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IN THIS ISSUE
Jubilee events Lessons to learn before you are ten Adventures at home Party trends
Issue 213 May/June 2022
familiesonline.co.uk
@FamiliesSE
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Families South East • May / June 2022
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Calling parents living in South East London! Would you like to try your hand at magazine publishing? Do you think you could grow a business? Are you interested in media and marketing?
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Families South East • May / June 2022
To advertise please call 07980 556813
LITTLE NEWS ROUND
ABC Sports Stars Millennium Primary School Head of School Cara Took with pupils.
Millennium Primary School achieves Inclusive School Award
Congratulations to Millennium Primary School, based in the heart of the Greenwich Peninsula, which has achieved the nationally recognised IQM Inclusive School Award. The Inclusive Quality Mark (IQM) is awarded to schools that can demonstrate the importance they place on inclusion and how they promote equal opportunities for all pupils, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment and background. The school’s location close to Canary Wharf means many families travel with work so it has a high mobility of pupils – with some joining at different points in the academic year and others leaving before they finish their primary education. Over 46% of pupils have English as a second language, 11% have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and 26% are classed as disadvantagaed. Millennium Primary School’s full IQM report can be accessed at: https://iqmaward.com/news/millenniumprimary-achieves-the-inclusive-school-award/
Perform’s Peter Pan summer courses for 4-10s BOOK NOW!
In addition to their Saturday morning classes in Mountsfield Park, Hither Green, ABC have recently launched new Saturday classes in Ruskin Park, Camberwell. Classes will be suitable for 2-10yr olds and include football and multi-sports. 2-3 year olds: fun nursery games, based around the EYFS Physical development stage 3-5 year olds: fun sports day themed classes with the focus on imagination and teamwork 6-8 year olds: understanding positional play and leadership skills within the sport chosen 8-10 year olds: focusing on aspects of their game they want to learn. 1-1 coaching points Each session is based around the ABC Sports stars philosophy using ABC’S Agility, Balance and co-ordination to create sports stars of the future. www.abcsportsstars.co.uk
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 16 to 20 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.
Inspire your child’s imagination this summer with a unique drama, dance and singing holiday course. In July or August, your 4-10 year old can fly away to Neverland with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and friends on an unforgettable confidence-building adventure.
Free Family Walk to School Kits and interactive wall charts and stickers are available to download. 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.
With a sprinkle of Perform fairy dust, a team of skilled actors, musicians and dancers will ensure your child enjoys every minute as they work towards a show-stopping performance to delight family and friends.
www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school
“Freyja got so much out of those three days; it’s given her a lot of confidence in her ability to join in,make new friends and perform songs and dances. We were so proud of her.” Emma Robinson (parent) Beckenham 8-12 August Blackheath 25-29 July Dulwich 15-19 August and East Dulwich 1-5 August . All courses run 10-3pm. www.perform.org.uk/peterpan Try some free weekly fun this summer term Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s run throughout the summer term and, with over 300 classes running each week, there’s sure to be a class near you. NEW VENUE in Orpington! Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a free trial session. 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform. org.uk To advertise: 07980 556813 Editorial: editor@familiesselondon.co.uk Visit www.familiesse.co.uk for back issues and our media pack. Next issue: July / August 2022 Facebook: @FamiliesLondonSouthEast Twitter: @FamiliesSE
Summer camps with Camp Beaumont!
With the school holidays just around the corner, and the dilemma of childcare approaching, Camp Beaumont, the UK’s most experienced day camp provider, is on hand to provide your child with a fun-filled adventure at over 40 locations across London and the South-East. With over 50 activities each week, not only can your child sharpen up their social skills, they can also pursue new interests, develop new talents and unleash their creative side. Activities range from Aqua Olympics to Movie Maker to Superhero Academy, and each activity programme is tailored by age group, including a nursery-style Playtime Programme for 3-4 year olds, a unique Magic Programme for 5-7 year olds, a thrilling Active Programme for 8 to 11 year olds and an exclusive club style Teens Programme for 12-16 year olds. Childcare vouchers are accepted and all bookings are flexible with their COVID flexible booking promise. To book, visit www.campbeaumont.co.uk or call 01604 851 0000
Families South East 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 South East are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families South East. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families South East, 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. Designed by 45 Degrees www.fortyfivedegrees.co.uk. Printed by Buxton Press Ltd.
