(email sent 3/16/2020)

Over our time away from Gan Shalom, I hope to be able to send you ideas, suggestions, and activities that you can use at home to increase engagement and combat boredom!  Of course, there are many apps out there that I know most of you are familiar with, but even with everything going on I can't find my way to send you a list of those (how do you think my kid feels?), so I will try to pass along other recommendations as I find them.
For starters, here are some suggestions:
1. GO ON A SCAVANGER HUNT
However familiar home feels, it’s filled with sightings and treasures just waiting to be recognized. Have your children try to find everything red in the house, or note how many things are round, or shiny. Use the opportunity with a baby to point things out and name them. Older children can make a checklist, crossing off the things they see in classic “I Spy” fashion. They won’t just have fun, they’ll be developing their skills as observers of the world around them.
2. BAKE COOKIES
Young children love being involved in the kitchen, and even a 3-year-old can help measure, pour and stir, plus they get to eat the cookies that result! They’ll be honing their fine motor skills while having sweetly messy delicious fun.
3. CONNECT WITH LOVED ONES
Not being able to visit Grandma or a favorite cousin for awhile is disappointing for everyone. In addition to phone time and skyping, help your children create a daily communication, drawing a picture or writing a little message every day to send to their loved ones. Make it the first thing they do after breakfast each day, to help reinforce routines. Whether Nana is across the country or a few blocks away, everyone will be nourished by the expression of love.
  4. REMOTE ENGAGEMENT VIA TECHNOLOGY-
The following are scheduled for today or tomorrow:
Author Dan Gutman reading from his new book: “Miss Blake is a Flake”
today, 3/16, at 2:00pm
https://www.facebook.com/Dan-Gutman-60020139122/
-or-
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens Zoo Academy Home Safari
3pm daily
https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/
-or-
New Britain Township Police Department: Nightly Story Time @ 7:30pm
https://www.facebook.com/newbritainpd/
-or-
Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Story Hour
10am, tomorrow, 3/17
https://www.facebook.com/atlanticwhiteshark/
I hope you find any or all of these ideas worthwhile.  I would LOVE for you to email me if/when you and your children engage in any of these activities, so that I can learn about all the fun.  I will write back!  I also have a 6 year old who loves Facetime and is happy to hear about anyone's adventures... let's stay connected from a distance.
Tell your children that their teachers and I miss them!
​​​​​​​Rhya