What’s the first thing kids ask for when they come home from school (besides a snack)? Encantos! This new educational app features stories from diverse creators, fused with curriculum-based learning. A “storyteaching” platform, Encantos is designed to meet kiddos exactly where they are in their learning journey. From games to books, songs to Storycast series, there’s no shortage of engaging content for your little one to explore.
Quizzing your kiddo about shapes, numbers, colors and letters doesn’t always get greeted with excitement. But playing games that weave in learning? Those are major crowd-pleasers. Encantos makes learning fun by using stories, entertainment and games to teach. “Break” a piñata and drag the fallen candy (disguised as letters or colors) to the matching bag. Give Benji the elephant a bath by popping bubbles with a certain shape. See how the Monster Math Squad uses their math skills to take on any obstacle that comes their way. There’s even a parent-approved setting that lets children take a selfie to appear in Encantos’ stories.
There’s a Big World Out There
Whether you’re in a bustling city or small town, it’s simple for kids to be transported to faraway places and gain a deeper understanding of our world. With the Tiny Travelers, read fascinating stories about life in India, China, Japan and Puerto Rico. Get immersed in other cultures by crafting Peruvian Spin Drums, Guatemalan Worry Dolls, Chinese Fans, Russian Nesting Dolls and so much more. Discover interesting ways of life, all around the globe. Another great benefit of this app is that many stories are offered in English or Spanish.
Kids Will Be Inspired by the Characters They “Meet”
One of the coolest parts of Encantos’ series is that they feature characters from all walks of life, facing different challenges. Head to Aurora Bay and hang out with Wally the Worried Walrus as he helps kids know they aren’t alone in their worries. Wally shares breath, visualization and communication techniques to manage fears and thrive. (Pro tip: Even parents can benefit from watching Wally!) Another great series is Tyrus’ Kids, which highlights that every voice has a place, anyone can be a leader and achieving your dreams is always possible.
There Are Helpful Tools to Overcome Obstacles
Skeletina has her own special way of helping children navigate their fears and anxieties—all with humor and a relentless pursuit of a solution. In Ella Bella Bingo, Ella gets in all sorts of "Uh-oh, what a pickle!" moments—finding clever, collaborative ways to work through a problem. Kids learn the importance of perseverance, that mistakes are a normal part of life and leaning on others can help!
Being Creative Is Awesome
Pirates aren’t just prowling the sea for buried treasure. The jolly crew in Pirates: Adventures in Art is on a mission to discover and restore lost art. So grab your suitcase and hop on board for an awe-inspiring journey. And speaking of pirates… Join Story Pirate Alex on hilarious adventures, showcasing original stories written by real kids. Your children will find themselves immersed in interactive creative writing lessons that expand their imaginations!
Encantos is chock full of content the fits your kiddo’s age and interests, and its fun games and stories make it easy to win the battle between entertainment and education at home—a win-win for you and your little one!
It’s almost time: back to school! Finding the right school for your child can be challenging, especially for the elementary school set at this crucial time in their development. Kids at these ages don’t exactly have the mental matureness to know what their values and needs are, so it’s even more important they have the support of the right education system to guide them along their learning journey.
What’s on our list for an excellent school? A commitment to academic excellence rooted in tradition, combined with life skill learning—a place that gives kids the support they need to take risks, challenge themselves and succeed. Basically, we want it all and Chicago City Day School fits the bill, as an independent private school with a record of success, a palpable “culture of kindness” and the adaptable spirit needed to succeed in our world today. Read on for five reasons why this school may be just what you’ve been looking for.
1. A Balance of Academics & Social-Emotional Learning
This is their recipe for success: inspiring a love of learning, confidence, and comfortability in the social and academic environment of school for years to come. City Day combines this winning formula with its unique urban campus, making students feel safe and inspired. They’ve also developed curriculum-based programming to support their students and prepare them for the world beyond school, with hands-on real-life experiences. City Day stands apart because of the autonomy, resources and faculty they devote to their elementary school population—it’s a rare gem.
Founded in 1981, City Day promises and delivers an academic program that draws on the best of traditional education thought and practice while also embracing innovation. Their students take on a multitude of creative and intellectual challenges, including composing poems, building rockets, measuring the quality of the Chicago River, and creating sculptures—all while honing reading, writing and math skills that will help them navigate a complex world.
