In the next two weeks, try these five fun and productive activities you and your family can do at home:
1. Enrol in online classes
Learning does not have to stop because schools are closed. Take advantage of the many e-learning platforms that are available so your children can learn something new. For example, Scholastic has many online programmes for children of all ages to improve their reading and writing skills too. Some schools also have online classes that children can stream at home and learn in real time. It is important to make sure your children are on top of their homework and revision as well. Help them any way you can and contact their teachers for additional guidance if needed. Learning is not only limited to children! Adults can join in the fun too by exploring thousands of online classes and web tutorials on any skill imaginable. Teach yourself to play a musical instrument, learn a new language, learn basic coding and many more!
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2. Spring clean
Now is the perfect time to apply the KonMari Method to your entire house! Her method encourages cleaning and organisining items by category and not by location. For example, you can start with clothes and then move on to toys, books, furniture and so on. Keep the items that spark joy and discard or donate items that do not make you happy. A clean and neat space will lead to a clear and positive mind, which is needed as we will be staying at home for the next two weeks. Make sure to get your children involved in this process. Delegate small chores to them that will teach them about accountability and responsibility. This can be as small as cleaning their desk or changing their own bed sheets. This increased productivity will definitely boost the mood of your entire family which in turn creates a great environment to live in.
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3. Watch movies and TV shows
A number of streaming channels such as Netflix, Iflix and Amazon Prime provide an abundance of children-friendly television programmes, movies and documentaries to keep you and your family entertained throughout the day. In addition, local satellite television provider, Astro, will be unlocking all their movie channels for your viewing pleasure from 18 March. Kick back and relax with the family by watching educational and uplifting programmes. Don’t forget to prepare snacks! To make the experience more fun, you can design a quiz around the movie to see whether your children understood and enjoyed the movie.
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4. Play board games
A great family bonding activity is to play board games! There are so many board games to choose from nowadays from the classic Monopoly and Scrabble to more exciting ones such as Taboo and Charades. Playing board games is one of the best ways to spend quality time with the family and at the same time have fun and learn new skills! For example, Monopoly will teach children basic mathematics and negotiation skills. Scrabble and Taboo will increase your children’s vocabulary and improve their English language skills overall. Charades will help children be more expressive and improve communication skills. If you are not a fan of board games, there are many classic card games that are fun for the whole family such as UNO or Snap.
5. Work on a project together
Another fun activity to do as a family is to work on a creative project together! The possibilities are endless when it comes to the types of projects you can do. Tap into your children’s interests to decide on what project to embark on. You can go the arts and crafts route by drawing, painting, colouring, sewing and cross stitching, among others. If your child is interested in cooking, get together to prepare a meal or bake a delicious treat together. You can also decorate cakes and cookies once they are baked. In addition, you can also encourage your children to join online competitions such as the 3rd PISF Poetry Slam 2020! Inspire them to write a poem around the theme of ‘School’. Make a pact with the family to be more fit in the upcoming weeks! There are various at home exercises you can do at home to build strength and immunity.
It is now the time to prioritise your health and safety and of those around you. We would like to remind all of you to practise good hand hygiene and stay healthy always!
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