® South West May 2017 180 LOCAL EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO!

What are Mind Palaces? Half-term activities Brilliant local services

26 REALLY USEFUL INFORMATION FOR PARENTS OF 0-12+ YEAR OLDS IN SW YEARS CHECK OUT OUR HYPER LOCAL WEBSITE! WWW.FAMILIESONLINE.CO.UK 2 Contents

4-5 Local news

6 Families Top Five activities this month

7-15 EDUCATION Learn to use Mind Palaces to remember anything 7 Ways to make homework fun! Five signs your child might need a tutor Education news School Open Days Special Education Needs Feature © NT Jonathan Buckley Sissinghurst Gardens The Nuttery 17 FREE activities

Families®SW|Issue 266 18-24 Clubs and classes Your local club news WEBSITE: www.familiesonline.co.uk TEL: 020 8696 9680 Taming fussy eaters EDITORIAL: [email protected] Jennifer Siegeris on dance NEWS: [email protected] 25-27 BABY FEATURE ADVERTS/ARTWORK: Baby play is not just for fun! [email protected] Brilliant local services: Osteopathic Centre for children, EVENTS, DIARY DATES, WHAT’S ON: REDI First Aid training, Modern Montessori nursery [email protected] and Waterbabies. NEXT ISSUE: June 2017 DEADLINE: Early May 2017 28- 30 May half term ISSN 1354-9553 Activities listing Arts and craft, sports, music, drama, dance, languages All content ©Families SW 2017 34-39 What’s On • ‘Families SW’ London, established in 1990, is part Diary dates of Families Magazines Ltd, a franchise company. Events All franchised magazines in the group are independently Babies and toddlers owned and operated under licence. Families® is a Theatre Did you registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Art activities know? Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Museums & Exhibitions You can now enter your own listings Bourne End, Bucks, SL8 5TD. Special Needs • Printed by OSC Print, Middlesex FOR FREE on • Designed by Shirley Trimmer Familiesonline.co.uk • We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. • Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources.

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Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 3 NEWS

TRY A WEEK WITHOUT MEAT Go veggie for National Vegetarian Week this year, running from 15th to 21st May, and get tasty recipe inspiration from bloggers, chefs and foodies at www.nationalvegetarianweek.org. Sign up to newsletters, discover delicious PARENT POWER IN FULL BLOOM discounts and find fun fab freebies too. Go on - Parents at Alderbrook came together as a dedicated team of green-fingered get stuck in! Find out more at www.vegsoc.org. volunteers, helping to create a hidden oasis in the heart of the urban environment. More than Keith Squires author of the Ayurvedic recipes in 20 parents took part in a ‘ground-force’-style day that saw Alderbrook’s outside spaces totally the cookery book Cooking with Love says: transformed. Until very recently the rooftop of Alderbrook Primary School was a completely “The thing to remember, when eating more derelict, underused and uninviting concrete slab but now it is a green haven of plants, flowers vegetarian food, is that pulses in themselves are and vegetables and pupils will have the opportunity to get their hands dirty as they take part in all not a complete protein. in fact, some of the stages of the plant growing process. What a great idea! Alderbrook Primary School, Oldridge amino acids (the component parts of protein) Road SW12 8QA www.alderbrookprimaryschool.co.uk can be in short supply. This is also the case for most proteins found in grains, nuts and seeds. Mother nature has made it easy though; you can simply combine them. When combined, grains, seeds, nuts and pulses form complete proteins, WANDSWORTH SCHOOLS TO LOSE ALMOST £16M and provide the right balance of amino acids for Schools in Wandsworth are set to lose £15,612,273 by 2020, as a result of the Government’s our needs.“ so-called “Fairer Funding Formula” and other budget pressures, according to figures released by the National Union of Teachers (NUT). The Wandsworth Schools likely to be worst hit include: Belleville School, Hillbrook School, Ashcroft Technical Academy, Chestnut Grove and Graveney School. Labour’s Speaker on Education, Cllr Jeremy Ambache: “The proper funding of schools is a vital issue to get right as it affects the quality of teaching and the long-term future of our children. The government’s planned reductions in funding will mean larger class sizes here in Wandsworth for all schools which will inevitably erode the quality of our children’s education”. For more information visit the website: www.schoolscuts.org.uk to find all the projected budget cuts for all local schools.

20 YEARS OF EXPERT HEALTH ADVICE Still mourning Dandelion Health shop in Northcote Road? The Maitri Health Centre in is WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK totally brilliant. They are super knowledgeable and their qualified health professionals will readily give 15-19 MAY help and advice. They provide a wide range of We know that walking to school makes children natural health products, supplements and vitamins, feel healthier and happier, while reducing have fully qualified Herbalists in the shop with an congestion and pollution outside the school extensive range of herbs, custom blended teas and gates. Yet less than half of primary school children tinctures, ointments and creams for any condition. currently walk to school. Living Streets, who They also have a range of holistic therapies and organise the annual event want to reverse this organic health foods. decline and see every child that can, walk to school. 252 Streatham High Road, SW16 1HS, free parking in nearby streets. To order a challenge pack see: www.livingstreets.org.uk/what-we- maitrihealth.co.uk 020 8769 0065 do/projects/walk-to-school-week

4 May 2017 | 020 8696 9680 | Familiesonline.co.uk NEWS

CHILDLINE LAUNCHES NEW COUNSELLING APP The NSPCC’s Childline service has just launched a new iPhone app to provide counselling for children directly through their mobile phones. The ‘For Me’ app allows kids to access Childline’s online services, including 1-2-1 live chats with a counsellor, the ‘Ask Sam’ problem pages and entrance to their private ‘lockers’ – areas where they can write down their own personal thoughts and track their moods. It was invented by four teenagers who wanted to use technology to address the urgent need for support among young people. Childline founder Esther Rantzen said: “We know hundreds of thousands of young people use our website for help and support, with more than half those visits coming via mobile devices. Now young people can get immediate access to our counsellors through this brilliant, innovative app.” Southside House during Open Garden Squares The App is free to download via iTunes and is designed for discreet usage. SECRET GARDENS - BOOK NOW! Read more at www.childline.org.uk Explore some of the capital’s most exclusive, private and secret gardens during Open Garden Squares Weekend, 17-18 June. There are over 200 gardens confirmed for this year, most of which are rarely open to the public. Children will love the roof gardens, gardens on the water, TLC FOR ANCIENT GRASSLAND even gardens in skips! Plus, the garden of Number 10 Downing Street A new ecological project breathes new life into Tooting Common’s will be available via a public ballot. There are some real gems here – ancient grassland. Funded by the lottery, the works will help restore the don’t miss out. www.opensquares.org lake as well as the rare and ancient acid grassland, which is an important habitat for many species of wildlife. As well as removing invasive species UNIQUE BALANCE, AUDITORY, such as bramble and scrub, some hawthorn trees and overcrowded oaks have been cut back to reduce shading and prevent leaf fall onto the VISION WORKSHOP grassland. Further to our article on why Rhythm can help children to learn, please note that from 2 to 4 June 2017 are three days of intensive Bal-A-Vis-X [email protected] training given by founder Bill Hubert. Bal-A-Vis-X is a series of more than 300 balance, auditory, vision exercises of varied complexity, all deeply rooted in rhythm. The workshop is for parents, SENCOs, OTs, TAs and healthcare professionals. Exercises all start at the point most suited to each individual and as the child progresses the exercises increase with complexity. Bal-A-Vis-X is used for Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD, Autism and many other learning difficulties. To see examples of the exercises and make a booking, visit www.integratedbrain.co.uk 07766 837 616.

THE ARMY MUSEUM IS BACK! It’s back! After a lengthy break for redevelopment, the National Army Museum opens with a bang this spring, with loads of fun and interactive AMAZING VILLAS IN GREECE things to do with all If you are looking to book a villa this summer, try Myportoheli. the family. As well Their luxury villas are carefully selected in privileged spots of the as new galleries and Peloponnesian peninsula, in the area of Porto Heli in the Greek Riviera.

a full diary of (c) National Army Museum They offer the perfect setting for indulging holidays—whether you are events, they also Dingo, Soldier looking for a small quiet cottage with pool, a vineyard retreat to have a fantastic experience the pleasures of nature, or whether you prefer a beachfront Playbase for under 8s with an assault course, cookhouse and villa with private beach and dock. Myportotheli offers a variety of villas Quartermaster’s stores, and a packed schedule of holiday workshops. catering to different preferences and exacting tastes, ensuring that your You can even hold your next birthday party here! Royal Hospital Road, Greek villa getaway becomes unforgettable! [email protected] Chelsea SW3 4HT, www.nam.ac.uk www.myportohelivillas.com

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 5 FAMILIES TOP FIVE FAMILIES TOP FIVE...

Not long now until half term, so here is our pick of the best ways to spend it with the kids.

PIGGY BANK ON US! Bank of England Museum Threadneedle Street EC2R 8AH www.bankofengland.co.uk 30 May – 2 June The Bank has a large collection of money boxes which come in various shapes and sizes, from wise owls to garden Photo by Jason Joyce gnomes. Join the Bank of Adventures in wonderland, Gareth Tempest and Angelina Reilly (Tweedle Dum England this half term and and Tweedle Dee) follow the trail around the museum to see if you can ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND spot these money boxes. You can then join a fun and creative workshop and decorate your own ceramic piggy bank to take home. Perfect to The Vaults at Waterloo start saving your pennies. Activity sheet sheets are also available for Launcelot Street SE1 7AD children of all ages, with a small prize for all those who take part. www.thevaults.london/alices-adventures-underground 10.30am-4.30pm every day, free. From 13 May A magical show, pushing the boundaries of children’s theatre. Following the sell-out run in 2015 at the Vaults deep under Waterloo Station, Les Enfants Terribles bring their Olivier-award nominated Alice’s Adventures Underground back to London, so you get to experience Wonderland up THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES Lyric Hammersmith close. Tumble down the rabbit hole in a theatrical adventure like no One Lyric Square W6 0QL other, with more to explore than ever before. Meet some of www.lyric.co.uk Wonderland’s famous and curious inhabitants, take tea at the biggest un- 30 May – 3 June birthday party with the maddest of Hatters, let the Cheshire Cat take you Don’t miss this brand new hither or thither or join the underground movement to rise against the romp through a classic, fearsome Queen of Hearts. What a ride! Age 5-10. eccentric tale, telling the story of an Emperor who loves clothes more than anything. But despite a wardrobe the size of Paris he hasn’t got a stitch to wear! When two ‘tailors’ promise to create him an outfit that’s never been seen before, the eccentric Emperor doesn’t quite realise the spectacle he is about to make. This inventive production is told in true Stuff and Nonsense style, with unending energy, great storytelling and, as always, a show for all the family. A definite must for the May half term. Age 3-11, £10.

FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY Fulham Palace Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org 31 May Travel back in time to the GRAND MEDIEVAL JOUST Tudor period with stories of Leeds Castle Queen Elizabeth I's eventful Maidstone ME17 1PL feast at Fulham Palace, a photo www.leeds-castle.com booth with Tudor garb, objects 27-30 May to handle and fun-filled crafts Step back in time to the Middle Ages and see fully armoured jousters and games. Free, no booking battling it out in an authentic jousting competition. Enjoy living history necessary, 1pm-3pm. Fulham encampments, firepower and trebuchet demonstrations and mounted Palace’s workshops are all- skill at arms displays. Plus, Leeds Castle has a fantastic adventure inclusive and always great fun, playground, and you can even stay overnight in a Knight’s Glamping tent! so pop it in the diary now.

