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Total body workout syncing to the music

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Site with lot’s of ‘how to’ videos and courses to perfect your Math skills!

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A digital learning space for your pupils and a toolkit for you, so that you can search, plan, allocate and assess all in one place.

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Virtual Tour of Museums, Aquariums, and Zoos 

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Virtual Tour of Museums, Aquariums, and Zoos 

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Virtual field trips are a great way to expose kids to new places all from the comfort of home. In this age of technology, so many museums, zoos and aquariums have set up virtual tours and webcams of their facilities. Now more than ever, is it easier to visit destinations around the world from the comfort of your couch.

In light of recent events, families are finding themselves in the position of not only being at home with their children for an extended period of time, but educating them as well. Unlike a school vacation, places like zoos, aquariums and museums are closed in an effort to keep people from congregating. Travel is also on hold. Virtual field trips are a fun and educational way to visit places virtually and keep "travel" going.

I've rounded up 20 virtual field trips that you can take with your kids. There are also lesson ideas, activities and book suggestions to extend the learning for each type of destination.

Art Museums

Visit some of the best art galleries in the world virtually. From Paris to New York to Amsterdam, kids can see priceless works of art from the world's most famous artists.

Activities and Resources

Choose a favorite painting or sculpture and create a copycat piece of art.

Research an artist. This is a great book about some amazing artists kids should know about https://amzn.to/38QWQGf (affiliate link).

Choose a piece of art to focus on. Describe it, tell why you chose it and how it makes you feel.

Choose 2 works of art to compare.

Zoos

Zoo webcams have allowed visitors to drop in on the habitats of some of the zoo's favorite animal exhibits. Here are some highlights. Want more? Here is our complete list of virtual zoo field trips.

Activities and Resources

Aquariums

Just like with zoos, aquariums have used webcams to let you visit their exhibits virtually. In addition, some aquariums have set up virtual tours led by their staff to give visitors a more in depth look at their facility.

Activities and Resources

Travel the World

In this day and age, it is easier than ever to travel the world without leaving home.

Activities and Resources

Plan a trip to a new destination. What would you do, see, eat?

Make a travel brochure for the destination you visited.

Write a postcard from that destination. Include details about the place and what you can see there.

More Stuff to Do at Home:

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20 Virtual Field Trips to Take with Your Kids | Adventures in Familyhood

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Virtual field trips are a great way to expose kids to new places all from the comfort of home. In this age of technology, so many museums, zoos and aquariums have set up virtual tours and webcams of their facilities. Now more than ever, is it easier to visit destinations around the world from the comfort of your couch.

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At home OT, PT, and ST resources designed to build skills in children through movement and play.

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Easy, actionable, and functional Occupational Therapy activities and interventions. OT resources and information to help kids thrive.

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Story Libraries featuring Biographies, Social Studies, Science, and more 

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Story Libraries featuring Biographies, Social Studies, Science, and more 

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This toolkit provides you with all that you will need to help structure your child’s day at home, no matter his/her age.

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Welcome to Fun English Games for Kids! Find a wide range of free teaching resources that are perfect for students learning English, ESL classes and teachers looking for ideas online.

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Welcome to Fun English Games for Kids! Find a wide range of free teaching resources that are perfect for students learning English, ESL classes and teachers looking for ideas online.

Enjoy interactive games, classroom activities, printable worksheets and more!

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english games activities kids online educational learning fun cool free children students letters words puzzles spelling reading writing grammar play free teaching resources studying learn practice exercises

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Fun English Games for Kids - Free Interactive Learning Activities Online

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Welcome to Fun English Games for Kids! Find a wide range of free teaching resources that are perfect for students learning English, ESL classes and teachers looking for ideas online. Enjoy interactive games, classroom activities, printable worksheets and more!

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All Economics Videos All History Videos All Psychology Videos All Philosophy Videos All U.S. Government Videos All Global Issues Videos All Democracy Videos All Media Literacy Videos All Data Videos...

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COVID-19 Resources, Support, and Free Access | BrainPOP.com

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Make any room a classroom! As we all continue taking precautions during the spread of COVID-19, BrainPOP is here to help you and your curious learners stay informed and on-track.

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Free online music resources about classical music and instruments of the orchestra to help build knowledge and listening skills.

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The following activity is suitable for all ages and is designed to use alongside other emotional regulation strategies and can be carried out either one to one or in a small group.

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Take a virtual tour of Chicago’s museums

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Take a virtual tour of Chicago’s museums

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Stuck inside? You can still experience some of the city’s best cultural offerings.

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Just because you are stuck inside, it doesn't mean you can't still take in some of Chicago's best cultural attractions. While physically closed, local institutions are using the power of technology to provide remote programming with free access to exhibitions, media collections, tours, and performances-all from the (relative) comfort of your couch.

A great place to start exploring Chicago's museums from home is Google's Arts & Culture platform. A number of local institutions offer digitized access to their exhibits and- in some cases-an interactive "explore" function that allows you to virtually stroll from room to room at will.

The list includes downtown's Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and Art Institute of Chicago as well as smaller neighborhood museums like Washington Park's DuSable Museum of African American History, the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, the IIT Institute of Design, and University of Chicago's Oriental Institute.

Chicago's American Writers Museum is closed, but published its list of reading recommendations-perfect for starting a Zoom book club or getting inspiration to write the next great American novel. Meanwhile, the Museum of Science and Industry's Science at Home program provides DIY experiments and programming for curious young minds.

For design lovers, the Chicago Architecture Center's online CAC@Home magazine provides a revolving roster of remote-access tours, lectures, and more, and the Design Museum of Chicago had migrated its current exhibition, titled Great Ideas of Humanity: Passing the Torch, to the web.

History buffs can use the time at home to head to the Newberry library's website to browse more than 1 million images and texts or tune into an audio archive of past events, seminars, and lectures. The Chicago History Museum offers access via both Google's Arts & Culture website as well as its own online collections-including a nostalgic blast from the past in the form of the Studs Terkel Radio Archive.

To keep the public engaged during the closures, the Shedd posted videos to social media featuring a pair of penguins leaving their enclosure and going on a private tour of other parts of the aquarium. Not to be outdone, an inflatable SUE the T. Rex costume ran amuck through the Field Museum while an Abe Lincoln look-alike explored the Chicago History Museum.

Brookfield Zoo is also providing stay-at-home viewers a chance to see a different species up close every day with its "Bring The Zoo To You" broadcast, streaming each weekday at 11:00 a.m. on the zoo's Facebook page.

When it comes to the performing arts, the Goodman Theatre is steaming for free its p2016 production of 2666. Both the Lyric Opera of Chicagoand the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are offering online programming, and the Gene Siskel Film Center is allowing you to rent from its past, current, and upcoming of independent and international films.

And remember, there's no reason to limit yourself to only local institutions and collections. Use this opportunity to take a virtual trip to New York, Boston, or Austin to check out their best museums, libraries, and other temporarily closed attractions.

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Take virtual tours of these Chicago museums and cultural institutions

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Just because you are stuck inside, it doesn't mean you can't still take in some of Chicago's best cultural attractions. While physically closed, local institutions are using the power of technology to provide remote programming with free access to exhibitions, media collections, tours, and performances-all from the (relative) comfort of your couch.

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A free resource to support children and young people during structured tasks

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An interactive math game your students will love

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An interactive math game your students will love

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Boddle is now free for educators/parents affected by school closures.

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Games for listening activities.

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The home of CBeebies. Watch programmes and play games for Go Jetters, Hey Duggee and Sarah & Duck.

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Best practice strategies to promote, encourage, and improve a child's handwriting skills.

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Activity ideas for Sensory Processing/Fine Motor/Muscle Strength, etc.

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Occupational Therapy activity search results.

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Special Education and Inclusive Learning

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150 Sensory LEarning Ideas for home-schooling or remote learning EYFS or SEND pupils

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Destiny Discover | Follett School Solutions | School Picker

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Search your school's books, eBooks and digital resources in one easy place with Destiny Discover.

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10 exercises to improve focus, release stress, and promote brain activity.

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Brain gym exercises for kids are an excellent way of developing the cognitive X The brain's ability to acquire, process, store, and retrieve information. and intellectual skills of a child, while also enhancing their mental agility. Brain training exercises may also make the child smarter, aiding their overall growth and development, which may differ for every kid.

These exercises also provide an opportunity to improve your child's cognitive skills, enhance brain function, and display different learning strategies. It may eventually make children brighter, sharper, and more confident than their peers.

This post discusses some fun brain gym activities for children that you may do with your child.

1. Cross Crawls

The exercise helps release excess stress in kids with the possibility of concentration improvement, resulting in an effective focus on studies.

Instruct your child to move his left arm to the right leg and switch sides.

Instruct your child to draw the figure eight multiple times, either an imaginary one in the air or on a piece of paper.

The exercise helps improve your kid's reading speed, eye-muscle coordination, and peripheral visio i XThe ability to see objects from the corner of your eyes. n.

The exercise activates your kid's creative side and loosens the muscles of his arm and wrist.

This bilateral drawing activity requires your kid to sketch two images with both his hands.

The activity encourages your kid's learning skills and improves spelling accuracy, math calculation speed, and recognition of writing symbols. This is a great brain gym activity for kids.

Instruct your child to stretch one of his hands and place it near the same-sided ear.

The movements activate your kid's mind and body balance and encourage the brain to listen to the words correctly.

Ask your child to sit comfortably and bring one of his hands to the opposite shoulder.

The exercising posture and range of motion improves the blood circulation and improves your child's attention and memory.

By holding the hand steady, he has to pinch the shoulder around the trapezius muscle XA large, flat muscle that runs across the shoulders and down the upper back. .

Have your child stretch one of his arms and the other arm should be held at a right angle to hold the extended arm in a firm position.

The exercise strengthens your kid's upper chest and shoulders.

While sitting straight on a chair, your child must stretch his legs and cross the right leg over the left at the ankles.

Taking a deep breath, he should now lean forwards and stretch the arm to reach up to the feet.

Instruct your child to either stand or sit down comfortably.

The earth buttons exercise helps improve mental alertness and whole-body orientation.

He should place the right hand on the lips and the palm of the left hand over the navel position.

Your child has to hold both the ears with his thumbs and the index fingers of both hands and roll and unroll the outer edge of the ear.

Thinking Cap helps to improve hearing, peripheral vision, and short-term memory.

Your child can either perform the exercise while standing, sitting, or lying down.

Have him cross the left ankle over the right one, intertwine the fingers and place them near the chest and breathe deeply.

This exercise promotes mind and body relaxation.

Now he needs to rub both the upper and lower body parts in a small, circular motion.

The gravitational glider stretches your kid's hamstring XA trio of muscles at the back of the thighs that go from the hip to slightly below the knee. and enhances blood and oxygen flow.

The exercise boosts your child's self-expression, confidence, and stability..

It activates your kid's brain, betters hand-eye coordination, and tool controlling skills.

Your kid should now turn his head towards the direction of the pinched shoulder and take a deep breath.

It improves your kid's thinking ability, increases the ability to pay attention to detail, and is great as a short- and long-term memory booster.

By rotating the extended hand, he needs to make the symbol infinity in the air at least three times, and vice versa.

