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Information and free tutoring for families during COVID-19 school closures
(See resources for teachers )
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School closures: what parents need to know

Sample daily schedule

Food﻿

Working remotely while kids are home

Childcare resources for parents who cannot stay home from work

Learning: keep children on track academically while schools are closed

More curriculum for parents to use at home with kids

Early Childhood

Getting access to technology for learning and socialization

Psychological support for parents and children

Staying connected to the community

Health and Wellness

School Closures: What Parents Need to Know

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the current outbreak of coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19. On March 4, 2020, 33 countries announced school closings resulting in 300 million children missing class. With 1 billion children now missing school, officials have announced that school closures may last for a long time, possibly until September. It's important to develop a plan to ensure children continue to learn and parents find a way to continue to work remotely until the outbreak has been contained.

Parents will want to stay informed of the following key topics:

Remote Schooling: Most schools are preparing a remote learning plan and it is important for parents to familiarize themself with this plan by asking the school, teacher or looking for relevant communication. Parents having difficulty with technology can contact us to be connected with a volunteer IT specialist who can walk them through new technology.

Childcare: During the outbreak, doctors recommend Social Distancing, so if possible, it is recommended that parents stay at home with their children and work remotely. If remote work is not possible with a parent's current job, there are many remote jobs available that do not require many prerequisites. Emergency childcare is usually available to essential personnel like health care workers and low-income families. To find emergency childcare, Google "emergency childcare" and the name of the city to find support.

How to find out if a school is closed

Most schools are currently closed. To determine if a school has closed, visit the school district's website or contact the district. It is the school's responsibility to keep parents informed of school closures and information about academics and meal distribution (if relevant). Also, make sure the district, school and child's teacher has up-to-date contact information for the family to avoid missing important online communication.

The CDC advises parents to be sure to ask their children's schools about their plans for school dismissals or school closures.

To find a public school's website or contact information, visit https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/.

Parents can also find their school district by state and county here.

What to expect if a child's school closes

Most schools will have an action plan in place for continuing classes online during a closure. according to Nancy Messonnier, a director at the Centers for Disease Control.

Parents should ask their school for teleschool or online learning plans via a website like Google Classroom.

If a school does not have a plan for remote learning, consider using a free online resource such as Khan Academy that requires no parent involvement, is aligned with state standards for learning, and will help make sure children are staying on track academically.

Getting familiarized with a school's learning plan

A school's learning plan is the toolbox for understanding what to do for successful distance learning (the terms distance learning and online learning are interchangeable).

Online learning may feel uncomfortable. It's also a major change for educators around the world. Here are some general distance learning guidelines and notes on what to expect: https://www.educationcorner.com/distance-learning/distance-online-learning-guide.html.

To get familiar with a school's learning plan:

Visit the school's website. The school website will likely have a newly designated place for distance/online learning activities. Most schools have moved distance learning to the top of the site. To find a school's website, try searching google or calling the administrative office at the school.

Ask questions! Teachers want to hear from parents during this time and answer questions in order to meet the needs of communities and families. Unless otherwise specified, email the teacher with questions regarding lessons and activities.

For support using new technology, please call our hotline and one of our volunteers will talk through the process of getting set up.

Students who are learning offline can also benefit from volunteer tutors. To be connected with a volunteer tutor, contact us.

Students who do not have laptops can contact us and we will work to ensure they get the nevcessary technology to support your child's learning.

How to pull a child out of school if schools do not close

Most schools are closed and social distancing is recommended. Even if a child's school does not close, parents may want keep them home. In the United States, "the Supreme Court has ruled that parents have a fundamental right to direct the education of their children." This means that a parent has a legal right to homeschool at any time and for whatever reason.

Most schools require a simple letter of intent notifying the school principal of the intention to homeschool.

Parents may also consider filing an independent study for a shorter absence (7-10 days).

To learn about the local laws for homeschooling state by state, visit this link.

Updates on school closures

To keep up with the latest school closings as they're reported in local and national news media:

Sample daily schedule

Many parents are curious about what a day of remote learning might look like. Each family has unique needs, school requirements and should feel comfortable designing the schedule that works best for them. There is no right answer, so feel free to be creative and let the schedule evolve. To get an idea of what a schedule could like like, Khan Academy has developed suggested "school day" schedules for remote learning:

Preschool, kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade﻿

Working Remotely While Kids are at home

During the outbreak, social distancing is recommended. Daycares and schools are closed. Children are learning from home and parents are working from home. While normal childcare solutions are shut down, families find themselves in position where they need to carve out blocks of time to work while also keeping their children engaged and learning. While it may seem overwhelming, there are many techniques to manage this.

Setting up an environment conducive to parents working and children learning

Many families are now facing the daunting challenge of working from home while homeschooling their children. To balance the pressures of working while homeschooling, veteran work-from-home homeschooling parents have provided the following advice, adapted from this article.

Set realistic expectations for parents and kids.

Parents should realize they are not going to be as productive as they would be working from home without kids being around, much less working in the office. Parents should reset expectations with their boss and themselves and make a conscious decision to pause on anything that can wait until after the crisis is over.

Parents should recognize that they are not going to be able to reproduce the exact structure of school at home. It's okay if what kids do at home doesn't look exactly like what they do at school.

Carve out 2-3 hour blocks of time where parents can focus on work.

The idea here is quality, not quantity, of time. While the block may only be an hour, it can be a completely heads down, focused hour that's really productive.

If carving out a completely focused block (e.g., kids are always awake when parent is), isn't possible, instead set the expectation that work is the top priority during that block. Kids will be the priority during other blocks of time.

It's realistic to get one of these blocks in per work day. Parents will be able to do work at other times during the day, but during distracted blocks.. If possible, push all meetings and calls scheduled into the focused block.

