Brain games for homebound students

For parents entertaining children during the extended break and struggling to come up with learning activities to keep their minds occupied, here are some suggested activities.

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Reading Alliance tips

The Children’s Reading Alliance reminds parents and caregivers reading should not stop because schools are closed. According to Executive Director Audrey Hartley, “Time off of school is an excellent opportunity for learning. Parents and caregivers have an excellent opportunity to create some fun experiences during this time away from school, and not park the kids in front of the television or video games for the duration of the three-week event.”

It begins with a three-tiered approach to organizing the day: play time, down time and family time.

“Play time,” says Programs Manager Jennifer Alvarado, “Is best done in the early part of the morning, just after breakfast. One of the best places for play time is the back yard.” Alvarado suggests filling the back yard with toys such as jump ropes, balls, and other games that encourage children to be physically active. "And the key is to let them play until they tell you they are done.”

Down time is the perfect time to offer younger children a snack and a nap. Older children can be encouraged to play with puzzles, board games, and other quiet activities. Hartley cautions, “This is the time when screen time is the most tempting. However, experts warn that limiting screen time--especially during special circumstances—is important. Screen time should be limited to no more than an hour a day for older children (age 10 and above) and a half an hour for younger children.” Recent research also suggests that children enjoy reading from a book better than staring into a screen.

“Family time is an excellent time to share stories and books for children of all ages,” says Alvarado. “Reading to your children—especially your young children—makes an incomparable example for them and sets them up for a lifelong love of reading.” Older children can also be recruited by parents and caregivers to read to their younger siblings.

The Alliance is posting daily reading and other interactive tips and resources on their Facebook page. Parents who have questions or need assistance in obtaining reading materials for their children may call the Children’s Reading Alliance at 575-522-3713.

Talk, play,read

One of the best ways to interactively read with your child is the approach of talk, play, read.
Talk to your child about the book you are going to read. After previewing the book that you intend to read to your child, look around your home for things that can be associated with the writing. For example, perhaps the book you will read is about shapes. Talk to you child about what shapes are, and how you may find them in every aspect of daily living.
Play. Make a game of searching your house for various shapes, including circles, squares, triangles, diamonds, and other objects. Older siblings can be a big help here by assisting little ones in their hunt. Once items have been collected, have your children identify them and why they are important in everyday life.
Read the book. Have your children hold up the shape that correlates to the shape being talked about in the book. Take time to interact with and praise your child, or to help them to identify the proper shape. Any progress is good progress for young learners.
By applying the talk, play, read approach to interactive learning, parents and caregivers create an environment and trust with their children. This can open up avenues to dialog with children about their feeling about our present school situation. This reduces stress among children and lets them know you are present to help them through any situation.