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This Starfall review takes a look at this educational website and why it’s such an easy way to make learning fun for kids.
Find out how the Starfall home membership helped this homeschool mom of 5 boost learning at home – and why you’ll love using these resources with your students.
Disclaimer: I received this product for free. As always, I’m sharing my honest opinions and was not required to provide a positive review.
Our Family’s History with Starfall
I had a revelation the other day.
I’ve been going around saying that we’ve been homeschooling for over 10 years. But, that’s a lie.
Actually, our homeschool adventures started as soon as our oldest (Captain) was born – 18+ years ago.
From the moment our first boy entered this world, I started teaching him. And looking for meaningful resources to weave into his development.
Most of our early resources consisted of songs, nursery rhymes, and books. As Captain got older (and we added more boys to the crew), I searched for easy yet powerful ways to boost learning at home and keep him engaged.
I don’t exactly recall how I found out about Starfall Education site. (Those early years with preschoolers, toddlers, and babies are a blur.)
I am, however, eternally grateful for this interactive learning platform for younger kids.
Our Early Start with Starfall
Captain expressed interest in learning how to read as a toddler. In addition to working with me, he used Starfall as an online way to take his learning to the next level.
At this point, “ABCs”, “It’s Fun to Read”, and “I’m Reading” captured his attention. Fun videos and activities made concepts, like letter identification and reading simple words, stick.
Starfall ABCs and other interactive games helped Captain excel at preschool, as well as public school Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Captain was often bored at school because he was reading chapter books before he entered Kindergarten. We credit Starfall for his early (and continued) reading success.
Side note: When I mentioned that I was finally writing a Starfall review, Captain burst into a grin as he recalled the ABC song “with the farmer” (not sure the man featured in the video is a farmer but Captain can STILL sing along to that song!).
How Our Family & Homeschool Has Grown with Starfall
Of course, I continued to use Starfall with my other 4 boys. And have enjoyed watching the program grow right along with my boys 😊
Starfall Education opened in October 2002 (the same month and year of Captain’s birth!). As a nonprofit organization, this online resource has grown into an optional membership, as well as educational app.
In addition to early literacy activities, Starfall has expanded into math skills and lessons, reading, and seasonal fun for preK-3rd grade.
I believe that all 5 of my boys are such strong readers (and students) because of their experiences with Starfall. It truly is my #1 secret to getting our homeschool off to a successful start (and I’m so excited to finally share our Starfall review!!).
Making Learning Fun for Your Kids Does NOT Have to Be Hard
When we started our official homeschool journey (back in 2012), I thought I had to replicate public school at home. I put together a schedule crammed with lessons and activities. And it was a massive flop.
I learned to let go and not fuss over every little detail. One of the ways that I did that was remembering how how effective it was to use resources that we could relax with and enjoy.
And I bet you can guess that Starfall was one of those resources 😉
Starfall Education site shares my views for keeping learning fun. I call those views the 3 S’s of Learning Fun:
- Simple
- Short
- Sweet
Starfall interactive games and videos are short and engaging, with songs and music in a colorful presentation.
As parents, we tend to overcomplicate and think that more is better. Adding more instructions, time, or details, however, isn’t the best way to help your kids master concepts.
Oh, and we often think we have to do it all. Wrong!
While it’s wonderful spending special time with your kids snuggling over a good book, you do NOT have to do it all – especially when you’re busy, like being a WAHM, homeschooling other kids, dealing with special needs, or other situation that requires attention.
Having additional activities for younger children to use on a mobile device or via Starfall website on a desktop is amazing!
Outsourcing with an online educational resource is beneficial for your kids AND you. Instead of worrying if you’re doing enough, you can feel good about what and how your kids are learning.
More About Starfall & F.A.Q.s
Like to know the nitty-gritty of a resource before using it with your kids? Same!
The Starfall Education Foundation is a publicly supported nonprofit organization that has both free and low-cost resources to make learning fun.
Positive reinforcement is used to help kids become confident and successful students.
With your Starfall annual membership, you have access to all interactive lessons and resources that are divided into prek-Kindergarten and then first grade/second grade/third grade.
PreK-Kindergarten:
- Math
- Math Songs
- Numbers
- Kindergarten Math
- Geometry & Measurement
- Language Arts & Music
- ABCs (wonderful for letter recognition and to help kids practice letter sounds)
- Learn to Read
- It’s Fun to Read
- I’m Reading
- C-A-T Word Machines
- Short Vowel Pals (interactive online early readers)
- ABC Rhymes
- Backpack Bear’s Books
- Talking Library
- Colors
- Nursery Rhymes
- Motion Songs
- Sing-Along Volume 1 & 2
- More Phonics
- Seasonal & Fun Games
- Calendar
- Ten Little Snowmen
- Make a Gingerbread Girl or Boy
- Silly Turkey
- Pick a Pumpkin (Captain still sings the song “Listen to the short u sound…”)
- 100th Day of School (Let’s Count to 100)
- Every Day is Earth Day
- Grandparent’s Day (help write a letter)
- Send a Valentine!
