2 From your Editor… In this issue: Happy New Year and welcome to our first issue of 2017. A New Year brings new possibilities, although as the new year always starts News & Views: 4 during deepest darkest winter it’s hard to see them. So, what’s needed is a bit of positive thinking; at Families Herts we like (as the song says) to “always look on Nursery & Early Years: 6 the bright side of life.” That is something that comes naturally to youngsters and so we are kicking Health & Well Being: 9 off 2017 with our Nursery & Early Years feature that looks at how day care affects little ones. What’s On: 10 The start of the year is always a time when people think about experimenting with something different to improve health and wellbeing and in this issue, we National Story Telling Week: 12 look at the benefits of mindfulness for children. We are delighted to have an interview with Joanne Harris, the renowned Education: 13 author of ‘Chocolat’ and other wonderful stories, talking about what inspires and motivates her to write. Next Issue: March/April We hope you enjoy this issue and we will be springing back again in March. Copy Deadline: 3rd February

Image credit: © michaeljung

Where are we? Baldock, Bishops Stortford, Borehamwood, Chorleywood, Harpenden, Shelley Hatfield, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Hitchin, Kings Langley, Knebworth, Letchworth, Radlett, St Albans, Stevenage, Ware, Welwyn GC. Families Herts, PO Box 434, Pick it up from cafes, playgroups, nurseries, Pinner, HA5 9AH schools, activity groups, selected shops, Tel: 020 8428 6384 surgeries, leisure centres and libraries. Email [email protected] or call to request copies for your venue. www.familiesonline.co.uk

Say you saw it in 3 News & Views Perform X Star Wars Makes Sense

Perform X dance classes in Harpenden for 6-12 year olds are high-energy weekly sessions that will boost children’s coordination and concentration. They will get fit, develop physical skills and have fun. The unique Perform X classes use original street and hip-hop music and are based around a specially designed curriculum which includes energetic games, physical improvisations and exhilarating moves guaranteed to speed up young hearts. All class materials are produced by Perform and at the end of each term, more or book a free trial by calling there's a performance of a choreographed 020 7255 9120 or visiting piece to a specially written track. Find out www.perform.org.uk/x

Neil Ellis, from Elstree is a Star Wars fan and a concept model maker for Lucasfilm. He has collected together 150 autographs of the cast and crew from the Star Wars film franchise Wear A Hat Day - Save the date and created a unique book. The signatures include those of Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Pencil Friday 31st March in your diary because J.J Abrams, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher. The Wear A Hat Day is back for the eighth time book is displayed in a spectacular ‘Millennium and it will be even hattier than ever. Falcon’ themed bronze-cast that Neil Brain tumours kill more children and adults has designed. under the age of 40 than any other cancer… Neil plans to give his book away in a prize yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer draw to raise funds for Sense, the national research has been allocated to this devastating charity for the deafblind This is an unmissable disease. Brain Tumour Research is the only opportunity for all Star Wars fan and anyone national UK charity that funds sustainable who wants to support Sense. For a chance to research into finding a cure. win this amazing prize all you need to do is Wear A Hat Day is the UK’s premier brain to make a minimum donation of £5 to Sense tumour research fundraising event, and is a through Neil’s fundraising page at www. great way to show your support and raise justgiving.com/fundraising/Autograph-Book. money for brain tumour research during a The lucky winner will be randomly selected on day of hat-filled fun and games. Buy a hat, Star Wars Day (4th May). make a hat, take a photo and share it online All the autographs and other #HATTASTIC fascinating facts can be viewed at Get started by registering online to receive a theartoftheforceawakens.blogspot.co.uk pack of fundraising goodies including leaflets, Workshop at www.wearahatday.org - it's To find out more about Sense go to posters and balloons. Check out the Hatter’s brim-ming with ideas. www.sense.org.uk

Stargazing at Observatory Free places at Have you ever wondered what is inside a black hole? How today’s giant telescopes actually private schools? work? What space travel will look like over Private schools will offer to provide up the next 100 years? to 10,000 free school places a year to If the answer is yes to any of those children from low-income families questions, then go along and join in England. Astronomers, scientists and students from the The Independent Schools Council (ISC) University of at the Bayfordbury (www.isc.co.uk) says if the government Observatory near Hertford. It is open to the pays £5,550 per place – the cost of a place general public for a series of special events up in the state system – the remainder of the until March. cost will be covered by the schools. From December to March, people can visit The ISC was responding to pressure the Observatory and see how the telescopes from the government to do more for their work, watch planetarium shows and take part state school counterparts in return for in lab and computer activities suited to all charitable status, which allows for tax ages. There are also themed open evenings breaks. The scheme, which would test that will focus on specific areas of stargazing some children on academic ability, would and space exploration. be open to primary and secondary school- Find out more at star.herts.ac.uk/ age children. bayfordbury

