Duke Of Cambridge Hands Santa Prince George's Christmas List (And His Handwriting Is Adorable)

Prince George’s Christmas list has been hand delivered directly to Santa by his father the Duke of Cambridge.

The Duke was visiting Esplanade Park’s Christmas market in Helsinki, Finland, on the second day of his Finland tour, when he came across the big man himself. 

He was pictured joking around with Santa as he handed over his son’s list.

Close-up photos of Prince George’s list not only revealed what he wanted for Christmas, but also gave us a sneak preview of his adorable handwriting.

Half-way down the list the four-year-old - who has been “nice” this year -  had written that he wanted a “police car”.

Prince George also signed off the list with his name.

Have your kids written their lists to Santa yet?

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Stronger Ties: French Diplomatic Center Grows in Europe-Oriented Edinburgh

The French government has opened a new consulate and expanded cultural center in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh in a bid to deepen the centuries-old 'Auld Alliance between the two nations, set to be tested by Brexit.

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Liberal Muslims Are Losing The Battle In Britain

In 2015, a liberal blogger called Avijit Roy was stabbed and hacked to death as he was leaving a book fair in Bangladesh. It marked the tensions straining the political and social fabrics of Bangladesh. In the past three to four years, at least sixteen people – including the founder of the first gay magazine – have been murdered in Bangladesh. The weakened capacity of the Bangladeshi state, trying to apprehend and punish the Islamists of the Jamaat-e-Islami party who sided with Pakistan in 1971, has left an open space for militant religious conservatives to inflict violence upon the secular progressive voice of Bangladesh.

There is something particularly disheartening to see a country, crumpled by its staggering poverty and political corruption, fall towards the very values it rose against. Whereas India and Pakistan were states founded upon the concept of religious states, feeding into the hostilities that existed between Muslims and Hindus, Bangladesh was different. It wasn’t about Muslims or Hindus but about Bengali people fighting to preserve their culture and their history. It was a secular country, and there was something movingly beautiful in that. Today, that legacy is threatened by the rise of religious conservatives.

There is a tendency for some to see what happens there and imagine a similar scenario taking place here. But extremists here are of a different breed, fuelled by different motivations that are often more political and cultural than religious. Even in Bangladesh, the flare in support for a party like Jamaat has to be contextualised with the crippling levels of poverty and the increasingly draconian and authoritarian measures of the Bangladeshi government, which endures a political crisis almost daily. The fight that faces liberal Muslims here is not nearly as intimidating as it is in countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Yet there is misogyny. There is abuse, and an almost compulsive need for some religious conservatives within the population to immediately attack liberal Muslims, secularists and feminists. Those who suggest reform are immediately deemed to have been intellectually colonised by the west, “uncle toms”, branded as traitors who are supposedly siding with some sort of Zionist western liberal government conspiracy. For many liberal Muslims there is an apprehension in sometimes voicing criticisms of their own community in fear that it might become appropriated by the far-right.

But the hysteria of a cluster of conservative-minded activists to chase after the liberal Muslims like this illustrates how they feel they have ownership of Islam, and they alone can define what it means to be a Muslim. Criticism of conservative Islam becomes interpreted as Islamophobia to the point where it’s arguable that some groups actually profit from the word Islamophobia itself. They chase after groups like Tell Mama who advocate interfaith dialogue and slander anyone who seeks to work with the government over extremism. Whether this is Maajid Nawaz of Quilliam Foundation, Sara Khan of Inspire or Amina Lone, the former Labour councillor. Quite recently, Amina Lone has raised the question of why young Muslim girls are wearing the hijab in primary school, and though I disagree with Ofsted quizzing young girls, but the sheer misogynistic abuse she has been subject to combined with the authenticity of her Muslim identity has been unreal.

It’s worth pointing out to people that progressive Muslims don’t all think alike. Even Sara Khan, so widely sneered at for supposedly lacking grassroots credibility, does not agree with the hijab campaign led by Ofsted. But there is a ploy by certain people, be it MEND, Cage, 5Pillars or others to immediately assume every liberal Muslim to be a confused one ashamed of their roots working with the government. That of course is a problem for liberal Muslims. To win the minds, do we work with the government to help enforce liberalism or wage a more gruelling fight to secure grassroots backing? I’ve mostly recoiled at the idea of ever working with the Tories on anything, but there is a real sense that parts of the British Muslim population are becoming extremely isolated and insular. At the very least, I’m sympathetic to people like Amina for working with authorities to fight religious conservative zealotry.

But as a Muslim who wants to see the community genuinely reform, and become about equality, tolerance, rights and justice, I’m cynical about where things are heading.

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Uptake nabs $117M at $2.3B valuation for industrial predictive analytics

 A company that is seizing the opportunity to provide predictive analytics to the industrial world — regardless of whether a business has made the (often costly) transition to internet-of-things “smart” systems — is today announcing that it has raised a significant round of growth funding to double down on the opportunity. Uptake, a SaaS startup that uses machine learning… Read More

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Liberal Muslims Are Losing The Battle In Britain

In 2015, a liberal blogger called Avijit Roy was stabbed and hacked to death as he was leaving a book fair in Bangladesh. It marked the tensions straining the political and social fabrics of Bangladesh. In the past three to four years, at least sixteen people – including the founder of the first gay magazine – have been murdered in Bangladesh. The weakened capacity of the Bangladeshi state, trying to apprehend and punish the Islamists of the Jamaat-e-Islami party who sided with Pakistan in 1971, has left an open space for militant religious conservatives to inflict violence upon the secular progressive voice of Bangladesh.

There is something particularly disheartening to see a country, crumpled by its staggering poverty and political corruption, fall towards the very values it rose against. Whereas India and Pakistan were states founded upon the concept of religious states, feeding into the hostilities that existed between Muslims and Hindus, Bangladesh was different. It wasn’t about Muslims or Hindus but about Bengali people fighting to preserve their culture and their history. It was a secular country, and there was something movingly beautiful in that. Today, that legacy is threatened by the rise of religious conservatives.

There is a tendency for some to see what happens there and imagine a similar scenario taking place here. But extremists here are of a different breed, fuelled by different motivations that are often more political and cultural than religious. Even in Bangladesh, the flare in support for a party like Jamaat has to be contextualised with the crippling levels of poverty and the increasingly draconian and authoritarian measures of the Bangladeshi government, which endures a political crisis almost daily. The fight that faces liberal Muslims here is not nearly as intimidating as it is in countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Yet there is misogyny. There is abuse, and an almost compulsive need for some religious conservatives within the population to immediately attack liberal Muslims, secularists and feminists. Those who suggest reform are immediately deemed to have been intellectually colonised by the west, “uncle toms”, branded as traitors who are supposedly siding with some sort of Zionist western liberal government conspiracy. For many liberal Muslims there is an apprehension in sometimes voicing criticisms of their own community in fear that it might become appropriated by the far-right.

