contentsLEARNINGSPECIAL•OCT/NOV2010ISSUE37

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IN DEPTH 8 STRESS-FREE

PARENTING Christiane Kutik invites us to create an easier, more enjoyable family life

12 POVERTY AWARENESS

One family’s experiences of a week on the breadline

16 THE RED TENT Finding pleasure instead of pain and changing the perception of our female cycle FAMILY LIFE 15 SUNDAY SELECTION Reclaim family Sundays

19 SPIRITUAL PARENTING Natalie Fee addresses her relationship with her parents

20 MODERN DAD Adharanand Finn creates childhood memories on the riverbank

43 THE FAB FIVE Our new columnist invites us into her home full of kids

59 READER’S STORY How to turn a suburban yard into a productive plot

98 THE GOOD LIFE

Janet Ross discovers an alien in her backyard LEARNING 38 EDUCATION NEWS How to train as a teacher

39 CRAFTS

Help children to make their own kinetic art

41 ON THE BOOKSHELF

Great green reads for the whole family SEASONAL FOOD 44 ON YOUR PLATE Make rosehip syrup

45 RIPE, LOCAL AND

VEGAN Jae Steele shares some of her favourite vegan locavore recipes

48 RAISING VEGANS Three families who have chosen an animal-free diet HOUSE & GARDEN 51 AT HOME A handmade classroom

52 ON THE PLOT Susie Green shares her plot at the peak of its bounty

21 LEARNING SPECIAL 22 GROWING GREEN How schools are greening up their act and swapping asphalt for chicken sheds, veggie beds and thriving fruit orchards. 27 ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS We take a look at some alternatives to the mainstream and discover schools with bushcraft and yoga on the curriculum. 30 HOME SWEET HOME A chance to peek inside the homes of five families and find out why and how they have chosen to home educate. 33 START UP YOUR OWN GROUP Advice and ideas on how to get a group for fellow home educators started up in your local area. 34 REGGIO EMILIA How this Italian child-centred approach has grown in popularity since it was started seventy years ago.

GreenParentThe

LearningSpecial

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In this special section we look at education from several different perspectives. Weexplore ways in which schools are greening their grounds, take a look at alternative schools that are offering bushcraft,

yoga and quiet periods for reflection and speak to five families who learn at home. You'll also find ideas for starting up a home education group. 22GrowingGreenHow schools are greening up and swapping asphalt for chicken sheds, veggie beds and orchards.

27Alternative Schools Somealternatives to the mainstream with bushcraft, yoga andgardening on the curriculum.

CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE SUBSCRIBER GIFT: 01825 872858 OR GO TO: THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

4 The Green Parent

30HomeSweetHomeA chance to peek inside the homesof five families and find out whyandhowtheyhomeeducate.

33StartUpYourOwnGroup

Advice and ideas ongetting agroup for fellow homeeducators started up in your local area.

34ReggioEmiliaHow this Italian child-centred approach has grown in popularity over the last seventy years.

LearningSpecial |TheGreenParent 21 MEET OUR READERS This issue we have five wonderful readers to try out natural bath products and munch their way through a selection of raw chocolate!

DEBORAH CHALK, 37 lives with her husband Jason and their eleven month old daughter Emilia in Herts. Describe yourself: Optimistic, busy bee Favourite read/film: The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje/1930's version of The Thirty Nine Steps Best place in the world:

Libraries and museums Most memorable experience: Meeting my husband Hobbies: Keeping fit, craft, piano Pets: Flat-coated retriever, Bertie Favourite edible treat: Homemade cake

REBECCA WALLMAN, 34 lives with husband Rich and their children, Alfie, four and Holly, two in the West Midlands. She is 26 weeks pregnant. Describe yourself: Happy, busy, loyal Favourite read: Green Parent of course! Best place in the world: The seaside Most memorable experience: Giving birth to my children Hobbies: Reading, cooking, home educating my children Pets: Jasmine, a tabby cat Favourite edible treat: Carrot cake

LAYLA RODHAM, 26 lives in Warwickshire with husband Steve and 11 month old daughter, Alice. She’s learning how to live a more sustainable life. Describe yourself: Caring, disorganised and happy Favourite read: The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch Best place in the world:

Cornwall Most memorable experience: The moment I held my daughter for the first time Hobbies: I'm learning to sew and grow vegetables Favourite edible treat: Chocolate!

LISA PHILLIPS, 37 lives with her partner and two children, Esme, nearly three and Zeph, one in Wales. Describe yourself: Happy, optimistic, determined Favourite read: The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells Best place: My home surrounded by my family Most memorable experience: My amazing daughter surviving the pregnancy after we lost her twin. Her safe arrival into this world was a moment I'll never forget. Hobbies: Reading, walking.

CAROLINE KING, 30 is engaged to Ian and mummy to Emily, three, and Lucy, one. She lives in Kent. Describe yourself: Creative, strong minded, genuine. Best place in the world: At a local childhood beach, listening to the sound of the waves on the shore and watching my girls paddling and throwing stones! Most memorable experience: The birth days of both my beautiful baby girls Hobbies: Sewing and making things Favourite edible treat: Anything chocolate!

83 GREEN LIVING PAGES We celebrate all things woollen in our green living pages this issue so check out everything from children’s clothing to homewares all made from this amazing sustainable material. Also inside, there are competitions to win organic pyjamas and a children’s duvet.

GREENLIVINGPAGES

EVERYTHINGYOUNEEDFORGREENANDETHICALLIVING

CARRYING

BABY Gorgeous newdesigns FREE children's carrier

PLUS:

Get knitting Woollen nappies Armchair volunteering

L E A R NI

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G R E E N GI F T S

H E A L T H & B E A U T Y

E C OLIVI

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B U M P S & BI R T H

WIN anorganic

R E A L N A P PI E S

duvetpage90

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE ON OUR READER PANEL? EMAIL DETAILS TO INFO@THEGREENPARENT.CO.UK

What’s inside? 84 learning win a pirate ship and woollen unicorns 86 green gifts give a gift

E T HI C A L F A S HI

54 TRANSITION TOWNS Henni Tremlett discovers what’s going on in a town near you

58 SECRET LIFE OF

of your time 88 health and beauty cleanse the liver and win organic oils 90 eco living how to create a green office 84 bumps and birth natural nursing and two baby carriers to give away

88 real nappiessecondhandnappiesandwoollywraps84 fashion children's slippers andpyjamas

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ETHICAL FASHION 75 WHAT’S NEW? Veggie shoes and nostalgia GREEN TRAVEL 77 WHERE TO GO Children’s yurts and the best

PLANTS Susun Weed explains the benefits of lamb’s quarters WELLBEING 60 BACKYARD BALM How to make medicine in your garden

65 TRIED AND TESTED

Baby bubbles put to the test BUMPS & BIRTH 67 NEWS AND VIEWS Doulas and pregnancy art

69 BREASTFEEDING

Jo Middleton explores feeding against the odds

72 BOOKS FOR

BABYWEARING A selection of picture books for carried children nature holidays

78 BEST OF BRITISH Our favourite places to go in

Wales from campsites to self catering cottages REGULARS 7 EARTH NEWS 36 HOW TO SUBSCRIBE 80 NEXT ISSUE 81 ASTROLOGY

COMPETITIONS Email or send details on a postcard to address on page 6 36 FREE BEAUTY GOODIES 84 WIN A PIRATE SHIP 86 WIN ORGANIC OIL SET 90 WIN KIDS DUVET 92 WIN NEW CARRIERS 96 WIN PYJAMAS

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