Getting Ready For Lockdown…Again.

I don’t want to think that we will be in a lockdown yet again, but with the COVID cases rising, the election going a bit crazy and everyone a bit on edge about this virus, I feel like it may just happen. With that being said, if you have littles this is something you may dread. The last lockdown left us with little imagination to make the lockdown “fun” and interesting anymore. We executed some pretty amazing plans to keep the littles busy and did that for many months only to now have no ideas left. I thought I’d help a momma, daddy, grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, caretaker out and get some new, fresh ideas out there in case we are quarantined once again.

1. Have a daily schedule. Kids thrive on schedules and if they know what is coming next, it helps with the transition and flow of the day.
2. Keep things moving. As much as it sounds fun to have them sit and play their iPad, watch TV, etc. The day will feel long and uneventful. If you plan a few activities throughout the day, the day will feel fun and exciting.
3. Stay calm and reflect a very positive attitude. Your attitude will determine the way the day unfolds. Have a rotten attitude and watch the day drag on and the kiddos misbehave…it’s inevitable. So keep things light and airy.
4. Crafts, baking, dramatic play, and sensory should be a part of the day. Don’t stress yourself out, the craft can be coloring one day, creating a masterpiece with dried beans and glue the next…it doesn’t have to be mind-blowing, just fun. Some sensory ideas are as follows: Dried beans, corn, rice, bubbles, hair gel, shaving cream, water, cotton balls, etc. Just make sure to throw a few other toys in the sensory bin with whatever you choose and maybe some spoons and cups. Watch them play for HOURS!
5. Go outside. My kids would play outside all day if I let them. Getting fresh air and exercise is a must with littles. Spend 30 minutes outside for a good, ample stretch of time.
6. Sing songs and have a dance party. One of my kids FAVORITE things to do is turn the music up and dance their little hearts out. How easy is that?
7. READ, READ, READ! I can’t stress the importance of this enough! Read to your children several times a day!
8. Be patient. Kids are adjusting a new way of life and need some grace when it comes to accepting all of this. Be patient and allow them to guide you through their feelings.
9. Give them ample amount of free time where they are free to discover and play on their own.
10. Talk with your child. Sit and really listen and have a conversation with your little one. What a great time to slow down and get to know each other on a more intimate level.

There you have it. Ten suggestions to help get you through a possible lockdown. If it happens, you are prepared. If it doesn’t happen, you have a set of ideas that are fun and can be done anytime of the day/ year to make learning and being home fun feel fun and less of a chore!