Packets from MU Extension in Perry County keep homebound kids busy and learning.

PERRYVILLE, Mo. – When Bethany Bachmann saw Perry County parents fretting online about how to keep their homebound kids busy and learning, she knew just what to do.

Bachmann, a University of Missouri Extension county engagement specialist in nutrition and health education, along with associates Angela Jung and Dianna Koenig, created packets with learning tools and small projects for various age ranges. They offered them to parents via the county extension center’s Facebook page. And, with the help of administrative assistant JoAnn Steffens, within about a week and half, 158 packets were on their way to 76 households.

Donated garden seed packets were sent along with a gardening calendar or planting activities. Flower seeds were coupled with butterfly garden information and activities. Horticulture specialist Donna Aufdenberg has other outdoor and container gardening projects in mind. Older youths received the 4-H guide on origami along with several sheets of origami paper.

The mailing was so well received that the team is already preparing the next one for early April.

The team members consult online with one another about projects and materials to include. Then Steffens makes copies and drops them off (taking social distancing precautions) at Bachmann’s home for assembly in her office, also known as her kitchen table. Steffens then picks them up for mailing.

“The community has really jumped on board!” Bachmann wrote in an email. She has set up a new Facebook group for parents to share pictures and stories of their kids’ work, as well as find online resources such as 4-H QuaranTIME events, physical activity videos and other helpful web resources.

“Families have commented [on social media] how much they appreciate these materials and how excited their kids were to do the activities,” Bachmann said. “We’re excited to be able to help.”

Photo available for this release:

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2020/20200402-packets-2.jpg
MU Extension in Perry County is providing families with activity and learning packets geared toward various age groups.

https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/NewsAdmin/Photos/2020/20200402-packets-3.jpg
Quintos Kutz, left, and sister Libby received activity and learning packets from MU Extension in Perry County.