With the move to virtual school, many kids haven’t seen their friends in several weeks. Virtual playdates can keep kids socially connected to their networks—and are fairly low lift for already stressed parents. Elementary school kids may feel the separation from their friends the most as they have established friendships and are less likely to have their own devices to stay in touch.
- Secure devices for children to use. They may want to have one to one conversations with their closest friends as they would in the playground. Make sure groups and conversations are private and you’ve applied the appropriate safety settings and restrictions.
- Suggest activities to do during video calls. Schedule some activities to do together amongst their regular schedule, like playing a game or setting up a book club or Netflix party. Some other ideas include:
- Scavenger Hunt
- Dance Off
- Story Time
- Art Time
- Show and Tell
- Shared Play
- Parent-led games
