September 2024 - Meeting Students Where They Are
“There is music in every child. The teacher’s job is to find it and nurture it.”
“Teaching music to children is the most important thing in life, next to parenting, that a person can do.”
I am fortunate to teach a variety of students - all ages, ability levels, interests, and backgrounds. One of the greatest challenges I face as a music educator is finding the sweet spot between what a student is interested in doing, and what I know is most effective for long-term satisfaction. My students are all recreational musicians, meaning they’re playing for fun. Problems arise when expectations don’t align - a student believes “fun” and “easy” are synonymous, and becomes easily frustrated when their recreational activity is much harder than they thought it would be. Parents, too, are flummoxed - they want to support their child, but may have their own memories from childhood music study; perhaps feeling like they were “forced” to practice, or a lingering negative experience at a performance. They are reluctant to expose their child to the same trauma.
It’s a terrific opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.
We can’t, nor should we, protect them from all negative experiences. What we can do is support them unconditionally in their challenges, partner with educators who are open to trying new approaches, and always, ALWAYS offer grace and kindness.
As a parent of an elementary-aged child with special needs, I can assure you that I’m deep in the trenches with my piano families when it comes to needing support and encouragement. I find that success, both in teaching and parenting, happens when I release my expectations of how music study should be, and focus instead on what is actually happening in front of me. Celebrate every positive interaction, no matter how fleeting it may be.
Keep your eyes and ears open - those moments are more numerous than we think.