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News
Give your children the Giggles with The Laughing Cow
Give your children the treat they deserve with Giggles, the new and irresistible snack from The Laughing Cow. This soft white cheese food snack is ideal for banishing after school empty tummies and perfect for all snacking occasions, when on the go or popped into a picnic hamper. For energetic and active children and their mums with no free hands, Giggles could not be more convenient. Children love these fun little pods making snack time mess and hassle free and its texture means it can be enjoyed straight from the pack. The Laughing Cow has used fresh whole milk to create the mild and creamy taste of Giggles providing a good source of calcium that is ideal for all little ones and is suitable for vegetarians. Giggles is tooth kind making it a perfect alternative to sugary snacks, as well as reassuring for parents. Giggles contains no preservatives, artificial colours or flavourings. It is the healthy and nutritious snack that will keep your little angels happy and entertained until dinner. Each pack of Giggles contains six pods priced at £1.29 RRP and is available in most major retailers. For further information please visit www.yummygiggles.co.uk
Helping your kids get the most
out of Play Childhood as we know it is over reveals Persil’s global study entitled ‘Giving Children the Right to be Children’. 85% of UK mums are concerned that children are growing up too quickly in our country and therefore children are being deprived of childhood (64%) due to lack of play. Modern living is having an impact on children being able to enjoy the simple childhood pleasures as experienced by previous generations. But while times have changed, Persil’s research uncovers 71% of mums worry that kids won’t form good relationships without social play so it is not only enjoyment from these activities but also the development of our further generation that will be effected unless priorities change. By play, Persil means ‘free play’, so not video games or organised fun, but more unstructured play, stuff like climbing trees, building dens, playing pretend games/role playing, using their imagination and exploring..... play without parents telling and showing children how to do things. This summer, as part of the Every Child Has The Right campaign, Persil is launching its Free Play Initiative 2008, a nationwide scheme aimed at helping parents find inspirational ways for their children to express themselves through imaginative, unstructured play. This culminates in the support of Playday, the national annual celebration of children’s right to play, on 6 August 2008. Did you know? To help your kids get the most out of their play time, Persil’s Free Play Initiative focuses on five areas within play that can help a child’s development - Play, Explore, Create, Imagine and Experiment. Here are some free play ideas for your child to experiment with under the five areas: Play • Ask Mum to give you four things (maybe a duvet, a wooden pole or garden canes, a rope, or a cushion), then see if you can build a den out of them to play in. • Try making your own musical instruments from things you find outdoors - put pebbles in a jar and make a shaker... tape two branches together and use flower pots as drums! Then get your friends together and form a band! The Benefits: it keeps children fit and healthy, encourages creativity, helps with their physical development and raises self-confidence. Explore • Explore in the garden or at your local park for interesting objects like flowers, leaves animal tracks, insects and bugs. Write down what you find and what you think they are and try and find five different types of leaves and flowers and then stick them down on a piece of paper. • Pretend that you’ve been shipwrecked in the garden and you need to build a shelter for protection. Look around you and see what you could use to build your home. The Benefits: When children use their imagination, it stimulates their minds and inspires curiosity. Plus, doing things in groups helps form good relationships through social play. Create • Make your own mask using paper, cardboard and string. Ask your Mum to cut two holes for eyes and decorate • Do some model making with old cereal boxes, Smartie tubes, toilet rolls – anything you can find. Then make up games with what you’ve made. The Benefits: Creating encourages self-expression and helps to develop a child’s imagination. It’s good for intellectual development and, best of all, you can really get dirty and not get in (so much) trouble! Imagine • Act out a play of your favourite story with your friends or make up a story of your own. Write your play down. Here’s how it starts: “Once upon a time, there was a giant banana that grew so big, he began to...” • Why don’t you draw a picture – maybe of you dressed as a pirate, spaceman or superhero? The Benefits: When children use their imagination, it stimulates their mind and inspires curiosity. Plus, doing things in groups helps form good relationships through social play. Experiment • Gather together a collection of small things.
Take each of your shapes and try • Why not do some cooking or baking with Mum? Experiment
with different flavours The Benefits: Experimenting is great because it teaches children how things work. It helps develop problem-solving skills and physical and emotional growth. And it’s fun too! To find out more about the Persil Free Play initiative
2008, Playday 2008 on 6th August, build a scrapbook to document your
summer holiday of free play or to find out loads more fun play ideas,
visit Persil.com
CHILDHOOD ECZEMA RISES 20% IN THE LAST 40 YEARS Childhood eczema is dramatically rising and, having increased over 20% in the last 40 years1, a worrying one in five children in the UK is now affected. In December 2007 new guidelines were released by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE2) outlining best practice in the treatment of childhood atopic eczema and recommending emollient use as the foundation of the management of atopic eczema Atopic eczema is a chronic inflammatory itchy skin condition that in most cases develops in early childhood. Many cases of atopic eczema clear or improve during childhood but some will persist into adulthood. Research also shows that 40% of children who have atopic eczema will go on to develop asthma and or allergic rhinitis3. Early treatment to control atopic eczema is extremely effective and can improve the quality of life of children and their families. The NICE guidelines state that children with atopic eczema should have a choice of unperfumed emollients to use every day. Up to 500g of emollient should be used per week, even when the skin is free of eczema. Emollients are simple, non-cosmetic moisturisers that soothe and help relieve itchy dry skin. They are key to managing a child’s eczema, regardless of severity. In addition, for the first time, the NICE guidelines recommend combining the use of a soap substitute, bath additive and emollient cream which has been shown to have a significantly better outcome than the use of single emollient products4. Healthy skin needs water, natural moisturizing factors, lipids and oils to keep it soft and supple. Skin which suffers from dryness, eczema, dermatitis or psoriasis contains less of these substances. By using an emollient the missing substances are restored and water is trapped in the skin by creating a barrier on the skin's surface. This prevents further water loss and stops any bacteria or irritants from getting in, which can cause a flare up of the condition. E45, the UK’s no 1 selling brand5 for dry skin, has a wide range of products to help treat eczema and other dry skin conditions. E45 is available in creams and lotions of sizes up to 500g packs, bath additives and washes. As well as providing an effective
skincare regime for eczema sufferers, E45 also recommends ways in which
