Learning At Home & Parenting Support:
Learn about the power of creating and sticking to DAILY ROUTINES. Keeping a routine can allow you and your child to maintain a sense of normalcy and regularity during this time, while easing worry and uncertainty about what’s next. Available in English & Spanish.
Check out this comprehensive guide to supporting children with Autism during uncertain times from UNC’s Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Autism Team. This guide is full of visuals to help you talk to your child about COVID-19, hand washing, social distancing, and new routines.
NYC DOE recommendations and ideas for learn-at-home activities for preschoolers.
INCLUDEnyc provides a wealth of resources for families of children with disabilities on their website.
Speech & Language Activities
Language-building Tips for parents of young children who communicate without words
Using Visual Schedules at Home - a great resource with clear pictures that you can incorporate into your daily routine to help your child identify different activities, foods, and more. This guide is available in English & Spanish.
This visual teaching story from Autism Speaks can assist in explaining disrupted routines to your child and can help you plan a new daily routine by creating a visual schedule.
The Power of Using Everyday Routines to Promote Young Children's Language and Social Skills
OT/PT Activities
Activity idea: build an indoor obstacle course in 7 easy steps!
Helping your Child Cope with his sensory needs — an extensive article with tons of activity ideas for young children with sensory needs.
12 Easy DIY Sensory Activities such as rice bins, sensory bags, and scent jars! From MommyPoppins.com, which has hundreds of ideas for at-home activities for children of all ages.
Cosmic Kids Yoga - yoga is extremely beneficial to both children and adults. This YouTube channel makes yoga fun and accessible for children.
GoNoodle has tons of interactive videos to keep your child moving indoors!
The Learning Station - Healthy Music for a Child’s Heart, Body, and Mind! Interactive kids’ songs and nursery rhymes to keep your child engaged and moving.
Parent/CHild Activities
Boredom Busters: 110 Fun At-Home Activities For Families & Kids
Watch daily live-streams of read-aloud events from the Brooklyn Public Library on their Family Facebook page!
Encouraging Pretend Play in Children with Autism (The Hanen Centre)
SPANISH article: Talking Counts! The importance of talking to young children.
Stream virtual concerts, storytimes, events, and classes online!
Watch live streams of your child’s favorite animals from these zoos & aquariums!
Watch video clips and full episodes from Sesame Street for free on YouTube! Sesame Street has been producing wonderful content focused on helping children cope with the impact of the coronavirus, using strategies such as yoga and meditation and a focus on staying connected with loved ones!
Check out these resources for parents and caregivers from Sesame Street’s website as well in English & Spanish
Activity ideas from Sesame Street
Ideas and Activities from Teachers
At-Home Activities for Children Ages 0-3 — check out this activity guide from zerotothree.org!
25 at-home STEM activities easy enough for preschoolers
The Secret to Keeping Your Kids Happy, Busy and Learning at home while schools are closed due to coronavirus — article from TIME.com with ideas for activities & keeping a routine amidst school closures.
How to talk to your children about COVID-19
A social story with pictures to help you explain Coronavirus to young children. If you do not have a printer at home- a screen will work just fine!
Article: Talking to your kids about coronavirus (Child Mind Institute)
Article: How to Talk to Kids About Coronavirus (The New York Times)
Parent Mental Health & Wellness
Article: The Importance of Self-Care for parents (zerotothree.org)
5 tips for effectively working from home during the coronavirus outbreak, when you have kids (cnbc.com)
Managing stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis — a great resource from the New York State Office of Mental Health
New York State has thousands of mental health professionals who are volunteering to provide FREE mental health services for people who are distressed over the COVID-19 pandemic. New York State has a central hotline number to access these services: call 1-844-863-9314.
Nutrition Information
Parents: Do you need ideas for nutritious meals for your preschooler? View sample menus for Breakfast & Lunch! The menu provides ideas and portion guidelines.
Click here to learn more about My Plate, which will help you prepare healthy meals for your children and family. Click here for tips & information about food planning during the global pandemic.
Additionally, check out these quick & easy recipes from our nutritionist Marcia! These recipes are healthy, simple, and focused on ingredients you may already have in your pantry!
