6 Ways You CAN Incorporate Music in Your Homeschool Today
[Today’s article was written by Kathy Gossen and is part of the 31 Days of Music in Our Homeschool Series.]
Music is everywhere. Think about it. It’s on the radio, your iPod, the TV, the movies, at church, and even your phone. I can’t even begin to imagine what life would be like without music. That’s why today I’m here to share with you 6 ways you CAN incorporate music in your homeschool to develop stronger musicians in your home.
Homeschool and Community Groups
Search your community for homeschool music groups. Is there a homeschool band? Choir? Orchestra? Does a local Co-Op offer a music theory course? Check it out. Don’t have a nearby Co-Op? Search your community for music classes not associated with the homeschool community such as a local university children’s choir, community band, or Kindermusik or Musikgarten program. You may be amazed at what resources lay just beyond your front door.
Private Lessons
If music groups are not available in your area or you are seeking more advanced personal study, then the next place to look is in the private lesson sector. No private studios in your area? Consider taking private lessons online, a phenomenon quickly gaining speed in this video chat world.
Apps, Websites, and Software
If you would prefer to take a screen-time approach, there are LOTS of online music education games, apps, and software (i.e. Music Ace) you can send your children too to keep them busy for hours.
Books
When it comes to books about music, the resources are limitless. Start by researching a composer, reading a book by Patrick Kavanaugh, like Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers
or Music Theory For Dummies.
Audio Recordings
When children are little, one of the best ways to build a musical foundation is by simply listening and singing alongside quality recordings that your child can easily mimic such as Jack n’ Jills for Children or Twin Sisters Production CDs such as 30 Praise Songs Music CD. As they get older, let them listen to some compositions from the musical greats!
Movies
Last but not least, check out your local library or Netflix listing for some quality movies about composers, musicians, or even classic musicals. Amadeus, The Sound of Music
, and Fiddler on the Roof
are just a few of the movies that should be in every musician’s movie repertoire.
As you can see from the above list, there are lots of ways you can incorporate music in your homeschool. So now comes the next step—deciding which one to use first!
Kathy Gossen seeks to encourage others to live for Jesus in the everyday. Whether its homeschooling two wiggly worms, organizing closets, or cooking for a picky eater, her life as an Oklahoma homemaker can sometimes feel far from glamorous. However, as Kathy shares on Cornerstone Confessions, anyone can be a domestic diva when they draw on the divine. She is the author of And the Word Became Flesh, Encompass Preschool Curriculum, and several other co-written endeavors. To learn more about Kathy, you can connect with her on her blog, Google Plus, Pinterest, Facebook, or Twitter.
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