Things to do with your Child and Family During this Time of Uncertainty

With many schools being postponed and even canceled for the rest of the school year, we have been given the gift of time. Even though we are scared, anxious, worried, and impatiently waiting for this to be over, we can go out and do things that we may have put off before this week or said there is no time in our day. I urge you, as an Early Childhood Professional, to use this time wisely. Here are some things you can do until this passes.

• Your child will be fine academically. You can do things at home but do not stress about having a set schedule like they would at school. Don’t forget they are off an entire summer, and we don’t stress then. Don’t forget this is a short amount of time in relation to the time they spend learning in school. At the end of this article, there are some great websites shared for you to use.
• Live Zoo Cam from San Diego Zoo
• Go for a walk.
• Enjoy the family time
• Watch movies
• Clean the house
• Teach them to change the sheets and make their beds
• Practice laundry and folding clothes
• Wash the dishes together
• Take a drive
• Listen to music
• Dance to music
• Karaoke
• Make a family music video
• Wash your car by hand
• Read books.
• Do Science Experiments.
  • 60 Science Experiments For Kids
• Go outside and build something
• Cook with your children at home.
• Try a new food each day
• Do crafts
• Play board games
• Play card games
• Facetime family members
• Have Facetime Playdates
• Plant a tree
• Plant flowers for Spring
• Play Math games (ABC Mouse, one month free)
• Clean bedrooms, donate clothes and toys, and talk about why this is important
• Take a bike ride
• Video/take pictures of your experiences as a family while you are home
• Have a picnic in your backyard
• Have a campout in your living room
• Have show and tell
• Play frisbee, football, softball, basketball, volleyball, jump rope
• Current live Nature Cams
• Make smores
• Start a Scrapbook
• Build a living room fort
• Make tie dyed t-shirts
• Have a fashion show
• Have a scavenger hunt
• Put a puzzle together
• Exercise/do Yoga together

This list could go on and on; these are just some things for you to consider. I think what I want to stress during this time is that the time we have with our children is short. Why not make it fun? Why be stressed and overwhelmed about them working every hour of the day on something that they would be doing at school? They want to be loved, stay busy, and have your attention. Go have fun!

Websites for you to try:

• Lanternfish ESL Worksheets and Lesson Plans
• KizClub Printables for Kids
• National Geographic for Kids

~ Tisha