We are holding in our thoughts those who access the Virtual Lab School during this COVID-19 pandemic, particularly child care professionals, and we wish you all good health and safety. You can find the latest information regarding COVID-19 at the Center for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html with specific guidance for child care programs, including how to talk to children about the disease. You can also find more information and resources specifically for child care professionals offered by Child Care Aware. In addition, Child Trends offers some tailored guidance on supporting children’s social emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Child Mind Institute also offers tips on nurturing and protecting kids during this crisis.
In addition, Child Trends (https://www.childtrends.org/) has pulled together a strong set of resources:
Resources for educators and child care providers
- American Academy of Pediatrics: COVID-19 Planning Considerations: Guidance for School Re-entry
- Child Care Aware of America: Coronavirus: What Child Care Providers Need to Know (online article) and resources
- Child Nutrition Program State by State COVID-19 Waivers: from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service
- Child Trends Supporting Families and Child Care Providers during the Pandemic with a Focus on Equity
- CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Guidance for School Settings Before and After an Outbreak (online article) and CDC's Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open
- CDC: Employees: How to Cope with Job Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- CDC: Resources for Institutes of Higher Education (online article)
- Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy - Curated list of COVID-19 Resources
- Early Childhood Investigations - COVID-19 Financial Survival Strategies for Early Childhood Programs: Emergent Resources and Advice webinar and other webinars:Preparing to Support Preschool Children to Reintegrate to the Classroom and Rebuild your ECE Program for the New Normal: Part 1 - Business Practices
- Edutopia: Trauma is 'Written Into Our Bodies' - but Educators Can Help Interview with Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
- Harvard's Center on the Developing Child: A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development
- Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center: Coronavirus Prevention and Response (online article)
- Institute of Child Nutrition: Safe hygiene and cleaning
- National Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine: Exploring the science of social distancing and what it means for everyday life
- National Alliance to End Homelessness: COVID-19: What state and local leaders can do for homeless populations
- Society for Research in Child Development: At Home with the Child Experts: The Science of Screen Time During COVID-19
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: Meals for Kids interactive map
CACFP: Providing Multiple Meals at a Time During the Coronavirus Pandemic - U.S. Department of Education: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Schools While Protecting the Civil Rights of Students (PDF)
- U.S. Department of Education: Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak (PDF)
- ZERO TO THREE: Coronavirus resources for early childhood professionals
Resources for communities, states, territories, and tribes
- American Psychological Association: COVID-19 and Psychology Services: How to Protect Your Patients and Your Practice (online article)
- CDC: Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission (PDF)
- Child Trends: As COVID-19 Spreads, Most States Should Have Laws that Address How Schools Should Respond to Pandemics (online article)
- National Association of Social Workers: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Supporting Clients (online article)
- The Chronicle of Social Change: Coronavirus: What Child Welfare Systems Need to Think About (online article)
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Information about COVID-19 for CCDF Lead Agencies: Relevant Flexibilities in CCDF Law (online article)
- ZERO TO THREE: 5 Critical Needs for Babies in COVID-19: Sustaining Child Care & Early Learning
Resource list drawn from Child Trends (March 19, 2020). Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as other sources. For more family-friendly resources, see Family Resources during COVID-19.