Wunderkeys

PianoMusic
Written By Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

WunderKeys was founded by Andrea and Trevor Dow to address the lack of piano programs tailored to very young children, particularly preschoolers. Recognizing the profound impact of piano on children's cognitive development, they designed WunderKeys as a series of method books that combine music with imaginative storytelling, aimed at making piano lessons engaging and developmentally appropriate for young learners​ (WunderKeys)​.

Grades
The program is suitable for children from preschool age through elementary school, roughly ages 3 to 12. They also now offer pop piano solos for teens.

Cost and Purchase Options
WunderKeys books are available for purchase through their official website, and prices typically range from $10 to $20 per book, depending on the level and series. Bundles and packages may offer additional savings

Online Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WunderKeys

Differentiation
What sets WunderKeys apart is its innovative approach to early music education. Designed specifically for preschoolers, it provides one-on-one piano lessons that integrate music with early math skills, fostering both musical and cognitive development. The program's structure is carefully scaffolded to align with young children's learning capacities, involving games and activities that make learning interactive and fun. This method contrasts sharply with traditional group music lessons, focusing instead on individualized attention and tailored progression​ (WunderKeys)​.

Getting Started
To begin with WunderKeys, parents can purchase method books directly tailored to their child's age and skill level, from preschool through to older beginners and intermediate players. The program is low-to-no prep for parents or teachers, with materials easily accessible and designed for quick learning outcomes. It's recommended to start young learners with short, engaging sessions, gradually increasing as they grow older and more focused​ (WunderKeys)​.

Educational Content
WunderKeys covers a broad range of educational content, structured across different levels:

  • Preschool: Focus on imagination and basic music and math concepts.

  • Primer and Level 1 and 2: Transition to more formal piano skills while still keeping learning playful and engaging.

  • Older Beginners and Intermediate: More complex music theory and practice tailored for older children, incorporating pop music studies.

What’s Good About It
Users praise WunderKeys for its engaging and child-friendly approach, which transforms piano learning from a chore to a delightful part of daily life. The books are filled with colorful illustrations and narratives that captivate children's interest. Moreover, the inclusion of games and off-bench activities helps maintain high levels of engagement and enthusiasm​ (WunderKeys)​.

Areas for Improvement
While WunderKeys offers a robust framework for young beginners, some users feel that the transition to more advanced levels could be smoother, with more resources for children transitioning out of the program into other methods or musical styles. Additionally, the focus on very young children means that older beginners might find the materials too simplistic or not challenging enough​ (WunderKeys)​.

Parental Advice
Parents suggest regular practice and making use of the supplementary materials provided, such as printable games and activities, to reinforce learning. Engaging with the WunderKeys community through their online platforms can also provide additional support and ideas for enhancing the home music education experience​ (WunderKeys)​.

Ideal and Non-Ideal Fits
WunderKeys is ideal for young children who are beginning their musical journey, particularly those who thrive with interactive and imaginative learning environments. It may not be as suitable for older children or those seeking a more traditional or rigorous approach to music education, as the playful and story-based method might not meet their learning needs or interests​ (WunderKeys)​..

Overall, WunderKeys is a standout choice for introducing young children to piano in a way that is both educational and extraordinarily fun. Its unique integration of music and storytelling, along with a strong community and support system, makes it a valuable resource for homeschooling families looking to foster a love of music in their children from an early age.

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Manisha Snoyer (co-founder of Modulo)

For the last 20 years, I’ve taught over 2000 children in 3 countries (of all socio-economic backgrounds). I pioneered an English language program in a conflict region in the Middle East. I’ve worked as a bilingual public school teacher at some of the highest and lowest performing public schools and in all five boroughs of NYC. I’ve tutored 18 subjects in three languages to some of the wealthiest families in NYC, San Francisco and Paris to make up for shortcomings in private schools they were paying up to $60,000 a year to attend.

Since 2015, I’ve helped hundreds of parents start microschools (way before this was a household buzzword). I founded CottageClass, the first marketplace for microschools and learning pods that was part of the Techstars 2018 class. In 2019, I created a virtual learning program to help families through the pandemic, a free online math tutoring program (masteryhour.org), and schoolclosures.org, a hotline developed in collaboration with Twilio and 80 other partners including Khan Academy, Revolution Foods and the Crisis Text Line, that served 100,000 families impacted by school closures.

I’ve climbed trees with children in forest schools in San Francisco, and tested new digital apps with kids in seven countries.

I’ve also coached dozens of families at different stages in their homeschooling journey. Most recently, I founded Modulo with homeschooling dad, best-selling author and tech entrepreneur Eric Ries, to help families curate their children’s education, social and childcare experiences drawing from a diverse array of in-person and online resources.


During the last three years, I’ve devoted much of my time to reviewing and testing secular homeschooling curriculum and other resource. I’ve spent the last three years talking to thousands of secular homeschooling families, and poring over tens of thousands of secular curriculum reviews and testing physical curriculum and digital apps for with hundreds of students to find the highest quality, most engaging, personalized learning materials for every type of learner.

I’ve spoken about homeschooling and modular learning at multiple venues including SXSW EDU, NY Tech Meetup, and on the LiberatedEd podcast.

In 2022, Modulo was one of 8 organizations who were awarded the Bridge Grant from the Vela Education Fund to expand access to homeschooling and modular learning to under-resourced communities.

My experience in education and homeschooling has led me to believe that there is no perfect education for every child, but families have an extraordinary amount of wisdom they can apply to building the perfect education for their individual child.

My goal with Modulo is to make it possible for any family to easily build a customized education that their child will love, and that will empower the whole family to thrive, taking into account, social, emotional and academic needs.

I love to answer questions from parents and receive feedback on how we can improve Modulo, so feel free to reach out anytime! I personally answer all the questions and comments readers leave on my blogs.

In my free time, I like hiking, traveling the world, tasting ceremonial grade matcha, enjoying dark chocolate.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Brandeis University with highest honors, with a double degree in French Literature and American Studies and minors in Environmental Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies.

And I love to learn!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/
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