In recent years, virtual visitation has become an increasingly important tool for maintaining parent-child relationships when children of co-parents spend their time rotating between two households. For families with preschool-aged children, virtual visitation can present unique challenges, as young children have shorter attention spans than older children and may struggle to stay engaged during video calls.
Thankfully, by employing thoughtful planning and creativity, virtual visitation can be a meaningful way for parents to bond with their preschoolers who are residing with their other parent on any given day.
Visits should generally happen often and be kept short
Preschoolers typically have limited attention spans, so long video calls can be overwhelming or boring for them. If you are co-parenting, instead of one lengthy session every few days, for example, consider opting for shorter, more frequent video interactions. Your check-ins could be 10 to 15-minute calls once a day at bedtime, for example.
Consistency is key, as it can help your child to develop a routine and look forward to regular interactions with you or your co-parent (whoever has your child on any particular day). Frequent, short calls also reduce the likelihood of your child becoming restless or distracted during a call.
Keep it fun!
Preschoolers are naturally curious and enjoy interactive activities, so it might be helpful to make virtual visits engaging by incorporating fun, age-appropriate games and activities. For example, you can use the Caribu app to engage in storytelling interactively. You could have sing-alongs or play simple games with your preschooler. If you expect them to engage in long conversations, you might both end up frustrated.
Communicating with a preschooler can be challenging at the best of times. Yet, by taking a thoughtful approach to your virtual visits, you can potentially make these interactions something that you both look forward to.