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JUNE 2013ISSUE NO. 150

ESTABLISHED 1996

Summer Holiday Workshops- now booking

Gardening with Children- messy fun among

the seedlings

Mothers Mean Business

The Pointer School (Blackheath)A Prep, Pre-Prep & Nursery School for boys & girls between the ages of 3 and 11

• First Class examination results • Organic food• Breakfast club and after school care

(8am-6pm)• Christian Evangelical in ethos• Numerous extra-curricular clubs

(36 in total, from fencing to horse riding)

• Large variety of outdoor and PE activities

• ‘The Brazilian Kickers’ teach football theBrazilian way

• Holiday club (Christmas, Easter and Summer and Half-Term)

Founded by Muriel & Della Pointer in 1951

OFSTED: “OUTSTANDING IN ALL AREAS“ See OFSTED reports on our websiteTelephone: 020 8293 1331 Email: secretary@pointers-school.co.uk

www.pointers-school.co.uk

f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u kfamilies south east - june 20132

june 2013 - families south east 3

Front cover: Boyswear from TU at Sainsbury’s,spring/ summer 2013

Next Issue out: 28 June, copy deadline 10 June

Families South East - 020 8699 7240 www.familiesse.co.ukeditor@familiesse.co.uk

At the end of May, I bought a string of pretty solar lights to hang in the appletree (they were on offer). “Place the solar panel in direct sunlight for two days to charge the battery fully before first use”, it says. Ha Ha! You can’t fault my optimism, though some more vitamin D supplements might have been a betterinvestment.

Still, we’re undaunted because there’s a feast of family treats coming up thismonth, from the bigger and better Sydenham Arts Festival to Jewellery Week inGreenwich Market, and plenty of cracking theatre productions to enjoy.

Robina Cowan, editor

IN THIS ISSUE

3-5 Local News and ViewsIt’s party time with Diddi Dance and Theatrebugs, Effra EYC is growing, Kids Week returns to London,and a special offer on Fathers’ Day socks

6-7 Education NewsDo summer-born children suffer at school? Steps to help your child read, a call for inschool reading volunteers, and upcoming Open Day dates

8 Raising GirlsHelping girls find their soul and spark, with psychologist and Steve Biddulph

9 Diet and ADHDHow hyperactivity is linked to junk food, additives andallergies - and what to do about it

10-11 Holiday WorkshopsSports, theatre workshops and daycamps to enliventhe summer holidays - booking now

12 Mothers Mean BusinessHow Audrey Antoine-Hunt launched Bilingüebabies to introduce Spanish to preschoolers; and tips forhome-based businesses

13 Book Review PageJustine Crow’s blog and a book review, all rolled into one colourful page

14-17 What’s OnFamilies’ pick of summer shows, events and days out

18 What’s NewBest of British Fathers’ Day gifts, baby sleep workshops, help for bedwetters and hayfever sufferers

19 Gardening With ChildrenMargarine tubs and egg boxes at the ready - littlegreen fingers get growing

20 The Back PageLocal business contacts to make your life easier

Activities for Children

© Families South East. We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisersnor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. Families South East is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families SouthWest. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Diddi dance partyDiddi dance are celebrating their tenth birthday with a special party - and everyone’s invited!

The ‘do’ is booked for 22 June at the Telegraph Hill Centre, from 3-5pm. Tickets are £10 each or £15 for two siblings,and all profits will go to the charity Children First Lewisham.

Perfect entertainment for 1-7 year-olds with a parent, the afternoon will be filled with diddi dancing, aparty tea, and raffles to win fantastic prizes including two tickets for Billy Eliot, two tickets to see Chatty Man, signed celebrity photos and free family photography sessions.

Places are limited - to book a place, email Anne-Marie info@diddidance.com.

Effra expands early years facilitiesEffra Early Years Centre is expandingits services to meet local demand. Situated between Herne Hill and Brixton, the centre is very popular withlocal parents and young children.

Within walking distance of the current site, new indoor and outdoorstay and play sessions offer the opportunity to meet and socialise with other families in the area. Therewill be Baby Rhyme Time sessions forparents with babies aged 0-12months, and for 3-8 year-olds, Frenchsongs and rhymes, dance and movement, bake and take, and photography.

There is a fully equipped sensory room where children with special needs canengage, explore and develop their different senses and skills. Both individualand small group sessions will be available.

The new facilities also provide the perfect venue for birthday parties and willsoon be available for hire.

“With so many families with young children in the area it is great that we can now offer something for everyone with the choice of so many differentactivities” said Ann Hitchins, head of the Centre. To find out more, emailadmin@effra.lambeth.sch.uk, call 020 7733 8425, or seewww.effra.lambeth.sch.uk.

Drop-in tennis, in SydenhamSydenham Tennis Club has introduced weekly drop-in sessions for 9-12 year-olds every Wednesday after school during term-time. All sessionsare supervised by a qualified coach and are suitable for children who haveplayed tennis before and are able torally. There’s no need to book. There are more drop-in tennis sessions forjuniors aged 12+ on Saturday mornings throughout the year; supervised by a coach and suitable for youngsters who have played tennis before and are able to rally. All children’s sessions are free for members, and £5 for non-members.

The club also offers ‘Improve andPlay’ drop-ins for adults every Thursdayevening from 7-9pm, which consists ofan hour with a coach and an hour’s social play, suitable for improvers. £7 for members and £11 for non-members.

Sydenham Tennis Club on LawriePark Road SE26 6ET, www.sltcc.co.uk,020 8778 4217.

News&Viewsemail your news to editor@familiesse.co.uk

f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u kfamilies south east - june 20134

News for Grown Ups

Kids Week in LondonThe annual London theatre initiative Kids Week(www.kidsweek.co.uk) has announced an exciting line-up of 34 shows offering free ticketsand activities for children and families from 1 until 31 August 2013.

Now in its 16th year and run by the Society of London Theatre, Kids Week is all about encouraging young people to experience themagic of live theatre. Children aged 16 or undercan go free to participating shows when accompanied by an adult paying fullprice. Up to two extra children’s tickets can be purchased at half price.

The shows taking part in Kids Week 2013 include Billy Elliot the Musical,Brainiac Live, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, DinosaurZoo, Disney’s The Lion King, Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain, Matilda the Musical, War Horse, We’re Going On A Bear Hunt and We Will Rock You.

Kids Week also has a fantastic range of free activities and events, many newones and others back by popular demand! Lucky children can try their hand atballet with Billy Elliot or tap dance with Top Hat and learn classic pop songs withthe cast of Let It Be and Jersey Boys. Little ones can enjoy pre-historic puppetrywith Dinosaur Zoo and, for older children who are feeling brave, there’s the opportunity to take part in an interactive workshop to explore the classic ghoststory The Woman In Black.

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 18 June at www.kidsweek.co.uk and by telephone 0844 248 5151, supported by Ticketmaster with no booking orpostage fees.

Charlton mummiesLocal mother Katrin Bain set up Charlton Mummies as a Facebook group offering local support to other parents.

Member Yasmin told us: “We exchange advice not only about children but ona wide variety of topics from reliable workmen to Neighbourhood Watch issuesand events in the area. We meet up for social evenings regularly and it has reallytransformed a lot of families’ lives, for example we have been able to meet otherparents with children at schools our children will be attending.”

On 15 June, Charlton Mummies are holding their first nearly new sale to raisefunds for Charlton Toy Library and welcome more people to join their merryband. On sale will be books, games and toys, maternity to childrenswear andaccessories. Plus facepainting, cakes and cream teas. 10.30am-12.30pm, £1entry at Charlton Assembly Rooms - all welcome! Find Charlton Mummies onFacebook, or email charltonmummies@gmail.com for more information.

Your round?If you know southeast London like the back of yourhand, have a car and free time to spare once a month, by joining Families’ delivery team you couldearn some money.

Each round covers about 80 local shops, nurseries,schools and libraries at the beginning of each month,and can be completed within school hours. Interested?Please email your phone number toinfo@familiesse.co.uk with any questions you have.

Theatrebugs partiesTheatrebugs offers a full range of imaginativeparty packages for babies and children fromtwo to eight years.

The interactive fun filled journeys arecrammed with tasks to be completed, characters to become and different worlds toexplore. They are jam packed with storytelling,imaginative play, drama games and good oldfashioned fun!

Hot off the block are brand new ‘BabyBugParties!’, which are magical sensory adventures for babies, walkers and theirgrown-ups: bursting with song, rhyme, puppets, sensory props, bouncy beatsand an enchanting interactive puppet story. Suitable from birth to two years.

For Greenwich area enquiries contact Bina on 0753 180 4242 or email binaandpam@theatrebugs.co.uk, and for all other areas, contact the girls atBUG HQ on 0800 975 5290 or email enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk.READER OFFER: To celebrate the launch, Bug HQ is delighted to offerFamilies readers 15% off a BabyBug Party booked in June and July2013. Enter code “TummyTime” when you book.

Young person of the yearSixth-form student Lucy Weatherstone from Streatham& Clapham High School (SCHS) won the OvercomingAdversity award at the Wandsworth Young Person ofthe Year awards on 14 May. Lucy is profoundly deafand has a cochlear implant.

In a ceremony which honoured a range of youngpeople throughout Wandsworth, the Mayor, CounsellorAdrian Knowles, and Counsellor Angela Graham paidtribute to Lucy’s involvement in life at SCHS, her sporting accomplishments bothin and out of school, her work to increase awareness of deafness in localschools, and her success in receiving a range of offers from some of the UK’s top universities. Lucy is intending to take up an offer to read BiologicalSciences at Leeds after putting the finishing touches to her preparation for herA-Level examinations.

Assistant Head Master and Head of Sixth Form, Mr Oliver Hogben says: “Weare so proud of Lucy at Streatham & Clapham High School and know that thisaward was richly deserved; it marks the culmination of an excellent contributionto our school and the wider community”.

A song and dance at Bromley HighSchoolBromley High School weredelighted to welcome seniorMarjorie McClure dancers tothe school to work with theYear 7 dance group and perform an inspirationalpartnership piece.

“It was lovely to be able to welcome pupils and staff for this partnership performance. Our girls loved dancing with their new friends, and I know thatthey learnt much from the experience. We look forward to continuing work withthe group in the future” said Louse Simpson, Head.

The partnership followed on from earlier involvement, when Bromley Highpupils performed at the Marjorie McClure Specialist School in Chislehurst aspart of their Annual Schools’ Dance festival.

Bromley High School GDST is holding Year 5 taster days for prospectivepupils on 13 and 20 June. For more information, emailadmissions@bro.gdst.net or call 020 8781 7000.

f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k june 2013 - families south east 5

Glitter in GreenwichVisitors to Greenwich are invited to follow a glittering Treasure Trail through the town this month, solving clues from the past through to the modern day.Participants are in with a chance to win a truly priceless prize that promises to match the treasure-theme.

Jewellery Week is running from 7-16 June, with 30 independent designermaker jewellers showcased in Greenwich Market on Saturday 15 June. Delvethrough the stunning jewellery and the smattering of vintage beauties and accessory designers. Children will also get a chance to design a piece of jewellery through a competition launched with Beadoir, the Greenwich basedbead and designer jewellery shop. Under 12s just have to design and draw a piece of jewellery and hand it into the shop. The winner will get their design made!

Childcare dramaHiring a nanny or an au pair can be a great solution to finding help with childcare. But, with the cost of living sky-high, parents are all too often forcedto cut corners and might be rushed into hiring someone who is unsuitable forthem.

TV company Betty is developing a factual drama about childcare which willhighlight some of the issues faced by parents.

The producers are keen to hear people’s stories that could be used to formthe factual drama script. Your contribution would be in confidence and youwould not be identified in the programme. Interested parents, nannies or aupairs can find out more by contacting Saskia in confidence on 0771 5111997 or emailingsaskia.wilson@betty.co.uk.

Socking it to daddyAccording to leading gentlemen’s sock retailer socked.co.uk, many dads havebeen left laughing off any number of practical jokes from their children. Some report injury to both body and dignity astheir offspring take revenge for missedpocket money or regular parental punishments. Maybe they can have a dayoff for Fathers’ Day, which is 16 June thisyear.

“We’ve heard some right old horror stories,” said Mark Hall, Gentleman Creation Officer of Socked.co.uk, “and half of them wouldn’t have been outof place on a particularly harrowing edition of You’ve Been Framed.” Among the stories told to Socked.co.uk:

• Mike said: “My six and seven-year-olds spread map pins all over the floor on my side of the bed while I was asleep. Then they sneaked outside and rang the doorbell. We laughed about it,eventually.”

