Some kids may be back at school by the time you are reading this, and some kids may not be, either through choice or because schools haven’t reopened yet.
One of the small beauties of quarantine was experiencing a new way of life, one with the kids around 24/7. Crazy, tiresome, complicated and at times desperate but we survived it! Some even enjoyed it.
By Erica Loi
Photography rights reserved
Illustration Amy Vann
ORGANISED CHAOS WITH KIDS is an online shop that delivers eco-conscious sensory playdough kits to inspire little hands and encourage big imaginations. From garden play kits to construction, unicorn and minibeasts, there is a box for every kid out there.
www.organisedchaoswithkids.com
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT LAURA AZIZ
EDX EDUCATION’s concept is learning through play. Their toy range develops fine motor skills, counting, sorting and creativeness. Problem-solving and geometry toys are also available for the older crew.
www.edxeducation.com
One of the things we learnt with homeschooling was that getting the kids to dress the part, in their uniform or in their usual schoolwear, was so useful to get them ready for the learning day ahead. Something as simple as wearing their new BOBUX shoes while learning can be fun and taking their shoes off and getting back into just their socks is a great way to end the learning day!
www.bobux.co.uk
SORENS HOUSE has some fantastic and beautiful posters which are not only educational but also look very pretty in your kid’s room. From times tables to world maps and periodic tables, they cover pretty much every subject.
www.sorenshouse.co.uk
MAPLE FROM CANADA UK have developed a series of fun and downloadable workbooks for children and teens to encourage them to explore the wonderful world of food. Not only will they learn how to cook, but they will learn mathematics by measuring ingredients.
www.maplefromcanada.co.uk
FERM LIVING desks will bring a new way of learning to your kids. Beautiful but minimal, practical yet elaborate, they will ease their way into a kid’s bedroom whether they be used for homeschooling or play.
www.fermliving.com
TOTTER AND TUMBLE play mats are key for any age. Sitting at a desk all day, at home, is impossible for most primary school kids, so a comfortable mat to sit on while listening to stories is a real must. And it looks great in the home!
www.totterandtumble.co.uk
MENTALUP is the award-winning brain game app for kids between 4 and 13 years old. It fosters their ability to solve problems and think in new, creative ways as well as encouraging literacy and numeracy skills.
www.mentalup.co
DASH INTO LEARNING books are a parent-friendly, simple approach to early reading instruction. The books are aged for 4 – 8 years and come in a variety of subjects. They use common sense and a classical progression of phonics and sight words along with fun, sweet and engaging stories with beautiful illustrations.
www.dashintolearning.com
The book SLOW DOWN, written by Rachel Williams, is a perfect read to end the learning day. Slow Down brings calm to a busy world with 50 stories about nature. Some happen slowly, like the butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, and others in a blink of an eye, like a beautiful rainbow lighting up a grey sky.
www.magiccatpublishing.co.uk
BRIGHT CORNER SHOP offers sustainable, eco-friendly wooden LED lighting for when your little ones want to read a story before bedtime. Made from FSC approved Birch Plywood, using a high quality fabric flex and a warm white, low light LED bulb, they offer a safe and durable product, whilst creating ambiance and calm in your home.
www.brightcorner-shop.com
COUGH DROP is an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) app for those little ones with complex communication needs and who may still not be talking clearly. Keep on your phone or tablet and use it to encourage talking and interaction throughout the day.
www.mycoughdrop.com
PAPIER has some personalised notebooks which are fantastic to get your kid writing stories or just practising their handwriting. There is nothing more satisfying than having your own exercise book with all your treasured memories in it.
www.papier.com
SCANDIBORN offers some great homeschool toys to encourage young minds to learn their times tables and spellings. Through play and fun, learning is easy-peasy.
www.scandiborn.co.uk
LEARNING RESOURCES ACTIVITY BOOKS cover all areas, from science to learning how to tell the time. All the work in one book means no printing or research for the parent. Thank you!
www.learningresources.co.uk