Esther's Little Learners: April 2020

Home bound yet staying connected with our friends-

a different norm for the moment...

Child E painted a fabulous rainbow to thank the NHS.
Thank you for sharing this.

On Monday 23 March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Britain would be put into a state of lock-down in response to the corona virus pandemic. Placing it in line with other countries around the world, there would now be, he explained, 'limits to public gatherings, and people are being advised to stay inside as much as possible'

Like many others', I decided early on to set up a Whats-App group with all my families so that the young children could see what their friends were doing, and parents could share family events, celebrations, outings and ideas with me and each other.

I am sure none of us ever thought it would happen. But Lock down arrived on 23 March and we have had to adapt: Me to not opening my front door to receive happy children and parents to staying home and finding ways to keep their children happy, entertained and still learning skills. It is going to be weeks, if not months before I am able to open my door to my families. Staying connected is a crucial part of a positive mental state. Staying connected to family and friends and organising video calls for our children to hang out with their friends and catch up with grandma and grandpa will help them feel less affected.

As we try to get to grips with this new, isolated way of life, education for our youngest children has also changed dramatically.

“These are strange times” is a sentence we’ve been hearing a lot this week. And while we aren’t sure if, or when, we’ll be coming out of lockdown, the question on every parent’s mind is how they’ll be keeping their children busy during this time.
I am sharing a few pictures sent to me by doting parents of what they and their family have been enjoying in the last few weeks.

This is child G who is leading a
walk in the beautiful sunshine, with her dad.

E is enjoying pushing her scooter
and showing how strong she is!

Our well-being is a concern at this trying time – both physically and psychologically – and we often find that these come hand in hand. However, maintaining both is something easier said than done right now. When we don’t get as much exercise as we’re used to, we’re affected negatively, so it’s important to keep active with the children.

Keeping physically active is crucial to boosting mood. “Frustration and boredom can come when kids are not getting the opportunities to be physically active.”

So how are we coping? No school, no child settings, no face-to-face contact with family or friends, no workplace, no shopping, no clubs and societies.

So we try and make a new normal – get up in the morning, have breakfast, get washed and dressed, make your bed, and decide what to do today.

We need to talk and be honest with our children. Some children are scared right now and it’s fine for us to be worried too but we should share this carefully with our children. Tell them how we feel and that we know that our health service will do their best and help as many people as they possibly can, explain social distancing and the new rules for staying at home.

Child G is engaging with the play dough and
enjoying creating and just playing.

Young children (and adults) will need time to process the changes in routine, stress and anxiety that the lockdown brings. What young children need now, possibly more than ever before, is the opportunity to engage in playful ideas and explorations that interest and fascinate them.
The families that make up my setting have been great at sharing posts and pics of what they have been doing. Some activities include sensory play (using play dough) and baking bread or cakes together.

Family G have baked bread and shared
this photograph of the great result (thanks for sharing!)

Child G is helping to knead the dough before
forming it into a bread roll that she will eat later.
Great hands on activity.

I too have been experimenting and have learned to make plain yogurt, which i make every week now, as well as baking banana loaf and soda bread for my family.

The same family G have been
very busy indeed. This is the Easter
cake they baked. Looks really delicious.

Cowan banana loaf which
didn't hang around very long!

My attempt at soda bread: I have to
keep perfecting this recipe, as
it wasn't much of a success

I have been making our own
yogurt since the supermarkets
have been so busy during lock down.
I will be making yogurt to share with the
children when they return

Baking

Baking is a relaxing hobby to get into. Even better, it’s an important life skill and an opportunity to learn about maths.

There’s lots of maths involved in baking: measuring, weighing and telling the time as families enjoy finding recipes and have a go at baking and cooking.

Child E has been baking with mum.
I have to say, they look fantastic and very tasty.

Child E using recycled materials to
make an elephant. Looks great.

Child E has been busy with her parents
making Easter crafts, Very professional !

Child E went on a woodland walk.
Beautiful blue bells.

Child E's family was set a challenge to create
something out of recycled materials.
Meet Rosie Robot. I think this is a real
work of art and deserves to win the prize.

Learning a new skill is a great way for children (in fact anyone) to pass the time. It’s an opportunity for them to grow, equip themselves with new knowledge and become a more rounded person.

It’s also something they can choose to learn outside of the curriculum, which gives them more independence. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s not something we always make time for.

As a parent or teacher, it’s hard to juggle everything at once!

Now we're in lock down, children may have a bit more time on their hands. Or, if you're still teaching in school, you might be looking for some activities to fill the day.

This is the perfect time to get started!

Don’t stress about filling every moment of their day. And don’t stress if they do end up watching a bit more television or playing computer games. This is a tricky time for all of us, and it’s all about balance.

To end this blog post, I am posting a few photographs taken today of the freshly painted playroom, and the garden. I am still working on constructing the mud kitchen and getting a vegetable growing trough ready for the return of the children. It is very rewarding to see the finished product of tasks undertaken during unprecedented 'free time!'
I do miss my little family of little ones though and can't wait to open my doors to welcome each of them in again.