Earlier today, I talked about Art requirements for Homeschoolers. I mentioned that art should be an integral part of your homeschooling. I feel the same way about music.
It is a known fact that music stimulates the brain, and wires it to understand mathematics and science. Recent research also shows that singing improves spatial. For these reasons, I had began supplementing my children’s education with music instruction long before we started homeschooling. Then once we began homeschooling, I insisted that music practice was done first each day, right after breakfast.
With so many things to learn in a homeschool environment, how does one fit music into the course of the day?
Play music: Play classical music while your children are studying. For more information, read the Mozart Effect, a book that explains how “Mozart makes you smarter”. I also played Mozart for my children at bedtime until they were old enough to choose something different.
Discuss music: Have conversations about music with your kids. Talk about what you like, and why you like it. Do the same for lyrics and it will make questionable lyrics easier to discuss as our children gets older.
Provide music lessons: Arrange someone to teach your children to play the piano or other instrument in which your child may be interested. Start as young as possible. Their instructor will give them homework to practice all week.
Do it first: Have your child play their instrument before starting their curriculum for the day. This will wake up their brains in the morning, and help them form a routine.
Take music breaks: When my kids are frustrated by a math problem, or having problems with memorization, I tell them to stop what they are doing and practice their instruments. This calms them down, and re-energizes their brains to do the work when they get back into it.
To “prove” they have had music instruction for the state, or the college they wish to attend, they can send a recording of themselves playing various instruments, and perhaps an essay on music theory.
*Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask.
*Want to know more about homeschooling? Start with the 2006 homeschool blog in review!
* Have you seen the homeschooling curriculum glossary?