An Alternative to Netflix for your Homeschool

Have you used Netflix for your homeschool? Do you watch documentaries or historical short films? SmartKidz Media Library for Homeschoolers offers videos, interactive movies and documentaries that can be used for a number of subjects in your homeschool. Here is a review of this product.

Alternative to Netflix

SmartKidz Media has a product that is called SmartKidz Media Library for Homeschoolers. It is basically the same concept as Netflix and easy to use on a desktop, a laptop, an iPad or other products like PS3 and use the TV to play it. You just open the program on any internet browser, log in and choose the program, video, interactive video or documentary of choice.

What is SmartKidz Media?

This product includes a long list of programs, videos and documentaries. Look at the image above where you can see the categories of the videos. These include: World of Discovery, Music & Fine Arts, Mighty ebook Collection, Baby Signs Program, My Animal Family, Quick Find Study Guides, Learning Special Needs, Living Skills Program, Ready Set Sing and Fun Zone.

Each category contains at least 5 options and the lists keep growing, so stay tuned for additions regularly.

How did we use SmartKidz?

I logged in to our account and browsed around. We were going to study about wild animals and about the life cycle of the butterfly, so I looked for videos on each of those topics. SmartKidz Media Library for Homeschoolers has so many options for both. We took about half an hour to watch the animal video and then watched the fun sing-alongs about the butterfly life cycle.

My Honest Opinion about SmartKidz

Pros

SmartKidz Media Library for Homeschoolers has some of my favorite categories, including History, Zoology, Geography and Reading.

I can definitely see us fitting in a few minutes in some lessons to watch some of the relevant videos or documentaries.

The documentaries are thorough, informative and engaging. The videos are for all ages, which is great. The videos were keeping my daughter’s attention.

There are videos, programs and documentaries being added all the time, so it will keep our visits to SmartKidz fresh and fun.

Cons

There is no search window. Every documentary has a thorough description, but it is time-consuming looking at every single one to find what I am looking for.

We were doing a German studies, so I looked up a documentaries about Germany. I found some on German composers, German countryside, landmarks and popular activities. Sadly, there was one documentary that had a few minutes of images that, in my opinion, weren’t appropriate for children. I understand that there will be cultural differences, but this was over the line.

We contacted the company and the video was immediately taken down without question. I was impressed with the quick response and actions. They assured us that they would review the documentary and, if possible, edit out those parts.

As with anything, including Netflix, I would definitely recommend previewing all the videos and documentaries, to be sure they are up to your personal standards before showing them to your children.

All in all, I’d say that SmartKidz Media Library for Homeschoolers would be a good addition to your homeschool with the condition that all videos would be previewed by you or another adult to be sure they are up to your liking, that they are relevant to your planned lessons and up to your standards.

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