What to Do When Your Kids Hate Homeschool Music Lessons: 4 Game-Changing Tips (E63)
Do your kids hate homeschool music time? Are your kids groaning when it’s time for music lessons? Maybe they’re covering their ears during Bach or getting squirmy when asked to sit through a classical piece. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and there’s hope!
Today I’m sharing four practical, encouraging tips to help you turn music time from “ugh” to “okay… maybe even fun!”
Whether you’re using one of my music appreciation or music history courses—or another curriculum altogether—these four tips can help your family move past frustration and begin to truly appreciate the beauty of music.
1. Check Your Own Attitude First
Kids take their cues from us. If you approach music lessons with dread or indifference, they’ll likely do the same. But if you show genuine curiosity and excitement—even if you’re still learning to love classical or older styles of music—they’ll be more open.
Be honest with your kids if a certain piece isn’t your favorite. I’ll admit it—solo organ music was never my thing, even as a music major! But over time, I’ve learned to appreciate it as a valuable part of music history. Your enthusiasm and willingness to explore something new will make a huge impact.
2. Match the Lesson to Their Age and Ability
One common reason kids resist music lessons is that the content isn’t age-appropriate. A full 45-minute symphony might be perfect for a passionate teen violinist—but it’s often not realistic for a wiggly 6-year-old.
Instead, try offering just a short 2-minute segment. Let your kids dip their toes into the music rather than dive in all at once. As they grow and get more exposure, you can gradually increase the length and depth of each lesson.
3. Give Them Time to Grow Into Appreciation
Not every child will instantly love classical music, and that’s okay! Learning to appreciate something unfamiliar takes time—sometimes even years.
Think of it like poetry. I used to dislike poetry, but through homeschooling my own kids with the Charlotte Mason method, I gave it another shot. Slowly, I learned to enjoy it. The same can happen with music. Continued exposure, even in small doses, helps develop taste, understanding, and maybe even passion.
4. Shorten the Listening Time (and That’s Totally Fine!)
You don’t need to listen to an entire piece to get the benefit. Feel free to play just 30 seconds, one minute, or two minutes of a longer work. If your kids are really into it, keep going. If they’re restless, wrap it up and move on.
For example, in my Music Appreciation: Middle Ages through Classical Era course, I teach a unit on Handel’s Messiah. While we did listen to the full “Hallelujah Chorus,” I only played a couple minutes each of the tenor and soprano solos. It was just enough to introduce the music without overwhelming my students.
Final Thoughts If Your Kids Hate Homeschool Music Time
If your kids are resisting music lessons, don’t give up. With a little flexibility and encouragement, you can help them grow to appreciate—and maybe even enjoy—classical music and beyond.
To recap, here are the four tips:
- Check your own attitude – Be the model of curiosity and appreciation.
- Make it age-appropriate – Match the music and lesson length to your child’s development.
- Give it time – Appreciation takes patience and exposure.
- Shorten the lesson – Even a minute of music can make an impact.
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See the YouTube Video “From “Ugh” to “Encore!” — 4 Tips for When Your Kids Hate Music Lessons in your Homeschool”
Listen to Podcast Episode 63: What to Do When Your Kids Hate Homeschool Music Lessons: 4 Game-Changing Tips
Listen here or subscribe and follow The Music in Our Homeschool Podcast through your favorite podcast app, such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify!
Read the Podcast Transcript here.
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