It’s likely your child’s school has sent home
materials to keep them busy during the COVID-19 school closing, but that may
only occupy them for so long during the upcoming weeks. Here are a few tips to
keep both you and your kids busy during this time at home together.
Keep Up with Education
First, it’s important to continue with any lessons your child’s teacher has sent home with them. This can seem
intimidating for those who aren’t trained to teach school subjects. We’ve come
up with a few tips to help you both with this transition:
If you have a white board, it might be useful to
create a daily schedule for them. Routine is key when it comes to kids. Having
a clear, visual schedule will allow them to look ahead at the day to know what is coming next and what they can look forward to.
Review their work before they do. It’s better to be prepared on what you’re about
to go over with your child beforehand. That way, if you’re a little unsure, the
internet might be able to help you out.
If your child’s take-home-tasks don’t include
every subject, dig into your creative space to think of things in all areas. Bake a cake together to review measuring and mathematical skills while
also checking off home economics. Use Pinterest to find safe-for-home science
experiments. Encourage imagination and ELA skills by writing your own stories and reading them to each other.
Incorporating some P.E. time into your day is
essential for you both to stay in a positive frame of mind. Go for a walk around your neighborhood (while maintaining a safe distance from others), or if you have
access to a work-out streaming program, do a class together! Working off your
child’s extra energy and your stress from the day is extremely important, especially if this is going
to be your new normal for a while.
Connect with Friends and Family from Afar
Social distancing is encouraged as a key
component to keeping COVID-19 at bay in your home but can take its toll both on
you and your child’s psyche. Stay social by utilizing technology to stay connected with
friends and family. Let your child video chat with friends they’re missing from school, call
grandparents and aunts & uncles. Some teachers are even making themselves
available for video conferencing to help with school work (parents, rejoice!).
It’s important to stay connected during this time to make sure your loved ones
are doing well and to keep your mind busy while spending so much time at
home.
Put More Fun in Your Daily Routine
Play some fun music when your floors need to be
swept and beds need to be made. Kids typically don’t love getting involved
around the house, but with the right attitude and enthusiasm you may be able to
make it fun for them! Find ways to get them interested in the every-day tasks
that still need to be done. Assign everyone a small task, like feeding your pets daily or make a timed challenge of matching washed socks. Offer up incentives for helping with additional tasks, like
unloading the dishwasher and vacuuming the rugs. Ask them what they’re interested
in and go from there.
Get Outside!
Fresh air can feel like just what the doctor
ordered after being in the house for days on end. Go for walks with your family
and pets, break out your soccer balls or basketballs and create your own
at-home arena. Get your kids interested in the change in seasons by searching
for signs of spring popping up through the dirt. While you’re at it, get them
to help you rake away fall’s leftover leaves. If you’re getting extra antsy, take a family drive in the car! You never know what you’ll find when you’re not in a
hurry and the only destination is the journey itself.
While it may feel like a confusing and stressful
time, it’s important to keep your home
life as normal as possible, both for you and your family.
