Level Up Learning: 5 Smart Ways to Use Video With Young Learners

When kids are curious about something, their first instinct is often to click “play.” And they’re right — video is a powerful way to explore new ideas.

The kids are on to something. “Kids today are more savvy when it comes to video and engaging with video,” says Amber Chandler, National Board Certified teacher, “just showing a video isn’t enough.” 

Today’s young learners are used to short clips, fast edits, and immersive experiences. Teachers know this instinctively — which is why many are finding ways to make video an active, not passive, part of their classrooms. Here’s what they’ve discovered: 

1. Make video an experience, not just a watch. 

Kids are already used to exploring new places — from the surface of Mars to a prehistoric jungle — through video. They expect to be immersed.

“Gone are the days of just sitting and watching a video,” says Tina Ellsworth, PhD, assistant professor at Northwest Missouri State University and president of NCSS. “It’s more about interacting with the content.”

That might mean stopping the clip to draw and explain what students notice, or asking them to predict what happens next. The key is designing ways for students to process and respond, not just watch. Consider having students use the Draw and Explain video response worksheet to capture what they are seeing and learning. 

2. Think of video as a layer in the lesson.

Video works best when it’s part of a sequence, not the whole show. Lisa Kissinger, social studies administrator and president of the New York State Council for the Social Studies, sees teachers using video as one layer among many.

For example, a class might start with a short clip, move into a mini-lesson and discussion, and then circle back to the clip again — this time noticing more because of what they’ve learned in between. That layered approach helps kids make stronger connections. Each BBC video includes discussion questions, vocabulary, writing prompts, and activity ideas that can help you create lessons with layers.

3. Put students in the driver’s seat.

Video can be a powerful way to give kids ownership of their learning.

“If a video is at their developmental level, kids will remember video content better than they remember auditory content,” says Jennifer Williams, science teacher and STEM director at the Isadore Newman School in New Orleans.

That’s why she recommends having students record what resonates with them as they watch — whether that’s a surprising fact, a vivid image, or a new connection they made. Their reflections turn the video into personal meaning.

4. Use video to build vocabulary. 

Video naturally supports language development, especially for multilanguage learners and striving readers. “Particularly when it comes to academic language — the words used to talk about specific content — video provides a way for students to see and use those words in authentic ways,” Ellsworth explains.

Previewing key words, then watching for them in context, helps students link meaning to visuals and language at the same time. This makes video a rich resource for vocabulary growth.

5. Share learning through video.

When kids are excited about a topic, they love to share it. Video gives them a platform to show what they know — not just to their teacher, but to peers and families too.

Teachers have used classroom videos to spark interactive games, like a “quiz show” where students create and answer questions based on what they’ve learned. Others record quick Q&A videos that students send home to parents, turning learning into something the whole community can celebrate.

The Bottom Line

Today’s students already use video to explore the world. In the classroom, video becomes even more powerful: a way to immerse learners, build language, spark questions, and give students a voice in their own learning.

“Video,” as Chandler reminds us, “isn’t about sitting and watching. It’s about what kids do with it.”