4 School Secretary receives The British Empire Medal

Did you know that six Hertfordshire people charities and the community. were amongst the 312 who were awarded The Countess of Verulam, Her Majesty’s the British Empire Medal, in the Queen’s 90th Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, undertook birthday honours list? the investiture in the Council Chamber, with These medallists were invited to attend a the Vice Lord Lieutenant, Richard Beazley, presentation at County Hall in October 2016. introducing each medallist and outlining Diana Burdett, school secretary at The Grove their achievements. Following this everybody Image courtesy of Julie Tese Infant and Nursery School, Harpenden, was adjourned to the ballroom for a reception, decorated for services to education within her where medallists and their guests were made local community. The other recipients were to feel very special in the company of Deputy The medallists are now looking forward to a honoured for work with: the homeless, an Lieutenants, administrative staff, county and reunion at a Buckingham Palace garden party overseas project, swimming for the disabled, local dignitaries, and a team of cadets. in 2017.

Jigsaw Performing Arts: Bradley the Bus Should you let your are you the missing piece? child use a tablet? A new research project aims to discover the influence technology has on children's learning, social interactions and play, from birth to 47 months - and parents are invited to join in. Dr Elena Hoicka from the University of Sheffield's Department of Psychology wants to find out whether technology is good for children's development, bad, or a bit of both. The survey asks questions about how long children use different types of technology. It also asks about how children prefer to learn, Jigsaw has been offering weekend performing what they understand about other people, and arts classes to children aged 3-18 across how children engage in pretend play. London, Hertfordshire and the South East Bradley the Bus is a story about a lively All participants will be invited to repeat the for over 20 years. From musical theatre London bus that goes on an adventure to survey six months later so that the researchers to contemporary drama and dance, the find missing pieces of a magic puzzle. Bradley can determine if technology has had an impact performing arts are a hugely enjoyable way the Bus travels across the globe in search for or not. for children and young adults to develop skills the missing pieces learning about different After the six months, parents will receive a for life. cultures on his way. Written and illustrated summary of their child's learning style, social At Jigsaw, they understand that attending by Inderjit Puaar, the book takes children on a understanding, and play. £2 will be donated a performing arts school for the first time fascinating journey and teaches them about to UNICEF for each parent who completes the can be an exciting but nervous experience. different modes of transport, countries and second survey. That is why they offer a two week trial before cultures. The book also features road safety Find out more at babylovesscience.com. committing to a full term. Book a free trial to advice and is endorsed by Transport for find out if you’re the missing piece. Find out London. more or book a two week trial at www.jigsaw- Inderjit was inspired to create her book by arts.co.uk or call 0208 447 4530. her two young sons who sparked her interest in children books and also by her experiences of taking part in the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic games. Inderjit Puaar visits schools and libraries introducing Bradley to young readers. Find out more at www.bradleythebus.com

Say you saw it in 5 Nursery & Early Years Nursery Applications

Parents of children born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 can apply online for nursery places at Hertfordshire nursery schools and classes from Monday 6 February 2017. Parents should approach private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers direct for a place at these settings.

Applying online for a school nursery place: • is quick and easy to do • available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week up until the closing date • you will have your own unique log in details • you can change your application right up until the closing date • your information is fully protected and secure.

Parents must log back in to the application system on Tuesday 25 April to view and accept their nursery offer. Allocation emails will not be sent direct to parents. All you need is an email account and internet access whether it is your home computer, at an internet café or at your local library. Many children’s centres also offer access.

Timetable for admissions to nursery schools and classes Apply online from:Monday. 6 February 2017 Batford Early Years Centre Closing date: .Friday 17 March 2017 Batford Nursery School serves Harpenden and the surrounding areas. Offer date: Tuesday 25 April 2017 It has a long-standing reputation as an outstanding school but also Accept your place by: . Wednesday 3 May 2017 provides a one-stop shop for the needs of families with children under five, through the school’s day care, Skylarks. From January 2017, Tiny Visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/nurseryadmissions Larks will provide for 15 babies and younger toddlers in a beautiful new and fully accessible unit, which is light and airy with its own garden area. Little Larks, catering for children aged 2 and 3 opened for full day care in September 2016 and is situated next to Tiny Larks. Children can progress through the unit, entering the Nursery School in the term after their third birthday. This outstanding school is led by a Headteacher and staffed by a Specialist Leader of Education and other Expert Teachers, supported by fully qualified and experienced Early Years Practitioners. Skylarks is also graduate-led and has an experienced and stable staff team ensuring outstanding care and education. The amazing facilities include several huge, well designed garden areas, including a Forest School, led by a fully qualified professional. The indoor environment is of the highest quality and supports children’s learning so that they make outstanding progress and are fully equipped for Primary School.

