How To Keep Your Children Active During The Lockdown
ADvTECH Group • April 17, 2020
Fun Lockdown Activities To Keep Kids Busy at Home
With the lockdown extension, you might be looking for fresh new ways to keep your kids active and entertained. It’s understandable for everyone to become a little more sluggish during lockdown. It’s extra important for children to stay mentally and physically sharp - for both their mental health and yours. Here are some fun things to do with kids at home.
1.Keeping toddlers busy
Parents of young children or toddlers have had to put in extra efforts to keep their growing kids busy during lockdown. If you’ve exhausted your list of games, crafts or lessons, give these kids activities a try:
2.Mess-free painting
Babies and toddlers will enjoy this sensory experience. So will you, as there isn’t any extra clean-up.
● Add dollops of paint to a sheet of card and slip the card into a Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and let your child use the outer plastic to move and manipulate the paint onto the white card.
3.Easy at-home stamps
● Empty toilet rolls can be used to create heart, oval and circular stamps. Bend the tube to get your desired shape, dip into paint and stamp away.
4.Kids’ activities for older children
If your child is a little older, they’ll have extra energy to exert. Don’t let the days be spent solely behind screens. Physical activities are critical for their mental and physical wellbeing.
● Create a garden scavenger hunt. A simple Google search will yield plenty of printable clues and answers. This will have your kids running around the yard in no time.
● With access to the Internet, it’s also easy to find YouTube dance videos or Yoga classes for kids. These videos have been designed to keep kids engaged in fun, physical movement.
● Take your kids on a garden safari. Encourage your children to reinvestigate the garden by spotting as many bugs or creatures as possible. They can be awarded points for spotting different insects and plants. They could even sketch or document their findings in a notebook. This should keep them occupied outside in the fresh air for a couple of hours.
4.Keeping teens busy during Lock Down
Your teen will probably have a fair amount of school work to keep up with. They also might be the hardest hit emotionally and mentally with the home confinements. When it comes to teens, there are a few different ways you can engage with them in order to make sure they aren’t slipping into a routine of laziness or depression.
● Structure. Develop a daily routine for them and try to stick to it. Assign certain hours for schoolwork, chores, TV and sleep in order to emulate the structure they would normally experience during a school week. This leaves less time for apathy or negative mental talk.
● Up their responsibilities. By creating an atmosphere of “we’re all in this together”, you can help your teen take more responsibility with helping out around the house. By assisting with more chores, they’ll be more physically active
and engaged.
Lockdown in the time of Covid-19 is a strange and uncertain time for all families. Together, families can help each other navigate through the “new normal” while maintaining good habits and a bit of structure.
Add your custom HTML here
Where emotional intelligence, belonging and wellbeing shape confident, high-achieving students
Each year on 14 March, schools across the globe celebrate Pi Day, a playful tribute to the mathematical constant π (3.14). Numbers may seem abstract at first glance, yet behind every formula lies a story of discovery, logic and imagination. Mathematical thinking shapes the way young people analyse the world, solve problems and innovate in fields ranging from medicine to technology. Passion for mathematics rarely appears overnight. Curiosity often provides the starting point. According to Camilla Pretorius, Principal of Trinityhouse Centurion , mathematical confidence develops when students realise that the subject is not about memorising formulas but about exploring patterns and ideas. “Mathematics is fundamentally about curiosity,” Pretorius explains. “Students begin to thrive when they understand that problem-solving is a journey rather than a test of instant ability.” Early childhood plays a critical role in shaping attitudes towards numbers. Young students naturally explore patterns, shapes and quantities through play long before formal lessons begin. Counting steps on a staircase, sorting colourful objects or building towers all introduce foundational mathematical concepts. Teachers who encourage exploration help students associate mathematics with discovery rather than anxiety. Games, puzzles and open-ended questions transform classrooms into spaces where curiosity flourishes. Confidence grows when mistakes become part of learning. “Students sometimes arrive believing they are ‘not maths people’,” Pretorius says. “Changing that mindset requires patience and encouragement. Progress becomes visible once students understand that effort and persistence build mathematical ability.” Academic performance improves when students believe they can succeed. Mathematical confidence determines whether a student will attempt a challenging problem or avoid it entirely. Supportive classroom environments allow students to ask questions, test ideas and learn through trial and error. Teachers play a central role in shaping that environment. Encouraging discussion, celebrating creative thinking and analysing mistakes openly helps students develop resilience.
