RICHMOND, Va.-- Children have been out of school for a month due to COVID-19 and for many parents it has been tough to keep their children engaged and entertained. But one Richmond mom has cracked the code.
Sadira Gray's recent social media posts about bringing a movie theater to her home has gone viral.
"We always watch movies," she said. "So I was like let's just make it a movie theater."
Gray said she drew inspiration from her childhood, a time where she recalls her dad creating spaceships out of cardboard for her and her siblings to enjoy.
So Gray created signs, decorations, and stocked up on snacks -- all items she was able to get her hands on without breaking the bank.
She even created tickets that her kids had to earn by learning and reciting sight words and their times tables.
So far Gray has created a party and even a safe Easter egg hunt for her family during the pandemic.
She said having something for her family to look forward to at the end of each week has helped her family adjust to their new normal.
"I wanted them to look forward to something every Friday. That was the schedule I had set up for myself," she said. "So it will keep them entertained throughout the week and looking forward to something, because my children are kind of taking this hard. And it helps me feel like it's the weekend, because the days just kind of run into each other and you're like what day is it?"
For other parents trying to figure out what to do, Gray shared her secret.
"Take the small everyday things that you normally do and take it up a notch," she said. "So instead of just cooking dinner by yourself, get like a little fake t-shirt and tie it around your daughters waist and call her a chef and have her come and cook with you. If you're playing Monopoly put some candy on it. I don't know whoever wins gets candy. That's the kind of things that I think of. Just the things that we normally do, just take it up a notch."
Now Gray said she was working to figure out how to create a science museum in her living room.
She's hoping it will continue to spark excitement in her kids learning process wile being at home.
To find out more on her fund quarantine activities click here.
COVID-19 Precautions
Most patients with COVID-19 have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person.
Virginia health officials urged the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.Stay home when you are sick.
- Avoid contact with sick people.Avoid non-essential travel.