Parent & Caregiver Guides
From using Zoom to supporting academic growth, welcome to your go-to guide for a positive experience learning from home.

Article/Ebook
Get Kids Motivated for Math
Try these simple tips to help your kid find a love of math.

Article/Ebook
Preschool–grade 12
Explaining the News to Our Kids
Dramatic, disturbing news events can leave parents speechless. These age-based tips on how to talk to kids about the news -- and listen, too -- can help.

Article/Ebook
How to Develop Perseverance
Use this resource to help your kid learn how to push through all kinds of challenges.

Website/App
grades 1–3
Reading Skills Boost
This free program includes nine weeks of daily literacy practice to help kids in grades 1 to 3 catch up or stay on track.

Article/Ebook
Strategies to Practice Writing
Learn about the benefits of writing and how you can encourage your kid's writing abilities.
Video
How to Add a School Account in Family Link
Watch this video about using Family Link with a school account on a Chromebook. Learn about safety and accessibility features.

Article/Ebook
Giving Kids the Sense of Belonging
The sense of belonging is important for kids' physical and mental well-being. Learn how to help them feel part of their school community.

Article/Ebook
Preschool–grade 12
Talking to Kids About the Violence at the U.S. Capitol
Use these age-based tips and questions to have conversations as a family about disturbing events.

Article/Ebook
Preschool–grade 12
How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects
In a world where even little kids learn about horrific subjects, it's important for parents to put things in perspective, field questions, and search for answers together

Activity
Preschool–grade 12
Winter Break Activities for Families
Cut out the cards and drop them into a jar. Try one, two, or 10 to keep the family thinking and creating while school's out!

Article/Ebook
Parents' Decision Guide to YouTube for Young Kids Infographic
Use this flowchart to find the best way to support a healthy and age appropriate use of YouTube with young kids.

Interactive
Preschool
Support Your Kid's Learning with a Growth Mindset
A positive growth mindset can make kids more resilient when it comes to learning. With this tool, you can learn more about it.
Set expectations and ground rules for distance learning at home.

Article/Ebook
Parents' Decision Guide to YouTube for Young Kids Infographic
Use this flowchart to find the best way to support a healthy and age appropriate use of YouTube with young kids.

Article/Ebook
Parent and Family Digital Learning Guide
This guide explains the benefits of digital learning and helps parents and caregivers understand best practices for distance learning.

Website/App
Take N.O.T.E.
Are you wondering why your child is struggling? Use this step-by-step tool to help you figure out whether the struggles you’re seeing might be signs of a learning or thinking difference.

Article/Ebook
5 Steps for a Different Kind of School Year
Five steps to help your child stay on track, no matter where learning takes place.

Article/Ebook
Parent-Teacher Planning Tool
Three simple steps to help you partner with your child's teacher.

Article/Ebook
Parent Tips and Tricks for Distance Learning
Help keep kids focused, interested, and balanced while learning from home.

Worksheet
Digital Learning Pledge for Grades K–5
Set expectations for device care, online behavior, learning responsibilities, and more with this customizable agreement in English and Spanish.

Worksheet
Digital Learning Agreement for Grades 6–12
Discuss expectations for online communication, safety, device use, and more with your tween or teen using this customizable agreement in English and Spanish.

Article/Ebook
grades 3–5
Get Kids Ready for Video-Chatting
Set kids up for success by doing a trial run, testing your equipment, and reviewing appropriate behavior for online lessons.

Website/App
Family Tips on Media Balance for Grades K–5
These few simple practices can help your family find a healthy balance with media and tech, even during distance learning.

Website/App
Family Tips on Media Balance for Grades 6–12
Even though media and tech are essential for distance learning, families can find balance by following a few simple practices.

Website/App
Family Tips on Cyberbullying for All Ages
More time online might expose kids to more mean online behavior. Help kids dodge the drama and stand up for others with these key tips.
Find tips, activities, games, and more to support math learning.

Article/Ebook
Get Kids Motivated for Math
Try these simple tips to help your kid find a love of math.

Worksheet
Recover Lost Learning
Use these worksheet packets for kids in grades K–5 to get them up to speed with essential math skills.

Website/App
grades K–6
Daily Math Activities for Families
These plans have daily math activities, along with digitally accessible and downloadable resources.

Article/Ebook
grades K–2
Reveal the Hidden Math
Look for opportunities to practice basic math concepts every day with young kids.


Article/Ebook
grades K–2
Everyday Math for Young Kids
Practice math by incorporating these ideas into your daily routine.

Interactive
Math Snacks
Check out the games and choose one that provides practice on a familiar or new concept.

Video
Everyday Early Math Tips
Learn easy tips to incorporate basic math activities for young kids.

Website/App
grades K–5
Zearn
Innovative online math curriculum offers live whole- and small-group instruction along with adaptive independent practice.

Website/App
LearnZillion
Access over 1,000 free video lessons to enhance your math instruction or tailor the learning to kids' needs.

Article/Ebook
grades 6–8
10 Best Math Tools for Middle School
Guide kids through the transition from foundational concepts to deeper math skills with engaging activities that build their math fluency and confidence.

Article/Ebook
grades K–5
10 Best Math Tools for Elementary School
Jump into early math with tools to help kids learn counting, estimation, rounding, representing data, and measurement skills.

Article/Ebook
grades 9–12
10 Best Math Tools For High School
Prepare students for learning beyond high school with advanced algebra, calculus, test practice, and lots of real-life problem-solving.
Focus on reading skills with these free tips, activities, games, and more.

