Edinburgh Science Festival continues this Easter break and brings more fun for young sci-curious minds at the National Museum of Scotland
Science Festival Favourites, which opened yesterday, is a series of children workshops and shows, an exciting selection of activities which would normally feature at City Art Centre.
Children can Dig Up a Dino! (ages 5+) in a special dig site and discover all about the creatures which ruled the Earth millions of years ago, become a forensic scientist in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (8+), help solve a crime and catch the perpetrator or get their goo on in Splat-tastic! (5+), be creative with chemistry and make their very own slime to take home.
Also part of Science Festival Favourites, the whole family can take part in Mini-Medics: The Body Show (7+), inviting everyone to scrub up, don their masks and join Doctor Watson and Nurse It-Better as they explore the human body and how to keep it healthy. The Rocket Show (7+) makes the rocket science fun and accessible as children explore forces, test materials and prepare for a launch of a rocket fit for space.
Tech Decoded, supported by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres and SeaByte, features free drop-in activities that allow families to explore technology from AI to coding. Visitors will learn how the internet works and have the chance to create their own electrical circuits.
Edinburgh Science Festival continues until 19 April.
Craigroyston are setting up a sessions for our youngest players “Craigy’s Little kickers” we’re looking for young boys and girls to come along and kick start there Craigy career early before soccer school. Boys and girls aged between 3-5 years old.
SFA qualified coach
Sports first aid trained.
Sessions will be based on nothing more than fun, making friends and football.
First session Saturday 2nd May
Saturday afternoons 1-2pm old cattle track lane (Marine drive) EH4 5JT
The first Kick can lead to a dream.
Get involved. Please contact Anthony on 07708293555
Edinburgh Dance Academy, recently voted highest ranked dance school in the UK and Ireland are ENROLLING NOW!!!
All of our taster lessons are free to make sure that we are the right fit for any dancer, and this month we are offering …
TWO WEEKS FREE AT ALL EDA STUDIOS
We offer classes in: Pre School Dance, Teenie Toes (parent and child), RAD Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Competition Teams, Contemporary, Commercial, Acro, Turns, Limbering, Body Conditioning, Mini Musical Theatre, Progressing Ballet Technique, & our Everybody Dance Now (ASN class)!
We would love to have you join our amazing dance family!
For more information please get in touch.
Email hello@eda.scot to book your free taster lesson now!
Chickenpox is a common and usually mild illness, especially in children
It causes an itchy rash of spots that turn into blisters before crusting over. You or your child may also feel unwell, have a fever or aches before the rash appears.
Most children get better at home without seeing a GP, but it’s important to keep them off nursery or school until all spots have crusted over to help stop the spread.
There is no treatment for chickenpox. But, you can get remedies from your pharmacy that can help symptoms. These include:
– paracetamol to help bring down a fever
– calamine lotion and cooling gels to ease itching.
In most children, the blisters crust up and fall off naturally within 1 to 2 weeks.
Find out more about symptoms, what to expect and when to get advice at #NHSinform
The average Scottish parent turns to online search 3.92 times a week to make sense of their child’s world – from rock obsessions to cardboard box fixations
Yet experts say one crucial topic is being missed – research shows that searches of children’s eye health are strikingly low (6%), despite good vision being vital to children’s development
Challenges persist in being able to spot vision problems in children early, with experts warning around 1 in 5 children under 10 are living with a sight condition, meaning up to 1.6 million children across the UK are impacted
Almost 88% of Scottish parents say they turn to the internet to decode how their child sees the world, with the most obscure and quirky searches revealed. These queries include ‘why do kids say 6 7?’, ‘why do kids eat sponges?’, ‘why do kids like sitting in a box?’ and ‘do kids naturally hate vegetables?’.
A massive 79% of parents in Scotland struggle to understand their child’s weird and wonderful world, according to the research. However, the eye care experts at Specsavers, who commissioned the study, warn that a crucial topic is being missed – with 6% of parents seeking advice on their child’s vision.
When it comes to their child’s physical health, 90% of Scots have searched for answers online, with most common themes including high temperatures (47%), developmental milestones (41%), rashes or skin conditions (35%), or eating habits and nutrition (24%). Yet only 6% have ever sought advice about ways to improve kids’ eyesight.
Of those who haven’t, many say it’s because they didn’t spot vision problems in their child (32%) or believe their child is too young for it to be a concern (9%). Dr Nigel Best, Optometrist from Specsavers, highlights that children often don’t report vision issues because they assume what they see is normal – and regular eye tests are recommended from the age of three.
Child psychologist, Dr Elizabeth Kilbey,adds: ‘It’s not surprising parents are turning to search engines to help navigate the many questions that come with raising children – from behaviour and development to the often weird and wonderful things kids say or do.
