With the pandemic forcing the whole world to stay indoors, there’s no doubt that it has also made some great impacts in terms of education. We have seen schools temporarily close physically, and with this, it has been such a great hurdle for a lot of people worldwide.
However, despite the big shift in education, there are also many ways to ensure that learning does not end in the classroom. Especially for toddlers, creating your own safe space at home through virtual activities for kids is one way that learning can continue even outside the four corners of the classroom.
Virtual Learning for Kids
Now that parents are in a way forced to have to be with their child in learning virtually at home in COVID-19, there are actually many creative ways to make this happen. Whether it be through do-it-yourself activities, or through virtual applications that can help parents out, we have listed a few ways to help guardians and toddlers make the most out of their time at home in the pandemic.
We do understand and recognize the fact that each child has a different learning style. And with various learning styles, it’s important to have different options for learning available to ensure that we cater to these learning styles. Whether these children are visual learners, experience-based learners, audio-type learners, and more, being in a virtual set-up allows parents and guardians to make use of the resources so we can ensure that young children also enjoy their time learning. Through these considerations, they are able to value learning as a part of life, instead of an academic requirement.
Listed below are some fun virtual activities for kids that can surely make learning an enjoyable experience despite being quarantined at home:
1. Classroom Style
One of the usual types of virtual and at-home learning would be classroom style. This classroom style learning promotes the same work habits and teaching style as in a real classroom environment. This is because it makes use of a virtual curriculum, all while venturing into different academic topics which can be useful for both toddlers and young students.
Apps and websites that support this classroom style learning would be Brain Pop, Edmodo, Brainscape, and a whole lot more. These classroom style websites are infused with a lot of great features and activities so the child still feels like he or she’s in a classroom but just through a virtual monitor. From flashcards, to videos, to activities, and short quizzes, it’s complete with everything a classroom actually has.
2. Do It Yourself Projects
When we hear about virtual learning, we immediately relate it to prolonged screen time, which is true. But learners below the age of 7 should be an exception to that, because excessive screen time can be quite harmful to their holistic development. Virtual pre-k programs should include alternatives that can limit their screen time. Instead, include activities that can enhance their observation and interaction with their surroundings.
Encourage parents to let their child learn on their own through free play or educational toys that can spark their curiosities. In this crucial age, organic interactions are more effective in developing their cognitive and social skills compared to relying everything on screen-based learning.
3. Play Dates
Now for children, who wouldn’t want play dates? Play dates is actually one of the most effective ways to continue learning at home right now in the pandemic. As we have mentioned a while ago, things have definitely changed and learning cannot be purely by the book right now.
Especially for toddlers, setting up playdates for them are important so that they also get to practice their social skills which obviously aren’t being touched upon right now that we’re just at home, quarantined, with no one to play with.
One way to continue playdates even just at home in a pandemic would be to coordinate with other parents and schedule one for your children. With applications such as Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and more, playdates can still be made possible but through a virtual set-up.
In addition to this, you can create a safe space for children and their friends and families to play through the various child-friendly games circulating around the web. These games would range from Kahoot games, Madlibs, or even customize your own Bingo cards. With social activities like this, you help your child continue learning about life, and not just academics, despite being stuck at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re having a hard time exploring these applications, you can just use these video conferencing apps and proceed to playing old school games like Tic Tac Toe, Word Search, and even Simon Says, all while with a friend through a screen.
If you’re looking for play date ideas, you can definitely check out this listicle to help you find the right apps.
4. Story Time
One thing that some people don’t know is that storytelling actually does a lot of wonders for children – more than just it being a fun activity, it helps children practice their association, reading skills, reading comprehension, and interaction skills as well.
To replicate this fun activity, you can always proceed to reading your own story, or coming up with storytelling prompts to make the session more interactive. With kids at home, they definitely miss having some fellows and buddies to be around. You can do this by using stuffed toys, legos, drawings, or even paintings, just to add a little more fun tot h
If anything, one way you can go about virtual learning at home is by consulting with trusted daycare professionals such as NY Baby Steps. With their experience, you’ll definitely have an easier time making learning fun for you and your kids at home.
