Tips for Filling YOUR Days
With the recent mandates to shelter at home…we recognize there’s a need for some creative ways to pass the time on a rainy day…or amidst a deadly virus! So today I’m sharing some tips I hope you’ll find helpful!
1. Create Routine·
Keep a schedule so routine drives you NOT boredom
Balance work and play
Set a time in your schedule every day for PLAY. 15 minutes can go a long way in a child’s life. Remember, the way kids spell love is T-I-M-E
If there is extra time for TV and video games, why not make them work for their screen time?!
30 minutes of reading for 30 minutes of screen time. Win-Win! And you’re passing more time, too.
I like to keep video games for the end of the week as a bigger incentive so that all of my kids’ hard work gets rewarded in an extra fun day!
Scheduling your days, even at home, can be really helpful! I’m not including times in this schedule…just a basic framework, because every family has to figure out time frames that work best for them.
But, here’s a starting place:
Major subjects for school are being completed each day.
Math
English
Science
History
I wouldn’t spend longer than 45 minutes on a subject and even less for younger kids.
I would keep a schedule as close to the same as possible for school days to provide routine and structure. Kids thrive in knowing beginnings and ends and…when they get food!
I also suggest you teach your kids how to play games and use their imagination so that you are not going to be the main source of entertainment for them.
And finally, I would use screen time sparingly so that when it IS used it is wholesome and beneficial for everyone. Here are some ideas:
Adopt a family movie night
With your spouse, discuss and agree on a healthy amount of screen time and plan accordingly
Schedule screen time so you and your kids look forward to it.
Adapt screen time limits according to your child’s age.
View our post next week on screen time for more ideas!
