At-home learning resources


mother and daughter looking at laptop

Academic learning

Khan Academy

Comprehensive video-based curriculum that covers math, science, reading, social studies and SAT prep from PreK through college in 40 languages.

Education.com

Thousands of PreK through 5th grade worksheets and activities, designed by educators.

BrainPop

Short animated videos that explain difficult concepts in simple, kid-friendly terms. Topics include science, social studies, English, math, arts, music, health, and technology. (Also in Spanish.)

Learning Heroes

A tool that gives parents an accurate picture of their child’s learning needs along with concrete actions and curated learning resources. (Also in Spanish.)

PBS for Parents

Media, activities and articles that support learning for kids ages 2-8.

National Geographic

Learning activities, games and lessons in social studies, geography, science, and more for kids in grades K-12.

Zearn (math)

K-5 math program with 400 hours of digital lessons with on-screen teachers and supportive remediation. Now available free.

IXL

Fee-based academic curriculum is currently offering ready-made learning plans for each grade level.

iCivics

Meaningful civic learning through games, activities, a weekly planner, and tips.

Girls Who Code

Every week they offer a free new educational computer science activity, some online, some offline.

STMath

This spatial-temporal approach to math teaches K-8 math concepts visually through games and puzzles. (Note: This is free through December 30, 2020.)

Wide Open School

Free, easy-to-use resources for families making the switch to learning from home including daily schedules, activities, and free lesson plans.

English Language Learners

Colorín Colorado (multilingual)

Offers free resources, information, and activities for Spanish-speaking parents and educators of English Language learners (ELL).

Guia Infantil (Spanish)

Offering free articles and tips for parents to support their child’s education and well-being.

Unite for Literacy (multilingual)

Helping families build a daily habit of reading and support language and literacy development. Access free books in Spanish and English including narration in 43 different languages.

Essential needs

YMCA

Provides emergency child care for health care workers and first responders; provides food for children without access to school meals; and does outreach to seniors who face social isolation. Ys are also providing holistic health and wellness support for people of all ages through virtual programming.

Blessings in a Backpack

Works to ensure that kids are fed during this crisis, initiatives vary by community and align with local school food distribution solutions and/or other local programs.

Feeding America

Nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, and meal programs throughout the country that provide families with food and/or meals.

USDA Meals for Kids Site Finder

This government site features an interactive map of nearby food sites; each listing includes the hours of operation and contact information.

Benefits.gov

You can find government benefits related to unemployment assistance, healthcare, and food and nutrition. You can also use the Benefit Finder tool to see if you are eligible for additional benefits.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Provides funds to states and territories to provide families with financial assistance and support services. Programs may include child care assistance, job preparation, and work assistance. Note: Each state and territory decides the benefits it will provide. See if you qualify online.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Highly trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone in the U.S. who is experiencing domestic violence and/or seeking resources or information.

Crisis Text Line

If you are a parent, student, teacher, or school leader who is struggling, you can connect with a crisis counselor by texting SCHOOL to 741741, any time of the day or night. .

HealthCare.gov

Families can use this government site to update their Marketplace information if COVID-19 impacts their income or household; individuals and families may be eligible to change their plan if certain situations apply. Note: Check with your health insurance company to learn about their specific benefits and coverage policy during this crisis.

Child Care Aware of America

Use their State by State Resource Map to find local resources for child care, health and social services, financial assistance, support for children with special needs, and more.

What You Need To Know About Expanded Unemployment Benefits For COVID-19

(Helpful article in Forbes published March 25, 2020)

Homeowners’ Guide to Mortgage Solutions during the COVID-19 Pandemic

(Helpful guide by Housing Finance Policy Center, Urban Institute published on June 2020)

Stay active

GoNoodle

Offers free movement, yoga, and mindfulness videos, downloadable curricular activities, and off-screen home activities. These resources span a variety of abilities, interests, ages, and subjects.

