Kids are busy. With extra-curriculars, homework, school; but also with their free play and imagination. A kid hardly ever just walks up the stairs. They scale Mount Everest. A kid hardly ever just eats a sandwich. They wonder what a peanut butter factory looks like. A kid hardly ever just brushes their hair in the […]
For Suzuki Parents
Is My Child Talented?
(Blog post by Suzuki violin teacher, McKenzie Clawson.) Every so often I have a parent ask me if I think their child is talented. My answer is always a variation on, “I don’t know, and it really doesn’t matter.” What is talent anyway? For many, talent is a skill that comes easily. Well, I’ve never […]
Why sign your child up for suzuki violin lessons…
New Blog Post Series For Beginning Suzuki Violin Students and Parents… As a parent, the beginning of the school-year is a natural time to evaluate my child’s activities and education. I don’t think I’m alone in this, because it’s also when I get the majority of inquiries about violin lessons. As I’ve been answering these […]
Why I Have My Kids Take Violin Lessons from SOMEONE ELSE
Teacher Appreciation week is the first full week of May, but since I think celebrating teachers for only a week is ridiculous, we’re devoting the whole month of May to teachers. (Yeah, yeah, and because I totally missed the first week of May somehow. I’m way behind on EVERYTHING this month.) I always knew that […]
More Practice Routines!
Today’s post is by my sister and fellow Suzuki violin teacher, McKenzie Clawson. Mckenzie: 7:20 Breakfast is wrapping up. I remind the nine year old violinist that it’s her turn to practice first and she has ten minutes until we start. There is eye-rolling and general chagrin. We chat for a few minutes and then […]
Sample Suzuki Practice Routines
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about some things to consider when creating a practice routine for your family. In today’s post, I dig into the details and share our family’s practice routines. To be perfectly honest, our routines change from day to day depending on my energy levels, our schedule, and my kids’ […]
Suzuki Practice Routines
Ideas for Creating or Improving Your Family’s Suzuki Practice Routine… It’s finally beginning to feel like Spring here in Utah, and it’s making me long for fresh starts in so many ways. I’ve been going through kid clothes and throwing out everything too small and too worn. I’ve been going through the cupboards and putting […]
5 Suzuki Parenting Mistakes I’ve Made (So You Can Avoid Them)
This week in my oldest child’s violin lessons, he and his teacher reviewed goals from the past academic year and made new ones for the coming year. Last fall, we made some goals for practice and for the progress we hoped to see. At the time we made the goals, my son (seven now, six […]
Successful Suzuki Practice Sessions
Why Setting Micro Goals Each Day Leads to Happier, More Productive Practice… A Tale of Two Practice Days… Once upon a Wednesday, a parent and their child gathered to practice the violin together. The first ten minutes of practice time was spent begging, pleading, and yelling at the child to get on the footchart. The […]
Helping Students Handle Disappointment Over Cancelled Musical Events
As an extrovert, I live for opportunities to interact with my students, friends, and colleagues. Attending summer institutes each summer is one of the highlights of my entire year. This year I was planning to take my 7 year old violinist for his second time, and my five year old cellist for his first time. […]