We have two preschoolers and one older child, age 8, and are looking for great educational and fun websites for them to use. We’re not interested in expensive computer software that they may get bored with, either. Also, we’re “computer illiterate,” and our older child is more Internet savvy than us. Any tips? — Concerned Parents
To increase your Internet know-how, I recommend the book “What In The World Are Your Kids Doing Online: How to understand the electronic world your children live in” by Barbara Melton. There are lots of free and high-quality, kid-friendly websites for your two preschoolers to enjoy. All inappropriate content is filtered out and to prevent boredom, you can save this list and download a fresh site if monotony sets in.
One site has a maze game with 100 levels, where your preschoolers can help guide a ladybug to find her home (www.learn4good.com/games/kids/ladybugs.htm). Here are more that have entertainment and educational value:
• Zoodles is an online education service for preschoolers. The games are fun and approved by Stanford University educational experts, and encompass national and state educational standards. You can tailor each game to suit your children’s experience, and regular progress reports keep you updated on their activities. The free account has no fees and you can enhance it with paid features for $7.95 a month (www.zoodles.com/signup).
• Kaboose is totally free and teaches thinking skills (www.funschool.kaboose.com/).
• Preschool Learning Online offers free downloadable games that are educational and high-quality. All you do is register and take a survey to have full access (www.preschoollearningonline.com/).
• For toddlers to preschool and first grade, I found these websites to be incredibly attention-grabbing:
www.infostuff.com/kids/a.htm — Teaches ABCs
www.abc.net.au/countusin/default.htm — Teaches basic number concepts
www.giraffian.com/kids/alphabet/ — Teaches the alphabet
www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/phonics/default.asp — Ingenious preschool phonics learning games
www.lettertv.net/pages/brickwall.htm — Kids can see letters and hear the sound, plus see pictures of upper and lower case letters with coloring pages and songs.
www.storyplace.org/storyplace.asp — Interactive digital sound videos
www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html — Cool math arcade with lots of activities
www.funbrain.com/math/index.html — Excellent math baseball with different levels and skills to play. You’re at bat and can score a run or an out!
Hint: A best-kept secret to finding great, kid-friendly websites is the American Library Service for Children site, www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/index.cfm. Click on “Great Websites For Kids” in the left margin.
Robert Morton, MEd, EdS, has retired from his positions as school psychologist and adjunct professor in the School of Leadership and Policy Studies at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Contact him at [email protected].
