How I Use the Internet to Teach My Children Art/Piano for Free
Some of you may or may not know that I am a homeschooling mom. I have a kindergartner and a second grader who both keep me on my toes all day long! They are so much fun and so eager at this age to learn new things. That makes it is such a joy to teach them.
However, there are some things that I cannot teach them and therefore I have to look to outside sources to fill this need. However, the cost of lessons for ANYTHING these days would be out of most people's budgets. I'm thinking of two specific activities that I know my girls would love to be involved in. These two activities are piano lessons and art classes. I took piano for about a year as a child, but I cannot play. I have taught them some basic things, but they are hungry for more. I love to draw, but that does not mean I can teach it.
So, what does a mom do in situations like this? I have decided to turn to free on-line services. (THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR ANY OF OF THESE WEB SITES.)
PIANO LESSONS
For piano lessons I have decided to try Hoffman Academy (formerly known as freepianolessons4kids.com). I had my girls take the first few lessons from Joseph Hoffman and I really liked him! However life happened and we never got back to it. I'm going to try again this winter and I'll keep you updated on our progress.
Their new website just opened a few days ago and it looks nice. The videos are very clear and he teaches in nice short lessons. What's great about computer lessons is that the girls can sit right in front of the computer with our piano keyboard. Of course, if you have an iPad, and a real piano you can just sit Mr. Hoffman on your piano stand and start your lessons!
The best part is that you do not ever have to pay for a lesson. However, there are extra materials, practice sheets etc..., that you can download for a minimal fee. I did this for the first lessons and my girls really like the handouts. If you are looking for something that does not cost you anything to try, maybe Hoffman Academy is for you.
ART LESSONS
For art lessons I have decided to turn to YouTube. Yesterday, I was trying to help my daughter with how to shade a picture. So, I turned to the internet for help and found some good video tutorials. We instantly were hooked! I have always loved to draw and have tried to teach myself through books, but I still cannot draw anything. We had such a blast watching tutorials and drawing together. We learned how to draw an eye, a baby, a person, a castle and a tree. She may not be able to have personal instruction, but with art, practice really does make perfect.
Here are some samples of our fun day of drawing yesterday.
My Drawing |
Husband's Drawing |
Now, here are the important pictures. My daughter just turned 7 and I think these pictures are great for a 7 year old. Of course I'm a little biased! :)
Realistic Drawing of an Eye |
Drawing of a Person |
Drawing of a Baby |
Drawing of Teenager |
Palm Tree |
Walnut Tree |
Castle |
Didn't she do great?! I'm so proud of her. She is drawing more today and taking what she has learned and expanding on it. Here is her latest...
Walking the Dog |
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Blessings,
~Gina
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~Gina