my family issue 21
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FREEISSUE 21 • SPRING 2015
IN THIS ISSUE:Kids’ Fashion
Away with the Kids Cool Kids’ Rooms
Inspiring Young Minds Positive about Autism
and much more . . .
My Family is proud to supportannakennedyonline.com
www.myfamilymagazine.co.uk
WIN!A family break
in Devon orCornwall
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:51 Page 1
contents4-8 Kids’ Fashion
Special OccasionsFabulous FootwearSpring 2015
9-10 Get CraftyStampin’ Up! Demonstrator Story
11 HandmadeMeet the Makers
12-15 Cool Kids’ Rooms
Creating an imaginative room for a child
16-17 Play & LearnTime to Play Outdoors
18-20 Inspiring Young MindsEarly Building Blocks for Reading Success
21-31 Away with the KidsTry Something NEW while on Holiday in BritainMake the most of Britain's great outdoorsCOMPETITION – Win a family break in Devon orCornwall courtesy of Richardson HotelsHappy Holidays with Sue AtkinsHoliday Must HavesCOMPETITION – Win a Funky Little Bugs changebagCOMPETITION – Win a Snuggle Sac
32-34 Making a SplashThe Benefits of SwimmingFrom swimming to aquajogging: the dos and don’tsof water-based exercise for pregnancy and beyond
35-36 Preparing for BabyThe benefits of Real Nappies
37-38 Happy Retirement2015 is a GREAT year to retire
DISCLAIMERThe information contained in My Family magazine is not meant to replace that of amidwife, healthcare professional or GP. My Family would always recommend that
you seek medical information from a qualified health professional.
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:51 Page 2
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Welcome to the Spring issueof My Family!
Springtime is a great time for exploringeverything that the UK has to offer, so forthose of you planning a holiday orweekend away, check out the fantasticaccommodation on offer in the Awaywith the Kids section – there’s even achance to win a family break worth £600in Devon or Cornwall courtesy of Richardson Hotels!
International parenting expert, Sue Atkins offers advice for ahappy holiday and if you are planning to travel with children,we have lined up a selection of great products that shouldmake traveling with kids a little easier and a lot more fun.
In this issue the Kids’ Fashion section, is bursting withstunning special occasion wear, fresh new looks for Spring andfabulous footwear, which is sure to have your mini fashionistajumping with joy.
On a more serious note – being able to read well is thekeystone to a good start in life. Children need to ‘learn to read’and then they ‘read to learn’. Save the Children have recentlylaunched the Read on. Get on Campaign with the goal ofensuring all 11 year olds will leave primary school being able toread well by 2025.
The campaign brings together a coalition of head teachers,teachers, schools, parents, politicians, celebrities and the widercommunity to help children become better readers. You canfind out more about ways to support your child’s reading in ourInspiring Young Minds section where founder of ReadingChest, Liz Walker provides information on Early BuildingBlocks for Reading Success.
With all this and many more informative articles, inspiringfeatures and fun competitions – enjoy the read!
Best wishesKaren x
Karen Reddell – Editor
The TeamHazel [email protected]
Jake PullinSales and [email protected]
A note from the editor
COMPETITION RULESFull details of competition rules are available on our website
www.myfamilymagazine.co.uk. Entering a competition through the print magazineor via this website will be seen as acceptance of these rules.
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Feature images used under license fromShutterstock.com and depositphotos.com.
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www.myfamilymagazine.co.uk
39-40 Special Needs FamilySupport for Disabled Travellers
41-48 Positive about AutismAutism’s GOT TALENT! returns to the stage!Baston House School case studyPerforming & Creative Arts at Baston House SchoolBBC One’s The People’s Strictly for Comic Reliefconfirms contestantsAKO Takes the Campaign for Autism Awareness andUnderstanding to the House of CommonsCelebrating 40 Years of Specialist Provision forComplex Needs in Hesley Group
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Deep Purple Rose Petal Dresswith rosebud covered topwww.angels-face.co.uk
Communion dress with tulleskirt, beaded waistbandand an attached capewww.justdresses.co.uk
Sparkly Purple PromDress from JustDresses Limited withmatching accessories
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For a SpecialOccasion . . .
www.justdresses.co.uk
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Kids love dressing up and once pastthe baby stage, it’s not long beforethey want to dress themselves andhave input about what looks good.Most children have a very clearunderstanding of what they like,and are not as reserved as grown-ups when it comes to having funwith fashion.
If your child is wild about fashion it is worthchecking out online retailer Hold Them Upfor a fantastic range of funky braces andcolourful stretch belts, designed to fit babies,toddlers, young children and teens. Even if
Hold Them Up: Funky Braces, Belts & Bow Ties for Kids
your child isn’t losing their trousers, thebrightly coloured belts and braces make a verystylish statement.
Because Hold Them Up belts and braces areavailable in a range of adjustable sizes, they areextremely comfortable for even the mostactive of children. Available in an array ofcolourful and exciting designs for girls andboys, they are sure to please little fashionistaseverywhere.
Older children’s belts are available with atraditional pin buckle, but for little ones
concerned about fiddly buckles when theyneed the toilet; Hold Them Up’s bottle openerbelts have an uncomplicated clasp that helpsthem maintain their independence and saveany wee embarrassments caused by trickybuckles.
Hold Them Up also stock a great range of bowties in a vibrant array of colours for mini trendsetters aged 3-12 years. Perfect for adding asplash of colour to an outfit for a specialoccasion, wedding outfit, for a formal event orjust for the fun of it!
To place your order visit
www.holdthemup.co.uk
KIDS’ FASHION
At Little Jems boutique you will finda collection of tasteful children’soccasion wear for those very specialmoments in life.
Little Jems was established by mother anddaughter team Rita and Clare, who wereinspired by their difficulties finding HolyCommunion wear in the North West of England.
First Holy Communion and Children’sOccasion Wear from Little Jems
Rita says “We were looking for FirstCommunion dresses, veils, shoes etc. for mygranddaughters, Jessica and Emily, who inspiredthe company name. We found bridal shops withthe odd dress but there was nowhere that gavea choice of styles – so we resorted to theinternet. We found plenty of websites in theUSA and quite a few in the UK but they weremostly in the South of England and there didn'tseem to be anywhere in the North West whichoffered a one-stop shop for First Communionwear. We decided to rectify that and began ourfledgling business”.
Today, Little Jems offer their customers anoutstanding collection of First Communion wearfor the new season from Sarah-Louise, Linzi-Jay,Poinsettia, Sweetie Pie, Emmerling and SweetDarlings, as well as stylish children’s occasionwear (including garments for premature babies)for christenings, weddings and other specialevents.
And, because children like all good things, comein all shapes and sizes – Little Jems offers a dressfitting service to help you make the right choice(by appointment only).
Visit www.littlejemsmanchester.co.uk orcall in at 1 Scott Court, Scott Road, Droylsden,Manchester M43 7UW (Opening hours 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday – closed Sunday andMonday).
To book an appointment for a dress fitting, [email protected] ortelephone 0161 370 9323.
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Skribbies Customisable High Tops– can be drawn on over and overagain! Each shoe box comes witheverything you needwww.scribbies.com
Playtoes bumblebee pram shoes,age 3+ months
www.playtoes.co.uk
Maria Red Patent Leather baby shoewww.vevian.co.uk
Inch Blue Tractor Turquoise softleather baby and toddler shoes
www.inch-blue.com
Victoria Infants Ballerina in pinksatin covered with net roseswww.thesparkleclub.co.uk
FabulousFootwear
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Part ofNewmansFootwear Ltd –established in 1936, TheSparkle Club use many years of experience in the footwear and bagindustry to ensure quality and fitting are high on the agenda.
All of The Sparkle Club’s fabulous girls sparkly party shoes and bags,baby sequin princess shoes and girls red sparkly shoes are createdexclusively by their award winning team of designers and can't be foundon the High Street. For further information visit:
www.thesparkleclub.co.uk
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KIDS’ FASHION
A range of fun baby shoes tostimulate baby’s senses.
Babies love playing withtheir feet!
Play, pull, crinkle, rattle,touch!
If you are looking for beautiful girl's specialoccasion shoes, bags and accessories for youngladies who want to stand out in the crowd, paya visit to The Sparkle Club.
With an extensive range of sparkling ballerinas, wedges andheeled shoes with bags and accessories to
match, at affordable prices – you won’t bedisappointed!
Designed with beautiful princesses inmind (from UK baby size 0 to
older girls size 3), The SparkleClub offer the latest trends
and fabulous colours, allwith beautiful sparkle –in fact the more glitterand sparkle the better!
For Little GirlsWho Love Sparkle
The Sparkle Club is the online storefor little girls and budding princesses– the place that dreams are made of!
With a stunning collection of girlsparty shoes, bags, accessoriesbridesmaid shoes and bridesmaidbags, plus dress-up and gifts, youwill find fabulous styles for everyoccasion.
New lines are added each season toensure that you find the latesttrends and colours, with designscreated exclusively for The SparkleClub that are not available on thehighstreet.
SAVE 10% OFFwith discountcode FAMILY atcheckout.
www.thesparkleclub.co.uk
Playtoes are clever baby shoes thatstimulate baby’s vision andencourage baby to reach, grab andkick, working those muscles! Withevery kick, tug or wiggle, thePlaytoes rattle, squeak and crinkleto keep your baby entertained.
Available fromwww.playtoes.co.uk
Hug & Hatch is a British toddler andkids footwear brand, whichlaunched a year ago, promising toput passion and quality atthe heart of its designs. The two women behind the brand eachhave over 15 years’ experience as shoedesigners and when they had children of their own, were unimpressed
with the usual bows, flowers and pinksfor girls and dull colour palettes forboys. So the pair took the plunge andlaunched Hug & Hatch!
Hug & Hatch is all about the details.And details – the Hug & Hatch way –come in the form of cool tassels,contrast colour stitching, brightlycoloured elastic on ankle boots andcolourful soles, ensuring that kids loveto wear their designs, but importantlythey are good for their feet too.
For more information, visit
www.hugandhatch.com
Hug & Hatch: a footwear brandthat parents can rely on, frompram to playground
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Super cool punk kids top in vibrant yellowwww.babymoos.com
Rockabilly skull and crossbones baby andtoddler dresswww.babymoos.com
Frugi Captain Blue GallopParty Dress
www.welovefrugi.com
Cool AB/CD rock band inspiredlightweight kids hoodiewww.babymoos.com
SpringFashion
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Sue Hall joined Stampin’ Up!as a demonstrator in 2011. Atthe time of joining Sue wasrecovering from two seriouscar accidents which hadprevented her from being ableto work full time.
Sue says:
“I discovered Stampin’ Up in 2010 afterreceiving an invitation from my best friend Gillwho was hosting a Stampin’ Up! party. I quicklydiscovered crafting was something I could dowith my injuries and in that sense it was a realmorale booster. This played a big part in mydecision to become a demonstrator in 2011.
“Once I became a demonstrator I startedrunning small scale crafting classes, largely at therequest of friends. Initially I was apprehensive; Ihad been medically retired for so long I had lostself-confidence but I had nothing to lose so Igave it a go. The classes really grew from thereand I now have attendees that range in age from20 to 86. A great thing about the classes is that Iget to meet people from all walks of life,including professionals, full time mums and evenmembers of the WI. I now run three monthlyclasses from beginner to experienced level.
“As well as meeting a diverse range of people,another advantage of being a Stampin’ Up!Demonstrator is the flexibility it offers. Due tomy injuries I wondered whether I would be ableto manage with the workload, but it didn’tmatter because even with running the businessyou’re not forced into doing too much. You canmake the business as big or small as you want, sowhat you get out of it depends on how muchyou want to put in. The support from thedemonstrator community is also fantastic – ifyou’re looking for inspiration or ideas for yournext crafting class you can always go to yourfellow demonstrators for advice. I have recruitedsix demonstrators to my team and we haveregular team meetings to review their businesses’progress. Having the opportunity to inspire andoffer guidance to others has really enriched mypersonal demonstrator experience.
“My role as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator isalways evolving. Initially it was an extension ofmy interest in crafting, but as the business hasgrown it has become a mixture of a job andhobby. I’m trying to reach a happy mediumwhere I have spare time to enjoy crafting forleisure as well as running the business side ofthings. Moving forward, I would really like tooffer virtual workshops and video tutorials in
order tocomplement my face to faceinteractions like parties and classes. I find I setmyself little targets on a regular basis, ratherthan just one big one.
I really think without Stampin’ Up! I wouldn’t bethe person I am today. I have grown as a personalongside the business, thanks to the support ofmy husband, two children and best friend Gill.Essentially it has given me a focus and helped totake my mind off my injuries and I actually foundthat I am feeling a lot better about myself. As abusiness model, Stampin’ Up! helps you todiscover your personal qualities. I havesomething to give to people and I get so muchback from it. To see the expression on my classattendees’ faces when they’re making their cardsand seeing the end product of their efforts issomething I really take pride in.
Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator StoryBy Sue Hall
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GET CRAFTY
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This year why not getstarted as a Stampin’ Up!demonstrator!Here are 5 reasons to get crafting, sharing andearning in 2015
1. Socialising
There’s nothing like having friends round for acuppa … and a craft! As a Stampin’ Up!demonstrator you’ll always be interacting withpeople and making new friends. From runningworkshops and crafty coffee mornings tohosting creative classes, there’s nothing quitelike the social buzz of being a demonstrator.
2. Being your own boss
As a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator you’ll be incharge of your time, your workload and yourapproach. You’ll be able to set your own goalsbased on what you want to achieve. Plus,there are lots of fun incentives along the wayincluding product treats and even tripsabroad.
3. It’s trendy!
Crafting is having a huge renaissance in theUK at the moment. Crafty programmes on TVand a growth in the popularity of all thingshandmade makes it the perfect time to getinvolved!
