Educational Support

Kids are always learning – and the right support can help them build confidence and succeed in school. As children grow, they develop important skills in reading, writing, problem solving, and critical thinking. Educational resources can help children strengthen these skills, explore new ideas, and become more confident learners.

• Free Videos to support reading strategies at home for grades K-3: Supporting Your Child’s Reading at Home | Florida Center for Reading Research
• Reading Rockets-Literacy at Home: Literacy at Home | Reading Rockets
• University of Florida Literacy Institute Parent Resource Hub K-3: Primary | UF Literacy Institute
• Free guides for popular books: Resource Search | Learning to Give
• Reading Partners Families & Caregivers Resource Hub- Free trainings and resources to support specific literacy skills at home: Families & Caregivers | Reading Partners Volunteer Hub
• Indiana Learning Lab: Free Educational Resources for Indiana Families: Learning Lab – Dashboard
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Activities & Play

Kids love to play – and for good reason! Every time a child picks up a toy, plays pretend, or moves their body, they are learning more about themselves and the world around them. During play, they build brains and important life skills such as resiliency, creativity, confidence, and problem solving.

There are two forms of play: structured and unstructured. structured play is where a child follows directions guided by an adult, such as doing a puzzle or playing sports. Unstructured play is where children play however they want – on a jungle gym, playing make-believe, or simply running around outside. Kids should get a blend of structured and unstructured play everyday. As your child grows, so too does their stage of play. From infancy through kindergarten, your child will move through six stages of play that grows to involve objects and other people over time. Learn more about the how and why of play with these resources.

• PBS Kids Play: Crafts and Experiments for Kids | PBS KIDS for Parents
• 50 Easy Outdoor Activities for Kids
• 75 Easy Indoor Activities for Kids

Parenting Support

Parenting young children can be challenging – even when doing everything right, kids can have difficulties working through their feelings. Positive parenting means taking an approach that is sensitive to your child’s needs and addressing challenges with empathy and respect. 

• InSource Special Education Help and Advocates: IN*SOURCE | Every Learner. Every Family. Every Educator.
• Find out how your school is performing in state standardized assessments and other key metrics. IDOE Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS) School Data: Indiana Graduates Prepared to Succeed (GPS)

Child Development

Developmental milestones are behavioral or physical checkpoints in a child’s development. Monitoring your child’s milestones is crucial to know if they are on track with their developmental progress. If caught early, many delays in development can be addressed through specialized therapies aimed to support the growth of the child. Helpful tools like checklists can be used while coordinating with other caretakers in your child’s life to monitor your child’s progress. Over time, you can also help your little one develop though everyday activities like play, helping with basic tasks, and regular engagement.

• PBS Kids for Parents Learn and Grow: Parent Resources, Tips, and Advice | PBS KIDS for Parents 
• Developmental Milestones for First Graders