to avoid the triggers that aggravate dry skin and eczema: E45 is the number one selling brand5 for dry skin, providing a comprehensive range of unperfumed skincare products that enable patients to manage the symptoms of dryness, itchiness and flakiness, and help restore/maintain healthy skin. E45: Healthy skin feels great For further information
and advice, or to download a patient leaflet on dry skin and eczema,
log onto www.E45.com
ACIDIC THREAT TO CHILDREN’S TEETH
- Over three-quarters of dental professionals see children with acid erosion every week – Research from Sensodyne reveals that more than three-quarters (79%) of dental professionals are seeing the effects of acid erosion on children’s teeth on a weekly basis. Caused by the acids found in everyday food and drinks, such as fizzy and soft drinks and fruit, the condition can lead to the erosion of teeth and – over time – could affect their appearance. Acid erosion is a growing problem in children with up to 30% of 12 year olds and up to 53% of five-year olds exhibiting tooth surface loss. Further consumer research shows that while 94% of British parents know that acidic foods and drinks can damage their children’s teeth, the reality is that many do not understand which items are acidic. · Dentists believe the main causes of acid erosion in children to be the consumption of carbonated drinks without a straw (52%) and the frequent drinking of soft drinks (36%) · Over a third (34%) of parents are unaware that soft drinks could pose a risk to their children’s teeth · Only 28% know that fruit
can be harmful to teeth In response, Sensodyne Pronamel for Children – a new toothpaste specifically designed to help protect teeth from the effects of acidic food and drinks – has been launched. Used daily, it helps to re-harden acid-softened tooth enamel and limit toothwear during toothbrushing. Sensodyne Pronamel for Children also has all of the benefits of regular toothpaste. Professor Jimmy Steele of the School of Dental Sciences at The University of Newcastle advises: “Adult teeth generally start to appear when children are six years-old and need to last a lifetime, so protection from an early age is key. Whilst children should not be discouraged from consuming acidic food and drinks, it is important for parents to be aware of the issue to ensure they take small steps to minimise the risk to their children’s teeth.” Simple measures recommended by Professor Steele to help protect children’s teeth from acid erosion include: · Discourage children from swishing acidic drinks around or holding them for prolonged periods in their mouth · Instead encourage them to drink acid drinks with a straw placed towards the back of the mouth away from teeth · Encourage children to avoid brushing their teeth immediately after consuming acidic food or drinks as this is when the enamel is at its softest - it’s best to wait as long as possible after an acidic meal or brush beforehand · Ensure you take your child for regular dental check-ups and talk to a dental professional about any concerns you or your child may have · Use Sensodyne Pronamel for Children twice daily with a medium-soft toothbrush Pronamel is the most effective
toothpaste for the prevention of acid erosion. For further information
visit www.pronamel.com
CALLING ALL FIFI FILM MAKERS!
Children to choose their favourite Fifi episodes for the next DVD!
For the first time ever children are being given the chance to choose the content for the next Fifi DVD!
Children across the UK have the opportunity to pick their favourite episode from a shortlist of 20, chosen by creators Chapman, also responsible for Roary The Racing Car. To choose their favourite episode children simply go online at www.fifiandtheflowertots.com and pick one of the episodes by ticking the vote box. The 10 episodes with the most votes will then create the new DVD, The Best of Fifi released in September but available to pre-order on the website.
A short clip and summary of each episode can be viewed on the website. So will the budding young producers choose one of the classic episodes such as “Stingo’s Naughty Day” - where Stingo plays tricks on the other Tots - or one of the brand new episodes never released on DVD before, such as “Mystery in Flowertot Garden” - where Fifi and friends turn detective? The choice is all theirs!
This unique opportunity is a must have for all Flowertot fan’s, especially as there is also a chance to win a Fifi scooter. Vote at www.fifiandtheflowertots.com between 19th June and 31st July 2008. The Best of Fifi is released on DVD from 29th September 2008, priced £12.99.
NEW RESEARCH LIFTS THE LID ON COOKERY LESSONS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS - Flora launches ‘Cooking with Schools’ initiative to help put healthy eating at the heart of the classroom -
New from Flora reveals 93% of primary school teachers want the Government to take more action to improve cookery lessons in school, 99% of teachers believe teaching children how to choose and prepare healthy food is essential to good health. To help put healthy eating at the heart of the classroom, the Flora team is launching Cooking with Schools, an initiative that will offer FREE cooking equipment to all primary schools across the UK and Ireland and provide teachers with comprehensive resource packs. Timing is everything: 88% of primary school teachers want more cookery lessons to take place at their school with a third (34%) of all primary schools in the UK having a cookery lesson once a term or less Tools of the trade: Almost three quarters (72%) of primary school teachers stated they need more equipment to provide effective cookery lessons. Over a third (37%) of teachers rated the cookery equipment as poor or below average with a quarter (25%) stating equipment is over 10 years old. A third of schools (33%) have fewer than 5 wooden spoons per class! Insufficient instruction: Over two thirds (69%) of teachers feel they are currently not getting enough guidance or support from the Government to deliver stimulating cookery lessons A recipe for success: As well as providing knowledge of
food preparation and good health, 92% of primary school teachers believe
cookery lessons are a valuable way of teaching children core maths skills
and two thirds (68%) say they also teach children about geography and
provenance. Ed Balls, Children, Schools and Families Secretary, has stressed the importance of teaching children how to cook, “Simple cooking is a fundamental skill that every young person should master – it is at the heart of tackling obesity and will enable future generations to understand food, diet and nutrition; and put together healthy meals for their entire lives.” Michelin-starred chef Gary Rhodes explains why he is supporting Cooking with Schools: “It’s imperative that children learn how to cook healthy balanced meals and these recipes are inspiring and interesting - a perfect starting point for your young ones.” The Flora team is committed to making the nation’s hearts healthier by helping to reduce current overconsumption of saturated fat. By switching from butter to Flora, we could reduce our intake of saturated fat significantly to help meet the Government’s recommended daily allowance, and help the nation live healthier for longer. To register tokens from Flora packs for your child’s school go to cookingwithschools.com
Thousands of toddlers set to
