Parent Resources
Helpful Articles (17) 
Home Fun (31) 
Life Skills (21) 
Physical Activity (3) 
Resource List, Parents (21) 
Social Emotional Learning (17)
Article on AFIWD: Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved since 2021, becoming an integral part of our daily lives. However, with the integration of AI into various sectors and applications, the issue of bias in AI has rightfully come to the forefront of discussion. Recognizing and addressing bias in generative AI models is crucial to building inclusive technology which ensures diverse perspectives are factored, and that outcomes are both fair and equitable.
Without a doubt, many of us are feeling anxious as we navigate the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19). We're feeling it too, and we wanted to share some of the tools we're using to take care of our minds and stay grounded.
Enjoy this curation of meditations, sleep stories, music and more, all hand-picked to support your mental and emotional wellness through this time. And check back soon as we'll be updating these resources regularly.
Finding new and smart ways to use or get rid of your old art supplies, including recycling them, reusing them in new projects, and reducing the amount of supplies needed for your art, can keep our planet clean.
Kikori is an app that provides teachers and parents with experiential and social emotional learning activities to help their students connect to themselves, their communities, and the world. Experiential education is LEARNING by DOING. The Kikori App has many easy to find Virtual and Physical Distancing activities to use!
The app gives educators tools + training to deliver experiential education activities and helps students connect with themselves,others and the planet. All public activities on this app are free for anyone to use in keeping with Kikori's vision to provide all students with the opportunity to develop the social emotional skills needed to thrive.
There are premium features that can be turned on that allow users to create, share, and favorite playlists and activities.
Hip-hop videos and creativity tools give teachers new ways to captivate students while engaging them in academically rigorous content.
Topics include Social Emotional Learning, Health & Wellness, Financial Literacy
Build vocabulary – Vocabulary is a building block of literacy and the foundation for every Flocabulary lesson
Develop 21st-century skills – Student creativity and collaboration are at the core of our platform
But Why is a show led by you, kids! You ask the questions and we find the answers. It's a big interesting world out there.On But Why, we tackle topics large and small, about nature, words, even the end of the world.
Topics include: Llamas, Nightmares, Baby Teeth, COVID-19, Tasting Food
Mind Yeti is a library of research-based guided mindfulness sessions that help kids and their adults calm their minds, focus their attention and connect to the world around them. Created by nonprofit Committee for Children.
Roots & Shoots mission is to empower young people to affect positive change in their communities.
This site includes exclusive lesson plans, activities, 1-Click Actions, projects, an online course, reflections, and opportunities to stay connected. Whether it’s doing something immediately to support first responders, grow understanding through activities like Community Mapping, or finding ways to grow Compassionate Traits from home, we’ve got everything you need to grow hope at home and anywhere, every single day.
The Brown Bookshelf hosted the KidLit4BlackLives Rally that took place on June 4, 2020. Led by Kwame Alexander, Jacqueline Woodson, and Jason Reynolds, the Rally featured inspiring words, music, and numerous calls to action in support of equity and justice.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of resources you can use to help young people learn the social-emotional skills they need to get through these challenging events.
Back to School Supports
Coming Soon: Second Step SEL for Adults Resilience Module
We’re committed to helping both students and staff navigate the transition back to school this fall. For many, that includes coping with and recovering from the extreme stress and trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we’re releasing our field-test prototype of SEL for Adults (SELA) Resilience Module this August. The Resilience Module is designed to help enhance the natural adaptability and recovery of adults in the school community.
Looking for engaging ways to introduce your child to reading or to encourage your teen to write? Need some age-appropriate book suggestions or rainy day activities? The materials here are your answer—all of them created by experts to be fun, educational, and easy to use outside of school.
The Lion King Experience is an immersive arts education program that introduces students to many aspects of theater-making through the lens of The Lion King. We’re thrilled to unlock all sessions of The Lion King Experience for you to explore at home! Each lesson plan contains videos, journal prompts, performances, and more. How it works: Self-directed activities broken into 45-minute lesson plans on a flexible schedule.
Although this program is traditionally facilitated in a classroom setting, these instructions give you everything you need to explore theater on your own at home. And teachers: feel free to facilitate these lessons remotely as well! Have fun!
Camp Kinda is a free virtual summer experience designed to keep kids in grades K-8 engaged, curious, and having fun—even if they're stuck at home. It's like summer camp... kinda.
your kids will get 3-4 hours’ worth of activities each day, all connected to a weekly theme. Nothing boring. We’re talking about exploring the art of graphic novels, unlocking the mysteries of history, or jumping into the world’s craziest sports. Start any time you want. End any time you want. Camp Kinda runs on your schedule. We’ll add new adventures every week, and save them all for you right here.
