KinderBach is a video program for teaching young children to play the piano. They have two music curriculums – one for schools and one for home. We recently signed up for a trial run of their online program and I tried it out on Gavin (Gareth at 16 months is still too young for this program). After my past attempts to teach him music, I wasn’t particularly hopeful for a positive response so I just played the video clips and let him watch as and when he wanted to. To my surprise, he was actually keen to proceed with the next video lesson.
We were doing quite well until Gavin got sick. Then after Gavin recovered, Gareth got sick. Although Gareth got better, he’s taken a turn again and has been cranky all day. All our home lessons have come to a stop with Gareth being exceptionally clingy. The only thing he could stand to give any amount of attention to without breaking down and crying after a couple of minutes was the TV.
I’m digressing… Here are the details for the KinderBach home curriculum:
- KinderBach teaches piano to children by using fun characters to teach them music vocabulary, note reading, rhythm, physical technique, “do re mi” singing, listening skills and music composition.
- The curriculum follows the MENC National Standards for Pre-K which means it can be translated to any instrument.
- To cater for the different styles of learning, KinderBach engages children through audio, visual and kinesthetic methods.
- The curriculum is available on DVD or through online video presentations.
- In addition to the video lessons, KinderBach includes games, puzzles and activity sheets on PDF that parents can download and print out.
Here’s a sample of one of the video lessons:
There are more videos available on the KinderBach Youtube channel and you can sign up for a trial lesson to see what the whole program is like.
Online lessons start at $7.99 a month (if you pay for an annual membership) or $19.99 if you go month by month. DVD value packages cost $202.88 for Level 1 to 6 (there are various combinations you can purchase so do take a look at their other value bundles).
For a limited time, you can get 25% off all KinderBach products by using the following coupon code: KBonFB.
I also have one coupon for 35% off all KinderBach memberships and physical products that I will be giving away. For those interested to enter the draw, just leave a comment on this post and I’ll announce the winner at the end of the week.
Nurture for the Future 
ok, let´s give it a try. my dd is signed up fir suzuki but doesnt really take to it (yet).
rgds isa (nursing baby)
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Hi Isa – you’re the only one who has entered for it so it looks like you are the winner 🙂
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This does look very interesting. I was very tempted to participate, but as I could only go for a very small purchase if I won, I decided not to, to let somebody, who would draw a bigger benefit from the discount, participate.
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Thanks LM. Doesn’t look like there are many takers for this as well. I wonder if it is the program that isn’t attractive or if it is because less parents are interested in music programs for their children.
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What an interesting question you have raised there, Shen-Li, and something I have been thinking a lot about lately as I became very interested in early music education. It does seem that there is much less interest in music education among the early education community than there is, say, in teaching reading or math. I keep wondering whether there is simply not enough awareness of the benefits of early music education, or whether this is because music education is perceived less important than reading or math, or something that can be learned later, or something that is left for the “chosen few”, or whether parents with little/no formal music background simply lack confidence in doing much else apart from music exposure leaving anything beyond it to music professionals?
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I wonder, too. The previous times I have written about music, I find there are less readers for those articles. So there is definitely a reduced interest in early childhood music development. As to why, that would be interesting to find out. Maybe a poll?
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A poll sounds like a great idea! I don’t know why I haven’t thought of it. Is it something you would want to do in your blog or, perhaps, on BrillKids forum?
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I think it would be great to have it on both – so we can get a wider response.
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I have seen your thread on BrillKids. Thanks! Looking forward to seeing some answers.
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Thanks for bumping up the thread. Looks like there are some interesting thoughts coming out…
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I’ve seen you on Brillkids forum, what’s an interesting things you made and explain, thank you very much, Shen Li!
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My pleasure, Nikita! Glad to be able to provide another perspective. It is a wonderful learning journey not only for my children but for me as well.
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