join in the fun at the UK’s biggest free preschool festival Festivals are big news this year, with more choice than ever for your live entertainment. But how do you safely introduce your little ones to the joys of spending the day outside, dancing and singing along as big name acts perform on stage? Thanks to Nick Jr, thousands of under-fives will be giddy with excitement at the prospect of the UK’s biggest free festival designed especially for preschool children, the first of its kind and now in its fourth year. Having launched in 1999 as the world’s first dedicated preschool TV channel, Nick Jr is the UK’s number one rating commercial channel for under-fives, reaching four million viewers a month with some of the world’s best-loved preschool entertainment shows. In 2005, it was decided to extend the popular Nick Jr brand into an active and engaging outdoor experience for its young audience. Called ‘Jump Up’, it has grown in size and ambition each year, taking in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and Sheffield along the way. Celebrities are often seen out and about at the best summer festivals and Jump Up is no exception. Famous parents who have been spotted with their little Nick Jr fans at these must-attend events include Waterloo Road actress Angela Griffin, Atomic Kitten’s Jenny Frost , top England cricketer Freddie Flintoff, TV presenter Gail Porter and Changing Rooms’ interior designer Anna Ryder Richardson. This year’s Jump Up will be the biggest yet, with Nick Jr welcoming an unprecedented 21,000 preschoolers and parents over the long weekend, making it the UK’s largest free annual children’s event. With six well-organised timed sessions each catering for 3,500 people, it will be held from Friday 25th to Sunday 27th July at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes, a venue that has previously hosted concerts by Take That and Bon Jovi. Just an hour’s drive from Birmingham or London, the location ensures a wide catchment area of families. The event boasts a ‘main stage’ entertainment show featuring characters from some of Nick Jr’s most popular shows – including Dora the Explorer, LazyTown, Fifi and the Flowertots, Go, Diego, Go!, The Backyardigans and Peppa Pig – inviting the audience to participate with their songs, stories and dancing. The throng of children clearly enthralled by the seeing their favourite characters up close need no encouragement to join in the fun! Proof that Jump Up is well and truly on the map of annual family-friendly summer events is the speed in which tickets are snapped up. Last year 15,000 tickets were snapped up within half an hour – a rate of 500 tickets a minute – beating even the Glastonbury festival which took an hour and 45 minutes to sell out. The difference with Nick Jr’s festival is that it celebrates the fun and excitement of being a toddler – and there’s no need to bring a tent! The Jump Up event keeps little ones well and truly entertained in its happy, informal atmosphere that actively encourages imagination, fun, activity and creative play. With themed interactive zones, a Thomas & Friends themed inflatable to bounce on, hands-on entertainment, nappy changing facilities, healthy food options, friendly staff and complementary goodie bags, it’s an event loved by toddlers and raved about by their parents. One London mum describes it as a ‘wonderful day’, saying “My children [aged] 2 and 6 both had a fantastic time and haven’t stopped dancing and talking about it yet!” Another mum-of-two, from Glasgow, called it “an unforgettable afternoon out with many happy memories.” “Jump Up has seen phenomenal success over the last three years and we’re delighted to welcome thousands more Nick Jr fans to join in the fun this year”, says Howard Litton, Managing Director of Nickelodeon UK. “This fantastic event is the ultimate expression of Nick Jr’s ‘join in’ values, where preschool children and their parents can come along and enjoy the singing, dancing and activities with their favourite Nick Jr characters.” This year's Nick Jr Jump Up event, sponsored by Vauxhall’s Meriva & Zafira, will take place on Friday 25th - Sunday 27th July at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes. The event’s media partners are Heart 106.2 and BT Vision. Tickets will be available free from nickjr.co.uk on Friday 27th June at 10am. For more details, visit
nickjr.co.uk/jumpup.
It’s nearly SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) time and children all over the country are busy revising for the tests that will determine how well they are progressing. Children can get worried and anxious in the run up to and during these tests, so it is important to make sure that they keep their stress levels to a minimum so that they can perform to their best ability. One of the best ways is to make sure that children are fully prepared without putting too much pressure on them. EducationCity.com is an award winning resource that combines fun and learning and it is already a huge success with teachers in over 8,000 schools throughout the UK. Children can continue their education at home through the use of engaging, fun activities, plus there are practice SATs tests on the site so that they can make sure that they are fully prepared.
EducationCity.com
have compiled some hints and tips to show how you can make
sure children have stress free SATs. Gift subscriptions are
also available, making this the perfect gift of learning for children
who are getting prepared for SATs.
Did you know that an estimated four out of five children in the UK are wearing the wrong shoe size* with one in three having different foot widths? Wearing poorly fitted shoes is not only uncomfortable for a child but can cause long term damage as well, like affecting foot growth and displacing the correct alignment of bones. Hush Puppies understands that children are individuals so they have devised a unique measuring system Fit Left, Fit Right which treats their feet as individuals as well. A trained Hush Puppy specialist not only measures the length and width of each foot but also the depth as well - giving a completely all round personalised fit. A tailored combination of five foot beds (ie.D,E,F,G), makes sure each foot is properly cushioned, ensuring the optimum in comfort and customised fitting. Never mind if each foot has a different requirement – Fit Left, Fit Right will fit each foot perfectly! FOOT
BEDS HUSH
PUPPY SHOES Hush Puppies – always
on the scent of a quick trend!
Research reveals UK parents would now rather their children say Ola than Bonjour A new study reveals that Spanish has overtaken French as the language that most UK parents would like their children to learn, whilst almost 15% have no interest in their kids gaining a second language. The survey of over 800 parents, commissioned by the popular preschool TV channel Nick Jr, discovers that 30% of them would like their child to learn Spanish as a second language, with previous favourite French behind at 28.1%. The younger generation of parents seems to be behind this rise: nearly ten times as many parents aged up to 24 would prefer their child to learn Spanish as a second language (50%) than French (5.6%). The majority of parents aged 25-34 are also now opting for español at 38.7%, compared to 25.3% for French. Spanish is the clear favourite for parents with children aged between 1 and 5 years old, with well over a third preferring their little ones to learn this language. Television shows aimed at preschool children, such as Nick Jr’s hit animated series Dora the Explorer, are helping to foster a love for the language from a young age. The show follows the adventures of Dora, a bilingual little girl who invites viewers to learn numbers and basic phrases in Spanish to help her on her way. Mandarin or Cantonese was voted in third place by British parents keen for their children to capitalise on China’s emergent economy, with Dads are almost twice as keen as Mums for their kids to learn a Chinese language. “With today’s advancements in travel and technology allowing people around the world to communicate with each other on a daily basis, being able to speak a second language is more important than ever to open up career prospects,” says Howard Litton, Managing Director of Nickelodeon UK. “Research shows that children up to the age of six can pick up languages especially easily, so encouraging your little one to learn a foreign language could help set them up for life.” However, a surprising 14.4% of parents said that they were not interested in their child learning a foreign language, including almost a fifth of parents from Yorkshire, the East and the North West of England. Children can join in the bilingual adventures with Dora the Explorer every day on Nick Jr at 8.30am and 5pm.
