Online Resources: Keeping Kids Connected While Social Distancing
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Staying at home has become the new normal. But chronically ill kids and their siblings can explore a world of great free opportunities online. Here are a few online resources for kids activities to help children stay connected while social distancing.
Drawing & Painting Classes:
#Drawtogether with Wendy MacNaughton
Frequency: Each weekday, 10 a.m. Pacific Time
Where to find it: instagram.com/wendymac
Wendy MacNaughton, the well-known San Francisco illustrator who did the art for Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, launched a daily drawing class on Instagram for “kids of all ages, parents of kids, parents of parents, aunties/uncles, friends and pets.”
Quarantine Art Club with Carson Ellis
Frequency: Each weekday morning
Where to find it: carsonellis.com/blog
Illustrator Carson Ellis is leading art classes for adults and kids alike with her Quarantine Art Club. Every day a different drawing prompt will get the creative juices flowing, so after watching a couple quick step-by-step video clips, you can take your eyes off a screen for a change and put pen to paper.
Book Clubs:
Book Club with Mac Barnett
Frequency: Daily at noon Pacific Time
Where to find it: instagram.com/macbarnett/
Children’s book author Mac Barnett is starting his own daily book club and will be reading one of his books every day for about a month, according to his announcement post. The video will be available on Barnett’s Instagram story for 24 hours after it’s posted. So grab a hat, join in, and start reading.
Celebrity Book Reading
Frequency: Daily
Where to find it: instagram.com/savewithstories/
In partnership with Save with Stories is offering stories on Instagram and Facebook to provide fun and education to kids and parents stuck at home during the coronavirus outbreak.
Parenting Resources:
The Upbeat Podcast
Frequency: Twice monthly
Where to find it: theupbeat.coachart.org
Powered by CoachArt, The UpBeat Podcast provides a podcast series and family resources dedicated to improving the social and emotional wellbeing of kids impacted by chronic illness.
CoachArt Community and “Virtual” In-Home Lessons
In addition to these resources, we encourage CoachArt families and volunteers to consider having “virtual” in-home lessons using online videoconferencing tools. Some, such as Google Hangouts, Zoom, and Zoho Meeting, can be used at no cost. CoachArt Virtual Clubs are coming soon! If you are part of an In-Home Lesson match, you can discuss this with each other.
If you have any questions or concerns about CoachArt and its programs, please contact us at info@coachart.org.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR FAMILIES IMPACTED BY CHILDHOOD CHRONIC ILLNESS
Since 2001, CoachArt has matched volunteer coaches with students for one-on-one or group lessons in arts and athletics. Our vision is that one day every family impacted by chronic illness will be connected to a community of support and an opportunity to learn and grow together.
CoachArt offers free art and athletic lessons to chronically ill children and their siblings between the ages of 5-18 in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego. If your child has been diagnosed with a chronic condition, we invite you to fill out a student eligibility form or get in touch to learn if CoachArt is right for your child.
