Tots to Teens: March into health like a Super Trooper

It focuses on mental wellbeing, physical activity, and nutrition, and in the past 10 years, it’s been taught to more than one million children nationwide.

Registration is now open for this year. All schools have to do is visit layahealthcare.ie/supertroopers to register their interest in participating, and materials will be sent to them free of charge. 

These include Laya Super Trooper activity family wallcharts, a teacher’s guide to the programme, Laya Super Troopers prizes and details on how to enter a competition to win a sports experience with one of Laya Healthcare’s sports partnerships with Connacht, Leinster, and Munster Rugby.

Rugby explained

If you have a young rugby fan in the family, this new illustrated book will teach them all there is to know about dropkicks, scrums, and tackles.

The Story of Irish Rugby is written by Gerard Siggins and illustrated by Graham Corcoran.

It starts by outlining the sport’s origins and takes readers through its history, from club games to its emergence as one of the leading sports on the international stage.

The book covers the game’s rules, but its main focus is Irish rugby. It tells readers about the four provinces and their teams, recounts the stories of unforgettable matches and tournaments, and the exploits of legendary players.

• Suitable for readers aged eight and up, it is available in hardback for €19.99.

Cuddly creatures

Many children find comfort in snuggling up with a soft toy. For some, it’s teddies. For others, it might be a rag doll. And for those lucky enough to receive one of the knitted creations produced by Fiona O’Driscoll of Sundew Crafts, it could be something as unusual as a badger, a hedgehog, or a bumblebee.

O’Driscoll lives in Leitrim, where wild animals regularly visit her garden. She makes each of her creations by hand using only natural wool and locally produced fleece.

Her range is constantly changing, but right now, it consists of teddy bears, baby dolls, leprechauns, voodoo zombies for Halloween, and the aforementioned badgers, hedgehogs, and bumblebees.

• Prices start at €6; see sundewcrafts.com.

Health Research Festival

Trinity College Dublin is opening its gates to families and the general public from 3pm to 7pm tomorrow, Wednesday, September 25. That’s when its Front Square will be transformed into the setting for the first-ever Child Health Research Festival.

This festival aims to showcase Trinity’s research on children’s health. It will feature interactive and educational exhibits, games, and displays designed to demonstrate how its researchers tackle the most serious health issues affecting children worldwide.

Entertainment highlights will include the Gene Genie Puppet Theatre, bringing the story of genes and gene therapy to life. The Brain Waves section will investigate how brains work through video game research. The Smile Safari will encourage children to explore their mouths and teeth and show them how to maintain good dental health.

Attendees will explore the immune system through squishy-squashy bugs, fighting fit teddies, and superhero medicine. They will also meet the mobility assistance dogs and puppies that help children with cerebral palsy learn to walk. Other topics covered include neurodiversity, sepsis awareness, LGBTQ+ young people and mental health, and more.

• For full details, visit exa.mn/Child-Health-Research-Festival