With Alistair Darling having announced the new Budget and the cost of raising a child in the UK soaring to more than £186,000, new survey findings announced by popular preschool TV channel Nick Jr discover how today’s parents are saving for their offspring’s future – or whether they are at all. Nick Jr’s study of over 800 parents found that almost two fifths are not actively saving for their children’s future (37.1%). Over half of all families questioned from the North East admitted they weren’t saving, whilst Londoners were most likely to be investing in one way or another. With private schooling setting back parents up to £130,500 and the cost of sending a child to university typically reaching £47,000, education is unsurprisingly the biggest financial concern, with 23.8% of UK parents saving for school or university fees. The survey revealed that Dads and more likely than Mums to prefer riskier investment options, putting their money into stocks and shares (14.6%) and property (9.8%). These choices were also favoured by younger parents, who were additionally by far the most likely to invest in a child pension (44.4%). 6.3% of parents are opting to save for their child’s first car, especially those parents in older age groups. Families living in Wales were also over four times as likely to invest for their offspring’s first set of wheels (10.3%) as those in the South West (2.4%), where they were least likely to be saving for their child’s first car. Only one in ten parents in Wales are saving for educational fees, compared with almost a third of parents in London and Northern regions. Parents from Yorkshire are the least likely to invest in stocks and shares, at only 2.5% of those questioned. Property investments are popular with Londoners (26.6%), but parents in the North West and Wales are less likely to put their children’s money into this volatile market (2.7% and 2.6% respectively). In December it was found that the average cost of raising a child in the UK from birth to the age of 21 had soared to £186,032, which is set to rise to £265,500 in 2012. However despite parents investing increasing amounts of money on their children’s welfare, only 44.3% of those surveyed felt that their children have more opportunities in life than they did. “These findings are really interesting as they show the various ways in which today’s parents are considering the financial future for their children”, says Howard Litton, Managing Director of Nickelodeon UK. “Becoming a parent makes you re-evaluate your lifestyle and whether it’s the best it possibly can be for your child.”
Toilet training your toddler has never been simpler!
Featuring not 1 but 2 seats, the Lupilu Toilet seat, meets all your families needs. Just imagine how inviting it is for a toddler to get used to using the toilet properly when they have their own custom seat.
The innovation does not stop there. It comes with Soft closure hinging, which means both child and adult seat will glide to a close, eliminating the risk of trapping little fingers should the seat accidentally be knocked shut. It's safe and it's quiet. All of this is incorporated into one very innovative and stylish seat, making an inviting environment for your toddler, which makes toilet training easier.
The Lupilu Toilet seat will fit any British standard toilet.
Times are changing with the Lupilu dual purpose seat. Experience this amazing concept for yourself with one of the latest must have bathroom accessories. Available to order online through the website. Price £36.99 – www.houseofleva.co.uk For more information email
info@houseofleva.co.uk
In the Night Garden A Musical Journey… The Album
Music and Songs from your favourite television series on one amazing CD …
Get ready to enter the Night Garden with The Tombliboos, Tittifers, Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and many more… Welcome to the magical world
of In the Night Garden. And now, following the success of “ Who’s Here?” the best selling pre school DVD since the Teletubbies, In the Night Garden invite you to join them in song with their debut album A Musical Journey… The Album. This 25 track album will immerse
the little ones into a magical world of relaxation as their imaginations
run wild and into the picture-book place that is the Night Garden. The TV programme has become such a hit that the BBC are now showing the new series three times a day, Monday to Friday on Cbeebies, with earlier episodes being shown at the weekends. BBC2 is also showing new episodes Monday to Friday. In the Night Garden is the biggest
and most successful phenomenon in children’s media since the Teletubbies. Let’s go into the Garden
…Looking up, Looking down, Here and there And all about Shshsh! – Let’s
see…
DR WHO TOPS CELEBRITY TEACHER POLL
Children across the UK chose TV’s Dr Who, David Tennant as their ideal celebrity teacher in a poll conducted by CBBC Newsround and The Children’s Society. Asked ‘Which famous person would make a good teacher?’, David Tennant as Doctor Who was the clear favourite for the No.1 spot. Over a quarter of those taking part believed he would be a great teacher for science, history and geography because of his extensive travels through time and space. Alice (age 13) from Hampshire commented: “I think it would be amazing if David Tennant taught history. He’s the Doctor; he’s been around since the beginning of time! Who knows more about history than him?” CBBC Newsround invited the nation’s children to answer questions about school and the different ways they learn. Their comments will be presented as evidence to The Children’s Society’s Good Childhood Inquiry – the UK’s first independent inquiry into childhood. Children named an eclectic mix of celebrities, from the sensible to the surreal! In second place was Harry Potter creator J. K. Rowling, who was a firm favourite for teaching English because of her creativity and ability to write good stories. David Beckham was the most popular choice of celebrity teacher for PE. The Queen was another top ten favourite among school children. Sam from Solihull chose Her Majesty because: “She could tell us what is good about being British, and tell us amazing stories.” Officials at Buckingham Palace were overjoyed with the results, saying: “We are really pleased to hear this news and thank all the children who took part and voted for The Queen.” Unexpectedly, teenage ‘chav’ Vicky Pollard also received some votes, with pupils choosing her for her sense of humour! Princess Diana and Kylie Minogue were chosen for being kind and caring. TV favourite’s Billie Piper and Tracey Beaker received votes because the children thought they would understand what it’s like to be young. Richard Branson was also considered a good candidate due to his business success as the children thought he could teach them how to make a lot of money! However celebrities thinking of swapping the red carpet for the classroom shouldn’t give up their day jobs yet. As when asked what they liked about their school, many children named a favourite ‘real’ teacher as the best thing. Jessica (aged nine) said: “Our teacher is great fun”. While Sumayyah (aged 10) said “I like my school because the children there are very welcoming and so are the teachers. If you get lost or something there is always someone there to help you.” And it wasn’t all good news for celebrities. Nisha (age 12) said: “I don't think celebs would make great teachers. I like my teachers just the way they are.” The Good Childhood Inquiry is asking what makes for a good childhood in the UK today. Its final report and recommendations will be published in early 2009. Adults wishing to contribute their childhood memory to the inquiry can do so by visiting www.hundredsandthousands.org.uk The top ten celebrities chosen by children across the UK to make a good teacher were: 1. David Tennant 2. JK Rowling 3. Billie Piper 4. David Beckham 5. Hilary Duff 6. Kylie Minogue 7. Tracey Beaker 8. Richard Branson 9. The Queen 10. High School Musical
Cast
Nick Jr. introduces the first ever toddlaerobic workout to help get your mini ones moving!
