As we cover in our book, Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling, families can incorporate a wide variety of educational themes into their travels: ecology, art, geology, history, or literature, for starters. Another theme you might consider is music. As an educational element, music is versatile, cohesive, full of joy, and applicable across all locations. Music can also be explored as a family because it is inclusive of all ages and stages. Rather than being a fixed unit of study, music is dynamic and can weave through every location you visit.

Our family owns a record store (like vinyl), and individually we collect music and each play an instrument. During our Wonder Year, we found music to be a wonderful way to connect, deepen our shared curiosity, and find our niche wherever we traveled across three continents. 

Visiting Places of Musical Import

Iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater–if rocks could talk, the tales they’d tell!

You can choose places on your itinerary that have music lessons baked in. You can study the music history, the instruments, or the popular trends of a place before you travel. Maybe have your kids do research in advance and teach the rest of the family or group. Think of learning about the lives of classical masters in Vienna through a concert at Mozarthaus. You could research the influences that came together for the birth of rock and roll in Graceland, Tennessee. Or, study acoustics while taking in an opera at La Scala in Milan. You might buy a khaen (Thai bamboo flute) at a market and give it a go. Or, follow Nairobi’s @realvinylguru on Instagram. (His vinyl record shop has a cult following and you just might see the legends who pop by for a hello, like Yo-Yo Ma did in 2023.) Keep on the lookout for fairs and festivals. The Riff Music Festival of traditional folk music in Rajasthan, India, has been on my bucket list since my 20s.

In this vein, keep a look out for local and current happenings. For example, especially important to us is Record Store Day. Record Store Day is an International Holiday, IMO–a collaboration of music labels and independent record stores to celebrate vinyl records. Whether you’re in Rome, Rio, or Rochester, collectible releases drop at the same time. Lines run for blocks, local musicians play, schwag giveaways are the norm, and you get a slice of local life by joining in the celebration. Although records are not necessarily portable, you can send some home. Or, just come for the fun. Finding ways to weave your interests into your Wonder Year is a great way to connect with a destination, and just might take you off of the “top 10” tourist path.

Using Music as an Exploration of Arts and Social Science

Practicing some tunes on a mosaic piano at The Giants House in Akaroa, New Zealand

Music offers a window to the study of culture, language, and place. What can we learn about history and culture when contemplating lyrics, rhythms, influences, and cross-cultural listening patterns? There is also a temporal component when we consider how music is passed down and changes from generation to generation.

The possibilities are endless and music might be the entree to pique your family’s attention for genres, borders, and fusion. For example, you might start asking why there is so much polka music in Mexico. Which could then lead to a deeper look at Mexican history and its ties with Germany. Studying the lyrics of popular songs is a great portal into language study. Or, perhaps study the musicians themselves by reading biographies or learning about them from museums or music venues. You can extend this to how their lives and messages tie into the larger timelines and world history. Think of Bob Marley, Bach, Dolly Parton, or Bono.

In the United States, February is recognized as African American History Month. The theme in 2024 is African Americans in the Arts. What a wonderful time to dive into the history of jazz, blues, and hip hop and explore the historical and cultural realities that gave rise to these amazing art forms. You can find short videos on many topics, like the history of Berry Gordy Jr and Motown Records or the origin of hip hop, or immerse yourself in the amazing 19-hour Ken Burns documentary series on the roots of jazz available on PBS Learning Media.

Bringing Instruments Along

Yes, we traveled with a cello, which was almost as tall as Lucy herself.

If you or your kid play an instrument, you might be contemplating what to do while you’re on the road for an extended time. Do you bring it along? Pause for the time away? Find alternative travel-friendly versions, or focus on music appreciation? If piano is your instrument, did you know that you can purchase a rollable and packable keyboard? Flutes, harmonicas, and other smaller instruments might be a great option to continue or learn while you’re on the road. Ukuleles and ¾ guitars are also great options that travel relatively easily. 

Our family brought a guitar, viola, violin, and cello with us. Seriously. We flew through seven countries on three continents and gate-checked the cello with a “fragile” sticker. Security was curious, but we never had a problem. In a campground in New Zealand, we were able to have an impromptu concert. We stashed them with friends or at guesthouses when we were mobile, and when we settled for longer periods, we could resume Zoom lessons with teachers back home and have concentrated practice time. The corresponding math lessons in time zones were well worth the continuity of my kids’ love of music and instruments. If it’s your thing, there’s a way.