6 Say you saw it in 7 Nursery & Early Years

and may find the transition to day care difficult, it is advisable to choose a setting which offers this option, so that the baby can Day Care become accustomed to the environment and the staff. Where this is possible, it does seem that babies are less stressed by the separation experience. Dilemmas Good settings commonly help babies manage day care by building active links with By Lynne Murray home. Parents may be encouraged to bring in special toys, blankets or other ‘attachment Day care is the fastest growing form of child objects’ and settings may follow the routines care in the UK and most children experience that parents use at home, for example, for some formal non-parental care by the age settling to sleep. Having in place a system, of two years. So, what effect does day care like ‘day books,’ for passing on information have on the development of a child? How can about important events in the baby’s life also parents maximise its benefits and alleviate help staff respond to each individual baby’s any difficulties arising? experience and support them sensitively. Firstly, any effects of day care on a child’s Some parents worry that their baby will development are by far outweighed by his become more attached to day care staff than or her family influences. Secondly, research to them. There is no evidence of this, and concludes overwhelmingly that the effects of parents are typically their baby’s strongest day care are very dependent on its quality. In spite of the potential benefits, helping a attachment figures. Nevertheless, close Fortunately, in the UK this is generally good. baby adjust to day care is not always easy. attachments can form between babies and In settings where there is good training and Firstly, it is quite common for babies to be their day carers, especially when the carer is pay, and a high staff-to-baby ratio, day care upset when their parents leave them. Each responsive and warm towards the baby. This staff have higher morale and a strong sense baby is an individual, and some just seem quality of relationship is beneficial to the of professionalism and motivation, and there to find separations, as well as changes in baby’s development. is likely to be a low staff turn-over. All these routine and stimulation, harder than others. things are linked to staff providing better care Separation distress may be more marked and having the skills to provide both good after around nine or 10 months old, when Lynne Murray is Professor of one-to-one care and to manage a group babies become more clearly aware of their Developmental Psychology at the of babies. attachment to their parents, and for this University of Reading, and author of The Where day care is of a high standard, reason some parents prefer to make the Psychology of Babies: How Relationships then there is no evidence of harmful effects transition to day care before then. Support Development from Birth to Two on children’s development. Indeed, it can Some day care settings deal with the stress (Constable & Robinson 2014), in which positively benefit language and cognitive of separation by encouraging parents to stay more information on day care, as well as development, as well as enhance a child’s with their baby, possibly over the course of other aspects of babies’ development, social maturity and relationships with some weeks, until the baby settles. If parents is provided. other children. feel that their baby is particularly sensitive,

Cherishing Children Why won’t my baby sleep?

This is a question that Lisa Lamb often asked dependent on this prop. So, when they wake her baby daughter in the middle of the night at night they need to be fully awake to cry but she never got an answer. Month after so that Mum or Dad can come to them and month of being woken multiple times nightly soothe them back to sleep. They simply and soothing her daughter back to sleep was don’t know what else to do. totally exhausting. If this sounds familiar Lisa Lamb can Sometimes babies are woken by teething help. She is a Sleep Sense™ certified Sleep pains, wind or hunger pangs, however, barring Consultant who understands the challenges illness, most babies won’t go to sleep or sleep faced by the parents of a child who doesn’t Artisans Montessori Kindergarten cherishes through because they haven’t learned how to. sleep. She has a compassionate and children and inspires a love of life and An adult’s bedtime routine rituals prepare common-sense approach to helping parents learning. With qualified Montessori and them for sleep, enabling them to wind and their babies and will be able to help you Primary school teachers we provide a rich down mentally and physically. These ‘sleep help your child. Once your child has learnt environment in which children flourish. One strategies’ may be a comfortable sleeping how to get themselves to sleep, bedtimes parent commented: “Artisans has exceeded position, music, reading, an open window or a and night-times will become something to all my expectations with the vast range of warm drink. look forward to for you both. To find out resources for the children and the staff level Babies also need their own calming routine more call of expertise.”. Ofsted rate us Outstanding in but if they have learnt to sleep while feeding 0759 0470 055, [email protected], everything. The woodland opposite provides or while being rocked or patted they become www.lovesleep.co space for forest school activities too and, for the parents, there is a huge car park and a genuine partnership. We have spaces available and would love to welcome you and your treasured child. To arrange a visit call 07795 510130 or go to www.artisans.uk.com.

