Archive for September, 2016

Celebrate Roald Dahl Day

Tuesday, September 13th, 2016

Today is Roald Dahl Day, 100 years since his birth.

 

We are especially excited as all our Little Stars classes for 4-6 year olds are creating a mini musical version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this term.

Each week we will introduce the characters from this classic tale.  Through improvisation, role-play and storytelling we will explore what each character is like and teach drama techniques to help each child in the group take on a role.

We will also teach some songs from the story.  We teach singing as a group but there are always opportunities for more confident singers to take on some solo singing.

Our mini musical will also have some funky dance moves devised by our professional choreographers.

We teach a core technique so that your child will improve in drama, dance and singing over the term but the focus of each lesson is on having fun!

At the end of the term each group will present a delicious show to family and friends.

If your little one has not been to one of classes before why not sign them up for a FREE Trial?

We currently offer classes in Beckenham, Bromley, Croydon, Orpington and West Wickham.

Get in touch or call 020 8460 5711 for further details.

If you fancy celebrating Roald Dahl Day at home today there are some great ideas via www.roalddahl.com

These are some of our favourites:

Make a Revolting Recipe

Craft  your own Mr Twit beard or invent your own Wonka creation

Write your own Roald Dahl inspired stories – here are some tips on writing from the man himself

Have a Roald Dahl Quiz – there is a super easy, easy and difficult version here

 

 

5 First Aid tips that could save a child’s life

Thursday, September 1st, 2016

This week we caught up with Spotlights parent Sam Jones who offers first aid training for families.  Through her company First Aid 4 Staff Sam has helped lots of families be more confident about what to do in an emergency.

 

Did you know 80 children attend A&E EVERY day due to a choking incident?

That’s over 29,000 per year !

The majority of children are attending because parents/ carers are unsure what to do.  Would you know what to do?

Here Sam shares her top 5 tips for what to do if a child is choking:

Choking treatment (over 1 years old) if they can cough, speak and breathe

  1. Encourage the child to cough and keep coughing until the obstruction has cleared If they are unable to cough, breathe or speak then…
  2. Lean them forward (gravity helps)
  3. Give up to 5 firm back blows in between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand
  4. If back blows don’t work then give up to 5 abdominal thrusts (lean well forward, put your arms around the upper abdomen of the child, make a fist with your hand and place this in between the bottom of the breastbone and belly button, pull sharply inwards and upwards up to 5 times. If the obstruction clears then stop giving abdominal thrusts. If the obstruction has not cleared call for an ambulance 999 and continue to give 5 x back blows, 5 x abdominal thrusts.  Continue this sequence until the obstruction clears.
  5. Always be prepared with a choking child that they might go unconscious or stop breathing and CPR would then be needed.

It’s also good to be aware that many of these incidents can be avoided by thinking about what type of food children are given.

For example we often give young children (and we’re talking up to the age of 8 years old) grapes to eat, thinking they are a safe food.  A whole grape, can become lodged in a child’s airway, preventing them from breathing.  Always cut a grape lengthways before giving to children to eat.

Did you know Hot Dogs, Carrots, Apples, Grapes, Nuts, Peanut butter, Marshmallows. Chewing gum/ boiled sweets and Popcorn are the top 9 foods that children choke on, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

We take first aid training very seriously at Spotlights.  At least one member of our team at our performing arts classes has completed recent first aid training.

If you would like to learn First Aid to keep your family safe, or perhaps you work for an organisation that requires First Aid training, please register your interest by emailing info@firstaid4staff.co.uk or calling Sam on 07807 691191

First Aid 4 Staff is offering a 10% discount to all Spotlights Theatre School parents and children over the age of 14 years who wish to learn First Aid.