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Issue 205 January/February 2021
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CONTENTS
Welcome
Contact Us
Families South East 020 8699 3598 editor@familiesse.co.uk
www.familiesse.co.uk for back issues and our media pack
In This Issue
4 Local News 6 Education 10 New Year’s Resolutions 12 Craft & Dance Activities 14 Early Years 16 Outdoor Activities 18 Family Health 23 In the Kitchen 24 Family Life 26 Online Classes Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof.
We have the dark, chilly days of winter to get through and many of us are feeling battle-weary and fatigued. Our focus is on getting the family’s health back on track, mentally and physically. Check out our great health tips and ideas, including a designed-toinspire ‘pull out’ New Year’s resolutions chart for children on page 10. As we continue our 30th anniversary celebrations, there are lots of giveaways to come so be sure to sign up to receive free future issues of this magazine. Hang in there everyone – better times are surely coming! Robina Cowan Editor Competition Winners
Santa’s Lapland Holiday – Julia Cockwill Elfie’s Christmas Advent Letters Story Bundle Cheryl Davenport-Thomas Runners up: Loli Carballo, Rebecca Castle, Lisa Brennan, Claire Brown, Susan Turner
Families Magazine turns 30!
To celebrate, we have FREEBIES for YOU! -In
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IN THIS ISSUE
Easter activities & What’s Ons for * Win chocolates Mother’s Day & family day out tickets * Play café guide * School open days * Reader offers
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Magazine January/February 3
NEWS
Save the date Wear A Hat Day is back!
Friday 26th March will be a day of entertaining, hat-themed fundraising events to help find a cure for brain tumours. Wear A Hat Day 2021 is perfectly timed to become a huge event, bringing hope and inspiring the nation like never before! Thanks to a partnership with Venture Studios, the Brain Tumour Research charity has been gifted with inspirational and uplifting portraits of key worker families who, despite having their own devastating brain tumour stories, are determined to show the joy and positivity that is being involved in Wear A Hat Day. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. Wear A Hat Day offers hope for patients as well as their families and friends. Whether your event will take place virtually or in person, there are plenty of ideas, resources and a FREE digital fundraising pack available online, along with registration details. www.wearahatday.org
Calling young scientists
The coronavirus pandemic has inspired researchers at Birkbeck’s Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development to create interesting and accessible online studies you can take part in from the comfort of home, or wherever you are in the world! The research explores how young brains develop perceptual, cognitive and linguistic abilities, and young volunteers are needed to take part. There are studies for infants, children and teenagers, presented as short, fun brain games you and your children can get involved with contributing to science along the way. What a great use of screen time! www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/online-studies 4 January/February
Free boredom busters
Like many ‘live’ companies, Nutty’s Children’s Parties has adapted to restrictions by taking his parties and discos online to keep the smiles going. A father himself, frontman, actor and musician Danny Nutt certainly knows how to entertain children. His latest venture is a series of Boredom Busting Videos on Facebook, specifically designed to keep children busy and positive. And they are free to watch, because he has a good heart too! Find party details and the free videos online www.facebook.com/nuttyschildrensparties
Escaping into books
Click & collect is proving a much-needed opportunity for independent bookshops to keep us all reading and the stores trading. There is another way too - a new online bookshop, launched last year, is supporting and boosting sales at local, independent bookshops. Visitors to the site can search for their preferred local bookshop and buy from there, in which case the bookshop gets 30% of the cover price, but doesn’t have to package or post out the orders. Alternatively, buyers can purchase a book without nominating a specific bookshop, with 10% of the profit going into a central pot to be distributed among all affiliated bookshops. Books are offered to consumers at a small discount and delivered within two to three days. www.bookshop.org Familiesonline.co.uk
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MARCH 2021
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January/February 5
EDUCATION
Classic Free Audio Books for Kids A great way to introduce your child to these classic stories with no cost attached.
By Carlo Collodi. Ages 3+.
The Wind in the Willows
By Kenneth Grahame. Ages 6+.
