Half Term???
It's hard to think of dates the way we usually do. School years are broken in to chunks, separated by holidays, defined by school events, following themes and celebrations. Since the world went on hold time has no real meaning. I know the day and date, I am sometimes in work, I am often online, but all else has stopped too so what defines my week has also ceased! This would be the last day of school with either a final term or a final half term running up to summer full of events. Forest School and Outdoor Learning would be blooming right now...
School has never been closed. It is meant to open up more in June and I know lots of people are not happy about that. Whether the schools open their doors and all the children return, or if at 9am on June 1st there is tumbleweed and children stay home, we have to start planning for return and we have to keep offering activities for children to enjoy at home.
The planning and preparing will never be pointless because it will be needed whenever schools open. June, September, 2021... It is a necessity to cater for children who have had all types of experiences during lockdown and may not seem like the children you knew in March. From those desperate to get back to school and those heart broken to leave home.
Adults have reacted to this new restricted life differently also, colleagues and yourselves may find getting back into routine hard for all sorts of reasons. This week has been Mental Health Awareness week and I think all of us have been through Mental Health Adjustment Year in 2020 with varying degrees of success. Our lives have changed a lot since the start of Summer last year. We're heading back to roles that we have done before yet will be alien.
Being outside is still one of the best ways to ease anxiety and feel free. I know it's not stress free when there are crowds, or people who don't seen to understand social distancing, but if you can find a quiet corner, or a calm time to venture out it is always worth the effort. Gardens are a bonus, but walking around quieter streets even has an effect.
If anybody needs to talk then here in the UK then a quick text to The Samaritans via 116123 is a great way to start.
If you are helping the kids use up some energy it's a good time to collect a free resources like twigs and sticks and leaves, and as always we are encouraging our children at home to create and enjoy nature from anywhere. Even as adults doing some of these activities can fill some time and make you smile:
Identify the trees that line the street, or fill a bit of waste land nearby. Venture into the park or woods. Walk by the river...
See what you can find
Both birds and squirrels will find their way to your gate post, fence, sapling, window sill or balcony if you can adapt a jam jar into a feeding station. Bird seed and peanuts are at the supermarket pet aisle, but some scraps will be happily received too!
If you look carefully on your walks outside there are a lot of feathers fluttering now that baby birds are fledging. If they're covered in mud, been run over or not appealing paper feathers work just as well when you create a mobile for inside or out side. If you haven't got a circle make a cross with two sticks to hang them from.
Test your patience and your dexterity!
Fold yourself a fox!
Teach someone else to fold a fox!
Grab an envelope and send your fox to someone who will appreciate it!
And Finally, this is the time all the Dragonflies and Damselflies are emerging from ponds and rivers and lakes all around us.
This will help you identify them.
They are very quick!
But if you are quiet they will take a rest and you might just get to figure out which one you have seen!
So 'enjoy half term' whether you're working from home still, waiting to go back, preparing to go back, still going in to work, still doing home schooling regardless of the date. Take some time out to find something you enjoy.
And stay safe.
School has never been closed. It is meant to open up more in June and I know lots of people are not happy about that. Whether the schools open their doors and all the children return, or if at 9am on June 1st there is tumbleweed and children stay home, we have to start planning for return and we have to keep offering activities for children to enjoy at home.
The planning and preparing will never be pointless because it will be needed whenever schools open. June, September, 2021... It is a necessity to cater for children who have had all types of experiences during lockdown and may not seem like the children you knew in March. From those desperate to get back to school and those heart broken to leave home.
Adults have reacted to this new restricted life differently also, colleagues and yourselves may find getting back into routine hard for all sorts of reasons. This week has been Mental Health Awareness week and I think all of us have been through Mental Health Adjustment Year in 2020 with varying degrees of success. Our lives have changed a lot since the start of Summer last year. We're heading back to roles that we have done before yet will be alien.
Being outside is still one of the best ways to ease anxiety and feel free. I know it's not stress free when there are crowds, or people who don't seen to understand social distancing, but if you can find a quiet corner, or a calm time to venture out it is always worth the effort. Gardens are a bonus, but walking around quieter streets even has an effect.
If anybody needs to talk then here in the UK then a quick text to The Samaritans via 116123 is a great way to start.
If you are helping the kids use up some energy it's a good time to collect a free resources like twigs and sticks and leaves, and as always we are encouraging our children at home to create and enjoy nature from anywhere. Even as adults doing some of these activities can fill some time and make you smile:
Identify the trees that line the street, or fill a bit of waste land nearby. Venture into the park or woods. Walk by the river...
See what you can find
If you look carefully on your walks outside there are a lot of feathers fluttering now that baby birds are fledging. If they're covered in mud, been run over or not appealing paper feathers work just as well when you create a mobile for inside or out side. If you haven't got a circle make a cross with two sticks to hang them from.
Test your patience and your dexterity!
Fold yourself a fox!
Teach someone else to fold a fox!
Grab an envelope and send your fox to someone who will appreciate it!
And Finally, this is the time all the Dragonflies and Damselflies are emerging from ponds and rivers and lakes all around us.
This will help you identify them.
They are very quick!
But if you are quiet they will take a rest and you might just get to figure out which one you have seen!
So 'enjoy half term' whether you're working from home still, waiting to go back, preparing to go back, still going in to work, still doing home schooling regardless of the date. Take some time out to find something you enjoy.
And stay safe.
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