Resources For Parents At Home During COVID-19

Parents -Our schools are closed for a minimum of six weeks and the kids are home, need some ideas on what to do to keep them busy?  We have put together some information on free resources that are available to help during this time.  Information on free breakfast/lunch for any child 18 years or younger is listed as well.

First of all, be sure to check in with your school and school district. They may have excellent resources for what your child is currently learning in class. Your student’s teacher may have plans already
prepared to help you navigate this time, be sure to be in contact if possible.

Below are some resources we’ve found that may help you to
navigate learning and fun:

Comcast Offers Two Months Free Internet

If you don’t currently have access to internet, Comcast is offering two free months of internet service. https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19#thingstoknow&all_DoIliveinaComcastarea

ABC Mouse and Adventure Academy: Have a Pre-K through 8th graders at home?  ABC Mouse is offering free on-line services for Pre-K through 8th Grade with coupon code: SCHOOL7771
https://www.abcmouse.com/Redeem

The Cincinnati Zoo: The Cincinnati Zoo is hosting a Home Safari Facebook Live event each weekday at 12pm where they will highlight one of their amazing animals and include an activity you can do from home. These are also posted to their website and their YouTube channel shortly after.  https://www.facebook.com/cincinnatizoo/

Funbrain: Math and Reading games https://www.funbrain.com/

KiwiCo has a free resource hub for kids and their grownups with loads of stay-at-home educational activities for every age, tips from teachers on effective remote learning, and kid-friendly content that
connects science with their daily lives. https://www.kiwico.com/blog/

National Geographic’s for Kids: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

PBS Kids: https://pbskids.org/

Scholastic Learn at Home: Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing.  Keep the learning going with these special cross-curricular journeys.  https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

Read, play games, and hang out with Dr. Seuss: https://www.seussville.com/

Spokane Public Schools: Learning at Home Resources https://www.spokaneschools.org/LearningAtHomeResources

Storyline Online Videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations. https://www.storylineonline.net/?fbclid=IwAR3xPu5j5B6FheORc5rgO6qts_X43x9-pnYEPD55sULYYUDwqt3_YvW_zkw

Go Exploring with these virtual tours:

British Museum https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/

Explore the hidden world of our National Parks through Google Experience the sights, sounds, and adventures of Kenai Fjords, Hawai’i Volcanoes, Carlsbad Caverns, Bryce Canyon, and Dry Tortugas in 360° virtual tours. https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/25/google-now-lets-you-explore-u-s-national-parks-via-360-degree-virtual-tours/

Georgia Aquarium https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/

Louvre Museum, Paris https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne

Mars anyone? Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover. https://accessmars.withgoogle.com/

Metropolitan Museum of Art https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-metropolitan-museum-of-art

Monterey Bay Aquarium https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals-and-exhibits/live-web-cams

National Aquarium Virtual Tour http://samuraivirtualtours.com/example/nadc/index.html

National Gallery of Art, Washington DC https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-gallery-of-art-washington-dc?hl=en

Ouwehand Park Polar Bear Cubs Rhenen, Netherland https://explore.org/livecams/polar-bears/polar-bear-ouwehand-twin-cubs-cam-2

Reid Park Zoo Lion Cam in Tucson, AZ http://reidparkzoo.org/cameras/lion-cam/

San Diego Zoo https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos

Seattle Aquarium Virtual Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY8__n13tKM&feature=youtu.be

Smithsonian’s National Zoo https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams

Uffizi Gallery, Florence Italy https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/uffizi-gallery?hl=en

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/van-gogh-museum?hl=en

Yellowstone National Park Tour https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm

Zoo Atlanta Panda Cam https://youtu.be/_6wbfVWVk8Q

Other Ideas

Connect with family and friends – it’s a great time to check in on your loved ones using technology and social distancing.

Call/Skype/FaceTime/Zoom

Write letters or create cards – this will help your child keep up their writing skills, plus who
doesn’t like to get something fun in the mail!

Fun Family Activities –

Arts and crafts

Build a fort – sheets and/or cardboard boxes work great

Cook and bake together – talk about math as you prepare the recipe

Learn a new dance and have a family dance party to show off your moves

Play cards and board games together

Play in the yard as a family – it’s not just the kids that need to stay active during this time,
fitness activities are good for all.

Storytime – take turns reading out loud 

Take time to clean out unused toys and other items to donate

Remember to take time to listen to and talk to your kids and reassure any fears they may have as they will react to your stress and anxiety.  Remaining calm and reassuring with your verbal and nonverbal reactions is very important right now to help you and your family through this time.

School Lunch

Most school district in our area will be distributing free lunches during the school closures.  See the list below for resources in your area.  Make sure to visit the school websites for complete information and availability.

Chewelah School District: https://www.chewelah.k12.wa.us/

Colville School District: http://www.colsd.org/

Deer Park School District: https://www.dpsd.org/

Kettle Falls School District: https://www.kfschools.org/

Loon Lake School District: http://www.loonlakeschool.org/

Nine Mile Falls School District https://www.9mile.org/

Northport School District: https://www.northportschools.org/

Selkirk School District: https://www.selkirkschools.org/

Mary Walker School District: https://www.marywalker.org/

Valley School District: https://www.valleysd.org/

Stay informed with these trusted sources:

With so much information out there on COVID-19, visit trusted sources to obtain accurate
information and updates.  Facts not Fear.

Visit the sites below for the latest information and alerts.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

www.doh.wa.gov/coronavirus

www.netchd.org

The State of Washington has set up an official website on information regarding COVID-19,
including benefits and help for people and businesses at https://coronavirus.wa.gov

In addition: The Washington State Department of Health has established a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington, how the virus is spread, and what to do if you have symptoms, please call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

Other Resources

Childcare: Childcare options may be available at your schools for healthcare workers and first responders as well as for those with no other options.  For more information on what is available at your school please call or visit their website for additional information.

Emotional Health: Emotional health support for you or a family member: Washington Recovery Hotline 1-866-789-1511