We will get through this …

There has been quite a lot of anxiety lately given the exceptional circumstances that we  are facing globally.

Most parents I speak too are concerned about whether to send their children to schools (given that schools are still open in Sweden) or if children are to stay home, “how will we manage since we are supposed to be working from home at the same time!”

I wanted to share some guidance based on my experience as an Education Professional.

First, remember to breath, it is totally normal to be concerned and worried given that we face a lot of uncertainty at a scale that many of us have never witnessed before.  So remember to breathe and slow down, as much as possible, plan one day at a time.

It is also key that we talk to children. They are aware and affected by all the information and changes around them.  We must be ready to listen to children and find out what questions/concerns they have. We should be prepared to answer these and share a message at an age appropriate manner.

There are organisations like BRIS and Rädda Barnen who  have a child rights focus and are experts in this area. They offer guidance which you can find here in swedish. They also have information and guidance in english, arabic,spanish and somali.

If you are home with your children, there is no need to panic, remember you are most likely home with  them for 2 weeks or more  normally over holidays and that works out fine right! (more or less :D)

Routine will be your best friend.

If you are home with the kids, try to maintain your regular routines in terms of when kids go to bed, lunch time etc, children find calm in familiar routines. Make a plan for each day, it can be as detailed or as vague as you want. The process can be done with children so you all agree on when you will be doing what.

Here is what ours looks like for now..

*ute means outdoors in swedish :)

Try to spend some time outside daily if you still can. It is important to keep children active while at home so schedule it in! If you cant go out, move at home..

Just dance has loads of videos on YouTube that the kids can move to for hours.

There is a brilliant children yoga page that is very engaging called Cosmic kids.

Or which ever simple workout routine you so, the kids can join in. Now is a good time to reconnect with the Pokemon Go app where you virtually search for pokemons as you walk around your neighborhood .

If you can, schedule in some academic time, it doesn’t have to be fancy, get in touch with your kids regular teachers to see if they can share some work with you.

I have put together some suggestions below for you and some links too:

We like these, worksheets they are available on various subjects and levels. Plus you can print and do them at home for free..

here are some more:

Fun Brain also offers some educational and fun games online

Do-it-yourself cardboard costumes with kids excellent, creative activities , which will give them hours of fun.

Art for Kids – Udemy (not free) online course that may be interesting from 8 years and up..

Listen to stories online, here and here on storyonline.net

Free colouring pages to print out.

Audibooks from nextstory.se are free for the next 4 weeks with this code FAMILJ28 (mainly in swedish)

Audible also have free audio books for kids on stories.audible.com in lots of different languages!

Learn to play an instrument on playalong.se/kampanj and use the code beatcorona2020 to access thier classes for free for a month.

Tech time doesn’t have to be bad.. there are some great educational apps that we like:

Kidomi is an online platform that has lots of educational and fun games.

Dr Suess Treasury app (55 stories in 1 App) Reading, learning and Stories.

6 calm and relaxation activities to do with kids

and here an external link to websites and services that are now free due to the Corona crisis.

and finally here are some activity suggestions for your little ones that I put together.

Rädda Barnen has great guidance on thier website here:

Below is a video from Rädda Barnen for carers on how to talk to your child about the Corona Virus and the second is for children and young people who may be worried about the Corona Virus.

(Disclaimer Rädda Barnen is not affiliated with this blog or web page, The information from their site is valuable and relevant for parents and young people which is why I am sharing here)

For Parents and Carers: How to talk to your Child about the Corona Virus:

For Children and Young People: good information to know if yo are feeling worried about the Corona Virus.

Time at home together is precious, look at old photos, re-jig the furniture in the rooms, cook together, laugh together..paint your nails.. whatever you do, the kids will enjoy it because they are with you.

Children take their queues from adults, if we model calmness during this crisis, they will too.