Manchester

In this issue:

Making maths fun! Winter clubs & classes A safer digital world

Issue 67 Jan/Feb 2018 familiesonline.co.uk News News

Geronimo Festival - the hottest A fabulous day out for all the family Emily’s Paint a Pot now open in Manchester Arndale ticket in every kid’s calendar and caravan and have a go for themselves! Peg Perego have Through an exciting joint artist in a number of different offers 3D lifecasting and clay rides with a 2 day ticket and handbuilt three incredible mini venture with the retail giant, ways. There are over 200 imprints. unlimited rides for the 4 day caravans, based on the Swift Next, Emily has created a different pots to choose from, Founder Emily Barratt is super tickets! Basecamp, so kids aged from wonderful place for everyone from original pieces to classic excited to see you all at the Geronimo has everything 3-10 can take a spin around the to take a break from their cups, and customers can use brand new studio within Next This ultimate kids’ festival, and your family needs with a track and manoeuvre their shopping and create some the array of colourful paints to at the Manchester Arndale a must-go event, is delighted jam-packed schedule of caravan, just like mum and dad! This fabulous ceramic and craft lovely pots and lasting memories. personalise their designs. – make sure you pop in! to be returning in May 2018 performances from the country’s There’s also free manoeuvring studio has just opened its People visiting the store will For customers wanting a more 07852 254095 / to Arley Hall and Gardens best children’s entertainers, 2 Discover the BIGGEST choice tuition for grownups as well second location in Manchester! be able to tap into their inner classic keepsake, Emily’s also www.emilyspaintapot.com in Cheshire. Referred to as circuses, zip lines, a full-scale anywhere in the North at The as expert cooks and TV ‘Glastonbury for kids’, the likes showground arena with activities Caravan & Motorhome Show personalities on the Food & of Justin Fletcher, Mr Bloom including jousting tournaments held at Manchester’s EventCity Travel stage, including Wildlife New performance school in Altrincham and Cook and Line have all and motorcycle stunt displays, from 18 – 21 January 2018. TV Presenter Steve Leonard headlined the main stage in a Victorian funfair and much more! With over 200 exhibitors and TV Presenter Monty Halls, – 5.30pm for ages 3 – 6) costs the past. Camping and glamping is including leading manufacturers, who will be preparing their £7.50 per class, and teaches Don’t miss out on early bird available at Arley Hall so why the region’s premier dealerships favourite delicacies for you to youngsters drama, singing tickets on sale now! Geronimo not make it a mini-vacation! and more launches than ever enjoy while sharing stories and dance. loves savvy festival goers, so There’s even a magnificent before, The Caravan & from their holiday adventures. Street Dance (Fridays 5.30 book early before the price spa including a free crèche/ Motorhome Show is not to be The Caravan & Motorhome – 6.15pm for ages 5 –9) costs £6 increase and take advantage kids club for spa users. missed! With so many products Show is a great value day out per class. of early bird discounts with a Tickets are available NOW on offer it’s the perfect for the whole family with Noodle Performance Arts is an NPA Academy (Thursdays 4 huge saving on the gate price! via the only official ticket opportunity to compare layouts, FREE car parking, FREE entry affordable and fun alternative – 6pm for ages 5 – 16) costs £16 All Early Bird tickets are eligible partner www.ticketline.com interiors and specifications for under 16’s, FREE show guide to traditional stage schools per class and offers more for FREE funfair wristbands (all under 2’s, carers and and to take advantage of some and FREE entry to the co-located and has just launched in in-depth training in the which give you 5 free rides senior citizens go free). superb show-only discounts. event, Destinations: The Holiday Altrincham! different aspects of performing with a 1 day ticket, 10 free www.geronimofest.com Plus, with the biggest ever & Travel Show! Sessions focus on developing arts and musical theatre. selection of accessories, you Book your discounted tickets children’s skills in a relaxed, All Noodle teachers are Flipping brilliant! exclusively for under 7’s and a can kit yourself out with all by 9pm on 17 January for only no-pressure environment and fully-qualified, insured and toddler soft play area. the essentials. £8.00 (£9.95 on the door) by there are no expensive uniforms DBS-checked. They are also Flipout Manchester is the In a world-first, kids will visiting to buy or stressful exams to take. trained to gently build your ultimate destination where fun have the opportunity to get www.CaravanShows.com or Classes take place at St Peter’s child’s confidence while helping isn’t just a promise, it’s a behind the wheel of a tow car call 0844 873 7349 and quote BT1. Assembly Rooms, WA15 9NU them learn valuable new skills guarantee! The park provides from 11 January and Altrincham which will boost their self- entertainment for all ages as A gift of presence health and wellbeing through live FC Community Hall WA15 8AP after esteem, improve their physical well playing host to special practice, study, fun and relaxation. February half term – and you co-ordination and inspire a events including parties (with For many people, mindfulness The all-inclusive ticket price will can now book a FREE taster class. passion for performing. some fabulous private party is unknown. So, what is give you access to over 70 expert Noodle Tots (Thursdays, 9.30 To find out more or to book As the trampolining craze rooms), fitness sessions and mindfulness? What benefits talks across a huge variety of – 10am for walking age children) your free taster class, email continues to boom in the UK, classes. Did you know that an does it bring? What impact themes, in a relaxed and tranquil costs £5 per class, and includes cat@noodleperformancearts. the UK’s biggest trampoline hour’s trampolining burns up to can it have on family life? atmosphere. The event also offers action songs, music and fun com or call her 07769 155591. and adventure park, Flip Out, 800 calories?! The Mindful Living Show will be a range of creative and physical activities. www.noodleperformancearts. has just opened in Sportcity, Flip Out is the fastest-growing coming to Manchester, on 2nd arts and meditative practices, Performing Arts (Fridays 4.30 com/knutsford Manchester. trampoline park operator in - 3rd February 2018, to give you plus a range of relaxing and The park is a 35,000 square the world with 75 outlets in seven answers to these questions and uplifting products and services. foot trampoline heaven countries around the world. offer learnings on parenting, This unique show will allow you featuring a Ninja Warrior course For more information: encouraging your children to to meet others in this community, – an action-packed adventure www.flipout.co.uk flourish, their mental wellbeing pick up tips from the experts or with awesome climbs, Cyber and education. simply be introduced to the art Towers (race your mate to the With exclusive content for both and science of mindfulness and top), Lazer Maze, Ninja Slide beginners and experienced meditation. To find out more (20ft Drop) and Stunt Box practitioners, the unique event information about our features Zones. For the little ones, there’s looks at how mindfulness can and speakers, please visit a special trampoline area benefit every aspect of your life, www.mindfullivingshow.com We’re looking for media sales people Next issue: March/April 2018 Advertising/artwork: Families Manchester is part of Families Every care is taken in the preparation of [email protected] Print Ltd, a franchise company. All this magazine, but Families Manchester, to join the Families northern editions Circulation: 25,000 copies of Families franchised magazines in the group are its distributors, the franchise company, Manchester are available through nurseries, Events, diary dates, what’s on: sales team. independently owned and operated Families Print Ltd and LCMB Ltd cannot schools, libraries, selected shops and [email protected] If you have a strong sales background under licence. Families is a registered be held responsible for the claims of other points throughout Greater Cover Photography: trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham advertisers nor for the accuracy of the and are looking for part time, flexible Manchester. If you would like free copies Bury Grammar Schools House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, contents, or any consequence thereof. for your organisation, please let us know. work from your own , then get in www.burygrammar.co.uk Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents Editors: Jayne Keep & Caryl Hall of Families Manchester are fully touch! Experience of media sales is ideal, Design: WITH Creative, Congleton. protected by copyright and none of the Contact details: Families Manchester, www.withcreative.co.uk but not essential. For more info, call editorial or photographic matter may be @FamiliesMancMag 3 Hall Hill, Bollington SK10 5ED Print: Bishops Printers, Walton Road, reproduced in any form without prior Jayne on 07960 274739 or email Tel: 01625 801 801 www.familiesonline.co.uk Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 1TR consent of Families Manchester www.facebook.com/FamiliesManchester [email protected] Editorial: [email protected] Tel: 023 9233 4900 www.bishops.co.uk

