Introduction
At 211 Child Development, we are always here to support families and children, especially during this trying and uncertain situation with COVID-19. With many children staying at home now, we know that you may be looking for ideas and ways to engage with them. We have compiled a list of resources with activities that are simple, educational, and yet fun. Most of the activities can easily be done with materials and toys found at home. You will also find resources for talking to children about the virus, as well as ways to take care of yourself and others during this stressful time. We hope that you find these resources provide comfort and support to be able to enjoy and make the most of this time with your loved ones!
Explaining the Virus to Children
- Zero to Three: Tips for Families during Coronavirus
- Save the Children: 7 Simple Tips on How to Talk to Kids About the Coronavirus
- PBS: How To Talk to Your Kids about Coronavirus
- Child Mind Institute: Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus
- Nickelodeon: Kids Together -The Kids’ Guide to Coronavirus with Kristen Bell
Taking Care of Yourself/Destressing
- PBS: How You and Your Kids Can De-stress
- CDC: Coping After a Disaster – Ready Wrigley Activity Book
- Child Mind Institute: Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus
Educational Resources
- Brookes Publishing – 24 At Home Learning Activities for parents with young children
- Helping Your Preschool Child – Activities for families with children from infancy through age 5. Most of the activities make learning experiences out of everyday routines. Most use materials that can be found in home.
- Zero to Three
- At Home Activity Guide – Play ideas for parents to enjoy with their young child or to practice independent play
- A Year of Play – Fun seasonal activities by month to find play activities that promote child’s development all year.
- Play with Me! – Links to articles for fun activities and play ideas to support early learning based on ages from birth to 36 months
- How to Play with Babies – Fun ways to interact with babies in the early months
- Activities for Bonding & Learning Birth to 12 months – Fun games and activity ideas for babies up to 12 months
- Activities for Bonding and Learning 12 months to 24 months – Fun games and activity ideas for babies 12 months to 24 months
- Activities for Bonding and Learning 24 months to 36 months – Fun games and activity ideas for toddlers 24 months to 36 months
- Scholastic Learn At Home – On daily basis, four separate learning experiences by grade level (PreK-K, 1-2, 3-5, and 6-9)
- Storyline Online – Stream videos 24/7 that feature celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners.
- Story Time from Space – Astronauts from the International Space Station videotape themselves reading children’s books.
- Starfall – Helps children K-3 learn to read, phonics & math through educational games, movies, books, songs, and more.
- ABC Mouse – Helps children ages 2 to 8 learn to read through phonics, and teaches lessons in math, social studies, art, music, and more.
- PBS Kids
- Daily Newsletters – weekday newsletter offers activities and tips you can use to help kids play and learn at home
- PBS Kids Video app – on demand educational videos
- PBS Kids Games app – educational games
- Ready to Learn – Resources, including hands-on-activities, apps, and videos, that families can use with their children to support literacy development and explore science in their everyday lives.
- National Geographic Kids – Children can learn facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with access to fun competitions, games and more.
- ABCya! – Educational games for grades PreK through 6 that will keep kids engaged and having fun.
- Highlight Kids – Children can play games, explore science related topics, find craft activities and recipes, and more.
- Khan Academy – offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. Being offered free at this time. Available to use on laptop, tablet, or download as a free app.
- Khan Academy Kids – learn and discover with free, fun educational app geared for children ages two to seven.
- Talk, Read, Sing Everyday
Museums/Aquariums
- Metropolitan Museum of Art – Child friendly map that lets them explore the pieces of art/artifacts on display
- Monterey Bay Aquarium – Children can view animals through 11 live webcams
- The Cincinnati Zoo – free Safari Facebook Live sessions daily at 3 pm that feature an animal and activity to do at home