KEEPING KIDS OCCUPIED AND PRODUCTIVE IN QUARANTINE
WITH schools indefinitely shut down in most parts of the world, including the Philippines, due to coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, parents are faced with the challenge of keeping their kids from being bored at home.
While it is easy and tempting to allow children entertainment via screens — the TV, computer or mobile devices — parents who have the option to be hands-on with their children at this difficult time can try some suggestions below to keep their little ones productive for the remaining weeks of community quarantine.
Set a schedule. Almost all materials available online recommend setting a schedule or routine. Set a time for learning, eating and playing, among other activities to follow throughout the day.
According to Melbourne Child Psychology and School Psychology Services, doing so allows for consistency at home especially during these challenging times. A schedule will help children feel safe and know what to expect after everything has changed around them.
Meanwhile, based on the article “Building Structure” from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three key ingredients to building structure at home — consistency, predictability and follow-through.
“Consistency means that you respond to your child’s behavior the same way every time no matter what is going on or how you’re feeling. Predictability means your child knows what will happen and how you will respond. Finally, following through means that you do what you say you will do in response to your child’s behaviors.
Make time for play. In setting up a routine for kids, don’t forget to include play. Experts suggest several “play breaks” that last between 15 to 30 minutes throughout the day. But as the government enforces strict home quarantine, don’t let children play outside for now.
Use age- appropriate toys at hand and let children decide how they want to play with them.
If parents have spare time, they can also get involved in these play breaks. Utilize board games, if any, or get them moving with games such as “Chinese garter” (Chinese jump rope), “Trip to Jerusalem” ( Musical chairs), or if there is enough space “piko” (hopscotch). For a more competitive and exciting game, parents with time might want to set up an elaborate treasure hunt inside the house with exciting “treasures” awaiting their little ones.
Allow screentime enme but with limit. If screen-time is needed, give kids a time limit. Experts suggest setting a consistent screen time schedule so they know when to expect it and for how long.
Do not forget to practice safe internet usage with kids — that is restricting their gadgets to kidfriendly site or channels and/ or staying with them so they can immediately ask about vague content they
might come across online.
Encourage reading. With more time at home and set time for both play and gadget use, there can be idle times in a day. Why not use it as an opportunity to introduce reading — if they have not picked up the habit yet — or further their interest in reading by dedicating a specific time for such activity.
Some experts suggest breaking down reading time for the day and/or starting with an aggregate of 20 minutes, especially for those who are still learning to love reading.
For a bigger brood, parents can also try to do storytelling with kids and, making it more interactive, have them ask questions at the end of the activity.
All parents want to keep their kids happy, occupied and in a healthy disposition at home amid global pandemic — that’s a given. But they must also remember that in these trying times, it is alright slow down or accept defeat — if the schedule, for one, is not followed — on particular days. Parents, be kind to yourself, too and be all the more patient with your children.