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Mamma Fairy

Mamma Musings

Why is Reading so Important for Children?

Reading offers so many benefits to children. Reading not only helps learning, but it can also be used for entertainment and relaxation. Whether your child has already developed a passion for reading or they are just starting out, here are some great reasons why parents should encourage reading at home…

Vocabulary

Regular reading of books, websites, magazines or other written materials has been proven to increase your vocabulary. When your child discovers new words, ask them to use a dictionary, or the internet to learn their meaning. This will help to enhance their vocabulary and will also benefit their writing skills.

Knowledge

kids reading

Pic Credit: Pixabay

The more you read, the more you learn! New Beacon School believes that by encouraging your child to read regularly, you can help to expand their knowledge and spark their imagination. This will not only benefit them academically, but it will also benefit their social skills too.

Writing

Reading often will help your child to learn good sentence structure and the rhythm of words. They will also learn how to write well and how to effectively tell a story. If your child has a favourite story, you could set them a challenge to re-write their own ending to it.

Relaxation

If your child struggles with anxiety or has trouble sleeping, reading could be the answer! Following a good story can help your child to forget about their worries for a while. Next time your
child feels stressed, introduce them to a new book and let their imagination take them away to
somewhere new.

How can parents encourage reading?

Parents can encourage reading by incorporating it into everyday activities. Even something as simple as asking your child to read a recipe or a menu can be great practice. It is also important to show an interest in your child’s reading and ask questions about what they are reading at school. Reading together at bedtime is a nice way to show your interest and keep up a good routine.

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Features

What are the Benefits of School Trips?

School trips are an ideal way to extend learning outside of the classroom. There are many benefits associated with school trips. They not only provide fun learning opportunities, but they also help to develop a number of academic and personal skills.

Educational trips usually begin at nursery, with something like a bug hunt in a local park. However, as children get older, school trips can take students to many exciting destinations around the world!

These trips are arranged by nurseries, schools and colleges to support all kinds of subjects, such as geography, history and science, as well as languages.

St Hilda’s School in Harpenden believes that school trips are an important part of children’s education and here are some of their reasons why…

  • Educational trips allow children to immerse themselves in what they are learning. This is not only more fun, but it is also more memorable. For example, it is one thing to read about a historic event in a textbook, but to actually stand in the exact spot where the event happened is quite a different learning experience!

    child reading

    Pic Credit: Pixabay

  • For older students there may be opportunities to travel abroad with their school. This experience can help to support personal development, as well as enhance a number of academic skills. For example, a trip to Spain can be very beneficial to children learning Spanish at school. This is because it allows children to fully immerse in the language, food and culture.
    Educational trips allow children to become more independent. They also encourage the development of personal skills, which can help students to build up their confidence. Furthermore, travelling with classmates on a school trip is not only fun and exciting, but it can help children to form new friendships.
  • School trips can be used to motivate students. Teachers and parents can use the prospect of a school trip to encourage good behaviour and hard work.
  • Finally, relationships between teachers and students often strengthen during school trips. This is due to spending more social time together. This can help students to show more respect for their teachers and improve the overall behaviour of a class.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

Building a Relationship with Your Child’s Teachers

A good parent and teacher relationship is essential to a student’s academic success. The more information shared between parents and teachers, the more your child will benefit.

Here is some great advice from an independent school in Letchworth Garden City, on how to build a successful teacher and parent relationship…

Attendance

Good attendance and punctuality will help to give a good impression to your child’s teacher.  Time management is not only an important life-skill for your child, but it can also help to build good relationships with teachers. This is because good attendance shows that you value your child’s education and appreciate the teacher’s hard work.

Parents Evenings

kids at school

Pic Credit: Pixabay

‘Parent Evenings’ are an ideal opportunity for parents and teachers to communicate. Parents can find out how well their children are progressing at school and teachers can give advice to support learning at home. These events are vital to your child’s development and should not be missed. Use this valuable time with your child’s teacher to discuss any concerns you may have about your child.

After School

If you need to discuss an important issue and cannot wait until parents evening, it is important to find a suitable time. Parents often try to speak to teachers in the morning, when they drop their child into class. However, this isn’t always the best time for teachers. They will be busy getting their class organised for the day ahead. Instead it is best to wait until the end of the day, when the children have left, or arrange an appointment with the school office.

Thank you

A simple ‘thank you’ can go a very long way. Parents can establish a good relationship with a teacher by providing positive feedback. If your child has enjoyed a particular lesson, let the teacher know or encourage your child to tell them. You could also arrange a thank you gift at the end of term to show just how much their hard work is appreciated.