4. Flexibility
Do you have a family? A part or full time job?Are you a carer or a busy mum? Being aStampin’ Up! demonstrator is a perfectflexible home-based business that’ll let youstretch your creative, entrepreneurial side. Youchoose the hours to make sure that it fitsaround your lifestyle – not the other wayaround.
5. Gain a few pounds
It’s not your usual goal, but by becoming aStampin’ Up! demonstrator you could findyourself picking up a few extra pounds (the
5 reasons to become a Stampin’ Up! UK Demonstrator in 2015
To find out more about becoming ademonstrator follow this link :
www.stampingup.co.ukYou can also follow Stampin’ Up! onFacebook, Twitter and Pinterest:
www.facebook.com/stampinupuk
@stampinupuk
www.pinterest.com/stampinupuk
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GET CRAFTY
Spring is the time of yearwhere new bulbs begin toshoot and beautiful flowerscome into bloom. It’s a magicaltime of year that can becelebrated with floral crafts,which is why our brand newspring range is so appropriate!
Children willbloom withcreativitywhen they
see thefantastic floralcrafts we have
to offer. FromFlower Foam Glasses (AF330)
which can be decorated using foammarkers, gems and stickers to DaffodilMosaic Coaster Kits (AF202), perfect forputting a ‘spring’ in your step come teatime!
Our colorful array of floral crafts are certain totempt your green-fingered children, yet ourFlower Garden Desk Tidy Kits (AF190)
mean there’s noneed towater, just
add pensand pencils!
Each kit containswooden piecesthat slottogether.
Little onescan explorethe
beginning ofspring through floral-
themed crafts such as our Stained GlassDaffodil Decorations (AF203). Theselovely stained glass effect daffodils kitscontain everything you need,including card shapes in 3designs, colouredcellophane and hangingribbon.
Our seasonal inspiredspring range also includesbrand new Spring FlowerFoam Stickers (AF298), great for ‘budding’
Blooming Marvellous: New Spring Rangeyoung crafters! Add
thesesprightlystickers tocards or
collages for aneye-catchingbouquet effect!
If that wasn’t enough toencourage your little ones to get
crafting, our adorable MiniWooden Flowers(AF204) are sure todo the trick –they’re‘blooming’lovely topersonalise.
Our new springfloral rangemakes it even easierto incorporate beautifulblooms into craft time, so what are you waitingfor? Get crafting before Spring is sprung!
Visit www.bakerross.co.uk
best kind of course!). And after the Christmassplurge, who couldn’t use a bit of extra cash?
So why not make it your aim in 2015 tosocialise, be your own boss, get trendy, getflexible and earn some additional income, allin one go!
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HANDMADE
Once upon a time therewas a little girl who lovedstories, “let’s pretend”games and all the coloursof nature.
When she grew up she loved tomake chairs especially for children.Children like her, who loved stories,“let’s pretend” games and, most ofall, to have their own special chairs.
Chairs they could make friends with, play with and imagine stories.For every chair she wrote a story book and hid it in with the chair.Stories to inspire imagination and just perfect for bedtime stories.
Now everything she does and everything she makes is done “Forchildren, with love”. Come and join the fun on Twitter andFacebook @fairytalechairs. Find more ideas with us on Google+,Pinterest and YouTube.
Fairytale Children’s Furniture, inspiring imaginative play, all madefor children with love.
Visit www.fairytalechildrensfurniture.co.uk for 25%discount on all products, chairs, toys and books, use discountcode MFM25 at the checkout. Offer valid until 31/12/15 (whilestocks last).
Zandra JohnsonFounder of Fairytale Children’s
FurnitureThe Shetland Teddy Bear Company® is a small,award winning family business, making an adorablecollection of traditional jointed heirloom teddybears in the remote Shetland Islands.
The charming little family of Teddy Bears arehandmade from 100% Organic ShetlandWool, which is grown, spun, woven andknitted on the island. Each cuddly bear wearseither a chunky hand knitted scarf, lace scarfor shawl. They are made entirely by hand andeach bear comes with a certificate, handsigned by the artist.
Uradale Bears are thenew addition to the clanand are available in 6Heritage colours madefrom natural plant dyes.Each bear’s heritage isfully traceable back tothe actual field on whichthe wool was grown,Uradale Croft, in theShetland Islands.
To find the perfect teddy bear or a fabulous keepsake gift, visit:www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ShetlandTeddyBearCo or followwww.facebook.com/shetlandteddybears on Facebook
The Perfect Teddy Bear Companion
With years of experience in the textile trade andretailing, it seemed quite surprising to haveuncovered this wonderful product quite naturallyas a busy grandmother.
Modern mums are looking formore, something that looks goodand does the job, better. So, withthat in mind I created several bibsinitially for my granddaughter, shewas a big dribbler! And before Iknew it went into productionretailing on eBay initially andthereafter I formally created theBibble and more recently BibblePlus,our new range of bandana and longlength bibs for older children andadults.
Bibbles are hand-made inNottingham, using a uniquecombination of cotton and fleece,the outer cotton layer absorbs wetnesswhilst the fleece under-layer acts as a barrier,preventing clothing from becoming wet. The 'tunnel'fleece disperses the wetness, creates airflow and allows moisture toevaporate so the bib dries out quickly.
www.bandana-bibs.co.uk
Bibbles Bandana BibsWhether you are treating yourself, kitting out thekids, buying a gift for a loved one or buying foryour home, handmade products are cool, stylish,trendy and often one-of-a kind.
It is so much more fun shoppingfor unusual, quirky items that can’tbe found on the highstreet and inthe age of mass produced goods,buying handmade, especiallylocally can greatly reduce yourcarbon footprint – so you will behelping the environment too.
If you are buying a gift, few aremore appreciated than those that
have been made by hand – the recipient will be delighted that you chosesomething created especially for them! Also, because handmade giftsare rarely mass-produced, it solves the problem of giving an identicalgift as someone else.
Let’s not forget the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that you are helpingto support a skill or trade in a very direct way. Usually you’ll be in directcontact with the person who is making the item for you – which is reallycool!
With so many great reasons to buy handmade goods, we’d like tointroduce you to three talented makers of handmade products – TheShetland Teddy Bear Company, Fairytale Children’s Furnitureand Bibbles Bandana Bibs.
Meet the Makers
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Creating an imaginative room for your childDesigning and decorating akid’s room can be fun andexciting for you and your child.Kids love to be involved inchoosing all the great thingsthat are going into their space.Don’t be timid – you can havereal fun with bold designs andthemes, even in small spaces,but there are a few things tobear in mind along the way.
FurnishingDepending on the function of the room –bedroom, playroom, a space to chill withfriends or all of the aforementioned – you needdecide on the amount of space to allocate toeach of the uses and measure up before youordering furniture.
LightingCreative and well position lighting fixturesmake a child’s room a healthy and inspiringplace to grow, learn and play. Fun, playfullighting helps to make a kid’s room aninteresting, comfortable space and it helpsprevent them developing a fear of the dark.
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COOL KIDS’ ROOMS
www.nubie.co.uk
www.nubie.co.uk
www.nubie.co.uk
www.beckyandlolo.co.uk
www.wingreen.co.uk
www.wingreen.co.uk
StorageAlso think about storage – most kids haveloads of stuff and there are some great storagesolutions that stylishly combine function, forexample – a bed and desks that transform tosave space. Consider using the back of doorsand under bed storage as these are often awasted spaces.
Window dressingPay special attention to how windows aredressed so that you can make the most ofnatural light, especially in winter. Plantationshutters look great in a playroom, bedroom ornursery – if your little one is up at sunrise andyou would like them to sleep a little longer trya blackout blind. Most importantly make sureblinds for all the rooms in your house are childsafe.
Get CreativeUpcycle and use items that your child alreadyhas to add a personal touch – not all toys andpersonal items need to be stored away, let yourchild choose a few of their favourite items todisplay. Make use of items you may alreadyhave like bunting, throws and cushions to addfamiliarity to the space.
Bring it all togetherFinally, if you are struggling to put everythingtogether, it is a good idea to create a moodboard filled with the furniture designs, colours,textures, styles and accessories that you andyour child love, so that you can see everythingcome together bit by bit before you begin.
ColourResearch shows that colour has the ability toinspire, excite, sooth and even agitate, somecolours are thought to have an effect oncreativity and even on a child’s reading speedand comprehension. If your child has a veryclear view of a colour that makes them feelrested, happy or even inspired that’s great, butif not, the best approach may be to use accentsof colour throughout the room.
Wall to Wall FunGive your child’s room a fresh feel with funkywallpaper with fun designs, colours andpatterns. Plain walls can be transformed usingwall art, stickers and posters, to personaliseyou child’s space with their favourite theme.
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COOL KIDS’ ROOMS
Looking for something different? Somethingfor twins? Something they can play with, read
in and treasure as their own special chair?
Every chair comes with its own illustratedstory book, perfect for encouraging littleones to read.
Child’s wooden rockingchair with illustrated
story book: £149
www.fairytalechildrensfurniture.co.uk
SAVE 25% OFFall products –use discount
code MFM25 atthe checkout
Valid until 31/12/15
Traditional jointed bears handmade using100% Shetland organic wool.
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ShetlandTeddyBearCo
THESHETLANDTEDDY BEARCOMPANY TM
SAVE 10%by using discountcode MYFAM10
at checkout
It can be difficult to finda storage solution forchild’s room that keepskids clutter at bay andlooks good too.
But look no further – thecreators of the award winningSnuggle Sac sleeping baghave come up with a handyand stylish way to keep a child’s room neat.
Bed Tidies tie onto the legs of any bed (including a bunk bed) andhave four large appliqued pockets that are roomy enough forteddies, books and small toys.
Not only do they manage to keep essentials close at hand, they alsocreate a lovely hidden storage space under the bed!
They can also be teamed up with a Snuggle Sac to create awelcoming and cosy space for tots to teens.
Bed Tidies are priced at £27.00 and available in 3 fun designs – Blueand White Spots, Navy stars and the popular Pirate design.
My Family readers can SAVE 10% OFF by using code MF10at the checkout when you order from
www.snugglesac.com
Bed Tidies – the smartstorage solution for kids
Talk to us about child-safe blinds and shutters for your child’s nursery,bedroom and playroom.
We offer an extensive range of blinds including Verticals, Venetians,Romans, Pleated, VELUX and Woven Wood Blinds
Specialists in shaped Conservatory Roof Blinds and WoodenPlantation Shutters
Also a wide range of Awnings – Manual, Motorised, Automatic andAwnings with Lights
Call for a Free Quotation:0116 277 6749 or 0771 833 7048
www.countesthorpe-blinds.co.uk
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COOL KIDS’ ROOMS
Happy Hopperz, are the multiaward winning and brightlycoloured inflatable animals,which take bouncing to a wholenew level! Not only do theyprovide hours of entertainment,they are great exercise and helpstrengthen core muscles andcoordination skills!
A Fun Addition toa Child’s Room
Perfect for indoors as well as outside, a HappyHopper promises to brighten every nursery orbedroom. The perfect mode of transport forgoing from room to room or a comfortable seatfor reading, a Happy Hopper is sure to make abedroom a better place to be.
Everything youneed for a gender
neutral nursery
The 5 Piecebedding balefeatures thebeautifulCountingSheep designquilt andbumper set,plus fitted sheet,soft and snugglyfleece blanket andembroidered cushion.
Their new collection also consists of 5 fun duvetand pillowcase sets to capture the imaginationsof children and parents alike. The beautiful softcolour palettes of the Tweet Dreams andSweet Pea collections create the prettiestenvironment for any little princess whilst thecool and contemporary design of the UrbanFox collection will be a sure hit withmischievous boys. The fun and funky Rocks 'n'Spots and Ellefunk collections are designed toappeal to both boys and girls and will instantlybrighten up the plainest of rooms.
baroo believe that parenthood is an adventurelike no other, which is why they have tried tomake things that little bit easier for new parentsby offering beautiful co-ordinating accessoriesto compliment each range such as crib and cotbump pods and coverlets, and essentials such ashooded towels, nursing pillows, muslins andburp cloths. Everything you need to create astylish and practical nursery.
You can view the new collections on their newlylaunched website
www.baroo.co.uk
IntroducingOlli Ella
Established in 2010, iconicnursery brand Olli Ella wasfounded by sisters Chloe andOlivia Brookman who set out tocreate an aspirational yetlivable collection of nurseryand home décor, rugs, textiles,and storage solutions.
Olli Ella has made a name for itself bycreating a collection that is playful, iconic,beautifully crafted and above all, pieces thatare designed to look great not only in thenursery but in any room in the home.
The collection launched with three iconicgliding nursing chairs, made in England.Their modern and stylish design immediatelycaused a stir among parents and design-mavens alike. Within months the brand hadgarnered a devoted following whichincluded celebrity mums and royalty.
In the year following Olli Ella introduced itsdebut collection of organic baby bedding,made in England in a 200 year old-family-run mill. Modern, playful designs feature onbedding sets for babies and children as wellas complimentary bumpers, swaddles,blankets, towels and sleeping bags.
Since this time the collection has expandedto include a range of complimentary décorpieces, such as wall art, felt garlands, hand-woven storage baskets, contemporarywooden side tables, soft wool rugs and handmade floor cushions. Everything you need tocreate a modern space for your child withoutcompromising on your own style!
www.olliella.com
The soft grey design of baroo’sCounting Sheep bedding bale is theperfect solution for those whowant a more neutral theme fortheir nursery.
The recently launched Playful Puppies are setto be a favourite for 2015. The two newcharacters are available in pink and blue, and arecertainly a great alternative for every little onehoping for a real puppy!
Priced £21.99 available from
www.happyhopperz.co.uk
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Playtoes are unique pramshoes that have beendesigned with highcontrast colours, patternsand interactive characterthemed add-ons.
These stimulate baby’s vision andencourages baby to reach, graband kick, working those muscles!With every kick, tug or wiggle, thePlaytoes rattle, squeak and crinkle to keep your baby entertained.
