Parents United: Helping Our Children Thrive During the Coronavirus Quarantine
Updated: May 2020
Harvard Medical School Coronavirus Resources
Helping Children on the Autism Spectrum During Covid-19
Protecting your Mental Health when Working Remotely
The Very Best Code Switch Episodes For Kids
The Coronavirus has changed the world as we know it. Quarantine and social distancing has become the new normal and has taken a toll on all of us, especially healthcare workers, those in the service industry and parents. Schools have closed nationally, leaving parents, especially single parents to scramble to find time, funds and educational resources to home school their children.
The great news is that in difficult times, we come together as a community. There has been an unprecedented wave of generosity from all our neighbors - teachers, educational product developers, museums, authors and artists. In this midst of struggle, there is a beacon of hope. I am sharing some of the learning opportunities that I will be using to assist my 3 boys and I encourage you to share your ideas and stories with this community. This is a difficult time but we are all in this together.
I will add additional updates as I become aware of them.
This cool schedule from Jessica McHale Photography has been circulating online and I have used it as a guide. I love it because it is a wholistic approach to the day that takes into consideration academics, creativity, exercise and fun!
Even if you are a free spirit when it comes to parenting routines, a schedule is vital to your survival
ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT
WE ARE TEACHERS: GREAT CONTENT FROM TEACHERS
Rutherford Public Schools List of Resources
National Geographic Kids: African American Heroes
Discover Openculture and take a Class
HOME SCHOOLING
Support for Afrocentric Homeschooling
Powerhomeschool: Online School with a low fee
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
NYTimes Podcast: A Kid’s Guide to the Coronavirus
Resource for Speech and Language Therapy Needs
How to Talk to Children about the Coronavirus
Free Educational Programs, including STEM from NASA.
BOOKS
Free Books from the New York Public Library
Society of Children’s Book Writers Free Author Events and Readings
Libby App: Borrow Books from the Public Library
Time Magazine for Kids is Free
EXERCISE
Free Exercise Classes through the YMCA
Alliance For a Healthier Generation Workouts
What parents usually have the least of is time. Our schedule often starts an hour or two before the children are awake and we are on the go long after they are in bed. It is difficult to find time to exercise, read a book or pursue any artistic endeavors. Parents, consider taking an hour or two each week do something just for you! I love the chart below from Evolve Events because it has fantastic suggestions for turning the lemons that we have been given into lemonade. If you love the arts, enjoy a broadway play and for a limited time, it is free. Here are some fun experiences that you can engage in solo or as bonding moments with the kids.
ART AND CULTURE
Virtual Tour of Museums
Concerts on NPR
Live Concerts from Amazing Artist NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
The coming weeks may be incredibly stressful but know that we are in this together. We can unite to make sure that we maintain our sanity and our children thrive during this difficult time.
