5 Educational Activities Children Can Do at Home

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way most of us live, at least temporarily. The majority of children are not in school and they are spending more time in the home. Keeping youngsters occupied can be tricky, especially if you have to work from home too. There are ways to use this special time wisely, to entertain kids and educate them at the same time. Here are 5 ways you can amuse your children while they learn:

1. Learn a New Foreign Language

As adults, we often wish we could speak another language so why not use this time to encourage kids to learn. From tots to teens, there are interactive programs that make new languages fun. For example, Babbel is an app where you can hear and repeat phrases and get instant feedback on your pronunciation. Sessions are just 15 minutes long, so they aren’t heavy going. You could learn this new skill together with your child, giving you a special shared experience.

2. Practice Writing Skills

Writing is a developing skill – from learning the first letters up to dissertation level, there’s always something new to discover. Get creative with little ones and use finger paints to play with letters and words. You can use sand or mud in the same way, even shaving cream or flour on the table works. Messy play always gets youngsters giggling. Cut up letters and rearrange them on the table, use the scrabble pieces or playing blocks – these are all more interesting than using pencils and paper. The transition to cursive writing creates new brain patterns and helps cognitively too, so practising those skills once a day really helps if your child is at that stage. And if you have an older child at home, encourage them to write a blog so they can record this unprecedented period of time. 

3. Learn to Play an Instrument

From a drum kit to a harmonica, there’s an instrument out there for everyone. They can be picked up second hand, they don’t have to be expensive. To begin with, it’s just about having a good time and seeing what comes naturally. You can continue with an online tutor or YouTube videos to learn more. There are also websites such as Virtual Musical Instruments where you can play with online bongos and guitars. Join in with a family song or two and you can have a jamming session that everyone can enjoy.

4. Learn How to Code

Introduce the skill of coding early to your child – it’s becoming important in today’s I.T. world. Luckily for parents, there are wonderful websites such as Scratch and Tynker available. With a variety of programmes aimed at different age groups, children from 4 years up can find something absorbing to do. Lessons have been cleverly planned to capture the imagination so youngsters become fully absorbed in learning to code while they play. 

5. Plant a Garden

Planting a garden will teach your little one new skills while you get a breath of fresh air. Allocate a corner to your child where they are responsible for everything and give them a sense of pride. Planting easy-to-grow seeds and seeing the progress is great fun for kids, as is noticing the seasons, the birds and the insects. Children also learn the names of gardening tools and how to look after each one.

Fill your days with activities that teach children valuable skills, but remember to keep it fun. If it doesn’t feel like a lesson, little ones are more likely to enjoy the experience. If something works well, keep using it, but don’t be afraid to stop an activity that doesn’t go the way you hoped.