KinderBach.com Review

Posted on

In our homeschool, music and art do not get categorized as “electives.” On the contrary. So I was very keen on giving KinderBach piano lessons to my children when the opportunity came up, through the Review Crew.

Kinderbach Review
To be specific, I have been using the The KinderBach Online Piano Lesson Membership with Teacher Corner. Let me explain. Kinderbach is an online curriculum with piano lessons for children ages 3-7. For a limited time, the yearly subscription is $95.88 per year. That’s only $7.99 per month.

Your young students watch short videos which present piano and music theory instruction. At different points, you will have to pause the video so that they have time to finish their crafts or get their rhythm instruments ready or get into position in front of the piano.

My son, 6, started taking violin lessons a few months ago. My daughter, 3, would really like to play an instrument, too. She does not want to get left behind. These online piano lessons for young children give her just enough exposure to music theory and practice to satisfy her curiosity.

My children doing their Kinderbach.com lesson with rhythm instruments, crayons and coloring pages

My children doing their KinderBach.com lesson with rhythm instruments, crayons and coloring pages

We have a piano, but a small keyboard will suffice. You should, however, have a fast internet connection, crayons, card stock, printer paper and a good printer. All the books and worksheets are PDFs and you print them as you go.

No internet connection at home? No problem. You can also get this program on DVDs. If you travel, you can download the KinderBach App. How convenient is that?

The curriculum contains six levels, each with 10 weeks. Each week features five short videos: an introduction and four lessons. Each video is about three minutes long. An occasional video will be double that.

One full lesson, according to the lesson plans they give you, should take about 20 minutes, but I have found that it takes even less for us, probably because I only have two students. So if you do one lesson a week, you should comfortably finish the first three levels in one school year.

My children can do three lessons in one sitting though. I actually have to stop them and direct them to our next activity. They really enjoy KinderBach and get engrossed in it.

Once, I was talking to my husband and the children were doing their KinderBach lesson nearby. When Ms. Karri, the piano teacher on the video, gave them the cue, they grabbed their rhythm instruments and started playing. It was surreal to see my children “perform” at somebody else’s direction. My husband and I had one of those feel-good parenting moments.

I think it’s great that you can start your child at whatever level they are on. I started mine with the very first lesson, even though I taught them some piano last year. I just wanted to make sure we would not miss anything.

Early music lessons help a child in so many ways. The question is not, “Should I teach my children an instrument?” The question is, “Which instrument?” Then, one must consider the cost of regular instrument lessons, plus leaving home, logistics with one’s other children and the cost of gas. By the time you factor all this in, KinderBach becomes one convenient bargain alternative.

Kinderbach Review
KinderBach lessons are fun. They introduce your young children to several animal friends who, in turn, show them piano basics. There are coloring sheets, crafts to make, songs to learn, rhythm instruments to tap and quick videos to watch. Young children look forward to KinderBach lessons because they enjoy them.

Some of you may be thinking, “I thought you believed in delayed academics. Dr. Moore warned against burning children out with practicing an instrument too young.” Let me just say this… When it comes to introducing children to music, there are many ways to do it, some more gentle than others. KinderBach falls in the very gentle category.

As I said above, children who take KinderBach piano lessons color, cut, paste, and play with rhythm instruments. They stand up with the high notes and they squat down with the low notes. They make friends with all these cute characters who teach them musical notes or rhythm (like the beat bugs). They sing “Twinkle, Twinkle” and “Start Light, Start Bright.” I cannot stress this enough: KinderBach is a very gentle introduction to music theory and piano lessons.

Kinderbach Review
For me, it was a little too gentle at first. I thought, “Can we please get past Dodi (the donkey) and his house (which sits between the two black keys)?” I know. I’m a bit on the serious side.

But then, I noticed how much my young children were enjoying it. They needed a point of reference on the piano for the pattern of two black keys and three black keys. They appreciated the animals and their fun names.

I took four years of piano in middle school, but one does not need any prior knowledge to teach with this preschool piano curriculum. KinderBach will give you lesson plans, lesson aids, short videos and MP3 files you can play and sing to through the classes.

You can make this as formal or as informal as you want to. The lesson plans will tell you exactly what to do and how. Or, you can simply play the videos for the children to watch and print out strictly the coloring page or craft for that particular lesson. That’s what I did. It gave me some freedom to get some things done while they were busy tutoring themselves through the videos. Not a bad deal at all.

Kinderbach Review
I cannot say enough about Ms. Karri, the founder of KinderBach and the teacher on the videos. She has a really great presence for small children. You know how teachers of small children can overdo it sometimes? She is just right. Not too silly, not too serious. When she says, “Would you play with me?” my daughter replies, “Yes!”

With their free trial offer, you can try it in your homeschool and see if it fits. They will give you two weeks’ worth of lessons and worksheets. You cannot go wrong.

