Resources for children in lockdown

Being in lockdown with children is hard, or so my friends and colleagues tell me. There is pressure to educate, to feed healthy meals, and to keep them active, all while continuing to work from home and look after your own wellbeing.

Many people around the world are developing resources for children to keep them happy, healthy, and busy, while also trying to support the parents and adults around them, so I thought I’d put together some of my favourite activities.

ELSA Support 14 days of activities: https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/coronavirus-14-day-self-isolation-activities/

Sparklers at Home: https://sparklers.org.nz/parenting/

PE with Joe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCtg5QDD_r0

Save the Children: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/what-we-do/coronavirus-information-advice

While many of these resources are for learning and keeping busy, it is also important to families to look at dealing with trauma, anxiety, and possible bereavement. As part of my job, I am currently dealing with supporting schools and families, and signposting useful resources for dealing with the fallout of this lie changing pandemic.

Winston’s Wish: https://www.winstonswish.org/

Family Information Directory: https://www.fid.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/kb5/poole/fis/site.page?id=E-GOWcpQTdA

Child Mind Institute: https://childmind.org/guide/helping-children-cope-traumatic-event/

Finally, if all else fails, Netflix has plenty of children’s movies to keep them occupied. Disney movies are always a winner, as are anything with singing (cue Frozen, The Lego Movie, Moana, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory). Add in Horrible Histories, and they’re learning too!

Don’t set yourself high expectations! As long as children are having a bath once every few days, and aren’t going hungry, then they’re thriving in lockdown. Good job!