Families North Yorkshire Sep/Oct 23 - Digital

Welcome

So it’s back to school already! Maybe you’ll have some time this month to take a look at our fabulous Education feature and explore how to support your child’s learning this year. Whatever stage your child is at you’ll find something of interest.

And it won’t be long before your child starts to get excited about half term and, in particular, Halloween. So take a look at our fab Halloween cooking and craft ideas and download our free Halloween activity pack! We’ve also got great suggestions for board games for the family as the nights draw in and familyfriendly museums to visit as the weather turns.

Look out for our fabulous giveaways too! Apply inside and you’ll also ensure you always receive this magazine and can take advantage of more content and goodies on offer.

Get in touch

Competition winners from our May/June issue

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE

6000 Hama beads and 3 uniquely shaped pegboards for endless 3D designs

Best new adventure books for kids

We asked our friends at Parrot Street Book Club for their suggestions.

Yomi and the Fury of Ninki Nanka

A fun fantasy adventure inspired by African mythology. Ages 5+.

Leif the Unlucky Viking

Highly illustrated, laugh-out-loud Viking adventure. Ages 5+.

The Lucky Bottle

A beautifully illustrated, mysterious maritime adventure. Ages 8+.

Friends and Traitors

A thrilling wartime mystery with a classic feel for readers. Ages 8+.

The Housetrap

meets Escape Room in this entertaining adventure. Ages 8+.

Koku Akanbi and the Heart of Midnight

Epic new fantasy series. Ages 8+.

Tiny the Secret Adventurer

A heartwarming, inclusive adventure story. Ages 5+.

All the Way Down

A life-affirming story packed with friendship, resilience and empathy. Ages 8+.

The Stolen Songbird

A gripping mystery set in 1950s London. Ages 8+.

Phonics resources to assist with reading

Is your child learning to read? Help them learn with these fun phonics activities.

Phonics Play

Phonics information, games and activities. £12 per year.

Mr

YouTube Channel

Over 500 literacy resources recorded by a Year 1 teacher. FREE.

Jolly

Over 150 eBooks to help your child put learning to practice. FREE.

Sort That Sound! Activity Set

Identify and sort sounds and images, building phonemic awareness.

£25

Children sing a song for each phonics sound. CD & explanatory book. £8.75.

Reading Eggs

Online phonics activities and games for learning. £6.99 per month.

Teach Your Monster to Read

Mini-games help children recognise letters and practice blending sounds. FREE.

Created by reading experts. £5.03.

iPhone/iPad app

Fun, engaging combination of letter and sound pronunciation and writing practice. £6.99.

How can AI support dyslexia?

Celebrating different learning styles

Recently, the parent of a dyslexic student told me that, despite being offered speech-to-text assistive technology, he found writing and rewriting by hand helped organise his thoughts and process his ideas. So how could AI help assist with this?

READ MORE

Brackenfield School excels in recent ISI Inspection

Everyone is born with tendencies towards certain learning styles when developing literacy, language and motor skills. Recognising your child’s learning style can help you support their learning, particularly if they appear to be struggling in certain areas.

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Making the most of Parents’ Evening

A well-regarded Prep School in Harrogate is celebrating its recent inspection outcomes with a double ‘excellent’ rating from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Brackenfield School is renowned for its ability to inspire its pupils in all areas of school life.

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As the new school year gets going, many parents will be anticipating talking to their child’s teacher(s) at a Parents’ Evening. This may be a new experience or you may have attended these events already. So how do you get the most out of them?

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Who are Pocklington School?

Welcome to Ashville College

Pocklington School offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation to create a supportive, inclusive, and academic environment for ages 2-18. The school’s ethos is centred on values and virtues that promote self-awareness and the ability to shape one’s future.

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An education tailored to inquisitive minds!

Ashville College is a leading co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 2-18, that occupies over 60 pristine acres in Harrogate. Steeped in tradition, with buildings dating back to 1860, the campus boasts modern facilities for all pupils.

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Instilling a love of literacy

Young minds are naturally inquisitive, and at The Mount Junior School they very much encourage this! Exceptional teachers develop this curiosity into a deep love of learning. By making lessons what they should be – fun.

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“It’s important to instil a love of literacy from an early age as literacy skills span far and wide”, says Karen Kilkenny, Head of Chapter House School and Queen’s Kindergarten at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate. Literacy and learning is at the heart of everything we do.

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Ten top tips for attending school Open Days

If you are looking ahead to your child’s first or next school, you have big decisions ahead. Do your homework now and the choices will become clearer, particularly when it comes to visiting your shortlist.

