Family Resources on Remote Service Delivery and Distance Learning
Updated October 16, 2024, 10:52 AMFamily participation and engagement are invaluable to a child's growth and development. The resources below address the various dimensions of parent or caregiver involvement to help their children reach their maximum potential.
See also: Supporting Children and Families during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Videos on Preparing Families
Learning Activities and Supports
Practice Improvement Tools: Practice Guides for Families (ECTA Center)
Our Practice Guides for Families are a set of resources within our Practice Improvement Tools intended for practitioners to share with families. The Practice Guides are formatted for print as well as for viewing on mobile devices, and are listed by the DEC Recommended Practices topic area: Assessment, Environment, Family, Instruction, Interaction, Teaming and Collaboration, and Transition. The Practice Guides for Families are also available in Spanish.
Encouraging Child Learning in Everyday Activities
Intentionally including, or "embedding," learning opportunities in everyday activities at home or in your community is one way you can help your child learn new things. Embedding learning opportunities in everyday activities involves identifying what you want your child to learn, selecting the everyday activities that provide opportunities to learn things, and using brief "teaching" sessions with your child to help him or her become a more capable participant in his or her daily life.
Enhancing Family-Provider Partnerships During COVID-19 (ECPC)
COVID-19 has changed much in how early childhood intervention is delivered to young children. However, it has not changed that service delivery is still based on a strong family-provider partnership. This document answers some of the questions that families have asked concerning remote service delivery such as: deciding if a remote visit is right for the child and family and recording a remote visit.
Family Guide to At-Home Learning (CEEDAR)
This guide has practical strategies that work for helping children of all ages who may be struggling with an at-home learning task. Families may find these strategies useful when helping their children complete various reading, math, and/or behavioral tasks at home.
Early Childhood Supports (CT RESC)
Connecticut's Regional Educational Service Center (RESC) produced this Google document of Early Childhood Supports. The document includes tools and resources for Pre-K through grade 3 and early care providers.
Natural Resources (April 2020)
This handout contains free resources to support young children learning at home. Natural Resources is a free, one-way listserv that is compiled and distributed on a monthly basis by Camille Catlett.
Early Learning Standards: Family Resources (VT Agency of Education)
Vermont's Agency of Education Early Learning Standards includes information and activities for families with children birth through grade three across three Core Domains of Learning:
Embedding Learning Activities at Home Matrix (RI Itinerant ECSE)
This resource from Rhode Island Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education for teachers, related service personnel and providers can be used to support families in embedding targeted skills practice within family routines. A completed sample illustrates the types of activities that may be included.
Remote Learning (NC Office of Early Learning)
The North Carolina Office of Early Learning has compiled resources to support remote learning, including weekly remote learning activities for children birth through grade two, and tips to help parents schooling children at home.
Social Emotional Development
National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI)
These resources from NCPMI support families in helping young children cope with the challenges that might occur during stressful emergency or disaster situations.
They include scripted stories, tip sheets, and infographics on strategies to prevent and respond to child stress and challenging behavior, as well as support adult stress-management and self-care. Most of these resources are available in both English and Spanish.
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Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times (AFIRM)
Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times is a toolkit that provides user-friendly, evidence-based resources for people supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The toolkit was developed by experts from the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, the UNC School of Education, and the UNC School of Medicine's Department of Allied Health Sciences.
Learning at Home During Trying Times (The IL Early Learning Project)
The Illinois Early Learning Project features resources to help adults:
- keep a stable routine and provide consistent guidance,
- give child-appropriate explanations regarding the coronavirus,
- provide developmentally appropriate activities, and
- reach out for support and information from reliable sources.
Non-technology tip sheets to support families facilitating learning at home are also included.
Supporting Children and Ourselves: Coping during Covid 19 (Child Mind Institute)
Stress during this pandemic is like no other stress we've experienced before, which is why large numbers of educators and service providers are breaking down and experiencing uncontrolled stress responses. This toolkit gives specific instruction to support individuals to interrupt the stress response and reset their brains and bodies.
COVID-19 Time Capsule Workbook (Long Creations)
This 11-page booklet with printable handouts helps kids and families create a pandemic time capsule. Activities include opportunities for kids to explore and note their feelings in words and pictures, express gratitude and make plans for the future.
Additional PDFs for adults and teachers are also avilable.
Help is in Your Hands (C-EDSM Project)
These on-line videos are for families of very young children with social communication challenges. The four modules include narrated video lessons, examples of real parents and children interacting in their own homes and suggestions for follow-up activities that parents can try. These modules can be accessed via smart phones, tablets, and computers.