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Hello out there! In light of what is happening across the globe with the coronavirus outbreak, I’ve decided to abandon consistency and go off-script for the website’s spring debut. I’m sure you have about as much time to read a heartfelt, in-depth ten-paragraph blog post on the details of boat, dinosaur, or rainbow themed learning (all coming soon, I hope!) as I have to write it while homeschooling three kids with no childcare and working from home…so I’ll just give it to you straight.
Since my last post, I gave birth to my third baby boy, left teaching, and was hired on at a Seattle parenting magazine. I’ve also spent a lot of time over the years thinking about home learning, so I am hoping to be a good resource to ya’ll in the coming weeks (or months…), and I want to start with a quick list of what I think are the BEST home learning resources out there right now. Here they are:
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Honestly, your one-stop shop for the best educational resources out there is on this list. I interviewed former colleagues and some of the top educators in the Seattle area; teachers at a private school for highly capable children who have transitioned completely to online learning. I wholeheartedly trust their recommendations. Plus, I keep adding to it as homeschooling continues! Get links to BrainPop, Scholastic online learning, Khan Academy, and much more.
ENRICHMENT RESOURCES (art, music, dance, etc.)
Alright, this is what it’s all about right now. We’re not trying to be teachers here. The best thing we can do for our kids is spend time with them and help them feel safe, and then bring them more of what they lack in school, like art, music, and cooking. And lucky for you (and me), that’s what my website is all about!
My top pick of the moment is art teacher guru Cassie Stephens’ daily art lessons with a weekly theme! The first week was Robot Theme (and you know I’m a sucker for a great theme) and the second is Zany Science! We’ve made 3-D drawings, collagraph prints, and tin foil art so far- can’t wait to see what’s next!
Find Cassie and many more LIVE VIRTUAL EVENTS on the Seattle’s Child Calendar, which has just been converted by yours truly to include fun learning events for kids from all over the world, like dance and art classes, Skype sessions with scientists, fun storytimes, hangouts with other kids, and so much more.
I love love love (and have used several times just this week with my own kids) this extensive list by CNN that links you to virtual field trips all over the world – visit the National Gallery of Art or the Smithsonian in D.C., view Van Gogh’s Starry Night up close and personal at MoMA in NYC, check out the Royal Opera House in London, or go on a field trip to the San Diego Zoo! Here’s another great field trip: tour a National Park from your couch!
You know I’m all about the artsy fartsy. Check out this list of easy-to-implement, non-screen art projects that require minimal supplies. Or, find calming activities from peaceful kids’ podcasts to online art classes to live symphonies to read alouds by famous actors HERE.
BREAK TIME
The weather in Seattle has been decent enough, and we’re trying to get in as much outdoor social distancing as we possibly can WHILE we can. Here are some of the backyard games we are trying out. My second grader loves to take his sketchbook outside to make his own nature scavenger hunts, and my preschooler can’t wait to have a bubble dance party.
If you’re stuck indoors but the kids still need to wiggle those bodies, try animal yoga poses, balloon games, hallway hopscotch, sock skating, or another fun idea from this list.
QUICK / EASY / FUN (projects)
Avocado tree: Chow down on those Omega-3s and then re-use the gorgeous pits to make avocado trees! Fill a mason jar about ⅔ with potting soil. Clean and peel the seed, and plant it (pointy side up) so that ⅓ is sticking out. Water generously, and cover with a plastic sandwich bag. Give it lots of sun, and wait a few weeks to see a sprout.
Muffin tin sorting: Muffin tins are great for almost any kind of preschool play and learn. Use cereal, beads, small toy animals, pom poms, whatever you’ve got, and have your little count and sort by color, size, or another category.
Water beads: These are great to have on hand, and don’t cost a lot. These tiny little guys grow bigger and bigger the more water you add, and feel slimy and slippery in your hand. Little ones will love to play with them in a big tub, or scoop them in cups or with their hands or feet for fun, sensory play.
Goo or slime: Still all the rage, and not too hard to make. Just make sure you have glue and contact solution on hand. We’ll be making Rainbow Unicorn Goo this week!
Mystery sound: Got this one from our favorite podcast Brains On! Collect random household items and toys (pots, wooden spoons, board books, bouncy balls, rubber bands, markers, etc.) and have one person create a sound using just two of the items while the other players stand out of view and listen, and then guess which objects are making the sound.
Hot or cold: Hide and seek for toys! Kids collect five or so small toys (we went with plastic dinosaurs this morning) and hide them around the room. The “hider” gets to tell the “seeker” when they are “hot” or “cold” until all of the toys are found, and then the players switch roles!
Ice play: Freeze LEGOs or other small toys in (again) a muffin tin or plastic container, and they can use cups or syringes filled with warm water to slowly melt the ice and “free” the toys!
LEARNING BY THEME
For plenty of other reading, sensory, science, movement, art, and cooking ideas, click on one of the themes below.
Good luck out there, parents! Please remember, if you can work in 30 minutes of fun learning each day, you are doing AWESOME. And if you can’t, you’re still doing awesome. And please know, I’m right there with you, fumbling through this whole mess, just trying to survive each day. Stay healthy, safe, and SANE!
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