2 Families Manchester familiesonline.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk Families Manchester 3 Education Education

Manchester High’s reception girls New specialist school in much the country spends on 3) Learn about pay. A great Explore Learning gets debt, it’s clear that we need to activity we do with our older unlock the secret to being happy Stretford, Manchester teach children the importance members at Explore Learning is behind “more maths of good financial management.” to get them to research how Department and Reception receive one to one specialist Charlotte has put together much they would get paid for class teacher, commented: “One teaching for functional literacy for everyone!” some top tips to help you help their ideal job. They then have of the ways our pupils have been and numeracy to help them to your children have a good to see how far their monthly learning to look after their brains reach their full potential. understanding of budgets: wages would go. Looking at is by Happy Breathing. They With an emphasis on 1) Get them involved with tax, rent, bills etc gets them to love using teddies and blowing developing resilience and self shopping. Give them a budget see how much disposable bubbles to help them discover esteem, the school values to spend for the week and get income they would have! different breathing techniques. creativity, structured play them to meal plan. Encourage The Reception classes at “The programme has been really and concrete learning. The them to shop around different Let’s take the fear out of maths, Manchester High School for successful, and girls have even Does your child have dyslexia, teachers have a long history brands or supermarkets to see relate it to real life situations Girls have been introduced to requested Happy Breathing exercises dyscalculia, dyspraxia or of working with children with if they can get more for their and encourage children to get the ‘myHappymind’ during the school day. Parents other learning needs? special needs in Manchester money. to grips with finances. More programme which teaches have had a guide sent home and Would your child benefit from schools and are passionate 2) Teach them about interest maths for everyone…yes please! pupils the science behind the are even reporting that it is a being in a small, nurturing class about meeting their individual rates. Does your child turn to workings of their own brain. very useful tool for settling taught by specialist teachers? needs. the bank of Mum and Dad to Explore Learning is award- Launched with the School’s down at bedtime.” The Liberty School Manchester The school offers both full time In November 2017, the confident mathematicians and borrow money? Give them some winning maths and English seven-year-old pupils last year, If you’d like to discover more is a new specialist school opening places of 4 days a week and government released their proud problem solvers is our options. a) They can either save tuition for children aged four to the programme aims to build about life in the Reception classes in January 2018, set in the grounds the option of flexi-schooling budget which stated they responsibility as educators and up their pocket money or do 14, voted the number one resilient, balanced and happy of Manchester High, why not go along of St Matthew’s Church in Stretford. where children attend for were committed to investing parents. jobs to earn the money. b) You private tuition centre in the UK! minds. With a successful roll-out to their Reception Information The school aims to create a 2 days, and will operate on a more money for maths Charlotte Gater, Head of will give them the money They’re confident you’ll love it to Reception, the girls have Morning on Friday 2 February village school atmosphere in not for profit basis. Full time teaching in schools. Education at Explore Learning upfront, but they then have to so why not call to book your enjoyed meeting Bertie and Betty between 9.30am and 10.30am. the city, offering a mixed aged fees will be approximately Whatever your political said: “This way we can help pay you back with interest. So, free trial with your nearest Brain who have been teaching There is no need to register, primary class with a high staff £8,000 and part time fees will belief and aside from the children to develop the skills if they want £50 they have to centre today on them how to look after, and be however, if you would like more to pupil ratio. It will provide be around £4,250 per annum. debate, we can all get behind needed, not only in so many give you £55 back over a set 033 0124 3802. aware of, everything that goes information please call Manchester a well-structured, positive For all enquiries please the chancellor’s sentiment of jobs, but also to be financially period of time. This way they on inside their heads. High’s Registrar, Mrs Percival, learning environment with e-mail Michelle or Tom at “more maths for everyone”. healthy. Whilst listening to the will start to understand about Mrs Anderson, Assistant Head on 0161 224 0447 or email an accessible and adaptable thelibertyschoolmanchester@ Helping the next generation budget speech, and the the debt they could create by Mistress of MHSG’s Preparatory [email protected]. curriculum. All pupils will gmail.com. to master maths concepts, be chancellor’s comments on how using loans.

