Category Archives: YouTube

Top 15 Educational YouTube Channels for Homeschooling

Often overlooked because of safety issues, educating with YouTube can be a rewarding experience for you and your homeschooled children. My family has homeschooled for two decades, way before YouTube was a thing and what I wouldn’t give to have had this resource way back when. We have YouTube now and we take advantage of it as often as we need to.

What follows is a list of our favorite 15 educational YouTube channels for homeschooling.

Videos for the Younger Crowd

Safety, safety, safety is the key to the best experience for younger kids. I’ve found that by using the Safe.Vision app I am entirely equipped to control what YouTube channels my children watch, especially my 6-year-old. Here are three of the channels I allow my young child (mostly) unfettered access to:

Kid Time Story Time

I’ll admit that I don’t really enjoy reading books to my children. This doesn’t make me a terrible homeschooler anymore, YouTube to the rescue!

My youngest child is partial to the Kid Time Story Time channel, mostly because of the cute stuffed animals and lively storyteller. I am partial to Kid Time Story Time because of the sheer number of quality available books, Biographies, mental & physical well-being, conflict resolution; there are so many stories here that your child won’t run out of stories anytime soon.

KidTimeStoryTime channel on YouTube

Baby First TV

It’s 5:00 pm, you’re trying to start dinner and put the groceries away, and your toddler is cranky. You’re probably cranky too. I’ve not always been “that person” who uses TV as a baby sitter, but life is hard and sometimes you just need a break. Baby First TV was created to stimulate young brains by showcasing gentle, vividly-colored, and musical programming.

Baby First TV has been around since my now 17-year-old was, well, a baby. It was an extra cable subscription back then but now all you have to do is log into YouTube. Your toddler will learn about art, math, friendship, and you can cook in quiet. For a few minutes, anyhow.

BabyFirst channel on YouTube

Cosmic Kids Yoga

I’ve been hearing all about how amazing Cosmic Kids is for years. Years! Earlier this year I finally listened. Why did it take me so long??

My youngest child is entranced with this story-based Yoga YouTube channel. Cosmic Kids Yoga features Jaime Amor, who hails from England, who guides your child through favorite stories with story-based guided yoga & meditation videos.

Cosmic Kids Yoga channel on YouTube

Best Science Programs on YouTube

The Spangler Effect

Steve Spangler is a mainstay of science education. He has all sorts of goodies on his YouTube channel in the form of science experiments you can’t (and can) do at home. You’ll likely hear lots of “Awesome!” and “Hey mom, come see this!”s. Sorry about that.

TheSpanglerEffect channel on YouTube

PBS Eons is a show my family and I never miss, and I mean never. Thanks to a recommendation from my teenaged son, we have a new favorite show. Perfect especially for high school (due to depth of subject material), PBS Eons episodes are about pre-history and are quite short, just 8-11 minutes. Dinosaurs, biology, evolution, and extinction are a few of the topics you’ll see in their extensive playlists.

PBS Eons channel on YouTube

Brave Wilderness

Have you ever thought, “Self, I think I should get stung by an Asian Giant Hornet today just to see if it hurts!”. I never have but Coyote Peterson sure has. Coyote not only loves to be bitten and stung by animals, he’s also developed an astonishing amount of animal-related educational materials! Oh, and did I mention his VR videos yet?

Brave Wilderness channel on YouTube

YouTube Channels I Recommend for World History

The Great War

My daughter discovered The Great War while doing background research for a story. When she told me about the unique premise of the show, I knew this channel was on to something.

The Great War teaches viewers about WW1 in real-time. Yes, real-time! Each episode is presented as a news broadcast-style, bias-free, video that examines all sides of the war, not just the American story. The war is only a small part of the program, much emphasis is placed on the people who aren’t on the battlefield. News from the homefront, fashion around the world, contemporary entertainers, you get the idea. The entire series is available, start the videos on the week you’re currently in for the best experience.

The Great War channel on YouTube

Crash Course

If you haven’t heard of Crash Course, boy are you in for a treat. The Green Brothers take us on a fast-paced* but easily understandable, journey through history. These cleverly-animated videos were created for older students and adults, however, there is a Crash Course Jr YouTube channel that plays programming for more appropriate for younger audiences. A lot of homeschoolers use these videos to supplement their history curriculum or as the jumping-off point for a great unit study. Regardless, Crash Course is not only educational, it’s funny to boot.

