Monthly Archives: April 2020

Apr 27
0

5 Things your child can learn through medical play

By | Skidos | No Comments
Parents across the world are grappling with an unprecedented difficulty of dealing with their kids who are too young to understand the inexplicable situation the world has found itself in. 

It isn’t easy to explain to a child the science of something that is neither living nor dead? How do you tell your child that a virus can kill people? 

Children are seldom taught about medical items they see at the hospital. So they might think some items are scarier than they actually are. To tackle this fright, the best way is by making them believe like it’s no big deal. 

We all have grown pretend playing ‘doctor doctor’ as toddlers. Seeing a tiny stethoscope holding hands and pretending to be a doctor or nurse felt powerful during play. Guess what, online learning games can be equally playful and rather more informative. 

So let’s learn what are the 5 things important your child can learn through medical play:

  1. The online doctor games help your kids get familiar with basic medical tools and learn about the human body. Kids have seen a band aid, but learning the procedure of first cleaning the dirt, sanitizing the wound before applying one is altogether more intriguing.

2. Online learning games reduce fears of doctor visits as a child can herself try out different medical tools and help cute characters (animated patients in the game) to get healthy again.

3. Pretend medical play improves fine motor skills, enhance communication skills and boost cognitive progress. The game also aims to encourage children to pick up core programming principles using logical reasoning. The sequence and number of actions performed on each patient (animated character) is well memorized by the child. For example, in case of a fracture, the process starts with scanning the injured body part with an x-ray machine, thereafter fixing the bones and putting a plaster on. 

4. Maintenance of Hygiene is one of the key factors why parents promote their preschoolers to play Doctor Games. Aching tooth; sore throat; swollen ears; ear pain; mild fever; sneezing; running nose are all common ailments that can be avoided by minimizing the risk of catching infection. You will notice that your kid will start taking his/her personal hygiene habits more seriously. 

5. You would be surprised to learn that pretend medical play strengthens children’s math skills! With the improved, visual interactive learning content in the form of games, online doctor games for preschoolers make geometry fun and so much more. 

We, at Skidos, have released ‘SKIDOS Doctor’ fun role-playing game that will encourage your child to play a doctor and treat patients. Your child can try out different medical tools and treat 3 cute characters in a playful way.

Ask your child if she wants to be the “doctor,” Asking questions such as “What is this?” and “What is that for?” will give you a better view of what your kid knows about a medical procedure. It can help you learn your child’s fears about a specific health care experience. You can also explain things that seem confusing to her.



Apr 15
1

8 Tips On How To Cope Up With Kids During A Quarantine

By | Skidos | No Comments

This pandemic has taken the world by storm, and how! There’s no protocol in place because, let’s face it – the last pandemic was over a century ago. History is our only teacher, and everyone from governments to organisations to individuals are trying to read up on how the world coped the last time. We’re hoping that that, along with our own concoction of how to survive this will help us pull through. If we look at the demographics of a home, there are kids, teens, adults and senior citizens. The teens, adults and senior citizens will go through the stages of confusion, denial and acceptance, and eventually figure out a routine during the lockdown. What happens to the kids? They have a lot more energy than adults and no where to channel it. They have the intellectual capacity to understand and obey the rules of a lockdown, but they’re definitely not going to like it. 

Don’t stress. We bring you a list of activities your kid can engage in at home that, apart from entertainment, will also help in their mental, physical and emotional health.

1. Art & Craft

Most kids enjoy working with colours, exploring their creativity, getting messy and taking joy in the masterpiece they’ve created- even though the parents have a tough time deciphering the artwork. The empty canvas is a lot more than just a piece of blank paper. It’s the instrument that allows children to channel all their energy and creativity. It brings out the imagination and originality of the child. Similarly, kids can get creative with clay, beads and blocks (Legos).

2. Getting Ready

Learning games can help kids become independent and accountable. Apps like SKISOS teach kids how to get ready after a shower without anyone’s help. The interactive game  llows the child to help the animated character perform the various tasks involved in getting ready like drying yourself with a towel, blow-drying your hair, combing your hair, putting on a little perfume and finally picking out a set of clothes. The kids will eventually want to try it out for themselves making them less dependent on the parents.

