As parents and teachers, do we "give away" the answer to our children?
Several years ago, I had a teenage piano student who I had taught for a year or two. He came in one day with a brand new piece of music that he had picked out and bought himself. He walked in my door, handed it to me and said, "teach me this song." I replied that I would not "teach him a song." He somewhat jokingly replied, "Isn't that your job? To 'teach me songs'?" I replied, "No. It is not my job to 'teach you songs.' Its my job to teach you to teach yourself the songs. My job is to put myself out of a job."
So he put the music on the the rack of the shiny, black Kawaii upright piano and begun to read on his own. I noticed that he was looking at the piano more than the music on the rack. It turns out, he could see my reflection in the shiny black finish of the piano. He was watching my face to see if he he was playing the correct notes. If I grimaced, he would try another note until he got it right. After that, I had to give more thought to my facial expressions. I want my students to acknowledge their own mistakes with out me "giving it away" with a comment, sound, or facial expression.
This is not to say that we just hand them a piece of music, step back, and wish them good luck. We need to prepare them for success at whatever assignments they have. There are many ways to prepare them for new assignments like counting, analyzing the music, listening to the recording, singing the music and choosing music at the appropriate level. We also must remember to practice at a slow steady tempo and work in sections so as not to overwhelm the student. I am not saying that we should not correct mistakes. We cannot let the child continue to make the same mistake over and over without their knowledge. But we break their concentration and enjoyment if we stop and correct every mistake as we go. If the poor child cannot play through the piece because we stop to correct each tiny thing, then everyone is going to be frustrated and nothing gets accomplished.
So what should we do if a child plays a wrong note and they don't notice it? Don't we need to point out what the correct note should have been? It is so tempting to just point at a note and say- "this is supposed to be a D you played an E." But sometimes they will correct it themselves if you simply ask them to play it again. Often, if you observe the student closely, you can see some slight acknowledgement of their mistake even if they are unaware of it. They hesitate on or after a wrong note, grimace, or tense their bodies. If that's the case, I like to point to the place where the mistake was made and ask if the noticed something about it. They usually tell me that it didn't sound or feel right. Then I ask them to examine the music and make sure they played everything correctly. At that point, they usually correct their own mistake.
So as parents and teachers, let's try to resist the urge to constantly "help" the child who is practicing. I know it takes longer, but it is worth it in the long run if we do not "teach them the song" but rather guide them as they learn it for themselves. Sometimes its hard to do, but you have to let them make mistakes. It is the best way that they learn. If they begin a piece in a totally wrong hand position, they will figure it out after a few measures. If they play a glaring wrong note, give them the chance to hear that it is wrong and correct it. Then when they correct themselves they will be confident that they did it themselves and did not rely on your help. Don't try to correct every mistake in a piece all at once. Prioritize. Start with most important mistakes and work from there. It might take longer to learn the piece, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Our job as parents and teachers, is to put ourselves out of a job. “The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist."” Maria Montessori
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Away We Go!
Today in Kindermusik, we had a sample of activities from the Our Time, Away We Go unit for kids 18 months to 3 years old. Our activities were based around transportation and movement as well as HOW we move.
One thing that became evident in today's class was that moving slowly can be harder than moving quickly. Especially for a toddler or preschooler, moving slowly in coordination with slow music requires a lot of muscle control and inhibition of the natural impulse to run like crazy. In most of our songs today, we worked on the contrast between fast and slow by either moving our bodies or playing an instrument.
This not only helps the child to keep a steady beat at varying tempos, but it also helps them learn to control their bodies and follow directions. The children today all did so well at following our different tempos as we listened to Alabama Gal and moved like a train.
We also worked on inhibitory control, which is the ability to stop and start on command. We did this with out egg shakers and worked to all stop together. In a 2005 study conducted at the George Mason University, 91 three and four year olds were put into three groups: those not enrolled in Kindermusik, those previously enrolled, and those currently enrolled. Those who had Kindermusik experience showed significantly higher levels of self regulation at tasks like waiting for a snack, walking on a line, and lowering their voice. Self regulation is an essential skill for pre-k readiness.
Our Kindermusik class on Wednseday at 10:00 am for kids 18 months to 3 years officially starts next week so be sure you are registered today so that I can order materials!
One thing that became evident in today's class was that moving slowly can be harder than moving quickly. Especially for a toddler or preschooler, moving slowly in coordination with slow music requires a lot of muscle control and inhibition of the natural impulse to run like crazy. In most of our songs today, we worked on the contrast between fast and slow by either moving our bodies or playing an instrument.
This not only helps the child to keep a steady beat at varying tempos, but it also helps them learn to control their bodies and follow directions. The children today all did so well at following our different tempos as we listened to Alabama Gal and moved like a train.
We also worked on inhibitory control, which is the ability to stop and start on command. We did this with out egg shakers and worked to all stop together. In a 2005 study conducted at the George Mason University, 91 three and four year olds were put into three groups: those not enrolled in Kindermusik, those previously enrolled, and those currently enrolled. Those who had Kindermusik experience showed significantly higher levels of self regulation at tasks like waiting for a snack, walking on a line, and lowering their voice. Self regulation is an essential skill for pre-k readiness.
