The first picture was taken April 29, 2020. Remote schooling was not going to end, we thought it would only last a couple of weeks. My child was falling apart, I was falling apart. The second picture was taken about seven months later, November 27, 2020. I had been furloughed, school opened up and then went remote again, we learned how to wear masks, we learned how to social distance. We joined the family bubble, in Illinois. I reflect in January 2021 and I want to note that we are figuring it out together. We continue to teach each other. The second picture is my favorite picture of 2020 that I took. I think this picture speaks to the attitude we are putting forward together. This is a picture of my daughter with her cousin, this picture gives me hope and energy.

Sidewalk chalk art by children seen in Brookline, Massachusetts. The art says "Summer Is Coming!"; "Thank You Doctors And Nurses!"; and "Show You Care By Distancing!"

Christina Lefebrve conducts an Oral History with Dr. Anna Vouros, a doctor as Massachusetts General.

Theodora Christopher interviews Robert Graham whose background is in pediatric ICU respiratory treatment. He discusses COVID-19 and its effect on children and adults and the difference in number of cases in different locations. He also discusses the effect COVID has had on facilitating clinical trial, etc.

Video produced by WGBY discussing museums throughout Massachusetts as they transition to a digital environment. The video highlights commemorations of Dr. Seuss, including programs at the Springfield Museum, as well as other programming at the Eric Carle Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. The video highlights the thoughts of museum staff as they transition to an online environment, and shows some of the approaches that different cultural heritage sites are undertaking to continue engaging with their audiences.

Video created by the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston as part of the activities for their Play Date events, which are tailored to families and young children. The video is aimed at younger viewers and models for them how to look at a piece of art, and includes some questions for the audience to ask themselves. As museums have transitioned more to digital spaces, they have had to create programming that can appeal to all parts of their audience. This video highlights how museums are continuing to engage with children during the pandemic, and how they are using their collections in an educational environment even at a distance.

Boston Children's Museum has posted updates regarding reopening in July 2020. Their June 24, 2020 announcement discusses BCM's commitment to their community and the safety measures BCM will be taking. "As we begin summer, I wanted to bring you up to date with our work to re-open the Museum. But first, I wanted to acknowledge your patience and support over the last three months. As parents and caregivers of young children, you have no doubt been challenged with schools and day care services being closed, work and employment disruptions, navigating through health challenges, and most recently the social upheaval in our country resulting from the death of George Floyd. More than ever, our children need our love and support. Their routines, friendships, and opportunities for play and learning have all been upended. It has been a trying time, with much anxiety and uncertainty testing us all."

This executive order authorized the creation of emergency residential and emergency placement programs for children during the course of the COVID-19 emergency.

Signed by Governor Baker on March 18, 2020, this executive order sought to mitigate the virus's spread by closing all child care facilities in the state; a necessary step according to health officials, since COVID-19 easily spread from asymptomatic children to adults.

This is the first episode of the Boston Children's Museum's podcast Big & Little. "Boston Children's Museum CEO and President, Carole Charnow, talks with Dr. Michael Yogman, a practicing pediatrician in Cambridge, Massachusetts, about the many challenges the Coronavirus presents for parents, families, and children."

This is the second episode of the Boston Children's Museum's podcast, Big & Little, podcast for adults about kids and families. In this episode, BCM CEO "Carole [Chernow] chats with psychologist Dr. Nancy Rappaport about the challenges the pandemic presents for parents and children. Dr. Rappaport, an Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard University Medical School, sheds light on some of the positive effects families can take away from this historic time."

Boston Children's Museum's announcement about closing due to COVID-19.

This is a photograph of a sign in the window of the Boston Public Library. The sign asks parents to read to their children because the library will be closed due to Covid-19. This sign illustrates both how vital the BPL is to may children in Boston as well as how many parents were required to take over the role of providing reading material following closures of schools and libraries.

When their in-person service-learning experience was short-lived due to the coronavirus, Suffolk University students continued their community-based efforts remotely by creating care packages that included food, books, and mental health information. The goal of the new Head, Health, and Heart initiative was to provide underserved children and teens with the most fundamental needs in order to survive, and 200 of the neediest families from four Boston public schools benefited.

Psychology Professor David Langer also notes that self-care is one of the first steps in being prepared to care for one's children. "Caring for yourself not only makes it easier to care for your children and care for others, it also models for children that self-care is important. He also advises: "Two key things that have enormous benefits for mental and physical health and well-being are physical activity and spending time outside. As of right now, guidelines still allow for families to take walks, hikes, bike rides, and do other outdoor activities together while maintaining appropriate distance from others. These are behaviors parents can model and encourage that will benefit everyone. In addition to physical activity and outside time, take time to do enjoyable things like playing games and pursuing hobbies."

The pandemic has created critical needs for the families at Christopher's Haven, a temporary home for those whose children are undergoing cancer care at Boston hospitals. Students in Professor Jessica Mak's Cancer Care course--who had been helping the organization as part of their semester-long service learning project--have stepped in to deliver groceries, raise funds for essential supplies, and spread cheer remotely. "Suffolk students always go above and beyond to support and celebrate our Christopher's Haven families. Now, when our families are feeling so isolated, it means a lot to know the students are still thinking about them," says Catie MacWilliams from Christopher's Haven.

Even without face-to-face contact, Suffolk students continue to work with elementary pupils through service-learning tutoring courses. The Suffolk students are learning about community building, critical thinking, project management skills, and, given the circumstances, innovation.

Kids around the country are using chalk to spread positive messages on the sidewalk. This image taken in the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood of Boston is just one example. The link below is to a video that shows more images like this from around the city. https://www.nbcboston.com/news/coronavirus/kids-spread-cheer-on-sidewalks-during-coronavirus-pandemic/2096368/

The playhouse is wrapped in plastic netting to make sure that no one visits it.