PARENTING RESOURCES TO KEEP YOUR KIDS CONNECTED AS COVID CONTINUES
DR. JAN NEWMAN
Back in March, I wrote a popular blog article describing resources for parenting during COVID. Since then, I have been amazed and inspired by the determination and resilience of children and families in our communities. Despite the challenges of COVID confinement, there have also been many gifts of kindness and understanding.
In my neighborhood, the changes are apparent. Parents buying bikes to ride with their children. Families taking walks every evening. Children in my neighborhood are drawing chalk art messages of “love heals” and “kindness is the rule” amidst the civil unrest of our nation. In my practice, parents are telling me how thankful they are for this time with their children although it has been stressful. Many are dedicated to ensuring that they have a permanent telecommute option.
But when I wrote that article, honestly, I thought the reach would not go beyond my community. I remember telling my husband, ‘“With all of the content out there about COVID, it probably won’t reach anyone – but it’s one small thing I can do to give something back to children and their families.”
Just this week, I received a note from Andrea, the secretary for Girl Scout Troop 30 in St. Paul Minnesota that reminded me just how much the small things matter. And how a pandemic has revealed the kindness, connection, compassion, and hope within our children, our families, our communities, our country, and our world.
Andrea writes:
“Our troop wanted to send you and your team some virtual applause lol, we needed virtual field trip and tour ideas so your recommendations here came in handy. Sadly our girl scouts cannot meet in person because of the pandemic so we are having our “Connecting Cultures” activities virtually via Zoom. They’ve been putting together materials about famous landmarks/museums/historical sites so our scouts and their families can have something to do from home. That includes virtual field trips which are a lot of fun since we are all still stuck inside. Your website gave us many awesome references to include so you have our thanks!”
BUT THEY DIDN’T STOP THERE.
These girls, their parents, and troop leaders took it 360!
These superstar scouts and a special little girl named “S” wanted to spread the love and resources beyond their troop to others, so they sent me more resources to add to my list!
S suggested a wonderful virtual field trip resource for me to add to my list. YES! We needed more geography sweet girl! You can read about her suggestion on virtual field trips and other resources below!
Thank you guys for reading and for giving back to the kids and families by sharing your experience and your tips! Perhaps, COVID has shown us that we are more connected not less and just how much the action of one person
Below is an UPDATED list of resources for kids elementary school age through high school that I will be updating throughout our mass social distancing experiment. Topics include resources on academic subjects and life skills.
The point of this list is to include all of these resources in one place, and that’s it. Remember that when it comes to educating at home, in general, and especially during a pandemic, less is more – more is probably just going to lead to overwhelm.
STAY SAFE. STAY CONNECTED.
FUN STUFF TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS
Weareteachers – Most educational Neftlix shows right now
Virtual Field Trips – Over 30 virtual field trips with links
Fun Things to Do at Home – Some ideas for fun things to do at home from Ready Rosie
94 Fun Things to Do at Home – Basic list from Apartment Therapy
Fun Cheap or Free – List of fun things that are cheap or free!
Live Zoo Cams – List of live zoo cams active right now
Stream Broadway Musicals – You can now stream Broadway musicals 7 days for free
YMCA Online – Free online YMCA classes on-demand
Google Earth – Virtual tours of US National Parks
PARENTING RESOURCES
Recommendations on Staying Home with Kids from Auburn University – Recommendations on activities, schedules, and communication during COVID-19
Everyday Parenting – Free Coursera course on parenting by Yale professor, Alan Kazdin. Be careful though – this one is comprehensive and could be overwhelming now.
Developing Resiliency Tool from APA – Resources on helping boost kids’ resiliency when facing difficult issues
ACADEMIC RESOURCES
GENERAL
Comprehensive Resources
edx.org – free MOOCs (Massive open online courses) from major universities and institutions (10 +)
GameEd Academy – Minecraft-based learning for gaming and academic subjects (3 – 12)
Khan Academy – General educational site for various academic subjects (K +)
Well-Trained Mind Academy – Online curricula for classical education ( 5 – 12)
Edgenuity – Online curriculum for schools (K – 12, offering discounts for COVID-19)
Weareteachers – Online lessons plans and resources for all grades
Coursera – Courses for all ages
Outschool – Many of these courses are more for younger kids than Coursera or Udemy
Family Resources for Health and Safety During Social Distancing
CDC Resources for Families – Comprehensive list of resources from the authority on COVID-19
Ready Rosie – Resources on prevention and care for kids with videos (e.g., hand washing, etc.)
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS & GEOGRAPHY*
Road Trip from Home – Virtual Field Trips – Comprehensive list of resources for virtual field trips all over the world recommended by S of Troop 30!
Geoguessr – a fun web-based geographic discovery game recommended by S of Troop 30!
*Thanks to Girl Scout Troop 30 and a shout out to superstar scout “S” for this mention!
READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS
Instructional Resources
Scholastic – Learn at-home program for kids during COVID-19 (5 +)
Grammar Girl – Not sure if it’s who or whom, this is your girl!