If you are a White parent of a White child, and you are having some aha moments about the extent, depth, and prevalence of racism in our country, or you’ve had this awareness for some time but are having a different kind of aha moment (i.e., reckoning with your own participation in this system, your own privilege, and a true desire to do something about it), talk to your children. Not about equality in general, or the importance of standing up for what is right, or the history of civil unrest in our country, or the greatness of Dr. King, but about White supremacy, systemic racism, and Whiteness.
Tinkergarten is on a mission to elevate childhood. We help kids develop a host of important capabilities, including empathy, collaboration, creativity, persistence and problem solving. Our expert-designed classes and activities help kids ages 6 months—8 years develop core life skills while enjoying healthy, fun, engaging experiences in the physical freedom of local green spaces. We also provide a DIY list of activities for you to try out at home.
Sesame Street and CNN produced for “Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism,” a town hall special featuring both CNN journalists and Sesame Street favorites trying to illuminate issues of racism and police brutality for young people.
A Project by the Augusta Baker Chair | Dr. Nicole A. Cooke | University of South Carolina | @BakerChair
This project emerged out of the pain and frustration associated with the back-to-back deaths of #GeorgeFloyd #BreonnaTaylor and #AhmaudArbery in 2020. We must do better as a global society! #BlackLivesMatter
Almost 200 resources listed here - * Green = materials for youth
With protests over the violent deaths of black Americans dominating the news, it’s understandable that many kids are feeling scared, confused or angry about the situation. How can parents, many of whom are struggling themselves, help children process what they’re seeing and manage their feelings?
There’s no one right answer. That said, there are a few guidelines parents can keep in mind to help kids deal with troubling news about race and violence.
CBS News This morning Youtube video about how to raise kids to be anti-racist and talk to them about racism. Protests across the nation over the death of George Floyd are forcing parents to have tough conversations with their kids about racism. CBS News contributor Ibram X. Kendi's upcoming book "Antiracist Baby" is about raising anti-racist kids. He shares how to talk to your kids about racism amid the protests over police brutality.
Author Jason Reynolds shares a powerful message about racism and antiracism. June 1, 2020
A podcast where we use our imaginations to talk about the things that matter, with the people that matter most. Each episode tells a story that’s amazing, fantastical, and maybe a little bananas, while it tackles the big feelings that come with growing up. And the Imagine Neighborhood gives you and your kids fun activities to do at home, in the car, or anywhere you talk to each other.
Free music education for those without access is having a profound impact on the positive development of our kids. Check out our new online courses that are created for our students but are accessible to everyone regardless of financial status. We believe that music is medicine for the soul and improves mental, physical and spiritual health. Free online courses in Guitar, Singing, Music Theory, Piano, Percussion, Songwriting, Musical Theater and more. Even a Singing at Home with Your Little Ones course with 12 lessons.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates the world’s largest living history museum in Williamsburg, Virginia—the restored 18th-century capital of Britain’s largest, wealthiest, and most populous outpost of empire in the New World. With schools closed, social distancing recommended around the world, Colonial Williamsburg closed, and those who can working from home, we’re gathering materials here so you can escape to the 18th-century, learn a little and find some entertainment. You'll find Videos, Live interactions, Virtual Field Trips, Music, Arts &Crafts, Cooking.
At the Colonial Williamsburg Education Resource Library for Teachers (https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/learn/teachers/), you’ll find a variety of materials for teaching and learning American history and civics, including videos, interactive learning games, lesson plans, and more. Video programs are designed for grades 4-8, but have been used successfully in other grade levels as well.
The Science Behind Pixar exhibition has been designed to let visitors experience the art, science, computer science, and math that Pixar uses to create their groundbreaking films. This website features some of the activities, videos, and images from the exhibition that describe the math, computer science, and science that go into making computer animated films. This exhibition was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston in collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios. There are free materials for hands-on, unplugged activities to use with this virtual exhibit at http://sciencebehindpixar.org/educators.
One of the world’s largest science centers and New England’s most attended cultural institution, the Museum of Science introduces approximately 1.4M visitors a year to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), through the world-class hands-on exhibits, and programs. Now, through its new #MOSatHome platform, delivering the Museum experience to families and educators online with a host of live stream events, webinars, podcasts, family STEM activities and more.
With students’ learning going digital, and friends and family shifting to video chats versus in-person hangouts, it can be difficult to manage our screentime. When we look at screens for extended periods of time, it can affect our quality of sleep. Depending on what the content is, it can also increase our anxiety and tire out our brain. So how do you keep you and your family entertained without switching on the TV or pulling out the iPad?
