Know Your Piano Families
I can not over-emphasize the importance of getting to know your piano families. This is so important to your success with each individual child. Children are very sensitive little individuals. The structure of their home environment does affect their learning ability. No, I am not suggesting that you be a “nosey” individual, but you do need to keep your “ear to the ground”. There is so much that you can pick up by casual conversations with your students parent. A few moments spent with the parent that drops off or picks up a child could give you valuable insight into your student’s world.
What are you looking for:
1. Does there seem to be stress in the parent’s voice?
2. Is there quarreling among siblings?
3. Is there interest in the child’s progress or anxiety?
4. Is there a positive attitude or a negative one?
5. What is your student’s placement in the family?
6. Are there some children in the family that do not do as well as other?
7. What are the age differences in the children of the family?
8. Or are you working with a single child?
9. Are both parents involved in the child’s life?
There are many other aspects we will discuss in future visits, but these will give us a good start. But, first I want to give you time to think of these yourself. I will give you my views on each in our upcoming visits.
Have a great day and may your experiences in music education bring you great happiness.
|
|
September 7th, 2006 at 9:52 pm
I love these questions. They are a wonderful reminder that the interaction that takes place with each student is not just about pedagogy, but about a love of music and understanding the way music speaks to us as humans. It is evident that you see teaching piano as a way to benefit the whole child and possibly affect each person that child comes in contact with, not just a way to have a steady income through teaching a musical instrument.
I would love to see how you teach your method via webcam. Is that a possibility?