I get my step-grandchildren to explain to me how to do things such as forming sentences and maths, they love teaching someone else, and it reinforces the information in their brains
Recalled for a further appointment after a routine mammogram
Sign up to Gransnet Daily
Our free daily newsletter full of hot threads, competitions and discounts
Subscribe
We've teamed up with educational toy and games company Learning Resources to offer a fantastic bundle of prizes to one gransnetter worth over £200 - perfect for grandchildren who are being homeschooled.
More details on the prize can be found HERE and T&Cs HERE. We will pick a winner after 11am on 11th July.
During the coronavirus lockdown, many grandparents have (virtually) stepped in to support parents and children with home learning. It’s been an important way to stay connected but it’s also been a huge help to parents.
So to enter simply tell us... What have you found has worked for your grandchildren with home learning, and has this, and having to stay in touch virtually in general, changed your relationships with your grandchildren?
You must be a registered Gransnet user to enter. Sign up to Gransnet HERE if you haven't done so already.
And don't forget to sign up to our newsletter to get the latest competitions delivered straight to your inbox...
I get my step-grandchildren to explain to me how to do things such as forming sentences and maths, they love teaching someone else, and it reinforces the information in their brains
Creating a veg patch just for the grandchildren. So many lessons can be learnt from growing your own food. And what a wonderful reward at the end!
Staying in touch with grandchildren has always been virtual for us as we live far away. We engage by reading books together and singing songs.
Turning some activities into a guessing game or quiz. They are thrilled that they are teaching me as well as being taught. I'm becoming an expert on obscure dinosaurs and the periodic table!
Anything screen based seems to work. Also I have been writing stories based on a boy and girl similar to my grandchildren which have encouraged reading. (At least I hope they have!!!)
My little grandsons are bright and lively. I do not worry about them missing formal education. They, like me, need to spend time outdoors getting rid of excess energy but they are interested in everything around them so don't realise when they are being educated about the outside world. They all love reading and gaming and although there are 3 of them miss being with their peer group friends. We look forward to them visiting when allowed in the future but meantime catch up mainly by facetime although I send the occasional letter and have enclosed favourite books and seeds to grow sunflowers and pumkins
They have tried to keep to a routine with some home learning on a morning. While the the weather has been so good they have enjoyed many long walks in the beautiful countryside where we are so lucky to live.
My daughter-in-law was a teacher, so she works out a set plan of learning for each day for her three children. In the afternoon they do activities such as experiments, baking, and trips into the forest.
We Face Time in order to keep in touch regularly.
Great believer in learning should be fun, and plenty of praise! Can only see young dgds on zoom/WhatsApp so chat about their day and what they've enjoyed doing, and make suggestions for the next day.
My grandson doesn't take well to tasks when i want him too so we play games and i win time to spend on lessons and is he wins he can choose the lesson this seems to work for us and on days were it doesn't we don't stress.
We have been going into our daughter's garden once a week to see her and the two grandchildren age 9 and 5. We really miss the physical contact as normally we have lots of kisses and cuddles. They do their schoolwork ad I always make a point of talking to them about that and I always take down a book each for them to read, so much better than sweets. We also wander around the garden together, but at a distance looking at the flowers.
Videos are flying back and forth and social media and emailing has become a massive part of life!
Keep learning fun, try new things and do each subject in short blocks with a short play in the garden in between.
A regular routine works very well with my three grandchildren with a more formal home schooling, literacy and numeracy, in the morning, followed by science, geography, art work and PE in the afternoons. Always mindful of break times!
I keep in touch with my grandchildren by hearing them read first thing in the morning via Skype. Once a week I visit their home and listen to the children read, mindful of social distance.
I have to say I have loved helping my grand daughter with her school work virtually. We have enjoyed her maths which her mum doesn't like and it has been a real insight for me into how methods have changed since I was in school. I have had to do my homework before we start!
Agree with a regular routine and keeping it fun
We exchange texts, FaceBook messages and send cards and small presents by post. The 4 year old loves texting short sentences and choosing emojis while I have had more, and longer, telephone conversations with the teenage boys than I normally would!
Ive helped my son by researching craft equipment and suitable books for his children online.
Going for walks to look at different things in the area and talk about them.
Keep the fun element if possible going, and recognise when to have a break. The virtual existence at the moment started off strange and different but now I think we have all got used to it?
I don't have grandchildren, but my parents have kept in touch with my kids via Whatsapp, Zoom, and old-fashioned letter writing. We're seeing them in person on Sunday, for the first time in 6 months, and it will be weird not letting them cuddle the kids.
I think establishing a routine has been the best thing and having regular breaks.
In terms of virtual catchups and relationship changes I feel like for all family members we have become closer and really care about each other more as we have been checking in kore
At the moment we can only see our granddaughters on video calls. We find that repetition of the words, whilst including her in the call teaches her new words. The older one who is now 22 months greets us every day with a hello and a wave, and once the greetings are over, we comment on her top or dress, talking about the ladybirds or stars or stripes on it and she has learnt to point out the pattern on her top every day the moment we start speaking. The other granddaughter is too young to say or do anything except smile and I'm sure she'll soon be up and about.
My 3 year old GS likes to skype with nanna, we often keep the screen open for a couple of hours and keep each other company cooking or reading or discussing the matter of the moment. He has accumulated a dressing up box of super heroes and his home is his playroom. Currently he is a pirate, the stairs take him to his bedroom (treasure island) while his boat is anchored in the sitting room. The imagination knows no bounds. The highlight of the lockdown for the family was a Zoom play, each member of the family dressed up for their part, with GS as Highway Rat, he took the lead right through the play with only an occasional prompt from Dad. It was simply amazing and hugely amusing. A positive note in this nightmare where working parents have a golden opportunity to be with their child for an extended period. Together they have learnt so much.
Look for learning opportunities in everyday activities.Cooking is science and measuring, walks studying nature,shopping lists are reading,writing and maths and grandparents can be a history tool for learning.
Making them learn through play has been effective and fun for them. Using technology has also improved their skills and mine to a large extent!
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »Get our top conversations, latest advice, fantastic competitions, and more, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.