Parent Education Event Fall 2015 Recap

Missed Tuesday's Parent Education Night? 
Here's what you need to know!

Check out the article we read, "Thank You, Suzuki Parents. Everything you do is much appreciated".

Also, we spoke about how Scholarships are now available for extra events. Ask me if this is something your family might benefit from!

September Recap
Anyone else been feeling like September has been a chaotic, drama filled month? Like nothing has gone quite according to plan and we've had to deal with just a bit too much stress than is really necessary? Let's hope this wave is about to pass as we enter October. When we face times like this it is so easy to get lost in the drama and to let it seep into every area of our life. There is no way to predict when chaos will arise, but we CAN choose how to deal with it. That's why scheduling in time for ourselves, and I highly recommend this time includes getting out into the world, is so critical and is such an important habit and life skill to model for children. Go out and have a mini adventure, do something that you've always wanted to do, or something that scares you. Get out of your head and the drama and remember what it is to just BE.

My weekend fix to all the drama? Rock climbing in Milton at Rattlesnake Point with my Dad and Brother. A temporary escape to clear my head and get myself ready for the upcoming week.

Ready, Set, Listen!

The Listening Challenge starts TODAY!

From Tuesday September 29th to Tuesday October 27th, you have 29 days to developed listening routines and new ways to make listening convenient in your lifestyle.

Pick up your chart at tonight's group class, in lesson or print out your own! Listening Challenge charts are due at the Halloween Costume Party on Tuesday October 27th.

Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind as you start completing the challenge:

#1 The RED and BLUE challenges can be done anytime, not necessarily on the day they are listed. If you forgot to listen in the car one day, maybe try listening before bed instead and complete the car assignment the next day. Also, there are two Live Music challenges to complete, once again these can be done anytime. Live Music does NOT include attending group class, but can include the October 25th recital.

#2 I Listened can only be checked if you listened to the Suzuki CD. There is no time restriction.

#3 I Listened 3+ hrs. can include 3 hrs of only Suzuki music, or minimum 1.5 hours of Suzuki music and the rest, music of your choosing.

#4 For the Other________ challenge, you must list one other piece of music you listened to that day.

Why Kids Won't Practice - Part 4

Here is the last post to the Practice Series, 

just in time for Tuesday's Parent Education Event! 

Missed the other reasons as to Why Kids Won't Practice? 

Click HERE to find out and get some inspiration on how to approach practice.

#15 - Perfectionism
The perfectionist at any age deals with daily battles because making a mistake, no matter how small, can seem like the end of the world. A child with a perfectionist mindset needs to constantly be reminded that making mistakes is okay and that mistakes allow us to learn and grow. As parents and teachers we must model this behaviour and not put ourselves down when we make mistakes. We must make our expectations for a child crystal clear and to remember to praise the effort, not just the outcome.

#16 - Practice is a maturity thing
Although young children can be taught about responsibility and grow independence year after year, it cannot be expected of them to do everything on their own. We must guide them in getting their homework done, on the importance of eating a balanced meal, getting enough exercise, and practicing their violin. Help your child learn the habit of healthy daily routines now and it will pay off into their teenage and adult years when you won't always be there to make sure they get things done!

#17 - You are your child's biggest influence

If you don't want to practice, neither will your child. If you find it relaxing and calming listening to the Suzuki cd in the car with your child, they will feel this joy with you. If you turn your attention to your cell phone during lesson, your child's attention won't be on the lesson either. What you do, positive or negative, your child imitates. Take time to self reflect on your attitude towards violin lessons and other areas in your life. Be who you want your child to become.

#18 - You are using too many big words
As much as we want to explain and educate children, there is a time and place where words can be effective. Over explaining and using too many words can sometimes loose a child, not because they are incapable of understanding, but because they are not currently in the right state to focus on the words. Children love to do things, so when words are letting you down, DO what you are trying so tirelessly to explain. Not only is doing an activity more fun then just talking about it, but they will probably connect what you were trying to explain to them quicker and more efficiently. 

#19 - Check your tone

This is not to mean the tone on the violin, but our tone as adults. Children can read the slight tonal differences in our voices. They can tell when we become frustrated, if we are satisfied with a practice spot or if it needs to be better. Remember that you are in this together. You are working as a team to complete practice assignments. It is not a time to be critical of one another, but to support one another in this journey of learning an instrument. If something still is not clicking between you and your child during practice, record a practice session and review it with teacher. You may be surprised to see reactions that you didn't know you were making but are upsetting the practice session nonetheless.