But the hysteria of a cluster of conservative-minded activists to chase after the liberal Muslims like this illustrates how they feel they have ownership of Islam, and they alone can define what it means to be a Muslim. Criticism of conservative Islam becomes interpreted as Islamophobia to the point where it’s arguable that some groups actually profit from the word Islamophobia itself. They chase after groups like Tell Mama who advocate interfaith dialogue and slander anyone who seeks to work with the government over extremism. Whether this is Maajid Nawaz of Quilliam Foundation, Sara Khan of Inspire or Amina Lone, the former Labour councillor. Quite recently, Amina Lone has raised the question of why young Muslim girls are wearing the hijab in primary school, and though I disagree with Ofsted quizzing young girls, but the sheer misogynistic abuse she has been subject to combined with the authenticity of her Muslim identity has been unreal.

It’s worth pointing out to people that progressive Muslims don’t all think alike. Even Sara Khan, so widely sneered at for supposedly lacking grassroots credibility, does not agree with the hijab campaign led by Ofsted. But there is a ploy by certain people, be it MEND, Cage, 5Pillars or others to immediately assume every liberal Muslim to be a confused one ashamed of their roots working with the government. That of course is a problem for liberal Muslims. To win the minds, do we work with the government to help enforce liberalism or wage a more gruelling fight to secure grassroots backing? I’ve mostly recoiled at the idea of ever working with the Tories on anything, but there is a real sense that parts of the British Muslim population are becoming extremely isolated and insular. At the very least, I’m sympathetic to people like Amina for working with authorities to fight religious conservative zealotry.

But as a Muslim who wants to see the community genuinely reform, and become about equality, tolerance, rights and justice, I’m cynical about where things are heading.

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Don't Stop the Presses! Why Big Tech Should Subsidize Real Journalism

The sad story of the East Bay Times exemplifies how the decline of local news is hazardous to democracy.

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The Uber-Waymo Self-Driving Car Lawsuit Gets a New Star, and Takes a Wild Turn

Ric Jacobs portrays himself as a whistle-blower. The ridehailing giant portrays him as an extortionist. The judge remains cranky.

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Don't Stop the Presses! Why Big Tech Should Subsidize Real Journalism

The sad story of the East Bay Times exemplifies how the decline of local news is hazardous to democracy.

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The Uber-Waymo Self-Driving Car Lawsuit Gets a New Star, and Takes a Wild Turn

Ric Jacobs portrays himself as a whistle-blower. The ridehailing giant portrays him as an extortionist. The judge remains cranky.

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Jay-Z Says Working On Unreleased Joint Album With Beyoncé Was Like Couples Therapy

Luisa Zissman Has Given Birth To Her Third Child And Revealed Her Daughter's Unusual Name

Don't Stop the Presses! Why Big Tech Should Subsidize Real Journalism

The sad story of the East Bay Times exemplifies how the decline of local news is hazardous to democracy.

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Fractyl Labs raises $44 million in Series D to develop a treatment for type 2 diabetes

 Fractyl Labs, a Lexington, Massachusetts-based startup developing treatments for diabetes, has raised $44 million in Series D financing from a slew of VC firms, including GV, True Ventures, the IDO Fund, General Catalyst, Bessemer Venture Partners, Domain Associates, Mithril Capital Management, Emergent Medical Partners, L.P., and Deerfield Management Company, L.P. Fractyl has been working on… Read More

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Jay-Z Says Working On Unreleased Joint Album With Beyoncé Was Like Couples Therapy

Luisa Zissman Has Given Birth To Her Third Child And Revealed Her Daughter's Unusual Name

US Continues to Provoke North Korea - Lavrov

The US is trying to force Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear missile program. However, its actions have only lead to the escalation of the situation in the region.

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Kellogg's To Cut Sugar In Popular Cereals By Up To 40% Next Year

Kellog’s is set to cut the amount of sugar in three of its best-selling cereals by up to 40% by the end of next year and discontinue one of its sugariest creations.

In a bid to help the nation make healthier choices, the cereal giant will cut the sugar in Kellog’s Coco Pops cereal by 40%, from 30g sugar per 100g to 17g sugar.  

This is following a reduction of 14% earlier this year, meaning that from 2017 to 2018, it will have halved the sugar in Coco Pops.

The amount of sugar in Rice Krispies and Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes will also be reduced, while Kellogg’s Ricicles will be removed from the market altogether. 

The announcement is part of an effort to reduce obesity and related type 2 diabetes figures across the UK, which sugar contributes towards. 

According to the NHS, one in every four adults and around one in every five children aged 10 to 11 is obese, which significantly increases a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Sugar in Rice Krispies cereal will be reduced by 20% and Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes cereal will see a 30% reduction in sugar per serving.

The manufacture claims it has been able to do this after its food development team came up with clever ways to maximise flavour by using the simple ingredients of cocoa and grains to maintain taste, while reducing sugar, without using artificial sweeteners.

The company will also stop making Ricicles cereal in January 2018, which currently contains 34g of sugar per 100g of cereal. 

What’s more, from next year you’ll no longer see any children’s on-pack promotions on Kellogg’s Frosties, in recognition of the fact that the cereal now tends to be eaten by more adults than children in the UK.

The company has also committed to go further to tackle salt. 

While salt has been reduced in Kellogg’s cereals by 58% since 1999, from the start of 2018, the brand will reduce salt in Rice Krispies in the UK by a further 10% and in Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes in the UK by 50%. 

The new recipe of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies will be in stores from January 2018 and Coco Pops and Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes from July 2018. 

For those still looking for additional cereal options, the company is set to launch a new plant-based cereal range called WK Kellogg, which includes no added sugar, low sugar, organic and vegan options.

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In The Epic War Of Cats And Dogs, Dogs Have One Significant Advantage

It’s official, scientists have confirmed that dogs are smarter than cats after literally counting the individual neurons in their brain and finding they have “significantly more”.

The team of heroes (who admit that they are canine lovers, but we’ll ignore that) found that although dog’s brains aren’t larger, they have more than double the little grey cells that are considered hallmarks of intelligence.

Dogs have about 530 million cortical neurons while cats have about 250 million.

The study, from Vanderbilt University, USA, is the first to actually painstakingly count the number of cortical neurons in the brain - the components associated with thinking, planning and complex behaviour.

Associate Professor, Suzana Herculano-Houzel, who pioneered the method for determining the number of neurons in brains, said: “I believe the absolute number of neurons an animal has, determines the richness of their internal mental state and their ability to predict what is about to happen in their environment based on past experience.”

So that’s why the dog knows what the packed suitcase by the front door means.

This also means they have the biological capability of doing much more complex and flexible things with their lives than cats can, which doesn’t explain why they’re always trying to stick their head in the bin.

They also looked at the brains of one or two specimens from each of eight carnivoran species: ferret, mongoose, raccoon, cat, dog, hyena, lion and brown bear.

They also found that the brain of a golden retriever has more neurons than a hyena, lion or brown bear, even though the bigger predators have brains up to three times as large.

The team were working on the theory that domesticated animals have smaller brains than their wild cousins, and that carnivores have bigger brains than herbivores.

This is because wild carnivores need bigger brains than herbivores for hunting, as tracking prey is demanding, cognitively speaking, and requires planning.

