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Why is Smaller Better?
Find out at our
Open Day Saturday 5th February 2022 10am - 12 noon
Nursery & Preparatory School for boys & girls from 3 to 11 years
8 Mattock Lane, Ealing W5 5BG 020 8579 3662 admissions@cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk www.cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk
Based in the heart of Windsor, Upton House is a thriving Nursery, Pre-Prep and Prep School for boys and girls aged 2-11 years. Self-esteem and happiness, we believe, are paramount to each child’s success and we pride ourselves on developing confident and happy children with a love of learning. Call 01753 862610 or email registrar@uptonhouse.org.uk
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In this issue 4-5
News & information
News & Views
...endless ideas for families of young children in Chiswick • Ealing • Hammersmith • Kensington • Maida Vale Notting Hill • Uxbridge
Give the gift of confidence this New Year EDUCATION
West London At7 Stagecoach they teach students so much From the Editors... Learning to their write more than how to sing, dance and act. They help FamiliesWest @FamiliesWestLondon @FamiliesWest 8 Print books or e-books them blossom into well-rounded individuals, ready girls intoWith manyWith 2021 behind us and hopes for a brighter 2022, the New Year is traditionally to9 embraceEncouraging life and all its opportunities. science years of experience in teaching the performing a time to consider what we might do differently this year, so why not think about PARENTING arts, they understand how to get the best out of implementing a small change to help the environment. It doesn’t need to be expensive and on page 11 we have some great suggestions for how you can bag our young When performers. They delight in seeing 10 friendships their fun, make friends, learn new sustainable fashion on a budget. students go have wrong skills and discover hidden talents. 11 Bag sustainable fashion There’s also advice on helping kids deal with eco anxiety and friendship challenges They run term time weekly classes and on a budget holiday workshops forON 4 to 6 years and 6 to 18 on pages 15 and 10 plus a handy family health checklist on page 16. The wonderful 12-13 WHAT’S Anne Fine is our bookclub author this month, with a great read for older children on years in Kensington, Hammersmith, Chiswick, 14 BOOK CLUB pageIf14 oura What’s guide Acton and Fulham and you can enrol via their website. youand have birthday On coming up on theypages do 12-13 offers some suggestions for those HEALTH of us who are still keen to venture out. great themed parties for younger children and Murder Mystery parties for 11+ 15 Helping kids with eco Here’s to a happy studies and healthyto2022 for everyone! anxietyat the Birkbeck Babylab Researchers expand
16 Family list include schoolhealth age check children!
Anna & Rach
AtFamilies the Birkbeck Babylab, they don’t just study babies! Their team of friendly researchers create West London is part of Families Print Ltd, a company. All Franchised the brains in babies, toddlers and children develop. funfranchise and interesting studies magazines to learn inhow group are independently owned and operated under They use cutting edge technology and licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB a Ltd.variety of methods to achieve this. Their studies appeal House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne to Remenham both babies and children through play, games and computer animations. Lisanne and Aude, End, Bucks, SL8 5TD. The contents of Families West London are fully protected by copyright and none of the two of their wonderful PhD students, are currently studying 2 - 6 year olds. Next Issue: editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in Editors: usesLondon. motion capture cameras and Duplo toy blocks to learn any form without prior consent Lisanne of Families West Rachel Bailey & Anna Collins March/April 2022 Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but theandability to remember instructions and create things in the the franchise company, Familieshow Print Ltd Lifecycle Tel: 01628 788058 01628 788058 Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims correct order toofachieve a goal develops throughout childhood. The Editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk Circulation: 16,000 advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof. technical psychology term for this is action sequencing and is essential www.Familiesonline.co.uk Cover image: depositphotos.com to daily life. For example, learning how to get dressed independently requires remembering the order of underwear before trousers and socks before shoes! Aude is also interested in action sequencing and FUN FRENCH uses a game on a touch screen computer where children build recipes LESSONS for their favourite cartoon characters. The way the children plan, www.bilingualnurseries.com hesitate or change their minds while playing will provide insight into Innovative immersion programme how action sequences develop and improve throughout childhood. They are currently recruiting children from birth to school age to take Unique method with fantastic results part in our research in the heart of Central London. Participants will be Mars Montessori 4 Collins Yard, Suitable for all levels of French in Angel compensated for (off travel expenses. Islington Green), Ages 18 months – 4 years N1 2XUand sign up today! Enjoy a fun day outLONDON in London Est. 1993
In person & online lessons
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News News&&Information Views
Help fund vital research by joining Wear A Hat Day! Join thousands of children, parents and teachers on Friday 25th March for Wear A Hat Day – a great way to bring people together and raise vital funds for leading charity Brain Tumour Research. Register your school, community or family event today: www.wearahatday.org and they’ll send you a free fundraising pack! Coming at the end of March, Brain Tumour Awareness Month, several celebrities are supporting this hattastic campaign. The latest set of collectable Wear A Hat Day pin badges have a regal theme in celebration
of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year. Order your box of badges to sell during registration! Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. This is unacceptable and Brain Tumour Research is determined to change this. Funds raised from Wear A Hat Day will help towards establishing a new Research Centre of Excellence. Find out more at www.wearahatday.org
Cost of school uniform to drop The government has published legally binding guidance which means that schools in England must ensure that the cost of their school uniform is reasonable and parents get the best value for money. From next autumn, schools will be required to remove unnecessary branded items from their uniform and allow more high-street options, like supermarket own-brand uniform. Schools will also be required to have secondhand uniforms available, as an affordable
option which also helps the environment. Schools will be expected to have made changes before parents buy new uniform for the new academic year in September 2022. Research from the Department of Education in 2015 showed that parents can save almost £50 on average if they can buy all school uniform items from any store, compared to uniform which all needs to be bought from a designated shop or school.
Take part in National Storytelling Week National Storytelling Week takes place from 29 January to 5 February and during this period, stories will be told in schools and theatres, pubs, museums, village halls, community centres and in many other places across the UK.
writer a child needs firstly to be a good speaker and listener.
