FIRST CLASS
How celebs are homeschooling your kids during coronavirus lockdown, from Joe Wicks’ PE lessons to Myleene Klass on music
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SINCE schools closed last Friday for the foreseeable future due to the coronavirus outbreak - delighting the nation's kids - parents have been sharing their very relatable accounts of their desperate attempts to homeschool them.
But as a dad tried to teach arithmetic using toilet rolls and a mum let her daughter create a timetable featuring "arse and crafts", the likes of Joe Wicks, Myleene Klass, Carol Vorderman and David Walliams have come to the rescue.
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In self-isolation lockdown, celebrities are doing their bit to educate the children of Brits during this uncertain time by holding virtual classes on staple subjects, including science, maths, english, PE, dance and food tech.
This onslaught of starry goodwill comes as schools shut last week except to the kids of key workers - such as nurses, firefighters and supermarket staff.
With the pandemic estimated to continue until at least June, it could be many months before pupils find themselves back in a classroom.
So, in response, famous faces have been doing their bit to help out parents for whom getting their offspring to do any learning has so far been an uphill battle.
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It all started with Joe Wicks, who last week announced he would be keeping youngsters fit via virtual PE lessons - and now other stars are holding lessons in a variety of subjects from their homes.
But who are the other stars taking your little one through the curriculum one red carpet-friendly step at a time? From maths to science, to music and dance, you better add these to today’s timetable…
PE with Mr Wicks
We’re not sure it’s a subject that many would have missed - but it’s certainly an important one for health, and all the more so given the new restrictions announced last night that force us to stay at home as much as possible.
Ensuring children around the country are getting regular exercise in quarantine is Joe Wicks - also known as The Body Coach - who is live streaming virtual PE lessons via his channel at 9am from Monday to Friday for the foreseeable future.
Yesterday morning, according to , one million homes tuned into the 33-year-old Instagram star’s first class - including the offspring of Coleen Rooney, Stacey Solomon and Giovanna Fletcher from their swanky living rooms.
Music with Ms. Klass
She may be known as a pop-star-turned-radio-host, but Myleene Klass is also a talented classical pianist and knows her major from her minor scales.
The singer, 41, has offered to give free music lessons via for little ones stuck at home - and has invited people to tune into her next “klass” this week on Friday at 10am.
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Advertising her services in a post, she wrote: “PARENTS! How’s home schooling working out for you?!
“If you want me to take over a lesson for you, here’s my gift to you! FREE music lessons which stick to the curriculum and are actually fun!”
Maths with Ms. Vorderman
Who else could the nation trust to get their kids brushing up on their algebra? None other than former Countdown host Carol Vorderman, of course, who is giving children free access to her online maths school until they're back in the classroom.
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Announcing the handy resource on , the presenter, 59, wrote: “My maths school is usually about £2 a week.
“I want to help so it's now FREE for children age 4-11 until schools open. We're uploading massive server capabilities, pls bear with us. With all my love.”
Food Tech with Mr Oliver and Mr Michaels
There has been no shortage of celebrities wanting to help us cook up delicious dishes with all that stock-piled food shopping. Even better, why not let your kids practice food tech and make dinner at the same time?
For the older ones, Jamie Oliver, 44, is back on screens with Channel 4’s Keep Cooking and Carry On - broadcast every week night at 5.30pm - that promises to show viewers how to make “easy-to-follow, super-flexible recipes” including fresh homemade pasta.
However, younger children can tune into fellow chef Theo Michael’s cookalong which he’ll be hosting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4pm.
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The former MasterChef star - who has also appeared on This Morning - has said he’ll “publish a list of (easy, quarantine-friendly) ingredients the day before” each ‘Kids Cook With Theo’ is streamed on and .
English with Mr Walliams and Ms. Garner
Mums and dads will be over-the-moon to learn that there are a host of famous faces keen to read your little one a story so you can continue with the boxset guilt-free.
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Posting to , comedian-turned-author David Walliams, 48, has announced he’ll be releasing a new audio story every day for the next 30 days for free.
First up is The Terrible Triplets, which can be accessed via his website - and is, of course, narrated by the star himself.
Joining him are none other than Jennifer Garner, 47, and Amy Adams, 45, who have teamed up in an effort to help keep your kids immersed in fiction.
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The actresses have launched the Instagram account where they - and other stars like Ellen DeGeneres and Jamie Lee Curtis - are filmed reading children's stories in an effort to raise money for .
Dance with Ms. Bussell and Ms. Buswell
Who says learning has to be all about sitting at your desk? Two pro dancers are on a mission to show your kids how to twirl across the kitchen like they’re on Strictly.
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Dame Darcey Bussell, 50, directed her followers to join a dance class via her DDMIX organisation's Facebook page at 1.30pm every day this week.
Joining the former ballet dancer in getting youngsters - and adults - to find the beat was also Dianne Buswell, 30.
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The Aussie pro taught her followers how to do the Charleston yesterday morning with the help of 28-year-old boyfriend Joe Sugg - and posted the tutorial on her channel.
History with Mr Snow
With unprecedented events going on in the world outside, it could be a welcome distraction to get your kids to discover more about other past momentous moments in history - and how it all turned out alright in the end (sort of...).
TV presenter Dan Snow, 41, directed his followers on to his History Hit streaming service which allows you to access documentaries on everything from Jack The Ripper to the events of 1066.
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It can be accessed for free for 30 days, and the following month for just a quid, as part of special offer. There’s also a free too.
Science with Professor Cox
Don’t forget about physics, which Professor Brian Cox - single-handedly credited with getting the nation more interested in galaxies and gravity - has promised to help with in the coming weeks.
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The 52-year-old TV star confirmed he’ll announce on “as things get organised”.
On Saturday, he took part in a Q&A session where “science students of all ages” were advised to ask questions, and allow him to “do your homework for you”. It's worth staying tuned.
Geography with Mr Backshall
Last but not least, naturalist and wildlife expert Steve Backshall will be giving lessons on his area of expertise, with his first virtual class taking place this week.
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The TV star announced the news on in a post which read: “9:30am (GMT) Weds 25th March I’ll be live on Facebook, Instagram AND YouTube.
“From habitats to holotypes, parasites to pademelons, I’ll do my best to bring the wild world into your living room, from... my living room!”
It all sounds a lot more fun than when we were at school...
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