September 17, 2020
As the country continues to curb COVID-19, keeping space between yourself and others can help save lives—especially among those with respiratory problems or diabetes. However, as the new school year starts, both children and parents are learning to change their daily activities to fit the social distancing guidelines. If the return of class and homework has you looking for strategies to create structure while staying home, here are several effective and engaging ways to help kids adapt.
How Parents Can Create Structure While Home With Kids
1. Create a Routine
While most activities will be taking place at home, your family should still follow a routine that promotes balance. For instance, when school finishes for the day, you should limit the time your kids spend in front of screens. Instead, encourage engaging activities, such as reading, painting, or cooking.
Also, sticking to regular wake and sleep patterns helps children develop a balanced circadian rhythm. This ensures that they get enough rest each night to support their immune health, energy levels, and development.
2. Tackle Home Projects
When boredom strikes, think about ways you and your kids can make your home a better place to live—such as by starting a garden, painting the walls, organizing the playroom, or raking the lawn.
Pursuing these activities together will help your children feel more accomplished and develop a greater appreciation for the home. It will also reinforce lessons on teamwork, which kids may be missing when they aren’t in the classroom with their peers.
3. Prioritize Physical Activity
By staying active, your child will strengthen their heart and muscles. Regular fitness will also help them relieve stress, as well as prevent obesity and diabetes.
Ideally, children should get about an hour of activity each day. To make the experience more engaging, introduce your child to a mix of fun indoor and outdoor activities. For example, you could go on family hikes, create an obstacle course, or start learning yoga.
4. Practice Patience
If your child gets frustrated or expresses negativity, you should be patient and gently encourage them toward positive thoughts. Whenever tense moments happen, encourage your family to take a break, practice rhythmic breathing, and channel energy into productive activities. These steps can help reduce stress and make adapting to being home easier.
Keeping your family healthy and happy isn’t a task you have to take on your own. Our team at Coryell Health in Gatesville, TX, offers compassionate and accessible medical services to tend to physical and mental wellness for adults and children. We provide immunizations and routine checkups to ensure everyone in your home is healthy. We also offer specialized medical services to help manage diabetes and other chronic conditions. Visit our health center online to learn more about our services. Call us at (254) 865-2166 to schedule an appointment.