Celebrating multilingual education at Trinityhouse, where identity, inclusion and global readiness grow together. Experts: Samantha Nkosi, Raesetja Ntuli and Maché Piek (Trinityhouse Centurion Teachers) International Mother Language Day, celebrated annually on 21 February, offers schools across South Africa an opportunity to reflect on language inclusion, cultural diversity and identity. At Trinityhouse Schools, language education is not only about academic achievement. It is about building culturally confident, globally aware students who are proud of their roots. In the early years, language shape’s identity. When young children hear Sepedi, isiZulu, Afrikaans or their home language spoken in the classroom, they feel recognised and valued. Introducing home languages in Pre-Primary affirms cultural heritage at a critical stage of development. Children who encounter familiar words, songs and greetings settle more quickly into school life. Multilingual exposure through music, storytelling, indigenous games and augmented reality books strengthens vocabulary and builds early literacy foundations. Students explore the meaning of their names and surnames, deepening pride in their identity. When a child’s mother tongue is acknowledged, confidence grows. Participation increases. Classrooms become spaces where diversity is celebrated naturally. Early language inclusion supports emotional wellbeing and strengthens school readiness, creating confident students from the very beginning. As students’ progress through Preparatory School, continued development of home language skills alongside English strengthens academic performance. Research and classroom experience consistently show that students who maintain strong home language proficiency demonstrate improved comprehension, stronger reading skills and greater conceptual understanding. Teaching strategies such as repetition, guided group reading and small discussion circles allow multilingual students to participate without pressure. Students often explain concepts in Sepedi before bridging into English, reinforcing understanding and building academic confidence. Parents play a pivotal role in this journey. Daily reading in both English and home languages, storytelling and regular conversation strengthen vocabulary and cognitive development. A strong foundation in a home language enhances English acquisition rather than hindering it. Multilingual students develop cognitive flexibility, empathy and adaptability, essential skills in today’s interconnected world. Aligned with South Africa’s 11 official languages and a strong commitment to diversity in education, Trinityhouse continues to broaden its African language offerings. At Trinityhouse Centurion, Sepedi was introduced at Pre-Primary and Preparatory in 2019 and will be extended to Grade 8 in 2027. Offering Sepedi as a First Additional Language affirms students’ linguistic heritage within an academic setting. When students see their home language valued at high school level, it strengthens identity, belonging and pride. At the same time, multilingual students develop cultural awareness and global readiness. The Sepedi department will prepare students for the IEB National Senior Certificate examinations in their matric year. A structured academic pathway, rigorous assessment standards and active collaboration within the IEB Sepedi cluster across Pretoria and Gauteng will ensure consistency and academic excellence. Close cooperation between the Preparatory and High School departments will further support a smooth and well-coordinated implementation in 2027. Adolescence is a critical period of identity formation. Language inclusion directly influences student confidence, wellbeing and belonging. Being able to connect socially through a shared language reduces isolation and fosters community. Through Respect, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, Public Speaking, assembly celebrations and events such as Heritage Day Fire Feast, Trinityhouse creates spaces where students celebrate linguistic pride through praise poetry, storytelling and song. These moments strengthen engagement, participation and cultural appreciation. International Mother Language Day reminds us that language is more than communication. It is memory, belonging and identity. At Trinityhouse, raising globally competitive students who are proud of their heritage means ensuring that cultural identity and academic excellence walk hand in hand.
Engineering her own future: Trinityhouse Alumni Anya Rabbets thrives in stem
Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science – 11 February
Mind Over Matter: How Trinityhouse Alumna Lauren Crossman Is Shaping Futures
Saiyuri Rampathi – finding her voice, inspiring the next generation
