How Centre County organizations, businesses are helping to keep kids busy during shutdown
Families might be cooped up at home practicing their social distancing, but Centre County organizations and businesses are coming together to ensure children (and parents alike) still have access to plenty of engaging, educational and entertaining activities.
Schlow Centre Region Library is closed, but meanwhile, the library has made it easier for the community to access its digital and online offerings. Even if you currently have a block or fine on your library card, said communications manager David Pencek, for the time being patrons can access Schlow’s digital library, which is filled with eBooks, eAudiobooks and films via the library’s film-streaming service Kanopy.
Not sure what eBooks your child might like? The Children’s Services staff at Schlow put together a list of recommended books suitable for infants through sixth graders, and the Children’s April Book Club is still happening, with registration starting Monday. Recommended books can be found at schlowlibraryreadalikes.weebly.com and sign-up for the Children’s April Book Club takes place at schlowlibrary.org/AprilBookClub2020.
For families who often take advantage of the library’s programming, much of that will be moved online in the coming days as well, including book club meetings and virtual story times for children.
“As it has since it opened in 1957, Schlow Library is committed to serving the Centre Region, especially during challenging times. While our physical building is closed for now, we are continuing to make sure our patrons have access to the services and offerings we provide digitally and online, and we are continuing to pursue innovative ways we can increase our services to the community during this time,” library director Cathi Alloway said.
Families will also find additional fun, educational resources provided by the Bellefonte Art Museum. Patricia House, executive director at the museum, said she and her staff plan to create a special online gallery of children’s art, for children to showcase some of the art they’ve been creating during their social distancing. Meanwhile, families can check out online gallery tours and artist showcases via the museum’s social media pages and website.
“ ‘Escape to Art’ is the theme of the museum’s online efforts to continue our connection with our community. We know art is powerful and right now we all need a potent dose of hope and good feelings. Art is capable of stimulating our imagination, inspiring our thoughts and hopes and helping us see outside ourselves,” House said. “We are all working to get through this and see light and hope ahead.”
More artwork fun can be found thanks to The Makery and its regular social media posts encouraging families to try fun, creative projects at home, from Lego building challenges to drawing lessons.
Owner Amy Frank said the daily posts geared toward continuing to offer creative ideas to children during the mandated business closures is one way The Makery can stay true to its mission.
“We provide children and families with resources for creativity and joyful living,” she said. “That’s our mantra, that’s our mission. So our question, like every other business in the country right now, is how can we continue that mission with the constraints given and our current reality? For us, luckily, social media has always been a good way for us to communicate with our people.”
Frank encourages families to follow The Makery for daily doses of inspiration, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/themakerypa and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/themakerypa. Beyond that, she recommends parents set up a small space for children in their homes, where they can get creative and maybe a little messy at times. “That will save everyone a little sanity,” she said.
Families looking for a bit of animal cuteness to take their minds off the news will find twice daily livestreams courtesy of Centre County PAWS. The animal shelter hosts Facebook livestreams at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., with the first livestream changing its theme daily and the second livestream showing a story time for the resident dogs and cats. Friday livestreams are craft-specific and families will find printable coloring pages on the PAWS Facebook page as well.
“We’re posting updated information on our Facebook page with schedules of our livestreams and are trying to be creative in staying engaged with our volunteers, supporters and the wider community. We know this is a challenging time for everyone and we want them to know we are still working hard to care for our animals, are here to help however we can and will be here when this is all over,” said Lisa Bahr, executive director at PAWS.
Of course, while keeping the kids entertained during this time is important, keeping them healthy takes center stage. As such, Mount Nittany Health is sending out a special coronavirus edition of its Parents Need to Know e-newsletter, giving parents tips on proper hand washing techniques for kids, family activity ideas and tips on how to talk to children about COVID-19. Additionally, Mount Nittany Health’s Centre Moves initiative is sharing resources for families on how to stay fit and active while at home. Those resources can be found at centremoves.org and www.mountnittany.org/newsletters.