Above all though, storytelling is fun. Whether we are listening to someone else’s story or telling our own, inventing and adapting stories Educator Sex exciting ship and to cana open new worlds — Relationdoors g Saskia Boujo is rkshops to youn wo rs ive del o Speech and language therapists believe thatand authoboth r wh real and imaginary. you If . on nd Lo ents in storytelling is vital for children’s academic people, teachers anbodokparing a workshop for your erested in touch! success as it promotes narrative skills and are intool munity, get in or parent com o find a local event or to look through its strengthens the ability of children to correctly sch T extensive archive, visit www.sfs.org.uk sequence ideas. To be a good reader and
T SEX, BABY! LET’S TALK ABOU
Stagecoach Opens in Ealing Broadway Sally Catlin is set to inspire the next generation of budding performers in the heart of Ealing Broadway with the opening of new Saturday schools for children and teenagers in the local area. They offer a 2-week trial at the beginning of term for all new students, which gives them the chance to discover the world of singing, dancing and acting in a safe and relaxed environment before committing to the term. Sally says “I am thrilled to give new students the opportunity to thrive in the performing arts and encourage them to grow in confidence. Christ The Saviour School is such a lovely school and aligns well with our passions and ethos." Stagecoach Performing Arts Acton and Ealing Broadway, together with Chiswick and Hammersmith is part of the biggest network of extra-curricular performing arts schools in the UK. The classes are divided across Early Stages (ages 4-6), Main Stages (ages 6-15) and Further Stages (ages 15+) and cover singing, dancing and acting. Sally is also the Principal of Chiswick Stagecoach, which she opened in 2000 and continues to run every week. For more information, please call 0208 398 4709. www.stagecoach.co.uk/ealingbroadway www.stagecoach.co.uk/chiswick
please contact For more info mail.com saskiaboujo@g ujo.com www.saskiabo actsoflife.ed Instagram: @f
LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX Saskia Boujo is a Relationship and Sex Educator and author who delivers workshops to young people, teachers and parents in London. If you are interested in booking a workshop for your school or parent community, get in touch! For more information please contact: Email: saskiaboujo@gmail.com www.saskiaboujo.com @factsoflife.ed 4
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News News & Information & Views
Happy Confident New Year from Perform Perform, the UK’s biggest centrally run drama school, is getting 2022 off to a flying start with a new term of classes focusing on building confidence and social skills.
Talking and television The negative effects that too much screen time can have on children may be offset by parents who engage their kids in conversation while they watch TV together, according to new research. Increased television time for young children has been linked with poorer progress in some areas of development. However, researchers at the University of Michigan say they have found that when parents engage in conversation with preschoolers during shared TV time, those children are more likely to have higher curiosity levels when they reach kindergarten. This finding was particularly true among children in disadvantaged families. Researchers assessed hours of daily television exposure and frequency of parent screen time conversation among 1,500 pre-schoolers and then measured early childhood curiosity in kindergarten. The researchers say the findings reinforce the importance of parent conversation to promote early childhood development and curiosity. More at www.sciencedaily.com
How have your children adjusted after the pandemic? Many have struggled to reconnect and re-establish their old friendships and confidence. Child psychologist and author, Linda Blair, says that classes like these: “can help children recover from social isolation as they encourage communication and effective social interactions. Drama helps a child’s ability to understand and interpret things like eye contact and can help in countless other ways
both socially and cognitively.” Fortunately, Perform classes are packed with confidence-boosting drama-based games and activities, allowing every child to shine as they explore two exciting termly themes. Children ages 4 to 7 will trek off on a jungle adventure while ages 7 to 12 enjoy a thrilling adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. What’s more, Perform’s jungle theme becomes a West End musical during February half-term, featuring a professional adult cast, stunning costumes and fabulous music. Visit junglerumble.show
Local Perform Classes: St. Peter’s Hall,
Christ Church W4 Mission Hall,
St. Paul’s Church Hall,
Holy Innocents Church,
St. Barnabas Millenium Hall,
Kensington United Reformed Church,
59a Portobello Rd, Notting Hill W11 3DB 4-7s Wednesdays at 4pm; Fridays at 4pm 7-12s Wednesdays at 5.05pm; Fridays at 5.05pm Ridley Ave, Ealing W13 9XW 4-7s Tuesdays at 4pm; Fridays at 3.45pm 7-12s Tuedays at 5.05pm; Fridays at 4.45pm Pitshanger Lane, Ealing W5 1QG 4-7s Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4pm; Saturdays at 9.30am 7-12s Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5.05pm; Saturdays at 11.15am
Masbro Children’s Centre,
87 Masbro Rd, Brook Green W14 0LR 4-7s Saturdays at 9.30am; 7-12s Saturdays at 11.15am
The Advent Centre,
37 Brendan St, Marylebone W1H 5JE 4-7s Mondays at 4pm; 7-12s Mondays at 5.05pm
Cunnington St, Chiswick Park W4 5ER 4-7s Tuesdays at 4pm; 7-12s Tuesdays at 5.05pm Paddenswick Rd, Hammersmith W6 0UB 4-7s Thursdays at 4pm; 7-12s Thursdays at 5.05pm Allen St W8 6BL 4-7s Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4.15pm; 7-12s Wednesdays at 5.15pm
The YAA Centre,
1 Chippenham Mews, Maida Vale W9 2AN 4-7s Tuesdays at 4pm; 7-12s Tuesdays at 5.05pm
St. Dunstan’s Church Hall,
Friar’s Place Lane, East Acton W3 7AW 4-7s Saturdays at 2pm
St. Michael’s Hall,
Elmwood Road, Chiswick W4 3DY 4-7s Sundays at 9.30am; 7-12s Sundays at 11.15am
We’re offering Families readers a special £40 introductory discount on bookings made by 7th February
quote LW70222
T: 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk
To book a no-obligation FREE trial at the above venues visit www.perform.org.uk/try
Danny Clarke
Dame Sheila Hancock DBE
Caprice Bourret
Sarah Beeny
www.wearahatday.org MARCH 2022
familiesonline.co.uk
#WearAHatDay editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk
Registered charity number 1153487 (England and Wales) SC046840 (Scotland) Families West London
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FW133 Jan-Feb 2020_FW133 Jan-Feb 2020 11/02/2020 09:50 Page 15
BACH TO BABIES CONCERT in Kensington Image by Jack Woodhouse
A design led architecture practice with a wood? And will the mystery stranger help? background in sensitive and high quality CAMBRIDGE THEATRE Ages 3-11. WC2H 9HU residential refurbishment, extension and new 15 Feb THE BEAR The story of a little girl www.matildathemusical.com build. If you are looking to develop your home,polar bear. who befriends a mischievous Booking until Jun 21 MATILDA One night when she’s fast asleep, an please get in touch as we would be delighted THE MUSICAL The Royal Shakespeare enormous white bear climbs into Tilly’s to discuss your project! Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s bedroom. It has a big black tongue and a magical story about a girl with extraordinary Projects of all sizes undertaken. yawn as big as your head. But Tilly’s not powers.