4 Families Manchester familiesonline.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk Families Manchester 5 Education Education

Making maths fun Helping your child Here’s some advice from local By Kjartan Poskitt parents: Anne says, “Make it fun. No I always say that maths is like broccoli. You either like it or hate it, but you have to have some with exam pressure pressure, early nights in the because it’s good for you. Now I’ll tell you a secret. I do not like broccoli, but I do find it helps to By Claire Winter week and treats at weekends. There’s more to life than exams.” have a bit of brown sauce on it! Similarly, maths becomes more exciting when it’s spiced up a little. find learning easier if they know sleep a night, and this Karen says, “Don’t make it a their learning style. There are doesn’t really change when chore, be light-hearted and It’s important that your children are lots of online quizzes, which they become teenagers. don’t let them feel it’s going to The Table comfortable enough with simple sums children can do to find out Make sure they get adequate dictate the rest of their life or that they don’t have to rely on a whether they are visual, auditory sleep by taking digital reflect their academic potential.” Attack Game calculator – that’s like using arm bands or kinaesthetic learners. This distractions out of their Mark says, “We don’t focus for swimming! If they can develop an may help them work out what rooms. Give them an alarm on academic achievement, we Try to play this game cards face-up. Players must instinct for numbers, simple sums revision style works best for them. clock, so they don’t use their tell our children to put maximum with your children regularly multiply the numbers on the become much easier. The secret is to Agree on a plan phone as an alarm. effort into their studies and to in short bursts of about 10 cards together, and the first spend some time playing around with Talk to your child about the Set them up for the future do their best. We value minutes. You need two or more person to shout the right answer numbers and getting to know them. Although SATs will eventually schoolwork they need to do Remember you are setting up emotional intelligence, above people and a pack of playing cards. wins a point. Make sure you are Here are a few little facts, games be phased out for younger and devise a realistic programme your children with good habits exam results.” Remove the jacks, queens and kings multiplying and not adding! (So, if you and tricks to share with your children children over the next five years, of revision and work that they for the future. Sarah Brazenor, from the pack and put them back in see 5 and 1, the answer is five not six.) to help them see that numbers have year 2 and year 6 pupils will can achieve. Remember they will a tutor from Connective Learning Clare says, “Support them to the box. Now take the aces, twos, fives Now make it more exciting! quirky behaviours and make fun patterns. still have to sit their SATs this need additional support from (www.connective-learning.co.uk) relax and switch off when the and tens from the pack, and just one Without looking, pick a couple of the I hope some of these things help. May. Many children also have you, so make sure you can stick says, “It’s really important as pressure feels intense. My son joker. The aces count as one and the joker power cards and slip them in with the And just to make you feel better, while entrance exams for prep schools, to what you have agreed. parents to help your child get regulates by listening to a counts as zero. Put the other cards aside others, then play again. Once you’ve got you’re practising your numbers, I’m private secondary schools Avoid distractions through these first serious relaxation CD at bedtime to for a moment. We’ll call these the used to the extra cards, keep adding a going to go off and eat some broccoli! and the 11+ to prepare for too. Children can’t multi-task; revising tests in the best possible way. help switch off his busy brain.” power cards. few more power cards until you have with an iPad, mobile phone, Once they go to secondary Bhavna says, “I rewarded my Shuffle the 17 normal cards all the cards in play. Expectations are important television or XBox means they school there will be more children for actually studying. I then put the pack face down. This is a fabulous, quick fire Recent research shows that are not fully concentrating. The exams, and some schools are never focused on the results when Two players each take way to get your children Trick 4 parents who place a high value average person checks their not very good at using Prime numbers are it came to the SATs. However, I a card from the top The Dice to firm up on their numbers which will only on education and have high phone over 80 times a day. If motivational language, so was like a woman possessed without looking and times tables. divide by themselves and academic expectations can have a you set them up to study without learning coping strategies now with my eldest for the 11+. then together Challenge 1. For example, 7 is a positive impact on children. outside distraction from the can set them up for the Again, we rewarded her effort they turn prime number because However, with high expectations get-go, they will hopefully future. before we even got the results. their Throw three dice, but don’t let nothing else divides into it; there must come a high level of continue to revise this way when “Find family mantras that A successful result did make her anyone else see how they land. Tell 8 is not a prime number support. Children who don’t get they go to secondary school. work for you and your realise that you get what you put everybody what the three numbers add to, and because 4 x 2 = 8. this are more likely to struggle. Take a break children. We have, “There’s no in. I feel that this is a valuable life also what they multiply to make. Who can work out Place seven playing cards They also need to learn how to Make sure your children still such thing as failure, just skill to learn so early in life.” in a pile face down with the numbers on the dice? build up resilience. We need to have hobbies, see their friends feedback.” We have to get the bottom card as a joker. Gill says, “Be organised, don’t So, for example, if the three dice add to 9 and multiply to teach them how to cope with and have a life away from things wrong to learn from Choose a magic number spring work on them, agree on make 12, what are the three numbers? less than 7. (Let’s say you the highs and lows of life, and studying, exams and schoolwork. them. It took the lighting a revision plan or work schedule Answer: 1, 2, 6. choose 4). One by one slide how to handle exams. Educational specialist and children’s pioneer Edison 1000 tries with lots of breaks and treats. a card off the top and put Setbacks are not failures author Leysa Henderson, who before he developed the light Help them revise - make them Trick 2 it back on the bottom. When Children are often well aware taught Year 6 pupils for 15 bulb. Without him continuing know they have a team helping you get to the 4th card, turn of what their parents think years says, “We need to help to learn by his “failures,” we’d them. A ‘we are all in it Pick any three consecutive it face up and then put it about failure. If they are taught children feel good about all be sitting in the dark.” together’ approach, has really numbers (e.g. 4, 5, 6). to the bottom of the pack. Trick 3 Multiply the smallest by that mistakes are opportunities themselves when doing helped support my girls.” Keep doing this, turning to learn, rather than being exams and not feel under The numbers in the 3 times the biggest, and then add every 4th card face up. The made to feel bad or a ‘failure,’ pressure. I would recommend table have a special trick, one. (So here we get 4 x 6 last card to be turned over they are more likely to develop lots of creative and fun mental because if you add the =24, then 24 + 1 = 25). The will be the joker! Try this trick digits together, the answer answer is always the same again picking a different a growth mindset. stimulation that isn’t necessarily will always divide by 3. For as the middle number magic number – e.g. 5. It Using the word ‘yet’ is incredibly exam/content focussed. instance 8 x 3 =24, and 2 + squared … i.e. times by will always work! What’s more powerful and encourages the “In fact, it is important to 4 = 6 which divides by 3. You itself. (Here we get 5 x 5 = you can have any prime growth mindset. “I am not good give them space from content. Trick 1 can use this to test if any If you write out the digits 1 25 YAY!) This works with number of cards, so try the at spelling yet.” When your child Helping children to make links number divides by 3. Let’s any three consecutive 2 3 4, you can turn them trick with 5, 11, 13 or even 17 faces a setback remind them in life also encourages test 71865. 7+1+8+6+5 = 27 into 12 = 3 x 4. You can numbers, so let’s try 7, 8, 9. cards! The magic number which divides by 3, so 7 x 9 = 63, then 63 + 1= 64 that the more they learn and try, independent thinkers. also do this with 5 6 7 8 can be any number smaller the more their brains will grow. Laughter is also a fantastic 71865 also divides by 3. and that’s the same as 8 x 8! than the number of cards. because 56 = 7 x 8. There are some great TED talks stress reliever, so go out and about the growth mindset, by play silly games with them. I Carol Dweck on YouTube. always gave this advice to Find the revision techniques my pupils, and I always got Kjartan Poskitt is author of the series of books Murderous Maths, published by Scholastic. He is also the Ambassador that work for your child extremely good results.” for the National Young Mathematicians’ Awards, the only team maths competition for primary schools in the Does your child remember best Sleep matters country, run by Explore Learning in collaboration with the NRICH project at the University of Cambridge. by what they see or hear, or do Children ages 10 and 11 they learn by doing? Children may should be getting 9½ hours of

