SUPPORTING YOUR ANXIOUS CHILD AND FREE LEARNING AT HOME DURING CORONA VIRUS THREAT
Ange Anderson
Therapeutic &Technological interventions advisor.Author and conference speaker.
If you are lucky enough to live in Wales then you will know about the excellent Hwb online learning platform. If not then go to https://hwb.gov.wales. If you have trouble trying to access it that way then just do an online search for Wales learning platform and go to the second link entitled HWB-Learning and Teaching for Wales and follow that link. When you get to the site you will find many options including an explanation of the curriculum for Wales. Click on the option Resources and it will take you to a page with a side panel of learning stages beginning with Foundation Phase for those aged 3-7 right through stages ending with A and AS level.
For your information Foundation Phase relates to age 3-7 ,from Nursery to end of year 2 in a maintained school in England and Wales. Key Stage 2 relates to ages 7-11 and years 3-end of year 6. Key Stage 3 relates to ages 11-14 and school years 7 to end of year 9. Key Stage 4 relates to ages 14 to 16 ,school years 10 and 11 and incorporates GCSE's. Key Stage 5 is also known as the 6th form for ages 16-18 ,school years 12-13 and incorporates A and AS level exams.
Choose which area of learning your child is at and click on that link say for instance Foundation Phase and it will send you to lesson ideas and things to do with children aged 3-7 such as 'Trees and Woodland-measuring trees'.
The great advantage about using this material at home is that you can choose it to suit your child's ability and interests. If you don't want to you don't have to go to your child's school related stage of learning. The site even has an Additional Learning Needs (ALN) section.
There is no reason why your child cannot continue its education at home with the plethora of online learning available. The hwb would be my chosen platform from which to learn but then I am Welsh.
Structure the day. Especially if your child has additional learning needs. Regular routine is vital.You do not have to get your child to school so learning times can now suit the family. You may choose to 'do school' from 8am to 12 ,with snack breaks and exercise breaks. Then perhaps go off to the woods, keeping a safe distance from others, to study the actual trees your child learnt about in the morning.
If your child has autism or learning difficulties or is suffering from anxiety because of the stress of current times then planning their day is essential. If you are taking them out to the forest or even to the shop then tell them or if talking to them is stressful for them then write out a programme of the day and a social story of any time that you are going to leave the house. The social story may just say Car-woods- car- home- treat (you would name treat you know theyd like to come home to). If your child can't read then draw pictures or use photos.It sounds onerous for every day but trips out would still use the same format but the destination word would change. This kind of planning could prevent regular meltdowns from a child anxious about anything and everything during this anxious time.
These are unprecedented times and ordinary children who might normally breeze through life are now not sleeping and parents have noticed other signs of anxiety. Children with autism are anxious most of the time . Having a routine and knowing what is going to happen in their world is essential if you wish to lessen the anxiety.
If you want to simplify things further you may wish to use the now and next strategy. You show the word or photo of what you want them to do now and show them what will happen next. You may wish to have a particular set of clothes that your child wear for 'home school' that they change out of when structured learning is over .
Some children, particularly those with autism or ADHD do not learn through structured learning and for them a play centred approach to learning is best. All parents are sent individual educational plans (IEPs) home if their children require them and so you will have this to hand to see what the learning goals are for the current term. Just use those goals and, if you can, find a way of achieving those goals whilst allowing your child to feel they are playing. Alternatively use the EHCP ( education and health care plan).
Lots of homes have their own trampolines ,which are a great form of exercise . See my new book for its benefits as well as lesson ideas ,risk assessment etc.
https://www.routledge.com/Therapeutic-Trampolining-for-Children-and-Young-People-with-Special-Educational/Anderson/p/book/9780367819286?fbclid=IwAR3mmRyUminVlyLajnlC5dYAJwgr_XTfzCnEXbP1CEKeljv-tfT3z7xCsIA
If you don't wish to use the excellent Hwb platform then below is a non-exhaustive list that might help those affected by school closures due to coronavirus. Some of these are already mentioned in my book Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence in special education available from Routledge, also on Amazon and all good booksellers. See below ,Ive added more.
Soundabout has its own TV channel and if you have a child with severe or profound learning difficulties they can join in regularly at https://youtu.be/2TvmBbtABCE
Early Years Free Schooling at Home is suitable for students with learning differences . Go to https://www.eyfshome.com/northbradburyfarmday
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.
BBC Learning
https://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.
Joe the Body Coach. Free PE lessons 9am every morning. Follow the link to join in daily in the week. https://www.thebodycoach.com/blog/Pe-with-Joe-1254.html
Audible.co.uk emailed me today to inform me that while schools are on pause children can listen to audible stories for free
David Walliams has also offered his support and is releasing a FREE audible story every day for the next 30 days . Go to https://www.bit.ly/AudioElevenses
Carol Vorderman, another celebrity offers free maths online during the crisis go to https://www.themathsfactor.com
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.
Openlearn
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/
Free taster courses aimed at those considering Open University but everyone can access it. Adult level, but some e.g. nature and environment courses could well be of interest to young people.
Blockly
Learn computer programming skills - fun and free.
Scratch
https://scratch.mit.edu/explore/projects/games/
Creative computer programming
Ted Ed
All sorts of engaging educational videos
National Geographic Kids
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
Activities and quizzes for younger kids.
Duolingo
Learn languages for free. Web or app.
Mystery Science
Free science lessons
https://thekidshouldseethis.com
Wide range of cool educational videos
Crash Course
You Tube videos on many subjects
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.
Prodigy Maths
Is in U.S. grades, but good for UK Primary age.
Cbeebies Radio
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/radio
Listening activities for the younger ones.
Nature Detectives
https://naturedetectives.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetect…/
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/…
Activities and quizzes
Twinkl
This is more for printouts, and usually at a fee, but they are offering a month of free access to parents in the event of school closures.