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JULY / AUGUST 2014 ISSUE #25

INSIDE SAFETY ON THE INTERNET • HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDS’ READING

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Summer is finally here – the start of long lazy days. Time to get up and go on a walk, rediscover the pleasure of doing nothing at all with days spent lolling on the lawn while the children run squealing through the sprinkler as the smell of freshly cut grass fills the air. When you feel like doing something more energetic for the day like visiting the beach, a summer festival or crossing a few more off of the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before 11 and 3/4’s’ list, then this issue of Families will give you some inspiration. If you want to mix up those lazy days with a planned activity for the children then book them onto a summer activity camp or workshop. See pages 14 -15. My family were lucky enough to visit Lantern and Larks glamping site in Suffolk this month, if you would like to see what we thought of our stay keep an eye on the website for a review. Have a lovely summer.

4 News & Views

6 What’s On Great days out and events to keep you and your family occupied over the Summer Holidays.

8 Summer Activities Summer is a great time to enjoy being together with your nearest and dearest. Here are our top 20 ideas.

11 How to Encourage Reading This is part of Families simple quick guides to help you and your family. We outline here five simple steps that can help keep your children interested in reading..

12 Wireless Technology Can you feel the force? Helena Foss questions the safety of wireless technology

13 Internet Safety What is your child getting up to online when they log onto your PC, tablet or their own smartphone?

14 Summer Holiday Camps, Workshops and Classes Great summer camps and workshops for your children across Cambridgeshire.

Dear Reader, What’s inthis issue?

DON’T MISS A COPY! Receive Families Cambridgeshire by post for just £9.30 for 6 issues (1 year) or £18 for 12 issues (2 years). Call or email editor@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk for a subscription form.

EDITOR: Lisa Exell editor@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk 01945 861336DESIGN: David Slade davidslade1@me.com

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back to school in style with the Lands’ End kidswear collection that includes durable outerwear and footwear in a range of colours and designs as well as fun back packs and lunchboxes that they’ll love! And as an exclusive for Families readers, Lands’ End are giving away a kids’ backpack worth £50! To be in with a chance to win simply enter your details on the Families Website www.familiescambridgeshire.co.uk. Visit www.landsend.co.uk or follow them on Twitter @LandsEnd_UK to view the entire collection.

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Families Cambridgeshire is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license..We take every care preparing the magazine, but the publishers and distributers cant be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, the accuracy of the contents nor for any correspondences.

JULY / AUGUST 2014 | 3

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News & views

Camouflaged Learning this Summer

Research shows that many children make steady progress in their reading throughout

the school year and then go backwards during the long summer holidays. The consequences are cumulative and long lasting, often having a powerful influence on reading ability throughout school life and beyond. Whilst summer holidays should be remembered for beaches, camping and chilling out, it is important to keep children reading. Here are a few fun favourites of Reading Chest to keep your children reading this summer:1. Fishing for Sounds Using a permanent marker, write letter sounds onto cut out plastic fish or ducks and let them swim in your paddling pool. Scoop them out with a net and use the sounds to play games e.g. make words beginning with the sound/ending with the sound/invent silly rhymes etc.2. Shaving Foam Get messy outside with shaving foam on a table. Have fun practising writing letter sounds with your finger in the foam. 3. Get into Top Trumps Top Trumps is becoming more and more popular in schools as it delivers a range of educational benefits through ‘camouflaged learning’. As well as being great fun, it improves literacy, numeracy and subject knowledge. The card games are perfect for taking away on holiday. www.toptrumps.com4. Get children cooking Everything involved in cooking is fantastic for children’s learning, from reading the recipe and weighing ingredients, to sharing cakes with friends. This can be made into a more social event with friends by recreating programmes such as ‘Come Dine with Me’ or ‘MasterChef’ with friends, where children have to read and write their own menus too.5. Listen to audio books Audio books are a brilliant way to keep children’s interest in stories alive. Long car journeys are a great place for a captive audience! These can either be bought as CDs or downloaded from websites such as www.audible.co.uk.6. Join readingchest.co.uk to receive regular deliveries of books at your child’s chosen reading level delivered to your door. Members also get reward charts, certificates and write book reviews online.Reading Chest is offering Families Cambridgeshire readers £5.00 off their first month’s membership with the promotional code FAMILIESCAM14.

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The Light Cinema Wisbech on Cromwell Road is now open and part of a new £50m development with Tesco Extra. Also on the same development are Frankie & Benny’s and Giraffe, who have some great offers for cinema-goers.