City Day stands out from the crowd yet again by teaching young kids how to think, not what to think. They accomplish this in their classrooms, where students work collaboratively in a study of the core subjects of math, science, reading and social studies. They also take field trips throughout the city, visiting museums, attending plays and even helping maintain local forest preserves. City Day also offers travel opportunities including Space Camp, France and Spain, Washington D.C. and a research expedition in the Bahamas. By the time City Day students graduate eighth grade, they have developed a worldview that allows them to respond to complex problems in high school and beyond—we can’t think of a better gift you could give your child.
4. Junior K-Grade 8 School Offers a Unique Opportunity
City Day's school model gives students a chance to establish roots in their community as young as four years old. It allows students in grade six and up to be true leaders on campus and act as mentors to the younger grades. It also allows all of their students access to the resources and campus of a much larger school. And it prepares students for brand new experiences in high school—a transition that builds confidence strengthens character and equips kids with skills they need to succeed.
City Day is an independent school that's developed an adaptive curriculum that grows in complexity with the students and responds to their individual needs. City Day’s expert teachers differentiate their instruction, and this, combined small class size ensures that each student is challenged and supported.
Unlike public schools, they have the ability to quickly enact new practices and programs to stay current and meet new challenges. City Day was able to remain open for the entire school year during 2020-2021. City Day successfully reconfigured its spaces and programming so that students and teachers could safely work together in person rather than through a screen.
“Chicago City Day School is a welcoming, inclusive learning community. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or national/ethnic origin.”
Games for kids don’t have to include a screen, batteries or a smartphone charger. Whether you’re on the hunt for outdoor games or indoor games for kids, we’ve got you covered. Check out the completely cool classic two-player games that will keep your kiddos busy all summer long—and throughout the rest of the year too. Get ready for some serious nostalgia with these all-time favorite finds!
You spend hours of sunny summer camp hours playing cat’s cradle with your BFF. Now it’s your child’s turn! Check out the super-fun string game instructions from Moms Minivan here!
Do you have a basketball net or access to one? The first player picks a spot and tries to make a basket. If they get the ball in the basket, the other player has to follow from the same space and in the same way. Miss the shot and get an “H.” The game continues, adding an O-R-S-E one by one as players miss shots. The first one to spell HORSE is out. Change the game and pick a different word to spell!
Are you on the search for outdoor games for kids? Let the sun lead the way during this game of tag. Head into the yard and look for your shadows. Pick one player to be it and yell “go.” The “it” player tags the other player’s shadow to win. Not only is this a fun-filled summer game, but it’s also an easy way to social distance when you head outside to play.
Mother, may I take a step forward? Like red light/green light, this old school game helps kids to build self-control skills. If you haven’t played the game in years, one player asks, “Mother may I ..?” And the other either says, “Yes you may” or “No.” Even though you’re the mama, take turns playing the role of mother for this game.
Does your child sometimes struggle to stop when you say freeze? Help your kiddo to build self-control with this nostalgic playful pick. Create your own pretend play street, stand across from each other and call out “green light” to move and “red light” to stop. Switch callers every other game and keep the activity going.
Introduce your child to a good old game of jacks. This indoor game is an easy activity to take the boredom out of a rainy afternoon. Grab a bouncy ball, pick up a pack of jacks, and get ready for a game of pick up. Not only is this a fun-filled family activity, but jacks also help your young child build fine motor and math skills. Don't remember how to play? Find the rules here.
Put your stockpile of sidewalk chalk to work with this outdoor game for kids. Draw a hopscotch board together, find the perfect pebble to toss and play the number-filled game together. If your child tires of the traditional board, change things up and use letters, shapes or almost anything else your creative kid can draw.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor games or indoor games for kids, hide and seek is an old school pick that the littles always enjoy. Turn the tables on your kiddo and let them play the role of the seeker as you hide!
A childhood fave from way back, 20 questions gives your littles the chance to flex their critical thinking skills. Pick a person, place or thing, and let your kiddos ask away. Of course, they can only pick “yes” or “no” questions for you to answer. Bonus—this game also helps your child to build counting skills!
This one’s another standby that’s great for long car rides, days at the park or just about anywhere else! Spy something that’s a color, that starts with a specific letter or is a certain size. Kick the game off yourself, and then let your kids take their turn spying with their own eyes.
Sharpen memory skills and reinforce your kiddo’s alphabet prowess with this simple alphabet story game. The first player starts by saying, “I’m going on a picnic, and I’m going to bring …” Then, the player adds an item that begins with the letter “A” (i.e. “apples”). The next player repeats what the first player said, and adds their item beginning with the letter “B” (“I’m going on a picnic, and I’m going to bring apples… and bananas”). And so on. The object of the game is to get as far into the alphabet as you can while still remembering all the alphabetized items.
