NEPS psychologists have developed guidance for parents supporting children to create new routines at home.  Having a Plan for the Day is key for children/young people to manage and stay well at this time.
Please click on the link below to access these guidelines


Guide for Parents Supporting Children with Routines

Many young students across the country have had their education massively impacted by the COVID19. While the future remains uncertain in the short term for end of year exams, there may be many young people across the country eager to continue a routine. For this reason we’ve compiled a handy list of resources to aid during this uncertain time!


Brainpop.com is an interactive website where kids can engage with activities in many different subjects. It covers adult material in a child-friendly manner such as mental health issues and world news. It currently has an activity page dedicated to Covid-19 with a short film explaining the virus and lots of interactive activities to help children get used to thinking and talking about the virus in a non-threatening manner. They are also giving free access to resources in the event of school closures. Check it out:
https://www.brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/


CJ Fallon is one of the biggest publishers of school textbooks in Ireland. Due to school closures caused by Covid-19, they are giving free access to their student resource dashboard. Simply log in with your name and email (no password required), choose the appropriate level for your child and you will be able to access any online book for that level. This may be a great way to keep your child busy if they are flying through work that has been set for them by their teacher. Alternatively, it could motivate a child who is struggling through work that has been set, by allowing them choice.
https://my.cjfallon.ie/dashboard/student-resources


David Walliams, author of ‘Fing,’ ‘The Billionaire Boy,’ ‘Gangsta Granny’ and many other much loved children’s books, is releasing a free audio book on his website every day for the next 30 days to help families keep kids occupied during school closures. This may be especially helpful for those who find reading a chore – they can listen to the story instead!
https://www.worldofdavidwalliams.com/elevenses/


Dublin Zoo Web-Cam
Dublin Zoo has a live web-cam which allows animal lovers to watch their favourite animals living their daily lives. Whether it’s the giraffes in the African Savanna or the penguins in their watery hideaway, you’ll have great fun seeing what they get up to when they think no one is watching! This is an especially helpful resources if animals are your special interest …
https://www.dublinzoo.ie/animals/


Twinkl is a resource based website used by teachers that has over 500,000 teacher-made resources. You can search for resources by age group, class level, subject or activity type. There are also an abundance of autism-specific resources available. They have made membership free for all parents during the school closures. Follow the link to set up your own free account and enter the special offer code when signing up. 
https://www.twinkl.ie/offer
Offer Code: IRLTWINKLHELPS


DabbleDoo Music is an interactive website that has specially designed video courses, radio shows and Spotify playlists as well as music activities to keep the kids interested. Due to the schools closures they are giving parents free access to these resources for one month.
https://dabbledoomusic.com/p/parents-subscription-full-access/?product_id=1122889&coupon_code=19920A


Online Classes
There are many celebrities offering their assistance to support your kids learning from home:


P.E with Joe Wick, The Body Coach
Joe Wick is offering free PE lessons on his youtube channel everyday for kids. Subscribe to his page at the link below to access the videos and don’t forget to drink plenty of water!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ


Music with Myleene Klass
British singer and model Myleene Klass has created a series of short music lessons for kids to use at home. Listen to her outlining her lesson objectives and set up your youtubekids account at the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCRXAErag8U


Maths with Carol Vordemon
Carol Vordemon from the TV quiz show ‘Countdown,’ has created a website dedicated to teaching maths to children during the school closures caused by Covid-19.
https://www.themathsfactor.com/


Cooking with Jamie Oliver
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has a variety of kid-friendly recipes on his website, with them aim to get kids cooking!
https://www.jamieoliver.com/features/category/get-kids-cooking/


School on TV – an RTE initiative
From Monday 30th March, RTE will broadcast ‘School on TV,’ set in a primary school classroom and featuring qualified primary school teachers who will facilitate lessons with the nation’s children to help them learn at home. This programme is aimed at children from 1st-6th class and can be accessed the following day on the RTE player.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2020/0320/1124339-rte-to-launch-school-on-tv-teaching-initiative/


It’s a good idea to set a routine for children during this time. The uncertain length of the school closures will naturally have an effect on children’s anxiety levels. Having a structure in place every day, which they know they can rely on, will make them feel safe – even if they don’t realise it. Allowing children some level of choice over what activities they are doing will also help them to feel involved in the decision making. An example of a daily plan you may set can be found below. You can tweak this schedule to suit your own family’s needs and hang it in a central part of your home with visuals:


