"Children learn about themselves and others by playing music together and by listening to each other - tapping into hidden courage that can be played out by singing together or discovering the inner resources to listen quietly to another child's playing." - Judi Bosco, Board Certified Music TherapistThere's no arguing that the list of benefits of music for children is extensive. Music improves neurological function, reading skills and reduces anxiety levels. Including music in a child's life and homeschool is important.
Incorporating Music in Your Child's Life
Screen usage can be reduced by including music into a child's daily life. Below is a list of ways to do that.- Give your life background music - Keep music on rather than television. My fondest memories of childhood were the days and evenings when the house was silent except for the radio or albums. There was always music. It's calming and inspires creativity. What better environment could there be? (Yes, I realize that music may require a screen. I'll admit, even during screen-free week, music is playing on my phone.)
- Take Lessons - If you can afford it (or barter it), sign your child up for piano, guitar or voice lessons. Children love music and you never know what talents they've been gifted with until you let them try.
- Music and Composer studies - If you're using the Charlotte Mason method, you likely already do these. If not, now is the best time to start.
- Sing - Sing with your children. Sing to your children. Do this from birth. If you haven't, that's fine. Start now!
- Attend musical productions - Many areas even have free events like Music in the Park or local free symphonies.
Resources for Composer and Music Studies
- Johannes Brahms Unit Study
- Johannes Brahms Coloring Page
- Famous Composer Notebooking Pages
- Harmony Fine Arts
- How to Do Music Study
I'd like to have some more ideas. If you have any, please share in the comments.
Then go check out the other great bloggers at the Spring 2013 Hopscotch.
Happy Homeschooling!
Having instruments out and available! Recorder, tambourine, piano, guitar, triangle, drum - anything that makes noise. The more you let them use them the more they'll try it! If the only thing a child hears every time they go near the guitar is "don't touch that" or when they pound away at the piano "be quieter" they'll learn to leave instruments alone.
ReplyDeleteOoo, fun audio cds we enjoy are the ones by Maestro Classics! They take a classical composition and tell a story with it (teaching the children which instruments and themes represent which characters). Then usually also have a track on the cd with just the instrumental version to listen to after you've familiarized yourself with the piece via story. So much fun! Our favorites are Carnival of the Animals and Peter and the Wolf, but they're all great.
I love your suggestions and input! Great points about always telling them 'no'. We don't want to kill their desire to play.
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