After five weeks of lock down with the kids. I thought I would share my isolation inspiration with you. I have no strict schedule or colour coded wall chart but don’t want the kids watching mind numbing un-boxings on I pads all day either. My friend Ruth from @rocknrollerbaby called it Mediocre Mumming and I’m happy with that. Times are stress-full enough without trying to enforce a strict regime whilst working and running the home.
I’ve had a go at all the resource’s below and the kids have really enjoyed them. For reference I have a 7 year old and 3 1/2 year. I find dipping in to the different mediums gives the kids the variety to hold their attention but also makes each day different. let me know how you get on and if you’ve used any others.
Online
Twinkl
Twinkl is a Home Learning Hub used by parents and teachers for all key stages. Each day you’ll find a new set of daily activities to get involved with book readings, live lessons, positive news updates and more. Twinkle have really stepped up to the plate during the Coronavirus Shutdown and enabled free access for all as well as a dedicate School Closure Support page with even more ideas and information. If you only have the energy to use one resource this is the place for you.
Sadlers Wells
Sadlers Wells presents a a free programme of full-length dance performances and workshops online, to keep you entertained and connected through dance, wherever you are in the world while our live stages are dark. I’ve worked with Sadlers before and hope to again their commitment to the art form is second to none and lord knows we need more people reminding us of the importance of the Arts in education
The programme launched on World Theatre Day (Friday 27 March), with an exclusive online screening of Deluxe by BalletBoyz, the first in series of Sadler’s Wells Facebook Premieres.
This was followed on Friday 3 April by Ballet Lorents enchanting dance-theatre fairytale adaptation, Rumpelstiltskin in a special matinee screening for family audiences. It is available to watch on the Sadler’s Wells Facebook page for 7 days.
Upcoming Perfomances
Other upcoming performances include a new version of Wilkie Branson’s dance for camera installation TOM, which would have formed part of Sadler’s Wells’ Digital Edition in April.
Sadler’s Wells is also presenting free online activities for people to dance along to at home, with Family Dance Workshops specially created to connect with younger children, and Company of Elders Workshops for older audiences.
The workshop series launched on Wednesday 1 April and can be enjoyed via the Sadler’s Wells YouTube channel. Family Dance Workshops aimed at young children aged 2 to 6 have been curated by dance artist Cherie Coleman, who runs Family Friday sessions at Sadler’s Wells. Five family workshops are available, with more to be added in coming weeks. Themes and activities include balancing, jumping, rhythm, colours and animals.
Workshops for adults over 60, inspired by Sadler’s Wells’ Company of Elders programme, are also available from Wednesday 1 April. The first workshop is inspired by the Indian classical dance form bharatanatyam and hosted by choreographer Seeta Patel.
Stay tuned as further details of their Digital Stage programme will be announced very soon.
Science Bob
Science BoB Provided us with lots of fun this week. We made lava in a cup. Science Bob is created by a science teacher, author, maker, and presenter. The thing I love about Science Bob is that the experiments are clear and simple. What you will need, what to do and how it works. The website is easy to navigate and very attractive. Most importantly, Bob encourages parents and teachers to practice Random Acts of Science.
You Tube
Cosmic Kids
Is not only a great workout for the kids but I worked up a sweat too. I love how its done with storytelling we love the frozen one and Wilba will concentrate for the full 30 minutes which is unheard of . Its great for the boy too as it has dictated subtitles on the screen for him to read. Too long there’s shorter ones like the awesome Room on a Broom from our favourite author and some are more relaxing than others great for unwinding near bedtimes. Cosmic Kids has been providing online yoga well before the lock down so have really refined their product. I’m a big fan.
Maddie Moates
Maddie Moates is to blame for the re-purpose of one of my under the bed storage containers for a hedgehog café. Yes that’s what I said a hedgehog café. Watch her live broadcasts on her you tube channel so you can answer her questions live (great for primary school age) or watch them back at your convenience either way her explanations are clear and you’ll have your kids begging you to try the various activities they share. Shes also very responsive on social media for the size of her platform so kids will love a shout out.
Carol Vorderman
The Maths Factor has been made free online for the duration of schools closures. The Math’s Factor platform is hosted by Carol Vorderman and is created in line with the national curriculum for 4-12 year olds. her videos are really are colourful and fun… even I can understand them.
Socials
The _Play_ Adventures
Katie from The Play adventures is a nanny and Family Support practitioner she uses her Instagram post to showcase quick and easy activities I’m loving her Easter ideas and she focuses quite heavily on outside activities which you guys know I’m all about! Check her out Here.
Fun Learning Activities for kids
Facebook has had a revival of late for me and I’m loving this page its an amuse-bouche of ideas , crafts and learning activities. They add new stuff everyday and have built up a really lovely community . Check them out HERE on Facebook.
Five minute Mum
I’ve been following Daisy since I started Instagram and she only had a few thousand followers shes now amassed a massive following. As an ex teaching assistant she knows how to keep little-uns entertained and that their attention span only lasts about 5 mins. She now boasts a best selling book and has 4 dedicated blog posts to help you over the corona virus pandemic . Check her out on Instagram or her blog.
Close to home
During these unusual times its easy to get sucked up into all the hype especially on Social media. Big accounts and well known names doing their bit for isolation inspiration. All of which are great but don’t forget your local businesses, clubs and artists that are having a rough time and are still trying to keep your business. Support from you now will see them through and ensire you still have them to enjoy on the other side.
Roarr
As an ambassador of Roarr Dinosaur Adventure I’ve loved watching how creative they have been in the midst of all this. They have created some amazing online printables on their website for all you Dino lovers out there and their Instagram has ramped up too. You might even be able to see a familiar face on one of their grid posts.
The Garage
Before isolation we had been asked to try out a few of their community classes they seem to have something for every age from singing and dancing to acting. Head to their Instagram page for some tutorials and online workshops.
Parallel Dance Studios
I couldn’t leave out my own dance school could I. At Parallel (in North Norfolk) we’ve started using Zoom to host interactive Dance classes and I know lots of others have too so make sure you support your local dance school and teachers or even better have a look for your local groups to join and learn a new skill.
Love Norwich food
You can usually find Zena frequenting the restaurants of Norwich and sharing reviews and wonderful images of scrumptious food. She’s also a very talented chef and cookery tutor too. She’s taken to hosting a kids cookery class at 4.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursday on Instagram live and just like the good old home economics teachers at school she posts and ingredients list prior and then uploads the recipes. The Jacket wedges are our favourite.
Mini Moons Theatre Company
Daisy is the Director of a local theatre company serving East Anglia with after school drama and well being classes. They were very quick off the mark and created a self isolation creative pack which we have tried but have also created online performing arts workshops sent to you directly for a small fee. I love their ingenuity at a time like this and wish them all the best.
Hope that isolation inspiration has been useful, let me know in comments if there’s any that I’ve missed.
Stay safe Crumblers and stay at home.