As every parent knows, a key to a happy future is a healthy one, so leading preschool TV channel Nick Jr has developed Mini Movers, the first ever daily ‘toddlaerobic’ exercise routine to encourage parents with under fives to get active to increase their fitness while improving their development including bone growth, muscle tone, co-ordination and attention skills.
With the government forecasting that a quarter of all children will be obese by the year 2050, the importance of regular physical activity in childhood can’t be ignored and instilling healthy habits at a young age is one way of tackling this.
Activity at a young age also aids children’s physical development by improving their motor skills. Divided into two main areas, gross and fine motor skills, these are the building blocks for physical and mental success in future life. Gross motor skills include muscle tone, strength and range of movement and usually involve using the entire body or several parts at one time, while fine motor skills refer to more intricate capabilities, including visual skills, eye-hand co-ordination and attention skills.
Nick Jr, which reaches 4 million viewers a month, has joined up with children’s fun fitness authority FitKid to develop an easy-to-follow movement-based routine that toddlers will enjoy. With moves based on a weather theme that kids can relate to and devised to help benefit kids’ all round fitness and development, the Mini Movers routine will air every morning on the channel.
Nicky Kay, Managing Director of FitKid, explains, “Guidelines show that a preschooler should be physically active for at least an hour a day - whether that’s playing in the park or participating in an organised fitness activity. The health and developmental benefits of getting active at an early age are immense. Nick Jr’s Mini Movers will be a great start to each day for toddlers - and mums and dads too – showing how easy it is to incorporate activity into a family’s daily routine. We hope that Mini Movers will help to motivate families to increase their activity levels, making exercise fun for all and a habit for life.”
The Nick Jr Mini Movers ‘Weather Dance’ has been developed using a variety of movements to encourage children to use different parts of their bodies to develop all round fitness. The Mini Movers routine will assist in the development of strong muscles and help the preschooler achieve the following key benefits:
- Increased in eye-hand co-ordination and attention skills - Stimulated bone growth and muscle tone - Improved posture - Boost in self-esteem and confidence - Improved cardiovascular fitness - Maintaining a healthy weight
When kids have regular exercise and acquire basic movement skills in their preschool years, it increases the chances that they'll continue to be physically active as they grow up. As well as encouraging a healthy lifestyle, research has shown that children who are physically active are more likely to have a higher academic performance.
Parents play important role models in getting children active. Nick Jr Mini Movers encourages parents and children to get up, get active and make exercising fun. Simply tune in to Nick Jr at 7.55am each morning from 5 November to join in and take part.
Nick Jr is also searching for their very own stars to appear in the next Nick Jr Mini Movers toddlaerobic routine to be aired on Nick Jr next year. Regional auditions will be held in Birmingham and Leeds, where children can show off their Nick Jr Mini Movers Weather Dance grooves! For more details, visit www.nickjr.co.uk/minimovers.
ONLY THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH…
The Milkybar Kid is moseying on back into town and, this time, it’s with supplies of the all natural Milkybar! From October, Nestlé Milkybar will contain all natural ingredients, while keeping that well-loved, smooth and creamy taste we all remember from our own childhood. For more than 70 years, Milkybar has been the treat of choice for generations of children. Milkybar still tastes as wonderfully creamy and scrumptious, but now children everywhere, can enjoy the same light and creamy goodness, and know that it’s all natural too. So join the crowd outside the saloon for a good old sing-along. ”The Milkybar Kid is strong and tough, and only the best is good enough…”
Swim for Skin
The Swim for Skin supported by Sanex Kids is a sponsored swim for children over the age of 3 years, to take place during January 2008, to help raise money for the British Skin Foundation’s Childhood Eczema Fund. As Eczema is particularly prevalent in children (1 in 5 children of school age is affected by eczema), the British Skin Foundation has set up the Childhood Eczema Fund to raise money for research into childhood eczema. The money in the fund will go towards finding treatments and eventually cures for the disease. There are many ways that families of children with eczema manage the condition, all of which begin with an effective skin care routine. That’s why Sanex Kids is proud to be supporting the Swim for Skin.
BUTLINS TO OFFER PARENTS A MIDWEEK “BREAK” Butlins has teamed up with childcare expert Dr. Pat Spungin to give parents with pre-school children a well-earned break.
From today, families visiting one of the three Butlins Resorts, Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness, between Monday and Friday can take advantage of a free appointment designed to make family holidays as easy as A,B,C.
Dr. Spungin has trained Butlins’ Redcoats and nursery nurses to provide ‘Nanny Knowledge’. Mums and dads who want advice and ideas will be able to book appointments at the nurseries and get tips on everything from helping the children get to sleep and avoiding tantrums, to making friends with other children and sticking to eating routines.
‘Nanny Knowledge’ is ideal for parents with pre-school children who may feel that the prospect of a holiday away from home may be more trouble than it’s worth.
Dr. Pat Spungin says: “With strange surroundings, interrupted routines and over-excitement, holidays with young children can be more exhausting than staying at home.”
Butlins provides a wealth of activities designed for the whole family, like the Bob the Builder interactive show and Family Sports Day, ensuring that toddlers are entertained and stimulated. Self-catering apartments allow parents to stick to familiar eating routines and the nurseries on all Resorts allow for parents to enjoy some time to themselves.