Foster youth & homelessness

iFoster

Offering information and possible emergency assistance and devices to California foster youth and students experiencing homelessness. If you are a foster youth in need or know a young person in need, you can reach them at support@ifoster.org.

Schoolhouse Connection

This guide, created for people working in capacities that serve foster and homeless youth, offers tips for supporting students during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Dougy Center

Forced isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic means that kids and teens in foster care are experiencing even greater loss and disconnection. Here’s a guide for how educators, social workers and other adults who serve kids in foster care can help.

Together We Rise

Helping foster and homeless youth with housing, groceries, and utilities. (Note: Must first fill out form to identify your specifics needs)

Supporting Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Questions to Consider

(March 16, 2020)

A Message on COVID-19 from the Children’s Bureau

(Updated on June 25,2020)

Parenting guidance

Kinda Guide

Articles, family activities, dinnertime questions, and tips designed to help working parents and caregivers navigate family life and remote learning in the era of COVID-19. Offered in English and Spanish.
Bite-sized tips and tools to help you and your kids endure and thrive in this time of uncertainty.

EdNavigator

Tips, activities and resources to help families make the most of the days when schools are closed.

National Parents Union

Facebook Live broadcast every weekday at 9am EST (English), 9am PST (Spanish) with practical advice and tips from experts and a community of parents from coast to coast.

Unboxed

Free monthly learning kits with six mini-tools that can be used together for a cohesive experience, or mixed-and-matched to complement school curriculum, offered in English and Spanish for kids in grades 4-9.

Media recommendations

Common Sense Media

Resource hub for quality media picks and at-home learning opportunities for kids of all ages.

Reading & books

Storyline Online

Videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books with animated illustrations.

ReadWriteThink

Grade-based activities, games, printables and podcasts to support in reading and writing for K-12th grade.

Epic

Library of 35,000 illustrated and chapter books for children 12 and under, including audio books and “read to me” books highlighting text karaoke-style.

Scholastic

Grade-based day-by-day projects to keep kids learning PreK-9th grade.

Social emotional support

Greater Good Science Center Parenting

Evidence-based articles, videos, and podcasts to create a more compassionate world.

Child Mind Institute

Digital media to help families navigate challenging times and support children who need specialized care.

Support for children with disabilities

Understood.org

Information and online tools to help kids and adults with learning and attention differences.

Bookshare.org

Online library of over 800,000 titles to support reading for students with dyslexia, blindness, cerebral palsy, and other barriers.

Edutopia

Resource for educators offers list of apps for students with special needs.

Story Mentors

Digital classroom designed to support struggling readers.

National Center for Special Education in Charter Schools

Resource guide to help parents, educators, and school leaders develop learning plans for students with disabilities.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Advice for parents and caregivers of children ages 0–3 who were receiving early intervention services by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and whose services have been interrupted.

Paths to Literacy

Offers free daily lessons for students with visual impairments. Qualified teachers from around the country present a range of lessons. You can call in via Zoom or connect via the Internet.

Accessibyte

Offers free access to their entire cloud platform of apps to support students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, and/or have reading difficulties. They also have resources for teachers.

Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules (multilingual)

7 support strategies designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with autism during this time.

Infiniteach

Free digital worksheets designed for students with autism.

CAST iSolveIt ™ Math Puzzles

Research-based math games that teach problem-solving for grades 6 and up. Designed to be accessible for students with and without learning disabilities.

Fact sheet

Addressing the risk of COVID-19 in schools while protecting the civil rights of students from the Department of Education (March 16th, 2020).

TV, podcasts & YouTube

Best Podcasts for Kids Staying In: Funny, Smart, and Scientific Podcasts

(March 2020 article in MommyPoppins)

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

A 10-week read-aloud weekly video series for kids ages 2-6 with Dolly Parton.

Great YouTube channels for middle schoolers and high schoolers for learning from home during COVID-19 school closures

(March 2020 article in Thomas B. Fordham Institute)