The slow lateral movement enhances the attention span of your child and mental coordination.

2. Lazy Eights:

3. Double Doodle:

4. The Elephant

6. The Active Arm

Brain gym exercises can enhance a child's cognitive and intellectual skills, brain function, and confidence levels.

These exercises promote a child's attention, muscular and mental coordination, physiological stability, self-expression, and memory.

Brain exercises, such as lazy eights, double doodle, the elephant, active arm, earth buttons, hookups, and thinking cap can boost skills such as vision, hearing, alertness, learning, and critical thinking.

Brain exercises, including the cross crawls, the owl, and the gravitational glider encourage lateral movement and help improve blood circulation and oxygen flow.

7. The Gravitational Glider

8. Earth Buttons

9. The Thinking Cap
Was this article helpful?
1. What age is brain gym for?

Brain gym in children may start at any age. It is primarily introduced in preschool and school children and may be started as young as one and a half years ( 1).

2. Is brain gym an effective educational intervention?

Brain gym is considered helpful in improving attention, memory, and academic skills but has not been unanimously accepted as an effective educational intervention. Sufficient scientific evidence is yet to be established in its favor ( 2) ( 3).

3. Is brain gym discredited?

Brain gym is considered a myth as there is no clear evidence ( 2) ( 4). The lack of adequate scientific data supporting the effectiveness of the techniques could be the reason.

4. Which brain gym technique should I use to calm children down?

Hook-Ups is one of the several brain gym methods used to calm children's nervous systems and relax their bodies because these exercises link the body's electrical circuits and help circulate energy that has been blocked by tension.

5. How can brain gyms be used in the classroom?

School management can make brain gyms a part of childrens' warm up activities that children can perform before starting a lesson or activity. Alternatively, these activities can be used during breaks to help children get refreshed and re-energized.

6. What are brain exercises for children called?

Brain exercises or brain gym exercises are also called cognitive training that includes age-appropriate routine activities for children to enhance their cognitive abilities, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving skills.

Mind game exercises are a fun and creative way for cognitive development. These brain gym exercises for kids are suitable for enhancing their creative thinking and logical reasoning power. With this collection of children's exercises, you can help them achieve better mental health by improving their executive functioning, memory, alertness, stability, and calmness. Remember not to push them too hard and let them complete the workout at their pace by making them understand the importance of each exercise.

Key Pointers

Brain exercises are believed to improve one's memory and concentration. Check out this interesting video below to understand how they may sharpen your mind and help in boosting your productivity.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

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Brain gym exercises for kids can be a fun, effective way to improve their brain function. Discover ideas for some of the best brain gym exercises in this post.

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The SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Daytime Emmy-nominated, Storyline Online, features celebrated actors reading children's books to inspire a love of reading in millions of children worldwide.

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Excellent self guided coding lessons and courses! 

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Excellent self guided coding lessons and courses! 

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Fun educational phonics game.

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Teach Your Monster: Free Phonics, Reading and Mathematics Games

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Help children learn with our free, award-winning reading, mathematics and phonics games.

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Mindful, relaxed and fun way to do yoga for kids!

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YOGA | MINDFULNESS | RELAXATION FOR KIDS! Screentime that gives kids SUPERPOWERS! ⬇️ D O W N L O A D T H E C O S M I C K I D S A P P ⬇️ 🍏Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cosmic-kids/ 🛍️Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cosmickids 🖥️ Desktop (great for teachers!): https://app.cosmickids.com/ 📺 Roku: https://rb.gy/44r8d -------------------------------------------------------------------- Why watch on the App?

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Art lessons online - age 11-16yrs, other ages still welcome to try.

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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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Each day you'll find a new set of daily activities to get involved with.

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What home learning help and activities can I find here?

With lesson ideas and even break time activities, these daily schedules are designed to support your home learning experience. You can find itineraries for EYFS, KS1, KS2 children, simply select your child's age at the top. You can either follow the full itinerary each day or pick and choose some home learning activities to try with your child. You can also find a wealth of teacher-made resources in all subjects for EYFS, KS1, KS2 and KS3/4 children.

How can I support my child when home learning?

We are here to support you, trying to stick to a schedule or itinerary can help you and your child, but find what works best for you. If you have the room, you could also set up dedicated spaces for you and your child to work. Make sure to take care of yourself and your child with some mindfulness activities. You could try yoga or colouring. You could also take a look at th the Twinkl Parents Hub for more help, advice and support.

How can I make home learning more fun?

Our partners have created some fun, educational activities for primary school children with some of their favorite characters. Try activity booklets, crafts or these lovely Twinkl Originals books to help keep your child engaged and entertained.

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With lesson ideas and even break time activities, these daily schedules are designed to support your home learning experience. You can find itineraries for EYFS, KS1, KS2 children, simply select your child's age at the top. You can either follow the full itinerary each day or pick and choose some home learning activities to try with your child.

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How were these built?

All our experiments are all built with freely accessible web technology such as Web Audio API, WebMIDI, Tone.js, and more. These tools make it easier for coders to build new interactive music experiences. You can get the open-source code to lots of these experiments here on Github.

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Music is for everyone. Play with simple experiments that let anyone, of any age, explore how music works.

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Get science experiments, videos, articles, and more.

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Author and Illustrator Mo Willems has been awarded the American Library Association’s Caldecott Honor three times for his picture book illustration. Additionally, he is the recipient of two Theodor Geisel Medals and five Geisel Honors for his Elephant & Piggie early readers. Mo began his career as a writer and animator on Sesame Street, where he garnered six Emmy Awards. His work has been exhibited around the world, including solo retrospectives at the High Museum in Atlanta and the New-York Historical Society. Over the last decade, Mo has written three musical theater works based on his books, two of which were commissioned and toured by the Kennedy Center.

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Growth mindset and health and well being videos with activities

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Tami's Tower: Let's Think About Engineering

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Tami's Tower: Let's Think About Engineering

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It's lunch time and Tami, the golden lion tamarin, is hungry! Help Tami reach the delicious fruit by building a tower. But watch out! Other animals can cause Tami's tower to topple over.

From the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Tami's Tower: Let's Think About Engineering is an educational engineering design game that will help teach your student how to design a solution to a problem using basic engineering design principles.

Tami's Tower: Let's Think About Engineering is available as a website for desktop and laptop computers. For use on tablets and smartphones, download the application from the Amazon Apps & Games Store, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store.

Aligned to educational science standards for kindergarten through second grade

Designed for emergent readers

Grounded in educational psychology research

Metacognitive prompts provide students an opportunity to monitor and assess their own confidence

Teachers can assess student responses to metacognitive prompts through an in-game summary screen

In-game tutorial to teach students how to play

Introduces students to engineering design principles

Students will learn how the shape of an object can help it function as needed to solve a problem

Students can reflect on previous attempts to improve design

Students can design a level in Sandbox mode

Designed to be used in the classroom or at home

Lesson Plan Booklet | Alternative Text | Frequently Asked Questions

Primary funding provided by a Youth Access Grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Office of the Associate Provost for Education and Access.

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Tami's Tower: Let's Think About Engineering

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It's lunch time and Tami, the golden lion tamarin, is hungry! Help Tami reach the delicious fruit by building a tower. But watch out! Other animals can cause Tami's tower to topple over.

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What will you find in the Smithsonian Learning Lab?

Resources

Millions of Smithsonian digital images, recordings, texts, and videos in history, art and culture, and the sciences

Collections

Thousands of examples of resources organized and structured for teaching and learning by educators and subject experts

Resources

Millions of Smithsonian digital images, recordings, texts, and videos in history, art and culture, and the sciences

Collections

Thousands of examples of resources organized and structured for teaching and learning by educators and subject experts

Who uses the Learning Lab?

In short... it's people like you. We created the Learning Lab so anyone can quickly discover and adapt authoritative subject-relevant resources.

Tips

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Create collections of resources to engage learners, or freely adapt ones already made by Learning Lab users like you.

Use Learning Lab tools to customize and enhance your collections.

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Grow your skills and stay connected with the
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To learn more about the Smithsonian Learning Lab and to read about strategies, approaches, new features, and more, subscribe to the Bright Ideas newsletter. We'll be sending out a new issue every few weeks.

Professional Development and Events

Distance Learning with the Smithsonian

The Smithsonian is committed to supporting the distance learning needs of educators and students. Distance Learning Resources

Visit our Distance Learning Page for resources, trainings, and a full calendar of live events hosted by experts from across the Smithsonian.

Upcoming Events

Cultivating Environmental Leaders

Join Smithsonian Affiliations and explore strategies to help students see themselves as changemakers able to share their environmental solutions broadly. You'll leave with resources, techniques, and lessons learned from Earth Optimism Youth Action and Leadership, a collaborative place- and project-based program run with partner museums across the country.

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Smithsonian Learning Lab: Discover, Create, Share

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What will you find in the Smithsonian Learning Lab? Resources Millions of Smithsonian digital images, recordings, texts, and videos in history, art and culture, and the sciences Collections Thousands of examples of resources organized and structured for teaching and learning by educators and subject experts Resources Millions of Smithsonian digital images, recordings, texts, and videos in history, art and culture, and the sciences Collections Thousands of examples of resources organized and structured for teaching and learning by educators and subject experts Who uses the Learning Lab?

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Seesaw | Elementary Learning Experience Platform

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Seesaw | Elementary Learning Experience Platform

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Elementary Learning Experience Platform | Seesaw

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Seesaw is a Learning Experience Platform with 25M+ users, enhancing elementary education, engagement, and school culture while improving academic success.

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"art for kids" "art projects for kids" "art ideas for kids" "art tips" "how to draw" "art for kids hub" lessons

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Hey, art friends! Welcome to Art For Kids Hub! 🎨✏️ Here, you'll discover all sorts of awesome art lessons, from drawing to painting, and even some super cool origami. Whether you're a beginner or a budding artist, there's something fun for everyone!

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Educational games for grades PreK through 6 that will keep kids engaged and having fun. Topics include math, reading, typing, just-for-fun logic games... and more!

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Get facts and photos of the U.S. states and territories, and the District of Columbia.

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Learn touch typing online using TypingClub's free typing courses. It includes 650 typing games, typing tests and videos.

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Interactive writing and poetry for an hour with Pie Corbett and fellow authors/poets - recommended for KS2

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We are immensely proud of what we have accomplished over the last 100 days of lockdown and although we sought a way forward we could not find a sustainable solution. We would like to thank all our young writers and listeners for their contributions and we hope they enjoyed the shows as much as we did in producing them. We would also like to thank the incredible array of authors, poets and musicians who freely gave their time and wisdom to the project. The belief and support that they gave helped us to feel that what we were doing was worthwhile.

It is difficult to list everyone who has supported the show, but we would like to acknowledge, in particular, the huge contribution that Rachel Orr made to the project recording songs for us; the very vocal support of Larraine Harrison, Claire Kilgour and SF Said; and finally all the teachers, parents and children who wrote and recorded stories, poems, reports, comments and much more throughout. Without you our project would have died a long time ago.

All our shows will remain on RadioBlogging.Net for as long as there is demand for them and in due course we will be producing a catalogue to enable you to search for individual authors, types of writing, teacher notes and more. We hope that this will become a resource that can be dipped into to support learning for a long time to come.