When We Were Very Young
The Secret Garden
The Railway Children
Peter Pan
Adventures of Pinocchio
By Frances Hodgson Burnett. Ages 8+.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland By Lewis Carroll. Ages 4+.
6 January/February
By E. Nesbit. Ages 8+.
Aesop’s Fables Ages 4+.
By A.A. Milne. All ages.
By J.M. Barrie. Ages 8+.
The Swiss Family Robinson
By Johann David Wyss. Ages 7+. Familiesonline.co.uk
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IN THIS ISSUE
Easter activities & What’s Ons * Win chocolates for Mother’s Day & family day out tickets * Play café guide * School open days * Reader offers
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If ever there was a time to help email info@familiesmagazine.co.uk your child improve their learning www.funkymonkey.info 01732 457 100 skills, it’s now! Even without with your name and post code. disrupted routines, many young Families Magazine children need help developing s Maga lie i turns 30! the skills of listening and To celebrate, we have Magazine concentration required in the ✯ ✯ FREEBIES for YOU! years classroom. Here’s how you can ud P to be help your child. READ MORE V
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Reward
January/February 7
ME
EDUCATION
Learning Challenges for Kids From Bella Learning, these are open-ended, purposeful tasks, differentiated by age, that your child can do as part of home-schooling or at the weekend.
Challenge 1
Challenge 2
Challenge 3
Create a poster.
Create a rainbow collage.
Audit your toys.
Challenge 4
Challenge 5
Challenge 6
Celebrate a story.
Make a family tree.
Make a sunshine picture.
Challenge 7
Challenge 8
Challenge 9
Create an observation chart. 8 January/February
Interview a relative.
Make a treasure hunt.
Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
Online Tutoring Providers for Primary School Children Does your child need to catch up on some learning?
Teachers to Your Home
MyTutor
Dulwich Tutors Online
Bigfoot Tutors
Tutorful
Owl Tutors
Mentor Education
Kings Tutors
Think Academy
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 9
My New Year’s Resolutions!
CHRISTMAS
This year I want to:
This year I need to:
This year I am going to start:
This year I am going to stop:
This year I am going to learn:
Signed.................................
Magazine
10 January/February
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD
Familiesonline.co.uk
NEW YEAR
New Year’s Resolution Ideas for Children Pre-School
Ages 5 to 8
I need to brush my teeth every morning and before going to bed.
I need to go to bed on time every night. I need to wash my hands before every meal. I will start eating at least three fruits and vegetables every day. I will start doing my chores every day. I will stop fighting with my brother/sister/others. I will stop interrupting when someone is talking. I will learn how to tell an adult if I see anyone being bullied.
I need to wash my hands after going to the bathroom and before I eat anything. I am going to start tasting a new food every week. I am going to start listening to my mum/dad. I will learn a new word every day. I will learn how to help clear the table when I have finished eating. I will stop hitting my brother/ sister/others.
Ages 9 to 11
I will learn to make a simple meal. I will learn how to tidy my room properly. I want to choose one author and read every book they have written. I will start having one screen free day every week. I want to save ÂŁ20 in my piggy bank. I need to eat fruit or vegetables with every meal. I need to do my homework before anything else after school. I will stop leaving my clothes on the floor.
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 11
ACTIVITIES
Fabulous Crafts to Celebrate Chinese New Year 11-26 February
Easy Chinese Lantern
Egg Carton Dragon Dancing Puppet
Paper Dragon Slinkie
Dragon Mask
Chinese Lantern Suncatcher
Chinese Fan
Panda Paper Bag Puppet
Year of Ox Headband
Year of Ox Paper Plate
12 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
ACTIVITIES
Get Moving with our Family Dance Party Playlist!
