FAQs

Order FAQs

I have a question about my order. How can I get help?

If you have general product questions, click here.  Otherwise, please click here to visit our contact page and send us your question.

Changing an order

Please click here to visit our contact page and send us your question regarding your order.

Can I make a phone order?

At this time, we do not offer phone or mail orders. Visit our store to order online.

Wholesale orders

Wholesalers, distributors, school groups and other bulk orders may contact us at marketing@pielabs.com.

I see that your company name is PIE Labs. Why does the name Amplifier appear on my credit card statement and on my order forms?

We were partnered with another company, named Amplifier, to help us with online order fulfillment. Amplifier's name will appear on all past order forms, credit card statements, and merchant reviews.  As of July 4, 2007 we are no longer partnered with Amplifier.  All future orders will show up differently on credit card statements.

 

Product FAQs

What is brain-ertainment?

Brain-ertainment is entertainment for growing brains. It combines fun, learning, and engaging experiences all in one package. At PIE Labs, we believe that children deserve more than simple entertainment or tedious instruction. With care and thoughtful design (and a generous sprinkling of imagination), we are confident that media experiences can help children learn, can be fun, and can create powerful imaginations.

What makes PIE products unique?

  • PIE Labs products are brain-ertainment. They combine age-appropriate learning objectives with engaging, adventurous entertainment.
  • PIE Labs products are focused on providing kids the building blocks of music and art.
  • PIE Labs products are developed by and for kid-champions. Our development teams include teachers, learning experts, and gifted creative artists. We understand how children learn, what is developmentally appropriate, and that learning and play should be one and the same.

Do you have tips for making the most of the parent guides?

Grown-ups should pre-read the guides before involving kids. Children can listen to the songs while you’re reviewing activity ideas or they can explore some of our activity pages.

  • Pace yourself based on your child’s skill level, mood, and interests. Don’t try to get through too many songs/guides combinations in one sitting and don’t try to accomplish ALL the activities on one guide at once.
  • Remember that different styles of music appeal to different people (that includes kids). Ask your child which songs they like best and do those guides first. Also, be aware that your child’s musical taste may be different than your own. You can share these preferences with one another and learn together.

What if I don’t have time for all the parent guides? Will my children still benefit?

Kids will absolutely still benefit from listening, playing with, and enjoying the songs and other content all on its own. Remember- active listening, singing-along, familiarization with musical concepts (like high and low, fast and slow, or instrument names and sounds) are all developmentally-appropriate activities for 4-7 year old children. Your child will practice these just by enjoying our CDs and digital downloads. The parent guides are designed to enhance your music experiences. and are for you to use when it best suits you. Some people use them a little, some people use them a lot. They’re not meant to be homework – they’re meant to be fun!

The website says PIE Labs is all about music and art? Where's the art?

PIE Labs is indeed all about music and art. We are dedicated to building a committed, experienced, and imaginative team in each of these niches. We're developing resources that include teachers, academic researchers, child development experts, media gurus, designers, performers, artists and others. Our first product to be released is a music CD called A BIG Taste of PIE, which provides a unique music experience with a second disk of Parent Guides to help build a more solid music foundation for the listeners. Don't worry, though, art products are in development for 2007 release. As we near production of those programs, you'll begin to see more art material on our site.

 

Company FAQs

How long has PIE Labs been in business?

We are an imaginative company founded in 2003. Since then, we’ve been steadily building a talented team, developing fun content, and growing new ideas.

Where are you located?

We are located in Austin, Texas, the live music capital of the world and home to some of the most original and creative people we know!

How can I reach someone in customer service?

You can email customer service at customerservice@pielabs.com. You can also click here.

How can I work at PIE Labs?

We’re always looking for smart, talented, and powerfully imaginative people.  Send us your resume and a letter of interest to jobs@pielabs.com. You can also visit our Join Us section to see current openings.

 

Other FAQs

Why is music so important for kids?

Music is a universal part of being human. It is a powerful tool for communication and self-expression. In addition, research shows that:

  • Music education enhances math and science proficiency
  • Musical training increases children's abstract reasoning skills.
  • Music enhances spatial and temporal IQ
  • Children who study music have higher grades than children who do not study music.
  • Students who participate in music and art exhibit increased self-esteem and thinking skills.
  • Musical training can enhance brain function.
  • Music broadens children's understanding of the world beyond themselves.
  • Music reduces violence and disruptive behavior.

What are you going to teach young kids about music?

We're going to give children the basic building blocks of music that include both explicit learning objectives and important social/emotional objectives. A few examples of developmentally-appropriate learning objectives include fundamentals like: understanding beat; learning about pitch, tempo, and dynamics; learning how to sing, and more. Examples of social/emotional objectives include concepts such as: invention or creation of music, self- expression, and understanding of different cultures. In addition to these types of objectives, we're passionate about sharing musical notions that everyday people treasure – things like music as motivation, music as a connection to the past, music as a connection to other people, etc. Most importantly, we want to teach kids and kid champions that everybody can create experience and enjoy music. Music and art are for everyone and for everyday.

 

 

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