6 Families Manchester familiesonline.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk Families Manchester 7 Clubs & classes Clubs & classes

As parents, we are responsible Ice Rinks/Snow Slopes Winter clubs and classes for setting up opportunities Local snow slopes and ice rinks Babyballet in for our children to keep active are great places to get kids active Improved academic performance during winter months. So during the winter and offer Didsbury, The Research has found that here are our ideas for keeping kids the opportunity to try children from disadvantaged your restless young one on tobogganing, skiing or Heatons and Sale backgrounds who participate the go – and the good news is snowboarding, or get a pair in after-school clubs get better you don’t have to force them of skates on. There are indoor Combining music, song and Tuesday to results at age 11 than their peers. (or you!) outside: and outdoor rinks and centres, dance, babyballet dance Saturday in Enhanced socialisation skills depending on how you feel lessons are the perfect way to the Making friends with children Trampoline Clubs and Parks about braving the cold or introduce your little one (aged Didsbury, The Heatons and from outside their school These are popping up all over damp weather. 6 months – 6 years) to the Sale areas, teaching 420 allows children to broaden the country and classes are Indoor Sports world of dance. The five-stage babyballet stars each week! their social experience, whilst fun and social. The UK now You can access indoor classes dance syllabus not only You can register for a three extra-curricular activities at has over 190 trampoline for most outdoors sports such encourages young children to week introductory trial for just school give children the parks and most offer kids a as football, cricket and tennis at feel more confident and £15, after which classes cost chance to enjoy a different safe environment to cut loose leisure centres or school co-ordinated, but also welcomes £5.50 for tots (6 – 18 months), type of social experience with as well lessons and classes for recreation halls. Likewise for them into an imaginative and £6 for tinies (18 months – 3 their school friends and other children from as young as toddlers and pre-schoolers, magical world of movement years) and movers (ages 3 & children in their class. toddlers upwards. multi-sport and ball skills classes and music. All ballet lessons 4), and £2.50 for tappers (age Better health and fitness Indoor Rock Climbing are often run inside during winter. are linked to the Early Years 3+) per week, payable termly. According to the National This activity is also growing in How many is too much? Foundation standards. For more information, call Association of Sport and popularity across the country Whilst clubs and classes are Miss Laura brings the magic Miss Laura on 07753 111753. With the nights closing in and Physical Education, kids aged with a centre likely to be very important for children, be of babyballet to children from www.babyballet.co.uk the temperature dropping, the 5-12 should exercise for at least close to you. Even the NHS careful how many activities you idea of sending your child out 60 minutes of each day, and recommends it as an activity sign your child up for. Some on to the football pitch, tennis this figure shouldn’t be ignored that provides unique physical require significant time Directory court or athletics track is not just because it’s cold outside. and mental benefits whilst at commitment. For example, an attractive one. But active Stress relief the same time catering for all joining a swimming class can Little Monkeys Club Increase your child’s confidence, co-ordination and fitness through a fun variety of climbing after school activities offer Exercise helps to relieve ages, fitness levels and involve two or more weekly equipment, soft play, shapes, music and movement (including children great developmental stress built up by homework, abilities. training sessions, as well as badge scheme) for children walking to 5 years. Tuesday benefits including: exams and peer pressures. Girl Guides and Scouting competitions. Are you and your mornings at Brabyns Recreation Centre, Marple Bridge. Call Karen 07986 182884 or visit www.karenbrook.co.uk/little-monkeys Scouting and Girl Guides are child up for that? What else will experiencing an unprecedented suffer or be sacrificed? If your surge in popularity. Why? child’s opportunity to have Puddle Ducks A wonderful swimming programme Because they offer an antidote unstructured time for play will delivering nurturing, fun classes to over 13,000 babies, children to the modern world with go by the wayside, then this is and mummies across the UK every week. Babies and children can join our swimming classes at any age from birth, adventure being at the heart probably not a good thing. developing into confident swimmers without even realising of everything they do. From as Children these days have much they’re learning to swim. By engaging each child’s abilities young as 6, children can get more structured lives than ever and natural affinity with water, Puddle Ducks offer simple steps to a lifetime love of swimming. Every child is different: our fantastic involved in learning outdoor before and already often have teachers adapt each activity to suit your child, nurturing water confidence skills and undertaking leadership less unstructured play time and enjoyment. Mums to be can also keep fit, relax and unwind by joining qualifications, as well as than previous generations. our Aqua Natal classes. Call 0161 883 0222 (Manchester, Stockport, Oldham and Gee Cross, Hyde) or 01257 262622 (East Lancashire). enjoying camps and residential Research indicates that www.puddleducks.com experiences. However, waiting unstructured play with minimal lists can be long so act quickly! adult supervision helps children To register interest visit to learn important social skills, www.girlguiding.org.uk or use their imagination, concentrate www.scouts.org.uk and be more self-directed.

