Save the Children Helping Kids Continue Learning at Home as America's Schools Close Due to Coronavirus Concerns

National Leader in Early Childhood Education Providing Learning Tools, Resources for Communities, Schools, Parents and Families

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (March 17, 2020) — As nearly 40 out of America’s 50 states have shuttered schools because of coronavirus concerns, Save the Children is working to provide free educational tools and resources to communities, schools, parents and caregivers to help children continue learning at home.

Save the Children, the national leader in early childhood education, has launched Coronavirus and Kids: Resources from Save the Children, an at-home learning toolkit that includes age-appropriate reading and math activities for children, family learning activities, and top picks for free educational websites and apps. More resources will be added as closures continue.

“With 57 million children across the country relying on schools for learning and development – and nearly 40 million students already out of school because of coronavirus – wide-scale learning loss could be among the biggest impacts the outbreak has on children in America,” said Betsy Zorio, Save the Children’s vice president of U.S. Programs & Advocacy. “Ensuring that children can continue to learn during this difficult time is essential, as missing out on learning now could have a devastating effect on their growth. We are working to make sure communities, schools, parents and caregivers have the information, tools and resources they need to keep essential learning going at home until schools are back in session.”

In addition, the toolkit includes tips on how to talk to children about the coronavirus, how to help kids cope with school closures, “stress buster” activities for kids, how grandparents can stay connected with their grandchildren and health and hygiene guidance to help minimize the risk of coronavirus.

“These can be challenging times for children and families around the country, with school closures and isolation at home. That’s why we’re sharing these tips and relaxation activities to help parents, children, grandparents and family members cope with their stress and worries surrounding the coronavirus outbreak,” said Save the Children President and CEO Janti Soeripto.

Save the Children is also working with partners across the country to gather and mobilize additional resources and supplies that promote learning at home and help prevent learning loss, especially for America’s most vulnerable children in the country’s poorest communities. These include books, notebooks, pencils, crayons and scissors, among other essential learning supplies.

On Monday, actors Jennifer Garner and Amy Adams launched #SAVEWITHSTORIES to benefit Save the Children and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to help make sure kids can learn and get the nutrition they need while they’re out of school. The actors are sharing their favorite books and stories on Instagram and Facebook – and asking their friends to do the same – to drive donations to Save the Children and No Kid Hungry’s coronavirus response, which includes providing nutritious meals and distributing books and learning resources in America’s poorest communities.

To access Save the Children’s at-home learning toolkit, visit www.SavetheChildren.org/Coronavirus-Resources. You can also learn more and support #SAVEWITHSTORIES by visiting www.SavetheChildren.org/SavewithStories. 

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.