Great websites for preschoolers

We have two preschoolers and one older child, age 8, and are looking for great educational and fun websites for them to use. We’re not interested in expensive computer software that they may get bored with, either. Also, we’re “computer illiterate,” and our older child is more Internet savvy than us. Any tips? — Concerned Parents

To increase your Internet know-how, I recommend the book “What In The World Are Your Kids Doing Online: How to understand the electronic world your children live in” by Barbara Melton. There are lots of free and high-quality, kid-friendly websites for your two preschoolers to enjoy. All inappropriate content is filtered out and to prevent boredom, you can save this list and download a fresh site if monotony sets in.

One site has a maze game with 100 levels, where your preschoolers can help guide a ladybug to find her home (www.learn4good.com/games/kids/ladybugs.htm). Here are more that have entertainment and educational value:

• Zoodles is an online education service for preschoolers. The games are fun and approved by Stanford University educational experts, and encompass national and state educational standards. You can tailor each game to suit your children’s experience, and regular progress reports keep you updated on their activities. The free account has no fees and you can enhance it with paid features for $7.95 a month (www.zoodles.com/signup).

• Kaboose is totally free and teaches thinking skills (www.funschool.kaboose.com/).

• Preschool Learning Online offers free downloadable games that are educational and high-quality. All you do is register and take a survey to have full access (www.preschoollearningonline.com/).

• For toddlers to preschool and first grade, I found these websites to be incredibly attention-grabbing:

www.infostuff.com/kids/a.htm — Teaches ABCs

www.abc.net.au/countusin/default.htm — Teaches basic number concepts

www.giraffian.com/kids/alphabet/ — Teaches the alphabet

www.fisher-price.com/us/fun/games/phonics/default.asp — Ingenious preschool phonics learning games

www.lettertv.net/pages/brickwall.htm — Kids can see letters and hear the sound, plus see pictures of upper and lower case letters with coloring pages and songs.

www.storyplace.org/storyplace.asp — Interactive digital sound videos

www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html — Cool math arcade with lots of activities

www.funbrain.com/math/index.html — Excellent math baseball with different levels and skills to play. You’re at bat and can score a run or an out!

Hint: A best-kept secret to finding great, kid-friendly websites is the American Library Service for Children site, www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/index.cfm. Click on “Great Websites For Kids” in the left margin.

Robert Morton, MEd, EdS, has retired from his positions as school psychologist and adjunct professor in the School of Leadership and Policy Studies at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Contact him at [email protected].

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Penguin Coding School

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What makes this approach "worth it" for the kids is that at the end of the road, they see that their code actually does things in the real world. Not in some playpen, but in the real Internet where anyone can access it. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Programs:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong> </strong>Penguin Coding School </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">provides comprehensive coding education to kids ages 5-18. 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Penguin Coding has in-person classes and summer camps in Cobble Hill and Park Slope, as well as three Massachusetts locations. </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free Trial Classes: </span></strong></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-115c8d0a-7fff-6ffb-9ee2-4fd4aa248c0a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; text-align: justify; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sign up for our award-winning</span><a style="text-decoration: none;" href="https://penguincodingschool.com/freetrial?utm_campaign=FreeTrials&utm_source=NYF&utm_medium=Directory"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #1155cc; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">free trial classes</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. 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Dedimus Potestatem

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To register, visit <a href="https://www.potestatem.co/bookclassesnow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.potestatem.co/bookclassesnow </a>or email us at <a href="mailto:[email protected]?subject=REGISTER" target="_blank" rel="noopener">[email protected]</a></p> <p><a href="https://www.potestatem.co/leadership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leadership: Middle School ages 10-13, High School ages 14-18</a></p> <p>This is a unique leadership course that gives students the skills they need to succeed in life. Using an activity-based syllabus centered around character traits most sought and admired in leaders (initiative, honesty, self-control, adaptability, empathy, persuasiveness, resourcefulness, diligence, tolerance, determination, generosity, punctuality, courage, reliability, endurance, deference, creativity and integrity) students learn how to deal with situations they encounter in life. 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Park Shore Country Day Camp

<p>Get ready for an exciting summer adventure at Park Shore Country Day Camp as the countdown to 2024 begins! Located on a sprawling 15-acre campus in Dix Hills, Park Shore has been offering an epic summer experience for children aged 2-15 since 1959. With a rich history of creating lasting memories, Park Shore is set to make the upcoming summer truly special.</p> <p>At Park Shore, every day is a journey filled with excitement and fun activities. From swim lessons to high ropes, bungee trampoline, and a variety of athletics, children are in for a treat. The camp's dedicated and experienced counselors prioritize safety while ensuring that each child has an enjoyable experience.</p> <p>What sets Park Shore apart are its special events and unique programs that promise to make this summer unforgettable. Park Shore Travel and Extreme STEAM Science Kids are just a glimpse of the diverse and engaging activities awaiting campers. These programs go beyond traditional camp experiences, providing opportunities for exploration and learning in a fun environment.</p> <p>Exciting additions await campers in 2024, including the introduction of a brand-new Gaga Stadium with viewing decks, new Sky Trail elements, a new Spray Park, new Special Events, new Travel Trips, and a new Preschool Water Play Area. These new features are designed to enhance the overall camp experience, offering fresh and thrilling options for campers to enjoy.</p> <p>Park Shore ensures convenience for parents with transportation options, nutritious meals, and a straightforward enrollment process. As you plan for summer, consider making it extraordinary for your child by enrolling them at Park Shore Country Day Camp. Join in the tradition of creating cherished memories and providing your child with a summer they'll talk about for years to come.</p>