Using Skype Creatively to Stay Connected

For many, Skype is more than an opportunity to video chat. It's an opportunity to bring those most special to us into the rhythms of our daily life. Here are some creative ways people are using Skype to connect.

Using Skype to Connect With Children:

Show and Tell - scan the camera to different parts of your home, showing your collections or gifts and drawings sent by them; aim your camera outside the window to show your view?

Play games - e.g. Simon Says or children's board games such as Candyland, etc.

Sing songs together - use a children's?CD or be brave and sing without?

Use puppets to entertain?

Read a book together - send the book in advance?

Celebrate birthdays - arrange for cake in both places and choose games can do over Skype

Use flash cards - see how many the child can answer?

Draw or paint together?

Do science projects - e.g. plant a seed and watch it grow??

Using Skype to Connect With Teens or Adults:

Facilitate a family book club

Organize a family fantasy sports league

Cook together - send recipe in advance, buy ingredients and make dish simultaneously

Play board games - e.g. chess, checkers

Conduct a regular family teleconference with extended family - e.g., aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews etc.

Have a baby or wedding shower - eat together and watch new bride or mom open gifts sent in advance

Eat holiday meals together

Continue the rhythm of daily life - keep camera on while go about daily life. ?Until a family could be reunited with a parent who was transferred to another part of the country, each left their Skype connection open. They ate dinner at the same time and each then went about their normal routine knowing the other was on the other end of the line.??

With seniors in assisted living or with dementia - Use Skype to connect with?those in assisted living who often have difficulty talking on the phone.? Many assisted living facilities are discovering the value of Skype and now offer it.

There are numerous ways others?are using Skype to stay connected. But whatever way people use to help make the connection, it's the connection that's valued. ?Said one user, "I record the sessions just to listen to family members when I'm alone."?????