One, two, three, four, let’s have a thumb war! Stick out those dominant hands and get your thumbs ready to wrestle with this simple game that can be played anywhere thumbs are found. Don’t remember how to play? Here’s an easy how-to video by Howcast.
Simon says to try this game with your kids instead of handing them your phone the next time you’re waiting for anything. Simon also says click here to find the rules of the game—as if you didn’t already know.
Get your game hands on and “shoot!” Want to know how to be a Rock Paper Scissors star? Watch this fun video from Buzzfeed on “How to Win at Rock Paper Scissors.”
When your little one comes home from school, excitedly gripping a flyer from the music department, you might express hesitation. Is it worth it to invest the time and money into letting your child play an instrument?
The answer is a decided yes for many reasons. Engaging your child’s musical talents has benefits for nearly every other aspect of their life. Here are nine reasons why you should let your child play an instrument.
1. It Improves Math Skills
Multiple studies suggest a link between musical and mathematical ability. However, skeptical scientists sought to disprove the link by examining other factors, such as socioeconomic conditions, that could influence this correlation.
One such individual was educator Martin J. Bergee. He sought to disprove the connection between musical and mathematical ability by accounting for outside factors among a group of 1,000 middle school students. To his surprise, the association between achievement in one discipline and the other remained, even when factoring in conditions like income level.
Bergee is not the only one to recognize the connection. According to the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation, music helps students with standardized tests like the SATs and their maths classes. If your little one struggles in algebra, let them play the tuba.
2. It Hones Language Skills
Recite the first seven letters of the alphabet. Chances are, you sang them, right?
Music has the power to make language acquisition easier. Singing makes it possible for children to memorize lists and concepts they would otherwise struggle to retain. It can even help those with Down Syndrome practice articulation and the flow of words in an engaging way.
3. It Encourages Creativity
It probably doesn’t surprise you that music fosters creativity. Letting your children make tunes is another way to engage their imagination.
You don’t necessarily need to sign your child up for formal lessons—although doing so may help preserve your delicate ears. Anyone who has ever had a piano in their home knows that kids will instinctively play with it. If money is tight, you can pick up inexpensive instruments like recorders and tambourines.
4. It Gets Kids Active
If you think playing an instrument isn’t active, please go talk to the nearest “band geek” who walked a mile while carrying a trombone. Playing music counts as physical activity.
Even video games like “Rock Band” get your little one up off the couch. If they go all out, imitating their favorite performing artists, they can scorch some serious calories while aiding in young muscle development.
5. It Inspires Discipline
There are no shortcuts in the music world. As with any creative endeavor, the only way for your child to get better is to practice.
However, music also brings with it an intrinsic reward. Your little one can hear their growth, and it inspires them to keep going. You can tell them a million times not to give up on an endeavor out of frustration, but it’s far better for them to figure out the lesson independently through their guitar explorations.
6. It Creates Agency
Agency refers to the feeling that you have control over your actions and the consequences. It’s vital to mental health—feeling helpless can plunge your little one into despair.
Mastering a musical instrument teaches your child that they can do something when they apply themselves to the task. They can carry this newfound confidence forward into future endeavors.
7. It Develops Cultural Appreciation
You want your child to appreciate works of music and art. Perhaps no method is better for instilling awe than having them try to replicate the masters—and seeing how challenging their craft can be.
You can further encourage your child’s musical exploration by taking them to concerts. Mix it up—one night, you can see the hottest band, and another, you can hit the orchestra.
8. It Provides Stress Relief
Please don’t make the mistake of thinking too much tension is the sole province of grownups. Research published in the National Institutes of Health indicates that 35% of primary school children experience stress-related health problems, and the issues often compound as they get older.
Music provides a natural outlet for stress. Your child can lose themselves in their favorite jams and reap the endorphin-producing benefits of getting more active when they play their troubles away.
9. It’s Integral to the Human Experience
Finally, you should let your child play an instrument because music is vital to the human experience. No other creature on earth uses foreign devices to create melodies, although you can certainly hear birds and whales sing.
Scientists may never know for certain what inspired the first human to pick up a hollowed bird bone and invent a flute. The urge probably stemmed from the same need everyone has to communicate. Some do so through words and others through musical notes—let your child explore this realm of self-expression.
Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine. A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures. She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time.