 Note: This is a collaborative post

 

 

 

 

Features

Cycling: How will things change post-lockdown?

Cycling: How will things change post-lockdown?

By Catherine Bedford, Dashel

Cycling has become more popular than ever during lockdown, as people dusted off their old bikes to enjoy the outdoors when they are taking their daily exercise. Now, with people returning to work, increasing numbers of are planning to commute by bike. This is great to avoid using public transport and spares using the car. 

But how is cycling likely to change as we enter this new normal?

Will it stay popular? 

cycling

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Yes, I think that once people realise the benefits of cycling, they’ll be happy to continue. Firstly, if you’re cycling to work, you’re getting your daily exercise in the time when you’d previously have been sat on a bus or a train. This, in turn, saves you time going to the gym in the evening, freeing up time for you to spend with loved ones. 

Secondly, people are happier in their locality when cycling. As they move more slowly through their commute; they can learn more about the local area, spy shops and cafes that they might like to visit or find a green spot that they might like to go to with family at the weekend. You can also get some good old-fashioned fresh air.

Staying safe 

It’s vital to be safe and being as visible as possible to other road users is essential. But this doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Cyclists should ensure they’re legal and as safe as they can be while sticking within their budgets. For example, you don’t have to be clad head-to-foot in day-glow to be seen – a high-visibility sash that you can wear over your coat, and costs as little as around £8.00, will still ensure you’re seen.

Helmets are extremely important for safety. If you aren’t a fan of the traditional helmet shapes, there are some nice stylish ones out there these days!

New cyclists may not have realised that there are more routes than they’d have imagined where they can cycle away from cars. These cycle lanes really help keep you safe!

Will cycling fashion change?

I think that as people cycle more there will be a move towards more natural fibres. This will help ensure that they don’t arrive at their destination hot and sweaty. People will be far keener to wear cotton than polyester, for example. 

Already popular is wicking fabrics, which are breathable and help to wick away sweat. You may be surprised how much wicking fabric you already own. The chances are your trendy yoga gear is fine for getting on a bike with.  

I’d always go for comfort over fashion but, if you want to be a fashionable cyclist, there’s plenty of great, stylish fashion-wear out there and I think as people get more used to cycling as a way of life, they’ll find their own cycling style. Also, when new cyclists realise how much money they’re saving on travel expenses, they might start to invest those savings in specialist or stylish kit. 

I have one thing to say to all of you new and returning cyclists: Enjoy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catherine Bedford is Founder of Dashel. Dashel offers a range of slim, ventilated, lightweight cycle helmets manufactured in the UK. With a distinctive urban feel Dashel Helmets are made from recyclable materials – ensuring that they are low impact at the point of manufacture and produce very little waste at the end of life. The new Re-Cycle helmet will be ground down into new helmets at the UK factory when it is finished with. The helmets are portable, sold packaged in a handy rucksack that means there is no superfluous packaging. They come in an array of classic colours. Choose from black, blue, sage green and red. Dashel helmets are £79 and available from all good cycle shops and online at Dashel.co.uk

Mamma Reviews

Smoothie Recipes we love

My kids aren’t always great for eating sufficient fruit and veg however one thing I can get them to eat/ drink with no complaints are smoothies. With Winter not far away and the added pressure of Covid I have been making a huge effort to up their fruit and veg nutrient content.  For me anyway I find smoothies a huge help to get the little people in our house to eat vegetables.  Surprisingly one of the big hits is a beetroot smoothie.

Beetroot-berry-kale-and-banana-smoothieI’m not particular about the quantities so roughly to make two children’s portions of the Mamma Fairy beetroot smoothie I use:

  • 2 cooked beets
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 apple
  • 3 small celery stalk
  • cup of water to give it a lighter consistency
  • some ice

There are so many variants of this smoothie based around beetroots for example substitute the apple and carrot for banana and kale. For us that’s half the fun trying out what works.

 

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Features

Travel Upgrades That Make Family Vacations Easier

Traveling as a family is such an enjoyable experience, but it can be quite challenging as well. To make things easier for your family, take into consideration these travel upgrades that help lighten the load for your trip. 

All-Inclusive Deals

Planning a trip for your whole family can take a really long time. There are so many variables to consider, which is why opting for an all-inclusive deal can save you a ton of worries. These types of deals are made with families in mind, and have the top three necessities:

  1. Hotel or accommodations
  2. Food 
  3. Entertainment 
aircraft

Pic Credit: Pixabay

If you want to get away, don’t have time to plan, or just prefer to have someone else handle it, then go for all-inclusive packages. Remember to read reviews on deals and hotels before choosing; they are usually the best indication of whether the deal is good or not.

