Book For Children by Ruggi Gilda Williams (Phaidon, £12.95). Contemporary artists and old masters are celebrated to encourage children to discover what they like and explore their own style.

From the moment your child steps inside the Hotel Métropole, Monte Carlo, and sees its huge tree adorned with giant biscuits, pocket watches and rock candies, she will be enchanted by its Christmas Wonderland. Children can also indulge in festive

Beneath the stunning white facade of the Chapter Hotel in Montpellier, Cheltenham, beats a child-friendly heart with a new Family Package that sees children under 12 stay for free. Facilities include baby baths, high chairs and cots, while the

Sophie Worthington 6.45am My alarm goes followed by rushed dressing and breakfasting of our three children (Io, 15, Cy, 12, and Rex, nine). Living in the country and having three kids all at different schools means that my husband and I are both

.6. If possible, do not put your child in the same shoes every day. Alternate shoes to allow them to dry out.7. Have your children’s shoes checked every six to eight weeks as their feet grow, on average, two full sizes a year until they are four

about actions Say how people’s actions affect others’ feelings. For example, "Did you see how that little girl was upset when the other children wouldn’t play with her? How do you think she was feeling?"

Give praise When your child does show empathy

Some of these methods use hard-boiled eggs and so these can be eaten afterwards. If you want to display your creations year after year, you’ll need to use blown eggs.To blow an eggUse a pin or a needle to make a hole in the fat end of an egg. Wiggle the needle around to make a ho...

experience in its ample spa and great children’s activities, including summer tobogganing. But arguably the biggest draw is an overnight stay at the Walig Hut. Perched 1,700m above the village of Gsteig, the chic mountain retreat offers families breathtaking

and water sports. Tennis, waterskiing, mountain biking, sailing, windsurfing and volleyball will help calm any pre-Christmas over-excitement. A seven-night stay in a Deluxe Christmas Room for a family of four, including flights, transfers, children’s clubs

of vibrant Marrakech – where your child will love the jugglers, musicians and acrobats in the main square. You’ll then go on to explore the Berber way of life while trekking through villages in the Atlas mountains (with mules to carry children), before