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Everyone Can Learn: TIME

T  I  M  E

This one is especially hard for me. My environment I can control, I can mold it and change it and make it how I want. How consistent and committed and motivated I am is also up to me. I can schedule and plan and create new habits and routines until I find something that works. 

But time...

It is constant. Time doesn't wait for us. It never goes fast enough when we are waiting for change and it never slows down when we want things to stay the same. 

If we are in a battle against time, then we are missing the big picture. If we are too focused on the end result and the product, then we aren't enjoying and learning from the journey. 

Plant a seed and watch it grow...

Shinichi Suzuki used the analogy of planting a seed and watching it grow when teaching children. I think it can be applied to those of all ages as well. Planting a seed is just the first step. In order for the seed to grow, we must water the soil, give it enough sunlight, and nurture it's environment. We must be consistent and give it time. Growth won't happen right away and since every seed is different, there's no way to predict precisely when we will see growth.  

Just because we can't always see growth happening with our kids, doesn't mean growth isn't there. Every step, the big ones and the small, are monumental and deserve our attention and our presence. There is no sense in rushing the process. Instead, we can try to be present in the process because that is what we can control. Being present is exactly where our kids need us to be.

Kids will learn to walk when they are ready to walk, they will learn to read when they are ready to read, they will learn everything they need to learn when they are ready. We as parents are also learning how to be parents as we go. We are all just figuring it out as we go and we all deserve whatever time it takes us to get there. We are never late or early. We are exactly where we are suppose to be. 

When a flower doesn't bloom, 

you fix the environment in which it grows, 

not the flower.

We are not broken. Parents and kids are never broken. We always have the opportunity available to us to change, evolve, grow and LEARN if we can be consistent, consider our environment and give it time. 

Everyone Can Learn: CONSISTENCY

Success doesn't come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently - Marie Forleo

Children thrive off of routines and schedules. Knowing what to expect and what is going to happen next provides safety and security. But not just for kids... developing routines, schedules, systems and habits can provide security, productivity, fulfillment and even a greater sense of happiness and purpose to those of all ages. When we are consistent, we are progressively working toward something. Whether this is developing a healthier lifestyle, a practice schedule, working to pay off debt, potty training, etc. It all comes down to consistency. Until we are consistent, we are unable to evaluate what is working and what is not. Until we are consistent, we are unable to grow. 

When we are trying out new routines and schedules with young kids it can be discouraging when things don't go according to plan. They might argue and resist, act out or refuse. But until we are consistent, they don't know that we mean business. Until we are consistent, they don't know that this isn't going away. Until we are consistent, they aren't given a chance to understand. 

                        You should only practice on the days you eat - Shinichi Suzuki

We can be consistent in practice by setting a schedule.

Set a schedule for practice and then commit to it - but be realistic. If you have committed to practicing everyday at 5:00, but three days out of the week it is a real struggle to make it work, then acknowledge that. Brainstorm another way. Maybe try a different time of day or shift the expectation for that day, and  then keep going. Being consistent doesn't mean you can't be flexible. Being consistent means that when it doesn't work out the first time, or the 50th time, we still continue to try, one small step at a time.

            It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop - Confucius

We can be consistent in practice by developing a routine.

The biggest time waster with practice is not knowing what to practice. Practice should consist of the following blocks: a warm-up, review, technique, run through of your working piece and repetition chunks of small spots. Lastly, you can end practice with anything else fun you want to play! Other then the warm-up, you can put these blocks in any order you like. If you can consistently follow an order or routine to your practice, you'll spend less time wondering what you should be working on and more time practicing (in the end either making your practice shorter, or just that much more productive!). Once you've developed a routine, it's okay to be flexible and shake things up every now and then. Maybe you'll discover a new way to practice that you like better! Until we are consistent with one routine though, we have nothing to compare an alternative routine to. 

    If you are persistent you will get it. If you are consistent you will keep it - Anonymous

We can be consistent in practice by practicing smarter, not harder.

Place importance on the amount of focus there is during practice rather than the amount of time. Understanding that a few minutes everyday is far better than hours on just 1 or 2 days. Don't be discouraged by practice when it's hard! When something is hard, it just means we have A LOT to learn. Stop and brainstorm how you can break the problem down into more manageable chunks or ask your teacher for help. Repetitions of these small chunks are key to progress, but they can also hinder us if we are not consistent. If we repeat without focus and with mistakes, then we aren't progressing. If we can slowly and consistently repeat with focus and accuracy, we will progress. 

It's not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It's what we do consistently - Tony Robbins

We can be consistent when it comes to practice by having a positive attitude and a growth mindset. 

Knowing WHY we are practicing can help put us in the right attitude to practice. Our WHY could be wanting to learn a certain piece, or get to a certain book. Maybe it's learning a new technique or being able to play with beautiful tone or working toward the next recital. Maybe it's simply the journey of learning something new. Sometimes a positive attitude in practice can get blocked when we are frustrated or feel like we aren't progressing. Having a growth mindset and understanding that our abilities aren't limited can help us through these inevitable struggles. When we have a growth mindset we can be a detective and look at environmental factors, our level of consistency and if maybe we just need more time before we see progress (which brings me to my last concept for this practice series... coming soon!)

