I have found listening the most important way to develop my relationship with grandchildren along with everybody else.
Instead of telling them the answer if they ask a question - which only demonstrates what I may or may not know - instead I say:
Wow, what a great question. Where do you think we might find the answer to that?
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(391 Posts)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?
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PLEASE, THANK YOU AND BEG YOUR PARDON MANNERS THAT'S HOW THEY LEARN.
Have written to them each week including activity sheets I have downloaded and various tick lists I have made for them, like bug hunts, what they have eaten etc, and a little treat too. They have even written back! Lovely to see them now in garden but can’t wait to se them indoors, cuddle them and be able to help with home learning and childcare while parents can work, such a struggle for them working and home teaching, daughter been getting up at 5 am to do work. Come on Boris, let us younger, fit grandparents help our children again!
PLEASE'THANK YOU AND BEG YOUR PARDON MANNERS THATS HOW THEY LEARN.
Sticking to a routine to keep everything normal has been the key for us. Also doing interesting things such as video call baking has been very enjoyable. This has challenged our grand daughter Danielle. And a story at bedtime by Nannie has been lovely x
Lots of praise and rewards for positive reinforcement
Make sure you stick to a routine with regular rewards
Because since lockdown the weather (on the whole) has been fantastic, it has been easier to do nature walks, finding mini beasts in the garden etc. Home schooling in the mornings, then after lunch, walks, garden, drawing what we saw and writing a diary about what we did.
Ive done a couple of art sessions via skype, lots of fun and gave my daughter a break for an hour.
My DGS have had plenty of online work and projects sent through by their schools and their parents have added their own creative and outdoor activities. The boys are doing well and have all said they’re not missing school, so it sounds as though everything’s going okay! All their parents are working from home, so they’ve had their own space and free time as well, which is also important. I have set up a couple of virtual treasure hunts, quizzes and scavenger hunts, which we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed.
Its great spending more time sharing books, cooking and doing puzzles. Make sure learning is fun & get involved as much as possible.
Me and my Grand children are so much closer i have got them through there homework every day thanks to the Alexa with screen we have seen each other every day without fail and when mums been struggling i have stepped in to help homework completed and we are much closer accomplished
I have 3 grandchildren in 2 households, 12 and 3 years old girls in one And 8 year old boy in the other.
12 year old is very concentrated on her work, her school do all learning, tasks and homework on iPads anyway so she has carried on as normal just she is at home. She doesn’t have to be told. She gets feedback, encouragement and praise from all the family.
8 year old is easily distracted by his PS4 and needs constant reminders and routine. His midwife mum is working shifts so mostly down to furloughed dad to keep him in check.
3 year old pretty much decides each day what she wants to do. She asks to do maths, writing, drawing, phonics, baking, gardening. Newly qualified teacher Mum is at home and spending her time applying for jobs for September. Dad working from home in the bedroom.
All 3 go out for walks every day whatever the weather. I think they have had some great experiences, discovering new things in our home town which we have all lived in all our lives.
Routine is important. Breaks in between tasks to include praise and fun and games. Regulare times for some exercise and make learning fun and interactive.
We have held lessons using Zoom and have mailed or emailed various educational resources to help our daughter with teaching or granddaughter.
Making them learn through play has been effective and fun for them. Using technology has also improved their skills and mine to a large extent!
Look for learning opportunities in everyday activities.Cooking is science and measuring, walks studying nature,shopping lists are reading,writing and maths and grandparents can be a history tool for learning.
My 3 year old GS likes to skype with nanna, we often keep the screen open for a couple of hours and keep each other company cooking or reading or discussing the matter of the moment. He has accumulated a dressing up box of super heroes and his home is his playroom. Currently he is a pirate, the stairs take him to his bedroom (treasure island) while his boat is anchored in the sitting room. The imagination knows no bounds. The highlight of the lockdown for the family was a Zoom play, each member of the family dressed up for their part, with GS as Highway Rat, he took the lead right through the play with only an occasional prompt from Dad. It was simply amazing and hugely amusing. A positive note in this nightmare where working parents have a golden opportunity to be with their child for an extended period. Together they have learnt so much.
At the moment we can only see our granddaughters on video calls. We find that repetition of the words, whilst including her in the call teaches her new words. The older one who is now 22 months greets us every day with a hello and a wave, and once the greetings are over, we comment on her top or dress, talking about the ladybirds or stars or stripes on it and she has learnt to point out the pattern on her top every day the moment we start speaking. The other granddaughter is too young to say or do anything except smile and I'm sure she'll soon be up and about.
I think establishing a routine has been the best thing and having regular breaks.
In terms of virtual catchups and relationship changes I feel like for all family members we have become closer and really care about each other more as we have been checking in kore
I don't have grandchildren, but my parents have kept in touch with my kids via Whatsapp, Zoom, and old-fashioned letter writing. We're seeing them in person on Sunday, for the first time in 6 months, and it will be weird not letting them cuddle the kids.
Keep the fun element if possible going, and recognise when to have a break. The virtual existence at the moment started off strange and different but now I think we have all got used to it?
Going for walks to look at different things in the area and talk about them.
We exchange texts, FaceBook messages and send cards and small presents by post. The 4 year old loves texting short sentences and choosing emojis while I have had more, and longer, telephone conversations with the teenage boys than I normally would!
Ive helped my son by researching craft equipment and suitable books for his children online.
Agree with a regular routine and keeping it fun
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