*If your child needs a slower pace, there are websites that offer transcripts of each episode at very little cost. My teens usually watch the video followed by reading the transcript.

CrashCourse channel on YouTube

History for Kids

Kids need to learn world history from an impartial source. I rarely say the word need, but in this case, I believe History for Kids (from Homeschool Pop) should be watched by kids everywhere.

History for Kids is set apart from other channels because of the thoughtfulness of presentation for each grade level. History for Kids covers PreK-3rd grade, and are designed as such. PreK & Kindergarten videos feature slower speaking and video transitions. First and second grades introduce new terms and concepts. Third grade features more “mature” content like slavery & Christopher Columbus. The videos are not meant to be persuasive, they simply present bias-free facts in an age-appropriate manner.

Homeschool Pop channel on YouTube

Math Videos

Math, ugh. When you’re a mathphobe it can be exceedingly difficult not to pass your feelings about math to your children. This is not a good thing, trust me. Parents who despise math create kids who despise math. What’s the answer then? YouTube.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy has been very popular with homeschooling families for good reason. The founder of Khan Academy, Sal Khan, takes you step-by-step through math equations.

Parents have the ability to assign videos and curriculum based on your child’s mathematical experience. My 17-year-old is currently using Khan Academy for geometry, switching over from the slower-paced curriculum she has used for years.

Khan Academy channel on YouTube

Math Antics

Math Antics, long used by tutors, is a supplementary, explanation-first math program. In fact, my younger teen is using it with his tutor right now! The host of Math Antics is super engaging, funny when appropriate, and presents math in a way that makes learning math a whole lot easier.

mathantics channel on YouTube

NumberRock

NumberRock is 1. Hilarious and 2. Perfect for visual & auditory learners and 3. Introduces math terminology in kid-friendly ways. NumberRock offers videos for pre-K through 3rd grade and translates their content into several languages, making them an exemplary example of the quality of videos on YouTube.

NUMBEROCK channel on YouTube

Human Interest YouTube Channels

Some videos are just plain interesting. Human interest videos can teach empathy, awareness, and tell stories about humanity. Here are some of the best human interest channels we have found so far:

This American Life

My favorite TV show turned Podcast, This American Life, provides audio of their podcast episodes on YouTube. While there is no visual component, This Americal Life is definitely worth a listen. We cast the videos to our SmartTV, which we’ve found perfect for audio-only videos.

This American Life tells the stories of ordinary people, both the amusing and ugly side of life in the United States. Content warning: This American Life is most appropriate for high schoolers & adults. I recommend all watchers read the description of the episodes first as I have found a few of them to be triggering.

This American Life channel on YouTube

Mental Floss

My kids enjoy Mental Floss a lot, my son mourned the discontinuation of the Mental Floss Magazine, but it resulted in a flourishing YouTube channel. Mental Floss episodes are just a few minutes long and presented in a highly-engaging format. The hosts of Mental Floss will teach you everything about everything you didn’t know you wanted to learn about. Or so we think, anyhow. Be sure to reading the description of episodes to avoid content you may find too mature.

Mental Floss channel on YouTube

Candyseed Stories

Candyseed Stories is such a charming YouTube Channel designed for younger family members. In these videos kids are introduced to books and stories that celebrate diversity, featuring guest hosts and books of many racial & cultural backgrounds. Candyseed’s dedication to presenting diversity in every story is meant to help close the systemic racial divide all around the world, making our children better world citizens.

Candyseed Stories channel on YouTube

Rather than passively educating, YouTube delivers experiences that are enthralling, interactive, and well-digested. Youtube is a free resource that most of us have access to, and with proper supervision, it can be used both as a supplement and curriculum. Teaching with YouTube is a perfect fit for most students, I hope it works as well for your family as it does mine.

Using YouTube for Homeschooling

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Screen time tends to get a bad rap these days but with careful supervision, your child can access more knowledge of the world than any textbook or worksheet can provide. Watching streaming content is relevant to our children and it helps them absorb information in a new way. For instance, if your child is studying world history, it’s the perfect time to add a video tour of Versailles! Streaming videos allow your child to experience new dimensions of learning from the comfort of your living room, no crowds & no passport needed.

