{Guest Post by Pack-n-Go Girls}
Oh, so many challenges this year. And so many moments where we feel like we’ve lost time we’ll never get back. If you’re like I am, you’ve missed in-person time with your grandkids, nieces and nephews, or maybe even your own child. Zoom has saved us from being totally unknown to each other, but we all still miss giving a real hug and holding hands as we head to the park.
Here’s some good news in the middle of all this: those virtual calls may actually be closer to the real thing than it seems. In a recent New York Times’ article, contributing opinion writer Dr. Richard Friedman shares an interesting study: Young children “were put in a mildly stressful situation — asked to perform math and verbal tasks in front of an audience — and then given a randomly assigned form of parental contact: in-person; by text, by telephone and no contact at all.
“Researchers asked the children afterward how they felt, and then measured their levels of the stress hormone cortisol as well as the level of the prosocial hormone oxytocin. Strikingly, texting with a parent provided no more comfort than having no contact at all. But telephone communication was just as effective as being able to touch and see a parent.”
While in-person time can never be replaced, here’s a cool idea for interacting virtually: spend time reading together. Even better? Choose books from MCBD’s own multicultural book lists or Pack-n-Go Girls list. Most if not all are on Amazon or can be ordered through your local bookstore. Many are at your local library.
For younger kids, picture books just get better and better. For older kids, look for chapter books (of course, the Pack-n-Go Girls Adventure books are a great place to start!). Take turns reading pages or chapters together. If you’re on a budget (and aren’t we all?), arrange for both you and the kids you love to get the library books through everyone’s own library system.
Yes, it would definitely be better to be together, tucked under a toasty throw in front of the fireplace as you discover a new book. But it’s nice to know you don’t have to give up this favorite thing together just because you’re at a distance.
For more virtual connecting ideas, check out this Pack-n-Go Girls blog.
About Pack-N-Go Girls
Dreaming of true-blue friends, mysterious adventures, and faraway places? Pack-n-Go Girls take you there!
