Some students can really get on my nerves. Sometimes it’s because they forgot to practice, or forgot to pack their music books, and sometimes it’s simply because they forgot to bring their brains.
But you could never tell my frustration just by looking at me. On the outside, my eyes are shining, my lips are smiling and my voice is positive. And on the inside, despite some aggravation, my brain is rapidly turning. What am I thinking about?…
I’m thinking about how I can change MY piano teaching approach to fix whatever needs fixing. True, there are times that I just feel like becoming a drill sergeant or disciplinarian, but I know that this never works.
Kids do not come to their lessons to be disciplined for a lack of… whatever. They come to have a good time and to learn something. If they are being talked down to they may learn something but they will not have a very good time.
Remember, kids want to make you happy and want to be successful. When faced with a frustrating situation always find a way to change what YOU do in order to bring about change in your students.