Kids Discover

Navigating the vast array of Social Studies resources can be overwhelming for parents, especially when aiming to find engaging and enriching content for their children. Drawing upon my extensive background in education and my in-depth analysis of numerous programs, I've found Kids Discover to stand out significantly in its field. Created by Mark Levine in 1991, Kids Discover was developed to fuel curiosity among young learners with its visually rich nonfiction content. Over the years, it has garnered acclaim, such as the Golden Lamp Award, for its innovative approach to education​ (Wikipedia)​. What I particularly appreciate about Kids Discover is its ability to present complex topics in an accessible and appealing way, making learning both fun and informative. It is especially well-suited for young learners who are visual and interactive, helping to bring the pages of history and science to life. While some may find the breadth of content overwhelming, the ability to explore such a wide range of topics ensures that there is always something new to capture a child's interest. A pro-tip for maximizing value is to utilize the platform's adjustable reading levels and interactive features to tailor the learning experience to your child’s needs, enhancing both understanding and engagement.

Grades: Kids Discover provides content suitable for children ages 6 to 14, encompassing a broad range of grades from elementary through middle school.

Cost: Homeschool online subscriptions start at $7/month. There are also print books and digital downloads varying in cost and limited free resources available.

The in-depth review

Social Studies is vital for young learners as it helps them understand the world around them and their place within it. A good Social Studies curriculum should be engaging, informative, and accessible, helping students to develop critical thinking skills and a nuanced understanding of global cultures and histories.

About Kids Discover

Founded in 1991 by Mark Levine, Kids Discover is a family-owned company that produces high-interest nonfiction materials for children. The company has been recognized with several awards, including the Golden Lamp Award and nominations for the National Magazine Awards​.

Who Kids Discover is for

This platform is ideal for educators, homeschooling parents, and anyone interested in supplementing a child's education with engaging and visually appealing educational content.

Why I recommend Kids Discover for Social Studis

Kids Discover excels in making Social Studies engaging through beautifully illustrated articles and interactive content. The variety of topics—from ancient civilizations to modern history—ensures that there is something to spark the curiosity of every young learner.

How Kids Discover works

Teachers and parents can use Kids Discover Online to access a vast library of content that includes interactive features and assessments. The platform is flexible, allowing users to integrate it into existing curriculums or use it as a standalone educational tool​.

What Differentiates Kids Discover from other Social Studies programs

Kids Discover distinguishes itself from other Social Studies programs through its unique combination of visually engaging content, interactivity, and accessibility across multiple platforms. Unlike traditional textbook-based programs, Kids Discover offers a richly illustrated and interactive experience that includes not only detailed articles but also animations, videos, and quizzes, which cater to a variety of learning styles. The content is available on-demand through a web-based platform, apps, and even as physical magazines, making it adaptable to different educational settings and needs. Furthermore, Kids Discover covers a vast array of topics within Social Studies, from ancient civilizations to modern history, all crafted to pique the interest of children and promote a deeper understanding of the subject matter. This approach is designed to inspire curiosity and engagement in young learners, setting Kids Discover apart as a provider of comprehensive, fun, and accessible educational content.

What Kids Discover covers

Kids Discover covers a wide range of educational content across multiple subject areas, particularly focusing on science and social studies. Here's a summary of the topics it includes:

• American History: Includes topics such as the American Revolution, Civil War, and important historical figures like Benjamin Franklin and Martin Luther King, Jr.

• World History: Covers ancient civilizations like Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as more modern history topics including the World Wars.

• Geography: Offers materials on various countries, landscapes, and geographical features around the world.

• Earth Science: Includes subjects such as climate, geology, and natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes.

• Life Sciences: Covers biology-related topics such as human anatomy, plants, animals, and ecosystems.

• Physical Sciences: Encompasses chemistry and physics topics like matter, energy, and simple machines.

• Space and Astronomy: Offers content about the solar system, stars, planets, and space exploration.

• Technology and Engineering: Covers modern technological advances and basic engineering principles.

• Culture: Includes topics on different cultures around the world, focusing on traditions, arts, and societal structures.

• Health Science: Discusses topics related to human health, nutrition, and medicine.

Updates and Additions

Recent expansions include new units for younger students, making the platform suitable for K-2 grades as well, with topics designed to ignite curiosity in young minds​

Benefits and Drawbacks of Kids Discover

What Parents Like about Kids Discover

• Rich Content Variety: Kids Discover offers a broad array of topics in science and social studies that are engaging and informative. The content is presented in a way that is visually appealing and captures the interest of children, helping to broaden their horizons and encourage exploration.

• Interactive and Educational Features: The platform includes interactive maps and articles that help children make connections across different subjects and time periods. This interactivity supports independent thinking and learning,

• Adaptability to Different Learning Levels: One of the key strengths of Kids Discover is its adaptability to various reading levels, which allows it to grow with the child. This feature is particularly appreciated by families for its ability to cater to different ages and abilities within the same household​​.

• Accessibility and Flexibility: Kids Discover can be accessed on any device, making it convenient for use at home or on the go. This flexibility is well-suited for homeschooling families who may need to adapt lessons to various settings​.

• Cost-Effective: Many reviewers found the subscription to be affordable, especially considering the depth and range of content available. This is especially noted in the newly introduced Homeschool Plan, which is priced competitively,

What parents dislike

• Limited Free Content: While the site does offer free topics, the rotation and availability of free content can be a limitation for users who do not wish to subscribe. This may restrict access to certain topics at times unless users upgrade to a paid plan​.

