In response to the health emergency, ACT children have been learning from home or at a school hub site, presenting parents and teachers with significant challenges. 

Please contact your child’s teacher or school for help with any concerns or questions about learning remotely. The Education Directorate also has a contact form for enquires. Alternatively, please contact Council’s Early Learning Officer, Marina Spurgin for assistance This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

If you are concerned about your child’s health visit ACT Health https://www.health.act.gov.au for information on what to do if you suspect you or someone in your family may have COVID-19.

The following information is provided for parents and carers of preschool and junior primary children.  

• Young children and Covid-19 
  Health links and contacts 
• Resources for parents and carers 
  Scheduling tips and examples 
  Keeping children safe online
  Connecting with teachers 
  Computer solutions and assistance 
  Wellbeing 
• Facilitating Learning online 
  Resources, books and audiobooks 

Young children and Covid-19 

What to do, who to call and where to get reliable information regarding Covid-19. Parent Guides to symptoms, facts and contacts. Coronavirus and children in Australia and Education and Childcare.

ACT Education Directorate website.

Resources for preschool parents and carers 

Scheduling tips and templates 

Young learners at home require a schedule that works for your family. Check out these tips and templates for creating a schedule that you can customise to work for you.  

Keeping children safe online 

Learning at home and the implications of increasing screen time can be worrying for parents. These resources provide fundamental advice and strategies to ensure safe online experiences for children. 

Shared agreements help children (and adults) to self-regulate their time online. This excellent family tech agreement is simple for the whole family to complete together.

Connecting with teachers and your school community 

Remote learning will impact younger learners’ relationships with peers and teachers, and we know relationships are a key element to support children's learning and wellbeing. Teachers and schools are providing new approaches to support relationships during this challenge. If possible, make time to contact your child's teacher and confirm the best method and time to communicate with them. Parents can also help by supporting each other and keeping in touch. If you're not sure who your parent representative is, contact your school P&C association for details.

Parents and carers, as learning facilitators, may also be absorbing new technologies and practices. Contact your school for help if you are having difficulties with the technology.   

Facilitating learning online 

Resources, books, audiobooks 

Staff at the ACT Education Directorate are working hard to respond to COVID-19. See their website for updates, home learning resources, and enrolment information. 

The early years learning framework supports young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school. There’s a parent guide to the framework here.  

Triple P Parenting guide This guide helps parents to support their children and look after themselves during this difficult time

Raising a secure child, How Circle of Security Parenting can help you nurture your child’s attachment, emotional resilience, and freedom to explore.  

Now an online parenting course, Talk less listen more is a popular parenting book written by Michael Hawton, psychologist, teacher, author, speaker and passionate advocate for children. 

For Fathers and father-figures - The Fathering Project aims to inspire and equip fathers to positively engage with the children in their lives – for the benefit of kids. The Project delivers resources, programs and events specific to the engagement style and needs of dads. 

Computing solutions and assistance 

Your child’s teacher or school can help with any technical problems relating to online learning or communicating with your school. If you cannot resolve a technical problem please use the Education Directorate contact form. Alternatively, contact your school's parent association directly or Council’s early learning officer, Marina Spurgin for assistance. 

Looking after your own wellbeing 

Lifeline Australia – Mental health and wellbeing during the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak 

Parentline offers free telephone and face-to-face confidential counselling services to parents and carers. In addition, they host courses and provide various resources for raising positive families. 

The parenting and family support centre of the University of Queensland resources and podcasts for parenting in a pandemic.