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Families South East • May / June 2022
3
EARLY YEARS
Developing humour as an infant By Dr Elena Hoicka As a research team, we have always been fascinated by humour in children and so we set out to discover the types of humour that are present in early development and the ages at which different types of humour emerge. To do this, we mapped young children’s understanding of jokes for the first time using data from a new study involving nearly seven hundred children ages 0 to 47 months.1 Incredibly, we identified twenty one types of humour. Children under one year appreciated physical, visual and auditory humour. This included hide and reveal games like peekaboo, tickling, funny voices and noises. In the first year, children are learning to process sensory information, such as what things look, sound and feel like and their humour reflects this. So once they know what a voice should sound like, they notice when someone’s voice sounds strange and find it funny. One-year-olds appreciated humour that involved getting a reaction from others. This included teasing, for example, offering and withdrawing objects, scaring others and taboo topics, for instance, toilet humour. They also found it funny to act like something else, such as an animal. Interestingly, it is around the age of 1 that children start to understand other people’s minds. Their understanding and appreciation of humour reflects this. Two-year-olds’ humour reflected language development, including mislabelling (for instance, calling a duck a cow), playing with concept (for example, saying: ‘dogs say moo’) and nonsense words such as ‘moogly boo.’ They also demonstrated a mean streak as they appreciated making fun of others. As most children start to speak by the age 2, humour reflects this, showing children enjoying playing with language. Our findings
Finally, 3-year-olds played with social rules, for example, saying naughty words to be funny and showing the beginnings of understanding tricks and puns. This reflects the way in which children’s understanding of language and the social world keep developing and are simultaneously reflected in their humour. Dr Elena Hoicka is an Associate Professor at the School of Education, University of Bristol. Want to participate in future research? Sign up at www.babylovesscience.com 1 ‘The Early Humor Survey (EHS): A Reliable Parent-Report Measure of Humor Development for 1- to 47-Month-Olds’ by E Hoicka et al in Behavior Research Methods.
When to expect humour in your child
How to joke with your child
Some parents reported that their children appreciated humour as early as 1 month old and produced humour as early as 4 months old! But this wasn’t typical. Our research estimated that fifty percent of children appreciate humour by 2 months old and produce humour by 11 months old but that means fifty percent of children don’t appreciate humour until 3 months old or later and don’t produce humour until 12 months old or later.
Parents are very good at joking with their young children.
You can start looking for humour in your child’s first year but don’t worry if it doesn’t happen as early as you expect. Every child is different and some may understand different types of humour earlier and other types later. For instance, a very verbally precocious 1-year-old might understand mislabelling jokes earlier than expected, whereas a child who has just started speaking at 2 years may understand this joke type later. Remember, joking isn’t a race, it’s about having a positive, social experience with your child that allows you to bond and enjoy a joke together.
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also suggest that perhaps 2-year-olds are starting to understand that other people’s feelings can be hurt too. While many parents won’t be too happy to see their children laugh at someone’s expense, this may signal that a child is understanding other people in more complex ways.
Families South East • May / June 2022
Professor Gina Mireault, from Northern Vermont University, found that when parents joke around with little ones ages 3 to 6 months, they smile and laugh, letting their baby know they are joking. Professor Vasu Reddy, from the University of Portsmouth, found that when parents laughed at their 7 to 12 month-olds’ jokes, their babies often repeated them. In my research, we found that parents smile more when joking with their toddlers and make more eye contact. Furthermore, parents explain they are joking. They often express jokes like a question, for instance: ‘The ducks say moo?’ which highlights they are not being serious. After joking, they often explain what they did wrong. For instance, saying: ‘Ducks don’t say moo! They say quack!’. In response, children smile and laugh at their parents’ jokes, make eye contact and copy the jokes. So, when you joke with your child, make sure you smile, laugh, make eye contact and even explain your jokes! To advertise please call 07980 556813
SPECIAL EVENT
THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE
Make a crown, don your best airs and graces and prepare to celebrate as the country pays tribute to Her Majesty The Queen. A summer of celebrations will mark 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.
colourful field of flowers to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Grab a mat and slide down the Superbloom slide and follow the visitor route through the display.
Trooping the Colour From Buckingham Palace to Horse Guard’s Parade SW1 2 June Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will come together in the traditional Parade to mark The Queen’s official birthday, usually held on the second Saturday in June. The Parade will close with the traditional RAF fly-past, watched by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family from the Buckingham Palace balcony. Ticketed and televised event. Museum of Brands Lancaster Road W11 1QT www.museumofbrands.com From 21 May 200 Years of Royal Souvenirs See how UK consumer culture and Royal history have changed since the Victorian era, through a fascinating display of Royal-inspired packaging and souvenirs, complete with a children’s trail. 2-6 June Children go free, try some object handling, make your own bunting and crown.
people will gather to have fun and get to know one another a little better. This year’s Big Lunch is set to be a right royal knees-up! Sign for a free organisers’ pack or find a local event. Celebrate at Hever Castle Hever Castle, Kent TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk 2-5 June Where better to celebrate the Jubilee than the home of two former queens of England - Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves. Follow a free trial to spot mischievous Corgi dogs, crowns, jewels and queens. It isn’t a celebration without food, so take your own party food and join a ‘street party’ style picnic fit for royalty. Party at the Palace On BBC TV at your own ‘palace’ 4 June The BBC will stage and broadcast a special live concert from Buckingham Palace, bringing together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from The Queen’s seven decade reign. Platinum Pageant Buckingham Palace SW1A 1AA www.platinumpageant.com 5 June The Platinum Pageant will combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume to celebrate Her Majesty’s unwavering duty, love of the natural world and dedication to the Commonwealth. No booking required.
