Activities & Resources for Kids and Parents
Lockdown is not easy for families with kids. Overnight you've had to go from being a parent to a parent AND a teacher! There are lots of resources out there to help you, but the amount is overwhelming - knowing where to start can be tough!
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To help you out, local Shadwell parents have put together their recommended websites and resources:
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Coronavirus activity book for kids
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A free digital book has been released explaining coronavirus to primary school age children.
With drawings by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler,
the book answers key questions in simple language aimed at five to nine year olds:
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What is coronavirus?
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How do you catch coronavirus?
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What happens if you catch coronavirus?
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Why are people worried about catching coronavirus?
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Is there a cure for coronavirus?
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Why are some places we normally go to closed?
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What can I do to help?
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What’s going to happen next?
You can download it HERE
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​Summer Holidays Activities:
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Glamis Adventure Playground is opening for summer!
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The Glamis Adventure Playground is a professionally staffed adventure playground in Shadwell with open-access for children aged 6 to 16 years.
Summer Opening Times
(changed for Covid-19)
Monday – 11.30am – 4.30pm
Thursday – 11.30am – 4.30pm
Tuesday – 11.30am – 4.30pm
Friday – 11.30am – 4.30pm
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They are also now operating a pre-booking system with sessions of specific groups of no more than 5 children per bubble.
To book into a session, please fill out this form
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For further information email: info@shadwellcommunityproject.org or visit the website: http://shadwellcommunityproject.org/
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Story-telling online
Watch these captivating stories by the Discovery Story Centre:
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Little Dragons @ St George-in-the-East
The little dragons at St George's have put together some handy guides for craft activities to try at home with your little ones! Suitable for tots and small children. Click on the image below for the full guide.
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Learning Websites
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Khan Academy
Especially good for maths and computing for all ages but other subjects at Secondary level. Note this uses the U.S. grade system but it's mostly common material.
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Twinkl
This is more for printouts, and usually at a fee, but they are offering free access to parents in light of school closures
BBC Learning
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/coursesearch/
This site is old and no longer updated and yet there's so much still available, from language learning to BBC Bitesize for revision. No TV licence required except for content on BBC iPlayer.
Futurelearn
Free to access 100s of courses, only pay to upgrade if you need a certificate in your name (own account from age 14+ but younger learners can use a parent account).
Seneca
https://www.senecalearning.com
For those revising at GCSE or A level. Tons of free revision content. Paid access to higher level material.
Blockly
Learn computer programming skills - fun and free.
Scratch
https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/
Creative computer programming
Tower Hamlets Council have gathered together lots of helpful educational resources for children and young people here: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/health__social_care/health_and_medical_advice/Coronavirus/Schools/Support_with_education_at_home.aspx
Ted Ed
All sorts of engaging educational videos
National Geographic Kids
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
Activities and quizzes for younger kids.
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Mystery Science
Free science lessons
The Kids Should See This
https://thekidshouldseethis.com
Wide range of cool educational videos
Crash Course Kids
https://m.youtube.com/user/crashcoursekids
As above for a younger audience
Crest Awards
Science awards you can complete from home.
iDEA Awards
Digital enterprise award scheme you can complete online.
Paw Print Badges
https://www.pawprintbadges.co.uk
Free challenge packs and other downloads. Many activities can be completed indoors. Badges cost but are optional.
Tinkercad
All kinds of making.
Cbeebies Radio
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio
Listening activities for the younger ones.
Nature Detectives
https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives/
A lot of these can be done in a garden, or if you can get to a remote forest location!
British Council
https://www.britishcouncil.org/school-resources/find
Resources for English language learning
Oxford Owl for Home
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/
Lots of free resources for Primary age
Big History Project
https://www.bighistoryproject.com/home
Aimed at Secondary age. Multi disciplinary activities.
Geography Games
https://world-geography-games.com/world.html
Geography gaming!
Blue Peter Badges
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/about-blue-peter-badges
If you have a stamp and a nearby post box.
The Artful Parent
https://www.facebook.com/artfulparent/
Good, free art activities
Red Ted Art
Easy arts and crafts for little ones
The Imagination Tree
https://theimaginationtree.com
Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest.
Toy Theater
Educational online games
DK Find Out
https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/?fbclid=IwAR2wJdpSJSeITf4do6aPhff8A3tAktnmpaxqZbkgudD49l71ep8-sjXmrac
Activities and quizzes
For more ideas, these two articles have some more great links:
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/135609/list-of-education-companies-offering-free-subscriptions/
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Websites specifically for Primary School Children
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https://www.e-learningforkids.org/
http://jollylearning.co.uk/ - Games and information for parents
http://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks1/literacy/phonics/play/ - fun games for the children to play
http://www.ictgames.com/literacy.html
http://www.firstschoolyears.com/
Sparklebox - lots of resources to print off and help you support your child at home
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html - Scholastic have created a free learn-from-home site with 20+ days of learning and activities
https://www.ixplor-realms.com/
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The government website has a list of education and learning resources for children and young people, including those with SEND
Spotlight has put together a list of educational resources
Other resources & activities
Free stories for kids on audible: https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Joe Wicks is doing live PE sessions for kids on his YouTube channel Monday- Friday 9am
Covid-19 Time Capsule (download)
Positivity Board Game (download)
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Local Resources: Visit the Idea store
Visit the Idea Store online
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Over 18,000 audiobooks and Ebooks
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Over 700 magazines
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Over 1500 graphic novels and comics
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Concerts and music documentaries
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High quality online courses
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Films, documentaries, shorts and box-sets
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Faith-based resources for kids: Islam
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Dua Colouring Book (download)
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Islamic Wordsearch Pack (download)
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Prophets of Allah Colouring Book (download)
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‘Welcome Ramadan’ Poster (download)
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https://www.muslimyouthinitiative.org.uk/free-resources-for-kids/
Faith-based resources for kids: Christianity
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https://content.scriptureunion.org.uk/lockdown
https://springharvest.org/free-resources-and-home-activities/
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Craft Ideas
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Lockdown Learning on BBC Bitesize! Check-out these brilliant home-learning resources for kids of all age, on BBC bitesize:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
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Home schooling Tips for parents from experts.
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Do what you can. You don't have to become a teacher. You are a parent and what your child needs most is what parents give best - love and support.
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Provide a structure to the day - this does not need to be a strict timetable. And for younger children, keep the afternoons free for more fun activities, craft, cooking, PE.
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If you can, set up a small workstation for your child. Headphones could help for online lessons.
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If you have a Playstation or Xbox, but not an extra computer, both Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom can be accessed via the consoles.
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Talking and reading don't need devices - and both are vital skills.
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Practise the basics, like multiplication tables, playing with money, or imaginative role-play.
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