Overview: Guest contributor Gena Mayo shares what to look for in a homeschool music curriculum so that your kid learns to enjoy music — and you enjoy teaching it!
When it comes to homeschooling, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The same is true for homeschool music curriculum. What works for one family might not work for another. The key is to find a homeschool music curriculum that fits your family's needs and learning styles.
As a homeschool mom of 8 and music teacher for over 25 years, I have lots of experience with many different options. So, I'm happy to share some tips on how to find a homeschool music curriculum that you'll love doing every day!
Know Your Goals
The first step in choosing a music curriculum is to know your goals. What do you hope to accomplish by teaching music to your children? Do you want them to develop a love for music? Then, try a music appreciation course.
Do you want them to learn to play an instrument? Try in-person or online private music lessons.
Do you want them to be able to read sheet music? Look for a beginning music theory book or course.
Not all children learn in the same way. Some are visual learners, while others are kinesthetic or auditory learners. When you're choosing a homeschool music curriculum, consider your children's learning styles and look for a music curriculum that will meet their needs.
For example, if you have a visual learner, look for a curriculum that includes lots of pictures and videos so children can see the music being played. If you have an auditory learner, look for a curriculum that includes recordings of the pieces being learned. And, if you have a kinesthetic learner, look for a curriculum that includes manipulatives such as game pieces or flashcards.
Choose Age-Appropriate Curriculum
It's important to choose an age-appropriate curriculum when you're choosing a music curriculum for your homeschool. If the material is too difficult, your child will become frustrated and discouraged. If the material is too easy, your child will become bored and will not retain what they're learning.
Look for resources that offer both beginner and advanced material so that you can adjust the difficulty level as needed. And, bonus, you can use it with more than one student at a time!
Make It Fun!
I always encourage homeschool moms to make sure that the music curriculum you choose for your homeschool is fun! If it's not fun, your children are not going to want to participate (and you aren't going to want to teach it).
Look for creative ways to make learning fun, such as games, movement activities, and quirky songs. If those aren't included, search online for some that you can add to what you're already using!
You can also use technology to make learning more engaging by incorporating apps, videos, and online games into your lessons.
Make it Easy on Yourself
As a homeschool mom myself, I know that sometimes music is going to be the last thing on your list because you HAVE to get to math, reading, and handwriting (and potty training, making dinner, . . . ) first. So, my final suggestion is to make sure your homeschool music curriculum is easy to use. Find something that's just click-and-go and requires no prep.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to homeschooling or creating a homeschool music curriculum. The key is to find what works best for your family and your children's learning styles. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you'll be well on your way to finding a homeschool music curriculum that works for your family!
Gena Mayo is a homeschooling mom of 8 who has been teaching music in various forms for over 25 years. She has a Bachelors degree in Music Education and a Masters degree in Vocal Pedagogy (teaching voice lessons). It has been her joy to teach elementary and junior high choir, high school voice classes, private voice lessons for teens through adults, early childhood music and movement classes (babies through preschool), elementary general music, and music appreciation for elementary through high school. But, her favorite music teaching experience has been as musical director for stage musicals such as Seussical, Shrek, Singing in the Rain, Newsies, and Beauty and the Beast. It is Gena's desire to help all homeschoolers include music in their homeschools through her Music in Our Homeschool website and online course site! Please follow her on YouTube and Instagram, and join her private Facebook group here.
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