The study’s findings also challenge the prevailing view that domesticated animals have smaller brains than their wild cousins.

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Kellogg's To Cut Sugar In Popular Cereals By Up To 40% Next Year

Kellog’s is set to cut the amount of sugar in three of its best-selling cereals by up to 40% by the end of next year and discontinue one of its sugariest creations.

In a bid to help the nation make healthier choices, the cereal giant will cut the sugar in Kellog’s Coco Pops cereal by 40%, from 30g sugar per 100g to 17g sugar.  

This is following a reduction of 14% earlier this year, meaning that from 2017 to 2018, it will have halved the sugar in Coco Pops.

The amount of sugar in Rice Krispies and Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes will also be reduced, while Kellogg’s Ricicles will be removed from the market altogether. 

The announcement is part of an effort to reduce obesity and related type 2 diabetes figures across the UK, which sugar contributes towards. 

According to the NHS, one in every four adults and around one in every five children aged 10 to 11 is obese, which significantly increases a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Sugar in Rice Krispies cereal will be reduced by 20% and Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes cereal will see a 30% reduction in sugar per serving.

The manufacture claims it has been able to do this after its food development team came up with clever ways to maximise flavour by using the simple ingredients of cocoa and grains to maintain taste, while reducing sugar, without using artificial sweeteners.

The company will also stop making Ricicles cereal in January 2018, which currently contains 34g of sugar per 100g of cereal. 

What’s more, from next year you’ll no longer see any children’s on-pack promotions on Kellogg’s Frosties, in recognition of the fact that the cereal now tends to be eaten by more adults than children in the UK.

The company has also committed to go further to tackle salt. 

While salt has been reduced in Kellogg’s cereals by 58% since 1999, from the start of 2018, the brand will reduce salt in Rice Krispies in the UK by a further 10% and in Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes in the UK by 50%. 

The new recipe of Kellogg’s Rice Krispies will be in stores from January 2018 and Coco Pops and Rice Krispies Multi-Grain Shapes from July 2018. 

For those still looking for additional cereal options, the company is set to launch a new plant-based cereal range called WK Kellogg, which includes no added sugar, low sugar, organic and vegan options.

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In The Epic War Of Cats And Dogs, Dogs Have One Significant Advantage

It’s official, scientists have confirmed that dogs are smarter than cats after literally counting the individual neurons in their brain and finding they have “significantly more”.

The team of heroes (who admit that they are canine lovers, but we’ll ignore that) found that although dog’s brains aren’t larger, they have more than double the little grey cells that are considered hallmarks of intelligence.

Dogs have about 530 million cortical neurons while cats have about 250 million.

The study, from Vanderbilt University, USA, is the first to actually painstakingly count the number of cortical neurons in the brain - the components associated with thinking, planning and complex behaviour.

Associate Professor, Suzana Herculano-Houzel, who pioneered the method for determining the number of neurons in brains, said: “I believe the absolute number of neurons an animal has, determines the richness of their internal mental state and their ability to predict what is about to happen in their environment based on past experience.”

So that’s why the dog knows what the packed suitcase by the front door means.

This also means they have the biological capability of doing much more complex and flexible things with their lives than cats can, which doesn’t explain why they’re always trying to stick their head in the bin.

They also looked at the brains of one or two specimens from each of eight carnivoran species: ferret, mongoose, raccoon, cat, dog, hyena, lion and brown bear.

They also found that the brain of a golden retriever has more neurons than a hyena, lion or brown bear, even though the bigger predators have brains up to three times as large.

The team were working on the theory that domesticated animals have smaller brains than their wild cousins, and that carnivores have bigger brains than herbivores.

This is because wild carnivores need bigger brains than herbivores for hunting, as tracking prey is demanding, cognitively speaking, and requires planning.

The study’s findings also challenge the prevailing view that domesticated animals have smaller brains than their wild cousins.

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This Is Murder, She Wrote: Dame Angela Fights Criticism Over Sex Abuse Remark

British screen legend Dame Angela Lansbury has spoken of her devastation over the backlash she has faced over comments made about sexual harassment in the film industry.

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Meghan Markle is Madonna and Prince Harry is naked in this cheeky mobile graffiti

MPs Urge Government To Cancel Donald Trump's UK State Visit

MPs have urged Theresa May to cancel Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK. 

The ‘special relationship’ between the two countries is under strain after the president hit back at the PM, who criticised him for retweeting propaganda from far-right extremist group Britain First.

An urgent question was tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday morning by Labour MP Stephen Doughty, who accused Trump of being “racist, incompetent, unthinking, or all three”.

Several Parliamentarians joined him in urging the government to cancel the president’s planned British state visit, which is expected to take place next year.

Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner said “actions, not words” needed to be taken against “this fascist president”, while his colleague Barry Sheerman warned there would be “unparalleled demonstrations on the streets” if the visit were to go ahead. 

On the Conservative benches, Reddich MP Rachel Maclean said MPs were “all disgusted” by Trump’s actions and Peter Bone asked if the PM would be able to “persuade the president to delete his Twitter account”.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd reiterated Theresa May’s assertion that Trump’s actions were “wrong”, but said it was important not to let personal feelings impact the UK’s lasting relationship with US. 

“No matter how strongly we feel about the president himself, we must protect our relationship with the US, which does so much to keep Britain safe,” she added.

″The [state visit] invitation has been extended and accepted and we have yet to make the arrangements.”

Rudd said the prime minister had shown she was willing to take a stand by “calling out” Trump’s actions publicly.

“There is no pretence here.  We will be absolutely clear in action we will take against people who propagate hate,” she added.

Rhondda MP Chris Bryant said the government could not claim it was standing up to racism while inviting Trump “in through the front door” and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said his actions were “not just offensive to British Muslims, but to all British people”.

Former Labour leadership hopeful Yvette Cooper, referring to a memorial plaque installed in the Commons in honour of murdered MP Jo Cox, said: ”No matter what diplomatic route we find to do it, we cannot simply roll out a red carpet and give a platform for the President of the United States to sow discord in our communities.

“We know that he and they will keep doing this, and we also know from the plaque behind us, and from our own history, where the spread of extremism leads - unless enough of us are prepared to stand up now and say no.”

Commons Speaker John Bercow thanked MPs for taking part in the discussion and said he had granted the request for an urgent question “because I thought that the House would want urgently to express support for the victims of racism and bigotry and to denounce their purveyors”.

Theresa May, who is on a three-day tour of the Middle East, is expected to speak on Thursday afternoon. 

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MPs Urge Government To Cancel Donald Trump's UK State Visit

MPs have urged Theresa May to cancel Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK. 

The ‘special relationship’ between the two countries is under strain after the president hit back at the PM, who criticised him for retweeting propaganda from far-right extremist group Britain First.

An urgent question was tabled in the House of Commons on Thursday morning by Labour MP Stephen Doughty, who accused Trump of being “racist, incompetent, unthinking, or all three”.

Several Parliamentarians joined him in urging the government to cancel the president’s planned British state visit, which is expected to take place next year.