Starting at around 4 months old babies love to play with their feetand this continues until they become more mobile and begin to
crawl. Playtoes beautifulstitched design feature,bright colours, interestingsounds and shiny surfacesare sure to grab yourbaby’s attention andencourage learning duringthis important stage ofdevelopment.
Priced at £22.00 fromwww.playtoes.co.uk
PLAY & LEARN
Many of us have great childhoodmemories of playing outdoors –climbing trees, building dens,inventing new games – these areall things that contribute to ahappy, healthy upbringing.
Play should be at the heart of children’severyday life but it seems that parentalconcerns about safety, less natural space toplay, increased distractions from electronicdevices and a number of other side effects ofthe modern age; there has been a decline inthe number of children playing outside, withfewer than 1 in 10 children regularly playing inwild spaces, versus about half a generationago.
Only half of seven year olds are getting thehour of exercise that they need every dayaccording to research by the UCL Institute ofChild Health. Time playing outside during theweek and at weekends has halved in onegeneration and children are more inclined tostay indoors and watch television, playcomputer games and even do their homework,than go outside to play - According to the JCBKids Fresh Air Campaign 2013 .
With increased concern about the mental andphysical health of youngsters today, it’s moreimportant than ever to encourage kids to playoutdoors. Letting children go out to play is oneof the best things that parents can do for theirchildren's health – outdoor play uses morecalories than clubs and tuition, and children
who play outside score higher onconcentration and self-discipline, do better inreading, writing, maths, science and socialstudies, and are better at working in teams.
The arrival of springtime provides the perfectopportunity to give your kids a nudge over thethreshold and out into the wonderful worldbeyond. There are so many play opportunitiesto explore outdoors – even on rainy days!
Time to Play Outdoors
Shoes that StimulateBaby’s Senses
Scootaheadz is delightedto announce the arrival ofa new character to theirclan of scooter buddies.
Due to popular demand, the team has created Cheeky Charly, afabulous Brown Pony to join their collection of cartoon-like animalheads that attach to the T-bars of scooters.
Following the incredible success of his sisters Lovely Lola and Pippathe Pony, and Dinosaur cousins Timmy the T-Rex and Danny theDino, the team wanted to introduce another colour to the rangethat would appeal to boys and girls alike. Cheeky Charly is a brownpony with silver stars on his cheeks and is set to be very popular!
The scooter craze is certainly here to stay and it’s no wonderchildren love personalising their rides with an animal buddy.Scootaheadz are not only a lot of fun, they are some of the mostpractical scooter accessories about. They are 100% waterproof,durable, solid and easy to clean so they’ll survive all sorts ofweather, the rough and tumble of the school playground and lastfor years and years.
Priced £14.99 from www.scootaheadz.com, Amazon, andwww.notonthehighstreet.com.
IntroducingCheeky Charly forScooter Crazy Kids
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They found the treasure – can you?Watch your little ones delight in hours of treasure-hunting magic with 5 star rated treasure hunt game,Gotrovo!
Perfect for play-dates, parties, or special one-to-onetime, it’s the stuff memories are made of. You couldeven lay a trail to the Easter Eggs!
Recommended Age: 3+ • £19.95 including free P&P
www.gotrovo.uk
Have you ever sat in afriend's house andnoticed how many of thesame children's toys youown? Well, if you'recraving somethingoriginal which offersgreat healthy fun, we'vegot just the thing!
Gotrovo, the Treasure Hunt gameis a unique, five-star rated game, offering fun (and a dash of
learning!) for all ages and all seasons. Perfect forparties, play dates, magical one-to-one momentsor sibling togetherness, it's the stuff memoriesare made of. Using one of two gorgeoustreasure maps, children make their wayalong a trail of picture, word, riddle orrole-play clues, collecting golden coinsalong the way, until they find the goldentreasure bar. Who knows what little treatmight be hidden beneath!
With Easter looming, just think of the funto be had with your Easter egg hunts!And the fantastic Gotrovo Mini which includes 100 reusable cluecards, winners stickers and full instructions is perfect for Easter Huntsand limitless treasure hunting fun all year round. So bring that extra joyto your little ones, and something new to your household, fromwww.gotrovo.uk.
www.facebook.com/gotrovo
Gotrovo for indoor & outdoor fun
PLAY & LEARN
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The ‘Read On. Get On’ Campaignwas launched last September bySave the Children with the aimof ensuring all 11 year olds willleave primary school being ableto read well by 2025.
At the moment, only 75% of 11 year olds areable to read well. ‘Read On. Get On’ isgathering momentum, with a coalition of headteachers, teachers, parents, politicians,celebrities and the wider community comingtogether to help children become better readers.
One of the four key campaign areas is tosupport children before they start school tohelp them develop good early language skills.Children start acquiring language andcommunication skills from the moment they areborn. The early language skills children developin the pre-school years are the platform theyneed when they go on to learn to read later.
Research carried out by Newcastle University aspart of the ‘Read On. Get on’ Campaigndemonstrates how important the early years of achild’s life are. Although it is possible to catchup, it is still the case that if children start schooland are behind with their early language skills,they are more likely to be behind with theirreading at the age of 11.*
How we can help:Just because your child is not yet learning toread, it does not mean that it is too early to startlaying the foundations for this important step.
Reading aloud to your child is the single mostimportant activity for building the knowledgerequired for learning to read. The benefits areendless. Reading aloud to your child helpsdevelop a rich vocabulary which ultimately helpswith their own reading, listening andcomprehension skills resulting in later schoolsuccess.
Although it is quite hard to imagine, somechildren start school not knowing which way upa book goes, or how to turn the pages.
Becoming familiar with books andunderstanding how books work is an importantstage of learning to read and should start asearly as possible. Research shows that childrenfrom homes containing many books are morelikely to develop a high interest in booksthemselves. Pre-school children who are read tofrequently will gradually learn how books work– i.e. that a book has a front and back and thatyou read from left to right. As children get older,it is also good to point other things out, such as– that words are made up of letters and thereare spaces between the words. As children startto learn letters and sounds, they can have funpointing out letters that they recognise. Childrenmay also start to recognise high frequencywords such as ‘and’ and ‘the’.
Reading aloud to your children should be ahappy and enjoyable time. It can sometimes betempting to race through a bedtime story asquick as possible so that you can put the lightout and begin the ‘child free’ part of yourevening. If possible, start the whole processearlier so that there is time for children tointerrupt and ask questions about the story – orat least have time at the end of the book todiscuss the story properly. Making readingsessions more interactive will stimulate yourchild's comprehension.
Try wordless books. Children (and parents) canbecome obsessed with the amount of words ona page, or pages in a book as everyone strivesfor the next step in their reading journey.Wordless books are very beneficial tochildren’s language development andreading and should not be dismissed.Research has shown that when parents readwordless books, they tend to use richerlanguage, more complex sentences andlonger phrases than those who read a printedstory. Wordless books allow children to tellstories themselves from different perspectives,
encouraging them to use their own words. Theyoften promote discussion more than books withwords, which leads to better comprehension.Wordless books are brilliant for pre-readers, whocan actually read and understand a book all bythemselves. Beginner readers, who find readingbooks with words hard work and frustratinglystilted are able to read wordless books fluently(using their own words). They also learn thatclues to a story can be found in the pictures,which is a useful reading strategy to help themwhen reading text.
Reading, writing and oral language abilitiesactually all develop together, beginning from themoment of birth and evolve gradually over time.Introducing books and reading to your childrenfrom the earliest age will give them the bestpossible start. Don’t stress about trying to teachyour children to be able to read themselves bythe time they start school, but try to give themthe grounding of a familiarity and love of books,which will put them in a good place for laterreading and school success.
For more information and to sign the Read onGet on petition visit
www.readongeton.org.uk.
For reading advice and access to a wide range ofreading books visit
www.readingchest.co.uk.
Early Building Blocks forReading Success
by Liz Walker, founder of Reading Chest
INSPIRING YOUNG MINDS
*Read on Get on report, published by Save the Children 2014.
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No, not a new use for the organof hearing, but if you sit with asmall child looking at books,magazines or junk mail; in factanything with words andpreferably pictures, you willboth be looking at andprobably pointing to picturesand saying what the picture is.
“Reading” should be fun and a special timeof closeness. It can be a relaxing end to theday before bedtime, a distraction on a longtrain or air journey or a way to distract andcomfort. If you point to the words as youread simple picture books the child will beginto remember both the verbal story and theshape of the words and recognise them inother books.
I used to make shopping lists for my smalldaughter. Her shopping list had simplewords on it like Bread, Milk, Butter, Jam,Apples, and beside each word I drew apicture of the item
At home we played a game wherewe left messages for each other.The words she knew and one newword were written on largepieces of paper and laid on thefloor as a message. “Where isteddy?” A treasure hunt withword clues to find teddydeveloped into wordsbeing placed in simplesentences as clues.
It was all part oflearning to read and itstarted with hearing thewords first. Reading is sucha joy and a wonderfulworld of imaginationand knowledgeawaits. If it ispleasurable fromthe start evenreading difficultieswill be overcome.
Children learn to read with their earsby Zandra Johnson, founder of Fairytale Children’s Furniture
Fast becoming the nations favorite newborn toy,Babycademy’s Music Time kit, is the parentingtoolkit which has truly revolutionized the play andlearning experiences for baby in their first year.
The clever tool kit, which has been created with the support of aleading child psychologist and is suitable from birth, is aninspirational resource providing parents with everything they need toencourage teaching through quality playtime.
The unique development toy is helping parents countrywide to trusttheir instincts and find the confidence to provide great play.Babycademy not only gives parents the tools to initiate stimulating,educational activities, but the product also encourages families to
take time out from the pressures of everydaylife to engage with their baby.
The invaluable Music Time kit, the first in theBabycademy series, comes with ten pre-prepared lesson plans, as well an interactiveCD of original music, an enchanting story
book, a wooden rattle, Wilson theWhistling Tree Frog hand puppet
and a silky scarf for sensoryplay
Available from Amazon and
www.babycademy.co.ukfor £49.99
Babies Play & Learn with Babycademy
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The number of children receivingprivate tuition continues to growyear on year. The benefits oftuition are vast, and can includeincreased confidence, a greaterlove of learning and improvedacademic attainment.
The research showed that “Explore Learningmembers’ improvement in maths was 30%higher than that of the comparison groupafter controlling for gender, age, year group andspecial educational needs.” The study alsofound that “Building confidence, overcomingshyness to put up their hand to ask for help,being more independent and less reluctant to trywithout assistance were all elements thatparents recognised in their children and directlyattributed to Explore Learning.”
Parents that use the service echo the benefits ofextra tuition such as Explore Learning:
"My two sons have contrastingabilities and both have benefitedfrom attending Explore. It hasgiven them confidence in coresubjects and highlighted areasthey need help in. They have bothimproved considerably over theyear. Explore employ helpful andapproachable tutors who makelearning fun. They rememberevery child individually and givethem great encouragement."
K. Waterhouse, Parent
Could your child benefit from extra tuition?
The tuition company Explore Learning recentlycommissioned the University of Reading toconduct an efficacy study in order to provideindependent proof of the benefits of ExploreLearning Tuition.
www.explorelearning.co.uk
An environment that children enjoyMapped to the National Curriculum
Open 7 days a week
For 5 to 14 year olds of all abilities
Maths & English tuition
Book your free trial today!
Explore Learning has over 90 centres nationwide. Visit www.explorelearning.co.uk/FindCentre or call
01483 447410 to find your nearest centre.
Explore Learning has centres across the UK – tryus for free to find out how your family canbenefit!
To book your free trial, visit
www.explorelearning.co.ukor call 01483 44710.
INSPIRING YOUNG MINDS
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Why not try a break with adifference and pick up somenew skills while on holiday inBritain? From circus training tochocolate making, LatinAmerican dancing to zookeeper,you can turn your hand tosomething extraordinary!
Try Something NEW while on
Holiday in Britain
Add an extra dimension to your holiday byexploring a rich variety of learning experiences.Whether you’re athletic or cerebral,adventurous or creative, there’s ampleopportunity to embrace something new ordeepen existing knowledge, all with a uniqueBritish twist.
Food and Drink
Master bread-baking or chocolate-making,four-course lavish meals or one-pot wonders atthe cookery courses run by Betty’s famousYorkshire tea rooms in the north of England.Courses such as Baking with Chocolate,Effortless Entertaining, or the ChocolateBox – where you can learn the delicate art ofhand tempering, creating indulgent fillings,hand dipping and different finishes.
NatureKnown for its green and pleasant land, ruggedlandscapes and beautiful parks, Britain is theperfect place to discover more about gardening.Situated in the south-west county of Cornwall –a haven of spectacular beaches, diminutivevillages, dramatic coastlines and mouth-watering cream teas – is the Eden Project.This unique attraction contains the world’slargest greenhouse and its horticulturalists andscientists offer half-day or full-day coursesteaching a wide variety of horticultural topicsfrom garden sculpture, foraging andbeekeeping to hands-on practical experience.
While wine and cheese are often happy culinarypartners, the School of Artisan Food inNottinghamshire has launched a course on themore unusual collaboration of beer and cheese.Participants learn about British artisan cheesespaired with traditional ales from the WelbeckAbbey Brewery. And if you feel like working upyour appetite first, the cooking school issituated in the heart of Sherwood Forest, famedfor its association with Robin Hood and a greatplace to explore nature walks.
Performing ArtsThrill-seekers may be interested in turning theirhand to studying circus skills. Bristol is home toCircomedia, where you can learn to juggle,walk the tight-wire or fly through the air on atrapeze. The school is just a leap away fromsome of the city’s main attractions too,including the world-famous, iconic CliftonSuspension Bridge designed by IsambardKingdom Brunel and SS Great Britain, which healso designed. London’s Circus Space isanother good choice for those wanting to trysomething different; the school runs ExperienceDays that will unlock your inner trapeze-artist.
