What is PGL?

There are many PGL venues up and down the country (my daughters went to Liddington). They are outdoor adventure holiday centres where children take part in a great programme of fun, physical activities designed to challenge them. Whilst they are encouraged to push themselves and achieve as much as possible, it’s ‘challenge by choice’ and no child is ever forced to take part. There are also Family Adventures.

PGL takes its name from the initials of Peter Gordon Lawrence, the man who started the company 60 years ago. However, it’s more ‘affectionately’ known by children to stand for Parents Get Lost!

What PGL promotes

Like with any residential trip, PGL is all about fostering independence. This was my twins’ first time away from home on their own. Whilst we talked through some of the decisions they’d need to make when there and I’d guided, ultimately they would make the final call (and from a few of the photos I’ve seen, advice on suitable clothing for particular activities was ignored!). The whole ethos is about giving it a go, challenging yourself, working together, supporting and encouraging each other and of course having fun.

Whilst my two took a few favourite items of clothing for evenings, this was never going to be a fashion parade and their usual preoccupation about their wardrobe was left at the door. They actually ended up wearing older clothes in the evenings as they were still doing outdoor activities like sitting around the campfire.

Preparing for PGL

PGL is all about getting stuck in. It’s outdoors, it’s physical and children will get wet as there are water-based activities (and there’s always the strong possibility of wet weather). With this in mind they need plenty of clothes that are comfy, don’t restrict movement and dry easily. Our school recommended packing enough clothes for seven days despite them only being there for four nights. Crucially, whatever the weather they need long sleeves and long bottoms to protect them when doing certain activities.

They take their own pillows and sleeping bags. It’s the UK, so suncream, wet weather gear and warm clothes can be required across the seasons!

Refreshingly no phones or electronic devices are allowed. My two love their phones and would cheerfully spend as many hours on them as possible. However, amazingly, they didn’t bat an eyelid at the news that they couldn’t take them. The prospect of adventuring and having fun with their friends threw iPhones out the window.

The activities

Jacob’s Ladder

Teams of three work together to help each other climb to the top of a suspended ladder of logs, which get progressively trickier to tackle as the rungs get further apart.

Raft-building

A problem-solving activity where teams work together to design and construct the most ‘seaworthy’ vessel. They then test them out in the water and that’s where the real fun begins!

The trapeze

Children climb high up and then manoeuvre onto a small platform from which they jump to catch the trapeze – this is a real leap of faith and requires a lot of courage.

Canoeing

The children learn how to paddle, steer and control their canoes and then in pairs take part in a number of games and challenges.

Zip wire

The children go on an exciting flight. It’s very high and takes many of the children out of their comfort zone. The anticipation is scarier than actually doing it I’m told.

The giant swing (or the death swing as the children call it)

I’ve seen the videos, this is like a theme park pirate ship ride (minus the ship). Two/three children sit in the swing whilst the others haul them up. They decide how high they want to go (up to a max of 10 metres). Then the team pulls their own ripcord and it’s chocks away. Very scary!

Vertical challenge

This is a vertical obstacle course including tyres, ropes, cargo nets and more. It teaches the children climbing and belaying skills. Co-operation and communication with teammates is vital.

Climbing wall

Children are taught climbing skills and gain knowledge of equipment. Perseverance is a must as they learn to tolerate heights.

Survivor

Teamwork and navigational skills are required as is an understanding of environmental factors in order to build the best shelter suited to their surroundings.

Archery and archery tag

Children gain an understanding of the hazards as well as the techniques required for archery. Archery tag was ‘amazing’ and saw them split into two teams to battle it out, taking aim at their opponents with foam-tipped bows. Several war stories have been recounted.

Sensory trail

With eye goggles on, children navigate a series of obstacles relying on their teammates for help and guidance.

It was great to hear that all the children took part in all the activities even those that had initially been very nervous.

