At the DeSoto Public Library, we understand that learning from home with limited outside activities can be stressful for both children and parents or caregivers. No worries--we are here to help!

Digital resources are now more important than ever. Sometimes finding meaningful online sources can be difficult to navigate. The library is proud to offer both existing and new digital enrichment programs. 

The following additional free educational resources are reviewed and recommended by the Youth Services department at the DeSoto Public Library.

Health Information

These are specifically designed to address the COVID-19 situation from a wellness perspective.

Child-Centered

• NPR--Just For Kids
  A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus 
• Coronavirus: A Book for Children (Candlewick Press)
  This book addresses several key questions with child-appropriate answers
• Tumblehomebooks
  Information and printable card games dealing with COVID-19 
• Brainpop 
  Online games and information on COVID-19
• CDC
  Free posters about handwashing

Parent-Centered

• NASP (National Association of School Psychologists) and NASN (National Association of School Nurses)
  A guide for parents on speaking to kids about COVID-19
• Ready gov
  Guide for parents to help talk to kids about disasters in general
• NCTSN (Natioal Child Traumatic Stress Network) (English)
• NCTSN (National Child Traumatic Stress Network) (Español)
  COVID-19 caregiver guide
• World Health Organization (WHO)
  Helping kids cope with COVID-19 stress
• CommonSense site
  Stress management tips for parents during COVID-19

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Free Learning Resources During COVID-19

Have you already checked out the DeSoto Public Library’s digital collections through Hoopla, Kanopy, and CloudLibrary? There are more books available during this time, with many companies giving special access during this pandemic.

• Audible audiobooks
  Free audiobooks from Audible
• Pebblego
  Registration is required; free access through June 30, 2020
• Abdo Books
  Elementary and secondary level resources, plus free databases
• Gumdrop
  Interactive books; subscription required; free access through July 21, 2020
• Big Timber Media
  Ebook collections based on grades; free access through June 30, 2020

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National Storytime Initiatives

Authors, illustrators, publishers, and even actors are realizing the importance of stories and books for children. During this time without library visits or physical books, these literary heroes are filling the gap with digital recordings of book readings and other storytime initiatives.

• Authors Everywhere!
  A YouTube channel hosted by children’s authors making various videos
• #StoryMarch
  A writing and drawing daily challenge for children (started by illustrators and authors)
• Facebook--Stuck Inside
  A Facebook group of authors reading their own work
• Storyline Online
  Videos of actors reading stories
• Everywhere Book Fest
  An online bookfest happening on May 1-2, 2020
• Story Preservation
  This resource requires registration, but it is free anytime, and is not just limited to COVID-19
• Storytime From Space
  Astronauts making videos of book reading and activities for children
• Kidlit.tv
  Multimedia site for children’s literature
• Read, Wonder, Learn
  This author’s blog has started a collection of digital sharings by other children’s authors

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Other Activities & Resources

Lesson plans, games, and educational activities will help any parent or caregiver struggling to keep young minds engaged and stimulated while not in school!

• Girls Who Code
  Each of these free coding activities for kids highlight an important contribution by a female technology leader
• Scholastic Classroom Magazine
  Free activities and lesson plans from Scholastic
• YouTube (Jarrett J. Krosocka studio)
  Drawing webcasts from author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka
• Kennedy Center Education
  Drawing lessons via video taught from author Mo Williams
• Bedtime Math
  Free math games and learning ideas (mostly non-screen activities)
• Encantos
  English and bilingual lesson plans for early literacy
• Census.gov (Census field trip)
  Kids can learn about the upcoming 2020 Census and how census data is collected and used. This virtual field trip also features interviews and an interactive challenge.

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