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My grandchildren stay over 50 miles away and I have found it extremely difficult to stay in contact with them. The older ones tend to have their own lives and the younger ones stay with my ex daughter-in-law and the divorce was very acrimonious. I guess for the younger ones keeping to a routine as much as possible, not treating it like a holiday and make sure they have contact with their friends through social
l media.

My Grandchildren live in Tokyo so it's difficult withthe time difference to keep a regular contact - my eldest Grandson aged 4 and 3/4 has daily lessons and interaction with his Interational School via video link, and Mum and Dad follow up withthe teaching. My youngest grandaughter is 18 mths and my d-i-l has to try to teach/play and cook etc, etc as my son (who helps a lot) is working fronm home in a demanding job - this is all in a small Japanese apartment. apart from the time difference I am self employed and working flat out here in the UK so sadly unable to help with their education - but my son keeps me in touch with them via FB Messenger when he can. They usually visit here once a year - but this year of course they can't come - and it's likely to be a very long time until I see them again in person.

I think children learn best through play - when they don't realise they are learning! For me and my 5 young grandchildren, the most successful activities have involved story time - I tell or read them a story via video link, then they tell or read me a story and we chat about it. We have also shared online baking (and eating!) and lots of music making. Only time will tell if it has changed my relationship with my grandchildren - but I don't think so. Who knows, perhaps it will have been enriched through the quality time we have shared.

my grandson aged 4 has yet to start school, he has struggled with only going to the local woods as we are all keen walkers across Dartmoor, he is now happier, we have only spoken on the phone

Making time for fun for example baking together.

We have asked them to explain to us what they have been doing, via Skype or Facetime, and we have been giving them lots of praise and encouragement. Our eldest grandson had to do a task about inheriting family characteristics so we were able to give him information for that.
When we were able to meet them from school, talk about their day and see what they brought home in their bags we got more involved. By the time we chat online they seem to have forgotten what they did!

I have nine grandchildren, all different and all with different educational aspirations and expectations. Two of the boys are challenged by dyslexia and dyspraxia and for them, home learning has been a struggle, despite the best efforts of their parents and grandparents. I started reading stories by video early in lockdown, but they wearied of that and so did I! They sent me a questions and answer 'quiz' about how life was for me as a child - that worked for all of us and reminded me of some happy and sad times. I think that it's become apparent to all the parents in my family that whilst they can and do their absolute best to school the children of our family it's not easy. Great respect for teachers in general has been observed!

As far as my own relationship with the grandchildren goes, I feel sad that certainly with the eldest (teenagers ) and youngest (who is three) ...despite the birthday Zooms and the odd conversation at my window, it feels as though I have 'faded' from their lives without anyone really noticing. I would love to see them in person and talk and hug them, but it feels as though they are moving on without me, in a way, almost as if I had died. They are of course always pleased to say hello virtually, but they certainly aren't missing me on a daily basis as much as I miss them! I'm glad in a way as I'd hate them to be feeling sad. I guess that whatever we face in our lives, most people learn to cope and keep moving forwards - especially the young, thankfully - as they are the future.

Having a toy table with a different theme for him to find with each visit.
Play mobile,
Lego, trains,
Painting,
Dolls house,
Action men,
Cars
Even when a play, table is repeated, the theme can be changed.

Every time we see our granddaughter we make sure we read a book to her and show her the pictures as we read. IT is a great way to learn

We have kept in touch via zoom and we have met up a couple of times since we been able to we allowed. Our grandson is only 5mths so doesn’t really know us yet as we haven’t be able to spend much time with him (for obvious reasons). Our granddaughter is older so knows us. Despite everything our bond and love grows stronger. Their mother is a very good natural teacher so she is always thinking up new ways of helping them to learn. This prize would help though ??

Making time for them to 'help' with everyday tasks; weeding, picking peas, washing up....