- Groundhog Day
- Garden Shop
- Respect & Kindness
Grades 1, 2, 3:
- Math
- Grade 1 math
- Grade 2 math
- Grade 3 math
- Geometry & Measurement
- Language Arts & Music
- Grade 1 English with lessons like:
- Beginning Capitalization
- Producing a Sentence
- Parts of Speech
- First Grade-Level Phonics
- Grade 2-3 English with lessons like:
- Irregular Plural Nouns
- Prefix Practice
- Build a Simple Sentence
- Intermediate (& Advanced) Capitalization
- Punctuation End Marks
- 2nd Grade & 3rd Grade-Level Phonics
- Learn to Read
- It’s Fun to Read
- Historical Folk Songs
- More Phonics
- Talking Library
- Grade 1 English with lessons like:
- Seasonal & Fun Activities
- Math Journey – Back to School
- Calendar
- What is the time?
- Send a Valentine!
- Word Hunt
- Every Day is Earth Day
- Groundhog Day
- Halloween Fractions
- Find a Four Leaf Clover
- Respect & Kindness
You have access to the Parent-Teacher Center. This hub contains so many resources to help you best use Starfall’s systematic approach!
You’ll find an entire section dedicated to Using Starfall.com. This section includes Start with the Basics and Complete Guide to Using Starfall. Also, you’ll find lessons broken down by Topic and Activities.
In addition to the getting started section, you’ll have access to Free Resources, including:
- ELA and Math practice sheets (customizable)
- Customizable Math, Word, and Picture Cards
- Projectable Books and Posters
- Printouts for Grades 1, 2, 3
- Phonics and Sight Words Word Book Kit
- Additional Practice Sheets
Another incredibly helpful part of the Starfall Parent-Teacher Center is the Lesson Plans and Alignments. You’ll find Teaching Guides for Pre-K, Kindergarten (ELA and Math),and Website Alignments.
My Favorite Way to Make Learning Fun: A Starfall Review
Starfall has been one of my absolutely favorite ways to make learning fun for my boys. I feel like this online low-cost membership program helped me give my boys an early start to becoming lifelong learners.
Play, hands-on activities and books, of course, are my preferences for young children. But, when you’re also dealing with older siblings or erratic schedules, a child-safe and ad-free site and app can be a life saver!
If you have young learners (preK-3rd grade), I encourage you to try a Starfall Membership. It’s super affordable ($35 per year) for a Home Membership (which serves a single family household, including grandparents, for one year on computers and mobile devices).
GIVEAWAY: Win a Starfall Membership!
**WooHoo! Here are TWO different ways to give Starfall a try!
You can get a free 30-day trial (no credit card needed) if you’d like to try the membership. At the end of the trial period, if the membership is a good fit and you choose to join, you’ll receive $5.00 off (making the membership only $30.00 for a year).
To receive a 30-day trial, simply emailhelpdesk@starfall.comand request a 1-month trial.
A fantastic way to give a yearly membership to Starfall a try is to win it in this GIVEAWAY!!
3 winners will get a one-year Starfall Home Membership (value $35).
Please let me know if you have ANY questions about this Starfall review. I’d love to help 😊
As an education enthusiast with a profound understanding of interactive learning platforms and their impact on early childhood education, I can provide valuable insights into the Starfall review presented here. The evidence of my expertise lies in my comprehensive knowledge of educational technology, particularly in the realm of online resources for children.
The Starfall Education site, established in October 2002, has evolved into a nonprofit organization offering a diverse range of educational content, including both free and low-cost resources. My familiarity with Starfall's history and growth aligns with the information presented in the article, affirming its role as a longstanding player in the field of online education for young learners.
The article emphasizes the author's personal experience with Starfall, specifically how it has been an integral part of their homeschooling journey for over 18 years. This firsthand account serves as compelling evidence of the platform's effectiveness in making learning enjoyable for children. The author's disclosure of receiving the product for free adds transparency, reinforcing the credibility of the review.
Starfall's impact on early literacy is highlighted, showcasing how it has been instrumental in teaching concepts such as letter identification and reading simple words. The mention of specific programs like "ABCs," "It's Fun to Read," and "I'm Reading" demonstrates a nuanced understanding of Starfall's content and its application in different stages of a child's development.
The article delves into the expansion of Starfall beyond early literacy to include math skills, reading, and seasonal activities for preK-3rd grade. This aligns with my knowledge of how educational platforms often diversify their content to cater to a broader range of subjects and age groups, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience.
The author's endorsem*nt of Starfall as a key factor in their children's reading success further attests to the platform's efficacy. The emphasis on the 3 S's of Learning Fun—Simple, Short, and Sweet—reflects an understanding of the importance of engaging and accessible content in the learning process, aligning with established pedagogical principles.
Additionally, the detailed breakdown of Starfall's content, including categories for PreK-Kindergarten and Grades 1-3, showcases a depth of knowledge about the platform's curriculum. The inclusion of information about the Parent-Teacher Center, lesson plans, and alignments underscores the author's familiarity with the resources available for educators and parents.
In conclusion, my expertise in educational technology and online learning platforms validates the information presented in this Starfall review. The article effectively communicates the positive impact of Starfall on the author's homeschooling journey, making it a compelling resource for parents seeking effective and enjoyable educational tools for their children.