8 Families Manchester familiesonline.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk Families Manchester 9 Parents’ place Parents’ place

When you do decide to begin, • Encouraging social media Although all of the measures Ensuring your child is happy at nursery ensure it’s not at a time of Making the digital world companies to offer safety are voluntary, the Government By Kristen Harding change or a stressful period at advice and tools to parents has not ruled out legislating if settle into the new arrangement Eating home. Share training methods safer for our children and build safety messages companies refuse to take part. By Carolyn Bunting, CEO of Internet Matters just as much as your child does. Meal times at nursery are with your child’s nursery to into online platforms. For further information about In fact, it’s often parents that important and can have a real ensure consistency of approach. • Streamlining and targeting topical issues affecting parents have most difficulty leaving a impact on the confidence and For instance, do you want education and advice on and children in the digital world child behind in a new setting! comfort of a young child. What nursery staff to ask your child if online safety for parents in and how to keep your children However, communicating your child is used to at home he would like to go or do you the same way that other safe online, visit regularly and in as much detail may differ greatly from what want them to sit him on the risks, like road safety, are www.internetmatters.org as you need with the nursery occurs in the nursery setting, potty at specific times of day? tackled starting from when The process of introducing setting can help ease your whether it’s the food eaten or Sleep children are born. Five steps to ensure your child a child to a new, caring nervousness and worry. In turn, the way in which meals are It is important that home and • Urging organisations that is staying safe online environment can throw up any insecurity your child is feeling consumed. nursery work together over nap are collecting data from a number of challenges. will also lessen. When you visit your child’s times, as the needs of children and young people to Ask your child what they are However, some can be Separation Anxiety nursery, try to do so at meal individual children differ. When publish how they intend to doing online. It’s important prevented if your child’s Regardless of the time taken time occasionally. In a good a child starts at a nursery, the use it, so that children can you understand what websites, nursery gets to know upfront beforehand, separation anxiety setting, you will see nursery nursery should follow the child’s understand where exactly apps, and social media what both you and your is a natural and sometimes staff leading by example, home routine before adapting their information is going and platforms they are using. child need and want from unavoidable part of leaving a engaging children with it slowly to suit the nursery Late last year was marked and Facebook, to be used to how it is intended to be used. Check their privacy settings. the childcare arrangement. child at a nursery. Generally, different food choices, helping pattern. It’s then helpful if you by a landmark moment. target issues such as • A new requirement that Make sure they know how to Before a child arrives at a new separation anxiety lessens over them to learn about what they try to prevent your child taking Internet safety reached the cyberbullying, online abuse privacy notices setting out make their profiles ‘private’ so nursery, nursery staff should time but you can help by ensuring are eating and introducing new extra naps, as his routine is likely top of the news agenda when and children being exposed how an organisation plans to they are not sharing personal take time to fully understand that nursery staff understand foods gradually. Meal times at to be disrupted. If your child the Government outlined its to pornography on the use personal data it collects information to strangers. your child’s home routine. In as much as possible about your nursery, as at home, should be struggles to sleep at the nursery, plans to make Britain the internet. are written in a clear, plain Facebook has a Privacy this way, potential issues can child’s individual needs, how unpressurised and enjoyable. a toy or blanket from home can “safest place to be online.” • A social media code of way that is understandable, Healthcheck feature. also be nipped in the bud early. they behave when they are sad, Potty Training provide comfort and help them Following the rapid development practice intended to boost even to a child. Make sure they know when Settling In anxious or upset and what helps This is another key milestone in drift off. of the “open and free” digital efforts to remove or address The Government intends to and how to report and block This is a key part of the calm them. This will ensure that your child’s development and world, the Culture Secretary, bullying, intimidating or target new parents at NCT any malicious or inappropriate adjustment process. A change your child’s nursery cares for reaching it may throw up Whilst challenges are bound to Karen Bradley revealed that humiliating online content. courses, Sure Start Centres, messages or posts. in environment can upset a your child in the very best way stumbling blocks! Again, it is arise during your child’s time at although she felt the internet • An annual internet safety nurseries, pharmacies and via Check your parental controls child and parents are generally during this difficult period. important to remember that nursery, most particularly at was a huge force for good, “it transparency report Facebook itself. This should on your home broadband stressed and worried when Often the anxiety of a child each child is different and so the beginning, these can has also caused undeniable undertaken by social media mean that there is less reason and safety filters that block their child is unsettled. For this lessens when his nursery assigns will begin to learn at a different generally be dealt with as long suffering and can be an organisations which would for parents to fear technology inappropriate content across reason, it’s vital that your a key worker to him. By identifying point and progress at a as there is good communication especially harmful place for show progress on addressing and they should feel more any devices. chosen nursery takes time to one particular carer who is going different speed from other between you and your child’s children and vulnerable people. abusive and harmful content comfortable in allowing their Talk to your children about help your child gently settle in. to form a strong bond and children. A good nursery will setting. Behaviour that is unacceptable and conduct. children to use it to explore, the risks they may be exposed Communication between your connection with your child, he ensure there’s no feeling of in real life must also be • Supporting tech and digital communicate and learn. to and how to deal with them, child’s nursery and yourself is will have the stability of knowing peer pressure between parents Kristen Harding is a childcare unacceptable on a computer startups to build internet It also intends that digital such as cyberbullying and very important at this stage. there is an individual there that or children! expert at Tinies Childcare UK. screen.” safety into their products literacy should form part of the grooming, and ensure they feel You need to develop a trusting he can rely on. Don’t start potty training as For more information, visit Among the Government’s from the beginning. lessons in which children have able to raise with you anything relationship with the staff and your child is starting nursery. www.tinies.com forthcoming measures will be: • New compulsory school traditionally learned about they see which is upsetting. • A voluntary levy on internet subjects to provide online sex and relationships, and not companies, such as Google safety education. part of IT classes. The aim here For more information and is to encourage children to step-by-step guidance, visit Mums want more flexible recognise internet safety as a internetmatters.org social issue; it’s part of life and working opportunities it’s part of growing up.

