January 8, 2025 – The Importance of Music

Hey, Mama!

Gena Suarez, Publisher of TOS

Foster Their Talents; Give Glory to God

Hey, Mama,

God has a plan for you and your kids, but there’s no way you can see the end result. Impossible.

But God sees it all. He sees you, your husband, and your children. 

He knows your loved ones’ gifts and talents because He created them. Some will excel at science and math, some at reading and writing, and some at music and art.

My daughter Chloe plays violin—a gift she readily shares. Karen Doll, of The Epoch Times, wrote this about her: “Chloe’s bright smile and enchanting melodies transform an ordinary summer day at the park or the market into a lively celebration. Children dance and twirl and market visitors stroll from vendor to vendor with a little spring in their steps.”

My mama-heart swelled reading those words, but I can’t take credit for my daughter’s gift. It is from God.

My husband Paul is talented as an artist. One of his sculptures is in the White House! He gives glory to God for his talent and accomplishments. And because he is a good role model, Chloe is doing this as well. Both know their gifts and talents are from God.

If your child shows musical or artistic promise, find the materials and provide the lessons that will allow them to shine. But remind them in all they do, Soli Deo gloria—to God alone be glory. Also, check out these articles from The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine.

The Power of Music, by Steve Buckley
Art is a Mirror, by Erika Hoffman
Fostering the Foundations of a Musical Child, by Michelle Martin

Whatever your gifts, you can foster your child’s God-given talents with the Lord’s help.

And Mama, if you belong to Jesus, you are in His hand, and no man can pluck you out. (John 10:29) You belong to the Lord. He is your Protector, Provider, Defender, and Helper. Praise His holy Name!

~gena

Music develops COGNITIVE ABILITIES (problem solving), CREATIVE THINKING (new ideas), DISCIPLINE (practice), COORDINATION (hand-eye), TEAMWORK (commonality), WORK ETHIC (hard work), and ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (end result). http://www.musicfactoryllc.com/

Adam and Dianne Riveiro

A Plea for Piano Players

When mommas ask me if their homeschoolers should learn the piano, I enthusiastically say yes! As a pastor’s wife and the only piano player at our church, I wish more children were in the pipeline learning how to play. It’s not that I’m a piano snob or think the piano is the only important instrument—I just see its value in so many ways.

• The piano is the “gateway instrument.” For young people who want to branch out into other instruments, the piano is a great starting point. It provides a solid foundation in music theory, as the layout of the keys visually represents scales and chords. Additionally, learning piano helps develop coordination and finger strength, skills that easily transfer to other instruments.
• The piano helps build confidence. When a child practices for a piano recital, they learn the importance of discipline and perseverance. As a piano teacher, I love seeing the smile on my students’ faces when they nail their performance. It’s a real confidence booster for them.
• Churches need piano players. It’s rare to find a church with too many piano or keyboard players! When your child learns piano, they gain the opportunity to serve their church and share their talent as they grow older. 

How can your child get lessons? Check if someone in your church, co-op, or neighborhood offers classes. I’d encourage you to find a teacher who can teach them to play music out of a hymnal, which is a unique skill different from reading standard sheet music.

And here’s a bonus: the keyboard might be the only instrument your child can practice with headphones, sparing you from listening to them play day in and day out. Have I sold you yet?

-Dianne

About the author

Pastor Adam and Dianne Riveiro live in Easton, Massachusetts, where Adam leads Liberty Baptist Church. They’re the authors of several books, including Hope from Our Heart to Yours: A 30-Day Devotional Journey for Special Needs Families, available from their family’s publishing label at www.readyscribepublications.com. They have four children: Bethany, Kaylee, AJ, and Peyton. They’re passionate about helping their fellow special needs families find joy and contentment in Christ.

Join Kathy Hutto on YouTube: Christian content creator sharing devotions, FREE homeschool resources, and inspiring Bible lessons for kids & families at YouTube@kathyhutto.

Dara Halydier

Why Teach Music?

You don’t have to be a musical prodigy to teach music to your children. Not everyone is musical, but everyone can enjoy music. Music ignites learning in many areas of academics and releases the brain to build new pathways.

Studies show that exposure to music in the womb and in the earliest days of life bolsters cognitive development by helping with memory, language, temporal-spatial skills, and mathematical comprehension. A child can learn sounds and meanings of words as they hear and sing along with music. Dancing helps develop motor skills, and music builds creativity and the ability to think outside the box.

Does your child seem to have a problem listening or being patient? Music can help with these skills and is also a great stress reliever. My boys, however, didn’t particularly appreciate being woken each morning with a song. They did like to sing in the car and during the day as we broke out the instruments or danced with abandon.

Other benefits of music include hand-eye coordination as a child learns to play an instrument, physical endurance, discipline, auditory discrimination, and cooperation. These skills can be gained informally in the home or in an organized group. According to Bright Horizons, “Music triggers all areas of child development and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. It helps the body and the mind work together.” (https://www.brighthorizons.com/resources/Article/music-and-children-rhythm-meets-child-development).

Music is also science, math, a foreign language, history, and art. It develops insight and demands research. It can raise IQ and SAT scores. Dr. Eric Rasmussen, professor at John Hopkins University says, “There’s some good neuroscience research that children involved in music have larger growth of neural activity than people not in music training.” (https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/the-benefits-of-music-education)

But most important of all, music brings joy, family bonding, and fun.

About the author

Dara Halydier is a Bible teacher, a conference speaker, a mentor, author, mom to five boys and grandma of eight. She is the director of Abiding Truth Ministry. Dara teaches with humor, wisdom, and vulnerability as she reaches out to encourage and equip the next generation.

Todd Wilson

Familyman Ministries

With Music, Listening Counts

Hey, Mom,

I was in the school band . . . played the baritone saxophone. Got married, had eight kids, and wore out a couple of stereos from non-stop listening, but am too tired to have all our kids play an instrument or take music lessons. That’s just the way life is. Now half of my kids are grown and have families of their own. They still can’t play musical instruments . . . although Ben can play one song on the banjo . . . which is always a crowd-pleaser. You know what? They’re all successful, responsible adults who are great parents. So, contrary to some experts, your kids will be just fine without musical abilities or talents.

So here’s my advice when it comes to the value of music lessons: if all your kids play the violin, great. If your kids can’t carry a tune in a bucket, great. Quit feeling guilty about it and get on with living and enjoying life.

When someone asks you what your kids play, proudly say, “Lego!”

Now, that said, my kids love music. They’re always listening in the car or as they work . . . because their parents love listening to music. So ask Google to play some of your favorite tunes . . . and count it as school. Man, you’re doing a great job!!!

Be Real,

Todd

About the author

Todd Wilson is a dad, granddad, writer, conference speaker, and former pastor. Todd’s humor and down to earth realness have made him a favorite speaker at homeschool conventions, retreats, and churches across the country. As founder of Familyman Ministries and the Smiling Homeschooler, his passion and mission are to remind dads and moms of what’s most important through weekly e-mails, podcasts (The Familyman Show & The Smiling Homeschooler), seminars, and books and products that encourage parents. Todd, and his wife Debbie, still homeschool two of their eight children (six have graduated with four married) in northern Indiana. You can read more at www.familymanweb.com.

Time to learn a new instrument? Try our course Beginning Violin on SchoolhouseTeachers.com, and begin the exciting adventure of playing this beautiful instrument! Lessons will introduce students of all ages to beginning skills in handling and playing the violin.