Co-parents who are looking to foster a meaningful relationship with their young children despite physical distance can leverage a virtual visitation arrangement to their advantage. Making digital parenting time interactions engaging and fun can help strengthen bonds and better ensure that children feel loved and connected to both parents.
With that said, older kids may have an easier time with virtual visitation arrangements, partially due to their more developed attention spans and communication skills, and partially due to their tech-savvy. As such, keeping virtual visitation time fun for very young kids can be a challenge.
Some tips to keep in mind
If you are a parent, you know that children adore stories. Thankfully, virtual visitation can become a perfect opportunity for storytime. Parents can choose a book that their child is currently interested in or explore new stories together. Adding voices for characters and discussing the story can make these sessions interactive and stimulating for a child’s imagination.
You can also take advantage of the plethora of online resources offering virtual tours of zoos, museums and aquariums. These adventures can be a fantastic way to spend quality time together, learning and exploring new things.
Additionally, many online platforms offer games that are suitable for young children and can be played together virtually. These games not only provide entertainment but also help develop skills such as problem-solving, coordination and teamwork. Choose games that are age-appropriate and focus on positive reinforcement.
You can even set up a virtual arts and crafts session where both parent and child can work on a project together. Or, if your child is interested in cooking or baking, you can plan a simple recipe to make together during a visit.
Making virtual visitation time engaging for young kids requires creativity, patience and effort from co-parents. But, given how much your child means to you – and how much your efforts will mean to them – this is an undertaking that is well worth your while.