Private Transportation

Getting to and from places with a family can be a real hassle. You’ve got luggage, kids, strollers, and more to think about. What are some of the advantages you get with private transportation?

  • You can reserve the transport for yourself 
  • Get where you need to go in time
  • Make sure you have enough space for all your luggage 
  • Comfortable seating for the whole family
  • More safety 

Having a private transportation option like Premiermini Cabs is truly one of the best ways to start and end a trip. 

Fast Passes 

Having a PSA Precheck, Global entry, or other fast check-in options shaves of hours of waiting, a great bonus for families with little kids, since waiting can really take a toll on them and their parents. 

Fast Passes are also an excellent tool to have at theme parks or other vents, basically anywhere where you don’t get caught waiting for an extended period. It can be a significant investment, but it pays off in fewer tantrums and more fun!  

Upgrade Your Travel

Getting upgraded to the better class in your transport choice can change the whole trip. Just consider that having a little more can turn an experience from uncomfortable to enjoyable.

That’s not the only perk; you’ll also get better food, board before other passengers, and have preferential treatment. 

Get Ready for Flying 

aircraft interior

Pic Credit: Pixabay

One of the best things to do is to prepare kids for flying is to make sure that they have plenty to keep themselves occupied for the flight including entertainment, snacks, and a travel pillow for just in case they want to take a nap.

Bigger Rooms

One of the best upgrades you can splurge on to make your family vacation go smoothly is a bigger room or accommodations. This is one becomes more important as kids get older and need their own space; it also benefits parents that can take advantage of having their own space. 

Don’t forget, with both kids and grown-ups, one of the keys to a great vacation is being well-rested and comfortable. 

At the end of the day, these upgrades are an investment that you’re not likely going to regret. They enhance your holidays, so you can truly enjoy time with your family in the best way possible.

Note: This is a collaborative post
Features

Green Living Tips for Families

Creating a greener household can bring about countless rewards. In particular, adopting eco-friendly habits will reduce your carbon footprint and teach your family the importance of protecting the environment. Becoming more sustainable can also reduce your household expenses and boost your family’s savings. Luckily, there are countless simple ways for your family to become more eco-friendly. Here are some of the best green living tips for families:

Switch to renewable energy 

ipad

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Switching to renewable energy can have a significant impact on your carbon footprint and significantly lower carbon emissions. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, renewable energy is generated from natural sources and releases no harmful pollution into the atmosphere. Renewable energy can also save families money on their utility bills as it is typically much cheaper than electricity from the main grid. If you are considering switching to renewable energy, then one of the most popular options is to have solar panels installed on the roof of your home. Your solar system should provide you with a reliable source of electricity year-round and could result in annual savings of £160-£430, according to Green Match. You also have the option to switch to a green energy provider that generates electricity from renewable sources such as solar or wind. 

Reduce food waste 

The average family creates large volumes of household food waste each day. Much of this waste ends up in landfills, where it slowly decomposes and releases carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions. You can easily reduce your food waste by adopting sustainable habits in your household. Here are some of the best ways to cut your food waste: 

  • Plan meals in advance and only buy items that you need for the week. 
  • Check expiry dates and make sure that you eat food before it goes off. You should also store food correctly to extend its shelf life. 
  • Grow fruit and vegetables in your garden. 
  • Eat leftovers the next day rather than throwing them out. 
  • Choose food items and products with the least amount of packaging. 

Buy sustainable clothing

globe

Pic Credit: Pixabay

The clothing industry produces huge amounts of waste, and surveys show that the average person throws away 70 pounds of clothing each year. Fast fashion is contributing large volumes of pollution and having a detrimental impact on our environment. With that in mind, families should make an effort to become more sustainable when it comes to their clothing. One of the easiest ways to make your clothing greener is by purchasing quality items from ethical brands such as yuniont.com. Purchasing high-quality clothing items will reduce the need to buy new clothing as frequently, thus helping to minimize waste. Buying second-hand clothing from charity stores is another great way to recycle clothing and reduce the amount of waste associated with the clothing industry. 