Nothing has changed between us, we still FT and talk, he likes to show me what he has learned and we discuss it, my daughter tells me in advance and I do a little on line homework, so I can contribute, but giving him the impression he is teaching me. This week 'life cycle of a frog'.. Did you know a baby frog is called a froglet! I do now!

sent them surprise gift parcels. large envelopes containing colouring books, pens, magazines, crafting bits for projects, beads for making bracelets etc. ordered reading books to be delivered direct. talk to them by phone to discuss what they were doing, encourage to do school work. remind to water seeds i sent, eg sunflower, salad and how they are growing. what birds they have seen in garden. miss our cuddles.

Making learning fun

the teacher has rang them once a week and set a challenge like draw something or learn the abc or 1-50 and also we have been staying in touch via video facetime so he has enjoyed that for about 5 minutes before getting bored and wandering off , But he has been watching both his parents working from home and that has taught him how to speak to people politely and with patience

I homeschool my granddaughters three x one hour per week. I split the hour into maths, language and one other subject of the girl’s choice. We have been going for weeks now and I am enjoying planning lessons and making resources.
But best of all I love spending time with my granddaughters. They live miles apart and I don’t often get them together. It’s a silver lining in this strange and stressful time.

3, yr old 6 yr old 8 yr old sons children, youngest getting shy there House is tiny so not much room for individual learning 3 yr old interferes son and dil have to work from home. My daughters (nurse) child age 5 very angry but at school. So no it’s not been all sunshine and rainbows they have done their best but if myself and hubby could have looked after them we could have home schooled much easier

My main role has been to be an Audience for my DGC's performances. GD1 has been learning the ukulele, DGS already plays the Bassoon and has been practising on his guitar. We play 'Name that Tune' to see how quickly I can identify the music. DGD2 is into dressing up as characters from films, cartoons and books. Again my role is to guess who she is today, with as few clues as possible. We do quizzes via Zoom and I often get a phone call to help with their History and Geography homework. Other Grandparents are retired Foreign Language Teachers, so they do fun learning in Spanish and French with the DGC, including DGD1 who is my but not their Grandaughter. They call her Grandaughter -in-law.

Pick a theme/subject and set a period of time to devote to it - drawing pictures, looking for information in books or online, making models, writing stories (both factual pieces and imaginative ones). Using lots of praise for achievements and gentle encouragement when stumbling blocks occur. Encouraging independent learning has also been important as children learn how to find answers, problem-solve, create interesting projects for themselves and discover new hobbies and/or talents. If both households have board games like Scrabble it is easy enough to expand the rules so that each can see the layout and letters to play etc, otherwise just use cameras or an online version like Literati. Nature has been the source for lots of opportunities as so many different aspects can be incorporated into study, plus it's fun and nice to learn about the plants and animals we share a planet with. Nature photo-journals are brilliant for kids to keep track of things, priortise favourite things, collect some great photographs (including skills like macro-photography and using software to frame, have colour, black & white and sepia images) and have a wealth of information to share with like-minded peers. Online facilities have been good at allowing children access to safe adults like their grandparents as well as classmates and local friends - sharing resources and results helps them all build confidence and if they are having fun in the process all the better.

My 2 youngest granddaughters 5 and 2 have thrived on routine and learning things they are really interested in, making those bits that aren't so interesting easier to complete. One to one and then both together doing crafts and listening to stories etc has also proved invaluable. The oldest has also been face-timing her friend and taking part in her dance sessions at the weekend both having had a hugely positive effect on her.

My eldest grandchild is still very young but he enjoys hands on activities best in the morning involving lots of glue, paper and modelling clay, with stories in the afternoon when his concentration is beginning to flag. He also enjoys singing along to nursery rhymes on YouTube.

like many others, keeping things mixed with fun play time.

Sticking to a routine and a timetable helped and keeping the activities & subjects varied. We have stayed just as close even with only speaking over WhatsApp or Facetime.

This would be a fabulous prize that my grandchildren could use. Thanks for giving me the chance and good luck everyone.

We have only met up (outside with social distancing) with our grandchildren once during a 3and a half month lockdown. However, we have been talking to them online with the Face Talk app. They have a daily timetable of School learning with their Dad (includes 1 hour of exercise (indoors or outdoors) usually up till around 13.00hours. More leisure time in the afternoon (also includes some online learning) with their mum It has been quite trying as both parents are also working from home. It will be nice when lockdown eases so that we can help them out. John K