3. Reading & Storytelling

The bookworm life can actually be a good one. Books have the ability to transport you to different worlds. Be it fantasy or reality, the previous century or the current one, books develop language, reason, vocabulary and cognition. Emotionally, it builds empathy, humility and self-confidence in children since all characters have a story to tell. They can engage in storytelling games where members of the family can complete the story allowing the family to bond and get creative at the same time. To spice things up even more, the storytelling can be in the form of a puppet show where the puppets could be anything from dolls to characters made out of newspaper, crepe paper or clay.

4. Getting Involved in Chores

Today, there are some great apps like SKIDOS that help kids learn how to complete household chores. It has interactive games that allow the children to perform the task virtually, step by step. For example, washing clothes involves putting the detergent in the detergent tray, putting the clothes in the washer and lastly running the dryer. This helps kids understand that being part of all household chores can be fun, easy and helpful. While playing these games, your child can practice 1000’s of math & coding puzzles  

5. Cooking

Young chefs are all the rage now-a-days. Kids are much more capable that what adults peg them to be. They can help out with baking  mixing and decorating. Fun-shaped cookies, decorative cupcakes and home-made chocolates are easy to make with kids. Kids may not like vegetables, but when they themselves add veggies in a sandwich or on a pizza, they are more than happy to eat what they believe they’ve cooked. Getting them involved in cooking is a great way to get them to eat what’s cooked at home without making a fuss.

SKIDOS Bakery Fun Math Game

6. Music

Music has the power to turn every dull day into a bright one. Any activity that’s related to music, be it dancing, singing or playing the musical instrument that you’ve been taking classes for is an amazing way to pass the time. It may seem like it’s not helping in any kind of cognitive development, but it does. Musical activities bring out focus, grasping power and dedication in a child. Apart from it being loads of fun, it helps tire out the kids which, in turn, helps them to sleep well at night.

7. Taking Care of Clothes

Kids can be taught how to take care of their clothes when it comes to sorting, ironing, folding and storing. SKIDOS games help kids to learn how to iron and fold clothes. This allows the child to learn how to safely take care of their clothes. It also saves parents from the menace of a messy room and the back pain that comes with clearing all the clothes tossed around the bedroom. Plus your kid can practice math & coding while doing the fun stuff.

8. Family Games

Now is the time for everyone at home to get creative. If you put a little thought to it, games like pictionary, charades, sing-along games, dance-along games, scrabble, uno, carrom and chess are surprisingly fun for the entire family. These are games that we don’t get down to playing on a regular day because everyone is caught up with their own schedules. You could even make up a few games of your own, and if all else fails, create the atmosphere of a camp site just like the movies, and tell stories under a blanket with a torch. These small memorable experiences will prove to be unforgettable.

Apr 11
1

Bring Easter indoors for kids during coronavirus lockdown

By | Skidos | No Comments

Did you recently see a video of a three-year-old kid saying hi to imaginary people during his lonely morning walks which has gone viral on the internet? Poor little thing. Isn’t it? We are social beings so we do need hugs and touch, but the lockdown due to coronavirus (COVID 19) threat has displaced children from friends, learning and their school community.

This has certainly affected young tots’ doing pretend hugs. And while it is difficult to explain the gravity of practicing social distancing to children, we thought of sharing some super fun ways of distracting them with engaging activities.  

Easter celebrations are just around the corner, which usually means fancy meals and playing fun games for many families. Since the festivities will need to be enjoyed indoors, it doesn’t mean you can’t get creative.

Here are recommended top 5 Easter activities to do in lockdown this year:

Story Reading Session: 

Parents play a vital role in developing their children’s faith in god. As the Easter season rolls around, you should be ready with anecdotes about Jesus’ death and resurrection. Explain to your children what Easter means to you and why the egg became the symbol for Easter.

Make Little Picassos Paint Easter eggs:

There are several theories as to why the egg became the symbol for Easter. For one, it symbolizes new life. Egg decoration is a custom that dates back to the 13th century. Indulge in some DIY crafts that will help you insert the Easter magic in your home in the difficult times. Paint funny face eggs using water colours. Let the kids experiment using brushes and liquidy dyes. 

“Creativity is not about doing something better than others, it is about thinking, exploring, discovering, and imagining.” –  Mary Ann Kohl, author of numerous award-winning art idea books for children.

Easter Egg Hunt:

It’s rather simple to set up an egg hunt at home or in your backyard, but neighborhoods are getting creative this year and planning their indoor hunts, too. Paint the eggs so that they camouflage the background. Hide it in flower pots, amidst the plants of the backyard. 

Challenge little kids with logic questions to get them thinking with clues to find each egg’s hidden location. 

