COVID-19 Information & Resources
The following are resources to help families, children and communities in California cope with and understand the COVID-19 pandemic and response. For local information, please go to your county First 5 website.
Resources for Children and Families
- Common Sense Media: Resources for Families
- Dr. Barbara Stroud: COVID-19 Tips for Parents
- NPR: Coronavirus comic for kids
- New York Times Parenting: Handling Your Kid’s Disappointment When Everything Is Canceled
- PBS: How to talk to your kids about Coronavirus
- National Association of School Psychologists: Talking to Children About COVID-19
- First 5 Lake County: Handwashing Songs
- Supporting Individuals with Autism Through Uncertain Times Guide and Toolkit
- Early Start and Special Education Q&A’s in Multiple Languages
- Autism Society COVID-19 toolkits for parents
- COVID-19 information for women and families
- Google Chrome accessibility extensions for people with disabilities
- Coronavirus, COVID-19 for new moms
- How to address social-emotional aspects related to COVID-19
- More social-emotional resources are available here
- Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks that require social distancing fact sheet
- Shine: Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety Toolkit
- New York Times Parenting: 4 Ways to Help Your Anxious Kid
- Sesame in Communities & First 5 Association Care, Cope, Connect resource
- First 5 LA: Stress Reduction for Young Children Tips
- First 5 LA: Calming Down Anxiety During COVID-19
- First 5 LA: Social Distancing — and Connection
- ACEs Aware: Stress Management Resources
- “Angelina the Cat Stays Home: A Story for Kids About COVID-19 and Worry” available in English & Spanish
- Bright Horizons: Parenting through Uncertainty podcast and resources
- Coping in Hard Times Fact Sheet for Parents
- The Power of Play in Addressing Trauma fact sheet in English and Spanish
- Supporting children during COVID-19 with a trauma-informed focus
The Stay Play Grow app by The Early Learning Lab is designed to support parents and caregivers of children 0-5, providing resources in English and Spanish across a range of areas, including children’s learning and development; self-care strategies; and health & safety guidelines, including how to talk to children about the current health pandemic and racial justice crisis. Available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
- Wide Open School multi-subject education resources for grade pre-k – 12
- Story time video with Jennifer Siebel Newsom
- PBS educational programming information
- PBS Learning Media Video Lessons
- PBS Kids for Parents resources, tips and activities
- ABC Mouse – Ages 2-8- Free for 30 days
- Printable Census activity sheets for kids
- Alameda Arts Activities part 1 & part 2
- Ways to get books cheap or free from First Book
- 30+ Virtual Field Trips
- Virtual Museum Tours
- Scholastic Learn at Home Lessons
- Where Imagination Grows arts & crafts activities
- Story Pirates Podcast
- The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian Story Podcast
- Zero to Three Play Activities by Age Group
- Free stories for children ages 3 and up
- Storyline children’s books read by your favorite celebrities
- Highlights online activities for kids
- Into the Book reading teaching tools available in English and Spanish
- National Geographic Kids online activities
- Sparkle Stories audio stories for kids
- Sesame Street Caring for Each Other Resources
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory STEM activities for kids
- Khan Academy lessons for kids ages 2-18
- Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose Virtual Museum Activities
- California Academy of Science at science activities & videos
- JAMaROO Kids music and movement videos for kids
- Math activities for preschoolers
- Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems art and drawing lessons
- Outdoor Learning Activities for Kids
- NASA STEM Engagement at-home learning activities
- Youtube Learning video lesson playlists and channels for preschoolers
- Valley Oak Children’s Services Video Activities
- Sesame Street online activities
- Sesame Street printable activities
- PBS Kids activities in Spanish
- Free Spanish-language ebooks for children
- Storyplace online ebook library and activities
- Brainpop English language learner activities
- Commonsense Media Spanish-language resources (scroll to bottom of page)
- The Spanish Experiment classic children’s stories told by native Spanish speakers
- 101 Easy Spanish Activities for Kids Stuck at Home
- Audio short stories in Spanish
Guidance from the State
A new state website dedicated to COVID-19 information is available here.
- Western States Join California’s Scientific Safety Review Workgroup to Ensure Safety of COVID-19 Vaccine [READ MORE]
- Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Suspend Standardized Testing for Students in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak [READ MORE]
- Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Protect Ongoing Safety Net Services for Most Vulnerable Californians During COVID-19 Outbreak [READ MORE]
- Governor Newsom Signs Executive Order to Allow Timely Delivery of Vital Goods During COVID-19 Outbreak [READ MORE]
- California Releases New COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools [READ MORE]
- Governor Newsom Signs Emergency Legislation to Fight COVID-19 [READ MORE]
- Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Protect Renters and Homeowners During COVID-19 Pandemic [READ MORE]
- California Issues Directive to Fight COVID-19: Seniors and COVID-19 vulnerable residents directed to home isolate [READ MORE]
Click here to see more information and updates from Governor Newsom’s office.
- California Department of Public Health News and Guidelines
- Cal/OSHA Guidelines
- California Department of Education Guidelines and Info for K-12 Schools
- California Department of Education Guidelines for Getting Internet Access
- Department of Developmental Services Guidelines: Requirements waived due to COVID-19 & Guidance for Regional Center Monitoring Staff
- CDPH Guidance for Higher Education
- Labor & Workforce Development Agency Guidance for Workers and Employers
- California Department of Education Guidelines on School Closures and Services to Students with Disabilities
- California Guidance for Child Care and Supervision Due to School Closures
- Cal OSHA guidelines for infection prevention in childcare programs
Local information from many California counties is available here.
See your local city and county websites and social media pages for more local information.
Public Health Info and Guidance
- California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Information
- CDPH COVID-19 Infographics in English & Spanish
- CA COVID-19 Toolkit
Other Resources
- COVID-19 Infographic
- Disability, Unemployment & Paid Family Leave Benefits
- CLASP: Ensuring Young Children have Healthy Meals During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Supporting Families During a Public Health Crisis: Model Guidance for Virtual Service Delivery
- Prevention Hygiene Pamphlet for People with Disabilities in English & Spanish
- Administration for Community Living Guidance for Older Adults and People with Disabilities
- Green Mountain Self Advocates Information Packet in English and Spanish
- For Healthcare Providers: COVID-19 and Toxic Stress
- Telehealth Service in Infant Mental Health Home Visiting
- Guidance for teachers and councilors during COVID-19 and other crises
- Navigating SBA Loans for Small Businesses
