Coronavirus: What Can I Do With Children In The House?
After decreeing some important measures in order to avoid the spread of Covid-19, the government is adopting a series of countermeasures. Among these, there are the closure of schools and the ban on leaving the house except in case of extreme necessity. Inevitably, all parents are faced with the same question: what can I do with children in the house?
We are going through a period in which family habits are bound to undergo major changes. Children and young people do not go to school, while parents are divided between those who can work remotely, those who continue to go to their workplace and those who cannot work at all. To all the logistical problems this situation entails, we must also add the cancellation of extracurricular activities and outings to the park.
We are undoubtedly facing a situation that is difficult in many respects. Nevertheless, in the following lines we offer you some recommendations that will help you to endure this phase in the family in the best possible way. Here are some tips on what to do with children at home.
Coronavirus: what can I do with children at home?
Organization
First, it is necessary to create a schedule that is appropriate to the particular situation of each individual family. To do this, we can remember how we organized ourselves during the holiday periods and recover the ideas that can be useful even in this situation.
Determine the amount of hours your children will spend without you or your partner being present. Based on their age, maturity level and previous experience, determine whether or not they can be alone within the walls of their home. If not, look for an adult who will take responsibility for caring for them during these times.
Routine
It is important for children to understand that this is not a vacation time. That the routines must continue, albeit with different characteristics. For this reason, try to follow fixed times when it comes to going to sleep, getting out of bed, preparing meals … Try to make their daily life as similar as possible to what they used to do before.
Routines provide stability and help us be more productive. And this is a necessary aspect, because school courses continue to continue, thanks to the technological and IT resources we have at our disposal. Furthermore, it is necessary to find this point of balance, to make sure that the little ones do not suffer too much from the chaos that is spreading.
Time devoted to study
Precisely for the reasons that have been explained in the previous lines, it is important that children devote part of their daily time to studying and doing schoolwork. Many schools are trying to assist us by offering children homework and exercises to send to their teachers over the Internet.
This mainly concerns middle and high schools. However, elementary school children may not enjoy the same aids, so it is sometimes up to parents to help them organize a study routine. A good choice is to dedicate the mornings to this kind of work, to reserve idleness for the afternoons.
Coronavirus and children at home: time for idleness
Idleness is one of the most restricted aspects of daily life, due to the inability to leave the house. However, this is a perfect time to enjoy all those toys that children normally don’t have time to use. And above all, to spend quality time with the family.
Watching movies together, playing board games, chatting, coloring or doing other artistic activities … All the possibilities are good, because, for the little ones, the presence and attention from their parents is the best gift .
In addition, you can invite the little ones to participate in housework, making them a fun game for the whole family to work together. Moping or cooking together can also be an enjoyable activity.
Likewise, try, as far as possible, to make sure that the children get some sun and some air. If you have a yard or garden, this is a great option. If not, reading a book together on the balcony or window is more than enough.
As a last but not least recommendation, you should take into account that children will spend many days without seeing their friends. Fortunately, however, the technology allows them to stay in touch through video calls or through some online multiplayer game.
Above all, remember that this is a temporary situation and try to stay calm and not lose your optimism. After all, there are very few occasions that offer us the opportunity to spend so much time with our loved ones. Treasure it.