Make sure parent has somewhere to get work done during focused work blocks with minimal distractions.

If there is no separate room in the home, create separation with headphones and/or visual cues like room dividers, plants, furniture, etc.

Make sure kids have somewhere to do their thing.

This can be a seat at the dining table, a corner of the living room, or even their bed. Some kids will want or need a formal desk setup. Others will be resistant to sitting at desks. This is not a battle worth fighting right now so don't push one over the other.

Create rhythms and routines vs hour-by-hour schedules.

Hour-by-hour schedules work in school or in offices, but not so well at home in the absence of external time pressures. Instead, think about blocks of time - focus time, collaborative time, free time (for reference see the sample schedule below). This provides flexibility to adapt and respond while also providing some of the comforts of predictability and routine.

Triage and prioritize.

If a school has required assignments to be completed, parents should not ignore them. But parents should give their kids and themselves a lot of grace if the assignments are only partially done or don't get done at all. If parents find themselves getting into arguments about doing the work, it's best to let it go. Kids - along with many of their classmates who also won't get everything done - will sort it out when they go back to school.

Bottom line - prioritize maintaining the parent and kids' mental health at this time. This is an anxiety-filled, unsettling time for adults and kids. It's important for parents to pick their battles about what's most important right now.

Sample day for working from home while homeschooling:

Enriching activities for kids to do while parents work at home

It's normal for parents to be concerned that their children staying home all day may disrupt their productivity. It represents a significant change in one's day to day routine and can cause stress for the whole family.

Remote jobs for Parents

Parents may feel pressed to make up lost income from shutdowns. There are many opportunities for parents to work at home. Here are a few places to start:

What to do if employers don't pay during the school closures

Parents may be concerned that their employer either will not or will not be required to pay them while they're home with children during school closures. Here are resources to help determine whether or not an employer is required to pay and what to do if they are not.

Childcare resources for parents who cannot stay home from work

Many parents depend on school for childcare. Since social distancing is recommended or required in many areas, a large number of companies have found ways to make it possible for parents to work from home. This may not be the case for all, especially in cases where the employee is a healthcare professional or performs another essential job such as a grocery store clerk or stocker. This section covers childcare options for parents who absolutely cannot stay home with their children.

Emergency Childcare

Many cities are either already providing emergency childcare to families or are in the process of setting up systems and locations to do so. If parents need to find childcare in their area, they can:
We will be updating this section as more information becomes available.

Safe ways to find childcare and sitters

If you need child care during the COVID-19 pandemic, below are the things you should look for in a childcare provider.

Ask: is childcare needed? Childcare is recommended only if it's necessary. By avoiding childcare, the risk of contagion to your family and those around you is reduced. If you have a partner and the ability to work from home, consider working in shifts-one of you takes care of the kids while the other works, and then you swap.

Decide: what type of childcare do you need? Here are some child care options and when they apply:

Babysitter/Nanny: Someone who provides childcare in your home. They may provide regular childcare or one-off care as needed.

Daycare center: A licensed facility that provides childcare for a group of children during standard work hours.

In-home daycare: A licensed daycare that takes place in the provider's home, often with fewer children than in traditional daycare centers.

Checklist to make sure it's safe

Health guidelines. Ensure that your childcare provider is following new CDC health guidelines including frequent handwashing. Your provider should have sufficient supplies of hand soap, paper towels, cleaning supplies and should be performing additional cleaning and sanitizing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Social distancing. If you're using a daycare center or in-home daycare, they should be maintaining small, consistent groups of children with the same staff members. If you're using a babysitter or nanny, make sure they are sheltering in place when they're not providing care for your family.

Paid sick leave. Make sure any childcare provider you're using has and is encouraged to take paid sick leave when feeling ill.

Sick children and family members. If you're using a daycare, make sure they have a plan for isolating children who become ill while receiving care. Make sure they have strong policies in place to prevent sick children and those with sick family members from receiving care.

Childcare for emergency responders

For emergency workers-health care providers, first responders, grocery store workers, and more-finding childcare may be especially challenging. First, unpredictable changes in the work schedule make it difficult to arrange last-minute assistance. Second, the risk of exposure to the coronavirus may rule out many options available to other parents, like using a local daycare or asking a neighbor to watch kids for several hours.

Some states and cities recognize this challenge and have issued executive orders directing schools to provide care to children of emergency responders (for example: the State of Minnesota). In addition to state and local resources, essential workers can search on Winnie's Emergency Childcare website to connect directly with providers who have immediate availability for children of essential workers.

Emergency responders may also decide to self-isolate from their children to minimize the chance of transmitting the virus. In some situations, that requires finding a caregiver with whom kids can stay for multiple weeks. Apart from extended family members, it's worth checking if local volunteers or fellow parents have capacity to help. In the latter case, children can benefit both from staying with their friends and keeping on track with the local school program.

For short-term babysitting (from several hours to a couple of days), additional options include:

Finding a local provider who is not afraid of potential exposure to the coronavirus.

Teaming up with colleagues who live nearby.

Connecting with volunteers.

In many places, volunteers have created childcare programs for emergency responders. MN CovidSitters in Twin Cities/Metro Area, Meadowlands YMCA in New Jersey, and Family YMCA of Greater Augusta are just a few examples. A google search for local options will turn up similar groups in most areas.

Additionally, multiple neighborhood volunteer groups are created every day on Nextdoor, Facebook, and other social platforms. Even if groups mention specific causes (supporting older adults, disabled people, etc.), volunteers are often eager to assist anyone who needs them and will be happy to help people on the front line.

Learning: Keep children on track academically

Parents may be worried that their children will fall behind academically if they miss class. It's likely that your school will provide homework or online learning for students while they're closed. Some schools may already have software they use for online learning such as Google Classroom.

