The closure of schools and daycares means that all-day childcare now falls on the parents. Balancing work, life, and childcare is stressful enough by itself.
The Canadian Paediatric Society offers a few words of support:
“It is not going to be easy, but what if we focused on what we can do instead of what we can’t? We can support our children’s health, learning and development even if we can’t be their teachers. We can rebuild relationships with ourselves, our children, our families and our communities even if we can’t be out and about. We can do this if we work together, take it one step at a time, and focus on eating well, sleeping well and playing.”
Right now, what’s important is the physical and mental health of you and your family. We’re all doing our best to get by, so it’s okay not to operate “as normal” and have some fun instead.
So without further ado, here are a few #StayAtHome activities you can try with your little ones.
- Decorate rocks with messages of hope and leave them around the neighbourhood. This Peel District School Board librarian showed us how it’s done!
- Paint an uplifting scene or some kind words on your window (or on paper that you can tape to your window, if you’re feeling less risky)
- Make cards for senior citizens at your nearby long-term care home! (Make sure you call ahead to see if it’s something they’re open to, and how to get your cards to them.)
- Let your kids go on an adventure! Cosmic Kids Yoga has 30-60 minute videos that teach your kids yoga and mindfulness through their favourite books and movies.
BONUS: We all love a good story, but when you’re not in the mood to be a narrator, you can turn to some friendly faces and voices online!
- CSI member S. Bear Bergman is hosting a daily story time via Facebook Live, reading books from his children’s publishing company Flamingo Rampant
- CBC has curated a list of “live read-alouds” from Canadian children’s writers and illustrators
- Audible is offering a selection of kids audiobooks for free
Looking for more #StayAtHome activity ideas? We’ve got you. (Plus, check out our full list of community supports here!)
Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash
