How We Use YouTube In Our Homeschool
I like using technology to help bring our homeschool lessons to life, keep Emily engaged in what we’re learning about, and stay up-to-date on the latest information. YouTube is a great free site we like to use for all our interest-led homeschool unit studies. We can find videos about whatever Emily might be curious about on YouTube.
Want to learn more about how we have harnessed the power of YouTube and made it work for us with engaging unit studies and homeschool lessons we love? Keep reading to discover our favorite YouTube channels and get tips based on how we use the platform in our homeschool lessons.
The Power Of Video Based Learning
It’s no secret that we like incorporating technology into our homeschool lessons. We regularly include videos, apps, podcasts, and more in our interest-led unit studies. For some learners, seeing and experiencing a topic are the best ways to really learn about it.
Sometimes just reading a book about a period in history, multiplication, or a scientific concept isn’t enough. Screens have a unique power to immerse especially younger learners in the topic in a way that allows them to see and hear information at the same time. It’s a great way to really dive deep into the lesson and make it come to life for your homeschooler!
We can engage in video based learning in the car as we travel to a field trip destination or while we run errands around town. Video based learning is also a great independent learning activity Emily can do when I need a minute or something we can all do together as a family for “movie night” as well.
How We Use YouTube In Our Homeschool
If you’ve ever participated in a Waldock Way unit study, you’re familiar with our YouTube playlists. Streaming learning videos is a big part of how we learn about all kinds of cool things.
Sometimes we watch YouTube playlists together as a family, other times we upload the playlists to Emily’s tablet for her to learn and explore topics independently. It’s a great way for her to learn about topics she’s curious about right now.
Educational YouTube playlists are also great for Emily to watch on a day when we can’t sit down at the table for a formal lesson. If we aren’t feeling well and need to snuggle on the couch, educational videos can help ensure the learning day isn’t lost.
Our Favorite YouTube Channels For Learning
Along the way, we have discovered a lot of great YouTube channels we really love. These educational videos are great for all kinds of topics. Here are some of our favorites you can explore with your homeschoolers this year.
Crash Course Kids
Crash Course Kids has something for everyone. They have videos that span the topics of science, history, geography, and more! If you have older kids there is also a Crash Course channel that they may find interesting.
Homeschool Pop
Homeschool Pop offers all kinds of videos covering subjects including science, history, social studies, animals, math, reading, and more. It’s ideal for preschoolers and primary school students.
Hooplakidz Lab
The colorful videos on the Hooplakidz Lab channel are filled with important early science concepts and fun experiments. It’s focused on helping kids understand how science works from chemistry to physics and everything in between.
Whiz Kids
The Whiz Kids educational channel is perfect for preschoolers and early elementary learners. Their videos cover everything from early math concepts to early literacy skills. You’ll find videos about colors, shapes, animals, parts of the body, letters, and so much more.
Brain Bubble
The videos on Brain Bubble are great for a quick educational YouTube video that packs a lot of information (visual and auditory) into a short timeframe. These videos are just 60 seconds long, making it ideal for a quick learning break or teaching on the go.
Kids Learning Tube
If you really love Kids Learning Tube, you can subscribe to their streaming service for more videos and flashcards you can use in your homeschool lessons this year. Their YouTube videos are great for teaching your homeschoolers about a wide variety of subjects with sing-alongs younger learners will love.
Scishow Kids
Both Scishow and Scishow Kids are great YouTube channels for teaching important science concepts in a way that’s fun and engaging for kids of all ages. These videos are really well done and often include science experiments you can reproduce at home.
Free School
The Free School YouTube channel is aimed at helping elementary aged kids learn about art, classical music, literature, and natural sciences. They’ve got videos on giraffes, Galileo, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Plus, a whole lot more!
Life Noggin
Life Noggin is the perfect YouTube channel for curious homeschoolers who just want to know why. If your kiddo is curious about the universe, cats, the moon, or even how to play Blokus, this channel is the perfect one for her to explore.
Mental Floss
This YouTube channel is set up like a game of trivia and we Waldocks love trivia! The videos are filled with fun facts and trivia about all kinds of topics like “food history,” “misconceptions,” and “bloopers” for your kids to explore and enjoy this school year.
YouTube Playlists For Unit Studies
I like to include YouTube playlists in each of our interest led unit studies because I believe they’re an important way to keep homeschoolers engaged in the lesson while exposing them to all kinds of new information. Plus, YouTube videos are ideal for both visual and auditory learners.
You’ll get access to my custom YouTube playlists included with every unit study. They’re easy to access with a QR code included in each study and curated to line up with each lesson. Check out a few of our unit studies featuring custom YouTube playlists:
You can even check out our currated YouTube playlists in our free unit studies as well:
Do you use YouTube videos in your homeschool lessons? Share how you’re using YouTube videos or playlists to bring your lessons to life in the comments. I can’t wait to read about your favorite channels and explore them with Emily in our next lesson!