With a selection of treats to complement your cinema experience, from pick and mix to nachos and a Green Room which is perfect for pre- or post-show drinks. www.wisbech.lightcinemas.co.uk

The new £50m development

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Loves! Families

Grammar school shake-upOver 50% of state grammar schools are

planning serious changes to their admissions

policies in order to attract pupils from more

disadvantaged backgrounds, according to the

Grammar School Heads Association. 30 of the

country’s 164 selective schools have already

agreed the move, with another 58 planning to

do so shortly, following a report from education

charity the Sutton Trust which said that grammar

schools were being monopolised by students

from wealthier homes. Michael Wilshaw, chief

schools inspector, said they were ‘stuffed full’ of

middle class children and so failed to improve

social mobility. Under these new changes many

grammar schools will reserve places specifically

for pupils from poorer homes who pass the 11-

plus. Barry Sindall, chief executive of the GSHA,

added that the new admissions rules would not

mean a reduction in the number of places for

children from better off homes. These changes

follow on from Schools Minister David Laws

revealing that the Government is involved in talks

with grammar school heads to make 11-plus tests

less ‘coachable’, to avoid middle class parents

gaining an advantage through being able to

afford private tutoring.

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News & views

JULY / AUGUST 2014 | 5

Cambridge-based St Faith’s prep school wins national green award “Independent schools across the country should sit up and take note”, say Ashden judges.

St Faith’s prep school in Cambridge was announced as a winner of the 2014 Ashden School Awards, the UK’s most prestigious green energy prize which acknowledges school achievements in ‘going green’ and cutting carbon.

St Faith’s received a prize of £5,000 in recognition of its commitment towards cutting energy use. It started at the very top with solar panels on the school’s roofs, while further low-cost steps included pupils making simple heat reflectors for radiators out of cardboard and kitchen foil, and improving insulation – the most recently built ‘Passivhaus’ building hardly needs any heating in the winter.

Backing this all up is a rigorous regime for monitoring energy use, a ring-fenced budget for investing in energy-saving measures and incentives for all staff to save energy.

The judges commented: “We were particularly impressed by St Faith’s exemplary strategy for monitoring energy use combined with excellent energy management, as well as its focus on making sure all pupils and staff are engaged in the school’s carbon-cut”.The students at St Faith’s have made a video about their commitment to the environment. Watch it online at www.stfaiths.co.uk

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CLIC Sargent will be holding its national

fundraising event, the Big Bucket Collection

at venues across the UK this September, as

part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Every day, 10 children and young people

in the UK hear the shocking news they have

cancer. At CLIC Sargent we do all we can to

help – our care professionals aim to support

the whole family through treatment.

This September, thousands of

volunteers will give a little time

to hold collections in their local

community, aiming to raise £150,000

to help young cancer patients and

their families.

Volunteer to be a ‘Chief Bucketeer’

and have fun with your friends, family or

colleagues. You can collect for a few hours, a

day or maybe even more!

We will match you to a venue near you

and give you all the support, information

and materials you need to coordinate your

collection and make the most of this fantastic

fundraising opportunity.

Signing up to take part is easy.

Simply complete our online form at

www.clicsargent.org.uk/bigbucketcollection, call 0845

121 2495 or email bigbucket collection@clicsargent.org,uk.

Explore Learning’s Summer discountExplore Learning, who provide Math’s and English tuition, are offering 25% off your first month’s membership when you join in July (at participating centre’s only). Centre’s are open seven days a week for children of all abilities aged 5 to 14 years, and also provide specialist tutoring for 11-plus and entrance exams. The nearest Explore Learning centre is at Peterborough (01733 555355).See www.explorelearning.co.uk for further details and terms and conditions of the offer.

If you are looking for a UK holiday, a weekend away or your first glamping experience not too far from home then Families recommends glamping with Lantern & Larks holidays. The home from home tents are canvas-wrapped three bedroom rural hideaways fully equipped for practical day-to-day comfort and furnished with a gracious, relaxed elegance.

Lantern and Larks Sweffling Hall in Suffolk is only a short drive away and lies in a rural triangle between Framlingham to its inland west, coastal Southwold to the north east and seaside Felixstowe to the south - Suffolk’s own golden triangle of fun, adventure and charming discovery.

Step back in time and immerse yourself in this land of castles, legend and hearsay. It is steeped in a history of coastal defence from the Anglo-Saxon burial site at Sutton Hoo to Henry II’s 12th Century

Orford Castle and the Dutch defences of 16th C. Landguard Fort.

After a day exploring and enjoying the region, kick off the wellies, ditch the flip-flops, discard those buckets and spades and don your slippers. Will it be Monopoly mania or strenuous snap? Or a glass of wine and feet up.

Gather the family around the fire pit. Do you know any campfire songs? No matter, after a full day out and about you’ll have much to discuss and a few yarns to spin as you share the delicious flame-grilled barbeque of fine fresh local produce.

