When a child is learning music from home, we can’t forget about online learning games!  Let’s be honest, the kids of today are the digital generation.  Of course it depends on the parent, but kids are way are way more savvy at technology than my generation was.  With that said, you don’t want your kiddos staring at a screen all the time and play, using imaginations, and creating music without tech are equally as important. I think there’s a balance between using technology (like my Learn Piano At Home course) and in person music creation and exploration. There are so many amazing musical games and websites and your family may already have a favorite site you like to go to.  If you do a quick Google search with “kids music games” you’ll see so much come up.  In this episode, we’ll focus on musical games and I want to share just a few of my favorite ones.   For piano: https://www.funbrain.com/games/the-piano-player  https://kidmons.com/game/piano-online/  Preschool: https://pbskids.org/games/music  https://www.abcya.com/games/sound_burst Elementary aged kids: https://www.classicsforkids.com/games.html    https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/  http://www.creatingmusic.com/   https://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/interactives/steprightup/whackanote/  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

March is Music in Our Schools Month, and whether your kiddos go to school, are doing virtual school, or are homeschooled, music should be celebrated more than ever this month!  In this episode, let’s talk about unique ways to celebrate music with your kids at home! Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

In this episode, we'll explore different ways to make the song "You Are My Sunshine" musical.  No matter what song you're learning, there are so many different things you can do when it comes to exploring music to that song.  While listening to this episode, you'll be encouraged to sing, feel the steady beat, explore the rhythm, compose your own verse and movement to the song, and ideas for how to transfer that knowledge to the piano.   Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

In this episode, we'll explore different musical styles, musical artists, and ways to celebrate Black History month.  In this episode, I mention using books, listening to music, and experiencing different styles and genres of music. Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

This episode is coming out after the new year, but I did that on purpose.  As you’re making your new year resolutions, maybe one of those is to have your child learn piano, but you just don’t know how to get started.  You’ve listened to a few episodes of this podcast where I talked about identifying if your child is ready and maybe they’ve been asking you to take lessons but you just haven’t signed them up for whatever reason.  Nothing will ever replace the value of in person piano lessons, but the online option is definitely a great option as well.   In this episode, I explain the benefits of having your child learn piano from your home and how it fits right into your family calendar.   Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Here are keyboards I recommend: Portable digital keyboard Digital piano  Portal keyboard with bench Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

During the holiday season, you're enjoying family time and creating traditions together.  While you're baking Christmas cookies, watching holiday movies, or driving around to see lights, why not incorporate music into the mix?  In this episode, I'll give you simple ways you can create even more memories with your kids by using music! Take a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  The "Trepak" blog post mentioned can be found here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

There are so many ways to celebrate music in the Winter holidays.  You can sing songs and do activities around Winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.  In this episode, I'll share my favorite songs with you and you can find links to the songs on YouTube here: Sleigh Ride Winter Fantasy Winter Wonderland Silver Bells Carol of the Brown King poem In the Window Oh Hanukkah Christmas a Come There Was a Pig Went Out to Dig Feliz Navidad Carol of the Brown King poem In the Window Oh Hanukkah Take a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

Thanksgiving is a time to stop and reflect about what we're thankful for and to spend time with family.  While you're spending time eating and visiting with family (even if that's virtually this year), why not share the gift of music with each other.  These are 3 Thanksgiving songs your family will love to sing together.  You can see the blog post that contains YouTube links to these songs here.  Take a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

This episode is taken from a Facebook live I did where I teach two of my favorite songs about pumpkins.  Take a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

What is harmony in music?  In this episode, I explain what it is, why it matters, and how your kids can have fun with learning it right along with the melody! Take a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

What is melody in music?  Have you heard this word before, but didn't quite know what it meant?  In this episode, I'm going to break down exactly what melody is, why it matters, and tell you how you are already singing the melody with your favorite song on the radio without you even realizing it! Take a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

What is music theory and why does it matter?  In this episode, I'll explore the reasons I'm glad music theory was instilled in me at such a young age, how it helped me when it came to progressing as a pianist, and why your child should make music theory a part of their music education too.  Take a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

Is your child wanting to do marching band?  Are you wondering if it would be worth it for your child to be in marching band? In this episode, I share my story about being in marching band and the life lessons I carried into adulthood from that experience.  Read the blog post that goes right along with this episode here.  Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

In this episode, I talk about what to do if your child says music lessons are boring.  A lot of times, it's getting to the bottom of why kids are saying this.  Most of the time, there is an underlying reason they're saying this phrase.  After listening to the episode, you'll get questions to ask your child about why they're thinking music lessons are boring and will get strategies in how to help them to keep going.  Take a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

In this episode, I talk about music and sports.  This episode is broken into two parts. 1. Should your child do sports AND music? 2. How music helps athletes stay motivated.  Listen to a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

What is music appreciation?  How exactly do you help kids appreciate music?  In this episode, I explore many different ways to help kids to not just listen to music, but to appreciate it, study it, and learn it.  Listen to a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

What is rhythm?  Well, it's basically the way you put sounds and silences in music together! Rhythm is what makes you walk by a drum playing and has you tapping your foot, nodding your head, snapping your finger, or moving your shoulders a bit. While beat is the foundation for all music, the rhythm is layered right on top of it to connect the notes and rests together to make music become, well music! Listen in to the episode to find out more about rhythm and how you can explore it! Here's a version of "Sir Duke" you can listen to. Listen to a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

Have you heard the words "steady beat" being said a lot, but you're just not quite sure what it means?  In this episode, I'm explaining exactly what a steady beat is and why it's important to start here when it comes to teaching kids music... yes even at home. The steady beat: Is the pulse and is constant Keeps the music moving along Helps instruments in the orchestra or band stay together Can be felt in many different ways Has strong and weak beats Is the foundational building block Here's a version of "Sir Duke" you can listen to.  Listen to a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook

Music helps kids to thrive in so many ways.  In this episode I share a bit of my own story in how music helped me so much when I was a child and as I went into adulthood.   Music helps kids with: confidence as an escape from the world  to feel successful at something as a way to express themselves and with emotions Listen to a free piano lesson by Jessica here.  Sign up for the Learn Piano At Home course here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

In this episode, I discuss why your kids love to sing and how you can encourage it.  We also talk about how to find confidence as a parent if you don't think you have the best singing voice. The main thing to keep in mind is to just have fun with it!   Grab your free "Homeschool Music Education Starter Guide" here. Check out the blog, resources, and other content to help your child learn music on this page.  I’d love for you to leave a rating and a review of the podcast on I-tunes, share the podcast with any music teacher friends who would find it helpful, and be sure to tag me on Instagram or Facebook.