Kids are just as immersed in the online world as their parents are, and this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. As a parent, you can take advantage of your child’s love for the internet by introducing them to some of the best online schools for kids. These online schools and elearning platforms can provide wholesome educational videos and resources to young ones with curious minds.
In this article, you are going to find some useful resources regarding elearning for kids. Moreover, we will provide you with a list of some free educational websites for kids, including preschool online learning platforms. You will also discover why elearning can be beneficial to kids of all age groups.
Why Is Elearning for Kids Important?
Elearning for kids at any grade level is important because it helps them develop computer literacy, research, and digital communication skills. It is also an ideal option for families with irregular schedules to ensure that their kids don’t miss out on essential knowledge.
Children with anxiety who prefer to be on their own can access the same comprehensive curriculum from online courses as public school students do in a brick-and-mortar school. An online learning program can give you more flexibility than charter schools or brick-and-mortar private schools.
The elearning market worldwide will be worth $243,8 billion in 2023, according to Statista. This shows that an increasing number of people are discovering opportunities for students in the form of online resources for education. Technology is changing the traditional way of learning, and kids are becoming more familiarized with alternative educational paths, like asynchronous learning.
Are There Online Homeschool Programs?
Yes, there are hundreds of online homeschool programs available for kids, teenagers, and even toddlers. Some of these programs require an enrollment fee, while others are free. If you are thinking of homeschooling your child, make sure you find out the homeschooling policies for your region to ensure that your child gets a high-quality education.
There are various homeschool programs for full-time students in grades up to 12, and you might even be able to find some part-time options. Some parents believe a homeschool curriculum will leave out subjects like physical education, or that students will miss out on class discussion, but this doesn’t have to be the case.
Are There Free Educational Websites for Kids?
Yes, there are free educational websites for kids in all grades. These websites teach kids through games, art, and other fun educational activities. It all depends on how your child enjoys learning. These websites, like Khan Academy and Adventure Academy, are also designed specifically to make learning interesting to kids and keep them engaged long enough to learn something new.
Making learning an enjoyable experience is the best way of keeping kids focused. According to Statista, 86 percent of elementary students use digital learning tools because they make school more interesting.
The Best Online Learning Platforms for Kids of All Ages
Now that you know that there are elearning educational websites available for kids, here is a list of some of the best online schools for kids in the market. Hopefully, you can find suitable online classes and online courses for your children below.
Khan Academy
- Age range: (6-18 years) K-12 to college-aged
- Price: Free
- Subjects covered: Math, history, art, computer programming, medicine economics, biology, physics, chemistry, finance
Khan Academy is one of the best online schools for kids. It has an extensive database of lessons across several industries for kindergarten children, elementary, high school, and college students. You can’t earn college credits at Khan Academy, but you can use the platform for college preparatory resources.
There are free and premium elearning classes on the platform, so you can start with the free introductory classes and pay for others as your kid becomes more immersed in the platform. You may also be able to find more advanced activities for gifted students on this platform.
Help My Kid Learn
- Age range: 0-12
- Price: Free
- Subjects covered: Language, mathematics, writing
If you are looking for age-appropriate content for your kids as they grow, Help My Kid Learn might be a good fit. It contains tips that parents can use to teach babies and children as old as 12 years old. Apart from the pro tips for parents, Help My Kid Learn also has a series of activities for kids.
Connections Academy
- Age range: 6 – 18 (K-12)
- Price: Free
- Subjects covered: Math, science, social studies, English
Connections Academy is a popular alternative learning option for students who prefer digital learning to in-person classes. While it is a for-profit organization, the platform provides a wide variety of stand-alone K-12 courses for online students across a range of disciplines for free. Whether you live in the United States or abroad, your kids can benefit from the complete online learning experience at Connections Academy.
The Keystone School
- Age range: 6 – 18
- Price: $2,375 to $2,800 per school year
- Subjects covered: Language arts, science, mathematics, social studies
The Keystone School is a complete online school for distance learning. The administrative headquarters are in Pennsylvania, but students from all over the United States are welcome to enroll in the online programs offered. Apart from the bundle courses, it is also possible to purchase individual courses for online students on the platform.
Stride K12
- Age range: 6 – 18
- Price: Free
- Subjects covered: English, history, arts, science, mathematics
Stride K12 is an online public school platform for homeschooled students in kindergarten, elementary school, junior high, and high school. It has an academic curriculum that is designed to mimic traditional school curricula but adjusted to be suitable for remote learning. Students strive for academic success through a personalized learning environment, and they are allowed to choose from several elective courses that interest them.
edX
- Age range: 8 to 13
- Price: Free
- Subjects covered: Programming languages, coding, computer science, engineering
You may have heard about edX for adults, but did you know that there is an entire edX online education platform for kids? The edX children’s platform is primarily for kids interested in technology. It breaks down core concepts like computer science and software engineering for kids so they can learn quickly. Those interested in engineering may also learn how to put things together on edX.
Dwight Global Online School
- Age range: 7 to 18
- Price: $39,900 per school year
- Subjects covered: Language, mathematics, history, arts, science
This is an online private school, considered one of the best online schools for kids. It is globally recognized for awarding a school diploma and other professional certificates. During the enrollment process, you may notice that the fees may be a bit high.
