In light of the current coronavirus pandemic, many parents are required to work from home. More so, with hundreds of schools shut down around the world, kids will also be at home during this time. This can be a challenging time for parents who have to work remotely and still take care of the home front.
The following tips will help every parent with useful information on how to engage your children at home in the coming weeks or months.
Create a Learning Plan
Being at home shouldn’t mean goodbye to books. In fact, some schools have provided online resources on their website for kids to continue learning from home. Find out if your child’s school has made provisions for home school materials. Otherwise, now is the time to draw out a learning schedule for your children.
Using school books or online resources is a sure way to go. Whatever you do, ensure you stay in line with your child’s school curriculum so the transition back to school will be an easy one. This is the right time to place a call to your child’s headteacher to get all the necessary information and materials needed.
Set a Reward Plan
It may be difficult for most children to focus on learning while at home, especially with digital distractions such as a TV or other electronic gadgets. One of the most effective ways to get your child to do your bidding is to reward good behavior. Similarly, make plans to reward your children after they successfully complete a learning section or test. This will motivate your child to remain focused and take the learning exercises seriously.
Entertainment Activities
As the saying goes, ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ It shouldn’t be all school work all the time, let the kids have a breather. Create time for games and other fun indoor activities. You can decide to join your kids in these activities or focus on work while they play. Whatever the case, ensure the play area is safe and free from danger.
Strengthen Bonds and Make Precious Memories
Before the coronavirus pandemic, many parents have been living in the fast lane with little time for family matters. Take the good out of these difficult times and bond with your family. Get involved in your kid’s life and create long-lasting precious moments to make up for time lost.
There are so many activities you can engage your kids in to help solidify your relationship. Cooking, gardening, board games, building pillow forts are some of the fun things to do with your kid.
Keep the Family Safe
Maintaining hygiene during this period is essential. Educate your kids about the coronavirus outbreak and how to maintain personal hygiene. Every time is a good time to eat healthy and take lots of water, fruits and vegetables. This will help to boost the immune system and fight diseases and germs.
Finally, being stuck at home with the kids shouldn’t be a nightmare. These suggestions will help you engage your children at home and simplify mom duties. Embrace this time with family and do all the things you always wished for but never found the time for. Remember to follow the instructions in your community and stay safe.
Featured Image by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
Rae has a bachelor’s degree in English and Literary Studies and enjoys writing family oriented-topics. When she’s not writing or working as an editor for Support for Stepdads, she loves spending time with her two sons and reading a wide range of subjects.
