I love music, and I bet you do too! Music is a huge part of our daily lives. We use it for entertainment, in the background of our daily activities, in our churches, and almost everywhere we go. You’ve likely heard before that learning music is good for children. This is absolutely true, and I honestly believe music education can change children’s live for the better! The benefits go far beyond learning to sing or play an instrument. They are applicable to every family even if you don’t homeschool. Here are my top reasons to use and teach music in your homeschool:
1. Intelligence
Studies show that music education boosts intelligence and brain development in children. See this article for more information about studies on the benefits of music education.
Increased IQ & Academic Scores
Studies show children in music lessons have a higher IQ than those not in lessons. Formal music lessons such as voice or piano are usually the most researched. Children in music lessons often perform better in schoolwork, and have higher test scores. In my own teaching, I’ve had parents mention improved marks in schoolwork and even pull out report cards to show me the improvement since starting private lessons!
Learning skills
Studying music, and especially learning how to play an instrument, doesn’t always provide instant gratification. It takes a lot of hard work, self-discipline, perseverance, and patience. These skills benefit learning in all subjects. Even more, they are essential life skills!
2. Mental Health
Most people have turned to a favorite song or piece of music when feeling down or stressed. Or perhaps you sing or play an instrument to relax at the end of the day. Music education could also help you support your children’s mental health.
Anxiety & Stress
The right types of music help us deal with stress and anxiety. Listening to calming music while studying may help with focus, and reduce test anxiety. Meanwhile, listening to upbeat music boosts your mood and energizes us when feeling down.
Self-Confidence
Being able to sing or play an instrument can be a huge source of self-confidence for children. Seeing their hard work pay off gives a sense of accomplishment. They can do something that many adults can’t do! Learning a musical instrument also reinforces the idea that they are capable and can succeed at what they put their mind too.
Performing for others on their instrument is also a wonderful opportunity to develop self-confidence and gain that sense of accomplishment.
3. Motor Skills
Developing motor skills is important for young children. Music activities can provide lots of easy ways to practice gross motor skills with very young children.
Movement
Music and movement activities for young children are lots of fun! These activities help develop the coordination and motor skills children will need later for activities like writing and tying their shoelaces. Some great examples are:
- Finger play rhymes and songs such as ‘The Eensy Weensy Spider’
- Clapping games
- Dancing and moving to the beat
- Movement & action songs such as ‘The Hokey Pokey’
Playing an Instrument
Playing an instrument requires a lot of coordination and fine motor skills even at a beginning level. For example, learning to play the piano teaches children to play with both hands at the same time. Later on they will even be asked to coordinate their foot on the pedal, along with both hands!
4. Social Skills
Social skills, and working with others are important skills for all children, but some homeschool families look for additional opportunities to reinforce social skills.
Teamwork
Music often involves a group. For example, a music class, choir, band, or just a family singing together at home. Making music with other people, even in very simple music appreciation classes involves listening to each other. Children must listen to the sounds other people are making and work together with them to make something pleasant. Singing with others teaches these listening skills as well.
At a slightly higher level, children playing an instrument learn to play in time. For example, to play a piano duet both children must listen to each other, cooperate, and work together as a team.
Community
Making music builds a sense of community. That could be within your family, but also in the wider community. Children can participate in community or church choirs and bands, as well as serve their community or volunteer with their musical skills.
5. Creativity
Exploring music encourages children to be creative. For example:
- Creating their own songs or music notes
- Moving freely to music
- Experimenting with sounds using homemade instruments, their voice, or their body
- Improvising on a musical instrument
- Imagining and creating a story about a piece of classical music
Problem Solving
Developing their creativity helps children become good problem solvers. They learn to think about things in different ways, and to look at obstacles in a creative light.
6. Concentration
Learning to play an instrument helps children learn to focus for longer periods of time on one task. This in turn helps children in all areas of their learning and life.
Listening to music while studying can help with focus and concentration. This is especially true for classical music and music without words. Perhaps you’ve hear of the ‘Mozart effect?’ Although popularly understood to mean that just listening to Mozart will make you smarter, i’ts really not that simple and applies mostly to spatial-temporal reasoning. Regardless, many people do find background music to be very helpful when studying.
7. Transitions
Creating smooth transitions from one activity to another is essential for younger children. Transition activities help avoid arguments and challenges. Music can be included in your homeschool in the form of transition songs while moving to a new activity. For example, you have have probably heard a version of the ‘Clean-Up Song’.
Music can also provide much needed movement breaks. Children can sing along and act out songs such as the Hokey Pokey, or dance or move freely to different styles of music. Songs can also be used as circle time activities to begin or end the day.
8. Integration with Other Subjects
Music can help teach almost every other subject. Integrating music into your other subjects is a quick and easy option to add music to your homeschool day. Also, music can grab students interest for a subject they are not as engaged with.
Language & Reading
Music education can increase vocabulary and help language skills by introducing and singing new songs. Learning to read music also supports reading skills and reinforces pattern recognition.
History & Social Studies
Social studies and history are easily brought to life through music. Nursery rhymes, folk songs, and traditional songs are all part of our musical culture. A lot of the children I teach have never heard simple songs such as Yankee Doodle. Traditional and folk songs will become unknown unless we sing and play them with our children at home.
You can also explore cultures and countries while listening to, singing, or playing their music. Listening to music from different eras of history could bring alive a dry history lesson. For example, you could listen to the music of the era you are studying. Or perhaps learn a dance for the music from a certain time period. Reading stories about composers and their lives are also wonderful opportunities to integrate music and history.
Math
Learning music helps to improve math skills. Basic music theory such as basic rhythm, meter, and musical note values can reinforce counting, addition, and subtraction in early years math.
Joy, Happines & Fun!
Music makes children happy! Children love to sing, dance, make noise, and move. By making time for music in your homeschool schedule you can give them the opportunity to find more joy in their learning. Have fun learning together!
How to Include Music in Your Homeschool
Teaching music can be daunting if you don’t have a musical background yourself. Don’t worry though, I’d love to help! Click here for ideas on how to start giving your children a music education.
These are just a few reasons to include music in your homeschool. Do you teach music in your home? Why does your family value music?
