There are a myriad of reasons why your kids might not be able to interact with their friends as they usually would. Whether you’ve moved communities, are somewhere different for the summer, have a child who is unwell, or … because school has been suspended for a few weeks due to COVID-19. While this latest situation is challenging for families on so many levels, being separated from friends and their usual social interactions can be one of the most difficult aspects for children to process. 

However, there are ways to support young kids’ socialization during this time. Drawing on the experiences of parents who have had to adjust schedules and interactions prior, here are some of our top 3 tips: 

1. Think of alternative ways for your kids to interact with their friends

Technology can be such a powerful tool during these times. Organize a free google hangout or FaceTime with some friends, so kids can say hi, see their pals and stay connected. Maybe even introduce some tips from your experience with online meetings: preparedness to be patient with lags, and trying to be a bit more animated than you normally would during conversation. You can brainstorm possible conversation topics or games they can play remotely, like hangman, or if you have it, battleship! You can even set up for them to bake a cake or make crafts, or run a science experiment, simultaneously. 

2. Plan activities that help kids think about friends and reuniting with their friends

Preparing drawings and cards, and planning playdate ideas for when they do see one another again can be helpful to keep your family’s thinking positive. Ask them to make a card for when they see their friend again, or a greeting card with illustrations too (especially helpful for our younger kids!). Sharing a list of things they are grateful for about their friends will also spark some positive energy.

Playdate ideas: introducing them to the wonderful world of itineraries and agendas, and asking them to plan out - written or drawn - ideas for when they see their friends again helps them understand the temporary nature of a situation. It’s important to explain this to your kids in a way that’s appropriate for their age and understanding: the patience required is a learned skill, and talking to your child about the possibilities of that day being delayed (or moved up!) is possible. Planning ahead can be so helpful though (think about the joy we get from planning vacations), and for keeping things positive and hopeful. 

3. Retain boundaries and routines

Because routines are off, maintaining a regular sleeping and eating schedule is essential to prevent big emotions from being triggered too frequently. A helpful aspect for reducing any anxieties or restlessness is to try to create structure, and part of that might be scheduling consistent times for the virtual playdate, or for the playdate planning and card making. And setting boundaries around how long calls are. 

During precarious times, our schedules and our emotions are all off. And socialization can be such an important aspect to our days, including for our young kids. We hope these tips can be helpful in reducing anxieties and helping your little ones stay connected to their pals!