Conclusion

There are endless ways to make your household greener. Teaching your family about the importance of sustainability is crucial, particularly when we are in an age of environmental decline. Try implementing the above tips to reduce carbon emissions, create a healthier living environment, and save money.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Mamma Musings

Four Tips for Selecting the Perfect Kitchen Splashback

The splashback in your kitchen might be there for functional reasons, but it also offers some unique design potentials. Your splashback takes a beating from oil, sauces, and various other foods and liquids daily, so it needs to be easy to clean. That said, your splashback is the perfect spot to add personality into a room in the house that is often forgotten when it comes to design. Updating your splashback is also a cost-effective way to change the look of your kitchen without needing to redo your cabinets or worktops.

Identify your budget

Before you start shopping for splashbacks, you need to decide on a budget. If you need anything custom, you can always expect to pay a premium. If you choose natural stone, glass, or stainless steel for your splashback, you will likely pay more as it the installers will need to cut it to fit your kitchen exactly. Opting for tiles is a more cost-effective option, with hundreds of different styles to choose from at TREND Transformations Bolton.

Compliment your worktop

kitchen

Pic Credit: Pixabay

You don’t want your splashback to clash with your worktop. Often most people will choose their worktop first since they are a more substantial cost, and the installation is more invasive. Worktops come in all different styles, textures, colours, and materials, including marble, laminate, granite, stainless steel, and even wood. Your splashback should pick up the colours in your worktop and accent them with complementary colours or textures. With so many different shades of tile to choose from, it won’t be hard to find an option that looks great.

Make it an art piece

When designing the interior of your house, you will typically factor in décor and artwork into the plans for your lounge, bedrooms, office, and bathroom. The kitchen is often seen as a functional space only, and not as an opportunity to be creative. While it may be full of appliances, cabinets, and food, there’s no reason you can’t bring some artistic flair into it. With minimal wall space available in kitchens, your splashback is the perfect spot for an art installation. Use funky and unique mosaic tiles to create a splashback that is a work of art and a focal point for your kitchen. You could use mirrors, cracked ceramic, glass tiles, or subway tiles to make something that is one of a kind.

Don’t forget the maintenance

One of the main deciding factors when choosing the perfect splashback is the maintenance that is involved. Many people are installing wooden splashbacks because they look rustic and exciting. That said, splashing oil, sauces, and water do not go well with wood and may cause it to rot or deteriorate because you can’t properly clean it. You want to choose a splashback that is super easy to clean with the wipe of a cloth. Traditional tide splashbacks have grout between tiles, which you need to clean often to prevent mould. That said, glass mosaic, without grout, is extremely easy to clean, as are stainless steel splashbacks.

 

Note: This is a collaborative post
Home & Interiors

4 Signs Your Roof Needs Attention

Many of us will only call in a roofing contractor after there has been a violent storm and we suspect that a loose tile that might come down and hit our vehicle parked below. Knowing the roofing companies near me are key contacts to have to hand not only in the event of an emergency.  We can also, however, call them out to do a roof inspection periodically. This will ensure that no damage is occurring that we cannot see.

Drones are now a useful aid to consider when it comes to checking your roof. They can at least alert us to trouble with our roof which a roofing contractor can then explore further and fix. One of the most important things to remember is to ensure the company you use is reputable, companies like Superior Gutter and Roofing have a wealth of knowledge and a host of reviews to give you peace of mind in this area. Looking for reviews and expertise cannot be underestimated. 

So, let us think about what we should be looking out for that might mean calling in a roofing firm such as K&D Roofing for an almost certain repair.

Age

The amount of time that has passed can simply be a clue that a roof requires attention. As a rule of thumb, slates, tile, and copper roofs will last for 50 years or more, wood shake roofs approximately 30 years, fibre cement shingles about 25 years, and asphalt shingles around 20 years. So, if your roof has not been looked at in all this time, then it is time to arrange a professional inspection. We should bear in mind that climate will also make a difference and that slate is the longest lasting of all roofing materials, so is likely to give you more time than the 50 years before it needs looking at.  Trends also can be influential here with people opting to change roof if it is nearing its lifespan to something popular. For example cedar shake roofs have really increased in popularity in recent years due to their stability and value.

It is important to have your roof checked regularly. It may have picked up some damage in a storm that had everyone, including the dog, making their way under the table. 

Darkened Areas

Darkened areas will appear on your roof when granules start to fall off your shingles. You will see these granules or sand start to appear from nowhere on your driveway. These affected shingles, when identified, should be replaced by a qualified roofer to ensure the best job possible.

Another reason for dark patches on your roof might be that there is moss or algae growth. This needs to be dealt with promptly too and removed. A roof repairer can also take care of this for you.

