With half of the world now on a government-imposed lockdown and all-but-essential outdoor trips banned, kids are adapting to a new life at home; an extended Spring Break, if you will.
Though it would be impossible to predict exactly when life will return to some kind of normal in the United States, one thing is for clear: schools will be remaining shut for a considerable period, and though some establishments are offering online classes to keep their students engaged and ready for a return to learning, others have shut up shop, leaving everybody to fend for themselves.
For parents, that’s a pretty daunting prospect, especially if you are adapting to a new life working remotely, and trying to stay productive in a home with so many responsibilities and distractions.
Thankfully, businesses and entrepreneurs are stepping up to the plate, and there are a growing number of daily activities and initiatives designed to make life a little more manageable in these crazy times.
Those brands include Apple, who recently launched a new educational resource for children who are at home and off school due to COVID-19, offering 30 fun activities designed to entertain and educate young minds.
Though the resource is designed primarily with the iPad in mind, it’s possible to complete some of the activities with a pen and paper, and others, like creating a time-lapse video, can be done on an iPhone or iPad touch where necessary if parents don’t have a tablet to hand. Other activities include writing a love letter to the planet, picturing your name, sending a loved one virtual flowers, recording a news interview with a parent, and emojifying a mood.
But Apple isn’t the only one offering free resources. Quizlet uses artificial intelligence to work out where a student is struggling, tailoring revision sessions, and tutoring to address those challenges.
Using digital flashcards, students can log in and test their knowledge in a whole host of subjects, including English, Math, and Science, downloading readymade packs, or creating their own revision materials to share with friends. 90% of students who use Quizlet report receiving higher marks, so for students who are preparing for upcoming exams, the free-to-use resource will no doubt become a firm revision favorite.
Speech Blubs is another app that’s growing in popularity during the coronavirus outbreak, and though it works on a subscription-based model, it does offer an extended free trial for those who don’t want to cough up.
Developed by international speech therapists, Speech Blubs teaches children through peer learning, with videos of real children introducing users to sounds, numbers, and emotions, and it’s especially effective for those on the autism spectrum. Research is increasingly pointing to peer-based learning, and with two chapters available for free, it’s a great way to spend a morning and offer children a different type of learning experience.
Physical education is equally as important during a lockdown, and with governments closing parks and outdoor spaces to reduce the spread of the virus, parents have few options when it comes to outdoor activity.
One fitness fanatic from the United Kingdom is offering an alternative to sports classes with early-morning fitness workouts live-streamed on YouTube. Joe Wicks, also known as The Body Coach, shares workouts for kids on his channel, and each video has racked up millions of views as parents and children exercise together.
Better yet, every cent from AdSense revenue is to be donated to charities fighting against the virus, so you can work up a sweat and play your part in the global battle against COVID-19.
Do you have any tips for parents? Let us know on social media and check back soon for more.