Activities There are many great ideas that we found here! 1. Use painters tape to create designs on your wooden privacy fence, or sidewalk. Have kids color in the lines before taking the tape off to reveal the art! 2. Lip Sync battle 3. Create an obstacle course in your home: use chairs, couches, tables, and other items to create a course around the house. Use painters tape to mark their path, and time everyone who goes through it to see who can beat their time! 4. Kids snacking too much? Use Monopoly money to give to your kids each week. Price different snack items in the home, and tell them they can eat it whenever, but once the money is gone it’s gone. Don’t have Monopoly money? Make your own! Or just put a specific amount of snacks in a bin with their name on it. Once their snacks are gone for the week, they don’t get any more. 5. While you homeschool, do a spirit week! Each day they have to dress differently! 6. FaceTime with family and friends! 7. Dress up and have a phone photo shoot with your phone! 8. Have a Talent Show! 9. Start a new craft! Hobby Lobby is still open in the Cedar Valley right now, so stock up! - Clay earrings make a fun project! Or even making soaps! There are tons of ideas you can find in that store. 10. Minute to Win It! Ideas here 11. Balloon tennis- Create your own rackets with paper plates and painter sicks then use a blown up balloon as the tennis ball! 12. Watch a live concert- many artists are posting Facebook Live videos of them performing from their homes 13. Go on an "Exploration Walk"- The Cedar Valley has so many different trail systems that you can go explore! 14. Virtual kids yoga
Advice from Nikki Pauli 1. Kids are great observers but not great interpreters- take time to give an age appropriate explanation of this pandemic and answer their questions 2. Pay attention to your own mood, it has a big impact on your children 3. Pay attention to misbehavior- sometimes misbehavior stems from needs not being met 4. Have positive memories stored up! Create opportunities to make fun memories while everyone is home 5. Point out what kids are doing well 6. The Crucial C's
Have COURAGE- it is SO important to have courage. Point out the strength you see in your children when they enjoy something, recognize their improvements- they don't have to be done to perfection, but they are making improvement and growing!
Be able to CONNECT- Kids who connect with others feel secure, have confidence, control, and self-discipline. Things you can do at home to help foster this is to spend at least 10 minutes doing something they like to do even if it is playing video games. Look for thing’s kids are doing well and pointing it out to them. Cook meals together, get back to old school games (i.e. I spy, and Simon says)
Feel CAPABLE: need to feel competent and cable in themselves. Things you can do focus on what kids are doing well without condition. Help child know you believe in them. Don’t do things for kids that they can do themselves and be ok with result of how they do it. Model for them that it is ok to mess up. Have family keep a gratitude chart to know there is still a lot to be thankful for
Feel like they COUNT: feel like they can make a difference in the world and contribute, help kids figure out ways to show they care, read to kids things that interest them, have conversation with kids without distractions, say thank you to your kids, make murals together
7. When kids are spending time on video games, ask them about it! By taking an interest in their interests, they will feel more connected 8. Stay positive! :)
