Resource eBlast April 2020
for families of children and youth with special health care needs
COVID-19 SERIES, Part 3: Parenting and Ideas for Kiddos
Check out Parts 1 and 2 - including Spanish translations courtesy of the Puerto Rico Family-to-Family Health Information Center
So, here we all are—at home in all of our togetherness. Some of us have been here before, social distancing to keep our kids with special health care needs safe following a hospitalization or surgery. This time is, well, different.

We are all home together all day, everyday. Many of us are trying valiantly to work from home while also being teacher, telehealth guru, therapist, entertainer, meal preparer, housekeeper…and the list goes on! This eBlast shares some resources for parenting during this challenging time and several activity ideas for the kids.

Parenting
This experience is daunting on so many levels and requires us to be nimble in new ways. Take a deep breath and trust your instincts. Try hard not to get overwhelmed by all of the information and expectations of what you “must” do. Try some old adages on for size—“one day at a time” and “you can only do what you can do.”
Parenting During Coronavirus: What to Know About Play Dates, Online Learning, and More: A variety of tips, reflections, and ideas from the Washington Post.

Supporting Families during COVID-19: Supportive tips for parenting anxiety and behavior amidst Coronavirus, from the Child Mind Institute.

Get Moving Part 1!
Social distancing does not mean that you can’t exercise and burn energy. Use your living room or basement, or go outside as a family for a walk. Play games in an open space away from others in a driveway, yard, or park lawn.
Let’s start off with some ideas of ways to adapt activities for all abilities:

Best Adapted and Inclusive PE Games: Adaptive PE ideas from Marathon Kids

10 Instant Adaptive PE Activities: A YouTube video from Adaptive Physical Activity.


Get Moving Part 2!
Consider these links to workouts, yoga, and dancing that kids can do with you or on their own (while you take a breath or get some work done):



5 Minute Move—Short Energizing Workouts for Kids: 5 minute workouts from a PE teacher

READ!
Whatever stage of distance learning you find yourself in, explore the world of audiobooks. The pandemic is calling on us all to be patient, flexible, and creative—maybe your kids are not receiving instruction or therapy as they should. Although a good story is not the only answer…it sure is a good option!



Amazon Audible : For as long as schools are closed, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are FREE to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone, or tablet. 

DRAW!
Turn the teaching over to a famous illustrator for drawing lessons:

Mo Willems: 1 pm EST (and archived on website) from the Kennedy Center

Wendy MacNaughton: 1 pm EST on Instagram Live ( past lessons on youtube)

Rob Biddulph: Live and on website

More FREE Resources
TIME for Kids : Time says that for the first time, it will provide parents at home with a free version of "TIME for Kids," its 25-year-old school-based publication. The package includes the entire TIME Kids digital library. 

Free Subscriptions from Education Companies ! Here is the entire list of education companies offering free subscriptions due to school closings.

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