British architecture studio Foster + Partners found a way to keep children entertained during the lockdown. They have released a series of paper building templates that kids can print out, color and use to build their own paper cities to keep themselves busy. The studio even encourages children to share their own creations on social media using the #architecturefromhome hashtag! More information can be found here: https://www.fosterandpartners.com/news/archive/2020/04/architecturefromhome/
Writing prompts, Lessons from the News, Mindfulness, TikTok, Crafts and Author Readings including posts/videos from well known YA and Middle Grade Authors like John Green, Matt de la Peña and Elizabeth Acevedo
The Smithsonian Institution’s 19 museums, galleries, gardens and National Zoo remain active in the digital sphere, making it easy for museum lovers, creatives and lifelong learners alike to experience its offerings from the comfort of their couch. To help readers narrow down their search, Smithsonian magazine has compiled a list of virtual experiences that cater to an array of interests. Whether you’re in the mood to peruse the National Portrait Gallery’s presidential portrait collection, explore the engineering marvels of the Inka Empire or remix one of the 2.8 million images available through Smithsonian Open Access, this roundup has you covered.
In addition to highlighting virtual views, many Smithsonian museums offer exhibitions optimized for digital audiences.
Watch the latest Neil Gaiman videos and see Neil (and some famous friends!) read The Graveyard Book and Coraline in their entirety.
Fun science experiments you can do at home
This website offers hundreds of educational and grade-appropriate craft ideas that you can do at home.
Free reading tips and resources to make reading at home fun and easy! In both English and Spanish. Support families in helping their children (grade PreK-3) build reading habits and reach reading goals
Get creative–and maybe messy–with ideas for things to do inside and outside. Make a stop motion film, guitar, plant a garden and more ...
Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+, used in schools and homes all over the world.
List of videos promoting physical activity, fitness , dancing, fun, shoe tying as well as a list of health related videos for older children. Star wars, superheros and harry potter themed fitness videos as well as Cosmic Kids Yoga
List of all the free resources that Scholastic is providing for Families
Brains On presents Forever Ago, a history show for the whole family! Every episode explores the origin of just one thing — like sandwiches, video games, clocks and more — while teaching listeners to think critically about history.
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: The Podcast is a fairy tale podcast about the extraordinary women who inspire us.
The show is based on Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, the global best-selling book series inspiring millions of girls and women around the world to dream bigger, aim higher, and fight harder.
As a mission-focused non-profit, it is Khan Academy’s duty to do our part to ensure students keep learning amidst the school closures. We also want to support teachers and parents to the best of our ability as we navigate this crisis together.
These schedules are meant to be templates that you could adopt as is or copy and modify to better suit the needs of your children, classroom or district. As you see in the schedules below, Khan Academy does have self-paced, interactive content--exercises, videos and articles--for students in every grade and in most major subject areas. It is all free and non-commercial and is made possible by philanthropic support from people like you. Teachers and parents can also use our teacher tools to monitor progress and assign specific work. This could be made even more powerful if it is complemented with Google Hangout, Zoom or Skype video conference sessions with teachers and classmates. We are also having daily (weekdays) 12PM PST/3PM EST live streams on Facebook and YouTube for students, parents and teachers navigating school closures.
Get ready for space travel and brand new stories from kids! BONUS, this season features lots of celebrity special guests, including Alex Brightman, Jeremy Sisto, Lauren Lapkus, and Paul F. Tompkins!
Read the original stories submitted by real kids and to listen to past episodes, featuring Claire Danes, John Oliver, Dax Shepard and more special guests.
The Kids are All...Home is new podcast by Pineapple Street Studios for kids stuck at home, by kids stuck at home. Featuring voices from all around the world, each episode will show us what it's like for kids to be stuck at home and what they're doing to fill their time. A fun activity for parents and their children. For listening and hands on fun - Here’s how it works: Come up with an idea for a podcast. (So far, episodes have included everything from cooking demonstrations to jokes to musical numbers.) Record your podcast on a smartphone, and send it to the team. Producers might include it in an episode.
Are you a homeschooling guardian or an educator teaching remotely? Do you need additional resources for your children or students? Let DK help take some of the pressure off with our fantastic range of downloadable content that makes learning fun.
Perfect to use as additional teaching resources, these digital activity packs help take children beyond the book, engaging with their imagination and creativity as they color, draw, play, and write.
NOTE: Activity Sheets correspond with DK Books but there are activities you can do without needing the book references
There's a new bad guy in town and his name is COVID-19, AKA, the novel Coronavirus. Although Coronavirus has already made many, many people around the world really sick, you don't have to feel helpless. Information is power. On this special PSA for The Story Seeds Podcast, Jason Reynolds, National Book Award finalist and the 2020 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, inspires us to be everyday superheroes in the fight to stop the spread of Coronavirus. He shares eight simple things kids (and their grownups) can do to fight germs everyday … plus a recipe for home-made hand sanitizer.
Drawing, Singing and Do it Yourself Project fun
Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them. We'll go inside our brains, out into space and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology. Most podcasts under 10 minutes.
44 engineering and science challenges from the engineers at Dyson
How to keep children safe outdoors during the pandemic, plus 10 ideas for fresh-air fun
Advice for families on online learning from Media Power Youth, a non profit dedicated to teaching essential skills to empower smart, safe media choices.
Get your little ones moving with 20 play starters—simple ideas for play with a purpose. They can be done at any time and in any order.