scared. This playful, funny and heart-
warming020 tale is79370 one of imagination LYRIC HAMMERSMITH info@hodarchitects.co.uk 007 and
growing up. For ages 3-8. W6 0QL 18-22 Feb STAR IN THE JAR A warmwww.lyric.co.uk hearted story, that perfectly captures the 11 Jan THE CROW’S TALE Follow Crow friendship between two siblings. When a little as he embarks on a journey that will transboy stumbles across a special star, he puts it form his appearance forever, while kindness, in a jar and takes it on adventures. But the generosity and courage will shine through. poor star misses its home…Can the little boy For age 3+ and his big sister find a way to send the star 18 Jan ARTHUR’S DREAM BOAT safely back? For ages 3-8. A magical children’s show about a little boy who has a dream. One night, Arthur has an PUPPET BARGE THEATRE amazing dream about a beautiful pink and W9 2PF green boat with a stripy mast. He can’t wait EST. 1988 www.sadlerswells.com to tell everyone about it but no one is inter15 Jan-23 Feb THE WATER BABIES ested. In fact, they don’t even notice that this A little chimney sweep's suffering ends when very same boat is growing on his head, he is transformed into a water baby. As he getting larger and larger by the minute! Paint Pots Listens to and Follows Child plunges into anthe underwater realm of fish, For ages 2-8. caterpillars and caddisflies, we are drawn 25 Jan MIMI AND THE MOUNTAIN into his adventures in the colourful depths, DRAGON High up in the mountains of The Grove, Notting Hill swept along with his dreams and new Switzerland the villagers of Dorta bang their freedom. With specially commissioned drums, blow their horns and ring the bells toFor 2-5 year olds. Open year music, beautiful long-string marionettes and keep the fearsome Mountain Dragon away. round, 8am For - 6pm. ghostly shadows. ages 4+ But this year is different, one morning Mimi discovers a baby dragon sleeping in herFrom September RICHMOND THEATRE 2022 takes 1 - 2 woodshed! Mimi must be extremely brave to TW9 1QJ year olds. reach the Dragon’s castle at the very top of www.atgtickets.com/Richmond the mountain and return the baby dragon to 1, 2 Feb 25, 26 Jan PEPPA PIG’S BEST its mother. For ages 3-11. DAY EVER A road-trip full of adventures. 1 Feb MAZYMEG AND THE HONEY BEES From castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs Albert lives with his beloved bees on and ice-creams to muddy puddles - there is Dartmoor, a mysterious land where nothing something for all of the family and their is as it seems. When his bees are stolen friends to enjoy, including Miss Rabbit, Mr to bring them Mazymeg the Pixie sets off The Park, Hyde Park Bull, Suzy Sheep, Gerald Giraffe and more. home. Weaving together Devon folklore and A live show packed full of songs, games and Forsongs, 2.5 - an 5 year Open term originalolds. soundtrack by Dartmoor laughter. musicians and shape-shifting puppetry this is time, 9.15am - 3.30pm. an enchanting show for all ages. SOUTHBANK CENTRE 8 Feb WOODLAND TALES WITH Nature nursery rated Outstanding SE1 8PX GRANDADby A show with an important Ofsted. www.southbankcentre.co.uk environmental message to share. 17, 24 31 Jan, 7, 14, 28 Feb RUG Something is happening in the woods, voices RHYMES FOR THE UNDER-FIVES can be heard, and a strange metallic smell A short session of nursery rhymes, poems fills the air. Machines are gathering at its and rhyming stories, and the opportunity to edge and a mysterious call is heard across look at and borrow books. Free but booking the valley. Velda the Vixen knows there’s a essential. one person who canWWW.PAINT-POTS.CO.UK help them - Grandad. 12 Jan OAE TOTS: THE PATIENT But is there enough time? Can they save the info@paint-pots.co.uk 020 7223 0123 HORSE AND THE DUTIFUL DONKEY
An interactive music-making session for ages 2-5. Meet the players and the instruments in the foyer after the performance. 12 - 23 Feb IMAGINE CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL Dive into the best children’s t heatre, literature and music, with plenty of workshops and free events for everyone. Draw, write, read, play, sing, dance and create. For ages 0-11. Book ahead for shows such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The adventures of Supertato and The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean amongst many others. See website for more details.
UNICORN THEATRE
SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com 31 Jan-1 Mar THE BEE IN ME- LET’S FLY AWAY One ordinary boy living an ordinary life. Every day the same: parents still asleep, late again for school, can’t find his clean trousers. But today is different. Today is a game. Today he has wings. Fly out of your room. Congratulations! Level two. Get dressed, find breakfast, don’t wake your parents, get to school, reach level three, keep going… Don’t get flattened… Level four…Full of warmth and sorrow, dreamlike and kaleidoscopic, it celebrates a child discovering inner resources - resilience,
determination and ingenuity - and finding a kind of freedom. For ages 8-12. As you sit together in the cosy space, share in your baby’s excitement at the building anticipation of Christmas Day and all things present-related - including the very best bit: crumpling, rumpling and scrunching that wrapping paper! Ushers will be on hand to look after you, and highchairs, babychanging and bottle-warming facilities are available. For ages 6-18 months.
