There are a few things my son has a tough time with. However, his disinterest and outright disgust with listening to music has been the most baffling.
His aversion to music of any kind has been a mystery over the years. One example sticks out in my memory.
When he was in kindergarten, I remember playing the song, “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me while in the car one day. His immediate response to the song was to ask me to turn it off because he thought it was sad. I explained to him that it wasn't sad and that he just needed to become familiar with the message.
I didn't turn off the music and as a result, my son started crying.
And he was crying because the song made him sad enough to cry; not because he was upset about not getting his way. At this point I began to realize that he has a special sensitivity to musical notes–something I am aware of because I have the same sensitivity.
Fast forward to today, I have been mostly unsuccessful with convincing him that music is something he can learn to enjoy. BUT
This year I am excited to say that enrolling him in the “20th Century Music Appreciation for High School” through “Music in our Homeschool,” has made a difference in his ability to better understand music–and to enjoy it!
In fact, just yesterday, my son told me that he realizes why he would cry at the end of a particular movie when he was younger. We were discussing an article I found about movies that traumatize children.
We were discussing some of the movies that I remember because of how sad they were, and nearly all of them are related to the music more than the events of the movies. He also said that he remembers a particular movie he used to like watching that always made him cry at the end. He realizes now that he was crying as result of the music rather than because of the way the movie ended.* Wow!
It's amazing what a few years and an awesome music course can do!
I honestly believe this discussion we can have about music is a huge step forward for him, and I can't help but think it's related to the class he finished last year through Music in our Homeschool.
Music in our Homeschool has an amazing variety of courses to choose from.
And these courses are not limited to high school level. And some courses are not specifically music. Also, she has memberships devoted to specific age groups. Free samples are available to give you a taste of what you will get. There is something for virtually everyone including moms.
For example:
- 10 Songs all Preschoolers Should Know
- 15-Minute Music Lessons for Elementary Students
- State Songs of the 50 US States
- Fall Music Lessons for Holidays and Special Days
- 10 Weeks of Shakespeare – Introductory Course for 7th-12th grades
- All Ages
- Beginning Sight Singing with solfege hand signs printable Set
- Use Music to Grow Your Faith (Moms)
- Purchase a License to Teach a Course at Your Co-op
So do yourself (and your family) a favor and check out all of the goodies she has to offer.
6 Reasons I'm thankful for Autism
4 Ways to Involve Kids with Disabilities in the Arts
*The name of the movie is “Harry and the Hendersons,” in case you're curious. 🙂
