With China, among a few other countries, recently moving from country-wide to localized school closures caused by COVID-19, as of May 6, over 1.2 billion students around the world have been affected by school shutdowns. UNESCO reports this statistic represents 72% of the total enrolled learners in 177 countries.
These 1.2 billion students face learning challenges as the alternatives to schools move online or to TV and radio. Despite the possible difficulties parents or teachers are having accessing educational tools for children, we encourage them to prioritize the child’s education. Furthermore, we hope the following list facilitates their work by granting them access to free, helpful resources. There is a community of people online rooting for them to succeed and open to helping during this time (including IQ Latino)!
1. Khan Academy | Daily schedule for school closures (ages 2 to 18):
These are templates that can be followed as-is or be adapted to suit the student better. The content in the platform is self-paced and has excellent interactive content in the form of videos, articles, and exercises.
NOTE: “Students without laptops can access the Khan Academy website or use the Khan Academy app on smartphones.”
2. Khan Academy | Weekly math learning plans (grade three through Algebra 2):
Weekly learning plans organized for either a 12-week or a 20-week schedule. Start by choosing the grade of the student and follow along to strengthen key math concepts for their grade level.
3. Khan Academy | Resources for teachers and parents:
This page offers more information for teachers and parents to learn how to make the best out of Khan Academy. For example, teachers can assign students an entire course and track a student’s progress.
4. Child Mind Institute | Family resources for remote learning:
Recognizing the stress and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, clinicians from the Child Mind Institute’s Learning and Development Center organized “resources for parents who are suddenly responsible for the home school environment.”
5. Sesame Street | Caring for each other:
The characters you know and love from Sesame Street are available to support children cope during this time. This site has content that sparks playful learning and offers children comfort.
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6. PBS KIDS | Daily weekday newsletter with activities:
This new weekday newsletter offers “activities and tips you can use to help kids play and learn at home.”
In addition, PBS KIDS has a variety of free resources to support families:
7. Stanford Graduate School of Education | COVID-19: Teachers, Families, and the Future:
This renowned institution compiled stories, activities, tips, and resources that “address issues facing educators and families now to support learning and well-being.”
We hope you are feeling encouraged and supported thanks to the great work of these organizations, which have stepped in to help children around the world. Moreover, the great thing about learning about these resources is children can use them during the summer, too, so they keep learning as countries around the world prepare to reopen their schools in the coming months.