19/03/2020
I have been asked by a large number of parents over the past few days about what they can do with their children to continue with their children's education while they are at home due to school closures.
Initially, we were expecting that the school shutdown would only last for a few weeks but there have been hints from some quarters that it could be a longer term strategy so parents need to be prepared for that eventually.
My own view is that, when there is an opportunity to spend some one to one time with their children, parents should grasp the opportunity with both hands, though clearly for many, especially those who will be working from home, it's not going to be an easy juggling act!
Preparation is the key. Plan for tomorrow today and write down what will be done and when. Get organised and always know what you are going to do the following day before you go to bed. That way you'll sleep better and get up with more energy, without the worry of "what shall I do with them today?" .
Here are a few ideas for things that most children can do on their own. Although these aren't the things they would be doing at school, they are things that will enrich their learning and cover "education" in a much wider sense than we usually think of it:
With straws and paperclips, how tall a tower can they build that will stay standing.
Give them a selection of art materials and get them to make a poster with a positive message - we all need some positivity right now!!
Get them watching a dance DVD that helps them learn times tables.
If they are able to, devise and perform a play using simple sock puppets, that the family watches in the evening rather than watching TV.
Sort clothes out in their bedroom - any they don't like or no longer wear can be put to one side and bagged up ready for taking to a charity shop when possible.
Teach children how to play Patience with a set of playing cards.
Although you could let them sit in front of the TV or computer screen or tablet, it's probably not that great an option - though obviously the easiest one.
Get them drawing, weeding the garden (with gloves and instructions) or household chores, explaining that, depending on how well they do with each task, they will get points towards an agreed reward.
Even if you are working from home, schedule in some time for activities such as cooking, which most children love - especially if it involves something they like to eat.
If you are NOT working from home, obviously the opportunities are endless but here are a few ideas:
Share a new craft.
Or one they've tried before.
Play a board game or invent one together - keep it simple.
Do the household chores together after a suitable reward has been discussed. There could be several levels of reward depending on the number of points earned from each task.
Put sticky labels on cans of food (if you actually have any!!) or other household items and challenge your children to tell you how much a selection of items "bought" would cost if purchased.
If you are skilled in a particular craft like knitting, sewing, jewellery making, carpentry, etc. teaching children some simple projects is going to be the perfect introduction.
Print out family photos and create a collage together which can be put into a frame.
Video the children reading a book and send it to someone who is self isolating. Something like The Wonkey Donkey books that really raise the spirits is perfect.
Mothers Day and Easter are coming up soon, so now is a good time to create greetings cards - don't forget Grandma, especially if she's self - isolating right now.
Make a list of people that they would call if they were only allowed 5 calls - this is interesting and very revealing - and then let them have 5 minutes of call time for each of the people on the list.
There are a lot of guided meditations on YouTube - why not do one together as a family?
The list really is endless.
Do a Google search. Something like "How to occupy children during the school holidays" will yield a ton of ideas. Go for the ones that don't need too much in the way of resources. Making a spaceship from a cardboard is sometimes far more interesting than having a huge range of shiny materials and it doesn't matter if it doesn't quite work as planned!! Kids need lots of little activities to keep them occupied. Most want to play computer games these days but make sure there's a balanced selection of activities. Playing computer games all day is not a good habit to get into.
If anyone needs educational resources, I have access to many that I can get to you, either electronically or via post - if I'm allowed out of isolation!!!