Handwriting Worksheet Maker – For children working on handwriting
Free Rice – A fun way to practice English grammar. For each question you get right, the organization donates $1 of rice to the UN World Food Program (K – 12)
Flocabulary – Fun lessons on language arts and vocabulary (K – 12)
Readworks – Incredible site with comprehensive and free reading comprehension tools (K – 12)
Youtube Channels / Streaming / Apps
Spelling City – A comprehensive site with recommended lists and the ability to customize your own
Epic! Books – App for free e-books and resources (K – 5)
Starfall – Comprehensive learning resource (K – 3)
MATH / STEM
Instructional Resources
Teaching Textbooks – Online stand alone math curricula through pre-calculus (K – 12)
CTC Math – Online math curricula (K – 12)
Nicole the Math Lady – Online videos paired with Saxon math curricula – offers 7-day free trial (K – 12)
Reflex Math – Evidence-based curricula and app for learning math facts (K – 7)
Dreambox – Online supplemental math curricula (K – 7; free trial)
PHET Interactive Simulations – Math simulations for more complex math topics (site also includes resources for other subjects) (Grades 7 – college)
Youtube Channels / Streaming / Apps
Mathantics – Cool videos that explain math in a fun and engaging way (K – 12)
Math Mammoth – The creator attempts to teach math in an unconventional and engaging way (K – 12)
PatrickJMT – One of the largest and oldest Youtube channels for math – math lessons are taught by a community college professor who clearly loves math (K – college)
Mystery Math Town – Used to be one of my kids favorites for math education with clues and math mysteries to solve (Grades 1 – 4)
Math vs Zombies – Math and zombies = fun (K – 5)
YHomework – Algebra solution app (Grades 6 – 12)
Dragonbox Algebra 5+ Algebra – An innovative app that aims to teach linear algebra to young children (K – 3)
Code.org – Comrprehensive coding sites for kids of all ages (K – 12)
HISTORY / SOCIAL STUDIES
Youtube Channels / Streaming
A Kid Explains History – An elementary school-aged child shares his and his dad’s love of history in his own channel with funny sketches and cool graphics (K – 6)
Liberty Kids – In this animated series, two teenage reporters cover the events of the Revolutionary War for Ben Franklin’s newspaper, The Philadelphia Gazette (K – 6)
Geography Now – This channel covers geography of every country in the world (K – 6)
Crash Course – Many fun and educational videos but watch them first – on some, content is more geared towards older teens ( Grades 5 – 12)
Horrible Histories – This Amazon Prime show presents history in a totally different way – but for older kids (PG rating, Grades 8 – 12)
Homeschooling with Netflix – A list of the best homeschooling shows and series on Netflix related to history by a gifted specialist and eductional consultant
SCIENCE
Instructional Resources
National Geographic Kids – Your kids can explore the world of science through a collection of apps, games, magazines, toys, videos, and many other materials (Pre-K – 8)
BrainPOP Science – A comprehensive site that focuses on science and STEM but includes resources for a variety of topics. Includes resources for K – 3, elementary ed, and ELL. (K – 12)
Nova – Comprehensive and timeless resource for science information, shows, and activities (K – 12)
OK Go Sandbox – Music-based science videos to inspire kids to explore their world (K – 12)
Mystery Science – Fun and educational videos on a variety of topics with problems and experiments for kids to solve (K – 12)
Happy Scientist – Free website with lots of information on science-related topics (K – 12)
Youtube Channels / Streaming
CREATIVE ARTS
ART
Art for Kids Hub – One of my kids’ favorites, this Dad creates incredible Youtube tutorials for your kids’ favorite subjects (e.g., Pokemon, Star Wars, etc.)
Louvre free tour – The largest museum in the world allows you to explore much of the museum
Boston Children’s Museum – This museum offers excellent exhibits ranging from art to science for younger kids
Autodesk Sketch – App for sketching and drawing (13 +)
Recolor – Unique coloring app (11 +)
Drawing Pad – Drawing app for younger kids (4 +)
Sparketh – Online art lessons (K – 12, 30-day free trial)
National Gallery of Art – Lessons plans for teachers that focus on particular pieces of art (Grades 6 – 12)
MUSIC
Classics for Kids – Information on composers and music for parents and teachers (K – 5)
Hoffman Academy – Free online piano lessons
DRAMA
Metropolitan Opera – Streaming opera during COVID-19
Reader’s Theater – Scripts for younger students by Aaron Shep
LIFE SKILLS
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE / MINDFULNESS
Books and Other Resources for Parents
Youtube Channels / Streaming / Apps
Brain Child – This Netflix series explaisn the science of the world and the brain from germs and emotions to social media and peers. It’s highly relatable and entertaining. If you are sensitive to your kids hearing any slang, then prescreeen. Common Sense Media rating age 7+.
Inside Out – This creative and engaging movie was backed by a team of psychologists for it’s portrayal of emotional regulation and provides key lessons regarding emotions
Mightier Emotional Regulation Program – Program from Harvard University and Boston Children’s Hospital (paid with free trial)
Mind Yeti – Calming app for kids (K – 8)
Stop, Breathe, and Think – Comprehensive and engaging app for calming the mind (Grades 3 – 12)
Mood Meter – Well-designed app to help kids gauge their emotions (Grades 6 – 12)
Cosmic Kids Yoga – Fun and innotative yoga for kids with exercises from Harry Potter, Star Wars, and your favorite movies
Hand Model of the Brain – Dr. Russ Harris’ portrayal of Dan Siegel’s hand model of the brain from the Whole Brain Child
MISCELLANEOUS
Dave Ramsey’s Personal Finance Education – Budgeting and finance principles for kids (K – 12)
Made to Sew – Beginners videos for sewing (Grades 6 – 12)
Spatulatta – Cooking site for kids by kids (K – 8)
WANT TO STAY CONNECTED & INFORMED?
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