Websites for Further Learning
The following free websites may also be helpful in furthering your child’s learning. Some
sights also offer free worksheets that you can print out and do at home. Parents should
supervise their children during any online activity to ensure content is appropriate for
their child. (Please note that some sites include advertisements from their sponsors.)
Alphabet Practice/Phonics
http://www.abcya.com/kindergarten_computers.htm
ABCya! Kindergarten children's computer games and activities feature large and easy-to-use
navigation buttons as well as voice instructions. Games and activities include: alphabetical
order, upper-case and lower-case letters, counting numbers, connect the dots, numerical order,
shapes, addition, e-storybooks and holiday games. (Please note ABCya! offers content through
grade 5.)
http://www.starfall.com/
This is the site for early readers still trying to get a grasp on phonics. It offers a complete
program of reading games and tools to compliment your child’s school curriculum. Another nice
thing about this site is that it is ad-free! (Please note some areas of Starfall are a part of their
premium service, which requires a fee.)
http://www.education.com/games/educational/
Preschool, kindergarten, and first grade alphabet, phonics and reading skills are all covered in
this site’s set of free educational games for kids. Another nice thing about this site is that it is adfree! (Please note this site also offers a full gaming program, called Brainzy, which requires a
paid subscription.)
http://www.literacycenter.net/
Literacycenter.net supports the learning of letters, numbers, colors and shapes with a variety of
hands-on activities. Your child can make alphabets out of ordinary objects, play online games,
color shapes, and practice tracing letters. This site is tailored to children who are learning
English as a second language. (Please note activities are also available for other languages
(e.g., Spanish, French, German).)
http://www.cyberkidzgames.com/cyberkidz/free-online-educational-kidsgames.php
This site includes educational games for literacy, math, geography, arts and music and science
for grades pre-K through 6. The above link will take you to a series of free lessons. Be sure to
select literacy lessons that are age appropriate.
Online Books/Reading
http://wegivebooks.org
We Give Books offers children a unique opportunity to read for social good. Each book that is
read results in a book that is donated to a charity for children. While the books are not read
aloud online, they allow students to practice “Read to Self.” There are books for children in
preschool through grade 4.
http://pbskids.org/games/reading/ and http://pbskids.org/games/abc/
There are lots of fun and educational reading games and activities for kids. Your child will be
entertained by some of his/her favorite characters (e.g., Big Bird, Alpha Pig), too.
http://www.storylineonline.net
Storyline Online features accomplished actors and actresses reading some of their favorite
children’s books. Rainbow Fish, Wilfrid Gordon Macdonald Partridge and To Be a Drum are just
a few of the books available. Each story comes with a free activity guide. (Please note that the
read alouds are good for emerging readers, but some of the related activity guide activities are
more appropriate for older ages.)
http://ngexplorer.cengage.com/ngyoungexplorer/index.html
National Geographic Young Explorers is a magazine designed specifically for kindergarten and
first grade students. Children can listen to the magazine being read to them as they follow along
with the highlighted text. It is a great way to bring interesting non-fiction stories into reading
time.
http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/
After registering for a free account, you have access to 250 children’s audio books. (Please note
that read alouds are in a British accent.) The book text is not part of the presentation, so your
child will not be able to follow along as it is read to them. But, this is a good opportunity to use
the pictures to check your child’s understanding and show your child how you might be able to
predict what might happen next in the story (see Tips for Emerging Readers). Each audio book
includes free activities. This website also has additional resources for parents to help with
learning phonics, motivating your child to read, etc.