Click to read Crew Reviews
 

Crew Disclaimer


5 Days of Homeschool Essentials, Day 5 – Craft Materials

Posted on

(This post on craft materials as homeschooling essentials contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.)

Even high school students need poster board, right? And some fancy-schmancy markers? But when you homeschool elementary and preschool kids, like I do, craft materials become an essential. I would even put this before a few others I have mentioned. So last, but not least, here’s my #5 homeschooling essential: craft materials.

A simple Google search will reveal all sorts of ideas for crafts. For those of us who are craft-challenged, a curriculum like Home Art Studio will be worth every penny. Some of the projects you see here came from their DVD. I plan to do a full review on this curriculum in February.

Children mix red and yellow paint to obtain orange.

My kids mixed red and yellow to make orange, then painted small paper plates orange. They were so proud of their creations.

Small children love crafts and they develop so many skills through cutting and pasting, threading and buttoning, matching and measuring. Crafts are the perfect activity during which they have fun and learn at the same time, without realizing they are doing so.

Happy Sun - a simple craft project

Crafts don’t have to be difficult: paint a whole paper orange, let it dry, draw a circle, cut it out. Also, cut out triangles and mount on blue construction paper. Add details like eyes, mouth and clouds.

Your craft cabinet should contain inexpensive items (Dollar Stores come to mind) like:

  • scissors
  • glue
  • construction paper
  • scrap paper in different colors
  • card stock
  • crayons
  • markers
  • paint (different types)
  • brushes (different sizes)
  • stickers
  • play dough
Purple play dough flower, with stem and leaves

My daughter and I made purple play dough. It’s her favorite color. Then, we cut it out with our flower shape. We rolled the stem. For the leaves, we flattened bits of play dough.

Simple household items you already have will come in handy, like:

  • egg cartons (make sure they are clean)
  • paper plates
  • scotch tape
  • a stapler
  • cereal boxes
  • yarn
  • a hole puncher
  • brown paper bags
  • raffia
  • manila folders
Hand prints in primary colors

Another simple project: kids love tracing their own hands. Then, have them paint them.

Here’s my suggestion: bite the bullet and invest in the ultimate Crayola Play Doh set. Then, the only thing you need to do is make your own play dough every six months. It’s certainly cheaper than buying it. Bonus: you appear even bigger and wiser to your children for producing play dough right in your kitchen. By the way, they will love to help you measure and knead.

Need a simple play dough recipe? Here it is:

1 cup flour

1/2 c salt

1 tablespoon cream of tartar

1 cup water

1 tablespoon oil

food coloring

Cook in saucepan over medium heat until mixture pulls away from sides of pan and becomes like play dough in consistency. Knead until cool. It will stay soft in airtight container. No need to refrigerate.

For more essentials, check out these blogs from my friends at the TOS Review Crew below:

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World

Julie @ Nurturing Learning

Lisa @ Farm Fresh Adventures

DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor

Lori @ At Home: where life happens

Nicole @ Journey to Excellence

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool

Meg @ Adventures with Jude

Sarah @ Delivering Grace
5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials


5 Days of Homeschool Essentials, Day 3 – A Support Group

Posted on

When I started researching homeschooling, I looked at the internet (worldwide search), which directed me to HSLDA (national organization supporting homeschoolers legally in the US), which directed me to THEA (Tennessee Home Education Association – my state’s Christian homeschooling support group).

Which directed me to SMHEA (Smoky Mountains Home Education Association – our regional support group), which directed me to the EDGE (Empowering Disciples through Godly Education – a local co-op), which lead me to Sevier County Homeschooling Group – a support group for homeschoolers in my county.

EDGE homeschool co-op students in Seymour, TN

My children and other EDGE students on their first day of homeschool co-op, August 2012. My children were only two and four at the time – how time flies.

I attend the Sevier County Homeschoolers’ monthly Parent Support Night and it helps me so much. There’s something to be said about socialization, you know? I say that tongue-in-cheek, of course.

We bring some food, share a few things that happened in our homeschools, ask a few questions, get some answers, have a devotional, and win a door prize (or not). Good ol’ fellowship with like-minded moms while the kiddos are at home with their dads goes a looooong way.

These are my people. Homeschooling moms.

When I meet a homeschooling mom, we have an instant connection.

We get it.

We dig each other.

We know what it’s like to feel called.

We know how it feels to put our noses to the homeschooling grind every morning.

Homeschooling moms must have a support group to get started, to keep going and to successfully reach the finish line, a.k.a. graduation.