A-B-C, Easy as 1-2-3! ABCmouse.com
Happy Pharrell Williams (feat. Minions)
Can’t Stop the Feeling! Justin Timberlake
Gangnam Style PSY
Twist & Shout The Beatles
YMCA Village People
Dancing Queen ABBA
Who Let the Dogs Out Baha Men
Roar! Katy Perry
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 13
EARLY YEARS
Best Nursery Rhymes & Action Songs for Pre-Schoolers
Little Peter Rabbit Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush
Baby Shark
Finger Family Song
Little Bo Peep
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Little Miss Muffet
The Ants Go Marching
Itsy Bitsy Spider
14 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
EARLY YEARS
The Benefits of Nursery and Things to Consider
The Lowdown on Potty Training
By Gabrielle Nash
By Andrew Campbell
Choosing good quality childcare is one of the most important decisions parents make. So whether you are assessing options for returning to work or considering part time childcare for your toddler, a nursery may be what you need. So what factors should you consider? READ MORE
There are various potty training methods and none of them are right or wrong! Each comes with advantages and disadvantages. So it’s important to consider what style is the best fit for your family. Slow and gentle, get it over quick or somewhere in between…. READ MORE
Working with Little Ones at Home
By Dr Sarah Mundy
Like me, you may be thinking that your multi-tasking skills were pushed to the limit before Covid! Working from home whilst looking after a preschooler isn’t easy so here are my tips on maximising your work time whilst still meeting your little one’s needs. READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 15
OUTDOORS
RSPB Bird-Related Garden Activities
Celebrate the Big Garden Birdwatch from 29 to 31 January!
Build a Bird Bath
Make a String Bird Go Bird Watching
Make a Flock of Fingers
Build a Bird Box
Go on an Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Play ‘Hungry birds’ Online
Make a Recycled Bird Feeder
Make a Speedy Bird Cake
16 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
OUTDOORS
Outside Activities Whatever the Winter Weather Rain
Wind
Float your boat. Make a boat and float it in a puddle or stream. Wet chalk art. Rain intensifies and blurs the colours of chalk for a spectacular effect. Make mud pies. Use old aluminium or plastic containers and have a bake off! Gauge the rain. Make a rain gauge with a plastic bottle and keep a log. Puddle jumping. Try jumping over, rather than in – who can jump the biggest? Collectathon. Gather some different sized containers outside and guess which will fill first.
Fly a kite. Make one from different materials and see which works best. Blow bubbles. Let the wind do the blowing and watch them swirl. Parachute play. Make a toy parachute using a handkerchief and toy figurine and throw up. Make wind chimes. Hang spoons, keys and beads from a coat hanger. Play Frisbee. Go somewhere with lots of space and let it rip! Make a wind sock. Attach streamers or ribbons to one end of a toilet roll holder and string to the other.
Cold
Break out the binoculars. Since leaves have fallen from trees, it’s a lot easier to spot birds and other creatures. Take a night hike. Using torches explore your neighbourhood during these dark early evenings. Build a campfire. Bring out hot chocolate and roast marshmallows and cook jacket potatoes in the embers. Go stargazing. Cold nights generally mean clear skies, perfect for watching stars. Hunt for treasure. Look for holly leaves, lichen, leaf skeletons, sticks, pinecones and acorns. Frost art. On a frosty morning, draw or write in the frost on the pavement
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 17
HEALTH
Kids’ Wellbeing Books All books can be purchased via Bookshop.org, an online bookshop with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops.
First Emotions: How am I feeling?
Don’t Worry, Little Crab
The Worrysaurus
Mindful Kids
A gentle and simple A picture book working introduction to strong through anxiety and emotions for little ones. building courage.
A fun, reassuring tale about dealing with worries, by a bestselling author.
18 January/February
Ollie uses superpowers to overcome school bullies.
No Worries
50 creative mindfulness Interactive self-care games/exercises to activities for children help children find calm to find happiness, calm and relaxation. and confidence.
Mind Hug: The First Ruby’s Worry: A Story Big Bright Feelings A picture book Book adventure into mindfulness.
Ollie and His Superpowers
A perceptive and poignant story.
