Place 2 Be

Place 2 Be is launching the UK's first Children's Mental Health Week from the 16th to the 22nd of February.

Please follow this link to visit the Place 2 Be website and see all the wonderful work they do, supporting children throughout the UK.

  

Safer Internet Day

On the 10th Febuary millions of people across the UK and globally will be celebrating Safer Internet Day.

It's a great time to have a conversation with your child about staying safe online.

Please follow this link to find the parents page with lots of advice, facts and support to help you keep your children safe while doing something they enjoy.

How to make play dough

Everone loves playing with Play Dough, it keeps children, and adults amused for ages! 

We use play dough in ELSA to let our children express themselves.

What you need:

• 1 tbsp of bicarbonate of soda
• 1 cup self raising flour
• 1 cup plain flour
• ½ cup salt
• 3 tbsp (any) oil
• 2 cups boiling water
• food colouring (choose desired colours, easiest to stick to 2 or 3 choices at a time)
• adult assistance

Instructions

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add the oil, mixing to form rough breadcrumbs.

Next add the boiling water and once combined knead the ingredients on a clean surface until they form the silky dough.

Set aside the dough and cover your clean workbench with cling wrap.

Divide silky dough into even portions for colouring.

Put ½ tsp of colour in at a time – increasing the quantity if needed to make a vibrant, richer colour.

Wearing gloves knead the colouring into the dough.

Use straightaway or put in the fridge for later.

Notes:

• Be careful as the boiling water increases the temperature of the dough and can be too hot to hold at times. You may want to use a utensil to do the initial mix.
• If the dough is too sticky when kneading, add a little flour. If it is too dry, add a little water. These amounts must be minimal additions as it's best not to upset the balance between ingredient quantities.
• It is not necessary to wear gloves, most food colouring washes off with hot soapy water.
• Store in cling wrap, ziplock bags or an airtight container.