That’s why a support group is my #3 homeschooling essential. Check out some more essentials from my friends on the TOS Review Crew:

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World

Julie @ Nurturing Learning

Lisa @ Farm Fresh Adventures

DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor

Lori @ At Home: where life happens

Nicole @ Journey to Excellence

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool

Meg @ Adventures with Jude

Sarah @ Delivering Grace

5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials


5 Days of Homeschool Essentials, Day 2 – A Library Card

Posted on

When I decided I was going to homeschool, I started doing more serious research. Until then, I had read some about what homeschooling is and how it can be done. But now that it was official and we were going to homeschool for sure, it was time to make a list of lists and get to reading all those books I had heard about.

Children's librarian plays dominoes with boy and girl

Ms. Ethel playing dominoes with my kids after Story Time

I decided to look into my local library‘s resources, although I did not think I would find anything there. After all, we live in an exemplary school system and a small town. Homeschoolers are scant to non-existent. Why would the library provide homeschooling books?

I sheepishly asked the librarian if they had a homeschooling section. She said, “Sure. Let me show you where it is.” She took me there and motioned to half a shelf of books, many of which were on my list.

My list, by the way, originated from a website run by the local homeschool support organization. Their motto was, “We have combed the shelves so you don’t have to.” Their list of seven homeschooling books represented the cream of the crop. Wonder of wonders, my library had most of them.

I was so excited, I was in tears. Tears of joy. My local library had most of the books to get me started on this journey. When I walked back to my seat at Story Time, another mom saw my armful of books and their titles. She leaned over and asked, “Are you going to homeschool?” I said, “Probably,” and waited for a gasp of horror.

She beamed and said, “We will, too.” I could not believe it. Now it was really hard to blink back the tears.

Coming to the library that morning, I thought I would not find much support. Not only did I find the homeschooling books I needed, I also found a kindred spirit in this other homeschooling mom.

I got books from the library for “Before Five in A Row” or for my reading list from “Books Children Love.” We get books the kids pick out every time we go there for Story Time. Last year, we saved $1,700 by using our local library instead of purchasing the books we read.

We attend Story Time regularly. Ms. Ethel, the children’s librarian, faithfully puts programs together which include reading, then a craft or a game. Summer Reading Programs provide great opportunities for learning, as well.

Need I say more? If the library cannot help you homeschool for free, it can definitely help you homeschool for less.

Check out more homeschooling essentials from some of my crew members:

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World

Julie @ Nurturing Learning

Lisa @ Farm Fresh Adventures

DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor

Lori @ At Home: where life happens

Nicole @ Journey to Excellence

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool

Meg @ Adventures with Jude

Sarah @ Delivering Grace

5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials


5 Days of Homeschool Essentials, Day 1 – A Supportive Spouse

Posted on

What essentials do you need to homeschool your children successfully? A master’s in education? Classroom experience? Lots of money? None of the above, in my book.

Here’s my list of homeschool essentials:

1. A supportive spouse

2. A library card

3. A support group

4. An internet connection

5. Craft materials

Let’s talk about the first one: a supportive spouse.

God worked a miracle in my heart to help me embrace homeschooling. Then, I found myself desiring something that my husband did not approve of.

Stack of rocks balancing

A supportive husband provides the balance needed in the homeschooling process.

My husband and I are best friends. We talk about everything. We agree on everything.

To say it was hard while we wanted different things for our children would be a huge understatement. Thankfully, it only happened for a couple of months.

Did we talk about having children in pre-marital counseling? Yes. Did we discuss how we were going to educate them? Sure. But I wasn’t a mom. I did not know that, one day, I would feel I could not breathe if my children spent seven hours away from me, five days a week.

Having children changed my perspective on homeschooling.

Well, God changed my husband’s heart, too. He agreed to homeschool and here we are.

What a team we make, the two of us! I have always been into Humanities, while he is a computer geek and a scientist at heart. Combining our forces, we love guiding our children’s education, talking about developments and making decisions as we see fit. We joke that he is the principal of the school, but he really fulfills that role.

A supportive spouse can

  • counsel
  • congratulate
  • pick up the slack
  • endure till the end
  • keep you sane
  • teach a subject you don’t like
  • read to the kids
  • drive them to co-op
  • listen
  • laugh
  • pray
  • brag
  • love
  • accept
  • forgive
  • encourage
  • etc etc etc

I personally know some homeschooling mothers who are either single or whose husbands barely tolerate homeschooling. These moms have done an amazing job without a supportive spouse. They prove it can be done even without a supportive spouse, but they tell me how difficult it is.

For me, a supportive husband represents the #1 homeschooling essential.

For more interpretations of the homeschool essentials, check out these great blog posts from my friends on the Crew.

Laura @ Day by Day in Our World

Julie @ Nurturing Learning

Lisa @ Farm Fresh Adventures

DaLynn @ For the Display of His Splendor

Lori @ At Home: where life happens

Nicole @ Journey to Excellence

Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool

Meg @ Adventures with Jude

Sarah @ Delivering Grace

5 Days of Homeschooling Essentials