Tablet-based edutainment apps are great for busy families on the go, but for kids who have access to a laptop or desktop computer, browser-based online games can provide a much-needed reprieve from tablet fatigue. There are plenty of kid-friendly, educational online game sites to choose from, and many offer a selection of content free of charge. Read on to see our picks of the best online games for kids of all ages.
MarcoPolo World School
MarcoPolo
This award-winning platform offers a dynamic, relatable STEAM curriculum featuring over 450+ lessons and over 3,000 activities, with new content added weekly, this is your go-to for kids from 3-7. With a diverse array of projects, including hands-on arts & crafts, stunning videos and more, your kiddo can travel the world learning about science, technology, engineering, art and math without ever leaving your house.
Featuring more than 850 lessons across 10 levels of learning, ABC Mouse is a one-stop-shop for pre-school and early elementary online education. The website’s online curriculum includes more than 9,000 individuals learning activities in reading, math, science and art. Young learners will be delighted by the website’s interactive games and activities, which are brought to life with colorful animations and fun music, but older kids may find some of the lessons a bit too easy. ABCmouse.com members also can download the mobile app to access many of the same lessons, compatible with most smartphones and tablets.
Preschool to third grade, subscription plans start at $9.95/monthly, abcmouse.com
ABCYa!
ABCYa! offers more than 300 online games for students ranging from preschool to fifth grade. While many of the website’s large collection of gamified math and reading lessons are available free of charge, an online subscription removes ads and gives access to additional content. Nifty video tutorials on the website show kids how to make a variety of crafty projects, like origami tulips and slime. Like an increasing number of formerly online-only gaming sites, ABCYa! is also available as a mobile app for Android, Kindle and iOS, which provides access to most of the website’s catalog of games and activities.
Preschool to fifth grade, subscription plans start at $6.99/monthly, abcya.com
BrainPOP Jr.
While BrainPOP Jr.’s website offers some free content, including select games and videos, the good stuff can be found behind a subscription paywall. Designed for students in kindergarten through third grade, BrainPOP Jr.’s curriculum is standards-aligned and features movies, quizzes, games, and activities that cover subjects ranging from science, reading and writing, math, health, social studies, and arts and technology. As learners graduate to more advanced learning, there’s BrainPop, for fourth graders and older, and GameUp, a companion educational gaming site.
Kindergarten to third grade, subscription plans start at $9.45/monthly, jr.brainpop.com
Fact Monster
Not so much an online educational gaming website, Fact Monster is a neatly organized, kid-friendly online resource for elementary school students to discover fun facts and get homework help on a wide variety of subjects. Curated by educational professionals, the detailed content is rich with information that’s easily accessible and comprehensible to young learners. Students can easily navigate through the website and select specific skills and concepts that they want to explore. Think of it as an interactive, virtual encyclopedia.
Kindergarten to fourth grade, free, ad-supported, factmonster.com
Fun Brain
Started more than 20 years ago, Fun Brain is a leader in free educational online games for kids, offering hundreds of games, books, comics, and videos that help students develop skills in math, reading, problem-solving, and literacy. Although there are plenty of banner ads on the website, the collection of fun, interactive games will engross students who may not even realize that they are learning while they play. As a bonus, site visitors also can read a variety of popular kids’ books and comics, including Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Amelia Writes Again, and Brewster Rocket.
Pre-k to eighth grade, free, ad-supported, funbrain.com
Mr. Nussbaum
Boasting more than 3,500 pages of content, including plenty of learning games on a variety of subjects, Mr. Nussbaum is free educational gaming website created by a school teacher named Greg Nussbaum. The look and feel of many of the games are decidedly old school, but unexpectedly addictive. Students can learn math skills, language arts and geography, among other subjects, through engaging interactive games and activities.
Pre-k to sixth grade, free, ad-supported, with paid ad-free memberships coming soon, mrnussbaum.com
Multiplication.com
Imagine playing Super Mario Bros. and in the middle of collecting coins, you have to answer a multiplication question in order to move on. That’s a little bit like the experience of playing the interactive multiplication games on Multiplication.com. Which is to say, the gameplay is super-fun—at least for students who like math and gaming. Although the website has a generic look and feel, the games are engaging and effective. Most games are free, and a paid subscription removes ads.
Second grade to sixth grade, subscription plans start at $9.45/monthly, multiplication.com
National Geographic Kids Games
National Geographic’s free gaming hub for kids is chock-full of more than 100 fun, interactive games and activities themed around science and geography. Gameplay range from quizzes to puzzles, as well as videos and beautifully photographed stories and essays. Parents and kids can register for a free subscription to monitor and save progress on the website, and a link to Nat Geo’s online store sells neat educational products like STEM toys and science- and geography-related books.