• David confessed: “My daughter drew all over my face while I was asleepthe night before I was due to fly out to the US. I got up at 5am,dressed in the dark, and didn’t know anything was wronguntil I got strange looks from passport control at Heathrow.”

• Colin: “I’ve got three teenage kids. I still haven’t worked outwho sabotaged my lunch box. Shaving foam sandwichesand - here’s the master stroke - dried pasta pushed into a banana were not welcome after a hard morning’s labouring.” (For the uninitiated, dried pasta in a bananaeventually softens and resembles a worm when bitten and is a guaranteed horrific practical joke).

“That’s just the tip of the iceberg,” said Hall, “Our little survey found all kinds of stuff that dads all over the country are saving up for their wedding reception speeches.”

- Sold dad’s stamp collection at school- Used his collection of vinyl records as frisbees- Put underwear in his briefcase to take to work- Stole beer from the fridge and held it to ransom until

pocket money was paid.But the very worst came from a customer called Ron: “They’re still living at home aged 40. Help.”

“If that’s not reason enough to give your dad a day off thisFathers Day, I don’t know what is,” said Hall. “Just get him anice pair of socks and leave the poor chap alone”.

Socked.co.uk is a sock subscription service for discerninggentleman. Based in the UK, they provide high quality socksfor men that are delivered monthly, every three or six months.They also offer free etiquette and style tips to gentlemen. Subscriptions start from £5.99.

READER OFFER: Families readers can claim a special 10% off for Father’s day. Simply place your order before 17 June andenter ‘dadsocksFSE’ at the checkout.

ChildminderWest Norwood SE27

* OFSTED Registered* Open Mon – Fr 8am to 6pm* Childminding service for children

from 0-8 years old* Bilingual English – Italian * E-mail to arrange a visit:

Childminder15@yahoo.co.uk* or visit my Facebook page:

Childminder SE27 London

f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

6 f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

education news

families south east - june 2013

Summer-born children ‘at a disadvantage’It’s the same old concern from parents with children with summer birthdays -and now another study proves that it is true. Researchers at London University’sInstitute of Education have found that children who are young for their year areat a disadvantage in most primary schools, and are also likely to be put in thelowest sets, if their classes are streamed, than children born in the autumn.

In fact, children born in August are more than twice as likely to be in the lowest set as those born in September. The study reveals that by the age ofseven, some 30% of summer-born children were in the lowest set comparedwith just 10% of those with September birthdays.

Researchers also claimed that grouping children into lower sets at a youngage can damage their self-confidence, harm their development and restrict academic opportunities, adding that the use of streaming early on in primaryschool was “hasty and potentially premature”, suggesting the practice shouldbe left for secondary school.

“Evidence suggests that if a pupil is informed (explicitly or implicitly) throughtheir academic placement that they are more or less able, this will influence theirsubsequent behaviours,” said Tammy Campbell, the report’s author, “and they

will enact the role assigned,performing at a relativelyhigher or relatively lower level.”

The study comes after theInstitute of Fiscal Studies lastyear published research showing that children withsummer birthdays are morelikely to underachieve atschool and miss out on places at top universities.• Having said that, Families' editor was a summer baby who couldread before she startedschool (thanks to hermother). And how aboutNelson Mandela, BarakObama, J K Rowling andStephen Fry? Yup - all havebirthdays in July or August.

Volunteer readers wantedDo you have a passion for reading? Can you spare two afternoons per weekduring school term time and commit for at least one year?

Beanstalk is a national literacy charity that recruits, vets, trains and supportsvolunteers to work in primary schools with children who have fallen behind with their reading.

Last year one in eight children left primary school without reaching the standard expected of them. That has knock on effects for them in secondaryschool and in the work place, but, with individual support, children’s readingskills can improve dramatically.

The London South East branch of Beanstalk works in 66 schools acrosssoutheast London with 117 reading helpers supporting 173 children.

Beanstalk volunteer manager Rosie Agnew said: “We are looking for volunteers from all areas of southeast London but we are especially keen tohear from people interested in working in schools in Lambeth, Southwark,Lewisham and Greenwich.”

Beanstalk reading helpers come from all walks of life, including parents andthe recently retired. They volunteer for many different reasons but they’re unitedby a love of reading and a commitment to helping children to read, grow andsucceed. Each Beanstalk reading helper works with three children and seeseach child for two 30 minute sessions a week, during term-time, for a wholeyear. Together, they read, play games and talk. With Beanstalk’s support thechild’s approach to learning and enjoying reading is often transformed.

If you would like to know more about the scheme and the training you will receive, call Rosie Agnew on 0845 450 0310 or 0203 176 4380, or e-mail: londonsoutheast@beanstalkcharity.org.uk.

Many of us know the value and enjoyment of reading. Good readersbecome better writers, better learnersand well rounded individuals. Takingan active part in helping your childrenbecome interested in reading is vital.Despite busy days, tired kids, limitedtime and many distractions, we outline five simple steps that can help.

1 Set up reading time every day• Decide when and where a reading session will

take place, which fits into your household schedule, and keep it. 10 minutes is fine.

• Encourage your child to read aloud. They don’thave to get every word right, and praise themoften. If they are discouraged by their own reading, you read aloud. The pleasure of listeningto you read can restore their enthusiasm. Offer to read every other sentence, page, chapter, and have conversations and discussions aboutthe content.

• Make it fun. Children love sound effects, differentvoices, pulling faces.

2 During reading time• Introduce the bookmark. Stop after a few pages

and pick up where you left off at another time.• Provide an accessible, special place for children

to keep their own books.• Use special incentives, eg an extra five minutes

to finish a chapter, a promise to take them to see the film of the book, sticker charts and certificates.

• Notice what attracts your children’s attention,even if it’s only pictures, and build on that interest. Gather more information on the same subject.

• Listen to audio books (in the car too). These helpdevelop visualisation, a critical pre-reading skill.

• Let them choose their own books. Don’t worry thebooks are too young or too easy, early reading success can came from several ‘non-traditional’sources such as comics.

• Buy a special notebook and record all the booksthey have read, add their thoughts and a star rating.

3 See the teacher and judge where they are• Find out which reading programme the school

follows, get to know the levels, and aim to supplement the programme at home.

• Prepare a timetable. Know what level your child isat and the next, with some idea of when it can beachieved. There is no race to be the first to read,it just puts things into context.

4 Plan specific reading linked activities• Extend your child’s positive reading experiences,

for example if they enjoyed reading about dinosaurs, visit the Natural History Museum andhave fun trying to read the Latin names.

• Encourage activities that require reading: read arecipe, instructions, and directions, play gamesthat require reading, use a reference book to lookup something you have seen.

• Visit the library and give your child their own library card. They can choose their own librarybook or listen in on story-time.

5 Be a role model• Let your children see you reading for pleasure.

Read aloud everyday items - menus, road signs,food labels.

• Give books as gifts.• Leave books, magazines, and colourful

catalogues around your home.• Write short notes for your child to read.

Olé KidsOlé Kids

Spanish classes for children and parents

Join us for fun, energy packed and culturally rich Spanish classes where children from 6 months - 10 years old come to speak and

learn Spanish in a friendly environment.

NEW class inside Dulwich Park: Francis Peek Centre Fridays 2 pm

(children 6 months to 5 years old)Quote: ‘FSE Xmas’ for a free trial!

FREE weekend Spanish workshops for childrenIberica Restaurant Canary Wharf 12 to 3 pm

(for families eating at the restaurant only)

Telephone : 020 7386 0376/07734 900221 Email : info@olekids.com

www.olekids.com

Book your class

Book your class

Spanish classes forchildren and parents

Join us for fun, energy packed and culturally richSpanish classes where children from 6 months -10 years old come to speak and learn Spanish

in a friendly environment.

NEW class inside Dulwich Park:Francis Peek Centre Thursdays 3.45pm

(children 6 months to 5 years old)Quote: ‘FSE’ for a free trial!

FREE weekend Spanish workshops for childrenIberica Restaurant Canary Wharf 1 to 4 pm

(for families eating at the restaurant only)

Telephone : 020 7386 0376/07734 900221Email : info@olekids.com

www.olekids.com

How to encourage reading

By Elisabeth Dolton

7june 2013 - families south eastf a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

ARE YOU THE PERSON WE NEED?Home-Start Southwark is recruiting volunteers for

our FREE training course starting in June 2013Can you give a family in need of support a shoulder to lean on?

All it takes is a few spare hours aweek. You can be of any age, the

only qualification you need is knowingwhat it feels like to be a parent.

For more information call us on020 7737 7720Home-Start Southwark,

Albrighton Community Centre, 37 Albrighton Road, London SE22 8AH

Reg. Charity No. 1107413 E: info@homestartsouthwark.org.uk

www.homestartsouthwark.org.uk

What’s in it for you?• Receive vast experience and in depth

knowledge of working with families• Be part of a friendly, caring organisation

and make friends• Have a job reference after volunteering for

6 months• Feel that you are doing something important

and worthwhile• Out of pocket travel expenses paid• On-going training (Domestic Violence, Safe-

guarding & Child Protection, Mental Health, Per-sonality Disorder, Nutrition, Equality & Diversity)

And much more...

Think ahead and enjoy a smooth 11+ transition. Join us in Year 4 and guarantee your place at Senior School

a place to grow, a place to excelBlackheath High School an independent day

school for girls aged 3 to 18 years

Y3 Girls’ Taster Day Thurs 27 June 9:15am-1:15pm

Junior School: Wemyss Road, SE3 0TF Senior School: Vanbrugh Park, SE3 7AG

m.coles@blj.gdst.net 020 8852 1537 www.blackheathhighschool.gdst.net

Newton Prep School 12 June, 020 7720 4091, www.newtonprepschool.co.uK

Blackheath High School GDST27 June, Y3 taster day, Juniors 020 8852 1537, Seniors 020 8853 2929,www.blackheathhighschool.gdst.net

Oakfield Preparatory School18 June, 020 8670 4206, www.oakfield.dulwich.sch.uk

Virgo Fidelis Prep School19 June, 020 8653 2169, www.vfps.org

Rosemead Preparatory School20 June, 020 8670 5865, www.rosemeadprepschool.org.uk

Sydenham High School GDST26 June, Juniors 020 8557 7000. Seniors 020 8557 7000, www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net

Streatham + Clapham High School GDST21 September, Juniors 020 8674 6912. 28 September, Seniors 020 8677 8400, www.schs.gdst.net

Alleyn’s School21 September, Juniors, 28 September, 12 October, 6 November, Seniors, 020 8557 1519,www.alleyns.org.uk

Bromley High School GDST28 September, 020 8781, 7000, www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net

James Allen’s Girls’ School 26 September, 5 October, 12 November, 020 8693 1181, www.jags.org.uk

St Dunstan’s College19 September, 2+3 October, Juniors, 5 October + 16 November, Seniors, 020 8516 7200, www.stdunstans.org.uk.

Open day datesFor more dates and listings, see our What’s On open days guide at www.familiesse.co.uk

• Reading opens up new worlds to your children andgives them a chance to use their imaginations.

• There are many ways to encourage your child toread, and the best ways always include participation on your part.

Helping children with learning difficulties• Books and Audio - follow a book as the audio

book plays. Listen to a chapter, and then read it together

• Turn on the TV subtitles - they help increase sightword vocabulary, and develop a sense of flow of written and spoken language

• Make your child the star of their own audio book - your child can read into arecorder, then follow thebook together during playback

• Everyone joins in - reserve thirty minuteseach evening for familyreading time.

• Each family memberreads different materialand then shares information about it, ortake turns reading aloudfrom the same book.

Support their learning• Help ensure your child doesn’t get behind in reading material necessary for

school subjects, ask for help with obtaining textbooks on CD ROM. • Together identify unfamiliar words you come across and show your child how to

look up the meanings of words. • Children with specific learning difficulties and dyslexia could benefit from the

PQ4R strategy - search online for explanations and how to use it with your child.

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The day after I gave birth to our fourth daughter, myhusband was involved in a puzzling exchange withour neighbour. The baby had been born at homeovernight, so the neighbour was keen to hear thenews over the garden fence. “It’s another girl,” announced my husband excitedly. “Oh,” said theneighbour, looking downcast. “And are you very disappointed?”