Be sure to ask your school what plan they have in place for remote learning while schools are closed.

Even if your school does not have a plan in place, there's a lot of great support available for keeping children on track academically.

Recommended workbooks and offline learning programs

There are many high quality offline academic curriculum options available for purchase. Utilizing a prepared curriculum provides parents with academic solutions that have been created to suit different learning styles and different levels of parental supervision. There are mastery based and spiral based mathematics, literature based programs, living book programs, classical education programs, cross-discipline options for integrating several subjects into lessons, unit study programs, project based learning, and more. The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to choosing curricula is to consider if the family's needs require more parent-child cooperative learning, or a more independent learning model - both options are available across several learning and teaching styles. Many curriculum publishers have assessments available to help determine which level is appropriate for the student's aptitude.
Complete Curriculums
These publishers offer complete curriculum packages and a la carte options.
Mathematics

Singapore Math Focuses on building problem-solving skills and an in-depth understanding of essential math skills. https://www.singaporemath.com/

Saxon Math Scaffolded instruction of each concept continues to review information introduced earlier, allowing students the time and practice to retain math concepts to the level of mastery.

https://www.hmhco.com/programs/saxon-math

Language Arts

Brave Writer Focuses on establishing writing voice and the writing process in children and teens first, by helping parents foster the right environment for writing risks, and provides parents with instruction in how to nurture and draw out the writing voices of their children. https://bravewriter.com/

History

Free online learning resources

Many free resources exist for parents who want to ensure that their children are staying on track academically.

Learning at home by yourself can be hard. In addition to reading, writing, and math, add a fun new learning activity to remote learning by helping your child learn to code their own app or game on Code.org.

Youcubed transforms the latest research on math learning into accessible and practical forms for students in K-12. They're providing a number of math resources through Youcubed At Home, including exercises that bring in math and computational thinking. https://www.youcubed.org/resource/youcubed-at-home/

For more resources compiled by educators who are familiar with using online learning tools to supplement or enhance their child's learning, visit this list compiled by home educators.

Volunteer tutors and teachers

Teachers and tutors working from home are a great resource for parents and guardians helping to facilitate lessons and activities. They can answer questions, provide academic support, and help navigate the expectations.

Volunteer teachers and tutors can be found via a variety of sources, many of which offer free services.

School Closures has talented grads and undergrads volunteering to tutor kids via video conference or over the phone. To be connected with a volunteer tutor, contact us via phone at 855.264.2051 or by visiting https://schoolclosures.org/free-hotline-1

Best Online Tutoring Websites highlights key factors for choosing a tutor for parents and guardians who may not know what to look for. https://edureviewer.com/top-online-tutoring-websites/

Connect with parents experienced with distance learning

Resources for parents not familiar with technology or online learning are abundant. Those having difficulty choosing which platforms and apps to use or using these tools for the first time can try these options:

To connect with parents who are experienced with online and distance learning for additional support, consider joining the S.E.A Facebook group (Secular, Eclectic, Academic Homeschoolers).

To be matched with a parent or learning specialist for additional support, please contact us here.

Start a Microschool

Microschooling is a model of education where parents can start schools in their home for their own kids. This is a been proven, viable solution for families wondering how to educate their children during these times.

Parents can support and guidance in starting a Microschool with their children from Prenda. https://home.prendaschool.com/

Here are some other tips for starting your own microschool:

Get your kids together. Learning works best in a social setting, even if it's your own kids.

Set a schedule. It doesn't have to be long and it doesn't have to be rigid, but agreeing to a time and place to meet each day is a great way to create a sense of oﬃcial-ness and mutual accountability.

Conquer mode  :  Kids work independently on computers, moving at their own pace on math, English, or other subjects. Use tools like Khan Academy, No Red Ink, Mystery Science and tons more.

Collaborate mode: A structured group activity where everyone puts away their computers and interacts face to face. It's a fun and engaging way to learn rational thinking, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, research skills, and scientiﬁc methods. Consider having a debate, solving a math puzzle, doing a science project, etc, You can do these activities with the whole family!

Create mode: This is a chance for your kids to unlock their creativity and work together to make projects they are proud of.

More Curriculum for Parents to Use at Home

Resources for Handwriting

There are a number of online and paper resources for giving kids practice with handwriting.

Learning without Tears is offering free access to the online segment of their 'Handwriting without Tears' curriculum for 90 days. This mastery-based program is highly recommended for children with a variety of abilities, and is also appropriate for dyslexic children. https://www.lwtears.com/programs/distance-learning

The online curriculum offers digital letter formations, teaching videos, and fun animations. Access the curriculum here. The company also offers offline workbooks and puzzles for purchase. They can be purchased here. The price of each workbook ranges from $11.50 - $17.50

English Language Arts

Adding language arts to a child's day will both keep them learning and engaged. Language arts enhances children's abilities to communicate, both on and off the page. There are plenty of ways to continue your child's language arts development that will fit both families' needs and budget during this time.

DIY Language Arts Resources:

Structured programs:

Brave Writer is a homeschooling language arts curriculum that has made its resources free until April 30th, including writing prompts, ready-made lesson plans, and a free homeschooling conference, Homebound. This resource is best for older students (8-9 or older) who can already write simple sentences. They also offer paid 3-6 week online classes that could be done as a family or individually.

All About Spelling is a well-reviewed curriculum with seven levels for early readers to high school students. The necessary student handbook and teacher's manual, cost about $40. The curriculum also incorporates multi-sensory tools at an added cost ($22-$45). With 25 lessons included in each level, this may be best for parents looking for a longer-term spelling solution.

Essentials in Writing sells online writing curricula in grammar and composition for K-12 and literature-based courses for older learners. These online videos and activities cost $90-$120 but their 7-day free trial is a great option to fill a week.

