These are strange and scary times for us all, including your children, and having them at home all day every day will probably feel like a massive challenge. Here are some things to think about –
- Use the Red Hen to help; we have started online chats, individual or group check-ins. Come for a friendly face and a giggle – or for help and advice. These are available to anyone who wants to join us. We are working hard to help you connect with anything we know of that might help you during this time at home. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for updates.
- Try to enjoy spending some time each day playing games with your children. Even if it is only for a short while, this is good for everyone. It should help reduce tension and will provide your child with the reassurance that you have time for them. Make up a game together if you want to play something different, enjoy making up the rules together!
- Try a bit of cooking, role play, dressing up or something you don’t usually do. Put your phone away, that will help you enjoy it more!
- It might help you all at home to make a bit of a plan about what you want to do together, maybe the night before. Try to make sure the activities your children suggest don’t get forgotten, they will look forward to what they choose.
- Snuggle up with your children sometimes, they will need love and reassurance that things are ok. As their parent, you are the best person to give it to them.
- Enjoy sharing stories.
- You and your children will get frustrated at times. You will get cross and so will they, maybe more than normal because you are spending so much time together. That’s ok. Think about the best ways to manage this, hopefully before the time comes! Red Hen can help with this – text or call 07966 839 635
- Keep an eye on your children’s school websites, they have got lots of good ideas to keep your children learning and entertained, including links to some great storytelling sites which are lots of fun for you all to enjoy together. Your child’s school will be adding to this all the time, as well as making sure there are lots of online learning activities to do. Some of you will not feel fully confident to know how to support your children with this sort of learning. We will help you with this if we can.
- A note on e-safety here – remember to keep an eye on what your children are doing online – what sites they are on, who they are contacting and how they are behaving themselves.
- You and your child will remember these strange times for a long time. You could keep a diary or photo record of something you have done every day in this time together, it will be really interesting to look back on in the future.
Keep safe, stay home
Maria and Sarah and the Red Hen family x