Gary and I enjoyed telling the story, and we enjoytelling it to this day, because disappointment wastruly the very last emotion we felt when our lovely little Catriona arrived to join her big sisters Rosie, Elinor and Miranda. Raising boys may, for all I know,be every bit as exciting and fun-filled as raisinggirls; but the truth is, I know nothing about it. I’msure it’s similar, but I’m sure there are also ways inwhich it’s different: and the point is that, by the timeCatriona was born, I was already quite certain thatbringing up girls was a fabulous task to be taking centre-stage in my life. So, from the momentthe line went blue on my pregnancy test, I was secretly hoping for another daughter. And when she finally landed, Gary and I couldn’t have beenmore thrilled.

Fast-forward ten years, and it’s still every bit as wonderful now as it was back then. But the last few years have brought a few scary moments - and, explains psychologist Steve Biddulph, I’m certainly not the only parent of daughters to havediscovered that.

Fifteen years ago, Biddulph leapt to fame whenhis ground-breaking book Raising Boys tackled thedifficulties that were making life tough for parents of boys - rising rates of ADHD, aggressive behaviour, teenage drinking.

families south east - june 20138 f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

family life

Raising Girls

By Joanna Moorhead

A few years ago, psychologist Steve Biddulph was advising parents of boys on how to

raise them to avoid a battery of difficulties. This year he returned with a formula for

how to raise girls.

Joanna Moorhead, a mother of four daughters, asked him what matters most.

Biddulph’s advice is simpleAvoid all sex-stereotyped toys and products like theplague. From her earliest days, think not about what material possessions you are giving your daughter: instead, concentrate on how you’re making her feel. Frombirth to two, he explains, all that really matters to a babygirl is that she feels safe and loved. In a world where thearrival of a little girl is often seen as an invitation to startshowering her with possessions - cute outfits, a prettybedroom - he advocates forgetting all about what she has (especially if it’s of the ‘girly’ variety) and concentrating entirely on how welcome, and wanted,and loved she is in your life. The deep-rooted confidence that brings will, he promises, be something she carries with her right through her life.

From two to five, a little girl starts feeling interested in the worldaround her: now, she needs to be introduced to the world as an exciting and fascinatingplace, a place full of adventures. From five to ten it’s all about people skills - what shemost needs to discover, says Biddulph, is that while her feelings are very important indeed, other people’s feelings matter too.

With the coming of puberty, a girl’s thoughts shift towards what Biddulph calls ‘findingher soul’: if she is helped and encouraged to find what he calls her ‘spark’, some passion or interest that she cares deeply about and is willing to invest her time in, that will help her to find fulfilment through her entire life. It’s an empowering message:best of all, for parents like me, is Biddulph’s conviction that the family and the adultssurrounding a girl are the most important elements in helping light the fire that will burnthrough all her days. If girlhood has sometimes seemed scary, Biddulph reminds usthat it’s exciting and enriching - and guides us through the skills that will help us helpour daughters, time after time.

Read moreSteve Biddulph’s Raising Girls is published by HarperCollins, rrp £12.99.

Back then, he says, “girls were doing just fine”.But no longer. “It all started to change about fiveyears ago. We began to see a sudden and markedplunge in girls’ mental health. Problems such as eating disorders and self-harm, which once hadbeen extremely rare, were now happening in everyclassroom and every street. And more than this, the average girl was stressed and depressed in a way she hadn’t been before.”?

So Biddulph is back with a book aimed at parentswith girls. And the message he wants to give us is that, from their earliest times, we need to bomb-proof them from what he calls “a world thatseems bent on poisoning their confidence andtrashing their lives”.

What the onslaught is all about, says Biddulph, isthe fact that advertisers have fixed their beady eyeson our pre-teen daughters: they’ve realised that littlegirls are extremely malleable from a marketing pointof view, and they’ve gone all-out to sell them notonly pink-clad dolls and sex-typed toys, but alsosexualised clothes (long, long before any little girlshould be thinking about looking attractive to theopposite sex) and pre-adolescent make-up.

After her youngest child was born, Sally Bundaylearned to live without sleep. For years, Miles sleptfor just three hours a night, and when he was awakehe was irritable, clumsy and so distracted that hecould only concentrate for a few minutes. Doctorsclaimed Miles’ attention deficit was due to some sortof brain imbalance but Sally thought there might beanother reason, particularly as her son had otherstrange symptoms: he was always thirsty, he suffered from constant headaches, runny noses and stomach aches and his hearing was often poor.So Sally decided to do some investigating andeventually discovered the Feingold Diet, whichtreats hyperactivity in children as largely a reactionto food additives and other allergies.

Within four days of Miles starting the diet, everyone of his symptoms disappeared.

Support groupSally went on to found the Hyperactive Children’sSupport Group which has helped thousands of families investigate and find the source of theirchild’s ADHD (www.hacsg.org.uk). After observingthat many children suffered from excessive thirstand dry skin, she was the first to propose that children with ADHD might be deficient in essentialfatty acids (EFAs). Although medicine classifies hyperactive attention-deficit in children as a ‘braindisorder’, most cases of hyperactivity or attention-deficit are nothing less than an environmental or dietary assault, with foods containing artificial colours and flavours mainly responsible.

If you are faced with a hyperactive child and adoctor poised to write out a prescription, first try abit of detective work, ideally with a trained nutritionalpractitioner, to find out what is lacking in your child’sdiet and what they might be getting too much of.

Seven suspects Here are your seven biggest suspects. Followingthese clues will almost certainly lead you to a calmerchild.

Clue 1: Suspect allergies or food sensitivitiesVarious studies, including one by Great OrmondStreet Hospital, have discovered that the rise inADHD cases is mainly down to food sensitivities.The foods children react to most include wheat,dairy products, chocolate and oranges. Also at fault are foods containing salicylates; aspirin-likesubstances found in many fruits and vegetables, as well as sugar, corn, beef and egg. Among yoursuspects don’t forget environmental allergens suchas cat hair, house dust and pollen.

Clue 2: Junk food and additives Junk food and additives have been suspected formany years of causing hyperactivity, with studies

showing that hyperactive children put on an additive-free diet had significant behavioural improvement. Beware tartrazine, carmoisine, ponceau 4R and sodium benzoate. Put your child on a diet free of processed food and see what happens.

Clue No 3: Investigate a lack of ‘good’ fatsAn EFA deficiency is also a major factor in ADHD.Some essential fatty acids play a major role in theworkings of the brain and eye, while others are crucial for normal brain development. Deficiencies inomega-3 fats have been linked to visual and mentalproblems. Add several portions of fish (or flaxseedor purslane, which both contain omega-3s) to yourchild’s diet and consider adding omega-3 complexsupplements.

Clue No 4: Eliminate much of the white stuffStudies have found that the combination of sugarand starch in the absence of substantial protein (a combination found, for example, in children’s sugary breakfast cereals) increased deviant behaviour in normal children. Hyperactivechildren may benefit from a high-protein, low-carb,

sugar-free diet. The real issue may be that children overloading on carbohydrates are invariably taking in a good deal of processed sugar.

Clue No 5: Zero in on your child’s gut bugsMany children with learning difficulties have ‘bad’bacteria, clostridium, in their gut. Probiotic bacteria,the ‘good-guy’ gut bacteria in live yoghurt and othersupplements given to autistic children can improvetheir behaviour and concentration.

Clue No 6: Probe for environmental poisonsOne reason for the increased incidence of ADHDmay be environmental. Your first suspects are pesticides, especially organophosphates, which are present in non-organically grown food. Also investigate whether your child is being exposed toenvironmental pollutants such as lead, mercury andPCBs, which can affect developing brains. PCBs arefound in hydraulic oils and lubricants, electricalequipment such as switches and circuit breakers,plastic toys, fire retardants, paints and varnishes.ADHD children may also have higher than normallevels of perfluorinated chemicals which are used infood packaging. Steer clear of ‘diet’ foods like dietcoke, which are laden with the artificial sweeteneraspartame. Your child can also take in heavy metalsfrom tap water, processed foods and toiletries. Gounprocessed, use eco-toiletries and filter your water- and limit your child’s exposure to plastic toys.

Clue No 7: Isolate dietarydeficienciesHyperactive children are oftenlow in zinc and B vitamins,and magnesium. Deficienciesin nutrients adversely affectyour child’s mental capacityand can cause behaviouraldisorders. Studies haveshown that adding B6 andmagnesium can help to calmADHD children. Add a quality multivitamin/mineralsupplement to your child’sdaily regime along with extraEFAs, zinc (10 mg/day) andmagnesium (100 mg/day).

9f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k june 2013 - families south east

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The pill approachThe detectiveworkneeded toisolate thecause ofyour child’shyperactiv-ity might seem daunting compared with themedical solution of taking Ritalin, but the drughas been linked to restricted growth, anorexia,psychosis, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations,epilepsy-like seizures, stroke and even death.Up to 10 per cent of children taking the drugsdevelop Tourette’s syndrome, which includesfacial and bodily tics. It only works during theday to control symptoms, so parents have towrestle with full-fledged monstrous behaviour in the morning and later in the evening as theirchildren spiral out of control. Using brain-imaging techniques, US researchers have concluded that Ritalin exerts the same effect on the brain as cocaine. And it still doesn’tseem to work. A study which tracked 485 children revealed that those still taking a stimulant drug at the end of two years showedthe same levels of inattention and hyperactivityas those who had never taken a drug.

Seven clues to a calmer child- likely suspects in ADHD

Every seventh childMedicine generally classifies ADHD as a ‘braindisorder or imbalance’, variously blamed ongenes, faulty thyroid, a bad prenatal start oreven binge-drinking. If that’s the case, we’regetting more dysfunctional by the day. In theUS an estimated one in every seven Americanchildren under the age of 18 is regularly given a stimulant such as Ritalin to treat their ADHD,a figure so high that even the World Health Organization has urged a more cautious approach. In fact, any child who has troublepaying attention, controlling impulsive behaviour and being ‘overly active’ will probably be labelled as ADHD and prescribeda drug. The UK is catching up fast; its drug use increased by 21 times during the 1990sand there is no sign of this acceleration slowing today.

Read moreFor the complete version of this article, includinglists of ‘suspect’ foods, go towww.familiesonline.co.uk.

f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

CAMPROCK

AGES 7 - 14 YEARS

ROOM ON A BROOMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA B

AGES 3 - 6 YEARS We’re Going On A Bear Hunt

AGES 3 - 6 YEARS6

FILM SCHOOL

AGES 7 - 18 YEARS

To book your child’s place and for more information please contact us

TEL: 0208 244 4873www.freedomacademy.co.ukinfo@freedomacademy.co.uk

SCHOOLSFOREST HILL EAST DULWICH WEST DULWICH CRYSTAL PALACE SYDENHAM

10 families south east june 2013

Summer Holiday Workshops and Daycamps

The summer holidays will soon be upon us, and there’s fun to behad. Sports coaches, stage performers, writers and singers are all planning workshops to teach children new skills and make

new friends. Our listings are also online, where we’ll be updating them as we hear of new sessions,

so check out What’s On at www.familiesse.co.uk.

“I AM THE STARLIGHT” WITH STAGECOACH5-9 August in Dulwich, 020 8949 4116, www.stagecoach.co.uk/dulwichFive fun-filled days of dance, drama and singing with a free presentationon the last day for family and friends to enjoy. The children meet for thefirst time on the Monday morning and are encouraged to make lots ofnew friends. They have a full schedule of rehearsals so that no one canget bored and by Friday its show time! This year’s participants will stage“I Am The Starlight!” Stagecoach Dulwich’s own version of the West EndHit “Starlight Express”.

The final performance will take place in the Great Hall at AlleynsSchool, complete with costumes, professional lighting and sound equipment. It will be fast and furious but promises to be lots of fun! Ages4-7 and 8-16 years. You do not have to be a regular Stagecoach studentto attend and no previous experience is required.

FREEDOM ACADEMY SUMMER SCHOOLS29 July - 23 August, SYDENHAM, FOREST HILL and EAST DULWICH,020 8244 4873, www.freedomacademy.co.ukROOM ON A BROOM. Join the witch as she flies throughthe skies meeting lots of new friends along the way, in an all singing, alldancing five-day adventure. Ages 3-6.WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT. Young explorerswill be taken on a magical bear hunt full of sensory fun, songs andgames over five days. Ages 3-6.CAMP ROCK. Get ready to sing and dance like never before withsongs, scenes and routines in a rocking five day musical workshop.Ages 7-14. FILM SCHOOL. Professional actors and directors will teach children to write, direct and star in their own film, then shoot it on location. Five day workshop, ages 7-18.