As the night draws on, zip the children away to the private comfort of their own bedroom, toast the day well spent, then settle down to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. www.lanternandlarks.co.uk

Lanterns & Larks

Give a little time to make a big difference for young cancer patients in Cambridgeshire…

Loves! Families

6 | JULY / AUGUST 2014

Pick Your Own StrawberriesWHEN? July and AugustWHERE? Farms across Fulborn, Milton, Cambridge, Chesterton, Peterborough, Ely, Kings LynnChildren will love Strawberry picking. Visit a local ‘pick your own’ farm near you, most farms are listed on this website Details were up to date at the time of print but the farms may close, run out of fruit or change.CONTACT www.pickyourownfarms.org.uk/EastAnglia

Jesus Green LidoWHEN? 10:30am until 7:30pm Mon, Wed, Thu and weekends until 8th SeptemberHOW MUCH? £2.75 adult £1.45 childTake a dip in the Jesus Green Lido every day! One of the longest swimming pools in Europe.CONTACT www.cambridge.gov.uk/jesus-green-outdoors-pool

The Gruffalo visits the deep dark woodWHEN? Throughout July and August, Normal opening hours WHERE? High Lodge Thetford forestTo celebrate the 15th anniversary of the ever-green tale there will be themed activity trails, giant wooden Gruffalo sculptures and a big birthday forest picnic. CONTACT www.forestry.gov.uk/highlodge

Join in with the Summer Reading Challenge!WHEN? From 5 JulyWHERE? Your local libraryHOW MUCH? FREEThe Summer Reading Challenge takes place every year during the summer holidays at many participating libraries throughout

doing what they do best… but without the rude bits! Now you and your family can catch the Festival’s funniest acts, swear-free and otter-ly hilarious. Featuring kid’s favourite and tatoo king Jim Smallman (MC), slapstick trio Three Half Pints, silly pun maestro Frankie Brickman and Tom Webb who’s very silly and excellent at blowing raspberries! Ideal for ages 8-11 year olds but smaller and bigger people welcome. No dragons.CONTACT www.junction.co.uk

Pond DippingWHEN? Sunday 21 July 10.30am - 12pm or 1:30pm - 3pmWHERE? Nene Park TrustJoin education officer Anna Thompson to hunt for mini beasts in the ponds. Suitable for 5yrs plus.CONTACT www.neneparktrust.org.uk 01733 234193

the UK. It encourages children to read six books of their choice and gives them the opportunity to gain rewards along the way. Vivacity Peterborough Libraries is delighted to be taking part! This year’s challenge is Mythical Maze! From the 5 July, children can find out the secrets of the Mythical Maze and collect stickers of fantastical creatures and other goodies. CONTACT Call 01733 864 280 or visit www.vivacity-peterborough.com/mythicalmaze

Ely Aquafest WHEN? 6 July 12pm - 5pmHOW MUCH? FREEA fun day out for all the family the annual raft race on the River Ouse, with spectacularly decorated rafts, there is also the fun fare, beer tent, burger bar and stalls. Plus the two arenas provide varied entertainment through the day. CONTACT www.elyaquafest.org.uk

Comedy for Kids WHEN? 20 July 5pmWHERE? The CambridgeJunctionHOW MUCH? £10 adult | £5 child (under 16)Part of Cambridge Comedy Festival 2014For the last ten years, Cambridge Junction have been running a proper comedy club for anyone over the age of 8, featuring the best comedians on the circuit

What’s OnThings to do, places

to go, fun to be had…

…for kids of all ages!

Awesome ArchaeologyWHEN? 22, 23, 24 July 10am-5pmWHERE? Flag Fen Archaeology ParkHOW MUCH? £7 adults, £5 concessions, £18 families.Be an archaeologist for the day in Flag Fen’s new and improved Dig Tent excavation pits. Handle real archaeological specimens. Meet costumed characters and learn how archaeology can tell us how people lived in the past.CONTACT www.vivacity-peterborough.com 01733 31 414

Summer at the MuseumsWHEN? 24 July - 3 SeptemberWHERE? Museums around CambridgeThis summer, family entertainment and adventure will be just around the corner as museums in Cambridge and beyond offer up a jam-packed programme of creative

Alice in WonderlandWHEN? 12 & 29 July, 1 & 2 AugustWHERE? Ely, Kings Lynn and CambridgeHOW MUCH? Family ticket £24Visit this open air theatre and have a joyful, fun-filled picnic with your family while you watch this hilarious musical show. Boys and girls are invited to come along dressed in their best Wonderland fashion. White Rabbit? Alice? Mad Hatter? Before the show, there is a 45 minute drama workshop where children aged 5-10 can play drama games with the actors. Age 3 -12.CONTACT www.cambridge touringtheatre.co.uk

Get Lost in a Maize MazeWHEN? 19 July – 4th SeptemberWHERE? Skylark, March, CambridgeshireSkylark Maize Maze offers an amazing family day out. The giant maize maze is a huge puzzle of fun, one of the biggest mazes in the country! This year Skylark is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Navigate your way through the maze, find the clues and discover a giant poppy made from poppies, an amazing sight. In the Fun yard play area children can meet the farm animals, watch pig racing and delight at the attractions including pedal-go karts, obstacle course, giant inflatable slides, zip wire and more.CONTACT www.skylarkmaizemaze.co.uk

Free!