Bolsover MP Dennis Skinner said “actions, not words” needed to be taken against “this fascist president”, while his colleague Barry Sheerman warned there would be “unparalleled demonstrations on the streets” if the visit were to go ahead. 

On the Conservative benches, Reddich MP Rachel Maclean said MPs were “all disgusted” by Trump’s actions and Peter Bone asked if the PM would be able to “persuade the president to delete his Twitter account”.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd reiterated Theresa May’s assertion that Trump’s actions were “wrong”, but said it was important not to let personal feelings impact the UK’s lasting relationship with US. 

“No matter how strongly we feel about the president himself, we must protect our relationship with the US, which does so much to keep Britain safe,” she added.

″The [state visit] invitation has been extended and accepted and we have yet to make the arrangements.”

Rudd said the prime minister had shown she was willing to take a stand by “calling out” Trump’s actions publicly.

“There is no pretence here.  We will be absolutely clear in action we will take against people who propagate hate,” she added.

Rhondda MP Chris Bryant said the government could not claim it was standing up to racism while inviting Trump “in through the front door” and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said his actions were “not just offensive to British Muslims, but to all British people”.

Former Labour leadership hopeful Yvette Cooper, referring to a memorial plaque installed in the Commons in honour of murdered MP Jo Cox, said: ”No matter what diplomatic route we find to do it, we cannot simply roll out a red carpet and give a platform for the President of the United States to sow discord in our communities.

“We know that he and they will keep doing this, and we also know from the plaque behind us, and from our own history, where the spread of extremism leads - unless enough of us are prepared to stand up now and say no.”

Commons Speaker John Bercow thanked MPs for taking part in the discussion and said he had granted the request for an urgent question “because I thought that the House would want urgently to express support for the victims of racism and bigotry and to denounce their purveyors”.

Theresa May, who is on a three-day tour of the Middle East, is expected to speak on Thursday afternoon. 

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Third Of Kids 'Failed' In Reception: Parents Say The Blame Lies With The Government Not Teachers

A third of all five-year-olds are being “failed” by their reception experience, and the number is even higher among disadvantaged children, a report has revealed.

Ofsted’s Bold beginnings report found nearly half of disadvantaged children failed to meet expected levels of development at this important stage of their education.

The education regulation service said their report “highlights missed opportunities and the painful consequences of falling behind”.

The report included small, practical tasks schools could do to boost the experiences of reception children, including ensuring they are taught how to correctly grip a pencil and how to sit at a table.

But some parents believe the blame lies with the government not teachers.

“Reception is essential,” said Gill Jones, Ofsted’s early education deputy director. “For many children, it is their first experience of full-time education, when teachers set the routines and expectations that will serve children well for the rest of their school life.

“So schools need to get Reception right.” 

Jones said reading stories, poems and rhymes out loud to children, and encouraging them to join in and learn them by heart, will introduce them to new vocabulary, language structures and ideas.

“Providing children with the right reading books to practise what they have been taught in their phonics lessons will make sure they master the alphabetic code so they can read by themselves,” she added.

“This is the essential knowledge that children need to open up the rest of the curriculum.”

Headteachers commented that the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) - government advice on how to asses children at the end of the Early Years period of education -  is placing an “unnecessary burden” on teachers. They also stated that newly-qualified teachers are “not well prepared” to teach reading, writing or numbers in Reception.

Ofsted recommends that headteachers put reading at the heart of the reception curriculum.

“The best schools know how to design their curriculum so that children’s learning and development sets them up well for the rest of their schooling,” said HM chief inspector Amanda Spielman.

“Reception should not just be a repeat of what children learned in their nursery or pre-school, or with their childminder. They deserve better than facing years of catching up.”

Commenting on the report, mum Helen Barfield told HuffPost UK on Facebook that she thinks her three children going through Reception in the past nine years have had good experiences.

“[Ofsted] claims that ‘newly-qualified teachers are not well prepared to teach reading, writing or numbers in Reception’ is rubbish,” she said.

“The best teachers my kids had (and still have) were newly-qualified. It was the ones who had been in the job for years that struggled to implement the way the curriculum and standards changed.

“I will also point out that my kids didn’t attend a ‘best school’ in their reception years, in fact we were classed as a ‘deprived area’, but the fact that they got the best start from teachers who were in it for the right reasons made a huge difference.

“The curriculum is never, and has never been, a one size fits all.”

In the best schools, Ofsted stated children: 

Learn to read quickly and easily.

Enjoy listening to stories as the highlight of the day.

Learn poems and rhymes by heart.

Learn about numbers through practical activities and formal, written recording.

Develop their personal, social and emotional skills through play.

Another mum, Catherine Brundrett, wrote: “My son (who has a speech problem which affects his education) isn’t being failed by the teacher or the TAs, but the government.

“The school has had to save money and TAs is the first thing to go. The teachers and staff go above and beyond for the children in their class.

“The government needs to actually sit in a classroom for a day and see what’s needed, not more cuts.”

Jemma Martin-Lee agreed that the cuts to education are affecting children, writing: “Reception isn’t failing our children, the Tory government is. 

“It’s disgusting that they are piling on more pressure to professionals in an already incrediblly difficult sector. Cuts after cuts, low wages, long hours. The government is letting teachers and schools down as well as our children.

“Thank goodness for teachers - I for one appreciate all they try and do to benefit our children despite having their hands tied around their backs.”

Ofsted is also recommending that the Department for Education reviews the EYFS stage to make sure that it provides sufficient clarity for the effective teaching of reading, writing and numbers and also reduce teachers’ workload.

You can read the full ‘Bold Beginnings’ report here. 

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'Mutual Respect, Not Appeasement' Between UK, Russia to Build Post-Brexit Trade

Roger Munnings, chairman of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce, spoke to Sputnik about why he is hopeful Boris Johnson's visit to Moscow next month can pave the way to improved trade relations.

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Third Of Kids 'Failed' In Reception: Parents Say The Blame Lies With The Government Not Teachers

A third of all five-year-olds are being “failed” by their reception experience, and the number is even higher among disadvantaged children, a report has revealed.

Ofsted’s Bold beginnings report found nearly half of disadvantaged children failed to meet expected levels of development at this important stage of their education.

The education regulation service said their report “highlights missed opportunities and the painful consequences of falling behind”.

The report included small, practical tasks schools could do to boost the experiences of reception children, including ensuring they are taught how to correctly grip a pencil and how to sit at a table.

But some parents believe the blame lies with the government not teachers.

“Reception is essential,” said Gill Jones, Ofsted’s early education deputy director. “For many children, it is their first experience of full-time education, when teachers set the routines and expectations that will serve children well for the rest of their school life.

“So schools need to get Reception right.” 

Jones said reading stories, poems and rhymes out loud to children, and encouraging them to join in and learn them by heart, will introduce them to new vocabulary, language structures and ideas.

“Providing children with the right reading books to practise what they have been taught in their phonics lessons will make sure they master the alphabetic code so they can read by themselves,” she added.

“This is the essential knowledge that children need to open up the rest of the curriculum.”

