Monday
Apr162012
The Importance of Music in Our Children's Lives
Monday, April 16, 2012 at 5:00AM Music is an integral part of our lives, therefore an integral part of our homeschool.
For the next two weeks the focus here will be on everything music. Included will be resources, ideas, downloads, two fabulous giveaways, and hopefully inspiration for you to incorporate MORE music into your homeschool.
Throughout this series I will refer often to Raising Musical Kids: Great Ideas to Help Your Child Develop a Love for Music, by Patrick Kavanaugh. This book is a must have for your children's music education. It addresses many practical issues and also provides spiritual guidance as you consider your child's music education. I especially love the Appendix, which is "Great Music For Kids to Hear".
1. I want my children to learn about music.
2. They will learn much better if they love learning about music.
3. They will love learning much easier if they see that I love learning about music.
(taken from page 41, Raising Musical Kids)
Don't feel that you have to be musical to guide your child's music education!! You simply must desire to learn with your child... the rest will take care of itself.
Now that is out of the way, here is why I feel music is so important for our children!!
Why study music?
10. Music can brighten anyone's mood - the next time you are having a bad day, turn on your favorite music and take a break to sing, dance, or listen.
9. Studying music increases mathematical and scientific reasoning skills.
8. All things become easier with music, whether it is learning the capitals of the states, multiplication tables, or the three states of matter (yes, I do know a song about that one!).
7. Learning to play an instrument requires a lot of decision making. I give piano lessons and I know there are at least six decisions that go on simultaneously while you play the piano.
6. Learning to play an instrument also requires DISCIPLINE... my daughter practices 20-30 minutes each day. She knows that if she doesn't, her lessons won't go well and she dreads that.
5. Learning to play an instrument requires PATIENCE.
4. Listening to music from a particular culture/time period gives us a glimpse into life at that point in time. It deepens our understanding and appreciation of history.
3. Sharing music with your family and friends increases emotional connections... I can't replicate the communication my daughter and I have when we sit at the piano and play duets - it is an unspoken communication.
2. Music is a perfect way to express yourself - whenever I am nervous, upset - you name it - I can sit at the piano and get rid of some of that tension through making music. It is a gift I always thank my parents for giving me.
and the number one reason to include music in your homeschool.....
1. Music is a reflection of all things beautiful in this world - we want our children to appreciate beauty and pass this along to their children.
"Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp."
Join me tomorrow where I'll share a simple way to incorporate music into your homeschool ~ with a free download and lots of ideas!
{ Don't miss a post! You can subscribe to the blog in my sidebar. }
9. Studying music increases mathematical and scientific reasoning skills.
8. All things become easier with music, whether it is learning the capitals of the states, multiplication tables, or the three states of matter (yes, I do know a song about that one!).
7. Learning to play an instrument requires a lot of decision making. I give piano lessons and I know there are at least six decisions that go on simultaneously while you play the piano.
6. Learning to play an instrument also requires DISCIPLINE... my daughter practices 20-30 minutes each day. She knows that if she doesn't, her lessons won't go well and she dreads that.
5. Learning to play an instrument requires PATIENCE.
4. Listening to music from a particular culture/time period gives us a glimpse into life at that point in time. It deepens our understanding and appreciation of history.
3. Sharing music with your family and friends increases emotional connections... I can't replicate the communication my daughter and I have when we sit at the piano and play duets - it is an unspoken communication.
2. Music is a perfect way to express yourself - whenever I am nervous, upset - you name it - I can sit at the piano and get rid of some of that tension through making music. It is a gift I always thank my parents for giving me.
and the number one reason to include music in your homeschool.....
1. Music is a reflection of all things beautiful in this world - we want our children to appreciate beauty and pass this along to their children.
"Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make music to our God on the harp."
Psalm 147:7
Join me tomorrow where I'll share a simple way to incorporate music into your homeschool ~ with a free download and lots of ideas!
{ Don't miss a post! You can subscribe to the blog in my sidebar. }
About the 10 Days series:
Reader Comments (13)
What a fantastic idea! I'm excited to read your upcoming posts!
You know how important music is in my house. I am looking forward to reading these and picking up news ways to foster Grace's love of piano!
Love this Mary! "Music is a reflection of all things beautiful in the world!" Pinning now so I can look into getting that book! Thanks for this too: "Don't feel that you have to be musical to guide your child's music education!! You simply must desire to learn with your child... the rest will take care of itself."
Music is severely lacking in our homeschool! We have a piano that no one plays, and no one seems interested in taking lessons. My oldest took guitar for a little while but didn't want to pursue it. I wish he was still taking lessons! I'm looking forward to this series :)
Looking forward to reading along! :) Ami
www.walkingbytheway.com
Great tips, Mary! Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom!
I love that book, too. Katie was the only one interested enough in music to take lessons for years. The boys don't seem to have the passion or patience. I keep trying to peak their interest, though.
I am so excited to read these Mary. While music is important in both of our lives, 'learning' music is lacking. These are great tips and I am off to check out that book.
Looking forward to more!
Music is so important to me; I really need to work on integrating it into my children's learning experiences! Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks for the book suggestion, Mary. Our library system actually has a copy of the book and I've already placed a hold on it! Looking forward to reading more.
HI Mary! Thanks for the book suggestion. I'm adding it to my reading list for the week. Can't wait to read the rest of your series!!!
Loving your series. Just sat down to catch up on my reading. Fabulous, fabulous. Such a wonderful gift you are giving to all of us ~Thank you
http://musiconthebookshelf.com/what-me-a-classroom-music-teacher/