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JULY / AUGUST 2014 | 7

Families Funactivities, events and trails. With 19 local venues offering an exciting mix of drop in and bookable goings-on there will be something different every day and something for everyone. Pick up a programme and scrapbook in the Museums tent at the Big Weekend, Parkers Piece 5 July 12-5.30pm.CONTACT www.cam.ac.uk/museums

Summertime Arts & CraftsWHEN? 25 July & 20 August 10.30am - 12.30am and 2-4pmWHERE? Wicken FenHOW MUCH? £4.75 per child.Arts and crafts inspired by nature and the season. Suitable for ages 3-10.CONTACT nationaltrust.org.uk/Wicken-fen 0844 249 1895

Summer Family Activities WHEN? 26 July to 3 SeptemberWHERE? IWM Duxford HOW MUCH? Standard admission, children under 16 go free (except at air shows)There are always plenty of family activities going on including fun activities during school holidays, daily tours and family-friendly events. Explore the impressive exhibitions, and then let off steam in the museum’s green open spaces or exciting playground.CONTACT www.iwm.org.uk

How To Train Your Dragon 2WHEN? Showing in JulyWHERE? The Luxe Cinema, WisbechHOW MUCH? Family tickets £22When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.CONTACT www.theluxecinema.co.uk 01945 588808

Tree Climbing for KidsWHEN? Thursday 1 AugustWHERE? Nene Park Trust, PeterboroughClimb into a harness and let the rangers show you how to climb. Meeting point is at the visitor centre. Suitable for 4yrs plusCONTACT www.neneparktrust.org.uk 01733 234193

Bear Hunting in the GardenWHEN? 2 August 11am - 3pmWHERE? Botanic Gardens, CambridgeHOW MUCH? £3 per child normal garden admission for adultsMake a bear mask and go on your very own bear hunt out in the Garden. ‘You can’t go over it, you can’t go under it, oh no you’ll have to go through it... ‘CONTACT www.botanic.cam.ac.uk 01223 336265

Mud Glorious MudWHEN? 4,13 and 22 August 10.30am - 12.30am and 2-4pmWHERE? Wicken Fen, ElyHOW MUCH? £4.75 per child, booking essential.

A truly messy event. Use mud for building, mud pies, games, and art. Suitable for ages 3+.CONTACT 0844 249 1895 visit nationaltrust.org.uk/Wicken-fen

Animal Arts and Crafts Drop InWHEN? 6 August 10am - 12pmWHERE? Wood Green, the Animals Charity GodmanchesterHOW MUCH? £5 per child (toddlers upwards)Join Woodgreen for a morning of fun animal themed arty activities, including: hand print chickens, clothes peg horses, paper plate cats, cardboard tube dogs and many more crafty creations.CONTACT 0844 248 8181 www.woodgreen.org.uk

Wildlife Trust Bat Safari Punt ToursWHEN? July and AugustWHERE? Scudamores Punting CambridgeHOW MUCH? Children £16.00Search for the Cambridge bat population on Scudamore’s Bat Safari Tours. You’ll get to see both the Soprano Pipistrelle and the Daubenton’s bat flitting around the punt and other species too if you’re lucky!

The Wildlife Trust Expert will teach you to aim your bat detector and tune it to catch the sonar clicks allowing you to listen as the bats feast on the array of insect life around the punt.

You can catch a Bat Safari every Friday night until September and as a bonus feel-good-factor you’ll be reassured to hear that 50% of your ticket price goes to the Wildlife Trust. CONTACT www.scudamores.com/bat-safari-punting 01223 359750

Climb A TreeWHEN? 9 AugustWHERE? Wimpole Estate, CambridgeHOW MUCH? £18Two highly skilled and friendly instructors can help all ages reach new heights in a fantastic tree at Wimpole. Climb into a tree’s canopy using ropes, knots and karabiners, whilst being securely attached in a harness at all times and if you’re feeling brave take the zip wire back down!CONTACT 0844 249 1895 ticketingsupport@iristicketing.co.uk

Cambridge Film Festival Open Air CinemaWHEN? 23-24 AugustWHERE? Grantchester Meadows, CambridgeCambridge film festival returns to Grantchester Meadows for two evenings of open air cinema, screening recent favourites such as the Lego Movie and other family classics. Themes for this year include Superhero Saturdays, Slapstick Sundays and a focus on Roald Dahl with the 50th anniversary of the publication of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory. CONTACT www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk

Dragon Boat FestivalWHEN? Saturday 6th SeptemberWHERE? Fen Ditton, CambridgeHOW MUCH? FREEThis will be the tenth charity dragon boat festival to be staged on the River Cam in Cambridge. Open to everyone, with over 40 crews expected to battle it out over the 200m race course. CONTACT www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk

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8 | JULY / AUGUST 2014

Families Feature

Joanna Moorhead has some ideas on how to do it…

UMMER IS A GREAT TIME TO ENJOY BEING TOGETHER WITH YOUR

NEAREST AND DEAREST. But for many families these days, even together time is dominated by mobiles phones, iPads, TV and other devices. According to a recent survey, though, even kids themselves recognise the need to unplug and welcome the chance to ‘do something different’. Here are our top 20 ideas for what that ‘something different’ might be.

1 GO WILD SWIMMING: swimming in a pond or lake, or in the sea, is a very

different experience from an indoor pool

2 BUILD A DEN: whether you do this indoors or in the garden, or out in the

woods or on the beach, you’ll have loads of fun.

3 GO FRUIT PICKING: not only will you have a good time, you’ll also be setting

up your next family project - making jam!

