33: KinderBach is the Missing Piece in your Homeschool Early Childhood Music Education Puzzle

Welcome to the "Music in Our Homeschool" podcast, your go-to resource for effortlessly incorporating quality music education into your homeschooling journey. Hosted by Gena Mayo, an expert with over 30 years of experience as a homeschooling mom and music teacher, each episode aims to empower you with practical tips, resources, and inspiration to nurture your child's musical talents.

In Episode 33, titled "KinderBach: A Homeschooling Game Changer," Gena delves into an exceptional early childhood music program designed specifically for young learners aged two to seven. Discover the ins and outs of KinderBach, a groundbreaking curriculum that makes teaching piano and foundational music skills both accessible and fun—even for parents with no musical background. Learn how KinderBach's six-level structure, complete with engaging video tutorials, playful characters like Dodi the Donkey and Frisco, and activities that promote ear training, note reading, rhythm, and even basic composition, can transform your homeschooling experience.

Gena emphasizes the program's flexibility, allowing KinderBach to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule with short, repeatable lessons that adapt to your child's pace. Hear testimonials from other homeschooling parents who have seen their children thrive with KinderBach and discover why this program is more than just a beginner piano course—it's a comprehensive music education that sets the stage for lifelong musical enjoyment.

Tune in to learn why KinderBach might be the missing piece in your early childhood education puzzle. Visit https://musicinourhomeschool.com/kinderbach to explore all the resources and start your musical journey with free sample lessons. If you find value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a five-star review to help other homeschooling families discover the joy of integrating music into their homes.

Happy homeschooling and keep the music alive!

Find links to all resources mentioned in this episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/why-kinderbach/

Please follow/subscribe to the podcast and leave a 5-star review and comment if you liked this episode! Find all courses at https://Learn.MusicinOurHomeschool.com ,free music lessons here: https://MusicinOurHomeschool.com/FreeMusicLessons , and lots more links here: https://linktr.ee/genamayo !

Transcript

KinderBach E33

[00:00:00] Hello, Homeschool Harmony heroes. Welcome back to the Music in Our Homeschool podcast. And if this is your first time here, welcome.

This is where we explore the best ways to incorporate music into your homeschooling journey. I'm your host, Gena Mayo, and today we're diving into a topic that is especially close to my heart, : Early Childhood Music and Movement Education. You might not know that I am certified as an early childhood music and movement educator, and I have taught it to kids ages birth through six years old, since 1998. I only missed two years during that time, 2022 and 2023, but I'm happy to be right back at it this year. We're teaching a group of five and six year olds at my homeschool co op. 

Today I want to specifically talk about a fantastic resource that you can use to help you successfully homeschool your preschooler. And it's called KinderBach. Whether you're a [00:01:00] seasoned homeschooler or just starting out, I think you're going to find that today's episode is incredibly valuable. 

If you are a homeschooler looking for ways to easily and affordably include a quality music education in your homeschool, you've come to the right place. This is the Music in Our Homeschool podcast. I'm Gina Mayo, homeschooling mom of eight and music teacher for over 30 years. So why is KinderBach such a game changer for homeschooling parents? Today we're going to explore that in depth. We'll talk about what KinderBach is, why it's perfect for preschoolers, and how it can make your homeschooling life a whole lot easier and a whole lot more fun. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear understanding of why KinderBach might just be the missing piece in your early childhood. education puzzle. 

First, let's start with the basics. What exactly is Kinderbach? If you haven't heard of it before, [00:02:00] Kinderbach, spelled K I N D E R B A C H, named after the composer Bach, is a dynamic and engaging music program specifically designed for young children between the ages of two and seven.

It was created by Karri Gregor, a visionary in early childhood music education. And it's a program that brings the joy of music and piano into your home in a way that's accessible for everyone, no matter the parent's musical background. 

Now I know what you might be thinking. I'm not a musician. How can I teach my own child piano? Well, that's the beauty of KinderBach. The program is designed so that you as the parent don't need any prior musical experience. The lessons are laid out in a way that's easy to follow with video tutorials by the incredible Karri Gregor doing most of the heavy lifting. All you need to do is facilitate, making sure your [00:03:00] child is engaged and enjoying the process. And trust me, they will be. 

One of the things I most love about KinderBach is how it's structured. The curriculum is divided into six levels, each packed with lessons that build on each other progressively. This means that your child starts with the basics, like learning the keyboard landscape, recognizing high and low pitches, practicing steady beat, and understanding simple rhythms. As they move through the levels, they gradually start to tackle more complex concepts, like note reading, rhythm, and even basic composition.

