Resources to Support Children and Families at Home
We have collected resources and information about activities and learning opportunities for children at home, how to talk to children about COVID-19 and other helpful information for families as they stay home during this unprecedented time. Please note, it is important for parents and/or guardians to review any sites they allow their children to access.
All COVID-19 resources will also be listed in the BCACCS Resource Centre COVID-19 Subject Guide, searchable by keyword.
Learning Resources for Children
• Providing Activities for Children during a time of Crisis
Physical distancing and school closures have made this a challenging time for parents and kids alike! The First Nations Health Authority has some ideas of what you can do.
• 10 Nature Activities to Help Get Your Family Through the Coronavirus Pandemic
Children and Nature Network have provided a sampling of activities (borrowed from Vitamin N, Our Wild Calling, Last Child in the Woods and other sources) to help your family make the best of a tough situation.
• Stay ‘N’ Play
Mothers Matter Centre’s guide to parents for a weekly, in-home schedule that is full of easy to follow parent-child activities. Using the HIPPY parent-child curriculum format, the daily activities are designed to touch on critical domains like physical activity, playtime, learning time and family time.
• Love is Medicine with Monique Gray-Smith
Monique and her daughter have taken the time to do recordings of her children’s books, like “My Heart Fills with Happiness” and her newest “When We Are Kind”.
• Stay at Home Mom Survival Guide
Activities that teach do not have to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time to prepare. This site provides 80+ preschool activities to take a look at.
• 87 family activities to help you avoid coronavirus cabin fever
Being stuck at home isn’t ideal, Today’s Parent has shared some ideas to make dealing with self-isolation from COVID-19 just a little bit more fun for the whole family.
• Autism Little Learners
Resources and ideas for families and educators.
• Scholastic Learn at Home: Grades PreK-K
Provides day by day projects for PreK-K. Discover new activities, videos, read-alouds, and so much more!
• Khan Academy
The Kan Academy provides a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. This site has home schooling information for PreK-K.
• Storyline Online®
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Daytime Emmy®-nominated and award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online®, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. Books are available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers and educators worldwide. Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners.
How to Talk to Children About COVID-19
• #COVIBOOK-Supporting and reassuring children around the world
This short book can help support and reassure children, under the age of 7, regarding the COVID-19. It can be used as a way for families to discuss emotions arising from the current situation.
• Coronavirus-A Book for Children
Free PDF book on Coronavirus to meet the needs of children and their families. No one involved was paid anything for their work.
• Answering Your Young Child’s Questions About Coronavirus
Here are some age-appropriate responses to the common questions a toddler might have about coronavirus from the Zero to Three site.
• Supporting children in a time of crisis
In this time of crisis, children need accurate, open, honest and age-appropriate information about what is happening. The First Nations Health Authority has some ideas about topics to talk to them about.
• COVID-19 Infographic for Children
Health Literacy Project has provided an Infographic that explains COVID-19 and how to decrease its spread in a way that can be understood by children.
• Responding to Stressful Events: Helping Children Cope
Natural or human-caused disasters, terrorist attacks or acts of war are upsetting for children, even if they only witness them on television or see their impact on the adults they care about. Remember that it is normal for kids to feel depressed, horrified, worried, sad, nervous, and frightened in the face of such events. The Public Health Agency of Canada has some information about how parents and family can pay attention to children’s feelings and reactions.
• Talking to children about COVID-19
Children may feel worried and overwhelmed too. BC Children’s Hospital – Kelty Mental Health site can help you navigate the COVID-19 discussion with your children.
Children’s Health and COVID-19
• Caring for Children with COVID-19
Unlike adults the rates of transmission are unknown. This information sheet from the BC Centre for Disease Control and the BC Ministry of Health shares information about caring for children who have contracted the illness.
• How to care for a child with COVID-19 at home: Advice for caregivers link
The Public Health Agency of Canada has an information sheet with steps to follow if you are caring for a child who has or may have COVID-19.
• COVID-19 Pregnancy, childbirth and caring for newborns: Advice for mothers
We are still learning how this new disease affects pregnant women. Throughout pregnancy, women experience changes in their bodies that may increase the risk of other illnesses, such as viral respiratory infections. This information sheet shares information about how pregnant women, especially those at high risk of developing severe complications, can take precautions to protect against the possibility of becoming ill.
General Resources for Families
• Parent Support During COVID-19
Now more than ever, parents need the time and space to connect. Parent Support Services of BC has created Support Circles to provide a safe and confidential space for parents and grandparents and others raising a relative’s child.
• Parenting in a Pandemic Q&A Free Online Panel
The Neufeld Institute is sharing A Parenting in Pandemic Q&A Panel that can be live-streamed for free every Thursday from 7-8 Pacific time.
• Resources and Ideas to Support BC Families During Covid-19
The BC Council for Families has a site with resources for families.
• Guideline for Lactation for Women/Individuals Who Are Confirmed or Suspect Cases of COVID-19
Useful information regarding breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic. This document is intended for the subsequent care of the newborn/infant at and after the time of birth.
• Good Medicine: Keeping Active at Home
With everything that is happening right now, we need to be doing what we can to help ourselves be as healthy and well as possible. One thing most of us can do in that respect is exercise.
• Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus
Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. And during this difficult time, when children are home and stress is running high, it’s more important than ever.