Just for Kids
It’s no simple feat to get kids ready for school. You’re trying to find everything on your kids’ school supply lists, rebuild their wardrobes (grass isn’t the only thing growing fast in summer), reorganize family schedules, and more. In the meantime, every child in the house has turned into a human tripping hazard as the grown-ups fly around getting things done – or trying to. You need a way to keep the big kids occupied so you can focus, and you’re suddenly acutely aware that the little ones need more preparation for their future school experience, like making sure they know their ABCs and can count all their fingers and toes. There’s not enough time in the day to get it all done!
Good news, it just got easier. If you have high-speed Internet, then you now have access to over more streaming videos and interactive games than you could fit into one childhood, all kid-safe and ad-free. You can easily view the content on any device, whether a computer or smartphone.
Just for Kids is a streaming collection available free through your library. You don’t even need a library card or a login to enjoy it! By going through the library’s website, you can ensure that you get everything for free. Go to BocoLibraries.info and click the graphic on the home page or find the link in the online resources.
Once you’re in, you’ll see a huge collection of educational videos, including Sesame Street, Dr. Seuss, Franklin, The Electric Company, Reading Rainbow, and the Berenstain Bears. For older kids, find everything from STEM education to the Odd Squad adventures. The collection even includes homework help in specific subjects. Besides that, you’ll find songs, games and more interactive experiences.
You can browse as you please, search for something specific, or explore by topic. Your child can learn basic reading, math, arts and culture, history, science, health, sports, geography, and even foreign languages. Whether watching a video for “edutainment” or testing their knowledge with interactives, your child will discover that learning is fun – a mindset that sets your child up for success throughout their life.
If you want to curate what your child can view, no problem. Click on the profile button to create a free personal account. With the account, you can set up multiple playlists (for example, a playlist for each child or playlists for specific topics), adding only the content that you want your child to access. With an account, you can also save favorites and even share content with your friends via email or social media.
We hope that this discovery takes a little pressure out of your busy back-to-school whirlwind, as well as help your children slide into that eager-to-learn, constant-curiosity mindset that will make all the difference in their educational and life success.
If you’re not sure where to start or have more questions, call your local library branch or email bocolibraries@botetourtva.gov. We’re happy to help you get started with Just for Kids!
~ Julie Phillips, Director
Botetourt County Libraries