8 Health & Wellbeing

effects of stress, thus enabling them to deal with situations in a calmer, more helpful way, to themselves and children. Some of those with autism suffer from psychological imbalances, such as lack of rhythm. Children who struggle with this can have difficulty when trying to balance the inner and outer world, which can result in issues with interaction or distorted relationships. One area of mindfulness that may benefit these children is Mantra Meditation. This type of meditation is all about repetition, such as repeating a sound or repeating a movement or word. It’s this calm and harmonising meditation that can help to restore the child's sense of rhythm. Can mindfulness help your child thrive at school? It is a sad and somewhat worrying fact that more and more children are feeling the stress and pressure of school life. With a push to succeed academically, to make friends or even anxieties related to changing or starting new The benefits of schools, these pressures are simply no good for our children. With this in mind it is no surprise that teachers, carers and parents are looking mindfulness in children towards proven methods of mindfulness to protect and nurture their youngsters' mental and general wellbeing. The past two decades have seen an abundance developmental changes that occur within Some children find short yoga routines at of research, and hundreds of studies children, the physical changes and events the start or end of their day a great way to conducted, about the increasingly popular such as starting school, socialising, and simply clear their mind and relax, as well as stay in practice of mindfulness. Countless results of learning about life, it makes perfect sense to tune with their mind and bodies. These sorts said studies have shown a great increase in equip youngsters with tools on how to deal of activities are perfect for all ages, from stress, so much so that some Fortune 500 with their emotions, and how to develop a very young children to the elderly. Children companies in the US for instance, have even positive outlook on life with mindfulness skills. who are undertaking exams may find yoga a employed mindfulness coaches to benefit their Children can learn vital stress-relieving skills much-needed break from studying, as even 10 employees. such as breathing techniques, mindful hearing minutes’ practice can provide great clarity and Specific programmes for businesses and listening. If children struggle with an help to re-focus the mind. around the globe have been created for emotion or getting angry they can revert to Many practitioners are encouraging schools their employees to help reduce stress, keep mindfulness techniques to learn how to deal and parents to practise mindfulness with their employees' minds fresh and focused and in with, and control, those emotions. children due to the plethora of proven benefits turn able to perform better at work and of to all. For instance, Susan Kaiser Greenland course be happier and healthier from the Mindfulness and autism, ADHD has published a study named “Mindful inside out. and ADD Revolution in Education”. This informative But, just what is mindfulness? And does The Autism Research and Treatment study piece goes into more detail on the ways in it has the same positive effect on younger undertaken by Sequeira is a piece of research which mindfulness programmes for children children, specifically those between the ages that supports the notion that mindfulness can help create a more compassionate, calmer of three and 11? meditation has a great positive effect on youngster with good practices. What is mindfulness? children with autism. To be mindful helps one keep focused in a precise moment. Taking For more information, visit: In short, mindfulness is a simplistic medication for autism, ADHD or ADD does www.familiesonline.co.uk/wellbeing programme of meditative activities. It is a not have long-term simple, yet powerful observation free from benefits, however, criticism and is a new and improved way mindfulness can of seeing what is happening to us in our help long term given lives. Although very effective once learnt, it is practised daily mindfulness does of course not rid you of and part of one's everyday problems and pressures, yet it does, lifestyle, not only for however, provide you with the tools and children but also for mindset needed to handle them in a calmer adults. Parents and/ way. This calmer way has been said to benefit or carers who look not only your mind but also your heart and after children with body, thus providing an improved way of life such disorders can and a greater sense of clarity and focus. often find themselves How can mindfulness help dealing with stress, young children? so things such as meditation and Extensive research has shown that mindful thinking mindfulness can help children between the can help reduce the ages of three and 11. If we take a look at the

