Children may have spent most days throughout the past year at home, unable to socialize with other children. It’s important that we understand this and do everything we can to alleviate any feelings of isolation they may be having. They need people, and if they can’t play with friends, it falls to the parents to create good quality family time to compensate. This is why it’s so important to recreate this social time within your own family. It helps them feel like they are part of a group where they belong, where their presence is not only requested but enjoyed.
Chris Parsons is a new creative brain in the children’s literature industry. He’s incorporating audio and visual tools with a soundtrack to go along with his book creating a multilevel reading experience intended to be an activity for the family to do together to help strengthen the family bond. Growing up in the same household does not automatically create strong and healthy relationships – it needs dedicated time and effort to strengthen the bonds between each member. As children grow up, they recognize the importance of having a strong family relationship despite having close friendships with their peers. Children who spend quality time with their parents and siblings also feel a better sense of self, community, and inclusion.
I had a chance to interview Chris to learn more.
Why is family time important, especially right now?
There are many reasons why family time is essential especially during the pandemic. With children being unable to interact with other children, quality family time helps children feel like they are part of a group where they belong with their presence is not only requested but enjoyed. Next, it offers them a chance to socialize and vocalize their feelings about the things that are important to them. Finally, family time breaks up the monotony of their weeks by giving them something exciting to look forward to doing.
Spending intimate time together as a family strengthens the bonds between each member and gives everyone wonderful memories to look back on. As children grow up, they recognize the importance of having a strong family relationship despite having close friendships with their peers. Children who spend quality time with their parents and siblings feel a better sense of self, community, and inclusion, too.
Many adults are getting at least some of the interaction they crave through Zoom meetings, grocery store trips, etc., but children don’t really have any of that (especially those too young for online schooling). A lot of parents aren’t comfortable letting their kids play with other children in the neighborhood right now, and that means that kids are really missing out on one of the most basic human needs.
As parents, it’s important that we understand this and do everything we can to alleviate any feeling of isolation that our kids are having. They need people, and if they can’t play with friends, it falls to the parents to create good quality family time to compensate.
How can parents help maintain and foster social connections even if activities aren't happening as often as they used to?
There is no end to the activities families can do together to make a routine feel less boring. A little imagination goes a long way. Recreating experiences that you enjoy outside the home can be a lot of fun. For example, if going to the movies was a special treat for the family, recreating a theater experience at home can be just as enjoyable. All you need is a family-friendly movie, popcorn, drinks, and an assortment of candy to make kids feel as though they’re at the box office waiting in line to see the latest film.
Other ideas that can be a lot of fun is having a virtual vacation to a specific destination that you research online, creating a home library where they can check out books and win prizes for reading, a custom pizza station with a variety of toppings, and craft boxes filled with activities that stimulate the mind and encourage creativity. There is no limit to what you can do during family time. Playing games, doing puzzles, and even gardening are all ideas you can apply to your schedule.
Play a game together. Choose a restaurant you feel safe going to instead of cooking at home one night (or bring that restaurant back as takeout if you’re not comfortable staying). Head outside if the weather permits. Take the kids to the park. The options are nearly endless; you just have to find the right answer for your family.
Check out Pinterest, YouTube, and online publications such as Parents magazine for additional ideas. There are also books, idea boxes, and games that can be checked out from the local library or purchased from a bookstore.
Families might say that they're spending a lot of time together - how can they make sure that they're really spending quality time?
Despite the challenges that come with living through adverse situations like the one facing them today, children learn to associate the positive memories they have with being at home. Rather than think of it as an experience they lived through, they see it as the time they had with people they loved, learning new things, and having a lot of fun while they were at it. There are very few times in their life where they’ll be able to share as much intimate time with their families once they’ve reached school-age. A majority of their day is spent away from home, in the presence of other adults and children, and doing homework before going to bed.
You can be part of the reason why they enjoyed their time distance learning or homeschooling. By making every day feel special, you’re allowing your kids to thrive during difficult circumstances. You’re teaching them to see the positives in challenging situations which can help them as they grow into adults. When they can see both sides of a situation and choose to focus on the positive, their perspective changes, and they feel less disappointed over things they have little to no control over.
Can you explain a little bit about Be That Spark?
Children learn by example. Adults who model positive behaviors are more likely to see the same behaviors in their children. By being empathetic, communicative, and open-minded, parents teach their kids to be the same when they’re out in the world interacting with others. Be the Spark lets them know that one person is enough to ignite a chain reaction of kindness to better the planet and its inhabitants.
By creating an environment that encompasses “zuroam,” the special place where you feel part of something big, parents can use family time to teach their children valuable life lessons about kindness, compassion, inclusion, and dreaming big. Kids are encouraged to share what they’ve learned at home and Be That Spark in the world they interact with daily. By living what you’re teaching them, they feel compelled to treat others the way they want to be treated, with patience, respect, and love.
Premier learning toy company Discovery Toys is partnering with Zuroam Media to bring multisensory learning to children through children’s book: A Little Spark. With learning at the forefront of both companies’ values, this partnership is bringing together a common vision of educating children through play.
A Little Spark brings multisensory experiences to the readers through:
● QR codes throughout the book that bring the readers to a custom-made soundtrack to enhance the reading experience
● Interactive tools such as coloring pages and stick puppets
● A full-length soundtrack accompanied by illustrated music videos
● An award-winning audiobook with sound effects and music
About Discovery Toys:
Discovery Toys is the premier learning toy company dedicated to helping early childhood development through Play. A trusted brand for over 40 years, the company specializes in premium quality, kid-powered learning products for children ranging from newborns to school-aged children. Discovery Toys also prioritizes a play experience that provides children with the fundamental skills, curiosity, and passion that leads to learning success in their school years and beyond. Discovery Toys products are available through their network of independent Play Advisors in the U.S. and Canada. Local Play Advisors can be found by calling 800-341-TOYS (8697) or visiting discoverytoys.net.
About Zuroam Media:
Zuroam Media is a small media startup founded by Chris Parsons in 2018. Their goal is to create stories that can be told in new ways through an experience that brings text, music, audio, and video together for young audiences. Their first production A Little Spark was released on Oct 1st. A Little Spark was awarded the prestigious Mom's Choice Award Gold Medal for best in family-friendly media, products, and services.
For more information on the Be That Spark initiative, please visit the website – bethatspark.com
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