LibGuides: Resources for Families for Social Distancing and Remote Learning: Middlesex Community College Library

Stress Relief & Relaxation

8 Creative Ways to Move Your Body a Little Bit While You’re Stuck at Home
From Self Magazine
Alvin Ailey Online Dance Classes
"Ailey Extension was created to continue Alvin Ailey's legacy that dance comes from the people and should be given back to the people. While these are difficult times for the dance community which relies on people gathering in spaces to share movement and create together, it feels important more now than ever to make dance accessible to everyone." Including sections for kids and teens.
Cello Maestro Yo-Yo Ma Provides Musical Solace
Using the hashtag #SongsOfComfort, the acclaimed musician has been tweeting out recordings of himself playing the cello, hoping to bring joy to those on the frontlines of fighting the coronavirus pandemic and to those who are staying at home.
Cosmic Kids! Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids
Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation for kids ages 3+
Interactive adventures which build strength, balance and confidence - and get kids into yoga and mindfulness early!
Family Fun Games - No Board Required
From the Westport, CT Public Library, some great suggestions for games to play at home.
Maintaining Emotional Health & Well-Being During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Resources and tips to help boost emotional health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak. Including tips and activities for children and multilingual resources on COVID-19.
One Hundred Museums Transformed Their Collections Into Free Coloring Pages
Download free coloring books from 113 museums, offered as part of the annual #colorourcollections social media campaign.

Databases for Kids

Kids Infobits
Kids InfoBits is a database developed especially for beginning researchers in Kindergarten through Grade 5. It features a visually graphic interface. See Off Campus Access to Library Resources

Learn at Home with YouTube
"A resource for families with children of different ages & areas of interest
As schools around the world close their buildings and families find themselves at home, we want to ensure that learning together continues. So we’re partnering with learning creators to bring parents & families resources and activities. These resources are not meant to replace homework assigned by teachers, but meant to complement that work."

Online Resources from Authors and Illustrators

#StoryMarch & #StoryMarchWrite
A fun way for artists and writers of every age to stretch themselves a little and have fun using prompts every day to inspire creativity!
Authors Everywhere
This is a Youtube Channel created and run by children's book writers and illustrators. We wanted to do something to offer relief for parents and kids who might find themselves stuck at home. On this channel, you'll find workshops, readings, activities, art projects, writing games, writing advice, and more. We hope that we can offer you some fun, some distraction, and a creative outlet for any feelings that might come up during this time.

The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read-Alouds & Activities
With kids at home and parents looking for educational activities, many of our favorite authors are offering online read-alouds and activities on social media. We’ve rounded up over 50 of the best virtual author activities below!
Dav Pilkey at Home #DoGood
"...get creative and have fun with some of your favorite characters from DogMan and Captain Underpants!"
DC Kids Camp
Tune In to DC Comics Kids Social Channels for Kid-Friendly, Downloadable Activity Kits and Graphic Novel Previews, Plus Interactive Author/Artist Videos.
How Kids' Lit Is Responding to the Coronavirus
Updated April 14. Links for a variety of content free from publishers at this time.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka—author & illustrator
Award-winning illustrator will be hosting free drawing webcasts every weekday at 2pm EST for at least the next few weeks. (3/13/20)
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
Around the world, people of all ages have joined Mo Willems in his studio for weekday LUNCH DOODLES. The three-week run, all 15 episodes and their downloadable activities, are archived on this site. Let the doodling continue!
Read, Wonder and Learn! Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Everywhere
Authors and Illustrators offer resources including read-alouds, and mini drawing and writing lessons. Includes additional resources broken out by age range.

Audio and Ebook Resources

Audible Stories for Youth
For as long as schools are closed, kids everywhere can instantly stream a collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
Spanish Children's Stories (The Spanish Experiment)
Well-known children's stories translated into Spanish and spoken by a native Spanish speaker. Great for kids... and adults too! Read along in Spanish or English.

Overdrive (New collection from Sails)
Middlesex is a member of the SAILS network. You can download audiobooks, eBooks, films and magazines from Overdrive. We recommend using the Libby App. Use your MCC LIBRARY password - see Off Campus Access to Library Resources to the right. When searching Overdrive, on the opening screen look for the Kids & Teens tab.

You should also be able to use the Overdrive resources from the public library in your town or city, and if you don't have one you can apply for a eCard from the Boston Public Library. Links for the Massachusetts Library Neworks most likely to be used by MCC community members are below.

CWMARS
The Central/Western Massachusetts Automated Resource Sharing (C/W MARS) covers most of central and western Massachusetts.
Merrimack Valley Library Consortium
The Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC) serves 36 independent public libraries in the greater Merrimack Valley region of northeastern Massachusetts.
Minuteman Library Network
The Minuteman Library Network (MLN) serves public and academic libraries in the Metrowest area outside of Boston.
NOBLE North of Boston Library Exchange
The North of Boston Library Exchange (NOBLE) serves 26 primarily public and academic libraries to the north of Boston.
Register for a BPL eCard

Talking with your Children about COVID-19

Helping Children Cope
Includes tips, risk factors, and additional resources.
Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times
A toolkit with seven strategies and corresponding resources, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Education and Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute.
Talking to Children About COVID-19 A Parent Resource
Guidelines from the National Association of School Psychologists and National Association of School Nurses

For Kids - About COVID-19

My Hero is You: How Kids Can Fight COVID-19
Free PDF book intended for kids ages 5-8 and designed to be shared with an adult, from the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings.Also available in Spanish.
Coronavirus a Book for Children
A free information book explaining the coronavirus to children, illustrated by Gruffalo illustrator Axel Scheffler.
Be A Corona Virus Fighter (Free ebook, multiple languages)
More free ebooks about Coronavirus
From the New York City School Library System, free ebooks for children in English and Spanish.

Off Campus Access to Library Resources

Students use their A# and a library password (usually their birthday in a MMDDYYYY format - ie . 03162001)

Make sure you enter a capital "A" for your A#.

Faculty use MCC username or library barcode together with their library password.

Faculty and staff who need a library account, please email mcclibrary@middlesex.mass.edu

Jordana Shaw

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