[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”41294″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_fancy_title txt_transform=”uppercase” margin_bottom=”0″ font_family=”none” align=”center”]

Stuck at home? No problem.

[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1587142905051{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]April in New Canaan has been a time to celebrate family and focus on screen free activities that families can do together. Research has shown that when families spend time together, especially meal times, children are more likely to develop healthy coping skills and less likely to participate in risky behaviors.

Right now we find ourselves in a very unique situation; we are spending more time with our families than ever and our screen time has increased to stay connected. So how do we reconcile this new reality?

Try to keep meal times screen free, no phones or devices at the table. The last few years, the 30 Days of Family committee gave out baskets to put your devices in during meal time or family time. If you don’t have one of those, use a basket, bowl or other container to provide a visual that says this is tech-free time! It’s important to unplug for some time every day.

If you’re finding there’s so much family time, you are running out of things to say, try these conversation starters:

• Make up a new holiday. What traditions would it have?
• If someone gave you $50 dollars what would you do with it?
• Can you remember a time when you made someone smile? How?

Need  some non-screen activities you can do at home? Here are a few to get you started:

• Start a nature diary – look at the window or go for a walk and record what you see, birds, flowers, changes in the yard. With spring coming there’s a lot to look for!
• Design a homemade board game, play it on family game night
• Design and make an obstacle course in your backyard, see how fast each family member can complete it.
• Write letters of thanks to our first responders and medical workers, mail them to our local hospitals or Waveny Care Center

We are all navigating these challenging times as best we can. Be gentle with yourselves and your families. When you find yourself feeling impatient or at the end of your rope, hit the pause button and do something physical to reset. Jumping jacks, singing out loud, running in place, all can help take the emotional intensity down and get you back to a calmer state.

New Canaan CARES remains vigilant and dedicated to our mission to advance the health and wellness within our community so that will stay our utmost priority in all our decision making. Your health and well being are important to us and CARES will continue to be here during this time to support our community.

Executive Director, Ellen Brezovsky, LCSW, was provided this helpful ideas graphic for the whole family. Click the button below to download your copy.

Don’t forget to reach out to us at caresinfo@newcanaancares.org if we can help in any way. And please continue to check the website and our emails for details.

Best wishes for health and well-being for you and your families![/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=”15″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1587135165818{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Conversation Starters

[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://newcanaanchamber.com/2020/01/02/conversation-starters-for-your-family/” target=”_blank” align=”center”]Click Here[/mk_button][mk_padding_divider size=”13″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1587135159315{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Fun Things to Do at Home

[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://newcanaanchamber.com/2020/01/08/fun-things-to-do-at-home/” target=”_blank” align=”center”]Click Here[/mk_button][mk_padding_divider size=”13″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1587135152477{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Download the Poster

[/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://newcanaanchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pobble-nonscreen-activities-poster.pdf” target=”_blank” align=”center”]Download Now[/mk_button][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”41029″ img_size=”full” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”https://newcanaanchamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pobble-nonscreen-activities-poster.pdf”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1585338835907{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Poster courtesy of Pobble.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]