Back before I had kids, I was a music teacher.  Since they were born, though, I haven’t been so interested in teaching other peoples’ kids, and recently stopped entirely.  But I did get a lot of experience in music during that time!  I worked almost entirely at home, teaching private lessons and small group classes, and I worked with a lot of homeschooled kids.  So, I thought I’d share some tips about teaching music to homeschooled kids.

A lot of early music education can be replicated at home, by parents, even if you have NO experience with music whatsoever.  Exposure to a lot of different musical styles is good, playing musical games, chanting rhythmically, and more.  Based on Ohio’s benchmarks for music education, here is what I recommend for the non-experienced home music educator:

1. Go to the library and get a CD of kids’ songs.  Sing them often.  If the songs have accompanying games (like “Eensy-Weensy Spider”), do those games with your kids.

1. Get a book of children’s easy music games, or use music game websites, like this one: DSO Kids! (http://www.dsokids.com/)  Encourage your kids to play these games to learn about different instruments, musical sounds, rhythm patterns, etc.

1. Play many different musical styles for your children and help them recognize which one they’re listening to.  Include classical, jazz, musical theater, and popular music.  Encourage them to sing along if there are words to the music.

1. A lot of local areas, especially large cities, have symphonies (but so do many small towns).  Many symphonies do free childrens’ concerts a couple times a year.  Seek one out and take your children.  Some areas also have summer band concerts, so take your children to these.  Any live music you can take your children to is great!  Encourage them to write down how they felt about the music, or to draw what they think the music is about, either at or after the event.

1. Invest in some rhythm sticks and other fun musical toys like handbells, small xylophones, drums, etc.  There is a great selection of these (and musical games) at Friendship House (http://www.friendshiphouse.com).  Encourage your kids to play the musical instruments and make up little tunes, play songs together, create their own rhythms, and more.  If you happen to read music, you can help them write down their compositions!

1. If you can’t afford instruments, get a set of tennis balls and encourage the children to bounce them in a steady beat.  Wooden spoons work well too as “rhythm sticks.”  (Kids can play “follow the leader” with rhythm games, where they try to match the leader’s beat, and even walk to the beat, clap to the beat, jump to the beat, etc.) Encourage your children to create their own instruments based on art and household supplies (paper plates, tape, glue, markers, glitter, empty oatmeal containers, beans, rice, nails, paper towel tubes, etc.).

1. Listen to some basic children’s songs (like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”) and ask your children to write a parody to this tune.  That is, they can create their own words.  This is a way that anyone can “compose” a new song, even if no one can read music!

1. Once your children are officially school age (6 or so), invest in a good basic music theory curriculum.  I like Master Theory (http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Master-Theory-Book-1-Lessons-1-30/293592), personally, as it is general and not linked to any particular instrument (most theory courses are either too advanced or are piano-specific).  Do a couple of lessons per week and make a game of the answers.  The first book is appropriate for kids ages 4 – 10 and there are 6 levels.  If you don’t read music, don’t worry, all of the answers are in the book!

1. Buy or borrow CDs of ethnic music, look up pictures of foreign instruments, look at pictures or videos of other cultures performing on their traditional instruments.  Encourage your children to play or pretend to play these instruments (this is where “making their own” can really help!).

1. If your children show a specific interest in music and would like to learn a particular instrument or are just generally interested, find a qualified music teacher in your area (even if you ARE musically inclined, you will want to find a teacher, so that it is “official.” When I was a teacher, I had plenty of experienced parents hire me because once their children were started, they needed something more formal).  There are many great private teachers out there, and some offer general music classes for kids who are not yet ready for specific instruments.  In general, children as young as 3 can study a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or string bass) or piano.  Children ages 9 and up can choose a band instrument (flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, drums).  A local private teacher should be able to guide you towards an appropriate instrument.  Please select a teacher whose primary performance instrument is the one your child would like to study, one who has experience, and preferably a degree in music.  Any teacher who says, “I teach everything!” specializes in nothing, so find someone else.  It’s also important that your c
   hild feel comfortable with the teacher.  Don’t be afraid to interview the teacher, schedule a trial lesson, and call references.  (Having been a private teacher, and knowing that any talented high school student can set up shop as a private teacher, I want to guide you towards someone who can really help your child!)

What about “mommy and me music classes?”
These days, the “mommy and me” style music classes are extremely popular.  Gymboree has them and so do many rec centers and local companies.  While they can be a good place to get out and have an activity, and meet other moms, I don’t think they are necessary or even particularly beneficial.  I don’t think there’s anything there that you can’t do for free at home, they are expensive, and they are not always taught by qualified professionals.  Skip them, and get together with other homeschooling parents if you want to do group music classes.  You can have a musically-inclined parent select some musical games, pool small instruments together, or even hire a qualified music teacher to come to you and teach a custom course. (I used to do this, so yes, it does exist!)

Hopefully you’ve found some new ideas you can use in your home music educating efforts!  Hop over to my blog and ask questions if you have any!

Kate blogs at Modern Alternative Mama.