Nanny Knowledge sessions are available to all families taking a midweek break and can be booked via the on-Resort nurseries.
KIDS NOT GETTING A BALANCED BREAKFAST
New research reveals that nearly 1 in 4 children go to school on an empty stomach at least once a week
New research reveals that although parents understand the importance of giving their children a balanced breakfast every day, almost 1 in 4 kids are still going to school at least once a week on an empty stomach. A dislike of the foods on offer and kids saying they’re not hungry are cited as two of the main reasons.
Kids usually sleep for longer periods than adults, so breakfast is important as it breaks the overnight fast and provides energy needed first thing and for the day ahead. A child’s last meal will probably have been their evening meal or bed time snack and overnight blood glucose (sugar) levels fall, so having a good, balanced breakfast, particularly one including slow release carbohydrate foods, will help maintain a steady level of blood glucose for the morning ahead. A good start to a child’s day is to give them a combination of the five food groups (based on the FSA ‘balance of good health’ plate model), in the right proportions.
The research questioned parents with primary school age children* and coincides with the publication of the 2007 Nutella Breakfast Time Report, by nutritionist Azmina Govindji , which looks at the breakfast habits of children and the impact that not having a nutritionally balanced breakfast is having on their short and long term health.
Primarily, the report and research show that whilst many parents understand the importance of a good breakfast, and that children should be eating a balanced breakfast which includes foods that provide a source of slow release energy, many are still struggling to put this into practice. In fact, the research highlighted that almost two-thirds of parents had noticed a negative impact when their kids had missed breakfast, with 23% commenting that it led to a negative change in behaviour, and 8% noting a drop in school performance.
Comments Azmina Govindji, Consultant Nutritionist to Nutella: “What is clear from the research and my report is that kids missing out on a balanced breakfast continues to be a problem and can have serious consequences on children’s wellbeing. What I’ve tried to do is look at the common issues and offer some sensible and pragmatic advice on how to address them.”
Nutella, the hazelnut based spread, commissioned the report to understand the importance of a balanced breakfast, the key components that make up an ideal balanced breakfast - and the role Nutella can play as part of a good balanced breakfast offering, versus the current picture of a weekday breakfast time.
The recommended portion size of Nutella (15g) on toast, preferably wholegrain, provides a good low GI component of a balanced breakfast, alongside low or no sugar cereal with milk and pure fruit juice. Low glycaemic index (GI) breakfasts (because they release energy slowly) have been shown to reduce the desire for higher energy (higher calories) foods at lunch. Those who had a high GI breakfast consumed more energy in their lunchtime choices and were noticeably hungrier.
The key findings of the research and report include:
Almost one in four children (23%)
miss breakfast at least once a week Children who eat a balanced breakfast
have superior nutritional profiles over their breakfast-skipping peers
Nutella, spread on wholegrain toast and served with low or no sugar cereal with milk and a glass of pure fruit juice will provide a balanced breakfast containing all the food groups whilst keeping fat and sugar levels moderate. Additionally the hazelnut spread is a good ‘vehicle’ for the wholegrain bread that supplies other important nutrients. Adds Azmina Govindji: ”The habit of eating breakfast (first thing in the morning) is one for life and it is never more important than when you are a child, for growth and development. As highlighted in the research, two of the key reasons for missing breakfast are kids saying they’re not hungry or they don’t like what is on offer. Finding foods that provide good quality nutrients and that children like can be a challenge, all children have their likes and dislikes. A good starting point is encouraging breakfast cereals and breads, preferably wholegrain or wholemeal varieties, alongside fruits or unsweetened fruit juice, nuts or nut-based spreads that provide healthy monounsaturated fats, and lower-fat dairy products such as yoghurt or milk. Parents are important role models for their children and they largely recognise they are the gatekeepers of their children’s dietary habits and have the primary responsibility for their healthcare. As such, investing in education and awareness of these choices could improve the nutritional status of generations.”
Stuff the kids love...
This summer, kids have been rolling
up their sleeves and getting dirty, not by messing around in the mud
but rather by donning aprons and caps for a UK food company. Getting kids into the boardrooms of UK business is not a new thing. Toy and PC manufacturers have been working with children for years to test new products but never before has a food brand set up a dedicated and permanent ‘Kidsboard’ to develop permanent lines on-shelf.
The ‘Eat Natural Kidsboard’
is a group of eight kids, boys and girls, aged between seven and 13,
with a very genuine interest in food and cooking, who are fed up with
snacking on “grown-up” snack bars – and know a thing
or two about what’s good for them. Praveen Vijh, co-founder of Eat Natural says: ‘The problem is that the average age of the team here at Eat Natural is, shall we say…past school age! While we’d all like to think we’re big kids at heart, we are a few years removed from those we’re creating the bars for. It made perfect sense to create a Kidsboard when we wanted to develop kids food.’ Praveen continues, ‘If we’re going to make bars for kids then it should be the kids who tell us what they’d like in them and how they’d like them made. Adults often underestimate how much children really do know about good food and how it looks and tastes.’ The Eat Natural Kidsboard will be an ongoing initiative used to create bars by the kids for the kids. They are increasingly savvy and know exactly what they want…so who better to be the ones to advise! A Lunchies bar is born… When the Eat Natural Kidsboard embarked on their first assignment, the objectives were as simple as ABC – create a snack bar stuffed with fruit and other tasty bits and bobs, nothing dodgy, just something wholesome that kids would love. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Well it is. Here’s how eight kids created the ‘Lunchies’ bar, the first ever snack bar in the UK to be created for the kids by the kids… Step 1 – Thinking it out A unanimous decision was made – there’s no room for cabbage or cauliflower in the Lunchies bar. But should it be savoury or sweet? Was there room for olives and anchovies? Louis was keen to see his favourite broccoli combined with carrot and a touch of dark chocolate but eventually they agreed Lunchies needed to have a mass appeal, so ‘wacky’ ingredient combinations were jotted down for limited edition bars. With a sweet variety firmly in their sights, the board started bouncing ideas around – kiwi, mango, strawberry, apple, blueberry, blackcurrants, cherries all came up – but what combination of these favourite fruits would give them something a bit ‘special’? Four final recipes were put to the test: 1. Blueberries, strawberries
and dark chocolate chunks Step 2 – Mixing it up Teaming up in pairs with aprons and caps on, the Eat Natural Kidsboard got stuck into creating the bars and combining the loose ingredients in mixing bowls. They knew they would need something to make the bar stick together and dark honey was the unanimous choice to give the bars a delicious natural sweet taste. Step 3 – Topping it off With the bars mixed and baked,
the board’s next dilemma was to decide if they should add any
toppings, if so, what? Yoghurt? Dark or Milk chocolate? Step 4 – Trying it out With bars cooled and cut
straight from the baking tray, the finishing touch was to put them to
the taste buds and see ultimately which Lunchies recipe worked the best
for the kids.
