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The current crisis is real stress, especially for parents with small children. Here you will find many helpful tips.

Explanatory video about the area home with small children

Mom and Dad are suddenly in the home office. Grandma and Grandpa can't be visited. The kindergarten is closed, so the parents have to look after the children themselves full-time. Unfortunately small children often cannot understand the new rules. It is understandable that the parents are then sometimes annoyed.

However, do not allow unnecessary panic to arise. If you react to the situation in a panic, your child will feel it very clearly. This will only make him or her unnecessarily afraid. Try to remain calm as much as possible. Your tone of voice should always remain friendly and warm - especially towards your children.

You can also explain the current situation to small children with simple examples. If children understand what is happening, they will be more likely to follow the rules. There are good explanatory videos for children on the Internet about corona. Explain to your child interactively how Corona spreads. This works well with cuddly toys. This makes it more tangible for the little ones.

One of the biggest challenges is to keep the children occupied. If you also work in the home office yourself, you will have little time to spend with the children. That's why we have some ideas for you on how the little ones can keep themselves occupied inside.

• Early morning sport with the children
• Give play tasks
• Building a cave with blankets and pillows
• Listen to audio books
• Record history as a sound recording with your mobile phone - for later playback
• have sth. tinkered
• Self-occupation with interactive books, pets or game robots
• think up play scenarios e.g. children could treat their "sick" cuddly toys
• You have several children? - How about a kids' party

Despite the exit restriction, children can play in their own garden. Only if the rules are followed. Do not arrange to play with other children or parents. It is more difficult in large community gardens where many tenants have access. Here you must be very careful and avoid contact with others. When playing with others, it is imperative that you follow the 1.5 metre distance rule and the hygiene rules.

Make a clear daily plan with your children. It is best to plan together with the children. Establish periods of time where you can concentrate on your work and be undisturbed. And plan the periods of time when you are completely there for the little ones. This will help you both.

Questions and answers

Show your child the situation with figures or drawings. Explain to your child what happens when each infected person infects two more. Soon there will be hardly any cuddly toys left. Or the sheet is filled with drawings. This makes it tangible for your child.

Depending on the age of your child, keeping him or her occupied at home can be a particular challenge. Timetables and creative ideas for keeping the child occupied are helpful here. We have helpful tips for this here.