Early Childhood Covid-19 Resources: Resources for Families to Help Their Young Child’s Learning at Home During Covid-19
PACER-Developed Resources
- Distance Learning and Your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP): Consideration of Related Services
Provides information on how to access the related services written into a student’s IEP during distance learning required due to the Covid-19 pandemic(Translations: Spanish) - Distance Learning and Resolving Disputes Regarding My Child’s IEP
Parents of children with disabilities in Minnesota have the same due process rights within the special education process even when their district has moved to a distance learning model. This document provides information on how to resolve a disagreement with a proposed change to an IEP or a new proposed IEP.(Translations: Spanish) - Transition at Age Three During the COVID-19 Crisis
Provides information about changes to the transition process which may be necessary due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including the possibility of early intervention services being provided beyond the child’s third birthday.(Translations: Spanish) - Developmental Delay and Turning Seven: Reevaluation During COVID-19
Provides information about changes to the requirement that a student can no longer be served under the category of Developmental Delay beyond the student’s seventh birthday. It includes information about the possibility of continuing to serve the student using the category of Developmental Delay beyond the age of 7.(Translations: Spanish) - What’s the difference between Telehealth and Telemedicine? - PACER Center Infographic
This infographic provides an explanation about the difference between telehealth and telemedicine
See the full list of PACER’s Distance Learning and COVID-19 Resources
Minnesota Resources from Minnesota Department of Special Education
- Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year
An explanation of Governor Walz’s Emergency Executive Order 20-81 and how it affects the opening of schools in September. - Family Guide to Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year
A quick overview of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidance for schools so families know what information they should expect from their child’s school. Available in English - Hmong - Karen - Somali – Spanish - Covid-19 Resources for Families
How to find childcare and a map of childcare availability for essential workers. - Minnesota Children’s Cabinet - Supporting Students and Families COVID-19 Resources
Look under Early Childhood and you will find information on caring for infants, toddlers, and preschool age children, a family activity guide, and resources for families from the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet. See the Family Guide section.
Federal Resources
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
- Addressing the Risks of Covid-19 While serving Preschool, Elementary and Secondary School Students with Disabilities
A fact sheet from OSEP that reinforces the requirement that school districts must provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) consistent with the need to protect the health and safety of students with disabilities and those individuals providing education, specialized instruction, and related services to these students.
National Resources
Early Childhood Personnel Center (ECPC)
- Tips for Families: Receiving Early Intervention Services Through the Phone, Tablet, or Computer
Tips on how to receive early intervention services by phone or virtually instead of face-to-face. - Enhancing Family-Provider Partnerships During Covid-19
Helps families to think through ways to maintain a family-provider partnership even when visits are being done remotely.
National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
- Helping Your Child During the Pandemic - Infographic
These tips offer some guidance for supporting your children while your family is dealing with the changes imposed on you by Covid-19. - Help Us Calm Down: Strategies for Children
- Poster
Strategies you can teach your child to help them calm down when they are upset. - Why Can’t I Go to School? - Book (11 pg.)
A short book to help you explain Covid-19 to your child.
IRIS Center
- Parents: Supporting Your Child's Learning during Covid-19
Resources to help parents to support their child’s learning at home while face-to-face learning is not possible.
Center on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
- Supporting Families with PBIS at Home
Recommendations for families and caregivers on how to use positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) to continue to support their students’ social and emotional growth and minimize behavioral disruptions in the home caused by changes in routines due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Sesame Street
- When Children Miss Their Friends
Ideas to help children stay socially connected, even when they’re physically apart due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Specialty Resources
Deaf and Hard of Hearing: National Association of the Deaf
- Families Seeking Accessible PreK-12 Remote Education
Help families advocate for what they need during these times when their child who is deaf or hard of hearing receives remote PreK-12 education.
Apraxia Kids
- Keep Calm and Chatter On
Ideas for parents on how to support their child’s communication at home while they are receiving speech therapy services remotely.
American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA)
- How Parents Can Help Children with Speech and Language Disorders in Virtual and Modified In-Person Classroom Settings
Tips for parents whose children who receive school-based treatment for speech and language disorders to help their children perform and adjust to new virtual and modified in-person learning environments.
National Center on Deaf-Blindness
- Ideas for Activities at Home During Covid-19
Information for parents of children who are deaf-blind, blind, or visually impaired on how to support their child’s learning at home while face-to-face services are restricted due to Covid-19.