08:30 – BREAKFAST


09:00 – Family walk / indoor work out if raining


10:00 – Academic Time: school work that has been set


11:00 – Creative Time: art, music, writing, play


12:00 – LUNCH


13:00 – Chores: clean up after lunch, clean bedroom, walk/feed pet


13:30 – Quiet Time: reading, puzzles, maths games


14:30 – Academic Time: school work that has been set


15:30 – Active Time: play outside, cycle, trampoline


17:00 – DINNER


18:00 – Free Time: choose a hobby / watch tv


20:00 – Get ready for bed


Further Educational Websites/Resources
Maths
https://www.mathplayground.com/
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/


STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Maths)
https://www.facebook.com/pg/designerminds.ie/posts/?ref=page_internal
https://hourofcode.com/ie
https://artprojectsforkids.org/
https://www.artforkidshub.com/


SESE (Social, Environmental & Scientific Education)
https://kids.britannica.com/
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
https://www.ducksters.com/


PE
https://www.gonoodle.com/
https://ladiesgaelic.ie/learn/lgfa-underage-skills-logbook/


Music
https://www.mydso.com/dso-kids/


SPHE (Social, Personal & Health Education)
https://www.webwise.ie/


Miscellaneous
http://www.amazingeducationalresources.com/
https://kahoot.com/
https://www.starfall.com/h/
https://www.scoilnet.ie/
https://pbskids.org/
https://www.schoolofspreadthehappiness.co.uk/product/100-things-to-do-indoors/
by Ian Lynam - 27 March, 2020

​

Reading
If children are a member of the library, they can access books on BorrowBox library app. If they are not a member of the library, they can join on  www.librariesireland.ie. 
www.freechildrenstories.com,
www.oxfordowl.co.uk, 
https://www.storylineonline.net/library/   

Maths
https://coolsciencelab.com/math_magician.html  
http://theschoolhub.ie/sample.php 
https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games  
https://scratch.mit.edu/  
https://www.khanacademy.org/  
 

Science/Geography 
https://www.treecouncil.ie/eannanilamhnanativeirishtreetrails
http://www.askaboutireland.ie/learning-zone/primary-students/1st-+-2nd-class/1st-2nd-class-environment/
https://birdwatchireland.ie/irelands-birds-birdwatch-ireland/
http://www.heritageinschools.ie/content/resources/Wild_Things_at_School.pdf
https://www.museum.ie/Natural-History/Exhibitions/Current-Exhibitions/3D-Virtual-Visit-Natural-History    
 


Junior Classes Maths / English

https://www.getepic.com/- This is a fantastic website/app for reading.
Starfall
ABC ya!
Cookie
Into the Book
Word Family Sort
Seussville
Math Magician
Xtra Math
Interactive Quizzes
Fun 4 the Brain
Learning Games for Kids
Adapted Mind
PBS Kids
Sesame Street Games
Spelling City
Switch Zoo
Fun Brain
Storyline Online
Fuel the Brain 
www.nurseryrhymes4u.com nursery rhymes and tongue twisters  Needs some computer downloads for sound.
www.schoolbell.com 
www.sightwords.com
http://www.kidrex.org 
https://www.dkfindout.com/uk/
https://www.booktrust.org.uk/
https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/
https://www.literacyshed.com/
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/cube_creator/
https://100wc.net/
http://classicsforkids.com/
https://b.socrative.com/login/teacher/
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/letter-generator-30005.html
https://www.cybersmile.org/advice-help
Lapis the Egyptian Cathttp://robo.ie/ – a good Irish website
http://www.senteacher.org/print/
http://woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/interactive/literacy/index.htm 
www.spellingcity.com  online spelling programme


http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/websites

www.primaryresources.co.uk  lesson plans, activity ideas and resources
www.teachingideas.co.uk  downloadable resources
www.askaboutireland.com  information, images and documents about various topics e.g. Irish public libraries & other culture institutions   (ENFO)
www.topmarks.co.uk  resources, homework help and educational websites by age and subject
www.senteacher.org  supports literacy and numeracy (Good links to information about syndromes etc)
www.hubbardscupboard.org information for early childhood educators and parents
www.literactive.com phonics based reading program for early learners.  You need to register to use some resources. Just remember your log-in and password
www.folensonline.ie access to online textbooks
www.cjfallon.ie access to online textbooks.

With the news that schools are going to be closed, we are having to continue with teaching and learning. together. However, we also want to keep the connection between home and school. We have to look after “happy” and “safe” before we look at “learning” so please don’t feel under pressure in this different and unusual time we find ourselves in! Engage as much as you can. Not every family will be in a position to participate in Home Learning activities. As a staff, we understand this and value every family’s decision equally. There is no obligation on families to complete the activities we will suggest. Everyone's main focus should be on keeping safe and healthy.