CONCERTS
BACH TO BABY
www.bachtobaby.com/londonnorth All concerts at 10.30am. 27 Jan, 17 Feb in Notting Hill (St. John's Church, Lansdowne Crescent, W11) 17 Jan, 21 Feb in Chiswick (St. Michael and All Angels, Bath Road, W4) 15 Jan, 19 Feb in Kensington (Saint Stephen's Church, Gloucester Road SW7) 8 Feb in Ealing (Haven Green Baptist Church, 2 Castlebar Road, W5)
Paint Pots Montessori Nurseries
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Families West London is part of Families Print Ltd, and is 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 West London are fully
Education
Learning to write By Catherine Lynch Children need to develop lots of skills before they can write. The three main skills that build writing foundations are the physical ability to make marks on paper, knowing that print conveys meaning and knowing what to write. In preparation for writing, children need to develop both their gross and fine motor skills. Gross motor skills develop first; walking, jumping, throwing and reaching. Fine motor skills, like picking up small objects, follow. Children need to be given lots of opportunities to move their bodies and build up the muscles needed to sit in a chair, hold a pen and write. Next, children need to know what they are going to write. Adults can support children in this stage by providing practical opportunities. Writing shopping lists together is a great way to get children writing for a purpose. What are the basics of getting marks on paper? Children’s first marks on paper start with squiggles and scribbles. With practise, their marks become more controlled and they may start to ascribe meaning to them, for example, scribbling lines on paper and saying they are a list of their friends. As children’s awareness of letters increases they will start to use letter shapes in their writing. Familiar letters might start appearing among their squiggles and shapes. In the next stage of learning to write, children use their phonetic knowledge to identify which letters to write.
in words, for example ‘c’ for cat and ‘a’ for apple. As their phonic knowledge improves they will start to hear and write more sounds in words. It is common for children to reverse letters, miss out sounds and muddle up letters for the first few years that they are writing. By the end of Year 1, children should have been taught most of the letter sounds in the English language, complete with alternative spellings and sound groupings. For example, the many ways to write the /ai/ sound in sail, crayon, lake, weigh, grey, reindeer, break and acorn. Initially children won’t typically use the correct spelling of the sound; however, the more they read the better they will get at recognising when a spelling looks right. Catherine Lynch is a former UK primary school teacher, now writing for PlanBee (www.planbee.com) about issues affecting teachers, schools and pupils. PlanBee has lots of completely free resources for teaching and learning for home and school.
Phonics explain the relationship between sounds and letters. Typically children start by hearing and writing the initial sounds
Fun activities to develop writing skills Create obstacle courses that require a wide range of movements. Create challenges with a variety of ball sizes to get children developing their motor skills. Encourage activities like picking up small objects, building with blocks, threading beads and using pens and cutlery to develop fine motor skills. Provide lots of mark-making opportunities eg finger painting, drawing with chalk on the ground, using crayons, pencils and pens. Help children get the correct pencil grip by using the ‘pinch and grip’ method. Praise all their efforts; writing skills take time to build. Make use of free resources available as downloads for home practice. There are many ideas for play activities, tips to get parents and children started, word tracing sheets, handwriting guides, letter formation worksheets and posters. Good resources include www.planbee.com, www.jellyandbean.co.uk, www.teachhandwriting.co.uk and www.teachingideas.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk
editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk
OPEN MORNING Saturday 5 March Boarding and Day for Girls 11-18
heathfieldschool.net +44 (0) 1344 898343
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Education
Print book or e-books What’s best for our children? By Lulu Skantze Electronic devices enable us to access, at the touch of a finger, millions of e-books at a lower cost and with easier storage than printed books. Most children’s books and magazines are now available in digital format too. This makes sense as many children use electronic devices at an early age. But while it is important to embrace all technologies and see stories available in all formats, printed materials have an essential role in developing young readers.
and be in the reading space - a wonderful habit to develop.
Deep reading
Shared reading
‘Deep reading’ is an important process which is activated when reading from paper and particularly applies when reading highquality, long texts. Screens affect our reading processes and the more we read short texts on screen, the more our reading shifts towards skimming. Consequently, our tolerance for reading long literary texts diminishes and we lose the benefits of using the cognitive processes that deep reading involves. In addition, reading from devices involves juggling multiple distractions, such as interactive touchscreens, hyperlinks and alerts, which move our attention away from what’s being read. This adversely affects our comprehension and reading speed.
Printed books make shared reading easier than e-books. Shared reading is incredibly important when it comes to encouraging a child to read. A book allows for more discovery and children can interact with it for longer in a more engaging way, as well as being able to colour in, draw, underline words and so on. Reading for pleasure
Mindful reading
Studies have found that reading for pleasure plays a huge role in a child’s confidence, personal development and academic achievement. Reading books engages children in a magical world of stories, adventures and fantasy. It is so important that reading for pleasure now forms part of the National Curriculum.
Printed books help children develop the habit of reading through mindfulness. They slow us down and enable us to engage with a book with no sounds, distractions or screen glare. Reading printed books teaches us to connect with the present moment
Lulu Skantze is co-founder of Storytime, a high-quality monthly magazine that helps to improve children’s literacy with no adverts or plastic toys, just great stories. Visit www.storytimemagazine.com
Hawkesdown House School & The Walnut Tree Nursery A Preparatory & Nursery School for boys and girls aged 2-11, Kensington W8
27 Edge Street, Kensington, London W8 7PN Telephone: 0207 727 9090 Email: admin@hawkesdown.co.uk www.hawkesdown.co.uk
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Reading for pleasure Reading is fun, entertaining and relaxing; it also improves writing, spelling and vocabulary and increases general knowledge and understanding of other people and cultures. Here’s how to help your child to fall in love with reading: Make reading part of your child’s routine and life. Have old and new books around at home and treasure them. Pick books that are at the appropriate level for your child. Put aside quality time to read together every day, even if only for ten minutes. Listen attentively when your child reads to you. Dig deep into the stories with them. Value books, magazines and stories. Discuss with your child what they like about their favourite titles. Take books everywhere! Your child can then read anywhere. Join your local library. Visit with your child so they can choose and borrow books and discover new authors for free. Exchange books with friends. Treat your child to a magazine subscription or book vouchers for special occasions.
Families West London 01628 788058 familiesonline.co.uk
Education
Getting girls into science By Gabrielle Nash For many years, girls have shied away from subjects like science and maths. As a result, the numbers of women in STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are small. International Day of Women and Girls in Science takes place on 11 February with the aim of celebrating and motivating women and girls to study and take up careers in science and related fields. Getting more girls into those fields is crucial to improving diversity. Recent efforts to address the balance of men and women in STEM is working. Yet while the female STEM workforce has for the first time reached over one million women, most of the workforce is male and the balance still needs addressing. So what can be done?
