Since March 16, schools have been closed and all children in France have been confined to their homes. Parents have had to adapt with these measures and learn to juggle between telecommuting and children.
If a majority of parents agree that they take advantage of this period to spend quality time with their family, many of them also admit that they have trouble finding ideas to keep their children busy on a daily basis.
We now know that the situation will last until at least May 11, so here are our tips for getting organized during the vacations!
KEEP A RHYTHM
It is important for your children to have a rhythm and a reference point during this period when we are on vacation. Organize yourselves according to the schedule and the imperatives of each one, and find a rhythm to hold with your children. No, we don't stay in our pajamas all day and we don't eat breakfast at 11am every day!
We organize the day between play time, quiet time and daily life to keep a balance and reference points. You can create a schedule and post it on your fridge so that everyone can refer to it and know the different play times of the day.
EMPOWERING YOUR CHILDREN
Give your children responsibilities that match their age and ability. This is an opportunity to help them become more independent.
Whether it's emptying the dishwasher, putting away groceries, or hanging up the laundry, involving your child in these chores helps to make them feel valued and responsible. Present these activities as fun games or challenges, by timing or competing!
Even though it will take time at the beginning, you will gain time when they are autonomous on these tasks. They will also be very proud to help you and will develop their self-confidence. Don't forget to encourage them and congratulate them for their efforts.
The important thing is to adapt to your child's age and concentration time so that he or she can make the most of this period.
PLAY AND SHARE
Take advantage of the confinement to promote quality time and transmission with your children. Share with your dearest children the programs that rocked your childhood like "C'est pas Sorcier" or "Il était une fois la vie".
Make sure you control your children's screen time. For their balance and development, it is very important to keep them busy in other ways, such as arts and crafts, cooking, and sports.
You can find a lot of resources on the internet, from parenting media to blogs. We are lucky to have this tool to find a lot of ideas forcreative activities, animation of quiet time or sports activities adapted to different ages that will allow you to detach yourself from the screens.
Brands are also speaking out and committing to bring more content and entertainment to your children by offering more cartoons on replay platforms or many exclusive and free activities.
Our clients Ricky Zoom, Pizza Paï and Spirit have added recipes or printable crafts to give you ideas during this time of confinement. You can find these activities on Pizza Paï's social networks and on Gulli's replay platform in the Spirit and Ricky Zoom tabs.
And above all, don't forget to let go ! The important thing is to leave them in a dynamic and in a rhythm so that they have reference points and that you live this period as a family.
It is also important to let them be bored, because it is also through boredom that they will develop their creativity!
