Language and Literacy Corner: How Can Children Be Social While Social Distancing?

Children learn language best from other children. Peers can provide opportunities to learn new ways of play, resolving conflicts, sharing, problem-solving, creating, and so much more. Peers will also provide immediate feedback to your child if their  communication (sign, speech, or augmentative/alternative) was understood and effective. With social distancing still encouraged, here are some ideas for ways your child could still interact with peers and continue to develop language and literacy.

Outside Play Dates:

When the weather allows, some outside activities can be completed while still social        distancing. Just be sure to encourage your child to keep their hands away from their face and wash their hands as soon as they are done playing. How about trying:

· Riding bikes (with helmets!)

· Playing catch or frisbee

 Neighborhood Activities:

If you live in an area that has a way through social media for neighbors to communicate, you could try to organize:

· I-Spy scavenger hunts where neighbors hide specific things in yards for children to spy on a walk

· Putting up theme pictures in windows for parents to talk about when taking a walk with their family

· Sending messages to neighborhood friends using sidewalk chalk

 Video Calling:

Yes, we all may be sick of the video call, but have you tried these activities?

· Create a theme for the peer meeting. Plan ahead of time with the caregivers to have similar toys that children are playing with during the video call such as building blocks, arts and crafts, or action figures/dolls. Caregivers and children could engage in parallel play with adults modeling some social language for the children.

· Older children can take turns playing a song for everyone to dance to. Younger children may benefit from a caregiver playing the songs the children choose.

· Think about watching a movie together to take pressure off your child to entertain friends.

· Try simple science experiments (baking soda volcanos, glitter sensory jars, salt on water color paint).

· Have a rock-paper-scissor championship.

· Take a livestream museum tour together.

· Let your older children do school work with their peers through video.

 Other Ideas:

What if video chatting is not for your child? It may create anxiety, make them feel overwhelmed by all the visual and verbal cues on the screen, not catch their attention, or remind them that they cannot play with their friends. Try these activities to connect with peers:

· Write letters or draw pictures to send to friends

· Film a short video for friends such as saying hello or making a silly face