The appeal of PBS Kids online game hub is the free access to a huge number of browser-based gaming experiences based on popular character franchises like The Cat in the Hat, Curious George, Sesame Street, and more. Online games are organized by subjects that include math, healthy habits, science, reading, and teamwork.
Prongo.com is an educational website that offers fun, interactive, and educational games for kids. In addition to engaging interactive games and activities, the website also features free downloadable clip art, wallpaper, kids jokes, screensavers, and more. Online games are sorted by age groups, ranging from matching and memory games, mazes, puzzles, tic-tac-toe, and more. Brain Teasers are timed quizzes that cover topics such as dinosaurs, the human body, outer space, and inventors.
Preschool to fifth grade, free, ad-supported, prongo.com
Scholastic Games
Education publishing house Scholastic’s online hub offers a fun place for kids to spend time and learn while they play. With content organized by age and interest, the site features web-based games and quizzes as well as links to Scholastic’s growing catalog of mobile apps. Much of the content is geared toward parents and teachers, but there’s plenty of fun stuff for kids that’s interesting and engaging, including Scholastic book-themed games, like Captain Underpants, Goosebump, and The 39 Clues.
Kindergarten to fifth grade, free web games, with additional purchase options, scholastic.com/kids/games
Sheppard Software
This barebones educational gaming website features a collection of hundreds of interactive games aimed at young learners. From science to math to language arts and more, the Flash-based gameplay lets players click-and-drag through different activities that will engage young students with sounds and visual effects to make learning fun and more memorable.
Funded by the Starfall Education Foundation, a publicly supported nonprofit organization, the Starfall website was created in 2002 as a free, public service to help teach children to read wtih phonics. Using audiovisual interactivity, games on the website are suited for kids in preschool through second grade. An optional membership expands the free content to include additional music, math, and reading activities.
Preschool to second grade, free with additional membership options, starfall.com
Write your first name, recognize numbers, know the sounds of the alphabet, pay attention and take turns…the list of kindergarten readiness tasks can be daunting. Summer success programs can be key to help kids prep for school, but when COVID-19 locked down the country last year, educators had to innovate.
Would a fully virtual readiness program work with four and five-year-olds? The Ohio State University decided to try it and researchers found that it was successful in theory and in practice. Their data showed that it was feasible to operate, it was popular with teachers and parents and it had success in teaching children literacy skills, early math skills and emotional regulation.
“The promising evidence is that a virtual problem like this can succeed, despite the challenges,” said Rebecca Dore, lead author of the study and senior research associate at Ohio State’s Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy.
Ninety-one families enrolled in the four-week virtual program last year and received storybooks plus a computer tablet preloaded with educational videos. It also included weekly individual video interactions between teachers and children and a weekly video or phone meeting with parents. The final result? Seventy-seven percent of families finished the program and teachers found that kids were engaged for more than half the lesson 90% of the time. Participating children were tested before and after the program and the final data showed an upswing in all testing categories.
Although life is returning to normal, the success of this virtual program is promising for other scenarios. Kids who live in very rural areas may not have ready access to resources and kids who must stay home due to extended illness could certainly benefit from future online offerings. Technology for the win!
––Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of andrii Sinenkyi /Pixabay
Do you cringe when you hear the word “math”? Or maybe you remember trying to get out of going to school because you had a multiplication test that day? Us too. Math anxiety is actually a common thing and paired with learning loss from the COVID-19 pandemic, kids (not to mention, parents) need all the support they can get. It probably won’t surprise you, but math during COVID suffered more than other subjects; since math tends to be learned at school, parents are often less equipped to help their kids with math, and it’s more challenging for teachers to engage kids in math using remote platforms. A study published in January 2020found that 67% of teachers reported that students’ math anxiety was a problem.
Now for the good news: We’ve found a solution! Osmo is an innovative, hands-on digital learning tool that’s interactive and engaging. These games pack a learning punch, and to kids, they are just playing video games—very sneaky, Osmo, but we are into it! The big news is that the geniuses behind the brand have created Osmo’s Math Wizard to help kids ages 6-8 enjoy learning math—it’s a creative take on math curriculum-based content for first and second-graders. Read on to learn four ways that Osmo’s Math Wizard Series is the math anxiety cure you’ve been searching for.
