Music - Parents Page
Why Include Music In Home Schooling
Almost everyone enjoys music — whether it’s listening to it, singing, or playing an instrument. Even though many people love music, it is no longer a main subject in the school curriculum, so it is often up to parents to provide music learning. One great thing about home education is that if you enjoy music, you can include it regularly in your week. Some families plan music learning across the whole year, with trips to concerts, both modern and classical, in the UK and abroad.
Learning music from a young age helps develop parts of the brain linked to language and thinking skills. Music has patterns that help with speaking and listening, and songs can help build vocabulary and improve how you write sentences. Being creative with music also helps you think in new ways, solve problems, and understand that there can be more than one right answer.
Many music activities involve working with others, such as being in a band or orchestra. This can help reduce feelings of loneliness that some home-schooled learners may have. Performing music can feel scary at first, but it teaches you how to take risks, manage nerves, and grow in confidence. These skills can help you succeed and reach your full potential.
Recording The Learning
Learning music can help students grow emotionally. It can help them understand other people’s feelings and learn about different cultures. Many young musicians also build confidence and learn better ways to cope with anxiety. This can be especially helpful for learners on the autistic spectrum.
For dyslexic learners, playing a musical instrument can improve hand–eye coordination. Just like playing sports, making music helps develop motor skills, which are important for dyslexic learners.
Music also helps with memory. Even when musicians use sheet music, they still need to remember rhythms, notes, and patterns. This skill of memorising can help dyslexic learners both in school and later in life.
To show learning, you can start by recording lessons and events you attend and keeping a simple list of the pieces you have learned.
If you perform in public, recordings of your performances are enough to show your progress.
If you take music exams, the certificates you earn are strong proof of what you have achieved.
Following a Set Programme of Learning
Some learners can begin by teaching themselves music, but if they want to improve and keep going, they may need a music teacher to help them.
It’s a good idea to rent an instrument instead of buying one at first. That way, you can make sure it’s the right instrument for you before spending a lot of money.
Joining a band is a great way to enjoy music even more and play with other people.
Music doesn’t only mean playing an instrument. Singing is music too, so joining a choir is another lovely way to get involved.
Sometimes, home education can feel a little isolating. Taking part in a band, group, or choir helps learners socialise with others and supports many of the areas that Educational Welfare and Inclusion teams like to see, such as teamwork, confidence, and regular social interaction.
Including Music In The Learning Routine
Here at Orchard Training, we include music in our projects in a natural and enjoyable way. We often do this through music appreciation, looking at music from different cultures when it fits the topic we are studying.
Copies of music can usually be borrowed from the UK library service for free or hired for a very small cost.
Each project that includes music will list the resources you need and suggest where to find them. Everything is planned with a home-school budget in mind.
You don’t need any fancy or expensive equipment to learn about music. Learning can be as simple as listening to musicor singing. The most expensive parts can be hiring an instrument or paying for a teacher. Visiting a concert can also cost more, mainly because of travel and ticket prices.