#Staying at Home with Kids Strategies - The Potential Ability Group (TPAG)

August 13th, 2021Tiana RamsayEmotions, Nature & Outdoor Play, News & Information, Play & Socialising, Self-Care, Teenagers

Time at home is becoming a common occurrence in our lives and if we are not in lockdown, we are still encouraged to stay at home as much as possible due to COVID 19... this causes changes to our daily routines and social interactions. Some kids may be super excited to have a few days off school or to be able to spend more time at home, but for other children, it can be an extremely disruptive and confusing time. The information in this blog includes strategies to support your children during this time and also some fun new activities you may not have thought of to enjoy all this extra ‘home time’ we are all experiencing.

How can I help my child adjust to lockdown or staying at home more often?

Create a new schedule for your child- maybe even get them to help out with tasks! Creating a structure may help your child feel less anxious about the changes to their daily routine. Consider the use of pictures and/or words to demonstrate the activities in the day. Try to keep usual routines the same as possible to help with feeling calm.
Try and keep their wake and sleep time as close to their regular schedule as possible.
Is your child completing their schoolwork during lockdown? Consider the use of timers, this may help them to attend to the task. There are lots of way to get creative with using timers including using your phone, microwave or alarm clock and knowing once they hear the timer go off, they can have a break could be used to motivate them to keep going!
Go on a virtual outing! Did you know that Zoo’s SA offer live streaming of some of their animals so that you can check out what they are up to? This might also facilitate learning about various animals. Check out the link below in 'references' to have a look!
Connect with your local library and download some books to read- the options are endless!
Try to keep in contact with friends… consider the use of facetime, video games and phone calls to connect with others.
Try to set yourself a goal for each day... this could be to spend 15 minutes outside, to play a game of fetch with the dog, or play a board game as a family!
Stuck on activity ideas? Read below to find out more.

Here are some indoor and outdoor activities to help fill some time:

Indoors:

Art and Crafts: Paper planes, scrapbooking, origami, sock puppets, decorate a t-shirt, drawing, painting!
Puzzles, board games, Lego, mazes, playdough.
Do some science experiments. Kidszone has some great ideas.
Consider playing some ‘minute to win it games’ and having a family competition! For example, ‘you have one minute to get a potato to the other side of the room, using only your nose’. Use Google for more ideas.
Learn a new skill, such as photography or video making.
Cooking or experimenting with food play.

Outdoors:

Set up a complete an obstacle course, practice a sport, get gardening!
Try running races, hopscotch, throwing a frisbee or explore what’s in your garden; what can you see? What can you feel? What can you use to make your very own nature cubby house?
Consider the use of Go Noodle to get active.
Organise a nature treasure hunt.
Collect leaves, twigs and flowers and use then to paint/create an artwork.
Get some chalk and get creative on the pavers! o Do you have a tent? Maybe go camping in your backyard.

Tips for helping teens (12 years and up) to adjust to a face mask:

Start by wearing the mask for fun activities- cooking, science experiments or whilst playing a game.
Practise wearing it at home for shorter time periods to help get used to the feel.
Look at fictional characters who wear masks.
Trial different types of masks, shapes, and materials (cloth vs surgical masks).
There are also exemptions to the need to wear a mask. Please refer to the SA Health website for the most up to date information on this.

For more ideas on some creative activities to do at home, refer to our website and click on our blogs or look through our Facebook page to view various videos that may spark a creative idea!

We understand that lockdown can be a very challenging time, please consider using some of these helplines:

Beyond Blue: Call 1800 512 348.

Lifeline: Via phone on 13 11 14, available 24 hours 7 days a week.

Online chat, every night from 7pm to midnight AET.

Via text on 0477 13 11 14, between 6pm and midnight AET, 7 days a week.

Kids Helpline: For children and young adults (aged 5 to 25), call 1800 55 1800.

We hope that this blog has given you a few ideas and tips on how to survive lockdown! Good luck!

References

ABC News, 2021. Lockdowns are changing the way I parent — and that's probably a good thing. [online] Abc.net.au. Available at: <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-04/lockdown-with-kids-how-one-family-has-kept-busy/100257754> [Accessed 23 July 2021].

Health Direct (2021). COVID-19 and mental health. [online] www.healthdirect.gov.au. Available at: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19-and-mental-health.

National Autistic Society (2021). Tips for autistic people and families. [online] Available at: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/resources/tips-for-autistic-people-and-families.

Zoos SA https://www.zoossa.com.au/zoo-to-you/