Missing Tiles or Shingles and Exposed Nail Heads

Where tiles are visibly missing, perhaps after a storm, they should be replaced to protect a roof from leaking. Exposed or raised nail heads should be dealt with because the spaces or holes around them are then susceptible to water penetrating and seeping in. To ignore these signs might mean that you end up replacing a roof sooner than you expected when there are plenty of other things to spend your household budget on.

Roof Sagging

It is fair to say that a sagging roof means that it requires urgent attention. A roof is then obviously weak and can deteriorate rapidly. Sometimes, this is because a roof has not been installed correctly in the first place, due to not having been fitted by a professional or qualified roofer. It will be in danger of collapse and must be attended to promptly before the inevitable happens. Snow or layers of ice on a roof can put it under strain, so this is why it is good to have a sloped roof to avoid this. Flat roofs will require additional attention and you should look out for the pooling of water that, if allowed to collect, will invariably cause lasting damage to roofs and properties.

So, there are many things about our roof that are possible to spot ourselves and we should always take prompt action when we see them, such as getting a roofing contractor involved, rather than wait until our roof shows signs of letting us down completely. Technology today has meant that we now have drones, as well as binoculars, to help us see what is going on with our roof, so there is no need to risk climbing onto our roof ourselves to see what might be wrong. Then once we have a clue that we have a roofing problem, we know to call out a roofing contractor without delay.

Note: This is a collaborative post.

Mamma Musings

Easy ways to keep your dog entertained (that don’t cost a fortune)

It’s widely known that busy dogs are happy dogs. 

Just like us humans, a bit of stimulation and exercise goes a long way, benefiting your dog both physically and mentally. A healthy balance of variety and routine will keep your dog entertained, warding off boredom and the dreaded naughtiness that comes with it.

Here are some simple and cost-effective ways to ensure that your dog stays in high yet well-behaved spirits.

Check out those beauty spots

dog

Pic Credit: Pixabay

If you have a car, becoming a member of the National Trust would be a great motivator for you to get out into the countryside with your dog, giving you free entry to more than 500 parks, woods, beaches, gardens and estates across the country – plus free parking at the vast majority.

Monthly membership costs £6 for individuals, £10 for couples, £10.50 for two-parent families and £10 for single-parent families. And you can pay that on a rolling basis if you want to, rather than paying for the full year in one go.

Different National Trust venues have different rules about short-lead, off-lead, etc., but all the information you need for any individual venue will be on the National Trust website.

Of course, there are plenty of non-N.T. beauty spots as well, and you’ll probably know some already. As long as it’s green and full of open space, your dog will love roaming around it.

Have a stash of dog toys – and keep it on rotation

Dog toys tend to be inexpensive but, as many owners know all too well, they can wear out quite quickly – especially the favourites!

As such, it pays to accumulate a variety of toys that your dog knows and loves, perhaps with a backup each. The key thing here is to keep these in regular rotation, storing away the ones not in use, so that your dog doesn’t just become bored by them all.

This will ensure the longevity of the toys and, more importantly, it will keep things lively – battling against monotony but also stimulating your dog mentally by reintroducing them to firm favourites that they haven’t seen in a while.

Other than toys, long-lasting chews also work to keep your canine friend busy and entertained. The best part is that they’re edible, so you don’t have to worry about them swallowing small pieces of chews. Just like when choosing the best dog food for your furry friend, you should also be as careful about picking the right chews and treats for them. Go for low-calorie, high-protein chews made from quality ingredients.

 

YouTube for dogs…

If your dog is the type who enjoys watching TV (not all are), there are entire YouTube channels dedicated to dog-friendly viewing, which are well worth exploring.

Let’s say you’re working from home, for example, and you need to keep your dog quietly entertained while you get on with your tasks for the day. Pop them in front of the telly or a tablet that’s playing a seven-hour wildlife video specifically for dog interaction, and you might just be on to a winner.

Hire a pro dog walker

dog walking

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Being a pooch parent can be exhausting, especially if you have a family and/or demanding job. There’s not always an hour or two to spare for taking your dog out, and even where there potentially is, it’s easy to forget.

That’s where professional dog walkers can help out massively: they take care of the outdoor exercise when you don’t have time. They’re well worth the fees, given how invigorated your dog will be as a result – not to mention better-behaved and more restful in the evenings.

Speaking to a reputable dog walking service provider like Rachel’s Dog Club will not,only put your mind at ease, but also ensure that your pooch is as happy and stimulated as possible in a welcoming environment.

Note: This is a collaborative post