Another factor that is stopping both boys and girls from choosing certain subjects, like computing and physics, is the idea that it is harder to achieve top grades in them. But many employers are not looking for the highest grades; instead they want logical and thoughtful people who can problem solve.
First, we must look at what is stopping young women and girls from choosing these subjects. Sadly, this is believed to be largely the result of gender stereotypes introduced at a young age.
If you are the parent of a young girl, you might think it is too early to engage her on this issue but even at a young age, girls can be motivated to pursue science-based subjects through appropriate role models.
Children are often encouraged towards traditional play based on their gender, which develops their brains and skills in a certain way. Look at introducing a variety of play experiences from the outset: from dolls to Lego, there should be plenty of variety and no boundaries.
Introduce your girls to some of the world’s incredible female scientists through books. It’s one of the easiest ways to inspire more girls to take a career in science. There are some wonderfully engaging options.
As children get older, they are faced with the stereotype and belief that boys and girls are suited to different subjects. Research has clearly shown that there is no difference in ability between boys and girls in different subjects, so we need to tackle the stereotypes children are exposed to from an early age.
familiesonline.co.uk
By introducing these role models to our girls, we can spread the word about female achievement and hopefully encourage passion for STEM subjects amongst them.
editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk
Families West London
9
Parenting
When friendships go wrong By Clare Cogan Friendships can be a challenge throughout our lives; from our own school playground days to when we’re back there as parents. Late primary school age often brings significant shifts in friendships. If your child has been in a ‘group’ or has had a ‘best friend,’ you might observe fall outs between them which can include exclusions from invitations and activities. These evershifting sands can lead to tears, sleepless nights and worries. It’s time to help your tween navigate some of these trickier times and support them. Part of building that all-important resilience in life is to help them deal with and learn from difficult times. You are their guiding light in this regard.
Consider your own friendship history. Use your own experiences of difficult friendships or times when you have moved away from friends and made new ones to help your children understand that it is okay for things to change.
Firstly, take a moment.... and a step back.
Tell your children about what happened in these friendship situations, what you felt, how you coped and how things turned out. Children love stories, no matter what age they are and yours will help them realise they are not alone, even when it feels like they are. This sharing can carry more weight than just reassuring them that things will ‘get better.’
The drama itself is easy to get embroiled in, especially if you are friends with the parents whose children are involved. Despite the temptation, texting or picking up the phone to discuss the issue is not always helpful and can even be counterproductive. As children start to move towards transition to secondary school, we need to give them the tools and resources to cope with friendship challenges and not always step in and sort it out ourselves. Be aware that some of what might be happening may trigger memories of your own experiences at school which may not be directly related to your child’s issue. This often happened with me when we had challenges with our boys and friendships. My inner lioness would spark off straight away in response to these issues based on my own childhood challenges.
Spend time helping your child to think about what they value in friendship, such as honesty, kindness, trustworthiness. Talk about why others choose them to be their friend and point to what makes a good friend when times are tough. Clare Cogan is a teenage anxiety specialist and author who works with parents and their teens to help them understand how their mind affects their mood. More information at www.clarecogan.com
Outstanding (A and A*) results 100% acceptance rate to top universities inc. Oxford, UCL & Imperial Academic support from secondary school through to degree Highly qualified experience teachers Online & in person one to one sessions Regular assessments and updated reports
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Parenting
Bag sustainable fashion on a budget By Jay Sullivan Fast fashion, clothing made cheaply and designed to be disposable, is the second biggest cause of environmental pollution in the world. With such devastating effects on people and the planet, it’s no wonder that more and more of us are trying to make ethical choices with our wardrobes. Ecofashion can feel expensive and overwhelming at first but it doesn’t have to be. Here are nine ways to forget fast fashion and shop sustainably instead. Get thrifty Charity shops are an easy way to find second-hand clothes on the high street at a low price while helping a good cause too. If you don’t have the time to trawl them for the best bargains, then online resellers like Depop or Vinted are great ways to search for what you need. Buy less but make it your own Shopping less frequently and only buying what you need has an important role in sustainable buying. Craft sites like Etsy and Folksy offer ways to customise your clothes so you can breathe new life into last year’s look. Think sequins, patches and embroidery. Rent it and return it Renting is a great way to enjoy the party dress you’ll likely only wear once. Instead of buying a flashy new garment for every birthday bash, simply rent the designer or high-end outfit of your dreams and then return it when the party is over. Be pretty in Piñatex (or hemp… or bamboo…) Not all fabrics are environmentally equal. Cotton production uses 250 billion tons of water annually. Alternatives like bamboo, linen and hemp have a much smaller environmental impact and are far more sustainable over the long term. Animal leather production requires significant land use and causes large CO2 emissions. Piñatex (pineapple leather) offers a natural alternative without contributing to animal agriculture. Support a small business