Website/App
grades 1–3
Reading Skills Boost
This free program includes nine weeks of daily literacy practice to help kids in grades 1 to 3 catch up or stay on track.

Article/Ebook
Strategies to Practice Writing
Learn about the benefits of writing and how you can encourage your kid's writing abilities.

Website/App
grades K–12
Colorín Colorado!
Find advice, recommendations, videos, and more for teachers and families of English-language learners.

Website/App
grades K–5
Epic!
Choose a book, read it yourself, or listen and follow along to fiction and nonfiction.

Article/Ebook
Reading Tips for Parents with School-Aged Children
Read these tips to support specific reading skills at home.

Article/Ebook
Fun Ways to Promote Literacy with Young Children
Playful literacy activity ideas for young kids you can add to your everyday routine. Available in English and Spanish.

Video
Having Fun with Words
Use your daily routine as an opportunity for vocabulary building with these tips.

Lesson
grades 2–9
Khan Academy ELA
Choose your grade level (2–9) and then an interactive lesson to build vocabulary and reading comprehension.

Website/App
Newsela
Browse high-interest articles on everything from current events to science—each available in five Lexile levels ranging from grade 3 to 12.

Interactive
grades K–3
Lalilo
Focus on essential early literacy skills like sight words, word families, and letter-sound recognition.

Article/Ebook
grades K–3
Favorite Phonics Games
These engaging experiences will delight kids and encourage them to explore words and build literacy.

Article/Ebook
grades K–12
Great Vocabulary Games, Apps, and Sites
Get kids engaged with words and give them the supports to understand definitions, uses, and meanings.
Everything you need to know about the apps and devices your kid is using for distance learning.
Video
How to Add a School Account in Family Link
Watch this video about using Family Link with a school account on a Chromebook. Learn about safety and accessibility features.

Article/Ebook
What to Ask When Your Kid Brings Home a School-Issued Laptop
There are no silly questions when it comes to the technology your kid will be learning on.

Article/Ebook
Understand Google Classroom
Learn more about this popular classroom management tool so you can best support your kid's online learning.

Article/Ebook
What You Need to Know About Zoom
What is Zoombombing? Is Zoom safe for kids? Get answers to your most pressing questions about this popular video-conferencing tool.
Video
How to Use the Google Translate App
Watch this video to learn how to use this translation app.
Video
6 Tips for Families Using the Seesaw Class App
If your kid's teacher is using Seesaw Class to share assignments, check out these tips on how to use the app from your mobile device.
Video
How to Use ClassDojo
Watch this video to learn about the tool many educators use to communicate with families and students.

Video
Getting Started with the Microsoft Teams App
If your kid's teacher is using Microsoft Teams for distance learning, follow these steps to use the app from your mobile device or desktop computer.

Website/App
Tips and Tricks to Manage Your Kid's School-Issued Computer
From parental controls to consequences for misuse, here's everything you need to know about using your kid's school computer for distance learning.

Video
Tips for Parents Using the Schoology Mobile App
If your kid's teacher is using Schoology to run classroom activities, check out these tips on how to use the app.

Video
5 Things Parents Should Know About Zoom
Watch this video to understand the basics of Zoom.
Learn ways to support your family's emotional and mental health.
Article/Ebook
Preschool–grade 12
Explaining the News to Our Kids
Dramatic, disturbing news events can leave parents speechless. These age-based tips on how to talk to kids about the news -- and listen, too -- can help.
Visit
Article/Ebook
How to Develop Perseverance
Use this resource to help your kid learn how to push through all kinds of challenges.
Visit
Article/Ebook
Giving Kids the Sense of Belonging
The sense of belonging is important for kids' physical and mental well-being. Learn how to help them feel part of their school community.
Visit
Article/Ebook
Preschool–grade 12
Talking to Kids About the Violence at the U.S. Capitol
Use these age-based tips and questions to have conversations as a family about disturbing events.
Visit
Article/Ebook
Preschool–grade 12
How to Talk to Kids About Difficult Subjects
In a world where even little kids learn about horrific subjects, it's important for parents to put things in perspective, field questions, and search for answers together
Visit
Activity
Preschool–grade 12
Winter Break Activities for Families
Cut out the cards and drop them into a jar. Try one, two, or 10 to keep the family thinking and creating while school's out!
Visit
Download
Interactive
Preschool
Support Your Kid's Learning with a Growth Mindset
A positive growth mindset can make kids more resilient when it comes to learning. With this tool, you can learn more about it.
Visit
Article/Ebook
Enjoy the Holidays More with Mindfulness
Learn how slowing down and taking some time to focus on mindfulness can help you and your family enjoy this holiday season.
Visit
Interactive
Character Strengths Finder
Discover which character strengths your kid displays most often and how to help them develop them further.
Visit
Article/Ebook
10 Tips for Raising Grateful Kids
Practicing gratitude is key for happiness and resilience. Use these tips to teach your kids about this important character strength.
Visit
Video
Elections in the Digital Age: How to Cut Through the Noise
Watch Common Sense for a discussion about how you, media, and tech companies can help give all voters, and especially young voters, the resources and tools necessary to separate fact from fiction and make sense of election news and social media coverage this election season and beyond.
Watch
Video
Creating a School Culture and Curriculum of Racial Equity and Justice
Watch this important conversation with Common Sense, social justice experts, school administrators, and educators.
Watch