Useful Links*
Suggested sites for you to visit with your child
The Culture Club website contains interactive dance routines and teaches children about different cultures through dance, food and quizzes.
The Hurley-Burley website contains interactive games for 3-5 year old children, including colouring-in fun and jigsaws. Children can watch animations from the Hurley-Burley television series and join in with the Hurley-Burley Man singing songs.
The "Na Dódaí" website accompanies two series of television programmes for 3-5 year olds learning the Irish language. The site contains keywords and the stories from the series, and complements the Northern Ireland Early Years Enriched Curriculum.
This page contains a wealth of fun and games for little ones. Grouped according to theme, children will love the brain-busters, music, art activities, stories, word play and the opportunity to meet some of their favourite television characters.
This site, for 7-11 year olds, encourage children to develop positive attitudes towards a healthy lifestyle. The activities help children to understand the importance of food and exercise. Some elements within site may be suitable for younger children.
Offline Activities to Explore with your Child
This resource has lots of great ideas to keep little ones entertained and help them learn through play. Along with quick links to all the fun and games, this page has useful information about the developmental outcomes of each game.
Advice for Grown-ups: You, Your Child and Technology
A selection of features written by child psychologists and educational specialists, looking at how children learn and grow across the different areas of child development.
This site introduces the idea of switch-accessible games. 'Switches' are specialised items of software which enable children, whose motor disabilities prevent them using a mouse, to access the computer.
The BBC's Parenting website covers all aspects of parenthood from preconception through to looking after your child, finding out about support available. There are useful tips on how to help your child play and learn.
Other Sites:
Sites to help extend your child's learning experience
The colourful Sesame website contains lots of interactive activities for you and your child. Encourage them to play games, send e-cards, hear and watch animated stories, or paint online with Elmo and friends.
This site for children who like birds and wildlife is full of fun and facts. Make-n-do activities include making a speedy bird-cake, and there are fun games, activities and competitions.
The Woodland Trust's Nature Detectives site contains downloads, games and activities for children of all ages. Children can have fun all year round as they 'do', 'find', 'create' and 'play' using the colourful resources online.
This website from the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust has a kids' zone packed with fun games and activities; and a Fact Files section offering information and resource links on wetlands, wildlife, ecology and sustainability.
Northern Ireland Curriculum related links:
Foundation Stage Learning in Northern Ireland
CCEA - the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, advises local government on what should be taught in Northern Ireland's schools and colleges. This page contains useful links for parents.
Revised Northern Ireland Curriculum
This site contains the latest news on the revised NI Curriculum at Foundation Stage, including areas of learning, assessment and reporting and Irish Medium education at Foundation Stage.
Parenting:
This website offers advice on various parenting issues, as well as suggestions for activities to try with your children. The 'Sesame Solutions' section has smart strategies and collaborative fun for parents and kids.
* All sites listed are checked regularly. However, the constantly changing nature of the Internet means some sites may alter after we have visited them. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.