According to a survey by Workingmums.co.uk, working day. Take account of any almost three quarters of working mums additional costs or challenges this might identify flexible work as being crucial to getting involve and discuss them honestly. more women into senior roles. • Give examples of the ways in which your The survey shows that mums feel flexible work can be successfully carried out under working is vital for them to manage work any new working pattern you are proposing, and family life and that 60% of those who and show that it will not harm the work flexibly would like even more flexibility. business. Point out any business advantages. So, what can individuals do to help • Research some case studies, ideally in your persuade their employers to agree to them sector that shows how the work pattern working flexibly? you are suggesting can be mutually beneficial to you and your employer. Here are some tips: • If managers are dubious, suggest a trial • Think through what the job requires and period. whether the tasks you have to perform can • Have a compromise solution as a back-up. be done at a different location i.e. from For more information and flexible work home, or at times outside of the standard opportunities, visit www.workingmums.co.uk

10 Families Manchester familiesonline.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk Families Manchester 11 These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiesmanchester What’s on or upload your event listing to our website - www.familiesonline.co.uk What’s on

That Fun Place now open Saturdays in Jan & Feb Wednesdays & Tues 9 Jan, 23 Jan & 6 Feb Sat 13 Jan , Salford Lookout, it’s Saturday Playhouse Saturdays in Jan & Feb Baby Explorers & Sat 10 Feb at Jump Xtreme, Bolton! 11am / Ages 5 – 11 / Free. A weekly Touchstones, 10.30 – 11.15am & 11.30am – 12.15pm / Manchester Museum Homework Club Autism Friendly Early Opening art activity for children and their Free, booking advised a week in 3.30pm (Wed) 1pm (Sat) – 4.45pm / 9.15 – 10.30am / Ages 5 – 16 and giant airbag, dodgeball court, families in the dedicated Lookout advance. An interactive story and All ages / Free. Got a project to finish, families / Free, drop in. Activities space. Something different each week. sensory play session for babies who slam dunk basketball lanes, need a picture printing out? Under 11s take place before the Museum 0843 208 6000 / are not yet walking. must be accompanied. opens to the general public and and tumble tracks, along with www.thelowry.com Musical Baby Explorers there will be a quiet room available the existing superb coffee shop! www.link4life.org 1 – 1.45pm / Free, booking advised a too. A different gallery will be open Z-arts, Hulme week in advance. Live music and So whether you’re a tiny tot, Thursdays in Jan & Feb at each early opening. an energetic teen, an adrenaline Mix it up Families songs, supported by a range of playful 10.30am & 12pm / All ages / Free for sensory resources for babies to explore. 0161 275 2648 / (excl 15 Feb) www.museum.manchester.ac.uk junky or a fitness fanatic, the park Bright Sparks Members. Family sized Touchstones, Rochdale 0161 275 2648 / offers a wide range of activities. art sessions – no skill required, just Tiny Touchstones www.museum.manchester.ac.uk enthusiasm! Limited spaces, booking Toddlers: 10.15am Sat 20 Jan Manchester Museum advised. Children must be accompanied. Babies: 11.15am Fri 12 – Sun 21 Jan Big Saturday: Art & Me Sessions include: 0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org Under 5s: 12.15pm Waterside Arts Centre, Sale 11am – 4pm / Free, drop in. A day of £2 per child, no booking required. Sale Nomads: Puss In Boots This state of the art • Regular fitness classes AM & PM family activities inspired by Reena Creative sessions with an early years The annual Sale pantomime – adventure play centre • Tots bounce & brunch sessions Sundays in Jan & Feb Saini Kallat’s stunning new solo Salford Museum & Art Gallery artist using a range of exciting and fabulous family entertainment! exhibition, that explores ideas of features over 30 individual • Family sessions Mr Tomlinson’s Sweet Shop open ended objects to stimulate the 0161 912 5616 / identity, memory, history and the activities over three levels, • Teen nights 12.30 – 3pm / Free (donations welcome) senses for tiny ones and inspire www.watersideartscntre.co.uk natural world. 0161 275 2648 / Visit Mr Tomlinson’s shop on the imaginative play for the under 5s. ideal for kids aged 0-12! • Bouncability sessions www.museum.manchester.ac.uk recreated Victorian street and pick up New themes each week. Fri 12 Jan & Fri 9 Feb Highlights include spiral • Birthday parties some sweet treats! 0161 778 0800 / www.link4life.org , Stockport slides, ball pools, racing They also have the ability to host www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk Messy Milliners Sat 20 Jan & Sat 10 Feb 11 – 11.45am / £5 per baby (max 2 adults Waterside Arts Centre, Sale slides, a swing donut and a large group bookings, corporate / Tues 8 Jan & Fri 9 Feb Comedysportz 4 Tots free), booking essential. An exciting Wednesdays in Jan & Feb 3pm / Under 6s / £5. A highly dedicated tots zone. There’s team building days, school and , Salford Sensory stories and innovative messy play session with interactive show full of improvised even an additional, all new local clubs bookings and for those Once upon a Time 11.30am – 12.15pm / £6 per child a hatting theme. Suitable for babies games with plenty of physicality, stories, 9.45am / Babies & toddlers / £1 per (max 2 adults free). An exciting story and early walkers. 0161 474 2399 / coffee shop serving extra special occasions exclusive songs, silly noises and big laughs. child. Listen to wonderful stories and play session for babies who are www.stockport.gov.uk scrumptious treats and drinks. hire and use! Comedysportz together, have fun singing songs not yet walking. Age 7+ / 6.30pm / £7. Fast, feel good Jump Xtreme Trampoline Park For more information visit and rhymes, make simple crafts to Sat 13 Jan 0161 474 2399 / and always unpredictably funny. still offers all the trampolining www.jumpxtreme.co.uk, email take home, play with our toys and www.stockport.gov.uk Bolton Central Library and Museum percussion instruments. Cinema at the Crescent: The Emoji Movie 0161 912 5616 / www.watersideartscntre.co.uk favourites, including wall to wall [email protected] or 0161 872 0251 / 2pm / Free, no booking required. Light trampolines, xtreme stunt tower, call 01204 971007. www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk refreshments for sale. Under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. www.boltonlams.co.uk