“Children are curious and imaginative, and this plays a vital role in how they learn, explore and build confidence. Because so much of that discovery is visual, clear vision is crucial to their development.
“In all areas of life, and the classroom especially, clear vision is fundamental. Being able to see and focus underpins learning; when vision is affected, it can influence a child’s attention, engagement and behaviour. That’s why parents should prioritise eye health as an important part of their child’s overall wellbeing.’
The survey uncovers what Scottish parents search for most, with more 32% saying they search about their child’s habits or routines, 33% question whether certain behaviours of their child are common. Interestingly, while 88% admit their online searches regularly start with “Is it normal for my child to…”.
When it comes to their child’s eye health, 23% of Scottish parents are not aware of any common eyesight issues which can affect children, such as short-sightedness or lazy eyes (amblyopia). Worryingly, 9% of those polled, have never taken their child for an eye test, while 2% haven’t done so within the last two years.
The main reason for this was simply because their child hasn’t complained about their vision (26%), with 16% saying they would make an appointment if there appeared to be an issue.
Dr Nigel Best, Optometrist from Specsavers, says: ‘This research proves how easy it is to overlook a child’s eye health unless obvious symptoms appear. But that’s why being proactive is so important.
“Regular eye tests can identify issues early – often before a child realises anything is wrong. What many parents may not realise is that many sight conditions, such as myopia in kids, can be managed or corrected if they’re detected before the age of eight, while vision is still developing.’
The research aims to encourage parents to prioritise their children’s eye health and reveals how children’s sight problems are going unnoticed. In fact, around 1 in 5 children under 10 experience sight conditions according to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists* – which is up to 1.6 million children in the UK.
Book your child’s NHS-funded eye test at Specsavers.co.uk for children under 16.
TOP 20 QUIRKY SEARCH TERMS ASKED BY SCOTTISH PARENTS
Why are kids saying 6 7
Do kids naturally hate vegetables
Why do kids like sitting in a box
Why do kids love cardboard boxes so much
Why do kids say are we nearly there yet
Why do kids fold their ears
How common is it for children to get stuck in a washing machine
Do kids write diaries without being told to
Why do kids draw dogs all the same
Why are kids talking in letters these days
Why do kids like food in shapes
Why are kids throwing popcorn at chicken jockey
Why do kids act like cats
Do kids poke each other’s bum
How come most kids just instinctively make potions in the bathroom
Why do kids cheer during fire alarm
Do kids like to watch the water tornado in the bath
Test could enable earlier treatment and improve life chances
Scotland is now the first part of the UK to screen newborn babies for a rare condition which causes progressive muscle wastage.
The test for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), which can affect movement, breathing and swallowing, began this week. Previously, people affected will have been tested once they displayed symptoms.
The Scottish Government and pharmaceutical company Novartis are funding a two-year evaluation to assess how well SMA screening can detect the condition earlier, allowing babies to receive treatment as soon as possible.
On average, three to four babies per year are born with SMA in Scotland.
All parents are now offered SMA screening for their newborns through the existing blood spot test, which is taken around day four after birth.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Scotland is the first country in the UK to start the evaluation of SMA screening.
“SMA can have devastating implications for babies and their families, and this investment demonstrates our commitment to early detection through our screening programme.
“I thank SMA UK and local campaigners who have worked so hard to highlight this issue and Novartis for its funding. By detecting SMA before symptoms develop, screening could allow earlier treatment which could be life-changing and help secure the best possible care and support for babies and families.”
SMA UK charity CEO Giles Lomax said: “This milestone represents an important step forward for the SMA community.
“With all three treatments now routinely available through NHS Scotland alongside newborn screening, the future for anyone diagnosed with SMA is very different compared to their peers who were diagnosed symptomatically.
“These babies will now have the opportunity to grow up without life-long health care needs and the complexity and challenges of living with SMA.
“I would like to thank the Scottish Government, the numerous clinicians and the Scottish Muscle Network as well as Novartis for their on-going support to drive change.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Consultant Clinical Scientist and Director of the screening laboratory Dr Sarah Smith said: “We are working closely with the UK National Screening Committee and other UK laboratories to assess the screen in a real‑life setting.
“Our staff have worked tirelessly to begin screening as quickly as possible so we can start to understand the impact that earlier treatment may have on babies born with this condition.”
Scotland is now the first UK nation to screen newborn babies for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) as part of a pilot.
Earlier testing of the rare condition will allow babies to get treatment sooner. This could improve their life chances.
