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

(390 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.

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shaddai88 Thu 11-Jun-20 11:11:12

Ensuring they are praised and give positive reinforcement for all their effort when they do something. even just treading or coloring or helping..

Wishes Thu 11-Jun-20 11:36:37

Stick to set times on a task mixing it up with work and play.

chris8888 Thu 11-Jun-20 12:08:28

It has been about establishing a routine really. Praise goes along way and making learning fun. The learning theme one day last week was sea creatures. So drawing sea creatures, pretending to be sea creatures, looking at pictures online of sea creature was followed by the Disney Movie Ariel.
It must be harder when the children are older though. My relationship as granny has changed a bit but not too much I hope.

MamaCaz Thu 11-Jun-20 12:40:27

Having a learning routine has helped my dgc.
Also, their parents have encouraged fun activities that are also educational, such as giving each child a patch of garden to grow their own plants, including vegetables, and learning to prepare simple meals
Mum and Dad are making the most of any opportunity that arises to make it educational (for example, the children now know all about why bees swarm, and how a beekeeper collects them to take to a new hive!)

I have given them a remote French lesson each week.
I have found that when the lesson ends, one or both of the dgc want me to stay online and play games with them. In fact, one of them in particular (age nearly 9) has started to call me (video on Messenger) quite often, just to quietly play games.

Before lockdown, this never happened, so I feel our relationship now is better than it has ever been before.

Katie2802 Thu 11-Jun-20 12:46:27

Keeping to a timetable

gillybob Thu 11-Jun-20 12:47:35

I have been sharing the mutual love of books with my older grandchildren. We have all been reading chapters together and talking about what we have read. My 10 year old grandson is currently doing a project about Earth and Space so I have been "helping" him on line. He is a lover of facts and figures so I confess to have learned more from him than the other way around.

My youngest DGD (only 2 so not yet at school) has been learning her colours with me on Face Time which I have found invaluable in keeping in contact.

Morgie52 Thu 11-Jun-20 12:47:49

Making the learning fun and not getting too stressed about the situation is a good way to deal with learning. I am grateful for technology and that we are able to face-time to keep in touch.

Bakerlou21 Thu 11-Jun-20 12:52:58

Keep activities varied and interesting, lots of stress isn't beneficial to anyone especially now.

Nocona Thu 11-Jun-20 13:08:33

Lots of exercise combined to keep the motivation to sit down and learn as the brain cells are then activated!

Patsy429 Thu 11-Jun-20 13:11:10

Tried to encourage them, particularly with reading and creative writing. I have searched for poetry competitions aimed at children for them to enter during lockdown.

Cazzy28 Thu 11-Jun-20 13:14:59

A morning walk to brush off the cobwebs and then they were ready to do some educational play (both preschoolers) They don’t appear to have missed out on nursery learning

lynmoo Thu 11-Jun-20 13:15:43

I’ve been keeping in contact with my granddaughter by WhatsApp, she asks me to help with her school work, it’s been beneficial to both of us. Kept my brain ticking over too??
Our relationship is so good especially at the moment because of lockdown we virtually speak every day ?

skyedog Thu 11-Jun-20 13:16:42

I spend an hour a day on Zoom with my eldest granddaughter doing core school work as her parents are working from home. I am able to screen-share so we play lots of games, read online books and I use a second camera to demonstrate maths concepts. I'm fortunate to be set up to do this and have an education background. The most important thing is to keep talking (games like articulate are great) and read/share books together. Learning needs to be fun. Coding is great and encourages a methodical approach. Mistakes are opportunities to review and 'de-bug' and learn that mistakes are part of the learning process.

middleagespread Thu 11-Jun-20 13:28:24

I have been unable to see any of my grandchildren and miss them all so much. We have zoomed, FaceTimed and read bedtime stories using our Kindles. We have made videos and shared on a family album. The third was so successful that we got a call from Australia from Gus (3) who wanted to see grandads third leg and Poppy (4) came to the gate on her scooter with Mum to check it out too. We had fun with a broom and an overcoat creating this one. We send coded messages to Barney (6), and participate in all their home learning by watching them on camera do maths, spelling etc. In many ways it has been fun. Miss the ones 1/4 mile away like I miss the grandchildren 10,000 miles away always.

ktcov Thu 11-Jun-20 13:41:26

Definitely trying to have fun, and being outside

FloraPoste1 Thu 11-Jun-20 15:00:12

Routine, lots of learning through play & lots of reading & outside time!

maclinks Thu 11-Jun-20 15:03:47

using teams, has meant we have actually spent more time talking to the grand children than ever. I have done a cookery lesson for them and we have started a book club. We live a distance anyway so only see them 3-4 times a year so it feels that we are actually seeing them more

isis53 Thu 11-Jun-20 15:04:55

Making learning fun

volcanopete Thu 11-Jun-20 15:14:32

We keep our distance but they've spent some time in the back garden where we have been able to teach about nature as the young Blackbirds have their babies.Their fear of insects especially spiders has been conquered too.

flowersfromheaven Thu 11-Jun-20 15:34:12

By making everything we learn fun from singing whilst counting etc I do it so she doesn't get bored to quickly, Making learning fun is the key to children wanting to learn more. I can honestly say that I think teaching my Granddaughter as fetch us closer.

QuaintIrene Thu 11-Jun-20 15:42:25

Routine. All the time. A proper lunch break and playtime. They have discovered enjoyable new interests, like knitting! And one grandson is thrilled that he hasn’t had to go to football practice. He only went to please his father, who wasn’t bothered anyway about sports. It’s been lovely watching them grow on their own.

marpau Thu 11-Jun-20 15:48:09

Our grandchildren complete tasks and talk to us about them via video call. It gives them a timeframe to focus on.

KAKADU Thu 11-Jun-20 16:32:29

No set times as that makes it too much like school. Lots of hands on activities that our Grandkids can do in their own homes.

Holidayenthusiast Thu 11-Jun-20 16:34:19

Keep to a timetable. Also, do the most challenging tasks in the morning and the creative activities in the afternoon. Keep in contact on House Party.