Tots to Teens: Schoolkids get to grow a food business

Plus: parenting podcasts, inclusive kids' reading, and a traditional Irish Christmas experience

GROW2CEO aims to get 10,000 secondary schools to grow their own food and create sustainable food businesses.

YOUNG people can play a part in transforming our food production systems and helping to address climate change. That’s the belief shared by Grow It Yourself (GIY) Ireland and the Accenture consultancy firm.

Together they have launched GROW2CEO, a competition they hope will get 10,000 secondary schools across Ireland to grow their food and create sustainable food businesses.

The competitive process starts with participating schools being sent a GIY pack of containers, seeds, and soil along with expert growing tips and advice from GIY founder Michael Kelly. They will also receive start-up and development guides from Accenture.

Over the following 16 weeks, they will learn how to grow food from seed and develop a food business plan before going head to head in a Dragons’ Den-style regional final.

A panel of judges from GIY and Accenture will choose a winner from each region who will be awarded a school garden, a grant of €500 and a visit to GIY’s GROW HQ, where they will partake in a food skills course.

• Secondary schools can register for this competition until February 1 at www.grow2ceo.ie

Happy Attic Stories

Reading for all

Happy Attic Stories are for all kids who love books. But they are especially popular with kids who struggle with reading.

Created by Cork-based author and illustrator Trev Burke, he knows exactly how difficult it can be to learn how to read. 

His dyslexia wasn’t diagnosed until he was an adult, which meant that rather than reading books at school, he spent his days looking at the pictures and dreaming up his own stories.

Although he has mastered the art of reading, he continues to dream up stories and has produced a series of picture books for children up to six. 

They tell of the adventures of Purple and Reggie, two fun-loving characters who are always up to mischief. 

They are simply written, fully illustrated, and designed to be understood by all children, regardless of reading ability.

• Books cost €10 each and are available from happyatticstories.com.

The Baby Tribe

Podcast for new parents

Becoming a parent can be a daunting experience. You’re handed a newborn and suddenly you’re expected to know how to care for it.

The Baby Tribe is an Irish podcast that aims to reassure parents. 

It’s presented by Professor Afif El-Khuffash, a consultant neonatologist and paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin. 

His co-host is Katie Mugan, a paediatric and public health nurse, lactation consultant, founder of www.nursingmama.ie and mum of four.

Together, they provide parents and caregivers with the latest information and advice on baby health and nutrition. 

They talk to experts such as sleep coaches and allergy specialists. 

They also interview high-profile mums and dads about their experience as new parents. 

All the while, they share invaluable tips on topics from prenatal care to how to navigate sleep deprivation.

• The Baby Tribe is available for free across all podcasting platforms.

Siamsa Nollaig at Siamsa Tire is an experience that takes families back to the Ireland of old.

A traditional Christmas

Ireland’s unique Christmas traditions are celebrated at Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland in Tralee. 

This year, it is hosting Siamsa na Nollag, an experience that takes children and families back to the Ireland of old.

The magic starts when Robin, Santa’s little helper, greets the children. He will ask them to join him in searching for his friend the Wren. 

Then they will journey together, making new friends and learning about traditional Irish customs before ending up at Christmas Cottage. 

Santa will be waiting for them inside, with gift bags for all.

• Siamsa na Nollag takes place every weekend between now and Christmas and daily from Friday, December 15, to Saturday, December 23.
• Tickets cost €18 per child and €10 per adult. Family tickets are also available. Find out more at www.siamsatire.com.