Everyone learns differently, and being rushed to keep up with a group is not ideal when it comes to learning a new skill. Osmo’s Math Wizard is perfect for this because it’s a self-paced math game series. By combining digital gameplay with active, hands-on learning methods, kids build math confidence and understanding before moving on to the next challenge. This way, they can actually retain what they learn.
2. They're Not Being Put On the Spot in Front of Peers
A big part of anxiety is the fear of failing. Taking a risk answering a question from the teacher or being put on the spot to give an answer they are not prepared for can be embarrassing—this can lead to “I can’t!” and kids giving up. Osmo works with your kid one-on-one, guiding them along the way, even giving hints when they need them. Instead of breaking them down, Osmo’s learning system builds up their confidence and encourages their curiosity about the subject—that is no easy task for a virtual school or classroom full of peers.
One of our favorite things about Osmo's Math Wizard game system is that with the help of Osmo, your kid takes the wheel when it comes to learning. That means you can kick back and relax for a bit since they don't need your help or guidance to get through these learning games! This is a series of activities they can do all on their own; in fact, it's even better if they do—it's another confidence-boosting opportunity that will keep the math scaries at bay for years to come.
4. It's FUN To Play!
If you haven't guessed it by now, Osmo's Math Wizard makes learning math an incredibly fun and rewarding experience. This series features four action-packed game boxes (two of them brand-spanking-new!). The first box, The Magical Workshop, takes kids on an adding and subtracting adventure! Brew potions with dragon claws and magic sparkles to master place value on a magical quest—add and subtract balloons to help dragons fly! Box two is Secrets of the Dragons, where they'll explore the Dragon Reserve to discover the rarest of dragons, learning how to measure their growth as they feed them to become big and strong.
Big news: Two hot new boxes were just added to the Math Wizard family! The Amazing Airships box features fantastical two mini-games. Build awesome airships to deliver packages all across Spellbarrow Port! Here's the catch: Airships need to balance their lift and the combined weight of the packages and vessel to work. In Clockwork, get ready to guide a team of quirky clockwork robots through the skies. Use your finger and your counting skills to wind up your robots just the right amount and watch them go. As you explore, more and more robots will join your cause, each bringing their unique abilities, whether it's bashing through walls, hovering over gaps, or walking upside down on the ceiling.
The second new box, The Enchanted World Games, includes two games that combine sports with math skills. In Bento Box, kids put together a magical lunch box. Players can choose from five different sports, including sprinting, pole vaulting, archery, swimming and wrestling, and help the athletes by feeding them the best combination of fruits. Add the points from the fruits you place to make the correct total. In Juice Team, teams are counting on the right blend of juice to win their trophies. Add the superfood fruits to create a magical juice, using the right combination of numbers to reach the target. Players will learn to make the same number in different ways and will need to blend wisely for maximum results. Win trophies and unlock more sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and more.
These games build foundations of multiplication, mathematical thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, strategy, mental math and more. The more they learn...eh hem...play, the more rewards they earn to unlock new worlds, trophies, gear for their dragons or airships and more, so they will always want to come back for more!
As COVID-19 began to sweep the world in March of 2020, educators, policymakers and parents had to pivot to distance-learning models and reimagine what educational access would look like for millions of kids across the country. As we know now, it wasn’t without its downfalls. Parents often had to choose between their jobs and being home to supervise during school hours. The country saw learning disparities increasing at an alarming rate and noticed that special needs kids were being cut off from their support systems. And just about everyone experienced zoom fatigue. But, there’s good news! With schools re-opening everywhere, parents and educators can work together to close the learning gaps. There are plenty of strategies and resources for kids who’ve struggled during this past year, and we’re sharing seven of the most important ones.
The first step to solving any problem is being able to accurately define the scope and scale of the problem. If you know or suspect that your child has suffered learning losses during the pandemic, you should seek to have them assessed, particularly in English Language Arts and Math—the two areas where researchers have identified the greatest gaps. Testing is often executed annually or semi-annually through state agencies in public education systems, but teachers often have access to several other platforms that can assess literacy, comprehension and math skills. Many tutoring agencies also offer cost-free assessments to students. These educational assessments are usually more specific than what is generally available to parents for free online. Depending on what behaviors you have observed in your child, you may want to also consider psychological assessments to screen for depression or anxiety. You can speak to a physician about options. Thorough assessments will give you clarity on exactly where and how your child is struggling.
