You can download one of our leaflets HERE and the reverse side HERE.

If you and your children have to stay at home you may see a change in behaviour or may have to cope with more challenging behaviour with this change of routine.

We have put together a few tips and strategies to support you and your children through this period to avoid or support any emotional flooding and over excitement.

• Expect more challenging behaviour and plan to keep to routines at home as much as possible such as waking up times, bedtimes, storytime, quiet times, fresh air and exercise and healthy mealtimes.
• Be realistic and manage expectations; talk to your child about what is happening so that they and you know what to expect. You can find more information on our news page here
• Speak to your child’s school or nursery if they are concerned about changes of routine so they can help prepare and support you and your child.
• Avoid too much sugar! Try to keep these to a minimum and offered after a meal rather than snacked on throughout the day. (See image below) for a good tip with older ones!

• Try planning ahead by creating your own family timetable that you could stick to the fridge door so that everyone can access it and see what is happening.
• Involve them in daily jobs such as cleaning, preparing meals etc.
• Have a worry free zone (a quiet calm area or time of the day to be quiet and calm) which will benefit everyone so everyone can have a bolt hole for a few moments of quiet. Try to get them to think of a happy time or place.
• Try to practise some meditation or calming down techniques. There are lots of good apps out there or blow some bubbles (or pretend to blow out candles). You can also try laying down with you child with a soft toy on yours and their chest and encourage them to watch it going up and down as you both breathe in an out.
• If your child is overwhelmed and finds it all too much, make sure they have space for ‘quiet’ independent activities like reading, crafts, music or something that they enjoy where they can focus on something specific, immerse themselves and forget about the world around them for a short while. They may prefer outdoor time to burn off excited energy by playing in the garden.
• Put on some music and have a disco to lift the mood and get moving- make sure you get to choose your favourite tunes too.
• Remember to fill your jug! See Sharing Parentings A-Z (see J for Jug) https://www.sharingparenting.com/2019/08/15/a-to-z-of-parenting/
• There are some great resources here for ideas – based on home educating but they can be adapted https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/parents

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/tf-or-7-we-are-all-different-ebook

Some great short videos here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/black-history-month-primary-and-secondary-resources/zjwf8xs

You may find some of these ideas useful too: Free Kids activities 

https://chatterpack.net/blogs/blog/list-of-online-resources-for-anyone-who-is-isolated-at-home

Twinkl

Timetables 

Please use these timetables only if you and your children feel more secure using them. Remember to be flexible and don’t put extra pressure on your children of yourself. 

Short periods of concentration are more effective than sitting for along time – with lots of breaks and physical activity in between. 

You can make your own simple timetable to let your children know what is going to happen next (most children feel more secure with a routine) or you can download our  Timetable suggestion

or this timetable for older children 

Or this one: School Planner Sample 2

SHARES

Below we have shared some the amazing suggestions which have popped up on social media. Please remember these are just suggestions IF they are useful to you and your family. Sharing Parenting is not responsible for the content of the posts. 

• Pom Pom Chicks 

Some great ideas from our friends at Red Hen here: 

https://www.facebook.com/theredhenproject/videos/vb.281075485238653/201233211301811/?type=2&theater

• Interactive Singing Session for little ones 

https://www.facebook.com/281075485238653/posts/3148365115176328/?d=n

• Bubble Activity Idea 

https://www.facebook.com/1184793227/posts/10221674249183903/?d=n

• Online Home School Schedule 

https://www.facebook.com/291640907523102/posts/2964122843608215/?d=n

• Birds Nest Craft 

• NHS Colouring 

• Cute Craft Hands Idea 

• Bedtime stories 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1111405669209071/permalink/1111405695875735/

• Craft ideas with Milk Cartons

• Ideas for things to do 

• FREE Unicef packs 

• ELSA Ideas for Building in Routine and Fun 

ELSA Update Ideas to beat boredom and create happiness Aprill 2020 docx

• Craft ideas from The Meadows

https://www.facebook.com/281075485238653/posts/3165148726831300/?d=n

• 30 Ideas for Things To Do At Home – Palace House, Newmarket 

https://www.palacehousenewmarket.co.uk/get-involved/30-things-to-try-at-home

• Hand Paintings 

• Downloads 

Above all try to embrace the extra time you have together and remember

 ‘The best thing you can spend on your children is TIME’

If you have any other ideas you would like to share please do contact us.

Look out for other tips and sharing on our Facebook page too.

You may also be interested in: 

How to support my child at home

and

Top Tips to Keep calm with the children at home 

and

Video top tips for positive behaviour 

and 

Top Tips for helping with school closures 

and 

How to talk to your children about Covid 19 

and 

Emergency Contact Numbers 

and

https://www.sharingparenting.com/2019/08/15/a-to-z-of-parenting/

You can contact us or email us with your parenting questions at info@sharingparenting.com and give us a call for confidential advice on 07867 568339.