Thank you for joining us on our journey,

David, Ian John, Pie and Russell

Welcome to RadioBlogging - daily shows with interactive activities to keep everyone busy and engaged, brought to you by Pie Corbett, Deputy Mitchell, Ian Rockey and Russell Prue, just listen and blog, it's live, fun and interactive.

What is RadioBlogging?

RadioBlogging.Net is a LIVE daily radio broadcast that teaches literacy and is aimed at families and schools. It's interactive so that children can write and their work is published during and after the show, with immediate feedback to develop children's learning. Each day there are spelling, grammar and vocabulary games, followed by creative writing and the opportunity to respond to a guest author's reading. Each show features either a poet or author of the day. All posts are moderated and there is a team of educators and professionals who respond to the children's writing. It is an innovative project combining education radio and blogging to enhance and support continuous learning provision at this critical time.

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We are immensely proud of what we have accomplished over the last 100 days of lockdown and although we sought a way forward we could not find a sustainable solution. We would like to thank all our young writers and listeners for their contributions and we hope they enjoyed the shows as much as we did in producing them.

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Click "start" under Dance Party. You do not need to log in to use this.

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It's time to strut your stuff! Create your own dance party featuring hits by Miley Cyrus, BTS, Lil Nas X, Harry Styles, Nicki Minaj, Rosalía, and more!

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15 Broadway Plays and Musicals to watch on stage from home

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15 Broadway Plays and Musicals to watch on stage from home

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An article telling you where and how to watch some of the top Broadway Plays and Musicals from your home.

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Lists 17 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch On Stage From Home

From Hamilton to Newsies, we're running down some of the best filmed Broadway shows-and where to find them.

More and more, live musicals are being filmed for PBS or streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BroadwayHD and more. Productions of Off-Broadway's Puffs to Broadway's Indecent to the West End's An American in Paris, new captures of stage productions regularly become available.

Let's take a look at some of the best filmed Broadway shows to know about and where to find them.

READ: 17 Must-Watch Documentaries for Broadway Musical Fans

Hamilton
Filmed on the stage of the Richard Rodgers Theatre in June 2016, the live capture of the Pulizter- and Tony-winning musical was slated for an Octopber 2021 theatrical release-until COVID-19 preempted that plan, resulting in the movie dropping on Disney+ July 3. After five years of buzz, the streamed version-featuring creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tony winners Leslie Odom Jr. and Renée Elise Goldsberry, and most of the original cast-lived up to fans' expectations, and created another wave of Hamilton frenzy.
Available on Disney+

Though it was adapted into a motion picture in 2005 featuring much of the original Broadway cast, the final performance of the Broadway production was captured and shown in movie theatres as well, later released on DVD and Blu-ray. At the time of the filming, the cast was not exceptionally well known, but looking back now, it's pretty much an all-star cast, including performances by Renée Elise Goldsberry, Adam Kantor, Will Chase, Michael McElroy, Rodney Hicks, Tracie Thoms, Eden Espinoza, and Telly Leung.

Available on Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube, iTunes, as well as on DVD/Blu-ray from Amazon.

Cats wasn't filmed on Broadway, but the original production was captured on a stage in London in 1998, with original West End star Elaine Paige no less.

Available to stream on BroadwayHD, Amazon Prime, iTunes, and Google Play and on DVD from Amazon.

The original production was never filmed for home release-though there is a fascinating documentary (Original Cast Album: Company) that captures the original cast album's recording session-but a 2006 Broadway revival directed by John Doyle and starring Raúl Esparza was filmed for broadcast on PBS. There's also a New York Philharmonic concert staging available that features an all-star cast, including Neil Patrick Harris, Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert, Jon Cryer, and more. And, of course, IFC's Documentary Now! famously spoofed the documentary of the cast recording in Original Cast Album: Co-Op with John Mulaney as a Sondheim substitute.

The 2006 Broadway revival production is available on DVD.
The 2011 concert production is available on DVD.
Original Cast Album: Co-op is available on Amazon Prime, Netflix and IFC.com.

Falsettos
William Finn and James Lapine's 1992 musical Falsettos is actually a combination of two earlier one-act musicals, March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland. Together, they tell the story of Marvin, a gay man trying to navigate his relationships with his former wife, their child, and his boyfriend, all against the backdrop of 1980s New York when all of this was completely uncharted territory.

Lincoln Center Theater's 2016 Broadway revival featured a cast made up of Broadway favorites, including Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells, Brandon Uranowitz, Stephanie J. Block, Tracie Thoms, and Betsy Wolfe. It was also filmed for television broadcast-part of Live From Lincoln Center -but it ultimately found its way to movie theatres, and is now available for streaming online.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime and BroadwayHD.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime and BroadwayHD and for rent or purchase on iTunes.
Available on DVD from Amazon.

The filmed version of Nicholas Nickleby actually happened shortly before the work's Broadway transfer, but didn't receive its inaugural television broadcast until 1983. Given the play's immense length, home viewing might be the best way to watch; you can take an intermission whenever you like.

Available for streaming on BroadwayHD and on DVD.

Billy Elliot the Musical
Elton John and Lee Hall's Billy Elliot the Musical tells the story of a little boy in a small British town who prefers ballet to boxing, much to the dismay of his conservative working-class community. When it opened on London's West End in 2005, it became an immediate hit, winning four Olivier Awards. The production's Broadway transfer was equally successful, winning 10 Tony Awards, including a history-making joint win for all three young actors who shared the title role.

Though the Broadway production closed in 2012, the London production ran through 2016 and was filmed live on stage in 2014. The live recording doesn't feature the original cast, but it does include Broadway and West End star Ruthie Henshall as Mrs. Wilkinson, the ballet teacher.

Elaine Stritch at Liberty
Elaine Stritch was nearly as famous for her onstage performances as she was for her offstage persona-and her storytelling. In Elaine Stritch at Liberty, her 2002 solo show that played Off-Broadway at The Public Theater before moving to Broadway, Stritch takes you through her entire life, from childhood to Sail Away to Company, and beyond. And she does it wearing nothing but a white blouse and black semi-sheer pantyhose.

Elaine Stritch At Liberty wasn't filmed on Broadway, but when Stritch took the show to London's West End, cameras captured a performance for release on DVD. If you're fond of backstage anecdotes, show tunes, and dry wit, you won't want to miss this one.

Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Into the Woods
Before it was a hit movie starring Meryl Streep and James Corden, Into the Woods was one of Sondheim's most successful Broadway shows. It's still one of the most produced works at schools and regional theatres across the country. This mash-up of fairytales that dares to go beyond "happily ever after" is one of Sondheim's most accessible works, and has certainly been the Sondheim entry point for more than a few theatre fans, largely due to the video of the original Broadway production with the original Broadway cast, including Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason in her Tony-winning performance.

Available to stream on YouTube, Google Play, Vudu, Amazon Prime, iTunes, BroadwayHD and DVD on Amazon.

Kiss Me, Kate
With a classic Cole Porter score that includes such tunes as "Another Op'nin', Another Show," "So in Love," "Too Darn Hot," "Always True to You in My Fashion," and "Brush Up Your Shakespeare," Kiss Me, Kate became an almost instant classic when it debuted on Broadway in 1948. The 1999 Broadway production won the Tony Award for Best Revival, directed by Michael Blakemore, choreographed by Kathleen Marshall and Rob Ashford, and starring Brian Stokes Mitchell and Marin Mazzie. The 2019 revival starred Will Chase and Kelli O'Hara.

The 1999 revival production was filmed after it transferred to London's West End in 2003. Neither of the Broadway leads were still with the production when it was filmed, but the great news is that they were replaced with Brent Barrett and Rachel York, both Broadway stars in their own right.

The 2003 production is available to stream on Amazon Prime, BroadwayHD and Google Play, and on DVD from Amazon.

You can also stream a 1958 TV adaptation starring original leads Patricia Morison and Alfred Drake on Amazon Prime.

Peter Pan
J.M. Barrie's classic story of the flying boy who never grows up has been one of the most frequently adapted stories out there since it premiered in 1904. Though there have been several musical adaptations of the story, it is the 1954 musical with a score by Moose Charlap, Jule Styne, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and Carolyn Leigh that tends to be the best known amongst theatre fans.

This version of the story was filmed four separate times. The first three feature the musical's original stage star, Mary Martin, in the title role, a performance for which she won a Tony Award. Though they were not filmed on a stage, all three are faithful recreations of the original Broadway production in a television studio. The first filming, broadcast live on TV in 1955 within weeks of the show's Broadway closing, features the complete original cast.

A revival of the show starring Cathy Rigby, the most prolific stage Peter Pan of the last 30 years, was filmed live on stage in 2000 and was released on DVD.

The 2000 revival is available to stream on BroadwayHD and Amazon Prime.
The 1955 and 1956 black and white broadcasts are available on Blu-ray from Amazon.
The 1956 black and white broadcast is available on DVD from Amazon.

Present Laughter
Kevin Kline earned his third Tony Award playing Garry Essendine in a revival of Noël Coward's Present Laughter, which follows a few days in the life of a highly successful and egotistical actor. Appearing alongside Kline in this most recent production were an all-star cast that included Kate Burton, Kristine Nielsen, and Cobie Smulders. This 2017 production was filmed on stage before the curtain fell for the final time.

Available to stream on PBS Passport and BroadwayHD.

The original Broadway production, directed by Harold Prince, was filmed during its national tour. Though the complete original cast was not captured, the recording does feature Angela Lansbury (in her Tony-winning performance), Ken Jennings, and Edmund Lyndeck. Broadway replacement George Hearn stars in the title role.

Available to rent on Amazon Prime and iTunes and on DVD from Amazon.

She Loves Me
You'd be hard pressed to find a theatre aficionado who isn't fond of She Loves Me, Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick, and Joe Masteroff's 1963 musical about two co-workers who hate each other while unknowingly being romantic pen pal partners. The score contains such favorites as "Tonight at Eight," "Will He Like Me?," "Dear Friend," "Vanilla Ice Cream," and "She Loves Me."

The 2016 Broadway revival from Roundabout Theatre Company boasted a cast that included film and TV star Zachary Levi, Laura Benanti, Jane Krakowski, and Gavin Creel. It was this production that made theatre history when it became the first Broadway show to be live streamed, and only the second to be broadcast live (following Carol Channing in Show Girl in 1961, which was broadcast live on pay-per-view TV in Canada).

Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, and BroadwayHD.

The Broadway production was filmed on stage during a Los Angeles stop on the national tour, and much of the original cast returned to their roles for the filming, including Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay, Ben Fankhauser, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, and Tommy Bracco. This recording was initially released as a limited release in movie theatres in February 2017, but a few months later it became available for digital download.

