The scale and impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is difficult for adults to wrap their minds around, much less children. But young people still have questions, and they are looking to adults to help them understand what is happening.

“My Hero is You”, a story developed for and by children around the world, offers a way for children and parents to together think about the questions the pandemic raises. Designed to be read by a parent, caregiver or teacher alongside a child or a small group of children, the story was shaped by more than 1,700 children, parents, caregivers and teachers from around the world who took the time to share how they are coping with the impact of COVID-19.

The project was developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings, and supported by global, regional and country based experts, in addition to parents, caregivers, teachers and children in 104 countries.

You can view the original post concerning the book as well as translations in many languages here.

Free information book explaining the need to wear masks, by Tara Tuchell. Click here to download.

Tara is a speech/language pathologist who has specialized in autism for the past 20 years. She started her career at the elementary level and is now enjoying the early childhood level in Minnesota in the USA. 

Tara says: "I had a couple of requests for a story about seeing other people wear masks out in public.  I had been thinking about writing one because I live in Wisconsin and while many people are wearing masks in stores, not everyone is.  Even as an adult, it felt kind of strange and startling to see people wearing masks.  I'm SURE that our kids are feeling the same way.  Once we talk about it in a non-scary way, it will become more normalized and cause less anxiety.  So, here is a free story to help US and our children."

You can view Tara's website here. 

Colouring book explaining mask-wearing to children, by Tara Tuchell. Click here to download.

Tara Tuchell had some requests to make the Mask Story into a black and white pdf so children can color the pages.  Please feel free to share and distribute (just give credit to Autism Little Learners).

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Free information book explaining the Coronavirus to children

Click here to download.

Axel Scheffler, illustrator of “The Gruffalo” has illustrated a digital book for primary school age children about the coronavirus and the measures taken to control it. Published by Nosy Crow, and written by staff within the company, the book has had expert input: Professor Graham Medley of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine acted as a consultant, and the company also had advice from two head teachers and a child psychologist. The book answers key questions in simple language appropriate for 5 to 9 year olds:

• What is the coronavirus? • How do you catch the coronavirus? • What happens if you catch the coronavirus? • Why are people worried about catching the coronavirus? • Is there a cure for the coronavirus? • Why are some places we normally go to closed? • What can I do to help? • What’s going to happen next?

Publishers Nosy Crow want to make sure that this book is accessible to every child and family and so the book is offered totally free of charge to anyone who wants to read it. However, they have suggested, at the back of the book, that families might make a donation to help our health service if they find the book useful: https://www.nhscharitiestogether.co.uk/.

And many more helpful Pandemic resources for parents/guardians and teachers are available here.

Allow children to express their thoughts and feelings about this challenging period while also capturing memories they will treasure forever! These beautiful worksheets were created by Olivia of Blossom Printables Co for North Shore Mums.

Make sure that you capture details of this historic period in time by creating "Time Capsules" for your children with these beautiful worksheets created by Natalie Long of Long Creations. 

The Adult version! Make sure that you capture details of this historic period in time by creating your own "Time Capsule" with these beautiful worksheets aimed at adults  created by Natalie Long of Long Creations. 

Games to reinforce maths skills at home. Click here for a downloadable pdf.