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How to Keep Kids Learning and Healthy at Home
- Patria Lincoln Posted On Mar 12, 2020
Get Out and Play
“Physical activity is essential for kids” says Dr. Levin, “it helps develop strength, agility and balance in addition to just being a great way to get the energy out.” What about a trip to the park during these school cancelled days? Josh says: “I’’ll definitely take my kids to the park, that said, if you get there and are there are lots of kids coughing, probably best to head home.”Get Creative
“Art projects are a great way to get kids creative juices flowing” Josh says. His 3 daughters love to draw, paint and make jewelry, “and they do not even realize that all these activities are great for fine motor- holding a crayon or a paintbrush, and putting a bead on a piece of string are great to develop tactile strength.”
Making up stories is another way to let kids use their imagination. At the Levin house, each girl takes a turn telling a story, and one of the parents writes it down. Then each girl illustrates their story and “reads” it out loud back to the family, “It’s a great way to build vocabulary, letter recognition, and fine motor…and it’s lots of fun!” says Josh. If you're needing ice breaker question ideas, check out these Conversation Cubes.
Logic and problem solving skills are developed at the Levin house as well “We get out the boxes, tape and string and let kids make their own musical instruments” says Josh, “The most fun part is when the girls play their instruments and host a dance party to their own music.”Make it a Family Affair
Instead of family game night- make it family game day when school is cancelled! At Josh’s house “ Sum Swamp and Slam Ships! are favorites- and kids of all ages can play and not even realize that they are learning logic and early.” But the most favorite activity at the Levin house? “Puzzles- without a doubt, they are fantastic for spatial learning and fine motor- and more complicated puzzles are a great way for my older daughter to help out her younger sisters”.
Math is Everywhere
“There are so many easy ways to teach counting at home” says Josh. “My girls get out blocks and line them up in rows and count them, or they stack them, count them and knock them down….and do it all over again.”Thanks Josh!
Spring Cleaning Tips & Tricks To Do With Your Kids
All cooped up at home? Now is the perfect time to disinfect your home and teach your kids healthy habits to keep things clean. And, if you’re of the spring cleaning persuasion, tidy things up! But whether you’re scrubbing the floorboards and shaking out rugs or just doing your weekly cleanup, you don’t have to do it alone! Kids as young as two can help with simple chores, which gives them a sense of accomplishment and belonging! Plus, you’re priming them to pitch in as they get older. Read on for some age-appropriate chores and motivation.
Preschoolers Can…
Yes, they require a bit of supervision, but with your encouragement and guidance, two-, three-, and four-year-olds can help you:
- Pick up toys and put them in a basket – Add a layer of learning (and make it more fun!) by asking them to pick up anything red first, then blue, then green. Or anything soft, then hard.
- Take their dirty clothes to the laundry basket – Count the pieces together as they go in, e.g., one shirt, two shirts… Or shoot a quick game of hoops with your balled-up socks!
- Help feed and care for the family pets – You may not trust your little one to fill the water bowl, but they can hold the hamster while you clean the cage and fill a scoop of dry food.
*Bonus idea! Pretend play sets, like New Sprouts® Clean It!, is perfect for imaginary play and give little kids a way to enjoy the cleaning fun!
Kindergartners Can…
Again, you’ll need to be on hand to help, but four- and five-year-olds can be hand helpers when it comes to chores like:
- Keep craft supplies tidy – A place for everything and everything in its place! Putting away pencils, markers, glue, and scissors is easy with the Create-a-Space™ Mini-Center, a portable craft station that’s easy to store! If you need a more prominent organizer, try the Create-a-Space™ Storage Center.
- Setting the table – You set out the glasses and plates, then show your kiddo where to put the silverware and napkins.
- Sorting the laundry – Little kids are great at sorting the laundry! Show them what counts as white, medium, and dark, and leave the rest to them.
Big Kids Can…
Many six- and seven-year-olds are old enough to handle simple chores without supervision. A chore chart can be motivating at this age to manage tasks like:
- Making their bed – Don’t expect miracles here; practice makes perfect! Pulling the sheet, blanket, and comforter up and placing pillows at the top is an excellent start.
- Emptying trash cans – Show your kids how to start with the biggest can and carry it to the smaller ones around the house, dumping as they go.
- Putting their laundry away – You fold, they stash or hang!
Bigger Kids Can…
Older elementary-school-aged kids can do so many things! Aside from managing their schoolwork, brushing their teeth, and getting dressed for school, these kids can:
- Wash dishes – Yup! The day has come! Fourth and fifth graders can rinse and load the dishwasher and scrub dishes and silverware (skip the knives and delicate dishware).
- Vacuum and rake – Whether indoors or out, your older kids can easily run the vacuum and rake. Plus, if they’re doing it, they can’t complain about the noise it’s making when you’re doing it!
- Run the washer and dryer – You may not want them folding quite yet, but big kids can toss a load in the washer, add detergent, and turn the machine on.
In Conclusion,
Although it may be easier to do things yourself, the sooner you make chipping in with chores an expected part of your kids’ routine, the easier yours will be in the long run. A good rule of thumb is that kids can follow as many instructions as years they are old. For example, a three-year-old may be able to pick up their shoes, put them in the closet, and close the door. A timer is also a great motivator, as is a clean-up song. Choose something you love, play it loud, and work as long as it plays. When the music’s over, so is the clean-up!
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