How I felt

I knew neither would be homesick so I didn’t have any concerns on that front. Obviously no phones meant no communication (they don’t have access to phones on site either). This initially seems very daunting as a parent, especially for one that has high daily levels of communication. The school posted lots of pictures on their Twitter account of the children taking part in activities, sitting down for meals and having fun with their friends. I quickly adjusted to the reduction in communication. Although this would have been very hard without any pics, if I’m honest, it was actually quite nice to get respite from Snaps and shared TikTok videos!

It was very strange cooking dinner for three instead of five and saying goodnight to just one child each evening. It was weirdly quiet in the house. I think if I hadn’t got work to occupy me it would have been extremely difficult.

In their absence there was a lot less running around as there wasn’t the usual roster of clubs. There was no rushing in the morning as there was no school run to do. It did also mean I spent more time with my eldest. We played cards, chatted more and watched scary films that we couldn’t have watched with the twins.

What they thought of PGL

They had an amazing time and raved about all of the activities, and loved the camaraderie and independence. They were absolutely shattered on their return, but so happy. Like their big sister, they will be talking about this experience for many years to come.

We would thoroughly recommend it!

The post PGL – The first school residential appeared first on The Parent Social.

Here Simply Glass Wipe Boards discusses five key benefits for families who read.

Reading helps children to expand their vocabulary

Exposing children to more words will help them to expand their vocabulary and their understanding of the world. That’s why it’s important to establish a regular reading routine with your children, no matter how young or old they are.

If your child is struggling, it’s crucial to read at a pace that suits them and pick a book that they’re comfortable with. Once they’re more confident with the basics, it’s likely that they’ll naturally transition to more complicated texts.

If you’re looking for inspiration on books to read with your family, here’s what other kids all over the country are currently reading:

Reading helps to reduce symptoms of depression

During those dark days, it can be difficult to think of a way out. However, research has shown that reading can help with these low feelings.

Picking up a book can help you to escape the harsh realities of life and help you to see the world from a different perspective. No matter whether you prefer a real-life hero story or a fictional sci-fi tale, those little breaks from reality can help you to manage your depression in a healthy way.

Some feel-good books you can enjoy with your kids include:

• Wonder – R.J Palacio
• Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life – James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts
• Rules – Cynthia Lord

Reading can help you to bond as a family

Between the morning school run and after-school rush, it can be difficult to find a quiet moment to spend with your children. However, if you introduce a reading routine into your day it can help you to spend a little bit more time with your children and form a closer bond.

A popular time to get into a book is right before bedtime. Not only can this help you to get closer to your child, but it can also help you to wind down and switch off before it’s time to sleep.

Reading can help you to get a better nights’ sleep

Research shows that using electronic devices before bed can keep your brain awake and prevent you from getting a good nights’ sleep. To avoid this, you and your family can use your bedtime story to prepare yourself for the night ahead.

To make the most of this time, make sure there are no distractions around before you start your book. Switch off phones, tablets and TVs and make sure there is minimal background noise so that you can get stuck into your book with ease.

Reading increases health and wellbeing on the whole

On the whole, reading can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing in kids and adults. Although it might be difficult to kickstart these habits as adults, you only need to read for 30 minutes a week or more to experience these benefits.

To help you and your family get started, here are a few easy reading tasks you and your kids can work through over the coming months:

Image sources: Simply Glass Wipe Boards

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Ear piercing

Ear piercing is very subjective. I’m not a fan of young girls having it done. Do I think it’s wrong? No. It’s simply my personal preference and one that’s perhaps influenced by the fact that I wasn’t allowed to have my ears pierced until I was 12 – despite begging and begging my mum. I’m obviously still bitter.

I’ve said she can get it done in the summer holidays before she goes to secondary school. This will make her 11 going on 12. I’ve also been quick to point out that her only female cousin (who she looks up to) was 13 when she got hers done. This seems to have done the trick – for now.

