Jolene's song is a great example of making the most of these times by celebrating the things that we do have. What are you grateful for right now? (Screenshot courtesy of Death Metal Daughter/YouTube)
By now, we've all heard about the downsides of COVID-19 isolation. But there are upsides, too.
One of the biggest is the opportunity to focus on a new project or learn a new skill. Coast to coast, kids and their families are putting this inside time to good use. Mastering sewing, completing their comic book saga, perfecting the ultimate banana bread... there really is so much to do and try.
We'd like to share with you one of our favourite examples of quarantine creativity that we've seen yet. It comes from a nine-year-old Toronto girl named Jolene.
Your task is...
Jolene and her parents made sure that they maintained social distancing as they shot a video behind their home. (Screenshot courtesy of Death Metal Daughter/YouTube)
Like many families, Jolene's parents decided that no school didn't mean no projects or assignments. They decided to give her a task that would test her creativity, as well as give her a chance to express her feelings during the quarantine.
Her parents play music, and her father is part of a duo — Benchetrit Small Music — that composes film soundtracks. According to the duo's Instagram, "Our first homeschooling project was to write a song, record it and make a music video, all while practicing social distancing."
The result is "Best Friends!", an ode to, you guessed it, best friends! And we love it!
"Okay, vocals, take one... GO!" We can use technology in so many creative ways while at home. (Screenshot courtesy of Death Metal Daughter/YouTube)
One of the greatest things about the song and its spontaneous video is how well it shows how modern technology can help us in times like these. Want to record your own song or shoot a movie? You can do it! And throughout the video, Jolene interacts with her friends on video chat, proving that even when we can't be with each other, we can still stay in touch.
How are you being creative?
Keeping distance doesn't mean keeping still! (Screenshot courtesy of Death Metal Daughter/YouTube)
Of course, we're all looking forward to a time when things can return to normal. But until then, we're truly inspired to see kids (as well as huge theatre companies) turn these trying times into something positive and unique.
Are YOU doing projects at home with your family that you'd like to share with us? We'd love to see them! And maybe even feature them in an upcoming issue of the OWLconnected eMag! Please send video links and/or photos to owlconnected@owlkids.com.
In the meantime, enjoy "Best Friends!" below. Thanks for sharing your creativity with the world, Jolene!
(P.S. See if you can spot the magazine that Jolene is reading during her free time! ❤️?)
Awesome way to keep yourself busy! Thanks for the idea Jolene!???
Amazing job Jolene!!! So great to see you keeping busy and finding such a creative way to express yourself and your love for your friends! So proud of you 🙂
I really really liked it. It was so funny! Great gob Jolene!!!
Cool that she reads Chickadee!
I ❤️it!
😀 Great job Jolene!!!!!
That is so cute