names in fast fashion and look to smaller businesses first. These items are often handmade and smaller product runs mean you’ll likely end up with something few other people have. Where to look for eco-friendly fashion When starting off an environmentally-conscious wardrobe, it is often easiest to begin with the basics. T-shirts and underwear are purse-friendly ways to make a positive change. Don’t forget: the most sustainable wardrobe is the one you already have! Sew some love Not everyone is nifty with a needle but small repairs such as sewing up holes or putting buttons back on can ensure your clothes have years more wear left in them before it’s time to recycle. There are lots of YouTube tutorials to help you get your head around the basics. Swap it like it’s hot! Clothing swaps are a great way to get new clothes while clearing your cupboard of the ones you no longer wear. You can get a group of friends over and trade between you or you can ask your local school, university or work to hold an event. Call time on cotton toiletries Make-up wipes and cotton wool pads are an easy area to make an ethical change. Reusable face cloths or pads which can be washed are a great alternative to disposables. If you menstruate, re-usable cups or washable period pants or pads can help reduce the amount of cotton that ends up in landfills. This article was written by and reproduced with the permission of the Natural History Museum. www.nhm.ac.uk
If there’s something you do need to buy new, try to avoid the big
Eco-friendly fashion recommendations
From Baby to Ballerina
Honest Basics: Eco-conscious wardrobe staples; Yes Friends: Creators of the £7.99 sustainable t-shirt; Plant Faced Clothing: Streetwear with a vegan twist; Lucy and Yak: Instagram-adored makers of dungarees. Inclusive sizing; Asket: Permanent collection of classic clothing for men and women that has been made to last a lifetime; Everlane: Ethical clothing with transparent price breakdowns; Nu-In: This season’s fashion, transparently made from recycled, organic materials where possible; Thought: Sustainable style in fabrics like bamboo and organic cotton. familiesonline.co.uk
editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk
Families West London
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What’s On
January UNTIL JANUARY 8 THE NUTCRACKER - ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET London Coliseum www.ballet.org.uk/production/nutcracker DAILY UNTIL JANUARY 16 ICE SKATING, NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, SW7 5BD Set against the backdrop of the Waterhouse building. Daily from 11am www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/ice-rink. html UNTIL JANUARY 16 OPERATION OUCH The Lyric Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 7ES All-new crazy experiments and amazing facts, as the doctors explore the fascinating world of biology. Plus, they’ll share the best bits from the award-winning TV show, Operation Ouch! www.thelyrictheatre.co.uk/tickets/ operation-ouch-live-on-stage UNTIL JANUARY 16 THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB www.polkatheatre.com/event/the-nightbefore-christmas UNTIL JANUARY 30 CINDERELLA THE AWESOME TRUTH Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB www.polkatheatre.com/event/cinderellathe-awesome-truth UNTIL FEBRUARY 22 MARY POPPINS Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street W1D 4HS www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/ mary-poppins DAILY UNTIL FEBRUARY 26 ICE SKATING, CANARY WHARF Canada Square Park, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AB Covered Ice Rink under twinkling lights and the stunning back drop of canary wharf. Tickets are only available online. www.icerinkcanarywharf.co.uk DAILY UNTIL FEBRUARY 28 THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY First Floor, Westfield London W12 7GF Immerse yourselves in a world of sweets, where sight, smell, and taste all bring this candy-themed adventure to life. Your journey will take you through a series of magical themed rooms and naturally, you’ll be able to eat your way through the experience too.Booking essential. age 2-12 www.chocolatefactoryexperience.com 12
All details correct at the time of going to press. Please do remember to check online for up-to-date information and remember that in most cases you will need to book. FRIDAYS JANUARY 7, 14 AND 21 OUT-OF-HOURS DINOTOURS Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD From 9am www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dinotours.html SATURDAYS JANUARY 8, 22 AND 29 OUT-OF-HOURS DINOTOURS Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD From 9am www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dinotours.html SUNDAYS JANUARY 9 AND 23 MYTHS AND LEGENDS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS AND PARENTS ULT, 62 Queen’s Gardens, Lancaster Gate, W2 3AH 11-12.30noon Free Classic tales that encourage independent thinking www.theosophy-ult.org.uk/sun MONDAY JANUARY 10 MINI MONDAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning for ages 2-4. £6.50. Make a nest, keep the teddies warm and follow the leaf trail. WEDNESDAY JAN 12 TO MARCH 23 YOUTH THEATRE WORKSHOP Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 9-12 years www.polkatheatre.com/event/youth-theatre WEDNESDAY JAN 12 TO MARCH 23 BABY EXPLORERS Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 0-8 months www.polkatheatre.com/event/babyexplorers WEDNESDAY JAN 12 TO MARCH 23 MINI EXPLORERS Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB 8-18 months www.polkatheatre.com/event/mini-explorers SATURDAY JAN 15 TO SATURDAY MARCH 26 ACT 1 DRAMA CLUB - 4-6 YEARS Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB Ages 4-6 years www.polkatheatre.com/event/act-1
SATURDAY JAN 22 TO SUNDAY MAY 1 MAGICAL MISCHIEF The Making of Harry Potter, Warner bros studio tour, Studio Tour Drive Leavesden WD25 7LR. Brand new for 2022, revealing the filmmaking trickery behind the Harry Potter film series and shining a spotlight on magical pranks and mishaps. www.wbstudiotour.co.uk MONDAY JANUARY 24 MINI MONDAY FOR MINDERS Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning for ages 2-4 and networking opportunity. £6.50. SATURDAY 29 AND SUNDAY JANUARY 30 PEPPA PIG’S BEST DAY EVER Beck Theatre, Hayes UB3 2UE Saturday 10am and 4pm Sunday 10am, 1pm and 4pm www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/ticketspeppa-pigs-best-day-ever-hayes-2022
February SUNDAYS FEBRUARY 6 AND 20 MYTHS AND LEGENDS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS AND PARENTS ULT, 62 Queen’s Gardens, Lancaster Gate, W2 3AH 11-12.30noon Free Classic tales that encourage independent thinking www.theosophy-ult.org.uk/sun MONDAY FEBRUARY 7 MINI MONDAY Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning for ages 2-4. £6.50. Finger painting and fitness trail, plus finding out what will keep the teddies warm. WEDNESDAY 9 TO SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20 IMAGINE CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL Southbank Centre SE1 8XX With 60 events jam-packed into twelve days and over fifty percent of the festival completely free, Imagine is the biggest festival of its kind in London. The multi-arts line-up for 2022 includes some of the bestloved faces from children’s literature and television.
