Links

During COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: Please see informational and learning game sites.

• Michigan Covid Community Response: site lists resources for help / https://micovidcommunity.com/find-help-1

• Child Mind Institute Topics Page: https://childmind.org/topics-a-z/

• Child Mind Institute Behavior Problems Page: https://childmind.org/topics/concerns/behavior/

• American Occupation Therapy Association Building Play Skills Page: https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/PatientsClients/ChildrenAndYouth/Building-Play-Skills-Healthy.aspx

• Freedom Home Schooling Virtual Field Trips Page: https://freedomhomeschooling.com/virtual-field-trips/

• USDA Choose My Plate Page: https://www.choosemyplate.gov/ (health)

• Wellness Related Resources for Schools and Families: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1k6vxtGWfcKTnqqoyO-QNbq1Bwjc6yZPT/view?usp=sharing

• GoNoodle Melting Video: https://family.gonoodle.com/activities/melting

• GoNoodle Movement Video: www.gonoodle.com

• Mathematics Department of University of North Carolina: team creates online toolkit for those supporting individuals with autism during COVID-19 epidemic / https://ed.unc.edu/2020/03/19/unc-team-creates-online-toolkit-for-those-supporting-individualswith-autism-during-covid-19-epidemic/

• Parachute: a user-friendly, research-backed parenting apps that provides easy access to solutions for common parenting challenges / https://parentparachute.com

• Mind Yeti: a mindfulness app with guided sessions that help kids destress, focus, get along with others, and relax / https://www.mindyeti.com

• Confident Parents, Confident Kids: a site with parent and child resources that support social-emotional development / https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org

• Parent Toolkit: a site with information and articles about all aspects of child development / https://www.parenttoolkit.com

• We Do Listen : website with video stores that parents and children can listen to / https://wedolisten.org

• Hand Washing Visuals: how to wash your hands / https://hes-extraordinary.com/handwashing-visual-for-kids

Books and Stories Online

• Storylineonline.net (K-4): Storyline Online, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s picture books alongside creatively produced illustrations. / https://storylineoneline.net

• 100+Free Video ReadAlouds – a collection by the Indianapolis Public Library / https://www.indypl.org

• Starfall ( K-2): many early language activities and stories / https://www.indypl.org

• Rivet: download this app for over 3500 books for kids. / https://rivet.area120.com

• Clifford Interactive Storybooks (K-1): stories from the “Big Red Dog” / www.teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1

Math

• PBS Kids Math Games: www.pbs.org/parents/learn-grow/all-ages/math

• Math Game Time : www.mathgametime.com

• AAAstudy.com (grade level math): https://AAAstudy.com

• Coolmath.com: https://www.coolmath.com

• FunBrain.com: https://Funbrain.com

• Chilimath.com: https://chilimath.com

• Multiplication Practice: https://www.education.com/games/multiplication

Reading Games

• PBS Reading Games: https://pbskids.org/games/reading

• PBS ABC Games: https://pbskids.org/games/reading

• PBS Rhyming Games: https://pbskids.org/games/reading

• Reading Games: Preschool-5th grade / https://www.education.com/games/reading

Science

• Department of Defense: Learn about careers in STEM fields / https://dodstem.us

• Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics: Kids' Zone: Kids' Zone – provides information to learn about schools, quizzes and skill building about math / https://nces.ed.gov/nceskids

• Department of Energy: Games and Activities; Virtual Field Trips to National Energy Labs / https://www.energy.gov

• Environmental Protection Agency: Games, Quizzes, and Videos about the Environment / https://www.epa.gov/students/games-quizzes-and-videos

• The Library of Congress: Presentations and Activities to Help Students Learn about History / https://www.nasa.gov/stem-at-home-for-students-k-4.html

• NASA: Interactive Lessons about Space, Earth, Solar System and Universe; Lessons from Astronauts about Living in Space; STEM Activities for Students of All Ages / https://www.nasa.gov/stem-at-home-for-students-k-4.html

• The Kennedy Center: Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems; Tour the Kennedy Center with The Pigeon / https://www.kennedy-center.org/mowillems

• The Smithsonian: Free Smithsonian STEM Games and Simulations; Meet the Animals of the National Zoo; 3D Exhibits and Virtual Tours; Smithsonian Magazine Ten Museums You Can Virtually Visit; The Museum of Natural History Virtual Tour; Digital Smithsonian American Art Museum; Distance Learning Resources / https://www.smithsonian.com

• NOAA: Use Real-Time Ocean Data to Explore the Environment / https://www.noaa.gov

• USGS: Learn from Home About Physical science, Geography and Maps / https://www.usgs.gov

Social Studies

• Ben’s Guide to the Government: how our government works / https://bensguide.gpo.gov

• Michigan for Kids: activities and games about government and laws, history, environment, food, reading, money, State symbols and Facts / https://www.michigan.gov/kids

• PBS Kids: https://pbskids.org

• The Library of Congress: Presentations and Activities to Help Students Learn about History / www.loc.gov/teachers - click primary sources

Videos

• ABCMouse Animated Fables: -animated videos of fables (Free for 30 Days) / www.AbcMouseAnimatedFablevideo

• ABC A-M Alphabet Songs (K-1): https://pbskids.org/games/reading

• ABC N-Z Alphabet Songs (K-1): https://pbskids.org/games/reading

All Subject Games

Family Culture:

· Practices and practicality – unique to each family

· Each will be different but we can learn from each other and from research

· No such thing as perfect parenting

· Look at parenting with fresh eyes

o What Big Picture Lessons – could your child/children be learning from this unique time

o E.g. We can be responsible for other people

o Self-management – let children initiate it

o Responsibility

o Self-awareness

o Relationship skills

· Self-care - children

o Washing hands

o Be responsible for self-hygiene

o Drink water

o Movement

o Fresh air

Learning Success:

· Set up a conducive space.

o Well lit

o Needed supplies

o Organized

o Clear of distractions

· Allow for choices on timing, snacks ,and tools

· Use a timer – or keep track of time

· Allow, don’t fix mistakes – part of learning

· Adopt a learning mindset - if you groan they will groan. If you show excitement, they will be more open.

· Facilitate learning –“What clues…?”

· Take “brain breaks”

· Discuss online learning with them – what etiquette is used on line?

Psychological needs:

· Calming strategies

§ Connecting with friends (phone- virtually)

§ Maintaining routines and structures at home

§ Monitoring emotions of family members

o Children naming their feelings – pictures or words

o Talk about it

o Create a list that will work for each family member

o Get outside, exercise, naps, musico

o Tell stories of family members when they had to deal with a difficult situation – how did they handle it. (contact and discuss over the phone)

o Connecting with neighbors –

· One community placed teddy bears in their window so as neighbors walked they saw the “heart” message

Emotional Safety Plan:

· Power struggles will arise – Pause take deep breaths

o Practice deep breathing – model for your children – use visuals

· Babies and older children will need a safe place to go – unique place for each child

Routines:

· Establish daily schedules –

o Breakfast

o Learning time – academics, social – learning agreements

o Lunch

o Art, music, exercise

o Home responsibilities – chores – others – unique to families

o Etc.

Be Positive:

· Create new routines or family traditions

· Stay connected

· Talk about feelings

· Quiet time for each family member – own space

· Share stories - ideas

· Take time to relax

· Exercise

· Read books – write or talk about the stories

· Watch videos – discuss – write about

· Listen to music together – what were the musicians trying to tell us?

· Create unique family awards