Brought your dancing shoes? Whether itsballroom or Latin American, jazz to Bollywood,the world-famous Pineapple Dance Studios(www.pineapple.uk.com) in London offers aclass to meet every taste and, as all of theclasses are open, you can just drop in and take aclass, whatever your experience.
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AWAY WITH THE KIDS
Animal lovers, meanwhile, can experience theins and outs of zookeeping for the day at one ofBritain’s excellent zoos. Edinburgh Zoo –home to two giant pandas, the first to live inBritain for 20 years – offers the chance to helpwith daily animal feeds and watch animaltraining.
Experience life on a working farm, with a luxurystay at Wheatacre Hall Barns – situated onthe Burroughs family farm on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. See where your daily pint comesfrom – with milking demonstrations uponrequest, and younger visitors will love findingout about all the farm’s new arrivals, with aclose and personal view of the farm animals.
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If you are looking to break away from the hustle andbustle of everyday life, a visit to Wheatacre Hall Barnscould be just what you are looking for.
luxury, well equipped self-cateringaccommodation, for couples andfamilies alike. Each barn boasts itsown private garden and furnishedpatio area with barbecue, whereguests can relax and enjoy diningalfresco.
There is a play barn to keep under5’s amused and for more energeticmembers of the family there is agames room, fitness barn andplenty of grassy areas for footballand other outdoor games. Childrenare sure to love visiting the animalson the farm and the abundance ofwildlife and birdlife will delight thenature lovers of the family. TheWheatacre site has extensive riverfrontage for fishing and there arenetwork of walks varying in lengthamid the picturesque landscape.
Take A Family-Friendly
Farm Break
Nestling in the charming southNorfolk countryside, amongstrolling farmland and hiddenwaterways – the attractive clusterof eight barns on the Burroughsfamily working dairy and arablefarm, provides the perfect spot torelax, unwind and enjoy thetranquillity of country life.
Wheatacre Hall Barns have beentastefully restored with stylish andcomfortable interiors to create
To find out more or to check availability visitwww.wheatacrehallbarns.co.uk or telephone 01502 677208
Things to seeand do . . .
Norfolk and Suffolk food producehas a great reputation which issure to tickle the taste buds! Thosewho fancy eating out will enjoyvisiting the quality, local pubs orrestaurants that these twofabulous counties have to offer.
The fine medieval city of Norwichhas a magnificent cathedral, castlewith museum, cinemas, theatre,independent shops and a coveredmarket, perfect for combining aspot of retail therapy with a littlesightseeing.
Just 45 minutes by car – this awardwinning BeWILDerwood withmagical Treehouses, zip wires,jungle bridges, Crocklebogs,Twiggles and Boggles, boat tripsand marsh walks, offers abrilliantly exciting day out.
A warm welcome awaits you at Fox Valley Cottages,located in the beautiful countryside of south eastCornwall. The sweet little cluster of 11 self-cateringcottages and apartments offers the perfect base forfamilies to explore this wonderful part of the world.
Kids can let off steam at theoutdoor play area where they arefree to run around, kick a ball orplay cricket – there is a trampolineand a Jungle Jim with swings and aslide. Little ones will love FoxValley’s furry residents, Dec theguinea pig and Tufty & Chestnutthe rabbits, plus a number ofchicken and ducks, who arelooking forward to meeting themtoo!
A Child Friendly Holiday
in Cornwall
The properties on the complexcater for 2 – 6 guests and arecomfortably furnished and wellequipped. Out in the garden thereis a terrace furnished with sunloungers, plenty of gardenfurniture and a barbeque for thoseevenings when you fancy cookingalfresco.
If you fancy a splash about withthe kids, pop on down to the poolroom to take a swim or simplyenjoy relaxing in the Sauna andSpa. In the Games room you willfind a Pool Table, Table Tennis andTable Football plus an area to keepyounger children entertained.
For further information visit www.foxvalleycottages.co.uk [email protected] or telephone: 01726 870115
Things to seeand do . . .
You are never far away from thewater in South East Cornwall,there are boat trips to suiteverybody, from a ferry ride crossthe Looe River to cruises up theRiver Tamar and many of thecoastal villages offer fishing trips.
Cornwall’s Gardens are knownaround the world for the diversecollections of plants. The EdenProject may be the most wellknown, but places like Heligan,Trevarno, Trebah and MtEdgcumbe should not be missed,especially in the spring whenrhododendrons, camellias andazaleas burst into flower.
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Set in 230 acres of open farmland on the border ofNorth Yorkshire and the Tees Valley, Blackthorn GateLuxury Lodges are the perfect destination for couplesand families who are looking actively reduce theirimpact on the environment, without compromising ontheir holiday enjoyment.
You don’t have to travel far toenjoy the rugged beauty of thearea – there are five wildlife pondsand all lodges have fabulous viewsof Roseberry Topping. Enjoyexclusive fishing access to thefarm’s three fully stocked ponds ortake a wander around the farmlooking out for wildlife, then relaxin your private sauna, play pool ortable tennis in the games room orjust unwind on your veranda witha drink and a bite to eat.
An eco-friendly break at
Blackthorn Gate
The eco-friendly pine lodges offerexcellent self-cateringaccommodation with fully fittedkitchen, a comfortable living roomwith a dining area, masterbedroom with en-suite showerroom, second bedroom, separatebathroom and a sauna. Two storeylodges ‘Skylark’ and ‘Lapwing’sleep five people, and have a largewet room shower area suitable forwheelchair users – single storey‘Curlew’ and ‘Chaffinch’ sleep upto four people.
For more information visit www.blackthorngate.co.uk
Things to seeand do . . .
Delve into the rich history of thearea’s stately homes and gardensor explore 500 square miles ofstunning heather moorland,woodland, dales and coastline theNorth Yorkshire Moors NationalPark has to offer.
Experience the thrill of a full sizesteam locomotive, or the power ofa diesel engine on a nostalgicjourney through spectacularcountryside on the North YorkshireMoors Railway. You can even fit insome retail therapy – shopping inYork or The Metro Centre is lessthan an hour away.
For more information visitwww.fenfarm.co.uk or telephone 01206 383275
Situated just off the Essex coastline, around 10 milesfrom Colchester, you will find the unique and largelyundiscovered holiday haven, Mersea Island.
loos, a laundry and shower blockwith solar powered water heatingand a family sized shower roomthat provides plenty of space forparents to attend to little ones atshower time.
Recognised for the work done toprotect the environment in andaround the campsite with theDavid Bellamy Gold ConservationAward, Fen Farm is a populardestination for those wanting aneco-retreat.
A great place to escape thedistractions of everyday life, thesites proximity to the Essexmarshes provides a unique andtranquil atmosphere. At Fen Farmkids can enjoy themselves withouthaving to switch anything on orboot up! There are play areas withswings, seesaws and climbingframes, plus plenty of wide-openspace to explore.
Eco Friendly Camping on
Mersea Island
One of Britain’s best-kept secrets,this tiny island is just 5 miles by 2miles and has 12 miles of coastline.
Located in a peaceful, rural setting,in the southeast of the island youwill find Fen Farm Caravan andCamping Site. This small yet well-appointed campsite offers itsguests a warm and friendlywelcome. Owned by The Lordfamily since 1918, the site catersfor tents, trailer tents, touringcaravans and motor homes of anysize and boasts award winning
Things to seeand do . . .
Fen Farm Camping and CaravanSite is within walking distance of awonderful south facing beach. InWest Mersea you will find shops,cafes, a museum and restaurants,many of which sell the famousMersea Native oysters. Take to thewater for a spot of sailing,
windsurfing, kite surfing, fishing ortry crabbing – you haven't been toMersea properly until you havebeen crabbing in the creek!!
For nature lovers – CudmoreGrove Country Park is very closeby and the renowned FingringhoeWick nature reserve is just 6 milesaway. Abberton Reservoir with itsabundance of water birds is alsowell worth the 10 minute driveand guests at Fen Farm can enjoydiscount entry to nearbyColchester Zoo.
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Picnic on the beaches,stargaze the night skies,munch on pub lunches inpicturesque villages – as wehead towards finer weatherit’s time to explore the variedactivities brought to you bythe British countryside!
Reach for the starsNavigate the night skies in Scotland’s Dark SkyPark. Part of the 75,000-hectare GallowayForest Park, in south-west Scotland, GallowayForest Dark Sky Park was the first in Britain to beaccredited by the International Dark SkyAssociation. The visitor centre runs regularevents such as Stargazing for Beginners insummer – for more information visitwww.forestry.gov.uk/darkskygalloway
Pack up a picnicWhen the sun’s shining, it’s a great time togather a few friends and family together andhead out for a picnic. It’s a tradition that is lovedby Brits throughout the UK – we even have ourown National Picnic Week in June! Theorganisers of this annual celebration of outdooreating chose its top 15 UK picnic spot for lastyear, which incorporated stunning coastallocations such as Barafundle Beach inPembrokeshire, west Wales, city spots, includingLondon’s Somerset House, and heritage sights,such as Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire, northernEngland. For information visitwww.nationalpicnicweek.co.uk
Take to the waterFrom gentle canal cruises to swimming in riversand over to leisure sports on lakes, Britain’swaters offer recreational opportunities for all.But to get the adrenaline pumping head toWales, the birthplace of coasteering – to makethe most of Wales’s spectacular coastline, takepart in a unique mixture of shore-scrambling,rock-hopping, cave-exploring, swell-riding andcliff-jumping. Book through an accreditedoperator, such as Anglesey Adventures:www.angleseyadventures.com.
Relax on a Blue Flag beachNational Trust-managed Portstewart Strand,in Northern Ireland’s County Londonderry, is oneof the destination’s most picturesque beaches.Two miles of golden sand are backed by anancient dune system that is a haven for wildlifeand flowers, where clearly marked nature trailsinvite you to explore. Visitwww.nationaltrust.org.uk/portstewart-strand for further information.
Nuzzle up to nature at awildlife reserveWolves and wildcats, polar bears and redpandas, you’ll meet Scottish wildlife and theendangered animals of the mountains andtundra from across the world at the HighlandsWildlife Park, close to Aviemore in northernScotland. Hop in a Land Rover to experienceindigenous wildlife and rare species, or embarkon a photography tour with a guide and enjoy‘behind the scenes’ treatment, where you canphotograph the tigers and the polar bear whilethey eat their early morning breakfast. Whatevertour you take, you’ll enjoy the magnificent wildscenery of the surrounding countryside. Visitwww.highlandwildlifepark.org for furtherinformation.
7 activities to make the mostof Britain's great outdoors
Visit a glorious gardenA nation of garden lovers, Britain is home tosome of the most famous green spaces in theworld. The Lost Gardens of Heligan inCornwall, are bursting with history and offervisitors 200 acres to explore, including a lushsub-tropical jungle, Victorian productivegardens, romantic pleasure grounds and apioneering wildlife project. Find out more atwww.heligan.com
Visit a quintessential BritishvillageThe British countryside is peppered with picture-postcard pretty villages and you’d be hardpressed to visit the destination withouthappening upon one, each with their ownunique charm. Tintern, in the Wye Valley Areaof Outstanding Natural Beauty (straddling theborder between England and Wales), is just oneexample; take in the spectacular ruins of TinternAbbey – the best preserved medieval abbey inWales – explore the dramatic natural landscapesthat surround the village, enjoy wine-tasting atits Parva Wine Vineyard or feast on a traditionalSunday lunch at one of the village inns. For moreinformation visit www.tinternvillage.co.uk
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AWAY WITH THE KIDS
Calvert Trust Exmoor enables people of any ability toexperience challenging and enjoyable activity adventures
with family and friends.At our fully accessible residential centre all activities arespecifically designed and equipped to cater for everyone.
Stay with us for a few days, a week, or just for the day; come and discover it's what you CAN do that Counts!
01598 763221 [email protected]/exmoor
Calvert Trust Exmoor is the South West’s premieraccessible outdoor activity destination, welcoming over4,000 guests a year with the philosophy of “At CalvertTrust Exmoor it’s what you CAN do that counts”.
fully accessible accommodationoffers H-track hoists, mobile hoists,shower chairs, electric beds,trembler pads, and other loanequipment to make your stay morecomfortable regardless of yourdisability.
To find out more take a look at theirwebsite – www.calvert-trust.org.uk/exmoor or call thecentre on 01598 763221.
The centre enables people of allages and any level of ability toexperience exciting and enjoyableoutdoor activity adventures,together with their families &friends.
The only 5 star activityaccommodation in the country, thecentre is accredited by the NationalAccessible Scheme, and isVisitEngland’s ‘Access for All’ goldaward winner for 2014.
Holidays include a structuredprogramme of exciting activitiestailored to the needs of each guest;activities on offer include climbing,archery, horse riding, wheelchairabseiling, carriage driving, sailing,accessible cycling and many others.
Facilities on site included ahydrotherapy swimming pool,Jacuzzi, children’s play area, gamesroom, bar and sensory room. The
Accessible Family HolidaysMake some fantastic family memoriesin glorious Devon or stunning Cornwall
courtesy of Richardson Hotels
WIN a family stay at either The Grosvenor Hotel inTorquay, Devon or The Falmouth Hotel in Cornwallboth recent recipients of the Child FriendlyMatters Award, both with indoor and outdoor playareas and pools and with plenty of games andactivities to keep the young ones entertained.
Our winning family of two adultsand two children will enjoy twonights’ comfortable accommodationwith full Westcountry breakfast eachmorning and a three-course dinnereach evening.
Both hotels are members of theRichardson Hotels’ collection of five superb seafront properties, situatedon or close to the Devon and Cornwall coasts, with fine and casual diningoptions and close to many attractions and beaches.
For a chance to win this great prize*, just email your name, address andcontact number to [email protected] before midnighton 31st March 2015.
READER OFFER:And all readers can save 20%** off the KidsGo Free rate for two nights’ dinner, bed andbreakfast at the characterful 47-bedroom3-star Grosvenor Hotel or the 71-bedroom3-star grand dame, Falmouth Hotel duringthe February or May half term holidays.
