Virtual visitation has been proven over and over to be a valuable resource to co-parents and their children. By regularly communicating electronically with whichever parent isn’t present at any given time, a child is more likely to benefit from strong, sustainable parent-child relationships.
With that said, while older children and teens may adapt easily to video calls or messaging apps, making virtual visitation engaging for small children often requires creativity, patience and intentional effort.
Fun, focused communication
Young children often have short attention spans and may struggle to stay focused during traditional video chats. To make virtual time more engaging, it helps to treat these visits like interactive playtime rather than formal conversations. Activities such as reading books aloud, singing songs or playing simple games like “I Spy” or “Simon Says” can hold a child’s interest and make the experience fun.
Consistency is also important. Using the same platform, intro song or opening activity can help signal the start of “special time” with the parent who is not physically present at any particular moment. Another helpful tip is to use the technology creatively. Parents can take virtual walks using a phone camera, show their pets or give mini “tours” of their home.
Parents can also enhance virtual visits by incorporating their child’s favorite toys, characters or activities. For example, if a child loves dinosaurs, a parent might show a dinosaur book or do a short puppet show featuring dinosaur characters. Even simple acts like eating a snack “together” or drawing pictures side-by-side while on a video call can help make the experience feel shared and connected.
At the end of the day, encouraging a child to express themselves, showing genuine interest in their day and offering praise and affection during virtual visits go a long way in keeping a parent-child bond strong. Consider learning more about how to schedule virtual visits into your parenting plan.