• Potential Overwhelm from Variety: Some users might find the extensive range of topics a bit overwhelming, especially if children get sidetracked easily by the plethora of available information. While this can be seen as a benefit for its educational diversity, it requires some navigation and planning to maintain focus

Special Needs

Gifted and Profoundly Gifted:The vast array of topics and the depth of content available on Kids Discover can cater to the intense curiosities and higher cognitive engagement levels often characteristic of gifted learners. The ability to explore complex and diverse subjects at one's own pace allows these students to delve deeper into areas of interest.

ADHD: The interactive elements and visually engaging content of Kids Discover can be particularly beneficial for learners with ADHD, who may require more dynamic and stimulating material to hold their attention. The platform's flexibility in accessing content across devices also supports varied learning environments that can be adjusted as needed to maintain engagement.

Dyslexia: For children with dyslexia, the inclusion of features like read-aloud and the ability to adjust reading levels can help tailor the reading experience to their needs, making the textual content more accessible.

Autism:The structured and visually clear layout of Kids Discover can help children on the autism spectrum, who often benefit from clear, concise information and predictable, consistent navigation in learning tools.

Twice-Exceptional (2e): Twice-exceptional children, who are gifted but also face learning difficulties, can benefit from the platform’s ability to adjust content complexity and the multimodal presentation (text, video, interactive media). This allows them to engage with content at a level that meets their intellectual capabilities while also accommodating their learning challenges.

Tips from Parents on how to get the most out of Kids Discover

Parents recommend utilizing the diverse range of topics to cater to children's varying interests, and also suggest taking advantage of the interactive features to keep learning dynamic and engaging.

Why Trust Me

With over 20 years of teaching experience across diverse educational environments and subjects, including Social Studies, I bring a seasoned perspective to evaluating educational resources. My background in both education and media helps me understand what makes educational content effective and engaging.

How I Vetted

I thoroughly reviewed numerous online reviews and consulted with homeschooling experts, including historians and political scientists, to ensure that Kids Discover offers quality content that is both educational and engaging.

What I Looked For and How Kids Discover Stacks Up

• Comprehensive: Kids Discover offers a broad range of topics covering multiple disciplines such as science, social studies, technology, and the arts. Its materials include extensive subject matter that can cater to a variety of interests and learning needs, making it quite comprehensive in scope,

• Secular: The content in Kids Discover is secular, focusing on educational material without religious bias, which makes it suitable for a diverse audience and applicable in many educational settings.

• Accurate: The information provided by Kids Discover is designed to be educational and is based on reliable sources and educational standards. However, specific reviews discussing the accuracy of the content in detail were not noted, so users may want to verify against current academic standards or updates in certain fields.

• Decolonized: There is no explicit mention in the reviews or the company's promotional materials about a decolonized approach to history or other subjects. This might be an area for potential improvement or something for educators to supplement with other resources.

• Inclusive: Kids Discover makes an effort to cover a wide range of cultures and perspectives, particularly in its social studies materials. This includes various historical and contemporary cultures around the world, suggesting an attempt at inclusivity.

• Anti-racist: Similar to decolonization, there's no specific mention of anti-racist pedagogy in the provided materials. Educators might need to integrate Kids Discover materials with specific anti-racist curricula to fully address this aspect.

• Mastery-based: The platform provides different reading levels and interactive quizzes, which can support mastery-based learning by allowing students to engage with content at their own pace and revisit topics as needed to achieve understanding​.

• Aligned with School Standards: Kids Discover is aligned with common educational standards, making it a valuable tool for educators who need to meet specific curriculum goals in science and social studies. The platform's alignment with standards ensures that it can be effectively integrated into formal education settings​.

• Fun and Engaging for Kids: Kids Discover is highly praised for being fun and engaging. Its interactive content, including videos, quizzes, and visually appealing design, captures and holds the interest of young learners, making it an effective tool for education in a way that feels enjoyable and engaging for children​ .

The Bottom Line

Who is Kids Discover an ideal fit for?

Kids Discover is perfect for learners who thrive on visually engaging content and interactive learning. It's suitable for both classroom use and homeschooling, providing a flexible tool for educators and parents alike.

Who is Kids Discover not a fit for?

While ideal for visual and interactive learners, Kids Discover may not be the best fit for those looking for a traditional textbook-based approach or for students who prefer less graphical content.

Alternatives and supplements to Kids Discover

• For a comprehensive world Social Studies curriculum: Curiosity Chronicles offers a narrative approach to world history, making it engaging for young learners. It is designed to be comprehensive and inclusive, covering a wide range of cultures and historical events through stories and dialogues.

• For YouTube channel: Crash Course provides concise and informative videos on US Government and Politics. It's part of the broader Crash Course series, known for its high-quality educational content that simplifies complex subjects into digestible lessons.

• For a free full Social Studies curriculum: Digital Inquiry Group (Formerly Stanford History Education Group) offers a complete Social Studies curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning. The resources are designed to foster deep understanding and inquiry into historical events and social issues.

• For a book series: Revisioning History for Young People Series reinterprets historical events with a focus on underrepresented perspectives, making it a great resource for an inclusive and diverse Social Studies curriculum. The books aim to provide a broader view of history, highlighting stories and figures often overlooked in traditional textbooks.

Value for the Money

Considering the quality of content and the breadth of topics covered, Kids Discover offers good value, especially with options that cater to various budgets and needs.

Ways to Get Kids Discover

Kids Discover can be accessed through their website, offering subscriptions for individuals, schools, and districts. They also provide apps and print materials for offline use.

Affilate Disclaimer

This review is unbiased and independent; however, purchases made through links in this review may earn me a commission, which helps support my educational content.

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