Many of us are facing new and unfamiliar challenges at home: working from home while keeping children on task with remote learning; supporting students who feel detached from their communities and academics; navigating the sheer frustration of being cooped up…day after day.
At City Smarts, we work hard to support our community holistically. Even amidst these circumstances, this has not changed. We’ve scoured the internet and curated a list of online resources that may help to support your family through this uncertain time.
COMMUNICATION:
We are all struggling with the day-to-day impacts of Covid-19, and it may be hard to explain this to kids. Cope with School NYC has information on how to talk to your kids about the virus.
If you or your kids are adjusting to Zoom for meetings or online learning this tutorial offers some great tips!
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT AT HOME:
Wide Open Schools provides an invaluable resource to help both educators and families create daily routines, engage in dynamic academic lessons, and enjoy fun creative and physical activities.
Scholastic is offering enrichment activities for kids in K-6. All levels include different subjects, including history, science,and reading. Interactive videos and projects will help keep kids focused and excited about learning.
Taking their name from the C.S. Lewis’s Oxford literary circle, the Inklings Book Contest offers young writers (grades 3-9) a chance to be published! The best part is that every child who submits something will receive real feedback.
If your child is learning a language, or shows interest in doing so, DuoLingo is great for practice. Kids can set goals for lessons, and earn rewards to unlock bonus lessons.
With everything going on, it’s great to engage in critical thinking activities. The NYT Learning Network offers writing prompts in response to photos, articles, and interviews every week.
+Pool has fun, hands-on science experiments that require minimal materials. Kids can learn about water filtration, and the importance of clean water. Check back regularly as they update their activities!
Libby offers access to hundreds of thousands of books for all ages. Whether you’re an avid reader yourself, or it’s a good time to start that family book club, there are tons of titles to choose from for wide audiences.
If you’re interested in some long term learning, Coursera offers free classes in subjects from business marketing to memoir writing. Weekly assignments and lessons keep you focused and on a schedule, with something fun to look forward to.
Last but not least, we’re offering small-group online courses for the SHSAT and high school admissions essay writing. We promise the same individualized, holistic approach that has always been our hallmark.
THE ARTS:
With many museums and cultural centers being closed, consider Virtual Field trips. Your kids can visit museums, zoos, and international destinations.
The NYTimes compiled some story-time and and drawing tutorial videos by authors you may know and love.
For our visual learners and film buffs out there, the New York Times Film Club is a great tool. Every 10 minute film comes with prompts for writing and discussion. They even offer a special film club journal to help kids structure their thoughts. This could be a fun and engaging family activity!
If breaking out in song would cheer you up, Playbill has a list of musicals you can stream online. They’re also offering TV show and documentary recommendations along the same theme for those of us who are missing Broadway a little extra right now.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:
If your child is a budding yogi, this blog lists tons of different youtube channels with recorded sessions. Incorporating music, meditation, and strength building. There is a practice for everyone here.
For a more intense workout, Church Street Boxing is streaming classes live on its Instagram account (@churchstreetboxinggym). Trainers will coach you through footwork, punches and conditioning exercises.
To connect to your inner gymnast, Gotham Gymnastics is streaming an assortment of its Quaranteam classes on Instagram (@gothamgymnastics). The free sessions include strength and conditioning, injury prevention and stretching. Find the schedule here.
Another yoga option is hosted on You Tube by Amanda Kerpius, a yoga instructor and massage therapist from Brooklyn. She’s posting daily videos focused on 3 categories: advanced power vinyasa yogis, long-distance runners, and people experiencing anxiety or insomnia.
For circuit training, Charlee Atkins streams free workouts on her Instagram account (@charleeatkins). Ms. Atkins says her workouts are designed for the “at-home athlete,” using body weight or minimal equipment, such as chairs, bands or small dumbbells.
And finally, some easy and helpful techniques to integrate into your home-bound daily activities form the NYT.