Our Kindermusik class on Wednseday at 10:00 am for kids 18 months to 3 years officially starts next week so be sure you are registered today so that I can order materials!
Fundraiser!
Come on out to Cherubs Clubhouse Saturday, Feb. 14th from 5 to 8pm. The whole family is invited for a "Share the Love" Fundraiser for fallen Pelham police officer Phillip Davis' family.
Cost per Family is $20.00. There will a DJ, Lite snacks, finger foods, drinks, cup cakes, and cake. You may also purchase tickets for a chance to win raffle prizes. Raffle tickets will be 6 tickets for $5. There will be massage gift certificates, Klassy Clean, Paul's Diamonds, Strike Force, Alterations by George and more up for grabs. There will also be Kindermusik givaways available! The Davis Family will be in attendance and will be given a free membership and bonus card to the Cherubs Clubhouse.
Come on by, and help us spread the word for a good cause!
Cost per Family is $20.00. There will a DJ, Lite snacks, finger foods, drinks, cup cakes, and cake. You may also purchase tickets for a chance to win raffle prizes. Raffle tickets will be 6 tickets for $5. There will be massage gift certificates, Klassy Clean, Paul's Diamonds, Strike Force, Alterations by George and more up for grabs. There will also be Kindermusik givaways available! The Davis Family will be in attendance and will be given a free membership and bonus card to the Cherubs Clubhouse.
Come on by, and help us spread the word for a good cause!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Listen outside the box
I want to challenge everyone (myself included) to spend at least five minutes each day listening to something new for one week. We tend to get in a musical rut of listening to the same style of music every day. Try something different, and I don’t mean a different band that is simmilar to your favorite group, or a different song on your favorite album. I know what you are thinking, “I already like many different kinds of music. I like rock, country, jazz and even little classical.” I’m asking you to think even broader than that. Get out of the box and try something TOTALLY different or something you don’t think you would like.
Try jazz, blues, Broadway musicals or even new age, classical and world music. Have you ever tried Gregorian chant, birdsong, disco, Opera or Latin music? What about John Cage (I’ll give you bonus points if you know who that is), Minimalism, soundscapes, or choral music? The first time you hear something new and different, you may not like it. But as your mother always said, you have to keep trying new foods and soon you will develop an “aquired taste” for them. Neurons in your brain actually train themselves to make sense of new and different sounds with repeated listening of something new.
Children are much more open to different kinds of music. Make it a point to expose them to various styles of music. Classical music is good to help them focus their minds during homework and study time. New age music can promote a sense of peace and stability during hectic parts of the day. Jazz and pop music makes us feel happy and can brighten up a dreary day or help us to feel more energetic about activities like housework and exercise. Exposure to world music helps us broaden our tastes and experience different cultures and languages.
As a preschooler, I was exposed to classical music. My grandmother loved to listen to the Strauss Walztes and my aunt practiced piano while I danced around the room. To this day, I still love (and prefer) classical music. The opportunities to listen to a different style of music has affected me my entire life and become a large part of who I am today. Teenagers are not supposed to like classical music, right? Well, no one told ME that. I was probably the only 17 year old blaring Beethoven from my car and listening to Chopin, Debussy and Bach in my room at night. I also enjoyed Motown, Jazz and alternative music as a teenager. And believe it or not, I even listened to disco (Bee Gee’s anyone?).
One type of music that I did not like as a teenager was modern classical music. I liked Beethoven, Bach, Chopin and Debussy but would not give John Cage, Stravinsky, Philip Glass or Shostakovich a chance. I remember the first piece my piano teacher introduced to me from this style. I was not very receptive. That music was “weird.” I thought it sounded like something a child banging at the keyboard. But with repeated exposure, my brain learned to make sense of it. Thanks to my piano teachers as well as the percussion department, I was exposed to a lot of new music. Without that exposure, I would have been missing out on a lot of beautiful, ingenious music.
I know I need to work on having an open mind too. There are still pieces of music and styles that I do not like. After listening to a new style of music, you may still find that you do not like it. But please, do not forward your own tastes about music and art on to your children. Allow them to form their own ideas by simply being exposed to many different options. Don’t deny them the opportunity to broaden their minds. Who knows, you may like it too!
Try jazz, blues, Broadway musicals or even new age, classical and world music. Have you ever tried Gregorian chant, birdsong, disco, Opera or Latin music? What about John Cage (I’ll give you bonus points if you know who that is), Minimalism, soundscapes, or choral music? The first time you hear something new and different, you may not like it. But as your mother always said, you have to keep trying new foods and soon you will develop an “aquired taste” for them. Neurons in your brain actually train themselves to make sense of new and different sounds with repeated listening of something new.
Children are much more open to different kinds of music. Make it a point to expose them to various styles of music. Classical music is good to help them focus their minds during homework and study time. New age music can promote a sense of peace and stability during hectic parts of the day. Jazz and pop music makes us feel happy and can brighten up a dreary day or help us to feel more energetic about activities like housework and exercise. Exposure to world music helps us broaden our tastes and experience different cultures and languages.
