Family Toolkit: Learning Resources
While there are a wealth of educational resources - online games at PBS KIDS, author readings on Instagram, live video streams from zoos — it can be overwhelming for families to get started.
Using Technology to Support Learning at Home: Simple Tips for Parents of Young Children is a great resource to help families start thinking about the use of technology to support learning at home. It provides five guiding principles on getting started so parents can effectively support children’s learning at home. It also includes tips on building positive technology habits, and support on what to look for when selecting an app for learning.
Online Learning Resources
Here are some online learning resources to help families to support children’s learning at home. Use the technology guidelines and tips provided in Using Technology to Support Learning at Home: Simple Tips for Parents of Young Children to select the best online resources for your child and family
- Sesame Street - Play educational games, watch videos, and create art with Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird, and more of your favorite Sesame Street muppets!
- PBS Kids – Hang out with your favorite characters all while learning.
- Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers and educators. Each book includes material developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills.
- National Geographic for Kids – Learn all about geography and fascinating animals.
- Waterford – Offers FREE Early Learning Boost emails that will help you engage your child in positive learning experiences during the week. Three times a week, your inbox will get videos and activities teaching literacy, math, or science concepts for 3 and 4-year-olds.
- Starfall – Practice your early literacy and math skills, and join read-along stories as well.
- Seussville – Read, play games and hang out with Dr. Seuss and his friends.
- The San Diego Zoo website just for kids has amazing videos, activities, and games.
- Reading Rockets helps parents find the very best educational apps that provide practice with essential skills in early literacy. There are also apps for children with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder which support organization and goal-setting, language and communication, and emotional regulation.
Supporting Social-Emotional Development
The Backpack Connection Series was created by TACSEI to provide a way for teachers and parents/caregivers to work together to help young children develop social emotional skills and reduce challenging behavior. Each handout provides information that helps parents stay informed about what their child is learning at school and specific ideas on how to use the strategy or skill at home. This series was developed in collaboration with Pyramid Plus: The Colorado Center for Social Emotional Competence and Inclusion and Bal Swan Children's Center in Broomfield, Colorado.
Handout summaries are copyright TACSEI and are provided here for your reference. Reproductions of their handouts are encouraged. Click on a title below to see the resource.
Addressing Behavior
- How to Help Your Child Avoid Meltdowns
- How to Help Your Child Stop Hitting and Pushing
- How to Understand the Meaning of Your Child’s Challenging Behavior
- How to Give Clear Directions
- How to Use Social Stories to Teach Your Child New Skills and Expectations
- How to Help Your Child Stop Whining
- How to Help Your Child Stop Biting
Routines and Schedules
- How to Help Your Child Have a Successful Bedtime
- How to Help Your Child Have a Successful Morning
- How to Help Your Child Transition Smoothly Between Places & Activities
- How to Plan Activities to Reduce Challenging Behavior
- How to Use Visual Schedules to Help Your Child Understand Expectations
Emotions
- How To Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Anger
- How To Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Disappointment
- How To Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Fear
- How To Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Frustration
- How To Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Jealousy
- How To Help Your Child Recognize & Understand Sadness
- How To Help Your Child Understand & Label Emotions
- How to Use Positive Language to Improve Your Child's Behavior