Everyone Can Learn: Environment Part II - The Senses

Our environment plays such an integral role in how and what we learn. Not only are the models in our lives important, but our visual surroundings, what we are listening too, how our environment feels, smells and tastes all play a role. Although many of these I am presenting as aids to enhance learning the violin, they can be applied to learning anything.

SEE: An area free of distractions and clutter is ideal. If this isn't possible, having a focal point like a stand, picture or sign could work. Something that draws in your attention to the task at hand. Fill the room you are learning in with light and space. Make it functional and convenient with books and pencils, your instrument already unpacked (maybe on a stand or hook), rosin and a tuner close by. If your practice area changes, then have a bag or case to hold all your supplies that you can carry from room to room. Have your practice chart readily available. If you have to take time to search for it each time you practice, most likely you won't use it. Make everything you can convenient and right at your finger tips so there are no excuses. When our learning environment is visually pleasing, inviting and practically set up, it sets the stage for a productive practice.

HEAR: What we are listening to on a regular basis is vital to our learning. All babies learn how to speak their mother tongue language and they do so naturally because they are exposed to it 24/7. When we are constantly exposed to that which we want to learn, we very naturally begin to learn it. If we listen to fine violin music and hear the pieces we want to play on the violin, the entire learning process is done so with much less effort. Take a few moments to create playlists of the repertoire you are learning, your review pieces or maybe pieces you want to learn. Set timers to remind yourself to turn your music on or until you've done it enough times you've created the habit. Try active listening of your new pieces and follow along with your music as you listen. Watch videos of performers you admire!

TOUCH/FEEL: How things feel when we are learning is also important. If our clothes are uncomfortable or we feel cramped in the room or maybe we are hungry or thirsty or tired or full of energy. These can all affect our learning process. Sometimes a child who can't seem to focus for practice is just hungry, or needs to go to the bathroom or can't stand the feel of their socks! Or maybe they had a tough day at school and they need to vent or take some time alone before they can focus. Reflecting on how we feel inside and out before practice can make a huge difference in our productivity.

SMELL & TASTE: Although taste and smell have less to do with our practice success, definitely how we are nourishing ourselves benefits how we learn. If we aren't eating or drinking enough good things, this can mess with our mind and how we feel physically. Same with smell. Trying to practice in a smelly room can be distracting (the joys of practicing in university practice rooms comes to mind!). So maybe light a candle or diffuse essential oils. Use a nice lotion before you practice as a ritual to get you in the right head space. Make sure to have a drink of water and/or a light snack before you start. Figure out what tastes and smells affect your learning and what is right for you. 

There are so many little things we can do to make our environment motivating and comfortable for learning. Many of these ideas are fairly simple and probably well known, and yet we don't always take the time to apply them to our lives. If something isn't working, take a moment to identify it, analyze it, and come up with a plan to make practicing more convenient for you so you are making the most out of your time. Start small and set your environment up for success!

Everyone Can Learn: ENVIRONMENT Part I - The Model

"Every child grows. Everything depends on the teacher"

"Children learn to smile from their parents"

                                                                    - Shinichi Suzuki

Modelling is such an important factor for teachers and parents. If we want a child to do something, we need to be sure we are modelling that behaviour in our own lives. If we want a child NOT to do something, we need to be sure we are NOT modeling that behaviour in our own lives. Being a teacher and a parent has made me take a good hard look at myself and my life. This has been TERRIFYING! This has been OVERWHELMING. Of course we as parents and/or teachers have the best intentions, but many of us are still figuring out who we are and what kind of parents we want to be. We are bound to make mistakes. I have found that being a role model is a constant work in progress and that showing my work in progress can make me an even better role model. 

Being wrong and making a mistake isn't negative, it just means we have more to learn. The more we learn, the more we know and when we know better, we can do better. At the end of the day, especially in my family of perfectionists, making a mistake and OWNING IT is one of the greatest attitudes I can model.

"Rise to the level of the child"

"Man is a child of his environment"

-Shinichi Suzuki

When modelling isn't enough, it's important each day to meet a child at their level. Sometimes they are focused and ready to learn. Sometimes they need time to get there. Sometimes it becomes obvious we aren't going to get any focus that day or that moment and that's okay. Sometimes it becomes obvious we as teachers/parents are just out of ideas and not on top of our game. We can all have off days. I'm learning to give myself these days without judgement and to acknowledge them in front of my family.

When we meet a child at their level, we become aware of what they are doing in the moment and what they are interested in. Where is their mind at RIGHT NOW. If it's in a book then try incorporating the book into the practice. If it's stacking legos, stack legos for each repetition of a practice spot. Maybe it's running and doing jumping jacks before playing or listening to the Suzuki music if they need a moment to unwind. Maybe it's trying to be clear on the expectations for the day and giving them time and reminders as to when one activity ends and another begins. It's about clearing OUR minds of our to-dos, our schedule, our worries, and focusing exactly on where our child is at in the moment and how we can help them find focus, build teamwork and create enjoyment when practicing the violin. 

