Do you need a homeschool music curriculum? We’ve got you covered!

Mrs. Typical Homeschooler writes:

“Why should I teach my children music? Don’t I already have enough other subjects to teach? By the time I cover reading and writing, science and math, not to mention history, geography and Bible, when will there be time to fit in music, too?

“And besides, I don’t know anything about music myself. I’ve never played an instrument, can’t read a note, and don’t know Bach from Beethoven. How can I teach what I don’t know?”

Welcome to the reality of a homeschool mom’s life—so much to teach, so little time. But is music really an “extra”? An elective? Just for the elite few who are talented or whose parents can afford private music lessons?

It doesn’t have to be. I have spent my career connecting people of all ages with music. But first let’s examine some of the reasons music should be a part of your family’s daily life.

Artistic expression. God created us in His image. He is creative and He has made us creative, too. Music gives us opportunities to express our creativity, blessing both ourselves and others.

Jazz musician Bill Evans said, “When you play music you discover a part of yourself that you never knew existed.”

The American author and professor, Oliver Wendell Holmes, wrote, “Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside us, unplayed.”

Don’t let that happen to your child or to you.

Intellectual benefits. Research exploring the link between music and intelligence reports that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s abstract reasoning skills which are necessary for learning math and science.

Reports published by the Music Teachers National Association state that children who play the piano score 34% higher on tests measuring the spatial-temporal abilities used in math, chess, science, and engineering.

Physical coordination. Children who regularly play an instrument, even one of their own making, benefit from the cross-brain requirements of the activity. Eye-tracking and fine motor coordination are improved while playing a musical instrument, as well.

Likewise, dancing, marching, skipping, and other musical activities improve coordination, not to mention being great exercise.

Emotional release. Music helps us to express many emotions. Music can lighten the spirits or help us to empathize with another’s grief. It can calm us when we are frightened. It can bring us into the presence of God.

The Bible tells us that David sang to pass the time in the desert while tending sheep and later while running from Saul. Paul and Silas were noted for singing worship songs while in prison (Acts 16:25).

Albert Schweitzer, noted physician, missionary to Africa, and musician, arranged for a carpenter to make him a table while he was held as a prisoner of war during World War I. Not only could he use the table for writing, but he “played” the table as the keys of an organ, using the floor for the foot pedals, hearing the music inside his head.

Alice Sommer-Herz, a 107-year-old Holocaust survivor, still practices the classics two to three hours daily. Music brought her comfort in the camp and continues to bless her in her old age. Not many pastimes can be enjoyed equally by the youngest and the oldest—music is one of them.

Social benefits. We sometimes forget that music is not just isolating ourselves in a practice room, or tuning out of society and tuning into our iPods. People are drawn together by singing, playing, and listening to music. Sharing music with others can build poise and be a blessing to lonely people who crave companionship. The music lingers long after the messengers have departed.

Scripture commands us to make music. Many passages in the Bible command us to make music including Psalm 100:1-2, Psalm 98:1,4-6, and Ephesians 5:18-20.

Martin Luther wrote,

“I truly desire that all Christians would love and regard as worthy the lovely gift of music, which is a precious, worthy, and costly treasure given mankind by God. . . . Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in this world. . . . This precious gift has been given to man alone that he might thereby remind himself of the fact that God has created man for the express purpose of praising and extolling God.”

Music touches us in every area of our lives—body, soul, mind, and spirit. Nothing has quite the same power over us, other than the Holy Spirit Himself. It is a gift that we can take to heaven with us. Don’t neglect music in your family life or homeschool.

For help getting started, see Beethoven Who? Family Fun with Music , my easy-to-use homeschool music curriculum children of all ages.

Beethoven Who shows you how to:

• Hear appealing classical, traditional, folk, patriotic, and sacred music—no CDs to buy!

• Enjoy fun hands-on activities with your children

• Tie in music with other subjects and interests

• Grow comfortable with the vocabulary of music

• Unlock the mysteries of musical notation

• Hundreds of links, 332 pages, glossary, fully indexed

Written by Marcia K. Washburn who holds a masters in music education and has connected countless children and adults with the joys of music.

Great news! Marcia is offering two copies of her unique homeschool music curriculum to the winners of our giveaway!

Marcia wants (2) of Blessed Beyond a Doubt’s readers to have their own family copy of Beethoven Who? A random winner will be chosen on October 15th at 11:59a. Winners will be contacted via email and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen. All entries will be verified.

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You will enjoying teaching music with this EASY To USE homeschool music curriculum.