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

Read More

Mental health

  • Supports mothers feeling anxious, sad, or in distress
  • Helpful meditation and breathing techniques that are easy to use each day

Read More

Early learning

  • Ideas on keeping your young child learning while at home

Read More

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Help us spread support and kindness to caregivers

Share the messages

Everything we create is open-source and is free for use by individuals and organisations.

Help us with translations

We want to translate these messages into all the South
African languages. Can you help?

Inspiration

Got a skill, talent or tip that could translate into a message of encouragement? Please share it with us.

Partners

Resources on these pages were developed in partnership with the Messages for Mothers group

Resources

Play with water and learn many things!

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...

Educational game: Help to stop the COVID-19 coronavirus

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

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?

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...

Problem Solving is Fun

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...

Practice Counting Every Day

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

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

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

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...

Contact Details

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Phone: +27 (0) 83 225 9011
Mail: info@sidebyside.co.za