Headteachers commented that the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) - government advice on how to asses children at the end of the Early Years period of education -  is placing an “unnecessary burden” on teachers. They also stated that newly-qualified teachers are “not well prepared” to teach reading, writing or numbers in Reception.

Ofsted recommends that headteachers put reading at the heart of the reception curriculum.

“The best schools know how to design their curriculum so that children’s learning and development sets them up well for the rest of their schooling,” said HM chief inspector Amanda Spielman.

“Reception should not just be a repeat of what children learned in their nursery or pre-school, or with their childminder. They deserve better than facing years of catching up.”

Commenting on the report, mum Helen Barfield told HuffPost UK on Facebook that she thinks her three children going through Reception in the past nine years have had good experiences.

“[Ofsted] claims that ‘newly-qualified teachers are not well prepared to teach reading, writing or numbers in Reception’ is rubbish,” she said.

“The best teachers my kids had (and still have) were newly-qualified. It was the ones who had been in the job for years that struggled to implement the way the curriculum and standards changed.

“I will also point out that my kids didn’t attend a ‘best school’ in their reception years, in fact we were classed as a ‘deprived area’, but the fact that they got the best start from teachers who were in it for the right reasons made a huge difference.

“The curriculum is never, and has never been, a one size fits all.”

In the best schools, Ofsted stated children: 

Learn to read quickly and easily.

Enjoy listening to stories as the highlight of the day.

Learn poems and rhymes by heart.

Learn about numbers through practical activities and formal, written recording.

Develop their personal, social and emotional skills through play.

Another mum, Catherine Brundrett, wrote: “My son (who has a speech problem which affects his education) isn’t being failed by the teacher or the TAs, but the government.

“The school has had to save money and TAs is the first thing to go. The teachers and staff go above and beyond for the children in their class.

“The government needs to actually sit in a classroom for a day and see what’s needed, not more cuts.”

Jemma Martin-Lee agreed that the cuts to education are affecting children, writing: “Reception isn’t failing our children, the Tory government is. 

“It’s disgusting that they are piling on more pressure to professionals in an already incrediblly difficult sector. Cuts after cuts, low wages, long hours. The government is letting teachers and schools down as well as our children.

“Thank goodness for teachers - I for one appreciate all they try and do to benefit our children despite having their hands tied around their backs.”

Ofsted is also recommending that the Department for Education reviews the EYFS stage to make sure that it provides sufficient clarity for the effective teaching of reading, writing and numbers and also reduce teachers’ workload.

You can read the full ‘Bold Beginnings’ report here. 

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Spreading Love Everywhere You Go: Who Benefits From Volunteering?

I feel tremendously conflicted about international volunteering. To go abroad and be of service in some of the world’s poorest places and with the most vulnerable people sounds like a great thing to do. In time for International Volunteer Day, I want to explore this.

Mother Teresa, whose work with some of the most vulnerable people in India inspired many to go there and to other forgotten corners to bring material support and care, said:

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

This seems to be at the heart of why we should praise international volunteers. And yet, the second part of the quote is more problematic. For every person who has taken a photo surrounded by joyful African or Asian children, there is the picture that it rarely taken: crying children saying goodbye to Emily, Erik or Antoine, or asking, bewildered, “Where is Miss?”.

Learning about loss and impermanence is important for children. I remember howling when our amazing babysitter abandoned us with our parents, crying over a teacher leaving, grandparents going home again. I still remember a close friend moving abroad for three years, thinking that when we saw each other again we would be nine. It seemed incomprehensibly far in the future. But ultimately, I went home to my bed, my siblings and parents, the tragedy of losing someone on the periphery of my world overcome by love at its centre.

To a child living in a less privileged situation – for example in an orphanage, or streetchildren - a volunteer could occupy, for the short period they are around, a much more central place, making the trauma of impermanence for a vulnerable child all the greater. Then imagine that you are being cared for by and left by volunteers time and time again over your childhood. “Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier”

Brene Brown, whose TED talk is the most watched, has said,

“A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We get sick.”

It is because fundamentally we know this that we seek to bandage the wounds of the abandoned and vulnerable, to love them. But are we just making ourselves part of the problem, putting salt in the wound?

There is value in international volunteering. I would be a hypocrite if I condemned it outright. My time volunteering in Kenya changed my life. I was awakened to new ideas and insights thanks to the fantastic Kenyans who I lived with and worked alongside. But my greatest experience was a massive growth in humility. I went out there as most of those doing voluntourism do: bright-eyed, bush-tailed, believing that I, Olivia Darby, could bring some light to the “Dark Continent”. I was looking forward to sunshine and generally ignorant of the local culture and language.

My huge privilege was that I travelled alone, and saw the country largely through Kenyan eyes for the time that I was there. I was given a job to do, but nobody fawned over me. The people I was working alongside were curious about my reasons for being there, and equally clear that they could cope perfectly well without me, that another person could have done whatever I was doing. How could I understand the local situation like Suzy, for example, who lived it every day, and can inspire Kenyan girls to follow her in her journey out of poverty? Sometimes I felt truly useless, and wished I had gone on a safari-cum-volunteering programme. Upon reflection, those times of feeling useless, of not being busy when everyone around me was so busy with their daily lives, were incredibly precious. No one needed a white saviour, they just needed the resources to get on and do things for themselves.

Leaving left me sad. I bawled my eyes out at the airport as my mini-bus load of friends sang me up the escalator, but I think I left them happier. We had had great fun together, I made great friends, but their lives, as mine, continued. We never needed each other, it was just a joy to have spent a little time with entwined lives.

I have seen many young people whose lives have been enriched through volunteering abroad and I would not want to deny anyone the opportunity that meant so much to me. I would, however, like to share some thoughts:

• Realise that you are the main beneficiary of your time volunteering.
• Don’t think you have the answers. Make listening your most important role.
• Ask whether someone local could do your role better than you.
• Don’t volunteer with vulnerable children unless you are going for a considerable period of time.
• Look at the credentials of who you are volunteering with. Wherever possible, find a locally-led organisation with permanent staff in any caring roles.

And my last thought. Do you really need to go abroad? Wherever you are from, your knowledge of your own local culture and ways of doing things are strength. There are programmes for disadvantaged children, disabled people and the elderly, our most vulnerable people, in most towns around the world, including our own towns. They need love to be spread as much as anyone else. Could you be a mentor perhaps, or support vulnerable families, or homeless people?

Volunteering abroad changed my life, but volunteering in the UK has continued that change, and taught me things I couldn’t possibly have learnt overseas. Volunteering close to home allows you to create real, lasting and supporting relationships. And then perhaps you can take an exotic, well-deserved sunshine break!

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Spreading Love Everywhere You Go: Who Benefits From Volunteering?

I feel tremendously conflicted about international volunteering. To go abroad and be of service in some of the world’s poorest places and with the most vulnerable people sounds like a great thing to do. In time for International Volunteer Day, I want to explore this.

Mother Teresa, whose work with some of the most vulnerable people in India inspired many to go there and to other forgotten corners to bring material support and care, said:

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

This seems to be at the heart of why we should praise international volunteers. And yet, the second part of the quote is more problematic. For every person who has taken a photo surrounded by joyful African or Asian children, there is the picture that it rarely taken: crying children saying goodbye to Emily, Erik or Antoine, or asking, bewildered, “Where is Miss?”.