6 May 2017 | 020 8696 9680 | Familiesonline.co.uk 7 8 EDUCATION

Learn to use Mind Palaces to remember anything

By Lauren Weatherley, owner and manager Numberworks’n Words Tuition Centre, Wandsworth

Mind Palaces, as seen in the Sherlock series, are a very old (ancient in fact), simple, yet powerful tool that can help you to memorise just about anything.

The fact that human beings are extremely good at remembering places photos on the wall. The first one is a picture of my mother relaxing they know, means that anyone can memorise important things using Mind outside on a summer’s day, the sun (san is number 3) is shining so brightly Palaces - just like Sherlock! The ability to visualise (a skill that you can and radiating from the picture that I am blinded and need to put my develop even if you are not a particularly visual person) and to make your shades on which are kept in the drawer of my hall table. As I open the visualisations as ridiculous as possible is the key. Mind Palaces are a fun drawer She Ra (shi is number 4) from the He Man cartoon (you had to way to remember things! be there in the 80’s) springs from the drawer and points her sword at my mother in the picture and so my mother jumps up and starts to go (go is ANYONE CAN LEARN! number 5). She back flips her way out of the picture, leaving only the rock It is a very simple process: you take a known image (a place or (roku is number 6) she had been sitting on which She Rah blows up with route/journey) and commit this to memory – you must know the image the lightning bolt from her sword. The dust particles from the rock make really well as you have to be able to commit it 100% to memory. You me sneeze twice, making the sound sch-chi (shichi is number 7). I walk then take a walk through your known image and make links between towards the utility room, as that is where I keep my pocket tissues. On what you see and whatever it is you want to memorise. Your house is an the way, I pass the picture of my grandfather wearing a bowler hat (hachi obviously good image to use, a good route may be your journey to work. is number 8). Taking another step on my route to the utility room, I reach Making your links as ridiculous as possible helps you to remember the the bottom of the stairs and see a dove cooing (kyu (coo) is number 9) links better than something that is unremarkable. whilst sitting on the banister post. The dove is chewing gum and offers me a piece, saying it will cure my sneezing (ju (chew) is number 10). I learnt the technique of using Mind Palaces two decades ago; it seems apt to demonstrate the first thing that I learnt as I still remember it, which was Well I did say be as ridiculous as possible! You could go on moving to count to 10 in Japanese. Rather cliché now! through your house counting up to 100 if you wanted to… Try teaching your children how to use Mind Palaces, they could memorise HERE IS HOW IT’S DONE their bedroom or their route to school or anywhere else that they know I walk up to my front door and suddenly I start to hop as I have a really well. It could make exam revision easier and most importantly, fun! terrifically itchy (ichi is number 1) knee (ni is number 2) but my hands are full – in one hand a bag of shopping in the other my front door keys. As I Numberworks’n Words Tuition Centre is situated opposite the Battersea go to unlock my front door a hand pops out of the letterbox and Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, Wandsworth. 020 7223 1882. scratches my knee. I walk into my hallway and look to the left at the family [email protected] www.numberworksnwords.com/uk

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 9 10 EDUCATION

Make it visual Find a study buddy Seven ways to make homework fun!

‘Homework? Boooring!’ Is this a regular moan in your house? We’ve all been there! We want our children to progress and do well at school but after a long day, many youngsters will feel reluctant to sit down to get on with their homework - and no amount of nagging seems to help!

We’ve teamed up with the experts at Explore Learning to bring you seven awesome ways to make homework ACTUALLY fun.

1. Set up a fun and creative space 4. Turn it into a game Having a special place to do work, decorated in personalised decor, Turn learning into a fun game. For spellings, you could use flashcards can really help children to focus. Avoid busy areas and make sure or writing words in foam, or for maths, you could use sweets like there are no other distractions, like technology or televisions. Smarties to help visualise numbers. When they get a right answer, Younger children may appreciate their own artwork hung on the they get to eat some! walls, while older children may prefer more desk space and personalised planners, so they can organise their work. 5. Get outside If the weather is good, why not let your child do their homework 2. Magical motivators outside? The fresh air will help them concentrate after being inside a Keep homework battles at bay by using incentives to keep your stuffy classroom all day. Let them have a short break in between child on track. Younger children may be motivated by sticker charts, exercises, like a game of Frisbee or football. where they can pick a reward once it is full, whilst older kids may be persuaded to crack on with their work with the promise of time on 6. Be positive the iPad. Make sure your child understands the value of developing Always be upbeat about school and homework and give your child good homework habits, rather than just receiving a reward! bags of encouragement. Reinforce how well they are doing, write them inspiring messages and chat to family members about your 3. Find a study buddy child’s achievements. Hold a homework playdate where your child and one of their friends do their homework together. Set some rules ahead of time 7. Make it visual and reward them afterwards with an activity of their choice. Or join If your child feels overwhelmed by everything they have to your child yourself and accomplish some work of your own – be it do, visually being able to see their progress will help. Make a catching up on emails, paying bills or planning a holiday. Win-win! list or chart on a white board or special planner and get them to cross each task off as it is completed. Some new pens and exciting stationery will also keep them happy!

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 11 EDUCATION Five signs your child might need a tutor

Tutoring can often help a child reach their potential, but there always needs to be a justifiable reason to tutor. Here are five possible signs your child might need a tutor

1. They are facing entrance exams 4. They need help with homework The entrance exams at 7+, 11+ or 13+ are a daunting prospect Where necessary, a tutor can help with homework and give the and targeted, experienced tutoring can help here. Children need to required curriculum support. By making the subjects come alive, a know exactly what to expect on the day if they are to achieve their good tutor can develop your child’s love for learning whilst best possible outcome and beyond this, working with a tutor helps developing their learning independence through improved create drive, motivation and confidence. organisation of both resources and time.

2. Their achievement at school is below 5. They have medical issues or SEN their apparent ability Medical issues can include recovering from an operation or illness, Some individual teaching can help your child to reach their potential resulting in missed schoolwork or impaired mobility. A new SEN in these circumstances, and an academic assessment would establish diagnosis might require professional teaching intervention to support their true ability. You should also examine any issues at school to and develop new strategies and techniques. identify possible reasons why the child is not doing as well as they Specialist support can transform the work of students with SEN. could. Rule out possible SEN reasons through an assessment with an Working with an expert tutor can provide social skills support, educational psychologist. building confidence and motivation. A tutor can also help with study skills and organisation, whilst rehearsing curriculum topics and methods prior to lessons in class. 3. They lack confidence in their ability Tutoring can provide valuable positive and constructive feedback and JK Educate offers bespoke support for children’s learning, with academic boost organisational skills. A good tutor will also help a student’s assessments, specialist tutoring, entrance exam preparation and study preparation for new topic areas in the school curriculum, including skills. Contact one of their experienced consultants on 020 3488 0754 or familiarisation with key words, which will boost their confidence. via jkeducate.co.uk

12 EDUCATION NEWS

LEARN TO TOUCH TYPE Being able to touch type is an invaluable skill for anyone. Moreover, recent research into SEN has concluded that touch typing is not only a huge benefit for those with learning difficulties such as dyslexia or dyspraxia, but in some cases is considered to be a necessity. It is a huge relief for children who struggle with handwriting and it also helps with spelling, as word patterns are learnt using muscle memory. Intelligent children, who were once falling behind in class, due to having difficulty translating the thoughts in their head onto paper, feel liberated. Self-confidence is boosted, as is the quality of their work. New Streatham centre for Leaders are Readers Try Naomi's touch typing courses www.nmtouchtyping.co.uk NEW LEADERS ARE READERS CENTRE OPENS Does your child need help with reading, maths or English? Good news: 100 THINGS TO LEARN Leaders are Readers have just opened a new centre in Streatham. They provide children aged 3- 13yrs award-winning Saturday and summer BEFORE YOU ARE 10 This much-awaited book by Gail Hugman is an Schools for 11+ preparation in English, Reading, Maths, Verbal and Non- exceptional guide for parents, based on over 40 Verbal Reasoning. Be confident in the knowledge they are specialists— years teaching experience, explaining what having been established since 1990. The lessons are designed to build children need in their development to stay confident, articulate and creative thinkers. enthusiastic about learning and keep “The Entrance Maths programme has plugged in all gaps in my communication open. Understand the reasons so daughter's knowledge. Joanne is now on track to succeed in all her 11+ many children under-perform and get the necessary exams and take higher level Maths at 16!” Joseph, Winchmore Hill insights, skills and tools to help them. Download to Kindle now from amazon.co.uk or visit Book for your summer school now! www.lessonsalive.com SW16 2QB. Ample free parking. Book your child’s trial class now. 01992 651 300 www.leadersarereaders.co.uk

