2020 Hometown Heroes

2020 Hometown HEROES Magazine LINCOLN DAILY NEWS May 14, 2020 Page 39 COMMUNITY: WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER! T he recent shelter in place order along with schools being closed for a few weeks has many families getting more time together than normal. The family is usually up by 7:30 in the morning and Dykman said her daughter Abby, who is a self-starter, has often started working on schoolwork before she (Andrea) is even awake. After eating breakfast and getting dressed, Dykman said part of the morning is usually spent with son Luke using Lexia and Raz Kids for online work. They usually rotate between one hour of schoolwork and one hour of play to keep from boredom. Dykman said math comes next, with her son doing several worksheets. Once that is done, the family often eats lunch and then for a kind of recess they either go outside or watch a television show. The afternoon work includes xtramath, a free online program of basic mathematics, and then Luke is usually done with work for the day by 2 p.m. if they can focus on the work. For some xtracurricular learning, Dykman said they have started a garden and bought some chickens. The kids love digging up worms in the garden to feed to the chickens. Keeping children busy and active seems to be a good way to keep them from getting too stir- crazy. For example, Heidi Bainter, whose kids are three and seven years old, has found many fun learning activities to keep her children busy while they are all home. Bainter said their days often consist of doing school assignments, playing games, building with legos, building forts, playing outside and taking walks. They are also trying new foods. Families find keeping active and staying in routine key during more time together Luke Dykman doing an online learning activity. Abby Dykman digging earthworms to feed the chickens. CONTINUED u