 Every parent knows what it’s like to have your kids fighting boredom on days when the weather keeps them inside. While loading them up with junk food and giving them the TV remote is an easy fix, there are other options for things they can do that are fun and educational. Here are five of the best online activities to make sure the rain doesn’t extinguish your kid’s fun.
YouTube Exercise Videos If you’re wanting to get your kids off the couch and moving, there are several exercise videos on YouTube that will do the trick. The popular “Just Dance” video games are fun for adults and kids alike. If getting access to the game is not an option, you can find some of the songs on YouTube. “Shake Break” is another great video for parents who need to take a break while their kids get a workout. Just turn it on and let the puppets, Zach and Reggie, guide your kids to physical fitness! Looking for a fitness class without all the goofiness? There are also plenty of free workout videos that cater more to adults and older children. Music Lessons Online music lessons are another great way to keep your kids occupied on rainy days. There are many benefits to online tutorials. Some websites charge a subscription fee for their videos, but there are many that offer tutorials for free. Many people bypass the lessons and teach themselves. Kids who have the ear for it can pull up songs on YouTube and play by imitation. Learning an instrument is a fun and productive way for your kid to pass the time, and who knows, maybe it will spark a passion that will stay with them for the rest of their life! Art Tutorials Like music lessons, there are several free art tutorials available online. Such lessons provide clear, step-by-step instructions for painting and drawing, and they are designed to inspire the artist (or artist-to-be) to take their creative abilities to the next level. You should be able to find lessons on a variety of mediums and subject matter; there’s something for everyone. Real Estate Lesson Plans One of the most all-around educational activities your kids can do is to learn about real estate. As Redfin points out, “Real estate is a complex field that requires skills in math, science, English, social studies and home economics. By incorporating real estate-based lessons into your curriculum, you can help students gain valuable skills in practical math application, presentation giving, forming a persuasive argument, earth science and so much more.” You can find real estate lessons online for grades K-12 that will help your kids apply the concepts they learn to real-life situations, and it can also be a way to teach them financial disciplines at a young age. Science Activities Another way to teach and entertain your kids while it’s raining is through science activities. With only a few ingredients, they can make their own elephant toothpaste, in which they can witness the fluffy foam of yeast and hydrogen peroxide reacting. Experimenting with rainbow magic milk is another fun way to see a scientific reaction. Doing a building exercise with Legos will encourage your children to work on their creativity and problem solving skills, and a Jenga challenge will require your kid to practice concentration and strategy. If your kid has the rainy-day blues or is spending too much time watching Netflix, there’s something you can do about it. Exercise videos, music and art tutorials, real estate lesson plans, and science activities are all fun and educational options. With these activities at your disposal, maybe you and your kid won’t ever dread rainy days again! Article kindly provided by - Jenny Wise | jenny@specialhomeeducator.com specialhomeeducator.com Photo Credit: Unsplash
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 The summer holidays aren't far away and your kids will want to get out and about and enjoy the great weather but how far do you let them go alone and what time of day/night do they need to be home?
As scary as it may be, parents need to talk to their kids about people who might want to hurt them. The best way to protect your children is to get them involved in their own protection: Parents need to be aware of possible predators. Typical signs are: someone who seems too good to be true, who offers extensive help to your family, who knows too much about your kids or kids in general, especially if they don't have children of their own. You should know all adults who you allow to have contact with your child. Talk to your kids about pedophiles as soon as they can understand what you mean. As early as 3-5 years old, when kids begin to interact with the world, they're subject to being victims. Tell your child you love them no matter what. Remind them that they can tell you anything and you will still love them with all your heart. Don't be afraid that you're scaring your kids, but don't ask them to deal with adult issues either. Speak to them in age-appropriate language and give them instructions about what to do. They will feel empowered by knowing how to protect themselves. Be careful sharing your own experiences if you were a victim of sexual molestation, for example. Providing too many details and rehashing the tragedy can create a sexually charged environment and be harmful for your children in the long run. Kids need to know that they have the right to say no, yell, or ask for help. It may contradict what they know about respecting adults, but if they feel threatened, they have permission to make a scene, or to run away to a public place. And they need to know they won't get into trouble if they were wrong. Let them know that no one has the right to hurt them. Teach your child to call you if a stranger arrives when there are no other adults around. Make sure your kids know what is acceptable behaviour, and what is out-of-bounds. Make sure they understand that there are private areas of their bodies that no one else should touch. Rehearse your child's response to danger. If he/she doesn't practice it, your child won't really know what to do. Telling your child to yell for help isn't enough. In the face of danger, a child could forget, so rehearse, role-play, and practice what your child should do. Remind your children that predators don't necessarily look scary or strange. A dangerous person could look like the person next door, or even be someone they know.
Fussy kids? Bored babies or toddlers? Here are some tips to help entertain those kids while babysitting.
Make a Fun Bag , include items such as colouring sheets, crayons, stickers, books, games, puzzles, crafts, movies and (if allowed) a few snacks to nibble on. Remember to keep your bag age appropriate. Play Games. Find out their favourite games, whether it be board games or otherwise and play those with them Consider baking if you are allowed or perhaps have the ingredients for no bake cookies for something different to do. If you are making food with the kids, eg lunch let them be involved, stirring the drinks, putting the fillings in sandwiches. This will also help teach them valuable skills. Alternatively, if you are washing the dishes let them help, they love the soapy water and can feel a real sense of achievement. Perhaps have a small reward as a thank you for them for helping you clean up. Finger-paint with the kids. Many kids enjoy finger-painting, but parents often shy away because of the mess. Dress the kids in old clothes and cover a table with newspaper. Bring a variety of colors of finger-paints and paper and let the kids' creativity emerge. Make or bring along playdough and cookie cutters. Create a scene or story you can act out for Mum and Dad when they come home. Make a homemade pizza. Purchase individual sized pizza dough that is ready to be used and lay out a variety of toppings for the kids. Help them spread the tomato sauce onto the dough and then allow them to personalize their own pizza. Healthy toppings might include olives, mushrooms and peppers. Cut into shapes for them to be creative. Offer a variety of cheeses. If you can get outside then do so, go to the park, walk the dog, play ball games. However, if you do need to stay indoors play games such as singing, dancing or musical chairs. For a movie treat pick a movie the kids want to watch, beforehand issue tickets and set up bowls of popcorn. Perhaps make a tent set up over the TV and area around and fill it with cushions and balloons. Then be the ticket collector on the door, give out the popcorn, turn out the lights and enjoy a favourite movie! Play “Do Not Laugh”. Sit in a semi-circle and make funny faces or sounds. Whoever laughs first must do the same with you and the last one left is the winner! Teach them a new song, Old MacDonald had a Farm is always fun to introduce a whole range of new animals, the ABC song or bring along some songs they may not know. Or even better, if you have any musical talent, why not make up a new song together! Create a scavenger hunt for the children. Hide prizes throughout the house and give them a clue as to where the first prize is located. With the first prize will be the next clue as to where the second prize has been hidden. Continue this process for five to 10 rounds. Prizes might be anything from candy to small toys, or whatever you have on hand that the kids would be excited to find. Read. One of the greatest pleasures for both babysitter and their charges is to curl up and enjoy a favourite book. 
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