Early Learning Resources for Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The following list was compiled by our Early Learning and QUALITY MATTERS….a STRONG START for kids partners. Thank you to everyone who contributed resources to this list! These resources are intended for Early Learning educators and providers to utilize with the children and families we work with. If you have any questions, please email our team at earlylearning@FIRST5KIDS.ORG.
Section 1: Early Learning
A relationship-based approach to infant/toddler care - Program for Infant/Toddler Care
PITC strongly advocates for a balanced approach to care that protects both everyone's physical health and children's social-emotional well-being. We know what to do. Provide sensitive and responsive care as you always have. Offer individualized care and strengthen those important connections with families. Comfort children when they are distressed. Hold babies. Provide a secure base for exploration. If you're in a leadership role, ensure caregivers receive the emotional support they need to be responsive to the children.
In this period of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety, we at PITC are filled with gratitude for all of you who are continuing to provide excellent care to our infants, toddlers, and families. Please reach out to us and each other for support--social distancing doesn't have to mean social isolation. We will get through this challenging time together.
Coronavirus Resources for the Early Learning Community in California- Early Edge California
With the situation around the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, continuing to unfold, the Early Edge California team has gathered a collection of the most current resources to share with our Early Learning community. You will find general COVID-19 information on this page, as well as links to pages with additional resources for families, teachers and providers, and the latest on California policy changes due to the COVID-19. We hope these resources, focused on minimizing the impacts on our youngest children and their families, will be helpful to you, and we encourage you to share them within your networks.
Information for Families on Children’s Early Development - All About Young Children
Here you find out about what skills help children learn, how they learn language, how they learn about feelings and relationships, how they learn about numbers, and how they become skillful at moving their bodies.
Kidango@Home - Kindago
Learn at Home kits and online resources provide parents with the tools to play together, read together, and learn together while maintaining your physical and mental health. Explore these resources for learning at home with infants, toddlers, and youth.
Tips for Families: Coronavirus - ZERO to THREE, Early Connections Last a Lifetime
These resources offer tips for families including age-appropriate responses to common questions, a guide to self-care, and activities for young children experiencing social distancing.
Section 2: Info & Updates on COVID-19
California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response - Official California State Government Website
This information about California’s response to COVID-19 is continually updated.
CECO Module Available: Health and Safety: Resources and Guidance for Caring for Children - California Early Childhood Online
This module is intended to provide an overview of basic health and safety considerations and standards for providing emergency care for children of essential workers. It includes guidance on how to stop the spread of germs in a group setting during COVID-19 and other topics, such as:
Safe Spaces in Child Care
Transporting Children in Child Care
Handling Hazardous Material in Child Care
Infectious Diseases in Child Care
Safe Sleep Practices and Sleep Related Infant Deaths
Managing and Responding to Food Allergies
Shaken Baby/Abusive Head Trauma
Emergency Preparedness in Child Care
Child Care Support for Essential Workers in Santa Clara County - Santa Clara County Office of Education
The Santa Clara County Office of Education in partnership with community organizations and agencies throughout Santa Clara County is coordinating childcare programs for essential workers. This website includes resources to connect essential workers as defined by the March 31st, 2020 Order of the Health Officer of the County of Santa Clara, to childcare options throughout Santa Clara County. These programs are for employees in essential businesses and not open to the general public.
COVID Information by Language - Endangered Languages Project, W. Kellogg Foundation
The Endangered Languages Project is compiling COVID-19 public health information in as many languages as possible, including Indigenous languages and those that are often overlooked.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - FIRST 5 Santa Clara County
Check out FIRST 5 Santa Clara County’s page about COVID-19, which includes up-to-date information from the county, resources, and frequently asked questions.
Questions and Answers about the Impact of the Coronavirus on Child Care in California- Child Care Law Center
The Child Care Law Center updates the Q&As when new guidance or policies are issued, covering the following topics:
Licensing, Health and Safety
Emergency Child Care Voucher
Child Care Subsidies
Essential Workers
Private Pay (No Child Care Subsidy)
Business and Financial Supports
Staff
Housing and Utilities
Stay Informed on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division
Providers can stay informed on Coronavirus (COVID-19) and find up-to-date Provider Information Notices (PIN)s. DSS has issued recommendations for child care settings.
Section 3: Social-Emotional Support
Caring for Each Other - Sesame Street
Your friends on Sesame Street are here to support you during the COVID-19 health crisis. We know that these are very stressful times; daily lives have been disrupted, and families everywhere are trying to create a new sense of normalcy. Children thrive with structure in their lives and they learn best through play--even in everyday moments like mealtimes and morning and evening routines. So our site is filled with content you can use all day long to spark playful learning, offer children comfort, and focus a bit on yourself, too. After all, it's important that we take care of ourselves, so that we can best care for our families.
Emergencies and National Disasters: Helping Children and Families Cope - University of Southern Florida
These resources support families in helping young children cope with the challenges that might occur during stressful emergency or disaster situations.
Inclusion Support WarmLine (408) 453-6651 - Inclusion Collaborative, Santa Clara County Office of Education
The Inclusion Support WarmLine offers FREE support, information and referrals for including students of all ages with disabilities and other needs in your community. Offered in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese (and other languages as needed). Contact WarmLine: WarmlineRemoteLearning@sccoe.org
How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus - KQED, PBS Kids for Parents
Post by Deborah Farmer Kris:
I had thought my initial conversations with my kids about COVID-19 had been good enough. But with adults, kids at school and the news all hyper-focused on this coronavirus outbreak, my reassuring voice needed to be a little louder. A favorite Mister Rogers’ quote ran through my mind: “Anything that's human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary.” So before lights out, we talked. I asked what they had heard about the coronavirus. We got it all out — their questions, their “I heards” and their fears.
Taking Care of Ourselves: Stress and Relaxation - Head Start, Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center
Stress is natural and may seem inevitable. However, it can take a toll on your health and effectiveness as an early childhood educator or parent. It impacts the quality of care that you can give. When you are too stressed, it is difficult to offer the praise, nurturance, and structure your children need. These resources can help reduce your stress.
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019 - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children. As public conversations around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increase, children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19. Parents, family members, school staff, and other trusted adults can play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear. CDC has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.
Section 4: Other Resources
Coping with COVID-19 - National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Our hearts go out to all who have been infected by COVID-19 and those whose lives have been disrupted by this pandemic. We are particularly concerned about the significant impacts this public health crisis is likely to have on our nation's child care and early learning programs, including educators, families, and children. We’ve compiled these online resources to provide information from NAEYC, the CDC, and other educational organizations.
MAP* to Inclusion and Belonging Project… Making Access Possible - WestEd, Center for Child and Family Studies
The MAP* to Inclusion and Belonging Project… Making Access Possible Team that includes its funder, the California Department of Education-Early Learning and Care Division, has taken action to gather helpful information and resources to support early learning and care providers and families during this crisis with particular emphasis on the specific needs of children with disabilities. On this web page you’ll find links to:
Official Websites for Coronavirus
Information Information Specific to Children and Adults with Disabilities
Resources for Families
Resources Created for Kids to Explain the Coronavirus
Webinars for Early Childhood Educators on Managing Infectious Disease
Taking Care Of Yourself!
San Andreas Regional Center (SARC)
We are a non-profit that serves individuals with developmental disabilities and their families who reside within Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties. Our services are designed to meet the individual needs of all the people we serve according to age, disability, and geographic location.
We’re All In This Together – COVID-19 Statement And Resources - Children Now
Children Now has compiled key resources related to kids and families and will continue to refresh as they receive new resources or updated information.