VIRTUAL CONNECTION

Outing ideas, resources and more during this time of social distancing

To our volunteers — we're here for you

As we navigate these uncertain times together, our connections with you and the relationships you’ve built with your Littles are more important than ever. Our team is here to answer your calls, texts, emails and video chat requests. We encourage you to reach out so we can answer questions, provide resources or even just say hello during this time that so many of us are at home.

TOOLS FOR STAYING CONNECTED

TEXT YOUR LITTLE DAILY

Please check in with your Little to make sure they are staying up to date with school work and remind them that they are not on vacation. Transitioning to online school work can be a big adjustment for your Little and their parent/guardian(s). Please check in to see what they have to work on this week and offer help or guidance wherever needed.

WRITE LETTERS

If your Little has limited access to a phone or computer, you can still keep in touch. Write a letter or card to your Little each week with encouraging messages and updates to let them know they're on your mind.

SCHEDULE VIRTUAL OUTINGS

Schedule a virtual outing weekly using video services like FaceTime, Skype, Google Hangouts or Zoom. We'll continue to provide virtual field trip ideas here, on social media and through your match support specialist on a weekly basis.

TALK ON THE PHONE

Talk with your Little over the phone on a weekly basis. Use our tips below for talking to kids about coronavirus as well as ways to continue engaging with them over the phone.

TIPS FOR ENGAGING LITTLES

ONLINE DRAWING LESSONS

Get your and your Little's creativity flowing and enjoy a virtual drawing lesson together over FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, etc. Watch online drawing video tutorials in sync while you compete to see who's the better artist. When you video chat your Little, tell them you're their art teacher for the day and teach them step-by-step.

CLICK HERE

READ AN E-BOOK

Send your Little an e-book. You can read it together over the phone or video chat. Overdrive is a great resource from OC Public Library offered to anyone with an OCPL library card.

OVERDRIVE

PLAY A GAME

Sign up for an online game with your Little to stay connected. There are many ideas on the app store like (Uno, Draw Something, or Words with Friends). Ask your Little if there are group games they like to play online and have them invite you.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

When you're on the phone or video-chatting your Little, play games like Desert Island or Would You Rather to extend your conversations.

HAVE INTENTIONAL COMMUNICATION

BE MINDFUL OF TRIGGERS

As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, it may trigger trauma for young people. They may have family members vulnerable to the virus or they may be overwhelmed by the constant influx of news and information surrounding the pandemic.

COMMIT TO SELF-CARE

Your Little may need you as school is closed, parent/guardian(s) are working or laid off. Emotions can be high and they will need someone with which to express anger, fear or sadness.

REMAIN COMMUNICATIVE

Help your Little understand why we are taking a pause on in-person meetings. Let them know you care and this is in the hope that we can reduce the number of people getting sick. Take this opportunity to educate them on the importance of staying indoors to protect themselves and others.

USE LANGUAGE THEY UNDERSTAND

Acknowledge what is going on and engage your Little in a dialogue about the pandemic using language that's easy to understand. Here is a helpful resource from the CDC: Talking to Kids About Covid-19.

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS

Hundreds of zoos, museums, National Parks and art galleries are now offering free live webcams and virtual field trips to keep kids at home entertained and educated.

Schedule a “meetup” time with your Little (or their guardian), then share the links below to start your virtual field trip!

Click here for more virtual field trips you can take with your Little.

AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC

Does your Little love penguins? Read each penguin's profile and try to identify them by their unique characteristics. You can also ask your Little to draw you a picture of what they see, play "I Spy" in the coral reef, ask them lots of questions, and share any fun ocean facts you may know.

Launch Live Streams

THE MET

Hop in a time machine with your Little to explore the world by time period, idea or location. Uncover hidden objects and artwork from the museum’s rooms.

Click Here

SAN DIEGO ZOO

You and your Little can tune into the live cams and watch baboons, koalas, elephants and more.

Click Here

NATIONAL PARKS

Explore the hidden world of our national parks with your Little. Fly with bats through Carlsbad Caverns, explore a lava tube in Hawai’i, or swim through the world’s third largest coral reef.

Explore Now

ACCESS MARS

If your Little loves outer space, take them to explore the Martian surface exactly as it was recorded by the Curiosity rover! You can explore the planet using the same 3D model NASA used to study Mars and plan future experiments.

Head to Mars

MOUNT VERNON

You and your Little can roam George Washington's mansion, gardens, library and more. This virtual tour has hundreds of interactive elements to learn more about our nation's history.

Click Here

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EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

For personalized suggestions on the right educational resources to support your Little, please call, text or email your Match Support Specialist.

ONLINE LEARNING RESEARCH CENTER

Learn about the challenges of online learning to better understand your Little's new educational landscape

As a Big, you can encourage your Little in developing good self-regulated study habits.

Click Here

SAT PREP

The College Board and Khan Academy are offering free online SAT practice tests and personalized learning tools.

KHAN ACADEMY

Provide your Little with this resource for them to build a tailored practice plan. Make it a virtual match activity with online video study sessions.

Click Here

These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by BBBSOCIE of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. BBBSOCIE bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.