walks or cycling excursions. With schools and businesses reopening, things have started to go back to normal, but don’t lose that creative spark!

Keep positive routines. Research from the Guy's and St Thomas's Charity and the Bite Back 2030 healthy eating charity studied over 1000 14-19 year olds and showed a 40% increase in snacks during lockdown.

On the plus side, families tended to eat more home-cooked food, and ate together more. It might not be easy to resist the lure of chocolate and unhealthy snacks, but try to keep structure around regular routines, healthy eating and exercise. With our new state-of-the-art facilities at Long Road, the girls have been enjoying making the most of our new sports grounds! Keep up sports and exercise routines outside of school as well – we encourage girls and parents to safely walk or cycle to school if possible.

Sleeping well is also key - make sure that bedtime routines are in place so that your child feels calm and relaxed when it is time to go to sleep.

Remember – the school communities are here to support you and your children. When St Mary’s shut to everyone except the children of key workers during lockdown due to Covid-19, we ensured that we were still St Mary’s, with live lessons and even a virtual Sports Day. Now that our doors have reopened, teachers and support staff have been doing their utmost to support our girls to embrace the ‘new normal’.

Now, more than ever, we are #stillStMarys.

Wishing you and your families the best through these challenging times.

Matthew O’Reilly Head of Juniors

Families Cambridgeshire 11

Families Education

The hidden benefits of performing arts Our daughter was 3 years old when we enrolled her in a performing arts holiday workshop – 5 mornings for a week, on her own, with children she’d never seen before, aged from 3 to 8 years.

When my husband dropped her off, he said: ‘I think we’ll get a phone call soon. She was the only little one there and there were loads of older children.’

No phone call came. In fact, quite the opposite. When our daughter came home at lunch time that day, her face glowing and eyes sparkling, her first words to me were: ‘Mummy, I LOVED it. Can I go tomorrow?”’

And that was it. 9 years later, she still attends a performing arts class once a week. During that time, she has sung, dance and acted her way through dozens of performances, formally and informally, with and without audiences, with and without been filmed or in costume. She’s taken LAMDA acting exams, LCM Musical Theatre exams, auditioned for scholarships and even, famously, stood up in front of 400 people in a packed church to sing a Christmas carol.

And, she has done the large majority of this without feeling nervous about what she was doing. Perhaps because she started at such a young age.

Maybe your first reaction to this tale is: ‘My child could never do that.’ ‘Your daughter must have been a naturally confident child, who was always going to want to perform,’ I hear you say. It’s true that she’d always shown a fondness for role play, singing and acting out fairy stories. And seemed to love to dress up and ‘accessorise.’ And we ran with that.

But, truthfully, I think most children love these things if given the opportunity to nurture them.

Interestingly, although our daughter was comfortable being away from us, she was never all that comfortable interacting with other children. In fact, she was quite reserved.

I sincerely believe that starting performing arts classes at such a young age, on the back of her love of storytelling, developed her

12 Families Cambridgeshire

by Linda Stone

confidence and ability to perform, rather than capitalising on some innate confidence she already had.

Participating in performing arts has benefited her personal growth and education in unprecedented ways.

Drama teaches children how to get inside the head of others. By “being a character” they learn to empathise. And this is a highly valuable skill for making friends during childhood, for understanding the deeper

Mummy, I LOVED it.

Can I go tomorrow? context of books and even world situations and for developing emotional intelligence.

Performing arts has helped our daughter make friends by teaching her how important it is to consider others feelings and needs and to be kind.

Her performing arts classes involve considerable trial and error. In rehearsals, lines are forgotten, mashed up and fluffed in all sorts of ways. Songs are sung at the wrong pitch or note. Dancers fall into each other and trip over their own feet. And it is all fun, everyone laughs and it is all okay.

Most importantly, with repeated practice and commitment, things improve.

This fantastic blueprint has helped our daughter to accept failure, value practice and understand why commitment is required. This translates into an acceptance that she can contribute to class discussions and put up her hand to answer questions and that it is okay for others to disagree with her or for

her to get an answer wrong. She has even been able to accept that sometimes she will do less well than expected in an exam or test but that this too is okay – because with more work and practice, she will improve.

Not only this, but her confidence and level of articulation mean she is able to comfortably read out loud, in class and in front of an audience at school, deliver presentations and even speeches.

All this as a result of nurturing her initial interest in stories and ways of storytelling during her pre-school years!

It just shows where encouraging and developing a child’s interest in stories, books and self-expression can lead.

familiesonline.co.uk

Addressing Post-Covid Learning Loss As our worlds slowly open back up and children are in school once again, for many parents a key question will be how they can support their child’s learning post-COVID. There has been much in the news about children being ‘behind’ and needing to ‘catch up.’ However, just as important is their emotional wellbeing, in particular connection, play, making sense of the world and resilience. By focusing on mental health, we can help our children to be in the best possible place to learn.

by Emma Martin

progress at school.

One way to support your child’s ability to bounce back when things get tricky is to spend quality time doing an activity of their choice with them, whether it’s playdoh, kicking a ball about or playing a board game. By doing so, you are giving them a sense of safety and letting them know you are there for them.