Available on Disney+

Passing Strange
A young Black Californian who feels trapped by his suburban upbringing goes on a coming-of-age odyssey to Bohemian Amsterdam and Berlin in the musical narrated by the rock musician Stew, who co-composed the score with Heidi Rodewald. The production was captured by Spike Lee on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre, Following a successful Off-Broadway debut at The Public Theater. The show stars Daniel Breaker, de'Adre Aziza, Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Chad Goodridge, and Rebecca Naomi Jones with Stew as the narrator.
Available to stream on Amazon Prime Video

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17 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch On Stage From Home

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Lists 17 Broadway Plays and Musicals You Can Watch On Stage From Home From Hamilton to Newsies, we're running down some of the best filmed Broadway shows-and where to find them. More and more, live musicals are being filmed for PBS or streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BroadwayHD and more.

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Mindfulness for everyday life. Stress less. Move more. Sleep soundly.

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Meditation and Sleep Made Simple - Headspace

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Live a healthier, happier, more well-rested life in just a few minutes a day with the Headspace app.

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BBC Teach Live Lessons for primary schools

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BBC Teach Live Lessons for primary schools

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We work with educational consultants, specialist partners and some of the BBC's biggest brands and presenters to create fun and engaging learning experiences for the classroom.

Live Lessons are published or streamed live at 11am on BBC Teach and broadcast on CBBC.

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BBC Teach Live Lessons for primary schools

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We work with educational consultants, specialist partners and some of the BBC's biggest brands and presenters to create fun and engaging learning experiences for the classroom. Live Lessons are published or streamed live at 11am on BBC Teach and broadcast on CBBC.

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Online Digital Coloring Pages

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You can save your interactive online coloring pages that you have created in your gallery, print the coloring pages to your printer, or email them to friends and family. These coloring pages are fun and they also help children develop important skills such as color concepts, the names of the 192 colors, eye-hand coordination, picture comprehension. These skills form the foundation for early learning success

No java, flash or applet is necessary to load our online coloring pages. The pages load immediately so you can start coloring immediately. If you would like to save your gallery of pictures on TheColor.com you can do so by registering for our site. We will never spam our users as we are COPPA; compliant so open an account start coloring online for free Today!

Feel free to contact us if there are any coloring pages you would like us to add to our site. If you want to email us the gif files of free coloring pages you have drawn we will add them to our online coloring site. Also please let us know if you have any suggestions as our goal is to be #1 online destination for online coloring. Our goal is to constantly build our pictures to color online and we will be adding new pictures to color every week.

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4,987+ Free Online Coloring Pages | TheColor.com

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TheColor has the world's largest collection of Free Online Coloring Pages for kids. Color over 4,987+ pictures online or print pages to color and color by hand.

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Little Twisters Yoga & Emotional Wellness

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The following products are digital downloads (PDF files). Instructions: No registration necessary. Contact me with any questions! LittleTwistersYoga@gmail.com

1. Click the "Add to Cart" button under the product of your choice.

2. Checkout using PayPal or a credit card through our secure system.

3. Instantly receive an email with a link to download your product.

Printable Kids Yoga Cards for Beginners:
Kids "Space Shapes" Yoga-Geometry with Movement (Ages 3+) Price: $5.00
Packet includes tons of helpful tips for introducing yoga to children, 12-large (half-sheet) printable kids yoga cards with real photos of the poses in action, as well as full-page posters of each pose with verbal prompts. Print them for home use, classroom stations, or therapy, or open the PDF on your electronic device for kids yoga-on-the-go! Poses included: Butterfly, Frog, Dog, Cat, Cow, Mouse, Star, Tree, Airplane, Bridge, Happy Baby, and Belly Breathing!
St. Patrick's Day Kids Yoga Sequence (Ages 3+) $2.00
This newly updated packet includes fun space-themed movement task cards (and matching full-page posters) with REAL photos of the poses, helping students to create (10) 2-dimensional geometric shapes with their bodies through traditional yoga poses and fun creative movements, while they work to "construct" a space craft and blast to outer space. Print the cards, or display them on your smartboard/electronic tablet. Bonus: tons of great visuals tied to the space theme, along with a template for a Shapes Space Ship Printable Craft, but you can use the shapes poses for many other themes as well!

These fun St. Patrick's Day yoga poses and creative movements are perfect to use for quick brain breaks or a little exercising fun! The PDF packet includes instructions for use, large real photographs of each pose (8 total), along with tips on adapting for different ages and abilities. Print the yoga cards, or display them electronically on your smartboard or tablet!
Read more about the "Kids Yoga & Books" Units here

Kids Yoga for Your Favorite Books!

This huge bundle (71 pages!) includes kid-friendly creative movements and yoga poses to pair with your favorite farm book, create your own yoga story, or add movement to a farm-themed lesson plan. Additionally, I have included Class Plans for kids yoga to pair with 3 featured books: (*Must have a copy of the actual books for the full tie-in):

1. "Big Red Barn" by Margaret Wise Brown
2. "Little Blue Truck" by Alice Schurtle and illustrated by Jill McElmurry
3. "The Very Busy" Spider by Eric Carle

A huge Ocean/Beach/Sea-Themed Unit (93 pages!) filled with ocean and sea animals from all habitats and common beach scenery (Boats, Scuba Divers, Shipwrecks, Sufers, and more!). Use it with your favorite lesson plans for added movement, or create your own yoga stories. Unit also includes 3 detailed class plans for the following featured books (Must have a copy of the actual books for the full-tie in):

1. "Ten Friendly Fish" by Debbie Tarbett
2. "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell" by Lucille Colandro
3. "Commotion in the Ocean" by Giles Andreae

This huge packet (102 pages!) includes kid-friendly creative movements and yoga poses to pair with your favorite zoo animal book, create your own yoga story, or add movement to a zoo-themed lesson plan. Unit also includes 3 detailed class plans for the following featured books (Must have a copy of the actual books for the full-tie in):

1. "The Mixed Up Chameleon" by Eric Carle

2. "Good Night Gorilla" by Peggy Rathmann

3. "Dear Zoo" by Rod Campbell

Stay tuned for more Kids Yoga & Books Series coming soon!
Autumn-Themed Yoga & Movement BookletPrice: $3.00
Themed Yoga Sequences for Kids:

This great little packet provides fun Fall-Themed brain boosters and kids yoga movements from a professional children's yoga teacher. Your kids will love "apple picking", "scarecrow stretches", "Pumpkin Pose" and more!
Winter-Themed Yoga & Movement BookletPrice: $3.00
Many format options: Print an individual yoga booklet for your child/students, or display the full page posters at stations, or on a smartboard/electronic tablet. Includes bright photographs of the poses in action, along with easy-to-follow instructions. No prior experience needed. Poses do not contain any spiritual components.

This great little packet provides fun Winter-Themed brain boosters and kids yoga movements from a professional children's yoga teacher. Your class will love "Reindeer Flying", "Snowflake Stretches, "Santa Breathing", and more! Includes real photographs of the poses in action, along with easy-to-follow instructions.
Ocean Adventure-A Guided Kids Yoga Sequence with Printable Cards and Real Photos! (Ages 4+) Price: $5.00
Many format options: Print an individual yoga booklet for your child/students, or display the full page posters at stations, or on a smartboard/electronic tablet. Includes bright photographs of the poses in action, along with easy-to-follow instructions. No prior experience needed. Poses do not contain any spiritual components.

Let's head to the beach for some yoga fun! This guided Kids Yoga adventure sequence includes 12 kid-friendly poses, easy to follow instructions, a guided script for leading children on an ocean adventure, and formats for both printable yoga cards, or full-page posters to display on a smart board or even on your ipad. Poses include a boat, shark, whale, seahorse, sandcastle and more (12 total)! Kid Tested and loved! PreK-2nd Graders.

Summer Olympic/Sports Themed Kids' Yoga Cards (Ages 4+)
$5.00

A really fun sports-themed kids' yoga sequence with 10 different poses and creative movement tied to summer olympic sporting events. Exercise, strengthen, stretch and make your imaginations come to life as you try to win a gold medal in each event! The packet includes 10 kids yoga cards with real pictures of each pose and easy-to-follow instructions, as well as a guided script for teaching. Also includes 10 full size poster pages which can be displayed on a smart board/tablet, or printed for the classroom.

Students will move their bodies and use their imaginations to become their favorite farm animal (horse, chickens, cow, donkey and more!), and even pretend to drive a farm tractor! The packet includes multiple formats. Either print the half-page yoga cards for student use, or display the full page poster cards on your smart board, or on your favorite electronic device! Easy to follow instructions, and real photographs of the poses in action, make it easy for kids to learn the poses quickly. There is a full teaching script for a farm adventure that will take students through a complete yoga sequence with stretching, aerobic moves, breathing and calming exercises.
Yoga to Rest & Refocus: Help Kids to Slow Down the Body & Quiet the Mind Price: $4.00
Kids' Yoga for Wellness:

This sequence of 6 yoga poses and breathing exercises is geared specifically at leading children through a restorative relaxation yoga session. Use these cards for anytime that your children/students are needing to slow their bodies down, or refocus their minds. The exercises can also be used to calm nerves and boost confidence, such as in pre-test situations, or perhaps after a long and taxing day.

What's included in the packet:
-A detailed teaching script for a full yoga relaxation sequence
-Yoga Picture and Instruction Cards (6) with real photographs of the stretches and breathing exercises.
-Positive Affirmations for each of the exercises which can be read aloud by a parent/teacher, or repeated by the students.
-Full-Size Posters (6) of each exercise which can be displayed at stations, or on your electronic handheld device or smart board.
-Tons of tips on how to use and teach the exercises, from a professional yoga teacher.

Yoga to Calm: Help Kids Channel Energy & Ease Big Emotions,

Special Pricing: $1

This sequence of 6 yoga poses and breathing exercises is created by a professional yoga teacher and is geared at helping children of all ages channel high energy and/or ease big emotions, such as anxiety.

What's included in the packet:
-A detailed teaching script for a full yoga calming sequence
-Yoga Picture and Instruction Cards (6) with real photographs of the stretches and breathing exercises.
-Positive Affirmations for each of the exercises which can be read aloud by a parent/teacher, or repeated by the students.
-Full-Size Posters (6) of each exercise which can be displayed at stations, or on your electronic handheld device or smart board.
-Tons of tips on how to use and teach the exercises from a professional yoga teacher.

This fun and super active yoga sequence is a great way to add aerobic exercise, cross lateral movements, and gross motor activities, into your school day-all essential for learning! Follow along with a detailed teaching script as you lead students (or your own children) through an imaginary Nature Adventure Hike. Bright photographs of the poses in action and easy-to-follow instructions allow for all levels and ages to participate.
Breathing & Mindfulness Cards for All AgesPrice: $4.00
What's included in the packet:
-A detailed teaching script for a 15-20 minute yoga sequence
-Yoga Picture and Instruction Cards (6) with real photographs of the stretches and breathing exercises.
-Full-Size Posters (6) of each exercise which can be displayed at stations, or on your electronic handheld device or smart board.
-Tips on how to use and teach the exercises, from a professional yoga teacher.

These breathing and mindfulness cards offer a variety of exercises for enhancing focus, becoming present, regulating emotions, and relieving stress. Use them for new and fun mindfulness breaks throughout your school day.

What's included in the packet:
-Breathing and Mindfulness Instruction Cards (10) with real photographs and easy to follow instructions.
-Full-Size Posters (10) of each exercise which can be displayed at stations, or on your electronic handheld device or smart board.
-Tips on how to use and teach the exercises, from a professional yoga teacher.