4 SLEEP UNDER CANVAS: for families that haven’t camped before, even one

night away, or even in the back garden, can be a huge adventure.

5 COOK ON A CAMPFIRE: this is a perfect add-on to your camping adventure. Get

advice online about how to build your fire and what foods are best to cook on it.

6 GO ON A LONG BIKE RIDE: if you’ve all got your own bikes you probably do this

all the time. If not, it can be a really fabulous and different day out to hire bikes and follow a cycle trail.

7 PLAY A BOARD GAME: a game like Monopoly or Cluedo, which children can

play from a young age or can play in teams, is a genuinely bonding experience.

8 REORGANISE YOUR FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS: online galleries can be

a great way of sharing pictures with relatives and friends – but there’s a huge amount of fun to be had from creating an old fashioned album together.

9 BORROW A DOG FOR A WEEKEND: if you’re not a dog-owning family,

having one on loan for a few days can be a hugely rewarding experience. See www.borrowmydoggy.com

10 CLIMB A BIG HILL: this can be a mountain or a fairly small hill,

depending on how old your children are.

11 GO FISHING: you can do this with a net in the rock pools at the beach, or in

a stream or river inland.

12 HAVE A SNAIL RACE: find some snails, and set up the course; place

bets on which snail will win, and watch the action unfold.

13 GO STAR-GAZING: do some research beforehand, and when you

get a clear evening, head off in to a space where the sky is open in search of the North Pole, Saturn and the Plough.

14 HUNT FOR TREASURE OR BONES: beaches can be great places for this,

or look online to see if there are any ‘treasure troves’ near you (eg if you’re in London,

PING! Time to unplug and reconnect with your family

Smudraking on the banks of the Thames has plenty of potential).

15 GO GEOCACHING: ok, so this is one activity you will need your mobile

phone for. But the high-tech treasure hunt is fascinating, and it pulls all members of the family in. Try it! More information at www.geocaching.com

16 SWITCH ROLES IN THE KITCHEN: if you’re usually the meal-maker, and

the children are usually the table-setters, do things the other way round.

17 HAVE A FAMILY TALENT SHOW: this is a good one when you have

another family or relatives visiting. Everyone has to do a turn; no wriggling out allowed, however shy the mums and dads are.

18 MAKE A FAMILY JOURNAL OR SCRAP BOOK: this can be a good

project for a family holiday or a school holiday. Like a talent show, everyone needs to contribute something – a review of a local pub, an accounts of a day out, or a book review.

19 FLY A KITE: they’re cheap and easy to buy, or you can even make your

own. Read up on tips about how to fly them at www.thekitesociety.org.

20 GO BIRDWATCHING: you don’t need to know anything about birds

to enjoy watching them, but if you go to a birdwatching sanctuary or wetlands centre you’ll learn loads. For more information see www.wwt.org.uk

The Luxe offers a lounge area for pre and post-film drinks and nibbles and a waitress service in the auditorium whilst relaxing in the comfort

of a two seater sofa or an armchair!

BOX OFFICE: 01945 588808 TIMES: WWW.THELUXECINEMA.COM

SHOWING IN JULY AT THE LUXE CINEMA IN WISBECH…

SPECIAL OFFER! HALF PRICE CHILDREN’S TICKETS WHEN BOOKING HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 WITH THIS ADVERT

Family tickets £22, Children (13 and under) £6 Adults £7Alexandra Road | Wisbech | PE13 1HQ

Families Reading

The most curious minds sometimes crave home comforts, so your teddy is always welcome in class.

Children’s reading can ‘dip’ during the long summer holidays. The annual Summer Reading Challenge helps gets three quarters of a million children into libraries to keep up their reading skills and confidence. Because everything changes when we read.

The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children aged 4 to 11 to read six books during the long summer holiday.

There is a different theme each year. Children can read whatever they like - factual books, joke books, picture books, audio books - just as long as they are borrowed from the library.

Every time children finish a book they get stickers and rewards and there’s a certificate for everyone who finishes.

The Summer Reading Challenge is open to all school children and is designed for all reading abilities. Schools work with local libraries and give out information to encourage children to take part, and most libraries run Summer Reading Challenge linked early years activity for pre-schoolers.

The theme for the 2014 Summer Reading Challenge is Mythical Maze.

Mythical Maze challenges children aged four to eleven to find their way around a labyrinth that introduces them to fantastical creatures from the world of legend and mythology, collecting stickers of each character along the way. The creatures’ contemporary twist emerged following workshops with children in autumn 2013.

Children can find competitions, challenges, author interviews, news, and the book sorter which recommends what children might like to read next on the Summer Reading Challenge website www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk throughout the year.

Get lost in a book this summer…

How to encourage

readingPart of Families’ simple, quick guides to help you

help your family

Many of us know the value and enjoyment of reading. Good readers

become better writers, better learners and well rounded individuals. Taking an active part in helping your children become interested in reading is vital. Despite busy days, tired kids, limited time and many distractions, we outline five simple steps that can help.