Worry Angels
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers. Ages 8+. Familiesonline.co.uk
HEALTH
New Year Family Mental Health Resolutions
Five Tips for Feeling Fab in 2021
By Helen Spiers
By Karlin Sloan
On 1 January 2020, many of us made resolutions with no idea that a global catastrophe was imminent. The impact of the pandemic on our wellbeing is huge. So let’s use our 2021 resolutions to be kinder to ourselves and prioritise our family’s mental health. READ MORE
From the Covid-19 pandemic to the wave of economic loss, personal loneliness, isolation, and deep uncertainty about what’s in store, this is a time when even the toughest of us can find ourselves struggling. Here are some ideas to get you get back on track. READ MORE
Eating for Immunity By Claire Winter
Maintaining a balanced diet can be difficult in a world where unhealthy and processed foods are advertised frequently and are convenient. But during the pandemic, it is more important than ever to eat well and stay hydrated. How do you start off on the right foot? READ MORE Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 19
HEALTH
Support Your Child’s Mental Health Help your child to understand how they are feeling and why with these free downloadable resources from PlanBee.
Feelings and Emotions Cards
These cards will get your child thinking and talking about feelings.
Design your Own Emotion Emojis
Your child can draw emojis that represent their feelings.
Worry Monster Activity Sheets
Help your child deal with their emotions. 20 January/February
Mood Tracker
Children can express emotions they are experiencing by colouring in an object.
Synonym Emotions Booklet
Identify words that are similar to emotions like angry, sad and happy.
Draw the Emotion
Feeling Check-in Cards
Emoji Emotion Faces Cards
Mindfulness Colouring Sheets
Challenge your children Check in with your to think about how different emotions are child and see what they are feeling. expressed facially.
Ask your child to talk about when they’ve felt these feelings.
Perfect to help young minds relax. Familiesonline.co.uk
HEALTH
Six Steps to Good Mental Health Help support your child’s mental health with these steps from PlanBee. Name emotions and feelings This helps your child develop a vocabulary to explain their feelings. Explain the physical sensations Help your child recognise how different emotions feel physically. Understand when/why Once your child can spot/name their emotions, help them understand the triggers. Help regulate Once they understand the source of an emotion, help them regulate. Keep everyone safe When feeling a big emotion, your
child’s brain doesn’t work in the same way as when they are calm. Help them stay safe and maintain boundaries. Once your child is calm, relate Listen, empathise and share similar experiences to help them understand their feelings and know you care.
Example of Steps 1-3
Example of Steps 4-6
Name/Explain/Understand
Regulate/Keep Everyone Safe/ Relate
Name “I can see you are really angry.”
Regulate “Take a deep breath with me.”
Explain “Your face is scrunched up and your fists are clenched.
Keep Everyone Safe “I cannot let you hit me. If you need to get your anger out, try hitting this cushion.”
Understand “I am wondering if you are angry because someone didn’t let you play.”
Relate “Once I was so angry I wanted to throw things. Your grandad helped me calm down by giving me playdough to squeeze.”
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 21
FAMILY LIFE
Find ‘Me-Time’ and Achieve your Goals
Vegan Food for the Family – By Stealth!
By Carina Lawson
By Louise Palmer-Masterton
The pandemic arrived like a whirlwind, changing the way we live. Whilst it is still here, we have to make sure we and our families are motivated to stay on top of things and enjoy life as best we can. Here are some tips.
In my view, the way to win hearts and minds to veganism is by serving ridiculously delicious vegan food! But children can be notoriously difficult nuts to crack food wise and it helps to master the art of getting healthy food in by ‘stealth!’ READ MORE
READ MORE
Family Fitness By Claire Winter
It’s easy to use excuses like ‘too tired’ or ‘too busy’ to exercise. Exercising through the pandemic, with gyms and sports clubs often closed, is challenging. But regular exercise promotes physical and mental health in many ways. How can your family get fit this year? READ MORE 22 January/February
