Staying Connected while Far Apart

April 6, 2020

Tips for Video Chatting with Young Children

To keep your family and friends connected, video chatting with apps such as FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, and WhatsApp can be a wonderful virtual experience. Video Chats can help children build relationships, communicate and learn from loved ones on the screen at times when they are unable to see them in person.

To Support Children with their Video Chats:
  1. Choose a good time of day. Using video chat means children have to sit quietly at times and focus on the screen. Don’t set up for disappointment by picking a time when they are hungry or restless
  2. Before your call prepare to have engaging materials at your side (storybooks, musical instruments, puppets, toys, artwork or photos) to create positive interactions
  3. Get creative – encourage engagement by using cooking, baking, games and toys
  4. Get musical – sing a song with hand movements, play or shake instruments or have a dance party to keep the children’s attention
  5. Plan in advance, and pretend to share snacks. People on both sides of the screen have the same snack and the adults can even pretend to hand it off (camera to camera) to a child’s delight
  6. If using a tablet or laptop so you can both move around to show different views and different activities
Tips for Chatting with Infants and Toddlers:
  1. Keep very young children engaged with you by playing games such as ‘peek a boo’ – turn the camera away from you, then back to your face, and then sometimes when the camera comes back you can surprise the kids by showing a book, or toy, or something else that you want to talk about
  2. Make sure to use the same greeting each time and in the same tone of voice when chatting with infants and toddlers. Infants and toddlers learn to recognize and feel comfortable with a real person on the screen when they hear that same sound each time they see the person. This is important because they often depend more on smell and touch when meeting a person, so they need more visual and sound cues to recognize you on video chat
  3. Use a lot of gestures. Be close to the camera, but not so close that your video partner can’t see your hands

 

Video chatting doesn’t have to be a major event. A quick, spontaneous chat can be a fun way for distant grownups and children to feel close to each other. And don’t forget to lean in for a high five or a “kiss” to say hello or goodbye!

Testimonials

  • My son started daycare at 1 year of age, spending the first year of his life at home during the lockdown.  It wasn’t easy as many other kids, however, staffs at Dawes Road CEL were so helpful and caring he eventually got it easy within the first 3 weeks. The staff members were very supportive and kept me updated with his progress. Especially the himama app helped me be informed of all his activities throughout the day.

    I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to the staff and management of the center for taking care of my son.

    Serene

  • The last two and a half years have been wonderful for Asharib. I still remember the 1st day when I dropped him at daycare and how scared we both were. But he had learned so much in the past 2 years & I am glad that I decided to send him to Lori Gardens. Special thanks to all of Asharib’s teachers for taking such good care of him teaching him manners and always trying to make his day fun & exciting. Thank you so much for everything!


  • 45 years of excellence is a great achievement. Congratulations! We will continue to support your growth. Together stronger!

    Kyle & Kendrick’s Family

  • Happy 45th Anniversary to the Dawes Road Center for Early Learning staff team.

    Adonias & Genet

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Centres for Early Learning operates 9 different locations across the GTA, offering subsidized and full fee spaces child care programs for children from infancy to school age. For 44 years, we have been providing high quality care to countless families, many of whom have returned to us with younger siblings, has been both successful and fulfilling. We hope to continue to enrich the lives of children with you!

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