Let’s prioritise their wellbeing

Think back to your own childhood and the things you enjoyed – being free to play, being yourself and being with friends. Let’s not give our children the message they are ‘behind,’ but instead celebrate Children do need to catch up this summer – but to catch up their wonderful achievements during this tricky time. with friends and family. Social connections have been Let’s make this summer one of freedom and play hugely impacted by the pandemic, so it is important By focusing on mental by prioritising their emotional wellbeing - the rest that we give children the time and space they health, we can help will follow. need to enjoy being social again (and not just our children to be in via a screen!). By giving time to rebuilding social Tips to help children process the the best possible place connections, parents will be helping their child to pandemic feel good about themselves and to practice all the to learn.

Explore your child’s feelings. Recollections like: ‘Oh skills they need to help them get on with others in a I remember, I think you were excited when we first did positive way. home learning’ or ‘Yes, it was worrying when it was time to go

Re-build and strengthen connections

Let’s play!

With opportunities limited during lockdown, by giving children the opportunity to play we can help them to develop their social, emotional and cognitive skills. Most importantly, play helps children to have positive thoughts about themselves which is exactly what we need to encourage right now.

Making sense of experiences

One of the most important things parents can do this summer is to help children make sense of the pandemic so they don’t store concerns. We can do this by helping them to share the challenges and successes of their own ‘Covid story’ through conversations, role play or painting and drawing.

Nurture resilience

Many people have commented on how resilient children have been during this tumultuous time. Whether your child has ridden the rollercoaster with ease or found it more challenging, placing a focus on problem solving and resilience is a sure-fire way to help your child make familiesonline.co.uk

back to school and you weren't sure what your classroom might look like, wasn’t it?’ help children notice, explore, process and understand their feelings, whilst simultaneously recognising them as normal. It also conveys that you are interested in their feelings and that talking about them is a safe and positive thing to do.

Focus on accomplishments.

Avoid referring to a need to catch up or suggesting that your child is behind. This places unnecessary pressure on children that could be detrimental to their mental health. Instead focus on their accomplishments during the pandemic. Help them put some of their work into a scrapbook or assemble a photo book to remember this key time. Also look forward with them. Embrace their aspirations and desire to learn new things, helping them and celebrating their achievements.

Emma Martin is an educational psychologist employed full-time by E-ACT multi-academy trust. She supports their primary academies in Bristol and is co-author of their national Relationships and Recovery Curriculum.

Families Cambridgeshire 13

n O s ’ t a h W his

Stagecoach Performing Arts Classes WHERE: Coleridge Campus, Cambridge and

Cambourne Village College, Cambourne

do t Things to ma, ime - Dra g Summert somethin t r o p s & music one in for every

Cambridg

WHEN: From 22nd April

Stagecoach aims to nurture and develop young potential through singing, acting and dance classes in Cambridge & Cambourne, stretching young imaginations and helping them to develop confidence, physical awareness, communication and articulation.

From £50 for two-week trial www.stagecoach.co.uk 01223 359974

eshire

RAZZAMATAZ CAMBRIDGE WHERE: Impington Village College WHEN: Summer Term.

24th April – 17th July Performing arts training for Razz Tots (2-3yrs), Minis (4-5yrs), Juniors (6-8), Inters (9-11yrs) to Razz Seniors (12-18yrs), with access to talented performers through specialist workshops and classes.

Small classes to nurture a child’s confidence and self-esteem, plus a lot of fun. From £54 for 12 weeks.

Free taster session available. www.cambridge.razzamataz.co.uk 01223 755113 or 07895 347239

PERFORM weekly drama, dance and singing classes WHERE &

WHEN: Hills Road Sports Centre:

Wednesdays, Newnham Croft Primary School: Saturdays , St. Andrews Church Hall Chesterton: Mondays 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.

Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class.

020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk

May Half Term Holiday Bushcraft Club

WHERE: Wild Thyme and Embers, Wandlebury Country Park and Nature Reserve WHEN: 26th and 27th May: 8.30 – 16.00 Sessions focus on practical bushcraft and survival skills with tool use (under adult supervision). Following the forest school approach, kids can undertake activities cooperatively in groups to strengthen social development and problem-solving skills. Suitable for children age 5 -12. £38 per day www.wildthymeandembers.co.uk/ holiday-bushcraft-club

Online courses and tech camps for 8-16 year olds

14 Families Cambridgeshire

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Families Clubs & Classes Cambridge United Trust Disability Classes

PERFORM ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Summer Course WHERE: Newnham Croft

Primary School

WHEN: 26th – 30th July:

WHERE: Coleridge Community College WHEN: May / June Saturdays and Sundays Disability sport sessions provided

by Cambridge United Community Trust including: Ambulant Cerebral Palsy Football; Down's Syndrome Football; Frame Football; Powerchair Football; and Women & Girls Pan-Disability Football £3 per session www.cuctrust.co.uk/inclusion/ disability-sport/ 07948 407950

Multi-Active Half Term and Summer Holiday Courses WHERE: Houghton Primary

School, Wyton and Priory Junior School, St. Neots WHEN: 1st – 4th June and 23rd July – 31st August: 9.00 – 16.00 (Extended hours available 8.00 – 17.30) Multi-Active exist to provide affordable and reliable childcare and day care to parents and carers and provide innovative experiences to get ALL children ACTIVE and not just sporty children. Ages 5 – 13. From £19.99 / day 07561 416208 www.multi-active.co.uk

10.00 – 15.00 This summer holiday, your 4-10 year old can have fun tumbling down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy world of Wonderland.

