Now that the government has imposed an enhanced community quarantine until April 14, 2020, parents may be worrying about keeping their kids entertained and stimulated at home. The good news is, there are many fun and creative options to keep those tiny hands and growing minds busy.
Here are some suggestions:
- Arts and crafts – Some artists hold free online arts and crafts classes on their websites and Facebook pages. They use simple materials that can be readily-found at home. Check them out here:
https://www.facebook.com/kuya.robert
https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/
- Cooking or baking – Cooking (or baking) is an important life skill, so what better time to teach this to children han now? Besides, it is a great parent-child bonding activity. Here are some kid-friendly recipes:
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/easy-recipes-for-kids-to-make-by-themselves/
- Exercise – Being cooped up at home doesn’t mean being sedentary. Herw are some exercise videos on YouTube for children:
- Chores – Whether is as simple as putting toys away or something as complicated as doing the laundry, household chores teach kids about responsibility and hard work. Here, you can find a list of age-appropriate chores:
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/chores-for-children
- Gardening – Whether you have a garden at home or a just a few pots, getting your child involved in taking care of your plants promotes family bonding and teaches kids about responsibility.
- Reading – Developing in your child the love for books widens their vocabulary, stimulates their imagination, and improves their concentration. There are free children’s books online here:
http://en.childrenslibrary.org
- Jigsaw puzzles – Puzzles are a fun way to develop your child’s problem solving skills, concentration, and patience. If you don’t have puzzles at home, there are free printable ones on the net:
https://www.dltk-kids.com/type/printable_jigsaw_puzzles.htm
- Worksheets and online tutorials – Some schools have shifted to e-learning and online classes with the suspension of classes. If your child’s school is not implementing e-learning, don’t fret. Learning doesn’t have to stop because classes did. Here are some online resources for children of all ages:
https://www.education.com/worksheets/
https://www.jumpstart.com/parents/worksheets
There are also online tutorials here:
- Movies – Watch movies that are appropriate for the whole family. Schedule a movie night complete with popcorn and chips.
- Pray – Whatever your religion may be, praying together as a family will strengthen your faith and help you diring this difficult time.
Rain gear such as boots, coats and umbrellas are meant to protect your kids during the rainy days, but did you know that some of these items may harm your children’s health?
In a 2013 study conducted by the environmental watchdog, EcoWaste Coalition, 23 out of 33 rainwear products from Divisoria tested positive from the toxic chemicals, lead and cadmium.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead is a heavy metal with a low melting point, and is easily molded and shaped. It is usually used as an element in pipes, storage batteries, pigments, paints
and vinyl products. However, it causes loss of cognition, shortening of attention span, alteration of
behavior, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, hypertension, renal impairment, immune-toxicity and
toxicity to the reproductive organs. Oftentimes, these effects are permanent.
Meanwhile, cadmium is a human carcinogen and has toxic effects on the kidney, the skeletal and the respiratory systems.
Among the items analyzed by Ecowaste were 25 raincoats, five (5) umbrellas and three (3) pairs of rainboots that the group bought for P50 – P250 each from 10 discount shops situated at the following:
11/88 Shopping Mall, 168 Shopping Mall, 999 Shopping Mall and the Tutuban Prime Block Mall.
The group detected excessive levels of lead: up to 15,500 parts per million (ppm) of lead and up to 717 ppm of cadmium in 70% of the samples.
According to Aileen Lucero, Acting National Coordinator of EcoWaste Coalition, these chemicals are
released into the environment and could affect kids through ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption.
“Their hand-to- mouth behavior and their habit of sitting on the ground or the floor can result to greater childhood exposure to various toxins.”
To prevent toxic exposure, the EcoWaste Coalition advised consumers to read product labels carefully
and avoid PVC materials. These materials are known for having strong chemical odors as they contain numerous toxic additives like cadmium and lead used as pigments or stabilizers.
The group also advised parents to regularly check the condition of the products used by their kids for
any signs of wear and tear, and to frequently remind kids to wash their hands thoroughly, especially
before snacks or meals.
REFERENCES:
http://ecowastecoalition.blogspot.com/2013/06/ecowaste-coalition- rain-gear- for-kids.html
http://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/cadmium/en/
http://www.who.int/ceh/publications/leadguidance.pdf