The Grosvenor is the perfect family holiday base from which to explorethe English Riviera with plenty of family activities and local attractions,plus 22 miles of coastline with gloriously sandy beaches.
Meanwhile the Falmouth Hotel is perfect for visiting the area’s manyattractions, including the National Maritime Museum, Gweek SealSanctuary and the Eden Project.
For more details or to book, call 0800 005 2244, quotingreference:MF01 or e-mail: [email protected] the same reference.
For full details of the Grosvenor Hotel and the Falmouth Hotel visit:www.richardsonhotels.co.uk
* Prize for two adults and two children, aged 15 or under, valid until July 31, 2015,subject to availability BUT MUST BE BOOKED BY 1ST MAY 2015
** Offer – based on a minimum 2-night stay and a maximum of 2 adults and 2 children(under 15 yrs) sharing a family room – valid during 2015 February and May half termholidays, subject to availability of allocated rooms and new bookings only.
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:52 Page 26
We all love the annual holiday –whether it be an Easter breakor you’re patiently waiting for asummer vacation – if a toddler’sin tow you will want to be fullyprepared to ensure things runsmoothly!
FoodCarry a supply of biscuits, water, juice andhealthy snacks for your toddler. Raisins are greatfor keeping little hands and minds occupied forquite awhile and also carry milk packets (theUHT small packets) yourself.
HealthIf your child has a cold it’s a good idea to see adoctor before the flight to check if your child isfit to fly. Toddlers flying with a cold canexperience terrible pain during take-off andlanding and it’s also dangerous to their eardrumstoo!
ClothesAlways carry a change of clothes for your childand it is a good idea to carry a change of top/t-shirt for yourself too. You never know whenyou will need it . . .
BooksIt’s always a great idea to carry reading books(new ones as well as old favourites), colouringbooks and crayons, as well as an ipod with theirfavourite songs and stories to listen to.
If you can carry aportable DVD
player they areusually a bighit withtoddlers too toprovidechoice frombooks andtoys!
Games to playBesides packing a few great new travel toys thatyour toddler hasn’t seen before, you’ll want tohave some airplane activities that won’t break,get lost or cost the earth
Pack a goody bag filled with things like playdough, a few blocks, some small board books, alittle car or your toddler’s favourite teddy. Youcould wrap each item in wrapping paper a fewtimes too and play pass the parcel with them, toadd to the fun and excitement.
Put some fun pictures onto your digital cameraof the people and places you are going to visit orpictures of a recent trip you’ve been on, like tothe zoo, for your child to look at. During theflight, you can relive the fun and tell storiesabout where/who you’re visiting.
When the flight attendant delivers drinks, ask fora cup, a couple ice cubes, and a straw. There areendless games you can make up with thiscombination as ice is fascinating to toddlers.Make sure that the ice doesn’t end up in theirmouth though as it is a choking hazard.
And don’t forget the old favourite “I spy”!
It’s all about relaxing!Imagine the journey going really well a couple ofnights before you fall asleep, so yourunconscious gets ready for the journey positively.It’s also about being flexible when unexpectedthings happen that you have no control over.Toddlers will pick up on your vibes so lighten up,chill out and have a brilliant holiday!
Happy Holidays with Sue Atkins,international parenting expert
First things first . . . getting there! You’re lookingforward to being away for a couple of weeks freefrom the usual routine but you’re really anxiousabout keeping your young kids occupied on theflight.
Here are some practical tips for travelling withtoddlers and preschoolers that will help you torelax and ensure you all arrive with your sense ofhumour!
BathroomMake sure that your toddler has used the toiletbefore boarding – they are spacious and muchcleaner! It’s also a good idea to carry a supply ofbaby wipes, but put them in a place where youcan easily reach them throughout the flight.
Seat choiceOnly choose bulkhead seats if your baby needs ababy bed as the armrests can’t be moved.Normal seats are far better if your toddler wantsto lie down as the armrests can be moved upwhich is far more comfortable.
Ear pressureIf your baby is breastfeeding or on a bottle, feedthem during take-off and landing as it is the bestthing for their sensitive ears. They will be morerelaxed and far less distressed and you will feelmore at ease too.
If your child is older, cotton wool or earplugscan be worn during take-off and landing.Or play a yawning game with them to seehow many times they can yawn on takeoffor landing as this helps pop their ears so thepressure doesn’t cause them discomfort.
Sue is author of the ultimate parenting supportCD’s available to buy here:www.sueatkinsparentingcoach.com/audio_cd/the-positive-parent-daily-workout
AWAY WITH THE KIDS
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AWAY WITH THE KIDS
Hippychick has a great choice of multi award winning travelessentials in their range. Many of them have been designedby parents who have seen a way to make travelling withchildren easier. They include, to name just a few:
Hippychick Dream Tubes: the amazing inflatable bed guard that fitsany standard size single or cot bed. The safety solution that’s small &compact, lightweight and operational in minutes.
Totseat: simply the best travel fabric highchair on the market, it fitsevery chair!
Hippychick Hipseat: the child carrier that’s indispensable for activeparents – no fiddly straps or attachments – AND it supports your back!
Hippychick Packasuits: foldaway waterproof suits that come withtheir very own little compact bag.
Hippychick has loads of other fantastic ideas to make travelling withchildren that little bit easier. Check out the website for the full range orrequest a catalogue.
01278 434440 | www.hippychick.com
Look No Further than Hippychickfor Travel Essentials!
As any parent knows, atrip out and about withthe kids takes planningand usually involvesgetting an awful lot ofkit from a-to-b.
But, don’t despair – Funky LittleBugs offer an eye catchingcollection of Nappy Bags, ToddlerBags, Jeans Bags, Tote Bags andbaby accessories, to carry youressentials in style.
Mum’s all over the world love theunique, quirky range of bags andaccessories featuring the popularMarvel Comic series, Disney, MrMen and many more originaldesigns, handmade by StephMorrell, right here in the UK.
Funky little Bugs Change Bagswhich include matching changingmat, dribble cloth and wipespouch, are cleverly designed tocontain all your baby essentials onthe go. They’re ideal for parentswho want a stylish alternative tothe usual change bags available onthe high street.
Funky Little Bugs have Bags of Style!For school, as an overnight bag orjust because they look great, FunkyLittle Bugs Toddler Bags are anessential everyday piece of kit!They are super stylish and so muchfun that every kid will want atrendy toddler bag of their veryown!
New lines are regularly added but ifyou can’t find what you’re lookingfor, Steph welcomes orders forcommissioned items – workingwith her customers to create a bagthat will suit the users own styleand need.
Funky Little Bugs haveteamed up with My FamilyMagazine to offer you thechance to win a funky ChangeBag of your choice worth £34.To enter simply email your nameand contact number [email protected](competition closes at midnighton Friday 1st May 2015).
WIN! + WIN! + WIN!
To find the perfect bag for you oryour little one visit
www.funkylittlebugs.com
My Family 21 2/4/10 17:56 Page 28
AWAY WITH THE KIDS
29myfamily
An independent nurserystore in West Sussex.
Our online presenceconcentrates on those
great products that maketravel and days out with
little ones so much easier.
www.fiesta-tots.co.uk
Snuggle Sac can be machinewashed and is easily tumble dried,which makes it ideal for the pottytraining years, as it can be back onthe bed in no time at all.
Snuggle Sac’s imaginative designs(including Harry Potter, Pirates,
Fairies, Ponies and many more)have become a global
sensation that has achieved acelebrity fans base that includes J.KRowling (who wrote the Squashy,Purple Sleeping bags into ThePrisoner of Azkaban), GordonRamsay, Jeremy Clarkson andJonathan Ross to name a few.
If you would like to be in withthe chance of winning aSnuggle Sac of your very own,simply email your name anddaytime contact number [email protected](Competition closes at midnighton Friday 1st May 2015).
WIN! + WIN! + WIN!
Keep yourMedication Safe!
Nomad Travel Cases and MedicalCoolers are an essential piece of kit
when travelling with medication,ensuring that your medication is kept atoptimum temperature (2 – 8 degrees)
at all times.
Powered or non powered coolersavailable.
Please check out our website www.coolicebox.comfor further details, or telephone 01598740685
Snuggle Sac is theversatile, award-winning fleecy sleepingbag, that is the perfectmodern replacement totraditional bedding andequally useful for takingon holidays, sleep oversor long car journeys.
A good night’s sleep home and away with Snuggle Sac
At home and away, Snuggle Sac’s100% cotton lining ensures that thekids are cosy and happily tucked upfor a good night’s sleep, every nightof the year. Snuggle Sac has a spacewithin the head area to fit astandard pillow for added comfortand conveniently packs into its veryown travel bag – making it the idealtravel companion.
Endorsed by The Children’s SleepCharity, Snuggle Sac is suitable forsmall children through to teenagers(up to 6ft tall) and is a great foractive sleepers, as it solves thebedding on the floor problem.
My Family readers can SAVE 10%OFF by using code MF10 at thecheckout when you order from
www.snugglesac.com
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:52 Page 29
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Jakabel specialises in UV50+Sun protective swimwearwhich blocks out 97.5% of theharmful UVA/UVB rays of thesun – available in children’ssizes 0-13 years plus an adultrange of swimwear as well.Jakabel even takes care ofbabies with an exclusive BabyUV romper and gorgeous swimnappy designs to keep thoselittle accidents from creepingout!
The colourful designs inJakabel’s ranges mean kids loveto wear them! “We don’tmake black wetsuits,” saysmanaging director JoShephard, “as kids prefer a bitmore pizazz when they are outand about.”
If you areheading for the pool,Jakabel’s exclusive Swimsafefloatsuit is the only ‘learn to swim’aid which does not tip over in thewater, so kids can swim freely andeasily and parents can relax whilewatching over them.
“I can’t believe how quickly theirconfidence grew over a two-weekholiday,” said Liz from Windsorafter her two boys had a fantastictime in Portugal wearing Jakabelfloatsuits!
For swimming games/toys oraccessories, look no further as thereis fun for all the family too! From
water bouncing balls to waterblasters they have it all, withloads of exciting toys to choosefrom. For fun and
safety in the sunwe highly
recommendJakabel thissummer!
Whether you are planning a holiday abroad orare just going to the seaside for the weekend,you will need to give your kids some protectionfrom the sun this summer.
Sun, Fun andSafety from Jakabel
To find out more, visit
www.jakabel.comTelephone: 0208 7152385
Mobile: 07957 541406or email: [email protected].
AWAY WITH THE KIDS
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AWAY WITH THE KIDS
Holidays are about getting awayand relaxing – although itdoesn’t feel like this too oftenwhen you have little ones. So,here are a few tips to slightly,just slightly, enable you toretain your composure asyou’re travelling from A to Band keep the little ones safe.l Know exactly where your passports / travel
documents are during travel. Keep them inthe same safe place – a chewed passport isnot fun, neither is a child wandering off asyou search for the documents.
Tips for travelling with a baby or toddlerby Alexandra Wyver-Northam, founder of Fiesta Tots
l If your little one is mobile, it’s hard to keepthem in a buggy for too long and you’llprobably want them to let off steam beforea flight, car or train journey. So, invest in aset of reins, especially if in a crowdedenvironment. Simple versions by Clippasafeand Red Kite (from £6.99), can also includeuseful highchair anchor straps. Goldbug &Pipsy Koala have cuddly toy versions likeKenny the Kangaroo (£19.99), that doubleup as a travel companion, while Skip Hopdo reins with a back pack (£19.99) that canhold their little treasures.
l This may seem very WW2, but we use oldplastic luggage labels (or even cheaper,address labels) attached to the back (wherethey can’t fiddle) of our children, or stuckonto the back of their top (under theircoat). On the tags or labels we write theirname and our mobile no. in case they arelost.
l When you get to your destination, do aquick assessment of where your littlemonkey might get up to mischief and whatyou might have to child-proof. A travel stairgate can be really useful. The BabyDanpressure fit GateToGo (£37.99) folds upand will fit in even a small suitcase.
Holding true toMountain Buggy’sDNA of adaptability,manoeuvrability,simplicity anddurability,duet hasprovenitself to bea firmfavourite forfamilies of oneor two children. Thenew enhancementstake an alreadypopular award-winningmodel, into an excitingnew direction.
Added to the slimchassis is the new onehand fast fold,
providing a fluid and seamless transitionfrom the upright to the compact! Block
colour on the sunhood and newreversible plush seat linersoffer a more stylishaesthetic. There is greater
front wheel width forstability and thecurvature and depth
of the wheel rim hasbeen developed for a moredurable performance.
The ideal additional accessoryfor families who want
convenience and longevity,joey – the clip-on totebag, effortlessly
transforms duet toa single buggywith loads ofstorage and arenewed weight
capacity of 18kg.
The innovative carrycot plus accessory easilytransforms like no other seen in the market.Offering three versatile parent facing modesthat a parent would ever need: lie flat, inclinefor reflux babies and parent facing seat.
With over 20 years of pioneering all terrainadventure, Mountain Buggy are committedto staying ahead of the game.
www.mountainbuggy.com
Mountain Buggy duet – the world’s most compact,all-terrain side-by-side just got even better!
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:52 Page 31
Swimming is one of themost accessible forms ofphysical activity there is,providing a wide variety ofhealth benefits that thewhole family can enjoy.
The Benefits of Swimming...
... for babiesSwimming helps babies to develop co-ordination and balance, ensures musclesdevelop properly and strengthens the heart andlungs.
The ASA, England’s national governing bodyfor swimming, recommends that babies startlearning to swim from as young as six months,but there is nothing stopping you getting themused to water even earlier than that throughregular games in the bath.
Many leisure centres provide swimming lessonswhich are specially designed to get babiescomfortable being in and around water,through in-pool games and special adult andchild sessions.