But what really sets KinderBach apart, apart from other early childhood music programs, is how it captures the imagination of the young child. The program uses colorful, playful characters to teach essential musical concepts in a way that's fun and engaging. There's Dodi the donkey, who lives at the two black keys [00:04:00] on the piano, and Frisco, who helps teach rhythm through movement.

These characters aren't just cute. They're tools that make learning memorable and enjoyable for the little ones. And for us homeschooling parents, that's a win win. Your child is learning while having a blast and you're seeing them develop skills that will last a lifetime. 

Now let's talk about flexibility. One of the biggest challenges in homeschooling, especially if you have multiple children, is finding a curriculum that fits into your already busy schedule. KinderBach is incredibly flexible in that regard. The lessons are short, usually around 5 to 10 minutes each, and can be repeated, and should be repeated, as often as necessary. As a mom of a preschooler, you already know that preschoolers love repetition. This allows you to fit music education into your day whenever it works best for you and your [00:05:00] child.

Whether you have 10 minutes in the morning or a quiet half hour in the afternoon, KinderBach adapts to your routine, not the other way around. And let's be honest, sometimes we need that flexibility. Life with young children can be unpredictable, and having a resource like KinderBach that doesn't demand a strict schedule is a huge relief.

You can take breaks, repeat lessons, and go at your child's pace, ensuring that he or she truly grasps each concept before moving on. That kind of adaptability is crucial for successful homeschooling, especially in the early years. 

But here's the thing. KinderBach is more than just a fun way to introduce your child to the piano. It's laying the foundation for a solid music education. By the time your child completes the KinderBach, program, they won't just be able to play a few songs, they'll have a deep understanding of [00:06:00] music that will prepare them for more advanced study, if that's the path they choose to take.

Now, let's break down some of the key areas KinderBach focuses on. Number one, ear training. From day one, KinderBach helps your child develop their listening skills. They'll learn to recognize the difference between high and low pitches, loud and soft sounds, and even start identifying simple rhythmic patterns. This is essential for playing by ear and for overall musical development. 

Number two, note reading. Kinderbach introduces note reading in a very approachable way for a young child. Your child will start by learning to recognize notes on the staff and understand basic music notation. This is a skill that many children struggle with when they begin traditional piano lessons, but Kinderbach makes it second nature for them. 

Number three, rhythm. Understanding rhythm is another critical [00:07:00] aspect of music education. KinderBach teaches your child to understand the beat value of notes, recognize different time signatures, and even clap back simple rhythm patterns. This rhythmic foundation is something that will benefit them not just in piano, but in any musical endeavor they pursue. 

Number four, hand positioning and technique. Proper hand positioning is key to playing the piano and Kinderbach introduces this concept early on. Your child will learn about finger numbers and how to position their hands on the keyboard correctly, which will set them up for success as they progress. 

Number five, creativity and composition. This is one of my favorite aspects of KinderBach. The program doesn't just teach your child to replicate music, it encourages them to create their own. Through guided composition activities, your child will start to see music as a form of self expression, which is [00:08:00] such a valuable lesson for young learners. 

Now I'd like to share a few testimonials from other homeschooling moms who have used Kinder Bach with their children. Their experiences really highlight how effective and enjoyable this program can be. 

Sarah says, "KinderBach has been an amazing addition to our homeschooling routine. My daughter loves the characters and I love that she's learning real music skills." 

Kimberly shares, "As a mom with no musical background, I was nervous about teaching piano, but KinderBach made it so easy. The lessons are clear, fun, and my kids are learning so much." 

And finally, Jessica mentions, "KinderBach has brought so much joy into our home. My son looks forward to his piano lessons, and I'm thrilled at how much he's learning." 

So whether your child is just starting to show an interest in music, or you're looking for a way to incorporate a structured music curriculum into [00:09:00] your homeschool, KinderBach is a resource I highly recommend.

It's more than just a beginning piano course. It's a comprehensive early childhood music education that will help your child develop skills that go far beyond the keyboard. If you're ready to get started, you can explore all the KinderBach levels and songbooks on our website at MusicinOurHomeschool.com/KinderBach. And there are free sample lessons available for each level. So go ahead and try those out with your child and see if it fits your family. 

Thank you so much for joining me today on the Music in Our Homeschool podcast. I hope this episode has given you some valuable insights into how KinderBach can help you successfully homeschool your preschooler.

If you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe and leave a review. Hopefully five stars. It really helps us reach more homeschooling families who are looking to bring music into their [00:10:00] homes. And as always, happy homeschooling and keep the music alive.

Find links to all resources mentioned in this episode here: https://musicinourhomeschool.com/why-kinderbach/