Superbloom at the Tower Tower of London EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london 1 June - 18 September Over 20 million mixed seeds have been sown in the Tower’s moat to create a spectacular, Familiesonline.co.uk
The Big Jubilee Lunch www.edenprojectcommunities.com/thebig-jubilee-lunch 2-5 June It’s the party that’s right up your street, and everyone’s invited. Across streets, gardens and neighbourhoods, @FamiliesSE
Reuthe’s Lost Gardens of Sevenoaks Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0HB www.allevents.in 4+5 June Platinum Jubilee Family Fun Weekender Two days of fun including live music, Jubilee craft activities, a children’s party, alpaca meet and greet; a huge beer garden and Kent’s longest picnic blanket for your own royal feast. Life Through a Royal Lens Kensington Palace W8 4PX www.hrp.org.uk/kensington-palace Until 4 October A new photographic display explores the British Royal Family’s enduring relationship with the camera; from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s patronage of photography during its infancy, to lesser known intimate family portraits, dating from the 19th century right up to the present day. Hampton Court Palace East Molesey KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk 1-5 June Jubilee Joust Witness the sport of kings as knights from around the country joust to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Pick your favourite knight and cheer them on as they compete for the coveted Jubilee Cup. Pomp, ceremony and splendour will reign supreme at this family-friendly event within the spectacular palace gardens. Families South East • May / June 2022
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BELONGING | BELIEVING | ACHIEVING “You are the light of the world.” • No geographical catchment area • Breakfast Club and After School Care (until 6pm) • Specialist Music and Spanish teachers Contact us to arrange a visit to the school and a meeting with our Headteacher, Mrs Rachel Jewitt. St Matthew’s Primary School and Nursery 18 Old Pye Street | Westminster | SW1P 2DG office@stmwschool.org.uk | 020 7504 0500 www.stmwschool.org.uk | @stmwschool To advertise please call 07980 556813
SPONSORED FEATURE
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
The impact of Wellbeing and Growth Mindset education in Early Years In today’s society, we are still seeing a trend towards a predominantly ‘reactive’ response model to wellbeing and mental health. Similar to a firefighting analogy, things are largely left waiting until there is a problem with an individual where interventional steps are then taken to try and deal with that specific case.
wellbeing and mental health, but we are also experiencing a knock on effect with children going on to succeed and do better across all areas of the academic curriculum as a result. This can be seen both with the Early Learning Goals at the end of Reception and the children’s increasing progress as they move up through the school.
Here at the Villa School and Nursery, rather than waiting for mental ill health to arise, we have been busy seeking to develop a more proactive and positive response model for all. One that aims to go back to the start to plant seeds at the foundation stage. Seeds that, when watered over time, will grow strong roots and develop into trees of the future that will not easily be shaken when the storms come. Over the last few years, our team at The Villa have been on an exciting journey that is starting to yield significant results. Not only are we seeing our children developing strong foundations in
Over the last 2 years, we have been developing a body of work that seeks to translate key thinking and skills in a way that young children can access and take on in a meaningful way. Using pedagogical research, we have based our provision around three main themes of Self-esteem, Character and Resilience. Within the area of Resilience we have found particular success using growth mindset in helping our children to shift their thinking and the way they respond to challenges. Through trial and error we have created a set of key phrases that we have introduced to the children as ‘Steps to Success’. They are taught in order and build up as a progression on top of each other to help establish strong foundations in habitual thinking. These phrases act like memory hooks and enable children
to quickly access powerful thinking that can help them to face challenges with a positive mindset. If I was to say to you, ‘Old McDonald had a….’ or ‘Twinkle, twinkle little….’ I am pretty confident that your mind has instantly given you the next word because it has become so ingrained as an internal reflex response it takes little to no effort to think and know it. That’s how it works with these phrases. Over the last period, we have seen children go from tears and frustration to consistent proud success by slowly building in these foundations of positive growth mindset thinking. It’s not just the children noticing the difference; parents are too!
From a recent parent survey: ‘I love it. Wish we had something similar as kids. She’s sunny and positive and resilient!’ ‘I have seen a huge improvement in overall attitude to learning, going from very negative to now a positive mindset. I have also seen a vast improvement in willingness to have a go and take a risk.’ ‘I hear my child say “I can’t do it YET” with a big smile, or explain that, “Everyone makes mistakes, that’s how we learn!”’ Familiesonline.co.uk
@FamiliesSE
Sadly we don’t have space to go through all of the phrases we are using in detail here but if you would like to know more, feel free to get in touch. This is a journey and we are far from our destination but we step forward determined to provide our early years children with the best possible foundations for the future.