Multiple formats are included in the packet. Print the half-sheet cards for student use, or display the full-size poster pages on your smart board or favorite electronic tablet. Packet does not contain any religious or spiritual elements.

Kids Yoga Journal & Mindfulness Activity Packet:
Kids Yoga Journal Price: $5.00

The PDF packet includes ten (10) unique Guided Journaling Pages & Yoga-Themed Writing/Coloring Exercises to complement your children's yoga lessons! Use as individual exercises, or compile selected pages and the optional cover for an ongoing Student Yoga Journal. Adds a focused reflection and writing component to your movement session and really helps develop increased body-awareness and self-regulating tools through calm mindful journaling and individual progress tracking and goal setting.

Find my full store on Teachers Pay Teachers if you prefer to shop through that platform:

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Credits and Fine Print:

Kids Yoga Pose Clip Art by Rebekah Brock: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/ Store/ Rebekah-Brock. All other clip art is under fair use creative commons.

*All photographs and other images are property of Little Twisters Yoga and may not be copied or posted online. No portion of the products may be copied, redistributed, or used for any uses without prior written permission. Purchase of a product entitles you to one license. Please do not share with colleagues without purchasing additional licenses, which I offer at a discount-Contact me for info. Email: Hello (at) LittleTwistersYoga (dot) com

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The following products are digital downloads (PDF files). Instructions: No registration necessary. Contact me with any questions! LittleTwistersYoga@gmail.com Click the "Add to Cart" button under the product of your choice. Checkout using PayPal or a credit card through our secure system. Instantly receive an email with a link to download your product.

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Why do I love activities so much? Activities are a tool. They're a way for me to help break up the day, keep the kids from asking 47 "but why...?" questions, buy myself a chance to unload the dishwasher or hit the reset button if things aren't going so well. Activities aren't a must to make life work at home - but they are a great tool when you need them.

And if you need activities right now to help your life at home, that's what I've got. This is the BEST OF THE BEST indoor activities from Busy Toddler.
RELATED: Need help with play-based learning right now? Check out my activities program - a laid out, 45 minute a day preschool: Playing Preschool.
What makes for a great indoor activity?

I combed my site top to bottom to find activities that fit these criteria:

Easy set up

Minimal supplies needed

Hold little attention spans

I'm looking for indoor activities that can help.

If your child is having a hard time finding play.... an activity can jump start that.

If your child is fighting with a sibling.... an activity can reset them.

If you need a minute to make dinner... an activity can help.

If the TV has been on longer than you'd like... an activity can bring play back to life.
RELATED: Need new puzzles? Need new board games? I have lists for both!

The 40+ best indoor activities from Busy Toddler will help your days

Make sure to check out my SUPPLY list for my favorite activities supplies.
For these activities, the most used are:
Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.

What age are these for?

That's up to you - you are the best judge of your child's ability level and interests. Think of "skills needed" rather than age when considering an activity because all kids develop differently.

Enjoy these activities - I truly hope they can help!

Sensory Bins

Rice Bin - A simple rice sensory bin

Funnels and Rainbow Rice - Play with rice and funnels

Indoor Pouring Station - Create an indoor pouring station

Dinosaur Toy Bath - Give those dinosaur toys a bath

Oobleck Party - Have you made oobleck? It's a must!

Bubble Foam Trucks - Play with bubble foam - just three ingredients that you have!

Ice Bin Scoop & Transfer - Scooping and transferring ice is so fun

Puzzle Sorting Station - Mix up puzzles to create a simple sensory and sorting bin

Toy Washing Station - Wash the plastic toys as an activity

LEGO Duplo Bath - Put the DUPLOS in the bath!

Popsicle Bath - Let your child enjoy a Popsicle in the tub

Paw Patrol Search & Rescue - Rescue the pups from water (or any favorite toy)

Pom Pom Soup - Pom pom balls CAN GET WET!

Rice Bin Scoop & Transfer - A rice scooping station is so peaceful

Color Bath - Create a color themed bath for kids

Making Potions - Let kids get creative and make potions

Art Activities

Body Painting Process Art - Trace your child and let them paint their "body"

Painting Dinosaurs - Paint dinosaurs or other plastic toys

Decorating Extreme Boxes - How to take box decorating to an extreme level

Paint the Trash - Nothing classier than painting trash!

Creation Station - Build and create with recycled items

Painting Ice Cubes - Painting ice cubes is so cool and fun

Shape Art Activity - Paint overlapping shapes on a large scale

Bath Tub Artist - Let toddlers paint in the bath tub

Rainbow Dot Sticker Art - Create a rainbow sticker sorting activity

Quick & Easy Activities

Post-it Name Match - Match family names on sticky notes

Animal Parade - Make a parade on tape

Box Road - Use a box to create a unique city

Number Line Sorting - Sort out the number line with sticky notes

Sticker Line-Up - Use dot stickers to trace over lines

Hidden Colors Science - A fun twist on baking soda and vinegar

Pom Pom Drop / Ramp - Save those toilet paper tubes to make a ramp system!

ABC Post-it Match - Match up the ABCs on sticky notes

Shape Sorting - Sort real world objects by shape

Card Slot Drop - A quick activity for young toddlers

Animal Tape Rescue - Rescue animals trapped by tape

Alphabet Find Race - Kids race around the house to find their Abcs

Find the Shape - A shapes and coloring activity

Match & Glue - Matching pom pom balls to colors and gluing them

Erase the ABCs - Erase letter written in dry erase markers

DIY Ball Ramp - Create a DIY ball ramp from a box

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40+ Best Indoor Activities from Busy Toddler - Busy Toddler

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Why do I love activities so much? Activities are a tool. They're a way for me to help break up the day, keep the kids from asking 47 "but why...?" questions, buy myself a chance to unload the dishwasher or hit the reset button if things aren't going so well.

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PBS LearningMedia | Teaching Resources For Students And Teachers

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Inspire your students with thousands of free teaching resources including videos, lesson plans, and games aligned to state and national standards.

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Classroom Cereal is a series of free, PDF short stories that double as grammar exercises. Each story has five parts and each part has five grammatical mistakes for students to find as they read. Enjoy the story and find the errors. It's simple and nourishing, much like a certain grain-based breakfast food.

"I love absolutely everything about Classroom Cereal. I've been using it for several years, and everything just seems to get better and better. I love when my kids are so into the stories that they don't realize they are practicing grammar skills. They get so excited with the daily cliffhangers and beg for the next day's work." Stephnie H.

Broaddus ISD
Texas

"My students love Classroom Cereal days. There are other educators in my building that have observed my lessons with Classroom Cereal and now they want in too. I think it has been a great way to get my kiddos reading." Erika E.

Smithville Middle School
Missouri

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Grammar practice in free, PDF short stories.

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Make your own skins and experience basic Minecraft modding with Tynker.

Learn Python

Learn to code browser-based games using Python, pen drawing and Turtle graphics.

Explore AI

In this exciting elective course, you'll explore artificial intelligence and machine learning - with JavaScript.

Empower the Next Generation with Tynker -
Unleash Creativity and Innovation in Kids Everywhere

Approved by Educators.
Loved by Kids

Story Based Lessons

Kids learn with block-based coding before transitioning to text-based languages like JavaScript and Python.

Built-in Tutorials

Tynker's interactive lessons break down coding fundamentals as they solve fun puzzles.

Interactive Assessments

Quick practice quizzes and assessment tests evaluate's a child's comprehension of subjects taught.

Explore Curriculum

Why Should Kids
Learn to Code with Tynker?

Because technology is so integrated into virtually every aspect of our lives, learning about it is more important than ever. Our coding platform makes it convenient and fun for kids and teens to gain knowledge that will serve them well throughout their lives. You can count on our trusted methods to help them develop and grow their capabilities with computers.

Tynker isn't just for schools and coding camps, though. Parents who value STEM education and want their children to know how to code should know that our kids programming platform can be used at home, too. Tynker offers a range of coding for kids solutions with icon-coding for pre-readers, block-based coding, and advanced courses in Python, JavaScript, data science, art, and image processing. There are quarterly, yearly and lifetime plans which include access for up to 3 children, and our online classes for all ages are an excellent way for them to gain the supplemental STEM skills needed for their future.

Trusted by Leading Brands

Our methods for learning to code all are provided within a safe, moderated community that is built around encouraging students to gain confidence in their abilities and do so without fear of failure.

Frequently asked questions

Is coding good for kids?

We're living during a high-tech revolution, witnessing life-changing advancements in medicine, environmental conservation, and much more. At the core of all these amazing projects and discoveries is CODE. Code can be the thing that differentiates your child from peers and allows them to stand out as an asset for companies when they are looking for employment. The children who learn to code today will become the creators of the technology tomorrow. Learning how to code can help children make a major contribution to the world that they live in and make a lasting impact.

As kids and teens learn to code, they also build essential skills like critical thinking, logic, and problem-solving. They learn to logically sequence events, create playable games, tell good stories, and model real situations. They also learn computational thinking by developing algorithmic and design thinking abilities. Coding for kids has become an essential element of a child's education and an excellent way to express their creativity and imagination.

How do I start my child coding?

Coding, otherwise known as programming, is a creative activity for all children. Your child might not care about writing data processing algorithms, but they might enjoy creating games, programming music, designing websites, or just playing with code. Learning to code is for everyone; you don't have to be good at math or a "techie" to learn how to code. Kids as young as five can learn to code and pick it up faster than most adults.

When your kids are starting, pick a program like MIT's Scratch or Tynker Junior app. The visual style of these programs makes it easy for young children to learn to code. Scratch and Tynker have a graphical interface that works. Drag-and-drop code blocks snap together. Pieces of code that don\'t make computational sense won't fit together, making syntax errors impossible.

Older children can learn to code with Python by building games, art, music, and more. Some programs like Tynker offer a placement test to set your child on the right track for their age and experience level.

What age is best to introduce coding to kids?

Every child learns at their own pace. They can learn different subjects at varying rates and ways. Experts believe that children should learn coding at an early age. According to MIT, the best age for kids to start learning coding languages such as Scratch Jr or Tynker Jr is from 5 to 7. Many programs allow your children to progress at their own pace or hire an instructor to help them move along.

With Tynker, a placement test will place your child on the correct path based on age and skill level, and Tynker supports children up to age 18 with real-world text languages like Python and JavaScript. Children progress to more difficult coding courses with the support of interactive tutorials and video instructions at their own pace.

Which is the best coding for kids program?

With so many great services available, learning to code has never been easier! For example, Scratch and Tynker provide innovative visual coding languages that make coding fun. Coding is a great way to broaden your child's worldview and develop their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Here are a few coding for kids options to review:

Game-based learning -Game-based platforms such as Tynker and the challenges on Code.org motivate kids to use code to complete game levels.

Independent learning with Scratch -Scratch from MIT is a great way of getting started with code. Although they don't have courses, there's a vibrant community to learn from.

Online courses-Enroll in a Python or JavaScript course on Codecademy or Tynker or learn to code with Processing on Khan Academy. Tynker offers advanced courses like Processing 1, using p5.js to introduce the foundational concepts of art and computer science.

