Common Sense Media Review
By Lynne Glasner
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
PBS site for kids and adults has learning for everyone.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
From the top navigation, visitors can access sections for Students, Educators, or Parents and Caregivers. The Students section of the site offers learning options for all ages, from educational games for young kids to GED and adult education information. Kids can also access The Homework Hotline, a section of informative videos for middle school kids. Tabs at the top of the page link to videos as well as activities with printable worksheets. The Parents and Caregivers section features links to guides and resources to help enhance kids' learning.
Is It Any Good?
THIRTEEN ED ONLINE is a PBS-sponsored collection of some of the best educational web content around. Most of the links take visitors to other websites, all of which offer solid educational materials. Thirteen Ed Online divides the content for basic age groups from preschool to adults. While these broad categories can be hard to navigate, each is age appropriate and facilitates learning. The information for parents is helpful, especially for those with younger kids. For those kids who already watch PBS TV shows, the site offers supplemental material that will keep them tuned in. For middle school kids, there's nothing wrong with surfing and playing the video games, all of which have excellent educational content related to school work. And even if it's not directly related to what kids are doing in school at the time, there's still much learning to be had.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Show your high school kids the test prep tips and guides. Ask them questions to get them thinking about their own test-taking strategies. How do you feel on test day? What strategies do you use to get ready for a big test? Are any of these tips new to you?
Use the parent information section to guide young kids in using the games and reinforcing the content. Suggest they look at a game that challenges a subject or skill that's challenging for your kids. Math may not seem so daunting when experienced in the context of a game.
Website Details
- Subjects : Language & Reading : letter or word recognition , storytelling , vocabulary , Math : algebra , arithmetic , counting , estimation , fractions , geometry , measurement , numbers , shapes , Science : animals , chemistry , energy , life cycle , physics , weather , Social Studies : events , geography , government , historical figures , history
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : applying information , investigation , logic , making conclusions , problem solving , strategy , thinking critically , Self-Direction : academic development , effort , Health & Fitness : exercise , fitness , preventing sickness
- Genre : Educational
- Pricing structure : Free
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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