With schools in Illinois closed for the next 2 weeks, so many thoughts and concerns are running through the minds of parent across the country. Daycare, meals, safety, are just a few…but how about thoughts of what to do with your kids that are home for the next couple of weeks. I know some of these are basic ideas, but let’s work together to come up with ideas we can share as parents.
These thoughts came from readers of Huffington Post:
I have to work from home, so I need to build in independent study blocks for my 8-year-old. So far it’s been Lego building challenges, researching artists and making art in their style, and reading. We are moving into week 4 at home (thanks to the flu, then a tornado before all this), so I need to focus on grade-level curriculum a bit more now.” ― Brittany Rtg
“In terms of apps, Khan Academy Kids is often educator-recommended and an excellent learning tool. Very diverse offerings. And a good fit for child-directed learning for parents juggling work from home.” ― LM Brash
“Go on a nature scavenger hunt in the yard. I write a quick list of 10 items to find ― for example, ‘something soft,’ ‘something with spots,’ ‘something round,’ ‘something yellow,’ etc. ― on a paper sack. We search and then regroup to share. Fun, learning, and exercise!” ― Kelly Holt Nelms
“I just created a weekday schedule for my kids. We’ve told them this won’t just be like a snow day. We’ll be using the weekend to pull together math center activities, we’ll see what their teachers send them home with today, have book reports, my husband and I will each share some social studies or science lesson, but we both have to work from home, so are hoping we can prep enough that a good chunk of the day they can be somewhat independent. And recess. Lots of chunks of recess :-)” ― Sarah Andrews Schlieckert
“Reading, baking, Play-Doh, sand play and Legos are favorites in our house.
Get outdoors for nature walks/scavenger hunts. Bring paper and crayons and make leaf rubbings, etc. Collect different types of flowers, leaves, and Google them at home. YouTube is great for things like jolly phonics, yoga videos and dance videos.” ― Michelle Bosonnett
“We play store with real coins. We do art “challenges,” coloring and talk about our work. We bake. We explore our yard, weeding (free labor) to look at roots and bugs. And sometimes we take out a workbook. And they learn by playing pretend, by watching mom do chores (like cleaning toilets when they’re in the bath!) and helping out. By organizing a shelf or helping with dinner. It all works, but the day is LONG. So we also watch TV, play cards, use our tablets mindlessly, and eat candy. And there’s yelling and pushing, etc. too!!!” ― Jessica Starace
“I told my daughter who is almost 13 that the next three weeks are a golden opportunity (the silver lining, if you will) to explore her personal interests and hobbies. When else will she have three weeks of time to make a vision board, work on her sewing skills, read things of interest to her and work on the website she wants to build for the business she wants create? Self-study can be an invaluable tool for helping kids grow as individuals, just as much as academic tools can. Plus, it is building resourcefulness and creativity instead of being glued to a device and consuming content created by other people.” ― Gaynor Hardy Meilk
“Education.com has so many free worksheets/booklets that can be printed!
We use them at home with our 4-year-old on days he doesn’t have preschool.
Also — survival mode. Understand that keeping them engaged all day is hard. There will be movies, TV, iPad time, etc.” ― Brittney Vachon
“We are making photo books online — we have so many photos we never printed, so each kid is going to sift through our photos online and put together their own book that we will then have printed and sent to us.” ― Melinda Catherine
“The IEL – Illinois Early Learning Project has developed a resource list on routines and guidance, explaining the situation to young children, and developmentally appropriate activities for young children.” ― Jill Theobald Tompkins
“Educational games! There are tons of geography and math games. Quiddler is our favorite word game.” ― Laurie Sumner Oldham
“‘Brainchild’ on Netflix is a winner in our house right now!” ― Nikki McCormick
“Scholastic launched a free online program. I use Readworks, which is also free.” ― Shelley Ullman
“Scour your bookshelves; there’s valuable information to be had. Many children’s books offer activities and ideas for keeping the learning going at home. Here are a few ideas from books that may already be on your bookshelves.” ―Marie Bentley Shaurette
“This is a project our homeschooling family has been working on for a while. The aim is to teach children global citizenship and empathy.” ― Janine Berger
“Cosmic kids yoga on YouTube.” ― Kristen Fritz Peterson
“Teacherspayteachers.com has tons of great learning activities and games you can print and use at home.” ― Chelsea Mackey
“Watching movies on Disney+ while you’re on a phone call? No worries! Here are some fun crafts to make after the movie.” ― Whitney Cornelison