PUPIL WINS HER SCHOOL A £25K GREEN MAKEOVER Nine year-old Emma Peon has won her school, Hotham Primary, a £25k energy makeover after taking 2nd place in the British Gas Generation Green Smarter Power competition, beating 4,000 other young artists. GAME AND SET AND MATCH FOR WOW! Her winning comic strip illustrated the importance of putting a full load in the washing machine, the right amount of water in the kettle, PUTNEY PRIMARY SCHOOL and using a smart meter to monitor energy use. Now Hotham will get Granard Primary School has secured £5,000 to buy two outdoor table £25,000 of energy saving devices, including solar panels, LED lighting and tennis tables after winning a national award from OneFamily, through its a new energy efficient boiler. ‘Emma’s comic strip was outstanding and Foundation Community Awards. The tables will be fitted in the school’s we’re proud that she’s won an energy makeover for our school,’ said playground, which is used by children in years three to six. The school Sarah Martin, headteacher. ‘The makeover will help us to save energy also hopes to launch a new table tennis club to encourage more children every day and will inspire our pupils now and in the future to be more to take up the sport. Granard Primary School, Cortis Road SW15 6XA energy efficient.’ Hotham Primary School, Charlwood Road SW15 1PN www.granardprimary.co.uk www.hothamprimaryschool.org.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 13 14 EDUCATION SCHOOL OPEN DAYS Call to book your place now Compiled by Joanna Parry SW1 SW11 SW17 HILL HOUSE SCHOOL DOLPHIN SCHOOL FINTON HOUSE SCHOOL 4-13 Co-Ed Tours every weekday morning in 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings Thursdays 9.15- 4-11 Co-Ed Open Morning 6/5 10am-12pm term time, 8.30am booking required 10.30am by appointment 020 8682 5757 020 7584 1331 www.hillhouseschool.co.uk 020 7924 3472 www.fintonhouse.org.uk EATON SQUARE SCHOOL www.dolphinschool.org.uk 2.5-13 Co-ed Open morning 11/05 020 7931 THE DOMINIE SW18 9469 www.eatonsquareschool.com 6-11 Co-Ed Tours by appointment Please THE ROCHE SCHOOL contact the school to find out more about their 2.5-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 12/5 and 21/6 SW2 specialist teaching for dyslexic children 020 9.30-11am, or at other times by appointment STREATHAM AND CLAPHAM PREP 7720 8783 www.thedominie.co.uk 020 8877 0823 SCHOOL THAMES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE www.therocheschool.co.uk 3-11 Girls Open Morning 2/5 9-10.45am 11-16 Co-Ed Open Morning 25/4 ST MICHAEL’S CE PRIMARY SCHOOL 020 8674 6912 www.schs.gdst.net 020 7228 3933 4-11 Co-Ed Contact the school to book a place www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk on one of their Open Mornings 020 8874 7786 SW6 SW12 www.stmichaelswandsworth.sch.uk FULHAM PREP SCHOOL 4-13 Co-Ed Pre-Prep Open Morning 23/3 WHITE HOUSE PREP SCHOOL SW19 9.15am, 10.15am and 11.15am call to book a 4-11 Co-Ed Open Day 6/5 9.30-11.30am, plus KINGS COLLEGE SCHOOL place and time slot 7371 9911, Prep School tours on Tuesday mornings at 9.15am book in 7-18 Boys, 16-18 Co-Ed 11+ Open Evening tours by appointment only 020 7386 2444 advance 020 8674 9514 12/6 6pm, 16+ Open Evening 14/6 6pm, www.fulhamprep.co.uk www.whitehouseschool.com Junior School Open Morning 23/6 9.30am-12pm PARSONS GREEN PREP LONDON STEINER SCHOOL 020 8255 5437 4-11 Co-Ed Midweek tours on Thursdays at 4-11 Co-Ed Weekly school tours by www.kcs.org.uk 9am by appointment only. They are also appointment every Wednesday at 9am THE STUDY PREP SCHOOL already taking bookings for their Open Day on 020 8772 3504 www.waldorflondon.co.uk 4-11 Girls Tours on Tuesdays 9.20-10.30am 7/10 at 9.30am 020 7371 9009 HORNSBY HOUSE 020 8947 6969 www.parsonsgreenprep.co.uk 4-11 Co-Ed 8/6 9am www.thestudyprep.co.uk LANGFORD PRIMARY SCHOOL 020 8673 7573 www.hornsbyhouse.co.uk WILLINGTON INDEPENDENT 4-11 Co-Ed Tours every week, book in advance ST FRANCIS XAVIER SIXTH FORM PRIMARY SCHOOL 020 7736 4045 www.langfordprimary.org.uk COLLEGE 4-13 Boys Tours of the school by appointment KENSINGTON PREP SCHOOL 16-18 Co-Ed 29/6 2-4pm, for current year 10s 020 8944 7020 For girls registered for 4+ entry in 2018 and 11s 020 8772 6072 www.sfx.ac.uk www.willingtonschool.co.uk Please email [email protected] or WIMBLEDON COMMON PREP telephone 020 7731 9300 to reserve an Open SW13 (also known as Squirrels) Day place in advance. 4/05, 18/05 and 24/05 THE HARRODIAN SCHOOL 4-7 Boys Open Morning 10/5 9.15am, go to 1.45-3pm www.kensingtonprep.gdst.net 4-18 Co-Ed Regular tours during term time website to make a booking. Plus tours of the 020 8762 6321 school by appointment 020 8946 1001 SW7 www.harrodian.com www.wimbledoncommonprep.co.uk THE HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL WIMBLEDON HIGH SCHOOL 3-13 Co-Ed Tours of main school on SW14 1-18 Girls Main Open Morning 7/10 and a Wednesdays at 9am and of Early Years School TOWER HOUSE PREP further Open Morning 11/10 020 8971 0900 on Mondays and Thursdays at 1.30pm 4-13 Boys Open Morning 12/5 9.15am 020 www.wimbledonhigh.gdst.net 020 7352 7077 8876 3323 www.thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk www.thsboys.org.uk SW20 ST NICHOLAS PREPARATORY THE NORWEGIAN SCHOOL SCHOOL SW15 Co-Ed 3-16 Tours of the school can be booked 2-10 Co-Ed Open morning 27/4 9.30am, plus IBSTOCK PLACE SCHOOL at any time 020 8947 6617 Open House every Wednesday and Thursday 3-18 Co-Ed The Prep School 3/5 and 21/6 www.norwegianschool.org.uk during term time 9.30-10.30am book in 9.30am, The Senior School 10/5 5-7pm advance 020 7225 1277 booking required 020 8876 9991 / 020 8392 W6 www.stnicholasprep.co.uk 5803 www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk RAVENSCOURT PARK PREP SCHOOL FALCONS SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 4-11 Co-Ed Open Mornings 4/5 and 13/6 SW8 4-11 Girls contact school directly for future 9.15am 020 8846 9153 www.rpps.co.uk NEWTON PREP open days 020 8992 5189 4-11 Co-Ed Friday tours by appointment 9- www.falconsgirls.co.uk W14 10.30am. They are also taking bookings for GRANARD PRIMARY SCHOOL PARAYHOUSE SCHOOL their main Open Day 7/10 9.30am-12.30pm 4-11 Co-Ed Tours on 19/9 and 18/10 at 9.30am 4-11 Co-Ed Contact school for future open 020 7720 4091 www.newtonprepschool.co.uk 020 8788 3606 www.granardprimary.co.uk days 020 8741 1400 www.parayhouse.com SW10 SW16 REDCLIFFE SCHOOL STREATHAM AND CLAPHAM HIGH 3-11 Girls 3-8 Boys Tours Tuesdays and SCHOOL Thursdays during term time 9.30am booking 11-18 Girls contact school for future open days required 020 7352 9247 020 8677 8400 www.redcliffeschool.com www.schs.gdst.net

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 15 16 SEE MORE EVENTS IN OUR ONLINE WHAT’S ON CALENDAR I FREE ACTIVITIES There’s plenty to do in London for free! Compiled by Joanna Parry

MORDEN HALL PARK FAMILY SATURDAYS Morden SM4 5JD Battersea Arts Centre www.nationaltrust.org.uk/morden- Lavender Hill SW11 5TN hall-park www.bac.org.uk 29 May – 2 June Final Saturday of the month Join a nature trail around the park Fun, free activities for ages 0-11, and make some delightful crafts to including face painting, music, toy take home. £4 per child, entry to and clothes swaps, plus older Morden Hall is free. 11am-4pm children and young people can get involved in their Homegrown MAKE YOUR OWN programme. Includes The Bee’s COMIC Knees, a magical indoor play space Army Museum for ages 0-5. 10am-1.30pm, free, Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea (The Bee’s Knees is £3 per child). SW3 4HT Geffrye Museum www.nam.ac.uk SATURDAY STORYLAND 27 May – 4 June Brompton Library MAY FETE Saturday Community Day. Picnic, Draw one of the Ministry of Brompton Road SW5 0BS Brockwell Park Community pond dip, gardening, bush craft Women’s graphic novel characters First Saturday of every month Greenhouses workshops and more. 10.30am- - army code breaker Betty - 10-10.40am, plus story and craft Brockwell Park SE24 0PA 4pm, drop in. explore the objects used to inspire 10.30-11.30am. www.brockwellgreenhouses.org.uk the novel, and make your own 6 May SOUTHBANK CENTRE code! Five 45-minute sessions ARTS AND CRAFT CLUB Celebrating all things May with Belvedere Road SE1 8XX every day during the May half- The Creativity Room dancing, food, drink and lots of www.southbankcentre.co.uk term. Book early to guarantee a St Barnabus Church, Clapham traditional games. £4 per adult, From 8 May space, 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.15pm, Common North Side SW4 9SW £2.50 per child, includes all Dragon Babies Let your Dragon 2.15pm and 3.15pm. Entry to the www.thecreativityroom.co.uk activities and refreshments, 1-5pm. Babies experience the sounds of museum is free, too. Various dates in May Southbank Centre's beautiful An exciting programme of arts and FAMILY GUIDED TOURS Gamelan (Javanese orchestra) BRITISH LIBRARY crafts for all ages up to 12. A small Houses of Parliament, through singing, movement and 96 Euston Road NW1 2DB fee applies, but free trial sessions Westminster SW1A 0AA percussion. £5 www.bl.uk available. Email www.parliament.uk Throughout May 21 May [email protected] 20 May Rug Rhymes Telling Tales or call 07852 336405. Fun and thought-provoking guided Under-fives and their carers are Join storyteller Olivia Armstrong tours for children aged 7-12. invited to join The Poetry Library for a storytelling adventure, then GEFFRYE EXPLORERS Discover the Commons Chamber, puppets, Federico and Firebird, on become a storyteller yourself and Geffrye Museum Lords Chamber, medieval their poem rug to find out. discover how to make a word 136 Kingsland Road, Hoxton E2 8EA Westminster Hall and the Central salad for a giant story. 11.30am- www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Lobby. 10.40-11.40am, children go HISTORIC SCENIC WALK 1pm and 2-3.30pm, drop in, Every Saturday in May free with a paying adult. age 5-11. Fun children’s activities including www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham- 25 June Quiz Desk, Feely Box and GOLDERS GREEN PARK house-and-garden Travelling Words Backpacks. 12.30-4.30pm. Entry is ZOO Ham Street, Richmond-upon-Thames 11.30am-1pm and 2-3.30pm, free, free Golders Green NW11 7QP TW10 7RS drop in, age 5-11. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to- 20 May, 4 and 10 June MAGIC CARPET do/green-spaces/hampstead- Free guided walk from Richmond SUMMER SCIENCE STORYTELLING heath/golders-hill-park Station to Ham House and Garden. EXHIBITION The National Gallery Hear the laughing kookaburras, Meet inside station entrance, no Royal Society 6-9 Carlton House Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN spot a ring-tailed coati in the booking needed. Terrace SW1Y 5 AG www.nationalgallery.org.uk bushes and watch the ring-tailed www.royalsociety.org/summer-science Every Sunday in May lemurs up to their gymnastic tricks FAMILY DROP IN 4-9 July Fly away on a magic carpet, which in the branches. Especially good WORKSHOP Hold a beating robotic heart in comes to land in front of a with little ones who don’t have the Somerset House your hands, get to grips with the different painting each week, and stamina to make a pricey visit to Strand WC2R 1LA engineering behind bicycle chains join Paul Rubinstein for a musical the big zoo worthwhile. All ages. www.somersethouse.org.uk that helped team GB’s cycling magic carpet storytelling. Age 2+, 6 May Olympians and Paralympians get 10.30–11am and 11.30am-12pm. OASIS PLAY NATURE Mechanical Mazes their golds, and learn how we can GARDEN Design devious directions and harness digital technologies to See more Corner of Larkhall Lane and Studley mind blowing mazes with a make a difference in the mental FREE activities Road, Stockwell SW4 6SP technological twist. Take your new health of the iGeneration. 6 days of in our www.oasisplay.org.uk toys away to test out on all your free science fun for all ages. What's On pages 13 May friends. 12-3pm.

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 17 18 Calling all baby Scientists! Help us discover how babies learn! Calling all infants from birth to 18 months to take part in fun studies at the Birkbeck Babylab in central London. We provide a black cab if you live within 5 miles of Birkbeck, or we refund any travel expenses. 020 7631 6258 [email protected] www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk

19 20 CLUBS AND CLASSES NEWS Club Italiano

CLUB ITALIANO PER BAMBINI Would you like your child to learn Italian? Club Italiano’s small Italian class meets weekly on Thursdays in Fulham. Activities are planned to suit the age group and abilities of the children. They concentrate on speaking Italian using different topics each week, including action songs and acting out. At the end of the session they sit down with a simple worksheet to complete and to take home. Basic reading, writing and grammar skills are developed. Cost £373 yearly. If interested call Stefania on 020 8748 6418. Ci sentiamo