Learning about loss and impermanence is important for children. I remember howling when our amazing babysitter abandoned us with our parents, crying over a teacher leaving, grandparents going home again. I still remember a close friend moving abroad for three years, thinking that when we saw each other again we would be nine. It seemed incomprehensibly far in the future. But ultimately, I went home to my bed, my siblings and parents, the tragedy of losing someone on the periphery of my world overcome by love at its centre.

To a child living in a less privileged situation – for example in an orphanage, or streetchildren - a volunteer could occupy, for the short period they are around, a much more central place, making the trauma of impermanence for a vulnerable child all the greater. Then imagine that you are being cared for by and left by volunteers time and time again over your childhood. “Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier”

Brene Brown, whose TED talk is the most watched, has said,

“A deep sense of love and belonging is an irreducible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We get sick.”

It is because fundamentally we know this that we seek to bandage the wounds of the abandoned and vulnerable, to love them. But are we just making ourselves part of the problem, putting salt in the wound?

There is value in international volunteering. I would be a hypocrite if I condemned it outright. My time volunteering in Kenya changed my life. I was awakened to new ideas and insights thanks to the fantastic Kenyans who I lived with and worked alongside. But my greatest experience was a massive growth in humility. I went out there as most of those doing voluntourism do: bright-eyed, bush-tailed, believing that I, Olivia Darby, could bring some light to the “Dark Continent”. I was looking forward to sunshine and generally ignorant of the local culture and language.

My huge privilege was that I travelled alone, and saw the country largely through Kenyan eyes for the time that I was there. I was given a job to do, but nobody fawned over me. The people I was working alongside were curious about my reasons for being there, and equally clear that they could cope perfectly well without me, that another person could have done whatever I was doing. How could I understand the local situation like Suzy, for example, who lived it every day, and can inspire Kenyan girls to follow her in her journey out of poverty? Sometimes I felt truly useless, and wished I had gone on a safari-cum-volunteering programme. Upon reflection, those times of feeling useless, of not being busy when everyone around me was so busy with their daily lives, were incredibly precious. No one needed a white saviour, they just needed the resources to get on and do things for themselves.

Leaving left me sad. I bawled my eyes out at the airport as my mini-bus load of friends sang me up the escalator, but I think I left them happier. We had had great fun together, I made great friends, but their lives, as mine, continued. We never needed each other, it was just a joy to have spent a little time with entwined lives.

I have seen many young people whose lives have been enriched through volunteering abroad and I would not want to deny anyone the opportunity that meant so much to me. I would, however, like to share some thoughts:

• Realise that you are the main beneficiary of your time volunteering.
• Don’t think you have the answers. Make listening your most important role.
• Ask whether someone local could do your role better than you.
• Don’t volunteer with vulnerable children unless you are going for a considerable period of time.
• Look at the credentials of who you are volunteering with. Wherever possible, find a locally-led organisation with permanent staff in any caring roles.

And my last thought. Do you really need to go abroad? Wherever you are from, your knowledge of your own local culture and ways of doing things are strength. There are programmes for disadvantaged children, disabled people and the elderly, our most vulnerable people, in most towns around the world, including our own towns. They need love to be spread as much as anyone else. Could you be a mentor perhaps, or support vulnerable families, or homeless people?

Volunteering abroad changed my life, but volunteering in the UK has continued that change, and taught me things I couldn’t possibly have learnt overseas. Volunteering close to home allows you to create real, lasting and supporting relationships. And then perhaps you can take an exotic, well-deserved sunshine break!

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Things I Always Wanted To Share...

It can be hard knowing someone who has a mental health problem. There is no easy way to say that. And even though I have lived with a mental health problem, at times I still struggle to know what to say to those I love who are struggling. It is tough.

I always found it hard being completely honest with anyone about my mental health, whether it was a boyfriend, my friends or my family. When do you tell them? Is it necessary to tell that person? What will they think if they find out this girl they like nearly died from anorexia and spent a year in a mental health hospital?

It annoys me that it is so different from a physical illness that people can be so open about this but yet as soon as the word mental health is mentioned, people worry.

But why?

Everyone has mental health, it’s just some of us struggle with ours.

The past year has been tough mentally, I felt like a complete failure, started to flirt with my anorexia and wanted to escape from it all. Weeks would go by when I would wake up each morning with a flood of emotions; I didn’t know how to deal with it, I was distracted, frustrated that I didn’t know how to deal with them, angry that after so many years of being well my mental health was fighting back. That my anorexia, that manipulative bitch was running me back down in to the ground.

I didn’t know how to cope and didn’t want to hurt those closest to me so I resorted to what I do so well and I shut down my emotions.

If I could turn back time I would have opened up.

I would have told you how I felt.

I would have trusted you with my emotions, trusted you would help but I couldn’t.

I couldn’t bring myself to do that. I felt like I had let you and everyone else round me down.

This year has been hard but what I have learnt is:

- Be honest with those closest to you about how you really feel

- Be honest with yourself if you are struggling. Wearing a mask is so tiring, it sucks all the life out of you

- Keep fighting - it is worth it. Suicidal days are hard but no one would be better off without you. You are worth so much more than you realise. And don’t ever forget that!

- For partners, friends and family - don’t be cross that they haven’t shared everything with you. They have done it to protect you not to hurt you.

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St Andrew's Day 2017 Facts: How Much Do You Know About Scotland?

St Andrew’s Day, celebrated on 30th November, is celebrated in honour of the patron saint of Scotland (although he is also shared with Greece, Russia, Romania, and Barbados).

This year Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon used her St Andrew’s Day message to encourage Scots to carry out acts of kindness.

First Minister @NicolaSturgeon celebrates St Andrew’s Day, a time to highlight the values of compassion and solidarity #BeLikeStAndrewhttp://pic.twitter.com/6wjCjbmWS3

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) November 30, 2017

She said: “The values of compassion and solidarity are central to the story of St Andrew. They are also a big part of Scotland’s national identity.

“So we’re encouraging everyone to celebrate these values, by performing an act of kindness on St Andrew’s Day.

“That could mean helping out your neighbours, giving time or money to charity; or simply offering friendship and company to those who need it most.

“It’s a great way of marking this special day and of making life a little bit brighter for our friends and our neighbours.”

In honour of the day, Google also featured a Scottish themed doodle on its front page.

Scots will be gathering to celebrate the national day - also a bank holiday - but how much do you know about the country and its saint?

Try your hand at our St Andrew’s Day quiz...

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Two Russian Metropolises Make Instagram's Top Ten Most Popular Cities List

According to the internet-based photo sharing service, Moscow, Russia's capital, and St. Petersburg, often described as the country's cultural capital, have made it into its top ten list of most-Instagrammed cities.

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Harry Styles loves Shania Twain for the exact same reason we all do

Things I Always Wanted To Share...

