As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to wreak havoc on our daily lives, parents are having to quickly reassess how to educate their kids at home amidst all of the other worries. And while it is important that kids remain aware of the significance of sheltering in place, it is just as important that they continue learning about the world around them. As the self-proclaimed “Aunt in Charge of Visual Content” I feel it is my duty in these dark times to spread the knowledge. And for those who want creative content at low cost, YouTube has you covered.
Science: “Amoeba Sisters”
YouTube’s resident bio-nerds give lessons in biology with tiny caricatures which represent various elements and concepts in the natural world. Each lesson is tailored to a particular concept you would learn in 9th grade Biology, similar to what a student would learn on a chapter-by-chapter basis. Not only do they do a great job of explaining basic biology, but they have already released a video about the importance of social distancing. This is a fantastic resource for middle and high-schooler students, particularly those who are visual learners.
Science: “Bill Nye the Science Guy”
Millennials rejoice! The man who taught us physics, biology, and basic chemistry in a practical setting is available with full episodes of his original series on YouTube. In fact, you could call Bill Nye one of the original YouTubers before the platform was invented, as he is the inspiration for so many other channels which show physics in real time. And if you’re interested in the upgraded Bill Nye, you can find his new show available on Netflix.
Math: “Mathantics”
... Also known as the guy I wish I had looked up before I tried to do homework with my nieces. Seriously, I could have saved myself a lot of frustration. “Mathantics” is perfect for middle-school age lessons in math such as complex equations, as well as basic algebra and geometry. To all the parents who hate math, this one’s for you.
Physical Education
This one is a little more subjective, but will give your kids an opportunity to be creative with their workouts. Because many parks, pools, beaches, and tracks have been shut down, much of the outdoor activities which require particular open spaces will no longer do. Walking, jogging, and running are still very much in, but what if that’s not your kid’s cup of tea? Indoor practices such as stretching, yoga, Zumba, and many core exercises can be done from the comfort of your living room. Because there is no one right way to exercise, you can get so specific as to type in “Harry Potter Yoga.” There really is something for everyone!
Art: “Art for Kids Hub”
Here is another area where there is almost too much content to pinpoint a specific starting point. There are basic lessons in drawing from “Art for Kids Hub,” but if you’re dealing with a prodigy in your household, you might want to explore more complex sketching and art lessons, particularly if you have plenty of art materials in your house.
English: “Oxford Online English”
This one is a little tricky because ultimately the Language Arts subject comes down to being able to sit down and read, which is not easy right now with all the libraries closed. However, basic grammar still needs to be taught. The “Oxford Online English” channel walks kids through basic lessons in grammar and vocabulary, with both British and American teachers. This can be useful because many of the novels in the American English curriculum, especially for high-school students, contain many works by British authors. Having different teachers for these lessons bridges the cultural gap as it applies to reading and writing. Not to mention, there are a few cheeky lessons in there about cultural differences in general, like the difference between American and British football!
Different schools are going to have different systems of learning for the rest of the term, as it is unlikely that many districts, especially large ones, will resume in-person classes for the rest of the school year.
Hopefully these channels will be a great way to supplement your kid’s learning, and maybe inspire them to deep dive into subjects they otherwise wouldn’t have before!
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