Bras

The bra thing might not be so easy to navigate. So far it’s just been talk of x having a ‘bra top’ at school. However, I know thoughts are ticking away in my daughter’s head… it will be mentioned many times to come. I know this because I know her. It was a big, big event when the first girl in my class got changed for PE and had one on. I distinctly remember my flat-chested best friend at the time going shopping with her mum and getting an actual proper bra. It was an AA bra. I was absolutely seething with jealously despite the fact that I certainly didn’t need one (I was in the late developer camp).

I’m not trying to keep her a baby as long as possible. However, she definitely doesn’t need one so it’d be a bit daft. I also think it’s something of a rite of passage, going to get one when you actually do need it.

Obviously some girls do develop a lot faster than others. It actually makes me feel uneasy as I really remember what a peer pressure thing it was and the subtle (and not so subtle) teasing of those that didn’t require anything up top. There was definitely a competitive element with the girls. It’s not so much me worried about her wanting a bra top/bra in the near future. It’s more that it signals the time when girls start to get rather too pre-occupied about their bodies and often make uncomplimentary comparisons.

I’m saying all this based on my school experiences. Hopefully it’s all changed a generation later but I have a sneaky feeling it hasn’t…

The post Bras and ear piercing appeared first on The Parent Social.

Potty training two

That was with one child. Now I have to potty train twins; twins that have an older sibling.

The twins turned two-and-a-half last week. I thought we’d give it a whirl last weekend as it was the first weekend in as long as I can remember that we didn’t have plans as a family.

My excuse for not doing it other weekends was:

1. We already had plans. I didn’t want to ruin my eldest’s weekend and make her miss out on activities so that we could stay in and do potty training bootcamp

My excuses for not doing it during the week are:

2. They are in childcare for three hours, twice a week so that I’m able to work, and I don’t want accidents on the journey there eating into my work time

3. I have the school run during the week and I don’t want to add to the stress of that

I bought cheap Boots.com potties over six months ago. They are fully aware of what they are and what they are supposed to be used for and have indeed both used them (correctly) before. They have plenty of ‘big girl’ knickers. I also have my Sticky Hand Sanitiser from Green People at the ready – a potty training essential – and have made the all-important sticker charts to reward success.

Last weekend, my husband Matt was busy jet-washing the patio (!) so essentially I was on my own and outnumbered. We had six accidents within 20 minutes. I had no idea they peed that much! I carried on and we had two successes each (luck more than skill I think) and another 10 accidents. My hands were red raw from cleaning up all the mess and we’d only been at it a couple of hours. M&G went up for their post-lunch nap so I put a Pull up on them, Sofia had a party to go to in the afternoon and I had a week’s laundry to iron. I concluded the potty training for that weekend.

So, excuses not to try again this weekend:

4. They both have colds and are not receptive to anything

5. Saturday morning we are going to Clarks to take advantage of the 20% off special (details here). I don’t want toilet accidents getting in the way of discounted shoes

6. Saturday afternoon we are going over to visit friends we haven’t seen in ages. I don’t want toilet accidents getting in the way of a long overdue catchup

7. Sunday is Mother’s day. It would be nice to have one stress-free day. Potty training does not constitute stress free

Excuses not to try after this weekend:

8. It’s cold still, perhaps we’ll wait until they won’t freeze when wandering around the house in just vest and pants

9. Wait until it’s warmer and they can go nappy-less in the garden

10 . The following weekend my husband Matt is working and I’m driving a three/four hour round trip to my friend’s birthday/reveal party

11. Sofia starts her Easter break from school in a week’s time. She will expect a full itinerary of fun and that doesn’t include hovering around potties and wiping up spillages

12. It’s then Easter. It would be nice to have a stress-free long weekend. Potty training does not constitute stress free

13. They have their Christening at the end of April. I don’t want toilet accidents ruining their beautiful silk dresses

14. They have their Christening at the end of April. I don’t want toilet accidents ruining our enjoyment of the day

15. We’re going on holiday. I don’t want to risk accidents on the plane

16. We’re going on holiday. I don’t want toilet accidents getting in the way of a relaxing holiday

17. They still don’t seem ‘ready’

18. I still don’t seem ‘ready’ to potty train twins

The post Potty Training Twins: Excuse #18 for Delaying appeared first on The Parent Social.

