“It’s going to be a challenge, both physically and mentally, especially my stints at 1am and 4am!  The team will be there for the full 24 hours to support each other, and provide the motivation to keep going.  The Starfish Greathearts Foundation is a fantastic charity and we’re determined to raise as much as we can for them.”

If you would like to sponsor Karolina’s team, you can donate at http://www.justgiving.com/teamspin247

• signs to look out for, especially for children who are ‘hiding’ a stammer
• what you can expect from the child
• practical tips for encouraging participation in class
• managing bullying and teasing
• building confidence
• what to avoid

Although aimed at teachers, the factsheet will be useful to parents too.

Remember that some anxiety at times of separation is normal in very young children. It might be helpful for you to leave an item of your clothing with your child when you leave the house, for example a scarf or something that your child identifies with. This can provide a symbolic reminder for children and can help to reassure them in their parent’s absence. It can also be useful to create a familiar routine so that your child will know what to expect; this can help to strengthen internal feelings of security. Your partner or your nanny or whoever is staying with the child could play a CD or song that they enjoy as you leave the house, or use a well-loved teddy or object to interact with in order to explain what they are going to do during the day.

If you’re leaving your child with a nanny, I would recommend that you have everything ready for when the nanny arrives. You can then sit down together to talk about the day with your child present; it is important to maintain a calm and positive atmosphere during this time if you can. When it is time for you to leave, I would recommend saying goodbye in a similar way. This might involve a kiss / cuddle and giving your child the familiar item that belongs to you (e.g. scarf).  You can also let him/ her know when you will be home. It might be useful for you and your nanny to plan some separate time together in which you can agree on how you will prepare a familiar and supportive transition. It is important that your child feels that you are working together in a positive way to take care of his or her needs; this will help them to manage the separation more easily.

We’ve also improved the navigation, added our Twitter feed so that you can see what we’re tweeting about, and given the site a fresher look.  Check out the new video resources section too, where we’ll be adding more useful video clips for parents.  We hope you enjoy using the new site, and don’t forget you can sign up for our email newsletter on the home page for the latest news and advice from the CT team.

New research is always being carried out into nutrition for babies, and Lakhvinder’s advice is based on the most recent findings, along with her own experience working in paediatric nutrition clinics.  You can ask questions, discuss your experiences and share ideas in a relaxed informal group.  You will leave equipped with the knowledge and skills to start weaning with confidence, and plenty of advice for when things don’t quite go to plan!

All attendees receive a free 15-minute telephone consultation with Lakhvinder within two months to discuss progress. The workshop runs from 10.30 to 11.50am at Children’s Therapies, Room 6, 9 Disraeli Road, Putney SW152DR, and is suitable for parents and carers of babies aged 4 to 6 months.  Babies welcome.  For full details, visit www.childrenstherapies.co.uk.  Places cost £35, or £30 if you bring a friend, and include handouts to take home. Call 07590 927705 to book your place.

1. When talking about a child who stutters, use the term “person who stutters” rather than “stutterer.”  Stuttering is something the child does, it is not who they are.
2. Resist the temptation to finish sentences or provide missing words.
3. Try not to look embarrassed when a child stutters on a word, keep your body language relaxed and keep eye contact with the child.
4. Be patient and allow the child to finish speaking.
5. Avoid asking the child to relax, slow down or take a breath as this doesn’t really help.
6. Use a slightly slower pace when you are speaking, and allow the conversation to flow in a relaxed way.
7. Ask fewer questions, and instead try to acknowledge that you are listening by making comments throughout the conversation.  Fluency often improves when the child can express his or her thoughts uninterrupted.
8. Realise that people who stutter often have difficulty in speaking on the telephone. Saying hello might take them a while.  Be patient when answering the phone.
9. In family or group situations, try to ensure that everyone takes turns listening and speaking.  Children who stutter find it easier to communicate without the distraction of others talking.
10.  Don’t be afraid to say if you haven’t understood something the child says.  This shows them that you are interested in knowing what they said, instead of pretending or guessing.

For advice and support please visit the British Stammering Association website.

Here are some of the benefits family yoga can bring:

Visit the Yoga page to find out more about family yoga, and contact us if you would like to arrange a session for your family.

Play also provides a vital opportunity for children to process past events and to cope with current concerns. A child who is nervous about a visit to the hospital, for example, might use dolls or toys to act out this scenario.

Using play to prepare for difficult situations…

In pretend or role play, follow your child’s lead. Let them develop the narrative and play along. After the play has finished, you can ask questions about the characters and the events that took place.

Puppets or play objects can be used to help a child to prepare for a real life event or to manage a difficult situation. The child can use the puppets or objects to relate their concerns. You can then use the same puppets/objects to empathise with their worries and where appropriate, you can work together to rehearse ways of coping with the situation.

Does your child:

• Have low self-esteem?
• Find it difficult to make new friendships?
• Struggle with going to bed?
• Get upset at times of separation?
• Lack confidence in social situations?

Join our friendly and informal workshop run by arts psychotherapist Katie Trusty. Katie will:

• Explain the principles of a secure parent/child relationship
• Demonstrate practical activities which can be used to develop communication and confidence
• Explain how the creative arts and play can be used to encourage your child to express and manage their feelings
• Explore how familiar rituals can be used to build a stronger sense of security and independence for your child

There will also be time for parents to discuss their experiences and to ask questions