COVID-19: Resources for Early Childhood Development

In an effort to help reduce the impact of COVID-19 in any way that we can, we have compiled this list of resources for you to use and share. Please be sure to keep local, state, federal sources as your primary source of guidance as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Child Care Programs

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/guidance-for-schools.html

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)

https://www.nasponline.org/

NASP is committed to providing our members and the public with information, guidelines, and resources to help support the learning and well-being of students, their families and others in the school community during the COVID-19 crisis. We will continue to develop and update resources as new information becomes available.

National Association of School Nurses

https://www.nasn.org/home

Talking point for proactive steps school nurses can take to decrease fears and promote prevention plus other resources

National Association for the Education of Young Children Survey Results - NAEYC has completed a national survey of providers and compiled a state-by-state report. They have also posted the results into an interactive map.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1SBX2VD08TH_28nLru-4SJBGYQ7z8m2B7&ll=46.31441041081853%2C-112.51412534999997&z=3

Hunt Institute State Child Care Actions in Response to COVID-19 - The Hunt Institute has launched a comprehensive, real-time scan of State Child Care Actions in Response to COVID-19. This page (best viewed on a desktop) includes closure status, links to provider guidance, Executive Orders and more.

http://www.hunt-institute.org/covid-19-resources/state-child-care-actions-covid-19/

National Governors Association Coronavirus Page - This regularly updated page includes state actions listed by state, including emergency declarations and links to state-issued guidance.

https://www.nga.org/coronavirus/#states

National Conference of State Legislatures State Legislative Actions Page - Updated every weekday, this NCSL page catalogs COVID-19-related state house and senate bills (and their current status).

https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-action-on-coronavirus-covid-19.aspx

COVID-19 STATE ACTIONS

http://www.earlysuccess.org/resources/coronavirus

This summary is an Alliance for Early Success compilation of various state policy changes made related to child care subsidy and payments in response to COVID-19. Generally, many states are continuing subsidy payments to try to keep subsidized child care programs whole if they choose to or are forced to close, or if they experience significant declines in attendance. Note that this is not an exhaustive account of all states’ actions.

The Division for Early Childhood (DEC)

https://www.dec-sped.org/covid-19

Resources to Support Early Intervention & Early Childhood Special Education during COVID-19

The Division for Early Childhood was started in 1973 by a group of volunteers who cared deeply about the development of young children with special needs. DEC is one of 17 divisions of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), the largest professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.

NAEYC

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/covid-19

Our hearts go out to all who have been infected by COVID-19 and those whose lives have been disrupted by this pandemic. We are particularly concerned about the significant impacts this public health crisis is likely to have on our nation's child care and early learning programs, including educators, families, and children. We’ve compiled these online resources to provide information from NAEYC, the CDC, and other educational organizations.

Child Care Services Association

https://www.childcareservices.org/covid-19-safety-resources/

COVID-19 Resources for Child Care Providers, Families and Advocates

It’s important to stay safe, healthy and be informed, particularly for those who continue to be on the front lines of caring for children and families. With K-12 schools closed, child care programs must consider whether to remain open and risk exposure or to close and put their teachers and staff at risk of not being paid. The programs that choose to remain open might also be needed to serve additional children. Our goal is to keep our staff and community safe, continue business operations in service of our mission and do our part to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Brooks Early Childhood Resources to Help During COVID-19

We’ve compiled a growing list of free resources to help you through these uncertain times. From blog posts to webinars, these expert resources will help you support young children and families and continue your professional development while you’re staying safe at home.

https://brookespublishing.com/covid-19-early-childhood-resources/

Center on the Developing Child Harvard University

This is a list of links to national and international resources that can help with a variety of concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. From child care, to housing, to health care and medical information, many outstanding organizations are offering helpful resources. The following is an assortment of links we’ve checked out–from our own site and others–that can be of use at this unprecedented time.

https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/covid-19-resources/

Caring for Our Childen (CFOC)

Health Promotion and Protection

3.3 Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting

https://nrckids.org/CFOC/Database/3.3

Information about COVID-19

Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs, CDC

How COVID-19 Spreads, CDC

Coronavirus, Social Distancing, and Self-Quarantine, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Informational Videos about COVID-19, CDC

Why are people wearing masks? Why are people covering their faces?, ZERO TO THREE

CDC Report: Coronavirus Strikes All Ages, AARP

Stress, Resilience, and the Role of Science: Responding to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child

People who are at a higher risk of severe illness, CDC

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), AAP

COVID-19 and Children: FAQ, CDC

Coronavirus Information for Education, PA Department of Health

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel, U.S. Department of Education

How Schools Should Respond to State Laws Regarding COVID-19, Child Trends

A Message on COVID-19 From the Children’s Bureau, Children’s Bureau

Guidance for Providers

Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans Immediately Available to Child Care Providers, First Five Years Fund

Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist (English) (Spanish), U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Best Practices for Child Care Programs Operating During COVID-19, ELRC Region 5 and Trying Together

COVID-19: Updates for Early Educators & Families in Allegheny County, ELRC Region 5

Staffed Family Child Care Networks Can Navigate A New World Order, Opportunities Exchange

Coronavirus Information for Education: Pre-K, K-12 Schools, and Higher Education, PA Department of Health

Interim Guidance for Administrators of US K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs, CDC

Coronavirus Prevention and Response, Office of Head Start (OHS)

Ensuring Students with Disabilities Continue to Receive Services, U.S. Department of Education