#20 - Being firm is not being mean

Being firm is loving your child. It means parenting. As soon as a child starts dictating when they will take a bath, what they will eat for dinner, or that there will be absolutely no music today, we've lost the parenting reins. Be firm, stand your ground, and ride this wave with your child. The storm will pass and you will both be in a better place because of it. Stay strong and connect with other parents in your community. You are not alone.

#21 - Play games, all sorts!

Children love to play games and it is so simple to take a teachable moment and turn it into a game that means something to a child. Copy the games your teacher uses in lesson and make up your own games that you think cater to your child's interests.

#22 - Turn off the TV and other electronic devices!
Do I need to say more?

Happy Practicing!

Welcome Back to Violin Lessons!

It was so exciting seeing everyone back together again at group class this past week. There was so much participation, listening, and friendships being rekindled. I look forward to the next few months working together to prep for recitals and enjoy learning from one another.

What you need to know for September: 

SAO Student Day, Fiddle Registration & Parent Ed Event

The SAO Student Day is on Saturday November 7th and takes place at Althouse Building (Western University). Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Save a stamp and don't mail in your registration, but hand them in at lesson. Registration due October 1st.

Fiddle class continues to run Saturdays 1:30-2:30 at my place. Want to start your fiddle education early? You can find sheet music to all tunes we've learned in past classes in lesson.

Test your knowledge of Suzuki philosophy at the Parent Ed event on Tuesday September 29th and find support from other parents. We are all in this musical journey together! Let's start the year off inspired!

As you continue to get your schedules and routines in check, ask yourself the following questions:

When is daily practice scheduled throughout the week for you and/or your child?

Have you made listening to the Suzuki music convenient and daily?

Is your review chart, jar, calendar, etc. in sight when you practice as a reminder?

Do you have a binder ready to go for all your practice charts and handouts?

Get your ipad, iphone or other mobile devices ready with practice apps: look for free metronomes, tuners, and note naming games!

I have a bunch of posts planned for the next few months. Hopefully you'll find reassurance in what you have already established in your family's 'Suzuki' lifestyle or find inspiration to make some healthy changes. Have a topic you want to discuss or to learn a little bit more about? Let me know!

On another note, music and teaching is such a huge part of my life, but I think it's important for all of us to have other passions and interests other then what we do for a living. Things that we do just for us, for our health, for our sanity, that get us out into the world and experience nature and the freedom and inspiration that comes with it. My dad and I ran a 12km trail run at Fanshawe Park on Saturday September 12th, 2015. Such a great ending to a relaxing summer!

This was such a great event hosted by MEC! So organized and simple. Check out more events at MEC HERE and challenge yourself to a race with a family member or friend!

See the sprint to the end below. We finished together at 1 hr. 17 minutes.

Back to SCHOOL next week, Back to LESSONS the week after

September is HERE! If you don't already know this about me, this is my favourite time of year. My fall decor is out which means ... PUMPKINS! When I turned one years old my mom served me pumpkin pie instead of cake. It's always been one of my favourite things. I feel excited when I walk through stores in July and there is already fall decor available while everyone else is cringing. With September comes Pumpkin muffins, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, homemade pumpkin pie and my newer obsession Pumpkin teas from David's Tea.

I feel lucky in that my work revolves around the school year. Unlike what January feels like for many, September to me is a time of change and renewal. It's a time to set new priorities, routines and schedules.

Kids feel the excitement of this time of year. Starting a new grade, reuniting with friends and making new friends, anticipating Thanksgiving and Halloween, and of course the last big event of the year which I won't mention... yet. My point to all this is that whether you enjoy this time of year or not, find something to be excited for. The little things that we take the time to enjoy can lessen the stress of other areas in our life. Whether its a walk through trails to see the leaves changing colour, or making this years Halloween costume for your kids. No matter how big or small, find something that excites you and take time to watch the excitement in your children. 

I hope everyone has a nice week either back at school, back at work, or back to not needing daily child care! Let's all do our best to set healthy routines and schedules this school year and take a moment to think about how you will fit practice into all the craziness.

One last reminder that there are NO LESSONS next week.

I will see everyone back for lessons on September 14th and group class on September 15th!

Need any tune ups, violin size checks or just to talk about lessons/practice before lessons start? Give me a call, I'll be around home all next week prepping for lessons.