Websites & Apps for learning
There are many free apps and websites that can help support learning at home. Find some of our favourite picks below.
For younger children
CBeebies — programmes
CBeebies — bedtime stories
Word world — Youtube
National Geographic Kids — Youtube
The child-friendly version of the immensely popular network National Geographic. Nat Geo Kids features videos about animals, science, culture and much more. The videos are short but informative, and there’s loads for your child to choose from to help feed their curiosity.
Sesame Street — Youtube
Everyone loves Sesame Street, right? It’s made by the Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit education organisation that produces multiple educational programmes for children, and has been a children’s TV staple for more than 50 years. The show’s YouTube channel is packed with videos designed to help your child learn essential life skills – everything from tying a shoelace to caring for ourselves and others – plus plenty of educational content that may well be useful if your kids are working at KS1. More than just a teaching aid, though, it’s also guaranteed to bring a smile to every face.
Crash Course Kids — Youtube
Describing itself as “Science with a side of awesome”, Crash Course Kids is a fantastic way to engage your younger children in the exciting world of science. Covering topics ranging from habitats to space to chemical reactions, the producers of this show have one goal: making science fun. Whilst it is an American channel, much of the content will apply to any children currently working at KS2 – and all kids who have an interest in how the world works.
For older learners
BBC Bitesize — programmes
BBC Bitesize has learning activities for every school and pre-school age and stage. You can also match to the Scottish curriculum.
CBBC — programmes
Khan academy — Youtube
Khan Academy is a nonprofit organisation whose mission is to provide free education worldwide. Its channel features expertly produced content on a wide range of school subjects, as well as advice videos on how to manage exam anxiety and procrastination, to name but a few. More recently, the channel has been offering livestream “office hours”, where parents, teachers and students can submit questions via YouTube’s live chat.
TED-Ed — Youtube
You’ve probably already heard of TED Talks, a collection of topical videos from expert and influential speakers. TED–Ed is an extension to TED Talks, with a commitment to “creating lessons worth sharing”, straight from your device. With a library full of expertly produced content from collaborations between educators and animators, TED–Ed celebrates education worldwide – and is a great way for older children to challenge their knowledge.
National Geographic Kids — Youtube
The child-friendly version of the immensely popular network National Geographic. Nat Geo Kids features videos about animals, science, culture and much more. The videos are short but informative, and there’s loads for your child to choose from to help feed their curiosity.
For parents and carers
Parentzone Scotland — Advice for parents
Parenzone Scotland offers advice on how to help your children learn at home during Covid-19
Free apps
These apps are for literacy and numeracy learning. In most, the difficulty level can be adjusted. They can be downloaded and played when no wifi is available. Search the title on your iPad or tablet.