THE KENSINGTON BALLET SCHOOL MAKE MUSIC ON YOUR DOORSTEP Kensington Ballet School stimulating and fun filled classes provide a A new Learn Music London website puts SW London parents in wonderful introduction to the world of ballet and dance in a structured, touch with a wealth of music-making opportunities in their caring environment. Their wonderful ballerinas inspire a lifelong love for neighbourhood. Music organisations ABRSM and Music Mark have dance. launched a first of its kind website to enable parents to find local Book your FREE trial class ready for the new summer term. Mums and opportunities Baby classes through primary school. Ages 15 months - 7 years. for their children to get 07957 650042 [email protected] www.kensingtonballet.com involved, develop and make music. ET PATATI PATATA WINS ‘Many children SILVER AWARD across London Congratulations to Et Patati Patata, which received the Silver Award are already in the quality framework in supplementary education by The National learning Resource Centre for Supplementary Education. instruments,’ Check out what they offer: said Jem • Intensive Saturday French Classes following the French curriculum Shuttleworth led by a certified and native French speaking primary teacher, for 3 from ABRSM, to 15 years. ‘and now, • French Day Camp: learn French with the Award winning language through their classes and set your child on the fast track to becoming bilingual, for local music 4 to 16 years. service, children • Tutoring: French lessons up to GCSE. and young people can get involved in orchestras, bands and choirs and have opportunities to tour their music or play in some of the capital's Book now for your summer camps. high profile music venues.’ www.learnmusic.london 07966 89 36 74 [email protected] www.etpatatipatata.com TUMBLE TOTS Tumble Tots is the country’s leading physical play programme for 6 months to 5 years. It is designed to develop children's physical skills of IS YOUR CHILD A PETIT CHOUX? agility, balance, co-ordination and climbing along with songs and rhymes Les Petits Choux is a through the use of brightly coloured Tumble Tots equipment. French school based in The programme is structured to develop children's positive personality Southfields. Run by two traits including confidence and self-esteem. local mums, the school Each 45-minute weekly session combines fun, excitement and challenge offers bilingual classes for French-speaking children and works on in a safe and caring environment. improving their speaking as well as their reading and writing. It’s also a great way to meet other French families and make friends. They would love to hear from you so The school also has a beginners’ class for any children wishing to learn please contact Julia and join in the fun! French, which uses songs, stories and games to really bring the French language to life! Contact [email protected] All classes held at St Michael’s Church, Southfields, Wednesdays 4pm. or visit www.tumbletots.com 07980 266817 www.lespetitschoux.org.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 21 22 CLUBS AND CLASSES

AN INTERVIEW WITH Jennifer Siegeris

Principal of the Siegeris School of Dance

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND FAMILIES INTERVIEWS I began dancing at the Irish Ballet School in Dublin, Ireland. I began my professional training with the Royal Academy of Dance focusing on ballet, Taming fussy eaters jazz, contemporary, modern, tap, history of dance, music theory, child development, anatomy and teaching thus gaining a Royal Academy of Dance Families speaks to local mum Abigail Jones on how she Teaching Diploma. On completion of this course I continued training for helped her son William overcome food anxiety. another three years at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts where I studied professional dance and musical theatre and ISTD teaching qualifications. During my professional training I continued my love of teaching on top of SO HOW BAD WAS IT? my professional activities. I began teaching at the well established Laird At seven months, William absolutely refused to eat anything. In fact, he Academy of Dance, Surrey, Arts Educational Schools, London and Chelsea would start screaming as soon as he got a hint that mealtime was coming. Ballet Schools before travelling and dancing professionally on board world He wasn’t buying into purees and wouldn’t let me feed him with a spoon. I cruise liners. was so anxious. At this rate, I thought, I would be sending him off to On my return I regained all my previous teaching posts as well as teaching university with a term’s supply of Aptamil follow on milk. The health visitor ballet classes to professional students aged 16 + years at Performance was really helpful and reassuring. She told me there is a technical term for Preparation Academy (PPA) and Guildford School of Acting (GSA) alongside this, ‘spoon aversion,’ and it’s actually quite common. Who knew? running The Siegeris School of Dance. I am an approved mentor with Royal Academy of Dance and mentors student teachers on the RAD CBTS WHAT TACTICS WORKED BEST? teaching course. I had to give up the battle with the purees and switch to baby-led weaning. I can’t say he took to it straight away. It was a long journey and required WHAT QUALITIES DOES DANCING zen-like patience but we’re getting there. The key was staying visibly relaxed around whether he ate or not, putting out a mixture of familiar and DEVELOP? strange new foods and just not giving up. There are so many benefits of dance. Children learn patience, listening and discipline in class; it improves co-ordination, posture, self-esteem and confidence; helps children with self-motivation, teamwork and expressing DID YOU GET OUTSIDE HELP TOO? emotion; and then, of course, there are the group performances. Children I couldn’t have done it all by myself. There is a pre-school cooking class love being part of a big show that we start from scratch and seeing how it all called Cookease on Bolingbroke Grove that was a lifesaver. Yes, we could comes together at the end. It really is the stuff of magical memories. bake and cook together at home but going to the class with other children made all the difference. The children are encouraged to touch, smell and taste the ingredients and sing songs about cooking. They grow some of the TELL US ABOUT YOUR BALLET SCHOOL ingredients on site, which the children find fascinating. Being with his more The dance school has such a happy environment; we have a very professional confident peers, the pressure dropped for William and most weeks he tried and enthusiastic approach with a high standard of teaching. We offer a variation something new – or at least he didn’t cry about it! I can’t tell you how of ballet classes. The dance school runs ballet classes in the Royal Academy of helpful that was. Dance Graded and Vocational classes and modern and tap classes with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance encouraging the joy of movement in children from 3 years of age to adults. The dance classes take place weekly in IS YOUR DAUGHTER A FUSSY Wimbledon, Wimbledon Park, Raynes Park, Tooting and Mitcham. EATER TOO? Funnily enough William’s younger sister, Charlotte, was quite the opposite Jennifer Siegeris, RAD Teaching Diploma, RAD RTS, AISTD DDE, Enchanced when it came to weaning. She couldn’t get enough of purees. I still take her DBS Check, also has a very successful ballet boutique in Wimbledon and to Cookease classes though. She loves the social side and, of course, eating online, offering dance shoes and dancewear www.balletboutique.co.uk her creations! Email to register for your FREE trial on [email protected] www.cookease.org.uk 0773 0536 499 www.siegerisdance.com

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | April 2017 23 CLUBS AND CLASSES

WHY TEACH THEM MINDFULNESS? Lack of concentration, distraction, self-judgement, low mood: these can come with leading a busy life, whether you are an adult or a child. Mindfulness helps pay attention, be present and be self-compassionate, so we can experience pleasure, joy, happiness and peace.

On her children and adult courses, Anna Wille teaches participants to recognise where their thoughts are and bring their attention back, through a variety of guided breathing practices, from 60 seconds to 40 minutes.

Having trained with the MiSP and Dr. Patrizia Collard, on over 60 courses Anna has helped those experiencing difficulty, stress or anxiety, to Mini Bulls Rugby had the privilege of meeting the England Rugby League team accept and allow things to recently. The players were happy to chat to the mini bulls, pass on some tips, be, or let go and become and hopefully inspire them in the future. less attached. By learning that thoughts are MINI BULLS RUGBY TO RE-START not facts, participants use TRAINING IN THE SUMMER their newly learnt “pause button” to respond skilfully, Unlike many rugby clubs, Mini Bulls Rugby re-started training after rather than react fearfully. Doing a sitting meditation at Wimbledon High Easter, and will continue sessions through the summer term. Sessions are on Saturday mornings, 10.30-11.30 in Streatham, though will also include Participant reviews: regular participation in festivals with other clubs across London. Mini Bulls “I learnt to calm myself down when I am angry or hyper” - year 3 Rugby is the junior section of Brixton Bulls Rugby League Club and is for “I loved the course. It was super fun. I like learning about the brain in Boys and Girls in Years 1-6. All welcome for a free trial. Woodmansterne particular – flee, freeze, fight” - year 6 Playing Fields, Stockport Road, Streatham, SW16 5XE. For more information email [email protected] or visit Call Anne on 07771 543 623 [email protected] www.minibullsrugby.co.uk

24 BABY FEATURE

Baby Play is not just for fun! By Lynne Murray

Whilst playing with your baby can be fun, it is not at all trivial. It is one of the main ways in which babies engage with other people, and a fundamental means of developing their social understanding.

PLAY IS LIKE A CONVERSATION WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW How babies play, and the way in which parents can support their play, Although babies and parents enjoy these body games and toy play, they changes dramatically during their first two years of life. Babies generally can also feel something of a ‘one-way-street’ for parents, since the baby become playful from around six weeks, when they start to smile, vocalise typically doesn’t show great interest in the parent themselves. This and show deliberate facial movements and expressions. situation changes from around nine months, as relationships shift from being ‘topic-based’ to being more genuinely two-way and connected. Parents typically find themselves imitating these baby signals, or reacting to Now, babies notice more of what their parents are doing, and will them with stereotyped, exaggerated expressions called ‘marking’. These typically want to join in and even, in their own way, ‘help.’ They start to responses are largely automatic, and they help the baby maintain his follow simple suggestions, and swap roles with their parent in games like positive mood and stay engaged. These early exchanges are like ‘peek-a-boo.’ With this change, parents sometimes feel as if their ‘conversations,’ and they are a very basic way for babies to sense the baby has now become a ‘real’ person, and play can become easier and connection between their experience and that of someone else - one of more satisfying. the basic building blocks of social understanding. Don’t feel that when you are playing with TEACHING YOUR BABY TO BECOME A your baby that you are somehow wasting SOCIAL BEING By around four or five months, a baby’s vision has improved and he or time. You are teaching your baby to she can focus on things at a distance, and also start to reach out and grab become a sociable being! things. These developments mean that a baby’s interests expand, and the previous, purely social, face-to-face play loses its attraction. This can be This more connected phase culminates in the development of genuinely disconcerting for parents, as they search for new strategies with which to co-operative behaviour and more mature social understanding from engage their baby. around eighteen months, when babies can appreciate that other people have different experiences from their own, as well as different likes and This is a stage when body games, like ‘pat-a-cake,’ or ‘round and round dislikes. These developments are assisted when parents engage in the garden’ come into their own. Babies quickly become familiar with the pretend play, which can support the baby in thinking about the experience different steps of such games, and most of their pleasure comes from the of, say, doll characters. Talking about people’s experiences and their sense of anticipation and climax. These games, and supporting babies play feelings, and the reasons for them, either during play or during activities with toys, represent a new form of social relating for the baby - one such as sharing picture books, are also important ways for parents to where play is about a ‘topic’ that baby and parent share together. support the growing social understanding of their baby.

Lynne Murray is Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Reading, and author of The Psychology of Babies: How Relationships Support Development from Birth to Two (Constable & Robinson).

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 25 FREE INTRODUCTORY CLASS THE LITTLE GYM It’s never too early for your little one to start learning and have some Serious Fun. From infant to toddler, the Little Gym classes promote early development and provide a strong foundation for your child’s critical first three years. And since you’re along for the ride, you’ll be right there to celebrate every discovery with smiles, hugs and giggles. For every stage of your child’s development – from 4 months to 12 years – the Little Gym offers a diverse line up of classes, filled with movement. Your little ones will make friends, reach developmental milestones and build self-confidence (not fogetting the Fun). The Little Gym use movement, music, learning and laughter to nurture ongoing skill development and boost self-esteem. Your child progresses at their own pace, having fun and building confidence as they develop new skills.

10% OFF REFLEXOLOGY Also great for parties and summer camps. FOR FAMILIES READERS 020 8874 6567 www.wandsworthfulham.thelittlegym.eu

PHYSIOTHERAPY AT RECENTRE BALHAM A specialist physiotherapist can provide you with the right exercises, treatment and advice to help you through your pregnancy and promote recovery after childbirth, encouraging abdominal muscles to come back together and reducing your risk of future back pain and pelvic floor problems. Madia Rashid Madia is a women’s health physiotherapist who teaches pregnancy and postnatal Pilates at reCentre Health in Balham. She explains: “Modified Pilates is great for reducing all those uncomfortable pregnancy aches and pains and has been shown to speed up labour duration and postnatal recovery time.” This is great news for those of us who want to be physically and mentally fit for motherhood and get back to the activities we loved pre-pregnancy. Maria Wrenn Maria, another reCentre physiotherapist and women’s health specialist says: “90% of women experience some level of rectus diastasis (separation of the six pack muscles) during their third trimester. Many of them will also have pelvic floor dysfunction and urinary symptoms. These muscles usually knit back together after giving birth (your GP will check at your 6 week check up). If they don’t, it is extremely important to avoid certain exercises such as sit ups, planks and running, as they put pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and prevent the abdominal muscles from coming together.”

