With COVID-19 still on the rise across the country and widespread vaccination still at least a few months away, medical experts are telling us that it may be a long, tough winter. Many parents—especially those with young children whose schools and programs are temporarily closed—are worried that their kids will miss key developmental and social-emotional milestones without the structure of regular teaching and socialization.
While we can’t pretend to have easy solutions to the pain, frustration, and uncertainty of this era, we can offer some simple, low- and no-cost suggestions for parents who are facing a winter of increased isolation with their families. If you need extra ideas for keeping young children busy and boosting their development at the same time, this post is for you. Share it with the families you know and keep it handy for those cold winter months, when the kids’ favorite refrain is “there’s nothing to do!”