Say you saw it in 9 What's On

We aim for accuracy but please KOOL KIDZ CAMPS XC SKATE PARK No interval. ensure you check with the venue Tickets: All Seats £13, Groups of before you set out in case of Sandridge School, Woodcock Hill, Jarman Park, Hemel Hempstead, 10+ £10.50 changes. Sandridge, St Albans AL4 9EB HP2 4JS 0845 603 2858 01442 507193 / 01442 507100 OLD TOWN HALL koolkidzgroup.co.uk www.thexc.co.uk 13-17 Feb Extreme Sports High Street, Hemel Hempstead, A fun multi activity camp. The XC, extreme sports facility, HP1 3AE. Camps & Including: Art, sport, cooking, is for kids who want to be active. 01442 228091 pedal go-karts bouncy castles The venue has a skate park, a www.toth.dacorum.gov.uk Activities and more. The friendly staff 14m climbing wall, an organic Wow Said the Owl are DBS checked and first aid indoor caving system plus 18 Feb - 11am, 2.30pm qualified. Book by the week, bouldering and a challenging high Explore the wow-world of colours day or half day. Extended days BASECAMP ropes course, all under cover. with this curious little owl who is available. Age 4-12. Contact the venue for times and going to stay awake to see what Berkhamsted School, prices of sessions. day light brings. Doctor's Common Road, LANGLEY TENNIS CLUB Tickets: £6. Dacorum Card £4.50 Berkhamsted, HP4 3DW High Woodhall Lane, Hemel 01442 358115 Hempstead, HP3 8RW RADLETT CENTRE www.berkhamstedbasecamp. Theatre 01442 230234 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, co.uk www.berkhamstedbasecamp. ALBAN ARENA WD7 8HL BaseCamp co.uk 01923 859291 13-17 Feb - 9.30am-4.30pm. Langley Tennis & Racquets Civic Centre, St Albans, AL1 3LD www.radlettcentre.co.uk Holiday activities designed to Camp 01727 844488 Marty MacDonald’s Toy develop children's sporting, 13-17 Feb - 9.30am- 4.30pm www.alban-arena.co.uk artistic and social skills. Ages Machine show Improve your tennis and hand Cirque Du Hilarious 5-11. Additional hours available. 15 Feb – 2pm eye co-ordination. Ages 4-14yrs, 13 Feb - 2.30pm Cost: Day £32. Week £144 Fun, interactive, song-filled booking required. Clive and Danny’s madcap adventure, set in a farmyard with Mini BASECAMP Cost: £40/Day, £160/Week hilarious humour appeals to lovable puppet characters. Ages 13-17 Feb - 9.30am-4.30pm. all ages. 2-7yrs. For children aged 3-5 years. RE:PLAY HOLIDAY CLUB Tickets: Adult £16. Child £12 Tickets: £10.50. Family £38 Cost: Day £32. Week £144 St Albans Monstersaurus show Grannys Game Arts & Crafts Day 16 Feb - 11am, 2pm 17 Feb - 2pm 15 Feb - 9.30am to 4.30pm 07913 323608 Follow the young inventor Monty Exploring while stuck at Gran’s, (additional hours available) [email protected] as he creates a whole world of two children discover a most Make, create & paint. Ages 13-17 Feb - 8.15am-6.15pm whacky inventions and incredible mysterious game. 5-7yrs, booking required. Activities to suit all ages: arts monsters. Ages 3+ Tickets: £10. Family £36 Cost: £55 & crafts, team games, sports, imaginative areas, den building, Tickets: £12.50 Alice in Wonderland Arts & Crafts Day competitions, outings and 19 Feb - 2pm 16 Feb - 9.30am to 4.30pm workshops. A wide range of GORDON CRAIG Follow Alice and the White (additional hours available) toys and equipment indoors. THEATRE Rabbit as they set off on a topsy- Painting, colouring, modelling, Book half, full or extended days. turvy adventure. A great sticking, marbling and more. Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Experienced, qualified and fully family show. Ages 8-12yrs, booking required. Lytton Way, Stevenage, SG1 1LZ vetted staff. Advance booking Tickets: £12. Family £40 Cost: £55 01438 363200 required. Age 4-11 yrs. Re:Play www.gordon-craig.co.uk Hockey Camp also provide breakfast & after RHODES ARTS COMPLEX 13-14 Feb - 9.30am-4.30pm. school clubs to five The Children's Trust Stars The camp focuses on St Albans schools. of Tomorrow 2017 1-3 South Road, ball skills, set pieces and then 13 Feb - 7pm Bishops Stortford, CM23 3JG being extended into game play. WILLOWS ACTIVITY Dance schools from Stevenage 01279 651746 www.rhodesbishopsstortford. Ages 8-13yrs FARM and surrounds show their Cost: £40/Day adaptations of pieces from org.uk Coursers Road, London Colney, the musicals. Marty MacDonald’s Toy HERTS YOUNG St Albans, AL2 1BB In aid of The Children's Trust. Machine show MARINERS BASE 08701 299718 The Little Mix Experience 13 Feb - 2pm www.willowsactivityfarm.com 15 Feb – 1pm, 6pm Fun, interactive, song-filled 231 Windmill Lane, Cheshunt, February Frolics Four talented girls pay tribute to adventure, set in a farmyard EN8 9AJ 11-19 Feb one of the UK’s finest girl bands. with lovable puppet characters. 01992 628403 New born lambs plus a full Tickets: £13 Ages2-7yrs. www.hymb.com programme of activities including Tickets: Adult £10. Conc £9.50. Watersports, caving, bush craft, Toddler Town, Woolly Jumpers HERTFORD THEATRE Family £36 orienteering, fencing, archery. Indoor Play Barn, fun fair rides Play in A Day Ages 8-18yrs. Book individual The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS and animal shows. 15 Feb - 10am start, show 7pm sessions or a multi-activity week 01992531500 Create a fun new piece of theatre (15 sessions). No experience Activity Day Camps www.hertfordtheatre.com in just one day! necessary. 10 - 17 Feb - 8am to 6pm (with Room on the Broom For primary school years 1-6. Cost: £7.50 per session or early and late clubs) 10 Feb - 1.30pm Cost: £40 (including 2 show special offer of £80 for the week Children will have loads of fun 11-12 Feb - 11am, 2pm tickets). Additional show (until 5 Jan) at Willows Ofsted registered Activity Day Camp. all meals, Join the Witch and her cat on tickets £5 drinks and snacks included in the their mission to defeat the price. Ages: 3 – 12yrs. dragon. Duration 55mins.