260 Balham High Rd, SW17 7AW 020 8672 4455 www.recentre-health.co.uk

26 May 2017 | 020 8696 9680 | Familiesonline.co.uk BABY FEATURE

IT ONLY TAKES 2 HOURS TO LEARN TO SAVE A CHILD LIFE R.E.D.I Training is a London-based teaching company run by nurses providing emergency training to the community. They teach the essentials of Basic Life Support and First Aid through demonstration and instruction, bringing the NO-FEE CLINIC. trainer and training to you at a PLEASE time that is convenient, or at DONATE TO KEEP THE one of their London training CLINIC OPEN locations. OSTEOPATHIC CENTRE FOR REDI offer a paediatric first aid CHILDREN training course for parents and If you’re considering osteopathy for your baby, or your own body after nannies. The course is 3 giving birth, the Osteopathic Centre for Children should be top of hours long and will cover all your list: a specialist teaching clinic, with 25 years’ experience, skills and aspects of child first aid that knowledge in treating babies and children. The highly-trained consulting you need to know for babies team uses gentle yet effective physical techniques to promote, maintain and children. They train in and restore wellbeing. In the last year the charity provided more than small groups and trainers are 16,000 treatment sessions for children from birth to 18, and women in paediatric A&E nurses, who work in leading London hospitals. They will the perinatal period regardless of their ability to pay. bring manikins for you to practise resuscitation during the course. The course costs £480 (£80 per person) for up to 6 participants. Georgia, an OCC parent, said: “What I like about the consultants at the OCC is that they don’t give me a hard time if we do decide to go down All their teachings are based on Resuscitation Council that [NHS drug-treatment] route but support my family in what to do (UK) guidelines. Certificates and handouts are provided next. We think it is absolutely brilliant.” for all attendees. Book an appointment today: 020 8875 5290 www.occ.uk.com 020 7348 7117 www.redi-training.co.uk

MONTESSORI NURSERY IN STREATHAM Anchored by the belief that our world’s future depends very much on our young children, Modern Montessori International nurseries are committed to the care and growth of each child as a whole. They implement the Early Years Foundation Stage, following the Montessori philosophy. Sally Waterbabies offer baby swimming classes throughout South West London Kershaw of MMI Streatham says: “We believe in providing your FUN INNOVATIVE BABY SWIMMING child with a more rounded CLASSES learning environment to help With a multi-award winning programme teaching vital water confidence and them develop holistically. We safety skills from birth, Water Babies’ overall aim is to teach you to teach provide a programme that caters your baby to swim. They will explain what they are doing and carefully to the individual needs of each child. The child centred Montessori demonstrate exactly what to do. Through carefully structured training, programme fosters and encourages self –help skills and independence. babies can be taught life saving skills such as turning onto their backs or, We provide a warm, caring environment in which children can develop following a sudden submersion, swimming to the nearest solid object. their skills, making learning a joyful and exciting experience.” They grow familiar with what it feels like to fall into water, so that should they ever accidentally fall in they are far less likely to panic and drown. MMI Pre-school Streatham welcomes children from 3 months to 5 years. ‘The education of even a very small child does not aim at preparing him Lo Winchurch told Families: “We are very proud of the high calibre of for school, but for life.’ Dr Montessori our teachers and their training is very important. We take our teacher training so seriously and insist that all of our teachers are not just fully Government funded places are available. 142 Mitcham Lane, London qualified swimming teachers, but the best trained baby-swimming SW16 6NS. Please contact the nursery to arrange a visit. teachers in the world.” 020 8686 2727 [email protected] www.modernmontessori-intl.com 020 7585 1510 www.waterbabies.co.uk

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 27 28 PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU SAY I WHERE YOU SEE MORE EVENTS IN OUR ONLINE WHAT’S ON CALENDAR HALF TERM LISTINGS SAW THEM—IN “FAMILIES”

We took every care in Join free and fabulous Horniman 020 7731 0695 / 07790 912318, preparing these entries but craft activities inspired by their [email protected] sometimes events are temporary exhibitions and www.yellowbirdeducation.com cancelled or times changed. Gardens. 11am -2.45pm, sessions 30 May – 2 June Please double check event run every 45 minutes. Half Term Creative Writing with the organiser to avoid Workshop disappointment. NATIONAL ARMY Exciting, creative workshop for MUSEUM Years 2-6. 10am-2pm, £349 for the Compiled by Joanna Parry Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea week. See websites for other SW3 4HT workshops during May half term. ARTS AND www.nam.ac.uk 27 May – 4 June ET PATATI PATATA CRAFTS Half Term Workshops: Make Thomas’ Academy, Parsons Green Your Own Comic Discover their SW7 Amanda’s Action Club THE CRAFTHOUSE Ministry of Women graphic novel 07966 893674, 329 Upper Richmond Road West, and have a go at making your own [email protected] FUNKY MONKEY SW14 8QR comic. Join hands-on workshops www.etpatatipatata.com KEYBOARD CLASSES 020 8487 2863 where you can learn how to draw 29 May – 2 June Streatham, Balham, Herne Hill, www.thecrafthouseuk.com one of the graphic novel's May Half Term Fun French Beckenham 30 May – 2 June characters - army code breaker Day Camp 01732 457100, Half Term Sewing Workshops Betty - explore the objects used to Learn French without leaving [email protected] Exciting sewing workshops based inspire the novel, and make your London! 30 hours per week of www.funkymonkey.info on seasonal art. 10am-3pm daily, own code. Sessions 10.30am, French immersion led by an 29 May – 2 June age 7-14, see website for details 11.30am, 1.15pm, 2.15pm and experienced native French teacher, Funky ‘One Hit Wonder’ and to book. 3.15pm, free, book early to 9am-3pm, ages 4-6, 7-10 and 12- Taster Days guarantee a space. 16. A wide range of fun activities A brilliant all-round introduction to EDDIE CATZ including Pop French Music, the electronic keyboard for 4-8 Putney, Wimbledon and Earlsfield SEW ME PRETTY French cooking, French Art, year old beginners. Learn how to First Floor, 68-70 Putney High Street Wimbledon Park Road SW19 6PE Capoeira, Science Day, French read, play and write notes C-A SW15 1SF 07714 252660 Coding and more. alongside basic keyboard 42 Station Road SW19 2LP [email protected] technique, plus composition, 279 Magdalen Road SW18 3NZ www.sewpretty.me.uk MUSIC AND artwork, singing and performance 0203 4755268 eddiecatz.com 30 May – 2 June. Kids’ Half skills. All equipment and mid 29 May – 2 June. May Term Sewing Workshop DRAMA morning snack provided, please Half Term Holiday Activities Feeling creative? Want to become bring packed lunch. Maximum 10 AMANDA’S ACTION There will be plenty of Holiday a fashion designer? Or maybe just children per class, 10am-2pm Camps to choose from including wanting to try something different CLUB In-Digestion with Mad Science, and be proud to say to your friends Skylark Café, Wandsworth FUNKY MOVES DANCE Dance Grooves Workshop, SEN Common SW18 3RT ‘I made it myself’.10am-1pm or Wimbledon - Eddie Catz, SW19 2LP Evening, Arty Family Fun and 01895 623999, 1.45-4.45pm, £28 including Balham - The Bedford, SW12 9HD Creation Station. Prices usually [email protected] materials. Full day sessions 10am- 07810 431101, include lunch and a free play at the www.amandasactionclub.co.uk 4.45pm, £56, age 7-12. [email protected] venue, plus Eddie Catz appears in 30 May and 1 June 1-2 June. Young Designer's Holiday www.funkymoves.com all venues twice a day to meet and Active Baby and Toddler Classes Club 30 May – 2 June greet the children. Fun and energetic, for little ones For ages 13-18, 5.15-7.15pm. Half Term Dance and Art and older children too. £10 pay as Holiday Course Amazing Street GEFFRYE MUSEUM you go, 10am. Dance workshops, break dance 136 Kingsland Road E2 8EA LANGUAGES www.geffrye-museum.org.uk NAOMI MARTIN TOUCH 30 May – 2 June TYPING May Half Term Holiday: Sinclair House School, 59 Fulham Patterns, Patterns, Patterns! High Street SW6 3JJ Use your favourite patterns from 07949 204553, the museum and gardens to create www.nmtouchtyping.co.uk stunning stained glass, wacky 29 May – 2 June wallpaper and patterned prints. May Half Term Touch Typing 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm, free. Courses Touch typing courses for HORNIMAN MUSEUM children aged 7+, classes are 90 AND GARDENS minutes long, £250 for the week. Classes are mixed age and ability. 100 London Road, Forest Hill Sibling discounts available. SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk YELLOWBIRD 29 May – 2 June EDUCATION (except 31 May) Parsons Green Prep School, 1 Fulham May Half Term Family Art Fun Park Road, Fulham SW6 4LJ Dance and art Holiday course with Funky Moves

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 29 HALF TERM LISTINGS I SEE MORE EVENTS IN OUR ONLINE WHAT’S ON CALENDAR

skills class, funky arts & crafts activities, fancy dress games and SPORT spectacular performances. 9.30am–12.30pm daily, age 4-12, CENTRAL LONDON £105 + VAT GOLF CENTRE Burntwood Lane SW17 0AT 020 8871 2468 www.clgc.co.uk 30 May – 2 June Junior Golf Holiday Camps These fun-based camps for 7 -14 year olds are tailored to children of all levels, whether they want to try golf or have been playing for some time. Morning only camp 9am- 12pm, £30, whole day camp 9am- Young movie makers will premiere their own film at Curzon cinema with Sparks 3pm, £45 LITTLE GYM YOUNGSTARS MULTI- Smugglers Way SW18 1DB SPORTS AND ACTIVITY 020 8874 6567, CAMP [email protected] Balham, Clapham, Parsons Green, www.wandsworthfulham.thelittlegym.eu Putney and Wimbledon Throughout May Half Term 07749 343116, info@young- Half Term Fun stars.co.uk Funky Monkey Keyboard Don’t miss out on these ever www.young-stars.co.uk popular camps at their 30 May – 2 June POLKA THEATRE Wandsworth gym. These 3-hour May Half Term Holiday Camps camps (OFSTED approved) for Plenty of fun, games and 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon over 3s build new skills and excitement whilst kids are SW19 1SB develop confidence while the kids introduced to all aspects of sports 020 8543 4888 have loads of FUN. Call the team in an all inclusive and non- www.polkatheatre.com for specific timings. competitive environment. 3-10 29 May – 2 June years, times and prices vary. May Half Term Holiday MERTON ACTIVE KIDS Workshops A range of exciting holiday Wimbledon Park Watersports DAY CAMPS workshops, including Spring in Centre, Home Park Road SW19 7HX your Step, Goldilocks, Glad Rags www.merton.gov.uk/activekids SUPERCAMP Junior Golf Holiday camps at CLG 29 May – 2 June Costume Making Day and Acting Venues across SW London May Half Term Holiday Lab. Ages, times, dates and prices 01235 467300, CHELSEA FC SOCCER Activities A huge range of fun vary, see website for details. www.supercamps.co.uk SAVE 15% holiday activities including sailing, SCHOOL 29 May – 2 June WHEN multi-water sports, horse riding, QUOTING Venues across SW London Holiday Activity Camps football, tennis, badminton, squash, FAMILIES17 020 7957 8220 The ultimate in fun and multi-sport, song writing [email protected] games with a wide range of workshops, golf, Dramabuds / [email protected] non-stop activities. Choose from workshops and much, much more. www.chelseafc.com/foundation / trampolining, swimming, archery, Week long, all day or half day www.chelseasoccerschools.co.uk gymnastic, athletics, team games, camps available. Ages 4-16, see SPARKS (formerly Throughout May Half Term arts and crafts and much, much website for details, times and Studio Film School) London Soccer School more. From £40 for the whole day. dates. Broomwood Hall School, For boys and girls aged 4-13. Activities vary depending on venue. Times vary according to course, Nightingale Lane SW12 8NR SWIMWAY 020 7101 9329, hello@sparks- from £30 WILD LEARNING East Sheen, Putney, Kensington and ignite.com Sheen Common, Wimbledon Wimbledon www.sparks-ignite.com FULHAM FC Common, Putney Lower Common 020 8871 3972, Fall in love with film this FOUNDATION and further afield [email protected] Summer! Over 5 days in July or Venues in Fulham 01483 424400 www.swimway.co.uk August, young movie makers 0870 442 5432, www.wild-learning.net Throughout May Half Term aged 7 – 18 can join to shoot, [email protected] 29 May – 2 June Swimming Courses crew, direct, act in and edit their www.fulhamfc.com Holiday Clubs Play, learn, get Intensive courses to improve your own summer blockbuster. You’ll Throughout May Half Term muddy and just be kids in a safe, child’s swimming technique, on a celebrate in style with friends Holiday Courses nurturing but wild environment. private or semi-private basis. and family as you tread the Red Holiday courses for all abilities in a Practice woodland parkour, make Courses run for half an hour each Carpet at our VIP Film Premiere fun and challenging environment. and float rafts on the water, build day, book early to avoid at Soho’s Curzon Cinema. 3-5yrs, 9-11am, 6-14 yrs, 9am- dens, make assault courses and disappointment. Age 3-9, dates and BOOK NOW! 3pm, from £15 per day. play stealth games. 10am-4pm, times dependent on venue. age 5-11, £45 If you missed the first part of this fantastic listing, go to www.familieslonline.co.uk/FSWeaster

