Good Websites for 5 Yr-old

I have a couple of GREAT websites my 4 1/2 year old loves and I am okay to leave er to do them and not worry what she is up to and here they are:
www.starfall.com
www.pbskids.com
www.noggin.com
www.kidsgowild.com
That should be a good place to start they ALL have so many choices of games & learning on each one!Hope that helps!

Hi
My 5yo loves:
http://pbskids.org/
http://www.lookybook.com/mainpage.php?name_id=1730
http://disney.go.com/index

Good luck

Hi,

My son is almost five and loves the Sesame Street website. He can do many of the games himself.

:-) D.

Here are some great one's,recommended by my daughter's (1st grade) Teacher:

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/wordfamily/

http://teacher.scholastic.com/annie/riddlegame.asp?Action...

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/wordmaker/

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/picturematch

http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/in_the_bag/index....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/laac/numbers/ch1.shtml

http://www.littleclickers.com/

http://www.mathslice.com/

http://www.mathplayground.com/

http://www.funbrain.com/measure/

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/gpe/case1/c1m1app.html

http://www.naturegrid.org.uk/plant/index.html

http://www.primarygames.com/science/flowers/games.htm

http://pbskids.org/sagwa/games/countdown/index.html

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/100th-day-of-sc...

http://akidsheart.com/holidays/mlk/mlkday.htm

Hope this helps, all the best to you,
Susan

These are all TV-based, but fun and definitely safe for kids.

http://www.nickjr.com/

http://atv.disney.go.com/playhouse/index.html

http://pbskids.org/

Through a quick search I also found:

http://www.kidsites.com/

Here's an article I found:

Safe Web Sites for Kids
May 30, 2007
Summary Safe Web Sites for Kids
"Where did you find that Web site?"
That’s a question many parents have asked, usually after a scenario like one of the following: You discover your 7 year-old is shooting gorillas with a laser gun; your 11 year-old is watching nude models; your 9 year-old has joined a “game club” for $29.95 a month; or your 13 year-old is chatting with 40 year-olds.
Safe, appropriate Web sites
Your kids, in other words, have found some Web sites you wish they hadn’t. Instead of asking where they found those Web sites, ask yourself: how can I make sure the sites my kids visit are appropriate and safe?

Generally, there are three approaches that will help you ensure that your kids are visiting and interacting with appropriate Web sites: active involvement and vigilance; use of parental control software; and using lists of Web sites that are recommended for kids to determine what will be ok in your home. You may find that some combination of these approaches will work well for you and your kids.
Active interest and involvement
Your active interest and involvement in your kids’ Internet use is the best way to know where your kids are going and what they’re doing online. When they know you care and are paying attention, they are likely to be more careful and make better decisions. Kids who talk to their parents about Internet safety are 6 times less likely to become victims.
Look, ask, listen
Let your kids know you’re interested in what they’re doing online. Look over their shoulder. Ask them to show you the Web sites they and their friends like to visit, ask what they like about the site, how the sites work, and ask how they learned about it.
Dig a little deeper
With a little investigation you can learn a lot about a Web site, so that you can determine its appropriateness for your child. Here are some examples:
How much information must a child provide to register? If your child has already set up their account, set up your own account to review the experience. If the required information includes home address, phone number, age, or sex, you may want your child to avoid that Web site.
What are the privacy policies? Before your child provides any personal information to a Web site, you should read the site's privacy policy and make sure it has these four basic elements -

• What information the site will collect and how it will be used
• Ability to choose whether your information can be collected or used
• Access to the information you provide so you can correct inaccuracies, or remove it from the site
• Security to protect your information from loss, misuse, or alteration

Federal law requires that sites aimed at children must post privacy policies. Any site without a posted privacy policy is a site to avoid.

