A Message from Steve Jensen, Director of Innovation: Strategies for Staying Connected Online

Hello everyone! I wanted to take this opportunity to write about a few ways students can stay socially interactive and connected while social distancing and stuck at home. Having a schedule for staying engaged can make a big difference in mood and behaviour! Here are some suggestions to get you thinking.

Video Calls

As you are probably already aware at this point, video calls are a great way to connect with friends, classmates, and family members. Create set times each week for making this connection. Even just a quick hello can be beneficial, and these scheduled interactions help to establish a much-needed routine for everyone. There are many options for connecting this way. You can use FaceTime if you have iPhones, or Google Duo if you have an Android. You can also use Zoom, which by now your kids are familiar with from Fay’s distance learning program.

Virtual Activities

Many organizations - such as dance studios, cooking schools, and scouting organizations - that were previously providing extracurricular activities are now moving to an online platform. Consider one (or more!) of these virtual activities as a way to help your child build social connections, pursue new interests, or further develop skills.

Virtual Playdates

Organizing a virtual playdate with your child’s friends can be a definite mood-booster! Younger children may need an adult nearby to facilitate the interaction with fun activities, questions, or the use of toys or games. Plan ahead with other parents to facilitate a craft or art project for children to work on at the same time via Zoom, Facetime, or Duo. These activities could include LEGO building contests, play-doh sculptures, trivia with friends, or creating dance routines.

Virtual Field Trips

Many organizations are now offering free virtual field trips and a unique opportunity to explore new places from the comfort of home. This Fay School blog post offers some suggestions to get you started. You can do these alone or even use a video conference tool to share experiences as part of a virtual playdate.

Social Games

While you may not want your children to spend more time on screens playing video games, some games do offer meaningful opportunities to interact and talk with friends. If you allow game time at your house, make sure it's on a limited schedule and that you stay close for occasional check-ins.

Security and Privacy Online

Remember to stay aware of online security for your child. Make sure when using any online website, application, game, or video conferencing tool you read the security policy and adhere to the security protocols and settings. Remind your children not to accept invitations or messages from people they don’t know. Make sure your children ask you before using any of these tools and that you routinely monitor how they are being used.

I hope you all stay safe, healthy, and happy at home!

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A Message from Steve Jensen, Director of Innovation: Strategies for Staying Connected Online