Matt Bawler Reception Teacher and Early Years Development Lead The Villa School and Nursery, 54 Lyndhurst Grove SE15 5AH www.thevillaschoolandnursery.co.uk Matt.bawler@thevillaschoolandnursery.co.uk Families South East • May / June 2022
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EDUCATION
Lessons to learn before you’re 10 By Gail Hugman
We live in a world where it’s easy to become overwhelmed. So teaching young children to make good use of their working memory, exercise self-control and get organised will really help them develop the skills they need to succeed in life.
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These key skills underpin everything we do in life and it takes just a few minutes a day to boost them so your child learns more effectively and confidently. What’s more, growing these skills can be fun! Developed by experts who understand how children’s brains develop and form, try these starter activities to set your child off on the right path.
too! Keep a tally so they can track their improvement and praise them for being clever. Explain that this is more than just a fun challenge, it’s all about teaching their brain to have a really good memory. You can say: ‘When your teacher shows you something in school, your brain will remember it better if you sort the information first. You’ll be able to remember names, countries, lists, linked facts and even do magic tricks by remembering a bunch of playing cards in order - how cool is that?’
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Working memory
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Self-control To set up, gather ten objects together on a tray. Give your child Ask your child to tell you really quietly what colour socks they one to two timed minutes to look at the objects, then cover them Please find a proof of your forthem Families magazine. are wearing. Then ask them to tell you again as LOUDLY as up.below Depending on age and artwork ability, ask to tell,South draw East or write check all information is correct,Asespecially telephone numbers addresses. (it may not be such fun for you, but they will love it!) which ones they remember. they progress, add more objectsand possible Each time they whisper or shout, give feedback to their brain or give them less time to remember them. by telling them ‘that’s great whispering, can it be quieter?’ or Please contact us by return to either amend or approve your advertisement ‘excellent LOUD voice, is that the loudest you’ve got?’ There are ways help brains recall objects; the trick is to make or chris@lancasters.co.uk links info@familiesse.co.uk and spot patterns. Do this exercise a few times and congratulate your child on their self-control. them that taking charge from the inside is a very Give approved them these and tips: ready for print unless we hear from you within 24Tell hours. considered grown up thing to do. To start with, count how many objects you’ll have to remember. Decide one thing you’d like your child to get under control. For Look to see if any can be linked together, by colour or by example, it may be to resist the impulse to call out in class. Or material, such as all plastic or all wood, by shape or by use; eg leave their desk when they should be sitting quietly. Make it a knife and fork go together, tools together, toys together. positive. Older children ages 7+ might be able to order the objects in a Explain to your child that you’d like them to focus on this one sequence or a story. thing every day for a week. Remind them each day, ask how they got on and praise their progress. In this way, you’ll support their The more children play the game, the better they will get at effort to control their impulses. recalling the objects. Why not see for yourself and play along
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Sharing precious time together To advertise please call 07980 556813
HOLIDAYS
The lowdown on school holiday camps and workshops By Andrew Campbell
Summer holiday camps, schools and workshops are not only an ideal way to fill in childcare gaps during the long summer break but offer the opportunity for your child to discover a new hobby or take their existing passion to a new level. Multi-activity day camps Offering a varied daily programme of sports and creative activities, with each session lasting between 1 and 1.5 hours, multi-activity camps are ideal for children who have a range of interests or have not yet found their ‘thing.’ Some camps offer an astounding range of sports, arts and crafts, outdoor exploration, games and challenges. Generally, camps can be booked for single days, half days and full weeks, including extended hours and multi-week discounts. Sport/single activity camps or workshops These intensely focused summer schools offer specialisation. Think a specific sport such as football, gymnastics and cricket, one creative activity such as painting, photography and cooking, a single performing art like drama, musical theatre or dance or an area of STEM such as computer coding, robotics and game design. Generally operating for two to five hours per day and running for just one day or as a progressive course from a few days to two weeks, these camps or workshops often cater for all ages of children and culminate in staging a performance, playing a
competitive game or demonstrating a completed project. For children who have an established interest, single activity camps or workshops offer a valuable opportunity to receive elite coaching and tuition, often from highly qualified or experienced instructors which can result in a significant boost to their existing skill level, confidence and enthusiasm in their chosen endeavour. For a child curious about an activity, single activity camps or workshops are a great opportunity for an immersive experience which will test their interest and aptitude and for gaining an appreciation of what a regular commitment to weekly term time classes, often run by the same organisation, could offer. For children who may struggle to find school friends who share their ‘passion,’ activity camps or workshops are a great way to meet ‘like-minded’ peers in their local area. And for you? A patchwork of activity camps and/or workshops can be expensive but there is a distinct advantage in that they offer some mainstays of childcare across the summer that simultaneously allow your child to be doing something enjoyable, fulfilling, exciting or unique.
Calling all young Scientists! Help us discover how babies & kids learn! We’re recruiting infants from birth to school age to take part in fun studies at Birkbeck’s Babylab & ToddlerLab in central London. Our prime locations are easy to reach and we refund travel expenses. We also have online studies you can do from the comfort of home www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/online-studies
020 3926 1207 babylab@bbk.ac.uk www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk
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Families South East • May / June 2022
9
PARTIES
2022 children’s party trends By Claire Winter Many of us have missed celebrating important birthday parties and milestones with family and friends during the pandemic. With restrictions lifted and the summer months upon us, things are looking up at last! Did someone say party? Here’s how to party like it’s 2022.
