Virtual Birthday Celebrations
Celebrating birthdays during the pandemic can be tricky. With social distancing guidelines in place, it makes it difficult to hold birthday celebrations, in person. Virtual birthday celebrations can be simply planned and orchestrated.
If you are planning a virtual birthday celebration, here is a cute video to share with your child or student:
Happy Birthday Song- Trap Remix
Meaningful Words in Preschool Virtual Learning
Research shows that infants and toddlers acquire language at a much higher rate due to an increase in brain development during the younger years. When working with young children virtually, it is imperative to acknowledge and support language development through healthy interactions between the child, parent and teacher.
According to The Linguistic Society, children acquire language through interactions with parents, teachers and other children.
Whether you are conducting a Zoom, Google Hangout, or FaceTime with your toddlers and preschoolers, the language interactions between the adult and the child matter.
To support the overall language development of young children when conducting remote learning opportunities, teachers and parents should be aware of exactly “what” is being communicated. It’s important!
As a guide, here are 5 ways to enhance preschool language development while conducting virtual learning:
Examples of Positive Expressive Language by Luminere Children’s Therapy found HERE
Try this:
Caregiver to child: “Good morning to you (child’s name). Today is Wednesday and it’s bright and sunny outside. Can you see the sun from your window? Can you show me?”
Your Complete Guide to YouTube Kids
The YouTube Kids App provides another layer to learning for young children. Much like YouTube, YouTube Kids is downloadable on mobile devices along with desktops. Most recently, YouTube Kids has become available on Amazon Fire TV.
Upon downloading the app on iOS, there was an immediate prompt to select “Parent” or “Child.” When the “Child” prompt is selected, the user is automatically redirected back to the “Parent” navigation. In other words, a parent profile and 4-digit code must be created first.
Once the 4-digit pin is created, along with entering a simple multiplication mathematical problem into the security check, the “Child” profile can be created. At this point, the age range of the child is inquired. Upon selection of the age range, a series of video categories will appear.
The categories include: “Recommended, Shows, Reading, Learning and Explore.” Under each category, the user will find age appropriate videos sub-categorized based on varying topics/channels/series.
Under the “Settings,” parents have the option to control content, reset password, and even turn of search engine as means of safety. The option to stop the “Recommended” video feature is also available to turn off/on.
Screen time is always a concern when integrating technological applications into the lives of young children. The overall objective is to provide interactive learning experiences remotely or on-the-go. However, parents should err on the side of caution and monitor the amount of screen time their child engages within. Unstructured screen time can lead to lifelong illnesses including obesity. For more information on how to effectively promote healthy screen time for young child, visit The Mayo Clinic.
YouTube Kids has proven to provide quality, free screen time to young children through their efforts to expand the apps functions. We can only hope that this is all the beginning!
#RemotePreschoolLearning #ThePreschoolConnect #NAEYC #EdTech #IntegratedTech #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ECE #TechChat #RemoteLearning
Water, Water Everywhere…☔️🌊💧🌨
Top 5 Apps for Young Children
Due to the Covid-19 crisis, software applications are seeing an increase in downloading and usage. Here are the top 5 applications for young children:
1. ABCMouse.com
Interactive games, books, songs, puzzles and lessons that engage young children. Tracking available for progress monitoring.
30 Day Free Trial
Cost- $10/Monthly
Ages- 2-8
2. PBSKIDS Video
Free educational videos for children of all ages. Videos are available to stream from any mobile or technology device.
Cost- FREE
Ages- All Ages
3. PBS Kids Games
100+ Free educational games for young children. Safe, positive and friendly learning experiences for children and families.
Cost- Free
Ages- 2-8
3. Kiddopia- ABC Toddler Games
Educational application providing learning experiences on ABC’s, counting, sorting, spelling, addition, subtraction, colors, shapes, and more.
Cost- 6.99/ Monthly
Ages-2-7
4. PBS Parent Play and Learn
Interactive app that encourages parent involvement and participation. 13 interactive games to adjust to the child’s level.
Ages-4+
Cost- Free
5. Vroom
Everyday app that encourages one on one interaction between parent and child. Vroom is compatible to smart devices and computers with in app daily reminders.
Ages- 0-5
Cost- Free
Benefits of Playing Hide and Seek
The age old game of Hide and Seek has traveled throughout many generations, and just maybe the go to game for you and your young child. According to The Child Development Institute, playing Hide and Seek with young children can have life long benefits including the following:
- Teaches the concept of object permanence- “Things can still exist even when they cannot see them”
- Increases imagination
- Encourages problem solving skills
- Conflict resolution with others
- Numerous opportunities to bond with parent
- Physical activity through running and jumping
Check out this Hide and Seek video for Toddlers!
20 Ideas When on Zoom With A Preschooler
Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!
Technology is flowing full steam ahead. With that, being in quarantine has forced creativity to sore at an all time high in most households, especially those with young children. Although, this is a “different” time, innovative interactions are taking place for our youngest learners.
If you are an educator or a parent that is looking for creative ways to excite your preschooler while Zoom video calling, this is for you!
Here are 20 Ideas When on Zoom With Your Preschoolers:
1. Virtual Hide and Seek Around the House- Have your preschooler give you clues where they have chosen to hide. Make sure mom or dad is supervising to ensure safe hiding places are happening
2. Cooking with My Teacher– This is a great way to talk about sequence (First, Next, Then, and Last) when cooking! “What are you mixing together first?”
3. Drawing Together/Free Art
4. Virtual Story time
5. Letter Activity (Flash cards)– Show flash cards on the screen and pause for student to respond. Creating online flash cards and using a split screen such as Flip Grid is another option.