10 What's On

Gardner Jack and the Doris the Dragon HARPENDEN COMMON Scavenger Hunt Green Beanstalk 16 Feb - 11am, 2pm 17 Feb - 10am-1pm St Albans Road, Harpenden, 16 Feb - 11am, 1pm When the owners of a dingy old Explore the park and join the AL5 1DT The most interactive version of castle that Doris the Dragon has scavenger hunt or take your www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk Jack and the Beanstalk that you been protecting move out, Doris camera and try a photographic will ever encounter! decides to put the empty castle Wild Woods Day scavenger hunt. Then get creative Tickets: £8. Conc £6. Family £24 to good use. Ages 3+. 13 Feb - 11am-3pm and see what you can make with Tickets: Adult £8. Child £7.50. Family fun day in the woods. your finds. SANDPIT THEATRE Family £30 Outdoor activities including den Cost: Suggested donation £5 building, crafts, treasure hunts , and games. Bring a packed lunch RYE MEADS NATURE The Ridgeway, St Albans, and warm clothing. Booking RESERVE AL4 9NX essential. 01727 370067 x244 Outdoor Cost: Suggested donation £5 Rye Road, Stanstead Abbotts, www.sandpittheatre.co.uk Family Conservation Day EN11 0EH. Burglar Bill Show Adventures 17 Feb - 10am-3pm www.rspb.org.uk 15 Feb - 11am & 2pm Help with habitat management. Feathers, Beaks and Who's that creeping down the ALDENHAM COUNTRY Volunteer with your family and Nests Trail street? Who's that coming PARK carry out practical management 11-19 Feb - 9am-4pm through the window? Who's tasks on Harpenden Common. During National Nest Box Week that? It's Burglar Bill! Dagger Lane, Elstree, WD6 3AT Hot drink and biscuit provided. explore this self-guided trail Tickets: £8. Conc £6 020 8953 9602 Bring a packed lunch and wear and discover how to help birds www.aldenhamcountrypark. warm clothing and sturdy as they prepare to nest. Get a SPOTLIGHT co.uk footwear. Meet at the Cricket sticker and certificate for Club car park. Under 18s must taking part. High Street, Hoddesdon, Chinese New Year of the be accompanied by an adult. Cost: £1 per child EN11 8BE Rooster Trail Booking essential. 01992441946 11- 19 Feb Pond Dipping Cost: Suggested donation £5 www.broxbourne.gov.uk Make a wish with a coin in the 11-18 Feb - 9am-4pm pond tradition. Plant seasonal Mr Bloom's Nursery Live What lurks beneath the water? flowers. Adopt an animal. NATURAL HISTORY With a net, bowl and ID sheet 10 Feb – 1pm, 4pm Survival skills. Feed the farm from the visitor centre you can 11 Feb - 11am, 2pm MUSEUM AT TRING animals, petting sessions, pony find out. This is a self-led event Mr Bloom and his Veggies are Akeman Street, Tring, HP23 6AP rides, outdoor adventure play, and children must be supervised getting the Nursery ready for a www.nhm.ac.uk 100 Aker Wood, Winnie carefully by accompanying adult. very special occasion. the Pooh. Tring Park Scavenger Hunt Cost: £2 per child. Tickets: Adult £15. Child £13. Costs: Various 13 Feb - 10.30am, 2pm Family Bird Safari Family £52. Babes in arms £5 This two hour activity includes 14 Feb - 10am-12pm; 2-4pm Big Fish Little Fish 20 minute steep walk. Age 5+yrs. ESTATE Use binoculars to spot hedgerow Flower Power-Themed Family Booking required. and wetland birds. Learn to Rave Visitor Centre, Moneybury Hill, Free identify them and how to 12 Feb - 2-4pm HP4 1LX recognise their song. Make a Multi-sensory dancefloor. Top 01494 755557 PARK nest box or log bird feeder to DJs, club lighting, glow sticks, www.nationaltrust.org.uk take home. bubbles, glitter cannon, balloons, Half Term Trail & Crafts Situated between Welwyn GC Cost: £6. Child £3. Members: £5 giant parachute dance finale. 13 Feb - 10am-3pm and Hertford Entrance to park / £2.50. Toddler play space and baby area. Do a craft activity at the Visitor via the Thieves Lane car park Tickets: Adults £9. Child £6. Centre then follow the trail located off the A414 nr. Hertford Messy Welly Club Pre-walking infants free around the woodland. SG14 2WN 15 Feb - 10.30-11.45am Cost: £3 www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk Get outside into nature and WATFORD COLOSSEUM Little Love Bugs explore the things you find. BENINGTON LORDSHIP 14 Feb - 10am-12noon Messy outdoor play for under Rickmansworth Road, Watford, GARDENS Make a love bug or bird in the 5s with a parent or guardian. WD17 3JN, woods. The event ends with Outdoors whatever the weather 01923 571102 Benington Lordship, Stevenage, snacks around the camp fire. - dress appropriately in clothes www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk SG2 7BS Ages 7 and under (with adult). you can get dirty. Mr Blooms Nursery Live www.beningtonlordship.co.uk Booking essential. Booking essential. 19 Feb - 11am, 2pm Snowdrops Cost: £5 per child Cost: £4.50. Members £3.50. Mr Bloom and his Veggies are 8 Feb - 05 Mar - 12-4pm Brilliant Birds and Birdbox Wildlife Explorers Club getting the Nursery ready for a See the gardens carpeted Building 18 Feb - 11am-1pm very special occasion. Age 2-7yrs in a spectacular display of 16 Feb - 10am-12noon Outdoor learning followed Tickets: From £11 snowdrops around the remains Look for birds. Make bird feeders, by arts and crafts or games. of the Norman Castle and moat. nesting material balls and a bird Different theme each month. WYLLYOTTS THEATRE Refreshments: Tearoom open box too. The event ends with From age 6 (parents of younger children must stay). Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Mon-Sats. Sundays in village hall. snacks around the camp fire. Booking essential. Potters Bar EN6 2HN Cost: £5. Concs £4 (not on Ages 4-11 (with adult). Cost: £5. Members £3. 01707 645005 Sundays). Under 16s £2. Under Booking essential. NOTE: £3 parking charge for www.wyllyottstheatre.co.uk 12s Free Cost: £7 per child (includes a nest box) non- members (no facilities to take cards)