Outdoor parties
Food
The pandemic drove us outside and having a party in the garden or going to an outdoor venue still appeals to many parents. A huge outdoor picnic and good old-fashioned games like tug-of-war, quoits or skittles always go down a treat. Pack bats and balls and you’re ready for rounders. It’s a party with no crumbs and more space to let off steam! Alternatively, parties at venues like Go Ape are an easy option and the children will love to monkey around in the trees.
Grazing platters may look fabulous but some delicious goodies in individual recyclable cardboard boxes are simple to serve, create less waste and can be eaten anywhere. A firm favourite is a cream tea in a box! You can also outsource food to a party organiser or caterer. Or, instead of having one large statement cake, why not offer a fabulous display of cupcakes and mini desserts? It will look gorgeous and the kids (and parents) will love it.
Retro gaming parties
Sleepover in style
Flower power
If you have a gaming fan in the house, why not hire a gaming company to take them back to the eighties? Pac-Man and many of the old-school favourites will fascinate and intrigue them. There are also loads of great VR games that you can hire for the day too.
For an extra special sleepover if you have the garden space, consider hiring a bell tent or teepee. One for the older children - decorate with fairy lights, set up mini Bluetooth speakers and let the fun begin! Just don’t expect too much sleeping....
Whether they are dried or fresh, flowers have made a huge comeback. Scatter rose petals on the party table or freeze them in ice cubes. Create a huge bouquet as a centrepiece or if you are going all out, hire a flower wall. Perfect for tweens!
Call in the experts
The party bag
Old-school fun
A seasoned magician or entertainer will provide the fun crowd control you’re after. Younger kids love the games, banter and dancing while you sit back watching the fun.
Give small meaningful gifts instead of plastic. It’s just not the done thing any more to fill party bags with sweets and land-filler plastic tat. A few popular (more eco-friendly) alternative ideas could be a book, a packet of wildflower seeds or a jar of make-at-home cookie mix.
Take a full-on trip down the traditional route. There’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple. Two hours of games like pass the parcel, musical statues, a treasure hunt and a spot of dancing before tea still do very nicely, thank you.
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Families South East • May / June 2022
Instagrammable installations If you’re all about the ‘gram and other social media shares, you can hire amazing balloon displays, giant LED numbers and neon signs for the party. Do be conscious of sharing pictures of your party-goers as not all parents are comfortable with their children on social media.
To advertise please call 07980 556813
HOLIDAYS
Adventures at home By Zoe Lake I’m a big fan of planning fun-filled family adventures at home for weekends and holidays. Here are some of our favourites, which can be easily adjusted if the weather does not behave. All the activities can be tailored to children and adults of all ages, adding a little magic to precious family time.
Garden music festival Dig out your tent, drag out your blankets and cushions, power up the radio and set up camp. Spend the day listening to music in the comfort of your own garden. Homemade ribbon wristbands and VIP lanyards allow unlimited access to the snack cupboard, fruity mocktails and ultimately, the lavatory - without needing to queue!
Twenty four hours without electricity Challenging the family to go without electricity is great fun. Not only does it encourage you to get creative with your time, it also opens up the broader topic of eco-living and which small changes can be made at home. Activities for the day might include painting, poetry, games, bird watching, cooking over an open flame and sleeping outside.
Stargazing Our favourite way to stargaze is in an old inflatable pool, patched with duct tape and filled with duvets! It keeps the chill out whilst we snuggle down and watch for the first star to appear amidst the myths and legends. Look out for the Big Bear, the Pegasus and Draco the dragon, which snakes across our sky.
Garden fete
Mini Olympics
Wildlife hunting
Village fetes are often a washout but you can schedule yours when there’s glorious sunshine! String up your bunting, bake some scones, set up a raffle and a lucky dip (from old goody bag items), provide an (unplugged) microphone for announcements, hold a pet show, even set up a Pimms’ tent (no judgement here).
Our annual garden Olympics is one of our favourite days of the year. Open with a (tissue paper) Olympic flame and homemade hanging flags, followed by competitive rounds of egg and spoon, sack races, hula hooping, bean bag throwing and swing ball. Keep score on a chalkboard and finish with salt dough medals at an elaborate award ceremony.
Find out who you share your garden with, using a nature guide to help with identification. Or encourage a few new residents with a log pile house for insects, hanging feeders for birds, a compost heap for worms, upturned pots for frogs and a colourful flowerbed for bees and butterflies. Keep an illustrated journal of what you all see.
Family heritage
Reading nook
Spend a bit of time asking relatives about their own adventures, jotting them down as you go. If the weather is a bit rubbish, this is the perfect excuse to scour old family albums full of photos of when they were young. And if the weather is kind, ask them to take you around their old haunts, perhaps to where they grew up.