Theme Songs

Elvis for sale while crate digging at a flea market in Beijing.

If you’re more of a music appreciator than a creator, consider finding your theme songs for each month, each destination, or maybe each year. What speaks to you as a family? Negotiate which songs make the metaphorical mixed tape. Do the lyrics remind you of a place? Are they all sing-able? Or is it the mood? Our family created theme songs for each place and a mixed tape compilation / Spotify playlist of the year. Music, like food or photos, takes us back to the time and place.

Social media trending songs could be your theme, or you could make video compilations that match trending songs. Try these experiments and gauge your profile interactions, extending your media literacy or marketing lessons.

Personal Listening

Music can also be a personal escape from the group’s activity. When family members need space, they can take it with headphones and their own playlist. Also having time to listen together is a great way for family members to share what they like with each other. Some families rotate who is “in charge” of music in the car, and that person can share what they’ve been listening to lately.

Invest in a family Spotify account and download rather than stream music. Did you know that streaming music has a massive carbon footprint? You also won’t be beholden to WiFi when you really need to listen. 

You can also encourage musical exploration in everyone’s listening. Find songs by local artists, listen to a genre you don’t usually, research a singer-songwriter and analyze their lyrics. Music, like the world, is full of inspiration, with hidden gems in corners if you keep an open mind and a travelers’ heart.

None of the ideas we shared here need to feel like planned lessons or coordinated effort–it can also just be fun, casual listening together that naturally leads to learning. We hope this post has helped you think about ways, small and grand, to incorporate music and worldschooling into your family’s travels.

To learn more about worldschooling ideas, check out our book, Wonder Year. Or, read more worldschooling blog posts like, Traveling Timelines, Winter Worldschooling, or Citizen Science.

Rooftops of Kathmandu make a great spot for Zoom music lessons.

The post Music and Worldschooling appeared first on Wonder Year Travel.

In our book, we encourage traveling families to individualize their approaches for themselves and their families. Jak’s coaching services have both well-proven modules as well as the flexibility to tailor your own worldschooling plan. We also admire his manifesto of inclusion, camaraderie, personal growth, contribution, kindness, and adventure.

Jak shares his experiences and insights with us below.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hey there!  I’m Jak, and I’ve spent over 13 years immersed in the world of primary/elementary education, working in various international schools across the globe. From South Korea to the UK, Cyprus to Borneo, my journey has seen me wear multiple hats – from class teacher to educational leader and beyond. 

My wife and I have been living abroad since 2010, which started with a backpack and a one-way ticket to South East Asia. Fast forward to July 2022, and we decided to leave our teaching jobs in Brunei and start a new adventure, chasing freedom, full time travel, and worldschooling with our two amazing daughters. This shift from traditional education to a more experiential approach has been eye-opening, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of worldschooling. My family and I are passionate about exploring the world, not just as tourists but as engaged learners, and are currently travelling full time and loving it!

Often a 3 a.m wake up means a budget flight but this sunrise hike was well worth it at Sigiriya Rock, Sri Lanka

Why did you start The Worldschool Coach?

The Worldschool Coach was born out of my firsthand experience as a worldschooling parent and educator. When my family and I took the plunge into worldschooling, we thought we had it all figured out, armed with my background in teaching. But boy, were we wrong! The sheer abundance of resources, opportunities, and changing routines left us feeling overwhelmed. That’s when it hit me – there was a need for guidance tailored specifically for families like ours. I wanted to create a resource that would both empower parents and give them the tools to confidently navigate the worldschooling, offering practical strategies and personalised assistance to make their educational adventures less daunting and more enriching. 

What are the components of your program?

The Worldschool Coach program is a comprehensive 6-session course designed to empower families embarking on the worldschooling journey. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach – instead, it’s a personalised roadmap to balance education and travel.

