Since you are at home and may have a bit more time on your hands, why not learn a new skill? Right now there are so many free offers to help support our effort to stay at home that it is the perfect opportunity to start a new hobby or learn a language. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Typing. This skill is essential and it will never go to waste! My son (he’s 6) started working on his typing skills using Typingclub.com a free site available in English and French. So far it is a bit slow, but I’m already impressed that knows how to find the home row and he can follow along independently.
- Languages. There are a number of language sites that are offering free usage right now. This is a great option for those who need extra time working on their French or would like to learn another language. Two that I have successfully used are Duolingo and Rosetta Stone. They both have applications and website options, whichever you prefer. I found that Duolingo (which is normally free anyway) worked better for my children because it is a bit slower paced and the app is a bit easier to use. I have been also using Rosetta Stone personally to develop my French skills. I’ll have to show off my new language skills when we are back at school!
- Instruments. Fortunately for my family, my husband knows how to play the guitar and has been teaching my son. For those of you who don’t have any musical background, but would like to learn, there are a number of applications and sites that offer free (or temporarily free) lessons. For guitar, FenderPlay is offering a three month free trial right now and the Canadian band, The Arkells are using their Instagram account to teach free music lessons every day from 1-2 EST.
- Art Techniques. Drawing and painting are such important skills that often get overlooked! If you feel your art skills could use some improvement, there are a HUGE number of free, online sites and Youtube channels that can help you and all you usually need is paper and a pencil. A few worth highlighting are: Thrive Art School (a Seattle-based art school offering a range of beginner and intermediate art lessons); Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems (author of the Elephant and Piggie books) and Art for Kids Hub (drawing lessons with an emphasis on cartoon drawings, including all things Star Wars and Disney).
If I can draw a Baby Yoda, so can anyone! - Cooking and Baking. Since you need to eat anyway, might as well work on making something delicious. Food Network has a Cooking with Kids page that includes cooking and baking of all types. Jamie Oliver has a Keep Happy, Keep Healthy page that has a huge range of recipes. Canada’s Anna Olson has a number of DELICIOUS baking recipes and videos that are definitely worth trying. Maybe I’ll try to make her flourless chocolate torte with dairy-free butter… Mmmm….chocolate….