TOP TIP: It can take a couple of visits to really nail your school choices. So attend Open Days for key schools two years in advance of your child’s start date so you have time to come back to an Open Day the following year. Bear in mind that independent schools are generally non-selective at Reception, so get your name on waiting lists early. It can be good to visit the school and see it in action on a school day too, if you can.

Here are my tips for preparation and getting the most out of your visit.

1. Do your research

Study the school’s website noting where the gaps are in your knowledge and which questions you want to ask at the Open Day. Are there particular entry requirements? How long is the school day? How many students per class? Are there taster sessions for children before the start of term? Make a list of questions covering the things that are a priority for your family.

If your child is moving on to senior school, you may want to ask about things like mobile phone policy. If

it’s a state school you are visiting, check your understanding of the catchment area, as they can change from year to year.

Open day directory

Ashville College

September 30th

Queen Ethelburga’s

September 30th & November 18th

Pocklington School

October 7th

The Mount School

October 7th

Queen Mary’s School

Saturday 14th

October: Senior School

Friday 10th

November: Prep and Pre-Prep

The first Monday of every month during term time: Stay and Explore sessions for PreSchool Children

Brackenfield School

Every Day is an Open Day at Brackenfield, contact them directly to arrange a visit.

How Friends of Riverside are helping local parents and the environment

At Riverside School in Tadcaster the PTA ‘Friends of Riverside’ have been working hard creating a Pre-loved uniform shop which is accessible to all parents of children who attend Riverside.

The pre-loved uniform works as it creates 100% profit for the PTA as well as offering parents the option to buy school uniforms at a much cheaper price.

There is a small team who look after the pre-loved uniform, but they couldn’t do it without the incredible support they get from parents from the school. Unwanted school uniform is donated, this then gets vigorously checked for any damage, washed and put online ready for parents to buy.

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Out and About with Lucas, our Roving Reporter for this issue.

Lucas (11) lives in Tadcaster with his brother, Noah (12) and 2 sisters, Harper (10) & Tilly (7). This issue he is going to share his review of his day out visiting The Forbidden Corner in Middleham with his brother and grandparents.

The Forbidden Corner is in Middleham, Leyburn and is so much fun! There are lots of tunnels and chambers to explore as well as many surprises along the way, be prepared to get wet when you least expect it.

While we enjoyed it a lot there might be some areas that smaller children might find a little scary, but these areas are easy enough to avoid so don’t let that put you off.

My favourite part was just being able to explore all around and see where each tunnel or pathway led to, we never knew what we might find next. The Hot Dogs were pretty good too.

It is all outside so if it has been raining you might want to wear wellies. You can’t just turn up so you have to remember to book

Rated 9/10

your tickets in advance to get your time slot. The Forbidden Corner isn’t really accessible for people in wheelchairs or pushchairs so if you have a very small child you would need to use a baby/child carrier.

My rating for the Forbidden corner is 9 out of 10!

We really enjoyed it and I am sure you would too.

Find out more about The Forbidden Corner HERE.

If your child would like a chance to be one of our Roving Reporters please EMAIL a review of one of their favourite places to visit in North Yorkshire along with a photo and a little about them. We can’t guarantee that all reviews received will be used.

The Christmas Experience at Lotherton returns

Yorkshire’s ultimate festive day out! The Christmas Experience will be returning to Lotherton this year. Visit Santa and the elves for a magical experience in the snow filled North Pole. Pre-schoolers can visit Santa’s Cabin on weekdays. Follow the twinkling lights and explore the festive traditions along the Woodland Walk. Discover fairies in their secret hideaway Fairy Dell, listen to them giggle and whisper as you tip-toe through. Marvel in the splendour of the Edwardian House in all its festive finery, here you can join Mrs Claus in the Hall to decorate gingerbread people and sing the odd carol. Then lastly, head to the enchanting Elf Village and make activities and more.

Pre-booking is essential. Book HERE.

Fun role play ideas for kids

Fantasy role play

Super hero: let your child choose and act out imaginative adventures.

Circus: make tickets and provide hula hoops, face paint, animals etc.

Astronaut: create cardboard spaceships and helmets.

TV character: Paw Patrol, Postman Pat, Peppa Pig. Storybook character: a favourite or a classic eg Cinderella.

Work role play

School teacher: teach the ABCs to stuffed toys or younger siblings.

Police: let kids enjoy the idea of being responsible. Factory: use old containers, tools, masking tape and set a task.

Taxi: two chairs, plate for steering wheel and a destination. Hospital: provide white coat and medical tools.

Café Role Play

Daily life role play

Grocery store: promote early maths skills, use pretend money and home produce.

Restaurant: set up pretend restaurant with menus, play food and tables.

Post Office: use envelopes, stamps and boxes; children can send and receive.