Did you know

 Pennsylvania Dutch believed in an egg-laying hare called Oschter Haws (or Osterhase). Because this Easter Bunny laid eggs in the grass, kids are encouraged to build nests and search for the eggs that are hidden by parents, friends and families. 

Bake Easter treats with young Bakers:

Don’t we still recollect our days baking yummy cupcakes, chocolate fudges, swiss rolls at school in home science classes? Make your little chef wear a chef hat and an apron and let his hands get dirty in the dough. 

Cherish the million-dollar expression on your child’s face as he serves tiny pieces into your plates. There’s a lot that kids can learn while cooking. Besides learning the names of the ingredients, kids also learn to limit wastage. 

Learning Math the interactive way:

Skidos interactive learning games are helping kids all across the globe stay healthy while stuck indoors due to the pandemic. Now since it’s Easter time, your child’s favourite animal for the week is rabbit. Interestingly, SKIDOS games including Rabbit Rescue help kids master their mathematics skills and develop their interest in coding. 

Take advantage of the opportunities you get to engage with your child that lifts their spirits during pandemic. 

Remember, the Gospel message. Pray that God would give you wisdom and the Holy Spirit would bring clarity to your children as they learn.

Apr 09
1

5 Best Easter Movies to Watch with your Kids

By | Skidos | No Comments

We have got a few of the best Easter movies to lighten up your mood during the Coronavirus pandemic!  

1. The Dog Who Saved Easter (2014)

The Bannister family is going on vacation over Easter, but unfortunately, Zeus doesn’t get to tag along, and ends up at doggy daycare for the weekend. During his stay, a criminal comes in and tries to wreck the business—but the fearless pup steps in to save the day

2. It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown (1974) 

The Peanuts crew is back together for another holiday in this animated TV short. Peppermint Patty and Marcie attempt the art of decorating Easter eggs, while Snoopy searches for a new home for Woodstock.

3. The Miracle Maker (2000) 

This stop-motion-animated movie portrays Jesus’s many miraculous acts, as seen through the eyes of a terminally ill girl. 

4. Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)

Who’s not a fan of VeggieTales? Introduce your kids to these cute fruits and veggies this Easter with Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie. 

5. Peter Rabbit

A modern take on Beatrix Potter’s 1902 Tale of Peter Rabbit, the movie Peter Rabbit isn’t specifically about Easter, though it does fit several of the holiday’s themes, including mischievous rabbits and blooming gardens.

 

Apr 07
0

5 times your child must learn the importance of maintaining hygiene

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“Eww! It’s dusty” “Did you wash your hands?” “Come on guys. It’s time to brush your teeth.” “You’re sweaty. You will develop skin infection” The tiny little hands are always reaching out to grab anything they see.

The coronavirus pandemic has inflicted significant damage and panic worldwide. When people ask how to protect children from COVID-19, one of the first suggestions from the doctors is washing your hands. 

Here are five events in a day when your kid must keep regards for cleanliness:

1. Back from School: Children are more inclined to catching infections than adults, the reason being that children are in close contact with other kids at daycare or school where germs are easily transmitted. Unfortunately, most children are not as conscious of personal hygiene as they should be, which increases their risk of illness.

Encourage your child to bathe daily and twice a day during summer. Their bath should include scrubbing their skin with soap, shampooing hair every other day and getting rid of the lather without wasting water. This routine can easily be adapted by making them play interactive learning games such as Skidos » Apps » Bath – Learning Games For Kids

2. Toilet hygiene: Do not assume that it is a very early age for that they are not in a position to maintain cleanliness all around. Potty Training could be tiring if you practice traditional ways. It takes days of practice and patience with little humans to teach them things like – Wiping the bum properly and the seat after use, flush, washing hands with soap, and spraying a bathroom freshener. 

Don’t give up, and try making them play potty training learning games such as these – Learning Games For Kids. Your child competes to win the game by completing all the tasks and helps teach mouth sanitation too.

3. Coughing and Sneezing Hygiene: As the new coronavirus is spreading rapidly throughout the world, parents are increasingly on edge. Kids must learn coughing and sneezing etiquettes at a very early stage. Prevent your child from spreading infections by teaching him/her how to sneeze and cough by covering the mouth and nose with a handkerchief, sleeve or elbow instead of naked hands. 

One very interesting part of the Skidos KIDS BATH game is that it lets your kid learn how to clean up and wipe the nose with a tissue and then bin it. It’s effortless and fun!

