Advice for Parents

 

Some helpful ideas for parents at home during the school closure. These are not intended to be patronising, but might be of some use...

 

 

TIP 1: Schedule your Days

Times will vary depending on if you’re a family of early risers or late sleepers. An example of a day during the school closure could be:

  • Breakfast
  • Chore time
  • The main activity of the day
  • Mid-Morning Snack
  • Free play
  • Lunch
  • Naptime / Quiet time
  • Outdoor play
  • Mid-afternoon snack
  • Screen time
  • Fitness Fun
  • Dinner /. BathTime  / Bedtime 

 

TIP 2: Plan one main activity a day

 

TIP 3: Encourage Independance

 

TIP 4: Allow Free-Play

 

  • Lego
  • Puzzles
  • Magnets
  • Age-appropriate board games: Junior Monopoly, Uno, Mindmaster, Twister, Dominos, Hungry Hippos, Memory Match
  • Playdough with specific items such as plastic animals, small stones and marbles for older kids, kids cutlery and plates etc.
  • Blocks etc.
  • Dolls with accessories.
  • Playsets
  • Cars
  • Dressup clothes
  • Encourage imaginative play by setting up a little play scenario such as a flower shop, classroom, repair shop, bistro or beauty salon.

Take a good look at your child's toys. See which items they may have forgotten about and reintroduce these. Also, put away excess toys, rather rotating toys weekly to keep things interesting. It may take time for your little one to adjust but children do need to learn to play on their own, stretching their mind and imagination.

 

TIP 5: Make time for outdoor-play

Fresh air is a must and we spend mornings and afternoons outside. Many of the “Main Activities” mentioned above can be done outdoors too. Depending on where you live, whether you have a backyard, playhouse, swing set or trampoline, we should all make time to play outside.

Take a stroll around the neighborhood, find a quiet park or take the dogs walking. Kick and throw a ball. Run, skip, jump. Exercise as a family.

Lie on a blanket, cloud gazing. Feel the autumn sun on your skin. Climb a tree if you can. Ride your bike.

Remember the simple pleasures we find outside.