Build an app-Learn to build your own iOS app using Swift. Install the Swift Playgrounds app by Apple.

Use a book-Learn by following along with books like Mission Python, Super Scratch Programming Adventure, or Coding with Minecraft. Tynker has a series of super-informative coding activity books, including Code These Games, Code These Minecraft Mods, and Code This Art.

Why is coding needed?

Coding is the method of giving a computer instructions to perform a specific task. You may also hear coding referred to as software programming or computer programming. These instructions are communicated using a language that computers can understand, like visual blocks, JavaScript and Python.

Coding for kids lays the groundwork for our world's technology, from microprocessors in everyday items like refrigerators and water heaters to sophisticated programs that run our cars and buildings. Learning to code is a great opportunity for children of all ages to develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, while building the necessary focus and organization to see projects through to completion.

Coding usually begins with drag-and-drop visual programming in which children connect blocks together to make programs. Visual programming teaches the fundamental concepts without typing or syntax by placing the focus on the logic behind the code. Once they've learned the basics, children can transition to real-world programming languages like Python, JavaScript, and C.

From online coding courses and games to offline learning, from in-person coding instruction to live online tutoring, there are endless coding resources available. The best coding platforms and programs like Scratch, Code.org and Tynker give children of all ages and experience levels the ability to code while making the process fun and engaging.

Why should we use Tynker coding for kids?

Tynker is the world's number one coding platform for children ages 5 to 18 for a reason-it works! Tynker powers the creativity of over 100 million students and serves thousands of schools and educators worldwide.

Tynker's award-winning, gamified courses and coding for kids activities encourage kids to complete projects as they have fun, allowing them to progress from novices to experts using languages like Python. Tynker's interactive lessons have built-in tutorials for all ages and skill levels. Our highly-rated mobile app (4.7 stars) lets students take Tynker on the go. Learning how to code with Tynker unlocks and empowers children's creativity, teaching them life-long skills they can use today and into the future.

How do I teach my 7 year old code?

Learning to code is for everyone; you don't have to be good at math or a "techie" to learn how to code. Kids as young as five can learn to code and pick it up faster than most adults. Tynker Junior is a fun, interactive way to spark your kid's interest in coding. Kids (ages 5-7) learn coding basics by connecting picture blocks to move their characters. Tynker's immersive game-like coding courses and interactive lessons with built-in tutorials are perfect for beginners 5+ through experts 18+.

What options are there for coding for teens?

Code.org has a year-long course in Computer Science Principles that introduces students to the foundational concepts of computer science and challenges them to explore how computing and technology can impact the world.

Tynker has coding for kids courses that align with subject standards like CCSS-ELA, CCSS-Math, NGSS and CS standards such as CSTA, ISTE, CA CS, UK National Curriculum, and several state-level standards like TEKS.

Tynker is recognized by College Board as an endorsed curriculum provider for AP Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A.

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Coding For Kids, Kids Online Coding Classes & Games | Tynker

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Tynker makes it fun and easy to learn computer programming. Get started today with Tynker's easy-to-learn, visual programming course designed for young learners in 4th through 8th grades.

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ZUMBA KIDS - Electronic Song - Minions / Instagram: @dovydaszumba

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More advanced than Zumba Kids

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Zumba x Meghan Trainor - Official "No Excuses" Zumba Choreography

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No equipment needed!

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45-Minute No Equipment Barre Workout That Fuses Cardio + Toning

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As the snow melts and the weather (hopefully) warms it's time to turn to our attention to baby birds hatching, flowers blooming, butterflies emerging and rainbows coming from the rainy weather. The best part is that all of these things make great kids spring crafts and are a lot of fun to do on a rainy day or a day that's still a little too cold to go outside to play. These spring crafts are all made with fun materials, many of which you most likely already have in your home. As always, we created and tested all of these crafts in our own home so we can assure you that they are all fun and child-friendly!

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As the snow melts and the weather (hopefully) warms it's time to turn to our attention to baby birds hatching, flowers blooming, butterflies emerging and rainbows coming from the rainy weather.

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View class schedule

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weekly classes for ages 2-14

virtual classes | virtual summer camps | virtual parties | facebook live | video archive

We are excited to announce a full line-up of virtual cooking classes for tots, kids & teens. With interactive instruction from our skilled instructors, young chefs get to chop, mix and roll their way to a different delicious dish in each class - with enough to share with the fam! Kids learn valuable culinary skills and new recipes, enjoy a fun hands-on activity, and are inspired to expand their taste buds to discover that "real food" can be really good.

Interactive and engaging with small class sizes on Zoom platform

Skills build naturally with varying recipes

Recipe modifications are available for allergies/dietary restrictions

Sign up for whole 5-week series or individual classes (prorated series are available)

Two sets of menus (choose to suit your tastes or join us twice a week!)

Pint-sized cooking tools can be added on (for curbside pickup or shipping)

Meal Prep Kits can be added on (for curbside pickup)

10% discount for siblings

﻿May 18 - Jun 27

TOTS CAN COOK | ages 2-4MON, 1:00-2:00pm ( The Classics)
TUE, 11:00am-12:00pm ( Spring into Spring)
WED, 3:30-4:30pm( Spring into Spring)
THU, 11:00am-12:00pm ( The Classics)
FRI, 10:00-11:00am ( Spring into Spring)
SAT, 10:00-11:00am ( The Classics)

KIDS CAN COOK | ages 5-10MON, 2:30-3:30pm ( The Classics)
TUE, 3:00-4:00pm ( Spring into Spring)
WED, 5:00-6:00pm( Spring into Spring)
THU, 3:30-4:30pm ( The Classics)
FRI, 11:30am-12:30pm ( Spring into Spring)
SAT, 11:30am-12:30pm ( The Classics)

TEENS CAN COOK | ages 11-14TUE, 4:30-5:30pm ( Spring into Spring)
SAT, 1:00-2:00pm ( The Classics)

Jun 29 - Aug 1

TOTS CAN COOK | ages 2-4MON, 1:00-2:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 1)
TUE, 11:00am-12:00pm ( Summer Sensations 1)
THU, 11:00am-12:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 1)
FRI, 10:00-11:00am( Summer Sensations 1)

KIDS CAN COOK | ages 5-10MON, 2:30-3:30pm ( Cupcake Wars 1)
TUE, 12:30-1:30pm ( Summer Sensations 1)
TUE, 3:00-4:00pm ( Summer Sensations 1)
WED, 5:00-6:00pm( Summer Sensations 1)
THU, 9:30-10:30am ( Cupcake Wars 1)
THU, 3:30-4:30pm ( Cupcake Wars 1)
FRI, 11:30am-12:30pm ( Summer Sensations 1)
SAT, 11:30am-12:30pm ( Cupcake Wars 1)

TEENS CAN COOK | ages 11-14MON, 4:00-5:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 1)TUE, 4:30-5:30pm ( Summer Sensations 1)
WED, 3:30-4:30pm ( Summer Sensations 1)
THU, 2:00-3:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 1)
SAT, 1:00-2:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 1)

Aug 3 - SEPT 5

TOTS CAN COOK | ages 2-4MON, 1:00-2:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 2)
TUE, 11:00am-12:00pm ( Summer Sensations 2)
THU, 11:00am-12:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 2)
FRI, 10:00-11:00am( Summer Sensations 2)

KIDS CAN COOK | ages 5-10MON, 2:30-3:30pm ( Cupcake Wars 2)
TUE, 12:30-1:30pm ( Summer Sensations 2)
TUE, 3:00-4:00pm ( Summer Sensations 2)
WED, 5:00-6:00pm( Summer Sensations 2)
THU, 9:30-10:30am ( Cupcake Wars 2)
THU, 3:30-4:30pm ( Cupcake Wars 2)
FRI, 11:30am-12:30pm ( Summer Sensations 2)
SAT, 11:30am-12:30pm ( Cupcake Wars 2)

TEENS CAN COOK | ages 11-14MON, 4:00-5:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 2)
TUE, 4:30-5:30pm ( Summer Sensations 2)
WED, 3:30-4:30pm ( Summer Sensations 2)
THU, 2:00-3:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 2)
SAT, 1:00-2:00pm ( Cupcake Wars 2)

Virtual Class Prices:

5-week Series: $65/participant
Single Classes: $15/participant

We'll email you the recipe, ingredient/equipment lists and zoom info after we process your registration (or at least 6 days before the class). We are no longer distributing class recordings for missed classes (for privacy purposes). But we will be making seminar-style recordings of all these classes. We'll let you know as soon as those are available for purchase - perfect for missed classes or if you just want to make the recipe again and again!

Let us do the shopping for you! Add on a Meal Prep Kit for $25/kit (serves 4-6, depending on the recipe). Meal Prep Kits are currently available only for curbside pickup at our Wicker Park location in Chicago.

Note about adult supervision/participation.
These classes involve real-life cooking (with tools, heat, etc.), so parent/caregiver involvement is necessary. Only you can determine the appropriate amount of supervision and assistance that your child needs. Our Tots Can Cook classes assume full parent/caregiver participation. Our Kids Can Cook classes assume a mix of parent participation and close supervision. For our Teens Can Cook classes, the amount and level of supervision depends upon the experience, abilities and maturity of your child.

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Virtual Cooking Classes - The Kids' Table

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weekly classes for ages 2-14 virtual classes | virtual summer camps | virtual parties | facebook live | video archive We are excited to announce a full line-up of virtual cooking classes for tots, kids & teens.

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Listen to a story from your favorite celebrity and help children get what they need.

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I just donated to Save the Children to transform children's lives and the future we share. Join me.

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Practice your writing while sending encouragement to children from around the world

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Send your love and support to a child in need today!

Coronavirus is a global pandemic that will have far-reaching impacts, not only the health of children, families and their communities, but also on education, protection, food supplies and social interaction. As school closings are disrupting children's education and there's a growing risk to children's psychological wellbeing, it's as important now more than ever to take time to send some words of encouragement to children in our sponsorship programs around the world. We are all in this together and writing a letter or sending a drawing is a great way to connect! It's also a great way to engage your own children, allow them to express themselves and support other children around the world!

To send an email, click here. You can also attach a handwritten letter or drawing. We've provided a template hereif you are interested!

We suggest beginning your letter with a warm welcome, such as "Dear friend," or "Hi there!" and we have included a list of dos and don'ts below to support you as you write some words of encouragement.
Due to global shut-downs and social distancing practices, we will not be able to deliver your letter immediately, but rest assured that we are saving all the letters we receive and once we can fully ensure the safety and health of children and our staff, our teams will work hard to deliver your words of encouragement to children in our sponsorship programs. While delivery of these letters may be delayed, this is a wonderful opportunity to bring a smile to a child and let them know that a friend from around the world cares about them. *I understand that by participating I agree to allow Save the Children to contact me by email

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Coronavirus is a global pandemic that will have far-reaching impacts, not only the health of children, families and their communities, but also on education, protection, food supplies and social interaction.

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Raise a reader by getting the best book recommendations, reading tips, and discounts delivered straight to your inbox.

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Writing Program

Here is my 16 page writing program to use with your students!

