Learning Support Resources
Special Education Teachers
Marie McDonagh
Dara Keane
Louisa McHugh
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.National Educational Psychological Service advice and resources
Please click on the link below to access these guidelines
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: Brainpop.com 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. Check it out here: CJ Fallon
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! Visit the site here: David Walliams 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 …Watch the webcam here: Dublin Zoo 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 (IRLTWINKLHELPS) when signing up. Visit here: Twinkl 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. Visit here: DabbleDoo Music
There are many celebrities offering their assistance to support your kids learning from home: P.E with Joe Wick, The Body Coach Music with Myleene Klass Maths with Carol Vordemon Cooking with Jamie Oliver School on TV – an RTE initiativeOnline Classes
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! Click here to join: Joe Wick PE lessons
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 following link: Music with Myleene Klass
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. Check it out here: Maths with Carol Vordemon
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has a variety of kid-friendly recipes on his website, with them aim to get kids cooking! Start cooking here: Cooking with Jamie Oliver
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. Tune in here: School on TV
Further Educational Websites/Resources Maths STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Maths) Designer Minds Facebook Page SESE (Social, Environmental & Scientific Education) PE Music SPHE (Social, Personal & Health Education)
Home-schooling resources
Educational Resources; Infants-Sixth Class
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 Libraries IrelandReading