Once you understand the areas in which your student has fallen behind, you should develop a constructive narrative about the circumstances. Start with gratitude and focus first on the positive. Despite the range of educational outcomes, all children have exceeded expectations in terms of their adaptability. Acknowledge your children for their resilience and the autonomy they have displayed in the distance learning format. Reflect on the maturity they have shown during these unprecedented times. Let them know that the most important priority over the past year was the health and safety of your family and your community. Now that we are emerging from the pandemic, you are committed to supporting them in their educational process.
Taking a “triaged approach” means that you assign different degrees of urgency to decide the order of treatment. The priority is to make sure that all students have sufficient learning conditions, starting with secure housing, food and mental and emotional support. These are the most important factors in their “readiness to learn.” Even though many schools are gradually returning to in-person instruction, technology is still going to be an important component of the learning process, and students will continue to need access to computers and stable Wi-Fi as they are trying to catch up. There are institutional resources for parents and educators, such as the iDEAL Institute, focused on digital equity. Once those foundational pieces are in place, you can work with the teacher to develop a learning plan that addresses the greatest areas of vulnerability for your child. For example, if the greatest learning deficits are in math, you can put the most time and energy into that subject first. As they start to make progress in their weakest areas, you can gradually layer additional plans for other subject areas.
Preliminary data has shown significant learning loss for kids in some states compared to previous years for Grades 4-9. Students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and English language learners (ELLs) have experienced the greatest gaps in learning. If your student is struggling in reading, writing and comprehension, there are a range of options to intervene and help them get caught up. For example, there are great, affordable reading apps, such as Readability, that you can easily download to a phone or device that can assess and track student progress. Independent research has shown that conversational agents, such as the artificial intelligence in the Readability app or an Alexa or Google Home smart speaker, can simulate effective reading partners and promote language, comprehension and intelligibility. Seek out platforms and programs that are easy for your child to access on a daily basis that can measure student progress. Whether you are integrating technology or not, the key to improving in reading and language is consistency.
5. Find a Math Intervention
Mathematics is a key area to seek out support for students who have fallen behind. Not only does the data show that “math frustration” is a significant barrier for young learners, but studies also show that many parents struggle with math anxiety when it comes to helping their kids. Fortunately, there are many well-vetted math tutoring options, such as Mathnasium, where students can get support online or in person. Many agencies are offering promotions and discounts to support students and families, but if the cost of a tutoring agency is still not feasible at this time, be resourceful. For example, you may be able to hire a math student from your local college who might have a little more flexibility in pricing.
6. Maintain consistent communication with instructors
Parent advocacy is extremely important during this time. Teachers, parents and other providers and mentors should maintain consistent communication. The adults and educators in the child’s life need to coordinate efforts to help the children catch up in areas they have suffered. Your engagement and involvement are key in a student-centered approach that focuses on strong trust and communication between family and school. Pre-schedule a few meetings with your child's teacher to check in. With the communication preset, it is not likely that anything will go under the radar.
7. Support your kids with encouraging accountability
No matter what plan you develop to help get your kids caught up, the most important factor is going to be consistency. You need to offer your kids support through discipline and incentives to keep them on track and motivated. Help them get organized with their schedule using time-blocking and prioritizing. Pick process-oriented goals over outcome-related goals. For example, focus on reading consistently for 30 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days rather than focusing on reaching a specific reading level. Help them set and track their progress towards their goals in a journal or on a calendar so that they can see their own improvement.
Psst… Want to be a “cool mom”? Here’s a tip: Osmo is the hottest gaming/learning system on the market, and it’s worth all the hype and more. Osmo is an award-winning play system for iPad and Fire tablets—loved by kids, parents and educators around the world! It’s one-on-one interactive, so kids can focus, connect, learn and have a blast doing it. Numbers, math, letters, spelling, art—these games and kits have it all covered (and you can officially be off-duty as a teacher for a while.)
Just when we thought it couldn’t possibly get any better than this, Osmo introduces its new Math Wizard! Osmo’s Math Wizard is an active, engaging series that helps kids ages 6-8 get a better grasp on math—it’s a creative take on math curriculum-based content for first and second-graders. Rather than being put on the spot in a classroom setting, Math Wizard helps kids build confidence through self-paced gameplay and targeted hints to keep them on track. Even better: They don’t need your guidance because Osmo’s Math Wizard has your back with their kid-driven learning adventures. Read on to learn about their game boxes (two of them brand-spanking-new!) that will make learning math a fun and rewarding experience.
Imagination takes flight in this addition and subtraction adventure! Brew potions with dragon claws and magic sparkles to master place value on a mystical quest. Then, add and subtract balloons to help dragons fly! These magical games are meant to support first and second-grade math curriculum learning. Kids will learn to add and subtract up to 120, counting and place value and comparing numbers. It also comes with two extra digital games for kids to play, for a total of four games!