30 May 2017 | 020 8696 9680 | Familiesonline.co.uk Est 1976 Ofsted registered and MEAB Accredited An independent nursery school for children 2 to 5 years

• EYFS and Montessori Method of teaching • MEAB inspected and accredited Montessori nurseries (the only ones in SW12) • Ballet, Drama, Football, French and Music classes • Morning, afternoon and full day sessions (term time only) • Summer Clubs Telford Park Tennis Club Nightingale 1 Montessori: St Luke's Church Hall, 194 Ramsden Rd, SW12 8RQ. 07958 567210 Nightingale 2 Montessori: St Stephen's Church Hall, 35 Weir Rd, SW12 0NU. 07930 401769 Structured, progressive tennis coaching for all abilities Contact: [email protected] www.nightingalemontessori.co.uk Delivered by LTA Tennis Professionals Register early to avoid disappointment. Children’s Group Lessons for 3 - 17 year olds Holiday Tennis Camps, Advanced Performance Tennis Squads Adult Group Lessons, Individual Lessons www.telfordparktennisclub.co.uk [email protected] 07736 068375 SW2 4NX

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31 32 FUN, FRESH AIR AND SKILLS Are you looking for an activity for your children where they can learn new skills, make friends and have fun in the fresh air? This summer, get your youngsters active by introducing them to sailing and windsurfing through RYA OnBoard. They’ll learn an exciting new sport in a safe environment, get out on the water and gain valuable life skills from problem solving to taking MAY AND JUNE IS THE PERFECT responsibility. Once they get started in sailing the opportunities are endless. TIME TO ENJOY RHS GARDEN Everything you need is provided by the instructor. It’s affordable, fun and you don’t need to have done it before. Anyone aged 8-18 can take part in OnBoard WISLEY sessions and with over 245 RYA approved venues across the country there’s Only about half an hour from south west London, off the main bound to be one near you. You might even find you want to join in too! London to Portsmouth road (A3) south of Junction 10 of the M25. To find your nearest Royal Yachting Association OnBoard activity visit www.rhs.org.uk/wisley rya.org.uk/onboard #GetOnBoard Buy garden tickets online and save 10% In the Night Garden Trail WIN May –June WEST END Join Iggle Piggle on a magical adventure around the garden. An * imaginative play trail for children aged 1 to 4 years. You can TICKETS TO SEE take part at any of the four RHS Gardens. A free trail to pick up WHAT THE at the entrance or download the app before arrival. LADYBIRD Half Term Holiday Fun: Bugs and Slugs HEARD 27 May – 4 June All sorts of activities around the garden. Learn all about the different insect garden helpers and some misunderstood villains! Create crafts and plant seeds to welcome wildlife to your garden. Birds of Prey 27 – 28 May Bring the whole family to discover all about birds of prey. See the magnificent birds up close, with agility displays at 11am and 2pm. Family Gardening Show Wed 5 July – Sun 10 Sept 1 – 4 June Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue Enjoy a fantastic family day out at the first ever family gardening Book Now 0330 333 4812 show. Listen to fascinating talks, have-a-go workshops and take www.whattheladybirdheardlive.co.uk part in the special In the Night Garden themed zone. Including Upsy Daisy Yoga, flower-pot decorating, planting night scented Based on the best-selling picture book stocks, music and story-telling. by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks Plus download the free augmented reality trail and follow Iggle Piggle on a magical journey around the garden. WIN! To celebrate the premiere Budding gardeners of WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD in the West End, 27 May – 4 June Families South West has *one family ticket (admits 4) to give As part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, local schools will build their own mini show garden, to be judged by away. Enter here to win! the garden’s Garden Manager. The theme is the Famous Five Go on a Garden Adventure. The gardens will be on show until LADYBIRD, LADYBIRD WHERE ARE YOU? 4th June and there will also be the chance for the public to vote There are a number of LADYBIRDS hidden for their favourite. throughout this magazine, find them all and email your answer together with your name and the subject heading LADYBIRD FAMILIES SOUTH WEST FUN competition to [email protected] before 31 May 2017. WOULD YOU LIKE TO EARN EXTRA MONEY? T&C’s – Prize is for one family ticket (admits 4, min 1 adult) to see the West End production Capital Focus Groups are looking for people who enjoy of What the Ladybird Heard at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue from 5 July – 10 giving their opinions and are willing to share their views on the September 2017. The winner will be selected by random prize draw from all entries with the products and services they use for many of the country’s largest correct answer. Tickets are subject to availability, non-transferable and hold no cash value. Answers will not be accepted after the closing date of 31 May 2017. The draw will take companies and well-known products. It’s free, it’s fun and you place on 1 June 2017. The promotor’s decisions will be final. will be financially rewarded as a thank you for taking part! Register now to earn extra money, by calling Liz on © Julia Donaldson & Lydia Monks 2009. Macmillan's Children's Book 07761128059 or [email protected]

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 33 WHAT’S ON I SEE MORE EVENTS IN OUR ONLINE WHAT’S ON CALENDAR

We take much care in preparing these What’s On pages, but please do double IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING THIS MONTH… check with organiser before setting out as things change. GO AND SEE THE ARMOURY IN ACTION AT THE TOWER OF LONDON St Katharine's & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB DIARY DATES www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london Throughout May WANDSWORTH ARTS This new family friendly exhibition reveals the fascinating FRINGE story of arms and the armoury at the Tower. From www.wandsworthfringe.com shooting arrows and assembling firearms to brandishing 5-21 May swords, a thousand years of history at the Tower is The two week festival brings brought to life in this exciting, hands-on experience. together more than 140 events, Explore the weapons, skills and people from the Norman performances and productions to Victorian period through a mix of historic objects and throughout Wandsworth, some hands-on interactive stations, and then have a go at indoors, some outdoors. From drawing back a bow to feel the strength and training street performances, comedy, required to shoot this powerful weapon. Friendly mouse Go Medieval at the Tower storytelling, music and dance. characters guide younger children through the centuries 5-7 May from Norman to Victorian - it’s a truly fantastic exhibition, worth a day out and my kids loved it. Admission is Learn how to read and interpret included in the Tower of London prices, and don’t forget a picnic and a long walk all around the battlements of images with French Artist Eleonore the tower before you leave! Pironneau. A la carte talks and collage workshops. Half days or internationally-recognised stories 24 May whole days, in the new Furzedown of the Moomins through the life of The Essential Toolkit for Raising venue The Living Room. 19 Thrale its author Tove Jansson. Visitors to Confident and Cooperative Road. Booking essential. the exhibition will travel through Children, 10-12.30 per pers £60 www.eleonorepironneau.com seven different interactive worlds per person. that explore the inspirations THE ART OF THE BRICK behind her much-loved stories. HAM HOUSE Southbank SE1 9PX From £12 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham- www.southbankcentre.co.uk house-and-garden Throughout May NATIONAL WALKING Ham Street, Richmond-upon-Thames Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a MONTH TW10 7RS truckload of Lego making its way to Throughout SW London Wednesdays in May THE GLOBE FAMILY the South Bank. A purpose-built www.livingstreets.org.uk/national- Join one of their garden guides for OFFER tent will pop-up by the London Eye walking-month a free tour of the kitchen garden. 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT this month for 'The Art of the Brick: Throughout May Discover more about the history of Visit the exhibition desk to buy DC Super Heroes', a collection of Have a go at #Try20 – walk for 20 the 17th century kitchen garden and tickets every day or call 020 larger-than-life sculptures of iconic minutes every day throughout the the herbs and vegetables grown by 7902 1599 for more comic book characters constructed month, explore your local streets their gardeners. 2pm information. entirely in Lego. and then go to the website to rate 29 May – 4 June Families can visit the Globe your local walks. May half term A variety of Exhibition and learn about STAR WARS IDENTITIES outdoor activities and trail as part of Shakespeare’s world and his EXHIBITION PELVIC FLOOR AND the 50 things to do before you’re 11 plays through interactive The 02 Arena, Peninsula Square SE10 PROSECCO EVENING ¾. 10am-5pm activities and demonstrations. 0DX 07779 271655 18 June £10 Family tickets for a www.list.co.uk/event/654902-star- www.elizadoalot.com Father’s Day Come along and take limited period. Ages 4+ wars-identities-exhibition 10 May part in their Father’s Day challenge! Throughout May Meet the experts in an evening of 10am-5pm An exhibition exploring the concept of knowledge and celebration of identity through characters from the women, wisdom and Prosecco! Star Wars universe. Visitors are taken Includes how osteopathy could on an interactive quest and leave with help your baby. Enjoy a warm, a personalised Star Wars character of supportive environment. Space is their very own. From £10 limited at this sociable and informative event. Sounds great ADVENTURES IN fun! 8-9.30pm £20 MOOMINLAND Southbank centre EMILY’S FAMILY Belvedere Road SE1 8XX WORKSHOPS www.southbankcentre.co.uk www.dancegrooves.dance Throughout May 07956 235 248 The first major exhibition devoted 10 May to The Moomins: Adventures in Internet Safety for Children aged 12 Moominland. This brand new years and under, 10-12 £40 per pers immersive experience explores the Puppet Theatre barge Aesop

34 May 2017 | 020 8696 9680 | Familiesonline.co.uk SEE MORE EVENTS IN OUR ONLINE WHAT’S ON CALENDAR I WHAT’S ON

Mini Moles Babies Group Fun, BABIES AND hands-on, creative sessions for TODDLERS toddlers, parents and carers. 3.30- 4.30pm, book in advance. Plus sensory, hands-on, play-based activities for you and your baby to enjoy together, 11am-12pm