It can be hard knowing someone who has a mental health problem. There is no easy way to say that. And even though I have lived with a mental health problem, at times I still struggle to know what to say to those I love who are struggling. It is tough.

I always found it hard being completely honest with anyone about my mental health, whether it was a boyfriend, my friends or my family. When do you tell them? Is it necessary to tell that person? What will they think if they find out this girl they like nearly died from anorexia and spent a year in a mental health hospital?

It annoys me that it is so different from a physical illness that people can be so open about this but yet as soon as the word mental health is mentioned, people worry.

But why?

Everyone has mental health, it’s just some of us struggle with ours.

The past year has been tough mentally, I felt like a complete failure, started to flirt with my anorexia and wanted to escape from it all. Weeks would go by when I would wake up each morning with a flood of emotions; I didn’t know how to deal with it, I was distracted, frustrated that I didn’t know how to deal with them, angry that after so many years of being well my mental health was fighting back. That my anorexia, that manipulative bitch was running me back down in to the ground.

I didn’t know how to cope and didn’t want to hurt those closest to me so I resorted to what I do so well and I shut down my emotions.

If I could turn back time I would have opened up.

I would have told you how I felt.

I would have trusted you with my emotions, trusted you would help but I couldn’t.

I couldn’t bring myself to do that. I felt like I had let you and everyone else round me down.

This year has been hard but what I have learnt is:

- Be honest with those closest to you about how you really feel

- Be honest with yourself if you are struggling. Wearing a mask is so tiring, it sucks all the life out of you

- Keep fighting - it is worth it. Suicidal days are hard but no one would be better off without you. You are worth so much more than you realise. And don’t ever forget that!

- For partners, friends and family - don’t be cross that they haven’t shared everything with you. They have done it to protect you not to hurt you.

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St Andrew's Day 2017 Facts: How Much Do You Know About Scotland?

St Andrew’s Day, celebrated on 30th November, is celebrated in honour of the patron saint of Scotland (although he is also shared with Greece, Russia, Romania, and Barbados).

This year Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon used her St Andrew’s Day message to encourage Scots to carry out acts of kindness.

First Minister @NicolaSturgeon celebrates St Andrew’s Day, a time to highlight the values of compassion and solidarity #BeLikeStAndrewhttp://pic.twitter.com/6wjCjbmWS3

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) November 30, 2017

She said: “The values of compassion and solidarity are central to the story of St Andrew. They are also a big part of Scotland’s national identity.

“So we’re encouraging everyone to celebrate these values, by performing an act of kindness on St Andrew’s Day.

“That could mean helping out your neighbours, giving time or money to charity; or simply offering friendship and company to those who need it most.

“It’s a great way of marking this special day and of making life a little bit brighter for our friends and our neighbours.”

In honour of the day, Google also featured a Scottish themed doodle on its front page.

Scots will be gathering to celebrate the national day - also a bank holiday - but how much do you know about the country and its saint?

Try your hand at our St Andrew’s Day quiz...

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How To Make Christmas Magical For Children With Autism, From Parents Who Know

Bright lights, loud music, sitting on a stranger’s knee and busy crowds: the festive season can be a period of panic and dread for kids with autism.

“As the nights draw in and the bonfire embers fizzle out, the countdown for Christmas for the rest of the world begins in earnest, but for my son, this triggers a period of uncertainty,” explained Michelle Myers, 38, from Cheshire, whose 13-year-old son Owen has autism.

“For Owen, Christmas means unexpected visitors, sensory overload and changes to his world.

“The anticipation of presents under the tree on 25 December causes him huge anxiety.

“Most children love counting down to the big day on their novelty chocolate calendars, but this building tension only adds to his worry.”

And Myers’ son is not alone.

There are around 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK and, according to national charity Ambitious About Autism, around 100,000 children are affected - that’s approximately one in 100 children.

“Christmas can be a very overwhelming period for autistic children,” explains Tom Purser, head of campaigns at the National Autistic Society (NAS).

“It is a time that brings new and often overbearing sounds, sights and taste, as well as unexpected changes in schedules and an increase in social interactions. 

“A recent NAS survey revealed that 64% of autistic adults and children avoid going to the shops and we anticipate an increase over Christmas as shops during the festive period are busier, brighter and noisier and therefore can trigger a sensory overload.”

Steph Curtis, 45, from Blackpool, has a 10-year-old daughter, Sasha, who has autism. The biggest struggle Sasha has at this time of year is the anticipation.

“Waiting for anything is not her strong point, and her anxiety levels get raised very easily,” Curtis said. “She can just about wait until Christmas day for her presents, but the tension has built a lot by then, so any little upset (such as a toy not having batteries) is more likely than usual to cause a meltdown.”

What can parents do?

Purser cautions that it’s important to remember every child with autism is different, so a coping mechanism for one child might not work for another, it’s about trying different things to find what works for your family.

HuffPost UK spoke to four parents of children with autism who all shared different tips for making Christmas special - feel free to mix and match. 

A Go-To Guide For Making Christmas Magical

DO plan everything in advance.

“Plan in advance for all aspects of the festivity,” said Purser. “Try your best for your autistic child to stick to a familiar schedule that combines Christmas activities within it.

“When it’s apparent they are beginning to enjoy a schedule, stick to it.”

DON’T force kids to hug family members.

Myers said Owen doesn’t enjoy the amount of people who turn up at their door unannounced in the festive season: “His great auntie wants a hug over a glass of sherry and he is expected to say ‘thank you’ to her for the kind gifts.

“All these social expectations are extremely tricky for my son to deal with. He doesn’t know what to say, how to respond or even how to cope being in the room with so many people.”

Allow your children to express themselves in their own way and not be forced to interact. 

Hayley France, 28, from Scarborough, North Yorkshire has an eight-year-old daughter, Emma, who has high-functioning autism. When she has people over to their home, France ensures Emma has a safe space to “retreat”, and never makes her feel like she’s being rude. 

“Having people in your home can be incredibly stressful to an autistic person and being able to disappear for a while without obligation to stay and chat can make having visitors much less traumatic,” she added.

“My daughter has a tent in her room full of sensory toys where she can go and sit if she’s feeling anxious or overwhelmed.”  

DO make a Christmas happiness kit.

Myers makes a kit bag for her son that goes everywhere with him at Christmas. 

“It’s full of useful things: his favourite foods, a chew toy he can chew on to stop him biting his fingers when anxious, a fiddle toy he can play with when he can’t sit still, and a weighted jacket he can wear when he feels unsafe,” she explained.

France also creates a “happiness box” that is kept at home for Emma to help her calm down when she is stressed at Christmas. 

“Emma’s ‘Happiness Box’ contains photos of her favourite places, memories and people, a music box that plays her favourite tune, some drawings and certificates that she’s proud of and a few small, favourite toys,” France said.

DON’T try to conform to a picture-perfect Christmas.

Myers said she quickly learned, shortly after her son was diagnosed, that Christmas had to become less about their own expectations of what the picture-perfect family Christmas should look like and more about accommodating Owen’s needs.

“We spent far too long forcing our son to fit into our world and what we should have been doing was stepping into his,” she said. “And so, now at Christmas we do whatever makes him happy, because a happy dude makes for a happy family.”

