The 4 – Step Plan for Implementing Early
Childhood Music Education at Home
Our products are thorough and comprehensive, but that doesn't mean excessive work for you. The 273 page Homeschool Edition Manual need not be read straight through. We break down the program into smaller pieces that you can work on slowly over the years. First, you will take a few weeks to prepare with the 4-step plan.
STEP ONE – Learn the Curriculum
First, you will have to learn the songs. Use the CD for your current or upcoming Liturgical Season and start listening. Make an effort to really learn the songs. Refer to the songbook if you encounter difficulties with words or foreign languages. Yes, the kids are with you 94% of the time, so they can listen too. Give yourself a week or two and you’ll be ready to go.
Rules for listening:
- Sing along – As soon as you can, join in. Do not model passive behavior for the children.
- Stop the CD – Stop the CD now and then to practice a song more. If you are all enjoying a song in the car, stop the CD and continue on your own.
- Improvise – make sure to change the names used in the songs to suit your family. If you see a trend, like a song about farm animals, come up with some new verses for other animals. Do not discourage “creative” ideas. Who says a unicorn can’t live on this farm?
STEP TWO – Prepare Your Equipment
You will need some equipment to get the most out of Making Music Praying Twice in your home. Some equipment is essential while other equipment is recommended but not necessary. The Equipment Guide in the Homeschool Edition Manual gives more specific information.
View the Online Equipment Purchasing Guide
STEP THREE – Learn the Teaching Methods
While the family learns the music together, you can read over the song descriptions and recommendations in the Homeschool Edition Manual for the appropriate season. This will explain the educational purpose of each song, as well as how to use it in class time and throughout the day. The manual gives many ideas for creative ways families can make the songs their own. You will find recommendations for different ages of children and sizes of family, so you can choose the ideas best for your needs. Remember, you will be reusing this curriculum each year, so this is a smart investment of your time.
STEP FOUR – Assess and Plan
Take the Musical Assessment for My Family to help determine your specific music education goals.
Then, make an Unstructured Plan. Its especially important to do this if you scored 20 or less on the Musical Assessment for My Family. Putting goals and plans in writing makes you much more likely to follow through. Unstructured, integrated music is what truly builds a child’s aptitude, ability, and positive attitude for music. Throughout the Making Music Praying Twice curriculum, you will find songs to accompany meals, prayer time, bath time, etc. The songs flow easily into your daily life in order to bolster the musical environment.
Once you have this in place, make your structured plan. Choose a time for music class when children are energetic and alert and be realistic in how much time you can devote to structured music education. You may use the fully developed lesson plans included in the Homeschool Edition Manual, or create your own using the lesson planning tools.