DO-RE-MI BABIES CONCERTS Barnes, Chelsea, Fulham, HORNIMAN MUSEUM Wandsworth AND GARDENS www.doremibabies.co.uk 100 London Road SE23 3PQ Dates throughout May www.horniman.ac.uk Inspirational and fun classical Every Tuesday and Wednesday concerts Babies and toddlers are in May welcome to crawl, dance, sing, cry, Busy Bees Lively sessions for nappy change and more, so you Fun Days at Fulham Palace under-5s and their parents/carers can relax and enjoy some during term-time. Activities include wonderful music. £10 per adult, and their little ones using musical through storytelling, art and craft and children free, tickets online or on instruments, singing, movement music, movement, messy play and outdoor play. Free, 10.30am, the door. Dates vary depending on and stories. 10am and 11.30am, £5 more. £6 per child, price includes 11.15am, 12pm venue. up to two adults £5 per child for FULHAM PALACE members. 10.30am – babies, 1pm NATIONAL MARITIME MORDEN HALL PARK Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA – walkers, 2.30pm – walkers. MUSEUM Morden Hall Road, Morden www.fulhampalace.org Throughout May Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF SM4 5JD Mondays and Tuesdays in May The Magic Garden www.rmg.co.uk www.nationaltrust.org.uk The Palace Explorers Experience the legendary world of Saturdays in May Every Monday in May Join the Palace Explorers, weekly the Tudor tournament in this Character Encounters Join an Little Explorers parent/carer and toddler sessions imaginative play garden setting. exciting performance and journey Bring your little ones to enjoy for children aged 2-4. £4 per child, Included in palace admission. bringing maritime history to life. crafts, outdoor activities, songs and which includes a drink and healthy 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm stories. Little Explorers is a fun snack, booking essential. 9.30am- KENSINGTON PALACE Tuesdays in May activity session for children aged 2- 10.30am W8 4PX Play Tuesdays Embark on a 5, 10am, £2 per child, £1 siblings. hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace museum adventure that includes HAMPTON COURT Selected Wednesdays and trails, arty workshops, songs and THE ROYAL ALBERT PALACE Saturdays in May stories. 10.30am, 11.30am, 1pm HALL East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU Tiny Explorers Explore and play in and 2pm Kensington Gore SW7 2AP www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace the Palace together. Discover the www.royalalberthall.com Every Thursday and Saturday stories of Kensington Palace MUSEUM OF LONDON Tuesdays and Wednesdays in 11 May – 24 June excluding half through music, movement, messy EC2Y 5HN May term play and more. £6 per child, price www.museumoflondon.org.uk Storytelling and Music Sessions Tiny Explorers includes up to two adults £5 per Wednesdays in May A series of sessions for babies and Explore and play in the Palace child for members. 10.30am – Little Moles Toddlers Group and toddlers aged 0-4, to encourage together. Discover the stories of babies, 1pm – walkers, 2.30pm – interaction between parents/carers walkers.

FIRST AID FOR LIFE outgoing parrot, lives with his with pairs kite flying, Hanuman Balham and Westminster quirky animal friends. 11.45am, kites and human lift powerkites! www.firstaidforlife.org.uk exclusively for children and their 12 and 24 May parents or carers. POP UP SUMMER FAIR The Emergency Course OSO Arts Centre, Barnes, 49 Station A 3-hour course covering care of FINE FOOD MARKET Road SW13 0LF the unconscious baby and child as Wandsworth Town Station, Old York www.placeoflittledreams.com well as most commonly occurring Road SW18 1SU 15-16 May injuries and illnesses such as choking, www.finefoodmarkets.co.uk A great pop up fair with loads of bleeding, breaks, bleeds, burns, 13 May stalls and goodies to discover. head injury and febrile convulsions. Street food market with an Monday 15 May 5–9pm, and 9.30am-12.30pm, £60/£65. international flavour. 10am-3pm. Tuesday 16 May 9am–2pm

KIDS FILM CLUB STREATHAM COMMON HAZELFEST Clapham Picturehouse, 76 Venn KITE DAY Wandsworth Work and Play Street SW4 0AT Streatham Common SW16 Scrapstore, Hazelhurst Estate, 13 www.picturehouses.com www.streathamkiteday.org.uk Blackshaw Road SW17 0DA 13 May 14 May www.workandplayscrapstore.org.uk Robinson Crusoe The 19th Streatham Common Kite The scrapstore is a re-use On a tiny exotic island, Tuesday, an Day will take place 11am to 5pm, charity. All donated materials they

Familiesonline.co.uk | 020 8696 9680 | May 2017 35 WHAT’S ON I SEE MORE EVENTS IN OUR ONLINE WHAT’S ON CALENDAR

collect from green-minded the world of chocolate, create companies are re-purposed for their your own unique blend and taste members so they can re-use, some unusual flavours. During the upcycle, re-cyle etc etc. This waste day you’ll have the chance to look would otherwise go to into the rich history, geography and landfill/incinerators. Members are science of chocolate. 10.30am-3pm home educators, schools, art 1 June students and families. Lotions and Potions Can a food 20 May be a medicine? Can a medicine be A fun afternoon of arts and crafts, a poison? Make some of your own entertainment, story-telling and performances between 12 noon and natural and low-cost remedies as 4pm. All activities are free and well as a mini medicinal garden to suitable for all ages. take home. Age 7+, £13

LONDON FIRST AID HF ARTSFEST Colour House Theatre Sleeeping Beauty TRAINING Across Hammersmith and Fulham Venues in Battersea SW11 www.hf-artsfest.com includes posters, invites and Throughout May www.firstaidtraininglondon.co.uk 3-11 June activity sheets. Sleeping Beauty 20 May This year’s theme is ‘Taking Arts to As the King and Queen celebrate Paediatric First Aid course, the People’. Enjoy pop-up BARNES CHILDREN’S the birth of their beautiful baby includes resuscitation procedures, performances alongside a packed LITERATURE FESTIVAL Princess Aurora, an evil Green drowning, choking, shock, spinal programme of music, drama, 13- 14 May Fairy casts a spell on the new- injury, burns and scalds. exhibitions, tours and more. Plus a Tickets and full programme at born, stating that when she community arts fair with local www.barneskidslitfest.org reaches 16 years of age she will DIDDY RASCALS FAMILY artists on 3 June. With over sixty events for families prick her finger on a spindle and RAVE to enjoy, it's London’s largest die. 2pm and 4pm, £12/£10 Half Moon Pub, 93 Lower Richmond CLAPHAM NCT NEARLY dedicated children’s book festival, Road, Putney SW15 1EU NEW SALE including author talks, workshops, LYRIC HAMMERSMITH www.diddy-rascals.com Broomwood Methodist Church story time and craft sessions, One Lyric Square W6 0QL 20 May SW11 8BD www.nct.org.uk music, film and much, much more. www.lyric.co.uk A party for the under 8s – the 10 June 30-31 May friendliest, funkiest and most Lots of fun family friendly activities The Secret Garden fabulous day out for all the family. as well as an opportunity to pick up Performed by a stunningly talented 100% of the proceeds go to support some nearly new bargains, meet all-child cast, London Children’s the work of Humanitas Charity. other parents and grab a slice of Ballet productions are the best cake from the pop-up cafe. 9.30- way to introduce young audiences MUM2MUM MARKET 11.30am, £1.50 entry for adults. to ballet. The Secret Garden will Ricards Lodge High School, Lake Road, be LCB’s first ever one-act ballet, Wimbledon SW19 7HB THE BIG LUNCH and is beautifully narrated to help www.mum2mummarket.co.uk www.edenprojectcommunities.com/t This year’s star-studded line-up younger audience members. Age 20 May hebiglunch includes Michael Rosen, Nick 3-12, £10-£35 Market Baby and Kids Nearly 18 June Sharratt, Francesca Simon, Steve New Sales With a huge number of Join streets, communities and Cole, Lauren St John, Guy Parker- NEW WIMBLEDON stalls for everything you could friends across the UK to have Rees and Sarah McIntyre, plus TV THEATRE possibly need. 2-4pm lunch with your neighbours. Go to and radio stars. The Broadway, SW19 1QG the website to find out how to get atgtickets.com/venues/new- CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN started to host your own Big DRAMA wimbledon-theatre 66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS Lunch, whether it is sharing 13-14 May www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk sandwiches in your front garden, a THE CAMBRDIGE My First Ballet: Cinderella 30 May traditional street party or a big THEATRE Cinderella is tormented by her stepsisters and she can only dream Chocolate Tuesday Delve into community bash. Your starter pack Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street of attending the Prince’s WC2H 9HU glamourous ball. Abandoned to an uk.matildathemusical.com evening of drudgery, she is visited Throughout May by her Fairy Godmother who Matilda The Musical transforms her into a glittering Inspired by the twisted genius of Princess who shall go to the ball. Roald Dahl, Matilda revels in the From £11.50 anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change THE PEACOCK THEATRE her destiny. WC2A 2HT sadlerswells.com/peacock-theatre COLOUR HOUSE 6-20 May THEATRE SOHO: Circus, Street Dance, Theatre Crazy, voyeuristic, Watermill Way SW19 2RD unexpected and fast paced, SOHO www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk In the Night Garden Trail at RHS Wisley is a thrill ride of circus, street and

