Here are a couple ideas on how you might have virtual visits with your CASA kiddos.
- Create a vision board: The CASA or the caregiver can provide the child with pictures from a magazine that reflect the child’s feelings or future aspirations. Then the CASA and their case child can assemble it together via FaceTime or Skype and plan to share it once in-person visits resume.
- Scavenger hunts: Working with the caregiver, create a list of items that the child can find in the home, then provide the child riddles or clues over the phone so that they identify and then find the item.
- FaceTime/Skype: Communicate via FaceTime or Skype. Activities could include reading an age-appropriate book to your case child, or have them read to you; playing 20 questions; having lunch; playing board games, etc., over FaceTime or Skype.
- Kindoma Storytime: This iPhone/iPad app allows for users to read stories while video chatting. The free app comes with access to 10 books; after that, users can buy stories individually or through a subscription. The books target children ages 3 to 6. Kindoma.com is also beta testing two new apps, Kindoma Drawtime and Kindoma Talktime.
- Interview practice: For older youth, CASAs can research potential job interview questions and help their youth practice interviewing over the phone.Virtual movies: Watch the same age-appropriate movie on television or computer and then discuss it over the phone, after the movie.Tutorials: Watch the same YouTube tutorial video, either independently or together via a split screen on FaceTime, and plan to practice your new skill together later.
- Museum Tours: Go on a virtual tour of a famous museum and then each decide on a painting to recreate or put your own spin on.
Missed Activities: Ask older children about the experiences, such as field trips and dances, that they are missing due to Coronavirus / COVID-19 precautions and brainstorm ways to recreate, either virtually or once restrictions are lifted. - Voice Actors Read Movement: spearheaded by a graduate of Gonzaga University, a number of voice actors are reading to children, live streamed @voiceactorsread on Instagram.