We have all ended up in a bizarre time. Last Sunday we followed the news from minute to minute. In the end, the decision was closed until April 6 with the exception for those parents who work in vital functions.
The realization of the consequences does not really sink in yet, but it is clear that it will be adapted for everyone. We are now a few days further and we can imagine that it takes a lot of getting used to for you as parents to suddenly be home with your children much more than you are used to and we can also imagine that you have questions. Some children, as well as parents, are very accustomed to the structure and balance of work, childcare and home. With the daily rhythm below we want to give you an idea of what a day at home could look like. The daily rhythm is largely based on the rhythm that we maintain at our day care locations.
- Wake up, wash, dress and have breakfast.
- Play. For example, you can read a book or sing a song together. https://devoorleeshoek.nl/ is a beautiful site where picture books are read. Here you can create a free account for the next 3 weeks.
- The youngest babies eat a fruit snack around 8.30 am and you can offer them water or tea. The oldest babies eat (soft) pieces of fruit around 9.15 am and drink water or tea.
- Depending on the needs of your child, if he/she sleeps twice, it will then go to bed. A recognizable sleeping ritual helps your child to fall asleep peacefully: think of cuddling, singing a song or turning on a music box.
- If your child stays awake, you can play together or go out for a walk (walking, cycling or in the garden). Alternate quieter and busier activities.
- If you want or need to do something yourself, your child can also play alone for a while, but stay close by. It also helps not to expect too much from yourself and your child. Everyone, but also children have to get used to this special situation in which we are and we are now more at home and inside.
- Lunch together around 11:30 am. You can involve him or her in this by stating that you are going to set the table and by telling them what you are putting on the table.
- Depending on the needs of your child, if he/she sleeps once during the day, he/she then goes to bed around 12:00 noon to 12:30 pm.
- Children who sleep twice during the day are usually awake at this time and this is the time to play together or go outside for a short walk or in the garden. Alternate quieter and busier activities. In addition, babies often like it when you are just in turn, so just sitting on the floor is sometimes enough for your child.
- Depending on the needs of your child, most children who sleep twice during the day go back to bed around 1.30 pm to 2 pm. Some children like to drink another bottle of warm milk. You can of course also offer something else to drink before your baby goes to sleep.
- Depending on the needs of your child, children who sleep once usually get out of bed with us around 2.30 pm to 3 pm. We then offer tea or water and eat a cracker, gingerbread or breadstick together.
- After this you can play together, for example moving to music is a fun activity. On Spotify you can download the album 'Children's songs: Bijt-ie In Je Bil!' with songs that are also regularly sung at the nursery.
- After an activity together, most children can play alone for a while, but stay close and even if your child is still too young to understand you, tell them what you are going to do. Your voice reassures him or her and he or she not only sees you, but also hears you while you are preparing dinner, for example.
- Eat together around 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM. If your child does not eat (completely) yet, try to involve him or her in the evening meal. Children not only find this fun, but also learn a lot from this moment together.
- Around 6.30 pm. Start the evening ritual on time. Young children have a great need for rhythm and rituals to recognize the structure of the day. This helps them at the end of the day to end the day and fall asleep peacefully.
We would like to keep in touch with you as parents, so that we too are kept informed of the development of your children. If you have any questions or if you want to share something, please send a message via the parent portal.
We hope you and your families are in good health and we wish you all the best!
Sanne Bakker, pedagogical employee SKO
