How to Speak to Young Children
1. Don’t dumb it down
2. Don’t treat them as if they have the understanding of adults either.
– avoid jargon
– don’t use similes/metaphors/expressions
– pick appropriate music theory vocabulary for their level but don’t be afraid to use alternate terms if they’re not getting it
— Example: pause vs. rest
3. Use active listening
More info: https://youtu.be/mEqaNDwaKfk
Structuring Your Lessons
1. Set rules & boundaries up front
– https://youtu.be/99sBluziPSQ
2. Social contracts
– get the students involved!
– get the parents involved!
3. Reinforce or give consequences!
– when a student does what you want, have a fun activity or physical reward (sticker, eraser, candy if allowed, etc.)
– when a student breaks the social contract, there needs to be a clear but appropriate consequence (time away from the fun instruments, no sticker, frowny face on report for the day, etc.)
— HOWEVER, do NOT use music as a “punishment!” No one ever learned to enjoy piano by being forced to play scales! And make the consequence proportionate to the “crime!” Children have short attention spans and need correction instead of punishment!
– https://youtu.be/ujM4goYMUOw
How to Introduce New Musical Concepts
1. Make it fun!
– Games
— https://youtu.be/e2q1N-hMSFg
— https://youtu.be/jqPkk7OSeiY
– iPad games
— Piano games app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/piano-learning-games-online-piano-music-teacher-for-4-kids/id953900922
— BandBlast & BandBlast Rock apps
– Duets
– Call & response
– YouTube is your best friend and don’t reinvent the wheel! Search for music games online – there are soo many!
2. Make it memorable!
– https://youtu.be/5fAXWu0rVW4
– play along with videos
– build on these early skills and refer back to them often (scaffolding)
— https://youtu.be/-iki2hAYK74
3. Make it multisensory!
A Great Example of Beginning Music Lessons
Hope Wells from “How to Teach Piano to Kids” on expertvillage.com
1: https://youtu.be/-UicMxcENEk
2: https://youtu.be/eRUs2Bq2DJk
3. https://youtu.be/3JoeocEPndY
4: https://youtu.be/g0LgUni4KOk
5. https://youtu.be/76qdBWC06YQ
6. https://youtu.be/-UicMxcENEk
7. https://youtu.be/g0LgUni4KOk
8. https://youtu.be/T7FbiJ8tSM4
9. https://youtu.be/76qdBWC06YQ
10: https://youtu.be/rba2xM46Ly4
How to Involve Parents
– Be positive!
— compliment “sandwich”
– Write it down!
— tracks progress, is objective, and helps students/parents remember homework!
— Quarterly example:
– Follow up!
— quick conversation at the start of lesson with a review of the practice chart
— PLUS a quick conversation at the end of the lesson reminding them of the “homework” for the week or any upcoming events they should know about
And most importantly, have fun!
musictherapymixtape 