From staying in touch with family to communicating with friends, video chatting online is a great way for seniors to interact from the convenience of their home. The tools are minimal – an Internet connection, webcam (comes standard with most new laptop computers), and video chat software.
Video conferencing allows face-to-face interaction not available through typical phone conversations as well as fun, creative ways to connect with family and friends online.
In addition, chatting gives grandparents the ability to see their grandchildren grow and develop. Conferencing frequently also gets a family involved in each other’s daily lives.
Video chatting does not have to be limited to holding conversations online. There are tons of interactive activities you can do make it fun:
When talking to your grandchildren:
- Play an online game like checkers or cards while video chatting
- Tell a bedtime story with books or puppets
- Ask them to recap their day with you and show you the projects they did at school
When talking to your children:
- Set up a time to three- or four-way video conference so the whole family can have a conversation. The key to these chats is choosing a time everyone can agree on, even if it is just once a month. You can set up an event on Facebook and ensure everyone RSVPs.
When talking to friends:
- You can follow a simple fitness plan by doing stretches or stationary exercises together via webcam.
- You can “share dinner” by scheduling a chat time during dinner time and eating together while catching up on webcam
Want to get started? Here are some of the best video chat programs to download:
www.skype.com
www.windowslivemessenger.com
http://mail.google.com/videochat
http://www.oovoo.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment