Home Learning Resources
We have created a list of resources for you to help your children stay engaged in learning from home- including book read-aloud videos, museum virtual tours, lessons on animals from the zoo, and more!
Resources
You can view our list of resources below.
Story Time from Space - Astronauts read exciting stories from space!
Storyline Online - Celebrities read stories with animated videos.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library Read Aloud - Durham's Partnership for Children is reading stories on Facebook Live on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's at 11 am.
- Durham County Library
Durham County Library Take Out - Durham County Library is happy to offer Library Take-Out! Bring your library card or a photo ID to the checkout desk, or use one of our self-check machines. If you don’t have the card itself, knowing the number or having a copy (like a picture of the barcode stored on your phone) works just the same. For full privilege cards, you can have 50 total items per card at one time. Some types of items have additional limits on how many you can check out.
Durham County Library Upcoming Events
Durham County Library Fine Cancellation - "Durham County Library is now fine free. This is an important step in ensuring that all residents of Durham County have access to the library’s resources.
No fines are charged for items that are returned late.
There is still a charge for any lost or damaged items, including a $5 processing fee. Items are declared lost at 40 days overdue."
Authors Everywhere - Authors read their books on YouTube!
Harper Kids - Read-Aloud Story Time on YouTube
Unite for Literacy - Multilingual Book Read-Alouds.
Read-Alouds from Teachers of the Year - Teachers of the Year read stories and do math lessons online for children in pre-K and elementary school.
NC Kids Digital Library - Anyone with an NC Public Library card can log in for ebooks and read-alongs.
Scholastic Books & Activities - Mini-lessons with story read-alouds and activities to go along with them.
KidLit.TV - Animated online stories.
Something Strange Happened in My City: A social story about the coronavirus pandemic for children by Dr. Shu-Chen Jenny Yen
Houston Zoo Animal Webcams - Watch the animals in their habitats!
Nasa Kids Camp - Learn about the planets, space and life as an astronaut.
Smithsonian Museum - Fun science lessons and games for kids.
National Geographic Kids - Science, history and more.
Virtual Field Trips - Museums, National Parks, Zoos and more are offering virtual tours of their facilities to help children explore at home.
Georgia Aquarium - Check out their 11 live webcams for different aquatic animals!
Junior Handyman's Toolkit from Dragonfire Tools - Hands-on learning through woodworking, STEM, computer science, construction, and more!
Let Grow Activity Kit - Free learning packet with home activities.
30 Good things for Young Children - Calendar of events to do at home to engage your child in learning.
Lakeshore - 1000+ activities for families to use at home.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems - Learn to doodle with Children's Author Mo Willems.
Outdoor Learning Ideas from the Education Chief of NC State Parks
Gee Whiz Kids - More activities with items you can find at home.
Cosmic Kids Yoga - Themed yoga for children (ex: Moana-themed yoga!)
Guess the Feelings - A game to help children identify and name emotions.
Childhood Trauma and Mental Health: Definitions, Signs & Resources from the University of Nevada, Reno
Activities to Promote Resilience in Preschoolers/Actividades para Promover la Resiliencia en Niños de Preescolar from Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health - Attachment/Relationships refers to a child’s ability to promote and maintain mutual, positive connections with other children and significant adults. Here are three ways that parents and families can help their preschooler build this protective factor.
El Apego/Relaciones se refiere a la capacidad de un niño para promover y mantener conexiones mutuas y positivas con otros niños y adultos significativos. Estas son tres maneras en que los padres, y las familias, pueden ayudar a su niño preescolar a edificar este factor protector.
Using Technology to Support Learning at Home - A helpful guide on picking technology, making rules for screen time and more!
Usando la Tecnología para Apoyar el Aprendizaje en Casa - Consejos Simples para Padres con Niños Pequeños
Choosing Screen Time Activities that are Meaningful - A chart to help families find engaging screen time activities.
Free Educational Apps, Games and Websites
Teach Your Monster to Read - An online learning game for early readers.
Apps for Outdoor Learning - A list of apps to foster outdoor learning.
Authors Everywhere - Authors read their books on YouTube!
Harper Kids - Read-Aloud Story Time on YouTube.
Sesame Street YouTube - Short Videos from the Sesame Street cast.
Sesame Street - Videos and printable activities straight from Sesame Street!
Highlight’s Kids - Crafts, recipes and activities for children at home.
Helping Children with Traumatic Separation or Traumatic Grief Related to COVID-19 - National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Trinka and Sam Fighting the Big Virus - a story by Chandra Michiko Ghosh Ippen and Melissa Brymer, illustrated by Erich Ippen, Jr.
- This book contains a story about two childhood friends social distancing and adjusting to life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pdf includes the story, parent discussion guides, coloring pages and family activities.
Long List of Simple Activities for Children and Families - National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Food Resources Map for Durham, North Carolina - "On this map you’ll find food sites including no-cost meal sites, food pantries, grocery stores, farmers markets and more. Contact information, location and hours should be listed for each site."
El Mapa de Recursos Alimenticios de Durham, Carolina del Norte - "En este mapa encontrará sitios de alimentos, incluyendo sitios de comidas sin costo, despensas de alimentos, supermercados, mercados de agricultores y más. La información de contacto, la ubicación y las horas de servicios se deben enumerar para cada sitio."
Children's Book - My Hero is You - How Kids Can Fight COVID-19 by The Inter-Agency Standing Committee
Supporting Children at Home During School Closures
Transition to Learning at Home
PBS - How to Talk to your Kids about Coronavirus
The Power of Storytelling - NAEYC - Storytelling during the COVID-19 outbreak
What is COVID-19? - Harvard's Center on the Developing Child
Positive Parenting Newsletter - Tips on Managing Children's Stress and Home Learning
COVID Coloring Book - UNC Medicine
Teaching your teen to manage uncertainty: MyTutor in conversation with Unmind - MyTutor