The outbreak of COVID-19 that led to nationwide classroom closures, homeschooling, and social distancing has left children feeling uneasy and confused about these drastic changes.
As parents look for educational tools and activities for children at home, PBS KIDS and Fred Rogers Productions have shared a number of free online resources to help parents reduce their children’s anxiety over COVID-19 and keep them occupied and learning.
These resources include some video clips from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, an AVDF-funded program that helps children manage their feelings. The videos were designed to help kids understand and practice healthy habits. For example, the song “Germs, Germs Go Away” teaches children about hand-washing, and the accompanying video envisions Daniel as a germ-fighting superhero. Parents were also encouraged to use a helpful Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood-themed activity page that motivates kids to draw a picture of how they’re feeling.
In addition, Daniel Tiger and his friend Katerina Kittycat supported Virginia First Lady Pamela Northam’s video message to children on how to practice healthy habits while social distancing. The video also reassured kids that their parents and caregivers are taking good care of them. Produced by Virginia Public Media (VPM), the video and other resources are available for parents and educators at vpm.org.
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