Box 2: Math Wizard & Secrets of the Dragons
Master measurement with Dragons! Explore the Dragon Reserve to discover the rarest of dragons, learning how to measure their growth as you feed them to become big and strong while completing your Dragon Guidebook. This mystical game is also meant to support first and second-grade math curriculum learning. Kids will learn how to use a ruler, how to use non-standard units to measure, estimating length and adding length.
And now…drumroll, please…two new game boxes! Bonus: Each includes two mini-games that will keep your kid coming back for more problem-solving fun.
*New* Box 3: Math Wizard & The Amazing Airships
Mini-Game 1: Amazing Airships
Build awesome airships to deliver packages all across Spellbarrow Port! Airships need to balance their lift with the combined weight of the packages, and the vessel in order to work. Build the airships on their mat and put them to the test in the skies of Spellbarrow Port. Collect tokens while the airship travels to its destination, and cash them in to purchase upgrades like decorations and magical trails.
Just when you think you’ve got the hang of it, Captain Tiberius asks you to unload your cargo—use your math skills to re-calibrate your airship! Stages of the game become more and more challenging but like all Osmo games, kids go at their own pace, learning and having fun along the way.
Mini-Game 2: Clockwork
Get ready to guide a team of quirky clockwork robots through the skies of Spellbarrow Port. Use your finger and your counting skills to wind up your robots just the right amount and watch them go. As you explore, more and more robots will join your cause, each bringing their own unique abilities—whether it’s bashing through walls, hovering over gaps or walking upside down on the ceiling.
Each level has one or more magic crystals. Place your robot on a crystal, the robot powers on and you can wind it up. The more you wind up the robot, the farther it will travel. Count the number of spaces your robot needs to travel to the golden cog. As you progress in your journey, you’ll have to puzzle your way around levers, doors, springboards, traps and pitfalls to reach your goal.
*New* Box 4: Math Wizard & The Enchanted World Games
Mini-Game 1: Bento Box
In this game, you have to pack a magical lunch box. Players can choose from five different sports (including sprinting, pole vaulting, archery, swimming and wrestling) and help the athletes by feeding them the best combination of fruits. Add the points from the fruits you place to make the correct total.
On some game levels, you can also help out the athletes with magical power-ups—the athletes of the Enchanted World Games depend on you! As you win medals, you can unlock more sports. Collect gems as you play the game, and spend them at the store to buy cool outfits in the Enchanted Store. Don’t forget to try the special power outfits - they give you super-boosts in the game!
Mini-Game 2: Juice Team
These elite teams are counting on the right blend of juice to win their trophies. It’s like Bento Box, but with teams! Add the superfood fruits to make a magical juice, using the right combination of numbers to reach the target. Players will learn to make the same number in different ways and will need to blend wisely for maximum results.
On special levels, you can play sporty mini-games to help your team to victory! Win trophies and unlock more sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and more. Once you’ve blended your way to victory, spend your hard-earned gems at the Enchanted Store to buy outfits for your team!
Jigsaw puzzles are having a major comeback, and it’s easy to see why. You can connect a few pieces on a busy night with the kids, it’s a classic family game night activity, and it’s a way to get everyone to work together. In honor of National Puzzle Day, we rounded up our favorite puzzles for kids. Ranging from classic Ravensburger puzzles to personalized puzzles and even a puzzle game or two, keep reading to see our top picks for brain-teasing fun.
Crate & Kids Wooden Chameleon Puzzle
This brightly colored wood puzzle also has the letters of the alphabet on each piece, making it doubly ideal for young puzzle fans.
This four-pack of glow in the dark puzzles has a dino scene, a solar system scene, an outdoor scene and a seahorse scene. Fun for sleepovers or for kids who need to stay in bed at night!
This keepsake puzzle will be a sweet gift for any young puzzle enthusiast. It’s made in vibrant colors and has the option to order up to nine characters.
The kids will get both a U.S. history and a geography lesson when they work on this 100-piece puzzle of the United States. Each piece has famous icons and points out the state capitol.
Hone math skills while working on this famous puzzle named after the great Greek philosopher. Part of the “Great Minds” puzzle series, it’s pretty enough to be left out as room decor as well.
Watch some of their favorite minifigure come to life in this 1000-piece puzzle. Not for the faint of heart, this puzzle will need a spot of its own while you work on it!
