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We are all dealing with the effects of social distancing and although we understand how crucial it is to keep apart from other households during this pandemic, the physical distance from friends and family can be extremely difficult for children to cope with.
The COVID-19 restrictions have put a stop to playdates, sleepovers and extracurricular activities, which has left many children longing for social interaction.
To help your child stay connected with their friends while social distancing, here are some great ideas from a preparatory school in Surrey…
Set up a video call
Safe online video calls are an ideal way for children to communicate, whilst staying home. Services like Zoom, FaceTime and WhatsApp, can all be used to keep in touch with friends.
If your child is too young to have their own phone or tablet, you could arrange the video call with other parents. This will allow your child to have a virtual play date and stay safe online.
Online games
Although you may not want your child to spend too much time playing video games, there are some games that allow your child to play with friends online. This could be used as a weekend treat (perhaps as an incentive to finish their homework) and it will provide an exciting way for your child to interact with friends.
Have a movie night
Even though we may not be able to go to the cinema or invite families over to watch a film, your children can still share a movie night with their friends. Netflix Party is a new way to watch movies and shows with your friends online. Netflix Party synchronises video playback, so you can all watch along at the same time; PLUS it adds a group chat feature so that everyone can share their reactions.
Use the post
Sometimes it’s nice to go back to basics and use the more traditional methods of communication. Children love receiving a letter or parcel in the post, so help your child to make a friend smile by posting a thoughtful gift. Perhaps you could encourage your child to practice writing with a letter to a friend. Or you could get out your craft supplies and make them a special card or picture?
