If you’re a primary caregiver for a school age child you may be looking for further resources to keep your children occupied. But finding something free and suitable can often be hard work. Look no further, we’ve compiled our best discoveries so you and your child can get on with the task in hand.
The BBC
From broadcasts to online resources, the BBC have you covered.
TV
CBBC are broadcasting three hours of primary school programmes from 9am every weekday and two hours of senior school programmes. This includes BBC Bitesize Daily and TV shows with an educational twist such as Horrible Histories.
You can also catch up on previous learning programmes on BBC iplayer, here. You will need a television license for this service.
Online
BBC Bitesize’s Learning At Home have lots of resources for children up to 12 years old. You can access it here and don’t need a TV license for this online resource.
Khan Academy are a non-profit American organisation on a mission to provide education for everyone. Sign up for a free membership and access to 100s of free mini lessons and schedules for pupils aged 2-18. Sign up here.
TigTag are offering educational free educational resources in Science and Geography. Find out more, here.
Jamie Oliver’s cooking resources are the perfect step for getting your child understanding and excited about their own nutrition. Click here.
Audible have made their children’s stories entirely free. Click here to find out more.
If you’re looking for more ideas, check out this list from Tes (Times Educational Supplement).
IDEAS FOR KEEPING YOUR CHILDREN ENGAGED
Whether you’re children are nursery age and in need of new activities or you are looking for things to do at the weekend, we’ve got some activities to while away the hours.
BookBug
We love Bookbug and their special online live activity videos. There are lots of way you can tune in, but we really love the sessions from North Ayrshire Libraries which are streamed live from their Facebook page on Fridays at 10am.
Storytime with a twist
String-along-stories
- Start a story together and take turns by added content. Let your child take the lead with their imagination. Don’t forget, you can use every day objects to make it exciting such as “the wooden spoon who wanted to be friends with the washing up bowl!”
- Act out your stories. Use props, toys and wooden spoon characters. Your child will love making puppets or finding props.
Start crazy conversations
Starting exciting conversations with your little one are lots of fun and can lead to all sorts of discoveries!
- Where does rain come from and why do we need it?
- Which animal is the fastest animal in the world?
- If you had a superpower what would it be and why?
Art with a difference
- Place toys on paper and draw round their shadows so you can colour them in later.
- Make shadow monsters’ on the wall with your hands!
Host a teddy bear’s picnic
Teddies+plastic cups and saucers= a fun time for all
Try asking:
- What sort of conversations the teddy bears would have?
- Which teddy bear enjoys which imaginary picnic food?
Take a sound walk
Make the most of your daily walk by asking your child all the things they can list. It may be the passing of cars, a bird or water dripping off leaves in the trees. Once you get inside, these ideas can be food for art work or storytelling.
