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Maintaining a sense of normalcy while social distancing during a lockdown has been a primary goal for parents the world over. None of us were prepared to handle a global pandemic. Met with disappointment, confusion, and uncertainty, however, parents, educators, and businesses have stepped up to the plate. In the few short weeks that plans were set in place, educators and parents took action and worked out ways to ease our kids’ stress.
While many schools are providing ample resources for our kids, parents are finding there’s still a significant amount of downtime throughout the day. Families are also tasked with helping kids work through their disappointment of missing friends and end-of-year events they had been working so hard toward.
Mom Cortney S. said her daughter had been working diligently to learn her dance routine prior to lockdown. “[Her] biggest disappointment has been the cancellation of her dance recital,” she told Mom.com. “The actions and limitations in these circumstances are understandable, but it’s so difficult to watch your child’s heart break over lost experiences like this one.”
Exposing your kids to art and music during lockdown is one way to keep them engaged and creative while helping fill their days with meaningful activities. If you’re looking for ways to provide art and music activities as we move into the summer months, rest assured that there are options.
Online music lessons
Music teachers have risen to the challenge of providing instruction virtually through Zoom classes. Kira Morrison is a preschool music teacher who has been teaching her young students virtually since lockdown.
“Now more than ever, kids need the arts and creativity to get through these unprecedented times,” she told Mom.com. “I think it is really important that parents continue their child’s arts education and enrichment, whether it be through their classes at school or through activities or games at home.”
If your child’s school isn’t offering music classes, Morrison suggests seeking out online resources to fill that void. Jam With Jamie, the entertainment company she works for, offers virtual children’s music classes and virtual music performances for private parties. “There are also many other websites with resources to help parents teach their children music at home, one of my favorites is Prodigies Music,” she suggested.
Virtual art classes
Exposing your kids to art is made easier when you visit the Google Arts and Culture museum collection. The site features a comprehensive list of virtual museum and art gallery tours for kids.
Parents looking for something their kids can do independently may want to check out self-paced art classes online. These types of art lessons require very little parent involvement, which is ideal for parents juggling work, home life, and overseeing school at home.
Emily, the artist behind the popular Watercolor for Kids online art class, told Mom.com, “During this strange season of life, keeping kids engaged and creative feels especially important. I love having the opportunity to encourage kids of all ages to learn how to watercolor and create artwork they are proud of,” the mom of four said.
Austin Goodman is a professional artist and mom of two young boys. She teaches art to homeschoolers in a co-op setting. Homeschool co-ops generally follow a public school calendar, so when the local public schools went virtual, homeschool instructors followed suit. Families had to make do with the supplies they had on hand.
“Teaching art via Zoom has been very fun and very sad at the same time. I miss my students horribly, but I am so happy to still be connected to them,” she told Mom.com. “One of the great things about it is, we have learned that no matter our materials — crayon, colored pencil, or just pencil — if we are patient and take our time with our craftsmanship, we can make any medium look great! I am always impressed with the children’s enthusiasm and creations.”
No added pressure
Though everyone has had to scramble and change course in a matter of a few short weeks, the slower pace and decreased expectations are a welcomed change by some parents. While the circumstances behind lockdown are devastating, many parents are grateful for the slower pace this time at home provides.
Virginia Duan, a freelance writer and mom of four, appreciated her children’s virtual recital. “My kids seemed excited and were open to the recital and they thought it was fun to see everyone on Zoom,” she told Mom.com. “It was easier on me as a parent because I didn’t have to bring a snack or dessert for the reception, and I did not have to dress up the kids.
“All in all, I wish all recitals were virtual,” she admitted to Mom.com.
You don’t need expensive supplies and a degree in art history to expose your children to art and music. Sometimes, simple is best, as Goodman explains: “One thing that has saved my sanity as a mother of two boys is watercolor paint. When all else fails, I pull out printer paper or scrap and just let them swirl water, mix colors, and paint.”
Kira Morrison echos those sentiments. “Even if you don’t know anything about music, there are so many ways to contribute to your child’s music education at home,” she encouraged.