As a preschooler, I was exposed to classical music. My grandmother loved to listen to the Strauss Walztes and my aunt practiced piano while I danced around the room. To this day, I still love (and prefer) classical music. The opportunities to listen to a different style of music has affected me my entire life and become a large part of who I am today. Teenagers are not supposed to like classical music, right? Well, no one told ME that. I was probably the only 17 year old blaring Beethoven from my car and listening to Chopin, Debussy and Bach in my room at night. I also enjoyed Motown, Jazz and alternative music as a teenager. And believe it or not, I even listened to disco (Bee Gee’s anyone?).
One type of music that I did not like as a teenager was modern classical music. I liked Beethoven, Bach, Chopin and Debussy but would not give John Cage, Stravinsky, Philip Glass or Shostakovich a chance. I remember the first piece my piano teacher introduced to me from this style. I was not very receptive. That music was “weird.” I thought it sounded like something a child banging at the keyboard. But with repeated exposure, my brain learned to make sense of it. Thanks to my piano teachers as well as the percussion department, I was exposed to a lot of new music. Without that exposure, I would have been missing out on a lot of beautiful, ingenious music.
I know I need to work on having an open mind too. There are still pieces of music and styles that I do not like. After listening to a new style of music, you may still find that you do not like it. But please, do not forward your own tastes about music and art on to your children. Allow them to form their own ideas by simply being exposed to many different options. Don’t deny them the opportunity to broaden their minds. Who knows, you may like it too!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Stock up on the bread-- there is the possibility of snow in Alabama!
The possibility of snow in Alabama is exciting! It is all everyone can talk about this week and I know that soon the stores will be void of milk and bread. Whoever decided that we all need to stock up on bread and milk in the case of a few flurries is making millions off of Alabama! If it snows, the schools will close, in fact the entire state will shut down for even a few inches and we will all cuddle by the fireplaces drinking hot chocolate, eating chicken noodle soup and watching movies.
I am keeping a watch on the weather for our demo classes this week. As of now, I am still planning to have our demonstration classes on Thursday. Anyone who has lived in Alabama for very long knows that as soon as you change your schedule for a predicted snow day, the snow will come another day or not at all. However, in anticipation of the snow later this week, we are also going to offer a demo piano class on Wed. afternoon. PLEASE EMAIL imaginationsmusic@bellsouth.net if you would rather come Wed.
If there is does indeed snow on Thursday, please call 529-6902 for a recorded message about our piano demonstration class.
Please join us for our demonstration classes, Wed. January 6 at 10:00 for kids 4 and under, Wed. January 6 at 4:00 for kids 4 and up and Thursday, January 7 at 4:00 for kids 4 and up. It is super cold out there, and you will need something to do to warm you up and keep away the cabin fever!
Snow plan!
The possibility of snow in Alabama is exciting! It is all everyone can talk about this week and I know that soon the stores will be void of milk and bread. Whoever decided that we all need to stock up on bread and milk in the case of a few flurries is making millions off of Alabama! If it snows, the schools will close, in fact the entire state will shut down for even a few inches and we will all cuddle by the fireplaces drinking hot chocolate, eating chicken noodle soup and watching movies.
I am keeping a watch on the weather for our demo classes this week. As of now, I am still planning to have our demonstration classes on Thursday. Anyone who has lived in Alabama for very long knows that as soon as you change your schedule for a predicted snow day, the snow will come another day or not at all. However, in anticipation of the snow later this week, we are also going to offer a demo piano class on Wed. afternoon. PLEASE EMAIL imaginationsmusic@bellsouth.net if you would rather come Wed.
If there is does indeed snow on Thursday, please call 529-6902 for a recorded message about our piano demonstration class.
Please join us for our demonstration classes, Wed. January 6 at 10:00 for kids 4 and under, Wed. January 6 at 4:00 for kids 4 and up and Thursday, January 7 at 4:00 for kids 4 and up. It is super cold out there, and you will need something to do to warm you up and keep away the cabin fever!
Posted by Lauren at 1:19 PM
I am keeping a watch on the weather for our demo classes this week. As of now, I am still planning to have our demonstration classes on Thursday. Anyone who has lived in Alabama for very long knows that as soon as you change your schedule for a predicted snow day, the snow will come another day or not at all. However, in anticipation of the snow later this week, we are also going to offer a demo piano class on Wed. afternoon. PLEASE EMAIL imaginationsmusic@bellsouth.net if you would rather come Wed.
If there is does indeed snow on Thursday, please call 529-6902 for a recorded message about our piano demonstration class.
Please join us for our demonstration classes, Wed. January 6 at 10:00 for kids 4 and under, Wed. January 6 at 4:00 for kids 4 and up and Thursday, January 7 at 4:00 for kids 4 and up. It is super cold out there, and you will need something to do to warm you up and keep away the cabin fever!
Posted by Lauren at 1:19 PM
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