Support for parents and carers (fun stuff!)

The Welcome Home website has a packed events diary for you to easily see what is on offer around the clock throughout each day. From drawing and yoga classes to storytelling and singing, the events are varied and also include coffee mornings and lunch clubs for Islanders of all ages to find support and even new friends.

'Coronavirus - A Book for Children' has been written by Elizabeth Jenner, Kate Wilson & Nia Roberts and illustrated by Axel Scheffler in order to help families explain the current situation to their children.

www.facebook.com/Gustogsy

www.facebook.com/octopusgsy

www.facebook.com/sucreguernsey

www.facebook.com/bakewithluce

www.facebook.com/epicchallengesguernsey

www.facebook.com/guernseysports

www.facebook.com/KingsGuernsey

www.facebook.com/LittleChampsGSY

Explore 13 zoos and aquariums from around the world that offer live video streams of their animals and marine life. See giraffes, koalas, pandas, tigers, penguins, elephants, rhinos, zebras, dolphins, turtles, sharks & more.

Here are 10 of the most famous virtual museum tours available. From the British Museum in London to the Metropolitan Museum in New York, discover some of the world’s greatest treasures in the comfort of your own home with the added bonus of avoiding the crowds and queues.

Stay in touch with your family by asking Granny and Grandpa to teach your children remotely using technology. Try Facebook messenger, WhatsApp or Zoom and use one of the many apps and video conferencing tools to keep your family connected. Why not teach the younger generation about some classic family history or even a secret family recipe.

PE with Joe Wicks, Maths with Carol Vorderman or Food Tech with Jamie Oliver! Check out this fantastic timetable here.

@Savewithstories is an Instagram account where famous faces such as Captain America, Star-Lord and over 100+ celebrities read their favourite children's stories and sing their favourite songs to keep your kids entertained.

Find inspiring things to do with your family online at Kidadl, you can even filter by age from 0+ to 18 years. There are loads of free activities for the whole family to get involved in, from kid-friendly workouts to boredom-busting garden games and epic craft projects and everything in between.

This brand new Harry Potter Hub brings Hogwarts to your home and is packed full of videos, puzzles, illustrations, quizzes, creative ideas, articles and so much more with extra magical fun being added daily.

Local

Enjoy a little ray of sunshine while out for a walk with @LovePebblesGsy’s ‘Rainbow Stacks’- photo hunt.

Treasure hunt

Create a digital treasure hunt using the location finding app ‘what3words’. Create a quiz or use the unique what3words addresses to find locations, around the globe or in your garden!

Easter colouring pictures

Free Easter Egg colouring pages can be found here.

Online

7 fun things to do this Easter at home with kids.

Free online resources for children aged 0-12. Free reading and writing resources, audiobooks, videos, competitions and reading challenges - https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/  

The Bright Beginnings Children’s Centre are offering the virtual zooms groups for Stay & Play sessions, Talking cafes and a Parent chill zone. Visit their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/brightbeginningschildrenscentre) for more information.  

Guernsey Party Princesses are offering children's activity bags including a personalised letter and a secret mission for little artists. To find out more email guernseypartyprincesses@hotmail.com or visit https://m.facebook.com/guernseypartyprincesses

Little Puffin Signing Online gives you access to videos of songs, books, individual signs and live signing classes in the private Facebook group. Find out more information at https://www.stephblack.co.uk/lp-signing/online/.

This group has been set up within the community as a resource for activities and ideas to help parents.  You can find fun arts and crafts ideas, outdoor activities and healthy eating tips. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/Home-Learning-Resources-Guernsey-104163201226042/

When we asked our children and young people what questions they would like answered by our Panel, one thing was clear. They were missing those most special in their lives, especially their grandparents.

Dr Brink encouraged us to find alternative ways to stay in touch, particularly with older relatives that may be missing their grandchildren and other younger relatives.

We’ve designed various templates for you to print out to write a story or share what you’ve been up to, with a drawing. These aren’t just wonderful to receive, they are snapshots of a moment in history that we will likely talk about for generations to come.

Let’s stay in touch.

Dr Brink has read ‘A Squash and a Squeeze’ written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler and published by Macmillan Publishers, who have kindly allowed us to read this to you all at this time, to celebrate World Book Night.

Watch it here.

We know Distance Learning hasn’t been easy, for teachers or parents, but we think you have all done a magnificent job. In fact, we thought it was about time you were (un)officially recognised as a community of home schools.

We have produced the States of Guernsey’s very own certificates of excellence for all you hard-working parent/teachers to display in your windows.

The team at Autism Guernsey have recently enrolled on the course: 'Preparing Autistic and SEND Children for going Back to School.'

It was such a useful resource that they wanted to share it with parents and carers of children who may experience returning to school anxiety. You can do it online for free at: https://www.schudio.tv/courses/preparing-autistic-send-children-for-going-back-to-school

Some of the most useful resources are below:

• Easy to read social story
• 8 ways to help Autistic pupils manage anxiety
• My lockdown experience
• Resources from Lynn McCann, Reach out ASC