Coronavirus Pandemic: Schools and libraries are closed...now what?

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     It seems that the world has come to a stand still with everything that keeps a child occupied shutting down. What’s a parent to do with a bored child? Back to Basics Literacy always recommends books, books and more books along with plenty of free play. But if you just point to the book shelf or say “go play,” you will invariably be left looking at a blank stare. So here are some ideas and suggestions to help you get through the next few weeks, with your hair intact.

Books – Since it seems that many libraries are also shutting their doors, you may be left using what is on your shelf or you might do a book exchange with a friend or a neighbor. To err on the side of caution, wipe down your books with a disinfectant wipe before exchanging. Using your books:

• Do read alouds complete with voices and even dressing up. Allow older siblings to read to younger ones.
• Have children make their own illustrations from the story or look for coloring pages on the Internet. Don’t forget to check out author web sites.
• Have your child(ren) reenact a story.
• Look for online story times. Recently we found that Oliver Jeffers is conducting one (check out his Facebook page) and Storyline Online.
• Have children write or tell their own story.
  
• Host a stuffed animal storytime. My daughter did this just this morning. She set up all of her stuffed animals on the floor and proceeded to 'read' them Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman.
  
• Look at puzzle, sticker, magnet, I Spy and other interactive books.

Art – Let the creative juices flow! Offer paper, colored pencils, markers, gel pens, chalk and other craft and art supplies to keep little hands busy. Ideas might include:

• Collect rocks from the yard and paint them to hide in parks or use larger rocks and paint them for the garden. Join our group on Facebook BTBL Rocks!.
• Collect pine cones and slather them with peanut butter and roll them in bird seed and hang them outside for our feathered friends.
• Make a milk jug bird feeder.
• Get paper plates and cut out the middle and decorate the edge for a wreath.
• Make a book mark.
• Make cards for friends and family. Everyone always loves to receive snail mail.
• Use chalk boards and felt boards to tell a story.
• Make your own play dough and/or slime. A wonderful sensory experience.
• Break down a large box or use poster board and let your child decorate it with stickers or dot paints or any other art supplies you have on hand.
  
• Create jewelry with beads.
  

Games & Puzzles – These can keep kids busy for hours and offer educational benefits without actual instruction time, such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Uno. Don’t underestimate your child and assume they are too young for certain games. For instance, my four-year-old daughter loves to play classic Monopoly and is learning about numbers and money. Puzzles are great for dexterity and fine motor skills as well as problem solving and can also be educational (think alphabet and spelling puzzles).

Outdoors – Thankfully Spring is almost upon us making it the perfect time to reconnect with nature and get some fresh air!

• Go out and search for signs of Spring, such as buds on trees and green shoots poking up through the ground.
• Construct a fairy/gnome garden.
• Draw with sidewalk chalk.
• Blow bubbles.
• Play tag, hide-and-seek, soccer, frisbee, etc.
• Ride bikes and/or scooters.
  
• Bring an art easel outside.
  

Basic Toys – Building blocks, stackers and sorters, cars, trucks, and trains, dolls, pretend kitchen implements…anything that will encourage imaginative and dramatic play.

Just Plain Fun – Let children have fun building forts out of boxes, pillows, blankets and anything else that they can think of (that doesn’t destroy your home.) Get kids in the kitchen to help with dinner or to make a dessert. Let them make some seasoned crackers, no-bake cookies or a cereal mix. Helps with reasoning and math skills as well as self-confidence while they build life-skills

     The internet offers a plethora of ideas for small hands and bored children. Check out Pinterest, Instagram, author websites, library websites, and publishing websites such as Scholastic. Use this time to bond with your child, engage in some fun activities and create lasting memories.

Stay healthy!

-Kate @ BTBL

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Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 1 and a newborn) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.