Online Resources for home education
I don’t know about you but I’ve gone from feeling stressed that there is nothing on for the kids while we are stuck at home to feeling slightly overwhelmed by the amount of online resources we could be doing! Which is brilliant but can feel stressful in a whole other way. (Updated 21st September 2020.)
These are a few of the favourite things my kids have been enjoying since the early days of lockdown, and some we are continuing even whilst back at school. We already had a good idea from our time home schooling but that was nothing in comparison as we spent most of our times outside doing groups!
Audio books
We downloaded a free trial of Audible and got one free credit so they listened to a 7 hour book on there (not all in one go!) and it was brilliant, it has been so needed to have some down time that wasn’t screen time. They have now released Audible Stories for this time with lots of completely free books on. There is also BorrowBox which you access with your library card and you can then get audio books on loan. I’m not sure it works for all regions but Gloucestershire Library is definitely on there if you’re local. David Walliams is also releasing a free story every day at 11.
Fitness Online Resources
We, (along with many of the others in the world it seems!) started the school day with live P.E with Joe, aka The Body Coach, all of his videos are still on his channel plus a whole lot more. We were generally awake long before that though, and so after breakfast tried to calm our busy, often worried minds with some Yoga. We loved doing the free lives with Ella & Fleur Hot Yoga. They are also doing other live classes throughout the day. (Now paid for)
Art
The draw-alongs with Rob were so lovely. My children recognised the illustrations from books that they know and it kept them quiet and occupied for ages. We even helped to break a Guiness World Record with him! He is now continuing with them on Saturday mornings.
Worksheets
I found Twinkl to be invaluable before the school sent some work over, there is so much on there. We started with the Spring Activity Workbooks and went from there. The membership is so worth it in my opinion as we use it for holiday distractions, colouring sheets and so much more!
Fun Online Resources
We, along with many many others, tuned in at 12pm on Wednesdays to see the brand new live show from the incredible local legend Tweedy the Clown, a huge huge favourite of pretty much every child who has ever seen him in Gifford’s Circus or the pantomime at the Everyman Theatre. Streaming on the Barn Theatre Cirencester Facebook page along with many many other amazing programs, bringing the theatre to your living room.
The below is sadly still relevant as everything looks set to change again!
I hope you are safe and well in this scary time, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to be an amazing teacher to your children. Just try and have some downtime in your day and a bit of routine, generally kids like some sort of routine. If they really like order, there are online schedules and planners that you can download on Twinkl. There is obviously a myriad of other things available out there but these have been our core watches.
Superb work! If you have a child who loves games but you are looking to reduce their screen time then I think I have the answer for you. Have stuck at home this is great way to pass time.