... for kidsChildren can benefit from swimming in anumber of ways too. It improves strength andflexibility, builds stamina and posture, butperhaps most importantly, the ability to swimcould one day save a child or young person’s
life. Sadly, drowning is the third most commoncause of death in children, so learning to swimis an essential life skill.
The ASA Learn to Swim Pathway is nationallyrecognised as the benchmark for swimminglesson provision and takes children from non-swimmers, though to confident and competentswimmers. It has also been adapted for use inprimary schools as part of the nationalcurriculum.
All primary schools in England can now receivesupport in delivering swimming lessonsthrough the School Swimming Charter atwww.swimiming.org/schoolcharter
Swimming also provides access to a wholerange of other aquatics activities includingWater Polo, Diving, Synchronised Swimming,Sailing, Surfing and many more.
energy levels, and when combined with a gooddiet, can boost the immune system. It alsolowers blood pressure and provides a great wayfor them to socialise with like-minded people.
When swimming 90% of the body’s weight issupported by the water and reduces theamount of stress on joints, relieving arthritis.
... for everyoneThere’s no reason why anyone should miss outon all the fun of making a splash and keepingactive with swimming as it is accessible topeople of all ages and abilities. Swimming helpsto build confidence, concentration, motor skills,and is perfect for those recovering from longterm illness or injury.
Many pools provide specialised access for thosewith disabilities and there are also disabilityswimming clubs across England which allowsthose with physical impairments or specialneeds to socialise and exercise, with lessonsfrom specialist teachers and coaches.
Also people living with dementia and theircarers can enjoy all the benefits of swimmingtoo, with Dementia Friendly swimming projectsaimed at enhancing their swimmingexperience.
Find your local poolIf you are interested in getting into the poolmore regularly, either for swimming lessons,leisure and family sessions or to get involved inany of the activities mentioned in this article,you can visitwww.swimming.org/PoolFinder anddiscover what your local pools have to offer.
MAKING A SPLASH
32 myfamily
... for parentsSwimming lowers body fat; just 30 minutesburns a minimum of 200 calories and lowerscholesterol by up to twice as much as landbased exercise. It also improves mood throughrelease of endorphins, helping to reduce stress,anxiety and depression.
There are so many things you can do to maketime in the pool varied and fun. The ASA’sSwimfit programme provides gym styleworkouts in the pool with strokes, techniquesand drills to keep your swimming programmediverse and challenging. A new Swimfit Gymprogramme brings land based exercise into thepool environment, with planned exercises thatcomplement your regular Swimfit sessions.
Don’t forget it’s also the perfect opportunity tospend some quality family time together!
... for grandparentsGrandparents can benefit from taking to thepool too! 30 minutes of swimming at leastonce a week promotes longevity, increases
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:52 Page 32
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Beautiful Turkish Hammam towels for bathtime, beachtime and pooltime.
20% off Hippychick Hammam Towels when quoting MYFAM
MAKING A SPLASH
Jakabel isnumber 1
for safety inthe sun!
We have a range ofsun protectionswimwear with
UVP50+ as well aswetsuits, floatsuits
and pool toys for kidsaged 0-13yrs in cool,fashionable designs!
Call 020 8715 [email protected]
Swimtots swim nappiesTotsBots Swimtots are the super cool reusableswim nappies that are sure to be an essential fortrendy bums this summer!
There’s no doubt that Swimtots are thecreation of TotsBots, as these water nappieshave the same signature style as the rest ofthe multi award winning collection and comein two fabulous and original prints: BeachBums for the boys and Knickerbocker forthe girls!
The swim range not only gives tots some seriouspoolside style, they have been expertly designed and manufactured inthe UK to keep the little ones comfortable and protected. Swimtotsnot only look fantastic, they have been expertly designed to ensure
the ultimate comfort and practicality so tots canmake a splash in more ways than one!
Each swim nappy has a comfortable andstretchy fit, with elasticated legs and waistfor a snug, leakproof fit. The nappy alsoincludes a soft microfibre interior to makesure there are no mishaps in and aroundthe pool!
Available from
www.totsbots.comPrice £9.99
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:52 Page 33
SwimmingWhy do it?
The joy of swimming becomes ever moreapparent as your pregnancy progresses. Notsurprisingly, carrying round the added weightof your baby, as well as the postural changescaused by your growing bump, mean thatmany land-based forms of exercise can feelincreasingly hard work as you near the end ofyour pregnancy. Swimming will give you awonderful feeling of lightness and it is, ofcourse, non-impact which means that you aredoing your joints and your pelvic floor a bigfavour!
What to watch out for
l If you start to suffer from Pelvic Girdle Painduring pregnancy, then it is important thatyou do NOT do breaststroke as the widemovement performed with the legs willaggravate the problem.
l If you are someone who holds tension in theneck and it is getting worse duringpregnancy, then I would encourage you toavoid breaststroke as this stroke can placeextra pressure in the neck region.
l Once you are into your 2nd trimester,backstroke should be avoided as this couldmake you feel dizzy.
AquanatalWhy do it?
AquaNatal is one of the safest, most effectiveand relaxing pregnancy exercises – just be surethat it is taught by a specialist in pre andpostnatal fitness. It will enable you to do bothcardio and resistance work without placingpressure on your joints, stressing yourpelvic floor, or aggravating backpain. Some sources even suggestthat it may help you have ashorter, more active birth andreduce the chances of havingan assisted delivery.
From swimming to aquajogging:the dos and don’ts of water-based exercise for pregnancy and beyond
by Joanna Helcké PhD
What to watch out for
l As your bump grows, vigorous sidewaysmovements in the water are not a goodidea, as the water will place pressure onyour bump.
l Make sure that the water you are exercisingin is deep enough i.e. around bra lineheight. This will reduce impact and keepyour joints and bump well supported.
l If you develop pelvic girdle pain inpregnancy (also known as Symphasis PubisDiastasis) then sideways movements in thewater are contraindicated, as are exerciseswhich involve taking the legs wide e.g.jumping jacks.
l Do not confuse a standard AquaAerobics/AquaFit class with AquaNatal: the lattershould be taught by a specialist inpregnancy fitness.
AquajoggingWhy do it?
One of the big media debates is about joggingand running both during and after pregnancy.This is a controversial subject as those of youfor whom running is a way of life, will beabsolutely itching to pull on your trainers and
get going again post-pregnancy. But there’s aBIG problem with impact exercise during thepostnatal period, and it is this: you could notonly damage your pelvic floor but also yourligaments causing instability within the joints.Impact exercise should only be reintroduced 6months postpartum.
A really excellent alternative to running onland, is deep water aquajogging with afloatation belt around your waist. It mimics thesame movement pattern as running but there isno impact on your joints or pelvic floor –perfect for the postnatal body.
What to watch out for
l Make sure that you stay really upright whenyou are aquajogging. One of the mostcommon mistakes people make whenaquajogging is to tip forwards. If you do so,you completely lose the benefit of this formof exercise and you will simply end upswimming with a floatation belt round yourwaist – far too easy!
l If you are someone who holds tension in theneck then it is even more important to stayupright whilst aquajogging. Keep your chintucked in rather than poking it forwards.
l Focus on working the deep and pelvic flooras you aquajog.
Keeping fit and active during pregnancy andbeyond, is immensely helpful, giving you moreenergy, helping you recover more quickly andbuilding both your physical and mentalstrength ready for motherhood.
MAKING A SPLASH
34 myfamily
Dr Joanna Helcké is an expert in pregnancyand postnatal exercise and winner of theUK’s most prestigious fitness award: the2014 FitPro Award for Excellence inFitness. She is the creator of the UK’s firstonline pregnancy and postnatal fitnessprogramme. For weekly mum-to-be andnew mum health and fitness advice, andrecipes, sign up to Joanna’s newsletter atwww.joannahelcke.com
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:52 Page 34
Whether in the early weeks ofpregnancy or as a new parent it willprobably have crossed your mindjust how many nappy changes yourbaby will need between the dayyour baby arrives and the timethey are potty trained.
For every year your baby is in nappies, he or shewill need nearly 2,000 nappy changes. Withpotty training averaging at two and a half years,that is nearly 5,000 nappies per child!
Research by The Real Nappy InformationService shows that 3 billion disposablenappies are thrown away in the UK everyyear – equating to over 355,000 tonnesof disposable nappy waste every year,with 90% of this going to landfill and anannual disposal cost to local authorities(and tax payers) of £32 million.
Reports have shown that a 40% carbonsaving can be made through using reusablenappies compared to using disposables – andyes that includes the washing! It is not just ourlocal community that benefits, but our widerenvironment as well. Disposable nappies canalso take 500 years to decompose.
With Real Nappy Week (20th-26thApril 2015) just around the cornerwe caught up with Emma King,founder of Funky Monkey Pants,to find out more about thebenefits of opting for real nappies.
How will I benefit from using realnappies?Firstly, cloth nappies are more comfy. Askyourself ‘would you prefer to wear paper pantsor fabric ones all day?’ They are also cheaper –a full time birth to potty set of cloth nappies
costs £120-£250 and these can be used againwhen a second or even third child comes along.Disposables can cost around £1200 per child,over the same period.
What types of real nappies arethere for my baby?There are 5 main types of cloth nappies availablein a fantastic choice of cute styles, fabrics andcolours.
All in ones – these go on in 1 piece like adisposable nappy it consists of the waterproof
outer and absorbentmaterial inside.
All in two nappieshave a shell with anabsorbent insert – if thenappy is wet, a cleaninsert can just bepopped in making thisan economical system.
Pocket nappies have awaterproof outer with a stay
dry fabric that goes next to baby’s skin – there isa pocket where the absorbent insert is placed.
Fitted nappies are shaped like a disposablenappy and are a good choice for heavy wetter’sand overnight – the whole nappy is absorbentand needs a wrap on the top.
Flat nappies are very economical and hardwearing. Traditional terry square and prefolds –a rectangle piece of fabric made from layers offabric, with more in the middle these are padfolded and placed in a wrap.
What are reusable nappies madefrom? Many cloth nappies are made from naturalfabrics such as bamboo, hemp or cotton, asmore and more parents are opting for natural
fibres against theirbaby’s sensitiveskin. Anotheroption isMicrofiber – aman-madefabric which issuperabsorbent andquick drying.
Can I usecloth nappies in childcare? Most nurseries and child-minders will use thembut a pocket nappy or all in one might be abetter choice, some will ask you for individualbags for the dirty nappies.
How easy are real nappies to use? If you can change a nappy and use a washingmachine you will be fine. Used nappies are putin a dry bucket or wet bag, then every 2-3 daysput them in the washing machine run a rinsecycle and then wash at 40-60 degrees, dry themon the line, clothes airer or tumble dryer –following care labels.
Where can I buy real nappies? A full range of cloth nappies and accessories areavailable from Funky Monkey Pants – for furtherinformation and advice visit:
www.funkymonkeypants.comor if you live in Cornwall drop in and see us at
5c Water Ma Trout Industrial EstateHelston, TR13 0LW.
The benefits of using ‘Real Nappies’
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PREPARING FOR BABY
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PREPARING FOR BABY
36 myfamily
Relaxation in pregnancy isa difficult one, especiallyby the third trimester,when your bump is reallygetting in the way, causingpains in your pelvis andstopping you lie in acomfortable sleep position.
Well, that was until the holoarrived!
Unable to find a comfortableposition to lie down in because ofher growing bump and losing sleepwith the discomfort, Emma Bensontook a lilo and cut a hole in it. Theresult was the holo and since itslaunch Emma, from Ilkley, WestYorkshire, has received messagesfrom expectant mothers and theirpartners from all across the globe,thanking her for giving them somemuch needed pain relief.
The holo has actually made itpossible to be comfortable right upuntil birth. Tried and tested bythousands of pregnant mums,worldwide, it is proven to be anabsolute godsend for the relief ofSPD pains, catching up on sleep,turning the baby into optimalposition for birth and can even beused for yoga sessions, pregnancymassage and for getting your backbrown on holiday!
Holo for Pregnancy
Used by physios, osteopaths,midwives and pregnancy yogateachers worldwide, the holo hascertainly made its mark.
“What a fab invention” saidAmanda Wardle, Supervisor ofMidwives, Airedale Hospital, WestYorkshire. “Wishing you all thevery best with this wonderfulproduct”.
So why not treat yourself to acomfortable pregnancy. You aremost definitely worth it.
Suitable for use on land and water– the holo is available in blue, pinkand mint. RRP £39.99 includingdelivery to UK. Delivery alsoavailable worldwide -pricesavailable on the website.
For more information visitwww.holo-lilo.com, facebook –the lilo with a hole and twitter@hololilo.
www.holo-lilo.com
Our funky handmade NappyBags are cleverly designed to
contain all your baby essentials onthe go – includes matching
changing bag, mat, dribble clothand wipes pouch.
Checkout our unique rangeof bespoke Nappy Bags, Toddler
Bags, Baby Accessories, JeansBags and Tote Bags in cool
designs including Marvel Comic,Mr Men, Polka Dots &
many more.
Each design is handmade to orderin small limited runs and if you
can’t find what you’re looking forwe can customise a bag for you.
www.facebook.com/funkylittlebugs
IntroducingDaddy Proof Babywear
Wauwaa.com is thrilled to announce the launch of DaddyProof, a gorgeously unique organic babywear brand.
Daddy Proof babywear is made from100% organic cotton so it’s soft andgentle on skin, perfect for babies!Cleverly designed with colour co-ordinated poppers and a cute littlebunny logo to represent the front andback, never again will parents have tosee inside out or back-to-front outfits!
As well as babygrows there arebodysuits, trousers, cardigans andhats to complete thecollection, helping parents todress their little ones quicklyand with minimal fuss!There are even trousers withlittle flip out feet that can berolled up when it’s warm and downwhen it’s chilly!