A reading nook is a wonderful place to spend a lazy afternoon. Set up a den or a teepee and make it cosy inside. Fill a basket with books and make the most of little ones curled up in your lap for story time. Or even have a go at writing your own story together.
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Zoe Lake’s book Adventures at Home (Pimpernel Press) is available at all good book shops and at www.zoe-lake.co.uk Families South East • May / June 2022
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ANNE BOLEYN AT HEVER CASTLE
CANALETTO’S VENICE, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
CATS AND DOGS AT THE HORNIMAN
What’sOn
14 May Handa’s Surprise Travel to Kenya and follow in Handa’s footsteps as she journeys to see her best friend Akeyo, in the next village. Ages 2-6.
Compiled by Robina Cowan
Greenwich Theatre Crooms Hill SE10 8ES www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk 10+11 May Vixen An original story about a young girl who is turning into a fox. Expect to see beauty hidden in unremarkable places, friendships that don’t follow the rules, the things that unite us and a girl aching to belong. Ages 7+. 25+26 June The Tiger Who Came To Tea Join the teaguzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Ages 3+.
MAY AND JUNE 2022
All details are as provided when going to press, however in case of changed plans, do double-check before setting out DIARY DATES
Dulwich Festival In and around Dulwich SE21 www.dulwichfestival.co.uk 13-22 May A celebration of arts workshops, open houses, performances, local walks and events for all ages, culminating with a Festival Fair on Goose Green on 22 May. Brockley Max In and around Brockley SE4 www.brockleymax.co.uk 27 May - 4 June Nine days and over 60 events including art trails, performances and more, created by talented individuals and collectives within the Lewisham Borough of Culture calendar. The final day brings Art on the Park on Hilly Fields - an afternoon of music, children’s workshops, storytelling, craft stalls, demonstrations and reviving food and drinks. Independent Bookshop Week Nationwide www.booksaremybag.com 18-25 June Independent bookshops are staffed with book experts who are wildly passionate about reading and getting the right book into the right hands. During this year’s celebration week, hundreds of indie bookshops across the country will feature author events, bookshop crawls, guest bookselling and much more. THEATRE & SHOWS
Theatre Peckham Havil Street SE5 7SB www.theatrepeckham.co.uk 2 May - 5 June Peckham Fringe Across five weeks, 27 visiting companies will take over the main theatre and studio space. With theatre, spoken word, live music, multi-media performances and live cooking on-stage, Peckham Fringe offers a smorgasbord of live entertainment. It includes fun for all the family with works such as the interactive musical Errol’s Garden, and Skate of Mind Live. Canada Water Theatre Surrey Quays Road SE16 7AR www.thealbany.org.uk 12
Families South East • May / June 2022
Terrible Thames From Tower Bridge Quay www.terriblethames.com Provided by the Horrible Histories team, this is a boat tour all about the history of the Thames with the nasty bits left in! There’s no better way to learn about the country’s most famous river and the incredible history of the nation’s capital. Departing from Tower Bridge Quay, the fantastic journey incorporates immersive theatre to surprise and shock in equal measure as it delivers a unique take on London, thrilling both children and adults alike. Peacock Theatre Portugal Street WC2A 2HT www.sadlerswells.com 27-29 May Anne of Green Gables Anne is a lively, imaginative 11 year old orphan who lives on Canada’s Prince Edward Island. Adopted by an elderly brother and sister, Anne gets herself into endless scrapes but eventually wins over the community with her endearing, fearless character and passionate nature. A London Children’s Ballet production with a cast of 51 talented young dancers aged 9-16. Ages 5+. Southbank Centre Southbank SE1 8XX www.southbankcentre.co.uk 29 May OAE Tots: The King of the Sea Plunge into Poseidon’s underwater world in an interactive concert performed by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Ages 2-5. Unicorn Theatre Tooley Street SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 13 May - 12 June Get Dressed! This riotous, fun and touching show explores the relationship between a child and her dad as they negotiate their world together. Ages 2-5. 1 June - 3 July Marvin’s Binoculars Join Marvin as he discovers wildlife and friendship in the most unlikely To advertise please call 07980 556813
CUTTY SARK RIG CLIMB EXPERIENCE
DULWICH FESTIVAL
places. Touching on themes of racial prejudice, Marvin’s Binoculars is a highly engaging and vibrant show that will inspire children to explore the outdoors in their local green spaces. Ages 6-11. Bromley Churchill Theatre High Street Bromley BR1 1HA www.churchilltheatre.co.uk 31 May + 1 June In The Night Garden Live Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show ‘Igglepiggle’s Busy Day.’ Pip-pip, onk-onk! The Puppet Theatre Barge Opp Blomfield Road W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com 21 May - 3 July The Hare and the Tortoise The story of the most famous race on earth is beautifully brought to life with some of Aesop’s other famous morality tales. Ages 3+ Bring Your Own Baby Comedy Various venues www.byobcomedy.com A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy, where baby can come too and join in with the rumpus. Shows feature a new line up of comedians each month with two acts plus a compere. Ages: grownups plus under 12 months. 31 May in Hither Green 16 June in East Dulwich Bach to Baby Various venues www.bachtobaby.com Critically-acclaimed classical concerts for babies and their grownups. Outstanding musicians put on exhilarating performances where babies can ‘join in’ with as much noise as they like! 9 May in Dulwich Village 26 May in Greenwich & Blackheath 27 May in West Dulwich 29 May in London Bridge & Borough 31 May in East Dulwich
Horniman Museum London Road SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Until 30 October Cats and Dogs Discover more about our fascinating furry friends in this interactive, familyfriendly exhibition offering a revealing pets’-eye view of the world. Immersive displays explore the scientific, social and cultural role that cats and dogs play in our world, and invites visitors to go on an exciting, sensory journey, exploring what it’s like to be a cat or a dog. The exhibition is presented in three languages - English, French and Spanish - and also features animations developed by students from the London College of Communication, featuring their interpretations of the exhibition’s theme. National Maritime Museum Romney Road, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/national-maritime-museum Until 25 September Canaletto’s Venice Revisited This major exhibition will display the complete set of 24 Venetian views painted by Canaletto in the 1730s. The works, from the world-famous collection at Woburn Abbey, form the largest single commission the Italian artist ever received.