My writing program includes the following:

1. How to get ideas.
2. How to develop your ideas.

3. How to get started writing.
4. How to never have writers block.

I've enclosed all of my best writing tricks and secrets in this program. It is totally free of charge. You may download it amd make as many copies you like.

I hope it leads to many fun writing projects!

-- R.L. Stine

Where to get Ideas

There are three places that ideas come from. Let's think of these as the three departments of the Idea Store. The first department of the Idea Store is full of everything we see and hear and find in the world around us. The second department is jam-packed with all of our memories. And the third department contains everything we don't know about and haven't experienced - things we wonder about.

Department One

Experience

Once I saw a boy getting onto an airplane by himself. I watched him as he sat down and started to read a letter. Who was the letter from? What did it say? I don't know, but it gave me an idea for a book. The main character has to leave home and live with her cousin. When she arrives, she finds a letter in her suitcase. The letter is from her mom. It tells her that she is about to begin a secret life - and she will never come home again.

Department Two

Memory

For another story, I remembered my favorite book, Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. That book is about a very scary carnival. It gave me the idea for writing a book that starts in a carnival. In my story, a girl named Maggie goes to a fortune-teller at a carnival. The fortune-teller tells Maggie that she is evil. Of course, Maggie doesn't believe her - until the terrible accidents start...

Department Three

What If

I started wondering what it would be like to have a double - someone who looked just like you. And before I knew it, I had the beginning of a story about Ross and a boy who not only looks like him - but says he is him!

Does this ever happen to you? You have to write something for school. You sit down to write it, and you just can't get a word on the paper. You're stuck. You have writer's block.

Kids always ask me what I do when I get writer's block. The truth is, I rarely get blocked. That's because I've learned a lot of tricks that help me write even when I feel I don't know how to begin.

One

Don't ever stare at a blank page or screen! Start with notes, journal entries, outlines, cheat sheets, What ifs. Write something down before you begin.

Two

Know your ending first. If you know where you're going to end up, you'll know where to start.

Three

You don't have to write the beginning first! You can write your first draft in any order. Then you can go back and put it in the right order.

Four

Don't worry about how the first draft sounds. Just put words down - you can always go back.

Five

Before you write, tell your story out loud. Once you've told your story, you'll have a lot less trouble "telling" it to the paper.

Six

Set a timer for a short amount of time - let's say 13 minutes. Tell yourself you're going to write something - anything - until that timer goes off. When the timer dings - if the writing is going well - set it for another 13 minutes and keep writing. If it's not going well, set the timer and do something else for 13 minutes. Then go back to your writing.

Seven

If you're still stuck, don't throw away the idea - try changing it a little. Try writing it from another character's point of view. Try telling the story in another character's voice.

Eight

Still stuck? Look through a magazine, find a picture of a person or place that looks like your character or setting. Write down a complete and detailed description of what you see. Guess what? You started your story.

Nine

Set a reasonable goal and reward yourself if you get there. Say "I will write two pages today, then I can watch TV for half an hour."

Ten

Don't ever stare at a blank page! Start with notes, journal entries, outlines, cheat sheets, What ifs. Write something down before you begin. (I know. This is the same as number one! I'm repeating it because it's the most important tip.)

Working With Students

How to use this program

Time
Required

Students can complete each section of THE R.L. STINE WRITING PROGRAM in two class periods per week. Or you may decide to use the program as an intensive two-week class activity culminating in the students writing their own stories.

Program
Components

THE R.L. STINE WRITING PROGRAM consists of seven fully reproducible activities designed for use with grades 3-8.

Getting
Started

Students can work independently, in small groups, or together as a class on the activities in the writing program.

You may want to introduce the program by leading the class in a discussion about the writing process. How do writers get their ideas? What makes a story interesting? Then distribute the first activity sheet.

THE R.L. STINE WRITING PROGRAM has been designed to help students overcome their anxiety about writing by providing a writing process that can be followed in a step-by-step manner. Popular author R.L. Stine gives tips and strategies for finding ideas to write about, developing characters and plots, and revising. There are short writing activities throughout to help students gain confidence and proficiency in writing.

Download the R.L. Stine Writing Program now.

Write to
R.L. Stine

R.L. Stine
c/o Parachute Publishing
157 Columbus Avenue Room 518
New York, NY 10023

( c ) 2020 R.L. Stine All rights reserved.

WRITE TO R.L. STINE
R.L. Stine
c/o Parachute Publishing
157 Columbus Avenue Room 518
New York, NY 10023

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Writing Program Here is my 16 page writing program to use with your students! My writing program includes the following: 1. How to get ideas. 2. How to develop your ideas. 3. How to get started writing. 4. How to never have writers block.

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IXL is the world's most popular subscription-based learning site. Used by over 15 million students, IXL provides unlimited practice in more than 6,500 maths and English topics. Interactive questions, awards and certificates keep kids motivated as they master skills.

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Toy Theater

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Encourage students to unleash their creativity with these fun online art activities. Explore drawing, coloring, symmetry, building, and animation. Some of our art games even introduce students to famous artists and their styles.

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Art for Kids | Toy Theater Educational Games

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Original art activities for the elementary school classroom. Develop confidence in creative expression while building skills in decision making, mathematical & scientific intuition, cultural awareness & problem solving. Toy Theater is trusted by teachers around the world. Free to create, priceless for learning.

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Play free games and quizzes, find art activities, explore homework help and share your art with Tate Kids. The best art website for kids.

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Learn more about Fun Stuff for Kids and Teens

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Memorable animations and fun quizzes to help practice spelling strategies, punctuation and grammar rules

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BookTrust UK
A huge list of children’s authors and illustrators are hosting lots of readings and activities relating to their literature - links within the website

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Find resources and activities

Daily at 12pm: Join Sarah Crossan on Instagram Live for chats about books and poetry workshops - this one's aimed at children 11+ and adults.

Daily at 5pm: Time to enjoy the brilliant Susin Nielsen reading a chapter from her wonderful book No Fixed Address! You can join her over on Twitter.

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is posting storytime videos on his Instagram feed.

Over on her website, Sara Grant has some fab activities for children, including a guide on how to write a mystery and some fun and games based on her Magic Trix books.

Author Marcus Sedgwick is recording a chapter of his book Floodland every day and posting the videos on his website. Listen and watch here.

Guy Bass has launched A Write Laugh, a funny writing competition for 5-13 year olds. Entry details can be found on the Little Tiger website and there are lots of top tips from Guy and other author friends on the Authorfy website. Nine winners will be published in a special free ebook and there is also a subscription to The Week Junior magazine and lots of funny books up for grabs. The competition closes on 31 May, so get writing!

If you're looking for a new book for little ones which also supports the NHS, Make Believe Ideas have recently published Hope the Rainbow Fairy, a gentle, positive story aimed at helping children understand the current stay at home guidelines. All proceeds from the book are donated to NHS Charities Together. They also have lots of fun, free, downloadable activity and colouring pages on their website.

A group of award-winning authors, including Candy Gourlay, are launching a project to encourage young people to keep diaries throughout the Coronavirus Crisis. The aim is to build an online archive and ultimately publish an anthology that can become part of the historic record of a time that has changed the world forever. Watch Candy's video about the project to get involved.

Illustrator Sarah Dennis has made a free 'Thank you NHS' heart download for children to cut and and colour in.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8.30am: author Natalie Costa is hosting a live Breakfast Boost session on her Facebook and Instagram channels, using tips and tricks from the Level Headers book series to help children feeling worried and anxious during lockdown.

Author Sally Nicholls has shared a free picture book, Staying Home, about a family of raccoons who are also in lockdown. The lovely book aims to help young children understand the importance of staying at home. Read it for free here or find out more about why Sally wrote it.

The Gruffalo creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have shared twelve beautiful illustrations depicting their famous characters adjusting to social distancing, home-schooling and helping others during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as Scheffler illustrating a free coronavirus booklet aimed at children.

Renowned Australian children's author, Anthony Bertani together with Dirt Lane Press, illustrator Jennifer Goldsmith and renowned actress Greta Scacchi have announced the worldwide launch of Where Happiness Hides - a free book for children in lockdown all about finding happiness in uncertain times.

Eoin McLoughlin and illustrator Polly Dunbar have created a lovely book available in both physical and ebook format called While We Can't Hug. It's accompanied by this fabulous animation of Hedgehog and Tortoise.

BookTrust HomeTime

Looking for something fun as a family? Enjoy storytime with our free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, test your knowledge in our book-themed quizzes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters.
Go to the HomeTime hub

Storybooks and games

Listen or read along with loads of stories, or play one of our interactive games.

Activities

Word searches, puzzles, colouring sheets and lots of creative inspiration. Print out our activity sheets to keep boredom at bay and have fun together.

Quizzes

Test your knowledge of children's books with our fun quizzes - from Harry Potter to Roald Dahl.

Back to top

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Fun at home with authors and illustrators

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Daily at 12pm: Join Sarah Crossan on Instagram Live for chats about books and poetry workshops - this one's aimed at children 11+ and adults. Daily at 5pm: Time to enjoy the brilliant Susin Nielsen reading a chapter from her wonderful book No Fixed Address! You can join her over on Twitter.

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Book-themed activities and printouts; book-themed recipes; Quizzes and Competitions

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Looking for something fun as a family? Enjoy storytime with our free online books and videos, play games, win prizes, test your knowledge in our book-themed quizzes, or even learn how to draw some of your favourite characters.
Please note: We sometimes link to third-party sites, including YouTube, so children should not use HomeTime unsupervised.

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Looking for something fun as a family? Enjoy story time with our free online books, play games, win prizes, or test your knowledge in our book-themed quizzes.

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Free resources from Early Years to Year 6 to support the Literacy Primary Curriculum

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Literacy Shed Plus - Teaching Resources Made Easy

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Proudly powered by EdShed, Literacy Shed Plus provides teaching resources for literacy, VIPERS, film units, book studies and more.

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A giant bundle of poetry learning resources for teachers, colleagues, parents, carers and students.

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This is going to be a very unusual academic year. Here at The Poetry Society, we're committed to supporting teachers and students of poetry in whatever way we can. Since the pandemic first hit the UK, we have been commissioning brilliant new teaching resources from some of our finest poets and educators, and gathering together poetry writing prompts on a variety of themes. Whether you're a teacher, parent, carer, student or fellow arts organisation, we invite you to make use of our free Learning from Home resources in the sidebar, as well as all our lesson plans on Poetryclass, writing prompts on Young Poets Network, and Teacher Trailblazer top tips. If there's a topic or technique you think we haven't covered, get in touch at [email protected] . Teachers (and librarians, youth group leaders and anyone who works with young people) can now book Poets in Schools visits of a social-distanced or an entirely digital variety. We know that poetry and other kinds of creativity will be vital in the coming months to help young people process the pandemic, and our poets are well-placed to help facilitate that - as well as running the regular workshops for National Poetry Day and other themes. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest news, and sign up to our free e-bulletin below for fortnightly highlights.

Teaching Resources: KS1 to Further Education on Poetryclass

We have hundreds of fantastic resources for students ranging from Key Stage 1 to Further Education on Poetryclass! The resources are written by poets and teachers to spark creativity and love for poetry writing and reading. They can be filtered by theme, technique and Key Stage.