UK and Ireland Chief Medical Officer at Novartis Rob Hastings said: “We are delighted that Scotland has become the first nation in the UK to introduce newborn screening for SMA, helping ensure families benefit from timely diagnosis.
“This programme marks a significant step forward in early detection and intervention, giving babies the chance to receive the care they need as soon as possible.
“Early identification of SMA can make a meaningful difference to children and their families, and we are confident Scotland’s participation will provide the evidence needed to make SMA a long term screening programme.”
Scottish Director of Screening Dr Tasmin Sommerfield said: “I am delighted that Scotland is following the advice of the UK National Screening Committee and commencing this in-service evaluation of SMA screening.
“It will allow babies with SMA to receive the best care and treatment as soon as possible.”
The Scottish Government provided funding of £95,000 towards the SMA screening evaluation, with Novartis providing £435,400.
NSPCC reveals nine in 10 adults in Scotland are concerned about child abuse – as charity calls on political parties to prioritise children’s safety
87% adults in Scotland are concerned about child abuse and neglect
Yet 86% think child abuse and neglect can be prevented
NSPCC calling for all political parties in next Scottish Government to work together to prevent child abuse and neglect
Almost nine in 10 adults (87%) in Scotland are concerned about the risk of abuse and neglect facing children but 86% of those who expressed an opinion believe it can be prevented, a new NSPCC survey has revealed.
The Savanta poll of over 1,000 adults in Scotland also found that the majority (54%) believe the risk to children is greater than when they were growing up.
When asked to select the greatest risk facing children, over a third (34%) named online harms and more than one in four (27%) cited poverty and lack of basic resources.
NSPCC Scotland is publishing this data as part of its call to all political parties to work together to prevent child abuse and neglect to improve the lives of babies, children and families in Scotland ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in May.
The NSPCC recognises that Scotland has long aspired to give all children the best possible start in life. Yet too often child protection is only prioritised in response to distressing revelations of abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation and death.
The charity believes that children are being failed by fragmented early years policy, overstretched social work services, rising online harms and inconsistent access to healthy relationships education.
In the charity’s recent survey, respondents’ views on how best to address child abuse and neglect included, improve coordination between police, schools, health services and social care in protecting children, and the following:
Better public awareness to help educate adults about the signs of child abuse and how to report it
Better education for children on identifying abuse and knowing how to get help
Improve training for teachers, health-workers and other frontline professionals in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse
Joanne Smith, NSPCC Scotland policy and public affairs manager, said: “All children have the right to a safe, happy, and healthy childhood.
“Scotland has long aspired to take a preventative approach, but we haven’t made the sustained investment or put in place the strong, lasting governance that’s needed to lead and coordinate this work and turn our shared ambition for children into reality.
“We now have the opportunity to change that. We need to build systems that identify risk early, support families before crisis, and protect children both online and offline.
“Our 5‑Point Plan for Prevention offers a roadmap that the next government can implement from day one. Preventing child abuse and neglect should be a national priority, and long-term commitment, that we invest in.
“We cannot afford to fail another generation of children.”
The charity’s 5‑Point Plan for Prevention calls for the next Scottish Government to:
Invest in babies and very young children to ensure every baby receives consistent, universal services, with early identification of families who need additional specialist support, re-establish early years as a cross-party priority, with a clear focus on parent–infant relationships.
Strengthen the child protection system to improve support for families who are carrying the heaviest load and listen to frontline social workers to understand gaps and pressures. Develop specialist, multi-disciplinary, preventative child protection teams in every area, and introduce a national digital ‘single unique identifier’ to track decisions and progress and ensure continuity and accountability across services. Also, deliver a National Social Work Agency that gives social workers the time, space, tools and confidence to offer early support to vulnerable families with very young children.
Prevent child sexual abuse by taking a public health approachby improving data on the scale and nature of sexual abuse and exploitation against children in Scotland, urgently address the downward trend in recorded concerns about child sexual abuse within social work statistics and design and resource a child protection system that can identify and respond to child sexual abuse.
Keep children safe onlineby ensuring early years, education, child protection, the voluntary sector and law enforcement work together with clear leadership from the next Scottish Government on prevention and recovery efforts. Consult with children and use this to design online safety policy. Set up a Strategic AI Advisory Group to provide expert advice to Ministers to ensure child safety and equality in all national activity related to AI.
Make healthy relationships education mandatory – as it is an opportunity to make sure that all children and young people know that they have a right to be treated, and responsibility to treat others, with dignity and respect. It can help pupils recognise healthy and unhealthy behaviour, and it helps protect children and young people from abuse.