Available in blue, pink and whiteDaddy Proof makes a gorgeous gift for new parents. Available from:
www.wauwaa.comPRICE FROM £17.60
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:53 Page 36
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HAPPY RETIREMENT
Active Early Retirement village in South West France offersyou a choice of detached two bedroom houses or
apartments with garden in a central village location andsocial facilities.
Spend your early retirement years playing, exploring,cycling, walking, visiting Châteaux, vineyards and markets
where your body will enjoy the warmth of everydaysunshine along with fine wines and foods.
France also has a world renowned National Health service.
Airport is only 35 minutes away and a 1hr 20min flightback to the UK.
For all further details contact Tel: 00 33 (0) 553836230 oremail: [email protected] or visit
www.activeretirementfrance.com
You’ve done the hard bit, now you’ve finishedwork and can look forward to your retirement.But if you are finding it a little too quiet, hereare few things to try as you turn the page on anew chapter of your life . . .
Satisfy Your Appetite2015 is Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink,making it the ideal time to explore the manytempting places to eat, drink and be merry inScotland. From fine dining at Michelin starredrestaurants to a memorable lobster ‘n’ chipsby the sea, and let’s not forget Scotland’s mostfamous tipple – whisky – which you cansample at a distillery or hip and happening bar.
Make MoneyFor the first time in its 1,000 yearhistory, Britain’s oldest manufacturingorganisation, The Royal Mint (theworld’s leading export mint), willopen its doors to the general public toget behind the scenes and find outhow the coins we use every day aremade. There’s already a fascinatingonsite museum, and the visitorexperience will bring The Mint to life
– there will even be the chance to strike your very own coin!
Take to the SkiesWhat better way to take in 360° viewsof some of the natural wonders ofsouth-west England than from a hot-airballoon? Take off from Salisbury,Wiltshire and sip Champagne as youdrift over some of the region’s mostspectacular scenery. Visitwww.ballooning.co.uk.
Go to a FestivalBritain is a nation of food lovers and festival lovers. What happens whenthese two passions meet? Some of the most fun, tasty and interestingweekends of the year. There are numerous foodies’ festivals taking placeover the summer in locations across Britain – to find out more visitwww.foodiesfestival.com.
2015 is a GREATyear to retire
To find even more enjoyable ways to spend your days throughout 2015go to www.visitbritain.com.
A reflection of modern familylife from birth to early teens
Informative articles, discounts and so much more . . .
Sign up to receive our newsletter today!
check out the latest issue FREE online at
www.myfamilymagazine.co.uk
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:53 Page 37
38 myfamily
HAPPY RETIREMENT
Active EarlyRetirement
France Ready to retire? We offer youwarm sunshine and balmyevenings, great climate, fantasticsocial outdoor life in the longsummer months with greatfoods, wines, night markets andrestaurants? All this and yet onlya 1h 20min flight from the UK!
A selection of detached easy to maintain twobedroomed houses or apartments withgarden,
in a purpose built active retirement village inSouth West France. This is just a short 19mile journey from Bergerac airport and a 1hrand 20 min flight from the UK.
The local village has most social amenities,walking, tennis, French markets, fantasticvineyards surrounded by magnificent oldBastide towns and villages. Great for familyto visit too!
France’s renowned medical health service isthe best in the world and brilliant climate –sunbathing in March! Yet still the crispyfrosty days of winter. In the summer, longdays of warm dry sunshine and sitting outand eating and drinking to the late hours.
Bordeaux, renowned for its beautifulArchitecture, Europe’s longest shoppingstreet, or skiing in the French Pyrenees is buta 2.5 hour drive. The south of France andParis can be accessed by road or Frenchrailway systems.
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Expected retirement incomeshave hit a six-year high withpeople planning to retire thisyear– the Class of 2015 –expecting to be nearly eight percent better off than those whostopped working in 2014,according to new research fromPrudential.
ExpectedRetirement IncomeHits a Six-Year High
The figures paint a picture of significant regionalvariation in retirement expectations for the‘Class of 2015’, although there is an increase inexpected retirement incomes in all but two ofthe regions Prudential reports on.
The North East of England saw expectedincomes increase by more than a quarter (27 percent), with large increases also seen in the SouthWest of England (19 per cent), the WestMidlands (18 per cent) and London (17 percent). Meanwhile, those planning to retire inScotland in 2015 expect an income that is sevenper cent lower on average than those whoretired last year.
As the changes to pensions and savingregulations start to take effect and confidence inthe economy continues to grow, the insurer’sresearch has found that those planning to retirein 2015 have an average expected annualretirement income of £17,000 per year – onaverage more than £1,200 higher than lastyear’s retirees.
A free government service tohelp millions of people betterunderstand their State Pensionis being expanded from the7th February 2015.
Millions moreoffered free
pension statement
Extending the service will equip people with vitalinformation as they consider their options underthe new rules.
The new State Pension comes into effect in April2016.
You can get a State Pension statement online atwww.gov.uk/state-pension-statement
Further information is available from PensionWise is a free government service offeringguidance to people over 55 about how they canmake the most of the new pension freedoms –for more information visitwww.gov.uk/pensionwise
Information provided by Department for Work andPensions – 7 February 2015.
Anyone over the age of 55 is now able torequest a personalised State Pension statement,giving them an estimate of what they are likelyto receive based on their current NationalInsurance (NI) record – until now the schemewas only open to people over the age of 60.
This further roll out of the service – which hasalready issued more than 76,000 statementssince its launch in September last year – comesahead of ground-breaking new pensionfreedoms which come into effect from April.
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:53 Page 38
39myfamily
SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILY
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Tourism for All UK (TfA) providesinformation to disabled people onaccessible accommodation andother tourism services in the UK &selected overseas destinations.
Every year they respond to thousands ofpeople who may need help and support toenable them to take a break they may not havepreviously believed possible.
Support for Disabled TravellersTfA is a national registered charity, and itsinformation service is backed by a website,www.tourismforall.org.uk, and supportedby a helpline, 0845 124 9971. The aim is toprovide lively, inspirational and comprehensiveinformation that encourages people to try newthings, see new places, and live life to the full!
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My Family 21 4/3/10 20:53 Page 39
40 myfamily
SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILY
Sleep is vital for children’s well-being. Withoutenough sleep their health, mood, behaviour andlearning ability may all be impaired. Researchshows that children with additional needs aremore likely to have sleep disorders than typicallydeveloping children, and that withoutintervention these problems will persist.
Victoria Dawson is a successfulsleep practitioner and founderof the Children’s Sleep Charity.Here, together with healthwriter Antonia Chitty, sheshares her own experiences,those of other sleep expertsand those of parents.
While most parents of babiesexpect sleep problems toresolve within months, parentsof children with special needscan find them lasting intoadolescence and beyond. Thisis a pressing issue for parents,as disturbed sleep can causedepression, relationshipproblems and a weakening ofthe immune system. The majority of parents receive little or no helpwith sleep problems, and few families have access to sleeppractitioners.
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My Family 21 4/3/10 20:53 Page 40
Autism’s Got Talent bringstogether a diverse group ofperformers consisting of singers,actors, musicians and dancetroupes, to fly the flag for autismand show what people with autismand Aspergers syndrome arecapable of.
Now in its 4th year, Autism’s GotTalent is growing in popularityeach year, and 2015 has firmlycemented its status as a leadingcharity and autism event.Supported in the past bycelebrities including Carrie andDavid Grant, Debbie Moore OBE,Dr Pam Spurr, Steve Hewlett andJason Leech , Autism’s Got Talentshows how pivotal and prominentautism really is.
While discussing the success andideas behind this amazing event,the charity’s founder AnnaKennedy OBE says; “Autism, likemany issues is often shrouded
with negativity and negative press.Autism’s Got Talent provides aplatform and great opportunity todistinguish this, and replace itwith hope, fun, laughter andpositivity. All the acts involved inthe past 3 years were extremelytalented, and the event providedan environment that they wereable to express themselves, makenew friends and meet people fromaround the UK. Not only doesAutism’s Got Talent provide aspringboard, it also boostsconfidence and social skills, andnew friendships for both adultsand children”.
messages from around the world,including celebrities, families andorganisations always pour in, withcelebrations extending to SocialMedia for those who cannot makeit to the event. It really bringspeople together, and everyoneshares in the celebrations andcongratulations. I really amlooking forward to making 2015bigger and better!” Anna Kennedycontinues.
Check out the highlights ofAutism’s Got Talent 2014 onYoutube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=chlXhMCmKAE#t=537
This really is a show not to bemissed – come along and enjoy
this unique, eye-opening show foryourself! Everyone is welcome –we really do want this to be amixed audience of those on thespectrum and those that aren’t.
Tickets (£15 for adults and £10 forchildren) are available [email protected],by calling 01895 619734 or [email protected]– quoting AGT2015.
Performers showcasing at thisyear’s Autisms Got Talent will beannounced in early February.
Watch this space . . .
Autism’s GOT TALENT!returns to the stage!
Saturday, 9th May 2015 sees the welcome returnof Autism’s Got Talent to the stage at the MermaidTheatre, London. The star studded show which isco-produced by autism charity Anna KennedyOnline and Pineapple Performing Arts Schoolpromises spectacular performances by extremelytalented adults and children with autism.
“Performers will be traveling fromall over the UK and overseas totake part, proving howestablished, important andsuccessful this event has become”.
“There always a buzz on the nightand the response via Social Mediais always fantastic. Good luck
41myfamily
POSITIVE ABOUT AUTISM
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42 myfamily
Marie’s son has achieved more than sheever thought possible under the dedicatedsupport of Baston House School
Marie and Michael Pace live in Croydon with theirson, Tristan, who is 16.
To learn more about Baston House visitwww.bastonhouseschool.org.uk
thriving. Having watched his struggles in otherschools over the years, I have no doubt that it isBaston House which has kept Tristan engaged ineducation and enabled him to have at leastsome independence and a better quality of life.”
New points of referenceIt is impossible for Marie and Michael to knowwhat the future might hold for Tristan but Marieis reassured that at present he is safe, supportedand gaining in confidence and has betterchances in life than he could otherwise haveexpected. “When your child is born it istempting to map out their life in terms of exams,career and marriage but when you get adiagnosis like this you lose all points ofreference. Now, anything which Tristan achievesbetween the ability to tie his own laces to goingto university is a milestone which makes mehappy, and I will always be grateful that BastonHouse has helped him to reach thosemilestones.”
Every child an individual“When you have met one child with autism, youhave met one child with autism”; as the motherof a son with Asperger’s Syndrome, Marieknows only too well that every child on theautistic spectrum is completely different toanother and that the only approach is to treatthem as the individuals they are. At BastonHouse School she has found the setting she cantrust to recognise Tristan’s own special traits andneeds and to address them appropriately.
Tristan was diagnosed when he was six but itwas only two years ago that Marie finallysucceeded in her fight to win a place at BastonHouse.
“It was quite clear from very early on thatTristan would not have survived in mainstreameducation,” she says. “When we did manage tofind a special school for him it failed him, andother pupils, badly and we had to take him out.It was almost a year before we got the fundingto send him to Baston but it has proved to bewell worth the wait.”
Expect the unexpectedHaving spent so long out of education, Tristan’sconfidence was very low and his fear of failuremeant that he was unwilling to attemptsomething he felt he might not be able toachieve. However, within weeks of starting atBaston House he had gone from struggling withsimple children’s books to reading complicatedadult literature, something Marie finds almostincomprehensible. “I think that because histeachers knew he was capable of doing more hewas able to believe it himself and so was willingto allow himself to try,” says Marie. “Their faithin him seemed to give him faith in himself andhe has succeeded spectacularly.” Tristan has alsotaken and passed exams which Marie andMichael had never remotely expected wouldever happen.
Overcoming fearsApart from Tristan’s academic achievements,Marie has noticed a great improvement in hissocial skills. “One thing which can generally besaid about autistic children is that they oftenhave difficulty in coping with certain socialsituations and there were times when Tristan
BASTON HOUSE SCHOOL CASE STUDY
could have a sudden meltdown in a shop or inthe street,” she says. “The staff at Baston Househave gone to a lot of effort to help him toovercome some of his fears, taking him out andabout to shops and cafes in the town, forexample, and finding ways to help him cope ifhe becomes distressed. Perhaps one of the bestoutcomes of this approach is that people whoare not aware of Tristan’s condition can meethim without realising that he is autistic.”
Genuine dedicationEvery parent wants the best for their childrenbut when a child has a condition such asAsperger’s it can be almost impossible to knowwhere to start without professional support.
Marie is very impressed not only with theprofessionalism of the Baston House staff butwith their genuine dedication to the children: “Ireally believe that they care deeply about whatthey are doing; they take pleasure in Tristan’sachievements, big or small, and he is absolutely
POSITIVE ABOUT AUTISM
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POSITIVE ABOUT AUTISM
When Fiona Treadaway started atBaston House School two years ago,there was little evidence of thepresence of the Arts in and aroundthe school – so she took on the roleof championing the Arts in waysthat could benefit the pupils.
Using over twenty five years’ experience as aprofessional dancer and her work with childrenand young people in the performing arts, shehas introduced Baston House pupils toperforming productions that she has writtenespecially for them.
Fiona tailors her lessons to the individual learnerso that all pupils can benefit and engage in theArts. She has watched her pupils, all of whomare on the autistic spectrum blossom and growin confidence through engaging in performingand creative rrts. Initially dance was introducedto the school with an early morning ‘wake andshake’ and by choreographing routines forshows, in which she encouraged staff to supportlearners by joining in.
Since joining the school, Fiona haschoreographed, written, directed and producedsix productions including, 50 Years of DoctorWho, The Time Machine and A Baston HouseCarol and is currently working on the next script.
She believes that, with each passing production,the pupils are learning to work better as a teamand that drama can allow pupils to take oncharacters that sometimes enables them to stepoutside the challenges they are dealing with inreal life – a skill she is encouraging learners to tryout in everyday situations to help them copewith difficult situations.
