Thanks so much to the wonderful teachers who contributed these ideas, which gives you some simple, engaging ideas for connecting with your child during times away from school or anytime they are with you! You may wish to read the ideas for the groups just younger and older than your child as well, as many of the suggestions can easily be adapted.

Care for your environment:

• Arrange some flowers
  
• Water plants
  
• Clean or tidy a room
  
• Arrange books or toys in a new way
  
• Ask an adult how you can help
  
• Fix something broken (sew or glue)
  

Care for someone else:

• Read or play with a younger sibling, cousin or neighbor
  
• Help an adult set the table or prepare a meal
  
• Give stuff away
  
• Do something kind—write a letter or call someone who might be lonely
  
• Care for a pet
  

Get creative:

• Play music
  
• Write a letter, poem, book or play
  
• Build something with Legos or blocks
  
• Paint or draw
  
• Make a movie
  
• Sing
  

Care for Yourself: 

• Get healthy—cut your nails, prepare a healthy snack, do some mindful movement, exercise
  
• Do your laundry, fold it and put it away
  
• Learn something new—from another person or a book or (with supervision of a parent) on YouTube
  
• Go outside—explore your yard or neighborhood. How many bird species can you spot? What about plants? Can you find any animal tracks? ​