BRITISH KIDS CHOOSE FOREIGN FOOD OVER ENGLISH CLASSICS
New research carried out by Nick Jr, the popular digital preschool TV channel, shows that despite their reputations as fussy little eaters, British kids are in fact incredibly adventurous in their tastes, with parents claiming that by the age of five, children have tried everything from Chinese to Spanish and even Sushi.
The Nick Jr. study, which questioned over 1,000 parents found that whilst sausage, egg and chips might have been good enough for tea in their day, today’s mums and dads are passing on their love of international cuisines to their offspring. The reign of chicken tikka masala as our national dish looks set to continue, with 45% of children sampling Indian food. It also appears that the influence of Spain and France as top family holiday destinations extends to eating habits, a quarter of under fives have tried Spanish fare and over one in five have tasted French cuisine.
A clear regional divide is evident in the popularity of certain cuisines, with Scots leading the way on Chinese food - a huge 70% of Scottish under fives have eaten this Asian favourite, well above the national average of 58% and making it the most popular choice. Welsh respondents embrace Italian fare with 69% opting for this kid friendly food and perhaps unsurprisingly given the wealth of balti houses in the area, Midlands under fives are the biggest fans of Indian food with over half trying a curry.
The report also revealed just how much tastes have changed over the years, with parents aged 16-24 five times more likely to feed their little ones Mexican fahitas or Thai dishes than parents aged 55 plus, ensuring these cuisines are the fastest growing food choices in the UK today.
Bottom of the table is Sushi with an average of 3%, indicating that no matter how fashionable a cuisine might be amongst parents, kids are rarely tempted by the offer of raw fish.
With one in five parents claiming their kids haven’t tried any of the cuisines listed, there are still clearly some traditional ‘meat and two veg’ fans out there, particularly in Yorkshire where a quarter of parents surveyed claim their little ones stick to British fare. The research for Nick Jr. was carried out by Tickbox.net between 15.06.07 and 25.06.07 amongst a nationally representative sample of 1295/836 parents UK adults aged 16+
Nick Jr. is available on
Sky 618, Virgin TV 715 and Tiscali TV
BIG BROTHER IN THE CLASSROOM -Parents Call For School Uniform Tagging-
Schoolwear could be the latest product to be touched by twenty-first century technology with calls from safety conscious parents to incorporate GPS tracking devices in school uniforms, according to a new survey conducted by schoolwear supplier, Trutex.
With recent high profile child abductions, parents are faced with the constant worry about child safety and many are thinking about tagging their children. Research shows that 44 per cent are concerned about the safety of their pre-teen children and 59 per cent would be interested in some form of tracking device being incorporated in to school uniforms.
Even school children showed a keen interest in having a tracking device incorporated into their school uniforms, with the idea appealing to 38 per cent of nine to 12 year olds. With many commenting that they feel much safer when their parents know exactly where they are. Not surprisingly, children aged over 13 years were less keen on their parents knowing their exact whereabouts arguing that it would be more suitable for younger children and that they do not want parents spying on them.
Commenting on the survey results, Clare Rix, Trutex marketing director said: “As a direct result of the survey, we are now seriously considering incorporating a device into future ranges. As well as being a safety net for parents, there could be real benefits for schools who could keep a closer track on the whereabouts of their pupils, potentially reducing truancy levels.”
SCHOOL UNIFORM PETITION GOES TO DOWNING STREET
A petition signed by over 4,500 people challenging The Chancellor, Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, to abolish VAT on all items of school uniform that carry a school badge has been presented today to Downing Street by the nation’s most well known schoolwear brand, Trutex.
The petition was delivered by Daniel Tomlinson of Trutex, the company behind the campaign, and five school children just as new research, commissioned by the schoolwear supplier, reveals that nine out of ten parents feel that VAT should not be payable on school uniform featuring a school badge.
According to the national survey of parents with children aged between nine and 16 years, 90 per cent feel VAT should not be payable on school uniform and the same percentage again feel that VAT should not be payable on badged or school specific items of clothing.
Trutex is calling for the reclassification of schoolwear, which could potentially see the removal of VAT on all school specific products ranging froms blazers to blouses and knitwear to sportswear, encompassing the full size spectrum from age three to size XXXL.
Currently in schools that cater exclusively for pupils under 14 years of age, namely primary and middle schools, zero-rating is applied on garments featuring a prominent badge or piping in school colours regardless of garment size. However, within standard secondary schools (ages 11-16), schoolwear is subject to the normal rules for children’s clothes, whereby the full rate VAT (17.5 per cent) is applied to all garments above the standard size of a child aged 14 years.
Whilst Trutex accepts that unbadged school uniform in adult sizes such as a plain white shirt, can be used for other purposes, a garment featuring a school logo, crest or piping in school colours, can only be used for its intended purpose.
Commenting on the petition and the new research findings, Clare Rix, Trutex marketing director said:
“Our 4,500 strong petition and research findings clearly demonstrate that VAT on schoolwear is a big issue, and one that is receiving growing support from parents, schools and the schoolwear industry as a whole.
“If the government really is serious about reducing the cost of school uniform for parents, then this is an ideal opportunity for them to demonstrate their intensions”.
“As a schoolwear
supplier, we have driven this campaign in an attempt to make school
uniform more affordable for parents and hope that it will go someway
to support schools that are keen to create a strong identity and sense
of pride by badging / branding specific products.”