I am what I refer to as a “third-semester homeschooler”, by which I mean I have three “generations” of kids, all of whom are or were homeschooled. I have two graduates, three teens, and a young child. Being in this position, I have watched the tools available to homeschooling families grow exponentially. What I would have given to have streaming media available when my older children were young! I didn’t know a lot about learning styles then, but what I did know is that neither of my kids responded well to anything that was considered “proper homeschooling”. I use streaming media as often as I can now, it reduces stress for both me & my children, and I know they are receptive to it.

YouTube is our go-to streaming service for several reasons. First, with three teens in the house, we need to have a way for them to quickly access very specific information and YouTube provides that. Second, my kids really enjoy learning from screens. One of our children is extremely knowledgeable about World War 2 because a video game sparked his interest and YouTube filled in all of the details. Third, you can find content for ANYTHING on YouTube. Take ukelele lessons, learn to sew, whatever strikes your fancy.

Bringing new and unexpected places into your home is perhaps one of the very best learning opportunities with YouTube though virtual & augmented reality videos. Some of our very favorite field trips have been spent in the depths of the Glow Worm Caves in New Zealand, riding waves with dolphins in California, and taking a journey to space. We weren’t just watching, we were interacting, immersed. These experiences cost you nothing and will leave a lasting impression on your child.

“But Meg, how does watching videos count as homeschooling?”

“What if they watch TV all day?”

These questions are, very rightfully so, at the top of parent’s concerns when I mention learning with YouTube. As for videos “counting”, you can always use the videos as an extension or basis for a unit study or have your child write a few paragraphs about the video. Be mindful in making screen time too educational, sometimes it’s ok to enjoy a video for the sheer love of learning and nothing else.

Parental supervision is the key when it comes to screen time and setting limits. Some individuals need more guidance when it comes to online activity than others, and you are the only one who can determine what guidelines are right for your family. YouTube is possibly the internet’s greatest accomplishment, an almost perfect educational tool. Don’t be afraid to let it into your home and see how much life springs into your child’s education.

The Problem with Letting Your Children Watch YouTube

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There is no doubt that technology has changed the way we look after our children. Many parents use tablets, iPads, and mobile phones to keep their children occupied. It’s convenient, easy and it works.

For many parents, gone are the days of humiliation and frustration caused from ‘those looks’ from others in the waiting room when their child talks too loud, runs around, makes high pitched noises, crying, screaming, and tantrums. It’s now quite common to see kids in waiting rooms sitting quietly with eyes transfixed on a hand held screen.

YouTube is one of the most engaging places for children with an extremely large array of videos that are great for kids including pre school & early education videos, nursery rhymes, songs, cartoons, movies, even cooking tutorials for kids.

All this truly is wonderful but we can’t ignore that fact that there is a huge problem with kids using YouTube. Parents often forget that YouTube is an video sharing platform open to all with a tremendous number of videos that are most definitely not suitable for children. Some videos are even disguised as kids videos with ‘kid friendly’ titles and images.

Quick… Stop it! Close down, cover it up!

Imagine your child, while watching a video they notice a thumbnail image of that looks like fun. They tap to view and less than a minute of Peppa Pig dancing and singing it cuts to Peppa Pig being stabbed or cuts to an edit of inappropriate sexual behavior right before your child’s eyes. I’m sure that would horrify you sending shivers down your spine.

Allowing your child to use YouTube is risky even when you are looking over their shoulder at every moment. Unfortunately some parents have come across inappropriate content during direct supervision only to find it took too many seconds to prevent their child from seeing more. Sadly their child has already viewed enough to either become shocked, scared, or intrigued. As a responsible parent we just can’t take the risk.

Thankfully there are some great solutions.

There are apps that can be used specifically for kids that filter videos to ensure that inappropriate content doesn’t get in front of children. YouTube kids has been developed specifically for this purpose. If you let your child watch YouTube videos you should, at the very least use YouTube Kids which is available from the App Store and Google Play. The only issue with YouTube Kids is the videos are filtered by robots so some videos that we shouldn’t let our children view can get through.

Safe Vision is Safe!

Safe Vision is, as the name suggests, is safe. All videos and video channels are screened by humans not robots. Parents can also add videos and channels they know are safe. It’s the perfect solution to entertain with total peace of mind.

You can install Safe Vision here…

Get Safe Vision App

Is YouTube Safe for Kids?

