Downtime

Why downtime?

Whether in school or at home, children are constantly involved in a variety of activities. Though it is important to continue the routine of learning reading, writing, math, social studies, and science, it is equally important to build in time for children to simply play and relax as well.

Downtime allows children’s brains to recover and recharge so that they can be at their best with the activities they want to accomplish. Without downtime, students may feel burnt out.

R1198_Daydreaming_with_a_PurposeNOV20.pdf

Daydreaming

R1196_Doodle_Time_Nov20.pdf

Doodle Time

Physical Activity

  • Design a scavenger hunt for your kids. Hide five objects around your home, set a timer for five minutes, and see if the kids can find everything before time runs out!

  • Many activities don't take a lot of room. Kids can do jumping jacks, run in place, and practice yoga in smaller spaces. Cosmic Kids offers lots of videos showcasing well-known characters.

  • Set up an obstacle course inside or outside. Kids can crawl, slither, hop, and jump their way to exercise fun!

Music

  • Go beyond practicing an instrument and get creative with karaoke competitions, name that tune, and other fun games.

  • Make instruments out of everyday objects and hold a jam session.

  • Increase cognitive flexibility by challenging your child to rewrite the words to a common tune or sing a well-known song to a different tune!

Arts and Crafts

  • Think outside the box and create art with items around the home. Use coffee filters instead of paper, food coloring instead of paint . . . get messy and have fun!

  • Illustrators like Mo Willems are offering art lessons for kids. You can join Mo for Lunch Doodles.


Tech Infusion

  • More likely than not, you're practicing social distancing, which means your kids may be missing their friends, neighbors, and family members. Why not connect virtually with FaceTime, Skype, Google Meet, or just an old-fashioned telephone call?

  • Hold virtual story-time with friends and family. Or view stories online with sites like StoryTime at Awnie's House or StorylineOnline.