NSPCC Scotland is urging any adult that has concerns about a child to contact the charity’s helpline or reach out to the relevant local authorities. Adults who are concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, or email: help@NSPCC.org.uk
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
As millions of children enjoy the Easter holidays, the government is stepping up to take the pressure off parents battling to keep their children safe online
Parents can access the government’s free ‘You Won’t Know until You Ask’ campaign, which provides practical tools and conversation starters to help families talk about harmful online content over the school holidays
The government is taking tough action to make tech platforms do more to protect children online, with a landmark consultation open until 26 May setting out proposals including minimum age limits for social media and overnight curfews on addictive features
New government guidance published last week sets out clear, judgement-free advice on healthy screen time for children under 5
THIS Easter weekend there’s plenty of time for chocolate eggs, family time, and, let’s be honest, a whole lot of screen time.
Parents across the country are navigating that daily balancing act with screens – wondering what their children are seeing, how much time they’re spending online, and whether they’re doing enough to keep them safe. It’s a lot to carry, and it shouldn’t all fall on families.
That’s why the government is preparing to take tough action to make tech platforms take responsibility – and at the same time giving parents the free, practical tools they’ve been asking for, so they feel supported rather than on their own.
The landmark consultation on children’s online safety, which is open right now, sets out some of the most ambitious proposals ever put forward by any government – including minimum age limits for social media, overnight curfews on addictive features like infinite scrolling and autoplay, and tighter restrictions on AI chatbots for young people.
The government has promised to act quickly on the findings, and new legal powers mean ministers can move within months rather than waiting years for new legislation. The response has already been significant, over 38,000 people have had their say in just the first month since it launched. The consultation closes on 26 May and there are dedicated versions for both parents and young people – so this is a real chance for families to shape what happens next.
Online Safety Minister, Kanishka Narayan, said: “I’ve been hearing from parents and children across the country, and it’s clear this matters deeply to families. Platforms must be held accountable – and they will be. We are taking action to make sure they meet their responsibilities.
“But I’ve also heard that parents want support, not just reassurance. Regulation alone won’t change culture overnight, and that’s why we’re giving families free, practical tools to have those conversations at home. We want every family to feel equipped and confident, not overwhelmed.”
Alongside this, the government is also reminding parents about its ‘You Won’t Know until You Ask’ campaign, a no-nonsense and free toolkit packed with practical advice to help mums and dads feel confident starting those conversations, without it turning into a row at the dinner table.
Over 120,000* families have already visited the campaign website since it launched in February, with thousands** setting weekly reminders to check in with their children about what they’re seeing online.
With the school holidays here, there’s never been a better time to take five minutes to explore what your children are seeing online. A simple question can go a long way and the government’s free guidance is there to help when you need it.
Two recent court cases in the US have marked significant moments in the battle to keep young people safe online.
First, Meta was fined hundreds of millions of dollars for misleading users over the safety of its platforms for children. Then Meta and Google were sued for damaging a woman’s mental health in childhood through addictive platform designs.
These cases highlight how children and families are being failed by tech companies, who continue to expose young users to sexually explicit material, contact with dangerous adults and other preventable risks.
The online world is a central part of children’s lives. They learn, play and socialise online, and enjoy many benefits from social media, messaging apps, gaming and other digital platforms.
Children often don’t distinguish between their online and offline lives – both shape who they are. But alongside the positives, the online world also brings serious risks to children that must be addressed.
The scale of risk and online harm children face is unacceptable. Effective regulation of social media, a power reserved to Westminster and introduced through the Online Safety Act, is vital but not the only solution. The Scottish Government must play their part too. Devolved child safety online policy must also keep up with the fast‑changing digital landscape, including the challenges posed by generative AI.
The NSPCC wants to see a Scotland‑wide approach that brings together early years, education, child protection, the voluntary sector and law enforcement to keep children safe online.
We are calling on the next Scottish Government to provide clear leadership on prevention by retaining a strong, ambitious National Child Safety Online Action Plan, updated every year, aligned with the Online Safety Act, which is a key part of a wider public health approach to preventing child sexual abuse.
GIRLGUIDING are delighted to have been included in Together – Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights Manifesto 2026. They’ve brought together manifestos from across the sector to highlight how the next Scottish government can ensure children’s rights are upheld.
Our manifesto asks have been featured including:
Prevent and eliminate violence against young women and girls, with long-term funding for specialist women’s and youth organisations.
Ensure safe and inclusive learning environments for girls.
Take a look at Together’s full manifesto, urging the next Scottish Government to ensure children’s rights are at the heart of the next Government
FREE FOOTBALL 
TWO WEEKS FREE AT ALL EDA STUDIOS 
Prevent and eliminate violence against young women and girls, with long-term funding for specialist women’s and youth organisations.
