All parents with preschool kids know the need to find fun ways to support their children’s learning. Parents with children in a Montessori preschool have a special interest in engaging their children in active learning consistent with the school experience.
If you are interested in fun ways to engage your child in learning while building their comfort with technology, you will love these fun and engaging websites. These sites have activities that lend themselves well to Montessori educated preschool kids. Many of the activities you find on these sites can be adapted to accommodate the multi-sensory learning your Montessori engages in at school.
Funbrain Jr.:
Part of the Family Education Network, Funbrain Jr,, allows you and your child to explore a wide range of learning options. Choose between games that will help your child improve reading and math skills. You will find a variety of stories that you can read with your child. This website doesn’t limit your child to passive learning. Along with a choice of games, you can select printable flashcards, puzzles, and mazes that allow your child to engage more of their senses in their learning practice. You can use your understanding of Montessori learning to support your child in active learning using this engaging website.
PBS Kids:
Produced by Sesame Workshop, PBS Kids offers kids the ability to learn along with their favorite Sesame Street characters. With a focus on letters and numbers, this site is perfect for kids 2-6. You and your child can watch videos, play games, and print out art to paint and color. This site is a wonderful complement to a Montessori education. Your child can dig in the garden and grow plants with Zoe and Elmo just like they do in their Montessoir preschool.
Starfall:
Developed by the publicly supported nonprofit organization, Starfall Education Foundation, this site is mainly for kids pre K and up. Your child will be actively engaged by the simple graphics and bright colors used to educate children on simple math and prepare them to read. For those of you wishing to include kinesthetic elements to your child’s at home learning, there are videos modeling the appropriate form for each letter of the alphabet in sign language.
National Geographic Kids:
This National Geographic Kids website allows your child to view exciting videos related to animals and the world around them. Your child can learn about animals they are likely to see in their everyday life like racoons. They can also watch videos about exotic animals like the Giant Pacific Octopus. Your child can stretch their observation skills with games like Bug Bash.
Nick Jr:
The Nick Jr website allows your child to watch episodes of their favorite Nick Jr shows. Your child can view episodes of Max and Ruby, Paddington, and Blue’s Clues. Although this website does not provide active learning opportunities, your child will find these videos engaging. This website is a good supplement to active learning opportunities and a great way to amuse children who when active learning isn’t an option.
Although many of the websites are a great resource for passive learning, parents with children in a Montessori daycare program are particularly interested in encouraging active learning practices. Any parent interested in encouraging active learning for their preschool age child will find that these sites are a good place to excite learning. An easy way to encourage active learning with websites like these is to compliment the learning videos and games with art and craft activities.