Videos from Poets: Poetry tips and exercises

Here are a selection of wonderful poetry exercises from Jack Underwood, Jo Shapcott, Daljit Nagra, Joelle Taylor and many other poets, promoting some of our excellent work in the education department:

Videos from Poets: writing poems inspired by the past

Watch amazing poets Benjamin Zephaniah, Joelle Taylor, Hollie McNish and Dizraeli perform their own poems and discuss inspiration from historical poetry in their work.

Ideas for young independent writers: Young Poets Network

Young people can check out our jam-packed online resource Young Poets Network. We've also gathered together a list of our top 10 writing workshops which you can adapt into lesson plans, or they can write inspired by!

There is a bank of tips, features, writing prompts and competitions for young people aged 5-25 to get their teeth into. They can also sign up to our mailing list to receive fortnightly updates on everything we offer young people.

Something to read: The Poetry Society database of poems

Take this opportunity to read more poetry online. Check out our amazing database with 1,000s of wonderful poems, as well as our free online anthologies.

Writing poems inspired by place

We might all be stuck in one place at the moment, but here's a project we worked on last year - a digital map of England and Wales with local poems pinned to thousands of city, town and village location. Search for your hometown - and write poems of your own using these prompts.

The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award

Though the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award has closed for 2020, it will re-open in Spring 2021 - so why not start preparing your students' entries now? It's totally free to enter for anyone in the world aged 11-17. Everyone who enters receives a participatory certificate and the chance to be chosen as one of the top 100 poets. Get inspired by reading last year's top 15 winning poems and the 85 commended poems. Class sets and individual entries welcome. The 2020 winners' anthology will be available in March 2021. If you'd like to request a class pack of anthologies, and if you have any queries about the competition, get in touch at [email protected] .

For every year of the Foyle Young Poets competition, we appoint Teacher Trailblazers. These are teachers from across the UK who have demonstrated excellence in teaching poetry and encouraging young people to share their voices and poems. Here are some fun and creative teaching resources written by our amazing Teacher Trailblazers that work for any educational environment, including at home.

Nominate a teacher

We know that there are so many amazing teachers who are helping students, parents and colleagues to continue to learn through creative writing during the current Covid 19 crisis. We want to applaud all of them. Get in contact and nominate your teacher and we will thank them for everything that they are doing. Email [email protected] and include the name of the teacher/s, school name and a short reason for why you would like to nominate them.

NaPoWriMo

NaPoWriMo in April is National Poetry Writing Month - the global poetry generating project that's been running since 2003. NaPoWriMo invites you to write a poem a day throughout April in common with poets all over the world. In 2020, we published a writing prompt a day on our Instagram, which you can go back and read whatever the season.

Keeping well

It's understandable to be anxious at the moment. Here's our link to some mental wellbeing advice.

We are all in this together!

A lot of us look to poetry in times of crisis and we want to let you know that we are here for you all, and will continue to brighten up your day with a good dose of powerful poetry to help us be creative, empathetic and united.

Good health and best wishes - The Poetry Society Education Team

PS - here's a hopeful thought: Clare Pollard's amazing poem 'The Gift' which was displayed round the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square last year. It's inspired by thoughts and images from children at Hampden Gurney, St Stephen's, Our Lady of Dolours, St Matthew's and St Peter's C of E Primary School.

I walk through Winter's city,
my footsteps stain the snow.
The darkness shuts like curtains.
It's later than I know.

Dark is a heart that's breaking,
Dark is a dream you lose.
Dark is a pounding headache
that makes the world a maze

and then a speck of something,
I see a candle-flame -
a tiny seed that flickers.
I hear Hope say my name.

The seed becomes a golden flower
of pouring light, a gift.
I need you to believe, Hope says.
It's you makes me exist.

I feel bright feathers lifting.
I hear a tiger's roar.
I've taken many forms, Hope says -
changing is what I'm for.

At Christmas-time I settle
into the shape of tree -
alive, sharp, resin rising.
Hope shines and darkness flees

and I can see a future
as clocks chime their late hour
for Hope will be our present,
and Hope will give us power.

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This is going to be a very unusual academic year. Here at The Poetry Society, we're committed to supporting teachers and students of poetry in whatever way we can. Since the pandemic first hit the UK, we have been commissioning brilliant new teaching resources from some of our finest poets and educators, and gathering together poetry writing prompts on a variety of themes.

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The National Literacy (@Literacy_Trust) has created ‘Family Zone’, a website that includes free reading and writing resources, audiobooks, videos and reading challenges

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Making a shopping list together will encourage your little one to speak about their favourite meals and foods.

Sit down with your child and start making a list of their favourite foods. Look for pictures of the things on the list, then cut out pictures and labels and stick it next to the item on the list.

Chat as you go and ask your child lots of questions like "What do you like for breakfast?" or "What's your favourite?"

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Words for Life | National Literacy Trust

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Making a shopping list together will encourage your little one to speak about their favourite meals and foods. Sit down with your child and start making a list of their favourite foods. Look for pictures of the things on the list, then cut out pictures and labels and stick it next to the item on the list.

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If your child or pupil is worried about coronavirus, Young Minds UK (@YoungMindsUK) has lots of helpful tips and advice on what you can do

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Topics mentioned: Coronavirus and mental health, social media, how to talk to your child about mental health

Your child may understandably be concerned or worried by what they see, read or hear in the news or online regarding Covid-19. As a parent or carer, it's good to talk to them honestly but calmly about what is happening, and to not ignore or shield them from what is going on in the world. Children look to adults in their life for comfort when they are distressed, and will take a lead on how to view things from you. Remember, you don't have to have all the answers, but it is better to have a gentle conversation to reassure your child that they can talk to you so they don't feel like they're on their own.

You may need to gauge their level of understanding or interest to decide what level of detail you need to go into when explaining what is going on. It's important to respond to their questions and concerns, so that anxieties don't build up. You could start by asking them what they think is going on, if their friends are talking about it and what they are saying, and if they have any questions.

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Talking To Your Child About Covid-19 | Parents Guide

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Our Parents Helpline experts share their advice on what you can do if your child is worried or anxious about the coronavirus pandemic.

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Daily Math Lessons and problem solving activities uploaded during the home learning period; available from Early Years - Year 8

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Maths home learning | Home learning | White Rose Maths

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View all of our maths ‘home learning’ lessons and videos for early years through to Year 11. View our Maths resources from White Rose Maths.

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Daily Math lessons, games and a times table checker; free to access during the school closure period

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The Maths Factor : Homepage - make Carol Vorderman your child’s online maths tutor

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Unlock your child’s maths confidence with Carol Vorderman’s maths site for 4-11 year olds. Kids can watch her maths videos, play games practise and even make their own medals with the 30 Day Challenge!

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Interactive online Math games, covering all areas of the Math curriculum, grouped by primary key stage

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Learning to count is fun with this range of free educational games for Key Stage 1 children. Start with the simple counting games and progress to numbers up to 100. There are also matching and sequencing numbers activities.

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Free, interactive, learning to count games for 5 to 7 year olds involve numbers from 1 to 100.

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EYFSHome will offer a totally free daily programme of accessible, educational and entertaining activities, linked to the EYFS curriculum.

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Our first book!

What we do

In the face of adversity comes extraordinary things. We hope EYFSHome will be one of them for the many young children and their families home-educating over the next few weeks.

​

We offer a simple, organised programme of activities, advice and support and a much needed community for all those looking after
3-5 year-olds and their siblings.

Explore the rest of the site

Curriculum

Advice

& support

Join our community and follow us

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Our first book! What we do In the face of adversity comes extraordinary things. We hope EYFSHome will be one of them for the many young children and their families home-educating over the next few weeks. ​ We offer a simple, organised programme of activities, advice and support and a much needed community for all those looking after 3-5 year-olds and their siblings.

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Resources and interactive games to support Primary phonics learning

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A site packed with interactive phonics games, phonics planning, assessment ideas and many teaching ideas and resources to help children to learn to hear phonemes, recognise graphemes and develop the blending and segmenting skills that are vital for learning to read and spell.

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Resources and interactive content to support the teaching and learning of phonics, at home and at school

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A site packed with interactive phonics games, phonics planning, assessment ideas and many teaching ideas and resources to help children to learn to hear phonemes, recognise graphemes and develop the blending and segmenting skills that are vital for learning to read and spell.

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For the school closure period, Rosetta Stone has given free access to its language learning resources.

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Rosetta Stone success stories

See our solutions for

Enterprise

Empower your employees to speak and work confidently across language barriers, with industry-specific lessons and vocabulary.
LEARN MORE

Schools

Reinforce what students are learning in their world language courses and help English language learners build proficiency.
LEARN MORE

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Learn{{language}} on any device, anywhere, the best way to learn a language online. Buy Rosetta Stone{{language}}.

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Perfect for space fans! Learn all about the universe we live in by viewing these online videos.

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NASA encourages you to visit NASA Kids' Club and use its games and activities to inspire the next generation.

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Take free virtual tours and learn about millions of years of natural history

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Book tickets. Explore our galleries, science, news, videos and amazing images. South Kensington Tube. London, UK.

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Huge bank of play-based, creative ideas and activities for Early Years families

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We are part of a wonderful, international community of Early Years practitioners who have a wealth of knowledge and a HUGE bank of ideas and activities, so let's share them!

This collection of activities/ideas is simply here to help parents and carers find fun things to do if they find themselves unexpectedly at home with younger children.

Most of the ideas have an educational slant but we believe that learning when you're little should be play based.

So much quality learning can come from activities like helping with the washing, doing some gardening, baking, watching films, colouring, playing board games, writing letters to friends and relatives, reading stories, talking and just spending time together!

I also wanted our bank of ideas to be simple enough for most people to do at home, with items they already have. I have tried to avoid using ideas that involve food and any that I have included, like playdough, are multi-use and can be made using produce that is out of date.

If you would like to contribute to this collection please email me your activity ideas to alistair@abcdoes.com

All you need to do is send the information and a photograph and I will do the rest.

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We are part of a wonderful, international community of Early Years practitioners who have a wealth of knowledge and a HUGE bank of ideas and activities, so let's share them! This collection of activities/ideas is simply here to help parents and carers find fun things to do if they find themselves unexpectedly at home with younger children.

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Popular with children already,  these Minecraft resources all have an educational purpose.

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Get Minecraft Education for your classroom. Find out how using this game will take your students' learning to the next level.

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Complete online resource for 4 years+ covering science and geography concepts with videos, visuals and interactive games

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Scientists at Imperial College London - one of the world's leading universities and partners with Twig Education - are racing to develop a vaccine for coronavirus.

We'll be keeping you up to date with their latest developments on our blog.

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Scientists at Imperial College London - one of the world's leading universities and partners with Twig Education - are racing to develop a vaccine for coronavirus. We'll be keeping you up to date with their latest developments on our blog.

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Review all topics across the Primary Curriculum, for children aged 3-11. Lots of clips, games and visuals to revisit and revise knowledge, skills and understanding in all Primary subjects

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Primary resources, homework help and online games - BBC Bitesize

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Learn with Bitesize’s primary resources. Explore English and maths games and get homework help. Discover activities for all KS1 and KS2 topics.