Perform’s brilliant team of enthusiastic and highly trained actors, musicians and dancers will work their magic to ensure your child enjoys every minute.

Children will be encouraged to project their voices, learn energetic dance routines, sing catchy songs and develop the Perform 4 Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination. £335.00 www.perform.org.uk 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk

Stagecoach Performing Arts Holiday Workshops WHERE: Coleridge Campus,

Cambridge (26th July – 20th August) and Cambourne (9th – 13th August) WHEN: 26th July – 20th August Children (age 6 – 15) can make friends, have fun and develop some great new skills at Stagecoach’s fabulous Holiday Drama Clubs and Workshops.

At the end of their course, the students will join together to showcase their new-found singing, acting and dancing skills to family and friends (COVID guidelines dependant). 01223 359974 www.stagecoach.co.uk

Baby Sensory (0-13 months) WHERE: Cambridge,

Trumpington, Ely Designed to aid your child's development from birth, with sounds, smells, sights, music, dance and more; classes run throughout the year. Book in blocks of 5 or 10. From £42.50 www.babysensory.com/ cambridgesouth/ for Cambridge / Trumpington classes www.babysensory.com/ cambridgenorth/ for Ely classes

WHERE: Great Shelford

WHEN: Weekly or Fortnightly

Music Lessons Engaging, fun and supportive one-to-one tuition in Piano, Bassoon, Organ, Musicianship, Music Theory and Composition.

GCSE and A Level. Individual lessons to suit your needs.

Nurture a love of music with the guidance of an experienced musician and teacher.

From £80 for 4 lessons.

Free trial session available. www.kwanmusic.co.uk musicoaktree@zohomail.eu

College

WHEN: 30th July – 24th August:

10.00 - 16.00 Start your kids adventure into a universe of tech! Explore video games design with Roblox, Minecraft and more. Coding with Python and Java or creative skills with graphic design and digital music. Holiday camps and online clubs available now.

0203 950 7310 www.firetechcamp.com

South Cambridgeshire Equestrian Centre WHERE: Barrington

A British Horse Society Approved Riding Centre with private and group lessons for 5 years + with or without riding experience.

From £20/half hour group lesson www.scec.co.uk 01763 263213 or 07712 033862

Elite Swimming Academy WHERE: Weekly Children’s

Swimming lessons Venues across Cambridge With just 3 students per class and world class teachers, Elite Swimming Academy guarantee to have your child swimming years ahead of their time with a term time, weekly 30-minute lesson. www.eliteswimmingacademy. co.uk 01223 633 699

Gymnastics

WHERE: Various locations

WHEN: 5th – 30th July

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WHERE: Hills Road Sixth Form

Kwan Music

The Perse Summer School

Open to children aged 7 to 14 from all schools, The Perse School offers a wide range of courses including hockey, cookery, outdoor pursuits, golf, photography and water sports.

Take a look at their website to find something for you! All courses, except multi-sports, run for a week of mornings or a week of afternoons. 01223 403800 www.persesummerschool.co.uk/

Firetech Camps

Paxton Lakes Sailing Club WHERE: Little Paxton WHEN: August

Official RYA training centre that welcomes people 8 years +, with large selection of boats and equipment available. Courses have maximum 12 places with qualified instructors to ensure personal attention. Adult £125.00 Child £100.00 for 4 half-day sessions plus £6.99 for log book. www.paxtonlakes.org.uk/index.php/sailing-school sailing.courses@paxtonlakes.org.uk

Jumping, bouncing, rolling, climbing – children are natural gymnasts. Encourage a healthy relationship with movement and confidence by signing your child up to a regular class with a specialist instructor. Use the British Gymnastics Organisation website to locate classes in your area. www.british-gymnastics. org/discover

Families Cambridgeshire 15

SUMMER WORKSHOPS

Realise the unique potential in your child at Stagecoach.

Cambridge

Cambourne

Age 6-15 years

Age 6-15 years

Coleridge Campus, Radegund Road, Cambridge, CB1 3RJ

Cambourne Village College, Sheepfold Lane, Cambourne, CB23 6FR

26th - 30th July 2nd - 6th August 16th - 20th August

9th - 13th August

Industry Week Age 14-18 years Coleridge Campus, Radegund Road, Cambridge, CB1 3RJ

WE ACCEPT CHILDCARE VOUCHERS

2nd - 6th August

GE & BRID CAM BOURNE CAM

Stagecoach Cambridge and Cambourne 01223 359974

www.stagecoach.co.uk/cambridge

cambridge@stagecoach.co.uk

www.facebook.co.uk/stagecoachcambridge

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals.

Stagecoach is a registered trademark of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Ltd.