COVID-19 has left children quarantined with parents at home with schools and day care centers closed across the country. There is a lot of uncertainty now, but we have no choice to move forward as best as we can. Now that your children are at home with you, there are certain actions you can take to ensure that they’re continuing an enriching learning experience. Here are some tips to keep your child stimulated through quarantine.
Take Things Slowly
It will take some time for your children to get used to school at home. The best thing you can do for them is to calmly give them the information you need while slowly building their routine. Make sure you give them time to decompress. You may be feeling anxious now, but try as much as you can to not pass that onto your children.
Develop a Schedule
Preparation is key when it comes to trying to make things as regular as possible during these rare circumstances. When there’s no schedule for your child to follow, simply take matters in your own hands by giving them a structure to follow every day. An important component to remember is to give your children some outside time as they’ll need it to not feel so isolated. If you’re working from home and can swing it, this would be great to spend this time together.
Find Online Replacement Activities
Outside of school work, there are probably multiple activities that have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Luckily, there have been many people and organizations that have stepped up to the plate. A great way to enrich your child’s day-to-day experience is by enrolling them in a couple of these activities. If your child’s instructor or coach is offering these classes, take them up on it as it’s an excellent way to keep them learning and engaging with their peers.
Let Your Children Use Creative Outlets
This is a tough time for everyone, but there are activities your child can learn and/or participate in that can help them calm their nerves. These are activities such as music, journaling, and art. This will allow them to properly state their feelings about COVID-19 and how their life has been impacted. They could also discover a new passion or talent!
Be Realistic
Make sure to keep your expectations tempered. Quarantine is not a competition, don’t put all of your energy into one activity and burn out. Just focus on doing the best you can and don’t compare your child’s progress to that of other children. Staying calm is the most important thing you can do to assure your child that everything is going to be just fine.
