Free online resources to help kids with self-directed learning at home

It can be unnerving for parents who are trying to transition into the full home-based learning mode due to the “circuit breaker” measures implemented. 

“Will my child be able to keep up with peers and the curriculum?” “How should I facilitate the process?” “I don’t know if I’m doing this right”, are some of the questions that could flood a parent’s mind.

Juggling working from home and supervising children amid the gazillion household chores can feel like an uphill task. 

But here’s how we can be of some help at least. If you are a parent or caregiver looking at how to facilitate your child with self-directed learning, look no further.

There is something that every child will enjoy, with activities catered to a variety of ages, from pre-kindergarten to 12 years. 

They include readings, games, worksheets, quizzes, project-based learning, experiments, virtual tours across various disciplines like Math & Science, Social & Emotional well-being, art and reading & writing.

Free online educational resources for kids

Multi-disciplinary

• Wonderopolis

Suitable for: K through 12 (better for older students)

Explore the World of Wonders with Wonderpolis, with answers to questions even adults might be surprised to know! What does “Once in a Blue Moon” mean? What is a Yeti Crab? There are also accompanying activities you can try with family members and friends. 

• Khan Academy

Suitable for: K through 12

Khan Academy’s comprehensive courses takes into consideration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) education. Students get to practice at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning.

• Smithsonian Learning Lab

Suitable for: K through 12

From Science, Social studies, culture, and the arts, there is a lot that teachers and parents can make use of to guiding children. Also includes hands-on and technology-enabled activities.

• Youtube’s Learn@Home

Suitable for: Pre-K through 12

A complementary resource to what children are and have already learnt in school. From learning through ‘live’ videos with an expert to going on “field trips”, your kids can safely explore at home.

Reading & Writing

• Scholastic Learn at Home

Suitable for: Pre-K through 9

Day-by-day projects to help kids reading, thinking and growing: discover new activities, videos, read-alouds, and so much more through Scholastic Learn at Home! There’s also a daily reading quest to look forward to.

• Dreamscape

Suitable for: 2 through 8

Dreamscape combines strategy, engagement, and imaginative reading passages to create a fun, curriculum-aligned literacy game that builds strong readers through play. A great support for parents and teachers during school closures!

• Free E-books (Childrens)

Suitable for: K through 12

From the super popular A Modern Cinderella and Other Stories to children’s classics such as The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, get ready for a fun-filled reading adventure!

• PenPal Schools

Suitable for: 3 through 12 

Project-based learning is made smoother with PenPals schools, as you and your children explore topics from ‘Facts, Opinions and Fake News’, Robotics, Plant & Animal Adaptation, World Exploration among many others.

Math & Science

• Nat Geo 4 Kids

Suitable for: K through 5

Lots of creative activities to expect, from brain boosters to fun and wacky exploration with kids! From homework help resources to science experiments and a variety of quizzes — we’re only afraid there’s not enough time to explore them all!

• Kennedy Space Center/NASA

Suitable for: K through 12 

Explore deeper into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) with a wide range of resources available from NASA! Downloadable activities, activity sheets and a dedicated app, the Space Chase! app, where students use their smartphones to investigate and solve space-related challenges.

• Sea World

Suitable for: K through 12 

Whether you are a parent or teacher, Sea World offers a variety of classroom activities to further engage a child’s learning and curiosity of animals. There are also teacher’s guides to keep students learning in a hands-on way: vocabulary, classroom activities, goals and objectives.

• Math Drills

Suitable for: K through 7

A superb resource for all the math worksheet your child needs, from measurements, fractions, geometry, multiplication, algebra and many more. You will also find interactive math activities such as flash cards and sudoku math games.

• Code.org

Suitable for: K through 12

Let your child’s creativity and problem-solving skills take flight here. Take a “code break”, do an hour of code, try your hands on an express course, among many other projects to discover and learn from.

Social, Emotional, Well-being

• Sesame Street Covid response

Suitable for: Pre-K through 2

Ideas to help the whole family overcome Covid-19 with fun activities such as drawing, cooking, and moving together at home. You’ll also find hundreds of free, Sesame Street eBooks from Apple, Google Play, Kobo, and Nook.

• Friendzy (Freebies)

Suitable for: K through 8

Doodling & conversation activities, Gratitude Game, Gratitude Journal and growth mindset activities are just part of these free resources that teach skills like resiliency, hope, kindness, a growth mindset and self-awareness to help children better manage their emotions and actions.

• P.E. with Joe (Youtube)

Suitable for: K through 12

Now that the kids are home, it is especially important to get the body active and mind focused. These videos from P.E. with Joe will do just about that.

• Yale’s The Science of Well-Being

Suitable for: 11 through 12 (and adults)

In this course you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. Best, enrolment is now free!

Art & Projects

• Highlights Kids

Suitable for: K through 5

A wide array of interactive content from jokes, activities to games podcasts are available — a great way to get the entire family to bond together while learning something new!

Suitable for: 5 through 12

• MoMA

On the Tools and Tips page you’ll find downloadable and customisable artwork slideshows, worksheets, and hands-on activities. Great for self-guided learning and other opportunities for enrichment.

• Pocket of Preschool

Suitable for: Pre-K through K

Pocket of Preschool presents a variety of play-based activities. Transform your home according to themes and learn how to integrate activities that encourage social and sensory play. There are also themed centres and supports that nurtures and challenge little learners.

• The Spruce Crafts

Suitable for: K through 5

Fast and easy, 10-minute crafts for kids — even for those with short attention spans. Crafts include paper pinwheels, glitter glue counting sticks, origami finger puppets and many more!

Virtual Tours

• National Museum of the US Air Force

Suitable for: 2 through 12

Be prepared to get blown away by the discoveries at the National Museum of the US Air Force! Through engaging in a virtual tour, exploring the cockpit to listening to museum podcasts, it is almost like the real deal.

• Google Arts and Culture

Suitable for: 2 through 12

The world is your oyster at Google Arts and Culture. With just a click, you get to explore and experience iconic cities, museums and monuments over the world and breathe in their cultures and histories.

• Disney World (Narcity/YouTube)

Suitable for: K through 12

Whether it’s the ‘Frozen Ever After’, ‘The Seas With Nemo & Friends’ or ‘Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin’, you get to bring the magic to your home with these virtual Disney rides.

• San Diego Zoo Live Cam

Suitable for: Pre-K through 12

Take a closer look at your favourite animals through these live cams, featuring penguins, koalas, pandas, polar bears and many more!

This article was first published in theAsianparent.