Parents and Caregiver Support - Tip #2

Tip 2. Schedule breaks. Because work, school, and household chores are all combined into one setting, it is important to have scheduled break times.

These breaks may include free play, exercise, watching a video, or anything else that your child enjoys. Breaks should have a clear time limit or end time so that they don’t continue on endlessly. Provide breaks after academic tasks or more challenging exercise, and don’t forget to use breaks for some self-care time for yourself as well.  

This week we have included a printable activity jar project. You simply need 3 jars or containers and the attached printable ideas to cut out and pull from the jars during breaks. As the parent or caregiver, there are many ways that you can choose to use these jars. You can rotate through the different types of activities, either on a schedule, or based on what your child chooses! You can even adapt this system to families with multiple children, which may include neurotypical and neurodiverse kids. You can set up separate jar sets for each child, or just print all of the activities for each child on a different color paper. That way, when one child needs an activity, and they have been assigned “red” as their color, you can simply pull out a red piece of paper.  

We have created these free printables for you. The first is a completed list of activities, with some of our suggestions, which is ready to be used right away. The second is a blank version, which you can print and write in the activities that are more appropriate for your child/children. 

Download Help-Explore-Learn Printable with Suggestions

Download Help-Explore-Learn Printable Blank

We hope you find these tips and materials helpful and we truly hope you stay safe and healthy during this time. Check back weekly for more tips and free support materials!

Tuesday, April 28, 2020