External Resources You Won’t Want To Miss

There are so many information sources going around at the moment, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed just by this alone.

We’ve compiled this list of External Resources* which you won’t want to miss!

Whatever you need support with - from pro-active educational tools, information banks and fitness activities, to arts and crafts, virtual performances and exhibitions, as well as wellbeing and SEND supports and parental and safeguarding guidance - we hope you’ll find them useful to keep you and your loved ones occupied, entertained and in good mental health.

Educational Tools

• Khan Academy Kids – An app with engaging ways to learn core subjects.
• Oak National Security - Three hours of daily learning resources and video lessons, worksheets and quizzes for primary children (four hours for secondary).
• Primaryreources.co.uk – Topic based spelling challenges, lesson plans, teaching ideas and free worksheets.
• Scholastic – Check out the resource bank with a host of teaching resources and education aids.
• Twinkle – a teaching aid with a multitude of resources for school age children including special needs differentiation.
• TES – Over 100,000 resources split into early years, primary, secondary and special needs and free home learning packs.
• The Maths Factor.com - Carol Vorderman’s site with free access to maths that follow the National Curriculum for 4-12 year olds.
• Royal Shakespeare Company’s Learning Zone - with resources for plays, live lessons, activity toolkits and behind the scenes information.
• Audible – free 30-day trial of the Amazon owned online book library.

Information Banks

• BBC Bitesize – The BBC’s child-focussed resource covering early years, primary and secondary education including articles and topic-focussed information.
• National Geographic Kids – packed with information, resources and quizzes.

YouTube/FB Activities

• PE With Joe on The Body Coach TV – Fitness instructor Joe Wicks takes a PE lesson for kids at 9am Monday – Friday.
• Actiphons - a daily dose of phonics and physical activity. 
• Zumba Kids - A child-focussed version of the adult dance workout
• Cosmic Kids Yoga – yoga and mindfulness sessions aimed at the Over 3's with kid-friendly backdrops.
• Oti Mabuse (her of Strictly fame) is giving free daily dance classes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (Themes - Tuesday/Trolls, Wednesday/Shrek, Thursday/Mary Poppins, Friday/Jungle Book
• David Walliams is providing free audio stories at 11:00am www.worldofdavidwalliams.com

Arts and Crafts 

• Exploration of the Day – an art based daily assignment to bring together people in isolation.
• The National Portrait Gallery –  has over 150,000 pictures online and will be showing all 48 selected works in the BP Portrait Award 2020 - in a free online exhibition opening on Tuesday 5 May. 
• Artist Kristjana S Williams has provided a free collage kit to print out, cut out and use to create a collage in her unique style.
• Open Culture – 113 free downloadable colouring books from different museums amongst many other resources including over 1,000 free movies.

Science & Space

• NASA – explore activities, podcasts, videos and more as they recently made their whole library free to the public
• Phet – Interactive simulations to help with sciences, earth studies and maths.

Quizzes

• Quizizz, Kahoot! Quizlet – Online resources to create or use ready-made quizzes and games as well as live versions which enable group quizzes. 

Virtual Shows, Performances and Tours

• See Shakespeare on demand at The Globe with these free-to-view performances.
• Check out the weekly play from The National Theatre’s productions.
• The English National Ballet – are showing a weekly performance hosted on YouTube.
• Wigmore Hall is offering a series of three free to access performances available for 24 hours each Monday.
• The Shows Must Go On – a weekly dose of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical available for free for 24hrs only on YouTube.
• Ok this one’s not free but if you’re a musicals fan then the fabulous lesmis.com/concert can be downloaded for £9.99 and proceeds go towards the theatre community and The NHS.
• Take a self-guided tour and see the wonders of the unique Yosemite National Park. 
• Pretend to travel the world. Go on a virtual tour of these 12 famous museums.
• Edinburgh Zoo live cam https://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams
• Or for adults only - what about a Virtual Pub Quiz – with funds also going to The NHS – it’s raised nearly £20,000 already and is held every Thursday night after the 8pm Clap for The NHS and Key Workers.

Wellbeing & Good Mental Health 

• The Happiness Lab - 10 new podcasts specifically to help deal with the Coronavirus pandemic - free on apple downloads. 
• Headspace - Free meditations, sleep, and movement exercises are currently available from this app that promotes mindfulness and meditation.
• Government guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health - 10 new podcasts specifically to help deal with the Coronavirus pandemic - free on Apple downloads outbreak.
• NSPCC - a range of resources if you're worried a child may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety about coronavirus (COVID-19).
• BBC Bitesize - Five ways to support children’s mental health. 
• How to build resilience in your child.

Special Educational Needs

• Government SEND support resources
• National Autistic Society - has a range of specific tools and advice to support households with family members with autism.

Parental Supports

• Coronavirus – A Children’s Guide, a free information book illustrated by the fabulous Axel Scheffler (of The Gruffalo fame).
• A Parent’s Guide to Promoting Early Learning and Development at Home (0 - 5 years). 
• Vox covers 7 big questions children have for parents during this crisis and how to answer them. 
• Thinkuknow - worksheets offering online safety advice for the current situation – covering both primary and secondary age children, as well as Jessie and Friends videos for 4-7 year olds.
• ‘Safer Internet’ offers advice and tips on safe remote learning. 
• LGfl offers advice on safe remote learning for students and parents.

Safeguarding 

• CEOP - Worth being aware that this is where you can refer concerns over online communications or sexual abuse. 
• Childline offers 1:1 support and a guide to staying safe online for adults and children.

*Please note that this list is general signposting and is not a specific endorsement or recommendation by Bright Horizons. Should you utilise or download any of these resources, any exchange of data is solely between you and that provider – please note that these resources may be subject to their own terms and conditions and / or privacy notice. (As Bright Horizons has no control of the contents of the external resources, it can assume no responsibility or liability for these resources or the provider’s use of any data you share with them.) This list will be updated on a regular basis. Please feel free to share with friends and family through www.brighthorizons.co.uk/familyresources