Familiesonline.co.uk
FAMILY LIFE
9 Best Pancake Recipes for Shrove Tuesday Experiment with some pancake-making on and around 16 February!
Banana Pancakes
Fluffy Black Forest Pancakes
Vegan Pancakes
Flourless Rainbow Pancakes
Upside-Down Pineapple Pancakes
Teddy Bear Pancakes
Mary Berry’s Easy Drop Scones
Easy Pancakes
Baby’s First Pancakes
Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 23
FAMILY LIFE
Handling Co-Parenting Differences
The Guilty Parent Syndrome
By Rebecca Giraud and Bob Greig
By Dr Jan MacGregor Hepburn
Co-parenting is not easy, mistakes can and will be made but it’s the effort that we as parents put in that will really be of long-term benefit to our children. After all, loving our children is what we have in common with our ex-partner. READ MORE
As a parent, do you feel constantly guilty? About what you’ve said/done or not said/ done? If so, you’d be forgiven for thinking that guilt and parenting must be inextricably linked. And you would be right! BUT they don’t have to be….... READ MORE
Embracing your Inner Child
Special 15% Discount!
By Ed James, Mark and Nicky Taylor
Despite your intentions to parent your kids differently to the way you were parented, they probably view your parenting style in much the same way. But imagine the difference if you could combine the essential parts of adulthood and still be in touch with your inner child.... READ MORE 24 January/February
101 Questions Answered About Separating with Children has become an indispensable guide to divorce/ separation for parents. To mark the publication of the second edition, enjoy an exclusive 15% discount for Families readers from Only Mums and Only Dads. Use code FM10121 here. With legal help, tips and insights from professionals and parents, this book will save you time and money. Familiesonline.co.uk
FAMILY LIFE
The Impact of Covid-19 on Working Mums By Mandy Garner The Covid-19 pandemic has been hard for many individuals and groups, with working mums, particularly single working mums, being one of them. But the picture is complex. Women dominate in many of the most risky frontline sectors such as health, social care and education and in some of the hardest hit sectors such as hospitality and retail. Parttime jobs, traditionally done by women, have seen a precipitous fall, BUT women are less likely to be unemployed than men and many have gone into full-time roles. Then there is self-employment which has seen a big decline. A recent report from IPSE and Starling Bank showed women freelancers have been hardest hit financially by late payments of money owed to them and the associated mental impact and women-led businesses have suffered disproportionately. What is clear is that the impact of childcare problems during the pandemic has been most keenly felt by women, with countless studies, including our own surveys, showing women have been carrying most of the childcare/home schooling burden, despite dads increasing their input generally.
Our latest survey shows lockdown restrictions and school or year group closures are still causing huge challenges. READ MORE
Bella Learning Games
Fun educational games to download, print and play.
Reception, Year 1 & Year 2 Packs
Available Now!
For examples, tips and advice, find Bella Learning Games on Facebook and Instagram.
www.bellalearning.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk
January/February 25
ONLINE CLASSES
Live and Pre-Recorded Online Classes for Kids
diddi dance
Funky preschool dance classes for boys and girls.
Kidslingo LIVE
Mother Nature Little Gym at Home Science Online Club Online pre-recorded Live online science activity classes. Ages 4-12.
gymnastics based activities. Ages 4mths-12yrs.
Let’s Drum!
SA Dance
Live online language classes. Ages 0-11.
Home drumming tuition. All ages.
Live online dance classes. Ages 2½+.
Teddies Online Music Club
La Jolie Ronde
Parrot Street Book Club
Pre-recorded online musical fun and arty ideas for under 5s. 26 January/February
Live online French and Spanish classes. Ages 5-11.
Monthly subscription book club. Ages 5-11. Familiesonline.co.uk
ONLINE CLASSES
Live and Pre-Recorded Online Classes for Kids
Time to Touch-Type Fun and easy home typing course.
Tiger Crane Kung Fu
Live online martial arts classes. Ages 5+.
Go Sketch Club
Live online and prerecorded drawing and painting classes. Ages 7-12. Familiesonline.co.uk
Funky Monkeys Keyboard Classes
Kumon Maths and English
Music Monsters
Smart Raspberry Cookery School
Online pre-recorded tutorial programme. Ages 4-12.
Live online piano lessons. Ages 3-18.
The Place
Live online dance classes. Ages 4-18.
Instructor-led online Maths and English tuition. Ages 2-12+
Live online cookery classes. Ages 2+.
Bright Light Creative Writing Live online creative writing courses. Ages 6-11.
January/February 27