This may just seem like a bonus, but don’t underestimate the importance of teaching your child a proper appreciation of music. You cannot gain a proper appreciation of music without exposure to beautiful music. Pop, country, rock, they all have their place, but they won’t be enough.
Think of it this way: Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro is like a six-tier cake, filled and garnished, as opposed to a popular country or pop song on the radio, which is like boxed cake mix whipped up and made in a hour. You get the idea… there is no comparison. Like it or not, very often (not always) popular music is about what is most marketable and profitable for record companies. However, geniuses like Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky were moved by something different, something touching in their souls. Listening to beautiful music will give your child an appreciation of what is “truly” beautiful.
Beautiful Music helps foster an appreciation for truth and beauty.
Start at an early age by exposing your children to beautiful art and music. There are so many raw and ugly things in our world, it is important that our children know how to recognize true beauty in order to elevate their mind and soul to higher things, there are many programs to help you achieve this goal, although none of them are necessary, if you want to use all the gifts in the library.
Music Curriculum
For music appreciation curriculum, I have enjoyed using How to introduce your child to classical music in 52 easy lessons. It’s easy to use and not only exposes your child to beautiful music, but also hones their listening skills as they try to discern the different sections of the orchestra (brass, strings, woodwinds, etc.).
If you want to teach your children more general music theory, then the Music Ace 1 & 2 software is a fun way to do it. Students progress through 24 lessons on sharps, flats, tones, durations, and more. Corresponding to each lesson there is a game for more fun and practice. Music Ace 2 builds on Music Ace 1 by introducing standard notation, rhythm, melody, harmony, and intervals.
Of course, private instrument lessons are always an option for those who can afford it. If not, there are many excellent “teach yourself” programs available. I know of many families whose children were self-taught on a variety of instruments.
Have fun incorporating a music curriculum into your homeschool program, and try to remember that it really is an important part of your child’s homeschooling and not just an “extra.”