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GoNoodle: More than Silly Songs and Giant Hot Dogs

It's the beginning of week 3 since Knox County called out schools for the COVID-19 pandemic and we've recently received news of the social distancing extension.  The nicer weather has been a blessing, providing an escape to the "great outdoors", but we live in East Tennessee and we never quite know what the weather will do.
Being an aftercare director, I first hand know the effects of children being cooped up inside all day.  Does bouncing off the walls sounds familiar to you?  If you're running out of ideas to keep your children entertained, let me introduce you to your new best friend: GoNoodle

Getting Started
Setting up an account is quick and easy.  Once you're on the site page, click on the "Get Started Now" button in the upper right hand corner.  Next, select "Play Now" for families on the left side of the screen.  This will give you access to the materials on the site.  If you want to save activities across any device, create an account by clicking the gear in the upper left hand corner.  This will prompt you to enter your birth year, followed by entering your email address and a password.  You can also download the GoNoodle app on your phone, IPad, or Roku for free. 
Time to Explore
Now the fun begins.  You can search for specific topics by clicking on the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner.  Looking for something math related?  Simply type 'math' into the search bar and all math related videos will be displayed.
You can also find content by browsing through the 19 different channels on the site.  Each channel contains videos created by the same people and/or are related to the same topic, and they're not all just silly songs.  The "How To!" channel provides step-by-step instructions for different activities children can do at home with materials you may already have.  "Flow" can be used in those moments when you need children to calm their bodies and take a little break while "Zumba Kids" is a great tool for getting some energy out.  There is even a workout channel that teens and adults can use called "Fresh Start Fitness".
Personal Favorite
My personal favorite of the channels is Koo Koo Kanga Roo.  Decked out in Koo Koo shirts and gold sneakers, two best friends, Bryan and Neil, lead dance-a-long videos that are sure to get your child up and moving.  The duo has their own website where you can find more of their songs and even purchase some of their gear.  Here are my top 5 favorites:
  1. Double Scoop
  2. Hopscotch
  3. Bread Cheese Bread
  4. Dinosaur Stomp
  5. Shake Yo Foot



Being an aftercare director for nearly 10 years, I've had my fair share of exposure to GoNoodle videos and content.  They're a great resource to use during a time such as this.  It's easy to develop some personal favorites and who said only kids were allowed to dance around the living room acting silly?!  

-Ms. Jennifer



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