STEP ONE - 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’t have to get every word right, and praise them often. If they are discouraged by their own reading, you read aloud. The pleasure of listening to you read can restore their enthusiasm. Offer to read every other sentence, page, chapter, and have conversations and discussions about the content.• Make it fun. Children love sound effects, different voices, pulling faces.

STEP TWO – 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, e.g. an extra 5 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 help develop visualisation, a critical pre-reading skill. • Let them choose their own books. Don’t worry the books 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 books they have read, add their thoughts and a star rating.

STEP THREE - SEE THE TEACHER AND JUDGE WHERE THEY ARE• Find out what reading program the school follows, get to know the levels, and aim to supplement the program at home. • Prepare a timetable. Know what level your child is at and the next, with some idea of when it can be achieved. There is no race to be the first to read, it just puts things into context.

STEP FOUR - PLAN SPECIFIC READING LINKED ACTIVITIES • Extend your child’s positive reading experiences, e.g. If they enjoyed reading about dinosaurs, visit the natural history museum. • Encourage activities that require reading, e.g. read a recipe, instructions, and directions, play games that require reading, use a reference book to look up something you have seen. • Visit the library and give your child their own library card. They can choose their own library book or listen in on story-time.

STEP FIVE – 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.

• Reading opens up new worlds to your children and gives them a chance to use their imaginations. There are many ways to encourage your child to read, and the best ways always include participation on your part. HELPING READING FOR 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 SUBTITLESSub-titles on your TV or DVD help increase sight word vocabulary, whilst developing a sense of flow of written and spoken language MAKE YOUR CHILD THE STAR OF THEIR OWN AUDIO BOOK Your child can read into a recorder, then follow the book together during playback EVERYONE JOINS IN

Reserve thirty minutes each evening for family reading time. Each

family member reads different material and then shares information about it, or take turns reading aloud from 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

www.learningdisabilities.about.com/od/instructionalmaterials/a/pq4rstrategy.htm

JULY / AUGUST 2014 | 11

Families Feature

Audio books

help develop

visualisation,

a critical pre-

reading skill.

12 | JULY / AUGUST 2014

because he could do only a little.” It’s like insurance, you don’t need it till you find it’s too late.C

Can you remember a life before mobiles and texting? I often let my five-year-old son play games on

my mobile. That’s normal, isn’t it? There is wifi in most schools and there are phone masts on top of the tower block where my son’s school friend lives. In the past, community activists campaigned against such things. Today, they are simply part of the landscape. But surely this technology wouldn’t be allowed if it wasn’t proven to be safe, would it?

As the more powerful G4 network is being rolled out across the nation, I think it’s wise to at least question the safety of wireless technology. Especially in light of the recent roll call of unethical activity in once trusted institutions: banking (once a paragon of respectability); Sir Jimmy Savile (OBE no less); BBC management; abuse in care homes; corporate tax avoidance (one rule for the rich, another for the poor); Rupert Murdoch’s News International debacle; and prestigious medical journals losing credibility due to industry funding that skews research in drug corporations’ favour. An ex-editor of a reputable medical journal has estimated this accounts for at least two thirds of trials published in major journals. http://bit.ly/QuPaRg Blimey! Is nothing sacred anymore?

OK, so here is a little basic info. Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is basically microwave radiation. Small doses, of course, will not kill you. (In fact, I would say microwave ovens are lifesaving at stress o’clock when the kids are famished and you resort to heating up a frozen ready meal!) But do we want this kind of invisible energy in our homes all the time? WiFi and cordless phones, we often forget, are all EMR-emitting devices too.

The fact is that telecommunications industry-funded research says that EMR poses less danger than independent scientists say it does. Plus, the effects of EMR on children, whose skulls are thinner and whose brains are still developing, is still not fully researched or understood. In 2011, the World Health Organisation classified EMR from mobile phones as “possibly carcinogenic” and, according to a Daily Telegraph report in October 2012, a link between heavy mobile use (up to six hours a working day over 12 years) and brain tumours, was upheld in an Italian court (an employee was suing his employer). The Telegraph has also reported a link found with hyperactivity and poor memory in adult offspring of pregnant mice exposed to cellphone radiation by researchers at Yale University.

OK, so let’s not panic – but let’s not ignore the issue either. Whilst the scientific debate continues, when it comes to erring on the side of precaution, I’m with Edmund Burke who said: “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing

SIMPLE TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE (JUST IN CASE IT ISN’T) • Always turn your wifi router off at night (just a switch).• Never put your mobile close to your baby’s head, nor

let them use it as a toy. Think twice about whether your cordless baby monitor is necessary or place it as far as possible from baby. These devices also emit EMR, they work with Wifi after all.

• Carry your phone in your bag, not your pocket. Manufacturer’s small print warns users to keep mobiles away from the body, even though advertising campaigns show the opposite.

• The NHS advises children and teenagers to text or make short, essential calls only. The further away from the body/ears the better.

• Do not let your teenager sleep next to their phone at night (and especially not keep it under their pillow for secret texting). (See the NHS leaflet on familiesonline.co.uk/radiation).

