Free learning sites for children amid school closures

South Florida public schools to remain closed through academic year

Image by Pixabay user Chuck Underwood. (Pixabay)

MIAMI – As people around the country are practicing social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, organizations in South Florida and elsewhere have set up free online learning tools for children who are out of school.

Below is a list of some of our favorite online learning sites:

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Jungle Island: Jungle Island is offering free online lessons on animals, nature and the Everglades that are geared toward children ages 5 to 12. To access the online lessons, visit the park’s Facebook or Instagram pages at 11 a.m. Monday-Friday.

Zoo Miami: Click here for information about Zoocademy with Ron Magill. While the zoo is closed, Magill will be providing fun and educational content and activities that children can do from home. A new lesson will be added every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Miami Marlins: The Miami Marlins have launched a new online tool where parents, students and teachers can get access to fun at-home activities, including coloring pages, word searches and player development tips.

Here is the initial list of activities available now at Marlins.com/HomeFun:

· Coloring Pages

· Word Searches

· Player Development Tips

· Coaching Tips

· Youth Baseball and Softball Toolkit

- The Miami Marlins Youth Baseball and Softball Toolkit is a great resource for players, coaches and parents, and features a welcome letter from Marlins player Brian Anderson.

· Fun At Bat

- Fun At Bat is an entry-level bat and ball program for kids, launched by USA Baseball, with an emphasis on character development, functional movement, active play, and fun. The program is locally supported by Florida Blue and the Miami Marlins Foundation.

Museum of Discovery and Science: The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is offering virtual activities that will be released weekdays through MODS’ enews and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

University of Miami/Nova Southeastern Center for Autism & Related Disabilities: UM-NSU CARD’s Link Tree page has an abundance of learning resources for students with autism.

The Children’s Trust: has launched StayHome.Miami, a website with free activities, resources and other digital tools to help parents, caregivers and children who will largely be confined to their homes through the coronavirus pandemic.

GoNoodle: GoNoodle provides active screen time in which children can warm up their bodies, as well as engage their minds.

Cosmic Kids Yoga: The Cosmic Kids Yoga YouTube page is designed for children 3 and older.

Dream Box: Dream Box is an online K-8 math program that is free for the first 90 days.

Mystery Science: Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Mystery Science has pulled its most popular science lessons and is offering them free of charge.

Twinkl: Teachers and parents can go to www.twinkl.com/offer and enter the code USATWINKLHELPS to gain complete access to Twinkl’s online library that includes more than 630,000 educational resources free to residents of the U.S.

edHelper: Click here to download edHelper.com’s free daily workbook. Workbooks can be printed out for parents who want to limit computer time.

[RELATED: Local 10′s Parent and Teachers Resource Guide]


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.