The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we live—including how children learn. Many schools have shut their doors, and teachers and students are forced to join online classes or do homeschooling.
If you’re a parent of a homeschooled child, you want your kid to receive a well-rounded education. While science, math, and history are undoubtedly important, many parents often overlook music. That’s not because music isn’t important, but parents feel ill-equipped to guide their kids to learn this subject.
Don’t fret, though. Even if your kid’s music teacher is only available a few days a month, and you are not that musically inclined, there are multiple ways to incorporate music in your child’s homeschool lessons:
Start the school day with a song
In nursery or grade schools, the day is often started with a song. Do the same for your homeschooled kid. This is a great way to help your child transition from the home life into schoolwork. Plus, you can incorporate different genres into this routine. From classical music and nursery rhymes to today’s great pop songs, let your kid listen to or perform a song in the morning as a signal that the school day has begun.
Invite a musician friend to lead a class
If you have a friend or family member who is a musician, invite them over (or ask them to take a Zoom call) to lead a special music class. Your child can ask them any questions they may have about a musical instrument or the life of a musician. From studio musicians to film scorers, every musician has something valuable to share with children. Your kid might get inspired by their story and ask to enroll in music lessons.
Let them enroll in online lessons
Of course, one of the best ways to incorporate music into your kid’s homeschool is to enroll them in music lessons. Many piano instructors, guitar teachers, and vocal coaches are now available online. Search a class that your child finds the most interesting and look for a teacher who can offer customized lessons. While taking music lessons, your children will learn important life skills, including discipline, organization, and social skills. Those are valuable skills they need to learn, especially amid a pandemic.
Play some background music
If your child doesn’t seem interested in music, ease them into it by playing some background music when they’re studying or having a nap time. Some types of music can help students focus on a task at hand or be more creative in doing a project. In particular, classical music played during nap time or free time can improve your child’s ability to carry out some mental tasks. Plus, listening to different kinds of music, even passively, can help children appreciate music, especially if they get to attach it to good memories.
Even if you aren’t good at playing the guitar or carrying a tune, it doesn’t mean you can’t have your kid get interested in music. With these strategies, you can introduce music into your kid’s homeschooling.