Dentist: settle patient nerves, provide chair, coat and pretend tools.

Small-world role play

Cardboard city: create a pretend urban area using cardboard boxes.

Bug small world: use plastic bugs in a sensory tray.

Dinosaur land: use a tray with sand, pebbles, plastic trees and dinosaur toys

Animals at lake: make miniature beach with sand and animal figurines.

Travel Agent Role Play

A season for change

Separation is a huge transition and is one of the most stressful life events to experience. There is no doubt, it involves significant emotional upheaval and you will need to allow yourself a period of mourning and adjustment.

Autumn is the season of change and we got to thinking about how to minimise conflict and move forward in a more constructive way.

A new type of relationship

Separation can be traumatic but can also be transformative, if you navigate it in a positive way. Relationships sometimes run their course, but what if we reframe separation as an opportunity for growth and change rather than consider it a failure?

Separation will involve an evolution of a relationship but that doesn’t mean you can’t move forward together in a different way. Therapy and coaching can help with the transition of ‘uncoupling’ and finding new ways of communicating that can be healthier and less stressful for the long term.

Communication is key – but there are ways to do that with boundaries, if the emotions are too high in the immediate term.

Support

It’s useful, if not essential, to seek support – people you can

lean on, be vulnerable with and a non-judgemental space for your emotions. This might be a friend or family member, or another professional such as a divorce coach who can provide a wide range of emotional, organisational, motivational and companionship assistance that many people desperately need as they work through a separation.

Navigating the way forward

We can give you expert advice about the law, options and different processes available to separating couples if they want to avoid family court.

Many of the alternatives help clients to increase confidence, reduce stress, avoid wasting time and money and help to maintain a positive parenting relationship moving forwards. Furthermore, non- court resolution processes (also known as Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR) enable you to retain a greater control of the final outcome.

Spooky Halloween crafts

Get crafting with this range of craft activities that will get the family in the Halloween mood.

Free printable bunting

Flying ghost stick puppet

Chalkboard paint pumpkin

Handprint spider

Rock skulls

Witches’ cauldrons

Halloween bowling

Haunted house

Puffy ghosts

Spooky Halloween food ideas

Make these delicious and super-scary Halloween recipes with the kids.

Meringue ghost ice-cream sundaes

Monster cookies

Chocolate mousse mud pots

Spooky sausage rolls

Pumpkin fondue with crispy bats & crunchy veg

Apple pie mummies

Haunted pizza

Banana ghosts

Monster burgers

True’s Mushroom House Playset Giveaway

Worth £40 each

5 available

Come and play with True and Bartleby

Multi-level house complete with furniture for endless play possibilities

Compatible with all True and the Rainbow Kingdom figures, so True’s friends can join the fun Ages 3+

APPLY HERE

2024 family friendly holiday destinations

We asked Ashley Lutz of Travel Counsellors for her top recommendations. Remember booking ahead can mean low deposits, discounts and even free child places.

Crete

The largest of the Greek islands’ really does have something for everyone. For younger kids, there are quiet beaches and secluded coves. For older ones, plenty of theme parks, aquariums and water sports.

Krk Island, Croatia

Switzerland

Connected to the mainland by bridge and accessible directly by air, this island is lesser known and there’s no need for ferries. Krk’s natural beauty and numerous activities like scuba diving, go karting or simply just relaxing on one of the many lovely beaches and coves make it perfect for families.

A magical, ‘great outdoors’ destination for family holidays. Whether bathing in one of the many lakes or rivers, hiking up a mountain or cycling through unique landscapes, Switzerland is a paradise for summer adventures.

Portugal

Explore beyond the Algarve on a fun road trip. Motorways tend to be quiet, making it easy to explore a variety of regions, each with its own unique character. Lots of fun routes to explore which take in long golden beaches, hilltop medieval villages, famous vineyards, the island’s natural beauty and delicious food.

2024 family friendly holiday destinations

We asked Ashley Lutz of Travel Counsellors for her top recommendations. Remember booking ahead can mean low deposits, discounts and even free child places.

Abu Dhabi

Consider booking Abu Dhabi over Dubai for winter sun. It’s more relaxed, very well suited to families of all ages and has a less chaotic feel. Family-friendly activities include Ferrari World, waterparks, snorkelling, diving, kayaking and Warner Bros World.

Sweden

Enjoy the pure bliss of jumping into lakes, kayaking and swimming in the sea. Rest your head in a tent for some wild camping or book into a comfy boutique hotel. From the unspoilt nature of Swedish Lapland to exploring Stockholm and its vast archipelago, Sweden is a dream for nature lovers and adventurous travellers.