All learners help build and paint the props andon production days, the whole school – pupilsand staff – act as a strong team whether onstage, behind the scenes, ushering the guests totheir seats or preparing and serving a buffetafterwards. It's always a busy but rewarding daywhen everyone works together.
Performing & Creative Arts at Baston House School
In 2014 Fiona took pupils’ artwork andphotography to Autism’s Got Talent to promotethe great work the learners do at Baston HouseSchool, and she is planning a bigger and betterexhibition of artwork for this year’s show onSaturday, 9th May 2015 at the MermaidTheatre. She also plans to take some pupils toexhibit work at Artists for Autism UK inWakefield, Yorkshire where hopefully a fewlearners will also use their acting skills to performa short speech about their work.
Of her time at Baston House School Fiona says,“I have performed and taught all of my life andhaving encountered some young people in myprivate work who were obviously on thespectrum – whether they realised it or not,whether they had been identified as such – Iwanted to involve myself more in that area andmove away from the mainstream.
“I could see from the difficulties that suchchildren can have interacting with society as awhole that they needed help and I have found Icould facilitate that. On that basis, havingdecided that I had more to offer those youngpeople who need to relate to the world in a waythat most take for granted, I set out to use myparticular skill set, of dance, drama, art, Reiki,relaxation and therapy techniques,complemented by my other areas of interest (Icook, I have travelled extensively and ambilingual speaking Mandarin), to see if I couldhelp those young learners for whom our bigworld can seem such a challenge.
“Whilst the work can be hard, long andstressful, it is exciting, challenging and isamongst the most worthwhile things I have everachieved”
‘’Baston House School provides an amazing safeand caring learning environment where ourlearners are nurtured and encouraged toflourish. I am very fortunate to be working withsuch a great team and some wonderful childrenand young people’’.
‘’At Baston House School, the learners willalways make you smile!’’
Once a week Fiona runs a Tank Club wherelearners build toy tanks from kits and learndifferent techniques for painting them. Thelearners have been building a set anddeveloping rules for a game with them that isvery cross curricular – it involves art, DT, historyand maths skills. The team of pupils involved areplanning to display the game at Salute, a wargaming show held at Excel in May which will bevisited by over 7,000 people from all around theworld.
Thanks to Fiona’s vision and leadership, BastonHouse School is now a registered Arts Awardsand Arts Mark School, with great plans andambition for the future of arts at the school andthe future of its learners.
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:53 Page 43
Six inspirational buteveryday heroes andheroines have beenconfirmed to take part inBBC One’s The People’sStrictly for Comic Reliefand fulfil every Strictlyfan’s dream.The four-part series, which will air on BBCOne in the lead-up to Comic Relief 2015,follows the journey of these six extraordinaryindividuals including our special friend AnnaKennedy OBE, as they embark on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They’ll take part intheir own televised Strictly experience andwill perform for the nation in the famousStrictly Come Dancing ballroom.
The public nominated deserving Strictlysuper-fans in their thousands. Each of thelucky six contestants was selected for theirtireless and selfless work which has helpedchange so many lives for the better.
The contestants are:
l Philip Barnett from Cornwall, whofounded a children’s theatre charity in1994 and has since raised over £2 millionand staged over 70 shows.
l Trishna Bharadia from Buckinghamshire,who is living with MS and works hard toraise awareness around the condition.
l Anna Kennedy OBE from Middlesex,who set up the largest school for autism inthe UK after her own autistic sons wereturned away from mainstream education.
l Cassidy Little, originally from Canadabut now lives in Peterborough. Cassidywas serving in Afghanistan as a medic forthe Royal Marines when he was severelyinjured, losing the lower half of his leg inan explosion. His positivity has helpedseveral of his colleagues through their timein rehab.
l Heather Parsons from Hampshire, whoset up her own charity to support intensivecare patients and their families, followingher own near-death experience in intensivecare.
l Michael Pattie from Dumfries, who hasraised over £300,000 for meningitischarities, after losing his son to thedisease.
Charlotte Moore, Controller, BBC One, says:"BBC One is the TV home of ballroom dancingso where better to see deserving, real-lifeheroes and heroines experience the sparklingjoy of Strictly and all for such a great cause inComic Relief."
BBC One’s The People’s Strictly forComic Relief confirms contestants
Each contestant will be paired with aprofessional dancer from the Strictly ComeDancing family. They will then spend fiveweeks being immersed in the Strictlyexperience, as they prepare to become thenew stars of the ballroom.
The series will consist of four pre-recordedprogrammes, and the first two heart-warmingepisodes will introduce the contestants asthey get the surprise of their lives anddiscover that they are about to embark on anincredible Strictly journey.
The third episode will continue to follow theirtraining and preparation as they get ready fortheir ballroom debut in front of the nation.
Episode four will see all six contestantscompete on the famous Strictly ComeDancing ballroom, as they vie for the judges’scores and viewers’ votes. The judges’ scoreswill be for guidance only, and the public willhave the deciding vote.
Voting lines will open once all couples havedanced and the winner of the public vote willthen be crowned The People’s Strictlychampion as part of the live Comic Reliefshow on BBC One on Friday 13 March 2015.
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POSITIVE ABOUT AUTISM
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Anna Kennedy OBE (UK AutismAmbassador), Austin Hughes (SeniorBehavioural Support and Training Officer),Sean Kennedy (Legal Adviser) and parentJen Leavesley took to the podium in therenowned ‘Churchill Room’ to speakabout autism and the three Ds –Diagnosis, Discrimination and Disability.
Kennedy Online, whose two sonsPatrick and Angelo are both on thespectrum, has been campaigningfor faster diagnosis, a greaterunderstanding of the disability andbetter education in both schoolsand within the medical profession.Having these in place will allowrecognition of early signs of autismand prevent long and unnecessarydelays.
Along with Anna’s husband SeanKennedy and dedicated team,Anna Kennedy Online has madedramatic and positive changes forfamilies and individuals affected byautism. However, this presentationproved that there is still a long wayto go.
Those in attendance includedcurrent Miss England and juniordoctor Carina Tyrell, ex LondonOlympian Rachel Christie, DebbieMoore OBE, Sir John Randall,Waterloo Road actor RichardMylan and his son and the WestHam United Foundations
Community Team, who are greatsupporters of the charity and it’swork.
As the presentation took place inthe Houses of Parliament, it wasonly fitting that politics was on theagenda. Austin Hughes, roundedoff his talk on current diagnosisissues by referencing the ‘BigSociety’ which all parties have theirversion of. In his mind the verynotion of ‘The Big Society’ alreadyexists. He pointed out the manysupport groups and charities fromaround the country gathered therein the room already workingtogether as a community. A roomfull of people wanting to learn,understand and fully support Anna,the charity, each other and Autismas whole, surely the true meaningof Big Society! – “What is missingfrom this principle, that politicianshave preached to us about, is
Anna Kennedy Online Takes the Campaign for AutismAwareness and Understanding to the House of Commons
THEIR own role in actually listeningto and being guided by us to makea difference. What is the point inhaving a ‘Big Society’ if you refuseto listen to it?”
Legal Adviser, Sean Kennedyhighlighted the shocking statisticsof discrimination facing around700,000 people in the UK withautism – explaining that the mainthing that would help tacklediscrimination is a VALUE SHIFTpromoted as a 10 point plan; withthe aim of people in all walks of lifewanting to promote equality ofopportunity for people with autismand indeed all disabilities.
The overall outcome of thepresentation was people cameaway educated and aware of theplight those affected by autismfaced. Anna asked the question“Who would be responsible forPatrick and Angelo once she hadgone?”, and Jen Leavesley openly,and touchingly, discussed themisleading minefield she hadbattled across to gain a diagnosisfor both her daughters. These andother points made it clear that thework the AKO team were doingwas essential and imperative toimproving the quality of care acrossall areas.
When you are diabetic, you go to adiabetes centre, and when you areasthmatic, you go to an asthmacentre. Where do you go when youare autistic?
For further information about thecharity’s services and latest newsvisit:www.annakennedyonline.com
The average time for autismdiagnosis is five years, a sad factbut unnervingly true.
This length of time can lead tovarious complications linked todiscrimination, delayeddevelopment and delayedexposure to the correct resourcesand support.
Anna Kennedy OBE, Founder ofleading autistic charity Anna
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POSITIVE ABOUT AUTISM
Hesley Group, established in 1975,was originally an educationalprovider for children and youngpeople with emotional andbehavioural disorders (“EBD”). Inthe mid- to later- 1990’s thischanged to specialist provision forchildren and young people withautism and learning disabilities.Steve Lloyd, an ex-teacher and thefounder of Hesley – and the currentchairman – identified a lack at thattime of expert provision to meetthis need, of which he heard muchfrom parents.
Particularly in response to demand from familiesat the end of the 1990’s, Hesley also developedspecialist services for adults with autism,learning disabilities and associated complexneeds, including behaviours which challenged.
Chris McSharry, the Hesley CEO for the past 10years, is determined that responsiveness tofamilies continues. In planning for the future, helooks for the organisation to remain aligned withthe highly complex needs of the children, youngpeople and adults they support; and to continueto properly understand the impact these needshave on them and also their families and carers.
Celebrating 40 Years of Specialist Provisionfor Children, Young People and Adults with
Complex Needs in Hesley GroupIn the past 15 months Hesley has developedtwo, small independent specialist colleges, inresponse to legislative change and theintroduction of Education, Health and CarePlans, which allows for young people with aneed to learn over more extended time periods,to access specialist education until 25 years ofage. This development at Hesley hasencompassed provision for a small number ofyoung people with a particular emotionalcomponent to their needs, associated also with asomewhat different profile of intellectual andother abilities.
the values and resource to underpin itsconsistent provision throughout theorganisation; and a commitment to ensure thatevery child, young person and adult who lives ina Hesley service has a properly planned andregularly reviewed individual pathway tosupport their progress.
Geoff Turner, the Head of Wilsic Hall School inthe Hesley Group identifies, among otherfeatures, staff training and seeing every youngperson as an individual as vital. He notes Hesleyinvest heavily in developing and maintaining ahighly skilled and knowledgeable workforce,which can perform to a consistently high leveland respond to the unique needs of each youngperson who lives and learns at Wilsic. Hebelieves strongly in the seemingly simple keyfoundations of good sleep, diet and exercise, inproducing the core positive outcomes of healthand happiness he wants for every young personentrusted to his care and that of his team. Hisphilosophy, that “There is no greaterresponsibility than looking after somebody else’schild”, resonates with that of Steve Lloyd infounding Hesley with his now sadly deceasedcolleague and friend, Sam Wrigley; with that ofChris McSharry and that also of Jeff Cox, theHead of Hesley’s Fullerton House School. Jeff, asdo his colleagues, identifies Hesley’s long terminvestment in services, in order to enhance eachperson’s quality of life; and the ongoingattention to the voice of young people andparents (with additional independent advocacyresource recently confirmed) as fundamental toHesley provision to date and for the long-termfuture.
“There is no greaterresponsibility than
looking after somebodyelse’s child”
There are a number of key features acrossHesley services, which have persisted over time.These include the long-standing attention toparental views, a focus on values and staffdevelopment and on the provision of highquality physical environments in which to createpositive therapeutic settings. Chris McSharryidentifies two particular “core competencies” inproviding positive, progressive and sustainableservices: high quality behaviour support, with
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:53 Page 46
Hesley Enhancing Lives Programme.40 years in the making.We’re celebrating our 40th year. And we’ve learnt a lot along the way.
Today, much of our experience and in house expertise is channelled to
deliver our innovative Hesley Enhancing Lives Programme (HELP).
Combining the latest techniques and practices, HELP focuses on how
our actions and reactions can positively shape the emotional well
being of all those who use our services. Through taking a proactive and
empathic approach the need for higher risk interventions is reduced.
All staff receive HELP training from the point of induction and regularly
thereafter, to make sure it works in practice as well as theory.
Established in 1975, the Hesley Group provides specialist support through its schools, colleges and adult residential
services with a highly experienced and expert multidisciplinary educational, care and therapeutic staff resource, in high
quality purpose built settings. We’re focused on positive outcomes and progress towards sustainable independence.
Enquiries freephone 0800 055 6789www.hesleygroup.co.uk
www.autismlinks.co.uk
Who to talk to, where to go, lots of helpful advice all in one placewww.autismlinks.co.uk
We’ve spoken to lots of families and carers over the
past year to �nd out what they would like to see
from an Autism information website. In response,
we’ve launched a new website and it’s already
receiving positive comments. We hope you like it
too and �nd it helpful.
Help us grow – Suggest a link. We’d love to
receive, and share with others, any useful links you
come across so please use the website to let us
know about them. Thanks for all the input so far,
it is always appreciated.
My Family 21 4/3/10 20:53 Page 47
Baston House School • BromleySpecialist independent day facility for children diagnosed with autism aged between 5 & 16 years
l A centre of excellence in education and development.l Local Authority referrals welcomel Admissions now being taken for Primary and Secondary
School
The following open morning is planned for parents andcarers wishing to find out more about Baston House School
Thursday 5th March 2015 (Starting at 10am)
For admissions and information about upcoming eventscall 020 8462 1010 or visit
www.bastonhouseschool.org.uk
Baston House SchoolBaston Road • Hayes • Bromley • Kent BR2 7AB
Hillingdon ManorThe largest school for children with autism, in the UK & Europe
Specialist independent day education for children aged between 3 and 19.
The following open mornings are planned for parents and carers wishingto find out more about Hillingdon Manor school:
Yiewsley Grange (Lower School)Wednesday 25th March 2015 • Wednesday 29th April 2015(all starting at 10.30am)Tel: 01895 420315 for further information
The Manor (Upper School)Thursday 12th February 2015 • Thursday 19th March 2015(all starting at 11am)Tel: 01895 813679 for further information
Local Authority referrals accepted. • Access to the National Curriculum.
For more information about admissions, open days and events, visitwww.hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk or contact the Head Teacher,Akinyi Dulo on 01895 813679
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