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theatre in this anything goes trip 31 May – 5 June around the streets where glamour The Man Who Knows It All Is it and sleaze rub shoulders. possible to know everything? The man who knows it all seems ANNIE THE MUSICAL to think it is. Two performers and a Piccadilly Theatre, 16 Denman musician go on a quest in search of Street W1D 7DY everything it is possible to know. www.anniewestend.com Age 4-10, from £8 Throughout May The world’s favourite family musical makes its long-awaited MUSEUMS, return to London this May, starring comedy superstar Miranda Hart. GALLERIES AND DAYS THE POLKA THEATRE OUT 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon Leeds Castle SW19 1SB BANK OF ENGLAND Horniman Explorers www.polkatheatre.com MUSEUM To 14 May FULHAM PALACE May Half Term Discover the Threadneedle Street EC2R 8AH Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Bishop’s Avenue SW6 6EA collections that make the www.bankofengland.co.uk Birthday The enchanting world www.fulhampalace.org Horniman special, and touch real 19 May of Sarah & Duck is brought to life 21 May things from a West African thumb Museums at Night in a brand new stage production, Hands-on Archaeology piano to sharks’ jaws in the Hands A rare opportunity to visit the featuring the wonderful characters Come along to this drop-in session on Base gallery. Plus workshops museum after dark. from the BAFTA award winning for a rare opportunity to get up and activities including Pond CBeebies show. Age 3-6, £15/£10. close and personal with some of Dipping, Big Wednesday: As Dead CHARLES DICKENS Don’t miss out! their archaeological finds and learn as a Dodo and Minibeast Safari. MUSEUM 4-28 May more about the rich and varied Times and dates vary. Under The Rainbow 48 Doughty Street WC1N 2LX history of this ancient site. Free, no With evocative music, puppetry www.dickensmuseum.com booking necessary, 1pm-3pm KENSINGTON PALACE and a beautiful transformative set 21 May W8 4PX we gently tell the story of one The Housemaid’s Tour HAMPTON COURT hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace woman’s courageous journey. As Step back in time to 1839… PALACE 27 May and 24 June Dickens and his young family are she crosses land and sea, she East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU Make History Get hands on preparing to leave for a journey to befriends a turtle and a colourful www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace with the palace’s creative their ‘home from home’ – a bird of paradise, discovering a 27 May – 3 June workshops for families. relaxing holiday in Broadstairs is plentiful island that gives her hope Horrible Histories – The Best of Be inspired by a new palace story just the ticket. But during their for the future. Age 3-6, from £9 Barmy Britain at Hampton Court each month, and make a piece of absence, the housemaid is up to no Palace From battling Boudicca to the past by taking part in a range of good. Discover the secrets of the PUPPET THEATRE horrible Henry and the putrid exciting activities, from gardening esteemed young writer and his BARGE plague, plunge into the history of and painting to chocolate making. growing family. 10.15am, 11am and , Blomfield Road W9 2PF Britain… with the nasty bits left in. 11.30am, 12.45pm and 2.30pm 11.45am, £15/£8 www.puppetbarge.com £12/£7, under 5s free but require 27 May and 24 June Last Sunday of every month Throughout May ticket. Time Explorers Station Highlighting the Collection The Flight of Babuscha Baboon Throughout May Explore the palace and discover its Drop-in object handling sessions The story of a baboon who wants Encounters with the Tudors You stories using the palace’s themed throughout the historic interior of to fly to the moon in a hot air are invited to join members of the activity bags, games, trails and 48 Doughty Street. Discover a balloon. Age 3+, £8.50/£12 court to explore the perils and ‘make and take’ activities aimed at unique set of Dickensian curiosities intrigues of life as a Tudor. The babies to children aged 13, 11am- from a cheque signed by Dickens, SADLER’S WELLS cooks in Hampton Court’s historic 4pm to a beautiful dolls house, an Rosebery Avenue EC1R kitchens will also be roasting meat engraved snuff box and even a www.sadlerswells.com for the king’s table. LEEDS CASTLE collection of original props from 12 May Maidstone ME17 1PL The Invisible Woman. Northern Ballet – Goldilocks HORNIMAN MUSEUM www.leeds-castle.com AND GARDENS 20 May – 4 June and the Three Bears Goldilocks DESIGN MUSEUM is looking for an adventure and she 100 London Road SE23 3PQ Chelsea Fringe 224-238 Kensington High Street soon finds her way to a hidden www.horniman.ac.uk See the Leeds Castle Gardens in W8 6AG house in the forest. With a family Throughout May miniature with an alternative twist www.designmuseum.org of friendly bears and bowls of The Robot Zoo during the Chelsea Fringe, running To 4 June delicious porridge, this charming How do chameleons change alongside the RHS Chelsea Flower Imagine Moscow ballet is just right! colour? What makes grasshoppers Show. This year, the gardeners of Marking the centenary of the leap so high? Is a giant squid jet- Leeds Castle are turning their Russian Revolution, this exhibition UNICORN THEATRE propelled? At the Robot Zoo world ‘inside out’ and reinventing explores Moscow as it was Unicorn Theatre amazing animals are recreated in the garden shed with a miniature imagined by a bold new generation 147 Tooley Street, Southwark robot form to reveal their inner recreation of the Leeds Castle of architects and designers in the SE1 2HZ workings. From £4.40 Gardens on the inside, and the 1920s and early 1930s. www.unicorntheatre.com 29 May – 2 June tools of their trade on the outside.

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MUSEUM OF LONDON NATURAL HISTORY Wonderlab: The Statoil Gallery 2 June EC2Y 5HN MUSEUM Don’t miss out on this fantastic Creative art workshop with www.museumoflondon.org.uk Cromwell Road SW7 5BD new interactive gallery with live ACE ART: Pop Art Ice-Cream Sundays in May www.nhm.ac.uk demonstrations and an Explainer- Canvases Create funky pop art Museum Explored Throughout May led experience revealing the style canvases using collage skills. Explore the galleries through fun, Wildlife Photographer of the beauty and wonder in the science Limited places, early booking hands-on activities. 11am and 2pm. Year Enjoy the world's best and mathematics that shape our essential. Age 8-14, 10.30am- Plus, join a fun and engaging tour of nature photography revealing the lives. Truly fascinating! £8/£6 12.30pm, £13 the museum’s galleries, especially astonishing diversity of life on our for families. Age 5+, 2-2.30pm planet, from urban foxes to V&A MUSEUM OF TATE BRITAIN Saturdays in May mountain hares. CHILDHOOD Millbank SW1P 4RG Hands-on history Throughout May Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA www.tate.org.uk Hear incredible London stories as Sensational Butterflies www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Throughout May you touch and hold real museum Escape into the tropical butterfly 29 May – 2 June David Hockney objects. Age 5+, 2-4pm house in the Museum grounds and Place, House and Building This big Tate retrospective goes get up close to these incredible Keep those hands and minds back to the artist's student work in creatures, usually found in the occupied this May Half Term with the '60s, exploring his incredible, tropical forests of Central and artist-led workshops on print- innovative journey that took in South America, Africa and Asia. making and constructing houses. glossy LA pool scenes, From £5.85 experimental fax works and much more. A big-hitter of a show. PAINSHILL PARK Portsmouth Road, Cobham, Surrey HORNIMAN MUSEUM KT11 1JE AND GARDENS www.painshill.co.uk 100 London Road SE23 3PQ 30 May www.horniman.ac.uk Jack and the Beanstalk Every Saturday in May Join the Garlic Puppet Theatre in Art Makers the picturesque setting of the large Have fun with different art Walled Garden at Painshill for a techniques to create something charming rendition of our favourite fabulous to take home inspired by fairy tale classic, Jack and the the Horniman’s collections or Beanstalk. Age 3-7, 11.30am and ART seasonal celebrations. Different 2.30pm, from £10 ACTIVITIES themes each week. 1.30pm & 2.45pm, £3, age 3+ Fulham Palace tremendous tudors SCIENCE MUSEUM DESIGN MUSEUM 29 May – 2 June Exhibition Road, South Kensington 224-238 Kensington High Street Family Art Fun SW7 2DD W8 6AG Join free and fabulous Horniman NATIONAL MARTIME Sciencemuseum.org.uk www.designmuseum.org craft activities inspired by our MUSEUM Throughout May 28 May temporary exhibitions and Park Row, Greenwich SE10 9NF Robots: The 500 year quest to Creative Diagrams: Drawing Gardens. Sessions run every 45 www.rmg.co.uk make machine human about Thinking You know more minutes. Saturdays in May Discover how the history of robots than you think you do... Learn how Character Encounters has been shaped by religious belief, to use systems diagrams to V&A MUSEUM Join an exciting performance and the industrial revolution and 20th communicate complicated ideas to Cromwell Road SW7 2RL journey bringing maritime history century popular culture. a broad audience, 1-4pm, age 12- www.vam.ac.uk/families to life. 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm Throughout May 16, £15 Throughout May 25 June Family Activities Pick up a family Get into Design Family trail from the Information Desk Workshop. Join design studio and explore the museum through OKIDO for an afternoon of puzzles, drawing and observation. learning-through-play by designing There are also hundreds of exciting and making your own magazine. hands-on exhibits containing plenty Age 7-11 to touch and try out, plus regular activities and workshops for ages LANDMARK ARTS 7-12 CENTRE FREE Ferry Road, TW11 9NN www.landmarkartscentre.org NATIONAL PORTRAIT 13 May GALLERY Kids’ Art Club St Martin's Place WC2H 0HE Fun workshops with a different www.npg.org.uk project for each session including Every third Sunday drawing, painting, relief making, Drop In Family Sundays printing and collage. Limited Drop-in with children aged 3+ to © Plastiques Photography places, early booking essential. take part in portrait-related events. LUCY in the Robots exhibition at the Science Museum 10am-12pm, 5-11 years, £13 FREE

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THE WALLACE THE NATIONAL COLLECTION GALLERY Hertford House, Manchester Square Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN W1U 3BN www.nationalgallery.org.uk www.wallacecollection.org Every Sunday in May Throughout May Family Sundays Art activities Take a family multi-media tour and designed for families to enjoy and bring the exhibits to life. FREE learn together, 11am and 2pm, age 5-11 FREE SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSE TATE MODERN 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields WC2A 3PB Bankside, SE1 9TG www.soane.org www.tate.org.uk Third Saturday of every month Throughout May Enjoy free drop-in activities for all Family Friendly Art Activities A ages. 1.30-4.40pm range of free arty and crafty FREE workshops, see website for details. Telling tales at The British Library FREE

specifically dedicated to children www.painshill.co.uk SPECIAL ages 3-14yrs with special needs 30 May NEEDS and their families. 6-7.30pm, Jack and the Beans Talk includes full access to the soft play Join the Garlic Puppet Theatre in CHELSEA THEATRE areas including the toddler area, the picturesque setting of the large 7 World's End Place SW10 0DR the disco room will have music Walled Garden at Painshill, for a www.chelseatheatre.org.uk turned down and soft lights, charming rendition of a favourite 15 May wheelchair users will have access fairy tale classic, Jack and the The Teddy Bear’s Picnic Let’s All to area with soft mats, balls and Beanstalk. Perfect for families with Dance is back with this delightful toys, plus quiet and chill out area. children aged 3-7 years, from £10, treat for very young audiences. Book on 11.30am and 2.30pm Combining classical ballet, physical http://shop.eddiecatz.com/ theatre, gorgeous visuals and story category/128/SEN_Eve_Play_Sessi MUSEUM OF LONDON telling, this fresh, innovative dance on_Wimbledon EC2Y 5HN GAMBADO CHELSEA company pitches another www.museumoflondon.org.uk 7 Station Court SW6 2PY production perfectly to engage and V&A MUSEUM OF Dates in May TBC www.gambado.com/centres/chelsea enthral all children, including those CHILDHOOD Morning explorers (ASC Dates in May TBC with special needs. 11am and 1pm, Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA friendly) Morning Explorers Chelsea Autism Session age 0-5 www.museumofchildhood.org.uk offers families with children who Come and join these fantastic Family Art Fun: Trails Explore have an Autistic Spectrum Chelsea Autism friendly indoor soft PUPPET THEATRE the V&A with the new Condition the opportunity to play sessions at Gambado! BARGE Undiscovered Museum Family explore the museum while it is Children £5, includes 1 adult, extra Little Venice, Blomfield Road Trail. Follow the images and quiet. Discover fascinating objects adults £2.50, see website for W9 2PF discover the museum. Journey and take part in relaxed family details. www.puppetbarge.com across the V&A with fantastic activities such as sensory rooms, 27 May stories, games and multi-sensory self-directed trails and an arts and DISNEY’S ALADDIN Relaxed performance of The Hare materials. Plus Curious Ceramics - crafts session. Age under 13, 8.30- Prince Edward Theatre, 28 Old and the Tortoise and other Tales Sensory back-pack for children 10am, advanced booking required. Compton Street W1D 4HS from Aesop, 11am. with visual impairments. FREE www.aladdinthemusical.co.uk/autism 18 June 28 May – 5 June friendly Captioned performance of The Pop-up Performance. IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM 29 August Hare and the Tortoise and other Experience a playful and interactive Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ Autism-Friendly Performance Tales from Aesop, 3pm. performance by Chickenshed, as www.iwm.org.uk This performance is specially two best friends come together to First Sunday of every month designed to make the West End EDDIE CATZ create their own music festival. On Audio-described Tours Experience production more accessible to WIMBLEDON Thursday 1 June, performances the First World War Galleries autistic people. Disney Theatrical First Floor, 68-70 Putney High Street includes British Sign Language through one of these live audio- Productions will work closely with SW15 1SF Interpretation by Deaf Umbrella. description tours for blind and The National Autistic Society, the 0203 4755268 eddiecatz.com 11am, 1pm and 3pm partially sighted visitors, ages 14+. UK’s leading charity for autistic 31 May and 28 June 9.30am, booking essential on 020 people and their families, to deliver SEN Soft Play Evening Sessions PAINSHILL PARK 7091 3157 or the performance. Book your Eddie Catz runs regular SEN Portsmouth Road, Cobham, Surrey [email protected] tickets now as they sell out fast. indoor soft play sessions KT11 1JE FREE

•If you have info, please send to [email protected]

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