However, this online education establishment is an ideal option for parents who want a more hands-off approach to homeschooling. The curriculum and syllabus are designed by academic leaders across various sectors. You can always contact a school representative if you have any questions about the enrollment policies or anything else.
Stanford Online High/Middle School
- Age range: 11 to 18
- Price: $5,630 to $28,160 per school year
- Subjects covered: Language, mathematics, history, arts, science
This is another full-time online school for homeschooled students to acquire Stanford-quality education. If your child thrives in a remote learning environment, this school can help them learn remotely. It offers a straightforward enrollment process with flexible options for online classes.
You may enroll your child full-time, part-time, or simply pay for a single course at a time. It also puts students on the right path to a Stanford college education, and that is why it is also considered one of the best online schools for kids.
DreamBox Learning
- Age range: 6 – 14
- Price: $7,000 per school year
- Subjects covered: Math, reading, literacy
Is your child struggling with math? Why don’t you introduce them to an interactive website that makes learning math an easy and fun educational experience? While DreamBox is most popularly known for its math courses, it also offers reading and literacy courses for students across different ages.
One of the best parts of DreamBox is that it has a family plan that allows parents to access the learning dashboard and oversee what their children are doing. This can be a strong resource if your child is struggling to receive an adequate elementary education in a traditional school.
Makeblock
- Age range: 6 – 14
- Price: Free (price varies for different products)
- Subjects covered: Robotics, programming
This is one of the best platforms for children interested in robotics. Kids as young as six years old can learn how to create and program robots online. All you have to do is provide them with the required resources to get their assignments done. Thankfully, Makeblock also sells the products needed for making these robots. Get the products you need and choose from the wide range of robotics courses for kids.
Toddler Online Learning Resources
- ABCmouse.com. ABCmouse is a top resource for young preschoolers. It simplifies math, reading, art, and a host of other subjects for kids. There were over 850 lessons available on the platform at the time of writing this guide. Children as young as two years old can benefit from the resources on ABCmouse.
- Khan Academy Kids. This is a subset of Khan Academy designed specifically for younger children. It is free, and parents can adjust the difficulty levels as their kids learn or grow. Khan Academy Kids is currently one of the leading free educational websites for children, and all you need to access it is a computer and internet access.
- PBS KIDS Games. If your kids love playing, why don’t you let them immerse themselves in educational games so they can learn while having fun? You can download this platform’s mobile app on their tablet or laptop and allow them to improve their cognitive function.
Preschool Online Learning Resources
- BrainPop. Preschool kids and children up to 12 years can learn from BrainPop. The interactive online learning platform has animated movies, quizzes, and other resources to help children develop cognitive, reading, critical thinking, and creative writing skills.
- Funbrain. Funbrain is a gaming educational website for kids who enjoy gameplay for learning new things. It also has interesting storybooks for children who like to read. These books and games are updated regularly to meet the needs of the students.
- Starfall. If you want to try homeschooling or your child needs special education, you can have a look at Starfall. This platform can keep your children engaged and interested through several activities adjusted to their needs.
Elementary School Online Learning Resources
- Miss Spell’s Class. If your child is up to 10 years old and isn’t spelling as well as they should, try Miss Spell’s Class. This is a great platform for elementary school students to learn complex and easily misspelled words. As a parent, you can download the platform for your kids and encourage them to use it for a few minutes daily.
- National Geographic Kids. This isn’t just a magazine. National Geographic has an online platform with videos and games for an elementary student who is interested in learning more about wide life. Kids can learn about the numerous animal species across the planet interactively.
- CK-12 Foundation. This is one of the top online resource libraries for homeschooling your kids. It has millions of articles and learning resources in science, math, social studies, and photography for school students. You can help younger kids navigate the library and teach older kids how to use it on their own.
Will Your Child Benefit From Online Learning?
Yes, elearning platforms are beneficial to kids who love screen time. There are various online programs kids can explore, and you may even be able to find full-time or part-time classes on more advanced topics, such as machine learning courses for kids on these platforms. Moreover, online learning can also be beneficial in the case of school closures which was a common occurrence during the 2021-2022 school year.
You don’t need to take away other fun online activities for them to reap the full benefits of online learning. Using these elearning platforms for a few minutes a day is enough to help kids learn quickly and interactively. Just make sure they focus on activities they find interesting. Also, choosing some of the best online schools for kids can give your children a head start to a promising future.
Best Online Schools for Kids FAQ
Yes, Khan Academy is good for homeschooling. Parents can use the library of various resources and core courses to teach younger children based on the Khan Academy curriculum. Children may also use the platform on their own if they are old enough to navigate it. Also, Khan Academy provides various resources for gifted students to enhance their talents.
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Some of the most important questions regarding online learning can be, “How many hours is the student expected to spend on the computer each day?” and “How does the grading system work?”. Parents may also be wondering about whether there are flexible deadlines or if students are expected to stick to a strict deadline, and if there are socialization and networking opportunities.
Some pros of online schools are they can help kids with social and learning anxiety learn from the comfort of their homes. They often provide a personalized learning experience and help students build learning independence. These educational platforms are useful during school closures, as was the case for almost every school district in the US during the 2021-2022 school year.
Your child will benefit from online learning if there is a public health crisis, they suffer from learning anxiety, or the traditional learning process is simply not effective. Parents who move around a lot may also opt for a full-time online school, so their children can enjoy stability. You can also look into blended programs and get the best of both worlds.
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