Sand play is fantastic in aiding a toddler’s development and it’s such a fun activity to boot.

Outdoor play is a natural and fun way to keep busy and it helps in all aspects of a child’s growth and education. It is something that comes naturally to all children and they love it, so we need to keep encouraging it in as many ways as possible. A great way to do this is through sand play. It is a fun and unique activity that can be enjoyed by everyone… parents included! Amongst its many therapeutic benefits, sand play has a very beneficial influence on the coordinative, interactional and creative aspects of your child’s brain.

Sand play benefits coordination

Playing with sand develops and teaches bilateral and hand-eye coordination. These are the two critical coordination skills that you use every day; it’s something we learn in the first few years of our life. When your little one is first learning the ropes you will notice how clumsy they can be and how over time they learn, improving with every step.

So how can sand play help? When playing with sand, the basic activities usually revolve around creating. This can either be filling buckets and making castles or drawing and writing in the sand with sticks. Doing these activities will train and encourage the use of hand-eye coordination otherwise known as visual-motor integration. In the long run this helps your child to read and write, play sport and even tie their shoelaces.

Through grasping, moving, holding and lifting, and many other movements developed through sand play, you will begin to introduce hand-eye coordination at an early and vital age. But it doesn’t stop there! These activities also teach bilateral coordination. This is the ability to use both sides of your body symmetrically. When your child rolls a rolling pin over dough or lifts themselves up with both hands, they are using bilateral coordination; it is the skill of applying equal pressure and moving both arms and legs together. It is something that we take for granted but without it we would all be incredibly clumsy.

Why not introduce tools to your sand play sessions to help the development of these areas? By digging and lifting you will not only help aid coordination but help muscle growth and motor skills…and it’s also a lot of fun!

Encourage interaction through sand play

Interaction is another important aspect of our life. It not only helps us to communicate but also changes how we look at the world. For a child interaction is completely new, and as soon as they start to talk they start to learn rapidly.

There are different stages to a child’s interactional development: seeing, questioning, reflecting, doing and learning. It’s actually a process that we use in all areas of learning. I am sure you have all been bombarded with questions as your children start to look at the world around them, and it is because they are so analytical. They use this same process when learning to communicate and make judgements with and towards others.

Sand play is often not a solo activity. It can be enjoyed with parents, siblings and friends. Whether at the local playground or a play date at the beach, it is a great way to socialise and it teaches more than just interaction.

Sand play with other children teaches both cooperation and teamwork, usually when children play it is imaginative and based around role-playing. Sand offers a world of imagination for a child and through the use of jobs and goals they will learn basic skills that will prepare them for the future.

Artistic creation is everywhere!

Art is all around us, and children can see it. From the trees to the plants, there is a never-ending supply of artistic influence and opportunity for creation. It’s vital to encourage your child’s artistic skills and allow them to express themselves as much as possible.

There are many ways to do this, not just through play but in everything you do with your little ones. Sand is a great material to use with your art projects, you can add glue, food colouring or water and make structures and portraits. Why not add shells and other materials found at the beach to liven up your creations?

So is play important?

I would like to stress the importance of play in a child’s routine. Not sitting in front of the TV or playing games on a console but getting outside and being active. It means fresh air, nature and fun! There are many ways to do this and sand play is just one of the possibilities. If you would like more tips and ideas or have any questions about the benefits of sand play then feel free to leave a comment or email me on simon@gardengames.co.uk

Visit my sandpit website for more advice relating to sandpit safety and for help buying a sandpit for your garden.

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