The Old Schoolhouse� 

has MORE for you!

Check out these resources:

Who We Are:

• About Us
• Contact Us

Greetings!

Deborah Wuehler  and family

I just read an article about the fact that music instruction at an early age 

• Music lessons help active children learn how to be still and concentrate for a given period of time.

• Children with sensory issues find that music soothes their over-stimulated brains. A headset of classic or worship music may be just what this child needs to concentrate on schoolwork.

• Some children who have a difficult time communicating are adept at singing and learn to communicate through music.

• Music instruction helps children with fine motor skills.

• Music practice develops the ability to make important things a practice of habit.

• Music is another way to reach the soul. Make sure the music in your home is inspiring and uplifting.

• Music can help with Scripture memorization.

• Music can help with depression.

• Music is welcome almost everywhere. It is an avenue to spread the good news.

God thinks music is very important, and you will see that it holds a place of prominence throughout the Scriptures. It is an aid in worship, and an expression of the thoughts and the heart. It is used to soothe the soul, to lead an army into battle, and then lead in the dance of victory as well. There were singers and musicians, and music makers in the temples and tabernacles, and at the city gates. From Genesis to Revelation, music was revealed as an important aspect of human life, just as it is today.   

As you search for what is best for your children, ask the God Who loves music to give you His wisdom for each one.  

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.  

Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.

For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. Psalm 33:1-4

~Deborah

TOS Senior Editor

 SeniorEditor@TheHomeschoolMagazine.com   

Diana Waring

Relational Homeschooling

www.DianaWaring.com 

Dear Friends,

I'd like to take a slight detour on today's topic, and talk about "Music after homeschool." Why? Because I know that others will talk about all of the great opportunities homeschool kids have when it comes to music, the creative ways we can encourage music in our homes, and the amazing music that can come from homeschoolers who have the time to practice (unlike their peers in school who don't!).

But, after this past weekend's experience, I have a fresh perspective and an incredible insight for you about what is coming.

Now, you all know that eventually your kids grow up, right? You realize that all of the mega-time you are spending changing diapers, teaching reading, cooking meals, refereeing arguments, studying to stay one step ahead of your kids' learning--all of that is, one day, going to come to a screeching halt. I can even name the day: Graduation. Even your baby will one day graduate.

We lose sight of that in the midst of the busyness. At least, I did. I didn't really grasp, until the night before my baby left for college, that it was all coming to an end. She was playing piano, as she had done for several years, and I suddenly realized that she was playing all of her old favorites, all of the pieces she had labored so long to perfect . . . I realized, with a shock, that she was saying goodbye to the life she had known.

But, here's the deal. When it comes to an end, which it will, life goes on.

Shall I say it once more? Life goes on.

And, dear ones, it can actually be incredibly sweet, filled with things that you never had time for during the busy years of being a homeschool mom. I know. I have begun to experience the sweetness.

In January of this year, more than thirty-five years after my last experience of singing with a college choir, I stepped back into a world of music that I had nearly forgotten. A friend had told me that our local university had a symphonic choir, made up of alumni and community people, who performed with our local orchestra. And, at times, they also joined with the university choirs to do significant musical works. This year, the symphonic choir and four university choirs were going to perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony. If you are unfamiliar with the 9th, it is the music of "Ode to Joy," and one of the most joyous pieces of music ever written. To my astonishment, I was able to join and sing the most difficult music I have ever sung.

On Saturday night, to a packed house, in an absolutely beautiful performing hall, I sang with a 185 voice choir (most of whom were college students) and a professional orchestra. Sunday night, I sang the 9th again in a different venue, with an 80 voice choir and another professional orchestra. It was the most thrilling musical experience of my life . . .

So, friends, I'm here to tell you that there is life after homeschool. And, part of life after homeschool includes having time to do what you love most. Including music.

Remember, stay relational.

Diana

P.S. I'll be at MACHE this weekend in Rochester, MN. Be sure to come say "Hi!" I'd love to give you a hug!!

Raising Real Men

www.RaisingRealMen.com 

Hal & Melanie Young

Melanie worried about how she was ever going to teach our children music. After eight years of piano lessons, she still can't play chopsticks. It was pretty intimidating to think about trying to make sure our children had the musical background we wanted them to have. She managed to muddle through, though, and now we've got a family full of music lovers. What's the secret?

Just listen. Probably the most important thing we did to help our children love music is to surround them with good music. We bought CDs of classical composers and popped them in when we were in the car. (That was a real sacrifice for Melanie. Her favorite music is silence.) It gave our children a taste for complex, artistic, time-proven music, and that made it worth it!

Make making music available. Teach your children that they can make music, too. Sing to them and sing with them. It doesn't matter if you can't carry a tune in a bucket (Melanie certainly can't!)--your children won't know the difference until they're old enough to overlook it and show Mom a little respect. Make rhythm instruments--put some dry beans in a toilet paper tube and tape up the end, staple paper plates together with rice or macaroni in them, or create your own ways to mark time and make a rhythmic sound. Put on a music CD or turn on the radio and let them play accompaniment. As they get older, get some inexpensive instruments around the house--a recorder, a bongo, bells, or a good xylophone. Get a second hand piano or a guitar, if you can. Challenge your children to learn to play at least one song on each.

Reach out for help. Our homeschool support group organized a small band program. Over the past several years, we've had leadership from parents with musical experience, from school music teachers who wanted to earn a little extra income, or from gifted older students. Look for retired people in your church or community who might be interested in sharing their knowledge of music, or pay a more experienced student to teach your children what they need to know.

The important thing is that our children really learn to love and appreciate good music. Remember Melanie's favorite music is silence? Can anyone tell us how to stay sane in a house full of music lovers, all playing or practicing or singing something different????

Yours in the battle,

Hal & Melanie

P.S. We'll be speaking at 11 more events over the next several months, from North Carolina to Nampa, Idaho to Phoenix, Arizona, and back! If you'd love us to stop over in your area along the way and speak in your church or support group, email us at info@raisingrealmen.com and let us know where you are!

Would someone tell us how you are supposed to stay sane in a house where everyone is playing music--all different?