Chinatown Day Care Center
華埠兒童培護中心
Remote Learning for Young Children
Young children learn best through play-based, hands-on, and engaging activities. In their early childhood classrooms, the relationships they develop with their teachers are crucial to their development and learning. Additionally, the toys, games, and other materials in their classrooms support discovery and exploration – an essential component of early learning. For these reasons, remote learning for young children is centered around helping families, caregivers, and children connect and engage in joyful, fun, play-based activities that build on children’s natural curiosity.
- NYC Department of Education
Setting Up a Daily Routine
It is important to know children rely on safe and predictable daily routines. To ensure smooth transitions from classroom to home, consider first setting a daily schedule for your child(ren) that works for you and your family.
Things to consider when planning your daily routines:
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An easy way to get started is to ask yourself - “What are the things we do everyday?”
Here is an example of what a schedule at home may look like:
Morning Wake-Up Routine - brush teeth, get dressed, make bed
Breakfast - have children help with creating their menu while keeping healthy habits
Reading Time - can be virtual on a screen, but preferably read a physical book with a caregiver
Play - purposeful, hands-on, social play with lots of conversation
Outdoor - nature walk outside, scavenger hunt, play I Spy game, obstacle course
Afternoon Lunch - reinforce proper table manners, work on utensil/eating skills
Quiet time or Nap - dim lighting and put on soft classical music or lullabies
Music and Movement - listen to different genres of music, workout with your child
Play - explore materials, build and create, try to answer their "why" questions through experimentation
Evening Dinner - have children help prepare a meal, set the table, socialize about the day
Bedtime Routine - bath time, brush teeth, bedtime story, plan for tomorrow
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In school, teachers use pictures to help children understand what is coming next. You can find a handwashing example to the right. Feel free to create one with pictures of your child.
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For sample schedules and blank schedule templates, please click here.
Suggestions for Families During Closure
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Less idled down-time means less tantrums and conflicts. Offer children lots of opportunities to stay engaged in play and learning.
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Use this time to bond. Set aside a time each day for family time where you are conversing and interacting as a family.
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Set rules and chores. Children love to be "helpers" in the classroom. Change up the chores each day. Ideas for chores are on the sample schedule page.
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Take care of yourself! Caregivers' physical and mental health is important too. You can't care for others if you are not feeling well. Remember your attitude and behavior will impact how your child feels.
Resources for Remote Learning
Click here for links to learning resources available online. Feel free to adapt and tailor each activity that is manageable and developmentally-appropriate for your child(ren).
While we are social distancing, it does not mean we need to isolate ourselves from others. We encourage you to use the appropriate social media platform to connect with teachers, classmates, and other friends and family. Consider setting up face-to-face conference via apps such as Skype, Zoom, or Google Meets.
Let's keep our school community close and the germs far away!