While practicing being safe at home, you may be in need of fresh ideas to keep your family connected and your busy little ones entertained. The good news is that children learn through play. So what looks like fun and games is actually valuable lessons. We know that you have a lot on your plate right now, from caretaking, to working from home, or away from it as an essential worker, so we’ve made simple suggestions to fill your days together. Let the learning begin!
Create:
Spring is here! Brighten up the indoors with a springtime terrarium using four staple items: glass jar, tissue paper, twigs, and a hot glue gun. The decorative jars are a great way to spark conversation about the new season and what it brings. Here are some other quick facts to share and questions to ask:
- Spring is the time for new baby animals, like cows and ducks. Can you make a duck sound? Can you make a cow sound?
- Big bears will wake up from their long hibernation. Create a story together. What will bear do on her first day awake?
- The flowers are in bloom! Can you see any out the window? What colors are they?
For crafts like this and so much more, the Kaplan Early Learning Company has an extensive list. Plus they cover preparedness, health and mindfulness, sensory bins, and STEM options.
Watch:
It can be a challenging to explain complicated topics, like sheltering-at-home orders and viruses, to little ones. Children’s author, Kim St. Lawrence created the very cute and educational, “Time to Come in, Bear: A Children’s Story About Social Distancing” to help. Watch Bear learn the important lesson that it “isn’t forever, just for a time.”
Read:
Do your kids love story time? There are many options out there to help you squeeze in one more book:
Storyline online – Hear your favorite book read by familiar folks like Kristen Bell and Jimmy Fallon.
Goodnight with Dolly – Snuggle in with a nighttime book.
Freechildrenstories.com offers unique tales focused on basic development and character building for children ages 3 to 5.
Find literacy resources in Spanish at Colorin Colorado.
Tech Support:
Scholastic Learn at Home for PreK offers 5 lessons per day for 3 weeks. It simplifies learning at home. Each day features a new topic, like baby animals or living plants, taught through videos, stories, and activities.
Bright by Text is a free app that provides daily activities, games, and information specific to your child’s age, prenatal through 8 years old. This text messaging system is meant to encourage simple parent-child interactions with tips from Vroom, PBS Kids, and Sesame Street in Communities. It is available in English and Spanish.
For more online options, visit one of our go-to sites, Red Tricycle. They’ve compiled a list of 60+ free online educational resources for kids ages tiny to teen.
Community Resources:
If you need help finding child care or more activities check out Child Care Resource Center.
Find reliable information regarding COVID-19 on the state website.
School meal sites providing free food for all children 18 and under in San Bernardino County.
And lastly, our QSSB resource page.
We wish you and yours health and safety in this time, as well as time to explore, play, and connect.