Learning a foreign language

Learning a foreign language is a great way to immerse in a new culture that also has cognitive benefits. Bi- and multi-lingual people have improved memory, problem solving and critical thinking skills. There are many online resources to start or continue language learning at home.

How to Prepare for State Tests and other standardized admission tests (even if they have been suspended)

Most schools have suspended all state testing during closures due to COVID-19. There has been discussion on whether or not schools will even test students this year, as Secretary DeVos has granted schools "a waiver to any state that is unable to assess its students due to the ongoing national emergency."

Parents should look into their specific state's Department of Education sites to find out the current status on testing.

While schools are not federally mandated to do testing for this year, states may still choose to test at a later makeup date, so it's still important to prepare children.

In addition, many standardized admission tests such as the LSAT, the entrance exam for law school applicants, and the SAT have been cancelled or postponed. The College Board has canceled its May 2 SAT exam, and the ACT test has been rescheduled for June 13.

Here are resources to help prepare for all types of exams:

Standardized K-12 Exams

HiSET: High School Equivalency Test

TASC: Test Assessing Secondary Completion

SAT Subject Tests: Scholastic Aptitude Test Subject Tests

NYS Regents Exam: New York State Regents Exam

Self-care and well-being with young children﻿

Self care is important. While finding the time may seem impossible, 10 minutes spent laughing, taking deep breaths, or going for a walk around the block can make a big difference. Here are a few ways to bring more peace and compassion into the day, all of which can be done with kids in tow).

Understanding temperament

The early childhood years are a time of extraordinary development and learning, but that doesn't mean that it's necessary to replicate the classroom environment or become Mary Poppins overnight. By keeping in mind some basic principles of child development and child guidance, parents can use regular routines and everyday experiences to help children learn.

Here are a few short videos highlighting key parts of child development that may help parents navigate this new situation:

Enriching activities for preschoolers﻿

Pre-school provides a foundation for the rest of a child's educational journey. As children stay home, parents may be concerned about how they will keep their preschoolers developmentally engaged and enriched. By identifying activities that support 1) interacting with others (socio-emotional learning), 2) talking and reading (language and literacy), 3) making connections and decisions (cognitive processing), and/or 4) being creative and active (perceptual, motor, and physical development), parents can continue to build towards these developmental milestones with their child at home.

Here are some resources for parents to keep preschoolers on track in each of those four learning areas:

To keep children mentally and physically active, finding one simple active or creative activity that can be built into the day such as a morning dance exercise from Koo Koo Kangaroo or a lunchtime doodle from Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems can help establish a routine and encourage play.

Getting access to technology for learning and socialization

Many tools and resources to support remote learning require internet access and devices. If parents are in need of help acquiring these, there are a number of ways to do so.

Free internet access

A number of internet service giants have offered free or discounted access during the outbreak. Many are also waiving late fees so customers don't need to temporarily suspend service. Call a local service provider for more information.

Technological support resources for distance learning

In addition to tech titans Google and YouTube, organizations like UNESCO have collected resources of all types, in support of remote education. These links include options for teachers, students and parents.

Offline materials (mailed and printed)

In some cases, access to a laptop, tablet or phone isn't possible. Even if it is, offline activities are extremely healthy for children -- dedicated time away from screens is more important than ever.

Psychological Support

Free psychological support

In order to be a good parent to your child, it's important to take care of yourself first. Here are resources that can help:

Meditation apps

Meditation can reduce stress, help control anxiety, promote mental health, improve sleep and even help generate kindness. Plus, you it can be done anywhere.

MIT Medical recommends the following 5 apps to help reduce stress and preserve well-being. Most have free options or include 7-10 day free trials to get started.

Headspace: Starts with the basics and teaches as it progresses

Smiling Mind: Not-for-profit app designed by psychologists and educators

iMindfulness: 3 meditations of different lengths available in English, Danish and Norwegian

Mindfulness Daily: Helps integrate mindfulness meditation into your daily life

For more information on how Mindfulness can help, visit https://medical.mit.edu/stay-healthy-mit-stress-reduction/mindfulness-apps. ﻿

How to talk to children about COVID-19

It's normal for children to be concerned about a topic that's foreign to them. However, sometimes the way the topic is addressed can also cause stress and anxiety for a child. Dr. Jacqueline Sperling, a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, recommends providing the right amount of information (just what they absolutely need to know), to be an example of calmness (if a child sees a parent stressing out it will worry them too), limiting access to news about the virus and being on alert for a child seeking reassurance about the virus, which might take the form of asking a lot of questions. For Dr. Sperling's full blog on talking to kids about COVID-19 visit this link: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-talk-to-children-about-the-coronavirus-2020030719111.

Here are some other resources for talking to kids about the virus:
All ages: Pre and Lower School: Middle and Upper School
Staying Connected to the Community

In difficult times, our connections to one another become even more important. We all rely on our communities and relationships. As a team of Harvard Medical School reminds us, "It's important to stay connected even though we should not do so in person. Keep in touch virtually through phone calls, Skype, video and other social media. Enjoy a leisurely chat with an old friend you've been meaning to call."

Why social distancing is important

People are social beings, and being in the same physical space provides an easy way to connect. Therefore, social distancing may not come naturally. Those who are currently healthy may not feel compelled to abide by social distancing guidelines.

However, social distancing is an important public health intervention to slow the spread of an illness like COVID-19, which is mainly transmitted from person to person. It plays a critical part in " flattening the curve": social distancing can help ensure that the number of cases at any point in time will not exceed the health care system's capacity to treat these cases. By staying physically apart, everyone can save lives.

