News

New research published today by the National Literacy Trust reveals that three-quarters of primary school children enjoy reading – the highest levels ever recorded by the charity. The research also highlights the link between enjoyment of reading and attainment, showing that the longer children keep an enjoyment of reading going, the greater the benefits are in the classroom: ten-year-olds who enjoy reading have a reading age 1.3 years higher than their peers who don’t enjoy reading, rising to 2.1 years for 12-year-olds and 3.3 years for 14-year-olds.

The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright and Jim Field has been announced as the winner of Oscar’s Book Prize 2017. Chosen from a shortlist of five titles in a search for the best book for under-fives that have been published in the past year, Oscar’s Book Prize is a celebration of children’s literature supported by Amazon and the National Literacy Trust.   

Research conducted by the NSPCC reveals that less than a fifth of parents are having frequent chats with their children about online safety. The figures are being released to coincide with the launch of the NSPCC’s Share Aware campaign.

To highlight Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week, Susannah Schaefer, CEO of international children’s cleft charity, Smile Train, tells Parenting Without Tears about the condition and treatment.

The Football Association and SSE have teamed up to launch a new initiative, SSE Wildcats, designed to inspire girls aged between five and 11 to get involved in football at over 200 clubs.

Internet Matters joins forces with Dixons Carphone to launch "Digital Drop-ins" for parents at Currys PC World and Carphone Warehouse stores across the country. Stores are giving practical advice to parents and guardians on child internet safety ?and help them set up devices safely until 28 April. 

Introducing Discussion Cards and Parent Dashboard—New Ways for Families to Discover, Share, and Connect Through Amazon Fire for Kids.

Sadler’s Wells’ annual two-day festival of family-friendly events, returns on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 April 2017. Family Weekend takes over the building, offering something for all ages with fun activities, arts & crafts and workshops complementing the show on the Sadler’s Wells stage: Aracaladanza’s Vuelos.

Last chance to save up to 20 per cent on Alton Towers Resort Short Breaks – even during the school holidays!

International anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label is launching a new campaign called #TalkToYourBoys. The campaign aims to encourage young males to discuss their feelings or issues they are experiencing with parents or peers and will highlight how effective communication can be in helping boys navigate issues of bullying, poor self-esteem and mental health issues.

Aquafresh toothpaste is teaming up with Comic Relief to help make brush time more bonkers and improve children's dental health for Red Nose Day on 24 March, 2017

In a bid to champion kids self-expression and creativity, Fruit Shoot has just launched its new campaign It’s My Thing. The campaign aims to encourage children to have a passion point and relish in their ‘Thing’ which could be anything from skateboarding, to trains to doing gymnastics on a horse. To launch this campaign they have worked with NHS doctor and CBeebies star Dr Ranj to create top tips on how to help your child find their thing, and then how to nurture it once you have found it. 

According to a new survey of parents carried out for the NSPCC, 53 per cent of parents were unaware that social media sites like Facebook require users to be over the age of 13. And shockingly one in five parents thought there were no age requirements at all. The NSPCC and O2’s Net Aware guide offers advice to parents about social media.

Samantha Womack, Les Dennis and Carrie Hope Fletcher will star as Morticia, Fester and Wednesday Addams in the UK and Irish premiere of The Addams Family, a musical comedy, with book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, based on the characters created by Charles Addams. UK and Ireland tour dates.

There are ten books that you can choose to buy with you £1 World Book Day voucher. Alternatively you can put the voucher towards a book that costs more than £2.99. See the ten books which range from those for preschool children to teens in KS3.

Three Half Pints – CBeebies newest stars and Comedy Club 4 Kids veterans – in association with Andrew Roach Talent present Bad Guys UK spring tour 2017.

English National Ballet and English National Ballet School present My First Ballet: Cinderella, a reimagined version of the classic fairy-tale created especially for children as young as three. Adapted to an hour in length and with a narrator to help young audiences follow the story, My First Ballet: Cinderella is the perfect introduction to the magic of ballet.

Registration is now open to apply for free tickets to a host of attractions  across the county in the Kent Big Weekend ballot.