This is not an easy task. First of all, the violin is HARD! Standing still is hard! Focusing is hard! Listening to mom/dad is hard! Witnessing all the silly as a parent is hard! But can a child do it? YES! Can the parent do it? YES! When parent and child work through these tough moments together learning the violin, they can accomplish and get through ANYTHING TOGETHER! A trust is built unlike any other because both parent and child have struggled together, succeeded together, brought out the best and the worst in each other and they've learned more than they ever could have imagined along the way about each other and themselves. Meet a child at their level, mentally and physically. Play like they play, imagine like they imagine, and build practice (or any teachable moment) off of that.

As adults, it is also important to look at the models in our lives. Maybe it's our spouse, our coworkers, our family, our neighbours, our friends. It's the people we choose to follow on social media or watch on tv or read books about. If we are surrounding ourselves with positive people who inspire and motivate us, that plays the same role in our growth as it does our kids. Kids don't always have the same accessibility to choose their models yet, but we do! I think we can be mindful of the kind of people we are spending our time with and how their energy is affecting us and in turn our kids. 

"Any child can be developed. It depends on how you do it." - Shinichi Suzuki

Since we've been spending so much time at home together, what we are modelling to our children is even more profound. If we want our kids to get up and get ready for the day, focus during school (virtual or not), be active, eat healthy, do their practice and their school work, have a positive attitude -  they are looking at us all day and at what we are doing. What we expect of our kids, we must FIRST expect of ourselves. The more we demonstrate the habits, discipline and perseverance in our lives, the better the example we are providing for those of all ages, regardless of if they follow our example in the moment or not. Children are constantly absorbing what they see and hear from us so when we make it a priority to expose them to the values, attitudes, habits and behaviours we deem important, we are building the ground work for success as they grow. 

Keep modeling, keep learning, keep growing. Let's continue developing the best environment for our kids and ourselves to grow in, one small step at a time.

***I've always loved writing and creating and this blog is on outlet for me to share topics that I am interested in, things I've been learning, and ideas I've been bouncing around. Take from it what you'd like with that in mind, whether you agree or disagree - all I'm sharing are my CURRENT opinions and ideas - these are ever changing because so am I! If any of this provides inspiration, thought or maybe even sparks a new idea that you can take into your lifestyle, that is enough. Thanks for reading!***

Everyone Can Learn

There are many different types of students.

Some students are eager to learn, while others need encouragement. Some can be given instruction once, while others need to be told many times. Some students learn better by doing, while others learn better by observing. Some have the discipline to practice efficiently, but struggle to step out of their comfort zone. Others excel at spontaneity and playing what they feel and hear, but lack the focus to really master a challenging detail in a piece of music. A student can also be any age, with any kind of background or experience.

WE ALL have our strengths and weaknesses. 

Regardless of what these may be, WE ALL have the ability to LEARN. 

I believe that my job as a Suzuki teacher (and also as a parent!) is not to conform a student to one way of teaching, but to shape the teachings around how each student learns. I am excited by the student that does not adhere to an explanation that I've successfully taught to previous students. It forces me to think outside the box which in turn, forces me to learn something new. The more I learn, the more students I can reach. It is incredible to break down the door for a student and make a concept click, especially if done so in a completely new way.

What I've realized over the years is that we can also LEARN HOW TO LEARN, and how we learn can be influenced by the following factors: 

Environment

Consistency

 

Time

In my next practice series I'll discuss what I've discovered about the importance of these three topics in regards to practice, parenting, learning and life.

Everyday is a Battle

Every year around this time I watch all the Rocky/Creed movies (minus #5). We've had marathons in the past, but this year we watched a little bit every night leading up to my birthday. It's not that I'm a fan of boxing, at all, but it's the message these movies hold for me that bring me back every year. The holidays are over, Spring feels like a long ways away, it's cold and dark, we are all stuck at home and missing so much. It is all too easy to get lost and stay lost. 

Rocky encourages me to keep fighting. To continue getting up every morning, to continue building on my routines and habits and doing the things that I know are good for me. 

I'm not sure when I wrote this, but I came across it and wanted to remind anyone who is reading this, no matter what you are going through right now, just keep fighting, one second, one moment, one day at a time. 

Everyday is a battle.

It's not about if we win or lose, it's about how hard we fight.

It's about always taking that next step toward the person we want to be.

It doesn't matter if it seems like no one else around us is fighting. We don't know what their battle's are and it's none of our business to know.

When we fight our own battles, we build strength. We build self respect. 

That strength can then be used to better the lives around us and maybe give strength to others.

But taking that step forward is up to us.

So get up and fight. 

One small step at a time.

Fight for who you are and who you want to be.

Everyday.

No excuses, no blame, no fear.

Keep fighting to be the best version of yourself.