The Games We Play Every Day to Make the School Run Calm, Connected and Fun

Children walking to school with their nanny

The stress of the uniforms, breakfast, reading, homework, correct sports kit and umbrella/helmet fiasco are left at the door and the walk/scoot/drive to school is about to commence.

As a nanny for multiple families of many siblings within one, getting them to (and from) school so they arrive (or get home) feeling seen, heard and understood, sets them off well for the rest of the day or evening.

If you set off late and are constantly nagging them to keep up, and rush, chances are that they won't arrive to school in their best state, never mind what arguments you had before you left on not putting their socks on, or not finishing their breakfast in time. In fact, if you're doing a quick step to school, they are probably doing elite level running speed in comparison with their little legs.

If you want to know how to make that bit calm too, join my free online workshop on Tuesday 16th of June on the school run, mealtimes and organising to reduce tantrums and sibling arguments:

THREE ROUTINES TO CREATE A CALMER, HAPPIER FAMILY HOME

We play word and number games, all the way to school. This is great for phonics and mathematical development but also for personal, social and emotional development.

Here are the top 5 that I recommend, and read to the bottom for one you might not have played!

1. Eye Spy-I am not re-inventing the wheel here but for our younger learners

   we can do colour instead of letter/sound.

   
   

   My top tip is to not let the winner always go next, that leads to upset and perceived unfairness, especially if one sibling finds it easier to guess correctly. Instead, take it in turns and collect points if you really want to make it a competition. (My advice would be not to worry about that, and to instil a love of playing games)

   
   

2. Beginnings and Endings- this is a nice one because it is not about winning or losing. Say a word, let's say "cat" the next person chooses a word that begins with 't', let's pick "train" so the next person would choose a word beginning with 'n'. As the children get used to the game, you can choose a topic such as animals or countries and cities or food.

   
   

   My top tip is to give time for our younger learners to think and let them ask for a tip off their sibling if they feel they can't think of something.

   
   

3. Guess who-one person thinks of a person or character and the other people take it in turns to ask questions such as "are they a writer?", "do I know them in real life?", "are they an animal?" The guessers can ask for clues. Once, a little girl I was nannying thought of the King's Butler!

   
   

4. 21- you are allowed to say up to three numbers and if you say 21 you get to go first next time. You have to be careful and strategic. You can play this with just two people or as many people as you like.

   
   

5. The number game-the person thinks of a number and the other people ask them questions such as "is it odd?", "is it below 50?", "is it a minus number?"

   
   

   Top tip- agree the parameters that the number can be in before you play the game e.g between -100 and 100. As they get more confident with number concepts you can extend the numbers past 1000, we have also guessed up to millions before! I always choose a number with 9 in it, because 9 is my favourite number, and they think this is hilarious.

   
   

BONUS TIPS

Before we even get out the door, we play another game. A teeny tiny game of hide and seek! They have to have their shoes, coat and bag on (and helmet if they are scooting) and they hide while I go for a magic wee!

When I come out, I say; "Are they in the cupboard? no! Are they under the stairs? no! Are they behind the plant? no! Are they behind the door?"

Obviously, if I find them, I don't say no. They are only allowed to go in places that shoes are allowed on in the house and they are not allowed to hide upstairs. Because there are two siblings in this particular family, and there are an odd number of days, on Friday, I hide!

Let me ask you this question...do you think I have ever had to nag them to put their shoes, coat, bags and helmets on?

If you want more tips like this to make your home and routines feel happier and calmer, come to my free workshop on Tuesday 16th of June online:

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