Resources for caregivers during COVID-19
The information resources on these pages have been developed specifically for South African caregivers facing the Covid-19 pandemic. They are free to use and distribute by anyone on any channel. If you are an organisation working with caregivers, please download and share on your social media channels, WhatsApp groups, and any other ways of connecting.
For general resources and up-to-date information on the South African government’s response to Covid-19, please visit the government Corona Virus portal. You can also join the official South African government Covid-19 WhatsApp group. Save the number, 060 012 3456 on your WhatsApp contact list and then say ‘Hi’ to be added to the group. You will receive a welcome notification and can then select from the menu what type of information you would like.
What resources are you looking for?
Physical health
- Supports pregnant, birthing and breastfeeding mothers with facts
- Up-to-date relevant information from the National Department of Health
- Fights fake news
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Mental health
- Supports mothers feeling anxious, sad, or in distress
- Helpful meditation and breathing techniques that are easy to use each day
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Early learning
- Ideas on keeping your young child learning while at home
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Resources
Play with water and learn many things!
Children start learning about the world around them through their senses – touching, smelling, tasting, listening and watching. They love playing with water. Let them enjoy their bath time by playing with them, talking and singing to them while teaching them that they...
HOW SHOULD I DEAL WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS? (Sotho)
The Covid 19 crisis and lockdown is causing a lot of stress for many people. It is especially stressful for mothers, because they worry about themselves and their children. Some mothers are feeling that their problems and emotional suffering feel too much for them to...
HOW SHOULD I DEAL WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS? (isiXhoza)
The Covid 19 crisis and lockdown is causing a lot of stress for many people. It is especially stressful for mothers, because they worry about themselves and their children. Some mothers are feeling that their problems and emotional suffering feel too much for them to...
HOW SHOULD I DEAL WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS? (Afrikaans)
The Covid 19 crisis and lockdown is causing a lot of stress for many people. It is especially stressful for mothers, because they worry about themselves and their children. Some mothers are feeling that their problems and emotional suffering feel too much for them to...
HOW SHOULD I DEAL WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS? (English)
The Covid 19 crisis and lockdown is causing a lot of stress for many people. It is especially stressful for mothers, because they worry about themselves and their children. Some mothers are feeling that their problems and emotional suffering feel too much for them to...
Educational game: Help to stop the COVID-19 coronavirus
This educational game was conceptualised and developed as part of ECD Let’s play, learn and grow together and the Active Learning@Home series, compiled by the Department of Basic Education, Department of Social Development, and with support from Unicef. The purpose of...
Listen, touch, smell, watch and taste is learning
Children start learning about the world around them through their senses - touching, smelling, tasting, listening and watching. That is why sensory play is extremely important for their brain development. It stimulates the development of their motor, visual, language...
Should Children Wear a Face Mask?
In order to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, it is compulsory for everyone to wear a cloth face mask when in public. It is possible to carry the Coronavirus and feel well. Face masks help to stop infecting other people. Many parents want to know if children should...
What to do if Somebody in your Household is Diagnosed with COVID-19 and you are Worried about your Child
Living in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic is especially stressful for mothers because they worry for their children. It is even more stressful if somebody in the house has the virus. Below is information about the symptoms children with corona virus show and what...
Problem Solving is Fun
This resource assists caregivers to teach children how to use their inborn creativity when dealing with issues and problems in everyday life, think critically, investigate and discover solutions to problems through play. This is very important for their overall...
Make your own Tippy Tap: Parent support on ECCE: COVID-19
Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. It is especially important now when we are living in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if we can't have taps with running water at home, we can make a Tippy...
Practice Counting Every Day
This resource assists caregivers to teach children one-to-one correspondence and how to understand the value of numbers, which is a foundation of mathematics. It gives suggestions for ways to practice counting in everyday activities with children according to age...
Have Fun with Sounds, Words and Reading
This resource teaches caregivers about the importance of communication for the overall development of children and gives suggestions for ways to communicate with children according to age group: 0 – 18 months, 18 months – 36 months, 3 – 5 years. Compiled by the...
Managing Pregnancy during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Living in the time of COVID-19 pandemic is stressful for all of us, but pregnant women and mothers of small babies are especially worried and anxious, Below are answers to some of the most common questions concerning pregnant women and mothers of small babies. The...
Have Fun with Measurements
This resource assist caregivers to teach young children how they can have fun while learning about measurement and thus developing important base for mathematics later on. It gives suggestion fors easy to do at home exercises according to age group: 0 – 18 months, 18...
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