Office of Child Care COVID-19 Resources, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Child Care

As COVID-19 spreads, most states have laws that address how schools should respond to pandemics, Child Trends

Scholastic Learn at Home: Free Resources for School Closures, Scholastic

Coronavirus News & Resources for Child Care Professionals, Families and Policymakers, Child Care Aware of America

Child Care for Essential Workers during Coronavirus Outbreak, Child Care Aware of America

Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Outbreak, U.S. Department of Education

Early Learning

A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Through Coronavirus, Teaching Tolerance

Can Virtual Preschool Be Developmentally Appropriate?, Child Care Lounge

Amid coronavirus, Comcast makes Wi-Fi network free, expands unlimited data to all, TRIB Live

Spectrum to offer free internet to students during Coronavirus outbreak, WECT 6 News

Zoom CEO Eric Yuan Is Giving K-12 Schools His Videoconferencing Tools For Free, Forbes

3 Ways to Turn Your Classroom Remote in a Hurry, KQED

Information for teachers during COVID-19 school closures, School Closures

Schools Are Hosting Virtual Theme Weeks to Cheer Up Quarantined Kids, We Are Teachers

Creative Ways Teachers Are Building Classroom Community Online, We Are Teachers

Our Favorite Virtual P.E. Resources to Keep Kids Moving at Home, We Are Teachers

161 Science Documentaries You Can Watch Right Now (No Membership Required), PBS SOCAL

121 Tools for Distance Learning & Strategies for Student Engagement, Albert

Bringing the Zoo to You, Families and Policymakers, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

Request a Library Card to Access E-Books & More, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Free Distance Learning Plans for K–2 Students and Their Families, Common Sense Media

History at Home, Senator John Heinz History Center

A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development, Harvard University

Early Learning Resource Center, DHS

Talking with Children

Caring for Each Other, Sesame Street

Responding to Children’s Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis, Healthy Children, AAP

Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19, NCTSN

Are your kids anxious about Coronavirus? Dr. G is here to help, Kidsburgh

How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS KIDS for Parents

Talking with Your Children about COVID-19, the CDC

Online Interactive Game that Teaches Children about Germs and Handwashing, Luma One

A guide to keeping your child safe and reassured as coronavirus spreads, CNN Health

Washing Your Hands, CDC

How to Wash Hands, Sesame Street

Hand Washing for Kids: 5 Easy Steps to Teach Hand Hygiene, Moms Against Cooties

Kick Germs to The Curb While Singing This Daniel Tiger Song!, Fred Rogers Productions

A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University

Healthy at Home (Toolkit), Ready Rosie, The Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies

Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to Talk to Your Child, KidsHealth

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus, Child Mind Institute

Are Your Kids Anxious About Coronavirus? Dr. G is Here to Help, Kidsburgh

Helping Kids Who Are Worried About Coronavirus, Counselor Keri

Prevention

COVID-19 Self-Checker, CDC

Checklists for Teachers and Parents, CDC

FAQs for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents, CDC

Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide, Ready PA

Parents: Get Your Children Ready for COVID-19, CDC KIDS for Parents

Recommendations for Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Environment, CDC

Three ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, MIT Medical

Practices to Stay Healthy, U.S. Department of Education

Child Care and Preschool Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist, CDC

After Infection

What to do if you are sick or suspect that you’re sick with COVID-19, CDC

Recommended precautions for household members, intimate partners, and caregivers, CDC

What You Should Do If Caring for Someone with Coronavirus, American Red Cross

Employee Rights, United States Department of Labor

Impacts on Child Care, School, and Work

Coronavirus & Paid Family Leave, Single Mom Defined

Create a Backup Child Care Plan, Child Care Aware of North Dakota

Coronavirus and School Closures, Education Week

Ensuring Students with Disabilities Continue to Receive Services, U.S. Department of Education

To Close or Not? How Superintendents Decide to Shut Down Schools, Education Week

Updates from the Port Authority

Unemployed and quarantined Pittsburghers can receive unemployment money faster, with fewer requirements, Public Source

Map: Coronavirus and School Closures, Education Week

Exception of Directive to Temporairly Close, pakeys

Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts Related to Corona Virus, OCDEL

Fact Sheets

What You Need to Know about COVID-19(English) (Spanish) (Simplified Chinese), CDC

Fact Sheet from the Allegheny County Health Department

Fact Sheet from the Pennsylvania Department of Health

Informational Flyers

Stop the Spread of Germs, Allegheny County Department of Health

Keeping Your Home, School, and Workplace Safe, CDC

Helping Children and Families Cope, NCPMI

Mental Health

Toll-Free 24-Hour Emotional Support Help Line(866.342.6892), Optum

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255)

Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19, CDC

Seven Ways to Cope With Anxiety During the Coronavirus Outbreak, AARP

Receiving Support

Support for Helpers During Coronavirus, Fred Rogers Center

Comcast’s Internet Essentials (offering two free months to new customers)

Many Homeowners Eligible for Temporary Relief From Mortgage Payments, AARP

COVID-19 & Family Resources, Family Centers Network

Shared Services Central, Opportunities Exchange

Child Care Centers, DHS

Multilingual Resources

A Round-Up of Multilingual Resources on COVID-19, Switchboard

COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions, UPMC

CDC Prevention Flyer, RCUSA

Additional Resources in Spanish

ChildCare Aware of America: Quédese actualizado con las noticias y los recursos más recientes sobre el Coronavirus, Child Care Aware of America