Covid positive and home schooling

[Hortuslover]

Apologies in advance, this isn’t an aibu but posting for traffic and help.

Me and DH are both covid positive and we have a 2, 4, 6 year olds. The 6 yr old is very home school refusing but is also waiting for assessment so trying not to pressure him much. He hates being cooped up in the house but obviously we can’t go anywhere. We have a garden but we were in the middle of landscaping it but work commitments and school closures have put a halt to that so the garden isn’t really appropriate for them at the moment.

Me and DH don’t feel great but are trying our best.
I would really like some help/ideas on how to manage while being stuck in the house for the next 8 days! We have baking planned and colouring etc but has anyone come up with fun games that they’ve made up that don’t cost a lot. They’ve got games from xmas but they are more family games and they sometimes need 1-2-1. We have uno but depending what mood 6yr old is in, that could end up in a meltdown!

There’s probably loads I’m not thinking off and to some it may seem obvious what we should be doing but I can’t think past the next 5 minutes.

Thank you.

Poor you. Bumping for you because I'm sure people must have lots of ideas.

A bit of nature watching into the garden - how many different types of birds? Educational, see? Playing shops - you can sneak some counting in there too. Less educational but might burn off a bit of excess energy, building dens with cushions and blankets.

121 games we like that are like uno -
Quirkle
Dobble
Sky jo
Pack of cards and play 21 / “play your cards right“ I.e. guess higher or lower.
Dominos
Hangman
Knots and crosses

On you tube there’s cosmic yoga or Let’s Dance

Built a fort/den etc
Audiobooks
Homeschool history podcast

How bad is the garden? If its just muddy I'd still use it, if GL there's things that can be moved to make it safe, do that. I think you're all going to go stir crazy without fresh air, plus a skipping rope while wearing welly boots might be fun. Failing that, a PE challenge each day to wear them out - star jumps, hopping, running on the spot can all be done in a limited space. And a technique my mum used to use when we were little was 'dead ants'. When we were getting tetchy and about to erupt into world war 3 (3 sisters all close in age, was an hourly occurrence) she'd call dead ants, and we all had to immediately lie on the floor waving our arms and legs in the air. Not sure how or why, but I do remember it defusing some rows

My advice is to not put yourself under pressure to "home school" while you're both unwell.
Do what you need to get through the days. There's educational value in board games, playing with lego, making something out of cardboard boxes if you feel up to it.
Otherwise just keep everyone as happy and sane as you can!

Maybe not the answer you want to hear, but do you have an iPad / device you can download some free games on.
Needs must at the moment. You have 2 other DC and your feeling rubbish. I don’t think sticking child in front of a digital game is going to do to much damage for a week. But the peace will do wonders for you.

My son at that aged loved me making him treasure hunts around the house. If you up to making clues and then placing around the house...try to make them far apart so it takes him longer. And as a plus its reading. Then a chocolate bar or something naughty at the end as a treat should keep him/them quiet for alittle while when its finished

Scavenger hunt? One in the garden and one indoors.

Just do what you can and don't pressurise yourself into trying to do it all every day.

I am also unwell with Covid and spent the day vomiting with a severe headache. DH has managed to feed the kids and keep them occupied but he is also recovering from being in hospital with Covid so very tired.

Yesterday they all did loads of work today was mostly digital babysitting.

My kids like cosmic yoga videos on YouTube. Designed for kids and gets them stretching and relaxed but there's a story to follow like " we're going on a bear hunt " so they strick with it longer x

Would he practice number bonds with duplo blocks i.e. 3 red ones + 2 blue ones = 5 blocks? Then at least it's educational but practical...

Play doh, cutting with safe scissors, writing a note to a friend to put through their door once you're allowed out, carpet picnics for lunch/tea, dominos (you might be able to make/draw/print ones with animals or whatever on and match the right ends)

Thanks so much everyone.
We’ve had a better afternoon baking, and each had a bath separately as they just need some time away from each other!
6yo DS has read half a book which is huge progress for him, he knows we need to finish it tomorrow.
I’ve order some skipping ropes and the PE challenge is right up there street.
I love the dead ants too, I think this would help to diffuse numerous situations in the day!
I’ll be using all this ideas.

Their

We were in the same position a week ago with a 6 and 3 year old. Lower standards, lots of screen time and “sports day” running up and down the garden

The screen time is the one thing I’ve been feeling mega guilty for, so you’ve all made me feel better about that.

A great game for making learning fun and exercising at the same time.
Lots of A4 paper and bold marker.
Learning for example addition: Write answers on paper&cellotape to floor around the room, eg: you ask, what is 2+2? (child has to run and stand on answer). This can be used for numbers, phonics, colours, words.
Very low effort for you but lots of energy and learning for kids.

Hope I've explained well?

CBBC educational programmes would be on a lot here - they’re doing those whole morning sessions that would be perfect for age 6.

I love @Domino20 ‘S idea - I’ll be using that!

Don’t feel guilty about the screen time, I guarantee you that this will be the case for many thousands across the country (us included). Some great ideas here! We also found air dry clay helpful as they get to model their creations and within a few hours it’s rock solid (and cheap on Amazon), I think they find it relaxing just forming something out of clay. Good luck, you’re part of a huge group!

@Domino20 we’ll be doing that today thank you.
Such great ideas and I’m so glad I posted. thank you everyone.

Ah brilliant. Hope it goes well.

I would not feel at all guilty about screen time. My 7 year old pretty much watched 6-8 hours of Netflix a day from March to August because I have a full time job and what else could I do with her? You are poorly. I wouldn't even be attempting any homeschooling at all right now until you're better and this is what our school has advised anyone who is unwell.

I feel you! We're just coming out the other side.

Making a ball run out of cardboard

Playing with rice/pasta for the little ones - scooping, pouring, threading

My 1 and 2 year old will spend ages threading weetos onto a piece of spaghetti stuck in playdough.

Making dens with blankets

As much screen time as you need - you can undo the habit later!

Do you have a printer? Print comic strip templates for 6yr old to write stories. Twinkl also has lots of free printables.

Paper mache (maybe for when you feel a bit better)

Make your own pizzas/cake decoration

Hang a string up with a load of clothes pegs and socks - do counting, pairs, all stripes etc

Make pyramids of loo rolls to knock down with a ball

I only have littlies so these may not work for you, but hopefully something might help!

Honestly CBeebies/CBBC would be my advice.

Just keep everyone fed and safe. TV/iPad as much as necessary. Learning can wait until you’re feeling better.

Watch an episode of numberblocks and call it a day with homeschool 😆