• Do not use your phone as an alarm clock next to your head.• Go back to a corded phone. No re-wiring is required,

simply buy two Ethernet boxes to plug in computers and laptops to your regular electricity socket. Radiation from cordless (DECT) phones is intense, and in some cases higher than a mobile phone (models/devices vary in intensity, check SAR levels).

FURTHER INFORMATIONA comprehensive report on controversies in current EMR research: archive.radiationresearch.org/pdfs/15reasons.asp

Families Feature

Can you feel the force? By Helena Foss

WirelessTechnology

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Families Feature

M any of us rely on built-in, traditional or free software which doesn’t have social networking and parental

controls. Without these additional features, parents are leaving their children open to all that is bad about the internet.

MD Allen Scott, MD of security experts F-Secure said: “We understand that many people are a bit lost when it comes to online protection, which is why we’ve compiled advice to give some guidance.”

SET UP USER ACCOUNTS FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILYThis will allow you to tweak the parental controls for each of your children. For example, blocking chat rooms and forums for young children, but allowing them for your teenagers. You can also use these controls to set ‘homework time’ for older children, which will block them from visiting any sites which are not deemed educational during your specified hours.

WHITELIST SITES FOR YOUNG CHILDRENMany young children enjoy using the internet, but they only want to view the same few sites over and over, such as CBeebies. Using the whitelist function, add in all the websites you are happy for them to view and block the rest. This way, they won’t stumble upon something which is not appropriate for their age.

HAVE ‘THE TALK’ BEFORE LETTING YOUR TEENAGERS JOIN SOCIAL NETWORKING SITESYou need to set rules before letting your children enjoy social networking sites such as Facebook and Instagram. Every child is different, so this must come from you. Some parents want access to their child’s account, so they can check up on them at any time. Be warned, this can lead to your child setting up a second account in a different name. It is a good idea to only allow them to be ‘friends’ with people they know if real life though. Whatever your approach, help them set up their account with privacy restrictions, so their profile is not public. Go to https://www.facebook.com/FSecureSafeProfile, click ‘use now’, then log in to test their Facebook profile. It will show what is public and explain how to change the settings accordingly.

DON’T FORGET THEIR SMARTPHONES AND TABLETSMost children have access to these devices now and the way they use them is no different from a computer, so they need to be protected too. Mobile security software is downloaded as an app or will come as part of the security software package

you buy for your computer. Set up parental controls on these devices, just as you would for your computer. It is wise to set up a password for your children’s devices, so that they must come to you before downloading any app or in-app purchase. This will also mean you’ll avoid a nasty shock when the bill arrives.

REMEMBER, THE INTERNET IS AMAZING!Your children just need a guiding hand to ensure they enjoy it safely.

TEENAGERS ONLINEToday’s teenagers are the first generation to have grown up with the web in their lives and for them and us as parents, learning how to manage the way they present themselves online is an essential life skill. Do you know what steps you can take to help your teenagers create the online CV and presence employers and admissions tutors are increasingly looking for?

Leading UK online reputation management experts Igniyte offer practical support in areas like employment, university admissions, privacy and identity. They have launched A Guide to Managing Your Teenager’s Personal Information Online, which takes a closer look at all things digital and offers practical support in areas like employment, university admissions, privacy and identity.

You can understand how your teenager is presenting themselves online by following these key steps:• Search for your teenager’s name online, along with their

home town, school or club, and see what appears. If any of their social media posts show up in the searches, advise them to change their privacy settings to ‘friends’ only

• Assess the different types of devices your teenager has access to, for example games consoles, computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones and web cams, and ensure these are securely managed

• Know which social networking sites your teenager is using, for example Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and online chat, and help them optimise privacy and security settings.

• Igniyte’s free e-book aims to answer parents’ questions and more - providing easily accessible, expert advice for parents and youngsters. For a copy, go to www.igniyte.co.uk and click the ‘Download our free guides’ tab.

For more advice on family protection, visit safeandsavvy.f-secure.com/

If your child is the family tech whizz kid that’s jolly useful, but just what are they getting up to online when they log onto your PC, tablet or their own smartphone? By Allen Scott

Safety Net

14 | JULY / AUGUST 2014

1 PET ACTIVITY DAY FOR 7-11 YR OLDSWhere: Godmanchester Centre, King’s

Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, PE29 2NHWhen: 29 July & 19 August 9.30am - 3.30pmHow Much?: £40 including goody bag and certificate.What: A fun filled day where you can leave the grown ups at home! Get hands on preparing feeds, making enrichment toys, meeting our animals looking for homes and have a go at dog training.Contact: www.woodgreen.org.uk

2 POSH FUN DAYS: PETERBOROUGH UNITED FOUNDATION’S FOOTBALL

COURSESWhere: Neale Wade sports centre in MarchHampton football club – PeterboroughWhen: 10am - 3pmHow Much?: Non members £15 for 1 day, £25 for 2 days and £30 for 3 days.What: Courses for boys and girls aged between 4 and 12 years. All courses will be

