Many of us suddenly find ourselves at home for weeks with our preschool-aged children. The Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative at the Harvard Graduate School of Education is sharing ways to talk to your children during this time; to create structure and routine; and to continue to develop their social emotional skills.
The experts all agree that setting and sticking to a regular schedule is key, even when you’re all at home all day. Kids should get up, eat and go to bed at their normal times. Consistency and structure are calming during times of stress. Kids, especially younger ones or those who are anxious, benefit from knowing what’s going to happen and when.
Though all children deal with such emotions in different ways, if your child has been faced with school closures, cancelled events or separation from friends, they are going to need to feel loved and supported now more than ever.