Holborn
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Machine de Cirque 1 – 11 June 2022
Half price tickets for under 16s*
MUSEUMS
Dulwich Picture Gallery Gallery Road SE21 7AD www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk 4 May - 4 September Reframed: The Woman in the Window Featuring artworks from ancient civilisations to present day, the exhibition brings together over 50 works by artists including Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, David Hockney, Louise Bourgeois, Cindy Sherman. The enigmatic motif of the ‘woman in the window’ is portrayed through painting, sculpture, print, photography and film. Familiesonline.co.uk
GREENWICH PARK
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*Half price tickets subject to availability
Families South East • May / June 2022
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HANDA’S SURPRISE, CANADA WATER THEATRE
HORRIBLE HISTORIES TERRIBLE THAMES
7 May and 18 June SENsory Sailors Families with children with special educational needs and disabilities are invited to explore the collection, enjoy the opportunity to be creative together as a family, and meet other local families. Sessions are led by a SEND specialist and respond to the needs of the participating families. Ages 13 and under. Free, book first. 21 May LGBTQ+ Family Network A safe space for local LGBTQ+ families to meet one another, get involved in creative activities for all ages and explore the stories within the collection. Free. 11 June World Oceans Day Take part in a range of exciting family-friendly themed events, activities and talks across the RMG sites. 22 June Windrush Day On 22 June 1948, the SS Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks in London. Windrush Day is an opportunity to celebrate the Windrush generation and acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of British Caribbean communities. Queen’s House Romney Road, Greenwich SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/queens-house All the Queen’s Men Uncover the lives of Elizabeth I’s male courtiers and their personal and political relationships with the monarch in this new display at the Queen’s House. Featuring paintings of Sir Francis Drake and Thomas Seymour, the display also showcases the Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I, one of the treasures of Royal Museums Greenwich’s collection. All ages, free. Woburn Treasures While Woburn Abbey is closed for refurbishments, many significant pieces are available to view, including works by distinguished artists such as Van Dyck, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Poussin and Canaletto, alongside art from the national collection of Royal Museums Greenwich. Royal Observatory Greenwich Blackheath Avenue SE10 8XJ www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory Various dates The Sky Tonight A live show taking visitors on a tour of what can be seen in the night sky, complete with a fly-out to the edge of the visible universe. Ages 7+. 28 May Astronomy and Islam Arabic tales are filled with characters and creatures that people imagined seeing by joining together the bright stars in the sky. Find out which stars astronomers still call by their original Arabic names
PAINTING & DECORATING Interior / Exterior • Experienced, Reliable, Clean Fully Guaranteed / Insured FREE ADVICE AND QUOTE John: James & Lamont 020 8462 4646 - 07802 535695 jamlam.john@btinternet.com 14
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IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE, BROMLEY CHURCHILL
and what some of those stars are famous for today. Learn all the Moon and why it seems to change shape over the course of a month. Ages 7+. Cutty Sark King William Walk SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Weekends and school holidays Cutty Sark Characters Meet Captain Woodget, the ship’s most daring master, Nannie the ship’s figurehead, James Robson, the ship’s cook, and a dockworker character, who all have special stories to tell. Ages 3+. 30 May - 3 June All Hands on Deck Explore how Cutty Sark works, communicates and celebrates through a series of hands-on activities and workshops including celebrating a royal visit, learning about signal flags and tales from character actors. Various dates Rig Climb Experience Climb the famous masts and enjoy views of the Thames and London like no other. Visitors can traverse one of the ship’s lower yardarms before reaching the top platform, taking in the view from the rigging of a true London icon. Ages 12+. Brunel Museum Railway Avenue SE16 4LF www.thebrunelmuseum.com Sir Marc Isambard Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel changed the world with their inventive tunnels, bridges and viaducts, built during the Victorian reign. Housed in their Thames Tunnel Engine House, today the museum celebrates both engineering and performance in its Grade II* listed Tunnel Shaft. Open weekends. Tower of London EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london 1 June - 18 September Superbloom at the Tower Over 20 million mixed seeds have been sown in the Tower’s moat, to create a spectacular, colourful field of flowers to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Grab a mat and slide down the Superbloom slide and follow the visitor route through the display. The British Museum Great Russell Street WC1B 3GD www.britishmuseum.org Until 17 July The World of Stonehenge For the very first time in a major exhibition in the UK, the story and secrets of Stonehenge are brought into focus, revealing that prehistoric Britain was a place of big ideas, commerce and travel, rather than a shadowy land of mystery. Natural History Museum Cromwell Road SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Until 5 June Wildlife Photographer of the Year 100 powerful photographs tell the story of a planet under pressure. Gaze through the lens of some of the world’s best wildlife photographers and marvel at the beauty of our planet. To advertise please call 07980 556813
