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.

January Instagram Recap

What I post on Instagram is purely an outlet for me; a chance to refine my thoughts and my goals for each day/week. I've had a new routine since 2021 and this is what's been happening in January!

Taking time to conquer my own thoughts and find the positive reaction in negative moments. Still a lot to learn

I follow her lead and guide and encourage where I can. Today’s practice was completed with the help of our doughnut costume and blue Dino buddy.

Grateful for the teachers and time invested in remote kindergarten for my daughter. It definitely hasn’t been easy and is by no means perfect, but it’s been a constant in our lives since September and an incredible stepping stone in my daughters development. My youngest even enjoys saying hi to the teachers! Who would have thought such a thing could be possible?

Not normally one to enjoy the snow and cold, but with not much else to do, snowy days are exciting days around here. Finding joy in the little things...

For JANUARY VIDEOS - find my INSTAGRAM HERE @AMYSVIOLINSCHOOL

Using Google Docs for Practice Charts

Even before COVID, I was on a mission to replace PAPER practice charts. I had come up with a few possibilities of a reusable chart along with making them completely virtual. COVID made the decision for me and virtual they went. 

My biggest issue with GOOGLE DOCS is organization. I've yet to figure out how to keep my files organized in a way that makes sense to me. Besides the lack of organization, I\ve been enjoying the document itself and the features available. 

Here are a few changes that I've made to make them even more convenient.

1. You will now receive your practice chart WEEKLY in an EMAIL!
2. To see your entire practice chart (including our new Bingo Challenge) click VIEW ENTIRE MESSAGE at the bottom of the email - if you do not click this, you will not see all of the practice chart.
3. Now you can COMMENT in your practice chart. Let me know you've practice to keep track of your days or ask me a question in your chart.
4. You can easily get back to GOOGLE DOCS from the email to COMMENT by clicking the title PRACTICE CHART in red or clicking the GOOGLE DOCS link at the bottom of the email.

If you have any more suggestions on Google Doc features we could use or how to make them more convenient, let me know!

Gift Ideas for Aspiring Musicians!

If you are still looking to get something for the musician in your family, here are some of my favourite violin accessories.

I shop at AMAZON.CA, Long & Mcquade and The SoundPost. 

Most of these items can be found on all websites. Check them all out to find the right price and shipping method for you.

Ingles Violin Stand

String Swing Wall Mount Violin Hanger

My favourite Rosin - Bernardel

Fun Rosin

Magic Rosin

Metronome (also Penguin & Owl)

The purest sounding E string

Coloured Manhasset Music Stand

The Suzuki Lifestyle on Early Parenthood

I recently came across these ideas I wrote out when Maggie was maybe 8-9 months old. I was navigating life as a new mom and trying to figure out who I was and what I needed (still a work in progress...). These concepts are such great reminders and what I've been reminding myself of as I continue to navigate all the changes this year has brought along with creating the best environment and lifestyle for my kids.

1. It's okay to let them struggle.

It is our instinct to want to protect kids from everything and to make things easy for them. But when we fail to give them the opportunity to be independent and to figure things out on their own, we are denying them the chance to grow and to learn and to be better human beings. It's okay to let them struggle and to let them know you will always be there. When we struggle it means we have more to learn. It's also okay for us as parents to struggle and to let our kids see us struggle! 

2. The importance of developing a schedule and routine.
One of the best ways to teach children is to be consistent. Children, even babies, find comfort in knowing what to expect and what is happening next. Routine creates calm and understanding and is a simple way to bring a family together and make the most out of each day.

3. Be flexible - The schedule and routine you create, won't always work.
Even though you've tried to stay consistent and follow the routine, things don't always go according to plan, especially with kids. GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK AND JUST START FRESH TOMORROW. Do the best you can do in the moment, do the minimum, adjust the schedule when needed, and take it one day at a time.

4. Put aside the crying, the sleeplessness, the messiness, the chaos, and really just focus on what you have and the lifestyle you are trying to create.
As we ride the waves of having a newborn, a toddler, a teenager, etc., it is so important to live in the moment. As a planner, I like to look at whats happening in the next week, the next month, the next year so I can be prepared. But when we only look at what might happen, we become blinded by what's happening in the present. If we don't know whats happening in the present, we don't know what we need to change. It's so important to be there and witness everyday, to make small changes and to witness small changes, and to see our kids being kids!

5. Take care of yourself and prioritize your life, work, wants and needs.
It wasn't long after my first daughter was born that I realized if I didn't make time to do something just for me in a day, I was not being the best mother I could possibly be. I also realized that when I hustle and really focus, I can get a lot done in 10-20 minute chunks or a 1-2 hour nap - I just needed to learn how to prioritize my time differently. I think it is so important for my kids to see that I am still working and learning at being the best version of myself and that this process never stops. When we model to our kids the importance of taking time for ourselves, we are giving them the opportunity to learn to be more self-aware and to realize that being kind to ourselves is just as important as being kind to others.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! 

How I FINALLY Got My 3 Year Old to Practice EVERYDAY - PART 3

Part 3 - In Conclusion

Start by looking at any 'problem areas' in the day. What are the things that you should and want to be getting done daily but are things that you always seem to argue about? 

Discuss them together (even with your littlest ones) and refine them. Start with just a few and agree that these things will get done each day. 

What works for your family to EARN if you work together to get the list done? 

Maybe a morning routine doesn't work for you, so try an afternoon or evening routine. 

Maybe after school the expectation is your child washes up from the day, empties backpack and practices violin. Or an evening routine of put on pajamas, brush teeth, practice violin. 

Maybe instead of earning screen time it's playing a video game or using the ipad/computer or going out to play with friends. 

Maybe you collect your days and earn an ice cream on the weekend or a new book to read at the end of the month. 

Maybe you try a combination of all of these until you figure out whats feels right for your family!

The list won't always be easy. But there is no better time to COMMIT then now! Post the list on your phone, on the fridge, at the kitchen table. Talk about it when you get up in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Make sure everyone agrees and is on board and works together to get things done. Set the expectation and then encourage each other! 

I can't remember the last day we didn't practice and the heavy load on my shoulders has disappeared. It is definitely not easy, but when it directly benefits our children and the joy we all feel by the end of the day having worked together rather than butt heads, it is a pretty good reason to continue to make small lifestyle changes.