11 Jan Resources for home-schooling during Covid
This is undoubtedly a stressful and strange time for everyone, and it is important to set realistic goals for each day during this period of home-schooling. If you are a parent, it is important to keep in mind that you are not a teacher and you are not expected to be one! Getting assigned homework done and avoiding any backslide on progress made should be your main focuses in terms of school work. Above all we need to mind the mental health of everyone at this challenging time.
DAI has a wide range of information and advice available on our website including how parents can help.
We also have videos available on our YouTube channel covering a range of topics including
• 5 steps after dyslexia assessment
• Understanding the technical terms in an assessment report
• Covid-19 and helping children with dyslexia
Below we include links to a range of useful online resources.
Online resources
A number of Irish educational publishers are giving free access to ebook editions of their books at the moment. This includes CJ Fallon, Folens, Gill Books, and Edco. Further information can be found on their websites.
The National Council for Special Education has a list of online resources for children with Special Educational Needs available.
Help My Kid Learn is a Department of Education and Skills website with a range of activities and resources for parents and children.
HelpKidzLearn offers accessible software and games for children with learning difficulties
Urability offers advice and training on how technology can support learners including computers, specialist software and apps for tablets or mobile devices.
You can create a free account on Twinkl.ie to access a large collection of educational resources and worksheets which can be accessed and completed on a range of devices, with no apps to install.
RTÉ Learn includes lots of great educational content for both primary and second level RTE, including Home School Hub and After School Hub, and check out the great Irish content on TG4 too.
Free downloadable activity workshops are available from TTS.
Reading and Phonics
- Nessy have a range of apps which help to develop literacy skills, including the highly-recommended Hairy Phonics
- Teach Your Monster to Read is a reading and phonics game which is available on iPhone, Android, and Kindle, as well as for free through the official website
- Libraries Ireland offer online sign-ups, so that you and your family can access eBooks and audiobooks while libraries themselves are closed to the public. Download their Borrowbox app.
- Audible is a site where you can access a wide range of audio books for all ages.
- NCBI’s Bookshare.ie service enables learners with dyslexia to access a wide library of online alternative formats to read on your own device and with your preferred text-to-speech software.
Art and Physical Activity
- Go Noodle offers fun healthy exercise and dance activities.
- Deep Space Sparkle have nice art resource packs.
- Cosmic Kids Yoga offers funs yoga activities for kids.
- PE with Joe is available from The Body Coach Joe Wicks.