The program covers breaking down barriers to worldschooling, crafting a flexible worldschool curriculum, exploring core subjects and resources, maximising learning opportunities through travel, empowering self-directed learning, and tailoring the worldschool model to fit your travels. The course is designed for parents considering a family gap year or extended travel journey, or those already travelling who want to confidently worldschool their children while maintaining academics, nurturing personal growth, and embracing the joy of family travel. 

What is your educational philosophy?

The Worldschool Coach philosophy is centred on flexibility and adaptability, recognising that each child, family, destination, and learning opportunity is unique. It seeks to empower families to find their own educational journey, tailoring a worldschooling model to suit their individual needs and circumstances. 

The program aims to break down barriers to worldschooling, providing families with guidance  and practical strategies to confidently tackle the challenges and uncertainties associated with this lifestyle. It encourages a holistic approach to growth, fostering academic development but also personal, cultural, and experiential learning.

At its core, the Worldschool Coach philosophy emphasises the importance of seizing every travel experience as a valuable learning opportunity.

We love to explore local markets – also a great place to put those maths skills to use

As someone with teaching experience, can you give a pep talk to parents who might have no teaching experience? What skills does a parent need to actually do this?

Absolutely, I understand that the idea of taking on the role of an educator might seem daunting, especially for parents without formal teaching experience.

Firstly, parents are natural educators. From the moment your child is born, you embark on a journey of teaching and guiding them through life. You’ve been their first teacher, teaching them to walk, talk, and explore the world around them. Worldschooling is simply an extension of this innate ability to nurture and educate.

Here are some key skills that can empower parents on the worldschooling path:

Adaptability:

The ability to adapt to new environments and situations is a crucial skill. Flexibility allows you to turn unexpected challenges into learning opportunities, fostering resilience in both you and your child.

Curiosity:

Cultivate a spirit of curiosity, not just in your child but in yourself. Be open to exploring new cultures, trying new foods, and delving into unfamiliar topics. Your genuine curiosity will inspire your child to approach learning with the same enthusiasm.

Patience:

Learning is a process, and it unfolds at its own pace. Patience is key, especially when facing challenges or when your child is grappling with a new concept. Understand that every moment is a chance to learn and grow.

Resourcefulness:

You don’t need a traditional classroom filled with textbooks. Leverage the wealth of resources available online, in libraries, and within the communities you visit. Be resourceful in finding creative ways to impart knowledge.

Communication:

Clear and open communication is vital. Encourage your child to ask questions, share their thoughts, and express their interests. Likewise, share your experiences, insights, and knowledge with them. Communication builds a strong foundation for learning.

Critical Thinking:

Foster critical thinking by encouraging your child to question, analyse, and evaluate information. Help them develop problem-solving skills by involving them in decision-making processes.

Joy of Learning:

Infuse joy into the learning process. Whether it’s through games, hands-on activities, or exploration, make learning a fun and enjoyable experience. A positive attitude towards learning is contagious. Remember, you don’t need to be an expert in every subject. Embrace the learning journey together.

Learning about the tea trade in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia

As a current worldschooling family, any advice for parents who want to balance remote work and worldschooling their own kiddos? 

Balancing the demands of work and education, all whilst travelling and planning, is no small feat. From juggling online lessons, minimising screen time, seeking experiences in unfamiliar territories to decoding the mysteries of reliable wifi, the challenges are as diverse as the destinations. 

From one worldschooling family to another, here are some insights gained through our own journey:

Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that balancing work and worldschooling requires flexibility. Set realistic expectations for yourself and acknowledge that not every day will go as planned. Embrace the unpredictability of travel while maintaining a broad framework for both work and education.

Leverage Your Strengths: Identify your strengths and work to them. Whether it’s your organisational skills, adaptability, or creativity, use these attributes to your advantage. Align your work and educational strategies with what comes naturally to you. If you don’t feel confident in the area then level up. We have found so many online courses, YouTube videos, blogs, and online resources such as tutors or coaches to enrich our adventures and improve our skillset.

It’s been great getting to know Jak, his services, and his family’s path a bit more. You can follow Jak on his instagram @theworldschoolcoach or visit his website at www.bostontribetravels. We look forward to following their travels.

8 weeks in Sri Lanka was one of the highlights of our travels so far

The post Community Connectors: The Worldschool Coach appeared first on Wonder Year Travel.