Reading Resources for Your Child During the Coronavirus School Closures

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Children should still get exposed to reading, even though their schools closed. It helps develop their brains, social skills, imagination, and communication skills. All these are important to your child's development and success in life. Everything in life requires reading. There is no getting around it. Times have changed, and technology has advanced. Reading has become more accessible because of audibles, kindle, resources online, and YouTube. When my kids were younger, it was easier to read to them, but I regret not encouraging it more, but I have been able to get my younger one to enjoy reading by using these tips I'm about to share with you.


Amazon Audible

The company is giving all kids free access to their library of audibles while schools closed.


Vooks


There is an extensive amount of digital animated books. The stories are being read aloud and watched at the same time. They are offering a 30- day free trial period, and afterward, it's $4.99 a month.


Epic


It's an online digital library that has over 35,000 different genres of books for kids up to the age of twelve. They also have 30-day free access to all their books and pay $7.99 a month. You can use it either on a mobile device or on a desktop. The books read either in ebook, read to me, or audible. 


StoryNory


It offers a wide variety of free Audiobooks, either as podcasts or on the website for kids of all ages. They also have download features for later use.


Barnes and Noble

Are doing their Storytimes virtually  YouTube.com/BARNESANDNOBLE.




Do you have any other tips? Please share down in the comments😊

The Juggling Act of Parenting During the Pandemic



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Are you struggling with parenting, teaching and doing therapeutic services for your special needs child since their schools have a shutdown? Trust me, you aren’t alone in this, there are others like you. It’s a difficult time for us all. None of us expected this to happen. I can recall looking at this with mixed emotions like how to manage it all and the fear of failing myself or my kids. During difficult times, we have to make things work, regardless. Here are some tips to help you.



Change your Mindset


Try to take some time to adjust to the sudden change that has occurred in a positive light and not doom. Yeah, things will be difficult for a bit, but not for long. Enjoy this time that you have with your family.



Establish a Routine


Create a schedule that you can continue to work, teach, and do therapy for your child. Keep in mind that you might have to make adjustments. For example, work before your child wakes up or after helping your child do their work. Use this teaching time as bonding with your child and also see how well he or she is performing. Keep your regular wake up, bedtime, and dinner schedule. You could also try doing schoolwork with your child at the same time as if he or she was in school. If you're doing therapy with your child, review the IEP to see what techniques you can do from home. Also, don't forget to give breaks, depending on your child.



Make time for Yourself


Be sure to take some time for yourself to prevent burnout. Whatever you enjoy doing, try to do it.




Do you have any other tips you would like to share? Please comment below :)

Learning Resources for Your Child During School Closures



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Are you trying to figure out how to help your child keep learning during school closings? Some schools have provided materials to work with your child at home. My children's schools have provided that to me. Unfortunately, few families can take advantage of that opportunity, because they have no access to electronic devices and no study materials from their schools. Here are some tips I have found to be helpful, and hopefully, it helps you all.





Electronic Devices
If you don't have access to a laptop, tablet, or IPad for your child to do their schoolwork, you can let your child's school know or even the district.



Starfall

It's geared more toward Pre-K to third graders. Covers a wide range of topics, like mathematics, and language arts, some of it is free, but if you want more, then you would have to pay a low monthly fee.

PBS Kids
They have a PBS kids video app that's accessible from a tablet, cell phone, or any device that allows you to stream on-demand learning videos and can watch it live-streamed any time of the day.



Mystery Science
For now, during school closings, it is offering free Science lessons. It's well known for Kindergarteners to fifth graders.



ScratchJr
It is a free app that teaches younger kids from the ages of 5 to 7 how to code and make their interactive games and stories, and once they complete, they can move on to the regular Scratch.



ABCYA
This is a free learning program for kids in the Pre-K till 6 grade. It has a wide variety of games teaching different subjects, such as numbers and letters, just for example.



BrainPOP
It offers free access to kids from Kindergarteners through the Twelfth grade. It covers all subject areas like Math, Reading, Writing, Science, History, Arts, Music, Health, and Technology.



If you have any other tips, please share down below in the comments 😊