Activities, Stories and information is shared daily on our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MakingBristolBetter/

Health  Updates:

Bristol - Burlington Health District - For up to date information for your community
https://bbhd.org/
Bristol Health Hotline:  860-261-6855
https://www.bristolhealth.org/Get-Care/coronavirus
City of Bristol Hotline: 860-584-6253
http://www.ci.bristol.ct.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=769
For more information on Norm, please visit: www.normthedog.org
​


​Virtual Learning tips for families 

Useful Websites to read:
​https://www.ctoec.org/news/read-oecs-new-handout-about-promoting-well-being-during-covid-19/
​https://gesellinstitute.org/blogs/sparking-wonder/playing-teacher
​https://www.upworthy.com/tips-for-parents-coronavirus
​https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
https://sel4us.org/covid-19-sel-mental-health/?link_id=0&can_id=6376d6fcc0c3e15f766bb5ad30edb0a4&source=email-sel-and-mental-health-resources-during-covid-19-outbreak&email_referrer=email_753498&email_subject=sel-and-mental-health-resources-during-covid-19-outbreak
​https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/American-Academy-of-Pediatrics-Offers-Resources-for-Families-on-Coronavirus.aspx
​https://developingchild.harvard.edu/guide/a-guide-to-covid-19-and-early-childhood-development/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=april_2020&fbclid=IwAR3j_4kFMZP8VlBd3kMonxqItxmYLKgvpzp2XQVXmDiAzlh4VYAqBjeadow

Updates on Childcare:

​https://www.ct.gov/oec/site/default.asp
www.ctoec.org/covid-19/

Be active!

Draw four squares or hopscotch on your sidewalk.
Hold relay races or construct an obstacle course
Challenge your family members:
How many times can bounce a ball of a wall?
How many push ups or jumping jacks can you do under a minute?  
​Be creative!

Unique Ways to entertain your children:

The Bristol Early Childhood Alliance continues to encourage families to limit "screen time" for children.  If screen time is needed for school work, etc. during the COVID 19 social distancing protocol, please ensure that you enforce long breaks in between learning apps and they receive time outdoors in natural sunlight.  To protect your eyes from "blue light" search ways to purchase glasses or modify your viewing screen.
Our Making Bristol Better Facebook page will continue to provide enriching links for learning as well as access to online books.  Please like, follow and visit frequently.
INTERESTING "LEARNING WEBSITES":
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/resources-for-families-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic
https://www.mindfulschools.org/free-online-mindfulness-class-for-kids/
https://worldbookonline.com/kids/home?fbclid=IwAR0J-ud7IVe7_WnVpEuHDIFkMayPzUgOnmUQqKxpfOgX3N4ucya0_zK4aY0#games​
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-25/coronavirus-covid-19-children-creative-play-at-home/12074628?fbclid=IwAR04UPWl6oGsCcPa-0aY1PbsTWelAWCkfm2vD8jeActqd6XQ-wz5AVtnIsY
Click hhttps://portal.ct.gov/SDE/COVID19/COVID-19-Resources-for-Families-and-Educators

Finding Resources...

There is limited access to social service agencies.  Although this can be frustrating to families, agencies are finding new ways to help residents.  Follow the United Way of West Central Connecticut on Facebook and visit their website for up to date information: 
Interesting article for when the pandemic ends:  ​https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20210203-after-the-covid-19-pandemic-how-will-we-heal
https://www.uwwestcentralct.org/sites/uwwestcentralct.org/files/COVID-19%20%20Resource%20Guide%200514docx.pdf
​https://www.211ct.org/
You may also call 2-1-1

Unemployment Resources:

Connecticut’s Department of Labor encourages all residents who lose their job due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak to file for unemployment benefits
​https://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/HP/UIServices.htm

Food and Basic Needs:

The Bristol Public School System is facilitating a Breakfast and Lunch Grab & Go program for all students in the district.  For locations and information visit: https://www.bristol.k12.ct.us/cms/one.aspx?portalId=117122&pageId=26380658
United Way has a Resource Guide on their Facebook page and website with updates from local agencies. The City of Bristol has a hotline (picture posted below).