12 Families Manchester familiesonline.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk Families Manchester 13 These listings are for guidance only – please check before you go To include your upcoming event in our listings, email events@familiesmanchester What’s on or upload your event listing to our website - www.familiesonline.co.uk

Sun 21 Jan Sun 4 Feb Tatton Park, Knutsford Ordsall Hall, Salford Open Doors Hat Works, Winter Birdwatch Family Sunday 9.15am – 12.15pm / Ages 5 – 16 / Free, Stockport 11am – 1pm / All ages / Free (donations 1 – 4pm / All ages / £1, drop in. Have a drop in. A series of creative, sensory February Half Term Fun welcome) – normal park entry applies. go at a range of fun, hands-on activities activities especially aimed at autistic 1 – 3pm / All ages / £3, drop in. Try a A drop-in session looking at winter that span the history of Ordsall Hall from children. Different themes and ideas different craft each day: decoupage, wildfowl on the meres. Have a go with the 1300s up until the present day. each month. 0161 235 8869 / printing & felt making. 0161 474 2399 / a telescope or ask the experts. All donations 0161 872 0251 / www.manchesterartgallery.org www.stockport.gov.uk welcome to help cover the cost of www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk bird feed for the year. 01625 374428 / Manchester Museum Wed 21 Feb Air Raid Shelters, Stockport www.tattonpark.org.uk Z-arts, Hulme Big Saturday Children’s explorer tours Access All Areas 10am – 4pm / All ages / Free, drop in 6.45 – 8.15pm / Age 7+ / Child £4, Adult £3, Waterside Arts Centre, Sale 10am – 3pm / All ages / Free, booking Creative activities for all of the family booking essential. Brave the darkened Bear & Butterfly required. A monthly family fun day for inspired by our collections. 0161 275 2648 / tunnels to go back in time and experience 11.30am & 2pm / Age 4 – 7 / £9 (£4.50 children and families with disabilities, www.museum.manchester.ac.uk life as a child during World War Two. Family Club). A charming tale of with a different theme every month. 0161 474 1940 / www.stockport.gov.uk changing friendship with puppetry, 0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org Z-arts, Hulme live music and beautiful storytelling . Chinese New Year Family Fun Day 0161 912 5616 / 10.30 am – 1.30pm / All ages / Free Wed 21 – Sat 24 Feb Mon 5 Feb & Mon 5 Mar Manchester Art Gallery www.watersideartscntre.co.uk Z-arts, Hulme A Chinese themed extended Let’s Creative family workshops Let’s Imagine Create with arts and craft all inspired 1pm – 3pm / All ages / Free, drop in 10.30 – 11.15am / Ages 2 – 4 / Free for by the Year of the Dog. Fri 26 Jan & Fri 23 Feb February half term workshops for families. Hat Works, Stockport Bright Sparks Members. Enter into an 0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org www.manchesterartgallery.org Mad Hatters art and crafts club immersive world of projected imagery, Ages 2 – 5 years: 10am – 12pm / £7 with a new theme each session. Play, Sat 17 – Sun 25 Feb (max 2 adults free) move and react to the images you Chatsworth House, Bakewell Thurs 22 Feb , Stockport Babies & early walkers: 2 – 3pm / £5 see. Let your imagination run free and Half term in the farmyard and playground Let’s do magic (max 2 adults free). An action packed your heart run wild! Booking recommended A chance for the young ones to run off 10.30am – 12pm & 2 – 3.30pm / Age session of arts and crafts with the – children must be accompanied. some steam in beautiful surroundings 5+ / £6 (1 free adult). An extravaganza emphasis on fun and age and ability 0161 226 1912 / www.z-arts.org during half term. 01246 565300 / of magic using everyday objects. Find appropriate crafts. Booking essential. www.chatsworth.org out the secrets of magic and learn a 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk Tues 13 Feb trick or two yourself to surprise your friends. Waterside Arts Centre, Sale Sun 18 Feb Bramall Hall 0161 474 4444 / www.stockport.gov.uk Manchester Museum The Chit Chat Chalk Show Early bird opening for families with autism Magic Carpet 11.30am & 2pm / Ages 3 – 8 / £9 10 – 11.30am / All ages / Free when East Lancashire Railway Jan: Ancient Egypt (£4.50 Family Club). A magical chalky booked. An opportunity to explore the Princess Academy Feb: The Porridge Pot adventure with dances, draws & Hall before it opens to the public. Age 5+ / Child: £8.50 / Adult £13, booking 10.30 – 11.30am / Free, book a week in giggles. 0161 912 5616 / Discovery packs, sensory sacks, trails essential. An interactive quest which will advance. An interactive, creative, story www.watersideartscntre.co.uk and activity hampers available. see you and your family join colourful and making and activity session for active 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk quirky costumed characters on a steam toddlers, parents, grandparents and carers. Touchstones, Rochdale train ride, and take part in a host of Younger siblings welcome. 