SATURDAY JAN 15 TO SATURDAY MARCH 26 ACT 1 DRAMA CLUB - 7-9 YEARS Polka Theatre, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB Ages 7-9 years www.polkatheatre.com/event/act-2 SUNDAY 16 AND JANUARY 23 OUT-OF-HOURS DINOTOURS Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD From 9am www.nhm.ac.uk/events/dinotours.html
Families West London 01628 788058
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
What’s On
If you’d like your event featured please email editor@familieswest.co.uk with details. FRIDAY 11 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13 PEPPA PIG: MY FIRST CONCERT Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre SE1 8XX Fun, interactive introduction to a live orchestra for ages 2+ years www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/ festivals-series/imagine-childrens-festival SUNDAY 13 TO TUESDAY FEBRUARY 15 THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA Beck Theatre, Hayes UB3 2UE Sunday 1.30pm Monday and Tuesday 11am and 2pm www.becktheatre.org.uk/Online/tickets-thetiger-who-came-to-tea-hayes-2020 SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13 FAMILY CONCERTS: FUNHARMONICS ‘SIR SCALLYWAG AND THE GOLDEN UNDERPANTS’. Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre SE1 8XX 12pm 5+ years www.lpo.org.uk/education/family-concertsfunharmonics.html
MONDAY 14 TO SUNDAY FEBRUARY 20 JUNGLE RUMBLE FAMILY MUSICAL The Fortune Theatre, Covent Garden, Russell St, London WC2B 5HH www.atgtickets.com/shows/jungle-rumble/ fortune-theatre FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18 FAMILY WORKSHOP: HALL OF MIRRORS Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street W1U 2BP 10am. Families with children aged 5-7years www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/familyworkshop-hall-of-mirrors-202202181000 SATURDAY FEBRUARY 19 JULIA DONALDSON AND FRIENDS: A POCKETFUL OF SONGS Southbank Centre SE1 8XX Fun-packed musical show filled with muchloved characters www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/ festivals-series/imagine-childrens-festival
MONDAY 14 TO WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 16 PERFORM HALF-TERM WORKSHOP St Michael’s Hall, Elmwood Rd, Chiswick W4 3DY 10am-3pm 4-10 years T: 020 7255 9120 / enquiries@perform.org. uk
MONDAY FEBRUARY 28 MINI MONDAY FOR MINDERS Iver Environment Centre SL0 0EB Activity morning for ages 2-4 and networking opportunity. £6.50.
Perform are joining Hansel & Gretel this February Half-Term Join Perform for an unforgettable three days in a fairytale forest this half-term and see your child make friends with the woodland creatures, discover the tempting Gingerbread House and outwit the evil Wicked Witch. With sweet songs and delicious dance routines, visit www.perform.org.uk/hansel Age range: 4-10 years. Dates: 14th – 16th February. Three-day courses from 10am to 3pm each day. Venue: St Michael’s Hall, Elmwood Rd, Chiswick W4 3DY Contact: T: 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk
Clubs, Classes and Activities If you are looking for a new club for your child, want to help them run off some excess energy, or find a new hobby, below are some great suggestions for you to check out! When you call please don’t forget to say you saw them in Families West London Magazine.
Hartbeeps www.hartbeeps.com Award-winning, original, multi-sensory musical classes. Bubbles, Costumes, Massage, Sensory textures and lights, puppets and more. Classes designed for each stage of your baby’s development. Baby bells - Newborn- Sitting Beeps - Sitting - Standing Happy house - Toddlers & Siblings
Little Kickers Ealing and Uxbridge
West London Dance Academy
www.littlekickers.co.uk
www.westlondondanceacademy.com
Football Classes for Beginners 18 mths to 7 years Girls and boys Call 07944 412836 Ealing@littlekickers.co.uk To book: www.littlekickers.co.uk
Classes in Ballet, Tap & Contemporary Modern Jazz.
Bayswater, Maida vale, Notting hill, Shepherds bush, Mayfair and Kensington loulou@hartbeeps.com
Exams and Shows. Venue: WLDA Dance Annex, Chiswick W4 4NL Contact: 07795578781 email: natalieparnell.wlda@gmail.com WWW.WESTLONDONDANCEACADEMY.COM
Ealing, Acton, Hammersmith and Chiswick kimmy@hartbeeps.com
WEST DANCE
LONDON ACADEMY
CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF DANCE
familiesonline.co.uk
editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk
Families West London
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Book Club Spending more time reading is always top of my New Year’s resolutions... ...especially as books are my favourite gift to receive at Christmas, so if I’m lucky, I have a new stash to work my way through. Often, here at Families we suggest our favourite new books for younger children, but this month we have a young adult novel to giveaway! Rachel Bailey talks to best-selling, award-winning author Anne Fine, whose novel Shades of Scarlet explores growing up and family upheaval with humour and warmth.
Who first inspired your love of books? Do you have any treasured memories of reading stories growing up? I can hardly remember not being able to read. When I was three, my parents tried one last time for a boy, and had triplet girls. Mum could barely cope, so the health visitor suggested I went to infant school along with my elder sister. It was really for babysitting, but I learned to read anyhow. We did phonics, pointing at letters and making the sounds. I hated the letter ’V’ because it made my lip vibrate, but took to books at once. I was held back a year before junior school, and allowed to spend all my time reading, with the run of both the head teacher's bookcase and the library next door. Bliss! Total bliss! You’ve written numerous stories for both adults and children, is there an audience you prefer writing for? Or a favourite book you’ve written? I write what I'd have loved to read at the age I'd have enjoyed it most. So I write equally happily for me at eight, or at sixteen, or at forty. The adult novels explore issues that have been important to me, or those around me, as I've gone through life. Passion. Marriage. Divorce. Exasperation with family. Looking after an ungrateful old person. They're mostly comedies, but black ones, and I finish them feeling like a bit of chewed string. I'm much more protective when writing for the young, though I still try to keep the work as emotionally honest as possible, and I come out of children's books with a good deal more cheer and more energy. Scarlet is a very strong, determined character. Have you written books specifically for your children/ grandchildren in the past to help give them a voice? My children always seemed pretty lippy and opinionated to me. But I have tried to stay aware of what interests and worries them, and though, as Jan Mark said, you don't write about people you know so much as write what you know about
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people, I have mined aspects of their temperaments along the way. ‘The Angel of Nitshill Road’ was sparked by one being deeply disturbed by the unchecked bullying she saw round her in primary school, and I know from letters that the book has worked as a comfort to many more children than her. It may sound strange, but I have never once asked my own children what they thought when writing a book, or tested it on them. To me, that would be as odd as a pediatric surgeon asking advice from a child. The teenage years are often seen as a challenge. As a mum yourself do you have any advice for helping parents and children through those years? Advice for children? No. They wouldn't take it anyhow. I'd try to comfort them by saying that nothing, however awful, lasts forever. But they wouldn't believe it. Advice for parents - gin and multivitamins? We had one peaceful daughter, and one who was simply exhausting. In the end, almost to comfort myself, I wrote ‘The Book of the Banshee’, a comedy about having a teenager in the house. Parents seem to enjoy it more than the age group it's aimed at, and it describes a neat trick to get round that grim business of having to stay awake till they're safely home from their parties. I have to say that Scarlet in ‘Shades of Scarlet’ is almost the other side of the equation. She's so clear-sighted, and she's often right. That's a hard thing for any parent to come up against. You've been so right for so long. And the ground suddenly begins to shift.... January is a time for resolutions and making changes, is there anything you are planning to do differently this year? No. This year, as every other, I'll be trying to stop biting my nails.