Say you saw it in 11 National Storytelling Week

You’re very active on social media, do you think this new digital age we’re living in has changed the way people tell stories? I think it’s had an impact on the whole of the book business in a lot of ways, some good, some bad. What it has done is given us more access to each other and provides a much more interactive side to telling stories. I tell my #Storytime stories on Twitter, and you really feel as if you’re talking to people, because it’s a very conversational medium, which is its charm. It’s National Storytelling Week in January. What advice would you give to children or adults if they have a passion for writing and want to take it to the next level? To be a professional writer you have to write, a lot, and understand that a lot of it will be bad but practice makes you better. So start writing, and don’t worry too much about where you are heading. Also read a Image courtesy of Kyte Photography lot, because the more you read the more you realise how writing works and why it’s good and why it fails, and just keep improving all the time. Have you faced any challenges when writing books, and what did you learn Author Joanne Harris from them? It’s useful to keep an open mind. There is no way you can please everyone all the time. Learn to live with criticism even if you think it speaks to Families is unfair and still do what you are doing. If you are absolutely convinced that your book is a masterpiece, but people read it and think it’s To mark National Storytelling they end up making films. I started to pay rubbish, then there’s probably some truth in Week (28th January to 4th attention when they started filming, and it. However, keep believing you can do it, and when they invited me on set, when it was learn from mistakes, acknowledge them and February), international best- clear something was actually happening. By move on. selling author Joanne Harris spoke then it didn’t really have much to do with me, Do you have any new books or projects so I was able to enjoy it in a different way. It to Families about life as a writer, that our readers can look out for? was very nicely done, the cast was great, the how storytelling has evolved direction was great, the score was great, and I’ve got an illustrated book of the Storytime through social media, and gives they deserved the success it had. stories coming out, hopefully next year, called Honeycomb. I’m also working on a sequel to Do you ever meet people and think her advice for those with a passion The Gospel of Loki, which hopefully will come for writing stories. they would make a great character in out the year after next. I’ve also got another a book? illustrated project, which may or may not The success of Chocolat kick-started I’m borrowing from people all the time. It’s come out next year. part of being a writer, using the experiences your career as an author - was it an For more information on Joanne Harris and easy decision to retire from teaching? you have with people and conversations; things you’ve noticed about them, and you her work, go to www.joanne-harris.co.uk Writing is generally a job that doesn’t make filter them through this process. I don’t think a lot of money, and nearly all writers have I’ve ever actually put someone in a book, but another job. For my first three published I think we all borrow extensively from other books I was a teacher and if one of my books people around us. hadn’t been unexpectedly successful I would have stayed a teacher. When you reach a How long does it usually take you to Did you know that certain level of success it’s very difficult to do write a book? Hertfordshire has it's very the two things at once, so I gave up teaching. I’m usually working on more than one thing. own storytelling festival? I thought then temporarily, and it turned Some have taken me 10 years to finish, some out to be permanent. But it could have been only one. Some I’ve started and then finished It's called The Fireside Festival and it runs different. 5,10 or 15 years later. I tend to start things from 30th January until 4th March in How did it feel when you found out off and then quite often put them on the back Baldock. that Chocolat was being made into burner for a bit, work on something else and a film? then go back. Sometimes I just need to let Find out more at it lie, do some research, or work out a plot www.firesidefestival.org I didn’t believe it at first, because books get construction. optioned all the time, but very rarely do