The goal is to intentionally increase the physical space between people by staying at least six feet away from others. Therefore, social distancing means not only avoiding large gatherings but also eliminating all nonessential in-person contact - whether at a store, an appointment or even a small get together of a couple of friends.

So, what exactly are the rules of social distancing?

How can social distancing change the outcome of this pandemic? Play the Social Distance Game with your family.

Covid-19 is currently following an exponential growth trajectory. Learn more about the math here.

Flattening the curve means that healthcare providers do not have to make choices about who among the sick should receive treatment.

The pandemic is not another snow day. Read from a physician's call to action.

See the rest of this section to learn about how to stay connected in these times.

Safe social interaction

With COVID-19, parents may be concerned about their children getting enough social interaction and if it is all right to organize playdates, go on trips or attend activities. Dr. Juvaddi from the Lucile Packard's Children's Hospital at Stanford warns against panic but recommends taking extra precautions. "This could mean keeping them home from swimming lessons and indoor play places or activities like gymnastics." She recommends staying away from indoor places, but continuing to going outside to play, which is important for a young child's development. There is likely minimal risk in catching the virus on a playdate, but it is wise for parents to make children wash hands for 20 seconds before and after the playdate and to consider having their child to wear a face mask so they avoid touching their face (which is the easiest way to contract the virus).

How to organize virtual playdates

For parents who are worried about their kids being away from friends, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Remember that in our culture, and our particular era, we've come to believe that children's friendships and large amounts of time spent together are highly important. But that's not a universal truth - in many contexts globally and historically, children have primarily spent time with family, and have been very happy to do so!

Give children time to adjust. There may be a lot of complaining about missing friends early on, but it will likely shift. Kids are adaptable and resilient. They will settle into focusing on other things and connecting with friends in new ways.

To make virtual playdates:

If kids are younger and need adult support for a virtual playdate, put one parent in in the "facilitator" role and have them read stories or sing songs with two or more kids via video chat, giving the other parents a few moments to load the dishwasher or prepare a meal.

Coordinate with another parent so that two or more families are all working on the same project independently, and then have a time to share their projects and talk about it on a video call. Or meet online over lunch to share a mealtime together. Get creative and experiment with ideas to see what works for virtual meet ups.

Health and Wellness

Combating COVID-19 is a team effort that starts at an individual level. Here are a few simple ways to help flatten the curve and stay healthy.

How to avoid getting sick

Eat well, drink water, exercise and sleep consistently -- these basic habits have been and always will be key to physical well-being.

Avoid public spaces. See the social distancing section for more on this. Don't be selfish.

Use free time to call or FaceTime loved ones. And stay calm - quarantine is a perfect opportunity to try meditation with family. Mental health is every bit as important as physical.

Symptoms of COVID-19

COVID-19 tends to be characterized by fever, cough, chest pains or difficulty breathing. Its symptoms are flu-like and generally appear about 5-7 days after infection.

Severe cases can lead to a form of pneumonia and are especially dangerous for older adults with chronic medical conditions like heart/lung disease or diabetes.

With milder symptoms that could be attributed to allergies, take a daily histamine to check whether they subside. In all other cases, call a local healthcare provider for guidance.

What to do if you or your child may be sick

First, call a doctor or pediatrician for advice. Clinics and hospitals are experiencing high demand right now, they can't accommodate too many walk-ins.

To prevent the virus from spreading within a household, separate affected family members and avoid sharing personal items. Spend some extra time cleaning doorknobs, countertops, keyboards and other frequently touched surfaces as well.

Those that have tested positive should wear a face mask, though research suggests that healthy family members don't need to.

How to help stop the spread

It can help to think about self-quarantine in this way: staying home saves lives. While COVID-19 can feel overwhelming, anyone is able to contribute by restricting unnecessary human contact and encouraging others to do the same.

Social distancing is critical. Aim to stay 6+ feet away from others when public interactions are absolutely necessary. Though many have already been canceled, avoid crowded events, gatherings and venues. And yes, frequent handwashing helps too.

Ways to stay active with kids at home

Staying active with kids at home is important for adults as well as kids. It's a great way to get the family together doing something fun and healthy during times of stress. Staying isolated from other people, missing social time with friends, along with a decrease in activity levels can increase stress and leave everyone feeling out of sorts. Thankfully, this is something we can control to a degree. According to Kids Health, people who are regularly active benefit from lower cholesterol, stronger muscles and bones, lower risk of becoming overweight, along with many other physical and emotional benefits, so engaging in some energy-busting physical education is an important addition to a family's daily schedule.

Work some play-breaks into the day, and be flexible with the daily school and work-from-home schedule by allowing for some spontaneous activity breaks. Here are some ways to start:

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This site is in beta. Please if you'd like to volunteer to help us develop these resources. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the current outbreak of coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19.

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Inspiring Kids to Think Like Artists & Inventors DISCOVER SIMPLE CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES TEACHERS - click here FAMILIES - click here Featured Collaborations: TinkerLab helps parents and teachers ignite children's creativity & critical thinking by offering a curated blend of hands-on art and STEAM activities Do you feel overwhelmed by the challenge of [...]

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Social emotional support during COVID-19

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Social emotional support during COVID-19

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Videos, tips, free downloads

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Family thematic projects with service learning  

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Family thematic projects with service learning  

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Given recent events, we have had many schools and parents reach out to us about how to engage children while schools are closed. Anxiety levels are at an all-time high, patience is low and creativity stunted; we are in desperate need of something to do to alleviate our fears and enjoy our time together.

Project Tie-Dye has been working hard to deliver! We've created at-home, thematic, service packages that will bring your families closer together through fun, engaging, books, games, activities and community service projects. Giving back brings us closer together and stepping outside ourselves to think about others is the perfect solution to alleviate fear and anxiety. Let's have some fun, connect with each other and start serving our community.

