Smart Grandma Connections after COVID 19
SMART THINGS
This was a solid article for our "new normal" as we move forward ie. Wear your fabric mask in the grocery store, but not once you get to the car, washing hands is more important than wearing gloves, etc.
Another thing I've been doing for peace-of-mind - filling out these pages of accounts, files, passwords etc. You might know someone who needs to do that!
The Silver Sneakers FB page and YouTube channel is posting great stretching, balance, and targeted videos (like low back or knee pain) FREE.
TECH THINGS
How to set up Medical ID on your phone.
Reminding you about the Marco Polo app - recorded Facetime videos for the recipient to watch when it works for them. Here is a fun list of "Would You Rather" questions to ask your Grands.
Smart Zoom Tips for the Modern Age. Zoom like a pro! Jack, 5, has been having weekly Zoom meetups with his classmates!
HERE are easy video instructions on how to do a Facetime video with up to 32 people.
Did you know you could have a Netflix Party and synchronize video playback and add group chat to your favorite Netflix show or movie? Get the popcorn ready!
I learned about the Caribu app for playing virtual games with the kids from www.overtheriverlife.com, a long-distance grandparenting site by a Mom and Grandmom in Seattle. Caribu show and cartoon-based - there is sure to be something they will connect with.
LEARNING THINGS
A secret link to Math Superpowers just in case you'll be helping out this fall. Upload a photo of a math problem (yes, a photo!)and this app solves it and explains all the steps in the solving! Aren't you smart?! Pretty sure you know someone who needs this.
Discovered SO MANY new learning resources for all ages from the Smithsonian Institute. We are not done learning!
We enjoyed the Scholastic Learn-at-Home Series and following #OperationReadAloud with authors reading their books, and #SaveWithStories with actors reading their favorites.
You might have a Grand interested in the Math Used in Pixar Movies
When the world has closed in around us, teaching the kids to "reach for the stars" brings beauty and hope. Fun new links added including what the Hubble telescope saw on your birthday.
This would be fun to try with a middle school or high school Grand, even on Zoom - learning to draw this way is kind of an equalizer!
Here are some Printables for all ages from Passports. You could try some of the projects on Facetime.
TEN PAGES of kids' education links for all ages and interests.
We are tiring of the online experience with the kids except in very small doses but THIS is a great resource for 1000 free virtual experiences for family learning (even dance lessons from the Rockettes!) There might be something for you!
MAKING THINGS
Making soap fun! I think I'll put a picture of a finger-wagging me in there!
Make something - we have a bazillion ideas on our Pinterest pages for all ages and abilities. Yep, I stocked up on craft supplies instead of TP - but even a supply of pipe cleaners is enough! We made pipe cleaner versions of the animals we studied this week.
CONNECTIONS
Make a custom photo collage using your own photos to drag and drop. I saw a sample of all the photos arranged in a heart shape.
Here’s a site to make custom word search and custom crosswords puzzles using all kinds of fun custom clues!
Make a FREE digital jigsaw puzzle from your own photos - what a fun way to interact with those long-distance Grands!
A creative, playful, whimsical, and printable deck of fun activities with the kids. The creator is doing a kickstarter to get her project rolling, but you can print her idea cards right now for free!
We have been enjoying the daily Hidden Picture puzzles from Highlights (like you used to do in the doctor's office). I think you could find a way to do it together on Facetime with your own screens. It times you; we had a hard one on Friday - 18 minutes of fun!
BEST library story hour ever! My Grands squeal each time the little bear pulls something from his sleeping bag. Kim makes many of her own puppets - look for her on Wednesdays.
Storycorps considers this pandemic a moment of urgency and has come up with StoryCorps Connect, a digital version of its mobile recording booths. They have fab interview questions to get anyone talking about their life.
Another GREAT LIST of conversation starters - early childhood thru pre-teen, but short.
Do you have an older Grand with an interest in writing? This NYT writing prompt resource astounded me - click on one of the questions to see how the prompt is set up - more than 1000 brilliant ideas! Great conversation starters for that difficult age too!
Jason Reynolds, our National Ambassador for Young People's Literature has great weekly video writing prompts for school age kids. Some might make great conversation starters with your long-distance Grand, like thinking up a new and wild ice cream treat.
Fab free printable of 50+ Simon Says Ideas we’ve had so much fun with - great mood lifter - I taped it to the fridge.
Easy ways to get kids birding from the Audubon Society. This teenage hockey player was hooked on birding by his grandfather. And what about these FABULOUS bird feeders duck-taped to the window!
We found new books to love and fun games to play during this time together. Be sure to check out our Amazon Shopping Page for Grand Gift Ideas. We receive a small percentage when you use our link with no extra cost to you. It helps keep Grandycamp ad-free. Thank you!
INSPIRATIONS
Hope, patience, color, creativity, and planning come with planting a seed. Our “Reader’s Dozen” of picture books chosen by Children’s Literature professionals, and one for STEM.
This post on 68 unsolicited pieces of advice (written on his 68th birthday) has SO MANY smart things for us! ex. - "Being able to listen well is a superpower. While listening to someone you love keep asking them “Is there more?”, until there is no more" and "Being enthusiastic is worth 25 IQ points."
This was written earlier in the year, but maybe volunteering at a Grandchild's school will be a good way to connect in the future. We can still wish, can't we?! Reading with the kids has been the best part of our day in these weeks.
Start planning that first sleepover movie night! 32 Best Kids' Movies Streaming Now. We watched Honey I Shrunk the Kids this week.