For some grandparents, caring for grandchildren has been the situation for years – as primary caregivers and as support for their working adult children. With the Coronavirus, many parents in essential positions have to work and are looking to grandparents and other relatives for help while most schools and childcare centers are closed. No matter how much you love your grandkids, keeping all of you safe at home presents many challenges, including keeping them engaged and learning.
Below are some online resources to keep you going. Of course, you need decent internet access, so if you know families without Internet access, they can find resources for access to free and low cost internet coverage here and if your grandchildren are in grades 3 to 12 in San Francisco, they may be able to borrow a Chromebook.
Generations United Grandfamilies Fact Sheet
Practice Excellent Hygiene
Find San Francisco Resources
- The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) has an excellent page with Coronavirus updates, including Home Learning Resources, Internet and Technology Assistance, many Family Resources, and Frequently Asked Questions.
- Find days, times, and locations for picking up free meals for children while schools are closed.
- There are limited options for emergency child care, restricted at this time to children of San Francisco-based hospital staff, Department of Public Health employees (including community clinics), and activated disaster service workers.
- The SF Department of Children, Youth and Families Resource Guide has tips on talking with children about the Coronavirus, plus creative arts, language arts, outdoor activities, STEM, and more.
- KQED has published an extensive At Home Learning Guide, as well as some tips on How to Support Families and Out-of-School Kids
Visit San Francisco Public Libraries Online
Stay Active!
- Resource guide to outdoor activities & recreation
- Dance and exercise on Go Noodle (has some ads)
- Don’t miss live Instagram Early Birds (ages 3-7) dance classes from Debbie Allen Dance Studio. Watch earlier stretching and African dance, introduction to tap, and more. Follow @therealdebbieallen and @officialdadance to find times for the next live classes.
Discover Virtual Museums, Monuments, & More
- Google Arts & Culture
- Aquarium of the Pacific Academy has live cams, worksheets, and other educational material. For more virtual visits with animals see the Monterey Bay Aquarium Cams and San Diego Zoo Cams.
Search for More Ideas and Resources
- Common Sense Media’s Resources for Families During the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Keep Kids Busy & Grow Their Brains at the Same Time
- Low-Tech Activities to Stay Busy
- Inexpensive Activities with Kids (not all of these work with social distancing, but many do)
- Operation Storytime – Authors Read Children’s Books
- Kid’s Music Concerts
- Giant List of Ideas for Being Home with Kids (crowdsourced Google document)
Reduce Your Own Stress!
- Lots of time home can be stressful on everyone. If you need advice or just a safe space to vent, call the Safe & Sound 24/7 TALK line – 415‑441‑KIDS (5437)