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Advertising Sales Space Marketing Emma Moss, Emma Parfitt, Brian Shilling Tel 01892 677740 e-mail thegreenparent@spacemarketing.co.uk

With many thanks to our inspirational contributors: Emily Carlisle, Awen Clement, Lulah Ellender, Mary English, Natalie Fee, Adharanand Finn, John Paul Flintoff, Zoe Foster, Catherine Glazebrook, Rose Glendinning, Joan

Gorman, Janey Lee Grace, Catherine Harbottle, Natalie Holwill, Sarah Howcroft,

Sandra Howgate, Gill Kilner, Fiona Longsdon, Catherine Mack, Jo Megilley, Jo Middleton, Andrea Mynard, Louise Revie, Naomi Ridley, Natalie Roberts, Tracey

Smith, Claudia Spahr, Brigit Strawbridge, Emma Tyer, Gemma Whiting

The Green Parent magazine PO Box 104, East Hoathly, Lewes, BN7 9AX www.thegreenparent.co.uk • info@thegreenparent.co.uk

Tel 01825 872858

We are an editorially led magazine, which means intelligent, non-biased journalism. A limited amount of advertising space is available to those companies with a strong ethical, environmental ethos; we have a self-imposed ceiling of 25%. And The Green Parent really works for those businesses keen to promote their products to a conscious audience:

“The Green Parent is at the heart of our advertising” Simon Ranger, Seagreens

“We have advertised with The Green Parent since it first launched and have always had a positive response to our adverts” Philippa de la Haye, Little Possums

“The Green Parent magazine is ideal – it generates many positive responses”

Rosie Georgeson, Lavera

“We love advertising in The Green Parent – it attracts the eco conscious customer.”

Miranda Stamp, Twinkle Twinkle

The Green Parent is printed by Warners Midlands PLC on FSC paper. Distributed by Diamond Magazine Distribution Ltd throughout the UK, USA, Canada, India, Pakistan and Egypt. The Green Parent is a member of INK (independent news collective), an association of radical and alternative publishers. The Green Parent is published by Green Parent Publications © 2011. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole without permission is strictly prohibited. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy we cannot take responsibility for losses resulting from publishing errors, however caused. The opinions expressed in this publication are not to be considered those of the publisher, who accepts no liability of any nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of this magazine. Competition guidelines Entering a competition will be seen as acceptance of these rules • The closing date for competitions is 30th November 2011 unless otherwise stated • Only one entry per person per competition is permitted • No responsibility is accepted for entries that are lost, delayed or damaged in the post • Entries can be sent by postcard to the address above or emailed to competitions@thegreenparent.co.uk. Please supply name, address, telephone number and email and mark clearly which competition you are entering • Illegible or incomplete entries will not be accepted • No cash alternative to any prize is offered • The editor’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into • Your details will not be passed onto any third parties except where you have requested promotional literature. The winner’s details may be passed to the company in question so that they can send the prize.

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contentsOCTOBER/NOVEMBER2011

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EDUCATION SPECIAL 22 WHAT IS AN ECO SCHOOL A green roof, veggie gardens and a community orchard can be found at this pioneering school in Herefordshire 26 SPIRITUAL SCHOOLING Curious about an alternative approach? Find out what to expect from Steiner education 30 PLAYING OUT How one community turned the streets into a neighbourhood playground 33 GOING GREEN Ways in which alternative schools have embraced the environmental message and made it part of the curriculum 34 SHAMANIC EDUCATION How to use the

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natural world to bring children back into rhythm with themselves and the earth IN DEPTH: GREEN BABIES 62 A SUPPORTIVE ROLE Is it possible

THE NATURAL PARENTING MAGAZINE MAIN FEATURES 8 CULTURAL CHILDREARING Natural parenting rites and passages around the world and how these approaches differ from our parenting in the West 12 SURF CHILD A biography of radical unschooling parent Doc Paskowitz 16 OFF THE GRID How one family went back to basics on Sundays and switched off their consumer lifestyle FAMILY LIFE 15 SUNDAY SELECTION Great family adventures for our favourite day of the week 19 SPIRITUAL PARENTING Discovering the freeconomy movement and eschewing consumerism 20 MODERN DAD Encouraging children’s imaginations 98 CYCLE OF THE YEAR Celebrate Samhain in style with games and activities LEARNING 38 EDUCATION NEWS One mother sets up her own school 39 NATURE CRAFTS Make a tree journal 41 ON THE BOOKSHELF Great reads for the whole family SEASONAL FOOD 43 ON YOUR PLATE Celebrate Chocolate Week 45 COOKING FOR CHILDREN Seasonal delights to grace your family table this autumn to achieve a “normal” birth within a medicalised system? 67 SIGNING UP Our baby doesn’t actually need to be able to talk to tell us what they need. Baby signing is a growing phenomenon. 71 BABYWEARING TWINS What’s the most

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CultureTRIBAL

Natural parenting around the world

OFF THE GRID

Education SPECIALSteinerschooling

What is an eco school?

One family’s experiment Green Babies

Baby signing The role of midwife

HOW TO

Make your own tree journal

Celebrate Samhain

ECO KITCHEN 9ways to a cleaner greener space

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