WIN Families have two copies to give away! For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to editor@familieswest.co.uk What is the title of Anne Fine’s young adult novel? A Shades of Grey B Shades of Scarlet C Shades of Red Closing date for entries is 11 February 2022 Shades of Scarlet is available from Feb 3 in paperback, priced £7.99. www.annefine.co.uk
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Health
Helping kids with ecoanxiety By Angela Terry Growing up in a time of climate crisis is not easy. Images of deforestation, melting glaciers and out-of-control wildfires seem everywhere. The scale and severity of the situation is difficult for adults to comprehend. Naturally, children can find it overwhelming. Eco-anxiety is increasingly prevalent amongst our kids. Research by Bath University shows that sixty percent of children and young people describe themselves as ‘very or extremely worried’ about climate change. As a mum and environmental scientist, I am well aware of the difficulties of talking to children about this subject. The temptation is to tell them not to worry. But actually this will add to their genuine concern that this issue is being ignored by the ‘grown-ups.’ Focus instead on positive solutions. Here are my tips: Remind children that together we can change the world Taking everyday actions can empower kids. Like eating less meat or snuggling under a blanket instead of turning up the thermostat. But remind them that it’s practically impossible to live a completely sustainable life. The world needs lots of people doing sustainability imperfectly, rather than a few doing it perfectly. Point them to less frightening online resources Exposure to gloomy predictions online can affect children’s moods. Make sure they are looking at websites that talk about climate change in an unthreatening way without a barrage of scary statistics. NASA’s Climate Kids website has been designed specifically for children and has a wide range of resources,
including videos and games. Make green spending decisions jointly Discuss with your children which products your family buys. There are sustainable alternatives for everything, from food and fashion to cars and bank accounts. If the green alternative is more expensive, ask your children if they would be happy to go without something to pay for it. This allows them to understand the power of purchasing. Help children join or start a group with friends Joining climate-focused community and action groups can be of huge benefit to children with feelings of anxiety, helplessness and despair. The sense of shared belonging and concern can be very comforting. Working towards tangible solutions with others gives kids a greater sense of control. Angela Terry is an environmental scientist and mum of three. She’s the founder of One Home (www.onehome.org.uk), the UK’s first consumer climate action hub which provides independent, practical advice on the changes you can make to help fight global warming and adapt to climate change.
Discussing climate change
Practical things to do
As a parent your first instinct is to protect your kids but it’s not helpful to tell them not to concern themselves with climate change. Worrying about this huge problem is entirely normal. Here are some suggestions for handling those tricky conversations:
One of the best ways to help children feel better about the climate emergency is to empower them to do something about it. It can be as simple as encouraging them to walk to school instead of being driven. Here are some activity ideas for the whole family:
Listen to your child’s worries and acknowledge them. Don’t dismiss them out-of-hand. Empathise. Show you’re concerned too. But don’t focus on doomsday scenarios. There is no cliff edge. Point out they’re not alone. Talk about all the people who are also worried and striving to effect change. Check out Instagram accounts which offer a solutions-based outlook like @thegreenhub @ ouronehome @lowimpactmovement Empower without making them feel overly responsible. Tell them we all have a role to play in addressing this issue – but it’s not all on them. Point out positive climate news stories whenever you come across them. Teach anxiety regulation techniques, like breathing and mindfulness.
Rewild your garden. Set up a bug hotel. Start growing vegetables. Replace some of your lawn with wildflowers. Make low-carbon meals based around local fruit and vegetables from a farmer’s market, if possible (or even produce you’ve grown yourselves!) Take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch (www.rspb.org.uk), the Great British Spring Clean (www.keepbritaintidy.org) or Earth Day (www.earthday.org). Fundraise for a green charity by organising a low-carbon bake sale or doing a sponsored walk. Craft homemade birthday and Christmas presents for loved ones. Shut curtains and blinds from dusk until dawn to keep the heat in (and energy bills low). Write to your MP and explain why you are concerned about climate change.
editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk
Families West London
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Your Family Health Check List
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Keeping up with the routine (and non-routine) health checks and appointments for your kids can be time-consuming! Use our handy checklist to help you out. Eye test
Children should have an eye test at the age of 3 years and again just before they start school. An optometrist will then usually recommend a yearly eye test after this.
Dental check Six monthly check-ups are recommended for children from age 1 and children should visit the dentist as soon as their first milk teeth appear.
Orthodontist Has your child’s adult teeth nearly all come through? Ask your dentist whether your child will need a referral to an orthodontist.
Vaccinations If you have a baby or toddler, make sure they have had all their necessary immunisations. Children over 12 can now attend a walk-in centre to receive their Covid vaccine if they haven’t had it at school. Flu vaccinations are available for children ages 2 to 5 and for all school-age children from Reception to year 11.
Other services you may need Podiatrist Does your child complain of pain in their heels? Kids undergoing growth spurts are especially susceptible to plantar fascilitis pain starting at age 8 until around age 13 for girls and age 15 for boys. A podiatrist will advise on footwear to help the problem.
Allergy clinic If your GP provides a referral, your child can get tested at a specialist NHS allergy clinic. You can also get your child tested at a private clinic and pay for their allergy tests. It’s not recommended that you use an at-home allergy testing kit if you suspect your child has an allergy.
Tips: Do you have a family first aid kit? You can make up your own or buy one. Boots Children’s First Aid Kit £13.99
Little Life Excursion Kit £29.99
Everything you need to deal with cuts, grazes, bumps, bruises and bleeding. Comes with handy First Aid guide.
Perfect for family excursions with all the essentials you need.