3 BARRACUDAS ACTIVITY DAY CAMPS

Where: St Faith’s School CambridgeWhen: A wide range of activities are on offer from Monday 28th July until Friday 22nd August. Days are from 8am-6pmHow Much?: Prices from £35 per dayWhat: Barracudas offers multi-activity day camps for children aged between 4½ to 16 years. They have been running activity day camps for 22 years now, and have an experienced team who make sure your children always have a brilliant time. Your holiday childcare is covered with activity

delivered by FA and UEFA qualified coaches who will put on a variety of fun-based football activities.Players will also get the chance to meet the first team stars who will visit for one day at each venue to sign autographs and pose for photos.Contact: 01733 341628

4 KYT SUMMER SCHOOLWhere: Key Theatre Peterborough

When: Week 1: 28 July – 2 AugustWeek 2: 4 – 9 AugustHow Much?: For just £150 per child per week, Summer School offers you fantastic value for money.What: Renowned for providing an unbeatable summer experience, this Summer School is best in the Eastern region: They will take you on a fun-filled adventure through acting, movement, music and singing ending in a spectacular performance on the Key Theatre’s Stage!Contact: www.vivacity-peterborough.com 01733 207239

6 SUPER CAMPSWhere: The Perse School Cambridge

When: Days are 9am - 5pm with extended care availableHow Much?: Prices from £42 per dayWhat: The Perse Prep School Multi-Activity Super Camps & The Perse Prep School A Passion for Arts & Crafts. Perfectly located for families needing school holiday childcare in Cambridge, Super Camps at The Perse offers a fulfilling school holiday activity experience that combines wonderful outdoor pitches and courts with state-of-the-art indoor amenities. Contact: www.supercamps.co.uk 01235 832222

7 MUSICALE SUMMER MUSIC COURSES

Where: St Faith’s School Cambridge When: Monday 4th August – Friday 8th August 9:30-4:00pmHow Much?: Step Up to Music for 5-9yr olds £245. Instrumental Course for 7-18yr olds £265What: Gill and David Johnston have masterminded Musicale Holidays since 1977. Their passion is to involve children in meaningful and, above all, enjoyable music making through a series of fun but structured programmes. Many of their staff grew up attending a Summer Musicale, and now they are passing on their enthusiasm to the next generation of young musicians. Contact: www.musicale.co.uk 01582713333

If you still haven’t booked onto a summer camp or workshop then there is still time… here are a few of the options on offer in your area:

holidays that are Ofsted registered, giving parents peace of mind, whilst ensuring maximum FUN for kids! Contact: www.barracudas.co.uk 0845 123 5299

5 KINGS CAMPSWhere: The Leys school Cambridge

When: Days are 9am - 4pm with extended care availableHow Much?: From £147 per week.What: Kings Multi-Active brings together the very best elements of sports and holiday clubs. Multi-Active is a chance to try lots of new activities, including arts and crafts, parachute games, swimming and football. Juniors enjoy longer 45 minute sessions that help them learn and progress in a variety of different sports, as well as taking part in team building games. Contact: www.kingscamps.org 0114 263 2160SUMMER FUN!SUMMER FUN!

Summer holiday camps and workshops

8 PAXTONS SAILING CLUB LEARN HOW TO SAIL

START SAILING RYA LEVEL 1Where: Paxton Lakes, Hall Rd, (next to the nature reserve) Little Paxton.When: Courses are run for 4 days in the morning and afternoon with the morning courses running from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and the afternoon courses running from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pmHow Much?: Adults £115, Children £75What: An official RYA training centre that welcomes people of all ages and abilities, with a large selection of club owned boats & equipment available. By the end of the course participants will have been introduced to the sport. They will have sailed a dinghy and learned to reach, tack, run and gybe. They will know the essentials such as rigging and rope work and how to launch and recover a dinghy. 12 hours tuition in 3 to 4 lessons.Contact: www.paxtonlakes.org.uk

9 LEADAWhere: Angles Theatre,

WisbechWhat: LEADA are an acting, performing arts and drama school designed to raise self esteem and confidence, providing opportunities to explore ideas through the medium of acting, voice, movement, puppetry, mask and music. Custard In The Bath Summer Workshop for ages 5 -10When: 18th - 20th AugustCustard In The Bath is a 3 day summer workshop ending with a performance at the Angles theatre on the 20th august. How Much?: £50A Midsummer Night’s Scream Summer Workshop for ages 10 -16When: 7th – 15th AugustA seven day challenging and fun workshop, ending with an open air performance in the Wisbech Castle Gardens on the 15 and 16th August.How Much?: Cost £90Contact: www.leada.biz, Linda 07523 712633

CAMBRIDGESHIRE’S FRIENDLIEST SAILING CLUBWe’re an official RYA Training Centre and welcome people of all abilities. We have a large selection of

club-owned boats & equipment available.

Booking now for Summer Holiday & October Half-TermAdults £115 Children £75

Free membership with every course. All equipment included.For more information contact Pat Overs 07812 124690

sailing.courses@paxtonlakes.org.uk | www. paxtonlakes.org.uk

DISCOVER SAILING AT PAXTON LAKES SAILING CLUB

(NEAR ST NEOTS)