In this article, we will continue to look for a decent alternative to TV. So what to do in the evening with the kids?
Play an instrument
Some of you may already know how to play some musical instruments. Or maybe you bought a guitar a long time ago, and it's modestly in the closet? Why not have an impromptu concert or watch a video lesson for beginners?
Why it's useful
Playing musical instruments relaxes the nervous system, reduces stress, improves mental health and memory, and increases brain activity.
Children improve their fine motor skills and develop creativity. They are becoming more attentive and generally learn faster. Self-confidence also increases, coordination improves, and new opportunities to make friends and gain peer recognition are emerging.
Engage in financial literacy
Each of us realizes the importance of knowing how to manage money properly. This is the knowledge that is best absorbed from childhood. The primary task of adults is to teach children how to manage finances effectively.
One of the most famous children's books about money was written by the talented German author Bodo Schaefer. The story of “A Dog Named Mani” is a story about a girl named Kira and a talking Labrador who discovers the secrets of proper financial management in a simple and understandable way.
Why it's useful
If a child understands the value of money from childhood, realizes the consequences of overspending and knows how to draw up a budget, in the future he will be able to avoid debts, learn how to plan expenses, save money and prepare for the potential role of an investor or entrepreneur.
Read a book
Family reading has a special charm. Listen to an interesting and exciting story, imagine together what will happen next, and finally discuss all the twists and turns of the plot and, perhaps, come up with a sequel, the perfect scenario for a cozy evening with loved ones.
Why it's useful
Reading develops imagination and creativity, as well as improves memory, analytical skills and speech. Plus, when you read books, your writing skills get better too. Reading fiction will help to distract yourself from worries, relax the nervous system and make it easier to fall asleep.
Play board games
Board games are whole worlds that you can immerse yourself in endlessly. Gathering the whole family at the same table to play a board game is a special ritual.
Why it's useful
Board games of different genres help you learn how to make quick decisions in different situations, master communication and persuasion skills, and develop logic, imaginative and analytical thinking.
Color T-shirts using the Tie-Dye method
Tie-Dye means “tie and dye” in English. This technique has gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s thanks to American hippies. Tie-Dye is based on an ancient method of nodular dyeing of fabrics that has long been used in Japan, India, China and Africa.
Before painting, the item is crumpled, tied with ropes or rolled up in a special way, then it is dipped into the paint.
Why it's useful
Any creativity, let alone collaborative creativity, develops creative abilities, communication skills and helps families get closer together. Working with colorful paints has a therapeutic and relaxing effect.
Start keeping lists
Lists are a very useful thing. First, they help us unload our brain from information that we don't have to keep in our heads. Second, through lists, we begin to better understand ourselves and what we want. Third, lists certainly help us organize everything in the best possible way.
What lists can be shared with children?
Here are a few ideas:
- List of books you want to read
- A list of birthday gifts
- List of places you want to go
- List of creative ideas
- Anti-list －what you or your child, on the contrary, want to stop doing (for example, being late for school or work)
Why it's useful
Lists teach you to be more organized. When it comes to a to-do list, it allows you to divide large tasks into smaller ones and contributes to their gradual completion. Plus, the fact that you put something on a list turns an abstract thought into a planned action. In addition, lists help you save valuable ideas.
Do neurography
Neurography is a technique for working with the subconscious that was recently developed by Pavel Piskarev, a Russian artist, psychologist and business coach. Using this method of drawing, a person can “put” their emotions and experiences on paper and transform them in order to feel security and harmony inside. By drawing using this technique, we form new neural connections in our heads and, therefore, change our thinking.
Why it's useful
This is a simple and pleasant way to relax, relieve emotional stress, overcome resentment, anger, confusion, get out of anxiety, etc.
Do digital cleaning
We've already done the usual cleaning, now get ready for a virtual one =) How often do we not find time to clean our phone from bad photos, unnecessary applications and old files that are no longer relevant. The memory in gadgets is not rubber, and extra “garbage” also slows down important processes.
Why it's useful
It turns out that digital cleaning has a positive effect on the environment - getting rid of unnecessary information in gadgets, cloud storage and Internet resources will reduce the load on database centers that require huge amounts of energy. Digital cleaning will reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and help gadgets last longer.
