It's about that time of year when we need to (temporarily) say sayonara to pleasant weather and ohayou to chilly temperatures and grey skies. And with rising coronavirus numbers throughout Japan, it may be especially important to stay indoors, at home, when possible over the next couple of months.

But that doesn't mean you and your family have to go stir-crazy! We're all very (too?) familiar with Zoom by now, but you can't deny that it's an extremely helpful tool for learning, playing and connecting with one another. As your family continues to take advantage of the wide array of digital content, we have some tips on how to make the most of an online winter.

Get Interactive

There is no shortage of screens that you and your family can sit in front of and just... watch. If you're going to add a Zoom session to the mix, make sure it's an interactive experience! Small group sessions or one-on-one instruction (a great opportunity to sharpen language skills!) that involve kids in the action is the way to go.

Get Festive

Sometimes, it's the little things! If you're going to be on Zoom for your holiday celebrations this year, why not impress with seasonal backgrounds? Crackling fireplaces, dogs in holiday attire or your favorite winter treats make great backdrops as you chat with your friends and family from afar. 

Get Involved

While a lot of events and activities were canceled this year in the interest of public health, some found ways to move online. Check out EventBrite for a listing of upcoming (free!) online events. Many are based internationally, so it's also a great opportunity to take advantage of resources you might not have been able to otherwise. Some events may not be ideal for kids (The Future of Agriculture, for one) but there are still lots of educational and entertaining options for everyone in the family. Virtual gingerbread house decoration contest, anyone?

And remember...

Take a Breather

We all know how exhausting back-to-back-to-back online meetings can be; don't put your kids through it! If they're still doing remote learning, the last thing you want to do is schedule their Zoom language lessons immediately after classes end. Ensure you're scheduling plenty of screen-free time for kids to unwind.

Keep Tabs on Eye and Ear Health

Staring at a screen and/or wearing headphones for long periods of time can have lasting effects. Your kids can become physically fatigued in addition to the mental exhaustion online learning can cause. To counteract eye strain, employ the 20-20-20 rule for your children: every 20 minutes, they should spend 20 seconds looking at something 20 feet (six meters) away.

And don't forget! CareFinder's babysitters are always happy to offer online services for your family, as well.