Category: Family

If you do a quick search for homeschooling websites for early learning, you’re going to get inundated with options. However, not all of them provide a substantial amount of value.

Having the right resources is critical for parents who homeschool. Otherwise, it’s tough to handle the various learning objectives and to keep your kids engaged.

Luckily, by using some of the best homeschooling websites for early learning, you can enhance the experience and simplify the process. If you don’t know which ones to try, here are a few worth considering.

Best Homeschooling Websites for Early Learning

Reading Eggs

Finding ways to make learning how to read fun makes a world of difference. When you can keep your child’s attention and add entertaining elements, they often make faster progress.

Reading Eggs states that it makes learning to read enjoyable, using games, songs, and rewards to elevate the experience. It can take a child from not being able to read at all through to a grade 2 reading level, making it ideal for early learning.

Parents can choose the online subscription service (which they can try out for free), the workbook packs, or both. That gives families some flexibility, which is a nice addition to the program.

Khan Academy Kids

Designed by a leader in educational resources (based on the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Common Core Standards), the Khan Academy Kids app offers courses in math and reading as well as social skills. It’s made specifically for children aged two to seven and includes engaging activities, books, exercises, and more.

Parents can use adaptive learning paths or access the library for an independent learning approach. That gives them the ability to align the app to their child’s needs.

Anyone can use the app without having to spend a single dime. Plus, the Khan Academy Kids app is completely ad-free. You don’t have to worry about popups, as there simply aren’t any.

The Artful Parent

Creativity is an important skill for people of all ages. At The Artful Parent, you’ll find a variety of arts and crafts projects for kids. Along with classic options like drawing and painting, you’ll also find sculpture, clay, stained glass, and more. There’s even a section dedicated to toddlers, ensuring each project is ideal for younger children.

Steve Spangler Science

If you’re looking for fun science experience, Steve Spangler Science has you covered. You can go through the library and find instructions for a variety of science-oriented activities, including some that are ideal for younger children.

There are over 100 experiments in the library, and they are all designed to be done at home. Just make sure to preview the options in advance, as some of them are geared to older children.

XtraMath

Developing strong math skills early can make a big difference in a child’s like. XtraMath provides parents with additional instructional options, allowing them to incorporate more math into their programs.

Along with lessons, there are also free videos and activities. Students and parents can also view the learning progress in the reports section, allowing everyone to gauge how far the child has come.

It is important to note that this resource is generally designed for kids who are at least seven years old, based on the standard math progression for children of that age. However, if your child is a bit more advanced, then it may work for them as well.

Duolingo

Duolingo isn’t just for adults. It’s gradual approach to learning a foreign language can work for children as well. The gamified structure ups the level of engagement. Plus, the lessons are bite-sized, making them easier to digest.

While Duolingo is best suited to smartphones and tablets, the website option does work. Plus, it’s completely free, now and always.

HowToSmile

At HowToSmile, you can find a ton of STEM activities for kids. All of the information is available for free. Plus, you can filter the results based on a range of criteria, including a child’s age, the material cost, and the amount of learning time required.

The topics span the gamut, ranging from life sciences to cooking to astronomy. There are even DIY projects for nanotechnology and special lists for events, like Earth Day, to keep your activities highly relevant to the time of year.

Using Homeschooling Websites for Lesson Planning

With so many homeschooling websites for early learning available, most parents simply can’t review everything at their disposal. If you want to use some of the options above for lesson planning, it’s often best to consider your learning objective first. That way, you can limit your resource search to that topic area.

However, do spend some time skimming every website before you get into the planning phases. Consider making a spreadsheet where you can list the site and some notes about what it has to offer, including the subjects it covers. Then, you can search your spreadsheet to see where you should look when you need some supplemental activities for a lesson.

The holiday season is an amazing time of year. People go the extra mile to spend time with family and friends, and many households embrace traditions that inspire togetherness.

But the holidays can also be really expensive. Between gifts, traveling, and parties, many family’s see their budgets get stretched pretty thin.

Luckily, even if you don’t have a lot of spare cash, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out. Here are ten fun holiday traditions that won’t break the bank.

1. Volunteering

Along with being a time to appreciate your family and friends, the holiday season also reminds us to give back to our communities. If you want to spend some time bonding while helping those in need, a group volunteering experience can be ideal. It allows you to spend time together while doing something meaningful. Plus, it usually won’t cost any more than the gas it takes to get to the location.

Just keep in mind that volunteering on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day isn’t always easy to arrange. Many households focus on those days in particular, so some organizations might be overrun with volunteers. Instead, consider picking another day during the holiday season. You can also reach out to a volunteer coordinator in advance to make sure your presence is actually needed or to reserve a spot.

2. Community Events

Many communities host a range of events during the holidays. If your city or town has free holiday concerts, parades, tree lightings, or other happenings, consider making one (or several) a fun tradition. All you’ll have to worry about is attending. Or, if you want to take it up a notch, add something else into the mix. For example, you could all get bundled up in your favorite holiday attire, make some hot cocoa, and then head outside for a parade.

Also, there might be engaging activity days at certain community locations. If you have a local library, see if they are holding special readings of children’s holiday stories or craft events, like ornament making days. Check with area schools to see if they are putting on plays or music recitals. There may be more options than you realized, and many of them happen every year.

3. Movie Marathons

If you have access to cable or video streaming services, you can likely watch plenty of holiday classics and newer releases without having to pay anything extra. Consider picking a day to have a holiday movie marathon. Then, select age-appropriate films, gather up some snacks, and get cozy in pajamas and blankets. It can be a great way to relax as a group, particularly if the weather outside has gotten a bit frightful.

4. Gingerbread Houses

Gingerbread houses are a holiday staple for many. If your family hasn’t made one before, consider giving it a try. You can usually get cookie cutters that can help you make the pieces or buy a relatively inexpensive kit if you only want to decorate.

5. See the Lights

If your neighborhood (or one nearby) is known for its Christmas light displays at homes, then consider planning a yearly walking tour. You can bundle up, carry a hot beverage in a travel mug, and get in some exercise, all while enjoying the twinkling lights.

For areas where it’s too cold, you can look for driving tours as well. Some areas block off sections of the street so that you can slowly roll by the houses, allowing you to take it in while staying warm in your car.

6. Tree Decorating

Instead of just putting up your Christmas tree, consider making it a special occasion. Take time picking out your tree as a group. Then, gather family members together, put on some holiday music, and let everyone get involved.

7. Ice Skating

Most ice-skating rinks are inexpensive to use, even if you have to rent skates. If you haven’t been recently or have never tried it, consider giving it a whirl as a new tradition. It can be a fun option for active families.

8. Play in the Snow

If you’re area usually has snow during the holidays, take a day to enjoy it. Make snow angels, build a snowman, do some sledding, or catch snowflakes on your tongue. It can be a great way to get some exercise, spend time outdoors, and have some fun as a group.

9. Make DIY Gifts Together

Crafty families might enjoy making DIY gifts together each year. Whether you all make the same kinds of crafts or different ones, doing it as a group can be fun. Get together and make a ton of bath bombs or let some family members crochet while others make custom greeting cards with craft paper and other supplies.

10. Thank Local Heroes

Every community has heroes. Your local police and fire departments do a lot to keep your neighborhood safe. Consider making it a holiday tradition to say thank you. Get blank greeting cards and write messages expressing your appreciation. It’s a small gesture, but it can have a surprisingly positive impact.