My little kids (aged 3 and 5) feel bored as they are trapped at home because of coronavirus.
Please help me how to entertain them?
Answer
In this counseling answer:
•Try establishing a routine much like what they would experience in school. As where they have certain educational activities to accomplish first in the morning
•Allow them to decide how they might entertain themselves in their leisure time.
• You could use this time to work on projects that are not only fun but also incorporate an element of entertainment too.
•The educational elements can subtly be added into this project. Such as counting, science and reading/letter recognition depending on their age and abilities.
Asslamu alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa barakatuh,
These current days have put us in a unique situation. These days have It has not been encountered before with many parents been placed in that position. They have to find ways to keep their children at home 24/7.
As there is no longer the opportunity to go to school or engage in extra curricular activities. Even just go outside to do the same type of leisurely activities that families might usually do in the holidays.
We must, therefore, find new and novel ways to entertain our children within the home due to these restrictions.
Children are bored
While it is quit shocking to get used to a new routine, it can be reasonably easy to maintain levels of activity. Over time it might end up feeling boring again as a new routine is established.
Finding the right balance here can be quite a challenge for parents. It is important to maintain some level of routine to ensure all necessary tasks are accomplished. But at the same time as keeping things a bit new and fresh to avoid boredom taking over.
One way to do this is to give them some control over what happens. This will make them more likely to engage and feel excited by what they are doing. Therefore they will not get bored. There are a couple of ways to do this.
Establishing a new routine
You might try establishing a routine much like what they would experience in school. At school, they get certain educational activities to accomplish first in the morning. You can also allow them to decide how they might entertain themselves in their leisure time (within boundaries of course).
Working on projects
This way they will still be instilled with their educational needs yet get to entertain themselves too.
Alternatively, you could use this time to work on projects that are not only fun. You can also incorporate an element of entertainment too.
Check out this counseling video
For example, between you, you can pick a topic to be working on for the week and use this as their project.
If you fear they’ll pick something inappropriate or maybe even struggle to pick something you might come with a handful of ideas and ask them to pick which they wish to do a project on.
This way they have the control of selecting the topic, but it is from a selection carefully selected by you.
The educational elements can subtly be added into this project such as counting, science and reading/letter recognition depending on their age and abilities.
You can make this a project that involves a mix of classic writing and drawing and practicing these skills, missed in with a more practical and creative element or making and designing posters on the topic.
Playing together
It might be that you encourage them to present their poster and project to friends and family members via a video call.
This will help to boost their self-esteem, keep them motivated and attain a sense of achievement. This will keep them well engaged throughout the week as they work towards their goal.
This might be a project that they could work on together as a collaboration, or if their interests differ significantly then they could work on individual topics.
Another thing you might look to is home school groups. This way you will be able to get plenty of other ideas from families who have been long used to encouraging similar systems in their homes already.
You may come across other parents also looking for support and advice. This might also be a way to engage your children with other children from afar. Only virtually and learn new skills that will be helpful as they grow up and enter a technology-filled era.
May Allah reward your concern for your children and may He bring you and your family ease during this difficult time.
May He grant you children who will be the coolness of your eyes in this life and the next.
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Disclaimer: The conceptualization and recommendations stated in this response are very general and purely based on the limited information provided in the question. In no event shall AboutIslam, its counselors or employees be held liable for any damages that may arise from your decision in the use of our services.
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