TOS Review: KinderBach Beginner Piano Fun Early Childhood First Music Lessons

As part of the TOS Review Crew, I was asked to review The KinderBach Online Piano Lesson Membership with Teacher Corner from KinderBach. I was given use of the program, in exchange for my honest review opinion, as follows:

We are thoroughly enjoying reviewing this program. My daughter laughs and interacts with each lesson. Sometimes the lessons have her jumping up and down or walking, and this is so wonderful for my extremely kinetic style learning seven year old.

When my daughter logs in to each day's lessons, there is sometimes a worksheet that corresponds with that particular lesson. I absolutely love how KinderBach links these together in one easy and convenient spot. It is all right there for me to just click and print right before continuing with the lesson. Between the supply list that is given in the introduction to each new week and the worksheets that are at the bottom of the lesson where they are to be used, I always know that my daughter has everything she needs for each lesson.

I loved the fact that I was able to go to the site through a browser on my iPhone and hand the phone over to my daughter to hit Play on each lesson. I stayed near her to make sure she understood what was being presented and to hand her the worksheets and materials she needed as the lessons played out, but the planning time was so simple for me as the teacher.


How The Lessons Work:

There are currently six levels of lessons. Each level contains 10 weeks’ worth of learning at approximately 20 minutes per lesson. Since my daughter is on the upper end of the age range, she easily handled and enjoyed doing more than one lesson at a time, but even at two lessons at a time, there is plenty of learning time included to cover a year or more of music lessons.

These early childhood music lessons are so fun, but I strongly agree that they also prove to help give children a great start with the basics. KinderBach explains how early music lessons help instill "The 3 R's" of Reading, Writing and Arithmetic into young children.

I live in an extremely homeschool friendly state that does not require common core testing or proof of compliance. However, for homeschoolers who live in states that require compliance with the Common Core, this KinderBach program has aligned its curriculum to meet or exceed these standards. In my opinion, the program far exceeds the basic standard requirements and sets a wonderful foundation for music learning that spills over into all other learning.

Through games, music, and activities, my daughter is learning rhythm, pitch, and proper note placement on the piano.



Miss Karri is an upbeat, friendly instructor who presents the program using fun characters, like a boy named Frisco, Dodi the Donkey, Carla the Caterpillar, Edward the Eagle, Felicity the Frog, Gracie the Gorilla, Alan the Alligator, and Bob the Bear.




It is geared toward early childhood first music lessons for children ages 3-7 and costs $130 per year, but is currently on special for a limited time at $95.88 per year, which comes down to $7.99 per month for one year.

  

The lessons also played perfectly on my daughter's Kurio Android Tablet

On Line and On-The-Go Convenient Access:

The lessons are ready-to-go and online. Most all I needed was a piano or piano keyboard, a PC or Mac, though I played the lessons mostly from my iPhone. KinderBach has made the lessons so that they can easily be streamed from any device, PC, Mac, iPad or iPhone. I LOVED this, because I always have my phone with me.

I also needed a printer, and paper. Some lessons require basic supplies such as crayons, simple craft supplies, a printed worksheet or a rhythm instrument.

iPhone and iPad Apps

KinderBach also has an iPad and iPhone app that is free through lesson 2, at which point it gives you the option to buy individual lessons. For $12.99, there is a classroom version of the apps that provide Levels 1 to 3.

The apps include a touch keyboard, on screen which is really fun and easy to use without having to be in front of a piano or keyboard. This video explains how the apps work. I downloaded the free version to try it out, and I really liked how it had a keyboard right there on the screen. This is fabulous for on-the-go learning.

Even though, the lessons we finished were really well presented and ready to go when my child hit Play, the Teacher Corner allowed me to go in and take control of what my daughter would be learning by allowing me to view the lesson overviews so I could prepare. I was able to view the pdf printable file booklets that are filled with lesson plans.



I was also able to print out any coloring sheets or worksheets and to gather all of the materials needed so it was ready for my daughter before she began each lesson. I was also able to download:

• a “Train Station” story book that teaches piano concepts using the Piano Pal characters, and is first in a developing series.

• coloring book sheets, like Dodi House or Train Stations.

• and a really fun music song book that shows the child how to play by using colorful animal stickers. The books are available with an mp3 and 15 familiar songs that children are able to play right away. The books include 'Everyday Songs and Lyrics', 'Patriotic', 'Hymns', and 'Christmas'.

At the end of Level 1, there are certificates to print and fill in the student’s name. In the Teacher Corner, there is also the option of purchasing the lesson plans on DVD for $19.95 for each level.



Find KinderBach at these social media sites:

Facebook
Facebook for Teachers
Twitter: @KinderBach
Pinterest
YouTube: KinderBach Preschool Piano

Please read what other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew thought here, or click on the picture below:




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