6. Grocery shopping with my Teacher- Schedule a time to Zoom while the student is grocery shopping with parents. Practice naming some of the items you see in the store
7. Virtual Circle Time with Friends
8. Show and Tell- This can include favorite toys, household pets, drawings, etc
9. Practice Counting Together
10. Practice ABC’s Song
11. Collect Rocks and Plants from outside and show them off
12. Gardening with my mom/dad and teacher- Schedule a Zoom and plan for your student and parent(s) to plant flowers or vegetables
13. Practice lacing shoe strings
14. Talk about why people are wearing masks
15. Encourage healthy habits– If your preschooler says they need to use the restroom or sneezing, be sure to encourage healthy habits, even virtually
16. Playlist Sing-A-Long
17. Have Your Preschooler Showcase their skills- “Hop on One Foot! Hold Your Left Arm in the Air!”
18. Eat Lunch Together- Schedule a Zoom during your students lunch time and chat it up
19. Nature Walk in Backyard
20. Scavenger Hunt Around the House- Provide pictures and names of safe items that may be in your preschoolers home like “Window,” “Light,” and “Sock”
While these aren’t all sure signs that your preschooler will stay engaged during the entire Zoom video call, these are great learning and interactive opportunities!
Morning Preschooler Counting Activity
Good morning! Check out this counting cooking game on Education.com.
•Parents, you can talk about cooking breakfast and lunch! What makes them different? What utensils do you need? How many tacos do you see?
Click the link above to play!
Digital Planners 101
Hey Teachers or Parents! When choosing a digital planner, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you are an educator or parent homeschooling your child during virtual learning, you will find this article extremely beneficial. When choosing a digital planner, keep in mind the following: accessibility, user friendliness, costs, and of course aesthetics. To find the right, digital planner, read below:
Microsoft One Note:
Free; Online version/Mobile Application
•Offers immersive reader (assistive technology for people with disabilities)
•Convert computer screen to Printable document (pdf)
•Touch screen capabilities
Whiteboard for iOS:
•Free/ Mobile application
•Simple writing screen with multicolored writing options
•Export final document and import pictures on existing document
Noteflow
•Free Mobile Application
•Some touch screen writing capabilities
•Export file and/or save on Drive
Sketchbook
•Import/Export images
•Multicolored text option
•Embedded art/photos
•Touch screen drawing abilities
Drawing Desk
•Free version offers limited access
•Kids/adult version
•Import coloring sheets for children
•Touch screen writing/coloring
20 Ideas When on Zoom With A Preschooler
Zoom! 🏎 Zoom! 🏎 Zoom! 🏎
Technology is flowing full steam ahead. With that, being in quarantine has forced creativity to sore at an all time high in most households, especially those with young children. Although, this is a “different” time, innovative interactions are taking place for our youngest learners.
If you are an educator or a parent that is looking for creative ways to excite your preschooler while Zoom video calling, this is for you!
Here are 20 Ideas When on Zoom With Your Preschoolers:
1. Virtual Hide and Seek Around the House- Have your preschooler give you clues where they have chosen to hide. Make sure mom or dad is supervising to ensure safe hiding places are happening
2. Cooking with My Teacher– This is a great way to talk about sequence (First, Next, Then, and Last) when cooking! “What are you mixing together first?”
3. Drawing Together/Free Art
4. Virtual Story time
5. Letter Activity (Flash cards)– Show flash cards on the screen and pause for student to respond. Creating online flash cards and using a split screen such as Flip Grid is another option.
6. Grocery shopping with my Teacher- Schedule a time to Zoom while the student is grocery shopping with parents. Practice naming some of the items you see in the store
7. Virtual Circle Time with Friends
8. Show and Tell- This can include favorite toys, household pets, drawings, etc
9. Practice Counting Together
10. Practice ABC’s Song
11. Collect Rocks and Plants from outside and show them off
12. Gardening with my mom/dad and teacher- Schedule a Zoom and plan for your student and parent(s) to plant flowers or vegetables
13. Practice lacing shoe strings
14. Talk about why people are wearing masks
15. Encourage healthy habits– If your preschooler says they need to use the restroom or sneezing, be sure to encourage healthy habits, even virtually
16. Playlist Sing-A-Long
17. Have Your Preschooler Showcase their skills- “Hop on One Foot! Hold Your Left Arm in the Air!”
18. Eat Lunch Together- Schedule a Zoom during your students lunch time and chat it up
19. Nature Walk in Backyard
20. Scavenger Hunt Around the House- Provide pictures and names of safe items that may be in your preschoolers home like “Window,” “Light,” and “Sock”
While these aren’t all sure signs that your preschooler will stay engaged during the entire Zoom video call, these are great learning and interactive opportunities!
Free ABC E-Book for Preschoolers at Home
Create FREE Educational Games for Young Children
If you’ve been looking for game creation without coding, Educandy is the answer!
Educandy allows teachers and parents to create FREE interactive and educational games for young children. I went through the process and the instructions are extremely easy to follow and have a fast turnaround. In all, the process took about 10 minutes.
Upon creating a new login, I was directed to 3 different game options:
1. Create a list of words
2. Matching Pairs
3. Quiz Questions
Since I was gearing the activity towards early learners (ages 3-5), I went with the first option of Create a list of words.
After selecting the Words option, and labeling the game category and title, I was then able to list my choice of words.
Once the list is complete, a sample of the game can be experienced by the creator. For this game, children are given a stopwatch and a small cheerleader emoji as they work to spell each word. This is a great game to enhance language development by practicing letter sounds, spelling, and reading.
There are several ways to share the games including issuing out a game code. This code will be asked to be imputed once the application has been downloaded.
If you’re looking enhance overall engagement in virtual learning or while working from home with your child, give Educandy a try!