Mauritius

For stunning scenery and beautiful beaches, gorgeous year-round sunshine and enough breeze to keep young children cool, Mauritius is perfect both for summer and Christmas holidays. Expect family-friendly hotels, restaurants and activities.

Thailand

For a long haul adventure, this is a great option. My best advice: don’t just fly and flop. Travelling with children is easy here, with welcoming locals and great domestic travel options making exploring easy. From the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to the chilled out vibes of island life, there’s truly something for everyone.

Dealing with fussy eating

Authors of The Fussy Eater’s Guide to Exploring Food: A book for children explain how parents can support fussy eaters to expand their range of foods, using a sensory ‘food science’ based approach.

What is a Food Scientist?

Fussy eating is common in children, often peaking around age 3.

The consequences include poor dietary variety, especially with fruit and vegetables, leading to concerns about nutrient intake and possible negative health outcomes. Evidence suggests that repeated exposure to new foods, using a sensory based approach, can help children expand their diet.

Consequences of fussy eating Look

By becoming Food Scientists, children can explore new foods using a step by step, practical approach at a speed with which they are comfortable.

They are encouraged to explore foods, such as fruits and vegetables, in a fun way using all their senses by looking, touching, smelling, licking and listening to their sounds.

Touch

Evidence suggests that the more you expose children to new fruits and vegetables, the more likely they are in time to accept them. Initially suggest your child LOOK at the food they are exploring and describe its colour and shape. Using a magnifying glass enables them to look closely and compare the inside and outside.

Your child can then TOUCH and feel the food with their fingers to see if it smooth, bumpy, wet, dry, soft or hard.

Encourage them to explore further by looking inside, using cutters, peelers or juicers. They can use tongs or a napkin if they dislike getting their hands wet.

Dealing with fussy eating

Authors of The Fussy Eater’s Guide to Exploring Food: A book for children explain how parents can support fussy eaters to expand their range of foods, using a sensory ‘food science’ based approach.

Smell

Encourage your child to progress to eating, from tolerating the food in their space to bringing it closer to their nose and mouth, to find out if it is a big SMELL that fills the room or smaller one, that stays close to the food.

Sound

Finally, children are encouraged to explore a small piece of food in their mouth, by taking a bite and to listen to the SOUND. Is it a squelchy or a louder crunchy sound?

Give children permission to spit the food out (into a tissue) if they dislike it.

Taste

Many children are reluctant to TASTE new foods. Suggest they take a small ‘snake taste’ by putting their tongue quickly on the food. How do the inside and outside compare? Salty, sugary, sour or bitter? They can take a bigger, longer lick, if they want.

About the book

The Fussy Eater’s Guide to Exploring Food is for children and parents.

Its large childfriendly print and photographs show children how to become food scientists, exploring the sensory elements of different foods.

In small steps, the book supports children to become comfortable with new foods and eventually be able to eat them.

Top family-friendly museums

Head for one of these museums this October half term and you will definitely keep the kids engaged! And, many of them are FREE.

Sheffield

Loads of interactive and hands-on activities.

Dedicated, designed and curated by children, a brand-new museum full of wonder. FREE

Dunfermline, Scotland Award winning. Handson activities. FREE.

Hancock, Newcastle Natural history, archaeology, geology and world cultures. FREE

Leeds

Fascinating history of Leeds, signposted selfie points, all-round excellent facilities. FREE

Hands-on activities, regular family workshops. FREE.

London

Climb aboard vintage buses/trains/taxis/tubes.

FREE for under 17s.

Liverpool

Hands on, interactive displays telling Liverpool’s story. FREE.

Birmingham

Steam engines, talking robots, spitfire gallery and planetarium.

Fun board games that encourage development

It’s the perfect time of year to invest in a new board game and these are not just brilliant fun, they also encourage aspects of children’s development.

Feed the Woozle

Fosters self-regulation in young ones in a fun and silly way.

Ages 3-6. £21.15.

Life on Earth Matching and Memory Game

Great for encouraging focussed attention, Ages 3+. £6.

Spot it Junior!

Children have to learn to suppress their first impulse.

Ages 4+. £14.39.

Zingo Bingo

Develops language skills and self-regulation.

Ages 4+. £18.50.

Shopping List

Fast paced game which tests memory and matching skills. Ages 3+. £8.30.

Sequence for Kids

Practises turn-taking, planning, prioritising and boosts short term memory.

Ages 4-7. £29.35.

Melissa and Doug Suspend Junior

Promotes planning, decision making and fine motor skills.

Ages 4+. £16.49.

Hey, that’s my Fish

Award-winning game of strategic fish hunting. Ages 8+. £17.23.

Kingdomino

Improves spatial awareness, decision making and executive functioning.

Ages 8+. £22.35.