COVID19 - TIP SHEET #1
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Due to the current situation with Covid-19, and many children being off from school and or unable to participate in their regular schedule, SMILE team members have prepared a tip sheet with some suggestions and resources.
Explaining COVID-19 to your child
Check out these social stories to help explain COVID 19:
The Autism Educator: https://theautismeducator.ie/2020/03/11/corona-virus-social-story/
Autism and Coronavirus: Helping Students Understand: https://usevisualstrategies.com/autism-coronavirus-helping-students-understand/?fbclid=IwAR3_sE3wQe6bPkvO-OKKRGFxyqt0M7Pa29B4lMSe37-YAvHnq0fqVUFLUjY
My Coronovirus Story: https://www.flipsnack.com/KeshetChicago/coronavirus-social-story/full-view.html?fbclid=IwAR09WzV0xYmM07ihhkKQNC8Mvje68UJiCo_TnpfBsVDCZwv9hoxf13r3Blc
MANUELA MOLINA @MINDHEART.KIDS www.mindheart.co
Make a Schedule
Consider making a schedule that includes:
Reading Time, Play Time, Chores, Showers, Outdoor Play
Try to stick to a routine as much as possible so children know what is coming next
Read. Read. Read some More!
Catch up on your child’s reading! Here are some ideas!
1. Join SMILE’s Book Club: https://www.smilecan.org/events-1/smile-book-club-1
2. Access an active learning journey on www.scholastic.com/learnathome. This free resource provides your child with exciting articles, stories, videos and fun learning.
3. Access a two-week free trial of reading activities at https://www.squigglepark.com/.
4. Listen to stories online at https://www.storylineonline.net
Reading to children has been shown to improve reading, writing and spelling, communication skills, logical thinking, concentration, and general academic aptitude, as well as inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Catch up on Math Through Fun Activities
Access Prodigy Math games, all you have to do is create a free account. Online at: https://www.prodigygame.com/
Engage in curriculum aligned math programming
Cooking and baking are the perfect place to incorporate math. Have your child help with measuring, reducing or doubling a batch, weighing, or figuring our portions for your family.
Explore Scientific Concepts
For Science lessons that are easy to access from home check out: https://mysterydoug.com/ for students in kindergarten to grade 5
Access https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/ for child-friendly science information and interactive videos.
Encourage the Development of Speech, Language, and Communication:
Access https://660919d3-b85b-43c3-a3ad-3de6a9d37099.filesusr.com/ugd/64c685_bec2d5e852fc46ed8e7d0f2396fb5385.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0kLJGJcyTGsj7quyO-h8MbSD8ttxBSlyG-59gz-MzGQteczPFfiuQtvygfor a variety of activities to target skills at home
Exercise!
There are many child-friendly exercise programs that are fun and entertaining… or make up your own!
o Put on some music and do a funny dance
o Pretend you are animals and do animal walks
o Make an obstacle course, play a game of tag or dig for dinosaur bones!
o Mindfulness - Practice being “in the moment” by exploring senses and engaging in deep breathing exercises
o Try an online yoga video: Cosmic Kids Yoga
Free yoga videos for kids on YouTube, many are themed to popular kids’ movies and characters. NOTE: Videos vary in difficulty and length, here are some episodes we like:
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40SZl84Lr7A
o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02E1468SdHg
Ditch the Electronics!
With all the innovative and overwhelming technology, sometimes activities that involve paper and pencils or crayons get left behind. For example, take out your child’s coloring books or get some scrap paper and make a card for a friend or relative.
Learn Something New
Try a new recipe with your child
Learn a few words in a new language
Try a new craft such as calligraphy or watercolor painting
Learn a new prayer or meditate
STAY POSITIVE
Don’t try to keep up with what everyone else is doing.
We are all on edge with the current situation --- Try your best to find positives in small things throughout the day.
Need Assistance?
1. CALL SMILE. We are here for you. Send us an email at info@smilecan.org and we will try our best to get you the assistance needed
2. In need of Supplies?
Access the Canadian Muslim Response Network (CMRN), a coalition of some of Canada’s leading Muslim civil society organizations
We hope you find these tips helpful and we wish you and your little ones all the best!
Sincerely,
SMILE Team