To cycle or not to cycle!

Much has been made in the press this week regarding a couple who could face being reported to social services for allowing their children to cycle to school. The family who live in South London, currently allow their two children aged 5 and 8 to cycle less than a mile to school, but they have been referred to the school's headmaster who believes that the children should be accompanied both ways.

This item has definitely split public opinion as on one hand you have the debate that there is insufficient activity for children and that we need to get them out and about on their bikes and then the other side declaring that the parents are being irresponsible. I suppose it all comes down to personal choice and making sure that the children are safe. I wonder if they have heard of high viz!!

Great New Book to enjoy the School Run

Have you ever thought how you can encourage your children to walk or cycle to school, then this excellent new book written by Ann Kenrick is the answer. "Let me Out! How to enjoy the school run " was published in 2009 and has plenty of practical advice on how to set up your own scheme, where funding can be secured and lots of other helpful tips.

For more information check out our website Brightkidz.co.uk

Fun new teaching aids

We have now received some great new teaching aids to get the message of safety on the roads across to the children in a fun and interactive way.

Why not take a look at the large puppet of a Lollipop man which is a great teaching resource or a fun soft toy. This puppet can be used in conjunction with the Teaching mitt of "People who help us". All these new products are located on our website Brightkidz.co.uk.

National Childhood Obesity Week 5-11 July

Next week sees the start of National Childhood Obesity Week which is being launched by the National Obesity forum and MEND (a social enterprise dedicated to reducing global overweight and obesity levels), which is calling for a strategy to tackle childhood obesity and launching a charter to bring all organisations working in this area.

With such super weather this is the ideal opportunity to get out and about with the children and the week is aimed at encouraging more children and families to get active together by showing them how much fun physical activity can be. Why not check out MEND's website www.mendcentral.org to see what events are in your area.

Greener Together

Following on from Kate's post why not join in yourself? We are looking for more people to take part in this initiative. All you have to do to get started is register, fill in a baseline survey to say what you are already doing and what else you could do (make a few pledges) and start being greener.

Full details of the project are at http://www.greenertogether.coop/

If you are interested, either contact BrightKidz with any questions, or register directly at http://www.greenertogether.coop/user/register .

When you register, please make sure to select "BrightKidz" as the participating organisation.

Its Poncho Time

Its festival time once more and whilst we are all praying for the good weather to continue its always better to be safe than sorry so why not have one of our super new Ponchos. We have either the Eco Poncho suitable for both adults and children which is made from clear biodegradable plastic. Or to ensure that you don't lose your child at one of these events, there is the child's high viz option which will definitely make you child stand out.

Greener Together

I am feeling very virtuous this morning as I have just completed a questionnaire by Greener Together an initiative run jointly by co-operatives UK, Confederation of Co-operative Housing CCH and the Plunkett foundation.

The aim of the scheme is to help people to live in a more sustainable way. Its very simple you register and then complete a short questionnaire and make various pledges to live in a greener way. I have pledged to make sure that I am recycling as much as possible and remembering to switch lights off and unplug electrical equipment whenever I can. So go ahead and see what you can do for the environment by joining the Greener together initiative now!

Work out those measurements!

Ever sat in a maths lesson and either forgotten to bring your calculator or ruler, well those days are over. Why not take a look at our super new dual powered calculator / ruler so you only have to locate one item in that busy school morning dash. The calculator works with both batteries and solar power when there is sufficient light. In a stylish silver colour it will make a great addition to any school bag.

Wake up time !!

Add some fun to your early starts with a new flexible friend. This is no ordinary digital alarm clock; it's shaped like a walking man and you can change his poses by bending his arms and legs. The clip on his 'back' means you can even attach notes or reminders to see when you wake up. He can also grasp a pen.

Walk to School Week

You still have a chance to get those last minute prizes for all the excellent schemes that have taken place over this week. We have some great prizes for instance why not look at the promotional pencils which can have your own logo printed on them. So why not take a look at our website Brightkidz.co.uk and give us a call.

Reduce speeding in our villages

Brake has once more raised the question of a 20mph speed limit for towns and villages. At an international conference held in London today, they have highlighted the fact that a car driven at 20mph or lower can stop in 12 metres (about three lengths) or less, giving the driver a good chance to brake and stop in time if a child runs out ahead. Any increases on this speed then reduce the safe stopping distance of cars and the casualty outcome. Therefore we really do need to revisit the whole issue of speeding in our towns and villages.

The Social Enterprise Mark

We are in celebratory mood after having been awarded the Social Enterprise Mark which identifies us as trading for social and environmental purposes.

The Social Enterprise Mark is the brand for social enterprises and was launched 1st February 2010. The Mark identifies businesses which meet defined criteria for social enterprises and consumers will recognise that businesses displaying the Mark are trading to benefit people and the planet.

Well done brightkidz!

Walk to School Week

Everyone is at it this month with "Walk to School Week" kicking off on the 17th May until the 21st May. This year the theme is "Walk your Way" focusing on how walking to school helps children learn vital orientating skills to help them navigate and get to know their local area, improving confidence and safety.

We have some great products to help everyone participate in this great scheme

Moonwalk London 2010

On a foolish whim last year I agreed to take part in the Playtex Moonwalk in London, organised by Walk the Walk to raise awareness and money for breast cancer causes. Only now, with 3 weeks to go the full realisation that I have to walk 26 miles starting at midnight, wearing only a bra, is starting to sink in!!

Everyone here at Brightkidz is being great, offering lots of support and encouragement and you certainly wont miss me in all of my highvis gear definitely putting the company motto of "Seeing you go safely" to the test. Training is going well with a possible walk of 18 - 20 miles tomorrow. Keep a look out for further bulletins.