4 Indoor Home Learning Activities to Engage Your Child

After being stuck at home for the duration of the COVID-19 Pandemic, no child is a stranger to at-home activities. But because of this, finding new ways to engage your child academically at home is more challenging than ever. With the cold weather approaching us, it’s important to have these activities ready so that your child can continue to exercise their brain. 

The good news is that there are still many activities that can help increase your child’s learning and independence from your living room. It’s important to be creative and choose fun but challenging activities that will keep your child engaged and motivated. Below are four learning activities to try with your child at home: 

1. Flashcards

Practice your child’s knowledge and memory by using flashcards. The subject of the flashcards can really be anything under the sun. There are flashcards for learning the alphabet, counting, and even for learning the periodic table of elements. To practice memory, try making a deck of flashcards with characters from their favorite show, and have them recite details about the character on each card. They come in many styles, and you can purchase them blank or filled in. You can even make them easily at home! 

2. Puzzles

Building puzzles is a fun and collaborative way to engage your child in learning. Solving puzzles can help your preschooler familiarize themselves with shapes, colors, patterns, and more.  If your child is school-aged, it can help with problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Start with trying a simple puzzle, and then you can work your way up to 500 or 1,000 pieces! There are also websites that will allow you to design you own. The most important part of putting together a puzzle is the patience and perseverance you observe from your child. See how focused your child is and what motivates them to complete the puzzle. 

3. Books

Encourage your child to read books while at home. For early learners, try sitting and reading along with them. You can point at an image and ask them what the object is or maybe the opposite – say a word and ask them to point at the object. If your child is working on reading comprehension, you can ask them questions to test their understanding. If you would rather let your child choose a book and read it on their own, uninterrupted, that works too! Reading is an extremely important skill that can aid in the comprehension and digestion of information. It also gives kids a chance to exercise their imaginations by having to play the books out in their heads rather than watching it on a screen. If your child is currently in a Kumon program, ask your Instructor about the Kumon Recommended Reading List. There are designated books that your child can read to align with their current Kumon level.  

4. Worksheets

Kumon worksheets are another activity that your child can complete at home. The worksheets are part of an individually crafted learning plan that is based on ability rather than grade or age. The Kumon Method emphasizes self-learning, and individualized instruction is carefully planned to help student’s reach their next academic level. The worksheets are meant to challenge your child, whether they are studying ahead of grade level or are trying to get back on track. 

It’s important to continually incorporate activities at home that encourage learning. These fun and engaging activities are just a few examples of things that will help your child develop their reading, writing, work skills, and more. To keep them even more engaged and motivated, try using a reward system and applauding them for their efforts. At home learning is not an easy task but it can be a fun and collaborative experience where you get to witness your child’s knowledge first-hand and stay warm at the same time!