LEGACIES, LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM
MARVIN’S BINOCULARS, UNICORN THEATRE
Monthly dates Dino Snores for Kids Spend a night amongst the museum’s incredible collections, exploring its world class galleries after hours and sleeping beneath Hope, the breath-taking blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall. After setting up camp in one of the amazing galleries, there’s an evening of awesome learning activities before bedtime, and breakfast in the morning. Ages 7-11. London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza WC2E 7BB www.ltmuseum.co.uk Explore the heritage of London and its transport system, and the stories of the people who have travelled and worked in the city over the last 200 years. Family events include singing, storytelling and craft activities. Accompanied children go free. Legacies: London Transport’s Caribbean Workforce Many people know about the history of Windrush, but are less familiar with London Transport’s advertising recruitment campaign to attract employees directly from the Caribbean to London from 1956 to 1970. Uncover stories and memories from first, second and third generation Caribbean people who worked for LT in the past and now work for its successor, Transport for London (TfL). The Foundling Museum Brunswick Square WC1N 1AZ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk Until 28 August Superheroes, Orphans and Origins Enter into the world of superheroes in this first major exhibition to explore the representation of foundlings, orphans, adoptees and foster children in comics, graphic novels and sequential art from around the globe. Hever Castle & Gardens Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk 2-5 June Platinum Jubilee Where better to celebrate the Jubilee than the home of two former queens of England - Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleves. Follow a free trial to spot mischievous Corgi dogs, crowns, jewels and queens! It isn’t a celebration without food, so take your own party food and join a ‘street party’ style picnic fit for royalty. Until 22 November Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court Visit the childhood home of Anne Boleyn for an exhibition depicting her early life and learn how she became the woman who so caught Henry VIII’s eye. THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Greenwich Park London SE10 8EJ www.royalparks.org.uk 28 May Play in the Park A pop up day camp packed with tentfuls of free play fun. Join in with outdoor play and nature-based craft activities. Familiesonline.co.uk
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SUPERBLOOM AT THE TOWER OF LONDON
31 May Discovery Day: Orienteering Free, educational, nature-inspired activites for the whole family. City Splash Festival Brockwell Park SE21 www.city-splash.com 29 May Over 60 performers and bands playing live, celebrating the impact and importance of Caribbean and African music on British culture. Vibes, music, food and fun for all ages. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee for Kids East Street SE17 2JN E: kadonash@yahoo.co.uk 4 June A park party for the kids to eat, enjoy and celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. No booking required. Eltham Palace and Gardens Court Yard SE9 5QE, www.english-heritage.org.uk/eltham 28 May - 5 June Kids Rule! Head to the grounds of Eltham Palace to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with costumed storytellers, hands-on activities and freshair family fun. Hampton Court Palace East Molesey KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk 1-5 June Jubilee Joust Experience the sport of kings as knights from around the country joust to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Pick your favourite knight and cheer them on as they compete for the coveted Jubilee Cup. Pomp, ceremony and splendour will reign supreme at this family-friendly event within the spectacular palace gardens. Pub in the Park Dulwich Park SE21 7EB www.pubintheparkuk.com 24-26 June A culinary festival featuring a huge line-up of renowned chefs led by Tom Kerridge, with incredible food, chart-topping live music and a healthy serving of good times. The whole weekend caters to families as much as growunps, with a dedicated area just for kids, and a jam-packed schedule of activities. Kew Royal Botanic Gardens Kew TW9 3AE www.kew.org Kew for One Pound A new low-cost entry has been introduced for a visit to Kew Gardens and its sister site, Wakehurst in Sussex, for people in receipt of Universal Credit or Pension Credit. For families or other groups, there is also now a reduced price for early booking of just £15 per adult. Families South East • May / June 2022
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