Music, the Brain, and Why It Helps Homeschoolers Thrive at RHSA

If you’ve ever watched your child instantly perk up when a favorite song comes on- clapping, swaying, humming along- you’ve seen something powerful in action: music wakes up the brain.

At RHSA, we love music because it’s joyful… and because it’s “academic” in the best way! Music supports the skills kids use every day in reading, attention, memory, language, and even confidence in front of others.

Let’s talk about what the research says, and how our music offerings at RHSA can support your homeschool rhythm.

What music does in a child’s brain

Learning music isn’t just “arts enrichment.” It’s a whole-brain workout!

When kids practice rhythm, pitch, and coordination, they’re training multiple systems at once: hearing, focus, movement, timing, memory, and self-control. Large research reviews find links between musical training and stronger verbal memory, reading-related skills, and executive functioning (skills like attention, planning, and impulse control).

Here are a few “school skills” music tends to support:

• Attention + self-regulation (executive function): staying with a task, resisting distractions, switching between steps

• Language + reading foundations: auditory discrimination (hearing small differences in sounds), verbal memory, and listening skills

• Auditory processing for real life: understanding speech in noisy environments (hello, co-op hallway chatter!)- studies suggest music training can strengthen how kids’ brains process speech-in-noise

Overall, the trend is clear: music practice builds skills that often spill over into learning and development.

Why this matters for homeschool families

Homeschooling gives you something schools often can’t: the ability to tailor your child’s learning to who they are.

Music is a beautiful “two-for-one” because it:

• gives kids a structured challenge without feeling like more worksheets,

• supports brain skills that help across subjects,

• and adds joy + community, which has been one of the best perks we’ve seen for our kids and families

And the best part? Kids don’t have to be naturally “musical” to benefit. Like reading or handwriting, music is a skill that grows with practice and good instruction.

Music options at RHSA

We offer multiple ways to bring music into your child’s week- whether you want playful movement for little ones, or focused skill-building through private instruction.

Music & Movement (for younger kids)

This class is a favorite for a reason: it builds foundational skills through play- steady beat, listening, body awareness, coordination, and social engagement. Older children even get to learn to play different instruments.

For young children, especially, pairing music with movement supports the development of executive function and attention (think: “stop/go,” following cues, taking turns), which are major building blocks for later academic work.

Music & Masterpieces

This class combines music history with art! Using these different media to teach about expression and the arts, it’s a hit with our kids.

Little Musicians (preschool)

Even the little ones love to participate in classes at RHSA, and this one has been in high demand. This class gives kids the opportunity to learn about rhythm using unique everyday items, and kids have a blast creating music together in a class setting.

Private music lessons

We currently feature private instruction options, including:

• Piano

• Guitar

• Violin & Viola (with a Suzuki-trained teacher)

Private lessons help kids develop consistency, patience, and the confidence that comes from mastering something step-by-step. Research on instrumental training highlights how sustained practice engages motor and auditory systems together, exactly the kind of integrated work that supports a developing brain.

How to choose what fits your child

Here’s a simple guide:

• If your child is young, wiggly, or easily overwhelmed: start with Music & Movement or Little Musicians.

• If your child loves structure, patterns, or is craving a “special skill”: consider private lessons.

• If your child is hesitant or perfectionistic, music can be a gentle place to practice “progress over perfection,” especially with the right teacher and low-pressure goals.

Come see (and hear) what RHSA is like

One of the best parts of RHSA is that we’re a tight-knit community- families who genuinely want to support each other and help kids thrive. Music classes and lessons add to that culture: they create shared experiences, brave moments, and a lot of joy.

If you’re exploring co-ops and want a place where your kids can grow academically and feel known, we’d love to welcome you.

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