4. Table Hygiene: Before teaching table manners to children, it’s critical to teach them how to eat neatly. It’s okay for them to experiment and waste some food. You will see the mess with spilled food and drinks. You keep cleaning it up, they’ll never stop spilling. The best way to make them learn to eat with a spoon neatly and also serve others properly is by making them clean their own mess first. Cultivate the habit of leaving the plate in the kitchen sink after finishing their food. Make sure they gargle after every meal so that the food particles in the mouth get washed away.

Simple steps 

Wash your Hands -> Serve the food -> wear a bib -> eat neatly -> Plates in the sink -> wash your hands -> gargle 

5. Back From the Playground: Things like mud, door handles, and food from outside and even toys can be unhygienic and could pose problems in the form of transmittable diseases. As always, encourage toddlers to wash their hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds. Sweat can bring in a lot of bacteria on one’s body if not cleaned regularly. It’s alright to not give them a bath every time they come from outside, but it’s imperative to get rid of sweat, precipitation and odor from the body, armpits, feet and hands as sweat is a perfect breeding ground for viruses and fungi.

Remember, kids learn more and better when they see than that when they are made to do something. So, let us follow these basic etiquettes for a healthy lifestyle and be a role model for our kids. Don’t forget to praise them when they follow good practices. 



Apr 03
0

5 tricks to keep kids entertained during Coronavirus pandemic

By | Skidos | No Comments

With schools closed around the globe because of the coronavirus pandemic and the magnitude of those closures looking increasingly long, parents find it difficult to juggle ‘work from home’ and full-time parenting. 

In almost all the schools in most. of the countries, kids  are made to attend online learning sessions. In other cases, this is the best time for the kids to spend as much time with their folks and learn all that they could not at school. 

Being stuck at home does not mean we have to go bonkers with boredom. Take it this way, you have a lifetime opportunity to bond with your kid and groom him/her into a finer version of yourself. 

From the future Picassos to the next Indiana Jones, here’s how to keep them occupied.

Learning to look at the brighter side, always

We have done enough grumbling about people not adhering to government safety norms, spouses not lending a helping hand in the kitchen, it’s not time to look at the better side of everything. Did you make your little one realize the ozone is fixing itself, the air quality index has come down significantly, the Dolphins have returned and the birds are chirping like never before. You have enough time to teach your little ones the significance of the term sustainable living.

Limit the screen time, but make it fun 

According to W.H.O., kids should get only 1-hr of screen time. Now this is the ideal technique to integrate the interactive learning content into them. There’s a wide range of homeschooling and online learning games like SKIDOS  which lets your 2-10 year olds enjoy customized learning. 

The platform has 30+ learning games. Kids Bath – One of the games teaches hygiene practices for the kids in a fun way. With the help of this game, you can ensure that your kids can learn the best practices to keep themselves clean during the Covid 19 outbreak 

Designate blocks for household chores

It’s the time of Global Lockdown , so let them loose with some pots and pans.

Toddlers like feeling useful. Leave clothes, dustpan and broom within easy access so they can ‘help’ you clean. Allow them to ‘sweep’ their room, wash their utensils and fold their clothes. This age group has a keen eye for the smallest things, it’s the best time for them to learn gardening. If a child sow seeds, he/she will water it daily to thrillingly watch it grow into a plant. Reverse psychology, you see.

Young chefs in making 

It’s a treat for mothers to watch preschoolers roll up their sleeves, measure flour, knead dough, and bake from scratch. Once the output comes out of the oven smelling delicious, these young bakers are proud of what they have made. DIY baking is another interesting early home science training you can give to your children through online learning apps.  SKIDOS  has enough ‘learning to bake’ games in the store. 

Did you know: SKIDOS Bakery Game helps kids master their mathematics skills and develop their interest in coding.

 

 

Introduction to the globe (Geography) 

Learning about maps can be made meaningful and fun by making maps a part of your kids’  environment. 

We often come across seven or eight-year-old students who can’t name more than fifteen or sixteen countries, or tell you the difference between a continent or a country. These students are otherwise quite smart – they can solve math problems well above their reading level, but simply haven’t been taught that much about maps or geography. 

Open a world map on your phone or ipad  and spot places where you’ve been and where you want to go. There are a lot of kids learning apps that engage children with quizzes, interesting trivia related to physical features, people, or food from those places.