The Learning About COVID-19 Activity Guide has been developed for the 50 State Afterschool Network, with leadership from the Alaska Afterschool Network, to engage and support children and youth nationwide.
ACT Now would like to thank and acknowledge the afterschool providers across Illinois that are facilitating programming in innovative ways to support our youth, families, and communities.
We have heard your concerns about teaching about the public health crisis, and we understand the diverse challenges associated with programming during this unprecedented time. To support your hard work, and in collaboration with the 50 State Afterschool Network, we have been developing these activities and challenges in order to educate youth on the science behind COVID-19 and to help foster greater social awareness and empathy in communities.
What Types of Resources are Provided in the Guide?
40 Activities and Challenges
- Organized by 4 different age groups (5-9), (10-12), (13-15), and (16-18)
- Adaptable for in-person and virtual instruction, or a hybrid of both, as well as printable options for take-home packets
- Feature sessions that use low-cost and household items
- Based on skill-building, STEM, and social-emotional learning competencies
Learning About COVID-19 Activity Guide for children, ages 5 to 9, focuses on helping youth understand how to manage their emotions in relation to news on the public health crisis. Another main goal includes encouraging children to think about how viruses spread and what measure they can take to promote healthy behaviors in their families and communities.
- Para acceder este material (Aprendiendo Acerca de COVID-19) en Español para niños de 5 a 9 años, haz click aquí
Learning About COVID-19 Activity Guide for youth, ages 10 to 12, is centered on social-emotional learning activities in which youth will develop health literacy, and their responsible decision-making and inquiry skills. Activities include understanding how COVID-19 impacts our bodies, specifically our lungs, and how to create a social-distancing hat.
- Para acceder este manual (Quien Soy) en Español para jóvenes de 10 a 12 años, haz click aquí
Learning About COVID-19 Activity Guide for adolescents, ages 13 to 15, is geared towards encouraging youth to reflect on the emotions they have experienced during the pandemic and build positive coping skills. Participants will also develop plans for engaging the public in COVID-19 awareness initiatives and present information.
- Para acceder este material (Quien Soy) en Español para jóvenes de 13 a 15 años, haz click aquí
Learning About COVID-19 Activity Guide for teens, ages 16 to 18, is grounded in allowing youth to learn about health disparities and analyze how specific groups in the United States are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Teens will also develop their critical thinking and communication skills.
- Para acceder este manual (Quien Soy) en Español para jóvenes de 16 a 18 años, haz click aquí
A Webinar Relating to the Guide!
The Alaska Afterschool Network will be hosting a webinar on how to use the Learning About COVID-19 Activity Guide on November 2, 2020. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the Learning About COVID-19 Activity Guide and gain helpful tips and tricks for implementation! Attendees will also receive best practices for speaking with students about COVID-19. To watch the recording, click here.