ALADDIN WITH PERFORM29 July - 2 August in BECKENHAM and DULWICH, 12 - 16 August inBLACKHEATH, 19 - 23 August in DULWICH, 0845 400 1277, www.perform.org.ukThis summer let your child join Aladdin, Jasmine and The Genie on a thrilling five day adventure based on the classic children’s story “Aladdin”. Together with a team of experienced theatre professionals, the children will combine live original music, inspirational dance andquick witted improvisation and colourful costumes into a mini performance on the final day. Exclusively for 4-8 year olds, Perform Summer Experiences are five daycourses specially designed to encourage creativity, confidence and communication skills as well as being a kaleidoscope of fun.

THE FIRST EVER WHALE STORY WITH THEATREBUGS29 July - 2 August in EAST DULWICH and CLAPHAM. 5 - 9 August in HERNE HILL, BICKLEY and WEST WICKHAM. 0800 9755 290, enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk. 22-26 July in BLACKHEATH and GREENWICH, 19-12 August in BLACKHEATH and CHARLTON, 27-30 August in GREENWICH and LEE, 07531 804242,binaandpam@theatrebugs.co.uk, www.theatrebugs.co.ukPerry Pirate parks his pirate ship on top of the Sula Sea Fairy’s house -how very silly! Luckily the tiniest fish in the ocean, Kefraiyu uses all hisenergy to help out and with a little help from Crabby Crab they manageto push the boat away. To reward him for his bravery the Queen of theSea turns this tiny fish into the first ever whale! But can she do it beforePerry Pirate comes back? Theatrebugs’ summer workshop offers five funfilled days of acting, singing, dancing, dressing up and arts and crafts.

On day five there’s a stage performance for family and friends. Ages 31⁄2to 7 years, £120 per child includes a snack and drink. 10% sibling discount available.

INTENSIVE TOUCH TYPING School holidays and termtime classes in SYDENHAM, 020 7515 1707,yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk Learn a new skill with a touch typing courses run by YES. Children findthem fun, and they work - most children are tapping away proficiently injust ten hours. Sessions can be booked to fit around other holiday commitments so children can progress at their own pace.

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH WITH ACT DRAMA29 July - 2 August in DULWICH, 07976 873 161, www.actdrama.co.ukAct Drama is excited to be expanding to the Dulwich area, bringing abrand new Summer Drama week for 5-15 year-olds. Be a part of theirfantastic play James and the Giant Peach; wow your family and friends,laugh all week long and make new best friends! Rehearse and perform a play in a week with professional actors in high energy, fun and inspiring classes.

CREATIVE WRITING WITH INKHEADJuly and August dates in HERNE HILL, LEE and BRIXTON, 07943 514408, www.inkhead.co.ukInkhead’s three day creative writing courses start with an actor who helpscreate characters to ignite children’s imaginations and get them writingstories using the key ingredients - plot, description, character and dialogue. The story writing courses show how to plot stories, develop

Funky Monkey

june 2013 - families south east

Summer Term

& Holiday

Workshops

now booking

11f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

characters and decide where to start the story, and includes one to onefeedback. Age ranges 7-14 years.

FUNKY MONKEY KEYBOARD FUN 22 July - 9 August in HERNE HILL, STREATHAM and DULWICH, 0800 107 7949, www.funkymonkey.infoLet Funky Monkey introduce your little one to reading, writing and playingmusic! The summer workshops are a chance to meet new friends, learna new skill, expand their minds and start them on an amazing musicaljourney. Term class trials also booking.ONE HIT WONDERS are one day workshops for beginnersto try out the keyboard and make music the Funky Monkey way, with keyboard games, quizzes, famous tunes and a workbook to take homeat the end. 10am-2pm, ages 4-8, £30 per child includes all equipmentand a mid morning snack, £25 for siblings.KEYBOARD SUPERSTARS. The Keyboard Superstarworkshop is a brilliant all-round scheme and ‘taster’ workshop for 5-8 year olds. In five days, pupils learn to read, play and write notes C-A alongside learning keyboard technique and countless music-based activities including composition, artwork, singing and performance skills.The benefit of this relaxed, friendly course is your child can try makingmusic for a week and, if they enjoy it, can take term classes. 10am-12.30pm Monday to Friday, course price £119, £109 sibling discount.

ARTASTIC ART CLUB10 July - 30 August in DULWICH and BECKENHAM, 07792549874,www.club-tastic.co.ukJam-packed days with different art activities and fun party games. Ages3-11, 9am-4pm each day, £32.50 per child.

TENNIS-4-KIDS29 July - 15 August in EAST DULWICH and WEST DULWICH, 07877 391005, www.tennis-4-kids.comRally round for a smashing time learning to play tennis with other children. Tennis-4-Kids run mini sessions giving children lots of fun learning basic to advanced skills. Small groups for ages 21⁄2 to 6 years indoors, and 6-8 years outdoors.

SUPERCAMPS 22 July - 30 August, venues include BLACKHEATH, STREATHAM, PUTNEY, and CROYDON, 01235 832222, www.supercamps.co.uk Supercamps have 16 years’ experience in running action packed programmes of sports, arts and crafts for 4-14 year-olds. As well as multi activity days, there are RAW Adventure camps for 8-14 year-olds,and ‘passion for’ courses for 6-16 year-olds focusing on specific interests including stage, dance, food, invention and creativity. The programme is Ofsted registered and all staff are CRB cleared. You can book individual days or full weeks, take advantage of the free extended hours (8am-6pm) and pay with Childcare Vouchers. Singledays £40, four days £128, five days £160, sibling discounts and extended hours available.

SE LONDON TENNIS CAMPS 23 July - 23 August, SYDENHAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB, Lawrie Park Road SE26 6ET, www.southeastlondontennis.com, email chris@southeastlondontennis.com Four day group activities with professional coaches in weekly blocks.Each session includes tennis coaching, games and other team events,with a mini tournament at the end of each week. Facilities are availablefor wet-weather activities if necessary. Beginners and improvers

welcome. 9am-12noon for 7-10 year-olds, 1-4pm for 11-15 year-olds,£48 for all four days, one day £14. Book and pay online; or call Chris on0773 993 6999 or Michael on 07956 995820.

SUMMER FILM SHOOT 29 July - 2 August in BALHAM, 0845 533 3763,www.studiofilmschool.co.uk Five action-packed days of filmmaking to keep young stars fully entertained as they learn lots of new creative and production skills.There’s a new theme to explore and plenty to do as members make their very own movie ready to share at the annual Red Carpet CinemaPremiere. Ages 7-10, 11-13 and 13-16, 10am-4pm, £235 includes tickets to cinema premiere.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, COMEDY! 27-28 August in BALHAM, 0845 533 3763, www.studiofilmschool.co.uk A laugh-a-minute workshop, an ideal challenge for young filmmakers thissummer. They’ll explore different comedy styles and produce a DVD offunny short films inspired by legendary screen comedians including the Monty Python team and Charlie Chaplin. Ages 7-11 and 11-14,10am-4pm, £135 includes DVD.

SHOOTING STARS 27-28 August in BALHAM, 0845 533 3763, www.studiofilmschool.co.uk Perfect for very young filmmakers, this stimulating workshop is programmed to combine engaging camera activities with drama, art and music to inspire little ones and develop all-round confidence andcreativity. Ages 4-7, 9.30am-12.30pm, £110 includes DVD.

Tennis-4-Kids Perform

Stagecoach

FSE: Have you always been a languageteacher or did you have a different job before?I had spent my whole career working in the Publicsector either in HR, Policy or as a Project Manageron the Buildings Schools for the Future (BSF) andSchools PFI programme. It was this role that led meinto schools, it was inevitable that I would be ateacher as it was an idea that I had held since 2004.

FSE: Why did you decide to set up the language classes?I love Spanish, as a child my father would playmusic from South America. My heritage is Hispanicthough I was not raised bilingual. I spent my university life in Spain, studying, working and travelling. I have a bilingual degree, the Spanish degree endorsed by the Cámara de comercio,Madrid (University of Complutense). As I was notable to return to Spain with my family, I really didn’twant my children to lose the advantages of beingraised in a bilingual environment. Bilingüebabieshas pushed me to keep going!

FSE: How easy (or difficult) was it to getstarted?It was a little daunting and a leap of faith. Whenstarting the classes I didn’t know of anyone elsedoing something similar locally (no one to copy!). I had a room hired, some flyers printed and away I went. I have made mistakes along the way and my classes are totally different from when I started -I am still learning!

FSE: Did you start Bilingüebabies on your ownor are other people involved?I am the sole founder. No one else is involved yet; I would like to branch out and offer other languagesone day and grow the business. However I alsohave a young family but am doing something I really enjoy and am able to make the school runsmost days.

FSE: Is Bilingüebabies only for bilingual children, or can non-Spanish speakers join in?We welcome all ages (0-5) and nationalities. Istarted this to help other families expose their

children toSpanish, but it’s nota prerequisite to come toour classes. Studies show thatthe earlier a child is exposed to another language the easier it is for themto pick it up and acquire another. I have clients whohave stated that their child’s English has improvedas a result of learning Spanish with me.

Unfortunately there are many myths surroundingBilingualism and people cite confusion as being the biggest reasons for not teaching their childrenanother language. 70% of the world is bilingual so it is certainly not unusual to learn two languages at birth or slightly later.

FSE: What happens in a typical weekly class?We have a core range of games and songs, introductions, and greetings. The children get ratherused to the structure and if I miss something outthey will often tell me!

I interweave a theme into games, parachute activities, dance, movement, music (craft andhomework for the older children), and a story. Thechildren learn how to interact with me and others,take turns, tidy up and have fun using Spanish.

It is great that some of the parents are learningSpanish with their children, so they can support theirlearning at home. The more involved the parent is inclass, the more attentive the child will be and morelearning will take place.

FSE: What else do you offer? I work with local nurseries offering interactive, multisensory Spanish classes.

I will be offering a workshop at the annual Spanish dance festival in Lewisham. I write blogs on the subject of Bilingualism, teaching your child alanguage as a non-native, multiculturalism andmixed race issues.

I also tutor interactively all ages right up to GCSEand A level students.

I now freelance for the Horniman Museum as an Early Years tutor, and have been running family-friendly bilingual sessions linked to the Amazon Adventure exhibition.

families south east - june 201312 f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

Research reveals that over three quarters of Britishmothers who don’t work for themselves would like todo so. What should you consider before embarkingon a home-based business?• Firstly, one of the drawbacks of homeworking is

isolation. If you are a good self motivator this willnot be a problem, but isolation can be hard todeal with. The solution is to use social networkingto get regular online contact with people workingin related fields to your business and make contact with local business groups and generalbusiness support groups

• Secondly, get out and about. Use social networking to arrange face to face meetings

• Thirdly, ensure you have childcare in place. It isvery difficult to work when trying to look after children

• Fourthly, keep your work station separate from family life. If possible, install a second business-only phone line or you could use a virtual office assistant. Also ensure you have agood broadband connection and back-up if yourcomputer goes down

• Lastly, plan your hours. One danger of

homeworking is overwork. Make sure you getenough rest and don’t burn out.

The Southeast London Mumpreneurs Network is agreat source of support and inspiration. Membersfind new business, develop confidence, share experiences and ideas and find new business, atmonthly meetings and expert-led events. See ourWhat’s On listings and read more at www.selondonmumpreneursnetwork.co.uk.

Setting up on your own?

FSE: Are your own children bilingual?My eldest is doing well, I didn’t have the courage to raise him bilingual from the beginning and as I always thought I would return to Spain I put it off.

My youngest has had a Spanish au pair since hewas one, at home I only speak to him in Spanish,following the ‘one parent, one language’ (OPOLmethod).

It’s not going to be easy as bilingualism is not agiven even if you are native but I am determined -hopefully one day they will thank me!

FSE: When you have time off for yourself, whatdo you like to do?A very rare treat indeed, I spend time with myfriends and family, get a local coffee or go for a run.I am a morning person and getting time out enablesme to be creative, compose songs and ideas forclass. I enjoy going to talks on bilingualism, hearingplans of new bilingual schools, and meeting like-minded individuals.