12 Education

Make it more formal As your children's maths skills How to progress, you can begin to make their home learning more formalised. There are any number of online maths resources make available and your school may encourage at-home use of a programme like Mathletics to maths challenge and reinforce skills learned in the classroom. These online resources usually feature progressive levels so you can fun for easily track your child's progress but do check before you sign up to a paid programme that it's kids compatible with the National Curriculum. Although it's easy to assume that children will Maths is one of the or the 'Maths for Mums and Make tech and tables prefer working on the computer, fundamental skills that Dads' books by Mike Askew and count many also enjoy age-appropriate Rob Eastaway. workbooks, with stickers to all children need to There are numerous maths apps reward their progress. acquire, and there are Maths by stealth available for children of all ages. plenty of ways you can There are plenty of ways you can Doodle Maths and Mr Thorne's Learn with and from make maths fun through incorporate maths into everyday Maths Universe should get your children young mathphobes practising the use of games and life, which is an excellent way As the Family Maths Toolkit of letting children know how their numeracy on their devices. maths activities at home. Percy Parker Sing Your Times (www.familymathstoolkit.org. important numeracy skills uk) points out, maths is not a can Numeracy targets are are outside of the classroom. Tables and Squeebles Times Tables are both excellent apps for or cannot subject but something fundamental to the National Next time you have a cake or we can all improve, however Curriculum and to primary a pizza, ask them to divide it embedding times tables in young brains. For older children facing old we are. When your children school testing and that can seem into quarters or thirds or an bring home maths homework, as intimidating to you as to your equal number of portions for their end of primary school tests, ensure that they know not just take the opportunity to learn child. But there are some simple the number of people eating it. about new maths concepts from strategies you can put in place Baking isn't just a pleasurable the multipliers but the divisors too, up to 12 x 12. them and show them real world that can make maths fun for your activity to do with your kids, examples of how to put those kids and reinforce how important it's one of the very best ways of Try gamification skills into practice - by checking those life skills are. embedding the importance of your shopping or phone bill. weights and measures. They'll In other words, get out some Do your homework old fashioned board games. Encourage them to contextualise also need to keep an eye on the a newly acquired skill by putting Before you can support your Dominoes is an excellent game clock to know when their goodies it into practice around the home, child's maths learning at home, for practising basic maths are ready to come out of the whether it's telling you the time you'll need to find out about the concepts, as is Snakes and oven. Meanwhile, every time their favourite TV show comes way they learn maths at school. Ladders. They'll be having too you go to the shops, encourage on or estimating how long their Do some homework on modern much fun to notice they're them to add as they go and bath takes to run. And always maths methods like number adding and subtracting and then make their best estimate praise their effort rather than lines and gridding, and find out recognising basic number of the final bill. From calculating their talent, to reinforce the whether your child's school patterns. For older children, the change they should receive message that by working hard offers maths support classes Monopoly introduces more when they buy an ice cream to anyone can improve their for parents. There are resources sophisticated numeracy skills keeping score in a friendly game maths skills. online like the Family Maths and Scrabble is a brilliant way to of football, everyday maths really To find out more visit: www. Toolkit (www.familymathstoolkit. practise both numeracy is everywhere! familiesonline.co.uk/education org.uk) from National Numeracy and literacy.

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Say you saw it in 13 Education

Storytime Phonics – linking reading with fun

St Francis’ College, in Hitchin, has introduced a new, holistic, whole class approach to learning to read through Storytime Phonics in their Reception class. Storytime Phonics is an inclusive synthetic, whole-class phonic reading and writing programme based on Letters and Sounds, for A fearless start to the year all children learning to read and Why fearless you might ask? And what does this even mean? write in the Foundation Stage. For us, a child’s educational journey goes beyond acing a quick spelling This programme enables the test or getting to the top of the class for a term. It is about building long- teacher to empower and engage lasting confidence that takes them through their entire life, whether it is the whole class, regardless through developing a ‘have a go attitude’, or knowing it’s ok to put their of ability, on a multi-sensory hand up without fear of a ‘silly’ question being mocked, or simply feeling journey where learning phonics excited about their next step. It’s about nurturing a sense of pride, and a has a purpose. Each sound has fearless attitude to learning, so that every child can become their version an action linked to the story, so teaching reading but it has really of amazing. children remember and relate the inspired our girls. We have given Our incredible tutors are there to support every step of the way. Rather sound directly to the book. children memorable experiences than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’, they will ask: “are you sure?” or “can you Mrs Jo Day, Head of Early Years which connect learning to read convince me of your answer?”, allowing children to explore and push the commented “This approach to with pleasure. It is amazing to boundaries of their thinking each day. teaching phonics has been used see the fun pupils are having To celebrate the new year and all of the potential it brings, we would along-side other methods of while learning!” like to offer you a little something to help your child along their fearless learner journey. From the 16th January until the 28th February, you’ll save £50 when you join any one of our maths and English tuition centres. To find your nearest centre and book a free trial go to Professional one to one tutoring explorelearning.co.uk/offer or call 030 3003 4006. Fleet Tutors has been matching the right tutor to the education needs of students across the UK since 1977. Our network of tutors are subject specialists who tailor the teaching and learning experience to relieve any subject specific anxieties and help build your child’s confidence so they achieve a successful outcome. To find out more call 0333 920 2458.

14 Say you saw it in 15 Education www.familiesonline.co.uk

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