How to Start Listening to Classical Music in Your Homeschool and Why You Should! (E56)

Hey there, Harmony Heroes! Welcome back to Music in Our Homeschool, the podcast that helps you bring music and fine arts into your homeschool in a simple, stress-free way. Today, I’m guiding you to make classical music an exciting and enriching part of your family’s learning experience. Have you ever wondered how to start listening to classical music in your homeschool? If you don’t have a clue how or where to begin, you’ve come to the right place!

Classical music can seem intimidating, but I promise, it’s easier than you think to incorporate it into your daily routine. By the end of this episode, you’ll have practical tips, easy resources, and a game plan to make classical music an enjoyable part of your homeschool life.

Why Should Your Kids Listen to Classical Music?

Before we jump into the how to listen to classical music, let’s talk about the why. Why should you bring classical music listening into your homeschool?

1. It Boosts Brain Development – Studies have shown that listening to classical music can enhance memory, improve focus, and even strengthen math skills.
2. It Fosters Emotional Intelligence – Classical music is filled with emotion. Kids learn to recognize different moods, tones, and expressions in music, which helps with empathy and emotional development.
3. It Connects to History and Culture – Every piece of music tells a story. Classical composers lived in different time periods and cultures, and their music reflects those histories.
4. It Enhances Creativity – Whether your child is drawing, writing, or simply daydreaming, classical music provides a beautiful backdrop for creativity.
5. It’s an Easy Way to Teach Music Appreciation – Even if you never plan to teach your child to play an instrument, exposing them to great music is a powerful way to nurture an appreciation for the arts.

How to Start Listening to Classical Music in Your Homeschool

Now that we know why it’s beneficial, let’s get practical. Here are some simple, no-stress ways to start incorporating classical music listening into your homeschool routine.

1. Create a Morning Music Habit of Listening to Classical Music

Start your homeschool day by playing a classical piece during breakfast or while your kids are working on their morning routine. This can be as simple as pressing “play” on a Spotify or YouTube playlist.

Here are a few great starter pieces:

These piece might sound familiar since they often played in movies, TV show, and commercials.

• The Four Seasons by Vivaldi (great for seasonal learning!)
• Eine kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart
• Clair de Lune by Debussy (a gentle morning piece)
• Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin (exciting and with a jazzy feel)

Tip #1: It’s ok to start slow. Maybe only a minute or two to begin is fine! As you become more familiar with a piece of music, you can add more to subsequent hearings. Don’t force a 30-minute classical music listening session, or it might backfire. We want to goal to be enjoyment!

2. Use Classical Music as a Background for Learning

Play instrumental classical music during quiet work time, such as handwriting practice, math, or reading. Pieces with no lyrics help with focus and concentration.

Try these great options:

• Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos (upbeat and cheerful)
• Chopin’s Nocturnes (calming and peaceful)
• Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (nature-inspired and gentle)

Tip #2: Choose an easy way for your kids to listen. Add a playlist to your Alexa or Google Home or to your Amazon Music or Spotify streaming system.

3. Have a Weekly Composer Spotlight

Each week, choose one composer to highlight. Listen to their music, read a short biography, and discuss their style. This can be a fun Music Monday or Fine Arts Friday activity!

Some easy-to-start-with composers:

• Mozart – The child prodigy who wrote over 600 pieces! Start with his Piano Concerto No. 21 or Symphony No. 41.
• Beethoven – The composer who became deaf but still wrote some of the most powerful symphonies. You’ll love Beethoven’s 5th Symphony or the 9th Symphony, which includes the choral “Ode to Joy.”
• Tchaikovsky – The composer of the beautiful music for the ballets The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.

Tip #3: Sometimes a more engaging way to listen to classical music is to watch the musicians. Find orchestras playing these pieces on YouTube. Then, try to find a live performance in your area to attend!

4. For a Simple Option, join Music in Our Homeschool Plus

If you’d love to have a consistent music appreciation with classical music experience in your homeschool, joining Music in Our Homeschool Plus and following the Music Lesson Calendar of the Month makes it super easy!

You get:

• A daily 15-minute music appreciation lesson
• A live interactive composer study lesson through Zoom each month
• And more!

Tip #4: Join for just one month to give it a try. It’s easy to cancel (MusicinOurHomeschool.com/cancel) if you decide it’s not for you!

5. Make Listening to Classical Music a Fun Family Game

Turn classical music into a game! Here are a few ideas:

• Musical Emotions Charades Game – Play a piece and have your kids show how it makes them feel.
• Classical Freeze Dance – Play a fast-paced piece and have them dance, then pause it and they freeze!
• Musical Chairs – Use classical music to play this classic game. Arrange chairs in a circle facing out with one less chair than there are players. Everyone walks around the chairs, listening to the music. When the music stops, they sit. The player without a chair is out. Remove a chair and continue the game until the last person who gets a chair to sit in is the winner.
• Draw What You Hear – Have your kids draw a picture based on the music they’re listening to.

Tip #5: Add one of these easy fun classical music games whenever you’re feeling burnt out or losing the attention of the kids. It’s a great transition activity or brain boost.

6. Watch Some Fun Classical Music Performances

In addition to the regular classical music performances I mentioned that you should listen to earlier, here are some amazing YouTube performances that make classical music come alive for kids. Some of my favorites include:

• The Piano Guys – Modern takes on classical music.
• Disney’s Fantasia – A fun introduction to famous classical pieces.

Tip #6: Project the performance onto your TV for a more exciting watching and listening experience.

7. Combine Classical Music with Cartoons

One of the most engaging ways to introduce classical music to kids is through cartoons! Many classic cartoons have used classical music to enhance their storytelling.

A great way to dive into this is through my two online courses at Music in Our Homeschool:

• Learn Classical Music with Composers This online course includes 47 different composers with their music in cartoon form!
• Sound Bites: Classical Meets Cartoons Discover the fascinating world of classical music through beloved cartoons with 5 weeks of done-for-you music appreciation the whole family will love!

Tip #7: Connect classical music to the story by finding a picture book about it! There are some for Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, and many more! Ask your librarian which ones your library has available.

Final Thoughts & Encouragement

Listening to classical music doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. Start small—one small section of a piece a day, one composer a week (or month or even season)—and let it naturally become part of your homeschool rhythm.

And remember, there’s no right or wrong way to do this! If all you do is turn on a playlist while cooking dinner or have a quick music chat with 1 minute of listening during your homeschool Morning Time, you’re already giving your kids a rich foundation in music appreciation!

If you’re looking for done-for-you resources to make this even easier, check out the Music in Our Homeschool Plus Music Lesson Calendar of the Month! Or head to Learn.MusicinOurHomeschool.com where I have a variety of full courses, composer studies, and lesson plans designed for busy homeschool moms just like you.

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Listen to Podcast Episode 56: How to Start Listening to Classical Music in Your Homeschool and Why You Should! 

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