The Arts & Languages
Explore our resources to ignite a passion for the Arts, Language learning, and more. We’ve compiled a curated list of Music, Art, and Language learning resources as a starting point for your research and vetted these with a critical eye for content accuracy, expert authorship, and sound pedagogy. These exceptional materials provide a fantastic starting point for inspiring creativity, artistic expression, and language acquisition within your family’s learning journey.
Arts Resources
Art for Kids Hub
The Art for Kids Hub YouTube channel is a fantastic online resource for parents, educators, and children who love to draw. The channel features a vast collection of step-by-step drawing tutorials, led by a parent and his children, making it relatable and engaging for young artists. Rooted in the philosophy of promoting creativity and self-expression, Art for Kids Hub encourages learners to explore their artistic abilities while fostering a sense of accomplishment. This channel is an excellent resource for nurturing artistic skills, boosting confidence, and fostering a love for art in children, as the easy-to-follow tutorials cater to a range of skill levels and provide an enjoyable way to develop artistic talents. (We encourage parents to be aware of pop-ups on Youtube and watch for possible inappropriate content in commercials).
Pixar in a Box
The "Pixar in a Box" course, which is provided for free on the Khan Academy website is an innovative and captivating resource that provides an in-depth look into the creative processes behind Pixar's animated films. The content includes a series of modules that cover various aspects of animation, storytelling, and filmmaking techniques used by Pixar. Rooted in the philosophy of providing accessible education, Khan Academy's collaboration with Pixar aims to inspire and educate learners about the art and science of animation. This course is an exceptional resource for aspiring animators, storytellers, and film enthusiasts, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Pixar's renowned craftsmanship and providing valuable insights for anyone interested in the world of animation and storytelling.
MusOpen
The MusOpen website is an online platform for music enthusiasts, educators, and learners looking to explore music resources. The website features a vast collection of free sheet music, recordings, and educational materials, providing access to a wide range of classical compositions and composers. Rooted in the philosophy of promoting open access to music education and appreciation, MusOpen aims to make high-quality classical music resources accessible to everyone. Check out their Education section for instrument-specific information and resources.
Piano Marvel, Skoove, and PHianonize
These sites all offer online learn-to-play options for the piano. Both Piano Marvel and Skoove provide free method and technique lessons, but require a subscription for full access to their sites, while PHianonize offers all lessons for free on YouTube (Please note that because of the nature of YouTube, we encourage parents to review for content-appropriateness and be mindful of pop-ups that may not be suitable for children). These sites are a great place to start, and can be a fun supplement to in-person piano lessons!
Craftsy
The Craftsy website serves as a comprehensive platform for individuals interested in crafting, DIY projects, and creative hobbies. The content spans a wide range of crafting categories, offering video tutorials, classes, and patterns that cater to various skill levels. Craftsy's philosophy revolves around fostering creativity and providing accessible and engaging learning experiences for craft enthusiasts. This website is a great resource for anyone looking to learn or enhance a skill, as its diverse array of courses, expert instructors, and interactive content make it an excellent tool for exploring new hobbies and honing creative talents. We recommend that you watch their social media platforms and sign up for their mailing list before purchasing anything, as they seem to have frequent membership sales and deals.
For kids looking to try digital art, Kleki is an excellent place to start! It provides a simple, user-friendly online painting tool with a simple interface and basic tools which encourage young artists to experiment with colors and shapes in a digital medium.
Procreate is a more advanced digital painting software, available as an app, that caters to both beginners and experienced artists. It provides an array of sophisticated tools, including various brushes, layer support, and advanced editing capabilities, fostering creativity and enabling kids to experiment with various techniques to create more intricate and professional-looking artworks.
Storyboard That is a fun online tool that allows users to create and write storyboards. It offers a wide range of scenes, characters, and templates to make visual storytelling easy and engaging. The platform supports teachers with lesson plans and activities, businesses with professional templates, and individuals with creative tools for projects like comics and graphic novels. With free and premium options, Storyboard That makes storyboarding accessible and versatile for various needs. We encourage parents to sign up as teachers and take advantage of the excellent lesson plans!
Creativebug offers a wide range of online art and craft classes, featuring expert-led videos and step-by-step tutorials. Subscribers have access to thousands of classes in various disciplines, including knitting, sewing, drawing, and more, with new content added regularly. The platform also provides downloadable patterns, templates, and recipes to complement the video lessons. Creativebug is a great resource for anyone looking to learn new crafts or enhance their creative skills.
Language Resources
The Duolingo website is a popular language-learning platform that offers an interactive and gamified approach to acquiring new languages. The content includes a range of language courses that cover 30 languages over multiple proficiency levels, catering to beginners as well as more advanced learners. Duolingo's philosophy centers around making language learning accessible and engaging for users worldwide, encouraging daily practice through its bite-sized lessons and rewards system. This website is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to learn a new language at their own pace, as its user-friendly interface, diverse language offerings, and focus on consistent practice make it an effective and enjoyable tool. Homeschool families can create a FREE school account, which enables parents to manage student engagement and progress.
MUZZY BBC offers an immersive language learning program for children, teaching languages like Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Mandarin through engaging videos and interactive activities. The program is designed to make language acquisition fun and effective for young learners, using animated stories and games. It's a great tool for parents and educators looking to introduce a second language to children in an enjoyable and structured way.
Rosetta Stone is a language-learning software renowned for its immersive and interactive approach, using dynamic immersion to teach new languages through real-life context and visual cues. It offers courses in 24 languages, designed to develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The platform's intuitive interface and engaging content make it a popular choice for individuals and educational institutions aiming to achieve language proficiency.