• Is there a parental policy? A good policy for any site marketing itself to children is to address parental concerns. Some examples are links to parental information, help removing a child's account if the parent asks them to and information about how they protect your child's privacy.
Is the content appropriate? Does the site include content that is not appropriate for children, i.e., sexual content, violence, or topics and language that are too advanced? You may have to click down a level or two to answer these questions. Or you might want to sit with your child and watch them play for a while. For example, online games can include inappropriate content, violence, or sexual graphics that may not be evident without playing the game.
Is chat included? Some sites aimed at kids include an online chat or instant messaging component. If it does, you’ll have to decide whether chat (or the site in question) is appropriate for your child. Who is allowed to chat with your child? Some sites restrict chat to people you know in the offline world, while other sites provide chat features allowing you to restrict or turn off chat.
Pay for play? Often, Web sites require kids to pay a fee to join or to get access to additional features. Yet others offer products for sale. Your point of control is your credit card, which will be required to make these purchases. Keep it in your pocket until you know for sure what product or service your child wants to buy. You should also be aware that some sites provide incentives for longer playtime on the site in the form of site-specific “currency”. If your child is spending more time than you’d like online, this could be a cause.
Parental controls
This is called letting the technology work for you. Internet security software, modern operating systems, browsers, and search engines all offer some level of parental controls. Internet security software, typically, offers the most complete controls. Parental controls enable you to block access to specific Web sites or adjust settings that will filter out inappropriate content according to parameters that you set. Symantec’s Norton Internet Security™ and Norton 360™ products have a free parental control component that can be added to the product. Your operating system may allow you to set times and durations that your children can use the computer. In addition, there are special child-safe browsers and search engines available that will only visit or return child-safe Web sites. Keep in mind, however, that parental control software is additive to parental involvement, it is not a replacement.

You need to stay alert and on top of your child’s browsing habits. Remember to check the computer’s history and make sure there aren’t signs that your child is erasing or clearing the history to prevent you from seeing evidence of visits to forbidden sites. Check the cookies on your computer too. Remember, your child’s email is a source of good information on where your child is setting up accounts and every informed parent knows, they must have access to their child’s email for this and similar reasons.
Safe Web site lists
To help you find great Web sites for kids, there are a number of sites that specialize in developing lists of safe, fun, and educational Web sites for kids. Here a few of the better known sites:
www.ala.org/greatsites — The American Library Association offers an extensive searchable list of kid safe educational and fun Web sites for children of various ages. Sites are listed in categories such as animals, arts, math, reference, and science, plus sub-categories including, music, games, and entertainment.
www.kidsites.com — KidSites.com is a commercial site with a list of Web sites and activities in a broad range of categories. It includes information for parents and teachers.
http://safekids.com — SafeKids.com provides a kid safe search engine.

Hope this helps you!

M. Dixon
Kapolei, HI

My son loves Webkinz.com he plays the games and cares for his own animal. It's great.

I would suggest that you sit down with your husband and talk about whether homeschooling plus having a new baby to care for is too much to take on. It sounds like you may be shortchanging your 5 year old by not devoting enough time to him. I know this is not intentional, if it is happening, but I would not let him on the internet without you being right there sitting next to him. Too many predators on the internet, plus you can't expect the internet to educate him like you or a teacher could. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

Hi there! I am sure you are going to get a ton of responses! My 5 1/2 yr. old especially loves these

websites:
Disney.com
nickjr.com
noggin.com
crayola.com ( great for printables, crafts..)
primarygames.com/puzzles
fupa.com
clubpenguin.com ( online community, games, and chatting when he gets older.. the parent is the person who allows the "chat function" )
squiglysplayhouse.com/games

I gave you a few out of the ordinary and typical ones that you will be told about. Though many of those are "game" sites, they still teach. I've ran searches for "free online kids games" and you'd be amazed how many wonderful sites there are out there. My 9 1/2 yr. old has a whole list of game sites for her age group that are equally fun!

Good luck, watch where he goes online, be involved and have fun!!

L.

I know this is a personal choice, but as a teacher of high school students, it is difficult to hear that you haven't been "homeschooling faithfully." What children learn in k-8 truly does determine their success in high school and college. I understand that things are more flexible with homeschooling because scheduling is easier, but .... children need to understand that education is essential and shouldn't be placed on a back burner for a time when things are moving more slowly, etc.... To homeschool is a full-time commitment. Seriously, if you are struggling with having all 4 at home and homeschooling the older ones, maybe you should consider enrolling him in school next year or even now .... as the new semester is beginning. I know you want to be with your children and be their main source of education, but it sounds like even you are questioning your ability and commitment at this moment. You can still teach the basics at home as to better prepare your children and help them in school - I wasn't home schooled, but I learned to read at home with my parents and I learned my math at home with my mother. You can add enrichment and help make your kids love education.

