1 JUNE 2002, Page 67

Q. 1 often have to drive to north Norfolk with a carload of disruptive children. The

journey time is three-and-a-half hours. Electronic games are too stimulating. Can you suggest any old-fashioned ones to help keep them occupied as we sit in traffic jams?

D.S., London SW11 A. Buy a book of Pieter Bruegel the elder or L.S. Lowry paintings and allow the children to study one picture at a time for three minutes at a time. Then shut the book and pose questions such as 'How many sheep are there in the picture?' or 'How many chimneys are there altogether, and how many of them are smoking?' Award points for each correct answer. Not only does this keep order in the back seat, it also helps to develop the children's powers of observation, to say nothing of rendering them slightly sleepy.