imone hasn't let the lockdown stop toddlers dancing and singing. She has moved her successful business, Teenie Boppers, online through YouTube free of charge during the Covid-19 situation.
imone hasn't let the lockdown stop toddlers dancing and singing. She has moved her successful business, Teenie Boppers, online through YouTube free of charge during the Covid-19 situation.
Toddlers are not really known for being quiet and still at the best of times, so parenting a toddler when the local parks or day trips to trampoline or soft play places are off limits is certainly going to be a testing time for many parents.
As a mother of three ex-toddlers, I can certainly empathise with anyone experiencing lockdown with a child under five, and hope to help a little by sharing some great sites and ideas to keep your young one moving and happy during alert level 4.
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If your little one loves their regular music class, and are missing it right now, Simone Middleton's bright and energetic YouTube videos might just help.
A former performer from London's West End, Simone is now introducing a whole new generation to the joy of music and song, through her popular Teenie Bopper classes.
Simone, who played Joule in Andrew Lloyd Webber's popular musical Starlight Express on the stage of the Apollo Victoria in London, is now using her talents to keep toddlers moving and singing, even during lockdown.
Simone in character in Starlight Express on stage in London.
Normally Simone, who set up Teenie Boppers after she left the West End to have her first child, teaches her classes in person in a variety of locations around Kent in the UK. As lockdown hit the UK, Simone says she couldn't bear the idea of stopping the classes.
Instead, she is busy making a range of videos to share to YouTube and toddlers along with their parents are loving it.
A natural performer, Simone is at home in front of the camera and her boundless energy, bright costumes and great voice make this a show your children will watch time and time again. Keep an eye out for her cute co-star, Snoopy the dog, on camera too.
Simone's videos are on YouTube - search for Teenie Boppers Music Group or click here to see one of the videos. You can also follow the group on Facebook.
Stratford Library is also helping keep your toddler's love of music and movement going, with librarian Kate Fairhurst who has created a Spotify playlist for parents and babies missing the popular Wā Pēpi Baby Times the library had been running.
The Spotify list, along with lots of other great content for all ages during lockdown, can be found on the Stratford Library Facebook page here.
If you need a break from reading to your toddler for the 100th time in the past hour, you can bring in some help, thanks to some great children's authors sharing their talent, and voices, online.
Popular children's author and entertainer, Deano Yipadee, is filming a series of Facebook Live videos during lockdown.
While the lockdown has stopped Mr Yipadee touring, he is still bringing his unique entertainment to children across the globe via Facebook live videos. Photo / Facebook
In them Deano, better known as Mr Yipadee, reads, sings, dances and generally entertains his way through some of his popular books including ones from the best selling Nee Naw The Little Fire Engine series as well as Stink-o-saurus and other popular titles.
If you miss the time for the Facebook live video, they are available afterwards as well on his Facebook page.
If you aren't a fan of Mr Yipadee (but honestly, who isn't - the man is a comic genius) then how about enjoying storytime with Captain America? Chris Evans, who plays Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of many celebrities to take part in #savewithstories. Search for the hashtag on Instagram or Facebook and you will find a wide range of celebrities reading popular children's books.
Jimmy Fallon is one of the many celebrities reading stories to children online during the lockdown.
Chris Evans reads If You Give A Dog A Donut by Laura Numeroff and illustrated by Felicia Bond and whether you are a fan of the Marvel movies or not, listening to him read you (sorry, I mean your toddler ...) a story is certainly enjoyable. Don't believe me? Check it out yourself here.
Chris isn't the only Marvel-related star to join in the project, Chris Pratt (of Star-Lord fame from Guardians of the Galaxy), is also joining in the fun. He joins up with his wife Katherine Schwarzenegger, a popular author. Unsurprisingly the couple choose one of Katherine's own books to read, taking it in turns to read from Maverick and Me, written by Katherine and illustrated by Phyllis Harris. Listen and watch the cute couple here.
The #savewithstories initiative was the brainchild of actresses Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams. The actresses are working with two charities, Working with Save the Children and No Kid Hungry, to raise money for children who don't have access to meals while schools across the United States are closed.
Jennifer and Amy have recorded their own videos reading stories to children, and invited other celebrities to join. People watching are asked to consider donating to the cause, to help keep children fed.
There are far too many great videos to talk about in this initiative, so just go online and search #savewithstories to find your own favourite, from all sorts of celebrities including Jimmy Fallon, Kelly Clarkson, Jeff Goldblum, Jake Gyllenhaal and more.
Little ones need to relax too, so if you are looking for a zen approach to lock down, consider checking out Cosmic Yoga on YouTube.
Aimed for ages three and up, these yoga-based videos are perfect for younger ones, and get the seal of approval from teachers worldwide who have been using the videos in schools all over the world.
Children can try out some yoga with video tutorials specially aimed at young children with Cosmic Yoga on YouTube. Photo / YouTube
Using stories, a colourful background and friendly and playful characters the videos are sure to capture the attention of your young one and get them enjoying some great active screen time.
There are plenty of different stories to choose from, and with a Frozen themed video in the mix, it is likely to be popular with your children. They also have Harry Potter, Star Wars and Trolls-themed yoga sessions as well as shorter videos such as Pedro the Penguin.
A different type of movement activity can be found from Sadler's Wells Theatre. The famous performing arts base in London has expanded its usual offering to include a series of at home workshops for young children and their families to enjoy during the lockdown.
Led by Cherie Coleman, they feature a range of simple movement activities children can do at home.
Sessions last around 15 minutes, and will take children through a range of movements in a fun way. Each one is themed, from animals to colours to skills such as balancing or jumping. Check out the animals themed one here.
Finally, if you want to introduce them to a little bit of camera magic, then how about inviting a tiger to come and play with them?
Thiemo Hanne, 8, braves a pat on a tiger's back.
Tigers along with lions, hedgehogs, penguins, wolves and more can make a cameo appearance in your smartphone photos and surprise your youngsters.
To get the image, simply open up Google on your phone and search for an animal. If available, you will see an option offering "see in 3D", click that and follow the instructions and you can give those family snapshots an extra dimension.