FSE: Do you have a favourite shop/ cafe orpark in southeast London?Crystal Palace Park is fantastic, but I do love HillyFields especially since they remodelled it and wehave a cafe. Ultimate favourites are toddler friendlylike Deli Nene and the Dish and the Spoon for greatfood and space.

FSE: How can readers find out more?Check my website for class details and locationswww.bilinguebabies.com or email meinfo@bilinguebabies.co.uk. I’m on Twitter@bilinguebabies, and Facebook/bilinguebabiestoo.

Mothers Mean Business

BilingüebabiesAudrey Antoine-Hart is a mother of two children

who lives in Brockley. In 2012 she set up

Bilingüebabies to introduce Spanish

to preschoolers

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june 2013 - families south east

end yelling “Find your springs!” with some reluctant littleys that I admitted I was the co-author of a book onthe subject of headlice infestation.* Once she’d lookedleft and right, and realised I was indeed addressing her(and hastily pushed the kid’s head away), we had an intermittently splashy conversation about combing versus chemicals. Then somebody else tapped me onthe wetsuit & asked if I could recommend anything forFather’s Day. Like that too, was an affliction.MADE BY DAD by Scott Bedford - Workman rrp £12.99,Have no fear! I may have been momentarily stuck for asuggestion (perhaps overcome by chlorine fumes, ormaybe even context..) but the father of my children hasbeen busy parking this gem beneath the noses of ourweary, buggy-pushing female customers anxious toshow their appreciation for the male role in family life, instead of merely resorting to a hastily wrapped bottle of own brand whisky (which he’d only go and sob intoanyway). Boasting ‘blueprints for making cool stuff’ thisreally is the ideal device for ensuring daddy spends quality time with the offspring on his special day, as wellas using up the contents of the recycling trug. Togetherthey can make robots, volcanoes and, er, a very splendidspaghetti and marshmallow tower. It’s got ‘bloke’stamped all over it!DON’T YOU DARE by Sharky & George - Egmont rrp£12.99. In a similar vein but concentrating on the outdoorrather than indoor, here we have more prime dad distractions like dam building, stealth tips for secretagent work (naturally), “extreme” boules and, um, bottomdarts. It does say on the back - ‘adult supervision required’ – so it might be wise to pack grandma or the aupair off with them too. (PS weren’t Sharky and George“crime-busters of the sea” back in the 90s? Now that’san earworm you didn’t know you needed…)VADER’S LITTLE PRINCESS by Jeffrey Brown - Chronicle rrp £9.99. A sister companion to last year’s hit,Darth Vader & Son, with yet more galactic cartoon riffing,this is the PERFECT father’s day present, believe me,and I have never forgotten the ‘new man’ at the till whotetchily asked the tiddler in his arms that was burblingabsently “Mama, mama” over and over: “Who’s a JediWarrior?” and the babe snapped out of it to replysolemnly: “Dada..” By crikey that dad was pleased withhimself.CRAFT BEER WORLD by Mark Dredge - Dog ‘n Bonerrp £16.99. Before you accuse me of shamelessly stereotyping, I am a BIG fan of the amber nectar. However, should junior choose to furnish his papa withthis marvellous guide to the “finest beers known to man”,the Brownie points that mama will gain by proxy will benumerous.. THE ROUGH GUIDE TO VINTAGE LONDON - rrp£9.99. As if by magic! A clever little guide appears featuring the pick of the markets as well as the best vintage outlets on our increasingly trendy side of the riverin which to spend those multitudinous Brownie points!!THE FASHION BOOK by Marie Vendittelli, illustrated bySophie Griotto - Buster rrp £12.99. And on the subject ofstereotyping - and we all know the highest earners in design are fellas – it does strike me, looking inside thesehip and flowing pages, that this is indeed shamelessly

aimed at girls; amid the activities, advice & fashionhouse facts all the template silhouettes for trying out designs are most definitely female. And they are all kindaslender too…Along with my chlorine dipped fright-wig, I’m not famousfor my sartorial elegance - “Haw-haw! Didn’t recogniseyou with yer clothes on,” say those waggish dads whenthey bump into me in the bookshop and realise I taughttheir five year old backstroke. FLIP FASHION, illustratedby Lucille Clerc, LK rrp £9.95 is much more my bag and abrilliant way of indulging in fashion fantasy by mixing andmatching and mis-matching (my signature look) styles -Distressed Grunge Adventurous Cadet says it all really. THE JUNIOR GOURMET by Elizabeth Long - The FiveMile Press rrp £9.99. We are often asked to recommendcook books for children of different ages - from thewieldy USBORNE FIRST COOKBOOK, rrp £12.99 toanything by Sam Stern for your braver cheffette - but thisis a slightly different kettle of fish featuring accessiblerecipes from around the world and includes some decidedly grown-up techniques, like using a pestle &mortar, grating zest and caramelising. Personally, thesooner kids get the hang of de-bearding mussels, thebetter.Dr SEUSS TELL THE TIME - The Five Mile Press rrp£6.99. An ingeniously simple clock and sticker conceptbrought to us by the wizard of learning. I know somepeople hate the good doctor but he has influenced children’s literacy and numeracy for more than fifty yearsso I think the whacky rhyming method might be considered a success. At seven, I was a late-comer tothe science of time and I’ve been trying to catch up eversince. Sorry everyone.IT’S A LITTLE BOOK by Lane Smith - Macmillan £5.99.The original was a cracker with its delightfully baffled response to the digital revolution and now it has beenshrunk and put in nappies in a chewable, chuckableboard book version. Try doing that with an e-reader.AT OUR HOUSE by Isabel Minhos Martins & MadalenaMatoso - Tate rrp £7.99. It begins: “At our house we have6 heads, each one thinking unique thoughts,” and goeson rather extraordinarily to count all the fingers andthumbs and even bladders lining up for the bathroom inthe morning, finally noting the vast numbers of frecklesand bones and hairs and just about everything elsecountable. What a great way to get a grip of the conceptof numbers. Me, I’d also throw in how many empty looroll holders I pick up off the bathroom floor every week.Cue my best shouty voice: “I was not born for this!!”The boundaries were blurred again this week when Iused my best teacher’s shouty voice by mistake on myway to a quiet swim. On finding a knot of prep schoolgirls mucking about in the changing rooms while theirteacher, Miss Honey no less, demurely tucked ringletsinto rubber hats, I barked impulsively “Girls!” and theyslithered out of the lockers in shocked silence. MissHoney tried to apologise but I would have none of it,though I’d probably feel different if I paying those fees.But my outburst now ensured that twenty pairs of defiantlittle eyes watched my every move as I pulled out mytowel and costume only to discover they were still sopping wet from last week and I was forced to put themon in front of an audience. “Sometimes mum,” saidTrasha when I told her about it afterwards, “it’s best toleave your work at home.” Ever the wise witch, eh?

*whispers: THE LITTLE BOOK OF NITS, Bloomsbury£7.99.

The Bookseller Crow is a fantastic, volume stuffed shop run by some of the most knowledgeable bookworms in the business.

Call in for the feel of a real bookshop, or if you’re too busy, pick up the phone or point your mouse at their website for a fast mailorder service. Justine Crow recommends this month’s best titles.

Over the years, having worn and still wearing various hats - eyebrow pinching latex, moth-eaten shopkeeper’s boater, TA’s emergency scrunchie,clerical frown, writer’s visor and parental black pointy one – it is no wondercontext gets a bit blurred and I find myself giving out swimming advice in the bookshop say, and reading recommendations from the water. So it was with twisted pleasure on noticing a mum rootling though her toddler’s hairpoolside the other week whilst I was bouncing up and down in the shallow

The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AFTelephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk www.booksellercrow.co.uk

13f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

families south east - june 201314 f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

What’sOnFind even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

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Theatre, Shows and Music

Diary Dates for Grown Ups

YOGA FOR BEGINNERSThursdays from 13 June, DEVONSHIRE NATURE RESERVE, 170-172 Devonshire Road, Forest Hill SE23 3TQ, 07903 588 318, email amarich@hotmail.co.uk, http://suntreecircle.wordpress.com/Welcome summer by enjoying yoga surrounded by the beauty of nature.Iyengar teacher Amanda is running a six week course for beginners, anyone returning to yoga or those who would like to go over the basics.Thursday evenings, 7.30-8.45, bring your own mat. £54 for the course,book first.

DIABETES SUPPORT GROUP MEETING14 June, InSpire, The Crypt, St PETER’S CHURCH, Liverpool Grove,Walworth SE17 2HH, 07885 065923, www.lslfamilysupportgroup.diabetesukgroup.org Diabetes UK Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark Family Support Groupare holding a summer meeting with guest speaker Chris Cheyette, author of ‘Carbs and Cals’. Meet other families with diabetes, learn more about carb counting from the leading expert, and stay for tea and biscuits. 7-9pm, rsvp by email: dukllands@gmail.com.

ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE - INTRODUCTORY WORKSHOPS

15 June, 6 + 20 July in BECKENHAM, 020 8658 0820,www.skillforlife.comAlexander Technique teacher Jill Payne is running workshops to explainand demonstrate how the technique can bring great improvements frompeople suffering from tension-based problems such as chronic back,neck or shoulder pain. Mostly seated, this small group workshop includes explanation, simple activities and demonstration of the hands-on work. Book first.

SE LONDON MUMPRENEURS NETWORK20 June, COTE Restaurant, Blackheath SE3 0TL, emailmotherslife@hotmail.co.uk, selondonmumpreneursnetwork.co.ukAn informal and friendly monthly networking meeting, offering practical business support from other like minded business mums overcoffee and pastries. Brainstorm your business ideas and make new connections. 10am-12noon, £15 to trial the group; book first.

CURIOUS22 June - 28 July, WEST NORWOOD CEMETERY, www.westnorwoodcemetery.comOne of London’s ‘magnificent seven’ cemeteries, West Norwood Cemetery plays host to works by 22 different artists, curated by Jane

Millar. Follow a trail designed by Okido to seek out sculptures, ceramics,sound, textiles, photography and poetry.

There will be a live evening event on 6 July, an open day including aprogramme of artists’ talks on 7 July, and a Grand Picnic on 21 July.

MARCH FOR MOTHERS29 June, GREENWICH PARK SE10 8QY, www.marchformothers.com,www.healthpovertyaction.orgTake a 5km walk around Greenwich Park and help to improve maternalhealth for women in the world’s poorest communities. The event is organised by Health Poverty Action, who hope to raise awareness of the340,000 women who die each year in pregnancy and childbirth, andraise funds to help save lives in some of the world’s poorest countries. It is a solidarity walk with mothers across the world who have to walklong distances to receive healthcare. 10am start, entry £15 plusfundraising for adults, £5 children. Register online for a fundraisingpack.

THE ARCHES OPEN STUDIO EVENT29 + 30 June, THE ARCHES STUDIO, Blenheim Grove, Peckham SE15 4QL, www.peckhamvision.orgMeet local artists in their own workplaces, discuss their working practices and view a range of new and ongoing works for sale, in a relaxed and family-friendly environment.

Visitors will be greeted by a wide range of works from the fields of ceramics, sculpture, fine art and print-making, for sale to suit a range of budgets as well as delicious snacks and refreshments throughout the weekend.

LIFE COACHING GROUPTuesdays in DULWICH VILLAGE and HERNE HILL, Fridays in WEST and EAST DULWICH, 0775 369 9232, email coaching@themindbodyandsoulcoach.co.ukRefresh and support your life, loves, work and goals in a friendly, informal coaching get-together. £8 per person.

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN LIVE6-22 June, O2 Live Quarter, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX,0333 300 0023, nightgardenlive.comThe world’s only live production of In The Night Garden Live is an amazing musical theatre experience for all the family. Children’s favouriteCBeebies’ stars - Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends - areall brought beautifully to life on stage using full-size costumes, magicalpuppets, enchanting music and breath-taking projections. The showtakes place in its own all-weather, purpose-built inflatable showdomewith many family-friendly facilities. This site-specific structure is a hugehit with children and parents and its immersive theatrical experiencemakes audiences feel they are actually entering the magical world of theTV show In the Night Garden. Performances 10am, 12noon, 2pm and4pm, tickets from £12.50.

SWAN LAKE IN-THE-ROUND12-23 June, ROYAL ALBERT HALL, Kensington Gore SW7 2AP, 020 7838 3100, ballet.org.ukExperience a magnificent choreographic kaleidoscope as this unrivalledspectacle comes to life in the centre of the Royal Albert Hall. From

lakeside seats to the top of the Hall, this ‘in-the-round’ production of theworld’s favourite ballet combines sensational scale, potent drama andtouching intimacy.

