Routines During the Pandemic

Although places are starting to open around us, many child-friendly venues such as playgrounds, amusement parks, and schools will remain closed for quite some time. This time of uncertainty can be both scary and, at times, frustrating for everyone involved. It can be helpful to give your little ones some structure.

We all benefit from having structure and routines. Routines help our little guys understand what we expect from them. Routines that are organized and predictable can be beneficial for all children, especially children who struggle with transitions. You may have seen a spike in your child’s problem behaviors during the Pandemic, as things have quickly changed for them without any warning.

Creating schedules for your little ones can be helpful for parents, as well. Some parents are working from home, and providing activities for your children to engage in while you are working is essential.

Daily Home Schedule

• Breakfast
• Free play
• Learning Activities
• Snack
• Crafts
• Movement Activities
• Story Time
• Lunch
• Outdoor play
• Learning activities
• Cooking & Snack
• Games & Puzzles
• Free Play
• Dinner
• Free play & Tech Time
• Bedtime Routine

Make sure your schedule includes opportunities for you and your little one to engage in play together. DIY art projects and sensory activities are fun to do as a family, plus they can provide learning opportunities for your little ones.

Jell-O Exploration

• You can put fun objects and make them in Jell-O for new sensory textures!
• Pegs, animals, shapes, buttons, and paperclips are always fun!
  
  

DIY Obstacle Courses

• Use chairs, stools, pillows, and other household items and create an obstacle course
• Children may carry puzzle pieces through the obstacle course multiple times to ultimately complete a puzzle.
• Allow your little ones to be super silly and provide opportunities for them to follow simple directions.

You can be creative with items readily available in your home.

Sensory play with rice, beans, or pasta

• Mix rice and beans to vary textures
• Freeze uncooked pasta and place in a bucket on bin.
• Place small toys or puzzle pieces in a bin fill of rice
  
  

Add food coloring to bubbles for colorful bubble fun. Most importantly, GET SILLY!!!!