Designed for family outings and scenic getaways, the Chevy Traverse provides comfort and convenience for every journey.
Photo Courtesy of Mini Picassos.
Whether they are helping their students with virtual classes through the local school district or trying homeschooling for the first time, Metro Detroit parents may be looking for new ways to spark their children’s imaginations as well as giving them fresh ways to approach class work.
That is where off-site or special Zoom classes that focus on the arts, music, nature or even baking come into play. These experiences not only help socialize students but they also enrich the learning environment in a way that boosts the whole family’s morale.
One example is Mini Picassos, an art-enrichment program with a studio space in Harper Woods. When the pandemic hit, owner Katy Wereley shifted her lessons online through Facebook and other platforms to help kids continue to do art every day for fun and education.
Now that she could reopen her studio, Wereley will be offering classes and one-day events there. Mini Picassos is also offering private lessons, learning-pod group events and whatever else at-home schooling parents need to bring art into their educational plans.
These private lessons typically are around two hours and involve one project or lesson. These are great for all age groups, Wereley said, and she brings all of the supplies the lesson needs. Each class is a minimum of three kids and a maximum of eight kids, so it is great for kids who are living near one another or who are learning in a pod. Prices range between $15 to $25 per child and are available Mondays, Wednesday or Fridays.
“Facebook is a great place to follow us for up-and-coming information,” Wereley said.
Here are some other places you can visit online or in person to enjoy the learning resources they are making available during the pandemic and beyond.
Cranbrook Institute of Science
If you have a child who is interested in science, this is a great resource for learning about everything they could ever want to know. Cranbrook offers lessons in anthropology, astronomy, space science, earth science, engineering, life science and ecosystems. There also are classes for younger learners. Every kid will enjoy a private tour of The Parade Company. It is much more than an art studio – its outstanding makers use STEAM to create its massive works of art. You can see the artists in action on these tours, which also gives you a behind-the-scenes look at America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as the Big Heads that walk around during local parades. It is described as “Detroit’s most enchanting hidden attraction,” and it is fun for all ages. ProjectArt is an award-winning New York-based arts education nonprofit, providing free after-school visual arts classes and artist residencies in public libraries across the nation. ProjectArt Live in Detroit has an online fall schedule that will appeal to ages 4 to 18. There also are many art exhibits all around Detroit that are outdoors to supplement everything you will learn in these classes. Motor City Music Together offers exactly what it sounds like: Music Together in Detroit, Madison Heights and other outdoor locations. Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners and the adults who love them. Come join them for community, quality family time and musical memories. There are many outdoor family classes as well in cities such as Ferndale where kids can sing, dance, play and learn. Nature At School through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. It offers live, interactive, virtual lessons with professional educators with pre- and post-lesson materials. These are comprehensive with 11 different lessons. Their lessons are aimed at classroom teachers of grades 3-12. They also are adding new options coming this fall for pre-K-2 as well as webinar options for homeschool co-ops and families.
STEAM
Art online
Music
Nature
