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It was so great getting to talk with the parents at our Parent Education Night in October. If you missed the event, here is a recap of what we talked about and answers to some great questions provided by parents about Suzuki violin lessons.
7 Suzuki Concepts
These seven concepts were developed for the Suzuki Early Childhood Education Program or what I run as Small Steps Music Class - however they are fundamental Suzuki concepts that are key to instrumental lessons as well.
Every child can learn
This comes from Suzuki’s early discovery that every child learns his/her mother tongue language. We are all born with not only the capacity to learn, but to learn A LOT at a very young age. I think it is also important to recognize that not only every child can learn, but everyONE can learn. We as parents are still learning and the more we develop a growth mindset, the better model for learning we are for our children.
Ability develops early
We’ve all heard that a young child's brain is like a sponge. That is why in the Suzuki world we believe that children are never too young to learn an instrument, especially if they have the desire, support and environment to do so.
Environment nurtures growth
I have many posts about designing our environment for growth. This could be establishing listening, a practice schedule, exposure to music, the physical space practice is happening in, the physical and emotional needs of the student and the physical and emotional needs of the parent. These all play a role in practice success. CLICK HERE for more ideas.
Children learn from one another
Coming to group classes and mixing the ages & levels provides such a unique learning environment. As parents, we can try and seemingly fail to teach our children certain skills, but as soon as they see another child do it, all of a sudden they figure it out. Learning can become effortless when taught by a peer.
Success breeds success
The importance of breaking things down into small enough steps. This is the part I love about teaching and creating new ways to break challenges down into the small step that each child needs to succeed.
Parental involvement is critical
The key component to teaching young children is the parents' involvement. Nothing happens without a parents commitment in their child's learning, showing up for them and being present.
Encouragement is essential
Everyone has their own way they encourage which may/may not be based on how they were encouraged as a child. We could get into a whole discussion on positive, gentle, or conscious parenting and all the best ways we can encourage children without putting pressure on them. The key here is providing a pressure free learning environment, following the child's lead, and letting them develop in their own time.
QUESTIONS FROM PARENTS:
How long should my child practice for?
It is so easy to get into the trap of length being of importance when it comes to progress. What really matters with practice is consistency and purpose. Is practice happening everyday and is the purpose clear on what to practice and why? If the why is clear, A LOT can be developed in a short amount of time. At a certain point, a student will decide to practice longer because they just want to, because the pieces are getting longer or because they love that when they practice they progress. Regardless of how long a students chooses to practice for, the act of consistency and purpose in musical training means that they are consistently and purposefully exercising their brain and this is training that they will take into the rest of their lives.
When does a child start to read music?
In my studio, children learn to identify the lines and spaces right from the start. I then start to introduce where those notes are on the violin. Even though Book 1 is primarily learned by ear, we reference the book for notes, dynamics, rhythms and form when needed. I also like children to start active listening in Book 1. This means that while they listen to the music, the follow along with their finger in the music just as they would follow along with the words in a book. It doesn't need to be accurate, it's more about exposure. By around Allegretto in Book 1, we start to look at shapes of notes in the music.
I'd like to say there is a point in time where each child will learn to read music fluently, however I'd much rather my students know how to use their ears first and use their sheet music second.
The same can be said for learning to read our own language. We aren't sure exactly when it all falls into place and it happens at a different rate and time for all of us, and even still, there are new words, structure and grammar that we are still learning all the time. It's a journey.
When is a child ready to practice on their own?
This is variable as well. Generally by the teens, but I'd say any time after 10 years old depending on the student. I still wouldn't consider this practicing on their own, but more so practicing independently. They are always supported by parent and teacher and this is what will help set them up for success.
My child loves the violin and loves music but hates to practice, what should I do?
First of all, realize that this is normal. The most common answer when I ask parents of prospective students if they ever played a musical instrument is that yes they did, but they didn't like to practice so they quit.
Think about all the other things in our lives that we don't want to do, but we know we should do because they are good for us, and yet once we have done them, we are glad we did? Maybe this is eating a healthy meal or getting to the gym. Maybe it's reading a book instead of watching another show or going for a walk instead of scrolling social media. Maybe it's not procrastinating over that work project and instead starting with one small step. It happens all the time and it is normal. The things that are good for us seem daunting to start, but always feel great in the end, whereas the things that are maybe not so good for us start out great, but we can regret in the end.
Normalize the struggle in your family. Then take it one small step at a time and figure out ways (with teachers help) to make it individually more fun for that child. Regardless of how small the step, learning a musical instrument is a full brain workout and if done consistently, you are establishing some incredible habits, training and skills in that child. Don't give up!
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