Helping Parents Provide Quality Education to Children While at Home

COVID-19 has prompted Educare schools across the country to change their service model for the foreseeable future, providing both in-person and virtual programming and resources to children and families and staying connected in new and innovative ways. Even with virtual support, this unprecedented crisis causes children around the country to miss their regular in-classroom routines and has placed additional pressure on parents. While this unplanned time at home may be overwhelming for the whole family, it offers parents an opportunity for new ways of learning and playing with children.

As one of the nation’s most diverse and effective networks of high-quality early childhood schools, the Educare Learning Network innovates, evaluates and shares best practices to transform the lives of young children and their families in under-resourced communities. To help deliver on our mission during this unpredictable time, we have gathered a variety of expert-created resources that can be used by parents to provide easy and engaging education experiences for young children. In addition, parents can reference the variety of tips listed to help navigate COVID-19 discussions and situations at home. Follow the Educare Facebook page for more educational activities and parenting tips from across our network of schools and how you can keep up with #EducareAtHome!

For the most up to date information on COVID-19, visit the CDC website. And for COVID-19 Policy Resources for Head Start Parents and Caregivers see this guide from the National Head Start Association.

Educational activities:

  • Southwest Human Development – online lesson plans featuring fun and developmentally-appropriate activities for infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
  • PBS Kids– Educational activities and tips to help kids learn and play at home.
  • PBS Parents– Get age-by-age tips and activities to help your child learn and grow.
  • Next Door Milwaukee –Read with Me video series featuring children’s books read by volunteers.
  • Nick Noggin – Access games, books and interactive videos through Nick Jr.’s online platform, which is free to educators and families for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
  • Atlanta Speech School – Preschool lessons and experiences featuring story reads, songs, and enrichment activities for you and your child to enjoy.
  • Vroom– Easy tips and activities to make everyday moments into brain building moments for parents and children up to age 5.
  • Monterey Aquarium– Enjoy a virtual visit and meet the animals through the aquarium’s video series.
  • Cinncinati Zoo – Go on virtual safaris paired with at home activities in the zoo’s video series.
  • Starfall– Reading and math activities for children in pre-k and kindergarten.
  • Storyline Online– Children’s books read aloud with interactive illustrations and activities to help inspire a love of reading.
  • Vooks– A streaming library of kid-safe animated storybooks.
  • From the Ounce Classroom to Yours– Early learning activities, created by our backbone organization the Ounce, to enhance your child’s learning during each stage of their development.

Parenting tips to navigate through COVID-19 with your child:

COVID-19 Resources