When the pandemic hit in the first quarter of 2020, schools and daycares were closed and around the world, parents of young children were forced to juggle between tending to the needs of their family while earning a living. In an ordinary pre-pandemic life, most parents would need to focus mainly on filling the weekend with fun activities for their kids.
However, with this new situation where there’s so much of uncertainty about a child’s schedule as schools as well as daycares open and close at unforeseen circumstances, many parents are running low on ideas to keep their children busy during their wake time. Hence, at wits’ end, many give in to more screen time just so that the adults at home can complete their day-to-day tasks.
The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) shares a guideline on screen time for children as below:
- Up to 18 months of age – Screen time is limited to video calls with an adult.
- Ages three to five – Screen time should be limited to one hour a day and no more than three hours during the weekends.
- Six years old and above – Parents should encourage healthy screen time habits by this age and limit activities that include the use of screens.
While screens are a quick solution to getting your child to sit still, there are solid evidence that shows why screen time should be limited. They include sleep problems, mood problems, not enough physical activity and less time engaging in other fun activities.
Less screen time is possible when you create a fun space for your child to be part of activities that will not only keep them busy but also help them learn and improve life skills. As a matter of fact, activities to keep your young child busy do not need to be complicated. All you need to do is to put your creativity cap on. To get you started, here are four fun activities you should introduce to children!
#1 COLOUR SORTING
As adults, we do it everyday and it’s no ‘biggie’. Sorting items in the kitchen, the laundry, at work and so on. However, for young minds, the skill of sorting requires a lot of brain power and so, this activity is a great way to encourage your child to focus, learn the art of sorting and learn about colours too.
Items you’ll need:
- Paper cups in various colours
- Colourful balls
- A tray
SWITCH IT
If you’re lacking any of the mentioned items, look around you and find items that could substitute those listed. For example, plastic containers could replace paper cups and coloured blocks could replace the balls.
#2 PAINTING
This popular activity needs no introduction. Painting is fun for the young and old! Though, out of your best interest as parents, at times you may look for activities that are complicated in the hopes of exciting your child but in actual fact, simple activities such as painting are just as good. Painting helps children to develop and master hand-eye coordination. Plus, it also encourages your child to be creative.
Items you’ll need:
- Child-safe paint
- Paintbrushes
- Paper or canvas
SWITCH IT
A piece of canvas can be substituted with old cardboards, recycled paper and even newspaper. Also, if you can’t seem to find any paintbrushes, cotton buds, cotton balls or even your child’s fingers are amazing tools to create a piece of art.
#3 MAZE RUNNER
Oral motor skills are an essential set of skills that as the National Health Service describes, skills that include awareness, strength, co-ordination, movement and endurance of the mouth such as the jaw, cheeks, lips and tongue. This set of skills help with speech development, swallowing safely and makes it possible to consume various food textures. The maze runner is a simple activity that will require your child to guide a plastic ball through the maze by blowing through a straw. We’re positive this will keep your child occupied for a good period of time and the good news is, you may create a new maze each time to keep the activity fun.
Items you’ll need:
- Playdough
- A straw
- A small plastic ball
SWITCH IT
Again, you may tailor this activity according to the items you’ve at home. There is no need to head out to make a purchase for them. For instance, playdough may be substituted with strings to create a maze and if you can’t seem to find a ball around, crush a piece of used paper into the shape of a ball and voila! You’ve created a fun activity for your child!
#4 COUNT THE SEEDS
Is your child learning to count? If you’re currently in this parenting phase, here’s how you can make learning fun with just basic items that can be found in your pantry. All you’ll need to do is to grab a clean sheet of paper, write the numbers on the left and draw a line after each number. Then, grab a handful of pumpkin seeds and place them in a cup. Teach your child to line the right amount of seeds according to the number written on their left.
Items you’ll need:
- Pen or marker
- Clean sheet of paper
- Pumpkin seeds
- A cup
SWITCH IT
Not too keen on encouraging your child to play with food? You may switch pumpkin seeds for other items such as marbles and even small dinosaurs, as long as your child can line them up next to each number.