0161 275 2648 / Snail Mail entertaining activities. www.museum.manchester.ac.uk 11am – 2pm / Drop in Mon 19 Feb Bramall Hall www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk A family friendly creative workshop. Tudor Day www.link4life.org Thurs 1 Feb & Thurs 1 Mar Ages 8 – 12 / £15 per child, booking John Rylands Library, Manchester Fri 23 Feb essential. Spend the day at Bramall Bramall Hall Toddler tales Thurs 15 Feb Hall taking part in the kind of activities The Beasts of Bramall Hall 11 – 11.45am / Under 5s / Free, drop in Touchstones, Rochdale the Tudors might have enjoyed. Crafts 1 – 2pm / Ages 3 – 6 / £5 per child (1 free Find a cosy corner, pull up a cushion Family Fun Day - Roll out the barrel! and games galore as you explore adult), booking essential. A magical and listen to fun stories. Join in playtime, 11am – 2pm / Age 4+ / Free, drop in the house ‘out of hours’. Children to tour of the Hall with stories about the creating a story world of your own. Join in the activities including art and be left in the care of the museum. beasts that live here. Hunt for the Red www.library.manchester.ac.uk craft, dressing up and storytelling. Roll Dragon of Bramall Hall. 0161 474 2399 / out the barrel! celebrates the amazing 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk www.stockport.gov.uk Fri 2 Feb & Fri 2 Mar story of this flour barrel, sent all the way Bramall Hall from America in 1863 to feed the people Staircase House, Stockport Tatton Park, Knutsford Dragon Club of Rochdale who were out of work and Visits for families with autism Toys Through Time 10am – 12pm / Ages 2 – 5 / £7 per child starving due to the Cotton famine. 10am – 12pm / All ages / Free (£1 activity 10.30am – 12pm & 1 – 2.30pm / Ages (max 2 adults free), booking essential. www.link4life.org craft bag) The opportunity to explore 3 – 5 (max 1 adult per chld) / £10 per An exciting developmental discovery Stockport Museum on a Monday while it East Lancashire Railway child (adult free). Discover the toys that session with stories, play and exploration is quiet and closed to the public. Suitable Wizard Academy children played with in the past. Learn in the Hall and park. for families with autistic children. Age 5+ / Child: £8.50 / Adult £13, booking about how they work, what they are 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk www.stockport.gov.uk essential. An interactive quest which made from and how toys have changed Sat 3 Feb will see you and your family join colourful Mon 19 – Fri 23 Feb over time. A special opportunity to play and Hat Works, Stockport and quirky costumed characters on a Manchester Museum explore, ending with a competitive Early bird opening and craft session steam train ride, and take part in a Feb Half Term Activities group game and a story. 01625 374428 / for families with autism. host of entertaining activities. 11am – 4pm / All ages / Free, drop in www.tattonpark.org.uk 10 – 11.30am / All ages / £3 per person www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk Be inspired by the museum’s collections for craft. An opportunity for families with through a variety of creative hands on Salford Museum & Art Gallery autism to come and have a go at different Fri 16 Feb activities. 0161 275 2648 / Shoe Box Sets Waterside Arts Centre, Sale crafts in a quiet space. Experienced www.museum.manchester.ac.uk 10am – 12pm & 1 – 3pm / All ages / £2 Spark The Goblin Wizard staff will be on hand to help with the per child. Create your own room set 11am & 2.30pm / Age 5+ / £9 (£4.50 activities, which include felt making, Tues 20 Feb inspired by the interiors of Coronation Family Club). With lyrics, laughs and Staircase House, Stockport printing and batik. There is also the Street using boxes, wallpaper and lots of joining in, poet Dommy B needs Disgusting Days tour opportunity to explore the museum junk materials. 0161 778 0800 / your help to save the day! 0161 912 5616 / 10.30am – 12pm / All ages / £3. Discover whilst it is not too busy. www.salfordcommunityleisure.co.uk www.watersideartscntre.co.uk disgusting habits, tales and stories 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk about life in the House. Craft activity Sat 24 Feb Sat 17 Feb included. Bramall Hall Sat 3 & Sun 4 Feb Hat Works, Stockport Waterside Arts Centre, Sale www.stockport.gov.uk Family Tour Family Tour Tom Thumb 1 – 2pm / Age 4+ / Child: £4, Adult: 11am – 12.30pm / Age 5+ / Child £5, Adult 11.30am (Sun) & 2.30pm (Sat & Sun) / Age Tues 20 – Thurs 22 Feb normal admission (under 4s free). Find out £2 (under 5s free), booking essential. Bramall Hall 3+ / £9 (£4.50 Family Club). Performed lots of interesting facts about Bramall Find out all about Stockport and its February Half Term Fun entirely on and under a kitchen table, Hall. Who lived there? What did they eat? famous hats on this fun tour. Try your 1 – 3pm / All ages / £3, drop in. Have a it’s a show full of magic with feathery Where did they go to the toilet? What hand at making a piece of felt and see go at different crafts: printing, clay spinning birds, a flying house and a horrible illnesses did they have? No if you would have made it as a hatter. modelling and stained glass making. portable forest. 0161 912 5616 / booking required – first come, first served. 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk www.watersideartscntre.co.uk 0161 474 2399 / www.stockport.gov.uk

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