Cooper Offers Tips For Keeping Children Occupied While Home

The Child Life Team at Cooper University Health Care is offering tips on how parents and caregivers can keep children, especially young ones, occupied while they can’t go to school, play with their friends, or go to playgrounds and other activities during the outbreak of new coronavirus.

“First, it is very important to follow prior routines and schedules as much as possible such as bedtimes, house rules, etc. in order increase their sense of normalcy and security,” said Brittany Spaeth, a Child Life Specialist and manager of the Child Life Program at Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper. Child Life Specialists work in hospitals to provide emotional support for children and families.

“While keeping these routines, also provide more play opportunities than usual, especially outside if possible while maintaining social distancing. Play and physical activity help children expend extra energy, especially if they’ve been cooped up in the house. Arts and crafts activities also provide good outlet for self-expression, especially for worries.”

Children may also be overly worried about their risk of getting coronavirus.

“Instead of focusing on all the things you can’t do right now, focus on the positive ways your family is preventing illness such as good handwashing and social distancing to increase their sense of control over the situation,” said Sherry Schlagle, a Child Life Specialist at Cooper. “Introduce mindful activities such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or journaling.”

There are a number of helpful websites that offer follow-along tutorials.

Parents can make staying home fun.

“Try new baking or cooking recipes and have the children help,” Schlagle said. “Family activities like puzzles or games offer good opportunities for conversations about difficult topics.”

Just because families are social distancing, today’s technology offers opportunities to keep connected to others.

“Keep in touch with classmates, friends and family via FaceTime, Skype, or other video chat apps,” said Jenn Schmidt, another member of the Child Life Team at Cooper. “It’s good to see and talk to others even if you can’t be in the same physical space.”

One of the most important things parents and caregivers can do is to model good self-care.

“It’s crucial to practice what you preach,” Spaeth said. “If children see you overly worried and concerned they will pick up on that.”

To avoid focusing too much on the situation, reduce time spent watching the news and access to social media.

“It is okay to provide age-appropriate information about COVID-19, but keep it honest and simple; too much information for children can lead to more anxious behaviors,” Spaeth said. “This is a stressful time for adults and children alike. Some children will express their anxiety by being more emotional and clingy than normal; some may even regress a bit. This can be frustrating for parents and caregivers, but be as patient and understanding as possible.”