With area schools closing for the next six weeks and more at home time happening for everyone, we wanted to provide some resources for parents and folks who are self-quarantined alike. There are many free resources available right now to learn and also free lunches available to any child 18 years or younger.
A couple of tips before we get into the resources:
Remain calm and reassuring.
Children will react to and follow your verbal and nonverbal reactions.
What you say and do about COVID-19, current prevention efforts, and related events can either increase or decrease your children’s anxiety.
Let your children talk about their feelings and help reframe their concerns into the appropriate perspective.
Make yourself available.
Children may need extra attention from you and may want to talk about their concerns, fears, and questions.
It is important that they know they have someone who will listen to them; make time for them.
Tell them you love them and give them plenty of affection.
Resources
First of all, be sure to check in with your school and school district. They may have excellent resources for what your child is currently learning in class. Your student’s teacher may have plans already prepared to help you navigate this time, be sure to be in contact if possible.
Below are some resources we’ve found that may help you to navigate learning and fun:
Comcast Offers Two Months Free Internet
If you don’t currently have access to internet, Comcast is offering two free months of internet service. https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19#thingstoknow&all_DoIliveinaComcastarea
Storyline Online
Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors
reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Readers
include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening,
James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.
https://www.storylineonline.net/?fbclid=IwAR3xPu5j5B6FheORc5rgO6qts_X43x9-pnYEPD55sULYYUDwqt3_YvW_zkw
Kennedy Center Education
Artist-in-Residence at Home
Mo Willems invites YOU into his studio every day for his LUNCH
DOODLE. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by
visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some
paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and
making together. https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/
Explore the National Parks virtually
thanks to Google
We
went there so you can too. Follow rangers on a journey to places most people
never go. Experience the sights, sounds, and adventures of Kenai Fjords,
Hawai’i Volcanoes, Carlsbad Caverns, Bryce Canyon, and Dry Tortugas in stunning
360° video. https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/25/google-now-lets-you-explore-u-s-national-parks-via-360-degree-virtual-tours/
Other fun resources:
- The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden are doing live safaris via Facebook Live at 12pm they highlight one of their amazing animals and include an activity you can do from home. (this is also available afterward on YouTube):
- Tour Yellowstone National Park!
https://www.nps.gov/…/lea…/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
- Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity
Rover.
https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/
- Play with your favorite PBS show characters and learn: https://pbskids.org/
- Travel to Paris, France to see amazing works of
art at The Louvre with this virtual field trip.
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
- Math and Reading games https://www.funbrain.com/
- This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/
- Read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss https://www.seussville.com/
- Geography and animals
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
- KiwiCo is a STEM kit delivered to your door. However, they just launched a really cool free online resource page to learn at home. Check it out: https://www.kiwico.com/blog/
Other Ideas
Connect with family—right now is a great time to connect with family members near and far.
- Call/Skype/FaceTime/Zoom with family members
- Look at photo albums and discuss family heritage
- Create a family tree
- Write letters to/create cards for relatives (Perhaps an overdue thank you note for that really nifty gift you received?)
With the cancellation of playdates, birthday parties, and other activities, your calendar is likely wide open. Which allows for some fun family activities to take place, here are some suggestions for fun things you can do with your family:
- Play card and board games
- Make art or do crafts together
- Cook and bake together—talk about math as you prepare the recipe
- Build forts, design a marble run, or other fun STEM project
- Sort through bookshelves, revisit favorite titles and make a pile to donate
- Change family picture frames and revisit memories as you change photos
- Make a photo book together
- Make up a play
- Sing, play recorder or other instruments
- Have a dance party, do fitness activities together, and play in the yard as a family
Read Trusted Sources:
Seek accurate information and limit exposure to social media and
news reports that provide no new information or inaccurate information. Here
are some reliable sources of information:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://srhd.org/news/2020/learn-more-about-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19