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No, YouTube is not safe for kids to watch without close parent supervision. YouTube terms of service prohibit using YouTube website to children under 13 years old.

It’s seems like from birth my kiddos have had a technological device in their hands. Intuitively they’ve known how to swipe, click, and select their favorite things on their favorite devices. I do limit the time my children are exposed to devices, but I’m also not one to say that technology is nothing but evil. I think there are some real positives to kids using technology and services like YouTube. Even though I impose limits to screen time and place restrictions on their technology use, I still wonder about what they are accessing on these devices.

Lately, I’ve started to become more concerned that maybe I need to be exploring better options for my kids. Their love of YouTube (and my love of many of its offerings for children) is a tough habit to break. I have more recently begun to wonder: Is YouTube okay for my kids? Can it be used in a positive way? How safe is YouTube for children?

The good side of YouTube

Occasionally, I’ll hear my toddler state a fact about a dinosaur that I’m pretty sure we’ve never taught him. Or even mention a dinosaur that I have never heard of before. When I follow up with him, he explains that he learned about it on YouTube. I search for that dinosaur, and there it is! He really did learn about it in a video.

When we have a rainy day and want to do something fun, YouTube will teach us many fun activities to try. For our first attempt at making slime, we watched a video together, and then we gave it a try. It was a huge success.

Sometimes I’m at the doctor’s office with my children, and they need to get shots. And they’re miserable. I’ll try distracting them with funny faces, hugs, and silly songs. Finally, I offer them the chance to watch Elmo on my phone. I search YouTube for Elmo, and there he is. My child hears his voice, sees his fuzzy red face, and relaxes a bit. The distraction is good. The calming effect is helpful, and all is right with the world.

YouTube obviously is a tool that has a positive side to it. But what are its downfalls?

The negatives of YouTube

When my kids click on YouTube videos, they might see animals in the wild or see their favorite characters singing a catchy tune. They might hear a character teaching a foreign language or introducing numbers and shapes. Wouldn’t it be great if these informative and appropriate videos were a guaranteed result?

Unfortunately, this isn’t always going to happen. I have overheard curse words coming out of YouTube videos when I have stepped away and a new video has loaded. I have seen scary and inappropriate pop-up ads for horror movies and other products geared toward adults. Additionally, I know there are a lot of crazy videos out there that I definitely do not want my kids viewing. There are disturbing videos with foul language, sex, violence, rudeness, bullying, and more.

This bad side to YouTube makes me want to sit next to my child and watch every single video with him for the rest of his life. But I realize that this is not a realistic expectation.

What should we do as parents?

Because YouTube does have many positive aspects, and because I believe that everything is good in moderation — even technology, I am not at a place in life where I want to ban YouTube from my house. On its own, there are many risks and areas that are unsafe on YouTube for children of all ages. However, I would say that YouTube is a safe place for children if restrictions and safe viewing programs are in place. With a little research, parents can find a safe viewing tool that can create a safe YouTube experience for their kiddos.

(All photos from unsplash.com.)

Kid-friendly YouTube Channels

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YouTube has a lot of kid-friendly shows. However I strongly recommend using a filter to prevent access to inappropriate videos. Try Safe Vision app – it’s free and all channels below are available there.

Big Block Singsong

Big Block Singsong is a hilarious and thoughtful series of musical animations by director and animator, Warren Brown and composer and recording artist, Adam Goddard.

Many full episodes are available where colourful characters sing and perform.

Big Block Singsong YouTube channel

Little Charley Bear

Little Charley Bear is an enchanting CGI infant series about an imaginative and playful bear. Under the watchful eye of his friend, the Narrator, this adorable little bear uses his imagination to play and go on adventures where he discovers new things about himself and the world around him through active role play.

Aimed at young children aged up to four years, Little Charley Bear is a gently paced show that inspires creativity, discovery and imagination. It has the feel of a classic children’s television show but with advanced modern animation. Although Little Charley Bear doesn’t talk, he can clearly convey what he is thinking and feeling. The Narrator provides Little Charley Bear with helpful advice and guidance throughout the show. He is his mentor and trusted carer figure, however it is Little Charley Bear and his imagination that drives the story.