Order now to receive a special release activity bundle. We are offering free delivery and pickup in the Washington DC area. Click below to purchase and learn more about this great offering. This is a limited release so order fast!

Stay healthy! We're here for you!

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Given recent events, we have had many schools and parents reach out to us about how to engage children while schools are closed. Anxiety levels are at an all-time high, patience is low and creativity stunted; we are in desperate need of something to do to alleviate our fears and enjoy our time together.

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Social emotional resources  - podcasts, books, downloadable resources for the whole family 

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Social emotional resources  - podcasts, books, downloadable resources for the whole family 

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Big Life Journal: Growth Mindset for Kids & Teens

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We create effective tools and resources to help kids and teens develop a growth mindset so they can face life's challenges with confidence and have every opportunity in life. Our products are based on the latest research, and that's what makes them so unique and effective.

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Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

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Livestreamed Events during the Great Staycation

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Livestreamed Events during the Great Staycation

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Hands off resources - educational screentime recs

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Hands off resources - educational screentime recs

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I've often thought that all of us parents are home-schoolers-at least after 3:00 p.m. and on the weekends. But with the coronavirus shuttering schools in many parts of the country-including where I live with my family in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.-it's become a no-joke full-time gig.

Let's be clear: It's highly unlikely that our children will learn as much at home as they would have at school. That's OK; especially if schools are only closed for a few weeks, kids will have plenty of opportunities to make up for lost time. (If they close for the rest of the school year, that's a different story.) And fighting the pandemic and "flattening the curve" is a MUCH bigger priority right now. As esteemed educator Michael Goldstein wrote on our blog a few days ago, his (totally appropriate) goals for "Daddy School" include:

1. Something reasonably easy for me, and sort of fun....

2. Kids remember it fondly five years from now....

3. Kids learn a little....

And of course, many schools will be trying to keep their students making progress via assignments offered online or with printed packets sent home.

Let's assume, though, that most children will spend a fair amount of time on screens, given that we parents will be trying to work and will only have so much internal fortitude to fend off the endless requests for time on devices. So here are some suggestions for making at least some of that time educational. (This is geared toward parents with elementary school-age children; for younger kids you can't go wrong with PBS Kids or lots of read-alouds.)

The best educational YouTube channels

The best educational videos on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.

The best podcasts for kids

The best free online instructional materials

The best educational YouTube channels
It's true: not everything on YouTube geared toward kids is a mindless time-suck! Here are five great channels that are engaging and educational.

1. Liberty's Kids. One of my biggest beefs with elementary schools today is that they tend to teach so little history-especially of the patriotic variety. So here's a great opportunity for your kids to experience a "history surge" and get a huge, entertaining, and compelling dose of American history during our own historic period. Liberty's Kids first aired on PBS decades ago, and is a fantastic narrative account of the American Revolution, spread over 40 episodes, 23 minutes each. So "assign" four episodes a day and you'll kill an hour and a half for two full school weeks, and your kids will know way more about our founding than they do right now.

2. This former NASA engineer is a rock star YouTuber, with over 10 million subscribers. It's not hard to see why: he comes up with super fun and engaging ways to explore science concepts and engineering challenges-like showing kids how carnival games rip you off, or testing if sharks can taste a drop of blood. A good place to start is his "learn some science" playlist, currently at 26 videos, 10 to 15 minutes each.

3. Extra Credits Extra History. Extra Credits started as a channel for gamers, especially those interested in historical war games, but its creators also now make videos about history itself. They are up to over two hundred at last count, each last ten or fifteen minutes, and ranging all across the world and various epochs. Many are focused on military history (understandable given the channel's genesis), with occasional diversions. Their vast offerings allow them to deeply explore topics. They dedicate four episodes, for a total of more than forty minutes, to the Punic Wars, for example. Compelling narration and cute animations combine for addictive viewing for budding history buffs.

4. Bill Nye the Science Guy. Why not go old school? This iconic show aired for five seasons in the mid-1990s, so if you think Friends and Seinfeld still feel fresh, why not give this a shot too? Here's a playlist with 48 full-length, 23-minute videos, covering virtually every major topic in the science curriculum.

5. Crash Course. This is the granddaddy of educational YouTube, created by Hank and John Green, aka the Vlogbrothers , the latter of whom is already familiar to young readers as the New York Times best-selling author of The Fault in Our Stars. They have built a huge library of videos across most major disciplines, including playlists of forty-eight videos on U.S. history, seventy-two on world history, and fifty on U.S. government and politics. Each episode is generally ten to fifteen minutes long and features John Green talking about the subject, mixed in with some humor and animations. It's geared toward high-schoolers but works for precocious younger kids too.

The best educational TV shows and movies on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.
Back when we first got our Netflix account-five years or so ago-it became immediately clear that it was a goldmine for educational movies and TV shows. Here at the Fordham Institute we decided to launch something we called "Netflix Academy"-that is, until we got a very polite "cease and desist" letter from the company. (I'm not being sarcastic-they were very nice about it!) So we renamed it Education On- Demand, and sorted the best stuff we could find by subject and topic. Here are a few of my favorites-plus some great additions that are now available on Disney-Plus's National Geographic stream.

1. The Magic School Bus (Netflix). Sure, scientific knowledge is constantly evolving, but Mrs. Frizzle never gets old. Like Bill Nye the Science Guy, this is another mid-1990s children's show about science; that must have been some sort of Golden Age. And it brought real star power, as the title character was played by Lily Tomlin. I can't vouch for the recent Netflix reboot, The Magic School Bus Rides Again, but the original is a fantastic introduction to key scientific concepts for the early-elementary school set.