As the Swan Princess Odette’s tragedy is played out by a misty lakethe sinister Rothbart is master of his domain. Odette is devastatingly betrayed by Prince Siegfried who has been deceived by Rothbart, but eventually the power of true love must triumph over evil. Tickets from £19.

CHARLIE AND LOLA’S EXTREMELYNEW PLAYUntil 17 August, POLKA THEATRE, 140 The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1B, 020 8543 4888, polkatheatre.com Enter a magical journey through the seasons, as Charlie and Lola discover that everything is different and not the same. What will happenwhen Lola and her best friend Lotta absolutely promise to look after Sizzles the dog? And follow Charlie and his best friend Marv on a Pirate Squidbones adventure! Playful, funny and full of surprises, this extremely new play about friendship and adventures promises to be a treat for everyone. Based on the well loved BBC series and

characters created by Lauren Child. Suitable for ages 7+, tickets from £10.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORYFrom 25 June, THEATRE ROYAL, Drury Lane WC2B 5JF, 0844 858 8877,charlieandthechocolatefactory.comFive golden tickets are hidden beneath the wrappers of Mr Willy Wonka’sdelicious chocolate bars - five golden tickets which will change the livesof those who find them. The winning children are invited through thegates of Mr Wonka’s Chocolate factory to see all the secrets and magicinside, and to meet Mr Wonka and his staff of Oompa-Loompas. ForCharlie Bucket, a poor boy living within sight of the factory, winning thefifth and final golden ticket is just the beginning of an unforgettable adventure. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of Roald Dahl’s original story is brought to life in a spectacular musical starring DouglasHodge. Tickets from £25.

GRANDPA IN MY POCKET26-29 June, Ashcroft Theatre, FAIRFIELD HALLS, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG, 020 8688 9291,

f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k june 2013 - families south east 15

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A dazzling show

and their familiesfor children aged 3 to 5

A Fevered Sleep / Polka Theatre production

fairfield.co.uk, grandpainmypocketlive.co.ukA brand new story in which Sunnysands pirate HoratioHeave Ho takes Jason and Jemima on a pirate adventure in search of treasure. The Cbeebies TV seriesis on stage for the first time to entertain young families.Tickets from £12.50.

WE’RE ALL GOING ON ABEAR HUNT3 July - Sept, LYRIC THEATRE, Shaftsbury Avenue W1D 7ES, 0844 482 9678, bearhuntlive.com/Join the intrepid family of adventurers and their musicaldog through the swish swashy grass, the splishysplashy river and the squwelchy mud, in search of abear. Michael Rosen’s book bursts to life onstage withmusic, laughter, songs, rhythms and repetitions; withpuppetry, paints, water and mud, not to mention a bear- we’re not scared! Tickets from £14.

SLAPDASH GALAXY9 June, GREENWICH THEATRE, Crooms Hill SE10 8ES,020 8858 7755, greenwichtheatre.org.ukThe tale of Sam and Junior, two brothers who must flee

their war torn planet and embark on an epic journeyacross the galaxy. Buckle in and tear open your imagination for this year’s new shadow puppet epicabout two brothers who battle the bad guys and findstrength in each other, at warp speed. Ages 7+, 1.30pmand 5pm, tickets £7.50 children, £12.50 adults.

ASTON’S STONES18-23 June, UNICORN THEATRE, 147 Tooley StreetSE1 2HZ, 020 7645 0560, unicorntheatre.comSome stones are big and some are small. One is sadand another one feels cold. All are in need of someoneto care for them. When Aston starts bringing stoneshome, his patient and understanding parents don’tmind. But after a while they start to worry - how manystones can one household look after? This is a storyabout how easy it is to love and the ability to see thevalue in the smallest of things, from Swedish theatre-makers Theater Pero. For under 5s. Tickets £10children, £16 adults.CONCRETE CREATURES, 22-23 June. A free foyerevent after the noon and 2pm performances of Aston’sStones. Decorate your stone and take home a friend.

Events & AttractionsBRIXTON WINDMILL TOURSBRIXTON WINDMILL, West end of Blenheim Gardens,off Brixton Hill SW2 5EU, 020 7926 6056, brixtonwindmill.org Windmills were once a familiar feature of London’s landscape and the most powerful machines of the pre-industrial world. Built in 1817, Brixton Windmill is atangible reminder to all Londoners of the close links thatthe capital had with agriculture and food production.GUIDED TOUR, 8, 9 + 23 June. Take a tour of the original wind-powered machinery and find out abouthow it was once used to make stoneground flour, whilehearing the fascinating story of the Ashby family. Because of space restrictions, each tour is limited tothree adults plus guide or two adults and two childrenplus guide, and needs booking first online.PARADE AND FESTIVAL, 22 June. The Friends ofWindmill Gardens in collaboration with Veolia and Lambeth Council invite all to the annual Brixton WindmillParade and Festival. Dress up as a Cake, Pudding orPie and take part in the parade from Windrush Square,Brixton to Windmill Gardens to enjoy live music, dancing, arts, crafts activities and a performance by theBrixton Windmill Theatre Company and much more!Refreshments and food is available too or bring a picnic. 1-6pm, open to all ages.

SYDENHAM ARTS FESTIVAL29 June - 14 July, VARIOUS VENUES in and aroundSE26, 020 3659 0551, www.sydenhamartsfestival.co.ukNow in its fifth year, SAF has a fantastic line-up of over90 events guaranteeing something for everyone: livemusic, free film showings, theatre, a family day in thepark, literary events, comedy nights, an artists’ trail inopen homes and studios, dance workshops, opera andmuch more. Highlights include the family fun day inHome Park on 30 June, launchpad performances by 13-19 year-olds at the TNG Youth Centre on 6 July, Benjamin Zephaniah at Sydenham High School on 13 July, and Edwardian Wacky Races in Mayow Park.

SUMMER FAIR29 June, CHARLES DICKENS PRIMARY SCHOOL, Toulmin Street SE1 1AF, www.charlesdickens.southwark.sch.ukJoin the family fun at the Summer Fair at Charles Dickens Primary School. There will be lots of great activities available including a barbeque, craft activities,face painting and a famously fabulous raffle. Noon-3pm, all welcome, entry free.

FAMILY EVENTS AT THEHORNIMANHORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road,Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.ukMuseum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, general

admission free, charges apply for special exhibitionsand the aquarium. The museum’s music gallery andhands-on base, regular weekend and holiday drop-insand workshops allow family visitors to explore the collection through arts and crafts, music, stories andhands-on sessions. All this within 16 acres of beautifulgreen space.AMAZON ADVENTURE, until November. Experiencethe world’s largest and most biologically diverse riverwith its extraordinary animals, exotic plants and fascinating cultures, with unusual creatures includingmysterious pink dolphins, piranhas and anacondas, live rays and tetra fish. Discover the environmental dangers facing the Amazon and its inhabitants such asoverfishing, poaching and logging. Fittingly, the displaysand audio are bilingual English/ Spanish. Admissionfree for accompanied under 3s, £3 children, £6 adults,£15 families.

CAMDEN FAMILY FUN DAY15 June, CORAM’S FIELD, 93 Guildford Street WC1N1DN, 020 3108 2052, www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/whats-on/grant_listingsThe Grant Museum of Zoology are packing up theirspecimens and heading out for the day to Coram’sField. Join them and other organisations from aroundCamden for a fun packed family day with dressing up,storytelling and arts and crafts. The Grant Museum’sstall will have amazing animals and hands-on activities.10am-5pm, free.

LIFE AND DEATH: POMPEIIAND HERCULANEUMUntil 29 September, BRITISH MUSEUM, Great Russell Street WC1B 3DG, 020 7323 8181,britishmuseum.org/pompeiiPreserved under ash, Pompeii and Herculaneum layburied for just over 1,600 years, their rediscovery providing an unparalleled glimpse into the daily life ofthe Roman Empire. From the bustling street to the intimate spaces of a Roman home, this major exhibitionportrays the heart of people’s lives in the two cities.Open 10am-7pm daily, to 8.30pm Fridays. Admission £15 adults, prebooking recommended.

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUMLONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM, 39 Wellington Street,Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB, 020 7379 6344,www.ltmuseum.co.uk From buses to tubes, original posters to workers andtravellers’ stories, London Transport Museum exploresthe heritage of London and its transport system. Open10am-6pm Saturdays to Thursdays, from 11am Fridays.Admission free for under 16s; under 12s to be accompanied.

families south east - june 201316 f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

MoreWhat’sOnFind even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM

ALL ABOARD! Let your under 6 ‘drive’ a scaled-down bus, train, tube or taxi , complete with passengers. They can also take control of thetransport system, moving buses and trains around the museum’s miniature London.

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R,020 7601 5545, www.bankofengland.co.uk/museumThe Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England fromits foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Examineintricately-designed banknotes, feel the weight of a genuine gold bar andsee the pikes and muskets that were once used to defend the Bank.Children’s activity sheets provide fun for younger visitors. Open 10am-5pm Mondays to Fridays, admission free.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM EVENTSGEFFRYE MUSEUM, Kingsland Road E2 8EA, 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.ukSpecial workshops and quizzes inspire creativity and provide amusement for accompanied 5-11 year-olds on the first Saturday ofeach month and during school holidays. Places allocated 30 minutes in advance of each workshop. Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays toSaturdays, from noon Sundays.

CHURCHILL WAR ROOMSCHURCHILL WAR ROOMS, Clive Steps, King Charles Street SW1A,www.iwm.org.ukThe Churchill War Rooms were originally the Cabinet War Rooms, created in 1938 as underground storage areas for the Office of WorksBuilding in Whitehall. They were soon converted to house the centralcore of government and to become a temporary military information centre serving the Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff of the air, navaland land forces. Visitors can hear the first-hand personal accounts ofthose who worked in the Cabinet War Rooms during the war. Learn what life and conditions were like underground and experiencing the authenticity and emotional resonance of walking through the corridorswhere Churchill made history. Open 9.30am-6pm, admission free forunder 16s, £15.95 adults.

SCIENCE MUSEUM SCIENCE MUSEUM, Exhibition Road SW7 2DD, 0870 870 4868,www.sciencemuseum.org.ukThe Science Museum makes sense of the science that shapes our lives, sparking curiosity, releasing creativity and changing the future byengaging people of all generations and backgrounds in science, engineering, medicine, technology, design and enterprise. Open daily10am-6pm except 24-26 December.LAUNCHPAD SCIENCE SHOWS. The largest free interactive sciencegallery in the UK is packed with exhibits which allow visitors to launch arocket, turn their head into a sound box and control a magnetic cloud.Ages 8-14, free.WHO AM I? Find out what makes you special through interactive activities which use the latest in brain science and genetics. Free.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMNATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.ukDinosaurs, volcanoes, precious gems and creepy crawlies - discover the diversity of the natural world through the nation’s finest collection ofnatural history specimens. Fascinating exhibitions display up to 70 million plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals, with a hands-on education centre where you can meet real scientists at work. Museumopen 10am-5.50pm, admission free.EXTINCTION: NOT THE END OF THE WORLD? Until 8 September.Go beyond dodos and dinosaurs to explore the crucial role extinctionplays in the evolution of life. The exhibition combines astonishing im-ages, real specimens and interactive installations to bring to life speciesthat disappeared long ago. Exploring the latest scientific findings, it alsolooks at today’s endangered species and asks whether conservationcan save them. Admission £4.50 children, £9 adults, £24 families.SENSATIONAL BUTTERFLIES, until 15 September. From chompingcaterpillars to beautiful butterflies, the Natural History Museum comesalive for summer. Dive into a tropical butterfly house to take on butterflychallenges, try out fun games and exciting activities as you discover oneof the planet’s most amazing life cycles. Experience the magic of walk-ing among hundreds of free-flying tropical butterflies and come face to

face with a huge variety of these incredible and beautiful creatures. Admission £4.

