Resources for Parents/Families
During this uncertain time of school closures, childcare pressures, and increased reliance on digital devices, it is important for families to be mindful of safety – the FBI has released guidance for parents to stay alert, especially when 1 in 5 children who touch a digital device will be sexually solicited online.
Parents – fear not! We are here to provide you with the knowledge, language, and activities necessary to teach your elementary school aged child(ren) about personal safety in a way that is comfortable, accessible, and fun. (Have a middle or high schooler in your home? Visit SaferSmarterFamilies.org for lessons designed for older children and teens!)
Over the next six weeks, Lauren’s Kids will release digital lessons and activities from our Blueprint for Building Safer, Smarter Families resource, designed for use with elementary school students. A new set of lessons and activities will be posted weekly, focused on a different aspect of personal safety.
Florida's Office of Early Learning
National Education Association
A variety of articles and resources to support interest-based learning opportunities to engage children while providing lessons. Topics range from those that support STEM in the kitchen, the benefits of learning another language, applying lessons to sports, and more.
U.S. Department of Education
This site contains publications and links to websites that support early learning.
Clever
Clever is an easy way for your student to access all of the learning applications they use at school. It allows them to access all of their learning applications with a single username and password, or by using a Clever Badge.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Four steps are provided to parents for creating the ideal study environment.
Scholastic
This free resource provides your children with 20* days of exciting articles and stories, videos, and fun learning challenges. Children can complete them anytime, in any order. They can work on their own or together with you and your family.
Accessibility
A cloud platform of apps for blind, low vision, deaf and reading impaired students. Highly visual and fully audible typing tutor, games, flash cards and study apps.
Microsoft
Microsoft's "Family Learning Center" provides guidance for engaging in family-led experiences for ages 3-12. The free activities encourage families to Learn, Do, and Share.
This guide helps ensure students learn remotely with Office 365—safely and effectively.
Talking to Your Child About COVID-19
Provides strategies and ideas to caregivers and parents on how to support children and their reactions to the pandemic.
This resource from the National Association of School Psychologists provides specific guidelines on how to talk to and listen to children when tensions are high. This resource may be downloaded in English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, Korean (Texas Education Agency 3.13.2020).
This fact sheet provides parents, caregivers, and teachers several strategies for helping children manage their stress during an infectious disease outbreak. It describes potential reactions among children and youth and offers tips and supports adults can provide them.
CDC: General Preparedness Resources, Coping and Managing Mental Health
Educators, parents and families are encouraged to stay up to date on the latest information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). These links provide an index to timely national information and prevention information for specific groups. A link to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and children is provided. The CDC also provides information on coping and managing mental health.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) What You Need To Know/Resources for Community Members
General Resources for Families
This is an online resource from pediatricians that explains the virus, symptoms, risk and how to protect your family. It offers tips and supports on how to prepare for the possibility of school or childcare closings as well as best practices on how to talk to children about COVID-19. This document encourages families to stay informed, show empathy for others and remain a good role model for children. Additional support can also be found at- Healthychildren.org
Manuela Molina's short book to provide support to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Available in over 20 languages.