2. Walking with Dinosaurs (YouTube TV). My family loved, loved, LOVED this BBC TV series. It's amazing that it hails from the late 1990s, given how good the CGI is. It looks and feels just like any other great nature documentary from the BBC-complete with the Kenneth Branagh narration-but, let me remind you, DINOSAURS ARE EXTINCT. Check out the companion Walking with Beasts, Walking with Cavemen, and Walking with Monsters too.

3. National Geographic Ancient Civilizations (Amazon Prime). I would wager that your kids know next to nothing about the ancient world, unless they attend a Core Knowledge school. But this series will get them up to speed, covering ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Americas, among others.

4. Jane (Netflix, Hulu, Disney-Plus). A wonderful documentary about the life of Jane Goodall, the pioneering women whose decades-long study of chimpanzees gave us critical information about our cousins, and ourselves. Some themes might go over the heads of younger viewers (i.e., her reflections on gender bias) but everyone will enjoy the images of the baby chimps and their parents.

5. Our Planet (Netflix). I would recommend some of the classic BBC nature documentaries-like Blue Planet, Our Planet, and Frozen Planet-but as far as I can tell, you have to pay for them, even if you've got subscriptions to all of the streaming sites. So go for this Netflix series instead. With eight episodes, at fifty minutes each, you'll cover all the basic ecosystems on earth. Biology? Check!

The best podcasts for kids
The explosion in podcasting is such a great development-it's screen time without the screens! And given that we're all going to be doing way more dishes and cleaning than usual-given that we'll be cooking at home three meals a day, and cooped up 24/7-these are great shows to listen to together while doing chores. (Check out Common Sense Media for lots more suggestions.)

1. History Chicks. This is my family's favorite. Each of their 150 hour-long episodes tells the story of a famous woman from history-and some women who aren't famous but should be. It's hosted and produced by Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider, two Midwestern moms who adore history and don't think it should be "dusty"-and love to talk and talk and talk. (Another great option in this genre, geared directly at kids, is Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls.)

2. Wow in the World. This show from NPR, hosted by Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, explores fun and fascinating topics in the world of science and technology. There are dozens of episodes at about a half an hour each.

3. Tumble. Another award-winning science podcast, co-hosted by a journalist and a teacher, with a big focus on interviewing scientists themselves.

4. Freakonomics. Steven Dubner, the co-author of the Freakonomics books, examines the "hidden side of everything," from science to sports to politics and more. It's a show for adults but totally appropriate (and captivating) for older kids too.

The best free online instructional materials
Kudos to the educational publishers who answered the call to make their materials available for free during this Covid-19 crisis. To be sure, getting your kids to use these resources is going to be harder than turning on a movie, TV show, or podcast. But especially if the school closures drag on, activities like these are going to be essential to keep students learning.

1. Zearn. This highly-regarded math site builds off of the Common Core-aligned Eureka Math program to make online math lessons compelling and effective. They've put together a great set of resources for the coronavirus crisis, including webinars for parents to help them (and their kids) get started.

2. Amplify. This ed tech company is working at making its online instructional materials available for free for parents. Check back soon for more information.

3. GreatMinds. The publisher of Eureka Math, Wit and Wisdom, and PhD Science, will roll out a wide range of free instructional materials, including videos of teacher-led lessons and virtual access to resources such as the Library of Congress and the National Gallery of Art, for students nationwide starting Wednesday, March 18.

Other great materials are available from Core Knowledge, EL Education, Khan Academy, and ST Math. Check out an even longer list, from the NewSchools Venture Fund, here.

***

Stay safe. Have fun. Learn a little. And good luck!
Michael J. Petrilli is president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. As an education policy wonk and a parent of school-aged kids, he's long been obsessed with the notion that screen time can be educationally nutritious. Finding good stuff on streaming sites, TV, YouTube, etc. has become a minor hobby of his. If you have additional suggestions for educational resources please send them to us at educationgadfly [at] fordhaminstitute [dot] org.

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Resources for learning from home during COVID-19 school closures

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I've often thought that all of us parents are home-schoolers-at least after 3:00 p.m. and on the weekends. But with the coronavirus shuttering schools in many parts of the country-including where I live with my family in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.-it's become a no-joke full-time gig.

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Resources and activities from Reading Rockets

What do your kids want to explore? At our companion website, Start with a Book, you can dig into 24 high-interest topics - dinosaurs, bugs, flight, planets and stars, our green world, inventors, detectives, explorers, musicians, and much more. Each topic includes recommendations for fiction and nonfiction books, hands-on activities, writing ideas, educational apps, and kid-friendly websites. Here are some of the topics we offer:

Want to browse all 24 topics? Look here >

DIY Science Camps

Start with a Book also offers two 5-day DIY science camps. You can dip in and just try one or two activities, or devote a whole week to each topic.

Written especially for parents, our Growing Readers tip sheets provide information and activities (in English and Spanish) for raising strong readers and writers. Here are some activity ideas from our Growing Readers library:
S​cience and math activities:
Find additional science and math resources, plus video interviews with children's science writers, booklists, and more in our Literacy in the Sciences section.

Improv, timelines, mapmaker, movie trailer, and more in this collection of interactive activities that help kids become more involved in the stories that they read.

See also: When kids say "we're bored" ... try Reader's Theater!

Give kids a chance to exercise different writing muscles - from nature journals to poetry to persuasive writing. We've put together some fun, simple writing activities to do with your child or as a group activity with friends and neighbors. Plus tips from children's writer Mary Amato on keeping a diary or writer's notebook.

Digital audiobooks, ebooks and video read alouds

Public Library Digital Services

Is your public library closed? See if your public library offers OverDrive where you can borrow and read free ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines on your phone or tablet - all you need is your library card to get access. See our booklist: Our Favorite Audiobooks.

Use our Book Finder tool or browse our themed booklists for children's books we recommend. Then check to see if you can borrow the audiobook or ebook versions from your public library.

