Pandemic forced many of us parents to take an extraordinary digital leap in the basic education of our child. According to UNESCO (2020a), more than 87% of the world’s student population—over 1.5 billion learners in 165 countries—have been affected by the temporary closure of educational institutions.
Jaime Saavedra, Global Director for Education, describes it as the “largest simultaneous shock to all education systems in our lifetimes” (World Bank 2020). Pandemic is requiring parents to not only figure out how to balance working, parenting and housekeeping, but also how to teach.
Schools are closed. Even when they are allowed to operate under PKP or PKPB, many parents we’ve heard preferred not to send their to school just yet. At least until we have achieved herd immunity. That’s when about 80% of Malaysia’s adult population has been vaccinated. Next year?
That brings us to what we wanted to talk about here. Distance learning. Remote learning. Virtual learning. E-Learning. Whatever these words seek to convey, teaching one’s kid at home online during Covid-19 is yes, doable. But let’s be honest here, it’s hard. Even harder when you don’t know where to begin.
Don’t know where to begin? Three words. Khan. Academy. Kids. If you are seeking options for distance learning for your preschooler, check out this app. Khan Academy Kids is an award-winning, free, fun, educational program for kids ages two to eight. The app isn’t only FREE but it’s also GOOD. Like seriously GOOD.
Don’t just take our word for it, read what some of the parents and early childhood educators have to say about Khan Academy Kids on Common Sense Media.
Khan Academy Kids also provides free printable activities. Learning topics include Math, Literacy, Writing & Colouring, Social-Emotional & Science, and Fun & Play. Use these free printable activities as one of the many ways to limit your child screen time at home.