TOWER OF LONDONTOWER OF LONDON, EC3N 4AB, 0844 482 7777,www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon Tower open 9am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 10am Sundaysand Mondays. Admission free for under 5s, children £10.45, adults£19.80; book for less online. FIT FOR A KING. Discover 500 years of spectacular arms and armourworn by kings and royal princes in this stunning exhibition on the firstfloor of the White Tower. Learn about the personalities, power and physical size of our nation’s kings, from the Tudors, and the notoriousHenry VIII, to today’s royal family through the historic collection.POWER HOUSE. Discover the stories and personalities behind themajor organisations of state, who took care of royal business behind the mighty Tower walls, from 1100 to the present day. The exhibitionshowcases the roles of the major organisations that provided thebedrock of England’s power throughout the centuries. ROYAL BEASTS. Find out about the Tower’s imperial Royal Menagerie.Founded during the reign of King John in the early 1200s, it became aregular feature of the Tower for over 600 years. Visitors can encounter adiverse cast of former Tower residents through arresting modern animalsculpture by artist Kendra Haste and new interactive sensory displays.The recently restored north wall walk and the never before opened BrickTower will host some of the displays, including sights, sounds and smellsof some of the animals.

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUMNATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM, Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HT, 020 7881 6606, www.nam.ac.ukThe history of British land forces from 1485 to the present day, with costumes, paintings, artefacts and special displays telling the stories ofmen and women who served in British armies across the globe. Open10am-5.30pm daily, admission free.DRAW YOUR WEAPONS. A colourful and dynamic exhibition exploringthe history of the war comic, in partnership with leading publisher DCThomson.

HMS BELFASTOn the THAMES by Morgans Lane, Tooley Street SE1 2JH,www.iwm.org.uk.Discover the exciting stories of those who served HMS Belfast; exploringthe nine decks where sailors once hurried up and down its ladders, ortake a look at the mess desk where her 950-strong crew ate and slept.Open 10am-6pm, admission free for under 16s, £14.50 adults.GUN TURRET EXPERIENCE. Immerse yourself in the new Gun TurretExperience, a chance to see what fighting at sea would have really beenlike. Overlooking the front of the ship, or Fo’c’sle, is the forward most ofHMS Belfast’s Triple Gun Turrets. Lights, audio, videos and projectionswill recreate the experience, highlighting the hectic and cramped conditions that would have seen twenty-six men in this confined space at any one time. Entry included in general admission price. SLANG AT SEA, 22-23 June. Have a go at ‘Jack-speak’, and learn theorigin of navy slang and popular expressions from life at sea. Delvedeeper to discover objects and stories of the crew on board HMSBelfast. Impress your family and friends by mastering seafaring phrases- identify your Port from your Starboard side and find out what it meansto be in the rattle. 11am-12.30pm and 2-4pm, free drop-in.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUMFLORENCE NIGHTINGALE MUSEUM, 2 Lambeth Palace Road, SouthBank, London SE1, 020 7620 0347, www.florence-nightingale.co.ukUncover the lady behind the legend at the brand new Florence Nightingale Museum on London’s South Bank. The museum presents a vivid retelling of her story and how modern nursing began. The museum’s unparalleled collection features highlights such as Florence’spet little owl Athena as well as her lamp and medicine chest from theCrimean War. Engaging interactive exhibits as well as regular contemporary art exhibitions enhance the experience, visitors even usestethoscopes to hear the audio tour. Admission £4.80 child, £5.80 adults,£16 families.

CHILDREN AT THE V&AV&A MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 2RL, 020 7942 2000,www.vam.ac.uk/families

During any visit, families can pick up a trail from the Information Deskand explore the museum through puzzles, drawing and observation.Suitable for 7-12 year-olds. There are also hundreds of exciting hands-on exhibits containing plenty to touch and try out. Museum open10am-5.45pm daily, admission freeSaturday BACK-PACKS. Pick up a back pack and explore the mu-seum with fantastic jigsaws, stories, puzzles and games. 10.30am-5pm.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200,www.museumofchildhood.org.ukThis gem of a museum is fascinating for families with young children.The collection includes dolls, dolls’ houses, puppets, teddy bears,games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography.Everyday drop-in activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, and

trails. There’s dressing-up, role play and an under 3’s area, an indoorsandpit, and regular special events. If it’s sunny there’s an outdoorspace to enjoy a picnic. Open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free.

MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDSMUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, West India Quay E14, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklandsOpen daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out moreabout London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life.

MUSEUM OF LONDON EVENTSMUSEUM OF LONDON, London Wall EC2Y 5HN, 020 7001 9844,www.museumoflondon.org.ukOpen daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out moreabout London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life.

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICHNational Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Royal Observatory andCutty Sark, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.rmg.co.ukRoyal Museums Greenwich holds the world’s largest maritime collection. It is housed in historic buildings forming part of the MaritimeGreenwich World Heritage Site and incorporates the Royal ObservatoryGreenwich, the 17th-century Queen’s House, and Cutty Sark. The Muse-ums works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships,time and the stars and their relationship with people, and is also a majorcentre of education and research. Open 10am-5pm daily. General admission is free; some buildings, special exhibitions and events havean admission fee. EXPLORE SATURDAYS. Meet a character from the past and take partin an exciting performance that brings maritime history to life. Suitablefor ages 6+. Noon, 1, 2 and 3pm start, free.DISCOVER SUNDAYS. Be inspired by the museum’s galleries andtake part in free design, craft, illustration and music workshops designed for families. Suitable for all ages. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-5pm, free.PLAY TUESDAYS. Young children can have fun with their families asthey explore the museum through making, music, dance and drama.10.30 and 11.30am, 1 and 2pm, suitable for under 5s; collect a ticketfrom the admissions desk.THE SECRET LIFE OF STARS. A spectacular show, narrated byPatrick Stewart, explores the fascinating life history of the stars, from thesmallest red dwarf to the largest blue giant. Using state-of-the-art digitalsimulation, it charts the life of a star from birth to death and beyond, and looks at what impact this has on the universe around us. Ages 5+,tickets £4.50 children, £6.50 adults, £17.50 families.SPACE SAFARI, weekends and holiday weekdays. Join teddy bear Tedfor live music and rhyme as he journeys throughout the solar systemlooking for the Great Bear in the sky in a show designed especially foryounger children and presented by a Royal Observatory Greenwich astronomer. Tickets £4.50 children, £6.50 adults, £17.50 families.

CUTTY SARK CUTTY SARK, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT, 020 8858 2698,www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysarkThe world famous 19th century tea clipper offers visitors four levels toexplore. Take in the views from the main deck and steer at the ship’swheel, meet the crew who worked on board, explore the various cargoes from wool to whiskey, and see how tea was loaded on boardthrough interactive displays, props, information boards and animations.Family friendly events run at weekends and during school holidays.Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Sundays, admission £6.50 children, £12adults, from £20 families. Bundled tickets are available with the otherRoyal Museum Greenwich attractions. EXPLORE SATURDAYS. Meet a character from the past and take partin an exciting performance that brings maritime history to life. Suitablefor ages 6+. Noon, 1, 2 and 3pm start, free with admission ticket.

SYDENHAM ARTS FESTIVAL HORNIMAN MUSEUM

june 2013 - families south east 17f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

The Great Outdoors

Art Activities

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VIEW FROM THE SHARDTHE SHARD, London Bridge SE1 9RN, 08444 997111, www.theviewfromtheshard.com/Renzo Piano’s iconic London landmark offers viewing galleries, restaurants,a hotel and residential apartments. The View from the Shard is the highest

viewing point in Western Europe and nearly twice as high as any other viewin London, providing visitors with a multi-sensory experience and exhilarating views for 40 miles across London from floors 68, 69 and 72.Open from 9am to 10pm daily. Tickets from £29.95, book first.

CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLECHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE, Hill Hoath Road, near Edenbridge, Kent TN87AD, 01892 870347, chiddingstonecastle.org.ukChiddingstone is a unique and unspoilt castle which houses outstandingcollections of Egyptian and Buddhist artefacts, Japanese armour and beautiful Jacobean paintings. The 25 acre grounds include a lake, a magnificent woodland and pretty gardens with nature trails to follow. EGYPTIAN DAY on 14 April is a fun day for the whole family to visit thecastle and learn of the mysteries of Ancient Egypt. Open 11am-5pm from29 March - 30 October, Sundays to Wednesdays and bank holidays. Admis-sion free for under 5s, £4 for 5-13 year-olds, £8 adults, £21.50 families.FATHERS’ DAY, 16 June. Events aimed at the dad in the family will includelocal Larkin’s Ale to enjoy and a chance to have a go at building a camp inthe woods - help will be on hand for this task. Or why not try and beat yourDad at a game of croquet or cricket on the lawn with the stunning castle asa backdrop?

FATHER’S DAY ON A STEAM TRAIN16 June, KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY, Station Road, Tenderden, Kent TN30 6HE, 01580 765155, kesr.org.ukThe railway has a memorable day planned for dads which includes a returnjourney from Tenterden to Bodiam on one of the railway’s lovingly preservedsteam trains with a choice of either a generous homemade ploughman’slunch or a delicious afternoon cream tea for all to enjoy. This will be servedto your reserved table and includes a bottle of the Railway’s very own beer,‘Dad’s Delight’ (soft drink option available), together with a K&ESR glasstankard and a packet of man-sized chocolate buttons to enjoy at home.Ticket prices £24.50 dads, £10 children, £42 families, book first.

BODIAM CASTLEBODIAM CASTLE, near Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5UA, 01580 830196, www.national.trust.org.uk/bodiamcastleSurrounded by charming Sussex countryside, Bodiam’s medieval ruins offer a vast history which visitors of all ages can enjoy. Among the many historical features is the original wooden portcullis, which is on display inthe gatehouse, the ‘murder holes’ and the Castle’s impressive battlements,

which remain virtually intact. Visitors can also climb the spiral staircases tothe tops of the towers, where unrivalled views of the surrounding estate andRother Valley await. Open 10.30am-5pm daily, admission £3.70 children,£7.40 adults, £18.50 families.THE GREAT CAKE BAKE, 8+9 June. A fantastic opportunity for buddingbakers to enter their very own seasonal English cake, with the chance to receive a trophy and goody bag, and have you cake named after you andrecreated for sale in the Tea Room for the whole of July. There are two categories - one for adults and one for under 14 year-olds. Cake entries canbe taken to the Wharf Tea Room between 10.30am and 4pm on Saturday,and between 10.30am and 2pm on Sunday June 9.BACK TO NATURE, 29+30 June. Celebrate National lnsect Week with avariety of family-friendly events including the chance to meet bats and catcha live ‘wild world’ show with Jo and Leigh Holmes from the CITV series.11am-4pm.

PENSHURST PLACEPENSHURST PLACE & GARDENS, Penshurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 8DG,01892 870307, penshurstplace.comSet in the beautiful Weald of Kent, Penshurst Place and the Estate havestood on the banks of the river Medway since the 14th century, when theawe-inspiring medieval Baron’s Hall was built as a country retreat for theLord Mayor of London, Sir John de Pulteney. Alongside the unique andstunning Baron’s Hall, built in 1341, the house has a series of stateroomscontaining an impressive collection of portraits, tapestries, furniture, porcelain and armour. In addition, visitors can enjoy a reminder of bygonechildhoods in the Toy Museum, a delight for all ages. The enchanting formalgardens were laid out in Elizabethan times and have remained remarkablytrue to their early design. Open 10.30am-6pm, admission £6 children, £10adults, family tickets available.HANDS ON HISTORY, 16 June. Enjoy Father’s Day by playing Dad’sDominos and treat your dad to a handmade card, or better still present him with a special handmade award. Craft activities for children in the Education Room from 12 noon-4pm. Special lunchtime menus in the Garden Restaurant.

FAMILY ARTS IN DULWICHDULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD,020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.ukMuseum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Fridays, from 11am weekends and bankholidays. Listed activities free for families with a gallery ticket or £3 per child.ARTPLAY, first and last Sunday of each month. Creative drop-in workshopsfor adults and children, with a different activity each session. Make anythingand everything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3.45pm.

THE WALLACE COLLECTIONTHE WALLACE COLLECTION, Hertford House, Manchester Square W1U 3BN, 020 7563 9500, wallacecollection.orgThe Wallace Collection displays wonderful works of art collected in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries by the first four Marquesses of Hertfordand Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the 4th Marquess, in their main Londontownhouse. Family multi-media tours and trails bring the exhibits to life foryounger visitors. Open 10am-5pm daily, admission free.FAMILY PUBLIC TOUR, 15 June. An exciting, creative, thrilling and interactive journey with young curators from St. Vincent’s Primary School.Explore the collection through new eyes and handle objects as they guideyou through its intriguing corridors and magnificent rooms. Ages 5+,2.30pm free drop-in.THE LITTLE DRAW, 7 July. A free drop-in workshop for all ages with artistZoe Scammell, who creates detailed drawings of the grotesque beasts andmonsters of the natural world. 1.30-4.30pm.

