Creative Ways to Embrace Connection and Self-Growth

Thanks to the Internet, there are all kinds of ways to have fun, stay connected, and even pursue our long-lost goals or hobbies all while staying home. Here are seven creative ways individuals of all ages can embrace connection and self-growth during this challenging time.

1. Learn something new! Take a free, online course

Coursera is a free site that offers tons of both paid and free online courses taught by top-tier university professors. They even offer certificate programs for those looking for a career change. This is a great choice for teenagers or adults who wa… — Coursera is a free site that offers tons of both paid and free online courses taught by top-tier university professors. They even offer certificate programs for those looking for a career change. This is a great choice for teenagers or adults who want to learn something new and / or feel like doing something productive.

2. Draw Every Day with JJK: webcasts for young artists

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, best-selling author and illustrator, is connecting students with art education and offering up a sense of schedule with “Draw Every Day with JJK.” He is running free webcasts every weekday at 2 pm ET. Jarrett will be live at yo… — Jarrett J. Krosoczka, best-selling author and illustrator, is connecting students with art education and offering up a sense of schedule with “Draw Every Day with JJK.” He is running free webcasts every weekday at 2 pm ET. Jarrett will be live at youtube.com/StudioJJK to offer a daily lesson. Webcasts will also be archived on YouTube for later viewing.
Your kids might know Jarrett from picture books like Punk Farm, his Lunch Lady graphic novels, or his young adult graphic memoir Hey, Kiddo. These webcasts are appropriate for all ages.

3. Challenge yourself to learn a new language

It’s ALWAYS a great idea to learn a foreign language -- for fun, travel, or professional reasons. Studies have shown that children who learn foreign languages do better in school as well. DuoLingo is a free site (though it also has phone apps) that … — It’s ALWAYS a great idea to learn a foreign language -- for fun, travel, or professional reasons. Studies have shown that children who learn foreign languages do better in school as well. DuoLingo is a free site (though it also has phone apps) that allows users to learn foreign languages for free. It’s kid-friendly and great for a learner of any age.

4. Get Crafty - YouTube DIY projects

YouTube isn’t just for watching kpop videos (though that’s great fun, too). There are loads of great DIY at home videos for either fixing things up around the house, crafts for kids (or adults!), or anything imaginable.

5. Move! Try Happy Chair Yoga with Sarah Starr (it’s beginner-friendly)

Happy Chair Yoga is played on local PBS stations, but it is also accessible via YouTube. There is something very peaceful and captivating about it, and it’s fun (and healthy!) for any age.

6. Spread joy with cards of kindness

Reddit's "A Place for Card Kindness" is “a place to send or receive cards for anyone who would like one. The purpose of RAoC is to spread a little bit of joy around the world.” There are sections for people who would like to receive a card (and why … — Reddit's "A Place for Card Kindness" is “a place to send or receive cards for anyone who would like one. The purpose of RAoC is to spread a little bit of joy around the world.” There are sections for people who would like to receive a card (and why / their stories), people who would like to do card exchanges, and people who have cards to offer. Put up an offer, or respond to a request to brighten someone’s day and potentially make a new penpal. Appropriate for all ages, but children should be supervised for online safety.
If Reddit is not your style, hand write a letter or note of encouragement and send it to a loved one via snail mail.

7. Play FreeRice - “Play a game, feed the world”

FreeRice is a site users can access to play a simple (or difficult -- user sets the difficulty) English vocabulary trivia game. As the site explains, “for each answer you get right, our sponsors send the cash equivalent of 10 grains of rice to the W… — FreeRice is a site users can access to play a simple (or difficult -- user sets the difficulty) English vocabulary trivia game. As the site explains, “for each answer you get right, our sponsors send the cash equivalent of 10 grains of rice to the World Food Program, who use it to save and change lives.” Have fun and do good at the same time! Great for any age.

Family Resource Center FRCMarch 30, 2020