Licketyspit videos about Coronavirus hit the spot for children and families

Scottish children's theatre and family play charity, Licketyspit, have created two videos for children explaining the Coronavirus outbreak and lockdown.

Image Credit: Big Porridge & Play Whiteinch 2019, Photographer: Eoin Carey

The global spread of Covid-19 is a confusing and anxious time for many children and they find themselves separated from their daily routine and friendships. To help families deal with this, pioneering Scottish children’s theatre and family play charity, Licketyspit, have created two videos for children explaining the Coronavirus outbreak and lockdown.

VIDEO: Licketyspit Children’s Guide to the Coronavirus
VIDEO: Licketyspit Children's Guide to Coronavirus 2: Lockdown

Licketyspit believes it is important and in the interest of children's rights to give children an explanation they can understand. With 20+ years’ experience in child-led creative engagement with families, the charity was well placed to address this concern in these accessible short video clips for 3-12s and their families.

Overwhelmingly positive feedback has encouraged the company to continue to produce further updates, which also include coping strategies and demonstrations of imaginary play & games to try at home.

The first video has now been translated and filmed by volunteers for Licketyspit in Arabic (Asem Mustafa) Spanish Itxaso Moreno and Polish (Joanna Jaworska-Dorozynska).

Artistic Director and CEO of Licketyspit Virginia Radcliffe said: “As the world’s play experts, children are have great resources to help them cope with this huge challenge if supported in the right way. Licketyspit will continue to draw on our engagement with children and consult families to create fun, inspiring play and learning resources, for families to enjoy together. However, we remain deeply concerned about the many families in our network and more widely who have no or limited access to the internet.”

Sharing the video on Twitter, Minister for Children & Young People Maree Todd said: “Excellent explanation for young and old. Thank you.”

Easterhouse Head Teacher, Vanessa Thomson (Oakwood Primary), who advised Licketyspit, said: “A suggestion put into your hands turns into something very special indeed and so helpful for all our children.”

John O’Donnell, Head Teacher of St Martha’s Primary in Springburn, said: “Please watch Virginia with your child. It will help that very difficult conversation. Then draw!”

Oakwood and St Martha’s are two of Licketyspit’s Storyplay Schools – a project supporting schools addressing the poverty-associated attainment gap through drama-led play and family engagement. The charity plans to continue to support schools through online and printable resources throughout the lockdown period.

FARE Scotland said: “Brilliant, Licketyspit, keep up the great work for our little people.” (Family Action Rogerfield and Easterhouse)

Licketyspit’s Children & Families Network currently engages with 800 families in Glasgow and Edinburgh, most of whom experience socio-economic challenge. The Network is an inclusive, multi-cultural community that fosters integration and children’s rights.

These relationships put Licketyspit in a strong position to adapt its output to provide inventive, high quality online play and wellbeing resources to support families across Scotland and beyond during this time.

Licketyspit is currently collaborating with public and third sector partners in both cities to support the Network and other families during the Coronavirus crisis.

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