Teletubbies Come Out to Play at Party in the Park
KNOCK, KNOCK – ENTER INTO THE NEW ONLINE WORLD OF BANG ON THE DOOR AND JOIN THE FUN
The door is open to everyone’s favourite characters with the brand new Bang on the Door website. If your little one is a Groovy Chick, now their Bang on the Door world will be complete as the curtains are unveiled on the first ever dedicated Bang on the Door website (www.bangonthedoor.com). Packed with fun and games, the new Bang on the Door website aims to bring endless entertainment through their much loved characters, Groovy Chick, Fashion Girl and Dainty Dish to name just a few. So log on now to enter the wonderful world of Bang on the Door.
The new website contains a whole host of features from fun activities and games to cool downloads for computers and mobiles. Your little angels will be able to get involved in the kitchen with truly scrumptious recipes as well as enjoy great make ‘n’ dos and look gorgeous with the funky fashion tips. Bang on the Door are committed to providing a safe online environment for children and as an illustration of this, when registering to join the site, a child must provide email details of a parent or guardian who will then be emailed a confirmation message to let them know their child is seeking to register. So check out the safe and fun world of Bang on the Door that’s waiting at www.bangonthedoor.com. What’s more, not only will the site be continuously updated with new make ‘n’ dos, downloads and games, but there will also be brand new activities introducing even more characters plus an opportunity to bring out the creative skills in every child and display these for all to see. For the younger ones, watch out for the new Fairy World coming soon, with magical activities and puzzles for 3-6 year olds. If they love their Groovy Chick pencil case or Fairy Girl typewriter, for the first time ever, they can now join their favourite characters online and it won’t cost you a penny! The new Bang on the Door website has arrived and is here to enjoy and share with friends and family, so what are you waiting for, log on to www.bangonthedoor.com.
ONE IN FOUR BRITS DON¹T KNOW A SINGLE NURSERY RHYME
New research out today reveals that the once familiar nursery rhyme is in danger of dropping out of modern culture with 27 per cent of UK adults over one in four unable to recall a full nursery rhyme. Despite the introduction of the government¹s recent 'Letters and Sounds' phonics teaching programme which stresses the importance of preparing pre-school children for phonics through songs 37 per cent of new parents admit they seldom sing to their babies or toddlers. New pre-school channel Cartoonito,
which aims to educate young children in a fun and imaginative way, quizzed
over 1,200 UK parents to find out how they use song to interact with
their children. 76 per cent of parents believe that singing to young
children is a good way to help them learn to read. Of those that do
sing to their offspring, 38 Dr. Janine Spencer, Development
Psychologist at Brunel University, comments: Out of the nursery rhymes people
did know, the most popular were Jack and Jill, Humpty Dumpty and Ring-a-Ring
O¹Roses, but a huge 71 per cent of parents were clueless about
their historical meaning. London parents know the least nursery rhymes
with a massive 36 per cent admitting they do not know a single rhyme
in full. Parents in the Midlands Joanne Barlow from Cartoonito
comments: In an effort to save the humble nursery rhyme, Cartoonito has produced a downloadable guide of song lyrics of the most popular, to help reacquaint parents with the rhymes that are in danger of slipping out of popular culture. The guide can be downloaded
for free from Or for your chance to sing
and dance along with Cartoonito Karaoke go to www.cartoonito.co.uk.
GRAB A YAZOO FOR YOUR KIDS ANY TIME, ANY PLACE!
As a parent, it is always hard to ensure our kids are eating well at school or away from home as the healthiest snacks are not always the tastiest! The nation’s favourite flavoured milk drink*, YAZOO is launching a handy new 200ml single serve bottle which makes it easier for you to grab for your kids when you are on the go. The 200ml bottle is already a popular choice for mums and dads all over the country as part of a multi-pack because it’s the perfect size to fit in kid’s daily lunchbox. Now it’s available in Chocolate and Strawberry flavours in a new YAZOO 200ml single serve bottle that you can give your kids on the way home from school or to take with them when they are out and about with friends. YAZOO
is a healthier alternative to fizzy drinks, fitting perfectly into your
families busy lifestyles. Every bottle is packed full of calcium, essential
for strong, healthy bones and vitamins B2 and B12 which help in growth
and the release of energy. For further information, visit www.yazoo.co.uk
LOTIL
Modern Foreign Languages are to be compulsory in Primary schools for 7 to 11 year olds Today’s backing by Alan Johnson of Lord Dearing’s recommendation that children should learn a second language from age 7 mirrors the ethos that has been at the heart of La Jolie Ronde French classes since 1983. La Jolie Ronde has been teaching pre-school and primary children French for over 20 years in their after school centres to encourage this age group to gain a love of languages so they feel confident with their studies and want to continue their studies at secondary school. To help teachers who do not speak another language and may be concerned about how to embed this new subject into the curriculum, La Jolie Ronde last year launched a new French Scheme of Work aimed at seven to nine year olds, to be taught in the curriculum. In July, the Scheme of Work for nine to eleven year olds will be launched and judging by the demand for the 7-9 year scheme, is sure to be popular with many teachers, especially non-specialists. The schemes are so successful, primary school children are chatting to each other at playtime in French. And teachers who have not spoken the language since their school days are able to speak it with confidence in a matter of weeks. Year three teacher, Sarah Annable, who has trialled the scheme for 2 years, says ‘My year three children have been really enthusiastic and confident in learning a new language. They have made remarkable progress and I’m amazed how quickly they have picked things up! They have contributed to whole school sharing assemblies in French and often have conversations with each other at break times!’ Source: www.lajolieronde.co.uk
Child medicine additive concern
No colours or sweeteners are allowed in foods and drinks for the under-threes and most preservatives are banned. The manufacturers of medicines for the under-threes have insisted their products are safe. Only additives strictly necessary from a technological point of view and recognised as being without risk to the health of young children are authorised in such foods. The survey found four azo dye colourings, eight benzoate and two sulphite preservatives, and six sweeteners contained in the products examined. Preservatives were present in all but 10, and sweeteners in all but four of the medicines surveyed. Some medicines warned the additives they contained could have harmful side-effects. The side effects listed included
irritation of the skin and eyes, stomach upset and diarrhoea. The Food Magazine is published by the Food Commission, an independent body campaigning for safer food in the UK. Spokesman Ian Tokelove said: "Whilst many children will be able to consume these products safely, there will be those who will suffer allergic reactions to these additives. "It is time for medicine manufacturers |
