Gransnet forums

Competitions

Win Learning Resources goodies worth over £200 *NOW CLOSED*

(391 Posts)
NatashaGransnet (GNHQ) Thu 11-Jun-20 09:44:24

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...

Sgilley Wed 17-Jun-20 09:58:47

Reading stories on FaceTime and daily chats on WhatsApp have kept me in touch with my grandchildren. Photos from our garden and little Bitmojies have been exchanged. It has made me appreciate what we take for granted ie human contact.

Vange1 Wed 17-Jun-20 10:53:08

Two of my grandchildren have a father who is a teacher, so I think they have done pretty well - lots of science projects, I think! The other grandson is very interested in exercise - luckily they have a big garden.
They all live in England - I'm in Wales, so telephone is still my main contact with them, & some texts with the eldest one.

crazymum777 Wed 17-Jun-20 11:02:43

I've found that sticking to a timetable working for us, and also making learning fun we've been virtual baking which has been exciting for us all. This has definitely brought us all closer together even though it's virtually, and we will all be together soon.

dawniepie Wed 17-Jun-20 11:20:59

Not putting too much pressure on them and just trying to get through the day!

moonlightlady2 Wed 17-Jun-20 11:44:56

we facetime everyday and chat together , they proudly show off their work to me on the camera and i help give their mum ideas for new things to do

Freddy1 Wed 17-Jun-20 13:04:10

The one thing that has absolutely thrilled my grandson has been the time spent with his grandad learning some practical life skills. We are having building work done at home and the smile that spread across my grandsons face as he was given an opportunity amongst other things (when family bubbles allowed) to have a go; fully supervised, at driving and operating the mini digger was worth its weight in gold.
Learning isn't always just about books.

sassielassie Wed 17-Jun-20 13:36:16

Working by a timetable and keeping routine has worked well

smith106 Wed 17-Jun-20 14:00:32

My daughter is very organised so she hasn't had any problems with home schooling my granddaughter, she has a timetable for her which has helped.

joeyhutch78 Wed 17-Jun-20 14:22:47

I think being able to be creative and flexible and find learning in every day activities has really helped. Being able to show grandparents online what we've been doing has also been really good.

Jeanetteleighton1979 Wed 17-Jun-20 15:37:43

Planning the days activities, reward charts and lot of praise and positivity

gran1 Wed 17-Jun-20 15:59:34

After helping with homework, we have played each other our favourite songs and both danced and laughed, great fun

Bevsta111 Wed 17-Jun-20 16:00:15

It's been lovely seeing the children by zoom or facetime. It means that even when lockdown is over and we can see each other all the time, the times we can't see them, rather than just a phone call, facetiming them means we can still see them. It's a new way to communicate.

Kittyme1 Wed 17-Jun-20 16:26:55

Establishing a good routine, variety, playtime and lots of encouragement and virtual cuddles.

magsmurphy Wed 17-Jun-20 16:38:59

Have a fixed routine. Plan your day with times for each subject. Remember to have free time and relax.

dragon123 Wed 17-Jun-20 16:40:16

Have had to learn to use video calls and face time as it is a 5 hour journey to visit my grand daughter, we normally try and alternate monthly visits staying for the weekend and longer breaks in the school holidays but of course that has been impossible . The plus side is we have been writing to each other and very impressed with a six year olds writing. Also tried zoom to include my other daughter who is 3 hours away in the opposite direction!

corbin1 Wed 17-Jun-20 16:57:45

sticking to the same routine as school

kathward Wed 17-Jun-20 20:17:16

As a retired teacher with 4 grandchildren I have been asked for a lot of help. Unfortunately this had to be remotely so I have sent lots of ideas models and paint . Also plenty of books to read.

athenacarina Wed 17-Jun-20 20:55:06

Sticking to a timetable is great and having fun is super too.

ykellock Wed 17-Jun-20 21:01:47

My grandson who is 4 loves books and his Mum and Dad have read him lots. I facetime regularly and he even sang his ABC to me and was word perfect. The virtual communication is fine but there is nothing more rewarding than him running to me for a great big cuddle smile

busterjames Wed 17-Jun-20 21:47:27

Routine. All the time. A proper lunch break and playtime.Then when schoolwork is finished they get a treat .

freesia Thu 18-Jun-20 06:48:20

I have 8 grandchildren of different ages. I have recorded stories for the preschoolers, and given them ideas for simple crafts. For the older two I have helped out via zoom with maths and grammar, as well as suggesting age appropriate stories for them to read.

vegansrock Thu 18-Jun-20 07:41:25

We had a family “ recreate a famous painting “ challenge. Each family researched different paintings and got all the props from around the house to copy it, for example, my OH and I recreated American Gothic( look it up if you aren’t familiar with it, it’s hilarious) one GD did a Frieda Kahlo self portrait with herself dressed as Frieda. It took a whole day and we all enjoyed the resulting photos. It was educational and fun.

Buddy2010 Thu 18-Jun-20 08:03:09

Support to the parents who are trying to work and as keyworkers children do spend some time at school but are not doing the work set for home schooling on these days , they seem to be doing art and crafts leaving the other subjects to be tackled at home. This results in guilt to the patents sending the children to school and feeling they have to do home schooling at weekends. Lots of discussions about how any activity can be educational and not to feel guilty. I keep in touch in the evening and now meet the 10 year old once a week on the park as my person outside! I feel parents just need emotional support as well but have been sending little gifts such as puzzles, books, pens to give the grandchildren .

NotSpaghetti Thu 18-Jun-20 08:56:05

No change to our relationships and no change to learning. Child-led learning was already the way in our family.

barbaramcgibben Thu 18-Jun-20 09:08:53

Children are always learning.Toys and games are fun and stimulate creativity and problem solving.However the most important lesson of living through this pandemic will be how we value one another.Seeing acts of bravery,kindness and love will stay with them forever and make for a more compassionate generation.