Little Charley Bear YouTube channel

Raa Raa the Noisy Lion

Raa Raa and his friends solve noisy mysteries, go on adventures and have lots of fun while mastering language and communication skills. Based in the Jingly Jangly Jungle, each episode follows Raa Raa and his wonderful gang of friends; Topsy the giraffe, Huffty the elephant, Crocky the crocodile, Zebby the Zebra and Ooo Ooo the cheeky little monkey. Each of Raa Raa’s noisy friends has a special communication talent to help the gang convey information and meaning and help Raa Raa solve the problem of the day.

Raa Raa the Noisy Lion official YouTube channel

The Little Grey Fergie

The little grey tractor with a secret – he’s alive!

Little Grey Fergie YouTube channel

Lassie

“Lassie” is an animated series that updates the classic story of the noble dog. Lassie now belongs to Ranger Graham and Dr. Sarah Parker’s family. Their 10 year old daughter Zoe, her best friend Harvey, and the fearless, faithful Lassie fill their days with adventure. From facing down a backcountry brush fire to reaching out to some of the characters who live in the park’s countless canyons, for Lassie and Zoe each day brings new, exciting and sometimes dangerous challenges.

Lassie YouTube channel

The Jungle Book

Join Mowgli and his friends Bagheera, Baloo and Kaa the Python, as they take on the evil Shere Khan who is out to get Mowgli. Set in the lush jungle of Seeonee, Central India, The Jungle Book explores how Mowgli lives and survives in the wild. Filled with wonderful adventures and valuable life lessons.

The Jungle Book YouTube channel

Bumba – the Little Clown

Bumba is a little mischievous but always cheerful clown. He performs in a circus full of sounds and colors. To help him, he can always count on his best friend Bumbalu.

Bumba YouTube channel

Maya the Bee

A young bee named Maya has left her hive to discover the beauty and mysteries of nature. As she explores the meadow where she lives, she meets other insects living there, plays to her heart’s content and shares her joy with her friends. Constantly amazed by her discoveries, Maya’s enthusiasm is contagious.

Maya the Bee YouTube channel

Olivia the Pig

Olivia is a little pig with a big personality and even bigger dreams. Whether she is at home with her family or at school with her friends, Olivia sees every day as an adventure. This 6 3/4 year-old dynamo has an extraordinary imagination and believes anything is possible – if you can dream it, you can achieve it! Confident, spirited and lovable, this precocious pig is an expert at making her voice heard, inspiring girls everywhere to think boldly and dream BIG.

Olivia the Pig Official YouTube channel

Peppa Pig

Peppa lives with her mummy and daddy and her little brother, George. Her adventures are fun, sometimes involve a few tears, but always end happily.

Peppa Pig – official YouTube channel

Hey Duggee

Duggee is a big friendly dog who runs The Squirrel Club – a place where kids take part in all kinds of activities, have adventures & earn activity badges along the way.

Hey Duggee official YouTube channel

Postman Pat

Each story features Postman Pat and his black and white cat Jess and their adventures in the village of Greendale. Pat is more than just a friendly postman delivering the mail, he is always ready to lend a willing hand to all the people he meets on his rounds.

Postman Pat official YouTube channel

Booba

Booba is cute and inquisitive, like a five-year-old kid. He explores the world without anger or resentment, only joy and wonder. He doesn’t talk, although he does make sounds to express his emotions.

Nobody knows where he came from, but he has obviously missed the last 100 years of human progress and explores modern locations with boundless energy and enthusiasm. His awkward movements, combined with a strong desire to learn more about the world around him, often have hilarious results!

Booba YouTube channel

Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom

Young fairy princess Holly and her best friend, Ben Elf, live in Little Kingdom, a tiny land where flowers and grass grow above the tallest towers. Being a princess, Holly has magical powers, but her attempts at magic often go awry — but that is to be expected because even her fairy teacher, Nanny Plum, sometimes has spells that don’t go as planned. Thankfully, Ben is there to help when things don’t go right for Holly; although he doesn’t possess special abilities, he is extremely handy. Together, Holly and Ben go on adventures with their friends, including Gaston the Ladybird, and work together to fix magical mistakes.

Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom official YouTube channel

Fireman Sam

Fireman Sam is a British animated comedy children’s series about a fireman called Sam, his fellow firefighters, and other residents in the fictional Welsh rural village of Pontypandy.

Fireman Sam YouTube channel