Audiobook and Ebook Services

There are also a number of online services that offer high-quality audiobooks and ebooks. Listening to audiobooks builds vocabulary, background knowledge, and comprehension skills. Here are some digital book services we recommend - you can start with a free trial to explore what they offer:

Picture Book Read Aloud Videos

Find more links to picture book read aloud videos in this blog post from teacher and blogger Pernille Ripp.

Podcasts for Kids

"Best of" kids' media from trusted organizations

Common Sense Media rates movies, TV shows, apps and more to help parents make informed media choices for their kids. Common Sense Media offers a large, trusted library of independent age-based ratings, reviews, and curated lists. Here are a few examples:

Common Sense Media has many more resources for families during the coronavirus emergency, including guidance on understanding news stories about the virus as well tips on staying calm and managing stress.

Established in 1978, Parents' Choice Awards is the nation's oldest nonprofit program to recognize quality children's toys and media. Browse their award-winners in each of these categories:

Online learning for pre-K and elementary students

Here's a selected list of trusted sources for online learning. Most are free or offering free access while schools are closed due to coronavirus.

Learn at Home: Resources from City and State Departments of Education

PBS KIDS: math and science programs and activities

As schools across the country are closing due to COVID-19, PBS KIDS is here to help. Sign up for a new newsletter, with activities and tips you can use to play and learn at home with your child.

From special episodes to recipes, and activities to crafts, we'll share tips each day for your family to enjoy from shows like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Wild Kratts, Pinkalicious & Peterrific and more.

Subscribe today to begin receiving daily updates Monday through Friday from your friends at PBS KIDS.

Nature Cat (Ages 3-8)
With the help of his animal friends, Nature Cat embarks on action-packed adventures that include exciting missions full of nature investigation.

Peg + Cat(Ages 3-5)
An animated math-based series that follows Peg and her sidekick Cat as they embark on adventures, solve problems together, and learn foundational math concepts and skills.

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That (Ages 4-5)
In each program, the Cat in the Hat and his friends Sally and Nick go on a science adventure such as shrinking to bee-size to explore a hive and discover how honey is made; flying with birds to discover how and why they migrate; or diving inside flowers to find out more about the animals that depend on them to live.

Dinosaur Train (Ages 4-5)
This animated series embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains, while encouraging basic scientific thinking skills as children learn about life science, natural history and paleontology. Along with the animated stories, there are short live-action segments hosted by a paleontologist.

Sid the Science Kid (Ages 4-5)
This animated show uses comedy to promote exploration, discovery, and science readiness among preschoolers, and taps into children's natural curiosity about science in everyday life. The energetic and inquisitive Sid starts each episode with a new question like "why are my shoes shrinking?" or "why do bananas get mushy?"

Plum Landing (Ages 6-9)
In this animated series, meet Plum, a video game designer from the desolate Planet Blorb, who longs to experience nature. The Plum Landing curriculum is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and is designed to give kids an undderstanding of the science underlying healty ecosystems and sustainability.

WildKratts (Ages 6-8)
Chris and Martin Kratt encounter incredible wild animals, combining science education with fun and adventure, while traveling to animal habitats around the globe. The program can help strengthen basic skills of observation and investigation that children will use increasingly as they continue their study of science.

Cyberchase (Ages 8-12)
Designed for kids ages 8 to 12, the program uses mystery, humor, and action to deliver positive messages about math by teaching concepts in a fun, understandable way. From tackling time in ancient Egyptian tombs to cracking codes in creepy caves, kids learn that math is everywhere and fun to use! A live-action segment shows kids how math can help solve life's crazy problems in the real world.

SciGirls (Ages 8-12)
SciGirls is designed to spark a girl's curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The show is all about hands-on science inquiry. Viewers learn the scientific process, work collaboratively to investigate meaningful questions, and see how STEM helps people solve problems, achieve goals, and help others.

Health and hygiene information for kids

There are simple habits students can learn to help stay healthy all year round, but especially during this coronavirus outbreak. Use these resources from KET, PBS Kids, Sesame Street and other public media as a reminder for kids. (Compiled by KET: Habits to Keep Students Healthy)

What Kids and Families Need to Know About Coronoavirus (Georgia Public Broadcasting)

Healthy Habits | Everyday Learning
This KET video demonstrates two of the most important habits we can teach children: covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and washing your hands. In this video, a young girl demonstrates the correct procedure for performing these two simple tasks. It's important to introduce preschool-age children to healthy habits and to reinforce these habits while they are young so that they become automatic.

Sid's Health Day | Sid the Science Kid
In this episode of Sid the Science Kid, Sid and his friends learn all about how to stay healthy. They discover that washing their hands with soap and warm water, eating nutritious foods, brushing their teeth, exercising, and getting enough sleep are all ways to keep sickness away.

Wash Your Hands! | Sesame Street in Communities
A hand washing song and activity featuring Elmo that explores when it's important to wash your hands.

Handwashing: Step by Step | Sesame Street in Communities
Print this page and invite kids to color it in, then help them cut it apart and put the steps in order. Post the cards in the correct sequence near the bathroom sink. The next time kids wash their hands, help them try Elmo's trick: Sing the alphabet song to remember how long to wash!

The Federal Bureau of Ick | PBS LearningMedia
Uncle Sam is asking you to do your part to fight ICK! Wherever ick may be.

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When School Is Closed: Resources to Keep Kids Learning at Home

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Most of our schools and afterschool programs have closed in response to the COVID-19 crisis - and you may be looking for engaging ways to keep kids reading, writing, exploring, and learning at home. Here, you'll find lots of ideas to immerse kids in language and stories, build background knowledge, and inspire creative play.

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Home safari

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