I hate to say this to you, but I think you need to really sit down and take a look at what you are doing and why. If you are homeschooling because it is what is best for that child, then you need to find a way to do the best job possible! The computer is not a substitute for learning. If you are relying on the computer to educate your child, you need to reevaluate your situation and consider other options. I know it can be totally overwhelming when there are the tiny babies in the mix, but bottom line, you need to make sure your educational choice for your children is providing them with what they need. So, with all of that, I would look at getting out of the house for science/nature walks, trips to the library, art and craft opportunities that are compatible with a tiny one on your hip. If that isn't working, then you really need to look at the schooling options in your area. There are groups of homeschooling parents that may be able to provide support, or moms groups in the area that have access to cool programs near you. (MOMS clubs, MochaMoms, etc...) I know our community college and local hospital both have a lot of resources and connections available for parents. Good luck to you.

My 4 year old LOVES www.starfall.com She calls it her "ABCDEFG game" lol

funbrain.com is what my kids use at their school computer lab.

My advice...put him in school then.

-M

Check out playhousedisney.com or Sesamestreet.com My 5 yr olds teacher will let them do the educational games before school starts sometimes.

Here are some sites that my 6 and 7 year old enjoy that are educational as well, I homeschool as well. Hopefully, some of these will help you.

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/kids_crafts.htm
http://www.mkisdraw3d.com/public/p_ovaa/
http://americanart.si.edu/interact/index.cfm
http://kids.discovery.com/fansites/timewarptrio/timewarpt...
http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Music/presidents.html
http://www.kewlcartoons.com/show/watch/LibertysKids
http://wordduck.com/
http://oldfashionededucation.com/
http://www.geography4kids.com/
http://www.baen.com/library/
http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/writing/Kids_Writing.html
http://www.starfall.com/
http://www.dr-mikes-math-games-for-kids.com/
http://www.ictgames.com/resources.html
http://www.math123xyz.com/
http://resources.kaboose.com/games/kid-math-games.html
http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/Math/math_kids.html
http://www.creatingmusic.com/
http://www.ilovewavs.com/ForKids/EveryDay/KidsEveryDay.htm
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/WebCams/
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/index.html
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/reachout/kidspage.shtml
http://www.nyelabs.com/
http://www.reekoscience.com/
http://sciencecastle.com/sc/index.php/home/index
http://www.learningtreasures.com/science_index_main.htm
http://www.acme.com/jef/singing_science/
http://www.si.edu/kids/
http://weirdsciencekids.com/
http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/spell/spellingmain.html
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/word_games.html
http://www.kidsspell.com/
http://coreknowledge.org/CK/resrcs/lessons/index.htm
http://www.e-learningforkids.org/index.html
http://first-school.ws/
http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/index.htm
http://www.kidskonnect.com/
http://www.nickjr.com/games/all-shows/letters-spelling-ga...
http://www.freeworksheets.com/
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/word_games.html
http://www.primarygames.com/langarts/wordo/start.htm

Here is a support group that is made up of all homeschooling moms. Thought it might help you!
http://www.thehomeschoollounge.com/

I know that there are a lot of sites, I tried to keep it to what my h=girls used a year ago, but I could have put in some links for older ages by mistake. Use what you want and ignore the rest.

Congrats to you and good luck!

www.uptoten.com

My 5 year old started when we was 3 and now he and his 3 year old sister navigate the site easily. Love everything about it. There's a free part and one for purchase; I only use the free site and it's been great.
good luck

...what is he doing online??? This may lead to future problems. What about more communication, interaction, or hands on educational things.

It is not very educational. but my son enjoyed it. It is disneys toontown! click the link below t get there try it free.

http://play.toontown.com/webHome.php?r=441204&r=21413...

hope it helps Krissy

go to funbrain.com and starfall.com. they are very educational and your child is guranteed to enjoy it. it was recommended by my son's kindergrten teacher. try it, you'll love it too.

Hi there... Starfall.com is a great web site to use!

try starfall.com. that is what my kids use at school and at home and they love it. My oldest has already mastered the reading but finds it fun to know the answers. They especially like the seasonal calendars.

J.,

Try PBS.com...

CB

try noggin or nick jr they both have sites for kids. also look up educational childrens games. good luck.

I have found allot of good educational software at best buy. That way you know what they are working on. good luck. M. R.

My absolute favorite is www.starfall.com, and www.noggin.com is fun, too...

A GOOD website is www.starfall.com. they even have a kindergarten program you can purchase.

starfall.com
imaginationcubed.com
or if you are willing to pay for access try the jumpstart site, both my 3 year old and 7 year old love that, on different levels, of course