Resources to support parents

Last updated 22 July, 2021. See the latest entry.

The Australian School Library Association Inc. is the national authority, the peak forum in the field of teacher librarianship and school library resource services. Its aim is to maximise opportunities for students to obtain independent lifelong learning and decision making skills. In this time of educational challenge with learning and teaching forced offsite and online, ASLA wil not waver in this commitment. To this end ASLA provides these resources for parents and carers to support the work that school library staff is doing in schools across our nation.

Learning from Home

As a national organisation we bring you links to resources for learning from home, specific to each state and territory.

VIC | NSW | WA | QLD | SA | ACT | NT | TAS

Tips for parents and carers: Remote online schooling
This video discusses roles, workspaces, scheduling and what to do if your child has difficulty. Brought to you by Dr. Sarah Prestridge and Deniese Cox from Teaching Online: Rapid response series, Griffith University.

***New*** VideoLink (formerly SafeYouTube)
Ads and other content that pops up around YouTube videos can be distracting and even inappropriate for students. VideoLink will not show pop up ads or links to further videos. Simply, input the URL of the YouTube video, and enjoy watching and sharing a pure view of YouTube videos.

Scholastic Learn at Home
Day by day projects to keep kids from PreK to Year 9 reading, thinking and growing.

Online Stories

Free On-line Author Resources
Many publishers, authors and illustrators have stepped up to share resources for free during the COVID-19 crisis. This list is updated daily.

How to make the most of your library during the coronavirus pandemic
There's no better time to escape with a good book or movie, and with a library membership you can do just that — for free — without leaving home.

Story Box Library
Provides engaging online Australian stories for primary school aged children via local council libraries around Australia.

Enjoy stories by author Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers is an artist and author, usually based in Brooklyn but currently in CORVID-19 isolation in Ireland. He has read some of his books from his isolation.

Audible
Listen to stories. For as long as schools are closed, students everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages,

International Children’s Digital Library
Offers over 4600 titles in 59 languages freely available.

Reading Development

STEM Early Reader Home ResourcesTo assist parents during the COVID-19 health crisis, Griffith University, P&Cs Qld and Rotary District 9640 are offering, free of charge to parents across Australia, Griffith University's learn-to-read book series, Suzie the Scientist and Millie the Mathematician. These early reader levelled books link reading development directly to the Australian Curriculum in Science and Maths.

Information Literacy

How to Help Learners Build Solid Research Skills for Life
To build solid research skills, you need a process that counts. Information Fluency helps your children develop research skills that matter in school and life. This article presents 5 steps to achieve this.

Cybersafety
An extensive collection of cybersafety resources and initiatives. Includes resources provided by the Australian Government.

3 ways to help children think critically about the news
Like adults, children use the news to learn about what’s happening in the world. But the circulation of misinformation, such as the recent spread of fake news about COVID-19 (the disease caused by coronavirus), blurs our understanding of events and issues. Help your children identify reliable news sources.

KidsNews
A free literacy resource using news stories. Includes tasks and activities.

Behind the News [BTN]
Presented by the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) BTN presents an analysis of current news to help students understand the news in a simple way. The site holds archives, quizzes, and more.

Out and About from the Couch

The National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia brings to life the rich and diverse stories of Australia through compelling objects, ideas and events. We focus on Indigenous histories and cultures, European settlement and our interaction with the environment.

Smithsonian
The official website of the Smithsonian, the world's largest museum and research complex, includes 19 museums, 9 research centers, and affiliates around the world. Enjoy fun stuff for kids and teens.

12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours 
Experience the best museums from London to Seoul in the comfort of your own home.

Zoos Victoria Animal House
Zoos Victoria has set up live stream cameras from Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo, so you can enjoy the zoo from anywhere.

San Diego Zoo
Learn ablut animlas through images, videos, stories, activities and games.

Activities

Laureate Resources
The Australian Children's Laureate Foundation provides free writing and craft resources based on the work of the Children's Literature Laureate.

Spine Poetry
Spine Poetry is a kind of poetry that you don’t really write from scratch – instead, you find it by arranging book titles to make a poem. You can even do it without having the books. Think of book tiltles you know or search for them in your school online library catalogue and make your own 'spines' from paper or cardboard. See some examples.

Pomp Pom (or Marble) Drop STEM Challenge
Get your kids thinking critically and developing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills with just some simple items from around the house.

Clever Levers (Stixplosions)
A chain reaction is one that, once started, continues by itself. It keeps happening until it runs out of materials. It is a series of reactions where the result of the first action triggers the next reaction. Create your own.

20 Maths Games for 5-8 Year Olds (and the whole family!) 
This collection of 20 maths games helps young children learn about maths while having fun with family members at home. The games are easy to play and require minimal equipment. Also check out Kathleen Morris' blog for a wealth of ideas covering digital citizenship, publishing online, global collaboration, research skills, and edtech.

Online Jigsaw Puzzles from the Melbourne Museum Collection

The Museum of Victoria as created jigsaw puzzles from images of a small selection of the collection. Tree levels of difficulty are provided. A fun way to meet fascinationg museu, pieces.

My Lockdown Diary
This is a great tool to encourage kids to practice gratitude and some mindfulness exercises.

Create a space-away
An informal learning activity for children at home. This activity challenges children – as young designers – to create a space-away for themselves at home. It has a sound educational basis and provides opportunities for children to develop various capabilities.

Things to do
Indoor activities to do with siblings | Indoor activities for teens | Indoor game and activities