Things to do at home
School’s closed? A list of ideas and activities to keep children busy at home.
7th April, 2020 | 10 minute read
Schools around Australia have closed their doors in an attempt to slow the spread of the Coronavirus.
School holidays started earlier than expected and the government has insisted these are not your normal school holidays. With the prohibition of social gatherings and the persistent reminder to stay home, children are spending a lot more time indoors. But, their education does not have to be compromised during this time.
If you feel like you have exhausted every possible idea to keep your children entertained, don’t worry. We have compiled a list of fun and educational activities to do indoors that will make staying home feel a lot less isolating.
1. Learn Sign Language (AUSLAN)
Learning a new language is very beneficial at any age. Whilst you might not be confident teaching you children a Language other than English at home (such as a European or Asian language), consider learning Auslan.
Auslan, or Australian Sign Language, is the sign language used by the Australian Deaf Community.
Experts say teaching sign language to a verbal child has proven to have many benefits. Learning sign language can build and enhance their vocabulary, speeds up speech development and encourages communication.
Teaching sign language to a child may facilitate their attentiveness to social gestures of others as well as themselves. It also simultaneously engages children of different learning styles as they are learning physically, visually and verbally.
Have a look at these wonderful resources stocked at Lilydale Books. Used in combination with video tutorials on YouTube and you will be practicing Auslan in no time!
The range of Auslan Children’s Picture Dictionaries contain clear and easy to follow illustrations. Perfect additions to your library to start talking about and learning Auslan. Click here to see the range.
You can also view the range of gorgeous nursery rhyme boards that are excellent to read alongside your younger ones. Many other nursery rhymes are available, view them here:
Expression Australia have an excellent video on YouTube for beginners learning basic phrases in Auslan. Check it out here.
Art, Craft & Printables
Art activities are a great way to engage children and express themselves creatively. Most children enjoy a good messy painting experience. But, if you are apprehensive of pulling out the paints (perhaps you are limited for space at home), there are so many other fun and crafty ideas for kids that don’t have to be messy.
Here are a few websites you may not know about that have published a variety of activities that will unleash your creative side. Some activities may require purchasing some inexpensive supplies and some you can do with materials you may already have on hand.
Have a look at Micador’s Easter themed art and craft ideas suitable for school aged children across all years. A list of materials needed to complete each activity is provided. Links to purchase required materials are given, but check to see if you already own basic supplies. Click here to view the site.
Brightly have published a blog that links educational resources & activities to use while the kids are at home. Their aim is to help parents navigate their day-by-day by putting together free downloadable resources to keep kids occupied. Whether your focus is on learning or to just have some peace and quiet, there is something to suit everyone. Have a look at their suggestions based on your child’s age group. You’ll find plenty of recommendations and activities based on popular titles such as:
- Star Wars
- Lego
- Dr Seuss
- The Magic Treehouse and much, much more!
Click here to visit Brightly.
Homework Books
Term 2 is due to start after Easter however your children may be staying home for precautionary reasons. Making the decision to homeschool can be daunting if you have never done this before. Rest assured there are plenty of resources you can use to maintain your child’s education in Maths and Literacy. Providing your children with homework style tasks is a great way to develop sense of responsibility during a time when normal school routine feels disrupted. Furthermore, getting involved in your child’s education brings you closer together if they ask for help.
Practicing social distancing? Use this time to practice handwriting or mental maths! If you decide to home school your primary-aged children (you can find tips for homeschooling in our article here), have a look at the range of homework books stocked at Lilydale Books.
Oxford Handwriting for Victoria is a comprehensive and engaging program designed to introduce and develop the fundamental skills of handwriting. It includes correct posture and grip models, opportunities to model and practise accurate letter formation and joining techniques, and activities to help every student develop a fluent automatic handwriting style. These workbooks from Foundation to Year 6. Workbooks: $16.95 Check out the range here.
Sound Waves National Edition Student Book 1 engages students in stimulating activities that: explore phonemes, identify and discover graphemes, develop and awareness of spelling patterns, develop strategies for spelling and explore and extend vocabulary. Workbooks range from Foundation to Year 7. Workbooks: $17.95 Check out the range here.
Targeting Maths is the most exciting maths skills program for primary school students! Full of motivating, enjoyable activities, Targeting Maths Student Books comprehensively cover the Maths curriculum in a clear and structured way, with content directly linked to state syllabus outcomes. Targeting Maths is the best program to develop a solid foundation for maths success. Workbooks range from Foundation to Year 6. Workbooks: $18.95 Check out the range here.
Written for the Australian Curriculum, Maths Mate homework program student pads consist of 32 progressive worksheets and 4 student results sheets with related Skill Builder links. Books range from Year 3 to Year 10. Workbook: $14.95 Check out the range here.
Cooking
Cooking is an invaluable life skill to teach your children from a young age. Involving your children in the kitchen can teach them more than how to make delicious food. They are building skills in maths (measuring), science (combining ingredients), literacy (reading a recipe) and fine motor skills (pouring, mixing etc).
Keep in mind children’s ability to undertake different tasks will vary, so use your own judgement when choosing tasks. Think about what will be suitable for your child. Remember, safety is the number one priority and plenty of patience is key because cooking can be messy and accidents can happen. Trial and error is all part of the fun!
Have a look at these fantastic child friendly recipe books:
eBooks and More!
Libraries may be closed during the Coronavirus shut down but this does not mean you can’t access quality books. You can access a plethora of titles in the form of eBooks. Digital books may not appeal to everybody. However, it’s worth considering during this time and here’s why: there are digital retailers and some apps that are allowing you to access titles for free! Apple Books, Kindle & Google Play are offering titles for free or heavily discounted. eBooks are an excellent alternative if you cannot get your hands on the real thing.
Prefer the feeling of reading and holding a real book? Minimise your movement in the community by shopping online, the safest way to get your hands on some quality titles.
Has your child been introduced to the magical world of Harry Potter? What better series to start reading while we are all practicing social distancing at home? Wizarding world brings Hogwarts to you in this fun and interactive website. You’ll find craft videos, quizzes, articles, puzzles and more for first time readers.
Take advantage of the quality time
It is without a doubt we find ourselves in an unprecedented situation and consequently it has caused uncertainty and stress for many.
We have been directed to stay home. Yes, it is unsettling and disrupting to our normal way of life to say the least. However, it is nonetheless necessary.
This article has been composed in the hope it can inspire you to maintain, or regain, some normality in your household while social distancing. Take advantage of this unique situation by spending quality time with your loved family members and remember, staying indoors doesn’t have to be boring.
We hope you find some of these ideas useful. If you do any of the activities suggested in this article we would love to see. Post a picture on Instagram and tag @lilydalebooks so we can see what you are up to!
Keywords
Homeschool
Homeschooling
Coronavirus
COVID19
School closure
Schools closed
Tips for learning
Tips for teaching
Homeschooling advice
Homeschooling ideas
Art and Craft
Languages
Homework
Schoolwork for home
Maths
English
Sign Language
AUSLAN
