The COVID-19 health emergency is impacting all our lives, especially those families with young children. In this weekly newsletter we will connect you with the most recent information about child care options, learning at home activities for children, emotional support resources for you and your children and more. In addition, we hope you also get some ideas of how you and your children can reduce stress and have some some fun together in these days of social distancing! Here is our newsletter from April 8, 2020.
Parenting Supports
April Is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Today, April 8, people across Ohio are wearing blue to bring awareness to child abuse prevention. Below you will find ideas for helping ease the stress of the current health crisis for you and the children in your home, as well as resources for fun activities to do together. We’re all in this together. Learn more about how you can help prevent child abuse in your community.
Connecting Families of Essential Workers With Child Care
4C for Children specialists are available to help families of workers providing health, safety and essential services in your child care search. Click here to see an interactive map of licensed Pandemic Child Care Programs in Southwest Ohio and the Miami Valley. Need help with your search? Call us at 800-256-1296 x1330, or email us.
Family Resources
Learn-At-Home Activities
Check out the following for free learning activities you can do at home to help children learn through play and ideas on how to set a routine for working/learning from home.
- Setting a New Routine, from the Ohio Department of Health
- Family Activities to Try During Closures, from NAMI Ohio
- Sign Up for the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library. Get a free book for your 0-5 year old every month!
Helping Your Family Cope
From easing children’s anxiety to taking care of your own mental health, here are some resources for you to explore.
- How Mindfulness Helps You Cope With Stress, from Mindful.org
- Join ZERO TO THREE every Friday at 12 p.m. for a mindfulness break, starting April 10
- How to Ease Children’s Anxiety About COVID-19, from NAMI Ohio
Nutrition and Safety
The following are some reminders of where children can get meals during school closures and some home safety measures to consider.
- Cincinnati Public Schools meal distribution
- Dayton Public Schools meal distribution
- Three Safety Tips to Remember When Your Kids Are At Home, from Safe Kids Worldwide
Vroom: Creating Brain-Building Moments
You already have what it takes!
Tap into Vroom resources and check out the tips and activities tailored to your 0-5 year old child. You’ll not only learn to turn everyday activities into brain building opportunities, but you and your child will have lots of fun along the way!