Laura Rutherford, 33, from Falkirk, Scotland, has a five-year-old son called Brody, who was diagnosed with autism in 2016.

She said one of the biggest things she has learned as the parent of a child with autism is not to worry about living up to “so-called Christmas traditions and ideals”.

“That might mean not all sitting round a table having a traditional Christmas lunch,” she explained. “It might mean not seeing all of the family.

“It might mean going to bed early because you’re shattered. And it might mean that the iPad plays a bigger part in your day that you might have hoped for.”

DO create a festive home environment.

Last year Rutherford learned that staying at home and being festive worked much better than going out to Christmas activities. 

“We decided that it is much easier for us as a family to stay at home for Christmas,” she said. “It means we can all relax and be comfortable.

“Brody is calmer in our house as it’s a familiar environment. He is also safer because we have things in place to ensure his safety, like stair gates on doors/the stairs and the television strapped to the wall.

“We make our own traditions and do what’s best for our family. Festive activities might include the iPad or YouTube at times, but if Brody is happy then we are too.” 

DON’T forget how overwhelming decorations can be.

It can be hard to avoid Christmas decorations and lights when December comes around.

“Christmas decorations can be visually overwhelming for an autistic child and can also trigger a meltdown because a familiar room will suddenly look different,” said Purser.

“When decorating at home, make sure you involve your child in the decorating process and explain the reason behind decorating a room.” 

This is something Curtis has found helps her daughter Sasha.

“We all decorate the tree together, when Sasha is ready and willing and not before,” she explained.

“We always have a Christmas present at the time, as I introduced that to help calm Sasha’s excitement one year, and of course then it became part of the routine.”

DO tailor present opening to suit your child.

It can be a good idea to stagger present opening, advised Purser. This lets children with autism experience the joy without getting too overwhelmed.

Some children may not enjoy the element of surprise, so don’t be afraid to leave their presents unwrapped - as long as your child is happy. 

“We buy Owen what he really likes for Christmas (ice pops, a sleeping bag and bubble wrap to name but a few) not the latest ‘must-have’ toys,” explained Myers.  

Purser added: “The National Autistic Society website has a useful list of sensory items that can provide positive sensory feedback for people on the autism spectrum.

“If your child has a special interest, find ways to relate this to Christmas.”  

A Go-To Guide For Handling Festive Activities

Some Christmas activities may be unavoidable - so what can parents do to make the situations easier for their children?

1. Christmas Grottos

Grotto visits to see Father Christmas may seem near impossible for some families due to the combination of flashing lights, festive music and people wearing costumes.

Last year, Rutherford contacted a local shopping centre (The Howgate Shopping Centre in Falkirk) about running an “additional support needs” hour with their Santa’s grotto for children with disabilities.

“They were keen to do this and it was a big success,” she said. “It meant that parents could book and avoid queues. It meant dimmed lights and the music down low. And there were staff who understood our children and families were not “typical”. Thankfully they are going to continue to do this.”

France said she prepares her daughter prior to attending a grotto by letting her know what to expect as much as possible.

“We’ll show her pictures taken on previous years to remind her of what will happen,” the mum explained.

“We try to visit the grotto on a school day in term time so that it is quieter and she doesn’t have to wait in line with lots of other noisy excited children.”

2. Christmas Shopping

France said Christmas shopping is one of the hardest parts of the season for her daughter Emma: “She gets overloaded by all the people, bright lights and loud Christmas music. She also gets upset by how early the shops start selling Christmas stock.

“It sounds like a strange thing for a child to get upset over, but seeing Christmas things in August and September is too much for her to process and it sends her anxiety into overdrive.

“Ear defenders, tinted sunglasses and sensory toys can be lifesavers in busy shops.

“Even giving my daughter a lump of blue-tac or letting her ride in a disabled trolley instead of making her walk round the supermarket at busy times can make a difference.”

Myers said she has used many different tactics - through trial and error - to help her son while out and about: “This included using visuals and social stories to prepare him for visiting anywhere, or giving him ear defenders that could help block out the Christmas Carols he may hear in the supermarket.”

Or, just avoid it unless totally necessary, as Rutherford added: “We do our food shopping online and most of our Christmas shopping online too. Places are far too busy.”  

3. Christmas Parties And Gatherings.

If you are attending Christmas parties, Purser advises parents to ask in advance if there is a quiet room you can take your child too should it get too overwhelming.

“If the party is going to have a firework display, encourage enjoying this from indoors or from far away with a pair noise-cancelling headphones,” he said.

“You can also plan in advance by creating a countdown calendar and showing videos of firework displays so your child knows what to expect.

“Outside the home, discuss with your child’s school teacher the best way for school to hold Christmas activities that won’t distress your child.”

Myers said it is uncertainty during these situations that can drive anxiety, so the more information she gives her son, the better. 

She explained: “For example, if we were going to a Christmas party he would need to know: 1) who else was going to be there, 2) how long we would stay, 3) what activities we would do and 4) places he could go if it all got too much.”  

But most importantly...

“Do whatever works for your family,” said Myers. “Every child is unique and different. Therefore, it follows that every family is unique and different too, doesn’t it?

“It’s okay to let your family Christmas be unique and different to reflect this.

“Some days will be better than others and that’s okay. 

“You and your kids are awesome, unique and wonderful, and I hope that your Christmas reflects every inch of the wonderful chaos that living with autism brings!”

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Elton John And Beyoncé Reworking 'The Lion King' Songs For Live Action Remake

Elton John and Beyoncé are set to rework the classic songs of ‘The Lion King’ for the upcoming live action remake. 

According to the New York Daily News, Beyoncé is apparently working with the film’s original songwriter Elton to give ‘Circle Of Life’ and ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ a new lease of life. 

However, it remains unclear whether the ‘Lemonade’ singer will lend her vocals to any of the tracks, after it was confirmed she would be voicing Nala in the film, which is due for release in July 2019. 

The songs remain much loved by Disney fans, 23 years on from the animated film’s release. 

Elton later won an Oscar in the Best Original Song category for ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’, which he worked on with Tim Rice. 

While reworking a song from the original would not be enough for an Oscar nomination, Beyoncé could find herself on the Academy Awards shortlist if she pens a new track for the film. 

Last month, it was confirmed Donald Glover will Simba, in the live action remake.

Other stars who have signed up for the film include Seth Rogen as Pumba the warthog and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar.

James Earl Jones, who played Mufasa in the 1994 original, will reprise the role.

British comedian John Oliver, who hosts the political talk-show ‘Last Week Tonight’ in the US, will voice Zazu, originally played by ‘Mr Bean’ star Rowan Atkinson.

The film will be directed by Jon Favreau, who was also behind the recent ‘Jungle Book’ remake. 

‘The Lion King’ is the latest Disney classic to get a live action reboot. 

Recent hits have included ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’, which has made more than $1.2 billion worldwide.

The original animated ’The Lion King’ made $968 million at the global box office and spawned a successful theatre production, which is still running in London’s West End and on Broadway in New York.

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