ART AT SIR JOHN SOANE’S HOUSESIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM, 13 Lincoln’s Inn Fields WC2A 3PB, 020 7440 4263, www.soane.orgTucked away in Lincoln’s Inn Fields at the heart of London, this magical,mysterious museum encourages young visitors to explore Soane’s treasures and develop new skills with specialist guidance. Sir John Soane(1753- 1737) was an inveterate collector, filling every nook and cranny of his beautiful home with items that fascinated him. From fossils to classical

fragments from Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome and from contemporarypaintings to architectural models, drawings and literature, he intended thatafter his death both his house and its extraordinary contents should beused to educate and inspire. Free drop-in activities run on the third Saturday of every month, with activities for all ages and families can take part together from 1.30-4.40pm.

SOMERSET HOUSE FAMILY EVENTSSOMERSET HOUSE, Strand WC2, 020 7845 4600,www.somersethouse.org.ukFree family workshops run on Saturdays from 2-3.30pm. Tickets availablefrom 1pm from the information desk. Children aged 6-12 years must be accompanied by an adult.

THE NATIONAL GALLERYTRAFALGAR SQUARE WC2N 5DN, 020 7747 2885,www.nationalgallery.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, Fridays to 9pm, admission free.With over 2,300 paintings in the collection, there are hundreds of reasons to visit the gallery, along with free hands-on art workshops for families atweekends and during school holidays. No need to book, but places are limited and allocated on arrival up to one hour before the start.

FAMILIES AT THE TATETATE BRITAIN, Millbank SW1, 020 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk/britain Open daily 10am-5.50pm, and until 10pm the first Friday of the month.Family trails are available daily from the Information Desks and are free for 5yrs and under. Go on a journey around Tate Britain and post your discoveries into your ‘Post it’ box as you go. When you get home, open upthe box and show your friends what you found. Or you could follow the ‘Joinup’ trail: play the listening game, search for shapes, patterns and talkinghands, and make your own sculptures.

Every weekend the free Art Trolley encourages children to imagine andcreate, make colourful collages, style a wonderful sculpture or perhapsmake a sketchbook and fill it with great ideas.

families south east - june 201318

Daddy lovescookingHow about this jollyAirfix London apron asa Fathers’ Day present?Just the job when he’sfiring up the barbecuein the back garden, ata pocket money-friendly £22. Or ahand painted pirate mug,£19.99.

Both are from the newsoutheast London basedBritish Is Best.

Despite the name, thecompany is run by a youngItalian couple who have such a passion for allThings Made in Britain that they decided to givesomething back by bringing together a selection ofthe best from British manufacturers. The companyis a treasure trove of brilliant accessories for adults,baby, home and garden products, plus a collectionof wellbeing products, all sourced from within ourshores. Credit cards at the ready - have a browseand be proud to buy British atwww.britishisbest.co.uk.

To the batmobile...When our son was younger, he went through aphase of only answering to ‘Batman’ rather than hisgiven name, which was tricky for his teachers - heloves this carseat.

The Kids Embrace Batman car seat is a fun andstylish stage 1-2-3, high-back booster seat. It hasan integral 5 point harness to secure children fromapproximately 9 months - 12 years and even comes with a removable cape - essential for littlesuperheroes on longer journeys.

The seat is strong yet lightweight which makes iteasy and convenient to transfer between cars; rrp£89.99 from Halfords, Toys R us andkidsembrace.co.uk. The range also includes DoraThe Explorer and SpongeBob Square Pants.

Family health

What’sNew

Have an adventureThere’s nothing quite like fresh air, exercise and familytime, and you can’t beat the fun you can have in the Great Outdoors. However, sometimes convincing yourchildren can be a bit of a struggle, so the National Trust have come up with 50 Things To Do Before You’re113⁄4 to encourage them to get mucky, discover their wild side and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer.

Check out the website, where you can interact with your very own virtual Outdoors Explorer - keep track of activities, earn rewards, get top tips for each adventure, unlock cool games, earn badges, collect certificates and discover some secret challenges. You could camp out in the wild, build a den, go star gazing, hunt for fossils, set up a snail race, explore a cave and much, much more. www.50things.org.uk

Baby Sleep WorkshopsWith 60% ofnine monthold babiesstill regularlywaking atnight it is nowonder thatso manynew parents suffer from sleep exhaustion.

To date common advice given by the likes ofGina Ford, Supernanny, the recent Bedtime Live television programme and even our own NHS has been to train the baby using some form of behavioural technique. Often these techniques cancause trauma to both parent and baby and research shows that whilst providing seeminglyquick results, the results are not long lasting.

Parenting expert Sarah Ockwell-Smith is authorof BabyCalm: A Guide for Calmer Babies and Happier Parents. A well known critic of sleep training techniques such as ‘controlled crying’ and‘rapid return’, Sarah is famed for her evidencebased gentle alternatives. Now parents can benefitfrom Sarah’s knowledge with a 120 strong team ofBabyCalm teachers offering the workshops over thenext four months across the UK.

The new three-hour BabyCalm Sleep Workshopis suitable for all parents of three to 12 month oldbabies, and costs only £35. There are BabyCalmteachers in Bermondsey, Bromley, Streatham andChislehurst. For more information, emailinfo@babycalm.co.uk or visit www.babycalm.co.uk.

You & your baby

Baby get-togethersWe’re often askedat Families if weknow of any localactivities for parents and babies. Well, yes.Here are some ofour favourites:

GYMBOREE playclasses for pre-mobile babieswith songs, movement, sign-ing, puppets, fibre optics and more.Herne Hill and Crystal Palace, 020 8123 8423, www.gymboree.co.uk.

READER OFFER - Quote ‘Families magazine’ for 10% off your first month’s membership.

PERFORM and PERFORM PLUS, Londonwide,ages 3 months to 12 years, 0845 400 1277,www.perform.org.ukLATINO BAMBINO Salsa for mothers with babiesfrom six weeks, plus musical dance classes for 1-4 year-olds. Blackheath and Rotherhithe, 07961838349, www.latinobambino.co.ukMONKEY MUSIC 3 months to 4 years acrosssoutheast London. 020 8699 0977, www.monkeymusic.co.ukBEA’S BABY MUSIC babies to 6 years, West Norwood 020 8670 9378,www.babymusic.co.ukTIPPEE TOES, babies to 3 years, Dulwich, 0790 361 8432, www.tippeetoes.co.ukTALKING TOTS, 12 months to preschoolers, Forest Hill and Dulwich, 07967 126 148, Beckenham and Bromley 07504 166 107, www.talkingtots.info.

When airborne allergens such as pollens andspores come into contact with the body, they cantrigger sneezing, blocked and stuffy noses, watery,itchy eyes and a general feeling of being unwell. Yup it’s hayfever - one of the most common allergicreactions which affects up to one in five people atsome point in their lives.

Recommended by doctors, Stérimar Nasal Hygiene is a natural sea water nasal spray whichquickly and effectively cleans and clears pollen fromthe nose, removing the actual cause of hayfever to help prevent and relieve symptoms in the first instance.

Containing natural minerals and trace elementsfrom sea water, Stérimar Nasal Hygiene has thesame salt content as the cells in the human bodymaking it extremely gentle and suitable for use as

often as required allowing sufferers to enjoy the outdoor activities summer brings.

100% natural, drug, steroid and preservative free, Stérimar is safe to be used on children from three months plus, during pregnancy or where the choice of medication may be restricted. Without any side effects or drug interaction, it can be used in conjunction with any medication if required. It is available from Boots and most pharmacies, rrp £6.63 for 100ml and £4.07 for a pocket sized 50ml spray. Read more at www.sterimarnasal.co.uk.

Help for bedwettersIt is estimated that in the UK, over half a million children between five and 16 years old regularly wet the bed.For over a third of them, this means missing out on sleepovers and other trips away, showing the significantimpact of bedwetting on a child’s social life. Yet 34% of parents have never sought help for the condition.

UnderJams and childhood incontinence charity ERIC have joined forces to help parents and childrensleep easier at night by offering information and practical tips to help their child combat the problem, plusemotional support. UnderJams are discreet pyjama pants which provide children with the privacy and protection they need if they tend to wet the bed. Visit www.eric.org.uk for facts, further information and resources.

f a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

Summer sneezes

19june 2013 - families south eastf a m i l i e s s e . c o . u k

and finally...

As we meander to and from school each day,we’ve been admiring the tree blossom andwatching neighbours’ gardens spring back intolife - finally.

With summer eventually making itself known,what better time to encourage your children toexplore their environment and discover thewonderful world of gardening.

Involving children in gardening can be a great andfun experience for everyone regardless of age. Children can become surprisingly engrossed inplanting and caring for flowers - even those withshorter attention spans. Most can’t get enough ofthe anticipation and excitement of waiting for a seedto sprout or a plant to grow, even making mud pies,and all children find pleasure in a patch of soil theycan call their own.

Imagine sparking the green fingers of little children, as you point out the wonder of the naturalenvironment around them. And what better way tolearn about photosynthesis by watching it happen infront of your eyes! Show your child the magic ofMother Nature.

Getting startedGrowing plants doesn’t require a huge garden or allotment; in fact, it can actually be beneficial to startout with smaller spaces such as a window box or a restricted area. Just ensure that the allocated area gets enough sunlight and start with a small,manageable project. It needn’t cost a lot of moneyeither - you don’t need to buy anything special orfancy, and if you grow your own fruit and veg thenyou’ll ultimately be making a saving.

Start with margarine tubs, yoghurt pots, and anyother small containers you might find lying aroundthe house. Instead of fancy trays with separate sections, you’ll find just as much use in empty eggcartons. A lollypop stick can make a great plantlabel and can be used when dipping out seedlings.A water pistol instead of a watering can - who would have thought watering the plants could be so much fun!

Opportunity to learnThere is so much for children to learn. Explain to the younger ones that the seeds have popped underground and covered up to sleep, helping themunderstand that they need to be gentle with themand treat them with care. Make sure they know towater regularly and then sit back and watch it grow.

You don’t have to be green fingered yourself, gardening opens up a whole host of great experiments and different ways of looking at things,almost like having your own laboratory in yourkitchen. A good idea to show how plants need time,sunshine and water, is to grow three separate potsof cress. Place one in sunlight with plenty of water,one in a dark cupboard with plenty of water, andone in sunlight with no water. The difference will bethere to see.

Inspire their sensesWe all have a particular fondness for plants whichstimulate our senses and children are no different;point out plants with soft leaves and bright flowers,aromatic herbs, scented flowers, grasses andleaves that rustle when blown. These can be particularly beneficial for children with special needs and requirements.

Plants attract wildlife, which can be hugely exciting. Wildflowers attract bees and butterflies,and watch out for the insects. All of them have apurpose in the garden, for example hedgehogs and toads eat the slugs and snails, and worms create holes in the soil.

Children love to eat anything they have grown themselves, just try with peas, cabbage and lettuce.Sheer pride will lend a flavour never to be forgotten.They will realise that whenever they eat yummy fruitand vegetables that someone had to grow themand that we can all grow our own fresh foods.

Prepare for mess! Gardening isn’t a clean businessbut it’s lots of fun and easy enough for children toget to grips with.

So peel your children away from the TV and explore the garden - touch the flowers, feel the

Get going with growing!- gardening with children

leaves, and look for bugs. Once they get in the garden and explore, in time they will want to takecare of the plants they have learned to love and really gain pleasure along the way.

Enjoy!Read moreWe recommend:• The Family Kitchen Garden

by Karen Liebreich, Jutta Wagner and Annette Wendland, Frances Lincoln Books, rrp £16.99

• The Playground Potting Shed by Dominic Murphy,Guardian Books rrp£14.99.

Tips for tiny fingers• Sunflowers - tiny seeds with a big

impact. See whose grows the tallest!

• Potatoes in a bucket - eat your own

hard work fresh from the soil

• Cress eggheads - drop cress seeds

onto damp cotton wool, in an eggshell,

on a windowsill

• Quick, edible lettuce - grow a variety

of lettuce plants ready for sandwiches

later in the summer

• Fun with peas - they don't need a lot

of space and once they start, grow

satisfyingly quickly

• Create a theme - grow a tomato,

courgette, basil and oregano plant -

everything to top your pizza!

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