Online resources related to COVID-19

The year 2020 has been dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and the various ways we can take action to keep ourselves and the children in our care safe during this time. Here you will find a list of resources that can help yourself, the families of the children in your care or the children themselves understand what is happening and take action.

Guidelines

The BC Centre for Disease Control and Ministry of Children and Family Development has guidance for child care providers relating to physical distancing, transportation, food and beverages and other topics. The document also states that ‘it is not necessary to attempt to eliminate close contact between children, recognizing the importance of children’s emotional, physical and developmental needs’. 
Outdoor Play Canada is a network of advocates, practitioners, researchers and organizations working together to promote, protect, and preserve access to play in nature and the outdoors for all people living in Canada.

As such, they have created an information page on being outside at this time, and the health and the community benefits of being outside as much as possible at the moment, including reduced likelihood of transmission and understanding how children can process the ‘new normal’.

Resources

• Manuela Molina is an author who has created a free to access short story called COVIBOOK. The COVIBOOK is an invitation for caregivers and families to discuss the full range of emotions arising from the current situation with children under 7 years old. The book is available in 25 languages!
• Confident Parents Thriving Kids provides province-wide, free phone-based coaching for parents/caregivers for children 3 to 12 years old, to manage either anxiety or behaviour challenges.
• The Child Mind Institute is a US based nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. On their website they have created a ‘Coping with Coronavirus Crisis’ filled with resources relating to supporting children, taking care of yourself and other topics such as dealing with loss or anxiety. 

Research

While research is still being undertaken, some research has recently been published looking at the impact on the coronavirus outbreak on the movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth. While the research focuses on children ages 5+, the results are indicative of the impact the lockdowns and provincial orders had on families. Less than 5% of children and youth met physical activity guidelines, 62% were less physically active outdoors and 79% reported more screen time.

A study specifically focusing on transmission of Covid-19 in early years providers in the US shows that these types of programs present virtually no risk of transmitting Covid-19 to adults when there is adherence to hand-washing, smaller group sizes and face coverings.

These are just a few of the many great guidelines, resources and research papers available to support you through the pandemic and beyond. 
 

Source: Chris Wright