Welcome to NCS Connects, a virtual resource library for youth, teens, parents and guardians!
Alert:
CoachArt 
– Resources for parents, guardians and caregivers who want to provide enriching crafts for children with physical conditions, plus 10 easy crafts for kids with motor disabilities.
Common Sense Education – Special education apps and websites recommended by educators and experts, including apps that address foundational skills, boost social and emotional skills, and help kids with autism follow a schedule.
Into the Book – A multimedia package designed to improve elementary students' reading comprehension, as well as their ability to think and learn across the curriculum. Includes nine 15-minute classroom videos teaching children how to be strategic readers.
LD Resources Foundation – A list of assistive technology tools that are helpful for learning disabilities, dyslexia and ADHD.
Learning Ally – A proven accommodation for kids with reading-based learning differences such as dyslexia. Human-read audiobooks for kids will help them focus, visualize and understand content.
Reading Rockets – Research-based reading strategies, lessons and activities designed to help young children learn how to read and help struggling readers build fluency, vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Heifer International – Downloadable books, mazes, word searches and more from Heifer International’s school programs, with topics in social studies (geography, economics), science and language arts. Designed for students in kindergarten through grade 5.
Into the Book – A multimedia package designed to improve elementary students' reading comprehension, as well as their ability to think and learn across the curriculum. Includes nine 15-minute classroom videos teaching children how to be strategic readers.
Fun Math (video); Instructions (PDF)
Kennedy Center’s Digital Stage – Watch original works, new clips, and explore a vast archive of performances.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems – Daily art lessons with the Kennedy Center’s Education Artist-in-Residence at Home.
National Museum of African American History and Culture – Educational resources for families, and an opportunity to explore items from the collection.
National Museum of Natural History – Take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum as well as past exhibits no longer on display.
NPR Music – A list of live audio and video streams from around the world, categorized by date and genre, with links to streaming platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
NPR Tiny Desk – Intimate video performances, recorded live at the desk of “All Songs Considered” host Bob Boilen.
PBS UNUM Ken Burns – Explore American history through scenes selected from across 40 films.
Origami w/ Mr. Earl (video)
Mosaic Window Art (video)
Fun Word Sign (video)
Mosaic Picture Frame (video)
I Can't Imagine Life Without...
Origami Bag (video); Instructions (PDF)
Get to Know You Game (video)
Paper Heart Chain (video); Instructions (PDF)
Simple DIY Puzzle (video)
Affirmation Frame (video)
Nature Self-Portrait (video)
Paracord Bracelet (video)
Nature Discovery to Save My Earth
Me on the Maps (video)
Kindness with Chalk (video)
Superhero Self-Portrait (video)
Origami Swan (video)
Celebration Squash Book (video)
Celebration Photo Frame (video)
NIH: Exercise and Physical Activity Tracking Tools – Use these tracking tools to help stick to your exercise routine and see your progress.
USDA: MyPlate Kitchen – Explore free recipes and create your own cookbook.
Our Minds Matter – Virtual weekly wellness meetings that promote social connectedness and the development of healthy habits and coping skills for students. View the Summer Camp Playlist for more wellness videos and resources from OMM.
Well Beings – Mental health challenges come in many forms, from all walks of life. Explore video stories to see how others deal with the challenges and address the stigmas.
Circuit Training w/ Jerald (video)
Stress Relief/Self-Awareness (video)
Soccer Basics (video)
My Identity (see video demonstration)
My Identity (video)
Basketball Dribbling Workout (video)
Stretching w/ Ms. Janet (video); Instructions (PDF)
Discovering the World Around Us Scavenger Hunt
Cooking w/ Caroline: Asian Ramen Salad (video)
Lavender Body Scrub (video)
Circuit Workout: Jump Rope (video)
Intro to Pickleball (video)
Our Minds Matter: Summer Camp Playlist (for teens only) – Wellness videos designed to provide teens with the resources and tools to change their school culture around mental health.
Our Minds Matter – Virtual weekly wellness meetings that promote social connectedness and the development of healthy habits and coping skills for students.
Fairfax Prevention Coalition – Virtual trainings on topics such as drug trends, synthetic drugs, nicotine, alcohol, and more.
The Facts About Alcohol Use (video)
The Facts About Marijuana (video)
The Facts About Vaping (video)
Baltimore Aquarium – Take a virtual tour of the aquarium’s live exhibits and explore scenes such as Atlantic Coral Reef, Dolphins, Shark Alley and more.
Code.org – Learn computer science at home with these introductory tutorials and courses for all ages. Includes a live, weekly interactive classroom and challenge to engage students of all abilities, even those without computers.
Data Science Programs – An overview of Virginia Data Science degree programs, including online data science programs.
Discovery Museum at Home – At-home activities to inspire fun and interactive ways to play, learn and explore.
Master’s in Data Science: Ultimate STEM Guide for Kids – A comprehensive guide for students in elementary school to high school, including 239 cool websites about science, technology, engineering and math.
National Aquarium – Aquatic activities to do at home, plus livestreams providing up-close looks at the Blacktip Reef exhibit, blue blubber jellies, and residents of a Pacific coral reef.
National Building Museum – Discover architecture, design and engineering with hands-on, educational activities for all ages.
National Geographic Museum – View a virtual tour of "Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr. Jane Goodall," a story of extraordinary scientific achievement and inspiration.
National Informal STEM Education Network – Exhibits and digital activity kits on earth and space science, life sciences, engineering and technology and more.
Smithsonian Learning Lab – An interactive platform for discovering millions of authentic digital resources, creating content with online tools, and sharing in the Smithsonian’s expansive community of knowledge and learning.
Hidden Crayon Message (video)
Geodesic Dome (video)
Cooking: Snickerdoodles (video); download recipe (PDF)
Paper Boat (video)
Living Seed Necklace (video); Living Seed Necklace (instructions)
DIY Body and Lip Scrub (video)
Yummy DNA (video)
DIY Face Mask (video); Instructions (PDF
Rosie Riveters: LED Light Art (video)
Pollinator Pool (video)
Interview w/ a Police Officer - Youth (video)
Interview w/ a Police Officer - Teens (video)
Smartphone Camera Tips & Tricks (video)
Careers in Filmmaking (video)
Camera Stabilization Techniques (video)
Making Face Shields (video)
Peace Warriors for the Arts (video)
NCS Parent Connect – Provides in-person services for parents and guardians at a variety of community locations. Assistance includes support related to digital literacy and Internet access; support related to language barriers; and connection to county Health & Human Services resources. These services are offered by appointment only Monday through Friday, 3-8 p.m. Times may vary by location; see full list on the Parent Connect website.
Fairfax County Children, Youth and Families Division – Virtual support for parents through videos, virtual classes, parent groups, a parent support hotline and more.
Fairfax County Public Schools Tips for Online Learning Success – Get set for virtual learning success with tech tips and online learning strategies for students, plus a troubleshooting guide.
Fairfax County Public Schools Parent Resource Center – Attend free parent workshops to learn the latest information to help your child succeed.
Fairfax County Community Chaplain Corps – Spiritual support by phone is available for adults 18 and over.
Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board – Join weekly virtual concurrent groups for parents and teens. "Heads Up" is for teens ages 14-17 who are working through emotional, mental health or substance use challenges. "Talk It Out" provides support, education and resources to their parents and guardians. These confidential sessions are provided online via Zoom for Telehealth each Thursday from 6-7 p.m. Visit the CSB website to get the access code to join.